Chapter 90 Just a Pawn 09
Faced with Xuanwei's nonchalant attitude, Ren Yi could only stiffly reply, "It's nothing."
Even if he were stupid, he would understand by now that Xuanwei didn't want him to know about the previous emperor.
The previous emperor perished while mending the Heavenly Dao, and Yuan Que's destiny was to repair the Heavenly Dao. Xuan Wei did not want "him" to know about this.
Ren Yi pondered the contents of the jade slips he had seen over the past few days, and finally realized, a beat too late, that Xuanwei didn't even intend for "Yuanque" to know that "the Heavenly Dao of this world is flawed." No wonder he had felt something was off when he looked at the jade slips lately; Xuanwei had definitely tampered with them, erasing all the relevant content.
Ren Yi was now only grateful that he hadn't asked the question that Hao Ming had repeatedly hinted at earlier: "Why were you taken to the Ninth Heaven?"
Given Xuanwei's current mental state, Ren Yi couldn't help but suspect that after asking that question, there would be no "afterwards." Although Xuanwei didn't show the slightest abnormality (in fact, that was even more terrifying), Ren Yi was certain that continuing to entangle himself with this would definitely not end well.
*
Night falls.
The advantage of Xuanwei's ability to separate day and night in the ninth realm is that Ren Yi can finally get a break every day, although he is often disturbed by the demonic mark on his arm during this time.
In any case, Ren Yi was essentially assuming that Xuanwei wouldn't bother him during this period, except for the divine sense that was constantly hovering around him.
However, this time the situation was clearly different. The moment he sensed the door being pushed open, Ren Yi immediately severed the connection between the demon seal and Hao Ming, his heart leaping into his throat: When did he arrive?!
With Xuanwei's cultivation level, if he didn't want to be discovered, not only Ren Yi, but even the system couldn't give him a warning in advance.
Ren Yi didn't know how long Xuan Wei had been standing outside the door, nor did he know if Xuan Wei had discovered the existence of the demon seal.
But he had already begun to think about how to shift the blame to Haoming: His Highness the Demon Emperor was tough and thick-skinned, able to fight the Emperor to a standstill, much more resilient than him, a puppet with only a thin layer of blood.
While he was pondering, Xuanwei had already stopped beside the bed.
Ren Yi had to be thankful that he was currently possessing a puppet body, otherwise he would have been unable to control his body's instinctive tension long ago.
Xuanwei stood there for a moment, then stretched out her hand.
Ren Yi almost thought he was going to strangle the puppet to death, but fortunately, the hand only gently landed on the cheek. He gently smoothed the hair that was scattered on his cheek with a force that could be described as gentle, and then stroked the face that had a texture that was no different from that of a real person.
The hand was extremely close to his neck, with the little finger pressing on his neck. The feeling of having one's vital points controlled by another was definitely not pleasant. Moreover, the difference in cultivation between Xuanwei and the puppet was like an insurmountable chasm, making Ren Yi as powerless as an ant trying to shake a tree, even if he wanted to resist. Furthermore, he really couldn't figure out what Xuanwei wanted to do in the middle of the night, so he could only pretend to be asleep and wait for the situation to change.
After a long pause, Xuanwei spoke in a low, hoarse voice, as if enduring pain, "Aque, don't be afraid of me."
Ren Yi: "..."
Doesn't this look frightening?!
*
After this ordeal, Ren Yi understood that "Heavenly Dao," "Void Abyss," and anything related to them were Xuan Wei's triggers. Seeing Xuan Wei's increasingly abnormal demeanor, Ren Yi didn't want to stubbornly continue down this path.
However, the system fragments must be retrieved. Ren Yi decided to take a slightly roundabout approach. Since he couldn't directly draw out the Immortal Soul, he could start from the location where the Immortal Soul was. Ren Yi took the opportunity to show that he was very curious about the Mustard Seed Space.
As long as he didn't touch the Xuanwei Thunder Zone, he treated "Yuanque" extremely well. After discovering that Ren Yi was interested in the Mustard Seed Space, he not only found relevant books but also shared his experience without reservation. Finally, he said gently, "When Aque's cultivation is more stable, Master will also help you open one."
Ren Yi noticed that he said "stabilize" rather than "elevate one's realm".
With the puppet's meager cultivation level, it's still far from being able to open a mustard seed space. I wonder what method Xuanwei plans to use to help it open one; it certainly won't be as easy as it sounds.
But Ren Yi wasn't asking these questions to open up his own mustard seed space. Moreover, as for "stabilizing his cultivation," he didn't even know if he would still be in this world after his cultivation was stabilized. That was something for the protagonist to worry about.
Even though he thought this way, Ren Yi didn't refute Xuan Wei. Instead, he continued as if he was very interested: "What about Master's mustard seed space? Can I go in and take a look?"
Ren Yi was absolutely certain about the answer. Given Xuan Wei's almost boundless pampering of "Yuan Que" lately, he was certain the other party would agree to such a small matter without hesitation. However, unexpectedly, he did not receive an immediate reply, but instead was met with a long silence that seemed abrupt in the course of the conversation.
Ren Yi: ? ? ?
Seriously? Here we go again!
Ren Yi quickly reviewed the conversation and confirmed that there was nothing in it that would trigger the Xuanwei Thunder Point.
Ren Yi felt numb! Numb! What happened this time?!
He tried to adjust his expression to a normal level of confusion, but when he looked up at Xuanwei, he saw the latter staring at him with a rather strange look. Ren Yi didn't know how to describe that gaze, but the urgent "Master" he was about to say was swallowed back down his throat.
The moment their eyes met, Xuanwei finally spoke. His voice was deep, and he spoke very slowly, as if confirming something, "A-Que, do you really want to go in?"
Ren Yi certainly wanted to!
The Immortal Soul is in Xuanwei's mustard seed space. Once he enters, he can use the system to confirm its location. After he retrieves the last fragment, the system's functions will be restored, and he can return to the game.
That's the logic, but Xuanwei's question was so unsettling that it made one's heart pound, as if his nod would lead to something irreversible. But Ren Yi quickly realized that even if it was "irreversible," it was Yuan Que's problem. He could just grab the fragments and run away; what did it have to do with him?
After thinking it through, Ren Yi immediately relaxed, but just as he was about to agree, Xuan Wei reached out and placed his hand on the back of his neck.
Ren Yi: ?!
The puppet was made to look exactly like a real person, even its vital points were almost identical. Xuanwei's action made Ren Yi freeze. He didn't know what the other party was planning to do.
Because of Xuanwei's seemingly unstable state, Ren Yi didn't dare to completely embody Yuan Que's character. Given Yuan Que's tendency to make precise and disastrous mistakes, and without the protagonist's halo, Ren Yi was worried he might accidentally ruin himself. However, this also brought another problem: if the character deviation was too obvious, Xuanwei might suddenly realize something was wrong. Therefore, Ren Yi had to be extremely vigilant when interacting with Xuanwei, fearing that one slip-up would lead to his demise.
Fortunately, this time the consequences weren't as dire as Ren Yi had anticipated. Xuan Wei simply exerted a little more force, pulling Ren Yi closer to him, almost to his chest. Xuan Ji's hand moved up, wrapping around the back of Ren Yi's head and gently covering his eyes. He said in a hoarse voice, "Maybe another time."
Ren Yi: ? ? ?
What does "later" mean? Why "later"? Isn't it just a matter of opening a space casually? It doesn't even require much immortal power.
Ren Yi had reason to suspect that he had been fooled, just like when he had asked about the previous emperor. Fortunately, he was playing the role of "Yuan Que" now, so he didn't need any specific reason to persist. Ren Yi figured that this matter shouldn't be on Xuan Wei's radar, so he naturally pressed on.
Xuanwei indeed showed extraordinary patience towards the protagonist, and Ren Yi even felt a little happy about it (Ren Yi: ...?), but even so, he still did not agree.
When Ren Yi, who was already anxious, asked him why, after a long silence, he finally spoke in a calm voice: "It's too dangerous."
Ren Yi: ? ? ?
Ren Yi's reaction was: Are you kidding me?!
He was no longer doubting, but certain that Xuanwei was just fooling him, just like when the previous emperor fell.
Putting aside the fact that there are several places in this small world that could be considered "dangerous" to the Emperor of the Nine Heavens, let's just say that's a mustard seed space! With the master of that space by his side, what danger could he possibly be in?! This is just to fool him!
Xuanwei looked at the boy's eyes, which shone even brighter with anger. Unlike the lifeless look when his soul had not returned, his face was now full of vibrant life. Xuanwei lowered his eyes to hide the turmoil in them, but his hand at his side clenched involuntarily, as if he were trying to hold onto something.
—That's too dangerous.
What happens inside the mustard seed space is entirely up to the owner's will.
Even Xuanwei himself wasn't sure if he would release Aque if he really entered his mustard seed space.
The loneliness of a thousand years was too cold, and the fear of countless dashed hopes was too deep. Even now, Xuanwei is still unsure if this is just a beautiful illusion. But one thing is so clear: he wants to leave this wisp of soul behind, in a place where only he can see it.
The Mustard Seed Space is truly the most suitable location.
However, thinking of the wariness that occasionally appeared in A Que's eyes, and the unconscious tension when they made contact, Xuan Wei restrained his emotions and suppressed those surging thoughts.
A-Que has always been very perceptive, and he has probably already discovered something, but he doesn't want their relationship to end up like that.
Xuanwei looked down at his palm, his fingers slowly tightening. He opened his mouth, silently murmuring—
A-Que, don't be afraid of me.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
