“Gu Baiqing, you and Ruiyao are truly a match blessed by the heavens. Think about it—the first time you met, you were her hero, saving the beauty in distress. After that, you became fellow disciples, senior and junior. You even accidentally saw her bathing. When your cultivation went awry, only her magic could ease your suffering. And then the Marriage Stone itself confirmed your destined bond. Why are you still frowning? Hurry up, put on the groom’s robe, and go through the wedding rites.”
Around him, relatives and friends urged him on with cheerful words of celebration.
The ceremony was about to begin.
But Gu Baiqing couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The bride-to-be was beautiful, gentle.
And yet… why did it all feel so strange?
Saving the beauty? Yes, he had indeed run into demonic beasts attacking a fellow traveler while outside, and of course he stepped in to help. But because of the separation between men and women, he hadn’t even offered a hand when she fell—there was no way that counted as “hero saving beauty.” When he turned back after slaying the monsters and saw the young lady sprawled in the mud, he’d only felt awkward, thinking she’d surely scold him.
But instead, Ruiyao looked deeply moved, as though she were ready to pledge herself to him on the spot.
At that moment, Gu Baiqing thought he might have stumbled into a scam to trap him in a marriage. To avoid being entangled, he hadn’t even given his name—he just ran.
Not long after, Ruiyao became his junior sister.
Back then, Gu Baiqing felt a strange sense of “the debt collector has come knocking.”
And then things only grew stranger. Time and again, she would “accidentally” stumble right before him, nearly falling into his arms. Or she’d be bullied in front of him, and the moment he appeared, everyone would look his way, as though expecting him to stand up for her. If not that, then the elders would just happen to assign the two of them to the same tasks—always just the two of them.
Wasn’t this all a setup?
Fortunately, his instincts made him wary of such things. Whenever she looked about to fall, he dodged. He guarded the line between men and women strictly, refusing to invite unclear trouble upon himself.
Whenever others expected him to defend her, he pushed the elders forward instead. He was just one of the senior brothers—why should he be singled out as her protector? Keeping a low profile was one of his best virtues.
When they were assigned to work together constantly, rumors naturally spread around them. And suddenly Gu Baiqing realized—could it be… this girl was some elder’s illegitimate daughter, and they were trying to set her up with him?
Gu Baiqing found this forced arrangement unbearable and tried to keep his distance. But then things became even more absurd.
Ruiyao, a girl on a group mission—why, of all times, would she choose to bathe at dawn in a little lake outdoors? Even if she kept her undergarments on, it wasn’t good for her reputation. If she had chosen the middle of the night, at least it’d be discreet. But now, with the sun about to rise? And more importantly, that lake was where they drew water for drinking during the day! And here she was soaking in it. Had she considered others at all? Pretty or not, nobody wanted to drink bathwater.
If Gu Baiqing hadn’t been sent by his companions to fetch water, he never would have discovered it.
As he approached, he heard movement in the lake. A young woman danced gracefully in the water, the dawn light and rippling waves like gauzy veils upon her, making her look like a fairy.
A breeze stirred… wasn’t she cold? If she wanted to bathe, why not just soak properly—what was all this twisting and leaping around? Was she a fish coming up for air?
Anyway, he had no desire to drink the morning water.
With Ruiyao’s sudden scream, rumors quickly spread that Gu Baiqing had seen her bathing.
Gu Baiqing was speechless—yes, he had seen a vague silhouette, but she was wearing undergarments, and with the morning mist all around, he hadn’t actually seen anything clearly, okay?
But no one believed him. They demanded an explanation. Ruiyao, on the other hand, behaved gentle and obedient, shy yet understanding, never forcing Gu Baiqing.
Yet it was as if Gu Baiqing had been branded in secret—if he were to marry at all, it could only be Ruiyao. In the eyes of others, they were already a pair.
Later, during cultivation, Gu Baiqing ran into trouble. He even felt it was sabotage, because right at a critical moment, Ruiyao barged in to deliver something, distracting him and causing the accident. Though her cultivation method happened to help him, and she wept bitterly in front of him.
As she cried, she seemed about to lean into his arms.
Gu Baiqing felt a strong sense of déjà vu—his instincts screamed “trap.” But he couldn’t think too deeply about it; whenever he tried, his mind blurred.
So all he could do was stand and say it was nothing, that he didn’t blame her.
Ruiyao kept weeping, as though if Gu Baiqing refused to let her help each time the aftereffects flared, it meant he hadn’t forgiven her.
In the end, Gu Baiqing could only agree to rely on her if the aftereffects appeared again. Once more, he felt like he was being set up.
After that, in the eyes of outsiders, the two were inseparable. Eventually, even Gu Baiqing himself felt it all seemed natural.
But when the sect leader asked him, Gu Baiqing still showed hesitation. Everyone looked at him as though he were a heartless man, and even Gu Baiqing grew muddled. Since when had he actually been with her?
The sect leader proposed an idea: they should stand before the Marriage Stone to test each other’s true hearts, and also Heaven’s will.
So they went. Gu Baiqing saw Ruiyao truly loved him, and her figure also appeared before him. Thus, he accepted it.
He thought: so be it. A man must marry eventually, and in his memory, it seemed there was no other woman besides Ruiyao.
Yet a few days before the wedding, Gu Baiqing suddenly began having nightmares every night, tormented by dream-spirits.
These dreams had no images, only voices—shameful, humiliating whispers of bedchamber scenes. What truly jolted him awake each night was that the voice speaking to him belonged to a man. How could he be a cut-sleeve*? And worse, the one below? Was this possession?
* homos*xual
The repeated address of “Master” in the dream confirmed it for him—he must be possessed, for he had never taken a disciple.
Before long, strange messages started popping into his mind.
Things like: mission complete… points… demonization value 1… does the host require assistance… host unresponsive, system will automatically redeem a pouch in ten minutes, selecting solution…
Clearly, he was gravely ill.
He tried to speak with the voice in his mind, but some invisible barrier blocked him, making everything around him feel unreal.
Then, one night, he dreamed again of that man calling him “Master.” He couldn’t see the face, only the tall figure pressing him down, breaking his voice into hoarse fragments, whispering heart-shaking words of love in his ear.
“Master, you are mine, forever and always…”
He felt he could no longer refuse.
When Gu Baiqing woke, his body was already wrong.
Terrified, he doused himself with cold water over and over, spending the entire night suppressing the fire.
He… a man about to marry a wife… could it be he truly was a cut-sleeve?
Uneasy, frowning with guilt toward Ruiyao, he decided he had to make things clear to her.
Ignoring the persuasion of those around him, he rose to find Ruiyao. But the next moment, he was suddenly at the wedding ceremony.
Gu Baiqing’s mind seemed to go blank, and he simply accepted the situation.
Meanwhile, beneath the red bridal veil, Ruiyao’s eyes were filled with panic and anxiety.
She didn’t understand—she had given Gu Baiqing the seven emotions and six desires, made him more human, yet he still acted strangely. Even in the most typical “hero saves the beauty” moments, which should have drawn them closer, Gu Baiqing reacted in the opposite way, making it nearly impossible to stir feelings. Even the Marriage Stone had been fabricated, and still he looked unconvinced.
With no other choice, Ruiyao had woven succubus magic into the illusion, forcing Gu Baiqing to feel desire in dreams. She didn’t believe that, with her as the only familiar woman at his side, he would dream of anyone else. As long as everything was consummated in the dream, that psychological imprint would keep Gu Baiqing from ever escaping.
But soon she sensed his will to resist returning. Helpless, she fast-forwarded the illusion to the wedding itself, planning to settle matters once they entered the bridal chamber—then Gu Baiqing wouldn’t retreat.
The ritual voice intoned: First bow to Heaven and Earth.
Just as Gu Baiqing was about to kneel, Ruiyao’s whole body stiffened.
He turned to her in puzzlement, only for Ruiyao to grab him and leap backward into the air.
Suddenly, a parasol flew inside.
Ruiyao’s veil fell, her face furious. She struck with her palm, knocking the parasol back. Outside came a woman’s muffled groan.
The lively wedding instantly fell silent, as though no one else were there.
Gu Baiqing, bewildered, watched as a figure gradually appeared at the doorway—a woman holding a parasol.
Her expression grim, she shouted, “Master, stop! Come with me. Even if you get him this way, it’s false—what happiness could there be in it?”
It was Si Chun.
Gu Baiqing suddenly felt the scene looked familiar, as if some bad memory about a stolen marriage were about to surface… what was it?
“You—how did you break in? That formation cannot be breached by anyone but demons. What did you use…?” Ruiyao’s voice rose in fury. That formation had been her strongest defense. Even if all of Star-Stepping City were flattened by spells, it would remain untouched. How could anyone have broken through at this moment, during the most important event between her and Gu Baiqing?
When Si Chun saw Ruiyao’s face full of ferocity, she knew persuading Master was impossible, so she could only turn to Gu Baiqing: “Elder Luofeng, Gu Baiqing, wake up! Do you still remember your disciple? He’s waiting for you outside—hurry and wake up!”
This time, it wasn’t Ruiyao’s expression that changed.
It was Gu Baiqing’s face that instantly darkened. With a guilty conscience he said, “I don’t. Don’t spout nonsense. Impossible. I’ve never taken a disciple.”
They were just dreams… illogical, bizarre dreams.
“Master!” Suddenly, a tricolored cat shot in like lightning, leaping onto Gu Baiqing’s shoulder, its back arched, fur bristling, hissing at Ruiyao.
“Let go of my master!” Three Bean cried as it lashed its tail, trying to knock Ruiyao’s hand away.
But Ruiyao’s palm-wind sent it flying. Gu Baiqing instinctively wanted to shield it, but he was too late.
One after another these nuisances appeared, making Ruiyao’s fury soar. She raised her hand to alter the illusion and seize control of them.
But before she could act, Zhuo Ling also suddenly appeared.
The moment Zhuo Ling saw Ruiyao, he blurted out without hesitation, “Ruiyao, I was forced in here! Let me out—Zhu Si is still outside!”
But Ruiyao couldn’t open the illusion for just one person to leave. All she thought of was to bind and imprison these troublemakers, forbid them from disturbing her and Gu Baiqing’s wedding.
Scarlet threads appeared out of thin air again, aiming to ensnare the others.
“Ruiyao, you…” Gu Baiqing was already bewildered by the scene before him.
“They’re bad people, here to ruin our marriage, here to kill me. Baiqing, protect me.” Ruiyao spoke as she waved her hand before Gu Baiqing’s eyes.
Gu Baiqing’s gaze changed, as if a notion had really been planted into him.
But just then, a long whip lashed out. Gu Baiqing felt his waist tighten. Looking down, he saw a silver whip coiled firmly around him.
The speed was so great that even Ruiyao couldn’t hold onto him. Gu Baiqing was yanked out of the wedding hall by force.
Wind roared past his ears, carrying hidden spiritual power. When he crashed into a solid, warm embrace, he was dazed.
A husky, familiar voice sounded by his ear: “Master, I’m here.”
It was saturated with emotions too dense to dissolve. The embrace tightened, and a head rubbed against his neck like a dog seeking affection.
Gu Baiqing’s face changed drastically, his whole body tense—it was the same voice… the same as in his dreams.
D*mn it! He was being held by a man!
Almost reflexively, he shoved the person behind him.
But the man didn’t let go. He only drew back slightly, his arms still encircling Gu Baiqing’s waist.
“Master?” Even his tone carried a trace of grievance.
Gu Baiqing’s gaze slowly traveled upward—the same broad shoulders as in the dream, the same solid chest, the same beautiful line of the neck, the same seductive Adam’s apple he remembered biting down on in the throes of extremity.
But in the dream, his memory only went up to the sharp line of the jaw. Beyond that…
Gu Baiqing’s eyes slowly widened. Clear, open bone structure, refined, elegant features—impossible to put into words, but more striking than anything he’d imagined, unforgettable at a single glance.
Gu Baiqing could hardly believe he found a man so beautiful that gender no longer mattered. And the instant their eyes met, he suddenly heard his own heartbeat.
A thump, echoing through his mind.
Those eyes—every ripple like autumn waters, clear as moonlight, dreamlike as mist, yet like flames burning amidst thorns, fervent and affectionate, seizing the heart with one glance.
Gu Baiqing was caught in that gaze. The innocent eyes seemed to ask: Will you push me away? Do you not want me anymore?
Pitiful and heartbreaking—he couldn’t look away.
A man… maybe wasn’t impossible after all. No, wait… he looked so familiar. He seemed… he seemed like me…
At that moment, a voice sounded in his mind: “Baiqing, they want to harm us. They’re the bad ones. Quickly, strike! Kill them!”
Gu Baiqing’s eyes instantly lost focus. Instinctively, he used his spiritual power. Morning Snow was summoned from nowhere, unleashing thunderous force.
Mo Xuanli was blown back on the spot. Fortunately, God Nine Transformations transformed into a parasol to block part of the attack.
When Mo Xuanli snapped out of his shock, Gu Baiqing had already launched another strike.
Everything seemed to replay the scene from the inner demon trial.
“Master! Wake up, it’s me, Mo Xuanli! Master!”
But Gu Baiqing didn’t listen.
Mo Xuanli could only keep dodging, though he could feel the oppressive pressure of the space around them—it was Ruiyao manipulating this world, and also controlling Master.
Seeing Gu Baiqing’s attacks grow sharper, Mo Xuanli glanced aside and saw Ruiyao staring at them with madness, demonic energy billowing all around.
Mo Xuanli instantly understood her intent—she wanted master and disciple to kill each other. Best if Master killed him; then, when Master woke and couldn’t face it, she would exploit the weakness, using demonic energy to control him again.
Si Chun saw it too. That was why Ruiyao only watched without striking. Gritting her teeth, Si Chun lunged at Ruiyao. She couldn’t allow this to happen—it would be too cruel to both master and disciple.
Mo Xuanli, of course, wouldn’t allow it either. Master had always treated him with deep affection. If he died by Master’s hand, Master might be driven into true madness.
That absolutely must not happen.
Even as he scrambled to dodge, he sought a way out. But even without using his full strength, Gu Baiqing’s tribulation-stage cultivation nearly overwhelmed him. It was only thanks to Morning Snow helping him—several times, its sword aura was deliberately mis-aimed.
Three Bean, terribly worried, rushed over. Since Gu Baiqing had already used spiritual power, it transformed as well, pouncing to try and pin Gu Baiqing down.
But Gu Baiqing’s figure carried lightning—too fast, impossible to catch.
Mo Xuanli saw Three Bean and instantly thought of a way: as long as he grabbed hold of his master, and Three Bean in this illusion layered another illusion upon him, maybe then his master could be stopped.
But how to grab him…
Mo Xuanli looked at his master rushing forward, his gaze shifted, and he also charged. In speed, he could not keep up with his master, so he could only meet him head-on, using his body as bait to seize him.
Once again, in a posture like that trial with the heart-demons, Si Chun—knocked down by Ruiyao—saw it and cried out loudly: “Don’t! Gu Baiqing, don’t hurt your disciple!”
But the sword was already thrusting out, and Ruiyao watched in excitement, eyes unblinking.
At the instant when Morning Snow was about to pierce into Mo Xuanli’s abdomen, Gu Baiqing’s gaze suddenly flickered—because he saw Mo Xuanli right before him, clear eyes, a smile at the corners of his lips, that expression as though soothing this person brimming with killing intent.
Gu Baiqing was once more stunned. But this was the enemy, the enemy who wanted to harm Ruiyao, was…was the disciple in his dreams…his disciple…Mo…Mo Xuanli?
In that instant, Gu Baiqing’s head felt as if struck by a hammer. Morning Snow stabbed into nothing and turned back into its hairpin form.
At the same time, Mo Xuanli vanished from before Gu Baiqing’s eyes. The next moment, he appeared right up against Gu Baiqing’s face. It was Mo Xuanli using spatial flashing to dodge the sword, slipping through the gap, suddenly throwing his arms around Gu Baiqing. God Nine Transformations turned back into a whip and lashed out, like a vine binding the two tightly together.
Mo Xuanli shouted: “Three Bean…illusion—”
“Mo Xuanli?”
Mo Xuanli’s voice stopped short. He stared in shock at Gu Baiqing.
And then he realized—Gu Baiqing was looking at him, truly looking at him, that familiar gaze, clearly reflecting his figure, yet often evasive and uneasy—that was his master’s gaze.
Right—Morning Snow seemed to have been withdrawn just before he vanished.
His master would never truly stab him like the illusions in the heart-demon trial. His master would never actually hurt him. This was his master, Gu Baiqing.
“Master?”
“Mo Xuanli…you…you let go of me first!”
