The sky quickly darkened. Every household in Yunxi Town hung lanterns in front of their doors, the firelight flickering point by point, appearing from afar as a winding, continuous line stretching into the distance.

Ji Tingxi led them to the town’s largest tavern. The tavern had few patrons and seemed deserted. When their group entered one after another, each person extraordinary in appearance and bearing an imposing aura, they quickly attracted the attention of the local drinkers.

At a large square wooden table surrounded by over ten wide chairs, Xue Yu and the others took their seats one by one.

“Where are those two?” Chao Nian craned his neck to look toward the guest rooms on the second floor, lowering his voice to ask.

Ji Tingxi rattled off more than ten dish names to the shop assistant in one breath, then, with a grand wave of his hand, ordered the tavern’s finest wine. Only then did he look toward Chao Nian, hooking the corner of his mouth: “I don’t know about Shenyu Pavilion’s young master, but with Feng Shangyu’s personality, he definitely can’t chat with us. He shouldn’t come down – if he does, we might end up fighting.”

He straightened his expression: “I just took office, and getting into a fight with demon capital noble family members wouldn’t look good.”

“Feng Shangyu.” Xue Yu tapped the table surface and asked: “The Feng family, from the Wutong clan?”

Ji Tingxi nodded, his gaze sweeping toward the second floor: “The Feng family’s direct eldest young master. His personality is what you saw – indifferent to people and matters, but his strength is decent. After all, the Feng family ranks in the top twenty among demon capital noble families, quite renowned.”

“The Feng family and Nine Phoenix clan seem to have had a marriage contract since ancient times.” Su You’s slender fingers landed on his chopstick tips. He quickly recalled some information about the Feng family, his voice smooth and clear, like mist gathering around water vapor: “This generation’s Nine Phoenix clan direct heir is female, the Feng family’s is male. The marriage contract was probably arranged since childhood.”

“Yes.” Ji Tingxi continued: “Speaking of which, after these two powerful clans unite in marriage, they’ll be even more formidable. Nine Phoenix and Wutong complement each other like yin and yang – their combined techniques are thrown out like child’s play, with exponentially multiplied power.”

“However, all things in nature maintain balance. This kind of situation hasn’t appeared for many years.”

Xue Yu’s gaze fell on Su You’s fingers. The moment she looked over, those two fingers stiffened slightly, the fingertips unnaturally retracting backward, like an animal that had discovered it was being watched and felt shy.

She paused, then continued: “Not only that, in recent centuries, demons and spirits in the mortal world have all become more powerful.”

Ji Tingxi looked at her, involuntarily raising an eyebrow: “More powerful? What do you mean by that?”

“Literally.” Xue Yu spoke: “Since ancient times, the world has been divided into three parts – humans as one, cultivators as two, ghosts and demons as three. Originally, each minded their own business, maintaining relative peace.”

But this balance was gradually broken as the demon capital angrily abandoned their responsibilities, and the Sacred Lands monopolized major affairs.

Among them, demons were divided into two categories.

One category resided in the demon capital – ancient noble families, reclusive great clans with powerful bloodlines and supreme strength. The other category lived in the mortal world. Because most were weak and ignorant from birth, they lived opposite lives. Sacred Lands disposed of them at will, humans spat and cursed at them freely, like rats crossing the street that everyone wanted to beat.

The demon capital consisted of tough bones, while demons in the mortal world undoubtedly became the most easily bullied party.

Over time, any demon that had awakened intelligence and possessed some spirit couldn’t tolerate this. Seeking change and wanting to break free from their predicament was inevitable.

They didn’t rebel not because they lacked the will, but because they lacked the ability. However, once they had some opportunity, even if it meant throwing eggs at stones, they would swarm up without fear of death.

As the saying goes, circumstances change, and fortune turns.

This opportunity was already approaching.

In her past life and this life, Xue Yu had been constantly seeking solutions. What the demon clan sought in launching great wars wasn’t excessive, but those very things were deeply rooted in everyone’s minds.

Just look at Su You to know.

And under heaven, who knew how many more like him there were.

If even Xihe, the foremost among Sacred Lands, conducted affairs this way, then truly, there was no point discussing solutions – they should just prepare directly for the great war.

“The reason the demon capital abandoned their responsibilities back then, you and I both know.” Xue Yu said coldly, “In the future, the demon and ghost affairs will very likely still need the demon capital’s intervention. Don’t repeat past mistakes.”

When the demon clan and imperial court were fighting bitterly with lives lost everywhere, the six Sacred Land rulers had sat together with the five great demon capital noble families more than once, discussing the demon capital resuming management.

But the demon capital side firmly refused.

For this, the Nine Phoenix clan leader spoke until spittle flew, slapping the table with passionate indignation: “When you need people, you speak sweeter than you sing. Manage? Haven’t we managed before? Come, you tell me how to manage!”

“Cultivation sects, the imperial court, and even you six high-and-mighty Sacred Lands – where have your hearts gone? Before our people even arrive, the cases are already decided. When asked how they were decided, you hem and haw without clarity. Fine, no matter what happens, it’s all the demons’ fault. Humans are innocent, Sacred Lands are even more innocent – you’re all innocent to death.”

“I manage my ass!”

After speaking, he directly threw dozens of thick case files onto the table with a loud crash that made everyone present blink: “Come, flip through them all. Never mind the rest – just last year alone, there were over thirteen hundred cases, which one isn’t a wrongful conviction? Thirteen hundred lives, none of them count as lives, right?”

“And another thing.” The old man’s emotions calmed slightly as he looked warningly at everyone present: “The demon capital’s second-ranked noble family has found clues about their child. Unfortunately, that child didn’t survive.”

“They’re doing nothing else now – the whole family is searching heaven and earth for whoever killed their child.” The Nine Phoenix clan leader looked toward Xihe’s ruler, his expression growing grave: “From what we can see so far, it’s related to Xihe.”

Xihe Sacred Land’s ruler was stunned, then felt his scalp tingle as he asked: “What do you mean related to Xihe? We at Xihe have never interfered in demon and ghost affairs.”

The Yedu lord, implicitly named, lifted his eyelids: “Don’t all look at me. It definitely can’t be Yedu. These matters are all handled by A Yu. Everyone has witnessed her attitude toward humans and demons alike. I think no one could do better than her.”

“If it weren’t good, those thirty-plus young masters and princes from the demon capital wouldn’t stay so long without leaving.”

“There will always be a time when the truth comes to light.” The Nine Phoenix clan leader’s eyelid twitched as he interrupted the Yedu lord: “Honestly, everyone wants good days. We have no ambitions to dominate the world, so even with such fighting outside, we’ve never added insult to injury or muddied the waters. But the fact remains – if leaders can’t restrain their subordinates and subjects, can’t treat everyone equally, then only blood and bones can make people remember.”

“If this matter is truly related to Xihe.” The old man took a deep breath: “Then it’s over. Sacred Lands, demon capital, human race – completely entangled beyond sorting. Everyone’s good days will be finished.”

When Xue Yu acted against Song Heng, she had roughly discovered the results. If that matter was unrelated to Xihe, so be it, but if it was related, not a single demon capital noble family descendant on Baizhong Mountain could have another incident.

Not a single one.

So she didn’t want Song Heng’s life. She wanted to drag Song Heng back to that great formation and break that array at any cost before the demon capital could react.

“Don’t worry.” Ji Tingxi looked at Xue Yu’s expression and also became serious: “I know in my heart how to conduct affairs in the future and how to restrain and discipline subordinates.”

“What is one is one, what is two is two. I also dislike those practices of covering up for one’s kind and convicting people without considering the circumstances.”

“Good that you understand.” Xue Yu fell silent for a moment, lowered her eyes and nodded lightly, asking: “Where is the person responsible for this matter back then?”

“And that Xuan Su, where are they both?”

“Borrowed Yunxi Town’s small jail cells. Both are locked inside.” Ji Tingxi tilted his head back, pointing to the attendant beside him: “Yang Yang, guide Her Highness Xue Yu.”

Hearing this, Xue Yu looked toward Su You. The two rose one after another. Seeing this, Chao Nian also set down his chopsticks to rise, but Ji Tingxi hooked his neck with a half-smile, forcing him to sit back down.

“Your young lady and commander are settling old scores. What are you following them for? Come, we haven’t seen each other in years – accompany me for a drink.”

Chao Nian painfully wiped his face, as if already knowing he couldn’t escape, saying with resignation: “Holy Son, I accompanied the young lady out on a mission. I truly cannot drink.”

Speaking of Xue Yu.

Ji Tingxi took a sip himself, set down his wine cup with a clink, watched the two figures, squinted and stroked his chin, asking: “What’s wrong with your young lady today? She used to barely say two sentences, but today she’s even gotten angry.”

“Your Highness.” Having narrowly escaped disaster, Chao Nian replied properly: “The young lady particularly values such matters and finds them hard to tolerate.”

“Yedu had many more serious misjudgment situations back then. After several years of reorganization, no one dares do such things anymore – everyone follows procedures honestly.”

“Moreover, the one who suffered this was our Palace Guard Command’s commander.” Chao Nian pursed his lips, saying matter-of-factly: “How could the young lady not be angry?”

In the town’s small earthen jail, Xue Yu walked through the narrow central passage to the end. The light and shadow grew dimmer until finally becoming a vague mass, like a dark cloud floating dimly in mid-air.

Yang Yang stopped walking and said quietly: “Your Highness, this path goes left to where Xuan Su is confined, and right to where Bai You, the Xihe official who handled this case years ago, is held.”

In the dim darkness, Xue Yu looked toward Su You. His features were too outstanding – even standing in the low, broken jail, he maintained an elegant and composed appearance. The previous fragility was well concealed again, impossible to find even a trace.

“Where to first?” she asked.

Actually, with things having developed to this point, the outcome was already decided. Going or not going, which side to visit – none of it mattered much.

Su You casually curved his eye corners, gazing at Xue Yu.

She wore no powder or rouge. Her long, smooth black hair hung quietly like ribbons to the front and back of her jacket and skirt, reaching her waist. Her skin showed a snow-like, delicate whiteness that dazzled the eyes. Her eyes remained cold, but her sleeves and skirt hem carried a warm fragrance from unknown origins.

From head to toe, she was completely mismatched with this broken, gray place.

“Don’t say anything about me leaving.” Xue Yu seemed able to perceive his thoughts, her red lips moving slightly: “I’ve interrogated more people than you think.”

Hearing this, Su You reached up to pinch his high nose bridge, somewhat helplessly lifting his lip corners: “There’s no particular order. Whatever the young lady wants to ask, ask it, and then let’s return.”

“This place isn’t worth staying in.”

Xue Yu figured he had things to say privately to Xuan Su, so she took a step toward the right, saying concisely: “I’ll handle the Sacred Land’s mess. Here, you handle it yourself.”

Su You stood in place for a long time until her figure completely disappeared, then gradually dropped his eye-corner smile and stepped in the opposite direction.

Following the path beneath her feet, Xue Yu soon saw a jail cell secured with magical techniques and a small lock. She reached out and tugged. The spiritual power above couldn’t withstand the impact and fell with a snap, echoing repeatedly in the empty jail.

The middle-aged man half-curled up inside, knees on the straw, looked up and immediately half-straightened himself, cupping his hands and saying in a hoarse, trembling voice: “Greetings to Your Highness.”

From her habit of interrogating people, Xue Yu sat on the long bench in front of him. Looking down from above carried a cold, aloof authority without anger.

“Your Highness, this humble minister knows his wrongs. This humble minister was also deceived.” Bai You repeatedly proclaimed his innocence. He never imagined that one day he would fall because of a demon ghost. Back then, Su You had suffered greatly under his hand, severely and deeply injured. When brought to the judgment platform, he barely had a breath left. He thought he would surely die.

But ten years passed in a flash. Not only did he survive, but he also transformed into the Yedu heir’s favored person, appointed as commander.

Bai You truly regretted it to his very core.

Xue Yu coldly observed his tearful repentance. These words, these pleading tricks – she had heard and seen so many, how could she not see through them?

At a certain moment, she impatiently tapped the bench’s grain pattern with a click. Bai You’s voice stopped abruptly.

“Where was the mistake?” she asked.

Bai You was stunned, then immediately answered after reacting: “This humble minister was deceived, easily believed others’ words, failed to recognize greatness, and slandered the Commander. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.”

In the end, it was only because Su You had become the Yedu Palace Guard Command’s commander.

Xue Yu had no desire for more words. She extended her slender finger, and a silver thread precisely landed on Bai You’s forehead. With a gentle pull, Bai You’s expression instantly became dull.

Soul-searching technique.

Fragments of memories appeared before her eyes like floating ice.

In the sixth month, a young man looking wretched with tightly pressed lips was escorted into the Sacred Land. He already knew the world was unjust, but when hats of “murderer,” “sect destroyer,” “innately evil,” and “unforgivably guilty” were thrown down one after another in just two short days without trial or questioning, even the strongest psychological endurance crumbled after sitting alone in the cell for half the night.

At that time, he had snow-white skin and black hair, his face showing stubborn defiance and traces of not-yet-faded childishness. He always held his head high, blinking those beautiful peach blossom eyes into an unapproachable curve.

When he thought he would die, news came from the jail that the Tianji Book had chosen him to be brought to the judgment platform.

He thought this was the turning point, salvation from desperate straits – the sacred object would give him due justice and truth.

But what awaited him was fate’s cruel joke.

From midsummer to deep winter, what he experienced was eight months of daily, unending torment. He was countless times placed on the torture rack, his body covered in hideous whip marks. Old wounds split open, festered, and rotted, worsening with new injuries, then slowly healed through tenacious willpower.

On the final night before ascending the judgment platform, two or three jailers and officials pressed red-hot branding irons onto his beautiful wrists, wanting to see him show the same pitiful begging expression as other demon clan members.

But Su You didn’t make a sound.

He only heavily and fiercely ground his fingertips over those blistered burn marks when returning to his cell, then, at some moment, whether from pain or something else, quickly lowered his head and blinked with apparent distress.

When he raised his head again, the last bit of weak, dim light in his eyes was completely gone.

From head to toe, he was covered in sharp thorns. Even if he gave up his life and couldn’t survive, he would scrape off a piece of flesh from those who bullied him.

What good rewarded with good, evil with evil.

What benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and virtue!

He wouldn’t believe a single sentence, a single word anymore.

The final memory fragment related to this exploded before her eyes. Bai You collapsed sideways as if severely wounded. Xue Yu’s fingertip paused again and again before slowly withdrawing into her wide sleeves.

From beginning to end, he had suffered slander, hatred, and pain. He had also once resolved to restrain all emotions and bluff by showing sharp claws and fangs.

What had she done?

To make him trust her again, she arranged everything around her meticulously, willing to risk himself to help her progress in Tianji Book missions.

To make him become today’s Nineteen, following behind her, occasionally showing a clear, handsome smile.

It seemed like nothing.

If there truly was something, at first, it was merely a sense of responsibility, a tiny, insignificant act of casual kindness.

Xue Yu couldn’t help but slowly frown.

She turned to leave. The jail door seemed swept by a sudden fierce wind, making a thunderous crash. Bai You shrank back, swallowed, crawled up again, and murmured: “Your Highness, this subordinate truly knows his wrongs. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.”

Xue Yu paused, turned to face him, and enunciated very seriously: “Unforgivable.”

“You are all unforgivably guilty.”

Walking from one small jail path to another, when Xue Yu reached the cell door confining Xuan Su, she saw that disheveled woman with long fingernails frantically lunging toward Su You as if having suffered some unbearable shock, only to be mercilessly blocked by a light barrier.

After a while, she fell powerlessly against the wall root, raising her voice shrilly with particular venom: “You think climbing up to Yedu means instant success and worry-free comfort? Su You, instead of daydreaming, you might consider your escape routes. How much longer will that Sacred Land heir be willing to coax you?”

“Offending me is nothing, but you’ve also offended Xihe people.”

“You—”

“So what if I offend Xihe?” Xue Yu stood backlit, her features seemingly softened by the light, but her voice remained cold and clear.

Xuan Su suddenly looked up, seemingly unable to imagine she would follow to such a place.

Su You straightened his back accordingly. He quickly wiped his hands with a handkerchief, came out of the jail cell, stood before Xue Yu, and said: “Young lady, let’s go.”

“Just let her be so presumptuous?” Xue Yu looked toward Xuan Su.

“It’s fine.” Su You said with an exceptionally good temper, “Xihe will handle it according to regulations.”

Coming out of that jail cell, Xue Yu’s brow hadn’t relaxed once. Now she looked up, meeting his gaze, her sight gradually shifting to the deepening smile at his eye corners.

Having seen those painful memory fragments and the broken despair he had endured.

For the first time, Xue Yu felt he looked even better when smiling.

“Let me see your hand.” She pointed to Su You’s left hand.

Su You paused slightly. After a while, he lifted his eyelid, creating a particularly cold crease, rolled up a sleeve section, and presented that beautiful, prominent wrist bone before her eyes.

It was clean and clear, pale as before, without the ugly, hideous scars she had imagined.

As if guessing what she had seen, he quickly lowered his sleeve again, biting his breath in low, shallow tones: “They’re gone.”

“After following the young lady, they disappeared.”