Marquis Haitian’s tomb was now officially designated as a protected site, and was under 24 hour protection.
One person might be able to sneak in, but for a group like theirs, it would take considerable effort.
After a brief discussion, they decided that Sun Ning and Zhou Guang would handle the challenge of getting into the tomb, while Lin Jue would prepare the necessary equipment.
The others waited for further updates.
Bai Lixin made another trip to the hospital. But at the outpatient clinic where Dr. Dijia was supposed to be on duty, there was now someone else. Dijia’s name was no longer on the duty roster.
When he asked the hospital staff, they looked puzzled and said they had never heard of Dr. Dijia.
Searching online yielded only a few unrelated results. It was as if Dijia had vanished into thin air.
Gone with him were the ghost husband and that mysterious stream of water.
Ever since he absorbed the evil ghosts and completed himself, the stream of water never appeared again.
It seemed the world was erasing all traces of Dijia.
This familiar pattern reminded him of the horror game world.
He was certain that Dijia’s disappearance was tied to the persistent annoyance, Xuan Chishui.
Before going to find Xuan Chishui, Bai Lixin visited Zhou Guang’s house.
Zhou Guang was busy trying to pull some strings with Sun Ning, so only Zhou Zirui was at home.
Zhou Zirui didn’t rush into Bai Lixin’s arms as usual but stood in the living room with one hand behind his back, looking steadily at him with a wisdom and depth beyond his age.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, the green foliage was thinning, autumn leaves turned yellow, and red cherry fruits glistened.
Most of the vibrant flowers in the garden had withered, leaving only a corner where bright red spider lilies bloomed enchantingly.
Bai Lixin handed Zhou Zirui a small cake he had bought on the way. “I didn’t expect to see you this young again.”
Zhou Zirui smiled, his childlike face carrying a commanding presence that exuded authority. “I didn’t expect to see you again either.”
“Mother.”
“Ahem, ahem!” Bai Lixin stammered, “You’re still as…”
‘Humorous.’
Zhou Zirui’s smile grew mischievous. “Handsome as ever, right?”
Bai Lixin: “Yes, yes, our Young King Yama is so handsome. So, how did you get here?”
The Zhou Zirui in front of him was the spitting image of the Young King Yama in his memories.
Bai Lixin had only ever seen the Young King Yama as a child and an adult; this in-between teenage form was new. But his bone structure hadn’t changed, the familiar eyes and features were unmistakable.
Since returning from the horror world to the real world, he hadn’t seen the Young King Yama again.
He had visited the underworld twice, only to be told that King Yama was in seclusion.
He hadn’t expected to run into Young King Yama here.
Judging by the circumstances, Xuan Chishui must have brought him in too.
Bai Lixin sighed, “You poor kid.”
Young King Yama, who was still maintaining a dignified posture, suddenly wilted and he grabbed the cake from Bai Lixin’s hand, stuffing it into his mouth. “I’m so done with this.”
Bai Lixin plopped down on the sofa, almost ready to get some melon seeds to eat. “So, what happened?”
Young King Yama sat next to Bai Lixin with a mournful look, his mouth full of cake.
He chewed furiously, as though gnawing at an enemy’s flesh instead of a sweet treat.
He messily wiped the cream from his mouth and let out a long sigh. “I’m now traumatized by the word ‘seclusion’. I was minding my own business when I got pulled here.”
Bai Lixin understood his feelings, and patted him comfortingly on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.”
“Great comfort. Don’t comfort me again next time.”
Young King Yama rolled his eyes and stuffed another piece of cake into his mouth.
“After getting back my body and relaying the message, I then went back to the underworld after everything was settled.”
“Suddenly, a flood of souls poured into the underworld, and we were swamped with work.”
“I was exhausted. After handling the incident, I went into seclusion for recovery because of my damaged spiritual power.”
“I was deep in seclusion when I suddenly felt that familiar tugging sensation.”
Young King Yama patted his shoulder. “Then I ended up like this.”
“If I hadn’t eavesdropped on your conversation, I’d still be clueless.”
“It’s that Little Overlord Xuan Chishui that did this, right? Even his name sounds like mine. What bad luck.”
Bai Lixin: “I went to the underworld to look for you twice.”
Young King Yama’s chest heaved. “And they didn’t notice I was missing?”
Bai Lixin: “Uh, Black and White Wuchang are very diligent.”
Young King Yama: “Those useless fools! Their lord disappears, and they don’t even notice?”
Bai Lixin: “Could it be that your presence is so faint that the underworld functions normally with or without you, so…”
Young King Yama waved a hand dismissively. “Impossible!”
Bai Lixin lowered his head and sipped some water quietly. “Oh.”
It was like the ever-split up Dijia, whose long absence doesn’t seem to cause any issues.
They were all like powerful mascots.
…
Xuan Chishui seemed to have anticipated that Bai Lixin would come looking for him. The moment Bai Lixin made his intentions known at the front desk, the receptionist smiled knowingly. “The president has been expecting you.”
When Bai Lixin and Young King Yama were led into the president’s office, Xuan Chishui was sitting on the sofa with a confident air, like a champion in an arena. “I told you, you would come looking for me, Bai Lixin.”
“You’re wrong. He didn’t come for you,” Young King Yama stepped forward and, before Xuan Chishui’s stunned gaze, landed a solid punch on his face. “I did!”
The punch hit Xuan Chishui squarely in the eye, making it instantly swell and turn red.
The unexpected turn left Xuan Chishui momentarily stunned, and he took several more punches from Young King Yama before shoving him away with a mix of anger and disbelief. “You bastard! Have you lost your mind?”
Though he still looked like a middle schooler, Young King Yama had been trained by Lin Jue and was very strong.
After several hits, Xuan Chishui’s handsome face was already bruised and battered.
He pointed at Young King Yama, fuming. “Who the hell are you?”
Young King Yama: “You dragged me in here, and you don’t know who I am? I’ve been itching to hit you.”
The Little Overlord was momentarily dumbfounded, clearly not knowing who Young King Yama was.
This expression only infuriated the already furious Young King Yama, and he raised his fist and charged again.
Bai Lixin was speechless.
Even he hadn’t expected things to turn into such a chaotic scene.
He suddenly remembered that Young King Yama was the little devil who could drown him in merit tokens.
The so-called steadiness and caution were perhaps just a persona molded by his position, standing in that role required such an image.
Now, this furious and aggressive demeanor was his true self.
Bai Lixin observed for a while, and seeing that Young King Yama was not at a disadvantage, he relaxed and sat down to watch the show. It wasn’t until Young King Yama began to show signs of struggle that Bai Lixin intervened, pulling him back to his side and pushing a piece of candy into his mouth.
With the sweet candy in his mouth, Young King Yama pounced into Bai Lixin’s arms like a child who had been bullied outside.
Xuan Chishui was about to explode with rage.
The blood from his nose mixed with the blood at the corner of his mouth, and stuck to his long red hair. He clumsily got up from the floor, his hair sticking up wildly.
Seeing him like this, Bai Lixin couldn’t help but feel satisfied, and a smile unconsciously spread across his face.
“You are not the real Little Overlord, Xuan Chishui,” Bai Lixin’s gaze roamed over the disheveled man in front of him. “You’re just a fragment of his lingering obsession.”
Bai Lixin’s eyes suddenly took on a subtle look.
Xuan Chishui wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “What kind of look is that?”
Bai Lixin: “I’m just puzzled. The horror game and the Little Overlord couldn’t defeat us, so why do you think you can? What makes you so confident?”
Xuan Chishui flushed with anger. “Stop boasting! Didn’t I kill you in your past life?”
“You’re here for Dijia, aren’t you?” he spat viciously. “Hmph, aren’t you two supposed to be devoted to each other unto death? Now, I’ll give you a choice. Only one of you can leave here—either him or you.”
“I did come for Dijia, but not to hear you tell me where he is. I want you to kill him as soon as possible.”
Xuan Chishui’s expression froze: ?
“We should thank you for creating so many romantic scenarios for us, after all, we have never had the chance to try a general and eunuch’s forced love play. As a part of this play, we do owe you our gratitude. I died because I got bored and wanted to switch things up, like doctor and patient play, ghost play, and water play we had in this life…”
Bai Lixin listed them casually. “You, the functional side character, fulfilled your role admirably.”
Xuan Chishui’s gaze wavered. “Don’t you two want to leave this place?”
Bai Lixin: “Who said we want to leave? Life goes on wherever we are.”
“We haven’t finished playing. After I send them all away, you’ll keep me and Dijia company.”
“How about forbidden play in our next life? Brothers? Or maybe father and son?”
Xuan Chishui couldn’t take it anymore and slammed the table in rage. “Enough! You’re so shameless.”
Bai Lixin: “I do have a bit of shame, otherwise, we’d be playing beast play.”
Young King Yama muttered quietly, “As if you haven’t done that before.”
Bai Lixin: “…”
“Hah, you can’t fool me again,” the red-haired man quickly gathered his expression, sneering coldly. “Did you really think I’m brainless, that I’d fall for your trick every time? I know you’re trying to provoke me, to get me to reveal where Dijia is and not to kill him. I won’t give you the satisfaction.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Bai Lixin nodded without hesitation. “You’re right. I am using reverse psychology.”
“I don’t want you to hurt Dijia at all, and you saw right through me. You’re so clever.”
Xuan Chishui clenched his molar teeth, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.
Even though he was being praised, it felt like Bai Lixin was mocking him.
What did this cunning and deceitful Bai Lixin really mean?
Even after Bai Lixin left with the little rascal, Xuan Chishui remained bewildered.
Was he just praising him for seeing through his trick?
Or mocking him for overthinking?
Was he really overthinking it? Did Bai Lixin want Dijia dead so they could move on to the next cycle?
His gaze showed no sign of evasion; it seemed as if everything he said was true.
So, did Bai Lixin really want Dijia dead?
No, no, it had to be a lie. Bai Lixin had used this trick on him several times before, how could he fall for it again?
He must want to save Dijia and was deliberately saying this to mislead him.
How could he bear to harm Dijia? That was his most beloved.
Xuan Chishui frowned and looked down the large floor-to-ceiling window.
At the bustling entrance of the company, Bai Lixin was smiling and chatting as he led the little brat into a car, showing no sign of worry.
He watched as the taxi drove off, his eyes flickering.
But what if death was not a punishment to them, but a form of amusement?
Dijia and Bai Lixin were not ordinary, they couldn’t die.
For beings as old as them, living too long would make life tedious, and they’d seek entertainment.
Could it be that he had inadvertently become part of their play?
Instead of exacting revenge, he had only brought them more joy?
While he was agonizingly scheming to torment them, they were playing forced love as a general and an eunuch?
When he was rendered impotent by Dijia and suffering, they were just waiting for the next play scenario?
While he was calculating day and night to make Bai Lixin suffer, they were having fun?
Then what did all his meticulous plotting amount to?
Being the seasoning to their amusement?
Rage swirled within Xuan Chishui’s chest.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
Suddenly, he grabbed his coat and stormed out of the office.
The assistant outside saw the wounds on his face and was startled. She was just about to approach with concern when Xuan Chishui’s fierce glare froze her in place. “Scram, don’t say a word.”
The assistant stood frozen, and watched as Xuan Chishui left.
‘Finally, the boss got beaten up?’
‘He’s always so arrogant, I knew this day would come.’
‘What a good beating!’
Xuan Chishui didn’t bring anyone with him, he stepped on the gas and drove to a secluded villa in the suburbs.
He strode out of the car, crossed the space in large steps, stormed into the basement, and splashed a bucket of water to wake the man chained inside.
It was a narrow basement, the walls dark and windowless, with nothing but chains and the bound man in the center.
Heavy black metal chains secured his wrists and ankles, their ends embedded in the walls and floor.
Strange red runes marked where the chains met the walls, seemingly forming a seal.
The man’s body was covered in various wounds, but despite his disheveled state, his eyes remained sharp.
After being woken by the water, he glanced at Xuan Chishui expressionlessly, then shifted his gaze indifferently, as if he didn’t regard him at all.
That dismissive look made the already furious red-haired man even more manic. He grabbed a whip from the side and swung it across the man’s body.
The man frowned slightly, looked at Xuan Chishui like he was insane before shifting his gaze again.
“That look again!” Xuan Chishui whipped him again. “Do you two look down on me? Laughing as I run circles around you? Are you mocking my stupidity behind my back when I think I’ve won?”
“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”
Dijia pursed his lips and glanced at Xuan Chishui, unsure of what madness he was ranting about.
“Bai Lixin came to see me today.”
“Do you know what he told me? He told me to kill you quickly.”
Xuan Chishui’s eyes were bloodshot. “If he wants me to kill you, I won’t. I won’t be part of your play!”
As he raised the whip for another strike, Xuan Chishui’s body suddenly froze.
An eerie and terrifying force that he hadn’t noticed was slowly forming behind him.
He turned his head rigidly and noticed that a golden magic circle had appeared on the floor of the dark hallway at some point.
A monstrous creature with the body of a human and the tail of a snake loomed at the doorway, its massive, coiled tail stretched out and wrapped around his arm.
Standing beside this monstrous creature were three figures.
Bai Lixin, Emil, and that little bastard.
Xuan Chishui was struck as if by lightning, stunned in place.
Damn it!
He was fooled again!
Emil’s eyes were filled with disdain. “Little Overlord, you really are something. You fall for it every single time and never learn your lesson. Are you growing older without growing wiser? You better start paying attention.”
Xuan Chishui: “…”
‘Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, ahhhh!’
In the end, he still hadn’t beaten Bai Lixin even once!
Before being swallowed by the monster with a human body and snake tail, he saw Bai Lixin pouncing toward Dijia.
He saw the two of them embracing each other passionately.
So he really had become just a part of their play…
Seeing Samael swallow Xuan Chishui whole, Emil’s face twisted in disgust. “You can stomach that? You must really be starving.”
Samael’s blood-red eyes suddenly deepened. “Don’t you already know if I’m hungry or not?”
Emil: “…”
“My stomach is like a dissolving chamber. This Xuan Chishui is a chain of consciousness, killing him won’t completely eliminate him,” Samael explained. “My stomach can dissolve his data, making him disappear for good.”
Emil: “So this time he’s completely gone, right?”
Samael: “Yes.”
Young King Yama was still sulking. “In the end, that guy never remembered who I am.”
Samael & Emil: “…”
On one side, they successfully rescued Dijia, while on the other side, Sun Ning and Zhou Guang also had good news.
Through persistent persuasion, they finally convinced the scientific expedition team to let them join the tomb exploration set for the next day.
As for Dijia’s capture, it all went back to that night when Bai Lixin went crazy and absorbed a massive amount of ghost energy.
In order to stop Bai Lixin from going out of control, Dijia had to step in, but was ambushed by Xuan Chishui.
Xuan Chishui captured Dijia and kept him here, torturing him for days.
Bai Lixin still had one lingering question. “What were those two things that emerged from Marquis Haitian’s body before he died?”
Dijia held his lost and found lover tightly and said with some embarrassment. “My obsession with you floated into the air and became an evil ghost. My longing for you flowed into the ocean and became a water nymph.”
Bai Lixin suddenly understood. “So that’s how it is. You really do love me.”
Dijia smiled like the wind in March, melting all the frost. “Without a doubt.”
…
The flat line on the instrument suddenly showed movement.
The scientists who hadn’t dared to sleep for days jumped up and rushed into the lab, only to see the previously unconscious people opening their eyes one after another and sitting up.
A scientist dialed a number with trembling hands.
Half an hour later, Sun Yan burst into the lab and swept his sister into his arms.
“It’s great, you’re finally back!”
Sun Ning’s eyes reddened. “Brother, I’m back.”
After calming down for a moment, Sun Yan finally had the presence of mind to check on the others.
He looked around. “Where are Bai Lixin and Dijia?”
Sun Ning: “They had an urgent matter and left.”
Sun Yan: “What could be so urgent?”
Sun Ning: “They said something about needing to feed the rabbit at home. It seemed quite pressing.”
“Rabbit?” Sun Yan tilted his head. “Those two keep a rabbit? How childlike. They’ve been unconscious for three days, I wonder if the rabbit’s okay. Do you know where they live? I’ll buy the best rabbit food and send it over.”
