Let's Never Meet Again - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Everyone in the sect loves me.

Everyone, that is, except for Senior Brother Pei You.

Not only does he dislike me, but he also wants to kill me.

I was completely baffled, and for the first time, I began to doubt my own magical powers.

“Wasn’t I supposed to be ‘beloved by all, a flower that blooms for every eye’?”

The “beloved by all” part might not be entirely true.

But the “flower blooming” part was real.

Before coming to the sect, I had cast a spell on myself: anyone who saw me would uncontrollably develop a favorable impression of me.

My sisters told me that this would prevent a lot of suspicion and trouble.

But Pei You was convinced I was a demon because I truly didn’t look human.

I possessed a beauty that transcended the mundane world, a pair of heterochromatic eyes that could bewitch the soul, and a strange golden pattern adorning my forehead.

No one could look into my eyes and claim I was just an ordinary person.

Yet, I really wasn’t a demon.

I had explained this to Pei You many times, but he never believed me.

“You dare claim you’re human?”

Pei You couldn’t kill me, and he was annoyed by how I was always bouncing around in front of him.

But in truth, I didn’t quite dare to say I was human, either.

“You can fool the entire sect, but you can’t fool my eyes. One day, I will kill you, little demon.”

“I swear it on my sword.”

He gave me a cold look and then walked away with his sword on his back.

I shut my mouth, feeling dejected.

A senior sister nearby comforted me.

“Don’t take Senior Brother’s words to heart. You’re so cute, Junior Sister-how could you be a demon? Demons are all hideous.”

“I know, Senior Sister. Senior Brother is actually a good person. I’m already happy enough that he lets me shamelessly mooch so many meals off him,” I said gloomily.

I thought Pei You and I had become ‘meal-time buddies.’

Turns out, it was just wishful thinking on my part.

“The thing Senior Brother hates most in this life is demons, so he’s a bit sensitive and extreme when it comes to certain matters.”

“Here, Senior Sister bought some osmanthus cakes for you down the mountain. Eat them and don’t be sad anymore.”

She carefully pulled out the osmanthus cakes, which were tightly wrapped in oil paper.

I took them excitedly, my mouth watering involuntarily.

“Senior Sister, you’re the best.”

“I know you’re a little glutton.”

“We all really like you, even though you’re noisy all day, always getting into trouble, and such a foodie…”

I forced a smile.

Even so…

Those didn’t exactly sound like compliments, Senior Sister.

“Let me finish-you’re lively and cute, and you’ve brought a long-awaited vitality to the sect.”

Senior Sister giggled and tapped my forehead with her finger.

The golden pattern on my brow flickered, but she seemed not to notice.

Master told everyone in the sect that he had picked me up from a pile of corpses.

Everyone pitied me.

They looked out for me in various ways, both openly and secretly, and never made me do any work.

Even though this was just a clumsy lie-and even though this fleeting affection was brought about by a spell, destined to be awkward the day it was exposed-I still leaned in.

I grabbed Senior Sister’s arm, swaying it back and forth as I acted spoiled.

“Then Senior Sister must bring me osmanthus cakes next time too.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll do whatever you want.”

After Senior Sister left, I broke off a piece of osmanthus cake and leaned lazily against a large tree, comfortably enjoying the little time I had left.

“You look quite pleased with yourself.”

Pei You was always appearing out of nowhere.

He stood before me, his figure tall and lean, holding his sword with a cold expression.

His shadow blocked my sunlight.

I looked up with some dissatisfaction. Seeing who it was, I said helplessly, “Senior Brother, it’s been a whole year. Can’t you just let me go? I’ve already let you go.”

When I first arrived at the sect, I absolutely refused to believe that Pei You could be immune to my charm spell.

I used to ignore his fierce expressions and cling to him, determined to make him fall for me.

Unfortunately, I didn’t last three days.

I was blinded by the delicious food of the mortal world.

As it happened, Pei You was an excellent cook, and the meals he made had me drooling.

“I’m only here for the food, I won’t pester you anymore.”

“Really?”

“Truer than gold!”

He was skeptical, but in the end, he gave in.

“Why haven’t you come lately?”

Pei You blurted this out without context.

But I knew he was asking why I hadn’t gone to his place to mooch food recently.

“Keeping my promise. As Senior Brother wished, I’m no longer pestering you.”

He dazed for a moment.

I quickly finished the osmanthus cake in my hand.

Brushing off the crumbs that had accidentally fallen on my clothes, I stood up briskly to leave.

A sword blocked my path.

I turned around and looked into Pei You’s deep eyes.

“Could it be that Senior Brother can’t bear to see me go?”

He gave a cold snort.

“I told you, I will kill you.”

I felt quite helpless, but I still wanted to get to the bottom of it. “Senior Brother, why are you so certain I’m a demon?”

Pei You looked as if he had heard something hilarious.

He said in surprise, “Your eyes… those aren’t human eyes at all. I don’t know what kind of demonic art you used to deceive Master, but those demon eyes-I have seen them clearly.”

My suspicion was confirmed.

Pei You… just what kind of person was he?

Ordinary mortals couldn’t see my heterochromatic eyes or my Heavenly Mark.

I tested him. “Then do you know what this is on my forehead?”

Pei You’s gaze darkened. He drew his sharp sword and held it against my neck.

The cold aura from the blade made my hair stand on end.

“I’ve heard of a secret technique that allows demons to hide their presence so they won’t be identified by a Demon-identifying Mirror, but it causes demon marks to appear. Junior Sister, could it be that you have grown such a mark?”

That ‘Junior Sister’ gave me a full-body case of goosebumps.

I gave a couple of awkward laughs, cautiously trying to push the hilt of Pei You’s sword away.

To my surprise, the moment I touched his arm, Pei You recoiled several steps as if he’d been struck by lightning. He then glared at me with a mix of shame and indignation.

“Don’t think for a second that I won’t strike just because we’re within the sect!”

Terrified, I waved my hands frantically.

“It’s a misunderstanding! I didn’t mean anything by it. Senior Brother, I can tell you one more time, very seriously-I am not a demon.”

Pei You’s expression softened slightly.

“Senior Brother, let’s just get along peacefully. Who knows? Maybe in a few days, you won’t have to see me anymore…”

He frowned. “What do you mean by that? Is someone trying to kick you out?”

I leaned in close to him, flashing a bright smile as I finished my sentence: “…And then you’ll start missing me.”

Pei You instantly bolted three meters away from me.

His ears were slightly flushed, and his eyes were filled with resentment as he snapped, “Who would miss you? Don’t be so full of yourself!”

“We should see less of each other from now on.”

Leaving behind those cold words, he walked away.

My mouth twitched. I felt half-speechless and half-exhausted. Who even wanted to see you?

Half an hour later.

Pei You-who had just agreed we should see less of each other-and I were staring at each other in the main hall.

“Pei You, do you know why I have summoned you here?”

Pei You replied respectfully, “This disciple does not know.”

He stole a glance at me and couldn’t help but ask, “Does it perhaps have something to do with Junior Sister?”

My Master, who had always doted on me, let out a sigh. He looked at me, but instead of his usual playful teasing to cheer me up, he had returned to his dignified, transcendent persona. Even though he was standing so close to me, he felt worlds away.

“I want you to escort Shuang’er safely to Deer City. This matter must not be known by too many people. After much consideration, you are the most suitable candidate.”

Pei You’s pupils contracted as he turned to look at me. He probably thought I’d gotten into some kind of trouble again. Suddenly, he dropped to his knees and said in a muffled voice, “Master, I do not know what wrong Junior Sister has committed to warrant being sent to Deer City. That place… is already a ghost city!”

Three years ago.

Deer City was an ancient city famous for its prosperity and splendor, filled with a never-ending stream of pedestrians and merchants. It was a place where it felt like spring all year round, with scenery as beautiful as a painting. Cultivators often traveled through the city to cleanse their spirits.

But then, one day.

A towering tree suddenly appeared in the center of the city. In a single night, it grew large enough to shroud all of Deer City. The tree was covered in blossoms that drifted through the air, scattering across the entire city.

The people of Deer City curiously reached out to catch the blood-colored petals.

In the next moment, heart-wrenching screams erupted. The moment those petals touched skin, they rapidly grew longer and wider until they wrapped around the person entirely, devouring them bit by bit.

People scattered in a panic, trying to flee. But that demonic flower seemed to have eyes of its own, chasing people down to bite them.

Even those who managed to escape Deer City were not favored by luck for long. Red spots soon appeared on their bodies, causing an unbearable itch for which there was no cure. They died in agony.

Since then, Deer City had become a deserted city.

Master did not answer Pei You’s question; he simply looked at me with kindness. “Pei You, do you know what that Demon Tree is? We sent so many disciples to Deer City to investigate, and many were buried there. Even you did not return unscathed.”

Pei You looked up. He didn’t know, and he didn’t understand.

“Master, I have always followed your orders. But I know better than anyone how many demons one encounters on the road to Deer City, and how terrifying that Demon Tree truly is. That is why I understand even less why you would take my defenseless Junior Sister to such a dangerous place!”

Pei You’s voice rose sharply.

I bit my lip.

“Your Junior Sister is not defenseless. Pei You, do not pry into certain matters. Deer City… needs Shuang’er.”

Master’s words were heavy with hidden meaning.

“Senior Brother, stop talking. I am going to Deer City of my own free will. This was always my responsibility,” I said quietly.

Pei You looked at me, his face full of irony. “Responsibility? I had no idea Junior Sister had become so capable.”

I forced a smile that looked no different from my usual self. I stopped looking at him, my gaze darkening as I spoke to Master. “Master, I think you understand as well that the fewer people who know about this, the better. Besides, why involve someone unrelated? I am enough on my own.”

Although Pei You and I had never gotten along, I didn’t want to return kindness with enmity, considering he had cooked for me for a whole year.

Master turned his back and sighed. In an instant, he seemed to age over a decade. His back bowed slightly, and his tone was heavy. “This journey is fraught with danger. I hope you can return safely. All of you.”

I looked up in shock, understanding the hidden meaning in Master’s words. I wanted to say something, but he had already vanished from the spot.

I didn’t have time to explain to Pei You. I ran out of the hall and found a small, unblossomed flower in a corner of the wall. It grew there stubbornly, bathing in the sunlight and absorbing the dew, making every preparation for its once-in-a-lifetime bloom.

I crouched down and cautiously hovered my hand over the small flower.

After a moment.

Nothing happened.

I covered my face and let out a low laugh. But as I laughed, my voice began to choke. Tears dripped through the gaps in my fingers and onto the ground.

As it turned out, the spell had never worked in the first place.