[Full text to be revised]
1.
In a bloody massacre carried out in the name of quelling rebellion, Xu Xiaoyan became a remnant of the Demon Clan, a hated enemy whom everyone wanted dead. Carrying a deep-seated grudge, he concealed his identity and joined Windcall Sword Sect.
He later became a brilliant young sword cultivator, wielding a sword that could save the world and righting every injustice under the sun.
Just as widely discussed was the gradual change in his fellow-disciple bond with his aloof, proud junior brother, Yao Shuyu.
A fellow disciple who had always admired him turned into a hater on the spot. "I can't believe you're that kind of senior brother! I'm telling Master! Just you wait, you'll be getting married!"
Xu Xiaoyan: "..."
Well, that... wasn't entirely out of the question.
2.
Years later, the Demon Sword resurfaced. Xu Xiaoyan was swept into a massive conspiracy, and his identity was exposed by accident. The various sects trumped up charges against him, all eager to kill him.
Is there no justice in this world? He'd long since let go of his grudges. He only wanted to be a young sword cultivator who helped all under heaven, sword in hand, roaming the mountains and seas... while looking handsome and dashing. Yet everyone was pushing him further and further off the righteous path.
Was he really destined to become a villain?
He left his sect and reached the end of his road. When he met Yao Shuyu again, the latter had become the fearsome Demon Lord, his sword already stained with countless lives.
It seemed he would never find a place to call home where even a little warmth remained. Everyone hated him to the bone, and everyone wanted him to fall into an abyss from which he would never be reincarnated.
Since neither heaven nor earth had ever shown him the slightest mercy, from now on, he would live only for revenge.
But
At the sect gate, he turned for one last look at the sword sect, only to see the figure he had yearned for every day and night.
Beneath the slanting moonlight, the young man stood at the end of the stone steps, his eyes red. Clear moonlight fell on his snow-white hair, like a stream of snow adrift in the mortal world.
"Senior brother, don't you want me anymore?"
Yes, yes, yes!
What was there to think about?!
"I'll take you away, far from the clamor of this world."
Conflicting identities, diverging paths, all of it could go to hell!
The world had insulted him and cast him aside. Everyone wanted him dead, but he had never cared.
As long as his junior brother was by his side, he would fear no storm in this world.
But Xu Xiaoyan never imagined that the junior brother he thought of day and night would want his life, too.
3.
Yao Shuyu's sword pierced his heart. The eyes he turned on Xu Xiaoyan were utterly empty.
Between them, love was too barren to speak of, and hatred cut too deep.
Everything in the past finally became the blood from his heart that stained the blade, and a tear from the one he loved.
"Senior brother, do you have anything else to say?"
Oh no, it's a beauty trap.
Xu Xiaoyan, not quite dead yet, pushed himself up and spoke in a voice as faint as a thread.
"...Next time, remember to stab me on the left."
"..."
Theme: When a thousand hardships of this fleeting life end, a single lamp shines through the long day.
