Mistaken Era 84

Chapter 84

The crimson moon in the sky glowed with an eerie intensity, mirroring the escalating ferocity of the battle unfolding beneath it.

Unlike Wei Jie’s attacks, each move infused with killing intent, Cui, the Demoness, fought with a frustrated fury, her movements a chastisement.

Dodging his energy shield, she seized an opportunity, landing two resounding slaps across his handsome face. “Wake up! I’m alive! What are you mourning for?! Snap out of it! Look what you almost did to Grandmother!”

Tang Youshu, witnessing those powerful blows, instinctively covered his own face.

His little disciple, usually cheerful and playful… she had a fiery temper when provoked…

Wei Jie’s head snapped back, but his dark eyes remained fixed on her. He didn’t even flinch as she struck him again and again, his expression cold and impassive.

But the demonic energy swirling within him intensified, his movements becoming faster, more unpredictable.

Fortunately, the five phoenixes, her guardians, emitted piercing cries, their energy forming a five-colored shield around her.

Xiao Xiao, however, felt a growing unease. The demonic bead within her… it was failing her. As the fight dragged on, she could feel her demonic power waning. She wouldn’t be able to maintain this form for much longer.

But Wei Jie seemed driven by an insatiable hunger, his demonic nature growing stronger, fueled by his inner turmoil.

The pressure was suffocating!

He had once told her that she wasn’t suited for the demonic path. Now, facing him, witnessing his effortless transformation, she finally understood what it meant to be a natural-born demon.

He was truly the Demon Lord! Even now, weakened by his blood loss, his attacks were relentless, his power seemingly inexhaustible…

Remembering his ruthlessness in their past life, his merciless slaughter during the later stages of his demonic transformation, Xiao Xiao didn’t dare underestimate him.

She wouldn’t last much longer. She had to minimize the damage he could inflict.

As they fought, she called out to the others below. “Once Yu Ling’er is out, seal the gate! Get away from here! Don’t stay and become his victims! Tang Youshu! Explain the situation to them! Get them to safety! Don’t let him unleash his rage!”

It was the first time she had addressed her former master so formally.

Tang Youshu, tears streaming down his face, understood her meaning. She was asking him to clear the area, to prevent Wei Jie from committing the unforgivable sin of killing his own blood.

If he were to kill his kin, his demonic nature would consume him completely, leaving him beyond redemption.

But if they all left… what would become of Xiao Xiao?

No, if anyone had to be sacrificed, it should be him, the insignificant disciple. If Wei Jie killed Xiao Xiao, he would be consumed by guilt and despair, turning into a demon regardless!

The moment Yu Ling’er emerged from the gate, Wei Jingfeng, clutching his injured chest, joined his mother and the elders, working quickly to repair the shattered seals.

When Xiao Xiao had emerged, a few demonic beings had tried to escape with her, but the five phoenixes, their power radiating from her, had intimidated them, forcing them back. They had prevented a mass exodus from the underworld.

Grandmother Wei, watching the girl battling Wei Jie in the air, refused to leave, despite Tang Youshu’s pleas.

She saw that the girl, having embraced her demonic nature, was fighting for a noble cause! And the one who had become a demon, who no longer recognized his own kin… was her grandson.

How could they abandon her, leaving her to face this alone? Their consciences wouldn’t allow it.

“That girl is risking her life,” she said, her voice firm. “We can’t leave her to fight alone!” She wanted the others to retreat, but she and her son would stay and help Xiao Xiao.

Seeing her determination, Xiao Xiao knew she had to act quickly. Her demonic power was fading.

She remembered that water had eased her demonic transformation last time.

And right now, the ground was crowded with people. She had to get Wei Jie away from them.

She decided to use the Translocation Technique, transporting them both to the Yunjiang River, which flowed past Qilao Mountain!

The Lingshan Talisman Sect’s Translocation Technique could instantly move someone to a different location, as long as the distance wasn’t too great.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t mastered it yet. But in this desperate situation, she had no choice but to try.

Just as Wei Jie’s hand clamped onto her shoulder, she bit her tongue, drawing blood. She used her finger to draw a talisman in the air, chanting a spell, then flicked her wrist.

In a blink of an eye, both figures vanished, engulfed by a wave of water.

The spell drained the last of her demonic power. As they materialized above the Yunjiang River, her red eyes faded, her transformation receding, the five phoenixes disappearing, returning to their slumber.

Damn it! She had intended to transport Wei Jie alone! Why had he dragged her along?

She shoved him away, but her energy was depleted. She felt herself falling – this was it!

Her robes billowed around her like broken wings as she plummeted towards the river.

But Wei Jie, still consumed by his demonic nature, pursued her. Just as she was about to hit the water, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist, pulling her into his arms.

His other hand clamped around her throat.

She was too weak to resist, a wry smile touching her lips. “You bastard! You don’t even recognize me anymore! Let me tell you, if you kill your master to achieve enlightenment, I will haunt you…”

Before she could finish her dying words, his hand moved from her throat to her chin. He lowered his head and captured her lips in a fierce kiss.

It was so unexpected.

She had been resigned to her fate, but now… she couldn’t even close her eyes. She stared at him, her mind reeling, as he carried her down, laying her on the soft grass by the riverbank.

Moonlight bathed the ground. They were alone, the sound of rushing water filling the air. If not for the cold wind, it would have been a perfect setting for a secret rendezvous…

Xiao Xiao, still in shock, bit his tongue, pushing him away as he groaned in pain. “Wei Jie… do you know who I am?”

His eyes were still dark, but her reflection was starting to appear in them.

He had recognized her the moment she arrived.

But his demonic nature had clouded his mind, rendering him speechless. His only thought had been to hold her, to possess her…

That was why he had fought her so relentlessly. But she, with her red eyes, her demonic power… she had been a formidable opponent.

Like a slippery eel, she had evaded his grasp.

The feeling of losing something precious, something he desperately craved… it had fueled his demonic energy, making his attacks increasingly ferocious, uncontrollable.

He had finally pulled her into his arms, his lips claiming hers.

The emotions he had suppressed for so long surged forth, finding release. The woman who had haunted his dreams was now in his embrace…

As the kiss ended, the blue flame mark on his forehead faded.

Xiao Xiao, gasping for breath, pushed him away again, and noticed that the mark was gone, replaced by a gushing wound!

She stared at the blood flowing from his forehead, reaching out to touch it, but he grabbed her arm, pulling her close, his lips claiming hers once again.

But this time, she was ready. She let him kiss her, even softening against him, her body yielding to his embrace.

And then, with a swift movement, she reversed their positions, pinning him beneath her. She slapped a soul-stabilizing talisman onto his chest.

He froze, staring at her, his eyes wide.

Xiao Xiao sighed in relief, glaring down at him. “You’re injured, your soul weakened, and you’re still thinking about taking advantage of me? Are you trying to join me in the River of Forgetfulness?!”

She straightened her robes, scolding him.

His eyes, gradually losing their darkness, were returning to their familiar purple hue.

The spirit stone that had bound his emotions, the stone that had housed a fragment of a divine soul… it had shattered when he lost control.

His love for her, his inability to let go… it had tainted the divine essence, dragging it down into the abyss. He truly was prone to succumbing to his demonic nature. Even a divine soul couldn’t save him.

He could feel the blood flowing from the wound on his forehead, where the stone had shattered. He could see her, her brow furrowed, her eyes blazing.

She was so beautiful, even when she was angry. Her eyes, so bright and intense, her voice sharp yet alluring… and her lips, so soft and sweet…

Did she realize that her robe had loosened again, revealing a glimpse of her skin?

The moonlight, the river, the rustling leaves… it was a beautiful night.

But he knew that if he didn’t speak, her eyes would turn red again. And then, she would become a monster!

He tore his gaze away, forcing a smile. “Xiao Xiao…”

She froze. He had spoken her name with a hint of warmth, his boyish grin, his canine teeth flashing… she couldn’t remember the last time she had seen him smile like that…

Was he… was he Jie’er?

She stared at him, her heart pounding, her voice barely a whisper. “Are you… are you Jie’er?”

As she leaned closer, he caught a whiff of her scent. Their position, so intimate… it was a test for a man in his prime.

He felt a surge of heat, his blood rushing, not just from his head wound, but also from his nose.

But instead of the playful banter he had expected, she simply stared at him, her expression a mix of wonder and disbelief, as if she thought she was dead, this encounter a mere figment of her dying imagination…

He wasn’t as carefree as he appeared. His heritage forbade him from shedding tears.

But the emotional outburst, amplified by the shattered seal, had taken its toll. He had lost too much blood.

While his demonic nature had been in control, he had been fine. But now, with his true self resurfacing, the consequences were crashing down upon him.

He groaned, his body aching.

He wanted to sit up, to hold her properly, but the soul-stabilizing talisman rendered him immobile.

Xiao Xiao, sensing his demonic energy receding, removed the talisman. He sat up, wincing, and pulled her into his arms.

But Xiao Xiao, who had shed tears for him just moments ago, wiped her face and pushed him away, her voice distant. “I’ll get Tang Youshu and your grandmother.”

He struggled to his feet, grabbing her arm. “Are you angry? I… I wasn’t myself!”

He hadn’t lost his memories. He remembered everything he had said and done to her, his callous behavior.

Thinking back on it now, his obsession with ascension, his disregard for her feelings… he wanted to strangle Tang Youshu and then slap himself silly.

But he was too weak to even lift his arm. All his energy was focused on holding onto her wrist, preventing her from slipping away.

She wasn’t here to settle scores, although they did have a few things to discuss.

He was injured, his Mei blood loss potentially fatal.

She needed to get help.

But he wouldn’t let go, clinging to her like a lifeline, a stark contrast to his previous coldness.

She rolled her eyes. She couldn’t shake him off. “You’re too heavy,” she said, exasperated. “I can’t carry you! How am I supposed to get help?”

He swallowed the blood rising in his throat. “I’m not going to die just yet,” he said, his voice weak. “Why bother getting them involved? We’ve caused enough trouble tonight. Are you planning to ask Grandmother to nail us both to the ground with demon-subduing stakes?”

Xiao Xiao had to admit, he had a point.

It seemed losing his divine fragment had made him more… practical.

If Grandmother Wei arrived, she wouldn’t know how to explain this. And the fact remained – Wei Jie, despite everything, had still succumbed to his demonic nature.

She had no idea what to do with his chaotic destiny.

Just then, Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er found them.

It seemed there were still some issues on Qilao Mountain, preventing the Wei family from leaving. They had sent Tang Youshu to check on them.

Seeing that his master’s eyes had returned to their normal purple hue, Tang Youshu sighed in relief.

Thank heavens! He was alright! If he had turned into a demon, if he had committed another massacre… even a thousand deaths wouldn’t be enough to atone for it!

But the moment Wei Jie saw his beloved disciple, his eyes darkened, a murderous glint appearing in them.

He let go of Xiao Xiao and lunged for his discarded sword, ready to chop that traitor into pieces!

Tang Youshu, guilt gnawing at him, didn’t even try to dodge. He knelt, ready to accept his punishment.

The events of this night had been terrifying. Both master and disciple had succumbed to their demonic natures, nearly destroying each other.

If these two, who had once cared for each other, had died by each other’s hands… he couldn’t bear the thought.

He wouldn’t run from his fate.

Only the little fox, tugging at his robes, screamed, “Xiao Xiao, look! He’s going crazy again!”

As far as Xiao Xiao was concerned, those two deserved each other. Even if they beat each other to a pulp, it was none of her business!

But Wei Jie truly seemed intent on killing Tang Youshu. The little fox, caught in the middle, was panicking.

Xiao Xiao sighed, stepping in, wrapping her arms around Wei Jie’s waist, trying to separate them.

The peaceful moonlit night was now a scene of chaos.

But Wei Jie’s injuries were taking their toll. His legs buckled, his head lolling against her as she hugged him.

Tang Youshu quickly checked his pulse, his expression turning grim as he probed his master’s core…

His reaction alarmed Xiao Xiao. “Is he… is he badly hurt?”

Tang Youshu took a deep breath, glanced at Wei Jie, and nodded. He removed his bamboo basket, rummaged through it, and took out a medicine gourd. He poured out a few pills and handed them to her. “These are Netherworld God Pills I concocted. The furnace wasn’t hot enough, but they should help stabilize his heart and blood… He’s… he’s gravely injured! He needs to avoid strong emotions, both positive and negative. He can’t be scolded or reprimanded. If you need to settle scores, take it out on me…”

As if unable to bear Tang Youshu’s rambling diagnosis any longer, Wei Jie’s head lolled against Xiao Xiao’s shoulder. He glared at his disciple, his voice laced with sarcasm. “I wouldn’t dare touch your concoctions. Who knows what you’ve put in them?”

Tang Youshu, who had never had a falling out with anyone in two hundred years, had now managed to offend two people, both dear to his heart.

His meticulously crafted plan, a century in the making, had fallen apart. A wave of despair washed over him.

Tears welled up in his eyes. “It’s… it’s all my fault. I thought I could help Master change his fate, restore his divine power. But I only made things worse. I caused him to shed tears of blood, weaken his soul, and fall prey to his demonic nature. I… I’m so sorry!”

He raised his hand, ready to strike his own head!

Xiao Xiao, dropping the unconscious Wei Jie, joined Yu Ling’er, pulling him back.

Tang Youshu was succumbing to his own inner demons.

He harbored the other demonic bead, but his gentle nature and years of cultivation had kept it in check.

But now, consumed by guilt, even he couldn’t maintain his composure. The demonic bead within him stirred, black scales spreading across his face, his mind unraveling. He was determined to die before Wei Jie.

Cui Xiao Xiao had had enough!

She had fought her way back from the underworld, transformed into a demon to draw Wei Jie away, preventing a bloodbath, then brought him back from the brink of madness. And now, she had to stop Tang Youshu from killing himself…

Heavens above! What had she done to deserve these two idiots?!

She channeled her energy, summoning a wave of icy river water, and drenched Tang Youshu from head to toe.

“If you want to die, take your master and do it far away from us!” she snapped. “Don’t you realize Yu Ling’er and I nearly died in that cold, dark hellhole?! If you two want to go there, be my guest! But don’t expect any tears from us!”

Her own grievances surfaced, but she fought back tears, her eyes burning.

Perhaps it was the phoenixes within her, but her glare was intimidating, a force that even demons feared.

Under her intense gaze, the black scales on Tang Youshu’s face receded. Shame filled his voice. “It’s… it’s all my fault. I should have told you everything…”

Yu Ling’er, remembering their ordeal in the underworld, felt a wave of fear and resentment. She clung to Tang Youshu, burying her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

Wei Jie, who had been ready to kill Tang Youshu, now found himself in a difficult position. If he continued his attack, Xiao Xiao would surely berate him for being insensitive.

That damn Tang Youshu, always stealing the show! He was left lying on the ground, ignored.

As Yu Ling’er’s sobs subsided, Wei Jie, his voice cold, finally spoke. “There’s a dying man here. Does anyone care…”