Chapter 698: Wuxia: Even Archrivals Can Become Lovers 32

Mu Huaizhi's recent reaction was observed by Fang Xun, who couldn't help but feel astonished.

Although they hadn't confirmed their relationship, he knew Mu Huaizhi had probably already fallen for Jin Chen.

Moreover, his feelings were deep.

Apart from the late Uncle Mu, he had never seen Mu Huaizhi so concerned and anxious about anyone.

But some things are best left unsaid, even if you see them clearly, especially matters of the heart.

Mu Huaizhi insisted that Jin Chen walk behind him while he led the way, and Jin Chen reluctantly agreed.

As they continued forward, Jin Chen touched his chest, his expression solemn.

He couldn't help but recall the note the blue-clothed person had handed him that day in Zhu Lin.

What exactly is the connection between his original self and the Earth Evil Palace?

Why had this segment never appeared in the memories he received?

Numerous doubts rose in his heart, and Jin Chen faintly sensed that events were spiraling out of his control.

"The stone door blocks the way."

Mu Huaizhi suddenly stopped, probing with the hilt of his Jade Hilt Dragon sword, and said, "It's hollow."

Just as he was about to push it open with his internal energy, the stone door swung open on its own, as if sensing someone's arrival.

Mu Huaizhi's brows furrowed slightly as he lowered his gaze to his palm, looking somewhat puzzled.

Upon entering the stone door, an overpowering stench of blood assailed his nostrils, as if he had stepped into hell.

Limbs lay scattered, the blood-soaked earth damp and foul, with severed limbs and broken corpses strewn everywhere.

Yet amidst such a filthy environment stood an exquisite, luxurious cage.

Rather than a cage, it resembled a small prison cell, fully furnished yet extravagantly luxurious.

The man trapped inside wore a crimson robe, his face hidden beneath a wide brim.

The sobbing came from him.

Upon sensing someone's entry, he shivered and trembled, curling up in the corner; his sobbing ceased, leaving only incessant shaking.

"Who are you? Why are you imprisoned here?"

Mu Huaizhi gripped his sword hilt and asked in a cold tone.

He gave no reply, merely turning slightly to reveal one eye from under his brim, looking backward.

At that sight, he was stunned.

"Young Master..."

Even though his voice was broken by sobs, one could hear the disbelief and reliance within it.

"Young Master, have you come to see me…? You've finally come!"

The man suddenly rose, and everyone saw that beneath his red robe he wore nothing but a covering for his modesty; the robe slit open at the thigh, revealing two jade‑like legs, barefoot on the cage floor.

Beneath the brim, his face was bewitchingly beautiful.

He lunged to the cage, gripping the iron bars tightly, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Jin Chen, on the verge of tears.

Jin Chen: "……"

He stepped back half a pace.

"No way, who are you!"

Mu Huaizhi turned ashen with rage, his Jade Hilt Dragon sword already drawn, ready to behead the man.

"Who is he?" he asked Jin Chen coldly.

The other four also looked curiously at Jin Chen.

"Heaven as my witness, I've never seen him before, let alone know him."

Jin Chen hurried to explain, "I haven't even caught up yet—don't make your wife run away angry!"

"Young Master… do you no longer want Chi Er?"

Upon hearing that, the man's tears spilled over; he bit his lip in resentment, as if Jin Chen were a heartless scoundrel.

"Chi Er has been obeying your orders, not running off; even if they cut my blood at your command, I would not resist..."

"But I miss you so much… this place is dark and foul; you promised to come back and take me away—don't you want me anymore?"

Jin Chen's forehead veins twitched; without even glancing at the man, he seized Mu Huaizhi's hand, "I'm not, I haven't, I've never been here!"

Mu Huaizhi exhaled a turbid breath, ultimately unable to shake off Jin Chen's hand.

Hearing that, the man began to weep again.

The scene was utter chaos.

Fu Zhiyuan, eager for the spectacle, stepped forward with his sword and said, "Senior Brother, you should still verify this—who knows whether this demon once had a lover and simply forgot?"

Fang Xun then approached the iron rail and questioned the man who called himself Chi Er.

"If you claim to be Jin Chen's man, you need proof; otherwise, how can we believe you based solely on your word?"

Sang Ning also glanced over, curious and gossipy.

Jiang Chu, meanwhile, stroked his chin, feeling the man was somewhat familiar yet unable to place why.

Under the gaze of six pairs of eyes, Chi Er sniffled, having at least stopped his sobbing, leaning as if in reliance toward where Jin Chen stood, though he could only rest against the rail.

"I have here a Nine Netherworld Secret Order Token; the Young Master personally gave it to me, saying there are three in total, and seeing this token is tantamount to seeing him in person."

Chi Er spoke while drawing a token from his chest, its runes strange, and extended it for everyone to see.

Jin Chen's expression shifted slightly.

He instinctively felt his waist and produced a token.

It was indeed identical.

"... I'm going to die."

This couldn't be the original owner's lover that wasn't cleaned up, could it!

Didn't the original owner already have a crush on Mu Huaizhi long ago, and never taken a liking to anyone else?

Fang Xun's mouth twitched; he pressed down on Mu Huaizhi's arm to calm him, then said to Jin Chen: 'At this point you had better produce the other two.'

Jin Chen: '......' Well said, but where is he supposed to find them?

He took a deep breath, finally opened his eyes to look at the man across the railing, his gaze devoid of warmth.

'If you say you're mine, you should have an identity, so why are you imprisoned here?'

Jin Chen desperately wanted an answer, failing to notice that when he uttered the four words 'you're mine,' Mu Huaizhi's expression suddenly changed; he frowned, a sour pain throbbing in his chest.

At the same time, boundless panic welled up in his heart.

If this person could really prove it…… If he truly was Jin Chen's former lover, would Jin Chen rescue this man and bring him back?

Even so, he had no position to dissuade.

It was he himself who had pushed Jin Chen away with his own hands.

Mu Huaizhi clenched his fists, forcing himself to listen to Chi Er's explanation.

Seeing Jin Chen finally look at him directly, Chi Er was about to burst into tears from emotion; he pouted, choked back sobs, and a feeling of injustice surged up.

'I was originally called Chilian, only because my mother was someone taken by the Earth Evil Palace, so my blood is special from birth—it can hold deadly poison or be used to detoxify. The Earth Evil Sect's followers want to capture me back, and I was picked up by you, my Young Master, and brought to the Nine Abysses.'

'Your nineteenth birthday was still spent with me, you know.'

Chi Er spoke, feeling ever more wronged, his bewitchingly beautiful face streaming with tears.

'After that…… you brought me here to play, letting me obediently let them draw my blood, saying you would come back to find me…'

Jin Chen pondered over his memories, discovering he truly had no recollection of that period from when he was nineteen.

However…… there is another way to prove it.

He glanced at Jiangzhu, who was standing in the back observing.

'Come here.'

Jiangzhu naturally understood his meaning, exclaimed 'aiya,' and walked forward waving his fan.

'Sir Chilian, since you've been with Jin Chen for so long and have lived in the Nine Abysses Demon Palace, you ought to know me, right?'