The Possessive Beauty Desires Me in Vain - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Escape

Over ten days had passed since Fu Gufeng’s escape. During this time, in addition to handling sect affairs, Chen Hexuan had to visit Pu Xuefeng and the various elders.

Fortunately, Qi Yu had not reappeared during these ten days. The Tai’e Sword remained steadily in its scabbard, making it seem as if the Qi Yu from that night was just another of Chen Hexuan’s dreams.

Early morning. Clouds and mist swirled, and the air was thick with moisture.

A young boy was sweeping snow in the courtyard when he saw a tall, upright figure approaching from afar. He hurriedly shouldered his broom and ran to greet him: “Eldest Senior Brother, you’re here!”

The newcomer was indeed the Eldest Senior Brother of the Xingzhou Sect, Chen Hexuan—the man his generation called the “Heaven-sent Purple Star.”

Setting aside the fact that Chen Hexuan had entered the Nascent Soul stage at only fifteen and reached the Void Refinement stage at such a young age, his personality alone earned him deep respect. He was approachable and kind, patiently answering questions without a hint of the arrogance common among inner-sect disciples.

Chen Hexuan smiled and said, “I found a technique in the library yesterday that suits you quite well. Take it and give it a try.”

The boy happily tossed aside his broom, took the manual, and beamed. “Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother!”

Chen Hexuan patted his shoulder. “How is Master today?”

“Master’s complexion looks much better than yesterday,” the boy replied as they walked toward the pavilion.

“Good. I’ll take over here. You go practice; if you have questions, come find me,” Chen Hexuan said, ruffling the boy’s hair.

“Then I’m off! Thanks, Eldest Senior Brother!” The boy scampered away, clutching the book to his chest.

Chen Hexuan let out a small laugh. He walked to the room and pushed open the door to find Pu Xuefeng focused on writing at his desk.

“Master,” Chen Hexuan said, closing the door behind him to block out the wind and snow. “Are you feeling better today?”

Pu Xuefeng’s hand holding the brush jerked. Seeing it was Chen Hexuan, he hurriedly pulled a blank bamboo slip to cover the one he had been writing on. “Much better. Why are you here so early?”

“I just finished sealing the Nine Pools of Fortune with the Array Elder, so I stopped by to see you,” Chen Hexuan said, walking toward the desk. “Master, what are you writing?”

Pu Xuefeng set the brush down and pushed the hidden slip further away. “Nothing much. Just practicing my calligraphy.”

The two sat down near the hot coals to chat.

“By the way, my injuries are no longer a concern, and the other elders have mostly recovered,” Pu Xuefeng said, looking at Chen Hexuan. “I’ve troubled you during this period.”

Chen Hexuan smiled. “Master, there is no need for such politeness. This was my duty.”

Pu Xuefeng continued, “Your mother sent a letter. She asked after my health and inquired about you.”

Chen Hexuan’s hand paused as he rinsed the tea set, but his expression remained calm. “Master… what did my father ask?”

Pu Xuefeng watched his face, noting the resolute look in his eyes. He sighed inwardly, realizing this child was no longer the green youth he once was. “He asked if you were busy and when you would return to the Chen family.”

Chen Hexuan gave a short, dry laugh while cleaning the tea cups. “Master, did he also ask about my current cultivation level?”

Pu Xuefeng hesitated before saying, “Hexuan, your father… forget it. After you return from Zhiling Island, you should visit Donglin City.”

At the mention of Zhiling Island, Chen Hexuan’s hand froze. A sudden panic gripped his heart, though he didn’t know why.

Seeing no response, Pu Xuefeng continued: “Your father also asked about the Tai’e Sword. Hexuan… as the supreme treasure of the Chen family, it would be difficult for you to explain to your family if they knew a demon was attached to it.”

Chen Hexuan nodded. A subconscious thought surfaced: Qi Yu is not a demon. But then he remembered how Qi Yu had humiliated him and wounded his Master and the elders. Perhaps “demon” wasn’t wrong.

“It’s not just about the sword,” Pu Xuefeng added. “If others find out Qi Yu isn’t dead and is inside your blade, you will become a target for everyone. Moreover, Qi Yu has harmed many; he is a demon, not a man. Slaying demons is our responsibility as cultivators.”

“This is a grave matter. You must eliminate Qi Yu.”

Chen Hexuan set the tea set down and felt forced to respond: “Yes. This disciple obeys.”

Pu Xuefeng stroked his beard. “Leave tomorrow. As long as the demon remains, the immortal world will have no peace. This is urgent.”

“Yes,” Chen Hexuan bowed with his hands clasped.

“Zhiling Island is full of dangers; only a dozen people have ever walked out alive,” Pu Xuefeng said. “Unfortunately, the Great Elders are wounded and cannot accompany you. Should I send Ren Xiao with you?”

“No, I can go alone,” Chen Hexuan replied. “Ren Xiao is the Chief Sword Elder; he cannot leave the gates. If anything happened to the sect, I could never atone for it.”

“I can’t argue with you. Go tomorrow, then. Take these artifacts and talismans; you’ll need them.” Pu Xuefeng handed him a storage ring.

Chen Hexuan took it, his heart heavy with complex emotions. “Thank you, Master.”

…

As the sun set, Chen Hexuan returned to his room after handing over his duties. He stopped before the Tai’e Sword.

The thought of going to Zhiling Island tomorrow cast a shadow over his heart. It wasn’t the danger he feared, but something else entirely. He recalled that night when Qi Yu said, “Senior Brother, it hurts so much.” He thought that if they really went to the island, Qi Yu—who was so afraid of pain—would suffer terribly.

Flashes of different scenes crossed his mind, all featuring Qi Yu: Qi Yu laughing, crying, being in pain. If he truly destroyed the sword spirit, Qi Yu would be gone forever.

The thought made his mind more chaotic and his heart heavier. Fear and hatred intertwined until his vision went black, and he fell into a vast, cold darkness—a darkness without Qi Yu.

When he “woke up” again, his eyes immediately locked onto the Tai’e Sword. With a smirk, he walked toward it. His red eyes were reflected in the smooth scabbard.

Remembering his “baby” disliked being restrained, he pulled the sword out and casually used a spell to incinerate the scabbard.

He stared infatuatedly at the blood streaks on the blade for a while before remembering his purpose. He held the sword and called out: “Baby, baby, come out quickly. I have something very important to tell you.”

After waiting with no response, he called again, becoming frantic. Seeing the blood on the steel, a bold idea struck him. He held the blade to his thumb. Just as the sharp tip was about to pierce his skin, a transparent figure appeared.

“What are you doing?” Qi Yu hurriedly grabbed Chen Hexuan’s hand. Upon touching his skin, Qi Yu’s body solidified from a phantom into reality.

“Baby!” Chen Hexuan reached out excitedly to hug him.

Meeting Chen Hexuan’s red eyes, Qi Yu said helplessly, “Put the sword down first. Be careful not to cut yourself.”

Now that he had the person, the sword he had just been treasuring was tossed aside like trash. Chen Hexuan pulled Qi Yu into a hug, his voice full of joy: “Baby, I missed you so much.”

Qi Yu felt a wave of bitterness. Ever since the Truth-Gazing Envoy had exposed the reality of the situation, he hadn’t wanted to face his Senior Brother—neither this Heart Demon nor the other one. Facing them only made him realize how pathetic he was.

If he hadn’t feared his Senior Brother would cut himself, he never would have come out today.

“Didn’t you have something important to tell me?” Qi Yu asked tonelessly, wanting only to return to the sword.

Chen Hexuan remembered and said anxiously, “Baby, you have to run. He is going to Zhiling Island to destroy you.” He gripped Qi Yu’s waist, looking him in the face.

“Senior Brother, I’m not leaving,” Qi Yu said, resting his hands on the man’s shoulders.

“Why won’t you go? You must leave!” Chen Hexuan frowned, yet he couldn’t bring himself to squeeze Qi Yu’s waist too hard, fearing he might bruise him. He knew how easily this person’s skin marked.

Qi Yu said nothing, keeping his eyes downcast.

Chen Hexuan tilted his chin up, saying angrily, “Baby, don’t stay here, or he will destroy you.”

Qi Yu’s mind was a mess. Let him destroy me then, he thought. Could it be any more painful than this? He didn’t want to see his Senior Brother anymore, yet why did he keep appearing? He had no heart left; why did it still hurt?

The words “It’s not that he can’t love you, it’s that he doesn’t want to love you” echoed in his ears, filling his chest with a suffocating ache.

Seeing Qi Yu’s silence, Chen Hexuan leaned down to look closer, only to see eyes swimming in tears.

Chen Hexuan panicked. “Baby, don’t cry! What happened? Did he bully you again? Tell me, I’ll get revenge for you.”

Qi Yu looked up and forced a small smile. “Do you love me?”

“I love you! How could I not love you, baby?” Chen Hexuan said hurriedly, terrified of a misunderstanding.

Qi Yu didn’t smile. He asked again, “What do you love about me?”

To the Heart Demon, this was an easy question. He immediately blurted out, “I love how cute your tiger teeth are when you smile. I love how you look when you daze off at me. I love how passionate you are when you take the initiative…”

“I love how serious you are. Once when I was hurt, the way you were so anxious to heal me was so cute…”

He rambled through a long list before concluding: “You are so good, baby. Of course I like you.”

Qi Yu stared blankly. “Then why… why doesn’t he want to love me?”

The more he pondered this, the more his chest throbbed. He didn’t understand why his Senior Brother chose not to love him, when he was clearly so “lovable” to this version of him.