Chapter 32 Yu Qinglian
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The next day, the same location.
As soon as Ji Wuyou walked in, a group of people warmly welcomed him.
Smiles lit up on everyone’s faces.
“Good morning, Brother Ji.”
“Finally, you’re here! We’ve been waiting for you for so long!”
“Today, we had a task at the Consulate Hall and were planning to bring you along. Let’s go.”
Ji Wuyou had a restless night and had dark circles under his eyes. When they rushed towards him, he stood there in a daze, thinking it was all a dream. He pinched himself hard and was pleasantly surprised to realize it was real.
“Y-you…”
Last night, a few people were genuinely frightened by the vicious dogs, and now they treated Ji Wuyou as if he were a deity. They approached him, linking arms and shoulders, like a pair of bosom buddies, and urged him towards the door. “Are you hungry? If you are, let’s grab something to eat.”
Ji Wuyou had never been received so warmly before. It felt like genuine friendship, and he laughed slowly, a bit slow-witted and shy.
His eyes sparkled, and he nodded emphatically. “Alright!”
Xu Jing, who happened to be passing by, held a book in his arms and was left dumbfounded, nearly bumping into a wall.
Just then, Pei Jing walked in from outside.
Xu Jing pointed at the crowd that gathered and said, “Am I seeing things, or have they gone crazy?”
Pei Jing glanced over and replied, “Perhaps they’ve had a sudden change of heart. After all, Ji Wuyou is such an adorable chubby little guy.”
Xu Jing curled his lips and said, “I don’t believe a word you say.”
Pei Jing’s gaze momentarily paused on Ji Wuyou’s figure.
He faintly sensed a bloody, dangerous aura around the protagonist. It was so subtle that it could be easily overlooked, and he wondered if it was just his imagination.
“Where did Ji Wuyou go yesterday?”
Pei Jing couldn’t quite recall the plot of “Executioner’s Sword.”
However, the protagonist didn’t seem to have any remarkable adventures in the early stages.
The true path of encountering gods and killing them, encountering Buddhas and killing them, would only begin after his bloodline awakened, specifically when he escaped from Pei Yuzhi’s grasp.
He recalled Xu Jing’s mention of the rampant demons and monsters devouring people outside of Yunxiao. Could it be that Ji Wuyou encountered a demonic cultivator last night? But he seemed to be fine and lively now, so it was probably a narrow escape. Pei Jing temporarily set aside this matter in his mind.
Ji Wuyou found his first taste of kindness and tenderness at Shangyang Peak, enjoying the company of his new friends. Meanwhile, Pei Jing received the final letter from Ji Wuduan, personally delivered by Chen Xu.
As soon as he saw Chen Xu, Pei Jing developed a headache. “You could have just sent me a message. Why did you come here?” He hurriedly ushered him out, afraid of being seen by Chu Junyu. However, Chu Junyu still caught sight of them right at the entrance to the cave.
Amidst the concealment of flowers and plants, Chen Xu appeared as a young man in his blue and white robes, exuding a gentle demeanor. As his gaze met Chu Junyu’s, he too was momentarily stunned.
Pei Jing hurriedly explained, “This is a message from Yunxiao. My family sent me a letter, so I need to go out for a while.”
Chen Xu couldn’t help but feel exasperated. However, before he could say a word, Pei Jing pulled at his sleeve and dragged him outside.
Chu Junyu stood still in place, tilting his head. The profile of his youthful face was exquisite, with an aloof expression.
As they walked away, the voices of Pei Jing and Chen Xu arguing could be heard.
Chen Xu: “If there comes a day when I end up delivering messages for others, Yunxiao will likely be finished.”
Pei Jing: “Come on, you? With or without you, Yunxiao will remain the same. Have a bit of self-awareness, will you?”
Chen Xu: “Can you manage to speak like a normal person for once?”
Chu Junyu averted his gaze.
His robes brushed against the flowers and grass by the roadside, similar to a snow-laden breeze.
The letter from Ji Wuduan contained a crucial piece of information. The same Seventh Killing Song appeared in a third location. Moreover, it appeared a long time ago, at the border of Wuwang Peak, in the home of a destitute scholar.
He had learned about this from the records of a senior from the Ghost Realm. The senior had found it somewhat eerie that the poem was written in blood on the wall, so they made a brief note of it. However, it caught the attention of Ji Wuyou.
Pei Jing: Wuwang Peak? There shouldn’t be a second Wuwang Peak in this world.
Ji Wuduan mentioned that, based on the calculations of the passing years, it likely occurred four hundred years ago.
Four hundred years ago happened to be when the demonic cultivators ran rampant in Shisi Province, and he rose to fame with his moniker One Sword Soaring through the Frost of Wuwang Peak.
Pei Jing paused, realizing that when he delved into the matter previously, he had assumed it was just an elder in the Nascent Soul stage who had gone astray. Now, considering Ji Wuduan’s descriptions, there might be a deeper truth that he had missed.
Ji Wuduan further stated that Yu Qinglian had already arrived in Canghua Continent and would likely reach Yunxiao within a few days.
Pei Jing furrowed his brow, pocketing the letter. He turned to Chen Xu and said, “I need to go out for a while. There have been reports of rogue demonic cultivators near Yunxiao in recent days. Stay vigilant.”
Chen Xu paused for a moment before replying, “I’m aware. Elders from a few nearby sects have sought assistance from Yunxiao. I’m currently investigating the matter as well.”
Pei Jing nodded in acknowledgment.
The rogue cultivators hadn’t revealed any traces yet, making it difficult to take action. Besides, with Yunxiao’s involvement, they would likely become more cautious in the near future. There was no need to rush.
Pei Jing personally arranged the training and experiences for the disciples of Shangyang Peak.
Pei Jing didn’t need to inform anyone when he went out. He was simply waiting for Yu Qinglian.
It was uncertain how long his visit to Wuwang Peak would take, so Pei Jing entrusted his spiritual mouse to another female cultivator.
While handing over the spiritual mouse, Pei Jing asked, “Do you know a cultivator named Ji Wuyou from Shangyang Peak?”
The female cultivator held the spiritual mouse in her palm, looking somewhat puzzled. “You mean that silly chubby boy? Yes, I know him. Why?”
Pei Jing hadn’t seen Ji Wuyou for a while and thought for a moment. He casually came up with a reason and said, “We are from the same place, so I just wanted to keep an eye on him. I haven’t seen him much recently, and I’m curious about where he went.”
The female cultivator chuckled and said, “He’s been running errands for people every day lately.”
Pei Jing frowned: “What?”
The female cultivator shook her head and said, “Seeing how naive and easy to bully he is, some Senior Brothers and Elders take advantage of him. They assign him tasks like delivering herbs and spiritual pills. He’s constantly shuttling between peaks, putting in a lot of effort for little reward.”
Pei Jing let out a long sigh, “I see.”
Indeed, simply arranging a few “friends” for Ji Wuyou wouldn’t ensure a worry-free life for him on Shangyang Peak. The reason he was bullied during his naive period was his personality. Now he was just running errands, but who knew how the situation would develop in the future.
He encountered Ji Wuyou again. The peculiar aura around Ji Wuyou had grown stronger. It didn’t originate from within him but seemed to come from the people he had interacted with. It carried a sense of bloodiness and eeriness.
Pei Jing secretly took note of it.
Yu Qinglian arrived at Yunxiao on a rainy afternoon. Misty rain moistened the mountain ranges, veiling them in a deep indigo hue. Amidst the mist and drizzle, Pei Jing returned from an errand at the Consulate Hall. Before seeing her, he heard the sound of bells tied to her ankles.
Against the backdrop of the verdant mist, a splash of red stood out.
The young girl had a graceful figure, with long black hair resembling flowing clouds tied in a cloud bun. As she walked slowly across the suspension bridge, every step exuded a charming elegance.
The light rain fell on her pure white feet, and the golden bells on her ankles glistened.
Yu Qinglian said, “It’s been a while since I last came here. Yunxiao has maintained its traditions for centuries—no flying or sword riding. One must walk steadily on the ground. It’s hard to find adaptability.”
There was someone beside her. Clad in golden-white robes and holding a monk’s staff, with a long silk covering his eyes, it was Wu Sheng.
Wu Sheng smiled and said, “After all, Yunxiao has ten thousand rules and three thousand precepts.”
Yu Qinglian walked across the suspension bridge and casually plucked a flower from the roadside. She held it in her hand and shook it, exhibiting a playful charm. She sneered, “Are you kidding me with the ten thousand rules? Where did they come from? Even after meticulously examining all the regulations in the Yingshou Palace in Yingzhou, we don’t have more than a thousand. If there really are ten thousand rules, I’ll eat this flower in my hand.”
A lazy voice came from behind. “Did you come to Yunxiao just to mooch off us?”
Yu Qinglian and Wu Sheng turned their heads simultaneously.
In the misty rain, a white-clad youth emerged, every feature exuding a carefree elegance. When he smiled, his spirit was bright and lively.
Yu Qinglian was stunned for a moment before she remembered what Ji Wuduan had told her. Pei Yuzhi had transformed himself into a youth and infiltrated the Outer Peaks. However, she still found it hard to believe and furrowed her brow. “Are you really that bored?”
Wu Sheng stood calmly by the side, emanating a gentle and transparent aura. He smiled and said, “Long time no see, Yuzhi.”
Wu Sheng remained likable as ever. Pei Jing smiled and replied, “Long time no see.”
It had been a long time since they parted ways on Wentian Peak.
However, Yu Qinglian believed that this person was not worth reminiscing about.
She shook the flower in her hand and said, “So you’ve shrunk, but how did you manage to make yourself so delicate?”
Pei Jing smiled but remained silent, speaking directly, “Ten thousand rules are written in books. How do you plan to eat this flower? Raw or with a bit of soil?”
Yu Qinglian: “…What a way to treat guests.”
Wu Sheng burst into laughter and then said, “Stop bickering and let’s get to the point.”
Pei Jing naturally led them to Tianqian Peak.
Amidst the misty rain, green bamboo accompanied by droplets of dew and frost.
As soon as Yu Qinglian entered the palace, she looked around and remarked, “Your Tianqian Peak is truly desolate.”
Pei Jing: “Not just anyone can enter the main hall of Yunxiao. With fewer people, it naturally becomes quiet.”
He took out the piece of paper they found in the Changtian Realm and placed it on the table. “Do you have any recollection of this?”
Yu Qinglian lowered her head and took out a piece of paper from her sleeve as well.
A comparison revealed blood-red handwriting, twisted and sinister, clearly from the same person. She furrowed her brow and said in a solemn tone, “I found this next to Elder Qingluan’s body. My mother was away, so she entrusted me with investigating this matter. Elder Qingluan was also a formidable Nascent Soul expert in Yingzhou. The fact that she was silently killed by this person indicates their unfathomable strength.”
Pei Jing: “If it’s true that this person leaves behind this poem as a sign of impending death, then this time, they must have come for me.”
Yu Qinglian was taken aback and asked, “What’s going on?”
Pei Jing briefly explained what had happened in the Changtian Realm, hesitating for a moment before vaguely mentioning the silver-haired person in black.
Wu Sheng: “When we return to Wuwang Peak, we need to be cautious and careful.”
Yu Qinglian: “Before my mother left, she told me one thing: after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, go directly to the Institute of Celestial Ascension. Have you received similar messages?”
Wu Sheng tilted his head and replied, “Yes, I also received a message from the ancestral hidden within the Institute of Celestial Ascension, instructing me to find him after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.”
Pei Jing: “…My master didn’t mention anything to me. Is something happening at the Institute of Celestial Ascension? Why this sudden command?”
Yu Qinglian was also unsure and said, “It seems to be related to the Heavenly Ladders. The rest will only become clear once we go there.”
The Heavenly Ladders. It was the only pathway to ascend to the upper realm.
Although “Executioner’s Sword” was unfinished, with unclear plotlines, Pei Jing didn’t need to think twice to realize that the key to repairing the Heavenly Ladders still lay with the protagonist.
They returned to Shangyang Peak.
Pei Jing saw Chu Junyu sitting in his own cave dwelling.
He was taken aback, feeling a strange and inexplicable sensation.
Unbeknownst to them, a year had passed.
He had spent a whole year with Chu Junyu.
Yet, from the mysterious and aloof youth he had encountered on the snow-covered broken bridge, to the present moment, he still couldn’t fully grasp who he truly was.
Allowing someone of unknown background to stay by his side for so long was something he would have never considered before.
The familiarity and trust that had developed seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Pei Jing: Could I have been enchanted or bewitched?
Chu Junyu had been waiting for his return.
In the dim candlelight, it illuminated the young man’s pale and translucent forehead. His jet-black hair and pure white attire created a striking contrast, and his light-colored pupils held an awe-inspiring brilliance when they looked over.
“You came to find me?” Pei Jing asked. It was a reversal of roles, as usually it was Pei Jing who went to seek Chu Junyu’s company. He hadn’t expected that one day Chu Junyu would take the initiative to come to him.
Chu Junyu lowered his gaze and uttered a soft “Mm.”
Pei Jing: “What an honor! Please, speak your mind. With your sincerity in seeking me out, I would go through mountains of blades and seas of fire for you.”
Chu Junyu didn’t need any grand gestures from him. He furrowed his brow and said, “If you’re planning to go out in the next few days, I’ll accompany you.”
Pei Jing: “How did you know I was planning to go out?”
Chu Junyu: “You’ve sent away that old mouse, so it’s obvious you’re going out.”
Pei Jing had a knack for catching the main point and laughed, “Do you always care about me so much?”
Chu Junyu also smiled briefly, his eyes devoid of any particular emotion.
Pei Jing had long grown accustomed to his peculiar temperament.
Stepping closer, he was surprised to find his chessboard, which he had idly set up and played against himself, had been disturbed. It must have been Chu Junyu who had touched it.
“So, you’re interested in playing chess. Come, let’s have a game.”
Chu Junyu: “Not interested.”
Pei Jing: “You don’t seem interested in anything at all. It’s been a year, and I haven’t seen you develop any particular hobbies. But perhaps it’s because I don’t really know you well enough.”
Upon hearing those words, Chu Junyu’s expression showed a hint of bewilderment, and he replied somewhat oddly, “How could you possibly understand me?”
Pei Jing remarked, “Well, one shouldn’t be so absolute in their statements. I may not know your hobbies, but I have observed many details. You don’t like bright lights at night, you extinguish the candles early. Your sleep is light, and the slightest disturbance awakens you. You avoid contact with others and dislike speaking. Most importantly, you harbor deep prejudice against Yunxiao’s Senior Brother.”
As Chu Junyu listened to Pei Jing’s rambling, he remained indifferent until the last sentence and said calmly, “Prejudice?”
Pei Jing: “Yes. I bet you’ve never met Pei Yuzhi. He inexplicably get labeled with one derogatory term after another, called ‘incompetent’ and ‘foolish.’ If I were Pei Yuzhi, I would give you a good beating.” However, now he was Zhang Yiming.
Chu Junyu’s gaze fell upon Pei Jing’s face.
The young man across from him had an air of elegance in his brows and eyes, and his speech had a lazy and carefree tone, seventy percent casual and thirty percent relaxed.
He suddenly smiled. It was a brief yet beautiful smile.
Pei Jing had no idea what he was smiling about and responded, “Oh, I see.”
Chu Junyu: “Shall I talk about you?”
Pei Jing straightened his posture and asked, “What about me?”
Chu Junyu: “Stubborn and obstinate, reckless in charging forward. Picky with words, but unclear in judging people.”
Pei Jing: “…I haven’t spoken ill of you.”
Chu Junyu: “You hold prejudice against me because you trust your intuition, don’t you?”
Pei Jing was taken aback. Chu Junyu’s translucent eyes resembled droplets of glass, carrying a hint of distant amusement. “Perhaps your prejudice against me is even greater.”
When will you come to realize that in this world, nothing is absolute? Even the order of the Heavens and the origins of creation are reversible.
Pei Jing hadn’t expected to be questioned like this. After a brief pause, he replied slowly, “There was a bit of it initially, but after you saved my life on the broken bridge, it lessened significantly. It’s not exactly prejudice, but I felt that if you were to let go of the hatred in your heart, you might find greater happiness.”
Let go of hatred.
Chu Junyu gazed at him for a long while, wanting to smile but unable to.
He leaned closer. A hint of red tainted his eyes, like an abyss.
Pei Jing sensed some misunderstanding and hurriedly explained, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. I don’t mean to pretend like nothing happened. What I mean, Brother, is that while you can seek revenge on those who have wronged you, tearing them apart without mercy, don’t let their actions ruin your mood or accumulate hatred. Let the countless idiots be, but don’t let a single scoundrel make you believe that the world is entirely black and white, Chu Junyu. Do you understand now?”
Let the countless idiots be.
As Chu Junyu observed Pei Jing’s flustered state, the surge of bloodthirstiness that had just welled up inside him dissipated.
Upon hearing Pei Jing’s frantic explanation, he leaned back and smiled. His eyes turned cold. Softly, he spoke, “Anyone can tell me to let go, except for you.”
Pei Jing genuinely couldn’t comprehend this and asked, “Why?”
However, Chu Junyu wouldn’t give him an answer.
What followed was a prolonged silence, an unspoken exchange that was not truly unspoken. Pei Jing dryly stared at him while Chu Junyu maintained a cold and indifferent expression, unaffected.
Pei Jing: If you won’t speak, then don’t keep me in suspense.
Ever since he had transformed into a young man, his eating, drinking, and sleeping habits had become mundane, just like an ordinary person. After living together with Chu Junyu for a year, he had long grown accustomed to their mutual presence. If Chu Junyu didn’t engage in conversation, Pei Jing didn’t want to force a topic either. It was better to just go to sleep.
He rested his head on the stone table, submerging his consciousness into his sea of knowledge, practicing his cultivation with his senses sealed. To outsiders, it appeared similar to sleeping.
After he sealed his senses…
Chu Junyu set down the sword he was wiping and picked up the candle on the table. He stood up and walked towards the exit.
He left Pei Jing in a realm of quiet darkness.
Just before leaving, at the threshold, Chu Junyu turned around for one last glance.
The faint light illuminated the youth’s peaceful sleeping face, devoid of the usual flamboyant demeanor and instead exuding a gentle and obedient aura.
A thousand years of struggling in the chaos, a thousand years of fighting against the flow of time, now returning to the present. Looking at this face, it felt both unfamiliar and yet familiar.
The hatred in his heart originated from the darkness, emerging from the depths of hell, wandering aimlessly in the world for a century.
Destruction, the sole desire to survive.
Having survived for so long, like a malevolent spirit fueled by hatred. It was a duration so extensive that only upon encountering his former self did he vaguely recall his own existence. Now, he was once again a human.
:((
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My heart breaks for him… Also, this takes “love yourself” to a whole new level. I like it!