Chapter 4 Face Blindness

After eating his fill, Chu Xuyun took out a storybook from his storage ring and leisurely started reading.

The storybook told the tale of the Demon Venerable Yu Xiao.

He had secretly bought it at the market, wearing a conical hat to hide his face, before Yu Xiao captured him and took him back to the Demon Palace.

The storybook described Yu Xiao as hideously ugly and terrifying, the ugliest and most dreadful demon in the world, with a blood-red mouth, green face, sharp teeth, and a terrible stench. It claimed he devoured people without leaving bones, loved to brew wine from human blood, and ate human flesh—a true scourge of the world.

Those who wrote these stories had certainly never seen Yu Xiao in person.

The first time Chu Xuyun saw Yu Xiao was on Mount Fuyu in Ning’an City. Ever since Yu Xiao killed the previous Demon Lord and became the current one, the demons in the Demon Domain had been busy fighting among themselves rather than causing trouble outside. Chu Xuyun had been so idle that he reinforced all the ancient formations of the Taiqing Sect, including one on Mount Fuyu.

In early summer, there was a lot of cool rain, and that night, a light drizzle fell.

There was a clear, dark blue lake on Mount Buyeo, its surface covered with green floating leaves knocked down by the rain and wind.

After reinforcing the seal, Chu Xuyun saw Yu Xiao by the lake.

The moment Yu Xiao appeared, the rain suddenly stopped, and the clouds dispersed.

The moon shone like a silver hook, the water rippled, and a gentle breeze blew by. Yu Xiao stood under an Acacia tree, flower petals falling on his shoulders as if shrouded in a thin layer of Fairy mist.

He didn’t look like a demon with a green face and sharp teeth; instead, he seemed more like a deity fallen from the heavens.

Yu Xiao gazed at him from afar, slowly drawing the long sword at his waist.

Chu Xuyun also drew his sword. He didn’t intend to kill Yu Xiao, but as the Taiqing Fairy Lord, he had to at least make a gesture.

Unexpectedly, Yu Xiao was defeated in just a few moves, forcing Chu Xuyun to hold back, afraid of killing him.

Suddenly, Yu Xiao took advantage of a moment to pull out a red rope from his sleeve and tied it to Chu Xuyun’s wrist.

Chu Xuyun didn’t recognize the red rope, but it seemed to be some magical artifact. As soon as it was tied, he felt his strength drain away.

Yu Xiao came prepared and won dishonorably, binding Chu Xuyun and taking him back with ease.

Lying on the comfortable couch in the Demon Palace, Chu Xuyun turned over and lightly sniffed the mandarin duck-patterned red quilt that carried Yu Xiao’s scent.

It smelled very pleasant, like a faint floral fragrance.

In fact, if he had to say—

He wasn’t really taken by force; he chose to follow Yu Xiao willingly.

*

At an inn at the foot of the mountain in Ning’an City.

“It’s amazing you found this place.”

Ji Lianzhou drew his sword coldly, his entire body emanating a fierce sword aura. “Where is Ah Xu? What have you done to him?”

Yu Xiao toyed with the jade bone ring on his finger, slowly raising his eyes to look at Ji Lianzhou, whose murderous intent was almost palpable. He chuckled softly, “What could I do to the Fairy Lord? Naturally, I treat him well, with good food and drink. But… occasionally, I have him sleep with me.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wei furiously pointed at him and cursed, “You beast! To think the Fairy Lord once saved and taught you, and you dare… you dare…” Xiao Wei’s voice gradually choked with emotion, and became incoherent, “He is Chu Xuyun! How dare you treat him like that! I’ll kill you, you beast, you bastard, I’ll kill you!”

Ji Lianzhou didn’t say a word, his eyes bloodshot as he stared intently at Yu Xiao, gripping the hilt of his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

“Yu Xiao, back when Ah Xu took you back to the sect, ask yourself, did he ever mistreat you?”

Xiao Wei’s curses had no effect on Yu Xiao, but Ji Lianzhou’s words made Yu Xiao’s expression change slightly.

After a long pause, Yu Xiao lowered his eyes. “Yes.”

Chu Xuyun indeed treated him with utmost kindness and did everything he should have, except for one thing that left Yu Xiao unwilling to let go.

Xiao Wei and Ji Lianzhou were both taken aback, then heard Yu Xiao say with a smile, “Of course, he owes me, which is why I must take it back from him.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Lianzhou’s face darkened. “He owes you? When you defied the sect master and shattered the Demon Binding Bottle, causing the demon to escape, who cleaned up the mess for you? Do you only remember him punishing you to kneel publicly and expelling you from the sect?”

Every word trembled with emotion, and Ji Lianzhou’s sword shook more than ever before.

They all knew the events of the past, and yet Yu Xiao could say such a thing about Chu Xuyun.

As he mentioned the past, the smile on Yu Xiao’s face gradually faded. He coldly stared at Ji Lianzhou. “It’s not that.”

Xiao Wei sneered, “What, you don’t want to admit what you did? Don’t tell me you didn’t abduct the Immortal Monarch to the Demon Palace because of this.”

Who would believe such a lie?

Yu Xiao, a demon who harbors grudges, must have held onto the humiliation for years, waiting to take revenge on Chu Xuyun.

“It’s not that.”

As if wanting to prove something, Yu Xiao repeated in a cold voice.

Seeing him like this, Ji Lianzhou found it laughable. “Then what is it? What does Ah Xu owe you?”

It couldn’t be more than the scolding and punishment of a teacher. What else could Ah Xu owe Yu?

“He personally promised me that once I came of age, he would marry me. He was the one who broke his promise first.” Yu Xiao smirked. “So, I took him to the Demon Palace for revenge. Does that count as him owing me?”

“Enough!”

Ji Lianzhou could no longer bear to listen. “You have truly disappointed me and Ah Xu.”

To fabricate such an absurd lie just for the sake of argument was beyond belief.

The idea that Ah Xu would speak of marriage was sheer fantasy, let alone to Yu Xiao, a man and a demon cultivator!

“Believe it or not,” Yu Xiao had anticipated this reaction and had no intention of wasting more time. He lazily raised his hand and said indifferently, “It’s late. I need to return to accompany the Xianjun. Do as you please.”

Seeing him about to leave, Ji Lianzhou’s sword instantly aimed at him, piercing Yu Xiao’s heart accurately.

The next moment, a cold demon blade was pressed against Ji Lianzhou’s back.

The Yu Xiao in front of them dissipated into a cloud of demonic mist, a mere clone.

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” Yu Xiao’s voice sounded slowly and maliciously from behind,

“Xianjun said he doesn’t want you to come. Go back. For the Xianjun’s sake, I’ll spare your lives.”

As his words fell, the surrounding demonic mist completely dissipated, leaving no trace of demonic energy.

Xiao Wei urgently raised his sword to pursue but was held back by Ji Lianzhou.

“Don’t chase,” Ji Lianzhou took a deep breath, gripping his long sword even tighter. “That was also a clone. The real one isn’t here.”

After becoming a demon, Yu Xiao’s cultivation had soared. Being naturally gifted, he had grown even stronger after practicing demonic arts.

He hadn’t realized it was just a clone at first. Yu Xiao’s cultivation must now be on par with his own.

However, no matter how strong Yu Xiao was, he was only equal to Ji Lianzhou. Ah Xu was far stronger than both of them. How could he be easily defeated by Yu Xiao?

Could it be that he was distracted and ambushed during the fight?

But Ah Xu wasn’t that foolish.

“So, Master, what do we do now?” Xiao Wei angrily threw his long sword to the ground. “Are we just going to let Yu Yu continue tormenting the Immortal Monarch?”

“Go back. I’ll go to the Demon Realm and rescue Ah Xu,” Ji Lianzhou closed his eyes briefly, sighed deeply, and said, “Yu Xiao is truly foolish. Doesn’t he realize that no matter how much he resents and torments Ah Xu, it’s useless?”

Xiao Wei stood stunned. “What do you mean, Master?”

“Ah Xu has long forgotten who he is,” Ji Lianzhou wearily rubbed his temples and muttered to himself, “He only spent three years with Ah Xu and doesn’t know Ah Xu’s temperament. Ah Xu would never remember someone like him; he had already forgotten him completely.”

Chu Xuyun was such a person, oblivious to everything around him. There were very few people in the world who could leave an impression on him.

He had seen it countless times before. Many girls who admired Ah Xu would bring him snacks, only for Ah Xu to forget their names and faces shortly after, treating them as if they were invisible, causing them great sorrow.

He knew Ah Xu wasn’t doing it on purpose; he simply never remembered those people. He even suspected it might be some kind of condition.

Now he only worried that Ah Xu wouldn’t be too stubborn. If he angered Yu Xiao again, it would only lead to more unnecessary suffering and torment.

But knowing Ah Xu’s character, he would never give in.

He had to find Ah Xu quickly and get him out of that hellish place.

*

At this moment, in the abyssal hell.

Chu Xuyun had been playing chess against himself in the Demon Palace for half a day.

Although he didn’t seem particularly smart usually, he was terrifyingly good at chess. Since he was born, he had never lost a game, as if his mind naturally knew where the pieces should go.

Playing chess with himself was quite enjoyable. Unconsciously, he filled the entire board with pieces, and the plate of grilled fish next to him had been eaten clean, leaving only the bones.

Suddenly, the voice of the demon guard outside the hall echoed through the door.

“That’s it, you can go rest now. It seems the Lord is in a bad mood today, so be extra careful.”

“Why is he in a bad mood?”

“I heard from the little redhead that the Lord went to see Ji Lianzhou, and that damned Ji Lianzhou brought up some old stories about Chu Xuyun and the Lord, which really pissed him off. So, just be mindful.”

Chu Xuyun heard every word clearly.

Old stories with Yu Xiao?

Strange, what old stories could he have with Yu Xiao that would make Yu Xiao so angry? Will he still have food to eat tonight?

Sensing something was wrong, Chu Xuyun immediately put the leftover food back into the lunchbox and hid it under the soft bedding.

He had to keep some emergency rations.

“Greetings, Lord.”

“Dismissed.”

Hearing the voice from outside the door, Chu Xuyun quickly smoothed the wrinkles in his clothes, rushed back to the chessboard, and picked up a chess piece, pretending to be serious.

This was the scene Yu Xiao saw upon his return.

Chu Xuyun was sitting properly by the chessboard, holding a white chess piece. His clothes were without a single wrinkle, his collar buttoned neatly, and his expression was calm and indifferent, without sparing a glance at Yu Xiao. It was as if his presence or absence made no difference to him.

He seemed to always be like this, even on the bed, he wouldn’t make any sound, never losing composure for a moment.

After a pause, Yu Xiao erased the image of Chu Xuyun trying to escape through the window in the early morning from his mind.

Yes, Chu Xuyun never lost his composure for a moment.