Chapter Nine: Hu Hai Practices Demonic Arts

After exchanging greetings with Moon Ghost King, Liu Qing, and the others, and seeing that Hu Hai was indeed still pestering Lie Jing to learn the magic arts of the Demon Realm, Shi Jun quietly walked into the bedroom. He found that Chiyang had already woken up, though she had not gotten out of bed. Pale-faced and with a vacant look in her eyes, she was half-leaning against the headboard, lost in deep thought. He walked over gently.

Chiyang gazed at him silently without speaking. Her dark pupils seemed veiled by a heavy layer of dark clouds, making her appear weighed down by intense worries.

"You..." For some reason, the moment he saw Chiyang, Shi Jun felt his palms grow slightly damp and his heart thump wildly. "Are you feeling any better?"

Chiyang gave a faint smile and asked softly, "Have we already returned to the mortal realm?"

"Yes."

Chiyang wearily closed her eyes. After a long moment, Shi Jun saw two large teardrops seep out from beneath her dense eyelashes. Shi Jun sat in silence; he knew Chiyang must be thinking of Yaksha and Xuan Shi, yet he had no idea what words to use to comfort her.

Sometimes, when comforting someone, silence is far more appropriate than speaking.

After a long while, Chiyang quietly wiped away her tears and said softly, "By the way, you were injured earlier. Are you completely healed now? Did Fuyao, A Li, and Zisheng come back with you?"

Shi Jun thought to himself that giving her something to distract her mind would be for the best, so he recounted in detail everything that had happened after they parted ways in the Craggy Stone Mountains, including how Shi Buyi subsequently eliminated Qingyan and his companions. Not until the sky grew gradually dark did he reach the end of his tale: "Fuyao is still fast asleep to this day. I suspect she simply could not bear such a cruel blow and is subconsciously unwilling to wake up, so I have no choice but to let her be." Then, he added with a hint of regret, "It's just a pity that Elder Tianmu has passed away, and the antidote for the Dispersing Poison..."

"It doesn't matter," Chiyang interrupted him. "Though this poison is potent, as long as I go back and search... I will still be able to find the antidote."

Shi Jun knew Chiyang originally meant to say "seek the Underworld Emperor," but held back out of consideration for his feelings. He forced a bitter smile and said, "I lack the ability to help you, but if others have the capability, I won't mind. After all, as long as you are safe, that is what matters most."

Chiyang gazed tenderly at Shi Jun for a long while. Her eye rims slowly turned red, and her voice choked with barely suppressed emotion: "For some reason, whenever I think of Brother Yaksha and Xuan Shi, I—I feel so heartbroken..."

Ever since he had known Chiyang, Shi Jun had never seen her shed so many tears. For a moment, he panicked and could only say gently, "Why don't you tell me what actually happened?"

Chiyang shook her head and said wearily, "Let's not talk about it now. I'm so tired and just want to rest."

Shi Jun hesitated for a moment before standing up. "Very well then. Get a good night's sleep, and we can talk about whatever comes tomorrow." He thought to himself: *If you knew about the rebellion in the Underworld, goodness knows how anxious you would be. Now that your strength has not yet recovered, I certainly won't let you just rush back like this. I must figure out some way to make you stay... No, if you don't go back, how will the poison in your body be cured?* Pondering over and over without hitting upon a proper solution, he gave a frustrated shake of his head, quietly exited the bedroom, and closed the door behind him.

***

The moment he raised his eyes, he found everyone's gaze in the living room focused entirely on him, causing him to freeze slightly.

It was just the time when lamps were being lit. Early winter skies grew dark exceptionally early, and every household was drifting with the fragrance of meals. In Hu Hai's kitchen, there was also the sound of pots and pans—that was naturally the handiwork of their temporary chef, Wang Li.

Hu Hai cheerfully announced, "I have good news for everyone! Demon Lord Lie has finally agreed to take me as his disciple!"

Lie Jing put on a stern face and said, "I agreed to no such thing."

"Th—then you've agreed to teach me the magic arts of the Demon Realm, at least!"

Shi Jun smiled and said, "Uncle, Hai is very sincere. Taking him on as a disciple won't be a loss."

Lie Jing let out a "hum" and said, "His constitution is fire manifesting within earth, which originally makes him suited for practicing demon arts. However, on one hand, without systematic guidance and messing around on his own, his foundation is far too poorly laid; on the other hand, before his constitution had transformed, he practiced the water-type magic arts of the Underworld on his own accord. That is equivalent to traveling south by driving north; he is utterly clueless. Don't look at Shi Jun; his innate conditions are different from yours, yet he's always making a fuss about catching ghosts. You'd better pray and thank your ancestors for their protection that you never ran into a powerful ghost, otherwise your little life would have been snatched away long ago, you brat."

"That's why I'm asking to become your disciple!" Hu Hai seized the opportunity while the iron was hot and said with a grin.

Shi Jun's eyes lit up, and he quickly chimed in, "My trip to the Demon Realm this time can be considered somewhat fruitful, as I obtained some manuals regarding the cultivation of foundational magic arts. I've also been thinking that I should first firmly establish my foundation, so I will be practicing alongside Hai later. Uncle, while you're taking on a disciple, why don't you take me along and teach me as well?" Hearing this, Hu Hai's expression brightened even more as he gazed eagerly at Lie Jing.

Lie Jing nodded and said indifferently, "That's not a problem."

Shi Jun then asked, "Earlier you mentioned that Hai's constitution is fire manifesting within earth. What does that mean?"

Lie Jing patiently explained, "Didn't I tell you before that the attributes of mortals in the mortal realm are un-affiliated, leaning close to earth? However, everyone's constitution is different. Some people have a constitution that manifests fire, making them suitable for practicing demon arts; others have a constitution that manifests metal, making them suitable for practicing immortal arts. After death, mortals can only absorb supremely yin spiritual energy, and their attributes tend towards water. Of course, among mortals, there are also those whose attributes lean towards wood; if they practice methods correctly, they can become demons, but such cases are extremely rare. So far, I have never heard of a mortal successfully cultivating into a demon. As for you... to be honest, your situation is rather special. You are naturally endowed with the complete five elements. Although you are most suited for practicing the magic arts of the Underworld, if you truly wish to learn the magic arts of the Demon Realm, it won't cause any major issues." In truth, there was one more thing he left unsaid—with Xuan Xian's cultivation level, he had long since broken through the limitations of the five elements. Since Shi Jun was the reincarnation of Xuan Xian, cultivating any kind of magic art would actually face no obstacles at all.

With that, he said sternly to Hu Hai, "If you truly wish to learn the magic arts of the Demon Realm, you must first completely forget all the water-type magic arts you have already learned and start over from scratch. The bit of Underworld cultivation you have accumulated in your body, I will also shatter for you. This process is rather painful. Are you willing to endure it? Can you bear it?"

Hu Hai was momentarily stunned, but without much hesitation, he held his head high and declared, "What's wrong with that? If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch its cubs? Oh, no, what I mean is that minor suffering is just encouragement. For the sake of fulfilling my dreams, I don't care about a little bit of pain."

Lie Jing smiled faintly and nodded. "Very well. Do you have a spare room here?"

Hu Hai scratched his head. "There's a storage room. Why?"

"Take me there," Lie Jing said coldly as he stood up. Hu Hai immediately realized that Lie Jing was about to "take action," and asked in bewilderment, "Just me alone? What about him?" He gestured towards Shi Jun with his hand.

***

Lie Jing put on a stern face and said, "He hasn't begged me to be his master." Hu Hai stammered in hesitation for a long while before suddenly understanding. He happily leaped to his feet, dashed ahead to the door of the storage room, opened it wide, and said respectfully, "Please, come in!"

After the two went inside, everything was quiet with not a sound to be heard. Shi Jun, Liu Qing, and the others looked at each other, none of them understanding what Lie Jing was actually planning to do. They had been sitting in the living room for less than a few seconds when suddenly, a piercing, unearthly scream burst out from the storage room, giving everyone a great fright and causing them to stare at one another in dismay.

Shi Buyi whispered quietly, "Big guy, this uncle of yours is so fierce! Even fiercer than me!"

Shi Jun joked, "Why, isn't he your uncle too?"

Shi Buyi stuck out his tongue, let out a yawn, and said, "Who says he isn't? But whether people get along is really hard to say, you know. Big guy, I'm sleepy and want to sleep."

"Sleep? What sleep?" Wang Li walked out carrying two plates of dishes and chuckled, "Could it be that everyone isn't hungry? But my speed was already very fast; you guys don't need to starve and howl in such a piercing manner, do you?"

Catching the aroma, Shi Buyi let out a loud cry. How could he still care about whether he was sleepy or not? His small body leaped up and flew to the edge of the dining table, pressing his nose against a plate roughly his size to sniff continuously while muttering endlessly, "So fragrant! So fragrant!"

***

When Hu Hai followed Lie Jing out of the storage room with a bitter expression, everyone finally gathered around, eating dinner while listening to Shi Jun briefly recount his trip to the Demon Realm. Moon Ghost King sighed and murmured, "To think that the Demon Realm is also facing a situation of fragmentation... Back then, Lord, when you went to the Demon Realm, Chi Shang actually intended to use a heart-boring worm to track you, but you beat him back. We then guessed that you must have encountered something particularly urgent. Not long after, Demon Lord Lie suddenly visited, and only then did everyone realize you had gone to the Demon Realm."

Remembering that fat, silvery-white little worm from that day, Shi Jun smiled and said to Chi Shang, "So you fellow actually kept such a trick up your sleeve."

Chi Shang's expression remained unchanged. "Naturally. You must remember, my lord, that you are already the master of Chi Shang. I must find out about my master's whereabouts."

Shi Jun laughed heartily and paid him no further mind, turning instead to ask Hu Hai, "Well then, have you been reborn?" He could tell that Lie Jing had a favorable impression of Hu Hai and wholeheartedly wanted to facilitate Hu Hai's wish to become his disciple.

Hu Hai nodded with a wry face, dodging Lie Jing's gaze to exchange a look with Shi Jun, and forced a cheerful expression as he said, "Heh, well naturally it couldn't be better. It's just that I don't know how much longer it will be before I can actually learn the magic arts of the Demon Realm, that's all."

Lie Jing cast an amused glance at Hu Hai, pulled a black scroll from his robe, and handed it to him. "These are the introductory chants. Study them diligently yourself."

Overjoyed, Hu Hai accepted it. "Thank you, Master!"

Lie Jing said indifferently, "Remember, I haven't formally accepted you as a disciple yet. As for your cultivation, it still depends on your own good fortune."

***

As they were talking, two fiery-red crows suddenly fluttered in from outside the window, flapping their wings and landing on the windowsill. Each held a white object in its beak, tilting their heads as they gazed at the crowd inside the room.

Following everyone's line of sight toward the window, Mo Tuo let out a loud shout of "Ah!" and bounced right out of his chair!

Everyone was given quite a scare by Mo Tuo. Hu Hai complained, "Old Mo, what are you doing? Did a rat bite your backside?"

Without expression, Lie Jing waved a hand, and the window silently swung open. The two fire crows immediately beat their wings and flew in; one flew onto his shoulder, while the other landed on Mo Tuo's shoulder.

Mo Tuo's expression instantly shifted from clear skies to overcast. With a gloomy face, he took the white object clamped in the crow's beak. It turned out to be a flat, small box. Upon opening it, the bamboo slips inside caused him to immediately drop half a foot in stature, looking thoroughly dejected and losing all appetite to "patronize" the table of fine dishes prepared by Wang Li.

Stretching his neck to look at the item in Lie Jing's hand, Hu Hai suddenly cried out in startled astonishment, "A challenge letter? Master, who is this fellow called Jue Su? So tired of living that he's actually taking the initiative to pick a fight with you?" As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to look at Lie Jing in shock.

Acting as if nothing were the matter, Lie Jing put away the bamboo slip in his hand and slowly said, "You little fellow, if you don't understand, don't talk nonsense. Jue Su is one of the four major heavenly demons currently governing the Demon Realm. His strength is profound; he is hardly someone tired of living as you put it."

Shi Jun had an exceptionally good memory and immediately recalled the Annihilation Earth Demon he had seen that day. Worriedly, he asked, "Uncle, is this because of me..."

"It has nothing to do with it." Lie Jing interrupted Shi Jun and smiled. "In the Demon Realm, such spar-like exchanges between people of the same rank are quite common. Mo Tuo, wouldn't you say so?"

Mo Tuo was lost in his own daze. Hearing Lie Jing's question, he asked in a dazed, hazy manner, "What?"

Lie Jing's sharp gaze swept over that fire crow and suddenly asked, "What, has your master found you?"

Only then did Shi Jun understand why Mo Tuo was so soul-stirringly distraught. He gave Mo Tuo a secret nudge while flashing a cheeky smile at Lie Jing, saying, "Uncle, Mo Tuo can be considered to have come along to gain some worldly experience under your lead this time. If his master asks about it, you must help put in a good word for him."

Mo Tuo's master was none other than the Annihilation Earth Demon's brother, the Annihilation-Extinction Earth Demon—an exceedingly narrow-minded and hot-tempered entity. Lie Jing glanced at Shi Jun and thought to himself that while Shi Jun was indeed giving him, this uncle, a nice favor to handle, he himself didn't mind either way. Thus, with a half-smile, he said, "You needn't play those tricks on me; I have my own measure of things." Turning to Mo Tuo, he said, "Little Mo Tuo, I'll be heading back right away. Will you come along with me?"

Hearing Lie Jing's implication that he intended to help put in a good word for him, Mo Tuo's eyes instantly lit up, and his spirit recovered at once. He cast a lingering and reluctant glance at Mei Jue.

Mei Jue had not expected Mo Tuo to say he was leaving just like that. Right in front of everyone, she did not dare voice any words, but merely turned her face slightly to the side, gazing fixedly at Mo Tuo in silence.

Shi Jun sighed inwardly and smiled, "Old Mo, don't tell me you're just going to leave like this and never come back. Our ghost-slaying combination can't do without a vital force like you."

Mo Tuo gave a dry chuckle and awkwardly said, "I'd like that too, it's just that my master, that person..." He wanted to say more, but Lie Jing had already stood up in one fluid motion, placing one hand on Shi Jun's shoulder. "Little Jun, once I leave this time, I may not return for quite a while. I'll have to trouble you to bid farewell to your mother on my behalf. You've grown up and have your own path to walk; your uncle won't stop you. But the ways of the world are perilous, so you must protect yourself well. Remember that?" He knew Shi Jun possessed a strong sense of independence, so he had no intention of uttering nagging words of caution. After all, Shi Jun's fate was, to a very large extent, entirely beyond his own grasp; saying anything else now would be in vain.

Shi Jun had not expected Lie Jing to leave so quickly either. Although the time he had spent with Lie Jing was not long, he had already developed a genuine affection for this seemingly stern yet deeply caring uncle. However, he had now learned to bury his emotions deep inside; even though he felt reluctant, he refused to let a trace of it show on his face. Hearing this, he nodded with a smile, fully understanding the concern Lie Jing held for him. "I know. Rest assured, Uncle."

Lie Jing gazed deeply at Shi Jun, gave his shoulder a heavy pat, and declared, "Good! Now that you're a real man, you ought to have your own ideas and take responsibility. Your uncle believes in you!" With that, paying no heed to Mo Tuo still gazing longingly and lingeringly at Mei Jue, he grabbed Mo Tuo's hand, formed a hand seal, and the two immediately soared out the window, merging into the deepening night.

***

The departure of Lie Jing and Mo Tuo was truly somewhat sudden. For a long while, everyone sat in silence, with no one opening their mouth to speak.

Mei Jue possessed an introverted personality, and having spent so much time with Mo Tuo, she had naturally developed some feelings for him. Seeing him leave just like that made her feel rather saddened inside. She bit her lower lip, stood up, and said in a low voice, "I—I'm going out for a walk."

"Second Brother will accompany you!" Wang Li also stood up, but Mei Jue ignored him and walked out the door on her own.

Hesitating for a moment, Liu Qing said softly to Shi Jun, "I'll go inside and check on your two friends."

Shi Jun nodded and said, "Thank you, Elder Sister Liu."

Knowing that Hu Hai and Shi Jun had been apart for a long time and must have plenty of things to talk about, Moon Ghost King and Chi Shang also stood up and said, "Let's go out for a walk as well." Only Shi Buyi sat cluelessly at the dining table, paying complete attention to nothing of what had just transpired and simply continuing to leisurely sip his soup in small, measured sips.

Having spent a long time together, Hu Hai and Mo Tuo had become friends who shared everything with one another. Seeing him leave so abruptly, Hu Hai felt a sour ache in his heart and genuinely felt a sense of reluctance. He forced a smile and said, "That fellow Mo Tuo is simply someone who can never sit still. Rest assured, it won't be long before he comes back." Whether he was saying this to himself or to Shi Jun, he wasn't entirely sure.

Changing the subject, Shi Jun asked, "Hai, why would you rather throw away the magic arts you've already learned just to practice demon arts?"

He had originally thought Hu Hai was just acting on a whim, but Hu Hai said with utmost sincerity, "Old Shi, I've thought it through. Now, it's impossible for me to willingly remain an ordinary person. Since I've already seen that there are so many different choices and possibilities in life, how could I be content to live out a mediocre life in obscurity? Am I supposed to end up like my mom and dad, busy making money all day long? I don't want that."

"But do you know that once you decide to practice demon arts, it's equivalent to stepping onto an arduous path?" For some reason, Shi Jun suddenly thought of Nisu. "And even if you succeed and become someone like my uncle, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll be happy."

"I know. You, this Underworld detective, have never truly enjoyed being one anyway," Hu Hai grinned, speaking with a hint of banter. "But I'm different. Ever since I practiced magic arts and altered my constitution and senses, I've been able to see things I couldn't see before and hear things I couldn't hear before. Suddenly, I grew weary of my former self. I'm afraid of death and want to attain eternal life; I'm afraid of living an ordinary life and want an exciting and colorful existence; I'm afraid of being looked down upon and want some genuine, solid abilities. In the past, I had no choice because I didn't know, but now I know and have seen it. I don't want to let myself sink into becoming a mediocre ordinary person. Practicing demon arts might not be the best choice, but for now, it's my dream. You heard him too—I am suited for practicing demon arts. In fact, these past few days, while studying and using water-type magic arts, I often had a strange, awkward feeling, always feeling like I wasn't executing them properly. Now that I think about it carefully, perhaps it was just starting down the wrong door—much like making someone cut out for track and field do rhythmic gymnastics instead. So when your uncle said he wanted to wipe away my previous cultivation, I agreed without any hesitation, because I've already discovered that I'm actually unsuited to learning Underworld magic arts, just like discovering that I'm actually unwilling to endure the destiny of an ordinary person."

As he went on, Hu Hai's voice turned somewhat desolate and mournful. "Old Shi, you and I are different. You didn't want to be an Underworld detective because you have your own philosophy of life and prefer a peaceful existence. But do you know? I envy you, because you have far more choices available to you than I do."

***

Shi Jun gazed silently at Hu Hai, listening quietly as he continued, "Just look at Chen Ya—what's the use no matter how deeply attached one is to her? Affection turns out to be unreliable. Extending this logic, what's the use of having however much money? You can't take it with you when you die, and it only breeds more troubles. Look at my parents—they have money, yet how exhausting is their lives! I only have these few decades of life; I am truly unwilling to live like that."

Only then did Shi Jun realize that the affair with Chen Ya had dealt Hu Hai such a heavy blow that it had actually caused him to lose faith in matters of the heart. No wonder he had recovered so quickly after being temporarily infatuated by Mei Jue—given Mei Jue's powerful charm, a young man like Hu Hai should normally have found it difficult to resist.

Hu Hai's words also struck a chord within Shi Jun. Ah, yes—everyone hopes for the right to choose their own path in life, but in reality, it is extremely difficult, and people are often passively tossed about by the hands of fate, drifting along helplessly. Just like how he hadn't wanted to be an Underworld detective, yet ended up as one; how he hadn't wanted to get involved in the disputes of the four realms, yet found himself sinking deeper and deeper... Exactly what kind of strength must a person possess to be able to contend against an unpredictable fate? He did not know, but Hu Hai's intent was actually the same as his own—they did not wish to become chess pieces manipulated by destiny. Hu Hai was his friend, and he had no reason not to support him.

Thinking of this, Shi Jun nodded. "I understand. Since you've already made your decision, I will certainly support you." With that, he searched through his treasure pouch, fished out the book on foundational magic cultivation from the manuals left behind by Nisu, and handed it over. "Then consider this book a gift from me to you."

Upon seeing it, Hu Hai was both startled and overjoyed. "'The Secrets of the Five Elements'? This is simply wonderful! Then let's cultivate together! By the way, Old Shi, have you ever thought about which direction you should cultivate in?"

Shi Jun shook his head. "Perhaps I'll try out the magic arts of all the various systems? Earlier when I was in the Demon Realm, I had a few real brawls with those demons and used magic arts from various realms as well. Just as you said, some felt smooth while others felt awkward. At the root of it all, the magic arts of the Underworld are still the ones I use most fluently."

"Huh? How come I don't feel that way?" Shi Buyi suddenly chimed in. "I feel like the immortal realm's magic arts are the smoothest to use!"

Hu Hai scratched his head, looking jokingly at the little fellow on the table. "By the way, supposedly you're also a part of Shi Jun, so how come I don't feel any sense of kinship from you at all?"

Shi Buyi glared at him angrily. "You don't, but do I? Hmph, you reckless fellow really don't know how to speak!"

Shi Jun laughed. "I suspect this little fellow has concentrated the most violent and unreasonable elements of my personality. You didn't see Xiao Tian getting his head covered in bumps from being beaten by him!"

"I protest! I am not someone who likes to resort to violence at all! It's just that Xiao Tian loves getting beaten!" Shi Buyi argued back vociferously.

Hu Hai roared with laughter for a good long while before finally wheezing, "Agreed, agreed!" meaning he agreed with Shi Jun's assessment. To his surprise, Shi Buyi misunderstood, nodded with great complacency, and said, "That's more like it. Remember, I am someone who loves peace. As the saying goes: if others don't attack me, I won't attack them!"