Otherworldly Affairs Office-Chapter 868: Secrets of the Planes (Part 1)

"So, is your Base Plane also planning to plant a pawn with me? Is Dalles the person you selected?" The boy didn't mind Pei Yan's compliment, paused the game, walked over to his fridge and took out two bottles of Coke, tossing one to Pei Yan. Seeing Pei Yan's confused expression as he looked at the date on the bottle, the boy laughed and said, "Don't overthink it. I don't have Lin Junzhao's ability to create something from nothing. These things, including the Coke in your hand, are all produced by your Base Plane!"

While speaking, the boy twisted open the cap and took a big gulp, shaking his head with satisfaction as he proudly said, "In this besieged Holy City, being able to enjoy cross-dimensional supplies freely is one of the privileges of me, the Demon God."

Seeing the other admit his identity, Pei Yan also opened his Coke and took a big sip. He shrugged at the other and smiled wryly, "What kind of pawn can be seen through so easily? It's just a bridge left for the Base Plane and the Hell Plane to communicate. If the Demon God doesn't like him, feel free to remove him, but please spare his life; after all, Dalles has been responsible to me for these past five years."

"Let him be. In this Holy City, there are plenty of pawns from various sides. Removing this overt one and secretly adding more would be tiresome for both of us!" The boy slouched down on the sofa, lazily looked at Pei Yan and casually asked, "Xila must have told you the purpose of calling you here, right?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan put the Coke bottle aside, sat up straight, and replied with anticipation, "Yes, she said you would significantly enhance my powers!"

"That's right. Now that you are here, I've already set up a series of plans to enhance you specifically. During your battle with Flamel, you exposed two weaknesses: weak spatial abilities and susceptibility to soul attacks. I can help you resolve those! Do you have any questions about this?" The boy leaned on the sofa, casually grabbed some nuts from a plate on the table, cracked the hard shells, and chewed them.

"What do you need me to do, or what can I do for you?"

"Xila said you're sometimes rash, yet at other times so cautious that it's annoying!" The boy spit out some residue accidentally eaten and, seeing Pei Yan's somewhat awkward expression, casually said, "But this caution is understandable. After all, negotiating with a tiger needs carefulness, or you'll be eaten till not even bones are left, right?"

As he spoke, the boy nudged a plate toward Pei Yan, indicating him to take some, but after Pei Yan politely refused, he continued, "You smoke, right? I don't have any here, but if you want to, I don't mind. Ah, about your previous question! Why help you, right? Well, answer me this: How do you perceive the relationship between our original beings?"

"Ah!" Pei Yan hesitated for a moment, unable to inquire in detail without Lin Junzhao's possession, and hesitantly answered, "Mutual exploitation? Mutual checks and balances?"

"Is that how you view us?" The boy wasn't surprised by this answer, just somewhat disappointed. After Pei Yan nodded to confirm, he sighed and helplessly said, "Actually, our relationship is complex but not so complex. It all comes down to two words: friends, that's all!"

"Friends?" Pei Yan sneered at these words. It's not that he didn't believe in friendship; he did have friends, but when these old beings talk about friendship, he couldn't believe it from his heart.

"What's so hard to understand?" For Pei Yan's dismissive attitude, the boy seemed slightly displeased.

"It's not hard to understand, just hard to believe. After all, not long ago, Xila passed on a message, saying you and the Magic Realm's original being were already sworn enemies, and instructed me not to hold back or show mercy in the competition." Pei Yan wasn't scared of the boy's displeasure. Having interacted with original beings often, he realized it's necessary to show appropriate respect, but there's no need to be subservient—these beings prefer hearing your true thoughts, and playing mind games is futile.

"That's fair. I do dislike him! During that period, if he dared to appear in front of me, I would have fought him. But still, we're friends. How to put it?"

"Frenemies?" Pei Yan suggested after pondering.

The boy nodded repeatedly in agreement, "That's quite apt, frenemies! Kid, you need to understand that our lives are exceedingly long! Over the ages, subordinates, disciples, lovers, even bloodline descendants all fade away into the river of time. Yes, we do have godlike power, and reviving them exactly as they were isn't impossible, but you know, that would just be self-deception. Dead is dead! They are no longer the same person!"

Not having had such experiences, Pei Yan could only nod in vague understanding, as the boy continued to speak eloquently, "So in this long lifespan, the only ones who can accompany us as friends to the end are our kindred original beings. We do compete for our respective planes' interests, as you say, both ally and counterbalance, but privately, we're all good friends. None of us truly want to hurt each other."

"But you did hurt the original being of my world, Lin Junzhao!"

"Uh!" The boy hadn't expected Pei Yan to be so direct, feeling a bit awkward himself now. After initially being at a loss, the boy quickly recovered and smirked wryly, "Right, the issue lies with Lin Junzhao. Her emergence was an accident! This was unexpected. I suppose you've heard of their story from Lin Junzhao. Lin Ruxue was delighted by her appearance, considering her a new family member and, being fond of teaching, wanted to personally mentor her to be another version of herself. Well, from a certain perspective, she succeeded, although this version seems to be going through a rebellious phase."

"Honestly, if it were me being treated like that by you, I might rebel even more!"

"Do you always speak so bluntly?"

"Um... it's a habit, sorry!"

The boy waved it off, not minding, "It's fine, it's actually refreshing; I haven't heard anyone speak to me like this in years. You're right, we were a bit harsh on Lin Junzhao, and I share some responsibility! The Magic Realm's original being, you can call him K, is somewhat... sensitive, particularly regarding status. K has always resented being second to Lin Ruxue, and Lin Junzhao's appearance immediately threatened his position."