Chapter 96 - Senior Demon Hunter, Please Spare Me (20)
TL: Moonlit
Bai Yu clung tightly to Yin Shao’s embrace, curling up into a ball. His body trembled uncontrollably.
At this moment, he was clearly terrified to the extreme.
Sounds of “wuwu” kept escaping from his mouth.
But being held by Yin Shao, it seemed that he knew the danger had passed.
Bai Yu’s stiff body gradually relaxed.
He lifted his gaze and glanced at Yin Shao, his eyes still lifeless, but with glistening tears flickering…
His red pupils turned even redder.
His facial expression displayed fear and apprehension.
Although he didn’t utter a word, his presence filled Yin Shao’s heart with regret and self-blame.
Yin Shao wanted to cure Bai Yu, to restore him to his former self.
But he had caused him even deeper wounds.
He had nearly cost Bai Yu his life…
In fact, Yin Shao initially believed that by using Bai Yu’s inner core to heal his junior brother, their master might show leniency towards Bai Yu and give him the Immortal Herb.
But who could have anticipated that even if he revealed such facts, their master would remain resolute in killing Bai Yu?
And the only reason their master wanted to kill Bai Yu was that he was a demon.
All notions of right and wrong were completely disregarded.
Simply because he was a demon, he deserved to die!
Yin Shao suddenly found it laughable.
He had always believed that everything he did was for the sake of justice.
For the well-being of the world.
But only now, at this moment, did he begin to reflect on what is right and what is wrong.
Could it be considered a form of justice to repay kindness with enmity, to kill a demon who had saved their own disciple?
Yin Shao’s eyes drooped slightly, filled with a deep darkness.
He used to be the same, but now he understood.
He had made such a mistake once before.
He would never make the same mistake again!
When Yin Shao lifted his head again, the black mist surrounding him had grown thicker. His eyes exuded a chilling and grim aura.
Step by step, he walked toward where their master was, emitting an incredibly terrifying aura that almost made everyone hold their breath.
“Master, do you believe you are in the right? You have always taught us from a young age to uphold justice. But can repaying kindness with enmity be considered a form of justice?”
“Not all demons in this world are evil, just as not all humans are good. Have you not witnessed Bai Yu’s pure and flawless inner core? It is without any impurities. Should a demon like him also be condemned to death?”
“We pride ourselves as a righteous and orthodox sect, but indiscriminate slaughter of the innocent, regardless of right or wrong, is that truly justified?”
Mockery filled Yin Shao’s face, even his words showed no mercy.
Yin Shao’s words made the other senior brothers and sisters in the sect fall into contemplation.
In fact, what he said today was not something that had never been raised before…
It was just that in the face of their immensely powerful master, no one dared to voice objections.
Thus, such rules had been perpetuated.
At this moment, Yin Shao’s words silenced many.
Their master’s face had long turned ashen.
Without hesitation, he raised the sword in his hand and aimed it at Yin Shao. He was slightly infuriated.
“You traitor, I’ll kill you right now!”
The sword thrust forward. With Yin Shao’s abilities, he could easily dodge it. Yet, instead of avoiding it, he protected Bai Yu and didn’t move.
The sword tip pierced Yin Shao’s chest in an instant.
Yin Shao squinted his eyes lightly. A large amount of blood gushed from his chest.
Yin Shao clenched his teeth, using his fingers to grip the sword, and snapped it in half.
“Master, consider this sword my repayment for nurturing me. From today onwards, I am no longer your disciple.”
“Senior brother, what are you saying?”
Fang Xiao looked at everything in anguish, unable to utter a word.
“You should quickly apologize to the master. He will forgive you.”
Yin Shao coldly snorted, “I don’t need that kind of forgiveness.”
Having said that, Yin Shao carried Bai Yu step by step toward the forbidden area of the sect.
Perhaps others are unaware, but as a senior disciple in the sect, he knew many undisclosed things.
For example, the Immortal Herb was hidden in the forbidden area.
The sword in his hand pointed straight at the door of the forbidden area.
Their master was in a state of panic, shouting loudly.
“Yin Shao, if you dare to enter, I won’t spare you!”
But Yin Shao acted as if he hadn’t heard anything at all. He simply used his sword to cut the lock off.
Their master went mad and launched attacks against Yin Shao, using many powerful artifacts.
However, in front of Yin Shao, these artifacts seemed like toys, unable to display any power. They were shattered by Yin Shao.
Their master anxiously yelled at the other disciples, “Why are all of you just standing there? Quickly help me subdue him!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the other disciples rushed forward, wielding their swords.
Yin Shao’s eyes narrowed instantly. He turned around expressionlessly and unleashed a forceful palm strike.
A loud “boom” resounded, instantly raising a cloud of dust.
Those disciples, including their master, were all struck down by a tremendous force. The weaker ones even coughed up blood.
Their master lay on the ground, clutching his chest, and urgently exclaimed, “Yin Shao, I’ll give you the Immortal Herb, but you must not open the forbidden area.”
Yet the Immortal Herb was right in front of him, within reach by simply opening the door.
Yin Shao had no intention of dragging it out any longer.
He understood better than anyone the principle that delays lead to changes.
Yin Shao coldly raised his gaze, glanced at him, then turned around and forcefully opened the door to the forbidden area.
Everything inside the forbidden area instantly unfolded before everyone’s eyes.
Everyone stared at what lay before them, completely stunned.
They saw various herbs growing abundantly, the place brimming with spiritual energy.
And the Immortal Herb Yin Shao sought was there, emitting a faint green light.
But these alone were not enough to shock them. What truly stunned them was the sight of a silver-haired beauty shackled beneath a tree in the forbidden area.
The beauty’s entire body was bound by iron chains. They had a human upper body and a snake lower body. Though their eyes were open, they lacked any luster, appearing to have long lost their sight.
Upon hearing someone open the forbidden area, the beauty slightly curled their lips and spoke, “Wu Ya, you’ve come. Today my eyes feel much better. It must be the effect of yesterday’s medicine.”
Wu Ya was their master’s name.
No one had expected that their master would have a demon locked up in the forbidden area.
Their master always commanded them to kill demons upon sight. Yet, not only did he fail to kill this demon, he even treated their injuries.
All eyes turned toward their master, filled with inquisitive emotions.
Their master’s face had long turned pale.
He struggled to stand up and drew a sword from a disciple’s scabbard nearby. Step by step, he walked towards the silver-haired beauty, aiming the sword at them.
“What nonsense are you spouting? How could I have treated you? If you keep speaking nonsense, I’ll kill you.”
The beauty simply chuckled in response.
“Wu Ya, you can’t bear to kill me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have specially built this herbal garden to treat me.”
It seemed that their thoughts had been read. Their master furrowed his brows deeply.
His heart ached terribly, as if it had been pricked by countless needles, causing intense pain.
He gazed at the person before him, his entire being devoid of life.
He had concealed this secret for so long, and now not only had it been exposed to this person, but all his disciples had seen it as well.
Twenty years ago, Wu Ya saved a snake demon. Perhaps due to their daily interactions, he quickly gave away his true feelings.
They were compatible in every way and had even reached the stage of planning their future together…
But later, he discovered that the snake demon wasn’t truly injured; they had approached him deliberately.
And the reason they approached him was that he resembled the person the snake demon had loved.
The snake demon stayed with him because they wanted to use his face to look at another person.
Knowing this, Wu Ya’s heart was torn apart. Yet, due to his love, he pretended not to know and reluctantly remained with the snake demon…
He thought that since human lives were limited, spending a lifetime in confusion might not be so bad.
But who knew that the person the snake demon loved would change their mind and agree to be with them?
The snake demon immediately chose to leave without hesitation.
Later…
It turned out to be exactly as everyone saw.
Taking advantage of the snake demon’s moment of carelessness, Wu Ya inflicted severe injuries upon them and locked them in this place. During that fight, he accidentally blinded the snake demon’s eyes.
The snake demon lost their vision, and Wu Ya brewed medicine for them daily.
Despite hating them to the core, he still wanted to cure them.
At this moment, with all his disciples witnessing everything, Wu Ya felt utterly powerless.
His hatred for demons throughout his life stemmed from being deeply hurt by a demon.
That’s why he always taught his disciples to kill all demons on sight.
Yet as their master, he couldn’t bear to kill even that faithless person.
Now, in front of so many people, the only way to remedy the situation was to kill the snake demon.
Wu Ya pointed his sword at a nearby plant and then turned to Yin Shao, saying, “Yin Shao, the Immortal Herb you’re looking for is right there.”
After saying these words, he smiled faintly.
He could only feel that his entire life was like a joke.
He taught his disciples not to spare demons, yet he himself fell in love with a demon.
In the end, he couldn’t bring himself to kill them. Instead, he let them go.
Now, everything has been witnessed by his disciples, and he can no longer face living in this world.
And with the snake demon’s resolute departure…
It made him feel that their 20 years together had been nothing but a one-man show.
Without hesitation, he raised the sword in his hand and fiercely stabbed it into his own heart.
Immediately, countless blood gushed out from his body, filling the air with a strong scent of blood.
No one expected such a turn of events, and all the disciples were in shock. They screamed in distress.
“Master!”
In an instant, everyone rushed toward Wu Ya’s direction.
The snake demon was still walking when suddenly they heard the urgent cries. They froze in place, their hands trembling.
They hastily turned around and grabbed someone, asking, “What happened? What are you all shouting about?”
The disciple was on the verge of breaking down, crying as they spoke.
“Master took his own life.”
…
“Wu Ya committed suicide?”
Hearing the cries echoing around, the snake demon furrowed its brows lightly.
It all felt incredibly absurd.
Wu Ya was the most ruthless person they had ever encountered in their life. How could someone like that commit suicide?
Blind with their eyes unable to see anything, they relied solely on their senses to walk.
For so many years, they had dreamed of leaving this place.
The sudden turn of events was too unbelievable, as if it had been planned to keep them here.
Perhaps it was another scheme by Wu Ya.
But they couldn’t believe it.
Step by step, the snake demon continued to move forward.
However, their footsteps were no longer as resolute as before.
Even their heart ached faintly.
Why was it so noisy around here?
These people were crying so intensely.
Even if it were all an act, it felt too realistic…
What if it were true?
Such thoughts had just arisen.
Suddenly, their heart was stabbed by a sharp pain.
No!
The snake demon shook its head.
They refused to believe that Wu Ya would commit suicide.
They never believed it!
—
Yin Shao held Bai Yu and helplessly watched everything unfold.
So much blood flowed from their master’s chest.
It wasn’t just blood flowing from his chest, even blood came out of his mouth…
In an instant, their master stopped breathing.
But even in death, his eyes remained open.
It seemed as though he was still looking in the direction the snake demon had left.
His eyes no longer held any brilliance, yet why did they still display lingering reluctance?
Bai Yu didn’t understand what had happened.
He turned his head, wanting to look over there.
Yin Shao quickly reached out and covered his eyes with his hand. He didn’t want Bai Yu to see the gory scene.
His voice carried pain and discomfort. “Don’t look.”
His knees instantly gave way.
Yin Shao knelt on the ground while holding Bai Yu.
Regardless of what their master had done.
After all, he had been the one who raised Yin Shao.
His heart felt suppressed with discomfort.
The other disciples were even more overwhelmed, crying uncontrollably.
Fang Xiao rushed over and embraced their master, wailing, “Master, please don’t leave me. Master!”
It was originally a festive time during the Lunar New Year.
Because of that, the senior and junior brothers who were usually training outside had all gathered here.
But who could have imagined that such a thing would happen?
“Senior Brother, please conduct the funeral for our master.”
Someone said those words, but it wasn’t clear who.
The other disciples followed suit and called out the same.
Although Yin Shao had just said that he would leave the sect.
Among all the senior and junior brothers, only he received the greatest favor from their master. Only he possessed the ability to lead everyone.
Yin Shao nodded at everyone and prepared to conduct the funeral for their master.
Bai Yu, as if sensing Yin Shao’s sorrow, wrapped his arms around his neck and leaned heavily against his chest.
The Immortal Herb had already been retrieved by Yin Shao.
However, it still needed to be refined into a pill before it could be taken by Bai Yu.
During this time, they also had to handle their master’s funeral, so there would inevitably be some delay…
—
After returning, the snake demon sought out a familiar divine physician to treat their illness.
In fact, during their captivity, Wu Ya had tried many methods to treat the snake demon.
But he was ultimately not a doctor.
Combined with his fear of letting anyone know his secret, he didn’t dare seek medical help.
So, even though he had made a great effort, it was ultimately futile.
The snake demon’s eyes were severely injured.
But as long as they found a suitable doctor, they would soon be able to recover.
Wu Ya had treated them for twenty years, but it paled in comparison to the divine physician who treated them for just two days.
When the snake demon opened its eyes again after recovering, it didn’t evoke the excitement they had imagined.
They had thought that leaving that place and seeing the light again would make them incredibly happy. But it seemed not.
The first thing the snake demon did after recovery was to search for the person they had loved in the past.
However, when they found that person, they could only watch from a distance without even the thought of going up to say hello.
After all, 20 years had already passed, and many things had changed.
They thought it was their own obsession.
But when they truly saw that person, their heart remained calm as water, devoid of any feelings.
Even saying a word of greeting to him seems impossible.
In his mind, all he can hear is the miserable sound of crying when he left.
A sneer appeared on the snake demon’s face.
Wu Ya’s methods were deteriorating.
He could actually do something like this.
Did he want to make himself feel sorry for him and have a change of heart?
Unfortunately, after being imprisoned for 20 years, he no longer felt anything towards this person except hatred.
The corners of the snake demon’s mouth curled up slightly. Suddenly, he wanted to see the desperate look on Wu Ya’s face.
After he left, what is Wu Ya like now?
Is he disappointed?
He is about to go there and expose him thoroughly!
—
The wind gently blew as Wu Ya lay quietly with his eyes closed.
Underneath him was a pile of dry firewood.
Countless disciples knelt before him, crying uncontrollably.
The snake demon stood on a tall tree, looking in that direction from afar.
His first reaction was that Wu Ya seemed to have matured a lot…
He was nothing like the green and inexperienced appearance from 20 years ago.
Well, now that he thought about it, Wu Ya was already 36 years old.
How could he still look like a young man?
After all, the human lifespan is limited, unlike demons who can live for a long time.
But…
Why was he lying there?
Why didn’t he open his eyes?
Why were so many people kneeling before him, crying like this?
Wu Ya is really good at acting, isn’t he?
The snake demon furrowed his brow.
Could it be that he planned for the snake demon to come here today and staged this play with his disciples?
Did Wu Ya think he would be upset? Grieved?
He definitely wouldn’t!
After being imprisoned by Wu Ya for 20 years, he had long hated that person, hating him to the point of wanting him dead.
How could he possibly be sad?
The snake demon jumped down from the tree.
He wanted to expose Wu Ya, to tell him that he had already seen through his act.
But before he could get close, he suddenly saw a man from years ago holding a torch and setting fire to the firewood beneath Wu Ya.
The flames ignited instantly.
The snake demon was frozen in place, feeling a tightness in his chest.
What were they doing?
Wu Ya was only acting with him.
Why did they really want to burn him to death?
So much fire burning like that, how much pain must Wu Ya be in!
Gritting his teeth, the snake demon rushed forward.
He desperately tried to extinguish the raging fire, shouting as he did.
“Wu Ya, stop acting. Is this what you wanted by bringing me here? Fine, you win, I’m here now. Get up quickly!”
But Wu Ya still lay there with his eyes closed, motionless.
The snake demon had stayed far away earlier and couldn’t see clearly.
Now, up close, he realized that Wu Ya’s face was pale. There was no trace of life on his face, only a dark and lifeless appearance.
“What kind of fake death medicine did you take? I didn’t know the medicine nowadays was so potent.”
Speaking while reaching out his hand, the snake demon gently touched Wu Ya’s face.
His face was ice-cold, devoid of any warmth.
In the past, when they were together, Wu Ya always said that he was too cold.
After all, the snake demon was a snake demon, and his blood ran cold.
But now, why did Wu Ya feel colder than him?
The snake demon’s heart was twisted with pain.
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, trembling all over.
With red eyes, he spoke to the person in front of him:
“Wu Ya, get up quickly. If you get up, I won’t hate you anymore. I can let go of the hatred of these 20 years, pretend nothing happened. Just get up!”
But what awaited him was not Wu Ya sitting up from there.
Instead, a disciple respectfully said to him:
“Senior, please let go of Master. Master has ascended to paradise. Please allow him to depart in peace.”
“What nonsense are you talking about? How could Wu Ya be dead?”
The snake demon glared fiercely at the disciple, transforming into a gigantic serpent. With an open mouth, he glared menacingly at him.
His tail also swung fiercely towards the disciple.
At that moment, Yin Shao rushed over.
He raised the sword in his hand and blocked the snake demon in front of him, engaging in a fight.
The snake demon was no match for Yin Shao and soon retreated.
He transformed back into human form and fell to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Yin Shao coldly glanced at him but didn’t pay him any further attention.
Instead, he raised the torch in his hand and set fire to the pile of firewood once again.
A deep voice rang out.
“Master has already transcended. If you were friends with him, you should not disturb him at a time like this. Don’t delay his departure.”
The snake demon sat trembling on the ground.
He watched as the flames burned fiercely, his mind blank.
He thought he hated Wu Ya.
But why did he feel so miserable?
The snake demon suddenly felt that it would have been better if he were blind. Why did he have to witness such a cruel scene?
He simply didn’t understand why things had turned out this way.
Wu Ya…
How could he possibly be dead?
A jumble of thoughts suddenly filled his mind.
It was the words spoken by Wu Ya’s disciple on the day he left.
He said, “Master took his own life.”
At that time, the snake demon didn’t believe it.
He left resolutely, leaving without any attachment…
Now he knew, Wu Ya had truly died.
He was really gone.
—
The snake demon walked aimlessly to the forbidden place where Wu Ya had imprisoned him.
He had always thought it was a very dark place.
But upon arriving, he realized that it was not dark at all.
Instead, it was filled with colorful flowers and lush greenery.
The snake demon found the large tree that had once trapped him and sat down beneath it.
He sat there in a daze, as if waiting for someone.
As if in the next second, Wu Ya would open the door to this forbidden place and bring a bowl of unbearably bitter medicine.
He would say, “Chi Yin, I’ve prepared the medicine for you.”
Chi Yin sat there in a daze.
He was waiting for that person to open the door to this place.
In the past 20 years, that person would open this door every day and come here.
Sometimes, he would talk about the things happening outside.
Sometimes, he would talk about the trouble caused by one of his disciples.
And sometimes, he would talk and then lean against Chi Yin and fall asleep.
Chi Yin gently closed his eyes.
Everything seemed to return to the way it was before.
But that door would never open again.
Transparent tears fell from his eyes.
Chi Yin murmured softly:
“Wu Ya… I’m here now.”
“Why hasn’t your medicine arrived?”
“I didn’t tell you, but that medicine is really bitter. But as long as it’s from you, I’ll drink it all… Is that okay?”