Chapter 124: The Butterfly Transformed into a Spirit, a Soul of Cringing Servility and Alluring Grace

“You speak with such charm, young man, I almost hate to devour you myself!” The skeleton gently rested its head on Yu Shang’s shoulder, then gazed intently at his alabaster bone hand, which it placed upon his face, stroking it back and forth. The scene resembled a coquettish maiden teasing her beloved, yet it evoked no warmth—only a chilling dread.

“Miss, you have always been as merciful as a serpent’s mouth and as kind as a Buddha’s heart, merely toying with us. If that is so, how could you be so cruel as to swallow the living whole?” Yu Shang could no longer tolerate the icy touch of those bony fingers. The sensation of cold creeping through his very being made him uneasy, as if a chill had invaded every corner of his body. Yet, unwilling to reveal his true feelings, he took a few steps back, turned slightly, and smiled gently at her.

Outwardly, he was trying to soothe her, hoping to coax a smile and ease her vigilance. In truth, Yu Shang merely wished to evade the skeleton’s caress. Such close contact with a withered bone was hardly pleasant. Moreover, intimacy with this capricious skeleton could easily invite mortal danger—who knew if she, like Yu Shang and his companion, harbored treacherous intentions to eliminate the other? It was wiser to keep a distance and seek a way out of this cursed place.

“So, by your reckoning, I am a pure and benevolent fairy? This is the first time anyone has painted me as so ethereal and otherworldly! Previously, all creatures fled from me in terror, yet you boldly praise me in defiance of that. How amusing!” The skeleton laughed, her joy palpable as she shook with mirth. Yet beneath her laughter, Yu Shang detected a faint trace of sorrow.

“If you’re so noble, then out of respect for the divide between immortals and mortals, we shall take our leave,” Ye Wangchen said, grabbing Yu Shang and dragging him away forcefully. He feared that if they continued listening, he might lose control. Known for his sharp tongue and cold demeanor, Ye Wangchen could easily mock others but found it difficult to offer sincere praise. Though he could not echo Yu Shang’s words, he would not let a moment’s anger ruin their plan. After deliberation, escaping was the best course—distance was their ally.

“Wait! Spare him if you must, but you must die! Heaven has been merciful to grant me such a delicacy; letting one go is already a pity. But if I let you escape too, surely the heavens would not tolerate it!” The skeleton vanished in a flash from where she stood. At the same time, Yu Shang and Ye Wangchen were blinded by a burst of white light. When they opened their eyes again, the skeleton stood before them, blocking their path with a wicked grin.

But with her nature, how could she show Yu Shang mercy? To her, he was merely an amusing toy. To destroy him carelessly would be a waste; only once she grew bored would he be allowed to perish. Ye Wangchen, however, was a trivial prey—only useful to ease her own emptiness—and she was unwilling to spare the intruder. His fate was sealed.

“Want me dead? Then let’s see if you have the power!” Ye Wangchen’s eyes hardened as he struck with a fierce palm. He had planned to follow Yu Shang’s example and avoid conflict, quietly leaving this place to evade needless trouble. But this ghostly thing refused to relent, so he would show no mercy. In his eyes, the only way to rid himself of trouble was to annihilate it. Since the skeleton insisted on pursuing him, he would grant her wish.

Yu Shang watched helplessly, sighing deeply. As expected, fate had returned no matter how hard one tried to evade disaster; it was futile. He then drew his blade, ruthlessly slashing at the skeleton. The blade’s tip sliced through the air, charged with true energy, as if capable of tearing through the void. His strike was ruthless, aiming directly at her vital points, as if intent on pulverizing her to dust.

Yu Shang’s approach to those who treated him well was to repay kindness with kindness; those who wronged him would suffer beyond death. Though the skeleton pretended to spare him, in truth, she regarded him as a toy to be destroyed when bored. Yu Shang had long seen through her treachery, so no mercy would be shown in this battle. Moreover, he could not allow anyone to take a life from his side, especially since she aimed to kill Ye Wangchen, someone who piqued his interest greatly.

The skeleton frowned at Yu Shang’s mercilessness, turning to grab his arm fiercely. She whispered threateningly in his ear, “Don’t meddle again, or I’ll wipe you out along with him!” As Yu Shang opened his mouth to retort, he noticed a butterfly resting on the skeleton’s chest suddenly stir. It fluttered its wings but showed no intent to flee.

Seeing the two locked in standoff, Ye Wangchen seized the opportunity. Opening his hands wide, he spoke with conviction as a glimmer of starlight appeared in his palm. The light grew, forming a small luminous orb that shimmered brightly.

Suddenly, Ye Wangchen hurled the orb toward the skeleton, while his other hand sent a beam of light toward Yu Shang. Yet this beam was meant to save, not harm. It struck Yu Shang’s waist and, with a strong pull, lifted him off the ground, drawing him swiftly back to Ye Wangchen’s side. When Yu Shang regained his composure and looked toward the skeleton, the orb exploded violently at her feet.

Yu Shang gasped. Had Ye Wangchen not pulled him away in time, he would have surely followed the skeleton to the underworld.

After the light faded, a grim scene was revealed. The surrounding trees were scarred and battered, the air thick with the smell of burning. The ground was cracked and shattered, ravaged by the blast. The most pitiful sight was the scattered white bones, now dull and lifeless. Among them lay a fragile butterfly, crushed beneath the remains, barely clinging to life.

The butterfly struggled desperately, using all its strength to move the bones—but to no avail. It could not free itself, helplessly gazing around as if awaiting death. For some reason, Yu Shang felt a pang of compassion. He hurried over and lifted the bones from the butterfly, then tenderly cupped the injured creature in his palm, gazing at it with deep sorrow.

The butterfly seemed to sense the warmth of his hand, fluttering its wings slightly before laying still, motionless in his palm. Yu Shang wished to revive it; he could not bear to see such a beautiful soul perish from this senseless calamity. A spirit as enchanting as this butterfly should be dancing gracefully in the air, not fading away in the palm of a stranger.

“Surprising that Yu Shang, known on the battlefield for killing without a second thought, would show pity for a mere butterfly. Does a human life mean less to you than that of this delicate creature? Or is there some secret we don’t know?” Ye Wangchen asked, puzzled by Yu Shang’s tender gaze. This young man often confounded him, yet also amazed and intrigued him.

“I can only say those who stir my murderous intent deserve death. If they choose to betray and deceive me, why should I hold back?” Yu Shang replied indifferently, his eyes never leaving the butterfly. It was as if the creature held some mysterious power, captivating him with a warmth in his gaze. But to Ye Wangchen, it was only a beautiful insect, nothing more.

“Don’t blame me for prying, but if you kill only the deserving, why do you still cling to memories of your newlywed wife? If she betrayed you first, you shouldn’t blame yourself. Forgetting her and starting anew might be better,” Ye Wangchen said cautiously, momentarily setting aside his stance to help heal Yu Shang’s deepest wound.

“Her actions did fill me with fury, but they were never my true intention. It was all fate’s cruel play,” Yu Shang said slowly, stroking the butterfly gently without meeting Ye Wangchen’s eyes. Though seemingly casual, his words were heartfelt. It was indeed an accident, a punishment imposed by heaven.

“Fate’s cruel play… We are but puppets manipulated by the heavens! Joy, sorrow, separation, and reunion—all beyond our control, dictated by fate alone. Even possessing unparalleled cultivation, one cannot defy a single thought of heaven. If it wills your death, no one can grant you rebirth. Even the ancient gods are favored tools of heaven; though they may rend the void and alter reincarnation, they cannot escape their destined servitude!” Ye Wangchen said gloomily, lamenting his helplessness and the world’s sorrow.

“But I refuse to bow to fate. I will forge a new path. I believe my destiny is mine to command, not heaven’s! I will live proudly and create my own world, never yielding to heaven or fate again!” Yu Shang lifted his head, his gaze resolute as he stared at the sky. Having been a pawn for the first part of his life, he vowed to author the next chapter himself. He was no tragic figure crushed by heaven’s will but one destined to reshape the world.

“Though your cultivation is impressive, it falls short of the pinnacle. Even ancient gods cannot shake heaven’s decree, let alone someone like you. Perhaps you possess rare skills, but remember, they stem from enlightenment within heaven and earth. You have no foundation to contend with heaven itself,” Ye Wangchen shook his head helplessly. He once held similar hopes, but reality proved such dreams futile.

“If you only blame heaven and retreat, you’ll never reach the heights you seek. Only through effort can you discover what’s possible. No matter how faint the hope, I will never give up. I will become the person I want to be!” Yu Shang’s thoughts, previously shared only with his closest confidant, poured out now in a rare, lengthy discourse to Ye Wangchen. Though Ye Wangchen could not fully understand him, Yu Shang felt a measure of relief in unburdening his soul.