EHRPS CH200

In the air, a flying boat sped between white clouds. Before departure, Tu Tianba’s gaze had pierced Xu Que like blades, staring until his face stung. In the end, Nie Wuhui took the initiative to explain.

“Fellow Daoist Xu, the Ten Thousand Dharmas Sect takes array inheritances as its foundation, and you are among its best. This river valley…”

Halfway through his words, Xu Que understood immediately. Once he repaired the array formation he had damaged earlier, he indeed found the youth’s gaze softened by a fraction. Xu Que thought against his conscience, harboring many suspicions. The youth’s identity was by no means simple.

Although Xu Que was from the Ten Thousand Dharmas Sect, he had close ties with the Wondrous Immortal Sect, and with a leaky cotton-padded jacket like Fu Yuesheng around, he had quite a few top-grade pills. While Immortal Lord Wuhui led the youth into the wooden cottage, Xu Que poured out one of the healing pills the youth had casually shoved into his hands and inspected it closely. The quality was superb, no worse than the best pills from the Wondrous Immortal Sect. A medical cultivator capable of crafting such medicine could not possibly be an unknown figure. It was as though he had sprung out of thin air. For various considerations, Xu Que did not take the pill, tucking it safely into his Qiankun pouch instead.

At this very moment, gazing at the scene before him, Xu Que fell silent. Inside the boat, he sat alone on one side, while the two traveling together sat on the other side. A long table was even set up between them, clearly placed to quarantine him. The one behind this was self-evident.

Tu Tianba barely managed to ignore the unlucky old man across from him, pulling several plates of pastries from his sleeve and setting them on the table. Leaning against A-Hui’s side, he popped pastries into his mouth one by one, eating with an impassive face.

Soon, Nie Wuhui broke the silence.

“Fellow Daoist Xu, could you tell me in detail…”

Right at that moment, a sudden thump sounded. Tu Tianba abruptly kicked his legs and rolled his eyes, toppling over as if struck down by a sudden illness. His head landed with pinpoint accuracy onto Nie Wuhui’s lap, his mouth shut tight, cheeks puffing as he chewed the uneaten pastry in his mouth.

Xu Que could not see beneath the table, only knowing the youth had collapsed without warning. His eyes flashed with surprise, immediately darting toward the white-robed man sitting upright.

Nie Wuhui stayed silent. Lowering his gaze, his eyes swept over the youth’s puffed-out cheeks, and a sudden realization surfaced in his mind, one that was both amusing and comforting. If he fell asleep, he wouldn’t have to hear him discuss official business with Xu Que in the identity of Nie Wuhui, right?

It was clearly an act of burying one’s head in the sand, yet a warm feeling of being indulged by the youth rose within Nie Wuhui. He couldn’t resist reaching out to brush away a pastry crumb beside the youth’s mouth, saying softly, “It is nothing, he has only fallen asleep.”

Xu Que looked completely baffled.

Unlike Xu Que’s utter confusion, Tu Tianba wrestled with himself for a moment before failing to hold back his glee, unconsciously planting a kiss on the man’s withdrawing fingertip.

Knowing what was what, Nie Wuhui looked up at Xu Que and said calmly, “Fellow Daoist Xu, it has been many years.”

No need to pretend not to recognize each other anymore?

Xu Que paused, replying frankly, “Immortal Lord Wuhui, I heard you entered seclusion three hundred years ago. How did you come to be here?” He gestured with his eyes and added, “And who might this one be…?”

Sensing Xu Que’s doubts, Nie Wuhui answered openly, “A twist of fate, brought together by destiny. As for him…” The man smiled and said, “He is my Dao Companion, pure of heart and considerate toward others. Once the matter with the demonic cultivators is resolved, I will proclaim this to the entire world.”

Hearing the word ‘considerate’, Xu Que choked slightly. Immediately after, he recalled their brief encounter in Yongge City three years ago, when the youth had bragged about how wonderful his Dao Companion was. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine this person would be Immortal Lord Wuhui. Fortunately, Xu Que was not rash. Had it been Fu Yuesheng, he would probably have jumped in shock.

On the other side of the boat, Tu Tianba felt as though his heart had been split in two, half in hesitation, the other half in sheer bliss. His brows knitted into knots, yet the corners of his lips curled up. Then, hearing the two begin to discuss the strange events of the past three years in detail, he curled his lip.

Boring. Why didn’t they talk more about the dual cultivation ceremony, or rather, the Dao Companion ceremony? Who cared about righteous disciples falling into the demonic path!

Without the youth’s piercing, hot and cold stare, Xu Que felt much more at ease, solemnly relaying the full situation to the foremost person of the righteous path. Cultivators wrestled their lives from the heavens and faced numerous tribulations. It was not uncommon for righteous cultivators to lose to their inner demons, their cultivation stagnating, or out of obsession or fear of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, turning to the wicked path as demonic cultivators. However, over the past three years, the sheer number of righteous disciples falling into demonic ways was abnormal, clearly the work of demonic cultivators plotting in the shadows.

Nie Wuhui furrowed his brows slightly. “Did the various sects truly detect nothing?”

Xu Que shook his head. “They genuinely found nothing. Twenty-one disciples of the Ten Thousand Dharmas Sect have quietly fallen into the demonic path, committed grave crimes, and fled the sect without a trace, showing no prior signs. The Guiqing Sect also has twelve disciples…”

And the Xuanxu Sect had a single fallen disciple who destroyed the entire sect.

Xu Que paused, then continued, “Three demonic cultivators ambushed me and rescued that female disciple. They are Mingxuzi, Jin Wusheng, and Patriarch Wuxiang of the Heaven Slaughtering Sect. The strangest part is that when fighting them, I felt as though my spiritual qi was being refined away. Word has it this is an exclusive evil art practiced by the Demon Lord Tu Tianba. I wonder if he passed it down to those three.”

Nie Wuhui naturally knew Tu Tianba practiced no wicked art. Rather, it was a trait born from the immortal cauldron being tainted by ancient demonic resentment into a demonic weapon. Thinking it over, his heart sank.

Three years ago, demonic cultivators abducted the medical disciples at the Wondrous Immortal Sect, only for the youth who slipped in among them to break their scheme. Over the following three years, over a hundred disciples from various sects fell into the demonic path. Some were recovered and dealt with according to sect rules, while many more vanished completely. According to Xu Que, the sects had quietly suppressed the news out of embarrassment.

Until half a month ago.

The Xuanxu Sect was wiped out overnight, with both witnesses and physical evidence pointing directly to Tu Tianba of the Heaven Slaughtering Sect. The sects were in an uproar, exchanging information. After three years of buildup followed by the Xuanxu Sect tragedy, Tu Tianba was bound to become the prime target of the entire righteous path.

Sure enough, Xu Que continued, “A few days ago, led by the Guiqing Sect, the sects decided to investigate this matter together and launch a joint expedition to eradicate the Heaven Slaughtering Sect.”

Hearing this, Nie Wuhui furrowed his brows. Perhaps he should return to the sect soon. First, to inform them that they should plan carefully, and second, to publicly clear the youth’s name. Over these past three years, he had been inseparable from him, never taking a single step outside the river valley. There was no way he could have orchestrated evil deeds. He was the living witness.

However, the youth refused to admit his identity, insisting they were an ordinary pair of wandering cultivator Dao Companions with no ties to the righteous or demonic paths, his whole heart set on living in seclusion. Still, Nie Wuhui understood that the youth had an extraordinarily soft heart for him. He would try reasoning first, and if that failed, at worst, he would fake tears for him. Perhaps the youth would fuss around him in a panic and relent.

Thinking this, Nie Wuhui felt quite certain. Suddenly, he realized he had been deeply influenced by the youth, probably because the other babbled nonsensical things in his ear all day long. Questions like whether he was crying, or if he had hurt him, had worn calluses into Nie Wuhui’s ears. And then that person would insist on holding him and coaxing him. Nie Wuhui was never actually upset, but if he pushed away the comfort, the youth grew displeased. Over time, Nie Wuhui grew used to it. That was why he subconsciously thought of this method. It wasn’t his fault, but simply the result of constant exposure.

Unknowingly, Tu Tianba took the blame.

Listening to their conversation, he felt no sense of crisis despite being the center of the topic, resting his head casually on the man’s lap looking perfectly leisurely. But that was only on the surface. Eighty percent of his mind was focused on the warm, supple thigh, ten percent was steering the flying boat, and the remaining ten percent was bickering with his clever inner demon.

The white orb urged enthusiastically, “Host, stand tall, clarify things, argue back! The protagonist is on your side too. He is an esteemed elder of the Guiqing Sect, the foremost figure of the righteous path!”

The white orb saw things clearly. The host possessed the highest combat strength in this world, and having fused his soul with the Soul-Refining Cauldron, he had an immortal constitution that locked his health. Those righteous sects coming to besiege him were walking into a slaughter. The host showed no mercy to cultivators who attacked him, and if he flew into a frenzy, he might wipe them all out. Only the protagonist was an exception. But if things unfolded like that, the host and the protagonist might head into a tragic, abusive bad ending.

What about the mission? What about its points? He had to clear his name!

Tu Tianba replied coldly, “He is no foremost figure of the righteous path, he is just my A-Hui.”

The white orb said, “Didn’t you hear Xu Que address him as Immortal Lord Wuhui? You already know, so why act stubborn?”

Tu Tianba snorted internally, “I am asleep, I didn’t hear it. Besides, I don’t need him to take my side.”

The white orb paused, then asked tentatively, “Host, could it be that you refuse to admit it because you don’t want the protagonist to turn against the whole world and face condemnation from the righteous path for your sake? Are you afraid of him being wronged?”

Tu Tianba fell silent.

The white orb went quiet as well. Wow, this lunatic was actually a good man?

Before long, the three arrived at the ruins of the Xuanxu Sect. Tu Tianba did not put away the flying boat, leaning alone over the boat’s edge to watch the man’s back with an unconcerned air.

Nie Wuhui’s heart was heavy. Although the Xuanxu Sect was not a major sect, it had an ancient heritage, yet now only charred ruins remained. Standing upon the scorched earth, he sighed.

Xu Que did not understand why Nie Wuhui insisted on inspecting this place, adding beside him, “When I captured that fallen female disciple earlier, I only had time to gather the corpses. Regrettably, the demonic aura lingers, corroding this land…”

Nie Wuhui nodded. “It seems this place will not nurture living beings for a century.”

Xu Que continued, “Immortal Lord Wuhui might not know, but three hundred years ago, that Demon Lord slew a demonic flood dragon that had swallowed an entire city, taking its spiritual vein cave dwelling for himself. That is where the Heaven Slaughtering Sect stands. It was once a blessed land overflowing with spiritual energy, but Tu Tianba possesses an ancient demonic weapon capable of refining spiritual energy. In just three hundred years, the spiritual vein became a land shrouded in demonic qi, rarely visited by anyone other than demonic cultivators.”

Nie Wuhui subconsciously glanced back at the youth remaining on the flying boat, meeting a pair of serene eyes without a trace of anger. This person would fly into a rage over being disturbed while living in seclusion in the river valley, yet showed no reaction when accused by name.

After a quiet moment, Nie Wuhui said softly, “Perhaps Tu Tianba did not wish for that either. When he slew the dragon that fed on human flesh, did he not save countless innocents?”

Xu Que was taken aback.

Nie Wuhui sighed again and turned back toward the flying boat. Tu Tianba immediately perked up and asked, “Finished looking? Why don’t we head back?”

Unexpectedly, Nie Wuhui invited him down. “Xiao Xiu, come down and see if you can identify whether the residual demonic qi here matches that of Demon Lord Tu Tianba. If it differs, can you recognize which demonic cultivator of the Heaven Slaughtering Sect it belongs to?”

Nie Wuhui spoke as if he already knew the demonic qi did not belong to Tu Tianba, suspecting another cultivator of the Heaven Slaughtering Sect instead. Hearing this, Xu Que’s brows twitched slightly in the distance. He seemed to have guessed something, yet wasn’t quite sure, his expression shifting.

Tu Tianba was reluctant, his eyes darting as he mumbled, “Why ask me? How would I know…”

Before his words faded, Nie Wuhui yanked him off the flying boat without ceremony, determined not to let it go. Left with no choice, Tu Tianba cast a quick glance, a barely perceptible hum escaping his nose. Then, changing his mind, he nodded decisively, “Indeed, it is Tu Tianba’s demonic qi. Let the righteous sects punish that heinous demon!” Having said that, he asked self-righteously, “Now that the truth is clear, can we go back?”

He was utterly oblivious that his attitude and words had thoroughly angered the man before him. For the first time, Nie Wuhui felt such helpless irritation. His expression remained unchanged, his lips pursed slightly, yet the surrounding air turned noticeably colder.

Tu Tianba seemed completely unaware, looking entirely at ease.

Xu Que had already found an excuse and tactfully slipped away.

Dammit! Why did this unlucky old cut-sleeve suddenly learn to read the room now? Come back here!

After holding out for a little while, Tu Tianba couldn’t resist scratching his face in guilt, his gaze darting away from the man. Unwilling to discuss personal matters at the ruins of the Xuanxu Sect, Nie Wuhui kept a stern face and told him to steer the flying boat, soaring into the high skies a thousand miles away in the blink of an eye. Before departing, he had specifically sent a voice transmission to Xu Que explaining the matter.

Xu Que was accustomed to it by now and raised no objections, yet a certain suspicion surfaced in his mind again, stirring waves in his heart as he shook his head gently. Surely not… Judging from Immortal Lord Wuhui’s words, his initial suspicion seemed to have come true. That youth was a demonic cultivator? And by pure coincidence, surnamed Tu?

In the air, clouds swirled past. The two sat facing each other, their hair and robes fluttering in the cool breeze, the atmosphere slightly chilly. Having indulged in tenderness for three years, how could Tu Tianba bear the man’s stern, silent stare? Yet if he were to speak now, he didn’t know what to say, leaving him to sit there with downcast eyes for quite some time.

In less than fifteen minutes, he could bear it no longer. Standing up quietly, he attempted to step across the long table separating them to sit beside the man.

A dull thump sounded as Nie Wuhui gave the table a firm pat. He did not use much force, but Tu Tianba pulled his leg back immediately and sat down like a reprimanded child. His eyes, whose contours had matured considerably, stared blankly at Nie Wuhui, not daring to utter a word.

He wailed internally, “Inner demon, inner demon! I am panicking!”

Inside the system space, the white orb peered through the host’s perspective, seeing the protagonist’s gentle face turned cold and imposing. “Oh boy,” it sighed, “The protagonist truly belongs in the master profession. When he gets serious, it is terrifying. Host, you’d better stay curled up.”

Tu Tianba took the advice, hunching his shoulders and lowering his head.

Watching him like this, Nie Wuhui knew the youth was merely afraid of him leaving in anger, not believing he had done anything wrong. In an instant, the words of guidance he had prepared choked in his chest, unspoken. If speaking was useless, why bother?

To a cultivator of Nie Wuhui’s lifespan, three years was far too short, passing like a brief nap. Yet during these three years living in seclusion with the youth, every day had felt vivid, warming his heart. He loved the youth’s uncontrollable chatter during dual cultivation, the fresh wildflowers picked for him, and that fierce, passionate gaze. Nie Wuhui understood him well. Having seen his past memories, he knew how unyielding the youth’s will was. Once his mind was set, not even the resentment of ancient demonic beasts could sway him. He only appeared erratic and simple on the surface, keeping his real thoughts hidden, stubborn to the bone.

After a long silence, Nie Wuhui recalled the thought that had crossed his mind earlier, finding his answer.

Tu Tianba was pushed to his limit. He glared at the table as if it were the vast Milky Way separating two lovers. He wanted to sweep it into his sleeve, but gave up when he saw the man’s hand resting upon it. He felt that if he put it away, A-Hui would only be angrier.

Tu Tianba’s head hung lower. Looking at the gap beneath the table, he contemplated rolling under it straight into the man’s arms, but he had grown much taller and broader over the years, so he probably wouldn’t fit. He pulled his gaze back in deep regret.

Just then, he heard the man call softly, “…Xiao Xiu.”

Tu Tianba looked up immediately, leaning his upper body across the table to draw near, his mouth slightly open, eager to speak and ease the tension. In the next instant, however, he saw the man gazing at him coldly, his eyes reddening as water shimmered within them.

Tu Tianba froze. He jumped up, casting all caution aside, vanished the obstructing table into thin air, and pulled the man into his arms in utter disarray, babbling frantically, “Oh dear, don’t cry, it breaks my heart…”

Tu Tianba gently patted his back, softening his voice to coax him, “If you’re going to be like this, I’d rather you yell at me or ignore me coldly. Though I can only take that for a day, no longer…” As he spoke, he peeked sideways with dread. The man rested his forehead against his shoulder, leaving Tu Tianba able to see only his handsome profile and tightly pursed lips.

Panic gripped Tu Tianba even tighter. One hand wrapped around the man’s back while the other gently cupped his jaw, speaking in a frantic rush, “Lift your head and let me see, are you crying? Don’t stay silent, my heart is aching to pieces…!”

Unable to squeeze out real tears, Nie Wuhui refused to look up. Wrapping his arms around Tu Tianba’s waist, he asked softly, “Why did you say those things earlier? You know how badly I want to clear your name…”

Tu Tianba was truly someone who yielded to softness rather than force. Cupping the man’s cheek as if holding tender tofu, terrified of shattering him with the slightest pressure, he stammered without forming words. Feeling bashful about his theatrical act, Nie Wuhui nonetheless deepened his breathing and sniffled.

In that moment, Tu Tianba felt the sky collapse.

In his panic, he forgot to distinguish between their real and fake names, speaking straight from the heart.

“I don’t care about clearing my name! I care that if you get involved, you will hear what people say about me, again and again and again. Once you hear it enough, maybe you won’t like me anymore! Besides, you are a righteous cultivator. Why must you associate with a demonic cultivator? Even if you refuse to return with me to our home in the river valley, don’t go around speaking on my behalf in public! What if they think you’ve been bewitched by a demonic cultivator too? Don’t you care about your lifelong reputation? Of course I know someone is stirring up trouble under my name, but I don’t care. I never had a good reputation anyway, so how am I losing out? Nobody cares whether the demon Tu Tianba lives or dies. If someone impersonates me and dies under the siege of the righteous path, I can just stay a little medical cultivator and start fresh as a new person. Wouldn’t that be wonderful for everyone? Wiping the slate clean, wouldn’t that be good?”

Toward the end, his voice softened.

Nie Wuhui listened to his impassioned outburst, remaining silent for a long time before asking, “How is that wonderful for everyone?” Closing his eyes, he said softly, “I care. I care about Tu Tianba’s reputation, his life, and his death. I refuse to let him be wronged.”

Tu Tianba could never handle Nie Wuhui speaking like this, every word piercing straight into his heart. Gritting his teeth, veins pulsing at his temples, he hesitated for a long time before puncturing the final layer of pretense.

“Even if I didn’t do it this time, I truly killed many people in the past. Not just demonic cultivators, but many righteous cultivators too. I don’t remember clearly, but there might even be disciples of the Guiqing Sect among them! Don’t you care? Perhaps you can return to being Nie Wuhui, but I cannot return to being Tu Tianba. Other sects aside, the Guiqing Sect is the leader of the righteous path. How will you stand in your sect in the future? Even if people treat you normally on the surface, they will badmouth you behind your back, and I can’t bear that!”

Holding the man, he stroked the hair by his temples with tender affection, grumbling softly, “I can’t bear seeing people hate you, and I don’t want you to hate me either. You really don’t understand my good intentions…”

The wind howled softly as white clouds drifted past.

After a long while, Tu Tianba whispered, “Why aren’t you speaking? Don’t tell me you really hate me now?”

He originally wanted to explain further, that he never wanted to kill so many people back then, but the ancient demonic resentment within the Soul-Refining Cauldron urged him to slaughter and provoked evil thoughts in others. Yet on second thought, he gave up. A kill was a kill, no excuses needed.

The man did not reply.

In the next instant, Tu Tianba felt a warm, damp touch soaking into the fabric on his left shoulder. Struck dumb, he could not utter a single word, stiffly patting the man’s back and stroking his head. Nie Wuhui had treated him like this in the past, giving him warmth and comfort, so Tu Tianba loved doing it too.

Silence lingered inside the boat for a long time. When Nie Wuhui finally raised his face, his features were still breathtakingly handsome, his skin dry and clean, his eyes clear and bright without a trace of tears. Yet if Tu Tianba touched his own shoulder, he would find the undeniable proof. He did not dare move.

Holding his breath, Tu Tianba gazed blankly into Nie Wuhui’s eyes, hearing him speak softly.

“How many times must I say it? I will not leave you. Becoming your Dao Companion brings Wuhui no guilt. Ming Xiu, whether you are Ming Xiu, Tu Xiaoming, Tu Tianba, or Doctor Tu, I will never hate you or abandon you. Wuhui is willing to swear upon his soul. If I break this vow, may my body perish and my Dao be extinguished.”

Tu Tianba’s pupils shrank. His soul surged, yet he did not fall into madness as in the past. Perhaps through three years of dual cultivation, his inner demons had been suppressed and purified, or perhaps the man’s vow was even harder to resist than heavenly lightning, striking him frozen. Or perhaps he simply felt pure peace, like an infant curled in warm waters, caring nothing for the world outside, needing only to breathe.

“Breathe.”

Reminded by the man, Tu Tianba took a sharp, deep breath after holding it for so long, hearing the other continue, “So do not stop me anymore. What does it matter if I am associated with you? From our very first dual cultivation, I knew who I was, and I knew who you were. If you cause trouble again, I will truly be angry.”

Tu Tianba gasped for air, nodding like a pestle grinding garlic.

Nie Wuhui said, “I ask, and you answer, no more lies. Do you have any idea about the demonic qi at the Xuanxu Sect? Do you suspect anyone?”

Tu Tianba kept nodding.

Nie Wuhui asked, “A cultivator from the Heaven Slaughtering Sect?”

Feeling dizzy, Tu Tianba simply hummed in agreement.

Nie Wuhui asked, “Whose was it?”

Tu Tianba answered instantly, “Mine.”

Nie Wuhui fell silent.

With his soul floating, Tu Tianba was terrified Nie Wuhui would give him the silent treatment, as he couldn’t survive even a single day of that! He scrambled to explain, “I’m not teasing you, it really is my demonic qi! But I definitely didn’t do it. Actually, I do suspect someone…”

Before Nie Wuhui could press, Tu Tianba confessed voluntarily. He paused, uttering a name.

“Jin Liuyi. On the day of the heavenly lightning tribulation, Jin Liuyi was lurking nearby. Three years ago at the Wondrous Immortal Sect, she appeared again. As for the three demonic cultivators mentioned by that unlucky old cut-sleeve, they seem to have ties with her.”

Tu Tianba frowned and added, “Still, I don’t recall her having that kind of power.”

Above the Black Sea, on a floating island.

Through a communication talisman, Jin Liuyi learned that the righteous sects were preparing a joint crusade against the Heaven Slaughtering Sect and Demon Lord Tu Tianba, intending to pin the incident at the Wondrous Immortal Sect from three years ago onto him as well. She let out a coquettish chuckle and instructed,

“Spread the word that Demon Lord Tu Tianba has changed his appearance and is lurking among the righteous path…”

As she finished, a voice rang in her ear.

“Host, well done!”

__

Author’s Note:

Here it is.

PS: N001 and Little Blue Assistant are the only systems in this story.