Ming Zhu wanted to ask more, but seeing Nan Qinghe crying so miserably, he couldn't bear it. He lifted his sleeve to wipe the boy's face and said helplessly, "Why do you love to cry so much? Stop now. If you don't want to talk about it, then don't."
Nan Qinghe’s face was awash with tears. The more he spoke, the more aggrieved he felt. He simply grabbed Ming Zhu’s hand and began to wail. "They... they will kill Xi Chu sooner or later. Brother... Xi Chu is a good person. Why do they treat him like that?"
Ming Zhu felt his head throb from the crying. He gently stroked the boy's hair and comforted him softly, "Qinghe, in this world, being a good person doesn't always mean you'll be rewarded. Xi Chu might be a good person, and those Transformed Demons of Fallen City might have died in vain, but so what? As you said, victors are kings and the defeated are outcasts. No matter what kind of scum those successful people are, they succeeded. The *Chronicles of the Five Continents* are written by them."
Although Ming Zhu disliked morning lessons, he had spent over a decade on Mount Rizhao and had skimmed through most of the books in the library during his spare time. He could spout grand platitudes with a straight face, one after another.
Nan Qinghe continued to cry out of sheer distress, and Ming Zhu patiently kept wiping his tears without a hint of annoyance.
As the two stood in silence, a crisp bell suddenly chimed from the front hall. The sound was powerful, sending ripples across the nearby lake.
Just as Ming Zhu wondered what the sound was, a look of horror flashed across Nan Qinghe’s pale face. Without a word, he stumbled and ran toward the front hall.
"Hey, Qinghe, wait for me!" Ming Zhu hurriedly gave chase.
The front hall was in an uproar. For some reason, the crowd had dispersed, leaving a massive open space in the center. A semi-transparent chain floated in mid-air, cordoning off the area.
Shen Hongchuan was sitting lazily to the side, drinking wine. Seeing Ming Zhu run in frantically, he beckoned him over.
Ming Zhu looked around but couldn't find Nan Qinghe—he had lost him in that short span of time. With so many people around, he couldn't search for him one by one. He walked over to Shen Hongchuan, took a sip of wine from the other man's hand, caught his breath, and asked in confusion, "What’s going on?"
Shen Hongchuan propped his chin on his hand, a faint smile on his lips. "The main event is here. Xi Chu is coming out."
"Oh?" There were no empty chairs nearby, so Ming Zhu propped himself up and sat casually on the table, his legs dangling. He rested a hand on Shen Hongchuan’s shoulder and said, "I just heard that Xi Chu is a Transformed Demon from Fallen City. Tsk, Fallen City was destroyed hundreds of years ago. I didn't know there was still a Transformed Demon left in this world."
Shen Hongchuan said calmly, "Legend has it that the Transformed Demons of Fallen City are difficult to cultivate. Their blood can heal wounds, their pupils can grant longevity, and their inner cores can even bring the dead back to life. If their bodies are used as cultivation furnaces, they can greatly boost one's power. So, look around..."
Before Xi Chu had even appeared, some of the people nearby were already staring at the empty space with excitement, their eyes filled with greed and lust.
"The reason they flock to the Moon-Grazing Tower is that here, as long as you have enough money, you can buy a night with the Transformed Demon, Xi Chu."
Ming Zhu suddenly understood what Nan Qinghe’s words meant.
This wasn't a brothel, but its practices were more revolting than any brothel's.
"But as far as I know, aren't the Transformed Demons of Fallen City incredibly powerful? If they take their demon form, even a Great Power in the Mahayana stage couldn't handle them," Ming Zhu asked, puzzled. "I heard he is the younger brother of Na Lian, the Lord of Fallen City. How could he be willing to endure such humiliation... for so many years?"
Shen Hongchuan took another sip of wine and said with a half-smile, "Because Nan Yue holds something over him."
As he spoke, he handed the wine cup to Ming Zhu and asked lazily, "Does Senior Brother want him?"
Ming Zhu took a sip and looked down at him in confusion.
Shen Hongchuan continued, "Ming Zhao likely came here for Xi Chu’s inner core. The Moon-Grazing Tower only lets Xi Chu out of his cage every once in a while. Usually, there's no chance to see him. If one wants his core, tonight is the only time to strike."
Ming Zhu hesitated.
At that moment, the crisp, melodious bell rang again. A pale purple figure slowly manifested in the center of the wide floor.
The crowd erupted into a clamor, surging toward the edge of the chain barrier.
The man seemed to appear out of thin air, dressed in purple and standing tall like a blooming flower. He elegantly extended his slender limbs. Behind him, a faint, massive phantom of a nine-tailed demon form flickered. An invisible wind whipped his floor-length hair and trailing robes into the air.
Ming Zhu hopped off the table and walked a few steps toward the barrier formed by the chains.
Shen Hongchuan said, "That is Xi Chu."
Hundreds of years ago, Fallen City was a secluded place. The lowest-level Wraiths did not have human forms; only those with peak cultivation or pure bloodlines could transform into humans, taking on the appearance of men or women—these were the Transformed Demons.
Xi Chu was a pure-blooded Transformed Demon of Fallen City. His beauty was almost overwhelming. His beast-like pupils were as still as an ancient well, gazing coldly at the empty space before him like an exquisite ice sculpture, devoid of any human warmth.
From the moment Ming Zhu saw Xi Chu’s face, he froze. In a daze, he seemed to want to walk forward, but Shen Hongchuan, sensing something was wrong, grabbed him. Only then did Ming Zhu snap back to his senses.
Shen Hongchuan looked at Ming Zhu’s dazed eyes and asked, "Senior Brother, what’s wrong?"
The confusion in Ming Zhu’s eyes did not fade. He stared blankly at Xi Chu and murmured, "I... I think I’ve seen him before..."
Shen Hongchuan was taken tonight.
Ming Zhu seemed to move forward a step uncontrollably, staring dreamily through the barrier at Xi Chu’s cold, beautiful face. Simultaneously, another crisp bell rang from above. Xi Chu’s hollow eyes flickered slightly, and he looked up.
On the second-floor gallery stood a man in black. He looked down at Xi Chu with a cold expression, holding a small golden bell in his hand. Seeing Xi Chu look up, he shook it gently again.
Xi Chu took two steps forward in a trance.
Shen Hongchuan said, "That’s Nan Yue."
Ming Zhu didn't seem to hear him, his gaze still fixed on Xi Chu.
Nan Yue watched Xi Chu’s submissive posture with emotionless eyes. "Xi Chu, the guests here have traveled thousands of miles. You must entertain them well."
The guests nearby let out bursts of suggestive laughter.
Xi Chu acted as if he hadn't heard. He knelt down gently, resting his forehead on the backs of his hands. His voice was as cold as ice. "Yes."
Not far behind Nan Yue, Nan Qinghe was being held back by guards. He covered his mouth desperately, tears streaming down his face.
Xi Chu touched his head to the ground, his long hair draped over his back and scattered across the floor, partially obscured by the massive nine-tailed phantom. It was hard to imagine that the Transformed Demon rumored to be capable of destroying a city single-handedly could be so docile and harmless.
Shen Hongchuan supported Ming Zhu, who was nearly collapsing. "Senior Brother? Senior Brother!"
Ming Zhu suddenly clutched his head. Ever since he saw Xi Chu, the red mark on the back of his left hand had become searing hot. Fragments of broken memories flashed in his mind—perhaps they were from too long ago to see clearly, but he could feel them rushing in like a tide and receding just as quickly.
Ming Zhu suddenly opened his eyes. In his blurred vision, he seemed to see a man in white standing atop a high pile of scattered animal bones. Massive nine tails drifted behind him. With an air of supreme grace, the man reached out a slender hand toward him, his vermillion lips parting slightly: "Ming Zhu..."
*BOOM—*
At that moment, a thunderous roar erupted from the center of the chains. The surroundings shook with the commotion. Ming Zhu, drenched in cold sweat, looked up to see that Xi Chu had stood up at some point. His beast-like pupils were cold, radiating a feral ferocity and malice as he stared directly at Ming Zhu.
The illusory nine tails behind him had turned solid. His dark hair and robes billowed in a phantom wind; he looked like a vengeful ghost coming for a soul.
The crowd was stunned by his sudden change in demeanor. Even Nan Yue on the second floor was momentarily taken aback.
Xi Chu stepped onto the cold floor with bare feet, walking toward Ming Zhu step by step. His face was full of malice, looking truly ominous.
Shen Hongchuan helped Ming Zhu up, frowning. "Senior Brother, stay back."
Nan Yue upstairs also recovered. He gently shook the golden bell and said in a heavy voice, "Xi Chu!"
However, the golden bell that had controlled Xi Chu for hundreds of years seemed to have lost its effect. He ignored it entirely, walking toward Ming Zhu. Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, he stopped just one step away from Ming Zhu.
Only the illusory chain barrier separated them.
Ming Zhu looked at him blankly.
Xi Chu reached out a thin hand and gripped the chain. He leaned closer to Ming Zhu, his pupils contracting. "The scent... of Na... Lian..."
Ming Zhu: "...What?"
Xi Chu tried to reach for him, but the barrier formed by the chains blocked him. He could only widen his eyes and stare expressionlessly at Ming Zhu, his pale lips moving slightly. "Blood... I... will kill... kill you..."
Ming Zhu didn't react in time, but Shen Hongchuan’s expression turned cold. He looked up at Nan Yue and said icily, "Tower Master Nan, is this how the Moon-Grazing Tower treats its guests?"
Shen Hongchuan held significant power and status in both Shuoyu City and the entire Kingdom of Ximu. No one wanted to offend this young master whose wealth could rival a nation. Nan Yue’s brow furrowed. He shook the golden bell again and barked, "Xi Chu, you are too insolent! Stand down!"
This roar, coupled with the power of the golden bell, struck Xi Chu like a physical blow. His pupils jolted violently. Then, as if being forcibly suppressed, his body trembled. His legs could no longer support him, and he slowly sank into a kneel. The malice surrounding him gradually dissipated, as if that ghost-like aura from a moment ago had never existed.
The surrounding chains also slowly retracted, eventually coiling around Xi Chu’s slender neck like a unique pendant. However, everyone present knew that this was the shackle used to control a Transformed Demon’s form. With this, no matter what was done to him, he would not resist.
Having easily dealt with Xi Chu, Nan Yue placed the golden bell on the railing and said, "Guests, please proceed as you wish."
He turned around and glanced at the weeping Nan Qinghe, seemingly finding him an eyesore. "Watch him. Don't let him act crazy again."
Nan Qinghe glared at him intensely. "Mmph! Mmph!"
Nan Yue ignored him and turned to leave.
The people remaining in the hall looked at each other. Having witnessed Xi Chu’s terrifying malice just now, they didn't dare approach him at first. After a moment, a man in lavish robes tossed a storage ring to a nearby attendant of the Moon-Grazing Tower. With a light laugh, he stepped forward and placed his hand on Xi Chu’s slender waist.
The kneeling Xi Chu returned to his docile state, his eyes hollow and void. He allowed the man to pick him up by the waist and carry him toward the rooms on the second floor under the envious and jealous gazes of the crowd.
Ming Zhu sat dizzily in a chair, supported by Shen Hongchuan, who fed him a cup of water. Seeing his dazed state, Shen Hongchuan was deeply worried. "Senior Brother? What is wrong with you? Senior Brother, answer me."
Ming Zhu murmured, "I want him."
"What?"
Ming Zhu grabbed Shen Hongchuan’s arm, the confusion on his face vanishing instantly. It was as if he had pushed through layers of mist. "He is in my memories. He seemed to recognize me just now, too. Ming Zhao might not have come for him just for his inner core; perhaps there is another purpose."
Ming Zhu had been in a trance and hadn't seen Xi Chu being taken away. Now that he had come to, he immediately looked around. "Where is Xi Chu? Where did he go?"
Shen Hongchuan found it difficult to say. Only after Ming Zhu’s repeated questioning did he answer, "He was taken away."
Ming Zhu: "Ah? Taken where?"
"It’s better if Senior Brother doesn't ask. You probably won't see him for another hour or two," Shen Hongchuan sighed. "Fortunately, the Moon-Grazing Tower stays open until tomorrow morning. Let's wait."
Ming Zhu didn't understand. Seeing that Shen Hongchuan wouldn't elaborate, he asked the question he had been wanting to follow up on: "You said earlier that Nan Yue has leverage over Xi Chu. What exactly is it?"
Shen Hongchuan reached out and gently tapped the red mark under Ming Zhu’s left eye. He stopped playing riddles and said softly, "It is the demon eye of his elder brother, Na Lian."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
成妖 | Transformed Demon | A high-level class of demon/spirit capable of taking human form.
魅魉 | Wraith | Lower-level spirits/demons that lack human form.
陷落城 | Fallen City | A legendary demon city destroyed centuries ago.
那帘 | Na Lian | The former Lord of Fallen City and Xi Chu's elder brother.
奚楚 | Xi Chu | A pure-blooded Transformed Demon held captive in the Moon-Grazing Tower.
南越 | Nan Yue | The owner of the Moon-Grazing Tower and Nan Qinghe's father.
说玉城 | Shuoyu City | The city where the Moon-Grazing Tower is located.
五洲录 | Chronicles of the Five Continents | A historical record of the world.
炉鼎 | Furnace | A cultivation term for a person whose energy is harvested by another.
采补 | Plucking and Supplementing | A method of cultivation involving the theft of another's vital energy.
妖相 | Demon Form | The true, non-human appearance of a demon or spirit.
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