Chapter 60#

The Choice#

In the Demon Clan’s divine hall, Yin Yuheng lived a very comfortable life.

After that night, Lu Yan never came to see him again. It was as if Lu Yan was deliberately avoiding him, yet also very concerned about him. Every day, someone would deliver rare medicinal materials and spiritual treasures, and even the palace attendants were extremely respectful.

Yin Yuheng lived a very leisurely life, but the more leisurely he was, the more he felt something was wrong.

Especially since he could feel his soul becoming more and more stable, and some memories were gradually awakening.

In those memories, there was a young man who used to call him “Senior Brother” and a man who looked at him with an extremely complicated gaze.

That man was Li Guanghan.

Yin Yuheng leaned against the window, looking at the distant sunrise, and his heart was slightly heavy.

He had already guessed who he was.

He was the “Yin Yuheng” in that book, the tragic protagonist who was used, betrayed, and finally fell into a coma.

But… why did he feel that the plot was so different from what he remembered?

In his memory, Lu Yan should be a scum gong who was cold and cruel, yet the Lu Yan he saw now was full of loneliness and suppressed pain.

What exactly happened?

Yin Yuheng stood up and walked out of the room. He wanted to go and see Lu Yan.

*

In the divine hall’s study, Lu Yan was reviewing documents. His expression was very cold, and the atmosphere in the room was somewhat suffocating.

The subordinate stood aside, not daring to make a sound.

Suddenly, a palace attendant came in and reported: “Your Majesty, Young Master Bai Heng requests an audience.”

Lu Yan’s hand shook, and a drop of ink fell on the document, instantly blooming into a black flower.

He was silent for a long while, then said in a low voice: “Let him in.”

Yin Yuheng walked in, his white clothes fluttering, like a wisp of a cloud. He stood in the center of the study, looked at Lu Yan, and smiled.

“Your Majesty.”

Lu Yan looked at his smile, and his heart tightened. He lowered his eyes, not looking at Yin Yuheng, and said in a cold voice: “What is it?”

“I’m here to say thank you.” Yin Yuheng said softly, “Thank you for the medicine and spiritual treasures these days. My soul has stabilized a lot.”

“It’s just a deal.” Lu Yan said indifferently, “You don’t need to thank me.”

“Is it really just a deal?” Yin Yuheng walked forward two steps and stopped before Lu Yan’s desk. He lowered his head, looking at Lu Yan’s averted face, and said softly, “Your Majesty, are you afraid of me?”

Lu Yan’s hand gripping the brush tightened, and his knuckles turned white. He raised his head, his gaze cold: “What am I afraid of you for? You’re just a puppet.”

“Since I’m just a puppet, why don’t you dare to look at me?” Yin Yuheng’s gaze was very direct, with a trace of inquiry.

Lu Yan was silent for a while, then suddenly stood up, his height giving a sense of oppression. He looked down at Yin Yuheng, and his voice was low and hoarse: “Because looking at you makes me think of him.”

“And every time I think of him, I feel like a failure.”

Yin Yuheng was stunned. He hadn’t expected Lu Yan to be so direct.

“So, you’d rather not see me than face your own failure?” Yin Yuheng asked.

Lu Yan didn’t answer. He turned around, his back to Yin Yuheng, and his voice was full of tiredness: “Go back. Don’t come here again.”

Yin Yuheng looked at his back, and his heart felt a bit sour. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he just sighed and turned to leave.

Just as he reached the door, he heard Lu Yan’s voice from behind.

“Wait.”

Yin Yuheng stopped and turned back.

Lu Yan walked to a shelf, took out an exquisite jade box, and handed it to Yin Yuheng.

“This is the last piece of medicinal material.” Lu Yan said, “After you take it, your soul will be completely stable. At that time, you can choose to leave or stay.”

Yin Yuheng took the jade box, his fingers touching Lu Yan’s. Lu Yan’s hand was very cold, but the moment they touched, it was as if an electric current passed through.

Lu Yan quickly withdrew his hand, his expression returning to coldness.

Yin Yuheng looked at the jade box in his hand, then at Lu Yan, and finally nodded.

“I understand.”

*

After Yin Yuheng left, Lu Yan sat back in his chair, his whole person seeming to lose strength.

He closed his eyes, and his heart was full of bitterness.

He knew he shouldn’t be so concerned about a puppet, but he just couldn’t help it. Every time he saw that face, every time he heard that voice, he felt as if his heart was being torn apart.

He missed the real Yin Yuheng so much.

But he also knew that the real Yin Yuheng might never wake up.

Suddenly, a message came from outside.

“Your Majesty, Li Guanghan is here.”

Lu Yan’s eyes opened abruptly, his gaze becoming sharp.

“Li Guanghan? What is he doing here?”

“He said… he has a way to wake up the Crown Prince.”

Lu Yan stood up, his face full of disbelief.

“Let him in!”

*

In the side hall, Li Guanghan stood there, his white clothes untainted by dust, yet his whole person was full of a gloomy aura.

When Lu Yan came in, Li Guanghan didn’t salute, just looked at him coldly.

“You said you have a way to wake up Yuheng?” Lu Yan asked urgently.

“Yes.” Li Guanghan’s voice was very hoarse, “But it requires a soul.”

“A soul?” Lu Yan frowned, “What kind of soul?”

“A soul that is very compatible with Yuheng’s body.” Li Guanghan’s gaze was like a poisonous snake, “Like that puppet you brought back from the Demon Realm.”

Lu Yan’s face changed drastically. He finally understood what Li Guanghan meant.

“You want to use his soul to wake up Yuheng?”

“Yes.” Li Guanghan said coldly, “His soul was originally fished from the Ghost River; it’s a remnant soul. If it’s used as a medium, it can guide Yuheng’s soul back.”

“But… but what will happen to him?” Lu Yan’s voice was a bit trembling.

“He will disappear.” Li Guanghan said indifferently, “He’s just a puppet anyway. What does it matter if he disappears for the real Yuheng?”

Lu Yan was silent. His heart was in a mess.

On one hand, he desperately wanted Yin Yuheng to wake up. On the other hand, he felt a sense of guilt toward that white-clothed youth.

Although he was just a puppet, although his soul was just a remnant soul, he was still a living being.

And he had been so gentle, so kind…

“陆厌, don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for a puppet.” Li Guanghan’s voice was full of mockery.

“Shut up!” Lu Yan shouted angrily. He sat down, his face full of struggle.

“I’ll give you three days to think about it.” Li Guanghan said coldly, “After three days, I’ll come for your answer.”

After saying this, Li Guanghan turned and left.

Lu Yan sat alone in the hall, his heart full of conflict and pain.

What should he choose?

*

In the guest room, Yin Yuheng was holding the jade box, but he didn’t open it.

He had heard the conversation in the side hall.

With his current cultivation, although he was just a puppet, his spiritual sense was very sharp.

He knew that his soul could be used to wake up the real Yin Yuheng.

And he also knew that Lu Yan was struggling.

Yin Yuheng gave a self-deprecating smile.

So, even in another life, I’m still a tool to be used and sacrificed?

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the moon in the sky.

The moon was so bright, yet it was so cold.

He thought of the warmth he felt in the Demon Clan’s divine hall these days, and his heart felt a bit sour.

Perhaps, it’s time to make a choice.

He opened the jade box, and inside was a pill emitting a faint golden light.

He took the pill and swallowed it.

Instantly, a warm current spread from his stomach to his whole body, and his soul became unprecedentedly stable.

And at the same time, many more memories flooded into his mind.

He saw himself standing in a pool of blood, looking at Li Guanghan and Zhu Anning with despair.

He saw himself giving his heart’s blood, just to save someone who didn’t care about him.

He saw himself being pushed into the abyss, with no one to reach out to him.

*

All the memories were back.

He was the real Yin Yuheng.

But he was also the puppet Bai Heng.

He laughed, his laughter full of irony.

So, I’m actually saving myself?

He sat on the bed, his eyes closed, and his heart became very calm.

Lu Yan, let me see what you will choose.