**Chapter 0 – 55. A Solitary Path**
“A’Qin (Master), what is going on?” Li Yuanzhen and Ao Banwei were both utterly bewildered.
Qin Gou calmly gazed at Mo Ning in his palm. After a spiritual energy scan, he finally spoke, “I’ve told you, Kong Ling and Mo Ning are the same person. This will never change. It’s difficult for them to separate, and that wench Kong has truly come up with a peculiar method.”
Qin Gou pointed at Mo Ning. “Normally, Kong Ling’s emotions and memories would be highly unstable, sometimes being Kong Ling, sometimes Mo Ning taking charge, or even temporarily merging into an extremely manic state. But now, Kong Ling has used a precious spirit material from some abyss to forge this body. She then divided a portion of her own three souls and seven spirits, infused it in, and finally… performed the ‘Illusory Sea Tide’ on herself.”
If Qin Gou hadn’t also practiced the “Illusory Sea Tide” when he came out this time, it would have been hard for him to discern this.
“Through illusory arts, she has implanted a very strong psychological suggestion in herself and this clone. The suggestion is that Kong Ling and Mo Ning have been successfully separated into two individuals. Therefore, within this body, Mo Ning’s memories will naturally hold sway, and she will long present herself as Mo Ning. The true body is the exact opposite.”
“And every time they see each other, it further reinforces this psychological suggestion, making them even more convinced that they have been separated.”
“It’s a blessing that this wench thought of such a cunning method. But clearly, her execution of this plan wasn’t smooth sailing, otherwise, as Mo Ning just mentioned, there wouldn’t be inconsistencies between their memories and temperaments.” Qin Gou sighed, “This is a very unconventional approach, but in the worst-case scenario, it’s still much better than having two sets of memories constantly fighting in one’s mind.”
“Genius.” Li Yuanzhen instantly felt inexplicable admiration for Kong Ling. “She managed to devise such a method, and more importantly, she dared to think and act on it.”
“She was merely forced into it. This wench is the most complex among all my disciples. Kong Ling only wishes to be filial to her parents and continue her cultivation diligently, while Mo Ning just happened to have great fortune, breaking through the amnesia of her previous life and reviving her past-life memories. From their individual perspectives, neither of them feels they’ve done anything wrong.” Qin Gou looked at Li Yuanzhen and Ao Banwei. “They have no idea about the secret of their separation. You must keep your mouths shut and not reveal this for now.”
Li Yuanzhen and Ao Banwei nodded in unison.
Qin Gou continued, “Banwei, go make preparations. We are setting off.”
“Master, where are we going?” Ao Banwei asked.
“Demon Emperor City, to steal a bride.”
Qin Gou spread his hands. “It will be very dangerous, so neither of you should show yourselves when the time comes. Let me handle it alone.”
“Demon Emperor City… that’s where Demon Emperor Mo Qingyang himself resides. Qin Gou, do not act recklessly.” Li Yuanzhen addressed Qin Gou formally, her tone becoming serious. “With the slightest misstep, even you could perish.”
“He is the Demon Emperor, and I am a Celestial Master. As you said, it’s only a possibility, not certain death, right?”
Qin Gou gently wiped a tear from Mo Ning’s small face with his finger. He looked up and chuckled with a rebellious grin, “My disciple is crying. Do I need any other reason to risk my life?”
…
In the palace where the seventy-two demon pillars burned fiercely.
Mo Yu, the esteemed Second Prince of the Abyss, showed none of his usual boldness from the outside. He trembled as he approached a woman in a black dress, his gaze a mixture of reverence and admiration. “Sister, the moment I received your message, I rushed back without delay. I didn’t dare to waste a single moment. Is there something you need me for?”
Kong Ling looked at Mo Yu calmly, but her exceptionally gentle gaze at this moment made the Second Prince involuntarily shiver. His expression grew more complicated, a hint of anticipation mixed with his panic.
“Sister, don’t just stay silent, I’m scared!” Mo Yu said, wanting to cry but having no tears.
“Actually, it’s nothing particularly important. It’s just… I miss you.” Kong Ling smiled adorably and gently, patting the chair beside her. “Come over, sit by my side, and let Sister have a good look at you.”
Mo Yu’s scalp tingled instantly. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You must want to beat me again, right? Rushing back all dusty and eager to be beaten. In this world, besides me, Mo Yu, who else would do this?”
“Silly brother, what nonsense are you spouting? When did Sister say she wanted to beat you?”
“Every time you said you missed me before, it meant you were itching to spank me, didn’t it? When have I ever escaped a delightful… ahem, utterly humiliating beating?” Mo Yu said with a dry laugh.
Upon hearing this, Kong Ling rose to her feet and suddenly knelt on both knees before Mo Yu, saying with shame, “Then I, Sister, now apologize to you for my past willfulness, petulance, and rudeness. It’s also thanks to you, brother, that many people have been spared from my cruelty. Mo Yu, you know I’ve always been a very insane and vile person, and only when inflicting violence on others could I satisfy my perversion.”
Mo Yu was so terrified that his soul scattered and spirit vanished. He immediately rushed to Kong Ling’s side, wanting to help her up. He cried out in disbelief, “Sister, what’s wrong? Get up quickly, how can you kneel to me? You did always beat me, but how many times have you protected me, both before and after reincarnation? Whenever Father was angry, wasn’t it you who stood in front of me? I’ve even half-jokingly told my friends that the only person in this world who can hit me is you, Sister. Because if anyone else dared to show the slightest disrespect to me, you, Sister, would never let them get away with it, even at the cost of your life. I have truly never resented you.”
For a moment, Kong Ling was deeply moved, her voice choked with emotion. “Then I swear I will make it up to you, and I promise I won’t bully you anymore, okay?”
“Okay, okay.” Mo Yu nodded, his eyes showing a mix of surprise and reluctance, a truly tangled emotion. He was surprised that he, a grown man, would finally no longer be treated like an idiot by his elder sister every few days. He was reluctant because… he actually found it a little enjoyable.
At this moment, Kong Ling finally stood up and looked up, her gaze tenderly examining Mo Yu’s face. “My Mo Yu has been handsome since childhood. If he were dressed up nicely, he would be even more delicate than a girl.”
“Sister, are you praising me or mocking me?” Mo Yu laughed bashfully.
Kong Ling smiled gently. “Sister is just speaking the truth. Little brother, if you put on some rouge and a wig, you’d look exactly like me. Even the Demon Emperor might not be able to tell us apart if he didn’t look closely!”
Upon hearing this, Mo Yu couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. “Sister, what exactly are you trying to say?”
“Sister wants to ask you for a favor. As long as you agree, Sister will be eternally grateful and will do her utmost to fulfill all your requests.” As she spoke, Kong Ling gazed intently at Mo Yu, her face beaming like a flower. “Would you, little brother, marry in my stead?”
