Chapter Two: A Dilemma of Staying or Leaving (Part Two)

After calling out to her several times, Qin Xiaoya finally snapped out of her reverie. A smile, gentle yet desolate, tugged at the corners of her mouth as she said, a bit dazed, "Good child, Mother is fine. Go on, keep talking."

Shi Jun breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "But it is truly strange that Dad has been missing for so many years without a single trace. That is why I must get to the bottom of this; I believe I can find where he is! Then, won’t we be able to be a family again?"

"A family reunited?" These words struck a chord in Qin Xiaoya’s heart. She repeated them in a murmur, a strange gleam appearing in her eyes, only to be shrouded in shadow an instant later. "Child, there are some things you do not yet know..."

"I know Dad was a Great Demon Lord! Uncle told me that. He is a demon lord too, Mother. And I also know that Dad went missing years ago while crossing his tribulation in the Underworld. But regardless of whether one is human or demon, no one can just vanish into thin air. Something must have happened to him in some place, which is why he couldn't return to us. If I want to find him, I must start at the source of the problem—the Underworld. Isn't that right?"

"You knew all this?" Seeing her son speaking with such confidence, Qin Xiaoya had no idea how much of the truth he actually grasped. Yet, having the secret that had weighed on her heart for years finally spoken aloud by her son brought a sudden, inexplicable sense of relief. Furthermore, hearing him declare his intention to find his long-lost father left her so emotionally stirred that she could not utter a word. Her vision blurred with tears, and the images of her and her husband—their tender smiles and affectionate moments—floated before her eyes.

If everyone truly went to the Underworld her son spoke of after death, perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing. Even if Ali had passed away, wouldn't she be reunited with him one day? Qin Xiaoya thought hazily. For a moment, she wished she could just die right then and there to be with her husband, no longer having to live with such exhaustion and hardship. Then, the thought struck her that Ali might not be dead after all; she couldn't rashly go looking for him and leave her son all alone and helpless. What would he do? Then, she realized her son had to shoulder so many heavy burdens at such a young age, and she was unable to share them, which made her heart ache beyond measure.

Seeing Qin Xiaoya’s gaze become unfocused, her expression shifting between a faint smile and deep sorrow, Shi Jun grew frightened. He reached out to steady her, calling softly, "Mother? Mother!"

Qin Xiaoya steadied herself, her eyes resting directly on Shi Jun. She searched the boyish features of her son for the silhouette of her husband. After a long while, she finally shook her head slowly, sighed in disappointment, and whispered, "Good child, can you... can you really find your father?" There was infinite yearning in her eyes, and her tone carried a hint of pleading.

Shi Jun looked at his mother, feeling a profound sense of sorrow. His chest felt as if it were being struck by a heavy stone—aching and raw.

"I can!" Shi Jun nodded heavily. His voice was so loud it startled even himself. "Don't worry, Mother. I will find Dad and bring our family back together!"

Qin Xiaoya nodded slowly, reaching out to stroke her son’s thick hair as large, dark tears finally began to fall.

***

"No, I do not agree." Lie Jin suddenly slammed his chopsticks onto the table and said in a low, stern voice.

Qin Xiaoya and Shi Jun were startled, looking at Lie Jin in confusion as he suddenly flared with anger.

"Jun, I don't care what your motive is for being an Underworld Scout, but from now on, you are not to have any more dealings with them!" Lie Jin's voice was not loud, but it was low and imposing, filled with an undeniable authority.

"Why?" Shi Jun asked, bewildered.

"You are the son of a Great Heavenly Demon; how can you be so easily used by the Underworld?" Lie Jin hesitated for a few seconds before continuing. "Youming must have a hidden agenda in asking you to do things. He has nothing but ill intentions toward you! I have already told you that the light of your heart is immensely powerful and will invite many unnecessary troubles. Right now, you and your mother must protect yourselves and stay hidden from the searches of the various realms. If you go blundering into the Demon Realm now, you will only invite disaster!"

Shi Jun nodded and gave Lie Jin a grateful smile. "I understand. But this time is different. A friend of mine met with an accident in the Demon Realm, and I cannot stand by and watch her die. I have to go save her..."

"What do you mean by 'stand by and watch her die'?" Lie Jin snorted, looking highly displeased. "I have heard of this Chiyang; she is one of the four great Underworld Marshals of Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind. Her cultivation must be quite strong. If she can meet with danger in the Demon Realm with her abilities, what makes you think you can save her? Do you think you are more powerful than she is? Besides, since the Underworld is already mobilizing people to rescue her, they surely have their own methods. Why must you insist on meddling?"

"That is a different matter. I don't know if Yacha has a way, but I won't be at peace unless I go and see for myself..."

"How many times must I say it before you understand!" Lie Jin said, annoyed. "I really don't know what you're thinking. Didn't you say you became an Underworld Scout to save Ali? What does this have to do with Chiyang? Whether she lives or dies is the Underworld's own business—what is that to you?! Tomorrow, when that Yacha comes to find you, just refuse him outright. You are not to agree to go to the Demon Realm!"

"No! I must go and see how Chiyang is doing. If I were ignorant of the situation, that would be one thing, but now that I know she is in danger, I cannot just stand by. Forgive me, but I cannot obey you."

Seeing that Shi Jun paid no heed to his warnings, Lie Jin’s expression turned even darker. "In short, I said you are not to go, and that is final!"

"Why can't I go!" Shi Jun was also getting irritated, arguing back, "Chiyang is my friend. I don't care if she's human or ghost; she is in danger, and I must go save her!"

"Save her? You? With your skills?" Lie Jin sneered. "Do you think you can save anyone with your meager abilities? You'll be lucky if you don't just add to the trouble."

"I..." Shi Jun was momentarily at a loss for words. He could not understand why this uncle, who had seemed so caring and kind to him before, had suddenly become so sharp-tongued and unreasonable. A nameless fire surged in his chest, his face flushed red, and he shouted, "My skills are not your concern! Regardless, I am going to the Demon Realm!" With that, he turned and walked away.

***

"Jun, where are you going?" Seeing the conversation between Shi Jun and Lie Jin turn into a standoff, Qin Xiaoya felt she couldn't interject. It sounded as if her son was arguing with Lie Jin over a friend from the Underworld, and she felt Lie Jin’s sudden, adamant refusal was somewhat unreasonable. Feeling anxious, she tried to persuade them gently, "Can't you just talk this through? Why lose your temper? Who exactly is this Chiyang?"

It was rare for Shi Jun to blush, but he pursed his lips and said, "Chiyang... she is a good friend of mine! She’s a very kind person, and she has been very caring toward me..."

"Is that so?" Lie Jin looked at Shi Jun’s somewhat unnatural expression, appearing to realize something. He pondered for a moment and then sneered, "I heard that this Chiyang is the lover of the Underworld Emperor. To remain in the Underworld, she did not hesitate to ruin her own prospects. A perfectly good celestial being, willing to become a lackey of the Underworld—why didn't you mention that?" Lie Jin said coldly.

"You're lying!" Shi Jun was stunned, his face turning bright red.

"You know nothing, so why do you say I'm lying?" A flash of anger crossed Lie Jin's eyes.

It was the first time Shi Jun had heard such things about Chiyang. It felt as if a bottle of five flavors had been smashed, with sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy sensations rushing up at once. When they reached his throat, they blocked his voice, and his chest felt as if it were about to burst. He couldn't breathe, and even his mouth felt bitter. "She... she didn't fail her tribulation and have her body shattered, then meet with spiritual fate, which is how she stayed in the Underworld? How can you slander her like this?"

"We in the Demon Realm have reliable sources for everything that happens in the other realms," Lie Jin said slowly. "Perhaps not many people know about the affair between Chiyang and the Underworld Emperor, but their relationship is certainly extraordinary. That much is certain! Think clearly: is it worth taking such a huge risk for a woman like that?"

"I..." Shi Jun murmured, his chest aching.

Lie Jin looked deeply at Shi Jun, sighed, and changed to a gentler tone. "Now that you know, listen to your uncle and don't go to the Demon Realm to find that Chiyang, alright?"

***

So... Chiyang loves the Underworld Emperor! Shi Jun’s hands unconsciously clenched into fists. Anger, self-pity, worry, and jealousy churned within him. Chiyang’s delicate face flickered before his eyes, and he felt a dull throb in his heart. So, everything she did was to help that old Underworld Emperor, and toward me... she had no real feelings at all! Yes, in the end, I am just a common human boy. What do I have to compare with that high and powerful Underworld Emperor?

Now that she is in danger, the Underworld Emperor will surely go to save her. Why should I bother getting involved? At this thought, he felt disheartened and dejected, his heart aching with frustration and misery. He collapsed into his chair.

...Wait! If that were really the case, why was Yacha in such a rush to come and borrow the Underworld token? Why, knowing that Chiyang was in danger, did the Underworld Emperor go into seclusion? Could her safety be less important than his seclusion? Could this be a conspiracy? Is Chiyang actually in no danger at all?

"When you encounter ghosts with high spiritual power, do not act rashly. Drag it out if you can. You must protect yourself first. I will try to finish my business as soon as possible so I can join you in the Human Realm..." The look on Chiyang’s face when they parted at the Underworld River surfaced in Shi Jun’s mind.

No, that concern and worry could not have been faked!

And... and when he was in the Underworld, when Chiyang couldn't find him and finally saw him with Rakshasa, the slight jealousy and the surprise she showed upon seeing him again—that couldn't have been faked either.

But when he was with her, even when they laughed and talked, she would often suddenly furrow her brows, burdened by heavy thoughts. What was it for? She never told him.

Chiyang, what has happened to you? What is this all about?

"Do you understand now? That Chiyang is simply helping the Underworld Emperor to fool you and use you!" Watching Shi Jun’s expression, Lie Jin assumed he had finally gotten through to him and struck while the iron was hot.

...

Shi Jun sat in silence, head lowered, lost in his own thoughts.

"Child, you..." A mother’s heart is connected to her son’s. Seeing the loss and pain in her son’s eyes, Qin Xiaoya felt a pang of heartache. She had been through life herself; the flash of light in Shi Jun's eyes when Lie Jin mentioned the woman named Chiyang could not be hidden from her. Her son had finally grown up! Qin Xiaoya felt a sudden sense of sentimentality mixed with bitterness. As she looked into her son’s dark, bright eyes, the image of her husband Shi Li’s affectionate gaze flashed before her.

Shi Jun, lost in thought, finally looked up. Lie Jin was shocked to see the determination dancing in his eyes. "I have thought it over. I must go to the Demon Realm! No matter what, I must see that she is safe and sound before I can be at ease!"

"You!" Lie Jin, not expecting Shi Jun to be so stubborn and unreasonable, slammed the table and rose in a fit of rage. He knew from Shi Jun’s expression that saying anything more would be useless, but who could understand the worry in his heart? His nephew, because he possessed the most powerful forces of the Celestial, Demon, and Underworld realms within him, had long become a target for all sides. The most terrifying of these was that old ghost of the Underworld, Youming. With his connection to Xuansian—who shared the same origin as Shi Jun—he likely knew everything about Shi Jun’s situation. Having the boy serve as an Underworld Scout and sending his most trusted confidante, Chiyang, as his assistant was a move with ulterior motives. And there was one more crucial point: his good friend Shili had disappeared without a trace while crossing his tribulation in the Underworld. With Shili’s cultivation, no power other than that old ghost Youming could have posed a threat to him. Needless to say, this was also his doing!

He knew all of this, but he couldn't be sure if he should tell everything. Knowing Shi Jun’s fearless, stubborn temper, if he found out that everything was related to the Underworld Emperor, there was no telling what kind of chaos he would cause. With his current strength, trying to fight Youming—a being he himself feared deeply—was essentially suicide! Thinking of this, Lie Jin gritted his teeth and made up his mind.