Chapter 10 – Inner Demons of the Past 

So quickly he was caught off guard, that unforgettable face from his deepest dreams had appeared before his eyes——no longer cold or wooden, but instead alight with a vivid vitality. Luminous enough to burn one’s gaze, the exquisite silhouette of his graceful figure seemed to be plated with a layer of light gold by the soft sunlight from the windows. Without the cover of the mask, Yun Xie could clearly recognize those haughty and obstinate eyes, so familiar as to have been carved into his very bones.

It was a face that should clearly be youthful and elegant, but no expression could erase that bone-deep arrogance and sharpness. He most loved that nonchalant and cold smile playing at the corner of those lips. After Jiang Xunyi, there would never be a second among all people of this world.

Just this one glance, this one glance… Even if he died, he would never mistake it!

Yun Xie opened his mouth, wanting to call Jiang Xunyi’s name. But his throat seemed to choke on something—before he could speak, his tears first trickled down.

A cold breeze swept across Jiang Xunyi’s face, and he realized his mask had fallen. He was also shocked for a moment, but in the end he would not be as agitated as Yun Xie after all. His brows slightly wrinkled and he looked at Yun Xie through the corner of his eyes. He was about to open his mouth to speak, when his expression suddenly changed.

The scene of the shop, the tables and chairs, the floor strewn with corpses… all instantly vanished. The entire town disappeared without a trace. Around them was the very same desolate wilderness they had first landed in!

At the same time, a light white mist rose not far from the two of them. It gradually thickened and spread in range, moving precisely towards their positions.　　

Dammit, they were so stupid! They should have long since realized the Imprisoned Demons Valley could never be that simple. He and Yun Xie were both careless!　　

The vexed Jiang Xunyi stopped caring to compete with Yun Xie. He swiftly took his own Extinguished Flower sword back, fiercely kicking Yun Xie at the same time: “What are you standing around there like an idiot for? Hurry and look to the side! Are you trying to get us killed?!”

This kick seemed to knock Yun Xie out of his dazed dream. His entire body quivered, and he couldn’t stop himself from reaching out to hold Jiang Xunyi’s wrist, the hard bones of the wrist pressing into his palm. Yun Xie blurted out: “Ah-Xun!”

Jiang Xunyi: “What exactly is that white mist, s.h.i.t, that thing is coming over——f.u.c.k, Yun Xie, hurry up and let go of me! Pay some attention to the situation, will you?!”

So dense it had almost solidified, the thick white fog was like a grotesque and bizarre ancient beast, roaring as it rushed towards the two of them. Despite Yun Xie’s addled and confused brain, his instincts could still feel the presence of danger. He closely guarded Jiang Xunyi in his arms, dropping to the floor to lay down and take cover.

But this didn’t help. In a heartbeat, the omnipresent white fog devoured both of them without leaving a trace.　

Amidst the dizziness and confusion, Jiang Xunyi’s mind had a flash of blankness——not referring to his emotions or mood, but instead a complete description of what happened. His mind was truly blank, as if that memory just now had been forcibly erased by someone.

When Jiang Xunyi recovered consciousness, Yun Xie was gone. He didn’t know where Yun Xie had run off to, and didn’t know why the white fog had disappeared. In the blink of an eye, a scene of hazy mountains at night appeared in front of him——a scene he found oddly familiar.

The previous bright sunshine had turned into late night. At this moment, his surroundings were utterly silent except for the chirping of autumn insects. Jiang Xunyi currently stood under an ancient tree, the vast and untouchable wind blowing straight into his arms.

He did not move an inch, cautiously standing in the same place for a while before finally slowly walking out from under the tree. He swept aside some leaves that blocked his vision and turned his head. Immediately afterwards, his eyes suddenly opened wide!

Every blade of gra.s.s here, every leaf on every tree… He would never forget them even if he died, but even after he died he had not been able to return here. This was——Hidden Spirit Mountain!

…Why am I here? Right here and now, is this reality or illusion, past or future? Where’s Yun Xie? Dammit, where did Yun Xie run off to this time?!

His thoughts churned like the ocean waves. Jiang Xunyi’s chest rose and fell with his deep breaths.

Suddenly, he heard the slight sounds of rustling gra.s.s in the distance. His face turned cold and he was about to dodge away, but the arriving person had already come closer. As if Jiang Xunyi was invisible, that person pa.s.sed him right on by without a second look.

That person…… was himself.　

Just from this brief glance, Jiang Xunyi had already seen everything clearly. That other self wore the Hidden Spirit Sect’s light blue ocean wave uniform. A long sword hung by his waist and his left palm held a small cauldron1. He looked to be in a hurry.

The shape of that small cauldron was extremely unique, so much so that Jiang Xunyi immediately realized the circ.u.mstances before him. This was the very night when his Shifu pa.s.sed away, and Jiang Xunyi as the next inheriting sect head was instead driven away under accusations of treachery. The entire series of events leading to his falling out with Yun Xie all started from this.

The shape of that small cauldron was extremely unique, so much so that Jiang Xunyi immediately realized the circ.u.mstances before him. This was the very night when his Shifu pa.s.sed away, and Jiang Xunyi as the next inheriting sect head was instead driven away under accusations of treachery. The entire series of events leading to his falling out with Yun Xie all started from this.

At this moment, Jiang Xunyi should have just received his master’s order to attack Heavenly Water Palace2. After extinguishing the demons in Heavenly Water Palace, he obtained the Heavenly Water Divine Cauldron. When he went up the mountain, he instead discovered that the disciples under Jiang Molou’s command had all been sent to the Western Region, while his Shifu Immortal Master Ti Ming was dying…

In a flash, all kinds of thoughts flooded into his mind as a continuous stream. Jiang Xunyi instantly realized why the “Imprisoned Demons Valley” did not have the sinister evil spirits and demons he imagined, because the “Demons” referred to each person’s Inner Demons3!

He and Yun Xie had been on guard against each other when walking over. With this gulf between their hearts and their moods remaining stable, the surrounding valley showed the corresponding scene of a prosperous town in the secular world. But from his struggle with Yun Xie all the way to the fall of his mask, their moods had begun to severely fluctuate, so they instantly fell into a fantasy landscape!

But it was still unclear whether this illusion belonged to Yun Xie’s Inner Demons or Jiang Xunyi’s. Jiang Xunyi had always been decisive and aggressive, so he only hesitated for a moment before resolving to go up the mountain along this once-familiar road.

He knew what would be waiting for him at the end, but when some matters had to be faced, he would not avoid them.

As Jiang Xunyi walked forward, he didn’t realize that with every step, the rags on his body gradually transformed into those light blue wide-sleeved robes he had once so often worn. His body shape also went through subtle changes, while the image of his past self in front of him gradually faded away, slowly melting into the night.

Dusty faded memories poured into his mind like a gushing spring, and his present consciousness gradually turned blurred and indistinct. When he finally saw the familiar mountain gate, he had already fallen completely into the powerful current of past events.

——————Start of Illusory Flashback——————　

Worry and uneasiness filled Jiang Xunyi’s heart.

He had single-handedly used a full seven days to raze the entire Heavenly Water Demonic Palace, so despite his extraordinary spiritual strength, extreme exhaustion was inevitable. He had originally wanted to find a place to rest for a while, but he unexpectedly received a secret letter from his Shizhi4 Yu Hang. The letter used unclear language, but it explicitly mentioned that Immortal Master Ti Ming had been infected with some disease, with the fear that… the illness was grave.

This section of the plot had only been briefly mentioned in the book, and Jiang Xunyi only knew that Immortal Master Ti Ming indeed pa.s.sed away later. But ever since transmigrating into this book, this Shifu had raised him like a true father. With these deep affections, this shocking news was no small matter, so he disregarded the injuries on his body and rode his sword as fast as lightning all the way back.

Upon ascending the mountain, he saw white spiritual banners fluttering at the door. His pupils narrowed, but he did not see disciples weeping before coffins or memorials, so his heart maintained a strand of hope. He sensed the atmosphere was a little strange, so he strained to concentrate and pull himself together. He gathered his energy to leap into the air, silently climbing over the walls of the courtyard. After a few rises and falls, he headed straight for Immortal Master Ti Ming’s normal residence, the Forgetting Meditation Hall5.

Upon arriving outside of the hall, he carefully p.r.i.c.ked his ears and did not hear any movement. At once, he entered the hall through the window. His eyes swept over the room, and then he slowly walked step by step towards the curtained bed in the center of the room.

Upon arriving outside of the hall, he carefully p.r.i.c.ked his ears and did not hear any movement. At once, he entered the hall through the window. His eyes swept over the room, and then he slowly walked step by step towards the curtained bed in the center of the room.

After just taking a few steps, an elderly and hoa.r.s.e voice had already sounded: “Which distinguished guest has come from afar? This decrepit one is unable to get up in greeting and is truly neglecting you.” This voice was peaceful and kind, precisely belonging to Immortal Master Ti Ming.

Seeing this pleasant surprise, Jiang Xunyi didn’t care for anything else, and stepped forward to open the bed curtain: “Shizun6, it’s me!”

After saying this, his expression stiffened. The face of the Shizun before him was emaciated and gaunt, his eyes cloudy and turbid, a dense layer of deathly air enveloping his brows. He appeared to be already taking his last breaths.

Jiang Xunyi froze, unable to say anything. Even though he already knew the ending, a wave of sorrow and grief instantly flooded his heart. But Immortal Master Ti Ming’s face lit up with joy: “Xun-Er7, you came back? I was just wishing to see you again, this is too wonderful.”

His lips had already dried to the point of cracking into multiple splits, so blood oozed out as he spoke. Jiang Xunyi’s throat bobbed up and down, and the veins on his right hand behind his back  bulged. Only after pausing for a moment did he speak with difficulty: “Shizun, this disciple will pour you some tea.”

But Immortal Master Ti Ming reached out to hold his wrist, and said warmly: “No need, Xun-Er, let Shizun look at you you again.”

Jiang Xunyi knelt down by the bed, lowering his body obediently. Immortal Master Ti Ming touched his face, his expression one of love and affection. Suddenly, he whispered: “Second Elder harbors evil intentions, and the offshoot branch disciples are also not benevolent. Molou is not on the mountain right now. Xun-Er, you are alone and a vulnerable target. Leave the mountain immediately, and never come back!”

Jiang Xunyi did not understand what he meant. He intuitively felt that Shizun’s words were extremely weird. Resentment built up in his heart, and he instead asked: “Shizun, were you harmed by them into this state? This disciple will exact revenge for you!”

Immortal Master Ti Ming shook his head. The hand holding Jiang Xunyi’s wrist tightened, and he repeated again with greater emphasis: “Hurry and leave!”

Discord and confusion roiled in Jiang Xunyi’s heart, and he did not want to make Shizun angry, so he could only stay silent. But after waiting for a moment, Immortal Master Ti Ming stopped speaking. Jiang Xunyi felt something wrong, and quickly reached out to check his breath.

Immortal Master Ti Ming had already died. Only his eyes were still open with that remaining grievance8.

Faced with this shock, Jiang Xunyi’s body moved, and the hand grasping his wrist instantly loosened. Immediately afterwards, Immortal Master Ti Ming’s body suddenly collapsed into a soft pile, as if his bones had disappeared. His skin then cracked open, yet no fresh blood flowed out. A man who had just now been kindly-faced, in the blink of an eye actually became a terrifyingly malformed anomaly.

Jiang Xunyi was dumbstruck, both heartbroken by the horrifying death of his Shizun, and shocked by the grotesque and odd scene before him. After pausing for a moment, he suddenly hugged Immortal Master Ti Ming’s remains.

He had always possessed an unyielding and firm personality, so although at this moment his tears had already covered his face, he still bit his lip and refused to make a sound. He only pressed his forehead against the ice-cold wooden bed, letting his teardrops drip onto the ground one by one.

He had always possessed an unyielding and firm personality, so although at this moment his tears had already covered his face, he still bit his lip and refused to make a sound. He only pressed his forehead against the ice-cold wooden bed, letting his teardrops drip onto the ground one by one.

Footnotes:
1. 鼎 (dǐng) = ancient Chinese cauldron with either 3 or 4 legs, like this:

2. 天水宫: 天 = “sky, heaven”; 水 = “water”; 宫 = “palace”
3. 心魔 (xīn mó) lit. “heart demon/devil”, probably better thought of as Inner Demons. Rather than literal demons or devils, these are a pract.i.tioner’s negative emotions and other mental barriers which hinder their training/cultivation. Failure to adequately resist them may result in Qi Deviation. (Credits to  师侄 (shī zhí): 侄 = nephew. Yu Hang is the disciple of one of Jiang Xunyi’s Shixiong or Shidi, so just like in a blood family, Yu Hang is his “disciple-nephew.”
5. 坐忘堂: 坐 = “to sit, meditate”; 忘 = “to forget”; 堂 = “hall or court”
6. 师尊 (shī zūn) lit. “honored teacher/master” is an especially respectful way to refer to your Shifu
7. Ti Ming adds 儿 (ér) to Jiang Xunyi’s name. This is an affectionate nickname for someone you see as a beloved child.
8. 死不瞑目 lit. “dead but will not close one’s eyes” refers to dying with a remaining grievance that has not yet been solved. In contrast, 瞑目 means to close one’s eyes in death and die with content.