Chapter 58:

It was the heaviest snowfall of that winter, large feather-like flakes drifting down from the sky, as if trying to bury all filth and grime beneath a thick white blanket.

The yao slaves of Mingyue Manor had to rise before dawn to work. In winter, the days were short, and they awoke while the stars still shone brightly in the sky. After an hour of hard labor, the horizon finally turned a pale, sickly white, and the trees along the roadside were already covered in frost and snow.

The steward was wrapped up tightly, his face hidden beneath a woolen hat, revealing only his sinister, sharp eyes from time to time. He had no need for politeness toward these yao slaves—kind words were useless compared to a sturdy whip. Those who resisted or showed defiance would soon be broken after a few beatings.

Spotting a small, frail figure lagging behind, he strode forward and lashed out with his whip. The little yao slave bit his lip and didn’t dare cry out, quickly shouldering his bundle of firewood and running ahead.

“The Young Mistress’s birthday is in two days. There are many noble guests at the manor these days, so all of you had better work quickly! And remember, do not wander into the front courtyard and disturb the guests!” the steward barked.

A weak, feeble chorus responded from all around: “Yes, Steward.”

Frowning in displeasure, the steward muttered, “A bunch of sickly ghosts.” He counted the water barrels and shouted, “Why aren’t the water barrels full yet? Who was assigned to this?”

An elderly yao slave hunched forward and replied, “It was Lingling’s responsibility. The river has frozen these past few days, and we must break through the ice before we can draw water…”

Before the old yao slave could finish, a whip cracked across his face. The steward stormed toward the river, muttering angrily. Though his cultivation was only Foundation Building, when he channeled his spiritual energy into the whip, the pain it caused on half-demon bodies could last for weeks.

Without warning, he raised his whip and lashed out at the small figure kneeling motionless by the riverbank. “I knew you were slacking off!”

The whip struck the child’s thin back with a sharp crack, tearing through the already tattered clothes and revealing a back marred with old wounds and fresh cuts. The force sent the child sprawling forward, his numb legs giving way beneath him. His slender arms plunged into the icy hole he had dug, the freezing water biting into his skin like needles.

The child bit his lip, holding back any cry of pain. He quickly scrambled to his feet, adjusting his crooked mask.

“S-Steward!”

“Lingling, it’s already morning! How come you’ve only filled two barrels?” The steward roared in fury. “You dare hide here and slack off, thinking I wouldn’t notice?”

The child lowered his head. His small hands were red and numb from the cold. Softly, he murmured, “The ice was too thick. I worked hard to break through it.”

“You dare talk back? You yao slaves have plenty of strength!” The steward’s anger flared even more. He raised his whip again, but before it could fall, a powerful force struck him from the left, sending him flying six or seven zhang through the air. He crashed down with a pained cry, dazed and disoriented.

The child stared blankly at the steward before turning his gaze to the other side.

It was strange—though everything around was blanketed in white, he still noticed him immediately. Despite the heavy snowstorm, the man’s presence was unmistakable. He walked toward her, then paused briefly. Snow settled on his shoulders, dusting his dark, long hair, softening his distant, mountain-like eyebrows and dimming the star-like brightness in his eyes. His clear, phoenix-like gaze pierced through the storm, silently watching her. She rubbed her eyes, confused by the sorrow and tenderness she saw in his.

In an instant, he was in front of her, kneeling slightly. A warm, fragrant fur cloak gently landed on her thin shoulders, shielding her from the cold wind and snow.

“Are you… cold?” The young man asked softly, barely managing to keep his voice steady.

Startled, the child flinched and bowed her head. “I’m a half-demon. Half-demons don’t feel cold.”

Looking at her frozen, red hands, the young man felt as if a block of ice had pierced his heart, letting in a freezing wind that made him ache all over.

Ling’er…

Only now did he truly understand the suffering she had endured. Her thin limbs, clad only in a loose, thin robe in this freezing weather, bore bruises and scars across her exposed skin. Xie Xuechen’s heart clenched painfully, but he restrained himself from pulling her into his arms, afraid of startling her.

She didn’t know Xie Xuechen yet.

The steward, having regained his senses, cursed and rushed forward to confront the stranger. But the moment he met Xie Xuechen’s cold, murderous gaze, his legs buckled and he dropped to his knees with a thud.

Xie Xuechen suppressed his urge to kill. He couldn’t recklessly alter the past—doing so might cause unpredictable changes. Killing an insignificant person for the sake of revenge might lead to disastrous consequences. Reason held him back, and he turned his attention back to the frail girl, Mu Xuanling.

No, she wasn’t called Mu Xuanling yet. That name had been given to her by Sang Qi.

A sudden realization struck him—yes, he must take Ling’er away before Sang Qi’s massacre of Mingyue Manor, so she could escape her half-demon fate and live a normal life!

“Would you… come with me?” He asked cautiously.

The child hesitated, glancing at the steward before murmuring, “Are you a noble guest at the manor? I’m a yao slave—I must obey the steward.”

“You are not a yao slave,” Xie Xuechen said gently, wrapping his warm hands around her frozen fingers. His faint body heat slowly seeped into her icy fingertips, bringing a tingling, painful sensation.

So close, she could clearly smell the crisp fragrance on him. Lifting her head, she saw his gentle, handsome face. She felt confused, yet strangely comforted by his warmth. It was unfamiliar, yet deeply soothing—as if she were being cherished and protected.

But then her stomach growled loudly. Her pale face flushed red, and she was secretly glad her mask hid her embarrassment.

“You haven’t eaten breakfast yet?” Xie Xuechen asked, not mocking her, only feeling a pang of heartache.

“I… I have to fill three barrels before I can eat,” she replied softly.

Xie Xuechen frowned slightly, ignoring the trembling steward nearby. He scooped her up in his arms and flew away on his sword.

In his arms, he realized just how light she was—no heavier than a snowflake, as if she might melt away at any moment. She clung tightly to his waist, afraid to look down, burying her face in his chest.

He couldn’t help but gently stroke her head, speaking softly, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let you fall. I’ll hold you tightly.”

Soon, they landed in a nearby village. The sun was fully up now, and despite the snow, the village bustled with life. The scent of steamed buns, dumplings, and hot noodles broke through the cold air, making the child’s stomach growl even louder.

Xie Xuechen led her to a nearby tavern, ordering two bowls of hot noodles and a full table of dishes.

The child’s eyes widened in surprise as she swallowed hard, whispering, “Can you really eat all this?”

Xie Xuechen smiled. “It’s all for you.”

Though slender, her delicate beauty shone through beneath the mask, her eyes sparkling like radiant peach blossoms. As she looked at him, his heart swelled with tenderness. He longed to give her the entire world, to indulge and adore her endlessly, ensuring she would never know suffering again.

“I… I only need a little,” she said shyly, not knowing who he was and hesitant to accept his kindness.

“Then eat. Let me serve you,” Xie Xuechen said, smiling.

Noticing her mask made it hard for her to eat, he said, “Take off your mask.”

She shook her head quickly, holding the mask tightly. “I have demon markings on my face. They’re ugly. I don’t want to scare you.”

Xie Xuechen smiled gently. “No, I can tell from your eyes that you must be very beautiful.”

Enchanted by his smile and gentleness, she barely noticed as his long fingers gently untied the mask. It was lifted away, revealing her face.

His eyes lingered on her delicate features—the gentle curve of her eyebrows, the small, straight nose, the soft pink lips. Her face was like a lotus blooming in spring—fresh, delicate, and charming. Her dark, glistening eyes held a timid innocence, like a deer in the forest. Years of hardship and hunger had made her too thin, her small face making her eyes seem even larger and brighter.

She instinctively tried to cover the demon markings on her face, but he gently held her hand, leaning in to examine the markings on her left cheek. The patterns resembled living vines, faintly glowing with golden light. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a flow of energy.

So it was Chaos Qi…

People had mistaken a treasure for trash, treating it carelessly…

Xie Xuechen sighed softly, then heard her ask nervously, “Does it scare you?”

He chuckled. “No, it’s beautiful. No wonder you don’t want others to see it.”

Her fair, translucent skin flushed slightly, and he could see every hint of color rise to her cheeks.

So this was how Ling’er had looked as a child…

Xie Xuechen gazed at her every expression and movement with deep affection. He kept serving her food, feeling satisfied just watching her enjoy it.

“Would you like anything else?” Knowing half-demons had large appetites, he wasn’t surprised when she finished the entire table of dishes. But Ling’er, now slightly embarrassed, twisted her fingers and coughed. “I’m full…”

Xie Xuechen smiled gently. “Don’t be shy. You don’t need to hold back in front of me.”

She lifted her eyes, meeting his warm, affectionate gaze. Summoning her courage, she said, “I heard wine is a delicacy in the human world…”

Xie Xuechen’s expression turned serious. “No, not for you.” Seeing her disappointed look, he added, “You’re still young.”

She had no cultivation yet, and at her age, she would get drunk easily.

He chuckled and ruffled her hair. Then he called the tavern owner and ordered two more of the dishes she had enjoyed.

The tavern owner looked at the noble-looking young man and then at the little yao slave, hesitating slightly. “These dishes are quite expensive. Would the young master like to settle the bill first?”

Xie Xuechen reached into his spatial pouch, then frowned slightly.

After past embarrassments, he had started carrying some mundane money. But this body was his eighteen-year-old self, who had been obsessed with sword cultivation and had never remembered to bring money when leaving home.

The tavern owner’s expression changed, and so did Ling’er’s.

—Was this older brother planning to sell her here to pay the debt?

Xie Xuechen coughed and took off a jade pendant from his waist. Even an amateur could see it was priceless. “Apologies, I forgot my money. Please take this jade to the pawn shop next door and exchange it for silver.”

The owner eagerly accepted the pendant, beaming. “It’s no trouble at all, noble sir!”

A moment later, the owner returned with a bag of silver. “Noble sir, it was exchanged for five hundred taels. Please check.”

Xie Xuechen took the silver casually. He knew the pendant was worth far more than five hundred taels, but money was insignificant to him.

The dishes were soon served. Ling’er, having digested a bit, eagerly devoured the new dishes, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. Her face regained some color, and she looked more at ease with Xie Xuechen. Curious, she asked, “Why are you so kind to me? Are you… trying to get me to do something for you?”

She had seen too many people offering kindness with hidden motives. She knew that kindness often came with ulterior intentions. But this older brother was so handsome and generous—she hoped he was truly kind, not a schemer or a thief.

Xie Xuechen looked down at her gently, his phoenix eyes reflecting her face with a warm, soft glow. He smiled and said, “I just want you to be happy.”

She frowned suspiciously. “Then… are you my long-lost father?”

He flicked her forehead lightly, half-laughing, half-sad. “Do you wish that were true?”

She lowered her head slightly, disappointed. “If it were, it would be nice.”

“Why?”

“Then you would take me with you,” she said, her eyes filled with longing. “After leaving me all these years, you’d have to make it up to me… right?”

“Hmm…” Young Xie Xuechen chuckled softly, his long lashes hiding the complex emotions in his eyes. “Then, how would you like me to make it up to you?”

“I want to wear pretty clothes, eat delicious food, live in a big house, and sleep for two hours every day!” She spoke with pure, innocent hope, describing her simple dreams of happiness.

Xie Xuechen smiled at her. He wanted to spend his entire life making it up to her, loving her endlessly. Yet her wishes were so simple and modest.

“Alright,” he said affectionately, ruffling her hair. “I’ll take you now. You’ve eaten enough. Let’s go buy you some new clothes, okay?”

“Okay, Dad!” she called sweetly.

Xie Xuechen shook his head with a faint smile, took her hand, and said seriously, “Don’t call me Dad.”

“You won’t even tell me your name,” she pouted. “Then what should I call you…”

Xie Xuechen didn’t want her to know his name. She had already sacrificed far too much for him. He couldn’t bear to see Ling’er sacrifice herself again. All he wished was for her to live a good life, even if she no longer loved him…

Xie Xuechen smiled bitterly and softly said, “Anything but that.”

“Then… can I call you Big Brother?”

A tremor passed through Xie Xuechen’s heart, and he abruptly halted his steps.

Big Brother…

A chill crept into his heart, freezing his entire being.

Ling gently tugged his hand and called, “Big Brother?”

Xie Xuechen heard his own stiff voice reply, “Alright.”

He recalled how, back in Yongsue City, when Ling had been delirious, she had kept calling for Big Brother. He had dared not ask who that was, fearing that someone else might hold that place in her heart. But now, a more terrifying realization struck him—Ling’s Big Brother was himself!

Suddenly, he remembered the day at the noodle shop, when Ling had looked at him with a half-smile as he awkwardly forgot to bring money. She had said the exact same words he had just spoken…

— Sorry, I left in a hurry and forgot my silver…

She had handed him a hairpin with a cheerful smile.

Xie Xuechen slowly turned his head toward Mu Xuanling, who barely reached his chest. Her delicate face, so rarely lit with joy, called him Big Brother without noticing the sorrow and fear in his eyes.

A vague suspicion began forming in his mind…

He had never truly lost his memories. The memories from Mingyue Manor seven years ago didn’t belong to the eighteen-year-old Xie Xuechen, but rather to the Xie Xuechen who was already twenty-five. And the person Ling had fallen in love with seven years ago had also been the twenty-five-year-old Xie Xuechen.

But he would eventually leave. Would his future self, having lost his memories, treat Ling well again?

No, he knew he wouldn’t. He had already hurt her once…

Xie Xuechen trembled involuntarily, feeling as though he were stepping into a trap set by the god of fate.

It felt as if, in the vast unknown, a noble and cold deity had turned to look down upon him.

Battling his inner turmoil and fear, Xie Xuechen resolved to grant her every wish. If this was the god’s cruel game, then at least for now, he could still give her happiness and warmth.

He watched her wash clean, discard her tattered clothes, and don the elegant garments and ornaments he had carefully chosen for her. He rolled up his sleeves and gently applied medicine to her wounds, though she blushed and refused to let him treat the injuries on her back. Xie Xuechen smiled helplessly—there was no part of her body he hadn’t seen before, but now, everything was different. She didn’t truly know him yet, nor had she fallen in love with him again… There was still a chance for things to change.

He awkwardly combed through her soft, long hair, tying it into a simple bun. Watching her transform into a radiant beauty, he lowered his phoenix eyes to hide the sorrow within. He tried to use his Wren Break technique to shatter the Spirit Lock Ring but failed. At this point, he hadn’t yet reached the Law Body stage nor completed the Jade Gate Sutra. Though it was possible to forcibly break the lock, he lacked the control and might end up hurting Ling. Seeing her pale face from pain, he said gravely, “I’ll go to Mingyue Manor and make them release you.”

“Big Brother, it’s okay. Don’t force yourself,” she comforted him, placing her hand over his. “Even if it’s just for one day, I’m already very happy.”

“Ling’er, I will definitely take you away,” Xie Xuechen gently stroked her hairline, saying with tenderness. “In the future… you must live well.”

Live on, even if it’s alone, forgetting me.

“I’ve always been fine,” she said cheerfully.

“You silly girl,” he said, looking at the scars on her hand, sorrow evident in his voice.

His Ling’er, seemingly clever and lively, was actually gentle and naive. She always silently bore everything alone, enduring pain and tears without telling him.

Xie Xuechen brought her back to Mingyue Manor, told her to hide, and went alone to meet the Manor Lord.

Gao Fengxu, upon hearing that the young master of Yongsue City had come to visit, felt puzzled but quickly ordered him to be shown in.

At this point, Xie Xuechen already knew of Gao Fengxu’s actions toward Su Ningxi. If he had once held even a trace of respect for Gao Fengxu as a junior toward a senior, now he only felt cold disdain. Gao Fengxu hadn’t seen Xie Xuechen in years and didn’t understand the change in him, but he sensed an oppressive aura of superiority from Xie Xuechen, which made him feel uneasy and confused.

“Esteemed nephew, you’ve come all this way—could it be for my daughter’s birthday celebration?” Gao Fengxu gave a fake smile. “Qiu’er will be very happy to hear you’ve arrived.”

Xie Xuechen was the top genius cultivator in the cultivation world, exquisitely handsome and noble by nature. Many female cultivators had feelings for him, but he had always been indifferent, devoted solely to the sword path. Gao Qiumin had sent invitations to her birthday banquet to fellow young cultivators, and naturally Xie Xuechen had received one too, though no one had expected him to actually come.

“I have come with a request,” Xie Xuechen bowed slightly, his voice calm and cold. “I wish to ask Lord Gao for a person.”

Gao Fengxu raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Oh? Who could it be that even you would ask for?”

“Just a demon servant from your manor. All that is needed is your permission to remove the Spirit Lock Ring,” Xie Xuechen replied.

Hearing this, Gao Fengxu was even more surprised. For Xie Xuechen to personally request someone, that demon servant must be special. Curiosity stirred in him, and he hesitated slightly.

“Well, that can be arranged. But since you’ve come all this way, why not stay at the manor for a few days? Wait until Qiu’er’s birthday banquet is over, and then I’ll hand the demon servant over to you. I’d like to know which one you’ve taken an interest in,” Gao Fengxu asked.

Xie Xuechen remained cautious toward Gao Fengxu and kept his guard up. “My lord, your hospitality is appreciated, but there’s urgent business in Yongsue City. My father summoned me, and I dare not delay. Please forgive me.”

Xie Xuechen had no memory of the events from seven years ago. After being severely injured at Mingyue Manor, he had remained unconscious for a long time. He only knew that Sang Qi had slaughtered the entire Mingyue Manor during Gao Qiumin’s birthday celebration, setting the entire estate ablaze. But the exact date and time of the attack remained unclear. He had considered trying to prevent it, but upon reflection, realized it was impossible. Sang Qi had plotted this for over a decade. As a mere Nascent Soul cultivator now, stopping Sang Qi was nearly impossible and might even trigger worse consequences. Before his departure, the warnings from the Divine Mirror Immortal still echoed in his mind, and the lessons from Feng Xiang’s fate were still fresh. He dared not act recklessly or interact too much with others, nor change the past’s course too much, for fear of causing greater harm.

As long as he could take Ling away from the manor before the incident and prevent her from falling into Sang Qi’s hands, he would have achieved his goal.

Unaware of Xie Xuechen’s thoughts, Gao Fengxu, with his deep scheming nature and suspicious mind, sensed something off about Xie Xuechen. He laughed heartily, walked around the table, and subtly blocked Xie Xuechen’s path, asking with feigned concern, “Is there anything urgent in Yongsue City? If Mingyue Manor can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to ask. We, the Immortal Alliance, must stand together and support each other. Esteemed nephew, if you have any matters, feel free to speak openly.”

Seeing Gao Fengxu evading the topic and changing the subject, Xie Xuechen frowned inwardly but remained calm on the surface. “It’s just a private matter from Yongsue City. I dare not trouble the lord. I only wish to know how to unlock the Spirit Lock Ring on that demon servant.”

“Not in a hurry,” Gao Fengxu smiled slightly. “I’ve heard of your unparalleled sword cultivation skills. Since it’s rare to see you, I’d like to exchange sword techniques with you. Please do me the honor. Although there may be a gap in our cultivation levels, today we shall only discuss sword techniques. I will suppress my power to spar with you.”

Xie Xuechen was about to refuse when Gao Fengxu interrupted, “Once I fulfill this small wish of mine, I shall hand you the key to the Spirit Lock Ring.”

Xie Xuechen slightly furrowed his brows and could only nod in agreement.

What he didn’t know was that Gao Fengxu had secretly sent a message ordering someone to investigate which demon servant Xie Xuechen had taken an interest in.