Chapter 23: Bloodstained East China Sea

Chapter 23: Bloodstained East China Sea

Later, An Zhi found himself in an abyss of chaos and darkness.

As far as the eye could see, the darkness was boundless, and it was so quiet that one's eardrums ached from the stillness.

An Zhi didn't believe in supernatural phenomena, adhering to the principle of not discussing strange or mysterious matters. However, he was now trapped in the ruthless game "Killing to Stop Killing." In this abnormal world, who knew what might suddenly appear?

Fear of the unknown was a natural human instinct.

In the midst of this darkness, An Zhi felt an innate sense of insecurity. But his unease didn't last long, for the system's robotic voice emerged from the silence, providing some comfort.

Surveying the pitch-black surroundings, he asked, "What's going on? Did the game crash?"

"When the River Styx is activated, Shen Yuan will lose all memories he has gathered, becoming a blank slate. Your soul doesn't belong to Shen Yuan. To protect you from the influence of the River Styx, you've been temporarily placed here until the effect is lifted."

An Zhi responded with an "oh," then bargained, "Well, can you at least turn on a light? It's pretty darn scary in here."

"Alright."

As the system finished speaking, a beam of light suddenly descended from above An Zhi's head, enveloping him within.

He narrowed his eyes, adjusting to the brightness, then sat cross-legged and cautiously asked, "Can you let me see what Shen Yuan is going through?" He didn't expect the system to grant this request, so he asked softly, lacking confidence.

"Alright."

It was unexpectedly so agreeable!?

Contrary to his initial assumption, An Zhi couldn't help but feel astonished.

In his surprise, the surroundings lit up, and Xiang Yan stood before him, facing away.

His youthful appearance was unchanged from Shen Yuan's memories.

Dressed in black martial attire with golden scale armor, boots, and a golden crown on his head, he was young, handsome, and stern-eyed. A slight curve of his lips was like winter water meeting the spring sun, instantly brightening one's heart.

He had a tall and robust figure, causing An Zhi to feel envious.

A gentle breeze swept by, accompanied by drifting clouds that brushed past like soft petals.

In Shen Yuan's memory, such a sense of freedom could only be experienced during sword flight.

He was flying!

An Zhi felt an indescribable mix of astonishment, excitement, and a tinge of fear about falling down.

"You can now control this body on your own, but remember not to act out of character (OOC). You must adhere to the plot where Shen Yuan has already drunk from the River of Forgetfulness and lost all memories," the system instructed.

An Zhi solemnly vowed, "I definitely won't OOC!"

With a grin, he carefully approached Xiang Yan and pinched his bicep.

"What are you doing?" Xiang Yan was puzzled.

An Zhi replied, "Just feeling your muscles." He asked enviously, "Hey, how long did it take you to build up these muscles?"

Xiang Yan answered, "Around four or five years. Back then, you were even bigger than me."

"Huh?" An Zhi lowered his gaze to examine the body he was in.

Under the green garment, there was an emptiness, as if nothing occupied it at all.

Suddenly, the cool breeze ceased, and his body felt hot once more.

Xiang Yan's controlled Changyang Sword hovered above the clouds, high above the ground. He turned around, completely unafraid of the altitude, and approached An Zhi as if walking on solid ground.

An Zhi wondered to himself, Is he going to push me off?

Instead, Xiang Yan asked, "Do you still recognize me?"

It seemed that Xiang Yan was worried that the waters of the River of Forgetfulness had been ineffective, and thus came to confirm An Zhi's memory.

Of course, An Zhi knew Xiang Yan, but Shen Yuan had already drunk from the River of Forgetfulness. He shook his head and asked, "Who are you?"

Xiang Yan replied, "Remember now, I am Xiang Yan, your best friend who grew up with you since childhood."

An Zhi nodded. "You're Xiang Yan." Then he asked, "And who am I?"

As Xiang Yan confirmed this, he imparted some new concepts to An Zhi.

Xiang Yan said, "Your family name is Dian, and your given name is Yuan."

An Zhi murmured, "I am Dian Yuan...?"

Xiang Yan nodded, "Yes."

After a moment of hesitation, An Zhi replied, "Mm. I am Dian Yuan."

Xiang Yan said, "Ayuan, just below us is Yudou Ridge. I'm about to take you back to meet your mother there."

An Zhi thought to himself, What the hell?! At Xixuan Men, I nearly killed her beloved son Dian Shan. Wouldn't she tear me apart if she saw me?

As he was contemplating this, Xiang Yan continued, "Empress Dian has been longing for you. She's stored many Yizhu Chun for you and even learned how to roast chestnuts. Such a noble and resilient woman—when you single-handedly stormed into Hao Chang's camp to save her, she broke through the enemy lines to bring you home. Now, she willingly leads an ordinary life and does all these things you love. She has been eagerly waiting for the day when she can see you again."

"How can that be..." An Zhi stood stunned, muttering softly, "This blood curse, those words..."

After the incident on Silent Island, Shen Yuan was imprisoned. Yet, somehow, Dian Shan sent a cup of wine with a message, "Your Imperial Brother..."

Indeed, that was his younger brother. How could he treat him otherwise?

When Shen Yuan opened his eyes once more, all he could see was an endless expanse of darkness.

The atmosphere conveyed an unparalleled sense of solitude, as if he were already dead, ensnared by a thick, icy silence that relentlessly dragged him downward into the abyss.

He attempted to move, desperate to escape this confinement.

It was futile. He couldn't budge.

His struggle caused the darkness to ripple, accompanied by a tinkling sound – the clinking of chains.

No response from heaven, no answer from earth; he seemed forsaken by the world's joys and beauties.

What should he do?

There was no choice but to acclimate himself.

After some time, a tiny flame suddenly flickered into existence.

Behind that faint light, Dian Shan's eyes were watching.

His eyelids slightly raised at the corners, less dramatic than the typical phoenix eyes, yet concealing a sinister and fierce glint within his pupils. His eyebrows were thick and untamed, growing wildly, casting a wild and intense shadow over his eyes.

Shen Yuan felt a chill down his spine, intending to ask what was going on. He started, "Little Mountain, you..."

"Duan Wan," Dian Shan turned around, causing the candle flame to vanish as well, "you shall show your hospitality as the host." With those words, a loud 'slap' echoed.

Shen Yuan's body trembled violently – he recognized that sound as the Clear Source Whip striking the ground.

In the darkness, Dian Shan's voice echoed, "You stole the ordinary life that was rightfully mine. That period was a glaring blemish on my existence, and all who bore witness to that version of me must remain silent! And you! You were the root cause, and thus should be erased! I remember vividly from our childhood, when I stood before Mother Empress's throne, I only wanted to sit for a moment, nothing more. I never entertained any other thoughts. But then, you and He Mengfang entered suddenly. You asked me, 'What do you think you're doing standing before the throne?'

"I didn't respond.

"He Mengfang chuckled and said, 'The throne is not for a fool to inherit.'"

Later on, Dian Shan declared, "The time has come."

And so, Shen Yuan was taken to the depths of the East Sea.

It was common knowledge that Shen Yuan had been born at the bottom of Yu Yuan, a consequence of that anomalous event.

The Eastern Sea's Azure Dragon clan, already implicated in the incident involving the Yu Yuan Azure Dragon, had been confined to the East Sea, stripped of their liberty. The sight of Shen Yuan stirred their hatred to the core.

White, pure and untainted, it was a beautiful sight. Yet, that snow-white hair was a testament to the blood spilled for it.

It was already April, with the full moon hanging high in the human realm's sky. The east wind blew lazily, and willow smoke drifted gently, although the willow branches had yet to sprout their green buds, indicating a lingering chill in the air.

Shen Yuan raised his head to gaze at the night sky. The sea had bleached the heavens, giving them a pale hue. The gentle lapping of waves carried the moon and stars, slightly drunken, as they shimmered on the water's surface, like ink swirling into golden hues.

Gazing at the fluttering white hair before his forehead, he was lost in thought when a "crack" echoed in front of him. A small pebble rolled noisily, coming to a stop at his feet.

Following the sound, a fleeting black silhouette darted past, quickly hiding behind a coral reef beneath the sea.

"I see you," Shen Yuan said lazily, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Come out."

After a moment of hesitation, the figure cautiously poked its head out from behind the coral.

It was a little girl.

"I... I..." The girl stammered, "My name is Ji Yiyi. My father said that daughters are like small warm jackets for their parents, so he named me Yiyi." As she spoke, she gradually emerged from behind the coral, revealing her entire body.

In one hand, she held a basket, while the other was clenched tightly as if hiding something.

"I... I think... you're not a bad person..." Ji Yiyi whispered softly.

Shen Yuan heard her clearly. His eyes brightened instantly, and he stood there in a daze for a moment. When he regained his composure, Ji Yiyi had already approached him with her basket and said, "Aren't bad people supposed to be very powerful? If you really are a bad person, why are you trapped here?"

Shen Yuan gave a wry smile. "A cicada in autumn can't hop for long; a captured villain awaits their fate."

"Ugh-" Ji Yiyi furrowed her delicate brows and bit her lower lip. After a moment of contemplation, she lifted her head to look at Shen Yuan's pale face and said, "But... I heard the Clan Chief arguing with Island Master Wang and Lord Dian Shan. Island Master Wang said, 'We can't let you die just like that. We should turn you into an utterly wicked person before putting you to death, so no one will suspect anything.' But aren't you already infamous as a villain? Why do they need to make you one even more?"

Shen Yuan asked, "Do you believe me?"

Ji Yiyi nodded. "There are too many inconsistencies."

Shen Yuan felt a lump in his throat. He sniffled, lowered his head, and looked at Ji Yiyi. "Thank you. You should go home quickly. We can't let others find out we're alone together."

Ji Yiyi refused to leave. "Later, my father told me that during Yu Yuan's manifestation, you were still unformed. It was only because an Azure Dragon coiled at the bottom of the abyss that our Azure Dragon clan was trapped beneath the sea, unable to move freely. There's also something very strange. They could have killed you in your infancy, so why did they wait until you supposedly committed a heinous crime? According to what Wang Wanhe and Lord Dian Shan said, you didn't commit any crimes. So, why are they slandering you? Did they come to their senses and think that getting rid of you earlier would bring more stability to the world? Then why didn't they do it sooner? I just can't figure it out."

Shen Yuan muttered, "Then there's no need to think about it. The situation is set, and worrying will only add to the distress."

Ji Yiyi bent down, placing the basket on the ground, and unfolded her other hand that had been clenched tightly.

In her palm was a dragon scale strung together with a cord.

She said, "Tomorrow, I'll grow up, successfully withstand the lightning tribulation, leap the dragon gate, and become a true dragon, no longer the appearance of a little girl. I'll be a young maiden! This is my heart-protecting scale. Before we become true dragons, it safeguards us and only naturally falls off the day before our transformation. I'm giving you my heart-protecting scale; it should be able to protect you, right?"

As she spoke, Ji Yiyi stretched the cord of the heart-protecting scale wide.

She tiptoed, carefully placing it around Shen Yuan's neck.

Unexpectedly, just as she was doing so, a sharp blade silently appeared behind Ji Yiyi, aimed at the back of her neck.

Shen Yuan cried out in alarm, "No! —"

It was too late.

Ji Yiyi's warm blood splattered across Shen Yuan's cheek. Her head rolled to the ground, eyes open in a deathly stare, fixedly looking at him.

In an instant, a buzzing sound echoed in his ears, followed by a continuous roar.

Then he lost consciousness. When he woke up again, the dragon clan had been slaughtered. In his hand was a whip made from dragon tendons.

Each tendon was still warm and pulsating weakly.

Startled, he flung the dragon tendon whip away.

Scanning his surroundings, he couldn't find Ji Yiyi's corpse anywhere. He didn't know where it had gone. He couldn't even perform the last rite for her; all he found was that scale that protected her heart.

He walked over, numbly picking it up.

Soaked in dragon blood, the scale was now stained.

Without caring about cleanliness, his clothes were already mottled with blood—his own, and others'.

He carefully wiped it clean with his sleeve. Once it was finally spotless, he hung it around his neck.

"Eldest Imperial Brother?" —

Behind him, Dian Shan's voice suddenly echoed, making Shen Yuan flinch. He turned his head to look.

At first glance, an ancient, distant whisper reached his ears, and the malevolent energy within him surged into his mind. He clutched his head, struggling to suppress his violent urges.

After a moment, he abruptly raised his head, glaring at Dian Shan with bloodshot eyes. The dark aura around him swirled wildly, giving him the appearance of a demonic ghost emerging from the underworld, even more terrifying than any demon.

But Dian Shan was not afraid. Instead, he took a bronze mirror from his waist, held it up to Shen Yuan, and clapped his hands, laughing. "I've been keeping this mirror for you all along, just waiting for today. Take a good look at your reflection."

He was deliberately provoking Shen Yuan, who was already struggling not to be controlled by the malevolent energy. Now, he could no longer contain his emotions. With a swift movement, Shen Yuan snatched the mirror, sending it flying, then grabbed Dian Shan's throat, gradually tightening his grip. His curled nails pierced into the flesh.

Dian Shan's brows furrowed slightly as his neck was gripped, but he remained unafraid, his words coming out in gasps. "Mother... Mother has never... never favored you..."

Despite being choked by Shen Yuan, Dian Shan showed no fear and spat fiercely, "For the past twenty years, Father and Mother have wanted you dead every day! Infamy for eternity... that is what you deserve!"

Tears welled in Shen Yuan's eyes as he gritted his teeth, asking in return, "What... have I done wrong?!"

Dian Shan delivered the final blow. "Look at yourself now, and then look at the Azure Dragon Clan of the East Sea. Today, their blood stains the ocean, and they were all slaughtered by you. How can you still ask what you have done wrong?!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan's heart trembled, and he slowly released his grip on Dian Shan.

Unshackled, Dian Shan set his feet on the ground. He rubbed his sore neck and, with a twirl of his eyes, continued, "How about I give my imperial brother a chance? If you tell our mother about everything we've done these past few days and she believes you, I'll admit my mistake and clear your name. But if she doesn't... I've heard that Jiu Li is searching for you everywhere. You suddenly appearing like this—your imagination can fill in the rest."

Shen Yuan's health was already fading like the setting sun. If he didn't return to Jiu Li, he would have to find an unoccupied spot to lay his bones.

However, he could take full responsibility for what he had done to the Azure Dragon clan, even if it meant death. But before this, he hadn't done anything; the sinking island wasn't his doing at all.

"Very well," Shen Yuan acknowledged Dian Shan's proposition with clear-headedness.

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