The Wicked Disciple Has Fallen Into Demonic Possession, And The Master Can No Longer Withstand It! - Chapter 15

“The Bodhi tree has withered and died,” Lu Wu spoke slowly. His voice was as bleak as the evening wind and devoid of emotion.

Yan Jue looked at the Bodhi tree again and saw that its trunk had indeed turned dry and black. He was about to ask why when a realization struck him, and a flash of guilt crossed his eyes. “Was it because of the three-year drought?” He then added, “Do you recognize this Bodhi tree?”

He thought he heard a faint sigh from Lu Wu, but he could not be certain.

“This is the temple of Wei She. Because of the hardships of the world, mankind stopped offering sacrifices to him long ago. This Bodhi tree was planted by him and me together back then.”

As Lu Wu spoke, Yan Jue recalled some fragments of information, though he had never seen Wei She in the heavens. Lu Wu seemed to sense his confusion and added, “His cultivation was insufficient, so he never ascended.”

Yan Jue heard a trace of loss in his voice and understood. “A person from the past? Is Brother Lu feeling nostalgic?”

Lu Wu shook his head. His expression became difficult to describe. It was not sadness or joy; it was beyond emotion. “The Bodhi is withered, but the roots remain. It has transformed into a spirit.”

Yan Jue was confused by the cryptic words. After a long moment, Lu Wu looked up, and the golden light in his eyes reappeared. “Lend me your Karma Fire for a moment!”

As soon as he spoke, the talisman at Yan Jue’s waist flew into Lu Wu’s hand. In that instant, Yan Jue saw a cold, murderous intent in Lu Wu’s eyes. The talisman left his hand and struck the withered Bodhi tree. Suddenly, flames erupted everywhere, and Yan Jue instinctively took several steps back.

The dry branches acted as perfect fuel. The fire spread across the entire trunk until it looked like a ball of fire suspended in the air, illuminating the entire courtyard. The intense heat scorched the two of them. Yan Jue asked in confusion, “Lu Wu, what are you doing?”

Lu Wu’s face was reflected crimson by the flames, yet his eyes remained exceptionally calm. “It was the thing that attacked us earlier. The Bodhi tree absorbed resentment, transformed into a spirit, and was born as a demon. This is a sin I helped create, so it is only right that I destroy it with my own hands. Without the parasitic body of the Bodhi tree, the tree spirit can no longer do as it pleases.”

“So that is how it is,” Yan Jue said. “But you?”

He turned to look at the temple. Under the glow of the fire, the large clay statue of Wei She in the center of the hall began to crumble and melt, eventually turning into a pile of sand and soil. Lu Wu showed no emotion. Yan Jue wanted to ask for the reason, but he suddenly remembered that Lu Wu was currently in his divine form. How could a god have human emotions? Even if he did, they would be very faint. If everyone were like Yan Jue, harboring personal feelings and protecting a Demon Lord disciple, there would be no immortals left in the heavens.

“Then do you know why it attacked me?” Yan Jue asked.

Lu Wu thought for a few seconds and shook his head. “I do not know. Logically, it had no reason to do so. Perhaps there is another motive we are unaware of.”

“Something unaware,” Yan Jue frowned. “It is a demon. Could it be related to that person?”

If Qi Yelan only wanted to take me back, why would he try to kill A-Ye? Is he so impatient to kill me already? The thought sent a chill down Yan Jue’s spine.

Lu Wu was puzzled. “What was that?”

Yan Jue shook his head and pretended nothing was wrong. “It is nothing.”

Lu Wu narrowed his eyes and leaned in slightly. “You are truly terrible at lying. Is there anything between us that cannot be said?”

Yan Jue thought for a moment but decided it was better to avoid more trouble. Besides, he might not ever see Qi Yelan again. Seeing that he remained silent, Lu Wu felt it was no longer interesting and waved his sleeve. “You have always been like this. How boring, how boring.”

Yan Jue lowered his gaze. He wondered if the Yan Jue of the past was truly like this. It seemed likely; otherwise, he would not have offended the Heavenly Gods and provoked his disciple into hating him. Must he continue this way? He wanted to clear up the misunderstandings, but that would not be easy unless Qi Yelan was willing to listen and did not kill him before he could explain.

The thought gave Yan Jue another headache, so he stopped thinking about it. He went to the backyard and found a straw mat. He collected some straw to soften the mat and laid it down. He used his bundle as a pillow. “A-Ye, come and sleep here.”

In the past, A-Ye had always taken care of him. Now that A-Ye was injured for his sake, Yan Jue wanted to be more diligent. A-Ye initially refused, but he could not resist Yan Jue’s enthusiasm. Yan Jue supported him and helped him lie down in the small nest he had built.

After settling him in, Yan Jue turned to leave, but a hand caught him from behind. Yan Jue thought the boy was uncomfortable and asked with concern, “What is wrong, A-Ye?”

The youth blinked his dark eyes. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Do not leave. Stay together.”

Yan Jue froze. In his memory, this was the first time A-Ye had ever proactively asked to do something together. However, he looked at the mat with hesitation. It could barely fit one adult. “The mat is too small. I will sit on the prayer mat to sleep.”

As soon as he said that, A-Ye’s lean body shifted to the side to make room for him. Seeing this, Yan Jue had no reason to refuse. He felt a bit awkward about such close contact. Usually, even when they shared a mat, they kept a distance and did not disturb each other. Tonight, when his back inevitably pressed against the warm body behind him, he instinctively tried to shrink away. However, a spark of excitement in his heart told him that he did not actually dislike this. In fact, he wanted to be closer.

Lu Wu watched them but was no longer surprised. He offered a blessing and leaped onto the eaves of the roof. As the night deepened and the world fell silent, Yan Jue could tell from the boy’s breathing that his companion was still awake.

“A-Ye, do not do that again next time,” Yan Jue said.

A soft hum of acknowledgment came from behind him. It was so quiet that Yan Jue almost missed it. Uncertain, he spoke again, “A-Ye, can you hear me?”

“I hear you,” the boy replied.

Yan Jue lowered his voice. “I am serious. We met by chance. You do not need to do this much for me. If you encounter danger next time, you should escape first.”

He did not know if the boy understood his meaning, but he heard the youth repeat his words. “We met by chance?”

Yan Jue’s heart skipped a beat. Being questioned like that made him feel an unearned sense of guilt. “I did not mean it like that. I just do not want you to get hurt for my sake.”

This was the first time Yan Jue found words of concern so difficult to say. After speaking, he felt a bit embarrassed and covered his face with his hands. To his further awkwardness, a long silence followed. Just as he thought the other person might have fallen asleep, the youth’s voice rang out abruptly in the dark. “I am willing to do these things for you.”

The words made Yan Jue’s heart throb with emotion and anxiety. Given his current situation, those words were no different from saying he was willing to die for him. “What I mean is?”

Before Yan Jue could finish, he felt a sudden movement behind him. A hand grabbed his shoulder and flipped him over. Before he could open his eyes, a strange yet familiar scent enveloped him.

A soft touch on his lips made every hair on his body stand up as he realized what was happening. Wait, wait!