Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
I felt my body uncontrollably leaning into his embrace, a chill enveloping me completely.
It was as if an ice spear had been thrust into my throat, the cold sensation traveling down my esophagus. It first reached my stomach, melting into icy water that flowed into my intestines, instantly spreading throughout my entire body, freezing even my blood.
Though Jun Chong was cold, he had never exuded such frostiness, not even when he was angry.
This man’s attire was strikingly similar to Jun Chong's. Even though his face was obscured, if he stood with his back to me, I would mistake him for Jun Chong. His voice was also remarkably alike; it was this overwhelming similarity that left me momentarily dazed.
Yet there was a feeling deep within me that assured me he was not Jun Chong.
In all my memories of people I had encountered, none had looked so much like Jun Chong. For a moment, I found myself lost in thought about who he truly was.
"Why do you have that expression while looking at me?" He lifted my chin with his cold, rounded fingertip. I felt frost forming at the point of contact. He smiled gently at me, his demeanor as soft as water. "I am Jun Chong!"
"No," I shook my head in denial. "You are not Jun Chong."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
I wanted to move, but he held me too tightly, and the chill surrounding us left me rigid and unable to struggle. The only thing I could freely move was my mouth.
"First of all, Jun Chong is never this cold. Secondly, Jun Chong wouldn’t casually appear in front of so many people. Lastly, although you give off an impression that is very much like Jun Chong, I can say with absolute certainty that you are not him. While I can't claim I'd recognize him even if he turned to dust, I know I could tell if he stood right in front of me."
"No, you are mistaken."
His long finger waved in front of me accompanied by a disapproving tsk. I frowned. "What am I mistaken about?"
"Do you really want to know? You might regret it—" He elongated the last syllable, lowering his voice to reveal a tone that possessed a captivating magnetism, softer and more comfortable than Jun Chong's voice. "Why don’t you guess whether the person under the Cherry Blossom Tree is Jun Chong or me?"
I gasped, a chill running down my spine as I stared at him in disbelief, unable to catch my breath for what felt like an eternity.
What did he just say?
Was that person under the Cherry Blossom Tree really Jun Chong?
But I hadn’t noticed anything unusual at the time!
This was impossible.
“It’s not you; it’s Jun Chong!”
Behind the Human Skin Mask, a pair of eyes as dark and deep as Jun Chong's stared back at me, thick eyelashes fluttering slightly as he narrowed his gaze. “You said it yourself! Don’t regret it now!”
His voice seemed to have a magical quality, echoing in my ears and burrowing deep into my mind, making me question who that person truly was.
“Why aren’t you breathing?” He grasped my chin and leaned closer, his colder breath sending shivers through me. “Humans have a method called artificial respiration; I think it’s worth trying right now.”
“Don’t!”
When he referred to himself as “I,” I was taken aback. Historically, only those of high status would use such a term.
The fact that he had entered my space without anyone stopping him meant—A brief memory flashed through my mind: when Jun Chong had gone missing in Tianshan, Lin You and I had encountered a man who bore a striking resemblance to him while we were in the shop.
Jun Chong had also mentioned being sealed by his older brother.
Jun Chong harbored different feelings towards the King of the Underworld, and Shizui’s evasive words back then confirmed one possibility.
King of the Underworld!
"Is the King of the Underworld no different from a beast? How can you treat a weak woman like this?"
"Bold! How dare you speak to the King in such a manner!"
As soon as I spoke, a ghost official stepped forward to reprimand me, but was silenced by a single glare from the King of the Underworld. He then smiled warmly and wrapped his arm around me, leading me out from behind the sheer veil, revealing us to the crowd of ghosts.
My wandering gaze immediately landed on Mu Yan, and I desperately tried to catch her attention with my expressions. However, she turned away to assist Stunning instead. Frustration and urgency filled me; she had clearly seen me but pretended not to.
What is this?
"I am very happy today. With the joyous atmosphere of the blooming flowers, let us all enjoy ourselves. I shall take my leave now."
"Long live the King of the Underworld! Long live the King of the Underworld!"
The chants echoed in unison, accompanied by countless cheers that felt chilling to my ears. The other three cities' courtesans came forward one after another to pay their respects.
Stunning, I don’t want to be Queen of the Underworld. Stunning, please save me!
I shouted silently in my heart, trying to signal her with my expressions, but it was futile. She kept her head down and didn’t glance my way at all, while not far away, Mu Yan was engaged in conversation with someone beside her, completely ignoring me.
At that moment, my heart began to grow cold.
Why do they recognize me yet pretend not to see my plea for help? Where is Jun Chong? Where could he be?
The King of the Underworld tightened his grip on me slightly as we moved forward. When we reached Stunning's side, he suddenly stopped and lifted her chin with one hand. "You are Stunning from East City?"
"I am indeed."
"You look quite good, and you answered the previous question well. I will be staying in North City for a few days."
Stunning performed a proper bow. "Thank you, my King."
"That's enough." The King of the Underworld waved his sleeve. "Go back."
Stunning remained in place, waiting for us to walk away. I turned my neck to look at her, and in the distance, I finally saw her furrowed brow as she raised her face.
I could only mouth the words, "Stunning, save me!"
I didn't know if she heard me; I just didn't want to return with the King of the Underworld. But where was Jun Chong at this moment? A man who said he would protect me—why was he not here now?
Moreover, since he wanted Stunning to be successfully chosen to enter the Underworld Palace, he must be watching from somewhere. Why was he absent when the King of the Underworld appeared? Why didn’t he show up when I was taken away not far from my residence? And was that really him under the Cherry Blossom Tree? If it was him, did he know everything that was happening to me but chose not to appear?
Recalling how he had asked me to act yesterday to obtain Lianchi's token, discomfort rose within me, and before I realized it, I had already followed the King of the Underworld back to his residence.
At the entrance stood a row of grim reapers in blue robes, each holding a scythe that could easily send my soul into chaos. There was no way to escape.
"As long as you escape this room, they will tear your soul apart," the King of the Underworld seemed to know what I was thinking. He placed me on the bed, sitting on the edge with a smile in his eyes as he tucked my hair behind my ear. "Since you have doubts in your heart, why not doubt thoroughly?"
"I don't understand what you mean."
As the King of the Underworld, if he couldn't probe into a ghost's thoughts, then his title would be meaningless.
So I naturally pretended not to know. Even though I had suspicions about Jun Chong's actions in my heart, I wouldn't reveal any dissatisfaction with him on the surface.
"Your temper is still quite strong." He took off the crown from my head and began to play with it in his hands.
"This scent is truly delightful. If I remember correctly, it should be the 'Holy Fragrance' concocted by the Fragrant Blossom Pavilion. Placed within the beaded curtain of the crown, its aroma seeps into every part of the body, stirring one's desires. But this is an exclusive secret recipe of the Fragrant Blossom Pavilion! Many places can't even find it; how could it end up in your hands in North City?"
It was only when he removed the crown that I realized I had seen a similar one earlier today when I visited the Stunning room. I had merely glanced at it and thought nothing of it, but now it seemed to be exactly the same.
Yet, that didn't mean it was unique.
"There are many similar items; it doesn't necessarily mean this one is special. The Fragrant Blossom Pavilion has it, and other places might have it too. There are plenty of imitations out there."
Upon hearing this, the King of Hell merely smiled and stood up from the edge of the bed, resting one hand on his wide belt at his waist. I was startled and found myself unable to move, shrinking back in fear as I looked at him. "What are you going to do?"
"What do you think I'm going to do?" His beautiful, cool lips curled into a smile, and just the sight of his nose was captivating. If his face truly resembled Jun Chong's, wouldn't that be equally enchanting?
But deep down, I selfishly hoped he wouldn't look exactly like Jun Chong.
"If you dare to touch me, I'd rather die," I warned him, keeping my gaze fixed on him. "This isn't my first time; aren't you disgusted?"
"Men rarely have such peculiar tastes; you're overthinking it."
To my surprise, he simply adjusted the piece of black jade at his waist. The jade was as wide as two fingers and bore incomprehensible carvings on its surface. It was pitch black and resembled nothing I could identify. A buzzing sound echoed in my ears, and in the next moment, I found myself able to move again.
Just as I was reveling in my newfound freedom, a hand descended from above me, bringing with it a chilling sensation that pierced through me. The warmth seeped from his palm down my hair and slid along my cheek as he pinched two fingers together and smiled.
"You're not going to escape such a good opportunity?"
"You've already spoken; how could I possibly leave?"
A deeper smile appeared at the corners of his mouth before he released his grip and turned to leave. "It's late tonight. Get some good rest."
I was stunned. Did he just let me go? That's great.
After the King of the Underworld exited the room, he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the sky. The silver moonlight shone on the golden Human Skin Mask, casting a shimmering glow. The slight smile on his lips gradually faded, replaced by a more intense coldness.
He looked down at his palm, where a trace of warmth still lingered. He moved his fingers slightly before finally sweeping his sleeve and departing.
Once the King of the Underworld was gone, I immediately checked the room. Aside from the main door, there were also Grim Reapers outside the windows on both sides. Not to mention the blue-clad Grim Reaper; even a Grim Reaper would be too much for me to handle. There were no blind spots anywhere else, making escape impossible.
Since escape wasn't an option, I had to think of a clever way out.
Sitting on the bed, I fought against the drowsiness that was creeping in while brainstorming ideas.
The moon tonight was exceptionally beautiful, and the stars had yet to fade away. I remembered once asking Jun Chong why the underworld didn't have a sky as beautiful as that of the human realm. Jun Chong replied, "That's because this is hell."
Hell signifies that there is no life beyond death. A bitter feeling welled up inside me. Was this choice a mistake?
At that moment, I heard a sound coming from a corner of the room—a soft "Gla." When I turned to look, a hand suddenly covered my mouth. "Anxin, it's me."
Jun Chong?!
Comment 0 Comment Count