Chapter 184: Mutual Recognition, Su Han’s Desperate Path

As Gu An plucked herbs, a small smile tugged at his lips.

He had heard Zhang Bukui’s words.

It gave him a sense of both satisfaction and accomplishment.

“Zhang Shixiong, did you ever imagine that one day… I’d become your son’s greatest support?”

His thoughts drifted back to decades ago—to a time when Cheng Xuandan was still around, spending his days refining pills in seclusion.

Back then, Zhang Chunqiu had been the one leading him, Li Ya, and Meng Lang in their daily work.

But now, after all these years, out of the five original masters and disciples, only he and Li Ya remained.

Time was relentless.

Some people, some memories—faded away, erased by the march of time.

Golden leaves drifted through the valley.

Sun Da, Sun Er, and Sun San followed closely behind Gu An, occasionally asking him questions.

Unlike Luo Hun, Lü Xian, and Ji Ruolai, who rarely interacted with them, Gu An always took the time to chat with them whenever he visited.

He even brought them spirit fruits this time—a rare delicacy.

Though the three monkeys were demonic slaves, Gu An never looked down on them.

Just like with Tian Yao’er, he treated all living beings with fairness.

To him, even an ordinary monkey demon had its own unique personality and charm.

“Who knows? Maybe one day, these three will find their own great opportunity.”

As they walked, Gu An spoke of the Demonic Cataclysm, describing the horrors of both evil demons and wicked humans.

Hearing how dangerous the outside world was, the three monkey demons immediately abandoned any thought of leaving the valley.

They trusted Gu An—they knew he wouldn’t lie to them.

Suddenly, Lü Xian appeared beside Gu An.

“Valley Master, do you think humans and demons can ever live in harmony?” he asked.

Gu An crouched down and replied, “Why not?

“Before the Demonic Cataclysm, humans fought among themselves just as fiercely.

“Survival struggles exist between individuals, but when it escalates into full-scale war, it’s always because a handful of those in power have made the decision.” 𝖗𝘼₦ő₿ΕŞ

Lü Xian’s interest was piqued.

“So, you’re saying that this war between humans and demons isn’t some inevitable heavenly tribulation?”

The three monkey demons also turned to listen.

Gu An smiled.

“If a mountain forest had no cultivators or demons—only ordinary beasts—would they bring about a catastrophe that destroys the entire forest?

“No.

“There would be fights for survival, but nothing that would upend the entire ecosystem.”

Lü Xian found the logic compelling.

“So, if the leaders of both races chose to cooperate, peace would be possible?”

“Even if peace were achieved, the struggle for survival would never stop.

“But at least it wouldn’t be this disastrous.”

Gu An stood up and added, “But these thoughts are meaningless.

“We can’t change the grand tides of history.

“Thinking too much about it won’t help.

“Better to focus on living the best life we can in the present.”

Lü Xian nodded, then coughed awkwardly.

“Actually, I came to ask for your guidance on the Black Tortoise Tidal Palm.”

Gu An raised an eyebrow.

“You’re the one who taught me palm techniques. How am I supposed to give you guidance?”

His gaze turned slightly cold.

Lü Xian quickly explained, “Exactly because I taught you, I want to hear your insights.

“Even if you aren’t stronger than me, a different perspective might give me unexpected inspiration.”

Gu An found that reasoning acceptable.

“Fine, but let me finish my work first.”

“Understood!” Lü Xian quickly stepped aside.

After handing over the herbs to the three monkey demons, Gu An took Lü Xian into a pavilion.

Without being told, Lü Xian immediately set up barriers around them.

Neither Luo Hun nor Ji Ruolai questioned it.

Even though they all served Li Xuandao, they each had their own secrets—especially when it came to cultivation.

After half an hour, Lü Xian finally left, while Gu An prepared to depart.

Watching Gu An soar into the sky on his sword, Lü Xian’s heart filled with admiration.

“This man is truly remarkable.”

He had Nascent Soul cultivation and extraordinary comprehension, yet he deliberately concealed his strength, choosing to play the role of a simple valley master.

Lü Xian had investigated Gu An’s past—

He had no deep grudges to avenge.

Even the Ji family supported him.

“That means his patience and ambition are beyond what most people can imagine.”

Lü Xian respected him even more.

“A moment of glory means nothing. True ambition lies in immortality.”

He also thought of Li Xuandao—the only person who knew Li Xuandao’s true cultivation.

No wonder Li Xuandao admired Gu An so much.

“This is what it means when great minds recognize each other.”

Then, a funny thought crossed his mind.

“Neither of them actually knows each other’s true cultivation… I wonder what’ll happen when they finally find out?”

As winter set in, a major event shook the cultivation world.

The Taixuan Sect had sent an entire demon army to reinforce the northern front!

Among them were Grand Ascension-level Demon Kings.

At first, the world was outraged, accusing the Taixuan Sect of colluding with demons.

But as this demon army crushed enemy forces, the accusations vanished, replaced by widespread excitement.

Victory after victory boosted the morale of the Taixuan Sect.

Yet, despite these successes, the crisis still loomed.

The demonic horde seemed endless—as if no matter how many were slain, more would always appear.

Apart from tending herbs, Gu An spent most of his time descending the mountain to slay demons.

His lifespan had already surpassed six million years.

That winter, more and more disciples were sent out on missions, causing both the Outer Sect and Inner Sect cities to grow noticeably emptier.

Meanwhile, Gu An felt a terrifying demonic aura brewing in the north.

A Rogue Immortal’s aura.

“It must be the Demon Ancestor!”

Deep within the Demonic Domain, there might also be powerful cultivators from the Seven Star Spirit Realm.

So for now, Gu An refrained from making a move.

But the moment the Demon Ancestor descended south, if he dared to step into human territory—

Gu An would strike immediately!

The Seven Star Spirit Realm might claim to be a sacred land, but they wouldn’t openly attack humanity.

That night, Gu An habitually scanned the world with his divine sense.

His attention was drawn to a forest.

There, Su Han was hiding in the underbrush, his breath weak and clearly injured.

He was using a treasure to conceal his aura, but the Thirteen Fiends of the Nine Nether Path were still circling within a hundred-mile radius, searching for him.

“Did he offend the Nightshade Ghost Mother?”

Gu An didn’t intervene—he simply watched.

For seven days, Su Han remained hidden.

As Gu An roamed the mortal world, he continued to monitor him.

To his surprise—

Su Han was investigating Zhen Qin.

“What is he planning?”

Gu An narrowed his eyes.

He wouldn’t allow Su Han to harm Zhen Qin.

If Su Han dared to make a move,

Gu An would not stand by.

Zhen Qin hesitated for a moment before standing up.

She walked over to Ye Lan and whispered, “Shishu, I’ve encountered a small issue while cultivating. I need to take off my robes for a bit, so I’d like to be alone in the woods.”

Ye Lan opened her eyes, concerned. “Do you need my help?”

“It’s nothing serious. You know my cultivation method is unique.”

Zhen Qin smiled reassuringly. Seeing that her smile didn’t seem forced, Ye Lan nodded in agreement.

Shortly after, Zhen Qin left the encampment.

She walked deep into the woods, not stopping until she had traveled several miles.

Then, she halted.

Ahead, beneath a tree, a lone figure stood with his back to her.

“Su Han Shixiong… is that you?”

She asked cautiously.

The man slowly turned.

His face was pale as a corpse, his once-dark hair now completely white.

His bone sword was gone.

He forced a smile—a fragile, bitter expression.

“It’s me. Come here.”

Zhen Qin hesitated but stepped forward.

When she was just seven steps away, she suddenly felt herself walking into a restriction.

Her expression changed instantly.

“Don’t be alarmed,” Su Han said calmly.

“It’s just my artifact. It blocks divine sense detection—so the Nightshade Ghost Mother and the Thirteen Fiends of the Nine Nether Path won’t find me.”

Zhen Qin sighed in relief.

Still, she maintained a cautious distance.

“Shixiong… is there really no way for you to turn back?”

Su Han let out a wry chuckle, his voice filled with sorrow.

“Turn back?”

“What road is there left to take?”

“My hands are already stained with too much blood. Even if I crippled my own cultivation, my enemies would never let me live.”

Zhen Qin sensed something was off about him.

“Do you need medicine for your injuries?” she asked quickly.

Su Han shook his head.

“No. I came to see you because I have a favor to ask.”

Zhen Qin frowned slightly.

“What is it?”

Before she could react—

Su Han suddenly moved.

His right hand pressed against her forehead.

Her eyes widened in shock, terror flooding her gaze.

She realized—

She couldn’t move.

In that moment, Su Han’s expression turned icy cold.

“Sh-… Shixiong…”

Zhen Qin managed to choke out two words.

Before she could say more, a powerful surge of spiritual energy invaded her body, silencing her completely.

In a distant town, Gu An paused mid-swing, his sword slicing through a demon.

A frown formed on his face.

His expression grew complicated.

After a moment, he turned away and continued slaying demons.

All around him, other cultivators were also engaged in battle.

In the forest, Su Han gazed at Zhen Qin’s fearful eyes and spoke softly.

“Don’t be afraid, Shimei.

“I won’t hurt you.

“But I have nowhere left to go. I will die soon.

“Before that, I will pass all my cultivation to you… to change your fate.”

Zhen Qin’s pupils dilated.

Memories of the Outer Sect City surged in her mind—

Back then, when the sect tried to sacrifice its disciples, Su Han had fought desperately to protect her, helping her escape.

That debt of gratitude had never left her mind.

No matter how much evil Su Han had committed—

He had never wronged her.

Everyone could condemn him.

But she could not.

“The Nightshade Ghost Mother taught me the Reverse Fate Divine Art.”

“She wanted me to enter the Nine Nether Path, but I never understood her true intentions.”

“But one thing is certain—I will not have a good ending.”

“In that hidden realm, I managed to steal a Grand Ascension artifact, breaking free from them.”

“But… I was severely wounded in the process. My time is short.”

Su Han smiled bitterly.

“The Hatred Heaven Divine Sword ends with me.”

“I spent my life seeking revenge, yet I still don’t know who my true enemies are.”

“But after all these years, I finally understand—anyone who wields this sword is destined to make countless enemies.”

“Maybe… I’ve already completed my revenge without realizing it.”

He looked into her tear-filled eyes and continued.

“Shimei… you and I were born ordinary.

“In the cultivation world, we are no different from ants.”

“The Hatred Heaven Divine Sword was my only chance to break free from fate.”

“I may have failed, but at least… my life was not dull.”

“Now, you will inherit the rest of my life…”

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