Chapter 423

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Chapter 423: Everlasting

That night, Bai Wei sat in the local library, poring over a map.

He meticulously calculated the possibility of reaching the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom from his current location.

To get there, he would need to cross the national border. The land route was arduous, dominated by mountains, rivers, and plateaus that stretched across the shortest path.

The distance exceeded a thousand kilometers. Even though his puppet body wouldn’t tire, it would wear out with time. Once he reached the mountainous regions, progress would slow. He imagined covering just a few hundred meters after trekking tens of kilometers.

Air transportation in the Ming Country was underdeveloped, particularly in remote areas. Bus routes were the main option, often connecting cities through convoluted paths.

While researching the routes, Bai Wei encountered a group of bus enthusiasts in the library. Among them was an adventurer who enjoyed exploring distant places.

Though Bai Wei’s attire and demeanor were unusual, the adventurer didn’t mind. In the Ming Country—a vast and diverse land steeped in history—it wasn’t uncommon to encounter peculiar characters.

The adventurer shared an old tale about a bus robbery he had experienced. The robber, armed with a gun, had his plans thwarted when an elderly man revealed a sword hidden within his cane. The man disarmed the robber effortlessly, leaving everyone astonished. The old man, a retired gardener from the Shu Mountain Sect, had a Level 59 certification in martial arts.

Since then, the adventurer had vowed to live as a good, ordinary person, knowing that danger lurked for those who strayed. The robber’s tears of regret served as a stark reminder of the perils of choosing the wrong path.

The adventurer offered Bai Wei his travel notes and spent half an hour helping him chart a route. Bai Wei didn’t reveal his true destination, only mentioning his intent to reach the border. The adventurer refrained from prying further.

As the library closed, they parted ways.

Bai Wei found himself wandering aimlessly. Without an ID card or money, he had no choice but to dodge the police and avoid public transport. By midnight, he was back at the seaside, where he had started.

A tabby cat sat nearby, observing him with mild curiosity.

“So, where are you headed exactly?” asked You Ming, a voice tinged with both curiosity and weariness.

“The Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom,” Bai Wei replied flatly.

You Ming scratched his ear thoughtfully. “That’s far. What’s your reason for going? Collecting souls?”

Bai Wei furrowed his brow, sensing a hidden implication in You Ming’s words. “Do you harvest souls in the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom?”

“Many demons gather materials there. It’s a place rife with battles and death. For us, it’s a treasure trove,” You Ming replied with a shrug. “Perfect for someone like you.”

Evil cultivators often thrived amidst chaos. Bai Wei suspected they might have routes leading to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. Unfortunately, locating them wasn’t straightforward. Evil cultivators operated in secrecy, avoiding detection in a country where martial arts thrived and law enforcement was stringent.

The Ming Country’s turbulent history had driven such figures into hiding, but Bai Wei was certain they would reemerge during the chaos of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom’s civil war.

He sighed, realizing that uncovering their secrets would take time. For now, he decided to make do with what resources he had.

After wandering the streets for hours, Bai Wei returned to the beach. He began digging a hole in the ground with the Yunhu Sword.

The tabby cat tilted its head, puzzled. “What are you doing?”

“Digging a hole to bury myself,” Bai Wei replied.

“Meow?”

“My puppet body doesn’t need rest. This is convenient and efficient.”

Once the hole was complete, Bai Wei laid down, wrapped himself in a coat, and covered himself with dirt using his mind.

“Done,” he murmured.

The tabby cat flicked its tail and walked away, unimpressed.

Back in Yingzhou, the time difference between regions meant it was still deep in the night. Bai Wei was staying temporarily at Guan Ling’s home.

At three in the morning, unable to sleep, he stepped onto the balcony to gaze at the crimson moon. Its light was dimmer now, signaling the gradual decline of the bloodline curse that plagued the descendants of the Yingzhou Witch.

While lost in thought, a soft voice broke the silence.

“Can’t sleep either?”

Turning, Bai Wei saw Guan Ling standing on the balcony, her delicate frame bathed in the moonlight.

“Guan Ling,” he greeted, his voice carrying a mix of familiarity and distance.

Her gaze was tender yet hesitant, a reflection of her inner turmoil.

“Mr. Bai,” she began cautiously, “can we talk?”

Bai Wei leaned against the railing, listening intently as Guan Ling continued.

“Recently… you’ve been avoiding us. Simozi and I can feel it. If we’ve done something wrong, please tell us. But don’t shut us out. It makes us feel scared.”

Her voice wavered, but her courage remained steady.

Bai Wei sighed, his conflicted emotions evident. “It’s not you. I’ve been preoccupied with some troubles of my own.”

“But those troubles are connected to us, aren’t they?” Guan Ling pressed.

“…Yes,” he admitted after a pause.

Guan Ling nodded, sensing his hesitation. “If it helps, we’re here to listen.”

For a moment, Bai Wei remained silent. Then, with a hint of exasperation, he asked, “If I pour Coca-Cola into a Pepsi can, am I drinking Pepsi or Coca-Cola?”

Caught off guard by the absurdity of the question, Guan Ling tilted her head thoughtfully.

“Maybe we drink it first,” she suggested, “and then decide.”

Bai Wei chuckled softly, the tension between them momentarily easing under the red moon’s glow.