Chapter Six: The Road Home

Everyone felt heavy-hearted and journeyed in a rush, none of them in any mood to converse. Shi Jun simply dropped his invisibility, tucked Fuyao into his Myriad Treasure Pouch, and galloped shoulder-to-shoulder with Zisheng and Liejin straight toward Jiamu Pass.

Shi Buyi still sat atop Xiaotian's head. He was in quite a good mood, chattering all the way and asking Liejin questions of all sorts. Although Liejin was naturally stern and cold, he felt a certain curiosity toward this divine soul avatar of Shi Jun, and inevitably a touch of fondness as well. Furthermore, compared to Shi Jun, the little rascal Shi Buyi had a tongue that was a hundred times sweeter. After a few calls of "Big Uncle! Big Uncle! Good Big Uncle!", Liejin actually let the little imp run wild and badger him the entire way, occasionally answering a few questions whenever Shi Buyi inquired about cultivation insights, with the sole condition that he was not allowed to bully Xiaotian casually.

Finally reunited with Shi Jun, Xiaotian's sense of bliss was truly beyond description. During the days under Shi Buyi's thumb, he had practically been "missing" Shi Jun's good qualities every single moment. With the master himself present, he figured in his heart that Shi Buyi would certainly not dare to bully him arbitrarily again. But before he even had time to savor this rare "safety," the bored Shi Buyi "thump-thump-thumped" his head several times, leaving him with no choice but to hang his head in despair once more and swallow his grievance in silence.

Their original plan had been to depart through Jiamu Pass, where the Demon Realm's defenses were currently the most lax. Now with several wounded individuals added to their group, and to guard against the demons coming to their senses and launching a relentless pursuit, they proceeded with even greater caution. Only after putting a considerable distance between themselves and the Weeping Forest did Liejin let out a long breath and say in a deep voice, "Xiao Jun, in my view, the Demon Realm is bound to experience massive chaos after this battle. Therefore, this place is no place to linger. Have you finished handling everything you needed to do here? If there is nothing else, we must leave the Demon Realm as soon as possible!"

Shi Jun had spoken very little along the way, his mood evidently rather heavy. Hearing his uncle's question, he answered in a somewhat absent-minded manner, "Mm! There's nothing much left. Let's leave right through Jiamu Pass!" As he spoke, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned his head and said to Zisheng, "Brother Zisheng, you should come with us as well."

To his surprise, Zisheng shook his head and replied, "Your kind intention is deeply appreciated, my brother, but for the time being, I have no plans to leave this place."

"What?" Although Liejin and Zisheng had known each other for only a short time, for some reason he held a special fondness for this unconventional great demon. Hearing this, he could not help asking in astonishment, "You saw the situation just now—those fellow demons of your kind simply cannot tolerate you. Why on earth do you still want to stay?"

"Indeed, Big Brother, you have already become a public enemy of the Demon Realm. If you stay, danger is bound to be manifold. Moreover, now that even Nisiu's treasure has vanished, once the demons realize it, they will surely vent their anger on you as well. If you don't leave now, you might not even be able to leave later if you want to!" Shi Jun worried about Zisheng's safety and patiently persuaded him.

"Nisiu's treasure has vanished?" Hearing Shi Jun's words, Zisheng's eyes lit up, and then he asked in surprise, "Could it be that you..."

Shi Jun smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Heh, it's a long story. Anyway, Nisiu's treasure will never come out to harm anyone again, and he has attained eternal peace." With that, he reached out and plucked Shi Buyi right off Xiaotian's head. "His name is Shi Buyi. He's the divine soul avatar Nisiu gave me. His former name was Luyan."

"Luyan," Zisheng repeated thoughtfully, then laughed heartily with a sense of release. "I remember now. So that's how it is! Congratulations, my brother! It truly seems to be a matter of destiny that Big Brother Nisiu's treasure has finally found a suitable master. This outcome can truly be called the most perfect one possible!"

Shi Buyi struggled discontentedly in Shi Jun's grip. "Let me go! Is this any way to haul someone out to meet people? It's far too disrespectful!"

Ignoring him, Shi Jun continued to persuade Zisheng on his own. "Nisiu also wanted me to tell you that for all these years, he as the elder brother has missed you very much, but he was always busy seeking revenge and couldn't spare the time. Now thinking back, he feels particularly regretful, thinking he was simply utterly foolish. After all, with Luyan's help, he could easily have lived another thousand or eight hundred years, and perhaps even gone to the Mortal Realm to find a way to forge a physical body and live a new life. Had he known earlier, he might as well have given up his revenge and left the Demon Realm—who knows how carefree and leisurely he could have been! He also said that the days of roaming the mountains and forests, drinking wine knee-to-knee, and discussing the heroes of the world together are gone forever, and he told me to make sure you grasp the opportunity to go to the Mortal Realm to chant poems and drink wine, and live that carefree life anew."

Shi Jun's words were half true and half false, blending Nisiu's original words with his own intentions. In short, he hoped to touch Zisheng's heart with this. Seeing that Zisheng indeed looked pensive upon hearing it, he felt a weight lift from his chest. To be honest, he and Zisheng could be considered friends at first sight, and thus he truly did not wish for Zisheng to stay behind in the Demon Realm and take risks.

Yet Zisheng pondered for a moment and let out a long sigh. "Indeed. In truth, I am truly weary of many things here, and I deeply wish to leave far behind." With that, he shook his head desolately, a tone of melancholy leaking from his voice. "But no matter what, I am after all of the demon race—that is an undeniable reality."

Zisheng's ice-blue eyes looked gently toward Shi Jun with a slightly self-mocking smile. "Although I have walked alone for many years, living the life of a floating cloud and wild crane without intervening in the disputes of the Demon Realm, it has not truly been successful. There are some matters that I can never quite see past. At the present juncture, with the Demon Realm leaderless, warlords contending, and great chaos imminent, Zisheng ultimately cannot harden his heart enough to stand aloof and save only himself."

"Well said! That is the true character of a responsible man!" Liejin let out a low shout, raising his brows as he said, "Since you are a demon, when the Demon Realm is in turmoil, you have the responsibility to step forward and contribute your share, never changing your mind even knowing the difficulties and dangers are manifold. If everyone were like this, peace under heaven would be just around the corner!"

Shi Jun felt a pang of desolation in his heart. He knew that this parting might mean they would never meet again, yet Zisheng's mind was made up and could not be forced. He could only nod. He did not wish to speak useless parting words of reluctance, yet for the moment he could find no better phrasing.

***

"What? Are there still fun things about to happen in the Demon Realm? Then why don't we stay and watch as well?" Seeing that everyone's topic of conversation had grown somewhat heavy once more, the little fellow Shi Buyi, who feared the world wouldn't be chaotic enough, hurriedly chimed in, eager to express his opinion.

A thought stirred in Liejin's heart, and he quickly said to Shi Buyi, "That's right, when we were at Yearning Mountain, it seemed you also killed three rebel generals from the Underworld, didn't you?" Hearing this, Shi Buyi instantly perked up with great enthusiasm, chattering away as he recounted how he had eavesdropped on Huangsha and the others.

Shi Jun cried out involuntarily, "What? Yelu and Xuan Shi were killed?" This news was simply too unexpected; he had never imagined that ever since their parting at the Jade Passage, Yelu and Xuan Shi would perish in the Demon Realm just like that. For a moment he felt a wave of gloom, followed by a jolt in his heart as he realized there was surely more to this than met the eye, though his mind was currently too chaotic to calm down and ponder the intricacies.

"Brother Shi, from my perspective, the events unfolding in this Demon Realm seem to harbor hidden secrets. Throughout our escape, these fellows seemed to have the actions of General Chi and Fuyao at their fingertips, setting traps specifically targeting them to make us walk right into the net. What kind of reasons are hidden behind this? Why would Huangsha and the others suddenly betray and join forces with those in the Demon Realm to kill Yelu and Xuan Shi, who belonged to the same clan? Don't you all find it a bit bizarre? Furthermore, in such an eventful autumn as this, why are Hongshuang and the others in such a rush to push Letu—a fellow who only knows how to play petty tricks—onto the supreme leadership position of the Demon Realm? All of this is truly food for thought!" After listening to Shi Buyi's near-childish proposal, Zisheng's expression grew solemn, throwing out a flurry of questions as if wishing to remind Shi Jun of something on the verge of parting.

Liejin and Shi Buyi knew little of the Demon Realm's situation, so although they harbored some suspicions about the preceding events, they had not thought deeply into them. Now, hearing Zisheng put it this way, they too sensed that these recent events were far from simple. Shi Jun's expression gradually grew grave as he nodded thoughtfully, continuing to listen to Zisheng's analysis.

"To be honest, I only vaguely sense that something is amiss, but as for the true reality behind the whole affair, the clues we currently hold are far too sparse, and for now I cannot make a reasonable deduction. This is also one of the main reasons I wish to continue staying in the Demon Realm," Zisheng said solemnly before his brow relaxed, and he smiled at Shi Jun. "However, it is no great matter. Even if they harbor any schemes or plots, I believe you, my brother, will naturally have a way to cope with them. Your elder brother merely wishes to remind you to remain more vigilant in your future actions! Also, after you take A-Yao away, make sure not to let her return, because that will only bring back sad memories for her. She is, after all, still a child..."

"As for the rest, unaccomplished as I am, Zisheng does not hold his own life, death, honor, or disgrace of much importance; I simply wish to do some things that I desire to do."

Hearing Zisheng's admonitions, Shi Jun nodded. "I know." Infected by Zisheng's nonchalance, he simply cast aside all sorrow of parting and the heavy thoughts in his mind, raising his brows with a smile. "The ancients say that the agony of heartbreak is merely parting, but I see it otherwise. Parting can be equally joyful; as long as there is hope, there is nothing to be saddened by. Brother Zisheng, we are about to leave now. May you take good care of yourself, and I hope before long I shall cleanse the dust with wine for you in the Mortal Realm!"

"Very well! Life and transience are the norm; gatherings and partings have their own times! Brother takes his leave here!"

"Off I go! Bamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a steed; in a cloak of mist and rain, I let the lifetime pass!"

Zisheng acted with crisp decisiveness. After a few words of exhortation, he said he would leave and did so instantly. Once his clothing vanished, only a few lines of a lingering song remained echoing and circling in the air, refusing to dissipate for a long time...

***

After parting with Zisheng, Shi Jun saw that Chiyang was still unconscious and could not help feeling somewhat worried. With no immediate solution, he had no choice but to tuck Chiyang into the Myriad Treasure Pouch as well, briefly recounting their respective encounters since parting to Liejin. Shi Buyi finally found a chance to speak: "Big guy, why didn't you wait for me underground? You made me search everywhere."

Part 1 of 3

Shi Jun glared at him with a laugh. "You still have the nerve to say that? If I had waited for you, the vegetables would have already rotted by the time you brought reinforcements! Besides, didn't you know all about this when you were communicating with me?"

"Hmph, knowing is knowing, but failing to show the nimble and efficient side of me, your Shi, is your fault! How could someone as brilliant, martial, ingenious, and peerless as me ever receive such treatment!"

Liejin burst into laughter despite himself. "Xiao Jun, logically speaking, this divine soul avatar ought to be a part of yourself. Who would have thought you also possessed such... haha... such an interesting side?"

Shi Jun's old face flushed red. He looked at Shi Buyi, who was still glaring with wide, unconvinced eyes, and thought to himself: *Interesting? More like split personality! How on earth did I end up with such a vain and megalomaniacal side? It seems my understanding of myself really needs some improvement!*

Yet aloud he said, "Time is short, Big Uncle. According to Brother Zisheng's previous directions, a short distance ahead should be Jiamu Pass."

Liejin laughed heartily. "Good nephew, are you planning to charge straight through?"

Shi Jun shrugged indifferently. "Things have already reached this point, what else is there to hesitate about? Speed is precious in war; before the news spreads and the guards are prepared, we charge straight through!"

"Hooray!" Shi Buyi cheered happily. "We get to have a good, satisfying fight again!"

Shi Jun let out a fierce shout. "Who said you were allowed to fight? You stay honestly put and make no rash moves!" With that, he took the lead and flew swiftly toward the towering gates of Jiamu Pass ahead. Liejin, Shi Buyi, and Xiaotian followed closely behind like arrows loosed from a bow.

***

Jiamu Pass was one of the gateways into and out of the Demon Realm. Modeled after the construction style of the Mortal Realm, it used massive milky-white mica to build city walls dozens of zhang high. Due to a sudden heavy snowfall and a sharp drop in temperature, the guards stationed at Jiamu Pass had all huddled together to keep warm. Seeing the gates tightly shut, the sky dim, and travelers few and far between, they had crowded into a tavern run by two flower demons not far from the gate to warm up wine and make merry.

Only a small squad of on-duty guards remained, sniffing hungrily at the fragrance drifting from the tavern and listening to the boisterous laughter within, feeling deeply resentful. Even the sentry responsible for the lookout grew impatient with the bitter cold, climbed down from the high tower, and ran back and forth in the snow, rubbing his hands and stamping his feet to add a little warmth to his frozen limbs.

Suddenly, they saw several figures tearing through the air like a violent storm, flying toward them at lightning speed. The squad leader was a stone demon; this fellow was impervious to the bitter cold and had thus dutifully guarded the city gate all along. Seeing people approaching, he immediately straightened his posture and chanted out of habit, "What manner of people seek to pass the gate? Please slow your pace, state your reason for passing, fill out the departure record, and present your pass token!"

Yet he heard a lazy voice laugh aloud, "We are highway robbers, how can we slow our pace?" Following that, these figures leaped into the air simultaneously, flying over the top of the city gate in the blink of an eye!

The stone demon squad leader panicked and roared at the top of his lungs, "Brothers, someone is forcing their way through the pass!"

Yet the moment the words left his mouth, he found that his voice was so faint, while the loud laughter seemed to carry a strange, metallic resonance that left his ears ringing, the world spinning, his arms aching, and his limbs weak. Before he knew it, he collapsed to the ground with a loud *thump*.

Moments later, two people and a dragon gracefully flew to the airspace above the city gate. One of them casually waved a hand, releasing a cluster of bright yellow flames. The barrier array hidden above the city gate was instantly shattered, and these few people easily soared right over the city walls that stood dozens of zhang high!

The squad leader was horrified. He wanted to shout, but no sound came out. Straining to turn his head, he saw that his small squad of guards and even the dozens of companions in the tavern were lying scattered all over the ground in disarray, just like him!

***

Leaving Jiamu Pass and passing through a rugged barrier tunnel, the next moment Shi Jun and the others finally returned to the long-lost Mortal Realm.

"Big guy, the spiritual energy here is so weak," Shi Buyi's very first words upon arriving in the Mortal Realm were a complaint. "Your hometown is really not much to look at!"

Shi Jun did not speak.

They were currently in a vast expanse of barren farmland. In the distance stood a few farmhouses, but they looked terribly dilapidated and seemed long abandoned. Looking around, there was a mountain not far to the east that appeared to be the likeness of Mount Xiuluo, but all the green leaves on the mountain had withered and fallen, making it look quite withered and gray.

A gust of north wind blew, and Shi Jun finally came to his senses: winter had already arrived in the Mortal Realm.

"Who knows how many days have passed in the Mortal Realm during this trip away?" Shi Jun sighed with a bitter smile, glancing inadvertently at the sky before his expression suddenly shifted. "Something's not right!"

Liejin nodded as well. "Indeed. Why is there the aura of the Underworld everywhere?"

"And it's exceptionally strong!" Shi Buyi chimed in as well.

Shi Jun and Liejin exchanged glances, simultaneously forming hand seals to render themselves invisible, and flew up into mid-air. Clearing their bearings, they sped toward the city, and before long found the inconspicuous two-story building rented by Hu Hai.

Who would have thought that as soon as they arrived, they would hear the sound of gongs and drums, with electronic firecrackers popping and cracking thunderously. The entire alley was crammed with people holding small flags and carrying banners that read: "Star of Exterminating Tyrants and Maintaining Social Stability—Hu Hai", "Dedicated to the Most Lovable People—Motuo", "The Embodiment of Bravery and Wisdom—Hu Hai", "Fighter Who Turned the Tides against Collapse—Motuo", and the like. There were even many young girls holding large portraits of Hu Hai and Motuo, shouting with faces full of adoration and infatuation: "Hu Hai! Hu Hai! Motuo! Motuo!"

Some people even argued over whether Hu Hai or Motuo was more handsome, leading to a brawl where they pulled hair, pinched cheeks, and shouted at the top of their lungs, throwing the already bustling little alley into even greater chaos.

Shi Jun was startled. What play was being put on here? How was it that in the blink of an eye, Hu Hai and Motuo had become idol-level figures? Could these two guys have gone off to film *Infernal Affairs*? But that still didn't tie in with clearing tyrants, maintaining stability, or being embodiments of bravery and wisdom!

Looking at Motuo beaming from ear to ear on the photograph, with even the two little mustaches on his lips curled high, Shi Jun suddenly felt a warm surge of fondness. It had been a long time since he last saw these two reckless fellows; it seemed they were living quite "abundantly" now!

Part 2 of 3

Shi Jun watched the commotion for a while, then smiled and said to Liejin, "Big Uncle, it looks like we won't be able to squeeze through the front door. We might as well just head straight for the balcony."

***

The living room was empty and very quiet, but unlike its usual chaotic state, it was kept extremely neat and clean, with several quaint yet practical small pieces of furniture added. It left Shi Jun in a daze, wondering if he had entered the wrong place.

Yet upon walking into the bedroom, Shi Jun smiled: as it turned out, standing right against the wall inside the room were two Hu Hais, obediently facing forward in a "self-reflection" posture.

Looking at these two doubles, both in workmanship and expression, they were much more refined than the earliest edition of "fake Shi Jun, fake Hu Hai" produced previously. He wondered whose handiwork they were.

Liejin did not wander around, instead seating himself directly on the sofa, taking the pendant from his neck into his grasp, closing his eyes, and concentrating. Shi Jun surmised he was communicating with the Demon Realm, so he gestured to Shi Buyi, who was excitedly rummaging everywhere, signaling him to keep quiet.

"I want to go out and play with Xiaotian," Shi Buyi, who had run all over the inside and outside of the house in the blink of an eye without finding anything of interest, blinked his eyes and made his request to Shi Jun.

"You can," Shi Jun said, seeing Xiaotian's bitter expression, and added, "However, you are not allowed to hit Xiaotian anymore, or I will definitely get angry! Did you hear me?"

"I heard you!" Shi Buyi answered cheerfully.

Shi Jun looked suspiciously at the little imp and waved his hand. "Go on." He thought to himself: *Is this really me? He's practically like an ungrown toddler!*

Shi Buyi grinned broadly at Xiaotian. "Well then, let's go? Don't worry, I won't hit you anymore! We'll save whatever business we have for after we go out! Hehehehe..." His innocent-yet-shrill voice made Xiaotian's skin crawl.

Shi Jun tidied the beds in the bedroom and guest room, then opened the Myriad Treasure Pouch to release the unconscious Chiyang and Fuyao. He settled each of them comfortably before sitting down beside Chiyang, gazing quietly at her serene and gentle face with a quiet worry in his heart.

Blue Soul also swam out, circling around Chiyang and "asking" Shi Jun all at once, "What's wrong with her?"

A trace of sorrow welled up in the depths of Shi Jun's heart, and he whispered, "She's poisoned." Yet in his mind, he was thinking: Old Man Tianmu is dead, but where on earth is the antidote for "Melancholy Dust" to be found? Suddenly he thought of how he had fled the Weeping Forest in such a rush that he had even forgotten to bring Old Man Tianmu's corpse with him. Once Fuyao woke up, she would probably be heartbroken again. Ah, hopefully those demons wouldn't make things too difficult for a dead old man!

He reached out and gently stroked Chiyang's silky hair, resolving firmly, "A-yang, I will definitely cure you, don't worry!" The words had barely fallen when he saw Chiyang's thick eyelashes twitch slightly. Following the twitch in his own heart, he leaned down and called out in a low voice, "A-yang? Are you awake?"

A moment later, Chiyang slowly opened her eyes, swept a dazed glance around the room, and finally let her gaze rest on his face as she murmured, "Youxian, am I dreaming again?"

A sharp pain pierced Shi Jun's heart, and he hastened to say, "You aren't dreaming! You've already returned to the Mortal Realm with me now!"

Chiyang remained in a dazed pause for half a moment before suddenly mustering strength from who knows where, flipping herself up into a sitting position, and grabbing Shi Jun's hand. "Youxian, you've become so terrifying! I don't like you like this, I really don't! You're not even as good as Shi Jun!"

Shi Jun's heart beat *thump-thump*, aching as if someone were pounding it desperately, and for a moment he had no idea what to say.

Fortunately, Chiyang's grip on his hand gradually loosened, her gaze drifted, and she slumped backward into unconsciousness once more, thus averting an awkward situation.

***

Shi Jun slumped down dejectedly, hugging his head in heartbreak and failing to understand what on earth he wanted.

The scene of Shui Mantian's final moments appeared once more in his mind, along with the deaths of Yelu and Xuan Shi...

This trip to the Demon Realm and Underworld could be said to be disastrously heavy in losses! Two Underworld Marshals, one dead and one injured, while simultaneously losing the Four Underworld Generals. Chiyang had been poisoned by "Melancholy Dust"—where on earth should the antidote for this poison be found? On the way back, even Big Uncle had said that "Melancholy Dust" was an extremely formidable poison in the Demon Realm, almost comparable to Weak Water. Now that Chiyang was out of her mind, he truly worried whether she would...

And Shui Mantian—why did this name sound so familiar? Why did he entrust Fuyao to him instead of anyone else? Why had his own body once again exhibited that uncontrollable condition? He had originally thought the voice emerging from within his body belonged to his past life, but why did such a situation manifest at that precise juncture?

Brother Zisheng's analysis was spot-on; these events reeked of strangeness from beginning to end, as if someone was manipulating things from behind the scenes. Who could it be? The Underworld Emperor? Unlikely. Even if he wanted to find an excuse to go to war with the Demon Realm, there was no need to push his own two marshals to their deaths first; the sacrifice was simply too great! Yet stringing the events together from start to finish, someone in the Underworld must have been involved in this. Otherwise, why would the three Underworld generals, Huangsha and the others, dare to commit such a grave offense and collude with the Demon Realm to kill their own marshal? Without the drive of massive interests or some other reason, why would they do this? And what kind of person possessed the sheer power to make dignified Underworld generals openly betray their master? What on earth was this person's objective?

Shi Jun pondered for a long time without finding a clue. Looking at Chiyang's pale cheeks, his mind became a tangled mess, and for a moment his heart was in utter turmoil as he could not help letting out a long sigh.

*Chiyang, Chiyang, why? What am I supposed to do?*

After a long while, his mood gradually calmed down. He gently used his hand to comb through the disheveled hair resting on Chiyang's pillow, gazing at her sleeping form with its lightly furrowed brows, his heart simultaneously overflowing with boundless tenderness and vexing distress.

Just at that moment, he heard Liejin gently knock on the door and call out, "Xiao Jun, come out for a moment."

Part 3 of 3