Su Lianghe was calm as he told the story. "I exhausted my power to protect the man and I was able to do so. Facing so many death experiences he still lived. That was, until he met a man who became the light of his life, a man who had saved him. To seek a life with this person, he forgot his resentment, merely seeking a life with the one he loved. He sealed his cultivation, becoming a normal person. I was forced away, unable to protect him anymore." Su Lianghe sighed.
"Along with his husband, the two stayed together hidden away from Fushui Sect. Unfortunately, I was not able to fulfill my promise. Baicheng's husband betrayed him, pushing him down a cliff. The man had always been a spy sent from Fushui Sect to kill Baicheng and Baicheng had fell for it. Near his death, the man's hatred was so strong, I was unable to bear the pain and I had to leave. In the last moments I spent by his side, he was dead. Yet, he lived once more. Perhaps it was fate, perhaps it was the work of a higher-being." Su Lianghe finished. He raised his hand, conjuring the image of a man.
Fei Qianchi stared at the image made by Qi. In the memories of Su Lianghe, Baicheng was a normal youth. His eyes were bright, a true smile on his lips as he turned to look behind him. The man had no resentment on his body, this was a time where he was truly happy. But he also lost everything with the betrayal of the one he loved most.
All of a sudden, he now noticed the sorrow that leaked from the man. Back then, things were so clear. Fei Qianchi hadn't noticed, perhaps, Ran Mengyu also had a hand in everything, perhaps he was always manipulating his emotions.
"I... have to leave." Fei Qianchi said as he stood up, calming his heart.
Su Lianghe put up his hand, "Stay for a bit longer. Come closer to me, I need to draw a sigil on your forehead."
Though Fei Qianchi didn't understand what the man wanted to do, he walked over, bending over as Su Lianghe reached out his hands touching Fei Qianchi's forehead.
Fei Qianchi felt a cool sensation hit his forehead, slowly seeping into his skin. Su Lianghe was mumbling some words under his breath, quiet and long, the words seemed like a different language. He could hear the clanging from the chains that wrapped around Su Lianghe's wrist as the man moved.
As Su Lianghe finally stopped, Fei Qianchi furrowed his brows, "What is this?"
Su Lianghe was nonchalant, a peaceful look on his face. "An ancient spell. If you are ever killed, I will protect your immortal body from harm."
"Protect my immortal body?" Fei Qianchi was even more confused.
Su Lianghe nodded, "Deeply inscribed, your Book of Fate was written to be cruel and devastating. It is only after going through countless lifetimes that you will finally be able to find peace. But before this, you will walk through pain and death in many lifetimes. You will experience joy and sorrow, happiness and sadness, before things become clear to you." The man seemed otherworldly in that moment.
Perhaps he was. Fei Qianchi stared at Su Lianghe. The man had lived for tens of thousands of years. He had gone through pain and betrayal, all to be chained to this place. He had heard the countless cries of people on their way to reincarnation, he had answered the pleas of forsaken ones.
Fei Qianchi clenched his hand. Book of Fate? So did it mean that he could do nothing but walk this pain of suffering, unable to retaliate? But thinking back, perhaps he did deserve this.
"Is there a way to forgo this life?" Fei Qianchi asked, speaking up with his voice slightly shaking. His blue eyes were calm at last, as if he finally understood. Deep within, he found a bit of peace within him as he finally bowed down.
Hearing this, Su Lianghe smiled lightly, "Of course there is. But to rip out a page written within your Book of Fate, then you will sacrifice the other soul who is tied to you. If you choose to destroy your Book of Fate, then you will forgo your lives with the one who is yours, a soul who loves you. Are you willing to do this?" He turned his head towards Fei Qianchi.
Even though Fei Qianchi knew that Su Lianghe couldn't see, Fei Qianchi still bowed down his head as if avoiding his eyes. So to say, if he wanted to end his suffering, he would have to break off connections with the man who was inscribed within his Book of Fate. Fei Qianchi couldn't do so. For his selfish wish, he wouldn't want someone else to suffer through pain.
"Thank you." Fei Qianchi thanked as Su Lianghe's smile got brighter.
"No, perhaps we were meant to meet." Su Lianghe replied.
Suddenly, Fei Qianchi felt his Qi fluctuate, his spiritual body shaking. His eyes widened as he stabilized himself. He looked around, looking up at the sky that had suddenly darkened.
Su Lianghe stood up, the chains rattling. He didn't see, but he felt a strong fluctuation in the air.
The world shook, as if an earthquake was currently happening. Fei Qianchi watched as pieces of the mountains fell, the ravines crashing down.
The place was no longer quiet and peaceful anymore. He tightened his fist. Fei Qianchi felt a sudden piercing hit his heart. In the sky, a sudden lightning bolt fell from the sky. It was big, shining with a purple light as it was brought down. As Fei Qianchi stumbled, he looked over the edge of the mountain. It was then that he noticed the mountain was floating in the air, above cloud instead.
Without any time to think, another lightning bolt descended, striking down. Loud thunders filled the air, fluctuations running through the mountains, shaking through the sky.
From the side, Su Lianghe's voice rung with a sigh, "Destruction of Heaven, Fragmentization of a Soul. Someone has used an ancient spell banned by Heaven. A soul used as an exchange to call the Heavenly Lightning to create destruction. With the lightning being called, one's soul will be destroyed and shattered, floating aimlessly. Death is assured, he won't live long after using such a spell."
"What?" Fei Qianchi asked, his voice shaking. This Qi... this familiar energy, he could tell who the man was. He flinched.
He needed to go, he needed to leave!
Fei Qianchi turned away but he was pulled back. Su Lianghe shook his head.
"It is too late." Su Lianghe pointed to the lightnings. "The spell has been casted, his life will be taken no matter what happens. At this moment, the spiritual world is unstable. Leaving at this moment will only make it harder for you to return back to the mortal realm."
Fei Qianchi shook. He had to get there. Yet, even as he forced himself to wake, he still found himself standing in the same place as before.
"What's happening?" Fei Qianchi asked in a hurry, his voice shaking and trembling. His blue eyes flickered in panic, looking similar to when he first regained consciousness after Ran Mengyu was using him.
"I told you. Someone has used a spell that the Heaven forbids. Doing so, it exhausts Qi. Such a spell will bring the wrath of Heaven. It has caused the Qi to become unstable. At this moment, the spiritual world is also unstable from that, people won't be able to come and go as they wish." Su Lianghe repeated once more. His white robe fluttered as he stood on top of the mountain. Even with the chains on him, it was unable to shake his calming deposition.
Fei Qianchi's lips trembled, trying to force his Qi to activate. Only a splutter of small light appeared before it disappeared. His emotions were running wild.
"Is there.." Fei Qianchi fought to keep his voice stabled. "Can you force me to return?" He didn't care. He needed to go. The lightning was gradually disappearing, no longer striking down hard and consistent, it had cleared. Although it was still slamming down occasionally, it was no longer big enough to shake the world.
As Fei Qianchi closed his eyes, a small smile appeared in his head. The man had never smiled brightly, only a small curve on his lips was evidence that he smiled. The man didn't laugh, perhaps a very small chuckle, but that was it. In the beginning, he was a cold man, upright. Slowly, he thawed, revealing a small part of him that was always hidden. Before Fei Qianchi knew, he was already close to the man. Slowly, things changed between the two of them as they got closer.
When did it change? It was when Fei Qianchi met Baicheng. From that moment on, a huge bridge separated them, breaking them apart. It was his fault, having been blinded and foolish.
"It was me. I caused everything." Fei Qianchi blamed himself. There was only him to blame. Because of him, he had killed everyone. He was selfish and evil, yet there was still a person who protected him with his life. He didn't deserve it.
From ahead of him, a serene voice broke the atmosphere. "It isn't you. This was already written down. The truth is, there was nothing you could have done to stop these events from occurring. Even if you did, someone else would've gone through the same things you did."
Fei Qianchi lifted his lips exasperatedly, a mocking smile, ridiculing himself. Everyone said that, yet the truth remained that he had still done it. When stripping away all the layers, his hands were the bloodiest. He was a cursed being even from his youth. For even then, he was still able to create a massacre, severing lives.
When he became an Immortal, that was when he started losing sight of himself. Having become powerful, he had gotten too comfortable with life. Fei Qianchi choked back his emotions, stifling it down even deeper within him. The cries of the thunders were getting even more quiet. Fei Qianchi felt like he could hear the sound of swords slamming against each other.
Yet in his eyes, one man continued to pop up. The man was beautiful and cold, yet when he smiled, there was a sense of warmness that waved off of him. Even with his cold expressions, his purple eyes were captivating. The man had never liked being called beautiful even when Fei Qianchi teased him.
At the moment, Su Lianghe reached forward. "I will help you uncover a memory that has been sealed. Please, don't be saddened and shocked. I'm sure that he also didn't want you to know."
Fei Qianchi felt Su Lianghe's warm hand upon his forehead, another sigil being drawn, piercing his skin. As it did so, he flinched, a stabbing pain from his head as he bit his lips, stifling his cry.
A memory was suddenly brought forth. Having gotten it, Fei Qianchi's body froze, shock and guilt hitting his body. His lips trembled, eyes shaking as they widened.
The man was stunned, sitting in place, not moving an inch. As he walked through the memory, he stifled a shout. What a scum he was... he... he forced Zhu Longwang to do such things with him. In his mad and drunken state, he actually pushed the man down.
It was so obvious in the way Zhu Longwang behaved the next day, yet, Fei Qianchi had believed the man's lies that he used to cover up what Fei Qianchi had done.
The guilt weighed down on him, tearing at his heart. He was a bastard, a scum, a being worse than anything on this earth. He had done such things to Zhu Longwang, yet when he woke up, he didn't even remember what had happened. Suddenly, all those suspicious moments became clearer in his mind. The signs were there. It was simply him who had been too foolish to recognize it.
Fei Qianchi opened his eyes, feeling a fluctuation from deep within him.
As he watched Su Lianghe step forward, the man was calm, as otherworldly as always. "Fengmian!"
Fei Qianchi watched as a white animal flashed by him, running past. A white fox landed in Su Lianghe's arms. The fox was majestic, nine tails spiraling from its body. It's fur was glossy, shining with a soft glow. With piercing blue eyes, the fox's gaze was cold.
"Fengmian, give it to him." Su Lianghe held the fox in his arm, walking towards Fei Qianchi. Though he couldn't see, he did not hesitate, stepping onto the open ground.
At Su Lianghe's words, Fengmian closed his eyes and from his forehead, a shining light appeared. From that light, a small bead appeared as a vial encased the bead, sealing it.
The small bead shone, flashing as the vial flew and gently landed into Fei Qianchi's hand.
Watching, Fei Qianchi glanced at Fengmian, the fox who stared back with cold eyes.
"Keep this on your body and never use it. When the time is right, you will understand the purpose of that pill. No matter what, do not let anyone take away that pill." Su Lianghe petted the fox as Fengmian leaned in.
"Now go. I apologize for not being able to help you more." Su Lianghe didn't give Fei Qianchi a minute to react before his hands flew out, slightly tapping Fei Qianchi on his head.
Fei Qianchi felt a force bring him away even as he had more questions he wanted to ask. Not hesitating, he threw the vial safely into his storage ring. His storage was protected by many seals and array, no one will be able to get in it.
As he gasped, his body shook. He knew that waking now, he would be facing reality.
Taking a deep gasp, Fei Qianchi opened his eyes. As he looked around, he realized that he was no longer in prison. Instead, he was now kneeling on the ground. As he looked around, there was a man by his side.
Seeing who it was, he flinched away.
"You are finally awake." By his side, Baicheng was silent, eyes casted downwards.
Fei Qianchi was kneeling on the hard ground and it was only then that he realized he was bleeding. As he looked to his side, Su Fuwen was on the ground, bleeding heavily, but nowhere close to dying.
"You!" Fei Qianchi couldn't say anymore as a heavy feeling erupted in him.
"He wanted to kill you. I merely stopped him, although, you still ended up injured." Baicheng's voice was cold, cold to the point where Fei Qianchi noticed something odd.
At that moment, a man walked into the room.
Fei Qianchi looked at the man, shock flashing in his eyes. How could this be possible? Both of the men had the same appearances, they both looked exactly like Baicheng. The only different was their temperament.
Fei Qianchi knew that something was off because the original Baicheng in front of him, his face morphed into a different face. His eyes were now blue, a cold expression on. His hair was a mix of black and brown, his facial features appeared more gentle than that of Baicheng's. But he was also colder, his eyebrows were knitted as he narrowed his blue eyes.
"Baicheng, I'll leave it to you now." That man said as Baicheng came in front of him. There was an undeniable look of emotion in his eyes as he turned to Baicheng, his expression also softened.
Fei Qianchi didn't know what was happening, his own body was in pain and his heart felt like it was being ripped from him. Fei Qianchi felt his body stagger and caught himself back up again.
Baicheng sneered as he looked at Fei Qianchi, "Xue Lu, guard the doors. Make sure that no one comes inside."
Xue Lu obeyed as he walked out the doors, taking one finally glance at him and he muttered something Fei Qianchi couldn't hear.
Fei Qianchi spat out, "What did you do to him?"
Baicheng looked back, a sneer on his face as he asked, "What?" His eyes glinted with hatred.
Fei Qianchi could feel blood dripping from the side of his mouth. "Zhu Longwang, what did you do to him?" The foreboding feeling in his heart became even more intense. Impossible. He couldn't have... that man couldn't have been him...
"Zhu Longwang. I killed him." Baicheng merely replied, spitting out the name with contempt. "Though it can't be considered killing him as he was going to die anyway. After all, for you, he sacrificed himself. For you, he faced the wrath of his own sect and ultimately sentenced himself to a death in exchange for waging war to save you."
Fei Qianchi felt his body freeze with shock, his arms suddenly trembling. "You're lying! How could someone like him die? He was powerful, no one could rival him. Why would he sacrifice himself for me, someone cruel and evil like me?!" His voice was full of anger and shock.
Baicheng's sneer got even wider and he chuckled. "Qianchi, you are simply too foolish. Why did he die to save you? Wasn't it because....he loved you? Xue Lu helped me with making sure you fell in love with him even though he used my face. I didn't save you, I merely picked you up for a while after Longwang had saved you. But you confused my face with his, thinking that I was the one who saved you. Whilst you fell for Xue Lu, thinking that I had saved you, you left the person who truly saved you. He loved you more than anything and you destroyed him."
Fei Qianchi struggled to keep himself composed.
And then, Baicheng got closer to Fei Qianchi, a smirk at the corners of his lips as he whispered. "He died trying to save someone like you who was a fool in love with the wrong person. Thank you for helping me in my plan of killing him."
Fei Qianchi stifled the cry threatening to come out of him, forcing himself to stop. No... the man couldn't just be dead like that. He couldn't. How could that man just be died now?
"It was so fun watching as you broke yourself for me, watching as you pushed away the person who loved you. You displayed all of your pain and didn't even notice his silent heartbreak. Thank you for being selfish and breaking his heart. You made my task much easier." Baicheng smirked, red eyes glinting as he looked down at Fei Qianchi.
Fei Qianchi felt a sharp pain run through his body. His body was breaking down on him...
"Oh. Su Fuwen got to you first. I don't know what he did to you, but it seems like he also wanted you dead." Baicheng said as he noticed Fei Qianchi's eyes. "You... truly are evil at core. Perhaps even more so than I am. In the end, even if you try to fix everything, you were also the one who broke it apart. Now look at what happened. Your blunder caused the deaths of thousands."
"Are you happy?"
.
.
.