Chapter 65: A Win-Win Game? Invitation to Elope?

Given that Pei Tianyi’s words were too harsh, Gu Changhuai decided to ignore him for the time being.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

The sky darkened, and the wild winds of the Battlefield Gobi whipped up sand and dust, but a barrier kept it all away from Gu Changhuai’s surroundings.

A black shadow quietly darted from behind the Gobi.

Gu Changhuai’s eyes sharpened, and his figure vanished from the spot in an instant.

…

Meanwhile.

In the Capital.

The entire city was under martial law. The imperial guards were fully mobilized, patrolling around the Imperial Palace. A tense, grass-wind-dog-startled atmosphere permeated the whole Capital.

Two black shadows fled swiftly through the palace, stirring up a gust of wind that immediately caught the attention of the patrolling imperial guards. “Over there!” one shouted.

With the yell, two teams of palace guards appeared, their swords flashing like cold light as they chased after the shadows.

“Just how much trouble have you stirred up?!” Hua Mei, disguised as a woman in palace maid attire with a delicate face, grimaced as he spoke through gritted teeth while yanking Jin Shuang’s collar.

Jin Shuang was covered in bloodstains, suffering from internal injuries. He spat blood while explaining, “I didn’t expect the National Advisor to be so formidable. He used an illusion trick, and I let my guard down for a moment, getting caught. Fortunately, you arrived in time.”

The imperial guards pursued relentlessly from behind. “Bold assassins, stop!”

In the Mortal Realm’s Capital, purple qi gathered thickly, especially in the Imperial Palace where spiritual energy and demonic energy alike were suppressed, making it hard to unleash techniques freely.

Arrows whistled through the air, one aimed straight at Hua Mei’s back. A sword swept in with a clang, deflecting the arrow. Jin Shuang gripped his sword, blocking the rest.

Hua Mei’s gaze swept over Jin Shuang’s sword technique, his eyes darkening. The imperial guards closed in again; it had been a long time since he’d been in such a sorry plight.

Hua Mei cursed under his breath, pulling Jin Shuang as they leaped off the long corridor. “The National Advisor can use illusions? From which path—Cultivation World or Demon Realm? Why does he get a special exception? Heaven’s own son?!”

“The evil aura on him was heavy, and his spells reeked of yin energy. Since arriving at the Imperial Palace, I’ve only seen him appear three times; I couldn’t tell which sect or school it came from.” Jin Shuang wiped the blood from his mouth. “But the arrays he used were all forbidden evil path techniques—definitely Demon Clan.”

That statement smacked of stereotypes.

Hua Mei glared at him. “Don’t just pin the blame. The Cultivation World isn’t exactly spotless either.”

Jin Shuang coughed twice, spitting up another mouthful of blood. His handsome, scholarly face was pale as a ghost; his injuries were severe, leaving no energy for bickering with Hua Mei.

The two shook off the imperial guards and ducked into a remote, dilapidated palace hall. Opening the door choked them with thick dust. Hua Mei patted the dust off his clothes and snorted coldly, “This place is filthy; it’s ruined my outfit.”

Jin Shuang was busy spitting blood. Finally free from the chase, he hurriedly stuffed a handful of pills into his mouth, sat cross-legged to regulate his breathing, and watched his external wounds heal visibly. He gradually recovered.

Hua Mei shot him a suspicious glance. “Wuding Pavilion just sent you to infiltrate Xinnan Immortal Sect as a spy. No need to risk your life like this, right?”

He looked half-dead, covered in blood. Were all undercover agents this dedicated these days? How come Gu Changhuai wasn’t like that?

A moment of silence.

“A little blood loss is no big deal.” Jin Shuang sat upright. “The Hall Master thought highly of me and chose me to enter the immortal sect; naturally, I must do my best.”

In short—professional and dedicated.

Hua Mei: “…”

Oh.

He didn’t buy it.

He smiled without mirth. “You’re so hardworking.”

Jin Shuang: “…You don’t believe me?”

Hua Mei: “Why wouldn’t I?”

More sarcastic barbs, his fox-like eyes narrowing slyly.

“…” Jin Shuang felt seen through but couldn’t say anything, so they stalemated.

Until, in the desolate quiet of the ruined hall, Hua Mei’s light, faintly mocking voice rang out. “I heard that three hundred years ago, the Zhao Family was the pinnacle of the immortal sects, their Flowing Cloud Sword Technique unmatched. But they were wiped out overnight, and the innate treasure Primordial Mirror vanished. I thought the Zhao Family was extinct.”

At those words, Jin Shuang’s eyes darkened. He looked up steadily at Hua Mei without a change in expression.

Hua Mei’s figure blurred like a ghost, appearing right in front of Jin Shuang in an instant, looming over him. “Didn’t expect a fish that slipped the net.”

As Hua Mei spoke more, frost gathered on Jin Shuang’s face, cold intent condensing in his eyes.

“Don’t be nervous.” Hua Mei pressed a finger to Jin Shuang’s forehead and suddenly smiled. “You’re looking for the Primordial Mirror, right? Perfect—we can cooperate.”

Jin Shuang stared intently at Hua Mei, about to speak, but a finger sealed his lips.

“Shh—don’t bother denying it.” Hua Mei tilted his head slightly, a strange glint in his eyes, his tone laden with meaning. “It’s a win-win deal.”

*

Battlefield Gobi.

The void tore open abruptly. Five fingers slashed through the air, Shattered Shadow’s cold gleam flashing as it took a chunk of cloth from his left shoulder.

Xue Lao Er retreated swiftly. From shoulder to arm, claw-like scratches appeared where his clothes were shredded, shallow bloody marks on his skin.

Xue Lao Er clutched his shoulder, furious. “Gu Sanbai!”

“Don’t call me that.” Gu Changhuai sauntered out of the void leisurely. “I’ve been annoyed by that outfit of yours for a while; might as well help you change it.”

He sized up Xue Lao Er. “What are you sneaking around for?”

Xue Lao Er’s face darkened. “And you?”

“Just admiring the scenery.” Gu Changhuai lied shamelessly. “Look at that grass—how tenacious.”

The Battlefield was nothing but rugged Gobi and yellow sands. Xue Lao Er stared expressionlessly at Gu Changhuai. “Cut the crap. Have you forgotten your identity?”

His tone chilled with warning. “Once the Demon Venerable confirms your betrayal of the Demon Realm, he won’t show mercy. Don’t forget—your life is still in his hands!”

At that, Gu Changhuai bristled. “Hey, hey, you can eat whatever, but watch your words. Everything needs evidence! Who said I betrayed the Demon Realm? Don’t pin this on me.”

Xue Lao Er said nothing, just turned his body to reveal the wound on his left shoulder, glaring coldly at Gu Changhuai, waiting for an explanation.

Gu Changhuai lounged lazily, grinning as he spread his hands. Shattered Shadow hadn’t retracted yet; the intricate carvings on his ten fingers refracted chilling light in the sun. “I told you, your clothes bugged me. Just helping with a change.”

He flashed Xue Lao Er a casual, shallow smile. “Besides, if I wanted your life, I’d have snapped your neck earlier—not just scratched your clothes.”

His light, murmuring tone hid boundless killing intent.

Xue Lao Er didn’t doubt him. As a fellow Shadow Demon from the same batch, he knew Gu Changhuai’s nature well. If he meant to kill, it’d be instant—one strike, no torture.

A moment of silence.

Xue Lao Er suddenly relaxed, mimicking Gu Changhuai by crossing his arms against a nearby Gobi rock, his gloomy eyes fixed on him.

After a beat.

In the lonely windswept sands, Gu Changhuai heard him murmur lowly, “Come with me.”

Gu Changhuai almost thought he’d misheard. He raised a brow, scrutinizing Xue Lao Er, who looked deadly serious. His smile faltered. “You’re serious?”

What was this? An elopement invitation?

“I know you never liked the Demon Realm, not from the start.” Blood from his left shoulder dripped to his hand; Xue Lao Er shook it off impassively and continued, “We can escape the Demon Realm together. No need to fear the Demon Venerable’s pursuit—the Mother Gu, I stole it.”

Gu Changhuai’s eyes snapped up to meet his, suspicion lacing his voice. “…Really?”

The Mother Gu was really stolen?

By Xue Lao Er? Had the Demon Venerable slipped up?

Catching the doubt, Xue Lao Er paused, then produced a glass vial from his palm. Through the translucent bottle, a faint black shadow writhed inside. He affirmed, “The Mother Gu is here.”

The instant he saw the vial, Gu Changhuai fell into thought.

It was indeed the Mother Gu.

Too bad… it was fake.

As expected—something so crucial wouldn’t be swiped by Xue Lao Er that easily.

Gu Changhuai waved it off. “That’s a substitute. Just a phantom shadow.”

“What?” Xue Lao Er’s expression iced over. He checked it, pouring out the Gu Worm, which disintegrated into ash midair before hitting the ground.

Just an illusion from a drop of the Demon Venerable’s blood. His face turned grim. “Even the Demon Venerable doesn’t trust me.”

Gu Changhuai: “…”

Listen to yourself—you stole the Mother Gu; of course he wouldn’t trust you.

Fearing Xue Lao Er might snap, Gu Changhuai grinned soothingly. “Look on the bright side. That demon lord’s just paranoid. Even though you’re about to replace the Guardian and become his most trusted subordinate, he still has to watch you. You know how our Demon Clan is—if you were him, you’d be suspicious too.”

Xue Lao Er agreed. “True enough.” Then he added, “Seems like it’s been ages since we talked so calmly.”

“We’ve never talked calmly.” Gu Changhuai corrected.

The two exchanged smiles and fell silent.

Xue Lao Er gazed at the horizon, a lone bird flying solitary over the barren yellow sands. When he spoke again, his usual icy voice softened. “Shadow Demon fights are brutal—life isn’t life. All these years, I’ve wondered why, when you could have survived alone, you insisted on carrying me out.”

For the first time in ages, Gu Changhuai’s memories stirred.

The dim, vast training ground, piled with mountains of corpses—that was the first large-scale slaughter after he arrived in this world.

Far more perilous than ripping out hearts right after transmigrating.

Thousands of Shadow Demons thrown into the arena like breeding Gu Worms, slaughtering each other. He’d fought nearly a thousand alone, barely surviving with his life.

Covered in wounds and blood, one hand severed.

He stood alone atop the corpse mountain as rain fell, washing the crimson from his face. Black mist-like shadow coalesced at his severed wrist, regenerating the hand.

Expressionless, he descended the pile, tripped, and glanced back. Seeing a pulse twitch in what seemed a hand, still alive, he pulled the man from the corpses and carried him out.

Gu Changhuai smiled, telling the truth. “No real reason—just happened you were still breathing.”

Xue Lao Er opened his mouth as if to say more, but Gu Changhuai cut him off sharply. “If it’s nonsense, save it.” His gaze chilled as he swept over Xue Lao Er, smile lazy. “Besides, you’re not here just to reminisce, are you?”