Chapter 186: The World Favors None

Inside the Taoist Temple, Chenghuang sat restless.

His hands rested on his knees, his heart had turned to cold ash.

He only sought to retrieve his Soul-Summoning Banner. Little did he expect such trouble would follow. He never imagined the True Dragon and Fox Sovereign merely guarded this place’s gate.

Just what level of power did that Master possess…

Yet for one sliver of hope, he had to step inside.

This was his final chance.

To give up meant death, so he might as well grasp this fragile hope.

If the Sword Immortal showed mercy, he might cling to life a while longer. If he died here, then fate had spoken.

Su Junhan went to summon the Master, while Moyuan questioned Chenghuang’s purpose.

“Dare not lie to the True Dragon…”

Chenghuang recounted everything—how he came to possess the Soul-Summoning Banner.

Moyuan’s frown deepened. He stood abruptly. “You survived the Master’s sword yet dared come here?”

Chenghuang parted his lips, expression weary. “I had no choice…”

He suddenly lifted his gaze. “I just want to live!”

Seeing the look in Chenghuang’s eyes, Moyuan paused.

His brow furrowed. “Tell me the whole story.”

Chenghuang sighed. “My Lifespan nears its end. Death approaches.”

Countless souls crave extended life.

“An early Cultivator trapped me, forcing me to extend his Lifespan. I possess three thousand years, yet lost a thousand escaping him. Afterward, endless pursuit began…”

He fled through the world, dodging capture. Alone, he couldn’t withstand countless Cultivators. Each capture drained his Lifespan and Demonic Power.

“Captured time and again, clinging to life each time. Humans long for longevity through me. Helplessly, I fled into the Mortal World, hiding inside a village.”

“The family sheltering me treated me kindly. I thought peace might come. But seeing their father near death, my heart softened. I shortened my own life by years to extend his.”

“By dawn, every villager’s eyes fell upon me. Their gazes held only greed.”

Chenghuang gave a bitter smile. “Cultivators hunted me from the heavens. Mortals hunted me on earth. I wished to vanish, but wherever I hid, they found me.”

“From then on, the flight never ceased.”

“Year after year, life shortened, power waned. Soon, my Lifespan dwindled. Weak and lacking treasures, I stood lost—until I glimpsed change in the human realm…”

Western Xiao’s path of Reincarnation was damaged, trapping Wandering Spirits. Spirits lingering too long faced total Soul Disintegration.

Mountains, rivers—nothing stayed firm. Reincarnation’s path never perfected itself.

Chenghuang saw this: harvesting such Souls incurred no Heavenly Dao Karma. So he forged a banner, wandering Western Xiao, collecting Souls. Once complete, he planned to use those thousands of Spirits to extend his Lifespan.

None foresaw encountering Chen Changsheng mid-quest.

“This is my final hope…”

Desolation filled Chenghuang’s voice. “I tracked the Soul-Summoning Banner’s aura here, seeking one more sliver of life. So I came straight up the mountain, unhindered.”

“If death follows, I accept it.”

Moyuan stared silently. Moyuan spoke, “Your words alone prove nothing. The Master decides truth.”

Chenghuang bowed his head. “Gratitude, Dragon Lord.”

Moyuan’s heart sank. Truth from lies—he heard both.

Sorrow touched him.

A divine beast like Chenghuang, driven step by step by greed’s shadow.

Su Junhan emerged. “The Master awaits you in the pavilion.”

Chenghuang rose, clasping his hands. “Troubling the Fox Sovereign.”

Su Junhan gave a slight nod as Chenghuang entered the courtyard.

Su Junhan seated himself at the stone table. Noticing Moyuan’s distress, he spoke, “Think the Heavenly Dao is unjust?”

Moyuan stirred, shaking his head. “Fortune never favored the Demon Race. Surviving multiple Tribulations—had the Master not aided me, my bones would lie beneath West Bridge.”

“Hearing Chenghuang’s tale, now I see: among beasts, I’ve known luck.”

Su Junhan sighed softly. “One’s Destiny—even Demons must face theirs. Thinking too deeply aids nothing.”

“Take my Yuanshan Fox Clan. Our ancestors were frail. Across a thousand years, Cultivators battered us.”

“Building Yuanshan with these hands demanded countless bloody conflicts before peace came. This world favors none. For me now: overwhelming Demonic Power defines this realm.”

After a pause, Moyuan offered a weary smile. “A point well put.”

Su Junhan smiled kindly. “Why quarrel otherwise?”

“Nay.” Moyuan gestured toward the temple, murmuring.

“I wonder how the Master will judge him.”

Neither knew the answer. Dragon and fox waited beneath the courtyard’s eaves.

Fog spilled from Mountain Stream crevices, thickening until it shielded sight itself…

Beneath Flowing Cloud Temple’s rear pavilion, an Oil Lamp burned upon the table. Despite breezes, its flame stood unwavering.

Chen Changsheng sat beside the lamp, reading.

Chenghuang paused outside the pavilion, too cautious to enter.

Thud!

His knees bent against the pavilion’s edge.

Chen Changsheng glanced up, then his calm returned. “Does kneeling aid your purpose?”

Chenghuang raised his head. Words failed him.

Chen Changsheng shook his head, resuming his book.

Mountain Stream mist thickened as darkness deepened. Unexpectedly, clouds gathered.

Stars vanished. Moonlight snuffed.

In moments, rain poured in torrents.

Splash…

Raindrops drummed the pavilion roof.

Chenghuang knelt unmoving, drenched, knees sinking into watery mud.

Fog surrendered to rain, its earthy scent sharp in nostrils.

All night, rain fell unceasing until the first gray light.

Still, he offered no defense.

Dawn broke as Chen Changsheng closed his book.

His sleeve brushed the lamp—flame extinguished. Standing, he regarded the kneeling figure.

Chenghuang lifted his rain-streaked face.

Chen Changsheng’s wrist flicked. The Soul-Summoning Banner flew back to its owner.

Staring at the banner, Chenghuang was stunned.

“The Wandering Spirits within deserve Reincarnation.”