"I am... the successor to the Actor?"
Hearing this, Yan Shouyi's pupils contracted sharply, and he almost couldn't control his expression.
How could I possibly be the Actor's successor? He has nothing to do with me!
Regardless of character or ambition, Yan Shouyi believed that he and Li Genmiao belonged to two entirely different worlds. There could only ever be one relationship between them: enemies.
The Actor had done many things to hurt Yan Shouyi, and Yan Shouyi had repeatedly thwarted the Actor's plans.
Yan Shouyi grabbed Pu Shi's neck and questioned coldly:
"Are you serious?"
Pu Shi seemed to know that he could not escape death, so he was not afraid. Instead, he chuckled, "Other than that, what other reason do you think the Actor would have for not killing you? Could it be that you are the Actor's illegitimate son?"
*Slap!*
This statement touched Yan Shouyi's sore spot. He unceremoniously slapped Pu Shi, nearly causing him to die on the spot.
Seeing this, the others rushed forward to restrain Yan Shouyi.
Long Feicheng felt it most acutely. He realized Yan Shouyi was particularly prone to outbursts of anger today, and his actions were more ruthless than before.
However, no matter how ruthless Yan Shouyi was, it was directed at enemies. If it were Yan Chou or Wei Changqing, Pu Shi's fate would have been even worse. That's why everyone didn't say much more.
Yan Shouyi calmed down a little and broke free from everyone's attempts to hold him back.
He was certain of his father-son relationship with Yan Chou. Pu Shi's words just now were merely a joke.
But beneath the joke lay a fact that Yan Shouyi was unwilling to acknowledge: aside from the idea of him being a successor, the Actor truly had no other reason to spare his life.
"What did this guy say?" asked Abbess Guan Yun.
Yan Shouyi shook his head, unwilling to publicize such a sensational matter.
It seemed Pu Shi also knew how much this news would affect Yan Shouyi, which was why he chose to tell him alone.
Wen Yuxian, not wanting to trouble Yan Shouyi, chose to ignore the question and asked:
"Do you have any other questions?"
Yan Shouyi pondered. His two most pressing questions had been answered. If he were to ask further, he could inquire about the whereabouts of the other members of the Four Divisions and Five Ghosts, or the hiding place of Li Genmiao.
But just as he was about to ask, Pu Shi decisively gritted his teeth and died.
"He's dead!" Zhuge Ji shouted anxiously.
Abbess Guan Yun quickly examined him and discovered that Pu Shi had bitten and crushed the poison hidden in his mouth. The poison took effect, and within seconds, he not only stopped breathing but his soul also dissipated!
"Careless."
Abbess Guan Yun shook her head regretfully. She should have checked Pu Shi immediately or blocked his mouth with something.
The people of the Xin Xuan Mountain Sect, the higher their ranks, seemed to possess a greater determination to die.
With Pu Shi's soul scattered, everyone's leads were gone.
Fortunately, this time they had successfully thwarted Li Genmiao's evil plan, eliminated several of his formidable generals, and extracted a good deal of information from Abbess Miaohui and Pu Shi.
If they didn't consider the prior losses of the Emei Sect, it could be considered a complete victory.
Glancing back at the Wuliang Hall, now reduced to ruins, and the corner of a coffin exposed beneath the rubble, Yan Shouyi suddenly let out a long sigh. He found a large tree and sat down, leaning against it.
"I want to be alone for a while. You all should rest too. Soon, when Yan Nanfei breaks the Lotus Array's core, we will have many things to attend to."
The others didn't say anything and began to busy themselves.
The Emei Sect disciples in Feilai Hall could come out. The ruins of Wuliang Hall needed to be cleared. The aftermath of Qi Dongqiang and Abbess Miaohui needed to be dealt with...
These were just the immediate matters. Abbess Guan Yun didn't dare to think too far ahead about the subsequent events.
"What a mess," Abbess Guan Yun said, rubbing her temples. "I'm exhausted. After Emei overcomes this crisis, perhaps I should retire."
Wen Yuxian asked, "Do you want Ling Xiaoxiao to inherit the position of Emei Sect Leader? Isn't she too young now?"
"The sect has never been decided by the Sect Leader alone. When she takes over, the elders will naturally take care of her," Abbess Guan Yun joked. "I've been the Sect Leader for so many years in your place; it's time I rested, isn't it?"
Wen Yuxian was speechless. So, after all these years, Junior Sister Guan Yun was still holding a grudge.
She sighed, "After the Lotus Grand Array is broken, I won't return to Rongcheng immediately. I'll stay at Mount Emei to help you deal with this mess. When Ling Xiaoxiao succeeds, we sisters will descend the mountain together."
A hint of light appeared in Abbess Guan Yun's cloudy eyes. "Amitabha, it's a deal. You mustn't leave me behind again."
"I won't."
...
Everyone was busy, including Zhuge Ji, Tian Juer, and Ye Tianyuan.
Only Long Feicheng stood not far from Yan Shouyi, staring at him blankly.
After some hesitation, Long Feicheng still walked towards Yan Shouyi and sat down beside him.
"Brother Yan, what did that damned Pu Shi say to you?" Long Feicheng said worriedly. "I somehow feel like you've changed, but I can't quite pinpoint how."
Although Long Feicheng often acted flippantly, he was actually very perceptive.
Saying "can't quite pinpoint how" was just polite talk. He and Yan Shouyi were so close; how could he not sense Yan Shouyi's change?
Brother Yan had changed. He had become agitated, irritable, and ruthless.
But because Yan Shouyi's targets were enemies, there was nothing wrong with his actions. Thus, Long Feicheng didn't know how to remind Yan Shouyi.
He was more familiar with the kind Yan Shouyi of the past.
"Have a smoke," Yan Shouyi extended two fingers.
Long Feicheng laughed heartily, "Brother Yan is joking. If I don't have fire, how can I have smoke!"
"Stop playing coy."
Long Feicheng nimbly took out his cigarette case. There was only one crumpled cigarette left inside. No wonder this guy was reluctant to share.
Yan Shouyi took out the cigarette, lit it, and said, "I'll smoke half, and you can have the rest."
"Alright," Long Feicheng chuckled contentedly.
However, Long Feicheng knew that Yan Shouyi rarely smoked unless he was extremely troubled.
So, watching Yan Shouyi puffing smoke, Long Feicheng asked again, "So what did Pu Shi say?"
"He said I am the successor chosen by the Actor." Yan Shouyi had nothing to hide from Long Feicheng.
Long Feicheng was taken aback. "When did you learn Nuo Gui Xi?"
"Cough cough..."
Yan Shouyi almost choked. He said angrily, "I didn't say I became a Nuo Gui Xi successor, but a successor to Xin Xuan Mountain Sect."
"Oh... that's good too. If you inherit the Xin Xuan Mountain Sect and then make everyone turn over a new leaf, wouldn't that be a happy ending for all?"
"If only things were that simple. I'm worried about other aspects."
"Mmm... are you referring to the reason for your recent irritability?" Long Feicheng finally voiced his observation.
Speaking of which, Yan Shouyi sighed slightly:
"In the Xi Xiang Pool, I eliminated Abbess Miaohui's inner demon, but a wisp of it entered my consciousness."