Chapter 44: Human Emperor, Phantom, and Infatuation

The banks of the Liubo River were packed with people, and the noise rose and fell in waves.

On the river, a large red lantern boat moved slowly, its two figures at the bow drawing all eyes.

These two were none other than Bai Yi and Princess Zhaoyang. They stood side by side in bright red robes, their magnificent garments fluttering in the wind, looking like a perfect, flawless match made in heaven.

Behind them, three pretty young attendants in simple, ancient-style clothing respectfully handed them exquisite lanterns.

Bai Yi and Princess Zhaoyang took the lanterns and gently placed them into the river. The lantern light swayed with the ripples, reflecting a dreamlike scene along the riverbank.

Bai Youyou stood outside the crowd, her gaze fixed dully on the figure at the bow of the boat.

Her heart gave a violent jolt, and she nearly stopped breathing.

That familiar silhouette, that familiar Aura—it was Bai Yi! Yes, it was Bai Yi; she had never forgotten him.

He was actually standing here, with Princess Zhaoyang, having become the Human Emperor in the eyes of the people.

"Brother Bai Yi…" She covered her mouth, unable to stop herself from whispering, her eyes gradually welling up with tears.

However, the disbelief in her heart struggled fiercely; she did not want to believe that Bai Yi had just disappeared from her life like this.

She hurried toward an elderly man nearby, her tone urgent and almost pleading: "Is that the Human Emperor Bai Yi? Who is that beside him?"

The old man smiled slightly and nodded, his face full of reverence and pride: "Yes, that is our Human Emperor Bai Yi. He is truly remarkable. Twenty years ago, he was the top scholar in the imperial examinations, and his medical skills were extraordinary; he cured the Benevolent Emperor of a chronic illness that had plagued him for years. The Benevolent Emperor was so grateful that he betrothed Princess Zhaoyang to him. Now that the Benevolent Emperor has abdicated, Bai Yi has become our Human Emperor."

Bai Youyou's heart sank instantly. She stood there blankly, feeling as if an invisible force was pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe.

Princess Zhaoyang—she knew this princess was beautiful and dignified, but she also symbolized Bai Yi's achievements and glory, while she, Bai Youyou, was merely a memory of the past.

She lowered her head, complex emotions flickering in her eyes. Time was ruthless, yet she still could not let go of the obsession buried deep in her heart.

That night, Bai Youyou stepped into the Piaoxiang Pavilion.

This was a decadent brothel, filled with men who were either wealthy or noble; it was a gathering place for the powerful.

Inside the pavilion, lights were bright, music and dance filled the air, and the atmosphere was thick with fragrance and laughter.

Bai Youyou had shed her usual pure appearance and changed into a bright red, thin silk dress.

The fabric of the dress was as thin as a cicada's wing, clinging to her slender body, revealing glimpses of her snowy, delicate legs with every turn.

She sat amidst the crowd, her expression dazed, constantly raising her wine cup. The fine wine trickled down her pink, fair cheeks, gradually intoxicating her.

Her enchanting charm drifted among the high-ranking officials and nobles, making her the brightest highlight in this scene of revelry.

"Do you think I am beautiful?"

These noble lords were already infatuated, their gazes obsessed: "Yes… too beautiful."

Some of the officials even reached out with lecherous hands toward Bai Youyou's legs, stroking them incessantly.

"Hahaha!" Lecherous laughter filled the Piaoxiang Pavilion.

Just then, the doors of the Piaoxiang Pavilion were suddenly kicked open, the deafening sound instantly shattering the noisy scene.

"The Human Emperor has arrived! Everyone, pay your respects!" the guards outside announced loudly, and immediately, all eyes turned toward the tall man.

Bai Yi, dressed in a deep red robe with an extraordinary Aura, appeared. Upon seeing him, everyone immediately knelt to pay their respects, trembling and not daring to utter a word.

Only the bleary-eyed, intoxicated Bai Youyou reached out a hand toward Bai Yi, swaying as she said, "Human Emperor… Bai Yi… Brother Bai Yi… Ha…"

Bai Yi snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping across the room like a blade. "Take this woman back to the imperial palace."

He then turned and left, coldly ordering, "All these debauched officials are to be given thirty strokes of the cane."

The atmosphere in the Piaoxiang Pavilion froze instantly, and all the debauched officials were dragged away by the guards to be punished one by one.

Bai Youyou was silently taken out of the pavilion by the guards and ushered into a carriage bound for the imperial palace.

Lin Fan stood in the crowd, watching this scene, a sense of helplessness and relief rising in his heart: "She can finally be considered to be with Bai Yi."

However, at that moment, Xiao Du's voice suddenly echoed in the anxious Lin Fan's mind: "Like hell she is! Hurry up and remember! Millennium Pill… Human Emperor Seal… Imperial Blood… Soul Transformation Stage Pill…"

Xiao Du's voice was intermittent and finally came to an abrupt halt, as if it had been completely cut off by something.

Lin Fan trembled all over, and all his memories flooded into his mind like a torrent.

A moment later, Lin Fan's eyes widened, his lips trembling slightly as he finally remembered everything: "Youyou, don't be fooled by him! He is not Bai Yi!"

However, by this time, Bai Youyou had already been taken into the imperial palace.

Inside the magnificent bedchamber of the imperial palace, Bai Youyou, wearing clothes as thin as a cicada's wing, danced lightly like a butterfly before Bai Yi.

Her figure was graceful, her skirt fluttering like cloud-silk, and her fair, translucent skin shimmered with an alluring luster under the candlelight.

Bai Yi sat on the bed, his gaze burning, completely immersed in her dance, and a surge of desire couldn't help but rise in his heart.

As the dance became increasingly provocative, Bai Yi could no longer restrain himself. He stood up, swept her into his arms, gently pressed her down onto the bed, and caressed her cheek dotingly.

"Youyou, you are just too beautiful."

Bai Youyou's eyes were filled with tears, yet her face held joy. Her voice was soft and enchanting: "Brother Bai Yi, do you like it?"

Bai Yi took the opportunity to stroke her soft, smooth waist, his hand sliding down, as he said in an intoxicated voice: "Like it! I like it too much. Youyou, if you had been like this sooner, I wouldn't be doing this damn Human Emperor job."

A flash of self-reproach crossed Bai Youyou's eyes. She lowered her head and whispered: "I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you wanted before. Now I understand, I will give it to you…"

As she spoke, she reached out to unfasten her dress.

Just as she was about to do so, a violent vibration suddenly came from the roof. Immediately after, the roof collapsed, and a figure descended rapidly into the bedchamber.

"Youyou, don't be fooled by him! He is not Bai Yi! The real Bai Yi would never treat you like this!"

Youyou's expression changed instantly, and she looked in astonishment at the man who had appeared before her.

Bai Yi frowned, a cold, sharp light flashing in his eyes, clearly dissatisfied with the interruption.

"I never imagined that a bug could be so tenacious as to find its way here!"

Bai Yi's Aura changed abruptly. His body trembled slightly, and then his entire presence underwent a drastic transformation.

Before Bai Youyou could react, a brand-new figure suddenly split off from Bai Yi's body.

The newly appeared figure had long, snow-white hair flowing freely, as pure as snow, yet it carried an oppressive sense of death.

His originally magnificent imperial robe instantly turned into a blood-red robe, the color of blood covering his entire body and exuding a chilling, soul-snatching Aura.

Bai Youyou was stunned by this sudden change, and she instinctively broke free from Bai Yi's embrace and retreated a few steps.

"Who are you! Why are you impersonating Bai Yi?"

Bai Yi's two distinct yet identical voices rang out in the air simultaneously: "Hmph, does a lowly insect deserve to know this Venerable One's name? I originally wanted to keep you around to play with slowly. Since it has come to this, I will have my fill all at once."

"What do you want to do!" Bai Youyou instinctively tightened her exposed clothing over her chest, watching the eerie Bai Yi vigilantly.

"You will know in a moment what I want to do. But first, let me deal with this thing that doesn't know its place."