The Stubborn Inner Demon

Dan Fusheng himself had once harbored Inner Demons, and his were exceedingly dangerous. At times, they urged him to obliterate all of humanity; at others, they compelled him to perish alongside the entire world. However, he had never encountered an Inner Demon quite like Chen Gui’s. It was incredibly stubborn, yet its destructive power seemed surprisingly limited.

Chen Gui had gone to tend to Dan Fusheng’s small vegetable garden. He returned with an armful of fresh chilies and tomatoes, spreading the chilies out to dry while carrying the tomatoes into the small kitchen. Dan Fusheng helped him take the vegetable basket.

Chen Gui quickly said, “Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Dan Fusheng watched him bustling about. Eventually, Chen Gui ceased his tasks and began to fix his gaze intently on Dan Fusheng.

“Junior Brother…” Dan Fusheng couldn’t help but want to ask.

Chen Gui promptly interjected, “Please speak, Senior Brother.”

Dan Fusheng was speechless. ‘Alright, he’s certainly polite enough.’

“Is your current state due to my attitude towards You Zhi?” Dan Fusheng decided to ask directly.

Chen Gui nodded.

“Is it because I appeared too ruthless? Do you think I did something wrong?”

“Senior Brother, you did nothing wrong. It was You Zhi who erred. He presumptuously ‘inherited the Demon Lord’s consciousness’ and harmed others.” Chen Gui believed Dan Fusheng had acted correctly, perfectly so.

“Then why have you become like this?”

“I’m afraid,” Chen Gui confessed. He feared Dan Fusheng would treat him the same way one day.

“You are different,” Dan Fusheng reassured him.

Chen Gui didn’t see it that way. “When you and I stood on opposing sides, you secretly tried to kill me many times. I am just like him. If one day our positions were to change again, you would still raise your blade against me.”

Dan Fusheng had nothing to say to that.

Chen Gui understood Dan Fusheng well. “Many Inner Demons have afflicted you, but they came and went swiftly, their influence on you limited. Everything has limited influence on you; you can let go quickly, and I am no different.” Chen Gui understood that he was slightly more special than You Zhi, but this slight difference was hardly remarkable.

“Your current state is excellent. Master once said that your indifference is better than being overly emotional.” When Dan Fusheng was no longer plagued by Inner Demons, it meant he was close to transcending the mortal world. “Your actions are also very appropriate, not holding back due to personal feelings. This is very good.”

Dan Fusheng waited. ‘Is this an Inner Demon? How could Chen Gui’s Inner Demon be so reasonable? Where’s the indulgence? Where’s the rebellion?’

Dan Fusheng had no choice but to guide him. “You think it’s good, so why are you sad?”

Chen Gui silently clutched the hem of his robe. “I’m unwilling,” he confessed honestly. “Unwilling for you to transcend alone. Unwilling for you to come alone, leave alone, to finish a glorious life only to fall into quiet solitude by yourself.”

“I apologize, my thoughts are too selfish.” Chen Gui seemed crestfallen.

Dan Fusheng frantically rubbed his temples. “When your Inner Demon compels you to voice your desires, can you please stop being so polite?”

Chen Gui’s eyes flickered. “M-must I really not be polite?”

Dan Fusheng was speechless.

“I will restrain myself.”

“Don’t! Just follow your usual habits.” Dan Fusheng finally understood why Chen Gui’s Inner Demon was so troublesome. He suspected that the Inner Demon hadn’t fully taken control, as Chen Gui’s rigid upbringing remained stubbornly intact.

“I’ve made you uncomfortable.” Chen Gui understood. “Senior Brother, you must hate me now, right?”

Dan Fusheng exclaimed, “Huh?”

“I’ve always known my personality seems stifling to you. I’m not like Senior Sister, and even less like Master. If you had a choice, you probably wouldn’t want me to be the one who stayed.” Chen Gui retreated into himself.

Alarm bells rang loudly in Dan Fusheng’s mind. “No, no, no! Junior Brother! How could that be possible?! Come here! Come! Senior Brother will give you a hug! Don’t let your Inner Demon worsen!” Dan Fusheng quickly spread his arms.

At this, Chen Gui merely sighed. “Hugs can’t solve this problem; we’ve tried many times.” Dan Fusheng’s adaptation method was completely useless. “I’ll try to figure it out myself first; I’ve calmed down a lot.” Now that he was unburdened, at least he could accept unbinding Dan Fusheng from the Immortal Binding Rope.

“I’ll find a place to hide.” Chen Gui felt that staring at Dan Fusheng so directly would put psychological pressure on him, so he decided to watch secretly instead. He rose to leave, but Dan Fusheng tried to stop him.

“Junior Brother? Wait a moment!”

Chen Gui didn’t hesitate. He didn’t want to cause Dan Fusheng any more trouble.

“You little scoundrel! Stop right there!” Dan Fusheng ripped off his facade of affection.

Chen Gui froze. He silently walked back.

Dan Fusheng casually picked up a twig no thicker than his pinky finger and swatted Chen Gui with it. Chen Gui didn’t react; such a gesture wasn’t an attack to him.

Dan Fusheng raged at his lack of spirit. “You good-for-nothing! Why aren’t you more ferocious?! Can you just throw away that politeness of yours for a while?! Tell me, why is your Inner Demon me?” Dan Fusheng switched to a commanding tone.

“Because… you are Senior Brother,” Chen Gui replied softly.

“Be more specific.” Dan Fusheng found a thinner branch; the previous one had broken.

“Because I rely on Senior Brother, and I envy Senior Brother. I like to be close to him, and I feel lost as I grow older.” Chen Gui recalled his childhood. He loved lying in Dan Fusheng’s arms, looking up at his jawline. Dan Fusheng would always notice his gaze and pull out all sorts of treats from his storage artifact, worried he was sad about his family.

It took Dan Fusheng a long time to learn to discern the different emotions on Chen Gui’s perpetually expressionless face. But he did learn. Chen Gui felt his Senior Brother understood him better than anyone. It brought both trepidation and an inexplicable sense of security.

Chen Gui had changed sects, changed environments. He no longer needed to learn so many etiquette rules. He simply cultivated with his Senior Brother. On their mountain peak, there were only the four members of their Master’s lineage. Master was often away, and Senior Sister’s cave was far away. Chen Gui spent every moment with his Senior Brother.

And his Senior Brother’s thoughts were peculiar. He would shamelessly lead Chen Gui to steal chickens and pilfer dogs, sometimes even inviting Senior Sister along. Chen Gui recorded all of this in his small notebook. It was magical; his Senior Brother was truly magical!

To prevent him from feeling guilty, his Senior Brother would even threaten him, insisting he eat, or else he would leak Master’s “fairy dress” paintings. If True Monarch You Qing’s colorful female attire were seen by others, his life as a respected immortal would surely end.

Chen Gui also recorded this threat in his notebook.

In the following days, Dan Fusheng was nearly trained to death by True Monarch You Qing for his transgressions. Yet, each time, he would drag his exhausted body back, smiling at his Junior Brother and bringing him delicious food.

At this point, Dan Fusheng interrupted Chen Gui. His hand, clutching the branch, trembled. He felt that he was absolutely not a cold-blooded, ruthless Demon Lord. For instance, right now, he truly wanted to hit Chen Gui—with genuine emotion!

‘How much mischief had this child caused without his knowledge?’

“You said you could help the demon race escape their predicament, and I believed you, because the thoughts in your mind are truly peculiar.” Chen Gui had been waiting for his Senior Brother to return. “I shouldn’t have believed you.”

He wanted to bring Dan Fusheng back; he wanted his Senior Brother. He no longer had one. In this world, there was only the Demon Lord Dan Fusheng.

“I… I’m not strong enough.” Chen Gui could only attribute it to himself; he couldn’t help anyone.

Dan Fusheng felt that this child was truly both annoying and pitiful. The combination left him at a loss. He wanted to seek advice from others, but Chen Gui felt anxious about him meeting other people. Dan Fusheng could only ask the “friends” he knew online.

The young people who frequently ordered things from him offered their suggestions. They assumed he was seeking inspiration for a story.

[Why don’t you let the Senior Brother give everything to the Junior Brother?]

Dan Fusheng: [Eh? Is it that strict?]

His friend lectured him: [Have you read any fanfiction about the Demon Lord and True Monarch You Qing?]

Dan Fusheng: [I’ve read quite a bit.] But the one with problems now is True Monarch Yaoling.

[It’s like that. You make the Junior Brother realize, ‘My Senior Brother sacrificed everything for me!’ Then he’ll resolve his inner conflict! No more Inner Demons, and he’ll compensate his Senior Brother well.]

Dan Fusheng felt this was a huge problem: [Wouldn’t that much pressure make the Inner Demon even worse?]

[How could that be? Oh, you just don’t understand! This isn’t pressure; this is love! Listen to me!]

[But this sounds more like emphasizing self-sacrifice to infringe upon someone else’s life, rather than guiding a Junior Brother?] Dan Fusheng didn’t think this was a mature method.

‘This is parasitic behavior; such people cannot cultivate! I want my dull Junior Brother to cheer up, not go crazy from pressure. Then, of the only two remaining members of our sect, one would be dead and the other insane… The person I’m talking to couldn’t be an enemy of True Monarch You Qing, could they? This is clearly an attempt to wipe out our entire lineage!’

Out of curiosity, Chen Gui leaned over to take a look. After reading the conversation, he became furious. He tried to snatch the phone to debate the other party for a hundred rounds, but Dan Fusheng was faster and retracted his phone.

Chen Gui was so enraged that his breathing became ragged. He immediately drew his sword. “You are not allowed to learn that!”

Dan Fusheng tentatively asked, “Otherwise, you’ll drag me down with you?”

“Otherwise, I’ll kill myself to prove my resolve!” This time, Chen Gui wasn’t targeting Dan Fusheng; he was only targeting himself.

“No, no, no! Your Senior Brother isn’t selfless to that extent, and you don’t need to die.”

“That’s not selflessness! That’s falling into a demonic delusion! There’s nothing to learn from that. You’d be better off being heartless than learning this! If… if I let you become like that…” Chen Gui pressed the sword against his own neck. “I’d rather die immediately! To avoid harming myself and others!”

Dan Fusheng was speechless. He reached out to Chen Gui.

Chen Gui looked perplexed.

“Hand me the scabbard of your life-bound sword for a moment.”

Chen Gui handed the scabbard to Dan Fusheng. Dan Fusheng examined the scabbard, then looked at his tall, foolish Junior Brother. Chen Gui was six centimeters taller than him; the child had indeed grown up. Dan Fusheng scanned him from head to toe, finally settling his gaze on a safe spot where no serious injury would occur.

So he raised his hand and swatted the scabbard against the foolish giant’s backside. “I’ll make you die immediately!”

Chen Gui yelped, his hand gripping the sword hilt trembling slightly. Dan Fusheng had no intention of stopping, and Chen Gui was already nervously backing away.

“I’ll make you kill yourself to prove your resolve!” Dan Fusheng swatted him again.

Chen Gui started running. Dan Fusheng chased after him, whacking him. “You’re brave enough to kill yourself! Why are you running now?!”

“You can’t hit me there! I’m not a child!” Chen Gui had no intention of stopping; he knew stopping meant getting hit. “You never hit me before we came down the mountain.”

“Your Senior Brother is a heartless person now! Stop!”

Jade Mastiff, climbing over the courtyard wall out of curiosity, saw this scene of the two brothers chasing each other. “What are you two doing?” You Zhi had started attempting suicide at the Special Administration Bureau, yet Dan Fusheng couldn’t be reached today.

Dan Fusheng stopped his pursuit. “Chen Gui has developed an Inner Demon and wants to keep me by his side. I can’t leave for now.”

Jade Mastiff was utterly bewildered. He looked at Chen Gui, who was squatting by a tree, nervously guarding against Dan Fusheng.

“Oh!” Jade Mastiff understood. “You’ve developed an Inner Demon, so Chen Gui has to stay with you for a while.”

“You got it backward.”

“But this makes no sense at all! He doesn’t look possessive of you; he looks terrified of you!” Jade Mastiff couldn’t understand how such a large man could shrink into such a small ball; he truly looked pathetic!

Dan Fusheng forced a not-so-sincere smile and turned to ask Chen Gui, “Senior Brother needs to step out for a moment?”

Chen Gui, still fearing Dan Fusheng, responded quickly, “Do you have to go? Can’t you not go?”

Jade Mastiff was speechless. ‘Was Chen Gui really trying to keep him?! Wow! Alright, he respected all niche emotions.’

Chen Gui suddenly began to lecture Jade Mastiff. “Don’t climb over the wall anymore. That’s not what a gentleman does.”

“You’re so annoying!” Jade Mastiff decided not to respect Chen Gui anymore; he wasn’t worthy of it. After he climbed down, Chen Gui said in a deep voice, “I don’t like these children you’ve raised. You should teach them to be more disciplined.”

“Like you?” Dan Fusheng asked.

Chen Gui thought for a moment, then suddenly shook his head. “No, not like me. If someone else were like me, I wouldn’t be special anymore.”

“I love your directness!” Dan Fusheng praised him. Chen Gui’s ears turned red once more.

‘So how do I deal with this outwardly reserved Inner Demon? How do I convey these feelings to Chen Gui?’ Dan Fusheng scratched his head in frustration.

In the Special Administration Bureau’s infirmary, You Zhi lay on the hospital bed, his eyes hollowly staring at the ceiling. Jade Mastiff had been unable to find Dan Fusheng, so he had to come himself. To be honest, Jade Mastiff would have been thrilled if You Zhi died; the guy deserved it! But the authorities hoped to extract information from him, so Jade Mastiff could only pinch his nose and step in.

“I’m asking you, are you done or not? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?” he said, plopping down on a chair.

“Am I causing trouble?” You Zhi retorted.

“What else? Do you think Dan Fusheng will soften if you make a scene? Aren’t you clear about what kind of person he is?” Jade Mastiff grew irritated. “Did he become the Demon Lord by being soft-hearted? Is he a great benevolent man?”

“He saved me,” You Zhi remained stubborn.

Jade Mastiff ‘tsk’ed, but then quickly realized, “However, as far as he’s concerned now, your actions have harmed him.” Dan Fusheng was pursuing an ordinary life; he didn’t want to return to the past.

You Zhi remained silent.

“See? I tell you the truth, and you still don’t believe it. You only believe what you see. If you want to do as you please, just be direct. Why bother using the banner of the Demon Lord to act like some ‘righteous hero’?” Jade Mastiff felt that You Zhi had gone astray, but You Zhi clearly believed Dan Fusheng had, claiming his current behavior was abnormal.

After hearing Jade Mastiff’s words, You Zhi couldn’t help but frown. “I never considered myself a ‘righteous hero.'”

“An alternative kind of righteousness counts too.” Jade Mastiff looked at the instruments beside the bed. His hands itched; he wanted to smash them to see if You Zhi would die. Through the comms, the staff urged him to remain calm.

“Is His Majesty being tormented by an Inner Demon?” You Zhi began to find excuses for Dan Fusheng. “Did he become like this because his heart turned to ashes?”

Jade Mastiff watched as the conflicting powers within You Zhi grew increasingly intense. He frowned and subtly retreated. ‘No, Dan Fusheng isn’t being tormented by an Inner Demon. It’s You Zhi who is.’

“I’ll say it again, Dan Fusheng has no Inner Demon. He is psychologically very healthy.” Jade Mastiff had long understood him.

In the past, Dan Fusheng was swayed by various inner demons, stumbling and falling. Cultivating one’s character was like walking a tightrope thousands of meters high. At first, one could only cling to the rope and crawl. Later, to advance, one forced oneself to stand, enduring pressure and strong winds.

And those who survived countless torments, like Dan Fusheng, were different. That old fox was probably now humming a tune, skipping along the tightrope. He was imperturbable, or rather, he had become “still.” Even strong winds would only ruffle his hair, unable to shake his core. He had grown more like his Master, lively and carefree, yet unshakable. He observed the tumultuous world through his own skin, both within it and capable of withdrawing at any moment.

Dan Fusheng was not numb, not unconscious; it was simply that nothing could make him stumble and fall anymore. He stood on the tightrope, unmoving, a solitary figure between heaven and earth.

Meanwhile, Dan Fusheng was practically worried to death. He tried to embrace his Junior Brother, only to find that Chen Gui was too tall for him to fully hug. After several attempts, his Junior Brother seemed to become even more withdrawn.

“Don’t overthink it! Senior Brother has a plan!” Dan Fusheng ran to the room, tore off a bedsheet, then wrapped Chen Gui in it, tying him to himself. “How’s that?! Do you feel Senior Brother’s warmth?!”

Chen Gui, bundled into a ball, truthfully replied, “It’s quite warm, just a bit stuffy.”

“Then do you feel Senior Brother’s love?”

Chen Gui’s face was squeezed out of shape. “I like this, but I don’t feel my Inner Demon improving.”

Dan Fusheng was at a loss. He released Chen Gui and asked, “Do you have any particularly profound demands?”

“I want to claim two special privileges.” This was Chen Gui’s current obsession.

“How do you claim them? Tell me.” Dan Fusheng waited, arms crossed.

“You’re not scolding me?” Chen Gui was surprised.

“Why would I scold you?”

“We are Senior and Junior Brothers, yet I want to claim the privilege of being your lover.” Chen Gui had been struggling with this. Most importantly, he had no romantic desires for Dan Fusheng; he knew it was purely possessiveness at play.

“Firstly, I don’t have a lover. Secondly, if you truly claim the spot of my lover, it means I love you. Emotions don’t lie. If I truly fell in love with you, then I would just let nature take its course.” Dan Fusheng’s psychological burden was truly limited.

Chen Gui fell silent.

Dan Fusheng thought back to their conversation. “Are you asking if I’d resort to forceful seizure like in those novels you read?”

Chen Gui nodded slightly.

Dan Fusheng lowered his voice. “Perhaps!”

Chen Gui began to frown in thought again. After pondering, he decided he could accept it. “Then how should I attract you?”

“I don’t know; I’ve never done that before.” Dan Fusheng didn’t know what kind of person he liked. He looked at Chen Gui’s face. ‘Hmm, handsome, a fine young man with sword-like brows and starry eyes. His physique is also excellent.’ He reached out and patted Chen Gui’s chest. “I raised you well!” This boy was probably fed with heavenly treasures he stole from Master.

“So outstanding, who couldn’t he attract?” Dan Fusheng started to feel proud.

Chen Gui understood. “You mean, if I were to lie naked beside you…”

“I would cover you with a small blanket, over your belly.” Dan Fusheng pulled out a one-square-foot crocheted blanket from his storage artifact. It even had a cartoon head with grumpy, beady eyes.

‘Wait, that head was?!’

“Is that me on here?!” Chen Gui’s hand trembled.

“It is! Surprise!” Dan Fusheng had crocheted it when he was bored during his exile.

Chen Gui was momentarily speechless. He didn’t know what to say. Finally, he buried his head in the blanket. “Thank you, I really like it!”

“I made it during my exile.”

“You remembered me even then?!” Chen Gui was even more touched. “Th-thank you!”

He hugged the blanket and went into the room to lie down. After lying flat, he carefully placed the blanket over his abdomen. Chen Gui stared at it for a long time, stroking the cartoon faces, then nervously clasped his hands on his chest and fell asleep. He wanted to truly feel this gift.

Dan Fusheng watched him, finding it meaningful. It was rare to see Chen Gui so openly emotional. ‘Wait, what was Chen Gui going to ask him just now? What did ‘lying naked beside him’ mean?! Wait!!!’

‘Could Chen Gui have been asking if physical attraction would work on me? How could he think that?! But… oh, he’s 2,742 years old, so this topic isn’t off-limits.’

Dan Fusheng began to seriously consider the suggestion. If Chen Gui were to lie naked… he would still want to cover him with a blanket; it was too improper. Dan Fusheng planned to discuss this issue with Chen Gui after he woke up. Since Chen Gui didn’t have any improper love for him, there was no need for any so-called “seduction.” To the current Dan Fusheng, Chen Gui was already special enough.

However, Chen Gui didn’t think that way, or rather, his Inner Demon completely rejected such a notion. He woke up and said, “I can fall in love with you!”

“Oh?”

“You attract me first, then once my emotions are stirred, I’ll attract you.” In short, Chen Gui wouldn’t give up.

Dan Fusheng silently picked up the broom leaning against the wall.

Chen Gui fell silent.

Dan Fusheng put the broom back.

Chen Gui spoke again, “It’s not certain that I won’t admire you, Senior Brother.”

“Alright then, let me ask you, if I were lying naked in bed, what would you do?”

Chen Gui: “Cover you with a blanket.”

Both of them fell silent simultaneously.

Chen Gui realized this wouldn’t do. He quickly added, “I’d grab your waist! With reddened eyes…”

“Don’t copy those novels!” Dan Fusheng interrupted him. “Hey! I guess you’ve read quite a few yourself!”

“But I truly want to make you mine, completely and utterly mine.” Chen Gui just hadn’t figured out the steps yet.

“Do you have the desire to kiss my lips?” Dan Fusheng pointed to his own thin lips. “I don’t mean the kind that would scare me.”

Chen Gui frowned. “Not sure. Why don’t I try a kiss to see how it feels?”

“Get lost!”

Chen Gui felt he needed to think of other methods. He had seen dual cultivation techniques before. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine himself and Dan Fusheng as the two cultivators. He could simulate it within his inner vision. He was already familiar with Dan Fusheng’s body; they had even bathed together. Nothing special.

But… was it real? Through a hazy mist, that familiar face revealed an expression completely unfamiliar to Chen Gui. A flush beneath his eyes, red earrings gently swaying, casting a reddish glow on Dan Fusheng’s profile.

Dan Fusheng looked at him, his long hair disheveled. “My… Junior Brother…”

“Do you want to touch Senior Brother?”

“It’s all yours~”

“Ah!” Chen Gui woke up with a start.

Dan Fusheng, startled by his commotion, asked, “What’s wrong?”

Chen Gui didn’t respond; his entire being had crashed. Dan Fusheng reached out to touch him. “Why is your face so ridiculously red?”

However, before his hand could even reach him, Chen Gui slapped it away with a series of rapid strikes. “Evil magic! Evil magic!” After slapping Dan Fusheng, Chen Gui ran off.

“Why did you suddenly attack me?” Dan Fusheng rubbed the back of his hand. “Are you crazy, kid?”