A beautiful woman was dressed in red, her full and curvy body was hugged by the dress she wore. The woman was truly a beauty. With red plump lips and sharp eyes, her hair was as black as the night. Her eyes were brown, shining brightly as she looked up. Her skin was not overly pale, but her red lips made her skin appear even paler. With a whip dangling by her side, she cupped her fist.

"Sect Leader, Hong Meiwan is here." Hong Meiwan greeted, standing outside of the doors, waiting for her to be allowed inside.

From inside, a deep voice said, "Come in."

Hong Meiwan didn't hesitate as she pulled the doors open, gently closing it as she walked in. She walked with light steps, navigating the hall and stepping forward where the steps began. There, a large seat was prepared, a throne along with a desk.

The man was as cold as ever, as menacing and evil as before. With a crown in his hair, the man's long fingers held a cup of wine in his hand. His red eyes were bright, deep and unfathomable. With high cheek bones and sword brows, the man was easily handsome. Yet, he was also fearful, the thick sin around him was heavy.

Hong Meiwan stopped before the man, "Master, I have looked around the peak like what you said. Immortal Zhu is now awake, healthy and alive. Immortal Fei is also well, seeming to have mend his relationship with Immortal Zhu. At the moment, Lord of Suzhou is with Fei Shang. I have not gotten any lead about the mastermind behind the death of Immortal Fei, but it seems that Master Wei has also been helping with the account of everything in the past."

The man with red eyes twirled the cup in his hand.

Su Baicheng pulled back his lips, merely asking, "Where is XueLu?"

At this, Hong Meiwan replied at once, "Jiang Yilang has returned after dealing with the four major sects so Master Wei is talking with him at the moment." Her voice was low and respectful towards Su Baicheng.

Hearing this, Su Baicheng's eyes darkened, his tongue running over his teeth as he downed the cup of wine. Throwing the cup back, a clanging sound echoed as it hit the table. Su Baicheng moved, his sleeves flapping.

Hong Meiwan waited to see what Su Baicheng was going to do.

Su Baicheng's eyes narrowed, thinking hard. Yet, his mind couldn't think properly. It was happening again. As he looked around, he could only see red in his eyes, only blood appeared, dead bodies, corpses, that was all. The wine wasn't helping. He massaged his head, closing his eyes.

"Master?" Hong Meiwan easily noticed what was happening. She was aware of it. "I will call for Master Wei." Without another word, she crossed her fingers, her body disappearing.

Su Baicheng didn't say anything to prevent her. If he didn't come soon, there was going to be a bloodbath. He gasped, his face growing colder as a dark energy escaped from his body. It swirled around him, as if it wanted to engulf him whole in that moment. Again, it attacked whenever he was gone.

Su Baicheng was growing agitated. From what, he knew well. The scenes continued to replay in his head, the death of his parents, his betrayal, his death, everything reminded him of revenge. His eyes grew even more red, his skin with sweat pooling on his forehead. He clenched his fist tightly, nails digging into his skin as blood spilled.

He slammed his hand on the table, slamming down upon the cup as it cracked, piercing his skin. With the pain, his mind cleared, yet, the dark energy still fought against him.

"Baicheng!" Wei XueLu appeared, the blue light fading from his body. With a sword by his side, he ran over, dressed in a dark navy robe. The man's eyes held shock within them as he ran over to Su Baicheng. Immediately, he grabbed the man and pulled him.

"Sit." As Wei XueLu situated Su Baicheng onto the ground, the man didn't pull away, he did as Wei XueLu instructed.

From behind, Wei XueLu made a seal, his fingers moving rapidly before he jabbed Su Baicheng's back, inserting his Qi into Su Baicheng's body.

Su Baicheng breathed in. Wicked heart demons! He clenched his teeth. The further he advanced in his cultivation, the harder these heart demons were to suppress. Without Wei XueLu's help, he would have succumbed by now.

As the energy ran within his body, it calmed down the erratic movement of his own Qi, suppressing he dark energy from raging and forcing his heart demons to quell.

As time passed, Su Baicheng was finally able to grab hold of his Qi, suppressing it.

Wei XueLu's brows were furrowed as he pulled back his hands, "Baicheng, the heart demons are appearing too often."

Su Baicheng stood up, merely waving his hands, "The closer I get to ascending, the more these heart demons will appear. If I'm lucky, I will be able to break past them. If I'm not, then my cultivation will drop."

Wei XueLu stood up, shaking his head, "No matter what, there must be a way to stabilize your core. Your confrontation with the Sect Leaders ended with them committing foul play. If I had been there, I would have killed each and everyone of them." His eyes narrowed as they darkened.

Su Baicheng was still. "Well, after all, I am the devil to them." The man didn't look back. "Now that they have all returned, I'm sure that what they want most is to overthrow me."

"I won't allow that." Wei XueLu rebuked. He looked towards Su Baicheng.

Su Baicheng looked at his hands that had already healed. "I've gotten revenge. But my heart is not satisfied. I want to destroy this world, I want to bring my parents back. No one will know when they point and call me evil, no one will know the innocent youth I once was. They only know of me as the evil sect leader who overthrew his family for this position." He scoffed, "After so many betrayals, after so much blood has been shed, perhaps you can still leave. There is no need to forsake your life too."

Wei XueLu was silent as he stared at Su Baicheng. "You have said these words too often. From the moment I saved you and you took me in, I had already stepped foot into your world. Baicheng, I am your sword and shield. This life of mine is yours to command as you wish."

Hearing this, Su Baicheng lifted his lips, perhaps mocking himself, perhaps mocking Wei XueLu's blindness, his foolishness. The man wiped away the blood that began to spill from the corner of his mouth. "I need to meet them soon. Of course, they won't take me kindly, but it is also time for me to stop interfering with them." The man's eyes gazed towards the window, watching the lush trees sway.

-

"Brother." Zhu Longwang stood before the man who had took care of him. After their parents died, Zhu Luishui had brought him up. Even so, the secrets they both hid were deep and unknown.

Zhu Luishui looked at Zhu Longwang, his eyes slightly tearing up. The man's lips trembled, slowly reaching out a hand to Zhu Longwang's face.

From aside, Fei Qianchi and Fei Shang both stared at the reunion of the brothers. Obviously, theirs was much more emotional. After all these years, Fei Qianchi and Fei Shang were not so emotional, even their reunion was like normal. After all, they had been by each other's side, even if it was only one-sided.

Zhu Luishui looked at his brother, his brother that was breathing and alive. He didn't know why, his heart stabbed at him in pain. "At long last, you're finally awake." He couldn't find the corrects words to say.

Zhu Longwang nodded his head lightly, his face was expressionless. It was only towards Fei Qianchi that emotions appeared on his face. "Forgive me for the mess that I caused. Because of me, calamity struck and Baicheng was able to overthrow the sect."

Zhu Luishui shocked his head, "He had always been after that. I..." He didn't continue, stopping.

Zhu Luishui took back his hand, looking around.

Fei Qianchi watched as Zhu Luishui hesitated on what to say. In the end, he didn't continue. Crossing his arms, he stared at Fei Shang, no longer paying attention to Zhu Luishui and Zhu Longwang as he gave them a moment to rest.

"After Baicheng took over, what else happened?" Fei Qianchi asked. At the moment, he didn't know what to do against Su Baicheng. The man was now stronger than anyone, having suppressed and killed many, especially those who could rival him. Not to mention, even Wei XueLu was strong, that man was Su Baicheng's most loyal subordinate.

"Many things have happened. As soon as he took over, he killed the Su Family, creating a massacre. Now, he is the only man with the Su blood running in him. Many of the sect elders now are those who have been controlled by him or people he had planted into the sect. Even all the maids and servants are carefully monitoring our actions. New disciples continue to enter the sect. While Fushui Sect has gained a scary reputation and is often compared to a demonic sect, it is the strongest sect around." Fei Shang began to explain some of the things that had happened in recent years.

Fei Qianchi listened carefully. No matter what others said, it seemed that Su Baicheng had a stable foundation in this world. The man could easily fool a nation and easily create a massacre with his followers.

"At the moment, Wei XueLu is Su Baicheng's right-hand man. After Baicheng, he has the most power in the sect. The next two elders, Hong Meiwan and Jiang Yilang are also important figures who watch over the sect and follow Baicheng's every orders."

"Hong Meiwan?" Fei Qianchi furrowed his brows. This was the woman who had pretended to marry Su Baicheng.

"Yes. Everyone that he planted into the sect is loyal. It is impossible to change their minds, they have sworn all loyalty to both Baicheng and XueLu. Luckily, though cruel he was, he allowed us to stay away from the sect. As years pass, the other sects have revolted many times, but in the end, Baicheng was always able to suppress them." Fei Shang sighed as he spoke, shaking his head. "He's grown too powerful, but this power comes at a cost. His Qi often deviates, causing a backlash in his body. From what I've monitored, there is a special wine that he drinks to stop his Qi deviations and heart demons."

Fei Qianchi nodded his head to show that he understood. He also knew about this. The high one's cultivation, the easier it was to Qi deviate and form heart demons. That was why no cultivators had ascended for so long. Many had succumbed to their heart demons and ultimately lost all of their cultivation as they died. It was a wonder how Su Baicheng was still alive.

"But, in the end, it seems like the recent years have calmed him. His personality seems to have calm and it is even harder to fathom what he wants to do next."

"Have you found a way to crack him?" Fei Qianchi knitted his brows, running his hand through his hair as he asked.

At this, Fei Shang could only sigh, lifting his lips exasperatedly, "If there was one, then the many revolts against him would have succeeded. Baicheng is on guard even when he doesn't look like so. Not to mention, XueLu spares no one who slights Baicheng. Over the years, he has killed enough people to fill a sea. Even if someone wants to overthrow Baicheng, they cannot go past XueLu. It is the same as encountering death." Fei Shang slowly explained.

A knock came at the doors. The voice of a girl could be heard, "Lord of Suzhou, Elder Hong has requested for a meeting."

Zhu Luishui looked up from his conversation with Zhu Longwang.

Even Fei Qianchi paused. Was that Hong Meiwan?

"Take her to the hall." Zhu Luishui ordered as the steps grew further away.

Zhu Longwang caught eyes with Fei Qianchi, smiling lightly before he looked away. Fei Qianchi held back a smile as he slowly walked over, standing next to Zhu Longwang.

As Zhu Luishui occupied Fei Shang's attention, Fei Qianchi interlocked his pinky with Zhu Longwang's. The man didn't refuse his touch, merely letting him do as he wished so Fei Qianchi turned his face towards Zhu Longwang, smiling as if he was reassuring him.

No matter what happened, Fei Qianchi would protect Zhu Longwang from here on. After all, the man had once protected him too. Perhaps, one too many times.

-

Hong Meiwan moved her sleeve, swinging it in the air as she drunk the cup of tea that was handed to her. Her red lips were slightly curved, eyes glowering down and showing her long lashes. Inside of the relatively large room, Hong Meiwan understood what situation she was putting herself in. There was no need for her to be afraid. While she would be outnumbered, it was a situation she was used to.

Fei Qianchi opened the door. As he glanced inside, he easily caught sight of the beautiful woman sitting down. Behind him, Zhu Luishui also walked in.

Fei Shang and Zhu Longwang stayed behind. Zhu Longwang's body condition was not stabilized just yet and Fei Shang was going to run some tests on him, hence, Fei Qianchi came with Zhu Luishui.

Hong Meiwan stood up, "Lord of Suzhou, Immortal Fei." The woman smiled as she greeted them, neither sitting nor bowing.

"Elder Hong," Zhu Luishui said in turn as he sat down, Fei Qianchi also following his actions.

Fei Qianchi's blue eyes lifted towards Hong Meiwan, the woman who still remained the same. He knew that she played a deeper role, it was impossible for her to not have. He stayed silent, waiting for Hong Meiwan to speak first.

Seeing that neither of the two men were going to speak, Hong Meiwan inhaled sharply before she slowly said, "Congratulations to both Immortal Zhu and Immortal Fei's awakening. Sect Leader Su has heard of the news circulating." Her eyes sharpened, staring at Fei Qianchi. "I will not ask for forgiveness for fooling you, Immortal Fei, nor will I fear for my life. After all these years, Fushui Sect has grown under Sect Leader Su's control."

Fei Qianchi didn't make a reaction to her words, "Whether you ask or not, it doesn't matter. In the end, neither of us will bow down."

Hong Meiwan scoffed softly, "Yes. We both have different causes, different reasons for what we've done." Slyly glancing at Zhu Luishui, she added, "I'm sure that the Lord of Suzhou is the same."

Zhu Luishui kept his face under control, no expression in his eyes. "Elder Hong, are you here simply to say those words?"

"Of course not. I came under the orders of Sect Leader Su. He is willing to make you a deal. As long as you do this, he is willing to drop all grievances and he will no longer interfere with your lives." Hong Meiwan grabbed the cup of tea, holding it as she slowly said.

Fei Qianchi furrowed his brows. Su Baicheng? He didn't seem like the type of person to do something like that. Then again, after 200 years, perhaps the man had also changed. Well, even at the beginning, the man was hard to figure out.

But he needed to know what the man wanted them to do.

"What does he want us to do?" Fei Qianchi asked, his voice lowering, eyes glaring at Hong Meiwan.

Hong Meiwan held the cup of tea. The woman was silent for a few seconds. "Many sects are trying to overthrow Fushui Sect. The attacks have been relentless. Sect Leader Su may be an Immortal now, but he can only last so long against all the leaders who attack him. So long as you promise to protect Fushui Sect, he is willing to let you all go."

Fei Qianchi narrowed his eyes. While it was passable, he didn't understand why Su Baicheng would make this type of deal. "But what does it have to do with us? If anything, he has used all of us for so long."

"Su Baicheng has been in power for two centuries now. During such times, his anger still exists. There is no way to be sure that he will simply let us go." Zhu Luishui was also unsure about this. If anything, the man would for sure want his life.

Hong Meiwan stared at the two men. Of course they would think like so. Yet, Hong Meiwan knew that Su Baicheng was not such a cruel man as what they thought.

"Think what you want. But keep in mind, the people by his side are loyal to him, just like me. Perhaps we are all senile in your heads, but our loyalty towards Sect Leader Su is unshakable. Two centuries have given him enough time to think and let go of his resentment, especially now when the Su Family has been ridden of." Hong Meiwan carelessly said, yet, her words struck towards Fei Qianchi.

Thinking, her words were true. Fei Qianchi knew that Su Baicheng was ruthless, yet, countless people were still willing to sacrifice their lives for him. For two centuries, the man guarded Fushui Sect well, even under the attacks of others.

Zhu Luishui sat silently as he clenched his hands. He knew better than anyone. Su Baicheng may be cruel at this point in time, but he knew of the person he once was. That was why it was so painful for him. All these years, all this time, Zhu Luishui refused to see the truth. The fault was his, everything began because of him. He blamed so many different people yet the root of everything was him. In the end, countless people were implicated.

Zhu Luishui took in a deep breath, "I want to meet him first."

Face to face, perhaps it was better to speak of everything out in the open.

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