When Bai Fanlu woke up again, he found himself lying on a soft bed.

As soon as he moved his fingers, someone grabbed his hand. “Lin Qiu.”

It was Mu Yunhe. Bai Fanlu tried to sit up, but he immediately felt a strange, dull ache in his body, and his legs were so sore that he couldn’t muster any strength.

The events before he lost consciousness replayed in his mind like a movie. Bai Fanlu suddenly remembered what had happened, and his face flushed bright red. He quickly withdrew his hand from Mu Yunhe and shrank back under the covers.

Mu Yunhe chuckled softly, “Are you shy?”

Bai Fanlu stayed silent, like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

Mu Yunhe reached out and touched Bai Fanlu’s forehead. “It’s okay, the fever has gone down.”

Hearing this, Bai Fanlu felt a moment of daze. After a brief lapse, Mu Yunhe gently supported him and helped him sit up, pressing a cup of water to his lips.

Bai Fanlu, feeling his throat was dry, quickly drank it all.

“Do you want more?”

Bai Fanlu shook his head. Mu Yunhe set the cup aside and helped him lie back down, then returned to sit by the bed.

“We’re at an inn in the hot spring town, only two days away from Hengchang. I’ve already sent word back to the manor. Since you’re still weak, we can stay here for a few more days before returning. There’s no need to rush.”

When Bai Fanlu heard him mention the date, he suddenly remembered something important!

“Is today your birthday?”

Mu Yunhe hadn’t expected his first question to be about that. “You were asleep for a whole day and night. My birthday was yesterday.”

Bai Fanlu’s voice trembled slightly, “…It passed?”

What about the tribulation? Why didn’t the tribulation come? How was he still in the game?

“What happened while I was unconscious?” Bai Fanlu asked again, unwilling to believe it.

His sudden change in expression and tone made Mu Yunhe nervous as well.

“Lin Qiu, what’s wrong? I brought you to the hot spring town and stayed here with you the entire time. Nothing happened.”

Nothing happened? How was that possible?

Bai Fanlu asked, “…Didn’t the Taoist say that something life-threatening would happen on your birthday?”

Mu Yunhe suddenly understood. “So that’s what you were worried about. He was talking about my twenty-second birthday. I just turned twenty-one yesterday. Besides, now that we’re married, it should have been resolved…”

Bai Fanlu’s expression darkened slightly as he realized the inconsistency in Mu Yunhe’s words. “You just said it was your twenty-first birthday?”

“Yes,” Mu Yunhe replied with a smile. “Don’t you remember? We even matched our birth dates.”

“But at that time, you clearly said…”

Bai Fanlu suddenly realized that when he asked Mu Yunhe about his birthday, he hadn’t actually asked how old he was. He had assumed that the question implied how long it was until his life-and-death tribulation.

Matching their birth dates should have revealed it, but because Bai Fanlu didn’t know Mu Yunhe’s exact age and had preconceived notions, he didn’t think to verify it.

But if there’s still more than a year until the Taoist’s predicted life-and-death event, why was the princess so eager for us to get married?

“Huh?” Mu Yunhe still didn’t fully understand the situation.

From his reaction, Bai Fanlu was almost certain that Mu Yunhe hadn’t deliberately lied about something so serious. After all, he had said that if Bai Fanlu wasn’t willing, he could take more time to develop their feelings.

Softening his tone, Bai Fanlu explained, “When I asked you about your birthday, I actually wanted to know how long it was until your twenty-second birthday…”

Mu Yunhe was momentarily confused.

“You even said that if I didn’t believe you, I should ask the princess. I thought there were only twenty days left.”

This misunderstanding… Bai Fanlu suddenly felt a sense of helplessness.

Mu Yunhe was silent for a while. “My mother has always been anxious. The sooner everything is settled, the sooner she can be at ease. She probably didn’t realize you had misunderstood…”

Bai Fanlu sighed. Ultimately, it was his own fault for not confirming things more carefully.

But Mu Yunhe’s next words tugged at Bai Fanlu’s heart, “Lin Qiu, if you had known I had more than a year left, would you still have agreed to marry me?”

Bai Fanlu froze. The answer was obvious—if he had known there was more time, he wouldn’t have agreed to marry so quickly.

But now, with their feelings just beginning to align and having shared the most intimate of relationships, it no longer seemed necessary to dwell on these matters.

A year is a year, Bai Fanlu thought. We’ve gained an extra year to be together. When we return, we’ll still have to face the conflicts between the immortals and demons. This year of peace is something to be grateful for.

“Ah Zhan…”

“I understand!”

Just as he called out, Mu Yunhe interrupted, “I understand what you’re trying to say. There’s no need to say it.”

Bai Fanlu knew this was the beginning of a misunderstanding. But before he could explain, Mu Yunhe suddenly stood up. “I’ll go check on the porridge in the kitchen. You rest for a while.”

“Ah Zhan! That’s not what I—”

The door slammed shut, and Bai Fanlu’s heart sank with it. He realized the seriousness of the situation.

Knowing Mu Yunhe’s stubbornness, he was likely to overthink this and believe that everything Bai Fanlu had said and done the night before was just to appease him on his birthday.

Bai Fanlu wanted to chase after him, but he couldn’t even sit up. He grabbed the bedpost and was about to turn over.

Suddenly, the door creaked open again, and Bai Fanlu was delighted. “Ah Zhan, you’re not allowed to leave. Come here and listen to me.”

Mu Yunhe, seeing Bai Fanlu struggling by the bedside, couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache. He walked over and took Bai Fanlu’s outstretched hand. “I’m not leaving.”

He then added, somewhat sullenly, “If I really wanted to leave, I wouldn’t have come back so quickly. I was… I was actually just standing at the door. I didn’t go anywhere.”

Bai Fanlu couldn’t help but laugh, his heart warming at the same time. This silly guy, sometimes so clever, but other times so clueless.

“Do you think I agreed to be with you just because of your birthday?”

“Yes.” Mu Yunhe’s answer was straightforward and without hesitation.

“Well, you’re not entirely wrong,” Bai Fanlu felt the hand holding his tighten, and he sighed internally. “But think about it. Would I really go to such lengths for someone I didn’t care about?”

As a man, he had been willing to dress as a woman, even lower himself to be with him. Now he had given everything—wasn’t that proof enough?

Mu Yunhe was still in a daze, seemingly not fully grasping the meaning.

Bai Fanlu, rarely having the upper hand in a conversation, patted his shoulder and pretended to be gentle. “Good little brother, you’re still too naive.”

He smiled in good spirits, but the motion pulled at his body, causing him to wince in pain. Mu Yunhe seemed to snap back to reality at that moment.

“Did you just tease me?” he asked.

“Did I?” Bai Fanlu played dumb, hiding under the covers.

“You did!” Mu Yunhe, indignant, leaned down and nibbled on Bai Fanlu’s lips until they were swollen before letting the matter go.

Bai Fanlu, now feeling warm all over from the kisses, smiled and said, “So that’s it? I thought the little prince would sulk for a while longer, given how competitive you are.”

Mu Yunhe whispered against his lips, “So that’s making peace?”

He traced a hand along Bai Fanlu’s waist. “When you’re feeling stronger, we should turn that peace back into a fight.”

“…” The little prince has matured, and he’s really not to be trifled with.

“How’s the wound on your shoulder?” Bai Fanlu quickly changed the subject.

“It’s fine. I can manage with one hand…”

What followed was a series of sounds of rustling and heavy breathing, forcing Bai Fanlu to realize just how “capable” one hand could be.

Fortunately, Mu Yunhe wasn’t completely heartless. After Bai Fanlu pleaded repeatedly, he finally ended the sweet punishment.

After feeding Bai Fanlu some porridge and “half-forcing” him to apply medicine to certain places, Mu Yunhe, satisfied, cuddled his blushing wife as they both drifted off to sleep.

Having been unconscious for a day and a night, Bai Fanlu had no awareness and no dreams. But now, as he fell asleep again, faint signs of a new dream began to appear.

Just before the dream began, Bai Fanlu heard the system’s notification.

“Beep beep: New message in the brain that hasn’t been received. Do you want to retrieve it?”

Bai Fanlu remembered hearing a strange sound before he fainted. It must have been the system, so he chose “Yes.”

“Beep beep: Congratulations on completing the hidden event ‘Grass-colored Smoke and Drizzling Rain.’ You have received the reward ‘Puppet·Reflection.'”

“Beep beep: The first 80% of the event progress was interfered with by abnormal energy and has been completely erased. The new progress of 100% will now cover it. You can use ‘Reader’s Brain Hole Fragments ×3’ to detect the source of the abnormal energy. Would you like to proceed?”

Abnormal energy? Bai Fanlu immediately chose “Yes.”

“Beep beep: Determining the source of the interfering energy, ‘Ancient Mirror·Not Dust.'”

So it really was that?

Bai Fanlu had suspected that his missing memories were erased by Not Dust, but he never had direct evidence.

So this means that the hidden event “Grass-colored Smoke and Drizzling Rain” was originally 80% complete. However, since Not Dust erased all memories related to the reflection, that 80% was also wiped out.

It must mean that this event was directly related to the reflection that once existed.

Bai Fanlu asked in his mind, what exactly does this hidden event refer to? Just based on a single poetic phrase, it’s hard to tell.

System: You have completed the event, so you are allowed to view the event review. Would you like to review it now?

Bai Fanlu naturally chose “Yes.”

Faster than any video website, without the need to load or wait, clear images began to appear in his mind. But as soon as the progress bar reached 1%, Bai Fanlu urgently called for it to stop.

Fortunately, the system was responsive, stopping immediately.

However, the images of him and Mu Yunhe that had already formed in his mind were hard to erase. Bai Fanlu blushed and asked, “Are you sure this is what it refers to?”

“Beep beep: Unable to identify the question, please rephrase.”

Bai Fanlu took a deep breath. Alright, he understood. Although the phrase was poetic, in retrospect, “Grass-colored Smoke and Drizzling Rain” was not purely about scenery.

So, the 80% that had already been completed, the memories erased by Not Dust, the relationship between Yun Zhan and the erased reflection, and the 100% with Mu Yunhe…

Bai Fanlu could almost conclude that he and Yun Zhan had also experienced certain events in those erased memories, although not entirely.

This sudden speculation left Bai Fanlu feeling flustered. He had accepted the fact that his feelings for Yun Zhan were not ordinary, but he hadn’t expected that they might have been so intimate in the past, yet those memories were all gone.

What could have caused this? Bai Fanlu was eager to uncover the truth.

He suddenly remembered, “What is ‘Puppet·Reflection’?”

“Beep beep: ‘Puppet·Reflection’ is a rare type of puppet that can enter any mirror and explore the world within. It must be controlled with puppet techniques, and the difficulty of control depends on the strength of the mirror spirit.”

Bai Fanlu asked, “What is a mirror spirit?”

“Beep beep: The guardian of the mirror, the entity that must be defeated to break through the mirror world.”

Bai Fanlu roughly understood. To use this puppet, he first had to learn puppet techniques and have enough strength.

But the original owner only learned puppet techniques after becoming the Demon Lord. Does that mean he must follow the same path?

Puppet techniques exist only in the demon world, not in the immortal world…

As Bai Fanlu was pondering this, he suddenly heard someone speak. “Where did you get this power?”

The voice became clearer; it was Qizhao’s voice. “How did you suddenly gain such sinister power? And that person today—was he controlled by you? What exactly is…”

“A puppet, nothing more.”

Mo Jiuli’s voice was faint, as if he were talking about the weather.

Bai Fanlu realized he was in a dream again. Hearing Mo Jiuli mention “puppet,” he held his breath and focused on what the two were saying.

But the surroundings were misty, with a slight, stifling heat. Where were they?

There was the sound of water. Mo Jiuli walked down from a jade staircase and sat by the edge of a circular pool, his legs immersed in the water.

“I’m going to bathe. If you have nothing else, please leave.”

Qizhao didn’t leave but instead walked to the edge of the pool and reached into the water. “The Yangscorching Spring, specifically for suppressing sinister energy. Ali, what are you doing?”

Qizhao placed a hand on Mo Jiuli’s shoulder. At this moment, Mo Jiuli was only wearing a thin silk robe, loosely tied at the waist, with the lapel open, barely covering his lower abdomen.

This was a stark contrast to his usual cold and distant demeanor. Today, Mo Jiuli exuded an inexplicable allure.

But his words were still cold. “What I do has nothing to do with you, does it?”

Mo Jiuli calmly gathered his robe, slightly turning as if to avoid Qizhao.

But Qizhao’s hand remained on his shoulder. Seeing the displeasure in his tone, Qizhao was about to let go when he suddenly noticed something.

“Ali, what’s going on? You—”

Mo Jiuli’s voice was low and firm, “Let go…”

Even Bai Fanlu could hear the weakness in his voice, and he sensed that an abnormal, familiar aura was fluctuating around Mo Jiuli.

Extremely cold and sinister, like a poisonous snake…

Qizhao grabbed Mo Jiuli’s left wrist, seemingly checking his pulse.

At the same time, Bai Fanlu felt the warm air rushing in, gentle yet unstoppable, instantly dissipating most of the cold energy surrounding Mo Jiuli.

The two of them had somehow ended up sitting cross-legged. Qizhao held Mo Jiuli’s left wrist with one hand while supporting his shoulder with the other.

Through the fabric of Mo Jiuli’s robe, Qizhao’s hand emitted a bright, almost burning light, enveloping him in a red glow.

Mo Jiuli faced Qizhao silently, dark purple mist forming slowly between the fingers of his right hand.

Bai Fanlu watched Mo Jiuli’s movements, feeling a strange sense of foreboding, as if Mo Jiuli was about to strike Qizhao.

The sound of spring water bubbling up from underground was faint. The entire hall was extremely quiet, so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard. The low-hanging curtains around the hall billowed in the night breeze, swaying, sometimes violently, sometimes gently.

Along with the pulse in Mo Jiuli’s wrist, powerful divine energy continued to flow into his body.

Bai Fanlu could almost see it traveling through his meridians, enveloping him so tightly that not a single crack was left.

Mo Jiuli struggled, trying to stand up.

“Don’t move! Do you want to die?” Qizhao shouted.

Mo Jiuli was about to retort, but when their eyes met, he quickly turned his head away and did nothing more.

A moment later, Qizhao finally exhaled, “You’re really something, always pretending to be strong even when your body hasn’t fully recovered.”

Mo Jiuli replied, “Mind your own business.”

“Fine, if you don’t want to talk about it, I’ll still protect you regardless.”

Mo Jiuli seemed to glance at Qizhao but said nothing.

Qizhao leaned back slightly, picked up a lock of Mo Jiuli’s semi-damp hair from his shoulder, and gently stroked it in his hand.

Wherever the divine energy passed, it not only dried the robe but also left his hair soft and smooth.

“Your hair has grown this long…” Qizhao sighed, clearly reluctant to let go.

Mo Jiuli ignored his pointless comment, slightly tilting his head, causing the lock of hair to slip from Qizhao’s hand.

“Thank you for your help just now, God.”

“Thank you? Ha! Then tell me, how will you thank me?” Qizhao rested his chin on his hand, clearly teasing.

Mo Jiuli remained unmoved. “God, surely there’s nothing in this world that you can’t obtain. Why would you need a small token of thanks from me? Besides, you must be well aware that even without your help, I could have saved myself.”

Is this what they call biting the hand that feeds you? Bai Fanlu thought.

But Qizhao still laughed. “So, according to you, it was unnecessary for me to save you?”

“Roughly.”

“Arguing—”

Qizhao suddenly lunged forward, and Mo Jiuli dodged to the side.

But Qizhao wasn’t so easily outmaneuvered. His left hand quickly reached out, grabbing Mo Jiuli by the waist, and with a swift motion, he pinned him down beneath him.

Mo Jiuli was shocked. “You…”

Qizhao spoke with dissatisfaction, “Ali, I’ve waited a whole month for you, and now you want to use me and leave again?”

Mo Jiuli coldly snorted, “Then what do you want?”

Qizhao didn’t answer immediately. He lowered his head slightly, looking at Mo Jiuli. His fair, jade-like skin contrasted sharply with his jet-black hair, creating a striking image.

“So beautiful!” Qizhao remarked.

Mo Jiuli seemed stunned, as if he had just realized what he meant. “…I am not a woman, those words are not suitable for me. I advise you to be careful with your words.”

Qizhao shook his head, laughing softly. His laughter was low and casual, as if he hadn’t had enough yet. He leaned closer to Mo Jiuli, their noses nearly touching.

“And you smell so nice…”

Bai Fanlu felt a bit uneasy. Was this a blatant flirtation?

But it wasn’t over yet. With Qizhao now in a dominant position, he still had Mo Jiuli’s wrist in his grasp, seemingly holding him by a vital point.

In short, Mo Jiuli lay there motionless, as if he had been immobilized.

Qizhao’s hair fell down, mingling with Mo Jiuli’s spread out on the ground, with a few strands of dark purple faintly visible in the black, shimmering subtly.

Qizhao noticed it too. “Ali, our hair is tangled together. What do you think this looks like?”

“……”

“Doesn’t it look like… a binding knot?”

Bai Fanlu could feel the atmosphere growing tense.

Sure enough, in the next moment, Qizhao was thrown into the pool.

With a splash, the Emperor Zhaoqi and his fanciful dreams were all sent crashing into the water.

When he resurfaced, he cursed loudly, “Damn you, Mo Jiuli! Now that you’ve learned some wicked tricks, you’re using them against me? You heartless bastard!”

Mo Jiuli sneered, “Heartless?”

“Of course, heartless!” Qizhao wiped his face and said, “Last night you made vows of eternal love with me, and today you’re trying to kill your husband!”

Hearing this “kill your husband,” Bai Fanlu nearly burst out laughing. This Qizhao was as silly as Mu Yunhe when he was flustered.

Mo Jiuli seemed to find it amusing as well. “When did I make vows of eternal love with you? I don’t recall.”

“Last night, you said what you would do in the next life, and I said what I would do. Do you dare deny it?”

“…” Mo Jiuli couldn’t deny it.

Bai Fanlu was curious about what they had planned for the next life, but unfortunately, Mo Jiuli didn’t pursue the topic. He gathered his robe and prepared to leave.

Qizhao laughed loudly from behind him, “If you leave now, it means you admit what I just said.”

Mo Jiuli paused for a moment but still took a step forward.

Qizhao didn’t give up, continuing to shout after him, “In the next life, you’ll be a painter, making ink your companion, and you’ll be named Mo. As for me…”

His voice trailed off.

Bai Fanlu felt the dream starting to dissipate, but the mention of the name “Mo” sent a shiver through him.

However, there was more to come.

In the spacious hall, the mist rose as Qizhao’s deep voice echoed, each droplet of water seemingly carrying that resonance.

He said, “Pure Yang body, the purest of gods. That’s the name you gave me—water so clear it’s ‘Zhan.'”

“You’ll be Mo, and I’ll be Zhan. Ali, I’ll remember that.”

“In the next life, I’ll come to find you. You won’t be able to escape!”

“Do you hear me? You can’t escape!”