Volume One: All Things Revived, Perpetual Spring Chapter Twelve: Return to the City of Magic, An Unwelcome Visitor Arrives

The ancient voice seemed to echo from every corner. The Skeleton King, who had been poised to crush Mo Wen and his companions with a single blow, was startled by the words and hastily withdrew his bony hand, uncertain and wary. The little skeleton was petrified with fear.

“Old fool, you’re still alive!” The Skeleton King shrieked, his enormous skull swiveling as he searched for the source of the voice.

“King of Fengdu, you break the pact. Are you not afraid I’ll shatter this realm?” The aged voice rang out again, ever elusive, its owner unseen. The King of Fengdu hesitated, wary, the blue ghostly flames in his hollow eye sockets flickering furiously. After a long pause, he snatched up the little skeleton and, unwillingly, leapt into the icy pool.

Before departing, he fixed Mo Wen with a murderous glare: “You little bastard, I’ll remember you! I’ll let you live for three more years—then I’ll grind your bones to dust!”

Mo Wen didn’t know who the ancient voice belonged to, but was grateful to have survived the ordeal. Since he was now locked in mortal enmity with the King of Fengdu, he decided to answer with his own threat. “Little skeleton, three years from now, I will burn you myself!”

With the King of Fengdu gone, the valley fell into a deathly silence. Mo Wen shouted, “Elder! Please show yourself!”

A chilly wind swept through the valley, but the aged voice no longer replied. From the elder’s words, Mo Wen had learned that this place was not within Mount Putuo, but the Netherworld—a fact he pondered as he tried to figure out how to escape. Suddenly, the world shifted; the stream and cliffs of the valley faded away, and they found themselves back on the path ascending Mount Putuo.

In the night sky, the ancient voice receded into the distance: “Boy, go back and tell your master—the thousand-year pact must not be forgotten! Today’s events are a repayment for the kindness your master once showed me.”

Such mysterious words!

From beginning to end, Mo Wen never glimpsed the elder’s face—but at least he was friend, not foe.

The four hurried down the mountain. Mo Wen had no wish to linger a moment longer. The mist had cleared, and with the illusions gone, the descent was unobstructed.

Wang Zhongyan thanked him repeatedly, inviting Mo Wen to visit the Wang family, but Mo Wen politely declined.

At one in the morning, Mo Wen and Lin Xi sat in the waiting area of the high-speed rail station. The train to Modu wouldn’t depart until eight. Exhausted from their ordeal, Lin Xi leaned against Mo Wen’s shoulder and quickly fell asleep.

Mo Wen, however, was lost in thought, still mulling over the events atop Mount Putuo.

According to the elder, the valley was called the Netherworld. Clearly, there must be a way from Mount Putuo into that place. The King of Fengdu seemed to have an agreement with the elder, an agreement soon to expire—in three years.

The King of Fengdu’s hatred for Mo Wen was deep as the sea; Mo Wen had no doubt he meant every word of his threat. The thought sent a cold shiver down his spine, and he unwittingly roused Lin Xi, who was a light sleeper. She looked at him in confusion.

“What’s wrong, little brother?”

“It’s nothing. Go back to sleep.”

Mo Wen smiled. Lin Xi grumbled and nestled closer, then, perhaps finding the position uncomfortable, lay down flat and rested her head on Mo Wen’s thigh, arms wrapped around his waist.

Mo Wen couldn’t help but chuckle. Since leaving Mount Putuo, Lin Xi had shed her tough demeanor and was acting like a tender little woman.

He recalled the elder’s parting words—surely the old man mistook Mo Wen for a Buddhist disciple because of his practice, hence the request to deliver a message.

But Mo Wen was puzzled: the ascetic monk had been a mere mortal, not even at the Spirit Core level; otherwise, he wouldn’t have died exhausted climbing the mountains of Tibet.

The journey through Mount Putuo’s Netherworld had shown Mo Wen the true power of the Realm of Shattering Illusions, while he himself was still stuck at the Flawless Realm.

In three years, the King of Fengdu would certainly come for him. Was he to await slaughter?

He reflected on his abilities: aside from his inner breath, which set him apart from ordinary people, and the unreliable black orb, his offensive skills were far too limited—brute force without technique.

The night faded, dawn broke in the east. Mo Wen sat unmoving all night, afraid to disturb Lin Xi, his limbs numb.

After six in the morning, Lin Xi finally awoke, went to tidy herself in the restroom, and brushed her hair. Yawning, she seemed to have regained her old commanding presence.

“Morning, little brother. Let’s get some breakfast and get ready to board.”

Their journey was smooth. Lin Xi remained silent, while Mo Wen was weighed down by his thoughts. The ordeal had cast a shadow over them both. Returning to Modu felt like a lifetime ago, but the police headquarters always gave Mo Wen a sense of inexplicable safety.

The captain was in his office, and when he saw Mo Wen and Lin Xi’s bedraggled state, he smiled calmly and asked nothing, leaving Mo Wen’s prepared explanation stuck on his tongue.

Lin Xi requested leave from the captain, saying she wanted to go home for a few days, and left quickly before Su Qiang could reply.

Seeing Mo Wen’s confusion, Su Qiang laughed, “Lin Xi is from the main branch of the Lin family in Beidu. Mo Wen, you have a long road ahead!”

Beidu Lin family?

Lin Xi had always lived in the police dorms, and only now did Mo Wen realize her background was extraordinary—not everyone flaunted their lineage like Murong Hong.

Lin Xi hurried back to Beidu. In the following days, Mo Wen fell into a dull routine. Surprisingly, Modu was unusually peaceful—no strange incidents at all. The whole police force was either training or on duty, enjoying a rare quiet.

February 16, 2023. Lin Xi had been away nearly half a month. Without her teasing, Mo Wen found himself somewhat unaccustomed. Sitting in the archives, he brewed tea like Su Qiang, drinking leisurely.

“Mo Wen, come here for a moment!”

Su Qiang called, terse and heavy-toned, and Mo Wen’s heart sank, an ominous feeling rising.

In the office, besides Su Qiang, was an unfamiliar face—a middle-aged man in military uniform. Judging by his epaulettes—my goodness!

A major general of Hua Xia!

Su Qiang, who hailed from the military, now stood straight as if back in the barracks.

The major general glanced at Mo Wen, asking offhandedly, “Is this Mo Wen?”

“Yes, sir. I recruited him specially; his physical fitness is exceptional, his qualities meet all requirements. Though new to the force, he’s already made contributions and will soon be commended,” Su Qiang replied, saluting respectfully, and then introduced Mo Wen, “This is Major General Murong Bo, Deputy Commander of the Jinling Military District.”

Hearing the name Murong, Mo Wen’s heart skipped a beat—they had come to demand answers!

Mo Wen saluted. Murong Bo suddenly sneered and stared at him. “Hundreds entered Mount Putuo, but only you, the Wang family father and daughter, and Miss Lin came out. Where are the others?”

Mo Wen knew he couldn’t show any weakness now. He took a deep breath and answered loudly, “Sir, I entered Mount Putuo with Lin Xi to search for the missing Wang Zhongyan. We fell into illusions on the mountain. When the mist cleared, we found Wang Zhongyan and came down. We didn’t see anyone else.”

His answer was half-truth, half-lie. Meeting Murong Bo’s sharp gaze without flinching, they stared each other down in eerie silence.

Suddenly, Murong Bo laughed and slapped Mo Wen’s shoulder. “My younger brother’s a disappointment, but he’s still a Murong. Two at the Divine Spine Realm couldn’t make it out—how did you, at the Flawless Realm, manage?”

Murong Bo’s tone grew increasingly severe, pressing Mo Wen. The overwhelming aura bore down like Mount Tai, growing stronger until Mo Wen’s face flushed and sweat drenched his body.

“General Murong, my officer does not lie. Don’t be so reckless here,” Su Qiang retorted, clenching his teeth.

Murong Bo scoffed at Su Qiang, domineering. “I must take this officer today. I have ways to make him tell the truth. Anyone who resists will be dealt with accordingly!”

At that moment, the office door was kicked open. Mo Wen turned to see a striking figure stride in with fiery energy.

Lin Xi had returned!

She sat boldly in a chair, appearing casual as she declared, “You’re not taking him today. Not even if the Emperor himself comes!”