It was still midsummer in the mortal realm.
Amid the incessant chirping of cicadas, Su Su and Yaoguang appeared in Ninghe Town.
Every night in Ninghe Town, the sound of women weeping could be heard. In recent days, demon hunters passing through had all died in the town.
The worst part was that all the infants in the town had gone missing.
Su Su looked at the vermilion gate before her, above which hung a plaque reading "Zhang Residence." She raised her hand and knocked on the door knocker. A servant peeked out and asked warily, "Who are you looking for?"
Su Su and Yaoguang had taken on the appearance of ordinary women. Su Su said, "My senior sister and I are demon hunters. We heard the town is troubled, and since Steward Zhang's wife is about to give birth, perhaps we can help her."
The servant said impatiently, "If you're here to scam food and drink, go somewhere else! Don't bother us!"
The two girls looked delicate and frail—one with cinnabar between her brows as bright as fire, the other holding a sword that seemed utterly fragile. What demons could they possibly hunt? They'd be better off finding a husband to marry.
Steward Zhang was the wealthiest man in several nearby towns, and because of this, many charlatans came to swindle him.
Yaoguang said angrily, "How dare you speak to us like that! My junior sister and I saw the overwhelming Demonic Aura around your residence. If it's not Demonic Beasts, then someone must be targeting you. That's why we came, and you accuse us of scamming food and drink!"
In response, the servant slammed the door shut with a loud "bang!"
But when he turned around, he found the woman who had knocked earlier standing under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, smiling gracefully at him. "At least, young man, could you inform the master of the house?"
"You... how did you get in?" He had clearly shut the bronze gate tightly, yet this woman had appeared out of thin air. He knew that none of the "masters" Madam Zhang had invited before could do such a thing. The servant immediately realized that the woman before him had real skills.
His attitude instantly became respectful, no longer filled with the previous contempt.
"This humble one has eyes but failed to see. Please forgive me, Fairy," the servant said with a hint of hesitation. "To be honest, Fairy, two demon hunters arrived at the residence two days ago. We no longer need any more. Those two masters are highly skilled in the Dao, and Madam treats them as honored guests. She gave orders in advance not to let any other demon hunters in, lest it displease those two masters."
"I see. Then we apologize for the disturbance. My senior sister and I will take our leave."
As she spoke, Yaoguang also appeared beside Su Su. Hearing the servant's words, she was very disappointed. "Junior sister, are we leaving?"
Su Su nodded.
In Yaoguang's opinion, Steward Zhang's residence was the most peculiar place in the entire town. Combined with the frequent disappearances of infants and Madam Zhang's impending childbirth, guarding the Zhang residence would surely yield great results.
She was anxious to save Gongye Jiewu and couldn't help feeling irritable. The Zhang residence was their most likely place to find the Demon Realm token.
Su Su thought: It doesn't matter if we can't enter the Zhang residence. We can wait nearby and see what happens.
Just as the two were about to leave, Su Su heard a rustle in the wind. She turned and saw a seven- or eight-year-old boy falling from the roof.
She quickly flew over and barely caught the falling child.
Several servants below cried out in panic, "Young master!"
Yaoguang ran over. "Su Su."
Su Su set the child down. The boy seemed frightened and didn't speak for a while. After a moment, he looked up at the roof, his dark, glossy eyes fixed intently on one spot.
Su Su followed his gaze but saw nothing there—it was completely empty. She asked, "What are you looking at?"
The boy murmured, "My cat. My cat.""A cat?" Yaoguang said, "Where is there a cat?"
She and Su Su exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of something unusual in each other's eyes. This Zhang residence was indeed strange.
Just then, a group of people hurried over.
Leading them was a heavily pregnant woman adorned in gold and silver. Hearing the commotion outside about the young master being careful, she rushed over with her swollen belly.
"Fang Sheng, my darling, are you alright?"
Zhang Yuanbai nestled in Madam Zhang's embrace, revealing a pair of dark eyes as he stared at Su Su and Yaoguang.
Only then did Madam Zhang notice the two unfamiliar women in her home. "Who are you?"
But Su Su's gaze had already fallen upon two other figures behind Madam Zhang.
Two Daoist priests, their robes embroidered with blue fish patterns.
The plumper one had a gourd hanging from his waist—clearly Cang Hai, who hadn't concealed his appearance. The other, a tall and handsome young Daoist she didn't recognize, was staring intently at her.
When she lifted her gaze to meet his, the young man was the first to lower his eyes, still wearing the same displeased expression from their last parting.
Yet Su Su recognized him instantly.
What a... small world indeed.
They had actually encountered Cang Hai and Tantai Jin—who had also disguised his appearance—in this small human town.
After hearing the full story, Madam Zhang hurriedly expressed her gratitude to Su Su: "Thank you, immortal masters, for saving my Fang Sheng."
Cang Hai grinned cheerfully upon seeing Su Su and Yaoguang. "Junior Sister Li, Junior Sister Yaoguang, what a coincidence."
Yaoguang muttered under her breath, "Isn't it just."
And they had even arrived at the Zhang residence ahead of them.
Madam Zhang smiled warmly. "So you immortal masters know each other. That's even better."
She politely and respectfully begged Su Su and Yaoguang to stay.
In Madam Zhang's view, since Tantai Jin and Cang Hai were capable individuals, their fellow sect members must be formidable too. Being near her due date, the anxious Madam Zhang would have loved to host a whole group of Daoist priests if not for fear of offending Tantai Jin and Cang Hai.
Su Su looked at Yaoguang. "Senior Sister, should we stay?"
Yaoguang said, "Of course."
Though Su Su felt somewhat awkward about encountering Tantai Jin, finding their senior brother took priority now, so she didn't object further.
The Zhang residence was elegantly constructed, with winding paths leading to secluded spots.
Madam Zhang settled Su Su and Yaoguang not far from her own courtyard, right next to Tantai Jin and Cang Hai's quarters.
Cang Hai whispered to the young man beside him, "Junior Brother, they're probably here for the Demon Realm token too."
"Mm."
Tantai Jin responded indifferently, fingers idly stroking a jade pendant at his waist.
"There's something strange about Ninghe Town. We should warn our two junior sisters." Cang Hai uncorked his gourd, took a couple of gulps, then wiped his mouth. "Junior Brother, should you go tell them or should I?"
Tantai Jin's hand stilled on the jade pendant. After a long pause, he reminded Cang Hai, "Your divination turtle shell—you left it in the Zhang family ancestral hall."
Cang Hai slapped his forehead, instantly sobering from his tipsy state. "Right, right! How could I forget that? That shell can still give us directions. Jiuming, you go notify the two junior sisters. I'll be right back."
Tantai Jin said, "Mm."
After Cang Hai left, Tantai Jin pressed his lips together and walked to Su Su's door.
He raised his hand, then let it fall back down.Tantai Jin knew that five hundred years ago, when Su Su drove the Soul Extinguishing Nails into his heart, she must have had a purpose. Since childhood, his innate talent had been poor, yet after she leaped from the city tower, he was reborn anew. Whether it was the Carefree Sword Art of the Carefree Sect or the domineering and fierce blade techniques, he could master them all.
The "Divine Marrow" she spoke of in exchange for the "Evil Bone"—it took him many years in the Underworld to grasp the profound meaning behind it.
He also came to understand... her greatest wish was for them to owe each other nothing and never meet again for all eternity.
How cruel, he mocked with a bitter smile.
He raised his hand and knocked on the door.
From the moment he stood outside, Su Su had sensed his presence. She had been meditating but immediately opened her eyes. Yet, since he didn’t knock, she remained silent.
Just as she thought he was about to leave, the knock came.
Su Su paused, then opened the door and asked him, "What is it?"
The young man’s gaze was cold. "My senior brother asked me to inform you—there’s something strange about Ninghe Town."
Su Su looked at his stern face and said, "Thank your senior brother for me."
As she was about to close the door, the young man pressed an arm against it.
The two locked eyes for a moment. Before the girl could speak, Tantai Jin said slowly, "Cang Hai and I have been in Ninghe Town for eight days. Half the infants in this town went missing half a month ago, and no one has been able to uncover the reason. The families of the missing children don’t even know how they disappeared."
Seeing the girl listening intently, Tantai Jin curled the fingers resting against the door and continued, "Madam Zhang is due to give birth any day now. Cang Hai asked me to tell you that behind the estate, there is a demon gathering array surrounded by eight willow trees. Madam Zhang’s child will most likely be born tomorrow night during the Yin hour. The Zhang estate is shrouded in a sky-piercing Demonic Aura, and Madam Zhang suffers from nightmares every night. The Demonic Beasts will surely strike after she gives birth."
Su Su looked at him and said softly, "Then, thank Cang Hai on behalf of me and my senior sister."
He nodded expressionlessly.
The warm summer sun stretched the young man’s shadow long. For the first time in five hundred years, they spoke so calmly, neither mentioning the past.
One sought to save her senior brother, the other to find his master—a rare shared purpose.
Su Su noticed that, at some point, he had started wearing white robes.
A blue waistband embroidered with fish patterns outlined his tall, slender frame. Tantai Jin brought it up as if casually, "Li Susu, since we’re both heading to the Demon Realm, I..."
Su Su shook her head. "No need."
She didn’t let him finish. Su Su knew what he was going to say, but she and her senior sister had their own path, just as Tantai Jin and Cang Hai had theirs.
Five hundred years—perhaps Tantai Jin would never understand that some things, buried deep in the heart, grow into solitary graves. They are insurmountable and impossible to ignore.
As soon as Su Su finished speaking, he gritted his teeth and stared at her.
As Su Su moved to close the door, the young man suddenly grabbed her arm. In that moment, Tantai Jin had so many questions. Do you hate me so much? Even though you know I can help you, you won’t even spare me a glance?
Haven’t you... haven’t you, at times, shown me a sliver of softness?
But when the words reached his lips and met the girl’s stubborn eyes, he remembered long ago, how he had learned from others, bit by bit, to understand the ways people interact.
Their love and hatred, their compromises, and their choices.
Humans—such hypocritical creatures.
During countless days and nights in the River of Wailing Ghosts, he had pondered time and again what kind of person she would like and what words she would despise when they met again.
And so, Su Su saw the coldness in the young man’s eyes vanish so briefly it was almost imperceptible.The youth's raven-black lashes fluttered slightly as he lifted his gaze, appearing exceptionally pure and refined. With his ink-black hair and crimson lips, he spoke with a smile: "Past events are like fleeting clouds, Li Susu. Five hundred years have passed—surely you don’t still believe I cling to those old grudges? On the path of cultivation, one seeks immortality and must let go of worldly attachments. You wish to save someone, and so do I. The Demon Emperor’s power is unfathomable, and the Demon Realm is fraught with peril. Cang Hai and I only wish to find our master. You possess a high-grade immortal artifact, and my blood can suppress demonic beasts. If we want to return alive, it’s best we travel together. Rest assured, I will not trouble you."
His demeanor was open and sincere; even the smile on his face showed not the slightest hint of deceit.
Su Su knew that Tantai Jin spoke the truth.
She had the Chongyu Qin, but her current strength was insufficient—using it would cause backlash. Meanwhile, Tantai Jin had been born with flesh and blood capable of subduing demonic beasts. Back then, even the formidable Peach Tree Demon, who had obtained the World-Toppling Flower, withered entire peach branches with just a drop of his blood.
If they were truly to enter the Demon Realm, Tantai Jin stood a better chance than Su Su and Yaoguang.
But… had he truly forgotten Ye Xi Wu?
Her voice and smile from five hundred years ago, her hatred, her despair…
Su Su lifted her gaze, discreetly observing him. There was no trace of madness or stubbornness left on his face. The youth stood tall and graceful, his narrow eyes carrying a friendly and humble warmth.
Su Su understood: she had already owed Xiao Lin a life due to her arrogance. No matter what, she could not repeat the same mistake five hundred years later and let Gongye Jiewu come to harm.
"Fine, I agree," Su Su said after a pause. "Once we leave the Demon Realm, we go our separate ways."
The corner of his mouth dipped almost imperceptibly as he replied, "Naturally."
Su Su nodded, turned away without another glance, and closed the door.
Tantai Jin withdrew his hand and walked toward his own quarters. Only when he was far away did he bite his lip, pressing hard against the painful Soul Extinguishing Nails, and let out a soft, bitter laugh.
The corners of his eyes were tinged with faint red as he lightly pressed his fingers to his temple.
How could you truly believe… we could part without a trace?
It hurts so much. If I let you go, who will save me?
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