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墨書 Inktalez
As soon as I heard that voice, I felt a surge of caution, fearing it was the work of the Underworld King again. Given the current situation, I began to suspect that the person speaking to me under the Cherry Blossom Tree was him and not Jun Chong.
If it were truly Jun Chong, there were some things I just couldn't accept.
"What's wrong?"
The call snapped me back to reality. I stared at the body of Little Bugs in front of me, yet it was Jun Chong's voice that came through. I blinked, "Are you really Jun Chong?"
"It’s me, without a doubt." Jun Chong's voice continued, carrying an undeniable tone. "I am not him."
Those simple four words brought back a familiar sense of hatred, causing my heart to tremble, but I also felt a sense of relief. "Jun Chong." The name escaped my lips, thick with emotion, and I surprised myself as I stood there looking at Little Bugs, holding back tears.
"Don't cry." Jun Chong's voice softened considerably. "I'm currently speaking to you through Little Bugs' essence. It's not convenient for me to get close to him. There are some things I need your help with to ensure Stunning can successfully enter the Underworld Palace. Time is short; you need to listen carefully."
"Okay, go ahead."
To prevent anyone from overhearing us, I pulled Little Bugs onto the bed and drew the curtains closed, sitting cross-legged on the mattress. "Hurry up and tell me what I can do to help!"
Little Bugs opened his mouth as if he had something to say but hesitated. His expression was so cute that it masked whatever emotions Jun Chong might be feeling behind him; I could only discern them through his voice.
"What’s going on? Didn’t you have something to say earlier?"
"Anxin, I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. Jun Chong had said similar things to me before, but this time it took me a while to realize his tone was stiff and his breath slightly unsteady; he genuinely seemed remorseful.
"Back to the main topic, you should have heard what he said about Stunning on the Blossom Society. He appreciates Stunning and left some hints there, but there hasn't been a formal decision. However, Stunning must enter the Underworld Palace, so I want you to ask him to bring Stunning back with him. If you speak up, he will definitely agree."
As he said the last nine words, I could hear Jun Chong's teeth grinding in frustration. I looked at Little Bugs in confusion and asked, "Why?"
"Because—" he hesitated for a moment, "because as it stands, he likes you. The correct answer to that question is what Stunning said; if he only brings you back, it would mean abandoning the Blossom Society. You must understand that the Blossom Society has a history of ten thousand years, and there are some rules that even he, as the King of the Underworld, cannot change. Therefore, to silence the public opinion and ensure that Stunning can smoothly enter the Underworld Palace, it can only be you."
Hearing this, I bit my lip slightly. Jun Chong's meaning was already very clear: if Stunning was to go to the Underworld Palace, it meant I had to go along too; otherwise, Stunning wouldn't be able to go.
The heaviness that had cracked open in my heart began to spread further.
I remained silent for a while before forcing myself to adjust my emotions. "Jun Chong, do you want me to go back with him? I am your wife—"
The word "wife" barely escaped my lips before his words cut me off.
"Anxin, I know you're upset, but we must prioritize the bigger picture. Molin's soul is likely in the Underworld Palace; the method for Demon Fetus is also there. Plus, this time Qin Ling will be going along as well. If you don't go to the Underworld Palace, you won't be able to reach those things, so—"
So you don't want me anymore? So you want to send me off to another man?
That thought lodged itself firmly in my throat, unable to be voiced. I tightly covered my mouth and nose with one hand to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.
Jun Chong didn't say anything more; a long silence spread between us until I managed to catch my breath, lowered my hand, and pretended nothing was wrong.
"I understand now. My father taught me that true success inevitably comes with hardships and crises; without these two elements, one can never get close to the truth. So I'll go. For myself and for Molin, I'm willing to do anything. Jun Chong, don't worry; with Stunning around, I'll be fine. This time I'll definitely complete the mission and then return to the human world."
"Then tomorrow I'll have Little Bugs come with Stunning. If anything comes up, just tell Stunning directly; Little Bugs will connect us. Remember one thing: don't overthink what he says; just listen once and that's enough. Do you remember?"
I nodded and looked up with a smile. "It's getting late; you should hurry back before you're discovered."
But Little Bugs did not move. Behind her, Jun Chongzheng looked at me through Little Bugs' eye sockets. I didn't look directly, but I could feel that gaze becoming very complicated until some commotion outside broke the silence.
"It seems like there's some noise. You should hurry and leave. If you're discovered, the plan will be ruined."
I urged her, and this time Little Bugs finally moved. She walked to the corner where she had entered and transformed into a wisp of blue smoke, disappearing through the gap in the window. I didn't know what Little Bugs truly was, but I felt an instant admiration for her abilities.
As I turned to go to bed, a voice suddenly echoed in my mind, "Anxin, my wife, my beloved, the flesh of my heart."
My nose tinged with bitterness as I turned around, but there was nothing there. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, like a dam bursting. I buried myself under the covers and cried for a long time.
The next day, I woke up naturally without anyone disturbing me. When I got up, my eyes were swollen. I stared at myself in the mirror for a long time; no amount of makeup could cover it up, and since I wasn't in the habit of wearing makeup anyway, I decided to let the ghost sent by the King of Hell rest. After simply washing my face and putting on the plainest dress, I went to meet him.
At that moment, the King of Hell was sitting in a pavilion admiring the flowers. He glanced at me briefly before turning away coldly, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. "Who assisted Anxin with her dressing today?"
A little ghost who had followed me bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it was this servant—ah—"
Before I even realized what was happening, that little ghost was instantly struck down by Grim Reaper's scythe. I watched in horror as her Three Souls and Seven Spirits left her body; Death did not stop there. The dark scythe gleamed as it shattered all of her Three Souls and Seven Spirits.
"What are you doing? Stop!" I was terrified. I didn't understand why he was about to kill a ghost. "What did she do wrong? Why must you treat her like this?"
"When has my woman ever appeared in such a state? If she cannot serve her master well, what is the point of her living? This is a lesson."
He called it a lesson, but it felt more like a warning—a reminder that I was his woman now and that any disobedience on my part would lead to death for any ghost near me.
He had me completely under his control.
"If you don’t say anything, how would I know?" I looked down at my attire; it wasn’t extravagant at all. Jun Chong loved simplicity and often said that plainness was best. But he was the King of Hell and could not tolerate any flaws. "In that case, I'll go change."
"No need," the King of Hell firmly refused, waving me over. "Come here."
I bit my lip, feeling reluctant, but I still walked over and stood a little distance away from him. The King of Hell gazed at the lotus flowers in the lake, reaching out to grasp me but missing. Only then did he turn back to look at me.
Seeing my expression, he couldn't help but smile, most of his face hidden beneath the golden Human Skin Mask, making it hard to discern his features.
"Why don't you come closer?"
"Are you really wearing a Human Skin Mask in broad daylight?" I asked. "Is there something you can't let others see?"
The King of Hell narrowed his eyes suddenly, the coldness of the Human Skin Mask piercing through as he stared at me, a smirk forming on his lips that radiated an infinite chill. "Do you not fear that I might kill you for speaking to me like that?"
"Can you really kill me? You care so little for your own subjects; I have no right to voice my opinions." I spoke slowly, watching the rare changes in his expression, standing tall. "Besides, this is just how I talk. If you don't like it, you can let me go anytime. Don't you also like the Stunning from East City?"
His previously narrowed eyes relaxed at my words, and the cold smirk turned into a genuine smile. He clapped his hands and moved closer to me, gripping my arm tightly and leaning in, making the chill around him even more palpable. I couldn't help but shiver.
"Are you jealous?"
"What do I have to be jealous about?" I tilted my head, pretending not to understand. "That Courtesan was meant to be hers; you should bring her back to the palace."
"You are the one I've chosen. Are you saying my choice is wrong?" The teasing in his voice intensified. "Or do you know this Stunning and have some scheme with her?"
"What scheme could I possibly have against you?" I calmly retorted. "You may be the King of Hell, but even if I argue, the outcome would be just like before. I don't want to die yet. Besides, my heart already belongs to another; she is someone else's wife now, so forgive me—"
"Is it Jun Chong?"
He suddenly released me and turned to sit behind a stone table. The tea on it had already boiled, its fragrance wafting through the air. The King of Hell poured two cups, placing one in front of himself and the other on an empty spot before looking up at me with a smile. "Won't you sit down?"
I had just snapped out of my shock when I pondered whether he was really Jun Chong's older brother. Suddenly, he chuckled softly, holding the teacup with one hand and bringing it to his nose to take a whiff before sipping lightly.
"Jun Chong is my younger brother; how could I not know that he is already married?"
Indeed!
He knew everything! Yet he had been toying with me all along!
"I never thought of you as a fool."
"You can read minds!"
"Weren't you aware of that already?"
I felt a surge of anger; he was clearly teasing me. "Then why do you still want me to stay by your side?"
The King of Hell played with the purple clay teapot and teacup in his hands, the green tea swirling gently within. His smile was bright, his gaze sparkling like glass, and his voice flowed slowly, melodious like a babbling brook.
"Because I've always enjoyed taking everything from him. Anything that belongs to him, I want it, regardless of whether I like it or not."
"For example?"
"For example, the position of the King of Hell." He enunciated each word clearly and spoke at a leisurely pace. "And also you."
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