Chapter 130: Heading Home

Chapter 130: Heading Home

Final exams had been ongoing for six days. Ever since Wen Ying discovered the situation with Yang Rixi's puppet body, he had been supervising his cultivation in the room without leaving. Apart from watching mobile game-related videos on his phone, he did nothing else.

After Yang Rixi beat up his younger brother, Yang Shiming, the latter didn't come to cause trouble for a while. Yang Shiming even claimed that he intentionally let Yang Rixi vent his anger, so Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi didn't comment further.

Wen Ying woke up feeling inexplicably melancholic this morning. It was already the sixth day, yet he still hadn't made any substantial progress. The sword of Damocles hanging over his head made it hard for him not to be restless.

He wondered how the other demons were faring.

No matter how talented Yang Rixi was, he couldn't have advanced his cultivation at a rapid pace within such a short time. Wen Ying's eyes blanked as he pondered over what he should do next. He needed to devise a plan that would consume the least amount of magic power.

Just as he was racking his brains, he suddenly sensed the magic power fluctuations of an exorcist outside. Startled, he jolted awake and kicked Yang Rixi, who was meditating cross-legged, off his pillow.

"Ouch…" Yang Rixi covered his face, a mix of astonishment and fear in his eyes. "What's wrong? Did I mess up my cultivation?"

He asked because he saw an unprecedented level of tension and seriousness on the demon puppet's face.

Wen Ying said, "Quickly retract all your magic power. Don't let even a single bit of it leak out. Official exorcists are approaching for some reason."

"…The authorities?" Yang Rixi's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that his cultivation was illegal? Otherwise, why would this demon puppet be so afraid of being discovered?

Was he destined to live in fear of the police from now on?

Wen Ying flew to the balcony and peeked through the security bars discreetly.

Yang Rixi's room was on the second floor. As Wen Ying cautiously peered out, he saw a group of people standing at the entrance of the villa. Upon closer inspection, the exorcists didn't radiate a strong aura, posing no real threat. Moreover, judging from their vibe, they didn't seem to be approaching with hostile intentions.

Wen Ying returned and found Yang Rixi looking anxious. He asked, puzzled, "Why are you so nervous?" If anyone were to be caught, it would be him.

Lowering his voice, Yang Rixi replied, "Am I practicing illegally?"

Wen Ying chuckled. The joke lightened the tension on his face. Flying back to the door, he pressed his ear against it, listening carefully to the sounds outside while saying, "Don't worry, if anyone's getting caught, it'll be me. You don't need to be concerned about me. My true form isn't here, so even if this body is captured, it's not a big deal. It's just that my... internship score will suffer."

Worried about his scores even at such a time, it seemed that the demon's talk about graduation and internships was genuine, Yang Rixi thought. In his mind, Wen Ying's image was gradually blending with that of a recent graduate on an internship.

As Wen Ying reassured Yang Rixi, he was deeply perplexed. Having stayed indoors for days, how could exorcists have found their way to his doorstep? Was it Old Hong or Diao Mei? They both seemed quite cowardly, so Wen Ying was quite baffled.

Yang Rixi took the initiative to open the door and said to Wen Ying, "I'll go downstairs and see what's going on."

It was still early in the morning, and Yang Zhenxing had yet to leave for work. Cai Yiyi hadn't gone out either. Yang Shiming had been out partying the previous night and was still sound asleep. As for Yang Shize, he had mentioned a few days ago that he was working on a project and would be staying elsewhere for a few days, hence his absence.

Wen Ying pondered for a moment and suggested, "Put on a jacket. I'll come down with you to listen in."

As Yang Rixi changed and descended the stairs, he overheard one of the exorcists say, "We're not frauds. Your adopted son has indeed been using demons for illegal activities."

So it wasn't directed at them. Upon hearing this, Wen Ying's tense nerves relaxed, and a sense of curiosity to witness the drama arose.

Yang Rixi, having learned from Wen Ying about Yang Shize's demonic dealings, understood that this was the reason behind the constant frame-ups and successful schemes against him since he joined the family. The people around them seemed to have their intelligence lowered, blindly trusting anything Yang Shize said.

"We've discovered traces of magic on many individuals associated with Yang Shize, apart from the recent victim."

If not for the national identification cards they presented initially, Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi would have already chased these absurdly speaking men away. However, as their claims became more outrageous, even their patience wore thin.

"Our son used a demon to harm others?" asked Yang Zhenxing.

The lead man replied earnestly, "Not harm, but he exploited a low-level succubus to manipulate the victims into obedience. This act is illegal, and considering the available information, he could face at least a decade in prison."

It sounded absurd but also strangely logical. Yang Zhenxing's expression turned peculiar. "Can you show me this demon you're talking about?"

The group was well-versed in dealing with ordinary people's disbelief in demons. They had a routine. The leader, a man, skillfully stretched out his hand, palm up, and a flame spontaneously appeared in his grasp.

The young men and women behind him also raised their hands, with either water globes forming in their palms, or vines emerging, or even casually attracting a pack of tissues from the nearby table as if they were magnets.

Everyone in the living room, from the young to the old, was left dumbfounded. The servant, who had just brought out freshly baked croissants, was so astonished that she nearly dropped the tray.

The exorcist with the vines in his palm reacted swiftly, commanding the vines to extend and wrap around the tray, preventing it from falling. The servant stumbled, on the verge of falling, but was promptly steadied by the vines.

This was undoubtedly no mere sleight of hand. Who could perform magic that stretched across such a vast distance with such agility?

Everyone felt their worldview shatter and reassemble. Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi's faces fell; if they weren't frauds, then it meant Yang Shize's collaboration with a demon in malevolence was true, and his imprisonment was real as well!

Cai Yiyi immediately said, "My child... he's... inexperienced and unaware of such matters. Is there any way to avoid prison?"

Yang Zhenxing also looked expectantly at the group who claimed to be exorcists.

Since Yang Rixi was carrying the demonic puppet, he didn't dare to approach too closely and stood at a spot where he could still hear clearly. Upon hearing this, he kept praying inwardly, "He must go to jail, he must go to jail, there shouldn't be any other alternatives."

The man looked at the couple with a strange expression. He opened his mouth slowly, his words measured, "Are you aware that there are also traces of bewitching magic on your bodies?"

Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi were startled.

The Yang family was one of the prominent families in Mu City. The story of the switched babies had spread like wildfire, and this man had heard about it too. Immediately, conspiracy theories raced through his mind – perhaps the fake heir had used demonic powers to suppress the real one. It was a common plot in novels. His eyes widened, not missing any expression on Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi's faces.

On the front line of gossip, the exorcist beside them was equally vigilant.

Few in wealthy families were foolish, let alone the heads of the family. Yang Zhenxing was more perceptive than Cai Yiyi. Recalling past events, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he stepped forward and asked, "Mr. Exorcist, do you know when the bewitching magic on us disappeared?"

"It should have been within these few days."

That matched up. Yang Zhenxing's face turned grim, while Cai Yiyi wore an expression of disbelief. Both felt a chill run down their spines as memories of Yang Shize's smiling face – so obedient and gentle – now sent shivers down their spines.

Wen Ying thought that Diao Mei was quite clever. After making contact with the magic on Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi, no traces remained. Diao Mei had returned to cast the spell anew and then erased it.

Though not visually appealing, its abilities were commendable. Wen Ying contemplated truly recruiting Diao Mei. It seemed likely that Diao Mei was the one who leaked the information.

This scheme of framing someone and watching from the sidelines had a certain... Suddenly, Wen Ying became alert. He had just thought that it bore a resemblance to the style of the extremely wicked bird.

Human beings inherently fear the unknown, and at this moment, the couple, both pale with fright, didn't dare to mention the topic of "redeeming" anyone.

From the corner of her eye, Cai Yiyi caught sight of Yang Rixi standing at a distance and gestured for him to come over.

Yang Rixi was enjoying the spectacle, but when Cai Yiyi beckoned him, his leisurely mood instantly turned tense. He had a devil hidden in his pocket!

Pretending not to understand, Cai Yiyi approached and embraced him tightly. The warmth of his body slightly alleviated the chill in her heart as she murmured, "After all, blood is thicker than water."

Yang Rixi hesitantly raised his arms and wrapped them around her.

A few days ago, when he encountered Wen Ying, his face was likely as white as Cai Yiyi's, if not paler, given that it was late at night, making the atmosphere even more terrifying.

"In recent times, we're in a strict crackdown period. There's no escape for Yang Shize. He exploited his devil's powers during the bidding process to make the notary divulge confidential information for profit, forged gold to sell for personal gain, and there are other various offenses," someone explained solemnly.

Curious, Yang Rixi asked, "What other sorts of offenses?"

An exorcist replied awkwardly, "His devil is a succubus. He utilized its powers to implant false memories in several victims, making them believe they had slept with him. The other offenses are similar in nature."

Yang Rixi's expression revealed his astonishment. Yang Shize truly broadened his horizons.

Upon hearing this, everyone present was astonished, especially Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi, who wore expressions of disbelief.

Wen Ying thought to himself that true succubi didn't need magic; they could merely flash a glance or beckon with a finger, and countless people would eagerly offer everything they had. For example, Essence, that devilish creature.

Sending a telepathic message to Yang Rixi, Wen Ying said, "Ask Yang Shize how he was exposed. Why wasn't he caught before?"

Yang Rixi's confusion was evident as he asked, "If he has been using demons for evil deeds for a long time, as you say, why was he only caught recently?"

His words implied that the exorcists were incompetent.

An exorcist, displeased, replied, "We usually deal with demons involved in fatal incidents first. A demon like the one Yang Shize kept is well-hidden among the masses, making it difficult to detect. This time, it just so happened that a few wealthy second-generation kids, whom he had cast spells on, ran into an exorcist on the street. The exorcist noticed a uniform magical fluctuation on them, which led to the investigation."

The leader of the group gestured for the exorcist to be quiet and apologized, "It was our oversight not to have discovered this earlier. Please forgive us. Now, we need all of you to sign a non-disclosure agreement."

...

After signing the non-disclosure agreement, Yang Rixi intended to go upstairs and ask Wen Ying for more details about the incident. However, Yang Zhenxing and Cai Yiyi detained him with their concern. Yang Shiming, awakened by the noise, came downstairs, puzzled. He was spotted by the departing exorcists, who pulled him aside and made him sign the same agreement.

Yang Shiming was also shocked by the news and couldn't believe that Yang Shize, whom he had always perceived as a gentle person, could be capable of such acts. He wondered if they had made a mistake and even suspected Yang Rixi of being the mastermind behind it all. But when he saw Yang Rixi raise his arm inadvertently, he swallowed his words.

Yang Rixi had really hurt him that day.

After Yang Shiming grieved over Yang Shize, he suddenly remembered the crucial matter of magic and wanted to ask if he could practice it. However, the person was nowhere to be seen. He slumped his shoulders and devoured steamed buns dejectedly.

Yang Rixi finally freed himself from the belated affection of his parents. It was almost noon when he hurried upstairs, eagerly shut the door, and took out the puppet from his pocket, asking, "Did you do this?" His eyes curved into a smile.

Wen Ying replied slowly, "Yes and no."

Yang Rixi's smile froze. "What do you mean?"

"It's just… a bit complicated," Wen Ying crossed his arms. "I'll explain when I sort it out. The process is complex, and even I'm not quite sure yet."

He needed to figure out if it was Muershi.

In a luxurious apartment, a handsome young man put down his phone, stretched out his arms, and leaned back on the sofa with a smile in his eyes.

"He's been caught."

Miniature Muershi gradually emerged from the side, holding a small black blob with a large head and tiny body in his hand. The blob trembled and squeezed out a pleading smile. "Um, can I go now?"

Lately, its luck seemed to be at an all-time low, encountering two life-threatening big shots in a row.

Muershi tilted his head. Though his expression was anything but menacing – with a smiling face and casual tone – Diao Mei felt that this demon was even more terrifying than the silver-haired one.

"Not allowed," the mischievous fiend bird relished the sight of the other's anxiety and fear before giving his answer with a laugh. He laughed wildly and carefree, as if he had stumbled upon something delightful, yet the laughter in his eyes was icy cold.

Listening to Huo Jue's light-hearted and nonchalant laughter beside him, thoughts of his own deceived wish soured his mood instantly.

Wen Ying realized he didn't have Diao Mei's contact information. Old Hong had also communicated through Diao Mei, leaving him with a headache. Originally, he thought he could just find Diao Mei by going to Yang Shize, only to discover that Yang Shize had been taken in.

Well, he'd start with Lin Wenpu then. Wen Ying rushed back home, planning to ask his parents if they knew where Lin Wenpu lived in their neighborhood.

It had been a while since he last saw his parents. Wen Ying flew into his room through the window. The burnt cabinet had been dealt with and replaced with a brand new, identical one, though the dolls inside were gone.

After another round of curses directed at the demonic mask, he opened the door and stepped out.

There was someone else's presence in the living room – his father was there. Reunited after a long time apart, Wen Ying's heart raced as he flew over, shouting, "Dad!"

In a house where no one else should have been, Lin Tianbao was startled by the unexpected voice of his son, who hadn't been seen for ages. He straightened up, only to turn around and see a doll calling him 'Dad.' His lips trembled, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the sofa.

Wen Ying: "..." He had momentarily forgotten about his father's timid nature.

Wen Ying clenched his teeth and used an illusion to transform back into his human form, shaking Lin Tianbao awake.

Awoken, Lin Tianbao was still trembling in fear. He sat up, looking around nervously. Seeing Wen Ying, he murmured in confusion, "Little Ying, you're back?"

Memories flooded back, causing Lin Tianbao to shiver. "I think I just had a dream where a puppet called out for my dad."

Wen Ying replied irritably, "That was me. My return to the human realm this time was rather unusual; I came back using a puppet's body."

With that explanation, Lin Tianbao wasn't scared anymore. He placed a hand on his chest. "Next time, give me a heads-up before you appear. Don't scare me like that. I'm quite a timid person."

"I forgot, alright?" Wen Ying muttered softly.

Lin Tianbao picked up Wen Ying and swayed him in his hand. "How amazing! What's it like being bound to a puppet?"

"There's not really any special feeling," Wen Ying said. "Dad, do you know Lin Wenpu, a shareholder of the Devil Mobile Game company?"

Lin Tianbao smacked his lips. "I know, Mom met him just a few days ago."

Wen Ying's eyes lit up. "Does Mom know where he lives in this neighborhood?"

Lin Tianbao pondered. "I think it's in Villa 14. He doesn't have anything to do with demons, does he? I need to tell Mom not to have any contact with him."

"Why would Mom have contact with him?"

"The demon company wants to make a spin-off TV series based on their mobile game and approached Mom for discussions…" Lin Tianbao suddenly panicked as he spoke. "That demon company isn't really owned by a demon, is it?!"

The corner of Wen Ying's mouth twitched. His father's timidity was fortunately not inherited by him.

"For now, it seems like it's actually run by an exorcist."

Lin Tianbao sighed in relief. "That's good to hear."

"By the way, Dad, what has our great-grandfather been up to lately?"

"He said he wanted to go fishing in the countryside, so he's been living in the village for quite some time now."

Wen Ying: "…" Now he knew where his father's bravery came from. He originally wanted to ask Wen Dingjue about Aruda, but he felt embarrassed to inquire about it through the latter's phone.

He would call Wen Dingjue again using his parents' phones in a few days. Rubbing against his father's face, Wen Ying reluctantly said, "Dad, I'll be going now."

Lin Tianbao was taken aback. "Leaving so soon after just arriving?"

"I returned to the human realm for my final exams. I need to earn some points now."

"Then hurry up and don't fail," Lin Tianbao promptly replied. "Don't disgrace us humans, and take care of yourself. Avoid conflicts with other demons. If you can't beat them, just give in."

Wen Ying: "…Okay."

Unaware of the hesitation in Wen Ying's 'okay', Lin Tianbao watched his departure with concern.

It was better not to let his father know about his feats in the demon realm, Wen Ying thought to himself.

He flew to Villa 14 and cast an invisibility spell on himself before sneaking inside.

There were no magical fluctuations within. There were no barriers or detection spells – it was as clean as an ordinary human household.

Lin Wenpu was absent, leaving only a few servants inside. Wen Ying explored the villa but found no signs of anything suspicious. Frowning deeply, he realized that the transaction site wasn't here.

The next location to investigate was the headquarters of the Devilish Company, which happened to be located in Mu City as well. Wen Ying flew over and detected a strong magical reaction from the building. He retraced his path, planning to borrow Yang Rixi's body later. With their causal contract in place, he could do so without attracting undue attention from exorcists.

In the afternoon, when his mother was not at home, Wen Ying returned in the evening. Wen Qinxue was thrilled to see him, and after an emotional reunion, Wen Ying shared his intentions with her.

Wen Qinxue was surprised. How could that company be involved with both demons and exorcists?

"Mother, I'm also puzzled. I'm investigating right now. Next time you discuss that TV drama with them, could you request to have the meeting at their premises? Bring along my current host, Yang Rixi."

"Yang Rixi?" Lin Tianbao leaned in. "Isn't that the main figure in the recent sensational case of the Yang family, where a child was switched at birth?"

"It's him."

Wen Ying recounted the recent events, including Yang Shize's exploitation of demons for personal gain. Lin Tianbao and Wen Qinxue listened in astonishment and relief, grateful that they had not crossed paths with someone like Yang Shize, accompanied by a demonic entity.

{Wen Ying} personally crafted miniature "amulets" for them on the spot, imbuing them with dispelling magic to counter illusions, and further enveloping them in a layer of concealment magic. Thus, the exorcists would not detect any trace of these amulets.

Lin Tianbao immediately swore to wear it constantly, revealing his obvious fear.

Wen Qinxue had yet to discuss the next meeting's time and location with the other party. Taking advantage of the moment, she pulled out her phone to inquire and set a date. The other side agreed without hesitation and even warmly invited Wen Qinxue to visit their headquarters.

The meeting was scheduled for the following day, as they were eager to finalize the TV series adaptation.

With the business settled, Wen Qinxue held the doll gently in one hand while stroking its face, concern etched on her features. "Your life in the Demon Realm must have been tough. I wonder why Grandfather was so insistent on sending you there."

Lin Tianbao nodded. "If he hadn't said that your body would become stronger in the Demon Realm, I never would've let you go to such a perilous place."

Each month, he used Aruda's phone to reassure his parents of his safety, but to maintain his image as an obedient son, he omitted any mention of his aggressive behavior in the Demon Realm – fights and bullying were completely absent from his stories.

Listening to his parents' worries, Wen Ying felt a twinge of guilt and hastily flew away. "Don't worry, I'll possess Yang Rixi tomorrow. Mom, just pick me up at the neighborhood entrance at eight in the morning."

Back at the Yang residence, he informed Yang Rixi that he would need to borrow his body for a day. Delighted that Yang Shize was now inside, Yang Rixi readily agreed.

The next day, Wen Ying accompanied Wen Qinxue as they confidently entered the building through the main entrance.

"Friend's child, bumped into him by chance, said he loves your demon mobile game, so I offered to bring him over for a visit," Wen Qinxue explained to those around them.

Wen Ying followed Wen Qinxue from the elevator to the conference room, observing along the way that several exorcists could be seen casually around the company. These exorcists didn't appear menacing or radical, making it hard to associate them with extremist groups.

Suddenly, Wen Ying spotted a tall and sturdy man approaching them, causing her heart to skip a beat. It was the renowned Cosplayer Hell Orange, also a formidable exorcist. He was chatting and laughing with the nearby employees and politely nodded at their group when he met them.

"Wonderful lad, are you interested in joining the entertainment industry?" Wen Qinxue's eyes lit up at the sight of Hell Orange, envisioning various roles he would excel in on screen.

Hell Orange politely declined, "Sorry, I'm just a Cosplayer, not skilled in professional acting."

Wen Qinxue expressed her regret, "You'd be perfect for portraying the Hellhound in this mobile game."

Hell Orange grinned, revealing his canines, "Your taste is impeccable, I specialize in cosplaying that character."

Hell Orange turned his gaze to Yang Rixi, who was possessed by Wen Ying, and walked over, leaning in with a smile. "Handsome young man, are you also in the scriptwriting field?"