Chilling air emanated from the evil bones, and a monstrous white mist spread endlessly, swallowing the entire beach. Gu Mingzhao coughed heavily, barely managing to steady his footing under the oppressive weight of the aura.
It was the spring equinox. If the Second Miss of the Bai family had truly fed the Gu bugs with her own body, her power would undoubtedly be at its peak tonight, when the Gu bugs were restless and reviving.
And if she wanted revenge, she had to act while Wen Zhilan was still in Lingshui Village. Once she missed this opportunity, their paths might never cross again, and it would be nearly impossible to track his whereabouts.
The only plausible explanation for Bai Han leaving the mountain so hastily was that she needed to awaken the Gu bugs before the spring equinox ended to settle the score with Wen Zhilan once and for all.
Having guessed her plan, they split up to search for her. Xie Jingci and Pei Du went to Chaohai Mountain, Meng Xiaoting went south, and Mo Xiaoyang went to the east mountain. Only Gu Mingzhao came to the temple of High Immortal Shuifeng by the sea.
This decision was entirely a gamble.
When Wen Zhilan was a child causing havoc in the village, it was he who used the divine power of High Immortal Shuifeng to suppress the violently surging evil energy of Mother Wen. In the instant that woman was struck down, Gu Mingzhao saw blazing hatred in the little boy's pitch-black eyes.
Wen Zhilan hated him.
Back then, the monster in the secret realm fed on the villagers' memories only after Wen Zhilan had fled Lingshui Village and vanished without a trace. It was highly likely that he had not forgotten about High Immortal Shuifeng. That was why, upon returning to Lingshui Village years later, he wantonly destroyed the temple and used it as a secret passage to hide corpses.
Mo Xiaoyang was right; it looked as if a grave had been dug up.
Perhaps by some twist of fate, when everyone was discussing Wen Zhilan's possible whereabouts, Gu Mingzhao thought of this place immediately. After running here breathlessly, what met his eyes was a thick fog, dense as milk.
He saw a young man dressed in black, as well as Miss Han, who had bid them farewell not long ago, or rather, the Second Miss Bai.
The loose outer robe she had been wearing was gone. Her sleeves fluttered in the wind, revealing a right hand as shriveled as dry bones. Dark veins pulsed beneath the skin of her cheeks, with the shadows of scorpions and insects occasionally flashing by. Her eyes were bloodshot and entirely red.
In a very distant memory, he had once seen a little girl who looked similar.
The hostility radiating from the young woman suddenly faded. Compared to her chilling murderous intent just moments ago, a trace of panicked helplessness now surfaced in her eyes. She instinctively took a step back, lowering her head to hide her terrifyingly hideous face, her back trembling.
Why was he here?
How could he be here?
They had already said their final goodbyes. Of all people, Gu Mingzhao was the one she absolutely did not want to see her in such an ugly state.
What was more... if he showed himself in front of Wen Zhilan, he would be killed without hesitation.
"Another one arrives."
Catching sight of her sudden change in expression, Wen Zhilan guessed the shame in the young woman's heart and could not help but laugh loudly. "What? Since you have already turned yourself into a monster that is neither human nor ghost, you should be prepared to be seen. You have become like this, do not tell me you still—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a fist swung toward him through the air.
Gu Mingzhao had been a good-for-nothing for hundreds of years and had never really practiced martial arts. When he threw this punch, not only did the other party dodge it with ease, but his right hand was also twisted along the way, letting out a sharp crack of dislocated bones.
"A mere mortal dares to raise a hand against me?"
As an ageless immortal spirit, High Immortal Shuifeng had lived in Lingshui Village all year round. To avoid arousing the villagers' suspicions, he would take on a completely new appearance and name every so often.
His current shell as Gu Mingzhao looked vastly different from how he appeared over thirty years ago. Even Wen Zhilan could not recognize him in the slightest.
The black-clad evil cultivator looked at him coldly, exerted force in his palm, and gave a fierce push. "Trying to play the hero with a frail body like this? You are even more laughable than Bai Han."
The evil energy surged toward his face. With the thin spiritual power in his body, Gu Mingzhao was completely unable to parry it. He was sent flying several feet away by the palm strike, spitting out dark red blood as he crashed heavily to the ground.
Like a mouse being wantonly tortured by a cat.
This thought brought Wen Zhilan immense pleasure. He could not help but let out a sinister, cackling laugh. Condensing spiritual power in his hand once more, he flicked it lightly.
The dense black energy, swift as lightning, lunged straight at the young man's thin figure. However, before it could touch him, it was intercepted mid-way by another force.
Bai Han pressed her lips together silently. Standing in front of Gu Mingzhao, she blocked the overwhelming killing intent for him. The two forces collided with a deafening boom. She was clearly the weaker of the two and was forced to stumble backward several steps.
"I told you, you cannot beat me."
Wen Zhilan laughed uproariously. "Trash, all of you are trash! You have mediocre aptitude and started cultivating decades later than I did. How could you possibly compete with me, Second Miss Bai!"
He grew increasingly excited, the veins in his eyes thickening until they bled a crimson red. "Back then, your sister and your father were just like this, overestimating themselves and acting self-righteous. Would it not have been fine to just obediently play deaf and mute? But no, they insisted on making me confess everything and even planned to hand me over to the Immortal Alliance. Your sister even called me her husband right before she died. How hilarious! If it were not for the Bai family's secret techniques, why would I have ever married her? You were lucky to escape back then, but tonight I will pull you up by the roots. I will make sure you and everyone in Lingshui Village die without a burial place!"
As his words fell, wicked winds suddenly rose all around them, sweeping through like peerlessly sharp swords. Wherever they passed, the heavy fog was torn apart, leaving behind a chaotic mess.
The starry sky and the moon were entirely swallowed up; not a single speck of light could be seen. Evil energy churned, gathering in mid-air to form swirling, pitch-black vortexes that rampaged unstoppably.
Bai Han urged the Gu bugs within her body, gritting her teeth to withstand the increasingly fierce attacks.
Her flesh and blood were being bitten and gnawed at every single moment. Enduring the agonizing pain, her voice trembled, "...Hurry, leave."
She was saying this to Gu Mingzhao behind her.
She had already come tonight with the resolve to die. No matter what, she had to protect his life. Someone like him only needed to always stand in the bright, open light and smile freely.
The restlessness of the Gu bugs had reached its peak.
The young woman's thin skin split open with multiple gashes, dyeing her white clothes blood-red. Her current appearance must have been extremely hideous, like a ghoul or demon. Only Gu Mingzhao saw that, amidst the terrifying killing intent, the rims of Bai Han's eyes were faintly red.
She was crying.
The monster, covered in a baleful aura, trembled. Her voice was hoarse, as if she had exhausted every ounce of courage in her body to finally speak to him, "Run away. Do not... look at me."
"You have already reached your limit."
Wen Zhilan was exceptionally beautiful, with peach-blossom eyes and flawless, delicate skin. At first glance, his gender was ambiguous, and the touch of scarlet in his eyes only added to his alluring charm. At this moment, he laughed arrogantly, half his face hidden in the evil energy. "You want to detonate all the Gu bugs in your body, vainly hoping to take me down with you, do you not? Then I am afraid I must disappoint the Second Miss."
As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes slightly and looked Bai Han up and down. "I will not die. At most, I will be heavily injured. But as for you... having your heart devoured by ten thousand bugs right under that pretty boy's nose, completely reducing you to a puddle of blood and flesh, that will not be a pretty sight."
"Shut up!"
Bai Han gritted her teeth and gathered her strength. Her spiritual energy burst forth suddenly, like a mighty river breaking through a dam. Unhurried, Wen Zhilan raised his hand and waved it, deflecting the trajectory of her power so that it crashed onto the nearby temple of High Immortal Shuifeng.
In an instant, the white wall collapsed, blasted open to reveal a massive, jagged hole. Dust and debris billowed through the air. Through the intertwining smoke and mist, Gu Mingzhao caught sight of a familiar silhouette.
The temple of High Immortal Shuifeng had laid in ruins for years, long abandoned by worshippers. Yet, at this very moment, an old woman covered in blood lay slumped before the statue. As if jolted awake by the deafening blast, her right hand twitched slightly.
It was the village chief.
Shuifeng's temple... hahaha, to think you'd see a day like this!
The sight only fueled Wen Zhilan's exhilaration. Gathering power in his hand once more, he hurled a strike at the faceless immortal statue. After what you did to us back then, leading the charge to kill my mother, you've finally gotten your just deserts! Look at what you've been reduced to! Come out if you dare! Hahahaha!
Returning to Lingshui Village after all these years, the very first thing he did was seek out the temple of High Immortal Shuifeng for revenge.
To his surprise, the once-thriving temple was now utterly forsaken, and not a single soul in the village even remembered the immortal. Wen Zhilan had stared in disbelief for a moment before erupting into uproarious laughter.
This was his retribution! Shuifeng had been so arrogant back then, throwing his weight around, but now he was entirely forgotten. His soul had likely shattered into nothingness, leaving not even a speck of dust behind.
The demonic energy struck the statue's head, instantly obliterating it into a shower of fine dust that crumbled to the ground.
Hearing his words, the village chief on the ground arched her back slightly, straining with all her might to lift her head. This gentleman... he truly existed once, didn't he?
Gu Mingzhao remained silent, his fists clenching tightly in the shadows.
Pretty boy, you're young, so you probably haven't heard of him, have you?
Wen Zhilan walked slowly toward the old woman. His crimson eyes glinted with the color of blood, making him look like a demon from hell.
Though he was speaking to Gu Mingzhao, his gaze never once shifted toward him. His tone dripped with absolute disdain. Thirty years ago, Lingshui Village had a little immortal. He was quite the majestic figure back then, thinking he was so extraordinary. But who remembers him now? He's nothing but a useless piece of trash. Only this old woman would come alone in the dead of night to make offerings to him.
By the time he finished speaking, he was standing right in front of the village chief. Tendrils of demonic energy slowly coiled around the old woman's neck. I remember you practically worshipped him back then, didn't you? Always calling him sir this and sir that. It made me sick just hearing it. And even now, you still come to the temple to see him... Even if I kill you right here today, what could Shuifeng possibly do about it?
Agonizing pain spread from her neck throughout her entire body. The white-haired old woman furrowed her brow deeply, but a clear, lucid light broke through the haziness in her cloudy eyes.
Visiting the temple of High Immortal Shuifeng was a habit she had kept up for years. Tonight, she had come as usual, only to unexpectedly run into Wen Zhilan. He had struck her in the chest with a single palm strike, knocking her unconscious until the deafening blast finally jolted her awake.
Now, staring death in the face, she felt a flicker of fear, but it was vastly overshadowed by a sudden sense of relief and profound peace.
Wen Zhilan had said... she had once revered a gentleman.
So those faint, lingering emotions had not been a lie.
She hadn't been chasing a phantom, nor was the faith she held onto a mere fabrication. There truly had been someone, someone who had undeniably existed, and whom she had undeniably revered.
Wen Zhilan's laughter grew increasingly unhinged. Just as he was about to tighten his demonic grip, he suddenly detected a gust of frigid air from his side.
Bai Han moved with blinding speed. A wave of frost brushed past his cheek, leaving behind a dripping trail of blood. Not daring to let her guard down, she intensified her assault, silently channeling her power.
Wen Zhilan's sheer strength far exceeded her imagination. Just as he had claimed, even if she were to detonate every single Gu worm inside her body, it likely still wouldn't be enough to strike him dead.
But at the very least... she couldn't let any more innocent lives perish at his hands.
The demonic aura was overwhelming. Through it, a faint stream of moonlight drifted down, illuminating the shattered statue within the temple.
Gu Mingzhao tremblingly pushed himself up to his feet, allowing the excruciating pain to tear at his nerves inch by inch. Taking a deep breath, he slowly closed his eyes.
A temple was a sanctuary meant to harbor the prayers of its believers.
Whenever someone offered a devout prayer, their wishes would converge within the divine statue. If he focused his mind to listen, he could hear the desires of every single person.
It had been a long time since Gu Mingzhao last listened. The statue had always been completely hollow, and by refusing to give himself hope, he spared himself from disappointment.
Yet, at this very moment, as he closed his eyes and let his scarce remaining spiritual energy brush against the palm of the statue, the tender voice of a young girl unexpectedly pierced through the dense fog, floating softly into his ears.
High Immortal, High Immortal, are you the gentleman whose name no one knows? she asked. Everyone says there was never such a person in the village, but I can't shake the feeling that something incredibly important is missing from my life. My family is poor, and I was never supposed to be able to go to school... But you were the one who built the academy, giving us the chance to study, weren't you?
The voice paused abruptly. When it spoke again, it belonged to a slightly older young woman.
Sir, how was your day today?
She sounded cheerful, letting out a soft laugh. I've finally saved up enough money to open a school of my own. It feels so strange talking to a statue, but... maybe you can actually hear me, right? I'm sorry that I've forgotten your face.
Then came more and more voices.
A man's voice rang out: Brother, I might not know your title, but you just look incredibly reliable. I'm heading to the Li family to propose tomorrow, you have to bless me!
A woman's voice followed: It's so strange, but I always feel a sense of warmth when I look at your statue, even though you aren't really my type. Anyway, I've swept the temple clean for you. Don't mention it.
And finally, the low murmur of the very first girl, her voice now worn with age: The academy is doing wonderfully, sir. Have I managed to carry on your legacy? My health is failing, and I don't know how much longer I can hold on... But it's alright. A few young folks have already promised to stay and help out at the academy. No matter what happens, it will carry on.
She paused, her tone growing firmer as if trying to convince herself. Even if I succumb to illness and pass away, even if everyone forgets me... that legacy will surely survive.
Perhaps Miss Xie had been right.
Even when memories fade away, there would always be these inexplicable, lingering feelings quietly tucked away in the depths of their hearts.
That was why he was able to keep existing, whether as Gu Mingzhao, or as Shuifeng, who by all rights should have long since perished.
The people of Lingshui Village were the ones he had always wanted to protect.
They could be unreasonable and crude, childish and stubborn, or even cold and aloof. Yet, back when Mother Wen was wreaking havoc and terrorizing the region, they were the ones who had taken the knife from his hands.
That woman had been a demonic cultivator, a master of curses. In her dying moments, she had shrieked in despair, Whoever slaughters my son and me today, I curse you to die a gruesome death! May your soul be damned for all eternity, never to see reincarnation!
As the immortal guardian of the region, the final, fatal strike should have been his to deliver.
However, an immortal spirit could not afford to be tainted by demonic energy, and taking a human life was the ultimate taboo. A fisherman had snatched the blade from his grasp, his entire body trembling as he spoke. My Lord, let us do it.
And so, the woman was struck with countless blades. Every single villager present had taken part.
In truth, she had died long before it was over, but the small knife was still passed from hand to hand. Their strength was meager, and they possessed no great power, but they sought to share the burden of the curse together. Through their actions, they were clumsily trying to protect him.
That was the bond they shared.
Overpowered by her opponent, Bai Han was sent flying several steps back, crashing heavily to the ground.
Wen Zhilan was also heavily injured by her. He spat out a mouthful of blood and frowned with extreme impatience. "This little game is over. Letting you die together is the utmost kindness I can offer."
He got serious. Demonic energy suddenly converged, and the gale howled like stampeding beasts, cutting like blades. This heaven-shaking power was aimed directly at the dilapidated Temple of High Immortal Shuifeng before him, as well as the two figures slumped on the ground.
In an instant, killing intent surged from all directions.
All the sudden changes occurred in the blink of an eye.
Amidst the howling of the surging demonic energy, Bai Han saw a silhouette standing in front of her, shielding her.
The young man smiled brightly and gently. His dark, bright eyes sparkled, more dazzling than the stars in the sky. With a light sway, he landed right before her eyes.
"Do you still remember what I said to you right here, five years ago?"
Gu Mingzhao looked at her, his shadow elongated by the moonlight, his voice as clear as a spring. "Rather than worshipping those illusory gods, why not try putting your faith in the person right in front of you... I will protect you. Are you willing to believe in me?"
Tears rushed out of her eyes uncontrollably.
Bai Han had never known his true identity. To her, High Immortal Shuifeng was nothing more than a dilapidated statue standing by the sea.
The person who smiled and reached out his hand to her, the person who carefully planted that peony flower, was named Gu Mingzhao.
She had always believed in him, in a place no one knew.
When he smiled at others, even if that smile was not meant for her, Bai Han could feel happiness from the bottom of her heart. It was as if the sunlight that illuminated all living things had fallen into a dark valley; although unintentional, it could light up the boundless darkness.
Gu Mingzhao broke into a grin.
The monstrous demonic energy was merely inches away—
But in that brief moment, a brilliant light suddenly flared.
At first, it was just a tiny speck of light. Then, it trembled and exploded, carrying the momentum of a prairie fire, enveloping the surrounding wilderness in an instant.
Ocean waves. Dark clouds. A beam of bright light pierced through the sky, breaking the chaotic dark night and the surging undercurrents.
The dazzling white light was like a soaring dragon, obscuring the sky and the moon. The demonic energy, which had been surging forward unstoppably, now seemed like collapsing mountains. After a brief stalemate, it was violently blasted away—
Boom!
High Immortal Shuifeng was merely an illusory symbol. So many people yearned for his blessing, yet only one person had firmly believed in the truest version of him from beginning to end.
Bai Han believed in Gu Mingzhao.
High Immortal Shuifeng offered salvation to all living beings, but Gu Mingzhao was a god that belonged to her alone.
As long as that girl still held faith in him—
The unrivaled power of a god could be reborn solely for her.
A vast expanse of brilliance, a flash of frost.
Covered in blood and protected behind him, the old woman's fingertips trembled slightly. She stared at the back figure not far away, hot tears welling up in her eyes.
She had occasionally spoken to others about that nameless gentleman.
They would laugh carelessly, not really believing her, and just casually ask: Really? What did that person look like?
How should she put it.
He was probably an ordinary person you could see anywhere, with an average appearance but very bright eyes. He looked gentle and seemed like he did not care much about anything. On rainy days—
A blurry silhouette surfaced in her mind. She remembered a distant rainy day, with water drops pattering down. Someone stood in front of the schoolhouse holding many umbrellas, and if anyone hadn't brought rain gear, he would conveniently hand them one.
The thin, small, and innocent girl took it, hearing the young man's gentle laugh by her ear: "Be careful, don't catch a cold."
He must be that kind of person.
A smile overflowed in the old woman's eyes.
So... he really was that kind of person. She hadn't remembered wrong.
This was Gu Mingzhao's all-out strike.
The demonic energy completely dissipated. Wen Zhilan frowned and stepped back, his voice hoarse and full of disbelief: "This move—you are Shuifeng?"
After saying that, he let out a cold sneer, his tone becoming increasingly frantic and smug: "With your current strength, what can you do to me? I've been wanting to take revenge with my own hands for a long time. Thanks to the High Immortal for personally delivering yourself to death's door!"
The one who responded to him was not Gu Mingzhao.
A clear and lazy female voice came from afar. Though she was smiling, it carried a sharp killing intent: "Is that so?"
Xie Jingci walked through the mist, her green robes like bamboo. Her willow-leaf eyes glanced at the ruined temple, and the long blade in her hand hummed resonantly.
Pei Du, who was beside her, gave a slight nod. "Young Master Gu, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine."
Gu Mingzhao supported his aching lower back. "Thankfully, you two arrived in time."
They had a plan in place. To avoid a situation like the Calabash Brothers saving their grandfather—sending themselves to their doom one by one—they had distributed communication talismans in advance. If anyone found Bai Han and Wen Zhilan, they were to immediately notify the others for backup.
Mo Xiaoyang and Meng Xiaoting had not yet arrived. Amidst the whimpering cold wind, Xie Jingci drew her blade from its sheath and slightly raised an eyebrow. "As for who is delivering themselves to death's door... that remains to be seen, doesn't it?"
