After returning from outside Grandmaster Ancestor’s hall, Jian Zhen could not sleep.
That very night, this unpromising, frail body of his developed a fever, and it was not a mild one.
Drowsily sleeping until dawn, he felt the familiar heaviness. When Fu Changhuan came over from the side hall and saw the person lying limply on the bed, he said, “You’ve caught a chill again.”
Jian Zhen buried himself in the blanket and said, “Senior Brother, I’m sorry. I can’t go down the mountain with you today.”
Fu Changhuan said, “It’s fine. Since you’re ill, just rest more. I will have the physician come take a look.”
Jian Zhen obediently nodded.
When the physician was summoned to Spirit Mountain’s palace halls, he was extremely uneasy. But upon seeing Jian Zhen, he understood what was going on. As usual, he took Jian Zhen’s pulse. His brows furrowed; he sighed.
Fu Changhuan said, “Is there a problem?”
The physician quickly stood and respectfully raised his hands. “Reporting to Immortal Lord, Little Immortal Jian shows signs of acute internal heat attacking the heart, and in addition…”
Fu Changhuan asked, “What?”
The physician was somewhat hesitant. Fu Changhuan frowned and said, “Speak freely.”
Since he had spoken thus, the physician naturally did not dare conceal anything. He raised his hands and said, “This little immortal friend is overly burdened with worry, and was born with incomplete heart meridians. His constitution is weak to begin with. Originally, he had already stepped into Foundation Establishment and should have no bodily ailment. However, his physique differs from ordinary people’s, he is extremely resistant to others’ spiritual energy. Thus, he can only be slowly nursed postnatally. He truly must not overexert himself again.”
Fu Changhuan said, “Understood.”
Only then did the physician let out a breath of relief and withdraw.
Jian Zhen had heard more or less everything while burying his head in bed. Only after the physician left did he dare raise his head to look.
Fu Changhuan said, “I originally did not intend to tell you about the Demon Clan matters so early. I know you are worried, but you must also consider your own health. Your senior brother will arrange the investigation of the Demon Clan. You need not involve yourself. The most important thing is to properly nurse your body.”
Jian Zhen obediently nodded. “Alright.”
He did not dare say that it was precisely because he was worried about the Demon Clan that he had fallen ill.
If he said that, Fu Changhuan might be the first to eliminate him.
Jian Zhen sighed in worry.
After drinking the medicine prescribed by the physician, he felt somewhat better by evening and returned to his own small courtyard on Spirit Mountain.
Just as he stepped through the courtyard gate, he saw a figure sitting beneath the tree. At first, Jian Zhen was not entirely certain, but from the moment he saw that silhouette, he already seemed to have an answer in his heart.
Jian Zhen said, “Ye Ji… Wusheng, is that you?”
The courtyard’s lamplight and candle shadows swayed with the wind, stretching a long shadow.
Ye Jisheng stood up and looked at him.
Jian Zhen walked closer, draped in the night dew, and said, “It’s so late. It’s cold outside. Why didn’t you go back to North Peak? When I came back, I would definitely have gone to find you.”
Ye Jisheng’s figure in the dark night was somewhat lean yet tall and upright. On his delicate face, a pair of red eyes looked at him. In the cold wind, he was like an abandoned puppy looking at its owner. He said, “I wanted to see you as soon as you came back.”
Jian Zhen’s heart softened instantly.
The young Demon God had not even reached the stage of Soul Transformation and tribulation, yet he was already intolerable to the Three Realms, to Heaven and Earth.
Jian Zhen took his hand and said, “Your hands are so cold. Let’s go inside first.”
Ye Jisheng let him pull him inside.
Jian Zhen took off his cloak and said, “Actually, I wanted to come back earlier, but when I was on the mountain, I caught a chill from the wind and fell ill. That’s why I was delayed.”
The indoor candles slowly lit up. The warm yellow light shone by the window, adding a bit of warmth to the room. Ye Jisheng sat quietly on the chair beside the round table. When Jian Zhen spoke, he nodded in response.
Only then did Jian Zhen belatedly react. He said softly, “Are you unhappy?”
Ye Jisheng shook his head and said, “I just thought, you were sick, and I had no way to take care of you.”
Jian Zhen said, “That’s not your fault.”
Yet Ye Jisheng raised his head to look at him and said, “I couldn’t even come to find you.”
A sense of foreboding rose in Jian Zhen’s heart, because at that moment, when he looked into Ye Jisheng’s eyes, within those calm eyes he seemed to see something familiar.
Sure enough.
Ye Jisheng said, “If I become a little stronger, would I be able to stay by your side all the time?”
Jian Zhen’s heart skipped a beat. His fingers tightened on the cloak in his grasp. He lifted his eyes to look at him. He originally wanted to refute him, to persuade Ye Jisheng not to think this way. But when their gazes met, it was as if he saw through his soul into his heart. Those red eyes were like fire, like fresh blood. The ambition burning within them was that of a born king.
It was also at this moment that Jian Zhen understood.
Ye Jisheng had never been harmless. It was just that most of the time, he had not revealed even the slightest bit.
Jian Zhen walked over. He raised both hands and gently embraced Ye Jisheng. No words were needed. The two young men held each other tightly, as if they were the only ones in Heaven and Earth. It was such a forceful embrace, as if they were trying to merge each other into their own bodies. In Jian Zhen’s nose was the familiar scent on Ye Jisheng, and by his ear he could hear the sound of Ye Jisheng’s heartbeat.
A long time passed. No one knew how much time had gone by.
Jian Zhen’s voice was very soft. “I don’t want to be separated from you either. But I want even less for you to be in danger.”
Ye Jisheng’s arms tightened slightly.
Jian Zhen raised his head. His fingers brushed across Ye Jisheng’s cheek. In those always clear eyes appeared a trace of worry. He said, “The current situation is not optimistic. Promise me that you will continue to conceal your strength and not attract others’ attention, alright?”
As he spoke, there was an unconscious hint of pleading in his tone.
Perhaps Jian Zhen knew in his heart that Ye Jisheng had never been someone willing to hide and conceal himself. He was proud, he was unrestrained, how could he easily bow his head?
Their eyes met.
Just when Jian Zhen felt uneasy inside, Ye Jisheng finally said in a low voice, “Alright.”
The next day.
Jian Zhen, whose high fever had subsided, heard some news from outside.
Senior Brother Ling Can had organized all the enslaved Demon Clan members of North Peak to undergo cultivation tests, and Spirit Mountain had opened new regulations, allowing the sweeping disciples to cultivate together with the other disciples of Spirit Mountain.
As soon as the news spread, countless people praised the Immortal Clan for their righteousness and inclusiveness.
Only Jian Zhen understood clearly that the reason for doing this was actually to keep all the Demon Clan members under watch and investigation.
Ye Jisheng came by in the afternoon.
Jian Zhen said, “I heard Senior Brother Ling Can tested all of your cultivation levels?”
Ye Jisheng nodded. “Mm. I suppressed some of it. What was measured was only Qi Refinement.”
Jian Zhen let out a sigh of relief. As long as Ye Jisheng did not stand out, there should be no danger. Though exposure was a matter of time, being safe for a while was still good.
But…
Was this kind of life really what Ye Jisheng wanted?
Jian Zhen looked up and asked, “I told you to hide your strength. Are you unhappy?”
Ye Jisheng was brewing medicine at the small stove nearby, fanning the fire with a hand fan as he said, “No. This is my own choice.”
Jian Zhen looked at him in confusion.
Ye Jisheng said, “From now on, I can cultivate together with you.”
In Spirit Mountain Academy, disciples in Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement could cultivate together, but those above Golden Core had separate classes. Now that the Demon Clan sweeping disciples were allowed to attend classes together, the two of them could also be together.
Jian Zhen smiled. “That’s true. That’s really nice. Before, we could only meet at night.”
Ye Jisheng nodded. “Mm. You should drink your medicine on time. Recovering your health as soon as possible is the most important thing.”
On Jian Zhen’s fair little face, his brows curved into a slight frown. He sighed and said, “That medicine is so bitter. I really don’t want to drink it.”
Ye Jisheng said, “I added preserved fruit for you.”
Jian Zhen rolled around on the bed. “It’s still bitter! This batch of herbs is even more bitter than last time!”
He did not dare act spoiled with Senior Brother, nor dare argue with the physician. But in front of Ye Jisheng, it was as if he subconsciously understood that Ye Jisheng would indulge his little temper.
Sure enough.
Seeing him sulking, Ye Jisheng picked up the bowl of medicine and walked over. “I’ll add more preserved fruit for you.”
Jian Zhen sat up and said, “If you add too much, it’ll be too cloying. You don’t even know how bitter it is.”
Ye Jisheng looked at him a few times. Without disliking his little temper or fussiness, he unhesitatingly took a spoonful himself, tasted the bitterness, then adjusted it again. After trying several times, he said, “It shouldn’t be that bitter now.”
Jian Zhen drank a spoonful from his spoon, then looked up at him and said, “Why do I still think it’s bitter?”
Ye Jisheng slightly frowned. “How could that be?”
He took a spoonful himself and had not yet swallowed before speaking, when he saw Jian Zhen’s smiling eyes. The person sitting by the bedside leaned closer. Soft lips pressed against Ye Jisheng’s lips. Bitterness and sweetness spread between their lips and teeth.
After finishing a bowl of medicine, Jian Zhen felt completely satisfied.
Ye Jisheng’s ears were already completely red, seeming even redder than his ruby-like eyes.
Jian Zhen’s face was red too, but he still said, “This way it really isn’t as bitter. Next time just mix it for me like this.”
Ye Jisheng’s hand holding the bowl seemed to tremble a little. This was a rare sight for Jian Zhen, him looking somewhat flustered and at a loss, as if his whole person had turned red. Agreeing felt awkward, not agreeing felt awkward too. When he went out, he even almost stumbled.
Jian Zhen watched him leave with a beaming smile.
Only after the door was completely shut, and he saw through the window that the person in the courtyard had truly left, did the smile slowly fade. A dull pain spread through his chest. He bent over, and a mouthful of blood spilled out.
The bright red blood fell onto the ground, striking to the eye.
Jian Zhen’s hand gripped the blanket tightly, enduring this wave of pain until it passed. Only then did he relax and lie back down on the bed.
The dream he had during his midday nap seemed vividly before his eyes, it was a dream sent by the High Priest. In the dream, the High Priest said that if he interfered with cause and effect, he would suffer the backlash of the Heavenly Dao. At the same time, it would weaken the power of his soul, and he must be sure to take care of himself and never risk his own life lightly.
So…
He had helped Ye Jisheng avoid this calamity and changed the original line of fate, and so he had to bear the punishment of cause and effect.
As he lay on the bed, Jian Zhen looked at the canopy above, but his thoughts gradually drifted farther away. In a daze, while enduring the swelling pain from his heart, he suddenly wondered, on every full-moon night, was Ye Jisheng also in such pain?
Was this the pain of heavenly punishment?
If he was suffering this pain for Ye Jisheng’s sake, then Ye Jisheng’s heavenly punishment, who was it for?
The next day.
The new disciples had been at Spirit Mountain for nearly half a year.
The annual disciple assessment of Spirit Mountain was finally about to begin. Jian Zhen and Ye Jisheng, as new disciples from the same school hall, were naturally on the list for the assessment.
Fu Changhuan stood at the very center of the plaza. As Spirit Mountain’s senior disciple, he was naturally in charge of this assessment.
Everyone looked up at the person standing at the top.
Fu Changhuan wore snow-white robes unstained by dust. He parted his lips and said, “This assessment will send you into the secret realm of Nanshan. At the summit of Nanshan lies the cave dwelling once left behind by the Grandmaster Ancestor. Within three days, the first hundred disciples to reach the cave dwelling will be deemed to have passed the assessment. Do you all understand?”
Everyone responded in unison.
This assessment seemed simple, but in truth it concealed danger.
After all, if rankings were determined by number, then defeating other disciples in the mountains would give oneself ample time to search for the Grandmaster Ancestor’s cave dwelling.
All the disciples exchanged glances, undercurrents surging.
Many disciples beside Jian Zhen were already discussing:
“We need to form teams. Being alone is too dangerous.”
“Yes, yes, we should team up. Let’s stick together.”
“It’s far too dangerous to split up.”
As everyone was talking, some people cast their gaze on Jian Zhen. Although Jian Zhen was the Grandmaster Ancestor’s disciple and could be considered a good person to curry favor with, he was a medicine jar, and his cultivation was not particularly high. No one wanted to bring a burden along.
Some people came over to probe.
“Senior Brother Jian, this trial doesn’t look simple. Have you prepared any magical artifacts or spiritual medicines?”
After all, Jian Zhen was the Grandmaster Ancestor’s disciple and also the Senior Brother’s junior brother. Perhaps he might be gifted some rare treasures, if so, following him might let them win without effort.
But unexpectedly,
Jian Zhen answered honestly, “No.”
The others: “……”
Jian Zhen actually understood what they were thinking. But if they thought about it, Senior Brother Fu Changhuan cultivated the Path of Heartlessness, how could he possibly give him any favoritism in such a competition?
Fu Changhuan’s voice came from the front: “All of you go back and make your preparations. We depart tomorrow.”
The disciples then dispersed.
Just as Jian Zhen was about to leave, he heard Fu Changhuan’s voice say, “Junior Brother, come here.”
On Spirit Mountain, there was only one person Fu Changhuan would call “Junior Brother.” Jian Zhen hesitated slightly, turned around, and seeing that Fu Changhuan was indeed looking at him, walked over obediently.
Fu Changhuan stood beneath a towering ancient tree. Sunlight filtered through the shadows, falling down around him. He said to Jian Zhen, “Is your body better?”
Jian Zhen replied, “Much better. The fever has gone down.”
Fu Changhuan then took a gourd from his waist and said, “This disciple trial is extremely perilous. You have just recovered from a serious illness. These are Hundred-Poison Pills; they can cure a hundred poisons.”
Jian Zhen was truly a little surprised. “Senior Brother?”
As if understanding what he wanted to say, Fu Changhuan said, “The others have trained and cultivated longer than you. Your constitution is weak. This pill may not even be of use, but take it.”
The chief examiner personally giving him equipment.
Jian Zhen was not stubborn; he obediently accepted it and said, “Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Fu Changhuan nodded. “Mm. For this assessment, do well. Do not disgrace the Grandmaster Ancestor, understand?”
Jian Zhen: “……”
Indeed, this was the familiar Senior Brother.
On the day they departed from Spirit Mountain, many disciples had already privately arranged teams. Jian Zhen did not participate much. Since no one came to seek him out, he was happy to be at ease.
The cloud boat carried everyone toward Nanshan.
From the moment he boarded the cloud boat, Jian Zhen subconsciously began searching for Ye Jisheng.
Only when he saw a familiar figure at the other end of the cloud boat did he stop. Ye Jisheng was also standing among a group of disciples. Yet even with some distance between them, even standing among the crowd, some people seemed born as if carrying light, Jian Zhen still found him almost instantly.
They were separated by some distance.
Almost as if by telepathy, Ye Jisheng seemed to sense Jian Zhen’s gaze and looked over as well.
Their eyes met.
The uneasiness Jian Zhen had just felt instantly settled like a great stone falling into place. It was as if, in his subconscious, he believed that no matter where he was, as long as Ye Jisheng was there, he was safe.
The cloud boat finally landed at Nanshan in the afternoon.
The senior brother leading the group was Ling Can.
Ling Can said, “Alright, everyone prepare to enter the mountain. The time limit is three days. After three days, we will be waiting for you at the Grandmaster Ancestor’s cave dwelling!”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Once they entered the forest from here, everyone became enemies.
Thus, when the disciples stepped into the formation array, they were teleported to different areas of the mountain. When Jian Zhen emerged from the array, he felt a brief sense of imbalance. When he opened his eyes again, he was already in a dense forest.
Even in winter, the vegetation of Nanshan remained lush.
Jian Zhen stood up, looked around, and walked forward. After walking for quite a while without encountering anyone, and seeing that the sky was gradually darkening and the most dangerous night was about to arrive, he suddenly heard sounds of fighting ahead.
“Catch him!”
“Stop running!”
“D*mn it!”
Layers of waves were kicked up by the small river. Jian Zhen focused his gaze and saw several disciples chasing one person, and that person’s figure was very familiar. It was Ye Jisheng.
Jian Zhen’s eyes lit up.
Before he could even go over, he saw Ye Jisheng swiftly lure the others to a bend in the river in just a few moves, then yank the person off the flying sword and step on him into the water. The whole series of actions was clean and efficient, his expression blank.
“Splash!”
Water sprayed high into the air.
Two or three disciples were thrown into the water. One of them was being stepped on by Ye Jisheng, gulping water.
The disciple cursed, “You lowly demon spawn… you dare… glug glug… you dare step on me… glug…”
Jian Zhen had been simply watching from behind, but suddenly noticed that in the bushes not far away, a disciple was lying in ambush, holding a silver hidden weapon dart aimed at Ye Jisheng’s back.
“Watch out!”
Without having time to think, Jian Zhen rushed out.
The disciple in the bushes, realizing he had been exposed, hurriedly threw the dart in his hand. Jian Zhen’s qinggong skill carried him onto the water’s surface. His sword barely blocked the dart as it was about to pierce his arm. Ye Jisheng pulled him over in one swift motion, narrowly avoiding it.
Seeing that the sneak attack had failed, the person in the bushes tried to flee.
Jian Zhen saw a flash of coldness in Ye Jisheng’s eyes. Soon after, a scream came from behind the bushes, and the disciple fainted.
Jian Zhen sighed softly.
Poor child. Why did you have to provoke him?
Before he could finish thinking, Ye Jisheng had already returned. His brows were still slightly furrowed. Jian Zhen said, “There are quite a few people here. We should find a place to hide first. If more people come later, it won’t be good.”
Ye Jisheng nodded.
By now the sky was already dark. The two moved through the forest and, just as the last trace of light was disappearing, found a dilapidated temple in the woods and hid inside. The temple was very old; even the statues inside were covered in dust.
Ye Jisheng found wooden planks and blocked the entrance.
Jian Zhen finally sat down on the ground and let out a breath. “We can finally rest for a bit.”
The temple was silent.
Only then did Jian Zhen realize something was off. He looked up at Ye Jisheng and noticed he hadn’t spoken at all. Feeling slightly guilty, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
Ye Jisheng said, “That dart had poison on it. If it had really injured you, it could have been life-threatening.”
Jian Zhen originally wanted to laugh it off, but when he saw the clear worry in Ye Jisheng’s eyes, the joke at the tip of his tongue would not come out. He said softly, “It’s fine. I knew what I was doing. And I brought some antidote pills with me.”
Ye Jisheng continued to look at him calmly. Those red eyes seemed able to see through people’s hearts. He said, “When you rushed over, you didn’t think about that, did you?”
Even without the pills, you would have come.
Jian Zhen had been hit right on the mark. Feeling a little guilty, he stood there and said, “I didn’t have time to think.”
Ye Jisheng walked over and checked his arm again. Only then did he lower his eyes. He did not speak. Instead, Jian Zhen began to feel uneasy. “Are you angry?”
Ye Jisheng slowly shook his head.
“I was just thinking,” he said, “if you had been injured, I would have killed them.”
His voice was very light.
Yet it carried endless killing intent. Though spoken faintly, Jian Zhen did not doubt its truth in the slightest.
Ye Jisheng raised his eyes to look at him. “So don’t get hurt. Protect yourself. If something happened to you, I don’t know what I would do.”
His crimson eyes were red as blood, like flames burning with karmic fire.
Jian Zhen’s heart tightened. He gripped Ye Jisheng’s hand tightly and said, “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
Only then did Ye Jisheng nod lightly. To change the subject, Jian Zhen looked around by the moonlight and said, “What temple is this?”
The temple was very dilapidated, yet its former grandeur could still be seen. The statue inside was covered in dust, making it hard to see clearly, but Ye Jisheng recognized it.
Ye Jisheng said, “Nanshan borders the demon territory. This temple should house the Demon Clan’s Buddha Mother statue. She is the deity in charge of marriage fate among the demon clan. Before marriage, demons come here to pray for destiny in love. When they marry, they also come to worship the Buddha Mother.”
Jian Zhen’s eyes lit up. “To think we ran into it, what a fate.”
Ye Jisheng nodded.
Silence returned to the temple. Mountain wind blew through. After the earlier exertion, Jian Zhen’s body, already weak, could not bear it. He covered his lips and began coughing, his back trembling as if he would cough out his lungs.
Ye Jisheng stood up, gathered wooden boards from around them, and lit a fire.
Jian Zhen asked curiously, “How did you light the fire?”
Ye Jisheng raised a hand, and a small flame appeared at his fingertip. He said, “This is soul fire I cultivated.”
In the night, Jian Zhen looked at the fire in Ye Jisheng’s hand. The flame seemed imprinted in his eyes. This was the soul fire that would one day become renowned throughout the Three Realms for its immense destructive power, yet now it was still so tender.
Ye Jisheng said, “Is it warmer now?”
Jian Zhen nodded lightly. A little embarrassed, he said, “My body is too weak. I just caught some wind earlier. I’m much better now.”
Ye Jisheng built up the fire and said, “Sit further inside where there’s less wind. Go rest inside. I’ll roast something for you to eat.”
Jian Zhen was surprised to see Ye Jisheng take quite a few small hunted animals out of his Qiankun bag.
Ye Jisheng said, “I caught these during the day. We demons are born in the northern region of Chi and live by hunting. I don’t know if you’re used to eating this.”
How could Jian Zhen be picky? He said, “I’m used to it. It’s good enough to have something to eat! I thought I’d go hungry tonight!”
While skillfully handling the prey’s fur, Ye Jisheng said, “As long as I’m here, you won’t go hungry.”
The fire burned among the wood, illuminating his profile. His cool and handsome brows and eyes looked especially serious and striking.
Jian Zhen watched him, and his thoughts drifted far away. He knew that he could not truly live on in this day from ten million years ago. His separation from Ye Jisheng was inevitable. Not to mention that his soul could not endure it, ten million years later, there were also people waiting for him. His child was waiting for him. Another person was also waiting for him.
He would die sooner or later.
Jian Zhen looked at the person not far away. When that time came, what would Ye Jisheng do? With ten million years still remaining, how would he endure them?
After a while.
Ye Jisheng handed him a skewer of roasted chicken. “Try it.”
Jian Zhen took it and bit into it. “It’s delicious!”
Ye Jisheng curved his lips slightly. “Then I’ll roast a bit more for you.”
“No, no, this is enough.” Jian Zhen said with a smile. “You roast really well. With this skill, you won’t have to worry about finding a wife in the future! Learning this now, having many skills never weighs one down!”
His little abacus was clicking away nicely.
Praise him more, so in the future he and his son can have more delicious food.
Ye Jisheng’s ears suddenly reddened. Looking at Jian Zhen, he lowered his eyes and said, “It’s still early. No rush.”
Jian Zhen met his gaze and saw the light shining in Ye Jisheng’s eyes, that was anticipation for the future. The future was indeed still far away, but Jian Zhen understood that his own time was already running short.
The wind blew into the temple. The statue in the hall stood tall and compassionate in the firelight.
Jian Zhen put down the meat in his hand and said softly, “Let’s bow to the Buddha Mother?”
Ye Jisheng was a little surprised. “What?”
“Didn’t you say that your demon clan worships heaven and earth, and when marrying you all bow to the Buddha Mother?” Jian Zhen took Ye Jisheng’s hand and said, “Since we happened to encounter this by fate today, how about we bow to the Buddha Mother?”
He did not know what those words meant to a demon.
Ye Jisheng subconsciously said, “No… this is too hasty…”
He wanted to give Jian Zhen something better, a grander hall, a more magnificent ceremony, not something so hurried, with such a fallen version of himself.
But Jian Zhen said, “It’s not hasty.”
Ye Jisheng looked at him in surprise. Jian Zhen said, “I only have you, and you only have me. I already decided long ago, and I will never regret it in the future. Bowing to the Buddha Mother with you is my wish, and I will never change it. Are you willing to bow with me?”
The wind blew into the dilapidated temple. The passage of years had turned the shrine into ruins, leaving only the towering statue standing firm.
Amid the mess on the ground.
Ye Jisheng tightly held the hand of the person before him, as if this were a promise for eternity.
