Chapter 30 The Post-Mortem

The Emperor turned to look at me, his eyes cold as frost.

"Then tell me, what do you think my purpose is?"

Hearing him speak so, I summoned my courage and replied, "You should know better than I do why you do what you do."

The Emperor laughed, his laughter as icy as his gaze. "I truly don’t know. I’d like to hear your thoughts."

How could I possibly know his reasons? For a moment, I was at a loss. Then, a sudden inspiration struck, and I changed the subject.

"Why did you give me the Crimson-Eyed Demon Pupil? Don’t tell me you didn’t know it would erode me."

The Emperor said, "Do you think you could find the Soul-Seizing Pearl relying solely on your own abilities? I’m merely helping you."

He continued, "Since I can give you the Crimson-Eyed Demon Pupil, I can naturally take it back. Once you find the Soul-Seizing Pearl, I will remove it from your body."

"Are you telling the truth?" I asked.

The Emperor replied, "Do you think I need to deceive you? Without the Crimson-Eyed Demon Pupil, do you think you’d be alive now?"

His words were not without merit. Back in the Demon Forest, had it not been for the Crimson-Eyed Demon Pupil, I would have long been killed by that shadow.

"Alright, I believe you. But I’m facing a problem now. Do you know how to deal with the Phantom Demon?"

The Emperor nodded. "The main reason I sought you out today is twofold: first, to urge you to find the Soul-Seizing Pearl as soon as possible; second, to teach you a superior spell so you can deal with the Phantom Demon."

"Rest assured, Emperor. I will do my utmost to find the Soul-Seizing Pearl quickly."

"Very well. But before I impart this spell to you, are you willing to take me as your teacher?"

Was the Emperor about to take me as his disciple? Such a fortunate turn, how could I refuse?

So I said, "I am willing."

The Emperor smiled faintly. "Then what are you waiting for?"

"Master, please accept this disciple’s bow."

"Rise!"

Then the Emperor continued, "I shall now teach you the Soul-Piercing Arrow. This arrow is forged from soul energy, and once loosed, it never misses; every shot is fatal."

Under the Emperor’s guidance, I quickly mastered the Soul-Piercing Arrow.

"Not bad. You learned quickly. Now, let me teach you the Soul-Devouring Method."

With that, the Emperor passed on the Soul-Devouring Method to me, though this technique was notably savage.

After practicing for a while, the Emperor saw that I had basically mastered both techniques.

"Alright, these two spells should suffice to help you defeat the Phantom Demon. Now go."

He was about to lift his foot; I realized he intended to send me back in the same abrupt manner as before.

I hurriedly said, "Master, couldn’t you send me back in a gentler way?"

The Emperor paid me no mind and kicked me back.

When I awoke, I found myself lying in bed. I glanced at the time—six in the morning.

Fortunately, only a few hours had passed this time; otherwise, I would have ended up in the hospital again.

Was it all just a dream? Had I not truly met the Emperor in the Underworld?

But if it were just a dream, why did it feel so real?

Right—the spells the Emperor taught me. I could simply try them.

I operated them internally, and sure enough, the magic was real.

It seemed I truly had been to the Underworld.

Steadying my excitement, I was no longer afraid of the Phantom Demon.

At seven o’clock, I got up. In the living room, Lin Wei Yan was preparing breakfast for us.

Seeing me, she asked, "Brother Chu Yun, why are you up so early? Didn’t you sleep a bit more? Practicing last night must have been tiring."

Watching Lin Wei Yan’s busy figure, I thought that if she were human, whoever married her would be very fortunate.

"You’re up early as well. Is there anything I can help with?"

Lin Wei Yan replied, "No need, it’ll be ready soon."

I plopped onto the sofa. "Alright, thank you for your hard work."

She smiled softly, saying nothing more.

A few minutes later, breakfast was served.

"Brother Feng, Little Ling, breakfast is ready!"

I called out from the living room.

But no one answered.

Where were they?

Just as I was wondering, Lin Wei Yan said, "Don’t bother calling—they went out early this morning."

They went out?

"So early—where did they go?" I asked.

Lin Wei Yan sat at the dining table, ladled a bowl of porridge for me, and said, "They said they went jogging."

Jogging?

"Are you sure they’re out jogging? Not causing trouble somewhere?"

Lin Wei Yan replied, "I don’t think so."

Just then, the villa’s door opened.

Feng Zi Mo entered, leading a pheasant and two wild rabbits.

"Big brother, look at our spoils! We have wild game for today," Little Ling said excitedly, running over to me.

Seeing Feng Zi Mo with the pheasant and rabbits, I wondered—this area is full of residential neighborhoods; where did they find these?

So I asked, "Brother Feng, where did you get these pheasant and rabbits?"

Feng Zi Mo tossed the rabbits and pheasant into the kitchen.

"Of course, we caught them in the nearby yards."

Nearby yards?

I was about to ask which yards when Little Ling piped up, "Brother Feng is wrong, those aren’t yards. I know it’s called a zoo—I’ve been there."

Ah…

"Brother Feng, you went to the zoo to catch pheasant and rabbits?"

Hearing this, Feng Zi Mo replied, "Brother Chu Yun, what are you saying? Why call it stealing? We caught them fair and square—a huge cage, too."

I was speechless…

I thought, why not bring back a tiger from the zoo? That would really liven things up.

"Brother Feng, do you know this is illegal? If caught, you could be sentenced."

Feng Zi Mo paid no heed, seemingly unaware of what a crime was.

I had to supplement his knowledge, explaining that humans live in a society governed by law.

After I finished, Feng Zi Mo nodded thoughtfully.

Who knew if he truly understood or was just pretending?

After breakfast, we discussed our next step—to go see Sun Wen Wen’s body.

I took out my phone and called Su Wan Yi, asking her to pick us up.

Around nine o’clock, led by Su Wan Yi, we arrived at the morgue.

Passing through the lab, we reached the cold chamber.

Su Wan Yi pointed to the third row, the body on the far left.

"This is Sun Wen Wen’s body. Let’s go take a look."

Approaching, I slowly lifted the white cloth covering Sun Wen Wen.

Her face appeared before us.

No doubt, this was Sun Wen Wen.

The area around her heart was empty.

But one thing puzzled me greatly.

Sun Wen Wen’s expression seemed to be smiling.

Normally, with such a tragic death, her face should show fear, shouldn’t it?

"Do any of you find it strange? Sun Wen Wen was smiling when she died?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wan Yi said, "We noticed that long ago. Didn’t you say yesterday that Sun Wen Wen wasn’t dead?"