"Li Zuoquan?" I thought back to the people I knew in Molu Village, but couldn't recall anyone by that name. Shaking my head, I looked at the Fifth Prince, "I don't know him. I've never heard of such a person."
I had a silent thought that he was being rather disingenuous if he thought he could fool me with just any name.
If someone had said this to me when I first arrived in Molu Village, I would have been scared or worried. But now, let alone Li Zuoquan, what did it matter to me if he called himself the Supreme Old Lord?
Faced with my skepticism, the Fifth Prince's expression remained unchanged, only the slight twitch of his eyebrows betrayed his mood. But I pretended not to notice.
So what if you are a prince? You are the one asking for my help, not the other way around.
Even if you knew I wanted to learn about Old Ghost's whereabouts from you, it would at most be an exchange of information. I wouldn't want to be controlled by you; I don't want to do business like that a second time.
"Don't be angry, don't be angry..."
The Fifth Prince's chest heaved violently. After a long while, he finally calmed down.
"Kid, did you tell fortunes for a corpse when you came here?"
I was startled by the Fifth Prince's question, but my expression remained unchanged. I knew that Old Ghost had been hidden in the East Village for who knows how many years, so it wasn't surprising that the Fifth Prince knew I had told fortunes for Sui Wan'er.
"That's right, I did tell her fortunes."
As soon as I answered, the Fifth Prince continued, "And then you arranged a ghost marriage for her, right?"
This time, I directly shook my head, "I didn't arrange a ghost marriage for her. After discovering she was a white-haired zombie, I directly broke open the coffin. Did I offend someone because of this?"
If it was because of this, let alone offending someone once, even if I encountered it again, I wouldn't let such a thing happen.
It wasn't just because Fang Huixin's daughter's fate was somewhat special, but more importantly, arranging a ghost marriage for a white-haired zombie carried a great karmic debt that I would have to bear in the end. My small frame couldn't handle such a heavy karma.
*Clap clap—*
The Fifth Prince's crisp applause rang in my ears.
"Good, very good. But do you know that a scheme that took over ten years to set up was ruined by you? How do you think others will deal with you?"
I was a bit stunned by this and didn't know how to answer.
To ruin someone's good deed and be killed by them would be considered light. But I didn't understand why Fang Huixin hadn't made a move until I was about to leave. Was there something I didn't know?
"Your Highness, if you have something to say, just say it directly. You are all true dragons and fierce beasts in the deep sea, and I, a small shrimp, can't guess your thoughts."
Now I realized that no matter how hard I tried to leave Molu Village, there were always some messy things blocking me.
This made me regret coming to this wretched place. Fortunately, I had already earned my first million, which was some consolation.
"A fate that curses husbands and prospers families? Such a unique woman's name, didn't you feel any curiosity?"
It would be a lie to say I wasn't curious, because my master had told me that such a fate was rare even among the living, let alone appearing on a corpse.
I said with feigned indifference, "Curiosity is curiosity, but I know one thing: curiosity kills the cat."
Faced with my unyielding attitude, the Fifth Prince had no choice. "Since you won't help me guard the Half-Yin Realm, I have nothing more to say. I just hope you won't regret it in the future..."
Before the Fifth Prince could finish, I interrupted him, "Your Highness, it's not that I don't want to help you, but I know my own capabilities. I am powerless!"
"You... forget it. You can go..."
Then, my vision went black, and I found myself back in the pavilion in the Yin Bamboo Forest.
Fifth Gege had disappeared somewhere, and the soul crystal in my hand trembled twice before breaking free from my wrist and vanishing into the night.
Thinking that the Fifth Prince had taken it back, I didn't pay it any mind. I didn't want an Old Ghost with a peeping habit following me around.
I called out for Fifth Gege a few times, but received no answer. I had no choice but to go to the bamboo building to find her. The Tiger Kui Seal had been taken by the Fifth Prince. To leave the Yin Bamboo Forest, I still needed Fifth Gege's help, otherwise, I would surely get lost here.
Returning to the bamboo building, I didn't see Fifth Gege. Instead, I saw Bai Ling'er coiled on the head of the bed, sleeping soundly. A little drool dripped from her slightly parted lips. If I had a phone now, I would definitely take a picture of it to threaten her later.
However, this thought could only remain in my mind. Thinking of Bai Ling'er's violent temper, she would probably bite me to death.
As I stared at Bai Ling'er, lost in thought, a cold voice sounded behind me.
"Do you know what happened?"
Seeing Fifth Gege, who had appeared behind me at some unknown time, I shook my head, "No, the Fifth Prince didn't tell me anything. He just asked me to help him guard the Half-Yin Realm. You know, my abilities are limited, how can I help him with such a big favor? And I also have to..."
At this moment, I had completely forgotten Fifth Gege's identity, and even forgotten that she was the Fifth Prince's daughter. I treated her completely as my friend, someone I could confide in, and poured out all my grievances.
After I finished speaking, I saw a hint of anger in Fifth Gege's eyes. This made me regret it so much that I almost slapped myself. Speaking ill of someone's father right in front of her, it was considered good that Fifth Gege had a good temper and didn't kill me.
"Hehe... I don't know why, but when I face you, I feel like I'm seeing a family member, and I always talk a lot..."
I wasn't lying about this. Ever since I fought Fifth Gege in my dream over the chest-grabbing incident, I felt as if there was a bond between us, a feeling of immense trust towards each other.
Hearing my explanation, Fifth Gege chuckled.
"You're so glib, I don't know who you take after. Since you don't agree to help my father, then I can't help you with your matters either. Anyway, you're not here to fulfill the ten-year pact. You can leave now."
Hearing Fifth Gege repeat this topic, I was truly a little curious. Why did she care so much about this ten-year pact?
"Fifth Gege, can I ask you something? Why do you care so much about this ten-year pact?"
It wasn't that I hadn't considered that my father had an agreement with the Fifth Prince, or with Fifth Gege. But what was this agreement, and what was I supposed to fulfill, I didn't know. If I didn't clarify, how could I fulfill it?
Was I supposed to just make a decision impulsively? Wouldn't that make me a fool?
"Care? If you don't care, why should we care? You can leave..."
Then, Fifth Gege formed a hand seal I had never seen before. Instantly, I felt as if I had entered a quagmire, unable to move. Just as I was about to ask Fifth Gege what she wanted to do, I found myself outside the Yin Bamboo Forest, standing at the junction of the East Village and the Half-Yin Realm.
The Half-Yin Realm, which was usually brightly lit, was now shrouded in darkness, whether it was my illusion or the result of the conflict between the Fifth Prince and Li Zuoquan. It looked like a monster ready to devour, but what felt most strange was that there were a pair of "eyes" staring at me.