Supreme Sword Exalt

Compared to cultivators, mortals lived but a few decades at most, lacking some magnificence and grandeur, but gaining more simplicity and sincerity. For Wangxiang Village, this was also the case. After scaring away the Blood Soul Old Ancestor, Gu Han simply built a thatched cottage next to the demoness’ small courtyard and settled down there.

Except for Ah Nan, no one else in the village had the aptitude for cultivation. Yet Gu Han still dissolved a trace of Transcendent Substance into the water, cleansing the impurities from the villagers every day, which also made them strong and healthy. Because of that, they were immune to all illnesses, long since shed of their previous frail and weak appearance.

Among them, the hunting team showed the most obvious change. Every single person possessed immense strength. Oftentimes, just one or two of them working together were enough to kill a fierce beast.

For them, having enough to eat, staying warm, and no longer living a precarious existence was the greatest happiness. Everyone could guess that this was Gu Han’s doing, growing increasingly grateful and indebted to him.

As for Gu Han, he also seemed to have completely regarded himself as a mortal. The sharpness he once carried gradually faded into mundaneness.

His life now consisted of chopping wood, hunting, eating meat, and teaching Ah Nan to cultivate. He didn’t find it boring in the slightest. Instead, he did it with great seriousness, constantly nurturing that seed within his thoughts. For the demoness, washing clothes, mending, cleaning, cooking for Gu Han, that was also her entire life.

The villagers found it strange. Even a blind person could see the affection between them, yet neither had ever shown any intention of making it official. The one with the strongest obsession was the old man.

He would wander in front of Gu Han from time to time, intentionally or unintentionally saying things like “while I’m still alive,” "betrothal gift,” “the woman being three years older,” which made both Gu Han and the demoness not know whether to laugh or cry.

Seasons changed, and a year passed in the blink of an eye. The Wangxiang Village became the most powerful village stronghold within Cold Mountain. At Uncle Wang’s initiative, all the villages united and supported each other, improving everyone’s life considerably.

On this day, Da Zhuang and Er Zhuang both got married to a pair of sisters from a village dozens of li away. The betrothal gift was a complete fierce beast corpse, which made the women’s family endlessly grateful. Uncle Wang also felt immensely pleased with himself for a long time.

After the wedding, the old man acted obsessed. He chattered outside Gu Han’s door for a full half an hour, only going back to rest after exhausting his energy. It scared Gu Han so much that he almost didn’t dare go outside.

As night deepened, two figures walked up the mountain together, arriving at the summit of Cold Mountain. Moonlight gently spilled over the world like water, faintly illuminating the two. Gu Han had long since changed into the coarse cloth robe sewn by the demoness, growing increasingly reserved and ordinary.

He still shuddered at the memory. “That old man is too terrifying!”

The demoness laughed softly, gently leaning on his shoulder. Behind them, their two shadows also merged together, inseparable.

“Old people are all like that.”

Gu Han was silent for a moment before saying, “You’ve grown weaker again.”

Although her appearance hadn't changed, he knew the demoness was still fading away. One day, she would disappear from the world entirely.

Instead of answering, the demoness asked him instead, “Do you think your father is strong?”

Gu Han nodded. “Very strong.”

Gu Tian’s cultivation speed and sheer might had completely surpassed the scope of ordinary cultivators, a kind of incomprehensible strength.

“Then can he ever go back to being the person he used to be?”

Gu Han said nothing. Although Gu Tian retained a sliver of rationality, reverting to his former appearance after stepping onto the demonic path... Qian Ye had never mentioned such a thing. Clearly, it was completely impossible to go back. The consequences of forcibly reversing it would also be unimaginable.

The demoness sighed faintly. “It’s the same for me. True Demon, Illusory Demon, Heavenly Demon... We who have walked these special paths are born with power that ordinary cultivators find difficult to grasp. Correspondingly, we can never turn back. This is a path of no return.”

Just then, she caressed his cheek, her eyes exceptionally bright. “But I’m not afraid of death. The moment grandpa’s remnant soul was destroyed by Ling Ya, Mo Chenyin had already died. But then I met you, and Mo Chenyin came back to life. She now has grandpa, a home, villagers who like her, and... you.

“She has gained a beauty she never dared to dream of before. Even if she can only live for a few years, it’s better than a demoness who lives like a walking corpse for millions of years.”

Gu Han tightly gripped her hand. “Given the chance, I will slaughter Ling Ya for you.”

“He’s very strong.”

“I dare to provoke even the Great Dao. What the hell is Ling Ya?”

The demoness couldn’t help but laugh, lightly flicking his forehead. “What a brag.”

Gu Han felt a bit puzzled. He really had provoked it, more than once to boot.

Looking up at that resolute face so close to her, the demoness’ expression grew somewhat dazed. She murmured, “I know you have to undergo your human tribulation. You want to grow stronger and then go find her. But can you wait a few more years before going? Won’t you accompany me a little longer? Let me be selfish for once, alright?”

What she didn’t say out loud was, “As repayment, I will give you a gift to make up for those few years you spent.”

Gu Han’s heart trembled after seeing the look in her eyes. “Alright.”

The demoness sounded somewhat puzzled. “The last time I saw her, she could’ve killed me, but she let me go.”

Gu Han sighed. “I know.”

He had heard about this from Murong Yan, but he had never been able to figure it out. When Ah Sha had gone berserk that day, the ability of her Eye of Shattered Illusions had greatly increased. What exactly did she see? Mo Chenyin’s past? Or a glimpse of the future?

***

In the Canglan Ancient Realm, a burst of annihilating power erupted with a loud crash, obliterating several ornately beautiful pavilions and towers.

The Yue Clan members were secretly alarmed. Did Young Lady go berserk again?

Amid the ruins, a young girl stood there, constantly scratching her head. “Ugh!!! So frustrating!”

She was a natural beauty with bright eyes and pearly-white teeth. Though not yet fully grown, her beauty could already topple cities. Her pure white, immortal dress shimmered with flowing light, further setting her apart from the mortal world. Her hair was somewhat disheveled, which added a touch of charm and cuteness.

Silently and imperceptibly, an old man gently landed beside her, full of affection. “Young Lady, another nightmare?”

The old man was Steward Yue, while the young girl was Ah Sha.

Ah Sha waved her delicate little hand, somewhat impatient. “All of you go away! I want to talk to Steward Yue!”

The Yue Clan members were subservient, promptly giving up their attempts to clean up the mess and retreating completely. “Yes! Yes!”

No one knew why, but after Ah Sha woke up, she only acknowledged Steward Yue. No matter how well the other clan members treated her—including her older cousins and even the Yue Clan Old Ancestor—she never gave them a pleasant look. Still, to the Yue Clan, Ah Sha was now the little ancestor. Whatever she said, went.

Steward Yue sighed. “Young Lady, what did you dream about this time?”

Ah Sha said angrily, “A woman! She wants to steal my man!”

Steward Yue’s eyelid twitched. “Young Lady, you mustn’t say such things carelessly. You... you are still very young...”

Ah Sha ignored him, sighing. “But... That woman was so pitiful and so miserable... I really hated her at first, but then I felt very sad for her. I just can’t bring myself to hate her at all... Ugh! this is so difficult to deal with!”

Steward Yue asked cautiously, “Young Lady, do you still remember who she was?”

“No, I don’t.”

“And the man?”

Ah Sha answered without hesitation, “Young Master! I remember very clearly, I have a Young Master! He treated me very, very, very well, better than all of you put together, it’s just...”

She then scratched her head again, somewhat troubled. “Aside from these, I couldn’t remember anything at all!”

Glancing subtly toward the extreme distance, Steward Yue smiled with relief. “Young Lady, remembering these is already enough.”

He silently thought, deeply moved, Old Ancestor, your schemes have failed. The young lady is not the young miss, and that young man is not the son-in-law. The two of them will not allow themselves to be manipulated by you. What happened back then will not repeat itself!