Mistaken Era 87

Chapter 87

Since being brought back to Qilao Mountain by Grandmother Wei, Si Ling had been confined to the Buddhist hall, instructed to cultivate her spirit and quell her resentment.

Having indirectly caused the death of Wei Jingling, the former Clan Leader, she was shunned by everyone except Grandmother Wei. She rarely left the hall, her meals delivered to her.

Yesterday, a few young maids had arrived, explaining that Qilao Mountain was entering a period of lockdown due to the risk of demonic beasts emerging from the underworld. Grandmother Wei had ordered them to place protective bronze mirrors in the hall.

Si Ling, engrossed in copying Buddhist scriptures, had ignored them, allowing them to do as they pleased.

No one had disturbed her since. But the mirrors, reflecting the flickering candlelight, had induced a strange drowsiness. She had closed her eyes, drifting between sleep and wakefulness.

And then she had been transported back to her first encounter with Wei Jingling. The sweet memories of their love story had been followed by the agonizing recollection of his suicide at the foot of the mountain.

She had tried to stop him, over and over again, but each time, she had been forced to watch him die.

The helplessness of knowing the outcome, of being unable to change it… it was excruciating.

Even though she knew it was a dream, she had been unable to break free, her grief so intense that she had shed tears of blood.

Tang Youshu and Yu Ling’er, who had been waiting outside, rushed in upon hearing Xiao Xiao’s cry.

Yu Ling’er, enraged, exclaimed, “Someone set up a disorienting formation in here! Could it be that Grandmother Wei couldn’t tolerate Si Ling and allowed her servants to harm her? Let’s go confront her!”

Xiao Xiao, lost in thought, had initially shared Yu Ling’er’s suspicion.

But hearing her words, she looked at Wei Jie.

Since succumbing to demonic energy, his emotions had been volatile. His eyes, darkening, reflected his anger at seeing his mother nearly killed.

Xiao Xiao grabbed his hand, her voice soft. “Wei Jie, I don’t think it’s that simple. Calm down…”

He turned to her, her eyes filled with concern, his reflection shimmering in their depths.

Her voice, clear and steady, soothed the rage brewing within him.

His mother’s abandonment, her departure from Qilao Mountain when he was just a child, had left him with a deep-seated loneliness.

As a child, he had often lain awake at night, worrying about her. He would think, “She doesn’t care about me. What if something happened to her? What if she’s gone? Then I’ll be all alone in this world.”

The fear of losing her had haunted him, shaping his solitary nature, setting him apart from the other Wei children.

Even when he left the family, venturing out into the world, he had been alone.

That loneliness… it was similar to the feeling of being disconnected from the world when his divine power was awakened.

But since meeting Cui Xiao Xiao, he had forgotten what loneliness felt like.

She was like a radiant sun, drawing people towards her.

Their adventures, although fraught with danger, had been filled with companionship, with bittersweet moments.

Now, her warm hand held his, her eyes reflecting his image, and he felt a sense of belonging, a connection beyond his mother.

The fear of losing her, the fear that fueled his demonic nature, subsided under Xiao Xiao’s touch.

She watched him, her breath catching in her throat, until the darkness in his eyes receded, replaced by the familiar purple.

If he had succumbed to his demonic nature… A chilling realization dawned upon her.

She suddenly understood – their entrapment in the underworld, Wei Jie’s descent into darkness, Si Ling’s near-death experience… these seemingly unrelated events were all connected. Someone was deliberately accelerating Wei Jie’s transformation into a demon!

She shuddered, imagining what would have happened if she had left him last night, consumed by anger.

Based on his current state, without her, he would have lashed out, his demonic nature taking over. But weakened by his tears of blood, he wouldn’t have been able to do much.

He wouldn’t have listened to Tang Youshu, wouldn’t have taken the Underworld God Pill.

The Wei family would still have sent for him this morning.

His outburst yesterday, nearly breaching the underworld barrier… knowing Wei Jingfeng’s temper, he would have berated Wei Jie. And Wei Jie, his mind clouded by demonic energy, without her calming influence… would he have been able to control himself?

And if they clashed, it wouldn’t have been a minor disagreement.

If he had confronted the Wei family, then visited his mother… he would have found her collapsed in the Buddhist hall, her face covered in blood.

Perhaps, arriving too late, he would have found her dead, her lifeblood drained.

Seeing that scene, the bowl filled with her tears of blood… would he, like Yu Ling’er, have assumed the Wei family had mistreated her, or even deliberately harmed her to obtain her lifeblood?

The consequences… they would have pushed him over the edge.

And once his demonic nature fully consumed him, he would have become unstoppable, a force of destruction!

Xiao Xiao, who had regretted staying that morning, now felt a surge of relief. She had prevented something terrible from happening.

If her guess was correct, the mastermind behind this was far more dangerous than Prince Can.

Their plan, if successful, would have completely reversed her efforts, pushing Wei Jie back onto his original, tragic path.

But they hadn’t anticipated Wei Jie’s persistence. He had clung to her, refusing to let her go.

And they couldn’t have predicted Cui Xiao Xiao, this variable from another time. As long as she remained by his side, his fate would remain fluid, unpredictable, beyond their control.

Tang Youshu administered the Underworld God Pill to Si Ling, stabilizing her energy flow. But unlike Wei Jie, her constitution was different.

For a pure-blooded Mei woman, the loss of lifeblood was devastating, both physically and mentally.

Her hair turned white, her voice hoarse and raspy, her beautiful singing voice gone.

Looking at Si Ling, then at Wei Jie, who seemed pale and weakened… they had both shed tears of blood, yet Si Ling showed signs of aging, while Wei Jie merely seemed exhausted. He would recover with some rest, regaining enough energy to tease and flirt with her.

His strength… it ran deeper than anyone realized…

But this wasn’t the time to dwell on that. Whoever had targeted Si Ling, their true goal was Wei Jie.

Grandmother Wei, rushing over upon hearing the news, discovered that someone had impersonated her, setting up a disorienting formation in Si Ling’s room.

They investigated the maids who had been there, but they had vanished. Their bodies were later found floating in a pool in the back mountain valley. Upon examining them, they found talismans used by the Demonic Ghost Sect…

It seemed they had been planted by Wan Lianshi, sleeper agents activated after his death.

And this plot… it was clearly connected to the “deceased” Prince Can.

Si Ling, realizing she had nearly been used as bait to trigger her son’s demonic nature, shuddered.

Hearing about their encounter in the underworld, she feared for him.

For a mother, knowing her son was a deity reincarnated, facing a mortal tribulation… it wasn’t a joyous revelation.

She had been trapped by love, leaving the underworld for the mortal realm, fueled by hatred, seeking revenge for her lover.

But her quest for vengeance had blinded her, leading her to abandon her young son, only to reunite with him years later.

He was her flesh and blood, yet they were strangers.

During her ordeal, trapped in that mirror, reliving her regrets, it wasn’t just her separation from Wei Jingling that haunted her. It was the memory of her young son, calling out for her, his voice choked with tears, as she left him behind.

The Buddhist scriptures… they had truly calmed her heart. If she could go back, would she make different choices? Would she have abandoned her son, leaving him alone for so long?

If he ascended to immortality, wouldn’t he be even further away from her, a mother bound to the underworld?

She reached out, wanting to caress his face, as she had done when he was a child.

But Wei Jie instinctively flinched, her hand hovering in midair.

It wasn’t that he was angry with her. He just disliked physical contact. Even when she had embraced him, tears streaming down her face, he had stiffened, enduring it.

He wasn’t a helpless child anymore, needing his mother’s comfort.

He regretted flinching, but he couldn’t bring himself to initiate contact.

Xiao Xiao, seeing his hesitation, smacked him on the back of his head. “Why are you so far away? Can’t you see she can’t reach you?”

He stumbled forward, his face brushing against his mother’s palm.

Xiao Xiao pushed him closer, then reassured Si Ling. “Don’t worry, Madam. He’s strong. He’ll be fine. His disciple is skilled in medicine. The Underworld God Pill he gave you is quite effective. You’ll recover in time.”

Si Ling, seeing her usually aloof son submitting to his master’s scolding, chuckled.

Her son, despite his divine nature, seemed more approachable, more human, when he was with Cui Xiao Xiao… This young lady truly cared for him…

But speaking of the red moon, Si Ling, who hailed from the underworld, knew some of its history.

“A full red moon is an ominous sign,” she said. “I once heard elders from my clan speak of a deity who tried to enter the underworld to retrieve something important. Unable to gain access, he challenged the ruler of the underworld to a fierce battle. They fought on the night of a full moon, their powers evenly matched. Both were severely wounded, their blood staining the moon red. They lost their divine power cores and were forced to endure mortal tribulations… Ever since then, every ten years, the moon turns red. For three days after the red moon, the River of Forgetfulness recedes, making passage impossible. The gates of the underworld are vulnerable to attacks, requiring the demon hunters to be on high alert.”

The pieces fell into place for Xiao Xiao.

A deity had tried to force his way into the underworld and been stopped by the ancient Flame Emperor. Their battle had shattered their divine power cores, forcing them to descend to the mortal realm.

The Flame Emperor, a straightforward soul, had endured reincarnation, his only deception being the sealing of his divine power core.

But the other deity, far more cunning, had stolen the fate of a Xia Emperor, replenishing his power, avoiding a true tribulation.

And he had been using the red moon, the time of the underworld’s vulnerability, to try to enter.

Had he succeeded in the original timeline? Had that led to the destruction of Qilao Mountain, the opening of the gates of the underworld?

But now, their fates were entangled, a tangled web.

Wei Jie, having learned from his past mistakes, had set up a safeguard – his loyal disciple, Tang Youshu, and the Zhulong statue, capable of manipulating time, resetting everything.

This time, with Tang Youshu’s help, he had regained his divine power early on, his ascension imminent.

The hidden mastermind, unable to tolerate this deviation, had been forced to act, to set things right.

And their actions had been swift and effective, nearly pushing Wei Jie back onto his tragic path.

He had been so close to succumbing to his demonic nature, losing his mother, killing his own kin…

But besides tormenting Wei Jie, their goal was clearly to obtain something from the underworld.

But what were they after?

Xiao Xiao asked Si Ling and Grandmother Wei, but they both shook their heads, claiming ignorance.

It seemed this deity had concealed their true nature, hiding behind a stolen identity, enjoying their celestial existence.

Compared to him, Wei Jie, the former ruler of the underworld, seemed rather clueless.

Hearing her thoughts slip out, Wei Jie raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying I’m stupid?”

Xiao Xiao, digging for herbs in a crevice, shrugged. “Well, compared to that deity, you’ve been losing, haven’t you?”

They were gathering herbs in a valley on the back slopes of Qilao Mountain.

Tang Youshu was back at the Wei residence, preparing medicine for Si Ling. She wasn’t as resilient as Wei Jie, who could recover with rest.

Having lost so much lifeblood, she needed to return to her clan in the underworld to recuperate. The yang energy of the mortal realm was harmful to her now.

Before her departure, Tang Youshu wanted to prepare enough medicine for her. So, Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao had offered to help gather herbs, leading them to the cliff they had fallen from.

Hearing Xiao Xiao praise an unknown man, Wei Jie pulled her close. “Even if I truly am the Flame Emperor, descending to the mortal realm wasn’t a loss. Otherwise, how would we have met and fallen in love?”

Xiao Xiao tried to push him away. “Who’s in love with you? Is your mortal tribulation about perfecting the art of shamelessness?”

He raised an eyebrow. “They say, ‘Better to die under a peony flower than live as a lonely ghost.’ But you want me to return before I’ve even smelled the flowers. Even if I ascend, I will have regrets… Master, when are we going to practice dual cultivation and spread the glory of your Joy Sect?”

Xiao Xiao, knowing his “dual cultivation” wasn’t the righteous path of a cultivator, blushed. “Who wants to cultivate with you… Do you even know how? Who have you practiced with?”

Free from the Wei family’s constraints, Wei Jie was like a wild horse, embracing his freedom.

Remembering his camaraderie with the singers and servants in Luoyi City… he was far from an innocent young man!

Had he really… with someone else?

He watched her, her cheeks puffing out in anger, her expression adorable.

He couldn’t resist leaning down and kissing her. “You’re from two hundred years in the future, aren’t you? That tattered book of Tang Youshu’s painted me as a paragon of virtue, a man who abstains from worldly pleasures. Don’t I deserve a reward for my chastity?”

Xiao Xiao stared at him, bewildered. This handsome man, spouting words that contradicted his cold, enigmatic demeanor…

“You… you have some nerve,” she sputtered. “A reward… I’ll give you a…”

Before she could finish, he silenced her with a kiss.

He had been captivated by her from the moment he saw her in this valley, her head tilted back, her eyes shining as she declared her intention to take him as her disciple. Her lips, red and inviting…

But back then, he hadn’t realized how deeply their fates would intertwine.

The ruler of the underworld, destined for a life devoid of love… but once he tasted it, he craved more.

He deepened the kiss, pushing her down onto the grass by the pool, his hands fumbling with her sash…

Later that day, back at their lodgings, Yu Ling’er, helping Xiao Xiao sort through the herbs they had gathered, noticed something amiss. Xiao Xiao’s sash was tied incorrectly. And it was black… Wei Jie’s sash.

Xiao Xiao, caught off guard, blushed.

Yu Ling’er, looking closer, found grass stains on Xiao Xiao’s hair and back.

Foxes were experts in outdoor activities. Seeing Xiao Xiao’s flushed cheeks, she exclaimed, “Did you two… in the valley?”

Xiao Xiao pounded the herbs with her pestle, feigning composure. “Don’t be ridiculous! Of course not!”

Yu Ling’er, unconvinced, chuckled. “Really? Is Wei Jie… incapable?”

Xiao Xiao’s voice rose in alarm. “How would I know?! We just… we were a little… closer than usual…”

Yu Ling’er didn’t believe her for a second!

Wei Jie was a man of action, unlike the gentlemanly Tang Youshu. They had been alone in that valley for hours. Surely, he hadn’t let the opportunity slip away?

Why else would Xiao Xiao’s sash be broken, replaced by his?

Xiao Xiao, realizing she was only making it worse, changed the subject.

But Wei Jie hadn’t been as innocent as she claimed. He might have abstained from women in his past life, and in this life, he hadn’t shown interest in anyone but her.

Yet, this supposedly inexperienced man had been surprisingly… skilled. Men truly were born philanderers!

Thankfully, she had used Si Ling’s need for medicine as an excuse to escape. Otherwise, who knew what he would have done!

Yu Ling’er, observing Xiao Xiao’s flushed cheeks and dreamy expression, sighed.

Her Tang Youshu, although a much better person than Wei Jie, was too much of a gentleman. When would he finally loosen up?

Foxes were passionate creatures. Hillsides, fields, even trees… anything was possible!

But he treated her like a younger sister, caring and attentive, but nothing more.

She sighed again, feeling utterly unattractive. She was a disgrace to the Fox Tribe!

Tang Youshu, oblivious to her disappointment, focused on preparing the medicine. Soon, it was ready, and Si Ling could finally return home.

Grandmother Wei, feeling responsible for Si Ling’s ordeal, personally arranged for her safe passage back to the underworld.

Although the red moon had faded, the River of Forgetfulness would remain receded for the next three days, requiring the Wei family to maintain a tight watch over the underworld barrier.

And after the attempt on Si Ling’s life, they were even more vigilant, their eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.

As they prepared to part ways, Si Ling turned to Xiao Xiao, her voice filled with emotion. “You know, when I first met you, I thought you resembled Wei Jie’s father.”

Xiao Xiao, confused, stared at her.

Si Ling smiled, her gaze distant. “We Mei women are naturally cold and aloof. We don’t fall in love easily. But we can sense those with warm hearts. Wei Jie’s father… he was like that. Even though he rarely smiled, I was drawn to him. You’re like that too, young lady Cui. A-Jie… he’s captivated by you. It’s a tribulation we Mei women can’t escape. But A-Jie’s constitution is unique. And he’s succumbed to demonic energy. Once I return to the underworld, you’re the only one who can protect him! Thank you.”

Xiao Xiao wanted to speak, to tell her that she might not be able to stay with Wei Jie forever, but the words caught in her throat.

If that day came, their separation, spanning two hundred years, would be beyond their control.

Wei Jie and his mother… they had both fallen prey to love, shedding tears of blood. Would he, like his mother, face a shortened lifespan when they were finally parted?