The entry of the Jujian Manor disciples into the battle immediately reversed the situation below. Though these Jujian Manor disciples were few in number, each one was an elite.

When the demon seeds appeared, Ning Buyan had already ordered most of the Ning Clan’s ordinary disciples to retreat, leaving only those disciples harboring demon seeds to make their last stand.

Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi sat on the high ground holding an umbrella, watching. Fine rain fell continuously, the flower-decorated umbrella was vivid and bright—blood, rainwater, and peach blossoms interwoven into an inexplicably romantic scene.

Jian Xingzhi turned to glance at Qin Wanwan, feeling he should say something fitting for the moment.

He coughed lightly and was just about to speak: “Wan…”

Before he could finish, he heard Cuilu shout: “Jian Xingzhi, are you just sitting there watching the show? Get down here and help!”

All his words stuck in his chest. Qin Wanwan turned to look at him: “What were you going to say?”

“Nothing.”

Jian Xingzhi felt awkward: “I’ll go help.”

With that, Jian Xingzhi jumped down from the rooftop.

Once Jian Xingzhi went down to help, Qin Wanwan had no reason to keep sitting either. She followed him down from the eaves. Before long, Ning Buyan’s father arrived with reinforcements. By this time, the demon seeds had been mostly eliminated, so when these people arrived, they began cleaning up the aftermath.

“Buyan.”

Ning Buyan’s father, Ning Changhe, approached with his disciples: “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Ning Buyan coughed as he looked up at Qin Wanwan’s group. “Thanks to… thanks to them. Make sure they’re well accommodated.”

Ning Changhe nodded and bowed in salute to Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi, then said: “Everyone has sustained serious injuries. Please rest in the guest rooms. We will handle the aftermath here. Please rest assured.”

After all, this was the Ning Clan’s business—they could understand being asked to leave. Qin Wanwan nodded and returned the salute with cupped fists: “Then we’ll go rest now. If there’s anything else you need help with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Don’t worry,” Ning Buyan recovered from his coughing and looked at Qin Wanwan. “I’ll notify you if there’s any situation.”

With that, Ning Buyan waved his hand and had someone lead Qin Wanwan’s group back to the guest rooms.

Everyone was injured, so Ning Changhe arranged for medical cultivators to come tend to them and bandage their wounds. Watching the medical cultivators bustle about, Qin Wanwan felt rather embarrassed and said: “Perhaps you should go back to treat the disciples instead. We can all regulate our energy ourselves—these are only minor injuries.”

“Fairy, don’t worry,” the medical cultivator looked up and smiled at Qin Wanwan’s words, reassuring her: “The manor has sufficient medical cultivators. All the Daoists who need treatment have already been assigned medical cultivators.”

“Sufficient?” Qin Wanwan was puzzled. “Do you have that many people? At the plaza…”

“Enough, why do you talk so much?”

Cuilu interrupted Qin Wanwan, saying impatiently: “Mind your own business.”

“Old bald bird, say that to Wanwan again and believe me, I’ll smash your bird beak!” Jian Xingzhi, who was having his wound bandaged by the medical cultivator, looked up and threatened.

Cuilu was about to respond when Xie Gutang cut them off: “I need to send a message to the sect. Stop talking.”

“That’s right.”

Nanfeng poked his head out: “Stop arguing, you two.”

Sending a message to the Heavenly Sword Sect was rather important, so everyone quieted down. After the medical cultivators finished bandaging and left, Cuilu spoke up: “Jian Xingzhi, don’t be so ungrateful—I’m doing this for Wanwan’s good.”

“That’s right,” Xie Gutang spoke up, raising his head to look at Jian Xingzhi and Qin Wanwan. “You don’t understand—demon seeds have plagued the cultivation world for thousands of years and have long become a serious concern for everyone. In the past, those who were infected with demon seeds were executed immediately, and no one even dared touch their corpses. Although you want to spare their lives now, from what the medical cultivator said, the Ning Clan will likely follow the old methods and won’t keep these disciples alive.”

“But their demon seeds have already been removed…”

“Demon seeds are difficult to completely eradicate.” Cuilu spoke with a calm expression. “Once planted, as long as they harbor evil thoughts in the future, and those evil thoughts reach a certain degree, the demon seed will appear in their body again.”

“What about Ghost City then?” Jian Xingzhi pressed. “Everyone in Ghost City was infected with demon seeds back then. After Lin Yanzhi removed and purified them, why were they fine?”

“Because those who can regenerate demon seeds are actually not that common.” Xie Gutang explained. “Everyone has evil thoughts, but evil thoughts that can become a demon seed are quite rare.”

“So just to guard against this one possibility, they’re going to kill everyone?”

Qin Wanwan was shocked. Cuilu sneered: “That’s why Ghost City has never dared reveal this matter to this day. They all say it was Divine Lord Mingjing who became demonized, not that all the citizens of Ghost City were infected with demon seeds and became demonized, forcing the Daoist to slaughter half the city out of desperation.”

“I’m going to find them.”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi immediately stood up to leave. But just as he rose, he heard Yan Wushuang’s voice: “No need to go. They’re all dead.”

As he spoke, Yan Wushuang appeared at the door with the Golden Sword Boy. Seeing Yan Wushuang, Qin Wanwan looked him over. He was carrying a black sword she hadn’t seen before.

“Demon seeds are originally lodged in people’s hearts. Even if you left them a thread of life, it would be very difficult for ordinary cultivators to survive after taking such a sword strike. The few who were alive also died soon after. Now everyone in the plaza is completely dead. Don’t worry about it anymore.”

Jian Xingzhi frowned deeply but said nothing. Qin Wanwan thought for a moment, then stood up and bowed to Yan Wushuang: “Thank you for today.”

“Don’t thank me—it was this boy who wanted to bring people to help.”

Yan Wushuang glanced at the Golden Sword Boy beside him, then remembered: “Oh, right, I’m also just returning a favor. I’m about to go see Huihe. Thank you for finding her and giving me the information. I came to say goodbye before leaving. If you have any questions, ask them now.”

Hearing this, Qin Wanwan glanced at Jian Xingzhi beside her.

Xie Gutang thought for a moment, then picked up Nanfeng from the table and called to Cuilu: “Let’s go out for a walk.”

The Golden Sword Boy tactfully followed them out and closed the door, leaving only Yan Wushuang, Jian Xingzhi, and Qin Wanwan in the room.

Yan Wushuang walked forward and lazily poured himself tea: “I’ll be honest just this once. Hurry up.”

“A hundred years ago, did you meet a couple who came from the immortal realm?”

Qin Wanwan thought for a moment and asked the question she most wanted answered.

“No.”

Yan Wushuang shook his head decisively. Qin Wanwan frowned: “Then what about that pattern on your chest? What’s that about?”

“So that’s why you stripped off my clothes—young lady, not at all reserved.”

Yan Wushuang complained, but just as Jian Xingzhi was about to speak, he answered seriously: “Lin Yanzhi drew that pattern for me.”

“Lin Yanzhi?” Qin Wanwan felt somewhat disappointed, feeling the lead seemed to circle back again.

If it was a talisman drawn by Lin Yanzhi, that would indeed be normal. But thinking about it, something wasn’t right: “But I can see this pattern should be a curse. Why would Lin Yanzhi draw this for you?”

“This is the curse on the Ning Clan’s Old Ancestor.”

Yan Wushuang’s eyes turned cold. Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi exchanged glances as Yan Wushuang spoke calmly: “Back then, I actually didn’t know what happened to Lin Yanzhi. I only knew that after Huihe was captured by the Ning Clan, I went to rescue her. Later I managed to retrieve Huihe’s body and one soul and one spirit, but my master was also severely injured because of it. From then on, I was constantly running around trying to heal Huihe and my master. Ten years later, a Carefree Young Master suddenly appeared, claiming to know everything. He held a Gentleman’s Sword competition in Desolate City. At that time, what I wanted to know was how to save Huihe, so I participated. After winning, I met the Carefree Young Master. I asked him how to save her, and he said it couldn’t be done. So I asked him how to kill someone. He told me to go find a certain person.”

“Who?”

Qin Wanwan pressed him. Yan Wushuang recalled: “He gave me a talisman. I burned it at night, and a person’s shadow appeared before me. That person wore a black cloak and was surrounded by demonic energy—clearly an evil demon. I said I wanted revenge, and he said he could help. Then he gave me a demon seed and drew this talisman on my chest. He said that after I planted the demon seed, this talisman would be powerful enough to curse the Ning Clan’s Old Ancestor and make him suffer for life. So I planted this demon seed myself, but since I planted it myself, I set a seal on it to prevent it from affecting my consciousness.”

“Then how do you know this person was Lin Yanzhi?”

Qin Wanwan was curious. Yan Wushuang fell silent. After a moment, he spoke: “I saw his face when he lowered his head. And I paid attention to his hands. Lin Yanzhi and I often sparred together—he has a small protruding bone on his wrist. I recognized it all. I guessed that he failed to purify the Evil God and became demonized, but didn’t have the power to return for revenge, so he wanted to use me to take revenge.”

“Then,” Qin Wanwan understood roughly and continued asking, “how did you frame us afterward, and why did you want to frame us?”

“When Jian Xingzhi came to Desolate City, I noticed it the first time he helped treat the Ning Clan’s Old Ancestor.”

Yan Wushuang took a sip of water: “I knew that to break the curse, they’d have to figure out what happened in the past and find the culprit. Very few people knew about what happened back then, so when you participated in the Gentleman’s Sword competition, I knew you were looking for the Carefree Young Master. So I sent disciples to try to stop you. But you kept succeeding,” he looked up at Qin Wanwan, “you’re too strong.”

“You flatter me.” Qin Wanwan felt a bit embarrassed. Yan Wushuang sighed.

“Every time I thought my junior brother could win, but every time you were stepped on, you’d immediately explode like you’d become a different person. You made it all the way to the finals. I decided to drug you and make you miss the competition. I gave the drug to one of your servants and had him drug you, but soon after, Lin Yanzhi found me again. He told me he wanted to kill you.”

As he spoke, Yan Wushuang turned to look at Jian Xingzhi.

Jian Xingzhi’s expression remained calm: “Oh, plenty of people want to kill me.”

“But why?” Qin Wanwan wasn’t as relaxed as Jian Xingzhi and continued pressing. “What was his reason?”

“I don’t know.” Yan Wushuang shook his head. “He only told me that you would definitely find a way to break the curse and save the Ning Clan’s Old Ancestor eventually. We might as well kill him now and frame Jian Xingzhi. Jian Xingzhi and Lin Yanzhi look exactly alike. Ning Wenxu was terrified by Lin Yanzhi back then and has always feared he’d come back for revenge. As soon as he sees Jian Xingzhi, he’ll definitely try every means to kill him. Then he introduced me to Ning Buxiu. I was responsible for giving the teapot Jian Xingzhi had touched to Ning Buxiu, and Ning Buxiu was responsible for giving the drug to the Ning Clan’s Old Ancestor, then framing Jian Xingzhi.”

“Ning Buxiu—he was already planted with a demon seed by him?”

Qin Wanwan pondered. Yan Wushuang nodded: “That’s right.”

“How are people with demon seeds controlled? Do their consciousness and behavior completely obey Lin Yanzhi?”

“Low-level cultivators can be controlled. For high-level cultivators, although he can’t control their consciousness and behavior, he can extract their spiritual power at any time. Demon seeds are actually the Evil God’s spiritual energy repository. All the cultivation of those with demon seeds will eventually become the Evil God’s.”

“Then what’s the point of cultivating?” Jian Xingzhi scoffed.

Yan Wushuang took a sip of tea: “Well, people always think that if they’re strong enough, maybe they can shed this demon seed, right?”

Jian Xingzhi said nothing, feeling Yan Wushuang had a point.

“Are you certain,” Qin Wanwan thought carefully, “he really is Lin Yanzhi?”

“I think so.” Yan Wushuang considered. “His body, his understanding of the past, his voice, and all his techniques… he even remembers small things that only we knew. He must be Lin Yanzhi.”

Qin Wanwan didn’t ask further. She frowned deeply.

Yan Wushuang drank the last sip of tea and stood up: “Well, I’ve said everything I should say. I should go now.”

“Let us see you off.”

Jian Xingzhi stood up and, together with Qin Wanwan, escorted Yan Wushuang out.

The three went outside to find the Jujian Manor disciples, Xie Gutang, and the others all at the door. In the courtyard, the flowers were blooming beautifully. Yan Wushuang looked up at the peach blossoms dripping with water droplets, his expression gentle: “This place has such beautiful scenery. I’ll go find Huihe from here.”

With that, he walked alone to the center of the courtyard, beneath the peach blossom tree.

He turned to look at the Golden Sword Boy beside him: “Boy, I’m leaving. I’m entrusting Jujian Manor to you. Practice your swordwork well and make the sect prosper.”

“Fine.” This was what they had discussed beforehand. The Golden Sword Boy spoke hoarsely: “It’s not like you’re dying. Why say such things? Wait until you come back.”

“True,” Yan Wushuang thought about it and nodded. “I’m going to find my wife while you stay a bachelor for life, staying short forever.”

“Get lost!”

The Golden Sword Boy cursed fiercely.

Yan Wushuang smiled, took out the talisman Jian Xingzhi had given him, and crushed it.

The ground began to shake. Yan Wushuang looked up at the red walls and green tiles, birds flying across the sky.

After a moment, a gentle yet surprised voice came from behind him: “Wushuang?”

Yan Wushuang turned around to see Ning Huihe’s soul standing beneath the tree, staring at him in a daze.

He held his sword and smiled: “After all these years, you never even visited me in my dreams. Do you still have me in your heart?”

“I couldn’t leave the ancient tomb and couldn’t sense where you were.” Ning Huihe recovered and only asked: “Did you want to see me, or do you want to enter the tomb with me?”

“Of course I want to be with you.”

As Yan Wushuang spoke, he suddenly remembered something.

He beckoned to Jian Xingzhi: “Jian Xingzhi, come here.”

Jian Xingzhi walked over curiously. Yan Wushuang leaned to his ear and whispered a few words, then laughed and patted his shoulder.

“I’m off.”

With that, he turned and walked to Ning Huihe.

He reached out to hold Ning Huihe’s hand—he couldn’t actually touch her, but he loved this gesture.

Light rose from beneath Ning Huihe’s feet, and the two disappeared on the spot.

The courtyard was empty. The Golden Sword Boy stood dazed beneath the peach blossom tree. He was silent for a moment, then suddenly kicked the tree: “Bastard! What kind of senior brother is this! Only cares about romance, bastard!”

“Senior Brother!”

The other Jujian Manor disciples rushed forward and grabbed the Golden Sword Boy: “Don’t be angry! Should we dig senior brother back out?!”

“Get lost!” The Golden Sword Boy shouted at them. “He’s had it hard for over a hundred years! Let him go make babies! Married people can’t accomplish anything—Jujian Manor still has to rely on us! Let’s go!”

The Golden Sword Boy spoke with vigor: “Time to practice swordwork!”

With that, the Golden Sword Boy was about to lead his people away. Before leaving, he looked at Qin Wanwan: “Qin Wanwan.”

Qin Wanwan turned around. The Golden Sword Boy said with a cold face: “Next time, I’ll definitely beat you.”

“We’re leaving!”

With that, he called to his people and flew off on their swords.

After everyone had left, Qin Wanwan walked to Jian Xingzhi and asked curiously: “What did Yan Wushuang say just now?”

“Oh,” Jian Xingzhi seemed a bit uncomfortable, “nothing.”

“Really nothing?” Qin Wanwan was suspicious.

Jian Xingzhi nodded and emphasized: “Nothing.”

So there was definitely something.

But since Jian Xingzhi wouldn’t say, Qin Wanwan didn’t plan to force him.

Jian Xingzhi had no manners, but she was a cultured female immortal.

She usually relied on trickery instead.

Seeing that Qin Wanwan didn’t continue asking, Jian Xingzhi both felt relieved and somewhat unhappy.

Why wasn’t she asking?

Did she not care enough about him? Did she lack sufficient curiosity about him?

This was such an important matter!

Just now, Yan Wushuang had actually told him: “Lin Yanzhi said something this time. He said ‘Jian Xingzhi has fallen in love.’ Think carefully about why he wants to kill you.”

Think? What’s there to think about?

The more Jian Xingzhi thought, the angrier he got.

Lin Yanzhi must be that Hundred-Year Worry. That old lecher must have his eye on Wanwan and sees him as a rival!

Lin Yanzhi wants to kill him? Well, he wants to kill Lin Yanzhi too!

If you’ve got the guts, come out and fight one-on-one, you scum!

—

**Author’s Note:** Noon: refers to between 12-2 PM.

**[Mini Theater]**

Yan Wushuang: “Think carefully about why he wants to kill you.”

Jian Xingzhi: “Because he likes Wanwan, that old lecher!”

Yan Wushuang: “……”

Golden Sword Boy: “Looks like not just married people can’t accomplish anything—people in love are the same.”