Chapter 5

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Chapter 5: Title

Ye Qingshang felt extremely awkward.

Especially when Mu Huaiyun returned her gaze with utter disbelief—her embarrassment intensified.

That earlier scene beneath the tree shade, their first meeting, felt uncannily similar to her past life. For a fleeting moment, she\’d mistaken herself for the Ye Qingshang of old, while Mu Huaiyun remained that same arrogant soul from years past.

Yet something felt missing.

So she\’d asked outright, feeling it entirely reasonable.

After all, Mu Huaiyun had said exactly that back then. Could it be that given another chance, he truly didn\’t wish to fight her?

The answer was undeniably obvious.

Even if Mu Huaiyun harbored such thoughts, he lacked the nerve. He had no desire to endure heavenly thunder again.

Thus he replied, \"I don\’t want to.\"

Ye Qingshang pressed, \"Truly?\"

Mu Huaiyun mumbled, \"…Yes.\"

Ye Qingshang circled him once, finding this version of Mu Huaiyun surprisingly docile. Indeed, setting aside his past deeds and temperament… he seemed tolerable.

Since fate bound her to this \"villain\"…

A sly glint sparked in her eyes as she edged closer.

His nearness radiated an icy aura that prickled her skin. Mu Huaiyun retreated half a step.

Ye Qingshang closed the distance, enunciating each syllable clearly: \"Mu. Huai. Yun.\"

Rising onto her toes, she cast her shadow over him, pressing her forehead against his. Threads of spiritual power seeped from her brow into his, laced with spells that twisted the tender moment into something eerie.

Mu Huaiyun forgot to resist.

Ye Qingshang withdrew her spiritual power and turned with a flourish, satisfaction blooming: *So you\’re the villain? I\’ll mark you with a bit position spell. Your every move is mine to track—let\’s see you scheme now!*

She left Mu Huaiyun alone beneath the tree, his brow furrowed as a faint blush spread to his ears and crept across his face like a wronged maiden.

*

Fifteen days later, Qizhou.

Qizhou thrived along the river, a wealthy hub teeming with merchants. Among them, Mr. Zhou reigned supreme. Whether by ill fortune or prosperity inviting calamity, his household suffered a bizarre tragedy—his beloved son\’s inexplicable death, suspected to be a monster\’s doing.

Mr. Zhou could bear it no longer. He sent urgent appeals to the immortal sects, including the Frostbite Sect.

The generous reward tempted many sects, yet the monster\’s unknown strength and nature meant the task ultimately fell to Frostbite Sect and Yunshan Sect.

Typically, commoners\’ requests drew only one sect, as splitting rewards seemed undignified. Yet both sects accepted—for the creature might be the long-vanished Flame Beast.

\"A\’shang, let\’s rest awhile.\" Qiu Huayi made this plea for the third time.

The journey from Frostbite Sect to distant Qizhou demanded haste; their party of seven flew by sword.

Ye Qingshang\’s spiritual power failed her, forcing her to invent excuses to ride with Qiu Huayi. Though Qiu Huayi\’s power sufficed for solo flight, carrying a passenger strained her—hence her exhaustion.

Ning Jiwei had held high hopes for Ye Qingshang. This journey with seven disciples was clearly meant for her to guide her juniors in gaining experience. Had Mu Huaiyun not joined this demon-slaying mission, she would never have agreed to come down the mountain.

Ye Qingshang glanced back and saw the others also looked weary. \"Very well,\" she responded. \"We\’ll descend by sword flight and find a resting place.\"

Traveling this way, they finally reached the Zhou Mansion in Qizhou after three days.

Steward Liu greeted them at the entrance.

\"Ah, esteemed Immortal Lords! You\’ve arrived at last!\" His broad smile didn\’t hide the shrewdness in his narrowed eyes.

Ye Qingshang sensed Mu Huaiyun had arrived fifteen minutes earlier. Mr. Zhou was likely speaking with him. Sure enough, before they reached the main hall, Mr. Zhou\’s lamentations reached them.

\"My poor Se\’er—my Zhou family\’s only son—gone! That monster showed no mercy! Immortal Lords, you must deliver justice!\"

Mu Huaiyun\’s voice sounded strained. \"Mr. Zhou, take your time. What happened that day?\"

\"I was away from home. Returning at dusk, the steward told me something terrible occurred… When I reached the room, Se\’er had already…\" Zhou Hanguang broke down, unable to continue.

\"Did anyone see the monster\’s true form?\" Ye Qingshang entered the hall.

\"Yes,\" Zhou Hanguang wiped his tears. \"It looked entirely human—a Taoist priest.\"

Qiu Huayi asked, \"A Taoist? Then how did he enter the mansion undetected?\"

Ye Qingshang thought it a foolish question—what monster wouldn\’t know concealment magic?

Qiu Huayi immediately seemed embarrassed and averted her gaze.

But Zhou Hanguang answered, \"Immortal Lord, Se\’er suffered from chronic illness. Many physicians failed to cure him. In desperation, we invited a Taoist to perform rites… Who knew he was a monster in disguise? He murdered… murdered my Se\’er…\"

If it truly was a Flame Beast, this matched its methods. Flame Beasts fed on corpse-resentment, preferring to kill victims personally to consume freshly formed grievances.

Excessive slaughter drew immortal sects\’ attention, so they often disguised themselves as humans. Mingling among mortals, they\’d \"help\" people before demanding payment—a life.

Since Zhou Hanguang had sought the Taoist\’s aid, the Flame Beast taking his son\’s life as compensation made twisted sense.

Qiu Huayi murmured, \"I see… My condolences, Mr. Zhou.\"

Ye Qingshang pressed, \"Why isn\’t your lady wife present?\"

\"She took fright and has been bedridden for days. Why do you ask, Immortal Lord?\"

\"No particular reason. Might we see her?\"

Seeing Zhou Hanguang hesitate, Qiu Huayi added gently, \"My senior sister thinks if your wife witnessed anything, she might recall details. I\’ve healing medicines—with your permission, we could tend to her.\"

Zhou Hanguang brightened. \"You\’re most kind! This way, Immortal Lords.\"

Setting aside all else, Qiu Huayi\’s gentle attentiveness complemented Ye Qingshang perfectly—an invaluable helper. If only…

Abruptly, Ye Qingshang remembered that flask of wine from her past life.

\"A\’shang? Are you unwell?\" Qiu Huayi studied her, concern clear in the reflection of Ye Qingshang\’s face within her eyes.

Memories shifted—that year Qiu Huayi stepped before her, then slowly collapsed.

*\"Senior brother, I beg you… Whatever you intend… spare A\’shang.\"*

*Spare A\’shang…*

Ye Qingshang closed her eyes. \"It\’s nothing. Let\’s proceed.\"

However Qiu Huayi had schemed against her, she\’d granted her that final dignity before dying.

Better than an ungrateful soul.

Inside the inner room, Zhou Hanguang supported his frail wife. Her sallow complexion clearly showed poor health.

\"Cough, cough…\" Mrs. Zhou coughed weakly, seeming to want to speak. But after prolonged illness had silenced her, no words came out.

Zhou Hanguang promptly patted her back. \"Madam, these Immortal Lords came to avenge Se\’er. Speak freely to them.\"

\"Immortal Lords…\" Mrs. Zhou finally caught her breath after a long pause. \"Se\’er… my Se\’er died so cruelly… You must help him…\"

Qiu Huayi spoke gently: \"Mrs. Zhou, please calm yourself. Could you recount that day\’s events?\"

\"That Taoist… he threatened to take Se\’er\’s life. We refused… Then next day… he appeared suddenly… used evil magic to kill Se\’er.\"

Qiu Huayi pressed: \"He only appeared the following day? Why didn\’t you seek official help after his threat?\"

The Flame Beast\’s bloodthirsty nature meant even rumors of its presence drew immortal sects\’ pursuit. Centuries ago, this led to near extinction during a great purge.

Afterward, Flame Beasts grew cunning—hiding their tracks, avoiding conflicts during killings to prevent exposure. Had Zhou Hanguang reported to authorities, his beloved son might have been saved.

Zhou Hanguang shook his head. \"That mad Taoist… we dismissed his words as ravings… didn\’t report it.\"

Mu Huaiyun began: \"Where is Young Master Zhou\’s body buri—\"

\"Mr. Zhou,\" Ye Qingshang interrupted smoothly. \"Thank you for sharing. We must confer briefly on resolving this matter.\"

\"Huayi.\" Ye Qingshang signaled discreetly.

\"Oh…\" Understanding, Qiu Huayi produced a small wooden box from her sleeve. \"Mr. Zhou, healing medicine. Please administer it to Mrs. Zhou—she\’ll recover within days.\"

Zhou Hanguang accepted it eagerly. \"Thank you, honorable Immortal Lords!\"

Once outside, Mu Huaiyun confronted Ye Qingshang coldly. \"Why did you cut me off earlier?\"

Ye Qingshang: Naturally, for your own good.

She recalled Mu Huaiyun\’s identical question in her past life: \"Where is Young Master Zhou buried?\"

Buried for days after monstrous attack, the corpse had rotted beyond recognition. The stench penetrated even protective barriers.

Upon opening the coffin, Mu Huaiyun had vomited instantly.

Though they confirmed the Flame Beast\’s involvement after grueling effort, the experience ruined their appetites for days.

Mu Huaiyun\’s insistence on disturbing the grave—against the belief of \"resting in peace\"—angered Zhou Hanguang so deeply he halved their reward afterward.

Even disregarding that sickening memory, Ye Qingshang would\’ve intervened for the payment alone.

Ye Qingshang explained: \"To confirm the Flame Beast\’s involvement, we needn\’t exhume the corpse. Other methods exist.\"

Mu Huaiyun: ?