PID Chapter 23

Of course, nothing came of Chu Yusheng and Su Baimo’s matter. The Su family appreciated Chu Jinglan’s talent but not Chu Yusheng’s. Although many talented youths in Mu City had been lost, the lower realm wasn’t limited to just Mu City. There was no need to pin all hopes on one city.

 

The two families clashed in the hall, with undercurrents surging and minds scheming. Though they didn’t openly fall out, this conversation was definitely unpleasant. The daytime emotions spilled into the night in the Chu family’s inner quarters. Under the bright lights, people had conversations behind closed doors, unknown to outsiders.

 

Outsiders didn’t include the inner demon.

 

On this dark and windy night, Xiao Mo sat lazily on someone’s rooftop, listening to the people talking below.

 

Each courtyard in the Chu family had protective arrays that could be activated if an intruder was detected. But Xiao Mo only needed to retract his spiritual power to become a pure spirit body, and the protective shield would treat him as air.

 

Due to his injuries, Chu Jinglan had been sleeping early lately. Xiao Mo, neither cultivating nor resting, had slipped out after Chu Jinglan fell asleep.

 

Following the markers he left during the day, he found the first family. The roof he was sitting on now belonged to the fourth branch of the Chu family. The two people talking inside should be addressed as Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt by Chu Jinglan, in terms of blood relations.

 

They had lost a son in the Mu Mountain Secret Realm and harbored resentment towards Chu Jinglan.

 

Fourth Uncle Chu: “Did you see Chu Jinglan’s state today? Ha, he deserves it!”

 

The Fourth Mistress had cried several times for her son, the bloodshot in her eyes never fading. She said hatefully: “But my son is dead, and he’s still alive. The stupid Chu Yusheng is alive, and the spineless Xiaoshi is also still alive. Why didn’t they save my son!”

 

As she spoke, the Fourth Mistress began to cry again. Her grief was genuine, as the scent from her body became increasingly appealing to the inner demon.

 

In the Mu Mountain Secret Realm, the disciples’ desperate aura had turned into a fragrance that Xiao Mo could sense. At that time, Xiao Mo was confused and didn’t understand why. But after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, he understood the reason: as an inner demon, he could gain power and improve his cultivation from people’s obsessive seven emotions and six desires.

 

Whether love or hate, excitement or despair, any emotion that crossed a critical point would become an “obsession” and turn dangerous, driving people to act impulsively and irrationally. But for an inner demon, this was excellent nourishment. Even if it lasted only briefly, the inner demon could smell the fragrance and replenish itself.

 

The Chu family had ready-made people to supply Xiao Mo.

 

Xiao Mo found it amusing as he listened on the roof. They only knew how to blame others. Why didn’t they scold their own child for being useless and dragging Chu Jinglan down?

 

Fourth Uncle Chu also sighed: “If my son were still here, the position of young master might not necessarily be Chu Yusheng’s. He only relies on being the family head’s child. How could his other abilities compare to my son’s!”

 

“But for now, don’t try to take Chu Jinglan’s life. Isn’t him suffering alive more painful than being dead?”

 

His words made the Fourth Mistress even more heartbroken, and she wailed: “My poor child!”

 

It was truly heartbreaking to hear. Xiao Mo’s expression remained cold as he casually hooked his finger. Invisible black mist floated out from Fourth Uncle Chu and his wife, affectionately nuzzling against Xiao Mo’s flawless white porcelain-like fingertips.

 

Swirling and coiling, the ink-like color stained the white snow, beautiful as if possessing an indescribable magical power. If anyone could see it, they might be inexplicably enchanted.

 

Inner demons are born from the human heart and can most easily stir heartstrings.

 

The black mist floated, gently entangling while merging into Xiao Mo’s body. Xiao Mo’s eyes turned dark red as he treated the humans in the room as nourishment, truly embodying a demonic creature.

 

After the black mist was fully absorbed, Xiao Mo lightly sniffed his fingertips. His beautiful face showed a satisfied sigh – the taste of human hearts was indeed sweet.

 

Xiao Mo lazily stretched his body, no longer listening to the wailing in the room, and moved on to the next.

 

In Chu Wumei’s home, an argument was taking place.

 

She had lost an elder brother but didn’t seem particularly grieved. After listening to her parents argue for two rounds, she impatiently rebuked: “Enough!”

 

The two stopped and turned their gaze to her.

 

Chu Wumei laughed coldly repeatedly: “Only three of the Chu family’s direct line are left alive, and I’m one of them. This is our family’s opportunity. Tenth Brother is a coward, and Chu Yusheng is a fool. Even if he temporarily sits in the young master’s position, he can’t accomplish anything.”

 

Her eyes flashed with a strange light: “Back then, when we instigated him to attempt to assassinate Chu Jinglan, he even got caught. Let him be smug for now. The Chu family will eventually be under our control!”

 

Oh, an unexpected gain. So the assassination attempt back then involved not just Chu Yusheng but also Chu Wumei.

 

But in this small Chu family of the lower realm, already filled with filth and decay, encompassing all aspects of human nature – looking out at the world, how many are truly good, and how many are evil?

 

Xiao Mo also drew the obsessive delusions from them, incorporating them into his body.

 

Xiao Mo could feel his mindset changing, but he wasn’t sure if it was normal human growth or if he was becoming more integrated into his inner demon identity and being influenced. Therefore, although human thoughts were fragrant and beneficial, Xiao Mo didn’t dare to consume too much for now.

 

Even as an inner demon, he wanted to ensure he remained himself.

 

After indulging a few times, Xiao Mo honestly practiced his mind cultivation technique in Chu Jinglan’s small courtyard, continuing to play his flute.

 

Only one servant remained in Chu Jinglan’s courtyard, making it increasingly cold and desolate. In the following days, Chu Jinglan struggled to meditate in his room, slowly exercising his body, while Xiao Mo cultivated outside, sometimes checking on Wan Yu’s condition for Chu Jinglan.

 

Xiao Mo’s mournful flute sounded like a soul-calling, forming a perfect match with the winter crows on the courtyard wall, evoking a sense of lonely autumn melancholy.

 

Chu Jinglan used to find the flute noisy, but now that he was crippled, his mindset had changed. He found that the flute seemed to blow away his melancholy. Though it sounded unpleasant, it fit the mood.

 

Xiao Mo lay lazily on a large tree branch. He had no shadow. Today he wore a hibiscus gauze robe, adorning the tree. His layered robes bloomed among the tender leaves, creating flower-like shadows, perfectly natural.

 

When Chu Jinglan opened the window, he saw this poetic scene of nature.

 

A beauty reclining in a laurel tree, cloud-like robes forming flower branches.

 

Except for the chaotic flute sound, everything else was beautiful.

 

Xiao Mo’s allure was in his bones. One’s temperament can affect how others perceive them. So even though Xiao Mo’s face was 60-70% similar to Chu Jinglan’s, they were indeed two completely different people.

 

Xiao Mo had once said he had an appearance he originally wanted to grow into. Chu Jinglan deeply agreed, not because he lacked confidence in his own face, but because he felt Xiao Mo should have a look more befitting his temperament. Chu Jinglan thought it would surely be even more attractive.

 

The inner demon favored vibrant clothing, which suited him better than Chu Jinglan.

 

Chu Jinglan hadn’t fully regained his mobility. Even reaching the window was quite strenuous. There was some distance between the window and the tree. With Xiao Mo’s hissing flute sound, a soft voice would be hard to hear.

 

A few days ago, Xiao Mo had given Chu Jinglan a method of sound transmission, only usable between an inner demon and its host. Although Chu Jinglan’s cultivation was ruined, his previously trained spiritual sense remained. Xiao Mo helped him form a “line” in his spiritual sense. By placing his consciousness on it, they could communicate through thoughts.

 

As long as the connection between the inner demon and host wasn’t severed, they could transmit sound over any distance without worrying about eavesdropping, even from powerful experts.

 

Though he had learned the method, Chu Jinglan hadn’t tried it yet.

 

Looking at the inner demon in the courtyard, Chu Jinglan lightly touched his spiritual sense and transmitted in his mind.

 

[Xiao Mo]

 

The flute sound in the courtyard suddenly stopped. The hibiscus flower on the tree was startled by this faint sound, trembling slightly. It widened its eyes in disbelief and looked towards Chu Jinglan.

 

This was the first time Chu Jinglan had called Xiao Mo by name, not “inner demon” or “you,” but Xiao Mo.

 

Xiao Mo leapt down from the branch, landing lightly in the courtyard. He stood facing Chu Jinglan across the window, looking somewhat uncomfortable: “…You called me?”

 

Chu Jinglan noticed his awkwardness. A faint ripple appeared in his eyes as he spoke aloud: “Xiao Mo.”

 

Fortunately, the inner demon’s spirit body had no blood, so no matter how great the emotional fluctuation, it wouldn’t show on his face, unlike others who might blush.

 

Xiao Mo seemed unable to bear being called like this. He fidgeted with his flute, awkwardly turning his face away: “I heard you, stop calling. Do you want me to check on Lady Wan Yu? I’ll go now.”

 

Chu Jinglan held onto the window frame to support himself. He thought for a moment: “No, I just suddenly wanted to call your name.”

 

Xiao Mo: “…”

 

He turned and ran.

 

“I’m going to Lady Wan Yu’s courtyard!” Xiao Mo’s words trailed off in the wind as he vanished in the blink of an eye.

 

The courtyard returned to silence. A green leaf floated down from the tree. In the wind left by the fleeing inner demon, Chu Jinglan couldn’t help but laugh softly.

 

The weather was truly nice today.

 

Ding, a sound of increasing points rang in Xiao Mo’s ears.

 

There was no argument today. This was a positive emotional fluctuation, showing Chu Jinglan was in a good mood.

 

Xiao Mo floated away like a gust of wind, complaining to the system: “What is he doing? I heard him clearly, calling twice. Is he trying to tease me?”

 

The system observed Xiao Mo’s upturned mouth and uncontrollable smile, knowing the host wasn’t really asking. It searched for an appropriate term: being flirted with.

 

Although it seemed a bit strange to use this for the relationship between an inner demon and its host, given it was Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan, it also felt oddly fitting.

 

System: “Uh, analysis suggests you should understand what he’s doing, dear.”

 

“Not really,” Xiao Mo raised his face to the sunlight. “Even if it’s a puzzling action, as long as it makes someone happy, that’s enough.”

 

For Chu Jinglan, he used to be just an inner demon destined to fight to the death with him. Now it was different.

 

Names have meaning.

 

Moreover, since coming to this place, no one had called Xiao Mo by name. The system only used “host” and “you.” Hearing his name after so long felt both familiar and like a lifetime ago.

 

Well, he was indeed someone who had died once.

 

Xiao Mo was in a pleasant mood as Wan Yu’s courtyard came into view. Just as he was about to float in, the system suddenly said: “Host, today is Wan Yu’s day.”

 

Like a bucket of cold water, Xiao Mo’s form abruptly stopped.

 

The fragrant flowers, the clear chirping of birds in the branches, the cloudless blue sky – it should have been a brilliant, refreshing day.

 

But Xiao Mo felt frost slowly creeping up, freezing his heart and fingertips. His previously light mood instantly plummeted into an abyss, unable to rise again.

 

He hadn’t forgotten; he just didn’t expect it to come so soon.

 

Wan Yu’s courtyard was right before him, but Xiao Mo’s feet seemed rooted to the ground, unable to move.

 

After a long while, he finally managed to pull his legs from the thorns and step by step entered Wan Yu’s courtyard.

 

Chu Jinglan hadn’t seen his mother’s final moments. At this moment, inside the door, there was still a living Wan Yu.

 

Today, Wan Yu sat at her dressing table, her expression calm. She was staring steadily at herself in the mirror. When the maid brought medicine, she reached out to touch her hair.

 

This maid had served her for many years and was the only one who cared wholeheartedly. Everyone else had already left; only she was still willing to serve someone who might go mad at any moment.

 

“My lady, the medicine is here.”

 

The maid couldn’t suppress her sorrow. Today’s medicine was the last bit left in the courtyard. Now that Chu Jinglan was crippled, the Chu family no longer sent medicine. After this bowl, what would happen to the lady?

 

Wan Yu didn’t seem to be having an episode. She waved her hand: “No rush. Xiao Tao, come help me do my hair.”

 

The maid set down the medicine bowl and walked behind Wan Yu: “What hairstyle would you like, my lady?”

 

 

“Xianhe hairstyle,” Wan Yu said, “It’s the hairstyle for unmarried young ladies.”

 

Xiao Tao didn’t find it strange: “Alright.”

 

The weather was indeed nice today. The warm sunlight poured down, spreading across Wan Yu’s gentle face. Xiao Mo leaned against the doorway, watching as Madam Wan Yu’s jet-black hair was coiled up, gradually forming the shape of a crane with wings spread, ready to take flight. This was an auspicious sign, symbolizing good fortune and wishes fulfilled.

 

Wan Yu looked at herself, removed her ornate hairpin, leaving only a small peach blossom hairpin. She took some rouge and dabbed a touch of bright red on her lips.

 

When she stood up, Xiao Tao was surprised to notice that the madam had changed into a different outfit while she wasn’t looking – a pink skirt that made her look like a young girl of sixteen or seventeen, in the prime of her youth.

 

Wan Yu smiled at herself in the mirror, but realized she was no longer the young girl she once was. The weariness and scars in her eyes could not be completely erased.

 

Looking at herself in the mirror, Wan Yu suddenly spoke: “Is Chu Tianshi in his courtyard today?”

 

The attendants never dared to mention Chu Tianshi in front of her, fearing that even hearing his name would upset Wan Yu. They didn’t expect her to bring him up voluntarily today. Xiao Tao was startled and carefully examined Wan Yu’s expression. Confirming that she was temporarily alright, Xiao Tao angrily said: “He is.”

 

When she went to fetch food earlier, she had passed by Chu Tianshi’s courtyard and could hear the sounds of singing and laughter from afar. He had probably brought back some new companions and was indulging in debauchery.

 

Wan Yu nodded: “I see.”

 

“Some people say that Jinglan’s dantian was severely damaged and his cultivation was crippled. Is that true?”

 

Xiao Tao’s heart leapt to her throat, and she immediately became angry: “Who’s been gossiping in front of you! These people are simply, simply—”

 

Wan Yu calmly observed her reaction and understood: “So it seems to be true.”

 

Those people deliberately came to tell her, wanting to use her to provoke Jinglan.

 

“Ma-Madam,” Xiao Tao said nervously, “The young master is blessed by heaven. He will surely recover. Don’t worry, please take care of yourself first.”

 

Wan Yu suddenly smiled and patted her head.

 

“You’ve had it tough following me all these years.”

 

Xiao Tao almost burst into tears at these words: Why is she suddenly talking about this?

 

“Madam, let’s drink your medicine first, alright?”

 

But Wan Yu said: “No.”

 

She shook her head: “I’ve never been so clear-headed before.”

 

Xiao Mo knew that the medicine for treating her mental illness would also suppress her cultivation, which is why Wan Yu refused to drink it now, for what she was about to do.

 

Wan Yu was going to kill Chu Tianshi.

 

She had been mentally ill for so many years, but she was still a cultivator at the middle stage of the Golden Core realm.

 

When not having an episode, Wan Yu’s mind was very clear, but clarity wasn’t necessarily good for her, as it was painful.

 

Many times when lucid, she had thought about ending her own life. Her heart was too weary, riddled with wounds. Waking from her madness always felt unbearably muddled. Many times, she had pressed her fingers to her heart meridian or neck, but always stopped at the last moment, thinking of Chu Jinglan.

 

She would tremble and lower her hand.

 

Wan Yu knew her son was exceptionally talented. She knew Chu Jinglan looked at her with hope in his eyes. So she endured living in this world, wanting to leave something for Chu Jinglan to remember her by.

 

But now Chu Jinglan was crippled, yet the Chu family still hadn’t removed the restrictions on her. They simply wanted to use her as a threat, to squeeze the last bit of value from Chu Jinglan.

 

Calculating it all, the only thing left of Chu Jinglan that could be coveted now was his spirit root.

 

A mutated ice spirit root, rarely seen.

 

If a cultivator’s spirit root is forcibly extracted, it will be ruined. But if voluntarily given up, the spirit root can be removed while maintaining its vitality, allowing it to be transferred to someone else.

 

Even if Chu Jinglan was willing to exchange it, Wan Yu didn’t want to let them succeed.

 

In modern terms, Wan Yu’s depression had long since reached its final stage. She had harbored thoughts of death for many years, holding on only for Chu Jinglan’s sake. Now that Chu Jinglan had reached a dead end, she wanted her death to have some value.

 

Wan Yu adjusted the flower hairpin in her hair and slowly said: “I was born in a dark corner. Someone came with a torch, and I thought I had seen the sun. Until he led me into a cage and extinguished the torch. Only then did I realize his affection was false, human hearts are fickle. I had taken the wrong path.”

 

She picked up her jewelry box and pushed it into Xiao Tao’s hands: “There’s nothing valuable in my courtyard. Take these and go.”

 

Xiao Tao’s hands trembled, finally bursting into tears at Wan Yu’s tone that sounded like she was making final arrangements: “What about you? Where are you going?”

 

Wan Yu smiled.

 

“To tear open the cage for my son.” Her eyes lit up with a spark. “My life has already come to this, but we mother and son can’t both be caged birds. Go now, Xiao Tao. Everyone has their own path. We need not meet again.”

 

Xiao Tao clutched the jewelry box, at a loss for what to do. Xiao Mo silently followed Wan Yu as she stepped out of the residence that had confined her for so long. The cool breeze caressed her face, and Wan Yu looked as graceful as an immortal. Xiao Mo was stunned for a moment, then suddenly ran forward, reaching out to grab her.

 

But the light fabric slipped through his fingers, not lingering.

 

From the perspective of a reader of the original novel, Xiao Mo knew that Wan Yu had long since burned out, wanting release for a long time. Whether or not she killed Chu Tianshi today, she no longer had the strength to go on living.

 

Chu Jinglan had schemed for years, determined to take her away, not knowing that Wan Yu had died in the Chu family long ago, unable to leave.

 

Without the influence of the medicine for her mental illness, she was like a breeze in the mountains, coming from the peaks and heading towards the distance.

 

She would not look back on this journey.

 

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T/N: QAQ

1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter