"Subordinate does not dare." Realizing she might have spoken out of turn, Hua Ruoying quickly apologized.
"My affairs are not your concern," Li Minghan spoke with displeasure, glancing at Mi Xingzhe, who lay unconscious on the bed, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"Since he is a guest, and a disciple of Li Luoning at that, it falls upon me, his elder, to treat him well," Li Minghan said with a cold laugh, gesturing for his servants to bring something forward.
Hua Ruoying was confused by Li Minghan's words, but as she looked up, she saw several demon servants bringing in items. A beautifully crafted box contained a golden pill surrounded by dark mists, and another servant held a set of common demon soldier garments.
"This is... Puppeteer Pill!" Hua Ruoying recognized the pill. It was the puppet-making pill she had recently developed under Li Minghan's orders to control his demon soldiers.
"You recognize this pill, don't you?" Li Minghan approached, picking up the pill from the box, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
Those who consumed the Puppeteer Pill appeared normal but would lose their minds and obey any command from the issuer upon activation.
"Lord?" Hua Ruoying was naturally reluctant to allow Mi Xingzhe to ingest this pill.
"Hesitant? This boy from The Liao Yin Immortal Realm has his uses for me. You can choose not to administer it, but I wonder if your dear brother can survive long enough without it," Li Minghan said casually, placing the pill back in the box, preparing to leave.
"Wait." Hearing Li Minghan's words, Hua Ruoying quickly stopped him from leaving.
Hua Ruoying knew the implications of Li Minghan's words better than anyone. She hesitated, taking the pill and looking between the unconscious Mi Xingzhe and the cold-eyed Li Minghan.
"I'm sorry." She whispered internally, unable to bear it but left with no choice, considering her brother Hua Qiuyuan suffering from the poison's effects.
With a heavy heart and closed eyes, she forced the pill into Mi Xingzhe's mouth, turning her head away, unable to watch.
"I'm tired." Seeing that Hua Ruoying had fed the Puppeteer Pill to Mi Xingzhe, Li Minghan left, satisfied.
Left alone, Hua Ruoying sat beside the bed, feeling immense guilt. She did not know what Li Minghan planned for Mi Xingzhe. Once consumed, the Puppeteer Pill had no antidote. Despite her efforts to find a cure after its development, she could never devise one. Mi Xingzhe, having swallowed the Puppeteer Pill, was doomed to become a puppet under Li Minghan's control.
Elsewhere, in The Liao Yin Immortal Realm,
Li Luoning had crossed the icy bamboo forest and reached the boundary of The Flatland, holding the special permit from SiTu Fanzhi, which allowed him to cross the barrier effortlessly.
"How did the boy cross the barrier without a token?" Li Luoning pondered, recalling how he had confiscated Mi Xingzhe's token the previous day to prevent him from sneaking out.
Without further delay, Li Luoning hastened towards The Flatland.
Due to his hasty departure, Li Luoning did not disguise himself, attracting attention from minor demons in the forest. Although these were trivial foes for him, they delayed his journey. By the time he reached the marketplace of The Flatland, dawn was breaking, and the stalls were closing.
In The Flatland, all creatures retreat at the hour of the tiger and do not emerge until the hour of the hare. At this time, only humans roamed the streets.
Finding the streets deserted, Li Luoning realized he had missed the opportunity to gather information. Spotting a fabric shop ahead, he quickly approached.
"Good morning, sir. What can I do for you?" A short, dark-skinned shopkeeper came out to greet him.
"Just this one." Li Luoning picked a piece of clothing at random.
"Sir has good taste, but I'm afraid I can't sell this to you. This dark blue brocade robe has been specially ordered for Lord Nan Zhe," the shopkeeper said, carefully taking the garment from Li Luoning's hands and smoothing out the wrinkles.
"Who is this Lord Nan Zhe you speak of?" Li Luoning inquired while looking at other garments.
"If you're new here, sir, then you must not have heard of Lord Nan Zhe. He's the most powerful man in The Flatland and a patron of my shop. He's known for his generosity," the shopkeeper explained, bowing slightly towards the sky.
"Is that so? I understand Lord Nan Zhe is quite formidable," Li Luoning continued to probe.
"Indeed, sir. If you're new to The Flatland, I'd advise you to steer clear of Lord Nan Zhe's people. They can be quite ruthless, backed by his power," the shopkeeper advised earnestly.
"Thank you for the warning. Where might I find Lord Nan Zhe's residence?" Li Luoning asked.
"Lord Nan Zhe's estate is at the southeastern foot of Cloud Ridge. But really, sir, if you value your safety, I'd avoid troubling Lord Nan Zhe," the shopkeeper warned.
"I'll take this piece, then," Li Luoning said, picking another garment without further inquiry.
Yanding Dragon King had just stepped into his study when he sensed that someone had visited before him. Glancing around, he noticed an exquisitely crafted box and a letter resting on a coral red table. He walked over and opened the letter. Inscribed on the gold-dusted paper were the words: "A meeting at midnight."
Setting aside the letter, Yanding Dragon King opened the pearl-inlaid golden dragon box to find a crystalline, glass-colored candle. Unfamiliar with the object, he pondered its significance for a moment.
On the beach at midnight, under a cloud-covered moon with only faint stars, the chill of the night felt as deep as the sea. A gentle breeze tousled Yanding Dragon King's silver hair, adding to his solitary and cool demeanor.
Arriving earlier than the appointed time by half an hour, he stood alone under the moonlight, lost in thought.
Soon, footsteps approached from behind, and a figure cloaked in the darkness of the night came into view.
"You're quite punctual, father," came a voice from beneath the hat.
"What brings you here this time?" Yanding Dragon King recognized the visitor and cut straight to the chase.
"Father, how have you been? This Red Ranyan Dragon Candle from the Zulong tribe, said to harness the spiritual essence of all things, was specially obtained for you," Li Minghan revealed himself, removing his cover as he spoke.
"The Red Ranyan Dragon Candle, extinct since the fall of the Zulong tribe a century ago, how could it easily fall into your hands?" Yanding Dragon King responded coldly.
"That need not concern you, father. I've come to exchange this candle for something else," Li Minghan responded unfazed by the cold reception.
"I have nothing to discuss with you," Yanding Dragon King dismissed him outright and turned to leave.
"Does the life and death of Shentu Zhajia mean so little to you?" Li Minghan raised his voice slightly, challenging him.
"What exactly do you want?" Yanding Dragon King halted, his voice filled with disgust.
"Would you lend me the Soul Gathering Lantern for a time?" Li Minghan asked, his tone neutral.
"What do you need the Soul Gathering Lantern for?" The Dragon King eyed him warily, his voice cold.
"You're a wise man, father. Trading the Soul Gathering Lantern for a relic of the Zulong tribe and temporarily sparing Shentu Zhajia's life seems like a fair deal," Li Minghan smirked.
"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right here?" Yanding Dragon King growled.
"Kill me? If I die, father, you'll likely never see Shentu Zhajia alive again. Besides, he's already ingested a special poison I prepared. If I die, so does he," Li Minghan stated provocatively.
"You! You're despicable," Yanding Dragon King glared at him coldly.
"So, will you lend the lantern, or not?" Li Minghan pressed, certain of Yanding Dragon King's vulnerability.
After a long pause and a heavy sigh, Yanding Dragon King made his decision. Li Minghan exchanged the candle's wick for the Soul Gathering Lantern, right from Yanding Dragon King's palm.
"Thank you, father," Li Minghan bowed respectfully, his eyes gleaming with triumphant satisfaction.
"Lord, the Demon Sovereign has requested your presence at the old place in three days," a servant informed Nanshe again.
"Understood, you may leave," Nanshe waved dismissively.
As soon as the servant left, Nanshe rose and strolled into the courtyard.
"Since you're already here, why not come down and chat?" Nanshe had already noticed Li Luoning eavesdropping from a tree.
Realizing he had been spotted, Li Luoning gracefully descended into the courtyard.
"I am... Piaochen, a newcomer to The Flatland. Hearing of Lord Nanshe's reputation, I've come to pay my respects," Li Luoning adopted a pseudonym to conceal his identity.
"Oh? Such a unique way of visiting. I've never heard of someone dropping in quite like this," Nanshe's voice chilled from beneath his mask.
As he finished speaking, Nanshe's flying needles were suddenly hurled through the air.
Li Luoning, quick to react, caught the three needles thrown at him with a swift backhanded swipe. Nanshe leaped up, emitting a fierce energy as he descended. Li Luoning, preferring to avoid confrontation, deliberately obscured his techniques while dodging continuously.
Nanshe attacked relentlessly, aiming lethal blows at vital points with a ruthlessness meant to end the fight quickly.
Li Luoning managed well, and after several exchanges, he sensed that Nanshe's cultivation might be on par with his own. Unwilling to prolong the fight, after a few moves, he leapt onto the eaves.
"If my presence has offended you, I apologize right here," Li Luoning stood on the edge of the roof, the wind tousling his hair and the ribbons of his hair crown fluttering.
"An apology? I would rather feast on your blood," Nanshe was not ready to let Li Luoning off so easily and with a menacing tone, he leaped to pursue him.
Knowing that reasoning was futile in The Flatland, Li Luoning quickly vacated Nanshe's estate.
From the rooftop, Nanshe watched Li Luoning disappear, scoffing dismissively, "Piaochen? Hmph."
In Wuming Demon Mountain, Hua Ruoying tended to Mi Xingzhe, who lay in her bed.
"I wonder when you will awaken. What does the Demon Sovereign intend for you? Am I indirectly responsible for your demise?" she murmured as she cared for him.
For some reason, the thought of Mi Xingzhe being taken away by the Demon Sovereign made her reluctant to let him go. She found herself drawing closer to his face.
A soft cough signaled that Mi Xingzhe was waking up.
"You're awake?" Hua Ruoying quickly backed away, feigning composure.
"What happened to me? Where am I?" Mi Xingzhe's head throbbed painfully, his eyes too dry to see clearly.
"I was about to ask you the same. Didn't you say you were going back? How did you end up fainting on the road?" Hua Ruoying handed him a cup of water.
"I don't remember much. It seemed like someone was behind me, and then I ran forward. After that, I don't remember anything," Mi Xingzhe said as he drank, trying to recall the events.
"Could you have fallen and hit your head by accident?" Hua Ruoying suggested.
"No, I just remember feeling a strong force hit me, and then I woke up here," Mi Xingzhe tried to piece together his fragmented memories but couldn't recall the specifics.
"Let's not dwell on it if you can't remember," Hua Ruoying decided not to press further, considering the circumstances under which she had found him seemed like someone had deliberately placed him in her path, knowing that she would come across him.
[It seems someone deliberately brings him to my path repeatedly, almost as if they know the Demon Sovereign has tasked me with finding him,] Hua Ruoying thought to herself.
"Where am I, exactly?" Mi Xingzhe looked around and asked.
"Wuming Demon Mountain," Hua Ruoying answered nonchalantly.
"Wuming Demon Mountain? A place of demons!" Mi Xingzhe exclaimed in shock.
"Shh, keep it down! Do you want everyone to know you're from The Liao Yin Immortal Realm?" Hua Ruoying quickly covered his mouth, whispering.
"Oh, so you're not from the celestial sects?" Mi Xingzhe realized.
"No," Hua Ruoying casually fiddled with her belt, as if it were the most natural thing.
"So, you were the one who kidnapped me last time!" Mi Xingzhe suddenly put two and two together.
"Last time? No, that wasn't me. I just found you injured on the road while I was
returning to The Flatland. I didn't even know who you were, but I couldn't just leave you there," Hua Ruoying explained.
"So, it wasn't last time, but it is this time?" Mi Xingzhe tensed, still wrapped in his blanket, his tone accusatory.
"You! Is your head a mallet? If I had intended to kidnap you, would you be lying comfortably in my bed like this?" Hua Ruoying responded, visibly annoyed.
"Then why have you brought me here?" Mi Xingzhe looked down at himself and then questioned again.
"Who asked you to faint on the road for no reason? If I hadn't brought you here, where should I have taken you? I brought you here intending to save you..." Hua Ruoying started to say she intended to save his life, but remembering the Puppet Demon pill she had fed him, she swallowed her words halfway.
Seeing Hua Ruoying stop mid-sentence, Mi Xingzhe looked puzzled, waiting for her to continue.
"Ah, it's a long story. For now, just stay here with me," Hua Ruoying said, avoiding further explanation.
"That won't do. If I don't return soon, my master will know I sneaked out, and then I'm really done for," Mi Xingzhe said as he attempted to get out of bed and put on his shoes.
"Your master surely knows by now," Hua Ruoying remarked casually, leaning against the wall.
"What, really?" Mi Xingzhe exclaimed loudly.
"You've been unconscious here for four or five days; do you think your master wouldn't know by now? Just sit down and listen to me. You're from The Liao Yin Immortal Realm, and here at Wuming Demon Mountain, our people have always been at odds with yours. This place is surrounded by demon soldiers; if you go out now, you'll definitely attract unnecessary trouble," Hua Ruoying pulled Mi Xingzhe back to sit on the bed.
"Ah? What should I do then?" Mi Xingzhe was momentarily at a loss for what to do.
"Go take a bath and change into the clothes I've prepared for you. In a few days, I'll take you down the mountain when I go out for supplies, and then you can return to The Liao Yin Immortal Realm," Hua Ruoying comforted him.
"Alright then," Mi Xingzhe complied, understanding that he was in no position to argue.
"I'll go fetch something and come back later. You've been here for several days, and you're starting to smell. I was worried that if you didn't wake up soon, the dogs of Wuming Demon Mountain might find you by the scent alone," Hua Ruoying leaned in and sniffed him, pinching her nose in distaste.
"Okay," Mi Xingzhe acknowledged, his expression a mix of hesitation and acquiescence, watching as Hua Ruoying closed the door behind her. He glanced at a set of plain black clothes with silver trim and a half-faced black iron mask on the table, lost in thought.
As night fell, The Flatland gradually became lively, and Li Luoning strolled through the streets, contemplating his next move.
[Who exactly is this Nanshe? From our skirmish, it's clear his cultivation might match mine, which suggests he's not from the mortal realm. Yet if he's from the demon realm, his techniques carry a hint of celestial righteousness, although his moves are quite peculiar. Since the Celestial Sovereign took power, no fallen celestial from The Liao Yin Immortal Realm has escaped. So who is he, really?]
As Li Luoning walked, he scanned his surroundings. He had already visited several inns, but no one had seen Mi Xingzhe. Thinking about where to search next if Mi Xingzhe wasn't in The Flatland, he overheard a conversation nearby.
"Sister Ruoying, are you really planning to keep that young master Yun here in Wuming Demon Mountain forever? After all, he's from The Liao Yin Immortal Realm," the speaker was Qingping.
"You think I want to? It's the Demon Sovereign's order to keep him here, and he can't leave even if he wants to," Hua Ruoying, distractedly picking out items, responded.
"But by continuously deceiving him, he'll find out one day."
"I know this isn't a long-term solution, but for now, we can only take it one step at a time."
Hearing their conversation, Li Luoning's gaze sharpened, and he scrutinized Hua Ruoying and Qingping from a distance.
Recalling the descriptions Mi Xingzhe had given of the people who had rescued him, and his keen ears catching the sound of a bell on Hua
Ruoying's wrist, he noticed something distinctive about Qingping.
[It must have been them who took Xingzhe away that day.]
Watching as Hua Ruoying and Qingping walked away, Li Luoning did not follow. Instead, he turned towards Wuming Demon Mountain.
"Why would the people of Wuming Demon Mountain abduct Xingzhe? What could their motive possibly be?" Li Luoning pondered as he set off.