Shadow Sound Hidden.

He is the origin of the story, the source of change.

He is the incarnation of sin, the defiance of goodness.

On countless nights, Yin Minghong often wondered if that white-haired assassin who fell into the hands of traffickers was indeed Shadow Sound Hidden.

If he was, why would a White Night traitor help the White Night Walker to assassinate Jing Zhengwei?

If not, then why did the 'Shadow Sound Hidden' from Xuanzhu County repeatedly assist White Night?

He never fully accepted Wen Hong's explanation, and he had some doubts about 'Qing Lan being Shadow Sound Hidden,' even though Wen Hong claimed to have witnessed it firsthand.

It's not that he thought Qing Lan was incapable of being such a spy.

On the contrary.

Qing Lan's background, abilities, and appearance all have the potential to make her an excellent spy. She had reasons to infiltrate the Jing family, endure humiliation to gather intelligence, and eventually use sincere feelings to win over Jing Zhengwei, acting as a bridge to connect White Night and the Jing family in the joint effort to reform Dongyang…

It had the makings of a classic tale—a tumultuous beginning, a plot that rises after a setback, a story of a prodigal son returning home, and ending in either a heartwarming reunion or a heart-wrenching farewell, but either way, it would be a beautifully classic revolutionary tale.

The few insiders of White Night in Xuanzhu all agreed that once it all settled, this story should be published in the White Night's internal newspaper, naming names and offering commendations.

If, in the future, White Night were truly victorious, then Shadow Sound Hidden, Qing Lan, and Jing Zhengwei — these key figures — would surely go down in history and even folklore.

They would become subjects of scholarly research, guests upon cultural stages, as countless people look back on their relationships to feel both the despair and hope of their era.

Therefore, almost none of the White Night Walkers who knew the inside story ever doubted its authenticity, not just because of its beauty, but because it was the result of Wen Hong's investigation.

As the female Medical Officer of Xuanzhu White Night, Wen Hong's popularity was extraordinary, almost making her a candidate for the next leader of Xuanzhu White Night—though that wasn't exactly a good prospect given the high mortality rate of leaders there—it showed the trust they placed in Wen Hong.

The only one to disbelieve this beautiful story was Yin Minghong.

Because he was right in the middle of this story.

Because he felt that reality was even less logical, less reasonable, and even… more beautiful than the story.

Why did Jing Zhengwei suddenly place so much trust in him?

Why did Jing Zhengwei suddenly develop hatred for the Silver Blood Association?

Why did Jing Zhengwei suddenly wish to cooperate with White Night?

Some truths were just too bizarre.

So they would rather believe a more beautiful story.

Such as love fundamentally changing a person, or the heroine changing her life through her own strength, the playboy mending his ways…

They just wanted to believe that every cause had a result, that good deeds would be rewarded, that effort would bear fruit, and that the real world, like a story, was filled with twists but ultimately beautiful.

Therefore, Shadow Sound Hidden was a girl.

As for the truth, even Yin Minghong didn't know.

Because no one was willing to tell it straight.

The reason they all concocted this beautiful story together was because the story had more instructive significance, and also because they needed this story to protect others.

Now, all Yin Minghong could do was to continue to carry on this beautiful story until it reached its perfect conclusion.

But...

Gazing at the man across the fiery ruins, Yin Minghong also extended his fist, miming a fist bump across the expanse.

"President Jing."

Yin Minghong grinned, flashing a crooked, even slightly mischievous smile:

"I hope that in the future, we'll have the chance for a sincere conversation."

Le Yu was taken aback.

He felt that he had heard Yin Minghong say this before.

After Yin Minghong said this, he immediately ordered everyone to retreat. It was still very dangerous outside Sea Cape Gate, and the Jing Family Guards could have burst out firing. The people around were stunned by the collapse and explosion at Sea Cape Gate, and once they came to their senses, the Jing family members wouldn't be able to leave.

Mu Qingmei glanced at Le Yu, quickly moved over, and pulled Qing Lan away with Mi Die. Qing Lan was pulled along by them, but she kept her body turned, staring directly at Le Yu with constantly blinking eyes.

Le Yu found it hard to describe what kind of expression that was. If he had to, it was like watching video-editing/software/critical-game-battle-crash and having no backup/being offline expression.

It was the look of helplessness in the face of despair.

Resistance was pointless, words were ineffective, and even crying seemed a bit melodramatic.

Qing Lan didn't even know what kind of expression she should have.

Cry? Could she cry down the rubble?

Speak? Would saying 'Don't die' make Mr. Iron and the mob kneel and surrender?

Stay? Stay and be a burden to everyone?

So she could only look at Le Yu like this, even when her neck grew sore she dared not look away, afraid that Le Yu would vanish the moment she blinked. She looked like a child whose parents refused to buy a toy, unwilling to leave a store, hoping her pitiful demeanor might bend reality.

But reality clearly wouldn't show mercy because she was prettily cute with a whimper. Instead, it might hit harder, so Qing Lan kept being led away, and no miracle happened in the end.

However, when she saw from afar that Le Yu was smiling and waving goodbye, she couldn't hold it anymore. Tears streamed out like a broken dam, and she cried like a little blue cat, sobbing desperately, she shouted:

"You must come find me! I'll take care of you! Even if you sleep till noon every day, even if you play cards all day, even if you love leisure and hate work, I'll take care of you! You must come find me!"

Qing Lan's voice rang out under the fiery night, and these lemon-texts packed with information threw the nearby bystanders, who were recovering from the Sea Cape Gate collapse, into another wave of confusion.

Who am I?

Where am I?

Is that beautiful lady talking to me?

Only Le Yu couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

"Oh come on, just speak properly, don't malign me! I may sleep till noon and like card games, but I'm not lazy! Has this little lady already evolved to casually utter phrases that lower my appeal to the opposite sex?"

"However." Le Yu dug into his ear, a pleasurable expression on his face: "That sweet talk actually feels pretty good. Haha, I have a beautiful, cute, and capable lady taking care of me now."

"Now that the melodrama of separation has been sung…"

Le Yu turned around, looking at Mr. Iron slowly approaching from behind.

"Now it's time for the main character to wow the crowd and take down foes higher in rank, the thrilling part of the story."

He twirled the Sword of Soul Purification, a sword blossom forming, and charged towards Mr. Iron with a leap step. His whole body became blurry, and it was clear his Illusion Cloak was activated!

"Oh ho…"

Mr. Iron coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face showing a merciless expression: "Not only didn't you run, you rushed towards me on your own initiative?"