Chapter 46: The Pupil Devil Xin Ji

Duan Qingming released his hand and walked to the window to sit down. Gu Pinglin closed the door behind him and took the seat opposite.

The earlier porcelain cups were pushed aside, replaced by two new jade cups. Duan Qingming poured wine into both, gestured an invitation, and drained his cup first. Without a word, Gu Pinglin picked up his cup and drank.

As Duan Qingming refilled the cups, Gu Pinglin set his down. "Wine is drunk. Now we discuss cooperation."

"Shouldn't fellow disciples first catch up after so long apart?"

"Skip the formalities," Gu Pinglin said bluntly. "There's a matter at hand. If we succeed, we rid the cultivation world of a great scourge."

Duan Qingming set down the wine jug. "How… unsettling."

"Oh?"

"Given that I'm surely a 'scourge' in your eyes, your zeal for extermination makes me nervous."

"You're self-aware, at least," Gu Pinglin replied, suppressing a twitch at his lips. "Rest easy. As long as you don't threaten the Lingxin Sect, you may live a few more years."

"Grateful for your mercy," Duan Qingming said. "But since your loyalty is to the sect, not justice, why not call this 'plunder' instead of 'ridding the world of evil'?"

Gu Pinglin didn't deny it. "A mutually beneficial endeavor. Your thoughts?"

"Not interested."

"The target's cultivation is at least Fifth Level of Qi Transformation (化气五重境), wielding an extremely domineering demonic technique. Even together, our chances are slim. One misstep, and we die."

"So?"

"Are you afraid?"

Duan Qingming laughed. "Ah, resorting to provocation? How desperate."

"No. I'd hate for you to miss a rare opportunity—a legendary demonic technique." Gu Pinglin leaned forward, elbows on the table, locking eyes with him. "Isn't this challenge thrilling? Aren't you… curious?"

Fox-like eyes met hawkish ones—sparks of rivalry, yet unspoken understanding.

After a long pause, Duan Qingming slowly twirled his cup, his tone flat. "You know me too well. Every move calculated."

Knowing he'd won him over, Gu Pinglin smiled and stood. "Night falls. Seize the moment."

Gu Pinglin returned to his room in high spirits. Soon, Gan Li delivered a detailed map of the temple's layout, with meticulous notes on the East Courtyard's rooms. Silently impressed by his thoroughness, Gu Pinglin ordered, "Fetch me a high-quality Daoist robe. Taller than me."

Gan Li hid his confusion and agreed. He consulted Gan Min, who fretted, "Our robes are shabby—hardly worthy of him!"

"Senior Uncle Gu wouldn't seek finery here," Gan Li reassured. "Just bring the best we have."

After Gan Li left, Gu Pinglin slipped out for half an hour. When he returned, Gan Li was waiting with violet robes, black boots, and a tall crown—deceptively elegant but offering no real protection, typical of itinerant cultivators. Perfect.

"Keep everyone away from here tonight," Gu Pinglin instructed.

Gan Li bowed and withdrew.

As dusk deepened, Gu Pinglin knocked on Duan Qingming's door. Getting no response, he entered his own room to find Duan Qingming fingering the robes on the table.

"Bait, I presume?" Duan Qingming sighed.

Gu Pinglin sat by the window. "He's seen me, not you."

"You'd have me walk over and die in thirty moves? How charitable."

"You would be the scourge removed," Gu Pinglin retorted.

Duan Qingming chuckled. "Ruthless as ever."

"I need to change," he said, picking up the robes. "Care to stay?"

Gu Pinglin frowned. "We're both men. Why leave?"

"Men can be… distracting," Duan Qingming mused, eyeing him meaningfully. "I'm trustworthy, but you—"

The taunt about his "feminine features" and the Cold Plum Twin Swords legend flashed in Gu Pinglin's mind. Clenching his fist, he shot back, "I'd only leave if you were a woman."

"Harder to provoke you now," Duan Qingming lamented, undoing his belt.

As his white robe parted, he spread his arms and turned slowly. "Well?"

Gu Pinglin's gaze flickered away—then snapped back, too late. Duan Qingming's smile confirmed he'd noticed.

He played me. Gu Pinglin gritted his teeth and focused on the plan.

Candlelight bloomed in the room as dusk thickened outside.

"Next step?" Duan Qingming asked.

Gu Pinglin looked up and nearly choked. "What a demonic Daoist."

Duan Qingming stood adjusting his robes: white inner layer, violet outer gown with silver patterns, tall boots, and a crown. His tall frame lent elegance, but when he lifted his eyes, their innate allure bled through the solemn attire, staining it with a hint of corruption.

"Demonic or orthodox, all are Dao," Duan Qingming said mildly. "Lend me Guying Sword."

Sword cultivators rarely lent their blades, but Mingfeng's quality would raise suspicion. Gu Pinglin hesitated, then tossed Guying Sword to him. Even my sword rebels against him, he thought wryly.

The sword halted midair.

"Hm?" Duan Qingming forcibly summoned it and flicked the blade. "Have you forgotten me so soon?"

Gu Pinglin took a steadying breath. "Tonight, we eliminate the occupant of the East Courtyard and seize his belongings."

Gu Pinglin allowed a vengeful spirit to possess him—a risky move that could damage ordinary cultivators' minds. But shielded by the Dao Creation Art, he risked only temporary weakness.

Night deepened. A pale moon rose as leaves drifted down in the cold wind. The temple fell silent as residents retired early.

In the East Courtyard, a figure slipped out furtively—the old Daoist from earlier.

Pupil Devil Xin Ji needed fresh victims to complete his demonic ritual. But targets were scarce, and Night City teemed with cultivators. One misstep meant disaster.

"Try my luck," he muttered. As he prepared to leave, noise from the South Courtyard caught his attention. Alert, he summoned a black paper crane. It floated over the wall, revealing the scene below:

Under swaying lanterns, a violet-robed Daoist barred a blue-clad youth's path. "A vengeful spirit clings to you! This is grave—let me aid you!"

The youth, shrouded in gloomy energy, waved him off impatiently. "I need no help."

…

Xin Ji's eyes locked onto the Daoist's sword—exquisite. Then he recognized the youth: the arrogant "Young Master Zhao" from earlier. Fool! Haunted by a spirit and too blind to see it.

But the Daoist… His aptitude is peerless. Likely Core Formation. And not from a major sect—perfect prey. Xin Ji's greed surged as he imagined refining those eyes and claiming the sword.

Two plotters, one courtyard.

Gu Pinglin was right: this old Daoist was a nobody now. But left unchecked, he would become the infamous Pupil Devil Xin Ji.

Xin Ji cultivated the Pupil-Refining Art—a branch of the demonic scripture "Nine Chapters of Soul Refining" (炼神九章).

Centuries ago, the Hundred Refinements Demon Ancestor (百炼魔祖) created this monstrous technique, harvesting cultivators' souls to empower his own. Its soul-crushing attacks once terrorized the realm. But the Ancestor's arrogance led to his early downfall; besieged by righteous sects, he fell at the Nascent Soul stage. The scripture vanished—until Xin Ji stumbled upon it and mastered its Pupil-Refining Art.

Gu Pinglin hadn't expected to cross paths with this future devil during his quest. But now, with his power incomplete… this is our chance. "Nine Chapters of Soul Refining" demanded countless lives. Eliminating him would be a mercy to the world.