Chapter Nineteen: Reunion of Parents in the City of Shadows and Light

The sky appeared dim, gray shadows flickering overhead. Within the violently trembling Underworld City, a hidden passage slowly revealed itself suspended in midair. From this secret path surged a powerful, oppressive force, a sensation of being devoured. Xiaoyin and Yushang struggled to suppress their resistance, allowing themselves to be drawn away by this overwhelming power. Once calm returned, the three vanished without a trace.

They found themselves once more in that ruined great hall, before the wall filled with magical images. Everything was as it had been; not a detail had changed, which brought Xiaoyin a sense of familiarity. Yushang, newly arrived, was instead drawn to a pillar carved with enigmatic patterns, gazing at it as if entranced.

“Brother Yushang, Ying’er hurts so much. The wound you gave me is so painful!” A voice filled with grief and resentment echoed in Yushang’s heart, and in that instant, the deepest regret and sorrow hidden within him burst forth. He looked up at the pillar’s carved, cold figure and seemed to see himself at that moment—indifferent, resentful, murderous. Driven by those dark emotions, Yushang had committed a deed that he still regretted. True, Ling Huan Ying had wronged him, but she did not deserve death! This thought consumed him, leaving him restless.

“What is wrong with me? No matter how much I hated her, how could I have killed her? She was Ying’er, the one I cherished most since childhood!” Yushang questioned himself in anguish, pounding his chest in grief.

Seeing Yushang in such pain, Xiaoyin could not help but ache for him. He stepped forward and grabbed the nearly broken Yushang, trying to halt his self-torment. “Enough, you fool! Stop blaming yourself. None of this was your fault. If Ling Huan Ying hadn’t tried to help her grandfather by controlling you and stealing the secret technique, she wouldn’t have drugged you and opened your spiritual gate. You wouldn’t have been overtaken by that powerful demonic will and lost control, doing something you could not resist. It was her own doing, not yours. Let it go, stop tormenting yourself!”

From the day Yushang was born, Xiaoyin had been bound to him, inseparable. Ling Huan Ying and Yushang had grown up together, childhood companions. Xiaoyin had watched them both grow, fully understanding Yushang’s love for Ying’er. Yet, he never approved of their relationship. Yushang’s devotion was beyond question, but Xiaoyin doubted Ying’er’s feelings. Her family affairs were too complex, and her emotions were mixed with external interests. From what Xiaoyin knew, she would betray her own feelings for family gain. In the end, she did not disappoint Xiaoyin—she chose her family over love. Xiaoyin disliked Ying’er, seeing her as selfish and faithless in matters of the heart. When Yushang lost control and killed her, Xiaoyin did not intervene. He believed her death would clear their path and spare Yushang from deceit and manipulation. She deserved her fate.

Strangely, Xiaoyin could forgive those who hurt himself, but not those who harmed Yushang. Was this the unique bond between contract-holder and contracted? He could accept harm to himself, but if anyone harmed those close to him, he became merciless and terrifying.

“Enough with this noise! Can’t a man have peace?” A voice rang out. On the white jade throne reclined a man in red robes, his face weary and languid. He frowned at Xiaoyin and the frantic Yushang, clearly displeased. With a casual gesture, he pointed, and Yushang, who had been in a frenzy moments ago, fell silent and collapsed, unconscious.

“What did you do to him? Did you tamper with that pillar?” Xiaoyin shouted angrily at the man.

“Do not be rude to the King!” the green-eyed black cat, silent until now, whispered a warning.

“These pillars are treasures I found by chance in a mysterious region of the Underworld. They are indestructible, infused with spiritual power, and even possess the ability to foresee the future. I placed them here to guard my hall. Such divine objects—how could I use them to harm the boy? If I truly wished him ill, do you think he could have entered my hall alive?” Fu Youming glanced at Xiaoyin, as if chastising him for his rashness.

“So what now? He can’t just stay unconscious forever,” Xiaoyin said, still worried.

“Relax, he’ll live. I saw the pillar confuse his mind, so I struck him to save his life. He’ll wake soon enough.” Fu Youming explained, seeing how much Xiaoyin cared for Yushang and not wishing him further distress.

“Oh, I see. As long as he wakes, it’s fine!” Xiaoyin patted his chest in relief.

Suddenly, Xiaoyin noticed something, glancing between Yushang and Fu Youming in confusion. “You two…” He hesitated, then lowered his head in thought. Fu Youming watched him with a meaningful smile before closing his eyes, ignoring the rest. The black cat stood aside, unsure what to do.

“What happened? Why am I lying on the ground?” Yushang opened his eyes, looked around, and quickly rose.

“You were acting crazy just now—I didn’t know what to do. Luckily, he saved your life,” Xiaoyin gestured to Fu Youming on the throne.

Yushang looked where Xiaoyin pointed and was stunned. The same eyes, the same nose, the same lips, even the noble aura between their brows—they were identical. Were it not for the missing right half of Fu Youming’s face, Yushang might have thought he was looking in a mirror. The two locked eyes in silence. For reasons unknown, Yushang felt as if the man on the throne was himself, a version of him living in another world. Their essence, their melancholy and determination, even the rhythm of their heartbeats were the same. Most people, upon meeting someone so similar, would think of a lost sibling. But Yushang felt this man was him—a self from another world.

“Why do you fall silent upon seeing me?” Fu Youming smiled at Yushang.

“Who are you?” Even as he spoke, Yushang felt the question foolish. Who else could sit on the throne of the Underworld Hall but Fu Youming, the legend who had once commanded all heroes?

“You actually want to know what connects us, why we look so alike?” Fu Youming seemed to read Yushang’s thoughts. “You could say you are me, and I am you. Yet, you could also say we have no connection now—two separate beings. I cannot explain further; when the time is right, you will understand.”

“That’s just empty words!” Xiaoyin interjected.

“Do you want another slap?” Fu Youming threatened, waving his hand. Xiaoyin quickly stepped back and fell silent. The black cat in the corner covered its mouth, snickering.

“Since you say we have no connection, I won’t pursue it. But why did you summon us here?” Yushang asked, diverting from the previous topic.

“I’m merely passing on a message for someone.” Fu Youming produced a jade bracelet and tossed it to Yushang. “Everything they wish to say is within. Take your time.”

Yushang caught the bracelet, feeling nostalgic. “This is my mother’s bracelet. I remember being mischievous as a child and nearly losing it, earning my father’s wrath. Since then, I never dared touch it again. Later, my mother told me it was their token of love. As a child, I didn’t understand love, but after falling for Ying’er, I realized why my parents treasured it so.” With that, he channeled his energy into the bracelet, unlocking a hidden compartment. A strand of consciousness emerged, floating in midair, slowly forming an image.

“Shang’er, have you been well these years? Your father and I miss you dearly. Don’t blame us for leaving you behind and traveling to another realm. We had no choice—had we not gone, chaos would have ensued, and you were too young. For your safety, we had to leave you. By now, you must be grown. Is there a young woman you fancy? If so, gift her this bracelet, and when your cultivation reaches a certain level, bring her to us for a family reunion!” The woman finished, covering her face and sobbing.

“Remember, you must cultivate diligently! You should know a little about the secrets within you. Find a way to unlock them, and when you succeed, you’ll find us. Your father and I will be waiting!” The man, stern moments before, now choked with emotion.

“Father, Mother, I will not let you down. Please wait for me!” Yushang knelt before the fading image, bowing deeply. When he lifted his head, tears streamed down his face. Such is the greatness of family; a few words could melt the coldest heart.

“Well, I’ve finally fulfilled their request and repaid my debt,” Fu Youming said, visibly relieved. Clearly, carrying this obligation had weighed on him—he disliked owing favors, and now the burden was gone.

“So all this trouble was for that? You could have brought us here directly, instead of putting us through ordeal after ordeal. I don’t know what you were thinking!” Xiaoyin, recalling their recent hardships, was indignant.

“Don’t be rude, Xiaoyin. He was testing us, helping us grow. Without trials, how can one become great?” Yushang smiled, as if he and Fu Youming truly shared a connection.

“If you don’t know where to go after leaving the Underworld City, you should travel the human realm. The hidden masters there rival those of the Underworld! Now, you must leave.” With a wave of his hand, Fu Youming sent Yushang and Xiaoyin outside the city in an instant.

“Are we really going to the human world?” Xiaoyin asked, worry in his voice.

“Just as Fu Youming said, the experts of the human realm are no fewer than in the Underworld. It’s perfect for our training. We might encounter those villains from the Celestial Realm, but if we don’t provoke them, they won’t trouble us. Xiaoyin, people must face their past; we can’t always run. If they try to cause you trouble again, my blade will answer them! Do you agree?” Yushang patiently comforted Xiaoyin.

“You brat, why act more mature than me? I never said I wouldn’t go—now hurry up!” Xiaoyin strode ahead, but a gratified smile spread across his face, fleeting and sincere.