Bai Fanlu, despite feeling unwell, was trying to stand up and prepare for battle. However, he was taken aback when he saw who had arrived.

“Immortal brother! Is it really you?”

Bai Fanlu breathed a sigh of relief. He was about to call out “Xiao Liu,” but then he clutched his abdomen, involuntarily taking two steps back, his right hand landing on the stone wall behind him for support.

Boom! A more violent roar echoed.

The transparent array on the rift filled with demonic energy suddenly began spinning rapidly, and the corridor reverberated with a dragon’s roar, like a tsunami that was deafening. The entire earth seemed to tremble violently in response.

But Bai Fanlu quickly realized that it wasn’t the earth shaking—it was him.

Xiao Liu stepped forward and grabbed Bai Fanlu’s hand, “We have to get out of here quickly!”

Bai Fanlu gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and then opened them again, forcibly suppressing the tumult in his abdomen. However, after just two steps, his legs gave way uncontrollably. Xiao Liu noticed something was wrong and, without saying a word, picked him up horizontally and sprinted out.

Bai Fanlu was too weak to resist, letting himself be carried. He felt a metallic taste of blood rising in his throat, which he forcefully swallowed down, simultaneously using his spiritual power to counteract it.

There was no light in the corridor, and they had no idea how long they had been running, but the roar from deep underground was still clearly audible. The image of the demonic rift, as if it were alive, resurfaced in Bai Fanlu’s mind, filling him with an inexplicable sense of panic.

According to the original plot, Yun Zhan and his group would get lost here, but luckily, Zizi was leading the way this time. Xiao Liu followed it as they sprinted, and they finally saw light.

“We found the exit!” Xiao Liu was about to rush forward.

Bai Fanlu suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder, “Wait.”

The hidden door at the exit should have been closed, but it was wide open now, which could only mean… someone was already waiting outside, and they weren’t hiding.

Before Bai Fanlu could stop him, Zizi had already run out of the cave, only to be caught, letting out a sharp, mournful cry.

Bai Fanlu and Xiao Liu exchanged a silent glance.

Xiao Liu gently set Bai Fanlu down, squeezed his hand, and shook his head slightly.

I’ll go out; they don’t know you’re here.

He mouthed these words.

Bai Fanlu understood his intention but shook his head as well.

Judging by the commotion underground, the other side must have sensed something. Moreover, based on the street parade and sacrifice event, their target was almost certainly him, not Xiao Liu.

Since that was the case, there was no point in hiding. Xiao Liu had just narrowly escaped, and Bai Fanlu couldn’t let him risk himself again.

With a swift move, Bai Fanlu, catching Xiao Liu off guard, had already leaped out of the cave entrance.

Outside, there wasn’t the expected encirclement. There was only a young man dressed in luxurious crimson-purple robes, leisurely reclining in a wheelchair, holding a seemingly sleeping little white monkey, with no one else around.

If it weren’t for the two cold, pale fingers clutching the monkey’s throat, and the surrounding tombstones shrouded in miasma, the scene would have given the illusion of an old friend reuniting in an otherworldly place.

Yingzhou City Lord, Wei Lin. At this moment, the expression on his face indeed gave Bai Fanlu that kind of misconception.

Xiao Liu, however, didn’t follow Bai Fanlu’s cue and came out as well. Bai Fanlu blocked him and said to Wei Lin, “Your target is me, so why trouble others?”

“You’re straightforward, Bai Gongzi. I will do as you wish and not involve him. Please.”

Wei Lin spoke as he turned his wheelchair, “However, this little monkey is quite adorable. I like it a lot, so I’ll keep it.”

Bai Gongzi? Wei Lin was indeed after him, but how did he know his surname?

Bai Fanlu thought to himself. The demonic rift had just been sealed, and the array’s effects on Wei Lin wouldn’t take effect immediately. If they were to fight now, the odds weren’t in his favor.

Moreover, from Wei Lin’s current attitude, it didn’t seem like he was planning to do anything to him. Otherwise, he could have acted immediately—why go through the trouble of waiting here to “invite” him?

After quickly considering, Bai Fanlu turned to Xiao Liu and said, “I’ll go with him. You wait for me at the inn. If I don’t come in a day, return to Dongchang.”

“Brother…”

Bai Fanlu shook his head and patted Xiao Liu’s shoulder, “Don’t worry.”

Wei Lin maneuvered his wheelchair, and Bai Fanlu followed at a distance. Neither spoke as they proceeded.

Perhaps due to the presence of a powerful enemy, the discomfort Bai Fanlu had been feeling gradually subsided, just like before—it came quickly and left just as fast.

Unfortunately, his teleportation technique had failed; otherwise, he could have taken the opportunity to escape. But on second thought, Bai Fanlu realized it wouldn’t work since Xiao Liu was still here. The only option now was to follow Wei Lin back and adapt as the situation developed.

After exiting the mortuary, Bai Fanlu saw the path lined with attendants waiting on both sides. He was escorted onto a carriage and seated opposite Wei Lin, facing each other.

Wei Lin had difficulty with his legs. As Bai Fanlu watched him being assisted onto the carriage by the attendants, he assessed the opponent’s strength. It was hard to reconcile the pale, disabled young man before him with the ruthless hegemon described in the book.

However, as the attendants closed the curtain, Wei Lin slightly raised his eyes to look at Bai Fanlu. A flash of killing intent in his gaze was fleeting, but it was sharp as a knife, cutting through his sickly appearance, making it clear that he was someone to be feared and obeyed.

While Bai Fanlu observed him, Wei Lin’s gaze similarly fell on him without concealment. A faint smile played on his lips, but his expression remained grave, making Bai Fanlu wary.

Yet, he didn’t speak, only gently stroking the little white monkey on his lap, his movements languid, in rhythm with the carriage’s gentle sway.

Bai Fanlu wasn’t sure about Zizi’s condition, but its fur looked as pristine as ever, and it didn’t seem injured.

After some thought, Bai Fanlu asked, “May I ask how the City Lord knows my surname?”

Wei Lin chuckled softly, “Bai Junming?”

The sudden mention of this name left Bai Fanlu momentarily stunned. It took him a moment to realize who Wei Lin was referring to.

The elder of the Demon Realm, the main antagonist in the original story, and the red-eyed demon he fought on his first day here—his name was Bai Junming.

How did Wei Lin mistake him for Bai Junming?

“It’s said that ‘Young Master Ming’ is elusive, flamboyant, and never shows his true face. But today, seeing Bai Gongzi, you’re more dignified than the rumors suggest.”

Bai Fanlu gathered his thoughts and smiled faintly, “Illusions can be deceiving. I’m sure you know better than to test me indirectly.”

Although he didn’t know why Wei Lin had mistaken him for Bai Junming, until he understood the reasons behind it, Bai Fanlu could only play along.

Wei Lin’s lips curled slightly, his expression indifferent. Bai Fanlu noticed that his eyes were unusual. The color of his pupils seemed very light, and when they squinted slightly, Bai Fanlu felt… Although his gaze was sharp, it was only superficial. There wasn’t much life in those eyes, like someone who was half-blind.

The original story only mentioned that Wei Lin developed a leg ailment during a battle; it didn’t mention any issues with his eyes or any connection between him and Bai Junming.

Bai Fanlu quickly recalled the plot of this part of the novel, but he only remembered that the Lord of Yingzhou sacrificed living people in a ritual to save his beloved merfolk and was killed by the male protagonist.

But if he had already fallen into the demon path, mistaking him for Bai Junming shouldn’t lead to conflict, right?

Unless Wei Lin had already seen through his identity as an immortal and concluded that he was lying.

Bai Fanlu thought carefully and realized he hadn’t lied because this was his first time meeting Wei Lin and had never revealed his identity to him. Since entering Yingzhou City, he had been careful to suppress his spiritual energy. Unless someone with a very high cultivation was present, it would be difficult to distinguish between an immortal and a demon just by looking. Could it be that the original body…

Wait!

Bai Fanlu suddenly remembered something. He had indeed told someone that he was Bai Junming.

The flower thief!

At that time, to intimidate the thief, he had claimed to be Bai Junming because he couldn’t reveal his true identity as the demon prince and needed a sufficiently intimidating alias.

And Bai Junming was particularly skilled at transformation techniques, with a bizarre and unpredictable manner, making it easy to blur the lines between truth and illusion.

But how did Wei Lin know? After he said that, Xiao Liu killed the flower thief in one blow, and the body was disposed of by his trusted servant. The system also said the mission was completed, so there shouldn’t have been any chance of resurrection.

Bai Fanlu’s mind was racing as

 he looked into Wei Lin’s pale eyes, trying to find some clue, but unfortunately, he found nothing.

Likewise, Wei Lin was also scrutinizing him, possibly trying to see through something.

In the end, neither spoke.

The carriage arrived at the city lord’s mansion, and this time, Bai Fanlu entered through the main gate. The two guards he had seen earlier were still standing respectfully.

As Bai Fanlu passed them, he glanced back, noticing that they kept their heads lowered, their faces obscured.

The moment he entered, he felt a distinct wave of energy. There was a barrier around the outer perimeter—it was easy to enter but likely difficult to exit.

“Please, Bai Gongzi.”

Wei Lin, ahead of Bai Fanlu, made a creaking noise as he turned his wheelchair, which was particularly clear in the quiet courtyard.

He turned toward the right corridor, and Bai Fanlu followed.

This residence was even larger than it appeared from the outside, with narrow corridors, small bridges, and countless rooms. Bai Fanlu mentally mapped out the route until they arrived at a small building with carved redwood. Only then did the wheelchair stop.

This small building was different from the others, situated in the center of a pool of jade-green water. The water’s surface continuously churned, forming a barrier like a tide, leaving only a passageway at the entrance.

In this environment, Bai Fanlu could predict who resided inside.

The City Lord’s wife of Yingzhou, the East Sea merfolk, He Sang.

She was also the one who spoke on his behalf during the sacrificial parade and glanced back at him.

Entering the building, there was only one figure reclining on the couch inside, which must have been He Sang. She was propped up with one hand on her temple, her eyes half-closed, her slender figure accentuated by a thin, watery-colored robe, exuding delicate charm.

It was said that the merfolk clan, regardless of gender, was extraordinarily beautiful. This He Sang, who had earned Wei Lin’s exclusive favor, was naturally not of ordinary appearance.

Hearing the sound of the wheelchair, He Sang opened her eyes and slowly sat up. As she moved, a white rabbit jumped off the couch and quickly hid behind the curtain.

This was Bai Fanlu’s first time seeing the legendary mermaid. His gaze instinctively fell on He Sang’s skirt hem, which spread out on the ground in a watery hue, concealing whether her lower body was a fish tail or human legs.

“Bai Gongzi, I apologize for inviting you in this manner.”

He Sang spoke, her voice still hoarse and unclear. The merfolk were born with beautiful voices, but He Sang’s voice had been ruined by long years on land.

“Since parting in the East Sea, it’s been over ten years. To meet my benefactor again is my great fortune.”

Hearing this, Bai Fanlu was first surprised, then suddenly understood. Could it be that the one with a connection to Bai Junming was not Wei Lin but this merfolk, and she was the one who “invited” him here?

But Bai Fanlu didn’t think he resembled Bai Junming, so why did He Sang mistake him after just one meeting?

Unless Bai Junming had used his appearance when he met He Sang.

But what would be his motivation for doing so?

No matter what, Bai Fanlu knew he couldn’t admit that he wasn’t Bai Junming, especially with Wei Lin right behind him.

That prickling gaze on his back felt as if it could become a lethal weapon at any moment. Wei Lin harbored strong hostility toward him, though the source of this hostility was unclear.

Bai Fanlu didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he observed He Sang. Compared to Wei Lin, the merfolk seemed far less dangerous.

In the novel, He Sang was portrayed as weak and helpless, while Wei Lin was ruthless but doted on He Sang. However, when He Sang tried to stop Wei Lin during the human sacrifice ritual, she was powerless, and Wei Lin went ahead with it.

In the original story, after Yun Zhan killed Wei Lin, He Sang lost her protection and committed suicide before an uprising of the oppressed people could take her.

This character was generally portrayed as a naive and kind-hearted sacrificial pawn, and Bai Fanlu decided to explore the possibility of temporarily cooperating with her.

Although the plot had taken a strange turn due to his presence, the characters’ roles still seemed consistent, except for himself as the soul-transmigrated individual.

He Sang was quick to pick up on Bai Fanlu’s hesitant expression and slight head tilt, understanding his intention. She then said to Wei Lin, “My Lord, may I have a moment alone with my benefactor?”

Wei Lin did not object, turning his wheelchair to leave.

As soon as he left, Bai Fanlu let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you.”

He Sang smiled gently, “Benefactor, do you have something to say to me?”

The merfolk’s pupils and lips were a light, almost transparent, watery blue, making her appear as pure and clear as a drop of water, easy for anyone to read.

With Wei Lin gone, He Sang seemed to drop her pretense. Even though Bai Fanlu was inexperienced, he could see the intensity in He Sang’s eyes, which made his heart skip a beat.

This kind of emotion, coming from someone as innocent and gentle as a merfolk, was too straightforward and obvious. Bai Fanlu realized that if he continued to pretend to be Bai Junming, it might be difficult to extricate himself.

“Madam,” Bai Fanlu hesitated, “I’m sorry, but I’m not Bai Junming. However… I can help you find him.”

“You… you’re not Bai Gongzi?”

He Sang’s expression, filled with hope, immediately turned to disappointment, as if she had fallen from the clouds, leaving her utterly dejected.

“I do share his surname, but Bai Junming is my uncle.”

Bai Fanlu wasn’t lying. The current elder of the Demon Realm was indeed the original body’s mother’s younger brother.

Since He Sang called Bai Junming “benefactor,” with this relationship, even if he were just a nephew, he shouldn’t be in immediate danger.

However, Bai Fanlu was careful not to reveal his name, just in case word got out.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, He Sang’s eyes lit up with renewed hope, “I see.”

“So if you wish, I can invite my uncle from the Demon Realm right away.”

If things went well, Bai Fanlu hoped to leave immediately.

But He Sang did not respond as expected. Instead, she lowered her eyes, her expression darkening, “The Lord is not here. Could you… not call me ‘Madam’? Just call me He Sang, and… may I call you Brother Bai?”

Bai Fanlu thought for a moment and saw no harm in it, so he agreed, “Very well, He Sang.”

But He Sang was being quite bold. How did she know Wei Lin wasn’t secretly listening to their conversation?

At that moment, Bai Fanlu also realized something. Given Wei Lin’s possessiveness towards He Sang, how could he be so confident in letting them be alone? Especially since Bai Fanlu’s identity was that of He Sang’s long-lost “benefactor”?

These two…

As Bai Fanlu pondered this, there was a soft knock on the door, and a maid entered, placing a bowl of medicine and a teacup on the table before quietly exiting.

“Brother Bai, please have some tea,” He Sang said, picking up the dark medicine bowl first.

In the original story, He Sang realized that the medicine she had been drinking was actually human blood after witnessing Wei Lin manipulating corpses. Unable to bear seeing him continue down this path, He Sang sacrificed herself to protect the original protagonist during their battle.

Wait… “sacrificed herself to protect the original protagonist”?

Bai Fanlu remembered this part of the novel. He had assumed the author had made a mistake, thinking He Sang should have protected Wei Lin, but could this have been a hint at He Sang’s connection to the original body?

No, it should be Bai Junming.

Bai Fanlu’s thoughts were getting tangled. The deeper he dug, the more confusing the plot became.

“Brother Bai, what are you thinking?”

He Sang asked, pulling Bai Fanlu back to reality. His gaze fell on the cup of tea He Sang had pushed towards him.

He hadn’t intended to drink it, but after a brief hesitation, Bai Fanlu picked up the teacup.

He Sang nodded slightly, then drank the medicine in one gulp. After setting the bowl down, she frowned, clearly displeased with the taste.

Taking advantage of He Sang’s distraction, Bai Fanlu discreetly used a sleight of hand to pour the tea into his sleeve.

The conversation had been interrupted, so Bai Fanlu took the initiative to ask, “He Sang, why do you need to take medicine? Are you unwell?”

He Sang shook her head, “It’s an old ailment. When my benefactor saved me… Oh, perhaps he never mentioned it to you?”

Bai Fanlu indeed didn’t know. The novel only mentioned that He Sang was weak and sickly, with a short lifespan. To defy fate, Wei Lin delved into dark magic, sacrificing ninety-nine lives in a ritual to grant He Sang eternal life.

But the reason for He Sang’s frailty was never explained.

“My benefactor has likely forgotten about me,” He Sang murmured, a faint, bitter smile on her lips. She lowered her head, her eyes filled with melancholy, truly a pitiful sight.

Bai Fanlu said, “My uncle must remember you, but he may not have shared those memories with a younger relative like me.”

“That’s… possible.” He Sang blushed slightly, “I was foolish, embarrassing myself before Brother

 Bai.”

“Not at all,” Bai Fanlu paused, “Forgive my curiosity, but how did you come to know my uncle?”

Mentioning the past, He Sang’s expression grew nostalgic, “Although I’m a merfolk, I was born without a merfolk’s pearl, which meant I wasn’t supposed to survive into adulthood. But my mother said I would meet my benefactor by the shores of the East Sea, and he would save my life.”

Bai Fanlu nodded. That benefactor was most likely Bai Junming.

“That day, I fainted by the sea, and when I awoke, I saw my benefactor. He gave me a spirit stone, saying it could replace the merfolk’s pearl and extend my life.”

“A spirit stone?”

“Yes, that’s what he said, but I never saw it. He said it was sealed inside me.”

Bai Fanlu nodded, still puzzled, “Then why are you still so weak?”

“Merfolk should live in the East Sea, in places full of moisture. But I…”

Bai Fanlu understood. Because Wei Lin wouldn’t let her return to the sea, He Sang had been forced to live on land, leading to her frailty. No wonder Wei Lin was willing to go to such lengths, harming so many innocents, to keep her by his side.

However, Bai Fanlu still couldn’t understand one thing, “Why did you mistake me for my uncle? We don’t look alike.”

“Not alike?” He Sang was surprised, then shook her head, “Very alike, but… upon closer inspection, you’re not the same person.”

Bai Fanlu was now certain that Bai Junming had indeed used a transformation technique to take on his appearance. But why would he do that? Bai Fanlu couldn’t fathom his motives.

At that moment, He Sang added, “But Brother Bai, I didn’t mistake you for my benefactor because of your appearance. It’s because you said you were ‘Young Master Ming’ yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Fanlu’s calm expression stiffened slightly.

He Sang, observing his changing expression, suddenly looked outside.

The sound of the wheelchair turning, like rusty gears scraping against wood, made Bai Fanlu tense. He pulled back slightly, and Wei Lin had silently appeared behind him.

One hand rested on the wheelchair, the other holding a birdcage, but inside was not a bird, but the curled-up little white monkey.

Bai Fanlu frowned and looked at Wei Lin.

Wei Lin’s expression was one of a faint smile, “Finished catching up?” He was speaking to He Sang, his tone gentle, though his face was inscrutable.

He Sang softly said, “My Lord, please don’t make things difficult for him.”

As she spoke, Wei Lin extended a hand to her. He Sang slowly stood up, walked to the wheelchair, and knelt at his knees, gazing up at him with reverence as if worshiping a god.

It was only then that Bai Fanlu noticed He Sang had human legs, but her steps were slow and painful, as if each step was taken on a blade’s edge.

Wei Lin gently stroked He Sang’s pale blue hair, “Don’t worry. I just have some questions for him.”

As he spoke, Wei Lin waved his hand, and Bai Fanlu instinctively stepped back. Between the two of them, a cloud of black mist gradually dispersed, revealing a suspended image.

From the angle of the image, only the open lapels of a white-robed man could be seen, exposing a large expanse of pale, flushed skin and a slightly angled profile, with lips gently biting as he spoke, “Come closer, I’ll tell you.”

Bai Fanlu’s eyes widened slightly.

The person in the image had lips like petals, extremely enticing, and he slowly said, “I am… ‘Young Master Ming’…”

And there it ended.

That person was undoubtedly Bai Fanlu himself.

So, it was because of that flower thief!

What was Wei Lin’s connection to him? And how did he come by that person’s dying memory?

It was said that some demons could use their resentment to record memories from their life, passing them on to their kin as a means of vengeance.

Bai Fanlu felt a sense of foreboding. He hadn’t expected that hidden side quests and main quests could be so intertwined.

So, when the system mentioned unlocking hidden events after completing the side quest “Evil Reaps Its Reward,” could it have meant this?

The phrase “Success breeds arrogance” was straightforward. He had achieved his goal, which could be considered a success. But what about “Illusions and reality are never true”?

“Dare I ask Bai Gongzi, what is your view on my brother’s death?”

Bai Fanlu finally pieced everything together, his mind reeling from the strain.

So that flower thief was coincidentally the younger brother of the Yingzhou City Lord, and his attempt to discreetly handle the situation had already been detected when he entered the city, leading to the sudden street parade.

Then, the identity he assumed just happened to be He Sang’s benefactor, so He Sang wanted to save him, while the City Lord wanted to harm him. The two must have secretly disagreed, and in the end, they brought him here.

Bai Fanlu didn’t argue. Xiao Liu’s face wasn’t shown in the memory image because he had been behind the flower thief, a small mercy.

“It was indeed my doing,” Bai Fanlu admitted, “But my friend was innocent. May I ask, why did the City Lord capture him today?”

Wei Lin raised an eyebrow, “He was bold and offended me. Shouldn’t I have captured him?”

“I thought the City Lord was using him to lure me out,” Bai Fanlu smiled, “Perhaps I was overthinking.”

“Ha!” Wei Lin sneered, “I didn’t expect Bai Gongzi to be a sentimental person.”

He Sang’s shoulders trembled slightly.

Wei Lin patted her reassuringly, “Are you tired? Since you’ve taken your medicine, you should rest.”

“What about Brother Bai…”

“Don’t worry. I’m just asking him to stay for a few days, and then I’ll personally escort him out of the city.”

What? Bai Fanlu’s spirits lifted. After confronting him, was he now saying he would send him out of the city?

It couldn’t be that simple. What was Wei Lin up to?

“Please, Bai Gongzi.”

Bai Fanlu made a gesture of concession, “After you, City Lord.”

Wei Lin said nothing more, controlling his wheelchair as he left. Bai Fanlu followed, glancing back to see He Sang already lying down, facing away from him.

A maid was by her side, pulling down the curtains, then turning and walking towards them.

The curtains fluttered lightly, and the maid’s steps were measured and graceful. Everything seemed ordinary, but Bai Fanlu sensed something off.

Suddenly, a white shadow darted out from behind the curtain. The rabbit from earlier appeared out of nowhere, bounding toward the maid’s feet, only to be kicked aside, struggling for a moment before rolling away and hiding behind the curtain again.

“…”

Bai Fanlu frowned slightly.

After leaving the lakeside pavilion, Wei Lin seemed disinclined to engage with him further, turning his wheelchair toward another corridor.

Bai Fanlu couldn’t tell if Wei Lin’s words were genuine, but he couldn’t afford to wait. The longer he stayed, the more dangerous it could become. He quickly followed, saying, “City Lord, I regret what happened with your brother, but…”

“I know,” Wei Lin turned his wheelchair, facing Bai Fanlu with a calm expression, “He deserved to die. What are you worried about? That I’m seeking revenge?”

“…”

Bai Fanlu couldn’t immediately respond. He hadn’t expected Wei Lin to be so direct, and he couldn’t discern whether the City Lord was telling the truth or lying.

“Relax, Bai Gongzi. Just stay here for a few days. As for that young man, if you miss him, I’ll have someone bring him to see you.”

Bai Fanlu immediately said, “There’s no need.”

“Very well.”

Wei Lin left with a faint smile, but Bai Fanlu felt a hidden threat in his words. He had no other choice now but to wait and see what happened next.

He wondered if the demonic rift and the sealing array had been discovered.

“Please, Bai Gongzi.”

A maid spoke, leading Bai Fanlu to a side room. He wanted to ask her something, but she quickly bowed her head and exited.

Bai Fanlu sat at the table, where a teapot and cups were neatly arranged. He poured himself a cup of tea, dipped his fingers in it, and tapped twice on the table. The tea turned a strange shade of deep red.

Bai Fanlu brought his fingers closer, detecting a faint scent of blood.

It was an illusion. Bai Fanlu scanned the room, then rose and walked outside. Judging by what little spiritual energy he had used to probe earlier, the entire mansion was problematic.

In the original story, Yun Zhan and the original protagonist sensed the demonic energy surrounding the City Lord’s mansion as soon as they arrived in Yingzhou. They attempted to investigate at night, but Wei Lin caught them before they could explore further, and they were imprisoned in the dark dungeon. Later, after sealing the rift, they fought Wei Lin outside the mansion.

Bai Fanlu stepped outside, observing his surroundings. The corridors, the rooms, the patrolling guards with swords, the silent maids…

Everything seemed normal, yet everything was far from ordinary.

Bai Fanlu recalled the barrier at the entrance, the strange guards at the gate, the maid who had just passed by him, and the cup of… blood tea.

Suddenly, Bai Fanlu’s eyes widened, and he took several steps back into the room.

He knew what was wrong.

Inside the

 barrier, in this red-walled, green-tiled mansion, there wasn’t a single living person in sight!

For the first time, Bai Fanlu genuinely felt fear.

It was as if he had stepped into a scene from a zombie movie, where the undead roamed the mansion, each performing their duties, living dead wandering in and out.

Although their heads were bowed, Bai Fanlu felt countless eyes greedily watching him from the shadows, waiting for the command to tear him apart.

Chilled to the bone, Bai Fanlu quickly returned to the room, closed the door, and was about to place a seal on it when he stopped.

If Wei Lin truly wanted to do something, in his territory and within his barrier, a seal would be as futile as an ant trying to stop a cart. It would only reveal his identity as an immortal, losing the only leverage he had.

So Bai Fanlu calmed his mind and sat down, focusing on adjusting his body, which had been acting strangely when he sealed the demonic rift earlier.

The azure bracelet on his wrist spun, faint traces of dark gold mingling with the ribbons, and three more threads appeared, seemingly absorbing something.

Could it be from sealing the demonic rift?

The changes in the bracelet reflected the changes in his body. Bai Fanlu closed his eyes and found that his spiritual energy was flowing smoothly.

At the same time, the serpentine power within him hadn’t disappeared; it had grown stronger. The initial pain from absorbing it had gradually faded, intertwining with his original spiritual energy, forming an indistinguishable blend.

Bai Fanlu quietly gathered a fire spirit talisman. This was his most potent attack spell. A massive fireball formed in his palm, reflected as twin flames in his eyes.

His power had returned!

Bai Fanlu quickly retracted his spiritual energy, now feeling more confident. He only needed to wait for the right moment, for the seal to fully control the demonic rift, weakening Wei Lin, and then he could act.

However, he was still uncertain about Wei Lin’s intentions. Why had he asked him to stay for a few days? Did Wei Lin truly believe he was of the demon clan, or was he still suspicious?

If he believed, as a fellow demon, Wei Lin shouldn’t harm him. But if he didn’t, why hadn’t he taken action yet?

As Bai Fanlu pondered the possible connections between these events, he also reviewed the spells the original body knew, even testing teleportation, though it was futile within the barrier.

Two hours passed, and the sun was setting.

Bai Fanlu stood and opened the door, strolling through the corridors. He walked until he reached the lakeside pavilion.

He Sang was still resting, but the maid was standing outside.

Bai Fanlu observed her from a distance, then approached. The maid, who had been standing still with her head bowed, suddenly stepped in front of him just as he was about to cross the threshold.

“The lady is resting. Please return, Gongzi.”

“Oh…” Bai Fanlu said, “Apologies.”

He bowed and was about to turn away when he suddenly slipped, bending down and inadvertently touching the ground.

A light breeze lifted the maid’s skirt slightly, revealing her right ankle.

A half-blackened knife tip was embedded in the back of her ankle.

Bai Fanlu’s eyes lit up. He had found it!

He was about to act when a voice called out, “Brother Bai? Are you alright?”

“Ah, nothing…” Bai Fanlu, still forming a hand seal, pressed his foot against the ground, “I just twisted my ankle a little. I wanted to see you, but I heard you were resting.”

He Sang leaned against the door, seemingly struggling to stand.

“Why did you come out?” Bai Fanlu asked, inwardly anxious, wishing he had come out just a second later.

“I just heard you speaking,” He Sang smiled softly, “I can come out occasionally. Staying inside all the time is too stifling.”

She had gone out during the sacrificial parade earlier, so Bai Fanlu wasn’t surprised.

“The Lord isn’t here, Brother Bai. Will you walk with me?”

“Of course.”

“Is your foot alright?” He Sang asked with concern.

Bai Fanlu said, “It’s fine. Moving around made it feel better. But what about you? Would you like to sit… um, would you like me to push you?”

He meant a wheelchair like Wei Lin’s, but He Sang shook her head and insisted, “No, I can walk on my own.”

He Sang then raised one hand, revealing a red jade cane shaped like bamboo, strikingly vivid against her pale blue robes.

Bai Fanlu glanced at the cane, then slightly bowed and walked alongside He Sang.

After a few steps, Bai Fanlu asked, “He Sang, your legs…”

“Brother Bai, you must find it strange. I’m a merfolk; how do I have human legs?”

“It is curious. It’s said that merfolk cannot leave the sea, and those who do eventually lose their freedom and become captives because their tails prevent them from moving on land…”

Bai Fanlu’s tone shifted, “Though I can tell the City Lord treats you well, having legs means you can be free and protect yourself.”

He Sang’s gentle eyes glistened with a touch of emotion, “Actually, these legs are formed from my tail. I owe it to the high monk the Lord found a year ago.”

“Oh? What kind of high monk?”

There were only a few important characters in this novel, but given the flower thief’s background, Bai Fanlu thought it wise to learn more about the side quests and was curious to know who this monk was.

“He wore a veil and stood far away, so I couldn’t see his face clearly. I only remember he wore a green robe. He seemed to be a powerful immortal.”

A green-robed immortal? Bai Fanlu quickly asked, “Was his hair black or white?”

He Sang thought for a moment, “I believe… it was black.”

Then it wasn’t Ling Qingzi. If not him, then who was this green-robed immortal?

“Did he mention his name?”

“He didn’t.”

Bai Fanlu felt a bit disappointed, but hearing He Sang mention “immortal” so naturally, he asked, “He Sang, do you know that the City Lord… practices demonic cultivation?”

“Demonic…” He Sang lowered her head slightly, “I do. He does it for my sake.”

Hearing the sorrow in He Sang’s voice, Bai Fanlu gently advised, “Merfolk have the blood of ancient gods. If he continues with demonic cultivation, he’ll never find redemption. In the end, you two will be on different paths. Have you tried persuading him to find another way, to stop harming others?”

“I… have tried to persuade him.” He Sang sighed.

“And he wouldn’t listen?”

“Yes. He said I was foolish and that those he killed deserved it.”

After a pause, He Sang looked at Bai Fanlu and said, “You may find it hard to believe, but at first, the Lord was indeed angry at you for what happened with his brother. But he soon let it go, saying his brother deserved it and there was no point in pursuing it.”

“And as for the young man who was with you, he captured him in a fit of rage, but then let him escape.”

Really? Bai Fanlu hadn’t expected that.

Seeing his astonished expression, He Sang sighed, “To the outside world, the Lord appears ruthless and unpredictable. But to me, he’s just misguided. I’m the one who caused him trouble.”

As they reached the stairs, He Sang stopped, struggling to take a step up. Bai Fanlu wanted to offer support but was stopped by a gesture.

He Sang bit her lip.

Her lower lip quivered, and the knuckles of the hand holding the cane stood out sharply, with veins visible beneath the pale, almost translucent skin, revealing just how much effort it took for her to climb those few steps.

“Heh… What does divine bloodline even mean?” He Sang laughed at herself as she walked, tears glistening in her eyes. “We have no power at all. Even against ordinary people, we’re just lambs to the slaughter.”

“Only my lord truly cares for me. I can’t support him with my strength, nor do I want to become a burden to him.”

The weight of He Sang’s words was immense, shattering Bai Fanlu’s understanding of the original story that he had been trying to piece together. It left him momentarily speechless.

He didn’t respond, and He Sang also fell silent.

She walked very slowly, and naturally, Bai Fanlu slowed his pace to match. Though it was only evening, by the time they had walked just a few hundred meters, the sky had turned almost completely dark.

Bai Fanlu looked up at the night sky, which appeared unnatural due to the barrier. For reasons he couldn’t quite grasp, he let out a long, soft sigh.

“Brother Bai, there’s something I don’t understand. Could you help me figure it out?”

“Go ahead.”

“Your benefactor is the current leader of the Demon Realm and also your blood relative. Brother Bai, you should be part of the demon clan, but to me, you feel more like the reclusive master who once saved me. Why is that?”