The city lord's tone was so calm that it seemed as if he were merely stating something insignificant. He appeared to have moved on from this painful past, but if the inner demons had truly left him, why would he remain trapped here, forever accompanied by phantoms?

It's truly heartbreaking.

However, this unexpected plot information filled in some gaps in the original story, since the original story didn't explain where the male protagonist's parents went or why they abandoned him.

Is this world merely a playground, and we must seek the truth of the world?

That's interesting. I wonder if he'll understand the meaning of those words as the story progresses? I'm really looking forward to it.

"I have failed the patriarch," the city lord said remorsefully.

Yin Ming knew that the city lord was referring to the fact that he had failed to take good care of the male lead.

Yin Ming shrugged. He couldn't really comment on this matter, but he could understand the city lord's actions. After all, when someone is suffering immense psychological torment, who has time to care about the life or death of others?

He can't even save himself, so how can he save others?

Yin Sha must have felt that the Demonic Sect wouldn't mistreat the male protagonist, which is why he was able to focus on his revenge and live in seclusion here.

"Have you seen that child in the Demon Sect? I wonder how he's doing now," the city lord sighed.

The child who should have been raised by him personally could now only be known about his situation through other people's words, and Yin Sha couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration.

He seemed to fail at everything he did. He couldn't protect the people of the city and even caused them to die for him. He couldn't even properly fulfill the last request the patriarch made before he passed away. He lived half his life in a daze.

“He…” Yin Ming’s mind was filled with familiar, heartbreakingly humble moments of the male protagonist, most of which were brought to him by the original owner of the body. He couldn’t help but blink guiltily, “He’s alright.”

It's not fair to say he's doing well; it's just that he's on the road to a better future.

Yin Ming didn't know how to tell the city lord that Ling Yao was that child. If he just said it directly, how could the city lord believe him?

Lingyao has now been reincarnated as a commoner. Although he has successfully embarked on the path of cultivation, his bloodline is not that of a pure demon, and it can even be said that he has no relation to the demonic sect.

Explaining it from beginning to end would expose too much, and the secret guards might be listening in.

"That's good. When you see him next time, please tell him that the things the patriarch left for him are still with me. Please ask him to come and get them himself," the city lord said softly.

Upon learning of the young master's current situation, he showed a relieved expression and turned to leave the training ground.

Yin Ming crossed his arms, looking slightly troubled. He would see Ling Yao again soon, but Ling Yao was still unaware of his background, so he certainly couldn't tell him.

Let's wait until Lingyao is reborn. Then the male protagonist can personally explain things to the city lord.

That said, this hidden dungeon was indeed created for the male protagonist. The things his father left him must be extraordinary, and he's got another super experience pack.

The male lead should thank him, right? If he hadn't steered the plot this way, he would have missed out on this opportunity. Look at the original work, does it even have this? (Hands on hips with a smug look).

When Yin Ming returned to the inn, the innkeeper had already prepared lunch. Yao Chu and Yao Ling had also woken up. After the group ate, they bid a brief farewell to the city lord and left Xucheng.

Before leaving, Yin Ming left the city lord a bottle of odor-removing medicine. This powder can remove the odor from any object as soon as it is sprinkled on it, solving the problem at its root and ensuring that it will not recur. It is especially suitable for use in... Xucheng Ancestral Hall.

The city lord came to Xucheng by chance because of the male protagonist. At that time, the male protagonist was still an infant and had just been sent back to the Demon Sect to receive treatment from the elders before he began his reincarnation.

This is the male protagonist's ninth incarnation. In the previous eight incarnations, he did not live past the age of twenty. If you do the math, more than 170 years have passed, and that's more than 170 years.

The corpses were only moderately decomposed and hadn't turned into bones yet. I don't know how the city lord managed to do that, but the smell was really too strong and disgusting. I'd better get rid of it.

After the group left Xucheng, Yin Ming subconsciously looked back and saw that the opening in the barrier was gradually healing, and Xucheng disappeared into nothingness again.

He finally got what he wanted amidst the illusions and fleeting moments.

***

"Uncle, look, that's my house up ahead!" Yao Ling exclaimed excitedly, looking at the outline of the city that was beginning to appear in the distance.

Yin Ming had been walking all afternoon and his feet felt like they weren't even his own anymore. He could only nod haphazardly in response. All he wanted to do was find a place to rest. Why didn't any of these people say they wanted to take a break? Was he the one with the worst stamina?

That won't do! How can a man say no? He has to grit his teeth and persevere!

The result almost made Yin Ming question his existence. The saying "looking at a mountain makes a horse run itself to death" was indeed true; it didn't look far at all, but it took him half an hour to get there.

The city where the female protagonist's family lived was called Yao City, and Yin Ming could already imagine what kind of status her family held.

As expected, as soon as they entered the city, the city gate guards bowed respectfully to Yao Chu and her brother, saying, "Young City Lord, Eldest Miss."

A middle-aged man who looked like a steward rushed out from the side, tears streaming down his face, and said, "Young City Lord, Young Miss, where have you been? This old servant was so worried!"

Yao Chu, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke, his voice as gentle and refined as he was: "Thank you for your concern, Steward Qin. How is Mother?"

Yin Ming felt that it was like an NPC that would only activate a dialog box when a specific task was triggered in a specific scenario.

Upon hearing this, Butler Qin sighed and said, "Madam is still the same as before... Let's go home first. Master has been very worried about you."

As if only just noticing Yin Ming and Ling Yao beside him, the butler hesitated and asked, "Who are these two?"

When asked about his identity, Yin Ming proactively and amicably replied, "My name is Yin Ming."

Lingyao replied calmly, "Lingyao."

It seems that Lingyao is only friendly to Yin Ming, and has a rather indifferent attitude towards others.

It's probably because they're slow to warm up. Some people just can't talk to strangers, but become chatterboxes once they get to know them. That's what social anxiety is all about.

Lingyao has become less cold towards Yaoling recently. Sometimes he will chime in when Yinming and Yaoling are chatting. Seeing the relationship between the male and female leads getting better and better, Yinming feels very gratified. The plan is finally on the right track. This is really not easy.

"These two are my brother's and my saviors. Steward Qin, you must take good care of them for me. As for their accommodation, arrange it next to Tingyu Garden," Yao Ling said sweetly.

Yin Ming felt that there was a hint of shyness in the female lead's tone when she said the last sentence. It seemed that Tingyu Garden was most likely the female lead's room. This girl has potential; she knows what it means to be in a good position.

Butler Qin seemed to understand his young mistress's thoughts. He subtly observed Yin Ming and Ling Yao, finally fixing his gaze on Ling Yao, and smiled:

"Alright, this old servant will go and tidy up the side room. Young Lord and Miss, please go to the living room first. Master knows you've returned and has been waiting for you there."

"Is Father angry?" Yao Ling asked anxiously when her father was mentioned.

Butler Qin smiled helplessly: "Of course I'm angry, but it's better that he's back. Don't be so willful next time. The master has looked quite haggard lately, so don't make him angry again later."

Originally, Yin Ming didn't intend to disturb the family reunion, but Yao Ling said she wanted Yin Ming to help her mother with her medical treatment, so the two of them went to the living room together.

"You unfilial son, you still know how to come back!"

Before they even entered the door, a teacup flew out of the living room and smashed to pieces in front of everyone.

Yin Ming raised an eyebrow. "Oh ho, male lead, your future father-in-law has quite a temper."