A figure stood by the bed, and he rubbed his eyes to see that there was indeed someone there.
"Who are you? What do you want!"
Ali hurriedly got up and reprimanded him.
Zi Ye turned around and smiled faintly, talking to himself, "You must be that little tanuki, don't you recognize me?"
Ali looked confused, he couldn't recall ever meeting this person.
Zi Ye suddenly remembered, "I recall now, you were unconscious then, so it's as if you never met me. Thinking about it this way, it's not your fault."
Ali was completely bewildered, but he still keenly sensed the connection between Zi Ye and Mu Ye, "Do you know Mu Ye?"
He smiled slightly, "I do. She saved my sister, she is my sister's savior, and thus, my savior as well."
Ali asked with some confusion, "Your sister?" After a pause, he realized, "The sister you're referring to is the Palace Mistress of the Tai Shen Palace?"
Zi Ye nodded slightly.
Ali immediately guessed, "You are Zi Yu's brother, Zi Ye, the Left General of Bei Shen Capital."
Zi Ye couldn't help but laugh at how much Ali knew about him, "Hahaha, I didn't expect to be so famous that even a little kid like you knows about me."
Ali said dismissively, "That's normal. When you mention Zi Ye, everyone knows what he's about."
Zi Ye became interested in the young boy before him and asked, "What's your name?"
"I am Ali."
"Ali, of the Tanuki clan. The Tanuki clan lives near Nan Hai City, mainly gathering in the Nan Shan area. I remember when I first led troops through Nan Shan in my early years, I even shared drinks with the elder of the Tanuki clan, Dai Jiang."
Ali was somewhat astonished. He hadn't expected this person to know Elder Dai Jiang.
Zi Ye felt a bit tired and walked to the table to sit down, continuing, "Back then, your Tanuki clan was quite harmonious, the only mountain peak near Nan Hai City that wasn't occupied."
Hearing this, Ali felt a wave of emotion, "Yes, but times change, and beautiful things never last too long."
Zi Ye added, "I heard later that your area was occupied by someone named Hei Feng, and you only managed to drive him out a few days ago. Mu Ye played a part in this, didn't she?"
His guess was spot on. Ali told him, "You guessed correctly. The plan to drive out the Mountain God was proposed by Mu Ye, and she led us in the fight to regain our freedom."
Zi Ye smiled slightly, feeling a surge of respect. "She is truly a remarkable woman. We lack people with such courage and wisdom. If she were willing to stay in Bei Shen Capital, she might even become a female general."
Ali knew Mu Ye wouldn't stay; her heart belonged to the freedom of the world. So, he decisively answered on Mu Ye's behalf, "She won't stay."
"How do you know?"
"Because Mu Ye does everything from her heart. If it were for personal gain or the benefit of the powerful, I don't think she would agree."
"You know her very well."
"I just understand her thoughts."
Zi Ye nodded slightly, "What you say might be true. However, Mu Ye, being a mortal, doesn't belong in this place. Every day she stays here is another day of danger."
"I know," Ali replied softly.
"I guess you also hope she can return. It's rare to have such a good friend."
Ali smiled faintly, "She taught me what a friend is."
Zi Ye shook his head, "You are mutually fulfilling each other."
Just then, a gentle breeze blew, opening the window. A black crow suddenly flew in from outside. It landed lightly and transformed into a human guard, who cupped his hands and respectfully said to Zi Ye, "General, there is an urgent letter from above for you."
The guard took out a letter from his embrace and handed it to Zi Ye. Zi Ye opened it and read, "An anomaly has been discovered in the south. Return immediately to investigate."
His brow furrowed, sensing that something bad was about to happen. He turned back to look at the person lying on the bed, then called a servant and instructed them to prepare paper and pen. Before leaving, he wrote a letter for Ali.
As he was about to leave, Ali suddenly called out to him, "Sir, wait a moment."
Zi Ye asked, puzzled, "What is it?"
"When I was in the dungeon, I vaguely heard Mu Ye talking with people in the dungeon. I know most of them are innocent, and they have families waiting for them. Could you do us a favor and let them go?"
Zi Ye was quite surprised. He hadn't expected Ali to speak up for the people in the dungeon. Such a small matter could be resolved with a word from him. He said, "Mu Ye is my sister's savior. I was already planning to do this small favor, so don't worry."
"Thank you, sir."
Zi Ye stood up and walked to the door, calling out, "Butler! Butler!"
The butler rushed over upon hearing the call and replied hurriedly, "What are your orders, my lord?"
"I have matters to attend to back at the palace. Please take good care of Miss Liu and Young Master Ali."
"Yes."
After saying this, he returned to the royal palace with his guard.
Ali gazed at the letter in his hand, lost in thought.
He stayed by the bed with the letter for a day and a night, until the next morning.
A gentle breeze blew, lightly touching my head. My drowsy mind slowly woke up. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Ali sitting by the bed, sleeping soundly with his head tilted.
I was shocked to realize I wasn't dead yet and felt a surge of excitement. I reached out and gently shook him awake.
Ali reluctantly opened his eyes and, upon seeing me, his eyes immediately lit up. He was so excited he danced with joy and quickly asked, "Mu Ye, you're awake! How are you feeling?"
I shook my head, feeling light and refreshed. Could being struck by lightning make one feel better?
Looking around, I saw a beautiful flower room, not the small dark room, nor the desolate pavilion. Confused, I asked him, "Where am I?"
Ali smiled knowingly and said, "Of course, you're in the Tai Shen Palace. Zi Ye brought you back."
"Zi Ye? Zi Ye!" I felt a bit dazed, as if I had heard this name before. Thinking carefully, wasn't he the one who wrongly accused me?
"What! That scoundrel! He's not here to capture me again, is he?" I looked around and, seeing he wasn't there, I pulled Ali and whispered, "Let's go, before he comes back, we need to escape."
Ali gently stroked my head and said, "Don't worry, he's already gone. But he left you a letter."
"A letter?" I was a bit confused. Why would he leave me a letter? He wasn't still thinking of using me as medicine, was he?
Ali took out a letter from his embrace and handed it to me. I opened it, and it read:
Human girl, since you saved my sister, I will kindly show you a way. The other world is not a place for humans. I hope you will quickly find Master Zhang upon waking. Only he knows how to get you back. As far as I know, Master Zhang appears in the vicinity of Dong Yue Town. Go find him quickly, lest complications arise.
"Master Zhang?" This name sounded so familiar. I felt like I had heard it somewhere before. Suddenly, I remembered that this was the person who had saved me last time! Thinking of such a perfect missed opportunity, I angrily shouted, "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have at least gotten his contact information." My head suddenly felt heavy; I would have to search for him slowly.
Then, I became grief-stricken, "What Dong Yue Town, what Xi Yue Town? How would I know where that is? I strongly suspect he did this intentionally."
Ali saw my agitated emotions and gently comforted me, "It's okay, don't be afraid. I know where Dong Yue Town is. I'll take you there."
I rubbed my eyes and looked at him, "Really?"
"Really."
"However, I still want to ask what kind of place this other world is, and why there are so many monsters?" I finally voiced the question that had been on my mind for days.
Ali patiently began to tell me about the origin of this other world, "I heard from the elder that the other world was, a long, long time ago, just a chaotic entity. It was originally established as a place to punish wrongdoers. For some reason, over time, more and more monsters and deities came here to build new homes. Oh, I also heard from the elder that we were originally monsters from the human world."
I listened to his explanation, feeling somewhat enlightened. So, I continued to press him, "What kind of monsters are there here?"
"If we talk about major clans, they would be the God Clan, the Ghost Clan, the Horse God Clan, and the Mermaid Clan. The others are considered scattered smaller clans."
I was surprised, "There are so many races! It seems to be the same as our human world, with many nations, each with its own unique characteristics."
"I've spoken with Zi Ye, and he also suggested that you return. It's still too dangerous for you here."
I knew I didn't belong here and should return. However, after spending so many days together, I was growing reluctant, especially to part with Ali. If I went back, I didn't know if I would ever find such a good boy again. But it was time to ask for his thoughts, "Ali, do you want me to go back?"
Ali simply felt that I was asking for his opinion and nodded slightly, "I don't want you to get hurt here either."
I sighed sadly, "I haven't had enough fun yet, and I have to go back so soon."
"Then let's look for Master Zhang while we have fun."
"Good idea."
Ali then told me about another matter, "Earlier in the dungeon, I overheard your conversation with the people there. I told Zi Ye about it, and he said he would let them out."
I couldn't believe that Ali had spoken so much with that Zi Ye while I was unconscious.
"Really?"
"Really."
I was overjoyed and hugged Ali tightly, exclaiming, "Ali, you're too good! You understand me so well. If you hadn't told me, I would have had to go find him myself. But now it's settled, and one worry is gone."
"Then do you want to go see them, see that elder brother?" Ali asked me.
I nodded, "Yes, I want to see if Zi Ye will keep his word."
"Okay, I'll go with you."
"Then let's go."
Saying this, we walked towards the door. Just as we were about to step out, the butler suddenly walked in from outside and blocked our path, as arrogant as ever, "Wait a moment, our master has left something for you."
"What is it?" I was curious.
"It's nothing much, just some gold coins as repayment for saving our lady." He took out a bag of gold coins from his sleeve and placed it on the table, then said, "If you wish to leave, a carriage has been prepared outside, but I will not be serving you breakfast."
I turned, picked up the money bag, pulled Ali along, and walked out. Outside the door, I quickly turned back, made a face at him, and spat, "Pfft!"
"Hey! You little brat, you're asking for a beating." Saying this, he took off his shoe and threw it at us. I pulled Ali and ran out. He was so angry that he didn't know what to say and could only shout, "Don't let me see you two again, or I'll break your legs!"
Hahaha, I love seeing this arrogant person so angry and flustered.
Outside the Tai Shen Palace, we saw a carriage parked by the back gate, with a man standing beside it. I remembered what the butler had said about a carriage being prepared for us.
So, I walked up and asked, "Whose carriage is this?" Seeing us approach, he blinked and came to his senses, saying, "The butler instructed it is for the two departing guests."
Departing guests? That's us. So, I quickly said, "Yes, yes, that's us."
"Then, as the two have come to collect it, I shall take my leave."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
I looked up at the large blue cloth covering the carriage, climbed into it, and entered. Seeing the crimson carriage frame, I could smell the faint fragrance of redwood. I couldn't help but sigh, "It's good to be rich."
But then I suddenly remembered that I didn't know how to drive. I could ride in a carriage, though. So, I turned to Ali and asked, "Do you know how to drive?"
Ali walked over, sat at the front, and said confidently, "I've learned a bit, no problem."
Learned a bit, what did that mean? Before I could react, I heard him shout, "Giddy up!" and the horse obediently started running.
Sitting in the carriage, unprepared, I was jolted forward. I crawled to the curtain and hastily lifted it. I saw him holding a pole he had somehow acquired, fanning himself with one hand, his smile radiant and captivating. I was so mesmerized that I involuntarily drooled.
Ali drove the carriage towards the west street of Bei Shen Capital. After reaching the western street and the first half of Zuo Xing Avenue, we went further up and saw a small alley. At the entrance of the alley hung a small sign that read "Mori Alley."
Ali turned back and shouted into the carriage, "Mu Ye, we've arrived."
I pulled open the curtain and smiled, "Great, let's go take a look!"
"Okay."
Ali and I alighted from the carriage and walked into the quiet, serene alley. Just then, an elderly woman carrying a basket was walking out. I quickly stopped her and asked, "Auntie, do you know where Mu Liuyun's house is?"
"Mu Liuyun?" She thought for a moment and asked us, "What do you want to see him for?"
I explained, "We are friends of Brother Mu, we've come to visit him."
The auntie smiled slightly, "Oh, I see. Keep walking straight ahead. His house is the one with a ginkgo tree in front."
"Okay, thank you, Auntie."
"You're welcome."
After the auntie left, Ali and I continued walking down the alley. Soon, we indeed saw a small ginkgo tree outside a small courtyard.
It was probably autumn, and the originally lush green leaves had turned golden. A gentle breeze stirred the free leaves, scattering them across the entire roof and the nearby open ground. From a distance, it looked like joy and happiness born from loneliness and solitude.
Ali and I stood at the door, about to knock, when we heard laughter from inside.
I heard a gentle female voice say, "You're not leaving this time, are you?"
"No, I'm not leaving."
"Then do you want to eat your favorite flower cakes today?"
"If there are any, I'll have a few."
"I specifically bought some knowing you'd be out. Have some."
"You're so kind, always so thoughtful."
Listening to the male voice, which sounded like Brother Mu's, I leaned against the door and peered through the crack. I saw a man and a woman sitting at a table in the courtyard, sweetly eating flower cakes.
The man was Brother Mu, and the woman must be his fiancée, Zheng'er, whom he had mentioned.
Ali also leaned in, bumping his head against mine as he tried to look inside. I looked up and bumped right into his face.
"Ouch!" Ali cried out in pain. I quickly covered his mouth and looked around, only finding a small corner to hide in.
So, I quickly pulled him over there.