Volume 3 Great Sorrow Valley

***

As the carriage crossed Chunfan City, snow flurries began to drift outside, a few flakes flying into the carriage.

With a flick of his sword hilt, Xiao Fuxuan slid the door curtain shut.

A thick layer of felt was attached to the curtain, completely blocking out the daylight from outside and plunging the carriage into instant gloom. The Hua Family's carriage had everything; woven blankets were folded neatly, and the foot warmer seemed to contain incense infused with spiritual herbs.

Wu Xingxue had the hand warmer he had brought from the boat tucked in his sleeve as he leaned against the carriage wall. He quite liked this kind of warm but dim place, which made one feel drowsy and very relaxed.

He cradled the hand warmer, seeming as if he was about to take a nap. But his eyes were only half-closed, his gaze passing through the long slits of his eyelids to land on the tall figure by the carriage door.

Actually, Yi Wusheng hadn't guessed wrong. Wu Xingxue did indeed know.

The first time he truly realized something was wrong with him was on Peach Blossom Isle. Ah Yao had rushed into the room, shouting and causing a ruckus, reaching out to grab him, only to be blocked by Xiao Fuxuan. In that instant, he had seen Ah Yao's eyes.

A madman's eyes were always muddled and unfocused. But an image suddenly flashed through Wu Xingxue's mind—of those same eyes wide with terror, staring at him from behind a window lattice.

It was as if he had seen them somewhere before.

So he had asked the disciple in charge of guests, "Who is that?"

The disciple had said: "His name is Ah Yao. The reason he went mad is because of Wu Xingxue."

It was hard to describe what he felt in that moment. He only remembered freezing for an instant before subconsciously looking toward Xiao Fuxuan.

He also couldn't explain why he had looked at Xiao Fuxuan.

Perhaps he was hoping someone would tell him, 'You're not that Demon Lord, that fleeting moment was just a remnant of the original owner's Spirit Essence.' Or perhaps... he just wanted to know how Xiao Fuxuan would react if he really was Wu Xingxue.

He couldn't remember which elder from Magpie Capital had once said that he was sharp in his youth and never betrayed his thoughts on his face.

He rather wished he could be a bit duller at certain times.

Unfortunately, he wasn't.

Back then, in the guest room of the Hua Family, the young disciple had wanted to test him with a Soul-Probing Talisman.

His mind was filled with all sorts of conjectures, and he paid it no mind, yet in his movements, he had subconsciously gone to switch hands.

He didn't actually know why he needed to switch hands, or what the result would be if he did. But it all happened so naturally, as if this was how he had always dealt with such things.

He couldn't explain it, so he could only tease the disciple a little.

After that, he had been absent-minded.

He told himself, 'Perhaps it's still the original owner's remnants,' but his mouth asked a few questions, asking Xiao Fuxuan, "What kind of person is Wu Xingxue?"

In truth, the moment he asked that question, he already understood most of it in his heart; he just wasn't ready to admit it yet.

Until he met Yi Wusheng.

Until Yi Wusheng clutched the hem of his robe, just like Yi Wuqi had all those years ago, struggling and begging him to kill him.

And until he saw the Dream Bell in the box.

...

He finally admitted that there was no such place as "Magpie Capital" in this world.

From the moment he had channeled his Qi to pull Ah Yao up from a distance, used Ah Yao's hand to draw Yi Wusheng's sword, and cleanly and decisively stabbed it into the other's heart...

...he was still that same Wu Xingxue.

The endless stream of carriages and horses in Magpie Capital, the clip-clop of hooves on the wide official roads, the bustling crowds of people coming and going, those winding stream banquets, the hundred-man winter hunts, and the Flower-Protecting Bell in the manor where birds perched... it was all just a grand, fabricated dream.

He had lazed away twenty-five years in that dream, and had finally opened his eyes.

But he still couldn't remember things.

He only vaguely remembered hearing the sound of a bell. As for who rang the bell, why he had to sleep for twenty-five years, what happened before the bell was rung, and what he should do after waking up, he knew nothing at all.

He was afraid he could only wait for the Dream Bell to provide the answers.

That was why he had boarded Yi Wusheng's carriage.

He was very clear in his own mind why he had gotten on. But as for why Xiao Fuxuan had also gotten on, he was a little curious.

Previously, Wu Xingxue could understand Xiao Fuxuan's every move and reaction. After all, back then, he had insisted he was a soul occupying another's body, even deceiving himself into believing it. Even for the High Immortal Tianxiu, no matter how certain he sounded, he must have had some doubts in his heart.

Since he was uncertain, he couldn't just act unreasonably and treat a mere mortal the way he would treat the Demon Lord. So, his ambiguous attitude was perfectly normal.

But things were different now.

Wu Xingxue already knew everything.

And judging by Yi Wusheng's reaction just now, Xiao Fuxuan most likely knew as well.

Since he knew, why did he stop Yi Wusheng from exposing it?

Was it to save Yi Wusheng's life, or was he afraid of alerting the Demon Lord, making him impossible to catch again?

Or perhaps... there was another reason.

Wu Xingxue hugged the hand warmer, silently watching Xiao Fuxuan in the dim light.

He touched the edge of the hand warmer, gently rubbing his warm fingertips, and tried to circulate the scattered Qi within his body.

Because it was nearly pitch-dark, the spacious and tall carriage felt constricting, and even the slightest sound was clearly audible. Thus, when he curled his fingers, a very faint clanking sound rang out in the carriage.

Across from them, Yi Wusheng tensed for a moment, sat up straight, clutched the paper, and asked in a low voice, "What was that sound?"

Wu Xingxue made a 'mm' sound in his mind and called out, "Xiao Fuxuan."

The tall figure by the door moved slightly.

After a moment, Xiao Fuxuan's low, deep voice sounded: "Speak."

Wu Xingxue: "Can these chains on my body be undone?"

Across from him, Yi Wusheng suddenly froze, then slowly sank back, his body turning cold.

Xiao Fuxuan: "..."

'I'd rather be dead.'

This was what Yi Wusheng was thinking at that moment.

He had almost blurted out: Chains? I don't see any chains?

Fortunately, he reacted in time—those were the Heavenly Locks from the Canglang Northern Domain, used to imprison the Demon Lord and mete out punishment on behalf of Heaven.

It was said that they were nailed into the Demon Lord's body, one for each sin committed. Ordinary people couldn't see them, only hear their sound.

It was also said that the Demon Lord had to atone for his sins with his flesh, blood, and life soul. For every sin repaid, one chain would be removed.

But obviously, none of the impaled Demon Lords had ever lived long enough to see their chains removed before their souls dissipated.

Wu Xingxue was probably the first to dare ask, "Can the chains be undone?" in a tone as casual as "I'm hungry, is there anything to eat?"

Normally, such a question would have been immediately rejected.

But when Yi Wusheng didn't hear a reply from Xiao Fuxuan for a long time, he finally couldn't resist. He opened his eyes a crack and secretly peeked at the High Immortal Tianxiu who presided over the Canglang Northern Domain.

He thought, 'You dare undo them???'

There was little light in the carriage, and Xiao Fuxuan's silhouette was dim and indistinct.

Wu Xingxue could feel him lift his eyes, his gaze falling upon him.

It was said that no one could see the chains. But for a certain instant, Wu Xingxue suspected that Xiao Fuxuan could, because that gaze seemed to sweep over every spot where the chains were fastened to him.

It was just that the carriage was too dim for him to see Xiao Fuxuan's expression.

He only knew that the other person was silent for a long time before finally saying, "They cannot be undone."

His voice was very low, and not quite as cold.

Wu Xingxue nodded and shifted his position. The sound of chains rustled again. A moment later, he gave a vague reply, "Oh... I see."

"Forget it then."

He continued to rub the hand warmer. The circulation of Qi in his body was not smooth. Perhaps it was because he hadn't used it for too long and hadn't adapted yet. After a while, he moved slightly again.