Chapter 129: Station 24: The Yellow-Breasted Sparrow

Chapter 129: Station 24: The Yellow-Breasted Sparrow

Blinding purple-gold light flickered, and suddenly, a golden cross shimmered at the center of Yuangong Baiyu's swirling indigo pupils!

In an instant, the arm holding the crucifix turned into brittle charcoal under the golden flames!

Without hesitation, he severed his charred right arm, only for black, tentacle-like suckers to erupt from the rotten flesh, shooting out like a blooming flower with intricate tendrils.

As they entwined, a new, fair arm emerged, and the leisurely joy on Yuangong Baiyu's face vanished.

With a cautious, almost fearful gaze, he stared at the man strolling calmly through the watery veil.

The man's left eye was crimson, while his right seemed to hold a miniature, spinning cosmos, making him appear exceptionally distinctive.

At that moment, the cosmos pulsed with the divine power Simon had once wielded.

"…Long time no see, Yan Jun," Yuangong Baiyu said, quickly creating distance between them. His slender eyes glinted coldly, and the red at the corners of his eyes dimmed due to his emotions.

"Not too long, considering we met at the hotel on Ararat Mountain."

The black silk garment danced in the water, ethereal like gauze and mist, a dreamlike illusion.

The man's breath, tinged with silvery bubbles, carried him through the dark waters, his presence the sole luminous entity in this deep sea.

A straight crimson beam highlighted his perilous nature.

In the dim light, Yuangong Baiyu vaguely sensed a colossal entity lurking in the depths behind the man, as if it were eagerly anticipating something.

Yan Qiling didn't comment on his wary gaze but strolled steadily and leisurely towards Yuangong Baiyu, saying,

"However, what you did over a hundred years ago left a more profound impression than our last meeting. I truly didn't expect you to come see me again."

"Pity, Patland probably ruined your plans."

"I had no intention of disturbing you; I was merely carrying out orders."

Yuangong Baiyu explained, but perhaps realizing evasion was futile, he didn't retreat any further. Instead, he fixated intently on the approaching figure.

"Yan Ling, ever since I entered the Ninefold Lotus Tower over a hundred years ago, I've turned over a new leaf. But as you know, I cannot defy Paimon's commands... It's not my fault."

"Is that so? When you descend into hell with him, you'll stand side by side as equals."

The man pulled a master chair from the void behind him and sat down leisurely.

"Now, you're his subordinate. Should I find it amusing or pitiful?"

With a slight gesture, a small square table appeared by his right hand, along with a cup of single-branch tea already brewed.

Like he was in his own home, the man picked up the teacup casually, swiped away the froth on the surface, and sipped it gently.

His actions were so inappropriate, yet Yuangong Baiyu felt even more uneasy:

"The sacred statue you concealed, did Simon give it to you? I didn't expect... a mere mortal could wield such power."

"Yuangong, have you been inhuman for too long? You seem to have forgotten that we both once were mortals."

When he looked up again, the mysterious light flickering in Yan Qiling's right eye, reminiscent of the cosmos, had become pure.

"Even as an Unbounded Ruler, you can only wield power within this world. At one time, the 'mortals' you mentioned were the masters of this infernal domain. If it weren't for Spirit Nurturers sinking to degradation, do you think the 'Prison Train' would have appeared?"

"You should be grateful that we are no longer mortals and no longer need to associate with such 'mortals.'"

Yuan Gong Baiyu's slender eyes fixed on him, examining him critically.

"Is that so? Yet aren't you still dealing with the Netherworld? If you genuinely have the Unbounded Ruler's best interests at heart, Lord Paimon would welcome your arrival anytime."

"As long as you're willing to join us, all plans targeting you will be withdrawn. Why bother associating with these useless humans, bringing endless trouble upon yourself? With your current strength, Lord Paimon would undoubtedly be willing to share this world with you."

Amidst the swirling tea mist, Yan Qiling gazed at him coldly.

"The Nine-Layered Lotus Tower has always belonged to the Yan family. Why share it with him? Besides, the Lotus Tower is meant to imprison Unbounded Rulers. Should I aid him in turning it into a paradise for them? Yuan Gong, don't you find your words amusing?"

"Certainly not. However, without the assistance of Yan Hesheng, you've been unable to fully utilize your power until now, haven't you?"

Resting the bat-shaped fan against his cheek again, Yuan Gong Baiyu's reddened eyelids curved into a knowing smile.

"Moreover, you misunderstand. Lord Paimon wishes to share not just the Unbounded Realm but also the mortal world with you... If you're willing to team up with him, perhaps even the realm of the underworld could fall under your control."

"The pie is too large to be devoured."

The man released his grip, and the teacover clicked gently onto the teacup.

"Do you find it amusing that you, working together, couldn't kill me, yet still aspire to infiltrate the mortal world?"

Countless golden spikes rose from his back, resembling an intricate golden wreath woven from thorns.

A divine radiance shimmered in his eyes, intensifying the oppressive aura around him.

"Simon offered his life in exchange for my assistance in eradicating Patland. I shall fulfill his wish, of course."

"As part of the bargain, he will use his body to pave a path for me towards the holy light, shielding me from the harm of its purity."

Yuangong Baiyu immediately grasped the leverage Yan Qiling had relied upon earlier.

The Ruler of the Abyss had an innate aversion to anything deemed "of the mortal realm." The purer an object, the more damaging it was to the Ruler, to the extent that mere contact could cause injury.

Just as he had been scorched by that golden flame moments ago.

Yet Simon had willingly offered his protection to Yan Qiling, which was like placing a shield around him. This allowed Yan Qiling to minimize the harm caused by "things from the living world" to himself!

It also meant that he could use such an item to manipulate other Incarnations without suffering any harm in return!

"I fed some of my power as bait to Patland, and I didn't expect him to actually take it. He didn't even detect Simon's pure energy."

Closing his teacup, the man spoke nonchalantly,

"Your subordinates are so foolish, yet you still dare to dream of sharing the Lotus Tower with me. Even in a fantasy, that's impossible."

Despite sitting while Yuangong Baiyu stood, the latter seemed to be the one at a disadvantage, barely able to meet his gaze.

"Never mind, Mister Yan. It's fine if you don't want to join us. With Patland dead, I swear not to bother you again. Even if it's Lord Paimon's command, I'll choose to disregard it from now on. Let's end things here today."

Yan Qiling smiled at him,

"What joke are you trying to pull? Paimon doesn't need to give you orders."

"You... Have you forgotten about me after not seeing me for so long? You still haven't returned the pair of wings within you."

Yuangong Baiyu's expression drastically changed.

He finally understood what was going on:

"You've had your eyes on me all along?!"

"Not entirely. It was when I entered this world and caught a whiff of your aura. So I thought, since there's nothing else to do, I might as well come and collect my debt."

Yuangong Baiyu turned to flee!

He transformed into a ball of white light, attempting to leave the Black Water Domain, but collided fiercely with the nearly transparent boundary wall!

The man's ethereally clear voice was like a cold spring gushing forth:

"This heart is like a mirror, reflecting the sun and moon."

Golden rays burst forth from behind him, illuminating Yuangong Baiyu's disbelieving face:

"You're actually going to use that power? You're insane!"

Yan Qiling's gaze burned like a flame:

"How can I not use the radiance of a god? All the power in this world is usable, whether it be dark or light, it depends on who wields it!"

A laser-like beam instantly pierced towards Yuangong Baiyu's back!

Yuangong Baiyu finally ceased his concealment. His white robe split open to reveal two pockets from which enormous gray crane wings emerged. With each flap, the rigid feathers swiftly nullified the damage from the laser!

This time, Yuangong Baiyu didn't flee. Instead, he turned and charged towards Yan Qiling –

Countless gray feathers were swiftly swept away by the water currents. The brilliance in Yan Qiling's eyes suddenly dimmed!

Yan Qiling seemed to attempt to take a step forward, but he quickly returned to his original spot, as if trapped in a glitched loop.

"So what if you're strong? You still fell into my trap."

The bat-shaped fan stabbed straight into Yan Qiling's chest, crimson blood seeping through the fabric rapidly.

Looking into Yan Qiling's eyes, Yuangong Baiyu's gaze was coldly composed, reflecting the calm of one who had survived a disaster.

"Don't forget that the domain of Blackwater belongs to Patland. He is a servant of Lord Paimon. Even if you can alter the rules here, can you withstand the power of 'Miyako's' cycle of rebirth?"

"All your actions will be repeatedly retraced, a taste you've already had at the hotel. I didn't expect you to stumble twice in the same place."

"Indeed."

Yan Qiling's voice, tinged with amusement, echoed from behind him:

"I'm also surprised that this illusion could deceive you twice."

Before Yuangong Baiyu could react, a searing pain ripped through his right wing!

Yan Qiling's cold voice, muffled by the water, carried an indescribable surreal quality:

"Fool."

Amidst cries of excruciating pain, Yan Qiling tore apart that magnificent gray wing with his bare fingers!

Yuangong Baiyu tried to struggle, only to find himself surrounded by a web of crimson lines without realizing when they appeared.

The man moved amidst the red threads with a polite smile on his face.

"I suppose it feels good to be at the mercy of others, doesn't it?"

"However, now it's time for a different game."

Yan Qiling's casual smile shattered Yuangong Baiyu's sense of security and confidence, which had been built upon the violence they'd just experienced.

Baiyu transformed into a glowing orb to put distance between them. He then trembled as he reached out to cover his injured shoulder blade, staring at the man whose left eye radiated red light.

That eye displayed a rainbow of hues, predominantly red, swirling like flowing paint within the iris!

In this brief observation, Yuangong Baiyu realized that the surroundings were no longer Patland's black water domain. In mere seconds, it had transformed into another place with blue skies, white clouds, and high walls surrounding grand mansions!

The oriental architecture instantly triggered recognition in Yuangong Baiyu.

"...You recreated the Yan residence?"

Yan Qiling's expression was gentle, despite the blood covering his hands. He appeared illuminated by divine light, like Kuan Yin, the bodhisattva who alleviates suffering.

"Yes, and no."

Yuan Gong Baiyu folded his bat-shaped fan, using it to shield himself as he replied,

"Yan Lord, such illusions can no longer deceive me."

"You think this is an illusion?"

Surprise flickered across Yan Qiling's face, and he looked at him with an expression that seemed to say "how unperceptive of you." Then, he clapped his hands and said,

"Well then, it was indeed prepared for you."

The colors in his eyes swirled instantly. Amidst the swirling, Yuan Gong Baiyu clearly saw the massive creature lurking behind the man –

It was a colossal fish mouth, resembling a giant whale with interlocking fangs.

In that instant, Yuan Gong Baiyu was irresistibly sucked into the fish's maw without any chance to struggle. He was immediately devoured, his entire body crushed into a bloody mist as if he had been fed into a meat grinder.

He almost believed he was about to die, but when he opened his eyes, he found himself sitting untouched on a grand armchair, albeit tightly bound by red threads.

Two versions of Yan Qiling stood before him, one with heterochromatic eyes, a red-blue gaze, holding a folding fan and watching him in silence.

Another figure with eyes as blue as a tranquil lake, baring their teeth in a grimace while gingerly touching their own forehead, presents a countenance so contorted that it seems entirely at odds with the exquisite beauty of their visage.

He grumbled,

"You really don't hold back, it hurts so much. Even if you want to get rid of the master, there's no need to be in such a hurry, you know? You're not at all gentle with your prey. I've always been gentle, for fear of hurting the skin, and having to answer to the master."

He considered himself more dedicated to his duties than Yuangong Baiyu, but Yuangong Baiyu had seemingly grasped the entire situation with perfect clarity.

"…You brought your coterie into Patland's realm? ! You've concealed it entirely… Not a single trace of its presence has been detected…"

Yan Qiling chuckled softly.

"I must thank Patland for delivering Ubitos right to my doorstep."

"With its body capable of housing the existence of Fifty, Fifty can move about undetected wherever it goes, thanks to Ubitos' disguise."

Yuangong Baiyu, seated in the chair, wore a solemn expression. In an instant, he transformed into a handful of gray feathers and vanished.

Yan Qiling was not in a hurry. With just a slight turn of his head, he witnessed a man crashing into the red thread trap.

The sharp red threads slashed across Yuangong Baiyu's handsome face, blood spilling onto the ground in an instant.

His once exquisite features were now torn open, resembling a grilled sausage split open and burned in a park, with flesh exposed and bones visible beneath.

Ordinary injuries wouldn't inflict much pain upon an Infernal Lord, but injuries inflicted between them were different.

Any harm laced with magical power would bring intense pain to an Infernal Lord, accompanied by a significant loss of the blood sustenance within their abdomen. This would leave them famished and overwhelmed with a sense of unprecedented despair.

Yuangong Baiyu no longer cared for the appearance of a noble prince he had maintained.

His limbs suddenly stretched and elongated, transforming him into a giant towering over ten meters tall. With a fierce surge of strength, he tore apart all the red threads!