Amidst the dim forest, a white peacock knelt upon the ground. Its peacock feathers were spread all across the floor, twitching gently like feathers stirred by a breeze.
Suddenly, a jade pendant materialized before the peacock, gently rotating until it touched the peacock’s brow. The crimson hue in Jiang Youbai’s pupils slowly faded away, his demonic powers were sealed once more, and the pain racking his body subsided significantly.
He half-propped himself up on the ground, taking shallow breaths while still remembering to reply to Shen Changchuan, “Master, I have no strength left to walk. Carry me on your back.”
The implication was clear: he agreed to return to the Qingshang Sect with Shen Changchuan.
Shen Changchuan handed the umbrella to Jiang Youbai and crouched down, saying not a single word, though his intention was unmistakable.
Jiang Youbai let out a soft laugh and took the umbrella. The handle still retained the warmth of Shen Changchuan’s palm. He lightly stroked it before standing up and leaning against Shen Changchuan’s back. Even through the layers of fabric, he could feel the distinct, well-defined muscle lines across that broad back, a surging sense of strength that was usually hidden beneath flowing robes.
With one hand holding the umbrella and the other hooked around Shen Changchuan’s neck, Jiang Youbai pressed his fingertips right against the other man’s vital acupoint. Yet possessing neither demonic power nor physical strength at the moment, he could only let Shen Changchuan off the hook once again.
Still, he had to admit that piggybacking on Shen Changchuan felt rather comfortable. It was not hard or bony at all; instead, it made him wish he could stay like this a little longer.
The two of them, or rather, Jiang Youbai resting upon Shen Changchuan’s back while Shen Changchuan’s white robes trailed along the ground, walked slowly through the forest. The raindrops that had been frozen suspended in midair suddenly came pattering down once more, increasing the weight pressing upon the umbrella’s surface. Jiang Youbai glanced back and saw that the several corpses of the demons lying in the pool of blood amidst the forest had already vanished, while the blood itself would soon be washed completely clean by this torrential downpour.
Brought back to Yuling Peak by Shen Changchuan, Jiang Youbai had barely touched the bed when his arm remained hooked around Shen Changchuan’s neck. Pulling the man along with him, he used a burst of leverage to drag Shen Changchuan down onto the bed right beside him.
Pressing close against Shen Changchuan’s chest, he felt the steady rise and fall beneath and the calm, even heartbeat. Tugging at the man, he murmured, “Shen Changchuan, did you forget something?”
Even pressed this close, Shen Changchuan’s expression remained unchanged. Supporting himself beside Jiang Youbai, he asked, “Forget what?”
Jiang Youbai let out a soft huff, raised his upper body slightly, and once more pressed his lips against Shen Changchuan’s, drawing back the spiritual energy that had originated from his own mouth. “There. I gave it back.”
Likely realizing he had just verified what Shen Changchuan meant earlier by saying you will pay for this, Jiang Youbai quickly put distance between them, curling up at the far end of the bed with his back turned to Shen Changchuan, refusing to face him.
Shen Changchuan twitched the corners of his lips ever so slightly. Unless one looked very closely, the subtle shift in his expression was completely imperceptible. “Tomorrow’s foundational class, will you still attend?”
Jiang Youbai nodded, acting exceptionally obedient at the moment. “I will.”
Shen Changchuan gave a low acknowledgment. Sensing the bed lighten as the man stood up, Jiang Youbai turned back around and asked, “Then what else does Master plan to teach me tomorrow?”
He had already mastered the Spirit-Sealing Array.
Shen Changchuan replied, “Guiding Qi into the body to forge spiritual energy.”
Jiang Youbai was taken aback. “My body cannot even coexist with your spiritual energy. If I cultivate it on my own and it ends up causing me agonizing pain again, what should I do?”
Yet Shen Changchuan stated, “The two forces can achieve a balance. The presence of spiritual energy can keep the demonic qi in your body in check, and in the future, it can also keep your demonic power under control.”
Jiang Youbai was unconvinced. “I am a beast by nature. My demonic power belongs perfectly well inside me. Why should I cultivate spiritual energy just to keep it in check?”
Shen Changchuan’s gaze lingered on his eyes for a moment. “You will understand in the future.”
Frowning, Jiang Youbai flipped over once more, turning his back to Shen Changchuan and ignoring him completely.
His body still ached. He had returned the spiritual energy and his demonic power was sealed, but the demonic qi was not so easily pacified. He simply did not have the energy to ponder Shen Changchuan’s words.
Shortly after the chamber door closed, the sound of the zither began to play once more. Just as it had a few days prior, the melodious tune carried spiritual energy that soothed Jiang Youbai, quickly lulling him into a dream.
In his dream, it was the same Qingshang Sect, the same Yuling Peak.
“Eldest Senior Brother, I did not let those beasts run away. It was not me.”
A snow-white figure knelt in the courtyard, looking up at Tang Ci standing before him. The other man’s expression was indifferent, his traditionally gentle face carrying an unfamiliar touch of coldness.
“Eldest Senior Brother, it truly was not Jiang Senior Brother’s doing. Please punish me instead; I failed to keep a proper watch over those beasts.” Beside Tang Ci, Mu Jiyuan also dropped to his knees, his face full of remorse.
Tang Ci sighed softly and helped him up. “What does this have to do with you? Why are you trying to cover for him?”
Mu Jiyuan shook his head. “Will Master punish Jiang Senior Brother? Is it really that serious that those beasts got away?”
Tang Ci’s brow remained furrowed. “It is serious. Many of those beasts were disabled or already extremely weak; they will not live long out there, and it will only benefit the demons, bringing no good end. Handing so many beasts over to the demons for nothing is extremely disadvantageous to us.”
Mu Jiyuan wore a face full of distress. “It is all my fault. Eldest Senior Brother, when Master arrives later, could you please put in a good word for Jiang Senior Brother?”
Before Tang Ci could reply, Shen Changchuan slowly walked into view, appearing like a clear autumn moon untouched by worldly dust. His expression remained unchanged, lacking any visible joy or anger, making it impossible to tell whether he was angry at that moment or not.
Tang Ci took the lead in offering a bow. “Master.”
Mu Jiyuan stepped forward a couple of paces to bow as well, then anxiously chimed in, “Master, Jiang Senior Brother did not mean to do it. Please do not be angry, Master. If you must punish someone, punish this disciple instead for failing to watch over the beasts.”
With such words spoken, he gave Jiang Youbai no room to defend himself at all.
From the moment Shen Changchuan appeared, Jiang Youbai’s gaze had been glued to him without moving away. Even he himself did not realize how intense the yearning in his eyes was, the desperate hope that Shen Changchuan would believe him.
Yet Shen Changchuan did not look at him. Instead, he gazed down at Mu Jiyuan without telling him to stand. “Failing in your duty to watch over them, you certainly deserve punishment.”
Mu Jiyuan was instantly struck speechless, never expecting that Shen Changchuan would actually punish him for it. Hearing this, Tang Ci quickly interceded, “Master, Jiang Youbai’s cultivation is higher than Junior Brother’s. It is only natural that he could not stop.”
Shen Changchuan cut off his plea. “Mu Jiyuan is at fault, but as the Eldest Senior Brother, do you bear no responsibility?”
Tang Ci stopped speaking and lowered his head. “This disciple accepts the punishment.”
Only after punishing both of them did Shen Changchuan finally look toward Jiang Youbai, who was still kneeling nearby. Jiang Youbai stared right back at him, their eyes locking directly. Jiang Youbai opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Shen Changchuan walked over to him. “What do you have to say?”
Only then did Jiang Youbai speak. “This disciple did not release those beasts.”
Amidst the looks of shock and suspicion from the two people behind him, Shen Changchuan crouched down. “I know.”
Jiang Youbai’s eyes lit up. Shen Changchuan believed him! Everyone else doubted him, but Shen Changchuan believed him!
Uncontrollably, Jiang Youbai felt a prickle of soreness in his nose, and right after that, he snapped awake.
Tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes the moment he opened them. Dazed for a second, Jiang Youbai nearly slapped himself in the face once he fully regained his senses.
After that day, both Tang Ci and Mu Jiyuan were punished, yet everyone firmly believed that Jiang Youbai must have used sweet words and trickery to deceive Shen Changchuan into handing down such a verdict.
Sitting on the bed, Jiang Youbai reached up to wipe away the tears at the corners of his eyes.
Shen Changchuan believed him, but why could he not keep believing him? No matter how much trust or how many moving moments there were, they all vanished into thin air the moment he was struck down the cliff by a single palm strike.
In truth, he had never truly seen through Shen Changchuan. What on earth was hidden inside that man’s heart? He had no idea.
Ultimately, he was no good person either.
Yesterday, he had actually shown weakness to Shen Changchuan yesterday!
Recalling everything that happened yesterday, Jiang Youbai remembered collapsing onto the ground and crying out in pain to Shen Changchuan.
He really wanted to slap his past self across the face!
He must have lost his mind from the agony! Shen Changchuan, that despicable scoundrel, clearly knew what would happen when he absorbed his spiritual energy while simultaneously unsealing his demonic power, with three conflicting forces warring inside his body. That man had simply watched him walk right into the trap, feigning a willingness to let him leave only for him to suffer agonizing pain, before stepping in like a savior. Utterly despicable!
Directly placing all the blame onto Shen Changchuan, Jiang Youbai put on his outer robe and marched out the door with a righteous air.
In his past life, Shen Changchuan had not trusted him unconditionally either. It was only later that he discovered Shen Changchuan had planted a spell on him, a jade pendant hidden within his body that could detect whether he harbored malicious intent. And because Shen Changchuan had not sensed any malicious intent on that particular occasion, he had chosen to trust him.
Jiang Youbai twitched the corners of his lips. Why would Shen Changchuan ever trust anyone for no reason? If he played favorites like that, the rest of the sect would have revolted against his position as the First Seat long ago.
Opening the door, he spotted Shen Changchuan sitting quietly in the courtyard. Having seen the man rarely in his past life, seeing him so often lately made the respect, alienation, and fear inherent between master and disciple fade considerably.
He approached Shen Changchuan and leaned his head forward. “Master, if I were to harbor any bad intentions, would you know immediately?”
Shen Changchuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, lifted his gaze and saw his own reflection mirrored in those lively, clear eyes. “Yes.”
Jiang Youbai’s thoughts were easy to guess; they were not written on his face, but they were written plain as day in his eyes, though Jiang Youbai himself had no idea.
All he knew was that Shen Changchuan had admitted it.
Biting his lip, a layer of frost and snow gathered in his eyes. “I do not like being monitored. Take back the jade pendant.”
Shen Changchuan remained completely unmovable. “If the jade pendant is taken back, the seal on your demonic power will also be lifted. Are you certain?”
Jiang Youbai remained silent.
“So, if I want you to lift my seal, I have to figure out how to crack your jade pendant first?”
That was practically the equivalent of dismantling Shen Changchuan’s core spiritual weapon. If he could actually pull that off, they might as well hand the position of First Seat over to him.
There were far too many people in this world who wanted to find Shen Changchuan’s weakness and crack that powerful yet mysterious jade pendant, yet no one had ever succeeded. Was Shen Changchuan overestimating him, or simply toying with him for fun?
Yet Shen Changchuan’s expression held not the slightest trace of a joke as he gave a slight nod.
Jiang Youbai was so angry he laughed. “If I actually managed to do that, your position as the First Seat of the Immortal Alliance would probably be in jeopardy.”
He was mocking Shen Changchuan for deliberately making things difficult for him. Recognizing the sarcasm, Shen Changchuan remained completely unbothered and replied, “I will teach you.”
Jiang Youbai reined in his mockery and looked at Shen Changchuan with absolute seriousness. “Do you realize what you are saying? You are going to teach me how to crack your jade pendant?”
“In other words, you are going to teach me how to kill you?”