The Smoke-Floating Palace still echoed with birdsong and blooming flowers.
Dàn Yuèhén led his disciples back to the Smoke-Floating Palace, a faint sense of satisfaction stirring within him. Though the Daoist sect claimed the Smoke-Floating Palace stood equal to the Pure Cultivation Heartless Sect, the former now held an unmistakable edge over the latter. His disciples had seized the Soul-Stabilizing Pills with almost effortless ease, plundering numerous immortal elixirs and magical artifacts in the process.
Recalling how that man had reluctantly revealed his identity under his coercion, Dan Yuehen felt an inexplicable tenderness welling within him. Though he took pleasure in treating him cruelly, an inexplicable reluctance still lingered. Even he wondered why he subjected this man to such treatment. Perhaps it was because the man's intense gaze left him nowhere to hide, and the realization that he might fall for him filled him with resentment at the thought of being with this man.
Dan Yuehen rationalized his twisted emotions thus, refusing to dwell on why he'd committed so many extraordinary acts—even risking divine retribution by performing a soul-searching ritual for this man.
Once Qin Zhong ingested the Soul-Stabilizing Pill and his spirit was reintegrated into his body, he would return to consciousness. Dan Yuehen ordered his disciples to escort the coffin into the main hall of the Qingxiu Wuxin Sect, ensuring Qin Zhong's body could ingest the Soul-Stabilizing Pill as swiftly as possible. By now, the jade coffin had absorbed most of the toxins from his body. Though his flesh might have withered after such a long time, the abundance of immortal elixirs and spiritual medicines would certainly prevent his death.
Only the final step remained: reinserting his soul into his body. Thinking of that person, surely filled with both rage and helplessness, Dan Yuehen felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction welling up inside him, lightening his step. The disciples following behind him could only watch as the Palace Master's footsteps drifted slowly, yet they could not keep up, secretly marveling at his speed.
Before Dan Yuehen even reached the Flower Brocade Pavilion, the subordinate guarding the Mystic Dragon Illusion Mirror knelt before him, his face ashen. "Your Excellency, I deserve death for my failure. I did not guard properly, allowing Young Master Qiu to seize Guard Qin's soul. I cannot fathom why his magical power is so formidable—I could not resist..."
Dan Yuehen felt a heavy blow to his chest, as if all strength had been drained from his body. What did Qiu Rong intend by taking Qin Zhong's soul? Did she still wish to return to him, using Qin Zhong's spirit to threaten him? Or was it because...
The scene in his own bedchamber, Yuhua Palace, suddenly flashed through his mind. The possibility of Qiu Rong's affair with Qin Zhong once again seized his heart, filling him with a painfully clear rage and bitterness.
Dan Yuehen gritted his teeth. "Did Qiu Rong say anything?"
One of the subordinates presented a letter. "This is a letter left by Young Master Qiu. He said the Palace Master would understand upon seeing it."
Dan Yuehen took the letter and glanced at it, his expression growing increasingly dark.
So it wasn't Qiu Rong who had gone to the Smoke-Floating Palace—it was Yun Zhongyu!
If Yun Zhongyu seized Qin Zhong's soul, he would likely torment him relentlessly out of hatred. He might even deem him insignificant and scatter his soul. Then... then he would never see him again in this lifetime. Even if he used the Soul-Searching Technique, he would find only emptiness...
Dan Yuehen stood frozen, his mind nearly blank. These past days, he had slept night after night beside the white jade coffin. Holding that man's body in his arms brought him a sense of peace.
He had loved him after all. That man, not Qiu Rong—that ordinary, awkward man who had once whispered words of love amidst trembling passion, only to be mocked by him.
Dan Yuehen felt his mind go blank, nearly losing his footing. The last shred of doubt had vanished completely... However unworthy that man might be, loving him was undeniable fact.
His tangled thoughts left him dazed, oblivious to his kneeling disciple's desperate pleas. He walked silently to the Xuanlong Illusion Mirror, gently caressing its smooth surface.
Here, driven by suspicion that Qin Zhong had betrayed him, he had struck him with a palm strike. That blow had been the final straw, leaving Qin Zhong gravely wounded and coughing up blood. Though Qin Zhong had already suffered poison wounds and ultimately died at Yun Zhongyu's hands, Dan Yuehen had saved him—because Qin Zhong was the man he loved, and because he had entrusted him to protect Qiu Rong.
After all, he had promised to make him happy. He had said he would trade his entire life for his happiness. But... but after losing him, he would never see him again, never see him evermore.
When he obtained the Soul-Stabilizing Pill, he had fantasized countless times about embracing him once more, but it had become an impossible dream. Even asking him if he regretted loving him was now beyond reach.
Perhaps he had always regretted it. Otherwise, why had he waited until driven to the brink to reveal his true identity?
"Yuehen, did you ever love me?"
That low, gentle voice seemed to whisper softly by her ear. Dan Yuehen stood motionless, her face blank and expressionless.
This feeling of utter despair was, in truth, called heartbreak. Because she had lost the one she loved.
Love? He did love him, didn't he? Loving him while simultaneously tormenting him, only finding a flicker of tenderness when he saw the pain etched on his face. Because he couldn't allow himself to love such a wretched man, he showed him not a shred of gentleness or pity. Yet witnessing his agony made him hesitate to strike. Those were the true feelings welling up from his heart, feelings he had always ignored.
He knew Yun Zhongyu would surely disperse Qin Zhong's soul. For Yun Zhongyu's letter made no mention of Qin Zhong whatsoever, only stating that if he wished to possess Qiu Rong's body, he must seek him out personally.
If... if he could make it in time, perhaps Qin Zhong's soul still lingered...
Dan Yuehen hesitated no longer and strode swiftly out the door.
As he exited the Smoke-Floating Palace, a slender figure emerged slowly from the shadows behind him. One hand gently stroked the other sleeve of his robe as he murmured, as if to himself, "Qiu Rong, can you still not let go?"
This person was Yun Ruo. Within his sleeve lay Qiu Rong's soul. Qiu Rong had been forced out of his body by Yun Zhongyu, wandering the Three Realms with nowhere to go. He had sought refuge in the Smoke-Floating Palace, but pursued by Yun Zhongyu, he had no choice but to flee to Yun Ruo's Fragrant Cloud Residence. Yun Ruo hid him within his sleeve. Qiu Rong was a living soul, not easily dissipated like other spirits.
Feeling the flutter of the sleeve, Yun Ruo let out a helpless, bitter smile.
"Qiu Rong, even if you regain your body, restore your magical power, and master the most supreme spells—what then? Don't you see? Dan Yuehen possesses everything, yet he isn't happy. He doesn't even know what he truly desires."
Yun Ruo murmured softly, slowly stepping outside the Smoke-Floating Palace. She glanced at the distant green mountains as her sleeves billowed in the wind. From his sleeves, a wisp of ghostly smoke drifted like pale mist, gradually taking the form of Qiu Rong.
Yun Ruo said softly, "Qiu Rong, if you cannot accept this, then go. I will no longer hold you back."
Surrounded by desolate, withered grass, Qiu Rong stood in the wilderness, facing Yun Ruo. Yun Ruo's robes billowed in the wind, while Qiu Rong remained a faint shadow. Qiu Rong murmured softly, "Yun Ruo, you see everything so clearly. Tell me, why must I always be so unlucky..."
Yun Ruo gazed at Qiu Rong with tender affection, as if looking at a small child, and smiled gently. "Fool, no one is perpetually unlucky. It's just that when we gain things, we never think to cherish them... Only by cherishing can happiness endure."
Qiu Rong looked at him in confusion. "Have I gained anything at all?"
"So many have loved you—how can you say you haven't received anything?" Yun Ruo sighed with a helpless smile. "Dan Yuehen loved you. Yun Zhongyu even ruined his own body for you..."
"He hates me now," Qiu Rong shook her head. She felt nothing for Yun Zhongyu and cared little whether he had ever loved her.
Yun Ruo smiled. "Silly Qiu Rong, he told me long ago. He knew you didn't love him, but he refused to admit it, hoping you'd fall for him someday."
"But... later he wanted to kill me."
"He said that if you didn't love him in this life, he'd drag you into reincarnation with him, determined to be together again in the next."
"But... but... who knows if we'll be together next life?" Qiu Rong pouted, his eyes lowering. They cultivators merely lived longer than others, but ultimately still entered reincarnation. Yet after rebirth, they wouldn't remember past events.
"Silly, as long as two people still wish to be together until death, they will be together in the next life." Yun Ruo smiled.
"Yun Ruo, can you already see past and present lives?" Qiu Rong gasped. Legend held this was the most profound magic, requiring immense energy and rarely mastered. It seemed Yun Ruo's magical power wasn't weak after all.
Yun Ruo's smile faded. "Knowing many things brings no benefit."
Qiu Rong gasped. "Yun Ruo, do you know something?"
Yun Ruo shook her head. "Nothing." Then she smiled again. "Heaven's secrets must not be revealed. Don't get me into trouble."
Qiu Rong froze, feigning anger as she raised her fist to punch Yun Ruo's shoulder. Suddenly realizing she could no longer touch Yun Ruo, she gasped and stood motionless.
Yun Ruo's smile vanished. "Dan Yuehen has gone to face Yun Zhongyu. As fellow disciples of equal strength, they should have settled their contest by now. Even if Yun Zhongyu prevails, he likely won't be able to harm you. If you wish to reclaim your body, you must hurry."
Qiu Rong murmured in acknowledgment, her gaze fixed on Yun Ruo. "Yun Ruo, take care of yourself too."
Yun Ruo smiled and nodded. As Qiu Rong's shadow gradually faded before his eyes, the smile on his face slowly vanished, replaced by profound loneliness. He had cultivated this spell to perceive past and future only to know whether he and that person were destined to meet again. Yet in the end, he realized he was no longer destined for that person—nor for anyone else in this world.
In this world, he was merely a passerby of the past.
Endless layers of ocean surged toward the shore. A man clad in pale purple robes slowly stepped into the deep sea, yet floated lightly upon the water, his feet untouched by a single drop as he glided gracefully into the ocean's depths.
This deep sea was an illusion conjured by Yun Zhongyu—not a sea at all. Yet those who fell into the illusion risked drowning in its depths.
A faint smile touched the corner of Dan Yuehen's lips as he walked straight toward a solitary island in the sea, coming to a halt before it.
"Yun Zhongyu, you wished to see me. I am here. Come out."
After an unknown span of time, a youth slowly emerged from the doorway. His features were exquisitely delicate, still bearing traces of his former frailty, yet his face now held a faint layer of murderous intent.
"You've come."
Dan Yuehen's heart sank. "Where is Qin Zhong's soul?"
At this moment, Dan Yuehen's question was about Qin Zhong. The look of deep affection Qiu Rong had given him when leaving Yun Zhongyu still seemed to linger before Dan Yuehen's eyes. A trace of scorn flashed across his face as he said, "You're too late."
"What have you done to him?"
"You'll never see him again." Yun Zhongyu stared into his eyes, searching for a flicker of panic, but Dan Yuehen remained utterly expressionless.
So... his soul had already been dispersed by Yun Zhongyu.
Dan Yuehen's heart was also profoundly still, as if he hadn't heard a thing. Or perhaps... he simply no longer cared. If he could never see that person again, never speak to him, then it meant the future would no longer unfold as he had imagined—those days spent with him by his side were gone forever.
Truthfully, he had once thought that if he were reborn and his soul returned, perhaps he would treat him better. At the very least, he wouldn't mock him anymore, using the excuse that he loved him to make him risk life and limb for him. No, no... Just the thought that he might die would stop her from letting him go. She'd keep him by her side, doing nothing...
But... she could never see him again.
Dan Yuehen felt something welling up inside her, a pain so sharp it left her speechless, lodged deep in her chest.
"Dan Yuehen, where's Qiu Rong? Why isn't he with you?" Yun Zhongyu's cold smile shattered the silence between them.
Dan Yuehen smiled faintly. "Why ask about him? Do you still think of him?" Then, with a languid tone, "Too bad. He never loved you at all."
Yun Zhongyu's body trembled slightly. He lifted his head, his gaze icy as he fixed it on Dan Yuehen. " I merely wish to eliminate them all at once. Those who have wronged me—I shall spare none." His slender fingers flickered, and a sword formed from a surge of true qi instantly materialized in his grasp. Though it contained only Qiurong's magical power, the jade ring's enhancement had elevated Yun Zhongyu's own power to a level nearly matching Dan Yuehen's. The sword's aura stretched four feet long.
Dan Yuehen glanced at the jade ring on his hand, his expression still impassive. His left hand formed a sword seal, and a pale purple sword aura immediately erupted from his right hand.
Knowing full well it would be a mutually destructive outcome, neither hesitated. They pushed each other and themselves to the brink. Almost simultaneously, waves as black as ink surged skyward, and sword light, like lightning, sliced through the vast expanse of the sky.
Torrential rain poured down.
After an unknown span of time, Dan Yuehen's sword energy gradually weakened. He knew his strength was spent. Similarly, the long sword in Yun Zhongyu's hand slowly lost its radiance. Though it was merely an illusion, both men's garments were drenched by the downpour. They were utterly immersed within the phantom realm.
Dan Yuehen's mind had gone completely blank, his consciousness nearly extinguished. Yet at that very moment, the door of another thatched cottage slowly opened from within. The figure who emerged wore a slightly worn blue robe, his expression calm and composed, his bearing exuding profound steadiness.
It was none other than Qin Zhong.
It turned out Yun Zhongyu had sealed him within the adjacent hut using a barrier. For some reason, he hadn't dispelled Qin Zhong's spiritual essence. Now, with Yun Zhongyu's psychic power weakened, he could no longer sustain the barrier, allowing Qin Zhong to break free.
Dan Yuehen froze, momentarily forgetting to react. Noticing the pause, Yun Zhongyu raised his sword to thrust at Dan Yuehen's chest. Time seemed to halt in that instant. Dan Yuehen stood utterly still, his gaze fixed on the distant figure.
Was this a dream? A dream before death? Why was he experiencing this illusion? Why was he seeing him again? Hadn't he already vanished? How could they meet once more?
Dan Yuehen watched the figure silently, afraid that if she blinked, it would vanish.
Qin Zhong hadn't expected this to be the first scene he witnessed. In his panic, he forgot that this was the person he was supposed to forget, and blurted out, "Watch out!"
At that very moment, the long sword plunged into Dan Yuehen's chest.
Yun Zhongyu's face twisted in surprise, clearly unable to anticipate striking Dan Yuehen. His momentary distraction allowed Dan Yuehen to strike a palm blow directly against Yun Zhongyu's chest.
With his dantian shattered, Yun Zhongyu's body no longer obeyed his commands. He staggered, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"You didn't kill him, so I won't kill you either." Dan Yuehen pressed his hand over the sword wound in his chest, a faint smile touching his lips. Truly, as long as he still existed in this world, he could give up everything else.
Dan Yuehen withdrew the sword light into his palm, standing there smiling. "That's enough for today."
Qin Zhong, though gravely wounded, had clearly spotted him. Remembering his earlier loss of composure, his expression shifted slightly. He turned to leave, but a long silk cord shot from Dan Yuehen's sleeve, binding Qin Zhong's waist. With a swift pull, the cord drew Qin Zhong's soul into the sleeve.
"The grudge between us—if not settled today, I shall never let you go," Yun Zhongyu declared coldly. Both men were utterly exhausted by now. Who would have won in the end remained unknown, but Dan Yuehen's withdrawal came as a great surprise. His injuries must have been no lighter than his own.
Dan Yuehen's expression radiated profound contentment. A faint smile graced her exquisite features. Lost in thought, she gradually adopted a contemplative air, yet uttered not a word before turning and departing.
By then, the thick clouds had dispersed, as if heaven and earth had parted. Sunlight flooded the sea, turning its surface into a vast expanse of glistening water. Dan Yuehen had already swept away across the waves. Only a faint streak of pale purple light remained on the sea, drifting slowly across the stillness.
Dan Yuehen's heart brimmed with joy, and a smile spread across his face. Qin Zhong's urgent warning to be cautious clearly showed he still cared for him. Because of this, even though he had sensed Qiu Rong's presence nearby and could have used it to completely crush Yun Zhongyu, he no longer cared.
Overcome by joy, Dan Yuehen momentarily forgot to retrieve the jade ring and the Xuanlong Pearl to preserve the soul. Qin Zhong was already a dead soul; hiding him in his sleeve risked his essence dissipating. He had to hurry back to the Smoke Floating Palace and place him in a room sealed with soul-binding talismans. By the time Dan Yuehen returned to the palace, he realized he was utterly exhausted.
White mist slowly flowed from his sleeve, coalescing into human form. The half-worn blue robes seemed to blend into the pale purple haze. Dan Yuehen approached the man silently, a gentle smile on his lips. Qin Zhong had finally acknowledged his identity and clearly cared deeply for him. This stirred a tender warmth within Dan Yuehen, making him yearn to hold the man gently in his arms.
"Zhong, I've neutralized the poison in your body. Though residual toxins remain, you can now resist them with your own strength. You'll fully recover soon. Reborn now." Dan Yuehen urged Qin Zhong beside him.
If he could touch him, he would have already pushed him toward the jade coffin, forcing him to enter his body. Qin Zhong clearly loved him, so why was he still acting so stubborn now?
As if sensing Dan Yuehen's impatience in his words, Qin Zhong's mouth twitched. Forgetting him was never going to be easy, but he shouldn't have lost his composure so easily in front of him. Disappearing forever had been the right decision after all—a pity it couldn't be done.
No matter how much Dan Yuehen tormented his corpse, the past was irrevocably gone. Eventually, the body would turn to dust. As long as he refused to see, hear, or think—no matter how Dan Yuehen pressed him—he could never admit it again.
He was already shackled enough as it was. If he returned to life, he might end up just like before—driven by emotion, living a life worse than death by his side.
Qin Zhong silently resolved to ignore Dan Yuehen's urging.
"Zhong, you've always listened to me..." Dan Yuehen said in a gentle tone, forcing himself not to lose his temper. Dan Yuehen's patience was never boundless. Even knowing he loved Qin Zhong, he couldn't tolerate being ignored. How dare this ugly monster act so arrogant? He should be grateful Dan Yuehen loved him at all.
Qin Zhong slowly turned his head, lifting his gaze to meet Dan Yuehen's eyes, filled with confusion. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
Seeing his expression, Dan Yuehen startled, staring intently at his face, trying to read something. He had already revealed himself twice—why still refuse to admit he was Qin Zhong?
"You refuse to admit it, do you?" Dan Yuehen said coldly. "You know what methods I'll use to make you submit. I hope you don't force me to use them again."
The first time he'd forced him, it had scattered his soul, leaving him trapped within the Mystic Dragon Mirror to gather his essence. This time, without the Mystic Dragon Pearl or the jade ring, the mirror could no longer be anchored. If his soul scattered again, it might never be reunited. The moment the words left his mouth, Dan Yuehen regretted them. But seeing Qin Zhong's expressionless face, he steeled himself to continue.
Dan Yuehen approached the jade coffin, lifted the lid, and gently cradled the figure within. Days passed, and the man's body grew lighter still—his complexion as pale as paper, his cheeks hollowed deep. Dan Yuehen watched with mounting dread, unable to look away. The man in her arms seemed fragile enough to shatter at any moment, utterly unable to bear any burden—not even the weight of rebirth itself.
"Zhong, do you mind?" Dan Yuehen gazed at Qin Zhong's body, as if speaking to the sleeping man. Yet beside her, Qin Zhong's spirit seemed dazed, staring blankly ahead with a faint, expressionless face.
Seeing no reaction, Dan Yuehen clenched her jaw. She gently stroked Qin Zhong's cheek and whispered, I know you wouldn't mind. These past days, I've taken you to the Wuxin Sect for secluded cultivation to gather herbs. Each night when I couldn't bear it, I'd lift you from the jade coffin and hold you close. Only then could I sleep. I once thought you must have cast a spell on me, but no one in this world could ever ensnare me with magic. What power did you wield to make me so utterly captivated by your body, a devotion that won't fade even in death?"
At first, Dan Yuehen merely sought to break Qin Zhong's resolve, forcing him to confess his true identity. Yet as she spoke, her own emotions stirred. Slowly, she drew closer, pressing her lips to his icy ones.
Sealed by magic, his body was unnaturally cold, a thin frost coating his brows and hair. Yet this only accentuated a profound, soul-deep serenity.
Dan Yuehen stared intently at Qin Zhong from mere inches away. A familiar desire stirred within him, yet he remained motionless, simply gazing at the man in a daze. It felt like seeing him for the very first time, though in truth, he had seen him countless times before. Each time, he had deliberately suppressed this intoxicating feeling.
Qin Zhong noticed Dan Yuehen seemed fixated on the corpse, almost consumed by a mad obsession. Unable to bear it, he averted his eyes and walked away.
The body was merely a shed skin, a cocoon. Having broken free, why linger?
Qin Zhong told himself to ignore Dan Yuehen. Whatever疯狂行为 he might commit, it was directed at his former self.
It was over now.
Thinking of his own obsession, a shadow passed over Qin Zhong's eyes. What good did loving him like this do? He was with Qiu Rong—wasn't that precisely what he had wished for?
Dan Yuehen simply couldn't bear his sudden coldness, feeling his pride wounded. If he gave even the slightest nod, he'd be subjected to contempt and manipulation again, even scornful mockery. As long as he ignored Dan Yuehen, no matter how much torment Dan Yuehen inflicted, he wouldn't admit it. Once Dan Yuehen gave up hope, he would naturally let him go.
"Every time I touched you, you remained silent. But when you climaxed, you'd make sounds. Your brows furrowed, your eyes glistening with tears, your expression a mix of pain and despair... I miss it so much..." Watching Qin Zhong's retreating figure fade like mist, Dan Yuehen held his body close, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
Even pushed this far, he still refused to admit it. It seemed he truly held no regard for him. Dan Yuehen, beautiful and domineering, had always been the one others willingly submitted to beneath him. And that was all for the sake of cultivating power. Those who truly sought intimacy with him out of love were, without a doubt, few and far between. What Qin Zhong had done for him certainly wasn't for magical power. Dan Yuehen suppressed his anger.
After an unknown length of time, Dan Yuehen spoke slowly: "You say you love me, and I know that. But everyone's love has its limits. Once that point is reached, affection naturally withdraws. The talk of 'facing boiling water and fire together' or 'remaining faithful until death' is just idle chatter in the pleasure quarters—it can't be taken seriously. My heart already belongs to another. I can no longer treat you kindly. If you continue to profess love, I will only hate you for trying to take advantage of my vulnerability, disregarding my feelings for him. That's why I've never truly liked you—I've always seen you as presumptuous. I tormented you relentlessly just to test your limits, to see how far you'd go..."
Qin Zhong's eyes darkened, but he remained silent. Their first time together had been a twist of fate. Had it not been an accident, he intended to keep it buried forever, never to speak of it. Yet in that moment of passion, his secret was uncovered. Unable to leave him, he resorted to this ruthless method to settle everything for him. He'd believed he sought nothing in return, willing to give everything freely. Yet at the final moment, he still clung to a desperate hope—to hear him utter the lie that he loved him.
After all, if someone truly felt nothing for another, they wouldn't share a bed with them, would they?
Little did he know, all this had merely been Dan Yuehen's experiment—a test of his sincerity. And his own feelings? They'd been reduced to such a pitiful state.
Qin Zhong even felt a twinge of hatred toward Dan Yuehen. It was her summoning that had made him see how laughably blind his feelings were, that had made him realize he was nothing more than a clownish figure in her eyes...
Qin Zhong lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the ground. A soul casts no shadow; he couldn't even touch himself. Except for practitioners of cultivation arts, ordinary people couldn't even see him.
This stark lack of presence only deepened his gloom.
Dan Yuehen cradled the corpse in her arms, letting it rest against her chest. She drew a frost-covered, exquisite flower from her robe and smiled faintly: "The Prajna Flower truly doesn't suit you. You shouldn't keep it anymore. But occasionally admiring it... well, that's fine."
Qin Zhong's heart sank abruptly. Turning, he saw Dan Yuehen smiling as she held the flower—the very Prajna Flower—and couldn't help but tremble slightly, his eyes seeming to bleed. "You... you..."
Dan Yuehen slowly turned back, her smile unchanged, yet her eyes held a peculiar radiance. "So you never wanted me to know, even in death... Too bad I found out anyway. I've decided to treat you well from now on. Are you pleased?"
The ripples in Qin Zhong's eyes faded. He took a step back and said indifferently, "Why are you telling me this? I'm not the person you're talking about."
Dan Yuehen smiled. "I never expected you to be so stubborn. Qin Zhong, don't test my patience." "Dan Yuehen slowly peeled away the clothing from the body beneath him. The corpse felt no chill, so it was dressed in very little. Dan Yuehen, for his own convenience, hadn't dressed him in much either.
Too much time had passed since his death. Even with magical preservation, the body had grown somewhat withered, so thin it seemed a slight force could shatter every bone in its frame. It bore no resemblance to his former self.
Qin Zhong's spirit was merely a silhouette. It was almost unbearable to imagine his body reduced to this state. Should his soul return, possessing its own magical power, the body might not withstand the soul's weight. For now, his magic would have to be sealed to prevent him from harming himself in a desperate struggle.
Dan Yuehen lowered her long lashes, concealing her thoughts. She silently placed restraining hands on the body in her arms. To mask the creaking of bones, she spoke: "You truly don't mind me touching your former corpse? Deep down, you still love me, don't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have warned me to be careful back then."
Qin Zhong's eyelids fluttered, his gaze still fixed on the ground. He murmured softly: Let me go. I'm not the person you're looking for. Even if you find him, forcing his spirit back won't keep him if he doesn't want to stay. Besides, what's the point of forcing someone who no longer loves you to stay?"
These words pierced Dan Yuehen's heart like a dagger. A sharp, icy glint flashed in his eyes as he coldly retorted, "You don't love me? Dare you say that again!"
Qin Zhong's lips curved into a faint, self-mocking smile. "So many people love you. Why must you force one more to love you?" To someone like him, one more or one less made no difference. Without him, he would still be perfectly happy. Qin Zhong lowered his head, refusing to look at the figure clutched tightly in Dan Yuehen's arms, his eyes burning with a mad light.
"Shut up! You love me, you liar!" Panic flooded Dan Yuehen's heart. In disbelief, he clutched the body in his arms even tighter. Almost simultaneously, a sharp crack of breaking bone echoed. Stunned, Dan Yuehen released his grip, yet saw no visible injury.
Most likely a broken rib. Qin Zhong startled, lifting his head to meet Dan Yuehen's gaze. To him, Dan Yuehen remained utterly brutal, devoid of any mercy—hence his reckless disregard for consequences. Given Dan Yuehen's nature, he would relentlessly push until Qin Zhong confessed.
Dan Yuehen froze, staring blankly at Qin Zhong, seemingly unaware of his own actions.
Qin Zhong let out a bitter smile, his voice slow and weary: Yuehen, deep down, you're only hurting because... I don't love you anymore, right? If that's the case, then let me tell you this: I don't want to love you anymore, but I can't stop myself. So... grant me my wish. Let me go."
Dan Yuehen felt a pain seeping into his heart drop by drop, yet he couldn't vent it. He could only stare at Qin Zhong, speechless for a long moment.
If loving him brought such despair, why love at all? Dan Yuehen suddenly realized she never truly understood this man...
"Yuehen, during those days drifting between heaven and earth, gazing upon every mountain and river, I truly forgot you... So... if I could truly fade away, I'd be eternally grateful to you." Since he'd confessed, he might as well be clear, letting her give up hope. Qin Zhong suddenly understood, and a sense of release washed over him. He smiled faintly: "Yuehen, consider this your way of granting me peace."
Watching his smile, Dan Yuehen felt a sudden wave of bewilderment wash over him. He realized that all he had ever sought was this kind of surrender—the pain of acknowledging his love yet being unable to refuse. He discovered a kind of bewilderment that came with reaching the end.
He didn't want him like this at all. He only wanted him to continue loving him, to stay by his side. Was that really so impossible?
Qin Zhong, what exactly do you want? Speak up—I'll give you anything you desire. Didn't you want me to love you? If you agree to return to life, I'll love you immediately..." Dan Yuehen suddenly realized Qin Zhong had effectively admitted his identity, meaning he could now use magic to force him back to life. Yet he found Qin Zhong staring at him quietly, his gaze gentle and serene—as if he'd anticipated Dan Yuehen's actions all along, yet also as if utterly weary of it all.
Tired of being with him? A cold smile touched Dan Yuehen's lips. He hadn't intended to follow Qin Zhong's lead, but the body in his arms couldn't wait any longer. If it didn't return to life soon, it would decay.
"I've done half the work. The other half is up to you... Let's end what we have between us." Qin Zhong spoke slowly, his voice unexpectedly gentle.
Dan Yuehen wouldn't give up. At this moment, the only gamble was whether Dan Yuehen, even without love for him, still held a shred of affection from their past time together...
Qin Zhong watched Dan Yuehen's expression, which seemed utterly bewildered before turning blank. His slender fingers slowly curled—a clear sign of spellcasting. But Qin Zhong recognized it instantly: this was the Soul-Sealing Technique! Light swirled ceaselessly around Dan Yuehen's fingertips. A chill like immersion in an ice cellar gripped Qin Zhong's entire body. He had trusted him wrongly after all... Dan Yuehen's hand pressed against the corpse's crown, and a wave of despair washed over him. Qin Zhong lost all consciousness.
Dan Yuehen felt the person in his arms. Though still bearing traces of exhaustion on their face, they were gradually regaining breath, their body warming. Unconsciously, a faint smile, barely perceptible even to himself, touched his lips.