Chapter 480: 480. Third time

Translator: 549690339

Today, Peng Wu, who had been punctually delivering food to the forbidden area for several days, did not come. Elder Song did not know about the children being sent out of the cave last night, so he decided to go check on Peng Wu’s residence before reporting to Mo Yan.

The mansion was quiet. Elder Song entered the courtyard, saw that the door was closed, and called out, “Zhong Family!” The father of the two children has the surname Zhong.

With no response, Elder Song forcefully pushed the door open.

Although Peng Wu left in a hurry last night, he has always been an organized person. The room was not messy, and the bowls and dishes on the table were still stacked together.

Confirming that there was no one in the room, Elder Song felt that something was wrong. Just as he was about to leave and turned around, a dark shadow flashed in front of him. His eyes widened in shock, and before he could make any sound, he passed out.

Cheng Yun had already closed the door to the room. Old Mu took a look at Elder Song’s figure and nodded, “About the same as me.”

This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision for them; it was Gu Ling’s idea. As long as someone came out of the forbidden area, they would deal with them.

Feng Ming was also present. He stripped off Elder Song’s clothes while explaining what he knew about Elder Song’s habits to Old Mu. Although Feng Ming didn’t know much, Old Mu wasn’t too worried. Even if their cover was blown, the current situation wouldn’t get any worse.

Soon, Old Mu finished disguising himself, dressed up as Elder Song, and practiced speaking like him. Feng Ming thought it was convincing enough, so Old Mu left for the forbidden area.

Afterward, Cheng Yun and Feng Ming tied up the real Elder Song and took him to the garden.

Most of the time, Gu Ling still stayed in the Bajiao Pavilion, where he could see some of the movement in the forbidden area.

Elder Song was thrown to the ground. After Gu Ling stuffed a truth-telling drug into his mouth, he slapped him awake.

After a while, the truth-telling drug began to take effect. Gu Ling questioned Elder Song about whether he knew Mo Yan’s plans for the future.

Elder Song unconsciously replied that he didn’t know. Mo Yan only discussed matters with Sheng Yue, and he and Elder Pang were only responsible for guarding the forbidden area.

Gu Ling then asked if there were any secret passages or mechanisms on the island, including inside the forbidden area.

Elder Song answered yes, but they were not in the forbidden area. Instead, they were in the dungeon of the City Lord Mansion. There was an underground passage in the dungeon that led directly to a cave under the cliff by the sea, from where one could leave.

This seemed strange. The dungeon was used to imprison criminals, yet it contained a hidden escape route.

“Most people would never think of it there,” Feng Ming thought it must be for this reason.

Gu Ling commented, “Perhaps it is just because the terrain of that location is suitable.” Mo Yan did not dig in the forbidden area, perhaps to protect his most precious place, afraid of destroying the “divine power.”

Afterward, Gu Ling asked for the location of the hidden mechanism in the dungeon and how to activate it.

“Does Mo Yan have any weaknesses?” Gu Ling asked.

Elder Song shook his head slightly. “No.”

Gu Ling inquired further, “Is there anything he detests?”

This time, Elder Song nodded, “Yes… Master hates snakes very much and does not allow them on the island.”

“Is Mo Yan immune to all poisons?” Gu Ling asked.

Elder Song shook his head, “No. Master was once poisoned many years ago and has been very cautious since.”

“Is Mo Yan’s magic treasure the ring on his hand?” Gu Ling thought Elder Song probably wouldn’t know this either, but he asked for confirmation anyway.

To his surprise, Elder Song nodded, “Yes.”

“Did he tell you himself?” Gu Ling frowned.

Elder Song assured him once again, “Yes.”

The drug’s effects wore off, and Elder Song passed out again.

Cheng Yun was delighted, “If it’s that ring, it’s simple! We can snatch it!”

Gu Ling turned to look in the direction of the forbidden area, shaking his head slightly, “Not necessarily. Mo Yan told Sheng Yue that it was not the ring. Perhaps he wanted people to think it was, just to test their loyalty.”

Feng Ming agreed, “It’s very likely. If I had such a powerful treasure, I would definitely not wear it openly in a place where it could be seen by others. That would be too dangerous.”

Cheng Yun frowned, “What if Mo Yan is confident that we will overthink it and assume it’s definitely not the ring, thus acting against our own interests?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “That’s not an ordinary treasure. He would eliminate any risk of it being stolen, and it’s not like it’s impossible to hide.”

Cheng Yun sighed slightly, “You’re right. I think that ring is a decoy he wears deliberately. The real magic treasure, even if it’s an object, must be hidden somewhere else on his body, invisible to others.”

“I don’t know if Sheng Yue will poison Mo Yan today. It’s a pity that we can’t be there to witness it and let Sheng Yue acquire the most direct information,” Feng Ming sighed.

Cheng Yun then said to Gu Ling, “I have an idea. I can disguise myself as you and sneak into the forbidden area to eavesdrop. If I’m caught, it’ll fall right into Mo Yan’s plan and make him use his full strength. After all, he has hostages, and one more person won’t make a difference.”

Gu Ling nodded after a moment of silence, “Alright. You go.”

Cheng Yun looked delighted at the prospect of being Gu Ling’s substitute. He was not afraid of the risks it might bring him.

Soon, Cheng Yun disguised himself as Gu Ling and sneaked towards the forbidden area.

After entering the forbidden area, Old Mu went straight to Mo Yan.

At this time, Mo Yan and Sheng Yue were eating breakfast in the cave. Old Mu had been to the cave before and was familiar with it. Seeing Mo Yan and Sheng Yue, he immediately stopped and bowed his head respectfully, “Master, I haven’t seen Zhong Family’s delivery of food, so I went to check and found them missing.”

Mo Yan didn’t look at Old Mu, but Sheng Yue’s gaze fell on him before quickly returning to his meal.

Mo Yan spoke after swallowing the food in his mouth, “I know.”

Sheng Yue said, “It must’ve been arranged by Gu Ling in secret.”

“It proves that he is on this island, and not alone,” Mo Yan said indifferently. “Let’s see how long he can hide. Elder Song, tell Elder Pang that both of you shouldn’t leave the forbidden area.”

“Yes, Master,” Old Mu replied, then respectfully retreated.

Mo Yan put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, got up, and walked to the edge of the pool. He let out a long sigh, “I’ve waited so long to find a suitable person, only to have him unwilling to leave as soon as he arrived.”

Sheng Yue replied while cleaning up the bowls and dishes on the small table, “Master, there’s always a solution. Su Liang has many weaknesses.”

“I’ve always been reluctant to hurt children, which is why I didn’t capture Nuannuan. Although I knew Gu Ling was on the island last night, I let all three children go,” Mo Yan said. “I’ve shown my sincerity. You should rest as well.”

Upon hearing the sound, Sheng Yue saw that Yan Shiba had already been released by Mo Yan and was standing next to him, close enough to push him into the water.

Yan Shiba had changed her clothes but had still left her hair uncombed. Her long hair hung behind her, covering half of her face.

The cook in the forbidden area had prepared breakfast, including portions for the people confined in Mo Yan’s portable space. Yan Shiba had just finished eating, and Mo Yan did not stop her as she walked towards the stone screen.

Yan Shiba walked behind the stone screen and saw the bedding on the ground, but no children were in the cave.

“How do I know you haven’t locked those three children somewhere else or brutally harmed them?” Yan Shiba stood next to the stone screen, looking at Mo Yan on the other side of the pool.

“They’re indeed no longer on the island because Gu Ling is here.” Mo Yan said coldly, “He arranged for the children to leave overnight. If you want to see Gu Ling, I can arrange for you to go out and call him.”

Yan Shiba sneered, “You want to use me to catch him? Mo Yan, we must talk about the current situation.” Yan Shiba pointed at the pool between them, “You have to tell me how you got here, so I can find the way.”

Mo Yan was silent for a moment before speaking, “I like adventures. When I dived into a cave almost identical to this one, I somehow ended up here.”

“You came here with your body, and I didn’t. You know very well that even if there really is a way down there, perhaps only you can go. I can’t. This is your way, not mine.” Yan Shiba said coldly. She had already asked Su Liang in detail about many transmigration matters. If it had been in the past, she would have thought it nonsense and absurd tales.

Mo Yan’s expression darkened, “That’s just your guess.”

Yan Shiba chuckled lightly, “Who isn’t guessing? If you had the courage to jump down yourself, maybe you would’ve returned decades ago. I don’t understand why you caused so much trouble and hurt so many people for so long. Do you really think you can go back?”

“Everything lies in the hands of men.” Mo Yan said.

Yan Shiba shook her head, “That’s not true. The events that happened to us are mostly due to fate and are beyond human reach.”

“Enough with the nonsense.” Mo Yan said, “Even if we don’t consider your identity as a Transmigrator, you are still one of the most outstanding people among the younger generation in this world. If there’s a way, you’ll certainly be able to reach it.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Shiba’s face revealed a mocking expression, “Are you saying that Transmigrators are all dragons and phoenixes among men chosen by heaven and that you’re praising yourself?”

Mo Yan stared intently, “Stop the nonsense! You can either go down now, or I’ll take you out to find Gu Ling. Choose!”

Yan Shiba’s gaze shifted to Sheng Yue, her expression a mix of amusement and seriousness, “Mo Yan, do you truly understand your disciple?”

Mo Yan’s expression turned impatient, “Don’t try to sow discord among us!”

Yan Shiba laughed, “Sheng Yue visited me last year to discuss cooperation. She must have told you, right?”

Mo Yan narrowed his eyes, listening to Yan Shiba continue, “You also know that Sheng Yue is actually the son of a Transmigrator. His mother was the woman who was once captured by you on the island, and later released by your daughter.”

Mo Yan’s face changed dramatically, while Sheng Yue remained calm, “Master, she’s just applying what she knows about Xingluo Island’s affairs onto me.”

“Stop pretending!” Yan Shiba said coldly, “If it weren’t for the fact that your mother was a Transmigrator, how could you have possibly come to Xingluo Island and follow Mo Yan? No normal person would believe in transmigration, let alone have delusions of transmigrating to another world. You’ve known about the transmigration and coveted his magic treasure all along!”

“Why didn’t you say this last night?” Sheng Yue retorted, “Did you not want to go into the water today, or are you trying to sow discord between me and my master to protect yourself and Gu Ling?”

“I initially thought it would be fine to let you continue deceiving Mo Yan, but now it’s time for you and your master to truly recognize each other. After all, you’ve had such a deep connection, and you’ve been hiding it from your master all along, which is very dishonest.” Yan Shiba sneered.

“Master, don’t believe her.” Sheng Yue remained unfazed, “She’s always been scheming and just wants to provoke infighting among us.”

“I know.” Mo Yan nodded and looked at Su Liang coldly, “Is this your tactic? Honestly, I’m very disappointed. Have you made your choice?”

“You actually trust Sheng Yue so much?” Yan Shiba nodded, “I’m not disappointed about this. Continue, he’ll repay you well. Isn’t it just going underwater? I’ll do it.”

As the words fell, Yan Shiba took off his coat and jumped into the pool for the third time without waiting for Mo Yan’s urging.

Mo Yan walked to Sheng Yue’s side, put his hand on his shoulder, and said with a solemn face, “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

Sheng Yue knelt down with a bend of his knees, “Please forgive me, Master. Indeed, my mother has been to Xingluo Island before, and it is because of her influence that I share the same wish with you. I didn’t dare to tell you earlier because I was worried that it would cause trouble.”

Mo Yan looked at Sheng Yue with icy eyes. After a while, he said, “You should have told me earlier. I wouldn’t have done anything to you. I would have trusted you more.”

“It was my stupidity,” Sheng Yue said respectfully.

“Did you talk to Su Liang about cooperation? How else would she know your background?” Mo Yan asked.

Sheng Yue shook his head, “That is not true. If I had gone to Su Liang and Gu Ling, they would have killed me. They must have known my background because of my father. After my mother’s death, my father became a monk. I have a younger brother who stays with my father and is also a monk. Master, you might know him, his name is Cheng Yun. He has a very good relationship with Su Liang, and he has already returned to secular life. Both my father and brother stand on Su Liang’s side. It must have been my father who told Su Liang about my mother and me, because he has been trying to dissuade me.”

“I didn’t harm your mother,” Mo Yan said.

Sheng Yue nodded, “I know. After leaving Xingluo Island, my mother wanted to come back and return to her original world, just like you, Master. My father tried his best to stop her and accidentally killed her. I saw it with my own eyes, so I left my father when I was young and lived on my own. It was only last year when I went out and found out where they were, but I didn’t see them again.”

“So it was like that.” Mo Yan bent down, helped Sheng Yue up, and asked, “You went down before, did you see the white light?”

Sheng Yue shook his head, “I didn’t find anything when I went down that time.”

At about the same time as last night, Yan Shiba came up again. This time, he didn’t choke as much.

But Mo Yan’s patience was not as good as last night, “You’re just going through the motions!”

Yan Shiba climbed ashore, gasping, and looked at Mo Yan slantingly, “Aren’t you going to ask if I found something new this time? Didn’t you notice that I stayed longer below this time?”

Mo Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Speak!”

“I saw the white light and got closer. I saw the road behind the white light,” said Yan Shiba.

“Really?” Mo Yan looked doubtful.

Yan Shiba rolled his eyes, “If you don’t believe it, then forget it.”

“You go on,” Mo Yan’s tone softened a bit.

“I reached out my hand, but it seemed like there was a force pushing me back,” Yan Shiba shrugged, “So I think the road is there, but not just anyone can go.”

Mo Yan walked to Yan Shiba, grabbed her neck, and lifted her off the ground, “You’re making up stories to deceive me! You don’t want to leave at all, so how could you reach out? Do you think I’ll believe it?”

Yan Shiba laughed, “You’re just a madman… a lunatic…seeing ghostly roads! What white light or black light? In fact, I didn’t see anything!”

“You refuse to toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!” Mo Yan threw Yan Shiba on the ground. “Wait until I capture Gu Ling, and I will first ruin his appearance, then chop off his hands. Let’s see if you can still laugh!”

A moment later, Yan Shiba was taken back into Mo Yan’s portable space again.

Mo Yan, still angry, turned around, picked up his teacup from the small table, and drank it all in one gulp.

Sheng Yue, who had been standing quietly with his head down, slowly raised his head…