TBR CH12

Shen Nian left the main hall in an overall good mood.

Although Gu Shishu’s refusal to accept his gift left him slightly disappointed, he reasoned that the heart-shaped stone had indeed been a bit too cheap. The Demon Lord had yet to shower him with the kind of obsessive devotion his previous two targets had.

The timing wasn’t right yet. He just needed to be more careful next time.

As for what did make him happy—

He no longer had to work as a lowly servant, broom in hand, performing the most degrading tasks.

He had finally become an honored guest of the Demon Palace.

Gu Shishu had even granted him access to most of the palace grounds.

Shen Nian had long wanted to rid himself of the coarse, scratchy servant’s garb.

Of course, he had no intention of living in a cramped, suffocating servant’s quarters either.

The Demon Lord had agreed to let him move into the luxurious palace on the western side.

It was at that moment that the system spoke.

“There is a problem.”

Shen Nian had been happily daydreaming about his future as the master of the Demon Palace, and the interruption dampened his mood.

Especially since this system had just tried to stop him earlier—

And look what had happened.

If he hadn’t insisted on pressing forward, would he have achieved this much today?

So, he responded lazily, barely paying attention.

The system could only hope this “problem” would at least make its host take things seriously.

“The illusion you left behind when escaping from Jing Qianshan’s side has been tampered with.”

“…What?”

For a moment, Shen Nian didn’t understand.

Then, he remembered.

Back when he had completed the Human Emperor’s conquest, he had feigned a terminal illness.

With the help of others, he had convinced Jing Qianshan that only by separating completely—no contact, no letters—could he recover.

Of course, the emperor had initially been skeptical and had insisted on personally inspecting the estate where Shen Nian would be “recuperating.”

Thus, Shen Nian had spent system points to create an illusory paradise—one that presented itself as a tranquil haven, complete with pavilions, gardens, and scenic waterways.

Only after seeing it with his own eyes had Jing Qianshan been reassured enough to leave.

If not for the system’s insistence, Shen Nian would have preferred to fake his own death.

But the system had told him he needed to collect the fate energy of each target.

If he simply “died,” he wouldn’t be able to continuously harvest their affection.

At the time, Shen Nian had agreed, thinking it was a foolproof plan.

He had never imagined that one day, this carefully crafted illusion would be exposed.

“Why would he go looking for me…? We agreed on a full year of separation…”

His face went pale.

His voice softened.

“W-What do I do now?”

The system could only sigh inwardly.

Its host was useful in that he possessed an insatiable greed—one that was easy to manipulate.

The downside?

He had no ability to handle unexpected complications.

Still, after running a quick analysis, the system determined that Jing Qianshan would not give up on Shen Nian so easily.

“Do not panic, Host.”

“So far, all that has happened is that the illusion has been dispelled and the Human Emperor has discovered you are not there.”

“Considering how deeply he loved you when you left, he may not necessarily blame you for this.”

“Moreover,” the system’s voice remained cold and mechanical,

“Your primary objective right now is to secure Gu Shishu. Your previous conquest targets have already served their purpose. If necessary—”

“They can be discarded.”

A flicker of clarity returned to Shen Nian’s eyes.

He took a deep breath.

Yes.

That was right.

No need to worry. Everything was still going according to plan.

Love is cheap. Affection is a tool.

As long as he thrived, nothing else mattered.

*

Gu Shishu lazily withdrew his hand, dispersing the formation.

He let out a bored sigh, amused at the thought of Jing Qianshan’s expression right now.

Just as he had expected—

Now that Shen Nian had gained more freedom, he was constantly “running into him.”

Not even subtly.

His approach was practically a blatant attack.

There were moments when Gu Shishu felt secondhand embarrassment so strong that it made his skin crawl.

It took all of his restraint to not draw his blade and end the spectacle then and there.

Thankfully, the image he had crafted for himself had been solid enough.

Shen Nian had likely concluded that he was simply the “reserved and brooding type”.

A man of deep passion, unwilling to express it outright.

Thus, even when Gu Shishu remained cold, Shen Nian was not deterred.

Suppressing his disgust, the Demon Lord gifted him a collection of rare and valuable cultivation artifacts.

If I can’t act, at least I can distract him with material wealth.

Of course—

Gu Shishu was not a kind man.

Each treasure he bestowed upon Shen Nian was an item of immense power and value—

But all required grueling effort to wield properly.

Some demanded daily training. Others necessitated immense spiritual discipline.

Most true cultivators would be overjoyed.

Shen Nian?

He had to pretend to be.

After all, he had cultivated an image of himself as the “resilient and hardworking disciple”—one who, despite hardship, remained unyielding.

And so, every morning, Shen Nian was forced to rise at dawn and practice the basic stances with the heavy sword Gu Shishu had given him.

Every afternoon, he had to endure the searing heat of the alchemy furnace—one so intense it could melt even black iron.

The smoke stung his eyes. His vision blurred with involuntary tears.

Then came physical training. Horse stance. Posture correction. Strength conditioning.

Any form of exertion that left him utterly exhausted.

Of course, he found ways to cheat the system.

But even a handful of genuine training sessions—

Were enough to leave his delicate body sore, aching, and drenched in sweat.

By now, Gu Shishu had mastered the delicate balance:

Make him suffer just enough to be miserable, but not enough to make him suspicious.

Shen Nian endured it all, convinced that this was merely the “necessary pain” on his path to success.

And so, in his own deluded optimism, he believed everything was progressing according to plan.

Gu Shishu, meanwhile, believed he was the one who deserved pity.

After all, he had to play the role of a lovesick ruler, utterly bewitched by beauty—

Yet he saw no beauty before him.

In frustration, he had even asked the Heavenly Dao Book whether it could restore Shen Nian’s Irresistible Charm Aura—

Just enough so that he wouldn’t feel disgusted every time he had to look at him.

The Heavenly Dao rejected his request.

And even took the opportunity to lecture him about his “misguided priorities.”

Gu Shishu asked, “You really can’t do it?”

The Heavenly Dao: ……

It truly couldn’t.

Gu Shishu sighed, deeply regretful.

Earlier, when Shen Nian had been speaking so affectionately, Gu Shishu had gently reminded him that it was time for his physical training.

The message was clear: Thank you for the pleasant chat, but now you need to go stand in horse stance for three hours.

Before leaving, Shen Nian made one last attempt at delicate charm.

He didn’t understand—why had all his previous conquest targets cherished him, showering him with boundless affection, while Gu Shishu insisted on “respecting his aspirations as a diligent disciple of the Immortal Sect”, urging him to cultivate properly and strive for greatness?

Not only that—he wasn’t even allowed to take those pills that rapidly increased spiritual power.

Gu Shishu claimed they would disrupt his foundation and that steady, disciplined cultivation was the only path forward.

Admittedly… that reasoning did sound somewhat logical.

Even Shen Nian himself was starting to believe it.

Pitifully, he pouted, offering one last soft plea:

“The Demon Lord truly treats me best… You are the only one who cares for me this much…”

The formation had not been set in vain.

Gu Shishu was quite satisfied with Shen Nian’s performance—after all, Jing Qianshan had just witnessed his most beloved openly fawning over another man.

Who knew how many heads had rolled in his rage?

From that day forward, Jing Qianshan had dispatched his most elite shadow guards across the land to search for Shen Nian.

And, of course—

To seek an audience with Fu Tingxue.

Unfortunately for him—

Fu Tingxue was right here with Gu Shishu.

Dismissing the formation, Gu Shishu felt his daily task—ensuring the real-time emotional devastation of Jing Qianshan—was complete.

With a practiced ease, he made his way to find Fu Tingxue.

*

The Immortal Lord’s courtyard was veiled by a concealment barrier.

Given his cultivation level, there was no chance of Shen Nian ever detecting him.

To the outside world, Fu Tingxue was in seclusion.

In reality, he had remained at the Demon Palace.

Though he did not seem to have any specific purpose there, Gu Shishu regarded him as an accomplice.

Thus, after every encounter with Shen Nian, he would come to chat with Fu Tingxue.

Gu Shishu studied him openly, his gaze unrestrained.

Fu Tingxue, unaccustomed to such scrutiny, lowered his eyes.

“Do you think Shen Nian is attractive?” Gu Shishu suddenly asked.

From Fu Tingxue’s perspective, Shen Nian should appear stunning.

After all, his Irresistible Charm Aura was a flawless deception, designed to enhance his beauty and ensure high initial favorability.

Gu Shishu himself had no interest in testing it firsthand—

But he was curious.

Fu Tingxue took a sip of tea, then gave a quiet, noncommittal hum.

Gu Shishu’s curiosity deepened.

“Compared to you?”

…Now that was a difficult question to answer.

But it was an honest one.

Gu Shishu prided himself on not being overly concerned with appearances—

Yet enduring Shen Nian’s mediocre, borderline vulgar features while playing along with his charade was a trial of patience.

This was precisely why, after every meeting with Shen Nian, Gu Shishu would come to see Fu Tingxue.

It was good for his mental state.

Fu Tingxue was undeniably beautiful.

Like moonlight and frost, a lone crane against the stars.

Exquisite.

Not just in his pale, translucent gaze—

But in the elegant curve of his throat, in the striking lines of his collarbones.

Fu Tingxue hesitated, clearly unsure how to respond.

He took another sip of tea, and when he spoke, his voice was quiet, half-muffled by the tea’s warmth.

“I don’t know…”

It was unconvincing.

After a pause, he added—just as vaguely:

“Compared to you, I am inferior.”

Gu Shishu laughed.

He wasn’t particularly fond of tea, but back at Xiao Zhu Peak, he had learned how to appreciate it—

Because Fu Tingxue liked it.

The Demon Palace housed the finest tea leaves.

Now, he lifted a porcelain cup to his lips, drinking as well.

Their interactions had become increasingly natural.

As if they were back on that immortal mountain.

As if, before the Immortal Lord, there was only him.

But Gu Shishu did not believe Fu Tingxue still harbored any lingering attachment to him.

He chalked it up to familiarity, to an understanding between former companions.

He convinced himself that he, too, felt nothing.

It was simply that Fu Tingxue was pleasant to look at.

And—at this moment—useful.

This was not worth overanalyzing.

After all—

When they had parted ways all those years ago, they had both drunk the Severance Elixir.

*

To be truly without attachment—

That is beyond human capability.

Thus, one must rely on external means.

*

The Severance Elixir.

Fragrant as celestial wine, amber-hued like aged honey.

Once consumed, it would erase all romantic entanglements from one’s heart.

A century ago.

Qingcheng Sect. Xiao Zhu Peak.

They faced each other.

For once, the Immortal Lord did not lower his gaze.

He looked at Gu Shishu directly—

With nothing hidden.

Like new-fallen snow, bare and untouched.

He had loved him.

Just as Gu Shishu had loved him.

Even though he had already decided—from this day forward, never again.

Their wine cups clinked softly, clear as chimes in the wind.

“I hope that you will always stand above the world, that your sword will reach the pinnacle—unshaken, like the eternal moon.”

Gu Shishu drank first.

The amber liquid swirled within his cup before vanishing down his throat.

Fu Tingxue watched as cold detachment overtook his eyes.

But he did not offer a blessing in return.

Instead, he simply tilted his wrist—

And let the elixir pour past his lips.

As if a blizzard had swept across his irises, burying all emotion beneath.

A single stroke severed their past.

No longer was Gu Shishu a disciple of Qingcheng Sect.

He had become the sovereign ruler of the Demonic Realm.

No longer was Fu Tingxue his lover.

He had returned to his place as the untouchable Sword Immortal of the heavens.

*

A pity.

Gu Shishu had left swiftly.

And he had not looked back.

So, he never heard—

Never knew—

That before Fu Tingxue had swallowed the elixir, he had whispered a single, unspoken wish.

A wish so quiet, even he could barely hear it.

“I hope you are free.”