A Tale Too Hard to Copy

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Bai Yi is an unaffiliated cultivator who has just entered the martial world. While investigating a case, he meets a young man.

The young man is a distinguished disciple of Cangyou Mountain, handsome and exceptionally skilled.

He is witty and charming, and a wonderful cook.

And... he's very good at sweet-talking people.

Their ideals and convictions align perfectly.

When Bai Yi says they should vanquish demons, the young man draws his sword.

When Bai Yi says that both humans and demons can be good or evil, the young man smiles and agrees.

But whenever an evil creature is about to die, it always turns on the young man and yells furiously:

"You shameless fake-green-tea hypocrite! Daoist, he's actually..."

But Bai Yi never hears the last few words.

The young man always slits their throats before they can finish.

*

The longer they spend together, the more strangely familiar the young man seems to Bai Yi.

They share so many interests, as though they have known each other for years.

Bai Yi thinks he has found a soulmate for life---

Until one rainy night, he sees the young man with demonic energy swirling around him, mercilessly driving a dark red blade into a ghostly monster's heart.

Caught in the act, the young man's expression changes spectacularly.

Shock, regret, ruthlessness...

But in the end, he merely lowers his eyes, looking heartbreakingly vulnerable. "Brother... I'm scared."

Bai Yi: "..."

Wait... which one of us is supposed to be scared?

*

Nothing in this world could be more absurd than discovering that his soulmate, the young man, is actually the demon lord Gu Chengyuan.

Unless...

Bai Yi being locked away by Gu Chengyuan on Cangyou Mountain is even more absurd.

Bai Yi can't understand why the famous Gu Chengyuan went to so much trouble to get close to an unknown unaffiliated cultivator like him.

Getting close to him is one thing, but why lock him up on Cangyou Mountain?

They say demons are bloodthirsty... Did he somehow offend this demon lord? Is he going to kill him?!

If so, he has to escape if he wants to stay alive---

*

While Gu Chengyuan is drunk, Bai Yi finally makes his escape.

But by mistake, he wanders into a secret realm.

White tea flowers grow all across the mountains there, stretching as far as the eye can see, a breathtaking sight.

And in the sea of flowers stands a tombstone.

Bai Yi walks closer and recognizes the inscription:

[Grave of Bai Yi, Esteemed Teacher of Immortal Lord Qingze]

Immortal teacher... Bai Yi...

A grave?!

Bai Yi's mind goes blank. As he reels in shock, a soft laugh suddenly comes from behind him.

His body stiffens. He whirls around, and Gu Chengyuan stands in the shadows, his figure like a ghost.

He advances step by step. Bai Yi instinctively backs away, until his waist presses against the tombstone engraved with his own name.

There is nowhere left to retreat.

Faced with this scene, Bai Yi thinks he is about to be killed on the spot.

He shuts his eyes in despair, ready to accept his fate.

But the great demon lord speaks in a quiet, hollow voice:

"Master... I don't want to keep pretending."

Gu Chengyuan braces one hand on the edge of the tombstone. His expression is pitiful, but his actions are anything but gentle:

"This time, can you please not sever your heartstrings?"

"...?"

About two hours later, Bai Yi lies draped over the tombstone, on the verge of tears.

"...Master, my foot! Is this how you show respect to your teacher?!"

[Bonus Scene]

Seventeen years ago:

Bai Yi: We're both men. Why can't we bathe together? Separating just wastes time.

Gu Chengyuan: Aah! No, Master! I'll...!

Bai Yi: You'll what?

Gu Chengyuan (nosebleed): Master, I'm going back to bed...

Bai Yi: ...

Seventeen years later:

Gu Chengyuan (looking pitiful): Sob, sob, sob. Master, if you hate me, I can leave. These past seventeen years haven't been hard or tiring at all. I can hang myself or jump off a cliff all by myself. It doesn't matter...

Bai Yi: ...?

*

Later, someone curses Gu Chengyuan: "You shameless fake-green-tea hypocrite! Two-faced dog! Sect Leader Bai, don't fall for his fake innocent act!"

Bai Yi glances sideways and calmly draws the "pure and harmless" Gu Chengyuan behind him.

"So what if he's a fake-green-tea hypocrite?"

[Reading Guide]

1. This story features a younger disciple pursuing his master, rebirth, amnesia, and an identity reveal.

Character setup: devoted, seductive, green-tea attack who is a home-loving sweetheart x aloof and pure-hearted shou in his past life, with a surprising contrast in this life

2. In this life, Bai Yi's personality is mainly a contrast to his past self. He severed his heartstrings in his previous life, and his reincarnated heartstrings are naturally fond of Gu Chengyuan. His cultivation is not as strong, giving Gu Chengyuan a chance to shine. The previous life is the main plot, and Bai Yi was the strongest back then.

3. The characters aren't simply good or evil; there are many morally gray characters. Please read with an open mind. The characters come first, and the author doesn't favor anyone. Their actions all reflect their own choices.

4. There are sweet moments and angst, but this is a happy ending. A little angst is good for the soul! I don't think it's especially angsty, but consider yourself warned!

5. This story is great for rereading. After reading the past-life arc, you'll catch lots of little sweet moments at the beginning that echo what came before!

[Additional content warning:

A. There is a ten-year age gap between the leads. After one reincarnation, the gong is 32 and the shou is 22.

B. Each of them helped raise the other at some point, but the gong had no such feelings when he was raising the shou. He diligently took care of the child, thought the shou was adorable when he was little, and wanted to treat him well.

Please make sure you're comfortable with this before reading!

Theme: Even after weathering hardship, keep your passion alive and stay true to your original aspirations as you pursue your ideals and love.