When Jingzhan stretched over here, he saw Mo Xuanli coming out of the room with a stern face. It was obvious from his expression that he was not a child.
“Xuanli!” Jingzhan shouted excitedly, “Has he recovered? It’s even faster than Qingrong expected.”
Mo Xuanli stopped and immediately asked, “Jingzhan, have I done anything bad these days, such as offending my brother?”
Jingzhan was stunned, and his eyes suddenly lit up, “Why, do you want to do something bad to your brother?”
Mo Xuanli became nervous when he saw Jingzhan’s subtle expression. Three Bean had just told him about what had happened in the past few days, and he realized that he had been caught in a soul-capturing formation, and his memory and sanity had fully recovered to the time when he was six years old. The age of six was a time when his life underwent great changes. According to Three Bean’s description of his condition at the time, it should have been the beginning of his escape from home.
That was the darkest period of his life. At that time, his family suffered a misfortune, his parents died, and suddenly his identity as a human-demon hybrid was exposed. All those who were friendly to him in the past hated him and reported him. Strange monks who looked like good people would raise their swords to kill him. When they found that he could not be killed easily, they tried every means to torture him.
Back then, the war between immortals and demons had just ended. Cultivators, and even mortals living in areas where mortals and cultivators mingled, all hated the demon race that had brought them the suffering of war. In their eyes, a half-human half-demon could never possibly be the product of love—far more likely, it was the result of humans being defiled by demons. Such beings were even more repulsive than demons themselves, because they embodied humanity’s shame. Once discovered, they would certainly be put to death.
At that time, he had not yet met a master who could seal away his demonic bloodline, so it was easy for cultivators to recognize him as a hybrid. The people hunting him down were countless. Facing a world that had suddenly turned against him, all he could do was flee in panic, bewildered, driven only by the instinct to survive. At six years old, he couldn’t even think about the meaning of life or death—he only knew that dying was terrifying. If he didn’t want to die, he had to run for his life.
Forever fleeing through darkness and blood.
Even now, whenever he thought back to it, his spine went cold. In the middle of the night he would often wake from nightmares, too shaken to sleep again.
He didn’t dare imagine that if he reverted to that hyper-defensive state, he might cause trouble, offend, or even hurt his master. Still less did he dare imagine that he might let something slip and let his master find out.
Although, from what Three Bean said, his master had acted completely normal and clearly knew nothing, Mo Xuanli still worried deeply.
As for what Three Bean said—that his master had saved him from the enemy, allowed him to cry in his arms, listened to childish words, later ate noodles with him, even slept by his side at night to look after him—Mo Xuanli could still accept that. After all, his master only ever acted awkward around him; to an immortal, a six-year-old’s mind must be nothing but a child’s. His master had always been sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, and since he had feelings for him, he naturally would not rest easy leaving him alone.
But when Three Bean said that yesterday, on Spring Welcoming Day, his master had gone out to play with him, Mo Xuanli was skeptical. Three Bean hadn’t gone along, so he must have only heard about it. Before, when there was no choice, his master could have accompanied him—but later, how could his master possibly take the initiative to bring an amnesiac child out to play? More likely, he had simply taken him out alone to treat him.
To purely coax him, to take him out to play—no matter how he thought about it, it didn’t feel right. And besides, he wouldn’t remember it. Being good to him had no meaning. Even if his master cared for him, there was no reason to indulge him like that.
Mo Xuanli didn’t quite dare face his master, yet his heart was uneasy, and he wanted to see him quickly. Just then, he ran into Jingzhan and immediately pressed for answers.
Strangely, before this, Jingzhan had never spoken about his relationship with his master in such a teasing way. But now, it seemed as if… could it be that when he became Little Xuanli, his master had behaved too much like that, making others see something in him?
Mo Xuanli could only think of this one explanation, so he immediately said with a serious face, “When I was young I was overly guarded… I’m afraid I might have hurt Brother.”
“You’d turned into a six-year-old child. What could you possibly do to hurt anyone?” Jingzhan’s tone was dripping with innuendo, leaving Mo Xuanli with a pounding headache and a frown. Jingzhan then said, “Ah, boring. Teasing a child was more fun. Once you were in trouble, your brother personally took charge of you. We didn’t even intervene—we just went on to handle matters at the Immortal Temple. So we’re not too clear on how the two of you got along.”
When it was time to be serious, Jingzhan was still serious. He described all the arrangements they’d made after Mo Xuanli lost his memory, then said, “Last night we impersonated immortals descending to tell the people it was all a test. You should have seen them crying and wailing. In the end, it all came down to the fact that their selfish desires couldn’t be openly satisfied. Later, some even questioned the statue of the immortals—ridiculous. When it works, it’s the immortals; when it doesn’t, also the immortals. Everything depends on whether it suits them.”
“Brother’s idea was good. That’s enough,” Mo Xuanli said.
“I’ve been talking for so long, and instead of praising us, you first praise your brother?” Jingzhan narrowed his eyes and smiled.
Mo Xuanli frowned uncomfortably. “Don’t talk nonsense. My brother would be displeased.”
Jingzhan still wanted to say more, but Mo Xuanli was already on his way to find Gu Baiqing.
“You’re looking for Older Brother Mo? He went out with Qingrong.”
“What?” Mo Xuanli was stunned.
“Didn’t you run off when you turned into a child? Apparently there was an ambush on the way. And last night there was another one. After Older Brother Mo told us, Qingrong had him take him to the battle sites to investigate,” Jingzhan explained.
Mo Xuanli’s face changed drastically. “What? Another one last night?”
Jingzhan nodded. “Mm. There was. Lu Sulan and Wu Hongxi even got caught up in it.”
Mo Xuanli’s expression grew dark. Useless—he was still depending on his master. And with his master’s body being what it was…
“Why didn’t you go with them? Since there was an ambush, it’s dangerous. Xie Qingrong can’t do much now, and my brother… his cultivation is not…”
“Your brother said it’s fine. Besides, wasn’t he always the one protecting you? Right now, the most dangerous place is actually Wen Manor, where they’ll be holding the funeral soon. So I’m on guard duty.” Jingzhan looked at Mo Xuanli as though he were a fool in love. His brother’s cultivation might be strange, but it was indeed formidable—Jingzhan himself had to acknowledge that.
Mo Xuanli couldn’t explain, so he quickly re-sensed the master-disciple bond and rushed out to find his master.
Watching him hurry off, Jingzhan called after him, “Hey, your brother told you to stay here with me to guard the Wen household!”
But all he got in reply was: “I’ll be right back.”
Jingzhan could only shake his head helplessly. When he turned, he saw Three Bean coming out, so he immediately stepped up. “Elder Luofeng’s spirit beast—come help me guard the place.”
Three Bean didn’t care either way.
But in truth, he hadn’t called it over to guard together—it was for gossip. “You two slept in the same room. Anything interesting happen? Tell me and I’ll buy you dried fish.”
Three Bean rolled its eyes and couldn’t be bothered.
Nothing interesting had happened, but something shocking had. Only Three Bean hadn’t told Mo Xuanli—about Little Xuanli stealing a kiss. Because in Three Bean’s eyes, Mo Xuanli had always shown deep respect and admiration for Gu Baiqing. If he found out what his child self had done, he would probably die of shame. Since Gu Baiqing didn’t know either, Three Bean would just pretend nothing had ever happened.
This little secret—he would be the one to bury it.
Mo Xuanli followed the road. Not long after leaving, he brushed past a couple with a child. As they passed, they pointed at him and whispered.
“That’s him… the one who ate the silver bean yesterday.”
“Yes, yes, such good luck.”
“Hmph, he’s clearly a big brother, why did he have to fight with us for the Hundred-Flower Lotus Seed Pudding?”
With his sharp hearing, Mo Xuanli caught their conversation instantly. His steps faltered, and he looked at the three departing figures in disbelief.
They had just said Hundred-Flower Lotus Seed Pudding—wasn’t that part of the early morning blessing ritual on the Day of Welcoming Spring? Could it be that yesterday…?
Mo Xuanli’s expression changed slightly. If he had really eaten a silver bean, then according to what his younger self would have said, he would definitely have…
At once, Mo Xuanli searched his body and actually found a silver bean in his storage pouch.
But the silver bean was clearly not a properly made one—it looked more like a lump of silver that had been rounded out with inner force.
How many people ate in that town—how could it be that he was the one to get the silver bean? Such a coincidence—Mo Xuanli only had to think a little to know what had happened.
But he didn’t dare think so self-indulgently—that his master would go to such trouble for him.
Mo Xuanli was conflicted. He clearly knew the depth of his master’s regard for him, yet he also felt his master would never stoop to curry his favor. But if it wasn’t his master, who else could it be?
Clutching the silver bean tightly, Mo Xuanli’s heart surged with waves. He could almost imagine the feelings he must have had when receiving it. It was something his younger self had long yearned for, something he later dared not recall for fear of sorrow. Yet now, after all this time, he still received this silver bean, symbol of good fortune.
Taking a deep breath, Mo Xuanli walked on while rummaging in his pouch for a suitable box to preserve the silver bean.
But as soon as his hand felt around, he froze. His face went blank for a moment, and he pulled out a bamboo windmill. Startled, he reached in again—one after another, childish toys appeared in his hand. They were unfamiliar, yet each tugged faintly at his memory.
These were toys he had once longed for. When he grew older and had the means to get them, he no longer bothered.
These… were these all things his master had bought for him?
So they had gone out to celebrate the festival—his master had taken him to the Day of Welcoming Spring?
Dazed, Mo Xuanli put the toys away. But when passing through the marketplace, he saw toy vendors, surrounded by children.
Whispers floated from them as well.
“That’s the little big brother.”
“Yes, that’s him. Yesterday his brother bought him a whole pile of treasures to play with, cleaned out the vendor’s entire stall.”
“It’s him, it’s him. Too much—why does he get to have so many things all to himself?”
“Exactly. He’s already grown, how can he shamelessly play with the same toys as us?”
Mo Xuanli’s suspicions were confirmed. Shocked, he quickened his steps.
He knew himself—no matter how willful, he would never have asked for such things. Which meant his master had bought them of his own accord.
Why? To make him happy?
At this thought, Mo Xuanli’s pace nearly flew, something inside him swelling until it might burst. He wanted to see his master at once.
But someone blocked his way.
“Young Master Mo?”
It was Wu Hongxi. Mo Xuanli stopped. “Why is Miss Wu here? Don’t tell me you’re with my brother…” For some reason, he felt a trace of wariness toward Wu Hongxi.
Wu Hongxi said, “Older Brother Mo? Isn’t he at the Wen residence? I left early this morning. I heard there was trouble with the Immortal Statue, and I figured my parents wouldn’t trouble me anymore, so I went home to report my safety. I was just about to head back to the Wen residence. Strange—why isn’t Young Master Mo with your brother? Could it be you were injured last night?”
“I’m fine. By the way, since you were there last night—did my brother get hurt?” Mo Xuanli knew that if he asked his master directly, he might not get a truthful answer. It was better to ask someone else.
Wu Hongxi looked puzzled.
Mo Xuanli quickly added, “I was a little injured last night and might not have noticed my brother’s condition. Later I fainted, and when I woke up, my brother had already gone out. So I’m a little worried.”
Wu Hongxi didn’t press the inconsistencies. “By the time I got there, the fight was already over. What was there to see? Didn’t you tell me to leave first? I never saw you again. Fainted, you say?” She suddenly laughed. “At first I thought you sent me away so you could sneak back and release river lanterns. Don’t tell me you went off to catch someone instead, and that’s how you ended up injured and unconscious?”
Mo Xuanli’s expression didn’t change; he forced a smile. But inside, doubts churned. They even went to release river lanterns? Just how much did Master take me to do yesterday? D*mn it! Why can’t I remember?
After Wu Hongxi left, Mo Xuanli stood on the now-empty street, feeling that every corner held traces of him and his master, yet he could recall none of it. It was as though some precious treasure had been lost, leaving him panicked and at a loss.
Their paths aligned, so when Mo Xuanli reached the riverbank, he couldn’t help but walk along it.
Soon, he heard a call: “Hey, young master, how did your river lantern go last night? Did it reach the lake’s center? Let me tell you a little secret—every morning they clean the lake surface, and the undercurrents sweep the lanterns away. They say if you can retrieve that lantern, you’re guaranteed a golden, fated match.”
Mo Xuanli looked over. It was the river-lantern seller. With just a few words exchanged, Mo Xuanli gleaned some information.
The purpose of the red-thread lantern. The joke he had made. How in the end his master had bought him a lantern, letting him release it to make a wish. As for whether words had been written on it, the shopkeeper didn’t know. He himself couldn’t remember. Only his master surely knew. But with his master’s nature, he might not say…
In that case—
Mo Xuanli sped along the riverbank, and soon, with a few leaps, landed on a small boat gathering the lanterns at the lake’s center.
“Eh? This young master…”
“I’m looking for a river lantern.” Mo Xuanli directly tossed silver to the boatman.
The boatman laughed: “Young master has someone in your heart? That’s a good thing. Take your time, you’ll surely find it.”
Mo Xuanli didn’t answer, but inwardly thought not necessarily, because perhaps nothing was written at all—then it would be very hard to find the one that belonged to him.
He searched all over the little boat, then used the pole to pick through what remained on the lake’s surface. He found a few that were blank, but his instinct told him they weren’t it.
When at last the very last one was fished up, seeing the unfamiliar name, Mo Xuanli fell into silence.
The boatman consoled: “Maybe it was swept away by an undercurrent. It’s alright, young master. For it to float here in the first place already proves the bond of fate between you.”
Mo Xuanli gave a bitter smile. That desperate urge just now to keep searching, it was as if he had been trying to prove something. What exactly did he want to see? Did he want to see his and his master’s names written together on it?
Looking at the boat full of river lanterns, Mo Xuanli suddenly clenched his teeth and leapt away. His master had spent a spring night with him, had accompanied him through so many childish things. Such affection— even without the lantern, he…
In the alley, the little jade figure examined the traces of battle, then suddenly spoke: “Older Brother Mo, do you think it could have been demons?”
“The puppeteer strayed onto an evil path. He’s already half a demon, though not the kind that has fully fallen. His eyes hadn’t changed,” said Gu Baiqing.
“Then what does Older Brother Mo think of demons? Shouldn’t they all be slain without mercy?”
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