Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Sendoff: Mini Extras Collection

Note: These are mini extras that the author has written posted separately on JJ. She intermittently updates them, usually on Valentine’s Day and other holidays for her CPs. The translation will be updated when the author updates her blog. You can get updates when translations are updated in my Discord server. Below is a ton of dog food.

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2025/29/8

Everyone’s Summer Cool-Down Routines

Another Qixi has come around, and our married couples are celebrating again.

Here are their little everyday tricks for beating the heat—

Shi Jingzhi refused to train in the height of summer.

Spring was lovely with flowers in full bloom, and he would wander among them with A’Ci. Autumn was lovely with golden leaves falling, and he and A’Ci would reminisce.

Winter was lovely with piles of white snow, and his favorite thing was playing in it with A’Ci.

Summer wasn’t lovely—though Shi Jingzhi could regulate his temperature with inner force, the fierce sunlight still left him prickling all over, red as a boiled prawn.

Yin Ci’s constitution was much better. Even in blazing sun he remained carved of ice and snow.

“I’m not going out.” Shi Jingzhi clung to the house, dead set against the door.

“Cultivating the Cold-Weather Heart Technique will do you good,” Yin Ci coaxed. “Master it and you won’t fear the sun. Training in midsummer gives twice the result for half the effort—”

“I’m not going out.” Shi Jingzhi shrank warily into the corner. “Early autumn is fine. A little imperfection won’t kill me.”

Seeing him so determined to resist, Yin Ci sighed and stepped out.

Moments later, Shi Jingzhi caught a fresh, sweet scent. Yin Ci returned carrying a bowl of shaved ice. It was ultra-fine, the color of joyous plum, topped with slivers of candied dried apricot. It looked incredible, whetting his apetitie.

Shi Jingzhi slowly left the corner. “A’Ci, let me have a taste.”

Yin Ci scooped him a spoonful. The shaved ice was mixed with bayberry juice and had an incredibly light texture like fine snow that melted at the touch of the tongue.

Relief washed over Shi Jingzhi, and he pitifully begged for his own bowl. The moment the porcelain reached his hands, the mound collapsed into ordinary ice chips.

Shi Jingzhi: “……”

Yin Ci cradled his own bowl. “It’s too fine. You need the Cold-Weather method to hold it stable—otherwise it collapses in an instant.”

“I’ll practice…” Shi Jingzhi grumbled.

“What? I didn’t hear you clearly.”

“I’ll practice,” he said with a bitter face, heaving sighs at the bowl of ice chips.

Yin Ci couldn’t help laughing and brushed a light kiss on the tip of his nose.

“Good. I’ll make it for you every day.”

“It’s a deal!”

---

2025/5/20

Everyone’s Birthday Cakes

Congrats to the couple from “Help” on moving into the Married Zone ☆(/ω＼)

This year’s 520 (May 20) mini-extra: couples celebrate their birthdays! It’s a perfect chance to compile everyone’s birthdays~

Shi Jingzhi: October 23rd

Source: A normal birthday. (Frost Descent, 2020)

Cake: [Pastry Feast]

A banquet of pastries made by Yin Ci’s own hands. Shi Jingzhi may order as willful a spread as he likes. There are thousands of pastries in the world, and if it has a name, Yin Ci can make it.

Shi Jingzhi spends a full year thinking over that day’s order and tries to include things Yin Ci might love. It won’t do that he gets to be the only one to indulge himself. He wants to find every last bit of joy in this world with Yin Ci.

※ Yin Ci naturally sees through this subtle intention of his and, in turn, has found several of Shi Jingzhi’s favorites and made them household staples.

Yin Ci: April 4th

Source: Chosen by Shi Jingzhi. (Qingming, 2020)

Cake: [Herbal Pastry Box]

Yin Ci values health, so Shi Jingzhi studies herbs and turns them into inventive, tasty signature pastries. His cooking may not rival Yin Ci’s, but he can make up for it with creativity!

He quietly spirited away a number of exquisite pastry boxes from the palace, packed them full of fresh pastries, and presented them like treasures to Yin Ci. The assortment never repeats year to year, making one look forward to the next.

※ Yin Ci long ago forgot his own date of birth. It was Shi Jingzhi who slyly set it on Qingming. “That way, when the people of Great Yun honor their ancestors, it also counts as wishing you a happy birthday.”

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2025/2/16

What to Do When You’re Stuck Together

Suddenly stuck together—what should you do?

A belated Valentine’s Day mini joke (?) story has arrived! Time for some sweet, sticky fluff ☆

Shi Jingzhi’s world collapsed.

A’Ci’s hand was stuck. The most delicious breakfast in the world vanished into thin air. His own hand was stuck, and he didn’t even have the chance to imitate A’Ci and make breakfast.

…Both chefs were completely down for the count!

The food sold at the outside stalls could never compare to the meals made at home. Over the years, Shi Jingzhi’s palate had grown incredibly picky—he couldn’t tolerate even the slightest bitterness.

He leaned sorrowfully against the headboard, somehow managing to radiate the atmosphere of someone whose death was imminent.

Yin Ci almost burst out laughing.

“Breakfast isn’t a big problem. I made some pancakes last night. We can toast them this morning and spread sweet osmanthus jam on while they’re hot.”

“I also ordered a top-quality live chicken a few days ago—just a bit of silver to have it dressed. Today I’ll make white-cut chicken, paired with your signature steamed wild greens. Even one-handed, it’s doable.”

As expected of A’Ci—he effortlessly listed off a gourmet meal.

Shi Jingzhi slowly regained some spirit. “And a glass of the finest wine.”

“Mm, a glass of the finest wine,” Yin Ci coaxed.

Shi Jingzhi was revived.

He sat up and touched their joined palms. “There’s no disruption in qi flow, and no discomfort. This is probably just a temporary condition—doesn’t seem dangerous.”

“Having our fingers intertwined like this… it’s a beautiful thing.”

As he spoke, he pressed his cheek against the back of Yin Ci’s hand and sighed softly. “A’Ci, you don’t know—being able to spend a day like this makes me truly happy.”

Yin Ci: “You mean that?”

Shi Jingzhi: “Of course.”

“Actually, I’m happy too,” Yin Ci said gently. “These past years, I’ve seldom been close to anyone. Rather than call this a strange event, I think it’s a heaven-sent opportunity.”

Shi Jingzhi’s previous gloom vanished. His eyes shone brightly. “If A’Ci sees it that way, then even if I have to eat slop today, I’ll do it gladly.”

Yin Ci was surprised. “You mean that too? You’d willingly suffer?”

Shi Jingzhi replied with heartfelt sincerity, “Of course!”

A smile appeared on Yin Ci’s face.

He leaned in, lips nearly touching Shi Jingzhi’s ear. “Just think—our palms are pressed together, inseparable. This level of closeness is perfect for…”

Shi Jingzhi blinked with eager anticipation.

“…perfect for practicing close-combat sword techniques. Truly a heaven-sent opportunity.” Yin Ci smiled faintly.

“A’Ci?!” Shi Jingzhi jumped off the bed like someone had stepped on his tail.

“Wait, A’Ci, don’t—don’t pull me! Let’s take a day off, sit down and have a nice heart-to-heart… Ah!”

“I get it, I get it! I’ll train, I’ll train!”

“The loser washes the dishes with one hand,” Yin Ci said coldly as he retracted his sword.

“…Fine…”

“The winner can do anything they want tonight.”

“Deal—!”

---

2024/8/13

Everyone’s Favorite Sports

A belated short story for Qixi Festival, with a little Olympic commemoration (*/ω＼*)

Shi Jingzhi: [Practicing External Martial Arts]

Yin Ci is like a living martial arts manual, with unpredictable skills and mastery of any weapon. When it comes to Shi Jingzhi, he never holds back, teaching him everything. 

Even so, Shi Jingzhi feels it will take decades to learn all of Yin Ci’s skills. But living and learning as you age isn’t a bad thing—after all, his teacher is his most beloved person. They share a bed at night and practice swordsmanship together in the morning. There’s nothing more beautiful in the world. 

Still, Shi Jingzhi insists on maintaining his “Shifu” title. 

After all, the “Kushan Sect” represents the best fate that brought them together, and just chewing on these words makes Shi Jingzhi smile his brightest smile.

Yin Ci: [Practicing Internal Martial Arts]

After many years, Yin Ci’s meridians are no longer like sieves, and he can finally practice internal martial arts again. 

Thanks to the roots of the Hanging Tree, he and Shi Jingzhi are practically connected by their meridians. Instead of saying he’s re-cultivating his inner force, it’s more accurate to say he’s cultivating alongside Shi Jingzhi. With Shi Jingzhi by his side, Yin Ci’s cultivation is always twice as effective with half the effort. 

Warm inner force flows between them as if their bodies are intertwined. This sense of security and fulfillment is something Yin Ci had never experienced in the first half of his life. However, it’s not just the Hanging Tree’s power that makes him love this so much. 

To him, with Shi Jingzhi by his side, “love” is worth far more than the “roots of the Hanging Tree”.

A thousand times more.

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2024/6/1

Childhood Hairstyles

I suddenly wondered what everyone’s hairstyle was like when they were kids, so I’m sharing this on Children’s Day— 

Consider it a little addition to the setting (〃ω〃)

Shi Jingzhi: [Meticulously Groomed Long Hair]

Little Jingzhi’s treatment in childhood wasn’t great, but as a prince, his appearance couldn’t be neglected. There were people specifically responsible for combing and tying his hair. Due to Shi Jingzhi’s special constitution, his hair appeared exceptionally healthy.

Yin Ci: [Simple and Rough Long Ponytail]

During his wandering days, he had no time to worry about these things, so he just tied his hair with a piece of cloth. However, compared to other street children, Yin Ci cared a lot about personal hygiene. His hair, though tied carelessly, was always clean.

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2024/5/20

Everyone’s Favorite Fruits

This year’s Married Couple Day on 520* has arrived, so let’s write about everyone’s favorite fruits ☆

*The number 520 when pronounced in Chinese is very similar to [wǒ ài nǐ] (我爱你) I love you. Due to this, it has become a day in China called “Internet Valentine’s Day”.

Congratulations to the couple from [Full Server First Kill] for entering the happy married zone (*/ω＼*)

Shi Jingzhi: [Grape]

When he was still confined in that small courtyard, grapes were the sweetest thing Shi Jingzhi could get. The desserts brought by the maids weren’t very sweet, and the other fruits were mostly mildly sweet. As for crispy candies and other children’s snacks, they rarely made it to his courtyard. Even when they did, these small items were often pocketed by the servants, never reaching his hands.

Only grapes allowed him to understand the meaning of the word “sweet”.

The grapes bestowed were few in number, and if not eaten early, they would spoil and couldn’t be stored to be eaten little by little. So when enjoying these grapes, Shi Jingzhi didn’t need to deliberately restrain his desires. He could simply enjoy them happily.

After leaving the palace, he also liked to carry raisins with him. They were easier to preserve and still retained a honey-like sweetness, making them ideal for a quick snack on the road. As he savored that bit of sweetness, it was as if all the world’s constraints disappeared.

※ “A’Ci even makes wine out of them!” Shi Jingzhi showed off his wine jug.

Yin Ci: [Pomegranate]

Yin Ci favored pomegranates, not because of their association with “abundant offspring and blessings,” but simply because they were a hassle. They were full of seeds with little flesh, requiring careful peeling and meticulous handling to avoid the juice splattering everywhere, leaving hands sticky.

Time passed slowly, and in his endless boredom, Yin Ci mastered the art of peeling pomegranates. With a slight movement of his fingers, the blood-red pomegranate seeds would roll out without any yellow-white membranes sticking to them. After peeling, his ten fingers would remain clean, with no traces of fruit juice.

Once peeled, he would let the pomegranate seeds pile up in a porcelain bowl. He would only eat a little, leaving the rest for his subordinates or giving them to passersby—perhaps a way of protecting himself. He didn’t dislike the taste of pomegranates, but eating too many would turn fondness into fatigue.

However, after marrying Shi Jingzhi, the pomegranate seeds would be gone before they could form a little mountain, as someone would smooth out the top. Sharing the fruit not only didn’t make it tiresome but also added a bit of sweetness.

※ Yin Ci wasn’t too surprised to discover that the taste of food is greatly influenced by the person with whom it is shared.

~~~

Shi Jingzhi’s exuberant energy was comparable to magic.

A few days ago, they had just talked about grapes, and today, when Yin Ci opened his eyes, he saw a grape trellis in the corner of the courtyard. The crafty fox was meticulously watering the grape vines, chatting away with them. If Yin Ci weren’t so used to worldly magics, it would have seemed like this trellis had appeared overnight.

“I got the best grapevine from my elder brother’s garden.” Seeing Yin Ci approach, Shi Jingzhi eagerly gestured. “I used to eat these grapes as a child. They’re sweeter than any others outside. A’Ci must try them. They yield a lot, and the excess can be made into wine…”

“Wine is harmful to the body. It’s better to drink less.” Noticing how Shi Jingzhi was always thinking about grape wine, Yin Ci gently reminded him. “You like sweet and sour flavors, so I’ll make you some pomegranate tea.”

Shi Jingzhi hummed thoughtfully. “So A’Ci likes pomegranates.”

The next day, Yin Ci found a top-quality pomegranate tree in the courtyard. Beneath the tree, someone was carefully tending the soil again.

Shi Jingzhi smiled recklessly. “I dug up the best pomegranate tree from my elder brother’s garden.”

Yin Ci: “……”

Yin Ci couldn’t help himself and reached out to pinch that radiant smiling face.

---

2024/2/14

Couple’s Pajama Party

Valentine’s Day, of course, calls for a grand pajama reveal (?

And favorite intimate acts (???

~Shi Jingzhi~

[Fine silk undergarments] Light-colored undergarment and underpants set, made from top-quality material required in the palace. It’s several times more breathable than ordinary silk and unbelievably soft to the touch.

※ Fox Shi swipes quite a bit of precious fabric each year to subsidize the household, with the emperor silently enraged but unable to voice his complaints.

~Yin Ci~

[A robe as light as a spiderweb] in a bizarre bluish white, woven from special silk threads, loosely covering the body, making it almost imperceptible.

※ Yin Ci dislikes feeling constricted while sleeping. It reminds him of his time when he was buried alive and the Ghost Skin Robe he wore during turbulent times. However, he’s too proud to sleep naked, so he indulged in this luxury.

Both enjoy adding a bit of light biting to their kisses.

Shi Jingzhi likes to leave his marks on the other. Without the exaggerated power of the Hanging Tree, his marks can last long on Yin Ci’s skin. Yin Ci simply wants to bite this brat—sometimes, Sect Master Shi’s smugness exceeds his imagination.

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2024/1/1

Magical Summoning Abilities

New Year’s Mysterious Magic☆ Couple Summoning Technique~10 Seconds Guaranteed~ The effect is magical, comparable to spatial teleportation!

Yin Ci’s magic: Tie up long hair and walk towards the kitchen.

Magic effect: Within ten heartbeats, Shi Jingzhi will appear by the pot.

※ It’d be so much better if his qinggong was always this good. Demonic Lord Yin felt a bit exasperated.

Shi Jingzhi’s magic: Dawdle but take the initiative to walk towards the martial arts training ground.

Magic effect: Yin Ci will definitely be there waiting for him with a long sword in hand.

※ Sect Master Shi: “Although A’Ci is scary like this, he’s also very cute…”

---

2023/10/31

Got A Pumpkin

~Yin Ci’s Pumpkin~

A pumpkin suddenly appeared on the stove, not sure who sent it.

Yin Ci sniffed the pumpkin, not detecting any peculiar smell. He cut it in half; one half was made into pumpkin crystal steamed cake, the other into pumpkin osmanthus sweet soup. Paired with a rock sugar elbow, wax meat steamed together with a few side dishes. It was just right for a small autumnal meal.

Today’s weather was perfect. Yin Ci warmed the steamed cake on the stove and heated the sweet soup in the pot. But when he turned around after being busy, half of the pumpkin crystal steamed cake was neatly gone.

The kitchen had been raided by a fox!

This kid’s qinggong had indeed improved. Yin Ci rubbed his temples and pretended not to notice—considering that half plate of steamed cake as a reward for him.

When the side dishes were finished, he noticed a bowl next to the steamed cake dish containing a pumpkin stuffed with meat.

…Oh, it was a gift from the fox spirit.

※: “I personally made that stuffed meat!” Shi Jingzhi said, and additionally asked for a piece of steamed cake.

~Shi Jingzhi’s Pumpkin~

The pumpkins were perfectly ripe. Many vendors roasted them with sugar, and others made porridge to sell. The entire street was filled with the aroma of pumpkin. Shi Jingzhi initially went out to buy some spices and live poultry, but he felt hungry after smelling the pumpkin aroma.

What would A’Ci make with the pumpkin?

After some thought, Shi Jingzhi bought two pumpkins, one big and one small, and secretly brought them home. He happened to get the recipe for pumpkin stuffed with meat from the palace from his elder brother. It was time for a pumpkin feast!

While preparing the pumpkin… A’Ci’s side dishes smells so sweet…

While preparing the meat filling… A’Ci’s side dishes smells so sweet…

Indeed, to concentrate, he decided to steal half and try!

※: The next day, Shi Jingzhi made a plate of pumpkin crystal steamed cakes and stole the last piece from Yin Ci’s lips.

---

2023/10/04

Late Mid-Autumn Festival? National Day? Short joke~(*/ω＼*)

Everyone’s Belongings

~Yin Ci’s personal items~

◆ Life-Death Pill: An upgraded version of the Life-Death Soup, a rapid rescue medication that can revive the dead. The recipe is precious and the production is challenging, but Yin Ci managed to concoct it.

※ “Just in case”, insists the man who once sought death in various ways.

◆ A small pack of pine nut candy: A version added with some medicinal herbs, exceptionally sweet. After teaching Shi Jingzhi sword moves every day, Yin Ci always gives him some. Shi Jingzhi adores this treat but would never carry it himself; he especially enjoys the process of being fed.

※ In truth, Yin Ci also takes pleasure in the act of feeding someone.

◆ A pouch embroidered with an unknown design: Inspired by Yin Ci, Shi Jingzhi attempted to make a pouch but failed miserably with the embroidery.

※ Yin Ci still keeps it close to him. It can’t hold coins, but it’s sufficient for storing some pine nut candies.

~Shi Jingzhi’s personal items~

◆ A carved silver container with ointment: Specially blended, it’s very effective for bruises and has a pleasant herbal aroma.

※ Both apply a little every time after Yin Ci’s training session.

◆ Special fish filets: The fish skin, bones, and innards are removed, the fish meat is pounded into a paste and seasoned, then dried and shaped over fruitwood fire and finely sliced. Folded and wrapped in wax paper, they taste fragrantly delicious when chewed.

※ A recent snack Yin Ci developed, originally intended as a side dish for alcohol, but always gets completely eaten by someone in advance.

◆ A pouch embroidered with a fox pattern: Stylish in design and finely stitched. Filled daily with copper coins and bits of silver, it’s very practical.

※ The pouch was made by Yin Ci, and the fox pattern was also whimsically embroidered by him, but Shi Jingzhi particularly loves it.

---

2023/08/22

Qixi Scheduled! Perfect to rate everyone’s culinary skills~☆

~Yin Ci’s Culinary Skills ~

Overall rating: ★★★★★

Strengths: He’s seriously studied it and has a natural talent. This is the quality of a former immortal.

Weaknesses: None.

※ Shi Jingzhi: “A’Ci, although you say you’re not a god, I think those restaurants should worship you.”

~Shi Jingzhi’s Culinary Skills ~

Overall rating: ★★★★☆

Strengths: Loves to eat and is eager to learn. Has the world’s best cooking tutor, so his progress is commendable.

Weaknesses: Lacks hands-on experience, but that’s not a big deal.

※ “You’re progressing so quickly; I wish you were as dedicated to martial arts,” Yin Ci said melancholically.

---

2023/05/30

Indulging in “Tears of the Kingdom” led to postponement of the mini… A small corner of everyone’s daily life!

In the early morning, Yin Ci leaned by the window, engrossed in a book under the brilliant morning light.

Outside, the sky was clear, flowers were blossoming beautifully, and someone was jumping around the courtyard practicing martial arts with a wooden sword. At first glance, it was a delightful scene. But on closer inspection, the practicing Shi Jingzhi had drooping corners of his mouth, obviously not in a pleasant mood.

Yin Ci picked up a piece of pine nut candy and threw it towards Shi Jingzhi. The latter, with a flick of his sword, caught the candy with his mouth.

“Your left hand was off on the tenth move,” Yin Ci commented.

Shi Jingzhi’s just-lifted smile drooped again. “A’Ci…”

Ever since the two were reborn, Yin Ci’s inner force was restored, and the gap between their martial arts skills, once close, widened again. Admittedly, Shi Jingzhi was a genius. But even a genius couldn’t catch up with techniques honed over a century in such a short time.

He understood Yin Ci’s intentions in guiding him. If he died, Yin Ci would die due to a lack of vital qi supply. If Yin Ci died, he would explode due to an excess of vital qi. Any mishap could be fatal for both of them.

But this was just too strict!

“People die easily,” Yin Ci said without sugar-coating. “Especially martial artists. Even if one is the best in the world, a single mistake can be fatal. I can’t always watch over you…”

Shi Jingzhi’s ears filtered out most of the nagging. He knew Yin Ci had omitted various ways to die—from drowning, choking during a meal, to infections, poisoning, or assassinations. His worry-prone partner, after realizing that dying was challenging, began to believe that living a long life was also a formidable task.

Perhaps because Yin Ci was too familiar with death.

Shi Jingzhi swallowed the candy and tried to sound casual. “I wasn’t planning to slack off. Just felt a bit bored, so my mind wandered.”

“Bored?”

“It would certainly be better if a certain master would personally guide me.”

“Last time, we destroyed your favorite flower. You almost built a memorial for it,” Yin Ci reminded him.

If the two were to seriously spar, avoiding bystanders alone would take all their effort, let alone minding the plants.

“People pay thousands of taels of gold for guidance from masters. By that measure, I’m still ahead,” Shi Jingzhi said with mock tragedy.

After a pause, he continued, “How about we set up a protective formation in the courtyard first… We still have some materials left from what Su Si gave us last time. A’Ci, what do you think…”

Yin Ci shook his head, chuckling. “If you’re upset, just say it.”

“I am, indeed.”

Shi Jingzhi looked straight at Yin Ci, his eyes smiling as he replied.

“…But we have plenty of time. We’ll find a way.”

---

2023/02/15

A belated Valentine’s Day mini: Everyone’s game preference.

~Yin Ci’s Gaming Preferences~

Occupation Choice: DPS, Swordsman class.

Gaming Tendency: Explosive damage output, never makes mistakes. Prefers high attack, low defense/sudden burst skills when on low health. Surprisingly serious about gaming, proactively guiding teammates and covering for their mistakes.

Teaming Tendencies: For convenience, he and Shi Jingzhi established their own small guild, often borrowing acquaintances from other guilds for grunt work.

※The biggest mistakes are usually caused by Shi Jingzhi, but Yin Ci never seems to get angry because of it.

~Shi Jingzhi’s Gaming Preferences~

Occupation Choice: Healer, but with high damage capabilities.

Gaming Tendency: Chaotic player. Starts off healing but suddenly switches to damage dealer. Sometimes, he becomes so focused on dealing damage that he neglects the well-being of teammates (except for Yin Ci). Frustratingly, his gaming skills are exceptional, leaving teammates fuming but silent.

Teaming Tendencies: Plays with the guild’s own team, enjoys crafting various quirky strategies to clear levels.

※He behaves recklessly, backed by the support of Yin Ci. Together, they have set countless terrifying speedrun records.

---

2022/08/05

Tanabata, Tanabata, Everyone’s Outfit Special Edition~

~Traveling Outside~

After the Kushan Sect grew stronger, the two would wander around wearing the elder robes of the Kushan Sect. Occasionally, they’d also wear the elder robes of the Chigou Sect.

On this matter, the two current sect leaders didn’t dare to voice any objections.

Shi Jingzhi: “A’Ci, do you think this is a case of ‘a fox exploiting the tiger’s might*’ or ‘a tiger exploiting the fox’s might’?”

*(算狐假虎威) Idiom referring to relying on the power of others to bully and intimidate people, similar to how a fox might wear a tiger’s skin to use the tiger’s might for its advantage.

Yin Ci: “…It’s probably more like running amok.”

—

~Resting at Home~

Shi Jingzhi:

[Light-colored deep robes and matching trousers] The style is simple, but the materials used are all top-notch. Sect Master Shi never shortchanges himself.

[Fine cloth boots] Excellent breathability, with delicate patterns on the edges.

※ “Why dress so formally when you can’t see it yourself?” Yin Ci asked.

“But A’Ci can always see,” Shi Jingzhi replied happily.

Yin Ci:

[Dark teal linen shirt with a slightly open chest] Even though Shi Jingzhi had provided lots of high-quality fabrics, Yin Ci still preferred the feel of linen. He no longer knew when he had stopped obsessing over the repressive black robes.

[Hemp shoes that Shi Jingzhi grudgingly worked on] Sect Master Shi didn’t share his comfy cloth boots, so he had to use his inner force to soften the hemp strings a bit more.

※ “It’s an old man’s persistence,” Yin Ci said, and kissed Shi Jingzhi’s forehead. His long hair spilled out, a strand sliding down the open collar, disappearing into the shadows of the folds.

Shi Jingzhi’s dissatisfaction evaporated.

---

2022/02/13

Valentine’s Day Special: Inexplicable Nightmare Feature ✨

Before Shi Jingzhi went to sleep, he was planning in his heart how to celebrate the holiday with his disciple. Even though the two of them had been married for many years, they still had to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Unexpectedly, once he fell asleep, he had a genuine nightmare—

His cultivation technique went awry, and without warning, Yin Ci transformed into a frail Hanging Tree, silent and seemingly devoid of consciousness. In the dream, he searched for decades without finding a solution. When he woke up, Shi Jingzhi’s head was full of cultivation theories, and his back was soaked in sweat.

Thankfully, it was just a dream.

“A’Ci, let me hug you—” Shi Jingzhi reached out with his eyes closed, but instead of touching a warm body, he touched the cold branches and leaves of a tree.

Shi Jingzhi was now fully awake. He jumped up and looked cautiously at the green plant beside him.

The tree was leaning against the bed, vibrant green with complete roots and branches, exuding an unusually strong vitality. Even if it were turned to ashes, Shi Jingzhi would recognize this aura.

The Hanging Tree.

It’s over. Yin Ci really turned into a Hanging Tree. Shi Jingzhi sat down in a daze, staring blankly at the plant.

After a while, Shi Jingzhi reached out with a trembling hand, gently touching the fragile plant. Trying to put aside his sorrow and confusion, he took a deep breath. “A’Ci, we depend on each other in life and death. Even if it takes my whole life, I will help you return to human form… Do you trust me?”

The Hanging Tree didn’t respond.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you harm the innocent. Today is a day for lovers to express their affection. I wanted to surprise you, but fate plays its tricks…”

As Shi Jingzhi spoke, he grew more and more upset, quickly putting on his outer garment, sniffling.

“Never mind, I’ll find a nice pot for you first.”

As he staggered towards the door and opened it, he found himself face to face with Yin Ci outside.

Yin Ci held two bowls of wontons with a twisted expression. He seemed moved, but his emotions were mixed with astonishment and amusement, leaving him unsure of what expression to wear.

Shi Jingzhi was stunned. “A… A’Ci?”

“You saw it? That was sent by Shen Zhu from Luojiu.” Yin Ci entered the room and put down the wontons, clearing his throat. “I heard she got a young Hanging Tree, so I bought it. We have a deep connection with the Hanging Tree. If we want to research methods for longevity and health, it’s a great resource… It’s a holiday, after all. I can’t give a shabby gift.”

Overwhelmed by the rollercoaster of emotions, Shi Jingzhi stood frozen, forgetting about the wontons.

“Why did you put it next to the bed?”

“I thought you’d be happy to see it when you woke up.”

“Then, why weren’t you there?”

“Shen Zhu’s subordinate traveled a long distance to deliver it, having rushed overnight. I couldn’t let him go hungry. So here, fresh wontons.” Yin Ci pulled the absent-minded Shi Jingzhi back to his chair and pushed the bowl of wonton towards him. “But why did you think the plant was me?”

“I was groggy from sleep and got confused.” Shi Jingzhi hugged the bowl of wonton, deciding not to explain further. “Ahem, I am happy, A’Ci. Really happy.”

“As long as you’re happy. But for the record, I don’t want a fancy pot.”

“……”

---

2022/02/01

Spring Festival Special, Everyone’s Specialty Dishes♪

Once again, I wish you all a wonderful Year of the Tiger–! 🎉

~Yin Ci’s Specialty Dishes~

Sweet and Sour Fish: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the dish is both fresh and tangy. It’s one of Shi Jingzhi’s favorite dishes. To ensure the freshness of the fish, Yin Ci’s fishing skills have become increasingly refined. Once the sweet and sour fish is prepared, the whole courtyard is filled with its appetizing aroma. Sometimes, Yin Ci would make an extra one or two to share with the neighbors.

※ Due to frequently cooking this dish, numerous stray cats can often be found wandering around their residence.

Drunken Chicken: A dish Yin Ci is particularly fond of when having a drink. The chicken has a pure and rich flavor, which can be slowly savored with a fine wine. The two often warm up a pot of wine, steam the drunken chicken, and enjoy it while playing a sand table game.

※ To ensure the best dining experience, Shi Jingzhi procured thirty jars of drunken chicken wine from the royal palace.

~Shi Jingzhi’s Specialty Dishes~

Braised Rabbit Meat: The dish has a rich flavor, tender, and well-seasoned, and is very nourishing. Yin Ci is particularly fond of this dish. For this reason, Shi Jingzhi specifically asked for the recipe from the royal chef, and his culinary skills match Yin Ci’s. Unfortunately, catching rabbits isn’t as easy as fishing, so Shi Jingzhi has to buy them from the market. He even found a regular hunter to supply him.

※ The leftover fur isn’t wasted. Yin Ci made two rabbit fur hats out of it.

Chicken Noodle Soup: Stewed chicken soup with enough chili, served with chewy hand-rolled noodles. Shi Jingzhi has a unique attachment to this dish. Every winter, especially during snowfall, he would cook a large pot of it.

※ Instead of Door Gods on their entrance, there are just two lanterns.

---

2021/11/06

Halloween Extra 🎃

In the evening, at a tavern in the city.

“Hey, have you heard? The Chen family in the east of the city was said to be haunted, right? That mysterious matter was just solved by two heroes a few days ago!”

“Stop beating around the bush. Tell us already.”

“Well, in the end, it turns out there were no ghosts. A relative of the Chen family, with some ill intentions and a bit of magic, deceived the Chens.”

“Sheesh, it was said to be so frightening. Midnight cries of a blood infant, the shadow of a hanging ghost swaying, and some even claimed to see a monster. And it turns out it was all just a scheme for money and murder? I don’t buy it.”

“The two heroes caught the perpetrator red-handed. All the evidence has been handed over to the local officials.”

“When will the trial be? Maybe some of us should head over to the government office to watch the spectacle. I still can’t believe one person could pull off such an elaborate hoax.”

“The ‘blood infant’ was dug up from a grave, the shadows were produced by mechanisms, and the monster… well, that malicious person used magic. You have to admit, they had a wicked imagination, coming up with such terrifying things…”

Not far away, someone’s hand trembles, dropping the piece of fish they just picked up onto the table.

“That magic truly is terrifying… A’Ci, I’m still not over it. How about we stay somewhere lively tonight?”

Shi Jingzhi, with a pale face, tried to pick up the fish, but Yin Ci ruthlessly pressed down on the tip of his chopsticks.

“Don’t eat what’s fallen on the table,” Yin Ci said with a laugh, offering Shi Jingzhi a piece of roasted chicken. “I know you’re scared. We can stay anywhere you want.”

“Mm.”

“Why did you take on this job if you’re still scared of these things?”

After swallowing the chicken, Shi Jingzhi took out a small cloth bag from his chest. Glancing around stealthily, he whispered, “The Chen family has some ancestral medicinal ingredients that even my elder brother can’t get. I specially got a bit of it. I can make it into pills.”

Having said that, he carefully tucked the bag back, acting as if someone might snatch it away at any moment.

Yin Ci, intrigued, asked, “What are you after now? Haven’t you given up on the elixir of immortality?”

“I don’t need immortality, but a few more years to my life wouldn’t hurt—even if it means spending just a moment longer with you, it’s priceless to me.”

Yin Ci paused, not responding with his usual witty retort. After a moment, he offered a gentle smile.

“…Sounds good. Let’s prepare the medicine together tonight.”

---

2021/08/14

How can we miss the Qixi Festival! Write about everyone in the eyes of a passersby (?

@A Village Kid/Male/10 years old

“Last night, I encountered monsters! Two of them! Peh, peh, I’m not making this up.”

“At night, when my parents went to sleep, I sneaked out to pick mulberries. On my way back, it was very dark, so I took a detour—you know, the moon shines brightly over the eastern end of the village. When I got there, the monsters were sitting on top of the largest haystack! Both of them, close together!”

“I didn’t miss saw it. Don’t I recognize the villagers? Besides, the moon was full last night, and I saw them very clearly. I’ve never seen such beautiful people; even the young ladies from the town don’t compare! Both of them were so beautiful; they surely weren’t humans. And, and besides, if they were immortals, why would they sit on a haystack? I also saw them whispering and holding hands, behaving nothing like dignified beings. They must be monsters.”

“What were they talking about? Hmph, thanks to my short stature, I managed to get close. One of them said, ‘It would be good to spend the night here’, but the other one disagreed, saying, ‘You haven’t fully recovered. Be careful of catching a cold’… See, this is more proof! Immortals wouldn’t catch a cold; they must be monsters making their nest here.”

“Then? The first one laughed for a while, saying the hay was soft and fragrant and the night breeze was refreshing, so it didn’t matter. He also said that if the two of them cuddled closer, it would be fine. I remember clearly, he even added, ‘I bet A’Ci has never laid down in a place like this.’ After that, he hugged the second one tight, and they lay down together.”

“They lay down, and I couldn’t see them anymore, so I hid below and watched. They whispered that the stars were beautiful and then nibbled each other’s ears for a bit. Then they became quiet, seemingly asleep. I… I was full of mulberries and drowsy, so I eventually fell asleep. When I woke up, it was bright, and when I climbed up the haystack, I found this beautiful silver bead! Look, this one! It even has characters on it!”

“I asked the village scholar about it, and he said it’s ‘lodging money’ and told me to keep it safe. Doesn’t this match the stories in the books?”

“…Haa, if only such generous monsters would visit more often.”

---

<<< || Table of Contents ||

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 166: Epilogue – Part 2

He Jiu was just a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy, so no matter how loudly he shouted, his words lacked any real force.

The surroundings were still filled with drifting red leaves, and the sunlight gleamed like gold.

He Jiu paused for a moment, looking confusedly at Qu Linfeng. Qu Linfeng frowned, his legs still a bit weak. Just a touch of hostility from the other party, and he was already drenched in sweat. In the martial world, even a mere thief was this formidable?

“Just now there was someone over there. I’m certain I wasn’t mistaken,” Qu Linfeng stuttered, pointing to the bushes. This time, A’Si didn’t waste any time. With a twist of his body, he stepped through the air, landing precisely where Qu Linfeng had pointed.

“There are threads hanging on the branches. Someone was indeed here. Neither of us noticed right away, so the person must have used some technique. This visitor means harm.”

A’Si became serious, and his demeanor changed dramatically, almost suffocating those around him.

“Tell me, San Zi, has the Kushan Sect offended anyone recently? Simply stealing something doesn’t warrant such a setup. Perhaps the real intention isn’t the flag, but to harm us. Our people can probably protect the children, but capturing the thief might be a challenge. Maybe we should send the kids down the mountain first and then decide our next move.”

The blind attendant touched the threads and remained silent for a while. After a moment, the corners of his mouth twitched. “No, we continue.”

A’Si narrowed his eyes. “Huh, that’s not like you.”

“Splitting up has its problems. Others might not understand, but don’t you?”

San Zi’s tone was even, revealing no emotion.

The two didn’t lower their voices during their conversation, so all the children heard everything. Some immediately shrank back, crying and wanting to leave the mountain. Qu Linfeng remained silent, and though He Jiu was shivering, he didn’t utter a sound.

A’Si glanced at them and remarked, “It’s expected for San Zi to be fearless, but you two aren’t scared either?”

It seemed He Jiu had an issue with A’Si and promptly retorted in a sharp voice, “I’m not scared! Not at all!”

Qu Linfeng said, “The Kushan Sect must have sent a master to lead us. If the thief intends to hold us hostage, it might not be safer to go down the mountain. It’s better to stay close to everyone here.”

“I like that answer.” A’Si laughed, and a small knife appeared in his hand. “Kid, you’re level-headed. The Kushan Sect found a treasure in you.”

Qu Linfeng was sincere. He was afraid, but his fear was subtle, unnoticeable.

From sunrise to sunset, the group followed faint tracks. It was a cool autumn day without the disturbance of rain or scorching sun. Despite that, the rugged mountain road wore everyone out. Apart from those with good physical stamina, most of the young boys and girls were limping. In their fatigue and panic, the red leaves of the mountain became terrifying.

“Those aren’t red leaves; they’re blisters from the soles of my feet,” He Jiu whined. He complained the most, but his agility revealed his genuine dedication to martial arts.

Qu Linfeng, having grown up in a remote village, was well acquainted with such mountain paths, feeling completely in his element.

Along the way, they encountered a flower demon covered in numerous enchanted flowers. With a flash of cold light from A’Si’s knife, the creature was cleanly shaved bald. However, its terrifying appearance frightened several children to the point of foaming at the mouth and fainting for a long duration.

By the time they sensed the presence of the thief, most of the children were too weak to move. Most had cried themselves out and no longer desired to join a reputable sect, only wishing to withdraw from the test. In comparison to the strict and conventional exam methods of other sects, where one could comfortably queue in a courtyard with honey tea to drink, the Kushan Sect seemed overly brutal.

Strangely, among those crying was an adult.

The moment A’Si confirmed the thief’s presence, he attempted to flee but was immediately grabbed by the collar by San Zi.

“San Zi, you betrayed me!” A’Si wailed. “Why? Because I took two of your blankets last time? I occasionally share the bed with you. How could you do this…”

San Zi, the attendant, remained expressionless.

“Yan Qing, you have two talents with you.”

A flag unfurled with a rustle, revealing a young man sitting on a maple tree branch, looking down at them. The man had an exceptionally bright face and appeared to be in his thirties. He looked utterly carefree, his eyes radiating deep amusement.

Qu Linfeng immediately recognized the man’s aura—it was the same individual who had previously released hostile intent. Yet, observing his composed demeanor, he didn’t seem like a caught thief at all.

“I’ve also selected some individuals from my side.”

Another figure appeared. He looked slightly younger and also possessed a breathtaking appearance. He landed on the same thick branch, casually placing a kiss on the head of the person beside him.

Perhaps they were senior disciples from the same sect. Their relationship seemed extraordinarily close, leaving Qu Linfeng mesmerized. Beside him, He Jiu plopped down on a pile of maple leaves. “Yan Qing? Did you just call him Yan Qing?”

Qu Linfeng turned his head in confusion.

“The head of the Kushan Sect is named Yan Qing! Red-eyed Yan Qing!” He Jiu grabbed his collar, his face red with agitation. “Only someone who… definitely someone who…”

Realizing he couldn’t hide anymore, Yan Qing removed his blindfold and tightened his grip on the escaping A’Si.

“He’s the first-generation sect leader, along with his only disciple,” he confirmed Qu Linfeng’s suspicion. “Thank you, Seniors, for your help with the selection process. Please rest here. I’ll send you down the mountain later.”

A pair of ghost eyes appeared, and there were gasps all around. Nobody dared to cause trouble; all eyes were on the two on the tree. Amidst the silence, A’Si’s wails stood out. “San Zi, you plotted against me from the beginning!”

He Jiu turned his head in sorrow. If this person was so intimate with Sect Master Yan, he must be no ordinary man. What kind of great master did he provoke that would stoop to challenging children?

“Su Si, indeed someone followed you up.”

Yin Ci was distributing cakes and tea to the children, and as gentle as his actions were, his tone was icy.

“The person is adept at stealth magic and attempted to sneak into Jingzhi’s room to steal something. We caught him red-handed. We didn’t inform Yan Qing in advance; he deduced it from the thread we left.”

They intentionally left a piece of thread, and Yan Qing, being observant, surely wouldn’t misjudge it. Unlike a certain Patriarch who was clueless, unable to differentiate between a firecracker’s fuse and a shoelace.

“If we hadn’t returned just in time, he might have succeeded,” Shi Jingzhi said, caressing his cherished flag. “My most treasured possessions are all there. You know that. This is just a small lesson since we’ve met.”

It was quite a face-saver for Su Si that the sect selection was used as a lesson for him. Su Si and He Jiu shrank back, not daring to utter a word.

Indeed, Su Si knew about Shi Jingzhi’s most treasured items in the grand hall, having seen them himself. Broken swords, paintings, old wine jars, and sect uniforms; they resembled items from a looted tomb. Yet, Shi Jingzhi collected everything related to the two of them and stored it in the most secluded part of the Kushan Sect, visiting frequently.

In essence, the ‘Medicinal Cures Illness’ flag was the most significant item there. But what was scarier was that Yin Ci seemed to have no objections, almost spoiling him too much.

The affected parties remained silent, so what could outsiders say?

Even if the thief went through great difficulties to enter the room, he would be left clueless. But now, with Senior Yin Ci watching, Su Si felt guilty and didn’t dare to say more.

Yan Qing glanced at Su Si, who didn’t dare to show any hint of defiance, and stepped forward. “There indeed was a lapse in Kushan’s defenses. A’Si and I share the responsibility. Once we descend the mountain, I will accept my punishment.”

The youthful-looking master and disciple duo didn’t seem to want to pursue further. They vanished deep into Kushan, leaving only a few red leaves fluttering down.

Qu Linfeng had just witnessed a grand spectacle, his heart racing, forgetting even to eat his cake.

Sect Master Yan, Patriarch Su, along with Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci, who had long retired from the martial world—these were legendary figures from tales! Although, they differed from his imagination. Maybe this was the so-called “hidden depth”, he thought confidently.

He initially thought they were stern elder figures with long beards, but now they seemed playful and far younger in appearance than his foster father.

Seeing such legendary figures once was enough.

Yet, during dinner, when he saw Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci sitting across from him with their meals, Qu Linfeng was speechless.

People say great figures are rarely seen, so why were these legends of the Kushan Sect everywhere? Qu Linfeng felt a mix of nervousness and helplessness. Beside him, He Jiu was rigid, the chopsticks making a clattering sound against the bowl. Fortunately, Su Si, with a bump on his head, was exceptionally well-behaved.

“Qu Linfeng, where did you learn your stance?” Yin Ci asked calmly.

Qu Linfeng honestly replied, “My foster father taught me.”

“Foster father… Is your foster father missing a right foot?”

“Yes.”

Yin Ci seemed to have an idea about his origin and showed a slightly curious expression. As if afraid to startle Qu Linfeng, he softened his tone. “When you came to the Kushan Sect, did he tell you anything?”

Qu Linfeng shook his head vigorously. “He didn’t tell me anything. He just told me some stories of the martial world. The rest of the time… it wasn’t that close. Senior Yin, do you recognize my foster father? Who is he? He wouldn’t tell me. He only said to judge for myself once I understood everything from back then.”

“To judge for yourself, huh? Seems like he hasn’t let go of the past.” Shi Jingzhi sighed. “But letting you out is a good thing.”

Seeing the varying expressions around, the atmosphere grew tense. Qu Linfeng became more nervous. “I…”

“No worries. Once the Kushan Sect accepts a disciple, we won’t just abandon him.” Yan Qing patted his head. “Your foster father is right. Understand the past and judge for yourself.”

Su Si whispered, “Be careful not to invite a wolf into the house.”

“We have been the most dangerous wolves,” Yan Qing replied calmly.

“That’s true.”

……

Years later, Qu Linfeng, now a junior elder of the Kushan Sect, often recalled that moment. After that day, he successfully stayed in Kushan. He Jiu wasn’t so fortunate—the young master from a wealthy family was crying out, “No Chigou Sect! No Chigou Sect!” and was forcibly taken away by Su Si to Shafu.

When they met again, the former young master had become the famous “He Jiu” of the Chigou Sect, and the two maintained a delicate relationship between good and evil.

Qu Linfeng also learned about his foster father’s identity and the bloody turmoil from years ago. The young boy had become a tall young man, sitting at the table, writing a letter word by word. His foster father never responded, but he wrote from his heart, one letter a year.

[I have come to know about the Hanging Tree incident. A Hero is born for the people and shouldn’t arbitrarily decide life and death. Mortals have their own ways; their rise and fall are predestined.]

[The lineage of the Imperial Preceptor ends here. From now on, there will be no more Imperial Celestial in the world.]

Qu Linfeng put down his pen and blew on the ink. Deep into autumn, it was time, and sure enough, there was noise outside.

“It must be Grandmaster and the others returning. Let’s go and see. Maybe they brought some new techniques,” Qu Linfeng said to the younger generation with a smile.

“Brother, this letter…”

“It’s not urgent. Just a letter home.”

---

The author has something to say:

A usual tip: Comments from readers who only purchase [extras] or [specific chapters] from pirated sources are not welcomed. If found, I might give random warnings based on the situation. Long stories are hard to write. If you like it, please support the official version. The cost on the app is very minimal; only 30 cents per 1,000 words.

——————

Thank you all for the support!!! I actually persisted in writing this story; it’s a miracle.

This word count is about my comfort zone. In the future, the length will probably be around 600-800k words (although some special themes might be longer).

There are some regrets about this book. Especially in the last period when I was busy looking for a job, updates weren’t that consistent. Sorry for the inconvenience. _(:з」∠)_

I’ve also identified some areas of improvement in my writing, which I’ll work on in the next book!

——————

The next book “Evil As Humans” is a paranormal detective story, tentatively planned to start this year!

The one after that, “Full Server First Kill“, is about a virtual reality game (possibly transmigration?). The preview is out, if interested, you can check it out in the column.

Thank you again for supporting the official version! See you in the next book~.

---

Kinky Thoughts:

This marks the end of Sendoff. I have to say it’s one of my favorites by Nian Zhong. If you like the author, you can check out all her other works I’ve worked/am working on: Stray, Happy Doomsday, Access Denied, Evil As Humans, Full Server First Kill.

My biggest letdown in this novel is the fact that Su Si and Yan Qing aren’t a CP. I mean… common, they’re sharing the same bed!

If you enjoyed it, please consider supporting the author by buying the raws. You can use Google Chrome with their auto translate and this guide on how to buy novels on jjwxc. Remember, only with your (financial) support can artists continue to produce more great works. It doesn’t cost that much to buy the entire novel, so please do support the author.

I would also like to thank everyone for your comments, encouragement, help with my translations, and ko-fi donations. It in part fuels my motivation to release so frequently and try to finish this novel as soon as possible.

With that, there is one last treat. This is an extra extra from the author’s blog, where she writes mini updates for her characters (usually on special holidays). It’s not officially on jjwxc, but I’ve decided to translate it. She usually updates this yearly, so check back each year on those special days for a new update.

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

---

Chapter 165: Epilogue – Part 1

Qu Linfeng entered the town cautiously, as if bracing himself for a fight.

Over a decade had passed since the ‘Shirou Rebellion’, and there were no longer signs of warfare everywhere. The wooden blockades were gone, and there were now many more elderly residents who had lived long lives. Any disasters within the borders were handled by the imperial court. The martial world was becoming more stable; among the evil sects, the Chigou Sect dominated, while in the righteous sects, the Kushan Sect was rising and the Taiheng Sect was gradually regaining its former glory.

Kushan and Taiheng had very different styles. Taiheng, with its solid foundation, still favored recruiting wealthy children and nurturing them from a young age. Kushan was much more lenient, accepting even older children from poor families as long as they were capable.

Naturally, the children of the poor were eager to take a chance. Even if they couldn’t match the skills of the Taiheng disciples in the future, joining the Kushan Sect was still a viable path.

This time, Qu Linfeng was visiting the Kushan sect.

He had just turned twelve and was traveling away from his adoptive father for the first time, accompanying a familiar farmer family to the city. The town was bustling with people. The lively market stalls caught his attention immediately. Living in a remote place, Qu Linfeng had only been to a few markets. He was instantly enamored by the paper windmills and sugar figurines.

“Lao Li, since we’re here, let’s buy some candy,” the farmer’s wife urged her husband. They had made a decent profit this time, so they could afford a small treat.

The farmer understood and bought a sugar treat. The woman tasted a bit and gave the rest to Qu Linfeng.

With a serious face, Qu Linfeng thanked them and stealthily slipped a coin into the woman’s purse. She didn’t notice.

“You’re a sensible boy, not causing any fuss. I’m surprised your father let you go,” the woman said, seeing him carefully savor the candy.

They knew about Qu Linfeng’s background.

In their village, there lived a disheveled cripple. This cripple had lost one leg, making it impossible for him to do heavy work, and he wasn’t fond of socializing with others. He chose to reside in a remote, abandoned house, avoiding even basic greetings with the villagers. Despite his high pride, he still needed food and water. Leveraging his unique skill of reading and writing for others, he managed to get by.

The Li family frequently left the village to sell goods and were quite astute. They once suggested to the cripple that he should teach the village children, perhaps becoming a sort of part-time teacher. However, the cripple reacted as if he had been deeply insulted, immediately refusing without giving it a thought. A few years earlier, a matchmaker, noting his decent appearance and literacy, had tried to find a wife for him but was nearly chased out of his yard.

Over time, despite the villagers’ goodwill, they gradually began to ignore him.

The only activity the cripple engaged in was visiting the fields, watching the farmers work, and chatting with them. He often had a complicated expression in his eyes, making it difficult for anyone to understand his thoughts—a complete enigma of a man.

That changed when he took in Qu Linfeng.

The child was abandoned by someone from outside the village. When first discovered, Qu Linfeng’s legs were paralyzed, and the local doctor in the village claimed there was no cure. Everyone looked at each other with hesitation—no family in the village was well-off, and who would want to take in and care for a child doomed to be a burden due to his disability? In the past, merely being considered “cursed by heaven” would have been enough to get rid of such a child.

Unexpectedly, after a long silence, the cripple decided to take the child in. A few months later, it seemed as though the cripple had used some form of “inner force healing technique”, and the child’s legs astonishingly began to move again. The child was then given the peculiar name “Qu Linfeng*”, which stood out in the village.

*Linfeng (临风) means to face the wind.

The cripple remained very reticent, not even allowing Qu Linfeng to call him “father”. From a young age, Qu Linfeng was sensible, knowing he needed to run errands for his “foster father”. He was good-looking and got along well with the villagers, which in turn made the cripple less unpopular among them.

“My foster father said that since I can read, I should venture out,” Qu Linfeng explained.

Farmer’s Wife: “He can actually communicate! But why doesn’t he teach you properly?”

“My foster father once told me that one must see things for oneself. His eyes are his, and mine are mine.” Qu Linfeng shook his head. “I chose the Kushan Sect on my own. I heard that as long as one is willing to put in the effort, the Kushan Sect would fund their studies.”

When he first brought up the matter to his crippled foster father, the latter had a peculiar expression on his face but ultimately said nothing.

The small donkey cart rumbled towards the Kushan Sect’s station. The Kushan Sect was recruiting disciples, and the town was abuzz with excitement. Carrying a small bundle, Qu Linfeng bid a serious farewell to the Li family before boarding the Kushan Sect’s cart.

Most on the cart were young individuals. One particular young man with tied-up hair stood out, wearing silk robes and seemingly wealthier than the others. He was gazing at the cart’s ceiling, evidently not bothered by the others around him. Fortunately, the journey to Kushan was short—only two days—preventing any disputes among the youngsters.

The place was filled with young people aspiring to join the Kushan Sect. The atmosphere was lively: on one side, they were performing a play about the nation’s history; on the other, people discussed books related to the Hanging Tree. Large crowds had gathered everywhere.

“I know this! It was the first-generation leader of the Kushan Sect who did this! He spent a lot of money collecting all the fragmented books from the founding era. He even researched the histories of Luojiu and the Western Ridge, ensuring that the events from that time were clearly pieced together.”

The young man in the silk robe said it loudly, his tone brimming with a hint of boastfulness.

“He Cheng’an was a demon raised by the Hanging Tree. He first nurtured and exploited the nameless General Yin, then personally caused his downfall! One of the twin national heroes that appeared later was the reincarnation of that General Yin. They are immortals from the same star constellation and even retained the same name.”

Qu Linfeng tilted his head, puzzled. This account seemed to differ from what he had heard. According to his foster father, one of the twin national heroes was General Yin himself. However, upon reflection, they hailed from a humble place, and his foster father probably received incorrect information. After all, who could live that long?

“…The other of the ‘Twin Heroes of Salvation’, was the first sect leader of the Kushan Sect, also an immortal transformed from a star constellation. He especially spent a fortune and effort to redress the injustice done to General Yin, all because of their bond in the heavens!” The boy in the silk robe continued.

Many young men and women gathered around admiringly. Qu Linfeng, however, was more interested in other matters. From his vantage point, he could faintly see the silhouette of the Kushan Sect, looking very imposing.

The Kushan Sect’s method of choosing disciples changed every year and was unpredictable. He wasn’t sure if he’d be chosen. It was said that one year, due to time constraints, they even sent a goose demon to select candidates. Thousands wished to enter the main branch of the sect, but after several rounds of selection, only a little over a hundred would be selected. Qu Linfeng had already made up his mind; if not chosen, he would go to a stable to work. He would do additional jobs if needed, but he was adamant about continuing his studies.

That night, the young boys and girls were settled in an inn.

In the inn, there was only one person in charge: a man with his eyes wrapped in cloth, seemingly blind. But despite his apparent blindness, he was surprisingly agile. Having done many chores himself, Qu Linfeng felt a sense of familiarity.

He cautiously approached the man, emulating his actions by carrying a bucket of water, hoping to strike up a conversation. But before he could say anything, a scream echoed—

“It’s over—!!!”

A man rushed in as if running for his life. Skidding to a stop, he wrapped his arms around the attendant.

With a face full of despair, he said, “San Zi, I accidentally led the thief here. You can’t leave me to die!”

San Zi, the attendant: “…”

Attendant: “Stand up first. There are children here.”

Qu Linfeng watched as the man suddenly burst into the room, feeling his hair stand on end. The man, looking to be in his thirties, exuded an eerie aura despite his distressed expression.

Ignoring the attendant’s words, the man continued, “You must explain to him that the thief targeted his treasury. This Greatne… ahem, I was used. It’s not my fault.”

The attendant sighed. “Why didn’t you catch the thief?”

“The thief’s qinggong was extraordinary. I didn’t even notice him tailing me. Kushan is so vast, I couldn’t catch him.”

“If you hadn’t dashed around recklessly, the thief wouldn’t have broken through the mountain’s protective barrier,” the attendant replied wistfully.

The man paused, mumbling complaints about not wanting to socialize with unworthy people and other incomprehensible things.

Spotting Qu Linfeng, he asked, “Who’s this? A young aspirant for the sect?”

“Yes.”

“Since you all have to go through a selection process anyway, why not use this situation as a test?” The man’s eyes shimmered with tears. “I’ve activated the barrier to seal off the mountain. The thief can’t escape. If you all handle this, perhaps that fox… that person won’t be too upset with me.”

The attendant, deeply exasperated, took a deep breath. “What did the thief steal to scare you this much?”

“A flag that says ‘Medicine Cures Illness’.”

“…A’Si, has the Young Patriarch of Chigou been selected yet?”

“Don’t say such horrifying things!”

Qu Linfeng, lost, managed to pick up on some keywords. “If everyone searches the mountain together, we will surely find the thief.”

The attendant smiled wryly. “We don’t know how dangerous the thief is. It’s a task for the adults.”

Shaking off “A’Si” who was clinging to him, he looked even more helpless.

“But assisting in minor tasks can reveal a person’s character. I will… report this. Perhaps it might work. You are called Qu Linfeng? This might be fate; join us in the search.”

The next morning, everyone was awakened at dawn. Over a hundred were divided into five groups, each led by two disciples of the Kushan Sect, and began searching the mountain. The boy in the silk robe and Qu Linfeng ended up in the same group, both looking displeased.

While Kushan wasn’t vast, it was dense with forests, thick grass, and numerous caves. The roars of beasts echoed constantly, enough to make anyone’s legs go weak. Autumn was in full swing, and fiery maple leaves covered the ground. The scenery was stunning, but it wasn’t the time for appreciation.

“Why are we searching for things?” The boy in silk complained. “This doesn’t feel like a martial arts adventure at all.”

A’Si retorted, “What’s wrong with searching? Had there been no thief, you would be searching for rare herbs across the mountain.”

“Searching for herbs is more fun than being someone’s errand boy!”

A’Si smirked, glancing at the boy in the silk robe, who now appeared more defiant, shouting. “By your looks, you aren’t from Kushan. Why are you ordering us around?!”

“How come only those who join the Kushan Sect are considered people of Kushan?” A’Si lost his aggressive demeanor, and he took hold of the attendant, making exaggerated facial expressions on the spot. “After all, I am—”

However, before he could finish his sentence, his head was pressed down by the attendant named San Zi. “What are you telling the kid?”

A’Si clicked his tongue and changed his approach. “Brat, what’s your name?”

Silk-robed boy: “This Little Master never changes my name or my seat. My surname is He, and my name is Jiu!”

He proudly raised his head, not hiding the rich aura about him.

“Fine, I’ll remember you,” A’Si said with malicious intent.

Qu Linfeng remained silent. A man in his thirties seriously quarreling with a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old kid made quite a ridiculous scene. He glanced weakly at San Zi, seeing a very similar look of fatigue on the latter’s face.

The children weren’t allowed to scout ahead, and they didn’t encounter any dangers. As time passed, the group almost began to treat this as a leisurely outing. Some even picked up maple leaves, chatting more lightly and happily. At this moment, Qu Linfeng suddenly sensed a strange presence.

Someone was spying on them with a gaze full of hostility.

He immediately pulled He Jiu, who was still in a huff. The expressions of San Zi and A’Si turned serious at once. He Jiu quickly regained his senses, drawing a small knife from his side.

“Who’s there?!”

---

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 164: Sect Leader

On the second day of their stay at the inn, Shi Jingzhi, as usual, slept until late morning. He instinctively reached out beside him, but only felt the coldness of the empty bed.

While Sect Master Shi was still lost in a gentle dream, he suddenly landed on the floor. From the room’s decorations to the snow outside the window, everything looked eerily familiar. An unnerving thought crossed his mind—

Could all of his memories have been just a dream? Maybe he had fainted in the snow, and everything he remembered was a mere illusion.

The Child of Desire, the Hanging Tree, the Immortal founding general, and his dearly beloved all seemed absurdly distant to him, who had just stepped into this world.

As soon as this thought arose, Shi Jingzhi woke up completely. Wearing only his robe and barefooted, he rushed to the corner to check his flag. Confirming that the writing on the flag was indeed by Yin Ci and that his sect leader’s jade pendant was still intact, he finally caught his breath. He shivered belatedly as cold sweat formed on his forehead.

The inn run by Auntie Li was simple, and the room wasn’t very warm. Feeling the chill, Shi Jingzhi was about to rush back to his blanket when he saw Yin Ci at the door holding a tray with chicken soup.

Yin Ci, neatly dressed and with the fragrant soup in hand, looked at Shi Jingzhi’s indecision between the tray and the blanket.

Yin Ci: “……”

Yin Ci put the soup on the table and said, “Go back to bed. Why are you running around in such a state? You’ll catch a cold.”

Of course, Shi Jingzhi didn’t listen. He quickly put on his shoes and hugged Yin Ci tightly, trying to steal his warmth.

“I thought it was all a dream,” Shi Jingzhi mumbled, burying his nose in Yin Ci’s neck.

Yin Ci paused for a moment, the corner of his mouth twitching into a slight smile. “The old lady probably wakes up early and perhaps doesn’t want to prepare her own food so I got up early, fearing she might be waiting hungrily… How about next time, I leave half a sleeve for you*?”

*This is referring to the term cut sleeve regarding the homosexual relationship between Emperor Ai of Han and his lover Dong Xian. The story goes that after falling asleep on the same bed, Emperor Ai cut his sleeve rather than disturb the sleeping Dong Xian when he had to get out of bed. Thus, the term cut sleeve is used to regard someone as a homosexual.

Shi Jingzhi stopped and remained silent, seemingly considering the suggestion.

Seeing Shi Jingzhi’s silly reaction, Yin Ci laughed. “Alright, alright. You prepare your medicine today, and I’ll sew you a sachet to calm your mind. Hang it by your bed, and it’ll be the first thing you see in the morning.”

Shi Jingzhi finally let go. “I’ll freshen up so the noodles don’t become soggy.”

Auntie Li originally wanted to save some soup for herself, but Shi Jingzhi ate it all. Although he had paid for it, Auntie Li still felt a bit upset. However, she hoped that the two would stay longer.

Later, with a belly full of food, Shi Jingzhi brought two stools outside the inn to enjoy the snow. Using his inner force to warm the wine, the master and disciple had a casual drink. The snow-covered landscape, paired with warm wine and a cold wind, seemed to slow time itself.

Feeling content, Yin Ci wanted to make some snacks to accompany their drink. Auntie Li took the opportunity to pull him aside.

“Little brat, how long are you and your fox… master staying?”

“Not sure, but at least half a month.”

“That’s great.” The old lady breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that she now had a source of food secured for the next half month.

Feeling pleased for a moment, she then thought about it and said, “Wait, this doesn’t make sense. My place is deep in the mountains and forests, with no villages in front and no shops behind. What are you two doing here?”

Could it be that the legendary fox spirit’s residence is on Kushan?

After preparing two small dishes, Yin Ci smiled and said, “We plan to establish a martial sect here. It will become lively in the future.”

“You’re teasing me. Even bandits don’t want to come to this place. Who would want to set up a martial sect here?”

Moreover, aside from her inn on the mountain, there were only a few scattered huts built by hunters. With no one to care for the surroundings, wildflowers and plants grew everywhere. There wasn’t much of a view. Beyond this mountain, on the side of Kushan, there was Juyi Valley, rumored to be filled with evil spirits. Auntie Li pondered for a while but couldn’t think of any benefits of living on Kushan.

Were they so idle that they wanted to cultivate this wasteland?

“I’m not fooling you. In the future, this will be the birthplace of the sect from which leaders of the martial world emerge.”

Auntie Li stood still, almost dropping the bun in her hand. Leaders of the martial world? She had never even seen a genuine disciple of a major sect, let alone someone of that stature. But looking at Yin Ci’s demeanor, it didn’t seem like he was joking.

After being stunned for a while, not caring if she was being intrusive, she hurriedly approached Yin Ci.

Shi Jingzhi was happily eating bamboo shoots. Startled by the old lady’s sudden approach, he almost choked. This time, Auntie Li didn’t care about the fox spirit or any other stories. She grabbed Yin Ci somewhat helplessly. “You’ve been outside. You know a lot. If this martial sect is established, what should I do?”

“My son married into a wealthy family and doesn’t want his old mother to bother them. My daughter married far away, and their situation is just average. I don’t want to be a burden on her… This inn is my last memory of my late husband. I can’t let it go!”

Shi Jingzhi finally swallowed his bamboo shoots and coughed for a while. “Establishing a martial sect means more customers. Why are you making it sound so bad?”

“With more people coming, the shop owners in the town will also come. I’m old and can’t prepare many dishes, and I can’t hire many helpers. How can I compete with them?”

Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci: “……”

Is it really just an issue of limited dishes?

“If you’re not busy, can you help or find someone willing to come? Demons are fine too; anything is fine. I provide room and board. I can at least afford to hire one person.”

The master and disciple looked at each other, both remaining silent.

Seeing no one respond, Auntie Li became even more anxious. “If I can find someone, I will offer a fat chicken to Ancestral Fox Spirit every month!”

After saying that, she tried to kneel down.

Shi Jingzhi quickly stepped forward and held her up. “No need, no need. We do feel a connection to this place. How about you name a price, and we buy the whole place from you? What do you think?”

At this, Auntie Li’s legs went weak, and it took her a long time to stand straight again. After catching her breath, she shook her head determinedly. “I won’t sell.”

Shi Jingzhi looked expectantly at her.

“I told you, this place belongs to me and my late husband. Even if I had money, I wouldn’t want to leave.”

As she spoke, Auntie Li glanced at the falling snow outside the window, her face revealing a hint of melancholy.

Yin Ci instantly understood. During his time on Kushan, he knew that Auntie Li missed her children, but he had never seen them come to visit. Even if she had money and lived elsewhere, it might not necessarily make her happier.

Shi Jingzhi thought for a moment. “Then you manage the shop, and we’ll fund the hiring. You can help manage the finances, and I’ll pay you two taels of silver every month. You’ve taken care of my disciple… A’Ci, for so long. I, as his master, should show some gratitude.”

After saying this, Sect Master Shi affectionately put his arm around Yin Ci’s shoulder. Yin Ci didn’t pull away but instead seemed more relaxed. The two looked picturesque against the snowy backdrop, making the inn appear more rustic. But the way they looked at each other, their bond seemed to grow stronger.

Auntie Li: “…..” I’m too old to watch this.

She glared. “Then I’ll name my price. I want two hundred taels of silver. Can you afford it?”

“Of course.”

“Deal!”

A month later.

Auntie Li was thoroughly convinced and deeply believed that the Ancestral Fox Spirit was a genuine fox spirit. Not to mention she got her two hundred taels of silver, but others wouldn’t have the leisure—the master-disciple duo hired craftsmen from the town to renovate the inn. They even personally chose a spacious and quiet room for themselves.

The room was decorated as if it were a residence fitting for immortals.

Auntie Li had plenty to eat and drink, and with nothing to do, she sat at the door watching the woodwork. The materials that the Ancestral Fox Spirit found weren’t luxurious, but they were top-notch wood, resistant to both insects and moisture. The mere cost of labor and materials was staggering. Not to mention the bottles and jars, which at first glance were of premium quality.

It was unclear where all the money came from.

The old woman might be righteous to some extent, but she didn’t have the heart to investigate thoroughly. She had changed into a new outfit, and, unusually, her clothes were scented. Auntie Li just watched the workers, sipping her tea and munching on sunflower seeds. It had been decades since she had enjoyed such a lively scene.

As for Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci, the two of them had gone out early in the morning to hunt and play in the snow. They left a message saying a familiar face would visit later. The old lady specially saved a bowl of steamed meat, thinking of serving it to the guest at lunch.

By noon, the workers were enjoying their food and drink when a raggedly dressed man entered.

Auntie Li quickly rubbed her hands. “Looking for someone?”

The man had nothing in his hands, was dirty all over, and had a short knife tied to his waist. Just from his appearance, he didn’t seem like the usual merchant. The old woman noticed the man’s broad shoulders and round face, as well as the smell of wild animals on him. She pondered for a moment and then asked in a lower voice, “Are you the Ancestral Bear Spirit?”

The man: “…”

He looked suspiciously at the old woman. The inn seemed to be owned by someone wealthy, but why did the owner seem a bit… off?

The person who actually came was the sand bandit, Ma Shili.

Years ago, when the martial world was in chaos, Ma Shili was captured by Shi Zhongyu and was made a trophy at a martial arts conference. Afterward, when the Imperial Preceptor linage was exposed, with a traitor emerging from Taiheng, the faction fell into turmoil. Ma Shili, being just a small fry among the bandits, managed to escape during the chaos.

Unfortunately, the chaotic world he hoped for didn’t come.

The Emperor, who had been seriously ill, gradually recovered. Two immortals descended and beat back Luojiu. The area near Shafu returned to the control of the Chigou Sect. The new Patriarch was ruthless, so the bandits didn’t dare harass the citizens, leaving them scattered.

Upon returning to Shafu, Ma Shili found himself without a gang. With the sand bandits almost extinct, Ma Shili considered becoming a mountain bandit.

He ventured to Kushan, which was known to be desolate and remote, without a single mountain bandit in sight. Ma Shili wanted to become the first mountain bandit here!

However, the name of the place reminded him of the notorious Kushan Sect from the martial world. After the martial arts conference, many had investigated the Kushan Sect, but their exact location remained unknown.

He figured it was just a name coincidence. Now, just as he had taken to the mountains, he had found such a golden opportunity.

Auntie Li, seeing him silent, assumed he was being cautious. She chuckled and said mysteriously, “Ancestral Bear Spirit, it’s fine. I’ve met the fox spirit.”

Ma Shili internally shook his head, thinking the old woman was crazy.

“I’m here to find someone,” he mumbled, glancing at the resting workers and occasionally at the precious items in the inn. “Old lady, take me to him, please.”

He knew he couldn’t fight the strong workers with his mediocre skills, so he planned to isolate the “crazy old woman” first.

The “crazy old woman” wasn’t fooled. “The two are out and won’t be back for a while. Have some food first. I’ve saved a bowl of steamed meat for you. If you know them, you should be familiar with the cooking skills of my son-in-law… It’s so delicious.”

Realizing the inn was managed by the woman’s daughter and son-in-law, who probably made some money and returned to help their old mother, Ma Shili’s mind raced. Once the strong workers left, wouldn’t it be easy to take control?

Ma Shili was overjoyed and immediately sat down. “Bring the wine and meat!”

“Okay!”

Auntie Li happily served warm fruit wine, steamed meat with bamboo shoots, stewed radish, and a big bowl of white rice. Ma Shili ate heartily, discarding any polite pretenses. He hadn’t expected such delicious food in this remote mountain area. The food was so good that he almost teared up.

He truly hugged the bowl like a bear, eating the rice so ferociously that it seemed like projectiles were flying everywhere. The two dishes were scraped so clean that they looked even cleaner than after being washed.

As he enjoyed his meal, he felt elated.

This “crazy old woman” must have a good daughter. Maybe the young couple made their fortune by running an inn? Later, he’d take a look at the young lady. If she was pretty, he could kidnap her and enjoy delicious meals daily.

The masters were also full from food and drink. Only one was left to guard the tools, while the rest went down the mountain to fetch materials as dawn broke. As soon as Ma Shili saw them leave, his expression changed instantly, and he flipped the table. The intact dishes and bowls crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The kind smile on Auntie Li’s face slowly vanished.

“Hand over your silver taels and money strings,” Ma Shili demanded.

Stepping on a fallen stool, Ma Shili let out a burp. The master left behind was a carver, a man of small stature who was now silent as a cicada in winter.

“Today, I’m in a good mood, so I won’t hurt you,” Ma Shili threatened. “When your daughter returns, you better behave. If things go well, we might even become family.”

Auntie Li: “…?” Did I think too much? What is this man talking about?

“I’m actually looking for a young wife to warm my bed. Burp! And she’ll be the main wife, the future lady of this Kushan stronghold.”

Auntie Li silently concluded, “A bandit? He must have been hinting at that.”

For some reason, Ma Shili sensed a hint of disappointment in her tone. Before he could process further, a sharp pain hit his head. The old woman was surprisingly swift, directly grabbing a stool and smashing it onto his head.

The stool wasn’t heavy, so the damage was limited. Auntie Li continued to attack with the stool, cursing him in a local dialect so vulgar that even Ma Shili, a countryside bandit, couldn’t stand to hear it.

The old woman, fierce like an enraged badger, swung the stool relentlessly, seemingly unfazed by the dagger in Ma Shili’s possession.

Ma Shili was taken aback. He had always been reckless, but this old woman seemed even more fearless. Intending to rob and perhaps commit more heinous acts, he relied on his tough skin and bones to stay conscious. The good mood from the delicious meal was completely gone, and Ma Shili’s bandit instincts surfaced.

He rashly raised his dagger, aiming straight for Auntie Li’s heart—

Snap.

Before he could thrust forward, a snow-covered stone struck his wrist. The pain numbed Ma Shili’s hand, and the dagger fell to the ground.

Auntie Li didn’t hesitate. She didn’t care where the stone came from and quickly picked up the dagger, preparing to stab him. Suddenly, a figure descended from above and effortlessly pinched the blade between two fingers, redirecting it.

“Alright, auntie. It’s really not worth it to dirty your hands for such trash,” the man said with a playful smile. “How about I kill him and make some human meat buns for you to vent your anger?”

This young man was very handsome, with captivating eyes and a dark mole, exuding an irresistible charm that couldn’t be hidden.

Auntie Li realized. By his looks, this must be the friend of the fox spirit.

“A’Si, stop messing around,” another voice chimed in with a hint of resignation. “…Auntie, we’ll deal with this man. Please rest for now. I’ll check your injuries later.”

Seeing the person enter, Auntie Li had another realization. With his red eyes, this had to be a demon! The fox spirit seemed loyal, bringing friends from the mountain when he became successful. But wasn’t it said that only one would come?

“A’Si” clicked his tongue and nonchalantly immobilized Ma Shili’s acupoints. “Just kill him. We’re in a deep forest. We can easily find a pit to bury him. We know him; he’s a criminal with many lives on his hands.”

“The fact is he escaped is Taiheng’s negligence, so according to the rules of the martial world—”

“We need to look at the bigger picture, identify and fix the gaps, and act according to the rules of the righteous martial world,” Su Si said with a practiced tone. “Will a little flexibility kill you?”

He spoke sarcastically but still diligently tied up Ma Shili and tossed him into the corner.

Upon recognizing Patriarch Su, Ma Shili was completely stunned. After all, he was once a bandit who operated in Shafu, and this face could be said to be etched into his nightmares. Unfortunately, his acupoints were sealed so completely that he couldn’t utter a single word. Those red eyes were even more recognizable—they belonged to Yan Qing, the Martial Alliance Leader who originated from the Kushan Sect.

What is this righteous and evil duo doing here? Patriarch Su, why did you travel such a long distance to Kushan? Aren’t you concerned about your sect’s affairs? And what’s with the familiar ambiance between the two of them?

This was collusion between righteous and evil forces! Ma Shili’s eyes were filled with rage.

It seemed like Yan Qing could hear Ma Shili’s inner thoughts, and he sighed with a hint of resignation. “I heard that a large tomb has appeared in the desert, and Chigou is keen to explore it. Why did you come here on your own? Don’t your Protectors care?”

“They can’t control me.”

“I came here to discuss founding a new sect, not for fun. You’ve built your reputation with great difficulty; don’t let it go to waste.”

“Well said, I am here for serious matters!” Su Si lifted the table that had fallen to the ground and slapped it dramatically. “You know, that bastard Shen Zhu stole my goose. Without it, how will my Divine Chigou predict good and bad fortune? Hence, I came seeking Leader Yan’s renowned divination skills.”

Yan Qing frowned, his tone serious and solemn. “This is the 236^th time you’ve sought my divination. If it’s that bothersome, I can send someone to contact Miss Shen and ask her to return the goose.”

Su Si: “…”

Su Si: “Wait, no! She took it to deal with the Luojiu Hanging Tree, a righteous cause for the country and its people. You, as a righteous figure, demanding the return of a goose, how does that look? I seek your divination as a form of compensation from the righteous martial world to my sect. It’s only fair.”

Yan Qing seemed to have an epiphany and quickly nodded in agreement.

Ma Shili rolled his eyes—everyone in the martial world would say that Leader Yan is powerful, efficient, and just, with little ambition. Now it seemed he wasn’t just without ambition, but also gullible! And that usually ruthless Patriarch Su now seemed devoid of any malicious aura, looking… looking just like an ordinary person.

But their martial arts skills were genuine and solid. Ma Shili felt a wave of fatigue and wished he could just pass out.

What could be the significance of the “young couple” that these two came specially to see? The “young lady” he coveted might be the top disciple of the Kushan Sect, whose martial arts were said to be terrifying.

Though beautiful, she could crush him with a single finger.

Ma Shili regretted his previous decisions. He hadn’t heard that Yin Ci had a mother. How did the work at the Yueshui Pavilion turn out like this?

Although Auntie Li didn’t understand the whole story, she got the gist of it. She turned to Yan Qing with a grin. “Bringing guests without notice, I understand. Haa, I fed the meat I had prepared to the pigs and dogs.”

After saying this, she shot a glance at Ma Shili.

Yan Qing laughed heartily. “No worries, Auntie. Just prepare a couple of home-cooked dishes.”

……

When Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi returned to the inn, Su Si was listlessly slumped over the table, playing with some overcooked noodles with a slightly unfocused gaze. Yan Qing was busy by the stove, sweating profusely. Poor Yan Qing, having been the Martial Alliance Leader for so many years, hadn’t cooked in decades, let alone with such a big pot. Judging by the smell, his culinary results weren’t promising.

Seeing Yin Ci, Su Si straightened up, looking torn between rushing over and staying put. He finally managed to stand straight and gave a respectful bow.

“Senior, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-storied pagoda,” Patriarch Su sincerely said. “The taste in my mouth is unbearable. Kindly offer something fresh.”

He spoke quietly, yet Auntie Li’s sharp gaze shot over. “What did you say, huh?”

Su Si instantly shrunk back.

Yin Ci glanced at Ma Shili in the corner—the masters who were transporting materials had all returned by now. Ma Shili was tied up in a bundle, surrounded by a group of people busily moving around, making him particularly conspicuous. Ma Shili seemed to have lost consciousness with some noodles stuffed in his mouth. The remnants of the noodles looked quite similar to those in Su Si’s bowl, giving off a certain aura of intentional retaliation.

Even the usually mild-mannered Yan Qing looked up, his eyes filled with a plea for help. Yin Ci couldn’t refuse and took over from Leader Yan. Shi Jingzhi moved to the stove’s side, using flames to get rid of the smell of pork skin.

As the sun set, the stewed meat was ready. The tender, glistening pork belly, cooked with fresh radish, tasted rich yet not greasy, with a hint of chili aroma.

Su Si remained silent, eating with both elegance and speed, a tear seemingly glistening in the corner of his eye.

Yan Qing refrained from eating. “Sect Master, since you called me back, is there something you need assistance with?”

The Kushan Sect planned to establish their sect on Kushan, which was now known to all. After the stabilization of Great Yun, the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect spent their days wandering the mountains and waters, and every year they went to the Yueshui Pavilion to pay some silver, just to maintain the name of the sect. After so many years, the only official disciple of the Kushan Sect was still Yin Ci.

Yin Ci: “You’ve been the alliance leader for all these years, and they respect you for it. But still using the title of a servant from the Kushan Sect is a bit much.”

The matter of the Hanging Tree spread widely, and Yan Budu’s identity as a Child of Desire also became known. The martial world would never forgive the madman, but when the aim of the Imperial Preceptor’s lineage to “chase and kill the Yan Clan’s descendants to prevent the Child of Desire from being lost and uncontrollable” was exposed, the righteous martial world couldn’t make things difficult for Yan Qing.

Yan Qing had a gentle temperament and was very thorough in his work, so no one could find fault with him. Over time, no one challenged this temporary alliance leader, and he continued in his role, rather unexpectedly, for many years.

Regarding his own status as a “servant of the Kushan Sect”, Yan Qing didn’t mind at all. With blood-red ghost eyes and the Yan Clan’s bloodline, which isn’t a topic of discussion?

Thinking that this was supposed to be a private meeting, Yan Qing suddenly realized. “The Kushan Sect has been kind to me. Sect Master, even if I’m just a servant, I want to retain my identity with the Kushan Sect.”

“Yes.” Su Si finally pulled his head out of the rice bowl. “Taiheng has been chasing the Yan Clan’s descendants the most. They intended to accept him as an elder to atone for their sins, but he refused. You two shouldn’t think of driving him away. Giving him an official title is more appropriate.”

Shi Jingzhi put down his chopsticks, and his expression became serious. “A man’s word is as good as gold. I really plan to only accept one disciple. This time I called him over here for something else—Yan Qing, going to the Yueshui Pavilion every year for procedures is really troublesome. I don’t want to be the sect leader anymore. You can do it.”

Su Si’s chopsticks “clacked” onto the table, while Yan Qing seemed to freeze in place.

“Who ever heard of passing the position of sect leader to a servant?!” Su Si’s voice changed in shock.

“Now you have,” Shi Jingzhi said solemnly. “Yan Qing’s reputation is sufficient now, and he has accumulated enough experience. He can handle this responsibility. As for me, being a Grandmaster is quite comfortable… Don’t worry, you can freely accept disciples, and Zizhu and I will come back from time to time to guide them.”

“…I think you two want the sect to continue but are too lazy to handle the chores, truly diverting the trouble,” Patriarch Su mumbled. After a glance from Yin Ci, Su Si quickly picked up his bowl and started eating rice grain by grain.

“We don’t plan to force him to inherit.”

Yin Ci poured a glass of wine, swishing it around.

“Managing a small sect doesn’t take much of my attention. But having the status of a sect leader, being able to truly influence the martial world… I think Yan Qing needs this path more than I do.”

This time, Su Si stayed silent.

He knew Yan Qing had no ambition. But just because a person had no ambition didn’t mean they didn’t have things they wanted to do. Every year on the death anniversary of Monk Juefei, Yan Qing would always climb back to Huilian Mountain, rain or shine, to pray for Monk Juefei. Su Si would always accompany him under the pretext of “an exchange between righteousness and evil”.

Facing the pagoda forest, Yan Qing would always meticulously narrate and organize what he had done, then introspect for three days.

The title of Martial Alliance Leader was significant, but as the martial world became more peaceful, he found it hard to interfere in other sects’ affairs. The last time, after Yan Qing reported his year’s activities, there was a hint of concern in his expression.

The things he could change were becoming fewer and fewer.

Did Yin Ci see through this? Su Si couldn’t quite guess.

Sure enough, Yan Qing didn’t have any complaints. After coming to his senses, he immediately agreed. “Thank you both. It’s a great honor.”

Shi Jingzhi: “Very good. Su Si, keep an eye on him when he’s selecting disciples. It’s fine to follow the righteous path, but let’s not turn our great Kushan Sect into another Taiheng… I can’t stand that kind of rigidity.”

He took off the jade pendant representing the sect leader from the flag and pushed it towards Yan Qing. “Take it, take it. Go to the Yueshui Pavilion another day for the procedures. My husband* and I are going to visit the Snow Mountain; we really don’t have the time.”

*[Shizang] (师丈) Refers to the husband of one’s master.

The jade pendant rolled along the wooden table, and if it wasn’t for Yan Qing’s quick reflexes, it would have fallen to the ground.

Yan Qing: “…”

Just like that?

The handover of the Kushan Sect’s leadership was rather too casual! When it was his turn, he would have to revise the process.

However, Yin Ci had always let Shi Jingzhi do as he pleased, and now his attention was elsewhere. “Where’s your Sword of Compassion?”

Yan Qing used to carry his sword all the time. Even if he didn’t have it on him, he would check on it regularly. From the beginning to the end of this meeting, Yan Qing didn’t seem distracted, and there was no sign of the Sword of Compassion in the room.

“Don’t mention it; he gave it to the Jianchen Temple a few days ago.” Su Si drank a whole glass of wine. “Such a treasure, in and out, and it’s gone!”

“The ‘Jade Chime Sword Technique’ isn’t picky about the sword. If one relies too much on the Sword of Compassion, it becomes an attachment,” Yan Qing said, lowering his eyes. “Also, to commemorate Venerable Kongshi, a personal belonging should be placed in the pagoda forest of the Jianchen Temple.”

Shi Jingzhi had always been sensitive to parting with treasures and immediately frowned. “Didn’t they find Kongshi’s remains? Is there something even more personal than bones?”

“According to Abbot Juehui’s words, Venerable Kongshi has been buried by someone and is connected to that rock in the mountains. Since there’s a connection, it’s not good to forcefully move the remains,” Yan Qing said.

“What a pity.” Shi Jingzhi sighed heavily, the tip of his chopsticks trembling slightly as he picked up the meat. “That’s a valuable thing.”

Yan Qing smiled awkwardly and finally started eating. The leader’s jade pendant was put into his pocket, pressing hard against his chest, making it a little uncomfortable.

The master and disciple didn’t ask further, and he didn’t continue to explain.

The monks indeed found the grave, but they only instructed that it be well maintained. After a grand ceremony, they left quietly.

They didn’t take Kongshi with them.

Yan Qing had also seen the refurbished tomb; it looked more formal than before. But the surroundings were still full of thriving apricot flowers and lush green grass. Wild apricots grew unharvested, and many new apricot trees sprung up nearby. When the flowering season arrived, the branches looked as if they were covered in thick snow, extremely elegant.

Indeed, a perfect place for burial.

After paying respects to this extraordinary monk, Yan Qing opened a bottle of light wine and poured it under the most flourishing apricot tree. The wine slowly seeped into the soil. Yan Qing hesitated for a moment but eventually said nothing.

The faint fragrance of apricot blossoms mixed with the scent of wine seemed to linger.

“…I will take on many disciples and teach them to be good with all my might,” Yan Qing suddenly said out of the blue.

Su Si paused, seemingly understanding. He remained silent for a while and didn’t tease Yan Qing.

“I will also be a good Patriarch of the demonic sect, and after I die, I will be more famous than Yan Budu,” he casually remarked, picking up a piece of radish with his chopsticks.

Perhaps, in a hundred years, red eyes will just be red eyes, and a person just a person.

The two looked at each other and smiled, understanding each other without words, and continued eating. But when they looked up, they saw the master and disciple back at the stove, cooking again. Looking at the stewed meat on the table—there was almost none left, just a little soup with radish. While the two of them were deep in thought, those two ‘beasts’ ate all the meat without a trace.

Su Si and Yan Qing: “…”

No wonder they were monsters; absolutely ruthless.

At this moment, Auntie Li finally finished her chores. She expertly served some rice and headed straight to the stove to serve dishes. In the end, she came to Su Si and Yan Qing’s table, smiling brightly.

“What kind of monsters are you two? Tell me?” The old lady teased. “I know that one’s a fox. I watched that kid Yin grow up. What about you two? How many years of cultivation?”

Su Si looked at her mysteriously and said, “Snake demon, cultivated for about twenty years. Just transformed and got tricked by that fox.”

“A’Si, you…”

“Let me introduce you; this one here is a tree spirit. Handsome right? He will stay on the mountain in the future and might visit from time to time.”

Yan Qing: “…”

Auntie Li gasped. “Really, anything can become a spirit. This is eye-opening. I heard that ghost eyes are ominous. Can you change its color?”

Su Si put some radish into Yan Qing’s bowl. “Who said so? He’s a kapok tree. His blossoms are very festive.”

Auntie Li looked at the close master and disciple by the stove, then at the lively young men beside her.

“True,” she murmured. “It is festive.”

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 163: Lights

In the winter night, on Kushan.

Outside the inn, goose-feather snow was falling heavily. Inside, there was the bubbling sound of aged tea boiling. The front hall was dimly lit, but the charcoal fire gleamed heartwarmingly. Auntie Li sliced some steam buns and toasted them over the fire. The crispy buns, coupled with the newly bought spicy sauce, was quite satisfying.

Auntie Li’s life was decent. Several years ago, the war with Luojiu had little impact on her. This area was one of the most desolate in the Kushan region—a place so remote that even birds didn’t defecate there. Even bandits couldn’t bear to stay, and marauding bands seldom ventured there. From calm to chaos and back to tranquility, Auntie Li’s life remained largely unchanged.

The town on the other side of the mountain was wealthy, and its people knew when to flee from wars. However, the folks on her side were extremely poor; they were so apathetic that they wouldn’t even bother relocating. They could still buy food, not to mention that Auntie Li grew her own vegetables and grains and raised a few chickens. Even if everyone else fled from the mountain, she could still scrape by selling some mountain products.

Her children rarely came to visit, leaving the elderly woman to pass her days without much incident.

If there was one regret, Auntie Li did have it—

It was a pity that Yin Ci had followed the fox spirit and left. The other hunters seemed inexperienced. The game they brought back, like pheasants and rabbits, were old, weak, sick, or disabled, making them unpalatable. Just after the 15^th day of the lunar new year, she had wanted to treat herself to some meat. But the meat she received was so tough and bony that it left her appetite wanting. Thinking of Yin Ci’s culinary skills, she felt the toasted buns were a bit bland.

Alas, that brat Yin Ci had no relatives. He left with the fox spirit years ago and hadn’t sent any messages since. She wondered if he had been eaten by that fox spirit.

Should she have stopped him back then? Fox spirits were known to be malicious; she had read stories of them consuming humans without leaving even bones.

The more she thought about it, the more probable it seemed. She even lost her appetite for her buns, which were slathered with bright red spicy sauce. Each bite was so crunchy it seemed like she was chewing on bloody bones.

The next time she saw a fox, she was determined to drug it and sell its fur for gold. Last time… she had been enchanted by the fox spirit’s appearance and let her guard down.

As Auntie Li was lost in thought, the front hall door creaked open.

Two figures entered side by side, the flickering firelight revealing their faces. Auntie Li gasped and stood up abruptly. “Fox… fox spirit… fox demon!”

Wasn’t the one holding the “Medicine Cures Illness” flag the fox demon from years ago? After all these years, his complexion looked rosy and his hair was shiny, probably from consuming humans. With few young and strong men left on Kushan, this demon probably needed more than one to satiate his hunger, and now he brought a companion for a feast!

His companion also looked otherworldly. Both of them carried lanterns, and she had no idea what nefarious plans they had.

Auntie Li straightened up and grabbed an iron rod, but then hesitated. If she damaged their appearances with the stick, would their furs still sell well? Coveting the high-quality fur in her dreams, she stared blankly with the iron rod in hand.

Shi Jingzhi: “……”

Shi Jingzhi: “You still remember me.”

Auntie Li eyed Shi Jingzhi’s waist, looking for a fox tail. “I certainly do not.”

This old woman looked at them with a strange gaze, but Sect Master Shi wasn’t keen on investigating. He carefully moved aside and hid the lantern he held to a safer place.

This was the precious lantern they had bought in Yidu. Zizhu personally picked it out for him. Shi Jingzhi treated it with care, carrying it all the way through the snowstorm. It would be quite the spectacle if it were broken by the old woman’s rod; he wouldn’t know where to cry.

Yin Ci, having watched enough drama, deliberately cleared his throat and began in the voice of “Hunter Yin Ci”. “Auntie, it’s me.”

Auntie Li’s brows furrowed, her eyes widened, and her voice became several times sharper. “Oh, so it’s you, the beast that ate my boy, even imitating his voice now! Take this!”

Her stick thrust was incredibly swift. Yin Ci was taken by surprise but dodged gracefully.

Auntie Li exclaimed, “Why are you dodging? Surely a fox spirit; that little brat never had such skills!”

Yin Ci: “…” Even though he had mortal eyes now, the end of that iron rod was red-hot, so of course he had to dodge! Seeing the old woman’s face turn red with anger, he stepped forward, snatched the rod from her, and stuffed a small golden bead into her hand. The whole move was fluid and seamless.

Auntie Li looked as if she’d been stunned, freezing on the spot. Once she came to her senses, she tucked the golden bead into her bosom, and her tone became somewhat more refined. “Are you two here for a meal or to stay?”

It was as if she didn’t recognize the iron rod on the ground.

Shi Jingzhi was impressed and almost applauded on the spot. Yin Ci, both amused and frustrated, called out again, “Auntie, it’s really me.”

Having received the gold, Auntie Li couldn’t get angry anymore. She looked Yin Ci up and down, still appearing distrustful. Without hesitation, Yin Ci started cooking chicken soup, even finding the old woman’s secret sauce. The process was smooth and skilled.

Once the golden chicken soup was served, Auntie Li’s doubts were finally cleared. “Little brat, why do you look so different now? Even your eyes are not the same!”

The reasons were complex and not easy to explain in one sentence. Before Yin Ci could answer, Shi Jingzhi interjected, “I accepted him as my disciple and have been guiding him in his cultivation. I have transformed him, a process called ‘rebirth from the bones’.”

Sect Master Shi’s eyes sparkled with sincerity. The old lady had always been susceptible to such stories and was immediately in awe.

Yin Ci whispered, “…Are you addicted to playing a fox spirit?”

Shi Jing protested, “Which part of what I said was false?”

After some thought, Yin Ci couldn’t refute.

Auntie Li suddenly understood. Fox spirits were, after all, known for their cultivation. As long as Yin Ci was alive, it was fine. She quickly drank the soup, her anger dissipating. “Very well, very well. I’ll prepare two of our best rooms for you. Little brat, do you still want a bath?”

“Just one room,” Shi Jingzhi said casually, “and the biggest bathtub.”

Auntie Li’s spoon paused, suspicion returning to her eyes.

Shi Jingzhi: “That’s how we immortals are. When we take a disciple, it’s like choosing a life partner. We’re already intimate, so it’s only natural for me and my partner to share a room.”

Auntie Li choked on her soup with a gasp.

The old woman coughed for a while, instinctively wanting to voice her objections. But then she thought about how this fox spirit had performed magic and trained Yin Ci, and indeed, Yin Ci seemed much more spirited and lively, so she found it hard to voice her concerns. The old lady hesitated for a moment, slowly finished her chicken soup, and then let out a heavy sigh.

“I don’t understand the younger generation. As long as you treat him well, there’s nothing I can say.”

To her, it seemed that the fox spirit must have seen something special in Yin Ci. Why else would it have abducted an ordinary hunter on a snowy day?

Auntie Li’s children rarely visited, and now that Yin Ci had returned, he was… taken by a demon. Her heart ached, and she suddenly set down her bowl, rummaging in the cash drawer.

Amidst the puzzled glances of the two, she pulled out an old book. She carefully held it and, with a sigh, handed it to Yin Ci. “We’ve shared a fate. This is a cultivation secret manual my son bought at a great price. You take it.”

Upon seeing the title on the cover, Yin Ci’s eyelids twitched.

…In this era, which clueless “immortal” would directly use “Cultivation Secrets” as a book title? Especially when the character “籍” was mistakenly written as “藉”*. The old woman’s son probably bought some random book, thinking his illiterate mother wouldn’t notice, trying to fool her.

*Clarity: The book title is supposed to be “修仙秘籍” but the 籍 was miswritten as 藉, so rather than “Cultivation Secrets” it’s more like “Cultivating Secret Loans”.

However, although Auntie Li was often described as aggressive and greedy, she was fundamentally a kind-hearted person. In a world where people come and go, age-wise, she was considered younger than Yin Ci. In terms of affection, she might be the closest thing to family he had. Whether it was out of loneliness or her genuine nature, she had always taken care of “Hunter Yin Ci” without holding back.

Yin Ci took the old book with both hands, deliberately making his expression serious. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Seeing the once aloof young man show some warmth, Auntie Li felt deeply gratified. She cheerfully prepared water and a room, refraining from intervening in their affairs. As for the book, Yin Ci temporarily handed it to Shi Jingzhi for safekeeping and continued his work in the kitchen. Shi Jingzhi, who loved collecting trinkets, always carried various bundles and was reluctant to throw anything away.

Late at night.

After eating simple meals of steamed buns and cabbage for nearly a month, Auntie Li now had Yin Ci cook for her, and he made a splendid feast. The elderly lady ate absent-mindedly and, without much movement, went to her inner room to sleep. Shi Jingzhi, however, took Yin Ci to the bathtub, and both of them enjoyed their time immersed in the warm water.

Yin Ci wasn’t sure if he was seeing things, but amidst the steam, he felt Shi Jingzhi’s complexion seemed a bit redder than usual.

“Is the water too hot?” Yin Ci asked with concern. “You don’t have to bear with it; I can use my inner force to cool it down a bit.”

Playing with the water, Shi Jingzhi’s gaze was a bit distant. “Have you read that book?”

Yin Ci: “I gave it to you right away. Afterwards, my hands were oily and bloody; I couldn’t even touch it. Why, is there something wrong with the book?”

Could it be that it was actually a manual full of techniques?

“Well, it’s not exactly problematic. It mentions methods of dual cultivation, quite… ahem, sensual and practical. I think it’s feasible. Would you be willing to try it with me?”

‘…Ah, so that’s why Auntie Li’s son was lying. It’s just a vulgar novel,’ Yin Ci thought expressionless, then pinched Shi Jingzhi’s earlobe. The latter was already reddened from the heat and now resembled a crab in a pot.

“It’s settled then. I won’t read it.” Yin Ci moved closer, whispering in his ear, “As your disciple, I don’t want to read words. Since you’ve taken me as your disciple, you should teach me in person, in detail.”

His fingertips slowly slid down, with droplets of water tracing paths on the skin, merging and separating.

“Speaking of which, I am a disciple taken in by a fox spirit. How can a disciple not listen to what his Shizun says? No matter what you teach, I will accept it wholeheartedly—”

Steam floated around, the light from the flames flickering. The orange glow illuminated the fair skin, with droplets of water adding a hint of intimacy.

The two had been intimate for several years, and Yin Ci had long become accustomed to the Child of Desire’s strength. He was originally very laid-back and would occasionally tease in return, amusedly watching the other lose control and pant heavily. Unexpectedly, this “Cultivation Secrets” was written by an unknown author, and its methods were somewhat unconventional. At first, he nonchalantly embraced Shi Jingzhi, but after half an hour, Yin Ci had to use both hands to hold onto the edge of the tub just to keep some clarity in his mind.

The other’s heated breath hit his back, leaving him feeling as though his brain was melting into syrup. The water not only didn’t cool down but seemed to get hotter, with the sound of splashing ever-present, causing a warm and ticklish sensation.

It seemed another passionate night was on the horizon.

Outside the window, the north wind howled, and snow was continuously falling, covering the mountain road completely. A deer stepped on the snow crust, passing behind the inn. Only one window in the inn remained lit, standing out starkly in the dark, snowy night.

Peeping through the window gap, two ornate lamps were placed closely in front of the window, burning brightly.

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The author has something to say:

End of the main text~

Up next, there will be extra chapters, but they will not necessarily be updated daily. During this period, there might be text revisions and corrections; please ignore the “modifications made” note.

I feel that this word count is quite comfortable, and in the future, I might stick to the 600k-800k range! I hope this isn’t just wishful thinking.

I had an unstable update schedule towards the end of this novel because I was busy with interviews. I deeply apologize OTZ and thank you all for your understanding!

——————

I have completed works in the Western Fantasy genre titled “Stray“, the Post-apocalyptic genre titled “Happy Doomsday“, and the Wasteland genre titled “Access Denied“. You can check them out in the author’s column XD.

While you’re there, please also hit the [Favorite this Author] button!

The next book “Evil As Humans” is tentatively set to start this year. The exact start date will depend on my work situation _(:з」∠)

——————

As is customary, a preview of the upcoming story:

Three paths once lay before Yin Ren:

A force presented a blood sacrifice, asking him for his evil qi.

An organization administered a spiritual contract, asking him to walk the path of righteousness.

An enthusiastic person called the police on the spot, saying he was carrying a controlled knife and cordially invited him to the police station.

The Thousand-Year-Old Great Evil Mr. Yin: Thank you for your invitation. People just broke the seal to the world and all I want to do is to lie down. I choose option three.

Wasn’t it just acting dumb and pretending to be pitiful? This he could do.

The people who maintain peace of the world vs The Ghost King who just wants to be a salted fish.

Let the game of hide and seek commence…

Atheist Gong × Strongest Evil Spirit Shou

It’s a fun (?) adventure with a slight supernatural pseudo-detective story, where an atheist bumps into a supreme evil.

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Kinky Thoughts:

With this, we’ve reached the end of this novel, with a few extras remaining. I hope you enjoyed it. Having read all of Nian Zhong’s work (to date), I would have ranked this equal to Stray (though with my bias of reading Stray first, it still stands as my #1 favorite). The writing was very reminiscent of Stray.

I really did like this novel quite a bit, and had I read it first, I probably would have liked it more than Stray. Nevertheless, I do love all of Nian Zhong’s works. You can check out all her novels that I’ve done by going to the projects page.

If you enjoyed it, please consider supporting the author by buying the raws. You can use Google Chrome with their auto translate and this guide on how to buy novels on jjwxc. Remember, only with your (financial) support can artists continue to produce more great works.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone for your comments, encouragement, help with my translations, and ko-fi donations. It in part fuels my motivation to release so frequently and try to finish this novel as soon as possible.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 162: Sendoff

After breaking free from the flesh idols, Shi Jingzhi’s constitution improved to the point of causing envy. Not only did he stop coughing blood, he could also run ten miles without panting. Sect Master Shi was overly pleased and started behaving recklessly, like jumping into streams and enjoying the chilly night air. Yin Ci couldn’t control him, and it seemed that fate intervened before anything dire could happen. Upon returning to the Northland, Shi Jingzhi sneezed more than a dozen times, nearly falling off the wooden carriage.

Both of them had medical knowledge and knew that Shi Jingzhi’s condition was minor. A bit of warm soup and rest would set him right.

Yin Ci understood but was unable to bear seeing Shi Jingzhi constantly sneezing. Without hesitation, he handed over his fox fur coat to Shi Jingzhi, who gratefully wrapped himself in it and used a handkerchief for his nose.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of it. Yin Ci kept glancing at Shi Jingzhi with a teasing look in his eyes. Soft yet mocking. Shi Jingzhi, feeling slightly embarrassed, buried his face deeper into the fox fur.

What happened? All Shi Jingzhi wanted was to catch some fatty fish in the Northland waters. Who could have predicted that even in the warm autumn, the Northland stream would be cold enough to give him a chill?

…But on the bright side, he managed to catch a basket full of fish. Since he had already caught a cold, it was a good reason to have some pepper fish soup.

It had been more than half a year since the war with Luojiu, and the Northland had already returned to calm. The disciples of the Mishan Sect lived scatteredly in remote areas. Despite the martial world being in chaos and the imperial court almost changing hands, they lived peacefully.

However, this trip wasn’t to visit the Mishan Sect.

The massive dogs pulling their cart were panting heavily as they arrived at their destination. A thick layer of snow covered the ground, hiding the ruins beneath. At first glance, it seemed no different from any other place.

In front of the ruins, five people were already standing.

Yin Ci stopped the wooden cart gracefully and patted the panting dogs. Shi Jingzhi, still wrapped in thick fur, put down a few fish.

“What’s the matter with Sect Master Shi…?” Jin Lan began but stopped mid-sentence.

Yin Ci: “He caught a cold, but it’s nothing serious.”

Jin Lan didn’t press further, knowing better than to engage in idle chatter with the two formidable men.

The impact of the Qu Duanyun incident was profound, putting tremendous pressure on Taiheng. Later, Qu Duanyun was abandoned by the Qu Clan and even had one of his legs disabled by the martial arts community. However, he refused to accept his fate and caused more chaos, which in turn relieved some of the pressure off Taiheng.

In the case of the “Twin Roots”, they had testimonies, but who would have expected that Qu Duanyun was so eloquent and persuasive? He firmly claimed that no one had witnessed the event firsthand and that there was no concrete physical evidence; only a few vague statements “heard days later”. As a result, he surprisingly managed to avoid a death sentence.

Jin Lan personally witnessed Taiheng being torn in half by this person. Later, with much effort and under Shi Zhongyu’s guidance, he managed to correct those “twisted thoughts”. He himself also became a candidate for elder, which could be seen as a blessing in disguise…

…What utter bullshit!

The Hanging Tree on the side of Luojiu needed handling, and as one of “Shi Zhongyu’s close confidants”, he naturally had to follow along. This trip would conservatively take about five to six years. Given this heavy responsibility, Jin Lan felt pride in his heart, but his stomach couldn’t bear to leave Great Yun. The conflict made his head dizzy.

“Elder Sister, is Sect Master Shi also going to Luojiu?” Jin Lan asked pitifully.

“No, just like me, they are only here to pay respects to the deceased.”

Shi Zhongyu had already become the sect leader of Taiheng. She wore plain-colored clothes and even changed her hairpin to the simplest style. She took several well-preserved peach blossoms and offered them in front of the remains of the small house.

Yin Ci seemed to anticipate that Shi Zhongyu would offer this. He took two jars of mild sweet rice wine and six packets of high-quality tea leaves and placed them at the entrance of the ruins.

The remaining three stood a little further away, silently waiting.

“May I ask Minister Shen, what is this…?”

“This is the combined grave of Chen Qianfan and Wei Chun, I suppose. Initially, Sect Master Shi forcefully lifted the ban of the Immortal Assembly with their help.” A cold wind brushed past, giving Shen Zhu a faint blush. She wasn’t one to be easily moved by emotions but witnessing such a scene still stirred feelings of melancholy within her.

“No.” Yan Zheng, after a brief struggle, began again. “I’ve heard of the deeds of the two elders. What I want to ask about is, um, this goose…”

Isn’t this Su Si’s goose?

As the former Patriarch of the Ling Sect, Yan Zheng had long desired to withdraw from the martial world. Unfortunately, remnants of the Ling Sect still sought its revival. Just as the Yueshui Pavilion was seeking someone to deal with the Luojiu Hanging Tree, Yan Zheng eagerly stepped forward.

Yan Zheng hoped to meet his brother Yan Qing, but instead, he encountered another “old acquaintance”—

Lord Bai was bound tightly and held by Shen Zhu. Having been overfed in the past six months, it was fat to the point of bursting, and its flesh threatened to spill from between the ropes. Perhaps sensing the kinship between Yan Zheng and Yan Qing, the goose let out a mournful cry as if seeking help.

“Ah? Oh, I borrowed it from Patriarch Su. He’s always looking for an opportunity to sneak out with the Alliance Leader. He clearly doesn’t plan on being buried. This goose is being wasted, almost literally dying of obesity. Why not use it against the Hanging Tree?”

Shen Zhu stared into the distance solemnly while speaking rapidly.

Yan Zheng: “…” Miss Shen, people tend to talk a lot faster when they’re feeling guilty.

Yu Zikuan patted Yan Zheng and shook his head. This was Shen Zhu’s arrangement. Although two prominent figures from the Kushan Sect had arrived, the Patriarch of the Demonic Sect and the Martial Alliance Leader weren’t invited. Wasn’t the reason obvious?

But the goose had grown so fat, it was almost unrecognizable from before. If they hadn’t seen this goose demon with long tentacles, they might have mistaken it for tonight’s dish. It was said that people from Luojiu enjoy eating fatty goose liver cooked over a fire—a unique delicacy.

Yan Zheng and Yu Zikuan exchanged glances, their eyes conveying deep meaning. Sensing their gaze, Lord Bai’s cries grew even more pitiful.

It had miscalculated! Grown complacent! Su Si, being selfish and impulsive, never bothered with “greater causes”, especially those concerning other countries. With Su Si, the Patriarch of the demonic sects around, it was pampered to no end, so the goose thought it would live out its days in luxury. Who would’ve expected it to be stolen for the second time by such cunning foes!

Shen Zhu was one to achieve her goals by any means necessary. Even more so than Su Si. While it hadn’t predicted the ominous signs and owed Shen Zhu a life-saving favor, its days of idleness and ease were clearly over.

Recalling the warm pond and tender fish, Lord Bai pea eyes grew moist amidst its lament.

Perhaps irritated by the goose’s noise, once the few finished paying their respects to the two elders of Mishan, Shi Jingzhi moved further away.

He stopped in an empty snowy area, back turned to the ruins. With clear skies and radiant sun, the reflection on the snow was blinding. Shi Jingzhi wore two thick fox furs and with pure white against his rounded figure, it made the scene look somewhat comical.

After pouring the last of the sweet rice wine, Yin Ci approached. “Feeling sad?”

“There’s one more person I haven’t paid respect to.”

Shi Jingzhi half-crouched, placing one hand on the snow.

“The ‘Arcane Arts’… The Queen of Milan, finally dispersed here.”

Yin Ci hesitated, unsure of what to say. Shi Jingzhi only looked at the snow, so Yin Ci couldn’t see his expression.

“Had I not met you, this might have been my best ending—discovering a secret, passionately passing it down, letting future generations harbor grudges and seek revenge on my behalf. Now that the Hanging Tree is destroyed and the Immortal Assembly is in decline, the lineage of the Imperial Preceptor has no chance of revival. She would surely want to know.”

Shi Jingzhi scooped up some snow, which quickly melted from his warmth. A piercing cold wind blew across the snow, stirring up icy particles.

Yin Ci remained silent for a moment before retrieving a jar of strong wine from the cart. Using a strand of vital qi, he broke the seal and handed the jar to Shi Jingzhi.

“Go talk to her.”

Shi Jingzhi struggled to turn his head, smiling weakly at Yin Ci. He then poured the wine onto the snow. When the golden flames met the alcohol, a bright blaze erupted, illuminating the pristine snow without producing any smoke.

Amidst the short burst of golden flames, Shi Jingzhi slowly stood up, ultimately saying nothing.

He gave a salute towards the empty space and then revealed the most brilliant smile. Yin Ci’s heart skipped a beat seeing that smile, and before Shi Jingzhi could turn around, Yin Ci slightly pulled him closer and bit his lip.

Shi Jingzhi slightly opened his eyes. Illuminated by the northern sunlight, they looked as clear as amber. Just as he was about to deepen the kiss, suddenly—

“Achoo!”

Shi Jingzhi stepped back, turning his head to deliver a massive sneeze. He stepped back so hastily that he almost fell on his butt. Fortunately, Yin Ci was quick and grabbed the front of Shi Jingzhi’s clothes. From a distance, it looked like he was grabbing a big furball.

Demonic Lord Yin, with his hard-hearted nature, burst into laughter. Several people nearby saw this scene and couldn’t help but smile.

The rich aroma of wine spread out, and the last bit of sunlight extinguished under the sun’s rays. Perhaps it was just their imagination, but the chill in the air seemed to have diminished a bit. The cold wind gradually softened, brushing past the people.

It felt as if someone quietly left, gently flicking their robe.

At night, Shen Zhu led five people back to the main army.

Although it was referred to as the main army, there were only about twenty people. In addition to the representatives from various sects, even the imperial court sent a few masters. The Child of Desire, despite his thick skin, didn’t have the nerve to make small talk in public. Shi Jingzhi reluctantly contributed all the fish, and had Yin Ci personally cook a pot of creamy white pepper fish soup.

After the big unrest, these people came from all over the country, each having suffered in their own way. Now, as they prepared to leave the nation, they became sentimental, chatting nonstop. But once the fish soup was served, its spicy and aromatic scent dispelled the cold. Paired with a pot of good rice, people almost swallowed their tongues in delight, no longer in the mood to talk.

Of course, no one noticed Shi Jingzhi quickly finishing his fish soup and rice, secretly pulling Yin Ci into the darkness.

The next day, the group officially set off. The master and disciple of the Kushan Sect stayed behind with Shi Zhongyu, watching the group fade into the distance. Shi Zhongyu’s eyes turned red, and just as she was about to speak—

“Achoo!” Both the master and disciple sneezed at the same time.

Shi Zhongyu: “……”

Forget it. Her tears and sentiment were choked back in.

Miss Shi looked at the two for a moment, then laughed and shook her head. “It’s cold in the north. You two better return to the Central Plains soon. I’ve brought some arrow horses. How many shuttles do you need?”

“Just one, one is enough… Achoo!”

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The author has something to say:

Shi Zhongyu: ? I think I know what you guys did.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 161: His Royal Highness

After the Battle against Luojiu, the emperor’s health improved day by day. The ministers believed it was the protection of the heavens that spared the emperor from illness. Only a few knew the truth—that Xu Jingxing’s strange illness, which seemed to slowly stew him like cooking meat, was clearly the work of the Imperial Preceptor’s lineage. The Immortal Assembly, with its vast supernatural powers, might have already planted the Twin Roots in Xu Jingxing before he became the crown prince.

The Immortal Assembly was temporarily taken over by the Jianchen Temple, while Jiang Youyue and Qu Duanyun were imprisoned deep within the imperial prison. Xu Jingxing, wanting to torment the two, kept them under the pretext that the war wasn’t yet settled, neither interrogating them nor letting anyone see them. It was unknown how long they hadn’t seen daylight.

Compared to this Emperor Brother, the Prince of Rong’s condition was even worse.

Xu Jingming had weathered many storms. He would occasionally think of the time when he first entered the Ghost Tomb. Compared then to now, it seemed like another lifetime.

Many people knew Xu Jingming well and said that the Prince of Rong had changed. Before, Xu Jingming looked down on everyone and didn’t value the lives of commoners. But after experiencing the recent tribulations, his arrogant demeanor vanished.

The old servant brought Xu Jingming a calming soup at night. The prince was staring at the plants in his room. The night was silent, making the creaking sound of the door particularly sharp. Xu Jingming was startled and thanked the servant after the soup was set down.

The servant was surprised by this and almost spilled the soup, wondering if his master was possessed. However, seeing Xu Jingming’s actions, he dismissed the idea, thinking that the prince was still recovering from a recent shock.

Indeed, Xu Jingming hadn’t recovered. His mood fluctuated, and his pride as a royal had taken a hit. After learning about the True Immortal, his self-worth plummeted from “above all” to “just a larger ant”. His past cruelty now seemed like a joke.

The Prince of Rong was mentally unstable and couldn’t keep up his usual demeanor. Everyone was equal, so who was truly noble? But changing one’s attitude required saving face, and Xu Jingming had thin skin. With these conflicts, he hadn’t been able to sleep well.

Out of desperation, Xu Jingming sneaked out to see his Emperor Brother.

The world wasn’t settled yet, so the Prince of Rong stayed near the palace. The diligent and caring emperor, Xu Jingxing, wouldn’t sleep before the middle of the night, so Xu Jingming wasn’t worried about visiting.

Seeing his younger brother approaching, the emperor spoke first.

“Don’t worry. For this mission against Luojiu’s Hanging Tree, I’ve sent some people.”

Xu Jingming blinked and looked at his brother. Lu Fu, closely related to the Immortal Assembly, had been replaced. The emperor, draped in a robe, was reviewing documents. The light was dim, but the emperor looked much healthier than before.

“The Minister from the Ministry of Heaven is in charge, and I trust them. Shen Zhu is a remarkable woman with strong hatred and persistence. This time, many sects sent their best fighters with diverse skills, making their infiltration into Luojiu less suspicious.”

“Mm,” Xu Jingming responded absentmindedly.

He wasn’t too surprised about Shen Zhu’s mission into Luojiu. Only someone truly determined would challenge the Immortal Assembly as a commoner. And she actually succeeded in her revenge.

However, Xu Jingming’s main concern wasn’t the foreign Hanging Tree.

Noticing his distraction, the Emperor asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Brother, how do you plan to deal with the people from the Immortal Assembly?” Xu Jingming hesitated before asking.

“You’re pleading for your friend?”

“I’m not sure if Qu Duanyun considers me a friend,” Xu Jingming replied with a bitter smile. “It’s just… It’s just that few of us acted humanely. Since childhood, we’ve viewed Jingzhi as a monster. You’re a good Emperor, but I…”

He held himself in high regard, never valuing the lives of those beneath him. Compared to Qu Duanyun, he was no different, akin to the saying, “The pot calling the kettle black.” Before the exposure of the Hanging Tree, he too viewed everyone as if they were mere animals, only differing in that he lived comfortably and didn’t take extreme actions.

Now, Qu Duanyun was imprisoned, while he roamed freely outside. Although Xu Jingming didn’t think of himself as irredeemably guilty, he still felt a subtle mix of emotions inside. A blend of the relief of survival, overwhelming shame, and confusion made him genuinely uncertain about what to do next.

Xu Jingxing sighed deeply, giving Xu Jingming a profound glance before shifting the conversation.

“Jiang Youyue is deeply involved in this matter and cannot escape responsibility. However, the Immortal Assembly has a significant influence among the commoners, so I cannot publicly execute him. The most I can do is imprison him until his death.”

Jiang Youyue looked young, but he was old inside. In prison, there were no materials for performing magic and no books to relieve boredom. The prison guards prohibited any conversations with prisoners, and he couldn’t even see sunlight. Even without any mistreatment, he wouldn’t live long given his age.

Yet, compared to Yin Zizhu’s fate, this might be lenient.

“Qu Duanyun is problematic. Although there are witnesses from the martial world, there is a lack of physical evidence. Moreover, the Qu Clan has many relatives in the court. It’s a crucial time for employing talents. Hastily dealing with him might upset the Qu Clan.”

Xu Jingming looked at the emperor with confusion, not understanding why this was being said to him—he had no concerns about politics, and now his head was reeling from all this information.

“Qu Duanyun’s parents understand the bigger picture. I’ve discussed the matter with them. They’ve decided he should change his last name, sever ties with him, and expel him from the Qu Clan. The martial world disputes should be settled within the martial arts community. Now, as a common man, let the martial artists handle him. Whether he lives or dies will depend on his fate.”

Xu Jingming listened silently.

“When Qu Duanyun is released, you will escort him out. I’ve already informed the Yueshui Pavilion about it. Now, even Taiheng wouldn’t accept him. Since you are old friends, you should be the one to settle him.”

“…Alright.”

Xu Jingming agreed verbally, but he was still puzzled. He was dealing with significant life events, yet the Emperor entrusted him with such a baffling task. The Yueshui Pavilion would clearly be a better fit for settling a commoner.

By the time Qu Duanyun was released, it was midsummer.

Compared to when he was imprisoned in spring, Qu Duanyun looked much leaner. Now he appeared haggard, missing his former vigor and energy. In jail, with poor food and living conditions, his once robust physique had deteriorated. At a glance, he looked no different from an ordinary person walking the streets.

Although Qu Duanyun was persistent, he wasn’t foolish. The Hanging Tree had been destroyed, the lineage of the Imperial Preceptor had been firmly controlled by the Emperor, and it was impossible to reverse the Hundred-Year Project. Expelled by the Qu Clan, he couldn’t pursue a career or join the army. With his debt in the martial arts world, he was a pariah. Qu Duanyun might have preserved his life, but his eyes reflected only confusion.

The Emperor spared his life, but only just.

Without a great cause or any prospects and only enough money for a few days of sustenance, Qu Duanyun sat blankly in the carriage, unsure of his next steps. Outside, the curtain of the carriage window fluttered slightly as a porter passed by. The man’s skin was sunburnt and sweaty, yet he had a beaming smile, chatting away with the guards at the city gate.

Previously, Qu Duanyun would have disdained such a sight. Now, it evoked complex feelings. Compared to this ordinary porter, he seemed to be living a more miserable life.

“…You look worse than a corpse.”

Xu Jingming sighed from the other side of the carriage.

“When Jingzhi left the city, his situation was similar to yours. The emperor didn’t give him much money or a decent identity. The money he made afterward mostly came from treating people.”

Qu Duanyun looked at Xu Jingming silently, expecting him to say something about “victors and losers”, but Qu Duanyun remained silent.

Perhaps this was his first real taste of the burdens of the mortal world. Xu Jingming smiled wryly. After all, they had never truly experienced life from the bottom before.

“You… You should think of a way to make amends to the martial world. After all, being alive is better than being imprisoned until death. You have skills, and even if you can’t be part of the martial world, you won’t starve by doing physical labor.”

“Doing physical labor won’t make me starve.” Qu Duanyun finally spoke, his voice tinged with sarcasm. “Your Highness speaks lightly. Have you ever thought of doing physical labor yourself?”

Xu Jingming glanced at the heat outside the carriage and confidently retreated—after all, it was easy for him to talk without walking the walk.

“I, Qu… have seen the pinnacle of success. I wouldn’t stoop to scraping by in the mud.” Qu Duanyun’s voice wavered. “As long as the Hanging Tree exists in this world, it can be used by people…”

He didn’t sound as confident as before, and Xu Jingming didn’t point it out. Having once experienced the taste of looking down on the world, it was hard to lower one’s gaze again.

“Forget about the Hanging Tree. You should think of a new surname for yourself first.”

Qu Duanyun stared at Xu Jingming for a while, his gaze incredibly complex. Xu Jingming shrank back slightly, feeling goosebumps. Since their reunion, it seemed Qu Duanyun had never really looked at him so intently.

“You’re something else,” Qu Duanyun said softly, his tone somewhat absent-minded. “Whether starting over or persisting, you seem much more at ease.”

After saying this, he looked out the window again and didn’t say another word to Xu Jingming. The Prince of Rong stood frozen on the other side, pondering and seemingly having an epiphany.

The palanquin swayed as it left Yidu.

When they reached a pavilion in the suburbs, the palanquin slowly stopped. Xu Jingming picked up the food box and got out. At the same moment, a man flew out of the pavilion, stepping lightly on the breeze, his face full of smiles.

“You’re here, quite punctual. I smelled it from far away.” Shi Jingzhi grabbed the food box and winked at the bundle. “It’s rare for His Royal Highness of Rong to deliver things personally. Goodbye.”

Then, he rushed into the pavilion, exclaiming, “Zizhu, Zizhu, these are the snacks I ate when I was young! I especially requested them from the palace. Taste them while they’re hot!”

His words became muffled, likely due to him already eating.

Xu Jingming mentally prepared himself and clapped his fan. An artifact shot out, trying to catch the escaping master. Just as the fox let out a groan, a flash sword qi struck with a cold light and actually cut the artifact in two.

In an instant, Yin Ci descended from the sky, his presence chilling.

Xu Jingming sighed at the loss of his expensive artifact. “The bastard… Elder brother ran too fast. I just wanted him to stay.”

He tried to greet with a smile, but who would’ve thought Shi Jingzhi would run off, treating him with such indifference as one might treat a delivery boy.

“Oh, then stay,” Yin Ci said with a meaningful smile. “We’re just here to cool off. There’s nothing serious to discuss.”

“It’s… It’s not a big deal. The Emperor has handed Qu Duanyun over to me, and I’m not quite sure how to handle it. Elder… Brother Shi, you’ve been around and are well-established in the martial world. I thought you might have some suggestions.”

Xu Jingming rubbed his hands and hurriedly apologized.

“It so happens that I arranged to meet with you, so I thought…”

“Huh? Qu Duanyun?” Shi Jingzhi took a piece of snack and poked Yin Ci’s lips with it. “Just find any river and throw him in to feed the fish.”

Xu Jingming: “……”

He had overestimated the Child of Desire’s humanity. Shi Jingzhi’s words truly came from his heart, confirming that he indeed had no familial affection. If Xu Jingming were to hand over the hot potato that was Qu Duanyun to Shi Jingzhi, Qu Duanyun might actually end up as fish food the very next day.

Xu Jingming: “Elder Brother, enjoy your meal. I was just casually asking. Farewell.”

This time, it was the Prince of Rong who turned and fled. He rushed back to his palanquin and quickly instructed the driver to continue the journey.

Shi Jingzhi snorted at the swaying carriage and then turned to Yin Ci with a cheeky grin. “Is it tasty? Want me to feed you another piece?”

Yin Ci slightly lowered his head, one hand holding onto his slipping hair, carefully licking the crumbs from the other’s fingertips. “Sure.”

Xu Jingming glanced over—he had never seen such a soft expression on Shi Jingzhi’s face before. It was as if he was racking his brain to dig out all the sweetness from the past, breaking it piece by piece to share with his beloved.

It was almost blinding.

He yanked the curtain of the sedan chair, rolling his eyes upwards. After a long pause, he finally exhaled.

“That’s it. I’ve done my best. From now on… you go your way, and I’ll go mine.”

After saying this, he felt a sudden wave of relief.

Qu Duanyun didn’t respond but simply nodded.

In the years that followed, Xu Jingming didn’t achieve any significant accomplishments but was renowned for being extremely cautious. His mansion became a widely praised place among the servants. To some extent, he even gained a popular reputation. He also kept track of Qu Duanyun’s movements—the man, after all his efforts, mingled and maneuvered in the martial world, ultimately paying the price by sacrificing a limb to save his life. In the first two or three years, Xu Jingming heard rumors of the man trying to rise again. Years later, there were still tales of “Lord Duanyun” in the martial world.

However, twenty years passed, and he never heard of the man’s whereabouts again.

…But that’s a story for another time.

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The author has something to say:

Sect Master Shi: Digging out all the cherished memories to offer.

Demonic Lord Yin: Happy.jpg.

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 160: Inner Force

The next day, Yin Ci woke up early.

Ever since the Hanging Tree disappeared and the flesh idols were completely destroyed, Shi Jingzhi never spat blood again. The diligence and restraint of Sect Master Shi seemed to disappear along with the Hanging Tree. He would still practice martial arts every day, but he no longer woke up early, as if he wanted to make up for all the past hardships. Today was no different. Shi Jingzhi’s long hair was scattered, his face nestled close to Yin Ci’s neck, and both hands wrapped tightly around Yin Ci.

Last night, Yin Ci specifically dispelled his doubts. Now, Sect Master Shi was completely buried under the soft blankets, sleeping soundly. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating him in a particularly flattering light. Thinking of the past, when Shi Jingzhi would frequently cough up blood, Yin Ci couldn’t help but feel sentimental.

While lost in his thoughts, he playfully pinched Shi Jingzhi’s nose.

The latter remained stubbornly asleep, continuing to snore loudly with his mouth wide open. Yin Ci chuckled and leaned over to plant a deep kiss. Shi Jingzhi woke up instantly, his eyes shining brightly.

“I have a place to go today; you can sleep in tomorrow.” Yin Ci pulled away. “I borrowed their kitchen this morning. Consider it a little compensation.”

Stretching lazily, Shi Jingzhi got up, looking utterly content. “Where are we going?”

The smile on Yin Ci’s face faded a bit, and he turned, letting the sunlight stream across his features. After a moment of silence, he whispered, “Lady Sun’s tomb.”

Shi Jingzhi didn’t ask further. He specifically chose simple clothes and left early with Yin Ci from Chigou. As Yin Ci had promised, he decided not to interfere with the affairs of the world, not even planning to listen to the details of the “Conference of Righteous and Evil”.

The two left Shafu, heading towards the northwest desert border.

“…Lady Sun wasn’t buried in the Sun family ancestral tomb.”

Riding a horse together, Yin Ci spoke first when he noticed Shi Jingzhi’s thoughtful silence.

“I asked Huaijin. Apparently, she didn’t wish to be. Sun Wang, the Marquis of Lie’an, was very famous, and this wasn’t a particularly honorable matter for the Sun Clan. It has been kept secret, and over the years, probably very few have even come to pay their respects.”

“How do you know where she’s buried?” Shi Jingzhi asked, holding onto Yin Ci from behind.

“They had an agreement.”

Yin Ci gripped the reins tightly.

[Brother Yin, I’ve spoken to your sister-in-law. If I end up too fragmented in death, remember to save some of me. When she passes, bury it with her, so we can be together.]

[…What if I die before you?]

[Nonsense, you have the aura of an immortal. You’ll surely outlive me.]

“The Northwest is remote with intense battles. If the enemy employs battle formations, one might not be left with a complete corpse… If she couldn’t wait for Sun Wang to return, she would be buried near the battlefield.”

If he couldn’t find his way home, she would come to fetch him.

The Northwest was their final battlefield. He and Sun Wang returned victorious. Lady Sun lived for a long time, praying daily, and lived to see her descendants thrive. But in the end, she couldn’t find her beloved.

The “Marquis of Lie’an” was still alive, but she left the luxurious mansion and her kin to be buried alone in the northwest wilderness. Perhaps, three hundred years ago, Lady Sun sensed, ahead of everyone else, that her true love was no longer here.

Yet, she still waited for him.

Yin Ci dismounted and walked to a vast wasteland. Several unidentified travelers were buried here, with simple stones as tombstones. Among them was an old, neat one, standing out among the others.

However, it was still simple, with only the character “Sun” carved on it.

Yin Ci opened the cloth bag he carried and offered incense. Then, with a swirl of his sword’s qi, he pushed away the thick soil of the grave.

Despite their disdain, the Sun Clan at least chose a high-quality coffin. This place was extremely dry, and after three hundred years, the coffin underground was still relatively intact. The bones inside the coffin had long dried up and scattered, tangled amidst the faded shroud. Against the backdrop of the desolate land and the whistling wind, it felt especially lonely.

Being a descendant of the Sun Clan, Shi Jingzhi, without waiting for Yin Ci’s signal, silently cleansed his hands and neatly arranged the bones.

“It’s ready, Zizhu.”

Yin Ci took out a small bag of the True Immortal ashes from his backpack. The ashes were wrapped in a plain silk cloth and accompanied by a large bag of round beads. It was placed on the chest of the skeleton. Yin Ci, without adding any additional gold or other offerings, closed the coffin and buried it once more. Fearing the grave might be robbed, he slightly renovated the tomb and left some fresh fruits in front.

“Sun Wang, I truly hated you once.”

Yin Ci opened a jar of fine wine and poured it over the tombstone.

“If the roles were reversed, I might have made the same choice. You and sister-in-law left behind the truth of that year, balancing the good with the bad, so I’ll forgive you.”

The fine wine poured over the coarse stone, leaving behind a moist dark trail, accompanied by waves of intoxicating fragrance.

“Now, I have a family and a career and live carefreely. A hundred years from now, I’ll come down to settle this score with you. Today, I want you to see that after all the twists and turns, I’ve gotten the one I’ve yearned for. You may have placed me in a coffin, but this person brought me back to the world of the living. You used to pester me about marriage every day, so take a good look now. Isn’t this the most beautiful woman in the world?”

The wind blew over the dead wood and stubborn stones, leaving behind a whimpering echo.

Shi Jingzhi placed one hand on Yin Ci’s shoulder, not in the mood for jest. Yin Ci, for once, seemed emotionally unstable—a mix of sorrow and joy. Not wanting to disturb Yin Ci, Shi Jingzhi simply stood by his side.

Although not that helpful, he still has relatives like Xu Jingxing and Xu Jingming. Elder Sun, having recently grown closer to him, began to feel more like family. For over twenty years, he wandered the world alone. Now, he not only had family but also a loved one, fully enjoying the worldly ties.

However, Yin Ci didn’t have as much. Sun Wang’s sentiment towards him might be the last trace from three hundred years ago.

Yin Ci sat in front of the grave for a while, and Shi Jingzhi also held back for a long time. Eventually, unable to resist, he lit some incense and bowed to the tombstone.

“It’s a pity the two of you couldn’t grow old together. Now that your revenge has been avenged, I will cherish and stay with Zizhu for life.”

Yin Ci seemed to recover, jokingly saying, “Oh? So Your Highness accepted the title of the world’s most beautiful woman just like that?”

Shi Jingzhi cast a deep look at him, then bowed to the tombstone again. “Both of you are like my ancestors. I have one thing to clarify—it wasn’t him seducing me; it was my own willing heart. When we meet in the underworld, please don’t treat him like a cradle robber.”

Yin Ci: “……”

Fine, this kid is more ruthless. Shi Jingzhi really was a descendant of Sun Wang, so he truly had nothing to say. Their days were sweet, but for some reason, their playful teasing habits never changed.

“Let’s go back. I came to the Northwest this time to put an end to these matters.” Yin Ci played with the tips of Shi Jingzhi’s hair. “If we continue west for another two hours, we can still make it to the evening market over there… Who’s there?!”

In a flash, sensing a presence, Yin Ci swiftly drew Shi Jingzhi’s hairpin and threw it in the direction of the source. The newcomer was skilled at concealing their aura.

Seeing their cover blown, a man with high cheekbones and deep-set eyes, dressed in the military uniform of the Western Ridge, stepped out from behind the rocks—clearly a spy from the Western Ridge.

Shi Jingzhi who lost his hairpin: “……”

The man was followed by a small squad, evidently surprised to encounter people from Great Yun in such a desolate place. The soldiers of the Western Ridge were skilled, and in no time, they surrounded the two. Yin Ci narrowed his eyes, instinctively shielding Shi Jingzhi behind him.

The soldiers from Western Ridge didn’t rashly advance but rapidly communicated in their native language.

“Are there Great Yun people here? Soldiers?”

“These graves are of the nameless; their identities probably aren’t high. They must be… wanderers. I recognize that flag. It belongs to wandering doctors.”

“Then let’s kill them. There are only two of them after all.”

“They both have good looks. Why not capture them to be slaves? They might fetch a good price.”

“You better be skilled then,” Yin Ci interjected in fluent Western Ridge language. After hundreds of years of boredom, he had even learned embroidery, let alone the language of a neighboring nation.

“Return my hairpin, and then we can talk,” Shi Jingzhi added in equally fluent Western Ridge. He was well-learned, and his true nature was evident.

My hairpin! Even if it was a cheap item he casually acquired from the Chigou Sect, it was the hairpin Zizhu personally inserted for him!

Sect Master Shi selectively ignored the fact that it was Yin Ci himself who had thrown it away.

The Western Ridge soldiers: “…”

The Western Ridge language was very different from the official language of Great Yun, and few understood it. These two were definitely not ordinary.

“Attack!” The soldiers decisively agreed.

Yin Ci sneered, reaching out with his bare hands. Even though he held no sword, the pressure from his swing felt as sharp as a fine weapon. Shi Jingzhi also swiftly summoned his golden flame, and in a flash, a towering fire blazed.

Shi Jingzhi’s inner force was still astonishing but not as inexhaustible as before; it now had a mortal taste. Yin Ci’s swordplay, in the midst of the confrontation, surprisingly emitted faint silver glows.

Shi Jingzhi slowed his movements, holding his breath.

Previously, when they were on the battlefield, Yin Ci wielded his usual sword qi. After all, this habit had been maintained for over a hundred years, and he was quite adept at it. Now, perhaps due to a change in his mood, Yin Ci’s sword intent began to show traces of inner force.

Yin Ci himself seemed quite surprised. He looked like someone who had been bedridden for years, now trying to walk again. Shi Jingzhi watched as the inner force evolved from unfamiliarity to being clumsily nascent and then integrated seamlessly.

Upon reflection, this wasn’t too surprising. Yin Ci had lost his inner force before because the Hanging Tree was too big. Once his meridian connected to it, the tiny amount of his inner force he cultivated vanished. Now, with their vital qi interconnected and circulating within their bodies, they mutually amplified each other, reminiscent of “dual cultivation” mentioned in tales.

The sword qi was spirited and unrestrained. Silver threads waved in the air, creating ripples like a sudden summer downpour hitting a river. Wherever the rain reached, the Western Ridge soldiers silently fell, with the silver glow reflecting off the red of their blood.

…This was how Yin Ci, or “Yin Zizhu”, looked a long time ago, before the Bone Sweeping Sword technique was born.

Perhaps this was the best farewell to Lord and Lady Sun.

Shi Jingzhi couldn’t help but smile, and the flames on his flag flared up a bit more.

Fire and water intertwined, illuminating the wilderness. The Western Ridge scouts all met their end in front of the graves. Yin Ci poured himself half a jug of wine and decapitated an enemy as an offering to Sun Wang.

Shi Jingzhi, on the other hand, retrieved his hairpin from a pool of blood and wiped it clean. The two exchanged smiles without uttering a word.

“Zizhu, help me put it on.”

“Wait a bit. My hands are covered in blood.” Yin Ci, standing amidst the pile of bodies, looked slightly troubled. “Stop using this cheap thing. Later in the night market, I’ll pick a good one for you.”

“This one is fine, even stained with blood.” Shi Jingzhi moved closer and lowered his head. “Come on.”

Yin Ci couldn’t refuse him and carefully tied up his smooth hair.

“But when we go to the night market later, we should still buy what’s needed.” Shi Jingzhi murmured.

Yin Ci chuckled. “Alright, as you wish.”

The sun blazed, with the smell of wine and blood mingling in the air. The gravestone stood silently, and on the surface of the stubborn stone, a tiny crack quietly appeared.

Like a hint of a smile.

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The author has something to say:

Sect Master Shi: Mine, all mine! Mine! (Indulging in his desires)

Demonic Lord Yin: Spoiling him.jpg

I feel like their home will eventually have a huge warehouse, the “Child of Desire Museum”. (x

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

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 159: Small Gathering

The war ended quickly, but restoring peace was an extremely lengthy process. Luojiu hastily withdrew its troops, and the restless Western Ridge became the only opponent of Great Yun. Fortunately, The Western Ridge didn’t have a “Divine Saint”, so after the troops were replenished, ordinary generals could cope with it.

But the followers of the Chigou Sect suffered.

The majority of the followers of the Chigou Sect were local young and middle-aged men. When the conscription notice arrived, nearly half of the Chigou Sect’s main branch were emptied out. Su Si, who had just recently become the leader of the demonic sect, had not been in the limelight for long before he found himself without any support, akin to a commander without troops.

Now, without any tombs to explore, Lord Bai returned to living a fairytale life. It was very satisfied with its choice—indeed, by following Su Si, its future looked bright. Over time, it had become chubbier, looking like a soft glutinous rice ball from a distance.

They say pets resemble their owners. With many of the sect’s affairs on hold, Su Si simply whiled away his days, eating and lazing around, not even bothering to get up from bed on time. If they hadn’t witnessed his ruthless and malicious behavior, the subdued followers might have revolted.

The first person in Great Yun history to unify the demonic sects, and he’s like this?

Fortunately, the original Protectors of the Chigou Sect weren’t too bothered. At least their Patriarch didn’t run away again, which gave them some face.

“Patriarch, today…”

“No.” Su Si lay sprawled on the bed, his eyes blank.

“No, there’s a guest today…”

“Don’t want to see.” He turned over, his back signaling refusal.

“The leader of the martial alliance, Yan Qing, requests an audience—”

Su Si sat up suddenly, slapping his thigh. “Ah, if it isn’t San Zi? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Just let him in; no need for formalities.”

The servant: “…”

Forget the divide between good and evil, their Patriarch’s attitude was like an old father happily welcoming his son home. Didn’t they have many disputes with Yan Qing’s predecessor, Yan Budu? Weren’t they wary of Yan Qing’s possible ulterior motives?

The servant shook his head and was about to speak, but their leader was already gone.

Without any reservations, Old Father Su personally brought some premium snacks and happily headed to the Fallen God Tower. Without even changing into formal attire, he kicked open the door and opened his arms wide. “San Zi! I’ve missed you so mu…”

Unfortunately, before he could finish, he stopped abruptly, coming face to face with Yin Ci.

Yin Ci stood with arms crossed, smiling. His gaze slid from Su Si’s nightwear to the snack box, and finally to the hastily tied-up long hair.

Considering Yin Ci’s identity, Su Si tensed up, becoming as limp as a frostbitten eggplant, not daring to speak another word. When he returned, he would surely deduct the servant’s wages—why didn’t that kid mention that Yan Qing brought along such a troublesome guest?

Yin Ci wasn’t the only “guest”. Not to mention the always accompanying Sect Master Shi, even Shi Zhongyu, Shen Zhu, and Monk Zhixing were present. Several righteous faction members pretended not to notice the disheveled Patriarch Su.

“A’Si, you’re here.” Yan Qing was chatting with Shi Jingzhi over tea and greeted Su Si cheerfully.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m here.” Su Si awkwardly handed the snacks to a servant. “Everyone, please have some snacks. This Greatness* will go change.”

*[Benzun] (本尊) In a Buddhist context, it refers to “main god” or “the principal or worship”. Unlike the righteous sect, the demonic sect worships their leader as a holy divinity.

Patriarch Su’s appearance was even less put-together than a servant who hadn’t yet served tea. His confidence had been greatly shaken by Yin Ci, leaving him seemingly choked with unspoken grievances. When he returned, he was properly dressed in formal attire, with the corners of his mouth slightly drooping.

Monk Zhixing tactfully spoke up. “Master has pressing matters and couldn’t come. He sent this Humble Monk to visit on his behalf. I hope Patriarch understands.”

Su Si didn’t seem keen on pleasantries. He kept glancing at Yin Ci, answering in a stilted manner.

“This Greatness is very busy. With a gathering of so many righteous sects, why not do it at Taiheng?” Su Si finally asked with a hint of complaint.

“It’s not feasible.” Shi Zhongyu gave a dry laugh. “After the incident with Qu Duanyun, Taiheng can’t settle down for a while. It’s true he killed many Heroes, but it’s also true he was once the head of Taiheng. This is something Taiheng can’t deny.”

“I’ve seen those who escape from shitholes, but never one who jumps into it. Heroine Shi truly has guts. This mess won’t be settled in ten or twenty years.”

Shen Zhu was teasing Shi Zhongyu on one side and happily fixing her right fingernail on the other. A few months ago, her left hand was burnt to the flesh by golden flames, leaving only a bit of bone. She made a puppet hand from the remaining soft, dark armor. This puppet hand was incredibly agile; covered with a glove, it was almost indistinguishable from a real hand.

She blew on the tip of her nail and smiled brilliantly. “How about you consider joining our Yueshui Pavilion’s Ministry of Heaven, Heroine Shi? You’ve managed to stay focused within the sand bandits’ gang, so you must be someone who can endure hardships. Why not join me and serve the country and the people together?”

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Shen. Taiheng will always be Taiheng. Someone needs to stand up for it. I’ve made up my mind.”

Shi Zhongyu shook her head decisively.

“Ah, you’ve made up your mind, but what does that have to do with me?” Su Si replied indifferently. “I understand that the Jianchen Temple isn’t a good gathering place. If your Yueshui Pavilion is so generous, why not choose a different location…”

“It’s my fault,” Yan Qing said apologetically. “I’ve been wanting to have a meal with you after not seeing you for many days. I was almost there when I got in touch with Miss Shen, so I had to—”

“…Of course, everyone is welcome here.” Su Si coughed, changing his demeanor as if flipping a page in a book. “Please make yourselves comfortable.”

“Our meeting this time is about the Hanging Tree of Luojiu.” Yin Ci spoke up once they had settled down.

The faces of the people present turned solemn.

“The Hanging Tree of Great Yun has existed for a thousand years, so it was incredibly massive. The one from Luojiu has only grown for three hundred years and is not as large. When they attacked Great Yun, the Imperial Preceptor’s lineage interfered, intending to establish Jingzhi as the new emperor.”

Yin Ci swirled the tea in his cup.

“Now that Great Yun’s Hanging Tree is killed by us, those who know the truth in Luojiu must be frightened. They will certainly expand to other countries before figuring out the reason. Once their Hanging Tree grows large, their True Immortal will definitely attack Great Yun again.”

Su Si: “That would take at least a hundred years. Why not let the people a hundred years from now worry about it?”

He looked at Shi Jingzhi, hoping to find some resonance, but the sect leader was gazing fondly at Yin Ci, which caught Su Si by surprise.

To everyone’s astonishment, Shi Zhongyu was the first to echo Su Si’s sentiments. “Patriarch Su is right. With the loss of the Hanging Tree and ‘Heaven’s Displeasure’, Great Yun faces many natural disasters. With the current situation, the imperial court might not be able to manage such distant affairs.”

Yan Qing added, “But as long as evil exists, we can’t ignore it. So, I’ve informed all sects about the truth of the Hanging Tree, seeking loyal and righteous individuals who care about the world.”

The two seemed to be hinting at a detailed discussion.

After a moment of silence, Su Si said, “I see, you want to involve the demonic sect too. Once the Western Ridge calms down, I’ll discuss it with my brothers.”

……

This “Conference of Righteous and Evil” lasted from morning to evening. As night fell, many didn’t return to their rooms for rest but chose to enjoy the moon and drink.

The summer night was at its peak, with a bright moon and shimmering stars, accompanied by the constant chirping of insects. The night breeze felt more humid than usual.

Shi Jingzhi held a jar of wine, sitting on the balcony of the guest room. From his vantage point, he could see everyone below enjoying their drinks. To his surprise, Shi Zhongyu appeared to have an exceptional tolerance for alcohol, almost never getting drunk. Shen Zhu’s face was flushed; a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanor. She was hugging Shi Zhongyu, laughing and shouting loudly.

Monk Zhixing sat far from the duo, sipping some vegetarian wine, perhaps repeating the mantra of “form is emptiness”. Su Si pretended to be drunk, slipping and sliding around, looking like he was about to play a trick on the unsuspecting Yan Qing.

While Shi Jingzhi was observing, a hand reached out from behind and caressed his cheek. He took a sip of the rich wine, rubbing his face against the hand.

“I thought you’d go with them.”

To Shi Jingzhi’s surprise, after learning the truth about the Hanging Tree, many martial artists were willing to go to Luojiu to get rid of the growing new Hanging Tree. Even if no one would recognize their efforts and even though the object would take a century before posing a threat to Great Yun.

However, for such matters that he couldn’t comprehend, Yin Ci always seemed eager to get involved. Even after killing the Divine Saint, there was always a sense of discomfort in Shi Jingzhi’s heart. Now, hearing that these people wanted to discuss this matter, Yin Ci naturally followed along.

Shi Jingzhi felt a bit uneasy.

Unexpectedly, from start to finish, Yin Ci merely listened to the younger generation speak and occasionally offered suggestions. He never explicitly expressed a desire to personally intervene. However, thinking of the detailed discussions that would take place tomorrow, the heart of Sect Master Shi became unsettled.

“We had agreed, only to eliminate the Divine Saint from the world.”

Yin Ci settled down beside Shi Jingzhi, returning to the look when they first met—dressed in plain clothes with black hair cascading like a waterfall, casually draped over his shoulders. After seeing him in his battle armor on the battlefield for so long, Shi Jingzhi was momentarily taken aback.

Seeing him lost in thought, Yin Ci couldn’t help but stretch out his hand to ruffle Shi Jingzhi’s hair.

“Nowadays, both of us are mere mortals with a lifespan of a hundred years. I have given over a hundred years for this world; it’s time for me to be a bit selfish.”

Shi Jingzhi leaned in closer, taking a deep sniff of the familiar scent. “Then why did you come with them?”

“Because I know someone whose desires are boundless and materialistic to the extreme. Even if he received countless rewards from the Emperor, traveled all over, occasionally he would look at me, lost in thought, daydreaming on his own.”

Shi Jingzhi: “…”

“I’m not sure if he’s upset because I care for all beings or is afraid that I reluctantly accompany him, fearing that one day I might run to the frontline on my own. Coincidentally, a few days ago, when I was ‘asleep’, he secretly watched me with a face full of deep resentment.”

Shi Jingzhi turned his face away, a blush appearing on his ears and neck.

“So, I thought, why not find an opportunity to settle this matter properly? To save a certain someone from restless sleep and decreasing appetite, causing the one I care about to become thinner.” The playful tone in Yin Ci’s words grew thicker.

Shi Jingzhi filled a bowl of wine and pressed it to Yin Ci’s mouth. “You’ve become addicted to teasing me, haven’t you?”

“But this time, I did bring you here with another purpose in mind.” Yin Ci gulped down the wine and candidly admitted.

“Hmm?”

“It’s such a beautiful night with good wine; it’s not the right time for such talks. After tonight, I will tell you.”

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Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

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

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Chapter 158: Immortals

The previous Imperial Preceptor had forgotten his own name.

He lived parasitically atop a flesh idol. As decades flowed by, it was so long that the faces of his relatives all blurred. The old man remembered the deep-rooted obsession carved into his mind; he remembered every detail about the Hundred Year Project. Yet when he tried to recall his own past as a human, only fog filled his mind.

At times, the old man thought that perhaps one shouldn’t live so long.

He clung to the flesh idol, feeling the perpetual sensation of decay and pain. His old and frail body, in poor health, was often rejected by the refined meat paste of the idol. Every few months, he had to consume an “immortal body” to pacify the flesh idol for a moment.

In the past, he was second to none, living in luxury and refinement. But now, he had to swallow human corpses whole, chewing through bones and organs, forcing them down his throat. The old Imperial Preceptor wasn’t one to cling desperately to life. He only wished to pass on the essential messages and witness the culmination of his grand cause.

To be born mortal was perhaps the greatest glory.

However, ever since the current Emperor unexpectedly surrendered, the situation had deteriorated rapidly. The core of the flesh idol was unexpectedly set on fire, leaving nothing but a mass of half-dead meat paste. Then the ground kept shaking, and the vital qi was interrupted. Without the source of vital qi, the living meat paste gradually lost its vitality, becoming swollen and stinky. With the warmer weather, maggots began to devour the decaying flesh, leaving him alone, barely alive.

Jiang Youyue didn’t return, and neither did Qu Duanyun. Even the servants stopped coming, leaving him with only swirling insects among the rotten offerings.

What happened to the Hundred Year Project? The old Imperial Preceptor didn’t know. How much time had passed? He couldn’t quite recall.

Decomposing flesh fluids spread on the floor, creating a deafening silence in the temple. Through the fly-filled curtains, he stared intently at the closed doors—he had to see an end to it all.

There was a soft creak.

Blinding sunlight filled the room, dispersing the fat flies in a cloud and leaving behind an overpowering stench of decay. Even so, the presence of the newcomer was formidable. The sound of armor rubbing against itself sent chills down one’s spine.

A general?

The old Imperial Preceptor struggled to open his eyes. Through his blurry vision, he saw a young man in armor, black hair flowing, with a majestic aura. The sunlight and breeze flowed in, making the man seem as if he had descended from the heavens.

For some reason, the old man felt the figure was familiar. He couldn’t vocalize properly, managing only a garbled murmur.

“…You’re still alive.” The newcomer’s tone was more of pity than surprise.

The man waded through the decomposing fluids, pulling aside the curtain. The hand that did so was long and beautiful, carved like jade. The only flaw was a scar at the base of his thumb, which, at a glance, looked like a peculiar ring.

The old Imperial Preceptor recognized that hand shape. He had chewed on it countless times.

The visitor was indeed the master of the immortal body. He had traveled through three centuries, once again standing on the land of Yidu.

“Ah… Ah…” The old Imperial Preceptor stretched out his hand, trying to express something. However, as soon as his fingers crawling with maggots stretched out, the man dodged lightly.

“The Hanging Tree is dead, and the Shirou is destroyed. Jiang Youyue and Qu Duanyun are in prison, and as for that Divine Saint of Luojiu…”

The man smiled coldly and delightfully.

“The Divine Saint is far from their Hanging Tree, unable to borrow its power. Compared to the True Immortal of Great Yun, he’s easier to deal with. You should understand, an army without its general is just scattered sand.”

The old Imperial Preceptor clenched his hand.

“I know that the Luojiu’s Hanging Tree will still bear fruit and nourish the next True Immortal. Our people will infiltrate Luojiu, waiting for that moment to destroy it. It’s best for something as wicked as the Hanging Tree to disappear as soon as possible.”

No wonder the Saint sealed this man underground. He truly could not comprehend the grandeur of the Hundred-Year Project.

Yet, the old man’s heart remained calm. He felt no anger, no sorrow. Maggots gnawed at his flesh, yet he felt no pain. He stopped mumbling, his deformed hand drooping, his eyes filled with endless fatigue.

The man across from him had lived even longer but now radiated life, shining brightly like the sun.

In a daze, the old Imperial Preceptor seemed to be back in Juyi Valley years ago. Red leaves fluttered as the young body of the Child of Desire was curled up. His face was flushed from a fever. The moment he held the child, he felt such vivid and burning vitality.

This was the person with whom the Child of Desire had chosen to live and die with.

So that’s how it is, so that’s how it is. The person who saved the child in the maple forest 24 years ago was you. The desire that the Child of Desire set early on was also…

A chilling sensation at the throat.

The old Imperial Preceptor opened his eyes wide, watching his darkening blood spurt out. The viscous blood mixed with corpse fluids stirred up a stench. Yin Ci’s move was as fast as lightning, showing no hesitation. By the time he reacted, the old man’s head had already fallen to the ground.

“I should have let you rot here slowly.”

The man crouched down slightly, his long hair sliding over his armor.

“But considering you brought Jingzhi to me, I’m willing to give you a quick end. Old man, after all, I’ve boasted to him—my life is tough, especially against evil spirits.”

The head of the old Imperial Preceptor rolled halfway, facing the window. Birds chirped outside, and the sky was clear and blue. Tears welled up in the old man’s eyes, either from the blinding light he hadn’t seen in 24 years or from mourning that the “Hundred-Year Project” had completely died.

From beginning to end, Yin Ci never gave him a chance to speak.

That day, the Imperial Preceptor Residence was engulfed in flames. From the temple behind the home to the mysterious underground chamber, everything was burned to the ground, leaving only ruins. Surprisingly, over a hundred headless male bodies were taken out from the underground chamber. Rumors flew, but there was never a conclusion. They became evidence that the Imperial Preceptor’s lineage was “privately raising demons and practicing dark arts”, with no further follow-up.

In these turbulent times, such matters were insignificant.

That spring marked the most turbulent period in Great Yun’s history. Xu Jingxing surrendered first, then a few days later there was an earthquake. Afterwards, Xu Jingxing publicly renounced his previous stance. The Divine Saint, who was initially advancing rapidly, slowed down after the earthquake, delaying their invasion into Great Yun.

As the Luojiu’s army hesitated, two new officials joined the Great Yun’s court.

The general was named Yin Zizhu, young and strikingly handsome. Nobody had heard of this military genius before. The civil official was named Shi Jingzhi, possessing a devilish beauty and notorious for a previous rebellion plot. Now, he got along well with his Emperor Brother, and no one knew why.

One thing was certain—their appearance marked a turning point in the war for Great Yun.

Yin Zizhu personally led the army against Luojiu, with Shi Jingzhi always by his side. They fought seamlessly, pushing back Luojiu’s massive army. They even penetrated the Divine Saint’s camp and somehow burned their undefeated Saint to ashes.

Luojiu, which had previously worshiped him as a god, was now demoralized. In less than two months, the duo recaptured all lost territories and drove out Luojiu’s forces.

During these two months, Xu Jingxing recovered significantly, at least enough to attend the court sessions. While many were concerned about the rapid rise of the two heroes, Xu Jingxing always dodged such discussions.

The conflict with Luojiu finally ended.

Contrary to expectations, the two heroes didn’t seek any power and immediately requested retirement. Shi Jingzhi even audaciously listed his demands in the court, asking for a multitude of rewards. As Xu Jingxing’s face turned greener, officials feared he might collapse from anger.

Thankfully, the Emperor held on.

And Yin Zizhu just looked at Shi Jingzhi with an unsettling smile. As they left the court, their hands were unashamedly intertwined.

That was the last time officials saw the two.

“…Isn’t it amazing?”

The storyteller took a sip of tea and cleared his throat.

“It’s as if two immortals descended from the heavens to save Great Yun. Even Luojiu’s ‘Divine Saint’ met his end at their hands! They were so close, certainly reincarnates of immortals. This is a recent tale; I swear by it.”

A sniffling child nearby said, “But grandpa, aren’t immortals selfless? You just said that Shi Jingzhi asked for a lot of things.”

The audience, previously enraptured, began voicing their doubts after the child’s comment.

Storyteller: “……”

Storyteller: “Well… even immortals need some offerings. Great Yun was in crisis, so the offerings the immortals asked for were also urgent. It’s normal, just normal.”.

The little boy wiped his nose with the back of his hand and continued, “Grandpa, grandpa, but mom said that our Great Yun used to have good weather, and when children got sick, they recovered quickly! This time, the immortals came and left, but why didn’t he make things better here?”

Hearing this, the onlookers became even more interested.

“That’s right, not long ago it rained heavily in my hometown, and the rice seedlings all drowned.”

“Our village is alright, but Lao Zhang’s place seems to be suffering from drought. It’s terrible.”

“My child caught a cold, which usually gets better in two or three days. But this time, he’s been on medication for half a month, and I don’t know why…”

The storyteller pinched his grandson’s face and tossed a few copper coins. “Go, go, go buy some candied hawthorns.”

He then raised his head, showing a toothy grin, and cleared his throat seriously.

“As for me, I used to have headaches for ten or eight days, but this time it got better in just two or three days! Maybe the immortals have their own plans. We ordinary folks should just live our lives. If we always rely on heaven’s favor, wouldn’t we all become lazy?”

Laughter erupted in the teahouse.

“Yeah, isn’t that the truth. My parents are feeling much better now.”

“If there’s flooding, so be it. I heard the Yueshui Pavilion got some new seeds from the foreigners. If it comes to it, we can change our crops.”

……

The little boy paid no attention to the chattering adults. He happily ran to the candied hawthorn vendor. Unfortunately, just as he was about to make his purchase, a hand reached out and took the last candied hawthorn on the stick.

The little boy was upset. He was about to throw a tantrum, but when he saw the face of the person, he immediately forgot about crying. Simply put, the person was too handsome.

Grandpa said that fox spirits were skilled at bewitching the minds of humans, so meeting a fox spirit must feel like this. The little boy stared blankly, tears forming in his eyes, with a long trail of snot hanging from his nose.

The fox spirit didn’t show any sign of bewitching. He just tightly held the candied hawthorn, looking very conflicted. This fox spirit didn’t seem to respect the old or love the young, as his face had an expression as if saying, “This is mine. I won’t share.”

But it seemed like something was keeping him from just walking away. His eyes narrowed, showing a hint of pain.

“Alright, stop struggling,” a voice trying to hold back laughter said. “Jingzhi, why not compromise and share half with him?”

The boy slowly turned his head to look at the person beside the fox spirit. Not only was his nose running, but his jaw also dropped.

This older brother was also very handsome. He must be another immortal!

“It’s not that I can’t,” the fox spirit hummed. “But this was what you bought for me…”

“You can have my share,” the other immortal said with a charming smile. “Isn’t it more fun for us to share it back at the inn than to eat it all alone?”

The fox spirit’s eyes lit up, and he stood straighter.

He took a copper coin from the boy’s palm and, with a flick of his qi, split the candied hawthorn in half. He took the top half for himself, while the boy grabbed the lower half. The boy’s eyes darted between the two “immortals”, not caring about eating at all.

It wasn’t until the two left hand in hand that he snapped back to reality and rushed back to the teahouse—

“Grandpa, Grandpa, I just saw two immortals!”

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