Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Cunning Child, Part 3

The final part of Nie Mingjue's body, his head, was indeed in Jin Guangyao's possession.

During the Sunshot Campaign, the mighty and thunderous Crimson Frost Duke, Nie Mingjue, who had been unstoppable, was now sealed in this dark, cramped chamber, hidden from the light of day.

As soon as Wei Wuxian removed the seal on the head, Nie Mingjue's body would sense its presence and come for it on its own. He studied the seals on the helmet for a moment, pondering his next move, when suddenly a powerful suction yanked him forward. His lightweight paper body was pulled with great force and slammed onto Nie Mingjue's forehead.

On the other side of Jin Lingtai, Lan Wangji sat beside Wei Wuxian, his eyes fixed on his face. After watching for a long while, his fingers twitched slightly, and he gently touched his own lips with his eyelashes lowered.

It was very light, just like when the paper figure had bumped into him earlier.

Suddenly, Wei Wuxian's hands moved slightly, his ten fingers clenching into fists. Lan Wangji's eyes focused, and he helped Wei Wuxian into his arms, only to find that Wei Wuxian's eyes were still closed, but his brows were deeply furrowed.

Meanwhile, in the sealed room, Wei Wuxian was unable to react in time. The deceased, filled with intense resentment, radiated their hatred and grievances infinitely, spreading them to those around them, using others to vent their anger and spread their emotions. Many hauntings were caused by this very phenomenon—the principle of empathy. If Wei Wuxian were in his physical body, his body would act as a defense against spiritual attacks. As long as he refused, no resentment could infect him. But now, attached to a thin sheet of paper, his defenses were greatly weakened. Being too close to Nie Mingjue, whose resentment was extremely strong, he was affected in an instant. In one moment, he realized something was terribly wrong, and in the next, he smelled blood.

He hadn't smelled such strong blood in many years. Something deep in his bones was awakened, roaring and boiling. When he opened his eyes, he saw a flash of blade light, a shadow of blood, a head flying high, and a body falling with a thud.

The decapitated man bore the fiery emblem of the Wen family. Wei Wuxian saw "himself" sheathe the blade, and a low voice spoke from his mouth: "Pick up the head and hang it to show the Wen dogs."

Someone behind him responded, "Yes!"

Wei Wuxian knew who the beheaded man was.

Wen Xu, the eldest son of Wen Ruohan, the family head of the Wen family. Nie Mingjue had ambushed him by the river, cutting off his head with one strike and impaling it on a spear to intimidate the Wen family cultivators. The corpse was then torn to pieces by the enraged Nie family cultivators, ground into mincemeat, and smeared on the ground.

Nie Mingjue glanced at the body on the ground and kicked it aside. His hand pressed on the hilt of his blade as he slowly surveyed the surroundings. Crimson Frost Duke was tall. The last time Wei Wuxian had empathized with Ah Qing, his vision had been very low. This time, it was much higher than his usual viewpoint. Looking around, he saw countless dead and wounded, some wearing the Wen family's fiery emblem, some bearing the Nie family's beast-head emblem, and some with no emblem at all, almost evenly divided. The scene was horrifically tragic, and the stench of blood filled the air. As he scanned the area, Nie Mingjue began to move, seemingly checking if there were any surviving Wen family cultivators. At that moment, a noise came from a tile-roofed house nearby. Nie Mingjue swung his long blade, and a sharp blade of wind swept through, breaking open the shoddy door of the house, revealing a terrified mother and daughter hiding inside. The house was old, with few items, leaving them nowhere to hide. They huddled under a table, clutching each other tightly, not daring to breathe. The young woman's wide eyes reflected Nie Mingjue's blood-soaked, murderous figure, and tears streamed down her face. The girl in her arms had opened her mouth in shock.

Seeing that they were just ordinary civilians, likely unable to escape during the battle, Nie Mingjue's furrowed brows relaxed slightly. Just then, a subordinate came up from behind, unsure of the situation, and called out, "Family head?"

The mother and daughter, having lived peaceful lives, were terrified by the sudden onslaught of cultivators, unable to distinguish friend from foe. Seeing those with blades and swords filled them with fear, and they believed their deaths were certain, their expressions growing more horrified. Nie Mingjue looked at them, retracted his killing intent, and said, "It's alright."

He lowered his blade-holding hand and walked steadily to the side. The young woman collapsed on the ground with her daughter in her arms, and after a long while, she began to weep softly.

After a few steps, Nie Mingjue suddenly stopped and asked his subordinate behind him, "Who was the last cultivator to remain on the battlefield during the last cleanup?"

The subordinate was slightly stunned and said, "The last one to remain? This... I didn't note it clearly..."

Nie Mingjue frowned and said, "Find out and tell me."

As he continued walking, the subordinate quickly went to ask others and soon caught up, saying, "Family head! We've found out. The last cultivator to remain on the battlefield during the last cleanup was named Meng Yao."

Hearing this name, Nie Mingjue raised his eyebrows slightly, seeming somewhat surprised.

Wei Wuxian knew why. Before Jin Guangyao was acknowledged by the Jin family, he had gone by his mother’s surname, Meng Yao. This was not a secret. Moreover, this name had once been "notorious."

Before he stood atop Jin Lingtai, pulling strings and controlling the situation as the Concealing Fragrance Duke, Jin Guangyao, the details of his first appearance on Jin Lingtai, though rarely witnessed, had been widely circulated in rumors. Jin Guangyao's mother had been a famous courtesan in a brothel in Yunmeng. She was known for her talent in playing the qin and writing calligraphy, and was considered well-educated and refined, almost like a lady from a noble family. Of course, no matter how refined she was, in the end, she was still a courtesan. When Jin Guangshan passed through Yunmeng, he naturally did not miss the chance to spend time with this famous courtesan of the time. He left behind a token of affection and departed, satisfied. Like many of his previous romantic flings, he soon forgot about her.

In comparison, Mo Xuanyu and his mother had been relatively favored. At least Jin Guangshan had remembered he had a son and had brought him to Jin Lingtai. Meng Yao was not so lucky. As the son of a courtesan, he was not as valued as the offspring of a respectable family. Meng Yao's mother had given birth to Jin Guangshan's son alone, like how Mo Er Niang had waited and hoped for her man to return and take her and her child away. She carefully educated Meng Yao, preparing him for entry into the immortal sects. However, by the time her son was a teenager, there was still no word from his father, and Meng Yao's mother fell critically ill.

Before her death, she gave her son the token Jin Guangshan had left behind and told him to seek a future at Jin Lingtai. Thus, Meng Yao packed his things and left Yunmeng. After a long and arduous journey, he arrived in Lanling and reached the base of Jin Lingtai, only to be blocked from entering. He presented the token and requested an audience.

The token Jin Guangshan had given was a pearl button. In the Jin family of Lanling, this was not a rare item—it could be grabbed by the handful. Its most common use was when Jin Guangshan went out to flirt and seduce women. He would give this pretty little object to his lovers, passing it off as a rare treasure, accompanied by vows of eternal love. He would give it casually and forget about it just as easily.

Meng Yao arrived at a particularly inconvenient time. It was exactly the day of Jin Zixuan's birthday. Jin Guangshan and Lady Jin were hosting a banquet for their precious son, with many family relatives present. Three hours later, as evening approached and they were preparing to go out and light lanterns for blessings, a servant took the opportunity to report. Lady Jin, upon seeing the pearl button, immediately darkened in anger, recalling Jin Guangshan's past misdeeds. Jin Guangshan quickly crushed the pearl into powder, loudly scolding the servant and ordering him to drive the outsider away so they wouldn't bump into them while lighting the lanterns.

Meng Yao was then kicked off Jin Lingtai. He tumbled down from the top step all the way to the bottom.

Rumor has it that after he got up, he didn’t say a word, wiped the blood from his forehead, patted the dust off his clothes, and left with his backpack.

After the Sunshot Campaign began, Meng Yao joined the Nie family of Qinghe.

The main clan cultivators of the Nie family of Qinghe under Nie Mingjue and the conscripted cultivators were stationed in several locations, one of which was in an unnamed mountain range in Hejian. As Nie Mingjue walked up the mountain, before he even got close, he saw a linen-clad youth carrying a bamboo tube emerging from the verdant forest.

The youth seemed to be returning from fetching water, his steps showing a bit of fatigue. Just as he was about to enter the cave, he suddenly stopped. Standing outside the cave, he listened intently, seemingly hesitant about whether to go in. In the end, he silently headed in another direction with the bamboo tube.

After walking for a bit, he crouched down by the side of the road and slowly started eating some white rations with water.

Without warning, Nie Mingjue approached him. The youth was busy eating and was suddenly enveloped by a tall shadow. Looking up, he quickly put away his food and stood up, saying, "Nie Zongzhu."

The youth was small in stature, with fair skin and green eyebrows—an innocent-looking face that would later become Jin Guangyao's trademark. At this time, he had not yet gone to Jin Lingtai to acknowledge his ancestry, so naturally, there was no vermillion mark of ambition on his forehead. Nie Mingjue obviously recognized his face and asked, "Meng Yao?"

Meng Yao respectfully replied, "Yes."

Nie Mingjue asked, "Why aren't you resting in the cave with the others?"

Meng Yao hesitated, smiling awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. Seeing this, Nie Mingjue walked towards the cave. Meng Yao seemed to want to stop him but didn’t dare. Nie Mingjue moved silently, so he walked straight to the cave entrance undetected, where the people inside were still engaged in lively conversation:

"That's right."

"No way! Jin Guangshan's son? Ending up like one of us?"

"Do you think he doesn’t want to go back? He traveled all the way from Yunmeng to Lanling with a token, hoping to acknowledge his father."

"He miscalculated. Jin Guangshan's wife is no pushover."

"I'm not saying this to blame anyone, but Jin Guangshan has so many children born outside. He has at least a dozen sons and daughters. Have you ever seen him acknowledge any of them? He brought this humiliation upon himself."

"People shouldn't hope for things they can't have. Who can they blame when they end up hurt? They brought it upon themselves."

"What a fool! With a son like Jin Zixuan, why would Jin Guangshan care about any other son? Especially one born to a prostitute who has been with thousands of men. Who knows whose child he really is? I think Jin Guangshan is suspicious, which is why he won’t acknowledge him! Ha ha ha..."

"How could he even remember that encounter with the woman?"

"I'm actually quite pleased that Jin Guangshan's offspring is resigned to fetching water for us. Ha ha ha..."

"Resigned? He’s working his butt off, hoping his father will finally acknowledge him."

A surge of anger flared in Nie Mingjue’s chest.

He forcefully pressed his hand on his sword hilt, but Meng Yao tried to stop him, unsuccessfully. The sword was already unsheathed, causing a rock in front of the cave to collapse to the ground. Inside the cave, dozens of resting cultivators jumped up and drew their swords, their drinking bamboo tubes clattering to the ground. Nie Mingjue then shouted, "You drink the water others bring you, yet you speak with such venom! Did you join me to fight the Wen dogs or just to gossip?"

There was a flurry of activity inside the cave, and knowing Nie Mingjue's temper, the more they tried to explain, the angrier he would get. Today, punishment was inevitable, so no one dared to speak. Nie Mingjue sneered and, without entering the cave, said to Meng Yao, "Come with me."

He turned and walked down the mountain, and Meng Yao followed. After walking for a bit, Meng Yao’s head lowered more, and his steps became heavier.

After a long while, he said, "Thank you, Nie Zongzhu."

Nie Mingjue said, "As a man, stand tall and upright. There's no need to worry about the idle gossip of others."

Meng Yao nodded and said, "Yes."

Although he responded this way, a hint of worry still lingered on his face. With Nie Mingjue standing up for him like this today, the other cultivators would surely seek retribution a hundredfold in the future. How could he not be worried?

Nie Mingjue, however, said, "The more they speak ill of you behind your back, the more you must make them have nothing to say. I've seen you in battle. You're always at the front of the formation and stay behind to guide and settle civilians. You're doing well. Keep it up."

Hearing this, Meng Yao was slightly startled, and his head lifted a little. Nie Mingjue added, "Your swordwork is quick but lacks strength. You need more practice."

This was already an explicit encouragement. Meng Yao hurriedly said, "Thank you for the guidance, Lord Nie."

However, Wei Wuxian understood in his heart that no amount of practice would solidify Meng Yao's skills. Jin Guangyao was not like the ordinary young nobles from prestigious families; his foundation was too weak, and he would never reach the next level. Therefore, in the path of cultivation, he could only seek breadth rather than depth. This was why he sought to learn from the strengths of various clans, dabbling in their unique techniques, and why he had once been criticized as a "thief of techniques."

He River was a key location in the Sunshot Campaign and also Nie Mingjue's primary battleground. It served as an impregnable barrier beside the Wen family of Qishan, preventing them from advancing eastward or southward. The Nie family of Qinghe and the Wen family of Qishan had long-standing grudges, which had been suppressed until the war broke out. After the war began, numerous battles, both large and small, were fought between them, with both sides suffering heavy losses and relentless conflict. The civilians in the He River region were deeply affected by the war. The Wen family of Qishan had no scruples, but the Nie family of Qinghe could not afford to be so reckless.

In this situation, Meng Yao, who tirelessly cleaned up the battlefield and calmed the civilians after each battle, gained Nie Mingjue's increasing attention. After several instances, Nie Mingjue directly promoted him to serve as his deputy. Meng Yao seized the opportunity and always completed the tasks assigned to him reliably. Therefore, at this time, Jin Guangyao was not only free from the harsh lessons of Nie Mingjue, but was actually appreciated and valued by him. Wei Wuxian had heard too many jokes about how "the Concealing Fragrance Duke would flee in panic whenever the Crimson Frost Duke appeared," and every time he saw Meng Yao getting along peacefully with Nie Mingjue, even thriving, he found it quite surreal.

On this day, a guest arrived at the He River battlefield.

During the Sunshot Campaign, the Three Venerated Ones each had their own legendary tales. Crimson Frost Duke Nie Mingjue was unstoppable, leaving no remnants of the Wen family wherever he passed. Lan Xichen, the Ze Wu Lord, was different. After the situation in Gusu stabilized, with Lan Qiren holding down the fort, he often went out to provide support, saving people from dire situations. During the Sunshot Campaign, he reclaimed lost territories and rescued countless people from the jaws of danger. Thus, whenever his name was heard, people were overjoyed, feeling as if they had gained a lifeline, a trump card for survival.

Each time Lan Xichen escorted other clans' cultivators through He River, he would pause briefly as a transit point. Nie Mingjue personally escorted him into a bright and spacious hall, where several other cultivators were seated in front.

Although Lan Xichen's appearance was almost identical to Lan Wangji's, Wei Wuxian could easily distinguish between them. Yet, seeing this face, he couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart, thinking, "I wonder how my body is doing now. If my paper effigy is corrupted by resentful energy, will my physical body also encounter problems? Will Lan Zhan notice something is wrong?"

After a few pleasantries, Meng Yao, who had been standing behind Nie Mingjue, stepped forward to offer tea. In the battlefield, everyone was stretched to their limits, and there were no positions for servants or maids. Therefore, these daily chores were voluntarily taken on by Jin Guangyao as his deputy. Several cultivators, upon seeing his face, were momentarily stunned, and their expressions changed subtly. The scandalous rumors about Jin Guangshan's affairs had spread widely and rapidly, and Meng Yao had been a laughingstock for a time. A few recognized him. Perhaps they thought that the son of a prostitute might carry some uncleanliness, for after receiving the tea he offered with both hands, they did not drink but instead placed the cups aside. They took out pristine white handkerchiefs and, as if uncomfortable, deliberately wiped the fingers that had touched the cups, over and over. Nie Mingjue, not a man of meticulous nature, did not notice these details, but Wei Wuxian caught sight of it out of the corner of his eye. Meng Yao, however, appeared not to see it, his smile unwavering as he continued to serve the tea. When Lan Xichen received the cup, he looked up at Meng Yao and smiled, saying, "Thank you."

He then lowered his head to take a sip before continuing his conversation with Nie Mingjue. The other cultivators, seeing this, became somewhat uneasy.

Nie Mingjue, who seldom smiled, softened his expression toward Lan Xichen and asked, "How long will you stay?"

Lan Xichen replied, "I will stay here for one night, borrowing Lord Nie's generous space, and depart tomorrow to meet with Wangji."

Nie Mingjue asked, "Where are you heading?"

Lan Xichen replied, "To Jiangling."

Nie Mingjue frowned and said, "Isn't Jiangling still under the control of the Wen family?"

Lan Xichen said, "It wasn't two days ago. Now, it's in the hands of the Yunmeng Jiang family."

A family head said, "Lord Nie probably didn't know, but the Jiang family head is now very formidable in that area."

Another person added, "How could he not be formidable? Wei Wuxian alone is worth a million troops. He has no fears and doesn't have to run around risking his life like us. He sits firmly in command, and such luck..."

One person sensed the tension in this remark and quickly interjected, "Indeed, thanks to Lord Hanguang and Lord Ze Wu's support everywhere, otherwise, many noble families and innocent civilians would have suffered at the hands of the Wen family."

Nie Mingjue said, "Your brother is there?"

Lan Xichen nodded and said, "He took people there earlier this month."

Nie Mingjue asked, "Your brother has high cultivation. If he's enough, then why are you going?"

Hearing Nie Mingjue praise Lan Wangji's cultivation, Wei Wuxian felt inexplicably pleased and thought, "Crimson Frost Duke has quite the discerning eye."

Lan Xichen sighed and said, "To my shame, after Wangji went, he seems to have had a falling out with the young Sir Wei of the Yunmeng Jiang family, so I feel I should go and see for myself."

Nie Mingjue asked, "What happened?"

One person said, "It seems that Lord Hanguang had a dispute with Wei Wuxian because Wei Wuxian's methods were too bizarre and evil. Lord Hanguang reportedly rebuked Wei Wuxian to his face, accusing him of desecrating corpses, being cruel and bloodthirsty, and losing his true nature. But over there, they speak of Wei Wuxian's role in the Jiangling battle as if he were a legend. I would like to witness it myself if I had the chance."

This person was actually being kind. More exaggerated versions claimed that Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji fought while killing the Wen family on the battlefield. In reality, their relationship was not as incompatible as others described, though there were some minor disagreements. During that time, Wei Wuxian was constantly digging up graves, and Lan Wangji always had unpleasant things to say, like how damaging it was to the body and spirit and that it was not the right path. They also frequently engaged in direct confrontations or ambushes against the Wen family, so tensions were high, and they often parted on bad terms. Now, hearing others discuss these matters, Wei Wuxian felt as though it were a lifetime ago—indeed, it truly was another lifetime.

One person said, "In my opinion, Lord Hanguang didn't need to go that far. We should focus on the living who are about to die, so why worry about the bodies of the dead?"

Another person agreed, "Exactly, these are extraordinary times. As Lord Jiang said, who could be more evil than the Wen family? As long as he's on our side and killing the Wen family, what's the problem?"

Wei Wuxian thought, "You didn't say that when you were hunting me."

Soon after, Lan Xichen led his group to the resting area, guided by Meng Yao. Meanwhile, Nie Mingjue returned to his room and retrieved a slender long sword, then went to find Lan Xichen.

Unexpectedly, before he could get close, he overheard the two conversing inside the room. Lan Xichen said, "What a coincidence that you ended up under Brother Mingjue's command, serving as his second-in-command."

Meng Yao replied, "I owe it all to the Crimson Frost Duke's recognition and promotion."

Lan Xichen smiled and said, "Brother Mingjue is fiery in nature. It's truly remarkable that you've earned his favor and promotion." After a pause, he continued, "Recently, the Jin patriarch of Lanling has been having difficulties managing Langya and is currently recruiting talented individuals."

Meng Yao was slightly startled and asked, "What does Lord Ze Wu mean…?"

Lan Xichen said, "There’s no need to be so stiff. I remember you once told me that you hoped to secure a position within the Jin family of Lanling and gain your father's approval. Now that you have a foothold under Brother Mingjue and a platform to showcase your abilities, do you still have those aspirations?"

Meng Yao seemed to hold his breath, and after a long silence, he answered, "…I do."

Lan Xichen said, "I thought so."

Meng Yao replied, "But I am now Deputy Commander to Lord Nie. He has shown me great trust, and whether I still have those aspirations or not, I cannot leave Heqian."

Lan Xichen pondered for a moment and said, "Indeed, even if you wish to leave, it might be difficult to bring up. However, I believe that if you ask, Lord Nie will respect your choice. If he refuses to let you go, I can mediate on your behalf."

Nie Mingjue suddenly spoke, "Why would I refuse?"

He pushed open the door and entered the room. Lan Xichen and Meng Yao were sitting opposite each other, both with serious expressions. Seeing him appear, they were slightly surprised. Before Meng Yao could speak, Nie Mingjue said, "Sit."

Meng Yao did not move. Nie Mingjue repeated, "Sit."

Nie Mingjue commanded, "Tomorrow, I will write you a letter of recommendation."

Meng Yao asked, "Lord Nie?"

Nie Mingjue continued, "Take this letter to Langya and find your father."

Meng Yao hurriedly said, "Lord Nie, if you overheard what I just said…"

Nie Mingjue interrupted him, "I didn't promote you expecting gratitude. I believe you have the capability and character that suit this position. If you truly wish to repay me, kill more Wen dogs in battle!"

Upon hearing this, the usually eloquent Meng Yao was rendered speechless. Lan Xichen laughed and said, "See, I told you, Brother Mingjue will respect your choice."

Meng Yao's eyes turned red as he said, "Lord Nie… Lord Ze Wu… I…"

He lowered his head and said, "…I truly don't know what to say anymore."

Nie Mingjue sat down and placed another long sword on the table. Seeing it, Lan Xichen smiled and said, "Is that Huaisang’s sword?"

Nie Mingjue replied, "Although he is safe with you, he must not neglect his training. Have someone oversee his practice. I will check his swordsmanship and heart techniques next time we meet."

Lan Xichen said, "At first, Huaisang used to make excuses that he left his sword at home, but now he has no reason to slack off."

Nie Mingjue asked, "By the way, have you two met before?"

Meng Yao replied, "I have met Lord Ze Wu."

Nie Mingjue asked, "Where? When?"

Lan Xichen shook his head with a smile and said, "Let's not talk about it. It's a lifelong embarrassment, Brother Mingjue, you shouldn't ask further."

Nie Mingjue said, "There's no need to fear losing face in front of me, Meng Yao, speak."

However, Meng Yao said, "Since Lord Ze Wu does not wish to speak of it, I must keep the secret as well."

The three of them spoke, sometimes addressing serious matters and other times chatting casually, in a much more relaxed manner than they had in the reception hall earlier. Listening to their conversation, Wei Wuxian couldn't help but want to chime in, but he couldn't find an opening. He thought to himself, "They seem to be getting along quite well at this moment. Lord Ze Wu is really quite the talker. How come Lan Zhan is so bad at conversation? But then again, it's not bad that he stays quiet. If he doesn't talk, I can do all the talking. It's nice that he just listens and hums in agreement. What's this called again...?"

Before long, Meng Yao left Hejian with Nie Mingjue's letter of recommendation, heading towards Langya.

After his departure, Nie Mingjue replaced Meng Yao with a new assistant, but to Wei Wuxian's perception, this new person was always a step slower. Meng Yao had been an exceptionally sharp and clever individual. He could understand what wasn't said, accomplish ten from three points given, and acted swiftly without hesitation. Having grown accustomed to him, it was hard not to notice the difference when working with someone else.

After some time, the Jin family of Lanling, barely holding on in Langya, was on the verge of collapse. Jin Guangshan, in turn, sought help from Hejian instead of requesting aid from Lan Xichen, who had gone to support another location. Nie Mingjue responded to the call for aid.

After the battle, a harried Jin Guangshan came over to express his gratitude. Nie Mingjue spoke briefly with him before asking, "Jin Zongzhu, what is Meng Yao doing now?"

Upon hearing this name, Jin Guangshan responded, "Meng Yao? Oh, Nie Zongzhu shouldn't mind, but who is this person?"

Nie Mingjue immediately frowned. The incident where Meng Yao was kicked off Jin Lingtai had been widely talked about for a long time. This farce was known even to outsiders, and it was impossible for the person involved to have forgotten the name. Someone with even a slightly thin skin would be embarrassed to feign ignorance, yet Jin Guangshan showed no embarrassment at all.

Nie Mingjue said coldly, "Meng Yao was my former assistant. I wrote him a letter to bring to you."

Jin Guangshan continued to feign ignorance, saying, "Is that so? But I never received any letter, nor have I seen this person. Oh, if I had known Nie Zongzhu had sent an assistant, I would have properly received him. But perhaps something went wrong along the way?"

He merely brushed it off, claiming not to remember or recognize the person. Nie Mingjue's expression grew colder, sensing that something was amiss, and he took his leave without further pleasantries. After inquiring among the other cultivators to no avail, Nie Mingjue wandered through several places and happened upon a small forest.

The forest was secluded and had just been the site of a skirmish. The battlefield had not yet been cleared. As Nie Mingjue walked along the path, he saw the bodies of cultivators dressed in the robes of the Wen family, Jin family, and a few other families.

Suddenly, a "hissing" sound came from ahead.

Nie Mingjue placed his hand on his sword hilt and stealthily approached. Parting the leaves, he saw Meng Yao standing amidst the corpses, flipping his wrist as he pulled a long sword out of a cultivator's chest.

His expression was calm, his movements swift and precise, cautious to the extreme, without a single drop of blood on him.

The sword was not his own. The hilt was adorned with flame-shaped iron decorations, a weapon of the Wen family's cultivator.

The sword technique was also that of the Wen family.

And the person lying dead beneath him wore Jin Lingtai robes, a cultivator of the Jin family of Lanling.

Nie Mingjue observed all of this in silence, the sharp sound of his blade sliding out an inch filling the air.

Hearing the familiar sound of the blade, Meng Yao shuddered and whipped around, his soul seemingly ready to flee. "...Nie Zongzhu?"

Nie Mingjue fully drew his long blade from its sheath. The blade gleamed brightly, its edge tinged with a faint red hue. Wei Wuxian could feel the overwhelming fury and disappointment radiating from him.

Knowing Nie Mingjue's temperament best, Meng Yao dropped his sword with a clang and pleaded, "Nie Zongzhu, please wait! Please wait! Let me explain!"

Nie Mingjue coldly replied, "What is there to explain?!"

Meng Yao crawled over, saying, "I had no choice, I had no choice!"

Nie Mingjue roared, "What choice did you think you didn't have?! When I sent you here, what did I say?!"

Meng Yao knelt at his feet, saying, "Nie Zongzhu, please listen to me! I joined the Jin family's forces, and this person was my superior. He always looked down on me, constantly humiliating and beating me..."

Nie Mingjue said, "So you killed him?"

Meng Yao replied, "No! Not because of that! I could endure the humiliation; it wasn't the beatings that I couldn't bear! But every time we captured a Wen family stronghold, despite all my hard work, planning, and leading the charge, he would casually take the credit with a few words and strokes of the pen, saying it had nothing to do with me. This wasn't the first time; every single time! When I confronted him, he didn't care at all. I sought help from others, but no one would listen to me. Just now, he even insulted my mother, my mother... I couldn't bear it anymore, and in a fit of rage, I lost control!"

In his state of utter terror, he spoke quickly, afraid that Nie Mingjue would cut him down before he could finish. Despite his panic, his explanation was coherent, emphasizing how detestable others were and how innocent he claimed to be. Nie Mingjue grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up, saying, "You lie!"

Meng Yao shuddered. Nie Mingjue stared into his eyes and said word by word, "In a fit of rage, you lost control and killed him? Would someone who lost control have the presence of mind to choose this secluded forest that had just seen battle? Would they deliberately use a Wen family sword and Wen family techniques to kill him, disguising it as an attack by Wen dogs to frame them? You planned this meticulously, didn't you? It was a long time in the making!"

Nie Mingjue roared, "Even if it's true, you still shouldn't have killed him! It's just a bit of battle merit! Do you really care that much about such vanity?!"

Meng Yao whispered, "Just a bit of battle merit?"

He trembled as he spoke, "...What do you mean just a bit of battle merit? Crimson Frost Lord, do you know how much effort I put in for this bit of merit? How much hardship I endured? Without this glory, I have nothing!"

Nie Mingjue looked at him with tears in his eyes, shivering, a stark contrast to the calm killer he had seen moments before, making the image all the more impactful as it lingered. He said, "Meng Yao, I ask you, the first time I met you, were you deliberately putting on that demeanor of being oppressed, playing a role to make me stand up for you? If I hadn't stood up for you, would you have killed them all, just like today?"

Meng Yao's Adam's apple bobbed, a drop of cold sweat fell, and just as he was about to speak, Nie Mingjue shouted, "Don't lie to me!"

Meng Yao shuddered, swallowed his words, and knelt on the ground, trembling all over, his right hand's fingers digging into the soil.

After a long silence, Nie Mingjue slowly sheathed his blade and said, "I won't touch you."

Meng Yao suddenly looked up, and Nie Mingjue added, "Go confess and take responsibility at the Jin family of Lanling. Whatever punishment is decided, so be it."

After a long pause, Meng Yao said, "...Crimson Frost Lord, I can't fall at this step."

Nie Mingjue said, "You've taken a wrong step on this path."

Meng Yao said, "You're asking for my life."

Nie Mingjue said, "If what you said is true, it won't cost you your life. Go and repent sincerely."

Meng Yao said in a low voice, "...My father hasn't seen me yet."

Jin Guangshan had seen him.

He just pretended not to know of his existence.

In the end, under Nie Mingjue's pressure, Meng Yao still managed to say a reluctant "yes."

After a moment of silence, Nie Mingjue said, "Stand up."

Like a marionette with its strings cut, Meng Yao struggled to his feet, stumbling forward a few steps. Seeing Meng Yao about to fall, Nie Mingjue reached out to steady him. Meng Yao murmured, "...Thank you, Lord Nie."

As Nie Mingjue looked at his dejected appearance, he turned away. Suddenly, he heard Meng Yao say, "...It's still no good."

Nie Mingjue whipped around, and in an instant, Meng Yao had a long sword in his hand.

He had already pointed it at his own abdomen, his expression desperate as he said, "Lord Nie, I have failed you greatly."

Before Nie Mingjue could stop him, Meng Yao plunged the sword into himself. Nie Mingjue's pupils shrank as he tried to grab the sword, but it was too late. Meng Yao's sword pierced through his abdomen and out his back, his body collapsing into a pool of blood.

Nie Mingjue was stunned for a moment, then rushed forward, kneeling on the ground, turning Meng Yao's body over. "This is...!!!"

Meng Yao's face was deathly pale as he weakly looked at Nie Mingjue, a bitter smile on his lips. "Lord Nie, I..."

His words trailed off as his head slowly lowered. Nie Mingjue held his body, avoiding the blade, pressing his palm to Meng Yao's chest to channel spiritual power. Suddenly, he felt a cold, sinister flow of spiritual energy surging from Meng Yao's abdomen.

Wei Wuxian, who had long suspected treachery, wasn't particularly surprised. But Nie Mingjue, who had never expected Meng Yao to actually betray him, was stunned with shock greater than his anger as he found himself unable to move while Meng Yao rose slowly from in front of him.

Meng Yao had clearly calculated carefully how to avoid fatal injuries. He calmly and meticulously pulled the sword from his abdomen, blood dripping from the blade, and pressed a hand to the wound, deeming it treated. Nie Mingjue, still in the position of trying to save him, remained kneeling, looking up to meet Meng Yao's gaze.

Nie Mingjue said nothing, and Meng Yao said nothing either. Sheathing his sword, Meng Yao bowed to Nie Mingjue and, without looking back, fled at full speed.

Having just obediently confessed and agreed to take responsibility, Meng Yao then faked his suicide and betrayal, disappearing without a trace. Nie Mingjue was perhaps the most shameless person he had ever encountered, especially since this person had once been his trusted aide. Enraged, Nie Mingjue fought with even greater ferocity against the Wen family cultivators. Even several days later, when Lan Xichen arrived at Langya to support him, his anger had not subsided. Upon arriving, Lan Xichen smiled and said, "Brother Mingjue, you're really worked up. Where's Meng Yao? Shouldn't he be here to calm you down?"

Nie Mingjue said, "Don't mention this person!"

He recounted to Lan Xichen everything that had happened with Meng Yao, from the murder and framing to the feigned death and escape, in full detail. After listening, Lan Xichen was stunned and said, "How could this be? How could there be any misunderstanding?"

Nie Mingjue said, "I caught him in the act. How could there be any misunderstanding?"

Lan Xichen pondered for a moment and said, "From what he said, the person he killed was indeed at fault, but he really shouldn't have killed him. In such extraordinary times, it's hard to make a clear decision."

Nie Mingjue fiercely said, "I hope I never catch him, or I'll sacrifice him to my sword!"

However, as it turned out, this was a prophetic statement. In the following years, Meng Yao seemed to vanish like a stone dropped into the ocean, leaving no trace behind.

Nie Mingjue, who had once admired and valued Meng Yao, now felt intense hatred. Whenever his name was mentioned, Nie Mingjue's face would fill with anger, his emotions beyond words. After confirming that there was no news of Meng Yao, he refused to discuss him with others.

Nie Mingjue was not a man who grew close to others, rarely opening his heart to anyone. It was rare for him to find a capable and trustworthy subordinate whom he respected both for his abilities and character. Who would have thought that this person's true nature was not what he had believed? No wonder his reaction had been so intense.

Just as Wei Wuxian was thinking this, he suddenly felt a splitting headache, his bones feeling as if they had been run over by a steamroller, creaking with the slightest movement, rendering him immobile. Opening his eyes, his vision was so blurred that he could barely see the cold black jade floor of the hall, where many figures were sitting askew.

Wei Wuxian was astonished.

Nie Mingjue had been nearly invincible in the Sunshot Campaign, his enemies unable to get close to him, let alone injure him so severely.

What was going on?!

A slight movement came from the side, and Wei Wuxian caught a glimpse of a few blurry figures with his peripheral vision. Straining his eyes to focus, he could barely make out several cultivators dressed in fiery robes. These people were kneeling in practiced positions, crawling forward on the ground on their knees.

Wei Wuxian was speechless.

Suddenly, a bone-chilling pressure enveloped him, flowing through Nie Mingjue’s body to Wei Wuxian. Nie Mingjue looked up slightly, and at the far end of the black jade floor, he saw a massive jade seat. Sitting on it was a person.

Though the distance was considerable and Nie Mingjue's vision was blurred by blood, he didn't need to see clearly to guess who it was.

At that moment, the door of the hall opened, and a person entered.

The disciples in the hall were all kneeling and crawling on the floor, but this person, after a slight bow and nod upon entering, didn't join them. Instead, he walked straight ahead as if nothing was amiss, passing the long jade floor until he reached the end, seemingly leaning in to listen to a few words from the person on the jade seat before turning towards them.

Slowly stepping closer, this person looked closely at Nie Mingjue, who was still standing despite being covered in blood, and seemed to smile slightly before saying, "Lord Nie, it's been a long time."

That voice, who else could it belong to but Meng Yao?