Chapter 13

The moment Zhou Yi Chen collapsed, the formation around them surged violently.
Ancient light flooded the Observatory.
For a brief second, Zhao Yuanzhou forgot about Chenghuang.
Forgot about the mission.
Forgot about everything.
“Yi Chen.”
His voice was unusually sharp.
Concerned.
Zhou Yi Chen’s breathing was uneven.
The suppressants were no longer enough.
The strain of the past few days had finally caught up to him.
Without hesitation, Zhao Yuanzhou pressed two fingers against Zhou Yi Chen’s wrist.
Ancient demonic energy flowed gently between them.
Warm.
Steady.
Unlike the violent power Zhao Yuanzhou used in battle, this energy was calm.
Protective.
Like flowing water beneath moonlight.
A faint woody scent lingered in the air around him, softened by the freshness of rain and river mist.
Comforting.
Grounding.
The chaotic spiritual energy around Zhou Yi Chen gradually settled.

After several moments-
Zhou Yi Chen slowly opened his eyes.
The pounding in his head had eased.
His vision sharpened.
The first thing he saw was Zhao Yuanzhou.
Naturally.
Unfortunately.
“…”
“…”
“You drooled on my shoulder.”
Zhou Yi Chen sat up immediately.
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“I didn’t.”
“You absolutely did.”

Zhou Yi Chen looked ready to pass out again.
Before the argument could continue-
The formation beneath them activated completely.
The world twisted.

Light exploded around the group.
And suddenly-
Everything changed.
Music.
Laughter.
The scent of wine.
Bright lanterns illuminated elegant halls.
Beautiful dancers moved across polished floors.
The atmosphere was lively.
Luxurious.
Almost dreamlike.
Zhou Yi Chen studied the surroundings carefully.
“Tianxiang Pavilion?”
His voice held disbelief.
The famous entertainment house of Tiandu stood before them.
Yet something felt wrong.
The smiles.
The music.
The people.

Everything seemed slightly distorted.
Like reflections on water.
Zhao Yuanzhou’s expression darkened.
“This isn’t real.”

“It isn’t?”
He shook his head.
“No.”
His golden eyes swept across the illusion.
“This is Chenghuang’s doing.”
A pause.
“We’re inside a dream.”

The illusion of Tianxiang Pavilion grew more vivid with every passing moment.
Music drifted through the air.
Laughter echoed from distant rooms.
Beautiful dancers moved beneath countless lanterns.
And yet-
None of it was real.
It was all part of the dream.
Zhou Yi Chen frowned as he watched strangers pass by.
Something about this place made his skin crawl.
The smiles were too perfect.
The movements too rehearsed.
Like puppets following a script.
Suddenly, Zhao Yuanzhou reached into his sleeve.
“What are you doing now?” Zhou Yi Chen asked suspiciously.
Without answering, Zhao Yuanzhou produced a silver mask.
Then another.
He handed one to Zhou Yi Chen.
“Put this on.”
“…Why?”
“Because we’re inside someone else’s dream.”
“That explains nothing.”
Zhao Yuanzhou sighed patiently.
“If the dream recognizes us as intruders, we’ll be attacked.”
“Oh.”
A pause.
“Fine.”
Zhou Yi Chen accepted the mask.
As he tied it behind his head, Zhao Yuanzhou added casually-
“And stay close to me.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Leader Zhou.”
“I can walk by myself.”
“Until the dream tries to eat you.”
“…”
“…”
“Fine.”
Zhou Yi Chen hated that it made sense.
The two moved deeper into the illusion.
The crowds seemed unaware of them.
Music played endlessly.
Wine flowed.
Yet Zhao Yuanzhou’s expression only became darker.
After observing for a while, Zhou Yi Chen finally spoke.
“Why are we here?”
Zhao Yuanzhou looked toward the highest floor of the pavilion.
“Because this isn’t Chenghuang’s dream.”
Zhou Yi Chen paused.
“What do you mean?”
“We entered someone else’s memory.”
“Whose?”
A long silence followed.
Then Zhao Yuanzhou answered.
“Zhi Mei.”
The name sounded familiar.
One of the most famous courtesans in Tiandu’s history.
A woman celebrated for her beauty.
Her elegance.
Her charm.
Zhou Yi Chen frowned.
“What does she have to do with Chenghuang?”
Zhao Yuanzhou’s eyes remained fixed on the dream unfolding around them.
“Everything.”
The scenery shifted.
The illusion revealing fragments of the past.
A beautiful young woman sat before a mirror.
Jewels adorned her hair.
Dozens of admirers surrounded her.
Yet her eyes were filled with fear.
“She was once the most sought-after courtesan in the capital,” Zhao Yuanzhou explained quietly.
“Everyone adored her.”
“But beauty fades.”
The dream woman touched the corner of her eye anxiously.
Searching for wrinkles that weren’t even there.
“She feared growing old.”
The image changed.
Years passed.
The woman became increasingly obsessed.
More desperate.
More afraid.
“She wanted eternal youth.”
A shadow appeared behind her.
Watching.
Waiting.
Smiling.
Zhou Yi Chen’s eyes narrowed immediately.
“Chenghuang.”
Zhao Yuanzhou nodded.
“He found her weakness.”
The dream darkened.
The beautiful pavilion suddenly felt colder.
Crueler.
The shadow whispered promises.
Eternal beauty.
Eternal life.
Never aging.
Never being forgotten.
And Zhi Mei accepted.
The next vision made everyone grimace.
Blood.
Hidden chambers.
Victims disappearing.
A beautiful woman staring into a mirror while crimson stained her fingertips.
Zhou Yi Chen’s hand clenched around Yun Guangjian.
“That bastard.”
The curse escaped before he could stop it.
The dream trembled slightly.
Zhao Yuanzhou didn’t disagree.
“Chenghuang turned her into a puppet.”
His voice was unusually cold.
“A creature that survives by consuming human blood.”
The beautiful illusion around them suddenly felt disgusting.
Every lantern.
Every smile.
Every song.
Built upon suffering.
Zhou Yi Chen’s expression darkened further.
“So she was a victim too.”
A pause.
“Used because she was afraid.”
Zhao Yuanzhou glanced at him.
A faint softness entering his gaze.
“Yes.”
The dream continued unfolding around them.
Showing tragedy after tragedy.
And somewhere deeper within the illusion-
The true Chenghuang waited.
Watching them draw closer.
Like a predator patiently observing prey.
Zhou Yi Chen adjusted the silver mask.
His eyes remained fixed ahead.
“If I find him…”
His voice turned icy.
“…I’ll personally carve those antlers off his head.”
For a brief moment-
Zhao Yuanzhou laughed.
A genuine laugh.
“Remind me never to become your enemy.”
Zhou Yi Chen shot him a look.
“You’re already on that list.”
“Painful.”
“Good.”
And together, still hidden beneath their masks, they walked deeper into the dream.