Chapter Three: Sweet as Honey

What I hadn’t expected was that later this fool would… Mirage’s words trailed off, her gaze still gentle as she looked at the figure on the bed. After a while, she continued her tale.

Haishi traveled day and night, hurrying back to the tribe just to see that handsome face again, to carefully hold him close, and to whisper, “For the rest of my life, I will protect you.”

But the vivid crimson that filled his vision shattered his dreams. He had wanted to tell the young man that he had seen many landscapes, experienced varied customs and ways of life, yet found all of them dull and tasteless without the youth by his side.

Through the long, endless nights, the candlelight in the young man’s room cast the silhouettes of the two upon the walls. Gradually, they drew nearer. As dawn approached and the candles burned to their end, he thought that whoever could be paired with this youth must be gentle and virtuous, radiant and captivating—otherwise, how could the youth ever be interested?

On nights nearing summer, the wind should have been refreshing, yet he felt as though he were trapped in an icy cellar. He sat on the rooftop of the tall building, surrounded by toppled wine jugs that rolled across the floor one after another.

Haishi couldn’t help but recall the times he and Mirage sat together atop the high tower, gazing at the moon. This tribe, this place—everywhere was scattered with memories of him and the youth.

A flicker of red flashed in Haishi’s eyes as he darted into the darkness. He didn’t know that after he left, Mirage had climbed the rooftop from inside, refilled jug after jug with the wine Haishi had drunk, continuing this way until dawn.

After that night, the Forbidden Library of the Mirage Tribe was robbed—every book swept away.

The chieftain, furious in his study, raged, “Rebellious child, truly a rebellious child. If I had known, I should have ended him sooner…”

From then on, a new name appeared among the Five Realms: the Mirage Demon. Rumors spread that wherever the Mirage Demon went, all vegetation withered, life was devastated, and even the sky turned gray.

Mirage’s eyes flashed with pain. “A long time passed—so long I forgot how much time. Only then did Haishi return to the tribe, his body suffused with demonic energy, even the Nightmare Body had been stained black.”

The Nightmare Body symbolized the inner world of the Nightmare Tribe. Mirage could not imagine what Haishi had endured, but that fool returned seeking vengeance. Sadly, Mirage’s body had long since perished, leaving only a lingering remnant of his soul.

Mirage didn’t know how Haishi reacted after learning the truth. But seeing him now, it seemed everything Haishi had done was for him.

During that period, Mirage’s consciousness was hazy. When he awoke again, he found himself in this time and space, always sleeping, recuperating. If not for that fool disturbing his dreams, perhaps he would have slept a while longer.

Mirage finished speaking, took out a pill, placed it in his mouth, and leaned down to feed it to Haishi.

Obsidian was still lost in the story of Haishi and Mirage, and when he returned to his senses, he found himself witnessing a scene that made his eyes burn. Oh dear, he was going to die.

The pill must have been potent, for almost as soon as Haishi swallowed it, he opened his eyes.

Obsidian felt a moment of confusion, and before he could react, Yanluo had led him out of the room. He looked at Yanluo in puzzlement.

Yanluo coughed softly. “It’s improper to look upon such things.” Yanluo felt Obsidian’s gaze was too intense, and his whole body tensed.

Obsidian suddenly sensed the atmosphere had shifted. Brother, say something—why are your ears turning red?

Yan Nianqing and Black Slave had already slipped away before Mirage made his move; they clearly had the good sense to leave.

“You…” Haishi’s eyes reddened instantly. Was he dreaming again?

Mirage chuckled lightly, his gaze teasing. What was meant to be a brief, gentle kiss deepened as Haishi spoke, slipping past his defenses and invading outright.

Haishi could only weakly clutch at the front of Mirage’s robe, letting out soft hums that he couldn’t suppress. His face burned, his heart raced wildly, yet he indulged Mirage, cooperating without resistance.

When Haishi was nearly breathless, Mirage finally released him, helped him sit up, and gently embraced him, resting his head on Haishi’s shoulder, rubbing against him and pleading, “Brother…”

Haishi had wanted to ask Mirage something to ease his doubts, but seeing Mirage like this, he could only sigh helplessly, lifting his hand instinctively to stroke Mirage’s hair…

This fellow—why is he always like this?

Mirage seized the opportunity to pounce, lying atop Haishi and snickering. After a moment, he said, “Brother, stay here with me, won’t you?”

Haishi was taken aback, but his reply came naturally: “Alright.” He knew this person would always find his weakness.

Haishi thought, whatever Mirage asked of him—no matter how unreasonable—he always agreed, because he wanted to spend his life with this person. For this person, whatever he did, wherever he lived, Haishi would accept it gladly.

And clearly, the one lying on top of him understood this even better than he did.

It was time to return. Yan Nianqing and Black Slave had already left; Yanluo waited quietly. The spell’s duration was limited, but until then, he would wait. As for after that…

“Hey, why haven’t you left yet?” Haishi laughed at Yanluo, who looked almost like a stone waiting for his beloved. Had the Underworld been so quiet lately that even the King of Hell could skip work?

Mirage pinched Haishi’s hand. “Brother, be polite. He’s still the King of Hell, after all.”

Haishi shrugged carelessly. “It’s fine, we’re all familiar by now. Anyway, are you still waiting for Obsidian? He’s already bought his plane ticket—he won’t be going with you.”

Mirage quickly tugged Haishi’s ear. “Oh, brother, say less.”

“Alright, alright, Little Lou, be gentle. I won’t say any more, I won’t.” Haishi hurriedly admitted defeat.

Yanluo spoke softly, “I’ll resolve the matter of the illusion by the banks of the River of Forgetfulness for you.”

Haishi was stunned; he’d forgotten about that entirely, and hadn’t even had the chance to explain it to Mirage. This King of Hell, really—so petty, can’t even take a joke.

Mirage frowned in confusion. “What illusion? Brother, are you hiding something from me?” His face darkened as he turned and walked away without expression.

Haishi was helpless. “Is that necessary? Anyway, thanks for your help, safe travels.” His face flushed as he hurried after Mirage. “Little Lou, brother was wrong, honestly—I just forgot…”

The spell lasted three days. Yanluo stood motionless in place for all three days. On the last night, Obsidian finally ambled over from afar.

“Aren’t you afraid I wouldn’t come?” Obsidian asked, confused. This person had waited here so long, unmoving. Obsidian had watched from nearby the whole time, with Haishi and Mirage helping him conceal his presence so Yanluo wouldn’t notice.

Yanluo’s deep eyes fixed on Obsidian. In his heart, a wild obsession flashed, though he felt nothing of it. He said, “No. Even if you didn’t come, I would drag you back.”

Obsidian’s mouth twitched—so he’d been fooling himself? From the start, he’d had no choice? This reserved fellow was really something…

Yanluo smiled faintly, and Obsidian felt unsettled. This guy—Obsidian thought his heart skipped a beat. The power of an iceberg melting was no joke.

Yanluo took Obsidian’s hand. “Let’s go home.”

Obsidian answered dazedly, “Alright.”

They vanished from the spell in an instant. Obsidian felt a coolness on his lips, and darkness closed in again.

“Well now, young man, back so soon?” The old man’s familiar voice rang out, filling Obsidian’s heart with mixed emotions. He hadn’t expected he’d return.

“Fate, fate! Since it’s so, I’ll return to you the things you left here long ago, along with this time’s as well—catch it well, boy!”

“What the—old man, what are you doing?” Obsidian’s head throbbed with pain, and he instantly lost consciousness.

The elder exclaimed, “Ah, not good! Haven’t done this in ages—made a little mistake. Well, never mind, never mind. This kid will have to fend for himself...”