Why is the Demon Venerable Like That? - Chapter 9

The moment Chun Jiangwan spoke those words, the Haotian Alliance fell into a heavy silence.

Nan Yin was previously known as the Yin Dynasty.

Over five hundred years ago, the Prince of Zhaowu, Han Shizhao, led a rebellion and captured Tiandu City. Yet, for reasons unknown, after he stepped alone into the Imperial Palace, he died abruptly within the empty halls. The successor to the throne was still of the Yin bloodline, but he believed Tiandu City held too many corpses and vengeful spirits. Ignoring the counsel of his ministers, he insisted on moving the capital south to establish a new imperial seat.

To distinguish the new era following the Zhaowu Rebellion, it was called Nan Yin, while the original Tiandu City was renamed the Old Capital.

Xiao Yunqi stammered, “But the Prince of Zhaowu is long dead. He died before he could even become Emperor. How could this have anything to do with him?”

The thing on the floor, the being that had undergone the Jian transformation, continued to stare at Xiao Yunqi with eyes that would not close in peace. Feeling an inexplicable discomfort, Xiao Yunqi turned his back and stopped looking at it.

A sect leader sitting nearby answered, “Some believe he still has followers who intend to support his ascension to the throne.”

“Nonsense! The Prince of Zhaowu has been dead for over five hundred years. His body rotted away into a pile of bones centuries ago!” Xiao Yunqi’s small mustache twitched with indignation at such absurd theories.

Chun Jiangwan countered, “The Prince of Zhaowu reportedly died in an empty hall. No one ever saw his body. How do you know he did not turn into an evil spirit? Perhaps he is searching for a suitable vessel, waiting for the right day to stage a comeback.”

Xiao Yunqi gave her a look that questioned exactly what auspicious date this year could possibly justify a five hundred year hibernation.

Someone chimed in supportively, “Daoist Xiao has a point. Such a claim is truly a bit sensational.”

“I disagree. This Jian creature is undoubtedly one of the rebels from back then,” another person argued in opposition.

“Even so, that does not prove it is linked to the Prince of Zhaowu.”

“Are you waiting for the spirit to have rebellion written on its face before you believe it?”

The Great Hall of the Immortal Alliance became as noisy as a boiling kettle. The arguments turned heated and chaotic.

One person pointed directly at another group’s nose and cursed, “I think you people just do not want to deal with this! Cowards, trying to whitewash a peaceful facade!”

“Who are you calling a coward? Our ancestors contributed to suppressing the Zhaowu Rebellion! Do you have any idea how many people our sect lost?!” The man being insulted leaped up in a fury.

A group of cultivators began glaring at each other and insulting one another’s ancestors. At this moment, they were indistinguishable from common thugs looking for a fight.

Xiao Shuchen called for silence several times, but no one listened. He rose in anger and slammed his hand heavily onto the table. “Enough! Talk is useless. Send people to the Old Capital immediately. We cannot afford to delay.”

His voice was infused with spiritual power, roaring like a lion and vibrating like a clap of thunder. The faces of those present turned pale. The sect leaders sat back in their seats, looking sheepish.

“I have no objection, but I demand that every sect present send representatives.”

“Heh, I have no objection either. I am just afraid someone might desert at the last moment.”

“Who are you talking about?!”

Seeing that they were about to start bickering again at the slightest provocation, Xiao Yunqi looked left and right. “Then, about my son’s matter?”

“Yunqi!” Xiao Shuchen snapped softly. “That is a matter for Baiyu City. We should not trouble our fellow Daoists with it.”

Chun Jiangwan maintained a polite, professional smile as she watched the farce, a sense of powerlessness growing in her heart.

If only Chief Lu were still alive.

If Lu Yuan were alive, he would only watch this group bickering with amusement. Then, he would lazily avoid the clamor and head out alone with his long blade. Back then, Chun Jiangwan’s cultivation had been meager, and she was merely an attendant for the Shuangjian Publishing House, only able to see Lu Yuan’s back from a distance.

He moved as a solitary figure, yet he was enough to shake the world.

Lu Yuan stayed dutifully in his sickbed for several days. This morning, he noticed a long tailed tit perched on his windowsill. The plump little bird was not afraid of humans. It flapped its wings and rolled inside, looking round and fluffy. It tilted its head at Lu Yuan, hopped onto the quilt, and left a few tiny claw prints. It chirped at him before flying back out the window.

It lingered outside as if waiting for Lu Yuan to follow.

Lu Yuan was as shaky as an eighty year old mortal. He struggled to straighten his stiff bones and finally planted his feet on the floor. Walking felt soft and surreal, as if he were treading on clouds.

Standing at the doorway, Lu Yuan could already feel the warmth of the morning glow. Sunlight streamed through the doorframe, casting a shadow along one side of his high nose. The little bird circled his head a few times before flying toward the coniferous forest behind the Fengchi Sect mountains.

Lu Yuan had visited the Fengchi Sect a long time ago when Lin Jiangxue had brought him for a sparring exchange. Back then, he had challenged a group of Fengchi masters single handedly. After that, Lin Jiangxue had politely declined his requests to visit again.

The System said hesitantly: [The previous main mission was to rescue Xiao Jingchun. Although Lin Jiangxue completed it for you, I have still credited you with the reward points.]

This person seemed to be constantly finding bugs in the system and succeeding every time.

[So, which attribute would you like to add your points to?]

Lu Yuan did not even look at the System’s pop up window. He said perfunctorily, “Whatever.”

The System froze in a very human like way. It had forgotten that Lu Yuan did not care about missions or points at all. It slid across the floor to stop in front of Lu Yuan’s feet. [Chief Lu, surely you do not want me to get fired! Just pick something! I have elderly and young ones to support, a gambling father, a sick mother]

Annoyed by its pestering, Lu Yuan said randomly, “Then add it to whichever score is currently the highest.”

The System checked. [Appearance: 60/100.]

It felt embarrassed. This would only turn him into a handsome weakling. It would not help him stay alive any longer. Thus, the System tried to offer some sound advice. [Host, perhaps we should add it to something more practical?]

Lu Yuan firmly pushed the System out of his line of sight. “Even if Lingchuan Du fought me with both hands tied, I still could not beat him. Right now, improving anything seems useless.”

The System reluctantly added the points to Appearance.

The wind on the mountain was strong. Lu Yuan walked slowly, his sleeves fluttering, still carrying the aura of someone recovering from a major illness. Occasionally, people glanced at him with strange looks, but he did not care. Following his memory, he eventually arrived at the martial arts arena.

Calling it an arena was a bit generous; it was actually the sect’s main square. When elders were not lecturing, it was used for martial practice and sparring. Even though it was not yet the hour of the Dragon, the arena was already packed. A morning at the Fengchi Sect belonged to the youth of the overachievers.

Someone with sharp eyes spotted him and whispered to a friend, “Is that Lu Yuan?”

“What is he doing here?”

“I do not know. I thought he was a lost cause.”

“Can he still cultivate? He was so badly injured.”

As more people noticed him, the whispering grew louder. Lu Yuan, being discussed behind his back while standing right there: “…”

Annoyed by the buzzing voices that sounded like mosquitoes, he turned to leave.

“Lu Yuan, Senior Brother Lu” someone called out cautiously. “Thank you for what happened in Lin’an Town.”

This disciple was one of the lucky survivors from that day. Lu Yuan gave a lukewarm grunt of acknowledgment and continued to drag his newly repaired legs away.

Seeing this, the lucky survivor’s eyes reddened. He sniffled and said with a sob, “Senior Brother Lu, I misjudged you. I always thought you were lazy in your cultivation. But in Lin’an Town, you put aside past grievances and forcibly raised your cultivation to save us, resulting in you never being able to cultivate again! Wuu wuu wuu!”

Lu Yuan: ?

Who? Who are you talking about?!

He finally understood why people had been looking at him strangely on the road. Those were gazes of pure pity.

Like a spark hitting oil, the arena erupted.

“Lu Yuan is actually that kind of person!”

“Ah, I thought he was just someone who constantly pestered Young Master Xiao.”

“Uh, that part also seems to be true”

Finally, someone concluded, “Regardless of how you look at it, Senior Brother Lu is a good man!”

Seeing Lu Yuan’s impaired mobility, the lucky survivor’s expression looked more painful than if he were crying. He gave a deep, respectful bow. Lu Yuan only realized what was happening when the disciple was nearly on his third bow. I am not dead yet! Why are you giving me such a mournful expression?!

To a Fengchi disciple, being unable to cultivate and having one’s strength capped for life was indeed a fate worse than death. Lu Yuan felt a ridiculous sense of being unable to defend himself. He gave a few dry laughs and tried to make his escape. “It was nothing, it was nothing.”

The disciple cupped his fists, his face filled with sincerity. “Senior Brother Lu, I can wait for your injuries to heal and go to the Secret Realm with you to find a secret medicine.”

The implication was: Senior Brother, there is still hope. Please do not give up on treatment!

Lu Yuan just wanted to lie flat. He wanted to maintain the previous daily rhythm of this puppet body—eating, drinking, washing, and sleeping with his biggest worry being a broken heart. But seeing the other’s earnest expression, he decided to change the subject. “What is the situation in Lin’an Town?”

“The Haotian Alliance said there was something abnormal about Lin’an Town. They are sending an elite team to the Old Capital of the Yin Dynasty first.”

Tiandu City, Yin Dynasty, Old Capital, Rebellion.

Prince of Zhaowu!

Something tried desperately to squeeze into Lu Yuan’s sea of consciousness. A loud roar exploded in his mind. His vision went black, and an excruciating headache dragged him into darkness.

The surroundings were silent, bone chillingly cold, and devoid of life, like a pitch black coffin. Then, something in his sea of consciousness began to speak. It started as a whisper, then became restless, eventually screaming frantically: Remember! Remember quickly! How can you not remember anything?!

Hurry! Hurry up!

Suddenly, it turned sarcastic and shrieked: Hahaha! You cannot remember! You cannot remember!

It began to clap and laugh loudly, its laughter sharp, bitter, and mocking. Lu Yuan’s head throbbed, and the veins on his temples bulged. He just wanted to find something to lean on so he would not collapse on the spot. He pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed out two words in an unfriendly tone: “Shut up.”

He never expected that this body would actually have a Heart Barrier!

The mocking laughter of the Heart Barrier slowed down, becoming lower and lower until it vanished. Suddenly, its voice became regretful and cold: It is too late.

All of you will die.

Lu Yuan ignored his frail body. He did not try to speak to the voice again. A violent aura began to travel through his meridians. As the Divine Blood awakened, Lu Yuan did not dare to be careless. He only breathed a sigh of relief once he was sure he had broken the Heart Barrier and cleared his mind.

The sense of foreboding in Lu Yuan’s heart grew heavier. He had a somewhat absurd thought: this body was just a puppet, so how could it have a Heart Barrier?

Unless it was his own.

But he had ascended to the Dao and broken through his Heart Barrier a hundred years ago. How could he have been reborn with a Heart Demon?

Dawn was appearing on the horizon, piercing through the mountain mist. The birds in the forest had awakened with the initial warmth, their songs hopping and rolling among the branches. Standing against the light, Lu Yuan’s expression was unreadable. He stood at the edge of the arena, separate from the crowd.

A Fengchi disciple, seeing Lu Yuan apparently lost in thought, asked curiously, “Senior Brother Lu, what is wrong?”

As if waking from a dream, Lu Yuan smiled at the disciple. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I know my cultivation is insufficient. Going to the Secret Realm would only hold everyone back.”

The disciple said movingly, “I am not afraid! I can take the lead for you, Senior Brother!”

Lu Yuan nodded noncommittally. He left the noisy discussions behind and walked toward the morning sun. The breeze caught his wide sleeves. His body, newly recovered from illness, looked somewhat thin and hollow beneath the large robes. His posture was clear and refined as he walked slowly, looking as though he might ride the wind away. The morning light outlined Lu Yuan’s tall figure, plating him in a blurred golden edge.

Someone whispered softly, “Why does Senior Brother Lu look different than before?”

The pines on the back mountain surged like waves. After the wind passed, they straightened their trunks, waiting for the next gust to rise, over and over again.

Lu Yuan walked leisurely toward his quarters. The System suddenly asked him quietly: [Are you and Lingchuan Du friends?]

Lu Yuan thought about it and decided they probably were. To be precise, they were the kind of people who would bail each other out if something went wrong. But did that count as friends? For a time, they got along quite well, but they had drifted apart after growing up.

Lu Yuan sighed heavily. Their horoscopes really were incompatible.

The System was puzzled. [But I saw someone say that Lingchuan Du claimed you “abandoned and betrayed” him. Is that word not used for partners?]

Lu Yuan’s pupils dilated, and he nearly choked on his own saliva. He did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Where did you see that?”

The System quickly scrolled back through its browsing history. [It is an informal storybook published by the Shuangjian Publishing House in the third year of Tianyuan. The compiler is named Chun Jiangwan.]

The third year of Tianyuan was less than two hundred years ago. Lu Yuan had some memory of Chun Jiangwan. He was a few generations younger, always appearing bright and lively with a smile. Lu Yuan had never imagined he was secretly fabricating such things.

The System began to read vividly: [Lingchuan Du watched the figures of Lin Jiangxue and Lu Yuan. They leaned against each other amidst falling flowers and sunset shadows; anyone who saw them would call them a celestial couple. Lingchuan Du’s expression was bitter, his eyelashes trembling, looking somewhat fragile. He looked up at Lu Yuan with slightly red eyes, a sight to behold, and said with grievance in his tone, “Senior Brother, do you truly not want me anymore?”]

Fragile? A sight to behold? Grievance?

Was this talking about his Junior Brother who could get run through the shoulder by an evil spirit and not make a single sound? Furthermore, Lingchuan Du was not one to suffer in silence; he usually took his revenge on the spot.

Lu Yuan felt that being struck by heavenly lightning would not be as terrifying as this. Goosebumps broke out all over his body. And what kind of bizarre logic was this? If anyone was to be accused of abandoning and betraying, should it not be Lin Jiangxue? She was the one with the marriage contract to Lingchuan Du!

Lu Yuan felt a bit dazed. In his past life, he rarely had time to listen to stories or watch plays because he never truly had time for himself. Thus, he had never known that the common people enjoyed reading these kinds of little gossip books. He returned to his room in a trance.

The System closed the melodramatic book with a bit of regret and asked stubbornly: [So, are you just friends?]

Lu Yuan lay back on the bed and pulled the quilt over his head, answering muffledly, “Read fewer storybooks. They make your brain sluggish, and you are already not very bright.”

The System was furious. Before meeting Lu Yuan, it had been an outstanding employee in its unit. It said warily: [You can choose not to do the missions, but you will not obstruct them, right?]

Lu Yuan pulled back the quilt to look the System in the eye. “What do you mean?” He sounded like he was asking, but it was a statement.

The System struggled to speak: [You will not, right?] It watched in trepidation as Lu Yuan gave it an enigmatic expression. [You will not, right? You will not? Speak to me!]

The System became like a broken record, hovering over Lu Yuan’s head. It really wanted to finish its work!

Lu Yuan calculated the time and decided that a morning nap was not a bad idea.

The System felt a sense of tragic indignation: [You were not like this in your past life!]

How did you become such a salted fish? Rise up! Take revenge! Kick the big villain! Beat him to death!

In his past life.

Lu Yuan’s eyes darkened. The incredible talent of his past life had brought endless responsibility. He was a solitary boat, drifting about but never truly free. The path he walked was long and lonely. Everyone revered him like a god or Buddha, while he could only walk alone.

Lu Yuan stared at the System, his tensed body relaxing as he sprawled out on the bed. He said, “I am tired.”

When he let go of everything he had been carrying, it was not relief he felt, but an indescribable exhaustion. Before the System could react, it already heard the sound of Lu Yuan’s steady breathing.

Its light went out in despair. It turned into a non-luminous ball and lay beside Lu Yuan, its heart as cold as dead ashes.