The torrential rain poured down outside.
Ye Jisheng looked up at him. When their eyes met, he saw Jian Zhen’s clean and sincere gaze. Most importantly, in those eyes, he saw the same feelings as his own.
The feelings he had been restraining, enduring.
The desire to be close to Jian Zhen, not daring to profane him, not daring to approach him.
Ye Jisheng only felt that Jian Zhen’s gaze was clearly so calm, yet it seemed to hold a flame. That flame burned fiercely, so fiercely it was almost enough to ignite him.
It was as if countless voices echoed in his mind.
Ye Jisheng’s throat felt a little dry. He endured it, suppressing the fire in his heart, and spoke in a somewhat hoarse voice, “Why are you in my hut?”
Jian Zhen froze for a moment, feeling a little guilty as well, but forced himself to remain calm as he explained, “I, I originally wanted to find you about something, but you hadn’t come back. I was a bit cold.”
Ye Jisheng said, “It’s my fault.”
“It’s fine.” Jian Zhen didn’t even know what he was saying. “You didn’t know I was coming.”
The room suddenly fell into silence.
Ye Jisheng: “Then…”
Jian Zhen: “Then…”
They both spoke at the same time, not expecting their words to collide. They both lifted their heads to look at each other, then both lowered them again.
Jian Zhen was ultimately more straightforward. He said, “Then, then I’ll head back first.”
Ye Jisheng said, “It’s raining so heavily outside. Your body is already weak. If you catch a chill, you’ll fall sick again and suffer.”
For a certain instant, Ye Jisheng was even a little grateful for such a rainstorm. It allowed him to stay here with Jian Zhen a while longer. Even if they did nothing, even if he just stood here all night, it would be good.
Jian Zhen reacted half a beat later and said, “R-right, oh.”
Little Grass felt somewhat fortunate.
Luckily it was raining, otherwise he would have had to go back to that small courtyard where he was all alone again.
The two exchanged a glance, each harboring their own thoughts.
Jian Zhen smiled and said, “Then I’ll stay here a little longer. Will I be troubling you?”
Ye Jisheng almost answered without hesitation, “Not troublesome.”
After saying it, he secretly felt a bit uneasy. Had he agreed too quickly? Was his intention too obvious?
Jian Zhen didn’t notice his small movements at all. He gripped the blanket tightly and nodded solemnly. “Alright then, I’ll trouble you for a while.”
Ye Jisheng nodded and turned to walk outside.
Seeing that he was about to leave, Jian Zhen nervously asked, “Where are you going?”
Ye Jisheng paused.
Jian Zhen looked toward the window, where the heavy rain fell beneath the eaves. He looked at Ye Jisheng with concern and said, “It’s raining so heavily outside, you’re still going out?”
It couldn’t be that he was trying to avoid suspicion, so since Jian Zhen wasn’t leaving, he had to go instead?
Jian Zhen’s thoughts ran wild.
Ye Jisheng said, “My clothes are dirty. I’m going to wash up and then come back.”
Jian Zhen let out a breath of relief. “It’s raining outside, don’t rush to wash. You can go later.”
But Ye Jisheng insisted, “No.”
Jian Zhen didn’t understand why he was being so stubborn and asked in confusion, “Why? Do you have a cleanliness obsession?”
Ye Jisheng stood by the somewhat worn doorway. The cloth disciple’s robe he wore was stained with streaks of blood-red. His thin frame was tall and straight. Even standing in this narrow wooden hut, he did not appear disheveled. It seemed that this person possessed an innate pride, no matter what he experienced or what situation he fell into, it would never change.
He turned around.
Ye Jisheng said, “Like this, I don’t look good.”
Jian Zhen’s lashes trembled slightly. In that instant, without needing more words, he already understood what Ye Jisheng meant. He said, “You look good.”
Ye Jisheng lifted his head and met Jian Zhen’s sincere eyes.
Jian Zhen looked at him and said, “The rain outside is too heavy. Don’t go out. Just change into a set of clothes here.”
Ye Jisheng looked at him.
Only then did Jian Zhen belatedly realize that there was no screen inside this small wooden hut. If Ye Jisheng wanted to change clothes, he would be the only audience in the room. Originally, there was nothing between the two of them that hadn’t been seen before, which was why Jian Zhen had been so open. But after meeting Ye Jisheng’s gaze, he slowly came back to his senses.
Little Grass felt his face heat up a little.
Jian Zhen said, “You change. I’ll turn around and not look.”
Before Ye Jisheng could say anything, Jian Zhen had already lain down and turned his back.
The room fell silent for a while, then faint rustling sounds arose, the soft sound of cloth garments falling to the ground. These sounds were not loud, even light, but the more so they were, the more Jian Zhen felt his heartbeat pound like a drum.
Thunder roared outside, and torrential rain battered the window frame.
At first Jian Zhen focused on listening to the sounds outside, but as he listened, drowsiness swept over him.
Until another thunderclap crashed down.
Jian Zhen suddenly jolted awake from sleep. The temperature outside had dropped sharply, and he couldn’t help sneezing.
Ye Jisheng’s voice sounded, “Are you cold?”
Jian Zhen came back to his senses groggily from sleep. He looked at Ye Jisheng and wanted to stubbornly say he wasn’t cold, but before he could speak, he sneezed again.
Ye Jisheng stood up and said, “I’ll find another blanket for you.”
Jian Zhen nodded.
Ye Jisheng had already changed into clean clothes, but it was nearly winter now, and he was clearly wearing thin summer garments. With the heavy rain outside, it was even colder.
Ye Jisheng searched in the cabinet by the couch and said, “Found it.”
Jian Zhen looked over. The newly found bedding was also very thin. The sweeping disciples’ pay were rather poor.
Ye Jisheng clearly realized this as well. The man’s lips pressed slightly together. He said, “I’ll go find you another quilt.”
Jian Zhen hurriedly grabbed him. “It’s pouring outside, where would you go?”
Ye Jisheng said, “You don’t need to worry…”
Seeing that he was really about to leave, Jian Zhen didn’t have time to think too much. He blurted out, “Sleep with me. Then it won’t be cold.”
The room suddenly fell into brief silence.
At the moment lightning streaked across the sky, Jian Zhen swore he seemed to see Ye Jisheng’s ears turn slightly red. Even though his face remained calm, his ears betrayed that his heart was not so calm.
Ye Jisheng’s voice was somewhat low. He said, “That’s inappropriate.”
Jian Zhen shivered again. Seeing Ye Jisheng not move, he lay down in annoyance and pulled the blanket over his head, saying angrily, “Then let me freeze to death!”
Behind him was a brief silence.
Just as Jian Zhen wondered if he had scared him away, another layer of quilt was placed over him, the movement extremely gentle and careful. While Jian Zhen felt a little uneasy, the corner of the blanket beside him was lifted slightly, and Ye Jisheng lay down as well. He lay at Jian Zhen’s side, but very properly did not move closer.
For a moment, Jian Zhen’s mood was unexpectedly complicated.
The Demon God millions of years later acted recklessly, yet the Demon God millions of years earlier was such a well-behaved youth!
Just as he was thinking, Ye Jisheng’s voice sounded from behind. “Are you still cold?”
Jian Zhen came back to himself. He truly didn’t feel cold anymore. Somewhat surprised, he turned to look at him. “Is your body that warm?”
Ye Jisheng lay not far beside him. The two were suddenly very close, their eyes meeting. Ye Jisheng lowered his head first and said, “I used a spell.”
Jian Zhen hadn’t expected him to be so clever, while he himself, only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, felt like some kind of useless fool who knew nothing. So he asked, “What level is your cultivation at now?”
Ye Jisheng said, “I don’t know. I’ve never tested it, but I’ve already formed my core.”
Jian Zhen recalled that an elder once said that in the Three Realms, the stages of cultivation were divided into: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Soul Transformation. He himself was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet he hadn’t expected that Ye Jisheng had already formed his core!
Little Grass was somewhat astonished.
Jian Zhen said, “You hardly attend classes, yet you’re even better than me.”
Ye Jisheng said, “I cultivate on my own every day.”
Jian Zhen sighed with emotion. As expected of Lord Demon God, truly not an ordinary person. No matter the circumstances, he could break through adversity.
Yet Ye Jisheng seemed afraid that he might be upset and said, “If you don’t like it, then I won’t practice anymore.”
Jian Zhen: !!!!
This time he was truly shocked. The future Demon God who would dominate the Three Realms, feared and yet helplessly endured by countless people, was now standing before him saying he could stop cultivating, could give it up. If those people in the Three Realms who racked their brains over him were here and heard this, they might weep with joy.
The purpose of Jian Zhen’s coming this time was to stop Ye Jisheng from falling into the trap of the God-Sealing Grand Formation. He didn’t want him to be injured. If Ye Jisheng truly gave up now, perhaps he wouldn’t be hurt. Perhaps their family really could live freely, without the responsibility and troubles of the throne.
Outside, the torrential rain continued without end, striking the window lattice together with the cold wind.
Jian Zhen lifted his eyes and said gently, “I like it. I want you to continue cultivating. I want you to have strength, to protect yourself from being bullied again, and one day to do what you truly want to do.”
Ye Jisheng said, “Aren’t you afraid of me?”
Jian Zhen was puzzled. “Why should I be afraid of you?”
Ye Jisheng said calmly, “I am of the demon race, and my cultivation progresses this quickly. I could become a threat to you.”
Jian Zhen said, “I know you’re not a bad person.”
Ye Jisheng looked at his delicate brows and eyes; his red eyes trembled slightly, yet he did not respond further. He knew that he was not a good person. He resented everything and everyone who humiliated or hindered him. He was a venomous snake in the dark and gloomy shadows, a dangerous beast steeped in poison from head to toe.
Yet when he lifted his eyes.
He met Jian Zhen’s gaze, completely unguarded, filled with trust and expectation.
Ye Jisheng was silent for a moment, then lowered his eyes and said, “I will protect you.”
Jian Zhen: “Hm?”
“My cultivation is higher than yours. I will protect you,” Ye Jisheng said. “You’re afraid of the cold. In the future, I will cultivate fire-attribute spells so you won’t suffer from it.”
Jian Zhen stiffened almost imperceptibly. He said softly, “Fire-attribute?”
Ye Jisheng nodded. “Mm. Don’t you believe me?”
Jian Zhen: “…I believe.”
How could he not believe him!
The Soul Fire that would shake the Three Realms for a thousand years to come!
The Demon God’s ultimate killing move, once the Soul Fire appeared, who in the Three Realms would not tremble in fear?
And who could have known that the origin of this Soul Fire was not because it was dazzling and domineering, but because… it was meant to warm a little disciple of Spirit Mountain?
The next day.
Early in the morning, before anyone else discovered it, Jian Zhen hurried back to his own small courtyard.
Although his room was fully furnished, when he burrowed into the blankets he still felt cold, not as warm as being beside Ye Jisheng. The Demon God-brand heater truly lived up to its reputation.
It had thundered all night, and because he had been talking with Ye Jisheng, the latter half of the night had been too exciting; he hadn’t slept well.
Jian Zhen caught up on some sleep.
When he woke from that sleep, his fever had subsided, but he discovered someone sitting not far from his bed.
Jian Zhen abruptly sat up. “Senior Brother.”
Fu Changhuan: “Mm.”
Seeing Fu Changhuan, Jian Zhen felt somewhat guilty. In a soft voice he said, “Senior Brother, why have you come?”
Fu Changhuan said, “The apothecary said you were ill again. I came to see you.”
Jian Zhen let out a breath of relief inwardly. He had thought Senior Brother had discovered that he hadn’t returned for the night. He replied, “Senior Brother, it’s fine. My fever has already gone down.”
Fu Changhuan said, “Mm. Besides that, there is another matter.”
Jian Zhen immediately became serious and obedient.
Fu Changhuan glanced at him and said, “Elder Wen said that your academic performance is not quite up to standard. From today onward, every three days you are to report your studies to me.”
Jian Zhen: “Ah?”
Fu Changhuan said expressionlessly, “Grandmaster Ancestor is currently in closed-door cultivation. I am your senior brother; naturally, I must take on the responsibility of educating you.”
Jian Zhen said weakly, “Th-then… what happens if my studies don’t pass?”
Fu Changhuan said, “I will personally tutor you.”
Jian Zhen let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
Fu Changhuan raised a brow. “Good?”
Jian Zhen said, “I thought there would be some punishment. If it were something like doubling the homework or corporal punishment, that would be terrible!”
Fu Changhuan wanted to tell him that, for the entire Spirit Mountain, compared to doubling homework or corporal punishment, what all disciples feared most was being personally instructed by him. He cultivated the Path of Heartlessness and had always been impartial and stern; there was no disciple who was not afraid of him.
Yet…
Fu Changhuan said, “You’re not afraid of me?”
Jian Zhen found it strange. “You’re my senior brother. Why should I be afraid of you?”
Fu Changhuan’s gaze fell upon Jian Zhen’s face, yet he could not find the slightest trace of guilt or falseness in those eyes. He truly was not afraid of him, nor did he hold that kind of fear. The way he looked at him was as if he were truly looking at a close senior brother and elder sibling.
No one had ever looked at him that way.
Fu Changhuan calmly withdrew his gaze and said, “Then we shall begin with your studies three days from now.”
Jian Zhen had not yet fully recovered from his cold. Covering his lips, he coughed lightly and obediently said, “Okay.”
Fu Changhuan’s fingertips moved slightly before he finally said, “Two days ago, the apothecary said your body is weak and you often fall ill. Although you cannot consume immortal herbs or spiritual medicines, the immortal energy of Spirit Mountain is abundant. We can plant some ordinary medicinal herbs in your courtyard. In the future, when you take them, although their effects will not compare to spiritual medicines, they will still be better than ordinary herbs.”
Jian Zhen quickly said, “Okay, okay! Many thanks, Senior Brother. I finally won’t have to drink so much bitter medicine anymore.”
Fu Changhuan watched his lively, treasure-like acting and unconsciously curled his lips slightly.
Jian Zhen was stunned for a moment. He looked up at him and said, “Senior Brother…”
Fu Changhuan: “Mm?”
“You finally smiled.” Jian Zhen sat cross-legged at the edge of the bed, looking at him. “You look very good when you smile. You should smile more. That way your mood will also be better.”
Fu Changhuan’s brows and eyes instantly turned cool and distant. He withdrew his gaze and said calmly, “If one indulges in joyful matters, how can one cultivate the Great Dao?”
Jian Zhen: “But you can’t abandon your own happiness either.”
Fu Changhuan said, “If one has no desires, then one has no demands. Then one will not be affected by these worldly matters. You will understand in the future.”
Jian Zhen: “…”
He absolutely did not want to understand. He hated the Path of Heartlessness the most!
The few days after the torrential rain were all very sunny.
Jian Zhen finally recovered his health and once again became a lively and cheerful disciple of Spirit Mountain.
But when he returned to class, he collapsed. He had thought it would still be Elder Wen’s theory class, yet he hadn’t expected that this time the lesson would be completely different, it was a sword-riding class.
The instructor was Elder Qianji.
Standing at the very front, Elder Qianji held a sword and said, “Silently recite the Sword-Riding Incantation in your heart. When you achieve unity of mind and spirit with the sword in your hands, you will be able to ride the sword successfully!”
All the disciples looked at the swords on the ground.
While Jian Zhen was still memorizing the Sword-Riding Incantation, some disciples had already begun trying to use their swords. One hand hovered above the sword’s body as they silently recited the formula. Some swords hummed on the ground; some people were almost able to lift their swords.
Only Jian Zhen was still working hard to memorize the incantation.
Behind him, some disciples muttered, “And he’s even Grandmaster Ancestor’s disciple? I don’t see anything outstanding about him. He’s really disgracing Eldest Senior Brother.”
“Exactly,” another disciple said. “Look at Senior Brother Qiao, his sword is already floating.”
Just as everyone was whispering, Jian Zhen finally finished memorizing the Sword-Riding Incantation. He looked at the sword at his side and recited according to the book: “Heavenly path as one, five thoughts return…”
The sword on the ground trembled slightly. When Jian Zhen finally struggled to finish reciting it once, the sword had already risen into the air, as if all spiritual energy were at his command. Before Jian Zhen even had time to react, his whole body suddenly rose into the air. Instinctively, he tried to keep his balance, but after being carried in a circle by the sword, he ultimately failed to stop and fell down.
All the disciples were dumbfounded.
As the first disciple to ride a sword into the air, Jian Zhen fell in an especially miserable manner.
Elder Tianji sighed and walked over to help Jian Zhen up. “Although you can successfully ride the sword, your foundation is still not solid enough. You must practice more.”
Jian Zhen obediently said, “Yes.”
So after basically practicing at the training grounds for an entire day and being battered black and blue, when he returned to the courtyard and saw Ye Jisheng standing by the flowerbeds tending to plants, his nose almost stung and he nearly burst into tears.
Ye Jisheng sensed the sound behind him and stood up. “What’s wrong?”
Jian Zhen sat on a chair, his fair little face full of tears. “My legs hurt.”
Ye Jisheng walked over and half-knelt in front of him. His red eyes carried a somewhat dark chill as he calmly asked, “Did someone bully you?”
Jian Zhen said with a sobbing tone, “It was my sword bullying me. It keeps dropping.”
Ye Jisheng: “…”
Jian Zhen lay on the stone table and wailed, “It hurts so much. Why is riding a sword so hard?”
Ye Jisheng said, “This is a compulsory course for Spirit Mountain disciples. Only disciples who learn to ride swords can go down the mountain. In the future, if you want to leave the mountain, you will need it.”
Jian Zhen’s eyes lit up. “Go down the mountain? That’s great! Then I must study sword-riding well and strive to go down the mountain as soon as possible!”
When Ye Jisheng saw him like this, he knew he was fine.
Not far away in the courtyard were some medicinal herbs sent by the apothecary. Ye Jisheng returned to continue planting them. His technique for planting herbs was somewhat clumsy, but he was very serious. Before long, the entire courtyard was filled with lush little grasses swaying in the wind. He then carefully watered and fertilized them.
Jian Zhen lay on the table with a mournful face and said, “It’s better to be a little grass. No need to learn sword-riding, no need to fall, and you can even be taken care of by you like this. In the future, I still want to be a little grass.”
Ye Jisheng paused. He said, “If you turn into grass in the future, I will also take good care of you.”
Jian Zhen suddenly stiffened.
For a moment, he abruptly recalled the palace halls of the Demon Palace. Outside, in the garden, many flowers and grasses were always planted. These plants were all personally cultivated by the Demon God. Yan Ji once said that this garden had existed for hundreds of years. When Jian Zhen had still been a little grass, he had wondered, people all said the Demon God Ye Jisheng was bloodthirsty and cruel, so how could he have such a hobby of tending flowers and plants, something that did not resemble a killing god at all?
Jian Zhen’s heart churned violently. He softly said, “Th-then if I really turned into a little grass and couldn’t change back into human form, what would you do?”
Ye Jisheng’s movements paused. His gaze was firm and calm as he turned to look at Jian Zhen and said, “If one day you become a blade of grass, I will build the best palace for you, let you use the finest flowerpot in the world, and accompany you every day.”
Jian Zhen fell silent.
He remembered the countless days and nights by the window of the most honored hall of the Demon Clan. He had been an ordinary little grass, yet the flowerpot had been a Luminous Glazed Tile Stone rare in the world, a spiritual artifact worth a fortune in the Ghost Market. For those hundred years, he had stayed by the window of the Demon Palace, keeping the Demon God company.
Ye Jisheng said, “I will do it. Do you believe me?”
Jian Zhen slowly raised his head. Sunlight poured down as he looked at Ye Jisheng. His brows curved slightly, gentle beyond measure. “I believe you.”
