Chapter 22

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This chapter is edited by Farouq Omileye. Thank you for your contribution!

Chapter 22: Tear Down the Deception

Bai Lian returned to the Queen’s side, relieved to find her unharmed.

It seemed that only she and Ling Yue remained in the vast, silent royal city.

Two people. A city.

The thought was oddly thrilling, especially because this young girl seemed so restless in her sleep. Ling Yue tossed and turned, her shifting clothes inadvertently revealing enticing glimpses of skin.

A new task suddenly appeared before Bai Lian’s eyes.

Long time no see!

Bai Lian almost believed she really was a Natural Saint, given how often others called her one.

[Task 1: Turn Ling Yue from a girl to a woman in her sleep! (Reward: Unlimited Water)]

The reward was a rare and precious item. It could be used to refine elixirs, craft the best Spirit Tools, or even for drinking.

But…

It was also dangerous!

If Bai Lian actually did it, someone would undoubtedly pop out from the shadows to stab her in the back. And while fending off the assassin, she couldn’t allow Ling Yue to wake up—Ling Yue had to continue “growing” in her dream.

Too difficult. Forget it.

Bai Lian chose Soft Skill +1 instead. (The author, alas, did not bother to elaborate on Task 2.)

Even so, Task 1 gave her an idea. She originally planned to grab Ling Yue and escape, hoping to avoid pursuit by the Nanwang Country ancestor. But now, she decided to venture into Ling Yue’s dream.

Sprinkling phantom butterflies around the bedroom to ensure no one would disturb her, Bai Lian prepared herself.

The temperature in the room dropped sharply.

In the dimly lit bedroom, Bai Lian walked slowly toward Ling Yue.

Dream-walking required only the simplest magic. She didn’t need anything elaborate to intrude into the dreams of an ordinary person. All it took was a gentle push—

And she was inside.

—

Through the mist, Bai Lian found herself in a vast desert of sand.

The dream-world reflected the darkness of Ling Yue’s inner thoughts. The sky was a deep crimson, dominated by a blood-red moon.

Bai Lian noticed a row of footprints stretching far into the distance.

These were Ling Yue’s.

The girl had been walking alone through the boundless desert for what seemed like an eternity.

She kept walking.

Even she didn’t know how long she had been walking.

Looking back, Bai Lian couldn’t see the origin of the footprints. In this dreamscape, Ling Yue was the sole living being—besides Bai Lian herself, who had entered uninvited.

The desert wind swept away layers of sand, exposing pale skeletons beneath.

Bai Lian thought she understood now.

This was Ling Yue’s psychological trauma, what cultivators would call an internal demon.

“Here we go again,” Bai Lian thought.

Ever since recovering her memories of the game, her life had been a series of battles against inner demons or journeys toward fighting them.

This world, as the game described, was indeed full of troubled girls.

Like a ghost clad in white, Bai Lian floated toward Ling Yue.

The girl, lost in thought, didn’t even notice her presence.

Ling Yue walked forward, step by step, like an emotionless automaton—her only thought was to keep moving.

“This is the last night,” Ling Yue thought to herself. “Let me walk this endless desert one last time. I’ll take it as a final farewell.”

Suddenly, things clicked for Bai Lian.

The lamps in Ling Yue’s bedroom weren’t just for decoration. Each one emitted a faint energy, meant to keep her awake.

The massage oils, candles, and other strange details were all to prevent Ling Yue from falling asleep.

Because when Ling Yue slept, she would be pulled into this world of despair.

Yet, Ling Yue wasn’t a cultivator. No matter how hard she tried to stay awake, sleep was inevitable.

And once she fell asleep, this nightmare consumed her.

Only an eternal sleep could grant her peace.

—

Ling Yue walked on, her resolve crumbling.

“This is the last time,” she thought again.

Yet, as she trudged through the endless sand, her steps slowed. Around her, the scenery remained unchanged—an expanse of dunes stretching infinitely in every direction.

It was maddening.

A game like Desert Bus could drive someone insane after eight hours. Ling Yue had been wandering this desert for twelve years.

Sometimes, she would lie down and hope to dream within her dream, hoping for a reprieve.

But it was futile.

The sand kept shifting beneath her.

At a certain moment, Ling Yue froze.

She heard footsteps.

Footsteps that weren’t her own.

Her heart leaped.

Could it be…?

Ling Yue spun around.

In the distance, she saw a shadow approaching.

It was fierce, dark, and slightly menacing.

Yet, strangely, Ling Yue felt no fear.

This was the first time she’d encountered something—someone—else in this desolate world.

Her dark eyes lit up with a flicker of hope.

“You are…” she began, her voice trembling.

The shadow extended a hand toward her.

Though the hand didn’t touch her, a familiar voice echoed in her ears.

“Silly girl, I’m your father.”

It was the old king.

The voice was unmistakable.

Ling Yue covered her face with her hands, overcome with emotion. “Father, I…”

—

Bai Lian blinked.

Of course, she was the shadow.

She hadn’t planned on impersonating Wen Su, Ling Yue’s father. It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision to mimic his voice.

Unexpectedly, the move worked like magic.

Ling Yue immediately believed her.

The girl fell to her knees, tears streaming through her fingers.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I’m useless. I can’t save anyone. Under my rule, Nanwang hasn’t improved. More people have died in wars.”

Bai Lian’s voice softened. “It’s not your fault. You’ve done a good job.”

Ling Yue shook her head. “Don’t comfort me, Father. I know I’m unfit for this position. I’ve decided to step down…”

“Never!” Bai Lian interrupted.

Ling Yue froze.

“Silly girl,” Bai Lian said, her voice tinged with sadness. “You’ve been deceived.”

Ling Yue was stunned. “I was deceived?”

Bai Lian nodded gently. “Yes, you’ve been lied to. Even if you sacrifice yourself, Nanwang Country won’t be saved. On the contrary, it won’t take long before Nanwang Country is completely swallowed by sandstorms.”

Ling Yue’s body trembled violently, her head shaking in denial. “How could this be… impossible… impossible.”

“Silly girl,” Bai Lian said softly, her voice filled with tenderness. “You’ve already done so much. There’s no need to carry all the burdens on your shoulders alone.”

As she spoke, Bai Lian extended her hand.

Ling Yue didn’t dodge.

Bai Lian gently patted her head.

(o･ω･)ﾉ(ﾉД)

For once, Ling Yue was surprisingly docile.

The soft, silken feel of her hair made Bai Lian linger, her hand stroking Ling Yue’s head for a long time.

“Give up on that unrealistic idea,” Bai Lian murmured. “Your life won’t bring prosperity to Nanwang.”

“…”

“It’s better to leave Nanwang City temporarily,” Bai Lian continued. “Wait until the storm settles, then come back. Don’t worry, Daddy will always be watching over you.”

Ling Yue remained silent, her thoughts in turmoil.

Was Bai Lian telling her to run away? She couldn’t do that.

And yet… Bai Lian’s words echoed in her mind—it was all a hoax.

Abruptly, Ling Yue stood up. Though the tears still streaked her face, her sobbing had ceased.

She stared at Bai Lian with an unsettling calmness. “You’re not my father.”

Bai Lian froze, her hand mid-air.

What gave her away?

Ling Yue’s gaze was sharp as she said, “My father would never touch my head like that. He was always dignified and reserved.”

Bai Lian tried to explain, “Today is different…”

“Nonsense,” Ling Yue retorted. “I’ve never had a good relationship with my father. He wouldn’t stroke my head. He would scold me loudly instead!”

Did she want to be scolded?

Was Wen Su’s concern a facade?

Bai Lian was momentarily thrown off.

Ling Yue sneered. “Since you claim to be my father, answer me this: when did I come to the royal city?”

“…”

“You’re the cultivator who came to my bedroom not long ago, aren’t you?”

“…”

Bai Lian let out a weary sigh and dropped her disguise, revealing her true form.

She understood now. Wen Su was probably like her Master, An Lan—someone who cared deeply but kept it hidden behind a facade of dignity.

“You don’t understand your father’s love for you,” Bai Lian said quietly.

Ling Yue glared. “It’s you!”

Her eyes burned with fury.

“You said you came to find someone. Why did you find me?”

“Your father asked me to save you.”

“You’re lying again!”

“Everything I’ve said is true!”

Ling Yue’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “You said you were my father just a moment ago.”

That was a harmless lie!

Bai Lian felt her patience wearing thin.

If kindness doesn’t work…

“I am not someone who likes using force,” Bai Lian said with a faint smile. “If I had enough time, I’d explain everything until you believed me. But—”

Ling Yue instinctively stepped back. “Are you planning to kidnap me?”

“Yes,” Bai Lian admitted with surprising calm. “But don’t worry, I won’t harm you. I’ll take you back after the ancestor worship ceremony ends tomorrow.”

She smiled again, her gaze glinting. “Or perhaps, it won’t even take that long.”

Ling Yue’s panic deepened.

As an ordinary mortal, how could she possibly resist Bai Lian?

Why had things turned out this way?

Her mind raced, her heart pounding.

Desperate, she waved her hands in protest. “No! Don’t come any closer! I—”

Memories of the day flashed before her.

She did know Bai Lian.

Reports from the city spies had detailed Bai Lian’s actions.

Ling Yue hurriedly blurted, “Can’t you take care of the people in Nanwang City?”

“I won’t just stand by and watch them suffer,” Bai Lian replied. “That’s why I’m stopping you!”

She stopped just a step away from Ling Yue.

Reaching out, Bai Lian hesitated, her hand pausing mid-air.

Standing before her wasn’t a queen, but a lost, broken girl trapped in her own pain for 12 years.

“It’s not your fault,” Bai Lian said softly. “You don’t trust me, you misunderstand me—that’s understandable. As I said before, it’s the fault of this world. If not for the Immortal who died here, the Sand Region wouldn’t have become like this.”

“I…” Ling Yue faltered, caught off guard.

“This is what I’ll do,” Bai Lian continued. “If I’m wrong, I’ll take responsibility. I’ll move everyone in Nanwang to safety and help them rebuild. You can remain their queen. Though I’m poor, I can still cover their travel expenses.”

Ling Yue blinked in disbelief. Was she hearing this correctly?

“But!” Bai Lian’s voice sharpened. “If I’m right, you owe me an apology.”

With that, Bai Lian vanished into the sea of sand.

Ling Yue stood frozen in place, unable to speak.

She had always seen cultivators as distant, god-like beings who viewed mortals with disdain.

But Bai Lian was different.

When she first entered the royal city, Bai Lian could have easily kidnapped her, yet she didn’t.

Ling Yue’s heart stirred.

She awoke from her thoughts, finding herself back in her bedroom.

Suddenly, a force lifted her.

“Where are you taking me?”

There was no reply.

But soon, the entire royal city, even the whole of Nanwang, was awash in shock.

In the darkness, a brilliant blue light erupted from the altar, piercing the heavens like a lance.

“He’s worried!”