Chapter 3: The Ghostly Hairpin and the Shadowy Cloud

The Mirage Clan, a mysterious and ancient tribe, had often been likened to a paradise untouched by the outside world. Everyone longed to reach it, but not a single soul ever succeeded. To be an ordinary member of the Mirage Clan was happiness itself; but to be its chief was an entirely different experience.

The chief of the Mirage Clan was bound to remain within the tribe for all eternity. Even after death, their soul would be forged and purified by the flames of duty, blessing the people and praying for the tribe’s well-being.

Among them, the brothers Mirage City and Mirage Tower were the young heirs of the clan, from whom the next chief would be chosen.

“You should leave. Never return to the tribe,” Mirage Tower had said to him, with such resolute determination. Now, as Mirage City looked back on that scene, he felt only endless desolation and sorrow in that departing figure, as if the silence was a reproach—why must you leave me all alone?

Fire—fire everywhere, unquenchable, growing ever fiercer. Mirage Tower stood amidst the flames, his back turned to him.

Run! Get out! Mirage City cried out again and again, but Mirage Tower made no move, until Mirage City saw him slowly lift the chains binding his hands and feet…

Mirage City shot upright from the bed, finally realizing he had fallen into a nightmare. He had returned to his true form, and the black mist surrounding Obsidian had vanished without a trace.

If the legends were true, then the one called Obsidian could surely help him find Mirage Tower.

Mirage City wiped his face vigorously, erasing any trace of suspicious moisture, and hurried away to the “Bureau of Impermanence.”

Obsidian was engrossed in recording the information relayed by the black mist. When he looked up, the mist had already disappeared, leaving him slightly bewildered. Just then, Yan Nianqing came running in.

Obsidian instinctively wanted to embrace Yan Nianqing, but seeing he had taken on the appearance of a youth, he slowly lowered his raised hand.

Yan Nianqing pursed his lips, his expression no different from that of the chubby boy he once was. Grabbing Obsidian’s hand, he placed it around his waist and hugged him tightly, the young man murmuring with a hint of childish affection, “Daddy…”

Obsidian shuddered at the word but did not respond.

Yan Nianqing looked up, his eyes rimmed with red. “Is Daddy still angry that Nianqing kept things from you? I didn’t want to, but if Daddy wants to see me as I used to be, even if it shortens my life, I don’t mind. Please don’t be angry, Daddy, alright?”

Obsidian seized on the crucial phrase. “You mean, keeping your old form shortens your lifespan?”

He frowned, pinching the foolish boy’s cheek hard. “Are you stupid? What’s more important than your life?”

Immediately, Yan Nianqing nuzzled Obsidian’s hand in an attempt to please him. “So Daddy isn’t angry anymore?”

Obsidian’s lips twitched, and he tousled the boy’s dark hair, nodding in affirmation.

Yan Nianqing finally relaxed, his heart easing its burden. Ever since his mother left, he had kept the form of a child, hoping she would recognize him if she returned. Now, it seemed there was no longer any need.

Obsidian then recalled the sudden disappearance of Mirage City. “I was just with Mirage City. Did you see him?”

“Mirage City? You mean the nightmare entity?” Yan Nianqing replied, feeling the name was familiar.

“Do you know anyone called Mirage Tower?” Obsidian continued.

“Mirage Tower?” Yan Nianqing pondered, suddenly remembering—wasn’t that an elder of the Mirage Clan? The Underworld had always had close ties with the Mirage Clan, so its leaders were well informed about their affairs.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Yan Nianqing confirmed again, “Daddy, are you sure the person was called Mirage City, and he’s looking for someone named Mirage Tower?”

Though names may sometimes coincide, these two were unique, unmistakable. The Mirage Clan had its own naming customs, ensuring no repetition.

But if there was no mistake, then Mirage City was the one who had long since fallen to darkness, and Mirage Tower—wasn’t he already gone? How could one possibly find him?

Obsidian confirmed with utmost seriousness, “I won’t get it wrong.”

Yan Nianqing sighed inwardly. No wonder—the nightmare entity was so purely black. He should have realized it sooner.

Since they had already promised, Mirage City would surely return for help. Yan Nianqing’s face scrunched in worry.

“Is something the matter?” Yama put away what he had just taken out and walked over, hands clasped behind his back.

Yan Nianqing briefly explained the situation.

Yama’s expression remained unchanged, as if utterly unconcerned, yet his gaze lingered on Obsidian.

Obsidian felt uneasy under his stare and ventured, “Is this a serious matter?” He began running through the list of mistakes he had made recently—there were quite a few. Was Yama here to settle accounts?

Finally, Yama turned his gaze aside. “It’s no trouble. Help him search; consider it repaying a debt to the Mirage Clan.”

Yan Nianqing exclaimed, “But Mirage Tower has already—”

“You haven’t even investigated yet. How can you be sure? Don’t let yourself be bound by space and time. Assign more people to search, and do it now.”

With Yama’s words, Yan Nianqing instinctively agreed and hurried off to make arrangements. Only after everything was settled did he realize something was off, and his face flushed red—what a sly old man.

With the troublesome youth gone, the atmosphere became more awkward than before, and Yama’s expression grew colder.

Obsidian instinctively stepped back a few paces; Yama, displeased, followed.

Obsidian retreated until he could go no further, looking at Yama in helpless resignation. “What exactly do you want?”

Yama said nothing, but brought out the hairpin he had been hiding, carefully and gently gathering Obsidian’s unruly hair and fastening it in place.

The two were uncomfortably close. Obsidian watched Yama’s actions with confusion and happened to notice the faint blush on Yama’s ear tips. Whatever small anxieties he had were instantly swept away.

Obsidian smiled, “You went to all this trouble just to give me this? You really are something else.”

Yama explained, “This is called Ghost Cloud. In this realm, it will keep you safe. Do not leave it for a moment.”

A shadow flickered in Obsidian’s eyes. He leaned in closer, and closer still, until his breath was palpable to Yama. “Are you sure that’s all you wanted to say?”

Yama’s breath quickened. Facing Obsidian’s mischievous gaze, he was undaunted; suddenly, he wrapped his arms tightly around Obsidian’s waist and pulled him forward.

Obsidian’s hand gently lifted Yama’s chin, examining him with playful eyes. After a moment, he leaned in, murmuring softly in Yama’s ear, “Ah Qing…”

Yama stiffened. “What did you just call me?”

“Oh dear, Young Master Bai, Crown Prince Bai, Lord Bai, you can’t go in, you mustn’t go in!”

“What’s stopping me? Out of my way, all of you!”

“Oh my goodness, my lord, please don’t…” Don’t disturb those two. Seeing Lord Bai already open the door and enter, Ox-Head thought to himself—this is trouble.

“In broad daylight, what are you two doing hiding in this room? Little Black, are you planning to cast me aside after all?”