Lost Brother

"Master, why do you ask?" Yun Qingyi asked, a bit surprised.

"I previously asked the War God Qingyuan, and he said that the person who broke the Qian Mo was contaminated with the blood of a close relative," Li Luoning explained.

"So, Master thinks that Xingzhe and I might be related by blood?" Yun Qingyi understood what his master meant.

"It's just a guess. After all, you and Xingzhe both came from the mortal world."

"To be honest, Master, I did have a younger brother in the mortal world. But my father said he died at birth, so I never saw him. However, it's strange because after that, a servant disappeared along with the poems I wrote that day," Yun Qingyi recalled.

"Poems?" Li Luoning thought, *Yun Qingyi was indeed a talented young man in the mortal world. If someone sneaked into his room to steal his poems, it wouldn't be surprising. But if an outsider entered the house on the day his brother was born, it would be impossible to easily find the study.*

Li Luoning suddenly thought of the origin of Mi Xingzhe's name and turned to write it down, then handed the paper to Yun Qingyi.

"Look, is this it?"

Yun Qingyi took the paper and read it slowly.

"Master, how do you know this poem? This is the page I lost back then."

"Xingzhe once told me that this poem inspired his name," Li Luoning said softly. It seemed his earlier guess was correct; Yun Qingyi was likely Mi Xingzhe's elder brother.

"So, Master, are you saying that Xingzhe is my younger brother? How is that possible? My father said he wasn't breathing at birth and was buried hastily. Could it be that my father lied to me back then?" Yun Qingyi's voice trembled.

"Xingzhe was born without spiritual power. Your family was wealthy and influential, so your father must have looked down on a son without spiritual power or any cure," Li Luoning speculated.

"Back then, I failed the provincial examination, and my childhood sweetheart got engaged to someone else. I wrote this poem in a drunken stupor. When I woke up, I learned that my brother had died. My mother couldn't accept it and hanged herself. Three days later, my father married a concubine, ignoring my mother's recent death. After that, I indulged in debauchery and squandered my family's wealth, eventually leading to my father's death and my own downfall. Relatives saw me as a curse, shattered my core, and abandoned me in the demon forest of The Flatland. Master saved me, repaired my core, and gave me a second chance," Yun Qingyi said, reflecting on his past.

"The hardships you faced in the mortal world were destined. Now that you are in the celestial sect, it's time to let go of the past," Li Luoning comforted him.

Yun Qingyi nodded, gently rubbing his reddened eyes, then asked,

"Do you truly believe that Xingzhe is my younger brother?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but if you want to know, there's a way to find out. Are you willing?" Li Luoning asked.

"Yes!" Yun Qingyi agreed without hesitation.

"Good." Li Luoning summoned a magical artifact and handed it to Yun Qingyi,

"This is called the Luo Kun Spirit. Just place Xingzhe's hair and your blood into it, and it will reveal if you are blood relatives."

Li Luoning handed the artifact to Yun Qingyi and continued,

"But there's something else you need to know. If you are indeed Xingzhe's brother, your heart blood can cure his Qian Mo poison. Are you willing?"

Taking heart blood is no small matter, especially when Yun Qingyi has just recovered from his injuries.

"Master, whether or not Xingzhe is my blood relative, I will do anything to help Master and Xingzhe," Yun Qingyi said firmly.

Li Luoning nodded and advised, "Until we confirm this, let's not let Xingzhe know."

"I understand," Yun Qingyi nodded and quickly went to find Mi Xingzhe, eager to know the result.

Mi Xingzhe was in the storeroom, organizing supplies.

"I don't know what to bring. The Purple Frost Beads are almost used up, and now that the Medicine King is gone, there's no more of that medicine," Mi Xingzhe mumbled, spotting the short sword from a few days ago.

"This... looks powerful, but it's the Dragon King's gift to Master. If I take it without permission, will Master be upset? But if there's a fight, this short sword might be useful. After all, it's not an ordinary artifact," Mi Xingzhe muttered, hiding the short sword on himself.

Yun Qingyi watched from the doorway, feeling both nervous and conflicted. Steeling himself, he walked in, pretending to be casual.

"Xingzhe, have you seen my wound medicine?" Yun Qingyi asked, picking a random topic.

"Brother Qingyi? The wound medicine is in the cabinet in your room. You used it this morning," Mi Xingzhe replied.

"I used it all this morning. Can you get me another bottle? It's on the top shelf," Yun Qingyi pointed to a high spot.

"Oh, okay." Mi Xingzhe climbed up to get the medicine.

Yun Qingyi subtly moved his fingers, sending a gust of wind that loosened Mi Xingzhe's hair, causing him to slip and fall.

Quickly, Yun Qingyi caught him and secretly plucked a few strands of his hair.

"I told you to close the side window. That was dangerous," Yun Qingyi scolded lightly, helping Mi Xingzhe up and closing the window, hiding the hair in his belt.

"If it weren't for you insisting on the top shelf, I wouldn't have fallen," Mi Xingzhe grumbled, handing the medicine bottle to Yun Qingyi.

"Thank you, little junior. Your hair is a mess. Go fix it," Yun Qingyi said gently.

"Okay." Mi Xingzhe didn't suspect anything and went to his room.

"Xingzhe, if you really are my brother, that would be wonderful," Yun Qingyi sighed as he watched Mi Xingzhe leave.

---

In Wuming Demon Mountain, Demon Lord's Hall,

"Reporting to the Lord, SiTu Fanzhi has ordered the War God Qingyuan to lead three hundred celestial soldiers along with Li Luoning and his disciple to Wuming Demon Mountain," Hua Qiuyuan reported.

"Three hundred soldiers? Do they think Wuming Demon Mountain is some easy target? Just three hundred soldiers? Qiuyuan, have the puppet soldiers ready," Li Minghan ordered.

"Yes."

"It seems it's time to end all this," Li Minghan said, summoning the family seal of the Li clan.

---

In the cave behind the residence,

Bingo lay exhausted, chained and wounded, panting heavily. Upon hearing footsteps, it raised its head and saw Nan Zhe standing above, becoming agitated once more.

Nan Zhe looked at Bingo with disdain, slowly spreading his hands to reveal a black mist confined in purple bindings.

"Let's see what this Shadow Demon soul can do," he said, directing the black mist into Bingo's eyes.

Bingo roared in pain, shaking its head violently, trying to break free from its restraints.

As Bingo's roars weakened, its original yellow color faded, replaced by a ghostly black with purple glows. Its once clear green eyes turned into blood-red, filled with malice.

"The puppet control technique of the Shadow Demon clan lives up to its name. No matter how noble the beast, it's still just a beast," Nan Zhe said, satisfied, glancing at the hairpin in his hand, a flash of cunning in his eyes.

### Continuation of the Translation:

---

In Mirror Cloud Residence, Yun Qingyi nervously watched the Luo Kun Spirit on the table.

Li Luoning activated the Luo Kun Spirit, and a golden beam of light slowly emanated from it. He gently placed the strands of hair inside and Yun Qingyi pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood fall in.

The strands of hair and blood floated in the golden light, gradually intertwining.

"Master, what is this?" Yun Qingyi, barely able to believe his eyes, quickly asked Li Luoning for a clearer answer.

Li Luoning, also a bit emotional at the result, calmly said,

"Qingyi, Xingzhe is indeed your blood brother."

"Clatter~"

Mi Xingzhe, who had just stepped into the study, overheard Li Luoning's words. He stood there in disbelief, the medicine bottle in his hand falling to the floor.

"Master, what... what did you say?" Mi Xingzhe asked, his voice trembling.

"Xingzhe!" Yun Qingyi's eyes reddened. He finally understood why he felt a special fondness for Mi Xingzhe from the first meeting and why they had so many similar tastes and preferences.

"Xingzhe, you and Qingyi are blood brothers."

---

An incense stick later,

"That's the whole story. It was Qingyi's blood that temporarily nullified the Qian Mo in your body," Li Luoning explained.

"So, I have a brother. Qingyi is my brother, my real brother?" Mi Xingzhe, still in shock, asked again, looking at Li Luoning for confirmation.

"Yes," Li Luoning confirmed with certainty.

Hearing this, Mi Xingzhe finally had the courage to turn to Yun Qingyi.

"So, Qingyi is really my brother. I'm not an orphan." Mi Xingzhe's lips trembled, his eyes reddening, his lashes quivering as he spoke, his voice choked with emotion.

"Xingzhe, I am your brother, born of the same mother," Yun Qingyi said, unable to control his own emotions.

---

In SiTu Fanzhi's study, he frowned as he read the prophecy scroll before him.

"Moon Shadow Pill and Fiery Dan are mutually reinforcing yet antagonistic. If they can destroy each other, it will be easier for me to conquer them one by one in the future. Since the two pills have appeared, where is the Floating Golden Seal? It is said that the Floating Golden Seal appears nearby. On that day in the alchemy room, even Yue Ruling was defeated. Why did that person flee upon Yun Wan Nian's arrival?" SiTu Fanzhi's narrow eyes narrowed as if he had thought of something.

"Summon War God Qingyuan."

Before long, Qingyuan arrived,

"Greetings, Immortal Lord."

"Qingyuan, how are the preparations?" 

"Three hundred elite soldiers are ready. Immortal Xie Yi and I will depart tomorrow," Qingyuan reported.

"On this trip to Wuming Demon Mountain, I have another task for you. I need you to investigate someone," SiTu Fanzhi lowered his voice.

"Who does the Immortal Lord want me to investigate?" Qingyuan asked.

"Yun Wan Nian," SiTu Fanzhi said slowly.

"Yun Wan Nian? Does the Immortal Lord suspect that Yun Wan Nian is involved in recent events?" Qingyuan asked, puzzled.

"Since his return from Wuming Demon Mountain, his actions have been suspicious. Whether he is a spy sent by the demons or not, the fact that he was able to rescue Immortal Xie Yi and War General Yue Ruling that day by himself makes me think this matter is not simple," SiTu Fanzhi explained.

"You think Yun Wan Nian has become ambitious since his return from Wuming Demon Mountain?" Qingyuan asked.

"I want you to find out what he's truly capable of and why the demon cultivator who invaded The Liao Yin Immortal Realm retreated that day," SiTu Fanzhi instructed.

"I understand," Qingyuan replied.

---

At the foot of Wuming Demon Mountain,

Li Luoning, Yun Qingyi, Mi Xingzhe, Qingyuan, and Yue Ruling had arrived at the designated location. Rather than being at the foot of the mountain, it was more like a sinkhole.

"Meeting us in this sinkhole shows the Demon Lord has ill intentions. This terrain is easy to defend and hard to attack. If a fight breaks out, we'll be at a disadvantage," Yue Ruling said, looking warily at the surrounding cliffs.

"War God Qingyuan, perhaps you should lead the three hundred celestial soldiers to retreat outside the sinkhole. Since we are here to negotiate, fighting should be our last resort. If he insisted on me coming, there must be a reason. Let's wait and see," Li Luoning suggested.

"Immortal Xie Yi makes sense. We will retreat outside the sinkhole. If anything happens, send word immediately," Qingyuan agreed and led the celestial soldiers out.

"Master, why does the Demon Lord insist on seeing you?" Mi Xingzhe asked.

"I suspect that the current Demon Lord is not the original Demon Lord," Li Luoning said.

"What do you mean?" Mi Xingzhe asked, puzzled.

"On our way here, I inquired with the people of Fanli Valley. They said that since the Demon Lord came out of seclusion, he always wears a mask. Some demon soldiers believe his temperament has changed. Shentu Zhajia was always straightforward and generous, though he loved his people and disliked killing. But this Demon Lord is particularly ruthless, and he specifically called for me. In the Three Realms, the only person who would hold such enmity towards me is that person," Li Luoning explained.

"Master, are you saying the Demon Lord is an impostor?" Yun Qingyi asked.

Li Luoning nodded in agreement, cautiously observing the surroundings.

"Who could impersonate the Demon Lord without being noticed?" Mi Xingzhe wondered.

"It is said that the Yanding Dragon King had an adopted son, but no one has ever seen his face. The Dragon King and the old Demon Lord were close friends, and Shentu Zhajia had a sworn brother who never showed his true face. On that day in the alchemy room, I saw the Cloud Wing Banner in that person's hand, which I had seen in the Dragon King's study. He said it was a birthday gift for someone. So, it's not hard to guess who that person is."