Jiao Jiao's eyes widened in terror as the young man lunged at him, sword glinting under the light. Xue Tuzi's heart plummeted. He screamed, his voice raw with desperation, but no matter how fast he ran, he wouldn't reach Jiao Jiao in time.
Then, like a phantom emerging from the abyss, Shudu moved. He had been lurking in the shadows, unseen, waiting. His hand shot out, catching the blade mid-air. The steel bit deep into his palm, slicing through flesh, but he didn't flinch. Blood welled up, spilling in thick rivulets onto the ground, but his grip held fast. A heartbeat later, he twisted his wrist, forcing the sword off its course, and the fight began.
"Wretched demon, be gone!" the young man roared, his face contorted in fury. Despite having only one arm, he moved with terrifying speed, his sword whistling through the air, slashing at Shudu with relentless precision. The blade grazed Shudu's skin, drawing thin lines of crimson, but he remained unfazed, his expression unreadable in the dim light.
Xue Tuzi ignored the chaos for now, his only concern, the trembling child before him. He reached Jiao Jiao in a heartbeat, gathering him up in his arms, hands running frantically over his small frame, searching for any sign of injury.
"Mama," Jiao Jiao whimpered, his brows knit together, fat tears welling in his dark scarlet eyes. He clung to Xue Tuzi's robes, his little fingers gripping tight.
Xue Tuzi pressed a quick, desperate kiss to his damp cheek. "I'm here," he murmured, smoothing Jiao Jiao's hair. "Stay here, okay? I'll handle this."
Jiao Jiao nodded, sniffling, though his tiny frame still shuddered with fear. Xue Tuzi set him down carefully before turning, his gaze snapping to Shudu and the young man locked in vicious combat. With a sharp breath, he reached up, yanking the ribbon from his hair. The silk fluttered for a split second before he lashed it forward, the ribbon cracking like a whip as it struck Shudu's back with startling force. The demon jerked slightly at the impact, his muscles tensing.
Shudu's head snapped towards him, his face twisted in fury. "Have you gone mad?" he spat, eyes burning with betrayal as he fought against both Xue Tuzi and the young man at once.
But Xue Tuzi had not lost his mind. He understood his Gege's hatred, understood the seething resentment against demons that had festered in his heart for years. It was demons who had ravaged the orphanage, who had slaughtered the innocent. His Gege's fury was justified. But if only he could explain—if only he could make him see that Jiao Jiao was different. That the child had never harmed anyone. That Xue Tuzi himself was ensuring Jiao Jiao's proper upbringing, guiding him away from the monstrous instincts people feared.
His Gege wouldn't hurt Jiao Jiao if he understood.
But Shudu—Shudu deserved every ounce of vengeance. Xue Tuzi had known, had felt it in his bones, that the demon had been following them. That eerie presence lingering just beyond sight, the suffocating weight of being watched—it had all been real. And knowing he hadn't been paranoid, knowing that Shudu had, in fact, been lurking in the shadows, sent a fresh surge of rage coursing through his veins.
Xiao Zongzi crawled toward Jiao Jiao, his tiny face streaked with silent tears. Xue Tuzi was standing beside the man who nearly killed him, fighting against Shudu. The confusion and fear twisted his features, his chubby cheeks damp with unchecked sobs.
"Xiao Jiao," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the clash of steel. "Stay here."
With trembling limbs, Xiao Zongzi wove a delicate web, the silken strands glistening as they stretched between the walls, forming a barrier around the younger child. A fragile cocoon of protection against the chaos unfolding just a few feet away. The thunderous clash of steel and the furious shouts from downstairs jolted Xue Laohu awake. He shot to his feet, heart pounding, and bolted down the stairs, his robes billowing behind him. The chaotic scene that met his eyes made him pause for only a fraction of a second—Shudu was locked in a brutal fight against Xue Tuzi and a one-armed man, their movements so swift and relentless that the floorboards quivered beneath them.
"Shizun!" A familiar voice called out. Li Zhameng came dashing down the stairs in a panic. Fortunately, Xue Laohu had taken his anti-erection pills beforehand, and Li Zhameng's presence did not stir it awake.
Underneath a table, the innkeeper cowered, his entire body shaking. "Someone, please help!" he wailed, pointing at the trio engaged in vicious combat, though no one seemed to spare him a glance.
Xue Tuzi moved with fierce precision, his ribbon flashing like a serpent through the air. With a final twist, he managed to bind Shudu tightly, the silk wrapping around the demon's limbs, rendering him momentarily helpless. The young man, seizing the opportunity, raised his sword high, ready to deliver the final blow—
But before the blade could strike, Xue Laohu moved.
With a flick of his wrist, his fan snapped open, intercepting the attack. The sword went flying, clattering against the far wall.
"Shizun!" Xue Tuzi gasped, his breath catching in his throat, eyes widening in shock.
"Shizun?" The young man echoed, his brows furrowing in confusion. His gaze flickered between Xue Laohu and Xue Tuzi, realization dawning slow and uneasy.
"A-Tuzi, this is enough!" Xue Laohu commanded, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. "Release him."
Xue Tuzi hesitated, his grip slackening.
"You dare call yourself a master and protect a filthy demon?!" the young man snarled, fury twisting his features. His fist clenched, and without hesitation, he lunged forward—
Straight for Xue Laohu.
But the punch never landed.
Xue Tuzi moved faster, stepping in front of his Shizun, taking the blow himself. A sharp gasp escaped his lips as the impact sent him staggering back, coughing violently.
"Xiao Tuzi!" The young man recoiled, his fury briefly replaced by regret.
Xue Tuzi pressed a hand against his chest, steadying himself. He looked up, pleading, "Gege, please. Please don't hurt my Shizun."
Xue Laohu's brows furrowed. His sharp gaze flickered between the two, sensing the deep rift between them. "A-Tuzi," he said, his voice calmer now but no less commanding, "explain yourself. What is going on?"
Xue Tuzi swallowed hard, but before he could speak, a high-pitched cry tore through the tense air.
The child had broken free from the silken webbing meant to protect him and ran, tiny feet pattering against the wooden floor, straight into Xue Tuzi's arms. He clutched onto his robes, his small fingers trembling, his face tear-streaked and desperate.
The young man's expression darkened the moment he saw him. His mouth twitched, eyes flashing with something raw and ugly. "This demon—"
Shudu, still bound, spat out a mouthful of blood before cutting in, his crimson eye glinting with anger. "That bastard tried to drive a sword through Xiao Jiao's heart—unprovoked."
Xue Tuzi's arms tightened around the child instinctively, his gaze dropping. He didn't—couldn't—deny it.
"Xiao Tuzi…" The young man's voice wavered, but his hand clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His nails bit into his palm, drawing small crescents of blood. "You've fathered an offspring with that…demon?"
The words hung in the air like a curse.
For once, Shudu did not correct the assumption. The usual sharp retort that would have left his lips—As if I'd ever conceive a child with this bastard—never came. Instead, he watched. Silent. Observing.
Xue Tuzi scrambled for words, but his mind felt sluggish, hazy. "Gege," he finally managed, voice tight. "This child is not mine, but I have been raising him. I am teaching him to be—"
"A good demon?" The young man scoffed. "There are no good demons."
His glare snapped to Jiao Jiao, sharp and piercing, the child flinched, pressing his face into Xue Tuzi's robes, small fingers gripping tighter.
"Gege," Xue Tuzi's voice trembled now, desperation seeping into his tone. "Xiao Jiao is different." He swallowed thickly. "I've raised him since he was a tiny Gu worm."
The young man stilled.
"A Gu worm?" he echoed. Then, his lips curled into a bitter, knowing smile. "Now I understand."
His expression shifted, something dark and unwavering settling in his eyes. "That parasite has consumed your soul, and you don't even realize it."
He took a step forward. "Allow me to vanquish it and free you from its clutches."
The sword was gone, but he didn't need one. He lunged, aiming straight for Xue Tuzi and the child in his arms—
A blur of movement.
Shudu broke free.
"You lay a single finger on him, and I'll kill you!" he roared, charging at the young man with terrifying speed.
The fight erupted instantly.
Even without his sword, even with only one arm, the young man was a formidable opponent. He blocked Shudu's vicious strikes, landed sharp, precise punches of his own, their movements too fast to track. They were evenly matched, neither yielding, neither hesitating.
Xue Laohu had seen enough.
With a flick of his sleeve, he called forth the system.
But the system only responded with an automated message.
ERROR CODE: #BUG-404-SYSTEM-FAIL
SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY DOWN DUE TO UNEXPECTED BUG. SYSTEM HAS BEEN CORRUPTED BY A GLITCH.
TO RESOLVE, PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1. DELETE CURRENT SYSTEM INTERFACE
2. REINSTALL WITH LATEST UPDATE
3. REBOOT TIME: 7.7 MINUTES
WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
NOTE: IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS, PLEASE TRY AGAIN DURING A NEW MOON.
THANK YOU.
Xue Laohu stared at the system message, his eye twitching.
"Fucking great," he muttered under his breath. He did not have time for this. He needed the system now, not in seven minutes, and certainly not during a new moon.
Frustrated, he shoved the notification away with a flick of his fingers and turned to Li Zhameng, gripping his shoulders firmly. "Stay here," he ordered, his voice low and serious. Then, without another word, he stepped into the raging battle.
Shudu and the young man were locked in a deadly dance, fists and claws striking with bone-crushing force, their movements swift and merciless. Xue Laohu assessed the situation quickly. It was clear the young man, much like Xue Tuzi, harbored deep resentment toward demons—especially insect demons. And why wouldn't he? The orphanage had been decimated by them, every innocent life swallowed in a massacre.
But there was no time for understanding now. Only action.
Xue Laohu moved.
With effortless precision, he thrust himself between the fighters, separating them with a powerful force of qi. The air cracked with energy as the two were thrown apart.
"Grandmaster Xue, step aside!" Shudu snarled, his crimson eye glinting with barely restrained fury. He cracked his knuckles, his nails extending into sharp, curved talons, ready for another round.
The young man spat onto the ground, dragging his sleeve across his bloodied mouth. His gaze was filled with disgust as he glared at Xue Laohu. "A grandmaster protecting a lowly insect demon? How hypocritical!" He scoffed, shaking his head. Then, he turned his burning stare to Xue Tuzi. "And you call this man your Shizun, Xiao Tuzi?"
Xue Tuzi said nothing. Instead, he turned away and quickly carried Jiao Jiao to Li Zhameng, handing the child over with gentle urgency. "Stay with him," he murmured before spinning back around and rushing to his Shizun's side, desperation in his every movement.
"Gege, please!" Xue Tuzi cried, his voice cracking. He reached out, hands trembling, his eyes pleading. "I beg you—please. Please listen to me."
The young man's anger wavered.
A heavy silence settled between them as he let out a slow breath, the fury in his eyes dimming just slightly. Then, with a quiet sigh, he moved.
His arm came up, pulling Xue Tuzi into an embrace.
"This is all my fault, Xiao Tuzi…" he murmured, his voice softer now, carrying an unspoken grief. His hand came up, fingers threading through Xue Tuzi's hair in a soothing motion. His grip was strong, steady—like how it had been before. Before everything had fallen apart.
Xue Tuzi's breath hitched. His fingers curled into his Gege's robes, clutching tight, as though afraid that if he let go, the moment would shatter.
"When I came back to look for you… you were gone."
The young man's voice wavered, his breath catching as old wounds reopened. His gaze dropped, landing on something small and tattered amidst the dust and blood-streaked floorboards. Slowly, he knelt, fingers trembling as they brushed against a worn-out stuffed bunny. The fabric was frayed, its once-white fur stained with age, its seams barely holding together.
He picked it up carefully, almost reverently, brushing it against his robe to wipe away the grime. Then, he extended it to Xue Tuzi.
"All that was left was this."
Xue Tuzi stared at the bunny, his fingers twitching at his sides, but he made no move to take it.
The young man exhaled sharply, his grip tightening around the stuffed toy before pressing it firmly into Xue Tuzi's hands. His voice was quieter now, burdened with grief.
"I thought you had been devoured by those insect demons."
The words cut deep, but the memories that followed cut deeper.
The orphanage had been a place of warmth once—filled with laughter, filled with family. But that night, the air had been thick with the stench of blood and rot, with the grotesque sounds of crunching bones and shrill, inhuman screeches. The demons descended upon them like a swarm of locusts, devouring everything in sight.
He had been there—he had seen it all.
The young man had found Xue Tuzi paralyzed, a silent, trembling figure trapped in horror. Just behind him, Xiao Hua loomed, her monstrous form hunched over a mangled body—a small, delicate corpse that had once been his Didi. The sight of it had nearly shattered him, but there was no time for grief, no time to mourn.
Xue Tuzi wouldn't move. He wouldn't scream. He wouldn't run.
With no other choice, the young man had grabbed him, dragging his unresponsive body away from the carnage. His hands were slick with blood—he didn't know whose—but he ran, pulling Xue Tuzi toward the storage house, his mind frantic.
A barrel. It was the only hiding place he could think of.
He wrenched the lid open and shoved Xue Tuzi inside, gripping his little shoulders tightly, forcing their eyes to meet.
"Stay here. No matter what you hear, don't come out. I'll come back for you."
Then he was gone, running back into the nightmare.
But he never got the chance to return.
Because Xue Tuzi hadn't stayed.
The moment the young man disappeared, the screams outside grew louder—the wails of their friends, the screeching laughter of demons feasting on their bodies. The air was thick with death, and the smell—the smell—sank into his skin, curling into his lungs.
Xue Tuzi couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
Terror gripped his tiny body, his hands clutching at the rim of the barrel as he trembled violently. He couldn't bear it. The cries, the begging voices, the sheer madness unfolding just beyond his hiding place. His heart pounded against his ribs, his breath coming in shallow, frantic gasps.
And then—
A sickening crack. A child's scream cut off abruptly.
Something inside him snapped.
Xue Tuzi shoved the lid open, his tiny fingers scrambling against the wood. He didn't wait. Didn't think.
He ran.
He ran from the cries for help.
He ran from the blood pooling at his feet.
He ran from the nightmares clawing at his heels.
He ran until his legs gave out, collapsing in the middle of a dark, endless forest.