Zanxing (Retranslated)

Chapter 136 - Hatred and Separation (1)

Gu Caiyu’s high cultivation level was unknown to Fairy Qinghua at the time.

“After leaving the secret realm, I parted ways with him and returned to Mount Gufeng,” Fairy Qinghua said.

Disciples often went down the mountain to gain experience, which was no big deal in the sect. Fairy Qinghua was often absent from the sect due to her sword practice, and Shaoyang Zhenren didn’t bother much about it. She received an inheritance in the secret realm and returned to Taiyan Sect to cultivate in seclusion for a while. Shortly after she came out, she received a paper crane from Gu Caiyu, asking for help, saying he was imprisoned by the Demon Clan and unable to escape.

At that time, there was no big war between humans and demons, and the two clans were peaceful. After much consideration, Fairy Qinghua finally went to the Demon Realm and rescued Gu Caiyu. It was then that Fairy Qinghua discovered that Gu Caiyu’s cultivation had reached the Mahayana stage.

“You clearly have outstanding cultivation skills. Why did you lie to me?” Fairy Qinghua was furious when she discovered the deception.

Gu Caiyu smiled apologetically, “I was not interested in the inheritance left by the master. Since you liked it so much, I gave it all to you. Besides,” he touched his nose, “you never asked me about my cultivation level.”

Fairy Qinghua turned and walked away. Gu Caiyu caught up from behind, “Fairy, you are superior, please don’t argue with me.”

At that time, Fairy Qinghua was proud and thought Gu Caiyu was deliberately making fun of her. She didn’t want to have anything to do with him, but wherever she went, Gu Caiyu followed. It seemed he never got angry, as if nothing in the world could disturb him. He never escaped in the face of danger, and tirelessly lent his support. Over time, Fairy Qinghua lost her temper.

“Later…” Fairy Qinghua whispered softly, “the Jie Xin Bell rang.”

The cold and arrogant sect disciple and the lively and cheerful nameless cultivator, who traveled together during the sword trial, encountered dangerous situations and enjoyed beautiful scenery together. She hadn’t thought deeply about why she allowed Gu Caiyu to follow her, but the Jie Xin Bell gave her the answer.

Feelings could not be hidden forever.

She had fallen in love with Gu Caiyu.

In the chaos, Fairy Qinghua fell silent.

Zanxing looked at her, seeing the woman’s melancholic expression. Her usually cold eyes now glowed like a spring thawing in the warmth of spring, flowing with emotion.

Those days must have been both sweet and bitter, so much so that this fairy, who seemed detached from worldly affairs, now exuded a deeply moving charm.

“Not long after that, the Demon King Gui Diaotang wreaked havoc in the mortal realm, bringing calamity to the people,” Fairy Qinghua said, her voice gradually turning cold.

When lovers are together, time always seems to fly. Just as Gu Caiyu reached a bottleneck in his cultivation and needed seclusion, Fairy Qinghua returned to Mount Gufeng, intending to reveal her beloved’s name to her family and friends. However, calamity had quietly arrived in the mortal realm.

Gui Diaotang, with the demons, slaughtered people everywhere with cruelty and brutality. The sects of the immortal realm united to fight against the demons. Fairy Qinghua and Shaoyang Zhenren led the disciples of Mount Gufeng into battle.

But the power of the Demon King was stronger than they had imagined. The sects of the immortal realm were no match, and everyone was prepared to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. If cultivators died in battle to protect the world, it would be considered fulfilling their dao.

Fairy Qinghua had also prepared for the worst.

By the time Gu Caiyu came out of seclusion, the world had changed drastically. Fairy Qinghua explained everything to him and then said, “Let’s get married.”

Gu Caiyu was taken aback.

“I have only one lover in my life, and there will never be another. Throughout my life, I have focused on cultivation and ascension, never considering anything else, but you were unexpected. Now, with the great battle imminent, I have one wish unfulfilled. If I could marry you, even if I die in this life, I would have no regrets.”

The fairy who never spoke a soft word to anyone, now looked at her beloved with unwavering eyes. If these words were to spread, the hearts of countless young talents in the immortal realm would surely shatter.

And what about Gu Caiyu?

Always a man of elusive character, he gently kissed her eyes and said, “Alright.”

“We…” came the voice of the woman from the chaos, as if across distant time, “have thus become husband and wife.”

There was nothing.

No wedding dress, no festive hall, no family and friends to witness, no betrothal gifts, no bridal veil, no candles symbolizing unity.

All there was, was a pair of lovers.

They became husband and wife on the eve of the great battle, known to no one. As dawn broke the next day, the humans and demons clashed again.

The sects of the immortal realm united against Gui Diaotang. At that time, Fairy Qinghua, with the highest cultivation among the cultivators, cornered the Demon King at the Golden Gate Ruins and pierced his heart with her sword.

Silence fell around them, and Fairy Qinghua remained silent for a long time.

Zanxing glanced at Gu Baiying. The young man stood with his back to her, his expression unreadable. After a moment of thought, she asked softly, “Is the Demon King dead?”

After a long pause, Fairy Qinghua spoke again, her voice light and ethereal, “No. He left behind a thread of his soul, which entered Gu Caiyu’s body.”

Zanxing was shocked.

Among the three souls, the Heaven and Earth souls usually reside outside, while the life soul resides within. Without the life soul, a person dies, but if it remains, there is a thread of hope, a chance for a comeback.

“The Demon King merged his life soul with Gu Caiyu’s,” Fairy Qinghua explained. “From then on, they were bound together in life and death.”

As the King of the Demon Realm, his title was not merely ceremonial. Cunning and decisive, he found a way out in his desperate situation.

Gu Caiyu was Fairy Qinghua’s beloved. To completely eliminate Gui Diaotang, Gu Caiyu had to perish with him. If she chose to abandon him… sooner or later, the Demon King would return to the world. Driving the Demon King to the ruins of the Golden Gate this time was the result of the entire cultivation world’s joint efforts. How could they fail at this critical moment, with so many disciples losing their lives?

In the heart of the Golden Gate, there were only the two of them. Others in the cultivation world could not approach. Even if she let go of Gu Caiyu, no one would know.

Fairy Qinghua prided herself on being blameless before heaven and earth, never having done anything against her conscience. Cultivators punish evil and promote good, eradicate demons, and uphold justice – this has always been right and proper. She had never doubted her steadfast Dao heart, but in that moment, when her sword pointed at Gu Caiyu, Fairy Qinghua hand trembled.

She hesitated, even took a step back.

The Demon King was astute in understanding people’s hearts, torn between emotion and duty. If she chose the world, she would inevitably lose her beloved in this life. If she concealed the truth out of selfishness, she would live with guilt and self-blame for the rest of her life. What agony!

“Did you let him go?” the young man asked softly.

Fairy Qinghua closed her eyes. “I killed him with my own hands.”