Chapter Ten: The Dark Commander Yaksha

Page 1/3

Qin Xiaoya was carefully carrying a bowl of chicken soup as she stepped out of the kitchen. Suddenly, a gust of wind whooshed past, and Lie Jun and Shi Jun unexpectedly appeared in the living room, startling her so much that she screamed and dropped the bowl of soup.

“Mom!” Shi Jun hurried over, worried she might have been scalded. “Are you alright?”

“I’m... I’m fine,” Qin Xiaoya murmured, rubbing her forehead. “Did I imagine things? When did you two get back?”

Shi Jun forced a smile. “We just got back. Didn’t you hear the door?”

He glanced at Lie Jun, thinking: Knowing Mom’s an ordinary person, why would you teleport in like that? What if you scared her badly?

Lie Jun felt a pang of regret and quickly explained, “I was just about to return when I bumped into him downstairs. If it weren’t for the photo of Xiao Jun, I wouldn’t have recognized him either. Xiaoya, did we frighten you?”

“I’m fine,” Qin Xiaoya steadied herself and then chided Shi Jun, “Why are you so filthy again? You really need to clean up. Go change your clothes and chat with your uncle. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Shi Jun made a face and dashed into his room, muttering to himself as he rummaged for clothes: So Lie Jun really is my uncle? But how can he be a Great Demon Lord? If he’s Dad’s brother, then what does that make me? A little demon? Haha, just like Moto!

Lost in thought, Shi Jun heard a soft knock and saw Lie Jun slowly enter the room.

He knew Lie Jun had something to say and was brimming with questions but didn’t know how to start, so he silently watched him.

“In truth, your father and I, the Great Demon Lord Shili, are sworn brothers. So it’s not wrong for you to call me uncle,” Lie Jun smiled and gestured for Shi Jun to sit opposite him, his gaze gentle.

“Shili... Great Demon Lord?” Shi Jun repeated cautiously, eyes full of confusion.

“That’s right. You were born of the fusion between the Demon Realm and the Human World. Half of your bloodline flows from the Demon Realm.”

Shi Jun quickly asked, “Where’s my father?” This was his most pressing concern, so the question slipped out without hesitation.

“I don’t know. I came to the Human World looking for him. But so far, there’s no news. I suspect Shili has been imprisoned somewhere.”

“Imprisoned?” Shi Jun felt a chill and pressed, “What’s going on? Tell me everything!”

“I’m not fully aware,” Lie Jun sighed. “Nineteen years ago, Shili excitedly told me he’d fallen in love with a woman he met during his travels in the Human World.”

“That’s Mom,” Shi Jun whispered.

“Yes, Xiaoya. Normally, I would have followed Shili to the Human World, at least to attend the wedding. But I was on a mission from the Demon Lord and couldn’t leave. Later, I visited once; your parents were already married and had you. Though it was brief and I didn’t meet Xiaoya, seeing your father’s happy smile made me glad. Shili said he would soon go to the Underworld for a trial and then become a father. I left assured and returned to the Demon Realm to cultivate.”

Lie Jun then took a necklace from his neck. “Your father has one just like this.”

Shi Jun immediately recognized it as almost identical to the one his mother wore.

“I was completely isolated during my cultivation, so I had no news. Your father’s disappearance and the first Four Realms War only came to my knowledge recently.”

“The first Great War?” Shi Jun looked puzzled. How did a war from a century ago relate to an event nineteen years ago?

Lie Jun smiled faintly. “I mean the war among the Demon, Immortal, Monster, and Underworld realms. Our foster father, the Demon Lord Canse, was killed in that war…”

He paused, recalling something. “I once sensed Canse’s demonic power inside you. Strange indeed. Not only that, there’s a powerful immortal spirit force and a strange spiritual energy entwined within you. How can you be so unusual? The strongest forces of the Demon, Immortal, and Underworld realms all reside in your body. Haven’t you noticed?”

“Me?” Shi Jun was shocked and nearly fell off his chair.

* * * * *

Before Shi Jun could ask more, Lie Jun stood up. His tall figure made the room feel cramped. He paced slowly, murmuring to himself, “Could this be why people from both realms are after you? That old fellow in the Yellow Springs really should be dead—where is he hiding? The Eye of Insight... the Heart of the Pact...”

After a moment’s thought, he stopped and quickly traced a semicircle in the air with his crossed hands. He extended his right index finger, and a drop of bright red blood slowly oozed from the fingertip, fell to the ground, and vanished without a trace.

Shi Jun didn’t understand but said nothing, watching Lie Jun’s serious expression quietly.

“Meow—” Suddenly, a cat’s meow came from the windowsill.

On the eleventh floor’s windowsill, a tiny cat appeared out of nowhere. Shi Jun was surprised and turned to see a golden kitten, about the size of a fist, with two pairs of butterfly wings under its ribs. It lazily curled up by the window. Noticing Shi Jun staring, its orange eyes flashed red. It raised a paw, scratched itself deftly, shook off, and beneath its feet, four small flames appeared like clouds, gently supporting its small body as it floated down.

Looking closer, the butterfly wings, though delicate, were wide and thick relative to the cat’s body, adorned naturally with black and yellow patterns. When flapping, it was beautifully mesmerizing.

“This is the fusion beast Ni Huan. It’s been with me for years and is highly intelligent. From now on, it will protect your mother, so I can rest easier.”

“Protect? Is someone threatening Mom?” Shi Jun was startled and stood up quickly. “Is it those two groups from earlier today?”

Lie Jun’s eyes showed worry but he smiled, “No matter what, it’s better to be cautious. Better safe than sorry.”

Shi Jun looked closely at Ni Huan and then asked, “Is this little thing reliable? And its appearance is so conspicuous—I’m afraid Mom won’t handle it well.”

“These fusion beasts are very proud; you must be polite when speaking to them,” Lie Jun squatted, shook Ni Huan’s paw gently like an old friend, and smiled. “It’s one of the most intelligent mystical beasts in the Demon Realm. It has strong resistance to physical and magical attacks. Though its offensive power isn’t great, it possesses a powerful defensive spell by nature. It’s perfect for protecting Xiaoya. Rest assured, Ni Huan can become invisible and will always follow your mother, but no mortal can see it.”

Ni Huan agreed with a soft “awoo,” glanced at Shi Jun, twitched its ears, flames appeared again under its feet, and it slowly floated upwards. Under Shi Jun and Lie Jun’s gaze, it flew straight into the wall and disappeared.

“I’m getting more and more confused,” Shi Jun sat on the bed laughing bitterly.

“Is it hard to accept your own origins?” Lie Jun asked.

Hard to accept? Over the past few months, Shi Jun had been forced to accept many things he once couldn’t—since his eighteenth birthday, he wondered if this would ever end. Would he wake one morning to find it all a dream? Or would his life be rewritten, forever cut off from the ordinary, peaceful life he once hoped for?

From being harassed by the Underworld, becoming a Underworld enforcer, stumbling into the Underworld, searching for spirit tokens, to being pursued by the Immortal and Demon realms and discovering his incredible heritage—what was easy to accept? Yet he had to accept it all.

Just like this sudden appearance of the Great Demon Lord uncle. Shi Jun had quietly scanned Lie Jun’s emotions during their conversation and felt his sincerity—it didn’t seem like a lie.

Page 2/3

“If Mom finds out Dad’s identity, hehe, I wonder if she could handle it,” Shi Jun said, then noticed Lie Jun’s concerned gaze and felt a twinge of guilt for doubting him before.

“By the way, why did you have to drip blood to summon Ni Huan?”

“That’s a pact from the Demon Realm. Though I raised Ni Huan, it can’t serve me for free; I must pay a price it’s satisfied with—my blood is the best tonic for its cultivation.”

“So practical? If you summon it often, won’t your fingers be bleeding all the time?”

Lie Jun smiled confidently and proudly, “Yes, if I really needed it all the time.”

Shi Jun suddenly felt his question was silly. How could a Great Demon Lord like Lie Jun always need a pet to protect him? Lie Jun’s gentle smile made Shi Jun feel like a childish fool, which annoyed him a little, but deep down a warm feeling spread.

An uncle is Dad’s brother. Even if not by blood, that relationship guarantees family ties.

Suddenly, Shi Jun realized he already liked this uncle a little.

* * * * *

Though he had many questions, Qin Xiaoya suddenly knocked and told them to come eat immediately. Shi Jun noticed Ni Huan circling his mother’s head, occasionally flying down to sniff her, looking quite content, while Mom remained unaware, which made him smile and wonder about Ni Huan’s gender—it seemed a bit “flirty.” He exchanged a look with Lie Jun and obediently followed Qin Xiaoya into the living room.

Qin Xiaoya’s mood seemed very good. She urged Lie Jun and Shi Jun to eat more but ate very little herself, as if watching them eat filled her up.

Seeing Mom happy, Shi Jun was glad and started entertaining her with funny stories from school, exaggerating them to make her laugh.

Seeing Mom’s joy, a sudden sadness overwhelmed Shi Jun’s heart—if Dad were here, Mom would be even happier. How wonderful it would be for the three of them to sit and talk like this! Thinking of this strengthened his resolve to find his father. Hopefully, one day they would reunite, and Mom would smile even more brightly.

The sudden appearance of Uncle Lie Jun and the earlier pursuit by Immortal and Demon realms stirred a storm inside Shi Jun. Lie Jun’s revelation of three intertwined mysterious forces within him reminded him of the day in the amusement park’s underground cave when he felt three different energies surging uncontrollably in his body.

But the initial unease quickly faded—Shi Jun’s carefree nature prevented him from overthinking. As long as it didn’t trouble Mom, other things could wait.

With growing strength from constant trials, his confidence grew. His mindset shifted—from wanting a simple, carefree life to realizing that to live the life he dreamed of, he needed power. Only those who create and control the rules can live truly free. Without means or choices, he must strive to become the master of the game, for only in a world he controls can he find true peace and happiness.

* * * * *

Qin Xiaoya listened with a smile as her son spoke, stirring the rice aimlessly in her bowl, scattering what was once clumped—much like her fragmented thoughts.

The old immortal once said Shili is a Great Demon Lord of the Demon Realm. She didn’t believe it. Yet from the moment Shi Jun was born, strange people had come to attack or kill him. Though the old immortal drove them away, Qin Xiaoya knew they were not ordinary humans—perhaps not even human.

For years, she dared not think deeply about it. No one could unravel her doubts, so she deceived herself like an ostrich. Sometimes it worked, and she nearly forgot—especially after Shi Jun’s uneventful eighteenth birthday, she truly thought it was over. But when Lie Jun appeared, she realized all along she had been deluding herself.

Lie Jun’s arrival had once filled her with despair, sensing that their peaceful life would be shattered and danger could strike anytime. But her strong character quickly brought calm: Is avoidance a solution? Even if she could deceive herself, how could she face Shi Jun if something happened? Maybe it was time to tell him the truth.

She clearly saw Lie Jun and Shi Jun didn’t enter normally but appeared suddenly in the living room. Yet Lie Jun and Shi Jun lied in unison—so Shi Jun must know Lie Jun’s identity. How much else did he know? Qin Xiaoya understood her son’s resolute and independent nature. Since he didn’t want her to know, she had no choice but to pretend ignorance for now.

Lie Jun, too, must be from the Demon Realm. He didn’t know Shili’s whereabouts and was searching everywhere. It seemed her husband’s fate was grim. This saddened Qin Xiaoya deeply—she didn’t care what kind of man he was or even if he was not human. She firmly believed he loved her sincerely, and she loved him without regret, as always. But did Shili know this?

This thought brought a bitter ache. She forced a smile, lowered her head, and pretended to eat, not daring to let Shi Jun see her moist eyes.

* * * * *

Lie Jun kept smiling, occasionally interjecting. He could tell Qin Xiaoya was uneasy.

On the way back from Beijing, Qin Xiaoya never mentioned Shili or showed interest—no questions about his occupation, where he lived, or why he only appeared now.

She expressed a warm welcome but seemed to avoid certain topics. Curiously, when he suggested visiting, she didn’t refuse.

Did she already know Shili’s identity? Lie Jun doubted it—Shili wouldn’t reveal his true self to a mortal.

As for Shi Jun, his strange origins were already enough, but the three mysterious forces in him worried Lie Jun even more. Before leaving the Demon Realm, he heard of the reincarnated Xuanxian who bore the Eye of Insight and Heart of the Pact. Both Demon and Immortal realms were eager to find him for revenge and to gain supreme power. But it turned out this reincarnated Xuanxian was Shili’s son. How could Shi Jun, raised as a mortal, master these powers so easily? He even subdued the fabled Demon Blaze Gold, which Lie Jun himself could not. Shi Jun must have started cultivating long ago, but why was Qin Xiaoya seemingly unaware? Lie Jun was baffled.

The epic battle between the Underworld Emperor Youxian, Immortal Sage Baopu, Monster Spirit Julan, and foster father Demon Lord Canse was earth-shattering. Though no one knew the cause, and Lie Jun was secluded, the battle was fierce. Youxian, aided by the Heart of Chaos and Eye of Insight, defeated his enemies. Julan fled grievously wounded; Canse and Baopu both perished. But Youxian’s soul was split into two due to the overwhelming power he absorbed, becoming the current Underworld Emperor Youming and Xuanxian. The Heart of Chaos and Eye of Insight split into the Heart of Devouring, Heart of Fusion (the Pact), the Eye of Surveillance, and the Eye of Insight.

Youming inherited the Heart of Devouring and Eye of Surveillance, body, and memories but was seriously injured and hid in the Underworld. Xuanxian, holding the Heart of Fusion and Eye of Insight, lost all memories and his body, forced to reincarnate as a human.

Few witnessed the Four Realms War. Afterward, the Monster Realm sealed its borders and withdrew. The Demon and Immortal realms dispatched scouts to find the reincarnated Xuanxian—to avenge and seize the power to dominate the Four Realms.

Lie Jun guessed Youming also searched for Xuanxian, hoping to reunite and regain full power. Unknown to him, Youming found Shi Jun months ago but, for reasons unknown, didn’t devour him and instead forced him to become an Underworld enforcer.

Xuanxian disappeared soon after reincarnation. Lie Jun heard this was due to intervention by the Yellow Springs Patriarch, who knew Youming was once Youxian—best friends of old—and protected him from Youming and others.

Who could have guessed this little guy before him was his nephew, the reincarnation of Xuanxian? Moreover, the powers of Canse and Baopu had not vanished but hid with Xuanxian’s soul inside Shi Jun. Yet both mother and son seemed oblivious. Why?

But the crisis was real—this mother and son could no longer live peacefully. Did Qin Xiaoya and Shi Jun realize this? Lie Jun sighed silently, filled with worry and doubt.

* * * * *

Just as the three hid their worries behind forced smiles, the room’s air suddenly trembled. A massive tension filled the living room. Lie Jun and Shi Jun felt nothing unusual, but Qin Xiaoya felt nauseous and dropped her bowl, shattering it.

Ni Huan, curled beside Qin Xiaoya, immediately lifted its head and expelled a thin golden halo that spread to encircle her. Her complexion eased.

Under the startled gazes of Shi Jun and others, the transparent air rippled like water, flowing with faint yellow light.

Like curtains parting, a tall young man strode from the ripples.

Page 3/3

The young man was dark-skinned, handsome, and imposing, with a thick beard flowing to his shoulders. A dark metal band adorned with star and moon patterns bound his forehead. He wore navy blue armor that accentuated his towering physique, with a black cloak billowing behind. His eyes sparkled keenly but showed anxiety.

He calmly surveyed the group, then locked eyes on Shi Jun and walked straight to him. Bowing, he said, “Honored Underworld Enforcer, I am Yasha.”

Yasha? Shi Jun immediately recalled the day Mischief had transformed into a Yasha before him and how Hu Hai had introduced the four Underworld Marshals of Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind. This Yasha was the Earth Marshal. Why was he here uninvited? Shi Jun glanced anxiously at his mother, who stared at Yasha in shock. So Yasha wasn’t invisible—his cover was blown.

Feeling a bit guilty but knowing he couldn’t explain now, Shi Jun forced a smile and said, “Brother Yasha, to what do I owe the honor of this sudden visit?”

Yasha said gravely, “I dare to borrow something important from you.”

Borrow something? Shi Jun thought of TV dramas where such lines often meant trouble—

“I want to borrow something from you.”

“What?”

“Your head, sir!”

“Ahhh!”

He chuckled inwardly. What important thing could he possibly lend? Didn’t the Underworld have plenty? Even if they did, they’d just take it without ceremony. Yet they barged in during dinner, making such a fuss—it was outrageous!

He kept a smile, “Brother Yasha, what do you need that’s so important? Maybe I have it here!”

“The Underworld token!” Yasha grew anxious.

The Underworld token? No way! Shi Jun thought. He still needed it to enter the Underworld and search for his father. And what if handing it over harmed Chi Shang or others?

Suspicious, he asked, “Did the Underworld Emperor send you?”

“…Yes,” Yasha hesitated, then quickly added, “It’s for a very important matter. Can you help?”

“Sorry, I can’t.” Shi Jun immediately saw something was off and casually sat down. “When Chiyang gave me the token, he repeatedly told me to keep it safe and never hand it to anyone. Sorry, Brother Yasha.”

“Won’t you even obey the Emperor’s orders?” Yasha grew impatient.

“I do!” Shi Jun smiled lazily. “But he keeps changing his mind. Maybe he should tell me himself.”

“The Emperor is secluded…” Yasha blurted, realizing his mistake and growing embarrassed. “Actually, this is a personal urgent matter.”

First impersonating the Emperor’s orders, then claiming a personal favor—this was their first meeting, and he was lying. Why should Shi Jun trust him?

Feigning difficulty, Shi Jun said, “Really inconvenient. If you need anything else, just ask. But the token is off-limits.”

“You… have bad intentions! I think you’re taking revenge for personal reasons!” Yasha’s face flushed red, turning dark with anger. “Hand it over now!”

Shi Jun was unperturbed. “Huh? We’re strangers. How can I have grudges or bad intentions? Brother Yasha, you’re exaggerating!”

Yasha clenched his fists, furious, “You’re just angry about Chiyang’s little prank on you. Today, you won’t save her. Even without the token, I can rescue her!”

He turned and walked away.

“Stop!” Shi Jun shouted.

Yasha halted but didn’t look back, snorting disdainfully.

Shi Jun stood, frowning, “What happened to Chiyang? What do you mean by not saving her? Is she in danger?”

“Since you won’t lend the token, why pretend now? Just here for the show?”

“Obviously!” Shi Jun grew anxious, asking repeatedly, “Where is Chiyang? How is she? Why won’t the Emperor send help?”

Yasha snapped, “The entire Underworld knows you’re playing dumb.”

“Brother, I’ve been in the Human World. How could I know?”

Yasha suddenly spun around and dashed before Shi Jun, face bright with hope. “So you’ll lend it?”

Shi Jun wordlessly took the token from his neck and handed it over.

* * * * *

Yasha stared blankly at Shi Jun for a long moment before breaking into an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I must have misunderstood you.”

He pointed to the “air portal” and chanted. Soon, two ghost soldiers clad in armor stepped through the ripples; one cradled a child, face battered and unconscious.

“Mischief!” Shi Jun exclaimed, rushing forward to lift the child. “What happened?”

Mischief seemed badly hurt. Shi Jun whispered for a long time, but the child didn’t wake.

Yasha said gravely, “With their strength, neither Mischief nor Chiyang should have been hurt by those little demons. At first, we weren’t worried about their mission to the Monster Realm. But Mischief’s powers were sealed by the Emperor. Chiyang was overwhelmed and in grave danger. Mischief had to return for reinforcements. I thought the Emperor would send troops, but…”

He sighed, displeased. “Our Underworld army is bound by barriers and cannot leave without permission. Desperate, I thought of the token. It summons countless powerful spirits. Now that you own it, you can command them freely. That’s why I came. Mischief mentioned you and Chiyang have… a special relationship, so I was worried and misunderstood you.”

Shi Jun thought Mischief must have blurted out how he often calls Chiyang a “nasty woman,” leading Yasha to think he disliked her and wanted revenge.

Just then, Mischief stirred and opened her eyes, staring at Shi Jun in disbelief. Tears welled, and she whimpered, “Underworld Enforcer, Mischief is useless, can’t help, almost got Chiyang hurt! Go save her quickly! Otherwise, she and Sister Fuyao are doomed!”

“Don’t worry,” Shi Jun comforted her softly, then turned to Yasha firmly. “No matter what, I’m going with you to save Chiyang in the Monster Realm. Otherwise, forget borrowing the token!”

Page 3/3