“Taiyi Heavenly Venerable Han Guang…” Ye Di, Huo Lishang, savored the name. For some reason, he suddenly felt a particularly dark sense about tonight. The more brightly lit and blooming with flowers the deck of the ship was, the darker the outside world seemed, filled with the sorrow of being homeless.
Sigh, sentimental again. I wonder how long it will be before I can return to “home…” Huo Lishang sighed inwardly, not taking this “darkness” seriously. He smiled and extended his hand casually:
“Where is the mask?”
“Where is the mask of the Taiyi Heavenly Venerable?”
Members of this mysterious organization always wore a mask of an ancient immortal. Since the opponent bore the title “Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun,” he must carry the corresponding mask—a specially crafted one, just like the “Thousand-Face Mask,” which even a Dharma Body couldn’t penetrate or detect.
Meng Qi chuckled dryly, his tone flat: “Our organization is known for its secrecy. The masks are bound to the wearer. If too many secrets are leaked or the mask is transferred to another, it will trigger a karmic curse, instantly reducing the wearer to ashes.”
Slowly, he pulled out the “Yuanshi Tianzun” mask. Using the reverse of the Eight-Nine Art and his refined control, he temporarily altered the mask’s surface structure, transforming it into the appearance of “Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun.” Then, before Ye Di could notice anything amiss, he quickly withdrew it into his sleeve.
Without this, he couldn’t convince Ye Di. But if observed too closely, the deception might be easily discovered!
Seeing that the mask was indeed that of “Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun” and that it could indeed block perception, Ye Di smiled and said, “But without a mask, how can I, as the ‘Taiyi Tianzun,’ gain others’ trust? Please, instruct me, young master.”
He had already changed his attitude, treating Meng Qi as “Ye Di,” the young master Lishang.
“This matter will be handled solely by me. Qu Baiwei is already dead. Any ordinary ‘Taiyi Tianzun’ mask will suffice,” Meng Qi said lightly.
Huo Lishang’s lips curled into a smile brimming with enthusiasm. He patted his clothes, his body suddenly darkened, then shifted and changed, returning to brightness. His appearance, build, and aura were now about fifty to sixty percent similar to Meng Qi’s—only his aura was weaker, giving off the impression of someone who had just entered the Outer Scenery realm.
He stepped down from the flower-decked platform and slowly walked toward the outside of the cabin, speaking as he went: “Although the Seven Seas and Twenty-Eight Realms are boundless, the number of experts at the Grandmaster level is still limited. Suddenly appearing out of nowhere would only invite suspicion, so for now, this disguise is necessary.”
He had decided to act as “Taiyi Tianzun” Han Guang.
Meng Qi watched his back, opened his mouth, and finally said sincerely: “Be careful.”
I hope we meet again…
Huo Lishang didn’t turn back, simply waving his hand casually before returning to the opposite ship.
“Ye Di’s Ship” returned to calmness. The banquet had ended, the music had stopped, and only flowers and lights remained.
Meng Qi composed himself and put on the “Thousand-Face Mask” in his hand.
He had already quietly checked the mask, finding no traps. Surprisingly, it was a divine artifact-level item, mainly used for disguise, storing power, and establishing remote connections.
It could even serve as a reference for the “Multiverse Awareness Sphere”… I wonder what relation it has with the ancient Thousand-Face Immortal Sage… Meng Qi mused thoughtfully as he felt the mask begin to shift, spreading its aura and infiltrating the surface of his body, radiating the unique aura of Ye Di from within outward.
In an instant, Meng Qi had become the “Ye Di” Huo Lishang, with a clean and refreshing smile.
Opposite him, Liushang gazed at his face with tender eyes, her expression filled with affection, as if the person before her was indeed the true “Ye Di.”
She retrieved a white robe from her jade ring, holding it in both hands. A faint yet lasting fragrance wafted into Meng Qi’s nose.
“My lord, it’s been a long time since you last wore this ‘Nine Stars with Moon Robe,'” Liushang said softly, draping the subtly shimmering white robe over Meng Qi’s shoulders. She helped him adjust his collar and sash, smoothing the hair that fell on either side of his face.
Xia Pei, the sword-bearing attendant, smiled and drew her sword. Its crystalline blade clearly reflected Meng Qi’s transformed appearance. With Liushang’s careful adjustments, he now looked exactly like the former Ye Di—lips red as rubies, teeth white and even, a refined and elegant young noble.
Another top-grade Daoist robe, casually tossed out. No wonder Ye Di’s treasure house has such a reputation… Meng Qi couldn’t help thinking.
If Ye Di says all his treasures are at my disposal, what would his expression be if I took them all? Would he hit me?
Liushang stood behind Meng Qi, gently helping him tidy up, her smile warm and comforting. She didn’t speak, but her presence radiated warmth.
At this moment, Yunyue, who had gone to deliver messages with the Black Bone Elder, and Youhu, who had seen them off, returned to the cabin. Upon seeing Meng Qi, they showed no surprise or hesitation, behaving as they always had, familiar and accustomed.
Youhu sat beside him, kneeling behind the table and calmly brewing tea. The fragrance of the tea mingled with her ethereal aura, making the cabin feel like a fairyland.
Yunyue casually linked her arm with Meng Qi’s, lifting her pretty face. Her eyes sparkled like stars as she playfully said, “My lord, I’ve already sent word to the Black Bone Elder. As you instructed, I’ve written a letter. See how good I am? I only protest with words…”
Their attitudes were warm and affectionate, to the point that even Meng Qi felt a fleeting illusion—he truly was “Ye Di” Huo Lishang.
“Good,” Meng Qi replied casually. “You all go back and rest. This young master is a bit tired today and would like to be alone for a while.”
Yunyue, Youhu, and the other concubines were not only beautiful but also perceptive. They knew that the current Ye Di still needed time to adjust and gradually step into his role. Therefore, without the slightest suspicion, they exited the cabin amidst soft laughter and gentle chatter.
As their footsteps faded, a beautiful face suddenly peeked from behind the door, her dimpled cheeks charming and lovely—it was Yunyue, who should have already left.
Yunyue blinked, tilted her head, and smiled: “My lord, rest well.”
Her smile was bright, her tone playful, like a piece of imperial sugar cake, sweet and delightful.
Having said that, Yunyue didn’t linger, leaving lightly and quickly.
Meng Qi shook his head with a smile. Was this a real-life role-playing game?
As this thought crossed his mind, a figure flashed into the cabin—Liushang, with her delicate features and gentle demeanor.
She smiled: “My lord, it’s too messy here. Let me tidy up.”
As she spoke, her eyes fixed on Meng Qi, her dark pupils shimmering with moisture. Suddenly, her voice dropped: “My lord, will you think I’m dirty?”
This… Meng Qi hadn’t expected Liushang to ask such a question. It defied the usual practice of treating him as the real Ye Di. Why would Liushang break the “rules of the game”?
Ah, right. Yunyue, Xia Pei, and Youhu all see me as Ye Di, but she sees me as myself first. She speaks to “me,” not to Ye Di, seeking a special connection and evoking sympathy.
No wonder Huo Lishang said that among his four concubines, Liushang seemed gentle but was actually the most cunning, skilled in competing for favor.
Seeing that Meng Qi didn’t answer, Liushang lowered her head, tears sliding down her cheeks: “Our lives and deaths are in Ye Di’s hands. When he commands us to do something, how can we resist?”
Her voice was sorrowful, evoking sympathy, strongly stirring a man’s protective instincts.
“The world is like a copper furnace; none of us are free,” Meng Qi replied casually.
Liushang lifted her head, her eyes flashing with surprise, her tone gentle: “From now on, my lord will be Ye Di. What do you think Ye Di is like?”
Meng Qi thought for a moment and said: “Ye Di is a truly cold person.”
“Eh?” Liushang was surprised. “Ye Di is deeply passionate about all beautiful things, about every little moment in life. How could he be cold?”
Meng Qi turned his back to her, hands clasped behind him, gazing at the blooming flowers outside the window: “He loves all beautiful things, all beautiful experiences. He doesn’t seek to possess them, only to admire and savor them. He treats them all equally, so to him, there is no difference between one beautiful thing and another. There is no one or nothing that requires special treatment. To him, you and a flower or a glass lamp are no different. Flowers can be given away to obtain other beauties, and so can you.”
“When great love reaches its extreme, it becomes coldness. It’s one form of ‘indiscriminate affection.’ It’s a true manifestation of ‘Heaven and Earth are not benevolent; they regard all things as straw dogs.'”
Liushang was stunned upon hearing this. After a long silence, she forced a faint smile and said, “I always believed I understood Ye Di, but only now, after hearing these words from my lord, do I truly comprehend him.”
Her smile faded, and her gaze softened again: “My lord, where shall we go next?”
Her tone and expression indicated she was seeking Ye Di’s command.
Meng Qi looked at the blooming flowers and said: “Shijue Island.”
“Shijue Island… it’s the domain of Yin Zu, one of the Five Elders. If we go there rashly, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings,” Liushang gently objected.
You are not the real Ye Di; you cannot stand against “Yin Zu” Xu Bei.
Meng Qi turned his head, his gaze fixed on Liushang, showing no emotion:
“This is my command.”
Liushang opened her mouth but said nothing. Bowing her head, she replied: “As my lord commands.”
She exited the cabin, her heart pounding. Just now, she had felt as if she were truly facing the young master, the real Ye Di. That calm yet authoritative aura felt genuine, as if the young master inside possessed a status and dignity no less than Ye Di’s own!
Watching her leave, Meng Qi sighed inwardly. A single word spoken, and none dared oppose—a truly wonderful feeling. No wonder so many people became addicted and couldn’t break free.
…
The magnificent “Ye Di’s Ship” docked at Shijue Island’s harbor. Xia Pei came to ask the young master what should be done next.
She saw Meng Qi in his white robe, exuding a refreshing aura, calmly sipping tea and listening to her report before saying indifferently: “Restrict everyone to the ship. We remain here.”
Ye Di had arrived at Shijue Island but had not left the ship for several days. This news quickly spread throughout the nearby waters, creating a sense of eerie mystery.
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