It was the second day when they found Pei Chen.
Shang Can and Yun Duan discovered a small cave in a remote area. As they entered, they sensed a lingering aura of recent activity and saw Pei Chen sitting cross-legged in meditation.
At first, Shang Can thought Pei Chen was in the midst of his training and was hesitant to disturb him. Just as she was about to wait quietly at the cave entrance, he opened his eyes and looked at her.
“… It’s you two. Have you come to find me?” Pei Chen smiled at her and nodded apologetically. “I appreciate your concern.”
His voice sounded fine, unlike someone who had been injured. However, Shang Can felt that he appeared somewhat ethereal, like a bird that had lost its nest, his eyes vacant and hollow.
Shang Can was unaware of the past between him and Nan Shuang and didn’t know what had transpired after she fainted that day, but it was evident that his current state was closely related to Nan Shuang. She wasn’t particularly good at comforting others and glanced at Yun Duan, who seemed to know more. But she saw Yun Duan merely glance at Pei Chen before shifting her gaze away and saying flatly, “Let’s go outside.”
After speaking, she turned and left the cave, appearing completely disinterested in Pei Chen’s well-being.
… Although Yun Duan indeed wasn’t skilled at comforting others, her attitude was still rather unusual. Shang Can blinked in surprise, unsure whether to follow Yun Duan out. However, Pei Chen didn’t seem angry; he merely let out a bitter laugh and slowly stood up.
Once he stood, his despair was even more apparent. Shang Can couldn’t help but ask, “… Are you okay?”
While most of the trouble she had encountered stemmed from the people of the Outer Heaven, at least this representative of the Outer Heaven hadn’t harmed her in any way—if anything, it was she who felt at fault before Pei Chen, since he likely didn’t know that Nan Shuang had died at her hands.
Understanding that his current state was poor, Pei Chen didn’t force a smile and shook his head. “Just a little worry, nothing to be concerned about.”
He raised his gaze to Shang Can, forcing a smile as he changed the topic. “Given the circumstances, why are you still wearing that mask?”
“…”
Shang Can awkwardly touched the white jade mask on her face, realizing that it was merely a superficial attempt to cover up her guilt.
After all, she hadn’t worn any mask during her battle with Nan Shuang by the Wangchuan River. Unless something unexpected had happened, he should have recognized her by now.
Seeing her unease, Pei Chen paused for a moment, easing the tension in his expression. At this moment, he resembled the composed Jun Kun Yao from Shang Can’s memories. It seemed he made a decision, his expression turning serious. He lifted his hand to his throat and then spoke.
“—I actually knew you were Shang Can a long time ago.”
“!”
The words seemed to come from nearby, and Shang Can instantly realized that this was a secret technique Pei Chen had used before, similar to what Nan Shuang had done. She was momentarily confused about why they would use such a technique face to face and was taken aback by his words, her eyes widening in surprise. But he smiled and shook his head.
“I think… it’s okay to say this now.” He moved his lips, making it clear that Yun Duan outside the cave couldn’t hear him. “… A lot has happened while you were unaware.”
“You must have some idea about whom to ask for clarification, so I won’t waste my breath.”
His expression was tinged with a hint of melancholy as he murmured, “… I’ve always envied you.”
“…”
It was clear who he referred to with “you,” and Shang Can felt her heart race. She struggled to suppress the urge to glance toward the cave entrance and shifted the topic dryly. “What about you and Nan Shuang…?”
Seeing Pei Chen’s expression suddenly darken, Shang Can realized she had inadvertently stepped on a landmine. She quickly waved her hand and said, “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it. I—”
“No worries.” Perhaps due to some relief after a few days, although his voice trembled slightly, Pei Chen said self-deprecatingly, “… By now, there’s nothing that can’t be said.”
“She was my mentor and the reason I hesitated to seal the entrance to the Ghost Realm of the Outer Heaven.”
“When she went missing all those years ago, I thought she was simply traveling as usual. Little did I know she would never return.”
His gaze became somewhat distant, staring blankly into the air as he quietly said, “Until I succeeded her as the representative of the Outer Heaven and entered the Ghost Realm for the first time… I saw her.”
“I have no idea what exactly happened, but at that time, she had already become the Ghost King of the Underworld.” Pei Chen laughed self-deprecatingly. “… I immediately realized that I would only be able to see her if I came to this place from now on.”
“I’m not a competent representative, nor even a competent… disciple.”
At this point, Pei Chen fell silent, as if lost in memories. Shang Can recalled Nan Shuang’s indifferent attitude and hesitated for a while before finally mustering the courage to ask, “Did you really… used to be together?”
“…”
Pei Chen swallowed hard, suddenly revealing a slightly neurotic tension in his expression. He stammered, “It’s true; we… Nan Shuang and I were together. She loved me… she loved me…”
Shang Can lowered her gaze, silently nodding in acknowledgment without replying. After Pei Chen took a deep breath to calm himself, he quietly said, “Let’s go. Yun Duan is still waiting outside for us.”
She turned and walked outside. Pei Chen stared at her back, noticing that Yun Duan, who had been standing at the cave entrance, also turned to look at Shang Can. Her cold expression softened like ice melting, revealing an imperceptible warmth in her eyes.
Pei Chen felt an inexplicable tightness in his throat, recalling a time when he had been forced to propose a partnership with Yun Duan. That was when the intimacy between him and Nan Shuang had begun to show, and it had been a makeshift plan to prevent others from noticing, or at least that’s what Nan Shuang had said.
He had been young then, lacking strong opinions, so he followed the advice of his mentor and crush to go to Qingyu. It was there that he first met Yun Duan. Nervously, he entered the room with her, preparing to discuss the matter with their mentors, thinking about how the renowned Shang Can seemed unfriendly toward him, just as the rumors suggested.
The proposal to be partnered with Yun Duan was not his intention, and he felt a pang of sadness, yet he merely lowered his head and waited for the decision.
“Yun Duan cannot agree to this matter.”
Unexpectedly, the usually quiet Yun Duan suddenly interrupted the conversation of the elders, startling Pei Chen. He didn’t know where she found the courage in her delicate frame, but he caught a glimpse of her mentor smiling rather than getting angry, asking playfully, “Why not? It’s not like you have to settle it immediately. Just get to know each other; I think it’s worth considering.”
“…”
The room fell silent, and Pei Chen didn’t dare to breathe, mustering the courage to sneak a glance at Yun Duan.
He saw her long eyelashes drooping slightly, concealing the emotions in her eyes, her graceful posture straight yet trembling slightly, and when she finally spoke, there was a hint of resolution in her voice.
“Because I already… have someone I care about.”
Before leaving the Underworld Ghost Realm, Nan Shuang and Yuan Ge came to see them off.
“… There’s no need for this. Hurry back,” Shang Can said.
At least two of the three didn’t want to see Nan Shuang, so she had to take on the task of dealing with them, anxiously glancing at the two standing far behind and repeatedly urging Nan Shuang to leave.
“When you asked me for help before, you didn’t have this attitude,” Nan Shuang feigned displeasure, frowning. “After so many years of acquaintance, can’t I see you off? Who knows when the next time we’ll meet will be—though with your current condition, maybe I’ll see you again soon?”
“… Thank you for your well wishes.”
Shang Can replied dryly, unable to understand how they considered themselves to be long-time acquaintances. However, she indeed had asked Nan Shuang for a significant favor previously, so it didn’t feel right to actually send her away. With a sigh, she waved her hand. “The prerequisite is that when I come down, you’re still the Ghost King. At your current level of cultivation, I doubt you can last until then.”
“Not a problem! I’ll help Ah Shuang!”
The reliable flower spirit patted her chest energetically but suddenly felt a bit uneasy and cleared her throat, mumbling, “Don’t forget the thing you promised to find for me before.”
“Thing—ah.”
Shang Can was momentarily stunned, taking a while to remember, under Yuan Ge’s anxious expressions, that it was likely the “Folding Fan of Frostfall” she had previously mentioned wanting to find. She couldn’t help but laugh, “Got it. If I find it, I’ll have a chance to bring it to you.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Yuan Ge shook her head seriously and said, “Just destroy it directly.”
“…” Not quite following the flower demon’s train of thought, Shang Can asked in confusion, “Why?”
Seeing that she really didn’t get it, Yuan Ge looked at the innocent Nan Shuang standing by and, feeling exasperated, pulled Shang Can aside, whispering, “Of course, it’s to ensure she has nothing to obsess over!”
“What…?”
Yuan Ge became more anxious, huffing angrily, “Didn’t I mention before? A Shuang doesn’t even know what her obsession is! If she unwittingly completes her obsession and reincarnates, it’s too hard to guard against! So we must take precautions!”
“…So you mean,” Shang Can finally understood a bit, hesitating as she asked, “we should destroy anything that might be her obsession beforehand?”
“Yes.”
Yuan Ge’s pretty face was full of seriousness as she said, “That way she can stay by my side forever.”
“…”
For some inexplicable reason, a chill ran down Shang Can’s spine at these seemingly harmless words, and she didn’t know how to respond, merely nodding silently. Yuan Ge immediately cheered up, beaming at her and calling her a good friend—she really was a carefree and innocent character.
… It actually suited Nan Shuang quite well.
A thought unexpectedly sprang up in Shang Can’s mind, but she quickly dismissed it, feeling it was inappropriate. Just as she was shaking her head in a strange manner, Yuan Ge suddenly tugged at her sleeve and mysteriously lowered her voice, asking, “How are things between you and Yun Duan?”
“…Nothing much.”
Shang Can awkwardly averted her gaze, not knowing why, but Yuan Ge refused to accept her explanation about their relationship, firmly believing that something was amiss between her and Yun Duan—this trait was quite similar to Wan Shao. It seemed the entire flower demon clan had a blood connection.
“Why are you like this?” Upon hearing her response, Yuan Ge inexplicably grew angry. “You need to take responsibility! She already has your scent on her!”
“W-What are you talking about?!” Shang Can was startled, her face flushing. She hurriedly interrupted the flower demon’s nonsensical ramblings. “You can’t say things like that! We’re completely innocent, we haven’t done anything!”
“All unfaithful men say that.”
The self-proclaimed expert on tragic love stories scoffed at her, angrily insisting, “My nose can’t be wrong!”
“…”
Yuan Ge’s conviction was so strong that even Shang Can, the person involved, began to doubt herself. Temporarily lowering her guard, she asked, “…What kind of scent exactly?”
“Um…” Yuan Ge frowned and thought for a long time, struggling to find the right words. Finally, she irritably waved her hand and said succinctly, “It smells like fire.”
Even after the three of them left the Underworld Ghost Realm, Shang Can was still preoccupied with Yuan Ge’s words.
Frowning, she sniffed at herself repeatedly but couldn’t catch any hint of the so-called “fire scent.” Yun Duan, observing her actions, asked in confusion, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you just bathe?”
“…Uh, nothing.”
Shang Can gazed at her for a moment before eventually turning her head away.
Even if she was quite concerned… it would be a bit inappropriate to directly sniff Yun Duan, right?
Though she had a strange feeling that if she asked, Yun Duan would probably agree, Shang Can decided to set this matter aside for now, treating it as just nonsense from the flower demon.
The three of them exited the ghost realm through the exit Nan Shuang provided and returned to the cultivation world in the dead of night. The place wasn’t far from Tianwai Tian, so Pei Chen arranged for the two of them to stay in guest rooms at Tianwai Tian—of course, they had two rooms. However, at the moment, both were in Shang Can’s room, and no one raised any issues.
While in the Underworld Ghost Realm, they often wanted to speak but hesitated due to the time and situation. However, they all sensed that the other knew something and was hiding things.
Even when stuck on a narrow bridge from which there was no escape, changes had to be made, if only to avoid being stagnant.
Starting to feel a bit parched, Shang Can decided to pour herself a cup of tea. Lowering her head, she noticed that Yun Duan’s cup was still full, but it had already lost its warmth, indicating that its owner had no intention of drinking it.
…The unspoken understanding was the hardest to bear.
Deciding to temporarily set aside all her hesitations and worries, Shang Can stood up first. She walked to the bedside, retrieving the long sword that had finally returned to the cultivation world from her pouch.
The sword was extremely thin and crystal-clear, emanating a chilling aura the moment it was taken out. It was evident at a glance that it was a fine spirit sword, and no one would guess it had been quietly waiting at the bottom of the Wangchuan River in the ghost realm for many years.
She approached the table, releasing her grip on the sword’s hilt, and displayed the two characters for Yun Duan to see.
“…”
Yun Duan gazed silently, her eyelashes fluttering, without saying a word.
“I’ll just ask directly.”
Shang Can looked straight at her, her voice a bit hoarse.
“Do you recognize this sword, Fei Wang?”
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