Chapter 62: Regrets – Amnesia

Chapter 62: Regrets - Amnesia

After being stabbed, Ju Lang remained unconscious for many days.

Upon waking up, he threw off the covers, clad only in a pristine undergarment, and frantically searched the palace for Shen Yuan's whereabouts.

His wounds were still healing, but with this commotion, they reopened, staining his clothes a deep red with blood.

In a state of near madness, his eyes were bloodshot, his under-eye circles dark, and his lips and complexion pale from blood loss, causing those around him to be too frightened to speak.

They genuinely had no idea where Shen Yuan was, and seeing Ju Lang's delirious state, they feared that telling the truth might cost them their heads, so they dared not utter a word.

The more they remained silent, the more agitated and hysterical Ju Lang became. He bellowed, "Who will tell me where he is?!"

While still recovering, his outburst provoked a fit of coughing. Clutching his chest, he bent over, his coughs echoing relentlessly as if he were about to expel his lungs.

Suddenly, a warm hand gently caressed his back, soothing his breath.

Soon, the coughing subsided.

"Father!" Ju Lang turned around, grasping the hand in surprise.

Upon closer inspection, he realized that the hand belonged to Xiang Yan.

He hastily let go of Xiang Yan's hand.

Xiang Yan spoke, "Go search for him in Jiu Li. His incident has caused quite a stir, and almost everyone now recognizes him. He has nowhere to hide. Keep a keen eye, and you'll surely find him."

Ju Lang grew alert. "You came here specifically to tell me this?"

Xiang Yan explained, "Ayuan is my friend, and I don't wish any harm upon him. You're the ruler of the Demon Realm, while I'm just a general under Jiu Li. Only you have the power to protect him."

Upon hearing this, Ju Lang, disregarding his wounds, set off for Jiu Li under the cover of night to seek Dian Shan.

Dian Shan threw a silk scroll in front of him and said, "I'll only reveal your Imperial Brother's whereabouts if you agree to my condition."

Ju Lang picked up the scroll. It read:

The Demon Realm's ruler, Ju Lang, pledged to follow Lord Jiu Li of Dian Shan, vowing eternal service as his protector.

The demons have long held resentment over their treatment of the divine race, casting them into the barren land of Qingshuo Marsh to fend for themselves. Should Ju Lang agree to the scroll's demands, he would be betraying his own kind, no different from a traitor selling his master for personal gain.

Silent and hesitant, Ju Lang said nothing.

Impatient, Dian Shan asked, "You refuse?"

In this vast world, it might take Ju Lang a while to find Shen Yuan. But if he did, he could forcibly bring Shen Yuan back to the Demon Realm.

Although Shen Yuan had broken his promise to the demons in front of Orchid Pavilion, as long as Ju Lang remained the ruler of the Demon Realm, he could hide Shen Yuan within the palace.

As long as he was the ruler, they would have an escape route.

Yes, he must become even stronger to protect Shen Yuan.

Dian Shan held the scroll tightly, his confidence unshaken as he spoke, "I am aware of the wager between my elder brother and the Empress. Until that promise is fulfilled, I've had people waiting for him. In recent days, my brother has been involved with a snake demon, even siring a child."

"I'll grant your request," Ju Lang said. "Where is he now?"

Dian Shan remarked, "Recently, Ang Liu has been graced by a captivating pair. One is a rakish, handsome rogue, while the other is a serene, ethereal figure with black hair and white locks."

"Ang Liu…" Upon hearing this, Ju Lang set off in search of Ang Liu.

...

Warm blood splattered across Shen Yuan's face.

A werewolf's claw had pierced through Zhe Dan's chest, blood dripping steadily onto the ground.

Seemingly sensing the sudden upheaval, the child in Shen Yuan's arms burst into wailing cries, their screams echoing loudly.

Blood seeped from Zhe Dan's mouth, his throat obstructed by clots. He mumbled, barely audible, "Thank you for letting me witness the world's splendor these past few days..."

Tears trickled down the corners of his eyes as he leaned forward weakly, collapsing into Shen Yuan's embrace.

With a child in one arm, Shen Yuan stretched out his other hand to catch Zhe Dan. Embracing each other, Shen Yuan lowered his head to look at Zhe Dan. Death's shadow had yet to cast its veil over his face; he still appeared vivid and alive, while the weeping of the child continued nonstop in his ear.

Ju Lang, exasperated, exclaimed, "What have you done? The Ang Liu people praise your loving and blissful union. But what about me? You were ready to kill me with a knife!"

"Zhe Dan has had such a hard life. I took him to play and gave him some candy. We happened to save a pregnant woman in labor, but unfortunately, she passed away. We had no choice but to take care of the child," Shen Yuan explained. "Somehow, everyone started thinking we were a married couple."

"Come back to Ping Sha with me right now!" Ju Lang commanded.

Shen Yuan's voice was cold. "My reputation was already ruined at the Orchid Pavilion. If I returned with you, wouldn't that drag you down too? Call me 'father.' Even if you don't think of yourself, I have to consider your future."

Ju Lang replied resolutely, "I'm not afraid!"

Shen Yuan was furious. "You little...!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhe Dan's body turned into a pool of black water, which then vanished in an instant.

Suddenly, all the vegetation on Yingzhou Island withered, turning into charred ashes. The fertile soil began oozing sticky, putrid black water.

Yingzhou Island became a dead land, filled with swamps and an unbearable stench.

The ground beneath their feet started turning into swamp, but Ju Lang reacted swiftly, grabbing Shen Yuan's shoulder and leaping onto a tree branch. Looking into the distance, he wondered, "Why did everything suddenly...?"

Shen Yuan pushed away Ju Lang, steadying himself with the child in his arms. He explained, "Zhe Dan is a tamed snake Gu. Every inch of its skin and hair contains deadly poison. A drop of its blood can render a hundred-mile radius barren."

Ju Lang glanced at the child, inexplicably jealous, his eyes shimmering with anger. "Father, come back to the Demon Realm with me obediently. You can't go back on your word."

"Can't you understand what I'm saying?!" Shen Yuan panicked, struggling to free himself from Ju Lang's grasp.

"Stay still, or you'll fall—" Ju Lang whispered, his tone laced with indulgence as he reminded Shen Yuan.

Gazing at Shen Yuan, dressed in green with his white hair, and the plump, fair-skinned infant, Ju Lang felt a sense of marital bliss and a desire for a large, happy family.

But Shen Yuan dashed those hopes with a cold remark. "You little brat, let go of your father. Listen, if you dare take me back to the Demon Realm, I swear I'll die right before your eyes!"

Death?

This word struck a nerve with Ju Lang.

He was terrified of Shen Yuan's death.

In an instant, Ju Lang made a firm decision. "I'll take you to Jiu Li to find Dian Shan."

...

In the Cangwu Hall, two guards by the cage engaged in conversation:

"Did you hear? Yingzhou Island has turned into a dead land, becoming a swamp overnight!"

"What about the people there? Are they all right?"

"No, no. The island gradually transformed into a swamp, and the newly appointed Demon Emperor arrived just in time to rescue everyone. He even brought the culprit to the Imperial Ancestor for punishment."

"Why would the Demon Emperor send the main culprit to the Imperial Ancestor for punishment?"

"I heard that he's considering submitting to our Imperial Ancestor, so he brought a gift."

"That person is a gift?"

"Take a look at him and see who he resembles."

Upon waking up, Shen Yuan found himself trapped in a cage. As soon as the soldiers finished their conversation, they immediately leaned forward, examining him as if he were some peculiar novelty.

"A blue-clothed figure with white hair, solitary and aloof." The soldier pointed at Shen Yuan and said, "He looks like Shen Yuan!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the two of them were so frightened that they fell to the ground, retreating repeatedly. "H-He won't come out to take our lives, will he?"

Just then, the doors of Cangwu Palace opened. Turning their heads, they saw Ju Lang walking alongside Dian Shan.

Seeing the two soldiers on the ground, unable to get up, Dian Shan bent down to help them up and waved his hand, dismissing them.

The two quickly bowed to Dian Shan and Ju Lang before scurrying away.

The duo approached Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan lifted his head, his gaze piercing through the iron cage to meet Ju Lang's phoenix-like eyes. He demanded, "Did you give me to Dian Shan? Why am I locked up? Brat, if I hadn't held back, would you have dared to humiliate me like this?!"

Ju Lang turned his head, ignoring him. Instead, he spoke to Dian Shan, "In one month, I want to see my father unharmed. If you dare to hurt him, I'll make sure you regret it."

With that, he turned and left Cangwu Palace.

Shen Yuan slumped back into the cage, leaning against the cold iron bars. He stared blankly at Ju Lang's departing figure, "I've been too indulgent with you..."

Dian Shan roughly dragged Shen Yuan out of the cage and brought him before the vat filled with the River of Forgetfulness. Seizing Shen Yuan by the back of his head, he forced him down into the water with great force.

Shen Yuan struggled desperately, sending splashes of water flying. However, as a slave born in Shangchicheng, he was no match for the towering and robust Human Sovereign, Dian Shan.

He tightly closed his eyes and mouth, repeatedly reminding himself: Don't forget, don't forget...

After two or three minutes, he gradually ceased his struggles. Only then did Dian Shan pull him out.

"Cough, cough, cough!... Ha... Hah..." Wet strands of silver hair clung to his cheeks, while droplets slowly trickled down his chin and fell into the vat, creating ripples.

With a grip on his hair, Dian Shan asked, "Who am I?"

Gasping for air, Shen Yuan answered in a strained voice, "Dian... Dian, Dian Shan..."

Upon hearing this, Dian Shan gritted his back teeth and submerged Shen Yuan into the vat once more. With his other hand, he reached into the water, firmly pinching Shen Yuan's chin to force his mouth open, making him come into contact with the River of Forgetfulness.

A single drop of the River of Forgetfulness could wipe one's memory clean, turning them into a blank slate.

In his heart, Shen Yuan silently struggled: I can't forget, can't forget... Hmm, what can't I forget?... Empress Jiaomiao? Right, I didn't do that, she did it... What, what was it?... The Two Isles of the East?...

Shen Yuan was utterly silent, and Dian Shan felt that enough time had passed. He tugged at the man's hair to pull him up and asked in a stern voice, "Who are you?"

"I...cough cough!" Shen Yuan choked on the waters of the River of Forgetfulness. After some thought, he wondered, "I...who am I?"

A hint of smugness flickered in Dian Shan's eyes as he asked again, "Do you still remember the wager with Empress Jiaomiao?"

"Hahaha!" Shen Yuan laughed wildly, filled with hatred. "Of course I remember! It was her! She framed me and locked me away in the Demon Subduing Pagoda!"

Frustrated, Dian Shan released Shen Yuan's hair and instead gripped his throat. He flipped them over, pressing Shen Yuan's lower back against the edge of the water jar, facing him.

From his gaze, it was clear that Shen Yuan had forgotten everything.

His eyes were like an untouched piece of ice in the most frigid of lands, clear and serene, too pure.

Dian Shan said, "Look at me! Do you know who I am?!"

Shen Yuan studied his face, tilting his head slightly. He slowly spoke, "Who are you?"

Dian Shan grew even more infuriated. "After drinking from the River of Forgetfulness, you've forgotten everything. Why do you remember only those grudges?!"

Saying this, the figure clutched Shen Yuan's neck with both hands, forcing him down into the water in a mad, deranged frenzy. He roared wildly, "Why can't you forget?! Forget it all for me! Just forget everything!!"

Submerged in the waters of the River of Forgetfulness, Shen Yuan's vision was a jumbled mess, while his ears were filled with chaotic noises and the rushing sound of water.

He didn't know who the person before him was, but he sensed that this person was suffering because he refused to let go of something.

But what was it that he refused to forget?

Amidst the chaos in his ears, a voice echoed persistently, "Jiaomiao... Jiaomiao..."

And who is Jiaomiao?

Suddenly, the man ceased his frenzied actions.

His silver hair spread out in the water, creating a chaotic scene before Shen Yuan's eyes. The man gripped his throat, leaning forward to press a contorted, wildly enraged face with bulging eyes right before him.

After a moment, the man relaxed, transforming into a figure of agony. He pleaded through sobs, "Your Imperial Brother, can you just forget Empress Jiaomiao? ... Don't you find it exhausting to keep remembering all this?"

Shen Yuan understood – this person was actually acting out of concern for him.

He reached out tremblingly, grabbing the person's sleeve.

Startled, the figure released its grip on his neck.

With a splash, he submerged entirely into the water tank.

Lacking the strength to rise, he drifted like a water lily, swaying with the current, slowly descending.

Suddenly, that person seized his shoulder, pulling him out of the water, and asked, "Who am I?"

Shen Yuan stood in the tank, shaking his head. "I don't know."

Dian Shan inquired again, "And who are you?"

Shen Yuan replied, "I don't know either."

A hint of a smile curved Dian Shan's lips as he asked eagerly, "Do you still remember the wager with Empress Jiaomiao?"

He held his breath, awaiting Shen Yuan's response, his nerves so tense they seemed ready to burst from his throat.

After a moment of silence, Shen Yuan countered, "Who is Empress Jiaomiao?"

Upon hearing this, Dian Shan was taken aback. "Have you forgotten?"

Shen Yuan frowned. "Forgotten what?"

Overjoyed, Dian Shan burst into laughter. "You really have forgotten! I knew that if I begged you, you would give in! Hahaha!"

Drip, drip... The wet clothes continued to shed water into the pool.

Staring at him, Shen Yuan was puzzled. "Are you an idiot?"

"Dream on!" Dian Shan hated being called foolish due to his childhood experiences.

With innocent eyes, Shen Yuan asked, "Then are you a pervert?"

Dian Shan sighed impatiently and rolled his eyes.

He approached Shen Yuan, lifted him out of the vat, placed him on the ground, and draped a purple cloak with intricate patterns over him. He then fed Shen Yuan false information. "You're a slave from Shangchicheng, and I am the emperor of Jiu Li. You were severely ill and about to die in Shangchicheng, so I brought you back to heal you. If you don't believe me, check if there's a brand with the character 'slave' on your waist."

Shen Yuan removed his cloak, feeling along his waist to find an uneven patch – indeed, there was a scar that formed the word "slave."

Dian Shan continued his deception, "My queen is quite jealous by nature. Upon seeing me bring you back, she assumed you were a new favorite I'd acquired. In my absence, she placed you in a vat of water. You must have suffered much and lost your memories. Ah, but fortunately, I arrived just in time to save you."

"Is that so—" Shen Yuan had no recollection of these events, but he instinctively disliked Dian Shan.

Dian Shan asked, "Do you wish to go to the Demon Sovereign?"

Shen Yuan, still drenched, replied, "I'm not going to the Demonic Realm!"

Dian Shan's eyes turned cold. "For the sake of peace between Jiu Li and the Demonic Realm, you must make this journey."

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