Chapter Fifty-Nine: Half Human, Half Demon

Staring at the grave mound I had once built for Elder Jiang with my own hands, I couldn’t help but think: if he hadn’t saved me, perhaps he wouldn’t have died. Although my time with him was brief, he was like a mentor to me, and he left Lin Weiyan by my side. I simply couldn’t understand—why is it that good people are always fated for misfortune?

I lingered before Elder Jiang’s grave for a long time, watching as the sky gradually brightened. I knew that when the sun rose, my soul would disperse. Thousands of words could not express my feelings, nor my reluctant farewell to this world. But I knew this was my fate—not even the chance for reincarnation remained.

Just then, I heard the early birds in the forest chirping. How envious I was—they were alive, and life was a beautiful thing.

Time ticked by, the sky now pale with the first light of dawn, and my soul fading along with it. Before long, I would vanish from this world. Slowly, I closed my eyes and silently bade farewell.

In my ears, a song floated: “Goodbye” by Chang Chen-yue.

“I’m afraid I won’t have the chance…
To say goodbye to you…
Because maybe I’ll never see you again…
On a gloomy day, I must leave…
Parting from familiar places and you…
My tears are about to fall…
I’ll always remember your face…
Cherish the memories you gave…
These days will never fade from my heart…”

The melody lingered, haunting me, and I wanted to cry. But I could not shed a single tear.

“Brother Chu Yun!” Lin Weiyan’s voice rang in my ears.

I knew it was an illusion—how could Lin Weiyan possibly be here?

“Brother Chu Yun!” Her voice came again.

Was it really her calling me?

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. Only the early birds stirred—no trace of Lin Weiyan anywhere. Shaking my head in resignation, I realized it was a hallucination.

I glanced down at my body—it was nearly transparent.

“Brother Chu Yun! Come back… come back…”

Another illusion?

Why did her voice sound so clear, as if right beside me?

What was happening?

Suddenly, a black hole appeared before my eyes and swallowed me whole.

When I opened my eyes again, darkness surrounded me. Something heavy pressed against my body, rendering me immobile. I touched it with my hand—soft, warm—it felt like a person. Their skin was smooth.

Instinctively, I withdrew my hand, afraid to touch further.

“Who are you? Where am I?” I asked.

“Brother Chu Yun, you’re finally awake.” Lin Weiyan’s weak voice reached my ears.

Then I felt her struggle to climb off me.

A click sounded, and the room flooded with light. Lin Weiyan sat beside me.

Seeing this, I was stunned.

I looked down at myself—what was going on? Was I still alive?

Shock overwhelmed me.

After a long moment, I stammered, “You… I…”

Lin Weiyan’s face flushed crimson; she wanted to explain but could only stumble over her words.

Heavens…

Could anyone tell me what had happened? Did Lin Weiyan and I…?

I could hardly believe what I saw.

Staring blankly at Lin Weiyan, I was at a loss. My body, shamelessly, reacted.

Lin Weiyan seemed to notice, her face growing even redder, as if blood might drip.

Just as I tried to calm myself, she pressed her lips to mine.

And so, after a whirlwind of passion, everything that should and shouldn’t happen between a man and a woman happened.

Once we dressed and opened the door, Feng Zimo tumbled in, followed by Fatty, Xiao Ling, and Wu Xin, all looking awkwardly at us.

Damn…

They’d been eavesdropping outside the door?

Instantly, my face burned.

Feng Zimo grinned mischievously, making me feel even more embarrassed.

“Big brother, do you know? Sister Weiyan broke off one of her tails to save you—you must never bully her,” Xiao Ling said, holding my hand.

Hearing that Lin Weiyan willingly sacrificed a tail for me, I was filled with indescribable emotions. That tail alone would have taken a hundred years to cultivate.

Looking at Lin Weiyan, I didn’t know what to say.

“Thank you,” I said.

Those words contained everything I wanted to express.

Lin Weiyan smiled gently. “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.”

Just then, Wu Xin piped up, “Stop showing off your love—how are us single dogs supposed to survive?”

He continued, “Brother Chu Yun, to be honest, you’re not entirely human anymore. To be precise, you’re half human, half demon.”

Half human, half demon?

Honestly, it didn’t bother me. As long as I was alive, who cared if I was human or demon? If your heart is pure, what difference does it make?

We rested at the hotel for two days, and I could feel my cultivation had improved greatly. Short-distance flight was now easy, and my mastery of spells had progressed rapidly.

Escaping death was all thanks to Lin Weiyan.

I swore to protect her, never letting any harm come to her.

But the search for the Soul Pearl fragments had to continue. I wondered if the Crimson-Eyed Demon pupil was still within me.

Whether it was or not, I’d promised the Emperor—I must keep my word.

Late the next night…

We set out for Thousand Curtain Mountain again, this time with Wu Xin.

Xiao Ling stayed with Fatty, who would care for her.

When we arrived at Thousand Curtain Mountain, it was about the same time as before. Snow still fell from the sky, chilling the air.

But unlike last time, I wasn’t shivering from the cold.

Wu Xin, though, bundled in a thick coat, was chattering from the chill.

Later, Lin Weiyan gave him a pill, which helped ease the cold.

Standing in the snow, I wondered if Li Cheng was still around.

Leading the way, we headed for the ice cave.

But no matter how long we searched, the cave was nowhere to be found.

I remembered it had been here—how could it disappear?

I asked Lin Weiyan and Feng Zimo, “Last time we came, wasn’t there an ice cave here?”

They both nodded, Feng Zimo saying, “Yes, this is the place.”

How strange—such a large ice cave, gone without a trace? Even if it melted, it would take at least half a year.