WBICDPH Chapter 117

Chapter 117: A Gentle Breeze Breaks the Frost

“…”

The Penglai Patriarch was trying very hard not to laugh.

But the little celestial demon was just too entertaining. He cleared his throat twice and humbly asked, “So, where do you think my trial could be made more difficult? What do you think this ‘reliving the past’ should be changed into?”

Xiao Lanqi frowned impatiently.

Still, he reluctantly offered a suggestion or two. “Make it a combat trial. If you’re choosing a leader for your sect, how can you not test fighting ability?”

“Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right. I’ll change it immediately.” The Penglai Patriarch nodded vigorously, then somehow produced two cushions and placed them on the ground. “Here, sit. The floor’s too cold.”

Xiao Lanqi curled his lip. Just as he lifted his robe to sit, he suddenly paused. “Wait—this lousy trial is over? If it’s over, why aren’t you letting us leave? Why are we still sitting here?”

“I’ve finished dealing with you two, but I haven’t checked on my own disciple yet. I need to go take a look,” the patriarch said, waving his hand.

That only set Xiao Lanqi off again. “What does your disciple have to do with me? If we’re done, let us go! You dragged me in here in the first place, and now you’re keeping us here too? What, you want us to sit around meditating for your merit?!”

“Little celestial demon, I beg you!” The Penglai Patriarch suddenly clasped his hands together and bowed repeatedly. “Just sit here for a bit! Opening and closing the Dengwen Sword Pavilion is exhausting! My disciple won’t take long—she’s already on the second trial and will be out soon. Once she gets the sword, I’ll send you both out together, alright?”

Without giving Xiao Lanqi a chance to refuse, he kept bowing as he disappeared from the chamber.

Xiao Lanqi stared at where he’d vanished, briefly weighing two options—“give him face” or “blow this place apart”—and ultimately chose the former.

With a huff, he sat down on the cushion, then glanced sideways at Lin Jin. It looked like he wanted to say something, but after hesitating for a long time, he stayed silent.

Weird.

Too weird.

That damned trial had been viciously clever, digging up memories he had buried so deeply they had nearly shaken his mind.

Lowering his eyes, Xiao Lanqi felt a sharp ache in his demon heart every time he tried to recall details from his childhood.

Humans were troublesome and strange—especially Lin Jin. He was unlike any celestial demon or human Xiao Lanqi had ever encountered.

He wasn’t particularly strong—anyone could probably bully him—but even so, he would risk his life to protect those even weaker than himself.

He was clever, full of little schemes, yet he never used them to manipulate others the way Xiao Lancheng did. Instead, he treated everyone with sincerity.

He seemed strong, never losing heart even in desperate situations, never thinking of giving up—but once the darkness passed, he would secretly cry over the smallest bit of kindness someone showed him.

He never spoke of love, yet everything he did felt like love. He had many noisy friends and knew all sorts of strange people. Xiao Lanqi hated noise, but when surrounded by those humans, he didn’t find it all that unbearable.

Lin Jin treated everyone sincerely, and in return, they treated him the same way. When Lin Jin was bullied, someone would stand up for him. When others were wronged, Lin Jin would protect them with whatever strength he had.

They were all individuals, yet inseparable.

That was the part of humanity Xiao Lanqi couldn’t understand.

There was something else he couldn’t figure out.

Why, when his mind was wavering and he was on the verge of collapse, had it been Lin Jin who appeared before him?

Xiao Lanqi didn’t believe it had actually been Lin Jin. Lin Jin couldn’t possibly know how to sing a celestial demon lullaby.

That song was written in ancient demon language—a language long abandoned. Most demons no longer understood it, much less a human who had only lived for a little over a decade.

So why Lin Jin?

Xiao Lanqi curled his fingers slightly.

It bothered him.

He didn’t even know why it bothered him so much.

That person could have been Xiao Lanyue, or Xiao Lancheng, or even Chu Tingxue or Zhe Yu.

But why did it have to be Lin Jin?

He wasn’t important. Not to him. Not at all.

Xiao Lanqi hated him—really hated him.

It could have been anyone. Why him?

He didn’t want to see him in a moment like that.

“…Hey.”

After a moment, Xiao Lanqi nudged Lin Jin with his elbow.

But whether he misjudged his strength or Lin Jin was just too fragile, the push made Lin Jin wobble, nearly toppling off the cushion.

Startled, Lin Jin steadied himself and looked over. “What is it?”

“That remnant soul earlier—he didn’t do anything to you, did he?” Xiao Lanqi asked awkwardly.

“No.”

“Oh.” After a pause, he added, “He’s not a good person. Stay away from him. He even tried to take your soul-blood earlier.”

Lin Jin felt a flicker of guilt.

He couldn’t exactly admit that he had conspired with the patriarch to trick Xiao Lanqi into entering the trial.

That big guy would probably explode on the spot.

So he just nodded and forced a laugh. “Haha… really? I don’t even remember.”

“And you’re laughing?!” Xiao Lanqi’s eyes widened. “Idiot! Do you know how important soul-blood is? How could you let someone take it so carelessly? If someone crushes it, your soul and consciousness would shatter along with it—do you understand?!”

“I… of course I understand.”

Lin Jin just wanted to change the subject, but to Xiao Lanqi, he looked plainly guilty.

Frowning, Xiao Lanqi pressed on. “Did he give it back to you?”

“He did.”

“Didn’t you just say you don’t remember anything? How do you know he returned it?”

“I…”

Because he never took it in the first place.

Lin Jin had no way to explain.

Xiao Lanqi didn’t notice his dilemma and continued lecturing, “I’m warning you—don’t trust that so-called ancestor just because he’s some revered human figure! Always keep your guard up. If you let your guard down because of someone’s status, you’ll be the one who gets hurt. He may look kind and smiling, but who knows what he’s plotting behind your back? Got it?!”

“Got it…” Lin Jin nodded earnestly.

But Teacher Xiao still wasn’t satisfied.

Narrowing his eyes, he asked again, “Did he return your soul-blood or not?”

“He did. He really did.”

Lin Jin tried his best to look sincere, but Xiao Lanqi still didn’t seem convinced.

Finally, he clicked his tongue. “Forget it. I’ll check myself.”

Before Lin Jin could react, Xiao Lanqi grabbed the back of his head with one hand and pressed two fingers to his forehead with the other.

Soul-blood was essentially the core of one’s soul and essence—losing even a trace could be fatal. Xiao Lanqi knew this, so he only sent out a sliver of consciousness to take a quick look from a distance. After confirming Lin Jin’s soul-blood was intact, he withdrew immediately.

But that casual action completely threw Lin Jin off.

What just happened?

He touched his forehead, feeling as if something had come and gone.

This guy… calling others shameless when he’s the worst of them.

Soul-blood and consciousness were so closely tied—how could someone just probe another person’s consciousness like that? Even when forming a pact, people exchanged their own soul-blood willingly. Who just goes poking around someone else’s like that?!

Did this guy have any sense of boundaries?!

For a moment, Lin Jin felt oddly violated. What made it worse was that the person who had done it was completely oblivious, even thinking he’d done something helpful.

Covering his forehead with both hands, Lin Jin took a long moment to calm himself.

Finally, he sighed. “Big guy, in the future… don’t casually look at someone’s soul-blood or probe their consciousness.”

“Why not?” Xiao Lanqi raised a brow.

Lin Jin didn’t even know where to begin. “Soul-blood and consciousness… they’re very private things. Only people with a special relationship exchange soul-blood marks, and touching someone’s consciousness is something only the closest people can do.”

“I didn’t touch you. I just took a look.”

Xiao Lanqi pressed his lips together, leaving something unsaid.

What do you mean by “special relationship”? My demonic mark is already imprinted on your soul-blood—how is that not special enough?

Only the most important person can touch a celestial demon’s right ear—and you’ve touched mine plenty of times, even kissed it. I haven’t even argued with you about that.

And now you won’t even let me look at your soul-blood once? So stingy!

“Even looking… isn’t great. I can let it slide, but in the future, don’t do that to others.”

After all, Lin Jin understood that Xiao Lanqi simply didn’t know any better—but others might not be so forgiving.

“…Fine. So troublesome.” Xiao Lanqi crossed his arms and looked away, muttering, “It’s not like I’d want to look at anyone else anyway. Ungrateful.”

He sulked in silence, refusing to speak to Lin Jin for a long while.

The human, the demon, and the sword sat in awkward silence in the sealed chamber. After a while, Lin Jin stole a glance at him.

Xiao Lanqi was still turned away, clearly sulking. Seeing him like this reminded Lin Jin of what he must have been like as a child—

round-faced, big-eyed, puffing up like a soft bun when angry.

Lin Jin couldn’t help but smile. He reached out and poked Xiao Lanqi’s shoulder.

“Hey, big guy?”

“What?!”

“Nothing. I just wanted to introduce myself properly again. My name is Lin Jin, from Nangan Sect of Misty Rain Mountain. I’m a disciple under Moyuzi of Nangan Sect and Liuxun of Dongli Sect.”

“I know that already. Why repeat it? If you’ve got nothing to say, you don’t have to force it.”

“I’m not forcing it.” Lin Jin laughed helplessly. “I just wanted to ask—will you stay in the mortal world from now on?”

“Maybe.” Then he added, trying to sound fierce, though it came off more like a sulking child, “None of your business!”

“If you keep talking like that, you won’t have any friends.”

“…I don’t need friends!”

“That won’t do. Living in this world, everyone needs friends.”

“Celestial demons don’t!”

“They do.”

Through the fabric of his sleeve, Lin Jin gently held his arm. “Remember where I’m from. If you ever feel bored, you can come to Misty Rain Mountain—just say my name, and you’ll find me. Or use the communication talisman I gave you. As long as you call me, I’ll know you need me. Whether you’re bored and want company or run into trouble and need help, I’ll be there. If you have questions, you can ask me. No matter what, I’ll answer you—and if I don’t know the answer, we’ll figure it out together.”

“…”
Xiao Lanqi’s expression softened slightly.

He looked at Lin Jin, meeting his clear, spring-like eyes, and after a moment of hesitation, asked, “Why?”

Lin Jin couldn’t exactly say that he wanted to take over teaching him human emotions and help save his people.

After thinking for a moment, he simply said, “Because I like you.”

He smiled. “I like green-eyed celestial demons. I like you. So… I want to be your friend. Is that okay?”