PID Chapter 77

(1/5)

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Late at night, Chu Jinglan lay on his side on the bed and fell asleep. He had only cultivated for an hour that evening and spent the rest of the time getting proper rest.

 

Meanwhile, Xiao Mo was organizing his thoughts and piecing together memories with the system like filling in blanks on a worksheet.

 

From what he now knew: In his previous life, he had been a modern person who transmigrated into this book world. Xiao Mo picked up a pen and wrote this down before drawing a horizontal line beneath it. He then asked the system directly: “So why did I transmigrate back then?”

 

The system responded like an encyclopedia: “You were chosen as a World Corrector. The cultivation world was your first assigned task, and you transmigrated here at the age of seventeen.”

 

Xiao Mo asked further: “And you were with me back then too?”

 

“Yes,” the system replied with a faint sigh in its tone. “To avoid interfering with your actions this time around, I locked part of my emotional modules. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from telling you everything when you became a inner demon.”

 

Xiao Mo filled in the blank space with his pen and remarked casually: “No wonder you’re always so proud of your emotional modules—but honestly, I always felt like something was missing.”

 

The system replied confidently: “I set my emotional module to unlock when your cultivation reaches Divided Spirit stage and your memories are fully restored. However, even with part of my modules sealed, my simulated emotions are still sufficient to make me an excellent assistant for humans.”

 

As Xiao Mo prepared to write down the second note about Heaven’s Will, he paused in thought and decided to omit those two words, leaving no record of them on the paper.

 

His conversations with the system couldn’t be overheard by anyone else, so the room remained quiet, save for the sound of Chu Jinglan’s steady breathing and the faint scratching of the pen against paper.

 

Xiao Mo organized his current thoughts, realizing that the key questions he needed to answer were: What went wrong with Heaven’s Will? and How did I lose last time? Solving these two would likely fill in many of the other blanks. Since these topics were interconnected and carried significant weight in terms of both information and memory, he knew he needed to avoid overwhelming his sea of consciousness. He decided to ask the system for answers gradually.

 

Xiao Mo brought the paper to the edge of the desk’s lamp. The spiritual energy lamp in the room had already been extinguished, leaving only an ordinary candle burning. The flame licked at the paper, reducing it to ashes.

 

As the last bit of ash disappeared, Xiao Mo closed his eyes and half-immersed himself into his consciousness, arriving once more at the door bound tightly by layers of chains.

 

The Dongqing Pearl in his chest emitted spiritual energy outward, keeping Xiao Mo’s mind exceptionally clear.

 

He raised his hand and attempted to break one of the chains.

 

As soon as it snapped, another fragment of memory flowed into his mind.

 

—

 

[In the memory, the system was speaking to Xiao Mo: “I’ve provided two possible approaches for your task. The one with the highest success rate is to cooperate with a key foundational figure. The best candidate: Chu Jinglan.”]

 

—

 

inner demon Xiao Mo absorbed this memory while simultaneously analyzing its information. It felt strange yet fascinating—like experiencing a lucid dream where he was both a participant and an observer.

 

Judging by the dialogue, this must have been from when he first transmigrated into the book world in his previous life—at seventeen years old.

 

—

 

[Naturally, Xiao Mo chose the option with the highest success rate: working with Chu Jinglan.

 

When he first approached Chu Jinglan, it was on a mountain path in the Lower Realm. Chu Jinglan’s cheeks were unnaturally flushed, his lips pale—he was running a fever.

 

Yet beside him lay two fallen Foundation Establishment cultivators.

 

The dagger in Chu Jinglan’s hand was dripping blood.]

 

—

 

Xiao Mo nodded silently. Classic Chu Jinglan.

 

In this lifetime, inner demon Xiao Mo had cooperated with Chu Jinglan to kill two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Without Xiao Mo’s presence in that past life, Chu Jinglan had left the Chu family penniless and stripped of his storage device. However, he had secretly hidden a poisoned dagger—lethal upon drawing blood.

 

When those two Foundation Establishment cultivators underestimated him and didn’t kill him immediately, instead opting to torment him, Chu Jinglan seized the opportunity to take their lives.

 

[Chu Jinglan could barely stand, yet he still fixed Xiao Mo with a cold, unyielding gaze.

 

Inner Demon Xiao Mo hadn’t seen Chu Jinglan look at him like that in a long time. In the memory, he heard his past self speak with polite composure: “Nice to meet you, Chu Jinglan. I know who you are, and I can help you.”

 

Chu Jinglan continued to stare at him without replying.

 

Xiao Mo added, “If you don’t trust me, you can place a blood contract on me.”]

 

Inner Demon Xiao Mo blinked in surprise upon hearing this part of the memory. So that’s how things started between us in the last life? He couldn’t help but marvel at how straightforward he had been—offering a blood contract outright to lower Chu Jinglan’s guard was essentially handing over his life.

 

While their initial relationship didn’t seem great, it was still far better than the adversarial start they’d had as inner demon and original body in this life.

 

As he reviewed his memories, Xiao Mo couldn’t resist commenting to himself, growing increasingly convinced: Our bond in this life as confidants is definitely no weaker than our camaraderie as comrades-in-arms in the last life!

 

Though inner demons and their original bodies were naturally opposed, once they cleared the air and resolved their differences, they became inseparable. Their inherent disadvantage had turned into an unparalleled advantage.

 

What other close brothers could claim to have the kind of relationship he and Chu Jinglan shared in this life? Always together—eating, sleeping, and even sharing a sea of consciousness and storage space. They were practically never apart. Even in their past life, they probably hadn’t reached this level of intimacy.

 

The memory continued.

 

—

 

[Chu Jinglan’s pitch-black eyes finally shifted slightly as he spoke in a low voice: “What do you want?”

 

Talking to someone smart was always easier. However, Xiao Mo couldn’t mention Heaven’s Will yet—it would draw too much attention. Instead, he said: “You will undoubtedly rebuild your cultivation. I can help you along the way. And when your cultivation is complete, I’ll need your help with something—a matter of great importance to the world.”

 

The blood on Chu Jinglan’s dagger had dried by then. He understood immediately: “You’ll need me to risk my life.”]

 

—

 

At that time, Chu Jinglan was focused on finding a way to ascend to the Middle Realm and exact his revenge. The more allies he had, the better. A cultivator who willingly offered themselves for a blood contract was too good an opportunity to pass up.

 

Risking his life wasn’t an issue—Chu Jinglan had no attachments holding him back. Everything else could wait until after his revenge; nothing was more important to him at that moment than regaining his cultivation and killing his family members from the Chu Clan.

 

Xiao Mo had been decisive, and so had Chu Jinglan—they sealed the blood contract without hesitation.

 

Inner Demon Xiao Mo touched his forehead lightly as he reflected on this memory. In their past life, they had branded each other with a master-servant blood contract; in this life, however, they had drawn Dao companion marks on each other’s foreheads.

 

Half of Xiao Mo’s consciousness remained immersed in the memory while the other half controlled his body as he turned to look at Chu Jinglan lying on the bed.

 

The Dao companion mark was hidden from outsiders but visible to Xiao Mo. On Chu Jinglan’s forehead bloomed a serene ghostly night-blooming cereus flower that blended harmoniously with his handsome features.

 

The final scene of this memory showed Chu Jinglan collapsing from fever after completing the blood contract—he had fainted from exhaustion.

 

Xiao Mo walked over to the bedside and gazed at Chu Jinglan’s real sleeping face.

 

By now, they were both deeply familiar with each other’s presence. Even as Xiao Mo leaned closer, the ever-alert Chu Jinglan didn’t wake up.

 

It had been almost two years since they met. Back when inner demon Xiao Mo first appeared, Chu Jinglan’s gaze toward him had been even colder than what he’d seen in this memory.

 

Xiao Mo raised his hand and traced an invisible outline of the flower mark on Chu Jinglan’s forehead from a distance. In this lifetime, without any memories of their past connection, they had met again as strangers—and yet, despite all their struggles and conflicts along the way, they still trusted each other enough to entrust their lives to one another.

 

In fact, their bond now seemed even closer than before.

 

Xiao Mo lowered his hand, feeling a wave of emotion: No matter how they meet, they always end up becoming closest confidants. This bond is truly something to be cherished.

 

Chu Jinglan, sleeping deeply, remained completely unaware of Xiao Mo’s sentiments that night.

 

—

 

The next morning, Rainbow Butterfly Town was bustling with activity as preparations for the lantern festival began in full swing. Every household contributed their efforts to ensure the event would be lively and festive.

 

The town mayor had people bring out the old lanterns from the storage room, including some large decorative lanterns perfect for setting the atmosphere. Merchants also took out the lanterns they had in stock, while skilled craftsmen worked on making new ones to add a fresh touch to the festivities.

 

Xiao Mo planned to head out in the evening to enjoy the lantern displays directly. While changing Chu Jinglan’s bandages, he noticed that Chu Jinglan’s wound was healing well. With his Nascent Soul cultivation and the use of precious medicine, even such a significant injury would recover within two or three days.

 

It was fortunate that it would heal so quickly.

 

After finishing with the bandages, Xiao Mo watched as Chu Jinglan, holding his sword (still sheathed) in one hand, tested the progress of Yan Chun and the other two children’s cultivation in the courtyard.

 

Meanwhile, Yue Ming and Xi Tie had gone out for a stroll earlier. When they returned, they eagerly shared everything they had learned about the festival’s arrangements and attractions with Xiao Mo.

 

“At the entrance to East Street, there’s a lantern riddle game,” Yue Ming began. “A bit further in, there’s a hoop-throwing game where you can win lanterns. The large decorative lantern parade will pass through twice—just catch it whenever it comes by.”

 

To celebrate the town’s return to peace, everything was designed to be joyful and festive. People always liked to include their best wishes during such celebrations. By the small river running through town, they had also prepared wishing river lanterns.

 

“Every place with river lanterns claims theirs are especially effective,” Yue Ming said with a grin. “But since we’re here anyway, we might as well join in and have some fun.”

 

Xi Tie nodded in agreement and then seemed to remember something. Turning to Xiao Mo, he said: “On our way back just now, we ran into two disciples from Lingxiao Sect.”

 

Xiao Mo raised an eyebrow slightly, sensing there was more to this: “Oh?”

 

“That Su Baimo said he wanted to tour the festival with us from Yingyue Sect,” Xi Tie explained while scratching his head awkwardly. “But I told him that a small-town lantern festival is mainly about enjoying the street scenes—it’s not like finding a spot to sit down for tea. Everyone has their own plans, and if too many people join in, it’ll just scatter things. So I politely declined.”

 

Yue Ming laughed as he added: “You should’ve seen him—his face turned red as he stammered through that whole request in front of others. It looked like such an effort.”

 

Xi Tie chuckled shyly as well.

 

After what had happened at the auction house previously, Yue Ming and Xi Tie were willing to interact with Jun Bushu but had no interest in Su Baimo or the other Golden Core disciples from Lingxiao Sect. They clearly weren’t interested in touring the festival with them either.

 

Xiao Mo noticed that Yue Ming seemed completely indifferent toward Su Baimo—his excitement for tonight’s lantern festival clearly outweighed any curiosity about Su Baimo. While Xi Tie had been the one to decline Su Baimo’s request outright, it was obvious Yue Ming felt the same way.

 

Tapping his flute lightly with his fingers, Xiao Mo made another mental note of this observation.

 

After finishing his guidance with the three children, Chu Jinglan was approached by Yue Ming, who eagerly carried his sword over. “My turn, my turn! I’ll use one hand too. Let’s spar without spiritual energy—just practicing sword techniques!”

 

The three children sat next to Xiao Mo, still savoring the insights Chu Jinglan had shared earlier. Xiao Mo beckoned them with a finger, and they curiously leaned in, only to see him pull out a pile of spirit stones and other items.

 

“Your allowance has been raised again,” Xiao Mo said as he divided the items into three portions. “Take these.”

 

In the past, the three of them had happily accepted their allowances, but this time, they stared at the spirit stones in shock. Mo Zhi and Chu Xia were dumbfounded, while Yan Chun swallowed nervously and asked, “Shixiong, isn’t this… a bit much?”

 

“Don’t worry,” Xiao Mo replied with a cheerful smile. “This was Chu Jinglan’s idea too—we prepared it together. He’s doing well financially now, so naturally, your allowance should increase.”

 

Yan Chun, Chu Xia, and Mo Zhi weren’t from Yingyue Sect, but they had heard from their sectmates about Chu Jinglan’s reputation. It wasn’t until this moment that they truly realized how high the status of Chu Jinglan and Xiao Mo was in Yingyue Sect—and how well they were living.

 

Relieved of any burden, the three happily accepted the gifts. “Thank you, Shixiong!”

 

Chu Jinglan was still sparring with Yue Ming and couldn’t be disturbed. They decided to thank him properly once he was done.

 

Despite both using single-handed sword techniques without spiritual energy, the outcome was clear—Chu Jinglan won again as usual. Yue Ming maintained his undefeated streak of losses against him.

 

By evening, as the sky darkened, lanterns throughout Rainbow Butterfly Town began to light up one by one. The group got ready and headed out to enjoy the lantern festival.

 

Xiao Mo wore a robe in a smoky sunset hue that mirrored the evening glow in the sky—radiant yet understatedly brilliant. His hair was tied back into a neat ponytail with a matching ribbon. Both the robe and ribbon were part of a new style prepared by Chu Jinglan. He had planned to gradually bring out these outfits on appropriate occasions, and today happened to be perfect for dressing Xiao Mo in this set.

 

It fit him perfectly.

 

Chu Jinglan himself wore a wide-sleeved robe in silver-blue tones with a silver crown adorning his head. This outfit had clearly been chosen by Xiao Mo.

 

The two of them stood out like jade trees among flowers. As soon as they appeared in town, they immediately drew countless gazes—some openly admiring their beauty with awe; others stealing glances with flushed faces. Regardless of how they looked, everyone thought the same: These two are like immortals descended to earth—how can anyone look this stunning?

 

Not long after they set out, Yue Ming pulled Xi Tie aside to create some distance between themselves and the pair. “They’re attracting way too much attention. Let’s leave them to wander on their own after a while—we’ll do our own thing.”

 

Xi Tie nodded enthusiastically: “They’re Dao companions—it’s not right for us to interrupt at times like this.”

 

So when night fully descended and the moonlight illuminated everything like jade vessels brimming with radiance, Yue Ming and Xi Tie bid farewell and went their separate ways. The three children also went off to explore on their own, leaving just Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan together.

 

The town was lively with people coming and going. Xiao Mo wandered among the various lanterns on display with great interest. When he stopped at a stall offering lantern riddles, he carefully examined the slips of paper bearing the riddles.

 

Chu Jinglan stayed close by his side—when Xiao Mo stopped, so did he.

 

The riddles weren’t particularly difficult, but none of the lanterns were especially striking either. Just as Xiao Mo was about to leave, the stall owner called out to him.

 

“Benefactors! I know you are heroes who saved Rainbow Butterfly Town—how could I let you leave empty-handed after passing by my stall?” The owner smiled warmly as he handed them two lanterns. “Please accept these as gifts for good fortune during the festival—I insist you don’t refuse.”

 

The lanterns were simple butterfly-shaped ones commonly seen in Rainbow Butterfly Town—not particularly intricate—but the owner’s sincerity was evident. The two accepted them graciously; since he mentioned they were for good luck during the festival, it didn’t seem appropriate to offer spirit stones in return. Instead, they left behind a bottle of body-nourishing pills as a token of gratitude.

 

The two of them carried their lanterns as they walked past a stall. Chu Jinglan spotted a red lotus lantern and used spirit stones to buy it. The stall owner initially refused to take payment, but they insisted on paying.

 

Further along, they passed a hoop-throwing stall where Xiao Mo noticed a silver-blue flower lantern.

 

Its design wasn’t as intricate or beautiful as the ghostly night-blooming cereus, but it bore a certain resemblance.

 

The flower lanterns were hung on the wall, each with a small pot placed in front of it. To win a lantern, one had to land an arrow into the corresponding pot. The stall owner, like many others, wanted to gift it to them outright, but Xiao Mo said, “Shopkeeper, we came to the lantern festival for the fun and excitement. If everything is just given to us, wouldn’t that take away the joy? Surely you won’t deny us the chance to enjoy ourselves?”

 

The shopkeeper thought about it and agreed—it was true. So he handed over an arrow with its tip removed, secretly deciding that if Xiao Mo missed, he would simply gift the lantern afterward.

 

But the shopkeeper hadn’t quite thought it through—they were cultivators who could handle demonic cultivators; how could a simple hoop-throwing game pose any challenge?

 

Xiao Mo took the arrow and said, “I’ll go first.”

 

The moment he spoke, the arrow flashed through the air and landed perfectly in the pot in front of the silver-blue flower lantern.

 

It happened so quickly that the shopkeeper was momentarily stunned. When he recovered, he hurriedly congratulated them: “Impressive! This lantern is yours!”

 

Xiao Mo picked up the flower lantern and exchanged their butterfly lanterns for their new ones. Chu Jinglan now carried the red lotus lantern while Xiao Mo held the silver-blue flower lantern. The glow from both lanterns intertwined, enveloping them in soft light.

 

Xiao Mo raised his lantern to eye level and admired his prize with satisfaction. “It’s beautiful.”

 

Chu Jinglan looked at the lantern—and at Xiao Mo—and replied softly, “Mm.”

 

They continued walking side by side through the bustling streets filled with vibrant lights and lively crowds. When they reached the riverside, they saw that many wishing lanterns were already floating on the water’s surface. Along the riverbank, people were placing their lanterns into the water after making heartfelt wishes, their faces filled with sincerity and hope.

 

Across the river, Xiao Mo spotted Yue Ming and Xi Tie releasing their own wishing lanterns into the water. With their sharp eyesight as cultivators, Yue Ming and Xi Tie noticed Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan as well and waved at them.

 

Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan bought wishing lanterns of their own. However, when it came time to write his wish on the lantern, Xiao Mo hesitated and didn’t immediately put pen to paper.

 

Making a wish… Who do mortals pray to? The heavens? Heaven’s Will?

 

But hadn’t he already offended Heaven’s Will?

 

To his surprise, Chu Jinglan didn’t hesitate at all—he quickly wrote down his wish and set aside his pen.

 

Xiao Mo blinked in curiosity. “That was fast—did you already know what you wanted to wish for?”

 

Chu Jinglan paused briefly before answering: “Yes.”

 

Xiao Mo sighed lightly. “I’m having a bit of trouble.”

 

Chu Jinglan asked gently, “You don’t know what to wish for?”

 

Xiao Mo shook his head. “It’s not that—I don’t know who I’m supposed to wish to.”

 

Chu Jinglan hadn’t expected such a reason. The two of them stood side by side on the riverbank, gazing out at the scene before them. Each person making a wish wore an expression of devotion and sincerity; when they released their wishing lanterns into the water, their faces softened with gentle kindness—as if, in that fleeting moment, their beautiful dreams had already come true.

 

The sincerity and warmth radiating from the people around them were carried by the wind, leaving Xiao Mo momentarily dazed.

 

In the perception of a inner demon, these thoughts weren’t sweet or fragrant, lacking any alluring appeal. Yet… no one could doubt their gentleness and beauty.

 

Humans were like specks of dust—small and insignificant—but their hearts held infinite possibilities, creating countless landscapes in the world.

 

A child skipped past him with a bright smile; a pair of shy, love-struck youths brushed shoulders with him; a young person supported an elderly relative; and two elderly individuals leaned on each other for support.

 

Where there is life, there are wishes. Where there are wishes, there is humanity.

 

And standing beside him was Chu Jinglan, quietly accompanying him as they watched together.

 

Xiao Mo’s hands shifted slightly as he held his wishing lantern. He turned to look into Chu Jinglan’s eyes and said, “I think I understand now.”

 

In the glow of the lantern light, Chu Jinglan gazed back at him. “I think I do as well.”

 

Xiao Mo continued, “The best wishes shouldn’t be bound by formality—whether directed toward the mythical gods and Buddhas of the heavens, toward any being willing to protect this world, or even toward all living things—”

 

Chu Jinglan finished softly, “Toward me, and toward yourself.”

 

A wish fulfilled forms a heart’s resolve.

 

Xiao Mo felt a sense of relief: even if Heaven’s Will didn’t listen to him, he could still have his own wishes.

 

He picked up the pen and wrote down his wish.

 

The two of them placed their lanterns into the water and watched as they floated away into the distance.

 

Xiao Mo’s handwriting was elegant and flowing; Chu Jinglan’s strokes were bold and firm like iron hooks and silver strokes.

 

Xiao Mo’s wish read: May he walk upon the moonlit clouds, untouched by dust or harm, free to admire snow and flowers at leisure.

 

Chu Jinglan’s wish read: May he live a life free of worry, taste all flavors of life, see the wonders of the world, and sleep peacefully—

 

Day after day, night after night, may I always accompany him.

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter