Chapter 9: The Heavens Will Not Perish Me
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The day lacked a dazzling sunset, and there was no gleaming moonlight from Changchun Peak.
Across the desolate wilderness, withered grass stretched as far as the eye could see. Light snowflakes fluttered down through thick, heavy clouds, blanketing the vast expanse.
This place, where the realms of humans, demons, and monsters intersect, is known as the outskirts, where the climate is extreme and storms of rain, snow, wind, and thunder frequently alternate—a phenomenon not uncommon.
In this lawless land, various entities—be they bandits seeking riches, fugitives fleeing from death, or outcasts rejected by all realms—often excel in concealment, staying cautious to evade the ubiquitous dangers of life and death.
Then there are those like Ji Xiao, who walk openly under the heavens, defying the fierce winds and snowstorms.
What separates the outskirts from the three realms is a violent barrier of raging winds. Since the dawn of creation, when the heavens and earth first opened, this barrier has stood. However, the powerful beings of each race have always found ways to resist the winds and travel between the realms. The demons rely on magic, humans on their true essence, and the monsters on their sturdy fur and flesh.
A hundred years ago, when the demons launched a massive invasion of the human realm, the cultivators finally realized that the natural barrier was unreliable. After the turmoil ended, the human strongmen joined forces to establish a protective array as a second line of defense.
The outskirts were fraught with danger, and with the dwindling spiritual energy, many were unable or unwilling to undertake the thankless task of guarding the array.
Thus, every three years, Ji Xiao, the Sword Sovereign, traveled between the inner and outer barriers, leaving behind several sword intents to deter external enemies. If they encountered powerful demons, it inevitably led to another fierce battle.
Three years passed, then another three. As time went on, people began to take it for granted, thinking that such tasks should naturally fall to the Sword Sovereign, after all, he was invincible in the human realm. Who else could protect the four corners of the world if not him?
Even Ji Xiao himself had grown accustomed to it. Just like ordinary cultivators diligently cultivating, or common people toiling for their livelihoods, terms like dedication and sacrifice were irrelevant; it was just a part of daily life.
Whether it was the Sword Sovereign or ordinary people, under the heavens, there was no difference.
Ji Xiao draped in a black cloak stood out against the white snow-filled sky.
In fact, one didn’t need to see him in person; just sensing a powerful aura was enough to make the creatures of the outskirts retreat by a hundred feet.
But today was different. Ji Xiao walked silently, amidst the sounds of snow and wind, a faint voice rang out:
“Sword Sovereign, please stop…”
Ji Xiao’s pace remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
It was the voice of a young and inexperienced youth:
“I am severely injured and being chased by someone. Please, Sword Sovereign, save my life. I will surely repay you in the future!”
Ji Xiao had long known that there was a monster hiding behind the reeds and initially didn’t want to bother. However, this weak monster showed remarkable courage.
The relationship between humans and monsters was delicate. On the surface, they coexisted peacefully, and sometimes even collaborated to resist the demon clan. However, humans used monsters for refining tools, and great monsters also consumed humans to supplement their strength.
Ji Xiao walked towards the source of the voice and saw a blurry mass of flesh and blood, trembling and lying on the ground, like a budding plum blossom in the snow.
He asked, “Do you recognize me?”
“I recognize your sword intent. You are Ji Xiao.”
Ji Xiao bent down and gently lifted it up, carefully examining it for a moment. “Spirit ferret? Snow Mountain King?”
Unlike the titles used by human cultivators such as Ancestor, Daoist, Sage, and Sword Sovereign, the great monsters who ruled over a territory in the monster world were collectively referred to as Kings.
He had heard recently that this Snow Mountain King was about to unify the monster world and become the supreme monster king. Yet now, it was severely injured and on the brink of death, fleeing to the outskirts of the world. Its monstrous body, once the size of a small mountain, was now reduced to a tiny mass. With its skin torn and flesh ripped, its sharp claws broken, it felt light and soft in his hand.
“It’s me! I beg Sword Sovereign to save my life!”
For some reason, Ji Xiao suddenly felt like laughing.
This King, who had minions serving him daily, should be extremely proud. Stubbornly refusing to die, it must have a lot of courage.
Who would have thought that it could bend and stretch so flexibly, without any awareness of being a great monster, boldly shouting for help.
The spirit ferret’s eyes were moist. “Once I recover from my injuries, I am willing to form a contract with you as a spirit beast. I’ll accompany you for fun and games, and fight alongside you in the three realms!”
There indeed existed the art of beast taming in the mortal realm. Ji Xiao recalled the mantra of the Beast Tamer of the Beiming Mountain, “Only spirit beasts and petty men are hard to raise.” Shaking his head, he said, “Spirit beasts are delicate and difficult to raise.”
“But I’m different, I’m easy to care for! I heard that your Han Shan is constantly battered by wind and snow, with tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves roaming the forests. That’s just perfect for me. I like meat, any kind will do, and I also like rolling around in the snow after a good meal. Take me back with you and make me a guardian spirit beast!”
The spirit ferret blinked its round eyes. “Aren’t you human cultivators supposed to value the concept of ‘fateful encounters’? We are suitable for each other, isn’t that fate?”
Ji Xiao replied calmly, “I can’t save you. Your demon core is shattered, and your tendons and veins are severed inch by inch by external forces. Even if I heal your external injuries, there is little time left…”
He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity. “Where are your parents or relatives? I can send you to see them for the last time.”
“I have no parents or relatives. I was nurtured by the spiritual energy beneath the sacred Snow Mountain in the demon realm, born and raised by nature.” The spirit ferret, refusing to give up, pleaded, “Sword Sovereign, please reconsider. The fact that I encountered you today proves that my life shouldn’t end. Heaven won’t forsake me!”
“Heaven won’t forsake you?” Ji Xiao was skeptical. “With your current condition, if you encounter other cultivators, you might have already been dissected for your demon core, stripped of your fur and bones, and refined into magical artifacts or pills.”
The spirit ferret trembled slightly in his palm. “But I feel like you’re a good person.”
Ji Xiao fell silent. The wind and snow howled around them as the spirit ferret looked at him expectantly, its eyes gradually dimming. Suddenly, Ji Xiao spoke up:
“I have a senior brother who is proficient in alchemy. He once refined a ‘Reincarnation Pill’ capable of preserving the soul. I can then reshape your flesh and bones, reincarnating you as a human, offering you a slim chance of survival… Are you willing to give up your demonic form?”
Without knowing what it had experienced in the demon realm, the spirit ferret replied without hesitation, “Yes, as long as I can live, I’m willing to become human!”
“It’s not easy to become human. Demons can consume demons, but humans cannot consume other humans.” Ji Xiao’s expression remained calm. “Changing one’s nature is difficult. Are you willing to promise me not to take lives in the human realm?”
He only needed a verbal promise, not forcing the spirit ferret to swear on its soul. He was confident that if the other party reneged, he could handle it.
“For the sake of becoming human, I’m willing to be vegetarian! But I won’t take lives. What if others bully me?”
Ji Xiao replied calmly, “As long as you’re by my side, I will protect you.”
He reached for a healing spirit pill, and the little ferret didn’t hesitate to swallow it. Soon, its injuries began to heal. Ji Xiao then used his techniques to clean and treat the wounds, preventing the grim sight of torn flesh and flowing blood.
Curling up into his arms, the spirit ferret said, “I can never repay your kindness. I’m willing to follow the Sword Sovereign from now on!”
Ji Xiao stroked its white fur, feeling the softness under his fingertips.
The demon core and meridians were shattered, leaving only a weak heartbeat—a fragile creature that could be crushed by a single finger.
“In the human body, there are three bright fires: two on the shoulders and one on the forehead, gathering Yang energy. If you’re reborn as a human, these fires will dim, making your body cold. Have you thought it through?” Ji Xiao asked.
The spirit ferret still replied, “As long as I can live.”
Ji Xiao frowned, “My cave is very cold. Are you still willing to follow me?”
He lived on the highest peak of the Han Shan, where the wind and snow raged, turning water into ice.
The spirit ferret hurriedly said, “I can wear thicker clothes, could you make a fireplace for me?”
The spirit ferret whispered softly, “Just a small stove will do…”
After a moment of deep thought, Ji Xiao finally nodded. “Alright.”
The spirit ferret rejoiced and nestled against his neck, gently licking his jawline.
…….
Ji Xiao set off towards the mortal realm, where violent gusts of wind assaulted him, causing his cloak to flutter wildly.
The master of the realm was once his senior brother in the same sect. Although he came from the Han Shan, he excelled in various practices such as alchemy, artifact refinement, divination, and aura observation, but he never wielded a sword.
After hearing the cause and effect, the master of the realm carefully calculated and advised Ji Xiao not to interfere with karma.
Ji Xiao remained silent and sipped his tea.
Seeing Ji Xiao’s response, the master of the realm had no choice but to make things clearer.
“I’ve observed that this spirit ferret’s fate has come to an end. You insist on defying fate for him, disrespecting the arrangements of the heavens. I’m afraid his misfortune will fall upon you in the future.”
Ji Xiao smiled faintly, showing his pride without reservation. “His encounter with me means the heaven won’t perish him.”
Three years later, the master of the realm’s prediction came true. Ji Xiao’s divine body was destroyed, and he lost two hundred years of cultivation. He had to start anew, just like Meng Xueli.
This incident taught people two lessons. One, one cannot save people casually, whether they are human or demon; two, sometimes fortune-tellers are surprisingly accurate.
Unfortunately, Ji Xiao was not an ordinary person, destined not to learn his lesson. As he looked back on past events at this moment, he found himself surprisingly devoid of regret.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
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