Journey to the End of the Night

Chapter 1658 - 999: The Mortal’s Bitter Fate (Part 2)

But the heavens are fair, I used vile means to obtain a Spirit Root that did not belong to me, and now I must bear the karma barrier curse of this inhuman torment."Chen Xiaolan did not know that Meng Zifei had such a hidden and humiliating past, but seeing Meng Zifei speak so calmly and candidly, her fear and dread in her heart eased somewhat.

She looked at Meng Zifei with a complex expression, "So, you seclude yourself for seven days every month, and when you emerge, you are extremely weak due to the torment of the curse."

Indeed, she had already known.

Meng Zifei gave her a deep look, couldn’t help but smile bitterly and shake his head, laughing at his wisdom being overshadowed by his cleverness.

His mind is narrow, always on guard, analyzing and considering even the slightest words from those closest to him.

If Chen Xiaolan truly harbored other thoughts, would she be so foolish as to tread directly into a minefield with frankness?

Considering this, tonight’s calamity was truly self-inflicted.

"When you acquire what doesn’t belong to you, a corresponding price must be paid. The pain of slicing bones and skin lasts for a full seven days every month."

In the beginning, I couldn’t control it, could only hide in dark, desolate places to silently endure it, but as my cultivation grew..."

Meng Zifei paused as he spoke, raising his eyes to glance at Chen Xiaolan, seeing her listening earnestly to his recounting past events, he couldn’t help but smile self-mockingly.

"As things stand, what need is there for me to continue spinning worthless lies to hide from you, to speak frankly, the suffering of this curse is so painful, it’s nearly driven me mad."

I’ve always loved cleanliness, cannot bear to watch my skin ulcerate and rot each month, covered in a stench, like a piece of carrion in a ditch."

Day after day of inhuman torment, even with my esteem and morals as Lord Man’s gentleman, my heart has long been twisted into something non-human."

Inside the Bronze Gate, I abandoned my sword and horsetail whisk, formally entered the Demon Path, collaborating with that Mohe Zangxin."

Later on, I received his help, learning how to suppress the curse, as long as I avoid moonlight and starlight during the monthly outbreaks."

Though the pain persists, at least I am spared from falling into a mess of rotten flesh, it is somewhat more dignified."

Chen Xiaolan was no stranger to the name Mohe Zangxin, she abruptly stood up, anger in her eyes overwhelming her fear, and questioned sharply:

"You actually collaborated with Mohe Zangxin? Do you know, the culprit of the chaos in Mountain Realm years ago was Zangxin!

In the Demon World, he constantly opposed Si Chen! Almost costing him his life. Such a wicked person! How can you associate with him?"

Faced with her reproach, Meng Zifei did not become angry but instead smiled, "If you were me, met with such desperate events, whether it be immortal or demon, as long as they can save me, what harm is there in that?"

"You!" Chen Xiaolan was furious, stomping her foot hard: "I should not have saved you!"

Meng Zifei said: "My sword is still with you, if Xiaolan regrets now, it is not too late to draw it and chop off my head."

Chen Xiaolan was rendered speechless and could only glare at him indignantly.

Meng Zifei further said: "But I know, you won’t do it, you can’t even bring yourself to abandon me, how could you possibly kill me with your own hands?"

Chen Xiaolan sank down in despondency, gazing absent-mindedly at the flickering campfire, her expression desolate.

"So when you wanted to kill me back then, was it because you thought I discovered your shameful secret, and after sharing it with others...

This mortal righteous path couldn’t accommodate you anymore, could it?"

To her surprise, Meng Zifei shook his head and said: "I have already devoted myself to the Demon Path, whether this mortal righteous path can accommodate me doesn’t mean much."

At most, it’s just less convenient to travel in the future. I simply..."

His gaze lowered, inexplicably chilly, "didn’t want others to know that I, Meng Zifei, become someone neither human nor ghost every month."

"Just for this kind of thing, you actually wanted to kill me?!" Chen Xiaolan was furious, simply incredulous.

Meng Zifei chuckled softly, his gaze swirling, a faint gleam flickering in his eyes:

"Now that I’ve told you this, it’s naturally because you can know, Xiaolan, I won’t kill you again."

His tone was calm, yet strongly meaningful: "Believe me."

He doesn’t want others to see him in such an unsightly and detestable state.

He cannot endure those eyes that seem to look at him like a pitiful maggot when witnessing his flesh fall off, his body rot, and him writhing in pain.

He, Meng Zifei, born ordinary, yet proud.

He cannot even accept his own mediocrity, let alone allow others to see him so decayed and ugly.

Yet, for the first time in his life, during the outbreak of the curse, someone other than himself saw him.

Never expected, the girl he almost killed a moment earlier, after seeing his unbearable form, would understandably feel disgusted and fearful.

And understandably accepted it all, picking up his shattered self bit by bit.

If the woman here at this moment was Shang Ying, Meng Zifei believes she might equally not abandon him,.

Even able to protect him more carefully, also not showing the slightest look of disgust.

Because he knows, Shang Ying deeply loves him, even knowing his mind is considered unsavory; his intentions unjust, she can fully accept him as a person.

But what of it, to accept him covered in filth in the name of love... just the thought is nauseating.

The villain he has become never sought such warm and brilliant redemption.