Fairy, Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Blind

Chapter 73: The Reversal of Good and Evil

It was deep into the night, and most people in the Auspicious Cave were nestled together, asleep. The cavern was silent—until suddenly, a series of blood-curdling screams shattered the stillness, echoing through the chamber and lingering long after.

Startled awake, the crowd exchanged bewildered glances. Before they could fully comprehend what was happening, a disoriented guard stumbled into view, tripping over his own feet and falling to the ground, choking on dust.

You Su, who had been resting with his eyes closed, snapped them open at the sudden commotion. His face paled with shock.

Ji Lingruo, also roused from sleep, hadn’t expected to hear that name again. Her lips parted slightly in disbelief as she instinctively clutched You Su’s arm.

At the same time, a burly middle-aged man descended from above, landing beside the fallen guard. With one hand, he hoisted the panicked man up and barked, “What nonsense are you shouting?!”

“Sect Leader Qi has returned! Sect Leader Qi has returned!”

“Then why do you say it’s bad news?!”

“He’s not Sect Leader Qi anymore—he’s an evil spirit! He’s already fighting Sect Leader Lu outside! Sect Leader Bai, hurry and save Sect Leader Lu!”

The Sect Leader Bai’s pupils contracted sharply. Without another word, he tossed the guard aside and bolted toward the cave entrance. Several other sect leaders followed suit, their figures flashing past in rapid succession. Those of higher standing trailed closely behind.

Only then did the crowd begin to grasp the horrifying implications of the guard’s words: the second-strongest cultivator in the city, Sect Leader Qi, had transformed into an evil entity!

Everyone gasped in horror. Some began to wail uncontrollably, but soon, managing cultivators stepped forward to restore order.

You Su furrowed his brows deeply. The news of Qi Daodong’s possession was too shocking to ignore. He couldn’t simply sit idly by. Rising to his feet, he prepared to leave, only to be stopped by Ji Lingruo gripping his arm.

“Senior Brother, I’m coming with you.”

Understanding her resolve, You Su nodded. Though it would have been safer for Ji Lingruo to remain hidden here, their shared experiences had bound them inseparably.

Together, they slipped out of the cave behind a group of departing cultivators. As soon as they emerged, Ji Lingruo saw the blazing flames beyond the wide-open side door. Outside, shouts and roars intertwined—the unmistakable sounds of a fierce battle raging.

Unable to resist, You Su shook his head, letting loose strands of hair fall across his eyes. Using his unique ability, he peered through the chaos unfolding outside.

In the midst of the battlefield stood a monstrous figure surrounded by the sect leaders. This grotesque creature bore no resemblance to its former self—it was undoubtedly the corrupted Qi Daodong. In one hand, he clutched the mutilated corpse of Elder Qi, whose severed arm had been devoured earlier.

“Fellow cultivators! He is no longer Sect Leader Qi! He is a demon! Let us unite and destroy him!”

The Sect Leader Bai’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent. Moments ago, he’d harbored a sliver of hope. But when this corrupted Qi Daodong brutally crushed Elder Qi to death right before his eyes—and spat out the cleaned-off bone fragment at his feet—that hope evaporated.

The other four sect leaders responded solemnly, their voices firm. Only Wu Cheng, held back by the surrounding guards, cried out desperately, “My master isn’t a demon! Please stop attacking him!”

How he longed to rush forward and shield his master. But weakened by injury, hunger, and exhaustion after four days, he lacked the strength to break free from the encircling blades. All he could do was watch helplessly as countless spells rained down upon Qi Daodong.

Qi Daodong fought like a cornered beast, frantically countering the relentless barrage of techniques. Despite his unnatural regenerative abilities, even he couldn’t keep up with the rate of damage. The grotesque bulges of flesh that had erupted across his body began to subside, hinting that he might revert to his original form—the gaunt, white-haired elder.

Realizing this, Qi Daodong ceased his desperate struggle against the cultivators. Instead, he locked his gaze onto Wu Cheng, whose face was etched with anguish. Letting out a mournful howl, he extinguished the towering flames engulfing the battlefield, plunging it into darkness once more.

Those holding torches quickly relit them.

To everyone’s astonishment, Qi Daodong suddenly surged forward with incredible speed, charging straight toward Wu Cheng.

The sect leaders scrambled to launch attacks, but none reached him in time. Unstoppable, Qi Daodong barreled toward Wu Cheng.

The guards surrounding Wu Cheng scattered in fear. Wu Cheng gazed at the battered old man with heart-wrenching sorrow, his lips splitting slightly from the strain of clenching his jaw so tightly.

As if making a final decision, Wu Cheng leapt forward, meeting the charging Qi Daodong head-on.

The onlookers were stunned, certain that Wu Cheng would perish. But the next moment left them all gaping in disbelief: the mindless, bloodthirsty Qi Daodong wrapped his arms around Wu Cheng’s waist, pulling him protectively into his embrace.

And Qi Daodong didn’t stop there. His crimson eyes locked onto Wu Ping, who cowered within the crowd. With frenzied determination, he lunged toward him.

Wu Ping trembled at the sight of those blood-red eyes, his legs buckling as he tried to flee. “Don’t come near me! Stay away!”

The surrounding cultivators scattered in panic. The sect leaders converged, determined to prevent Qi Daodong from reaching his target.

The Sect Leader Bai swung his sword, carving a cross-shaped wound into Qi Daodong’s bare back. This blow finally forced him to revert to his frail, elderly form.

Qi Daodong was sent flying backward, yet somehow managed to lift Wu Cheng higher, shielding him with his own body. Despite everything, he found the strength to stagger back to his feet.

Just as the Sect Leader Bai prepared to strike again, a sobbing woman in the crowd cried out, causing him to hesitate: “Don’t harm Wu Cheng!”

Wu Cheng turned his gaze and recognized her instantly—it was his biological mother. Their eyes met briefly, and Wu Cheng’s heart filled with sorrow.

This fleeting pause gave Qi Daodong an opening. The red glow in his eyes swirled like mist, as though he were burning the last remnants of his life force.

With renewed vigor, Qi Daodong charged into the crowd, grabbing the terrified Wu Ping, who screamed in terror. Clutching both brothers tightly, he sprinted toward the dense fog beyond.

Reacting too late, the cultivators could only watch as one sect leader hastily cast a spell. It struck Qi Daodong squarely in the back with lightning speed—but even this failed to bring him down. Stumbling momentarily, he pressed onward, vanishing into the night.

From their hiding spot in the shadows, You Su held Ji Lingruo close as Qi Daodong rushed past, carrying the two brothers. For a brief instant, their eyes met.

Wu Cheng’s gaze was impossibly complex—a mixture of shock, grief, despair, and apology.

You Su didn’t understand its meaning, but his heart raced nonetheless. If Wu Cheng were to shout out now, accusing him and Ji Lingruo of being possessed as well, they’d face an even graver situation than Wu Cheng’s.

But instead, Wu Cheng averted his gaze, silently glaring at the crowd bathed in firelight. Then, without another word, he disappeared into the darkness alongside Qi Daodong.

You Su clenched his fists tightly, a strange feeling welling up inside him. He couldn’t help but recall the scene four days prior, when Qi Daodong had led others to attack them because Ji Lingruo was suspected of being possessed.

Back then, everyone had worn expressions of righteous indignation, acting as self-proclaimed paragons of justice without giving You Su or Ji Lingruo any chance to explain.

Now, the roles had reversed. Those once hailed as righteous defenders were now branded as evil incarnate.

The irony wasn’t lost on You Su.