The Weight of a Thousand Years

Chen Gui, with his vision linked to Dan Fusheng’s, could perceive the outside world even from within his barrier. His paramount duty, as always, was to keep a vigilant eye on the Demon Lord.

Si Chen, unable to see outside, remained ignorant of the evolving situation. He could only wait patiently within the confines of the barrier alongside Chen Gui.

“Honestly,” Si Chen couldn’t help but speak, “the Demon Lord’s personality is a bit beyond my expectations. Was that child truly not killed by Dan Fusheng?”

“No,” Chen Gui replied, his brow furrowed. He had noticed Si Fenglang’s inappropriate actions earlier, but that was irrelevant to Si Chen. “Dan Fusheng had no reason to kill such a child.”

“We thought it was Dan Fusheng’s way of provoking us.”

“If it were a provocation, he would have targeted you or your senior brother,” Chen Gui explained. Dan Fusheng wouldn’t use a mere sect disciple to provoke the Qianyu Sect; such a matter was too trivial, not worth his effort. Provoking the entire official realm using the Qianyu Sect, now that would be more fitting for him.

“Dan Fusheng is a cruel demon, but he is remarkably willing to show goodwill to those outside his plans.” This was evident from his attitude toward Jade Mastiff. The fox had never been at the heart of any conflict, and Dan Fusheng had always been lenient with him.

“Is he really your senior brother?” This was what surprised Si Chen the most.

“He once was,” Chen Gui sighed.

“My senior brother seems to remember many things, but I can’t recall anything.” Si Chen had no memories of his past life; he was only occasionally influenced by its phantom emotions. He could sense that the grief and indignation in his chest didn’t belong to him. Yet, his senior brother believed that the Crown Prince of the previous life and the current Si Fenglang were the same person.

“Your relationship with Dan Fusheng was very good in your past life. Those people dare not let you remember too much.”

“Who are ‘those people’?” Si Chen asked, bewildered. “The Demon Lord’s former subordinates? But weren’t we sworn enemies with them?”

“They never helped you.” Chen Gui knew that Si Chen and Si Fenglang were merely tools in the hands of those conspirators.

However, the fact that ‘those people’ dared not let Si Chen’s memories recover confirmed one thing for Chen Gui: there was indeed a hidden truth behind the annihilation of the Yu Kingdom’s royal family, and the past Si Chen likely knew something about it.

This matter held another secret.

When the original Si Chen and Si Fenglang died a millennium ago, Chen Gui’s Master had taken him to find Dan Fusheng, but they had arrived a step too late. Dan Fusheng was covered in blood. Upon noticing them, he finally halted. Their Master said nothing. When Dan Fusheng saw Chen Gui, he paused, visibly stunned, then gritted his teeth and glared at True Monarch You Qing.

Chen Gui hadn’t understood what had happened at the time. He tried to persuade Dan Fusheng to return to the sect. Dan Fusheng remained silent, as did their Master. Chen Gui, alone, pleaded for a long time. He didn’t know the details of the slaughter, but he trusted his senior brother; he believed Dan Fusheng was not a bloodthirsty demon.

Chen Gui wanted his senior brother to return first so they could figure out the rest together.

Dan Fusheng let out a soft chuckle. Finally, he spoke, “I am the Demon Lord.”

“I know, Senior Brother. You became the Demon Lord for your people,” Chen Gui said, trying to wipe the blood from Dan Fusheng’s face. “The world is prejudiced against demons, but you are not like them. You haven’t killed anyone.”

Chen Gui thought his senior brother looked exhausted. He expected Dan Fusheng to embrace him, to lean into his arms and recount the hardships of the past few centuries. Dan Fusheng had strived for so long; he needed rest.

But all Chen Gui received was a heavy sigh.

Dan Fusheng looked at Chen Gui with cold eyes. “The Crown Prince and Second Prince of the Yu Kingdom are dead,” he announced.

Chen Gui was bewildered. “Who did it?! Are they trying to pin this on you?”

“Pin it on me? Hahahaha! Junior Brother, do you truly trust me that much?” Dan Fusheng patted Chen Gui’s cheek, then pushed him away. He shed his smile. “I killed them. And many more will die by my hand from now on.”

“Senior Brother…”

“You should be careful, too.” Dan Fusheng interrupted him, then turned his gaze to True Monarch You Qing. “Old man! Don’t bring him here next time!”

“Why did you lay hands on Si Chen?!” Si Fenglang demanded, pinning Dan Fusheng. “Why did you kill him?!”

“You only remembered that much?” Dan Fusheng asked, puzzled.

Before Si Fenglang could answer, Jade Mastiff had already dragged him away. The fox’s cultivation was far superior to Si Fenglang’s, even if the latter’s outburst was fueled by a strange power.

“Are you done yet?” Jade Mastiff tossed Si Fenglang aside, then pulled Dan Fusheng to his feet. “That Crown Prince died nearly a thousand years ago. Do you really still think you’re the same person?”

Jade Mastiff patted the dust from Dan Fusheng’s clothes. “What’s with the ‘wounded’ act? How long have you two even known each other?”

“It’s not reincarnation,” Dan Fusheng said, tidying his hair. “Something is inducing me to kill him.”

There were no issues with the Qianyu Sect’s land. The soul-summoning array Si Fenglang had set up was unremarkable; his memories were not connected to it. The problem was inside Si Fenglang’s body.

Killing a Qianyu Sect disciple was a lure to lead the sect to track Dan Fusheng. However, the conspirators knew Si Fenglang and Si Chen couldn’t kill Dan Fusheng. Their ‘shameful’ past was being exploited to trigger a specific reaction.

“I did want to kill Si Chen back then, and he knew it,” Dan Fusheng sighed softly. “We didn’t fall out; the exploitation only accounted for a very small part of it. Since you’ve regained that memory, how could you forget…” Dan Fusheng’s lips curved slightly. “The one who actually acted was you. The one who plunged the sword into his body was you. I did nothing; I merely watched.”

“Impossible…”

Dan Fusheng stepped forward. Jade Mastiff tried to stop him, but Dan Fusheng pushed him aside. “You can take your time to think; I’ll be right here. Don’t worry, I won’t lay a hand on you.” Dan Fusheng cupped Si Fenglang’s face in his hands.

It seemed this pair of ‘reincarnated’ brothers was a trap meticulously prepared by his ‘old friends’ just for him.

“I’ll go persuade my junior brother to release Si Chen.” Dan Fusheng released Si Fenglang and stepped back. He no longer wished to stay at the Qianyu Sect. He hadn’t wanted to come in the first place; it was Chen Gui who had insisted on dealing with the mastermind.

“I just remembered I have an event to attend. I won’t be staying at the Qianyu Sect anymore. It feels awkward to live in your home anyway.”

“What event could you possibly have?” Si Fenglang didn’t believe him. He had investigated Dan Fusheng; the man held no job or position.

“You don’t believe me?” Dan Fusheng raised an eyebrow. “Do you think we came here for you? My junior brother and I signed up for a competition.”

Chen Gui, observing from the barrier, was utterly bewildered. A competition? What competition?

An hour later, Chen Gui returned Si Chen to the sect. Dan Fusheng dragged Chen Gui away, explaining his conjectures.

“Our goals are aligned. You don’t want the Millennium of Chaos to return, and I don’t want to be the Demon Lord. Coming here was just falling into their trap,” Dan Fusheng said. “So, we need to hide, understand?”

“Understood,” Chen Gui nodded.

Dan Fusheng looked at Chen Gui’s angry expression and sighed. “Are you blaming Senior Brother for being cowardly?”

“No.”

“Then you’re not angry?” Dan Fusheng reached out to touch Chen Gui’s arm.

“I am angry.” Chen Gui shook him off.

The man standing beside Chen Gui in the crowd couldn’t hold back. “Are you jumping or not?!”

“I… I’m not jumping!” Chen Gui snapped.

“If you’re not jumping, why did you sign up?!” The man scoffed. “Move aside!”

Chen Gui obediently moved aside.

“Junior Brother!” Dan Fusheng’s heart ached for him.

“When did you sign up for this?” Chen Gui inquired coldly.

“Just now.”

“Registration for this event closes a week in advance.” Chen Gui clenched his fists. “You registered before we even came here!”

Chen Gui finally understood. Dan Fusheng was displeased that Chen Gui had forcibly brought him along, so he was retaliating with this embarrassing setup.

“Jade Mastiff has many students; he’s not suitable for public appearances. Bai Yu is an official, so it’s not appropriate for him either. We two are the most suitable!”

“How are we suitable?!” Chen Gui was nearly vibrating with rage.

“The two of us will definitely win. We can secure a refrigerator and an air conditioner! Why would you give that up?”

“Because there are only ordinary people here!” Chen Gui yelled. “No cultivator would run here to compete with mortals! Even a child knows not to bully ordinary people, and you’re over two thousand years old!”

“I still have an ID card for ‘ordinary people.'” Dan Fusheng pulled it out. It was a special permit for ancient cultivators to use in civilian institutions.

“It’s not for you to participate in ‘Men and Women Rush Forward’!! Having it doesn’t make you a mortal!”

Dan Fusheng ignored him and passed all the physical tests. In the end, Chen Gui couldn’t stop the formidable Demon Lord from winning a refrigerator with his raw strength.

However, Dan Fusheng’s joy was short-lived. Chen Gui immediately gave the refrigerator away to another contestant whose family was struggling.

“My senior brother just came to have some fun; we already have a refrigerator at home,” Chen Gui told the family.

Dan Fusheng could only watch in agony as his prize was carted away. He sat alone by a trash can, clutching his chest. When Chen Gui returned, Dan Fusheng covered his face.

“Your power is too formidable; competing with them is cheating,” Chen Gui said.

Dan Fusheng refused to respond. Chen Gui tried to pull him up, and Dan Fusheng went along with it—only to wrap his arms around Chen Gui’s waist and bury his head in his chest.

“What are you doing?!” Chen Gui’s eyes widened.

“I’m so pathetic…” Dan Fusheng groaned. “So utterly pathetic.”

Chen Gui was bewildered, sensing that Dan Fusheng wasn’t joking this time. “You… if you really want a refrigerator, I’ll buy you one.”

Chen Gui had intended to scold him, but the moment Dan Fusheng clung to him like that, the anger evaporated. Dan Fusheng was 186cm, but Chen Gui was 192cm and much broader. This “child” used to curl up in Dan Fusheng’s embrace, but now the roles were reversed.

Dan Fusheng held onto him, recovering his composure. He remembered when his Master had once tried to use Chen Gui to “calm” his demonic nature. He hadn’t wanted to drag the boy into the abyss back then. ‘True Monarch Yaoling’ sounded much better than ‘Demon Lord’s Lackey.’

Dan Fusheng released Chen Gui. “Alright, I’m pathetic. If it’s gone, it’s gone. Next time, I’ll find another way to get one.” He turned around.

Chen Gui grabbed his wrist. “Really? This isn’t a plan? You missed me, didn’t you?”

“Will you believe me if I say yes?”

Chen Gui shook his head. “I won’t take it seriously, but I’ll be happy.”

“Then what are you happy about?” Dan Fusheng shrugged.

“I don’t know, but I will be happy.” Chen Gui tentatively called out, “Senior Brother?”

“Don’t try that. It’s not a magic word.”

“Then, Demon Lord… did you miss me?”

“You’re right here; why would I miss you?” Dan Fusheng’s reaction was clipped. Chen Gui was too preoccupied to notice the deflection.

“I still want to give you a refrigerator,” Chen Gui insisted.

“As you wish…”

Back at the sect, Si Chen felt weak. Si Fenglang watched over him. News arrived that Dan Fusheng was busy on television winning appliances.

Si Chen held the long saber Dan Fusheng had returned to him—the personal weapon of the Yu Kingdom’s Second Prince. As he drew the blade, his mind exploded.

[Who are you?!] A voice echoed in his mind, identical to his own.

[I am… Si Chen.]

[You are not. Si Chen is dead. I am dead.]

The spiritual consciousness within the saber demanded, [You have my seven spirits, but you are not me. Oh… I see. That kid is testing you with my life soul. You want to be the Second Prince? Fine. I’ll give you my memories.]

That night, Qianyu Sect disciples intercepted Dan Fusheng’s group near their hotel.

“Was it you?!” the leader roared. “Our Martial Uncle Si Chen suddenly attacked Master Si Fenglang with the saber you gave him!”

“Ah? Why?” Dan Fusheng was puzzled. “Is this more ‘love’ drama?”

“Our Master has fainted!”

Dan Fusheng sighed. “Is his life in danger?”

“No.”

“Then I’m not going; I’m busy.”

“You scoundrel!! You have time for game shows but not for this?!”

“Game shows give prizes,” Dan Fusheng countered.

“If we give you a refrigerator, will you come?!”

“Can it be an air conditioner? My junior brother is already buying the fridge,” Dan Fusheng haggled. After a signed agreement and fingerprints, he finally agreed to return.

“People like you are rare,” the past Dan Fusheng had once said to the original Si Chen. “Always thinking of demons and beasts.”

“Perhaps I’ve had too many good days,” the prince had laughed, tossing a wine pot. “How confident are you about the Land of Death?”

“Hard to say. I am young.” Dan Fusheng had handed over the travelogue. “If I die, give this to my junior brother.”

“Return it to me when you succeed,” Si Chen had said, handing over his saber as a pledge. “I hope to see it back soon.”

“I will return it intact! Within a thousand years!”

Now, in the present, the “new” Si Chen sat in his courtyard, gripping that very saber. Dan Fusheng sat opposite him.

“Awake now?” Dan Fusheng asked.

“Awake,” Si Chen smiled, his personality now mirroring the free-spirited prince of old. “You bastard, you sure know how to cause trouble. I’m already dead, and you still…”

Dan Fusheng pressed a finger to his lips. “Shh. The more you say, the more mistakes you make.”

They sparred briefly without cultivation, Dan Fusheng eventually pinning him down.

“You’re older than me now, aren’t you?” Si Chen laughed.

“Who knows?”

“Did you return the saber?”

“Your current body isn’t you. I’ll find your grave later,” Dan Fusheng released him. “What’s the situation? Why attack Si Fenglang?”

“He’s not my brother,” Si Chen explained. “He’s Master. The Yu Kingdom techniques make the master-disciple bond closer than blood. Our bodies were refined from Master’s flesh and blood. Master… he hates you.”

“I hate him, too,” Dan Fusheng said casually.

“It’s just that he never expected his senior disciple—Si Fenglang’s original soul—to actually like you.” Si Chen burst into laughter. “He actually likes you! Even I wouldn’t have guessed it!”

Si Chen decided he had to kill the fake Si Fenglang to stop the master’s plan. But Si Fenglang arrived first, muddled and screaming about “demons.”

Clink.

A blade pierced flesh. Dan Fusheng had stepped in front of Si Chen. He didn’t want to kill Si Fenglang, nor did he dodge. The blade sliced through Dan Fusheng’s skin.

“This is… the Heavenly Demon Saber?” Dan Fusheng muttered, looking at the slow-oozing blood. “No… an imitation. But it works because of the bloodline.”

Chen Gui blasted Si Fenglang away and shattered the saber, supporting Dan Fusheng. “Are you alright?”

“Ordinary mortals can injure me with the real artifacts if I’m unguarded,” Dan Fusheng whispered. “But this… only three people ‘created’ me. What is this extra factor?”

Silver light erupted from the wound. Countless spectral chains surged forth, binding Dan Fusheng. He drenched in sweat, his bones feeling as if they were being crushed.

‘Kill Si Fenglang, and the pain stops…’ the artifact whispered to his soul.

“Heh, so this is the game?” Dan Fusheng bled from his eyes. He sat down, bound but defiant. He removed his earring, and his ears and nose began to bleed as well.

“Hey! What’s wrong?!” Si Chen panicked.

“I’m over two thousand years old. Living is good, but I’m not afraid of death,” Dan Fusheng said, lying back. Chen Gui caught him, holding him silently.

“If you’re going to force me to work,” Dan Fusheng addressed the unseen masterminds, “then I’m not playing anymore. Find someone else. Goodbye.”

He closed his eyes. Chen Gui’s hands trembled as he checked for a pulse. Then, the chains dissipated into light.

Dan Fusheng opened his eyes. “Hiss, that really hurt.”

“You almost scared your junior brother to death,” Si Chen sighed.

Dan Fusheng covered Chen Gui’s eyes. “Don’t look. It’s not pretty.”

Chen Gui didn’t move his hand away. “Let me watch over you.”

“Fine. Look all you want.” Dan Fusheng cleaned himself with a spell. He noticed Si Fenglang had fled.

“Be careful,” Si Chen said, returning the saber. “Next time you see me, don’t believe a word I say. Master’s memories will drown mine eventually.” He vanished.

“Are you still hurting?” Chen Gui asked.

“I’m fine.”

Chen Gui looked at Dan Fusheng’s back. “Excluded from the plan… never in real danger… Am I just like Jade Mastiff to you?”

Dan Fusheng paused. “He’s a dog, you’re a person. You’re different.” He didn’t directly answer.

As they tried to leave, the disciples surrounded them again, demanding an explanation for their missing leaders.

“You’re framing me! They just disappeared!” Dan Fusheng complained.

Chen Gui watched Dan Fusheng. He never received a real answer. He never would