The demon's casual reference to having crossed paths in a past life struck him with an almost electric bolt in his dream, or maybe on the astral plane, shaking him to his core. It was odd and unexpected to consider a common history from a previous life and all the implications that go along with it. Living in a world with supernatural nature, he had never questioned the notion of reincarnation, but the sheer weight of this claim took him by surprise and stirred feelings he was not prepared to deal with.
Despite the vast power difference between them, akin to a god gazing down at a mortal, he couldn't shake the feeling of some familiarity, a mysterious pull that left him uncertain of its origin. Maybe it was the suggestion that they had previously known one another, or maybe the demon had subtly manipulated him in ways he hadn't realized. There were numerous unknown elements to consider, but he had to admit that having him so close stirred something within him. He just wasn't certain what that was exactly.
However, he knew nothing about that demon, despite the unexpected pull he felt, and perhaps that was the demon's true power. What if he were playing with his emotions, weaving a web of manipulation for a purpose? What if he intended to lure him to that mountain, only to set him free and unleash revenge upon the world? He had to ground himself in logic, casting aside his emotions, and approach the situation as he always did, methodically. He needed to focus on the facts and track down Siheng before it was too late.
"Past life? And I'm supposed to just trust you? If there's one thing old legends make pretty clear, it's that demons aren't exactly known for being trustworthy. And honestly, why would I believe a demon who's been sealed away for who knows how long will suddenly help a confused human out of pure goodwill?" Yichen's skepticism lingered, his logical mind holding his thoughts steady while emotions churned beneath the surface.
He kept his voice steady while the demon drew closer, exuding a calmness that felt both eerie, yet oddly familiar. Deep down, even though Yichen tried to block it out, something inside him wouldn't let go. The demon laughed quietly, the sound carrying a trace of nostalgia, like remembering something that mattered once, but was no longer the same.
"You've always been like this, right from the day we met for the first time. You scrutinized every action I took and questioned every reason behind my choices. Even when trusted friends vouched for me, earning your trust was no easy feat. But you did, Zhuo Yichen. After that, we became inseparable, like two halves of the same coin. We rarely worked apart, bound by a connection deeper than anyone could understand. We were in l..." Yet, Zhu Yan halted, the next word caught in his throat.
For many years, they were more than just partners. They were lovers bound by a deep connection. Together, they had forged a powerful alliance in the human realm, entrusted with an important task by the gods. But that was ancient history now, and despite the lingering heartache, he understood that this Yichen no longer viewed him in the same light, nor felt the way he once did. Yet, as long as he could find a reason for them to meet, there was hope that he could reconnect with him and, with some fortune, reignite those feelings.
"I'm not naive enough to dwell on a past that likely can't be proven or recreated. So, no matter how much you insist on recounting the wonders of our former partnership, it's irrelevant today. The world has changed since you were trapped within that mountain. Just so you know, we humans of this era are not easily impressed or persuaded by flattery. Save your efforts, it won't work on me. My sole focus is on finding Pei Siheng alive, if that's possible. Nothing more, nothing less." Even though Zhu Yan had prepared himself to hear those very words when all their shared memories had vanished into oblivion, the sting of hearing them still hurt.
For him, every night, he whispered Yichen's name like a quiet invocation, and every hour that passed brought him the lingering memory of Yichen's touch on him, the comfort of his presence. Not a single moment passed without the pain of their heartbreaking and tragic separation tormenting him. And now, standing before his past lover, whose beauty remained as captivating as ever, a deep sorrow overwhelmed him. Even so, he had to bury that pain deep inside, even as his heart broke silently beneath the surface.
Yet, Yichen couldn't ignore the sharp pang in his chest when he noticed the faint shift in the demeanor of the demon who called himself Zhu Yan. He couldn't quite understand why a wave of sorrow washed over him, but its intensity was undeniable. A frown crept onto his face at the abrupt emotion, while Zhu Yan, seemingly unaffected once again, met his gaze with a calm, knowing smile.
"Your priorities have always been clear to me, Zhuo Yichen. Helping others has been your calling, even before your own needs. You may not recall, but you've remained true to yourself through reincarnation. Always so righteous and always so honorable. It's a pity, really, because that noble drive to save others was what caused me to lose you that fateful night. Yet, despite the shadows of our past, I vow that this time, I won't let history repeat itself." This was more than just an oath, it was a necessity. Losing him once had broken him completely, and losing him a second time would mean his end.
"Your world is facing a problem far more complex than you realize. Things are not always as they appear, and every consequence has a cause. Tragically, humanity had lost its past, giving events the power to alter reality. I hope you find me before it is too late. Whether you seek me to save this young man or for an entirely different reason makes no difference. So long as you come, I will welcome it all. Come to me, Xiao Zhuo, before the corruption of this world worsens and can no longer be stopped. I will be waiting." Yichen remained utterly speechless in the astral plane as Zhu Yan's figure abruptly disappeared. He suddenly awoke in his bed, a peculiar chill sliding down his spine.
Of course, Yichen could tell himself it was simply because he had been sweating in his sleep and the air conditioning was cooling him down, but deep down, he knew better than to cling to such an excuse. There was an undeniable sense of urgency gnawing at him, accompanied by a deep unease that he had just stepped into something far more complex and overwhelming than he'd anticipated. Something beyond a mere rescue mission.
Lying in bed beside him, Yun Guang sensed it too. He had woken up just as his cousin ventured on an out-of-body journey to a higher plane. Naturally, he knew better than to disturb Yichen while his spirit wandered elsewhere; nevertheless, the bond connecting them was strong enough to serve as an anchor should the need arise.
The bond between them had always been extraordinary, something no one in the Zhuo family could fully explain. Even Yixuan, despite being Yichen's brother, could not match the depth of connection Yun Guang shared with him. Normally, Yichen's astral projections left him visibly drained. But as he stole a glance at his cousin, he noticed the usual physical signs of exhaustion were there, though the spiritual strain he'd come to expect seemed strangely absent.
"Hey, are you okay? I can head out and bring you something to help calm you, if you need it," Yun Guang said gently, sitting on his bed and observing his distressed cousin.
"I should have expected you to sense me... you always did before." But as the memory of Zhu Yan's first time pulling him into a vision resurfaced, Yichen turned to Yun Guang, his expression suddenly filled with shock.
"What? Did something bad happen up there?" Yun Guang asked, his concern deepening as he tried to decipher the young man's sudden alarm.
"Why didn't you sense I was in danger this time, Yun? Your instincts about me have always been spot on, yet you didn't even suspect anything was off until Wen Xiao called. It's been a while since you reacted to me, and I had almost forgotten that you should have sensed it coming long before she broke the news..." Yichen's voice faded, leaving a weighty silence in its wake.
Yun Guang felt the weight of the words, their impact hitting him just as hard as they had struck Yichen. In the midst of the swirling chaos, he had failed to detect that something was wrong with his cousin for the very first time. To make matters worse, he only recognized the strangeness when he pointed it out.
"That's right, I should have sensed you were in danger long before anyone else," Yun Guang said, detecting an unusual trace lingering in his spiritual energy. "Were you just in contact with that demon?"
"I was," Yichen admitted, deciding this was not the moment to withhold information that could escalate into a ticking time bomb threatening them all.
"Did he harm you or threaten you in any way?" Yun Guang asked, a deep sense of guilt weighing on him for feeling he'd failed his cousin. He hoped this time he hadn't reached out to Yichen simply because he sensed no immediate danger around his spirit.
"No, he said we knew each other in a past life and urged me to find him right away. He warned me that something in this world is potentially dangerous. Guang Ge... maybe he's lying about the past life, but I can't ignore the sense of urgency he left me with. Honestly, I've always felt there's something far more unsettling about this world than just coexisting with spirits." That much, at least, he'd shared with his team and even his father and brother.
"The appearance of this demon suggests he is incredibly ancient, likely old enough to have witnessed whatever event led the world to its current state. Though we have countless theories about it, they remain just that, unproven ideas without certainty. Meanwhile, unusual occurrences are happening every day, especially around certain agencies. What if these aren't isolated incidents, but rather signs of something far more significant? Even if Zhu Yan..."
"Zhu Yan?" Yun Guang interrupted, tilting his head in surprise. The name resonated with him, tugging at a memory that felt familiar yet elusive, like a puzzle piece that refused to fit.
"That's his name. He is a great demon from the Wilderness." Yun Guang recalled reading old stories about fantastic pilgrims in moster infested lands during his time at Mount Kunlun Temple, where all family members, trained at one point in their lives, studying the wisdom preserved in the old scrolls.
"Legends often contain a grain of truth, with the rest being folklore crafted to explain events that people either couldn't understand or have long forgotten. Many tales feature demons and monsters, typically portraying them as threats to human existence. Thus, when a demon claims to be from an old tale, it reveals little about his true nature. Nevertheless, I agree that time matters. We've gotten six hours of sleep, which is more than enough for people in our profession. Stay here, freshen up, and change your clothes. I'll wake up the others, and then we'll get back on the road. Nobody will object if we leave early. Ultimately, reaching our destination as quickly as possible serves our own interests." Yun Guang lifted his black jacket from a nearby chair and walked out, figuring that a knock would disturb their 'princess,' Wen Xiao, far less than a shrill ringtone.
Moments later, they returned to the vans and resumed their journey, navigating through the night. The vehicles were safeguarded against ghost or spirit attacks by several powerful talismans crafted by Ying Lei. This protection made it safe to press on into the darkness. However, for Pei Sijing, even without such measures, she would have ventured across a land teeming with ghosts if it meant saving her brother.
"Sijing... I know you haven't been sleeping well. Maybe I should drive this time so you can get some rest." Wen Xiao had suggested this before their departure, but her lover declined and she slid into the driver's seat, as if her very life depended on it. It was painful to watch her so tense, and even fearful, as though every second lost might be the difference between saving her brother or not.
"I'm fine, Xiao Xi, really. Don't fret over me. As a police captain, I'm used to running on little sleep. Criminals don't operate on a schedule, so this is nothing new. Honestly, being on the road is easier than lying in bed imagining Siheng suffering somewhere in the mountains with that ancient demon, whether it turns out to be tame or hostile." In a way, Sijing's words eased some of Wen Xiao's anxiety, yet a flicker of concern still lingered in her heart.
"I trust Xiao Zhuo... he has never failed us before, and I pray this is not the exception. He's convinced that Siheng is safe, no matter the reasons behind it. But I need to be honest with you, something feels off. There's a shift in the energy around us, something I've never dared to explore too deeply. It's as if a dark presence is lurking in every corner, and I can't shake the feeling that it's stirring up ghosts and spirits all over the land, making them more aggressive. Sometimes, I even think they're feeding on us, drawing energy from our very essence, something unseen but deeply felt." Wen Xiao admitted, echoing the ominous warnings that the demon had shared with Yichen about the something dangerous brewing on the horizon.
"Fingers crossed that the demon is just bluffing, because we've already faced more than our fair share of supernatural problems. But honestly, it feels like it's not just the ghosts getting bolder. Humans are stepping up in their game too. The crimes we've tackled over the past few years are downright savage, as if something not quite human is behind them. The sheer brutality is too twisted for us to handle, especially in such staggering numbers," Sijing admitted.
"It's all becoming so strange... I just hope we find Siheng before something terrible happens, and I'm not just talking about him, but about us too. I think I finally get why Yichen can't stand red sunsets. They're downright disturbing, like a warning that bloodshed could fall on us at any time." Wen Xiao shivered in her seat.
"Let's hope it doesn't, Xiao Xi." Sijing reached for Wen Xiao's hand and gave it a firm squeeze, trying not only to reassure her but also to convince herself that everything would turn out alright for all of them.
"We will not allow it. No matter what happens, if it comes down to it, we will save both your little brother and the world. Mark my words." Wen Xiao's promise brought a smile to Sijing's face. She held on to those words, determined to believe in them and do her part to make them a reality.
AN: Ok, I know I hint at some unexplained mysteries here, but they will be explained as the story progresses. I hope you like it, and even if Yichen is trying to resist Zhu Yan's pull, he will still fall for him nevertheless. 😂 Thanks, and until next time, take care.