Chapter 49: It’s You

April 13th, 2023

Fang Li: ……

Should he dodge or not?

If he didn’t dodge, this strike of the whip was asking for his life.

But if he dodged, wouldn’t that be equivalent to revealing his identity?

Fang Li’s entire body was stretched taut, his eyes sharpening.

Just as the fatal moment arrived, a flash of cold light swept past, and Xie Huai’s white-robed silhouette blocked in front of him, flinging aside Wu Yimei’s whip with a single strike of his sword!

Xie Huai’s eyes were black as an abyss, his voice ice-cold. He said with deliberation, “Cease.”

Although Xie Huai had already been fairly restrained and had used the back of his blade, preventing the vine whip from being sliced in half in one blow, Wu Yimei still staggered, blood welling up in his chest. Seeing Xie Huai stand guard in front of that person, he glared at Xie Huai hatefully, pain and resentment in his eyes.

That year, he’d obeyed His Excellency’s orders and left. Who could have known that before he’d even reached Returning Spring Valley, he received the news that His Excellency had died on Hollow Ridge.

And the person who had killed His Excellency was Xie Huai.

In front of the entire Thousand Immortals’ Alliance, Xie Huai had killed His Excellency in a single blow and pushed him into the Fallen Star Sea so that not even His Excellency’s body remained.

He’d rushed back in such grief that he wished he were dead, but he hadn’t even made it back in time to see His Excellency one last time……

Wasn’t it you who told me that as long as I lived, there would be a day we would meet again?

You’ve never lied to me.

But this time, why didn’t you keep your promise?

I just knew that sooner or later, Xie Huai would hurt you. Your heart was full of infatuation for him, but what was the result?

If, back then, I had killed Xie Huai even if it meant disobeying you, would none of this have happened?

These years.

Killing Xie Huai in order to get revenge for His Excellency had become the only thing possessing Wu Yimei to stay alive, but unfortunately, today, Xie Huai was already the number one in the world. He wasn’t a match for Xie Huai at all, suffering defeat after defeat at Xie Huai’s hands. Now, he couldn’t even keep safe the place where His Excellency had lived……

Wu Yimei’s pupils were so vividly red that they looked like they were about to drip blood, and the hand that was clenching his whip crackled loudly.

He would rather die at Xie Huai’s hands.

Yet Xie Huai persistently refused to kill him and would let him go every time. This was a humiliation toward him, letting him know how powerless he was. Not only was he unable to get revenge, he couldn’t do anything at all……

He could only watch his sworn enemy take over their home.

Even if you and His Excellency stood on different sides, could you really not sense how His Excellency treated you?

Why are you letting an unrelated person live in His Excellency’s residence, why do you have to trample on everything of His Excellency’s like this……

This person was clearly cold-blooded and ruthless, he was clearly someone without a heart, yet the foolish people of the world praised him as a living celestial. How laughable.

A single grievous cry leaked out of Wu Yimei’s throat. He once again grasped the whip in his hand, and his cultivation erupted throughout his entire body. His blood-red eyes watched Xie Huai with reckless abandon.

Xie Huai’s brow creased.

Wu Yimei was burning his spiritual energy in order to try to take Xie Huai with him to the grave.

These years, Wu Yimei frequently came to the ridge to assassinate him. Although he knew full well that he wasn’t a match, he kept bothering him without rest, obviously harboring the intention of seeking his own death. He was just a devil with his hands full of blood, nothing more, and he didn’t know what was good for him at all. Reasonably speaking, Xie Huai might as well kill him……

But Wu Yimei was the person who Fang Li had stopped at nothing to protect just before his death……

So no matter what, he wouldn’t kill Wu Yimei.

The Snowblue Sword in Xie Huai’s hands sensed danger and buzzed loudly, its fighting intent surging. His sleeves fluttered in the wind, a battle about to erupt at any moment.

Fang Li’s expression finally became worried.

Wu Yimei wasn’t a match for Xie Huai.

Back then, he’d gone to no small lengths to persuade Wu Yimei to leave the ridge, and it sure wasn’t for the sake of letting Wu Yimei come back to give away his life. If things went on like this, he would be forcing Xie Huai to strike. Did he really want to die here?

But right now, Fang Li couldn’t expose his own identity and order Wu Yimei to retreat.

Fang Li’s heart was full of endless anxiety. Seeing that the two were about to start fighting, his mind raced, and he grabbed onto Xie Huai’s arm, putting on a frightened expression. “I’m scared……”

Although Xie Huai was always icy cold, Wu Yimei had almost killed him just now. As a fool, asking Xie Huai for help wasn’t out of the question, right?

Xie Huai’s arm was suddenly hugged by Fang Li, the young man’s thin body clinging tightly to him, seemingly terrified into trembling faintly. His pitch-black eyes looked at Xie Huai nervously, full of worry and unease……

As if Xie Huai was his only support.

But Xie Huai looked into the depths of his eyes.

He knew that all of it was a lie to confuse him.

The worry and unease in those eyes, just who was it for?

Are you that worried about Wu Yimei? So impatient to stop me?

A cold current swept through Xie Huai’s chest. These days, although he hadn’t appeared, he had actually been observing silently the whole time. Wu Yimei’s appearance was an accident, and it had originally been a good opportunity to probe Fang Li and force him to reveal a mistake…… But in the end, he couldn’t bear for Fang Li to encounter a single accident, so he’d immediately acted to stop it……

But Xie Huai hadn’t missed the joy in Fang Li’s eyes the moment he’d seen Wu Yimei.

So, you were very happy to reunite with Wu Yimei. Those eyes couldn’t deceive anyone. But why, when you’re facing me, do you only hide and flee?

Even if Wu Yimei nearly hurt you, you still think of protecting him, fearing that I might hurt him. For that, you don’t even hesitate to play the fool and put on such an appearance……

Wu Yimei is someone you worry and care about. Then what about me…… Am I not worth even a shred of your care?

Did you really ever like me?

Ever since coming across this person.

Xie Huai had hoped day after day, night after night, that if there came a day where he could reunite with him again, he would be sure to tell him in person the feelings that he hadn’t had a chance to speak aloud……

But when they really did meet.

Everything was telling him that this person didn’t actually want his feelings. The only thing he wanted was to leave him.

An undercurrent swept though Xie Huai’s eyes, on the verge of breaking through its restraints.

In that split second, he really did want to kill Wu Yimei, so that this person’s eyes could never look at someone else again, so that he could never again wound his heart for the sake of someone else…… Since you were so heartless to me, it’s not unreasonable for me to be a little bit heartless, right?

But in the end, it was only a thought.

He couldn’t bear to see this person suffer or despair.

If I kill Wu Yimei today, I’m afraid there will never be any possibility between us again.

Wu Yimei’s whip was already thrashing toward them. Xie Huai suddenly looked up, his eyes as frigid as an abyss. The Snowblue Sword in his hand turned slightly. This time, it was no longer the back of the blade, but the sharp edge that met the whip. The cold tip struck out, and in the blink of an eye, it split Wu Yimei’s whip into two halves—

Following a shake of Xie Huai’s arm, the back of Xie Huai’s blade struck Wu Yimei’s chest and sent him crashing violently away!

Wu Yimei spit out a mouthful of blood, his body swaying, on the brink of collapse. Although the blow hadn’t been fatal, it had seriously injured him, and he couldn’t take another step forward. He looked hatefully at Xie Huai. Why, why did it turn out like this again, why must you leave me alive?

Why don’t you just kill me?!

Fang Li’s hands suddenly tightened around Xie Huai, and he held his breath.

Because one of Xie Huai’s hands was being held by Fang Li, he had only struck with one hand, but he still hadn’t given Wu Yimei any chance to retaliate. When he struck, he hadn’t concealed his killing intent at all, letting Fang Li understand very clearly that at that moment—Xie Huai had wanted to kill Wu Yimei.

He’d really wanted to kill him.

A demonic cultivator who had provoked him time and time again—if he killed him, that was it. Although he didn’t know why Xie Huai had spared Wu Yimei in the end, things couldn’t go on like this……

Fang Li’s worries were heavy.

Xie Huai watched Wu Yimei with an ice-cold gaze. His thin lips parted slightly, and he spat out a single word. “Leave.”

Wu Yimei’s blood-red eyes were full of fury and pain. He knew Xie Huai wouldn’t kill him.

His heart was unwilling.

But continuing to stay here was only seeking out more humiliation for himself. He finally took a deep breath, then turned and disappeared into the night.

When his wounds healed, he would come again.

He wouldn’t let matters rest with Xie Huai until death!

Only after seeing that Wu Yimei was finally willing to retreat was Fang Li able to relax slightly. He’d managed through no small effort to complete the plot, but Wu Yimei still insisted on seeking death and couldn’t make peace with Xie Huai. If he really died by Xie Huai’s sword, it would be a waste of all of his bitter efforts.

He thought about how he was no longer the demon lord, yet he still had to worry about his subordinates. Just when would he be able to clock out?

Fang Li let out a gloomy sigh in his heart.

Just as he was about to let go of Xie Huai’s hand, he suddenly saw Xie Huai turn to look at him. In the depths of those murky eyes were a darkness that made one’s heart quiver, and Fang Li’s movements couldn’t help but stiffen.

Xie Huai, seemed to be very unhappy……

Xie Huai’s gaze was fixed on the young man beside him. His jaw was clenched taut, as if fiercely suppressing something.

Back then, it was you who didn’t hesitate to use even your life to carve out a bright future for me. You weren’t willing to let me fall into hell with you, you pushed me aside and had me return to being the Yuyi-jun admired by all…… You also once cared about me, right?

Xie Huai couldn’t understand.

Why could this person treat him with profound affection on the one hand, but act so coldly and ruthlessly toward him on the other. Making him fall hopelessly for him, yet leaving without any hesitation.

He had hundreds, thousands of words in his heart to interrogate him with, asking him why he was doing this.

Xie Huai’s lips moved, but in the end, he didn’t speak. Instead, he turned and left decisively.

He was afraid of getting an answer he didn’t want.

Fang Li stood there blankly. Only when Xie Huai had left did he finally realize that his back was soaked in cold sweat.

The Xie Huai in that moment just now had felt both terrifying and unfamiliar.

After a long time, he let out a sigh with a complicated expression.

……………………………………

Originally, Fang Li had thought his days were nice and leisurely. He was happy and content being a fool. The Fang family was safe and sound anyways, and there wasn’t much to worry about for him all by his lonesome…… But because of the situation with Wu Yimei, his heart was full of worries these days. Wu Yimei wouldn’t let things rest so easily. If there was a next time, would Xie Huai still let Wu Yimei go?

He had to think of a way to leave and look for an opportunity to meet with Wu Yimei so that he could tell him not to come seeking death anymore.

Only, Xie Huai was still on Hollow Ridge.

He didn’t believe he could escape from right under Xie Huai’s nose.

The Xie Huai from that night had truly been a bit terrifying. Fang Li decided not to provoke him for the time being, so these days, all he would do was eat and sleep, and he basically had his doors closed without stepping foot outside.

Xie Huai also seemed to have no intention of seeing him. Other than the food prepared every day without exception, he practically never appeared before him.

Several days passed just like this.

Xie Huai finally came by again.

When the cold, white-robed man walked into the courtyard, he seemed to bring with him a gust of wind and snow. There wasn’t a trace of warmth in his deep, gloomy eyes.

Fang Li immediately became alert, putting on a perplexed, ignorant expression. He was playing the part of the fool through and through.

Xie Huai lowered his eyes to glance at Fang Li. His gaze swept past Fang Li’s dirty robes, his messy hair, and the grime on his face…… In order not to be recognized, he sure was putting his heart into it.

He still remembered how much this person had once loved cleanliness. His robes had always had dirt-repelling spells cast on them, and if they got even a little bit dirty, he would change.

Now, he wasn’t even paying attention to these things.

Xie Huai inwardly laughed mockingly at himself. He had originally intended to let Fang Li go on like this, but in the end, his fingers twitched, and he still cast a cleaning spell for Fang Li, erasing the stains on his robes. He said blandly, “Come here.”

Fang Li hesitated for a moment, but still walked over.

Xie Huai’s slender fingers placed a jade bottle on the table, and he said, “I have to leave for a few days. These are inedia pills. Eat these for now.”

Fang Li was still looking at him with confusion.

Xie Huai didn’t intend on explaining any further. He put down the jade bottle, then turned and left. He didn’t even give Fang Li a glance before his figure disappeared through the courtyard entrance.

As soon as Xie Huai left, Fang Li’s expression returned to normal, his eyebrows raised.

He picked up the jade bottle and fiddled with it, opening it up to take a look. The jade bottle was filled with little pills, all of them high-quality inedia pills. A single pill could last a month, but they looked dark and black, and the smell wasn’t great, either. At a glance, one could tell they wouldn’t taste good.

How could a fool understand what Xie Huai had said, and why would a fool eat these pills that looked like they would taste horrible just from their appearance?

Fang Li let out a faint sigh. This test was really too obvious.

But he had no choice but to accept it, this was an obvious ploy…… It looked like he would have to spend these few days hungry. He didn’t know when Xie Huai would return, either.

But if Xie Huai left, would he be able to think of a way to escape?

But it might also be Xie Huai’s scheme to lure the tiger out of its den……

Fang Li went back to his room and lay down on his bed. He couldn’t act hastily. If Xie Huai had only pretended to leave and was actually observing him in secret, acting hastily would only play into Xie Huai’s hands.

When he woke up the next day, as expected, there was no food prepared.

Luckily, there were some pastries left inside the room. Fang Li ate the pastries and made it through the day.

On the third day, still no one showed up.

Fang Li circled the place and picked the fruit from the trees to eat.

The fourth day……

The fifth day……

Fang Li was already so hungry his stomach was complaining. Xie Huai still hadn’t returned, and his entire body was on the verge of collapse. He looked outside with vacant eyes……

His gaze hovered back and forth around the inedia pills, but in the end, he still fiercely turned his head aside.

Then, with a plop, he fell onto the ground in front of the door.

Fang Li was pretending to have fainted.

He just didn’t believe Xie Huai would watch him starve to death here. Xie Huai definitely couldn’t do something like trampling a human life like grass.

Fang Li kept lying on the ground and accidentally fell right asleep. But when he woke up, he was still in his original position, and the room still had no traces of anyone having come by……

Had Xie Huai really left the ridge?

Fang Li pressed his lips together.

If Xie Huai had really left the ridge, this was a good opportunity for him to escape. He slowly crawled up off the ground. He strolled around, seemingly without any purpose, as if looking for something to eat, and wandered toward the entrance of the demonic palace……

Although Xie Huai shouldn’t be here, Fang Li still wasn’t overly careless and remained cautious.

He circled around the entrance of the demonic palace. As expected, there was a barrier set up around the entrance. He could see it at a glance, but he still crashed into it head-first, the pain causing tears to well up.

Fang Li turned back and left.

He walked through the entire demonic palace, but there wasn’t a single crack to be found. Finally, he arrived at the area behind the residential palace. When he saw the bamboo house in the forbidden area, Fang Li’s expression finally changed.

The bamboo house was still there.

Although the outside held some marks and traces of age, it still maintained its original appearance.

Back then, when he’d died and left, he hadn’t been able to bring anything with him, so in the end, Yan Sui’s shixiong’s bamboo sword could only be left in the bamboo house…… This bamboo house was ordinary and plain, and the sword was also mottled and damaged. Perhaps it wouldn’t draw the Thousand Immortals’ Alliance’s attention, so it could be preserved? Although that had been the case, he’d known the chances were slim. When the Thousand Immortals’ Alliance charged in here, how could they not pick the demonic palace clean?

Aside from Yan Sui, who else would care about this useless sword?

So, he’d thought this place would be long gone.

Only, he hadn’t thought that after all these years, Hollow Ridge would still be exactly the same as back then. Xie Huai had preserved everything, including this bamboo house.

That bamboo sword.

Might still be there.

Fang Li fell silent for a moment, his expression complicated as he walked inside.

The bamboo house was still empty. The mottled green sword was placed peacefully atop the table. Sure enough, it was still here…… Fang Li lowered his eyes and laughed softly. Only, when his gaze moved aside, he couldn’t help his expression from stiffening.

Beside the bamboo sword was a black stone halberd.

Back when he’d plummeted into the Fallen Star Sea, he’d left this black stone halberd on the seaside cliff. It turned out Xie Huai had even brought this back?

This was Yan Sui’s lifebound spirit weapon. After transmigrating over, he’d inherited everything of Yan Sui’s, including this black stone halberd.

When he recalled the past, it was like a lifetime ago.

Fang Li unconsciously stepped forward and softly stroked the handle. The moment he touched it, the black stone halberd that had remained silent for years hummed softly. It was obviously a ferocious killing device that had drunk the blood of countless victims and caused the people of the world to shudder, but in front of Fang Li, it was like a child waiting for its master, emitting intimate ripples of energy…… full of longing and unwillingness to part……

Apologeticness sprouted in Fang Li’s heart, and his eyes softened.

This was the lifebound spirit weapon that was linked to his consciousness.

Yet it’d been thrown aside and left all alone for nine years.

He could sense the black stone halberd’s joy and exhilaration…..

Only, the whole world knew that this was the demon lord’s weapon for slaughter. If he were to take the black stone halberd, it would be equivalent to announcing the demon lord’s return to the whole world. He was afraid it would once again summon forth oceans of blood.

In this life, he only wanted peace and quiet.

He had no intention of getting wrapped up in the turmoils of the world, nor did he want to cause the slaughter of innocents.

So, I’m sorry, I can’t take you away.

Although his heart was still full of apologies and unwillingness to part, Fang Li still let go.

As his touch disappeared, the black stone halberd fell silent once again.

Emitting a quiet, solemn aura.

Xie Huai was standing in the air just above the demonic palace, and the entire demonic palace was shrouded within his spiritual consciousness.

He saw Fang Li enter the bamboo building, and his hands couldn’t help but clench tighter.

Then, he saw that black stone halberd full of raging bloodthirst that ordinary people couldn’t even approach let out an intimate hum in Fang Li’s hand.

Only its master could cause this arrogant, unyielding killing device to submit.

Because this was his lifebound spirit weapon.

Although Xie Huai had long anticipated Fang Li’s identity already, and all kinds of evidence had indicated that he was that person…… how exactly had Fang Li survived? And how had he arrived in his current body? There were too many doubts and mysteries in his mind, and in the end, he still had a trace of uncertainty.

But right now, at this moment—

—there wasn’t a trace of doubt left.

Fang Li really was that person.

……………………………

The Author Has Something to Say:

Xie Huai: Observing in secret, ding—