"Hmm~" Sikong Yan tilted his head, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Strictly speaking, it doesn't count as dead. It was just an incarnation of mine, and now it's... the soul returning to the original body."

Zhou Qing felt a chill in his heart, it was indeed close to what he had guessed.

"What?" Sikong Yan suddenly leaned in, the eyes beneath his mask shimmering with cunning light.

"It seems like you had an unusual bond with him, are you grieving for him? Actually, I could say it in reverse, you treat me as him, it's just the same."

Zhou Qing shook his head, his gaze cast afar: "It's a pity, I never got to see what he looks like."

"What difference does knowing make?" Sikong Yan suddenly sat up straight, spreading his arms, "The most moving things in this world are always those unfinished regrets."

"I want to know his story." Zhou Qing stared directly into Sikong Yan's eyes.

"Alright~" Sikong Yan grew interested but quickly raised a finger and shook it, "However..."

His lips curled into a smile, "I can't let you probe my depths one-sidedly, can I? I need to ask you some questions too, how about a fair exchange?"

Zhou Qing shook his head without hesitation: "When a person dies, the light goes out, what significance does knowing all this have, let's forget it."

"Tsk!" Sikong Yan exaggeratedly leaned back, feigning a hurt expression, "You truly are so uninteresting!"

Then he sighed helplessly: "Fine, fine, who am I to refuse, seeing as I need something from you? I can tell you everything you want to know."

"After all, these things are related to the favor you're going to help me with. If not explained clearly, with your cautious personality, you probably won't agree easily."

As he spoke, his eyes suddenly became sharp: "But speaking of which, I'm truly curious, how did you manage to kill your peers like slaughtering dogs?"

"And how did you condense eight thousand Spirit Seals in such a short time?"

Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes and said word by word, "Sometimes I even suspect that you have been possessed by some old monster?"

Zhou Qing's expression did not change, he simply met Sikong Yan's gaze silently.

The steam from the teacup slowly rose between the two, then quietly dissipated.

A few breaths later, Sikong Yan glanced at the Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling, and changed the topic: "Perhaps... we should let them step away?"

"Soul Searching and Soul Snatching are commonplace these days, the less you know, the safer you are."

The two hesitated upon hearing this.

Zhou Qing understood: "Senior brother, senior sister, you should wait for me outside."

As the two were about to stand up, Sikong Yan suddenly raised his hand: "Hold on!"

He added meaningfully: "Even though everyone knows 'Mr. Ji' is famous for wearing a chicken-head mask, attentive people can still use clues to identify you."

"For example..." he began counting on his fingers, "The surviving dozen guards from the Unlight Sea once disclosed to buyers about Mr. Ji's voice, height, and this..."

He pointed with one hand towards the old hen in Luo Lingling's arms, "The iconic living sign."

"Not to mention Mr. Niu, the two boarded the ship from Yaoguang Mansion, and now with the Ghost Mastiff..."

Sikong Yan's eyes flashed with insight, "It should be the three traveling together, and since it's inconvenient to reveal their faces, they will wear different masks..."

Their faces suddenly changed, a hint of panic flashing in their eyes.

Sikong Yan remained unhurried: "You are still young, with little experience, but this is the Imperial City—"

He paused slightly, "The place where millions of cultivators from the Holy Martial Dynasty must visit, where dragons and snakes mingle, and danger lurks at every step."

"Your talents are exceptional, to have reached the Divinity Transformation Realm at such a young age, truly rare."

He raised the corners of his mouth, carrying a hint of playfulness, "But every old monster in the Divinity Transformation here, haven't they lived for thousands of years? They've crossed bridges more than the roads you've walked."

"Sometimes, don't be complacent, don't be too smart."

Luo Lingling hurriedly stuffed the old hen into her coat, her chest suddenly bulging with a constantly moving curve.

Zhou Qing's expression was equally solemn, he finally realized his oversight at this moment.

Originally thinking that each person having three masks was enough to deceive the heavens, yet neglected the fatal flaw of the number of people and the old hen.

The two silently withdrew beyond the barrier, waiting outside.

Luo Lingling had to admit that Sikong Yan made a good point—three masked people were indeed too conspicuous, they had no choice but to leave the tea house.

Exchanging a glance, each saw a deep sense of helplessness reflected in the other's eyes, then they simultaneously sighed softly.

Yes, now they have become a burden on Old Fourth.

From the Blood Maple Forest to the Ancient Beast Wilderness in this short time, they have repeatedly put Zhou Qing in dangerous situations.

If someone were to hold them hostage to threaten Old Fourth, what would happen then?

...

"Can you speak now?" At the tea table, Zhou Qing stared at Sikong Yan.

Sikong Yan gently tapped his finger on the mask, making its lower half fade away, revealing a fair chin.

He calmly poured a cup of tea and took a small sip.

"This matter is a long story. If I summarize it too briefly, you'd think I'm tricking you, so allow me to explain it in detail."

He put down the teacup, his gaze drifted through the swirling tea smoke as if looking toward a distant past.

"My life has been rather turbulent, the first half walking on thin ice, and ultimately I couldn't escape the fate of death and destruction—"

He paused, his lips pulling into a self-mocking smile, "And it was my own father who ended it." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Suspicion flashed in Zhou Qing's eyes, he smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Don't look at me like that, it's the truth."

"But seeing you like this, it's as if you're telling someone else's story!" Zhou Qing couldn't help but say.

Sikong Yan chuckled softly, his finger lightly tapping the mask: "So how should I say it, with tears and snot?"

"Moreover, I'm still wearing a mask, how do you know I'm not in pain?"

Zhou Qing fell silent, no longer speaking.