Chapter 22: The Man from the Nightmare

The newcomer wore black Daoist robes. His frame wasn't imposing; he even looked somewhat frail. His face was deathly pale, and within the subtle fluctuations of his aura, faint traces of baleful energy pulsed—an unmistakable sign of a demonic cultivator.

Gu Pinglin remained composed. "What are you talking about?"

The demonic cultivator thrust out a hand. "Spare me your nonsense. Hand over the demon core."

Seeing those skeletal, claw-like hands, Gu Pinglin became even more certain of his suspicion. Among demonic cultivators, soul-refining techniques often caused physical frailty. This person was likely from the Soul Puppetry Sect.

"Were you the one who altered the trail markers?" Gu Pinglin asked.

"Just a convenient trick," the demonic cultivator chuckled unnervingly. "Pity you weren't fooled. No matter. You won't escape anyway. Hand over the demon core willingly, and you get to live."

Duan Qingming smiled gracefully. "Since you, Elder, have taken a fancy to it, how could we not respectfully offer it? Why trouble yourself with an order?"

"You're rather sensible," the demonic cultivator laughed.

"Outmatched in skill, what else can we do?" Duan Qingming sighed. "Xiao Jiu [Little Nine], give it to him."

Without a word, Gu Pinglin took out the Hook Serpent demon core and tossed it over.

As soon as the core left his hand, the two men moved as if sharing one mind, simultaneously soaring into the air to flee.

Never mind the inherently cruel nature of demonic cultivators; the perimeter and inner areas of the swamp were thick with righteous cultivators. Having hidden here for months to avoid exposure, how could this demonic cultivator possibly let them escape?

As expected, countless spectral figures materialized from the fog, blocking their path.

"Fledglings, you still try to run, knowing your fate?" The demonic cultivator brandished a Soul Banner, laughing heartily. "You've been cooperative, so I'll make it quick for you. If you're lucky enough to become wraiths, we can be friends then."

Feeling the pressure of his cultivation realm, Gu Pinglin actually breathed a sigh of relief. His opponent was probably only at the Qi Refinement stage.

"Third Rotation of Qi Refinement," Duan Qingming remarked, a familiar light flickering in his eyes. "What say you, Xiao Jiu?"

"We can fight," Gu Pinglin replied simply.

Realm suppression was indeed potent. Though Duan Qingming had also entered the Qi Refinement stage, a First Rotation cultivator against a Third Rotation one would almost always spell defeat for an ordinary practitioner. But this was Duan Qingming. Moreover, Gu Pinglin was with him. Having just rested, they were fully capable of putting up a fight.

The demonic cultivator activated soul curses, sending vengeful spirits howling through the yin wind towards them. The two immediately formed a defensive stance, back-to-back. Demonic cultivation methods were inherently sinister—these wraiths were forcefully refined from souls steeped in resentment, their malice soaring to the heavens. They thirsted to feed on flesh and blood to exact revenge; letting them get close and ensnare you would be disastrous.

"Get ready!" Duan Qingming raised his hand, the half-drawn Gu Ying Sword gleaming from its sheath.

Gu Pinglin was about to respond when, abruptly, a streak of sword qi pierced through the air!

The qi was icy cold, instantly shattering the yin wind barrier!

"The Heaven's Wound Sect?!" The demonic cultivator paled in shock. Before he could recall the wraiths into his banner, they disintegrated into fragments with piercing wails.

Absolute realm suppression—this newcomer was at least at the Outer Core stage! Knowing he was outmatched, the demonic cultivator dared not stay and fight. Grieving the loss of his wraiths, he nonetheless grabbed his Soul Banner and fled.

The other wouldn't let him escape. A heavy sword spun mid-air, its sword qi shooting out like arrows, striking the rapidly evaporating figure.

Blood mist sprayed as the demonic cultivator shrieked and plummeted into the swamp.

Such vicious swordplay was instantly recognizable. Gu Pinglin was startled. "Zhou Yi?"

The heavy sword was sheathed. The newcomer, a man clad in grey robes with a countenance as cold and unmoving as stone, descended from the clouds. He was missing his right ear—Zhou Yi, one of the "Four Swords of Heaven's Wound."

Disheveled bangs stirred in the wind as Zhou Yi strode forward. Without sparing Gu Pinglin or Duan Qingming a glance, he swiftly used his sword tip to snag the sinking corpse's storage Sea-Swallowing Pouch. He retrieved the Hook Serpent demon core inside, tossed the pouch aside dismissively, and soared away.

Gu Pinglin hadn't expected him to be nearby too. The demon core they'd worked so hard for was ultimately lost. He shook his head and glanced at Duan Qingming.

Duan Qingming put away his Gu Ying Sword with seeming nonchalance. "A pity."

Gu Pinglin stated firmly, "Don't get ideas."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Duan Qingming smiled. "You... always seem to doubt me."

Trust? Gu Pinglin scoffed inwardly. "Anyway, I owe you for this demon core. Don't pursue this matter further."

"First the Dark Abyss Sect, now the Heaven's Wound Sect," Duan Qingming observed. "You have quite an extensive network of friends."

Gu Pinglin watched the direction Zhou Yi had disappeared, offering no reply.

Previously, when Gu Pinglin had been branded a scourge by the cultivation world, hunted by family and enemies alike, Zhou Yi had unexpectedly spared him once. Perhaps it was because his Dao Meridians were destroyed, rendering him essentially crippled. The Heaven's Wound Sect was known to be sympathetic towards the disabled. Regardless, he owed Zhou Yi a debt of gratitude, one he'd had no chance to repay in his past life.

Sensing Chang Jinxin would be frantic, Gu Pinglin turned to urge departure when an anxious voice called through the mist.

"Junior Brother Gu! Are you there? Junior Brother Gu—"

"Senior Brother Bu!"

As it turned out, Chang Jinxin had received the emergency talisman and immediately rushed towards Solitary Goose Marsh. With disciples from the Dark Abyss Sect involved, Yan Feixiu couldn't stand idly by either and came along. But halfway there, they connected with Qu Lin via talisman and learned about the savage beast in the swamp. Cold sweat broke out on their brows. Yue Songting regarded Gu Pinglin and Duan Qingming as the future of the Spirit Heart Sect; how could they allow them to come to harm? Panic-stricken, Chang Jinxin forsook all propriety and used an invaluable teleportation talisman to urgently summon help from Chen Qian and Bu Shuihan, who were stationed at Soul-Severing Forest. Originally, Chen Qian was supposed to come, but there was only one talisman. Bu Shuihan snatched it, and all three who remained received a tongue-lashing.

Chen Qian's words were famously harsh.

"Who do you two think you are?"

"Skinny skeletons like you, trying to play the hero? Utterly overestimating yourselves!"

"Dying with such pathetic cultivation? Outsiders would laugh their teeth out!"

...

Gu Pinglin naturally kept his head down, silent.

Duan Qingming adopted an apologetic tone. "Senior Brother, your reprimand is justified. We recognize our mistake."

Seeing them like this, Chen Qian gradually ceased his tirade. He glared at Gu Pinglin coldly. "You know well how much effort the Master has poured into you."

Gu Pinglin knelt.

Duan Qingming half-knelt beside him. "The fault is entirely mine. Punish me, Senior Brother."

Only Bu Shuihan held his handsome head high. "All they did was slay a savage beast! What's the big fuss! Junior Brother Gu, still just at the Qi Condensation stage, showed such courage! No reward is fine, but worth all this scolding?!"

"You!" Chen Qian's anger flared instantly. "You never learn!"

"The Master himself said life and death are fated! As men, all we seek is a worthy fight to the death! Fear? What fear?"

Chen Qian slammed a palm onto the grass, blasting a large crater. He pointed at Bu Shuihan and ordered Chang Jinxin, "Fetch the Sect Rules!"

...

Because of the savage beast incident, all disciples were recalled early. Even the rarely angered Chang Jinxin was furious this time. She ordered Gu Pinglin and Duan Qingming to sit apart and reflect on their errors, forbidding anyone from disturbing them.

Gu Pinglin lay on the grass, hands folded beneath his head.

In his previous life, the trap in Solitary Goose Marsh was accidentally opened by a wandering cultivator named Zhang Daomin about thirty years later. His luck was abysmal; the trapped Fire Sparrow immediately pecked him to death. Only the chance arrival of a disciple from the Western Plains witnessed it, preventing the incident from becoming an eternal mystery. This time, thanks to cultivating the Creation Art early, the Fire Sparrow had mistaken him for Hundred Streams Ancestor and dared not act rashly—otherwise, the consequences would have been dire.

So many things had changed now. Would it affect his future?

Gu Pinglin glanced sideways into the distance.

Chang Jinxin's command was effective for Spirit Heart Sect disciples, but it couldn't deter the enthusiasm of outsiders. Several Dark Abyss Sect disciples were clustered around Duan Qingming, their expressions full of gratitude. They had no idea this "benefactor" was the very instigator of their senior brothers' misfortune. Gu Pinglin sneered inwardly.

"Senior Brother Gu?" a soft voice called.

"Hmm?" Gu Pinglin instantly snapped his attention back and sat up. "Miss Qu."

Qu Lin had seemed a little shy, but hearing that, she smiled.

Both were still adolescents. The formality of "Miss Qu" felt rather excessive. Gu Pinglin didn't smile. Recalling that night made him feel utterly undeserving to face her. After a long pause, he asked, "Are you alright?"

Qu Lin was about to answer when Duan Qingming called out, "Could that be Junior Sister Qu over there?"

Qu Lin gave a small start. "It's me."

Duan Qingming smiled pleasantly. "I've been waiting forever for you to favor me with your presence. Seems you'd quite forgotten me."

Since her fellow sect members owed their lives to him, Qu Lin couldn't refuse. Flushing slightly, she murmured to Gu Pinglin, "Thank you." Then she hurried off towards Duan Qingming.

Duan Qingming remained the picture of cultivated refinement, his conversation witty and humorous. Qu Lin hadn't been seated long before a demure smile touched her lips.

Gu Pinglin was taken aback.

It was obviously deliberate. Could it be he was still interested in Qu Lin...?

Catching Qu Lin's furtive glances in his direction, Gu Pinglin lay back down and closed his eyes.

The young girl's feelings were all too clear. In their previous life, she and Duan Qingming had ended up the way they did precisely because of him. In this life, how could he accept her affection with a clear conscience?

Even reborn, the nightmare-like scenes remained ingrained in Gu Pinglin's mind, lingering persistently.

A nightmare impossible to forget.

...

Slim, beautiful fingers clamped firmly on his chin. Those mesmerizingly beautiful eyes were mere inches from his own. He could see the fury churning deep within the dark pupils with painful clarity.

He showed no fear, raising an eyebrow with a scoff. "Just kill me if you must."

The man looked down at him from his height for a long moment, then suddenly flung him to the ground. "Dirty," he murmured with contempt.

He disdained to kill him, afraid of soiling his hands.

This disdain from his opponent shattered Gu Pinglin's spirit more effectively than any vicious curse could. Gu Pinglin snapped his head up to glare, trembling violently, consumed by overwhelming rage.

What right did this man have? He'd caused Bu Shuihan's death! Toyed with the innocent! Heartless and cold-blooded! How was he any cleaner?!

"So what?" he finally retorted, losing all reason, sneering heedlessly. "She came to me willingly. Naturally, I enjoyed myself. Do you know? That night... how glorious..."

In the next instant, he was back in the man's grip.

He saw true fury on that face for the first time. Thin lips curved into a captivating yet utterly cruel smile, venom that seeped deep into those unreadable eyes.

He immediately closed his eyes, awaiting death.

"Don't worry," came a soft chuckle by his ear, each word pronounced with chilling clarity. "I won't kill you, Gu Pinglin."

A hand pressed against his Dantian [Sea of Qi].

He snapped his eyes open. "You—"

His premonition became reality. An overwhelming surge of pure, devastating True Qi flooded his body. It brought the deepest despair, far more terrifying than death itself.

No—!

Gu Pinglin's eyes flew open. Confronted with that face, a shiver ran down his spine, and he instinctively recoiled.

"Hmm?" Duan Qingming looked thoughtful as he leaned closer, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Are you afraid of me?"

Night had fallen. Flickering campfire light danced around them, and the chatter of disciples filled the air.

The faint firelight illuminated Duan Qingming's handsome features, casting deep shadows from his high cheekbones and the bridge of his nose. The elusive light in his eyes remained as inscrutable as ever, yet it lacked the chilling coldness of his memory.

It had been a dream.

A dream of utter cruelty.

Gu Pinglin released a soft sigh and slowly sat up. "Just a nightmare."

"Was I in it?"

"Stop flattering yourself."

Gu Pinglin's gaze shifted to the graceful figure near the fire, finally loosening the fist clenched within his sleeve.