Going home
The raging energy of the "Primordial Beginning" was now as docile as some kind of gentle beast under Yun Hua's control, spontaneously making way for the two of them. Yun Shu carried his master, steadily stepping out of this land of destruction and creation.
Returning to the Demon Abyss, the familiar, chaotic demonic energy rushed towards him. Yunhua's body tensed instantly, and the previously settled chaotic demonic energy stirred restlessly. This was his instinctive repulsion towards this place, as well as a conditioned reflex to the pain of the past.
"Master," the white fox tilted its head slightly, its soft fur brushing against Yunhua's hand, its voice gentle, "It's alright, we're out."
“It’s out…” Yunhua murmured, repeating the words over and over, and his restless aura was indeed gradually calmed down. His blank eyes looked around before slowly closing again. He buried his face in his disciple’s warm, fluffy neck hair, took a deep breath of the comforting, refreshing scent of herbs and trees, and calmed down completely.
Meanwhile, in the upper level of the Demon Abyss Secret Realm.
Mo Yiheng, who was about to leave, was startled. A sudden surge of emotion welled up within him, causing him to turn back immediately, his gaze fixed intently on the bottom of the abyss. He felt it, felt that incredibly familiar, incredibly longed-for aura emanating from that deathly chaos, faint yet tenacious.
"Master...Master?" He blurted out almost without thinking, no longer caring about manners or etiquette. He abandoned the demon soldiers on guard at the top and his figure transformed into a black lightning bolt, plunging into the abyss that inspired fear once again without hesitation.
Is it an illusion? Or...?
His heart pounded so hard it felt like it would shatter his ribs, but just as he was about to enter that extremely dangerous place, a crack appeared in the empty chaos before his eyes. He abruptly stopped, frozen in place, waiting hesitantly, while clutching his magnificent robes tightly.
From within the crevice, a snow-white, enormous, elegant, and explosively powerful fox paw emerged first. Following closely behind was the breathtakingly beautiful figure of the nine-tailed celestial fox, and finally, its dreamlike, gently swaying tail. When the entire white fox, its fur gleaming and its eyes shining like morning stars, stepped out, even this sinister and terrifying Demon Abyss Secret Realm seemed to shimmer and glow with brilliance.
Amidst the ecstasy and amazement, what instantly caused Mo Yiheng's pupils to shrink and his blood to freeze was the figure sitting upright on Yun Shu's broad back.
Yun Hua was dressed in rags, his long, dark hair cascading messily down his sides and to his sides. Although he looked disheveled, the chaotic demonic energy emanating from him was terrifying, yet it also carried a kind of timeless majesty that belonged to the beginning of the world, making people want to submit involuntarily.
It's Grandmaster... He's awake, he's come out? And... he's with Master?
Mo Yiheng froze in mid-air, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Joy, fear, guilt… a myriad of emotions surged through him. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out; he could only instinctively kneel down, bowing his head deeply.
"Your unfilial disciple, Mo Yiheng, respectfully welcomes the return of your grandmaster and master." His voice was dry and trembled almost imperceptibly.
Before Yun Shu could respond, Yun Hua's chaotic gaze fell on Mo Yiheng first. Undoubtedly, the pure demonic energy belonging to the Demon Lord was piercing Yun Hua's nerves. The instinct to exorcise demons overwhelmed the brief peace, and the terrifying pressure crushed Mo Yiheng like a mountain, pinning him to the spot.
Mo Yiheng's face turned pale. The Soul-Suppressing Golden Lotus flew out automatically to resist, but it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, with little effect.
"Master," Yun Shu hurriedly turned around, her moist nose gently rubbing against Yun Hua's arm, "He is my disciple. When you were away, he and his senior sister took care of Qiuqiu and searched for medicine for her. Although Heng'er is a demon, he is still a good child... Please, please let him go, okay?"
The chaotic power paused. Yun Hua lowered his head, looked at Yun Shu, and then glanced questioningly at Mo Yiheng, who was immobilized by his oppressive aura but still secretly looking up at Yun Shu. He seemed unable to understand why Qiuqiu was involved with the Demon Lord. After a long silence, the terrifying oppressive aura finally receded like the tide. He ignored Mo Yiheng, simply burying his face back into Yun Shu's warm fur, saying nothing, as if making a reluctant acquiescence.
After catching his breath, Mo Yiheng realized his back was soaked with cold sweat. He glanced at his grandmaster with a complicated expression, but the moment Yun Shu walked towards him, all his emotions turned into the relief of having regained what he had lost. He didn't get up, but instead straightened his back even more, looking greedily at Yun Shu. A thousand words were stuck in his heart, but in the end, they all turned into one sentence: "Master, your eyes are healed... and your body is healed too."
The white fox touched his forehead with the tip of its nose, just as it had always comforted him before: "Yes. It was Master who saved me. I see that the Demon Realm is different from before, everything is in good order... Heng'er, you've worked hard, you did a great job."
With just a simple gesture and a word of affirmation, all the unease and grievances in the Demon Lord's heart were instantly soothed. Mo Yiheng's eyes reddened, and he nodded vigorously, as if he was about to shed tears.
"My master and I must return to Yunhua Mountain first, and wait for my senior sister to return home," Yun Shu said. "Heng'er, would you like to come along?"
Master... I want to go home with him.
Mo Yiheng was almost overjoyed and was about to respond when he saw Yunhua on the fox's back turn over, seemingly still uncomfortable with his demonic energy. He then turned his head to look at the demon soldiers who had followed him, his eyes darkening.
In the end, he simply smiled and shook his head, ordering the demon army to withdraw and clear a path for his grandmaster. After personally escorting the two to the edge of the demon realm, he sensibly stopped, saying, "The demon realm still needs reorganization. This disciple... will wait here. I hope my master will forgive me."
Yun Shu understood and raised her paw to wipe the redness from his eyes: "Alright. Master believes that Heng'er will be an excellent Demon Lord."
"Yes! Heng'er is the best..." Mo Yiheng reluctantly hugged the fox paw that was half the size of his body, and rubbed against it a few more times on tiptoe. "Master... and Grandmaster, Heng'er will definitely work hard and live up to your expectations."
"Good child." The nine-tailed celestial fox stepped on the clouds and headed towards Yunhua Immortal Mountain. Soon, it merged with the white clouds in the sky and disappeared from sight.
The awakening of the demon god naturally alarmed everyone in Yunhua with its terrifying aura.
The elders, their faces solemn yet subtly excited, all took to their swords and crowded outside the forbidden area, as if facing a formidable enemy. Jinzhu, with her low cultivation level, could not sense the aura of the distant demon god, but she was still frightened by the scene, her face turning pale. Her master, the First Elder, was at the forefront, and she could not keep up, so she tugged at the Second Elder's sleeve and followed closely behind.
However, when they saw who was coming, they all froze on the spot.
The pristine white fox had already transformed into human form, dressed in snow-white robes, still as elegant as ever, with gentle features and clear eyes. He had completely healed his injuries and even regained his sight. And in his hand, he was loosely holding the hand of another person.
The man was tall and imposing, his face still handsome and dashing, but his robes were tattered, and he was shrouded in an extremely dangerous chaotic demonic aura that sent shivers down one's spine. The once venerable Master Yunhua had lost all trace of his immortal bearing; his eyes held only endless pain, confusion, and an instinctive protectiveness.
In an instant, gasps and gasps filled the forbidden area. Yunhua and his companions were thrown into chaos. The bizarre scene before them was clearly beyond their comprehension: not only had Yun Shu, who had been tormented by the demonic poison, been healed and regained her sight, but even their ancestor Yunhua, who had long since lost his mind and was neither immortal nor demon, seemed to have been... "tamed" by Yun Shu?
Seemingly disturbed by the many unfamiliar presences and gazes, Yunhua emitted a low, slightly threatening and hostile hum in his throat. His chaotic gaze swept over the crowd, and he subconsciously pulled Yunshu closer, as if he could only feel at ease if he completely hid his disciple behind him. The overwhelming pressure of the demon god instantly poured out, causing many disciples to lose their footing and gasp for breath, forcing them to lean on their swords for support.
"Master, don't be afraid." Yun Shu immediately turned around, gently hugged Yun Hua's arm, and explained softly, "They are all your disciples and grand-disciples, they are family. We're back at Yunhua Mountain now. Here, no one will harm us, okay?"
His words and demonic power seemed to have a peculiar calming effect. After hearing these words, the restless demonic energy around Yun Hua actually calmed down slowly, but he still looked around somewhat blankly, his protective stance towards Yun Shu remaining unchanged.
With the crisis averted, the Grand Elder was the first to regain his senses. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, carefully observing Yun Hua's condition. Then, looking at Yun Shu, whose aura was now pure and whose eyes were clear, he was overjoyed: "Uncle-Master...you, you truly...this is nothing short of a miracle!"
"It's a blessing from Master." Yun Shu patted Yun Hua's hand and said softly, "Master, this is our eldest nephew. Do you still remember him?"
Yunhua looked at the Grand Elder with a puzzled expression, seemingly trying to find the man's image in her memory.
It seems that it will take some time for Master to remember them.
Yun Shu lowered her eyes and said gently, "Master, there's no need to rush, we still..."
Just as he was about to offer a few words of comfort, a streak of blue light flashed across the sky, and in the blink of an eye, he saw Yunhe and Wuying standing not far away.
"Senior Sister!" Yun Shu's eyes lit up, and she quickly took a few steps to greet her.
Upon landing, Yunhe's gaze immediately fell upon Yun Shu's clear eyes and Yun Hua beside her, causing him to feel a sense of realization. Even a powerful healer like Yun Hua, who was also the current head of the Yun Hua sect, couldn't help but reveal a heartfelt joy and a relieved smile.
She quickly stepped forward, first carefully checking her master and junior brother to confirm that they were indeed unharmed, then turned around and looked at Yunhua with hazy eyes.
Without asking any questions, Yunhe lifted his robes and knelt down properly, trying his best to hide the turmoil in his heart. He only said, "Your unfilial disciple Yunhe respectfully welcomes Master's return!"
Everyone says that Headmaster Yunhua is upright and kind-hearted, but who knows the pain and suffering she endured when she ascended to the throne and personally sent her master into the seal? She doesn't want to mention the path of immortality, not because the years have passed and she has forgotten, but simply because she doesn't want to recall her past sins and dares not look at her master who gave everything for her and her junior brother.
Wu Ying did not know why the Immortal Venerable was shedding tears, and hurriedly knelt down before the Demon God, not daring to look any longer.
Memories shattered by millennia of pain surged once more, and Yunhua stared blankly at the woman in green kneeling before her, her lips trembling.
"Little Crane, if one day, Master becomes a monster..." Once upon a time, the sect leader of Yunhua Mountain sat atop a tree, with a small girl in green robes beside him. "You must, you absolutely must seal me away immediately, so that Master cannot bring disaster to the world. Do you understand?"
The girl cupped her face, displeased: "How could Master turn into a monster? Are you trying to fool me again, wanting me to go down the mountain to buy you wine?"
"Haha... Life is unpredictable, and no one knows what they will become in the next moment. Even your master wouldn't dare say that he can uphold the righteous path for a lifetime... Little Crane, just remember, if one day your master becomes unlike the master you remember..."
"Pah! Pah! Pah! Nonsense!" The girl covered her ears tightly. "Master is Master, no matter what, he is still Master! Master is Xiaohe and Qiuqiu's most powerful and most unreliable Master! He will never change!"
The man clapped his hands and laughed, then took his disciple's hand and headed towards the back mountain: "Good, good... Master is indeed Master. Now, this unreliable Master is going to find some spiritual herbs to refine pills. Little Crane, will you come along to protect Master?"
"Yes! Master, you're always trying to concoct new medicines behind my back, I won't let you succeed!"
"Alright. Then today, Master can't escape. Master will be at Xiao He's beck and call..."
The figure in her memory overlapped with the woman in front of her. Finally, Yunhua slowly and awkwardly raised her hand, gently placed it on Yunhe's head, and rubbed it.
Just like a long, long time ago.
“…Little Crane, don’t cry…Master is here.”
As those hoarse words fell, Yunhe lost all control and, disregarding the presence of others, threw herself into Yunhua's rough embrace, tears soaking Yunhua's clothes. Yunhua gently patted her, just as she had done over ten thousand years ago, to comfort her exceptionally strong-willed eldest disciple.
At this moment, all the tense and serious atmosphere melted away. The elders removed the formation and instructed the disciples to tidy up their rooms. They also told the disciples to inform the dining hall that a welcome feast would be held that night for the three elders, especially to celebrate the return of Ancestor Yunhua.
Seeing Jinzhu hiding to the side, both curious and frightened, Yunshu went to ask her if she needed anything.
"Um... there are some things..." Perhaps emboldened by Yun Shu's presence, she mustered her courage and followed behind the fox spirit, slowly inching towards Yun Hua, handing her a box of her favorite pastries. "That... that day in the Demon Abyss, I'm sorry... Grandmaster... would you like to eat something? This... is delicious..."
Yunhua looked at the delicate pastry, then at the little girl hiding behind Yunshu, and finally hesitated before taking it and taking a small bite. The sweet taste melted in her mouth, and it seemed as if a few more lights had appeared in those cloudy eyes.
"……Thanks."
Jinzhu breathed a sigh of relief, patted her chest and ran off, saying she would make a beautiful little flower basket for the ancestor as an apology.
As night fell, the three of them were finally able to sit together. Soothed by Yunhe's calming array and Yunshu's fragrant herbs, Yunhua had already drifted off to sleep. Yunhe briefly explained how they obtained the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Soul and the Molten Jade Marrow, as well as the clues about the strange man in black.
Yunhe, though separated by a thousand miles, used the divine sense on the Illusionary Moon Chasing Light Fan to send Wuying back to the Demon Realm. He was still talking to Yunshu, saying, "Although your demonic poison has been cleared now, those two medicinal ingredients can still be used as good medicine for Master to regulate his body, so it is not a waste."
Yun Shu listened quietly, holding a jade comb in her hand, gently combing Yun Hua's long hair as she slept against her shoulder. Upon hearing this, she first chuckled, then couldn't help but frown: "So...then the events of Liu Qing's calamity against the dynasty, the poisoning in the Demon Realm, and the theft of eggs in the Western Regions were all orchestrated by the henchmen of this ancient evil cult?"
“Most likely.” Yunhe nodded, picked a small flower and stuffed it into Yunhua’s hand. “Their purpose is unclear, but their methods are despicable, and they can drive all sorts of scoundrels... Their ambitions must be considerable.”
Yun Shu remained silent for a moment, then looked at Yun He: "Senior Sister, now that we have all the medicinal ingredients, when can we refine the medicine for Master? Are there any other auxiliary ingredients needed?"
“Anytime is fine. However, Master has just woken up and his condition is extremely unstable. I must first treat him before considering anything else. As for the repair of your meridians that were eroded by the demonic poison… if your demonic disciple has not neglected his duties in the past few months, the medicine should be ready for consumption soon. But I…”
"I understand." Yun Shu smiled slightly, her gaze gently falling on the sleeping Yun Hua's face. "My matter is not urgent. It is already a great blessing that I can see the light again. The most important thing right now is my master."
Yunhe shook his head slightly: "Your good disciple may not think that way... Never mind. I have already sent messages to Shanjun and the Red Lotus Sect, asking them to investigate from various angles. As for the Demon Realm, your Demon Lord disciple is also investigating it."
"Yes. Heng'er is indeed a very outstanding child."
"Haha, if he heard that, he'd probably cry for half the night."
Yun Shu looked slightly puzzled and turned to look at her senior sister: "What do you mean by that, senior sister?"
Yunhe ignored all that, raised an arm and placed it on his face, saying only, "I'm just laughing at how stupid you are, you little fox. Alright, you've just recovered from a serious illness, you should rest more like your master. Go to sleep. Otherwise, your senior sister will have to give you some calming soup."
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