Chapter 1198: Reason

"Now that things have come to this, I won't hide anything from Brother Han any longer," his voice low and hoarse, "It's more than just acquaintance… back when I was still a mere mortal scholar, I already had a profoundly deep connection with that father and daughter…"

He slowly began to recount that long‑buried past:

"That year I went to the capital for the imperial exams, passed through a desolate mountain, fell into bandits, and was nearly killed; it was Yan Buji who stepped in to save me. At that time he was not the fearsome 'Grey Mist Yanluo' of later tales, but a wanderer who seemed carefree yet was deeply hidden. His daughter Xirou was then still young, lively and kind, like a mountain spirit."

"I traveled a stretch with the father and daughter, our conversation was delightful, and even… even with that girl Xirou, mutual feelings blossomed, and we privately pledged lifelong commitment." Xiao Ran said this, a rare tenderness appearing on his face before being swallowed by immense pain.

"I thought I had found a great mentor and friend, the love of my life. Yet… it was all an illusion!" Xiao Ran's voice suddenly grew heated, filled with deep‑seated hatred.

"Yan Buji cultivated the bizarre Path of Desire; his rescues, friendships, even allowing his daughter to grow close to me were all merely to… nurture an 'Emotion Seed'! He regarded me as a crucible for his cultivation, and Xirou's feelings for me as the purest 'Passion' nourishment!"

"When my feelings had taken deep root and I was unguarded, he suddenly struck, trying to forcibly extract the source of my seven emotions and six desires to help him break his bottleneck! That night his visage was ferocious, no longer the former chivalrous man, surrounded by grey mist, like a demon!"

"Xirou… Xirou tried to stop her father, but he easily subdued her. I will never forget those eyes full of despair, pain and pleading…" Xiao Ran's voice choked, his body trembling slightly; that memory was clearly his eternal nightmare.

"Fortunately, a latent power within me erupted at the crisis, allowing me to barely break free, though I was gravely wounded and my cultivation nearly ruined. I fled into the deep mountains, barely salvaging my life. As for Xirou… I don't know what became of her… I only know that after that, Yan Buji fell completely, becoming the true 'Grey Mist Yanluo', and his infamy gradually spread…"

"I survived by luck, but a seed of hatred and pain was planted in my heart. Since then I abandoned scholarship for martial arts, fate leading me onto the sword cultivator's path, battling onward, all to one day gain enough power to avenge Yan Buji and… find Xirou, get answers, and rescue her from suffering!"

When Xiao Ran finished, he seemed drained of all strength, his complexion pale. This blood‑and‑tears‑woven past he had buried for years, now laid bare before Han Wuxian, both as trust and as a release.

Wang Tie, standing nearby, had already been left gaping in disbelief, thinking the events couldn't have unfolded this way, could they?

Han Wuxian listened in silence, the frost on his face gradually melting, replaced by a deep, solemn gravity.

He finally understood why Xiao Ran's expression turned so complex when mentioning Yan Xirou. It turned out that the three of them already shared a tangled, love‑and‑hate past.

Yan Xirou… she tried to stop her father back then; she was also a victim. She went to Zhong Tian Zhi Yu to find her father, now a demon lord, to question him? To save him? Or… like a moth flying into flame?

Either way, her situation is extremely perilous! A Great Vehicle Stage demon lord who wields the Path of Desire—would he show any mercy to his own daughter? Moreover, that daughter might bear the very 'Passion' nourishment he needs for his cultivation.

Han Wuxian inhaled deeply, his eyes now filled with resolve.

"Brother Xiao, your vengeance is my vengeance," he said, looking at Xiao Ran, his tone firm, "Yan Buji must pay the price for this."

He paused, then continued, "But Miss Xirou, we must find her and rescue her. She, like you and I, is an old friend; we cannot let her become a sacrifice to her father's demonic art."

Xiao Ran nodded heavily, fire reigniting in his eyes: "Exactly so! Brother Han, my injuries have healed; I am willing to go with you to Zhong Tian Zhi Yu. Whether to seek Xirou or to slay Yan Buji, I, Xiao Ran, cannot shirk this duty!"

Wang Tie stepped forward as well, solemnly saying, "Though my cultivation falls short of yours two, I have some knowledge of medicine and formations, and I am willing to go together, offering whatever modest help I can!"

Han Wuxian looked at the two old friends, a faint warmth stirring in his heart.

"Very well! Then we shall set out at once for Zhong Tian Zhi Yu!"

When night had deepened and silence fell, Wang Tie finally asked cautiously, "Junior brother, why did you speak that way today? You should know that back then you were involved with the Yan family…"

"I know," Xiao Ran replied, his expression solemn.

"Brother Han likely has ties with Yan Xirou, perhaps a complicated relationship. But Yan Buji is no ordinary man; if Xirou meets him, she would be controlled within moments, and then Brother Han would inevitably face Yan Buji head‑on!"

"Then you… intend to use him?"

"Not exactly… but at least there's a chance for me to launch a successful surprise attack!" Xiao Ran said coldly, "When we reach Zhong Tian Zhi Yu, I'll explain the detailed plan to you, senior brother."

Han Wuxian, of course, was no fool; although Xiao Ran's words sounded sincere, they differed greatly from the Yan Xirou he remembered…

If pressed to point out the differences, Han Wuxian couldn't articulate them, yet he constantly felt that Yan Xirou could never aid her father in such deeds.

But Yan Xirou indeed cultivates the Path of Desire, alongside the Grey Mist Yanluo; what on earth does that mean?

Han Wuxian's mind swirled with turmoil, unsure of what to do.

He was not a backward person, nor fearful of danger. Yet he disliked being kept in the dark, and he did not wish old friends to become extreme because of obsession.

As for Yan Xirou…

In Han Wuxian's mind, Yan Xirou's charming, smiling face floated up, causing a slight pang in his heart.

If she truly aided the tyrant… what could he do?

If she was forced and helpless… what then could he do?

A myriad of thoughts, tangled and complex.

In the end, all doubts and distractions were forcibly suppressed, turning into an unwavering cold glint deep within his eyes.

The truth must be uncovered personally.

Old friends must be verified personally.

The demon lord must be personally… slain!

He turned, gazing toward Zhong Tian Zhi Yu; his aura merged with the night, like a world‑shattering sword about to be drawn, ready to cut through all mist.

The next morning, the sunrise rose in the east.

Han Wuxian, Xiao Ran, Wang Tie, and Qing Lin gathered together.

"Brother Han, shall we set out now?" Xiao Ran, after a night of meditation, his aura steadier, the flame of vengeance in his eyes seemed to have subsided, becoming deeper.

Han Wuxian's gaze swept over the three, he nodded, offering no further comment on yesterday's doubts, simply saying calmly, "Let's go."

He flicked his sleeve, a massive force enveloping the three, tearing the void before them and forging a temporary spatial corridor. At the other end, the vast, majestic spiritual aura of Zhong Tian Zhi Yu could be faintly sensed.

The four figures flashed, vanished into the corridor, disappearing into Nan Ting Mountain Region.