Chapter 140: If You Wish It Unknown, Do Not Do It

"Why is your expression so bewildered, Brother Yu? It is as if something is troubling you, something you cannot fathom. Could it be that our sudden, simultaneous arrival here has aroused your suspicion, leading to such confusion?" Hearing these words, one looked up to see Xun Mishuang slowly approaching from the distance, still tirelessly probing into Yu Shang’s thoughts. This girl truly had a knack for seeing through others at any moment, dissecting them with surgical precision as if she were a parasite living in their very minds. Yet, judging by her tone, she clearly possessed some inside knowledge.

"Hearing you speak this way, I am forced to conclude that you must know something. Do not keep me in suspense any longer; tell me everything you know and resolve my doubts!" Yu Shang said, looking at Xun Mishuang, who had come from afar to join them. Intuition told him that this woman surely knew the reason behind this bizarre coincidence. He hoped that this was not something orchestrated by Fuyou Ming; if it were, their chances of success would be even slimmer. With the enemy in the shadows and them in the light, they were at a disadvantage no matter how one looked at it. They had to devise a foolproof plan to escape Fuyou Ming's control.

"Of course I know why all this is happening. Besides, if not for me, we might not have gathered here today at all!" Xun Mishuang looked at the bewildered group and laughed softly, her gaze lingering intently on Leng Huaiyi. She wished she could see through this meticulous man, yet no matter how clever or perceptive she was, she could never fully understand him. When he faced her, he was like an enigma.

Yet, when facing others, he was as clear as a mirror, handing his heart over completely to them, regardless of whether they were good or evil. He could trust others without reservation, yet she, who was so devoted to him, was cruelly kept at arm's length. However, no matter how cruelly or heartlessly Leng Huaiyi treated her, Xun Mishuang would only weep in secret, still pining for him once the sorrow subsided.

As long as it was for Leng Huaiyi's sake, she would do anything. Just like this time—if not for him, she would never have gone to such lengths to gather everyone here. She only hoped that her efforts would not be in vain and would help him shake off that terrifying existence. She would not allow anyone who threatened Leng Huaiyi to exist; if they could not be kept away from him, then she would simply destroy them. Regardless of the cost, she had to ensure Leng Huaiyi’s safety.

"Shuang'er... oh, no, Senior Aunt, please just explain this matter from the beginning. Speaking in riddles like this leaves us completely lost." Leng Huaiyi, usually indifferent to most matters, had lost his patience today and asked the newly arrived Xun Mishuang urgently. Although he had a gut feeling that this was likely Xun Mishuang’s doing—and for his sake—he did not want to jump to conclusions until he understood the situation fully. After all, she was not a woman to make something out of nothing; there must be a grave reason for her to overstep and gather everyone here.

When Xun Mishuang heard her beloved address her so formally, she felt a flicker of displeasure, snorted, and turned her head away. Yan Xuesu, standing nearby, clearly observed this. Though she did not know the full story, she walked over to comfort Xun Mishuang. After all, they were both women and understood each other's hearts; no one would be happy to be addressed so coldly by their beloved.

But clearly, something serious was happening, and it was no time for petty grievances. Yan Xuesu pulled the angry girl aside and whispered, "Shuang'er, what is this all about? I felt as if something were calling me, and I came here as if under a spell. Thinking about it now, it’s quite chilling. If this is a trap set by someone with ill intentions, have I not walked right into their hands? To be safe, you must be honest with us. You don't want us to fall into a similar trap and suffer later, do you?"

"You don't need to worry; it was I who used magic to guide you here. It is not a trap set by anyone with ill intent." Xun Mishuang was no naive young lady; seeing Yan Xuesu offer her a way out, she explained to the group to ease their suspicions. Yet, she suddenly wondered if all she did for a certain someone was worth it. If he did not appreciate her efforts, what was she to do?

"Then, Sister Shuang, why did you gather us all here? Has something major happened, or has the Yanlan Academy run into trouble?" Meng Youyuan asked, her voice trembling with anxiety. She feared that the academy managed by her grandfather had provoked someone malevolent. With the mysterious regions opening soon, many coveted the neutral status of Yanlan Academy, hoping to annex it amidst the chaos. Her grandfather cared so much for this academy; if he were harmed because of it, it would be a disaster.

"Something major has indeed happened, but rest assured, the misfortune is yours alone; it will not implicate the academy!" Seeing Meng Youyuan’s anxious expression, Xun Mishuang felt a sense of comfort. This girl was truly kind; no matter how others wronged her, she always found a reason to forgive them, even going so far as to help them. It was a blessing that her senior brother had such a sensible granddaughter. If possible, she would love to entrust the management of the academy to her.

"How can you be so good at dangling people's appetites? Just say what this is about and stop beating around the bush! I don't have the patience for your small talk. If you keep dragging this out, don't blame me for being impolite!" Xiao Yin could no longer stand her slow pace and shouted, hoping to force Xun Mishuang to get to the point. He had more important matters to discuss with these people.

"Xiao Yin is right, Senior Aunt. Please just clarify this! If you keep stalling, we won't be able to get to the bottom of this by nightfall," Yin Boxuan added. It seemed today was destined to be extraordinary; from early morning, one trouble after another had descended, leaving him dizzy and unsure of what to do. Heaven truly loved to tease them; there was never a moment of peace.

"You must know that in this academy, no matter how small or large the event, nothing escapes the surveillance of my Lakeside Cottage. Last night, as I was about to retire, I unexpectedly saw someone sneaking out of the academy. Out of curiosity, I followed her, only to find that she was intercepted by someone else halfway. That was when I realized this was far from simple, so I continued to follow them to investigate. Indeed, I uncovered a secret—a secret regarding your very survival." Xun Mishuang deliberately paused, wanting the person involved to confess herself, as she felt it was not her place to speak further.

"So, someone was tracking me that day, and it was you. No wonder I felt like I was being watched the whole way. You have quite the cultivation to follow us that far without being discovered by that person; that is truly impressive," Lan Wu said with a faint smile and a shake of her head. Indeed, nothing could be kept secret forever; sooner or later, the truth would be revealed.

"Can you two explain this more clearly? I am becoming more confused by the second," Lan Bingxian looked at the two, who were speaking as if they were reciting scripture. Had so much happened last night? Why did everything revolve around last night, and why did everyone seem to hide things? Whenever last night was mentioned, someone would inevitably show an unnatural expression. It seemed he had missed quite a bit while he was asleep. But why were they looking at him with such strange expressions, as if he were about to meet some misfortune?

"Actually, I wanted to tell you all this clearly, but Shuang'er beat me to it. That is fine, though; I no longer have a reason to hide it. After all, the longer I keep it from you, the more danger you are in." Lan Wu sighed deeply, yet felt the suppression in her heart slowly lifting. She believed that even if she spoke, the King would not cause her trouble for it. In his eyes, she still had some utility, and there was no need to cut off her path so soon before finishing her off.

"If I am not mistaken, it was the King who intercepted you, and the reason you have been depressed is the task he entrusted you with." Yu Xiaoran, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke. His words stunned many present. They all shared the same thought: that terrifying existence had finally lost its patience and was ready to strike. It seemed they could not escape that storm of blood and rain. But since they could not escape, let it come more fiercely; even if the end was their demise, they would accept it.

"No wonder the King said that if I could not complete the task alone, I should come to you, and you would know what to do without me saying a word. At first, I didn't believe it, but now it seems to be true. The King ordered me to bring Meng Youyuan back to the Youming Capital at any cost, then assist Leng Huaiyi in bringing back the woman buried in the tomb, and finally, to cooperate with Yu Xiaoran to end Lan Bingxian's life." As Lan Wu spoke, she felt a sudden, chilling sensation—she felt her heart becoming colder, more like an executioner. Yet, even so, she knew she could not bring herself to kill her friends.

"Why me? I truly do not understand. I am no longer the person from my past life. Why will that demon not let me go? Why must he cruelly take away the person I love most? In the end, he only hates my past life; why involve me in this life and take the lives of innocent people?" When Meng Youyuan heard this, she lost control. She was unwilling to accept this; why, after so long, did that demon still refuse to let her go? And this time, it would cost Brother Lan his life.

Although after learning of her past and present lives, Meng Youyuan had prepared herself to repay the debts of the past, she never expected the demon to be so deranged that he would not even spare those around her. She could accept paying for her past life, but if he dared to harm those she loved, she would not compromise.