Ji Chuling happily ran ahead to walk alongside Li Xiuran. To an outsider, it looked like this little maid had an unusually close relationship with her future young master.
Meanwhile, in the back, Gu Baiqing honestly and obediently carried Mo Xuanli step by step down the stairs.
Mo Xuanli had tried to stop it just now, and out of respect for his teacher he didn’t feel right about letting his master carry him—but in that atmosphere, with Gu Baiqing acting as the “elder brother,” it was really hard to refuse. And seeing how cumbersome the layers of skirts were, there was nothing to do but obediently let his master carry him.
“Sorry, Master, for troubling you.”
Mo Xuanli, for his part, did not relax, his whole body stiff.
“It’s fine…” At this point, what else could he say? Hearing the system’s chime announcing an increase in spiritual power, he could only accept it with tears in his heart.
Beneath the red veil, Mo Xuanli couldn’t see anything. He could only feel his master’s solid back. Yet somehow it didn’t feel as broad as he had imagined—rather lean, in fact. If he wrapped an arm around, he could probably hold him with one hand…
“You think Li Xiuran is deliberately pretending not to know that girl’s feelings? Just now, even the plan of letting us two protect her wasn’t impossible, but he didn’t agree.” Gu Baiqing spoke to ease the suffocating silence. Looking at the pair ahead, he turned the subject there.
Mo Xuanli was a little surprised—Master actually talking about this? It felt more like peer-level gossip.
“He probably knows. Brother Li is very clever. And it’s precisely because he cares for her that he doesn’t want to entrust her safety to others. Just like Master…” Mo Xuanli paused abruptly here.
Gu Baiqing, who had been listening with interest, froze. “What?”
But Mo Xuanli only said awkwardly: “If something happens later, Master, please don’t act. Though disciple knows you care for me, I still hope you’ll watch out for your own safety. I can protect myself.”
Gu Baiqing instantly felt something was off. Normally Mo Xuanli would just warn him not to be reckless without spiritual power—how dare he talk about whether he “cared” or not.
Wait a minute—what did he just say…? Gu Baiqing suddenly realized, and wanted to smack his own mouth then and there. Really, in a moment of hotheadedness, he had jumped from one fire pit into another.
Hadn’t he, in order to avoid being paired with Mo Xuanli earlier, said something like “I don’t feel at ease about my younger brother”? Wasn’t that exactly the same as Li Xiuran not being willing to entrust Ji Chuling to anyone else?
With no excuse to patch this up, Gu Baiqing could only give up struggling, and tried to change the subject: “I know you can protect yourself. Otherwise you wouldn’t have been bold enough to propose yourself in the first place.”
He was referring to when Mo Xuanli had volunteered to play the bride. At that time, the situation really didn’t require it—Li Xiuran could have gone himself. It wasn’t favoritism for his disciple; he just thought there was no need to fuss that much. Li Xiuran was already at Golden Core, and had the Supreme Sword Intent—such a little demon wouldn’t be able to withstand him. Wasn’t that obvious?
But then again… maybe because he knew the demon’s level, he had thought it unnecessary. Their being overly cautious was understandable.
As Gu Baiqing mulled it over, he heard Mo Xuanli quietly say: “Because if those two ran into the demon, they’d just attack right away. Even if they didn’t kill it instantly, they wouldn’t leave Qi Yi the chance to strike. But Master already promised Qi Yi. I can’t let you break your word.”
Gu Baiqing’s heart stirred. So it was to help him keep his word that he was willing to take the risk himself. That way, however things turned out, Li Xiuran and the others would have nothing to say.
Gu Baiqing pressed his lips together, and finally softened. “Don’t say such things… My disciple’s safety naturally comes before a mere promise.”
Mo Xuanli’s lips curved faintly, but he didn’t answer—just smoothly shifted the topic. Clearly, in his view, Master’s word was more important.
The two left the inn. Immediately festive music of drums and pipes rang out. When Gu Baiqing placed Mo Xuanli into the bridal sedan, he also tucked Three Bean inside, and finally shed the feeling of truly marrying off a younger sister—or a daughter. Turning, he stood guard at the sedan.
Qi Yi came running up at once. “Daoist, what’s the situation now?”
“Huh? It’s you?” Ji Chuling’s voice sounded.
Seeing Ji Chuling, Qi Yi grew excited. “It’s you, Master! You… you once told me Little Yan’s soul was still here. Why…”
Gu Baiqing’s brow twitched, and he stepped in front of Ji Chuling, saying: “I’ve already asked. Earlier, she was mistaken. Miss Little Yan has indeed peacefully reincarnated.”
Ji Chuling looked at Gu Baiqing in confusion—only to be silenced by his cold gaze.
“Really… is that so?” Qi Yi smiled through tears, grief flooding his face. “That’s good. Maybe she’ll reincarnate into a good family.”
Ji Chuling couldn’t bear to watch, and was about to speak when Gu Baiqing said: “Qi Yi, we plan to catch the culprit. If you want revenge, follow behind our group.”
Qi Yi’s eyes lit up immediately, his whole body trembling with excitement. He somehow produced a dagger, clutching it tightly, his gaze turning savage. “Alright!”
As Qi Yi left, Ji Chuling looked at Gu Baiqing with some dissatisfaction. “Brother Mo, your cultivation really isn’t up to par. Don’t you know that…”
Gu Baiqing suddenly interrupted: “You think telling him that Little Yan’s soul hasn’t left yet is doing him a kindness?”
Ji Chuling froze, looking a little uneasy. After all, when she had warmly shared this “good news” with Qi Yi, Li Xiuran had also scolded her, saying she shouldn’t meddle.
She had wanted to argue that outsiders were far more cold and indifferent than they were, so why was this man in front of her saying the same thing?
“Why can’t I say it? I’m giving him hope.”
“Hope? Hope of what? The hope of never being able to see each other again, for all eternity, because humans and ghosts walk different paths? The hope of knowing his wife didn’t reincarnate properly but was instead forced to linger here in torment? You tell a mortal that—what can he do besides suffer, unable to let go? Do you really think you’re doing him a favor?”
Ji Chuling was stunned, grievance instantly spreading over her beautiful face. “I… I only saw how deeply he loves her, how pitiful he is. So I wanted to give him hope. Don’t you think he’s living worse than death? If he knew his wife was still here, shouldn’t he be happy instead?”
Her delicate, pitiful expression, full of innocence, made even Gu Baiqing wonder if he’d been too harsh. He quickly softened his tone: “You’re inexperienced, you don’t yet understand the ways of the world. In time, you’ll come to see. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Li Xiuran.”
Ji Chuling still seemed unwilling to accept it. She lifted her hand, wanting to tug Gu Baiqing’s sleeve and argue further, when suddenly a voice came from inside the bridal sedan.
“Brother…”
That single word, “brother,” for some reason sent a shiver down Gu Baiqing’s spine. There was something different in its tone, winding and layered.
Thinking Mo Xuanli had something to say, he walked to the sedan.
Sure enough, Mo Xuanli had lifted the veil and curtain just a little, showing half his face. Though he wore no bridal makeup, the flush of crimson around him made his face seem even more striking. Especially those dark, clear eyes—there was an emotion in them, and under the red light they seemed almost… enchanting.
“What is it?”
“Master, don’t waste words with her. Only through personal experience can one understand. And… standing so close to her while talking—Brother Li won’t be pleased. After all, right now you’re just my brother, not Elder Luofeng the senior.”
Li Xiuran… jealous?
Gu Baiqing assumed Mo Xuanli’s warning meant he’d seen something. He stole a glance at Li Xiuran, but only saw him seated firmly on horseback, discussing departure with the procession.
“Master, stay by me. It’s time to set out.”
Sure enough, movement from the front signaled the journey beginning.
Gu Baiqing and Ji Chuling took their places at either side of the sedan. To avoid drawing demonic attention, all four disguised themselves as ordinary mortals, suppressing any spiritual energy.
As Gu Baiqing walked with the procession, he thought of the original plotline—it had been just like this. Midway, a demon would sneak into the bridal sedan, trying to drag Master into its illusion. At first Master hadn’t reacted, since the higher the cultivation, the more severely suppressed one was in Star-Stepping City. But the demonized Mo Xuanli had immediately noticed, easily subduing the creature.
Here, without a demonized Mo Xuanli, a minor fiend shouldn’t pose too much threat…
Just as the thought crossed his mind, Ji Chuling suddenly cried, “It’s here!” As expected, the Hidden Gods Clan sensed demons quickly.
Right then, Three Bean inside the sedan let out a sharp, piercing cat’s cry: “Xuanli!”
Gu Baiqing instantly lifted the curtain—only to see Mo Xuanli, who had been sitting properly, now slumped to one side.
That shrill cry stirred panic among the already uneasy procession.
People dropped everything, fleeing in terror while shouting:
“The bride’s curse!”
“He’s come back for revenge!”
“Run! Run!”
Gu Baiqing and the returning Li Xiuran struck at the same time. The sedan was smashed apart on the spot, and without its support, Mo Xuanli collapsed to the side.
Gu Baiqing hurriedly caught him, heart racing. He had expected some differences, but this? Too drastic! Did a non-demonized Mo Xuanli really have no deterrent against fiends? The plot felt more uncertain by the second.
Fortunately, the system hadn’t issued a danger alert. It should be fine…
“Look at his neck,” Li Xiuran said grimly.
As the veil slipped away, Gu Baiqing saw it too—a red mark slowly appearing on Mo Xuanli’s neck, the color deepening as though…
“Throat-cutting! Just like Little Yan! Has the Daoist been struck too?” Qi Yi, fearless despite the danger, shouted in panic: “What do we do?”
Gu Baiqing’s pupils shrank. What the h*ll was going on?
“It’s demonic corruption. I can handle it.” Ji Chuling began forming seals. As sacred white light burst from her hands, those nearby felt bathed in spring warmth, healed by its radiance.
But just as she was about to step forward, the red mark on Mo Xuanli’s neck stopped deepening.
Ji Chuling blinked. “Huh? The demonic energy doesn’t seem to be harming him anymore.”
A chill ran down Gu Baiqing’s spine. “He’s still a cultivator, not like mortals. He’s probably been dragged into the demon’s illusion.”
With that thought, Three Bean, who had been pacing frantically, instantly shifted back into true form—a huge tricolored phantom cat.
“Three Bean!” Gu Baiqing began to speak.
“I’ll take you in!” Three Bean, panicked, had sensed spiritual power and immediately cast his spell. Without caring how many were present, he pulled them all into the demon’s illusion—including Qi Yi.
When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in another wedding procession. To be precise, the welcoming team looked like a projection, intangible—they passed right through, though Qi Yi screamed in fright.
Gu Baiqing pulled him aside. “Three Bean, can you send him out?”
Before Three Bean could reply, Qi Yi forced himself to steady. “No! Daoist, I can help. Let me stay.”
“I fear leaving isn’t possible for now,” Li Xiuran said gravely. “This illusion is unusual. Ordinary fiends shouldn’t be able to conjure something this vast. Things may not be as simple as we thought. For now, Young Master Qi is safer staying with us.”
Gu Baiqing didn’t say anything more. Anyway, the plot was already completely different from what he knew, and with impatience he scanned the surroundings. Aside from the illusion, there was no trace of Mo Xuanli. Thinking of the red mark on Mo Xuanli’s neck, Gu Baiqing couldn’t help clenching his back molars.
“Huh? Isn’t that… Xue Bin?” Qi Yi suddenly spoke.
He was looking at the groom on horseback—a young, delicate-featured man in wedding robes, his face beaming, full of youthful pride and success. From time to time he even turned back to glance at the bridal sedan, his eyes brimming with joy.
“Xue Bin, the young master from the first family where the incident happened seven years ago,” Li Xiuran murmured.
“Then that bride must be about to kill herself, right? I’ll go take a look, see what demon is at work.” Ji Chuling immediately rushed into the illusion, and the others followed.
Facing the oncoming bridal sedan, they slipped inside. There sat a beautiful young woman—no red bridal veil, no tears, but rather tilting her head back, eating something. Then she anxiously began searching, her nimble fingers fumbling at her neck, fiddling with something.
Gradually, they understood—it was a fake wound, with a fake blood pouch.
She looked forward in disgust. Though there was a curtain, everyone knew she was looking at Xue Bin. Then she slit open the pouch with a dagger, waiting for the blood to flow out.
Before long, she collapsed as if she had fainted.
The group slowly pieced together the picture. Soon the wedding procession was in chaos, and the groom Xue Bin clutched the bride’s corpse, weeping bitterly—clearly, he did have true feelings.
The scene quickly shifted to the two families quarreling. Like Qi Yi, Xue Bin insisted that the bride should be buried in his family’s ancestral tomb.
But the bride’s family refused, insisting on taking her corpse away, openly and implicitly blaming their daughter’s death on him. Yet the Xue family felt wronged—they had never forced her. Xue Bin had admired and respected her from the heart; had she said she didn’t wish to marry, he would never have compelled her.
In the end, the woman was buried in her own family’s ground. Xue Bin, dressed in mourning clothes, guarded the grave of his unwed wife, grief-stricken. He wept at the grave for a day and a night, muttering “why” over and over, until finally he was driven away by her kin.
Not long after, her family moved away from Star-Stepping City. Crushed by the pressure, Xue Bin chose the white silk rope. When his body was carried out, his family collapsed in tears. Soon after, the elders of the household, unable to withstand the repeated blows, also passed away one after another. Utterly tragic.
Xue Bin’s ghost drifted on, and the group followed him. By now, they already had a good idea whose spirit the demon was. They just didn’t understand how Xue Bin had reached the point of drawing in demonic energy.
Along the way, they heard people gossiping about the Xue family.
“I thought the marriage might lift the gloom here. Who would have thought misfortune would strike again.”
“Right? Do you think our Star-Stepping City is cursed?”
“Shh, don’t say that.”
The voices of passersby drifted past, and no one paid them much attention. They simply followed after Xue Bin, searching for Mo Xuanli.
Before long, Xue Bin’s soul drifted to a courtyard in a small town outside the city. From within stepped a pregnant woman. And that woman—was none other than his unwed bride.
She smiled radiantly as she went to a man’s side, leaning into his arms, gazing at him with deep affection—completely unaware that a ghost was staring at her with unyielding intensity.
