Chapter 33 : Curse

Thirty years ago, the Shang family was still a prominent and noble family in Yunjing, with members holding high government positions and others serving as demon hunters.

Unexpectedly, overnight, the Shang family became entangled in a treasonous plot, leading to the deaths and exiles of many Shang clan members.

Shang Yunxiao was one of those exiled, demoted to the status of a criminal slave, and sent to the harsh and desolate Northern Wastelands.

Many of the Shang clan members who were demoted to criminal slaves and exiled met untimely deaths or died suddenly in a short period.

In the end, the once-grand Shang clan was left with only the young Shang Yunxiao.

Since the establishment of the Yue Dynasty, the illustrious Shang family, which had flourished for hundreds of years, vanished into thin air.

As a criminal slave, Shang Yunxiao endured great hardships until he met Ji Lan, who was heading to the Northern Wastelands to capture demons, when he was twenty years old.

With Ji Lan’s help, Shang Yunxiao was able to escape his status as a criminal slave and was adopted into the Ji family.

After Ji Lan’s death, he betrayed the Ji family and was then adopted by the Chen family.

That was Shang Yunxiao’s life.

Whether as a member of the Yunjing noble family or later through two adoptions, Shang Yunxiao was just an ordinary person. The only unusual thing was that both of his wives were demon hunters.

The old Chen patriarch seemed lost in thought and spoke solemnly: “…Back then, the Shang family did not participate in the treason. They were framed. Shang Yunxiao’s father was my junior brother. When the Shang family fell into trouble, I was out hunting demons…”

At this point, a look of pain and guilt crossed his face.

He regretted receiving the news too late and not being able to rescue his junior brother in time.

Ji Yu was somewhat surprised.

The old Chen patriarch and Shang Yunxiao’s father were actually brothers in the same school? This was new information to her.

If that were the case, it would explain why the old Chen patriarch was so protective of Shang Yunxiao, treating him with exceptional leniency and even doting on his grandson Chen Qingzhe.

“It’s not surprising you haven’t heard of this,not many people know about it,” said the old Chen patriarch. “When the Shang family fell, there was fear of implicating the Chen family, so it was even more crucial not to let the matter be known.”

Although the Chen family was also a family of demon hunters, it was just a regional power and could not compete with the imperial court.

Therefore, even though the old Chen patriarch was anxious, he dared not act openly to avoid bringing disaster upon the Chen family.

“I heard about the Shang family’s downfall and rushed to the Northern Wastelands, hoping to find any surviving members. However, I arrived too late. By the time I got there, most of the Shang clan had already died, leaving only Shang Yunxiao.”

At this point, his expression grew very grim and his voice filled with anger. “If I hadn’t arrived in time, Shang Yunxiao might have been killed soon as well.”

The perpetrators of the Shang family’s downfall were extremely ruthless, trying to exterminate every last member of the clan.

How could the old Chen patriarch bear to watch the only bloodline of his junior brother be destroyed? He saved the nearly dead Shang Yunxiao.

To protect Shang Yunxiao and keep his relationship with the Chen family secret, the old Chen patriarch did not take Shang Yunxiao away but instead arranged for him to be protected in secret.

Hearing this, Ji Yu understood and summarized “So, Shang Yunxiao wanted to avenge the members of the Shang family who died wrongfully, which is why he targeted my mother?”

It’s natural for people to seek revenge when their relatives die unjustly.

However, when it’s her mother who has been used, Ji Yu won’t be too pleased.

The old Chen patriarch’s expression froze, and he said with a bitter smile, “His encounter with your mother was an accident. In fact, your mother… was not part of his plan.”

As he spoke, a hint of melancholy appeared on his face.

Despite Shang Yunxiao’s deep-seated hatred and desire for revenge, he genuinely cared for Ji Lan when they first met and never intended to use her.

Ji Yu lightly stroked the gold bead on her wrist, remaining silent.

This was her habit when she was deep in thought.

“…Actually, after Shang Yunxiao met your mother, he did consider living a good life with her and letting go of his hatred, until your birth.”

At this point, the old Chen patriarch’s gaze darkened, and he looked at Ji Yu with intense focus.

Ji Yu remained unmoved, though she unconsciously gripped the gold bead a bit tighter.

Jiang Shiqiu noticed this and suddenly took one of her hands, placing it in his own.

Seeing her look at him, he tilted his head and smiled, continuing to hold her hand and not letting her squeeze the gold bead.

The old Chen patriarch’s expression froze when he saw their interaction, and he shifted his gaze away.

The Chen family head also avoided looking further, wisely focusing on his tea, and thought to himself that young people nowadays are… too enthusiastic.

Chen Mu sat quietly.

“So what if Ji Yu was born?” Jiang Shiqiu asked, “Could it be that he felt that Ji Yu’s birth caused the death of his mother-in-law, which made him extremely hateful?”

His directness made the listeners wince.

At least the old Chen patriarch and the Chen family head felt uncomfortable, wondering why this Lord Jiang would speak so bluntly in front of Young Master Ji. Wasn’t this just rubbing salt into the wound?

Looking at Ji Yu, she appeared very calm, with no visible reaction on her face.

Her complexion was a bit pale but then again, it always seemed that way.

The old Chen patriarch sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of pity for the situation.

Fearing that Ji Yu might misunderstand, he explained, “It’s not as Lord Jiang said. Rather… Young Master Ji, you should know that you were born in the year, month, day, and hour of the yin cycle, which marks you as a yin ghost vessel. You were chosen as a vessel by the demons and ghosts.”

Jiang Shiqiu’s eyes widened, “What vessel?”

At this moment, Jiang Shiqiu was extremely angry. Who dared to choose his wife as a vessel?!!! Which shameless ghost would do that?

Ji Yu also looked at the old Chen patriarch, understanding the implication of his words.

It was because she was a yin ghost vessel that she was chosen as a vessel? So this was the source of the curse ever since her birth, demons and ghosts had placed a curse on her, destined to turn her into a vessel for their descent into the human world someday.

“When the millennium corpse demon from the Longquan underground palace emerged, your mother unfortunately contracted the corpse poison and was pregnant at the time. Her fate was already sealed, so she died shortly after giving birth to you,” said the old Chen patriarch with a complex expression. “Your mother died young, and only your grandmother, Old Lady Ji, knew about your fate. Shang Yunxiao only learned of it by chance.”

Ji Yu pressed her lips together, already able to predict what was coming next.

“I don’t know what Shang Yunxiao thought after learning this, only that he spent a year in the Ji family’s library, poring over many ancient texts and manuscripts. Perhaps it was during that time he developed the terrifying idea of summoning demons to the world, seeking to right the wrongs in the world and avenge his wrongfully dead kin.”

At this point, the old Chen patriarch’s face was filled with sorrow and regret.

He had always known that Shang Yunxiao had not given up on seeking revenge, but he never anticipated that his methods would be so extreme.

If Ji Lan had not died back then, even if he had harbored hatred, he might have endured it and lived a peaceful life with her, as an ordinary person. If Ji Yu had not been born as a vessel for demons and ghosts, Shang Yunxiao probably would not have developed such a bold and terrifying idea.

Ji Yu closed her eyes slightly.

This situation was truly…

After a while, Ji Yu asked, “When did you find out that he had this intention?”

Old Master Chen smiled bitterly and said, “When he first attacked you.”

When Ji Yu was three years old, Shang Yunxiao had betrayed the Ji family and quickly moved on to marry into the Chen family, becoming Chen Mu’s husband.

The following year, Chen Mu gave birth to Chen Qingzhe.

When Ji Yu was nine, she fell gravely ill and was on the brink of death.

Shang Yunxiao learned of this and, in the name of her father, took Ji Yu to the Chen family for treatment. At that time, the Chen family had a formidable witch doctor. In order to save her granddaughter’s health, Old Lady Ji had no choice but to send Ji Yu to the Chen family.

This was the opportunity Shang Yunxiao had been waiting for.

Jiang Shiqiu asked again, “What did he do to Ji Yu?”

His eyes were fixed intensely on the old Chen patriarch, dark and cold, like frosted jade, with a chilling intensity, as though peering into the depths of an abyss.

The old Chen patriarch felt as if he were being scrutinized by a terrifying beast, as if he might be torn apart at any moment. Cold sweat instantly drenched his clothes.

With his current level of cultivation, it was rare for anything to frighten him so deeply.

For some reason, the old Chen patriarch did not dare to meet Jiang Shiqiu’s gaze and forced himself to look away, saying, “…At that time, he intended to bring the demons and ghosts into Young Master Ji’s body ahead of schedule, but he failed.”

Instantly, a terrifying aura enveloped the entire space.

The old Chen patriarch, the Chen family head, and Chen Mu were horrified. Their eyes widened, and blood vessels stood out as they stared in shock.

The three sat rigidly, unable to move or muster any strength.

Ji Yu also sensed the terrifying aura. Although it seemed to avoid her, she instinctively felt fear and tightened her grip on Jiang Shiqiu’s hand.

That hand was still warm.

Fortunately, the terrifying aura dissipated after a moment.

Ji Yu did not release his hand, feeling the warmth, and her emotions were complex.

This was the first time he had been so angry.

The three of them also sighed in relief.

At this point, the three of them looked very distressed, their faces pale, unable to face Jiang Shiqiu directly.

This commander of the Demon Division was enigmatic, so powerful yet so young, barely in his twenties. With his own strength, he had shattered the terrifying existence behind Shang Yunxiao.

The owner of those eyes must be a demon or ghost from the underworld.

Although it wasn’t the true form of the demon or ghost, just an incarnation, it was still not something a demon hunter could easily handle.

This showed how formidable Jiang Shiqiu’s strength was.

Ji Yu was not surprised by Shang Yunxiao’s actions.

Since he had always wanted revenge, he must have wanted the demons and ghosts to descend upon the world sooner.

However, even though she was born as a vessel for demons and ghosts, it is not easy for demons to descend into the human world. A child’s body is fragile and cannot possibly accommodate such a descent.

Failure was inevitable.

But…

The memories of that time had been erased. To this day, she still could not recall what had happened, only vaguely remembering the soul-wrenching pain.

The old Chen patriarch added, “When Shang Yunxiao was with the Ji family, he probably did not know how demons and ghosts choose vessels. He conducted many experiments and reviewed numerous ancient texts and manuscripts… Until Chen Qingzhe was born, Qingzhe was the second chosen vessel after you.”

“Demons and ghosts are among the most terrifying and powerful existences in this world, comparable to deities. Once they descend into the human realm, it will inevitably be plunged into calamity. Therefore, demons and ghosts cannot easily descend to the human world, they must first find a vessel…”

When Shang Yunxiao learned that his daughter Ji Yu was chosen as a vessel by demons, he developed the idea of bringing demons into the world.

However, he was just an ordinary person with limited knowledge about demons and vessels. Since Old Lady Ji refused to explicitly tell him about demon vessels, Shang Yunxiao had to investigate on his own.

In those years, Shang Yunxiao’s actions became increasingly extreme. Even though his daughter Ji Yu was a vessel chosen by the demons, he felt it wasn’t enough and wanted to control the initiative himself. Thus, his son Chen Qingzhe became the second vessel for the demons’ descent, personally selected by him.

Ji Yu found this hard to believe.

“Could it be that Chen Qingzhe is also a vessel for ghosts?” Does he also bear a curse?

The curse within her is the mark of being chosen as a vessel by the demons. Due to this curse, her health has been poor since childhood. But Chen Qingzhe seems normal, without any apparent sign of being cursed.

The old Chen patriarch said solemnly, “Qingzhe is not a vessel for ghosts, but he has indeed become a vessel for the demons’ descent into the human world.” He sighed, “In fact, I don’t know how Shang Yunxiao managed this. I only learned of it yesterday.”

At this point, he looked towards his daughter beside him.

From the conversation between his daughter and Shang Yunxiao yesterday, he realized that his daughter had known about this matter for a long time.

This made him extremely dissatisfied.

Over the years, he had been very fond of Chen Qingzhe, not only because Qingzhe was the child of his most cherished daughter but also because he was a descendant of his junior apprentice. Had he known that Qingzhe was also a vessel for demons, he would have certainly tried to save him.

Chen Mu’s face was very pale. She bit her lip and said softly, “I also don’t know what Yunxiao did. When I was pregnant with Qingzhe, I was accidentally injured by a demon and had a miscarriage risk, losing a lot of blood… Yunxiao brought back a pill for me to take, and soon after, the bleeding stopped, and the baby was saved…”

Until before the child was born, she didn’t know there was anything wrong with him.

After the child was born, Chen Mu quickly noticed something was wrong. The baby did not cry or make a sound, behaving like a soulless, dull child, unresponsive no matter how much she tried to coax him.

She was on the verge of breaking down.

It was then that Shang Yunxiao told her that her child had already died during the miscarriage and that the baby was a vessel for demons. His birth was meant to welcome the demons into the human world, and she should send the child away and not raise him herself.

Shang Yunxiao did this to prevent her from becoming attached in the future.

However, having just become a mother, how could she bear to part with her child? Moreover, the child had spent nine months in her womb, and he was her flesh and blood. There was no way she could send him away.

Despite her sorrow, Chen Mu decided to raise the child herself and did not fully believe her husband’s words.

As the child grew and began to show improvement, crying and laughing like a normal child, Chen Mu felt that Shang Yunxiao must have been lying to her.

Over the years, she deliberately avoided thinking about this matter, raising Chen Qingzhe as her own child.

After hearing Chen Mu’s words, the old Chen patriarch was both angry and frustrated. He finally stomped his foot and sighed, “You should have told me about this sooner.”

Chen Mu covered her face, heartbroken, “Father, Qingzhe is truly my child. Whether he is a vessel or not, he is my own…”

How could she explain? She couldn’t bring herself to say it!

If she spoke out, her father would surely be enraged. Although he might not kill Shang Yunxiao, he would imprison him, and to prevent future problems, he might even kill Chen Qingzhe directly.

One was her devoted husband, and the other was her child. How could she bear to leave them?