Chà Chà Novel

This time, he would bring Lin Huaiqing back.

He would lock him somewhere no one could find, chain him to the bed, and make him stay by his side for the rest of his life.

That would be his punishment.

“My lord, there’s a hard battle ahead tomorrow. Let me treat your wounds!”

Qin Du’s outer robe was carefully removed. The wounds on his back had stopped bleeding, but showed no sign of healing.

A Nascent Soul cultivator’s sacred weapon could inflict burns on demons. Even a shallow cut would take over half a month to heal.

Qin Du’s wounds exposed bone. They might not heal even in a month.

“Those cultivators fight viciously. Why did you bother sparing him?”

Perhaps, to Lin Huaiqing, Qin Du’s life mattered less than his senior brother’s.

If he killed Chu Xiuyuan, Lin Huaiqing would never forgive him.

He did not want Lin Huaiqing’s hatred, nor did he want to leave himself with regrets.

Early the next morning, the demon army arrived below the mountain, halted by the Xuantian Sect’s defense array.

“My lord, why has the array changed color?”

A few days earlier, it had been pale blue, almost invisible in sunlight unless one looked closely.

Now it was pale gold, clearly much stronger than before.

Qin Du smiled coldly.

So his master was taking such precautions against him?

Did he really think this flimsy barrier could stop his attack?

As he considered this, Lin Huaiqing descended with a group of Nascent Soul cultivators.

Separated by the barrier, they faced each other without speaking.

Although Lin Huaiqing could not see Qin Du’s expression, he could still feel the accusation in that resentful gaze. Instinctively avoiding it, he assumed a stern manner.

“Demon Venerable, what is your purpose in attacking this mountain?”

“You know perfectly well, Master. I have come for one reason alone.”

“If that’s the case, I’m afraid your journey will be wasted.”

This time, he would not walk into the tiger’s jaws again. Unless Qin Du broke through and forcibly abducted him, he would stand with the Xuantian Sect.

“Qin Du, I have no time for evasions. Where is my senior brother, Chu Xiuyuan? What have you done to him?”

Qin Du’s expression visibly changed.

“If you care about him so much, come with me, and I’ll tell you.”

Lin Huaiqing’s bonded spirit sword materialized in his hand. He raised it and shouted, “Don’t even think about it! Everyone, hear my command! Capture Demon Venerable Qin Du alive and reclaim our territory! Activate the Heavenly Spirit Formation!”

At his order, dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators flew through the barrier and engaged the demon army.

Lin Huaiqing led the charge, launching himself at Qin Du.

Behind them, thousands upon thousands of disciples came to support them, wielding all manner of magical weapons.

In moments, the foot of the Xuantian Sect’s mountain became the war’s main battlefield.

With Qin Du already at Soul Formation, Lin Huaiqing was naturally no match for him. Whenever his sword struck, Qin Du was already gone.

Qin Du was not truly fighting him either. He seemed to be using the demons’ elusive movements to let Lin Huaiqing practice his attacks.

After missing several times, Lin Huaiqing grew furious and slashed wildly, unable even to touch the hem of his robe.

Was this the gap between a supporting character and the villain?

Qin Du had previously made a show of sealing his spiritual energy. Even without that, he could still toy with him like a dog.

To Qin Du, an exchange at this level was little more than flirting. He even had time to pluck a wildflower and tuck it into Lin Huaiqing’s hair.

Sensing him suddenly approach, Lin Huaiqing became intensely wary, expecting a counterattack.

Instead, he felt only a tickle on his head.

He instinctively reached up and discovered that someone had put a small wildflower in his hair.

Furious, he pulled it out, threw it down, and stamped on it.

“Qin Du! You may kill me, but you may not humiliate me! Fight me properly!”

“I wouldn’t dare. If I accidentally injured you, Master, my heart would ache again.”

His teasing, infuriating tone made Lin Huaiqing burn with anger.

Sensing where Qin Du stood, he panted, “If… if you’re so capable, stop dodging! Stay right there!”

He sent his spirit sword slashing forward. Unexpectedly, Qin Du really did remain still. The blade flew straight toward his chest.

If he did not move, his life could be in danger.

Lin Huaiqing instinctively tried to recall the sword, but it was too late. Just then, a powerful resistance stopped the blade only three inches from Qin Du.

An immense pulling force followed, drawing Lin Huaiqing straight into his arms.

The sword stood alone in the ground. Lin Huaiqing was stunned.

“It seems you can’t bear to hurt me either, Master. Why must we fight?”

“Enough nonsense! Let me go!”

“If you agree to form a blood pact with me, I’ll withdraw immediately. Our realms will sign a peace treaty. As long as I remain in power, there will never be war between us.”

It was the best solution he had devised on the journey.

Lin Huaiqing did not have to return to the Demon Realm. As long as they formed a blood pact and became cultivation partners, they would never be separated, lifetime after lifetime.

Wherever Lin Huaiqing wished to go, Qin Du would accompany him. They could wander mountains and rivers, traveling freely as a pair of carefree partners.

Conquering the cultivation world and uniting the two realms had been his ambitions in his previous life.

Compared with Lin Huaiqing, they were worth nothing.

But dreams were generous; reality was harsh.

The future Qin Du described was beautiful. Unfortunately, Lin Huaiqing’s mission was to help Mu Yunting unite the two realms, not establish peace.

“I’m sorry… That isn’t what I want.”

Catching him off guard, Lin Huaiqing unleashed a burst of spiritual energy and broke free.

Qin Du was stunned by the blow. Though it caused only a minor shock-like injury, the pain felt unbearable.

But it also brought him back to his senses.

Peace between immortals and demons was not what Lin Huaiqing wanted. Then what did he want?

To unite both realms under one rule?

How had Qin Du failed to notice such ambition in him?

Only now did he have to admit that he had never truly understood Lin Huaiqing.

His calm serenity was merely the surface. Qin Du knew nothing of the secrets hidden beneath it.

He stared at that cold, exquisite face, searching for a trace of guilt or remorse.

He found none.

Lin Huaiqing looked as he always did, seemingly untouched by emotion.

How heartless…

“Then tell me, Master. What is it you truly want?”

“I…”

Lin Huaiqing could not answer.

What he wanted was something Qin Du was destined never to give him.

Suddenly, dark clouds blanketed the sky above the Xuantian Sect. Within moments, tribulation clouds turned the daylight black as night.

Thunder roared and lightning flashed within them. A purple bolt split the heavens and struck straight toward Lingxiao Peak.

It was Mu Yunting’s lightning tribulation before reaching Soul Formation.

Unexpectedly, it had arrived five full days early.