Chapter 38: A Midnight Visitor in the Mortal Realm

Midnight, the Mortal Realm, Raoyang County.

The night was deep and silent, save for the rustling of the breeze against clothing and the occasional sound of barking dogs or crowing roosters. Suddenly, a sharp cry shattered the quiet.

"What? An Immortal Island?!" The County Magistrate’s voice pitched upward in shock at the Immortal’s words.

The volume of his exclamation seemed to agitate the sensitive animals, and a chorus of barking erupted from all directions.

"Youcai, what are you barking at? Stop it... waking everyone up in the middle of the night."
"You wretched dog, why are you yapping? There’s no one there!"
"..."

As complaints echoed from neighboring houses, the Magistrate cleared his throat sheepishly. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Immortal, are you saying this gate is safe? That it leads to an Immortal Island where one might even find relatives and friends who entered the black fog?"

"Yes. Pass the word down: those with family members who entered the black fog domain may come to try their luck."

The man addressed as the Immortal nodded slightly, then vanished in a flash, leaving the Magistrate standing there in a daze.

"..."

The Magistrate had only come out to inspect the gate, satisfy himself that it was temporarily safe, and head home. He hadn't expected to be intercepted by an Immortal halfway there. Sighing, he resigned himself to walking back to order his bailiffs, who were guarding the gate, to pack up and leave. After all, he had come out in such a hurry that he hadn't brought anyone with him, and not knowing if the Immortal had truly departed, it was safer to handle the matter personally.

Just as the Magistrate turned to leave, a drunkard emerged unsteadily from behind a nearby tree, skulking in the Magistrate’s wake. His face was flushed, he reeked of alcohol, and though his steps were unsteady, he tried his best to stay hidden, muttering to himself.

"Immortal Island, hehe, Immortal Island! There must be tons of treasure inside! *Hiccup*—"
"That wretched Magistrate, he must want to hoard the treasures for himself! Bah, good thing I heard him."

His eyes darted around. "I have to slip in before the Magistrate finds out."

Wang Mazi, known as "Pockmarked Wang," cursed under his breath while sneaking along behind the Magistrate. Suddenly, he noticed a woman also quietly following the official.

"That is..." Wang Mazi squinted, struggling to focus for a moment. "Tao Wanshu!"

Recognizing her, he felt his face sting with phantom pain. "It’s that bitch..." Wang Mazi gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with malice. She was an orphan with no parents, and her only sister had disappeared into the black fog, never to return. He had demanded she become his concubine, but the wretch had refused him. He had planned to force himself upon her, thinking she’d have no choice once the deed was done, but she had dared to slap him. By the time he recovered, patrol officers had appeared, and he had been forced to watch her escape.

"Damn her!" Wang Mazi’s hatred felt tangible. "Once I gain some power, I’ll make sure you’re begging for mercy beneath me."

Visions of Tao Wanshu’s delicate beauty and graceful figure filled his mind, and he swallowed hard, his desire intensifying. He watched as Tao Wanshu stepped forward to stop the Magistrate; after a brief exchange, they moved together. Wang Mazi’s chest heaved with rage. "The damned slut, no wonder she wouldn't have me—she’s latched onto the Magistrate!"

He clenched his fists, glaring at the pair as if they were adulterers. "Once I get the treasure, maybe I can become an Immortal too. Why would I fear a Magistrate then?" he muttered to himself. When that time came, he would be the one in charge, and Tao Wanshu would be his for the taking, along with many others. He let out a lewd chuckle, quickly silencing himself for fear of being discovered.

Before long, the Magistrate spoke to the head bailiff, who shouted for the men to withdraw. Wang Mazi spat on the ground. "Bah, that petty man is just clearing everyone out to keep the treasure for himself."

Just then, Tao Wanshu said something to the Magistrate and stepped through the gate first. Seeing her enter, Wang Mazi could no longer wait. Before the bailiffs had fully cleared the area, he lunged through the gate behind the Magistrate's back, laughing wildly, "Haha, the treasure is mine!"

The Magistrate, about to depart, stood stunned. He frowned. "That voice... could it be Wang Mazi?" He recognized the man all too well from his frequent stints in jail. Realizing Tao Wanshu had just gone in, the Magistrate’s expression darkened. He hesitated, wanting to follow, but eventually turned away. *There are so many Immortals on the island,* he thought to himself, *surely nothing too serious will happen.*

...

On the other side of the island’s beach, Qin Yueran was taking a break. Having finished her renovations, she took advantage of the empty island—since the guests had either gone home or retired to their rooms—to wander and get some fresh air.

She stretched under the starlight, the sea breeze brushing against her. She yawned, muttering, "Tsk, it feels like I haven't slept in ages. Once I finish this section, I really need a good rest."

A slight ripple occurred near the gate. At the same time, the system sent a notification that someone had entered. She didn't check immediately, finishing her stretches first. When she finally opened the system, she saw two unregistered individuals, and she couldn't help but let out a confused "Huh?"

"Strange... are people still coming into the Mortal Realm this late?" Did they not have a curfew?

Suddenly, one of the dots on her radar turned red—an indicator of malicious intent. Qin Yueran arched an eyebrow. Since she was bored anyway, she decided to see who was out so late, causing trouble with bad intentions.

Qin Yueran clicked to teleport. The moment she arrived, a scream pierced the air: "Help!!!"

"Is anyone there?! Wuwuwu... you bastard, let me go!"

Qin Yueran looked over and her blood boiled. A hideous, pockmarked man was pinning a young woman to the ground, his face twisted in a savage expression as he tore at her clothes.

"You stinking bitch, no one will come even if you scream your throat out. Just be obedient and submit to me."

As he spewed filth, a sharp, cold glint flashed in Qin Yueran’s eyes. With a flick of her hand, a strange gust of wind sent Wang Mazi flying. He felt himself uncontrollably lifted into the air, tumbling several times before crashing heavily onto the ground. He scrambled to his feet, eyes blazing with feral malice, and roared, "Who dares ambush me?!"