Thriving after the Moon Falls (I Can’t Possibly Take Pity On A Demon) - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Liu shuang never got to finish her questions. When Yan Chaosheng led her out of the bamboo forest, the moon was bright, and the stars were sparse.

He escorted her away.

The night was deep, and the dew was heavy.

She lay on the young man’s palm, shivering slightly from the cold.

His body was still as cold as ever.

The joys and sorrows of people rarely align.

Under the moonlight, Yan Chaosheng was unusually quiet and silent.

Liu shuang could sense that he was still somewhat sad.

The young demon lord was not as steady and cold as he would later become.

His emotions had not yet turned into a stagnant pool of water.

In his youth, he still felt pain and confusion.

“Have you ever thought about leaving Kongsang?” She shook the fur on her body and asked.

Yan Chaosheng cupped his hand, shielding her from the cold night wind, but remained silent. To him, every place was essentially the same.

The human world did not tolerate demons.

All the Taoist priests clamored to capture demons.

The mountains and forests lacked food and clothing, and humans gradually encroached upon them.

The immortal realms were no different.

No matter where demons lived, they were always surviving in the cracks.

Kongsang was neither particularly good nor particularly bad.

However, there was something here that he still cherished.

Liu shuang felt herself being set down.

“Go back,” Yan Chaosheng said.

She hopped away, and after going quite a distance, she noticed he was still standing there, watching her, but he made no move to catch her.

Liu shuang breathed a sigh of relief, confident that she was safe, and hurriedly flew towards the Nine Thoughts Pool.

When she reached the lotus platform, someone was already waiting for her.

Madam Zi caught Liu shuang: “Child, where have you been?”

Liu shuang transformed into her human form and smiled, calling out, “Mother.”

Madam Zi tapped her daughter’s forehead. Initially, when Chishui Chong told her that her daughter had used a transformation spell to leave Nine Thoughts Pool and cause trouble, she didn’t believe it. But now, seeing the little furball fly in with her own eyes, she realized Chishui Chong hadn’t lied.

“In such a short time, Shuangshuang has already mastered such a spell. Mother is happy for you.”

“Mother, why have you come?”

Madam Zi sighed, “In a few days, you will have to go to the Demon-Suppressing Tower. I feel uneasy.”

Liu shuang said, “Mother, don’t worry. Nothing will happen. I’m not going to fight or suppress demons. I’m just going to gather information. Father said that the senior there has no cultivation and is locked up, unable to harm me. If I can learn about the fifth immortal vein from him, I can redeem myself. If not, I’ll just stay in the Demon-Suppressing Tower for fifty years, focus on cultivation, and it won’t be a bad thing.”

Seeing Madam Zi still looking worried, Liu shuang added, “Mother, don’t worry. I’ve absorbed the divine artifact, so it’s a blessing in disguise.”

Madam Zi had no choice but to nod.

She also understood that Chishui Chong loved their daughter dearly.

This punishment, while seemingly severe, was actually not harmful to Liu shuang.

The Demon-Suppressing Tower held countless evil demons on each floor, each with immense power. If any one of them were to escape, chaos would ensue.

However, few knew that the top floor of the Demon-Suppressing Tower held only one demon.

This demon had his collarbone locked, his cultivation completely lost, weaker than a newborn kitten in the human world. Although he was once a great figure who followed the ancient Emperor Xiangliu to pacify the four seas.

Over the years, as the Eight Wilderness gradually stabilized, people had almost forgotten him.

As the spiritual veins gradually dried up, Chishui Chong began to remember him. When the ancient Emperor Xiangliu fell, the spiritual veins of heaven and earth were divided into five.

Four of them were taken by the four great immortal realms, each securing one, ensuring their stability for tens of thousands of years.

The fifth spiritual vein had always been missing.

The demon in the Demon-Suppressing Tower was the only one who knew the whereabouts of the spiritual vein, but no matter who asked or how they tortured him, he remained silent.

The original host had destroyed the marriage alliance with Kunlun, and later Liu shuang took away the Clear Essence Jade. On one hand, Chishui Chong had to quell the dissatisfaction of the Kongsang immortals towards the young miss’s reckless behavior. On the other hand, he held onto the slim hope that if his daughter went to the Demon-Suppressing Tower and found out the location of the fifth spiritual vein, it would be the best outcome, ensuring Kongsang’s spiritual vein would never dry up.

Even if Liu shuang couldn’t find out anything, as long as she stayed on the top floor for fifty years, it would be enough to quell the Kongsang immortals’ dissatisfaction over the destruction of the Clear Essence Jade.

The hearts of parents are always concerned for their children. Even though he knew there was no danger, Chishui Chong still had Liu shuang absorb the power of the divine artifact, just in case.

Madam Zi was worried, fearing that something might happen to Liu shuang. If Liu shuang weren’t going to be punished, Madam Zi would have insisted on going with her.

“Mother, I want to ask you for a favor.”

“What is it?”

“The disciple who won first place in the competition today. Father didn’t reward him at all. According to the rules, anyone who wins the competition should be rewarded.”

Madam Zi was taken aback, then remembered, “You mean that demon-blooded disciple?”

“Yes, him.”

Madam Zi frowned, “Shuangshuang, Mother can agree to other things, but this one really can’t. Demons are vicious and wicked by nature. Kongsang has already shown great benevolence by taking him in. How could we entrust him with an important position in the immortal realm? Even if I agreed, your father wouldn’t.”

After a pause, Madam Zi added, “To be honest with you, your father has already made arrangements for him.”

Liu shuang was stunned.

She had considered many possibilities—Yan Chaosheng being ignored, the realm lord perhaps not having a deep impression of him—but she had never thought that Chishui Chong had been investigating Yan Chaosheng for a long time and had already made a decision.

“Last time you went to Kunlun, your father sent the two young masters of the Bai family to accompany you, and later had this disciple follow as well. Bai Zhuixu secretly accepted a mission to investigate this demon-blooded disciple. Yan Chaosheng came to Kongsang three years ago, and there was no blood debt on him. The immortal elder in charge of recruiting disciples saw him kneeling and kowtowing sincerely, moved by compassion, and thus allowed him to stay,” Madam Zi said.

“But his bloodline is impure. Even your father couldn’t see through it. Your father suspected his origins, so he sent him to Kunlun, having Bai Zhuixu record any unusual behavior along the way.”

Madam Zi continued, “Bai Zhuixu reported that when you were outside the human city, Bai Yuxiao used the Ten Thousand Souls Tomb to kill him, but he remained unharmed. Liu shuang, this is already unusual. Moreover, as a demon with no sect or backing, he managed to defeat Bai Yuxiao on the Spiritual Testing Platform. This person is no ordinary individual!”

Madam Zi rarely spoke so seriously, her tone sharp: “His bloodline is a mystery, his origins unknown, his cultivation profound. We don’t know why he came to Kongsang. Both you and Yuxiao injured him, yet he endured it without retaliating against you. He can endure humiliation yet is ambitious and fiercely competitive. Such a person is truly dangerous to keep in Kongsang.”

Liu shuang was shocked.

She had never expected that Chishui Chong and Madam Zi could see through things so clearly.

“If Father knew he was extraordinary, why would he feel at ease letting him accompany me to Kunlun?”

Madam Zi said, “You really are still a child, blaming your father so quickly? Your father would never let anything happen to you. The Ten Commandments Ring was already inscribed with a restriction. If he had any intention to kill you, the restriction would have taken his life immediately.”

Liu shuang was speechless for a long time.

Since Yan Chaosheng was still alive and well, did that mean that during their journey to Kunlun, he had never once thought of killing her?

Several times he had seemed fierce, but in his heart, there had been no killing intent, so the restriction had not activated.

Including tonight, when he used the Ten Commandments Ring to bind her, he had not thought of killing her.

“What does Father plan to do with him?”

Madam Zi sighed, “Since we can’t see through him, we can’t keep him. Every year, countless foreign disciples die of illness.”

“No!” Liu shuang felt a chill in her heart.

She had originally wanted to ask her mother to help connect Yan Chaosheng and Mi Chu during her absence from Kongsang. She hadn’t expected to hear such words.

Others who participated in the competition would receive rewards.

But Yan Chaosheng, because of his outstanding abilities, was now feared and marked for death.

That vague line in her mind finally became clear. In her past life, seven hundred years ago, without her involvement, Yan Chaosheng would still have participated in the competition, and Kongsang would have feared him and sought to eliminate him.

It seemed they not only failed but also drove him to complete darkness, transforming from a demon into a ghost, leading to the downfall of Kongsang.

Liu shuang broke out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, she had this conversation with Madam Zi today. Otherwise, as soon as she left for the Demon-Suppressing Tower, Chishui Chong would have found a way to quietly eliminate Yan Chaosheng.

If they were going to kill him, it was no wonder Yan Chaosheng would rebel.

Thinking of his desolate gaze tonight, she knew he was sad and disappointed, but there was no killing intent in his heart. Liu shuang felt even more relieved that she had discovered this early.

“Mother, listen to me. You must persuade Father not to try to kill him!”

“Why?”

“Trust me, just as Father sensed, this person is not simple. If we fail to kill him, I fear it will only lead to backlash.”

“Shuang’er, you worry too much. How could your father not handle a mere demon?”

Liu shuang thought to herself, but in her past life, everyone died at the hands of this “mere demon.”

“It’s better to resolve grievances than to create new ones. Father is not a cruel person by nature. If he doesn’t want to keep him, it’s for the sake of Kongsang. In that case, just drive him away. There’s no need to bear the karma. Besides, in his three years in Kongsang, he hasn’t done anything wrong.”

Madam Zi, being kind-hearted, hesitated upon hearing this.

Seeing an opportunity, Liu shuang quickly added, “Mother, your daughter is about to go to the Demon-Suppressing Tower for fifty years. This is my only request. Please ask Father not to harm his life. If he dislikes him, just send him far away. I have an idea. Why don’t you listen?”

She leaned in and whispered into Madam Zi’s ear. Madam Zi’s expression turned strange.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

Liu shuang smiled and nodded.

“Mother, trust me. This is a good thing.”

Madam Zi, thinking of her daughter’s impending suffering in the Demon-Suppressing Tower, felt pity and reluctance.

She had no choice but to agree.

Liu shuang breathed a sigh of relief.

Three days later, Yan Chaosheng was informed that the young miss was about to depart for the Demon-Suppressing Tower.

Although she had committed a grave mistake, her status was still respected, and she had been doted on since childhood.

Many people came to see her off.

Yan Chaosheng lowered his eyes, originally carving something in his hand, when someone informed him, “Yan Chaosheng, the young miss… no, Immortal Chishui has ordered that you come as well.”

“Did she really say that?” Yan Chaosheng looked up, scrutinizing the messenger.

His gaze was sharp, and the disciple stammered, “You’ll know when you get there. I’m not lying.”

Seeing that the disciple wasn’t trying to trick him, Yan Chaosheng nodded.

“Thank you.”

The disciple, afraid of the cold aura around him, quickly ran off.

Yan Chaosheng hadn’t expected her to ask him to see her off. He put down what he was working on and went to the entrance of the immortal realm. Sure enough, many people were there to bid her farewell.

Many were stuffing things into her storage bag, and she smiled, thanking them one by one.

Chishui Chong and Madam Zi were not present, having likely already said their goodbyes. Around her were young immortal disciples, including the two young masters of the Bai family.

Bai Yuxiao had a sour expression.

“Chishui Liushuang, are you really going? When you’re there, crying for help with no one to answer, don’t come crying to me. If you regret it now, I… my brother can still beg the realm lord to revoke the order.”

Bai Zhuixu nodded.

“Indeed.”

A nearby immortal said, “Mi Chu is also willing to do her part.”

“Making a mistake is no reason to avoid responsibility. Thank you all for your concern. I will surely return safely. If I’m lucky, it won’t take fifty years.”

Under the rising sun and mist of the immortal realm, her smile was sweet, without resentment. She didn’t seem like someone going to be punished. Her smile infected those seeing her off, and the atmosphere wasn’t too heavy.

Yan Chaosheng didn’t know what he was feeling. After absorbing the Clear Essence Jade, the core in his abdomen had been in a state of fullness.

He had now quietly regained his demon form, but it was unstable, so he didn’t dare get too close to her.

When she was a little furball, he didn’t have such concerns. Now that she had transformed back, Yan Chaosheng feared a repeat of that day’s events.

He stood far to the side of the immortal ladder, not planning to approach immediately. Unexpectedly, Liu shuang spotted him and waved.

“Yan Chaosheng, over here!”

Yan Chaosheng had never felt this way before. Every ounce of reason warned him that demons were lustful by nature, and he couldn’t rid himself of the inherent desire for beauty. The smart thing would be to stay away from her, but his body was already moving toward her.

The girl carried the scent of spring sunlight. Her clothes were still embroidered with blooming crabapple flowers, and today she wore a warm golden dress.

When she saw him, she spoke seriously, “A few days ago, I heard you won the competition. Congratulations.”

She acted as if it were a big deal, and Yan Chaosheng almost laughed, but a part of his heart softened first.

He stayed a few steps away, not daring to get closer, and said, “Thank you, young miss”

Bai Yuxiao snorted beside him.

“But I heard you didn’t receive any rewards.”

The girl blinked at him.

“Before leaving, I asked Father about the reward you deserve.”

Yan Chaosheng looked up at her.

“How about you go to Zhaoran Hall and take charge of patrols?”

She took a few steps forward and took his hand with her left hand.

Yan Chaosheng’s mind went blank.

No matter how he thought about it, he hadn’t expected her to take the initiative to approach him and suddenly touch him.

Feeling her soft, warm hand, he barely heard what she was saying.

His heart raced, and a wave of heat rushed to his face. All he could see was her hand in his.

His mind was still in chaos when, caught off guard, she guided his hand to another fair hand.

Yan Chaosheng suddenly looked up, finally sensing that something was wrong.

Liu shuang had never felt so close to success. Although she was temporarily away from Kongsang, her plan was progressing smoothly.

“Immortal Mi Chu.”

Liu shuang held Yan Chaosheng’s hand with one hand and Mi Chu’s with the other, overlapping their hands. She said solemnly, “From now on, he will be in charge of patrolling your palace. Let’s get to know each other.”

She looked at Mi Chu.

Mi Chu paused, glanced at Yan Chaosheng, and said softly, “Since you’re a friend of Liu shuang’s, I’ll take care of you.”

Liu shuang then looked at Yan Chaosheng.

His expression was terrifyingly grim. He abruptly pulled his hand away, his chest heaving slightly.

“You called me here just to say this?”

His gaze was as cold as frozen shards.

Even when Liu shuang had bitten him a few days ago, his expression hadn’t been this dark.

Hadn’t he always admired Mi Chu? Now that he was so close to his white moonlight, why did he look at her as if he wanted to devour her?

Liu shuang asked, “Aren’t you happy?”

In her memories, Yan Chaosheng had always cherished Mi Chu. He had sought out rare treasures from across the world to soothe her soul and forbade anyone from entering the place where Mi Chu had lived.

When Liu Shuang had accidentally intruded once, he had been furious. It was like hiding a beauty in a golden cage. Now that he had gotten his wish, shouldn’t he be overjoyed?

He sneered, staring into her eyes, and said, “I’m happy. Very happy.”

The words “very happy” sounded more like a sulky retort than genuine joy.