Living Up to You

Chapter 34

What is a devil king?

Qing Kui told Ling Xi that ten thousand years ago, the god realm was in chaos. According to the legend, a high-tiered god had fallen into the devilish ways. When all the evil energy of the six realms had been gathered, it caused the god realm to not have vitality for ten thousand years. The god clan had been sealed. The entrance to the god realm had also disappeared at that time. However, no one knew that this high-tiered god that had fallen into the devilish ways was actually the miracle that ascended to the god realm in just a hundred years…high-tiered deity Nan Zhi.

The azure toll of the bell was endless. Cangjia’s disciples who were scattered among the various peaks and who could still move gathered at Listening Cloud Hall. The sects who came to celebrate the birthday had also not left yet. Cang Yu was badly hurt. Hence, there was no one on the main seat. Cang Hai who was not very compassionate and have an abundance of solemnness took over and was in charge.

“Just as everyone saw before, senior brother had been seriously injured by the devil king and is unable to come forward now. So, he asked Cang Hai to give deities an explanation.” Cang Hai frowned and his voice was like a bell, “The devil king of now is indeed Cangjia’s high-tiered deity who had ascended to become a god in the past. Senior brother only got to know about this before our former master passed away. After the chaos in the god realm that year, the devil king self-proclaimed Huomai Peak’s bottom as the junction between the immortal and the devil realm. It had been ten thousand years since then. Unexpectedly, he woke up today…”

“Haha…” It was Zhuge Xu who interrupted Cang Hai with a laughter. He stroked his beard while he said, “Those words are fishy. Everyone saw that Qing Yu’s disciple was very intimate with that devil. Was it the devil who woke up by himself or was is it that your Cangjia indulged your treasured demoness in waking up the devil and harm all living beings?”

At a side, Yu Liuli said softly, “Supremo Zhuge doesn’t have to be stirred up like this. Presumably, Cang Hai would also get to the bottom of things on behalf of priest Qing Yu.”

Cang Hai had always been dissatisfied with Ling Xi. His heart was also burning with anger right now, but he didn’t scold Ling Xi like everyone expected. Instead, he took a few deep breaths before he lowered his voice and asked, “Ling Xi, since the deities want to hear your explanation, then, just explain to them.”

Ling Xi was still thinking about the stab she gave Nan Zhi. She raised her head. Her eyes were dim and there were still blood stains on her face which made her in very sorry state. Hearing Cang Hai say that, she stared blankly at him.

To explain, how to explain?

Tell them that Nan Zhi was originally a Chinese rose and was her immortal spirit; that she doesn’t know why he would be at Huomai Peak and doesn’t know why he would turn to become the devil king? Or should she tell them that she broke through the seal, awakened the devil king, that she was wicked beyond redemption and that they could do whatever they want with her?

Rage surged slowly at the bottom of Ling Xi’s eyes. She remained silent.

“Ling Xi, was it you who had awakened the devil king?” Zhuge Xu didn’t let go of her and questioned.

Ling Xi felt that all eyes were on her. She knew that she couldn’t avoid it. She took a deep breath and said, “Ling Xi had been taken hostage by Qing Feng, waited for an opportunity to escape and fell into an endless dark realm. I discovered Nan…discovered the devil king. The king of hell once gave me a spiritual object called Soul Attractor. The Soul Attractor fell on the devil king and the devil woke up.”

“But what everyone saw was that you and that devil king obviously know each other long before.” Yu Luili said slowly, “We also want to know a bit more about the devil king. After all…the devil king is reborn. The six realms are in danger.”

Ling Xi took a deep breath again. She wanted to step forward but had been pulled back by Qing Kui. She gave Qing Kui a reassuring glance and retracted her hand. She knelt in the hall and said calmly, “Ling Xi once had an immortal spirit. His true form was a black Chinese rose. The immortal spirit cultivated a body in six years. Although, Ling Xi was surprised, but I was eager to protect him in fear that he would be seen as a demonic or devilish being. Hence, I didn’t dare to let him show himself. However, he looked exactly the same as the devil king of today. Two years ago, the body of the immortal spirit had been completely destroyed at Donghua Mountain and his soul had been scattered. I thought that I would never see him again in life or death. I didn’t expect to meet him again at the bottom of Huomai Peak. He also changed from the Chinese rose to the devil king of today.”

Cang Hai frowned deeper and deeper. Due to his hot temper, he would’ve long slapped Ling Xi. However, today he was quite self-controlling. His face was red from repressing himself and he glared at Ling Xi without saying a word.

When Zhuge Xu heard this, he sneered, “Didn’t expect that precious (sarcasm) sect’s disciple was so daring. She even dared to take the Chinese rose possessed by the devil king and used it as immortal spirit!”

“Junior uncle Cang Hai, it was I who stole that black Chinese rose from the top of Cangjia Mountain and gave it to Ling Xi!” Qing Kui suddenly knelt next to Ling Xi. He said anxiously, “If you want to discuss who the culprit, there is no other than Qing Kui! If junior uncle wants to punish, then punish Qing Kui alone!”

“Qing Lian also knew about the immortal spirit but had deliberately kept it a secret. If someone is to be punished, Qing Lian’s sin is unpardonable.”

“So is Qing Nian’s.”

Qing Lian and Qing Nian knelt at almost the same time. Ling Xi’s heart felt warm and tears got into her eyes.

Zhuge Xu crossed his arms and waited smilingly at Cang Hai’s reaction.

Cang Hai tightly clenched his fists. His veins almost burst. It was apparent that he repressed to his limit. Just now, Cang Yu repeated told him to not be impulsive and not hurt Ling Xi. However, with how the situation was now, how could he pick out even only one reason to not punish Ling xi? What made him furious was that even the three great disciples were so protective of Ling Xi!

If it wasn’t because of her, would Feng Shu have died? If it wasn’t because of her, would senior brother lose a thousand years of cultivation and causing his vital energy to be greatly damaged? If it wasn’t because of her, would the devil king have awakened and would senior brother be so seriously injured that he was struggling between life and death?

“Throw Ling Xi, Qing Kui and Qing Lian in the water prison. Qing Nian, stay to take care of the supremo.” Even if he was very furious, Cang Hai still suppressed his emotions. He cupped his hands at Zhuge Xu and said, “Thanking everyone for your help today during the attack from the demon realm, otherwise, the damage that Cangjia would’ve suffered would be several times of what it was today. However, Cang Hai had only been entrusted by senior brother to give you an explanation. I don’t have the right to issue punishment. When senior brother is slightly better, Cangjia would certainly not be lenient on those who needs to be punished!”

The supremo had been seriously injured and countless of disciples were killed or injured. If all the great disciples were to be punished, presumably Cangjia would be in chaos. Hence, when Cang Hai didn’t punish Qing Nian, Zhuge Xu could no longer issue an objection. Yu Luili didn’t want to pursue the matter too much and hurriedly said, “As long as Cangjia doesn’t indulge the devil king, we naturally would have no objections. Supremo Zhuge, now, the gate of the devil realm had been opened. We don’t know what evil they would cause. Let’s go back as soon as possible.”

When Yu Liuli said that, a vague worry also appeared on Zhuge Xu’s face. He raised his eyebrow and said coldly, “I hope that Cangjia understand the heavy responsibility and care for the living beings and punish the evil!”

Having said that, he flung his sleeve and left with his disciples. Yu Liuli cupped her hands at Cang Hai and also left with her disciples. Ling Xi, Qing Kui and Qing Lian had long been brought down.

The water prison was cold. Occasionally drops of water would drip causing ripples.

This cell was used to discipline Cangjia’s disciples who had violated the rules. There was a seal inside that prevented spells from being used. When Cang Yu became the supremo, he showed affections towards his disciples. Only Cang Hai was very strict. Cang Qu usually ignored the affairs of the sect. So, there were only very few disciples who had been sent to the water prison due to having committed a mistake.

In just a few years, Ling Xi was locked in here twice.

The first time, Feng Shu rescued her from the cell. This time, she didn’t know how Cang Hai would deal with her.

Qing Lian was next door to her. She didn’t know in which cell Qing Kui was locked in and couldn’t see him.

Half of Ling Xi’s body was soaked in the water. She shivered from the cold. Her teeth also kept clattering. Unexpectedly, a hand held her hand. Although, it was also a cold hand, it made her feel at ease.

“Thank you, senior sister Qing Lian.” Ling Xi’s voice was very small and trembled intermittently, but it was very clear in the quiet water cell.

Today, Qing Lian cleaned up demons and fought against Qing Feng. Although, she wasn’t seriously injured, but she had spent a lot of energy. At this time, her voice was weak, “Ling Xi, I should also thank you. You did your best for eldest senior brother.”

Ling Xi was stunned and said guiltily, “I didn’t do anything.”

Qing Lian tightened her hold on Ling Xi’s hand and said, “No, Ling Xi. You did a good job.”

Ling Xi’s heart felt bitter. She lowered her head and didn’t say anything.

After a long silence, Qing Lian said faintly, “I once loathed you, blamed you and was even jealous of you. Such an aloof and cold person like eldest senior brother happened to treat you favorably. I think that I don’t have anything that is less than you, but he had never looked more at me than necessarily.”

“Ling Xi, even I couldn’t believe that when facing you I would have such frightening emotions.” Qing Lian sighed, “But, you are just a child. You are just a few years old. I have lived a few hundred years more than you, but don’t have half of your strength and dedication. I like eldest senior brother but I didn’t dare to tell him. I obviously know that eldest senior brother was good to you out of his own volition, but I would rather take out my anger on you than accept that eldest senior brother doesn’t like me. Everyone says that I’m gentle and kind, but they don’t know the malicious thoughts I have on you and wished for you to die.”

When Ling Xi heard that, she chuckled. She knew that Qing Lian had once hated her. It was this hate that made today’s protection even more valuable.

“When you went to the netherworld and Eastern Sea, I clearly knew about the dangers but I didn’t have the courage to say something to stop you. I was afraid that you would back out.” Qing Lian’s voice was getting fainter and weaker, “I looked powerless at how you went from cradle to grave. In the end, you even paid with your most beloved immortal spirit…I’m really very selfish and despicable.”

- From cradle to grave: go through fire and water: risk one’s life.

Ling Xi turned her hand and held Qing Lian’s. Her whole body was cold, but warmth slowly went into her heart.

“Ling Xi, even if eldest senior brother could never return, it is not your fault. That was his own choice. I should not have blamed you.”

Ling Xi choked slightly, “Thank you. Senior sister Qing Lian, really thank you.”

Over the years, she had lived with the burden of eldest senior brother. She blamed herself and wanted to make up, but she didn’t expect that the things she lost would become more and more.

“Ling Xi, I know that you stayed at Cangjia Mountain for your big brother.” Qing Lian sighed again, “Later, it was because of eldest senior brother’s death. You stayed at Cangjia Mountain for atonement. Now, perhaps, you stayed because you felt gratitude towards Cangjia.”

“That is not it,” Ling Xi interrupted her. “I can’t bear to part with you all. I can’t bear to part with master. You all treated me so well.”

“But as you can see today, Cangjia and your former immortal spirit would be inevitably standing on opposite sides. Which side are you going to be on at the next battle?”

It was obvious that Qing Lian came prepared with this question. Too many things had happened today, Ling Xi hasn’t sorted out her thoughts yet and have never considered this.

“Ling Xi, are you sure that that is your immortal spirit?” Qing Lian asked.

“I’m sure,” Ling Xi said firmly. “Only he can give me that kind of feeling…”

That kind that at one glance, you would be unable to breath and the feeling of getting deeply indulged in it…

Qing Lian seemed to sigh again and didn’t speak anymore.

“Nan Zhi had always listened to me. If I told him to not do evil, he would certainly listen,” Ling Xi said weakly and it was obvious that she lacked confidence.

“He is no longer the immortal spirit of the past,” Qing Lian said. “Moreover, even if he listens to you, the immortal realm will also not let him off.”

Ling Xi was stunned. She naturally understood. The world of the former immortal spirit only consisted of her, and the devil king of now, she didn’t know what he had experienced and she wasn’t sure if he would listen to her like in the past…

“I only want to think about it from a woman’s perspective.” Both of Qing Lian’s hands held Ling Xi’s hand. Although, it was dark, she (LX) could still see the luster at the bottom of her (QL) eyes, “Ling Xi, shouldn’t you live once for yourself?”

Ling Xi’s eyes flickered. The meticulous Qing Lian must’ve long saw through her and Nan Zhi’s love. However…live once for herself?

“I’ve sworn that I cannot live in the same sky as devils. Big brother was killed by them. Eldest senior brother was also killed by them”

Qing Lian lost her smile, “Whether one is a god or a devil isn’t decided by others. Do you think that high-tiered deity Donghua is a deity?”

Ling Xi was stumped for words. She held Qing Lian’s hand and leaned on her arm. She had never thought that one day she could be so intimate with Qing Lian just like she had never thought that she and Nan Zhi would stand on opposite sites.

Why had Nan Zhi descended into the devilish ways in the past? Did he remember those past events? Would he lead the devil clan to cause everything under heaven to be in a terrible situation? Did the wound on him…got a bit better?

Suddenly, Ling Xi missed those days and nights that she was alone with Nan Zhi at Xuwang Cliff.

At least those three years, they simpleminded nestled against each other and relied on one another. There was only the two of them in the small world. There was no righteousness; there was no evil; there was no six realms.

Ling Xi didn’t know how long had passed, but her body became frozen and numb. She also gradually lost her consciousness. She vaguely felt that someone was at her side. So, she firmly grasped and nestled against that person just as she had nestled against Nan Zhi those years.

Suddenly, the water prison brightened. Ling Xi’s eyes had been pierced by the light and narrowed. She saw a black figure walk in slowly.

The cell where Ling Xi was locked in had been opened. Ling Xi’s eyes had just adapted to the sudden light. She saw that Cang Hai was standing in front of her and she was holding Qing Lian’s hand.

Cang Hai grabbed her (LX). Qing Lian’s face didn’t look good and she was drowsy. The moment Ling Xi moved, she also woke up.

“Junior uncle Cang Hai, where are you taking Ling Xi?”

Qing Lian wanted to grab Ling Xi, but she was too late. She was blocked by the wooden fence of the water prison. She couldn’t grab her even if she reached out.

Cang Hai had always treated Qing Lian in an amiable manner. Now, he glared once at her, lifted Ling Xi and left with her without a word.

Ling Xi was taken to Cang Yu’s residence.

The soothing incense was burning. It was very warm inside the room. When Ling Xi left the water prison, her consciousness returned to lucidity and her body was no longer cold.

Cang Yu half lay on the couch. His eyes were closed and his lips were pale. Blackness floated over his face.

As soon as Ling Xi saw that, she felt pain. It was as if someone took a hammer and slammed it on her heart.

Because he sensed Ling Xi’s aura, he opened his eyes. They were only opened half as if he didn’t even have the strength to support his eyelids.

Ling Xi’s legs felt heavy. She didn’t know if it was because she couldn’t move or if it was because she didn’t dare to move.

Cang Yu said in a low voice, “Ling Xi, come here.”

An old and hoarse voice, making people reprehensible. Ling Xi walked over cautiously and sat next to him. Tears appeared unconsciously in her eyes.

“Ling Xi, after I gave you a thousand years of my cultivation and was seriously injured by high-tiered deity Donghua afterwards, my vital energy had been greatly damaged.” Every word he uttered was with extreme difficulty and with heavy gasping. “I have foreseen (calculated) that the immortal realm and the demon realm would have a battle. Hence, why I used by birthday to invite all the immortals to let them help Cangjia on this predestines fate, but I have never counted on that Nan Zhi would awaken today. Today, I received a blow from him, presumably…I’m at death’s door.

Ling Xi felt that her head seemed to be pressed by a boulder, making her unable to breath. Her nose itched, but she didn’t dare to cry. She only continued to listen to Cang Yu, “That day outside of the seven-story pagoda, I heard you call the immortal spirit Nan Zhi and had my suspicions. However, ever since that day, his soul had been scattered. So, I thought that it was only a coincidence. I didn’t expect…”

Cang Yu suddenly coughed and spit out a mouthful of black blood. Ling Xi quickly used her sleeve to wipe it and said, “Master, you have been hurt by Nan Zhi. I…I will let him come save you. He…he will listen to me.”

“Even if this master dies, I don’t want to receive the grace of the devil king.” Cang Yu grabbed Ling Xi wrist. His eyes were firm. “Ling Xi, I want you to promise this master…to kill him…”

Ling Xi’s hand shook heavily. She knelt beside the couch and said, “Master, Ling Xi guarantees with Ling Xi’s life that Nan Zhi will not do evil! As long as master let me go persuade Nan Zhi, he will listen to me!”

Cang Yu gasped heavily. He said intermittently through gritted teeth, “He…is no longer that immortal spirit! He is the devil. Ling Xi, he is the devil who slept for ten thousand years!”

Ling Xi’s felt a griping pain in her heart for the close-to-death Cang Yu and for the hard-to -obey command.

“He became a deity in less than a hundred years and was once a god…,” Cang Yu’s face was dark and tried hard to look at Ling Xi. “Do you know that if he wants, he can destroy every living being with only one hand?”

Ling Xi whole body shook and she kept shaking her head.

“Ling Xi, did you forget how you big brother had died? How Feng Shu had died? What was exchanged to get you to stand here intact today?” Cang Yu suddenly sighed, ignored the continuous bleeding at the corner of his lips, propped himself up and frowned.

Ling Xi’s tears shed uncontrollably. She sobbed and didn’t know what to say.

She had let big brother down. She had let eldest senior brother down. She had let Cangjia Mountain down. However, to let her go kill Nan Zhi, she couldn’t do it.

Perhaps, the speech of just now was too laborious. Cang Yu coughed repeatedly. Black blood was on the couch. He still wanted to say something to Ling Xi, but he couldn’t utter a word and fell straight back on the couch.

“Master!”

Ling Xi exclaimed. She quickly stood up to see how Cang Yu was doing, but she was tossed to the ground by Cang Hai who had been watching silently at a side.

“Evil spawn!” Cang Hai was in a towering rage. He wanted to give Ling Xi a slap, but refrained himself and clenched his fists. He kicked the incense burner over. Then, he immediately pinched Cang Yu’s meridians and gave him immortal energy.

“Junior uncle Cang Hai, how…how is master?”

Cang Hai glared at Ling Xi. He wished that a dagger could come out of his eyes and give Ling Xi the lingering death. He roared in a low voice, “Senior brother has given you a thousand year of cultivation and hasn’t recovered yet from being seriously injured by high-tiered deity Donghua. Now, he received a blow from the devil king. Is it so difficult to get a promise from you that you will get rid of the devil king? What do you say?”

- Lingering death: a death by thousands cuts

Ling Xi knelt on the ground with lowered head. She choked with sobs, “This disciple is not filial…This disciple has let out the devil king, caused harm to master, is ungrateful and doesn’t want to get rid of the calamity of all living beings. I’m truly guilty of terrible crimes.”

Cang Hai’s anger calmed down slightly. He meditated as he passed immortal energy to Cang Yu, but he was very worried. Cang Yu’s wound is only supported by the energy. His death is only a matter of time.

“However, what master wants Ling Xi to do, even if Ling Xi dies, Ling Xi can’t do it.” Ling Xi knelt on the ground and wiped her tears. “So, junior uncle Cang Hai, take back from this unfilial disciple everything that this unfilial disciple owned Cangjia.”

When Cang Hai heard her first sentence, he rage raged in his heart. When he hears the last part, he was dumbfounded.

“Master said that among my three immortal parts and seven mortal parts, there are one immortal part and four mortal parts that was mended by his and eldest senior brother’s cultivation.” Ling Xi slowly raised her head. Her eyes were cold and her attitude firm. “If this one immortal part and four mortal parts are taken out to heal master, he would recover. This is also not some crooked method. These don’t belong to me. I owe them to Cangjia.”

Cang Hai put down Cang Yu’s meridians. He frowned, stood up and looked up and down at Ling Xi.

“If master dies because of Ling Xi, Ling Xi wouldn’t be able to live in peace this whole life. Asking junior uncle Cang Hai for support.” Ling Xi knelt on the ground and kowtowed at him.

Cang Hai contemplated with a frown. He had to admit that Ling Xi’s suggestion was a good idea.

Not only can it save senior brother’s life, but it could also prevent this evil spawn from causing trouble with that devil again.

“Do you know that after so many years, this one immortal part and four mortal parts had already integrated and became one with your soul. If they were drawn out, do you know what your fate will be?” Cang Hai’s voice turned solemn.

Ling Xi’s head blanked for a moment. The blood during the day was still on her pale face. Her eyes flickered like the lake in the moonlight that gradually became silent after the wind. “Ling Xi doesn’t want to let master down and doesn’t want to let Cangjia down. However, the thing that master let me do is more painful than death. But, if Ling Xi does nothing, Ling Xi doesn’t have the face to face master and to face Cangjia Mountain. Ling Xi doesn’t want to live in guilt. Even if Ling Xi dies immediately after the one immortal part and four mortal parts are drawn out, Ling Xi would endure the hardship gladly.”

Every word Ling Xi said was powerful and resonating.

Cang Hai was still a bit hesitant. He glanced at the almost lifeless Cang Yu on the couch, thought about the incomparable Nan Zhi and the countless devilish beings behind him and saw that Ling Xi’s attitude was so resolute, he said coldly, “Alright!”

The pain of the soul being withdrawn was not something that Ling Xi hasn’t experienced before. Two years ago, high-tiered deity Donghua had removed an immortal part from her body. However, at that time she lost too much blood and her body was numb. Her perception of pain also dropped a lot. This time, she knelt on the ground and watched how she was wrapped in light beams. It was like a thousand thin needles and blades entered her body at the same time, cutting every corner. She had never experienced such pain. Even when she was bitten by those evil spirits at the Eastern Sea when she took out the Soul-Suppressing pearls, she didn’t feel half as painful as when her immortal part and mortal parts were being peeled off from her soul.

She couldn’t shout, couldn’t cry, couldn’t struggle and couldn’t resist.

All of these was what she owned Cangjia.

Qing Lian said, “Ling Xi, shouldn’t you live once for yourself?”

Right, she should live once for herself.

After she gave them back these things that didn’t belong to her, she only wanted to be an ordinary girl who doesn’t know spells and doesn’t understand the affairs of the world. She doesn’t seek immortality. As long as she follows the person she loves, follow him with a peaceful mind, even if it was embracing one day in peace.