"Shizun!"
Xue Tuzi and Li Zhameng rushed to Xue Laohu's side, their weapons half-drawn in alarm. Above them, a small figure balanced effortlessly on a thick tree branch. The little girl's round face was set in a stern expression, her dark eyes flashing with challenge. Two buns sat neatly on her head, each secured with braids that swayed with the wind. She wore a set of light blue robes, the fabric rippling slightly in the breeze. With practiced precision, she lifted her bow, an arrow already nocked and aimed directly at Xue Laohu's face.
"Who are you? Speak!" she demanded, her voice firm, unwavering.
Xue Laohu turned to face her, his brows twitching in irritation. His fists clenched at his sides as he glared up at the impudent child. "Listen, brat, I am the Grandmaster of Mount Dingbu—Xue Laohu!" He spoke with unmistakable bravado, his chest puffed up as if sheer confidence alone would put the girl in her place. With a dismissive scoff, he turned his face away in disgust.
The girl hesitated for only a second before her brows knitted together. Lowering her bow slightly, she mumbled, "Grandmaster Xue?" Her lips pursed in thought. Then, as if coming to a sudden realization, she lifted her bow again, her expression now filled with conviction.
"Grandmaster Xue is a handsome, ethereal, divine man! You—you are not!" she declared, loosing the arrow with a sharp twang.
Xue Laohu barely blinked before flicking his wrist, his fan snapping open with a sharp whff. With precise timing, he knocked the arrow aside, sending it spiraling harmlessly to the ground. His jaw tightened, his irritation growing.
"I am handsome. I am ethereal. And I am fucking divine!" he barked, snapping his fan shut and pointing it at her. "Who the hell are you?"
The little girl huffed, undeterred. With a swift motion, she pulled another arrow from her quiver, her tiny fingers moving with expert ease. She aimed again, her stance solid despite her small frame.
Xue Laohu narrowed his eyes. Persistent brat. He flicked his fan once more, deflecting the arrow mid-flight. Then, with a sharp motion, he swung it downward, summoning a gust of wind so powerful it sent the girl tumbling from her perch.
Before she could hit the ground, Xue Tuzi's ribbon shot out, wrapping around her in an instant, binding her arms to her sides. Li Zhameng wasted no time, pressing his gun lightly against her forehead in warning.
Xue Laohu snickered behind his fan as he strode forward, his laughter barely concealed. "Evil-doer!" the girl shrieked, kicking her legs in frustration as she struggled against the ribbon.
Nearby, Shudu gently placed Huo Yi down. "This might take a while," he murmured.
Huo Yi simply nodded, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement.
Xue Laohu crouched down in front of the girl, his grin widening. "Evil-doer, huh? I told you my name. What's yours? Speak!"
The girl scrunched up her face in defiance. "I'm not telling. Hmph!"
Xue Tuzi's expression darkened. The aura around him grew cold, his once-neutral presence shifting into something more sinister. He leaned in, his ghostly pale face mere inches from hers. The air between them thickened, his words cutting through like ice.
"Refuse to speak, and I will torture you," he said softly.
A shiver ran down the girl's spine. Fear flickered across her face as she turned her wide, startled eyes toward him.
"Xiao Xiao," she stammered. "Disciple to Grandmaster Chang."
Xue Tuzi's lips curled into a slow, satisfied smile. He patted her head with an almost mockingly gentle touch. "Very good." With that, he loosened the ribbon around her body.
Li Zhameng sighed in relief, pulling his gun away.
Xiao Xiao hesitated, rubbing her wrists before glancing warily at Xue Laohu. "Are you really Grandmaster Xue?"
"The one and only," Xue Laohu declared proudly, flashing a grin now that the girl had stopped fighting.
Xiao Xiao, however, remained skeptical. She placed a hand on her chin, staring at him with deep contemplation. "My Shizun said Grandmaster Xue was an intellectual," she said slowly, her gaze scrutinizing every inch of him. "But… you look like a bandit."
Xue Laohu's eye twitched.
She lifted a finger, pointing straight at his short, shaggy hair. "And my Shizun also said Grandmaster Xue was tall, but you're just a little man."
The phrase shattered him into a thousand pieces. Little Man.
There was nothing—absolutely nothing—he hated more in this world or the last than being called short. In his past life, he had been vertically challenged his entire existence. He had struggled with sports, had to climb shelves in grocery stores to reach anything above the second row, and had endured the silent humiliation of being shorter than nearly every woman who dared to wear heels around him. His mother, in her endless affection, had lovingly nicknamed him Mini Ming—a moniker he had despised with every fiber of his being, especially when she used it in public.
His height was the bane of his existence. He had guzzled milk until he was constantly bloated, suffered through the embarrassment of desperate searches for "natural ways to grow taller," and even wasted money on questionable supplements that did absolutely nothing. And after all that effort? He still died a short man.
And then he transmigrated. A new world, a new body, a new start. Surely, the universe would at least grant him an extra few inches this time.
But no.
Not only had he been cursed with the same damned height, but it seemed fate had taken a sick pleasure in his misery. Sect Leader Mao, the elders, even some of the sect disciples had all commented on it. Oh, Grandmaster, you seem shorter than before! Was it the Qi deviation? Did something shrink during your cultivation mishap? He had brushed it off with forced laughter, but deep inside, he had wanted to strangle them all.
Apparently, he had never been destined for height—not in the modern world, not in this one.
His irritation boiled over. His fingers curled so tightly around his fan that the ribs creaked under the pressure. His phoenix eyes burned as they locked onto Xiao Xiao.
"Who the hell are you calling little, you damn brat?!" he snapped.
Xiao Xiao crossed her arms, looking down at him with a smirk, as if she had just won some grand battle. "Hmph. I'll have you know, I am over five thousand years old," she said smugly, her chin lifting with unmistakable arrogance.
Xue Laohu dragged a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. "Great. A fucking Loli."
The words were muttered under his breath, but Xiao Xiao's ears were sharp. Her brows twitched, her head snapping toward him. "What was that?" she demanded, her tone laced with warning.
"Nothing." He flipped open his fan with an easy flick of his wrist, lazily waving it as if he had no care in the world. His expression was a picture of indifference, but the amusement dancing in his golden eyes was unmistakable.
Xiao Xiao narrowed her gaze, her cheeks puffing with barely contained indignation. "I highly doubt that the Grandmaster of Mount Dingbu would associate with demons," she huffed, her gaze darkening as she turned her attention to Shudu and Huo Yi.
Shudu, who had been standing silently at the sidelines, immediately tensed. His lips curled, revealing the sharp points of his fangs, his nostrils flaring. "Piss off," he snarled, one arm pulling Huo Yi protectively closer.
Xiao Xiao's brow twitched in irritation, but she ultimately chose to ignore him, turning her face away with a soft "hmph." Instead, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a scroll, its red wax seal bearing the emblem of Mount Dingbu.
"I received a letter from Sect Leader Mao stating that Grandmaster Xue is to retrieve the Celestial Compass." She unfurled the parchment with practiced ease, allowing them all to see the intricate calligraphy stamped with the official seal. "If you truly are the Grandmaster, then prove it."
Xue Laohu scoffed. Without a word, he reached into his robes and produced his jade token—a symbol of his rank, undeniable proof of his identity. The cool green stone caught the light, gleaming as he held it up.
Xiao Xiao stared at it, then back at him, her face unreadable. Finally, she exhaled through her nose and turned on her heel. "Very well," she said, her tone unimpressed. Her hands disappeared into the wide sleeves of her robes as she strode toward the gate.
Xiao Xiao reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small, ornate key, its silver surface gleaming under the dim light. She slid it into the keyhole of the heavy gate, and with a quiet click, the massive doors groaned open. Beyond them, a magnificent sight unfolded—a shimmering, transparent bridge, as delicate and pristine as ice, materialized over the still waters of the lake, stretching all the way to the cavern's entrance. The bridge glowed faintly, casting soft, rippling reflections on the water below.
Without hesitation, Xiao Xiao stepped onto the bridge, her movements light and effortless. The crystalline surface held firm beneath her feet, as if welcoming her presence. However, just as the others prepared to follow, she lifted a hand, stopping them in their tracks.
"Only those with pure hearts may cross this bridge," she declared, her voice cool and unwavering.
A sharp tch escaped from Xue Laohu's lips. "Yeah right," he muttered before stepping forward with confident strides. The moment his foot made contact with the icy surface—
CRACK!
The bridge beneath him shattered instantly, disintegrating into a thousand translucent shards. With a yelp of surprise, he plunged straight into the freezing lake below.
"Shizun!"
Xue Tuzi and Li Zhameng shouted in alarm as they watched their master flail in the water, his hands thrashing desperately for something—anything—to grab onto. Rushing to his aid, the two disciples hurriedly pulled him out, his soaked robes clinging to his body as he coughed and sputtered, his usually composed demeanor completely ruined.
"What the fuck?!" Xue Laohu roared, pushing his dripping bangs out of his face. He glared at Xiao Xiao, his phoenix eyes burning with rage. "Is this some kind of trick?!"
Xiao Xiao, utterly unbothered, examined her nails with casual disinterest. "The bridge only tolerates those with the purest of hearts," she replied airily. Then, casting him a sidelong glance, she added, "I'm afraid that you, Grandmaster Xue, do not possess such a heart."
A sharp bark of laughter erupted from the side. Shudu had taken a seat beneath a nearby tree, one knee bent, plucking a single blade of grass and placing it lazily between his lips. "Well, looks like I won't be going through either," he chuckled, his red eye glinting with amusement.
Xiao Xiao turned her sharp gaze back to Xue Laohu. "I heard great things about Grandmaster Xue," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "But all I see is incompetence."
Xue Laohu felt something deep inside him snap. His pride—his dignity—lay in tatters. He clenched his teeth so hard his jaw ached. I can't let this little brat talk down to me—especially not in front of my own disciples!
His mind raced for an excuse, a way to shift the blame. His eyes narrowed. "Hah! It's possible you're manipulating the bridge to keep me out!" he accused, folding his arms as he clicked his tongue in disdain.
Xiao Xiao smirked, her amusement evident. "Oh? If that's the case, then why don't we let one of your disciples test it?" She turned her gaze toward Li Zhameng and Xue Tuzi.
Xue Tuzi's expression darkened, his instincts screaming at him to avoid the bridge at all costs. He quickly shoved Li Zhameng forward. "You go first," he murmured, his round, doe-like eyes pleading.
Li Zhameng hesitated for a moment before sighing in resignation. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, placing his foot on the bridge. The crystalline surface remained perfectly intact beneath him. Carefully, he took another step, then another, until he stood confidently on the bridge, entirely supported.
Turning back, he grinned and waved proudly. "I have a pure heart!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with satisfaction.
Xue Laohu's cheeks puffed with irritation. Of course he does! His jaw tightened. Well, that means Xue Tuzi should have no problem, too. The protagonist is always pure of heart. They fight evil, they defeat bad guys—they're supposed to be the righteous ones! He nodded to himself, already picturing Xue Tuzi walking across the bridge effortlessly, glowing with heroic virtue.
But Xue Tuzi hesitated.
He could feel the weight of their stares, the expectation lingering in the air, but deep down, he knew the truth. He was farfrom pure.
A loud, mocking laugh shattered his thoughts.
Shudu.
The demon leaned casually against the tree, his smirk widening. "What's wrong, little bunny? Too scared to take a step?" His voice was laced with amusement, but his eyes gleamed with something darker. Rising to his feet, he placed a gentle hand on Huo Yi's back, guiding her toward the gate. "I bet Huo Yi can walk across this bridge without a problem. But you? I highly doubt it."
Xue Tuzi's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms.
Huo Yi hesitated before taking a slow, careful step forward. The bridge held. She took another step. Then another. The icy surface did not crack beneath her.
Shudu passed by Xue Tuzi, leaning in close enough that his breath ghosted against his ear. His voice dropped into a whisper, soft but cruel.
"You're far from being pure."
Xue Tuzi's entire body went rigid. A tremor ran through him as anger, shame, and something else—something vile and suffocating—coiled inside his chest. His breath came out uneven.
Yet he didn't react.
He couldn't.
His shoulders slowly relaxed, as he exhaled, long and measured, swallowing the bitter lump in his throat.
"Well?" Xiao Xiao's voice cut through the silence. She tapped her foot impatiently. "Are you going to attempt it or not?"
Xue Tuzi closed his eyes. He already knew the answer.
Without a word, he shook his head.
He would not cross.
He could not cross.
His soul was tainted. Stained with things he could barely admit to himself.
Xue Laohu rushed toward Xue Tuzi, gripping his disciple's hand tightly. In his mind, there was no way—no way—that the protagonist, the supposed hero of this world, could be anything but pure of heart. His phoenix eyes were soft, but his grip was firm, his voice unwavering.
"A-Tuzi, I believe in you," he said.
Xue Tuzi's breath hitched. His cheeks flushed as he quickly turned his head down, unable to meet his Shizun's gaze. If only I had as much faith in myself as Shizun has in me… But it's true. I'm dirty.
Shudu's chuckle cut through the air like a blade. Arms crossed over his chest, he leaned lazily against the gate, his single fiery red eye gleaming with amusement. "Let's see it, then. Take a step." His smirk widened, taunting.
Xue Tuzi's hands curled into fists at his sides. His heart pounded against his ribs, and for a brief moment, he considered trying. Just to prove them wrong. Just to prove himself wrong. But deep down, he knew better.
"Shizun… I can't," he whispered, his voice barely audible. His fingers trembled as he lowered his head. "I am not of pure heart."
Silence stretched between them.
"What?" Xue Laohu's brow twitched. "That's nonsense! Of course, you are!" He tightened his hold on Xue Tuzi's wrist, pulling him a step closer. "Don't let Shudu get in your head," he scolded, his voice gentler now, but no less insistent. His eyes softened, his lips curving into a small, reassuring smile. "I know there's only goodness in your heart."
But before Xue Tuzi could even process the words—
"Then let's see it!"
Shudu's voice rang out, sharp and amused. In one swift motion, he grabbed Xue Tuzi by the arm and yanked him forward, shoving him toward the bridge.
Xue Tuzi barely had time to gasp before his feet met the icy surface—
And collapsed straight through it.
"Agh—!"
The freezing lake swallowed him whole.
"Shit!" Xue Laohu cursed, lunging forward. His hands plunged into the water, grabbing hold of Xue Tuzi's soaked robes and hauling him out with a sharp tug. Xue Tuzi coughed violently, sputtering as water dripped from his face and hair.
Xue Tuzi continued to cough harshly, his chest heaving as he expelled the lake water from his lungs, while Jiao Jiao gurgled in distress, shaking off the droplets clinging to its tiny form.
"Unbelievable," Xiao Xiao muttered, shaking her head. "Regardless, I doubt my Shizun would allow anyone but Grandmaster Xue to retrieve the Celestial Compass, so this is all pretty much useless." She rolled her eyes, her tone light, as if they hadn't just been humiliated.
Xue Laohu's left eye twitched. Why didn't you say that from the beginning, you little brat?! His jaw clenched, rage bubbling beneath his skin. You just wanted to humiliate us—that's all!
Behind him, Shudu's laughter rang loud and unrestrained, his amusement cutting through the tense air like a whip.
Xue Tuzi bit down on his lower lip, his fists trembling at his sides. His wet hair clung to his cheeks, mixing with the tears he refused to acknowledge. His breathing came in sharp, shallow gasps, and his entire body burned with shame.
Li Zhameng, who had remained silent throughout the ordeal, finally spoke up. His sharp, thoughtful gaze landed on Xiao Xiao. "Would it be possible for me to carry Shizun across?"
Xiao Xiao arched a brow, her lips pursing in contemplation. She closed her eyes, humming softly before responding, "Hmm… that may be possible, but only those with the purest of hearts can achieve such a feat." She flicked her gaze toward Li Zhameng. "Only those whose intentions are entirely selfless, free from wicked thoughts or hidden desires, can overcome this obstacle."
Li Zhameng turned to Xue Laohu, his expression unreadable. "Shizun… do you trust me?"
Xue Laohu blinked. "Huh?"
Li Zhameng stepped forward, his tone unwavering. "Shizun, please allow this lowly disciple to carry you."
Xue Tuzi's head snapped up, his drenched sleeves slipping through his fingers as he turned to glare at Li Zhameng. Li Zhameng ignored it. He reached out to lift Xue Laohu, but his Shizun immediately recoiled, hands raised in protest.
"No princess carry!" Xue Laohu barked.
Li Zhameng exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine." He turned around, lowering himself slightly. "Then climb on."
Xue Laohu scowled, crossing his arms. His pride was already in shambles—did he really have to do this too? But after glancing at the smug look on Xiao Xiao's face and hearing yet another suppressed chuckle from Shudu, he clicked his tongue and begrudgingly climbed onto Li Zhameng's back.
"Don't get any funny ideas," he grumbled.
Li Zhameng only smiled. "Of course not, Shizun."
With careful, deliberate steps, he walked toward the bridge. Xue Laohu squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for impact.
But the moment Li Zhameng stepped onto the icy surface—
The bridge held.
Xue Laohu slowly cracked one eye open. Then the other. They were still on the bridge. It worked?!
Meanwhile, Xue Tuzi remained standing at the water's edge, his drenched robes heavy against his skin. His gaze followed his Shizun's retreating figure, his fists clenching tighter and tighter.
Then, with quiet determination, he picked up Jiao Jiao, he whispered softly, his voice barely audible. "Xiao Jiao… I want you to tag along. To protect Shizun on my behalf. Can you do that for me?"
The little Gu worm lifted its head, its big, round eyes blinking up at Xue Tuzi before nodding eagerly. Without hesitation, it began to crawl forward, its small body inching toward the bridge.
Xue Tuzi held his breath.
The bridge did not collapse beneath the worm.
Xiao Jiao scuttled across the surface, diligently making its way toward Huo Yi, eventually curling up on her shoulder, blending in with the fabric of her robe.
"Well then," Xiao Xiao said, straightening her sleeves. "Let's go."
And with that, they continued forward, crossing the lake.
Xue Tuzi and Shudu remained behind.