“So, are we going to wait here until nightfall?” Yue Lin asked.

Chu Hanjin glanced around and said, “Standing here during a funeral ritual might seem a bit strange.”

Just then, someone called out, “We need to move Old Master Lu’s coffin! Any brothers around to lend a hand?”

Yue Lin gave it a glance and stepped forward to help. After moving the coffin, the person in charge gripped his hand, thanking him repeatedly, “Thank you, thank you! Please stay and have some supper with us!”

In a small family like this, where they couldn’t afford hired help, any assistance during such a time would typically be offered by neighbors and friends. Naturally, they’d be invited to stay for a meal in return.

This gave them a legitimate reason to stay until nightfall.

Understanding the situation, Chu Hanjin stepped into the mourning hall. With so many recent deaths in the city, the local Daoist priests were overwhelmed. Only a young Daoist disciple was left to perform the rites, drenched in sweat from beating the drum and chanting prayers.

The young Daoist looked up and saw Chu Hanjin, dressed in white and elegantly holding a child by the hand, approach. Confused, the boy watched as Chu Hanjin spoke, “I’m a cultivator. I’ve come to help chant blessings for Old Master Lu.”

The young Daoist quickly nodded, “Please, have a seat!”

Though Daoists and cultivators share some similarities, cultivators are generally seen as more advanced. Chu Hanjin smiled at the boy, a gentle breeze seeming to carry with it a sense of warmth. He skillfully opened a scripture, holding a spiritual tool, and began silently reciting the sutras with his eyes closed.

Meanwhile, Yue Lin busied himself in the courtyard. His sleeves rolled up, he herded two sheep into a pen, the strands of hair at his temples sticking to his sweat-drenched skin. He exuded a warm, earthy energy from all his hard work. Approaching Chu Zhaoyang, he fed the boy something from his hand.

Chu Zhaoyang bit into it, tasting something sweet, and curiously opened Yue Lin’s hand, finding a few candied dates nestled there.

“It’s getting dark,” Yue Lin said.

“Anything unusual?” Chu Hanjin inquired, asking if any suspicious figures had appeared.

After all, if someone was planning to kill Young Master Lu, they would surely scout the area first.

Yue Lin shook his head, but just then someone called out, “Yuezi, come help move the paper offerings.”

The tone was friendly, indicating that Yue Lin had gotten along well with the others after spending the afternoon helping out. He placed the last date in Chu Zhaoyang’s mouth, dusted off his hands, and said, “I’ll head over.”

“…”

Chu Hanjin lowered his gaze, turning the page of his scripture.

As evening approached, Young Master Lu came over to him, “Immortal, you’ve been chanting blessings for my father all afternoon. Won’t you stay for a meal?”

It was a reasonable request, so Chu Hanjin nodded, “I’d be happy to.”

The dinner wasn’t extravagant, but it was hearty. Several tables were set up in the courtyard. Yue Lin sat next to Chu Hanjin, while Chu Zhaoyang repeatedly tried to climb onto the table, only to be carried back down.

Chu Hanjin had just fed a piece of meat to the child when, from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a dark figure flashing across the top of the courtyard wall.

He paused, turning his head. Yue Lin, holding a wine cup, also looked up to meet his gaze, unsurprised.

—Someone had arrived.

The others weren’t as sharp as the two of them, still engrossed in eating. Young Master Lu continuously expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, everyone. Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to manage today!”

Under the table, Yue Lin brushed Chu Hanjin’s fingers lightly. Chu Hanjin said, “Let’s catch them in the act later.”

Yue Lin lowered his eyes, nodding silently.

“Everyone, we’ve just about finished everything for today. It’s been a long day, so please head home and get some rest.” Young Master Lu raised his cup in a toast.

Someone spoke up, “You should get some rest too! You haven’t slept for days since Old Lu passed. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Young Master Lu gave a bitter smile, “I can’t rest. Tonight, I still have to keep vigil for my father. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

Everyone nodded in understanding. These were his family, friends, and neighbors, and after dinner, they sat in the mourning hall for a while before leaving one by one as the night grew darker.

After seeing off the last guest, Young Master Lu turned to Chu Hanjin and Yue Lin, “You two should head back and rest as well. You’ve worked hard all day. I can manage the rest.”

Chu Hanjin found an excuse, “The chanting must continue through the night. Since the young Daoist boy has gone to rest, I’ll take over.”

“This… wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?”

Chu Hanjin’s serene and celestial demeanor was quite convincing. Young Master Lu gave a deep nod, “Thank you, Immortal.”

“No need to thank me. Your father rented out this courtyard to me and my companion, providing us shelter. We haven’t properly expressed our gratitude yet.” After exchanging pleasantries, Chu Hanjin returned to the mourning hall and resumed chanting.

Young Master Lu even brought him some tea, handling all the courtesies with great care.

Yue Lin, meanwhile, sat nearby with Chu Zhaoyang in his arms. The child, unable to stay up any longer, clutched Yue Lin’s clothes and soon drifted off into a deep sleep.

The night grew quieter, broken only by the occasional sound of spiritual instruments being struck.

Young Master Lu knelt before the altar, continuously burning paper money in the copper basin. At midnight, the blackened ashes in the basin suddenly burst into flames, rising high into the air.

The scene was eerie. Young Master Lu’s face paled in fear, and he quickly bowed his head, crying out, “Father! Father! It’s my fault! I’ve failed to avenge you!”

He continued to bow in rapid succession. Chu Hanjin glanced at Yue Lin.

Yue Lin understood and gently placed the sleeping child into a chair.

A crow cawed from the courtyard wall. A dark figure stood there, cloaked in long robes resembling funeral garments. Young Master Lu stared blankly at the figure, calling out, “Father, is that you?”

The figure remained silent.

The atmosphere grew increasingly ominous.

Without a response, Young Master Lu, overwhelmed by sorrow, rushed toward the figure.

The shadow dropped to the ground, clearly dressed in funeral robes. Its face was shrouded in layers of black mist. In normal circumstances, someone might have cried out in fear of a ghost, but Young Master Lu, unafraid of the supernatural, bowed several times toward the figure, “Father, are you trying to tell me who the killer is?”

The shadow moved toward the gate.

Young Master Lu stood and followed, but his legs gave out from kneeling too long, causing him to stumble.

As Chu Hanjin was about to call out, “Sir,” and pick up his sword to follow, another figure flashed across the wall, as if they had been lying in wait. A faint sound escaped.

This person was well-hidden. The figure in the funeral robes didn’t seem to notice them and continued its ghostly charade, moving toward the gate.

Not an accomplice?

Then who is this?

A rebel cultivator?

There was no time to think further. Young Master Lu moved quickly, already reaching the screen wall by the gate.

His view momentarily obscured, Chu Hanjin rushed out, only to hear a scream: “Ah—!”

He dashed forward and saw the shadow wielding a gleaming blade, ready to slice Young Master Lu’s throat. Chu Hanjin swiftly hurled his sword, knocking the weapon out of the attacker’s hand with a metallic clang.

The assailant froze for a couple of seconds, then locked eyes with Chu Hanjin.

Using a binding technique, Chu Hanjin’s hand quickly formed a seal. The assailant, realizing Chu Hanjin was a cultivator, retaliated with a surge of sword energy, illuminating the street.

Their goal was clearly to kill Young Master Lu without revealing themselves. The assailant’s sword strikes were ruthless. Chu Hanjin blocked several fatal blows before grabbing the assailant’s wrist and shouting, “Stop this now!”

This caused the assailant to hesitate, freezing in place.

At that moment, a voice rang out from the shadows: “The murderer has been caught!”

A deep, commanding voice. The figure from the wall jumped down and tore off their disguise, revealing the robes of a rebel cultivator—none other than the Master of Yushui City.

Upon seeing him, Chu Hanjin’s wrist went numb as the assailant frantically shook free.

Cold sweat dripped from the assailant’s forehead as they turned to flee.

How could they not run?

It was a clear case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!

Someone had been waiting to trap them!

The assailant tried to escape, but the rebel Master moved swiftly, grabbing the mask covering the assailant’s face and ripping it away. Under the moonlight, the shocked face of Shen Ji, one of the city’s guardian cultivators, was revealed.

“Well, well, it really is you!” the Master shouted, gripping Shen Ji’s shoulder and yelling, “The murderer has been caught! The murderer has been caught!”

His shouts were loud, clearly meant to draw in the surrounding citizens for a public confrontation.

Shen Ji’s face turned pale. He couldn’t break free, and hearing the sounds of doors opening and lights being lit on the street, he desperately turned toward the alley, crying out, “Master, save me!”

His voice cracked with panic: “Master, save me!!”

Chu Hanjin turned toward the alley and saw a figure in green robes slipping away. In that moment, something clicked in his mind, as if something had exploded.

He grabbed Shen Ji by the collar, demanding, “Who was that?”

Shen Ji was on the verge of losing his mind. “Master… Master… it was his idea! He told me to kill!”

He collapsed to his knees, utterly defeated, as if waking from a nightmare. His eyes were dull, sweat pouring from his face.

The approaching citizens, holding torches, arrived one after another, their clothes disheveled as if they had just woken up.

Chu Hanjin’s mind raced, everything connecting at once. He quickly instructed Yue Lin, “Capture both of them, but don’t reveal the murderer yet!”

Yue Lin raised an eyebrow, “Huh?”

“Just do it! I’ll explain later.”

With that, Chu Hanjin sprang forward, chasing after the figure in green.

Yue Lin clenched his teeth, glancing at the rebel Master. The Master frowned, surprised by Chu Hanjin’s command, “You dare try to capture me? How arrogant!”

But before the words even fully left his mouth, a spell struck his chest, and his vision went black as he fell to his knees.

Yue Lin swiftly knocked Shen Ji unconscious as well, hoisting both of them up by the collars before disappearing into the night, leaving the bewildered citizens behind, staring at the now-deserted street, unsure of what had just happened.

—

The alley was dark and eerie.

Chu Hanjin dashed along, chasing after the vanishing figure in green.

His mind was clear now. All the confusion from earlier made sense. How could the city’s guardian cultivators act so boldly, killing people openly? And how had the rebel cultivators guessed the murderer so accurately, watching as the situation escalated to this point?

Too many coincidences.

When there are too many coincidences, it suggests a third party is pulling the strings.

That person was none other than Bai Gu.

But why would Bai Gu instigate this conflict? Was he helping the rebel cultivators take over the city?

Impossible. What would he gain from that?

There was only one true purpose: to incite chaos.

If news spread of the guardian cultivators killing citizens and the city’s people rising up in rebellion, flocking to the rebel cultivators, it would destroy the Rongku Sect’s reputation. To save face, the Rongku Sect would inevitably send forces to suppress the rebellion in Yushui City.

This would lead to war.

That’s right. Chu Hanjin had figured it out.

He and Yue Lin had speculated that Bai Gu and the mastermind behind him sought to reshuffle the power dynamics of the cultivation world, redistributing resources and dismantling the Rongku Sect’s dominance. Speeding up this shift in power.

And the best way to do that?

Throughout history, war has always been the quickest way to change the balance of power, turning the world upside down.

The Battle of Henbi was a prime example. After one decisive battle, the Yuanshan Sect fell, and the heads of the other five sects perished, leaving the Rongku Sect in a position of unrivaled supremacy.

Now they were using the same strategy, hoping to drag the Rongku Sect back into the flames of war. Although there had been minor skirmishes between the righteous and demonic factions, there had been relative peace for over a decade. But once the demon of war is unleashed, its consequences are unpredictable, and it could easily spread to other sects.

Their goal was simple: to reclaim power and profit.

As for the tens of thousands of innocent lives in the city?

They had families, parents, elders, and loved ones. They only wanted to live in peace. But what did that matter?

In the face of power struggles, no one cared about the powerless common folk. They only cared about their own ambitions, justifying it as “for the greater good.”

Chu Hanjin closed his eyes briefly, recalling a scene from his past. During the Battle of Henbi, his mother had touched his head, her expression grave as she instructed others to take care of him. Chu Hanjin had sat in the courtyard, waiting for his mother to return and watch fireflies with him.

But what followed was a long, lonely journey, wandering through countless miles, never hearing from her again. Until one day, Mu Lianchun had approached him with a pale face, choking on his words, telling him that both his master and his mother had died in battle.

At that time, Chu Hanjin had been too young to fully understand. He had listened in a daze, staring off into the distance, not speaking a word for two or three days.

…

Why? Why release the demon of war again?

The city’s rooftops and alleyways were shrouded in the night, bathed in a pale layer of moonlight.

In the deep of night, everyone was asleep. The sounds of the city faded into the distance behind him.

Chu Hanjin’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts. He burned a talisman, following the trail of its spiritual energy until he caught sight of the figure in green ahead.

Standing in the narrow alleyway, holding a long, slender fan, was Bai Gu, clearly waiting for him.

“Lord Yue Zhao,” Bai Gu said softly.

Chu Hanjin instantly drew his sword, its glow illuminating the cold look in his eyes.

“It’s you again,” he hissed through clenched teeth.

Bai Gu sighed, “I was just about to say the same. Why is it always you, ruining my plans?”

“Ruining your plans???” Even with his usual composure, Chu Hanjin couldn’t hold back the fury rising in his chest. “Ruining your murders? Ruining your plan to slaughter the city? Ruining your goal to tear this city apart?!”

Bai Gu looked puzzled, “But it’s the righteous cultivators doing the killing, tearing apart Lu’s family. How can you blame me for that? I’m truly baffled.”

Chu Hanjin didn’t want to waste any more words on him. His disdain for Bai Gu was so great that he didn’t even want to declare a challenge. His sword swung up toward Bai Gu’s seemingly innocent face. “If you die today, it’ll be what you deserve.”

“Oh, why must you always resort to killing?”

Chu Hanjin said nothing. His sword surged with energy, turning a bright blue, the blade crackling with intense spiritual power, casting a radiant, deadly glow.

“Such impressive spiritual power,” Bai Gu praised, backing away slightly, “But fighting isn’t my strong suit.”

He let his voice linger for a moment before calling out, “Ah Wan, I’ll leave this to you.”

A chilling gust of wind blew from behind.

Chu Hanjin spun around to see a tall, dark figure.

The night was too dark to make out their face clearly, as it was wrapped tightly in black cloth.

Chu Hanjin unleashed a wave of sword energy, but the figure blocked it with a clang, their sword clashing against his.

In that instant, Chu Hanjin’s eyes widened, his sword embedded in the ground, his gaze filled with shock.

That was a technique from the Mo Fa Sect!

The Mo Fa Sect was renowned for its swordsmanship, specializing in weapon mastery. This particular move had been taught to them during the chaotic years when the six sects shared techniques in a desperate attempt to survive. Even though Chu Hanjin belonged to the Yuanshan Sect, he had learned this technique.

It was clear now—this figure was an ally of Bai Gu.

Not only were they from the righteous path, but they were also one of the core heirs of the six sects.

But who?

Chu Hanjin’s mind raced, thinking of Qingming, Lord Bao Yang, and Lord Cang Yuan…

He couldn’t figure it out. He demanded, “Who are you?”

The figure remained silent.

Chu Hanjin’s anger surged, “Why are you doing this?!”

The figure’s face remained hidden in the darkness.

Cold, indifferent, unyielding.

Chu Hanjin halted his sword and summoned a spell, a circle of light illuminating the night sky as it spun toward the figure. They dodged, standing with their sword beneath the moonlight, their gaze briefly locking onto Chu Hanjin.

“Ah Wan, are you hesitating?” Bai Gu suddenly spoke.

The words caused a momentary pause.

“Don’t hesitate. If he learns who you are, it’s your life on the line.”

The figure remained still, and Bai Gu’s voice turned gentler, “I’ll help you make the decision.” He flicked his fan open and placed a talisman on the ground, from which two wretched corpses emerged, bathed in darkness.

One was the Qin Demon, dressed in white, silent as the grave. The other was the Blade Master, wielding a massive sword, exuding a commanding presence. They seemed alive, yet motionless, like puppets. Their faces were ashen, with red lines across their foreheads, and on the back of their necks were the marks of a high-level puppet curse, the three-hooked jade talisman of the Celestial Burial Pit.

This was the beginning of the uprising at the Celestial Burial Pit.

Bai Gu had laid his cards on the table. “Ah Wan, there’s no turning back now. If you don’t kill him, things will only get more complicated.”

He paused, his voice growing even softer. “Don’t worry about what will happen if you kill him. We’re always on the same side.”

Ah Wan slowly raised his hand, as if finally making up his mind. His fingers twitched slightly, and the two puppet corpses began to move, their eyes flickering open.

He had started to control them.

Now it was two against three.

Chu Hanjin abandoned his sword in favor of spiritual energy. His energy was pure and clear, capable of manifesting into physical form. From his hands grew a sharp silver hook. The Blade Master, charging forward with his massive sword, normally excelled in brute strength, cleaving through his opponents’ weapons. But Chu Hanjin’s weapon couldn’t be broken, and even if it were, it would quickly reform. All he had to do was avoid the sword’s edge.

The clash of weapons echoed loudly, sparks flying as spiritual energy crackled. Chu Hanjin whispered a brief apology before launching himself at the Blade Master, severing his massive sword in half with a single strike. Rather than continue fighting, he pushed off the ground and sprinted toward the puppet master.

Ah Wan froze for a moment, stepping back as the Qin Demon’s discordant music filled the air. Chu Hanjin blocked out the sound by closing off his hearing, and from his sleeve, he summoned a second qin.

Seven strings, silver and sharp.

Ah Wan probably assumed Chu Hanjin intended to duel the Qin Demon, but to his surprise, Chu Hanjin flipped his qin back into his sleeve, then quickly launched the silver hook, slicing through the black cloth covering Ah Wan’s face.

Black hair spilled out, and as the night wind swept through, a few silver rays of moonlight illuminated the figure’s face.

Black eyebrows, a sharp, defined gaze. In that brief moment, Chu Hanjin’s mind connected the face before him to someone he knew—Mu Lianchun!

Chu Hanjin’s pupils dilated. “Senior Brother!?”

“Oh, Junior Brother?” The figure responded.

“How…?”

Chu Hanjin was too shocked to react. His blade paused mid-air, as if he had forgotten he was in the middle of a battle.

Then, all at once, he shook his head violently. “No, this can’t be. You’re not my senior brother!”

This must be a trick, someone intentionally disguising themselves as his senior brother to distract him!

In battle, a moment of hesitation can be fatal. Any lapse in concentration can turn the tide.

He had been tricked!

Chu Hanjin gritted his teeth, sensing footsteps creeping up behind him, accompanied by a soft voice, “Be careful—”

A sharp pain shot through the back of his neck.

Blood rushed up Chu Hanjin’s throat.

Something had pierced the back of his neck, biting into his flesh, sucking his blood, gnawing at his bones, as if trying to devour him whole.

The pain spread like wildfire, as if hundreds of insects were burrowing into his brain.

“…”

His vision blurred, and his knees buckled. Using his sword for support, Chu Hanjin slowly sank to the ground.

The figure disguised as Mu Lianchun looked down at him, his bony fingers tightening as he manipulated the puppets. The Qin Demon and Blade Master sheathed their weapons and stood silently behind him, as lifeless as ever.

Turning to Bai Gu, he said, “Take him away.”

Bai Gu asked, “Not going to kill him?”

“He’s too valuable. His cultivation is too high. If it weren’t for that opening, we wouldn’t have beaten him. It’s better to turn him into a puppet. We might even use him to threaten Yue Lin.”

“Fair enough.”

“…”

Their conversation grew faint.

The world spun around him, shadows blending and swirling until they were swallowed by an even deeper darkness. After the searing pain, all Chu Hanjin felt was overwhelming drowsiness, as if something inside him had been hollowed out.

…It couldn’t be his senior brother.

Chu Hanjin closed his eyes, sinking deep into unconsciousness.

—

His consciousness seemed to exist in a vast, square space, surrounded by an endless abyss. He couldn’t see anything above or below, only an infinite expanse of darkness.

Chu Hanjin trudged forward, his robes trailing behind him.

He arrived at a bright, verdant field, where two children with rolled-up sleeves were practicing their punches on a straw dummy.

One said, “Junior Brother, your stance is wrong.”

The other replied, “How is it wrong?”

“This is a straight punch. If you’re punching with your left hand, you need to plant your feet first, then push off slightly with your right foot, shifting your body weight to the left. Rotate your waist and shoulders, then extend the punch with full force.”

“Oh, like this?”

“Haha, yes! You’re quick to learn. Master taught me before, and it took me all afternoon to get the hang of it.”

Chu Hanjin stopped in his tracks, lowering his gaze as he quietly watched.

He didn’t know why he was seeing this or who these two children were.

One was dressed in white, with a mourning cloth tied around his head, his delicate features soft and beautiful. He threw punch after punch at the straw dummy—left punch, straight punch, hook punch—his serious expressions punctuated by grunts.

The other boy, slightly older, wore blue and sat on a haystack, watching for a while before jumping up to join him. “I can’t rest! I need to train with you! We must avenge Master and Mistress!”

The boy in white glanced at him and nodded, “Yes, to avenge my father and mother.”

The two of them practiced together, sparring until the sun began to set.

Afterward, they lay on the haystack, gazing up at the darkening sky.

“Ugh, my arm hurts so much it feels like it’s broken,” the boy in blue groaned, sitting up. “Junior Brother, does your arm hurt too?”

The boy in white replied, “Yes, it hurts.”

“We shouldn’t have pushed so hard. We should’ve taken it slow.”

The boy in white rubbed his arm, staring off into the distance. “It’s alright to go faster.”

An old man appeared at the base of the hill, calling out, “Young Master?”

The boy in white stood up, “Uncle.”

The boy in blue laughed, “Uncle, I was training with my Junior Brother! He’s smart and hardworking. After training all afternoon, his progress was amazing! How about you spar with him?”

“Is that so?” The old man chuckled, but as soon as he touched the boy in white’s arm, the boy winced in pain, his face turning pale.

“You rascal!” The old man’s expression darkened as he lightly smacked the boy in blue on the head. “You’re always so mischievous. If the Young Master is really hurt, I’ll deal with you.”

“He’s fine! Hahaha!” The boy in blue laughed boisterously.

The boy in white couldn’t help but smile as well.

The old man sighed, taking each of their hands, “Come on, it’s time to go back and eat. There was supposed to be class today, but you two refused to stay indoors and ran off.”

“We had no choice! They don’t like us. Staying with them just makes everyone uncomfortable…”

The two boys, one playful and the other more reserved, were led away by the old man, walking down the hill as the sun set behind them.

Chu Hanjin watched this scene unfold like an outsider, feeling a sense of confusion. He had no idea why he was seeing this or who these children were.

One of the boys, dressed in blue, laughed and playfully punched the dummy, while the other, dressed in white, quietly followed the old man.

It felt like watching someone else’s story.

With no clear understanding, Chu Hanjin turned away from the hill, walking toward the endless darkness at its base.

But the darkness was too deep, too vast.

Seeing this, Chu Hanjin retraced his steps and sat on the hill.

The grass here was lush, the sun warm, and the night sky dotted with stars.

He didn’t feel hungry or thirsty, and though the view wasn’t particularly exciting, it helped pass the time. He stayed there, waiting, until two days later, the two boys returned, one behind the other, walking up to the dummy and delivering a few punches.

This time, they were furious.

The boy in blue’s face was swollen, bruised with purple welts, clearly the result of a beating. He punched the dummy with all his might, shouting, “Bastards! Bastards! Bastards!”

The boy in white tried to calm him, “Senior Brother, don’t be angry.”

“How can I not be angry? How can I not be angry? They dare insult Master, insult us! Calling us freeloading pests? They’re the real cowards, afraid to fight! They’re nothing but a bunch of spineless rats!”

Chu Hanjin rested his chin on his wrist, leaning on his sleeve as he quietly watched.

The two boys carried on as if he wasn’t even there, talking to each other.

“I’m so angry, I’m so angry, I’m so angry!” The boy in blue continued to punch the dummy, shouting, “I’ll show them, I’ll show them, I’ll show them!”

The boy in white blinked, unsure how to calm him down. After a while, he suggested, “Senior Brother, how about we roast a rabbit?”

The boy in blue paused, “Where can we find a rabbit?”

The boy in white pointed to the grass, “Over there.”

The boy in blue, still fuming, asked, “Are you hungry?”

The boy in white nodded.

“Fine.” The boy in blue crouched down, sticking his rear in the air as he crawled through the grass in search of a rabbit. However, no matter how much he crawled back and forth, he couldn’t catch one, and soon he began to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

The boy in white joined in, laughing as well, his chuckles light and soft.

The two of them chased after rabbits, their laughter filling the air. Chu Hanjin watched with mild interest. It wasn’t exactly entertaining, but it helped pass the time. Just as they skinned the rabbit and began roasting it, a shadow fell over Chu Hanjin, as if a giant hand had reached down from the sky to grab him.

He felt a brief pressure, and when he opened his eyes again, the stabbing pain in his neck had returned.

His entire neck was stiff, like it had been filled with wood. He realized he was lying flat on a wooden board.

Two figures stood before him.

One wore green robes, the other black.

The one in green held a fan, asking, “Have the spells been cast?”

“Almost.”

“I thought you might hesitate, unwilling to go through with it. It seems I underestimated you.”

The one in black sneered, “Why bother with concepts like hesitating or not? There’s no place for morals here.”

Chu Hanjin stared at the black-robed figure, realizing that he resembled the boy in blue he had seen on the hill.

Was it the same person?

Chu Hanjin wanted to turn his head to get a better look, but his body wouldn’t move. He felt as rigid as a statue.

He hated how his body felt right now.

The green-robed figure chuckled, “Ah Wan, he’s staring at you.”

Ah Wan?

Chu Hanjin’s thoughts were interrupted as a shadow loomed over him, and those dark, piercing eyes drew closer.

In a low voice, Ah Wan asked, “Chu Hanjin, do you remember anything?”

Chu Hanjin couldn’t remember.

He couldn’t nod, nor could he shake his head.

His eyes remained open, fixed on Ah Wan, his expression unreadable, his mouth tightly closed.

After a long silence, something flickered in Ah Wan’s gaze, and he turned away, sitting down at the table. “Has the city descended into chaos?”

“Not yet. My brother captured those two, but we don’t know where he’s hidden them. Without the culprit, and with the young master of the Lu family still alive, the city remains calm for now.”

“Hmph. You said the plan would succeed by now, when you infiltrated the city’s guardian cultivators as their strategist.”

“I didn’t expect those two to show up here and disrupt things. But it’s not a big problem, there’s still time.” The green-robed figure poured himself a cup of tea, sipping as he spoke. “How are things on your end?”

“Don’t worry.”

Ah Wan fiddled with his tea cup, rubbing it absentmindedly. “Once Yushui City erupts into war, I’ll make sure the six sects join in as well.”

War?

Chu Hanjin couldn’t understand.

His gaze wandered up to the high rafters.

He heard their voices but wasn’t particularly interested.

His neck still throbbed painfully, unbearably so.

If he could, he would have returned to the grassy hill to rest, perhaps to see if the boys had finished roasting the rabbit.

But their conversation continued.

“We need to find those two before we can act, but my brother’s whereabouts are currently unknown.”

“That’s your problem.”

“Haha, indeed it is. But I have a solution,” the green-robed man smiled, his voice lilting, “Though I doubt you’ll like it.”

“What is it?”

“Lord Yue Zhao is lying right here. How far could Yue Lin possibly go? All we need is to release some news about Lord Yue Zhao. Even if we throw him into a sea of fire, Yue Lin will come running.”

Ah Wan’s voice grew cold, “Damn fate!”

“Haha, you still think my brother doesn’t deserve Lord Yue Zhao, don’t you?” The green-robed man chuckled, amused. “Just send Lord Yue Zhao out for a stroll. My brother will smell his scent and come running. Hopefully, Lord Yue Zhao can stab him with a sword this time. No more mistakes.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Then the sound of a chair being pulled out echoed through the space.

Ah Wan’s face appeared before Chu Hanjin once again.

His features were sharp and handsome, his dark eyes fixed intently on Chu Hanjin. He stared for a long time, his thoughts unclear. Finally, he reached out, gently covering Chu Hanjin’s eyes with his hands. “…Go.”

Darkness enveloped Chu Hanjin once again.

But this time, the darkness didn’t last long. When he opened his eyes again, the pain in his neck was gone.

He had moved from lying on the board to sitting on a bed. His body no longer felt stiff, and in fact, he felt invigorated, brimming with energy, almost eager to find someone to fight.

Suppressing the restless energy coursing through his veins, he flexed his long fingers and rose from the bed.

Nearby, Bai Gu held a crimson wedding robe, smiling at him. “Lord Yue Zhao.”

Chu Hanjin looked at him. He didn’t remember this name, but he knew Bai Gu was addressing him.

“Today, you’ll meet my brother. He’s been deeply in love with you his entire life. But sadly, he’s about to meet his end.” Bai Gu’s smile widened as he placed the wedding robe on the table. “I’m a kind person. I couldn’t bear to let my brother die with regrets. So tonight, I’ll fulfill his wish and make you two a pair of ghostly spouses.”

Chu Hanjin’s expression remained impassive, his dark eyes staring straight at Bai Gu.

His long, slender figure stood tall, his features breathtakingly beautiful, though a bright red mark marred his forehead, and a three-hooked jade talisman was engraved on the back of his neck.

Chu Hanjin didn’t say a word.

“The wedding robe suits you.”

Bai Gu shook it out, layers upon layers of phoenix embroidery cascading over Chu Hanjin’s shoulders. After adjusting it, Bai Gu said, “Put it on, and I’ll help you with your hair.”

Chu Hanjin slipped into the wedding robe.

He sat before a mirror, and Bai Gu untied his long, raven-black hair, using a deep red ribbon to gather it up. “As expected of Lord Mei Yi.”

He added a jade crown.

Then, using a brush, he lightly dabbed rouge onto Chu Hanjin’s lips.

His lips, originally a pale pink, darkened into a rich, enticing red, as if they were dripping with color.

Yet Chu Hanjin felt nothing. He stared blankly at the stunning reflection in the mirror.

Behind him, Bai Gu worked meticulously, carefully styling his hair. He dusted off the rouge from the brush and leaned close to Chu Hanjin’s ear, his breath cold, his voice soft.

“Now, my brother can die without regrets, right?”