Chapter 80: Divine Confrontation

            

Emerging from the dreamscape, Mu Sui saw moonlight spill through the window, falling upon him and Meng Ruji.

Compared to other places in No‑Return Land, Rui Wei Cao Yin’s mist softened the strange glow, making it resemble mortal moonlight.

Mu Sui looked to his right. Meng Ruji sat cross‑legged upon the bed, their fingers still interlaced.

Her eyes remained closed, still conversing with that nightmare demon in dreams.

Though two people were in the room, it felt as if only he remained. Thus, emotions he concealed before others now leaked unconsciously.

Mu Sui’s fingertips tightened slightly, clasping her hand.

The soft moonlight reflected in his dark pupils, turning them into a pool of water. He gazed at their joined hands, feeling her warmth seep into his palm.

That warmth carried a tingling illusion, traveling from palm to heart.

Mu Sui lowered his eyes, fingertips unconsciously caressing the back of her hand.

Actually…

The desire to touch her had never faded. He had only grown more skilled at suppressing it.

Perhaps Meng Ruji did not know how much willpower it took him to resist each time she approached, nor that her willingness surprised him more than his own feelings.

She had seen his schemes, opposed him directly, knew his terrible purpose of defying the world…

Yet she still said she was a piece in the game, and she was willing.

Mu Sui had thought his life would be filled only with passersby, leaving behind calculations and hatred. He never imagined he could still glimpse another’s heart.

His gaze fell upon her face.

In moonlight, her skin glowed softly. The night breeze stirred her hair, temple strands dancing playfully across her cheek.

Meng Ruji furrowed her brow unconsciously, tickled.

Mu Sui was seized by impulse, lifting his hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.

Only after did he realize—he was smiling.

He did not know why, but the curve of his mouth had turned upward.

His other hand pulled down the corner of his lips, forcing his expression cool.

It should not be…

Even if he acknowledged his feelings, losing control was inappropriate.

At that moment, Meng Ruji’s hand moved slightly, as if waking.

Startled like a child hiding emotions, Mu Sui withdrew his palm and swiftly climbed out the window.

So when Meng Ruji awoke, the room was empty, leaving only cool moonlight.

She looked at her palm, then at the window, snorting coldly. “The monk may run away, but the temple cannot.”

The next morning, after grooming, Meng Ruji emerged yawning.

Mist filled the courtyard with shadowy figures, eerily lively.

Madam Lin sat at the stone table, drinking tea. Beside her sat Mu Sui, cold‑faced. His unhappy expression told Meng Ruji he had been “requested” to stay.

But Meng Ruji was delighted. She strode over and sat across from him. “Where did you sleep alone again last night, Qianshan Jun?”

Mu Sui only glanced at her, then at Madam Lin, reminding her of yesterday’s “stabbing.”

Meng Ruji understood, pouring tea. “Madam Lin, what would you like to eat this morning?”

Madam Lin set down her cup, glancing at them. “No need to eat. I kept Qianshan Jun here to apologize. Yesterday, my request was excessive.”

Both Meng Ruji and Mu Sui exchanged surprised glances.

“You are husband and wife. I should not have made such requests. So…” Madam Lin smiled. “Today, I hope you mend your relationship.”

“Mend?” Meng Ruji raised a brow.

Mu Sui frowned, sensing trouble.

Madam Lin nodded. “Yes, didn’t Miss Meng ask me before for methods to manage her husband?”

Mu Sui’s gaze swept toward Meng Ruji.

She touched her nose, embarrassed, turning away.

Madam Lin’s gaze lingered, then she smiled. “I have no methods. The only way I can help is to have you perform marital duties.”

Both Meng Ruji and Mu Sui were stunned.

Madam Lin spoke calmly. “You live in the same room anyway. Rather than choose a day, why not today? This…” Her gaze sharpened. “This is my request.”

The misty courtyard fell silent, as if all three were phantoms from the Nai River.

Meng Ruji reacted first, laughing lightly, then looking at Mu Sui.

“Little Sui, look, everyone’s playing matchmaker. What should we do? If we don’t, we’ll die.”

Mu Sui’s face darkened, anger rising at her laughter.

Meng Ruji teased: “Little Sui, sister has little experience. Why don’t you be more understanding?”

She reached toward him—but midway, her palm wind shifted!

In a flash, she seized Madam Lin’s throat, pressing her down from the table to the ground.

Madam Lin fell, brow furrowed in pain, yet her expression remained calm.

“Miss Meng, I’m helping you. Why treat me so?”

“I do like him.” Meng Ruji admitted directly.

Mu Sui’s heart stirred.

“But such things should not be forced. Our Little Sui does not like it either.”

Madam Lin raised a brow. “So you defy my request?”

Pain surged in Meng Ruji’s stomach, blood rising to her throat. She forced it down, leaving only a trace at her lips.

“Yes, I defy you.”

Madam Lin showed no anger, only appreciation. “You’re not afraid to die, very good. But you also need the ability to defy me…”

Before she finished, black malevolent energy formed an arrow, stopping at her forehead, full of killing intent.

Mu Sui spoke coldly: “Remove her curse poison and let her go. Your thousand gold was never hers anyway.”

Meng Ruji’s heart was moved, but she cursed him inwardly: “Who says I cannot get it!”

Madam Lin saw the malevolent energy, her eyes widening. “Malevolent energy? How do you possess divine malevolent energy?”

She did not know his identity.

Meng Ruji asked: “You know the link between malevolent energy and deities?”

Madam Lin ignored her, raising seals to strike Mu Sui.

But… no magic emerged.

“My magic…” She looked at her fingers in shock. “Why can’t I use it…”

Meng Ruji blinked in confusion.

Mu Sui turned toward the mist.

Malevolent energy formed a barrier, shielding Meng Ruji, spikes outward.

In the mist, Nai River shadows flickered.

A figure approached, footsteps unheard, like a projection.

“Qianshan Jun is perceptive.”

The female voice was hoarse, stunning Meng Ruji. She recalled Mo Li’s words—the Human God, Mo Yi, had this voice.

Mist scattered, revealing her. Plain clothes, simple hair, yet radiant with divine light.

It was the Human God.

“Mo Yi…” Meng Ruji murmured. The radiance brightened in response.

Malevolent energy surged, colliding with divine light.

The blast blew away all mist, shadows vanishing, silence returning.

Both powers faded. Mu Sui and Mo Yi stood, gazes cold.

“Qianshan Jun, though I came with only a strand of soul, you absorbed Zhan Ye’s energy, not yet integrated. Fighting me benefits you not.”

Mu Sui laughed coldly, gathering more energy.

Meng Ruji, knocked down, rose painfully, grabbing his hand. “Let’s see what she wants first…”

Mo Yi turned her hand, producing a blue cloth pouch.

“Madam Lin’s thousand gold is with me now. I’ve come to help you return to the mortal world.”

Mu Sui was stunned. Meng Ruji’s eyes widened. “Your thousand gold was that easy to steal?”

Madam Lin sat dazed, eyes red.

“Madam Lin.” Mu Sui called. “Is that your money?”

She reached behind, pulling out a stone.

Meng Ruji was dumbfounded. Madam Lin wasn’t hunchbacked—she had hidden the gold as a stone.

“That’s my thousand gold…” Madam Lin murmured. “She replaced it.”

Meng Ruji noticed the pouch was of Madam Lin’s own cloth.

Mo Yi explained: “Illusion technique. In No‑Return Land, a dreamscape, it works well. I borrowed Ye Chuan’s body and obtained it the first day.”

Madam Lin realized, smiling bitterly. “No wonder…”

“Madam Lin.” Mo Yi’s voice, usually indifferent, carried a faint trace of emotion. “You are not as sharp as before.”

Madam Lin did not deny it. She nodded, and in that moment her expression seemed to age by decades.

“You’ve grown up.” Madam Lin smiled bitterly. “I am no longer as I once was.”

Hearing these words, and recalling countless details from before, a thread of realization suddenly wove itself together in Meng Ruji’s mind.

She turned to Mu Sui, seeking confirmation.

Mu Sui also understood at that instant.

“I did not expect Madam Lin to have taught her child so well.” His gaze fell upon Mo Yi. “From human to god, there is only one person in this world.”

He spoke it aloud, and neither Mo Yi nor Madam Lin denied it.

Under their similar features, Mo Yi’s expression was cold as frost, while beneath Madam Lin’s calm exterior lay unspeakable grief.

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