Chapter 38 – Demon walking in the light


    From theyers of dark clouds in the sky, the spring rain fell.


    The raindrops were thin like hair. As they fell, they enveloped Qing Mao Mountain in ayer of fine mist.


    The dining hall on the first floor of the inn was rather empty. There were only four tables of guests.


    Fang Yuan sat at a seat by the window. A gust of wind blew, bringing with it a poetic atmosphere and


    the scent of flowers.


    “The light rain from the sky is sleek and crisp, the color of grass is seen from afar but disappears when


    close.” Fang Yuan looked outside through a window and quoted a poem lightly before he turned his


    sights back to the inn.


    Before him was a table filled with good wine and dishes. The color, smell and taste were all top notch.


    Especially the green bamboo wine which oozed with the fragrance of alcohol along with a hint of


    freshness. The dark green colored liquor sat quietly in the bamboo cup. From his angle, it shone with


    an amber-like luster.


    A grandfather and his grandson were sitting at the table nearest to him. Being mortal humans, they


    wore modest clothes.


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    The grandfather sipped his rice wine while looking enviously at Fang Yuan. He was evidently attracted


    to the green bamboo wine but could not afford it.


    The grandson ate his braised beans, a crunching sound emitting from his mouth as he chewed. At the


    same time, he pestered his grandfather, shaking his arm. “Grandpa, grandpa, tell me about the story of


    Ren Zu. If you don’t tell me, I’ll report to grandma that you secretly came out to drink!”


    “Sigh, I can’t even drink in peace.” The grandfather sighed but his face showed a doting expression


    towards the child. With his twig-like arm, he patted the boy’s head, “Then let me tell you the story of


    Ren Zu who gave his heart to the Hope Gu, escaping his predicament of being captured…”


    Ren Zu’s story was the most popr and widespread tale in this world, as well as the most ancient


    legend.


    The old man’s story was something like this.


    The story mentioned that Ren Zu was able to escape his predicament because of hope. But eventually


    he grew old and without Strength and Wisdom, he could no longer continue to hunt. Even his teeth fell


    off, making him unable to chew many wild fruits and vegetables.


    Ren Zu felt death slowly approaching.


    At this time, the Hope Gu said to him, “Human, you must not die. If you die, your heart will be lost and I


    will lose my only ce of residence.”


    Ren Zu was helpless. “Who wishes to die? But if the heavens and earth want me dead, I have no


    choice.”


    The Hope Gu said, “There’s always hope in everything. As long as you can catch a Longevity Gu, you


    will be able to increase your lifespan.”


    Ren Zu had heard of the existence of the Longevity Gu long ago but he waved his hand helplessly.


    “When the Longevity Gu stays still, nobody can detect it and when it flies, it is faster than light. How can


    I possibly catch it? It’s too hard!”


    The Hope Gu then told Ren Zu a secret, “Human, don’t give up hope no matter what. Let me tell you,


    on the northwest corner of this continent, there is a huge mountain. On the mountain, there is a cave


    and in that cave, there is a pair of round and square Gu worms. As long as you can subdue them, there


    is no Gu in this world that you cannot catch, including the Longevity Gu!”


    Ren Zu had no choice, this was hisst remaining hope.


    He braved all difficulties and finally found the mountain. He then risked his life and ventured through


    countless dangers to ascend the mountain. On the mountain top, near the cave entrance, he used his


    last remaining strength to slowly make his way in.


    The inside of the cave waspletely dark and one would not be able to even see their own fingers.


    Ren Zu walked in the darkness. Sometimes, he would bump into things not knowing what they were.


    This caused himself to get injured and wounded all over. At times, he felt that this dark cave was huge


    beyond words as if this was a world of its own. He felt as if he was the only person in the area.


    He spent a lot of time but he could not walk out of the darkness. Not to mention subduing the two Gu


    worms.


    Just when he was at a loss about what to do, two voices spoke to him from the darkness.


    One voice said, “Human, you’re here to catch us? Go back, for even if you had the Strength Gu, it


    would be impossible.”


    The other said, “Human, go back, we will not take your life. Even if you had the Wisdom Gu to help


    you, you may not be able to find us.


    Ren Zuid exhausted on the ground, panting. “The Strength and Wisdom Gu had left me long ago and


    I do not have much lifespan left so I’m at my wits end. But as long as there’s hope in my heart, I will not


    give up!”


    Hearing Ren Zu’s words, the two voices went silent.


    After a while, one of the Gu said, “I understand, human, you have already given your heart to the Hope


    Gu. You will not give up no matter what.”


    The other continued, “In that case, we shall give you a chance. As long as you can say our name, we


    will allow you to use us.”


    Ren Zu was stunned. To find their names among all the words in the world, it was akin to finding a


    needle in a haystack.


    Furthermore, he did not even know how many words were in their names.


    Ren Zu quickly asked the Hope Gu, but it did not know either.


    Ren Zu had no alternatives and had no choice but to randomly guess their names. He said many many


    names and wasted a lot of time but the darkness did not respond to him so evidently he was wrong.


    Eventually, Ren Zu’s breath got weaker as he turned from an old man into a dying man. It was like the


    scene of the evening’s setting sun. The sun that would slowly descending had already been lowered


    halfway across the horizon, bing a sunset.


    The food he had brought was gradually reduced, his brain bing slower and he barely had any


    energy to speak anymore.


    The voice in the darkness urged, “Human, you are almost dead, so we will let you go. Using your


    remaining time, you can climb out of the cave and take a final look at the world. But you have offended


    us, and as punishment, the Hope Gu shall stay here as ourpanion.”


    Ren Zu clenched his heart and rejected, “Even if I die, I will not give up hope!”


    The Hope Gu was very touched and answered Ren Zu’s call enthusiastically, emitting a bright light. At


    Ren Zu’s chest area, a light began to shine. But this light was too weak, it could not illuminate the


    darkness. In fact, it could not even cover Ren Zu’s entire body, but only engulfed his chest area.


    Yet Ren Zu could feel a renewed surge of energy gushing into his body from the Hope Gu.


    He continued to speak, shouting out names. But he was already muddled. A lot of names had already


    been said but he could not remember that and repeated them, wasting a lot of effort in the process.


    As time continued to flow, Ren Zu’s lifespan was almost over.


    Finally, when he was on his final day, he said out the word ‘Regtion’.


    A sigh came from the darkness as a voice spoke, “Human, I admire your perseverance. You have said


    my name, so from today onwards, I will obey yourmands. But only with my brother can I aid you in


    capturing all the Gu in the world. Otherwise, with my ability alone, it is impossible. Thus, you should


    give up. You’re almost dead, you might as well use this chance to take a final look at the world.”


    Ren Zu was determined and shook his head, he made use of all his time to continue saying out names


    as he tried to guess the other Gu worm’s name.


    Seconds and minutes went by and soon he only had one hour left.


    But at this time, he unknowingly said the word ‘Rule’.


    Immediately, the darkness dissipated.


    The two Gus appeared before him. As the Hope Gu had said, one was cubic, called ‘Regtions’. The


    other was spherical, called ‘Rules’. Together, they made up ‘Rules and Regtions’.


    The two Gu said together, “No matter who it is, as long as they know our names, we will listen to them.


    Human, since you know our names already, we will be at your service. But you must remember, it is


    important to not let others know of our names. The more people that know our names, the more people


    we have to obey them. Now that you are the first to subdue us, tell us your request.”


    Ren Zu was overjoyed. “Then I order you both, go and catch me a Longevity Gu.”


    The Rules and Regtions Gu worked together and captured an eighty-year Longevity Gu.


    Ren Zu was already a hundred years old but after consuming this Gu, the wrinkles on his face


    vanished and his frail limbs became muscr again. A vibrant aura of youth oozed from him.


    With a belly flop, he jumped up onto his feet.


    He ecstatically looked at his body, knowing that he had regained the body of a twenty year old!


    “That’s all for today, let’s go home, grandson.” The old man, havingpleted the story, finished his


    wine as well.


    “Grandpa, continue telling me, what happens to Ren Zu after?” The grandson was unyielding as he


    shook his grandfather’s arm.


    “Let’s go, I’ll tell you when there’s another chance.” The old man wore his straw hat and jacket, then


    gave his grandson another set that was a smaller size.


    The two walked out of the inn, stepping into the rain and slowly vanishing from sight.


    “Rules and Regtions…” Fang Yuan’s gaze was dark as he twirled his wine cup, looking at the liquor


    in his cup. His heart was touched.


    Ren Zu’s legend was widespread throughout this world and there were almost no people who did not


    know of him. Fang Yuan had naturally heard of him too.


    But no matter if it was a legend or a story, it was dependant on the knowledge of the reader. The


    grandfather and grandson earlier merely treated it as a story, but Fang Yuan could understand the


    deeper meaning.


    Just like that Ren Zu.


    When he did not know the rules and regtions, he explored in the dark. Sometimes he bumped into


    things, knocking into others, causing himself to get injured and look like a mess. And at times within a


    wider area, he got lost and confused, moving without a sense of direction or purpose.


    This darkness was not purely ck or the absence of light. Strength, wisdom and hope could not


    oppose it.


    Only when Ren Zu knew of the rules and regtions and said their names did the darkness dissipate


    and invite light into Ren Zu’s life.


    The darkness was the darkness of the rules and regtions and the light was also the light of the rules


    and regtions.


    Fang Yuan switched his gaze from his cup and looked outside through the window.


    He saw that outside the window, the sky was still dark, the greenery abundant and the pelting rain


    flying by like mist. Close by, the bamboo tall-houses were lined up in a row, extending far out. On the


    road, several people walked, their feet stained with the mud from the rain. Some of them wore grayish


    green straw coats, while others carried yellow oiled cloth umbres.


    Fang Yuan concluded, “This world’s heaven and earth is like a huge chess board. All lifeforms are


    chess pieces, acting in ordance with their rules and regtions. The four seasons have their own


    rules and regtions, rotating between spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The flow of water has its


    own rules and regtions, flowing from high ground to low ground. Hot air has its own rules and


    regtions, floating upwards. Humans naturally also have their own rules and regtions.”


    “Everybody has their own standpoints, desires, and principles. For example, in the Gu Yu vige, the


    servants lives are cheap while their master’s lives are noble. This is a part of rules and regtions.


    Because of this, Shen Cui who wants to get close to the rich and affluent is doing her best to try and


    escape her servant status. Gao Wan tried all means and methods to please his master, using their


    authorities for himself.”


    “As for Uncle and Aunt, they gave in to greed, wanting to hoard my parent’s inheritance. The Academy


    Elder wants to nurture Gu masters to maintain his position in the Academy.”


    “Everyone has their own rules and regtions, every profession has its own rules and regtions, and


    every society and group also have their own rules and regtions. Only by understanding the rules and


    regtions can we see the situation clearly from the side. Gone with the darkness and embrace the


    light, moving around the rules with much to spare.”


    Fang Yuan thought about his own situation, his heart already clear. “To the Mo family’s head Gu Yue


    Mo Chen, it is to protect his family branch’s prosperity and benefits. Mo Yan found trouble with me and


    that would be considered spoiling the rules, so for the sake of his family honor, he will not do anything


    to me. In fact, he might evenpensate me.”


    “Actually the Mo family has great influence, so if they risk their reputation and are bent on punishing


    me, there is nothing I can do to resist them. However, Gu Yue Mo Chen is afraid. He is not afraid of


    himself breaking the rules, but he is afraid that others will follow in his footsteps. In a junior’s scuffle, if


    the elders interfere, it would aggravate the situation. If it involved the higher ups, it’d pose a threat to


    the entire mountain vige. Gu Yue Mo Chen’s fear lied here. What if in future conflicts, othersid their


    hands on his grandson Gu Yue Mo Bei? In his entire family line there’s only one male, so what would


    happen if he died? This kind of fear, maybe he doesn’t realize it himself. He is only subconsciously


    protecting the rules.”


    Fang Yuan’s eyes were clear as he had the perfect grasp and understanding of the matter from start till


    the end.


    Gao Wan’s surname was not Gu Yue. Instead, he was an outsider, a servant.


    The master executing a servant was nothing to be rmed about. In this world, it was normal.


    In the case of Fang Yuan killing Gao Wan, Gao Wan’s death was not crucial. The crucial part was his


    master, the Mo family behind him.


    “However Gu Yue Mo Chen should be able to understand my intention ofpromise and threat from


    the time I sent a box of a minced corpse to them. This is also what I want him to think. If I’m not wrong,


    the Mo family will not pursue Gao Wan’s death. Of course, if I had better talent and was at least a B


    grade, the Mo family would feel threatened. Even with the loss of their reputation, they would want to


    suppress a future threat such as myself,” Fang Yuan snickered in his heart.


    Strength can be relied on but weakness can also be used as an advantage.


    Although Fang Yuan was in the game of chess as a pawn, he was clear of the rules and regtions,


    thus he already had the mentality of a yer.


    An ordinary character would at most be like Gu Yue Mo Chen or the Academy Elder, also knowing their


    own rules and regtions but unsure of their non-expertise. Being like Fang Yuan, who had a clear


    view of the big picture and was clear of rules and regtions was extremely difficult!


    To understand rules and regtions, one has to be like Ren Zu, stumbling around in the dark and


    wandering about aimlessly.


    At this point, strength, wisdom, and hope would be useless. One must spend a lot of time going


    through it themselves and gaining the experience.


    For Ren Zu to be able to say out the names of the Rules and Regtions Gu, this was after spending


    time. Under the threat of death, he had tried countless of times.


    Fang Yuan was an expert in rules and regtions due to his five hundred years of experience in from


    past life.


    After his rebirth, he believed that he could create a brilliant future. Not because of the Spring and


    Autumn Cicada, not because he knew many secret troves and treasures, not because he knew what


    the future held.


    But because of the five hundred years of experience that he had gained as a person.


    Just like how Ren Zu controlled the Rules and Regtions Gu and was able to easily capture all the


    Gu in the world!


    And Fang Yuan was so familiar with rules and regtions, thus he was able to look down upon the


    world and see through its truths and lies. Being meticulous and precise, or getting right to the heart of


    the matter. I proudlyugh as I stand on top of the world, coldly looking at the people in the world who


    behaved like pawns, obeying their respective rules and regtions, living their lives in a straightforward


    manner.


    The rules and regtions of the darkness is darkness, and the rules and regtions of the light is light.


    But the reborn demon had stepped foot under the path of light.