16: Chapter 16 You Shouldn't Have Told Him Those Things

Daoist Wangchuan was furious: "Pursue! You must not let them escape!"

Bi Luo hesitated for a moment, then sighed: "Master, you should not have told him that."

"It was a matter of time," Daoist Wangchuan sneered, "Bi Luo, do not forget your mission. Six hundred years ago, your hesitation caused me to fall short of success. This time, do you intend to repeat the same mistake?"

Bi Luo lowered her head: "I... will complete the mission."

"Very good," Daoist Wangchuan nodded, "On the last day of the three-day deadline, in front of Bishui Palace, I want you to bring Chu Yang back!"

Bi Luo nodded silently, though her heart was in turmoil.

Meanwhile, Chu Yang and the Demoness appeared in a dilapidated cave.

The Demoness leaned weakly against the stone wall: "This is one of my secret hideouts; it is safe for now."

Chu Yang sat on the ground, dazed and expressionless: "Who exactly am I?"

The Demoness sighed: "You are Chu Yang, it is as simple as that."

"But Daoist Wangchuan said..."

"He is lying to you," the Demoness interrupted, "He wants to shake your Dao heart and make you lose your composure."

Chu Yang smiled bitterly: "But I am not even sure who I am, so how can I speak of a Dao heart?"

"Listen," the Demoness forced herself to sit up straight, "No matter who you were in your past life, you are Chu Yang now. You have your own thoughts, your own emotions, and your own choices. That is what matters most."

Chu Yang looked at the Demoness in surprise: "I am surprised you would say such things."

The Demoness turned her face away: "Don't overthink it; I just don't want your soul of samsara to be damaged."

Chu Yang suddenly grabbed the Demoness's wrist: "Tell me the truth. Is what Daoist Wangchuan said true or false? What exactly is my relationship with you?"

The Demoness was silent for a moment: "Wangchuan's words are a mix of truth and lies. You are indeed the reincarnation of the Yin Yang Loose Cultivator, but he did interfere with your reincarnation process. As for us..." She hesitated, "Six hundred years ago, I had a romantic entanglement with the Yin Yang Loose Cultivator."

Chu Yang was shocked: "You and me?"

"Not the current you," the Demoness corrected, "but the you of your past life."

"So, both you and Bi Luo had romantic entanglements with my past self?" Chu Yang felt a sense of absurdity.

The Demoness sneered: "Bi Luo? She is merely a chess piece that Wangchuan arranged by your side. And I..."

Chu Yang pressed: "And you?"

The Demoness stood up and walked to the cave entrance, looking into the distance: "And I do indeed want your soul of samsara, but not to devour it, but for redemption."

"Redemption for what?"

"The mistakes of the past," the Demoness said softly, her voice barely audible, "and... our promise."

Chapter 4

Outside the cave, the moonlight was like water, shining on the Demoness and outlining a lonely figure. For some reason, Chu Yang suddenly felt a trace of familiarity with this silhouette.

"What promise?" Chu Yang walked to the Demoness's side.

The Demoness did not turn back: "The promise that we would live and die together."

"Live and die together?" Chu Yang was confused.

The Demoness turned around, a complex light flickering in her purple eyes: "Six hundred years ago, you used half of your soul of samsara to save my life. Now that you have reincarnated and returned, I ought to return it to you."

Chu Yang was stunned: "Half a soul of samsara? How is that possible?"

"The soul of samsara is already rare, and for it to be split into two is unheard of," the Demoness explained, "but you managed to do it. You transferred half of your soul to me, allowing me to survive, and at the same time, the curse was also split into two."

"So the curse within you..."

"It stems exactly from the soul of samsara," the Demoness nodded, "Now that we each carry half of the curse, it can only be completely lifted when they are merged back into one."

Chu Yang pondered for a moment: "Is that why so many people are chasing my soul of samsara? Do they know this secret?"

"Not entirely," the Demoness shook her head, "The soul of samsara is inherently precious, not to mention that the secret of the Yin-Yang Talisman is hidden within your soul. Daoist Wangchuan covets the Yin-Yang Talisman, while Bishui Palace wants the soul of samsara itself. As for other factions, they all have their own motives."

Chu Yang sighed: "In that case, I am like a sweet pastry that everyone wants a bite of."

The Demoness revealed a rare smile: "A fitting analogy."

"Then what did Daoist Wangchuan mean when he said I was a vessel?"

The Demoness's expression was heavy: "This is his conspiracy. You did indeed die at his hands back then, but he discovered he could not directly seize the Yin-Yang Talisman and the soul of samsara. So, he plotted to have you reincarnated while secretly interfering with your growth, all to make you a perfect 'vessel,' waiting until the soul of samsara was fully mature before taking it."

Chu Yang sneered: "So my life for these past eighteen years was all arranged by him?"

"Not entirely. He could interfere with your reincarnation destination, but he could not control your growth. Your will, your choices—they are all your own."

Chu Yang clenched his fists: "No matter who I am, at least I know who I should hate."

The Demoness was about to speak when her expression suddenly changed: "Someone is coming!"

Both of them became alert; footsteps came from the cave entrance, getting closer and closer.

"It is me." A familiar voice rang out.

"Bi Luo?" Chu Yang said in surprise.

Bi Luo walked into the cave alone, without any weapons on her; it seemed she had come to negotiate.

The Demoness immediately blocked Chu Yang: "What have you come here for?"

Bi Luo sighed: "I only want to talk to Chu Yang."

"So you can let Daoist Wangchuan know our location?" The Demoness sneered, "There is no need for that."

Bi Luo shook her head: "I did not notify Master. I came here on my own accord this time."

Chu Yang stepped out from behind the Demoness: "Let her speak."

The Demoness gave Chu Yang a dissatisfied look, but still stepped aside.

Bi Luo nodded gratefully: "Chu Yang, regarding what Master said, I must explain it to you."

"Explain what? Explain how you deceived me?" Chu Yang's tone was icy.

"It was not entirely deception," Bi Luo said bitterly, "I did indeed have a romantic entanglement with your past self."

The Demoness sneered: "Romantic entanglement? You were merely ordered to approach him."

Bi Luo stared at the Demoness: "And aren't you the same? If not for you interfering back then, things would not have turned out like this!"

"Enough!" Chu Yang interrupted sharply, "I do not want to hear you arguing. Bi Luo, what is it that you actually want to say?"

Bi Luo took a deep breath: "Master did indeed interfere with your reincarnation, but his goal is not entirely as he claimed. He wants not only the Yin-Yang Talisman but also to resurrect someone."

"Resurrect whom?"

"His lover," Bi Luo said softly, "who is also my Shimu. She perished in an accident six hundred years ago, and the only way to resurrect her is by using a complete soul of samsara."

Chu Yang frowned: "So he wants to kill me and use my soul to resurrect his lover?"

"Not entirely," Bi Luo explained, "Theoretically, if handled properly, you would not have to die. It is just..."

"Just what?"

"It just requires you to voluntarily offer up a portion of the soul of samsara," Bi Luo looked at Chu Yang, "This is also why Master..."