Chapter 97: Station 23: The Quenching of Desire

Chapter 97: Station 23: The Quenching of Desire

In the blink of an eye, the lake-blue hue faded rapidly, transforming into a bicolor iridescence, a gaze familiar to Ming Yiyang.

The black cheongsam adorned with vibrant peony embroidery blossomed, just like that absurd night.

That exceptionally stunning face wore no expression.

Yet, he only needed to stand there, silencing all words, yet possessing the power to drive people mad.

Ming Yiyang's white, wispy hair danced gently in the biting mountain breeze.

The man's black cheongsam billowed softly with the wind, his snow-white skin contrasting beautifully against the varying shades of darkness.

The impact of this scene before him caused the young man's tightly sealed desires to crack uncontrollably, revealing icy fissures.

The ethereal blue spirit seized the opportunity to invade, infiltrating his flesh and bones, binding him firmly.

The diamond-like shimmer in his irises had, at some point, faded into a thinner purple, losing its luster in the absence of light.

With a graceful step, almost ethereal, the person moved forward.

Despite the shoes not fitting at all, not a single inappropriate sound escaped his lips.

They were so close that this person tilted their head to gaze at him.

As if out of curiosity, yet also with a tender affection, an untainted innocence shone through, as pure and translucent as stained glass.

Gently, this person reached out both hands, as if to cradle his face for a closer inspection.

Suddenly, crimson stains splashed across that beautiful visage, like a black iris, disrupting its serenity.

The captivating "Yan Qiling," with a surprised and eerie smile, was dissolved into the cold air by the spattered blood.

A furious white flame then surged, fiercely consuming the intensifying indigo mist around them.

Ming Yiyang clutched his slashed wrist, pinching the artery to stem the flow of blood.

His face was terrifyingly cold, his aura resembling dry ice after watering, nearly emitting visible, tangible chills.

The frail illusion was swiftly devoured by the white flames. Ming Yiyang observed Xi Yi, whose face was twisted in an unpleasant expression, with both hands buried in his sleeves.

Upon meeting Xi Yi's murderous gaze, the butler, who usually regarded him with an inverted triangle-shaped stare, hesitated as if he wanted to speak but eventually settled for a resentful remark:

"Let's go."

But Ming Yiyang didn't budge. He grinned at Xi Yi and said,

"Feeling uneasy about having nothing to show for your efforts, huh?"

Xi Yi glared at him darkly and replied coldly,

"I have no idea what you're talking about. It's time for the sacrificial ritual. Since there's no incompatible destiny, we'll find someone whose destiny aligns."

As he spoke, four servants emerged from the thick fog, dragging a half-dead figure with them.

The person could only muster weak gasps for air, sandwiched between two men who held his arms firmly, leaving him no chance to resist.

Following closely behind were two more servants pushing a heavy dog-head guillotine.

Ming Yiyang had no interest in witnessing the creation of a human piglet and turned to leave. Xi Yi's voice chased after him from behind:

"Since you were the last one to come out, there's no rush for you to return just yet. Why not stay and watch... Or are you afraid?"

Ming Yiyang knew this was a taunt; Xi Yi only wanted to torment his spirit by making him stay.

He turned around, his handsome face devoid of any emotion:

"Begin."

With those words, the four servants pinned the half-dead man's left arm onto the dog-headed guillotine!

Amidst the victim's screams, these servants mercilessly severed the man's limbs, turning him into a limbless "pig".

Throughout the process, Xi Yi observed the unassuming young man. Seeing no reaction on his surface, he deliberately asked,

"Would you like to experience the feeling of operating the guillotine yourself?"

When the youth's inhuman gaze swept over, even Xi Yi felt an indescribable sense of oppression.

"Sure."

The young man replied with an odd smile on his face:

"I just don't prefer using an executioner's chopper when I... deal with people."

As no one knew how he did it, to the servant and Xi Yi, the man suddenly pulled out a wooden blade from thin air and approached one of the servants at an alarming speed, making a slicing motion.

When he sheathed the blade and turned around, the servant let out a blood-curdling scream. His arms fell off his torso, landing neatly on the ground, still twitching due to muscle contractions.

The young man laughed without any guilt, his laughter growing louder and bordering on hysteria. As he passed by Xi Yi, his slanted eyes glanced at him, the friendly smile on his face appearing extremely cruel amidst the screams:

"It feels great. Would you like to give it a try?"

Xi Yi was momentarily at a loss for words.

However, the young man didn't need an answer. After saying that, he put away his smile and left without looking back.

-

Yan Qiling left earlier not for Shi Wenguang, but for Diao Qingchang, who had come out first.

This person was in his bedroom, appearing as if the experience at Longyu Hall hadn't troubled him at all.

Diao Qingchang was tidying up some miscellaneous items in the room. Upon seeing Yan Qiling's arrival, he couldn't help being surprised:

"Hmm, weren't we supposed to look for Shi Wenguang? Why are you here?"

The incredibly sunny individual narrowed his eyes, and the adorable crescents beneath them added a touch of innocence to Diao Qingchang's handsomeness, giving him a puppy-like charm.

Looking at the compass and other items he was packing, Yan Qiling asked,

"Didn't you go either?"

Diao Qingchang wasn't surprised. Eager to demonstrate his readiness to rescue, he quickly showed off the things he intended to bring:

"I need to have my gear with me. These are practical items I dug up from the Wen family, but they're too heavy to carry around. I've kept them in the room. Are you coming with me?"

Yan Qiling slowly shook his head, instead reaching out to retrieve the red note and handing it over to Diao Qingchang.

"The rules have changed again."

Diao Qingchang felt a chill run down his spine, almost believing that Shi Wenguang had already met his demise.

But upon closer inspection, the entry about Shi Wenguang remained vague. Just as he let out a sigh of relief, he noticed that the handwritten "Ba Zi" by Yan Qiling had been crossed out with cinnabar ink.

In its place was a row of small, neat cinnabar characters: Maintain a balance in the number of outsiders from the Wen and Bai families before nightfall.

Horror struck him, and he abruptly looked out the window:

"This... It's already nighttime! Are we all destined to meet our end?!"

"It's not too late to leave now," Yan Qiling said calmly.

"The part about Shi Wenguang being dizzy originally read, 'Remember to scatter money after the third watch when passing by graves.'"

"At the time of his disappearance, it hadn't yet reached the third watch, but he was still trapped. This suggests that the actual rule is to scatter paper money whenever one passes by a grave, regardless of the time. Since he went at an incorrect time, he didn't die; he might just be temporarily imprisoned by something."

Diao Qingchang exhaled deeply.

"You're right."

Yan Qiling nodded slightly.

"Without Shi Wenguang, we have nine left. There are three in the Embroidery Room. Ming Yiyang and I will stay in the house tonight. You find an excuse to take the others away. Remember, you must save Shi Wenguang."

Diao Qingchang was slightly puzzled.

"But wouldn't that leave one extra person with you?"

Yan Qiling's expression remained calm.

"If my guess is correct, that extra person will encounter danger. You were already planning to rescue Shi Wenguang, so there shouldn't be any more unexpected incidents. Ming Yiyang and I will handle things here at the Bai residence; it shouldn't be too much of a problem."

Diao Qingchang approved of the arrangement and nodded promptly.

"That works too."

He hastily gathered his belongings and rushed to seek farewell from Lady Old Bai - leaving the Bai family was no simple task; one needed her approval before departure.

Whether it was an illusion brought about by the rules or reality, Diao Qingchang felt that the servants he encountered on his way seemed to look at him with peculiar eyes.

Their gazes exuded greed, jealousy, murderous intent, and a dangerous thirst for blood.

He pretended not to notice these subtle changes.

Upon his departure, Yan Qiling, who had returned to the accounting room alone, encountered an unexpected visitor.

Su Bo, dressed as a maid, sat by the door and stood up in delight upon seeing him, "Brother Yan, you're finally back."

Yan Qiling was entirely unprepared for her appearance, revealing a rare hint of surprised detachment.

However, he quickly composed himself, replacing his expression with a slight frown, "Why are you here? If Lady Old Bai were to find out, it wouldn't bode well for you."

"I understand, but I had to come."

The young girl straightened her posture, her eyes shining with clarity:

"Goodness' injuries are too severe for her to move. Liao Xinya was supposed to come, but who knows what might happen tonight. Besides, she got injured leaving the Fish-Dragon Hall... Right now, I'm the only one capable of going out."

"Liao Xinya guessed that you would search for someone at the Wen residence tonight, and that's why I came. I also need to go to the Wen family's place."

Yan Qiling's exquisite peach blossom eyes scanned her expressionlessly:

"Reason."

"I have more experience, and my identity is special. I'm the bride chosen by the Bai family. If I go to the Wens, I might see something different from others. Moreover, I'm capable of enduring."

A charming dimple appeared on each side of the girl's smile:

"I'll abide strictly by the rules and maintain my role in this world. I won't cause any trouble for others, I promise."

Yan Qiling fell silent for a moment before saying,

"A new rule has just emerged, requiring a balance in the number of people staying at both the Bai and Wen households. Since you're leaving, someone needs to take your place. Who do you think would be suitable to stay in your stead?"

Suzhuo was taken aback and asked, "Who were the original ones meant to stay?"

"I, Ming Yiyang, and the three of you girls," came the reply.

After a few moments of contemplation, Suzhuo quickly made her decision. "Diao Qingchang got out yesterday, so he'll likely have to do the same today. He can't be moved. That leaves Yu Kui and Lin Yongjian... So, how about Lin Yongjian stays behind?"

Yan Qiling looked at her quizzically. "Why him?"

The girl flashed a bright smile. "He seems more familiar with all of you. Since we'll be staying together anyway, it's better to have someone you know, right?"

"Um-hum."

Yan Qiling nodded slightly.

"I'll contact Diao Qingchang to take you out, but remember to prioritize your safety when you're there. Don't take unnecessary risks."

Suo Bo smiled happily and nodded.

"Okay, I definitely will!"

The man returned her soft smile, though his gaze was slightly averted.

The brass mirror on the etagere gleamed as if it were new, still unconsciously radiating its dazzling brilliance.

Amidst this glow, Yan Qiling pondered over the young girl's words just now.

Only Wei Kui and Lin Yongjian were left.

How had she eliminated Shi Wenguang?

Did Liao Xinya say that?