RETURN TO BEFORE THE VILLAIN'S CORRUPTION

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CHAPTER 2: The Troublemaker

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Back to Before the Villain's Blackening Author: Hua Qi Chapter 2: The Troublemaker In the early morning, the thick fog and winds of the Lyre Sea shifted southward. The temperatures in the maritime capital remained low throughout the four seasons, frequently accompanied by a continuous, pattering rain that left the air exceptionally damp. When Qiu Shi rose and stepped outside, a dense, fine drizzle had already blanketed the world. Song Yunhe, his long brows knit close together, stood beneath a tree in the courtyard with his hands loosely clasped behind his back. Beside him, an attendant held up an umbrella, waiting. The Flying Fish Guards stationed outside stood with lowered heads and downcast eyes, not daring to breathe too loudly. The atmosphere was on the verge of absolute stagnation. Beholding this scene, Qiu Shi closed her eyes briefly, and those fractured, bizarre images from her dream came rushing back to her in a torrent. A moment later, Qiu Shi took a step down the stairs. Mingyue held an umbrella over her head, following her step for step. There was a subtle, two-or-three-tenths resemblance in the features of the brother and sister, yet the impression they gave was entirely different. Because Song Yunhe had shouldered heavy responsibilities at an early age, he appeared immensely steady, reserved, and composed. Qiu Shi, on the other hand, possessed all the vibrant vitality and innocence a young girl of her age ought to have; her eyes were pristine, without a single speck of impurity to be found. Having just left the early morning court, Song Yunhe still wore the official robes of the Young Lord. Standing tall and straight amidst the fine rain, he exuded an aura of natural majesty that commanded respect without needing anger. "gege." Qiu Shi stopped before him, calling out softly. Song Yunhe looked down at the young girl who stood a head shorter than him, then raised his gaze to look evenly across the rain-swept courtyard. His brow bone couldn't help but twitch upward. "Song Qiu Shi." It was a rare occasion for him to address her by her full name, pronouncing each word with deliberate emphasis. The impending storm of pressure hidden within his words completely overshadowed his otherwise clear and crisp voice. Song Yunhe had always doted on her. Given the current circumstances, he was truly incensed. "Come with me." Keeping his hands behind his back, he cast a cold, sweeping glance across the courtyard before turning to stride away with long, purposeful steps. Adjacent to the courtyard where Cheng Yi resided stood a small pavilion that had been vacant for a long time. No one lived there, but there were dedicated maidservants and elder women who swept and cleaned it; the interior was immaculate and orderly, showing no signs of age or neglect. Mingyue closed the room doors with gentle, nimble hands, while the other attendants remained outside to stand guard. Within the room, only Song Yunhe and Qiu Shi were left. Before the window, Song Yunhe stood with his back to the light, most of his figure submerged in shadow. After a brief silence, he tapped his index finger against the tabletop and demanded, "What exactly do you think you are doing?" Seeing that Qiu Shi remained silent, he paused for a moment and pressed further, "Do you even know what you're doing?" If this had been any ordinary day, Qiu Shi would have already resembled a lit fuse, loudly arguing back and disputing his words. In that terrifyingly realistic nightmare, Qiu Shi had indeed done exactly that. Since the day she was born, she had never suffered the slightest grievance. Furthermore, Song Yunhe had no other sisters but her; from childhood to adulthood, he had taken the blame for her countless times. The bond between the siblings had always been exceptionally deep. A confrontation like this was an absolute first in their lives. Coupled with her prior house arrest, that conversation in the dream had undoubtedly acted like a bucket of boiling oil poured straight over Qiu Shi's head, causing her to instantly explode in fury. But now, she would not repeat the same mistake. "I know," Qiu Shi’s long eyelashes fluttered, her voice low and somewhat muffled, sounding like a stubborn, disgruntled murmur. "I merely saved a person. Why does everyone speak of it as if I've brought the heavens crashing down?" Song Yunhe fixed a deep, intense gaze upon her, his tone low and resonant. "You saved a black dragon, stirred up a massive uproar, and left the outside world rife with wild rumors and malicious gossip, not to mention you even threw a tantrum at Mother." "You consider this a minor matter?" He lifted his eyelids slightly, knitting his brows as he shot back the question. This familiar opening, this familiar counter-question, Qiu Shi had already endured it once from her mother the previous night. " gege." Qiu Shi made a gesture for him to stop. "Mother has already lectured me once and even slapped a house arrest order on me. I've been miserable all night and haven't closed my eyes once, only managing to recover a little bit just now. Please don't scold me anymore." Qiu Shi possessed a lively and unbridled disposition, pampered into an innocent and romantic state. Yet, she was born with a delicate, fragile face that looked as though she had been reared in the deep recesses of a grand manor, sustained entirely on medicine pots. Without needing to make much effort, a simple lowering of her long lashes would summon eyes glistening with unshed tears, the very picture of a weak, sheltered lady of the inner chambers. When she softened her voice just a fraction, even words meant to pierce someone's heart sounded no different from a spoiled, coaxing whine. From childhood to adulthood, Song Yunhe had always been entirely defenseless against this tactic. Just like in this very moment, Song Yunhe exhaled a soft breath, pinching the bridge of his nose as his voice dropped lower. "Tell me the truth. Have you taken a liking to that black dragon?" In that dream, Song Yunhe had asked this exact question as well. At that time, Qiu Shi had met his gaze directly and admitted to it without any hesitation. Confronted with his three consecutive questions, she had answered 'yes' to every single one, unflinching and resonant. *Have you taken a liking to that black dragon?* *Yes.* *Is it true, as the outside world claims, that you intend to break your betrothal with Qin Donglin?* *Yes.* *Are you resolutely determined to do this?* *Yes.* And that matter had ultimately become unavoidable, reaching the ears of their father who had just emerged from secluded cultivation. As the long-standing leader who wielded absolute authority over the sea-demon clan, Song Chengshu acted with swift, thunderous resolve, immediately issuing an order to secretly execute Cheng Yi. Qiu Shi had obtained the news ahead of time, sneaked into the inner chambers to steal the capital's command token, and arranged a midnight escape, fleeing the Lyre Sea Capital together with Cheng Yi. The subsequent parts of the dream became fragmented and blurry, failing to connect smoothly. However, judging from her own tragic end, she had never once returned after that escape. Qiu Shi puckered her lips ever so slightly, remaining silent for a heartbeat before slowly tucking a stray lock of black hair behind her fair, clean ear. She said with a touch of hesitation, "I... don't know how to say it." Having watched his younger sister grow up, how could Song Yunhe not understand her temperament? If she truly felt nothing for the man, she would never have placed him right before her eyes for such specialized care even after saving him, let alone display such palpable hesitation. Such behavior, even if it didn't equate to deep affection yet, at the very least indicated that Cheng Yi held a unique and special position within Qiu Shi's heart. Song Yunhe’s gaze turned dark and inscrutable. He tapped his slender knuckles against the table twice before asking again, "Is it truly as the rumors outside claim, that you possess the intention to break your engagement with Qin Donglin?" The feigned, casual smile on Qiu Shi's face completely vanished at this very moment. It was far too coincidental. From her being grounded, to Song Yunhe seeking her out, and finally to these two specific questions, every single detail perfectly overlapped with the scenes from her nightmare. Could there truly exist a dream in this world capable of divine foresight, granting a glimpse into the future? "What if I say yes?" Qiu Shi looked toward Song Yunhe, staring intently at his expression without blinking even once, as if she cared immensely about his response. The brother and sister locked eyes, both of their gazes concealing things that could not be easily put into words. After a long pause, Song Yunhe’s lips twitched slightly, and he spoke with earnest solemnity, "Qiuqiu, from the very day you and I were born, we were destined to shoulder certain burdens. With a status like ours, we cannot simply do as we please in all matters." "Since you harbor such an intention, you naturally ought to have considered the consequences that will arise from it." "Your brother asks you this single question today: are you resolutely determined to do this?" Qiu Shi’s clenched palm, hidden within her sleeve, slowly relaxed, only to gradually tighten once more. Hearing these three questions that were an exact, chilling echo of her dream, that final word, "Yes", simply could not force its way past her lips. And her silence, in Song Yunhe's eyes, was no different from a tacit admission. "At the end of next month, Father's birthday grand celebration will be held. Mount Liuqi has accepted the invitation and sent a reply; at that time, the Demon Lord and Demon Empress will personally grace the Lyre Sea Capital with their presence." Song Yunhe offered a bitter, helpless smile. "Qiuqiu, how do you expect your brother to open his mouth to them..." The demon race comprised a vast multitude of clans and was divided into two distinct territories of governance. The sea-demons fell under the jurisdiction of the Lyre Sea Capital, while the land-dwelling demons were ruled by Mount Liuqi. The Lord of the Lyre Sea Capital was Qiu Shi’s father, whereas the Demon Lord of Mount Liuqi was Qin Donglin’s father. The two men were brothers bound by life and death. They had known each other in their youth, supporting one another all the way to their current exalted positions. Even to this day, despite being consumed by endless affairs, they frequently maintained contact and gathered for small reunions, sharing a profound bond. Consequent to this close relationship, even their wives had become intimate friends who shared everything without reservation. Qiu Shi was the sole daughter between the two families. Ever since she was small, she had been adorable, exceedingly intelligent, and particularly beloved by the elders. The Demon Lord and Demon Empress treated her even better than they treated their own son, Qin Donglin. Yet, no matter how much they adored her, they would never be able to accept such a massive, humiliating betrayal of their son's betrothal. Furthermore, Qin Donglin possessed such an utterly wretched, tempestuous temperament... Song Yunhe’s temple throbbed with a sudden, sharp ache. Looking at Qiu Shi, who was staring silently at the floor, he made his stance entirely clear: "That black dragon is by no means a benevolent creature." "Father and Mother will absolutely never agree to this matter." "During this period, you are to remain within the Baitang Courtyard. Do not go anywhere, and reflect deeply upon this entire situation." Stepping up beside Qiu Shi, Song Yunhe's footsteps paused briefly before he commanded toward the outside door in a heavy, deep tone, "Mingyue, escort the young mistress back to her room." In the Eastern Sea, seven thousand miles beneath the ocean surface within an ancient, primordial trial ground, a vast, surging pressure unfolded, permeating the entire sea region. It carried an ancient, weathered, and desolate aura, kicking up layer upon layer of cascading waves, a force that had existed since antiquity, enduring changelessly through the eons. "Young Lord, the power of the Golden Scale Array has suddenly intensified." The speaker wore a strange, flowing robe, completely enveloping his entire body in black cloth, leaving not even his head or face exposed save for a pair of eyes. He held a crescent-shaped long saber in his hand, swinging it rhythmically against the counter-currents of water even as he spoke. "Calculating the time, it should be about due." The man addressed as 'Young Lord' stood amidst the colossal ruins of a stone gateway. He hefted a somewhat sharp pebble in his palm, tossing it up and catching it repeatedly. He was not dressed like his attendant; instead, he wore an exceedingly simple and casual green robe. His long, dense black hair was loosely pinned up by a single jade hairpin. Born with a pair of naturally smiling eyes, his voice was gentle and refined when he spoke, exuding the elegant, scholarly distinction of a man of letters, devoid of any aggressive edge whatsoever. "The Golden Scale Array is a formation left behind by the ancient Sword Saint. I've heard it contains an immensely vast reservoir of sword qi. Even after such a long passage of time, its might is still something that cannot be underestimated; it serves as the very first protective barrier of the secret realm." Another attendant chimed in, "The sword intent left by the Sword Saint is immortal and exceedingly difficult to obliterate. The best method would be to enter and guard it for three months. Once the array's power has been whittled down to its lowest ebb, we can seize the Dragon Core and shatter the formation in a single stroke" "The Young Demon Lord had deployed all arrangements perfectly before entering, yet for some unknown reason, he suddenly altered the plan." The issue at hand was that prior to entering, everything had been mapped out with absolute clarity. The Young Demon Lord only needed to cultivate peacefully inside for three months to smoothly claim the Dragon Core and emerge. Yet, before even half of those three months had elapsed, the person inside had suddenly begun to forcefully shatter the formation. Right when the array was at its absolute peak of strength. Wu Fei’s eyes curved slightly, as though he had chanced upon something thoroughly entertaining. "It is indeed time for him to come out. If he doesn't emerge soon, the fire in your Young Demon Lord's backyard is going to burn everything to ashes." "Rest assured." Having spoken, he turned his head to appease Qin Donglin's two attendants. "If Qin Donglin truly intends to shatter the array at this moment, this formation will not be able to stop him." It would merely require a bit more exertion compared to waiting obediently for the array to weaken on its own. Almost the exact instant his words fell, the entire surface of the sea began to churn violently. Several layers of deep-sea hurricanes and wild torrents roared like the furious howling of a subterranean behemoth, carrying a supreme, piercing force as they swept toward the location of the formation. The sound reverberated sharply in the ears of those waiting outside, instantly knocking several of them back and causing them to roll across the ocean floor. Wu Fei's robes whipped wildly in the turbulence, yet his body remained as steady as a monolith. He stared at the chaotic, spectacular sight rising from the flat sea bed, and at a certain moment, his eyes slowly narrowed. A slender, towering figure stepped forth from the raging torrents. Behind him lay the ancient array, crumbling into absolute ruin; before him stood a massive gateway inscribed with the golden-veined characters: "Xuanyun Secret Realm." "You're out?" Wu Fei took a step forward and asked, "Did you obtain the Dragon Core?" Before that troublemaker Qiu Shi reached her thirty-thousandth birthday, she had repeatedly pestered and clamored that she wanted a Dragon Core to serve as the formation core for her magical treasure. A Dragon Core was no ordinary, commonplace item; ordinary dragon clans did not possess one at all. Only when one's cultivation reached an exceptionally profound stage would a Dragon Core manifest within the body. Every single one was a supreme treasure, and ordinary people had absolutely no place to look for them. Thus, Qiu Shi had sought out Qin Donglin. Utterly exasperated by her constant pestering, Qin Donglin had emerged from his closed-door cultivation, carrying a thoroughly sour expression as he journeyed to the Eastern Sea to find a Dragon Core for her. Yet, before the Dragon Core could even be properly claimed. News of his impending broken betrothal had already traveled from all directions, overwhelmingly blanketing the transmission talismans. With matters developing to such a state, even Wu Fei, who had been temporarily dragged along to serve as a bitter gatekeeper and was harboring a stomach full of grievances, couldn't help but begin to feel a touch of sympathy for him. In stark contrast to his notoriously foul and infamous temperament, Qin Donglin possessed a face that was more breathtakingly radiant and striking than that of any woman. Whether it was his long, slender brows or his sleepy phoenix eyes, they gave off an intense, absolute sense of predatory aggression. At this moment, as his brows pressed down ever so slightly, they revealed a bone-deep, chilling aura of detached impatience. He stood proud and untamed, cold and thoroughly indifferent. Qin Donglin tossed the softly glowing Dragon Core into his attendant's embrace as though discarding an ordinary, trivial object, not granting it a single extra glance. His voice was cold enough to form shards of ice: "To the Lyre Sea Capital.”

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