The Millennium of Chaos and a Stubborn Junior Brother

Chen Gui pressed Dan Fusheng’s shoulder, forcing him to sit obediently in the chair.

Chen Gui wouldn’t allow Dan Fusheng to evade the questions; he had to explain the dream clearly so the authorities could investigate.

Dan Fusheng didn’t resist. He recounted the background and timing of the dream. He seemed truly unwilling to concern himself with his former subordinates anymore.

“I was still very young back then, only 561 years old,” Dan Fusheng reminisced.

Bai Yu, who was just over a hundred years old, couldn’t help but inwardly scoff. A cultivator over five hundred years old would be an exceptionally rare and powerful figure in the present era. Could that truly be considered young?

“I know you refer to that chaotic period as the ‘Millennium of Chaos,’ but I was already 860 years old when I instigated it.”

Well, 500 years old did seem quite young in comparison.

“At that time, I had only recently ventured deep into the Southern Reaches.” The Southern Reaches were the current territory of the demon and monster races.

“I remember the scene from that dream clearly. I dug that child out of a pile of corpses…”

Back then, the relationship between humans, demons, and monsters was utterly irreconcilable. It was difficult to ascertain which side initiated these hostilities, as both factions had their own narratives. However, one point remained unambiguous—humanity had triumphed.

Dan Fusheng’s sect did not inherently reject demons and monsters, yet the number of demon and monster disciples admitted into the sect each year was strictly limited. Moreover, this was already the most enlightened sect among humans, and the nation where this sect resided was also the most lenient towards the demon and monster races.

As for the others…

The more benevolent nations sold demons and monsters into servitude as house slaves or playthings. The more stringent nations forbade entry to demon and monster races entirely; upon discovery, they were immediately executed.

Even with his sect’s token, and despite having lived in a human sect since childhood, Dan Fusheng had endured countless ambushes. Humans and demons alike had attacked him.

The demon and monster races were also in great disarray at the time. They lacked human order; the strong claimed territories as their own kings, acting with extreme prejudice. Dan Fusheng was profoundly shaken by the life in the mountains below. He simply could not comprehend the ceaseless conflict.

He had even questioned his master, asking why demons were not considered human, despite the fact that demons and humans could intermarry and even produce mixed-blood offspring.

His master had replied that demons were human, and humans were also demons.

And that particular child was a demon created by humans.

“Dan Lie,” Dan Fusheng stated. “He was twelve when I found him, and he insisted on changing his surname.”

“One of your commanders?!” Bai Yu remembered that name.

Jade Mastiff was even more familiar with it: “That grim-faced fellow!”

“Precisely. Back then, his entire family of 36 was massacred by cultivators from the Yu Kingdom,” Dan Fusheng shrugged. “It was because his uncle fell in love with a human… which was considered a grave humiliation for humanity.”

“Dan Lie hated humans, and he hated the uncle who had fallen in love with one. In his eyes, humans were the true demons.”

“But Dan Lie is recorded as dead. All eleven of your commanders are dead.”

“That, I don’t know, but I suspect he’s behind that dream. He remembers… far too clearly.”

Bai Yu diligently wrote down Dan Fusheng’s words into a report, not missing a single detail. After finishing, he asked, “Is that why you massacred the Yu Kingdom’s royal family?”

The cultivators of the ancient Yu Kingdom were its highest rulers, the very architects of its laws.

“Huh? No,” Dan Fusheng leaned back in his chair. “Though it may sound strange coming from me, I can actually understand why they acted that way.”

Bai Yu subtly raised an eyebrow.

“The Yu Kingdom bordered the Southern Reaches, which also had another name: the Land of Death,” Dan Fusheng sighed softly. “The human and demon-monster races had harbored resentment for too long. Beneath the Yu Kingdom’s strict laws lay countless blood debts.”

Bai Yu fell silent.

“It was the same for the demon and monster races as well—constant friction, ceaseless slaughter. Countless misguided cultivators clashed fiercely,” Dan Fusheng pointed at Bai Yu. “You’re a human-demon hybrid, aren’t you?”

Bai Yu nodded instinctively.

“You see, we can even produce offspring. We should have been the same kind of being,” Dan Fusheng looked into Bai Yu’s eyes. “But back then, humans and demon-monsters were embracing each other as they tumbled into the abyss.”

“I once believed that if I could just consolidate the chaotic forces within the demon and monster races, all of this could end. We could then sit down face-to-face with humans and resolve the issue,” Dan Fusheng curved his lips. “Do you think I succeeded?”

Of course not. Otherwise, where would the Millennium of Chaos have come from? How would the Yu Kingdom have vanished? Bai Yu felt a chill run down his spine.

“If you find Dan Lie’s location and can’t resolve the problem, I can help deal with it,” Dan Fusheng said with a smile. “Since he’s not going to change, then let him die, taking his resentment into the grave with him.”

“Perhaps he’s the one who broke your seal,” Jade Mastiff suggested. “Why kill him? Just lock him up.”

“Killing him is safer,” Dan Fusheng stroked Jade Mastiff’s foxy head. “What’s wrong? Are you reluctant, pup?”

“Don’t you think you’re being too cold-blooded?” Jade Mastiff’s relationship with Dan Lie wasn’t particularly good. He knew Dan Lie had also been raised by Dan Fusheng, yet Dan Fusheng hadn’t hesitated at all when he spoke of killing him; he hadn’t even bothered to put on an act.

“I am reluctant, but I think things are quite good now. Those kids say interesting things, and I can even work for money,” Dan Fusheng vigorously rubbed Jade Mastiff’s foxy head. “I don’t want to go back. If he tries to take me back, I’ll have no choice but to kill him.”

Dan Fusheng released Jade Mastiff’s head, then looked pitifully at Chen Gui. “I’ve explained everything. Can you let me go back to work, Junior Brother?”

Chen Gui’s expression was complex. “How much of this does Master know?”

“Master, ah…” Dan Fusheng drew out the sound.

‘You want to be a good person? You want to be benevolent? You want to forgive… Heh, fine, then just wait for your clan to be wiped out, your species annihilated.’

‘Humans only listen to humans. Unfortunately, my disciple, you are not considered human now.’

“Hard to say,” Dan Fusheng shook his head. “Too hard to say.”

Chen Gui lowered his gaze. Noticing his poor state, Dan Fusheng reached out and cupped his face. “Don’t overthink things; overthinking easily leads you astray.”

“Oh, right!” Dan Fusheng suddenly remembered something important. He pointed at Jade Mastiff. “He knows that old acquaintances will come looking for me! He might be in contact with them.”

Jade Mastiff, who had been quietly leaning against Dan Fusheng’s leg, stiffened. He took two seconds to process this, then, reacting with a huge leap, he distanced himself from Dan Fusheng. “You bastard! You living turtle!”

“We know who Mr. Jade Mastiff has been communicating with,” Bai Yu chuckled awkwardly.

Jade Mastiff continued to curse: “You sold me out without a second thought! Dan Fusheng! You disgust me!”

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He opened his mouth, ready to bite Dan Fusheng. Dan Fusheng ran, Jade Mastiff chased, and finally, Dan Fusheng clung to Chen Gui. Jade Mastiff stood beside Chen Gui, barking loudly at Dan Fusheng.

Initially, Bai Yu didn’t notice anything amiss. It wasn’t until he finished reporting his work that he finally remembered something—wasn’t Jade Mastiff a fox? Why was he barking like a dog?!

His shocked expression was too obvious. Chen Gui noticed his confusion and explained, “When Dan Fusheng found Jade Mastiff, Jade Mastiff was very small.”

“Hm?”

“Reportedly, Dan Fusheng was distraught when he discovered Jade Mastiff couldn’t bark. He was afraid his little monster would be ostracized by its own kind when it grew up, so he put in some effort.”

“Effort into what?”

“To help Jade Mastiff correct his pronunciation. Eventually, Jade Mastiff became proficient at barking ‘woof, woof’.” Chen Gui let out a heavy sigh.

For a long time, Jade Mastiff also believed himself to be a canine. It was only after he encountered the fox tribe that he realized something was wrong; he seemed to have gone astray.

Bai Yu recalled some of the information uncovered by the official investigation. Jade Mastiff’s students held him in high regard. They considered him aloof and distant. They had speculated about Jade Mastiff’s true form, some guessing a bird, others a snake.

No one had ever considered a dog or a fox. Jade Mastiff was refined, whereas typical canines were enthusiastic. He kept people at arm’s length, lacking the seductive charm of foxes. Monster races were often influenced by their original forms’ personalities, so Jade Mastiff couldn’t possibly be a dog or a fox.

Now it seemed… Jade Mastiff had merely gone astray at first, and later couldn’t fully correct himself. He was stuck in an awkward middle ground. Coupled with his concern about becoming his students’ emotional entanglement, his demeanor began to shift towards aloofness.

“Ah!” Dan Fusheng suddenly cried out in pain as Jade Mastiff leaped up and bit his arm.

However, Jade Mastiff quickly let go, startled by Dan Fusheng’s shout. He stared at Dan Fusheng with suspicion. “Surely not, you couldn’t possibly be hurt by my bite?”

“Indeed, not that much,” Dan Fusheng patted the spot where Jade Mastiff had bitten him.

“Then why the hell did you scream?”

“You’re so fierce,” Dan Fusheng hugged Chen Gui even tighter.

Chen Gui was trembling. Dan Fusheng knew Chen Gui wanted to throw him off, but Chen Gui was also afraid of a repeat of the last incident, especially with Bai Yu still present. Bai Yu wouldn’t allow Dan Fusheng to fall to the ground.

“Junior Brother! I’m scared!” Dan Fusheng choked out. “I told you I don’t want to go back. They’re forcing me to continue being the Demon Lord. I’m afraid.”

Chen Gui silently opened the barrier. Dan Fusheng watched the disappearing Jade Mastiff and Bai Yu, then choked slightly. “Thank you, Junior Brother, you’re so kind.”

“I’ve given it some thought.” A small sword flew out from Chen Gui’s sleeve. Its size slowly increased until it settled into Chen Gui’s hand.

“Hm?” Dan Fusheng loosened his grip slightly.

“I really should just kill you,” Chen Gui thrust his sword backward. It pierced Dan Fusheng’s body, but in the next instant, Dan Fusheng dissolved into black smoke and vanished.

“You’re too cruel to your Senior Brother.” The smoke dissipated, then reformed not far away. Dan Fusheng touched the spot where the sword had pierced him, though there was no wound. “Senior Brother gets sad too, you know.”

Chen Gui pointed his sword tip at Dan Fusheng. “You’re right. If Dan Lie cannot let go, he shouldn’t be alive.”

“Mhm.”

“What about you? Have you truly let go?” Chen Gui frowned.

“Do you always think your Senior Brother is lying?” Dan Fusheng looked genuinely hurt.

“Otherwise, what?!” Chen Gui knew his mind wasn’t flexible enough. When Master and Senior Sister were around, they could always see through Dan Fusheng’s lies. Chen Gui couldn’t. He couldn’t tell when Dan Fusheng was lying. Dan Fusheng was remarkably adept at misleading Chen Gui.

How much truth, how much falsehood, lay in Dan Fusheng’s so-called enlightenment? No wonder Master had told him to kill Dan Fusheng. If Dan Lie couldn’t be allowed to live, then Dan Fusheng had even less right to exist.

“Even if it costs me my life, I must kill you this time!” Chen Gui tightened his grip on the sword hilt.

“You must kill me?” Dan Fusheng asked.

“Absolutely!” Chen Gui gritted his teeth.

“Alright then, kill away.” Dan Fusheng sighed. He truly didn’t care about life or death. He had no desire to die, nor did he seek it out, but if death came, he had no recourse.

“Pick up your weapon!” Chen Gui pointed at him.

“I’m not going to fight you to the death.” Dan Fusheng saw no need; he bore no deep hatred for this simple-minded Junior Brother.

Chen Gui stopped moving. He merely glared fiercely at Dan Fusheng.

Dan Fusheng waited for a moment, but Chen Gui still didn’t move. Dan Fusheng hissed: “You can’t accept that I won’t resist?”

“Are you crazy? Isn’t it better if I don’t resist? You wouldn’t get hurt at all.” Dan Fusheng saw Chen Gui’s body stiffen, confirming his suspicion. “You want to fight me to the death? You can’t accept a one-sided slaughter?”

“Wow! Your brain!” Dan Fusheng was astonished once again. “No wonder your single comment could stir up 232 waves of people cursing you.” He was simply too easy to bully.

Chen Gui corrected Dan Fusheng: “It was 232 waves of people.”

Dan Fusheng fell silent. Chen Gui continued to glare at him with a serious expression.

“Junior Brother, if it’s too much, let’s not try to be ruthless like others.” Dan Fusheng felt complicated emotions towards his Master. He now thought the old man was incredibly unkind. Before dying, couldn’t he have left a guardian for this rigid, simple-minded child? With all that strength and a brain that couldn’t adapt, what if he got tricked into a black coal mine as a laborer?

“Take your sword!” Chen Gui urged him.

“I won’t,” Dan Fusheng said, crossing his arms.

“Dan Fusheng!” Chen Gui gritted his teeth.

“Eh, why are you calling your Senior Brother?” Dan Fusheng walked up to Chen Gui. “Come on, come on, strike! Your Senior Brother won’t dodge now. See my neck? Aim right here.” Dan Fusheng tilted his head slightly, exposing his neck.

Chen Gui: “You…”

“Me?” Dan Fusheng feigned confusion. “Does Senior Brother need to give you any last words?”

The barrier dissolved. Chen Gui, sword in hand, stormed furiously into the room. Bai Yu and Jade Mastiff, standing where they were, looked at Dan Fusheng in confusion.

Dan Fusheng had no intention of explaining the cause and effect. He merely called out after Chen Gui gently closed the door: “Check if the clay in my big box has set?”

Seconds later, Chen Gui furiously opened the door: “It’s set!”

“Do you still want to be alone for a while?” Dan Fusheng asked him.

“Otherwise, what?” Chen Gui looked even angrier.

“Then get me a small lump of it. I need to test the feel. I have to film a video to send to my patron.” Dan Fusheng had a job now, too.

Chen Gui snorted coldly. He gently closed the door, then opened it again: “Should I wear gloves?”

“Wear them.” Although cultivators themselves were untainted by dust, formalities still had to be observed. Dan Fusheng’s clients were ordinary people, and they cared greatly about such things.

“Got it…” Chen Gui paused after speaking, then added, “Demon Lord!”

Having said that, he quickly closed the door, only to slow down just as the lock was about to click into place.

“Uh, this is?” Bai Yu asked, puzzled.

“He’s very angry right now,” Dan Fusheng praised. “Truly worthy of a renowned righteous sect; even their anger is so refined.”

“Demon Lord! Don’t praise me randomly!” Chen Gui’s voice came from inside the room.

Dan Fusheng: “I will praise you!”

Chen Gui fell silent. Bai Yu waited for a moment. He watched as Chen Gui pushed open the door, handed a small box to Dan Fusheng, and then closed the door again to seclude himself.

Hm? Wait a minute! What then? After being told not to praise him, what happened next? It ended? Shouldn’t there have been a follow-up like, “If you praise me again, I’ll…”?