Bai Fanlu endured his physical discomfort and stood up to prepare to meet the opponent but was surprised when he saw the incoming person.
"Immortal gege! It's really you!"
Bai Fanlu breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to call out 'Xiao Liu', he was forced to squeeze his abdomen and couldn't help but retreat by two steps. His right hand was propped on the stone wall behind him for support.
Boom!
A louder bang resounded.
The transparent ring of the formation on the Demonic Energy Rift suddenly spun rapidly, and a deafening sound like a dragon's roar or the crash of a tsunami swirled within the tunnel. The earth seemed to tremble sharply.
However, Bai Fanlu quickly realised that it was not the ground trembling, but it was himself.
Xiao Liu strode forward and grabbed Bai Fanlu's hand, saying, "We have to get out of here quickly!"
Bai Fanlu gritted his teeth, closed his eyes momentarily before opening them again. He continued to press down on his abdomen and started to run. However, he merely took two steps when he felt his feet go soft. Xiao Liu noticed that something was wrong and swept the man at once into a princess carry, without further explanation.
Bai Fanlu was powerless to resist and could only allow the youth to hold him. At this moment, he felt blood in his throat surging upwards in waves. Each time, he forcefully held it back and secretly resisted it with spiritual power.
There was no light in the tunnel, and no one knew how long they ran. From behind, Bai Fanlu could still clearly hear the roar from the depths of the earth. The fissure, which emitted demonic energy bearing semblance to a living entity, resurfaced in Bai Fanlu's mind once again, making the man inexplicably flustered.
According to the novel, Yun Zhan and the others got lost within these tunnels. However, it was fortunate that they had Zhizhi leading the way this time. Xiao Liu hurried along behind the monkey and finally saw the light.
"I found the exit!" Xiao Liu was just about to step across when Bai Fanlu suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder, "Wait."
The secret door of the exit should rightfully be shut, but now it was wide open. This can only mean that someone was already waiting outside, and they were still guarding it.
Not stopping in time, Zhizhi was the first to dash out of the exit. Then, a shriek came, and the monkey was caught.
Bai Fanlu and Xiao Liu glanced at each other in silence.
Xiao Liu gently put down Bai Fanlu. Then, the youth grabbed his hand and shook his head slightly.
"I'll go. They still don't know that you are here." Xiao Liu mouthed these words to him in silence.
Bai Fanlu understood, but he shook his head in response.
From his conjecture, the other party couldn't be completely unaware of such a massive movement underground.
Moreover, since the Parade of Offerings, the opponent's target had always been him, and had nothing to do with Xiao Liu.
In that case, it was meaningless for him to hide. Xiao Liu escaped by chance, and Bai Fanlu couldn't let him innocently suffer in his place again.
Bai Fanlu stepped forward. Taking advantage of Xiao Liu's momentary inattention, he had already leapt out of the hole.
There was no layer after layer of troops surrounding them on the outside as per his imagination. Only a young man, dressed in an exquisite purple robe, sat leisurely in a wheelchair. The man was holding a little, white monkey that seemed asleep in his arms. There was no one else around him.
If it weren't for the two snow-white and slender fingers pressed against the monkey's throat, and if the surrounding tombstones were not shrouded in miasma, the scene could be interpreted as one of a touching reunion between old friends, living and dead.
The man awaiting him was the Governor of Yingzhou City, Wei Lin. The expression on the man's face indeed gave Bai Fanlu such an impression.
Xiao Liu refused to abide by Bai Fanlu's suggestion, coming out behind him. Bai Fanlu stepped in front of Xiao Liu, blocking him, and said to Wei Lin, "Your target is me, so why implicate others?”
"Young Master Bai is truly forthright. I shall allow it and let him off. This way, please!"
Wei Lin spoke as he wheeled his wheelchair, "But this little monkey is too cute. I really like it, so I shall be keeping it.”
Young Master Bai? Wei Lin came for him as expected. But how could he know to address him by his surname?
Bai Fanlu thought to himself, The Demonic Energy Rift has just been sealed, and the formation should not be able to take effect immediately and affect Wei Lin. If Bai Fanlu were to resist him now, the odds of winning were too low.
And judging from Wei Lin's current attitude, the man didn't seem to have any intention of making a move on him. If he did, the man could do it at once. Why would he bother to personally wait for his arrival and 'invite' him?
After thinking about it quickly, Bai Fanlu turned to Xiao Liu, "I will go with him. You shall wait for me at the inn. If I don't return within a day, you should head back to Dongchang.”
"Gege…"
Bai Fanlu shook his head and patted Xiao Liu's shoulder, "Don't worry."
Wei Lin moved his wheelchair and Bai Fanlu followed behind him from a safe distance. The two did not speak throughout.
Perhaps it was the physical and mental tension due to the proximity with a formidable opponent, but Bai Fanlu gradually adapted to his earlier discomfort. And just like the last time, this sensation came and went quickly.
It was a pity that the teleportation technique failed. Otherwise, it would be possible to escape. Yet, Bai Fanlu had to abolish these thoughts, for Xiao Liu was here with him.
Right now, his only option was to obediently follow his opponent back to the Residence. Once he entered the enemy's lair, he could react according to situational changes.
When they left Coffin Village, Bai Fanlu saw a group of attendants standing, waiting on both sides of the path. Bai Fanlu was led up to a horse carriage and sat opposite Wei Lin, face to face.
Wei Lin had lost the use of legs. When Bai Fanlu saw his attendants support him entering the carriage, he secretly evaluated his opponent's strength. It was difficult to associate this pale and disabled youth before him with the mortal overlord described in the book.
However, when the attendants closed the curtain, Wei Lin raised his eyes and stared straight at Bai Fanlu. A murderous look flashed across his gaze like a cold light, emphasising the angularity of his pallid face. It was as if he was born to be feared and obeyed.
When Bai Fanlu glanced at his opponent, Wei Lin returned his gaze—the young man had an expression of undisguised amusement that compelled anyone to raise their guard.
However, he did not speak and merely stroked the little white monkey on his lap with one hand. Each movement he made was in sync with every bump and stirring of the carriage, light and casual.
Bai Fanlu was unaware of Zhizhi's present condition, but could see its snow-white coat didn't appear to bear any injuries on the outside.
After a moment's contemplation, Bai Fanlu broke the silence and inquired, "Dare I ask the Governor...how did you know my name?
Wei Lin chuckled, "Bai Junming?”
The other party suddenly uttered this name, and Bai Fanlu didn't react at once. He was stunned before realising who the name belonged to.
That was the Elder of the Demon Realm, the greatest villain of the novel. The red-eyed demonic creature fought him on the first day he transmigrated. That entity was known as Bai Junming.
How could the Governor mistake him for Bai Junming?
"Rumour has it that 'Young Master Ming' is a fascinating and omnipotent man. He acts brazenly and always wears a disguise. However, you are a forthright gentleman from what I see before me. This is rather inconsistent with your reputation."
Bai Fanlu sorted out his thoughts and smiled indifferently, "What you hear is merely another form of illusion. My Lord should already be well aware, so why bother to test me?"
Although Bai Fanlu was puzzled why the other party mistakenly identified him as ‘Bai Junming', Bai Fanlu could only play along with him before he grasped a better understanding of the situation.
Wei Lin's thin lips hooked upwards slightly and he narrowed his eyes. Bai Fanlu had been paying attention to him. All this time, he felt that the man had a unique pair of eyes, and his iris' colour was significantly lighter than others’. Bai Fanlu felt that although this person had a fierce gaze, this was merely a facade. In actual fact, he didn't have many expressions, much like a half-blind man.
The novel only mentioned that Wei Lin suffered from leg ailments from the war. There was no mention that he had any problem with his sight, or connection between him and Bai Junming.
In the period when Wei Lin was silent, Bai Fanlu quickly recalled this chapter of the novel. He could only remember the general plot of how this Yingzhou City Governor offered up human sacrifices, walked the path of a demon, and finally got killed by the male protagonist, all in a bid to save the life of his beloved merman.
But since Wei Lin was a demonic cultivator, if he mistakenly believed that Bai Fanlu was Bai Junming, they are both fellow demons and shouldn't be fighting each other.
Unless the other party had already seen through his current identity as an immortal cultivator and concluded that he was lying.
Bai Fanlu thought about it carefully and reasoned that he did not deceive the man. From the first time he encountered Wei Lin, Bai Fanlu had never revealed his identity. He also ensured to suppress his aura, so unless Wei Lin had an incredibly profound cultivation level, it would be difficult to pinpoint if he were an immortal or demonic cultivator just by visual inspection. Could it be that the book's Bai Fanlu…
No!
Bai Fanlu suddenly thought of something. He had indeed told someone that he was Bai Junming.
It was none other than the Flower Thief!
At that time, to deter the opponent, he lied that he was Bai Junming, since he could not be frank about his identity as the Young Master of the Demon Realm. He threw out this fake identity as a shield in desperation to use its fearsome reputation to deter the opponent.
Moreover, Bai Junming was an expert in the art of shape-shifting. He was a perverse and unpredictable man. This nature bolstered his techniques, allowing him to easily blur the lines between falsehood and reality.
But how would Wei Lin know?
After he lied to the Flower Thief, the latter was killed by Xiao Liu in a single blow. His trusted Ting Nu also cleared up his corpse. Even the system assured him that the mission was completed and the man could not possibly have resurrected.
A myriad of thoughts were racing through Bai Fanlu's mind as he peered into Wei Lin's pale eyes, attempting to draw clues from them. Unfortunately, he found nothing.
And like him, the other party was also probing him. Bai Fanlu wondered if Wei Lin could see through him.
In a nutshell, neither of them spoke.
When the horse carriage arrived in front of the Governor's Residence, Bai Fanlu ultimately entered through the main gate this time. The two guards he had seen earlier were now still standing respectfully on duty.
When Bai Fanlu passed them, he inadvertently glanced back. However, he couldn't see their faces because the two kept their heads down.
When Bai Fanlu entered, he felt a distinct wave as if the residence and the outside world were divided by an invisible barrier. It was easy to get in, but difficult to get out.
"Young Master Bai, please."
In front of Bai Fanlu, Wei Lin made a squeaking rattle as he wheeled his wheelchair. This sound was even more apparent within the quiet courtyard.
Then, he turned towards the right side of the corridor, and Bai Fanlu followed closely.
This mansion seemed to be much bigger than it appeared on the outside. There were a great number of corridors and narrower linkways, and the number of rooms they casually passed by were countless. Bai Fanlu memorised the way on the sly as he walked. Then, the wheelchair finally stopped when the duo arrived at a small building with intricate mahogany carvings.
This was a one-of-a-kind residence. It was erected in the centre of a pool of the clearest waters, and ethereal vapour constantly swirled upwards by some mysterious force. They formed a barrier that appeared much like sea tides, paving a single passage to enter the building.
From these surroundings, Bai Fanlu effortlessly guessed who was living inside.
It had to be the ‘wife’ of the Yingzhou City's Governor, He Sang, a merman from the Eastern Sea.
At the same time, this was the person who spoke up for him in the ceremonial palanquin and the person who turned back to glance at Bai Fanlu.
Inside, there was only a single figure leaning against the bed. Without a doubt, this must be He Sang.
He Sang was clutching his temples with one hand. His eyes were closed, and he was donned in a thin aqua-coloured robe outlining the contours of his body, which was remarkably delicate.
Legend had it that the merfolk were exceedingly beautiful, regardless of their gender. To be this favoured by Wei Lin, He Sang naturally possessed exquisite looks.
Hearing the sound of a wheelchair, He Sang sprung open his eyes and sat up gently.
A white rabbit hopped off the bed and ducked behind the curtains, following his movements.
Bai Fanlu turned and finally laid eyes upon the legendary merman. His eyes subconsciously fell on the hem of He Sang's long blue robe, which draped down at the end. He could not tell whether He Sang had a fishtail or human legs for the lower half of his body.
"Young Master Bai, please accept my apologies for having to invite you over in this manner."
He Sang greeted him with a voice both hoarse and indistinct. Merfolk were born with phenomenal vocals. But as a consequence of living on land for too long, He Sang's voice was ruined.
"It has been two decades since our last farewell in the East China Sea. It must be He Sang's fortune accumulated over three lifetimes to be able to see this benefactor again."
Bai Fanlu was surprised at first to hear this but promptly realised that Wei Lin was not acquainted with Bai Junming. On the contrary, it was this merman, and it was him who ‘invited’ Bai Fanlu here.
However, Bai Fanlu could not fathom nor believe that he bore any similarities with Bai Junming. So why did He Sang mistake him for the latter at one glance?
Unless…There was a possibility that Bai Junming used his appearance as a disguise when he met He Sang.
But what was his motive for doing so?
In any case, Bai Fanlu knew that he could not address this mistake, given that Wei Lin was right behind him.
That man's piercing gaze bore into Bai Fanlu like a thorn in his back. As if he would be killed with an invisible blade as soon as Wei Lin got hold of any ounce of substantiation.
Wei Lin was genuinely hostile to him. Bai Fanlu had no idea when this enmity first sparked.
Bai Fanlu didn't respond to He Sang right away. He merely stared back. Comparing the two, He Sang was a lesser threat.
It was written in the book that the merman had no combat power and was weak in nature. Wei Lin was a ruthless and cruel man, but exceedingly obedient to He Sang. The only time the merman was unable to stop him was when Wei Lin decided to make human sacrifices.
After Yun Zhan killed Wei Lin in the book, He Sang, who lost his refuge, killed himself before a riot broke out among the oppressed citizens.
That character could be considered a silly cannon fodder victim. As such, Bai Fanlu decided to temporarily explore the possibility of working with him.
Although the plot seemed to have proceeded strangely—most likely because of himself—Bai Fanlu realised that the other characters' personas still seemed normal. Of course, apart from himself who had transmigrated here.
He Sang was incredibly perceptive with the words and expressions of others. He quickly understood what Bai Fanlu alluded from his hesitation and slightly tilted his head, glancing somewhat cautiously at Wei Lin. At once, He Sang asked Wei Lin, "My Lord, can you leave me to chat with Young Master Bai by ourselves?”
Wei Lin did not object. Then, he turned and left on his wheelchair.
As soon as the man left, Bai Fanlu secretly heaved a sigh of relief and spoke, "Thank you."
He Sang smiled softly and replied, "Young Master Bai, do you have something to tell me?”
The merman's lips and pupils were of a very light shade, much like the colour of clear waters. It was almost as if He Sang was made of a drop of pure and unsullied water, like his being was transparent in appearance.
Wei Lin's departure seemed to allow He Sang to lift his guise. Even if Bai Fanlu was dull and relatively inexperienced, the overly enthusiastic glint in the other party's eyes was still sufficient to make his heart pound hard.
This kind of emotion flowing from the merman's innocent eyes was too apparent. Bai Fanlu knew right away that it would be difficult to end this if he kept up his pretence as Bai Junming.
"My ‘lady’," Bai Fanlu paused, "I apologise, but I am not Bai Junming. However...I can help you find him."
"You...you are not Young Master Bai?”
He Sang's expression, that was brimming with expectation, instantly transformed to one of utter disappointment. It was as if he just fell from the clouds above and was upset.
"Bai is my family name as well, and Bai Junming is my uncle."
Bai Fanlu didn't lie. The current Elder of the Demon Realm was indeed the brother of Bai Fanlu's mother.
He Sang called Bai Junming his ‘benefactor’, and with that significant status, even if Bai Fanlu was just his nephew, he should not be in danger for the time being.
However, Bai Fanlu did not reveal his own identity. He deliberately did not speak his name, to prevent it from leaking out.
Sure enough, when He Sang heard Bai Fanlu's words, there was hope in his eyes, "Oh, I see.”
"If my lady wishes for it, I can invite my uncle here from the Demon City right now.”
Bai Fanlu was praying for the merman to just let him leave if all went well.
However, He Sang did not. His expression grew gloomy, and he lowered his gaze slightly, "...The Lord is not here, can you not address me the ‘lady’? Just call me He Sang. May-may I call you Bai Dage?"
Bai Fanlu contemplated for a while, then answered, "Of course, He Sang."
He Sang was indeed brave to request so. How did he know that Wei Lin wouldn't eavesdrop on their conversation?
But at this time, Bai Fanlu also realised a problem. With Wei Lin's obsession and control over He Sang, how could he be at ease to leave the two alone together?
Moreover, He Sang even considered Bai Fanlu as his esteemed benefactor.
This pair was really...
Bai Fanlu was mulling over these points. At that moment, a soft knock came from the door. A servant girl walked in, delivering a bowl of medicine and a cup of tea before walking out.
"Bai Dage, please have some tea." He Sang asked politely as he picked up the bowl of blackish medicine.
In the book, He Sang witnessed Wei Lin manipulating a corpse and eventually realised that the medicine he took was the blood of a living sacrifice. He couldn't bear to see Wei Lin continue his wrongdoings, and during the fight, He Sang even stood before Bai Fanlu to shield him.
Hold on... "Stood before Bai Fanlu to shield him?"
Bai Fanlu recalled this description. At that time, he reasoned that the author had made a mistake. Shouldn't He Sang shield Wei Lin instead?
Could it be that the author implied that He Sang had some relationship with the book's Bai Fanlu?
No, no. It appears now that He Sang should have done so thinking he was Bai Junming.
Untangling the plot with logical reasoning proved to be chaotic. The plot deepened with every turn, and Bai Fanlu found it more challenging to grasp a clear understanding and control of the situation.
"Bai dage, what are you thinking about?" He Sang asked.
Bai Fanlu shelved his thoughts and glanced at the cup of tea the merman gently pushed over.
He had no intention of touching it, but Bai Fanlu still picked up the teacup after a brief hesitation.
He Sang nodded to him, and gulped down every drop of the medicine in his hand without even looking at it. However, after finishing it, He Sang's frown was evident when he put down the bowl. The medicine unquestionably did not taste pleasant.
Taking advantage of when He Sang took his medicine, Bai Fanlu covertly poured the tea into his sleeve.
Since the conversation was interrupted just now, Bai Fanlu took the initiative to ask, "Why does He Sang need to take medicine? Are you unwell?"
He Sang shook his head, "It's an old ailment. When Young Master Bai rescued me back then...Oh, perhaps he never mentioned this, Bai Dage?”
Indeed, Bai Fanlu did not know why. The book only stated that He Sang was frail and sickly and was meant to die young. Wei Lin became a demonic cultivator and practised dark arts to defy the heavens and change his fate. He took ninety-nine souls as a sacrifice in an attempt to confer He Sang with immortality.
But why He Sang remained weak was a mystery.
"Young Master has probably forgotten me."
He Sang murmured once more, smiling despondently.
Then, he lowered his head slightly, and his brows knitted, making anyone feel sorry for him.
Bai Fanlu hastily comforted, "My uncle must have remembered you, but perhaps he may not have spoken of you with his juniors."
"That...sounds plausible."
He Sang's cheeks blushed faintly, "How stupid of me. Bai Dage must think I am a joke."
"Not at all," Bai Fanlu paused, "Please do not take offence to my question. May I know how He Sang met my uncle back then?"
He Sang had a look of nostalgia at the mention of that fateful year, "I am a merman who was born incomplete and without a Naga pearl. I should not have survived to adulthood, but my mother told me that on the shore of the East China Sea, I would meet my benefactor, who would be able to save my life."
Bai Fanlu nodded. The benefactor referred to must have been Bai Junming.
"I fainted on the beach that day, and when I woke up, I saw Young Master Bai. He gave me a spiritual stone, saying it could replace a Naga pearl and sustain my life.”
"Spiritual Stone?”
"Well, that was what my benefactor said, but I have never seen it in person. He only mentioned that he sealed it within my body."
Bai Fanlu nodded but was still puzzled, "Then why are you still so weak now?”
"Merfolk are supposed to live in the East China Sea, a place rich in water vapour, but I..."
Bai Fanlu understood, because Wei Lin refused to let him return to the sea and had him live among humans on land, it was inevitable that he would gradually grow sick and weak. This was also why Wei Lin insisted on going against heaven's will and did not hesitate to harm so many innocents to keep He Sang next to him.
However, there was one more thing that Bai Fanlu couldn't figure out and he exclaimed, "Why did you mistake me for my uncle? I don't quite look like him."
"You don't?"
He Sang was surprised and then shook his head, "You do resemble him, but...on closer inspection, there are indeed differences."
Bai Fanlu was now sure that Bai Junming used an illusion technique and used his appearance to disguise himself. The two of them had very different auras, which was why He Sang had mistaken him for his uncle and also concluded that they were two different people.
But why did Bai Junming take his form for no reason? Bai Fanlu was perplexed.
At this time, He Sang said again, "But Bai Dage, I didn't recognise you as my benefactor when I first saw you. You mentioned it yourself that you are 'Young Master Ming'.
Hearing that, Bai Fanlu's uninterested expression stiffened at once.
He Sang stared at his shifting look and suddenly raised his head to peer outside.
A wheelchair creaked as its wheels rotated, making sounds like rusty gears gnashing against the wood. Bai Fanlu's heart tightened, and he drew back his hands. Wei Lin had already soundlessly appeared behind him.
It’s kinda creepy that Wei Lin would suddenly appear behind him lol
Also it’s kinda obvious how Wei Lin got his name, there’s no other option but Xiao Liu. Not sure why the author is making Bai Fanlu not come to the realization that it was Xiao Liu, so many weird things have happened around him that there should be no way Bai Fanlu didn’t know..
Well anyways I still love this novel and can’t wait for more I want the ML to come back and this kid to disappear.
We can keep Zhizhi though, that cutie can come with us~