A Twisted Smile

“True Monarch Yaoling possesses such an unreasonable nature,” Si Fenglang muttered, covering his bruised eye socket. His cheeks were swollen, a mosaic of blue and purple.

“He isn’t entirely unreasonable. Look, he sent you wound medicine,” Dan Fusheng said, producing an ointment housed in a green jade box. He had retrieved it from his own storage artifact, all to maintain True Monarch Yaoling’s image as ‘great, glorious, and righteous.’

Chen Gui had struck and was done with it. He didn’t believe he had made any mistake, nor did he intend to apologize. Just moments ago, Chen Gui had directly threatened Si Fenglang. He claimed Si Fenglang’s memories were abnormal, vowing to kill his junior brother, Si Chen, if he refused to confess the truth. Then, Chen Gui had refused any further communication, retreating into the barrier himself.

Si Fenglang was utterly stunned. ‘Wasn’t True Monarch Yaoling from an orthodox sect? Is this something a member of a righteous sect would do?’

Dan Fusheng could only explain that it had been an era of chaos. The methods employed by cultivators of any race or sect, when viewed through contemporary eyes, would seem excessive. During that time, everyone fought viciously. If humanity had been soft-hearted, the Millennium of Chaos would never have occurred.

“Chen Gui carries a malevolent aura. This isn’t something one can achieve through simple enlightenment,” Dan Fusheng commented, applying the medicine to Si Fenglang. “Haven’t you recovered a significant portion of your memories?”

“I haven’t recalled any memories related to him yet,” Si Fenglang said, a slight unease creeping in. Dan Fusheng was indeed different from the rumors; he was gentle and far more reasonable than True Monarch Yaoling.

“Speaking of which, your personalities are actually quite similar,” Dan Fusheng remarked, setting down the ointment.

Si Fenglang’s breath hitched. “How is that possible?! I remember I…”

“I’m referring to the personality you project outwards. You’re recalling memories of your past life, able to perceive every subtle shift within your own heart,” Dan Fusheng said casually. “Many things are buried too deeply in one’s heart, making them highly unlikely to be discovered by others. Your past self should have known this,” Dan Fusheng chuckled.

Chen Gui, at least, understood this perfectly. His emotions weren’t particularly guarded; he was truly unyielding, and his words rarely held a double meaning. Si Fenglang, on the other hand, suppressed too much. His words were equally sharp and direct, yet they were the product of a hundred twists and turns in his mind.

Dan Fusheng was certain that if Chen Gui harbored feelings for him, Chen Gui would declare his intentions immediately, regardless of the consequences. As for Si Fenglang… truth be told, Dan Fusheng had been startled by this sudden “affection.” He considered himself intelligent and was usually quite perceptive to the admiration of others. He disliked such irrational emotions, as they would interfere with his plans.

But Si Fenglang? Back then, he had been the leader of the expedition against the Demon Lord, long before the Millennium of Chaos had truly begun.

The downfall of the Yu Kingdom’s imperial family had initiated that chapter. Dan Fusheng recalled Chen Gui once attempting to plead for him. At that time, Dan Fusheng had done nothing, yet Chen Gui had been rebuffed—much like Dan Fusheng himself had once been when pleading for his senior sister.

Thus, Chen Gui genuinely believed something was wrong with Si Fenglang’s mind. ‘If he likes him, why be so aggressive? Why can’t he trust Dan Fusheng? Are his affection and trust utterly unrelated?’ Chen Gui had always disliked Si Fenglang, yet he wasn’t an unreasonable person. He had never imagined his aversion could intensify even further two thousand years later.

Si Fenglang’s emotions disgusted Chen Gui; he couldn’t even fathom what that man claimed to like about Dan Fusheng. If not for his need to temporarily withdraw, Chen Gui would have gladly delivered another dozen punches.

“Was I truly killed by you?” Si Fenglang’s confusion began to mount.

Dan Fusheng arched an eyebrow. “Of course.”

“May I know why?” Si Fenglang pressed his lips together.

Dan Fusheng grew increasingly certain that the current Si Fenglang was not the same individual as the Crown Prince of many years past. This child was truly naive.

“No reason. I simply wanted to kill you,” Dan Fusheng stated truthfully.

But Si Fenglang didn’t believe him. He likely assumed Dan Fusheng was being petulant. “Now, humans and demons can coexist peacefully. The great conflicts between us no longer exist…”

He awaited Dan Fusheng’s response, yet Dan Fusheng merely gazed at him, smiling. His smile was gentle, but he held the pose, unmoving. With prolonged observation, it began to feel eerie.

“Your Majesty!” Jade Mastiff, having awakened from his staged unconsciousness, sought them out. Si Fenglang had instructed his retainers not to obstruct the fox, yet as the beast leaped into Dan Fusheng’s arms, his first words were, “Those humans look at me so terrifyingly, Your Majesty!”

Jade Mastiff was inherently a fox spirit. His eyes were long and slender, and when they moved agilely, they conveyed a seductive charm.

“Ah! Is this the legendary Crown Prince of the Yu Kingdom?” Jade Mastiff tucked his multicolored fur behind his ear, extending a paw towards Si Fenglang. “I was too young back then, so I never had the chance to meet you, Uncle.”

“Uncle?!” Si Fenglang exclaimed, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“Did I make a mistake, Your Majesty?” Jade Mastiff covered his mouth, glancing at Dan Fusheng. He noticed the Demon Lord’s smile remained unchanged, and his tail bristled once more.

‘Wait! Had Dan Fusheng been angry this entire time?’

Dan Fusheng embraced Jade Mastiff, whose body stiffened. However, Dan Fusheng merely patted the fox’s back, then gently asked Si Fenglang, “Are you hoping to rekindle our past connection?”

“Our past…”

“We have many stories from our past. If you wish to hear them, I can tell you,” Dan Fusheng said, reaching out to gently brush the back of his index finger across Si Fenglang’s face. “Many things only I remember, and I never expected to meet an old friend again.”

Jade Mastiff pulled Dan Fusheng’s hand back, then wiped it clean with the fur from his own tail.

“I… wait, could you first ask Chen Gui to release my junior brother?” Si Fenglang struggled to regain his rationality amidst the tumultuous emotions.

“But he doesn’t listen to me; he dislikes you. Still, don’t worry, I’ll definitely find a way,” Dan Fusheng promised verbally, then steered the conversation back. “Your personality has truly changed a great deal. In your previous life, your parents died at the hands of demons, and you felt nothing but hatred for them.”

Si Fenglang paused, clearly not having recalled this memory. In this life, both Si Fenglang and Si Chen were without parents, or rather, they had no definite mother. Dan Fusheng suspected their current bodies were the result of artifact refining.

‘Retaining the seven corporeal souls, refining new bodies… The Yu Kingdom relied on the inheritance of cultivation techniques. What secret art did that old emperor leave behind? And how did this secret art end up in Dan Lie’s hands?’

“In my previous life, you were much younger than me, and my parents’ affairs have nothing to do with you.” The concept of ‘demons’ was too vast; Si Fenglang couldn’t possibly direct his anger at Dan Fusheng solely because of the extremist actions of a single demon.

Dan Fusheng was quite surprised. ‘Bai Yu and the others did a thorough job with their propaganda!’ Even though the Qianyu Sect vaguely showed signs of “human supremacy,” Si Fenglang still uttered such words.

A storm of intense emotions churned within Si Fenglang’s heart. Yet, suppressed by that hidden affection, another form of negative, extreme emotion began to spiral out of control.

[You like him?!] An aged voice seemed to challenge him. More accurately, it was the Si Fenglang of the previous life who liked him.

Si Fenglang didn’t truly understand why Dan Fusheng always smiled, or how he could always manage a smile. In a perilous cave, Si Fenglang had personally witnessed Dan Fusheng, covered in blood, fleeing in a desperate state. After reinforcing the barrier, Dan Fusheng had collapsed, his life hanging by a thread. At that time, Si Fenglang was also immobilized, severely wounded. He could only painstakingly inch towards Dan Fusheng, attempting to ascertain whether this demon was alive or dead.

Upon awakening, Dan Fusheng’s first action was to laugh. “Well, I’ll be! I survived again!”

At that time, Dan Fusheng resembled a fanatical gambler. He was immensely talented but still too young. He was gambling, betting on his own victory, with his life as the stake. Every escape from death was a triumph.

To survive was, of course, a great thing, worthy of a smile. His optimistic demeanor, even in such extreme circumstances, infected Si Fenglang. Si Fenglang began to anticipate Dan Fusheng’s return to the cave and worry about his injuries.

Yet, all these tumultuous emotions were suppressed beneath a calm facade.

[He is the Demon Lord! Have you forgotten how he killed you?] the voice asked again.

‘How did he kill me?’ Si Fenglang felt that the death of his previous life likely had little to do with Dan Fusheng. Dan Fusheng didn’t seem so bad after all.

Something broke open in Si Fenglang’s mind, and a memory spilled forth.

Someone was laughing.

Oh, it was Dan Fusheng, his smile still gentle.

“Is this amusing, Your Highness?” Si Fenglang’s scalp tightened slightly. Dan Fusheng had seized his hair, forcing his head upwards.

Before Si Fenglang lay the corpse of his imperial younger brother, Si Chen.

Si Fenglang’s mind went utterly blank.

“Open your eyes wide and look carefully! Hahahaha, what are you so afraid of?” Dan Fusheng, clad in a teal robe, resembled a young noble scion—if one ignored the blood covering him.

“Dan! Fu! Sheng!” These three words were practically squeezed from Si Fenglang, using every ounce of his energy.

“Yes, I’m here.” Dan Fusheng reached out, gently brushing the back of his index finger across Si Fenglang’s cheek. “I find it amusing, utterly amusing. Why don’t you smile?”

Tables and chairs crashed aside. Si Fenglang, drawing strength from an unknown source, actually shoved Jade Mastiff away, then forcefully pinned Dan Fusheng to the ground.

Si Fenglang gasped for breath, his eyes wild.

Dan Fusheng was still smiling, the very same smile from his memory.

“Having a nightmare?” Dan Fusheng’s hand brushed Si Fenglang’s face. “Your Highness?”