Today, The Villain Couple is Settling Scores Again

Jian Huan sat beside Mei Yi, close enough to clearly see the expression on Mei Yi's face and the faint black veins in her eyes.

It was like the red veins that appear after staying up all night, but in Mei Yi's eyes, they were black.

Jian Huan was startled and immediately stood up, cautiously taking a few steps back. "Have you fallen into demonic corruption?"

Like a finger touching a hot pot, Mei Yi's icy, hostile expression vanished instantly, replaced by confusion. "Demonic corruption? No, I haven't."

Mei Yi curled her knees up and retreated to the corner of the bed, shaking her head repeatedly. "I haven't, I haven't..."

Mei Yi's condition was clearly abnormal. Jian Huan exchanged a glance with the other two and said, "Ning Hui is a demon, so you..."

"I! Have! Not!" Mei Yi suddenly raised her head, clenched her fists, and pounded the edge of the bed. "Ning Hui is a demon, that's true, but he loves pure and flawless women. He would never let his woman fall into demonic corruption. I've always been careful, so how could I have become a demon? How could I have become a demon!"

Her face twisted into a grotesque mix of tears and laughter, as if two faces were overlapping—one soft and bewildered, the other cold and sinister. It was chilling to behold.

Gu Shan frowned, flicked his Daoist robe, and Mei Yi's expression froze. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

"I examined her consciousness earlier and found no memories of her turning into a demon," Gu Shan sighed. "Although she carries demonic energy, it's normal since she's been in the Dark Palace. But now it seems that the girl has developed a demonic obsession..."

Demonic energy is like spiritual energy.

If a person without a spiritual root is in a place rich with spiritual energy, they cannot absorb it and won't be affected by it.

Demons don't have the concept of a spiritual root, but they do have the idea of a 'demonic heart.' Only with a demonic heart can one harness demonic energy and cultivate demonic arts.

However, as long as one's Daoist heart is strong enough, even if they are surrounded by demonic energy in the Demon Abyss or in close contact with demons, they won't turn into a demon.

"But his situation is an exception," Gu Shan glanced at Shen Jizhi. "A thousand years ago, the Demon God Hua Dihai's demonic arts were profound. The legacy he left behind is not to be underestimated. If you break the seal, you will undoubtedly fall into demonic corruption."

"Mm," Shen Jizhi shifted his weight from his left leg to his right, looking at Gu Shan with a calm expression. "As long as you stop making me repay my debts, I probably won't break the seal."

Gu Shan: "..."

Gu Shan's pointing hand trembled. "You rebellious disciple, truly rebellious!"

Jian Huan's eyes darted around, looking at Shen Jizhi, then at Gu Shan, before bringing the conversation back to Mei Yi. "What should we do about her?"

Gu Shan scratched his head. "I don't know how deep her demonic obsession is. I vaguely remember that the old folks at South Dust Immortal Island were developing a spiritual medicine to dispel demonic obsessions. I wonder how far they've gotten. Let's call a medical cultivator tomorrow to take a look."

The next day, the autumn sunlight streamed through the window, shining on the Demon-Reflecting Mirror in Jian Huan's hand and reflecting onto Shen Jizhi's face, leaving a bright spot.

In the mirror, the young man's slightly furrowed brows were visible. His expression was cold as he glanced at the girl and shook his head. "Have you had enough fun?"

The two stood shoulder to shoulder by the window.

By the bed, a medical cultivator from South Dust Immortal Island was diagnosing Mei Yi.

Coincidentally, the medical cultivator was a familiar face—Senior Brother Su Tian, who had once approached Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi in Yuxian City to inquire about the Earth Fruit Tree.

At the door, Yu Qing and Gu Shan stood side by side, discussing matters related to demons.

Jian Huan poked the reflection in the mirror, beaming with joy as she nudged Shen Jizhi with her shoulder. "Congratulations, Shen Jizhi! You're still pure and untainted by demonic corruption!"

Shen Jizhi: "..."

Jian Huan lovingly wiped the mirror with her sleeve, carefully storing it in her storage pouch. She then turned to Yu Qing at the door and sighed. "Elder Yu Qing is so kind. Just because I asked him on the Xuantian Mirror how to distinguish demons, he specially brought me this Demon-Reflecting Mirror today!"

Shen Jizhi scoffed. "A mere mirror makes you this happy?"

Jian Huan shot him a sidelong glance. "You're just sour grapes. If you're so capable, why don't you ask your master to give you one?"

"..." Shen Jizhi pursed his lips and smiled faintly. "No need."

Jian Huan shrugged, not wanting to argue further. She clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes sparkling. "Elder Yu Qing is truly wonderful—gentle, generous, and his cultivation is beyond question..."

Shen Jizhi's expression remained blank as he stood up and left.

Jian Huan, who had been leaning slightly against him, suddenly lost her support and tipped to the side.

Jian Huan: "!!"

At that moment, Su Tian stood up, first bowing to the door. "Peak Master Gu, Elder Yu—" Then he turned to Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi, smiling. "Senior Brother Shen, Junior Sister Jian."

Gu Shan and Yu Qing stopped their conversation and walked in. "How is she?"

Su Tian replied respectfully, "Miss Mei indeed has a demonic obsession, but it hasn't reached an irreversible stage. Coincidentally, the elders on our island are developing a spiritual medicine that needs testing. May I boldly ask Peak Master Gu to entrust Miss Mei to me and allow me to take her to the island for treatment? I cannot guarantee a cure, but South Dust Immortal Island will spare no effort."

Gu Shan stroked his beard and nodded. "Agreed."

There was no better alternative.

He glanced at Shen Jizhi, pondering for a moment. "However, I still have some matters to discuss with her. Let's do this—I'll send her to you later."

Su Tian bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Peak Master."

Yu Qing also bowed. "Peak Master, I have urgent matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

Gu Shan waved his hand. "Go ahead, go ahead."

Yu Qing and Su Tian left together. Jian Huan hopped forward, catching up to them with a smile. "Elder Yu, Senior Brother Su, let me see you off!"

Yu Qing smiled gently. "Perfect, I have something to ask you as well."

The teacher and student, along with Su Tian, walked out together.

Behind them, Shen Jizhi couldn't help but let out a disdainful snort.

Ever since Yu Qing had given her the Demon-Reflecting Mirror half an hour ago, she had been acting like this.

Jian Huan stepped over the threshold, turned back, and glared at him warningly, sticking out her tongue. "Hmph."

Shen Jizhi: "..."

"Elder Yu, so was the formation created by Qi Wan?" Jian Huan asked, turning her attention back.

After leaving the Dark Palace, Jian Huan had immediately contacted Yu Qing, who had come specifically to investigate. He nodded. "Yes."

The three stopped at the courtyard gate.

Gu Shan had sold the fish tooth to repay his debt, and the debt collectors had left, but the words "Repay the Debt" were still clearly visible on the wall.

Yu Qing asked in detail about the events in the Dark Palace, and Jian Huan answered truthfully.

The girl's soft voice, carried by the midday breeze, reached Shen Jizhi's ears.

The young man in black robes leaned against the window of the bedroom, his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the red maple tree in the courtyard, half of its leaves scorched.

Occasionally, he would glance toward the gate, where the girl in an orange top and pink skirt stood.

After a while, Shen Jizhi lightly furrowed his brows.

Elder Yu Qing was being excessively verbose. Was it really necessary to ask so many questions? Knowing the beginning and the end should suffice—couldn't he deduce the rest himself?

In the storage room across the way, Gu Shan took a swig from his wine pouch, tilting his head back as he drank, and walked toward Shen Jizhi. "Come, come, my disciple, I have one more thing..."

"Jian Huan," Shen Jizhi suddenly called out.

At the gate, Jian Huan turned. "Huh? What is it?"

Shen Jizhi's expression was impassive. "My master is calling you."

With that, he straightened up and left the window.

Gu Shan was momentarily stunned, wiping the wine from his mouth. "No, I was calling you..."

Shen Jizhi glanced at him expressionlessly, his tone flat. "Were you?"

Gu Shan shrank back, not daring to say more.

This disciple had always had a commanding presence and a strong will. Sometimes, Gu Shan felt like he was the disciple, and Shen Jizhi was the master...

Gu Shan walked past the window, looked outside, and suddenly understood something. He chuckled mischievously and began to sing, "Little cabbage, pickled and sour, perfect for a drink..."

Shen Jizhi: "."

Jian Huan stood on tiptoe at the door, watching Yu Qing and Su Tian leave. She lifted her skirt slightly and ran back. "Senior, were you calling me?"

Gu Shan glanced at Shen Jizhi, who was now lowering his gaze, acting as if he had nothing to do with the situation.

As he had done the previous night, Gu Shan set up a barrier to block all eavesdropping.

He tied the wine pouch to his waist and walked to the bedside, looking at the unconscious Mei Yi. "Despite all her faults, Mei Yi never revealed the matter of the Demon Origin Stone to anyone, keeping the heavy oath she made before her master."

"But the world is unpredictable, and we can't afford to take any more risks. Before sending her to the South Dust Immortal Island, I will erase all her memories related to the Demon Origin Stone from her consciousness." Erasing memories could cause some damage to a cultivator's spiritual sense, and it was something to be avoided unless absolutely necessary. However, Gu Shan had made up his mind to proceed.

Jian Huan raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and then understood.

If the righteous sects were to learn about the Demon Origin Stone, they would likely lean toward eliminating Shen Jizhi, even if the seal remained intact, just to prevent any potential threat.

The Demon Origin Stone was attached to Shen Jizhi. If Shen Jizhi were to die, all the legacies of Hua Dihai would vanish along with him.

Sacrificing one person to eliminate a perpetual threat—such a decision would not be difficult to make.

If the demonic factions were to find out, they would undoubtedly do everything in their power to help Shen Jizhi break the seal, inherit the path of the Demon God, and bolster their forces.

"Most of those who knew about this matter back then have already turned to dust," Gu Shan said, pausing for a moment. His usually mischievous eyes now carried a hint of weariness. He chuckled, "After that, only I and you," he glanced at Shen Jizhi, then at Jian Huan, "and my disciple's wife, knew about it."

Gu Shan hadn't even told Dao Xuan about Shen Jizhi's situation.

The sect leader was the person Gu Shan trusted the most in this world, but he knew what choice his senior brother would make if he learned the truth.

Between one person and the multitude, the sect leader would undoubtedly choose the latter without hesitation.

But Gu Shan had always been willful.

If, in the future, Shen Jizhi were to break the seal and fall into demonic ways for any reason, even if it meant mutual destruction, Gu Shan would personally kill his own disciple.

The three of them fell silent, and the room became so quiet that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Gu Shan sat cross-legged by the bedside, his eyes closed as his spiritual energy entered Mei Yi's forehead.

The woman, who had been lying peacefully, suddenly furrowed her brows, showing signs of discomfort.

Gu Shan wasn't having an easy time either. Altering someone else's spiritual sense was something only high-level Nascent Soul or Mahayana-stage cultivators could attempt, and even then, it was risky. A slight misstep could result in backlash. That's why, unless absolutely necessary, no one would attempt such a thing.

After waiting for a while, Jian Huan and Shen Jizhi found a spot to sit and meditate.

About half an hour later, Gu Shan opened his eyes. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and took several gulps from his wine pouch. "That was exhausting, utterly exhausting."

Hearing this, Shen Jizhi looked up.

Since learning about the Demon Origin Stone last night, he had been thinking a lot, and a certain thought had been lingering in his mind.

"What was the price?"

His voice, cold and clear like glacial water, pulled Jian Huan out of her meditative state. She blinked, looked at Shen Jizhi, and then followed his gaze to Gu Shan.

Gu Shan paused, his hand holding the wine pouch. "What price?"

Shen Jizhi's gaze was calm. "The price of sealing the Demon Origin Stone."

The old man waved his hand dismissively, nimbly getting up from the ground and patting his buttocks as if preparing to leave. "What price could there be? Who do you think your master is? I just sealed it casually, no big deal..."

"I remember when I was six, you brought me to the Jade Clarity Sect and then went into seclusion for a long time," Shen Jizhi interrupted his master. "Later, I heard from the sect leader that you were supposed to have reached the Mahayana stage long ago, but you failed your tribulation."

"So, the price was your Mahayana tribulation?" Shen Jizhi asked slowly.

Gu Shan: "..."

He took a sip of wine and plopped back down on the ground, resigned. "Yes."

Since his disciple had already figured it out, Gu Shan saw no point in hiding it. He knew he couldn't keep it from him anyway.

This disciple of his was as sharp as a tack.

"The Demon Origin Stone contains a trace of Hua Dihai's residual consciousness," Gu Shan explained. "That's the most dangerous part. If it were just his legacy, even if you were to fall into demonic ways, it would still be somewhat 'you,' like Mei Yi's situation—less of a threat. But if the residual consciousness isn't eradicated, Hua Dihai could... revive within you. If that happens, the Nine Provinces would face another catastrophe, just like a thousand years ago."

He paused before continuing, "Mei Yi's master and I thought it over, and the only thing in the Nine Provinces capable of completely destroying Hua Dihai's residual consciousness was the tribulation of ascending from the Nascent Soul to the Mahayana stage. Coincidentally, I was just about to step into the Mahayana stage at the time..."

Gu Shan shook his head, exhaling a breath tinged with the scent of wine. Perhaps it was fate, guiding him to make this choice. "I originally wanted to remove the power of the Demon Origin Stone as well, but it has been in your body for too long, merging with your meridians. All I could do was seal it."

He took another swig of wine, shrugging with his usual carefree demeanor. "That's how it is."

Shen Jizhi listened quietly, saying nothing.

Failing a tribulation meant there was almost no chance of advancing to the next stage in this lifetime.

His gaze fell to the ground, his eyelids lowering to conceal his emotions.

Jian Huan, however, looked at Gu Shan with wide eyes, her dark pupils filled with astonishment.

The image of the seemingly disheveled old man suddenly rose in her mind, towering like a majestic mountain. She raised her thumb and emphatically jabbed it into the air three times, patting her chest as she declared generously, "Senior, to show my respect, once I become a Jade Clarity Sect elder, I'll treat you to drinks!"

Gu Shan was stunned. "How long do I have to wait for that?"

Times had changed. Since his senior brother became the sect leader, becoming an elder wasn't as easy as it used to be.

That man wouldn't even let him take a single spirit stone!

How terrifying, utterly terrifying.

"No rush, no rush," Jian Huan said, darting over to pat the old man on the shoulder with an air of mystery. "It'll happen soon."

Gu Shan shook his head, glancing at Shen Jizhi. After a moment of thought, he said, "I didn't do it for you."

He turned to Jian Huan. "Nor for the sake of the world."

Gu Shan stood up, walked to the window, and stretched his arms high above his head. "I did it for myself."

For the sake of a world where someone could brew the wine he loved, someone could lend him money to buy drinks, and someone could help him pay off his two million debts.

The sunlight outside was warm, and a gentle breeze blew in.

Gu Shan tilted his head and suddenly chuckled. "But if you two feel like you owe me something, maybe you could take care of my debts in the future..."

Behind him, Jian Huan crouched in front of Shen Jizhi, trying to peek at his expression.

Was he crying?

Shen Jizhi shifted slightly, lifting his deep, inscrutable eyes. He reached out to push her head away, but before he could, her head snapped up on its own, leaving his hand hanging in the air.

His fingers twitched, and he calmly retracted his hand, slowly getting up from the ground.

Jian Huan's expression changed. "Senior, what do you mean by 'you two'?"

Shen Jizhi's debts had nothing to do with her, Jian Huan!

Gu Shan winked at her. "Aren't you two a team?"

"Of course not!" Jian Huan declared firmly. "He's him, and I'm me. At most, I'll treat you to a few more drinks when I have the money. Alright, Senior, you should rest now. Farewell!"

With that, Jian Huan opened the door and left in a hurry, her retreating figure looking as if she were fleeing from a demon.

Gu Shan scratched his messy bird's nest of hair and looked at Shen Jizhi. "Are you two abandoning each other in the face of disaster?"

Shen Jizhi's lips twitched. "...You call this a disaster?"

Gu Shan muttered, "Then maybe you could help me with..."

"Absolutely not," Shen Jizhi cut him off without hesitation. "These are two separate matters. One thing at a time."

Gu Shan sighed. "Ah, poor Gu Shan, such a hard life. Heaven, is this how you treat me..."

"By the way, Senior," Jian Huan suddenly ran back, standing outside the window and beckoning to Gu Shan.

Gu Shan cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Disciple's wife, have you changed your mind?"

"I'm not crazy," Jian Huan said with a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I just came back to remind you that I have a name. It's Jian Huan, not 'disciple's wife.' Got it?"

Gu Shan shook his head earnestly, standing up straight and rubbing his back with a mischievous grin. "But in that dark hall, the two of you were like this and that..."

Jian Huan closed her eyes, then opened them again, roaring, "That was to remove the Thousand Jin Talisman!!"

Gu Shan: "..."

He didn't dare say another word, shrinking his neck slightly.

Jian Huan took a deep breath, smoothed the strands of hair on her forehead, and put on a sweet smile. Softly, she said, "Senior, remember, I have a name."

Gu Shan nodded obediently. "Alright, Huan girl."

Satisfied, Jian Huan patted her robes, gave Shen Jizhi a sidelong glance, and with a light hum, flew away on her sword.

Gu Shan finally dared to stand straight, shaking his head as he muttered, "So it wasn't yet..."

He glanced at Shen Jizhi, his expression tinged with slight disdain. "Disciple, are you perhaps... incapable?"

Shen Jizhi: "..."

He ignored Gu Shan, his gaze following Jian Huan's retreating figure until she disappeared into the courtyard.

The autumn air grew crisper, and most of the maple leaves in the courtyard had already fallen. Time waits for no one.

Indeed, he could delay no longer.

After a moment of thought, Shen Jizhi reached into his robe and pulled out a small pouch embroidered with a pixiu.

Inside the pouch were some scattered pieces of silver.

He first took out a hundred copper coins and handed them to Gu Shan.

Gu Shan instinctively accepted them, flabbergasted, and pointed at himself. "For me?"

"Mm," Shen Jizhi replied indifferently. After a brief pause, he added another tael of silver and handed it over.

In the past, his master might have been worth only a hundred coins, but from now on, he could reluctantly add a tael.

Gu Shan stared at the silver, almost too hesitant to take it.

"This tael and hundred coins are yours to spend as you wish," Shen Jizhi said, tightening the pouch and carefully tucking it back into his robe. His expression was calm and unreadable, like the still surface of a lake, as he made his decision.

"All I ask is that you not be home tonight," he added softly.