Li Huai sat straight in the corner of the carriage, eyes fixed on his nose and lips tight, pretending he hadn’t seen or heard a thing. But in truth, his heart was screaming out in misery.

If before he was worried that HuLü Yan might forcefully take advantage of Mi Lu, now he was convinced that the two of them were entirely willing—one keen to hit, the other eager to endure.

Looking at Mi Lu’s completely willing expression, there wasn’t the slightest hint of reluctance there! Li Huai sighed internally, unable to understand what Mi Lu was thinking at all.

Mi Lu, the heir of one of the Four Great Clans, could easily have anything he wanted. With his status, he could have any girl he desired—so why had he ended up caught in HuLü Yan’s grasp?

That HuLü Yan didn’t look like a good person at all, and he was way too attractive. Who knew if, after he took the throne of Demon Lord, he’d move on and find a new fling?

From any angle, Mi Lu’s choice to follow HuLü Yan seemed like a beautiful flower stuck in a… cow pat…

Before the last word could form in his mind, he felt an icy gaze shoot his way.

Li Huai looked up and was met by a pair of dark eyes.

HuLü Yan had turned to look at him without him even realizing it. Although the curve of HuLü Yan’s mouth was faint, the chill on his face was so thick it could almost form a layer of frost.

HuLü Yan was staring at Li Huai intently, as if he could see right through him.

Li Huai: “…”

He immediately chickened out, shrinking his neck like a little quail, forcing a flattering, apologetic smile towards HuLü Yan.

He was wrong, he was wrong…

HuLü Yan was so good-looking—how could he ever be compared to cow pat? He himself was the cow pat here!

Sob, sob…

Li Huai admitted he was scared to death. But he didn’t feel embarrassed about it, either. It wasn’t his fault HuLü Yan was so intimidating; if Jing Lan were here, she’d probably be frozen solid by HuLü Yan’s gaze.

He never knew until now that some people’s eyes could look like they wanted to devour you whole.

Just as Li Huai was suffering in torment, HuLü Yan broke the stifling silence inside the carriage with his voice: “You—”

Without needing to hear his name, Li Huai tensed instinctively.

HuLü Yan said, “Get out.”

“…What?”

“You wanted to know who your parents are, didn’t you? Step outside, and you’ll find out,” HuLü Yan raised an eyebrow, his tone perfectly calm. Yet, out of Mi Lu’s sight, his gaze at Li Huai brimmed with impatience.

Li Huai was baffled. What did learning about his parents have to do with him stepping outside? Would the people out there suddenly tell him who his parents were?

But those people outside clearly had no good intentions! He had even heard someone mention that today they intended to take down HuLü Yan. If he stepped out now, wouldn’t he just be serving himself up as target practice for HuLü Yan?

At this point, as scared as he was of HuLü Yan, Li Huai couldn’t just walk out blindly. His face was as pale as a sheet, and he curled into a ball, casting a pleading look towards Mi Lu sitting next to him.

However, Mi Lu seemed unaffected by HuLü Yan’s words and showed no sign of stopping him.

Li Huai weakly began, “Lord…”

“You should go out and take a look,” Mi Lu reassured him. “Your parents might even be out there.”

Mi Lu attempted to move closer to Li Huai, but HuLü Yan held firmly onto his hand, refusing to let him take even a step towards Li Huai.

Left with no choice, Mi Lu had to remain at the farthest diagonal corner of the carriage.

Li Huai, with a voice that sounded almost pitiful, stammered, “Lord…”

Mi Lu said simply, “Go on.”

After a long internal struggle, Li Huai finally stood and made his way to the door.

Outside, the waiting crowd had grown restless, but out of caution, they didn’t make a move. Everyone, including HuLü Xing and HuLü Lan, kept their eyes glued on the carriage, afraid to miss the slightest movement from Mi Lu and HuLü Yan.

As they were anticipating some grand action from Mi Lu and HuLü Yan, the carriage door opened, and a thin figure emerged.

Clearly, it wasn’t HuLü Yan.

Both HuLü Xing and HuLü Lan on the city wall were taken aback. HuLü Xing managed to keep his composure, but HuLü Lan had lost all patience, yelling sharply, “Who are you? Get lost and bring out HuLü Yan!”

Li Huai jumped at HuLü Lan’s shout, instinctively backing up, only to hit the carriage behind him.

The pain in his back made him grimace, but he couldn’t dwell on it—because he saw HuLü Lan leap down from the city wall.

With a face as cold as ice, HuLü Lan quickly summoned a long sword, thrusting it directly at Li Huai’s chest.

The sharp swordhead cut through the air, bringing a fierce gust of wind that grazed Li Huai’s face and left a small scratch.

Blood trickled down, making Li Huai’s already pale face look even whiter.

Knowing he was no match for HuLü Lan, Li Huai spun around to run back into the carriage.

But there was no way he could be faster than HuLü Lan.

Just as he had turned halfway, he caught a terrifying glimpse in the corner of his eye—HuLü Lan was already upon him, the gusts of wind from his approach cutting into Li Huai’s face like knives.

HuLü Lan’s fierce gaze radiated pure killing intent, a gust of wind rising from his palm, with golden spiritual energy entwining around his long sword.

The spiritual energy wrapped around the sword like ivy, spreading to cover the entire blade in a golden glow.

The golden light consumed Li Huai’s vision.

At that moment, Li Huai couldn’t see anything else. All he could see was HuLü Lan’s twisted face breaking through the golden light, spitting out venomous words: “Seeking death, aren’t you?”

Before the words even finished, the sword was aimed squarely at his chest.

Overwhelmed by fear, Li Huai stood frozen, unable to even dodge.

He closed his eyes in despair, thinking it was all over.

It seemed he was destined to meet his end here.

Yet, the anticipated pain never arrived. Instead, there was a sharp cracking sound, followed by HuLü Lan’s furious shout, “Damn it, who’s interfering?!”

Before Li Huai could even open his eyes, a pair of strong hands turned him around.

“Xiao Huai?!” a voice called out in disbelief. “It’s really you!”

Li Huai, just back from the brink of death, remained dazed. He opened his eyes, staring blankly at the tall man before him.

“Situ Gaoyang?” HuLü Lan, now shoved aside, gritted his teeth, his fury overtaking him. He ripped off his usual polite mask, shouting, “What are you doing? Move aside!”

Situ Gaoyang ignored him entirely, filled with joy as he pulled Li Huai into a tight embrace. After a moment, he released him, his hand reaching up to touch Li Huai’s face, “Where have you been all these years? We’ve been looking everywhere for you, digging every corner of the earth.”

“Situ Gaoyang!” HuLü Lan shouted.

Situ Gaoyang dismissed him, red-eyed and emotional as he studied Li Huai. “It’s been so long. You’ve grown, and you’re thinner now.”

Finally, HuLü Lan lost his patience and lunged at Li Huai with his sword once more.

But as soon as he moved, Situ Gaoyang turned, his icy gaze sweeping across HuLü Lan’s face, before thrusting his hand forward, sending a wave of spiritual energy crashing into HuLü Lan’s chest.

With a pained groan, HuLü Lan was thrown back, landing heavily on the ground.

“Xiao Lan!” HuLü Xing called in alarm, leaping down from the city wall in an attempt to catch him.

But the distance was too great, and he could only watch helplessly as HuLü Lan fell, struggling to get up and clutching his chest, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

HuLü Xing’s face turned green with rage as he glared at Situ Gaoyang. “Situ Gaoyang, you’ve turned traitor! Are you trying to be the next Mi?”

Situ Gaoyang shielded Li Huai behind him, laughing coldly at the father and son. “If anyone’s the traitor, it’s your son! I’m still his uncle by marriage, yet he’s shouting my name so disrespectfully. Is this how the HuLü family raises its members?”

HuLü Xing retorted, “If you hadn’t shielded that Demonic Cultivator, my son wouldn’t have lost his temper and abandoned his manners. You were in the wrong first, and my son’s fault came from your actions. Yet, you dare throw blame back at us!”

“Demonic Cultivator?” Situ Gaoyang let out a harsh laugh, any previous playfulness now replaced by pure sarcasm. “In-law, you really know nothing about our family matters. If we’re talking generations, your son should be calling the Demonic Cultivator behind me ‘Uncle’!”

HuLü Xing was stunned, his eyes widening. “What…what did you say?”

Situ Gaoyang, furious to the point of laughter, grabbed Li Huai’s hand and lifted it high. “This is Situ Huai!”

Not only were HuLü Xing and HuLü Lan both shocked, but even Li Huai himself stared at his own wrist, still clasped in Situ Gaoyang’s grip, the sensation seeping through his veins and filling his heart.

His gaze slowly drifted to Situ Gaoyang’s face.

Although he could only see the side of his face, the furrowed brows and the intense expression clearly showed his protective stance.

This man was his brother.

This man was his family.

A bittersweet feeling filled Li Huai’s heart, and he felt a sudden urge to cry. He tightened his grip on Situ Gaoyang’s hand.

Feeling Li Huai’s response, Situ Gaoyang stiffened, then softened, looking at Li Huai with warmth.

Li Huai called out timidly, “Big brother.”

“Yes!” Situ Gaoyang replied joyfully, though he had many questions, knowing this wasn’t the time for a heart-to-heart. So, he asked, “Where have you been all these years?”

Li Huai gave a short answer. “I was abducted by the people from Medical Hall along with others. They held us for two or three years before letting us go. Later, we met Lord Mi and HuLü Yan, who rescued us.”

“Lord Mi?”

“Mi Lu.”

Hearing this familiar name, Situ Gaoyang couldn’t hide his surprise and turned toward the carriage.

At some point, HuLü Yan had been leaning against the carriage door, arms crossed, watching the reunion with interest. He casually tossed an elixir to Situ Gaoyang.

Situ Gaoyang caught it and quickly identified the pill in his hand.

It was an antidote.

Specifically, it was the antidote for a special poison made by the Medical Hall, requiring one pill per month for a year; otherwise, the victim would bleed from every orifice and die.

The reason HuLü Yan threw this antidote was clear.

“…” Situ Gaoyang’s expression darkened with fury as he glared at HuLü Yan. “How dare you…”

HuLü Yan raised a finger to his lips, giving a light “shush” to silence him.

“Time’s running out,” HuLü Yan said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m sure you don’t want to lose your long-lost brother after finally finding him.”

After a pause, Situ Gaoyang swallowed his rage, pressed the antidote into Li Huai’s mouth.

Facing Li Huai, Situ Gaoyang’s voice softened, “Take this pill first.”

Li Huai swallowed with a gulp.

Situ Gaoyang then turned to HuLü Yan. “What do you want?”

HuLü Yan replied coldly, “Stay out of my way.”

Situ Gaoyang immediately understood HuLü Yan’s meaning. He hoisted a still-dazed Li Huai onto his shoulder and disappeared.

In the distance, HuLü Xing and HuLü Lan were left utterly bewildered.

Did Situ Gaoyang just run off?

Before they arrived, Situ Gaoyang had enthusiastically promised to capture HuLü Yan alive, but now, having found a long-lost brother, he left everything and vanished?

No…

Situ Gaoyang hadn’t abandoned everyone; he had taken about half of the Situ clan with him, leaving only a scattered remnant around HuLü Xing and HuLü Lan.

Swallowing down the metallic taste of blood, HuLü Lan glared at HuLü Xing, exclaiming, “They just left?”

HuLü Xing clenched his jaw. “I should have known the Situ family was unreliable. I should never have believed their lies!”

HuLü Lan asked, “Father, what do we do now?”

HuLü Xing chuckled darkly, eyes filled with murderous intent. “Since he escaped from me once, I’ll deal with him myself!”

With that, HuLü Xing handed the injured HuLü Lan to a subordinate, his gaze turning dark as he watched HuLü Yan step out of the carriage.

After five years, HuLü Yan was no longer the scrawny boy missing a limb from HuLü Xing’s memory. Even his features now resembled his hated sister even more.

HuLü Xing stared directly at HuLü Yan, his face echoing Lin Song and HuLü Wan.

A regret gnawed at him for listening to Situ Wenwan’s foolish sentimentality and not killing HuLü Yan then and there. He never should have left him to survive on his own in the Abyss. He should have ended it himself.

Why hadn’t he realized it?

A child of Lin Song and HuLü Wan would be just as much an eyesore as his parents were.

Forcing down a twisted expression, HuLü Xing gave a crooked smile. “It’s been five years. You’ve grown.”

Indeed, HuLü Yan hadn’t only grown; standing face to face, he was nearly half a head taller than HuLü Xing.

HuLü Yan looked at him expressionlessly for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

He laughed beautifully, squinting his eyes and showing white teeth, like all the sunlight had gathered on him, making him radiant.

Yet HuLü Xing felt only a chilling dread.

It was no wonder—HuLü Yan’s grown-up smile looked eerily like HuLü Wan’s, as if carved from the same mold.

For a moment, he thought he was seeing HuLü Wan herself.

“Yes, I’ve grown. I can walk on my own now, and I can speak, too.” HuLü Yan smiled and said, “HuLü Xing, you really made Lin Song and HuLü Wan suffer.”

HuLü Xing’s breathing hitched, his voice changing pitch, “How…how do you know…”

HuLü Yan drew out a long whip, cracking it toward HuLü Xing.

HuLü Xing dodged nimbly to the side.

The whip, however, seemed to have a life of its own, twisting mid-air and wrapping tightly around his arm.

The barbs on the whip dug into his flesh, and as it pulled down, his entire arm was covered in blood.

HuLü Yan flew toward him, “HuLü Xing, it’s time we settled this account.”

HuLü Xing’s face turned ashen, shouting, “Everyone, attack!”

Inside the carriage, Mi Lu listened to the chaotic sounds outside. He wanted to go out to help, but Zhou Shang, under HuLü Yan’s orders, kept him inside.

He could only wait in the carriage.

Soon, the thick scent of blood seeped through the doors and windows.

Mi Lu, feeling nauseous, moved back to the corner of the carriage.

Yet no one, including him, noticed the inky black mist creeping along the ground beneath the carriage.

It cautiously reached out to touch the carriage, then spread to cover it, slowly seeping inside.

In no time, the dark mist pooled beneath Mi Lu’s feet.

Author’s Note:

And by the way, the person possessing Qiu Bei isn’t the original—y’all guessed wrong, hahaha.