◎Senior Brother Jiang Tingbai still wishes for a peaceful life today.◎
When they finally pinpointed Mi Jichen's true form, not only was Jiang Tingbai surprised—even Ji Qinghong seemed taken aback.
After all, historical records had never mentioned a lingering obsession possessing a bamboo brush before.
Moreover, for some reason, the wisp of gray mist half-emerging from the brush didn’t feel like an obsession at all.
Jiang Tingbai steadied himself and focused.
To his astonishment, even with the gray mist right before his eyes, he couldn’t sense its presence or form.
Ji Qinghong, who had initially come merely as an observer, now wore an intrigued expression.
With a flick of his finger, the worn-out bamboo brush hanging in Second Miss Du’s study flew toward him.
Correspondingly, the gray mist that had partially emerged from the brush was yanked along like a genie trailing behind Aladdin’s lamp, skidding to an abrupt halt before Ji Qinghong.
Ji Qinghong flicked a finger, sending a gust of wind that passed straight through the mist.
He intensified his power, forming a spell in his palm—only to shatter the table behind the mist into neatly carved wooden blocks.
“Hmm… how interesting.”
Though neither attack had any effect on the mist, the mysterious entity seemed to panic nonetheless.
Its smoky form fluttered up and down, radiating sheer amateurish terror.
Even without knowing the mist’s origins, Jiang Tingbai couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for it.
The next moment, Ji Qinghong tightened his grip on the brush.
This single action seemed to inflict actual harm on the mist.
Immediately, it let out a high-pitched, genderless shriek—"Aaaahhh!"—before shooting out of the brush like a firework, fleeing as if its life depended on it.
Ji Qinghong: “……”
If this was acting, it was far too naturally terrible.
Jiang Tingbai: “……”
He suspected there was no acting here—just pure, unfiltered emotion.
Also, whatever this mist was, it definitely wasn’t an obsession.
In all his years, Jiang Tingbai had never encountered an obsession that could detach from its host object.
Realizing that Ji Qinghong and Jiang Tingbai were nothing like the ordinary humans it had encountered before, the gray mist abandoned the old bamboo brush without hesitation and bolted.
Within the blink of an eye, Ji Qinghong tested over twenty different spells before finally trapping the mist with one.
The spell itself was unremarkable—except for the fact that its core was fueled by Ji Qinghong’s own flames.
With the cheerful demeanor of someone who had finally stumbled upon something novel, Ji Qinghong smiled amiably.
“Now, my friend, would you care to stay and chat?”
The mist replied timidly, “If I say no… would you listen?”
……
The gray mist, as it turned out, was none other than the former Devourer of Emotions—later known as the second disciple of Yan Luoyue and Wu Manshuang.
Once captured by Ji Qinghong, it spilled everything with astonishing eagerness, surrendering so thoroughly that even Jiang Tingbai was taken aback.
“A Devourer of Emotions… evolves from a Fear Imp?”
“Legend says only one in a hundred thousand Fear Imps ever becomes a true Devourer.”
The mist murmured, “Our past as Fear Imps leaves no trace in our memories. But the fears we endured—even after forgetting everything else—remain carved into our bones.”
This was why most Devourers fed on negative emotions.
Like children raised in abusive homes who might later raise a fist to their own partners, or races accustomed to darkness whose eyes could no longer bear light—their twisted appetites were a testament to their past.
As for the Devourer Jiang Tingbai had encountered…
It—or perhaps they—was a rare exception among Devourers, a one-in-a-million miracle.
Ji Qinghong stepped out briefly to contact the Guiyuan Sect’s leader via communication stone, leaving Jiang Tingbai to guard—or rather, keep company with—the timid mist, which bore little resemblance to the monstrous image of its kind.
The mist whispered, “I… I won’t survive this, will I?”
Great. Not only was it the odd one out among its kind, it might also be the first Devourer to die young.
Jiang Tingbai thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Not necessarily.”
He then asked, “Why do you say that?”
The mist replied gloomily, “Because when we take emotions from humans, we never ask for permission either.”
At first, this newly born Devourer, following its kin into the human world, might have been ignorant.
But as creatures that fed on emotions, they inherently understood good and evil far too well.
After answering Jiang Tingbai’s question, the mist ventured one of its own: “Why did you say ‘not necessarily’?”
Did it mean they might spare it? Even let it go?
“Because I’m still investigating,” Jiang Tingbai said calmly. “I’m checking whether there have been any unexplained deaths, injuries, or strange occurrences in Gourd Alley these past few years.”
Perhaps sensing Jiang Tingbai’s gentler demeanor compared to Ji Qinghong, the mist cautiously asked, “And if there aren’t any… what then?”
Jiang Tingbai smiled. “If there aren’t, then even if my superiors demand it, I won’t stand by and let them condemn you.”
“—To punish without teaching is cruelty.”
A child raised in violence might grow up to raise a hand against their own family.
But there are also those who become steadfast, resolute, and despise all forms of brutality.
Who a person becomes depends half on their environment—and half on their own choices.
Jiang Tingbai said softly, “Regardless, you chose to sustain yourself through kindness… and so kindness is what you deserve in return.”
To cultivate virtue is to nurture all living things.
This was Jiang Tingbai’s sword heart and path.
……
Fortunately, the final decision didn’t require Jiang Tingbai to draw his sword in the mist’s defense.
In fact, when Ji Qinghong cheerfully announced the verdict he and the sect leader had agreed upon, Jiang Tingbai was momentarily stunned.
Ji Qinghong smiled. “Since things have come to this, and you’re so amusing, why not return with me to the Guiyuan Sect and become my second disciple?”
The mist: “!!!”
Was this what humans called “after darkness comes light”?
Jiang Tingbai: “!!!”
This outcome was far beyond anything he had anticipated.
Jiang Tingbai said firmly, “The sect leader is truly wise.”
For some reason, when he said this, Ji Qinghong gave him a strange, lingering look.
"Senior Brother Sect Leader has even more brilliant and heroic deeds—would you like to hear them?" Ji Qinghong repeated word by word. "He said, 'Since you insist so much, Junior Brother, then this Devourer of Emotions shall be placed under your tutelage... After all, everyone from your peak is a bit of an odd character.'"
Jiang Tingbai: "..."
Wait a minute, since when was he an odd character?
The eldest disciple of that peak, the only human on the entire peak, and also the most upright and reliable person there, was now suffering damage to his reputation—all because of his master's whims.
...
From that day onward, the peak gained a second disciple.
This second disciple was shrouded in mystery.
At first, apart from a few important peak masters and elders, even the sect's other direct disciples were unaware of their existence.
Even later, when rumors spread that Ji Qinghong had taken on two disciples, most people only knew of Ji Qinghong himself. As for the legendary second disciple, no one even knew their name.
—The second disciple's name was Mi Jichen.
The name "Jichen" was given to them by Ji Qinghong.
As for the surname "Mi"... it wasn't meant to imply "secret."
Instead, Jiang Tingbai had prepared a large lottery box, filled with slips of paper bearing surnames from the Hundred Family Names, and let Mi Jichen draw one at random.
Yes, this lottery box was Jiang Tingbai's welcoming gift to Mi Jichen.
Everyone understood the nature of this peculiar gift—after all, Jiang Tingbai was truly broke.
Jiang Tingbai: When I donated all my savings decades ago, I never expected a junior brother or sister to join the peak so soon.
Compared to Jiang Tingbai, Ji Qinghong's gift was far more refined.
He personally fired up the forge, selected precious materials, and crafted a white jade brush with a red tassel tied to its end for Mi Jichen.
At first glance, this artifact appeared to be nothing more than a jade brush.
But as Mi Jichen's abilities grew and their resonance with the brush deepened, they would eventually be able to manipulate it into taking different forms—ultimately transforming it into a human body capable of independent movement.
In other words, Ji Qinghong had crafted Mi Jichen a physical vessel.
After the disciple acceptance ceremony concluded, Jiang Tingbai, as the senior brother, naturally took it upon himself to help his new junior sibling adjust to life on the peak.
Recalling Ji Qinghong's many eccentricities over the years, as well as his penchant for stirring up trouble, even Jiang Tingbai had to pause and carefully choose his words.
After a moment, Jiang Tingbai finally spoke slowly, "Master... has a somewhat... let's say, unconventional personality. If he does anything surprising, don't take it too seriously."
Originally, Jiang Tingbai had intended to say, "Master is just like that."
But then it occurred to him—if anyone were born with a personality like Ji Qinghong's, it would practically be an insult to humanity.
A faint gray shadow flickered on the surface of the white jade brush—likely Mi Jichen nodding obediently.
Mi Jichen said, "I understand. When I was in the human world, I learned: 'Don't judge a person by their words, but by their actions.'"
Their voice then brightened with admiration. "Even though Master seemed fierce when we first met, he later gave me the jade brush as a vessel. He must be a very kind person, right?"
Jiang Tingbai: "..."
Even Jiang Tingbai, with his generous nature, couldn't bring himself to agree with the "very kind person" assessment.
He could only tactfully reply, "I shouldn't comment on that. Just... don't jump to conclusions too quickly."
...
And so, thanks to Ji Qinghong's sudden inspiration, the Guiyuan Sect's roster of direct disciples now included a Devourer of Emotions.
This time, the person clutching their stomach in silent despair wasn't the Sword Peak Master—it was the Sect Leader.
However, the Sect Leader soon discovered that this demon, who went by the name Mi Jichen, was an exceptionally pure-hearted and benevolent creature.
Not only did they answer every question honestly and completely, but they were also wholeheartedly devoted to doing good.
One could say that Ji Qinghong's two disciples were far more well-behaved than Ji Qinghong himself.
... Though, to be fair, there weren't many people in the world less well-behaved than Ji Qinghong.
... But when even a demon is more reliable than you, what kind of outrageous behavior is that?!
Not long after, at Ji Qinghong's suggestion, Jiang Tingbai's arrangement, and the Sect Leader's tacit approval, the sect constructed a wishing pool.
Fed by an underground hot spring, the pool was connected to the back mountain of their peak—which, for the record, still maintained the official stance of being "a harmonious, benevolent, and rule-abiding peak."
Every morning, Jiang Tingbai would watch as the white jade brush, guided by Mi Jichen, wobbled its way to the hot spring in the back mountain, then wobbled back every evening.
For some reason, every time he witnessed this scene, Jiang Tingbai felt like he was forgetting something.
Hmm... what was he forgetting?
Some time after the pool was completed, Mi Jichen finally cultivated a human form.
And then Jiang Tingbai remembered what he'd forgotten.
"..."
He'd forgotten to remind Mi Jichen to prepare a set of clothes by the hot spring in advance.
Yes, just as you'd expect, the newly human Mi Jichen was so excited that they dashed out of the bathhouse completely naked.
"I'm human now! I'm human now!"
If not for the fact that their peak was usually deserted, this behavior wouldn't be called "turning human"—it'd be called "turning into a pervert."
Jiang Tingbai, who had followed the voice and been unfortunate enough to witness the scene: "..."
Cover your eyes, Junior Brother/Sister!!!
With reflexes honed by a lifetime of sword cultivation, Jiang Tingbai immediately shut his eyes and spun around.
He swiftly pulled a faded training robe from his storage pouch and tossed it backward without looking.
Only after hearing Mi Jichen dress did Jiang Tingbai clear his throat and turn back.
"So... Jichen, should I address you as Junior Brother or Junior Sister from now on?"
Yes, in Jiang Tingbai's conventional understanding, while Devourers of Emotions had no inherent gender, surely they would choose one when taking human form?
Alas, this was Jiang Tingbai's narrow-minded thinking.
Mi Jichen answered truthfully, "I'm... neither male nor female?"
Jiang Tingbai: "..."
At first, Jiang Tingbai didn't quite grasp it. He patiently clarified, "What I mean is, does your current human form appear male or female?"
Mi Jichen thought for a moment, then decided words wouldn't suffice.
With a flourish reminiscent of a flasher opening their trench coat, they dramatically spread open the robe draped over their body.
Mi Jichen said earnestly, "I'm not male or female."
Surely Senior Brother hadn't forgotten—whether as a brush or as a Devourer of Emotions, one couldn't expect them to have gender distinctions, right?
Jiang Tingbai: "!!!"
No, wait, this...
The smooth, featureless expanse below the waist was one thing, but why didn't they even have nipples?!
This time, confronted with the undeniable reality of what looked like a plastic mannequin, Jiang Tingbai fully understood Mi Jichen's meaning.
From then on, every time they met, Jiang Tingbai would instinctively glance at Mi Jichen's attire.
If Mi Jichen wore men's clothing today, he would be addressed as "Second Brother"; if dressed as a woman, he would be called "Second Sister."
This transformation of Mi Jichen also stirred a series of memories in Jiang Tingbai since the day he joined the sect—
Jiang Tingbai couldn't help but think, with utmost seriousness: As the saying goes, one takes on the color of the company they keep. So, by that measure, I should still be a normal person... right?
The senior disciple of that peak, Jiang Tingbai, still longed for a peaceful life today.
