Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 150: Reversal of Offense and Defense

Countless chains snapped in succession, and countless strands of power returned to Bai Shuangying’s hands.

For every bit of power he reclaimed, the false god’s corruption weakened in equal measure. The twisted pollution that had once seemed insurmountable now looked more like a fly clinging to food.

In Bai Shuangying’s consciousness, the black figure false god struggled in confusion, only to be harshly pressed down into the depths of his mind.

Three hundred thousand chains.

Nearly three hundred thousand chains were severed, and most of his body regained freedom. As long as Bai Shuangying wished it, he could now leave Fang Xiu’s body, tear through all restraints at the cost of quaking the heavens and the earth.

…Yet Bai Shuangying didn’t move.

He pretended nothing had happened and continued hiding in Fang Xiu’s flesh. He even deliberately restrained his presence to minimize the erosion caused by the “possession state”.

It was pretty nice here. He would stay a while longer. Fang Xiu’s flesh was soft and warm. If he left, he would have to face A’Shou, which would be quite annoying.

Might as well “have fun together”.

After failing to land an attack on Fang Xiu, the immortals grew serious.

As Xushan trembled, hundreds of celestial artifacts rose into the air. From bronze celestial cauldrons to lightning-struck sacred woods, every weapon aimed at Fang Xiu.

Yet since Fang Xiu made no further moves, the immortals could only follow the path of benevolence. They displayed a posture of utter destruction but didn’t actually strike.

Before the immortals could act, Zhuang Guiqu stepped forward, moving a few steps closer to Fang Xiu. From Fang Xiu’s perspective, it was as if Zhuang Guiqu now stood at the very front, while the immortals lined up behind him like soldiers.

“May I ask your name?” Zhuang Guiqu gave a polite bow despite the tense standoff.

“I’d rather ask you,” Fang Xiu replied with a cheerful smile, as blunt as could be. “Are you Zhuang Guiqu, or the version of ‘Zhuang Guiqu’ that represents the Immortal Encounter E?”

“I don’t understand what you mean,” Zhuang Guiqu replied courteously. “But the matter of the sealing is already decided. Even if you are somehow connected to that Corner of Heaven’s Will, it is too late now.”

His tone was calm and polite, but his eyes scrutinized Fang Xiu from head to toe, seemingly trying to determine what kind of being he was. He subtly shifted his stance, one hand drifting behind his back, fully alert.

That wariness wasn’t an act, but genuine. Fang Xiu relaxed slightly inside.

The Corner of Heaven’s Will had been sealed, and the story should have ended perfectly. Now, with his sudden intervention and the black figure false god bound by Bai Shuangying, the Immortal Encounter E could no longer freely spin its tale, lacking the influence it once had through Zhuang Guiqu a thousand years ago.

To those within the story, someone constantly speaking of “ink illusions” and “Immortal Encounter E” came off as a madman.

Absolutely perfect.

Opposite Fang Xiu, Zhuang Guiqu continued the narrative. “I assure you, that Corner of Heaven’s Will won’t be harmed by the seal. Opposing the gods brings you no benefit.”

Fang Xiu replied, “Then let’s pretend I’m just mentally unstable.”

Zhuang Guiqu fell silent.

“Your plan went too smoothly.” Fang Xiu spread his arms; his eyes curved into a crescent as if they were grinning. “Setting a trap, dragging the gods into it, sealing the ‘final boss’ successfully. Don’t you think that makes for a dull story?”

“After sealing one threat, a more terrifying opponent should appear. That’s what you call a ‘twist’.”

He slid his fingertips down his chest and abdomen, gently tracing the outline. He could feel Bai Shuangying moving within his flesh, the touch slick, cool, and faintly aching, sending tingling excitement up his spine.

It felt like a seamless, ever-present embrace.

Within this numb and secure sensation, Fang Xiu curled his index finger slightly—

Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.

A distant knocking echoed, prompting the immortals to look around instinctively. There were no doors here, and the sound came from all directions, sometimes near, sometimes far.

A’Shou, hiding behind Fang Xiu, flinched slightly as a strange chill swept over the back of her neck.

Fang Xiu’s hair stirred without wind, tips swaying like mountain mist. Xushan trembled again, creating a strange resonance with the knocking.

Sensing Bai Shuangying’s pulse synchronizing within him, Fang Xiu smiled more warmly. He stepped lightly forward, his figure casting a shadow over the childlike Zhuang Guiqu.

“What I care more about is, why this story isn’t moving forward. I’ve been provoking you for so long. Clearly, you could just give the order, and everyone would gang up on me.”

“In previous times too, your attempts to lure me to death always had the same flair—choosing a roundabout death, whispering sweet words in my mind. Why?”

Fang Xiu bent over, his features distorted by his grin.

His mismatched eyes brimmed with mirth. The black pupil locked on Zhuang Guiqu, while the white one spun independently. His pale red lips parted slightly, revealing a mouth of pitch black, as if something were surging inside.

Behind the immortals blazed celestial artifacts and immortal E’s bright as daylight. Behind Fang Xiu stretched a long shadow, pointing toward an abyss of utter darkness.

“Incomprehensible!” Zhuang Guiqu took half a step back and growled.

[Zhuang Guiqu’s mind swirled with doubt. When this person first arrived, he had thought him just another half-baked black Taoist. After all, these cultivators were merely fuel to ignite the divine descent. They could stir no great storm before true immortals.]

[But he had misjudged.]

[Worse, within the madman’s ramblings lay fragments of truth. What exactly was he? What did he want? If he wished to protect that Corner of Heaven’s Will, why join the team, only to reveal himself now?]

[The man in red defied all logic, and Zhuang Guiqu couldn’t figure him out.]

[Still, he was so close to success. He could not let this inexplicable menace disrupt things now.]

[With gods and ghosts all present, the only reason they hadn’t attacked was to maintain righteousness and avoid acting without cause. He had to come up with a way to justify a strike.]

[Wait—]

[Why couldn’t he think straight?]

Zhuang Guiqu clutched his forehead, face twisted with pain and confusion.

Fang Xiu smiled gently and whispered, “The Immortal Encounter E seems to like granting wishes. And since you plan to corrupt the God of Xushan’s karma, you must also be stealing its ‘wish-granting’ stories… That means the Immortal Encounter E’s taboo must be tied to ‘wishes’.”

“Given the timing, you should feel some urgency. Stop trying to bait me into making a wish.”

Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.

As Fang Xiu finished speaking, the mysterious knocking sounded again. For some reason, it seemed even closer now, sending shivers down their spines.

The floating celestial artifacts trembled violently. Scorched black spots bloomed on their surfaces like burning paper. The immortals stirred, divine energy pressing lower as their weapons descended.

Hidden nearby, A’Shou watched Fang Xiu, her expression growing more solemn.

[This man was truly insane. Though his words were wild, Zhuang Guiqu still felt a chill listening to them. The immortals needed a reason to act. They could figure out their plan one step at a time.]

[Suddenly, his thoughts cleared. Zhuang Guiqu was startled.]

[Though he didn’t know what trick the opponent had used, he could act freely now. That was perfect. The man in red had triggered a clear anomaly in Xushan. It was the perfect justification for battle—hand-delivered, almost.]

[Moments ago, he had set this trap for the gods. Now, he seemed caught in the same pattern himself. The sense of déjà vu unsettled him, but there was only one path forward—]

Zhuang Guiqu swiped both hands, raising a circle of yellow talismans. They shook violently and were quickly stained red.

“So that’s it. You are karmically bound to that Corner of Heaven’s Will. Disrupting hearts and threatening the seal—you deserve death.”

The fortune immortal and weeping immortal ghost exchanged a glance and made a restraining gesture behind them. The two divine beings attacked first, radiant spells cascading down toward Fang Xiu.

“It’s a karma-verifying spell.”

Bai Shuangying’s voice rang in Fang Xiu’s mind. It was more intimate than a whisper, like a tongue licking his brain, itch spreading to the bone.

Fang Xiu stifled a moan and quickly adjusted, accepting the attack without resistance.

Under the light, a column of black energy burst behind him. Countless spectral chains writhed like shadows, responding to the distant sealing formation.

[Is he a subordinate of the Corner of Heaven’s Will fragment? An incarnation?]

[It no longer mattered. What mattered was that this terrifying unknown was a vulnerability. He must be sealed. Zhuang Guiqu regretted it—perhaps the gods would not kill but getting them to attack was already a win.]

A giant peachwood sword flashed out, moving faster than lightning. Fang Xiu twisted, but his left shoulder was completely severed. The sword’s aura left dozens of deep gashes in his body, blood instantly drenching his face.

But in the next moment, countless pale fingers reached from his wounds. They fused into flesh, restoring his body almost instantly—even the torn red robe was whole again.

Fang Xiu: “…Oh dear.”

It was Bai Shuangying’s power.

Not healing, but invasion. Bai Shuangying’s body plugged the wounds and reconstructed him. Even the pain was gone.

Beneath him, Xushan rose and fell gently, like breathing.

The gods’ next wave of attacks struck A’Shou’s protective spell. Missing the first strike, she barely blocked the second.

She raised her sword at the immortals, and a rain of blood materialized around her, forming countless blood shields in front of Fang Xiu.

Divine and yin energies clashed. The blood shields quaked, struggling to hold. Cracks formed, but somehow they held for a moment longer.

“As expected, the Immortal Encounter E’s imitations do not reach the level of real immortals.”

Fang Xiu muttered as he raised his hand. “A’Shou Jie, you really are strong.”

While she bought time, Fang Xiu waved his hand, summoning countless ghost flames from the sky.

With Bai Shuangying’s power behind them, the flames fell like meteors, as if they were a catastrophe from the heavens. Now it was the gods’ turn to defend, raising barriers over the seal.

As their offense faltered, Fang Xiu slipped past A’Shou’s guard and charged forward.

Zhuang Guiqu’s yellow talismans were blasted aside. He recoiled sharply, drawing a green jade dagger with his left hand. Facing Fang Xiu’s full-on charge, Zhuang Guiqu used his childlike body to dodge and drove the blade upward into Fang Xiu’s abdomen.

The green jade shimmered with poisonous light, and the inscriptions on its blade flickered. Fang Xiu’s flesh was instantly torn open—but what spilled from his body wasn’t organs or entrails. Inside his abdomen was the writhing body of the Corner of Heaven’s Will.

It curled tightly within him, wrapping around his innards, slithering like a living creature. As Fang Xiu’s flesh split open, countless fingers emerged from the entity’s surface and pulled the wound closed again.

“How rude,” Fang Xiu muttered. “We were in the middle of being intimate.”

He casually grabbed the stunned Zhuang Guiqu and lifted him up. His fingers twitched slightly.

Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.

[Zhuang Guiqu was horrified to realize the knocking this time was coming from inside his own body. Even so, he still didn’t know what it was.]

[He felt a tearing pain, like his body was being shattered. The strange man in red stood there, eviscerated, under a barrage of divine attacks, smiling gently at him.]

“You can’t possibly think this is good writing. There’s no need to hold back your power anymore,” Fang Xiu said, eyes drifting past Zhuang Guiqu to a point in the air. “Once we return to Weishan Village, you won’t have such a convenient backstory.”

[Even now, the man continued to speak madness.]

[But Zhuang Guiqu knew that he was just a mortal. If he died here, killed by this inexplicable thing, his plan would fall apart.]

[He had to survive. To survive, he needed to buy time and goad the immortals into unleashing their full power… Yes, for now he would have to go along with this lunatic’s script.]

[And for some reason, just as he tried to come up with something suitably insane to say, words spilled from his mouth on their own.]

“Your… state is excellent,” Zhuang Guiqu said hoarsely. “I can help you. I can bind you to the Corner of Heaven’s Will forever. That way, you’ll always have this immense power. You won’t need to separate again…”

“If you agree… I can rewrite this story for you… make you the true protagonist…”

For a brief moment, Zhuang Guiqu’s expression turned vacant. Under the glow of spell lights, his eyes looked like deep, lightless wells.

“You’re really trying hard. I should give you some praise.” Fang Xiu used the childlike Zhuang Guiqu as a human shield and dodged another wave of divine attacks. “Now that the black figure false god is gone, you’re breaking character to say this stuff.”

“In the past and now, you’ve always been desperate to fulfill my wish.”

Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.

Zhuang Guiqu’s body gradually stiffened and became coarse like wood. Strange hinges began sprouting along his limbs, like the joints of a door.

The next moment, a golden sash wrapped around his waist and yanked him back into the immortals’ zone.

“Not good!” A’Shou’s pupils shrank.

Without Zhuang Guiqu as a meat shield, a massive golden bell hammer followed behind the sash. Covered in golden talismans, it shot forward like a missile, slamming toward Fang Xiu’s slender frame.

A’Shou twisted to intercept, but the strike was too fast. She barely deflected it off course.

The bell hammer slammed into Fang Xiu’s side. With a loud crack, his recently healed abdomen tore open again. He flew back a dozen paces, light as a leaf, blood spurting from his mouth.

Fang Xiu’s bones were shattered. His limbs bent at impossible angles. Yet moments later, he stood up as if nothing had happened.

Blood streamed from his mouth. As he parted his lips, several long, pale fingers extended from within, bending slightly like the legs of a strange insect.

He even reached up and gently touched the fingers with his own, caressing them tenderly.

Watching this eerie display, A’Shou didn’t know which side she was supposed to protect anymore. No matter how she looked at him, Fang Xiu had nothing to do with the word “normal”. His aura was more unholy than any evil.

Is it really safe to let this creature loose in the world?

…Still, a teammate is a teammate. She took a deep breath, steeled herself, and quickly assessed the battlefield.

The immortals were no fools. Realizing Fang Xiu’s danger, the ghost immortals in the back summoned even more immortal E’s. During the battle, they had been secretly preparing their formation again, clearly intending to repeat their sealing attempt.

Back within the formation, Zhuang Guiqu stood trembling, his body still deformed in terrifying ways. That knocking Fang Xiu had summoned, whatever it was, had clearly left him gravely injured.

He glared at Fang Xiu with hatred. He seemed to try to speak, but when he opened his mouth, all that came out was more knocking.

“How disappointing.”

Fang Xiu met his chaotic gaze and taunted him with delight. “No wonder they say ‘E’s’ have no brains. Even their tricks are all repeats.”

At the same time, Bai Shuangying stirred within Fang Xiu.

He was surprised to find that the black figure false god he had been suppressing was no longer trying to erode him. Instead, it was desperately trying to break away. It must have sensed something was wrong and now wanted to return to control the Immortal Encounter E.

Well, it needed to stay suppressed.

“How about we return this ‘false god’ to you?” Fang Xiu said calmly. “Compared to a soulless lump, that thing might still have a bit of imagination.”

As he spoke, he suggestively pressed a hand to his abdomen, fingertips gliding over the freshly healed wound—still tinged with soft pink, pulsing from within.

Fang Xiu was thin enough that he could feel Bai Shuangying’s body beneath his skin.

Well, whatever. As long as Fang Xiu was happy.

Bai Shuangying rubbed against the bulge, catching on quickly. He immediately released the suppression. The black figure false god vanished from his consciousness in an instant. It fled so completely, it was as if a great burden had been lifted. Bai Shuangying almost lost control of the power rushing out of him.

…That thing fled in panic, severing itself completely.

…So that was it. His human likely had no idea how much power he had just reclaimed. Fang Xiu’s “test” had been aimed at forcing the false god out, keeping him far from danger.

His human really was amazing. Bai Shuangying suddenly found that even the gods across from him looked a bit less annoying.

Meanwhile, among the immortals, Zhuang Guiqu’s body convulsed violently.

He no longer maintained his childlike appearance. His frame stretched tall and strong. His simple robes transformed into black garments, long hair cascading down his back.

His face no longer was covered in blood. Instead, his features twisted and reformed, aging and youth blending into one. The end result was a handsome and seemingly harmless visage. Based on looks alone, this “Zhuang Guiqu” could be called a gentleman of jade-like elegance.

His features didn’t resemble Fang Xiu, but his aura bore a strange similarity. Unfortunately, with one side glowing gold and the other covered in bloody fingers, Fang Xiu looked far more like the evil cultist everyone wanted to eliminate.

I am finally free. I can once more control the Immortal Encounter E.

If I don’t act now, this story will end. Not to mention Bai Shuangying’s terrifying power, even Fang Xiu alone can escape. His condition is far too strange. I cannot analyze the source of that knocking, but it fills me with dread.

Too dangerous. Far too dangerous.

I must use the character of Zhuang Guiqu. He is a role karmically entangled with me.

Yes, Zhuang Guiqu burning his vitality to enter a state of omniscience and peak power can be justified within the story.

Personally taking the stage is risky, but I cannot continue to sit on the sidelines. I must steer this story and trap Fang Xiu and Bai Shuangying here.

At all costs. 

At all costs. 

At all costs.

……

In Fang Xiu’s vision, “Zhuang Guiqu” rose slowly.

“You’re an interesting human. Confident enough to treat ‘victory’ as your definite goal rather than a vague wish… that kind of ‘wish’ buried deep within the soul, something yearned for yet believed impossible.”

He spoke softly, yet his words carried far. “You’re right. I do want to grant your wish. Even if you refuse, I will make it come true.”

He raised his hand. The earth of Xushan trembled in response. The karmic chains within the seal quaked violently. The immortals looked toward “Zhuang Guiqu” in astonishment.

I know they have doubts. But this is not the time.

The powerful gods must understand who the enemy is and deal with the one who endangers the world first.

As for Zhuang Guiqu’s odd state, that can be explained in later arcs, with reasonable narrative continuation.

The rustling of chains filled the air. The astonishment on the immortals’ faces shifted to grim resolve.

“Your wish is ‘to be with Bai Shuangying forever’.”

“Zhuang Guiqu” said soft.

“I will sew you and Bai Shuangying together completely and bury you here forever.”

The author has something to say:

Xiao Hei* has entered the stage, and Xiao Bai is gathering strength.

*Black (note [Bai] means white)

A surprise is on the way—

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 149: Direct Confrontation

While the conversation on one side remained unfinished, the preliminary sealing on the other side had already concluded.

With hundreds of thousands of Immortal E’s contributed by the Underworld, a basic cage was forged to contain the raging Corner of Heaven’s Will—The God of Xushan. The immortals finally exhaled in relief.

Thinking they might need Zhuang Guiqu for future tower construction, they didn’t retrieve the Heaven-Breaking Divine Art they had bestowed upon him, as it also helped protect him from corruption.

Zhuang Guiqu accepted it calmly, smiling without arrogance or servility.

“Our Guishan Sect will treat this place as a sacred mountain and worship it devoutly,” he said with a sincerity so intense it was unsettling.

Behind him, Zhuang Feng had spotted the book not far away. He reverently tucked it into his robes, eyes gleaming with hunger as he gazed at the karmic net woven by the chains.

After a moment, he could no longer hold back and pulled out a vermilion brush, quickly filling pages of talismans with large characters. While scribbling and revising, he often reached beneath the fabric to touch the treasured book in his chest with longing.

A Corner of Heaven’s Will, immortals, ghost immortals, and a genius mortal full of conspiracy. All of it now recorded line by line.

Immortal Encounter E. Immortal Encounter E. Which “immortal” did he truly encounter?

As an overseer of the Disaster Relief Tower, A’Shou had a clear grasp of worldly affairs.

Currently, the metaphysics power of the mortal world was in decline, but it was a time of great peace. Stirring up a little chaos wouldn’t benefit the Guishan Sect much.

But if they could control the Corner of Heaven’s Will, they would be able to trigger an apocalyptic disaster at will.

The God of Xushan enshrined in the Temple of All E’s had already had its karma disrupted. As Zhuang Guiqu’s followers, the Guishan Sect would be able to absorb the majority of Immortal E’s.

Then they could act as saviors, overturn the current order, and claim glory.

What made the plan truly terrifying was that even if Zhuang Guiqu failed to return, the sect could simply drain the Temple of All E’s and loosen the seal.

When the starving and furious Bai Shuangying broke free, the world would still end.

Even if the disaster looked too horrific and the immortals had to intervene again, the sect, holding enough Immortal E’s as bargaining chips, would still be seen as legitimate “saviors”.

Whether Zhuang Guiqu lived or died, succeeded or failed, the only difference for the sect was how much they won.

This wasn’t some delicate, intricate operation where everything hinged on one move. It was a high-tolerance, ruthlessly effective scheme.

A’Shou gritted her teeth, just like Fang Xiu had done during the Grave-Sealing Ritual. She stretched out her arm and carved the just-learned truth into her flesh, word by word—

[The Guishan Sect created the Immortal Encounter E, corrupting the Corner of Heaven’s Will.]

[The Immortal Encounter E becomes a weapon, bringing about a great catastrophe in the human world.]

She didn’t know how much influence the Immortal Encounter E would have on her. She also didn’t yet know how to break the cycle. The only thing A’Shou could think of was that she had to survive the ritual.

And to survive this ritual, she would have to work with Fang Xiu.

Even if Fang Xiu’s origin was unknown and his power a mystery; even if he somehow understood Zhuang Guiqu’s insane logic; even if he’d inexplicably summoned the “Corner of Heaven’s Will” Bai Shuangying; even if he and Bai Shuangying were attached at the hip and being uncomfortably affectionate every day…

A’Shou: “…”

No, really, was this going to be okay?

For one second, A’Shou seriously considered the possibility of self-destruction.

It felt like choosing between being steamed or deep-fried. They were just different ways to die. But even if she was doomed either way, she’d rather choose how it happened herself. Just like she had years ago.

After resolving her internal struggle, A’Shou let out a long sigh.

“It’s a good thing you’re the one supervising me, A’Shou Jie, and not Dian’er,”

Fang Xiu cheerfully chimed in after her sigh. “I guess we can officially cooperate now?”

Caught again by this brat, A’Shou groaned in pain.

“What’s your plan now?” she asked plainly. “Since the Immortal Encounter E is built from stories, its true body is likely that precious book of Zhuang Guiqu’s.”

“But we haven’t found a single taboo yet, and we don’t know where that book is. All we’ve done is trap that fake god… that figure in black impostor.”

The more A’Shou thought about it, the more her head hurt.

“Now that we know the cause and effect, we should leave Xushan and return to the ‘Weishan Village’ storyline.”

“That one’s stable. We can confirm your allies there…”

Fang Xiu shook his head. “A’Shou Jie, I want to confirm something.”

“The Immortal Encounter E merely replays these stories. Whether it’s the Heaven-Breaking Divine Art granted by immortals or the karmic corruption of the God of Xushan…”

“It shouldn’t be able to recreate anything beyond its own capabilities… right?”

A’Shou’s brow twitched. “That’s true. But the fake god has already taken form. It can channel part of the Corner of Heaven’s Will’s power. For people like us, there’s barely any difference between fake and real—hey!”

Fang Xiu released the concealment on himself.

He stood in the mountain wind, eyes locked on the suspended Immortal Encounter E above. His crimson robes flapped in the breeze, his long hair trailing behind him.

The robe wasn’t real. The hair wasn’t real. The story wasn’t real.

Only the ground beneath his feet—this land—was truly Xushan.

…And Bai Shuangying’s body was here. It was time to greet his beloved ghost properly.

“Good evening.”

Fang Xiu strolled toward the group of immortals as if out for a walk. 

Across from him, divine light shone. Grey mist swirled. Zhuang Guiqu, in child form, turned with mild surprise. Zhuang Feng put down his pen and looked at Fang Xiu with confusion.

A man with mismatched eyes, blood-colored clothes, and messily tied long hair—was none other than the black Taoist ghost handler who had recently joined them.

After the recent chaos, most cultivators had perished. Those who survived had been polluted by the God of Xushan’s madness.

Yet this person walked through it all like nothing had happened.

This brat has a death wish!

A’Shou could understand saving the unnamed ghost handler—maybe that was Fang Xiu’s conscience. But deliberately provoking the enemy at their strongest? She honestly didn’t know what to call it.

Silently cursing, she drew her longsword and trailed Fang Xiu while staying hidden.

“You all just sealed my favorite ghost,”

Fang Xiu said with a sigh. “First you beat him up, then sealed him, then waved the ‘preventative measure’ flag… Seems the awe of the gods for the Corner of Heaven’s Will is a bit of a farce.”

Zhuang Guiqu narrowed his eyes, a trace of displeasure crossing his childlike face. As Fang Xiu approached with a smile, he seemed to smell a familiar scent, someone of the same kind.

“This was all for world peace,” he said softly.

“But it’s all fake. Just a story.” Fang Xiu pointed directly at Zhuang Guiqu, his tone unnervingly calm. “How pitiful. All this bluster and power are just illusions made of ink and words.”

“Then again, maybe I’m just a line in the record too. This place really is fascinating.”

A mortal suddenly appearing and picking a fight was absurd enough. But now this one was talking nonsense?

The gods and ghosts all stared with cold expressions.

A divine thunderbolt struck down from the sky.

Fang Xiu, as if he had eyes atop his head, stepped lightly to the side, just missing it.

Zhuang Guiqu wasn’t idle either. He twisted his fingers, and the ground beneath Fang Xiu became mud. At the same time, another bolt of divine lightning fell.

This time, Fang Xiu didn’t dodge.

He raised his hand. A flicker of electricity danced across his fingertips. The massive bolt of divine thunder touched that sliver of light and flowed apart like water, vanishing into the darkness.

The immortals: “?”

A’Shou: “…???”

That was just the Underworld’s “charging ability” gifted to Fang Xiu. Sure, both were electricity, but wasn’t this a bit much?

“You’ve got the Immortal Encounter E, plus power stolen from the Corner of Heaven’s Will.”

“I’ve got ‘me’, and the remaining power of the Corner of Heaven’s Will.”

Fang Xiu ignored the divine immortals and stared only at Zhuang Guiqu.

“I should thank you for such a perfect testing ground.”

“Come on, then.”

……

Inside Fang Xiu’s body.

Bai Shuangying had never felt so at ease.

He rolled around in Fang Xiu’s flesh and pressed himself against that thumping heart. At this moment, he found it more beautiful than anything else he had ever seen.

His human was the most perfect one in existence.

Fang Xiu had seen everything, seen through everything, and revealed everything.

Karmic corruption. The false God of Xushan. The porcelain statues in the Shrine of All E’s. The old altars in the sacrifice rooms.

Thanks to Zhuang Guiqu’s “generous proposal”, the design was laid bare. With all the details pieced together, Bai Shuangying fully understood the Tower’s spellwork.

When it came to manipulating karma, Zhuang Guiqu wasn’t even worthy of being called his grandson.

As long as he returned to the Tower, Bai Shuangying could immediately reclaim all the stolen yin energy and feast to his heart’s content.

By then, that half-formed “fake god” would be no threat at all.

Freedom was just within reach. When had he last felt so happy?

Bai Shuangying couldn’t help tumbling in delight around Fang Xiu’s heart, rubbing against the flesh and releasing his joy.

…Then he saw Fang Xiu charging forward, going head-to-head with the most powerful lineup the Immortal Encounter E had ever assembled.

Bai Shuangying froze inside. Any other story would be fine. But the power levels of characters in this one were off the charts.

With the logic of “faithful reproduction”, the Immortal Encounter E could unleash their full potential.

Truthfully, Bai Shuangying wanted to leap out and stop his human—right now, he had only a portion of his power, and he was still suppressing that black figure fake god.

Even with A’Shou helping, this situation was…

No. Fang Xiu wouldn’t act so recklessly.

He had come this far with such care. He wouldn’t throw it all away for a brief rush of emotion.

Bai Shuangying believed in him. He thought about it very seriously.

“Come on, then.”

He heard Fang Xiu’s voice through the blood and flesh.

“Come play, Bai Shuangying.”

How amusing. The one whom the world called a “paragon of righteousness” had slandered and imprisoned him. And now, the one opening the cage was a complete little liar.

Not long ago, Fang Xiu had given him hope of safe release. Bai Shuangying hadn’t wanted to leave him.= Now the cage was nearly open and he didn’t want to leave even more.

How strange. He’d rather stay cramped in the cage and walk to the end with his human.

The multitude of human affections and entangled interests—he still didn’t understand. But this time, he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and even thinking itself brought joy.

Yes, he trusted Fang Xiu.

…He trusted Fang Xiu’s trust in him. He trusted Fang Xiu’s persistence with the plan. He trusted Fang Xiu to bring him even more surprises. He trusted that Fang Xiu truly liked him.

…He trusted that Fang Xiu had known all along before he did, Bai Shuangying liked him too.

A loud cracking sound echoed through Xushan.

The author has something to say:

I’ve experienced a real life fire for the first time…

Bad news: There was a fire downstairs.

Good news: I was back home for New Year’s.

Bad news: My cat was still at the my place.

Good news: The fire got put out in time.

Wasted some time tonight discussing in the tenant group… Honestly, in places where fireworks are banned, please don’t set them off. It seems this one was caused by someone lighting illegal fireworks. _(:з」∠)

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 148: The Unawakened God

Fang Xiu’s left eye throbbed with pain, the white pupil within spinning erratically in its socket. He gently pressed the eye to calm it, his attention fixed entirely on the sealing ritual ahead.

As long as he witnessed the process, Bai Shuangying would be able to fully decipher it. He knew that everything unfolding before him held the key to freeing Bai Shuangying from his seal.

With the shock of revelation piling on, A’Shou had yet to recover. Fang Xiu needed to keep watching until the very end.

Inside his flesh, Bai Shuangying curled inward, greedily watching everything. Another consciousness was thrashing violently within him, flooding him with pain, but Bai Shuangying didn’t care.

Whatever destruction that presence might cause, it couldn’t be worse than what he had already endured.

Half a step away, A’Shou finally reacted to the truth before her. “That man in black is…?”

The glow of the spell shimmered in Fang Xiu’s black eye, his voice still tinged with a faint, amused tone. He didn’t answer directly but changed the topic with practiced ease.

“Next, let me predict everything step by step.”

He moved his fingers in a gesture like shifting chess pieces on a board.

“This happened suddenly, but the immortals aren’t fools. It’s unlikely Zhuang Guiqu will tamper with the seal directly. He’ll maintain humility and let the immortals finish the sealing process carefully.”

Not far away, hundreds of Immortal E’s flickered in the air. From them stretched chains of karma, replacing the earlier spellwork, binding Bai Shuangying tightly within the Xushan region.

Two immortal envoys stood to either side, sandwiching Zhuang Guiqu in the middle. Zhuang Guiqu assisted openly and generously in the sealing, showing no sign of hidden agendas.

One hand held the Heaven-Breaking Divine Art to shield against corruption. The other radiated brilliant light, helping the Immortal E’s generate karma chains. These threads wrapped around Bai Shuangying’s flowing form, clinging to him like a thorn, preventing his energy from spilling outward.

As the chains multiplied, his fluid shadow became increasingly solid. Judging by his struggles, Bai Shuangying was more furious than pained—like someone being held back by a hundred hands.

Among the immortals, Zhuang Guiqu’s movements were just as fast. But judging from the dimmer glow of his magic, he ultimately couldn’t match the real gods.

The chains of karma gradually took shape. The Immortal E’s summoned vast amounts of yin energy. The pain faded. Soaked in thick yin energy, Bai Shuangying’s thrashing lessened slightly, though the rage in his form remained palpable.

Everything went exactly as Zhuang Guiqu had described.

A glimmer of pride flickered across Zhuang Guiqu’s face, quickly followed by satisfaction.

Fang Xiu understood his thoughts perfectly.

The immortals saw Bai Shuangying as an uncontrollable Corner of Heaven’s Will. Zhuang Guiqu saw him as a simple-minded beast. But after spending so much time with him, Fang Xiu knew the truth.

Bai Shuangying was like someone stung by a roadside wasp. The pain was intense, and now he wanted to destroy the entire hive.

The chains currently wrapped around him were too few. This painless sealing was like a rainstorm. Given the choice, he would rather stay indoors and wait it out, then go destroy the hive when it cleared.

…He just hadn’t expected the rain to last so long.

“Once the seal takes initial form,” Fang Xiu said softly, “Zhuang Guiqu will seize the moment to express remorse. He’ll swear not to interfere with the construction of the Disaster Relief Tower and hand over full control to the immortals.”

“Not only that, he’ll insist that a dedicated altar to the ‘God of Xushan’ be placed inside the Tower to show reverence to the Corner of Heaven’s Will.”

A’Shou stiffened in shock.

Every room in the Disaster Relief Tower had an altar. They had always been there. No one remembered where they came from, and no one had ever questioned them.

…But they had always been there.

Fang Xiu had barely finished speaking when Zhuang Guiqu began.

“This humble Taoist caused quite a commotion, though it was for the greater good. Still, it was disrespectful to the heavens and earth. The sealing tower is a thousand-year legacy. As a mere mortal, I will not flaunt my limited skills.”

He bowed deeply to the two immortals. “Now that the calamity is resolved, I thank you on behalf of all living beings.”

The fortune immortal paused, then nodded approvingly. “To know when to advance and when to retreat—well done.”

The sorrowful ghost immortal added, “I’ve no interest in taking advantage of a mortal. Since the method came from you, you may make a wish.”

In A’Shou’s stunned gaze, Zhuang Guiqu bowed solemnly. “I only ask that the God of Xushan have an altar in the Tower, and that sinners of the mortal world offer their living souls there constantly. Should anyone die within the tower, let them serve as offerings to the God of Xushan.”

“Even if the seal breaks in the future, the god may continue receiving endless yin energy. In this way, penance never ends. Eventually, anger will fade, and the mortal realm may enjoy lasting peace.”

Such a noble and selfless proposal—it sounded like Zhuang Guiqu asked for nothing in return.

He had stirred the board to bring the immortals down from the heavens. He began with protecting humanity for centuries.

He offered solutions amid fire and chaos, adopted a humble stance to make amends, and, after a successful sealing, stepped back of his own accord…

If A’Shou hadn’t been trapped in this hellish place and seen the truth herself, she might have praised him as a truly “remarkable man”.

But what about Fang Xiu, who saw through it all…?

“Finally, he would take advantage of the gods’ relaxation, and he’ll ask the immortals to monitor him constantly until the end of his life.”

Fang Xiu spoke with sarcasm.

A’Shou: “???”

“I know full well that no amount of worship can atone for today’s offense against the heavens.”

Before A’Shou had recovered, Zhuang Guiqu bowed again. “I did manipulate you all, and this sealing followed my proposal. Naturally, you bear doubts.”

“I am old and have little time left. Why not assign Underworld agents to watch me constantly, until I die and vanish completely?”

“If that can buy peace for heaven and earth, I would die content.”

“…The Corner of Heaven’s Will has been controlled, and the sealing process is airtight. He’s afraid the immortals will turn on him next and eliminate the real threat, so he’s taking the initiative.”

Fang Xiu sneered. “He’s angling for a peaceful death. And along the way, securing a pardon if he ever steals the Heaven-Breaking Divine Art.”

Sure enough, after witnessing Zhuang Guiqu’s “righteousness”, the two immortals had no reason to object. They nodded in agreement.

When a person dies, the light goes out. There is no reincarnation. Unless he ascends in daylight or becomes a ghost, no amount of merit or wrongdoing will matter after death.

With their approval, Zhuang Guiqu smiled radiantly. The childlike face beamed with joy, but under the shadow it was a little terrifying.

Not far away, Zhuang Feng, who had witnessed it all, remained prostrate. The book beside him fluttered open on its own, the pages rustling faintly.

“Frankly, with his level of deceit, Zhuang Guiqu could’ve easily used his reputation to ascend through worship.”

“With his magical talents, he could have designed a suitable E and become a ghost immortal.”

Having watched the entire sealing process, Fang Xiu finally turned to A’Shou, his mismatched eyes glinting.

“But he chose neither… A’Shou Jie, do you understand now who the man in black is?”

That strange being who had once naively asked people about their wishes.

A’Shou’s soft sword clattered to the ground. She held her head with both hands, her pupils trembling violently.

Yes.

In the mortal version of the tale, the Corner of Heaven’s Will became a lowly evil spirit imprisoned beneath the tower. Xushan became the holy mountain of the Guishan Sect. And Zhuang Guiqu—he was the God of Xushan who walked among men.

Over centuries, the story was retold, reshaped. Those old tales of wish-granting would morph into legends of the “God of Xushan”.

And the Guishan Sect would worship this “God of Xushan” with unshakable devotion.

God of Xushan. God of Calamity. Forgotten Corner of Heaven’s Will.

A cultivator, a God of Xushan, a false god known to the world.

Zhuang Guiqu didn’t need secret erosion or high-level deception.

He simply sat calmly at the bargaining table, predicted every move of the other side, and laid bare every piece of leverage they had.

And what he wanted was simple.

Amid the chaotic web of karma, as long as followers of Guishan entered the Disaster Relief Tower, they could siphon yin energy from the “altar to the God of Xushan”.

As for the true god, the real God of Xushan, Bai Shuangying would be starved, struggling to break free. And to escape discreetly, the Corner of Heaven’s Will must first “pollute its karma” and erase its identity.

In this way, karma would increasingly shift toward Zhuang Guiqu, the God of Xushan, and the cycle would spiral downward.

A hundred years from now, people would praise the benevolent God of Xushan, slayer of evil.

A thousand years from now, even immortals would forget the furious being imprisoned at the Tower’s base.

By then, the cult could raise a new “living ghost immortal” strong enough to forge the tale of the God of Xushan into a new Immortal E.

If Heaven acknowledged its ascension, then with an Immortal E that powerful, all karma would converge on one being:

Zhuang Guiqu would awaken inside the piece of Heaven’s Will.

The figure in black was just the “God of Xushan” who existed in the story. He had not yet fully awakened.

“He’s insane.” A’Shou murmured. “Zhuang Guiqu is utterly insane. He wants to twist fate itself. He wants to become the will of the Corner of Heaven’s Will.”

“Ghosts and gods will fade. Some are strong, others weak. But Heaven’s Will remains, eternal and supreme.”

Fang Xiu gently stroked Bai Shuangying’s white eye and added as if it were the most natural thing in the world:

“So long as the title ‘God of Xushan’ exists as a Corner of Heaven’s Will, the world only knows that the God of Xushan exists.”

“But from the start, no one ever knew ‘Bai Shuangying’.”

No one knew his quiet nature. His rage. His initial curiosity—that hand he once extended toward the porcelain figure, toward the human world.

That small twilight moment would vanish into history, covered by new stories.

And those stories, read by others, would create new karma. Like creeping figs on a great tree, they would never stop siphoning everything that once belonged to Bai Shuangying.

“But before any of this can happen, Zhuang Guiqu must die, body and soul.”

A’Shou’s voice turned dry. “How can he be sure the god that awakens inside Heaven’s Will will be him?”

“Zhuang Guiqu doesn’t need certainty. He just needs ‘possibility’.”

Fang Xiu replied without hesitation.

“Even if he fails, that reborn God of Xushan, born of an Immortal E, would be the Guishan Sect’s greatest weapon—enough to overturn the three realms.”

“I don’t understand.” A’Shou was completely lost. “Why take such a risk? Why not just become an immortal?”

“Because he can.”

“…What?”

“He imagined such an outrageous path, and it’s theoretically possible.” Fang Xiu stared at her, bewildered by the question, his tone utterly matter-of-fact.

“Why wouldn’t he do it?”

In that instant, it wasn’t just A’Shou.

Even Bai Shuangying, hidden within Fang Xiu’s body, felt a nameless chill run through him.

The author has something to say:

Bad news: The boss is about to wake up.

Good news: The boss is still kind of dumb before he wakes up (?

Kinky Thoughts:

Ah… This is why I love Nian Zhong’s writing so much. The plotlines converging together. All the little hints and foreshadows leading up to this revelation. Even the comparison using the creeping fig mentioned in arc 1. And god Corner of Heaven’s Will the writing is amazing in these past few chapters.

I feel like I need to take notes whenever I read one of her works. There’s just so many little bits and pieces of hints scattered throughout the novel that you’ll miss if you don’t keep track… though without knowing the entirety of the plot, it’s hard to look for what they are… Which is why you should read them again!

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 147: The Three-in-One Strategy

Radiance scattered the darkness above. From the sky descended countless beams of light, while the ground burst forth with thousands of fire pillars. They closed in like the jaws of a great maw, sealing Bai Shuangying’s true form within Xushan.

Bai Shuangying’s rage hadn’t yet subsided. It was as if he had suddenly found a circle of fences in his path and began ramming into them repeatedly. After only a few collisions, visible cracks began to appear.

The immortals had no time to form ranks. One representative descended from the heavens, and another rose from the Underworld, while the rest quickly formed a formation to resist Bai Shuangying’s fury with full force.

The two immortals rushed toward Zhuang Guiqu and his disciple, swiftly halting the deadly ritual they were performing. But even after the pain stopped, Bai Shuangying’s wrath remained undiminished.

He had been deceived a hundred years ago, again five years ago, and now once more wounded deeply by humans. They say even a clay figurine would have some temper, so how much more so a being of Heaven’s Will?

The two immortals stood before Zhuang Guiqu: one appeared as a cheerful elder dressed in fine silk, radiating fortune and longevity; the other wore a tattered burial robe with a face like a corpse frozen in sorrow. But their eyes both burned with the same fury, as if wishing to tear Zhuang Guiqu limb from limb.

Fang Xiu immediately activated the hair ring, concealing both himself and A’Shou completely.

A’Shou fixed her gaze on the sorrowful-faced ghost immortal and hissed, “Back in the day, that old man really was the number one ghost immortal.”

“He had a vile temper. Died a century ago. I can’t believe I’m seeing him again here.”

Despite the formidable lineup before him, Zhuang Guiqu didn’t appear the least bit flustered.

Maintaining the form of a child, he lifted his wooden mask to reveal a surprisingly delicate and elegant face. A’Shou couldn’t help glancing at Fang Xiu—Zhuang Guiqu’s features didn’t resemble Fang Xiu’s, but that insufferable cleverness was nearly identical.

“Greetings, seniors,” Zhuang Guiqu greeted with ease, bowing politely and standing firmly.

Zhuang Feng wasn’t as composed. Still young, he was overwhelmed by the pressure of the immortals and could barely remain upright. Even though he revered Zhuang Guiqu, he collapsed into a kowtow, sweat pouring down his forehead.

“Zhuang Guiqu, do you admit your guilt?” asked the immortal with the face of fortune, his tone solemn.

“The Xushan Evil has injured people time and again, and five years ago incited a great calamity, costing the lives of countless elite soldiers. Just look at the black forest and white fruits. This is irrefutable evidence!”

“The imperial army is stretched thin, the borderlands in chaos, and the people are displaced. Turmoil is on the horizon. I came specifically to seal this Evil and restore morale—for the peace of the world. Where is the guilt in that?”

Zhuang Guiqu stood tall and spoke with measured clarity.

“With your level of skill, you clearly understand the power of a Corner of Heaven’s Will. Peace for the world? Looks more like you’re courting catastrophe!” the sorrowful ghost immortal sneered. “How bold. Why not sacrifice you now to appease the Spirit of the Mountains?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a whirl of sinister energy flared around him, forcing A’Shou to step back.

Zhuang Guiqu smiled.

Though his current form was that of a child, his expression didn’t match the features—but at a glance, the smile was pure, even “sincere”.

“The Corner of Heaven’s Will is no mortal. After all it has endured, it’ll need at least a thousand years to calm its fury. I’m not the only one who provoked it, and it’s still in a rage. If you kill me now as an offering, can you really be sure it’ll stop?”

“I understand that you seek peace for the human world. But think about it—if from the start you had thrown me out and it didn’t accept it, you’d be the ones who ‘initiated’ hostility against the Corner of Heaven’s Will.”

He deliberately paused, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. He asked silently, “Will you risk it?”

Everyone present understood that immortals were stuck between the human world and Heaven’s Will. Humanity was ever-changing; new generations every hundred years. But the Corner of Heaven’s Will endured as long as the heavens themselves. Coexistence was inevitable.

“…So why not work together to resolve this? Let my line persist, and when a thousand years pass and Heaven’s Will has calmed, if it’s still angry, you can hand us over then. Everything can be negotiated.”

A’Shou couldn’t stop herself from looking at Fang Xiu again. This mix of stubborn twisting and deliberate manipulation was eerily familiar.

Zhuang Guiqu’s words made it clear: “I know you’ll intervene. I’m using you.”

The ghost immortal furrowed his brows and was about to explode with rage, but the other immortal caught the nuance and stepped forward. “A thousand years from now?”

The situation had escalated quickly. They couldn’t recklessly harm Bai Shuangying, nor could they let him harm humans. Every spell the immortals cast was cautious and restrained—it was unbearable. Now this mortal was talking about “a thousand years later”… It was a curious proposition.

Zhuang Guiqu’s smile widened. “If I dared to act, of course I have a plan.”

He turned his face toward the shifting lights and shadows in the dark, his eyes shining.

To him, it wasn’t the cannons of life and death, but fireworks lighting up a celebration.

Fang Xiu stared unblinkingly at Zhuang Guiqu’s profile, holding his breath while listening intently. Even Bai Shuangying had stopped writhing within his flesh, listening with him.

“…The Corner of Heaven’s Will is pure in temperament, no more complex than a beast. If you trap it in Xushan, feed it well, and keep it comfortable, over time it will surely calm down.”

“As for how to trap it—let the Underworld lend the power of Immortal E’s.”

The sorrow-faced ghost immortal narrowed his cloudy eyes, words of protest forming but not spoken. He rubbed his sparse beard and frowned. “Use the karma and yin energy of the Immortal E’s?”

Zhuang Guiqu nodded earnestly. “Heaven’s Will is the principle of karma. Immortal E’s are its manifestations. Use its own spear to pierce its shield. Karma chains will surely be effective.”

“Also, karmic force gathers yin. It will nourish the Corner of Heaven’s Will endlessly. You can say this is killing two birds with one stone.”

The fortune immortal’s expression softened slightly.

It really wasn’t a bad idea—

Originally, the Spirit of the Mountains already resided within Xushan and showed no interest in the outside world. If they gently confined it and continuously fed it yin energy, it wasn’t even truly an attack. It was closer to divine mediation.

The Spirit would be well-fed and sleep for centuries, awakening to a changed world. By then, its grudge against humanity might not be as sharp.

From Zhuang Guiqu’s perspective, as a mortal, he was truly resolving a crisis for the human world, granting it peace for centuries to come.

He had thrown himself into this chaos with boldness yet plausible justification. He exploited cosmic forces with eloquence and rationale. Truly a remarkable figure.

With this realization, the two immortals relaxed a bit.

The ghost immortal sighed deeply. “Fine. I will gather the Immortal E’s and prepare the seal.”

The fortune immortal flicked his sleeve. “I will grant you the Heaven-Breaking Divine Art. The sealing is complex. You will accompany us.”

Zhuang Guiqu kept that pleasant smile and bowed solemnly.

“I’ve contemplated this sealing for many years and devised a perfect method. If the two of you are willing, I’d like to share it.”

“Construct a tower between yin and yang, to contain the Immortal E’s…”

Even before Zhuang Guiqu finished describing the plan, Fang Xiu—who didn’t know magic—could already understand.

Inside the Disaster Relief Tower would be the Shrine of All of E’s, alongside sacrificial rituals—

Find sinners among humanity and force them to resolve the E’s. If they succeed, it stabilizes the world. If they fail, new Immortal E’s would be born, which would give the immortals better control over the sealing.

Additionally, the more Immortal E’s that exist, the more yin energy can be fed to the Corner of Heaven’s Will. With enough nourishment, it would not resist with full strength.

Coming from Zhuang Guiqu’s silver tongue, the plan sounded flawless. He was smooth, pragmatic, and the proposal genuinely benefited both Heaven and Earth. The two immortals were even more at ease.

Mortals had limited vision. Zhuang Guiqu had done more than enough. Why be picky?

Even A’Shou couldn’t help nodding, almost persuaded. But then she recalled Zhuang Feng’s expression of ecstatic discovery when he first found the Corner of Heaven’s Will. That brought her back to clarity.

Still, the Disaster Relief Tower had stood for years and was officially acknowledged by both the human world and the Underworld. A’Shou thought it over repeatedly and couldn’t figure out what personal benefit Zhuang Guiqu might gain from it.

In her confusion, she instinctively turned again to Zhuang Guiqu’s suspected counterpart—

Fang Xiu was smiling.

His mismatched eyes narrowed, and his grin was dazzling. This wasn’t his usual obedient smile, nor one of genuine delight. It was twisted, ghostly, enough to send chills through even A’Shou, who was herself a ghost immortal.

“If I didn’t already know what this guy was scheming, I’d suspect I was his reincarnation.”

Fang Xiu murmured, “So that’s it. That’s what you’re after.”

Not far away, the immortals were already preparing the seal.

Zhuang Feng knelt on the ground, reverently bowing toward Zhuang Guiqu.

Zhuang Guiqu held the Heaven-Breaking Divine Art in one hand and gestured with the other, assisting with the spell.

“This disciple shall record everything truthfully,”

Zhuang Feng murmured, eyes brimming with tears.

“Master and the immortals together sealed the Corner of Heaven’s Will. Everything happened just as you said. Before the ancestors of the Guishan Sect, the Spirit of the Mountains was nothing to fear!”

“People only think that ■■■■■■■■ is the ■■■■■■■■!”

Whether due to the influence of the Immortal Encounter E or the presence of Bai Shuangying inside him, the muddled sounds in Fang Xiu’s ears suddenly began to clarify.

“People only think that the Spirit of the Mountains is the ■■■ of Xushan—Master, you are the one truly worthy of being called the ■■■ of Xushan!”

Those voices roared in Fang Xiu’s ears. His head throbbed as if pierced by knives, but his focus had never been sharper.

“People only think that the Spirit of the Mountains is the God of Xushan—Master, you are the one truly worthy of being called the God of Xushan!”

Nearby, in an unremarked corner close to Zhuang Feng, the old book belonging to Zhuang Guiqu faintly glowed, then sank back into darkness.

…Just as expected. Fang Xiu held his breath.

The mountain ghost, too, is a god. Beneath Weishan, the trees grow dense.

The mountain god, too, is a ghost. Within the Disaster Relief Tower, it becomes an evil spirit.

No wonder Bai Shuangying could directly recognize the God of Weishan. No wonder Fang Xiu could summon him from the Disaster Relief Tower.

It all came down to that one phrase: “Born of the Nine Springs, never parted for a lifetime.”

Only someone as equally mad as Zhuang Guiqu, only someone like Fang Xiu, could summon the resentful Bai Shuangying.

At this moment, Fang Xiu fully understood Zhuang Guiqu’s true plan.

“A’Shou Jie, you saw it during the Grave-Sealing ritual.”

Facing the countless flashes of sealing light, Fang Xiu’s voice carried an eerie lightness.

“The Guishan Sect stole yin energy from the Disaster Relief Tower to nurture prodigies—birthing monsters like Cen Ling, a living ghost immortal.”

“But a ‘Corner of Heaven’s Will’ starved to weakness still must be put to use—if there are man-made ghost immortals, there must also be man-made Immortal E’s to match.”

A’Shou’s face turned ghostly pale. Her gaze darted quickly to the old book beside Zhuang Feng.

“To plan the construction of the Disaster Relief Tower… to seal the Corner of Heaven’s Will… the karma from this is enough to create an unprecedented E.”

Fang Xiu whispered quietly.

“I think… I know who the ‘man in black’ is.”

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

Chapter 146: The So-Called Bargaining Chip

The hand that appeared in front of the porcelain figurine was exceptionally beautiful. Its fingers were long and elegant, the skin flawless like jade. The five fingers were gently cupped, the index finger slightly relaxed—its pose resembled a lotus bud.

It paused hesitantly in place, not reaching for the figurine immediately. Zhuang Guiqu waited patiently for the right moment, his body tensed to just the right degree, every inch of him performing fear and wariness.

That left hand hovered for several seconds, then finally inched forward and grasped the porcelain figure.

The water mirror couldn’t reflect this, but under the crude wooden mask, Zhuang Guiqu curled his lips into a smile.

Just as the hand relaxed, ready to guide the way, Zhuang Guiqu lunged forward and grabbed it.

The scattered wild fruits and sweet potatoes burst open, revealing hidden magic weapons buried beneath. Waves of green ripples flared through the air. The porcelain figurine began to vibrate, and fine golden chains emerged from within, locking directly onto the hand.

The hand visibly paused, seemingly confused by what had just happened.

A moment later, it began to tremble violently. The fingers twisted at unnatural angles, convulsing in spasms. Though it made no sound, Fang Xiu felt as if he could hear its silent screams.

Fang Xiu stared coldly at Zhuang Guiqu through the water mirror, his nails digging into the flesh of his palm, drawing warm blood.

His limbs were ice-cold, and he felt no pain. There was only a prickling numbness. All his attention was fixed on the struggling left hand.

It must hurt terribly.

Bai Shuangying had always been good at enduring pain. Even during the Grave-Sealing ritual, when he had cut away part of his body to protect Fang Xiu, he had managed to act calm and unbothered.

To be twisting like this now meant the pain had to be unbearable.

This time was different.

From Bai Shuangying’s perspective, a century of conflict with mortals was little more than a squabble. The last time Zhuang Feng set the mountain on fire, it was at most a “shove” in terms of offense.

To a Corner of Heaven’s Will, sulking was one thing, but human harm remained negligible.

From Zhuang Guiqu’s perspective, though, this was a completely different story.

The gap in power was just too vast. How does one confront a giant beast alone?

The hardest, yet most “honorable” method was to trap it alive without direct confrontation.

A bit simpler was to find a powerful enough weapon and try to kill it.

The simplest, and seemingly least effective method was to hurt it.

For mortals, capturing a Corner of Heaven’s Will was pure fantasy, and killing it even more so. But as an exceptionally gifted cultivator, Zhuang Guiqu could theoretically achieve one thing if he tried hard enough: maximize its pain.

Sure, such pain wouldn’t damage Bai Shuangying’s core. But just as red-hot needles piercing your fingertips, there were countless ways to torment even without fatal harm.

Fang Xiu struggled to describe how he felt now. He had thought he couldn’t hate Zhuang Guiqu any more than he already did, yet his hatred had now doubled.

One part was for the ghost he loved suffering. The other was a subtle hatred of someone too similar to himself.

Fang Xiu hated the parts of himself that resembled that man.

Like now, he knew exactly what Zhuang Guiqu would do next.

Unfortunately, the others couldn’t see through it.

Across the water mirror, Zhuang Feng was filled with passion. “This is the sealing technique my Master spent half a lifetime researching. Everyone, assist him!”

The cultivators thought it was a sealing spell and sprang into action, each using their own powers with great enthusiasm to charge into the mountains. The soldiers at the base also began to organize, preparing to march upward.

The first cultivators to reach the scene spared no effort.

Some enhanced Zhuang Guiqu’s spell, helping him amplify its power.

Some brought out their most treasured artifacts to help pin down that poor left hand.

One even went so far as to burn his own spiritual core, transferring all his power to Zhuang Guiqu—the old Taoist who had lost his son. His eyes were bloodshot, and the dry hair of his beard bristled upward.

His magic coalesced into a faintly glowing red beam that surged into Zhuang Guiqu’s body.

Grief and vindication twisted his features. His once-yellowed eyes quickly shriveled into something plastic-like. Even without understanding magic, Fang Xiu could tell that his life force was draining rapidly.

His cheeks sank further, his wrinkles cracking like parched earth.

Within two minutes, the old man could barely stand. He staggered in place and instinctively looked around the human world—

As if he knew it would be his last glance.

At last, his gaze landed on Fang Xiu’s striking red robe. His misshapen eyes turned slightly, revealing a pure smile. Perhaps he was recalling the taste of pastries from earlier.

The moment he fell, his body crumbled into brownish-yellow powder. He died without a sound.

Fang Xiu didn’t respond to the old man’s final smile.

He stared silently at the handful of earth below him for a long time.

The old man died believing he was sealing a great evil, protecting humanity, avenging his son.

What he had truly done was sacrifice his life to intensify Bai Shuangying’s pain and push the world one inch closer to ruin.

Zhuang Feng was even more enthusiastic.

He stood by Zhuang Guiqu’s side. Hundreds of flaming sword phantoms spun in the air as he personally protected his master.

In the midst of the blazing magic, the only thing left untouched was the book Zhuang Guiqu had brought, lying in a corner. Its pages rustled softly in the wind.

Just as Fang Xiu had guessed, the relentless agony had driven Bai Shuangying into pure rage.

The mountains trembled violently. Birds took to the sky. The ground shook so hard people couldn’t stay standing. A’Shou drew her sword without hesitation and used it for balance.

“That lunatic Zhuang! Is he trying to get himself killed?!”

She had made tactical plans in tents, fought on real battlefields. Strategy was supposed to be cunning, but she had never seen a plan this insane.

Zhuang Guiqu had done nothing but provoke Bai Shuangying with no defenses, no escape plan. Nothing!

“…He’s very clever,” Fang Xiu finally responded softly.

“A ‘Corner of Heaven’s Will’ like Bai Shuangying, born of Heaven and Earth itself, is exceedingly rare.”

“The gods and immortals of the celestial court or the Underworld need offerings, worship, or were once mortals themselves. The human world is the foundation of their existence. They can’t just stand by and let it be destroyed.”

“In this kind of survival-level crisis, justice no longer matters. Even if Bai Shuangying has suffered the greatest injustice, the gods will still side with humanity.”

A’Shou wrinkled her face. “That’s all logical… but how can Zhuang Guiqu, the person who started it all, be sure the gods won’t come for him?”

“Because he has a bargaining chip.”

Fang Xiu unconsciously touched his lips.

“Zhuang Guiqu is a master of magic, a government official, and a highly respected figure among the people. In these turbulent times, if the gods treat him as a villain, it will throw the world into chaos.”

“On the other hand, when gods descend to fight the Corner of Heaven’s Will, they need an out—they must let humanity participate. If the Corner of Heaven’s Will holds a grudge in the future, they can point to a responsible ‘scapegoat’.”

“So for the gods, having Zhuang Guiqu serve as the mortal ‘hero’ is all gain, no loss. It helps stabilize the world, and it ensures the God of Calamity will focus his hatred on someone ‘deserving’. Perfect.”

“Zhuang Guiqu knows it. The gods know it. They just tacitly agree.”

A’Shou had no words.

After a while, she asked suspiciously, “How do you know all this…?”

“Because Zhuang Guiqu and I are the same type of person.”

Even more alike than you think, A’Shou Jie.

Fang Xiu wanted to smile at her but failed.

His palm was torn to a bloody mess by his own nails, and his heart was cold as ice.

A’Shou glanced at Fang Xiu’s bleeding fist and softened her tone. “If that damn emperor brat had even half your cunning back then, I wouldn’t have died so pointlessly.”

Around them, the shaking of the earth grew more violent. The cracking of collapsing mountains echoed nonstop. Before the sun could even set, Bai Shuangying’s massive body surged from the mountain, shimmering and shifting in the sunlight.

The remaining cultivators stared at the rapidly approaching form in shock.

Their heads tilted upward, limbs and tongues twisting into coarse black branches. A forest of black trees formed instantly. Only Zhuang Guiqu and Zhuang Feng remained standing, still attacking Bai Shuangying.

This time, Bai Shuangying didn’t target only the instigating Zhuang Guiqu.

Filled with rage and grievance, his true form surged outward through the fractured mountains toward surrounding lands.

The sky changed color again, dark like ink bleeding across the horizon.

Fang Xiu didn’t know whether Bai Shuangying wanted to destroy humanity or just force Zhuang Guiqu to stop. Honestly, his ghost’s intentions no longer mattered.

With Zhuang Feng guarding him, Zhuang Guiqu was like a splinter lodged in Bai Shuangying’s throat, nailed into the mountain.

The pain would not end.

A’Shou shielded Fang Xiu with one arm, both of them hiding behind a withered black tree.

Perhaps because Bai Shuangying resided within Fang Xiu, the wild corruption avoided them. Strangely, Zhuang Guiqu and Zhuang Feng had also survived the contamination.

…However, the elite soldiers had yet to appear. Understandably so—the Guishan Sect wouldn’t be foolish enough to repeat the same move from five years ago.

Fang Xiu could guess who had taken their place this time.

The sun was about to set. The Corner of Heaven’s Will was about to reach the town at the foot of the mountain.

Considering the size of Xushan, if Bai Shuangying’s true form spread in all directions, a third of the Kui Dynasty’s territory would fall within his reach.

At that moment, the massive creature looked like water about to spill from a cup, rising along the rim, ready to flood outward.

Finally, in the center of the dark sky, a golden light tore through the black.

Billowing auspicious clouds rolled in. Celestial music echoed, suppressing the dreadful roar of a collapsing world.

From the quaking ground below, thick gray mist rose, revealing the vague silhouettes of an army.

Dark energy surged over the land, black trees swayed, and even the white fruit on their branches let out eerie moans.

At the center of all this chaos, the childlike Zhuang Guiqu stirred.

“Karma…”

He mumbled hazily, “It’s here… Karma has arrived…”

The author has something to say:

Xiao Bai’s anger has been revealed, and Xiao Fang’s fired up too!

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