He lingered outside the door for a long time, but still did not step forward to push it open. Instead, he turned and left silently.
Lying on the bed, I thought about the great battle that was about to arrive, and my heart became exceptionally calm. That firm belief took root in my heart.
It became an unyielding conviction:
Myriad Ghost King, whatever your purpose, or whatever else you intend to do, you must not impede my progress.
Nor can you affect the comings and goings of the beings of Black Mountain. Now, I can only hope that your intentions are the same as mine from the very beginning.
Sighing, my mind suddenly recalled my own loss of composure earlier in the small valley, in front of Yue Yao.
My mind, almost bewitched by the Myriad Ghost King, must have been terrifying. Yue Yao, having never ventured so far from home, must have been scared by me.
Thinking of this, I decided to go see her. I hurried up from the bed, walked out of the room, went downstairs, and into the garden.
Passing through the left gate of the garden would lead to Bi Yao's residence. However, as soon as I stepped onto the left gate of the garden, a clear and powerful voice shouted.
"Ghost King."
Turning around, I saw Tian Long. I was slightly startled, then blurted out.
"Tian Long."
However, this "Tian Long" sounded more like a call from a mature man.
Tian Long's brows furrowed, and a look of confusion appeared on his face.
"Ghost King, your voice?"
I cleared my throat and said softly.
"Oh, I might not be feeling well lately. Don't worry."
My elegant, beautiful maiden's voice had returned.
Tian Long seemed lost in thought but didn't speak immediately. He only said.
"Ghost King, where are you going so late at night?"
"I'm just taking a walk. Tian Long, why are you also in the garden?"
"Oh, Hei Feng asked me to accompany him to admire the moon. I'm waiting for him here."
"I see. Then you wait for him. He should be here soon. I'll be going now."
"Alright."
After bidding him farewell, I quickened my pace, taking two steps at a time to the separate courtyard. My heart grew increasingly uneasy, and I mentally questioned the Myriad Ghost King.
"Myriad Ghost King, what exactly are you trying to do? Can't you stop causing trouble?"
He didn't answer me. I thought he should be behaving himself now, and only then did I breathe a sigh of relief and arrive at Yue Yao's residence.
As soon as I entered the courtyard, the courage I had mustered felt like a deflated balloon, wilting.
How could I explain to her? Should I tell her that the Myriad Ghost King was behind it all, or admit my jealousy towards her?
Regardless, I was the one who had erred first.
Turning around, I saw the flickering candlelight illuminating her not-so-large room. Two figures were clearly reflected on the tightly shut window.
One was handsome and tall, the other gentle as water. The two figures occasionally embraced and sometimes teased each other. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"So... Liu Shi Nian is also here..."
I stared blankly at the small window and murmured to myself.
The Myriad Ghost King's resentful voice echoed in my mind again.
"Look how well they suit each other, like a golden couple, a match made in heaven."
This time, I didn't refute his opinion. I simply walked out of the courtyard and found a secluded corner to chat with the Myriad Ghost King.
"Is it true that being a great king means a lonely life?"
I asked, perplexed.
The Myriad Ghost King chuckled softly and sighed.
"Since ancient times, emperors have been devoid of emotion. Those with emotion are not true emperors."
"So, you don't have anyone you like either?"
He sighed with regret.
"I was young and ignorant then, focused only on venturing through the martial world. By the time I looked back, the person waiting for me had long since gone."
"Do you regret it?"
"No regrets. As the leader of the Ghost Clan back then, I couldn't afford to indulge in personal affections."
"Why are you willing to talk so much with me today?"
I was very curious.
He laughed heartily.
"Perhaps it's because you are very much like me."
On the other side, ever since Tian Long heard that familiar call, the memories that had been hidden seemed to have been quietly unlocked.
His thoughts drifted back a thousand years, to when the Myriad Ghost King fought against righteous individuals at the foot of Myriad Ghost Mountain.
He intervened out of a sense of justice. At that time, the Myriad Ghost King had asked him.
"Who are you?"
Tian Long replied without hesitation.
"My name is Tian Long. I am merely a passerby."
"Tian Long?"
"Don't be distracted, the enemy is here!"
"Tian Long, Tian Long."
He muttered to himself, recalling that the Ghost King's call just now was exactly the same as the Myriad Ghost King's a thousand years ago.
But how could she... make that kind of sound?
Tian Long was very confused, but suspicion had already arisen in his heart.
"She was acting so suspiciously earlier. Could she have some unspeakable secret?"
Unable to suppress his curiosity, he plucked a leaf, wrote a line on it, and fixed it in mid-air for Hei Feng.
He then secretly followed in the direction the Myriad Ghost King had left.
However, he was ultimately a little late, and the Myriad Ghost King's figure could not be found anywhere.
Finally, he could only close his eyes and smell the unique demonic aura in the wind.
Opening his eyes, he followed this scent to a quiet and secluded corner of the garden.
Under the moonlight, he saw a lonely figure sitting in a desolate pavilion.
Strangely, though she was alone, she seemed to be conversing with herself as if there was no barrier.
Tian Long watched from afar, but couldn't hear clearly what she was saying.
He only saw her get up and sit down again, as if an invisible person was communicating with her.
Under the bright moonlight, this scene appeared particularly eerie.
Just then, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder.
Startled, he turned around and saw Hei Feng.
"Why are you here?"
Hei Feng asked, confused.
Tian Long gave an awkward smile and said.
"I was just taking a walk. Why did you come here?"
"I saw the message you left, so I followed. What are you doing here?"
Tian Long turned his head and looked at the pavilion, which was now empty.
Seeing him staring intently at the pavilion, Hei Feng asked, puzzled.
"Is there something there?"
Tian Long shook his head, but then said.
"I saw the Ghost King there just now."
"Really? Then she must have left."
"Indeed. Let's go admire the moon."
"Alright, let's go."
After they left, I finally emerged from the hidden bushes.
Gazing at Tian Long's retreating back, I vaguely felt that he had some connection with the Myriad Ghost King.
"That Tian Long, do you know him?"
I asked the Myriad Ghost King.
"I met him once. He can be considered righteous and chivalrous."
I frowned and asked.
"Is he from your era?"
"What? Can't you tell?"
I laughed heartily and teased him.
"He looks much younger than you."
The Myriad Ghost King was indignant and retorted.
"My face was considered peerless beauty back then. If I hadn't become the Myriad Ghost King, I would have been the most handsome man in the world."
I scoffed.
"Every time you appear, you look like a lump of coal. If you didn't speak, who would know you were human?"
"Ignorant."
The Myriad Ghost King said lightly and then closed his mouth proudly.
I suddenly found him rather cute and smiled involuntarily, turning back to the small building.
The next morning, Lin'er knocked on my door.
"Ghost King, it's me, Lin'er."
Hearing his voice, I guessed that the matter had been handled. I quickly got up, opened the door, and invited him in.
"Has that matter been settled?"
"I've already had someone deliver the declaration of war to Dongyue Town. It should have reached the hands of the Dongyue Town Master by now."
"Well done."
"The elders and I have unanimously decided to set the date for ten days from now. By then, Dongyue Town should have assembled the forces of three cities."
"We also need to intensify our training these days. I think it's time to send messages to the Merfolk tribe and the various mountain strongholds."
"Alright, I'll have them arrive at Black Mountain a day in advance to rendezvous with us."
"Good, you go do that."
Lin'er had noticed something strange about me since he entered the room. It wasn't my behavior or personality.
It was the presence of several black cracks around my eyes and an inexplicable coldness in my brows.
He remembered that he hadn't seen this look on my face a few days ago. Looking at my composed expression, it was likely that the Ghost King herself was unaware of the changes on her face.
He looked around but couldn't find a mirror, which made him understand the reason for my lack of concern.
"Ghost King, there's something strange about your face."
After some thought, he decided to voice his observation.
I looked at him in confusion and asked.
"Is there something on my face?"
"At the corners of your eyes, there are several black cracks."
"Cracks?"
Hearing his words, my heart skipped a beat. I suddenly remembered that when the Myriad Ghost King possessed me, I had seen black cracks on my face and hands by the river.
I had been so preoccupied with other matters these past few days that I hadn't noticed the changes on my face.
I feigned composure and said.
"I know. You may go now."
Lin'er looked concerned but could only nod and leave.
After he left, I touched my face and went to the flower pot. Using the water in the pot, I could finally see the long-vanished cracks on my face reappearing.
"My face has become like this. How can I face anyone?"
"No need to worry."
The Myriad Ghost King slowly floated out of my body and came before me. From the pile of black mist, he exhaled another puff of dense fog towards my face.
"Take a look now."
I lowered my head and examined myself carefully. The cracks were indeed gone.
"Why did my face develop cracks?"
The Myriad Ghost King explained.
"It might be due to the diffusion of my demonic power. Don't worry, it poses no harm to your body."
After speaking, he returned into my body as he had come.
Since there was no harm, I didn't need to worry.
I pushed open the door and went outside, into the garden. Unconsciously, I found myself at Yue Yao's residence again.
Looking up, the slightly ajar door and windows seemed to convey something.
At that moment, a figure emerged from the room.
As he turned, he saw me. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes, but he then pretended to be calm and asked me.
"Why have you come?"
"Yue Yao must have told you. I've actually come to apologize."
He let out a sigh and walked to my side, looking at me closely.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No. Don't worry about Yue Yao. I've already spoken to her. You didn't do it intentionally. I stayed with her all night, and she should be feeling much better today."
His casual explanation amused me, and I burst into unrestrained laughter.
"Hahaha."
He looked at me, utterly bewildered.
"What's wrong?"
I shook my head and said.
"Nothing. I just find you very cute."
"Do I?"
"Yes."
Yue Yao, hearing the voices, also came out from inside.
"Brother Liu, what are you two talking about?"
Liu Shi Nian stepped forward and said to her.
"Just some jokes."
"Yue Yao, I'm sorry about that day..."
Seeing her come out, I took the opportunity to apologize to her as well.
Yue Yao covered her mouth and chuckled, shaking her head.
"Brother Liu has told me everything. I know you didn't do it on purpose. I'm not that fragile."
Hearing her say this, my troubled heart and regrets were finally relieved. I stepped forward and gave her a tight hug.
She patted my shoulder and comforted me.
"It must have been very difficult for you. I know that wasn't the real you."
"Thank you."
Liu Shi Nian looked at us reconciling and also showed a relieved smile.