Everyone Is Non-Human Except Me [Rebirth] Chapter 98

The violet barrier vanished in front of Shahua. The underground city of Wuqi trembled violently. Her demon witch power was disintegrating—it could no longer hold the city together.

She had lost all five senses—couldn’t see, couldn’t hear—only illusion magic had sustained her till now. And now, at the very end, she felt a bit guilty toward the former Dark Witch Princess. But thinking again, perhaps her master never wanted Zhang Jue to truly become the next Dark Witch Princess. Compared to Wuqi, an empty, meaningless city, maybe she’d rather that little bird be free for a lifetime.

How laughable. In the end, it was Nine Phoenix using his own demon power to desperately protect her demon soul. Shahua did feel regret—she shouldn’t have resisted so hard during the ocular vision. She should have let Wei Huan see exactly how the golden crow had once offered himself in sacrifice.

When she had just gained her freedom as a flower demon, Nine Phoenix was the most admired genius in the demon realm—even Su Buyu liked him. But in just a few short years, she had become the elusive Dark Witch Princess, sought by countless demons. Nine Phoenix, however, had died with no corpse left behind, scorned by all.

When Yun Yongzhou stormed into Wuqi filled with murderous intent, she had planned to reject his soul-summoning request—none had succeeded before. But Yun Yongzhou would stop at nothing and threatened to burn all of Wuqi to the ground. Since Wuqi was bound to her life, she had no choice but to agree.

Besides, no one understood better than Shahua that even if she stopped Yun Yongzhou, Su Buyu would be next. Rather than see Su Buyu offer himself for Nine Phoenix, it might as well have been the golden crow.

Though in the end, she couldn’t stop either of them.

For Su Buyu, Shahua didn’t even live out the full fifteen years granted to her. Yet she felt her life had been far too long—each second spent in waiting. If only she could see him, she was willing to give up everything—her demon witch power, her spells, her transformations. All she wanted was for Su Buyu’s wish to come true.

But somewhere along the way, she forgot what had become of that boy who once, even when barely surviving, protected a flower with a single drop of water.

Shahua lowered her head, fingers brushing over her red dress, which was adorned with countless shimmering mermaid scales. As her fingertips slid across them—one after another—they all vanished. They were fake to begin with, all illusions conjured by her demon witchcraft. Just self-deception.

Suddenly, she sensed something and lifted her head. The red veil fluttered in the restless wind, like petals that could never return to their roots.

“You came?” Shahua’s voice carried a smile. “Sorry, I was controlled by them for a while. But thankfully I woke up midway and used demon witchcraft to fight back. They probably didn’t see anything.”

Su Buyu said softly, “I came to see you.”

She let out a quiet laugh.

Though she couldn’t see, she recognized Su Buyu’s aura more clearly than anyone. And she also knew this wasn’t his real body—only a spiritual projection conjured through sorcery. From the moment she saw Wei Huan, she knew Su Buyu would come—not for her, but to prevent Wei Huan from learning the truth.

Still, let her pretend he came for her.

The dome of Wuqi was collapsing. Stones rained down, smashing the ruins below. But Shahua didn’t seem to care at all. She spoke lightly, as if chatting on a sunny day. “I never told you how I became a demon, did I? Every time we met, I was always performing spells for you. We never really talked.”

Seeing her like this, Su Buyu couldn’t help but say, “I’ll temporarily seal your demon soul inside a mermaid bead. Your soul hasn’t dissipated yet. I’ll find you a new body later. You won’t have to stay trapped here.”

Shahua shook her head. A giant rock crashed down between them, raising a cloud of dust.

“It’s not Wuqi that trapped me,” she said with a faint smile. “It’s me.”

She took step after step toward Su Buyu, her heart filled with emotion. The quiet moment they once shared at that grave on the desolate plain now flashed through her mind like a lantern carousel.

“Su Buyu, did your wish come true?”

You wanted to become stronger. I made it happen.

You wanted him. Did you get him?

She waited a long time, but no answer came. She let out a bitter laugh. “Even though I always say it, this time is probably the last. You won’t get him, Su Buyu. He didn’t belong to you in your past life, and he won’t in this one either.”

Shahua’s voice trembled. It was as if she were speaking to herself. “He will never love you out of gratitude. You know what he sacrificed—and even if you made me seal away that sacrifice, made everything start over—what does it change? He still fell in love with…”

“Don’t say anymore.” Su Buyu cut her off. His expression was cold, so unlike him—and yet, it was the him she knew best. He seemed not to have heard her words, only asked, “Do you have any regrets? If there’s anything I can help you with…”

“No.” Shahua refused, firmly. In that moment, she felt that Su Buyu was just like her: all their devotion had only earned them gratitude.

And she’d rather not have that gratitude at all.

The underground city trembled again. The buildings around them collapsed completely, rocks falling from above.

She didn’t feel regret. In fact, she felt… complete. She remembered how everything had seemed new when she first became a demon. She would look at picture books and see how different humans once were—they saw red as an auspicious color, and brides wore red dresses for their weddings. Back then, she wondered: Su Buyu was half-human too—would he like red? He thought her flower form was beautiful, so he must’ve liked red, right?

Now she stood here in a red dress, draped in a red veil, like a bride from an ancient tale—wearing a wedding gown, standing in front of the one she loved.

But she had finally given up.

“You should go.” Shahua smiled—a smile just like the one she had back when she first became a flower demon, innocent and sweet.

Su Buyu didn’t know what to say. He watched her demon soul slowly fade, helpless. Shahua’s red dress unraveled into countless manzhuhuasha petals, dancing in the wind. She felt she had reached the end. It seemed like she should finally tell him. Her lower body had already disappeared, but she extended a hand, and in her palm appeared a water-droplet-shaped barrier glowing with soft blue light—something she had cherished and hidden for many years.

It was time to let go.

She gently pushed the barrier forward with her pale hand. It shrank into a single droplet and floated toward Su Buyu’s projection. Staring at the droplet, Su Buyu was stunned. He caught it instinctively, letting it melt into his fingers.

“Giving it back to you.” Shahua smiled. She didn’t know if Su Buyu would remember, but it didn’t matter anymore. The Golden Crow’s power could no longer protect her soul. She had once dreamed of hugging Su Buyu, but even now, her upper body was disintegrating into petals. She suddenly felt so pitiful—back then, she wanted arms just to hold that boy, wanted a beautiful body for that one embrace… but in the end, she never even asked him for it.

The swirling petals rose higher, her red veil unraveling. Su Buyu tried to seal her soul, though he didn’t know why. He felt a panic rising in him. In the distance, he heard her voice again:

“Becoming a demon isn’t as great as it sounds—there’s no next life. Flowers are better. Even if they wither, they still bloom again next year.”

The mermaid bead glowed blue, hovering in the air under Su Buyu’s guidance, trying with all its might to absorb the fragments of her shattered demon soul.

“I’ll help you. Just hang in there,” he said.

Shahua’s painstakingly earned form finally became a whirl of petals, crumbling along with the dome of Wuqi. She continued softly, “If there is a next life, I still want to be a flower.”

The entire underground city of Wuqi collapsed in an instant.

“But I won’t hold foolish hopes again.”

Su Buyu’s projection returned to his real body. His palm was cold as ice. He gripped the mermaid bead tightly. A trace of red stained its round, blue surface.

He remembered returning to that grave later, unable to find the manzhuhuasha flower.

In that moment—he felt regret.

Just like now.

Coming out from Yang Ling’s purple barrier circle, Wei Huan and the others arrived at the Bifang residence. Jing Yun was nearly unconscious, his closed eyelids marked with the bright yellow crest of the Chongming clan.

Yang Ling was a little panicked. “What do we do? My brother isn’t around either. He was sent by the school on a long-term mission to eliminate demon puppets far away, and hasn’t been back to Shanhai for a long time. I’ll contact him now.”

Wei Huan felt an odd stirring in his chest. His mind was chaotic, his vision blurred. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Boss Jue, standing beside him, said, “He’s probably suffering backlash from Shahua’s demon witch power. Demon witches are different from other demons—witchcraft is a form of mental power. The Eye Possession technique takes over a demon’s consciousness—it shares the same origin.”

Yan Shanyue nodded. “Illusions all break in from the mind. Jing Yun’s consciousness might have been drawn away into the void under the influence of her witchcraft.”

“That’s no good,” Qing He said anxiously. “How can little Chongming go on without consciousness? Isn’t there any way?” He looked at Boss Jue. “Aren’t you a demon witch too?”

Boss Jue thought for a moment. “Eye Possession and demon witchcraft are worlds apart. Even in the Chongming clan, there are very few who can use Eye Possession. I was shocked the first time I saw this kid use it.”

Wei Huan suddenly felt something was off. Jing Yun had almost never mentioned his main family. “Is the Chongming main clan in the Kunlun Void resistance zone?”

Yan Shanyue nodded. “Yes, but their compound is extremely strict. I had a classmate from one of their branch families, and even he was never allowed into the main house.”

“Do you think, with Jing Yun’s abilities, he’s just from a branch family?” Wei Huan got ready to carry him on his back. “Let’s just go there and see.”

Just as they were about to leave, the purple barrier circle opened again. Yang Sheng appeared before them.

Qing He jumped in surprise. “That fast…?”

“You’re here.” Wei Huan handed Jing Yun over to Yang Sheng, apologetically. “I couldn’t keep an eye on him.”

Yang Sheng shook his head, too focused on checking Jing Yun to speak. Yang Ling said from the side, “Brother, don’t worry. We were just about to go to the Chongming main family.”

“The Chongming main family won’t see him,” Yang Sheng said as he hoisted Jing Yun onto his back. Another purple barrier appeared. Yang Sheng stepped in. Yang Ling was about to ask more, but Yan Shanyue pulled her back. “Your brother must know what to do.”

Wei Huan’s chest throbbed with pain. He gritted his teeth and followed them through the barrier. Qing He noticed something wrong and came over to support him. “Hey, are you okay?”

Boss Jue also sensed something strange. There was clearly the scent of manzhuhuasha on him. She checked his body and discovered a witchcraft seal had been broken.

“Did Shahua do something to you just now?”

“I don’t know,” Wei Huan said, pale-faced.

They passed through the barrier and arrived at a small, secluded villa. It was far from the city, with no other houses nearby. But the villa was warm and charming—sunflowers filled the front yard, and behind the house stretched a large orange grove.

Yang Sheng said, “This is Jing Yun’s home. I dropped him off here once during a holiday, but never went inside.”

“Even the branch families of the Chongming live in Kunlun Void. Why would Jing Yun be here in such a remote place?” Yan Shanyue found it strange. She reached out her senses—this place was almost at the very edge of the demon realm.

“His mother was the only daughter of the previous head of the Chongming clan,” Yang Sheng finally revealed a secret no one had known. “The Chongming clan always wanted her to marry a powerful demon from a strong lineage. But she fell in love with someone from a humble background and gave birth to Jing Yun, which caused her to break ties with the main clan. But Jing Yun inherited her abilities.”

No wonder. Wei Huan recalled the first time he met Jing Yun—so timid, so pure, like someone who had been overly sheltered. But his powers were extraordinary. Only such a background could explain the contradiction.

Yang Sheng took a deep breath and carried Jing Yun to the front door. He rang the bell. No one answered.

Wei Huan’s symptoms worsened. He grabbed Boss Jue by the arm and pulled her aside with a frown. “Boss Jue, the one being summoned in a soul-calling ritual has to pay a price too. Is that true?”

Boss Jue paused. “Yes. In the demon world, soul-calling is the most difficult kind of witchcraft. Not only must the one doing the summoning make a sacrifice, but in fairness, the summoned party also has something precious taken from them—an involuntary sacrifice.”

Qing He was confused. “But they’re already dead—how do they sacrifice anything? And how’s the most precious thing even measured?”

“It’s rare, but some demons have attempted soul-calling. Usually, the summoned loses what was most precious to them in life—like a unique ability. For example, Yun Yongzhou’s light power—he’s the only one in the demon realm with that. If he were summoned, such a precious power would be taken.”

Wei Huan thought of himself. His Wind Control and Soul-Splitting techniques were rare but not unique—they were inherited from his parents.

“But most people don’t have unique powers like that,” Boss Jue added. “So the soul-calling spell extracts whatever the summoned person valued most in life.”

Qing He furrowed his brow and looked at Wei Huan.

Wei Huan’s face was pale. He couldn’t think of what it might be. The honor of the Nine Phoenix clan?

Could it be that this sacrifice was what caused him to be branded a traitor?

He felt bitter, and confused. “If Yun Yongzhou’s sacrifice came to me after I was revived, then what about mine…”

“You’re misunderstanding,” Boss Jue said. “It’s not an exchange of prices. It’s one-way. He made a sacrifice, and after the soul-calling succeeded, that sacrifice became a part of you. The price you paid—when your resurrection succeeded—would also return to you. But if the summoning fails, everything is lost.”

Qing He was even more confused. “So, what you’re saying is…” He turned to Wei Huan, “Your price should have already returned to you.”

Wei Huan lowered his head, mind in chaos.

Suddenly, a powerful yellow demon light burst forth like a vortex, appearing out of thin air in the villa’s front yard, separated from them only by a wrought iron gate. As the light faded, a beautiful woman appeared before them. At the outer corner of her right eye was a double-ring demon mark, shaped like an hourglass. Jing Yun’s features closely resembled hers—clearly cut from the same mold.

She merely raised her hand, and the unconscious Jing Yun was wrapped in a mass of bright-yellow demon aura, lifted over the gate and deposited in her arms. One glance at his condition made her brows knit tightly.

Without a word she turned to go inside.

“Wait a moment,” Yang Sheng called out. “Madam Jing, I—”

“Go back,” Jing Yun’s mother said, her steps never slowing.

Wei Huan stepped up to the gate. “Madam Jing, we failed to look after Jing Yun. We’re very worried about him. We’d like to stay only until he wakes—then we’ll leave at once and won’t trouble you.”

She paused, then replied coldly, “There’s no need. He doesn’t require anyone else right now.”

“Madam Jing,” Yang Sheng said, “you left Kunlun Void years ago to follow your own heart. What about Jing Yun’s heart? What if he wants to see his friends when he wakes?”

Jing Yun’s mother stopped for a beat, then muttered, “What do you know?” and went inside.

Just when everyone had lost hope, the gate swung open.

“Mind my flowers,” she said.

Inside the villa Wei Huan noticed a pair of navy-blue house-slippers at the entry—probably left for Jing Yun’s father. The interior was warm and lovingly kept; one living-room wall was covered with photos of Jing Yun growing up. A glass door led to the back garden, where six or seven well-behaved little demon-cats lounged.

Madam Jing laid Jing Yun on the thick shag carpet. Without asking what had happened, she placed a palm over his closed eyes; her own eyes at once became double-pupilled like his.

So Wei Huan had guessed right—Jing Yun’s Eye-Possession gift came from his mother.

After a moment she withdrew her hand—first casting a sharp glance at Yang Sheng, who could only give an awkward smile. She channelled yellow demon energy into Jing Yun’s eyes; the twin-ring crest on his lids faded. A second pulse of power shot outward, vanished, then streamed back as a soft yellow cloud, sinking into Jing Yun’s brow. His body jerked; he gasped like a drowning man saved.

“All right,” Madam Jing said.

Everyone breathed again. Jing Yun blinked, then flung himself into his mother’s arms. “Mom, I—I was just in a really scary place.” She held him, voice gentle and soothing. “It’s over. Don’t be afraid—Mama’s here.”

Peeking around her shoulder, he spotted Yang Sheng; his ears reddened and he buried his face again.

“Go upstairs and rest,” she told him. “Mama will look after your friends.”

The words made the whole group shiver—as if they’d been caught sneaking around by the host’s parent. Jing Yun, knowing he was in trouble, scurried upstairs with many backward glances.

“Entertaining friends” turned out to be genuine: Madam Jing produced piles of pastries for them to eat.

“Bifang, step outside with me a moment.”

Mouth full of biscuit, Yang Ling jumped; she watched her brother follow Madam Jing out, then signed frantically to Yan Shanyue and Wei Huan. Yan Shanyue poured her tea with an amused smile.

Qing He asked Wei Huan, “Feeling better?”

“Much,” Wei Huan nodded.

Boss Jue said, “I saw Shahua’s sealing spell on you—already opened. My guess is she sealed away your sacrifice, which is why you never felt it.”

“If the seal’s gone, will it return soon?” Wei Huan asked. Boss Jue shrugged. “Not every seal opens completely—another trigger might be needed. No telling.”

“You demon witches think of everything,” Qing He sighed, then glanced at the photo wall. “Little Chongming’s home is really nice.”

The remark pricked every heart there: Qing He’s tragic family, Yang Ling’s deceased father, Wei Huan’s slain parents, Yan Shanyue’s broken home.

“I guess we’re all pretty pitiful,” Yang Ling said, giggling foolishly—making even the Nine-Tail chuckle.

Through the glass door Wei Huan saw Madam Jing facing Yang Sheng in the yard; Yang Sheng looked uncharacteristically nervous.

Qing He’s eyes wandered and lit on something. “This place is priceless—look, they’ve even framed a contract!”

They all turned to a framed ‘agreement’ written in childish scrawl.

“What does it say?” Boss Jue asked.

Qing He read aloud: “Little Yun voluntarily becomes Mama and Papa’s child, promises to obey Mama every day, eat fewer snacks (small cakes excepted—okay?), won’t pester to visit the city; if Papa takes me I’ll behave and not run off. Little Yun will always love Mama and love Papa.” He snorted. “It even lists Party A, Party B, Party C—Party A: Jing Shu; Party B: Jing Yun; Party C: Shen Sicheng.”

He froze. “Wait—Shen Sicheng?”

Wei Huan abruptly stood and stepped up to the agreement. Sure enough, at the bottom of the page was a man’s signature—Shen Sicheng.

It was too much of a coincidence.

As his gaze drifted, he noticed another item displayed beside the agreement: a portrait, exquisitely painted, likely of Jing Yun as an infant. Beneath the portrait was a line of handwriting:

“To my dearest little nephew—you’ll be the happiest child in the world. —Shen Siming.”

Wei Huan’s scalp went numb. When he saw the signature, his heartbeat skipped a beat.

Because on the eradication mission list of the Demon slayer Clan, the name Shen Siming had been there—as one of the operatives.