Chapter 161: Reality: Forgetting

Chapter 161: Reality: Forgetting

When Ming Yiyang opened his eyes, he found himself in a hospital, which was unexpected.

In his memory, although he had been injured in the Realm of Oblivion, those minor cuts from bloodletting shouldn't have been severe enough to land him in the hospital, right?

He attempted to sit up and leave the bed, but as soon as the thought crossed his mind, Chi Zihe suddenly appeared at the door of the ward, launching into a tirade:

"What the hell were you thinking?! Yan Qiling is the Master of the Realm of Oblivion, so it's fine if he doesn't fear death. But what the hell were you doing locking the door behind you?!"

"Do you even know how many days you've been out? If I hadn't called Pan Hu to unlock the door, you would've starved to death in that shabby bathroom!"

Ming Yiyang opened his mouth to retort, but as he raised his hand, he realized he was completely drained of energy.

This feeling of weakness was familiar, and he quickly deduced that it was likely due to a lack of carbohydrates. He finally glanced at the IV bag next to him... It was indeed glucose.

Initially, Ming Yiyang found Chi Zihe's behavior inexplicable, but now, he gradually sensed something amiss through the fog in his head:

"Who is Yan Qiling? Where did I go with this person?"

Chi Zihe was clearly taken aback before he reached out to touch his forehead.

Then, the monk revealed a look of astonishment:

"It's over, there's something wrong with your brain, Doctor!"

Chi Zihe frantically pressed the call button.

Ming Yiyang: ?

As a result, Ming Yiyang was smoothly wheeled into the neurology department and underwent a series of medical scans.

However, the diagnosis showed that there was nothing wrong with his brain.

But judging from his mental state, he had – amnesia.

Of course, Ming Yiyang couldn't possibly tell the doctor about his experiences in the Realm of Purgatory. He only recounted events that occurred before he entered that world.

Yet, according to Chi Zihe's account, those incidents happened almost a year ago.

In other words... he had lost almost an entire year's worth of memories.

Si Shuhao, whom he was supposed to protect, had long since escaped danger. While he was lying in the hospital, she had already prepared her documents for studying abroad and was planning on pursuing her graduate studies.

With a neutral expression, Ming Yiyang pushed the IV stand alongside Chi Zihao back to the ward.

As the medical curtain was drawn, the young man turned his head and sharply grasped the crux of the matter:

"Why do I feel like the things I've forgotten all have something to do with that person named Yan Qiling... So who is he?"

Chi Zihao faltered, a rare hint of hesitation surfacing within him.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Ming Yiyang had already pieced together new information from the deluge of details he had just shared:

"You said he's the Ruler of the Netherworld. Does that mean he has offended me? And I entered the Netherworld Realm with him to hunt him down?"

Chi Zihao hadn't expected such a complex train of thought from this person:

"...That's not quite it. Actually, forgetting him is for the better."

The young man frowned, clearly displeased with the half-answer:

"You don't have to be so evasive, do you? What's really going on? Explain it clearly! Besides, I would investigate even if you don't tell me. It won't harm you to just tell me directly."

"Of course, it wouldn't harm anything... The problem is, if you were to recall, you might be in trouble."

Seeing the determination on the person in front of him to get an answer, Chi Zihe simply closed his eyes and kicked his legs, saying:

"... You like Yan Qiling, and you insist on clinging to him!"

"To keep an eye on him and prevent him from entering the Realm of No Escape, you even moved into Yan Qiling's house! Not only that, but you also chased away the butler he hired... Your clothes and toiletries are still at someone else's house right now!"

Ming Yiyang's pupils trembled:

"That's impossible!"

I was utterly shocked by this revelation.

Chi Zihe wore an expression of despair:

"If you don't believe me, after this glucose injection is done, we'll go to Yan Qiling's place and retrieve your belongings."

Having delivered the crucial information, Chi Zihe took the opportunity to recount more of the "glorious feats" this person had supposedly accomplished, such as fighting Pan Hu, the butler, just to see Yan Qiling – all absurd actions.

Ming Yiyang simply didn't buy it; he felt that the person Chi Zihe was describing wasn't him at all!

His mind raced, trying to rationalize his own "abnormal" behavior during the period of memory loss.

Perhaps something had gone wrong with his soul while he was in the Realm of No Return, causing a separation from his body.

The "Ming Yiyang" who emerged from that realm wasn't really him, which would explain those outrageous actions.

Yes, that guy named "Yan Qiling" was the ruler of the Realm of No Return.

It was possible that this person was the one responsible for his amnesia.

This Yan Qiling, the Ruler of No Return, might have manipulated his soul for some covert purpose.

Then, using his body in the mortal world, he might have orchestrated some sinister plot, leading to Ming Yiyang's complete loss of memory over the past year...

Upon reflection... It seemed that Chi Zihe's odd behavior started after he met Yan Qiling.

The more Ming Yiyang thought about it, the angrier he became.

After the IV drip, Chi Zihe didn't take him to pack his things right away but led him to a restaurant for a meal first.

In the restaurant, as Ming Yiyang listened to the description, the whole situation began to seem increasingly surreal.

Especially when Chi Zihe mentioned that he was quitting smoking, Ming Yiyang almost laughed out loud.

He went out and bought a pack of cigarettes on the spot, then lit one up in the restaurant.

They had chosen a street stall for their meal, and upon seeing Ming Yiyang light up, a few middle-aged men around them did the same, filling the air with smoke. Ming Yiyang didn't feel any discomfort.

However, perhaps due to the excessive salt in the dishes cooked at this stall, he couldn't help but cough a few times.

Chi Zihe gazed at him and let out a soft sigh.

"There's one more thing I need to tell you."

"Speak."

"The Indescribable Realm within the Prison Train is inaccessible."

Ming Yiyang's pupils trembled once more.

It was rare for him to experience such intense emotional fluctuations within a single day. This was undoubtedly a day that would leave a lasting impression on him.

Chi Zihe continued with his casual tone, "For now, this particular service is suspended. We'll just stick to our usual business of dealing with spirits and demons that accidentally wander into the mortal realm. We'll enter other Indescribable Realms in the future, so don't worry. Making a living won't be an issue."

Ming Yiyang took a deep breath, rolled up the sleeve of his right arm, and a purple glow ignited deep in his eyes.

But he quickly froze.

He had never seen such a transparent world before.

A vast and surging power coursed through his body as if it were endless, with no sign of depletion.

Given his willingness, he could not only observe.

Seemingly... he could even manipulate the pure white flames that were initially meant to drain blood for ignition, using them for other purposes.

His gaze shifted slightly, and the paper towel on the table suddenly burst into flames, causing Chi Zihe to leap up in fright:

"My god, put an end to this magic right away! Do you have any idea how terrifying your power is now?!"

The young man abruptly retracted his purple eyes and hesitantly asked,

"...What's going on?"

Chi Zihe was exasperated:

"You asked Yan Qiling to lift your seal, and he did... but after it's lifted, your Yin-Yang Eyes should only affect things within the Realm of the Unseen."

"As for how they can now affect the mortal world... perhaps you made another deal with him. I have no idea."

Ming Yiyang's mood underwent a subtle change.

The waiter hurried over to extinguish the flaming tissue with water, apologizing as they checked if Chi Zihe and Ming Yiyang had been burned. Seeing Ming Yiyang in a daze, Chi Zihe assured them it was fine and then grabbed a cloth to help wipe the water off the table.

Ming Yiyang gently stroked his wrist in silence.

Indeed, the imprint of the train ticket on his wrist, which he had just examined, had vanished.

The young man suddenly asked:

"What's the connection between the Endless World of the Prison Train and him?"

Chi Zihe wasn't keen on elaborating:

"All you need to know is that he was the one dealing with it. From the looks of it, he's taken care of it."

"When we go to his place later to collect his things... you can check on his condition and ask him about his memory loss. There's a high chance it's related to him."

Ming Yiyang pondered this, a new idea forming:

"Could it be possible that I made a deal with him for power, and so he took my memories?"

Chi Zihe looked at him with an eerie gaze, utterly perplexed by the current train of thought running through his mind.

Yet, Ming Yiyang's line of thinking had shifted in another direction.

Perhaps... he had discovered some power in "Yan Qiling" that could enhance the strength of his Qingdu Ziwu Yin-Yang Eyes, and thus struck a deal with the other party.

Just like those who would make deals with the devil for power.

He had sacrificed his physical body, allowing the other person to use it at will.

Now that the deadline had arrived, he had returned to his own body, gaining such immense power in the process.

The anger within him gradually dissipated, replaced by a vague yet inexplicable curiosity.

As the cigarette burned down to its end, they emerged from the food stall and hailed a taxi to Xinhepu Road.

From outside the gate, Ming Yiyang caught sight of his own Maserati.

The illusory feeling conveyed through mere words had finally materialized before him, giving him a sense of grounding as if his feet were slowly returning to solid ground.

At the entrance, a tall man with sunglasses was waiting for them. The man's attire was somewhat comical. He had a square jawline, his orange hair neatly combed back into five differently colored braids. This should have been a cool character, but unfortunately, he wore a Hawaiian floral shirt and a pink cartoon apron around his waist, creating a rather peculiar mix-and-match style. Ming Yiyang had been about to laugh, but the thought that this person might be "Yan Qiling" caused his previously suspended heart to plummet. Wait, no way...! What has he been doing all year?! Fortunately, Chi Zihe spoke up just in time: "Pan Hu, is your master awake?" Ming Yiyang breathed a sigh of relief. Pan Hu, it seemed, was the butler rumored to have been chased out by him.

Under the shade of Pan Hu's dark sunglasses, his beast-like eyes gazed deeply at the young man beside him, who wore a look of confusion, and replied,

"Not yet."

He had expected Ming Iyang to rush in like a gust of wind to see the gentleman, and he was prepared to futilely try to stop him.

But upon hearing his words, the other person remained calm, as if nothing had happened.

No, it wasn't just a simple case of nothing happening.

...It was as if he was listening to the tale of a stranger, without any emotional ripples.

Upon hearing this response, the Taoist's expression turned more serious.

After a moment of hesitation, he swallowed the concerned words that were about to escape his lips and instead spoke decisively:

"I brought Xiao Ming here to retrieve something."

Pan Hu thought he had misheard.

"Mr. Ming is planning to move out? Are you sure?"

"Otherwise, should I live here until the end of days?"

Ming Yiyang was displeased with the tone and responded sharply, "I'm leaving tonight. Take me to my place right away, don't delay things."

Pan Hu wasn't entirely clear about the situation, but it seemed beneficial for him.

An Unholy Master and a Celestial Master together didn't form a credible pair at all, and it was a recipe for tragedy from the start.

He didn't care much about Ming Yiyang, but he certainly didn't want Mr. Ming to risk himself for some elusive "affection."

With a meaningful glance across the young man's face, Pan Hu opened the door.

Ming Yiyang had expected Pan Hu to lead him to a guest room where his belongings would be gathered. However, he hadn't anticipated that upon entering the quaint yet elegant villa, he would see many of his personal items.

These personal items were scattered around, giving the impression of casual familiarity, as if one were in their own home.

His toiletries were actually kept in the master bedroom's bathroom, nestled closely alongside those of another person...

His clothes were not content to remain demurely in the guest room, instead mingling with an array of garments belonging to another person within the wardrobe of the master bedroom.

Even though he has now utterly forgotten all details about the other person, this unreserved intimacy openly proclaims their extraordinary relationship.

A subtle and poignant ache spontaneously arose within Ming Yiyang's heart.

In his eyes, it was as if someone else had used his body to do these things... It made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Judging from the arrangement of the room, this "Yan Qiling," the Incarnation of Nothingness, was a man of great taste and erudition.

How on earth did he end up associating with such a person?

Could they even have a decent conversation in their daily lives...

Lost in thought, he packed his belongings into the suitcase. Pan Hu was much more efficient at this task than he was.

Min Yiyang discovered that the butler named Pan Hu, despite his burly appearance, was actually meticulous in his attention to detail.

He seemed to have a clear understanding of what belonged to his master and what was Min Yiyang's.

It was as if he could swiftly pick out a soybean from a heap of sand and pack it away with great care.

Moreover, his eagerness— it was as if he had been eagerly awaiting this day.

Throughout the entire packing process, Min Yiyang had entered almost every room except for the standalone bathroom at the end of the second floor. Pan Hu never opened it, so Min Yiyang didn't get a chance to take a look inside.

Strangely, the light inside the bathroom remained on constantly.

Min Yiyang had a vague sense that there might be some secret hidden within the bathroom that the other party was unwilling to disclose.

The Yan Qiling they mentioned never appeared in this house from the beginning to the end.

However, Chi Zihe's inquiries and Pan Hu's responses clearly indicated that this person should be in this very room at this moment.

Seizing an opportunity when no one was around,

Ming Yiyang gently turned the doorknob of the second floor bathroom and pushed it open silently.