Spoiled Eldest Miss x Two-faced Madman

CHAPTER 68: The Reins That Bind the Demon

　　“Back in those days…”

　　Master Zhenyi still clearly remembered the day Pei Zhou brought his wife to Wuyin Temple.

　　The man wore a worn blue robe, and though his nature had always been gentle and composed, that day, his eyes were filled with grief and hatred.

　　Pei Zhou had called Master Zhenyi ‘Shishu’ (uncle)—back before Master Zhenyi became a monk, he and Pei Zhou had some familial connection and were old acquaintances.

　　Master Zhenyi naturally knew all too well what had happened to Pei Zhou.

　　Pei Zhou's wife was named Xia Yan, a maid who had grown up by his side. They were childhood sweethearts, a perfect match made by fate. After growing up, their feelings blossomed into love, and they married—truly a couple blessed by the heavens.

　　However, life rarely goes as one wishes. Not long after their marriage, Xia Yan became pregnant, but Pei Zhou diagnosed that her body was not suited for bearing children—continuing with the pregnancy would surely harm her.

　　Pei Zhou didn’t want to keep the child, but Xia Yan, not wanting her husband to be without an heir, insisted on giving birth.

　　Helpless, Pei Zhou went to the Western Regions to find an extremely rare medicinal herb to make a pill that could protect her health.

　　But that journey was the start of all the misfortunes.

　　The Western Regions were occupied by the Demonic Sect. Though Pei Zhou was highly skilled in medicine, his martial arts weren’t exceptional.

　　He went incognito to the Western Regions and happened to witness the Demonic Sect massacring civilians. Kind-hearted by nature, Pei Zhou couldn’t bear to see others suffer and stepped in to save them.

　　As a result, he was captured by the Demonic Sect. Seeing his outstanding medical skills, they brought him to their main base to meet their Saintess.

　　“This so-called Saintess wasn’t just a title. She belonged to an independent branch of the sect that specialized in poisons. Every generation of the Saintess was a master of toxic arts—able to kill silently and unseen.”

　　That generation’s Saintess was named Hua Mei. She had never seen such a refined and noble Central Plains man before—especially one whose medical skills were so extraordinary, and whose temperament was so unlike the cruel men of the Demonic Sect. At first sight, she was captivated.

　　Hua Mei made a proposition: if Pei Zhou would stay in the sect for two months and teach her Central Plains medicine, she would personally ensure he was allowed to leave.

　　Pei Zhou agreed.

　　At that time, Xia Yan was still waiting in Medicine King Valley, already four months pregnant.

　　Pei Zhou honored the agreement. During his two months in the sect, he never attempted escape. He taught Hua Mei everything she asked sincerely and fully.

　　He was eager to return home and believed that since he’d fulfilled the deal, he would be allowed to leave as promised.

　　But when the time came, that demonic woman went back on her word. Despite the two months being up, she refused to let him go and even shamelessly confessed her feelings, saying she wished to marry him.

　　Even when Pei Zhou clearly stated that he already had a wife and child, Hua Mei shamelessly claimed she didn’t mind.

　　Hua Mei didn’t mind—but Pei Zhou did.

　　Realizing the Demonic Sect wouldn’t honor their promise, Pei Zhou escaped, traveling thousands of miles back to the Central Plains.

　　By then, Xia Yan was over seven months pregnant.

　　Pei Zhou didn’t know that Hua Mei, upon learning of his escape, immediately gave chase.

　　She had always been a prodigy in the art of poison, and with the knowledge she had gleaned from his teachings, her skills had grown terrifyingly deep.

　　Hua Mei stormed into the Valley of the Medicine King, only to stumble upon Pei Zhou and his wife sharing a tender, loving moment. Jealousy surged through her, and right in front of Pei Zhou, she poisoned Xia Yan with her deadliest concoction – a poison with no known antidote, not even for Hua Mei herself. Xia Yan was on the brink of death. 

　　In a desperate attempt to save her, Pei Zhou used the Valley's most precious herbs – a thousand-year-old ganoderma and snow lotus – pouring his life's work into creating a medicine that kept Xia Yan alive. He then imprisoned Hua Mei, torturing her to reveal the antidote. But even Hua Mei didn't know how to counteract the poison. 

　　Pei Zhou was practically driven mad. Night after night, he researched, searched, and poured over ancient texts, finding nothing that could save his wife. Within a month, the once elegant and refined gentleman transformed into a cold, distant man. Patients flocked to the Medicine King Valley seeking his help, but he ignored them, burying himself in his work, desperately searching for a cure. 

　　Then, news arrived about a Hua Shan disciple expelled for practicing witchcraft. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Pei Zhou found the expelled disciple, Wu Sheng. He helped Wu Sheng, who in turn found a solution: the Twin-soul Gu. 

　　The Twin-soul Gu, despite its name, wasn't about shared life or death; it was a life-for-a-life exchange, with a specific condition. Xia Yan was nine months pregnant and unconscious from the poison, suffering seizures in her sleep. Without an antidote, both she and the baby would die. 

　　To save his wife and child, Pei Zhou found a man born on the same day as Xia Yan, drugged him, and forced him to have sex with his wife as a means of curing her. The most agonizing part? Pei Zhou had to watch, ensuring the process went smoothly. 

　　Xia Yan woke up during this, witnessing the act with a stranger while her husband coldly observed. Unknowing of the events leading to this, she was devastated. A weak woman devoted to her husband, she couldn't bear the shock. 

　　The detoxification was successful, but the trauma triggered Xia Yan's labor. She gave birth to a son, who, having absorbed some of the poison from his mother, was born slightly poisoned, though not immediately life-threatening. 

　　Pei Zhou didn't even look at the child. 

　　He wondered if things would have been different if they hadn't conceived. He abandoned the baby, never seeing him again. Xia Yan became insane, and Pei Zhou took her to Wu Yin Temple for peace and recovery, but her health continued to deteriorate. (T/N: Oi, you’re blaming the baby? If you knew your wife had a weak body, then use something to prevent the pregnancy! Hah, love your partner but hate the child? You deserved to meet that mad woman, Hua Mei! 🙄)

　　Meanwhile, the leader of the Demonic Sect tracked down Hua Mei, demanding her return. Master Zhenyi fought the demonic sect leader, both suffering heavy losses, and Hua Mei was rescued from Pei Zhou's custody.

　　But by this time, Hua Mei had also gone mad from the torture. None of the three in this story had a happy ending. Xia Yan was the most innocent, suffering unjustly. Even with Pei Zhou's desperate efforts, she died a few years after giving birth to Pei Ji. Pei Zhou himself fell ill with depression and died young. 

　　As for Hua Mei… 

　　“That’s why I told you this story,” Master Zhenyi continued, “Hua Mei was tortured by Pei Zhou, her meridians reversed, driving her mad. Now that the Demonic Sect has obtained that secret manual, they might be able to repair her meridians. She harbors resentment towards your parents and might seek revenge. You must be prepared.”

　　He finished, took a sip of tea, and set down his cup. He noticed the young man sitting before him, still smiling faintly, seemingly unmoved by the story. His long lashes drooped, his dark eyes hidden in shadow, revealing nothing of his true emotions. 

　　Pei Ji was undeniably Pei Zhou's son; they looked remarkably alike, especially in their bearing – both elegant, refined gentlemen. But Pei Ji was gentler and softer than his father, a smile often playing on his lips, like a mask. 

　　“Pei Ji,” Master Zhenyi said earnestly, “this old monk will say this: your parents were overwhelmed with their own troubles, perhaps neglecting you, but their love for you was no different from any other parent's.” 

　　As he finished, a low chuckle echoed. The young man in white raised his eyelids, his dark eyes slightly narrowed, a glimmer in them. He held a folding fan, partially obscuring his lower face, a playful smile playing on his lips and eyes. 

　　“Master, thank you for telling me all this. It’s solved a mystery that’s plagued me for years,” he said slowly, his voice devoid of fear or anger, only amusement and a hint of excitement. 

　　So…that’s how he got his poison. This was a question Pei Ji had been searching for across two lifetimes. And it was Master Zhenyi who finally provided the answer.

　　He wondered briefly if he would have received this answer in his past life if he hadn't killed Master Zhenyi. The thought flitted through his mind, but Pei Ji didn't dwell on it. He wasn't one to get bogged down in the past; his previous life was over, and this was a fresh start. 

　　“Hua Mei…if she comes, let her. I’d like to see just how skilled her poison techniques are. And if she doesn’t come to me, I’ll go find her,” Pei Ji said, his eyes crinkling at the corners in anticipation. 

　　He genuinely looked forward to meeting Hua Mei, the woman who had killed Xia Yan, manipulated Pei Zhou, caused him years of suffering, and destroyed his family. The fact that she could create such a potent poison showed her skill was undeniable. And that made it all the more interesting. 

　　Pei Ji had thought there was no one who could match him; discovering this woman stirred something within his usually calm demeanor. He recognized the thrill of meeting a worthy opponent. 

　　As for revenge for his parents? Pei Ji felt nothing for Pei Zhou, and even less for the Xia Yan he’d never met. Hearing this story was like watching a play; it evoked no emotion, leaving him completely unmoved. 

　　Nevertheless, revenge was still due. Hua Mei had to die. Just as he didn't care about the martial artists who had attacked him in the past, but since they dared to attack him, they had to face the consequences.

　　Hua Mei had made him suffer from poison for so many years; he would naturally seek revenge. The thought deepened the curve of Pei Ji's eyes. 

　　Master Zhenyi, his old eyes sharp and keen, watched the young man, whose excitement was barely contained, and sighed softly, saying nothing. From the moment he first saw Pei Ji, he'd sensed a duality. Now, he saw something far more unsettling: a cold, heartless nature, the heart of a born demon. 

　　As his own death approached, Master Zhenyi wondered if helping Pei Ji had been right or wrong. The only thing that gave him hope was Pei Ji's concern for the young woman. The Pei family was known for their passionate nature; while seemingly spoiled, the young woman possessed a kind heart, and if she could somehow restrain this demon, then his actions might be considered a virtuous deed. 

　　As the saying goes, monks are compassionate, Buddhas save the world. Even if he was a demon, Buddha had compassion.

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T/N: This chapter left me speechless. Sigh, Pei Zhou he didn’t torture that shameless woman enough. I just feel bad for Pei Ji and his mom.

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