Asianovel

Chapter 85: The Late Arrival of the Gown (3300+)

All eyes turned to Qing Si in unison, with not a single voice breaking the silence.

Qing Si bent down to pick up his hat and reached for the mask in Huo Lanjing's hand.

Unable to pull it off, he eventually gave up.

However, Huo Lanjing suddenly stepped forward, grabbing his wrist firmly, looking at him resolutely. "Le Le?"

Qing Si expressionlessly pushed away his hand.

With his focus entirely on Qing Si's face, Huo Lanjing didn't notice the action and was thus pushed aside.

Qing Si took a few steps back.

Qing Yi, who had witnessed the entire scene, noticed Huo Lanjing attempting to approach again. He intercepted, saying, "You must have mistaken him. His name is Qing Si."

Qing Si's face was an exact replica of Luo Le's.

Their figures bore an uncanny eight-point resemblance, albeit slightly thinner than before.

It was precisely due to this observation that Huo Lanjing had approached to remove Luo Le's mask.

Regaining his composure, Chen Wuxing stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Apologies for the breach of etiquette. May I ask, has Qing Si grown up alongside you two?"

"Yes," a cool voice answered before Qing Yi could respond.

It was Qing Si who spoke.

Qing Yi suppressed his doubts and replied, "Indeed, we may not be blood-related, but our bond is as strong as siblings."

Chen Wuxing glanced back at Qing Yi. "Oh, I see. It seems we've made a mistake. Please wait for us in the car; I have something to discuss with the General."

Qing Yi nodded, and the four of them preceded to leave.

Qing Si brought up the rear, and as they walked away, Chen Wuxing caught the restless Huo Lanjing by the arm.

"General, do you truly believe he is Luo Le?"

Xu Ming glanced down at their hands and gave Chen Wuxing's waist a vicious twist.

Chen Wuxing let out an "Ouch," releasing his grip. Upon seeing his expression, she reached out to hold his hand, but he evaded her touch.

Huo Lanjing didn't even turn his head. "Mm."

Chen Wuxing sighed. It wasn't appropriate for an outsider like him to comment on matters concerning a married couple.

Just as I was about to say something more, a figure darted out from my right side.

Chen Wuxing gazed at the figure ahead, turned his head to bid farewell, then hurriedly jogged to catch up, his urgency apparent.

Huo Lanjing, looking forward, overheard the conversation between the two individuals, one tall and one short.

"Xiao Ming, wait for me, please don't walk so fast."

"Stop pulling me."

"I'm sorry."

"What did you do wrong?"

"I shouldn't have... I'm sorry, Xiao Ming. I really was wrong."

"It seems like you don't even know what you did wrong. Those rumors spread because of your lack of boundaries, didn't they? Didn't their divorce happen because of this?"

"Huh?"

"Can you use some common sense for once and not..."

Their voices faded into the distance.

Huo Lanjing's gaze darkened as he fell into thought.

On the way back, Chen Wuxing glanced at Qing Si several times, but held back from speaking.

Unable to bear it any longer, Qing Er sat up and asked, "You've been looking behind us. Is there something we need to do?"

Caught in the act, Chen Wuxing felt a bit awkward. "You should know who we need to be cautious around, right?"

All power of attorney documents are customarily reviewed by Qing Yi. Out of confidentiality considerations, he selectively discloses only the non-essential and necessary information.

Qing Er, Qing San, and Qing Si, in obedience to the command, proceed accordingly.

It has always been thus.

Upon seeing this, Qing Yi remarked, "I've gathered information on Mr. Xu's three uncles and aunts, as well as the child from the Xu family's rival clan."

Chen Wuxing nods. "Yes, roughly. Then let's proceed with your original plan."

After a while, the car came to a stop in front of a small, four-story villa.

This is the house Chen Wuxing prepared for their marriage.

At the entrance stood several servants.

Xu Ming was still fuming with anger and alighted from the vehicle first, striding straight ahead into the interior.

Chen Wuxing attempted to follow and console, but was stopped by the cold words "don't bother with me."

He sighed and approached Qing Yi and the others. "Follow them. They'll take you to a place to rest."

Just as he finished speaking, Qing Si stepped out of the vehicle.

Chen Wuxing told him, "Stay here."

Qing Si didn't respond verbally, but his foot lifted in mid-air, seemingly conceding to the request.

Qing Er was about to speak when Qing San covered her mouth and nudged her to catch up with Qing Yi.

In an instant, only the two of them were left at the entrance.

Neither of them spoke first, and the silence was so profound that even the faint chirping of fledglings in the distance could be heard.

It wasn't until the hovercar's arrival announcement sounded that Chen Wuxing snapped back to reality.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Qing Si lifted his gaze slightly but remained silent.

From the moment he laid eyes on Qing Si, he had only said one word: "Yes." His expression hadn't altered throughout.

This was altogether different from the obedient youth he remembered. Were it not for their striking facial resemblance, he would have found it impossible to connect these two individuals.

Chen Wuxing cleared his throat with a soft cough before lowering his gaze. "There truly was nothing between the General and myself prior to this. The matter on the forum, it's all idle speculation; we genuinely share nothing more than a commonplace comradely bond."

Qing Si gave him a faint glance, her eyes devoid of any emotion.

Chen Wuxing continued, "Before I knew about your relationship with the General, I inquired casually. The General mentioned that you were family, and you looked relatively young. So, I mistakenly assumed you were his younger brother. Please forgive me; there was absolutely no intention of provocation back then. I sincerely apologize. The General was occupied with state affairs, and I was engrossed in military matters, hence the oversight…"

"It has nothing to do with me," Qing Si interrupted, enunciating each word.

Upon seeing Qing Si's face, Chen Wuxing couldn't help but blurt out his thoughts.

But upon further reflection, he found it absurd. Perhaps the person just happened to resemble Luo Le?

Still, he didn't regret his words. What if Qing Si was indeed Luo Le?

Luo Le's face was a testament to Nuwa's favor; how could there be an exact replica?

Chen Wuxing smiled and apologized, "Sorry for the randomness. It's nothing; just consider me momentarily insane."

Qing Si pointed inside, and Chen Wuxing followed his gaze, saying, "I'll show you the way up."

Qing Si nodded in agreement.

As soon as they were upstairs, Qing Er was eager to interrogate Qing Si about what had happened, but Qing Si simply stared at Qing Yi without uttering a word.

Qing Yi asked if he didn't wish to share.

Qing Si affirmed that he indeed did not.

Qing Yi then refrained from pressing further and also silenced Qing Er from asking any questions.

Qing Si expressed his gratitude and retreated into his room.

meanwhile, on their way back, Huo Lanjing remained in a somber mood.

Despite Chen Chen's attempts to engage him in conversation, Huo Lanjing's responses were consistently unrelated or off-topic.

He then quietly returned to his seat.

After dinner, Huo Lanjing sat lost in thought, staring at the book in his hands.

Curiosity getting the best of him, Chen Chen climbed onto his lap and tapped his cheek. "Uncle."

Huo Lanjing barely snapped back to reality. "Hmm?"

Chen Chen: "Uncle, are you not happy today?"

Although he didn't particularly like this uncle, the man had been quite nice to him over the past three years.

Surely Father wouldn't be angry if he asked just this once, right?

Huo Lanjing's dark red eyes flickered, reflecting Chen Chen's face.

Recalling the identical pair of eyes he had seen earlier that day, he couldn't help but put down his book and reach out to touch them.

Chen Chen asked in confusion, "Uncle?"

Huo Lanjing said, "It's okay. Is Grandpa He almost here?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the doorbell rang.

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen immediately slid down from his lap, sitting up straight with a serious expression as he gazed at the entrance.

Huo Lanjing, observing the scene with the whole city as his audience, couldn't help but curve the corners of his lips into a subtle smile.

The gloominess that had been weighing on his mind began to dissipate.

After Luo Le's staged death, life hadn't been easy, though it was likely thanks to this little fellow's perseverance that he had made it this far.

With this thought, the dispelled gloom reconvened.

The next day, outside the wedding room of Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming.

The hovercar parked at the entrance.

A group emerged from the entrance.

Qing Er gazed at the pair before him and couldn't help but remark, "Despite the freedom in marriage and the option to legalize it, I still truly admire you two. But living together as two Omegas might make life a bit more challenging for you in the future. How about this? I don't have much to offer, but on my own behalf, I'll grant you a free call upon my services. I'll be there to protect you whenever needed. What do you think?"

Xu Ming, overhearing this remark, couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

Qing Er appeared puzzled. "What's the matter?"

Xu Ming waved his hand without speaking, while Chen Wu Xing had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

Chen Wuxing spent the entire night consoling Xu Ming last night.

Fortunately, she was placated; otherwise, there would be no hope of selecting the wedding gown today.

Qing San, standing aside, twitched the corner of his mouth and slapped his back forcefully.

Qing Er turns back, "Why the hell did you hit me?"

Qing San explained, "You might not even be able to defeat Mr. Chen. The position of the second-in-command in the First Army isn't something one can claim casually."

Qing Er suddenly realized, "Oh right, my apologies. But once a gift is given, I don't take it back. Just let me share in the joy, please."

Chen Wuxing replied, "In that case, we'll accept it. Thank you."

They chatted merrily, while Qing Si and Qing Yi remained silent throughout.

Just as they were about to get into the car, they noticed another vehicle parked behind theirs.

Huo Lanjing leaned against the car body, a cigarette dangling from his fingers, almost burning his hand.

Chen Wuxing approached, puzzled, ready to speak when Huo Lanjing beat him to it, "Looking for me?"

It took Chen Wuxing two seconds to comprehend, then he responded, "Actually, we're going to pick out wedding attire, and we wanted your opinion."

Huo Lanjing slid halfway into the car, extinguishing the cigarette.

"Let's go."

Huo Lanjing sat behind Qing Si, resting his hands on his knees with his eyes closed, pretending to sleep.

Nonetheless, since Huo Lanjing got into the car, Qing Si could sense a lingering gaze sweeping over him.

For a moment, he adjusted his mask and cap with a relaxed yet cautious grip, ensuring they were securely in place.

The boutique for the dress was chosen by Xu Ming, and he selected the one that the Huo family frequently orders from.

As they entered, the shop assistant greeted them warmly, "Good day, may I ask how I can assist you?"

The manager who was busy on the other side saw Huo Lanjing and Xu Ming and trotted over quickly: "General, Mr. Xu, you are here. Are you friends of the general and Mr. Xu? It's really disappointing, little a, bring the freshly made pastries to VIP Room H."

After giving the instructions, the manager glanced at the two people following him and began to exchange pleasantries again. However, no one responded to him. He continued to talk to himself, guiding them to the private room as he spoke.

After expressing their requirements, the manager had someone come over to take measurements for Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming.

Then, preparing to head out to meet the designer, as he passed by Qing Si, he suddenly furrowed his brows and asked, "Sir, you seem familiar. Haven't you visited our shop before?"

Qing Si's icy gaze flickered toward him, but that was the extent of her reaction.

Qing Er, familiar with Qing Si's disposition, stepped in to mediate. "I doubt it. We brothers rarely venture into the Empire."

"Oh, I see, it must have been a misunderstanding. By the way, Admiral, your lady... she ordered a dress in our shop previously, in... your size, if I recall correctly. The finished garment has recently become available. Would you like to try it on?"

Was it Luo Le's choice?

Huo Lanjing's heart stirred, and he turned to look at the face that resembled Luo Le's. "Sure."

The manager acknowledged with a "yes" and was about to leave.

But then, Huo Lanjing spoke up again. "What color is it?"

The manager replied, "Black, with a slight purple sheen when illuminated by light."

Huo Lanjing pursed his lips. "Make another one in white, same style."

The manager nodded. "Of course."

Chapter 71: This Seat Is Innocent

Mo Ran's face was ashen with disbelief as he summoned the weapon he had just sheathed. A flame ignited in his palm, and Ghost appeared at his command, lying within his hand.

Comparing the two, the weapon that had killed Shiyin was nearly identical to Ghost, save for the lack of a hilt. It was as if a segment had been severed from Ghost itself—could there possibly be another Ghost in this world?

Before he could ponder further, footsteps approached rapidly from afar. Chu Wanning was more composed than Mo Ran; after a moment's hesitation, his gaze sharpened. "Mo Ran, put Ghost away first!"

"What—?"

It was too late.

A group of people had already reached the entrance to the Trial Cavern, including Feathered and cultivators from various sects who practiced in Peach Blossom Spring. Among them were even Xue Meng, Ye Xiqun, and Shi Mo… Apparently, someone had sensed something amiss at the Trial Cavern and had gathered almost everyone to come investigate.

Thus, when they arrived one after another, they saw the lifeless body of Shiyin outside the cave, his neck crushed by the liana. Meanwhile, Mo Ran and a half-grown child were both disheveled, clearly having just engaged in a fierce battle. Mo Ran was covered in blood, holding Ghost, which glowed with a perilous flame…

Silence fell upon the crowd.

Someone suddenly shouted, "The m-murderer!"

The crowd gradually erupted into a cacophony of fear, anger, and hushed whispers that swirled together like a buzzing torrent, resonating through their eardrums. "Murder!" "Culprit!" "What motives?" "Insane!" "Madman!" Shattered phrases echoed repeatedly, and the surging mass of people resembled the river of corpses from the illusory realm, giving Mo Ran the illusion that the nightmare was not yet over.

The blood shed two hundred years ago in Linan City seemed to still be flowing.

"It wasn't...," he croaked, taking a step back. "It wasn't me..."

His retreat was halted as someone tugged at his sleeve. Amidst the chaos, Mo Ran lowered his head and met Chu Wanning's piercing, icy gaze.

He muttered unconsciously, "It wasn't me..."

Chu Wanning nodded, instinctively wanting to shield him. But he was just a tiny child; what could he possibly do?

Just as he was in distress, he suddenly felt Mo Ran take another step forward.

The cries grew louder, "Grab him! And that child too! Get them! They're the culprits!"

"We can't let them escape, it's too dangerous! Seize them quickly!"

Mo Ran reached back to grab Chu Wanning, pulling him behind himself as a shield. Lowering his head for a moment, he gradually calmed down.

"It wasn't me who killed Miss Eighteen. Please let me explain."

The faces in the crowd were so indistinct, blending with a past memory he dared not recall. He managed to spot Xue Meng amidst the shadows; his face was filled with disbelief. Then he saw Shi Mo, whose eyes were wide open, his complexion shockingly pale as he shook his head persistently.

Mo Ran closed his eyes and spoke in a deep voice, "I didn't kill anyone, but I have no intention of fleeing. Before you seize me, shouldn't you at least hear my side of the story?"

However, despite Mo Ran's plea, nobody was willing to listen. Anxiety and anger permeated the crowd. A female nun shrieked, "Y-You were caught red-handed! What is there left to argue?"

"Exactly!"

"Just capture them both! If they're really innocent, we can release them later!"

"Capture them! Capture them!"

Xue Meng recovered from his initial shock. Stepping out of the crowd, he faced the furious, contorted faces while turning his back on Mo Ran. He shouted, "Please, everyone, calm down and listen to me."

"Who are you?"

"Why should we listen to you?!"

"Wait, isn't this Feng Huang'er?"

"Feng Huang'er? The Heavenly Favorite? You mean Xue Meng?"

"It's him, indeed..."

Xue Meng's face was ashen, an almost ghastly shade. He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Please, everyone, hear me out. These two are my disciples from the Summit of Life and Death. I trust that neither of them would commit such heinous acts against the innocent. I beg of you all to calm down and at least listen to their explanation."

Silence.

Then someone shouted, "Why should we believe you? Even if they're from the Summit of Life and Death, does that mean you know everything about them? People's hearts are hidden, how much can you really understand about your fellow disciples?"

"Exactly, we can never truly know what's in another's heart. How much can you claim to understand, even if you're from the same sect?"

Xue Meng's expression grew increasingly grim. His lips were pressed tightly together, his fingers unconsciously forming a fist.

Behind him, Mo Ran stood with Chu Wanning. He had been slightly surprised when Xue Meng stepped forward. In his previous life, there hadn't been any deep bond between him and this cousin; they always seemed to look down on each other. Later, when Mo Ran became the Empyrean Ruler of the Human Realm, indulging in arson, murder, and plunder, he and "Feng Huang'er" found themselves on opposite sides, irreconcilable enemies.

Thus, he never expected that in such a situation where they were being condemned by all, Xue Meng would actually be facing away from him and toward someone else.

Mo Ran's heart warmed suddenly. "Xue Meng, you... believe me?"

"Spit! You dog, who believes you?" Xue Meng turned his face halfway, speaking with disdain. "Look at the mess you've landed yourself in! You're a year older than me, yet I have to clean up after you!"

"..."

After his scolding, he turned to those people and shouted at them with an even more menacing voice. "What now? Why don't I understand them? One is my junior apprentice brother, the other is my cousin! Do you know better or do I?"

"Xue Meng..."

"Would it kill you to listen to their explanation? With so many people watching, can they possibly fly away if we delay for a moment?"

At this point, Shi Mo also stepped forward, but he seemed much less imposing. He appeared delicate and anxious as he said, "Honorable Immortals, I can also vouch for the two of them. Miss Eighteen definitely wasn't harmed by them. Please hear them out, thank you..."

Surprisingly, Ye Wangxi also came forward. Although he didn't guarantee their innocence, he was much calmer than the others who were creating a commotion.

Ye Wangxi said, "Even if they need to be temporarily detained, they should still be given a chance to defend themselves. Otherwise, wouldn't the real culprit get off scot-free? What if that person is hiding among us?"

Upon his words, the others exchanged glances, their eyes now filled with caution.

"Well then... we'll hear your explanation first!"

"But the capture will still proceed! Better to be safe than sorry!"

"Better to apprehend the wrong person than let the guilty slip away!"

Mo Ran heaved a sigh, placing his hand on his forehead. After a moment's silence, he unexpectedly chuckled.

"I didn't expect that in such a desperate situation, there would still be people willing to believe me. Alright, alright, even if I am captured, just for the three of you, I won't hold a grudge."

He briefly recounted his experience in the illusory realm, the events that took place there, and how he discovered Shiyi's murder upon his exit.

Unfortunately, after the Asura Realm was shattered, anyone who entered afterward would encounter an entirely new illusion. Thus, there was no way to verify the truth of Mo Ran's account. However, if it were a fabrication, constructing such a story in a short amount of time would have been quite challenging.

By the time he finished speaking, most of the crowd seemed to waver in their conviction.

A Feathered Man of higher status whispered something to his subordinate before addressing Mo Ran and Xia Sini. "Mo Ran, Xia Sini, although you have your explanations, ultimately, there is no concrete evidence. Until everything is thoroughly investigated for the safety of Peach Blossom Spring, you two will have to endure being imprisoned for a while."

Mo Ran gave an exasperated smile. "Fine, fine, I knew it would be like this. As long as you provide me with food and shelter, I won't complain."

"The natural course of action," the Feathered being paused before continuing, "From now on, cultivators within Peach Blossom Paradise must be on high alert to prevent any further incidents. Those who were not present just now will be questioned by my people later to rule out suspicion. In addition, I will inform the leaders of all sects, especially Death's Peak, which is most involved in this matter. If possible, I would like to request an audience with your master."

"Master?!" Mo Ran's expression changed upon hearing this.

Chu Wanning remained silent.

"I don't want Master to come! Can I have my uncle instead?"

"A disciple's illness should be reported to their master. This has been the rule in the cultivation world since ancient times. Does Death's Peak not follow such customs?"

"No, it's just that..."

Frustrated, Mo Ran scratched his head and sighed repeatedly, unsure of what to say.

It was indeed right for a disciple to report their troubles to their master.

But recalling Chu Wanning's detached expression and cold, clear gaze, Mo Ran felt that if he came, he would undoubtedly scold him without listening to his side of the story. It would be better not to meet at all.

But no matter what he said, the situation was already set in stone.

He was locked away with his junior disciple.

The secluded place in Peach Blossom Spring was a medium-sized cave, its entrance guarded by ancient thorns that obeyed only the Feathered Folk. The interior was perpetually dim, though there was a fire pit with enchanted flames that never went out.

Inside the cave, simplicity reigned: a large and rugged stone bed covered with a golden-red cushion woven from feathers, a stone table accompanied by four stone stools, a copper mirror, and a few sets of bowls, dishes, and tea utensils.

Mo Ran and Chu Wanning were thus confined together in this place.

Although their fate had yet to be decided, the Feathered Folk in charge of supervising them seemed to be on good terms with Eighteen. Grieving her untimely death, this particular Feathered Folk took out her anger on Mo Ran and Chu Wanning, making their lives difficult when it came to daily necessities.

On the first night, the Feathered Folk at least sent over some food, though the portions weren't generous but still sufficient. However, on the second day, she simply tossed some raw meat, vegetables, rice, flour, and salt into the cave, claiming she didn't have the time to cater to their dietary needs and that they should fend for themselves.

"Fine, if we have to cook for ourselves, so be it. Who can't cook?"

With a huff, Mo Ran squatted down on the ground, starting to pick through the available ingredients.

"What would you like to eat, Junior Apprentice Brother?"

"Well... anything will do."

"Ai, the most challenging dish to prepare in this world is 'anything.' Let me see, there's pork belly, cabbage... tsk, this feathered fellow is quite stingy, giving only tough cabbage. He's provided some flour and japonica rice, quite a substantial amount, but who knows how many days' worth it is." He rattled off the items, then looked up at Chu Wanning. "Do you want rice or noodles?"

Chu Wanning was resting on a stone bed. Hearing this, he pondered for a moment before answering, "Noodles."

After a pause, he added, "Pork rib noodles."

"Ahaha, that's putting me in a difficult position. Where am I supposed to find pork ribs?"

"Then it doesn't matter, anything will do."

Mo Ran sat cross-legged on the ground, propping his cheek on his knee as he thought for a moment. "There isn't much here anyway. How about I make you a bowl of dan dan noodles?"

"Dan dan noodles?"

"Do you like them?"

"They're okay. Are they spicy?"

Mo Ran smiled. "Look, there wasn't even a hint of chili in that bird person's ingredients."

Since they had agreed on what to eat, Mo Ran started kneading the dough. Chu Wanning was short and not very strong, so he didn't bother pretending to help and instead lay on the bed, lazily watching Mo Ran work the soft white dough. Gradually, his gaze softened.

Suddenly, he felt that this was nice too. Since Mo Ran didn't know who he was, he could stay by Mo Ran's side like this forever. Asking him what he wanted for meals – it was truly wonderful.

He even felt a bit uneasy, as if he had taken too much, stolen from a child named Xia Sini.

Mo Ran finished cooking the noodles and arranged the minced meat on top. The Feathered people's seasonings were scarce, so he couldn't create a dish that looked, smelled, and tasted delicious. But the noodles were chewy and the texture just right. The pork belly, sliced off and fried, sizzled as it was poured over the noodles, making them smell heavenly when mixed together.

"Junior Apprentice Brother, eat…" He lifted his eyes and saw that Chu Wanning had fallen asleep, still lying on his stomach with his head pillowed on his arm, his face turned sideways. His eyelashes were long, and his expression peaceful.

"Food's…" He murmured the rest of the sentence, then walked to the bed and stroked Chu Wanning's obsidian-black hair.

"You really do look quite like Master from this angle. I wonder what connection you and Master have with the Chu family of Lin'an, and who wants to harm us. Sigh… I also don't know what Master is doing right now or if he'll blame me again without understanding the situation once he learns of what happened here."

At this point, Mo Ran's gaze darkened slightly. Rolling a strand of Chu Wanning's black hair around his finger, he let out a faint sigh.

"You don't know him – whenever something happens, he always scolds me… He doesn't particularly like me."

Unfortunately, Chu Wanning was asleep, and the words, like the misunderstandings that had entangled them for decades across lifetimes, dissipated quietly into the still of the night, unanswered.

Mo Ran waited until the noodles had cooled to a less scorching temperature before rousing Chu Wanning.

"Junior Apprentice Brother, it's time to eat."

Chu Wanning yawned, covering his mouth, and stared blankly for a moment with half-open eyes.

"Oh, right, dinner..."

Mo Ran brought over the noodles. He enjoyed cooking but disliked washing dishes. To minimize the number of utensils to clean, he had transferred all the noodles into the same wok he had used to stir-fry the meat sauce.

Chu Wanning was slightly taken aback by this unrefined approach to eating, his eyes widening in disbelief at the large pot of noodles. "How... do we eat this?"

"We'll eat together," Mo Ran said, handing him a pair of chopsticks. With his own hands clasped together, he grinned. "The Race to Scoop the Most Noodles is about to begin! Who will get more noodles? Let's wait and see!"

"..."

After Mo Ran finished speaking, he squinted, laughing even more happily. Chu Wanning gazed at him for a moment before saying, "You seem particularly... enthusiastic as long as there's food involved."

"Especially delighted, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Haha, food is the foundation of people's lives, after all."

As Mo Ran spoke, he didn't hesitate to scoop up a large serving of noodles with his chopsticks, slurping noisily until his cheeks bulged. "It may look a bit unappealing, but the taste is actually quite pleasant."

"..." Chu Wanning's expression was less than pleased. "Eat your meal quietly, don't slurp."

"Ha-ha-ha!" Mo Ran slapped his thigh in laughter. "You're just like my master, you know that? He always tells me not to slurp too, but guess what? Once when we were eating together, I deliberately flicked a bone into his bowl just to irritate him. He was so furious—hahaha!"

Chu Wanning ground his teeth. "How dare you be so disrespectful!"

"Exactly, exactly! That's the reaction I expected. How did you know? Oh, and you mimicked it quite well, Junior Brother. I think you two might be distant relatives, honestly. When Master comes here, you should ask him about it. Hey, hey—don't snatch that half-fried egg from me—"

The author has something to say:

Feeding the Fish: Junior Brother, do you want rice or noodles?

Snowy the Cat: It's cold out, might as well have some dog meat. (chuckles coldly)

Chapter 115: Reality: A Delicate Child

It was as if red lotus petals were rising gently from the depths of hell.

They intertwined with the skeleton.

A moss-covered stone lion held a flower ball inscribed with "longevity and prosperity" in its mouth, exuding an endearing charm.

The trails of moss left by time seemed to brush past, yet they still thrived amidst the faint glow of blood red radiating from the lotus.

The jade-white skeleton sat there silently.

Upon noticing someone's presence, it remained still.

Chi Zihe composed himself, pulling out the purple-gold talisman from his bosom. After chanting the incantation, he swiftly hurled it at the skeleton!

In that instant, countless red threads burst forth from the bone structure as if spurting blood, instantly entwining around his neck and limbs, leaving him no time to react.

For a moment, he thought he would be strangled to death.

In fact, he almost suffocated.

If not for the core of Man Du suddenly falling out.

When the White Bone saw... or rather sensed Man Du's core, it unexpectedly spared him with an unbelievable act of mercy.

The black fog parted like the Red Sea for Moses, and the White Bone was actually escorting him to safety.

As he hesitantly turned around, Chi Zihe heard the shattered cry of the White Bone, echoing like a whisper of wind and rain:

"...Jiaorou."

This inexplicable cry was the only clue Chi Zihe had.

Could there be a turning point in this situation?

Chi Zihe didn't dare to let his guard down. He endured the pain of Yin energy entering his body and the hallucinations, gripping Wang Bafang tightly as they quickly left that eerie place. They eventually collapsed by the waterside in She Village.

The moment he woke up and saw She Lingshuang, Chi Zihe suddenly realized how childish and absurd his previous evasion had been.

Want it means want it, don't want it means don't want it.

Hesitation in choosing will eventually hurt both parties.

He suddenly spoke up:

"Lingshuang, shall we get married?"

She Lingshuang was briefly surprised but didn't show any additional reaction.

Chi Zihe also realized his impromptu gesture:

"Sorry, that was sudden. It doesn't count. I should have prepared better before proposing to you. Just pretend you didn't hear that."

She Lingshuang didn't press the matter and instead asked:

"What happened in the village?"

Chi Zihe recounted everything in detail. She Lingshuang frowned in deep thought, particularly pondering over the words "Jiaor" and "Er".

"Speaking of which, do you still remember Great Grandmother's name?"

It was somewhat embarrassing, but Chi Zihe indeed had never heard anyone address She Grandmother by her given name.

Most likely, due to her long life, many who had known her in the past had already passed away, and those who still recognized her were mostly younger generations who wouldn't dare call her by her name.

Gradually, her name became unknown to others.

Before he could respond, She Lingshuang said, "Great Grandmother's name is She Jiaer. But I'm not sure how this is related to her. Besides, she has been helping out in the community recently… With the danger in She Village now, I don't wish for her to return to the mountain."

Wang Bafang fell into deep thought. "I think we should at least ask Uncle Master to come down from seclusion. Otherwise, with the current situation, we can't afford to wait for others."

As they were discussing, none expected She Grandmother to enter, holding the hand of a community staff member.

Somewhere along the line, news of Chi Zihe's injury had leaked and eventually reached She Grandmother through the community members.

Thinking about visiting her granddaughter's husband, Grandma Shé happened to overhear their entire conversation.

After listening to Chi Zihe's recount, the elderly lady clicked her dentures and said,

"Oh... I see. Take me there. Within three days, the village will return to normal, and those people will come back... Ah, Young Master Yan is indeed kind-hearted, unwilling to harm anyone."

Chi Zihe was skeptical about the description of "kindness."

He also dared not assume that the "darling" the other party mentioned was Grandma Shé.

However, Grandma Shé was insistent, claiming that the entity occupying the ancestral hall was not a demon but an old friend she knew.

Thus, Chi Zihe, despite his illness, accompanied Wang Bafang in protecting Grandma Shé as they climbed the mountain.

Strangely, the red mist parted when it encountered Grandma Shé.

Later, when they reached the eye of the storm again, Chi Zihe shielded Grandma Shé as they ventured towards where the black fog was coming from.

Throughout, Chi Zihe remained worried that the skeleton might harm Grandma Shé.

The moment the figure appeared, he instinctively shielded Old Lady Shu in front of him.

However, Old Lady Shu brushed him aside and walked unhindered to stand before the skeleton. Not only that, all the Yin energy-containing auras avoided her body.

Old Lady Shu lifted her drooping eyelids and asked with a trembling voice,

"Master Yan?"

The skull of the skeleton clicked open its mouth.

Old Lady Shu seemed somewhat agitated. In the faint light emitted by the white jade, one could vaguely see tears shimmering in the corners of her deeply wrinkled eyes.

She caressed the bony cheeks of the skeleton, then reached into its open mouth and touched a short scroll.

After examining the scroll, Old Lady Shu said,

"If it is your wish, this old servant will surely fulfill it for you."

Closing the jaw of the skeleton, she continued,

"Yet the children who enter are innocent. If it's convenient for you, Master Yan, could you spare them when the array is complete in three days?"

As Old Lady She finished her sentence, the thick miasma and the skeletal remains instantly turned to dust and dispersed.

The missing Taoist priests were sprawled on the ground, though fortunately, they all still breathed.

This ghost was rather straightforward, not using the hostages as leverage. It had fulfilled Old Lady She's request even before she could fulfill her promise.

Initially, when Chi Zihe and the others returned safely, he suggested abandoning She Village and starting anew in the city.

But Old Lady She refused.

She said,

"Master Yan's return must signify an important event. We must not disappoint."

After that, Old Lady She set up the Begging Lotus Array according to the scroll.

The Begging Lotus Array opened a passage between the world of the living and the underworld. Yan Qiling received his new body prepared by the underworld. Stepping over mountains of corpses and seas of blood, he emerged into the world with a smile, draped in the skin of a beauty.

He had personally witnessed this person's resurrection.

This only further confirmed that this individual was the heartless and gutless master of chaos.

Chi Zihe finished speaking and couldn't help but gulp down half a bottle of water in one go.

As night deepened, Ming Yiyang suddenly said,

"You've never mentioned something as significant as this."

"Exactly because it's such a big deal, I didn't bring it up."

Chi Zihe sighed,

"It just so happened that you weren't in the country during that time... If only I had told you earlier, things might have been different."

The young man placed his hands on the covers, pausing for a moment before he suddenly laughed in a cryptic manner.

Would telling him beforehand have prevented it?

He recalled his initial encounter with that person and his actions at the time.

Amidst the haze of smoke, they shared the same space, clearly repelled yet inexplicably drawn to each other.

The snow-like warmth of their body, the entwining gaze, and the unforeseen actions.

What was once blurred had never been so vivid; every moment spent with this person seemed to be magnified under a microscope, revealing layer upon layer of detail.

Yes, it was inevitable.

Regardless of when he met that person, he seemed powerless to resist their allure.

It was as if it were a predestined fate, already scripted long ago.

After settling the elderly and the young at home, She Lingshuang embarked on a journey by train to Guang City. Upon arriving, he headed straight for the hospital without delay.

-

Chi Zihe had just brought Ming Yiyang his breakfast and was waiting at the door for the doctor to come for a follow-up examination when he suddenly saw She Lingshuang appear. His heart softened, and he quickly strode over to embrace her tightly in the bustling corridor.

She Lingshuang was baffled as she pushed him away, "What are you doing? I need to see Xiao Ming; don't hold me, it's getting in the way... Hey, there are so many people watching."

"I won't, I just like hugging my wife."

"Who's your wife? We haven't even gotten a marriage certificate."

She Lingshuang rolled her eyes and pushed him away, heading straight for the patient room, "How is the situation? Will he be able to see today?"

Chi Zihe followed behind her, speaking softly, "Not so soon, it's said that it'll still take a few more days before he can see. We'll have to wait for the doctor to examine him to know for sure."

She Lingshuang nodded.

Upon entering the hospital room and seeing Ming Yiyang staring blankly out the window, the calmness she had maintained was finally disturbed, her nose tingling with emotion.

Before she could express her concern, Ming Yiyang, ever perceptive, turned his head and asked,

"Sister-in-law?"

She Lingshuang covered her mouth and nodded. Remembering that Ming Yiyang couldn't see her, she quickly responded with an "ai" sound.

Then, the young man lifted his left hand and said,

"My pinky ring is broken."

She Lingshuang froze, tears streaming down her face.

Confused and at a loss, Chi Zihe frantically tore at tissues and handed them to She Lingshuang. Lowering his head, he asked her,

"What pinky ring? Why are you crying? What happened?"

She Lingshuang let out a deep sigh, grabbed a tissue to quickly wipe her face, and suppressing the quiver in her voice, she spoke as calmly as possible:

"I... gave you that promise ring back then so that your first love wouldn't be met with opposition. So no matter what Old Chi's attitude was, I still wanted to support you."

Chi Zihe stared at her in disbelief.

Looking at the young man's empty left hand, She Lingshuang said,

"That promise ring couldn't be taken off because it wasn't bound to your physical body, but to your spirit."

"At the time, I thought that if you could see through the Master of the Endless Realm with its help, it would be beneficial for you... But I didn't expect that Uncle Yan would... take away your eyes."

"He didn't take my eyes away," Ming Yiyang said with a calm expression, emphasizing once more.

"What he took was the ability of the Yin-Yang Pupil."

"It makes no difference, Xiao Ming. In the end, Uncle Yan hurt you."

She Lingshuang was overwhelmed with guilt, and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. She continued to dab at her eyes with tissues, striving not to let her choked voice betray any emotion:

"Although he didn't pluck out your eyes, the Yin-Yang Pupils are the source of your livelihood. Without them, you... If you're summoned back into the Prison Train in the future, the dangers you'll face will be significantly greater."

The woman took a deep breath, desperately maintaining her composure:

"Our immediate priority, apart from finding a way to heal your eyes, is dealing with your future entries into the Prison Train."

"Rest assured, Lingshuang, Old Chi and I won't stand idly by. If possible, I'll ask Grandmother to intervene and communicate with Uncle Yan, trying to persuade him to return the Yin-Yang Pupils to you."

"Not necessary."

Ming Yiyang's tone was tepid.

This indifference of his was no longer the sheer coldness he had displayed in the initial days after his blindness. Back then, his indifference carried anger and an intense wariness, as if he felt isolated by the entire world, on the verge of vanishing into eternal stillness at any moment.

But now, there was an indescribable oddity to his detachment.

It was as if this incident hadn't left any mark on his heart—despite the severe trauma he had endured.

She Lingshuang was oblivious to this, but Chi Zihe, who had always been by Ming Yiyang's side, keenly sensed the difference.

He stretched out his left hand, revealing broad knuckles that held a vitality distinct from Yan Qiling's. The various scars on the back of his hand were visible yet didn't mar its appearance; instead, they lent it a rugged charm, as if it had weathered many storms.

From the wrist emerged a silvery, snake-like object that coiled gently around his fingertips, trembling slightly.

It was the Spirit Binding Rope that Yan Qiling had given him!

Chi Zihe hadn't expected Ming Yiyang to still carry this item with him despite everything.

Considering this person's usual obsession with cleanliness, any valuable gift would have been long discarded or thrown away if the giver, Ming Yiyang, didn't like them. It was inconceivable that he would continue wearing it.

A subtle sense of unease crept over him, though he couldn't quite pinpoint the reason.

The young man opened his lifeless eyes, his silver eyelashes shimmering in the scattered light.

He said, "Sister Lingshuang, I need your help."

Unaware of any underlying issue, She Lingshuang promptly replied:

"You may speak."

The young man's words were crisp and resolute:

"Erase the imprint belonging to Yan Qiling from this object."

"Make it completely obedient to me."

Su Yu regretted not having studied sprinting seriously back in school. He was determined to fetch Lin Shuicheng before Xia Ran could reach the apartment.

Unfortunately, his sports performance had always hovered near the passing grade. Back then, when Fu Luoyin led others to lock their PE teacher in the gym locker room, Su Yu could only act as a lookout.

As Su Yu found himself lagging behind, he chased after Fu Luoyin downstairs. Just a few steps down, he bumped into Yan Zi, who was engaged in conversation with the CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Behind Yan Zi were Bai Yiyi and Xia Ran.

Su Yu cried out, "Excuse me, excuse me!"

Before he could squeeze past, Yan Zi grabbed him by the arm. "Where are you rushing off to? Come over here and meet this person. This is Mr. Lu, the Executive President of Runsheng Pharmaceuticals, whom I've mentioned to you before. Mr. Lu, this is my wayward son."

"Su Yu, I know him!" Lu Shengwen smiled warmly at him, taking a moment to appraise him. "You look quite lively, young man!"

With Su Yu detained, Fu Luoyin continued downward.

Bai Yiyi and Xia Ran followed closely behind. Bai Yiyi called out, "Auntie."

Yan Zi turned around. Bai Yiyi gestured for Xia Ran to present the gift while flashing a polite smile.

Spotting the incoming guests, Yan Zi apologized to Lu Shengwen with a smile. "Could you wait just a little, Mr. Lu? Let Su Yu show you to a seat first. You can have some tea and snacks; I'll be with you shortly."

"No problem at all." Lu Shengwen turned to Su Yu and began showing his concern. "How old are you? Are you dating anyone? I have a niece..." Lu Shengwen started scanning the crowd. "My niece is here too!"

Su Yu braced himself, answering as he walked back. "I don't have a partner right now, but..."

"That's great! You should meet her then!" Lu Shengwen warmly waved in the distance. A short-haired girl in an evening gown approached, looking obedient and demure. "Come, come, let's find a place to sit."

Lu Shengwen's original seat was inside, while Su Yu had been sitting with Fu Luoyin and Dong Shuoye by the outer edge. As Su Yu reluctantly entertained Lu Shengwen's enthusiasm, Dong Shuoye suddenly stood up, looking at the girl beside him and saying politely with a smile, "Miss Lu? I didn't expect to run into you here. What a coincidence that this spot is empty. Why don't we all sit here? Su Yu, you should be more considerate since she's wearing high heels."

Su Yu was stunned. "Huh?"

The girl was also confused. "I don't know you... And my surname isn't Lu either..."

Lu Shengwen was puzzled but added, "Xixi is my niece, but she doesn't share the same surname. Still, she's like a real niece to me!"

Dong Shuoye remained calm. "Oh, perhaps I made a mistake. It's alright, though. Let's just sit here; it's more convenient."

Su Yu was dumbfounded. Who would believe that Dong Shuoye, with his photographic memory, could make a mistake?

In all his life, he had never seen Dong Shuoye get anything wrong!

He glared at Dong Shuoye, but Dong Shuoye completely ignored him, instead engaging Lu Shengwen in a casual conversation.

In another stairwell, Bai Yiyi was chatting with Yan Zi with a smile on her face. Xia Ran, not being very familiar with the Su family, followed cautiously, listening attentively.

Fu Luoyin was descending from the opposite side.

Xia Ran lifted his gaze to meet his.

They hadn't seen each other for many years. Even with photographs, the changes that could be perceived with the naked eye were something that pictures couldn't fully convey.

Fu Luoyin looks exceptionally handsome in his formal attire, exuding an air of straight-backed composure. He is no longer the reticent youth etched in memory, but a veritable man. The lines of his suit elegantly contour his chiseled, robust musculature and his tall, statuesque frame. His features increasingly resemble those of his father—starkly masculine and brimming with rugged charm, imbued with an uncommon sharpness and handsomeness.

There's also a subtle hint of mint fragrance.

He drew closer and closer, causing Xia Ran to gradually come to a halt.

As Fu Luoyin brushed past him, Xia Ran felt his heart skip a beat. Before he could react, he gently tugged on Fu's sleeve and called out his name.

"...Fu Luoyin."

Fu Luoyin turned his head slightly to glance at him, his expression slightly startled. However, he quickly looked out and broke free from his hand without saying anything, rushing outside directly.

Xia Ran was also taken aback. Then, he gritted his teeth and gave a self-deprecating smile.

He continued accompanying Bai Yiyi and Yan Zi up the stairs.

On the other side, Su Yu found an excuse to leave and went down, claiming he would help Yan Zi carry her belongings.

He followed in the direction Fu Luoyin had gone.

When Lin Shuicheng entered slowly, most others were already seated. The registration and gift tables had been removed, leaving only the magnificent cake tower and champagne fountain. The remaining attendants were serving the buffet.

Fu Xue was almost in front of Lin Shuicheng. Her enthusiasm finally caught his attention, causing him to stop.

With a smile, Fu Xue said, "Hello, Mr. Lin. I'm from Yangfeng Nanotechnology. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Without stopping, Lin Shuicheng politely replied, "I'm sorry, but I've just arrived and need to meet the birthday celebrant. Also, I'm not currently taking on new projects. Thank you."

Fu Xue hadn't expected such a straightforward response, nor that he was about to bypass her and head towards the back.

In that instant, she found it utterly unbelievable – Lin Shuicheng didn't recognize her, and he showed no reaction to Yangfeng Nanotech at all?

She had, after all, met him at least once during that academic seminar. Yet, Lin Shuicheng was displaying such indifference!

Heaven only knew how much damage Lin Shuicheng's presentation had caused their company. Professor Yu Fan was someone she had recommended, but the scandal involving fake data in the report not only indirectly implicated their company, even though there wasn't a direct connection. From He Muya's perspective, it was undeniable that Yangfeng Nanotech had provided Yu Fan with equipment for free. As a result, their company suffered numerous hidden setbacks during the subsequent academic purification campaign. Just thinking about it made Fu Xue grit her teeth in anger.

Footsteps grew louder from behind them.

Just as Lin Shuicheng lifted his gaze from his phone, he nearly collided with Fu Luoyin, who was walking hastily and unable to stop in time. Lin Shuicheng, not paying attention to who was in front of him, stumbled as well.

"Sorry," Lin Shuicheng apologized instinctively. When he didn't hear a response, he realized it was Fu Luoyin standing before him.

Taking two steps back, Fu Luoyin quietly observed him, an unconscious smile appearing in his eyes. His chest still rose and fell gently due to his recent rush down the stairs.

He looked at Lin Shuicheng.

He had never seen Lin Shuicheng in a suit before – only in casual clothes or a lab coat. Even then, Lin Shuicheng looked handsome and slightly attractive, with an air of abstention.

Fu Luoyin thought to himself, I wonder how many more people will fall for this look.

Fu Luoyin whispered, "You're here. Let me take you up. Did you drive?"

Lin Shuicheng didn't respond. Fu Luoyin made a move as if to hold his hand but restrained himself.

He said, "I forgot you don't drive. The autonomous driving system is such a hassle. Why not stay here, and I'll pick you up whenever we need to go out?"

"No need," Lin Shuicheng replied.

Fu Luoyin seemed not to have heard him, turning around to signal Lin Shuicheng to follow him upstairs. They walked in silence.

Fu Xue hesitated for a long time whether to join them or not, but eventually caught up, calling tentatively, "Minus Two."

Completely unprepared for her presence, Fu Luoyin turned his head, furrowing his brow as a hint of impatience shadowed his eyes. "—What did you just call me?"

Fu Xue immediately fell silent, her face flushed with embarrassment as she followed them awkwardly.

The nickname "Minus Two" was something she had only heard from Xia Ran. Although her relationship with the main Fu family was distant, it had become customary within their social circle to address each other informally like this.

She had no idea how much Fu Luoyin despised being called by that name by anyone outside his inner circle.

Despite their age difference and distant familial relationship, Fu Luoyin should have addressed her as elder sister. However, she had a slight fear towards Fu Luoyin and the entire Fu family.

The Fu Military Technology Company had always been a family business, but restricted to the direct line of the Fu family. Fu Luoyin's grandfather, Fu Qingsong, was a scientist who kept to himself, never quite fitting in with his siblings, and thus was somewhat ostracized at home. He had struck out on his own, even removing his name from the family registry.

Over time, although they shared the same surname, the other branches of the Fu family grew increasingly distant, each generation less connected than the last. Fu Qingsong and Fu Kai's family never placed much importance on their familial ties.

Lowering his voice, Fu Luoyin asked Lin Shuicheng, "What did she want to talk to you about?"

Lin Shuicheng glanced at Fu Luoyin. "Work."

"Fengfeng Nanotechnology's technology is outdated, and it's not related to your majors. What could she possibly need from you?" Fu Luoyin continued. "If you're interested, I can introd...?"

Lin Shuicheng interrupted him. "Not interested, thanks."

This was the first time Fu Luoyin had been so bluntly dismissed. He held back his frustration and fell silent.

He found that he disliked how politely Lin Shuicheng spoke to him, which stirred an inexplicable irritation within him, as if something beyond his control was about to unfold, like sand slipping through his fingers.

Deciding to change the subject, Fu Luoyin asked, "Do you still like the flowers I sent you?"

Lin Shuicheng looked at him once more. "…Don't send me off next time."

Fu Luoyin was left speechless again.

Just then, Su Yu came downstairs and saw Fu Luoyin and Lin Shuicheng standing together. He heaved a huge sigh of relief. He went over to greet Lin Shuicheng, "Sister-in-law, you're here! Was the journey smooth?"

"Other than a slight delay, it went well," Lin Shuicheng nodded at Su Yu and asked, "Is Doctor Yan available to accept gifts now?"

"Come on, come on. Mom's upstairs," Su Yu grinned as he linked his arm with Lin Shuicheng's, which the latter accepted quite naturally.

Fu Luoyin's eyes slightly widened in muted indignation beside him, yet he dared not utter a word, merely following along in silence.

Yan Zi was still engaged in conversation with Bai Yiyi and Xia Ran at the stairway entrance.

Lin Shuicheng approached and called out, "Doctor Yan."

Yan Zi expressed a touch of delight, "Oh my, Little Lin, you've come too! Quickly, go up and sit! Let's all head upstairs, or we'll block the stairway and others might think it odd. Hurry now, children, up we go."

Lin Shuicheng gazed at Yan Zi, while Xia Ran and Bai Yiyi fixed their eyes on Fu Luoyin. Su Yu, on the other hand, was looking at his mother.

With so many pairs of eyes gathered together, the atmosphere was strangely awkward.

Lin Shuicheng was oblivious to this.

Bai Yiyi held onto Xia Ran, slowing their pace, falling a few steps behind the others, walking alongside Fu Luoyin.

Su Yu noticed this situation and began to regret insisting on holding onto Lin Shuicheng. To make amends, he also slowed down with Lin Shuicheng, resulting in nearly five people walking abreast on a single step.

The air was still quiet, so quiet that they could hear each other's breathing.

Fu Luoyin broke the silence first: "Shuicheng, come here."

His tone was commanding, but there was a hint of urgency in his voice, and a subtle tremble that was almost imperceptible.

He quickened his pace, stepping out from the crowded stairway, then turned back to extend his hand to Lin Shuicheng. Su Yu immediately let go of Lin Shuicheng upon seeing this.

Lin Shuicheng, with his hands in his pockets, tilted his head and looked at Fu Luoyin.

In that fleeting moment, Fu Luoyin felt his heart almost stop—nearly losing himself in the gaze.

When he regained his composure, Lin Shuicheng had already taken a seat next to Su Yu at the table.

Bai Yiyi and Xia Ran also found their places – at the same table.

Lin Shuicheng sat beside Su Yu, with Fu Luoyin squeezing in beside him on the right. Across from them was Xia Ran, while on the other side, Dong Shuoye was engaged in conversation with Lu Shengwen, strolling around as they spoke, clearly oblivious to the situation at hand. Next to them, Su Yu's mother was eagerly unwrapping presents.

Bai Yiyi gracefully sat down, lowering her head slightly to greet Fu Luoyin with a "Hi."

She held onto Xia Ran's hand beneath the table, urging him to keep his composure and not panic.

Their opening move had been a failure, as Fu Luoyin had bypassed them to greet Lin Shuicheng, something that had caught everyone off guard.

Only now, seated, did Bai Yiyi truly see what Lin Shuicheng looked like – the person who had silently killed her more than twenty times in the game, causing her gaming prowess to crumble right before her eyes.

Lin Shuicheng was strikingly handsome. Up close, his features could be breathtaking, with every angle of his face perfect. The red mole added a touch of allure to his appearance, giving him a nearly effeminate quality, but his demeanor was so cold and indifferent that he seemed untouchable.

Even someone like her, who had initially harbored animosity towards him, couldn't help being mesmerized by his presence.

As Fu Luoyin was about to approach Lin Shuicheng, Bai Yiyi interrupted him. Raising an eyebrow, she looked at her with folded arms, saying nothing but conveying a chilliness in his eyes: "Who are you?"

"Bai Yiyi." Noticing his displeasure, Bai Yiyi felt even more awkward.

Xia Ran added, "She's my friend."

Upon hearing this, Fu Luoyin scoffed involuntarily.

Xia Ran's face paled, and Bai Yiyi perceived the disdain in that scoff, her own complexion fluctuating between red and white.

The atmosphere grew even more awkward.

Yan Zi finally seemed to catch on. She lifted her gaze to Fu Luoyin, observing him sitting beside Lin Shuicheng with a thoughtful expression.

She suddenly recalled, "Oh, Little Fu, you went to see Lin Deng with Little Lin before, right? I remember you said you were friends. So you two know each other?"

Almost losing control of his expression, Fu Luoyin remembered—this had been a long time ago when he took Lin Shuicheng to the hospital to visit Lin Deng.

Yan Zi was previously aware of his relationship with Xia Ran. He had told her in front of her that Lin Shuicheng was just a friend.

Fu Luoyin corrected himself, "Boyfriend."

Lin Shuicheng contradicted, "No."

The smile in Fu Luoyin's eyes froze once more.

Su Yu remained silent, "..."

Su Yu began to feel a tingling sensation on his scalp.

Author's Note:

From a comment section - No Choice But to Be Cowardly: In the night, Shuicheng returned home. Despite not seeing him for many days, Fu Luoyin's body was still mature and alluring. With a hint of amusement and helplessness in his eyes, he gazed at the brown irises and sighed, "Fu Luoyin, how can there be a chubby little kitten like you in this world?"

At the mere thought of Rong Shu, his heart would race wildly.

Fortunately, he had grown accustomed to this peculiar sensation; even with Rong Shu standing before him, he could maintain his composure.

The Ministry of Punishments had already reported the assassination attempt on Xu Li'er to the inner court, and Emperor Jia You flew into a rage, slamming his dragon table in fury and ordering a thorough investigation.

However, Gu Changjin knew that the truth behind the incident would never be uncovered.

Since Liu Yuan dared to convey the message, he obviously wasn't afraid of the Ministry's investigation. Even if they traced it back to him, he would merely be a scapegoat. There was someone behind Liu Yuan, whose identity Gu Changjin didn't know, but he was aware that this person, like Liu Yuan, wanted Yang Xu dead.

Gu Changjin also desired Yang Xu's demise.

In times of critical need, the enemy of one's enemy could become an ally.

Thus, Gu Changjin wouldn't oppose Liu Yuan.

Moreover, by offering Xu Li'er's life to him, wasn't Liu Yuan extending a favor?

The person who fought him at the inn that day had no intention of harming him. If not for protecting Rong Shu, that knife shouldn't have pierced his arm.

Yet, he himself was brimming with deadly intentions everywhere.

Even though he knew this person shouldn't be killed and couldn't be killed, he still couldn't suppress the overwhelming urge to kill in his heart.

He shouldn't be such an impetuous person.

But the moment she was injured, his reason gave way.

Gu Changjin sat cross-legged on the couch, focusing his mind and calming his heart. When his heartbeat gradually returned to normal, he got up, drank half a pot of cold tea from the belly warmer, and then stared out the window at the sparse shadows of the parasol trees.

His brows and eyes gradually turned cold.

In the Songsi Courtyard.

Ying Que had already conveyed Chang Ji's message to Rong Shu early in the morning.

"Chang Ji said that the Empress has agreed to let Miss Xu serve her mother's spirit at the Great Mercy Temple for a hundred days, and then allow her to become a female historian at the Music Bureau!"

Who could have imagined that the girl who was panic-stricken just a couple of days ago would soon enter the palace as a court lady?

Ying Que's eyes shimmered with excitement. In the Great Yin, becoming a palace maid was no easy feat; it was even more challenging than young men vying to become scholars.

Rong Shu truly felt happy for Miss Xu, who had such fortune.

Upon hearing Ying Que mention Empress Qi, Rong Shu's eyelids twitched, involuntarily recalling her previous life and Nanny Zhu, along with the cup of poisonous wine she had delivered.

The endless pain that the wine had inflicted still haunted her to this day.

She held a deep sense of caution towards Empress Qi in the central palace.

This Empress from the Kunning Palace hailed from the Qi family, a renowned military clan. Her father, Qi Zhang, had been the Grand Commander during the Jiande era, wielding the power of tens of thousands of soldiers and controlling the court. Yet, on his deathbed, he voluntarily relinquished his military authority.

Later, when Prince Qiyuan fell under the sway of an evil cult and was poisoned by a palace attendant, feudal lords across the land invaded the capital in the name of ridding the emperor's court of malign influences.

It was Empress Qi's brother, Qi Heng, who rallied their father's former troops, assisting Emperor Jiayou in launching a rebellion from Taiyuan Prefecture, defeating the other feudal lords one by one.

In the end, Emperor Jiayou became the ruler of the Forbidden City, and the Qi family was hailed as the greatest contributor. As a result, Empress Qi enjoyed great favor from the emperor.

Empress Qi was renowned for her virtue in Taiyuan Prefecture, where she established numerous free schools and medical clinics for the impoverished populace.

In Taiyuan Prefecture, there still stands a Temple of the Empress, built by the local people in gratitude to Empress Qi, and it is incredibly bustling with incense burners.

Now, there were far more female officials in the imperial harem than during the Jiande era. It was Empress Qi, after she ascended to the throne in the Kunning Palace, who vigorously promoted the education of women and their pursuit of official positions.

In this capital city, whether it be noble ladies or ordinary girls from common households, all held great respect for the Empress within the palace.

If Rong Shu had not met her demise at her own hands, she would likely have revered and admired Ying Que with an earnest heart, just as others do.

Thankfully, in this lifetime, she and this Empress shall never again cross paths.

Rong Shu let out a gentle sigh and said to Ying Que, "When I was married, I brought along a chest of books. Go find them for me. I'll select a few to send to the Great Compassion Temple."

Being a court lady is more arduous than one might imagine outside the palace walls. The women who manage to enter the imperial court as officials are subjected to rigorous examinations, not only for their literacy and understanding of propriety but also for their grace and talent.

The Music Bureau falls under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Etiquette Bureau, overseeing the rehearsal of musicians and the arrangement of musical ensembles, as well as managing the timing of their performance and retreat.

Xu Li'er has had an innate talent for music since childhood. She learned the pipa in the Music Pavilion and her voice is as melodious as a lark's first song, truly deserving the phrase "gifted by heaven." However, her family circumstances when she was young didn't allow her to attend a private school for scholarly studies. Although she can read a few characters, she still lacks proficiency in literary matters.

Rong Shu swiftly compiled a thick stack of books, which she entrusted to Chang Ji the next day to send via the embassy to Daci'en Temple.

Chang Ji took the books and had just stepped out the door when he saw a guard galloping towards them in a hurry. Upon reaching the entrance of Gu's residence, he began pounding on the gate loudly.

He rushed forward and asked, "Who are you?"

The guard paused his knocking, his face filled with urgency. "I am Danqing, a close attendant of Duke Cheng'an. Our Lady is gravely ill, and His Grace has specially instructed me to urgently summon Miss back to the Duke's residence."

With that said, he dared not speak any further.

Chang Ji's expression turned grim as he hurried back to the Songsi Courtyard to deliver the message.

Upon hearing Chang Ji's words, Rong Shu nearly lost her balance, stumbling over the threshold and hitting her head hard against the door frame.

"Miss!"

Ying Que quickly caught her, assisting her with concern.

Rong Shu pinched her fingertips forcefully, taking a deep breath before declaring, "We must return to the Duke's residence immediately."

Only a few days prior, she had returned to the Marquis's mansion, where Lady Shen was then in perfectly good health. Even so, she steadfastly refused to allow her to spend the night at Qingheng Courtyard, insisting that Gu Changjin had not fully recovered from his illness, and thus had her escorted back to Wutong Lane.

Why would she suddenly fall ill?

The carriage sped away from Phoenix-Wood Lane, and Rong Shu pondered over the events of her past life all the while.

In her previous life, due to the assassination attempt on Changan Avenue, she did not return home. It was only after Gu Changjin's wounds had significantly improved that she eventually returned to the Marquisate. By then, Madam Shen had already suffered a severe illness. When Rong Shu came back, although she was frail, her health was gradually improving day by day.

At that time, when my mother was ill, no one came to Wutong Alley to inform us. Now, the Marquis's residence has sent someone in a hurry...

Rong Shu dared not dwell on the thought any further.

Qingheng Courtyard.

Lord Cheng'an, Rong Xun, paced anxiously outside the main chamber. The physician had been inside for half an hour and had yet to emerge. In contrast, Nurse Zhou and a few maidservants were constantly shuttling in and out, carrying basin after basin of bloody water.

Chapter 84: An Old Acquaintance (3100+)

Three years later, within the Huo family's grand residence.

"Uncle, here you go."

Chen Chen handed over a small toy car, and Huo Lanjing reached out to take it, his gaze wandering.

Two years prior, Huo Lanjing had brought Chen Chen back for his education.

He enrolled Chen Chen in a prestigious school and, without pressuring him, exposed him to the unique education of the Huo family whenever possible.

Whenever he had spare time, he would take Chen Chen to the place where Luo Le had vanished.

Huo Lanjing had once sent a laboratory mouse, implanted with a biological microchip, into a black hole. Both its location and vital signs had subsequently disappeared.

Everyone was saying that Luo Le was dead and could never return.

Huo Lanjing neither refuted nor commented on these claims; he merely continued doing what he had been doing.

Before returning, he had arranged for someone to stay there, carrying out the same routine daily.

Yet, the outcomes were always similar.

Chen Chen stared at her uncle in a daze, reaching out to wave his hand. "Uncle, what are we doing back here today, Uncle?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Lanjing crouched down and tidied up the collar of Chen Chen's disheveled little gown.

"We're meeting someone."

Huo Lanjing had never corrected Chen Chen's way of addressing him nor allowed anyone to gossip about it in front of the child.

The reason was simple: Luo Le had never acknowledged Chen Chen as his child.

Whenever someone asked, he would say that Chen Chen was a friend's child, and he was merely helping to look after them while the friend was away.

Huo Fei couldn't comprehend. If Luo Le was already dead, did Huo Lanjing intend to keep Chen Chen by his side with this false identity?

Huo Lanjing maintained his usual expression, simply stating that Luo Le wasn't dead.

Huo Fei had no choice but to let him be.

Chen Chen asked, "Who are you meeting?"

Huo Lanjing snapped back to reality and was about to respond when Uncle Wang entered from outside, saying, "Young Master, Mr. Chen is here."

Huo Lanjing pulled Chen Chen down to sit and didn't even lift his head as he instructed, "Bring him in."

After a while, Chen Wuxing appeared at the door with Uncle Wang.

He smiled at Huo Lanjing and said, "General, it's been a long time."

Huo Lanjing gestured to a seat beside him.

Understanding, Chen Wuxing sat down and noticed the child staring at him with wide eyes. He couldn't help but inquire, "Who's this child?"

The kid didn't seem to be afraid of the General, and there was even a resemblance between them.

Could that be the child of the Admiral?

Huo Lanjing replied, "A friend's child."

Seeing that Huo Lanjing didn't seem keen on discussing the matter further, Chen Wuxing tactfully changed the subject. "Admiral, have you found the person yet?"

Huo Lanjing nodded and handed over a credential that could only be delivered in person.

Chen Wuxing took it and said, "Thank you, Admiral."

Huo Lanjing asked, "Have you set a time?"

Chen Wuxing answered, "Yes, tomorrow at ten in the morning."

After some more small talk, Chen Wuxing left.

Once he was gone, Chen Chen curiously asked, "Uncle, who was that brother?"

Huo Lanjing didn't want Chen Chen to get too close to him, considering Luo Le's previous dislike for Chen Wuxing.

"A comrade-in-arms of Uncle."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen lost interest.

Huo Lanjing said, "Let's go home."

Chen Chen nodded and held his hand. The two of them, one big and one small, left like that.

Huo Lanjing was referring to the house where Luo Le and Chen Chen used to live.

They had been living there for the past three years.

On the way back, as Chen Chen gazed at the fleeting scenery outside the car window, he suddenly spoke up, "Uncle, is my daddy dead?"

Taken aback by the question, Huo Lanjing gripped his shoulder and asked with a frown, "Who told you that?"

Despite the warnings, someone still couldn't keep their mouth shut?

Chen Chen shook his head. "No, Chen Chen guessed it on my own."

Then, he widened his eyes and asked, "Uncle, isn't it?"

Huo Lanjing inquired, "Do you know what death is?"

Chen Chen replied, "I do. Grandpa He told me that death means disappearing, never being able to see someone again." As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.

Looking at those eyes that resembled Luo Le's, Huo Lanjing's gaze softened unconsciously. "I don't care who told you that, but it's not true. Luo Le is alive and well. You'll be able to meet him when you grow up."

Chen Chen wiped away his tears. "Really?"

Huo Lanjing affirmed, "Really."

Chen Chen extended his pinky finger, and Huo Lanjing reached out to hook it with his own. "I promise."

For some reason, he found this uncle's words particularly reassuring, and he couldn't help but believe them.

*

Inside the moving spaceship.

"Boss, isn't the Empire incredibly luxurious? Like gold is everywhere?"

Er Qing leaned closer, grinning as he asked his question.

Qing Yi pushed away Er Qing's intrusive presence, "Stay away from me, are you obsessed with money?"

Feeling wronged, Er Qing turned to San Qing who was standing by, "Can we enter without any proof?"

San Qing replied, "The host has already made arrangements."

Er Qing then addressed the person by the floor-to-ceiling window, "Si Qing, aren't you from the Empire? What's interesting there?"

The one called Si Qing glanced back at Er Qing, "I don't recall."

With that, he returned to his room.

Seeing this, Er Qing tried to follow, "Hey, Si Qing, don't be so heartless, just tell us."

San Qing, standing nearby, held back Er Qing's hand, "That's enough, don't hassle him."

"But he obviously remembers," Er Qing protested.

After Er Qing said this, he suddenly smiled and added, "Forget it. Anyway, this mission seems quite easy. We just have to protect two grooms, and it's within the Empire. Wow, we can enjoy the banquet and complete the mission at the same time. It's awesome!"

San Qing, seeing this, commented, "You're overthinking it. The reward for this job is two hundred million. How could it be that simple? Can't you change your habits a bit? This is a mission. If you act like that, I swear I won't hold back."

The next morning, after sending Chen Chen to school, Huo Lanjing went straight to the address Chen Wuxing had sent him.

Huo Lanjing's car was easily recognizable, and as soon as he arrived at the entrance, the security guard opened the gate for him.

He drove all the way up to the main gate and, upon stepping out of the car, spotted Chen Wuxing who had been waiting there for some time, accompanied by another person.

Chen Wuxing smiled and said, "General, you're here."

A male omega beside Chen Wuxing looped an arm around his.

This person, Huo Lanjing, had once met at a banquet. He is the most favored young master of the Xu family, named Xu Ming.

Xu Ming said with a smile, "Thank you, General, for helping us to support the scene for our Star."

Huo Lanjing waved it off. "It's alright."

Noticing the unease in the person beside him, Chen Wuxing soothingly patted his hand and gazed at him, his expression conveying the unspoken question: The general is here to assist us, why are you acting up?

Xu Ming glared at him.

Xu Ming was previously the regimental doctor of the First Army. Chen Wuxing often got injured, and he would always come to him for treatment.

Gradually, the two became acquainted.

Later, as they blossomed into adolescence, they secretly harbored affection for one another.

Rumors about Chen Wuxing and Admiral Huo's alleged affair spread like wildfire through the First Military Circuit.

In the ranks of warriors, the mightiest Alpha and the most potent Omega, a union unparalleled, inspire envy in all who witness it.

Xu Ming also had a dispute with Chen Wuxing for a while because of this. Later, after Chen Wuxing confessed his feelings and they got together, he realized that he had misunderstood.

Xu Ming, who had been doted upon since childhood, could not bear such grievances, and thus he began to harbor resentment towards Huo Lanjing.

Chen Wuxing stepped forward and said, "Admiral, let's go in. Xiao Ming's father and papa are waiting for us."

Huo Lanjing replied, "Mercenary."

Chen Wuxing understood the implication and replied, "I'll be there right away."

The trio ascended the stairs, stepping steadily upward.

Upon entering, Xu Ming's father approached and extended his hand, saying, "General Huo, I've heard so much about you for a long time."

Huo Lanjing extended his hand in return, "Nice to meet you."

He is not one for polite small talk, but fortunately, Xu Ming's father doesn't mind.

After a while of cordial conversation, the butler suddenly entered from outside to announce, "They've arrived."

Xu Ming's father: "Why don't you come in?"

The servant acknowledged and turned to lead the person inside.

With keen interest, Qing Er scanned their surroundings, only to be met with a harsh kick from Qing San.

Qing Yi strides ahead, relying on his composed demeanor, while Qing Si trails behind, his figure accentuated by the black garb. His face is concealed beneath a mask and cap, leaving no hint of his identity.

Huo Lanjing, initially disinterestedly studying the tea in his hand, lifted his gaze to see Qing Si.

Xu Ming also noticed and whispered to Chen Wuxing, "Isn't it hot today? Doesn't this person feel hot wearing so much?"

Chen Wuxing wished he could cover the man's mouth, but given the current situation, he could only hush him with a chuckle.

Qing Yi approached and said, "Hello, may I ask which of you are Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming?"

Chen Wuxing agreed and introduced Xu Ming.

"Very well, from now on, we'll be attending to your personal protection. If I may ask, do you have a date set for your wedding?"

Chen Wuxing had a look of inexpressible concern. Since Xu Ming's parents hadn't fully agreed yet, he didn't feel it was appropriate for him to speak up prematurely.

Chen Wuxing brought Huo Lanjing along, not to exert pressure on Xu Ming's father and grandfather, but simply to add a touch of elegance to the occasion.

Chen Wuxing was an orphan from birth, nurtured by an elderly scavenger even before he was weaned.

When he was eight, the old man passed away, and he began foraging for food in garbage heaps. When others bullied him, he fought back on his own.

As he grew older, he sustained himself by collecting protection fees and providing support to others in their endeavors.

However, on that backward planet, while it may not be considered a respectable profession, it is not illegal.

Thus, he had no criminal record.

Later on, he was taken in by a mercenary group, and after a few years as a mercenary, he found himself on the Fifth Planet.

Through a series of serendipitous events, he found himself enlisted in the First Army.

As time passed by, Xu Ming noticed that his father remained silent, so he gave his father a meaningful look.

His father instantly understood and nudged the person beside him.

Xu Ming's father smiled and said, "I'm sorry, I was just calculating the dates, and it seems that next month's today is a good day. How about we set the date for that day?"

No one voiced any objection.

And so the day was set.

Huo Lanjing remained silent throughout, while Qing Si, during their conversation, barely spared them a glance, lost in his own world as he gazed out the window.

Chen Wuxing was making assurances to Xu Ming's father and offering some words.

With that, I bid them farewell.

Huo Lanjing led the way at the forefront, followed by Chen Wuxing, Xu Ming, and the mercenary group.

As they were on the verge of parting, Huo Lanjing unexpectedly approached the mercenary group.

Confusion spread across their faces, but Qing Si quietly stepped back, hiding behind Qing San.

Qing Yi watched as Huo Lanjing drew near and asked, "Is there something you need?"

Huo Lanjing ignored him, brushing past and swiftly removing Qing Si's mask.

Qing Si's hat fell off, revealing his entire face.

Qing Er: "What the hell are you doing?"

As he spoke, Qing San stepped in and held him back.

Qing Yi approached, his expression somewhat grim. "Admiral, what are you doing? This isn't appropriate, is it?"

Huo Lanjing didn't respond, a faint flicker of emotion crossing his eyes as his hand tightened subtly.

Chen Wuxing also noticed, approaching step by step with his lips slightly parted. "Luo Le?"

Chapter 158: Distortion

Wu Shaluo pretended not to hear the sarcasm in Muershi's words and casually addressed Berros beside him, "I thought with your personality, you would disdain using a battle of attrition against your opponent." The underlying meaning was that he expected Berros to jump in first.

Berros glanced at him coldly, "Are you implying that I'm physically strong but mentally weak?"

If he hadn't witnessed Wen Ying's power surge, he might have had a chance to jump in directly, but it was only a possibility. Any sensible being knew to wait until the last day.

Berros was quite concerned about Wen Ying's abnormal power display that day. He had intended to observe at what level Wen Ying's power currently was, but in these matches, Wen Ying had resorted to cunning tactics, making it impossible for him to deduce anything.

In this round against Huiguo, he could catch a glimpse of something.

The arena, swaying with silver-white branches, resembled a dreamlike silver sea, unlike the thorns that usually conveyed a sense of danger to demons.

Huiguo's lightning spells kept raining down, while Wen Ying merely evaded and defended. Suddenly, Huiguo felt an immense weight on his body, as if a boulder had crashed down onto his shoulders.

From a distance, Huiguo appeared to be plummeting vertically. The silver-white branches beneath him seemed to come alive, surging wildly, causing some of the demonic spectators to feel their scalps tingle.

As some disobedient branches wrapped around Huiguo's body, they secretly "sucked" a mouthful or two of blood. A touch of red mixed into the silver sea, though it wasn't particularly noticeable.

Despite being a demon, Huiguo could sense his power draining from his body through his blood, but he didn't have the luxury to ponder over it. Just now, his body had been so heavy that when he fell among the branches, he discovered that the tournament platform was enchanted with gravity magic. Wen Ying, that maniac, had evenly placed his cursed magic cards here without his notice.

A single gravity spell couldn't make him plummet straight down, but Wen Ying had stacked at least ten of them! The residual magic fluctuations distorted Huiguo's features in anger.

Now that the gravity spell had dissipated, his black wings and body were entangled by countless branches, bound layer upon layer. Lightning magic couldn't deal significant damage to these plant-like creatures, so Huiguo condensed metal arrows to slash away the branches constraining him.

Initially, he thought that cutting off these branches would do the trick, but he hadn't expected the speed at which he condensed the metal arrows to sever the branches to be slower than the rate at which new ones replenished!

He was about to unleash a powerful move when the vines simply threw him off the platform.

As he landed outside the arena, sitting on the cold tiles, Huiguo was momentarily stunned.

Wen Ying said nonchalantly, "There's still one slot left for morning challenges."

Though the round-robin matches were somewhat unfair, they still showed a semblance of humanity or demonic nature? There was no mandatory requirement for the first-place winner to accept challenges around the clock. Instead, specific challenge hours were set: 9 am to 11 am and 3 pm to 6 pm. Participants also got a half-hour break after each match.

In an instant, Huiguo unleashed a barrage of profanities, his eyes ablaze. A stream of "elegant" words continuously poured out of his mouth.

Muershi looked slightly surprised. "Wu Shaluo, I had no idea your cousin had such a way with curses."

Wu Shaluo's eyelids twitched uncontrollably, veins pulsing on his forehead. He raised his hand to press against the throbbing vein, pretending to be calm and composed. "Meeting Wen Ying, I would have cursed even if I didn't want to."

The fifth opponent was another devil from their class. Wen Ying sent him down with the branch as usual.

The devilish audience found it ridiculous; it was like watching nothing at all. As they left, most of them criticized Wen Ying for lacking the ferocity of a devil. If not for the ranking match rules, Wen Ying would have lost long ago.

Wen Ying flew off the arena and saw Beros sitting in the front row, looking at him. He flew over and said, "Am I cool?"

Beros replied with certainty, "You're holding back."

Wen Ying was taken aback. He casually changed the subject, "Holding back? How much do you want me to let loose?" As he spoke, Wen Ying wrapped his arms around Beros' well-built biceps.

Beros instinctively jerked away, "Stay away from me."

"Didn't you say I should let loose?" Wen Ying shrugged, his expression and demeanor implying, "It's your idea, now you're being unreasonable."

(Commentary)

The author wishes to add:

Boros, free from any further discussion with Wen Ying about his recent "awkwardness," left hastily as if being pursued by ghosts.

Each time Wen Ying touched him, an uncontrollable shiver ran through his body, like an electric current shooting up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

Essence approached from the side, marveling, "Even Boros has moments of flight. Wen Ying, you're quite skilled. Would you like me to teach you more of the succubus' magic?"

The term "succubus' magic" sounded quite unserious when spoken by Essence, and his expression was highly ambiguous, his voice as playful as the curl at the tip of his tail.

Wen Ying, having seen it all before, responded, "Your succubus magic is indeed quite effective."

With one sentence, Wen Ying dispelled the sultry atmosphere that Essence's words had created.

Essence's lips curved downward, his smile fading.

"I'll go eat first."

Muershi was waiting for him at the door, engaging in small talk as they walked to the cafeteria. Once there, Muershi asked, "Did you hold back when you hit Huiguo? Why didn't you take the opportunity to strike harder?"

Thinking to himself that he might have to pay medical bills if he overdid it, Wen Ying knew that he still couldn't control his strength well. He feared incurring a hefty compensation for excessive force.

——

Chapter 204: Rivals

The next morning during the weighted runs, Shen Lie called Wang Yunzheng to his side and said a few words. Hence, the chant for the day's run changed from the familiar Thousand-Character Classic that all disciples knew to The Analects of Confucius, which Wang Yunzheng and Shen An enjoyed.

Song Luo nearly laughed out loud when she recalled the teasing remark made the previous night before bed.

On the other hand, Qin Fangniang, who had stayed outside the valley the day before, heard them from afar and was dumbfounded. She turned to Chen Youtian and asked, "Do they read books while running every day?"

Chen Youtian's dark face was filled with a smile. "Yes, not only do they read while running, but they also write during their breaks from martial arts practice. Ah Lie requested this, and Qinghe regularly assesses their progress. That's why it's good for Ershan to stay here. His skills have improved, and he can now recognize and write many characters."

He continued to Qin Fangniang, "Actually, it's not just our valley. If you follow behind, you'll see that young boys and men living nearby run a distance behind them. They just don't dare to come near where we're staying. They even secretly learn the staff techniques."

Qin Fangniang clicked her tongue in amazement. After not being out for a while, she felt like the world had changed.

In the cave, Chen Dashan had tasted the pleasures of love the previous night and was now entangled with Zhou Ge. The cave door was tightly sealed, so he could still convince Zhou Ge earlier that it was not yet dawn. However, with the loud reading voices outside, how could he continue to persuade her that it was still dark? He was mortified and refused to give in. Zhou Ge quickly got up to pay respects to her in-laws by serving them tea.

However, Zhou Ge had only met her mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and grandparents-in-law on the first few days. The day after her third day visit, when she woke up early again, only Chen Youtian and Chen Ershan were left in the wooden house.

She looked at Chen Dashan doubtfully. He explained, "My grandparents, mother, and younger sister live elsewhere and have already returned. Now that you've married into the family, I won't hide this from you. When there's an opportunity in the future, I'll take you there."

Zhou Ge's eyes widened slightly, and without hesitation, she shook her head. "No, I'll stay here. You don't have to tell me about it for now."

She had indeed sensed something was off. Among the families that had left together, they had only seen Zhou Dalang to Zhou Siliang from the Zhou family, but not Zhou Cunzheng, the womenfolk, or the two youngest children. The Shi family was missing Shi Erlang's wife and a few kids, while the Lu family consisted only of Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang.

Initially, she thought they might be in the caves or their houses, unwilling to join the festivities. But after two days, they still hadn't shown up. It would be strange if adults went hunting or gathering, but also took the young children with them.

However, Zhou Ge remembered her mother's words when they first entered the inner circle. She didn't feel curious, and only now, with the absence of her elders that morning, did she start to feel puzzled.

Seeing her shake her head so quickly, Chen Dashan, overwhelmed with affection, found her even more endearing. He smiled and said, "There's no need to go there now, and I wouldn't want you to anyway. But when you return home, don't mention anything about what we discussed. Even though I think your parents might have an inkling."

How could Chen Dashan not know that her uncles had only escorted her to the edge of the village before leaving?

In fact, both the Feng and Gan families maintained a certain distance from each other, while still offering mutual support.

Whether it was the Zhou family, the Feng family, or the Gan family, they might not know everything, but keeping a certain distance between small groups was an unspoken understanding in this world.

Hugging Zhou Ge, he continued, "That place is another hideout for our families, a fallback during chaotic times. Don't worry, if it ever gets so bad that we need to hide to avoid trouble, I won't abandon your parents. But those with real ambitions are causing trouble outside. Those who venture into the mountains are either seeking refuge or trying to avoid conflict. There may be truly wicked people among them, but they likely won't form significant forces. Both our villages are strengthening our defenses, so we should be able to protect ourselves."

Zhou Ge nodded, fully trusting her husband on this matter.

...

On the fourth day of Chen Dashan's wedding, Zhou Ge also joined the martial arts training. However, with no prior experience, she was placed at the back and taught separately by Chen Dashan. Most of the time, she practiced with Sang Luo.

With his wife now learning martial arts, would Chen Dashan slack off? Fortunately, Shen Lie was fully engrossed in his studies, gladly passing the responsibility to him.

When Zhou Ge trained with Sang Luo, Gan would occasionally join in when she had nothing else to do. From afar, she saw Shen Lie studying with Wei Qinghe, occasionally asking questions or writing on the sandboard for clarification. She then commented to Sang Luo, "Why does your Shen Lie seem more dedicated to reading than Yunzheng and Little An?"

Could Sang Luo admit that it was all due to her playful tease?

Due to the limitations of bamboo scrolls, a complete volume of "The Analects" contained only three chapters and around two thousand characters, many of which were not included in "A Thousand Character Classic." Yet, Shen Lie picked up the text rather swiftly.

Recalling how she had intentionally provoked him last night, resulting in him pinning her down on his lap, she noticed that despite his labored breathing, he refrained from doing anything but caressing her lips with his fingertips. He whispered almost against her ear, "Just wait, I only have two more chapters left to memorize."

That gaze, voice, and the warm, tantalizing breath against her ear made Sang Luo's heart race shamefully.

How many encounters had they shared thus far?

Shen Lie knew how to ignite her desire.

...

With food, shelter, martial arts, and books, life in the mountains was tranquil and peaceful. The simplicity of it all carried a hint of an idyllic, secluded existence, so much so that one could almost forget that the world beyond was still in turmoil.

But such an illusion was merely that – an illusion.

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, snow began to fall in the mountains.

It was no longer just the peaks of the highest mountains; the snowflakes filled the sky, accumulating deeply. With each step, one's entire shoe would sink into the thick layer of snow.

Shen Lie simply discontinued his morning exercises, allowing everyone to huddle indoors for the winter. The fur coats that Sang Luo and Shen Ning had prepared earlier were finally worn by the whole family.

A gang of rambunctious lads wouldn't sit still for the winter; hunting pheasants in the snow was easier than before, so they'd set off in groups early each day to explore the nearby mountains. Each had their own means of self-preservation, and thus the adults didn't interfere.

In the second year of the transmigration, the weather was much colder than the first. The snow persisted until the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month before it ceased. Fortunately, while this mountain lacked everything else, it was abundant in firewood. Otherwise, Sang Luo would have been at a loss as to how those hiding in the mountains would endure such a frigid winter.

Life in the outer village was relatively comfortable. On this Laba Festival day, every household fittingly began to brew their Laba porridge, and even before the porridge had fully cooked, the sweet fragrance of simmering mixed beans already filled the air. It should have been a warm and cozy time for celebrating the festival, yet by the time the porridge was perfectly prepared, both Shen Jin and Shen An had not yet returned home.

A fire was lit in the cave during the day, and the door remained open. Sangluo and Shen Ning kept looking outside, unsure of how many times they had done so. They saw Erniu and Zhourang returning from afar. Zhourang went to another house, while Erniu headed straight for them, calling out "Master" from a distance.

Sang Luo's heart skipped a beat, and Shen Lie had already strode forward to greet them.

"Master, there are intruders entering the inner circle, about forty or fifty people. Xiao Jin seems to have recognized some of the enemies who harmed Tian Ya, and has followed them. They are heading towards the Zhou family's village. I was sent back to deliver this message."

Both Shen Lie and Sang Luo's expressions changed, but fortunately, Xu Wenqing, Xu Wenhong, Sanlang, Ershan, and Daniu were present. Though Xu Wenbo, Shen An, and Shen Jin were younger and less powerful, their months of martial arts training had not been in vain.

Shen Lie turned around and grabbed his knife and bow, instructing Sang Luo, "I'm going out with Uncle Lu and Uncle Lu. Gather the rest of the villagers in this house. It's unlikely that anyone would come this way, but it'll be safer if they stay together."

This is what keeps Chen Dashan and most of the able-bodied youth here.

Sang Luo considered the opposing group of forty or fifty people and frowned. She decided to grab her staff and bow, then called out to Shen Ning, "The door is locked. Let's go out together."

The entrance to the valley was usually well-concealed, and now, buried under the thick snow, there was no need to worry about it being discovered. There was no point in staying behind.

Families living even further away from Shen Lie's had also received the news. Not only the able-bodied men, but even Zhou Ge followed Chen Dashan out. Xu Wenying was also among the Xu family members.

Well, there was no need for further encouragement. Everyone swiftly armed themselves and locked their doors before hurriedly following Niú Èr and Zhou SiLang, who were leading the way.

Xu Wenqing and the others weren't concerned about lacking assistance, as the footprints left in the snow were too clear to miss.

It took over two hours to reach the vicinity of the Zhou family's village, where one would catch sight of human activity. But this group was accustomed to using morning weighted sprints as their warm-up; in less than fifteen minutes, they had already found someone.

Too conspicuous, a group of forty or fifty, with nearly forty being robust young men, had already confronted the leading youths of Feng Village.

No sooner had they locked eyes than Xu Wenqing, leading his group of junior disciples, had retreated into the bushes, ready to act opportunistically. However, Shen Lie and his companions arrived promptly. There was no point in hiding anymore; with a soft call to their master, they emerged one by one from behind the shrubs.

With his bow tightly clenched, Shen Jin was tense all over. Upon seeing Shen Lie, he felt a pang of sorrow and said, "Big Brother, the family that married Wang Meiniang is among them. All four brothers are there. It was at their place that my father carried Sweet Girl to and lost her."

When Wang Meimei's family was first married into the village, people were unaware of the circumstances. But once they learned what had happened to Sweet Girl, everyone connected the dots and realized it was the doing of those... beasts.

In an instant, the long sticks, hoes, and axes in Chen Youtian's group's hands tightened. Apart from seven or eight women, there wasn't a single elderly person or child among them; they were all strong, able-bodied men who were associated with those four brothers. Could they be up to any good?

Upon seeing such individuals entering the inner circle, everyone's expressions turned grim.

Shopkeeper Xu and Uncle Xu also looked worried. Glancing at the crowd ahead, they recognized only one of the four brothers, but with a sea of backs facing them, they couldn't tell which one it was.

Scanning the people in front, he noticed that some had also spotted Shen Lie and his companions. Men, women, and adolescents—each of them carried weapons, and bows and arrows were tucked in their backpacks. This setup was eerily similar to the armed villagers who had swarmed out when they first appeared in the previous village!

A gang accustomed to plundering others found themselves, upon entering the inner perimeter and just discovering signs of human activity, promptly surrounded. Upon counting the opposing group's formidable number of young and strong warriors, they realized they were significantly outnumbered. Their confidence wavered, and they turned sideways to retreat, forming an triangular formation with the two approaching parties, attempting to defend against both sides.

The leader had wiped the greed from his face at the sight of the vegetable fields, chicken coops, and houses, and now wore an appearance of wide-eyed innocence. "What's this all about? We're just passing through. Are you saying we can't traverse this land with our staffs and clubs?"

Several elderly gentlemen of the Feng clan, their gaze fixed upon this group, could discern no hint of benevolence. Just as they were about to speak, Shen Lie and Chen Dashan from behind had already advanced with their entourage, closing the distance further.

"Passing through is acceptable, but among you stands one who bears our enmity. Leave that person behind first." As he spoke, he nocked an arrow in his bow and addressed Shen Jin on the side, "Draw your bow and aim at any four you choose. If your strength falters, just point them out to me. Should your arrow miss its mark, my brother here will take care of it with another."

Addressing the group, he continued, "My younger brother's archery skills aren't yet refined. If he were to accidentally hit someone in his reckless rush, that would be your own misfortune. But if anyone tries to flee, I don't recognize any particular foe. Whoever runs will have our arrows in pursuit."

As he nocked his arrow, Chen Youtian and his companions, who could only wield hoes and axes, stood aside. However, his disciples uniformly notched their arrows, transforming the formation in an instant.

On the other side, Feng Dalang, Feng Erlang, and Gan Erlang were genuine disciples of Shen Lie. If their master said there was an enemy among them, there was no need for further discussion. They lined up in a row with a swooshing sound, also readying their arrows.

If these three were considered disciples, those young men who had learned from them could be deemed as unofficial grand-disciples. Without being instructed, they followed Feng Dalang's lead, and almost the entire village of young men moved in unison.

It had just been a probe, but within the brief exchange, they found themselves targeted by over seventy arrows. This group of outsiders, who had committed their fair share of misdeeds, broke into a cold sweat beneath their snowy surroundings. Instinctively, they retreated. Recalling Shen Lie's warning, they dared not make a move.

"What enemies? We've just entered!"

Several faces betrayed their anxiety; they were all too aware of their past deeds, yet they didn't recognize Shen Lie or the child beside him. They were furious and wanted to curse, demanding to know which one of them had provoked such a formidable enemy!

But this wasn't the time for internal strife. One of them urgently pleaded, "Don't shoot randomly! Identify the target and explain the conflict first."

Shen Lie, however, had no intention of wasting words. He personally taught Shen Jin archery, so he knew his son's skills well. "Load your arrows," he instructed.

Some of the women in the group screamed, "Don't shoot arrows randomly! Let us scatter!"

The crowd was clearly in chaos. Behind them was a vegetable garden enclosed by wooden fences; there was nowhere to retreat. They rushed to the sides, and Xu Wenqing and the others, who had already guessed the true nature of these people, wouldn't show mercy. As long as someone tried to escape, fearing accidental casualties, they aimed for their legs.

Piercing cries of pain echoed as arrows struck flesh. Shen Jin didn't spare a glance at anyone else, focusing solely on the four brothers who had finally recognized him. He chose one and shot an arrow at him.

From the moment Xu Wenqing fired the first arrow, the group fell into pandemonium. The leading men brandished their swords to block the arrows, angrily declaring, "We'll fight you!"

Their bravery lasted no more than three breaths before they howled in fear, hiding behind a tree with their heads tucked between their arms. The arrows were relentless, but some quickly realized that as long as they remained still, they wouldn't be attacked. They raised their hands and crouched down.

After Shen Jin released his first arrow, Shen Lie immediately followed up with another. Iron arrows were different from bamboo ones, and combined with Shen Lie's strength, even winter clothing couldn't withstand the impact.

To minimize collateral damage, Shen Lie mostly aimed for their legs.

When Shen Jin saw an enemy kneel, he trembled as he nocked a second arrow. The trio of brothers had already started fleeing in three separate directions.

This display caught everyone's attention. Shen Lie and Chen Dashan each shot two arrows, while Gan Erlang and Feng Dalang took one each. The trio of brothers were now too terrified to move their legs much, for Shen Lie and Chen Dashan's iron arrows had nearly pierced through their thighs.

Shen Lie then asked Shen Jin, "Are these the four?"

Shen Jin's grip on his bow tightened. "Yes."

...

After such enmity was forged, how could they really let this group escape? Shen Lie recounted the grudge they held against the four brothers. The faces of the Fengs, Zous, Gans, and Zhongs all changed. Those with bows and those with long rods narrowed the circle around them.

It was when they surrounded the group that Butcher Zheng, holding a cleaver in his left hand, and his sons from the Zheng family paled. One of the young women, whose leg had been hit by an arrow, seeing that she had been recognized by the Zhengs, began crying and begging for mercy. "In-laws, in-laws, I'm Big Girl's sister-in-law. Save me!"

"Save you?" Butcher Zheng's murderous intent flared up. With a sudden charge, he swung his cleaver down with his left hand.

The cleaver struck the woman's leg, but Zheng Dalang pulled his father back. Looking at the group, his gaze turned scrutinizing as he examined each person.

"Fiends, a pack of fiends, not one of you shall escape today."

Chapter 70: The Master Returns

How could Chu Wanning be someone who could be easily subdued? A flash of golden light appeared, and Mo Ran caught a glimpse of some weapon in his hand, but it was retrieved so swiftly that it instantly severed Xiaoman's wrists, leaving him writhing in pain.

Xiaoman stumbled backward, now crippled, having lost both his hands along with his leg.

The hand that had been holding Chu Wanning fell to the ground. Chu Wanning stood up, his face contorted with rage as he struggled to find words. His lips moved, but in the end, he was too furious to speak, turning away with a livid expression.

Mo Ran rushed over to lift him up. "Junior Brother, are you alright? Did you get hurt anywhere?"

Chu Wanning shook his head silently in his arms, unable to utter a word from the disgust he felt.

Regardless, Xiaoman was someone who had lived two hundred years ago, while this one before them was just a puppet manifestation. Chu Wanning wiped the blood from his face and whispered to Mo Ran, "You've seen for yourself. Staying here might not be safe for me. It's better if we go out together to fight. With my abilities, I won't be a burden to you."

Mo Ran had only heard about his junior brother's skills from Xue Meng, but had never witnessed them firsthand. The recent events had truly opened his eyes.

"You're impressive, but..."

Chu Wanning replied, "I'm well-versed in various weapons and can guide you in their usage."

"But..."

Chu Wanning lifted his gaze. "Just trust me this once."

"..."

"Senior Brother."

Chu Wanning had intended to emphasize his earnestness, but the child's crisp voice ended up sounding tender and endearing, as if he were pouting. Even Chu Wanning himself was slightly taken aback by the sound.

Mo Ran was also startled upon hearing this. He scratched his head in confusion, burying his face in his palms for a while before finally saying, "Well, it's just that... I'm afraid... you know... of that..."

Living two lifetimes, this was the first time he had been called with such a soft, affectionate tone by someone small. It made Mo Ran feel as if they shared a bond like siblings.

Lord Mo could hate someone with all his heart, but he was exceptionally gentle towards those he cherished. Thus, after scratching his head for a while, he squatted down to look at Chu Wanning. His ears turned red without him realizing it.

If only he had a younger brother, he wouldn't have felt so alone.

However, seeing Mo Ran's reaction, Chu Wanning hesitated for a moment before softly trying again, "Senior Brother."

Seniors and senior brothers are different; they are even more intimate.

Mo Ran held his forehead, feeling somewhat overwhelmed. "…"

Chu Wanning gave him a meaningful glance and understood this person's weakness. Anyway, he was currently in the form of a child, and Mo Ran didn't know his true identity, so he wouldn't feel ashamed. Thus, he called out again in a soft voice, "Big Brother."

"……………………"

"Big Brother."

"............................................"

"Big Brother Mo Ran."

"Aaaahhh!!! Alright, alright! I'll take you! I'll take you! Just stop screaming!" Mo Ran jumped up, rubbing the goosebumps on his arms, his face flushed as he said, "Come on, come with me. You're amazing, the most amazing. My goodness."

Chu Wanning stood with his hands behind his back, tilting his head slightly as he smiled faintly. "Let's go."

He strolled towards the door slowly, while Mo Ran mumbled softly behind him, "Where did you learn that trick? It's so mushy, oh my goodness..."

Initially, seeing Chu Xun's predicament, Chu Wanning was in a terrible mood. But now, he felt the gloom in his chest gradually dissipate. Suddenly, Mo Ran asked, "Hey, right, what did you want to tell me earlier, junior brother?"

Chu Wanning turned around and replied calmly, "Ah, that thing."

"Hmm?"

"I forgot."

"..."

"I'll tell Brother Mo Ran when I remember it later..."

"Aaaah, no! Don't call me that! Just call me senior brother! That's enough!" Mo Ran waved his hands frantically.

With eyes as deep as a pool and a faint smile on his lips, Chu Wanning said coolly, "Alright then. Senior brother, it's about time. This illusion is formed from the memories of the survivors. Since those people have already left Linan, I don't think this illusion can last much longer. The Ghost King should be coming out soon."

"Indeed... We'll be able to leave once we defeat him, right? Later, I'll definitely investigate who it was that materialized this illusion and tried to kill us!"

Chu Wanning nodded. "Fortunately, from the exchange between the Ghost King and Chu Xun, it seems that this Ghost King isn't particularly powerful. He might be the weakest among the Nine Great Ghost Kings. Although this place has been materialized, I believe our opponent truly regarded me as an ordinary six-year-old child. They didn't expect me to help resolve this illusion."

Mo Ran nodded repeatedly, saying, "You're right."

Chu Wanning replied, "Therefore, it's more accurate to say that the person behind this didn't plan on including me from the beginning. The one they truly wanted to harm was only Senior Brother you."

Mo Ran nodded even more vigorously, "What you said makes perfect sense."

"After we leave, you must clarify this matter with Xue Meng. There may be danger lurking within this Peach Blossom Land; we must stay vigilant. Alright, let's not dwell on this for now. I won't hold you back, Senior Brother. Please lead the way as we break free from this predicament."

As Chu Wanning had anticipated, it came to pass.

By the time it was the hour of the Tiger, the massacre in the city was nearing its end.

A bloody fissure suddenly ripped open at the edge of the sky, and a wisp of smoke drifted into the ruins, coalescing into a hunched figure.

The man's eyes were bloodshot, his skin pale, and half his body was still flesh and blood, while the other half was nothing but stark white bones. He dragged a large black cloak behind him as he trudged through the corpses littering the ancient city of Linan, absorbing the grievances and suffering of the freshly deceased along the way.

Mo Ran hid in the shadows, observing the man's appearance.

"Is it him?"

There was a hint of relief in the voice.

Chu Wanning understood the reason for this relief, but since he had no intention of revealing his identity at this moment, it wouldn't be appropriate for a six-year-old child to know too much.

So he pretended not to know and asked, "What?"

"You guessed correctly. Among the Nine Kings of the Ghost Realm, their powers differ greatly. The weakest should be this one." Mo Ran stood by the window, watching the figure draw closer. He whispered, "Our luck isn't bad."

"How much of a chance does Senior Brother have of winning?"

"Nine out of ten. One shouldn't speak too confidently."

Chu Wanning smiled.

Of course, he knew that there were nine Ghost Kings in the Ghost Realm, with "Skull King" being the weakest. However, strength was relative. With Mo Ran's age and experience, even with a divine weapon at his side, it would still be a stretch for him to face Skull King alone.

But the person who had plotted against Mo Ran had miscalculated. Despite all their calculations, they hadn't accounted for the fact that the child accompanying Mo Ran wasn't just any young disciple from Death's Peak, but Chu Wanning himself.

"Save me..."

Just as the two were about to burst through the door and catch their opponent off guard, they heard a faint groan coming from behind them.

"Ahh, he's still alive?" Mo Ran widened his eyes, turning to see Xiaoman curled up into a tiny ball.

"I don't want to die... Father... I don't want to..."

Chu Wanning gazed upon the youth who appeared as little more than a tattered bundle of rags, shaking his head as he said, "In truth, this person should have perished upon entering the dwelling. Yet within this illusory realm, the reason he still lives is likely due to our presence here, eliminating the zombies that pursued him and thereby altering certain events within the illusion."

Sigh... If he hadn't betrayed, do you think Chu Xun would have survived two hundred years ago? Lin'an might not have become a ruin either...

"Perhaps."

But both understood that what was past could not be undone, and the priority now was to defeat the Skeleton King and escape the illusory realm. With no time for hesitation, Mo Ran and Chu Wanning emerged from their hiding place, slaying their way through the illusions, neither showing any weakness.

Escaping the illusory realm proved easier than they had anticipated.

Mo Ran moved with purpose, swiftly engaging the Skeleton King in combat. However, as he watched the fierce battle unfold, Chu Wanning sensed a growing unease.

This unease did not stem from Mo Ran's disadvantage, for in truth, Mo Ran, guided by Chu Wanning, had maintained the upper hand. Yet, Chu Wanning increasingly perceived something –

The person lurking in the shadows had orchestrated this situation with extraordinary precision.

In other words, that individual had calculated that if only Mo Ran and another mediocre individual were trapped in this illusion, their chances of escape would be exceedingly slim. Yet, they hadn't employed more potent means to kill Mo Ran, clearly not wanting anyone to suspect foul play. Instead, they aimed to create the illusion that Mo Ran had perished due to an accident during his trial within the illusion.

Who could have meticulously planned such a scheme to take Mo Ran's life?

Was it really that fake Chen Gou from Jin Cheng Lake back then...

As Chu Wanning watched the intense battle between Mo Ran and the Ghost King, as time passed, Mo Ran had now gained the upper hand. Dawn was approaching, and the Ghost King's magical power was waning; he wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer. The outcome was all but decided.

But at that moment, Chu Wanning abruptly spotted a human face amidst the zombies sealed by Mo Ran's spells!

"WHO?!"

The person was far away, blending into the horde of corpses. They wore a hooded cloak, half of their face concealed in shadows, revealing only a sharp chin, sweetly hued lips, and a gently curved nose.

In just one glance, Chu Wanning sensed that this individual's demeanor was unlike the illusory figures from two hundred years ago—this person didn't exhibit any aggressive stance, merely lingering silently beneath their hood, facing Chu Wanning and Mo Ran. Upon noticing Chu Wanning's attention, they offered a faint smile before raising their hand to make a slicing motion across their neck, mimicking the act of killing.

Chu Wanning cursed inwardly and swiftly darted forward, intent on capturing this person.

Yet the figure still smiled, lips crimson beneath the hood, teeth gleaming white as they mouthed a word that seemed to be "farewell."

It vanished in a flash.

"Stop!"

It was futile. The sky was illuminated with rays of light, layers of fish belly white surging upwards.

The battle between Mo Ran and the Ghost King came to a brutal end with a final strike—when the Ghost King's head was severed by Mo Ran's Ghoul Slaying Sword, a gush of dark blood spewed out, and the scene before their eyes blurred into a rapid montage. Chu Wanning and Mo Ran were suddenly tossed into the air. The two-hundred-year-old sunrise in Lin'an, the shattered walls and ruins, all transformed into surreal, distorted shadows.

With a thud!

When Chu Wanning hit the ground again, he had returned to the Trial Cave.

Mo Ran was also back, landing beside him, his body stained with the spatters of blood from their battle. But despite that, he didn't seem to be severely injured. Lying on his side, he was clearly still too weak to get up. His dark eyes gazed at Chu Wanning beside him.

After a moment, he reached out and gently touched the tip of his finger to Chu Wanning's forehead.

"You're out."

Chu Wanning acknowledged with a soft hum, but his expression was far from pleasant. "… I just saw someone inside."

"What?"

"It was suspicious. It must have been the one who cast the spell."

Mo Ran shot up, his eyes wide. "You saw him? You actually saw him! Did you recognize who it was? What did he look like?"

Chu Wanning furrowed his brow and shook his head. "He was wearing a hood, so I couldn't see clearly. But judging by his figure, he seemed to be a young man, quite thin with a sharp chin..."

There was half a sentence left unsaid.

He felt a faint sense of familiarity from that half-faced silhouette, as if he had seen it somewhere before a long time ago. Yet, he also suspected it might just be his imagination, after all, it was only the lower half of the face. There were plenty of people who could share similarities, and he couldn't make a judgment at once.

Lost in thought, he suddenly felt Mo Ran patting his shoulder.

"Junior Brother."

"What's wrong?"

"...Look over there."

Mo Ran's voice was low and carried a hint of chill.

Chu Wanning lifted his head, following the direction he pointed.

It was Number Eighteen.

At the entrance of the Trial Cave, Number Eighteen's bulging eyes hung from the ceiling, her feet clad in silk embroidered shoes swaying mid-air.

She was already dead. There was no wind here, but judging from the extent of her body's sway, her killer had just left not too long ago.

What made Chu Wanning and Mo Ran's faces turn pale with shock, however, was the weapon tightly wrapped around her neck.

It was a willow vine.

Its leaves were like razor blades, shimmering with a fierce red glow. From time to time, flames would burst forth, scattering sparks and blood droplets together.

Damn it.

It turned out that the one who had strangled Number Eighteen and hung her from the cavern's ceiling was none other than the divine weapon, Ghost Seer!

Author's Note: Pseudonym: Eh? Didn't you rush to strip me off in the last chapter? Now, let me take it off for you...

Chu Wanning: There's no turning back; you'd better behave on me (with an indifferent expression).

Today, there's a preview on Weibo of Qiuqiu's first encounter with his Fish-Feeding Master under a gorgeous cherry blossom tree. Welcome to take a look!

Zhou Heng visited Fu Luoyin's place to help pack for his trip to the artificial island for the birthday celebration.

The holiday had been pre-approved, and Fu Luoyin had used part of his annual leave in preparation for the event.

Recently, Zhou Heng had been incredibly busy due to Fu Luoyin's increased reliance on him. Fu Luoyin had always been an easygoing boss, not being picky and assigning mostly important tasks to Zhou Heng, with little concern for minor details.

Lately, Zhou Heng was practically visiting daily. If he didn't remind Fu Luoyin, the boss would likely neglect even meals given his current state.

Upon arriving today, he found Fu Luoyin sleeping on the sofa, looking exhausted. This was the second time Zhou Heng had seen him like this in a week.

The reason for Fu Luoyin's change seemed to be... Lin Shuicheng.

Su Yu had called in the morning using the landline, which Zhou Heng answered – Fu Luoyin hadn't picked up his mobile phone, so Su Yu resorted to the landline.

Su Yu asked Zhou Heng about the situation, "How is he?"

Zhou Heng replied, "Mr. Su, I'm Assistant to Mr. Fu. The boss seems to be in a bad mood and isn't keen on taking calls."

Su Yu was taken aback, "Did he not manage to deliver the flowers?"

Zhou Heng scratched his head and asked, "What flower?" When he came over, he hadn't noticed any flowers in the room.

Su Yu didn't elaborate on what kind of flower it was. He just sighed. "Ah, forget it, forget it. You can't force these things. I did consider this possibility... but I really didn't expect Sister-in-law to be so decisive. Ah."

During breakfast, Fu Luoyin had no appetite. Even the delicious takeout lost its appeal to him. He forced himself to eat a few bites for the sake of his health, but halfway through, he felt unwell and ended up vomiting everything out. Eventually, he lay down on the sofa with his hand on his stomach.

Seeing that Fu Luoyin's overall condition wasn't good, Zhou Heng didn't dare make a sound as he carried out his tasks. He dragged Fu Luoyin's suitcase into the living room and was about to put Fu Luoyin's mint-flavored cigarettes inside when he heard the latter's hoarse voice from behind. "Don't pack them. Adjust my schedule, I'm not going. You can deliver the gift on my behalf."

Zhou Heng was taken aback. "... You're not going?"

"I don't want to go. I don't want to see Lin Shuicheng," Fu Luoyin said, lying on the sofa with one hand covering his eyes. He sounded exhausted and his voice was raspy. "But he might not go either. Just do as I say and apologize to Su Yu for me."

Zhou Heng felt awkward. Just as he was pondering over what to do next, Fu Luoyin's phone rang.

A notification beeped, indicating a text message.

Fu Luoyin picked up his phone and stared at it for a long moment.

Then, as if realizing something, he quickly opened the messaging app.

Lin Shuicheng: "I have the invitation now. Thank you for the flowers. I didn't see the message before."

Fu Luoyin instinctively typed and sent, "Were you at home yesterday? Why didn't you come to see me?"

Only after sending the message did Fu Luoyin realize that Lin Shuicheng was referring to not seeing the message. He quickly added, "It's okay, as long as you like it. When are you planning to leave? I can come pick you up?"

Lin Shuicheng was clearly on the other end and promptly replied, "No need, I have my own car. I'll drive there."

"Oh, you bought a car. That's great," Fu Luoyin finally said, not knowing what else to say. "So, see you tomorrow?"

There was no further response from Lin Shuicheng.

Nonetheless, Fu Luoyin felt a spark of hope rekindle within him, like embers reigniting.

It turned out that Lin Shuicheng hadn't intentionally avoided him; he simply hadn't seen the message.

The man upstairs might have only seen Lin Shuicheng collecting a delivery but not necessarily leaving the house. Perhaps Lin Shuicheng wasn't even at home yesterday afternoon or evening?

In that instant, Fu Luoyin felt like a fool, yet the inexplicable surge of emotion brought a sweetness that he savored.

It was the first time he had sent flowers to someone, and the recipient had accepted them.

And tomorrow, he would get to see Lin Shuicheng again.

Between sending and receiving a text message, Zhou Heng observed, amazed, the transformation in his boss: Fu Luoyin suddenly sat up from the sofa, then got up to rub his hair, telling him, "Never mind, I'll handle the packing myself. Go buy me some eternal flowers, cherry blossoms to be precise, with a rose inserted in them. Have them delivered to Lin Shuicheng's room beforehand."

His expression and demeanor were calm, but Zhou Heng could sense an uplifted tone in his voice.

Scratching his head, Zhou Heng followed his instructions.

Lin Shuicheng packed his luggage. Since he wouldn't be home for three days, it wasn't appropriate to bring his two cats along, so he posted a part-time job on the campus recruitment platform, quickly hiring a first-year female student to feed the cats at his place. With nothing in his rented room, he gave her a spare key directly.

Unable to drive, he programmed his autonomous vehicle to head for the artificial island. However, an issue arose mid-journey: The navigation system hadn't been updated in time, and the automatic route took him down a road with construction work, leaving him stranded halfway and requiring a new route to be set.

Due to this delay, he sent Su Yu a text to apologize in advance, "I might be a bit late. Sorry about that."

Su Yu promptly replied, "It's okay, don't worry about being late. The banquet lasts three days, and Sister, since you can't drive, please be cautious on the road."

He still referred to him as "Sister."

Since early morning, guests had been arriving steadily. Su Yu, dressed in formal attire, was assisting his mother in greeting them, looking handsome and vibrant.

The birthday party the Su family was throwing for Yan Zi rivaled the grandeur of a previous wedding banquet for the heir of a business empire. Prominent figures from various sectors were present. After settling into their rooms, the ladies donned their evening gowns, while the gentlemen were elegantly suited up. The geothermal system provided warmth throughout the event, turning the depths of winter into a late spring-like atmosphere.

All newspaper reporters were kept outside, with only the Su family's designated photographer allowed entry to capture the memories. Attendees included eighty percent of the Alliance's elite, all well aware that this was an excellent opportunity for socializing and exchanging resources. The Su family held a significant portion of medical resources, a status that wouldn't be altered by changes in their board structure. Everyone showed respect to the Su family accordingly.

Fu Luoyin arrived early and, upon seeing Su Yu, asked, "Where's Lin Shuicheng? Has he come?"

Su Yu rolled his eyes. "His wife just texted me, saying he might be late. You'll have to wait patiently. What happened, did you fail to deliver the flowers?"

Fu Luoyin remained composed. "I delivered them."

"Alright then, Brother Negative Two," Su Yu joked. "Aren't you going to give your Chief Love Advisor some benefits? Look at me, standing here alone, greeting guests in the biting wind..."

Su Yu expected Fu Luoyin to decline, perhaps suggesting he "drink more hot water." To his surprise, Fu Luoyin considered it and agreed. "Sure, I'll help you greet the guests."

"Oh no, oh no, Brother Negative Two. It's my mom's birthday, and if two single young men stand here, what will people think?" Su Yu almost laughed out loud. "You should go sit upstairs for now. And didn't you forget something? Don't you know who's coming today?"

Fu Luoyin was clearly taken aback. "Who's coming?"

Su Yu was exasperated. "Xia Ran!"

"…" Fu Luoyin was taken aback.

These past few days, he had been in a daze, with Lin Shuicheng occupying his mind entirely. He had actually forgotten about Xia Ran, and that Xia Ran would also attend Su Yu's mother's birthday party.

"You really didn't think of it, didn't you, Negative Two?" Su Yu understood from his reaction and didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. "I told you, you've already fallen for him! And yet you still haven't made your move. How could you be so obtuse?"

Fu Luoyin didn't respond. He grabbed a glass of champagne and started to head upstairs. Upon hearing Su Yu's words, his pace quickened as if he were feeling restless.

After a few steps, he noticed his seat and suddenly turned back to ask Su Yu, somewhat hesitant. "Xia Ran is sitting—"

"Don't worry. You're upstairs, and Xia Ran is downstairs. You won't cross paths," Su Yu said dryly. "Of course, if you want to rekindle your old flames, I'm sure even one floor wouldn't stop you. When the time comes, your wife will join me in—"

"Favoring Lin Shuicheng's arrival," Fu Luoyin interrupted him bluntly. After a moment, he added, "Forget it. I'll take a picture of my seat and send it to him. He'll know how to get here."

Su Yu watched his confident figure ascend the stairs and muttered silently, "...Your wife might not be willing to sit with you now, especially after receiving that bouquet. Where did your confidence come from?"

As more guests arrived, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Yan Zi descended the stairs fully dressed and made-up, greeting and conversing with various guests alongside Su Yu. Su Yu's father was in charge of orchestrating the entire banquet behind the scenes.

For Su Yu, today was a challenging endeavor. By mid-morning, his cheeks ached from smiling so much as he diligently memorized names and politely addressed everyone as uncle, aunt, elder brother, or sister, exchanging polite conversation.

Yan Zi expressed her satisfaction, "Not bad, you've matured quite a bit. Take a break later and go upstairs to play with your friends. I'll be opening gifts, and when there's an important guest, I'll call you down. Do you know who else is coming? The CEO of Runsheng Pharmaceutical! Their clinical trials are far superior to ours; they're industry veterans. I don't expect you to convince them to collaborate, but at least make an acquaintance. In the future, when your dad and I are older, they might lend you a hand out of respect."

Su Yu replied, "Alright, mom. I'll go upstairs for a drink first, and you should take a seat and rest."

Regardless of age, women always had an enthusiasm for gifts.

With most guests having arrived, Su Yu was about to ascend the stairs when he caught sight of Xia Ran and Dong Shuoye together. He pretended not to notice and quickly went to find Fu Luoyin. His father and a few protégés nurtured by his mother took over the task of welcoming the guests downstairs.

Dong Shuoye watched Su Yu's retreating figure, raising an eyebrow. Turning to Xia Ran, he said, "Well, that's it for now. I'll head up first. See you later."

Xia Ran also encountered acquaintances - Fu Xue and Bai Yiyi. Fu Xue had received an invitation on behalf of Yangfeng Nanotech, while Bai Yiyi's family was affiliated with another company connected to Yangfeng Tech, hence her presence.

Bai Yiyi whispered upon seeing Xia Ran, "Fu Luoyin is upstairs, Ranran."

Xia Ran froze, his fingers stiffening in surprise.

Bai Yiyi whispered, "Doctor Yan is currently upstairs talking to someone. Go give him the gift. Fu Luoyin will see you. Come on, I'll accompany you."

Bai Yiyi tugged Xia Ran along and hurried upstairs.

In the meantime, observant individuals had already noticed their movement.

Su Yu's eyes widened as she instinctively glanced back at Fu Luoyin—Fu Luoyin was oblivious, engrossed in his text messages, repeatedly refreshing the screen, awaiting Lin Shuicheng's response.

Dong Shuoye sat beside Fu Luoyin with an amused expression, silently observing the scene. He leisurely poured himself a cup of tea without uttering a word.

In the meantime, the revolving door at the entrance swirled open, and a slender figure rushed in.

Attired in a handsome and well-fitting suit, Lin Shuicheng nodded at the attendant to confirm his seating arrangement – on the second floor. Su Yu had deliberately seated Lin Shuicheng with a few of his university classmates with whom he was not particularly close, to ensure that Lin Shuicheng would feel at ease.

Observing Xia Ran about to ascend the stairs, Su Yu simply called out loudly, "Sister-in-law! This way, Sister-in-law!" His exclamation drew many curious glances their way.

Upon hearing his voice, Fu Luoyin rose to his feet and swiftly looked down.

At that very moment, Xia Ran and Lin Shuicheng were both heading towards the same stairwell, while Su Yu and Fu Luoyin rushed over in quick steps. Downstairs, Fu Xue recognized Lin Shuicheng at first sight. She apologized to the person beside her, "Excuse me, I'll be back in a moment," before hastening towards the door. From a distance, she stretched out her hand, eager to shake hands with Lin Shuicheng and desperately trying to stop him. "Mr. Lin! Mr. Lin!"

Yet, Lin Shuicheng remained oblivious, his gaze lowered as he leisurely typed a reply to Fu Luoyin: "No need, I've arrived. Thank you." Unperturbed, he continued walking.