Chapter 26: 1.25 First Small Star [Extra 2] – Horror Tale XIII [End]

After falling to Demonification, Xue Jing had lost his mind.

He could no longer remember anything.

Who he was?

What is he?

Where was he?

Nothing could be remembered. His longing and yearning for his husband to save him all this time is the only cause of his sanity at the same time his misery.

Falling on that cliff, Xue Jing had already welcomed his death.

Only to wake up in that curse land witnessing all the suffering one could undergo in life.

He had seen souls flayed alive.

Burn.

Skewered.

Dismembered.

Smashed.

Cut into pieces.

Only to suffer the same thing over and over and over again.

These were the scenes Xue Jing had witnessed under that cliff called abyss.

Abyss is indeed hell on earth.

No wonder this is a cursed land feared by all kinds of races, even demon races themselves. This is a land of cruelty. There is nothing good in this land.

When Xue Jing opened his eyes in this land, his heart was full of fear. He is scared that he is alone in this hell. He had already accepted his death just now but he didn't die and opened his eyes in this kind of hell. His courage was all used up when he pulled those men with him in his death. He was peaceful in thinking that he had helped his husband lessen his burden in exchange for his death.

But what is this now!?

Hell?!

Hell must be a prettier place than this. At least in hell you would know what you had to suffer and how long you would suffer. Why did you have to get punished? but in this land there is no sense of time, no sense of existence, no clarifications of life or death. There is nothing but only cruelty and endless pain.

There is no one sane in this place. 

There is only insanity.

Xue Jing felt his Dao heart wavered for the first time.

He is extremely afraid that he would stay in this place forever.

That he wouldn't be able to reincarnate.

That he might not see his husband in the future.

He felt desperate for the first time.

He wanted to live to see his husband one more time.

Xue Jing followed those five bastards that wanted to kidnap him just in hope to live. They've ventured deeper in the land looking for a way out but instead of finding a spark of hope that they would be able to leave such accursed land, they met their doom instead. 

They've seen a humanoid demon chained at the deepest part of the land. They got lost and went even astray. Now they could never leave. Xue Jing's heart turned calm upon meeting this imprisoned mixed demon when he saw that demon's eyes.

Within those crimson eyes is intense hatred for the world. Insanity of wanting to destroy everything even himself and extreme sadness of not being accepted. Xue Jing peek through the soul of this demon's life. He was born in a happy family. They were thrown out of the land and have to live in isolation. But this family is happy because they are together.

Their life is simple. A serene life of living in the mountains. Food can be gathered through farming, fishing or hunting. For water there is a near fresh lake for them to enjoy. Even though they have no neighbors, they were hated by their own race. This family of three is happy.

But their happiness was cut off by both the demons and humans.

They were hunted for loving different races. Humans and demons are not mean together and this relationship is a taboo but the couple has fallen in love. The mother is a human while the father is a demon. Their child is a humanoid demon with stronger demon blood but his form is that of a human.

In the end the demon child's parents were killed. He is tortured endlessly. He grew up in a cruel and insane situation. It wouldn't be surprised if this child had gone insane. But for some reason the demon child persevered. He had lived through such ugly childhood and grew up with nothing in his heart but hatred and vengeance.

Until he fell in love with a human girl. The humanoid demon thought he would finally be happy. Only to be betrayed in the end. The girl received money in exchange for revealing the humanoid secret hiding place and was once again captured.

This time the pain and sadness from the betrayal of his love made him break his heart. He no longer trusts anyone's words. After destroying more and more lands from both humans and demon race, the two races had worked together to imprison him. They threw him on a cliff with a formation imprisoning him there forever. He could not leave the place. Chained under that cliff. The demon couldn't even die. He could only suffer in there for endless time to eternity. 

The humanoid demon had no other choice but to spend his life under this cliff, chained and unable to leave.

Then they've met him. At the first sight of seeing humans the humanoid demon had killed them all. Only Xue Jing watched him fearlessly as he wanted to die if he couldn't leave this place. He even watched as that demon attacked him with his crimson eyes full of hatred and madness.

But at the last second the demon wavered.

Xue Jing saw hesitation glinted within those crimson eyes. Only then he noticed that this humanoid demon could feel emotions like humans. Much more clearly to see that those who were born human. This humanoid demon's soul is born pure. Tainted by those endless torture he had suffered that his soul got eroded with evil. Seeing this Xue Jing felt pity for this poor soul.

Then Xue Jing suddenly decided. Since he would die anyway, isn't it better to exchange his soul to save one more stray one. This is why he put the humanoid demon into slumber and erected two formation around the land the humanoid demon is chained too. The formations Xue Jing made is simple. One is a defensive barrier to hide the land for the rest while the other formation is cleansing formation. It will be able to cleanse all negativity in the land but only within the soul. If the soul is pure and wishes to repent then they would be able to feel the comfort the formation could give them.

Their mind would slowly regain sanity and turn calm as if all dirty things were removed from them. Staying inside this formation would even allow those affected by the formation a good karma that will allow them to enter reincarnation. To keep this going he used his one Daoist vessel as core. His plan became successful and had fortunately achieved his goals. Xue Jing was able to save the poor soul of the lonely humanoid demon.

But what Xue Jing didn't know is that once he lost his body, his soul would become vulnerable against evil qi. At first he didn't feel something was wrong with him. He keeps the slumbering sad demon accompanying while waiting for his husband to look for him. He waited and waited until centuries turned to decades and decades turned to millenniums. Slowly yet surely, Xue Jing didn't notice his soul getting eroded with evil qi.

The first one to notice his changes is that humanoid demon he is trying his hardest to save. But sadly the latter could keep himself awake for a long duration and whenever the humanoid demon talks about it, Xue Jing who is steadily getting tainted without him noticing is getting influenced by evil and puts back the humanoid demon in his slumber once again.

That's the reason for the current situation right now.

Xue Jing got fully eroded by the evil qi. Now his situation is even worse than Demon God Shen Jue's original situation.

Celestial Master Lin Xia was shocked with what he witnessed. In front of his eyes he had seen his own wife's soul turned into a demonified soul, an evil spectre which is even worse than an evil being. This is nothing but a mindless killing machine.

At the moment they heard Xue Jing's scream ended, Lin Xia and Shen Jue looked at the Demonified Xue Jing standing in front of them. There is clear disbelief and astonishment on their faces. Demon Xue Jing attacked them without hesitation. His first target happened to be Lin Xia who was stunned with skepticism and stood there like an unmoving target.

Seeing this the Demon God Shen Jue clicked his tongue in annoyance but still pulled away the dazed Celestial Master to dodge the attack.

"Wake up! Isn't he your wife!? Aren't you going to save him!!?" yelled Shen Jue at Lin Xia.

Lin Xia was startled with the loud scream that made his ears ring.

Shen Jue spoke, "It is because I fear this that I've looked for him as soon as I woke up!"

"You... You know this would happen to Jing'er!!?" exclaimed Lin Xia.

"I didn't... no I never expected it! When he made those formations I thought nothing could harm him unless he had his Dao Vessel who would think he would use his own vessel as the core for those two formations. Making his soul vulnerable to erosion!!!"

Lin Xia frowned after hearing what the demon had said just now. Only then did he know that his wife had created two formations instead of just the defensive formation they could see surrounding the land.

They continue to dodge the mindless attacks of Demon Xue Jing as they continue their conversation.

"You said Jing'er created two formations. What is the name of the other formation? Did he tell you?" asked Lin Xia.

Demon God Shen Jue replied haughtily. "He called it something clean... no cleansing I think."

"Cleansing formation. Did he use it to repair your mind and remove negativity in you!?" said Lin Xia only then did he observe the Demon God intently. He finally noticed that this Demonic God in front of him is not a pure demon but a mixed one with human blood.

Lin Xia spoke, "No wonder he saved you. You are a mixed."

"Shut the fuck up! I don't know anything about purification shit or something. You are a damn Celestial Master. Think of a way to return him to normal!!!" yelled Shen Jue at Lin Xia.

Lin Xia thought for a moment of what he could do. When he thought of something he frowned as he looked at his wife then at that demon god who was trying to save his wife.

The explanation from Lin Xia. "I know one but... it can only work if Jing'er's movement is halted. Darkness cannot be used because it is the highest form of cleansing. Someone must hold him down for an hour for it to work. I need to summon my disciples to help me."

"Highest form of cleansing? Are you going to force him to enter reincarnation then? That's the only way to completely remove the erosion. Are you willing for him to leave?" said the Demon God Shen Jue.

Hearing this question Lin Xia turned especially quiet. In his heart he is truly not willing. Forcing his wife to enter reincarnation means they would be separated once more, this time might even longer. He had finally met him but to save him this is the only way. He bit his lower lips in his disappointment until it bleeds. There are finally emotions flickering within those eyes. There is remorse and disincline. 

Lin Xia replied, "Xue Jing's soul is more important than my selfishness."

This answer made Shen Jue smile. He is now sure that this man called Lin Xia truly loves Xue Jing with his whole heart and that he is even willing to let go of his obsession just to make sure that Xue Jing is safe. He had only seen this kind of pure and true love between his long deceased parents. This is the love Shen Jue had wanted but failed to achieve. He truly envy the feelings these couples possess. A millennia isn't even enough to destroy the love they shared together. 

"Good! I will help you look after him on the way to our reincarnation!" said Shen Jue.

Lin Xia knew what those words meant. This demon is willing to sacrifice his own life to help him save his wife.

"Why are you doing this?" Lin Xia couldn't help but ask.

Shen Jue honestly answered. "Xue Jing is the only person in this world except for my parents to be able to look straight at my eyes without any hint of fear or disgust. Instead he chose to save me. If he didn't love you enough I would have wooed him to become mine. Actually I really tried too..."

Lin Xia couldn't help but yell in anger. "You bastard!!!" 

"Hmp! Obviously he didn't accept it right. That's why I choose the second option of becoming his brother instead. This is the reason why I didn't choose to reincarnate all this time. I wanted to enter reincarnation with A'Jing so he could become my little brother in our next life."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me first. The first thing I would do after we reincarnated is to prevent my little brother from marrying you!!!"

"You are truly a bastard!!" scream Lin Xia at him.

Shen Jue asked. "I will grab him now. Are your preparations done?" 

"Yes! Any time now!!" replied Lin Xia.

The two men worked together to control Xue Jing's random killing moves. They've clashed with him countless times to create an opening for Shen Jue to be able to grab him from behind.

In the split moment when Xue Jing's body wavered Shen Jue grabbed him from behind. He wrapped his strong arms around Xue Jing's body, trapping his arms and hand within his embrace. The flailing legs of Xue Jing were trapped within Shen Jue's legs as well. The scene in front of him made Lin Xia's face darken but he couldn't do anything but watch someone hug his wife in front of him.

"Stop acting like an idiot and do you work! You Jealous man!!!" yelled Shen Jue at Lin Xia.

"Formation of Samsara, Open!!!" 

Lin Xia activated the formation that will open the door to reincarnation within the whole cursed land. It will cleanse all souls within the circle and bring them back to how they originally look. Shen Jue and Lin Xia watched as the demonified Xue Jing struggled within the formation and the evil qi within him faded like smoke. His original beautiful features had returned to normal.

Because the formation of samsara was open, any other formation in the area was deactivated. The barrier that prevented others from leaving and entering the land had broken. This caused those disciples together with Xue Luli and Fu Lian to run back inside the land. When they reached the location of the building they saw the scene of three men sitting on the ground. The handsome man with long black hair and crimson eyes, nonchalantly crossed his legs on the floor looking at the couple hugging and crying beside him.

Lin Xia ignored that dirty and mud soiling his white robe as he hugs his wife in his arms. In the last moment before his wife entered his reincarnation, Xue Jing's memories miraculously returned to him.

"A'Xia... Husband, I can't breath!" said Xue Jing.

Lin Xia slightly lessened the force he was using to hug his wife but didn't dare to let go.

Xue Jing spoke, "Husband let me see your face. I haven't seen it for a long time. Okay?~"

"Um." Lin Xia raised his head and let his wife hold his face on his hands.

The white yet slender hands were a bit cold due to the difference of the living and the dead. The tears strolling down from Lin Xia's eyes continue to fall. It cannot stop knowing he would be separated from his wife once again just when he finally meets him all this time.

Xue Jing couldn't help but chuckle seeing his husband's natural cold temperament break at this moment. This man's emotions really only exist for him and would only be seen when he is around. Using his fingers to gently wipe his husband's tears, one could see how much affection, love and yearning within those argent eyes shows as it stares at Lin Xia.

Xue Jing spoke, "I promise you it wouldn't take long. As soon as I reincarnate. I would look for you. Just make sure to stay in this school. I will go here first to find you. Don't be sad my love. We will see each other soon~" he coaxed his crying lover.

Hearing this Lin Xia couldn't help but kiss his wife's cold hands and forehead. He could only silently agree. Willing to wait even for eternity as long as his Jing'er would return.

Lin Xia responded. "I promise as well. I will wait here for you, my Jing'er."

The formation of samsara will continue until the first sunrise appears. Until then Xue Jing and Shen Jue had remained in the mortal land with the rest. Xue Jing introduces Shen Jue to the rest. Xue Luli and Fu Lian had accepted that their little brother for a day would now be taking his leave.

They've spent the short time they have together in laughter instead of sadness. 

When the first sunrise had risen, Xue Jing and Shen Jue had prepared to leave. This time the group let Xue Jing and Lin Xia spend the last few minutes together privately as a couple. They could only cuddle enough and kiss until they've separated.

Once the morning arrives all souls trapped within the cursed land have entered samsara. This includes Xue Jing and Shen Jue. In a slightly dim sky with hints of little sunlight. Countless light orbs had ascended. Most of the orbs glow in white. Only two glows differently. One shines as crimson while the other as wisps of mixed silver and gold. Lin Xia stared at that special colored orb without blinking. He continues to watch until there are no more glowing orbs in vicinity.

It didn't take a while before the celestial disciples had escorted Xue Luli and Fu Lian home. Upon Lin Xia's orders the memories of these two students were not erased. After all these two are their lord master's wife's friends. They couldn't raise their hands against the Lord consort's acquaintance.

Xue Luli spoke, "Lian, would we see Jingjing in the future again?"

"Un. Didn't Jingjing promise? We would definitely wait for him to return. Let's wait. we have a whole lifetime to wait for our Jingjing to come back home." replied Fu Lian.

"Yes. That's right. Until then let's look after Jingjing's husband."

"I will accompany Lili if you wish to visit Sir Lin."

---

Tons of seasons had passed. Spring. Summer. Autumn and Winter. Time passes by as quickly as it is but no one really notices it passing. After that event the memories of the people involved in that night had all their memories altered except for Xue Luli and Fu Lian. No one remembers that school event that took the lives of few humans during the ghost festival. 

Lin Xia had bought the whole Maple University and stayed in that place as the chairman of the whole place. His appearance caused chaos. Whether it was male or female, a lot of students had fallen for him at first sight. None had ever successfully received a smile for this ascetic face man. Even then his fans were endless.

3 years have passed.

Today is the first day of school this year. Xue Luli and Fu Lian had successfully become 2nd year university students. One majoring in Fine Arts while Fu Lian took a major for business. This couple wanted to make a media company after graduating. Ye Lou is invited in their plan, this live streamer is taking a Mass Communication

Lin Xia is still their chairman for this year. He is keeping his promise to his wife. He wanted to wait for him no matter how long he needed to wait. 

Xue Luli and Fu Lian were spending time as a couple in the University open garden waiting for the opening ceremony to end. They've ditched the ceremony for a secret date near the school entrance. While spending some time as a couple, the two saw Lin Xia's car parked not far for them. He saw him go down the car wearing his usual white suit. Wearing non-prescription glasses to hide his face but instead of keeping his appearance low-key, he made those who saw him feel that he is an elegant yet cold gentleman instead.

Xue Luli grabbed her fiancé's clothes, "Dear~ Isn't that the chairman?"

"Urk! Honey. My neck... neck..." said Fu Lian.

Then they saw the scene of some trying to flirt with their school chairman. The student is bold enough to flirt at Lin Xia while sitting on the tree. The young man had short golden hair. There's a mischievous smile in the corner of his lips. Based on his age he is only a year younger than both Xue Luli and Fu Lian. Must be an exchange student which is an incoming freshman this year.

The young man spoke in English. "Hey~ Handsome man! You look so hot and I think I like you no. I love you! Would you like to marry me!?"

Lin Xia had no emotion on his face despite hearing such a bold confession straight to his face. He could even see those long legs covered in tight black pants swinging as its owner sat on a tree branch above him. He looked up intending to scold the student for his bold action only to froze when he saw the young man's face.

Familiar looking features with hints of feminine. But clearly this person is a man with refined features but a bit androgynous. Small face and tall nose. He has seductive phoenix shaped eyes which are currently narrowed paired with a sweet smile from those cerise lips. Hidden within those eyes were captivating pairs of argent orbs. Paired with his shining golden hair under the sunlight, this young man looked divine and angelic.

Lin Xia's gaze softened and spoke, "Lin Xia. 25 years old this year. Chairman of Maple University with countless assets under my name. Single. How about you?" he asked in English as well.

Then they heard playful chuckles from the handsome young man. "Age 21. Name Xue Jing. Currently a freshman student for Computer Science. No asset, just the second young master of Xue Clan. Single and is now asking you, Sir Lin Xia. Are you willing to marry me?'' This time the young man speaks on Chinese.

Lin Xia smiled and reached out his hands towards the Xue Jing. 

"I am willing to marry you, my Jing'er." said Lin Xia.

Xue Jing happily jumped on Lin Xia's arms as they kissed upon their reunion. Seeing this scene unfold before them, Xue Luli and Fu Lian recognized the familiar face of that young student that suddenly jumped on their school chairman.

Xue Luli and Fu Lian yelled, "JINGJING!?" Then they run towards him for a hug in disbelief.

This is a nice day to start a new beginning.

After reunion they would have enough time to spend their lives together as a couple one more time. This time Lin Xia and Xue Jing would be able to stay together until the end. 

Meanwhile somewhere in Maple University.

Ye Lou is currently live streaming during his free time as he is also skipping the opening ceremony. He left the couple to spend time together privately. Currently he is walking around the school courtyard streaming about his university landmarks.

"Look here! We are going to visit the rumored special tree which grants wishes!!"

[Old Man, look behind you!]

[Behind you! There is someone behind you!]

[Fuck! So Handsome! Is that blonde hair real!!?]

[It's a foreigner with crimson eyes. Must be half!!]

[His face looks Chinese though!!]

[That's why I told you a half! No he must be mixed!!]

Then a rude voice called at Ye Lou.

"Oi! Stupid brat! I told you to bring me to the temple and get purified right away right? Why did you take a year to remember your promise!?" the man with crimson eyes complained.

This similar way of talking made Ye Lou remembered that stupid pen ghost that used to scold him all the time. They got along together for a year then after scaring him for one whole year he suddenly disappeared after a visit from a temple.

Ye Lou instantly turned around when he heard what the man had said to him just now. His promise of bringing someone to temple is something one few people knew. Few of them are his two friends, Xue Luli and Fu Lian. After his memories were suddenly returned one night thanks to that Pen Fairy, he knew how that cute little brother Xue Jing ended. He also knows the identity of the man in front of him.

The former Demon God that rules that haunted land 3 years ago. The same soul that got stuck in the pen because he had forgotten his promise to bring him to the temple. He knew what this man's name is called. He had a special way of calling him his name. In that last year where they spent time together, they ended up liking each other despite not knowing how the other man looks like.

All he knew was that Shen Jue formerly Pen Fairy is a ghost Ye Lou had given his heart to. He was almost heart broken for a few years after he suddenly disappeared after leaving him a farewell letter.

"A'Juejue?!" hesitantly called Ye Lou but his tears are already falling from his eyes.

The man with crimson eyes suddenly grabbed his waist and carried him in his arms. "Don't cry! You look ugly my Lou'er."

"Wuwuwu~ It's really A'Juejue!!" yelled Ye Lou as he suddenly hugged his long lost lover. 

"Remember my new name. I'm now called Xue Jue. But still... you are still a crybaby my Lou'er~"

"Shut up! Idiot!"

This Demon God had finally reincarnated. Not only as Xue Jing's elder brother but also returned as Ye Lou's long lost lover.

The reunion ended with this story. Only their new beginning would continue from now on.

---

Within the cinema.

Once the credits started to show on the big screen, the clamor within the enclosed space was bustling. 

In the VIP Area.

A handsome man is sulking looking at the last scene before the credits appeared. This man is Wang Tian. Beside him seated is his wife Xia Ying. Not far from them two other couples were watching the scene as well. It was his secretary Yi and his childhood sweetheart Su Yan. They are the extra couple who played the role of Ye Lou and Shen Jue. Artist Su Yan as Ye Lou while Shen Jue who only appeared for a few scenes was played by Secretary Yi because his President forced him to accompany them to the movie set. The last couple is the main couple in the movie Hu Tian and Fei Lan who played as Fu Lian and Xue Luli respectively. 

Ugly faced Wang Tian complained, "Why is it that Yi and his partner had to be the last scene cut couple in the movie? Isn't it supposed to be my wife and me?"

"Stop complaining! That last cut of ours was done urgently as you had an emergency meeting that time. We couldn't retake it because you are too busy and the team is already out of schedule." said Xia Ying who was trying to appease his childish husband. 

"Why is brother-in-law even complaining? Your pairing with Baobei is the most popular CP in the movie!" said Fei Lan.

"D-Dear your voice. We're in public." said Hu Tian trying to calm down his wife.

Wang Tian is still intending to complain about that last cutscene. "Yi, call them to change the scene."

Secretary Yi didn't hesitate when he heard his president's orders. "Okay."

"Wow~ for real." whispered Su Yan beside Secretary Yi.

Xia Ying finally couldn't hold back his annoyance and glared at his husband. "Enough. A'Tian. Yi you don't need to call anyone."

Wang Tian flinched when he saw his wife glared at him; he could only lower his head while sulking.

Secretary Yi still knows whom to follow between his president and his wife. The dominant one in their relationship has always been the wife.

"Yes. Sir Xia." replied Secretary Yi with a smile.

The two couples watch how Xia Ying would coax their childish president but for some reason Xia Ying just stared at him before walking away obviously still angry. 

"Ah~ wife!" Wang Tian followed after Xia Ying out of the cinema. The other two couples looked at each other before following them.

For some reason Xia Ying didn't use the special hall to exit the cinema and used the same door for commoners' exit doors. Going out of the cinema most people who just finished watching the movie were shocked to see the side couple who played as Lin Xia and Xue Jing before them. In the beginning they thought they were seeing things. Everyone watched the couple from a distance.

"Baby?" calls Wang Tian but his wife ignores him.

Only when Xue Jing turned around to give him a sweet smile suddenly said:

"Hey~ Handsome man! You look so hot and I think I like you no... I love you! Would you like to marry me again!?"

At first Wang Tian felt dumbfounded but after thinking it for a while he finally understood what his wife wanted to do. He smiled as Xia Ying indulged him. What Wang Tian wants is indeed exposure. This is why he is complaining about that last cutscene. Now his wife is letting the crowd see their relationship in public.

He is extremely delighted by this action of his wife. He reacted to that last confession scene between Lin Xia and Xue Jing. He carried Xia Ying in his arms with a huge grin and said.

"I am willing to marry you how many times you want, my wife!" exclaimed Wang Tian, ignoring the shocked and screaming audience in the crowd.

KYAAAHHHH!!

It's the real life Lin Xia and Xue Jing!!

Is there a hidden cam?! That's the fucking the Silver Screen King, Xia Ying and his husband the Best Director, Wang Tian!

Take pictures! Hurry up!!

Because of this scene the commotion in the mall had almost caused a man to make earthquakes because of the countless fans running after this shameless couple. Secretary Yi and the rest watch the stupid couple run away from their heated fans. In the end they were saved by the group of guards that were called by Yi to escort their group into the mall.

At night on the countless new media channels, this second time proposal of the Royal Couple had topped the search hot list for a whole month. Causing the Movie: Horror Tales reached block blisters in a few months of screening. The others thought this scene Wang Tian and Xia Ying had done in the mall is an advertisement but only those who saw the scene with their own eyes knew that this is nothing but a public display of affection for the Royal Couple.