PID Chapter 11

 

The system had said that the main characters’ important growth points couldn’t be changed. For Chu Jinglan, there should be two crucial points: being crippled and his mother’s death.

 

Shortly after he became crippled, his mother passed away. Chu Jinglan couldn’t even see her one last time while she was alive. No matter how much suffering and pain he endured later, nothing could compare to the heart-wrenching agony of those few days.

 

Xiao Mo’s mist form moved slightly, looking towards the still oblivious Chu Jinglan.

 

“System.”

 

“Yes, Host!”

 

“Is Chu Jinglan destined to be crippled in the Mu Mountain Secret Realm? And his mother…”

 

The system corrected him rigorously: “To be precise, he is destined to be crippled at seventeen. As for where it happens—be it Mu Mountain or East Mountain or South Mountain—that’s not the key point.”

 

“The same applies to his mother’s fate.”

 

No one could see the expression of a misty inner demon. The system only heard Xiao Mo’s voice, devoid of discernible emotion: “Oh.”

 

The system was curious: “Host, are you thinking of intervening in the plot again? If you want to adjust the location where Chu Jinglan gets crippled, I can give you some suggestions…”

 

“I’m not that morbidly curious,” Xiao Mo softly interrupted. “I just thought of something and asked casually… No, it’s nothing.”

 

He had indeed decided to be a different kind of inner demon, trying to coexist peacefully with Chu Jinglan as much as possible, but that was the extent of it.

 

Not interfering with each other, but also not concerning themselves with each other.

 

…That’s how it should have been.

 

However, by now, Xiao Mo finally realized he had made another mistake in his starting point.

 

He had thought lightly of it, forgetting that Chu Jinglan was no longer just a paper character to him, but a living, breathing person.

 

Moreover, the only person he could talk to and see every day.

 

Note: The system doesn’t count as a person.

 

Xiao Mo gazed at Chu Jinglan’s distinct profile, a flash of complexity passing through his emotions.

 

When Chu Jinglan would later die for Su Baimo, Xiao Mo would have long parted ways with him. Whatever Chu Jinglan did then would have nothing to do with him. But now, realizing that a living person was right beside him, could he really bear to watch him get crippled?

 

Xiao Mo silently pondered for a while, finally advising himself in a low voice: Don’t think too much.

 

Chu Jinglan being crippled was destined. No one could help him, no one could change it. The system had clearly stated that even he, Xiao Mo, couldn’t change the key plot points. Thinking too much would only lead to being morally bound.

 

Xiao Mo just needed to complete his task steadily, focusing on his own life. He and Chu Jinglan were just passersby in each other’s lives. There was really no need to shoulder heavy responsibilities and guilt.

 

Xiao Mo felt he had figured out another thing. He let out a soft sigh, trying to shed the non-existent burden.

 

But for some reason, his current state of mind couldn’t immediately relax, there was always a vague sense of unease.

 

Well, Xiao Mo thought, perhaps today’s excitement had already exceeded its limit. The earlier interaction with Chu Jinglan had already provided a moment of relief; after tasting something exceptionally sweet, subsequent sweetness seemed less appealing.

 

He cast the jumbled thoughts out of his mind, temporarily emptying it, and floated around the room, finally settling above Dai Zisheng’s blanket.

 

There was no other reason, just that the dinner tray hadn’t been cleared yet, and the food was still steaming. Xiao Mo felt that only the warm, delicious dishes could keep him focused and free from distractions at this moment.

 

Unable to eat, even letting the demon absorb a whiff was good.

 

Ah, in this complex world with its complex human hearts, only the fragrant steam could comfort the melancholic inner demon.

 

Chu Jinglan watched as the inner demon’s mist settled by the dinner tray, separated from Dai Zisheng’s leg by just a blanket.

 

…Was it really that greedy?

 

Chu Jinglan finally turned his attention to examine the dishes Su Baimo had brought.

 

Interestingly, Chu Jinglan just realized that Su Baimo had brought all his favorite dishes.

 

Even if Dai Zisheng’s tastes were identical to his own, Su Baimo’s selection of these dishes seemed too deliberate.

 

Chu Jinglan thoughtfully turned his head to look at Su Baimo, who happened to be looking at him. Their gazes met, and Su Baimo shyly lowered his head, fingers fidgeting with his sleeve.

 

Su Baimo was secretly delighted; Chu Jinglan had finally noticed the hidden message in the food! He had thought this person wouldn’t notice again.

 

Dai Zisheng was oblivious to all this, eating with relish. Xiao Mo hadn’t noticed either, taking the opportunity to absorb the aroma.

 

Dai Zisheng finished eating and expressed his thanks. His wound, in this lower realm with sparse spiritual energy and lacking rare medicines, wouldn’t heal for ten to fifteen days. Fortunately, his calm state of mind allowed him to sleep well, which was beneficial for recovery.

 

Chu Jinglan didn’t plan to stay long and stood to leave. Xiao Mo had thought Su Baimo would stay behind to chat with Dai Zisheng like yesterday, but unexpectedly, he packed up the food box and stuck close to Chu Jinglan’s steps.

 

Xiao Mo: Hmm? The fickle-hearted “scum shou” actually isn’t seizing the chance to pursue his new love interest?

 

Su Baimo carried the food box, walking beside Chu Jinglan. The mountain breeze, carrying a hint of green, gently brushed past them. It was a scene of youthful beauty, two innocent youths with budding feelings, seemingly a perfect, beautiful picture.

 

However, regrettably, only one heart had opened to love; the other remained as straight as an iron tree, refusing to bloom no matter what. The beauty existed only in imagination; reality only had an awkward wind blowing by, carrying away a few ice shards.

 

Moreover, this wasn’t a two-person game, but a three-person movie. In the picture, there was also a ball of inner demon.

 

Xiao Mo floated beside Chu Jinglan, not moving an inch towards Su Baimo, and thus didn’t notice Su Baimo’s occasional furtive glances at Chu Jinglan, silently conveying his affection.

 

Although Chu Jinglan was adept at feigning blindness, he wasn’t actually blind. Su Baimo’s subtle tactics today were so obvious, he couldn’t have missed them.

 

Most of the time, it wasn’t that he didn’t understand, but that he pretended not to know.

 

He didn’t even want to escort Su Baimo all the way back to the Su family. As they left the forest and entered Mu City, Chu Jinglan prepared to part ways with Su Baimo at a crossroad.

 

Along the way, it was mostly Su Baimo talking and Chu Jinglan listening, occasionally responding. It wasn’t until this moment that Chu Jinglan spoke up on his own: “For the selection in three days, I wish you success. I’ll be watching.”

 

Su Baimo’s eyes immediately lit up, his face showing joy. However, before he could speak, Chu Jinglan continued: “We agreed to cancel our engagement when you come of age. Our paths will diverge in the future, and I won’t be able to help you as I do now. You’ll need to take care of yourself.”

 

The joyful expression on Su Baimo’s face instantly froze.

 

Xiao Mo was stunned: The original story never mentioned this agreement between them!

 

He quickly summoned the system to confirm if he had remembered incorrectly, as he couldn’t possibly remember every word verbatim.

 

The system confirmed his good memory; this indeed wasn’t written in the original story.

 

The system didn’t find it strange: “The original story is just text, with limited capacity. It’s impossible to write out every detail, which is normal.”

 

Xiao Mo didn’t understand: “Ordinary details are one thing, but doesn’t this count as important plot?”

 

For the original story that focused on dog blood and romance, wasn’t everything related to relationships important?

 

“From my perspective, anything that doesn’t affect the world’s foundation isn’t considered important plot. But from the original author’s perspective, I can’t provide an answer.”

 

So in the system’s eyes, this really wasn’t important plot. Right, no matter how well-developed its emotion module was, the system was ultimately an observer of the world dimension, not a living human like them.

 

Xiao Mo sighed: “I finally feel like there’s a generation gap between us.”

 

System: “Ah, how could that be! Our service range covers from millions of years old to newborns, how could there be a generation gap!”

 

It’s a species gap, dear system.

 

At this moment, Su Baimo’s eyes reddened at Chu Jinglan’s words. A hint of moisture appeared, yet he seemed to strongly hold back his tears from falling completely, showing weakness just right to tug at one’s heartstrings.

 

With a slight choke in his voice, he asked: “If we could come to like each other, could we not cancel the engagement?”

 

Chu Jinglan just looked at him, his eyes calm as still water: “You will meet someone who truly loves you.”

 

Translated into modern terms, this meant the “friend zone” card had been played. Not directly saying “we’re not suitable” was already a polite consideration for the other’s face and self-esteem.

 

Su Baimo sniffled, finally letting a tear fall, truly a pitiful sight. Most remarkably, he raised his eyes at just the right moment, forcing a smile through his tears: “You didn’t say it’s impossible, so I’ll take that as there’s still a chance.”

 

He stepped back with the food box, his clothes swaying like a gentle flower. Su Baimo knew how to make himself look attractive. He forced his smile a bit wider: “I’ll work hard to make you fall for me!”

 

Having said this, he didn’t wait for a reply but ran off, wiping his face as he went, leaving behind a figure that invited contemplation.

 

If one didn’t know how fickle-hearted he was, most people would have been moved by this series of actions: a gentle, considerate, beautiful young man who was devoted to you – isn’t this the first love that so many people dream of?

 

However, Xiao Mo, who knew the plot, only wanted to applaud Su Baimo’s performance: “Impressive, impressive. His skill in matters of the heart is truly unmatched. No wonder he can navigate so effortlessly among the many pursuers!”

 

Although the applause was sarcastic and the praise ironic, Xiao Mo couldn’t help but comment after watching this show. In contrast, Chu Jinglan’s expression hadn’t changed at all throughout. Su Baimo’s heartfelt confession had caused less emotional fluctuation in him than Xiao Mo’s casual remarks.

 

The Su family was in the north, the Chu family in the south. Chu Jinglan turned and walked in the opposite direction from Su Baimo. Mu City was bustling, with crowds of people everywhere, yet Chu Jinglan seemed out of place. Amidst the lively throng, he walked alone.

 

Only the inner demon followed him.

 

The inner demon neither played the flute nor chattered, unusually quiet all the way. It wasn’t until they entered the Chu family’s main gate that Chu Jinglan heard the inner demon speak.

 

“You rejected him so absolutely. What if you end up liking him in the future? Aren’t you leaving yourself no room?”

 

In the later part of the original story, Chu Jinglan would grant Su Baimo’s every request, helping far more than at this stage, and importantly, without asking for anything in return.

 

Other pursuers could at least be intimate with Su Baimo, but Chu Jinglan wouldn’t even take the initiative to hold his hand.

 

Once when Su Baimo was moved to throw himself into Chu Jinglan’s arms, Chu Jinglan gently pushed him away and even helped him straighten his clothes.

 

Readers analyzed that Chu Jinglan was cold on the outside but warm inside, trying to make up for his indifference towards Su Baimo when they were younger. He was punishing himself, placing himself only in the role of a protector, silently protecting but not daring to touch.

 

Xiao Mo found these analyses absurd, extremely absurd.

 

What had Su Baimo ever done for Chu Jinglan to warrant such self-punishment and self-torture?

 

But as always, in a dog blood novel with dog blood plot and characters, Xiao Mo couldn’t be sure if this wasn’t actually what the original Chu Jinglan thought.

 

After all, the final interpretation rights belonged to the original author, not Xiao Mo.

 

Hearing the inner demon’s voice, Chu Jinglan still didn’t want to engage much, but considering that when the inner demon was talking, at least it wasn’t playing the flute, Chu Jinglan chose the lesser of two evils and reluctantly responded.

 

“I have no leisure for discussing romance, no need to waste his time, and no need for a way out.”

 

One shouldn’t speak so absolutely, Xiao Mo thought. When your cultivation surpasses all others and you can command wind and rain, won’t you have leisure then?

 

However, discussing feelings or Su Baimo with Chu Jinglan wasn’t appropriate now. They weren’t confidants who could discuss everything. Just as Xiao Mo thought this, Chu Jinglan, ever vigilant of the inner demon, spoke again: “Are you very concerned about Su Baimo?”

 

Even the servant that the inner demon seemed to like most (the little mist ball often perched on his head) hadn’t been mentioned this much by the inner demon.

 

Xiao Mo reacted as if his tail had been stepped on: “No, I’m not! Don’t make assumptions!”

 

After saying this, facing Chu Jinglan’s meaningful gaze, Xiao Mo realized he had overreacted.

 

Chu Jinglan had said “concerned,” a neutral term that could also mean attentive or mindful, not necessarily caring.

 

Mainly, the idea of being associated with Su Baimo was so horrifying to the demon that the mist ball had a knee-jerk reaction.

 

Meeting Chu Jinglan’s scrutinizing gaze, Xiao Mo said resignedly: “Alright, I might have given him a bit more attention, after all, there are only so many people around you. But I have no particular interest in him.”

 

Chu Jinglan’s expression showed he didn’t believe it.

 

“Really,” if you’re going to be meaningful, I’ll pretend to be profound, Xiao Mo said mysteriously, “Inner demons are best at observing human hearts. That Young Master Su, I’d rather not get involved with.”

 

Chu Jinglan knew Su Baimo had some ulterior motives, but hadn’t seen him do anything particularly bad. Whether the inner demon’s words were sincere or meant to slander, he couldn’t tell. He mentally put a question mark next to it.

 

Rapidly growing experience told Chu Jinglan that paying too much attention to the inner demon’s words would only entangle him.

 

Anyway, regardless of Su Baimo’s true character, once Su Baimo turned eighteen, it would no longer be Chu Jinglan’s concern.

 

Back when the Chu and Su families insisted on arranging their marriage, Chu Jinglan and Su Baimo had privately agreed to dissolve the engagement later. Su Baimo hadn’t objected, so the agreement was made and should be honored.

 

Chu Jinglan caught sight of someone approaching from another direction and stopped talking. However, when that person saw Chu Jinglan, they hesitated, then muttered something and changed direction, deliberately avoiding him.

 

Judging by their attire, it seemed to be another young master of the Chu family.

 

Xiao Mo couldn’t leave Chu Jinglan’s fifty-meter radius. Chu Jinglan’s life was basically confined to three points: his bedroom, the bamboo forest sword practice area, and the study—quite monotonous. Apart from servants, Xiao Mo hadn’t encountered any other direct Chu family members.

 

However, with the secret realm selection approaching, Chu family members who had been training outside were returning home, making the huge mansion livelier. Xiao Mo would soon see plenty.

 

The richly dressed young master from earlier was clearly avoiding Chu Jinglan, who pretended not to notice and continued towards his own courtyard.

 

Quite a few people must have returned today. They encountered several peers along the way, most of whom avoided them from afar. The few who didn’t only hurriedly paid their respects without exchanging pleasantries with Chu Jinglan.

 

Chu Jinglan was used to this, but Xiao Mo didn’t understand.

 

He knew Chu Jinglan wasn’t popular, but he was still the top among the younger generation in the Chu family. In the cultivation world, strength was respected above all. Weren’t any of these Chu family descendants willing to curry favor with Chu Jinglan for their own benefit?

 

It didn’t make sense.

 

While the younger generation avoided Chu Jinglan, and he had no interest in exchanging pleasantries with them, when an elder approached, Chu Jinglan had to stop and bow respectfully.

 

“Grand Elder.”

 

The Grand Elder was the highest cultivator in the Chu family, at the middle stage of Nascent Soul, over two hundred years old. He could no longer maintain a completely youthful appearance, with white hair mixed in and wrinkles on his face. He looked at Chu Jinglan with satisfaction and approval: “Mm, not bad. I can see your aura has grown stronger again. You haven’t been slacking off.”

 

Chu Jinglan quietly lowered his eyes, neither servile nor arrogant.

 

“Focusing on cultivation is good, but don’t forget to socialize with the family members,” the Grand Elder said kindly. “Come, accompany me to the pavilion. Let’s talk about the secret realm selection in three days.”

 

Chu Jinglan already had the qualifications for the Mu Mountain Secret Realm. The Grand Elder wasn’t there to guide his cultivation, but to have Chu Jinglan offer more guidance to other disciples. Xiao Mo found this boring and decided to look at the surroundings instead.

 

The pavilion was built over a small pond, surrounded by corridors. After watching the koi in the pond for a while, Xiao Mo looked up and saw the hem of a robe fluttering in the eastern corridor.

 

That robe belonged to the first young master who had avoided Chu Jinglan earlier.

 

Xiao Mo thought for a moment, then floated out of the pavilion and leaped onto the wall. Despite the winding corridors, the straight-line distance wasn’t long. From the pavilion to here was still within Xiao Mo’s range of movement.

 

Below the wall were three young men and one young woman, all dressed in rich attire and wearing Chu family waist tokens. They were talking.

 

Xiao Mo didn’t usually eavesdrop, but now he wanted to know what these young masters and miss were thinking, ignoring a powerhouse like Chu Jinglan and preferring to stick together with lesser talents.

 

He just wanted to see if there was any logic left in this world beyond dog blood.

 

There was a lazy cat on the wall, swishing its tail. Xiao Mo floated over and nestled on its back. The cat was fluffy, warm, and soft. Xiao Mo settled in comfortably to watch the show.

 

Let’s hear how this group talks about Chu Jinglan.