Chu Mingwei had no idea that the previous confrontation was trivial for Xiao Lingyu. As for the black-clad youth’s little scheme, Xiao Lingyu scoffed, “If you truly couldn’t stand that white-robed man, just find an opportunity to take him out and be done with it. Relying on the elder’s favor and resorting to petty provocations—how childish!”
Still trapped under the Silence Seal, the old ghost quietly grumbled, “Little Yuzi, you forcing Chu Mingwei to roleplay calling you ‘Senior Brother’—that’s true childishness.”
Of course, even without the Silence Seal, he would never dare say this in front of Xiao Lingyu. Over the years, Xiao Lingyu’s cunning had grown only in mischief; if he held a grudge, the old ghost knew that he’d likely be speechless for the next ten years.
The black-clad youth, unaware that his actions were being interpreted very differently by the master and senior brother, was now in a private residence in the southeast of the marketplace, smiling as he recounted the earlier incident to a man in ink-colored robes who looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
The man was reclined on a small couch, his long black hair cascading messily behind him, narrow phoenix-like eyes half-closed, a lazy expression on his face as he listened. When the youth finished speaking, the man slowly opened his eyes, indifferent. “Xiao Hei, if you don’t like Qin Kai, I can handle him for you. One move, and it’s done.”
The black-clad youth puffed up his cheeks, “Master, I’m not Xiao Hei anymore. My name is Xiao Muyu.”
The man raised his eyes slightly, “I still prefer Xiao Hei.”
The youth hurriedly explained, “So many mortals are called Xiao Hei—it’s nothing special. ‘Xiao Muyu’ represents my feelings for Elder Xiao. When he hears it, he’ll understand.”
The man’s eyes darkened briefly, though his expression remained indulgent. “If you care so much for him, I could have helped you grab him from Yun Tian Sect to serve you. What do you think?”
Xiao Muyu shook his head firmly. “No, that won’t do. I want to marry Elder Xiao, not have him serve me.”
He smiled up at the man, “I know you care for me, Master, but I want Elder Xiao to be with me because he likes me, not because you forced it.”
The man’s inner anger surged, though his face still carried a lenient expression. “If that’s your decision, I won’t intervene. But you really don’t want me to handle Qin Kai?”
Xiao Muyu chuckled. “I’m your most beloved disciple. Even without Qin Kai, there would be others who envy me. Leave that fool Qin Kai be.”
The man said nothing, waving his hand to dismiss Xiao Muyu. Flipping his hand, a translucent rectangular jade token appeared. Tapping it, his figure vanished and reappeared to the southwest of the marketplace. The white-robed youth he had clashed with earlier was just stepping out of a pill shop nearby.
In a single step, the man stood before the white-robed youth. Looking at the man’s terrified expression, he said casually, “I heard you were disrespectful to Xiao Hei today?”
The white-robed youth fell to his knees with a thud, ignoring the startled glances of passersby. “Ancestor, how could I disrespect Senior Brother Xiao? I’ve been wronged!”
The moment the words “Senior Brother Xiao” were spoken, the man’s aura surged outward. Coldly, he said, “Wronged? Even if you were, so what? Xiao Hei doesn’t like you. You no longer have a place here.”
With that, the white-robed youth’s eyes widened in terror, his body going limp. His life vanished instantly.
The man didn’t even glance at the body before disappearing. Around the scene, whispers arose: “Qin Kai,” “Infant Realm powerhouse,” and so on.
Back in his courtyard, the man watched Xiao Muyu’s figure from afar, eyes dark. The name Xiao Muyu was a constant thorn in his side. Raising the child with such care only to have him pine after someone else was infuriating. If Xiao Muyu was only playing around, it would be fine—but if he truly cared… the loss of a minor disciple from Yun Tian Sect would be trivial.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lingyu, still at Xianzong Residence, shivered suddenly. Chu Mingwei, alarmed, asked, “Lingyu, are you feeling unwell?”
Xiao Lingyu frowned. “No discomfort. I just… felt a trace of malice.”
Chu Mingwei’s expression darkened. “Malice?”
Cultivators attuned to the Dao could sometimes sense vague emotions in the world—malice, joy, and so on. These feelings were indistinct and directionless.
Chu Mingwei immediately suspected the white-robed youth. Lingyu had been secluded on the mountain, never clashing with anyone. The only incident was the hostile aura from that youth. Considering the furious expression he had worn, Chu Mingwei regretted acting so lightly earlier.
Xiao Lingyu also thought of the white-robed youth, though the thought passed quickly. He was just a trivial Vacuous Realm cultivator; the malice wasn’t directed at him. But if not from him, then from whom? In this life, he had behaved properly and avoided offending anyone.
Chu Mingwei watched Xiao Lingyu silently, mistaking his contemplative expression for fear. A flash of cold intent crossed his eyes. The white-robed youth was dangerous. If he struck while Lingyu was alone, Lingyu—though equal in cultivation—had no experience in combat. Chu Mingwei resolved to eliminate this threat quickly.
“Lingyu, I’ll reserve a guest room for you,” he said softly. “Stay inside and don’t go out. I’ll be back soon.”
Xiao Lingyu looked at him steadily, then lowered his gaze, replying, “Alright.”
Chu Mingwei, believing Lingyu feared his departure, continued calmly, “I’ll set a few protective formations. If anyone touches them, I’ll return immediately.”
“Mm.”
Though reluctant to leave Lingyu, Chu Mingwei knew the white-robed youth posed a lingering threat. Acting while the man was nearby was the best opportunity to track him.
Unaware of Chu Mingwei’s thoughts, Xiao Lingyu watched as he left, then glanced around the room filled with formations and the jade slips Chu Mingwei had left behind—recording amusing stories of the cultivation world. He casually produced a water mirror, removed his disguise, and stared at his reflection.
He knew what Chu Mingwei had gone out to do.
Looking at his fair, soft hands, Xiao Lingyu felt lost for the first time since rebirth.
In his previous life, those hands were stained with blood—whether fellow disciples or outsiders, he had never shown mercy.
In this life, a man stood before him, protecting him from all bloodshed.
Thinking of Chu Mingwei’s unwavering care, Xiao Lingyu’s mind spun.
Was Chu Mingwei’s devotion meant for him—or for the Xiao Lingyu he imagined?
This Xiao Lingyu—obedient, innocent, soft-hearted, with a master fiercely protective and a senior brother wholly devoted—how could this be him?
Who, then, was he?
He was the Xiao Lingyu ostracized by his peers, accused of being cruel and merciless.
He was the Xiao Lingyu who had driven his master to near despair through his descent into darkness.
He was the Xiao Lingyu who killed without remorse, trampling countless evil disciples to establish his dominance.
He was the Xiao Lingyu blinded by love, foolish beyond measure.
He was the Xiao Lingyu who nearly lost his soul entirely.
How could this Xiao Lingyu be the one Chu Mingwei cared for?
Xiao Lingyu stared at his reflection, mind chaotic, eyes dazed. The spiritual energy in his body churned uncontrollably.
“Little monster, what’s wrong? Wake up!” Zhu Yurun cried, leaping from the table to the floor, desperately nuzzling his master’s clothes. But his efforts had no effect on the Xiao Lingyu overtaken by inner demons.
“Little Yuzi, wake up!”
The old ghost, breaking through the Silence Seal in alarm, bellowed. The roar was like thunder striking flat ground. Xiao Lingyu’s eyes snapped open, his face twisting as he struggled violently. His spiritual energy gradually calmed.
Moments later, he shuddered, exhaling deeply. The old ghost and Zhu Yurun finally relaxed.
“You’re awake, little monster! You scared the little pig just now!”
“You brat, what were you thinking to attract an Outer Realm demon?”
The voices of the old ghost and Zhu Yurun rang out together. Xiao Lingyu looked at his pale reflection in the mirror and slowly spoke, “I was wondering which Xiao Lingyu is the real one—the Xiao Lingyu of this life or that of the last? Is the one my master and senior brother care for truly me, or just the Xiao Lingyu they imagine? If one day they realize I’m not as they expect, what then?”
The old ghost, seeing Xiao Lingyu’s somber expression, asked unexpectedly, “Are you afraid?”
Xiao Lingyu paused, then admitted, “Yes. I’ve pretended for so long, I’m almost forgetting who I really am. I’ve grown used to their care. If one day it all vanishes, this life of Xiao Lingyu will be a joke. Their care is based only on the obedient Xiao Lingyu.”
The old ghost scoffed. “Those who truly care for you won’t abandon you just because you aren’t what they imagined. People who only like a false image don’t deserve your heart. And what’s real or fake? The Xiao Lingyu of the last life is you—does that mean this life isn’t you? Cruel or kind, you are still you if you believe you are!”
Zhu Yurun gazed at the jade bracelet on Xiao Lingyu’s hand in awe. “Old ghost, that’s so profound. Little pig doesn’t understand. You’re you, you are you. Little pig is little pig—always has been, always will be. Huh, that feels deep too.”
The old ghost and Zhu Yurun’s words brightened Xiao Lingyu’s eyes. A smile slowly spread across his lips, growing louder and more confident. “I was thinking too much. No matter which life, Xiao Lingyu is Xiao Lingyu. Whether soft-hearted or ruthless, I will live according to my own heart.”
As he spoke, his Dao-heart resonated with joy. Somewhere, the laws of Heaven seemed to brush against him. Unfathomable sounds echoed in his mind, unintelligible yet delighting.
The old ghost, astonished by the reversal, remarked with envy, “This brat—he summoned a demon and turned it to his advantage.”
Zhu Yurun immediately nestled against him. “So comfortable… little monster is so comfortable.”
The old ghost watched as Zhu Yurun’s drooling face soaked a large part of Xiao Lingyu’s clothes, and a dark smile crossed his own lips.
Meanwhile, in the southeast private residence of the marketplace, Ying Jiuhua stared at Xianzong Residence in shock. Someone had sensed the laws of Heaven?
Ying Jiuhua leapt to his feet, about to rush over, but then paused. The Dao is elusive; only those with great fortune can sense its laws. If he acted rashly, the Dao might judge him as seizing fate and strike him down.
Sitting back down, he mused: every appearance of a great fortune cultivator causes unrest in the world. What will this one do?
At that moment, Chu Mingwei, standing by the white-robed youth’s corpse, sensed something. His gaze turned toward Xianzong Residence.
“Lingyu!”