Daoist Elder Wei He looked at Jiang Luo in silence for a while. “You’re very different from the Fated One.”
Jiang Luo, sharp as ever, immediately asked, “Why compare me to him? Did he also tell you something about me becoming the next false god?”
Daoist Elder Wei He realized that speaking more would only lead to more mistakes. He shut his mouth and refused to say another word.
Jiang Luo spoke slowly, “Daoist Elder Wei He, you’re not really satisfied with turning your clan into vessels for the Fated One, are you? You’re starting to doubt, even question him, right?”
Daoist Elder Wei He suddenly shot up from his seat, furious like Jiang Luo had jabbed a needle into his spine. “Don’t talk nonsense! I’ve never doubted the Fated One’s decisions!”
A person’s true thoughts are revealed in their small reactions. Earlier, when Jiang Luo asked if he hated the Fated One, Daoist Elder Wei He instinctively responded with “What about you?”—comparing his feelings for the Fated One with Jiang Luo’s feelings for Chi You.
But Jiang Luo and Chi You were supposed to be mortal enemies.
Jiang Luo felt more and more confident. He said calmly, “Daoist Elder Wei He, who are you truly loyal to? The Fated One himself, or the ‘future’ he keeps talking about? If it’s just for the sake of one man, and you go as far as keeping the truth from Lian Xue and the others—letting the Fated One plant shikigami in their bodies—then you’re no better than the malicious ghosts you claim to oppose. You’re just as selfish and cold-blooded.”
Daoist Elder Wei He had been fuming with rage, but upon hearing this, he suddenly calmed down. “What do you know.”
“Even though the Lian family lives in seclusion, not one of us is a coward,” Daoist Elder Wei He said with resolute force. “The future of the metaphysical world affects all of us. You’ll never understand what we’ve sacrificed. For that future, our entire clan is willing to give everything without hesitation. The younger generation only learns witchcraft and healing so they can save their comrades. They have shikigami sealed in them so that, when in mortal danger, they can sacrifice themselves to protect others.”
Daoist Elder Wei He’s eyes grew misty. “Do you think it doesn’t pain me?! Do you think I want our children to live burdened lives?! But disaster is right around the corner. I’m an old man; I’ve lived long enough. I can take it. But what about the next generation? And the one after that? What about the ordinary people who will be affected by this? What about them?”
“I follow the Fated One because he’s strong, kind, and the key to guiding us through this calamity. Every citizen has a duty to their country’s fate—we Lian family don’t want to hide away and only protect ourselves,” Daoist Elder Wei He raised his voice. “If no one steps up—if you won’t, if I won’t—then who will protect this world? What do you know?! Our sacrifice is for the metaphysical world, for clueless youths like you!”
“Even if every last Lian clansman has to die, I accept it. I’ve done everything with a clear conscience. The only guilt I carry is for those children. As for everyone else—I owe nothing.”
Jiang Luo suddenly felt his own fury flare. “You dare say you don’t owe Chi You? Or me?!”
Daoist Elder Wei He opened his mouth. He wanted to say “I don’t,” but when he met the blazing fire in Jiang Luo’s eyes, the words stuck in his throat.
Daoist Elder Wei He was a man thoroughly deceived by the Fated One’s lies. Not only had he been fooled himself, he’d dragged his whole clan into becoming the Fated One’s tools. But Jiang Luo felt no pity for him.
Daoist Elder Wei He might be pitiful—but what about Chi You, whose soul was turned into the Yuan Tian Bead? What about Lian Xue and the others?
Jiang Luo suppressed his anger. “Daoist Elder Wei He, you never once doubted the things the Fated One told you?”
Daoist Elder Wei He said stiffly, “The Fated One does not lie.”
Jiang Luo’s fists clenched hard enough to crack.
This old man was clearly dissatisfied with what the Fated One had done to the younger generation of the Lian family, yet he stubbornly forced down all his doubts and discontent. Just exchanging a couple of sentences with him made Jiang Luo’s head throb even more.
But when Jiang Luo went quiet, Daoist Elder Wei He unexpectedly began explaining what the Fated One had told him — perhaps trying to persuade Jiang Luo, or maybe to convince himself.
And as Jiang Luo had suspected, it was the usual spiel: “Chi You is a threat.”
The top figures of the metaphysical world trusted the Fated One completely, since he was the only known false god — by default seen as the protector of the metaphysical world. So anything he prophesied instantly won their faith.
According to what he told Daoist Elder Wei He, there were two ways to resolve the looming calamity: kill Chi You, or refine his soul into the Yuan Tian Beads to enhance others’ spiritual bodies and reverse the decline of the metaphysical realm.
Jiang Luo challenged, “Just four Yuan Tian Beads? How could that solve the decline? Even if four people consumed them, it would only strengthen four individuals’ spiritual bodies, nothing more.”
This question had long simmered in his mind — ever since Qi Yuan didn’t keep the beads for his own family but used them to recruit talents instead. Something about it felt off.
Daoist Elder Wei He’s eyes flickered, but he couldn’t give a clear answer. Jiang Luo immediately sensed foul play. He said sharply, “Because the Yuan Tian Beads, like Chi You’s ghost markings, can be passed down through generations?”
“…” Daoist Elder Wei He was speechless.
Jiang Luo grew bolder with his guesses. “Because Chi You was the last direct heir of the Chi family, and there’s no next host for the ghost markings. So you thought the ghost markings fused with his soul. Then you refined his soul into four Yuan Tian Beads, gave them to four people in the metaphysical world — and those four will pass the ghost markings on through generations. Their descendants will all have enhanced spiritual bodies, just like the Chi family line. That’s your so-called ‘revival of the metaphysical world.’ Only, since the power is divided into four, they’ll never be as strong as a pure Chi heir.”
Even as he voiced this theory, Jiang Luo thought it sounded over the top — but seeing Daoist Elder Wei He’s expression, he realized he might have guessed right.
Jiang Luo: “…”
Jiang Luo: “You people are truly black-hearted.”
If Jiang Luo had consumed a Yuan Tian Bead, his own descendants might have become a new version of the Chi family bloodline — but better, since they wouldn’t carry the “can’t harm collateral relatives” curse.
Jiang Luo let out a breathless laugh, rage simmering. “Daoist Elder Wei He, do you really believe someone capable of such things is a good person? That using the sacrifice of innocents to prevent a future that hasn’t even happened is the right thing to do?”
Daoist Elder Wei He still stubbornly said, “It’s precaution — preparing before the storm hits.”
“Then what if the Fated One lied to you about the prophecy?” Jiang Luo said coldly. “What if everything you did to Chi You is the very thing that causes the future catastrophe?”
Daoist Elder Wei He, agitated, said, “I told you, the Fated One cannot lie!”
“He told you all lives are equal, that to him, every creature is the same,” Jiang Luo said, “but he stood by while your Lian family sacrificed themselves. He watched as everyone who framed Chi You got taken down one by one, and never stepped in. Is it really that he can’t kill Chi You, or that he won’t?”
“He let you all stand in front of him and commit all the heinous acts on his behalf, while he stayed behind, spotless and clean. I say, it’s not that he couldn’t kill Chi You — he just didn’t want to pay the price of losing his chance at godhood.”
“He has selfish motives. the Fated One with personal ambitions — is he still a god? Are his words truly sacred? Was his prophecy about Chi You killing him, or about Chi You destroying the metaphysical world?”
Each question landed like thunder, leaving Daoist Elder Wei He utterly unsettled.
Jiang Luo now had the upper hand.
Once the Fated One’s selfishness was exposed — just like discovering a saint had ulterior motives for every good deed — then all of his actions and words would lose their shine.
Daoist Elder Wei He suddenly turned and stormed out. “This is my business — no need for you to meddle! This old man is leaving!”
Watching his hasty retreat, Jiang Luo actually smiled.
A few minutes later, the malicious ghost returned unhurriedly, carrying Jiang Luo to the bathroom.
A brand-new bathtub had been installed, already filled with water. Jiang Luo’s muscles were so sore he felt useless. Chi You gently placed him in the water.
Jiang Luo leaned his head against the rim of the tub, letting Chi You undress him.
The soaked shirt and pants were tossed aside by the tub.
The malicious ghost’s eyes were intense. Jiang Luo felt awkward inside, but forced a casual tone like an old flirt, “Do I look good?”
The ghost let out a soft laugh, lifted Jiang Luo’s leg, and pulled his underwear off his ankles. “I like it a lot.”
Jiang Luo cooperated, bracing his hands on either side of the tub. “This isn’t free, you know. You’ll have to pay.”
The ghost reached into his pocket and pulled out two red bills. “Are two enough?”
Jiang Luo recognized the cash and stared. “…Just barely acceptable.”
The ghost rolled up the two hundred yuan and stuffed them into the toothbrush cup beside Jiang Luo’s head.
Jiang Luo and Chi You had seen each other naked many times. If both were equally undressed, Jiang Luo wouldn’t care. But now he was completely bare in the water, while Chi You was still in a suit, layers of fabric wrapped around him. The contrast made Jiang Luo feel extremely exposed.
So when Chi You was bathing him, Jiang Luo deliberately splashed water onto Chi You’s coat.
For some reason, the malicious ghost’s mood became very good. With unusual patience, he took off his coat, revealing a fitted shirt and vest underneath. He rolled up his sleeves, baring a solid forearm.
He washed Jiang Luo as though tending to his most precious, most beautiful treasure, carefully cleaning away the blood and dust. But as he continued, he also stepped into the bathtub. His now soaked shirt clung to his chest, which pressed gently against Jiang Luo’s back.
Jiang Luo sat entirely within the malicious ghost’s arms, his black hair cascading like graceful serpents over his back. His body was lean and toned, muscles smooth and aesthetically defined. His slim waist gave him the air of a dangerous assassin or perhaps a beloved court attendant from ancient India, one favored by kings.
The malicious ghost held him close, kissing the side of Jiang Luo’s neck. The ghost markings on his face shimmered with excitement.
Steam gave Jiang Luo’s face a faint flush, and his lips were damp. The soft breaths he let out were difficult to read—unclear if from discomfort or pleasure, or maybe both.
The malicious ghost’s fingers lingered on three moles at Jiang Luo’s waist.
These three marks symbolized the time when Jiang Luo had once been deeply and thoroughly possessed by the ghost mark’s owner. Every time the malicious ghost saw these marks, a raw instinct surged from within—turning his affection, tenderness, and pity into something more primal and unrestrained. A dark desire to take, regardless of Jiang Luo’s tears or pleas.
But he knew Jiang Luo couldn’t endure that right now. So he held himself back—only seeking a little “interest.”
Unconsciously, the malicious ghost’s lips trailed lower, brushing down Jiang Luo’s spine toward his lower back. Jiang Luo shivered, suddenly alert. He didn’t know where the strength came from, but he abruptly pushed Chi You away and swam to the other side of the tub, facing him.
The crimson gleam in the malicious ghost’s eyes burned brighter, eerily intense. He narrowed his gaze at Jiang Luo, but didn’t press forward. Instead, his expression shifted as if reminiscing.
“You summoned me using the Yin-Yang hoop,” the malicious ghost said. “In exchange, you must agree to a request of mine.”
Jiang Luo took a breath, a little uneasy. “What kind of request?”
The malicious ghost replied, “Be my lover.”
Jiang Luo’s heart skipped.
He had expected this sort of answer before the words even left Chi You’s mouth. But when they finally did, he still felt thrown.
I don’t want to agree.
Jiang Luo told himself, I’m only doing this to fulfill the summoning agreement. That’s the rule of the Fourth Motion Summoning. If I break the rule, I’ll face backlash.
This isn’t something I chose willingly. I definitely don’t want to be his lover.
He cleared his throat, voice slightly raspy. “…Fine, I agree.”
Just a lover. That’s all.
Jiang Luo suppressed the smile tugging at his lips.
Being lovers didn’t change their antagonistic relationship. Even now, what did it matter? It didn’t mean they’d always be lovers. Even married couples get divorced. Once the time was right, Jiang Luo planned to break up with Chi You.
Chi You stared at him, a storm of emotion building in his chest. His gaze burned hotter, the undercurrent of emotion now unhidden. If looks could melt, Jiang Luo would’ve been reduced to ash.
Feeling his body flush under the intensity, Jiang Luo was suddenly pulled by the ankle toward Chi You.
“My lover,” the malicious ghost’s voice held a barely concealed thrill, “shouldn’t we share a kiss?”
A kiss?
Yes, they should share a kiss.
Jiang Luo didn’t move, waiting for him to come closer. When the malicious ghost leaned in, Jiang Luo reached up, wrapped his arms around his neck, and kissed him back—fiercely.
He surprised himself with the rush of emotion. He clung tighter, while the malicious ghost’s hands wandered freely along his back, touch impatient and wild. Chi You’s fingers felt like sparks, lighting fires across Jiang Luo’s skin.
The air between them grew thick with heat and tension—like sparks on the verge of igniting. Even caught in a daze, Jiang Luo’s last shred of rational thought wondered if he should stop things here.
But that hesitation was fleeting—and quickly pushed aside.
Whatever. We’re lovers now. Isn’t this natural?
They’d break up sooner or later anyway. Right now, all that mattered was enjoying the moment.
That final bit of rationality dissolved as their bodies drew closer and closer. Jiang Luo’s hands slid under Chi You’s clothes.
Chi You’s clothing, always impeccably fitted, was now soaked and clung tightly to his figure. The buttons and tie slightly askew, giving him a wild, dangerously attractive air. Jiang Luo unfastened the buttons one by one, palms pressed to the malicious ghost’s abdomen. Chi You let out a low chuckle, loosened his tie, and lowered his head to kiss Jiang Luo’s chest.
The bathtub shook, water spilling out again and again. Clothes and tiles were soaked. Mist clung thick in the air, droplets forming on the ceiling.
In that water-filled world, human and malicious ghost indulged in a moment of wild abandon, hiding behind the label of “lovers,” releasing their deepest desires.
Every touch was like fire meeting dry grass—magnetic, undeniable. Every second affirmed a truth neither could deny:
You drive me absolutely mad.
Chi You’s joy was frighteningly intense. He wanted to laugh—loudly. The eerie ghost markings faded from his face as his expression softened.
He knew Jiang Luo’s body was still recovering and had no plans to go all the way. But even stopping now felt harder than death.
Jiang Luo was like a seductive ghost, making people feel as if they were on the edge of ecstasy and death. Chi You restrained himself so much that his throat ached, the bones of his fingers tight under veins swelling with suppressed desire. The murderous aura flared again at the corners of his eyes before being forced back down—but the Jiang Luo beneath him had no concern at all for the ghost’s momentary gentleness or for his own fragile body. He responded with such intensity that it made it even harder for the ghost to pull away.
But this fevered and ambiguous atmosphere was soon shattered by Jiang Luo’s cry of pain. His hand slipped from the ghost’s body, and his whole figure slumped into the bathtub. Chi You immediately lifted him out of the water—but blood kept spilling from his lips.
The ghost wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth again and again. Compared to the last two times, Jiang Luo seemed a little more used to the pain now. He forced a bit of his mind to remain clear, trembling as he said, “Sa—say something…”
Say something—anything—to distract him.
“…” The ghost spoke lowly, “Your blood is… very hot.”
Hot?
Jiang Luo strained to look at the ghost’s hand. There were faint wisps of steam rising from the hand smeared with his blood—it really was hot.
Was his blood always this hot?
His mind drifted. Of course—it made sense. He was human, Chi You was a ghost. Chi You was so cold… of course his blood would feel hot to him.
This wave of pain lasted a full minute. But to Jiang Luo, it felt like an hour. When it finally passed, his arms were twitching again, and his freshly cleaned body was once more soaked in cold sweat.
The ghost lifted him from the tub, face expressionless. He drained the water, refilled it with clean, warm water, and quickly bathed Jiang Luo a second time. Then, he took a towel and gently dried him.
Jiang Luo closed his eyes, letting the ghost wipe his face. When Chi You awkwardly helped him get dressed, Jiang Luo couldn’t help but chuckle.
Chi You’s fingers paused. “What are you laughing at?”
“Your service is impeccable,” Jiang Luo curled his lips. “I was wondering how much I’d have to pay per day to hire a butler like you.”
The ghost tugged his lips into a half-smile, carried him out of the bathroom, and said, “Compared to dressing you, I’d rather be undressing you.”
“Then tonight’s your chance,” Jiang Luo gave a low laugh, leaning in to whisper in his ear, “Because coincidentally, I feel the same.”
Teng Bi had just returned with the beef noodles. Besides the noodles, he’d brought some porridge, pickled vegetables, and two tea eggs. The smell of food revived Jiang Luo’s spirits a bit. He lowered his head to pick at the noodles, but had only eaten two bites when noise erupted outside.
Teng Bi went to check. Half an hour later, he came back.
“One of the Lian family members broke free while Huali was off guard. After Huali caught him, he suddenly transformed. We had to spend some effort to subdue him.”
“Who escaped?” Jiang Luo asked curiously.
“A man named Lian Bing,” Teng Bi replied.
Jiang Luo grabbed a tea egg and walked to the door, eating as he watched.
After being recaptured, the threat of death awakened the shikigami inside Lian Bing. Under the shikigami’s control, Lian Bing lost all reason and attacked everyone in a blind rage.
If not for the fact that other Lian family members were tied up nearby, Huali and Teng Bi would have subdued him much sooner.
At the moment, Lian Bing was tied to a chair. His expression was twisted with madness. Three black whisker-like marks stretched across each side of his face. His nails had grown long like Huali’s, his nose was sharp, and he was snarling madly at everyone around him. He looked like some kind of weasel spirit.
The chair groaned under his thrashing. Some of the Lian family members around him had already been attacked. The elders looked on with sorrow; the younger ones were pale with fear. A few close to Lian Bing had already burst into tears, unable to believe what they were seeing.
“Lian Bing, what’s wrong with you? Don’t scare us like this!”
“Wuwuwu… How did you become like this?”
Huali stood nearby, face dark and tense. He looked furious. Jiang Luo took another bite of his egg and called out, “Huali.”
Huali glanced at him reluctantly and walked over. “What.”
“Did he transform in front of everyone?”
Huali’s face turned even grimmer. He nodded in silence.
The noisy surroundings stirred the unconscious Lian Xue. Her eyes fluttered open—and the first thing she saw was Lian Bing’s monstrous state.
Lian Bing noticed her gaze and let out a vicious roar in her direction.
Lian Xue’s pupils shrank. She froze for a few seconds, then suddenly looked around, searching for Daoist Elder Wei He.
Daoist Elder Wei He was staring at Lian Bing, expression complicated. Sensing her gaze, he turned to meet her eyes.
Lian Xue’s eyes were full of tears. She seemed to plead silently: Senior Uncle, use the shikigami inside me. Please… don’t let my junior brothers and sisters suffer what I did.
That pain of losing control… of hurting your friends and loved ones…
Daoist Elder Wei He clenched his fists tightly.
He looked across the faces of all the Lian family members—at the fear, the grief, the disbelief—and suddenly, he started to doubt himself.
The path he had been so determined to follow… was it truly the right one?
Everything the Fated One said and did… was it really for the good of the metaphysics world?
