***
(MC POV)
My eyes shifted a few times between the person who sat behind a set of bars in front of me and the woman next to me.
It's only natural that I think that the two of these women are collaborating somehow. After all, they came into the sect together, there had to be some sort of objective for both of them. If this is the Li Daji I know then she should be quite a caring individual.
Maybe she's only doing this so that her teammate can leave and not get dragged down. On the other hand, their way of doing it is a bit insane.
'She's supposed to be the Yi Feng that I knew 10 years ago? Either this is just some lie that's supposed to be so over the top that I can't help but believe it or it is actually her.
If it is the former then why would they choose Yi Feng then, because they had the most info on her? It could have been anyone else, but I suppose it could just be a random draw.
Well, I might as well test her by asking a few questions I think only she would know. Maybe I could even have her answer why she suddenly decided to stop pursuing me with all the others at the same time.
And if it isn't actually her then I guess I'll have to devise some kind of punishment since she lied to me.'
"Well? Alright then, let me ask you a few questions.
First of all, do you remember when we first met?"
"Of course! How could I forget? It was that time when I fol- I mean, stumbled upon you while going through a forest. Thereafter I challenged you to a battle and you beat me without even lifting a finger."
'Following me, weren't you? Why else would anyone else be there at the time?
Well, at least it checks out so far. Better ask another question just to make sure though.'
"Do you know when we finally had our first date? What was the first gift I gave you?
Also, do you care to tell me what happened when you finally decided to leave? I'm curious why you stopped trying to court me.
Oh, and I'd like to know, how could you have possibly died in this realm? Even the highest-level beasts should only be around your realm at the time, no?
Oh, wait, perhaps that question may have been a little too personal. You don't have to reveal anything relating to that matter if you aren't so inclined."
Her head lowered and a bitter smile appeared. It looked like she was reminiscing about something within her mind, but soon she started to speak.
"We had our first date after the third time I tried to challenge you to a fight and lost. How could I forget? Though, I'm still a little sour that you did it more out of pity than any of my accomplishments. At least that's why I thought you did it.
The first gift I ever received from you was a weapon. I made sure to keep it with me at all times since you said you had personally forged it after all.
As for why I stopped... it wasn't by our choice."
Her face darkened as it seemed that she started to remember something horrible.
"Our?"
"Yes, our, everyone else that was also trying to gain your favor as well. Did you never question why we all stopped coming at once?"
"Well of course I did, but there wasn't any reason for me to think otherwise besides it all being some massive coincidence that you all left together, or maybe you all just planned it together. It wasn't like everyone left, a woman still stayed behind with me in the end."
My last comment seemed to anger her a little, but she quickly reined in her own emotions.
"Isn't it also just a little bit odd that only one remained while dozens of others left?"
Immediately, I could tell what kind of answer she might be trying to guide me into creating.
"..."
My brows furrowed a little at the thought, but I would at least hear her out.
To be honest, I did think of that a little at the time, but the joy of being with her along with the fact that I didn't have to really worry about others anymore overshadowed my concern.
'Is she really suggesting to me that the woman I've known for the past decade of my life is the very reason that every other lover I had disappeared? Logically, there might be a chance that this is real, but what would that entail exactly?
There's no need for me to trust her words about this so easily. Even if she is Yi Feng from the past and reincarnated with her memories and all. It doesn't mean that every word that comes out of her mouth is the truth. She might be trying to use that major shocking fact to cover up a few other details and askew them.'
"We all had a collective problem that was a monstrous challenge to tackle. In fact, it was also the reason none of us made it or had the chance to say goodbye to you."
With my brows furrowing I narrowed my eyes at her as I could feel her intentions to guide me into asking about this "challenge" and I had a feeling I knew what it was.
But still, I wanted to know the answer and decided to play into her designated path for me. It might have just been morbid curiosity or the fact I wanted to prove to myself it couldn't have been Ying'er, so I played into her guidance.
"Monsterous challenge? Could you elaborate upon that?"
She looked at me for but a second before turning her gaze away. A wry smile appeared as she spoke her next words.
"It.. Um, she was somehow able to bar us from making any significant advances with you. I-I don't think you want to hear much more of this conversation, do you? But know that I'm telling you this not because of something petty. I-I just want you to know the truth."
'Is this really the Yi Feng I knew before? The same one who had basically challenged me to a duel every time we ended up meeting? She's different, a little more articulated with her words, but I could definitely still see the resemblance between the two occasionally pop up.'
"Alright, stop beating around the bush. Tell me, who is the cause of this trouble for you? I have a guess, but I'd still like for you to confirm it for me."
She froze for a second, and then a sigh came out from her. A moment later she looked directly into my eyes with a solemn gaze and confirmed what I thought she would say.
"That woman, it's none other than your current very own wife, Jing Xiuying."
I calmly returned her gaze and softly sighed, but it was only emphasized by the lack of other sounds. I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose.
A major part of me wanted to find out the truth if her words had any merit. On the other hand, a small part of me just wanted to stay in the state I've been in for so long.
If the truth is what I'm starting to think it may be, could I handle it? Is it okay just to go back to how it's been after finding out? Or is it possible when I find out I won't be able to deal with her anymore?
A small margin of me just wants to stay in this simulation without the need to wake up from it.
Yet, there was also the tiniest sliver of myself I hadn't touched in forever that seemed to yearn for this to be a reality. A word that I hadn't thought of in years appeared once more in my mind, Yandere.
"Tell me, Yi Feng, do you have any proof that this isn't all just one big lie?"
"...yes"
"Well then, what is it?"
"I can show you where she buried all of us. I still remember the location, and I can lead us there."
I took a long look at her before shifting my eyes over to Li Daji.
"Master, why don't we find out? There's no harm in figuring it out, right? With your strength, there shouldn't be any problems."
"Alright, I'll let you out for now. It's not like you can really do too much anyway, as long as I'm around. Don't try anything, okay? Even if you are someone I knew before you still hurt my wife."
"Don't worry I'm not so stupid as to try and escape, but I have something to ask before we leave. I hope you'll approve of it."
"And that is?"
"I hope that you won't be bringing that wife of yours along with us. If she comes along, I'm afraid that she might catch on and could potentially erase any lasting traces if she left any. I won't go if that woman tags along!"
I thought about it for a moment before agreeing.
'Sorry Ying'er, I feel the need to know the truth. Yi Feng has opened up a logical gate. One that I hadn't paid attention to when those old lovers disappeared.'
I unlocked the cell's bar door and waited as she slowly stepped outside. Her movements looked a little weak and slightly feeble.
A quick glance at Li Daji and she nodded as she proceeded to walk behind Yi Feng. It was both to assist her and keep an eye on her.
I removed the sound barrier from before as we left the dungeons. It took some time as I had deliberately slowed my pace to match the other two's speed behind me.
By the time we saw the natural light and felt the sun's warm rays of light, I noticed someone standing at the entrance. It wasn't hard to guess who it was nor did I even need to since I had seen the figure of this person an uncountable number of times already.
Ying'er's silhouette was pacing around with her hands around her back. She looked quite anxious and the moment she heard our steps from within she stopped to turn to us.
She took a few hurried steps toward us but stopped soon after with her mouth agape. It looked like she was in the middle of forming her sentence.
"D-darling? W-what are you doing? Why did you take her out with you?!
Y-you are not really going to just let her go just like that, right?!"
"No, don't worry about that Ying'er. I'm not simply letting her go this easily. She says she has something very important to show me."
"Ah? Is that so? Then where are we going to go? Has she told you anything about it?"
"No, I'm sorry Ying'er, but you are not allowed to come with us on this trip. She said explicitly that if you were to come along then she would refuse to show the location."
Anxiousness seemed to creep into her voice. It wasn't too apparent, but I still managed to hear that underlining tone of hers.
"What?! Why can't I come? What could I do to warrant such a response? Are you really just going to do what that woman says? Are we not the ones in power? Why do we need to accept her conditions?"
Her worried response solidified my resolve a little to find out what Yi Feng wanted to show me. I felt the seed of doubt had already taken place.
"Please Ying'er, go home and rest. You are not at your peak, try to deal with that black substance in your arm and recover some. Please don't follow us, we will be back soon."