Chapter 2: The Beauty

November 8th, 2022

The last time that Cloudbank Keep’s great protective array was activated had to be traced back to four thousand years ago, when it defended against earth-shaking calamities and rivers of fire that made the entire world tremble.

The core of the array was set in Wenxian Hall atop Lingyun Peak, maintained by elders of Soul Formation stage and above in turns. The huge array required several hundreds of spirit stones a day, and despite Cloudbank Keep’s long heritage and abundant knowledge, by the forty-ninth day, even their persistence was stretched to its limit.

Thousands of Foundation Building-level disciples silently sat cross-legged outside of Wenxian Hall, expressions solemn. Although their cultivation levels weren’t high enough to operate the great array, at the very last moment, they could still burn out their own cultivation in place of spirit stones to provide the array with spiritual energy.

Suddenly, the curtain of light in the sky began to flicker, signifying another attack.

The demonic cultivators’ continuous attacks on the array would cause it consume more and more energy. By now, the great array’s light was becoming ever fainter. It looked like…… it wouldn’t be able to hold up past today.

Xie Huai walked out of Wenxian Hall with slow steps. He raised his head, seeing the curtain of light in the sky fade, as if about to dissipate at any second.

Seeing him exit, the disciples keeping watch outside all had reverent expressions on their faces, respectfully greeting, “Elder Sect Brother Xie.”

As the most senior of this generation of Cloudbank Keep disciples, Xie Huai was an elder sect brother to them all. Despite his young age, his cultivation level was already at Soul Formation, which was why he had the qualifications to enter Wenxian Hall to assist the elders in operating the array whereas they could only stand guard outside…… But, even if they didn’t have Xie Huai’s cultivation level or talent and couldn’t help out much, they wouldn’t sully Cloudbank Keep’s name by begging for their lives with tails between their legs. They would stand against the demonic cultivators to the death.

Xie Huai looked around at all of the young faces, each and every one revealing a staunch determination to struggle to the end. Even the little sect brothers and sisters who were the most mischievous on a normal day sat upright and stern at this moment, swords gripped tightly in their hands as they faced this crisis of life and death. Not a single one thought to flee, and not a single person…… had thought about handing him over to plead for their lives.

That’s right, on the first day that Yunxian Keep was besieged, the demon lord had sent someone to relay that if they offered up Xie Huai to the demon lord, they would spare Cloudbank Keep their lives.

These outrageous words were doubtlessly an insult to all of Cloudbank Keep. If a dignified righteous sect relied on handing over a disciple to cling to life, they would only become a laughingstock of the entire world with no footing to stand on. At that time, everyone had been incensed, and a bloody battle had been hard to avoid.

By now, forty-nine days had passed.

Day by day death approached ever closer, day by day their despair grew heavier…… yet still, no one gave in.

This was the style of Cloudbank Keep—to sooner perish where they stand than to bow their heads to the demonic path.

Xie Huai’s footsteps grew heavier as he made his way down the stairs step by step.

As he was about to pass by, a hand pulled at the corner of his robes. It was his younger sect brother, Tao Lu. The boy blinked at him, saying, “Elder Sect Brother, you have to live on.”

This child was normally the most mischievous, often wriggling out of cultivation practice and getting no less than his fair share of his master’s scolding, but right now he was sitting here docilely…… Xie Huai slowly asked, “Why?”

Seeing that no one was paying attention, Tao Lu gave an impish expression, grinning to reveal his cute canine teeth, and whispered, “Elder Sect Brother, you’re the youngest Soul Formation cultivator in the world. Everyone says that you’re a prodigy, the only person in a few thousand years with a hope of reaching Dao Unity. You’re not like the rest of us…… So you have to live on, this way, you can get revenge for us.”

At this, his eyes sparkled, and he was just a breath away from gesturing animatedly, as if he were rampaging on the battlefield, “When that day comes, destroy those demonic cultivators until they’re crying for mommy and daddy, let’s see if they still have the guts to run wild like this!”

Xie Huai felt a lump in his throat.

Tao Lu was afraid of holding him up from important business, so he quickly let go as soon as he was done speaking. He scratched his head in embarrassment. “Usually, you’re the one standing in front of us, Elder Sect Brother. This time, it’s our turn to protect you for once!”

Xie Huai slowly extended his head, rubbing the boy’s head, and said in a hoarse voice, “You’re still young, don’t think too much.”

He turned around, not lingering any longer, and descended from the peak.

………………………………..

Elder Ming Yin was the current sect leader of Cloudbank Keep, one of the few Void Refining-level masters in the world, and a personage of virtue and prestige. Only, recently, he was getting advanced in his years, yet he was still stuck at the peak of Void Refining, unable to breakthrough. Thus, he usually remained in closed door cultivation year-round, and if not for the level of crisis they were suffering…… he wouldn’t have come out to deal with the demonic calamity, either.

But unfortunately……

The white-haired elder sat cross legged, his face wan, his expression feeble, clearly having suffered heavy injury.

He slowly opened his eyes, his voice aged. “Huai’r, you’re here.”

Xie Huai stepped forward respectfully and saluted, “Master.”

Xie Huai observed the elder’s weak appearance, his heart sinking even deeper. His master had personally gone out to do battle, yet still hadn’t been a match for that demon. Furthermore, his master had been stuck at the Void Refining stage for over a hundred years, the chances of a breakthrough already low. This time, he’d fundamentally injured his health, and he might never have a hope of advancing again……

With heavy eyes, Xie Huai said, word by word, “Master, is that demon at the Dao Unity stage?”

The stage after Void Refining was Dao Unity. Cultivators who had achieved it had completely merged their body and spirit, and their lifespan was nearly infinite. They could draw on the energy of heaven and earth and shatter the void, which is why they were referred to as true immortals. And this world…… ever since the last true immortal fell at the beginning of the era, there had not been another in the past thousands of years.

If that demon had truly reached that level, not only Cloudbank Keep, but the entire world would be in crisis.

Elder Ming Yin shook his head. “He shouldn’t be. If he were really at Dao Unity, even the great protective array couldn’t stop him……” But exactly what stage he was at, Ming Yin was unclear of.

Xie Huai’s expression was grave. As long as it wasn’t Dao Unity, there was hope of resistance…… Besides, even it was, so what? As long as he was alive, there was fated to be a day that he would take that demon’s head and return peace to the world.

Elder Ming Yin sighed softly.

Five years ago, that demon took the world by storm, uniting the demonic path with cruel and violent methods until that horde of demons dared not disobey…… The rest of the world, at that time, had yet to realize that this was the beginning of calamity.

No one knew his origins, and no one knew his cultivation level. They only knew that he was strong, as of yet undefeated, and that all who opposed him would be mercilessly slaughtered.

After uniting the demonic cultivators, the demon lord Yan Sui quickly began to expand his influence, wantonly pillaging and plundering resources, his underlings preying on the common folk…… Not too long ago, some Cloudbank Keep disciples were traveling away from the mountain, and in order to protect the local residents, they broke out in a clash with a couple of demonic cultivators, not realizing it would lead to the present disaster.

To mobilize such a massive force, aiming to exterminate an entire sect, just for the sake of a few sparks…… The demon’s actions were unbridled to the extreme, lacking the slightest bit of rationality. Perhaps, the idea was to make an example out of them.

While the righteous sects remained scattered like loose sand, without any way to resist.

After bloody battle, Cloudbank Keep had no choice but to retreat inside the sect and activate their great protective array. On the day that they were surrounded, Elder Ming Yin sent word to each of the great sects, but to this day, they had received sparse few replies. And despite those sects they were close with saying that they would rush to their aid, after a full forty-nine days, they had yet to see a single one arrive.

Elder Ming Yin gave a bitter laugh. After all, with tens of thousands of demonic cultivators gathered here, what sect would dare to come? Perhaps even before they were able to rescue them, they would be annihilated by the demonic horde themselves.

Even a righteous cultivator was, in the end, human, and it was human to squabble about gains and losses…… But even if it was understandable, in the end, it was a little disappointing. If the righteous sects couldn’t unite—Cloudbank Keep’s fate today would be theirs tomorrow.

Elder Ming Yin fixed his gaze on the young man in front of him, his expression fond and unwilling to part…… by now, they were at the end of their rope, and it was time to make a final decision.

Xie Huai was the disciple he had the highest hope for. He had an innate Dao physique and the highest talent for insight. At just twenty, he had reached Soul Formation, and he was a rare prodigy come once in a thousand years. Ming Yin’s path stopped here, but Xie Huai’s future was boundless, and even reaching Dao Unity wasn’t impossible. Only if Xie Huai was alive would Cloudbank Keep’s legacy be carried forward.

Elder Ming Yin slowly opened his mouth to speak. “The moment the array shatters, this master will personally engage in battle—”

Xie Huai’s brow creased. “Master, your wound has yet to heal……”

Elder Ming Yin laughed lightly, cutting off his words. “This master will self-destruct his primordial spirit. This will certainly hinder that demon for a while, and you—can take the opportunity to leave.”

Xie Huai’s expression changed slightly. “Master—”

Elder Ming Yin’s expression became grave, and his tone was sincere. “You are Cloudbank Keep’s last hope. This master does not wish for Cloudbank Keep’s legacy to end here, do you understand?”

Xie Huai’s hands clenched at his sides, his jaw rigid. How could he not understand his master’s thoughts? They all wanted to entrust their hopes to him, to sacrifice themselves to give him a chance to survive, hoping that he would carry on the legacy of Cloudbank Keep and take revenge for them someday.

Except, there was no way he could accept this kind of ending.

Xie Huai finally made up his resolve. He suddenly laughed softly, his gaze sharp as a blade. “It hasn’t come to that yet. We still have another option, don’t you remember?”

Elder Ming Yin stared blankly for a moment, then immediately understood his meaning and angrily rebuked, “Nonsense, I forbid it!”

Xie Huai said calmly, “The demon lord said, with just my one person, he can spare Cloudbank Keep.”

Elder Ming Yin scowled, “How can that demon’s words be trusted by half?! Those words were meant to humiliate us, nothing more. If you truly go, only death awaits you!”

It wasn’t that Xie Huai hadn’t thought of this, but…… He opened his mouth slowly, “But there’s also a chance that he will truly withdraw his troops and leave…… For one, with the whole world watching, going back on his word would also damage his reputation. This time, his goal is only to make an example out of us, to let the cultivation world know the consequences of disobeying him. He holds no deep grudges against Cloudbank Keep, so as long he is given an excuse to leave, he has no need to completely eradicate us.
The demonic cultivators have also suffered heavy losses, and many already harbor discontent but are merely too scared to speak…… Since he has taken up this position of demon lord, then regardless of how tyrannical he is, he still has to consider the thoughts of his subordinates. To go too far is no better than not far enough. As long as we agree to his demands…… the chances that he will take the opportunity to withdraw is high.”

Xie Huai laid out his reasoning bit by bit, calmly and rationally, as if the topic had nothing to do with giving himself up to become a plaything.

Elder Ming Yin’s expression was sorrowful. This was the disciple he was most proud of, with innate talent, exceptional perception, a staunch Daoist heart, and the most rational, level-headed temperament…… He should have been pressing forward on the road to seeking immortality, but instead, he was faced with this kind of choice.

He had watched Xie Huai grow up. Elder Ming Yin couldn’t bear it, saying, “Do you know what will happen to you if you go with that demon?”

Each and every person knew of the demon lord’s viciousness. He was afraid that by then, even death would be a luxury.

Xie Huai said blandly, “Cloudbank Keep’s legacy should not be left to me alone. Master and the other elders, my sect brothers and sisters…… all of you are Cloudbank Keep’s legacy, its future…… If there was clearly another possibility, yet I had you sacrifice yourselves so that I could cling to life, it would hinder my Daoist heart. I’m afraid that I would never again breakthrough in this life, and I would betray Master’s expectations.”

These words left Elder Ming Yin with no way to respond. Cultivators placed the greatest importance on their Daoist hearts, and with Xie Huai’s pride, his would never permit a single blemish…… He had obviously resolved not to allow his fellow sect members to die a miserable death for his sake.

“Only by living is there hope. Cloudbank Keep has thousands of disciples, and their lives should not end here.” Xie Huai said word by word, “Besides, if I go to that demon’s side, I’ll have the opportunity to kill him. Right now, this is our best option.”

By sacrificing one, they could save the entire sect.

As long as there was a shred of possibility, they couldn’t not try.

Elder Ming Yin sank into silence for a long time, then said, “What if that demon refuses to keep his promise……?”

Xie Huai smiled, the corners of his lips turning up, his gaze sharp, “Then I’ll have to trouble Master to cover me for a while. I will be sure to cut a bloody path to escape, and get revenge for all of you in the future.”

Elder Ming Yin had no more words to argue with. His eyes were filled with tears, his expression mournful and overwhelmed. This was his most beloved disciple, whom he had watched grow up as if he were his own child, whom he had entrusted his highest hopes to. But in the end, Xie Huai was not the only one in Cloudbank Keep—there were many, many others, and he had no way to refuse Xie Huai’s suggestion……

Only by enduring this temporary humiliation was there hope.

Elder Ming Yin sighed deeply, then slowly spit out a single word, “Fine.”

Xie Huai smiled in relief. He arranged his robes to bow deeply to Elder Ming Yun, then raised his head to say, “This disciple has one last request.”

With this departure, Xie Huai would be hard-pressed to keep his life. Elder Ming Yin was filled with tears as he said, “Speak, this master will agree to anything.”

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Xie Huai said slowly, “If I go with the demons, I hope Master will expel me from the sect. From then on, all of my actions, my honor and disgrace, will have nothing to do with Cloudbank Keep.”

………………………………..

In front of the main gates of Cloudbank Keep, a flock of demonic cultivators were in the midst of attacking the great protective array. At their head was a demonic cultivator wearing black armor, his stature heavy, his skin like copper, his muscles winding. In his hands was a blade, and behind him, hundreds of demonic cultivators were linked in an array, concentrating all of their cultivation onto him. He struck blow after blow, the light of the great array flickering ceaselessly!

As the demonic cultivator hacked away, he sneered, saying in a clear voice, “As long as you hand over Yuyi-jun and please His Excellency, he’ll spare your lives. Why so stubborn!”

A few Cloudbank Keep disciples sat inside guarding the array, their expressions unchanged as they looked coldly at the demonic cultivators outside.

The demonic cultivator laughed and laughed, his tone becoming more and more suggestive, taking on an salacious tone as he said, “Look at all of your deathly faces. You really don’t know a thing—you should be rejoicing! You’re lucky your Cloudbank Keep has famous peerless beauty like this. If it were some ordinary person, His Excellency couldn’t even be bothered. This is your good fortune, you really don’t know what’s good for you…”

As for those disciples, although they’d heard their fair share of provocative filth over the past period, every time they heard them, they were still angered beyond restraint.

Elder Sect Brother Xie Huai was someone they all admired, Cloudbank Keep’s…… No, the world’s number one prodigy! Not only was he this generation’s outstanding talent in terms of cultivation, even his looks were matchless. Such a noble, halcyon existence—he was Cloudbank Keep’s pride……. Yet these demonic cultivators were speaking of him as if he were someone who serviced others with his charm. They only hated that they couldn’t rush forward and stake their very lives!

Today was the forty-ninth day, and the great array was clearly unable to endure much longer. The furious disciples took a deep breath and tightly gripped their swords.

Nobody was going to come.

Even if they all died here today, it was no more than that.

Sitting like a turtle in its shell—they’d had enough of that!

They stood up one by one, and just as they were about to fight to the death, they heard the sound of movement. Turning their heads to look, they stared blankly. “Elder Sect Brother Xie, why did you come out here?”

………………………………..

Inside the Soul-Refining Tower, Fang Li laughed, “This lord believes you.”

Then he stretched out his hand and gestured upwards, supporting Wu Yimei to rise.

Wu Yimei’s gaze swept over the pale, ashen face of the man in front of them, then quickly lowered his eyes respectfully, suppressing the odd emotion that had unexpectedly bubbled up in his chest in that split second.

His Excellency was always cold, ruthless, and sparse with words, and no one knew his thoughts. Although Wu Yimei had been granted the position of Right Emissary, he’d never seemed to have been trusted much.

Sometimes, Wu Yimei even thought that this person didn’t know how to trust anyone, that he existed alone in his own world. Even if Wu Yimei had followed him for ten years, accompanying him as they walked out of that sea of blood and mountain of corpses…… This person had never treated him any differently, would never reveal a hint of truth to him.

But today, His Excellency not only explained his actions to him, but even smiled at him and told him that he trusted him.

For once, Wu Yimei was at a bit of a loss.

Fang Li instructed blandly, “Have this cleaned up a bit.”

Sweeping his eyes over the the carpet soaked all over with fresh blood, Fang Li thought, this carpet would have to be thrown out.

Just then, they heard an announcement from outside saying that Xie Huai had come out.

Fang Li raised his eyebrows slightly. He stood up slowly and leisurely, smiling as he said, “Come take a look with this lord.”

Wu Yimei immediately said, “Understood.”

With just a thought, Fang Li and Wu Yimei both appeared outside the tower. As soon as he emerged, their surroundings immediately fell silent. Amidst the solemn hush, the dark, dense mass of demonic cultivators parted like the tide, opening up a path for him.

It was an exceedingly magnificent sight.

Fang Li ambled between them, his long black robe dragging along the ground…… Absent-mindedly, he thought that he’d just acquired an absolute mess, and at this moment he was at his most vulnerable. If any demonic cultivator were to suddenly attack, the probability of killing him was high……

His line of sight swept carelessly past each side. The demonic cultivators in both directions were all bowing with their heads lowered, retreating away from him one by one.

It was really a pity. It seemed like none of of these demonic cultivators had that kind of courage, truly missing out on this prime opportunity to kill him.

Fang Li hooked up the corner of his lips, finally passing through the demonic horde and arriving in front of Cloudbank Keep’s main gate. He raised his head, spotting the white-robed man holding a sword in one hand in a single glance. At this, he finally startled slightly, a bit dazed.

Cultivators’ outer robes were usually spiritual tools, coming with the ability to repel uncleanliness. To be untouched by dust and mud was their normal state…… but at this moment, the man’s white robes were drenched in blood. Only if the spiritual tool had been damaged, and he hadn’t had any spare time to mend it or change, would he be tainted with blood……

It should have been a sorry sight, but on this man, it looked like a clean, snowy-white canvas splashed with thick and vivid pigments, like a lofty, unreachable deity revealing a trace of desperate yet enticing beauty.

Even with his white robes soaked in blood, positioned amidst the spectating demonic horde, he remained placid. Even those demonic cultivators who had been arrogant and unbridled had stern expressions at this moment, surrounding him firmly, not daring a moment of inattention.

As if he was the dangerous one.

Placed in dire straits, yet still striking fear in his enemies—only blood and slaughter could accomplish this.

After waking up, Fang Li had been busy with absorbing the script, then with handling the traitor, then with Wu Yimei…… he hadn’t had time to give Xie Huai’s matter extra thought, only thinking of casually following the script and bringing him back first, then figuring the rest out later……

Looking at it now, this person that everyone longed for and was conquered by, who made countless people wholeheartedly admire him, truly had his remarkable traits.

Yuyi-jun, Snow Blue1 sword.

One man, one sword, standing alone apart from the world.

At this moment Fang Li thought, that Yan Sui would fall in love with him was not for nothing.

After all, treating a person based on appearances was a common ailment of mortals, and Yan Sui was still a mortal. It could not be more understandable.

Fang Li had originally agreed to the System with a half-hearted attitude, but he hadn’t actually had much interest in doing this mission. But if it was accompanying this stunning beauty…… With a co-worker this pleasing to the eyes, it looked like the task wouldn’t be a bore. Doing it wasn’t out of the question.

“This one came here today with only one question. Your Excellency’s words from before, do they still hold true?” Xie Huai’s tone was neither base nor arrogant, his expression cold and indifferent, his gaze tranquil without a ripple as he looked at Fang Li.

Fang Li’s attention returned, and he nodded. “Naturally.”

Without even mentioning the fact that he wouldn’t do something like slaughter innocents, even the original Yan Sui hadn’t intended on total extermination. Although the sword cultivators of Cloudbank Keep were rigid and inflexible, they were still straightforward and upright and meant what they said—a bunch of cultivation addicts who dreamed about exterminating demons to uphold justice and traveling the world to save people…… unlike those sanctimonious, two-faced sects full of hypocrites. There was really no joy to speak of in killing these kinds of people.

Demanding Xie Huai was a slap in the face to the righteous sects. The goal of establishing his might had already been achieved.

Xie Huai did not evade, meeting Fang Li’s eyes directly…… After a short while, he suddenly flipped his hand and sheathed his sword, saying in a clear voice, “Very well, I’ll trust Your Excellency.”

At that, he was about to step forward.

The Cloudbank Keep disciples behind him all had mournful expressions, urging in succession, “Elder Sect Brother, please reconsider!”

Xie Huai turned back to look at them, smiling faintly, saying, “All of you, go back.”

Though his tone wasn’t strict, at a single glance, all of the disciples no longer dared to speak, though the rims of each of their eyes were red. In the end, they only clenched their teeth and no longer came forward.

Xie Huai’s one sentence intimidated the entire crowd. Immediately after, he flicked his wrist, placing the sword on his back, then walked toward Fang Li step by step.

The cold man was calm and unhurried as he walked through the horde of demons, his expression as tranquil as when taking a stroll, as if he wasn’t on his way to become someone’s plaything, but to attend a banquet as an honored guest.

Fang Li narrowed his eyes. That Xie Huai could subdue his fellow sect members saved himself some trouble. After all, at this point, there was no point in further spilling blood. Only……

He watched as Xie Huai was about to arrive just in front of him. Wu Yimei suddenly stepped forward, blocking his path. His red eyes were cold and sharp, his face emotionless as he enunciated: “Hand over your spiritual sword.”

Fang Li looked at Wu Yimei with a glance full of praise. No wonder Yan Sui kept him at his side.

At this point, he was temporarily unable to use his cultivation. If Xie Huai approached him with sword in hand, he had no doubt that Xie Huai would give it a shot, to see if he could pierce him in one go. But if he had to personally order something so trivial as confiscating a prisoner’s spiritual weapon, wouldn’t that be cramping the style of a demon lord? There would also be those who would suspect that there was something wrong with him right now, or else what need was there to concern himself over a captive……?

At times like these, the importance of having a considerate subordinate was self-evident.

Xie Huai’s gaze swept past the gloomy, red-eyed man. This had to be the demon lord’s trusted aide and underling, Wu Yimei.

As a sword cultivator, handing over one’s spiritual weapon was equivalent to handling over one’s lifeline, to allowing others to trample over you…… But these were all within Xie Huai’s expectations. It looked like he could only look for another opportunity.

Xie Huai’s expression remained unchanged as he gave his sword to Wu Yimei. Then he calmly retracted his gaze and looked toward Fang Li, the corners of his lips turning up by the slightest degree.

Truly an impressive presence.

Fang Li was a little moved. In his place, he was afraid he’d long have been unable to maintain Xie Huai’s level of calm. After all, falling into the hands of the “devil,” even death might be a luxury.

There were those who didn’t fear death, and there who those who didn’t fear fate, but a fate worse than death…… there were few who could face that with composure.

Fang Li admired someone like Xie Huai from the bottom of his heart. For the sake of his staunch conviction, for sake of protecting the weak standing behind him, he could walk alone into hell. If they hadn’t met in these kinds of circumstances, they could probably even become friends……

Only, right now, he still had to follow the script.

Fang Li stepped forward. The two of them were just about the same height, their gazes level.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, purposefully revealing a ridiculing expression as he looked into the other’s clear black eyes. With a light laugh, he said, “From now on, you belong to this lord.”

………………………………..

TL Notes:

1 Technically, “snow blue” is purple, but… that doesn’t have the same ring.

* As for everyone’s favorite topic, cultivation levels……

The specifics of how they work don’t really matter in this story, you just need to know which ones are higher/lower, and they are pretty genre-typical. Generally, I think the rankings will be pretty self-evident in context, but if anyone wants clarification, if I remember correctly, the relevant ones in this story are:
Foundation Building 筑基 -> Golden Core 金丹 -> Nascent Soul 元婴 -> Soul Formation 分神 -> Void Refining 炼虚 -> Dao Unity 合道

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