Chương 61: Sleep

The air softly rippled under that voice. Guardian Elder descended from the sky step by step, hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile on his lips. Serene quickly rose, though a little wobbly, and bowed in deep respect.

"Guaydian… Eldey…"

"No need for formalities, Serene," he said, shaking his head.

"Heavens, you are making these old bones ache. Look at how much you've grown. You were barely up to my waist when we met, heh, but you're still so sensible, unlike this troublemaker." He turned to Ren, an amused look in his eyes that collapsed into a frown.

"I'd bow," Ren said with a smile, forcing himself to give a simple nod, "if I could feel a fucking muscle—" He shivered. Not the kind people get standing in cold or from a cramp. Neither did it resemble that mysterious figure's crashing pressure. No. It was the kind that grabbed him from the throat, yanked his body left and right till no bone remained in place, then proceeded to fix them one by one— without giving any anesthesia.

"I haven't seen you for a few years, child, and thought you'd mature after what happened," Shen Baogang muttered, voice dangerously low. That faint smile was nowhere to be seen, as though it were nothing but a mirage.

"And look at how you turned out!" Ren gulped aloud. Serene took a subtle step back, too, its gaze shifting between them. Even the battlefield far away froze like someone pressed the pause button.

"I—""Silence," ordered the man, his hand snapping up.

"The mistake isn't yours, it's this failed teacher's." His gaze shifted, sharp and cold.

"I trusted that Guiren boy with too much, thinking he is quite sensible…. I should've known nothing good ever comes from the wretched Lin's lineage." Just from the tone, Ren stood speechless. Bloody hell, I don't even know what I have done… And are you bipolar? How can you change so quickly? At the same time, he searched his soul brother's memories frantically, trying to find what might have triggered such a drastic change.

Unfortunately, he couldn't find an answer immediately; his thoughts were sluggish and the memories hazy.

"Look at the state you're in! You are corrupted! Corrupted! Have I toiled ten years in the forge just to see this sight? Shen Baogang pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath, probably trying to quell his temper. It didn't work in the slightest.

"What? You met your first real setback and can't handle it? So you're punishing your poor armor for it? Heh, of course, of course! This is what happens when you gain strength before control." The more he talked, the redder his face turned. He suddenly turned and grabbed at the empty air. Away from them, the fire golem bellowed in terror. It attempted to swell its body once again, the dark holes as its eyes flaring with all it had. However, instead of growing, it started to shrink.

Sparks erupted around it, but they couldn't spread. A transparent cage in the shape of a hand plucked it out of reality. Shen Baogang raised his other hand. Ren's armor dismantled itself and flew to his palm. No— Ren hurriedly tried to climb back to his feet, drawing forth a fierce protest from his muscles, yet he didn't care. He couldn't let anyone touch his armor. He couldn't let him erase the marks of his soul brother's death!

Not before he learned the truth— One glance locked him in place, leaving him frozen in an awkward half-risen, half-seated pose.

"Since you value observable life more than yours, let me teach you a lesson," the man muttered in a bleak tone, pressing the tiny fire golem caught in his hand into the armor. A scream echoed, but was cut short abruptly as its body vanished into the gloomsteel. Light flared once, violent and blinding, then collapsed inward into dark flames that spread over the armor. Ren's pupils constricted as the Judgment Sect's insignia melted, sagged, then slid away from the chestplate entirely.

Drawn toward the right arm, the metal stretched thin, tore, and reknit itself into two pauldron layers stacked together. The whole chestplate— except a triple-stacked part protecting his heart— followed next. Metal flowed under the man's hand, following his fingers like obedient followers. The cracks swallowed whole, the scars erased, the mistakes mending themselves. Runes followed, slithering like cunning snakes, and they began to devour the flames. Their chipped parts reappeared, and they became whole once again.

"I hadn't named it at that time, considering you would do that yourself," Shen Baogang said, lowering his head.

"This old man is ashamed." His shoulders curled over his chest, and all of a sudden he looked like he was aged ten years. This glance… Ren's heart clenched in pain. I know it… I know… Shen Baogang caressed the armor gently.

"Let it be Cinderborn, then." The flames died. What remained was smooth. Lusterless. No longer glimmering with pride. Darker. Smaller. And very much different. It slowly floated back toward Ren and merged into his body. He didn't dare to wear it. And Shen Baogang noticed it, but didn't comment. He heaved a deep sigh, pulled his aura back, and straightened.

"You represent our supreme honor, child, and I know how heavy it is. But we believed in your ability to carry it. Don't disappoint us and conduct yourself accordingly," he said, then sharply turned, his body dissolving into the wind.

"Or I'll personally step in and rein that temper of yours, cleansing the impure." … Faraway. In a spacious hall. Qin Guiren sat at an impressive throne, chin propped in his hand, gaze absentmindedly sweeping around the luxurious hall. Walls were decorated with countless paintings depicting glorious scenes; chandeliers glittered with brilliant, shiny crystals; and all sorts of people were 'debating' in their totally not-aggressive voices.

Against him stood the famed Sect Master of Azure, a middle-aged man at the impressive height of ninety centimeters, sipping wine from a crystal skull, his snake eyes narrowed. Useless bastard… Qin Guiren thought, a sense of irritation rising. Maybe Ren should've killed their Eldest again; then at least we wouldn't be wasting our time here. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

Of course, a high-tier sect wasn't important enough for his personal visit, even if the troublemaker was his one and only disciple. The real reason he had to come here was—"Being a Sect Leader suits you, Guiren. You've matured… calm and silent." A voice cut cleanly through the hall. A mature woman stepped through the door, and the world grew still. The clamoring voices flattened to silence, her presence crushing them.

She wore simple robes, pure white and unadorned, but they perfectly encapsulated her curvy figure, drawing some gulps. Her black hair moved like liquid, falling softly over her shoulders. Her features were sharp at first glance, yet the slight fullness of her cheekbones added a touch of softness, while her purple-painted lips drew the eye as though spellbound. But it was her eyes that froze time— a boundless blue resembling the ocean, and an unmistakably warm glint. But unlike them, her voice came out sharp. Nasal.

And strangely bitter.

"Guess that comes easy when you've already learned how to shut people out, heh," she continued, ignoring everyone and only focusing on him. It must be her, of course, he let out a discreet sigh.

"Unfortunately," Qin Guiren replied evenly, "I can't say the same. You haven't changed a bit, Elder Jin Lifen." He had expected to see someone from the Supreme Empress Sect. After all, Azure Sky was nothing more than a slightly larger ant. And when you kicked the dog, its master had to come. Though his prayers seemed not to be answered, out of all the available people, this woman had chosen to come. Jin Lifen inclined her head slightly at his words, her smile neither serious nor relaxed.

"Thanks for the praise. It's great to hear that I'm still as beautiful as I was in my youth…" She whispered the last part, " in your eyes, of course." Qin Guiren forced himself not to roll his eyes. Such a gesture wouldn't fit for a man of his bearing. Even so, the temptation was real. Jin Lifen paid no mind to his lack of reaction. Instead, her grin widened, dimples surfacing at the slight creases. She was still damn pretty and hard to resist. However, right at that moment, his hand trembled.

A bad premonition flared, but before his instincts could tell what was wrong—"Guiren boy, return to the sect at this instant." A voice echoed, followed by a flash of light from his token. Guardian Elder's form appeared before him. Straightening, Qin Guiren's brows shot up, "Is there something wrong in the sect? What about the Azure Sky?"

"There is, and more will come when you return. As for Azure Sky…" A cold scowl boomed, and Guardian Elder swept his gaze. He raised his brows, seeing Jin Lifen. His face turned solemn, eyes moving back and forth between her and Qin Guiren.

"You are… Jin Lifen, right? What are you doing there?"

"Greetings, Guardian of Judgment," Jin Lifen uttered softly, her tone perfectly still.

"As the newly promoted Grand Elder, I'm here to negotiate about the problem your Eldest…" she paused for a second, her eyes curling into crescents, "caused. Though, as our future-son-in-law, this is not a big problem." She became what? Qin Guiren's eyes widened, already feeling a headache. As for her later words, he completely ignored them.

"That's better, then." Guardian Elder nodded, not mentioning the in-law part as well.

"I'd planned to visit your sect, but there's no need. Wait there, I'm already on my way." His voice suddenly turned cold as he turned to the Sect Master of Azure Sky.

"And I hope Azure Sky can find a good excuse for sending a Master after our Bearer until my arrival. Or—" The snake-like man trembled, and blood-red wine splashed onto his lap, painting an ugly picture.

"—wait for us to raze their entire sect to the ground." The image disappeared as soon as he finished his words, leaving an unsettling silence behind. Nearly every member of Azure Sky turned ashen. Even Jin Liafen frowned deeply. This… Qin Guiren slowly clenched his fists. What should I do? He is not my disciple anymore… Yet again, for the first time in years, ever since the time he claimed the throne, an uncontrollable urge to go on a rampage filled his being.

"Azure Sky!" a suppressed, guttural roar rippled out of him! … Guardian Elder left just like that. Ren slumped down at last. Gazed at the darkened soil, saw nothing. Head tipped back, the sky didn't comfort either. He… felt full of empty.

"Mm… human?" No answer.

"Ren…?" He remained still. He didn't even realize who sat beside him. That glance… he couldn't shake the image from his mind. Strange, how every step away from his past only drew him deeper into it. Isn't it supposed to be the other way? Right. After all, he had moved forward. He wasn't faking it anymore. He knew that much. He believed that much. Then why couldn't I feel it that way? Different scenery. Different script.

Same shit— just like a gambling junkie who swore he'd quit, only to find himself at the table itself. Again. So… I can't be me— whether in my past life or in this one… that's what you're saying to me? Just because of this messed-up corruption thingy? A dangerous thought lingered, but before he spiraled into it… A chuckle echoed in his ears. He flinched, his eyes snapped wide open abruptly to search for the source, but he found only the worried Demoness and Serene.

Just as he considered whether he had finally lost what little sanity he had left, he remembered. [Tell me, Ren of Wang Family, the Eldest Brother of Supreme Judgment Sect, the honored carrier of Purple Dragon.] The talk he had with Ancestor Lin. [Who… made you who you are today?] His eyes lost focus, the sounds stepping away from him. A system panel appeared, then another, and another. But he noticed none. As if disconnected from the world, he only heard his heartbeat pounding in his ears.

Sets of memories began to clash and merge, with literal sparks popping in his mind. His vessel, unsettled and restless, suddenly eased. The change was minimal, but strangely, it forced him to notice, as though announcing something. He felt like he was on the cusp of grasping something. Something crucial. Something he— not him— had desperately searched for all his life. Slap!

"Reny!" Deep breaths. Took deep, long breaths. After a long moment of concentration, the world came into a blurry focus. Sounds returned, although a little muffled. Alright, more than a little. A wry chuckle escaped his lips.

"What a messed-up night, huh?" he said.

"Heh… which is more messed up… the night, or you?" Demoness accompanied his chuckle, slumping and leaning on the same tree. She exhaled quietly.

"Never mind, I know the answer."

"You humans are truly strange," Serene chimed in. At the same time, she lay down fully, her body stretching across the ground as she lowered her head and clicked its small, pinkish tongue. Quite a strong regeneration, Ren noted by instinct. But the extent seems lacking compared to moonlight energy. His gaze wandered over its scales, or, more precisely, the lack of them.

"Says a grazer in the body of a top predator," Demoness countered. A flask flashed into her waving hand. She took a quick sip, then passed it to Ren. He didn't refuse; his throat was parched. He tilted his head back and downed it in one go.

"Wait, that's not water— Instead of gulping it down, Ren choked on it, wondering how mere liquid could hit him harder than the golem did.

"It's… Clear Spirit Liquor…" Demoness trailed off. The hell with 'Clear Spirit'?! This shit is straight-up vodka, he grumbled, though he couldn't get a sound out, his vocal cords seemingly went afk. Only his eyes spit fire, and it might not be an exaggeration since he truly felt like he could. He was pretty sure someone had installed a steam engine somewhere on his chest. He couldn't explain the heat wave spreading from there any other way.

"Hey, don't look at me like that," she protested, but her voice came out weak. Probably weaker than she expected as she averted her gaze.

"I just thought it's fitting…" The only positive side of this move was that Ren felt the liquor break down into spiritual energy, which Little Sapling didn't show any mercy on. His depleted reserves gained a slight boost. Though no panel informed him about the point gain.

"Yeah, truly fitting," he said after a while, finally finding his voice, however hoarse it sounded.

"Now get to work and help me." Ren offered his hand. At the same time, he quietly slipped the flask into his pocket. Rolling her eyes at his sneaky move, Demoness pretended to be generous and didn't point it out. She jumped back to her feet, then pulled him.

"Here you go, big boy." Back on his feet, Ren tentatively took a step forward and stumbled as though stepping on clouds, but the slender hand at his waist didn't let him fall. He forced himself to continue, empowered by her help, and arrived in front of Serene. It raised its brows— or at least Ren interpreted its expression like that.

"Thank you for your help," he said, simple as that. He didn't smile or shoot a glance full of gratitude. Just a quiet thanks and a pat to the bridge of its huge nostrils. To bring a cycle to completion— a farewell. A silverish light poured out of his hand. The beast blinked and opened its mouth, but Ren had already turned. Understanding his cue, Demoness flashed back with him, appearing in his room on the ship. He couldn't be more grateful to her for the choice.

"Check the kids, please," he muttered, planning to dive headfirst into the bed. Its allure was too strong to resist, after all.

"If there's a kid who needs my check, then it's obviously you, idiot," she said, not letting him escape her grasp.

"At least change your clothes. You're not going to sleep like this, are you? Covered in blood, ash, and filth?" Ren didn't answer. And truth to be told, he didn't need to; his blank face gave away all his plans. Demoness raised her hand and paused as if considering whether she should slap her forehead or him. In the end, she chose neither.

Letting out a sigh, she helped him out of his filthy garments with gentle hands, guided him to sit on the bed, and wiped his face with a damp towel she seemed to conjure from nowhere. She even cleansed his hair, using her energy to wash away the sticky blood before carefully combing it smooth. Ren, this time obedient as a child, said nothing and let her tend to him. She remained silent in the process, which awakened a strong urge to tease in him. He ignored it. He was an idiot, alright, but not that much.

Only after making sure she didn't miss a spot did Demoness hum to herself in satisfaction and leave him to sleep. And Ren did that. With zero hesitation.