Chapter 22:

For half-demons, the dangers of dissipating one’s cultivation have never been known, because no half-demon would willingly dissipate their own power. Those half-demons captured by human cultivators are usually killed outright rather than subjected to the painstaking process of power dissipation, as it is extremely difficult to dissipate their power without causing death.

After Mu Xuanling dissipated her power, she fell into a high fever. Her body alternated between feeling icy cold and burning hot, her heartbeat fluctuating between rapid and slow, even showing symptoms of vomiting blood. Despite Xie Xuechen’s exhaustive efforts to dissipate her power, he could not prevent the physical deterioration that followed. Xie Xuechen had no choice but to stay by her bedside constantly, continuously transferring spiritual energy into her body, searching for the turbulent energy surging within her. This energy was extremely domineering; even Xie Xuechen could not identify its origin. It resembled demonic energy but was much stronger than usual. However, when encountering Xie Xuechen’s spiritual energy, it became obedient, flowing gently along his guidance, gradually settling into their rightful places within her meridians.

Xie Xuechen concentrated fully on controlling his spiritual energy, only pausing briefly when he was completely exhausted. Yet, Mu Xuanling’s condition remained unstable, compelling him to keep tending to her. Mu Xuanling remained unconscious throughout. Later, as her condition stabilized slightly, she began to mutter incoherently, her lips moving slightly, producing indistinct syllables. Even with Xie Xuechen’s sharp hearing, he could not discern what she was saying. Worried she might be experiencing discomfort and unable to express it clearly, he leaned closer to her lips to listen, only to hear her murmuring, calling out, “Brother…”

Did she have an older brother?

Xie Xuechen felt puzzled. Before he could figure it out, he saw Mu Xuanling slightly open her hazy eyes.

“Xuanling?” Xie Xuechen called out.

Mu Xuanling didn’t seem to know whether she was seeing him or merely hallucinating. Her pale, reddened lips parted slightly as she softly called out, “Big Brother, hold me…”

Xie Xuechen was stunned.

Mu Xuanling’s slender, soft arms had already wrapped around his neck. Her hands lacked strength, resting limply on his shoulders. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to push her away because she trembled and said, “I’m cold.”

Xie Xuechen hesitated for a moment before reaching out to pull her into his embrace. His hand pressed against her back through the thin fabric of her clothing, channeling spiritual energy into her acupoints, which then flowed through her entire body. Mu Xuanling nestled obediently in his arms, her head resting against his neck. Her gentle breaths brushed against his Adam’s apple as she murmured unconsciously, “Big brother, don’t go…”

Xie Xuechen wondered to himself, had he been mistaken for someone else?

She always called him Xie Xuechen, never “big brother.” The “big brother” she mentioned… could it be someone who looked like him?

Perhaps her feelings for herself were also because of that “big brother.”

Xie Xuechen forced himself to ignore the slight irritation in his heart and focused his attention on his spiritual power.

In her short twenty years of life, Mu Xuanling had very few happy days. If one were to count carefully, there was only a single day of true joy. Yet the happiness of that one day was enough to sustain her through seven years of unbearable suffering in the demon realm, where she saw neither sunlight nor hope.

In her darkest moments, she would recall that day, reliving it over and over, like a preserved plum held in the mouth for seven years, stubbornly trying to extract a hint of sweetness.

The first time she tasted sweetness was when her big brother bought her a candied hawthorn stick.

When she was very young, she saw other children eating something that made them look incredibly happy. From afar, she watched them enjoy candied hawthorns, though she only knew the fruit inside was called hawthorn. She searched everywhere across the hills and fields until she finally found a hawthorn tree. Excited, she picked one and popped it into her mouth, only to grimace and spit it out in disappointment.

It’s both sour and astringent, not tasty at all.

Hearing her words, the big brother couldn’t help but smile, though for some reason, there seemed to be a hint of sadness in his expression. He bought all the candied hawthorns and watched as she wolfed them down, patting her back and saying—

“Ling’er, slow down.”

“How did you know my name is Lingling?” She lifted her ankle shackled with the Spirit-Locking Ring, which had long since fused into her flesh, yet the characters “Ling Ling” remained clearly visible.

The big brother half-knelt in front of her, rolled up her pant leg to reveal her slender calf crisscrossed with fresh and old scars. Embarrassed, she tried to pull her foot back, afraid he would see the ugly marks, but her bare foot was caught in his palm.

He took out a medicine jar from his mustard seed bag and carefully applied the ointment for her. The medicine was clearly extremely precious, for as soon as it was applied, her pain vanished, and the wound healed at a visible rate.

“Big brother, this medicine is too precious. Don’t waste it on me. My wounds will heal in a few days, and even if they do heal, I’ll just get hurt again soon,” she said softly, biting her lip.

The big brother lowered his head, and though she couldn’t see the expression on his face, she inexplicably sensed that his heart ached for her.

What a wonderful feeling—someone actually cares about her.

Then she gets hurt every day, and someone will feel sorry for her every day.

The older brother gently rubbed her head and said softly, “Ling’er, as long as I’m by your side every day, I won’t let you get hurt.”

She feigned annoyance to hide her flushed cheeks: “You messed up my hair!”

Although it was never neat—she was clumsy and often had to do a lot of rough work—her hair was always simply tied into two buns, loose and slightly disheveled.

The older brother gently untied her messy bun, picked up a comb, and slowly smoothed out her tangled long hair.

“Let me comb your hair. Sit still,” he said, standing behind her.

She sat obediently upright, biting into the sweet and sour candied hawthorn, feeling happier than she had ever been since the day she was born.

She caught a whiff of fragrance drifting from behind her—fresh and delicate, reminiscent of the snow in the twelfth lunar month and the plum blossoms in the wintry landscape.

“Big brother, what’s your name?” she asked curiously.

The person behind suddenly paused in their movements but remained silent for a long while.

Her heart slowly sank, and suddenly the candied hawthorn no longer tasted sweet—it was sour and bitter. He didn’t want to tell her his name—was he afraid she would cling to him?

Actually, she didn’t really want to leave Bright Moon Villa that much. As a half-demon, she would be treated as a demon slave no matter where she went. She remembered many years ago, a handsome and gentle young master had promised to take her away. For a brief moment, she had held a sliver of hope, but in the end, he didn’t keep his word. Strangely, she wasn’t all that disappointed—it was just the way things usually went. After all, who would truly care about a mere demon slave? The fact that he had listened to her kindly was already rare enough. He was, in her eyes, a truly good person.

She listlessly lowered her head, the sourness on her tongue spreading all the way to her heart.

Suddenly, a pair of hands embraced her from behind. His head rested against her thin, frail back, and his voice seemed to emanate from between bones and flesh, resonating dully within his chest.

“Ling’er, take good care of yourself.”

Mu Xuanling struggled to open her heavy eyelids. The familiar scent that brought her comfort and longing filled her senses, and she nestled even deeper into the embrace.

A warm current flowed through her body, gently enveloping her and soothing the pain and burning sensation.

“Big brother, take care of yourself…”

Everyone knew that Xie Xuechen had not left his room for three days and nights after carrying Mu Xuanling inside. Some began to speculate in secret—could the Snow-Embracing City soon have a half-demon mistress?

The esteemed leader of the Immortal Alliance, actually bewitched by a half-demon—how utterly disgraceful if this were to spread.

Even the unconventional He Xianwo would consider the entanglement between the leader of the Immortal Alliance and the former Demon Saintess detrimental to the morale of the alliance.

Although Xie Xuechen had not left his room, news from the outside still reached him one by one. An important message came from the Two Realms Mountain—the demon race had suddenly recalled all half-demons and demon soldiers, closing all their gates. No one knew what had happened in the demon realm.

Xie Xuechen stepped out of the room and reconvened the assembly in the Hall of Righteousness.

“The Obsessed Demon and the War Demon were defeated, leaving the demon realm severely weakened. That must be the reason they withdrew their troops,” analyzed Fu Yuan Ting. “Sang Qi’s scheme failed, throwing him into disarray. This is the perfect opportunity for us to launch our attack.”

Su Ningzhen also agreed with Fu Yuan’s proposal and immediately said, “Please issue the order, Sect Master. We must attack the Two Realms Mountain at once.”

He Xian was more cautious: “Sang Qi is making such a grand display, as if afraid people wouldn’t know—there must be some trickery involved.”

“It’s just a bluff,” Su Ningzhen sneered. “If Lingju Island is afraid, then our Mirror Flower Valley will take the lead.”

He Xian couldn’t be bothered to argue with her and coldly averted his gaze.

Xie Xuechen was also deeply wary of Sang Qi. He always felt that Sang Qi had ulterior motives, and even the ambush at the Ten Thousand Immortals Formation that day seemed to have hidden intentions. However, he knew little about Sang Qi. This man always seemed shrouded in a black robe, making it impossible to discern his true nature—profound and unfathomable.

“With thousands of cultivators already stationed at the Two Realms Mountain, launching an attack now would be unwise,” Xie Xuechen said, turning to He Xianwo. “We must still rely on the demon soldiers from Lingju Island to conduct the reconnaissance.”

Among the demon soldiers, there are many insect and beast creatures. They can not only evade the enemy’s detection but also infiltrate enemy camps, making them perfect for gathering intelligence and scouting enemy movements.

Seeing that Xie Xuechen did not act rashly, He Xian nodded slightly to himself and respectfully accepted the order.

Su Ningzhen frowned slightly but didn’t say anything more.

“Now that Yongxue City has no major issues, all sect leaders may return to their respective sects to handle affairs. The Five Elders are to proceed to Liangjie Mountain and await further orders,” Xie Xuechen commanded.

Su Ningzhen asked, “When does the sect leader plan to set out?”

Xie Xuechen said, “We will formulate our attack plan after Island Master He returns with intelligence on the demon realm.”

Xie Xuechen spent three days and nights, barely resting, using his spiritual power to sustain Mu Xuanling’s life. To others, he appeared composed, but he knew he was nearing his limit, his mind even beginning to waver.

He needed to rest and meditate, but he was still worried about Mu Xuanling’s condition. After leaving the Righteousness Hall, he headed toward Mu Xuanling’s residence.

However, before he could step into the courtyard, he heard the sound of the evening bell. Through the sparse cedar trees, he caught sight of two figures standing in the garden.

“I haven’t basked in the sun like this for seven years. It’s so warm, not uncomfortable at all.” Mu Xuanling’s voice was very weak, yet there was a faint hint of joy.

The man standing beside her was dressed in a green robe, as verdant and upright as a pine tree. Tall and slender, he gently draped a white fur coat over her shoulders, his long, nimble fingers deftly tying the two ribbons. In a warm voice, he said, “You’ve just woken up and are still very weak. You should rest a little longer.”

“Master Nan, I just heard that you’re returning to Yunxiu Villa,” Mu Xuanling looked up at him.

The handsome young man nodded slightly and said with a smile, “Would you like to come with me?”

“The Immortal Alliance won’t let me leave. They intend to imprison me here for three hundred years,” said Mu Xuanling.

“As long as you’re willing, I have a way.” Nan Xuyue’s voice was gentle yet resolute, exuding trustworthiness. “Xuanling, back then I didn’t have the capability to take you with me. Have you ever resented me for that?”

Mu Xuanling gently shook her head, “I was just so grateful that you spoke to me so kindly back then. I’m only a half-demon; wherever I go, I’m just a demon slave. What difference does it make?”

Nan Xuyue’s deep eyes couldn’t hide his sorrow. Suddenly, he reached out and pulled her into an embrace. Taken by surprise, Mu Xuanling stumbled into a warm and steadfast embrace. When she finally reacted and tried to struggle free, she found she had no strength.

“It’s different,” Nan Xuyue’s movements were restrained yet firm, afraid of hurting her and thus unable to hold too tightly, yet also afraid she would escape and thus unwilling to let go, “At Yunxiu Villa, you won’t be a demon slave. You can be the master of Yunxiu Villa.”

Mu Xuanling’s struggles abruptly stilled, as she doubted whether she had heard correctly.

What did Nan Xuyue mean by that?

She had never imagined that Nan Xuyue harbored special feelings for her. Although he always treated her with gentleness and kindness, he did the same for others. He would rush a hundred miles overnight at Xiu Xiu’s request to save someone, and he would lay formations without hesitation for Xie Xuechen. He was, after all, a courteous and refined gentleman who made people feel as if basking in spring sunshine. Therefore, in Mu Xuanling’s eyes, his meticulous care was merely the courtesy shown to a friend.

“I don’t understand…” Her hands pressed against his chest, her eyes showing confusion and bewilderment.

“I don’t need your answer now. When you’re feeling better, I’ll come to see you again,” Nan Xuyue gently stroked her fine, soft hair and loosened his arms around her.

“Xie Brother, you saw everything just now,” Nan Xuyue walked out of the courtyard and saw Xie Xuechen nearby.

Mu Xuanling had lost her demonic powers and her acute perception, but he had already sensed Xie Xuechen’s approach.

Xie Xuechen looked almost scrutinizingly at Nan Xuyue. The latter’s handsome face bore its usual warm, spring-sunshine-like smile, but his pitch-black eyes held no mirth.

“You knew her already,” Xie Xuechen stated.

Nan Xuyue didn’t hide it, because this was exactly what he intended to tell Xie Xuechen, “Yes, I met her over a decade ago, but we lost contact later. I didn’t know she had become a disciple of Sang Qi.”

Xie Xuechen recalled how Nan Xuyue had once visited Mu Xuanling in the underground prison, how he carefully bandaged her wounds, and how she had murmured “Big Brother” in her sleep…

Could it be that the person she called out to in her dream was Nan Xuyue?

Nan Xuyue slowly approached Xie Xuechen, smiling, “Xie Brother, you carry the world in your heart, renouncing emotions and love. In your heart, she weighs little. When she, with her demonic aura spreading, fell into the snow, you didn’t even look back as you left, because you believed that as a demon, her nature was evil, and you didn’t trust her. When she betrayed the demonic clan and exposed her identity, yet was ordered by the Immortal Alliance to dissipate her powers, you prioritized righteousness and failed to protect her. You only wanted to spare her life, but she was imprisoned in Yongxue City for three hundred years. Even if she survives, what difference is there between that and being dead?”

Nan Xuyue had always been gentle and courteous. Xie Xuechen had never seen him lose his composure like this, speaking such sharp words. Each sentence pierced the heart, hitting the mark precisely.

But to Xie Xuechen, was Mu Xuanling really just a trivial matter?

He knew in his heart that she had already become much more important to him than he had imagined.

But Xie Xuechen did not correct Nan Xuyue’s words because he knew that no matter how much he valued Mu Xuanling, in the end, the decision would still be to sever her from his heart.

“You are the Sect Leader of the Immortal Alliance, the Venerable One of the Dharma Aspect Sect, destined for eternity, while I am but an ordinary man, at most living a hundred years,” Nan Xuyue said. “I will spend the rest of my life protecting her.”

“And you can’t do that.”

In the Zhushen Palace.

Sang Qi sat on the Demon Sovereign’s throne, his eyes suddenly fluttering open, revealing a glimmer of surprise in his silver-gray pupils.

“Ah… It was successful…”

The Lust Demon knelt respectfully below, smiling as he asked, “High Priest, any good news?”

Sang Qi’s smile was cold and cruel, like a wolf that had captured its prey but was not in a hurry to devour it, instead toying with it slowly, deriving pleasure and satisfaction from tormenting it.

“It’s time to bring back the Holy Maiden,” Sang Qi said.

The Lust Demon was startled, cautiously asking, “But didn’t the Obsession Demon say that the Holy Maiden betrayed the demonic clan and sided with the humans? The Obsession Demon also said that the Holy Maiden had my demonic energy, and my clone projection was probably refined into a demonic pill and eaten by her.”

“So what?” Sang Qi waved his hand indifferently, “She was just momentarily confused. I am her master, and she will eventually return.”

“High Priest, you are so magnanimous,” the Lust Demon flattered insincerely.

The Lust Demon had heard that the Battle Demon was reduced to ashes by Xie Xuechen, and the Obsession Demon was imprisoned for life, which made him secretly glad he had been injured and unable to fight earlier. He had thought the High Priest would be furious after his plans were thwarted, but the High Priest remained calm and composed, as if everything was under his control. The Lust Demon knew he was not intelligent enough to guess the High Priest’s thoughts, but he understood one thing: all these Demon Gods were merely pawns to the High Priest. Losing two of them was trivial to him.

Every day, new demonic soldiers emerged from the Void Sea. When the Battle Demon perished, the Void Sea gained a more condensed demonic aura. In another eighty or a hundred years, perhaps even sooner, a new Battle Demon would emerge.

This was the immortality of the demonic clan.