Chapter 50 Deception — Part Five

He kicked his sword aside and ran out of the field. Jin GuangYao shouted from behind him, “HuaiSang! HuaiSang!”

Just as he was about to give chase, Nie MingJue ordered in a cold voice, “Stop!”

Jin GuangYao stopped and turned around. Nie MingJue, who was holding back his anger, glared at him, “You still dare to come?”

Jin GuangYao replied in a low voice, “I came to admit my mistake.”

Wei WuXian,  His face is really thick—even thicker than mine.

Nie MingJue, “Have you ever admitted your mistakes?”

Just as Jin GuangYao was about to speak, the disciples who had gone out with the medicine returned, “Sect Leader, LianFang-Zun, Young Master has locked the door and is not allowing anyone to enter.”

Nie MingJue, “Let me see how long he can shut himself up. How dare he defy me?!”

Jin GuangYao said to the disciple kindly, “Thank you. Give me the medicine. I’ll bring it to you later.”

He took the medicine bottle. After everyone had left, Nie MingJue turned to him, “What are you here for?”

Jin GuangYao, “Brother, have you forgotten? Today I will play the guqin for you.”

Nie MingJue gave him a straightforward answer, “There’s no room for discussion regarding Xue Yang. You don’t need to flatter me. This isn’t working at all.”

Jin GuangYao, “First, I’m not flattering you. Second, if it doesn’t work out, Brother, why do you care whether I flatter you or not?”

Nie MingJue terdiam.

Jin GuangYao, “Big Brother, you’ve been getting stricter with HuaiSang lately. Is that the sword spirit…?”

After a pause, he continued, “Does HuaiSang still not know about the sword spirit?”

Nie MingJue, “Why do I have to tell him so soon?”

Jin GuangYao sighed, “HuaiSang is used to being spoiled, but he can’t be the lazy Second Young Master of Qinghe for the rest of his life. One day he’ll realize that you’re doing this for him, Sis, just like I realized that you’re doing this for me.”

Wei WuXian,  Bravo, bravo. I wouldn’t be able to say such words even if I were given two lifetimes, but Jin GuangYao managed to adjust his tone so that it didn’t sound strange at all. It even sounded rather pleasant to the ear.

Nie MingJue, “If you really understand, come and see me while holding Xue Yang’s head.”

However, Jin GuangYao answered almost immediately, “Yes.”

Nie MingJue stared at him. Jin GuangYao stared back at him, then repeated, “Yes. Big Brother, if you give me one last chance, in two months, I will come to see you with Xue Yang’s head in my hands.”

Nie MingJue, “What if you can’t do it?”

Jin GuangYao’s tone was firm, “If I can’t, Big Brother, you can do whatever you want to me.”

Wei WuXian hampir mulai menghormati Jin GuangYao.

Although he had always been afraid of Nie MingJue, in the end, he still managed to use various verbal techniques to get Nie MingJue to give him another chance. That very night, as if nothing had happened, Jin GuangYao began playing the Sound of Clarity in the Impure Realm again.

The oath was truly solemn. However, Nie MingJue couldn’t wait another two months.

One day, the QingheNie Sect was holding a martial arts conference. As Nie MingJue passed by one of the pavilions, he suddenly heard a low voice, probably Jin GuangYao. However, a second later, he heard another familiar voice.

Lan XiChen, “Since Big Brother chose to swear an oath with you, it means he does approve of you.”

Jin GuangYao said in a desperate tone, “But, brother, didn’t you hear what he said in that oath? Every sentence has a deeper meaning. ‘Face a thousand accusing fingers, be torn apart from end to end’—this is clearly a warning to me. I… I’ve never heard such an oath before.”

Lan XiChen replied in a soft voice, “He said ‘if anyone thinks otherwise’. Do you think otherwise too? If not, why worry so much?”

Jin GuangYao, “I don’t want to, but Big Brother has already decided that I have to do it, so what can I do?”

Lan XiChen, “He has always appreciated your talent, hoping you will choose the right path.”

Jin GuangYao, “It’s not that I don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong, but sometimes I really can’t do anything about it. Right now, I’m always on the wrong side, no matter which side I’m on. I have to make sure I’m on the right side. I don’t care if it’s anyone else, but have I ever treated our eldest brother badly? Brother, you heard that too. What did he call me?”

Lan XiChen sighed, “His anger is so great that he can’t think before he speaks. Big Brother’s temper is no match for his past. You mustn’t provoke him anymore. These past few days, he’s been very annoyed by the sword spirit, and HuaiSang argued with him again. They still haven’t reconciled, even to this day.”

Jin GuangYao almost sobbed, “If she can say that when she’s angry, then what does she think of me in everyday life? Is it because I couldn’t choose my background, because my mother couldn’t choose her fate, that I have to be humiliated by others for the rest of my life? In that case, how is Big Brother different from those people who look down on me? No matter what I do, in the end, it’s just one sentence and I’m still the ‘son of a prostitute’.”

Jin GuangYao was currently complaining to Lan XiChen, but last night he had been gentle and innocent as he spoke to Nie MingJue while playing the guqin. Hearing Jin GuangYao badmouth him behind his back, Nie MingJue was consumed by rage and kicked the door open. The fire in his head spread throughout his body. A thunderous roar rang through the air, “How dare you!”

Seeing him enter, Jin GuangYao immediately panicked and darted behind Lan XiChen. Standing between them, Lan XiChen didn’t even have time to speak when Nie MingJue lunged at him with his sword drawn. Lan XiChen parried the attack with his sword, shouting, “Run!”

Jin GuangYao rushed out the door. Nie MingJue pushed Lan XiChen aside, “Don’t get in my way!”

He also chased outside. As he passed through a long corridor, he suddenly saw Jin GuangYao walking towards him. He slashed with his sword, and blood splattered instantly. But Jin GuangYao was clearly running for his life. How could he possibly walk back so casually?

After the attack, Nie MingJue ran forward again, staggering. Upon reaching the plaza, he looked up, catching his breath. Wei WuXian could hear his heart beating rapidly.

Jin GuangYao!

In the square, everyone walking around looked like Jin GuangYao!

Nie MingJue has experienced qi deviation!

He was delirious, only knowing how to kill, kill, kill, kill, kill Jin GuangYao. He attacked anyone he encountered. Screams filled the area. Suddenly, Wei WuXian heard someone wailing, “My brother!”

Nie MingJue shivered at the sound, then calmed down a bit. When he turned around, he could finally see a face that was different from Jin GuangYao’s vague shadow.

Holding his injured arm, Nie HuaiSang dragged his feet back, desperately moving towards Nie MingJue. Seeing him finally stop moving, Nie HuaiSang beamed, tears welling in his eyes, “Big Brother! Big Brother! It’s me, put down your sword, it’s me!”

However, before Nie HuaiSang could move, Nie MingJue had already fallen to the ground.

Before he fell, Nie MingJue’s eyes finally cleared and he saw the real Jin GuangYao.

Jin GuangYao stood at the end of the corridor. There wasn’t a single drop of blood on his body. He turned his head, two streams of tears flowing from his eyes.

Sparks in the Snow bloomed wildly in his chest, however, they seemed to smile instead.

Suddenly, Wei WuXian heard a voice calling him from afar. The voice was deep and cold. The first call was faint. It sounded far, far away, somewhere between reality and illusion. The second call sounded much more real. He could even detect a faint hint of worry in the voice.

And, for the third call, he could hear it loud and clear.

“Weiying!”

Hearing this, Wei WuXian immediately pulled himself out!

He was still a thin paper man, clinging to the helmet that sealed Nie MingJue’s head. He had untied the knot that held the iron shell over Nie MingJue’s eyes, revealing bloodshot eyes that were wide open with rage.

Time was up. He had to return to his physical body immediately!

WuXian, the Paper Man, flapped his sleeves, flying like a butterfly. However, just as he dived through the curtain, he saw someone standing in the dark corner of the secret room. Jin GuangYao smiled. Without a word, he drew  the soft sword  from his waist. It was his famous sword,  Hensheng  .

Back when Jin GuangYao was working secretly by Wen RuoHan’s side, he often hid a sword at his waist, looped around his arm to use in times of need. Although the Hensheng blade appeared soft to the point, striking in a drawn-out motion, it was actually sharp and haunting. Once the blade wrapped around an opponent, Jin GuangYao would wield it with a strange spiritual power, and someone would be instantly dismembered by the blade, despite its gentle appearance. Quite a few famous swords had been forged into piles of scrap metal like this. Back then, the blade struck as if it were a silver-scaled snake, biting the paper man without hesitation. A moment’s lapse in focus, and Wei WuXian would be bitten by its fangs!

The WuXian Paper Man darted about, nimbly dodging attacks, but this wasn’t his own body. After a few moves, Hensheng’s tip was almost slicing him. At this rate, he would definitely be impaled!

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a sword lying motionless on one of the wooden shelves against the wall. The sword hadn’t been polished in a long time. Both the blade and the surrounding area were covered in dust.

That was none other than his past sword, Suibian!

WuXian, the Paper Man, dashed into the closet and stomped hard on the hilt of the Suibian sword. With a clang, the sword obeyed his command and was released from its sheath!

Suibian shot out of its sheath and began to clash with Hensheng’s terrifying sword glare. Seeing this, shock flashed across Jin GuangYao’s face. He quickly regained his composure and nimbly turned his right wrist. Like vines, Hensheng wrapped itself around Suibian’s straight, white blade. He quickly let go, allowing the two swords to fight on their own. With his left hand, he threw a talisman toward Wei WuXian. The talisman ignited in the air, bursting into a blazing fire. Wei WuXian could feel a wave of heat as the talisman approached him. Taking advantage of the dazzling light from the two swords clashing above them, he immediately flapped his sleeves and rushed out of the room!

Time was running out. Wei WuXian couldn’t be bothered hiding anymore and flew back to the guest room. Coincidentally, Lan WangJi opened the door. With great effort, he threw himself onto Lan WangJi’s face.

Paper Man WuXian was stuck like glue to half of Lan WangJi’s face. His face was shivering. Lan WangJi’s eyes were covered by his wide sleeves. He let him shiver for a moment before carefully lifting him up.

A moment later, after his soul had returned, Wei WuXian took a deep breath. He raised his head, opened his eyes, and suddenly stood up. However, his body was still disoriented, and he felt dizzy and leaned forward. Seeing this, Lan WangJi caught him. Wei WuXian raised his head once more, and the top of his head hit Lan WangJi’s chin. With a thud, both of them groaned in pain. Wei WuXian rubbed his head with one hand and felt Lan WangJi’s chin with the other, “Ugh! Sorry. Lan Zhan, are you okay?”

After rubbing it a few times, Lan WangJi gently tugged on Wei WuXian’s hand before shaking his head. Wei WuXian pulled him along, “Let’s go!”

Lan WangJi didn’t ask for too many details either. He stood up so they could leave before finally asking, “Where to?”

Wei WuXian, “The Fragrant Palace! That bronze mirror over there is the entrance to the secret chamber. His wife found out about his secret and dragged him inside, and she should still be there now! And ChiFeng-Zun’s head is there too!”

Jin GuangYao would definitely strengthen the seal on Nie MingJue’s head again and move him somewhere else. However, even if he could move the head, he wouldn’t be able to move his wife, Qin Su! After all, Qin Su was the mistress of Koi Tower. She had just attended a banquet. If such a respected person suddenly disappeared into thin air, it would be impossible for anyone to not be suspicious. By seizing this opportunity and barging in, they could use their speed to prevent Jin GuangYao from having a chance to lie or silence Qin Su!

The two attacked with incredible force, kicking away anyone who tried to stop them. Jin GuangYao had trained the disciples around Fragrant Palace to be more than just vigilant. As soon as anyone intruded, they would shout a warning, even if they couldn’t protect anything, so they could alert their master inside Fragrant Palace. However, in times like these, people often tended to fall victim to their own wisdom. The louder the disciples’ warnings, the more detrimental the situation would be for Jin GuangYao. This was because so many sects had gathered here today. Besides warning Jin GuangYao to be wary of intruders, the warning would also attract them!

The first to rush over was Jin Ling. His sword was already drawn in his hand as he asked, “Why are you here?”

As he spoke, Lan WangJi had already climbed three steps of the ruyi ladder and drawn Bichen. Jin Ling looked wary. “This is my uncle’s bedroom. Have you come to the wrong place? No, you’re the intruder, aren’t you? What do you want?”

The farmers who had gathered at the Koi Tower also came one by one. Everyone was shocked.

“What has happened?”

“Why is there so much noise in here?”

“This is Istana Wangi. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for us to…”

“I just heard a warning sound…”

The cultivators frowned and panicked. Not a sound could be heard from within the palace. Wei WuXian immediately knocked on the door, “Sect Leader Jin? Sect Leader Jin?”

Jin Ling grumbled, “What do you want? Everyone is here because of you! This is my uncle’s bedroom,  his bedroom  , understand?! Didn’t I tell you not to…”

Lan XiChen walked over, and Lan WangJi looked at him. When their eyes met, Lan XiChen’s expression hesitated for a moment before quickly turning more complicated, as if he had discovered something unimaginable. It seemed like he had finally understood.

Nie MingJue’s head was right inside the Fragrant Palace.

Suddenly, a smiling voice echoed, “What’s wrong? Was the reception this afternoon not so good, and everyone wants to have dinner at my place?”

Jin GuangYao quietly walked out of the crowd. Wei WuXian, “LianFang-Zun, perfect timing. If you had come any later, we wouldn’t have been able to see what was in the secret chamber of the Fragrant Palace.”

Jin GuangYao paused for a moment, “Secret room?”

Everyone looked a little confused, unsure of what was going on. Jin GuangYao looked a little puzzled, “So? Is that secret room rare? With some rarely used treasures, any sect would have a treasure room, right?”

Just as Lan WangJi was about to speak, Lan XiChen interrupted.

He said, “A-Yao, can we come in and see your treasure room?”

Jin GuangYao seemed to find the request both strange and difficult. “Brother, since this is called a treasure room, the items inside should be kept hidden. And you want me to open it suddenly. Well…”

In such a short time, it was impossible for Jin GuangYao to transport Qin Su to another location without anyone’s knowledge. The transportation talisman could only transport the person using it. Judging by Qin Su’s current condition, it was impossible for her to possess the spiritual power or the intention to use the talisman. That was why, at this moment, Qin Su was definitely still there.

Dead or alive—either way, it would be fatal for Jin GuangYao if he were discovered.

Jin GuangYao struggled one last time. He was still so calm, throwing out all sorts of excuses. Unfortunately, the more he refused, the more confident Lan XiChen’s tone became, “Just open it.”

Jin GuangYao stared at him intently. Suddenly, he grinned, “Since Big Brother is so serious, then I should open it for everyone to see, right?”

He walked to the front door, which opened with a wave of his hand. From the crowd, someone said coldly, “They say the GusuLan Sect values ​​manners. From this perspective, it seems the rumors are just that. Barging into the sect leader’s bedroom is indeed good manners.”

While they were in the plaza, Wei WuXian heard the Jin Sect disciples greet the person respectfully, calling him “Sect Leader Su.” This person was the rising leader of the MolingSu Sect—Su She. Su She wore a white robe. With narrow eyes, thin eyebrows, and thin lips, he was quite handsome, yet also somewhat arrogant. However, although his appearance was fair, neither of them were particularly outstanding.

Jin GuangYao, “Forget it, forget it. Anyway, there are no bad things.”

His tone was carefully guarded. Others might think he had a good temper, but they could also hear a hint of awkwardness. Jin Ling followed closely behind him. Angry that his uncle’s bedroom had been broken into, he glared at Wei WuXian several times.

Jin GuangYao spoke again, “You want to see the treasure room, right?”

He placed his hand on the bronze mirror. Carving a formless spell on the mirror, he was the first to pass through. Following him closely, Wei WuXian entered the secret room again. He saw a curtain covered with spells hanging above the cupboard. He saw an iron table where corpses were being butchered.

He also saw Qin Su.

Qin Su stood beside the table with her back facing them. Lan XiChen was a little stunned, “Why is Mrs. Jin here?”

Jin GuangYao, “We share all our stuff. A-Su often comes here to look around, too.”

Seeing Qin Su, Wei WuXian was also surprised.  So Jin GuangYao didn’t move him somewhere else or kill him? Wasn’t he afraid that Qin Su would say something?

Worried, he turned to Qin Su to examine the side of her face. Not only was Qin Su still alive, but she was actually doing quite well. There was nothing unusual about her at all. Although her expression was blank, Wei WuXian was certain that she hadn’t been under some kind of spell or consumed some strange poison. Her mind was still conscious.

However, the more Qin Su became aware, the more bizarre the situation became. She saw with her own eyes how intense Qin Su’s emotions were, how much she opposed Jin GuangYao. How could Jin GuangYao have reached an agreement with her and silenced her in such a short time?

A bad feeling welled up inside Wei WuXian. He immediately realized that this wasn’t going to be as smooth as they had imagined. He walked over to the treasure vault and hurriedly opened the curtain.

Behind the curtain, there was no helmet, let alone a head. All there was was a dagger.

The dagger gleamed coldly, radiating a strong killing intent. Lan XiChen was also staring at the curtain, but he hadn’t decided whether to lift it or not. Seeing that it wasn’t what he had imagined, he let out a sigh of relief. “What is this?”

“Here,” Jin GuangYao walked over and played with the dagger in his hand, “This is something rare. It was an assassin’s weapon. It has killed many people and is extremely sharp. Look at the blade—if you look closely, you’ll see that the reflection in it isn’t yourself. Sometimes it’s a man, sometimes it’s a woman, sometimes it’s an elder. Each reflection is a spirit that has died at the hands of the assassin. The energy is too strong, which is why I hung a curtain there to seal it away.”

Lan XiChen frowned, “This must be…”

Jin GuangYao replied calmly, “That’s right. It belongs to Wen RuoHan.”

Jin GuangYao was indeed astute. He suspected that someone might one day discover the secret chamber. Therefore, in addition to Nie MingJue’s head, he also placed a number of other treasures here, such as swords, talismans, stone tablets, and spiritual weapons—full of rare items. The secret chamber looked exactly like any other treasure chamber. The dagger, as he had said, was a rare item that harbored powerful dark energy. Many sects had the habit of collecting such weapons, especially the war trophies from killing the leader of the QishanWen Sect.

Everything seemed normal as before.

Qin Su stood beside Jin GuangYao. While watching Jin GuangYao play with the dagger, she suddenly reached out and snatched it from Jin GuangYao’s hand!

Her face began to contort and tremble, as did his. Others couldn’t read such expressions, but Wei WuXian could, having seen her fight with Jin GuangYao.

Pain, anger, humiliation!

Senyuman Jin GuangYao membeku, “A-Su?”

Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian both aimed for the dagger. However, in an instant, the tip of the dagger was already deeply embedded in his stomach.

Jin GuangYao meratap, “A-Su!”

He rushed forward and grabbed Qin Su’s limp body. Lan XiChen immediately took out the medicine. However, the dagger’s blade was not only sharper than usual, but its energy was also incredibly powerful. Qin Su was killed in the blink of an eye!

No one expected this; everyone was shocked. Jin GuangYao called out his wife’s name in sorrow. His eyes were wide open as he cupped her face with one hand. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Lan XiChen, “A-Yao, Lady Jin… I’m sorry.”

Jin GuangYao looked up, “Big Brother, what happened? Why did A-Su suddenly commit suicide? And why are you gathered in front of the Fragrant Palace and asking me to open my treasure room? Is there something you haven’t told me?”

Jiang Cheng, who arrived late, said in a cold voice, “ZeWu-Jun, please explain this. We all still don’t know.”

Everyone agreed with him. Lan XiChen couldn’t help but begin, “Some time ago, some GusuLan Sect disciples were out hunting at night. As they passed by Mo Village, they were attacked by a dismembered left arm. Its resentful energy and killing intent were extremely strong. Under its influence, WangJi had been investigating. However, after we collected all the corpse parts, we discovered that the corpse belonged to… our eldest brother.”

Everyone who came in and out of the treasure room was in an uproar!

Jin GuangYao was shocked, “Big Brother? Wasn’t Big Brother already buried? We both saw it with our own eyes!”

Nie HuaiSang thought he might have misheard, “Big Brother? Big Brother XiChen? You mean my big brother? And also your big brother???”

Lan XiChen nodded heavily. Nie HuaiSang’s eyes widened. He fell to the ground with a thud. The group immediately screamed.

“Sect Leader Nie! Sect Leader Nie!”

“Where are the medical staff?!”

Jin GuangYao’s eyes were still glassy, ​​but they were red with anger. He clenched his fists and shouted in both grief and annoyance, “Diced into pieces… Diced into pieces! Who in the world would do such a crazy thing?!”

Lan XiChen shook his head, “I don’t know. When we were looking for the head, the clues disappeared.”

Jin GuangYao paused for a moment, as if finally realizing what was going on, “The clue disappeared… so you came to look for me?”

Lan XiChen fell silent. Jin GuangYao looked incredulous. He asked again, “You want me to open the treasure room because you suspect… that Big Brother’s head is in my place?”

A guilty expression appeared on Lan XiChen’s face.

Jin GuangYao’s head hung low, Qin Su’s corpse still in his arms. After a while, he said, “…Forget it. Forget it. But, Big Brother, how did HanGuang-Jun know there was such a treasure room in my bedroom? And how could it be determined that Big Brother’s head was in my bedroom? Koi Tower is so tightly guarded. If this was really my doing, would I have let Big Brother’s head be found so easily?”

Hearing his question, Lan XiChen seemed to be at a loss for an answer. Not only him, but Wei WuXian couldn’t answer either. Who would have thought that in such a short time, Jin GuangYao could not only move Qin Su’s head to another location, but also drive Qin Su to suicide in front of everyone?!

His mind filled with despair, Jin GuangYao sighed, “XuanYu, have you told Big Brother and everyone else about this? What’s the point of making up such an easily exposed lie?”

One of the sect leaders asked, “LianFang-Zun, who are you talking about?”

Someone said coldly, “Who? The one standing beside HanGuang-Jun, of course.”

Everyone turned to look at him. The person who had spoken was Su She. He continued, “Those who aren’t from the LanlingJin Sect probably haven’t heard of him. His name is Mo XuanYu. He used to be a disciple of the LanlingJin Sect. Back then, due to his indecent behavior, he was expelled for harassing LianFang-Zun. However, according to current rumors, he has proven himself to be favored by HanGuang-Jun, even following him everywhere he goes. Why would HanGuang-Jun, who has always been known for his grace and righteousness, still keep such a person by his side? It’s truly hard to understand.”

Hearing him speak, Jin Ling’s face darkened. Amidst the crowd’s commotion, Jin GuangYao laid Qin Su’s body down and slowly stood up. With one hand on the handle of Hensheng, he stepped toward Wei WuXian. “I won’t bring up the past, but please explain honestly. Ah-Su’s strange death—were you involved in this?”

When Jin GuangYao lied, it was truly shameless and full of vigor! When others heard this, they would naturally think that Mo XuanYu had slandered LianFang-Zun and caused Madam Jin to commit suicide because he hated her. Even Wei WuXian couldn’t think of anything to say in rebuttal. What could he say? How did he see Nie MingJue’s head? How did he sneak into the secret chamber? The name of the person Qin Su saw before she died? The strange letter that could easily be dismissed as fictitious and fabricated? Such rebuttals would only make him seem even more suspicious! As he tried to think of a plan, Hensheng had already drawn his sword. Lan WangJi stood in front of him while Bichen parried the attack.

The other cultivators watched, drawing their swords. Two swords came from the side. Wei WuXian didn’t have a weapon, so he couldn’t defend himself. Turning around, he saw Suibian lying on top of the cabinet. He immediately reached for it and drew his sword!

Jin GuangYao’s expression froze as he exclaimed, “It’s the YiLing Patriarch!”

In an instant, all the LanlingJin Sect disciples’ swords were pointed at him. The Jin Ling Sword was the same!

His identity suddenly exposed, Wei WuXian stared at Jin Ling’s confused expression. Facing the Suihua Sword, he remained confused. Jin GuangYao spoke again, “It’s truly surprising that the YiLing Patriarch has returned to this world and decided to appear here. I apologize for the lack of reception.”

Wei WuXian was still confused, completely at a loss for words. Nie HuaiSang spoke dizzily, “Big Brother? What did you call him? Isn’t this Mo XuanYu?”

Jin GuangYao pointed at Hensheng and said, “HuaiSang, A-Ling, come here. Everyone, please be careful. Since he’s already drawn his sword, he must be the YiLing Patriarch—Wei WuXian!”

Because the name of Wei WuXian’s sword was too embarrassing to pronounce, when people mentioned it, they always referred to it as “this sword,” “that sword,” “his sword,” and so on. The words “YiLing Patriarch” evoked a fear even greater than ChiFeng-Zun’s mutilation. Even those who had no intention of fighting subconsciously drew their swords, circling around the side of the secret chamber. Wei WuXian glanced at the sword’s glare before him, speechless. 

Nie HuaiSang, “Don’t tell me whoever drew the sword must be the YiLing Patriarch. Big Brother, HanGuang-Jun, I think there’s some kind of misunderstanding between the two parties, right?”

Jin GuangYao, “There’s no misunderstanding. He’s definitely Wei WuXian.”

Jin Ling suddenly shouted, “Wait! Uncle, wait! Didn’t my uncle hit him with Zidian on Dafan Mountain? His soul wasn’t ripped out, so that must mean he doesn’t possess this body, right? So, he can’t be Wei WuXian, right?!”

Jiang Cheng’s face was grim. He didn’t speak, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, as if he was contemplating what to do. Jin GuangYao, “Dafan Mountain? That’s right. A-Ling, since you reminded me, I also remember what happened at Dafan Mountain. Wasn’t he the one who summoned Wen Ning?”

Seeing that he was not only unable to prove anything but was also refuted, Jin Ling’s face paled. Jin GuangYao continued, “I’m sure you all don’t know this, but when XuanYu was still at Koi Tower, he once saw a copy of the YiLing Ancestor’s manuscript at my place. That manuscript recorded a dark technique that ‘sacrificed’ one’s body. At the price of one’s soul and body, one could summon a powerful spirit to take revenge on one’s behalf. Sect Leader Jiang wouldn’t be able to test it even if he attacked him with a hundred more strikes. That’s because the person who used that technique sacrificed their body willingly. It doesn’t count as a possession at all!”

The explanation was fair and reasonable. Hatred grew within Mo XuanYu after he was banished from Koi Tower. Remembering the technique he had seen, he summoned a ferocious ghost to summon the YiLing Patriarch. Everything Wei WuXian had done was to avenge Mo XuanYu, so ChiFeng-Zun’s dismemberment must have been due to Wei WuXian as well. However, before the truth was revealed, the most likely reason was that this was all part of the YiLing Patriarch’s evil plan!

However, there were also those who were still doubtful, “Since the sacrificial technique cannot be proven, then according to your judgment, LianFang-Zun, we cannot conclude anything, right?”

Jin GuangYao, “It’s true that the body sacrifice can’t be proven, but whether he’s the YiLing Patriarch or not can be proven. Ever since the YiLing Patriarch suffered a cultivation backlash and was torn to pieces by the ghosts at the top of Burial Mound, his sword was taken by the LanlingJin Sect. However, shortly afterward, the sword sealed itself.”

Wei WuXian was shocked,  Seal himself?

A faint sense of worry rose within him. Jin GuangYao, “I don’t think I need to explain how the sword sealed itself. This sword is spiritual. It won’t allow anyone but Wei WuXian to use it, which is why it’s sealed. Besides the YiLing Patriarch himself, no one can pull it out. But just a second ago, ‘Mo XuanYu’ here pulled out, before everyone’s eyes, the sword that had been sealed for thirteen years!”

Before he could finish speaking, dozens of sword glares were directed at Wei WuXian.

Lan WangJi blocked all the attacks. Bichen pushed several people aside to make way for them. Lan XiChen, “WangJi!”

Some of the sect leaders who had fainted from Bichen’s cold energy started to get angry, “HanGuang-Jun! You…”

Wei WuXian didn’t even utter a single unnecessary word. Pressing his right hand on the window lattice, his body flipped slightly outward. As soon as he landed, he started running, thinking,  When Jin GuangYao saw that strange paper man and saw the Suibian drawn, he must have guessed who I was there. So he quickly made up a series of lies, causing Qin Su to commit suicide, and then deliberately forcing me into the closet with the Suibian inside so that I could draw my sword and reveal my identity. Scary, scary. Who knew his reactions would be so quick and his lies so perfect?

Suddenly, someone came up from behind him. It was Lan WangJi, who had followed him without a word. Wei WuXian’s reputation had always been bad, so this wasn’t the first time he’d been in a situation like this. In this life, his mindset was different from his previous one. He could already face situations like this calmly. He should leave first. There might be a potential counterattack in the days to come. He wouldn’t force it even if the opportunity didn’t come. If he stayed, all that would result would be hundreds of sword slashes. Saying he was innocent was even more of a joke. Everyone was absolutely certain that he would return for revenge someday. After destroying so many sects, no one would listen to his explanations, especially when Jin GuangYao would be there fanning the flames. However, Lan WangJi was different. He didn’t even need to explain, and people would explain it for him, just like how HanGuang-Jun had been deceived by the YiLing Patriarch. 

Wei WuXian, “HanGuang-Jun, you don’t need to follow me!”

Lan WangJi stared straight ahead, speechless. The two of them left the crowd of cultivators shouting for murder. Amidst the chaos, Wei WuXian spoke again, “Do you really want to come with me? Think carefully. Once you walk out this door, your reputation will be ruined!”

The two of them had already run down the stairs of Koi Tower. Lan WangJi grabbed his wrist, as if about to speak. However, suddenly, a white light flashed before their eyes. Jin Ling stopped in his tracks.

Seeing it was Jin Ling, Wei WuXian let out a sigh of relief. Just as the two were about to circle around him, Jin Ling swung his sword and blocked their path again, asking, “Are you Wei Ying?!”

His expression was a mess. There was anger, there was hatred, there was doubt, there was hesitation, there was sadness. He shouted again, “Are you really Wei Ying, Wei WuXian?”

Seeing her look, the pain in her voice far greater than the hatred, Wei WuXian felt his heart pound. However, it only took a few seconds before the crowd behind him caught up. He couldn’t pay attention any longer. Gritting his teeth, he could only try to circle around her a third time. Suddenly, a chill ran through his stomach. When he looked down, Jin Ling had already pulled the white blade—now red with blood—from him.

He didn’t expect Jin Ling to actually come to him.

Wei WuXian thought,  He could be like anyone, but he just happened to be the one who took after his uncle, Jiang Cheng. They even liked to stab in the same place.

He couldn’t clearly remember what happened next. He felt like he was trying to attack. Everything around them seemed chaotic. Not only was their escape noisy, but it also felt like it was shaking and swaying. He didn’t know how long had passed, but when he opened his eyes hazily again, Lan WangJi was flying toward Bichen, while he was carried on his back. Blood had spilled down half of his snow-white cheek.

In truth, the wound in his stomach wasn’t particularly painful. But it was a hole in his body, after all. Initially, he managed to hold on for a while, pretending nothing had happened. However, his body had likely never experienced this much damage before. As the wound bled, he felt an uncontrollable dizziness, something he couldn’t control.

Wei WuXian berseru, “… Lan Zhan.”

Lan WangJi’s breathing wasn’t as calm as usual, and it felt a little rushed. Perhaps it was due to carrying Wei WuXian while fending off attacks and fleeing for so long.

However, his tone of voice when answering was still one syllable, as calm as usual, “Mnn.”

After “mnn,” he added, “I’m here.”

Hearing those words, something Wei WuXian had never felt before welled up in his heart. It felt like sadness. His chest ached slightly, but it also felt a little warm.

He still remembered how, in Jiangling, Lan WangJi had come all the way to help him, but he hadn’t appreciated his kindness at all. With all sorts of disagreements, the two of them often parted ways in disagreement.

But what he didn’t expect was that, when everyone feared and praised him, Lan WangJi scolded him right in the face; when everyone insulted and hated him, Lan WangJi stood by his side.

Wei WuXian suddenly spoke, “Ah, I remember now.”

Lan WangJi, “What do you remember?”

Wei WuXian, “I remember now, Lan Zhan. It was exactly like this. I… really have carried you before.”

Translator’s Notes

Soft Sword  : A soft sword with a bendable blade and often worn on a belt or arm. Today, it has become somewhat of a mythical weapon, appearing only in wuxia novels and with few, if any, real-life examples. Its shape is similar to the Indian urumi, but sharper and more ornate.

Hensheng  : Literally means “hate/regret life”.