Chapter 51

This story sounds quite romantic. It was said that the Earth God was not originally an Earth God but a famous celestial official in the heavens who had a very close relationship with Emperor Qing Chao. They were carefree brothers who roamed the world together. Later, during a visit to the mortal world, this Earth God fell in love with a mortal woman. He transformed into a human and married her, spending his life with her until she passed away and went to the underworld to be reincarnated. Immortals have endless lifespans, and it is not uncommon for them to occasionally fall in love with mortals and indulge in worldly pleasures. Everyone thought that the celestial official’s love story with the mortal woman had ended and moved on. However, he unexpectedly broke into the underworld to seize her soul, preventing her from entering the cycle of reincarnation. As expected, a high-ranking celestial official committing such a transgression was severely punished. He was demoted from the Ninth Heaven and became the Earth God of this place. However, the higher-ups showed some leniency and allowed him to place a mark on the woman, enabling him to find her reincarnation in each of her lifetimes.

Emperor Qing Chao congratulated him, saying, “You married her again.”

Although it sounded simple, the process was extremely arduous. After reincarnation, mortals forget their past lives and different lives naturally cultivate different personalities. In some lifetimes, the woman did not fall in love with the Earth God, so he could not marry her and had to watch her marry someone else, waiting a lifetime until she reincarnated again.
And so, lifetime after lifetime, hundreds of years passed. The Earth God did not know how often he had married his beloved woman, but he still smiled shyly, immersed in sweetness.

Xue Ming listened to this story and felt regret, not joy. “Do you think the person without past memories can still be considered the same in the previous and present life?” Xue Ming asked in a daze.

Yan Yuhe looked calmly at the lively scene of congratulations ahead, remaining detached and unaffected by the joyous atmosphere. He said softly, “The soul is the same.”

“Even if the soul is the same, with different backgrounds, different personalities, and no past memories, how can they be considered the same person? The Earth God may have married her several times, but the woman who originally loved him was only that one lifetime.” Xue Ming thought and said softly, “Love is unique and cannot be shared, not even with one’s reincarnated self.” She shook her head and suddenly felt that the wedding banquet was meaningless. She sat back at the table and nibbled on peanuts.

Xue Ming disagreed that reincarnation meant being the same person. She would be furious if her past and present lives were completely different. Why should my past self enjoy wealth and luxury while my present self has to endure hardships? It’s too unfair.

Yan Yuhe did not express his opinion on this matter; he simply sat beside her. Soon, the groom came over with a glass of wine to toast. Xue Ming and Yan Yuhe stood up to join him in a toast, each congratulating him. The wine was not spicy or pungent; it had a slightly sweet, mild, and mellow taste. However, Xue Ming did not have a good tolerance for alcohol. She began to feel dizzy after just a tiny glass, and her vision blurred. She barely managed to finish the meal, her eyes almost closing. She was so dazed that she didn’t know how the banquet ended and left. When she regained consciousness, she was carried on Yan Yuhe’s back. She lay limply on Yan Yuhe’s shoulder, her hazy eyes lazily lifting to see his fair ear and profile. Instinctively, she reached out and pinched it with her soft fingers. She didn’t know where they were walking; it was quiet all around. It seemed like a thick layer of clouds covered the sky, blocking the sunlight and casting shadows on them. A cool breeze brought a refreshing chill. Xue Ming, slightly more awake, blew into Yan Yuhe’s ear and asked, “Will you become an immortal in the heavens someday?”

Yan Yuhe replied, “All those who practice cultivation in this world do so for this reason.”

Xue Ming asked again, “Can I cultivate too? I also want to become immortal.”

Yan Yuhe said, “Cultivation depends on destiny; it cannot be forced.”

The so-called “three thousand paths to the Great Way” in cultivation are deep and complex. The words “becoming immortal” may sound simple, but in reality, it is an insurmountable chasm for ordinary people. Xue Ming understood this and did not ask further. In fact, she did not have a strong desire to become an immortal; she was merely asking out of curiosity. Moreover, she had long accepted the differences and disparities between people.

Xue Ming fell asleep again, and when she regained consciousness, she was already lying in bed. Her clothes had changed, and her body felt fresh, as if it had been washed. She turned her head and saw Yan Yuhe lying beside her, casually pulling her into an embrace. Soon after, a kiss landed gently on the side of her eye, capturing her lips.

Xue Ming was still inebriated; although her mind was not as hazy, her body showed no response at all, easily allowing him to pry her lips apart. She tilted her head slightly and kissed him. Perhaps it was the effects of the alcohol, but in this slightly intoxicated state, engaging in something between adults felt quite appropriate. The emotions within her stirred quickly, and a wave of desire overwhelmed Xue Ming. She took the initiative to embrace Yan Yuhe, eagerly sucking on his tongue. Her two small fangs grazed his lips, and fearing she might bite Yan Yuhe, Xue Ming made an effort to lighten her touch, rubbing her teeth against his lips, their exchanged breaths intertwining, indistinguishable from one another.

Xue Ming’s body tangled with his, absorbing his warmth as she leaned closer to him. Intimate actions with someone you like could lift your spirits.

Xue Ming turned slightly, pressing him beneath her, lazily resting on him while kissing like a satisfied little animal. At the same time, her hand was not idle, slipping into his clothing to feel his firm, lean chest, and defined abs.

Yan Yuhe let his hands roam over her body, simply wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her slightly, adjusting their position. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and took a couple of deep breaths, remaining silent. He usually spoke little, so Xue Ming didn’t notice anything unusual. After a while of kissing, she got tired and lazily played with his scattered black hair on the bed. At this moment, Yan Yuhe whispered, “When we return to the sect, we should also arrange a wedding banquet like this.”

The words reached Xue Ming’s ears, and after a while, she began to think. Then, without holding back, she said very bluntly, “Marriage? Isn’t it too early? We haven’t known each other for long. Who gets married after just a few days of dating?”

“What is dating?” Yan Yuhe asked calmly.

“It’s when you kiss me, I kiss you, and we’re together,” Xue Ming replied straightforwardly. “If one day the feelings fade, or if we find that we’re not suitable for each other, we can break up. Who can predict feelings? They change every day. Maybe I’ll like you more tomorrow, or maybe I’ll like you less. Most people in this world can’t love only one person their whole life. Many are loyal to marriage, not to their partner. Besides, we probably haven’t reached the point where we love each other enough to get married right away…”

Before Xue Ming could finish her sentence, she felt herself being lifted—she wasn’t sure if Yan Yuhe had lifted her or if she had slipped down herself. In a blur, she found herself lying on the bed. Turning her head, she saw Yan Yuhe had already turned away, his voice low and cold, “Go to sleep. Don’t talk anymore.”

Xue Ming, already quite drunk, didn’t have the sharpness to notice much. She smacked her lips and quickly closed her eyes, falling into a sweet sleep. The next day, she forgot all these heartfelt words, acting as if nothing had happened, and continued traveling with Yan Yuhe, heading towards the place where the Tai Xu Sect was.

Sometimes, when Xue Ming was tired, Yan Yuhe would summon Jiang Xiang to carry them through the wind, covering hundreds of miles in a single night.

Xue Ming showed great interest and curiosity about the world, so sometimes, they would rent a carriage and travel leisurely. The timing for transferring yang energy was not fixed. Sometimes, at Xue Ming’s request, they would take a few days off, while other times, they would work continuously for several days. Under Yan Yuhe’s persistent treatment, the yang energy infused into Xue Ming’s body increased, gradually diminishing her ghostly appearance and giving her a more human-like form.

The most noticeable feature was that her eyes were no longer so red, and her fangs were slowly shrinking. When she engages in intimacy, her body produces fine beads of sweat.

On the road, one occasionally encounters some strange happenings. For example, a family found their crops severely damaged during the harvest season. They thought it was out of jealousy from their neighbors for having such good crops, leading to a violent conflict that ended in court.

Yan Yuhe passed by that place and glanced at the messy crops, saying that the family must have offended the weasel spirit earlier, which is why, during the harvest season, the weasel came to take revenge. He finally suggested the family raise two large black dogs to deter the weasel spirit from returning.

Later, they encountered a case of a wife being murdered. The deceased’s husband went mad in court, claiming he saw a tiger demon kill his wife, causing panic throughout the town. People closed their doors early, and the streets were deserted. Yan Yuhe used some magic to make the dead wife speak, and she identified her husband as the murderer. It turned out that it wasn’t a demon who killed her, but her own husband.

There were many such incidents along the way. Xue Ming observed them and sighed at the chaotic world, noting that not everyone who looks human is truly human.

“So, one must thoroughly understand their partner before getting married. People’s hearts are hidden, and if you hastily decide on such a major life event, you might not even know how you end up dying,” Xue Ming remarked, standing by the court, addressing the crying, repentant husband.

These words reached Yan Yuhe’s ears, and he, who had initially planned to leave, turned back, took the sword from the waist of a yamen officer, and with a swift motion, beheaded the man on the spot, splattering blood everywhere. With cold eyes, he said, “Since you are unworthy of being human, in your next life, you shall enter the path of beasts, repaying your sins as an ox or horse.”

After a few such incidents, they continued their journey, taking over two months to reach the Tai Xu Sect.

The Tai Xu Sect stood atop a high mountain, shrouded in clouds. With layered stone steps and towering pine trees on both sides, it exuded an air of an otherworldly immortal sect. Occasionally, the cry of cranes echoed from the sky. Yan Yuhe released Jiang Xing, letting it fly off to find its companions. As they entered the sect, they found disciples already waiting at the gate, having somehow received the news. Upon seeing Yan Yuhe, they immediately swarmed around like a flock of chicks, repeatedly calling him “Senior Brother,” surrounding Yan Yuhe and Xue Ming, blocking their way completely.

Xue Ming saw these disciples, dressed in snow-white sect uniforms, looking no older than their teens, all extremely excited, their faces full of admiration. The repeated “Senior Brother” calls filled her ears, making her feel very constrained. Her ghostly appearance had not completely faded, so she had to cover her face with a veil. She had thought Yan Yuhe would quietly take her up the mountain and find a place to settle her, but unexpectedly, he boldly entered through the main gate with so many junior brothers and sisters welcoming them.

Many curious, puzzled, and unfamiliar eyes fell on Xue Ming. She remembered that Jiang Ruoming was also a disciple of this sect and feared someone might recognize her from her figure, so she instinctively hid behind Yan Yuhe.

“Senior Brother, you’re finally back.” A tall, handsome young man approached Yan Yuhe, his healthy tan skin and bright, dark eyes full of energy. His gaze briefly swept over Xue Ming’s veiled face before he smirked at Yan Yuhe, “I haven’t finished copying the scriptures you punished me with before you left. Does this mean I don’t have to finish them now?”

Yan Yuhe glanced at him indifferently and asked, “Where is Master?”

The young man replied, “Waiting at the back mountain.”

Yan Yuhe showed no reaction to the enthusiastic welcome around him. He waved his hand to make way and said he needed to see his master first, then led Xue Ming towards the back mountain, seemingly intending to take her to meet someone.

Xue Ming felt slightly anxious along the way, repeatedly asking if his master would arrest her. Yan Yuhe reassured her that he had already explained the situation to his master, so she did not need to worry. This calmed her somewhat.

Yan Yuhe’s master, the head of the Tai Xu Sect, was entirely different from what Xue Ming had imagined. She looked very young and dressed simply, sitting in a room embroidering. If Yan Yuhe hadn’t bowed and respectfully called her “Master” upon entering, Xue Ming would have thought she was an ordinary person.

Yan Yuhe’s master, Shui Xi, smiled and motioned for Yan Yuhe to rise. Then, turning her gaze to Xue Ming’s face, she smiled, “Chixia, you go out first. I want to talk to this young lady.”

Yan Yuhe hesitated but did not move immediately. Shui Xi sighed helplessly, “I know she is an innocent person caught up in this. Do you think I would harm her?”

Yan Yuhe bowed and said, “I will wait outside.”

Watching Yan Yuhe leave, Shui Xi remarked, “Boys grow up and can’t be kept.”

Xue Ming thought it was a very accurate comment. She took two steps forward, removed her veil, and bowed to Shui Xi, greeting her, “Hello, Master of Yan Yuhe.”

Shui Xi looked surprised and then amused, “Do you always call him by his name?”

Xue Ming was puzzled, “Isn’t that his name?”

Shui Xi explained, “It is his name, but after he turned twenty, he was given a courtesy name. It’s not appropriate to call him by his given name directly.”

Xue Ming realized that ancient customs indeed had such rules. No wonder she had never heard “Yan Yuhe” mentioned along with “Yan Chixia” during their journey. She had gotten used to calling him by his given name, and Yan Yuhe had never corrected her.

Embarrassed, Xue Ming scratched her head and admitted, “I didn’t consider the etiquette. My apologies.”

“It’s fine. He doesn’t mind, so we outsiders have no reason to criticize. Call him whatever you like. Sit down and talk. No need to be formal,” Shui Xi said with a smile.

Shui Xi felt that Yan Yuhe’s master seemed very approachable and not intimidating at all, which made her relax a lot. She sat down, and soon a cup of tea slid to her hand, stopping steadily. Before she could thank her, Shui Xi gently said, “Young lady, do you know that Chixia has made a great contribution this time? The heavenly reward has already come down, naming him for ascension to the ranks of the immortals.”