Chapter 231: Return to Zhonghai

It’s extremely difficult to transcend the Three Realms.

Bai Feng’s words gave Shui Miao a clear understanding of his striving goal.

Difficult, the path to immortality is as hard as climbing into the sky from the ground.

Shui Miao couldn’t help but sigh, expressing the sentiments of cultivators and the helplessness of mortals.

“It’s unfair, so unfair! Why are some people born as immortals? Why don’t they need to cultivate to become immortals? Why? Who exactly controls the fate of the Three Realms, and why do they stand above all beings?” Shui Miao murmured to himself, feeling somewhat disappointed, because it really was too hard.

“Ahh!” Bai Feng sighed too, “Well, these aren’t problems for us to consider. Think about it, there are many lives in this world worse than us, like flowers and grasses, small fish and tiny shrimps. Who would they complain to? Just being alive is already pretty good. Cherish the present time and live well first.”

Bai Feng’s words expressed her own feelings and helplessness, but one could also sense her discontent.

Shui Miao disagreed with this attitude.

“Life is short, just a few decades. From birth to death, we are always bound by various rules. When alive, we fear the law; after death, we fear the decrees of the Three Realms. Afraid of this, afraid of that, whatever we do, we are always cautious and restrained. In the end, we can only live obediently, not daring to yearn for much, always telling ourselves that just being alive is already great. But what’s the meaning of living like this?” Shui Miao shook his head, took a deep breath, “No! I will never just let things be forever. I want to comprehend the great Dao, find out the truth, and then do what I believe is right. Whoever blocks me, I will kill. I will carve out a world of my own, even if I fail, so what? We all die eventually, right? Rather than obediently waiting for death, I’d rather take a chance, maybe I can fight my way through a bloody path!”

The more Shui Miao thought, the deeper he got, the angrier he became, and the more discontented he felt.

Bai Feng fell silent…

Wasn’t what Shui Miao was thinking exactly what she was thinking?

But to live, one must follow the rules; those who don’t follow the rules will be suppressed.

If she didn’t follow the rules, could she still survive in this world for hundreds of years? Bai Feng couldn’t help but feel conflicted. She knew that to do as Shui Miao said required great fortune and a very strong backing, otherwise she would certainly perish midway.

“Shui Miao, I will support you,” Bai Feng said after a while, revealing her stance to Shui Miao, “This time going to Zhonghai City, I will fully cooperate with you. Let’s uncover the truth together. If Master isn’t a good person, I will cut ties with her completely, and from then on, I will stand firmly by your side.”

“Thank you, thank you for trusting me, Bai Jie,” Shui Miao was somewhat moved, not having misjudged Bai Feng; she had finally stood on his side after all.

Bai Feng exhaled deeply. Now that she had decided to stand with Shui Miao, there was no need to think too much anymore. They should start discussing what to do after arriving in Zhonghai City. Shui Miao’s aura had completely changed, no longer needing to hide deliberately; even the White Goddess probably couldn’t detect it. Moreover, Shui Miao’s mastery of Yin-Yang immortal energy was constantly improving.

※※※

Zhonghai City, train station.

Tonight, the moonlight was dim, and a drizzle was falling, making a gentle pattering sound. The city seemed to be wrapped in a hazy veil of rain, exuding a unique beauty.

Shui Miao stepped out of the station and came with Xiao Hong to the bus stop shelter by the roadside.

There weren’t many people inside the shelter. Knowing it was raining, taxis had gathered, even to the point of being in surplus.

Xiao Hong and Shui Miao got into a taxi, and Shui Miao casually said, “Lin Hai Grand Hotel.”

The driver turned around, gave a thumbs-up, smiled slightly at Shui Miao, and praised, “Brother, your Chinese is really good!”

Indeed, Shui Miao was now channeling Yin Saint’s Spirit. His whole body had turned pitch black, looking exactly like a visitor from Africa.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hong secretly smiled.

Shui Miao thanked the driver and then took out his phone to send a text message to Wang Xiaomi: “Xiaomi Jie, your old friend is waiting for you at Lin Hai Grand Hotel. Xiao Shui.”

After sending the message, Xiao Hong linked her arm with Shui Miao’s and asked, “Who is this Xiaomi? Don’t tell me she’s your girlfriend?”

“She’s my sister. Oh, Xiao Hong, where do you want to get off?”

Shui Miao had never intended to go to the circus with Xiao Hong to become a magician. After getting off the train, she had become his shadow: “Oh, I can contact you tomorrow about joining your circus as a magician, okay? It’s really too late tonight, and it’s raining, so…” Shui Miao even shrugged his shoulders and gently removed her arm linked with his.

“Fine! Since you’re so annoyed with me, I’ll just get off here.”

Xiao Hong pretended to be angry, hoping Shui Miao would comfort her.

But Shui Miao just nodded and told the driver, “Master, trouble you.”

“No problem, no problem.”

The driver hurriedly waved his hand and stopped the car at the nearest roadside.

But to his surprise, Xiao Hong suddenly smiled and said, “Forget it, I’m going to Lin Hai Grand Hotel tonight too.”

“…”

The driver was speechless. Just as he was about to drive off, Shui Miao handed him a hundred yuan note, “Master, I suddenly remembered I need to buy some small gifts at the supermarket. I’ll get off here. You can keep the change. Please take her to the hotel.” After saying that, Shui Miao immediately got out and walked towards a Nonggongshang supermarket by the roadside.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Hong also got out and chased after Shui Miao, asking, “What do you mean! Are you trying to shake me off! Am I really that annoying?”

Shui Miao smirked, snapped his fingers at the side, said “Got it,” and then directly walked towards the supermarket.

The Black Snake Demon exhaled at Xiao Hong, who then dizzily turned around, got back into the taxi, and told the driver to take her to the circus beside Nanwan residential area.

After arriving at the supermarket, Shui Miao bought some casual clothes, changed, and took a taxi to Lin Hai Grand Hotel.

Wang Xiaomi hadn’t replied to the text message yet. Shui Miao entered the hotel, took out his ID card, and prepared to check in.

The photo on Shui Miao’s ID card was covered with yin energy, making him look like a black man.

The front desk clerk looked at the ID card and then at Shui Miao, and then checked him into a room.

Shui Miao took the key and went upstairs. With his spiritual sense, he sensed the clerk was making a phone call, “Xiaomi Jie, a black man named Shui Miao just came to the hotel… okay… I’ll report his ID number to you…”

After sensing this, Shui Miao withdrew his spiritual sense, smiled slightly, and entered his room.

Soon after, Wang Xiaomi and Li Lan arrived at the hotel.

“They’re here.”

Shui Miao waved his hand, and the Black Snake Demon opened the door. Shui Miao saw Wang Xiaomi and Li Lan standing exactly at the doorway, with Li Lan looking as if she had just been about to knock.

Seeing Shui Miao, Wang Xiaomi and Li Lan felt a sense of familiarity, but they couldn’t recall where they had seen this black man before. Shui Miao smiled slightly, transformed back to his original appearance, and waved his hand, “Li Lan Jie, Xiao Tang Jie, please come in. I’ve been waiting for you for a while.”

“You, you are…?”

Wang Xiaomi and Li Lan were astonished.

Seeing their alertness, Shui Miao shook his head with a smile and went to the door to welcome them, “I guess you two must have been with another Shui Miao just now, right?”

“Yes, but who are you then?” Wang Xiaomi was very puzzled.

Shui Miao closed his eyes and shook his head, “Xiaomi Jie, I didn’t expect you were also deceived by her. Do you remember that night when you sent me to the riverside? I guess you must have seen me again the next day, right?” As he spoke, Shui Miao handed his ID card to Wang Xiaomi, “Xiaomi Jie, do you remember the first day you came for the interview? On that day, Lin Xue showed off her skills, fighting against several people alone…”

“Don’t say any more, I understand. You are the real Shui Miao.”

Wang Xiaomi suddenly burst into tears. In fact, she had been secretly doubting whether Shui Miao was the same person all along these days, but she had kept it to herself. Seeing Shui Miao’s words, actions, expressions, and eyes today, Wang Xiaomi knew that this was indeed the real Shui Miao.

“Alright, please come in first.”

Shui Miao was deeply moved; Wang Xiaomi was absolutely loyal to him.

In contrast, Li Lan couldn’t tell.

After entering the room, Shui Miao first spoke to prove himself: “That night, my soul traveled to the Immortal Realm, where I caused some trouble. The thousand-year-old female ghost Bai Niangniang brought me back, telling me that immortals from the Immortal Realm would hunt me down, advising me to hide my identity and go to a very distant place for fifty years. I believed her words, so that night I asked you to send me to the riverside, where I was taken away by a group of axolotl spirits and ended up living in a Miao village. But soon I discovered that things weren’t that simple; I might have been used, so I returned. Fortunately, I survived great danger and gained significant power. This time, I came back to see what exactly the thousand-year-old female ghost Bai Niangniang has been doing behind my back.”

“Are you telling a story?” Li Lan stood up, frowning at Shui Miao, “I don’t believe you. Again with the Immortal Realm and axolotl spirits, this is simply impossible. I admit that Boss Shui Miao practices martial arts, but what you’re saying is just too far-fetched.”

“Li Lan Jie, I knew you wouldn’t believe me because you don’t know me well enough, which is why I messaged Wang Xiaomi. Now that you’re here, to make you believe, I can show you whether or not there are spirits in this world.” Shui Miao gestured to the Black Snake Demon, “Xiao Hei, show yourself to her.”

As soon as Shui Miao finished speaking, the Black Snake Demon appeared before Li Lan, revealing himself: “Beautiful lady, hello!”

“This is just an illusion!”

Li Lan didn’t believe it and reached out to grab the Black Snake Demon.

But the Black Snake Demon raised his hand and firmly grabbed her palm with his own, “Illusion? With me holding your hand like this, do you still think I’m an illusion?”

“Xiao Hei, don’t be rude.”

Shui Miao frowned slightly, the Black Snake Demon was startled, quickly disappearing.

Wang Xiaomi excitedly approached Shui Miao, “Xiao Shui, can I touch your face and then ask you a question?”

Influenced by Li Lan, Wang Xiaomi still had a bit of doubt.

Shui Miao nodded, “Xiaomi Jie, go ahead and ask.”

Wang Xiaomi touched Shui Miao’s face, confirming that he was real, and then excitedly asked, “That day, when I went with you to send off Madam Lin Qing’er to the airport, you repeated a sentence to her…”

“Can I love you?”

Before Wang Xiaomi could finish, Shui Miao held her hand, completed the sentence for her, and answered first.