Chapter 24

Chunchou still went to work as usual during the day—since he worked at the city lord’s mansion, he naturally had to fulfill his responsibilities.

However, after getting off work each day, Chun Chou began frequenting the marketplace again, hoping to find a suitable artifact for Ling Wuji.

Ice-attributed artifacts were already rare—offensive ones even more so. And finding something suitable for Ling Wuji, who could only remain seated in a wheelchair, was harder still.

After searching for three nights, Chun Chou failed to find any ice-element offensive artifact. Instead, he came across a jade flute and a Profound-rank invisibility talisman.

The jade flute bore some similarities to Chun Chou’s little bell.

When Chun Chou rang his bell, anyone who heard it—except himself—would suffer a brief sonic attack to their sea of consciousness, disrupting their coordination and impairing their judgment.

The jade flute, on the other hand, could be played like an ordinary instrument in daily use. But when infused with spiritual power, the wielder’s spiritual sense could ride along the flute’s melody to selectively attack the sea of consciousness of those who heard it.

Its offensive power far exceeded that of the little bell, making it a genuine attack-type artifact.

Moreover, if one could find a skilled artificer to refine and upgrade it, the flute could remain usable even through the Golden Core stage.

As for the Profound-rank invisibility talisman, it originated from the Talisman Sect—one of the seven great sects of the Guiyuan Continent.

Ordinary talisman cultivators in the cultivation world could draw common talismans and make a living that way. However, more complex or important talismans were not something independent cultivators could learn at will.

Some rogue talisman cultivators had tried to study and replicate invisibility talismans, but such talismans contained numerous “anti-theft patterns.” Without the proper transmission, outsiders simply could not decipher their true method of inscription.

Even though Ling Wuji possessed exceptional talent in talisman drawing, he could not see through those anti-theft patterns to uncover the genuine technique behind the invisibility talisman.

The Profound-rank invisibility talisman Chun Chou purchased could conceal someone from a Foundation Establishment cultivator for up to two hours. Compared to ordinary concealment talismans, it was far superior—and its price was correspondingly impressive.

The jade flute artifact was the same.

To purchase these two items, Chun Chou had essentially spent all the “windfall” he and Ling Wuji had made after the demon beast tide.

He even sold off the various talismans Ling Wuji had drawn that weren’t needed for this trip, along with the spiritual herbs from his small backyard herb garden—and even two pots of Profound-rank Marrow-Cleansing Grass from the rooftop.

Only after scraping everything together did he manage to gather enough spirit stones to buy the flute and the invisibility talisman.Ling Wuji hadn’t expected Chun Chou to go to such lengths for him.

His heart warmed. For a fleeting moment, he even considered telling Chun Chou his “secret.” The words reached his lips—but in the end, he said nothing. He only stepped forward and pulled Chun Chou into an embrace.

“I should be able to break through to the tenth layer of Qi Refining tonight.”

Only then did Chun Chou finally grant him a smile.

Ling Wuji let out a long breath of relief. Now he truly understood how frightening Chun Chou could be when angry. Though he knew Chun Chou had been running around for days because of his trip to the Ten Thousand Demon Woods, Chun Chou hadn’t spoken a single word to him—hadn’t even given him a glance.

They had grown up together since childhood. Ling Wuji had never been treated this way. He knew he was in the wrong, yet he also ached seeing his beloved exhaust himself on his behalf. Now that Chun Chou’s anger had eased, Ling Wuji’s heart finally settled.

“It was my fault. I promise—there won’t be a next time.” Ling Wuji clasped Chun Chou’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go. “I will definitely come back alive.”

Chun Chou, however, did not let him off so easily. The smile had already faded.

“Talk after you come back alive,” he said coldly. He rose to leave, then turned back with a faint sneer. “But if you die, that’s fine too. Three-legged toads are hard to find—but two-legged men… heh.”

He didn’t see that the man behind him had already gone red-eyed.

Ling Wuji used every ounce of strength to steady himself. Then he understood: since things had come this far and half the price had already been paid, he would absolutely make Liu Ting’er hand over the remaining portion of the Blood Servant Technique she knew—along with the spirit seed she had mentioned.

He would not let either slip away.

With that resolve, Ling Wuji calmed his mind and continued cultivating. By the next morning, he had indeed advanced to the tenth layer of Qi Refining.

There were still two days before his appointed time with Liu Ting’er and Qiao Linglong.

During those two days, he focused on stabilizing his new cultivation level and familiarizing himself with the jade flute.

Meanwhile, though Chun Chou’s words that day had been harsh, he understood in his heart that Ling Wuji was taking this risk for him.

Otherwise, why would Ling Wuji endanger himself? With his talent for talisman drawing, he could have lived comfortably in Canglan City. But the Blood Servant Technique was truly a rare and valuable method. Missing it would be a pity. Even though Chun Chou hadn’t known about the decision beforehand, Ling Wuji had only wanted to make sure he did not lose this opportunity.

On the night before departure, Ling Wuji rolled his wheelchair straight into Chun Chou’s room.

Chun Chou: “…” He pretended not to notice.

Then Ling Wuji climbed onto the bed, slipped under the covers, and quietly took his beloved’s hand.

Only then did Chun Chou murmur, “Go to sleep early.” Once Ling Wuji left the next day, the Ten Thousand Demon Woods would be full of danger, and hidden enemies would be lurking. Who knew how many days it would take to return? Rest would be hard to come by there.

Ling Wuji’s voice carried a rare hint of grievance. “You won’t even look at me properly?”

Chun Chou: “…” So his boyfriend apparently had some “green tea” skills after all.

He still refused to turn around. “If you don’t know how to cherish yourself, then if someday… we can’t see each other again, it’s better not to look tonight. No need to stir up more trouble in the heart.”

Ling Wuji paused. “I won’t die. Even if I did… I wouldn’t regret it.” If he died for Chun Chou, he thought, he would have no regrets.

Of course, if there was even a sliver of possibility, he wanted to return alive.

Anger flared in Chun Chou’s chest. He sat up in the dim moonlight and snapped, “Don’t you understand? In this world, the most important person should be yourself! The one you should cherish most is yourself!

“We grew up together. We pledged ourselves in youth and promised to grow old side by side. If death stood before us and you died saving me, that would be devotion. If it were me, I would also be willing to die for you in that situation!

“But now? For nothing more than a fragmentary technique, you’re willing to risk your life? Ling Wuji—tell me, is it worth it?”

Because of the recent demonic beast riot, there was no longer much treasure left to scavenge in Canglan City. The Ten Thousand Demon Forest, however, was still bustling—not only with people hunting demon beast cores, but also with cultivators lying in ambush, waiting to rob others entering the forest.

Unless they truly had no other way to make a living, many in Canglan City would not rashly venture into the forest. And even if they did, they would form teams with people they trusted.

On top of that, Liu Ting’er and Qiao Linglong were being hunted by enemies, and it was unclear whether those enemies had accomplices. Ling Wuji was physically disabled, which put him at a disadvantage in combat. Though Liu Ting’er and Qiao Linglong had come from the Immortal-Mortal Realm with them, their true intentions were still unknown. This journey could truly be described as risking one’s life.

Yet Ling Wuji had sworn an oath with the two women not to bring anyone else along. That meant Chun Chou could not accompany them even if he wanted to.

How could Chun Chou not be angry?

Ling Wuji, however, thought differently.

Looking at Chun Chou, he said earnestly, “Why wouldn’t it be worth it? If it’s for you, anything I do is worth it.”

Chun Chou: “…”

He punched the bed in frustration. “Why can’t you understand? To yourself, you are the most important person! Of course you care about me and are willing to give for me—and I’m willing to accept that—but the premise is that you yourself aren’t in danger! At the very least, not in life-threatening danger!”

Ling Wuji replied, “You are the most important person to me—even more important than myself.” Then, before Chun Chou could flare up again, he added, “Chun Chou, I have a secret. I can’t tell you about it yet. But trust me—I absolutely won’t die this time.”

Hearing that, Chun Chou finally calmed down a little. He immediately guessed that this “secret” was likely some kind of hidden trump card or golden finger. He didn’t press further, only asked, “You really won’t die?”

“I won’t,” Ling Wuji said firmly. “There will be danger. Risking something for you is only natural. But I definitely won’t die.”

Only then did Chun Chou lie back down, though he still turned his back to Ling Wuji.

Ling Wuji said helplessly but resolutely, “But the fact that you are more important to me than myself—that won’t change.”

Chun Chou replied, “Even in my heart, I’m more important than you?”

Ling Wuji countered, “Isn’t that how it should be?”

Chun Chou: “…” Is something wrong with this boyfriend?

He pulled the blanket over his face and went to sleep.

As for Ling Wuji hiding some secret from him, he didn’t really mind. After all, wasn’t he hiding his own “golden finger” as well?

Ling Wuji watched him quietly. Only after Chun Chou’s breathing had steadied in sleep did he gently pull the blanket down from his face. He gazed at the boy for a long time before finally lying down himself.

Early the next morning, Liu Ting’er and Qiao Linglong were already waiting at the door.

When Chun Chou came out to see Ling Wuji off, he noticed that Qiao Linglong had advanced to the eighth level of Qi Refining—one level higher than the last time Ling Wuji had seen her.

Though Chun Chou was still somewhat unhappy, their conversation the previous night had reassured him that Ling Wuji knew what he was doing and was not truly throwing his life away. Even if he was going for Chun Chou’s sake, there was little more he could say. He merely nodded to the two women before looking at Ling Wuji.

Ling Wuji tilted his head up slightly to meet his gaze.

“Take care of yourself,” Chun Chou said. “Come back alive.”

The corner of Ling Wuji’s lips curved up. “Mm. I’ll miss you.”

Chun Chou: “…” This boyfriend really might have something wrong with him.

Still, if he could joke like that, he probably wouldn’t have any major problems coming home safely… right?

Chun Chou watched the three of them leave. Bound by their oath, he could not follow. So he went about his usual work—sometimes cultivating and tending spirit herbs at home in the evenings, and sometimes treating the wilted spiritual plants gathered by rogue cultivators in Canglan City to earn a bit of extra income.

Seven days passed like this. They finally returned in the middle of the seventh night.

Liu Ting’er’s small face was as pale as paper, and her left arm was gone.

Ling Wuji was also pale, clearly indicating that he had been injured as well.

Qiao Linglong died in the Forest of Ten Thousand Demons, her body never to be found.

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