Ch51 - Can’t you show some compassion……

After saying these words, Feng Ci didn’t wait for Pei QianYue’s reply before placing his hands urgently on Pei QianYue’s waist belt. But for some unknown reason, he tugged several times without being able to pull it open.

A cool hand pressed down over the back of his hand. 

Only now did Feng Ci notice that his sword-wielding hands were trembling uncontrollably.

“Don’t be afraid……” Holding Feng Ci’s hand, Pei QianYue extended his other arm and pulled Feng Ci into his embrace. He gently stroked Feng Ci’s back with the palm of his hand: “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about your dream. Don’t be afraid.”

Afraid?

Feng Ci felt it hilarious. 

During all these years, he has encountered how many disasters and tackled how many difficulties? When has he ever felt afraid?

Yet as he’s embraced by Pei QianYue like this, slowly, his rigid trembling body and the restless pounding heartbeat in his chest both relaxed gradually.

So having someone to rely on… was this kind of feeling.

It’s a pity…..

If it were earlier……

Feng Ci didn’t continue thinking down this path. He closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down.

Pei QianYue claimed that Feng Ci’s temperament has become much more at peace nowadays. This was indeed true. He had spent a very long time learning how to stabilize his emotions. Otherwise, he probably would have gone insane a long time ago.

Feng Ci buried his head into the crook of Pei QianYue’s neck. His voice has already turned smooth and steady as usual: “Let’s stop searching for a way to break through this illusion.” 

Pei QianYue stopped stroking Feng Ci’s back.

Feng Ci didn’t mind and continued to say: “We’ve already searched so many days without finding anything. Perhaps there’s simply no way out of this Phantom Spirit Cauldron. Not to mention, even if we did find an exit, what if we accidentally release the puppet as well. Wouldn’t that be stirring up more trouble?”

Pei QianYue still didn’t answer.

Feng Ci frowned and raised his head: “Speak. Why are you not replying to me?” 

Pei QianYue only sighed softly: “Is that really what you want?”

Feng Ci’s expression froze.

He laid on top of Pei QianYue’s chest, feeling the vibrations of the other’s chest as the deep and low voice spoke next to his ear: “We have practically searched everywhere inside this illusion in the last few days. From the current situation, it would seem like even if there is a way out of this Phantom Spirit Cauldron, the likelihood is very slim.”

“But if we give up just because of this, will Master truly feel satisfied?” 

Feng Ci lowered his gaze.

How could he be satisfied with just this?

Trapped inside here, never to see the sunlight again, and forever deprived of his freedom; how could he be willing?

But if he leaves the Phantom Spirit Cauldron, that absurd choice awaiting him… 

Why.

Why does he have to make such a decision? It’s already been 3000 years. Why does he still have to bear the sins of humanity alone?

As if countless voices were ripping and tearing his mind apart, Feng Ci heard a loud, unceasing buzz in his head that practically split his head in half in pain.

“…… Master.” Pei QianYue whispered next to his ear and called out to him. 

Feng Ci abruptly opened his eyes, only to realize that he had been gripping Pei QianYue’s wrist tightly.

His five fingers sank deeply into that white smooth skin, causing fresh blood to seep out of the wounds.

Feng Ci hastily got up and released his grip: “Sorry, I…..”

There were several bloody holes left on that slender wrist, but Pei QianYue didn’t mind. Instead, he grabbed Feng Ci’s hand once again. 

“What exactly happened?” Pei QianYue asked: “Did the Heavenly Principles say something to you? Did he give you a new mission? He’s coercing you, right?”

Feng Ci didn’t answer.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. He covered Pei QianYue’s wrist with his palm.

A faint spiritual glow appeared in his palm, which healed the wounds little by little. 

“In the past, you’ve always said that you can never figure out my internal thoughts. How is it any different for me?” Pei QianYue allowed Feng Ci to heal him, tone heavy: “What you desire, and why you need to do these things, I have also never been able to understand.”

“What I desire……” Feng Ci repeated quietly.

Of course, he knew what he desired.

For the past 3000 years, he has never stopped thinking about it— tormented by that unobtainable wish, every single second, incessantly. 

Feng Ci gave a faint self-deprecating smile.

The faint wounds healed swiftly. He released Pei QianYue’s hand and stood up.

After yesterday night’s mischief, their clothes were both somewhat disheveled. Back facing Pei QianYue, Feng Ci spoke up— his voice so soft it practically drifted away in the air: “What I seek…… is nothing more than a release.”

Breaking away from the Heavenly Principles’ control, casting away the identity of the Son of Heavens, the freedom obtained from…… a release. 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Everyone craved immortality, but no one knew the pain and suffering that immortality brought with it.

Geglcu atfrf 3000 sfjgr, tf ilnfv lc atlr kbgiv ilxf j kjixlcu mbgqrf, ecjyif ab olcv wfjclcu lc ilof. Rb ibcufg kjcalcu ab yf jilnf, sfa ecjyif ab vlf.

…… Kbb fztjeralcu.

Mfcu Jl ribkis mibrfv tlr fsfr. 

Yglulcjiis, joafg mbwqifalcu atlr ijra wlrrlbc, tlr veas jr atf Vbc bo Lfjnfc kbeiv tjnf gfjmtfv lar fcv. Lf bglulcjiis atbeuta atja tf kjr olcjiis ublcu ab oeiolii tlr klrt. Tfa gluta ja atlr alwf, kts…… kts…….

“Master.” Pei QianYue’s tone changed abruptly.

Simultaneously, Feng Ci opened his eyes, sensing the irregularity.

Ever since Pei QianYue woke up from the illusion, there has been no change inside the illusion. The starry skies no longer revolved. The faint breeze blew without rest. Everything seemed to have been halted. 

But right now……

Feng Ci raised his head. The ground suddenly began to quake violently. A wild gust of wind swept through the forest, lifting the hem of his clothes and hair.

A cool body pressed up against him from behind. It was Pei QianYue, who had approached him.

Feng Ci looked up and focused his eyes into the horizons. The clear and boundless starry skies a second ago was now shrouded by gloomy black clouds. Within the black clouds, there was even the faint presence of thunder and lightning. 

“It’s the Heavenly Principles.” Feng Ci said coldly.

As soon as he finished speaking, a bolt of lightning struck down from the skies. Feng Ci gave Pei QianYue a tug and the two of them tumbled and rolled away on the grass. The place where they stood originally was struck head on by that bolt of lightning.

The dust and smoke settled. The damaged area distorted and twisted rapidly, as if a rift was forcibly torn open in that spot.

A faint white light could be seen coming from inside. 

That white light reflected inside Feng Ci’s eyes. He suddenly felt it was a bit comical.

Here he was thinking that as long as he stayed inside without leaving, he’d be able to escape the Heavenly Principles’ command. Considering the Heavenly Principles’ way of doing things, how could he be given such an opportunity?

“Let’s go.” Feng Ci said coolly: “The Heavenly Principles has opened a door for us. The puppet body must have been released as well. We can’t continue to stay here any longer.”

But Pei QianYue didn’t move. 

Feng Ci turned to look at him: “What’s the matter?”

Pei QianYue asked: “What do you call….. a release?”

This was why Feng Ci didn’t want to mention this to Pei QianYue.

This person clung to him so much and was also very sensitive. There was also that inner demon, which occasionally caused trouble inside his body…… 

“What are you randomly imagining?” Feng Ci laughed, relaxing his tone: “Naturally I’m talking about…… a release from the Heavenly Principles’ grip. Being controlled by him all day long and doing everything he asks, who can live that kind of life?”

The expression on Pei QianYue’s face alleviated.

“If Master no longer wishes to be controlled by the Heavenly Principles, we can just stay here. Where’s the harm in that?” Pei QianYue said: “Stay here. It’s not like the Heavenly Principles can come here in person to drag you out.”

The Heavenly Principles cannot directly interfere with worldly matters. That’s why he needed to constantly seek envoys in the human world to complete tasks for him. 

If Feng Ci truly insisted on hiding inside this Phantom Spirit Cauldron, the Heavenly Principles wouldn’t be able to do anything to him.

Feng Ci asked with a smile: “Does the safety of the cultivation world no longer matter then?”

Pei QianYue: “What does that have anything to do with me?”

Pei QianYue wasn’t human. He has never possessed the same compassion that Feng Ci felt towards the fate of humankind. 

The only reason that had him initially concerned about the destruction of the cultivation sects was his suspicion that those things were related to Feng Ci’s physical body.

Feng Ci looked down pensively: “You’re not wrong.”

What does the consequences of humankind’s actions have anything to do with him?

But Feng Ci didn’t comment on this anymore. He picked up Pei QianYue’s hand and gave him a smile: “But hiding here the entire time is also not our style.” 

“…….Let’s go. This stupid thing will need a conclusion sooner or later.”

Leading Pei QianYue by the hand, Feng Ci stepped into the rift together with him.

Immediately afterwards, the world spun and upturned.

When Feng Ci opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was severe, bone-piercing pain. 

All of the muscles and bones in his body felt as if they had been pulverized and then pieced back together again. It was so painful that it was even hard for him to move. He seemed to be laying on a bed. Figures were constantly coming and going in front of him. Vision blurry and head dizzy, Feng Ci couldn’t even see clearly who these people were.

A while later, someone walked next to the bed. Feng Ci was able to recognize the other’s dark black robes.

“Master.” Pei QianYue sat next to Feng Ci and held his hand: “How do you feel?”

Feng Ci opened his mouth. It took him quite a while before he was able to make a raspy, hoarse sound: “……hurting like hell.” 

Feng Ci had entered the Phantom Spirit Cauldron with his Divine Soul. Now that he has left the Phantom Spirit Cauldron, naturally his Divine Soul needed to return to his physical body.

But his physical body, the body of this youth, was battered and beaten during the previous fight.

Feng Ci wasn’t too sure how long he and Pei QianYue had stayed inside the Phantom Spirit Cauldron. However, that amount of time was clearly not enough for the people of Broken Sword Manor to completely heal this physical body. Therefore, when Feng Ci’s Divine Soul returned, all of the pains and aches experienced by this body instantly passed onto him.

If Feng Ci didn’t have such a good pain tolerance, he probably would have fainted by now. 

He took a moment to recover slightly. Feeling somewhat better mentally, he started to get up. However, it wasn’t until this time that Feng Ci finally discovered, he pretty much couldn’t exert strength to any of his four limbs. Only his fingers moved slightly, but even that was extremely difficult.

Feng Ci realized something: “This body…… it’s not crippled right?”

Falling silent for a moment, Pei QianYue said: “I will find a suitable body for Master as soon as possible.”

But that’s just it. 

Lu JingMing was only an ordinary teenager. The spirit energy that his body could handle was very limited. With how Feng Ci had fought at Broken Sword Manor that day— not just the body of this youth, even if it were an elder who has cultivated for hundreds of years instead, their body might not have been able to tolerate it.

Feng Ci laid supine on the bed. After a while, he finally said with a bitter smile: “And here I had promised Meng ChangQing to return his Shidi back to him properly. This is really……”

He sighed and didn’t continue speaking.

After a moment, Feng Ci asked: “The Phantom Spirit Cauldron……” 

“Broken.” Pei QianYue knew what he wanted to ask and answered: “Since we entered the Phantom Spirit Cauldron, only a day and night have passed. According to Xiao ChengXuan, a bolt of lightning suddenly fell from the skies an hour ago. It split that Phantom Spirit Cauldron in half. Immediately afterwards, we came out of the cauldron.”

The Divine Soul couldn’t leave a physical body for too long. The first thing that Pei QianYue did after leaving the cauldron was to guide Feng Ci’s soul back into the body of this youth.

However, also due to the lack of time, Broken Sword Manor had only managed to preserve this body’s life rather than treating its injuries.

It was not surprising that the flow of time varied inside and outside the illusion. Feng Ci nodded his head softly and asked: “Then my physical body……” 

Pei QianYue: “Gone.”

Feng Ci: “What?”

“The Heavenly Principles had even released us, so there’s no reason not to rescue the physical body. My guess is that ‘he’ has already left. It’s just that the disciples of Broken Sword Manor were unprepared and lacked the spiritual powers, so they couldn’t stop him.”

This was indeed extremely possible. 

“Looks like… The Heavenly Principles is permitting Broken Sword Manor’s survival.” Feng Ci said pensively.

Otherwise, the instant that the puppet left the Phantom Spirit Cauldron, it would have taken the lives of everyone inside Broken Sword Manor.

The Heavenly Principles was eliminating cultivation sects through random selection. Although this decision was absurd, it could be considered fair and impartial. As for the Broken Sword Manor, this group of disciples would rather break than surrender; they had willingly confronted the Will of Heavens with their personal strength and determination.

This battle… allowed the Heavenly Principles to see the value of their existence, which also earned them a means of survival for themselves. 

As long as there’s value, even if that value was extremely minute, the Heavenly Principles would still give them a chance to live.

The Heavenly Principles was just this heartless, yet merciful.

Feng Ci didn’t say anything more. He turned his head and saw the thing placed at the head of the bed.

On the head of his bed, there was a stained-glass lamp that pulsed with light, sometimes bright, sometimes feeble. 

“This item is called the Life-preserving Lamp.” Pei QianYue: “This is what the Manor Master used to protect Master’s heart and circulation to prevent your physical body from dying.”

The Broken Sword Manor weren’t experts in the Art of Healing after all. Under such an emergent situation, using a magic item to help this physical body hold onto its very last breath was already pretty impressive.

However, relying on a magic item to dangle this body on the precipice of life and death was not a long-term plan either.

Feng Ci felt a bit worried. However, before he could said anything, someone suddenly knocked on the door outside. 

“Immortal Master, are you feeling a bit better?”

It was Xiao ChengXuan’s voice.

Coincidentally, Feng Ci had things to say to this Manor Master, so he said: “Let him enter.”

Only then did Pei QianYue say coolly: “Come in.” 

Xiao ChengXuan pushed the door open and entered.

When the door opened, a gust of cold air swept in at the same time. Caught off guard by the wind, Feng Ci couldn’t catch his breath properly and actually started to cough violently.

Xiao ChengXuan hastily closed the door in a flurry.

Right now, Feng Ci was so weak he didn’t even have the strength to cough, yet he still couldn’t stop no matter what. Subconsciously, he grabbed Pei QianYue’s hands. Very quickly afterwards, he tasted blood in his mouth. 

The meridians inside this physical body have already shattered. Even transferring spiritual energy to him to sooth his ailments was impossible.

Therefore, Pei QianYue could only bend down, draw Feng Ci into his arms, and gently stroke his back repeatedly to help him calm down.

Xiao ChengXuan awkwardly stood in the front hall and glanced inward, past the wooden screen that blocked the inner room, before quickly withdrawing his gaze again.

For a moment, he didn’t know if he should head inside or leave. 

After a long time, the coughing sound finally stopped.

Dizzy and breathless from the hacking, Feng Ci heard a soft chuckle next to his ear and said in irritation: “What are you laughing at……”

“Forgive me, Master.” The amusement on Pei QianYue’s lips remained as he said quietly: “I have just never seen Master so weak before. It’s somewhat of a novelty.”

Was this something people say? 

If Feng Ci wasn’t completely immobile right now, he definitely would have kicked this man off the bed.

Feng Ci resolutely ignored him and turned his head to speak with Xiao ChengXuan.

But right now, he was encircled in Pei QianYue’s arms. The youth’s figure was thin and weak. Shrouded by Pei QianYue like this, Feng Ci couldn’t see anything.

And of course, he also couldn’t move either. 

Feng Ci fell silent for a moment and then resigned himself to fate: “Excuse me, please help me sit up slightly.”

Pei QianYue replied: “Okay.”

He seemed to be really enjoying this feeling of being able to manipulate and arrange Feng Ci however he wanted and deliberately moved very slowly. Sitting down on the side of the bed, Pei QianYue gently lifted Feng Ci with his hands and let Feng Ci rest completely inside his embrace.

Assuming what could be considered a very indecent pose in anyone’s eyes. 

Feng Ci couldn’t take it anymore: “Are there no pillows in this room?”

Pei QianYue aptly exhibited the ‘advantage’ of his blindness and said earnestly: “Can’t find any.”

Feng Ci: “……”

The only thing worth rejoicing was that Xiao ChengXuan is very sensible. 

The red-robed young man stood quietly and obediently on the other side of the screen. He didn’t look inside the room nor dare to walk inside.

Feng Ci did his best to stop thinking about their current position right now and said seriously: “Manor Master Xiao.”

On the other side of the screen, the young man immediately answered: “Immortal Master.”

“That murderer, cough cough……” Feng Ci’s voice was still very quiet, hoarse, and weak, coughing twice with every few words: “The murderer has already left Broken Sword Manor. Manor Master has no need to worry anymore.” 

Xiao ChengXuan clearly has realized this already. When he heard these words, he didn’t seem surprised.

Separated by the screen, he bowed respectfully towards Feng Ci and said solemnly: “This is all thanks to Immortal Master and… and City Master Pei’s great kindness. This one will engrave it in my heart. If Broken Sword Manor and I can be of any help in the future, I will risk life and limb to assist you!”

“Now that’s not needed.” Feng Ci laughed quietly: “However I do have one small thing that requires your assistance, Manor Master Xiao.”

Xiao ChengXuan replied: “Whatever you need, Immortal Master.” 

Feng Ci said: “I need you to take all the disciples of Broken Sword Manor and conceal your identities. Hide yourselves and let Broken Sword Manor completely vanish from the cultivation world.”

“This……” Xiao ChengXuan was stunned: “Why this?”

Feng Ci: “The entire world know that Broken Sword Manor had sent a declaration of challenge to the murderer slaughtering all the cultivation sects. If they discover that Broken Sword Manor is safe and unharmed, and the murderer is nowhere to be found, what will the world think?”

Xiao ChengXuan pondered for a moment: “They will think…… that the murderer is defeated?” 

“That’s right.”

If that happens, the cultivation sects will no longer fear the mysterious murderer. Then the intimidation and deterrence that was created in the last 6 month at the cost of over a dozen cultivation sects would disappear in an instant.

In fact, those cultivation sects that had originally disbanded due to the intimidating pressure would start to rebuild once again. When that happens, it will just be another round of massacre.

Xiao ChengXuan figured this out in an instant and said: “Immortal Master, you consider things carefully and distantly into the future. This one will immediately make the arrangements.” 

Feng Ci said: “Don’t worry. It won’t take too long.”

He leaned against Pei QianYue’s chest and said softly: “This thing will reach a conclusion very quickly.”

Feng Ci was still very heavily injured. He didn’t converse too long with Xiao ChengXuan. After conveying his instructions, he allowed Xiao ChengXuan to leave.

Pei QianYue aptly raised his sleeve and attentively blocked the breeze that swept into the room with the opening of the door. 

But he didn’t help Feng Ci lay down again.

Pei QianYue continued to maintain the same pose and held Feng Ci in his embrace. His palm gently soothed Feng Ci’s chest slowly, helping him breathe easier.

Unable to exert even the slightest strength, Feng Ci can only acquiesce to Pei QianYue’s actions.

A moment later, Feng Ci finally couldn’t take it anymore: “Hurry up and let me go.” 

Pei QianYue didn’t move and asked instead: “Master, does it not feel comfortable laying like this?”

It’s not that it’s uncomfortable.

Feng Ci didn’t actually receive any external injuries. Even if he did, Broken Sword Manor had already healed those. Most of what remained were internal injuries of the muscles and bones. Furthermore, his Divine Soul was completely fine. As such, laying on the bed completely stiff and rigid was, on the contrary, intolerable.

Being held in Pei QianYue’s arms like this was indeed felt much better. 

But. It’s just that……

“Your body feels too hard……” Feng Ci shot him a glance and said feebly: “I’m already so miserable, can’t you show some compassion?”

Especially that thing behind him… was really pressing very uncomfortably against him.

The author has something to say. 

Xiao Hei: Sickly beauty, that’s my kink.