Ch50 - You'll Listen to Everything I Say?

Editor: Sahloknir

When the River Styx was reopened, tens of millions of living souls surged up from the bottom of the river. The ghost cultivators observed the surface of the water and saw that the rift in the sky had finally returned to its usual state.

”Before returning to Peng Lai, we should go to devil territory once more to look for Xiao Yun-shidi…” Jiang Yinghe stroked Wangchen as he pondered how to find him, not noticing a familiar scent getting closer and closer.

Until a warm breath hit his neck.

When Jiang Yinghe looked up suddenly, he saw Li Huanhan’s bloodshot red eyes. His demeanor seemed as calm as ever.

“I’m sorry.” Li Huanhan looked down and helped adjust his collar, smoothing out some of the folds with his fingertips. He whispered, “I shouldn’t have lost control yesterday… Are you still angry?”

Jiang Yinghe gave him a look and brushed his hands aside. He said indifferently, “It would be best if you kept your distance from me.”

Although Li Huanhan was very gentle when he was sane, he was completely out of control when not. Jiang Yinghe felt that if Qin Jun hadn’t shown up in time that day, he would have absolutely dared to take things to their logical conclusion.

Li Huanhan stared at his figure and remained silent for a moment, until he heard Qin Jun’s arrogant and slightly mocking laughter from his side.

“Li-shixiong,” The wraith proposed with great delight, “Why don’t you just have your cultivation sealed and allow Shizun to relieve his anger?”

“You’re so talkative today.” Li Huanhan said.

Even though they were already preparing to depart for devil territory, the air between these two was still stifling and tense, like an explosion waiting to happen.

Just as a match seemed to be lit, the transmission tablet by Jiang Yinghe’s side suddenly lit up. From it came Zhou Zhengping’s voice.

“Jiang-shidi.”

Jiang Yinghe withdrew Wangchen and responded, “I’m listening. Please speak, Shixiong.”

Zhou Zhengping’s voice was a bit tired, but it seemed to be mental fatigue rather than physical exertion.

“Your disciple…the Devil King Tianhou helped us find Xiao Yun-shidi.”

Jiang Yinghe was slightly taken aback. He thought this should be good news so he said, “Did something happen? Zhangmen-shixiong, your voice doesn’t sound…too good.”

Zhou Zhengping was silent for a moment. “We’ll discuss this matter together when you return.”

The transmission cut off.

Jiang Yinghe stared at the tablet in a bit of a daze. His fingertips slid over it. He took a deep breath and cleared his mind before saying, “We don’t need to visit the devils anymore. We will head back to Peng Lai.”

—-

Although only a pittance of time had passed since he had left, it felt like he hadn’t returned for a lifetime.

The disciples of the Peng Lai Sect seemed to have grown up. Many of them had experienced the previous stormy war between the various clans and had rescued many of the people who had come to seek refuge. There was now an air of maturity about them.

This serenity became a characteristic of righteous disciples as they gained experience, and it was also the atmosphere that Jiang Yinghe had become accustomed to.

The Peng Lai disciples hadn’t been informed of Li Huanhan and Qin Jun’s identities yet, and the Yao Wang Valley cultivators who returned from the Sword Saint’s old residence were tight-lipped.

In the eyes of the Peng Lai Immortal Sect, they were still the disciples of Xuan Wei Xianjun, Shixiongs that many of them measured themselves against.

This also included Chang Ye.

Jiang Yinghe didn’t show his face in front of the disciples. Instead, he rushed directly to the meeting place. The soul lamp suddenly brightened with his return, and even the depressed spiritual cranes of Qin Jing Peak rose from their slumber, wandering around and eagerly awaiting their master.

When Jiang Yinghe entered the room, he realized that there were not only people from Peng Lai, but also several Yao Wang Valley cultivators in turquoise clothes, as well as a large devil.

Zhou Zhengping was seated in the foremost seat, Yan Caiwei and Xiao Yun-shidi to his left and right. There was a white tiger lying at his shidi’s feet.

Jiang Yinghe was wearing cultivator robes and his appearance was as good as ever. Those assembled were unable to see any difference from his usual self. When the Yao Wang Valley cultivators saw him, they stood up in unison and bowed, as if they still felt guilty about what happened in the past.

Chou Yonghe was among them, but he wasn’t in the lead this time. Yao Wang Valley’s Xuan Hu Zhenren, Sect Master Zhang personally came to visit.

“Jiang-shidi.” Yan Caiwei said, “Did anything happen during your time in the Nether Realm?”

Jiang Yinghe sat beside Yun Buxiu and observed his appearance from the side before he said, “Everything went well. May I ask the reason for why Yao Wang Valley is visiting at this time?”

After a moment of silence, Chou Yonghe stepped forward and cupped his fists in a salute, “Jiang Xianjun. We are deeply ashamed.”

Although Jiang Yinghe always suffered at the expense of his three disciples, in the eyes of the cultivation world he was still the thousand-year old sword cultivator who remained as untouchable and cold as a frozen blade. He could be called a senior in both experience and realm.

What’s more, the group from Yao Wang Valley practically owed him their lives. Their attitudes have always been very polite and deferential.

“In fact, your faction’s Yun Zhenzhen has been temporarily residing in Yao Cao Valley until a few days ago.”

Jiang Yinghe slightly raised his eyebrows, “Peng Lai has been searching for him for a long time. Why was Yao Wang Valley unwilling to disclose this?”

“…I’m the one who didn’t let them say anything.”

Jiang Yinghe turned at that towards Yun Buxiu who was lowering his head to stroke the white tiger’s head, then at Zhou Zhengping who had been pinching the bridge of his nose and reciting a mantra under his breath. He felt like there was more to this than first met the eye.

Just as he wanted to ask further, Yan Caiwei coughed lightly and imploringly said, “Yesterday, when Tianhou…Chang Ye brought him back, he already told us. Xiao Yun-shidi accidentally ingested the Yin-Yang Fruit. He had left devil territory a long time ago to go to Yao Wang Valley for treatment in secret.”

The Yin-Yang Fruit… Jiang Yinghe’s mind went blank for a moment. His original words of inquiry were all swallowed back. He glanced at the white  tiger by Yun Buxiu’s side and asked, “…What is going on here? Why is this devil in its original form?”

He actually had a few speculations in his mind, but he wasn’t sure. Just before Yun Buxiu replied, Xuan Hu Zhenren saw that their faces didn’t look good and immediately excused himself, leaving behind some prescriptions and pills he had used over the past few days.

The door opened and closed.

Yun Buxiu looked down at the ground for a moment and said, “Wu Chengyu divided his devil core in two and used half to refine into an accessory for me. That’s why he’s in this state.”

Jiang Yinghe knocked on the table in front of him and said, “If I remember correctly, that kind of spiritual fruit was originally given to top devil cultivators to harmonise their yin and yang energy when they transformed.”

The palace was silent again.

“…Yes.”

Jiang Yinghe rubbed his temples and managed to temporarily smooth out his confused thoughts. He picked up the prescriptions left behind by Xuan Hu Zhenren for a moment before saying, “Other than that, did you suffer any other grievances?”

Yun Buxiu shook his head. He was afraid to speak.

He’s fine now.” Yan Caiwei said, “Because of the accessory from the white tiger, his injuries were temporarily stabilized.”

Jiang Yinghe noted that Yan Caiwei used the word ‘temporarily’ and subconsciously followed up, “What about later? How is he supposed to recuperate from this?”

Only after he spoke did he realize how it sounded. “Don’t force yourself if it’s inconvenient to say. I’ll just go check the library myself.”

The white tiger lying beside Yun Buxiu rumbled and licked the back of his hand.

Yun Buxiu soothingly rubbed it on the head and whispered, “I originally wanted to settle this matter before returning to Peng Lai, so I stayed at Yao Wang Valley for a while… I wanted to tactfully inform Shixiong of the matter between Wu Chengyu and I, but all I’ve done is made you worry.”

Jiang Yinghe’s mood was extremely complicated. Even the way he gazed at Xiao Yun-shidi became a fraction softer. “There are good and bad individuals, even among the devil race. There is no need to feel guilty. Knowing that you’re fine is enough for me.

Yun Buxiu nodded, moved. He asked, “Then what of Shixiong’s three disciples—”

“Cough cough cough…”

His question was interrupted by coughing fit. Yun Buxiu looked towards Zhangmen-shixiong in confusion and saw Zhou Zhengping shake his whisk and say gravely, “Go back and rest first. We will figure out a way to deal with this. I still have something to discuss with your Jiang-shixiong.”

Although Yun Buxiu was curious, he had become much more steadfast after accidentally eating that damned fruit. He didn’t ask any more questions.

Jiang Yinghe watched as Xiao Yun-shidi and the white tiger left before gently shaking the prescriptions in his hand. “All of these are meant to dispel yin and replenish yang. Wouldn’t there be a deficiency if they were all taken?”

Yan Caiwei shook her head, “No need to worry. The quality of the fruit he took by mistake was very good, so he has to recuperate slowly.”

“…Alright then.” Jiang Yinghe reluctantly accepted and asked, “…What’s that white tiger’s relationship with him?”

Yan Caiwei and Zhou Zhengping looked at each other. Zhou-shixiong didn’t look too good. He sighed and said, “They are…cultivation partners.”

Jiang Yinghe was startled.

Although he had a suspicion, he still felt like a perfectly good cabbage of his had been trampled by a pig. Just as he was picking out the various faults of that devil as the cabbage farmer, he heard Zhangmen-shixiong’s question.

“Li Huanhan and Qin Jun both came back?”

Jiang Yinghe returned to his senses. “En.”

“Jiang-shidi,” Zhou Zhengping paused, “Then you…”

“I have no passion root. As their teacher, this responsibility is mine alone.” Jiang Yinghe said, “It’s already not easy for the three of them to settle down. And I’ve always felt that…even if I could feel something, I wouldn’t be able to choose.”

“Indeed.” Yan Caiwei agreed, “Looking back over recent events, it seems that the effects of any upset would be felt by all.”

While Jiang Yinghe silently nodded, he heard Yan-shijie continue.

“But in my opinion, I still want for you to follow your own heart and not have to be wronged for the sake of the world.”

“Wronged is not the word I would use.” Jiang Yinghe gazed at the teacup in his hand and sighed lightly as he recalled something, “My guilty conscience bars me from making a choice. Rather than for the greater good, it’s more like I don’t want to hurt any of them.”

“You’re often like this. We should’ve expected it.” Yan Caiwei ran a hand through her hair and said solemnly, “If you were to sacrifice your freedom for a momentary stability, not only us, but even the future generations of Peng Lai would not be willing to accept this peace. Whether you have no feelings for any of them or just one, we will stand behind you.”

Jiang Yinghe was not surprised by his shijie’s attitude. Their long acquaintance led to mutual understanding. He nodded, “I understand.”

Then Zhou Zhengping spoke again, “I heard Qin Jun’s words from before. He seemed set on retrieving your passion root.”

Jiang Yinghe pondered silently for a moment. “Truth be told, I also considered it. However, any matter related to Hundun needs to be carefully thought through.”

“I was talking to him when I said to carefully consider things, not you.” Zhou Zhengping frowned, “If the three of them can join forces to completely eradicate Hundun, it would be a great blessing for all realms.”

Jiang Yinghe understood what he meant. He thought about their current relationship with each other. “There is hope for Huanhan and Jun-er, but as for Chang Ye…I don’t know if he would be willing.”

Zhou Zhengping nodded and didn’t ask any more questions. “Abbot Chan Qing of Lan Ruo Temple asked me to relay a message to you. If you decide to retrieve your passion root back, you must go and meet him beforehand.”

Although Jiang Yinghe didn’t know what he had to say, he somehow had a feeling that it was something important, so he agreed.

—-

White Crane Jade Manor, Qing Jing Peak.

When Jiang Yinghe arrived at the front gate, several spiritual cranes couldn’t conceal their happiness and acted cute in front of him for a while until those shapely and beautiful hands petted them enough. Only then did they gently peck him to tell him to go in quickly.

Although Li Huanhan and Qin Jun were traveling with him, after entering Peng Lai, Jiang Yinghe let them return to their old residences as he went to the meeting place alone. He hadn’t returned to the White Crane Jade Manor until now.

Beyond the door, everything inside was the same as before, untouched by dust. Jiang Yinghe walked to the mantle and placed Wangchen back in its spot. His hand brushed over the hilt as he remembered how he had removed the sword pendant and returned it to Li Huanhan.

He walked past the mantle and took out a book from the top of the shelf. He glanced at the familiar handwriting on it, as well as the small note he had placed as a bookmark inside. Taking it out, he saw a phrase written neatly on it.

“I wish that I was a star and you were the moon.”

It was Chang Ye’s handwriting. He had loved coming to his place since he was a child, picking out books he had read and pestering Jiang Yinghe until he listened to his recounts of them.

He once thought of this person as a pure and innocent child, with a heart that was clear enough to see through with a single glance. He believed him to be inexperienced, naive, and very reliant on his elders.

But now, in hindsight, this archdevil who lived through the dark ages had experienced countless baptisms of war. His absolutely harmless appearance was just the most flawless mask in his collection.

The naive one was him.

Jiang Yinghe caressed the inscription. He thought about Li Huanhan’s calm and restrained demeanour. His handwriting resembled him, ordinary on the surface with sharp blades hidden within its depths. Chang Ye’s handwriting was proper, prim and beautiful from all angles. It inspired a sense of calm in all who saw it, betraying nothing about the person himself. And Qin Jun…

Jun-er’s handwriting was more akin to ghostly runes… Forget it, it was best to let him be.

Two hundred years weren’t enough to improve his scrawl. He could probably win last place in his kindergarten class by a landslide.

Jiang Yinghe put the book back and was about to look at something else when he felt a pair of hands encircle his waist from behind.

“Shizun…”

He couldn’t hear the footsteps of those three anymore. Only by the voice was he able to tell that it was Chang Ye. Chang Ye had accompanied Xiao Yun-shidi back. There was almost no chance he would leave, easily knowing Jiang Yinghe returned as well.

Jiang Yinghe had a premonition, but he didn’t turn around. He continued to pull out another book and said, “What are you doing here?”

A little tremor passed through the breathing behind him.

“Shizun, I’ve brought Xiao Yun-shishu back.” He buried himself against Jiang Yinghe’s shoulder, and basked in that familiar cold fragrance, “Don’t abandon Ye-er. Ye-er really does like Shizun. I was wrong before. I’ll change everything Shizun doesn’t like about me, okay?”

Jiang Yinghe calmly flipped through the book in his hand. “Why did you kill the people from He Huan Sect?”

“The two of them insulted Shizun.” Chang Ye slowly tightened his grip around his waist, “I couldn’t let them speak like that anymore…”

Jiang Yinghe’s continued perusing the book. “Then when you gave me the rabbit devil disguise, when you turned into a white cat to gain sympathy, and when you opened your mouth to deceive me, did you ever feel righteous indignation for me or consider my feelings at all?”

After a moment of silence, Jiang Yinghe heard a choking sound that Chang Ye couldn’t hold back.

He was really a child on this point; very good at shedding tears on demand.

Jiang Yinghe sighed and took out the note tucked into this book. He recognized his own handwriting and casually turned it over to see words Chang Ye had written as well. His joy, dreams and youthful innocence at the time could easily be seen.

Jiang Yinghe looked at it for a moment before he heard a quiet voice from behind.

“I’ll change it all, Shizun… I’ll definitely change. Please don’t abandon me, Ye-er was wrong… I’ll listen to everything Shizun says from now on.”

Perhaps the voice of the youth admitting his mistake was too sincere, or perhaps Jiang Yinghe had spoiled him for so many years and wasn’t quite used to the sound of his crying.

Jiang Yinghe turned around to look at the red-clothed teenager in front of him. He asked in an indifferent tone, “You’ll listen to everything I say?”

Chang Ye looked at him pitifully and nodded.

Then he heard Jiang Yinghe calmly say.

“En… Then turn into a cat.”

Author’s Corner

I’m going to whine like Chang Ye!

Shizun, Shizun I’m still small,

Shizun, Shizun let me off,

Shizun, Shizun I will change,

Please don’t leave me I was wrong,

I’ll listen to you from now on QAQ

Jiang “I would rather look at a cat than the person” Yinghe: Change back already.

Qin “My handwriting looks like ghostly runes” Jun: Although I don’t know what kindergarten is, isn’t winning good? (wraith-like question mark)

Sahl

Shizun: ‘Mic drop’.