The Chiyang Sword Spirit couldn’t describe its current sensation—it was beyond simple words. It could only struggle to paint its experience with its meagre vocabulary. Half its being felt as though placed in searing flames, mercilessly scorched. It felt so hot, so hot… as if the entire blade would melt.

Yet he felt cold, so cold…

A chill that seemed to emanate from his very soul.

While flames scorched his body, his soul remained frozen, as if some shadowy creature had clung to the depths of his spirit.

It reached out with icy tentacles, clawing at him, pulling him tightly, as if to drag him into some dark abyss.

The Chiyang Sword Spirit felt a bone-chilling cold, a cold that even the blazing flames couldn’t dispel or extinguish.

His vision blurred, light fading bit by bit as darkness slowly descended. The Chiyang Sword Spirit’s eyelids closed gradually, his consciousness drifting away.

Just as darkness fell completely, his eyes closed utterly, and his awareness sank into oblivion—suddenly, a pair of hands reached out to him. They grasped his own, clasping them tightly and pulling him relentlessly upward.

These were… soft, warm hands—not broad or thick, but rather small, almost childlike.

Yet it was precisely these narrow, delicate, childish hands that brought warmth sufficient to dispel the chill, along with boundless strength, pulling him relentlessly, relentlessly, relentlessly… upward.

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

“Ah, finally pulled you up! You’re damn heavy!”

Finally, it seemed someone murmured this in his ear.

The Chiyang Sword Spirit instinctively wanted to retort, but no sound could escape.

Who was that person?

Who was the owner of those hands…

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

When Gu Minglang awoke, it was already noon the next day.

Sitting up on the bed, Gu Minglang wore a look of utter bewilderment, his face screaming “Who am I? What’s my name? Where am I going?” in capital letters of confusion.

Only after a long while did he gradually come to his senses.

As if suddenly recalling something, a surge of anger flashed across his face.

He sprang up, forcefully pushing himself off the bed.

Without bothering to smooth his dishevelled hair or iron out his wrinkled clothes, he strode out with a stone-cold expression, radiating an intimidating aura that sent shivers down spines.

Waking up, Gu Minglang recalled the events before his unconsciousness. How could he not realise he’d been set up? And the one behind it… who else but that little bastard, Liu Baijian!

Fuming, Gu Minglang stormed out, intent on settling the score with someone.

But when he reached the hall, he discovered Liu Baijian, clad in a deep blue robe, was sipping tea from a cup with small, deliberate sips. He sat comfortably at the tea table ahead, drinking leisurely, while the expressionless, cold-eyed Chiyang Sword Spirit sat silently before him, not uttering a word.

On the tea table before them lay a crimson sword—the very essence of the Chiyang Sword.

Staring at this scene of man and sword in perfect harmony, peacefully sharing tea, Gu Minglang momentarily froze, utterly bewildered. This caused him to halt abruptly. He stood there, his gaze fixed strangely on Liu Baijian and the Chiyang Sword Spirit seated together. Gu Minglang watched Liu Baijian sipping tea with leisurely ease. Noticing his stare, Liu Baijian lifted his eyes to meet his, then flashed a smile. “Oh! Awake, are we?” he said, waving amicably.

“…” Gu Minglang.

Seeing him so calm, even smiling, Gu Minglang momentarily didn’t know how to respond. Clearly, clearly, he had done such a thing yesterday! Yet today, he acted as if nothing had happened.

Thinking of this, Gu Minglang’s brows immediately furrowed, displeasure evident on his face.

Seeing he couldn’t get anything out of Liu Baijian, Gu Minglang immediately turned his head to look at the Chiyang Sword Spirit sitting opposite him, his eyes asking what had happened.

As for the Chiyang Sword Spirit…

He remained seated there, his cold, handsome face expressionless, unmoved, seemingly oblivious to Gu Minglang’s questioning gaze.

“…” Completely ignored, Gu Minglang froze.

What the hell just happened!?

How could my Sword Spirit look like it got beaten to a pulp overnight? He looked utterly dejected!

Then, upon closer inspection, Gu Minglang noticed the Chiyang Sword Spirit’s gaze was completely vacant. It was looking straight ahead, yet not really looking at anything.

“…” Gu Minglang.

Seeing this, Gu Minglang was instantly horrified. He quickly turned to Liu Baijian, seated before him, and demanded in a low voice, “What did you do to the Chiyang Sword!?”

How did it become like this!

Hearing this, Liu Baijian lifted his head, meeting his gaze with an innocent tone. “I did what you asked me to do!”

Gu Minglang, momentarily unable to process the words, thought: What did I tell you to do? What did I tell you to do!?

Liu Baijian, observing his dazed expression—as if he’d just woken from a deep sleep—rolled her eyes. She then picked up the Chiyang Sword from the tea table, pushed it toward Gu Minglang, and said, “Here, your sword!”

“It’s fixed. See how it looks,” Liu Baijian said.

Hearing this, Gu Minglang’s expression instantly turned astonished. His gaze fixed on the Chiyang Sword he had repaired, his voice tinged with surprise as he asked, “It’s actually fixed already?”

“When did you repair it?” he demanded.

“While you were sleeping,” Liu Baijian replied.

This prompted Gu Minglang to recall his original purpose for coming. His expression immediately turned serious as he stared intently at Liu Baijian. “What did you do to me yesterday!?”

“Nothing much,” Liu Baijian replied nonchalantly. “Just slipped you some sleeping potion.”

Seeing his attitude, Gu Minglang grew even angrier. His gaze fixed on Liu Baijian as he demanded, “Why did you do that?”

Hearing this, Liu Baijian lifted his eyes to meet Gu Minglang’s. “Because I wanted you to sleep,” he said. “To sleep better!”

“…” Gu Minglang.

This answer instantly left him speechless.

Observing his expression, Liu Baijian spoke with genuine concern, “You looked pale and drained yesterday. It’s clear you haven’t rested properly lately. I know you’re worried about the Chiyang Sword, but even a cultivator can’t endure without proper rest.”

“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” Liu Baijian stated.

He deeply felt that if Gu Minglang continued in this state, he’d exhaust himself to death long before the White Bone Demon Lord even arrived.

This guy’s sense of responsibility is just too strong.

Hearing these words, Gu Minglang was instantly at a loss for words. He had been fuming, ready to confront him and demand why he’d done this, yet now he couldn’t utter a single sentence. A wave of shame and guilt washed over him. This youth cared so deeply for him, yet he had doubted him so harshly.

Observing the expression on his face, Liu Baijian raised an eyebrow, silently letting out a sigh of relief. It seemed he had managed to pull the wool over his eyes.

The Chiyang Sword Spirit, seated before him and well-acquainted with his nature, recognised the look on his face. He knew the boy was once again trying to trick his Sword Master. But this time… he sided with Liu Baijian. Besides, regarding the matter of drugging Gu Minglang, the Sword Spirit was also complicit. So, after a moment’s hesitation, he chose silence.

He remained silent about Liu Baijian’s scheme against Gu Minglang.

After a long moment.

Gu Minglang finally opened his mouth to Liu Baijian and said, “…Thank you.”

Hearing this, Liu Baijian’s face softened into a gentle, understanding smile as he replied, “You’re welcome.”

“…” Sitting nearby, the Chiyang Sword Spirit watched helplessly as his Sword Master sold him out and even counted the money for the other party. His conscience pricked sharply.

However, Gu Minglang clearly didn’t dwell on the matter. Once he understood Liu Baijian’s purpose in drugging him—that it wasn’t a prank or an attempt to harm him—the incident was swiftly forgotten. His immediate focus was on the Chiyang Sword Spirit, the very blade Liu Baijian had repaired.

Though guaranteed by the Zhenjun Qingshui and consistently displayed by Liu Baijian’s confident, proud, and effortless demeanour, Gu Minglang still harboured lingering uncertainty and unease despite choosing to trust him.

Now that the Chiyang Sword was repaired, half of Gu Minglang’s worries eased, while the other half was filled with the trepidation and apprehension of returning to familiar territory.

He reached for the Chiyang Sword on the tea table, took it in hand, and removed the scabbard. His gaze fell upon the blade, where the once-crazed, crimson-streaked cracks had vanished entirely. In their place was a smooth, flawless edge, its sharpness exposed.

“!!!!”

Gu Minglang’s eyes widened in disbelief, his face a mask of astonishment. Then, pure elation washed over him. “You did it!” He snapped his head up, staring at Liu Baijian before him. “You did it! You really did it!”

Hearing this, Liu Baijian instantly wore an expression of exasperation. He reached up to scratch his ear and replied impatiently, “I heard you, I heard you. You don’t need to repeat it so many times.”

After pausing briefly, he lifted his head to look at Gu Minglang, whose face was now radiant with surprise, excitement, and joy. His own expression softened as he said, “So, you can rest assured now.” Gu Minglang held the Chiyang Sword in his hand, his fingers tracing its blade repeatedly, his face radiating excitement and joy. Seeing his intense emotion, Liu Baijian knew he wouldn’t be able to spare attention for others anytime soon. He chose not to disturb him, instead returning to his tea.

Much later.

Gu Minglang finally calmed down from his excitement. Turning to face Liu Baijian—who sat calmly sipping tea, radiating an air of authority despite his youth—he looked at him with solemn gratitude. “Thank you!”

“Such a great favour… I can never repay it…” Gu Minglang began.

“No need to offer yourself in return!” Liu Baijian cut him off swiftly, then looked up at him. “I’ve already received my payment. That piece of Dragon Blood Black Gold Stone is sufficient.”

Upon hearing the phrase “offer yourself in return,” Gu Minglang’s mouth twitched. He stared at Liu Baijian with an expression that said, Are you serious? “You’re so young, yet you have so many ideas,” he finally said with a resigned tone.

”I’m just worried you might have too many ideas,“ Liu Baijian replied without batting an eye, speaking with righteous conviction. ”If I have too many ideas, people might just think I’m a reckless youth. But if you have too many ideas about me, that makes you a beast, morally bankrupt! Do you understand?”

Liu Baijian looked at him with a “I’m doing this for your own good” expression.

“…” Gu Minglang.

Like hell I’m buying that bullshit!

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

“Chiyang, are you okay?”

Gu Minglang’s gaze fixed on the Chiyang Sword Spirit before him, his eyes scanning him with concern. “Does your head hurt? Are you feeling unwell? Is anything bothering you?”

After personally inspecting the physical blade of the Chiyang Sword to confirm it was intact, Gu Minglang turned his attention to the sword spirit’s condition. What if the blade was fine, but the spirit remained unwell?

Meeting Gu Minglang’s concerned gaze and inquiries, the Chiyang Sword Spirit patiently replied, “No pain.”

“No discomfort.”

“None.”

Not a trace of impatience, displaying an exceptionally good-natured demeanour.

Hearing this, Gu Minglang finally exhaled in relief, not forgetting to admonish him, “If anything feels off, you must tell me right away. Don’t tough it out alone, trying to be brave.”

Upon hearing this, the Chiyang Sword Spirit nodded earnestly in agreement, “Mhm.”

Overhearing their exchange, Liu Baijian couldn’t help but snort derisively. “What kind of ridiculous father-son bond is this?”

Hearing this, the Chiyang Sword Spirit instantly turned and shot him a hostile glare.

Hmph!

Think that scares me? Let me tell you—it doesn’t!

Fear? Not a chance.

Liu Baijian glared back fiercely.

“…” The Chiyang Sword Spirit.

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Seeing the Chiyang Sword repaired, Gu Minglang finally let out a huge sigh of relief. A wave of relaxation washed over him, and a smile finally broke through the tension on his face. He walked over and sat down in front of Liu Baijian, speaking to him with heartfelt emotion, “This time, it’s all thanks to you. If it weren’t for you…”

“Cut it out, cut it out.” Seeing him start again, Liu Baijian immediately cut him off, his face twisting into a pained expression. “Didn’t I already say? No need to pledge yourself to me.”

Hearing this, Gu Minglang couldn’t help but laugh, though it was a bit awkward.

This kid…

He really is such a kid.

Gu Minglang watched Liu Baijian’s face, filled with helplessness and resignation, yet also touched. This kid really had a twisted personality. He was clearly a good kid, yet he insisted on hiding himself behind these playful words and actions.

Seeing that Liu Baijian didn’t want to talk about it anymore, Gu Minglang didn’t press further. He simply noted Liu Baijian’s kindness in his heart, determined to repay him when the opportunity arose.

Liu Baijian was no fool. He could read Gu Minglang’s thoughts from his expression. But future matters could wait. For now, he had something far more urgent to discuss than talk of repaying favours.

“There’s something I must tell you,” Liu Baijian said, his expression turning serious—a rare display of gravity.

Hearing this, Gu Minglang’s expression instantly turned solemn. He lifted his gaze to meet Liu Baijian’s and asked, “What is it?”

“The White Bone Demon Lord is searching the entire cultivation realm for your whereabouts, seeking revenge,” Liu Baijian said, his tone heavy.

Hearing this, both Gu Minglang and the Chiyang Sword Spirit seated before him erupted with a powerful, icy killing intent.

Almost simultaneously, Liu Baijian watched the sword master and sword spirit, a cold, murderous smile spreading across his face. “He seeks me? How convenient! That saves me the trouble of searching for him.” Gu Minglang’s expression instantly turned ruthless, his body radiating a terrifying aura of killing intent as he spoke in a cold, harsh voice.

Seeing his expression, Liu Baijian finally realised the man before him was a ruthless sword cultivator—a renowned top-tier master in the cultivation world whose blade had claimed countless Demonic Cultivators and heretics.

And the man beside him—whom he had mistaken for cold and unapproachable, yet surprisingly good-natured—was in truth a sword spirit of slaughter.

No matter how gentle and harmless they appeared before him, even allowing themselves to be teased and taunted, their essence remained that of sword cultivators who drew their blades without hesitation and killed without regret.

Liu Baijian instantly realised the mistake he had been making all along—he had been too self-assured, blinded by the consistently kind demeanour displayed by Gu Minglang and the Chiyang Sword Spirit.

Recognising this, Liu Baijian immediately adjusted his attitude. He addressed Gu Minglang and the Chiyang Sword Spirit before him, saying, “I understand your feelings, but I don’t think confronting the White Bone Demon Lord head-on is a wise choice right now.”

At these words, Gu Minglang’s expression instantly turned cold. His gaze fixed on Liu Baijian as he demanded, “You think I’m no match for him?”

Of course I do!

Even now, he couldn’t admit it. Even if Liu Baijian didn’t understand human nature, he knew about a man’s pride and competitive spirit. Daring to tell a sword cultivator he was inferior to another man? That was practically asking for a beating!

So, without hesitation, Liu Baijian denied it. “Of course not! Do we even need to discuss whether the White Bone Demon Lord is inferior to you? Didn’t you drive him away last time, sending him scurrying back to the Demon Realm? Precisely because of that, he’s unwilling to accept defeat and has returned to seek revenge.” Liu Baijian stated.

Hearing this, the expression on Gu Minglang’s face eased slightly.

“What are you implying?” He lifted his head, his gaze fixed on Liu Baijian before him. His expression seemed to say: If that’s the case, if you know he’s no match for me, why are you stopping me?

Seeing the look on his face, Liu Baijian instantly thought: Here it comes. The moment to test his acting skills and eloquence.

Liu Baijian immediately adopted a serious tone. “In a fair one-on-one duel, he wouldn’t stand a chance against you. The White Bone Demon Lord is no match for you. But…“

He shifted his tone.

Hearing this, Gu Minglang raised an eyebrow at him. ”But?“

”But don’t forget the demon spear in his hands,“ Liu Baijian said. ”That spear slays souls, directly wounding the soul itself. “

”Even if you were only lightly grazed by his demon spear, your soul would suffer damage. And damage to the soul is irreversible,“ Liu Baijian explained. ”This inherently puts you at a disadvantage in battle against him. You’d be hampered and unable to unleash your full power. It’s an unfair fight!”

His words were righteous and forceful.

Gu Minglang fell silent upon hearing his words.

Observing the contemplative expression on his face, Liu Baijian couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed his words had sunk in. Otherwise, given Gu Minglang’s temperament, he truly feared the young man would charge headlong into battle against the White Bone Demon Lord. Frankly, with the demonic spear in the Demon Lord’s hands, Gu Minglang’s chances of victory were slim.

It was highly likely that the newly repaired Chiyang Sword Spirit would once again step forward to protect its master, clashing head-on with the demonic spear. If that happened, he’d have to start all over again, painstakingly repairing it once more.

Just thinking about it made Liu Baijian want to spit blood!

He wasn’t about to let that happen, which was precisely why he’d gone to such great lengths to dissuade Gu Minglang from acting impulsively.

After listening, Gu Minglang fell into deep thought. A long moment passed before he lifted his head, met Liu Baijian’s gaze, and said, “You’re right.”

Hearing this, Liu Baijian’s face immediately broke into a smile. He nodded eagerly. “Exactly! We should avoid the immediate danger and plan our next move carefully.”

Gu Minglang offered no clear response—neither agreement nor refusal. Staring at Liu Baijian, he suddenly declared, “The news of my coming to repair the Chiyang Sword can’t be concealed.”

Liu Baijian froze, momentarily baffled by this abrupt statement. Hesitation flickered across his face before he asked, “If it can’t be hidden, then why hide it? Why conceal it at all?”

He even asked that question aloud—it wasn’t exactly something to be ashamed of, Liu Baijian thought to himself.

Gu Minglang’s expression grew even more serious upon hearing this. He replied solemnly, “Precisely because of that, I am concerned!”

“Ah!”

Hearing this, Liu Baijian froze, seemingly unable to grasp why Gu Minglang would say such a thing. Instead, the Chiyang Sword Spirit seated before him seemed to grasp something, a subtle expression flickering across its face.

“If word spreads that you repaired the bonded sword for his enemy—me—and the White Bone Demon Lord learns of it… given his vindictive nature…” Gu Minglang fixed his gaze on Liu Baijian. “Do you think he might harbour resentment toward you?”

“…” Liu Baijian.

Completely unprepared for such a bombshell landing squarely on his head, Liu Baijian was utterly dumbfounded.