Chapter 278: The Strange Second Brother

The Spirit Painting on Li Yunxin's Folding Fan had marked the location of the Dragon's Son Yazi—he had not moved.

In fact, this Dragon's Son had arrived at Dongting shortly after noon. But since then, he had remained in Yeyuan Forest, patiently waiting.

However, Li Yunxin knew this did not mean the opponent was doing nothing. The place where he stopped was a small "hub" on the east bank of Dongting—it blocked the only route from Dongting to Weicheng. To the left was a long, low mountain ridge, making passage difficult. To the right were foggy swamps within the forest, also making passage difficult.

Although these geographical difficulties were relative to "people," Yazi had already made his stance clear—he was waiting for Li Yunxin.

This left Li Yunxin quite perplexed.

Because, whether it was his own understanding or the rumors in this world, the Dragon's Son Yazi...

...was known for his fierceness and cruelty.

In his original world, ancient people carved Yazi's head on the blade of a sword; none of the other Dragon's Sons had such treatment.

Yet, now that he had interacted with this Yazi twice, he felt this guy...

...was "like a good older brother"—of course, this only referred to the daytime Yazi.

His appearance was also tall and majestic. Compared to Young Master Nine's extremely handsome looks, he was clearly more suited for the role of a "brave and kind second brother." And when he first met Li Yunxin by the Dongting Lake, he displayed genuine "brotherly affection."

There were many beautiful emotions in this world. But Li Yunxin always found it hard to believe they would happen to him. Therefore, he remained vigilant toward this "Yazi." After leaving Dongting, he cautiously approached Yazi's location. First, he circled the area three times, then slowly drew closer.

Visibility in the dense forest nearing evening was poor, practically no different from nightfall.

But Li Yunxin's eyesight was excellent, and... that Yazi wore an all-gold robe and a gold crown on his head. His gold crown emitted a faint, soft glow at night, allowing Li Yunxin to confirm his position.

When he found an angle where he could vaguely see the figure in the dense forest from a hundred meters away, he stopped. Then he turned his head to look east.

The eastern sky was faintly red.

The Taoist priests of Langya Grotto-Heaven had set Weicheng ablaze. Although the Taoist priests had now left, Weicheng had not been extinguished. In the dark night landscape, it looked like a desperate bonfire.

Li Yunxin calculated the distance between the three points and adjusted his breathing.

Kun Wuzi had given him a plan.

—The Sect Master had given him the Array Incantation to control the Weicheng Grand Array. Although Li Yunxin did not currently know the principles of its structure, he could "use" it.

Kun Wuzi also said that Yazi naturally loved fire. If Li Yunxin could lure him to Weicheng to "talk slowly" while he was still "Yazi," Yazi would, more likely than not, head in the direction of the flames.

Once there, when Young Master Nine reappeared at night, he would be within the coverage of the Weicheng Grand Array.

Now, Li Yunxin looked at Yazi—he didn't seem to be aggressively rushing over to crush him. It seemed... the plan might be feasible.

He waited a little longer and noticed Yazi also turned his head and glanced in his direction.

Then a voice reached his ear: “Ninth Brother. How long are you going to hide? Come and have a word with Second Brother.”

Yazi's voice was calm and steady, indeed having the air of a "Second Brother."

Li Yunxin thought for a moment and walked through the dense forest. When he reached a distance of a dozen steps from Yazi, he could finally see him more clearly.

Yazi was sitting cross-legged on the ground, with his five centers facing the sky. He was watching Li Yunxin with his eyes open while absorbing the Essence of the Sun and Moon and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to heal his injuries.

He was originally wearing a gold robe. The Dragon Clan's blood was also gold blood. So, one had to get close to find that Yazi's robe was full of shiny "gold dust"—which was probably the scabs left after his blood had dried.

He glared at Li Yunxin. As Li Yunxin approached, he gave a strange smile: “So, was it you, Ninth Brother, who tricked me into going to Trapped Sky Mountain?”

Li Yunxin frowned slightly. He thought carefully and said: “Second Brother misunderstands. It was the people of the Daoist Orthodoxy who planned to set us demons against each other so they could reap the fisherman's profit. This little brother also had a split body slain at Trapped Sky Mountain that day... How could I have been the one planning it!”

Yazi thought for a moment, closed his eyes slightly, and then opened them again: “I heard that I fought fiercely with the Evil King of Trapped Sky Mountain last night. Although the Evil King's cultivation is not as high as mine, I was not in my true self at the time—and he attacked with the millennium-long efforts of Trapped Sky Mountain and a group of demons.”

“Therefore, I only managed to kill all the lesser demons, but I suffered heavy losses against the Evil King. But when I woke up at dawn, I realized something was wrong, so I retreated. I also exchanged a few words with the Evil King during the fight, and learned—you do not seem to be my former Ninth Brother.”

Li Yunxin thought for a moment and said: “I came through body possession.”

But Yazi didn't speak, just looked at him—as if waiting for his answer.

—The situation was the same as before in Dongting.

Whether it was the Lord of Dongting or Yazi, they seemed to automatically block out any words related to "body possession."

If that's the case...

...how was he supposed to explain?

He thought for a moment and changed his wording: “Second Brother, haven't you realized recently... that you lose consciousness once it gets dark?”

Yazi raised an eyebrow: “Recently? It has always been like this. It's just that recently... I've been wandering around at night.”

“Haven't you properly considered, Second Brother, why you've been wandering around?”

Yazi smiled at Li Yunxin for a moment, not speaking. Then he stood up—Li Yunxin instinctively took a step back.

Yazi waved his hand: “I've pretty much recovered my breath. Let's not discuss these things here. The forest is cold and damp, which is very uncomfortable. Let's go to Weicheng—I saw an entire city set on fire a few days ago.”

After saying this, he flew into the sky, turning into a golden light that shot straight toward Weicheng.

Li Yunxin was stunned for a moment before following him.

...Could there be such a good thing?

Li Yunxin had been wondering earlier how to coax, prod, or provoke Yazi to Weicheng before dark!

He felt that this Yazi might already know some things, or even be planning some things.

But his current predicament was that he knew what was happening, yet he could not escape.

Yazi was at least somewhat rational. Once night fell and Young Master Nine appeared... there would be no reasoning with him!

He had no choice but to follow, hoping that things might take a turn for the better.

The hundred li (approx. 50 km) journey from the forest to Weicheng was but a moment for demons of the Profound Realm and True Realm.

When Li Yunxin arrived at the edge of Weicheng, he saw Yazi already standing below the city.

Weicheng had thick city walls. There were also urn cities at the corners. Now, the city walls had become a "fire pit"—except for a few urn cities at the corners, the rest were burning fiercely. After all these days of burning, the vegetation in the city should have been completely consumed, but now the flames clung to the stones and soil and would not be extinguished.

The Land Gods outside the city had already turned into smooth mirrors, and these mirrors reflected the city's firelight, making the surroundings even brighter and more brilliant.

Yazi was currently standing beneath the Weicheng wall, his hands behind his back, looking inside the city.

When Li Yunxin also landed, Yazi sighed with emotion: “The methods of the Daoist Orthodoxy are indeed marvelous. Such a large city transformed into a Grand Array—once fully activated, even a Profound Realm Cultivator would probably be unable to resist it. Although the Taoist priests have left now, I see the Formation is still operating—”

“Ninth Brother, do you know how to use this array?”

Li Yunxin's face changed in the firelight. He frowned and said: “Controlling this Formation requires an Array Incantation...”

“Then I suppose Ninth Brother has already acquired the Array Incantation.” Yazi turned around, illuminated brilliantly by the blazing firelight behind him, “That puts my mind at ease.”

He looked up at the sky: “It's getting late. I estimate Little Jiu will appear in about a quarter of an hour—Ninth Brother, are you confident you can preserve your life tonight?”

Li Yunxin finally frowned: “Who... exactly are you?”

Yazi smiled and asked: “Hmm?”

“Yazi wouldn't know so much. Who exactly are you?!” Li Yunxin stared at him intently. After a while, he tentatively asked, “Old Man Su?”

Yazi burst into laughter. He walked back and forth a few steps with his hands behind his back, then turned to look at Li Yunxin: “I am no Old Man Su. I am your Second Brother. But it is rare to see Ninth Brother like this—they all say your thoughts are deep and your plans are infallible. But now, alas... Ninth Brother, not everyone in this world is a fool.”

This Yazi was unfathomable—that was the evaluation Li Yunxin made of him in his heart.

He was perhaps the most amiable demon Li Yunxin had ever encountered. But now he realized, he might also be the most troublesome one.

Because the way he spoke was too much like his own—vague and ambiguous, leaving one itching with curiosity yet unable to fully grasp the meaning, and so angry that one wanted to kill.

But he quickly realized his evaluation of him was inaccurate again.

Because Yazi stopped smiling and put on a serious and solemn expression, saying: “Alright. Jokes aside. There's only a quarter of an hour left, so Second Brother will tell you the main point.”

“The first thing is, I have been secretly observing you by the Dongting Lake for so many days, and I believe you have passed the test—you can become a member of the Dragon Clan.”

Li Yunxin frowned, wanting to speak. But Yazi immediately held up a hand to interrupt him: “Don't interrupt, listen to me quietly, and put away your clever thoughts—if you want to live.”

Yazi's attitude was more than just amiable. It was completely beyond Li Yunxin's previous alternative plans, and it could even be said that the course of events had completely exceeded his imagination!

He didn't know if this was the other party's strategy or some other reason, but the serious and solemn expression on Yazi's face compelled him to continue listening—until he had a better countermeasure.

Perhaps Yazi's words were right—not everyone in this world is a fool.

But fools still make up the vast majority.

And now he had met someone who was not only not a fool, but was also very clever.

Yazi paid no mind to Li Yunxin's thoughts and continued: “When I came to Dongting, you were trapped between the Daoist Orthodoxy, the demons, and the Mutual Aid Society, with death seemingly everywhere. But in these days, you have carved a path to life out of this dead end, and your methods are brilliant. Therefore, Second Brother thinks you are a clever and likable fellow, and it's quite good for you to be Little Jiu.”

“In Second Brother's eyes, you are a member of the Dragon Clan.”