Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 81: If

Yin Ci didn’t stay there for too long.

He couldn’t let out a mournful cry; he just silently shed tears as if trying to drain the blood from his eyes. When this person went mad, he suppressed his madness, suffering silently.

After sitting for the duration of an incense stick, he straightened the young Shi Jingzhi’s collar for an entire hour and then took his hand.

“I’m sorry about earlier. Let’s go back.”

On the edge of the cliff of destruction, the blood in Yin Ci’s eyes had faded compared to before. His voice was no longer as gentle as when he was crazy; it sounded bitter, cold, but with a touch of sincerity.

The changes were subtle that a young child wouldn’t be able to distinguish them.

Shi Jingzhi’s neck turned red; he was relatively unharmed, at least not to the extent of triggering his “object addiction”. Children had limited understanding, so how could they know that they had just experienced a near life-or-death situation? He only thought that a flower had cured his benefactor and saved him from a beating, considering himself quite extraordinary.

So, he immediately cast aside the losses he had just suffered and, with his other hand, made gestures and acted spoiled, immediately asking for fish.

Yin Ci patted his head, his eyes filled with mixed feelings.

That night, Yin Ci no longer casually fed him with whatever food was available; he started to cook proper meals.

Sliced fish, lightly grilled, paired with sweet and sour juice, tasted soft and sweet when eaten. Fresh small fish with their internal organs removed were cooked until crispy by the fire. The texture of the root vegetables was dense and fragrant, complemented by tender wild shoots, providing an incredibly refreshing taste.

The young Shi Jingzhi ate without knowing what time it was. If it weren’t for Yin Ci providing perfectly balanced meals, he would have vomited from overeating.

This time, Yin Ci didn’t inquire about “fate” or “answers”. He quietly stayed by the side, continuing to meditate. The air of hostility and killing intent gradually dissipated. Yin Ci’s expression became calm, revealing a cold and jade-like temperament.

After finishing the meal, The young Shi Jingzhi was filled with emotions, tears welling up in his eyes—he had never eaten such delicious food in his life, nor had he ever seen someone as attractive as Yin Ci.

In this secluded forest, this person was a demon slayer with earth-shattering abilities. And he could also cook a great meal; he must be an immortal in human form.

Previously, the immortal¹ had blood on his body, surely indicating that he was injured somewhere.

The three-year-old child felt that he had discovered the truth—he had been saved by a god¹ and owed a tremendous debt of gratitude. But the god was a bit fierce, and if he didn’t repay the kindness properly, there was a chance he might be abandoned.

¹Note: There’s two terms being used. He’s calling Yin Ci himself an immortal [xian ren] (仙人) which is usually refer to someone who had ascended through cultivation, while this term god [shen xian] (神仙) is more of a general term referring to a celestial/divine, encompassing deities, gods, spirits, and even immortals.

Thinking of this, the young Shi Jingzhi felt a sense of crisis. Whenever he had a chance, he would scrutinize Yin Ci with his eyes, searching for opportunities to repay the favor.

Yin Ci didn’t know what was going on in the little brat’s head. With the night growing colder, he drew the child closer to him, and the two of them fell asleep under the maple tree.

Everything was calm. The tiger demon that had escaped earlier pretended as if nothing had happened. Taking advantage of the dark night and strong winds, it leisurely returned for a free meal. In exchange, it generously lent out its fur, providing a warm tiger meat mattress for both of them.

The moon and stars were thinning. As the moon started to set, the sun rose.

At that time, the young Shi Jingzhi didn’t know anything yet, but he had a natural talent for understanding people’s hearts.

The young Shi Jingzhi was particularly sensitive to those fluctuating emotions. He closely followed that trace of blood, and whenever Yin Ci showed any signs of unnatural hostility, he would be the first to rush forward, carefully embracing Yin Ci until the pain in his eyes subsided.

If Yin Ci clenched his fists and cut his palms, the young Shi Jingzhi would forcefully pry open his hands and earnestly protect them with his own two hands.

If Yin Ci fell into a frenzy, with sword qi about to erupt, the young Shi Jingzhi would pounce on him and straighten out the black hair that should have flowed like a waterfall.

And if Yin Ci couldn’t calm down no matter what, the young Shi Jingzhi would resort to his last trump card—

The demon flower from a few days ago had scared him half to death, and he didn’t dare touch it anymore. Instead, he would save red leaves and offer Yin Ci a few beautiful leaf “flowers”.

And finally, he would accompany it with a full-force hug.

Now it seemed that these attempts to appease were naive, bordering on foolishness. However, for some unknown reason, Yin Ci was truly pulled out of the abyss by this childish helping hand.

Day after day, the blood in Yin Ci’s eyes grew fainter. The young Shi Jingzhi was quite satisfied—even though he still couldn’t find the wound, it was indeed slowly healing.

Later on, the god even allowed him to sleep on his chest.

The young Shi Jingzhi loved being in the god’s embrace. The faint, cold fragrance enveloped him, and when held by the god, an unprecedented sense of security came from all directions. It felt like the least worrisome place in the world.

Delicious food, beautiful scenery, and the company of a god. He could go wherever he wanted and play however he liked, never feeling so relaxed before.

When Yin Ci was feeling better, he would even play those childish games with the young Shi Jingzhi. Even when he wasn’t feeling well, Yin Ci would quietly stay nearby, watching him frolic in the soft fallen leaves.

There was only one worry left for the young Shi Jingzhi.

Once the god’s injuries were healed, would everything come to an end?

Was he useless to him?

In the young Shi Jingzhi’s vague memory, “kindness” was a scarce commodity that required fair trade. Without merit, one wouldn’t receive rewards, so he was always cautious and careful, trying to gain a little from others.

People who were kind to him were already few and far between, and no one would be kind to him without reason.

Children’s ability to be anxious and hesitant was far beyond that of adults. The young Shi Jingzhi was frightened by his own speculations, unable to sleep. The “object addiction” that had remained calm for several days gradually resurfaced.

He couldn’t eat with peace of mind; he always felt like it would be his last meal and had to eat more, even if it made his stomach uncomfortable. He couldn’t fully enjoy playing either, always feeling that the person beside him would return to the heavens at any moment. If he couldn’t relax for half an hour, he would crawl into Yin Ci’s arms for a while to make sure he was still there.

This suspicion almost drove the young Shi Jingzhi mad. He had no power to control everything he wanted, but he feared that his desires would be too heavy, causing the god to dislike him, so he resorted to biting his fingers hard.

Fortunately, the “god” gradually recovered, spoke more, and understood why he was so timid.

“With your current state, you’re not exactly normal either.”

Yin Ci pulled his blood-soaked finger out of his mouth and carefully bandaged it. His gaze was clear, with only a faint hint of red left in his eyes.

The young Shi Jingzhi hugged him with a sense of grievance, burying his face in Yin Ci’s chest, unable to break free no matter how hard he tried.

“Alright, stop biting your fingers. Let me teach you a mantra. Remember it well.” Yin Ci ruffled his hair. “Evil spirits roam in the Juyi Valley, but I won’t abandon you.”

However, the gentler Yin Ci was towards the young Shi Jingzhi, the more the latter broke down. He seemed unable to handle this continuous stream of kindness and refused to let go, his face turning red with frustration.

Yin Ci looked at the young Shi Jingzhi in such a state and quickly realized what was going on. He frowned and looked at the trembling child.

“…Kid, has no one ever cared for you?”

The young Shi Jingzhi looked utterly confused.

Yin Ci sighed and lightly flicked his head. “This Seat doesn’t have any intention of making any deals with you. If I’m kind to you, then that’s how it is. If I have to gain something from a three-year-old, I’m either worthless or a beast.”

The young Shi Jingzhi covered his head that was flicked, growing even more perplexed.

His little world, based on the theory of “fair exchange”, had been functioning for quite some time but was now on the verge of collapse. Could there truly be “goodness” in the world that didn’t require trade?

Could he really trust this person?

Seeing the young Shi Jingzhi stunned, Yin Ci simply hugged him tightly. “The fact that you and I can meet in this desolate place can be considered fate. Since no one has cared for you, how about being This Seat’s son?”

After a while, Yin Ci let out a bitter smile and added, “This Seat doesn’t even need you to take care of me in my old age.”

The young Shi Jingzhi didn’t have a clear concept of “parents”, but he understood what it should mean and grasped the implicit meaning in Yin Ci’s words—the god genuinely wanted to protect him and didn’t require his constant efforts to please.

The sincerity in the god’s gaze was different from the people who used to deceive and placate him.

In a fleeting moment, something seemed to break in his heart. Unfamiliar emotions surged forth, starting with a sense of grievance, followed by an incredibly tender feeling. At that moment, the young Shi Jingzhi couldn’t distinguish it clearly.

He was busy shedding tears, sobbing silently, and indiscriminately wiping his tears on Yin Ci’s sleeve.

“Alright, Little Mute, I’ll take it as you’ve agreed. Don’t bite your fingers anymore. After reciting the ‘Purifying Words’, you can go play.”

But the young Shi Jingzhi didn’t let go; he clung tightly to Yin Ci, as if a drowning person clinging to the last piece of driftwood.

It was like a newborn bird opening its eyes for the first time, and he had never felt so at peace.

The days that followed felt like a dream.

Even when the young Shi Jingzhi grew up, he had never experienced such a feeling—he didn’t need to worry about anything, nor did he need to second-guess anyone. And he could be genuinely kind to that person, placing complete trust and dependence without reservation.

The gentle breeze of early autumn, the serene sunlight.

Those were the best moments of his life.

After nearly half a month, the blood in Yin Ci’s eyes had almost faded away. Even so, the young Shi Jingzhi didn’t let any of Yin Ci’s low moods go unnoticed; he always found an opportunity to ask for a hug.

And Yin Ci would respond with a smile.

The adult Shi Jingzhi watched, lost in a daze, as his heart ached spontaneously.

…If only he could leave with Yin Ci and disappear from the world, how wonderful would that be. Even if he suffered from a strange illness and couldn’t live past thirty, it would still be a fulfilling life.

Unfortunately, he knew in advance that the ending of the story wouldn’t be like that.

He watched as the autumn colors grew richer, playing like he usually did during his childhood. Suddenly, the earth trembled violently, and dry leaves rustled while debris flew through the air.

A malicious figure emerged from the ground, nearly knocking him off his feet.

In an instant, the stench of demonic qi exploded and soared, surpassing the six-eyed tiger demon by a hundredfold.

The Juyi Valley was originally a royal hunting ground that collected various strange monsters. But later, they lost control of the monsters, and the royal family could no longer manage them, so they simply let it go. It was rumored that there were many colossal monsters in the valley, sleeping year-round, their forms unknown to mortals.

The young Shi Jingzhi, perhaps due to some connection with fate or maybe because his qi was truly delicious, had attracted such evil monsters.

The colossal monster was as tall as two adult men, resembling some kind of lizard. Its skin was covered in brown tumors, and it had a large round black eye in the front of its head. Opening its mouth wide, its sharp teeth struck chaotically, emitting a saliva that exuded a suffocating stench.

A three-year-old child had never witnessed such a grand spectacle before; even a mere flower ball could cause him to have nightmares for seven days. When this thing crawled in front of him, the young Shi Jingzhi’s hair stood on end.

Fortunately, the phrase “crying for father and mother*” still applied to him to some extent.

*(哭爹喊娘) Idiom referring to someone who’s panicking or crying out for help in a desperate situation, to a point of an embarrassing state (often used derogatorily to highlight cowardice).

With courage, the young Shi Jingzhi ran away as fast as he could. And in the next moment, Yin Ci indeed descended from the sky. The sword qi of the Bone Sweeping technique struck directly at the round giant eye.

With a muffled sound, the murky liquid from the eye splattered out.

The colossal monster let out a painful roar, while its body still charged towards the young Shi Jingzhi, solidly taking in a few strikes of the sword qi.

Yin Ci’s movements were graceful and elegant, striking precisely and beautifully.

Even without any inner force, facing such an advantageous opponent, Yin Ci didn’t show the slightest intention of retreating. He had no sword in his hand, and the sword qi was no longer as chaotic as before. Only his black sleeves fluttered in the wind, launching sharp and concentrated attacks.

Like invisible whips, they descended like a storm, each strike accompanied by a fine spray of blood.

The colossal monster had thick skin, but it couldn’t withstand such sharp and fierce attacks. It recoiled, relying on its massive body, relentlessly charging toward the young Shi Jingzhi, determined not to give up without taking a bite.

Seeing that thing relentlessly chasing after the young Shi Jingzhi, Yin Ci let out a cold snort.

He stood not far from the young Shi Jingzhi, intercepting the monster’s path, and instead of retreating, he engaged in close combat with the colossal monster.

As it approached, the power of the sword techniques grew stronger. Freed from madness, the sword qi moved at will, and the attacks were quite effective. Under the fierce assault, the one-eyed giant monster was injured, losing a significant portion of its flesh, revealing its white skeletal frame.

This roadblock couldn’t be bypassed, and it finally stopped in its tracks.

In the flickering dark light, the demonic qi surged. A purplish-black tongue shot out from its mouth, its edges sharp and teeth menacing, moving as fast as lightning.

Without inner force for protection, that human body was as fragile as paper in front of it.

Yin Ci was too close to evade. From the neck to the waist, he lost half of his body in an instant.

The “immortal” vitality ceased to exist, and blood gushed out wildly, with his organs seemingly about to spill out. The giant monster, feeling triumphant, let out a low roar and turned its attention to the young Shi Jingzhi.

But Yin Ci didn’t step aside, nor did he fall down.

He stood in his incomplete state, letting the blood rain down upon him like a storm. Then he raised his head and gave the giant monster a bloody smile.

Amidst the falling red leaves and scattered strands of hair, he once again charged forward.

At the edge of that terrifying wound, numerous blood-colored fine roots emerged. They quickly formed new organs, bones, and flesh, instantly restoring Yin Ci’s half-body.

Truly more eerie than the demonic monster itself.

Several even more fierce sword qi rose, with the momentum to completely destroy the giant monster, causing it to cry out in agony.

The opponent couldn’t be killed or defeated, and it had lost too much blood. However, it realized too late as Yin Ci’s offensive became more erratic, displaying an unstoppable momentum.

In the end, it fell on the path of escape, collapsing into a heap of severely wounded flesh.

The young Shi Jingzhi, filled with wonder, stared at Yin Ci’s figure, completely captivated. He was securely enveloped in a sense of peace.

That person was truly an immortal, the only immortal he knew.

His immortal was invincible, and no one could bring him down.

He didn’t need to fear anything.

The young Shi Jingzhi stumbled and rushed toward Yin Ci, who skillfully lifted him up, allowing him to sit on his arm. Shi Jingzhi tightly grasped the cool, smooth long hair, regretting his inability to speak.

After a moment, he held onto Yin Ci’s neck tightly, trembling with all his strength, his body shaking with excitement.

Yin Ci, considering the child’s young age and being frightened by the monster, gently patted Shi Jingzhi’s back. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”

However, the child still refused to let go and trembled even more intensely.

“How about I make a feast with all fish for you tonight?”

“…Or should I go back and play hide-and-seek with you?”

Shi Jingzhi continued to tremble, clinging to him.

Yin Ci pondered for a moment and then tore him away from himself, looking directly into those amber-colored eyes.

“We’ve known each other for so long, and I haven’t properly granted you anything. How about this? I’ll fulfill one of your wishes. Is that okay?”

Shi Jingzhi finally stopped trembling. He stared at Yin Ci without blinking, forgetting even how to nod or shake his head.

Ignoring his torn black clothes, Yin Ci lowered his eyes and smiled slightly. Bathed in the warm autumn sunlight, that smile carried a hint of warmth.

“Little Mute, since you can’t speak your wish, This Seat will grant you a life free of worries and a hundred years of longevity.”

The young Shi Jingzhi hesitated for a moment before reaching out one hand and pressing it against Yin Ci’s cheek. Feeling the warmth in his palm, he dared not let out a breath.

With blood scattered like maple leaves, it pricked his eyes.

“…But you have to be a good child and not let down those around you,” Yin Ci added in a low voice.

Shi Jingzhi finally regained control of his mind. He vigorously nodded, tightly gripping the long hair in his hand and burying his head in the crook of Yin Ci’s neck.

The scent of the immortal was very pleasant. He closed his eyes, and his heart leaped with joy.

Born lonely, he had now touched an unbreakable and rock-solid affection. At least in this moment, he was free from worries and fears.

In a daze, he felt that this happiness was simply not of this world.

It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. It was a thousand times better than roasted fish when starving or sweet fruits before dying of thirst.

The next moment, intense heat and severe pain struck together.

The young Shi Jingzhi immediately spewed out a mouthful of black blood and convulsed in Yin Ci’s arms. His arm was instantly covered in dark blue blood vessels, and his whole body seemed to be falling apart.

Yin Ci was startled by his unusual condition.

He almost immediately let go of Shi Jingzhi, took his pulse, and furrowed his brows tighter and tighter. Then he tried to pick up Shi Jingzhi, who let out a series of non-human screams from his broken throat and vomited a large pool of black blood.

The child’s fever was severe, and his illness was bizarre and not easy to touch or move. Yin Ci quickly made a decision. He placed the child on a soft pile of fallen leaves and, without hesitation, cut open his wrist, soaked it in blood, and applied it to Shi Jingzhi’s forehead.

“We don’t have time to search for medicine here. There’s a medicine shop in the town outside the mountains. I’ll go and be back in no time.”

Yin Ci’s calmness in his words was on the verge of collapsing.

“Wait for me here. It won’t take half an hour for me to return.”

After saying that, he hastily dragged the new dead giant monster. Despite its miserable death, it still lingered with demonic qi. Even if he wasn’t nearby, with the monster’s corpse guarding Shi Jingzhi, no other monster would dare approach.

Finally, Yin Ci gently touched Shi Jingzhi’s burning face, activated his qinggong, and disappeared in an instant.

The young Shi Jingzhi lay alone on the fallen leaves, feeling the warmth around him gradually fade away, and the autumn wind suddenly turned colder. He longed to grab onto the hem of Yin Ci’s clothes and keep him by his side. But in the midst of the intense pain, he lost the strength to lift his hand, unable to even let out a cry.

The nearby demon corpse still emitted heat, its appearance repulsive. However, Shi Jingzhi dared not close his eyes. He held onto his eyelids, counting his heartbeat little by little, wishing time would pass more quickly.

Unfortunately, it seemed that fate had destined him for parting.

Not long after, a gust of magic suddenly rose, and three people and a dog appeared before him. Leading the group was a dog demon, with steam rising from a hole in its head.

Behind the dog demon was an elderly man with white beard and a withered appearance.

He glanced at Shi Jingzhi and spoke with a grave tone, “Since the establishment of Great Yun, no one has ever had their ‘fixed desire’ before the age of fifteen. This child is only three… It seems that I have won the gamble against the emperor.”

“If you really wanted to protect him, why did Master inform the emperor early that this child is a ‘catastrophe to the nation’? If not for that, the Emperor wouldn’t have decided to take action so quickly.”

Following beside the old man was a familiar face—Jiang Youyue, respectfully asked.

“The Emperor no longer believes in us, and he must have already sought another way to calculate things. If we concealed this matter, we would only offend the Emperor*.”

*Clarity: Dragon’s countenance/face (龙颜). In this context, he’s not referring to just the emperor, but also the emperor’s face (and, by extension, the monarchy itself).

Jiang Youyue suddenly realized. “So that’s why Master deliberately set up this gamble? Leaving this child in Juyi Valley for a full month, allowing fate to determine life or death… And the Emperor agreed?”

“Yes. His Majesty, the True Dragon Emperor*, firmly believes in the divine favor bestowed upon Great Yun. He will never admit that fate stands on the side of the ‘catastrophe to the nation’.”

*(真龙天子) Term used referring to the emperor. Back in the old days, it was believed the emperor was a real dragon that descended from the sky (the Son of Heaven).

The old man sighed.

“Just now, there was another life around this child. He must have encountered a troublesome master—using the body of a great monster to protect him and using blood instead of water to apply to his forehead. That master acts obsessively and won’t easily let go of this matter. Fortunately, I was prepared in advance… Qi Zhe, come here.”

Apart from the old man and Jiang Youyue, only a child remained among the three.

That child was about the same age as Shi Jingzhi, dressed in the robes of a disciple of the Imperial Preceptor. He was clever and bright, with round and shining eyes.

“Master?” The young child looked up, smiling innocently.

A tinge of sadness flashed in the old man’s eyes.

His withered hand pressed against the child’s neck, and the child collapsed softly, instantly losing his breath. Without even looking at the body, the old man walked to the monster corpse, pointing at a piece of flesh dripping with blood with one finger.

Numerous visible and invisible magic formations floated up from the monster’s corpse, gradually converging into two clusters of red light. After a while, the clusters of light dispersed like ghostly flames, enveloping Shi Jingzhi and the child’s corpse separately.

In a matter of a few breaths, the clusters of light burst open.

In an instant, the dirt on Shi Jingzhi’s face and the clothes on his body were exchanged with the child’s remains. Apart from the terrifying blood streaks covering his body, he instantly appeared much cleaner.

The old man personally lifted Shi Jingzhi while the child’s remains were dragged by the dog demon and placed in Shi Jingzhi’s original position.

“Huo Luo, eat.”

The dog demon trembled in fear of the great monster’s corpse, whimpering as it picked up its tail, wanting to retreat quickly. The old man shook his head and cast several spells, causing the dog demon to lose its sanity and madly tear and devour the child’s remains.

Although his mind felt dull, and at this moment, he was horrified and chilled to the bone, the young Shi Jingzhi hadn’t lost consciousness—

In less than half an incense stick’s worth of time, there were only tattered cloth fragments left on the fallen leaves, along with unrecognizable flesh and shattered bones. There was no trace of the head remaining. The tiny stomach had been bitten off for the most part, revealing undigested grilled fish and crushed fruits.

Even the residue in the stomach had been exchanged by the spell.

“In this way, that person shouldn’t investigate further.”

The old man spoke indifferently.

“Just in case, the surrounding mountain households should also be taken care of properly to prevent that person from digging deeper.”

Jiang Youyue respectfully lowered his head and said, “Master’s foresight is admirable. However, regarding this child’s fixed desire—”

“This child is young. It would be enough to seal him here. I will have a detailed discussion with the Emperor. As for the future…”

In the next moment, the group of people disappeared on the spot, leaving only a sentence drifting with the autumn leaves.

“…Obey the heavenly mandate. Let’s wait and see what fate has in store.”

Fresh blood flowed over the fallen leaves, covering the fabric stained with Yin Ci’s blood, which gradually turned cold.

The autumn scenery remained unchanged in this place, except that there was no trace of vitality left.

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