Chapter Ninety-One: Madness Beyond Reason

A figure dressed in black lay sprawled upon the ground, blood pooling beneath them. The veil meant to conceal their face had slipped away, revealing—shockingly—Shangguan Wanru! Chu Youcai rushed forward, lifting her in his arms, swiftly administering a draught of medicine to her lips.

Yun Cuixian noticed at once that Shangguan Wanru’s chest had been struck by something hard; the bones there were shattered, the injury grave and terrifying. She could not help but feel a chill run through her.

After swallowing the medicine, Shangguan Wanru gradually regained consciousness. Upon seeing Chu Youcai, she urgently whispered, “Beware of King Chu Yu! He plans to send the leader of the Dark Butchers to frame you, to plant Lei Yinyang’s belongings in your house. He wants to ruin your reputation, and after that, he’ll have your mother’s tombstone removed from the Hall of Pure Heart!”

“What?” Chu Youcai could scarcely believe his ears. It was one thing for his own name to be tarnished, but what grudge could there possibly be against his late mother for Chu Yu Wang to go so far? After her death, his mother had not been interred in the most honored tomb; instead, she had been placed in the Hall of Pure Heart, like any ordinary member of the Prince’s estate. Now, King Chu Yu intended to force her memory even further down—was he to let his mother’s bones rest among the forsaken graves?

At this thought, Chu Youcai’s gaze burned with furious intensity. This was his absolute limit. Compared to Chu Yu Wei, Chu Yu Wang was possessed of a mad cruelty beyond measure. He had always resolved to suppress his adversary’s vindictive schemes against his mother.

Just then, Shangguan Wanru forced herself to continue, “Though King Chu Yu has only five years’ cultivation, he possesses a method to unlock hidden potential, instantly boosting his power to ten years. He can cast curses, and he wields a curse artifact resembling a tortoise shell, with formidable defensive strength. You must be careful.”

Having spoken so much in one breath, Shangguan Wanru could hold on no longer. Like a punctured vessel, she spat a mouthful of blood and fell deeply unconscious.

Chu Youcai anxiously continued to administer medicine, but it was to no avail. Taking her pulse, he found her breath dangerously disordered.

At that moment, the old lady emerged from her room, having overheard everything. She sighed softly and said, “Carry Wanru to her chamber. She has suffered many wounds since childhood, some even worse than this. There’s no need to be overly concerned; let her rest quietly for a while and she will recover. Clear away any traces she left, lest outsiders investigate.”

Chu Youcai and Yun Cuixian hurried to carry Shangguan Wanru into her room, then searched the surrounding area thoroughly for a mile. Finding no evidence left behind, they concluded that Shangguan Wanru’s concealment skills were exceptional. Only then did they return to the old lady’s chamber.

The old lady sat at the bedside, and upon hearing Chu Youcai enter, she gently remarked, “Wanru’s efforts have yielded valuable information. Now, even in her unconsciousness, her heart can be at peace.”

Chu Youcai and Yun Cuixian were stunned.

The old lady continued, “Wanru is a child of strong will and stubborn spirit. Whenever she feels indebted to someone, she will stop at nothing to repay it. When she returned earlier today, I could sense from her tone that she was troubled… Every time she’s like this, I worry terribly, fearing she might never return…”

She bowed her head slightly, steadying the tremor in her heart, before saying, “Now, at least, I am at ease…”

Chu Youcai and Yun Cuixian exchanged glances, unable to hide the shock and guilt in their eyes.

The old lady went on, “Young Master Chu, Miss Yun, Wanru has always been like this—strong outwardly, soft within. If she seems stubborn in the future, I hope you’ll be patient with her. My days are numbered, and the time I can spend with her grows ever shorter…”

Hearing this, Chu Youcai’s heart was gripped by sorrow. He replied earnestly, “Madam, whatever happens, we will treat Wanru as our own sister and care for her well.”

The old lady nodded, “Then I am reassured.” After a pause, she added, “Young Master Chu, from what Wanru just reported, King Chu Yu is plotting against you. You must respond quickly. Leave Wanru to me; if anything arises, I will call for you.”

“Understood.” Chu Youcai and Yun Cuixian exchanged another glance before leaving the room together, leaving Juxue to await orders in the old lady’s courtyard.

At that moment, the fury in Chu Youcai’s eyes blazed like wildfire as he recalled King Chu Yu’s vile machinations—not content with attacking him, he sought to persecute even his long-deceased mother! He remembered King Chu Yu’s power, the curse artifact that had so grievously wounded Shangguan Wanru. He recalled Chu Yu Wei’s contempt for the God of Willow, and how even Yan Nantian possessed extraordinary blood.

He had no retreat left. He craved power—only strength could protect those around him. He had to improve himself, and quickly.

His eyes smoldered with darkness. Even demon magic, he would not shrink from it! Even if the path was fraught with mortal peril, he would face it head-on!

At that moment, he recalled Yun Cuixian’s promise—that even if he became a demon, she would never leave his side. He remembered Second Madam, who, though a member of the Blood Lotus Sect, pursued her own ideals and remained steadfast in her pursuit of light.

Chu Youcai’s mind was now crystal clear.

The way—if it is different, what matter if it is demonic? Even if the whole world stands against me, what of it? If I lack the strength to protect those dear to me, I have nothing—not even the last shred of my mother’s dignity. What talk is there of guardianship?

Who says demon arts, Daoist cultivation, and scholarly spirit cannot be fused? I possess the root of wisdom; why not attempt it?

Most crucially, the cultivation of demon arts proceeds in three steps. Without completing the third, one does not truly become a demon. The first two steps alone are enough to elevate the body to a higher realm!

With this in mind, Chu Youcai wasted no further time. He went to a nearby pharmacy and selected a superb pill furnace, sending Juxue to gather all necessary herbs, and began the first stage of cultivation.

Ordinary people assume a pill furnace is only for refining medicines and tools, but in demon arts, it can temper the body and spirit. The furnace Chu Youcai bought was inscribed with special flame and ice talismans—unique Daoist symbols, costing thirty thousand taels of silver.

He had the furnace delivered to his residence, asked Wen Ji to watch over it, and, following the God of Willow’s instructions, prepared a special medicinal broth and poured it into the furnace.

Without this broth, the fire would scorch even the mightiest immortal over time. Yet when these broths were roasted by flames or chilled by ice, they would generate unique energies, fusing with the body and being absorbed.

But that was not all—a special incantation was required. No matter how intense the pain, one’s mind must remain steadfast. If one’s spirit faltered and thoughts wandered, one would be reduced to ashes.

This was not a case of mind determining matter, but a special transformation of energy.

In ancient times, there were those whose bodies were light as swallows, able to dance upon the palm. This was because they could concentrate their spirit, momentarily transforming the power of their flesh, containing the vast within the minute—not because they were truly that light.