Yue Jiuming followed Jin Yulan's words, believing that killing the Ten Thousand Ghost King would save his beloved Liu Mei.
However, what he didn't know was that this was merely a scheme of using a borrowed knife to kill.
If he hadn't been so hasty and flustered, with his intelligence and resourcefulness, he would never have become a tool manipulated by a few words.
But he, wanting so desperately to save his Liu Mei, wanting to bear everything for her, acted recklessly.
One could only sigh at the infatuation of men and women, love and its absence.
Yue Jiuming traveled day and night under the cover of darkness, arriving at Black Mountain.
However, since the gathering of ten thousand ghosts, Black Mountain had become a forbidden zone for outsiders, except for the Ghost Clan.
The foot of the mountain was naturally heavily guarded. He saw countless flickering lights at the base of the mountain, like the ghost fires of the Yellow Springs, or like stars in the sky.
If he tried to force his way up, he would likely be severely injured and die before even reaching the summit.
He had to think of another way. He gazed at the Black Mountain before him, noticing the vast emptiness surrounding it.
He decided to walk around the mountain to see if there was any breakthrough.
Thus, he lightly leaped, landing on the treetops, and then leaped again, circling the perimeter of Black Mountain. Before long, he reached the back of the mountain.
He suddenly discovered that the back of Black Mountain was unguarded, with no one watching.
Just as he was rejoicing, thinking he could ascend from here and kill the Ten Thousand Ghost King, he saw endless cliffs soaring into the clouds.
As he drew closer, he detected a foul odor, like that of decaying corpses.
Not far away, there was an open grassland, where the turf seemed to undulate slightly, with bubbles emerging from beneath.
It was then he understood why the back of the mountain was unguarded: it was due to the presence of swamps and miasma. Venturing up rashly would likely lead to poisoning and death.
But he could no longer afford to be concerned about that. For Liu Mei, he had to take a gamble.
With that, he leaped up, stepping into the swamp, and quickly pushed off.
Like a feather, he lightly sprang up, stepping on a rock and ascending.
At that time, I learned that the Four Cities had dispatched their troops and were heading towards Black Mountain, so I summoned Lin'er to my chambers to discuss countermeasures.
"Elder, the Four Cities are coming with great force this time, likely intending to annihilate us. What should we do?"
Lin'er's brow furrowed slightly. He perhaps already suspected that Black Mountain was in grave danger, and began to confide in me about the impending threat.
"Ghost King, if I may be so bold, it has already taken us considerable time to gather all the members of the Ghost Clan.
Furthermore, our clan members have not engaged in combat for many years, and I fear we will be unable to withstand the attack from the Four Cities."
I had also considered what he said. Even so, we could not simply stand by and watch Black Mountain fall, and the Ghost Clan be destroyed once more.
Even with the slightest hope, I had to protect Black Mountain and the Ghost Clan.
"Elder, please think of another way, and try to minimize our losses while preserving Black Mountain."
"Very well, I will certainly devise a foolproof plan."
"Indeed, we cannot let the Ghost Clan perish under my watch. How could we face the fallen elders then?"
When I mentioned his uncle, Lin'er's buried longing surged like a tide.
Even after so long, he still found it difficult to forget every detail of his uncle's teachings.
His uncle's greatest wish in life was to revitalize the Ghost Clan, but he passed away before he could realize it.
As his nephew and direct disciple, Lin'er naturally had the obligation to fulfill this wish for him.
And so did I. I bore not just the expectations of a few individuals, but the wishes of tens of thousands, and my own aspirations.
Meanwhile, Yue Jiuming ascended the back mountain effortlessly and entered the Bright Moon Palace.
He was delighted at how easily he had entered Black Mountain. As he took a step forward, his body suddenly felt weak, and he leaned forward.
He hastily supported himself against the wall, shaking his head, trying to clear his senses.
It seemed the miasma was indeed no small matter. If not for his profound cultivation, he would have likely been invaded by the miasma halfway up, his internal organs affected, and he would have fallen down the mountain to his death.
Thinking this, he felt a wave of weakness, but he still forced himself to move forward.
In the dark night, as the wind began to rise, a flying knife, like a silver moon, silently flew towards him. He raised his sword and deflected it.
Then several more flew at him. He continuously swung his sword to block them, but he was already somewhat weakened. With a momentary lapse, he was slashed on the arm by a flying knife.
He could only lean on his sword for support, trying to regulate his rapid breathing.
In a daze, he saw a white figure dart out like a startled bird, launching several flying knives from her hand.
Yue Jiuming raised his sword to block again. After a few exchanges, he began to falter, and with a slip, he was wounded by the flying knives several more times.
The white-clad figure saw him swaying unsteadily, his strength failing, and knew he had been poisoned by the miasma.
She had only known about the miasma on the back mountain, but she hadn't expected it to be so potent.
She leaped from the rooftop and landed before Yue Jiuming. Smelling the strong miasma on him, she frowned and asked.
"Did you come from the back mountain?"
"So what if I did?"
"Why did you come to Black Mountain?"
"It's none of your business."
Yan Wushuang found him somewhat amusing. This person, clearly at his wit's end, was still so arrogant. He truly had no idea of the immensity of heaven and earth.
If he had been honest, she might have been able to save him.
As they were both lost in their own thoughts, they suddenly heard a reprimand from behind.
"How audacious! Even an immortal passing through this ghost swamp on the back mountain would lose half their life, let alone a fool like you who courts death."
Hei Feng emerged from the shadows beside them, as fond of mockery as ever.
Yue Jiuming, however, refused to yield. He braced himself and slowly stood up, a look of sincerity on his face, pleading with his enemy.
"I heard that the Ten Thousand Ghost King is a benevolent ruler. I wish to see him.
However, in my current state, I am on the verge of death. Could you allow me to see him before I die?"
"You wish to see the Ghost King? I doubt your intentions are so pure."
Hei Feng saw through his intentions.
Seeing his pitiful state, Yan Wushuang's chivalrous spirit was ignited.
Upon noticing his attire, which bore a resemblance to Yue Jiuming, whom she had met once before, she softened her heart and said.
"If that's the case, then wait here. I'll go call her."
"Hey, don't go..."
Hei Feng tried to stop her, but she merely said.
"Watch him."
Then she turned and left to find the Ghost King.
Hei Feng let out a helpless sigh and shook his head.
"Alas, women are just too soft-hearted."
Lin'er and I were discussing matters when we suddenly heard Yan Wushuang's voice from outside the room.
"Mu Ye, someone wishes to see you."
I looked at Lin'er with confusion. He said.
"Go and see."
I followed him out of the room and saw Yan Wushuang waiting by the door. I asked with confusion.
"Who wishes to see me?"
"That person looks like someone you know, but I'm not entirely sure."
Someone I know? I had indeed met many people on this journey, and I wondered who it could be.
However, anyone who could come to Black Mountain was a friend, so it was best to go and see. With that thought, I said.
"Then quickly take me to meet the visitor."
"Yes, Mu Ye, Elder, please follow me."
"Alright."
Yan Wushuang led the way, with Lin'er and I following behind.
We passed through the rear garden and went further in, walking along a gravel path beside the garden, arriving at an inconspicuous small courtyard.
The small courtyard was pitch black, so dark that one couldn't see their hand in front of their face.
There was no moon that night; only the red lanterns hanging outside provided some light. Inside, it was extremely dim, with only two blurry, moving figures visible.
As I reached the courtyard entrance, I heard Yan Wushuang call out into the darkness.
"The person you wished to see has arrived. Speak your mind."
As soon as the words left her mouth, a figure flew out from the darkness. A gleaming long sword, like the autumn water of a bright moon, attacked.
Yan Wushuang didn't have time to react before the person had already passed her and was rushing towards me.
The tip of the sword pointed directly at my throat. In that moment of life and death, I suddenly heard the person exclaim.
"Mu Ye!"
Then, in a split second, they stopped their sword and spun around, landing to the side.
I looked closely and saw that the attacker was none other than the familiar Yue Jiuming. Brother Yue, but what… what was that just now?
"Brother Yue!"
I exclaimed in surprise, noticing the Moon Shadow Sword in his hand glowing faintly in the lamplight, exuding an icy aura.
He suddenly hardened his expression, raising his sword to point at me, yet his face was filled with disbelief.
"I heard from others that the Ten Thousand Ghost King is a woman. I thought it was someone else.
I never imagined, never imagined it would be you! Why is it you! Why!"
Yue Jiuming's heart was pierced by a thousand knives. He never expected that Mu Ye, whom he considered his closest friend, was actually the Ten Thousand Ghost King he hated the most.
He could never have imagined that she would deceive him.
Recalling every past moment, it was all a deception. Every smile, every glance was a deception. He couldn't accept this reality, couldn't accept it.
I was at a loss for words, unsure of where to begin. Yan Wushuang, at this moment, finally confirmed that the person before them was indeed Yue Jiuming.
Seeing his misunderstanding, she tried to explain on my behalf.
"There are many reasons for this. Mu Ye was also forced."
"Forced? Is ruling Black Mountain and gathering ten thousand ghosts also being forced?"
Yue Jiuming almost roared, his eyes filled with disbelief, tears on the verge of falling.
Yan Wushuang still wanted to say something, but I stopped her and chose to explain myself.
"I know that no matter what I say, you won't believe me. I only want to ask you, why did you take such a great risk to come here?"
He laughed self-mockingly, not answering me directly, but instead said with grief.
"Liu Mu Ye, oh Liu Mu Ye, I, Yue Jiuming, have seen countless people, yet I was blind to you alone.
To think I considered you a confidant and friend, yet you deceived me. Was everything in the past just your false act? It must have been tiring to deceive me for so long."
Hearing his heart-wrenching words, I had long guessed that once they knew I was the Ten Thousand Ghost King, no one would be able to accept it.
But, but what could I do? I had reasons to continue down this path.
Even if I wasn't understood by everyone, even if he hated me, or disliked me, it didn't matter… it didn't matter.
I silently wept in my heart, but still said to him.
"Everything I did for you in the past was from the bottom of my heart. I truly considered you a friend, without any deception."
"Even now, you still want to deceive me?"
He still didn't believe me.
"No, I didn't want to deceive anyone. Everything I did for you was sincere.
I know it's difficult for you to accept my identity as the Ten Thousand Ghost King, and I don't force you. I only wish you well and to take care of yourself."
"Hahaha, ridiculous, utterly ridiculous! Since I know you are the Ten Thousand Ghost King today, I will naturally take your dog's life."
"If that is the case, then strike."
I knew that no matter what I said, he wouldn't believe me. If this could make him feel any better, then it was worth it.
So I opened my arms, giving him the courage.
"If you dare to kill the Ghost King, you won't leave here alive!"
Hei Feng threatened.
He looked at me, heard Hei Feng's words, and then thought of Liu Mei. Since everything led to death, he might as well die a swift death. With a hardened heart, he sneered.
"With the Ten Thousand Ghost King as my escort, what do I have to fear? Die!"
Saying this, he thrust his sword forward. I did not dodge or evade, and he plunged it directly into my left chest.
Everyone was shocked, not expecting him to actually dare to act. Just as they were about to step forward to kill him, I quickly called out.
"Let him go!"
Everyone turned their heads, looking at me in confusion. I repeated.
"Let him go."
Yue Jiuming was stunned, looking at me incredulously.
I slowly took out the piece of paper I had kept for a long time, filled with emotion.
"Things have changed, and all is as it was, yet words fail me, and tears flow first."
I couldn't help but shed tears, reminiscing about the past.
"Brother Yue, do you remember Qiancao Peak? That's where we first met. You not only saved me, but you also helped me gather herbs, and even helped me teach that quack doctor Luo a lesson.
I was very grateful to meet such a good person as you.
But that day, you left in too much of a hurry. I didn't have time to repay your kindness, and only saw the note you left on the door.
I've kept this note all along, thinking that if I saw you again, I could repay your kindness."
Hearing my words, Yue Jiuming recalled the little girl who had fallen off the cliff.
He remembered waiting for her on the mountain for a day and a night, and the insignificant note he had left on the door before leaving.
He never expected that she would still keep it, preserving it all this time.
Yue Jiuming, holding back his tears, slowly took the note. It was perfectly preserved, without any damage.
On the note, his original words were still clearly written.
"Mu Ye, I've gone down the mountain first. Take care of yourself."
These few words had melted away much of his pain, confusion, and grief.
He clutched the note tightly in his hand, as if seeing the Liu Mu Ye he first knew.
He smiled faintly, and a tear of warmth traced its way down his eye and fell to the ground.
Fortunately, he was wearing a veil, which prevented anyone from seeing him shed tears.
However, the fact that I was the Ten Thousand Ghost King was a reality before him, and he couldn't convince himself of it anytime soon.
As the saying goes, good and evil are irreconcilable. After leaving this time, we would never meet again.
Hei Feng, Yan Wushuang, and Lin'er listened to our past story, all moved.
Yet they also lamented Yue Jiuming's deep-seated prejudice, which ultimately led him to sever this bond of friendship alone.
He coldly withdrew his sword, and I, losing my balance, fell backward into Yan Wushuang's arms.
He looked at me, a sense of sorrow rising in his heart, but he still told himself that she was the Ten Thousand Ghost King, no longer the innocent and warm Liu Mu Ye of the past.
Then he let out a long sigh and laughed up at the sky.
"Hahaha, for a moment, I don't know what to say.
Well, since you still care about our past affections, I won't kill you.
But if we meet again in the future, you will be the demon, and I will be the righteous path. I will show no mercy."
"Alright, I understand. After you return this time, you must take good care of yourself and not harm your body for trivial matters."
Yue Jiuming smiled helplessly. He never expected that even in such a state, I was still thinking of him. Thus, he said.
"Alright, don't worry, I will take good care of myself. Farewell."
Saying this, he turned to leave, but his head suddenly spun, and then his vision went black as he collapsed.
It seemed that in order to use that final move, he had exerted all his strength, leading to exhaustion and the spread of the miasma's poison.
What he had intended… was mutual destruction.