Futile Devices Scans

Su Ruhan set out from the imperial palace in the morning and arrived at the Ice-Fire Cave by dusk.

Though the cave wasn’t large, it contained many layers within, filled with natural wonders. Stalactites hung like trailing vines, creating a dazzling, otherworldly scene. From the entrance inward stood two massive stones—equal in size, yet completely different in appearance: one crystal-clear, the other blazing with fiery brilliance.

Perched atop these stones were two people, sitting and arranging chess pieces.

They looked identical—but their skin tones were starkly different, just like the stones beneath them: one flushed red, the other pale white. The contrast was eerie beyond words.

The two had once been twin sons of a wealthy merchant family, raised in comfort. But after their parents offended powerful officials, their entire household was executed. By chance, a Daoist priest passing by noticed the twins’ handsome features and keen eyes, and took them in to cultivate them for several years.

After the Daoist passed away, only the two brothers remained. They ventured into the martial world, combining Daoist arts with martial techniques, and developed extraordinary abilities. Their temperaments diverged completely—one like fire, the other like ice.

They became known as “Blazing Fire and Frozen Ice.”

The elder, with red hair, was called Liehuo (Blazing Fire). The younger, with silver hair, was naturally called Hanbing (Frozen Ice).

“Master, someone outside requests an audience. He claims to be an old acquaintance,” a middle-aged man in coarse clothes reported.

The red-haired man sitting on the flaming stone waved impatiently. “Go, go, go! Don’t you see I’m in the middle of a game with my brother? Brother, ignore him—let’s continue…”

Before he could finish, Su Ruhan walked straight in.

The two, who had been scowling moments before, immediately stood up when they noticed the treasured sword at his waist and approached him.

“So it’s the great Alliance Leader Feisha. What wind brings you here?” the silver-haired younger brother said in a strange tone.

Feisha’s name shook the martial world. Anyone who saw him would bow respectfully. But these two brothers, with their straightforward temperaments and unmatched skills, held no fear of him. Having had some past acquaintance with the martial alliance leader, they spoke without reserve.

“I’ve come to ask for your help,” Su Ruhan said.

Hearing this, Liehuo jumped down from the stone—but instead of approaching Su Ruhan, he slung an arm around Hanbing’s shoulders and said sourly, “Brother, why do you come down the moment you see him? We’ve been in this cave for days, and you’ve barely said a word to me.”

Before he finished, Hanbing shot him a cold glare.

Liehuo immediately understood who would give in, and shifted his attention back to Su Ruhan.

“What is it?” he asked loudly.

Hanbing, annoyed by his volume, shrugged him off.

Su Ruhan had long grown accustomed to the fact that the two only had eyes for each other. Without waiting for them to finish, he said directly:

“Help me summon back the soul of my friend’s beloved.”

The twins exchanged a glance, then said in unison:

“No.”

“They are also brothers,” Su Ruhan added.

Liehuo’s furrowed brow immediately relaxed a little.

“What friend?” he asked.

Su Ruhan lowered his gaze slightly. “The Third Prince.”

“The Third Prince… Ye Lu Jue, the most beautiful man in the world…” Liehuo muttered, raising a brow. “Then his younger brother must be quite handsome as well.”

“Not just handsome,” Su Ruhan said calmly. “He’s breathtaking.”

“Even if he’s breathtaking, I only like my brother,” Liehuo said, wrapping his arms around Hanbing again.

Hanbing glared fiercely at him—whether annoyed by his earlier curiosity or his blunt confession, it wasn’t clear.

“So—what do you say?” Su Ruhan pressed.

Liehuo thought for a moment, then turned to Hanbing. “Brother, you decide. I’ll follow you.”

Hanbing spoke, “We can agree—but on one condition.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“I will not step into the imperial palace. If you truly seek my help, the Third Prince must personally come to us.”

He emphasized personally, making the etiquette unmistakably clear.

“That will not be a problem,” Su Ruhan replied sincerely.

Seeing that Su Ruhan was nothing like the ruthless figure described in rumors, the brothers felt a trace of goodwill. If not for their past acquaintance, they wouldn’t have agreed so easily—no matter how powerful he was.

……

“Su Ruhan, I need you to find two people for me…”

Standing in the grand hall, the Third Prince radiated an aura that brooked no defiance.

“Your Highness means Liehuo and Hanbing?”

The prince’s expression softened slightly. No matter what, Su Ruhan understood him best.

“I’ve already invited them,” Su Ruhan replied. “However… they require Your Highness to visit them personally.”

Even as he spoke, he hesitated. After all, this was a prince above all others—someone even the Emperor treated with deference. Asking him to pay a visit could be seen as a deliberate challenge.

The Third Prince said nothing and simply walked into the inner chamber.

Su Ruhan understood immediately—and couldn’t help but regard him more highly. He had expected at least some displeasure, but the prince accepted it with complete calm.

Still, worry lingered.

He didn’t know where Mu Xueshi’s soul had gone. This was their only hope.

If the soul had already passed into the underworld, then no matter how powerful Liehuo and Hanbing were, they couldn’t bring the dead back to life.

……

That night, when Chen Youzai lay beside the Third Prince, he noticed the prince’s brows tightly furrowed, as though burdened with worry.

In a self-comforting gesture, he reached out and gently rubbed the space between his brows.

Suddenly, the Third Prince seemed to sense something and slowly opened his eyes.

Chen Youzai’s heart clenched. Even knowing he couldn’t be heard, he still called out to him in his heart.

In response, the Third Prince simply extended his arm, pulling Mu Xueshi closer into his embrace.

A sharp ache pierced Chen Youzai’s heart—like countless fine needles.

……

The ritual was set to take place on a flat hill far from the Ice-Fire Cave. Everyone except Mu Xueshi had to leave. Only after the ritual was complete could he be brought back.

The Third Prince stood inside the cave, outwardly calm, but inwardly uneasy.

It wasn’t that he doubted Su Ruhan’s ability—but the ones dealing with those two outside… had always been Mu Xueshi.

He couldn’t put his mind at ease.

Meanwhile, Liehuo and Hanbing merged their inner powers, weaving and transforming them continuously. At last, a grayish-silver shadow appeared between them.

Liehuo opened his eyes.

The shadow was small and grotesque, its body twisted, its face constantly shifting and swelling.

“Brother,” Hanbing said, “the shadow cannot attach to a human body… that person’s soul has already departed.”

“Let’s try again.”

“…Alright.”

Flames and frost intertwined between the two brothers, mist swirling thickly as the shadow wavered unsteadily.

Both Liehuo and Hanbing were drenched in sweat—one face flushed red, the other pale as snow.

Suddenly, Hanbing seemed to be struck by something. His arms began to tremble violently. Sensing something wrong, Liehuo opened his eyes—

Hanbing had already collapsed to the ground.

“Brother!” Liehuo rushed over like a madman.

Hearing the shout, the Third Prince and Su Ruhan hurried out as well.

Mu Xueshi still lay unconscious on the ground. Now, with Hanbing’s sudden collapse, there were two motionless figures lying there.

Liehuo had intended to curse the Third Prince outright—but when he saw that strikingly handsome face, the words caught in his throat. Even so, his tone remained harsh.

“His soul has already departed. There’s no bringing him back. Third Prince, you’d better leave. If anything happens to my brother, I’ll come to the palace and make you pay with your life.”

The Third Prince acted as though he hadn’t heard a word. His gaze remained fixed on Mu Xueshi, his feet unmoving.

No bringing him back…

Five words—spoken so lightly by others—

Yet to the Third Prince, they pierced like ten thousand arrows.

He had already grown used to facing someone without thoughts, without emotion… used to speaking without response.

But the shattering of that final sliver of hope—

Still caused his consciousness to waver.

Meanwhile, Liehuo clutched Hanbing, his face full of worry. Though such backlash during cultivation wasn’t uncommon, whenever Hanbing showed signs of distress, he feared something worse might happen.

“Why aren’t you leaving?!” Liehuo roared.

The moment the word “leave” left his mouth, a chilling coldness suddenly appeared in the Third Prince’s eyes.

It was like death itself had descended—anyone who saw it would feel a shiver down their spine.

Su Ruhan stood beside him, expression equally cold, silently observing.

Liehuo tightened his hold on Hanbing, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at the two men—ready for retaliation if they turned hostile.

Suddenly—

Hanbing’s fingers twitched.

His eyes slowly opened, far calmer than Liehuo’s earlier rage.

“Wait,” he said suddenly.

All three turned toward him, their movements pausing.

Hanbing stared off in one direction, as if transfixed.

Liehuo followed his gaze—and a strange look flickered in his eyes.

In that corner stood Chen Youzai, watching cautiously, hoping no one would notice him.

But when his eyes met theirs—

He froze.

Because he could clearly feel it—

They could see him.

Hanbing gave Liehuo a look.

Liehuo shot the Third Prince and Su Ruhan a warning glance, then helped Hanbing sit against a wooden post before striding toward Chen Youzai.

Seeing the red-haired man approaching, Chen Youzai panicked and instinctively ran.

But before he could get far, Liehuo grabbed him.

“Where do you think you’re going, brat?!” Liehuo laughed loudly.

Chen Youzai shook his head frantically. “Don’t catch me! Don’t catch me! I was just wandering around!”

Liehuo placed a hand on his head, closed his eyes, and began channeling energy. He muttered under his breath. When he opened his eyes again, there was a flash of delight.

The Third Prince and Su Ruhan watched as Liehuo gestured and muttered to himself, clearly performing a ritual. They held back, not interfering.

“Your Highness,” Hanbing suddenly said, “this little ghost has been by your side for quite some time.”

The Third Prince frowned slightly. “A ghost?”

“Yes. And if this young man’s seven souls have ascended, then the remaining three are on this little ghost.”

Liehuo added loudly.

Su Ruhan frowned, beginning to piece things together, though not fully. The Third Prince’s expression also turned complex.

The brothers exchanged a glance, then crouched down, clasping hands.

Now, transferring Chen Youzai’s soul back into Mu Xueshi’s body was simple. Had they realized earlier that this ghost was part of the original soul, they would have restored him long ago.

A silver-gray shadow appeared again between them—

But this time, it gradually took on a human shape, forming a skeletal outline instead of the limp, formless mass from before.

“You’ve got it wrong! I’m not from that body—I’m just a wandering soul!” Chen Youzai cried anxiously, his voice muffled as he merged with the shadow.

Neither the Third Prince nor Su Ruhan could hear him.

Only the two brothers could.

Liehuo, unconcerned about the prince’s impatience, began chatting with the little shadow.

“Did you do something wrong? Afraid to go back?”

“No! That body really isn’t mine!”

“It’s just a shell. If it’s not yours, whose is it?”

Chen Youzai fell silent.

His thoughts tangled into chaos.

Images of the Third Prince over the past days flashed through his mind—every time he had seen the prince speaking to Mu Xueshi, he had turned away, refusing to watch or listen.

He didn’t even know if Mu Xueshi had ever responded.

But one thing he did know—

Mu Xueshi had always been lying there.

He had assumed he was merely ill.

…Had that body really been empty the whole time?

Liehuo, reading his thoughts, explained lazily, “Your soul attached to that body for a time, so you carried some of its traits. But after you left, the body wasn’t empty—the seven souls had already ascended.”

“Does that mean… he died?” Chen Youzai’s voice trembled.

“You could say that…”

“I killed him…” Chen Youzai’s mind went blank. “It was my fault—my moment of foolish curiosity… I killed an innocent person…”

Liehuo knew full well that Mu Xueshi’s soul leaving had nothing to do with Chen Youzai.

But seeing the little ghost panic and despair, he found it amusing—and deliberately didn’t correct him.

“Yes. You’d better confess to that prince once you wake up.”

“Sir… please… disperse my soul. I don’t deserve to exist…” The little shadow began thrashing wildly.

“Sir? You call me sir?!” Liehuo snapped, reaching out as if to grab him.

“Careful!” Hanbing shouted sharply.

His voice steadied Chen Youzai’s spirit, and he shot Liehuo a fierce glare.

Liehuo immediately sobered, focusing his mind and not daring to provoke further.

A burst of red and white light exploded between them.

Chen Youzai felt as though he were being torn apart—

And instantly lost consciousness.

……

When he opened his eyes again—

The long-lost sensation of having a body returned.

Chen Youzai looked at the familiar body… then at the Third Prince beside him.

His heart felt like a storm of conflicting emotions.

At the moment Mu Xueshi opened his eyes—

The Third Prince felt no joy at all.

Perhaps he had already accepted the worst outcome. Now that things had changed, he didn’t even know how to react.

……

Mu Xueshi’s large eyes darted around—until they met the Third Prince’s gaze.

Mist filled them—

Then tears burst forth uncontrollably.

“Go… go tell that… that… mage… to disperse my soul… sob… I’m sorry… I’m sorry to you… I’m sorry to Mu Xueshi… I…”

Something about him—

The way he spoke, the disjointed sentences, even the way he wiped his tears with the back of his hand—

It was all exactly the same.

The Third Prince’s heart softened instantly.

He gently stroked Mu Xueshi’s face and asked softly, “What is my name?”

“Xi…” Mu Xueshi choked out.

The Third Prince pulled him fiercely into his arms, as if wanting to crush him and swallow him whole.

Watching from the side, Liehuo was thoroughly entertained—until Hanbing dragged him back into the cave. Su Ruhan smiled faintly and followed them in.

But as the Third Prince held him, he suddenly recalled Liehuo’s earlier words—and Mu Xueshi’s confession.

His heart tightened.

He abruptly pushed him away.

“What exactly happened?” His gaze turned dark.

Mu Xueshi already knew his good days were over.

That embrace had been enough.

Wiping his tears, he steeled himself and told everything—the transmigration, everything before and after.

At the end, his voice turned bleak.

“Now you know… I’m not him… I killed the one you loved… Whether you torture me or have that man destroy my soul, it’s up to you… I know you won’t let me go back… I’m not that naive…”

The tenderness in the Third Prince’s eyes vanished completely.

He stared coldly at Mu Xueshi, like a predator watching prey—his hatred unmistakable.

“You’re right. I won’t let you go.”

He gripped Mu Xueshi’s chin tightly, enunciating each word:

“I hate being deceived.”

Hearing this—and remembering how gently the prince had treated the real Mu Xueshi—

Chen Youzai understood everything.

The one the Third Prince loved… was the real Mu Xueshi.

Not him.

There had never been any affection for him—

Only hatred now.

The Third Prince watched his remorse, his pain… and for a moment, his heart ached.

But then he remembered everything—

The deception.

The torment of these past days.

And that fleeting softness was swallowed by anger.

Without mercy, he hoisted Mu Xueshi up and threw him onto a horse.

He tied him tightly with a rope—head and feet hanging downward, like prey awaiting slaughter.

“Waaah…”

Mu Xueshi broke down completely.

Now that the truth was known, the Third Prince treated him like a stranger—no, worse.

Thinking of how the prince had once held him—no, that Mu Xueshi—with such tenderness in these forests and mountains…

It felt as though his heart was being sliced apart, again and again.

He cried until his voice gave out.

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