Chapter 28: Shi Ying – Even Villains Can Dress Brightly…

Clouds and mist wound around the mountains. If not for the Compass’s anomaly, this place truly would have been a secluded paradise in the Mortal Realm, cut off from the world. It showed just how deeply the one nurturing baleful qi had hidden themselves.

The village was small, with only about twenty households. A sweep of divine sense revealed everything at a glance—nothing worth investigating. Compared to probing for baleful qi around the area with Rong Ye, Gu Changhuai preferred to stroll and relax.

After flying on a sword for over ten days, he never wanted to ride one again in his life.

Not even the Qiankun Sword!

Rong Ye had no objections and only instructed him not to stray too far. After parting from Rong Ye, Gu Changhuai tucked his hands into his sleeves and began wandering around the village outskirts.

The seasons in the Mortal Realm differed from those in the Cultivation World. Autumn had just begun here, and the leaves by the roadside showed no signs of yellowing yet. The river water was clear down to the bottom.

He crossed a small bridge over the river, where a single dirt-packed road led into the village.

Along the roadside lay burned paper ingots and candles, along with some yellow paper that hadn’t fully burned. A cool breeze scattered the paper scraps thinly across the ground, littered with paper money everywhere.

—Offerings to appease wild ghosts.

Someone had a guilty conscience.

A faint smile played on Gu Changhuai’s lips as he casually glanced at the paper ashes swirling in the wind on both sides. He brushed his sleeve lightly, blocking all the ash that drifted too close.

He hadn’t walked far when he looked up and spotted a few willow trees at the village entrance. A small shadow crouched beneath one, poking at an ant hole with a stick.

From the back, it was clearly a little girl of about four or five, her hair tied in twin buns with red cords that swayed with her movements.

Gu Changhuai’s interest piqued, and he strolled over leisurely.

He made no sound at all, yet the little girl suddenly stood up. The moment she turned and met his gaze, her expression froze in astonishment. She seemed unaccustomed to seeing strangers, her eyes tense and fearful as she backed away several steps.

“…”

Gu Changhuai had a bad premonition. This guarded posture—was she mistaking him for a human trafficker?

The next moment, the little girl opened her mouth to scream.

Hey!

Gu Changhuai acted swiftly, tossing a candy into her mouth and covering it with his hand. “Shh—” he cooed gently, “Big brother isn’t a bad person. Don’t make a sound first.”

Having tasted the sweetness, the little girl quieted down. Her pure, clear eyes stared unblinkingly at Gu Changhuai, still a bit timid but no longer as panicked as before.

Seeing her defenses lower slightly, Gu Changhuai released his hand and smiled warmly. “Is it tasty?”

The little girl pursed her lips, hesitated, then nodded. The candy bulged her cheek into a little pouch, making her thin face appear much rounder.

What a good girl.

Gu Changhuai felt in high spirits. He squatted down to meet her at eye level, then opened his palms: one held a brown rice-dumpling candy, the other empty.

Right in front of her, he put his hands behind his back, fiddled around, then presented two fists. “Come on, guess which hand the candy’s in.”

“…”

The little girl lowered her gaze, looked at both fists, then glanced timidly at Gu Changhuai.

Gu Changhuai encouraged her. “Come on, give it a try.”

After a moment of silence,

The little girl tentatively pointed at his left hand, her voice soft and glutinous. “…Is it this one?”

“Right answer!” Gu Changhuai opened his palm. “The candy’s yours.” He pulled out another pack of candies and stuffed it into her arms. “This pack is a reward.”

The candy pack was bought at Ten Directions Garden, embroidered with the garden’s immortal crane emblem. The tassel at the end matched the color of the red cords in her hair.

“Really?” The little girl clutched the pack, still a bit awkward, but her eyes sparkled as she looked earnestly at Gu Changhuai. “Thank you, big brother.”

Gu Changhuai smiled. “You’re welcome. Can you tell big brother your name?”

The little girl opened her mouth, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes, before she said slowly, “…My name is Meng Xian.” Her voice was very soft, her tone tinged with loneliness, as if she carried some worry.

Gu Changhuai patted her head and smiled. “What a nice name.”

“Nice?” Meng Xian echoed, though it sounded more like mumbling to herself. “Nice…”

Xian, offer…

The little bean clearly had something on her mind. Just as Gu Changhuai was about to comfort her, a weak, distant voice called out, “Lord Gu… Lord Gu…”

It drifted over eerily, like a ghost’s wail on its last breath.

Hearing the stranger’s voice, Meng Xian grew alert at once. Panic flashed across her face as she twisted around and ran off, not even giving Gu Changhuai a chance to stop her.

Gu Changhuai rose regretfully and turned to see Kong Huai landing with his sword, along with Hua Mei, whose eyes were vacant.

As Kong Huai sheathed his sword, he explained, “Pei Minor Official went ahead to find the Enforcement Elder.” He paused, frowning in disapproval. “Why isn’t Junior Brother Gu with the Immortal Lord? Feeding candy to kids leisurely like this.”

“The little girl has a tough life. What’s wrong with giving her some candy?” Gu Changhuai’s lips curved in a smile. He opened his right palm to reveal another rice-dumpling candy, tossed it up, and caught it in his mouth. He raised a brow. “It’s super sweet.”

Hua Mei, leaning against the willow tree to catch the breeze and sober up, said, “Give me one too.”

Gu Changhuai flicked his finger, sending the candy flying straight into Hua Mei’s mouth. Hua Mei sighed. “So good. I lived another day.”

“Want one?” Gu Changhuai offered Kong Huai.

Kong Huai waved it off, declining.

Unable to make the sale, Gu Changhuai regretfully withdrew his hand. Fine, not everyone liked a bit of candy.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened as he looked behind Kong Huai. Rong Ye was walking toward them. He smiled brightly again and hurried over.

“Immortal Lord, open up!”

Rong Ye paused and lifted his eyes. The next second, a clear, sweet candy landed in his mouth, melting on his tongue like a trickle of spring water.

Gu Changhuai stood before him, eyes crinkled in amusement, a shallow smile on his lips. “Sweet?”

After a silent moment, Rong Ye’s expression unchanged, he lowered his gaze to hide his emotions and answered in a low voice, “…Sweet.”

Unclear whom he meant.

…

They were here to save people, after all, not on a picnic.

After the playfulness, Gu Changhuai cleared his throat lightly and drawled casually, “I found the baleful qi.”

The words hit like thunder from a clear sky. Even Hua Mei turned his head. “…Huh? What did you do behind my back?”

Kong Huai hesitated. “Could it be that little girl from earlier?”

Gu Changhuai praised, “Smart.”

“Impossible, impossible.” Kong Huai shook his head in denial. “Myriad Thoughts Become Evil—if the evil spirit emerged, it would bring devastation to all life. To me, she was just an ordinary kid.”

Gu Changhuai pondered. “I’m curious too. How did the one nurturing baleful qi mask the aura on her so well?”

She even had her own thoughts and emotions, just like a normal little girl who poked ant holes for fun and lit up at the taste of candy.

As for how he knew she was the evil spirit:

When he got close, a shiver ran through his bones, constantly stirring up murderous intent. If his will hadn’t been firm, he might have revealed his Shadow Demon true form.

It had all been speculation before, full of uncertainties, until the moment he touched her. Then it became certain.

Myriad Thoughts Become Evil, the evil spirit taking human form.

But he didn’t voice this, considering his current role as an attendant with low cultivation… To make it more believable, he turned to Rong Ye and sought credit. “Immortal Lord, was I right?”

Rong Ye nodded. “Mm. It is the evil spirit.”

His word sealed it.

Kong Huai immediately looked at Gu Changhuai with new respect. “Didn’t expect it, Junior Brother Gu. You’ve improved a lot lately.”

Gu Changhuai demurred modestly. “Nah, not really.”

Basic stuff, nothing to brag about.

He just had a shred of conscience and couldn’t stand seeing a dozen lives lost. Especially since this might involve the Demon Clan.

As long as he could secretly make the Demon Venerable unhappy, he’d be thrilled. And secondly, make sure the old coot didn’t realize it was him.

…

With Rong Ye there, Gu Changhuai didn’t need to worry about the rest.

At that moment, a message came from Jin Shuang, who had been out of sight. He was in a town thirty li away, seemingly evading pursuit. His voice was deliberately lowered and cautious. “Something’s off in the city. Demon Clan aura present, and no children under ten anywhere.”

At those opening words, Hua Mei frowned and sidled up to Gu Changhuai quietly. “From the sound of it, this reeks of Shi Ying’s handiwork.”

“I think so too,” Gu Changhuai agreed.

Jin Shuang continued, “After asking around, they say children under ten have mysteriously vanished from the city over the past three years. Officials searched everywhere but found no trace.”

“Definitely Shi Ying,” Hua Mei confirmed. “Why isn’t he staying put in the Demon Realm? Coming here to eat kids again…” He smirked coldly at Gu Changhuai. “Wait, I have a way to find his hideout.”

Gu Changhuai glanced sideways. “How? You stepping up?”

Hua Mei shrugged indifferently. “I’ve already offended Shi Ying beyond repair. What’s a few more times? Besides, aren’t you here? Won’t you let me use you a bit? You can’t bear to let me die, right?”

You sure know how to use people. Gu Changhuai smiled. “Fine, use away.”

The two whispered conspiratorially, quickly reaching an accord. They didn’t even bother fabricating an excuse, just informed Rong Ye and slipped away together.

Watching their carefree departing figures, Kong Huai questioned puzzledly, “…Are they here to save the Enforcement Hall or just sightseeing?”

He glanced at Rong Ye, who was expressionlessly communicating with Jin Shuang, truly unable to fathom why the Immortal Lord let those two go so easily.

*

One thing was very strange.

“Shi Ying always prefers stealing kids from the Cultivation World. He says they have more spiritual energy, better texture. He’s always disdained the Mortal Realm. Why come here suddenly?” Hua Mei puzzled.

Gu Changhuai mused thoughtfully. “Nurturing baleful qi with ten thousand resentments… Could Shi Ying be part of it?”

Killing ten thousand at once would alert the Cultivation World, but accumulating slowly was hard to trace.

As they spoke, Gu Changhuai suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. His face paled abruptly, unable to take another step. He instinctively grabbed a nearby tree.

This pain was fiercer than the previous two episodes. Unlike the vague summoning aches before, this felt like a serious attempt on his life.

In mere moments, fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead from endurance, his lips bloodless. His fingers clenched, Shattered Shadow flashing as the sharp, dark-silver tips dug into the tree bark.

The worse the pain, the more wildly Gu Changhuai smiled, his expression taking on a manic edge. He lifted his eyelids slightly, madness and killing intent gleaming in his eyes.

The Demon Venerable had personally activated the Demon Gu. When summoned by its true master, the gu only grew more rampant.

Good.

Very good.

If he got the chance, he’d seriously consider usurping the throne.

As he pondered, he abruptly spat out a mouthful of blood. Then the pain began to ease gradually.

Hua Mei jumped in fright. “What happened? Gu Changhuai! Gu Changhuai!” He patted Gu Changhuai’s cheeks. “Don’t scare me! Gu Changhuai!”

Gu Changhuai closed his eyes to suppress his emotions, his voice weak and hoarse. “Lighten up, I’m not dead yet.” He wiped the blood from his lips and resumed his lazy, carefree demeanor. “So tense?”

Seeing Gu Changhuai still had the strength to joke, Hua Mei relaxed.

At that moment,

The long-absent Han Ya suddenly appeared, flying over to perch on Gu Changhuai’s shoulder—this thing had ditched them halfway, deeming sword flight too slow.

Han Ya’s scarlet bean eyes flickered as it spoke. “The Demon Venerable knows you’re in the Mortal Realm. Says you’re slacking on the job. This was a warning.”

The pain was fading, clearly the Demon Venerable had stopped, though the aftereffects lingered. Gu Changhuai coughed twice and raised a brow. “Anything else?”

Let him hear what fart the old coot had to fart.

Han Ya flapped its wings and leaned close to Gu Changhuai’s ear, whispering sneakily. “The old coot’s up to no good, sending someone to spy on us…” Midway, it suddenly stopped.

The next instant, a gust of wind blasted toward them. Gu Changhuai’s eyes flicked; he raised a hand and caught the incoming object. Looking down, he saw a familiar, grotesque mask.

The kind every Shadow Demon possessed.

Xue Lao Er’s figure materialized like mist, his black cloak enveloping him as he said sinisterly, “Put it on. The Venerable orders you to act with me. No mistakes.”

“…” Gu Changhuai eyed his getup, then the mask, and said wryly, “Do we really have to dress like this to do business?”

Ghostly and ghoulish—one look and anyone could tell they weren’t up to good. Even villains could dress brightly!

Xue Lao Er seemed stumped by the question. After thinking, he replied, “But this is how we were dressed when we left the Blood Pool.”

Shadow Demons of the Shadow Clan were born in the Blood Pool—one batch per year, producing thousands of Shadow Demons at a time. The people of the Shadow Clan took numbers as their names.

For example, he was called Gu Sanbai, and the one opposite him was called Xue Lao Er.

Of the thousands of Shadow Demons in their batch, only these two survived in the end, and they happened to be the two strongest in the Shadow Clan.

“……Fine.” In the face of Xue Lao Er’s unheeding attitude, Gu Changhuai was at a loss for words.

What could one say to a stubborn fool? Of course, he chose to forgive him. He pulled the mask over his face. Thick mist wrapped around his body, and in the blink of an eye, he had changed into a suit of ink-black tight-fitting clothes. He summoned a ring-head saber and hung it at his waist before transforming back into his true Shadow Demon form.

Hua Mei said, “Don’t force yourself.”

Gu Changhuai adjusted his mask. “It’s fine. Black is dirt-resistant.”

Shadow Demons always served the Demon Venerable. Although Hua Mei was of the Demon Clan, he was not from the Shadow Clan. Before Xue Lao Er could chase him away, Gu Changhuai first instructed Hua Mei to go rendezvous with Rong Ye. On the way together, he only needed to intentionally or unintentionally reveal Shi Ying’s location.

Let Hua Mei go find Shi Ying alone.

He wasn’t reassured by that.