Chapter 25
Wu Mu had a dream.
He dreamt of the time when the world was still a chaotic void, when he was just a little crow, and he met Xue Changyi.
Xue Changyi, at that time, was breathtakingly beautiful, almost divine, no one would have guessed he was a stone.
In the dream, everything was surreal. Wu Mu held Xue Changyi tightly, kissing his tear-stained lips and eyes, his touch possessive.
Wu Mu opened his eyes, momentarily disoriented.
This was… his home?
His last memory was of the academy gathering. He had taken a few drinks for Xue Changyi, his mind becoming hazy, his thoughts slowing down, and then… he had started dreaming, a beautiful dream, a dream where anything was possible.
He turned his head and saw Xue Changyi. The Xue Changyi who only appeared in his dreams.
Because Xue Changyi was lying beside him, sharing his pillow and his blanket. Xue Changyi’s bare shoulders and neck were smooth and delicate, his pale skin marked with faint red traces, the air thick with intimacy.
Wu Mu’s gaze traced the line of Xue Changyi’s slender neck. He lifted the blanket. Xue Changyi was naked, their limbs intertwined.
Wu Mu’s head throbbed, the lingering effects of the alcohol mixing with confusion. What was going on?
Xue Changyi in his bed? Naked and vulnerable? Could it be…
“A dream? I’m still asleep,” Wu Mu concluded, his face serious, settling on the most logical explanation.
So it was a dream? Relieved, Wu Mu pulled Xue Changyi closer, enjoying the feel of his smooth skin against his, the contact sending shivers through him.
“Mm…” Xue Changyi moaned softly, his sleep disturbed. He opened his eyes, a look of annoyance and sleepiness in his eyes as he met Wu Mu’s gaze.
Wu Mu continued to hold him close, after all, it was just a dream. Xue Changyi glared at him lazily, his gaze soft, with a hint of reproach, a look that sent a thrill through the usually cold Wu Mu.
Wu Mu hugged him tighter, kissing his lips, a husky chuckle escaping him. “Baby’s awake. Last night… were you satisfied?”
Xue Changyi: “…”
The cloying sweetness of the words hit him like a physical blow.
“Baby, why aren’t you saying anything?” Wu Mu, still lost in his dream, chuckled. “Was hubby too much for you?”
Xue Changyi: “…”
He should let the entire First Supervisory Department see their Director General’s true face…
“Baby,” Wu Mu continued, “are you blushing? You look so beautiful.”
Yes, he was blushing, but not from embarrassment, but from anger.
Wu Mu’s gaze was infatuated, almost drunken, but deeper, more intense. He leaned closer, kissing Xue Changyi’s lips again.
“Mm?” Xue Changyi froze, momentarily forgetting to struggle, surprised that Wu Mu was still drunk, even in broad daylight.
Wu Mu deepened the kiss, ignoring Xue Changyi’s attempts to push him away, his breathing growing ragged, his eyes darkening. He pushed Xue Changyi down onto the rumpled sheets, sweat trickling down his forehead. “I can’t hold back anymore.”
Xue Changyi’s eyes widened, a cry escaping his lips, like a dying swan, his pale neck arching back, a picture of vulnerability. Wu Mu, hearing his cry, snapped out of his daze. Where their bodies had touched, Xue Changyi’s arm was marked with a bright red ring, like a burn.
Wu Mu quickly released him, his brow furrowing, then his eyes narrowing, scanning Xue Changyi’s body. He murmured, “This isn’t a dream?”
Xue Changyi, having used the mind control technique yesterday, had been severely depleted of energy, leaving him vulnerable to Wu Mu’s advances. The usually intense sunlight felt gentle and comforting, even desirable. After a night of absorbing Wu Mu’s energy, Xue Changyi was fully replenished. Any further contact now would only cause burns.
Wu Mu stared at Xue Changyi in disbelief, repeating, “This isn’t a dream?”
Xue Changyi glanced at the burn on his arm, dismissing it as a minor injury. The aching in his body was far more bothersome. He sat up, wincing, and pulled his black robe around his shoulders.
Several buttons were missing, and even fastened, the robe hung loosely. He pulled up his pants. Good, they were completely ruined, unwearable. The torn robe hung open, revealing his long, pale legs, a rather indecent sight.
“Ahem…” Wu Mu finally spoke, his voice strained. “Why are you in my house?”
Xue Changyi calmly looked at him. Compared to Wu Mu’s shock, Xue Changyi, as the other participant, was much calmer. He sat down on the sofa, adjusting his torn robe to cover his legs.
“Minister Wu, you were drunk last night, don’t you remember?”
Wu Mu’s eyes darted around, indicating he was thinking. His memories stopped at the academy gathering. He couldn’t remember anything after that, only… a beautiful dream.
In the dream, he and Xue Changyi were entangled in a passionate embrace, Xue Changyi clinging to him, ardent and responsive.
Could it be…
Wu Mu’s eyes widened. It wasn’t a dream? Not one of his usual fantasies, but something that had actually happened? He and Xue Changyi… had slept together?
While he was drunk.
“We…” Wu Mu clung to a sliver of hope. If it wasn’t a dream, then Xue Changyi had seen all of it—the body pillows, the figurines and badges, the plushie ita-bag, and the doujinshi and novels.
He had even called Xue Changyi “baby” and referred to himself as “hubby.”
Wu Mu couldn’t bear to think about it any further, he lacked the courage…
Xue Changyi nodded calmly. “Just as you suspect, Minister Wu.”
He looked around, raising an eyebrow. “So, this is Minister Wu’s home?”
Wu Mu stood awkwardly in front of the sofa, like a child caught misbehaving. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh?” Xue Changyi smiled. “Is an apology enough, Minister Wu?”
Wu Mu’s throat bobbed. “You can punish me however you want, I’ll do anything.”
“Really?”
Wu Mu immediately said, “Really.”
Xue Changyi nodded, satisfied. He had laid his trap, and the little crow had walked right into it.
His smile vanished, his expression turning serious. “I want to know why the Second Yama King was cast down from the Terrace of Forgetfulness, condemned to eternal reincarnation… Tell me the truth, and I’ll pretend last night never happened. We’ll be even.”
Wu Mu clenched his fists, murmuring, “Never happened…”
He paused for a moment, then looked up, his face resuming its usual coldness. “I can tell you everything I know, but what I know is what you know.”
“What do you mean?” Xue Changyi, not noticing the bitterness in Wu Mu’s voice, frowned. “Is the Supervisory Department playing word games with me?”
Wu Mu said calmly, “I’m not lying. If you don’t believe me, come with me.”
Xue Changyi stood up. While sitting, his torn robe had mostly covered him, but standing up revealed his long, pale legs, faint red marks visible near his thighs.
Wu Mu picked up a long bathrobe and draped it over Xue Changyi’s shoulders, covering his legs.
“Don’t catch a cold,” Wu Mu said.
He opened the door to the adjacent study, turned on the computer, and entered the password—1014.
As expected, it was Xue Changyi’s birthday.
Compared to the photos of Xue Changyi covering the study walls, and the figurines on the desk, the password seemed almost insignificant.
The computer booted up, and unsurprisingly—the desktop wallpaper was also Xue Changyi!
Xue Changyi, looking at the room filled with images of himself, felt a shiver run down his spine. He unconsciously touched his neck, where Wu Mu’s bite from last night still tingled.
Wu Mu opened the Supervisory Department’s software and entered a case number.
“See for yourself.”
Xue Changyi, ignoring the aching in his body and the stinging on his neck, immediately clicked on the file.
Name: Li Han
Rank: Second Yama King
File Number: None
“Why ‘none’?” Xue Changyi pointed at the file.
Wu Mu said, “I told you, what I know is what you know. The Second Yama King’s file is classified. Even I don’t have access to it.”
“Impossible…” Xue Changyi said firmly. “You personally cast my Second Brother down from the Terrace of Forgetfulness. You investigated his case yourself. How can you not know what he did?”
Wu Mu shook his head. “I don’t know. The former Director General handed the case to me. He just told me to arrest him. The Second Yama King didn’t resist, and during the interrogation, he confessed readily, willingly accepting his punishment.”
“You’re lying,” Xue Changyi’s breathing quickened. “Without even stating the charges, why would my Second Brother confess?”
Wu Mu gazed at Xue Changyi, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity. He said hoarsely, “You used the mind control technique last night. You know I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Xue Changyi fell silent. Yes, Wu Mu liked him, perhaps even obsessed with him. Why would he lie?
Xue Changyi swayed, almost falling, whether from shock or exhaustion.
“Xue Changyi!” Wu Mu caught him, his voice full of concern. “Are you alright? Sit down.”
Xue Changyi didn’t resist as Wu Mu helped him sit down, his eyes unfocused, his body trembling slightly. Wu Mu noticed that even through the fabric of his robe, his Golden Crow energy was affecting Xue Changyi, his skin turning red again. But this time, Xue Changyi didn’t react, as if he couldn’t feel the burn.
Wu Mu immediately released him, keeping a safe distance, clenching his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
“Do you… care about the Second Yama King that much?”
Xue Changyi finally reacted, slowly lifting his head. “Of course, he’s my older brother, my family.”
Although the Ten Yama Kings weren’t blood-related, they were as close as brothers. The Second Yama King, Li Han’s demotion, clearly had hidden circumstances, and it had become a knot in Xue Changyi’s heart that he had to unravel.
Wu Mu nodded. “I understand.”
Xue Changyi looked at him, puzzled.
Wu Mu continued, “Although I don’t have access to the file, I can help you investigate.”
“Really?” Xue Changyi stood up, slightly excited, reaching for Wu Mu’s hand.
It was the first time he had initiated physical contact with Wu Mu.
Wu Mu stepped back warily, avoiding his touch, his eyes flickering. “Careful, you’ll get hurt.”
He nodded again. “I told you, I won’t lie to you.”
A relieved smile appeared on Xue Changyi’s face. “Thank you.”
Wu Mu should have been happy. The person he secretly loved, the person he liked, had thanked him. It was something to be happy about all day. But he couldn’t be happy. He was jealous, jealous of the Second Yama King, Li Han, a strange bitterness rising in his heart.
After a moment of silence, Wu Mu said, “The Second Yama King is reincarnated beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness. I can secretly take you to see him.”
Xue Changyi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Minister Wu, you’re willing to take me to see my Second Brother?”
Wu Mu chuckled, a bitter sound. Only when talking about the Second Yama King did Xue Changyi show such “enthusiasm” towards him, making Wu Mu both happy and heartbroken.
He said, “It’s not just the academy that has holidays, the Terrace of Forgetfulness also has a few days off. Security is lax during this time. I can take you to see him.”
As expected, Xue Changyi’s eyes lit up with hope and excitement.
“Good! I want to go,” Xue Changyi asked, “When are we leaving?”
“Not so fast,” Wu Mu said. “Go back… and rest first.”
Wu Mu chose his words carefully. After all, they had just slept together last night. Wu Mu, thinking it was a dream, hadn’t held back, and Xue Changyi, drawn to the Golden Crow’s energy, had been both innocent and passionate. Although Xue Changyi appeared calm now, Wu Mu noticed his slight trembling, a clear sign of exhaustion.
Xue Changyi, though slightly disappointed, agreed. “Then I’ll go back now and come find you later.”
“Second Brother! Second Brother…”
Dong Lan cried out, his eyes snapping open, his hands reaching out, grasping at the air.
“My lord, you’re awake?” A ghost officer, hearing his cries, rushed over.
Dong Lan sat up, rubbing his aching head, looking around. This was the Seventh Court? He clearly remembered seeing his Second Brother last night, the feeling of his touch so real.
But now, it felt like a dream.
“My lord,” the ghost officer said, “Missing the Second Yama King again? He’s already… alas—”
The ghost officer sighed deeply.
Dong Lan asked, “Did you see the Second Yama King?”
The ghost officer sighed again, shaking his head. “My lord, please don’t dwell on him too much. He’s beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness now, how can he possibly return?”
Dong Lan didn’t believe him. “Then how did I get back last night?”
The ghost officer replied, “You were completely drunk, my lord, you fell asleep outside the court. We carried you back.”
“Could it be…” Dong Lan murmured, “that it really was a dream?”
“My lord! My lord!” Another ghost officer rushed in. “The Tenth Yama King is here!”
Dong Lan straightened his clothes, patted his cheeks, and said, “Show him in.”
“Yes.”
Xue Changyi entered hurriedly. Dong Lan’s face lit up with a smile, and he rushed over. “Little Ten! Coming to see your big brother so early in the morning, did you miss me?”
“Ow…” Xue Changyi winced as Dong Lan bumped into him, the ache in his waist intensifying.
“What’s wrong, Little Ten?” Dong Lan asked, concerned. “Are you hurt?”
“Huh?!” He noticed something, pointing at Xue Changyi’s neck. “What’s this? Why is it red?”
A hickey, of course! Xue Changyi covered it with his hand, saying dismissively, “It’s nothing… Old Seven, I have something important to tell you.”
Dong Lan was curious. “What is it? You came so early.”
A relieved smile appeared on Xue Changyi’s face. “Minister Wu agreed to secretly take me beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness to see Second Brother.”
“What?!” Dong Lan’s eyes widened in shock, his voice rising involuntarily.
Xue Changyi raised an eyebrow. “What, cat got your tongue?”
Dong Lan was too stunned to speak, his eyes darting around. After a long pause, he finally said, “Little Ten! You… you can’t go!”
“Why?” Xue Changyi was puzzled. “Don’t you want to see Second Brother? We might not be able to clear his name yet, but at least we can visit him.”
“B-b-but…” Dong Lan stammered, struggling to find the right words. “That’s the Terrace of Forgetfulness! If anything goes wrong, you won’t be able to come back! And, Second Brother, he was cast down, he drank Granny Meng’s soup, he’s forgotten everything, he won’t remember you!”
Xue Changyi said, “Granny Meng’s soup isn’t effective on everyone.”
He had seen several people who, despite drinking the soup, still remembered their past lives. For example—Cheng Jiao.
Xue Changyi frowned slightly. “Old Seven, you seem… like you don’t want me to visit Second Brother.”
“W-what? No, of course not!” Dong Lan stammered again. “I just… I just… that Wu Mu, he’s from the Supervisory Department! They’re our enemies! Why would he be so kind as to take you beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness to see Second Brother? Little Ten, don’t be fooled by him!”
Xue Changyi unconsciously touched his neck. “Don’t worry, I have leverage against Minister Wu. He won’t deceive me.”
“Why are you so stubborn!” Dong Lan stamped his foot. “What if… what if someone informs on you? Going beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness without permission is a serious crime! It’s too dangerous!”
Xue Changyi’s face was calm, his voice firm. “Even if it’s dangerous, I have to try.”
Xue Changyi went back to wash up and rest for the entire day. Late at night, he left the Tenth Court to meet with Wu Mu.
The night was dark, the Underworld’s night even more so.
Wu Mu stood in a desolate area, looking at something on his phone. Perhaps because Xue Changyi had discovered his secret, he had given up on hiding it. A chibi Xue Changyi plush keychain dangled from his phone.
“Minister Wu,” Xue Changyi approached.
Wu Mu casually put away his phone. The keychain was too bulky to fit in his pocket and swayed from the outside.
Xue Changyi: “… ”
Wu Mu’s expression was as cold and indifferent as ever. Who would guess he was such a tsundere?
Wu Mu said curtly, “Let’s go.”
Xue Changyi asked cautiously, “Are you sure we won’t be discovered going to the Terrace of Forgetfulness like this?”
“Don’t worry,” Wu Mu replied. “I’ve made inquiries. The person on duty tonight at the Terrace is someone who failed the Supervisory Department’s assessment and was transferred. He’s not very diligent.”
“We’re here,” Wu Mu whispered, beckoning Xue Changyi.
As expected, the Terrace’s “duty room” was empty, but the sound of card playing came from next door. It seemed the officers on duty from various departments were slacking off together. After all, it was a holiday, and there was rarely any actual work.
Wu Mu led Xue Changyi to the Terrace, their steps familiar. They stood on the platform, and Wu Mu pressed a few buttons.
Swish!
A white light enveloped the Terrace, and Xue Changyi’s vision blurred. The next moment, the scene around them shifted rapidly.
“Mm…” Xue Changyi groaned, his body still sore from the previous night. Any sudden movement or strong vibration caused him discomfort.
“Are you alright?” Wu Mu asked, not daring to touch him.
Xue Changyi swallowed his moan, biting his lip and shaking his head.
Last night, he had been focused on absorbing the Golden Crow’s energy, like a moth drawn to a flame, losing all reason. As a heartless stone, it was his first time experiencing such intimacy, and his body was still adjusting.
“Let’s go,” Xue Changyi said after a moment.
The Second Yama King, Li Han, had been cast down from the Terrace of Forgetfulness, condemned to eternal reincarnation. And the reincarnation beneath the Terrace existed in parallel timelines. It could be the Zhou Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty, or any other era.
The sun slowly rose, and the city came alive with activity.
People in ancient robes filled the streets.
Xue Changyi and Wu Mu changed into period-appropriate clothing, tied up their long hair, and blended into the crowd seamlessly.
Xue Changyi said, “So many people, where should we look for Second Brother?”
Wu Mu frowned. Although he had agreed to bring Xue Changyi beneath the Terrace, he could only pinpoint the general timeframe of Li Han’s reincarnation, not his exact location.
He said, “Let’s just search.”
It was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
“Look! It’s Master Li!!”
“Master Li is here again today!”
“Heavens, Master Li is like a celestial being, so handsome and elegant! If I could just speak to him once, I could die happy!”
The crowd suddenly surged forward, as if drawn by an invisible force.
“Oof…” Xue Changyi was bumped, and unlike his usual sturdy self, his legs were weak, and he stumbled.
“Careful!” Wu Mu caught him, his touch careful to avoid skin contact, shielding him from the crowd with his broad back.
Xue Changyi was shorter than Wu Mu, and in this position, it felt like he was being held in Wu Mu’s embrace. The Golden Crow’s body temperature was high, a stark contrast to Xue Changyi’s naturally cold constitution, a comforting warmth.
Momentarily dazed, Xue Changyi looked up at Wu Mu. There was a small scar on the corner of Wu Mu’s lips, like a healed blister, actually a mark left by Xue Changyi’s passionate kiss.
Xue Changyi averted his gaze, stepping out of Wu Mu’s embrace. “I’m fine.”
“Master Li! Ah! Master Li looked at me!”
“Nonsense! He looked at me! Me!”
Xue Changyi looked up, intrigued. At the end of the street, a man in white was painting.
“Look at Master Li’s brushstrokes! So elegant and flowing!”
“A stroke of genius! A stroke of genius!”
“Master Li is not only handsome but also a brilliant painter!”
“Indeed, there are many handsome men in the world, but only Li Han can paint with such genius!”
—Li Han!
Xue Changyi’s gaze fixed on the man in white.
“Second Brother…” he whispered.
Both the name and appearance matched his Second Brother perfectly.
The man looked to be in his late twenties, tall and broad-shouldered, with an air of elegance, polite and gentle, clearly an approachable person.
Everyone knew the Ten Yama Kings were cold and stern, but the Second Yama King, Li Han, was an exception, known for his gentle and kind nature.
“Second Brother!” Xue Changyi shook off Wu Mu’s hand and ran towards the man.
Wu Mu stared at his empty hand, a hollowness in his chest. He snapped out of his daze and chased after Xue Changyi. “Xue Changyi, slow down!”
Xue Changyi’s constitution made it dangerous for him to be in close proximity to others, especially during the day. Although he carried the Judge’s Pen transformed into an oil-paper umbrella, the crowd was dense, and if…
Thump—
The umbrella was knocked to the ground.
Xue Changyi’s skin was exposed to the sunlight, which was unusually strong. This world beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness didn’t seem to be in winter, but rather the height of summer.
“Xue Changyi!” Wu Mu shouted, running towards him.
Someone beat him to it, picking up the umbrella and holding it over Xue Changyi’s head.
“Oh my god, it’s Master Li!”
“Master Li is so kind!”
The person holding the umbrella, transformed from the Judge’s Pen, was the man in white, Li Han, the Second Yama King, condemned to eternal reincarnation.
Li Han smiled gently at Xue Changyi. “Sir, is this your umbrella?”
Xue Changyi froze. His Second Brother’s gaze, though kind, was filled with unfamiliarity, the polite distance of a stranger.
Xue Changyi opened his mouth, but his voice was hoarse, unable to make a sound. He remembered Old Seven’s words—his Second Brother had drunk Granny Meng’s soup, forgotten his past, forgotten everything.
Their brotherhood, all forgotten.
“Sir?” Li Han, seeing his lack of response, called out again. “Your umbrella.”
As Li Han reached out to return the umbrella, Wu Mu stepped forward and took it, shielding Xue Changyi. Li Han was now an ordinary mortal, his yang energy would burn Xue Changyi.
Wu Mu wouldn’t admit that he was also motivated by jealousy.
Li Han smiled at Wu Mu, unaware of his hostility, and turned back to his painting.
“Second Brother…” Xue Changyi finally spoke, taking a step forward. Wu Mu grabbed his wrist, his touch carefully avoiding skin contact, and shook his head. “Don’t go. He doesn’t remember you.”
Xue Changyi stopped, murmuring, “Yes…”
Wu Mu had made inquiries. In this lifetime, Li Han was a renowned scholar, skilled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Born into a wealthy official family, he was handsome, talented, and had countless admirers. He chose not to enter officialdom but lived a comfortable and carefree life.
It was the most fortunate of Li Han’s reincarnations.
Wu Mu had also found out Li Han’s address, a luxurious three-courtyard mansion, with numerous servants.
He took Xue Changyi to the vicinity of Li Han’s residence. They stood across the street, and a while later, they saw Li Han alight from a carriage and enter the mansion, servants greeting him respectfully before closing the gates.
“Are you relieved now?” Wu Mu said. “He’s living a good life.”
“A good life?” Xue Changyi raised an eyebrow. “There’s no good life beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness. This is just a superficial peace. Minister Wu, you’ve cast so many people down there, don’t you know that?”
Wu Mu fell silent, his voice husky. “I’m sorry.”
Xue Changyi looked at him, saying suddenly, “I don’t blame you.”
Wu Mu looked puzzled. Xue Changyi continued, “We all have our duties.”
Wu Mu was the adopted son of the former Director General. It was natural for him to join the Supervisory Department.
“Hey, you! Yes, you!”
The mansion gates suddenly opened, and the servant who had closed them earlier pointed at them from across the street. “You! I’ve been watching you! You’re here to stalk our Master Li again, aren’t you? Go away, go away! Stop lurking here, it’s so annoying!”
“I’ve seen plenty of people like you. I’m telling you, if you don’t leave, I’ll report you to the authorities, and you’ll be arrested!”
Xue Changyi was taken aback. The servant had mistaken them for Li Han’s “crazed fans.” Li Han had so many admirers that it wasn’t unusual for some to stalk him and invade his privacy.
“What’s going on?” A gentle voice called out. Li Han walked over.
The servant quickly said, “Master Li, it’s nothing, just those pesky stalkers again, lurking at the gate. I’ll drive them away.”
Li Han glanced outside, his eyes briefly resting on Xue Changyi, but his gaze was unfocused, as if he didn’t recognize him.
His voice was gentle. “There’s no need to be so harsh, just tell them to leave nicely.”
“Master Li, you’re too kind. If it were up to me, I’d report them to the authorities and teach them a lesson!”
The clatter of hooves echoed through the streets. Someone was riding a horse in the city.
The crowd scattered, moving to the sides of the street.
The servant pointed at the approaching riders. “Look! The authorities are here! If you don’t leave, you’ll be arrested!”
A group of officers stopped at the mansion gates, but they weren’t there for Xue Changyi and Wu Mu. With a loud crash, they kicked open the gates.
“What are you doing?!” the servant shouted. “Do you know this is the residence of Li Han, Master Li? Even the Empress Dowager praises him!”
“Hmph!” The officer in the lead, dressed in embroidered robes, sneered. “Li Han! We’re here for you!”
The officers stormed into the mansion like bandits.
“Li Han is accused of witchcraft and sedition, inciting unrest with his paintings! By order of His Majesty, all members of the Li family are to be executed on the spot!”
“What’s going on?!”
“What are you doing—”
“Ah…”
Screams echoed through the streets.
Xue Changyi’s eyes darkened, and he was about to rush forward when Wu Mu stopped him. “What are you doing?”
Xue Changyi couldn’t just stand by and watch his Second Brother suffer, even if he was a stone turned human!
“Second Brother!” He pushed past Wu Mu.
Wu Mu’s voice was husky. “I have to stop you! I agreed to bring you to see the Second Yama King, but if you interfere with fate beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness, it’s a serious crime!”
Splat—
The sound of blood splattering, followed by a thud, came from inside the mansion.
Xue Changyi hesitated for a split second, then broke free from Wu Mu’s grasp and rushed towards the mansion gates.
Crash—
He burst through the gates. Several officers were holding Li Han down, one of them raising a sword high above his head.
The gleaming blade flashed, descending towards Li Han.
At that moment—Li Han looked up, his gaze meeting Xue Changyi’s. He mouthed the words:
—Changyi, run.
Xue Changyi froze. Li Han’s eyes, filled with recognition, weren’t those of a stranger.
Splat—
Another spurt of blood, followed by a thud, as Li Han’s head rolled to the ground.
A large hand covered Xue Changyi’s eyes, pulling him into a protective embrace. It was Wu Mu! Wu Mu shielded him from the blood, his voice husky. “Let’s go.”
Xue Changyi’s body trembled, but he obeyed, letting Wu Mu pull him away.
The streets were in chaos, filled with cries and screams.
“Master Li, wuwuwu… Master Li…”
“Damn you, why did you kill Master Li…”
“He was such a good man!”
Wu Mu slowly released Xue Changyi. In the urgency of the moment, his hand had touched Xue Changyi’s skin, leaving faint red marks on his face and around his eyes.
Xue Changyi looked dazed, his throat bobbing, his crimson lips dry and cracked, bleeding slightly.
Wu Mu struggled to find the right words to comfort him.
He had family too, his adoptive father, his only family, but their relationship wasn’t close, more like that of a superior and subordinate. He couldn’t understand Xue Changyi’s pain.
He finally said, “Your lips are bleeding. I’ll get you some water. Wait here.”
He wanted Xue Changyi to be alone for a while, to calm down.
Xue Changyi nodded, his eyes still unfocused, watching Wu Mu’s retreating figure.
“Tenth Yama King!”
A voice called out from behind him.
Xue Changyi slowly turned around.
Several figures in black stood behind him, wearing the unmistakable uniforms of the Supervisory Department Envoys, jarringly out of place in the ancient streets. Yet, the passing mortals seemed oblivious to their presence.
Indeed, only Xue Changyi could see them.
They were from the Underworld Central Office, Supervisory Department.
The Envoys surrounded Xue Changyi. “Tenth Yama King, you illegally descended beneath the Terrace of Forgetfulness. Come with us!”
“Restrain him!”
One of the Envoys sneered. “Our boss is truly impressive. If it weren’t for Minister Wu’s report, we wouldn’t have caught you, Tenth Yama King.”
Xue Changyi’s eyes flickered. Wu Mu?
