Chu Ling wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the frequency of the “body double” being touchy-feely had practically dropped to zero.
Though his mannerisms and movements remained identical to Ji Wuyuan’s, he seemed… much more “well-behaved” compared to the original?
However, on second thought, Chu Ling guessed the reason for this change. After all, he was the canary Ji Wuyuan was raising to steal his heart—and a Pure Yin “Furnace” to boot. He was Ji Wuyuan’s private property; the Cult Leader would naturally never allow a subordinate to defile his prize, even if it was just a little straying hand.
Thus, the shift made sense.
For the naive Young Master Chu, who wasn’t particularly sensitive to such things and was prone to blushing, this subtle change went unnoticed. If he had noticed, he probably would have just felt relieved.
So, Chu Ling played along, acting as if he hadn’t noticed a thing while drifting between the real Ji Wuyuan and the double, living a life of leisure.
He used his “all-access pass” to the Azure Dragon Hall to drop by “Ghost Big Brother’s” residence whenever he pleased. Under the guise of spending time with the man, he would secretly peek at intelligence to fulfill the requirements of his role as a spy.
Generally speaking, it really felt like being on vacation.
However, after many visits to the double’s study, he actually managed to stumble upon some genuine intelligence. It concerned a prestigious sect of the Righteous Path known as the Xiaoyao Sect.
The founder of the Xiaoyao Sect had once conceived a forbidden martial arts manual. While its power was immense, the cultivation process was incredibly bloody—a “demonic art.” Later, the founder modified it into a more peaceful version that no longer harmed heaven or earth, which became the sect’s core technique.
The original version, however, was still preserved, sealed within the sect and guarded by successive leaders.
The Demonic Cult had recently set a mission: a night raid on the Xiaoyao Sect to steal that original forbidden manual!
At first glance, it seemed unrelated to the Martial Arts Alliance, but hidden within the reports was an incredibly secret objective:
—The theft was a ruse. The true focus was the night raid itself—to deal a heavy blow to the Xiaoyao Sect and assassinate its leader. The goal was to sever one of the Alliance’s strongest arms and put immense pressure on the new Alliance Leader…
One scheme linked to another; this was clearly part of a long-term conspiracy against the Martial Arts Alliance!
Chu Ling was naturally shaken. His feet retreated uncontrollably, and he bumped into a shelf. An expensive vase wobbled before finally plummeting—
He only had time to reach out, but the vase slipped past his fingers. His eyes widened as he watched it fall toward the floor…
Just then, an arm swept into view, steadily catching the vase inches from the ground and calmly placing it back in its original position.
“Why so careless? What if you hurt yourself? I would be heartbroken.”
The magnetic, low voice was like a trickling stream—tender, warm, and full of concern.
But in the next second, before the trembling youth could respond, his chin was gently tilted up. The man’s handsome, deep-set face leaned in until their breaths mingled.
The man’s fingertips slowly traced the youth’s fair cheek, stopping just beside the corner of his eye, where his pupil had constricted in shock.
“Why is Ling-er’s face so pale? Are you sick?”
A broad palm rested against his forehead, accompanied by the man’s slightly puzzled voice: “No fever…”
This series of movements finally snapped the youth back to reality. He blinked his startled eyes and forced himself to stay calm, though his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the desk.
Fortunately, the stack of secret reports he had just been flipping through was still neatly piled together. It didn’t look disturbed. This allowed his racing heart to settle slightly.
As long as he didn’t see me reading them…
Thinking of this, the youth felt a surge of panic again. He hurriedly looked up at the man so close to him, his lips parting.
“Ghost… Ghost Big Brother, I’m fine.”
He shook his head, remembering the man’s question. He used the opportunity to dodge the hands on his face, taking a step back to create distance. To appear more natural, he bit his lip and forced a somewhat stiff smile.
However, how could any of this escape the eyes of Ghost Mask? The naive Young Master Chu had never even told a lie, let alone feigned composure.
His attempt at acting calm was as obvious as if it were written on his face to Ghost Mask.
Ghost Mask’s eyes drifted toward the desk. He saw the report. The one on top was exactly the mission regarding the night raid on the Xiaoyao Sect. He understood perfectly.
Yet, Ghost Mask didn’t know what his own purpose was. He hadn’t put the report away before the youth arrived, and he had even allowed the youth to be alone in the room…
Has he… gone mad?
Even if the youth had accidentally seen the secret order, it didn’t strictly matter. As the Cult Leader’s plaything, the youth would never have the chance to escape this place or the Demonic Cult.
But “accidentally” and “intentionally” were two different things. The latter was undoubtedly a betrayal of the Sect, a betrayal of the Leader… an act for which ten thousand deaths would not suffice.
Is he really mad?
Perhaps.
Ghost Mask lowered his eyes and smiled softly. His lips curled into a mysterious arc characteristic of Ji Wuyuan as he slowly walked toward the desk.
He raised a finger and picked up the secret order. He noticed from the corner of his eye that the youth’s body stiffened slightly. The curve of his lips deepened.
“Ling-er… did you see it?”
However, he did not receive the denial he expected.
The youth turned his head away awkwardly, seemingly afraid to look at him. His fingers clutched his robes at his side, creating wrinkles that betrayed his internal turmoil. But finally, as if making a firm decision, he looked up at him with a resilient gaze.
“Ghost Big Brother… are you going to move against the Xiaoyao Sect?”
“…” The curve of his lips softened just a bit. Ghost Mask felt he should have been clearer; the youth likely thought he was asking for a confession.
No, that wasn’t it.
Ghost Mask’s gaze became as gentle as water. He said softly, “Ling-er, do not take responsibility for things you haven’t done. Do you understand?”
Yes, just like that.
Deny it quickly, and I will act as if nothing happened.
Young Master Chu was internally confused. Is something wrong with Ghost Big Brother?
But to say he saw nothing would be too fake. He knew he was a bad liar, and his previous behavior had surely given him away—otherwise, why would Ghost Big Brother ask?
So, were these words actually a test?
Chu Ling bit his lower lip. His heart was a battlefield of struggle and panic. In the heat of the moment, a compromise sprang to his mind…
He would admit it! But he didn’t need to admit everything!
He would claim he only accidentally saw the information on the surface; as for the deeper conspiracies underneath, he hadn’t touched them at all.
Young Master Chu steeled himself. His eyes no longer wavered as he met Ghost Mask’s gaze, repeating: “Ghost Big Brother, are you really going to attack the Xiaoyao Sect?”
…
“Ling-er hans misunderstood.”
Ghost Mask kept that smile, shaking his head. His magnetic, charming voice explained lowly.
“We aren’t attacking the Xiaoyao Sect. We are going to retrieve their original core manual. That manual is too dangerous; the cultivation process is inhumane, yet the Xiaoyao Sect refuses to destroy it…”
Ghost Mask acted as if he were deeply puzzled, then sighed: “So, to ensure that manual doesn’t fall into the wrong hands and harm the martial world, our Sect plans to take it first—just as a precaution.”
“Re… Really?”
The youth’s eyes were dazed, yet filled with a hint of joy.
“Of course. What else did you think?” Ghost Mask asked with a laugh. His expression was as natural as could be, sounding perfectly convincing.
…
Chu Ling had done it. Though he probably hadn’t entirely erased Ghost Big Brother’s suspicion, the situation was undoubtedly better.
However, regarding Ghost Big Brother’s explanation—if he hadn’t seen the interconnected conspiracies underneath, he might have believed him. Now, he didn’t believe a single word.
I have to get this information out as soon as possible…
Returning to his quarters, Chu Ling hurried into his bedroom. From a hidden corner beneath his bedding, he pulled out an exquisite whistle and gripped it tightly.
If stealing the whistle that Brother Tang had accidentally dropped was originally out of curiosity—to “discover Ghost Big Brother’s secrets”—now it had become his only channel for sending a message to the outside world.
…
Watching the youth return to his courtyard, Ghost Mask stood in place for a long time without turning around.
On that handsome face identical to Ji Wuyuan’s, there was an expressionless void, like a machine that hadn’t run in a long time, its internals beginning to rust and decay.
But
If this machine developed feelings…
If this machine learned to think…
If this machine betrayed its original master…
What would happen?
The answer seemed to be clearly unfolding before him.
Ghost Mask blinked his aching eyes with difficulty. He took the “Ghost Mask” from his robes and, bit by bit, pressed it onto his face.
Hiding that face… that didn’t belong to him.