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Translator: She.Wee

Chapter 81: The Pink-Clad Saviour

Su retrieved his other puppet avatars. After a series of twists and turns within the formation, his main body finally reached the side of the golden bell.

It was his meddling with the formation initially that caused all these complications, and now he was reaping the bitter fruits of his actions.

He was extremely weak now, his body wrecked from experiencing countless heart demon illusions. He urgently needed to find a suitable body to possess.

The environment within this formation was indeed suitable for possession, but his current body couldn’t withstand the damage from fighting Hu. He needed to possess someone first, then seek out Xi Huai to take his body.

However, if the new body was at the Golden Core stage, his combat abilities would be reduced to that stage as well. The new body wouldn’t be able to contain all his spiritual power, risking death by explosion. Additionally, merging his soul with the new body would take time.

He greatly valued Xi Huai’s body, as its potential was even better than his first body. If he could take over Xi Huai’s body, he might successfully advance.

Yet Chi Muyao presented a significant problem. Now, Su and his puppet avatar were staring at each other through the golden bell, trying but failing to break the bell’s confinement.

This Buddhist artifact was truly bizarre. Even his Nascent Soul peak cultivation couldn’t do anything to it.

His body was further injured, thanks to Chi Muyao’s actions.

He could only first destroy the room’s attack mechanisms. Then, his main body and puppet avatar sat in this small room, meditating and exercising power.

He took the slowest method, gradually extracting the spiritual power from the avatar within the golden bell, drawing it back to his main body bit by bit.The golden bell’s separation capability was troublesome, consuming a lot of time and leaving him with no energy to capture Xi Huai and Chi Muyao.

Just as he was about to completely absorb the puppet avatar’s spiritual power, he suddenly heard a voice calling, “Su.”

His brows furrowed. With just one word, he recognized Yu Chaoluo’s voice.

The voice that had haunted his dreams for many years.

Then came Yu Chaoluo’s sigh: “Meeting you was my downfall, trapped in this half-life of suffering.”

Opening his eyes, Su found himself back in his little wooden hut.

Amidst the mist, bamboo and wooden pavilions stood, pear blossoms falling like rain.

The shallow grass was soft and long, the secluded forest valley quiet, the mountain streams still the same as back then.

Su lowered his gaze, realizing he had entered Yu Chaoluo’s heart demon realm again. Had he accidentally stumbled in while he was vulnerable?

Every time he entered a heart demon illusion, his chest ached, yet he didn’t resent it.

Though painful, it allowed him to see that person.

However, this heart demon realm was different. He saw Yu Chaoluo, wearing his clothes, sitting at a stone table, seemingly grinding something.

This was a scene he had never seen before.

He walked over slowly, seeing Yu Chaoluo turn to look at him, asking, “Didn’t you say that as long as I didn’t return to Nuanyan Pavilion, you’d stay in the mountains with me? Why have you been away for so long?”

Su was astonished, looking at Yu Chaoluo for a long time without speaking.

When a person is gone, regret and sorrow turn into longing. Every time the yearning grew strong, when the moon met the clouds, he would have a drink.

Now, seeing the person he missed looking at him gently, Su felt as if he were in a different world, unable to come back to his senses.

Yu Chaoluo’s face gradually darkened as he watched him, asking in a low voice, “Have you done evil again?”

Su hurriedly replied, “I, I just…”

Yu Chaoluo said no more, turning back to continue grinding whatever was in his hands.

Su could only sit opposite Yu Chaoluo, watching his movements, asking, “What are you doing?”

Yu Chaoluo, holding the lid of the stove, was checking its contents, casually answering, “Making incense.”

“Why are you making this?”

“A lot of pear blossoms have fallen. I was bored and wanted to find something to do.”

Su kept watching Yu Chaoluo. Yu Chaoluo seemed unskilled at this, his movements somewhat clumsy.

He looked around again.

Was this his illusion? Yu Chaoluo hadn’t chosen to end his life but had stayed in his valley.

His simple hut and the valley, not distinctly divided by seasons, had become a place of long forests and lush grass.

Yu Chaoluo spoke again, “I know I can’t change you. You’ve become used to killing over the years, but I don’t like it. One day, when I find another place to hide, I’ll leave. I won’t restrain you. I don’t want to control you—”

Su hurriedly said, “No, you don’t need to leave. As long as you’re here, I won’t leave.”

He spoke very urgently, his words fast.Yu Chaoluo looked at him, naturally not believing, “How could I keep you here?”

Su, however, answered very seriously, “You can keep me here. As long as you’re here, you can.”

Yu Chaoluo looked at him for a long time before looking away, taking a bamboo slip from a treasure jade, then glancing at the things before him. “The bamboo slip says this, but what I made doesn’t smell good; it actually stinks.”

“Then stop doing it.”

“I’ll try one more time.”

Yu Chaoluo stood up to collect the fallen flowers. As soon as he got up, Su used telekinesis to pull him over, making Yu Chaoluo sit on his lap.

Su embraced him from behind, burying his face in Yu Chaoluo’s back, holding him tightly as if afraid he would leave.

“Stay with me for a while.” Su sounded like he was begging, fully aware that this was all an illusion, yet still immersing himself in it.

How long had it been since he last held this person?

It had been over a decade. He used to sleep every day holding a cold corpse until he crafted the bell and sealed the body inside.

After that, whenever he was troubled, he would listen to the bell chime, as if Yu Chaoluo were with him.

Yu Chaoluo looked hesitant but remained in Su’s embrace.

He lowered his eyes, seeing Su’s bony hands clutching him so tightly that his fingertips turned bright red.

Su stayed in the valley for a few days, watching Yu Chaoluo attempt to make incense over and over again, but each attempt failed.

The fearsome demon king was reduced to searching everywhere for pear blossoms, and Yu Chaoluo wouldn’t allow him to use telekinesis to shake the flowers from the trees.

At night, he would sleep with Yu Chaoluo in the wooden hut, watching his peaceful sleeping face, content to stay awake all night.

Su knew the Yu Chaoluo beside him was an illusion from the heart demon realm, but he still chose to stay with him, as long as he looked like Yu Chaoluo.

He missed Yu Chaoluo too much, and even seeing an illusion satisfied him.That night, Yu Chaoluo suddenly grabbed his sleeve and said, “Su, can you stop doing those things?”

“What things?”

“Death is death; it’s a release. Why must you—”

“I’ve made all the preparations. The environment of this formation will make possession easy for you. Even if your soul is weak, it will smoothly merge into a new body. The last person to survive in the formation needs my help to get out, and I’ll take his body for you. I will resurrect you, even if I can’t leave this formation myself, I will make sure you live.”

Yu Chaoluo grew even sadder. “You know I don’t like this kind of thing.”

“I want you to live again, no matter what method I have to use.”

“But living again is painful…”

“The one who should die is me. Living a different life is better than leaving me in pain alone. If possible, I’d rather erase your memories and stay with you. I don’t even know if my body can hold up to complete these tasks. If not, when you come back to life, is there any chance you could change your mind and not hate me anymore?”

“…”

Su’s decision had never wavered, unless he died.Only then would he give up.

Yu Chaoluo said nothing more, lying beside him and murmuring, “Tomorrow, I’ll definitely make good incense.”

“Yes, do your best.”

The next day.

Su lazily used telekinesis to carry a pile of pear petals back. As he approached the wooden hut, he saw Hu rising into the air.

He knew what seeing Hu meant.

He quickly rushed back, seeing Xi Lin choking Yu Chaoluo, lifting him into the air.

Yu Chaoluo, not yet at the Nascent Soul stage, was no match for Xi Lin. Suspended in mid-air, he kicked helplessly, already on the verge of death.

Finally reunited, the person he cherished was being treated like this. Su’s eyes reddened, and he attacked Xi Lin, shouting, “Let him go!”

But his attack was blocked by Hu, forcing him to contend with Hu while Xi Lin continued holding Yu Chaoluo.

Yu Chaoluo’s eyes were bloodshot, unable to speak, looking at Su pleadingly. Just that one look made Su’s heart clench as if Xi Lin were choking not Yu Chaoluo’s neck but his heart.

Xi Lin glanced at Su, annoyed. “Don’t interfere. He killed my disciple.”

“It wasn’t him, it was me. Kill me!” Su tried to explain to Xi Lin.

It wasn’t Yu Chaoluo’s doing!

He did nothing; he was forced to act!

Xi Lin sneered, “I saw the soul bead’s recording. He killed my disciple, and he will pay with his life!”

With that, he ruthlessly snapped Yu Chaoluo’s neck and threw him into the fire.

Yu Chaoluo, already dead, did not struggle in the flames, lying motionless.

Su jumped into the fire, pulling Yu Chaoluo out, but could only hold a lifeless, limp corpse.

He saw Yu Chaoluo’s body lying weakly in his arms, his cheeks flushed, and his neck bearing choke marks.

He tried to wake Yu Chaoluo, but Yu Chaoluo didn’t respond, his body limp and lifeless, his head lolling back with the slightest movement.

“Yu Chaoluo…”

Su You once again witnessed Yu Chaoluo’s death.

It was supposed to go according to plan. Yu Chaoluo didn’t take his own life and chose to live with him. Why… did it end like this?

Su You’s heartbeat seemed to stop abruptly, the pain was suffocating. Yu Chaoluo still died because of him, because of what he had done!

Su You started attacking Xi Lin like a madman.

However, in the end, Xi Lin mysteriously disappeared.

He turned around, looking at the corpse lying on the ground. The pear blossom petals he had brought with his telekinesis were blown everywhere by the wind, gathering around Yu Chaoluo’s body.

On the stone table were the tools Yu Chaoluo used to make incense, which he still hadn’t succeeded in making.

Su You remembered that one night, Yu Chaoluo had suddenly mentioned, “The first time was awful. The only thing I remember clearly is the pear blossom scent on you.”

Now… even Yu Chaoluo’s corpse had the scent of pear blossoms.

How ironic.

Yu Chaoluo spent the latter half of his life in misery because of him, finally ending his own life.

Even with the ending changed, Yu Chaoluo was still killed because of him.

What if… he hadn’t forced Yu Chaoluo to kill Xi Lin’s two disciples back then?

What if nothing had happened?

Time returned to the day Su You and Yu Chaoluo first met. He didn’t show up, and Yu Chaoluo didn’t harm anyone at Qingze Sect. After seeing Yun Yimo and Xi Lin together, with Xi Lin caring for Yun Yimo, Yu Chaoluo quietly returned to Nuan Yan Pavilion.

Su You wanted to avoid him, so he didn’t go looking for Yu Chaoluo.

One day, he couldn’t bear it any longer and secretly went to Yu Chaoluo’s residence.When he arrived, Yu Chaoluo was sitting in the loft, writing something.

He wanted to quietly watch Yu Chaoluo but didn’t expect Yu Chaoluo to look up at him, his voice gentle, “Since you mean no harm, why not come in and chat?”

Su You was a bit surprised but still got off the roof and came before Yu Chaoluo.

Yu Chaoluo’s gaze was unfamiliar, as if assessing a stranger, then he smiled at him.

It turned out, when Yu Chaoluo didn’t hate him, he was so gentle…He sat opposite Yu Chaoluo and asked, “What are you writing?”

“My cultivation has stagnated, and I see no hope of advancing, so I help the sect with some tasks. I use spiritual power to transcribe bamboo slips. When disciples infuse spiritual power into them, the contents instantly enter their minds, saving them the effort of reading.”

“You’re doing such menial tasks?!” He was suddenly a bit angry.

“What else could I do?”

“Do you still hate?”

“What?”

“Hate those who separated you, hate your sect.”

Yu Chaoluo put down his brush, surprised at his knowledge, but just lowered his eyes and replied, “I loved her very much. If she can be happy, I am content.”

Seeing Yu Chaoluo’s affectionate eyes as he spoke about loving that woman, Su You’s heart sank deeper and deeper.

It became more and more painful.

His breathing tightened, making it hard to accept. He left in a sorry state, like an escape.

Later, he went to see Yu Chaoluo again, happening to catch Yu Chaoluo secretly closing off to try to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

He approached quietly, intending to remove Yu Chaoluo’s heart demon to help him succeed.

Getting closer, he realized he was too late. Seeing Yu Chaoluo’s appearance of crying blood, he hurried over to support him and help him heal.

Yu Chaoluo, trapped by his heart demon, was severely injured, weakly leaning on his shoulder, murmuring, “I’m not willing… I still can’t accept… I love her so much, why can’t it be me by her side…”

Yu Chaoluo kept repeating how much he missed and loved that woman in his arms.

Su You listened silently, closing his eyes, his brow furrowed in pain.

Su You couldn’t help but ask, “What should I do to make you free of pain?”

“Let me go… Su You.”

“…”

When he came to his senses, they were at Su Qing Tower of Nuan Yan Pavilion.

Yu Chaoluo, wrapped in clothes, his hair disheveled, still had red marks on his neck.

Yu Chaoluo looked at him seriously, saying again, “Let me go.”

It was the time when Yu Chaoluo was locked in Su Qing Tower for confinement…Su You asked, “If I let you go, will you be free of pain?”

“Right now, my greatest pain comes from you.”

These words pierced Su You.

In his daze, Yu Chaoluo somehow retrieved his sword, stabbing it into Su You’s heart.

Su You widened his eyes in surprise, seeing Yu Chaoluo grinning fiercely at him. This wasn’t how Yu Chaoluo should be; Yu Chaoluo was always gentle even in death.

But he heard Yu Chaoluo say to him, “If you die, we will all be free.”

If he died, no one would want to resurrect Yu Chaoluo again, and the world would be rid of Su You, the scourge.

Su You looked at the sword in his heart, then at Yu Chaoluo, asking, “Is this what you want?”

“Yes, I want you to die!” Yu Chaoluo pushed the sword further into Su You’s heart.

“So you’re not him!”

Su You said this and attacked Yu Chaoluo with a palm. Yu Chaoluo’s body instantly disappeared.

Su You looked at the sword in his heart, sealed several acupoints, and tried to heal himself.

Even in the heart demon realm, such an injury couldn’t be underestimated. If killed in the heart demon realm or driven to madness, it would harm his physical body.

His physical body was already injured, and this sword made it worse.

But the two who had been lying in wait didn’t give him a chance to heal.

Su Qing Tower suddenly disappeared, replaced by an open space.

He turned around, seeing flames attacking him with fierce force, clearly aiming for his life. Simultaneously, a serpent soared into the sky, roaring and attacking him.

Su You stepped back two paces, blood at the corner of his mouth, sneering as he looked closely, “So it’s you two playing tricks!”

Xi Huai had reached the Nascent Soul stage, but his skills and foundation were lacking, knowing he wasn’t Su You’s match, he could only use brute force.

Chi Muyao also knew he couldn’t withstand the aftermath of a battle between Nascent Soul stage masters, so he stayed in a protective barrier, casting healing spells on Xi Huai.

Xi Huai didn’t waste time talking, attacking continuously.

In a real fight to the death, who had the energy for idle chatter?

Xi Huai’s strength was no match for Su You, the old monster, but with the Hui and Chi Muyao’s healing, they could still fight the heavily injured Su You.

Su You knew these two used Yu Chaoluo to torment him, even using Yu Chaoluo’s illusion to attack him, crossing his final line. He sealed his heart meridian, attacking viciously.

Even if he couldn’t live, these two had to die with him!

A mad Nascent Soul peak cultivator’s attack forced Xi Huai to retreat repeatedly, especially when he saw Su You trying to kill Chi Muyao first. Xi Huai finally showed a flaw, being knocked back by Su You’s spell.

Su You planned to pursue, heading straight for Chi Muyao, but was blocked by someone.

He was surprised, thinking it was Xi Huai catching up, but saw a familiar figure—Yu Chaoluo.

Su You was momentarily disgusted, thinking these two were using illusions to trick him again, and attacked immediately.

Yu Chaoluo met Su You’s attack with a palm, causing the heart demon realm to tremble.

Su You’s eyes widened in shock, staring at Yu Chaoluo.

Yu Chaoluo, hit by a Nascent Soul stage cultivator’s attack, immediately coughed up blood, his body leaning back.

Chi Muyao, knowing this Yu Chaoluo wasn’t an illusion they created, exclaimed, “Senior!”

Su You stopped, looking at the person in front of him, “Yu Chaoluo?”

Yu Chaoluo stood with difficulty, looking at Su You with a bitter smile, tears welling up in his eyes but not falling, like blooming but not withering flowers.

He looked at Su You, his voice trembling, “Su You… stop. Even if I really resurrect, knowing what you did, how could I live?”

“You’ve been here all along? Watching me over and over seeing you die? Why didn’t you come to see me?”

“I didn’t want to see you.”

Su You finally realized that part of Yu Chaoluo’s soul was left in the heart demon realm, making his soul incomplete, some parts he couldn’t retrieve.

Yu Chaoluo had been watching him in regret, pain, and despair, yet didn’t come out.

Now, others attacked him, but Yu Chaoluo came out to help these two…It was indeed Yu Chaoluo.

So gentle to others, yet so ruthless to him.

Yu Chaoluo hated him, so he didn’t want to see him or help him.

In Su You’s distraction, Xi Huai silently approached and struck another blow, a sword piercing through Su You’s chest, blood dripping from the blade.

Su You ignored the sword, instead stepping forward. As he moved, Xi Huai, still holding the sword, unintentionally pulled it out. The moment the sword was withdrawn, Su You’s body staggered, but he continued to walk toward Yu Chaoluo. He reached out and touched Yu Chaoluo’s cheek, smearing blood from his fingers onto Yu Chaoluo’s gentle face, marking it with a hint of savagery.

Surprisingly, he managed a smile.

“If I die, will you stop hating me?”

Yu Chaoluo looked at him but did not answer. Yu Chaoluo had seen Xi Huai approaching but chose not to warn Su You. He knew that Su You, having committed numerous atrocities, deserved his fate. Yet, faced with this question, he found himself unsure of how to respond.

In that brief moment of hesitation, Su You’s body fell forward, supported by Yu Chaoluo as both of them sank to their knees. The last time, it had been Yu Chaoluo who died in Su You’s arms. This time, it was Su You who died in Yu Chaoluo’s embrace.

Yu Chaoluo was lost in thought for a moment, then looked at Xi Huai with gentle eyes. “You’ve grown so much.”

Xi Huai’s dragon horns were distinctive, and Yu Chaoluo recognized him. Holding his sword, Xi Huai still bore traces of killing intent in his expression but eventually expressed his gratitude. “When I was young… thank you.”

“It was something I had to help with when I saw it. You don’t need to worry about it. How is your mother?”

“She has already passed away.”

“Oh…”

“He is my Dao companion.” Xi Huai pointed to Chi Muyao, introducing him.

Chi Muyao quickly followed with, “Senior, my name is Chi Muyao.”

Yu Chaoluo looked at Chi Muyao in surprise, then at Xi Huai, and sighed. “Your mother would have liked him. She liked people with pure eyes.”

“Hmm.”

“This Heart Demon Realm is about to collapse. You two should leave quickly.”

Chi Muyao looked at Yu Chaoluo, feeling a profound sadness, likely born from the empathy generated within Yu Chaoluo’s Heart Demon Realm. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, “Senior, if it were possible, would you want to be resurrected?”

Yu Chaoluo shook his head, answering decisively, “No.”

“Senior! There is a descendant of the Yu family named Yu Yanshu. He is a very upright and kind young man with great potential. He might even become the head of Nuan Yan Pavilion someday. If that happens, he will transform Nuan Yan Pavilion into something wonderful. You wouldn’t be disappointed. By the way, he is also the disciple of Guan Nan Tianzun.”

Hearing this, Yu Chaoluo finally smiled, replying softly, “That is truly wonderful.”

Watching the Heart Demon Realm crumble, Xi Huai grew anxious, but he still nodded to Yu Chaoluo before taking Chi Muyao out of the Heart Demon Realm.

In the end, only Yu Chaoluo remained, holding Su You’s body in the shattered Heart Demon Realm.The space completely collapsed.Back in their bodies, the first thing Chi Muyao did was check to see if Xi Huai was safe. Coincidentally, they both did the same thing, and for a moment, their eyes met. They looked at each other and smiled gently.

Chi Muyao stretched a bit, feeling a sense of bittersweetness. “I didn’t expect there to be remnants of Yu Chaoluo’s soul in the Heart Demon Realm. We killed Su You using Yu Chaoluo’s image right in front of him. Wasn’t that a bit offensive?”

“It was his Heart Demon Realm, so there would be remnants of his essence, causing his fragmented soul to enter it after death. No one else in the cultivation world would have such a technique. It’s understandable that we didn’t anticipate it.”

Chi Muyao explained to Kong Qing what had transpired in the Heart Demon Realm and then asked, “Can we be sure that Su You is really dead?”

Kong Qing responded, “This secret technique involves entering the Heart Demon Realm to kill the soul. If done correctly, you killed Su You’s soul. With the soul gone, the body will also lose its life.”

Chi Muyao breathed a sigh of relief, then examined the map for a moment. “I want to go back to that room. Su You should be there. If we can, we should ensure his death and look for clues about a way out. Besides, I want to retrieve the Golden Bell; it’s a magical artifact you crafted for me.”

Xi Huai agreed without hesitation, “Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Chi Muyao and Xi Huai left the spiritual spring room and, seeing the damaged walls, realized they could now pass through quickly without waiting for the formation to activate again.

It had taken them two months to reach this room the first time, but with the damaged walls, they could now pass through much faster than when Chi Muyao had previously sought the spiritual spring.

When they arrived at the room where Su You was, Xi Huai entered first. After confirming that only Su You’s body, still in a meditative state but devoid of a soul, remained, they both felt relieved enough to enter.

Even with his peak Nascent Soul cultivation, Su You’s body would slowly decay once his soul departed. His refined body was indeed tough, but Su You’s body had long been ravaged by old injuries. Without the support of his soul, the extent of the damage became apparent, revealing his true age.

Chi Muyao and Xi Huai thoroughly confirmed that Su You had not used any illusion and was truly dead before they relaxed.

Perhaps Su You’s overwhelming presence had made them feel as if his death was unreal. They felt an odd sense of disbelief that they had actually managed to kill him.

After repeatedly confirming, Chi Muyao first reclaimed the Golden Bell, then took the bell from Su You’s hair.

Xi Huai found Su You’s treasure bell, but since it was bound to Su You, they couldn’t open it and had to keep it for now.

Chi Muyao pondered over the bell and Su You for a long while before asking Xi Huai, “Do you think Yu Chaoluo ever loved Su You?”

“How could that be possible?” Xi Huai immediately denied it.

“The Hehuan Sect has a heart technique that can determine if someone has feelings for you, which can be used to pursue them. I can try it.”

“Is there really such a technique? Why don’t you try it on me?”

Chi Muyao jiggled the five-colored rope between them provocatively. “Do you even need to try?”

Xi Huai: “…”

Feeling aggrieved, Xi Huai sulked for a while before asking, “Can we change our Dao companion bond to a red string? This five-colored rope annoys me every time I see it.”

“I like it. It’s festive and beautiful!”

“But every time I see it, it ruins my mood.”

“Endure it!”

Xi Huai instantly lost his temper.

Chi Muyao cast a spell on the bell and Su You.

They soon saw a pink light connecting Su You and the bell, which then blossomed into a peach blossom.

However, the flower fell apart before fully forming.

Chi Muyao was surprised by this sight.

Noticing Chi Muyao’s expression, Xi Huai couldn’t help but ask, “What does that mean?”

“Yu Chaoluo had feelings for Su You, but they were faint. It wasn’t love; the hatred likely surpassed the affection.”

“This, this…” Xi Huai was too shocked to speak coherently. This outcome was truly unbelievable.

Xi Huai couldn’t comprehend it. How was this even possible?

Chi Muyao carefully put away the bell and then said, “That’s the tragic part. During Yu Chaoluo’s hardest times, the only one by his side was Su You. Such feelings could be called twisted. Su You died thinking Yu Chaoluo only hated him, unaware that Yu Chaoluo once had a trace of affection for him. But this faint affection was ultimately overwhelmed by hatred, never forming completely.”

Whether Yu Chaoluo had feelings for Su You before his death or developed them after witnessing Su You’s regret and pain in the Heart Demon Realm, no one would ever know.

Translator’s Corner

I fucking bawled while Translating this. Is it too much of me to want Yu Chaoluo and Su You to be together? Please just leave those two alone. ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ

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