Chapter Two: An Insatiable Hatred

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No sooner had Nisu released his grasp than he saw two wood-element energy spheres shoot from Shijun’s hands as well. It was immediately clear that these spheres were far purer than the ones he himself had summoned, causing his heart to sink in alarm, sensing trouble. His roots wildly clawed at his body as he swiftly flew backward like the wind. The two energy spheres collided midair with a thunderous explosion; when the dust settled, the verdant vines covering the ground vanished, and even the once-solid mountain walls were riddled with countless pits and craters.

Heavens! This human youth not only wielded water magic but also summoned wood-element spirits from the demon realm! Nisu finally grew uneasy, but prideful and furious after suffering a setback at Shijun’s hands, he had no time to consider anything else. Incanting swiftly, the cave suddenly swarmed with giant wasps, each as large as a palm—mutated creatures seemingly escaped from Jurassic Park—buzzing loudly as they massed in a black cloud, charging toward Shijun.

This could not continue! Any delay might not only prevent defeating this madman but also cost his own life—Shijun’s mind raced. Suspended midair and without the protection of a barrier, he saw the wasp swarm closing in behind him, the mountain wall blocking retreat. Resolving that death was inevitable either way, he decided to take a risk—perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope.

With that thought, Shijun bit his lip and cast the “Weak Water Curse.”

A shimmering, pale bluish-purple halo of clear water suddenly appeared. Shijun shouted, crossing his hands in a complex seal, and the halo expanded to envelop his body.

Though already poisoned by the “Weak Water,” he should not have used this spell again. Yet, trapped in circumstances, he gambled on breaking the downward spiral.

Enveloped in the Weak Water, Shijun felt unbearable discomfort and an indescribable gloom pressing down upon him. Even breathing became difficult. His skin, once only faintly blue, gradually brightened but was accompanied by an intolerable stinging sensation. Regret flickered at his risky move, but then he thought: since I’m already poisoned, what difference does more make? As long as this Weak Water does not discriminate and affects only me.

The buzzing grew louder; the wasps came so close they ignored the water’s embrace and lunged at Shijun en masse. Resigned, Shijun closed his eyes, thinking, “This is the end.”

Yet, after a time, he felt no pain of thousands of stings piercing his body. The buzzing abruptly ceased. Opening his eyes in surprise, he saw the once-clear water now littered with dead wasps, while the rest scattered in fear, fluttering their wings and avoiding him.

Apparently, the Weak Water was a most virulent poison, yet for some reason, he had not succumbed immediately like the wasps.

Marvelous! Shijun’s spirit lifted. He split off a small portion of the Weak Water, sending it out in a hand seal. The water dissolved into mist, spreading throughout the cave. A faint bluish-purple hue filled the air, dimming even the golden mountain walls.

As if under a paralysis spell, the remaining wasps froze midair for two seconds before dropping lifelessly. The colorful plants ceased swaying and growing, turning yellow and black. In moments, all withered.

Nisu screamed as the golden glow that had flickered around his body vanished. He lost balance, fell backward with a thunderous crash, his entire body weakening before pain surged through him. No matter how he tried, he could not rise, shocked and furious.

“What… what poisonous trick is this?” he shouted.

Shijun, unaware of Nisu’s words, struggled inside the Weak Water, feeling his breath grow short. He forcefully formed a seal and appeared—only to find himself with no foothold, crashing heavily onto the pocked ground. His chest tightened painfully, nearly fainting. He had no strength left and thought, it’s over, my life is done.

* * * * * * * * *

Originally, demon realm magic was somewhat a bane to the Underworld, and Shijun, not highly skilled, had used almost all the stronger spells he remembered, which Nisu had barely regarded.

But the “Weak Water Curse” Shijun had used was a special Underworld technique designed specifically to combat various spirits. For beings of the other three realms who possessed physical bodies, it was a slow-acting poison. But for those of the Underworld, such as pure spiritual forms and soul bodies, it was a deadly weapon.

Though Nisu was a demon, his corporeal body had long since died, leaving only his soul. How could he withstand the potent poison of Weak Water?

Nisu had intended to toy with Shijun, but now the poison seeped through his protective aura. His once golden, heavy pine needles on his trunk turned snow-white and hollow, falling off at the slightest touch. His gray-brown bark faded to grayish-white, then green, then oozed a terrifying bluish-purple before rapidly withering into a gaunt form. His very shape began to flicker, unable to endure the torrent of Weak Water summoned by Shijun. He was nearing utter exhaustion.

“You actually poisoned me!” Though weakened, Nisu’s voice was still loud. Anger surged as he forced himself upright, roots thick and numerous just barely supporting his staggering form. He charged at Shijun, furious, shouting, “I’ll kill you!” Swinging his “hands” down with all his might, he stared at Shijun with eyes wide open, filled with contempt and disdain, but without a hint of fear.

But after a long wait, Nisu’s “hands” never came down, and he was baffled.

In truth, in his rage, Nisu had intended to end Shijun’s life, but suddenly he felt utterly powerless, as if his soul’s energy was about to dissipate. Gasping heavily, his already fearsome visage, now stained bluish-purple by the Weak Water poison, had become even more hideous. Most of his white pine needles had fallen, revealing withered bluish-purple branches. His eyes remained wide and fierce, more terrifying than ever.

The cave fell silent except for the labored breaths of the two.

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After resting a while, Shijun felt slightly better. Seeing Nisu suddenly grow listless and no longer intent on fighting, he leaned against the mountain wall and struggled to sit up.

As he rose, pain engulfed him. Glancing down, his heart sank—his skin’s faint blue color had deepened significantly. He guessed the poisoning had worsened beyond cure, feeling as if he stood at the gates of the underworld, overwhelmed by despair—a feeling he hadn’t experienced even when facing Nisu earlier.

Since ancient times, hardship meant only death. A bitter smile curled at Shijun’s lips: it seemed he too could not escape fate.

Knowing he was doomed, Shijun noticed Nisu’s gloomy, defeated expression, filled with sadness and loss. Curious, he asked softly, “Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

Nisu glared at Shijun fiercely and shouted, “What’s wrong? I’m about to die completely! Are you happy now that you’ve avenged your little lover?” His eyes brimmed with hatred, sorrow, rage, and despair.

Shijun was startled, feeling a pang of pity, and asked, “You’ve only just been poisoned. Why say you’re about to die? My poison is worse than yours, yet I’m still fine.”

“Why? This is my fate!” Nisu roared, eyes nearly bleeding, “Why! I’ve lived kindly, never harming anyone. Why am I rejected by my own kind? I was wrongfully killed by my own people, seeking justice—was that wrong? Then why did you, a worthless brat, come to disrupt everything? To kill me? Why? Why?”

He suddenly grabbed Shijun’s arm, shouting hysterically, “Tell me! Tell me! Why?”

Shijun, dizzy from the shaking, tried to push him away. But as he did, Nisu collapsed backward, poisoning too severe. Shijun quickly pulled him up with a wry smile, “Brother, I told you: my coming here was an accident. If you hadn’t attacked Silverhook first, why would I fight you? Why must it end with both of us hurt? And yet you ask me why!”

Nisu didn’t hear him, shaking wildly, grinding his teeth: “I hate! I hate! I hate!”

Shijun shook his head, looking pityingly at him: “Why? What’s the point of all this hatred?”

Nisu’s eyes flashed like blades, shooting out wild sparks: “Listen! I hate those who hurt me! I hate this unjust world and fate! I hate the heavens! Those who hurt me deserve to die, but there’s no justice in this world. No good person exists! Why me? Why is my fate like this? Why do petty, incompetent wretches get to die peacefully while I suffer a cruel death? Is fate just to toy with us? Damn this cursed fate! Damn the skies that should be struck by lightning! Damn the bastards!”

His soul damaged and near destruction, Nisu’s pent-up bitterness burst forth like a breached dam. He cursed the heavens and earth with wild abandon.

“Come at me! All of you! I’m not afraid! You all prey on the weak, twist truth, and frame the innocent! Ha! I’m dying, so come on!”

“I hate! Why didn’t I see your true faces sooner? Why was I fooled by these despicable villains? Why can’t I kill you all?”

“Why are you looking at me? I don’t need your sympathy. I fear no one, not even the heavens. You blind, thieving skies, I’m dying—are you satisfied now?”

Nisu’s curses raged on, first aimed at those who killed him, then at unfair fate and the world, until finally turning into a complete denunciation and fierce accusation of all creation.

His eyes dimmed, but his voice rose ever higher. The cave echoed with hoarse shouts and curses, until Shijun could no longer discern the words. Yet he felt the oppressive sorrow weighing down his chest, his body trembling, tears flickering in his eyes.

* * * * * * * * *

Nisu was a demon from ancient times, having witnessed the vicissitudes of the human world across centuries. Though his rage was directed at his own fate, it contained the universal grievances and resentments anyone might endure. At first, Shijun listened as a mere observer, but as Nisu’s harsh words revealed many uncomfortable truths about human nature, he found himself empathizing, silently nodding.

Knowing death was imminent, Nisu’s tirade was a catharsis for centuries of accumulated fury. Having an audience—someone who seemed genuinely attentive—made his outburst all the more satisfying. The rant lasted hours without tiring or quenching his thirst. Later, as his words grew less fluent and his spirit waned, his curses dwindled to occasional mutters. His skin darkened further, his form disintegrating—signs that death was near. If his body’s destruction meant continued existence only as a soul, then this demon sorcerer, who had ruled the demon realm for so long, would finally rest forever.

Having vented, Nisu’s mouth was forced closed. His mood lightened considerably, and a gleam flickered in his eyes as he regarded Shijun thoughtfully.

“What? Not done cursing yet?” Shijun laughed, “Go ahead, I’m enjoying this.”

Nisu was silent, then after a pause asked, “You said you weren’t here for the treasure?”

“Your treasures aren’t what everyone wants,” Shijun answered frankly. “I came here by accident and never planned to take anything. These things mean nothing to me. Even if they did, I wouldn’t care.”

Nisu’s face darkened, lips moving but holding back words, then snorted heavily. “Now you say that. Don’t think I don’t see it—you’re poisoned too, worse than me. You’ll die soon. Even if I gave you the treasure, you wouldn’t be able to use it, right?”

Shijun considered explaining how he ended up in the cave but thought better of it. Seeing Nisu’s mocking gaze, he shook his head. “Enough with your arrogance. I never wanted your lousy junk anyway.” With a thought, two cans of beer flew from his treasure pouch. He struggled to open one, took a big gulp, and grinned. “See? This is something you don’t know about. It’s called beer. To me, it’s way better than your so-called treasures.” He then pulled out two hamburgers and took a big bite.

Nisu looked puzzled but did not ask, frowning. “What are you doing?”

“Never heard? Better to be a full ghost than a hungry god. Dying full is a joy, right?” Shijun teased. “But you’re different—you only need to die hugging your treasure!”

“Die hugging treasure?” Nisu didn’t understand.

“Silverhook’s dead, you and I are both dying. Too many have died for your so-called treasure. If I were you, I wouldn’t cling to those worldly things after death, nor use them as bait to harm your own kind. Treasure and killing won’t bring you back to life.”

Nisu became agitated. “Treasure? Do you think I care about those? From start to finish, they were just bait I set to avenge myself! If only those people weren’t greedy, they wouldn’t have died. It all comes down to greed ruining countless lives.” His eyes showed complex, sorrowful, and conflicting emotions. Forcing a laugh, he said, “I suppose it was worth it. At least so many will accompany me in death. Even dead, I’m somewhat happy.”

“True. There are always those who blame others for their misfortune and delight in others’ suffering,” Shijun said softly.

Nisu looked at him in surprise, then sneered. “Young man, you don’t need to preach lofty justice to me. It’s not that I look down on you—but with your qualifications, you’re hardly fit to lecture me. This world has no fairness; the strong rule. Whoever’s cunning makes the rules. If you can’t see that, why bother running around the five realms? Better to stay in the human world and enjoy the good life.”

Nisu’s sharp words were meant to rile Shijun, but the latter only smiled, nodding sincerely. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m just a rookie with no experience, and you’re just unreasonable. So there’s no point in me reasoning with you. Now we’re both going to die, and I’m glad I’m taking you down with me. What a joy, what a pleasure!”

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“What exactly was that thing you used earlier?” Nisu, after a long silence, asked. “It felt strange. Usually, magic can’t hurt me.”

Shijun replied bluntly, “Have you heard of Weak Water?”

“Weak Water?” Nisu thought for a moment, searching memory, then nodded. “No wonder. If you’d used it earlier, my soul would’ve been finished. It’s perfect for dealing with my current state. But if I’d known you could summon Weak Water, I should have killed you long ago instead of playing around.”

Shijun chuckled, “Come on, a true man should just die if it’s time. What’s the big deal? I’m poisoned too; no one’s to blame. If you’re really unhappy, go bang your head against the wall over there and see if you can die first.”

Nisu raised an eyebrow. “No need for that, but you seem pretty resigned, huh?”

“Resigned?” Shijun’s mind flashed to the Underworld Patriarch’s words. He smiled faintly, shaking his head, saying nothing.

Nisu scoffed, “Don’t deny it—you’re just waiting to die, aren’t you?”

“If I die, it’s because I haven’t accomplished my ambitions,” Shijun replied with a smile. “But as long as there’s a chance, I’ll hold on. After all, once you’re dead, all dreams and ideals are just illusions.”

“Afraid of death? Admit it, don’t preach philosophy.”

Shijun replied calmly, “Believe what you want. Why must I get your approval?”

Nisu snorted but smiled slyly, staring at Shijun’s face. “Looks like your injuries aren’t light. Want me to help you die sooner?”

Shijun shrugged, “No need. If it’s my time, I can’t live anyway. But if I die, don’t delay too long. Come down and keep me company. We’ll have a laugh on the road to the underworld.”

Nisu stared at him for a long moment, then a cunning smile appeared.

Shijun didn’t ask what he was thinking, just smiled. Poison gnawed at him like thousands of blades tearing flesh, yet he bit his lip and refused to show any pain in front of Nisu.

They sat facing each other, their skins swelling and turning an eerie blue, but both smiled as if old friends.

Nisu’s laughter faded; his expression calmed. He said in a low voice, “I never expected to meet such a strange fellow after dying so many years ago. Although I’m dying by the hands of an unknown nobody like you, it seems not so bad now.”

“Death is the end. Who cares whose hands you die in? Would dying by a powerful person’s hands make you feel honored?” Shijun teased.

To his surprise, Nisu nodded. “Hmm, you brat, sometimes you make sense. Hey, since you say you didn’t come for the treasure, then why?”

“Does it matter now?” Shijun said softly. “Unlike you, I don’t need to understand everything or explain my actions. It’s nice if someone understands, but if not, so be it.”

Nisu studied Shijun, then asked, “If you were me, what would you do?”

“What would I do?” Shijun shook his head. “I don’t know. But one thing’s certain—I wouldn’t take out my anger on innocent weaker people, nor spend years scheming revenge. Since life has its joys, death must have its own meaning.”

“Wouldn’t you seek revenge?” Nisu sneered. “If you could, would you give it up? Would you accept cruel fate?”

Shijun didn’t answer immediately. The question had crossed his mind before, but he had no definite answer. Though he disagreed with Nisu’s methods, he understood his feelings. After pondering, he said earnestly, “I won’t lie and say I accept fate. Like you, I won’t submit to destiny, though I don’t yet have the power to control my fate. But I will seek revenge, even if my way differs from yours.”

Nisu smiled faintly, warmth and closeness flickering in his eyes. He sighed deeply and said, “Actually, I’ve asked myself those same questions a thousand times over the years. But I can’t accept it. Why can’t I avenge myself? Am I supposed to just die? Yet sometimes I wonder, why must it be this way? I ask myself different questions but find no answers.” His expression was melancholy as he spoke slowly. Shijun listened intently, feeling the pain in his own body ease somewhat.