Action followed thought. On the third day of Bian Menghan’s departure, as soon as the sun rose, Shi Changting groomed himself, ready to head out.
Ying Zhou followed closely behind him, moving with the mechanical stiffness of a robot. “Is the Immortal Venerable planning to go out?”
Shi Changting smoothed his collar and replied unpleasantly, “Is it not already obvious?”
“This subordinate understands. Where would the Immortal Venerable like to go?”
“Just a casual stroll.”
“Understood.”
A casual stroll was, of course, an excuse. His primary goal now was to seek out a powerful external ally.
In truth, compared to the eldest brother, Bian Mengyu, Shi Changting was actually more willing to deal with Bian Que. Because, while Bian Que was vicious and ruthless, he at least understood Bian Mengyu’s coldness and inscrutability. However, during the shura field confrontation between the three of them that day, he could sense that Bian Que had developed an interest in him. To avoid creating further complications, he had no choice but to keep Bian Que at arm’s length.
As for Bian Mengyu, when Shi Changting was writing the novel, he had left behind a contingency plan for his protagonist. If the plot hit a dead end, Bian Mengyu would step in to resolve the crisis. He was effectively the story’s bug fix. Although he had never needed to use it in the original draft, it was perfect for his current situation.
He headed straight to Bian Mengyu’s sleeping quarters, only to be told by a demon cultivator that Bian Mengyu had left and was not in the Demon Palace.
“Did he go out on a mission?”
The demon cultivator felt disdain for this Immortal Venerable who had been the subject of so much gossip recently, viewing him as nothing more than a cheap man relying on his looks. He replied impatiently, “No, I do not know. Just get lost.”
Shi Changting knew his current status; explaining himself would be futile, so he simply accepted it. He felt better that way. The real question now was: where had Bian Mengyu gone?
Shi Changting thought he probably knew where to find him.
He wandered slowly until he reached the back mountain of the Demon Realm. The terrain here was rugged and precipitous, and while the scenery was quite beautiful, looking at it from a distance always gave one the terrifying, subconscious feeling of being swallowed whole.
Regarding Shi Changting’s behavior, Ying Zhou only frowned slightly, but he did not stop him, only asking, “Why has the Immortal Venerable come here? This place is very dangerous.”
“Do I not still have you?” Shi Changting pretended to laugh at himself, his face showing a helpless resignation. “I trust you will protect me well.”
Ying Zhou remained expressionless, but upon hearing this, he looked up in surprise. Something flickered rapidly in his eyes before he lowered his head again.
“I am honored by the Immortal Venerable’s trust. This subordinate will surely stake everything to keep the Immortal Venerable safe.”
What a wooden block, Shi Changting sighed inwardly. If he had known, he would not have written him to be so mechanical and unfeeling. He is too hard to win over.
Shi Changting said gently, “I came to gather some herbs for Menghan. If he happens to return injured, it will be good to have a remedy ready.”
Ying Zhou knew the Immortal Venerable possessed basic medical knowledge and, thinking it might be useful for the Young Master, simply nodded and said nothing more.
Shi Changting smiled, his plan a success. He may be a bit dull, but his stupidity is exactly what I need.
Shi Changting stopped wasting time and ran toward the location in his memories. He was looking for a grave: the grave of Bian Mengyu’s mother.
His mother had been the first Demon Empress, noble, beautiful, and of prestigious lineage. Having given birth to Bian Mengyu, her position should have been as solid as a mountain. But a few years after Bian Mengyu was born, she died suddenly and miserably. Her death was so scandalous that the Demon Lord ordered her to be buried secretly, forbade the erection of a tombstone, prohibited any memorial services, and forbade anyone from ever mentioning her name again.
Unfortunately for the demon world, Shi Changting, the one who held the script, knew everything. He also knew the secrets Bian Mengyu had always been desperate to uncover. To obtain Bian Mengyu’s help, this was his only leverage.
Relying on his memories, Shi Changting reached a mound of earth. Sure enough, he saw the figure of Bian Mengyu there.
Hearing movement, Bian Mengyu turned around slowly. Their gazes met. The moment their eyes locked, Shi Changting felt the strange, heavy tension so common in novels. Bian Mengyu stood in the shadows with his back to the sun, his tall silhouette making it impossible to read his expression. The two faced each other in silence for a moment.
“What a coincidence.”
“Young Lord.”
Shi Changting finally broke the awkward silence.
Bian Mengyu remained unflappable, looking at Shi Changting, who was carrying a medicinal basket. The latter was thin and slender, his features elegant and refined. He was covered in a light sheen of sweat and breathing slightly hard. Standing in the sunlight, the cold, distant aura he had displayed during their first meeting seemed to have faded away.
Shi Changting had assumed that his deliberate attempt to happen upon Bian Mengyu would have been blocked by Ying Zhou’s intelligence, or at least that Ying Zhou would have intervened immediately. Surprisingly, Ying Zhou made no unnecessary movements from beginning to end. It was as if he truly existed only to serve as his protector. Since Ying Zhou did not block him, Shi Changting would not be foolish enough to ask why. His focus was entirely on Bian Mengyu.
“Not a coincidence,” Bian Mengyu said calmly, as if discussing something completely irrelevant. “Is this not the Immortal Venerable deliberately coming here to waylay me?”
His intentions exposed, Shi Changting remained composed. His voice was cool, and a faint smile like dissipating smoke bloomed on his face. “That is correct.”
Bian Mengyu was more unruffled than he had imagined. “Does the Immortal Venerable have business with me?”
Shi Changting did not look back. “Ying Zhou, wait for me outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with the Young Lord.” He paused and added, “It concerns Menghan.”
Ying Zhou replied stiffly, “But, Immortal Venerable…”
Shi Changting interrupted him softly, “Do not worry, I will be fine.”
Ying Zhou deliberated, stayed silent, then turned and stepped back a few paces to give them space, though he kept Shi Changting well within his line of sight. He knew Bian Mengyu would not harm Shi Changting. He was confident in that.
When Ying Zhou was far enough away that he could no longer see them, Shi Changting finally stepped forward. With a quiet, sharp gaze, he leaned down and whispered a single sentence into Bian Mengyu’s ear.
Bian Mengyu’s eyes jumped. Then, a bone-chilling cold light condensed in his pupils. In the next second, he cast a spell, trapping both of them within a barrier.
Bian Mengyu’s eyes were now as deep as an unfathomable abyss. “Immortal Venerable Changting, do you know what you are saying?”
How could this be possible? Everyone who knew about that incident back then had been taken care of. There was absolutely no way anyone could have leaked it. Why? Why does this person from the Immortal Sect know of a secret the Demon Realm has kept suppressed for so many years? Is he targeting me?
Shi Changting remained calm, meeting the other’s unfriendly scrutiny. “I know. I am sure the Young Lord still has many questions in his heart. But regarding this matter, I hope you understand that Changting has no ill intentions. I only wish to help the Young Lord.”
Bian Mengyu remained noncommittal. The two stared at each other in silence. After a long while, Bian Mengyu asked in a low voice, “What do you want?”
Shi Changting felt a surge of joy. Heh! He is on board!
Shi Changting replied calmly, “I want the Young Lord to help me leave Bian Menghan.”
To leave him forever.
Bian Mengyu eyed Shi Changting with a strange expression. “So the rumors outside are true. Immortal Venerable, you are indeed not staying by my third brother’s side of your own free will.”
Shi Changting did not want to discuss his relationship with Bian Menghan with an outsider, so he ignored the comment. “So, Young Lord, what do you think?”
Bian Mengyu’s expression returned to its usual composure. He turned, crouched down, and gently touched the small mound of earth before him without a word.
The deathly silence lasted for a long time, so long that Shi Changting began to feel impatient. Just then, he heard Bian Mengyu’s steady, unhurried voice.
“Deal.”