Chapter Sixty-Two: Return Home

Liu Ru had no idea what kind of place Star City was.

But at the very least, she understood it was certainly not a good place.

This was her second time facing the man named Mo Yun, yet with Su Ziye standing beside her, she felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

“As far as I know, the Sumeru Mirror is only a mirrored world. You and I are both within the mirror—so how could you take me back to Star City?” Su Ziye asked unruffled, showing not the slightest sign of panic.

“Then there is nothing we need to do. We simply have to wait here quietly,” Mo Yun replied. His face was a little pale, but his bearing was leisurely and composed. He stood there smiling at Su Ziye. “Since you arrived in Nightleaf City, we’ve clashed openly and in secret several times, and each time, you’ve had the upper hand.”

“But every story has its ending, and this—this is yours.”

Liu Ru listened quietly to the conversation between these two men. She was unsure if this, too, had been within Su Ziye’s calculations.

But there was no doubt: their situation now was dire.

Previously, Mo Yun had exhibited the wonders of his so-called Imaginary Space, but Imaginary Space had its own shortcomings: its entrances and exits were fixed, and the space itself could not move.

While it was possible to use those seeds of imaginary space to craft small, exquisite private chambers within Nightleaf City, at its core, it was merely a self-deceptive trick.

But the Sumeru Mirror was patently different; it seemed as if merely being seen was enough to drag someone into another world.

She herself had fallen victim without sensing anything amiss.

“If you’re willing to wait, then I will keep you company here,” Su Ziye replied with a smile, standing motionless as well.

For a moment, a strange stalemate settled over the scene.

Mo Yun believed victory was assured, that he could bring Su Ziye back to Star City without lifting a finger.

Yet Su Ziye showed not the slightest trace of anxiety, matching his patience with equal calm, as if waiting for the answer alongside him.

Two clear adversaries maintained this rare tranquility.

“I cannot fathom how you remain so unafraid. When you see the walls of Star City, perhaps you’ll fall to your knees in tears,” Mo Yun said, covering his mouth as he sat on the ground, looking back at Su Ziye. “But for now, we have the perfect opportunity for a chat.”

“Just as I wished,” Su Ziye nodded. “What would you like to ask me?”

“Or perhaps, what questions are you willing to answer?”

“Why did the order to assassinate you ultimately originate from the Empire of Ster?” Mo Yun gazed at Su Ziye, scrutinizing his expression as he put forth the question.

“Obviously, it could not have been my dear father,” Su Ziye replied with cool indifference.

Not a hint of surprise. Mo Yun had hoped this information would break through Su Ziye’s guard, but it was clearly ineffective.

“You are Sequence One of the Empire of Ster—the undisputed heir to the throne. No father would willingly dispose of such an excellent son unless you had committed some monstrous crime. Besides, the order included not just you, but also Prince Xiye. Perhaps something momentous is about to happen in Ster. Maybe that’s why you left?” Mo Yun spoke with measured calm. Blood no longer flowed from his lips. If one looked closely, the man seemed the very image of elegance and regal poise, marked with the aura of imperial blood. “If your instincts were sharp enough to flee that den of intrigue, why come here?”

“Nightleaf Academy can certainly shelter you, but by coming here, you’ve thrust yourself into the eye of the storm.”

“You chose to stand at the storm’s center. Here, though peace reigns for now, the surrounding gales could tear it to shreds at any moment.”

“So everyone has their own choices, don’t they?” Su Ziye smiled at him. “No, you had no choice at all.”

“Yes, I had no choice.” Mo Yun nodded in admission. “When I received this task, I had a chance to refuse, but the children raised by Darkstar are fundamentally incapable of saying no to anyone.”

“Speaking of Darkstar’s children, do you know Xing Xi?” Su Ziye suddenly asked.

Mo Yun’s expression changed instantly, then recollection dawned, and he laughed.

“What is your relationship with Xing Xi?”

“Take a guess,” Su Ziye replied evenly.

“There’s no need for me to guess. But when you see her, you’ll be quite astonished, I’m sure,” Mo Yun answered with a faint smile. “If we return to Star City, she may well be the one to execute you.”

“Or, if I were to swear allegiance to Darkstar, could I still bargain for my life?” Su Ziye asked.

“Ordinarily, yes. But now the Empire of Ster has named you specifically. As their partner, Darkstar has no other choice but to comply,” Mo Yun shook his head.

“Of course, you alive are far more valuable than you dead. I never expected that, in the end, I’d have a chance to capture the Seventh Prince alive.”

With that, Mo Yun stood up. “We have arrived.”

Even as he spoke, Liu Ru felt the world around them begin to fill with color once more.

They had been standing in a world of black and white, as if in a reflection of Nightleaf City—an empty, hollow echo.

But now, the surroundings bloomed with color again, and the scents and sounds of birds and flowers returned.

Liu Ru saw before her the towering, massive black wall.

Unlike the enormous rune-engraved ice walls of Nightleaf City, this wall was even higher, heavier, and more imposing.

“Welcome to Star City,” Mo Yun said, smiling at Su Ziye. “You haven’t cried yet, and I must say, I’m surprised.”

“I have never had any reason to cry,” Su Ziye answered, then gestured behind Mo Yun.

“Brother, you heard all of that, didn’t you?” Su Ziye called out.

Mo Yun turned in astonishment, seeing the blond prince standing behind him.

“I heard,” Xiye replied in a low voice. The weight in his tone left his feelings unreadable.

Mo Yun stumbled back a step, covering his face in disbelief. “How is this possible? I saw all of this with the Seer’s Eye—how could it be false?”

He had never brought Xiye to Star City, so why was he here, outside its walls?

Before all this began, he had used the Seer’s Eye to watch every detail of the day, and only then resolved to follow fate’s instructions for his actions.

At that moment, a deep sigh sounded above them.

“Mr. Mo, if only you had heeded my plea to stay…”

As these words fell, a man with short, deep chestnut hair brushed aside the mist before him.

The Mountain Lord stood before Mo Yun, his face calm and full of compassion.

“It’s all over now.”