Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Boy and the Gamble

When Su Ziye quietly uttered the words "perfect impersonation," Liu Ru's gaze toward him changed instantly.

Su Ziye nodded calmly. "Yes, the art of disguise and transformation you see ultimately stems from the abilities granted to me by the Perfection Realm."

"Ordinary techniques of disguise are merely for altering appearance and voice, but my impersonation is fundamentally becoming another person. The more information I have, the more convincingly I can portray them. Of course, the only drawback is that I must be familiar with the person I wish to impersonate," the youth explained with ease.

"And what about Su Ziye?" Liu Ru asked in return.

"Su Ziye is someone I know intimately," Su Ziye replied with a gentle smile. "Moreover, the real Su Ziye does not exist in this world, so impersonating him is even more natural for me."

"And Liu Ru as well?" Liu Ru pressed.

The Liu Ru present before everyone was not the true Liu Ru, but a character shaped by Su Ziye's design and personality—thus, both Su Ziye and Liu Ru could portray this 'Liu Ru.'

"You still exist in this world," Su Ziye answered with a smile.

Liu Ru fell silent.

She looked up at the ceiling, then quietly gazed at the youth before her.

She finally let out a long sigh. "I truly want to know, why have you become like this?"

"Become like what?" Su Ziye asked, feigning ignorance.

"I don't know your exact age, but I believe you can't be very old," Liu Ru said quietly.

"Oh?" Su Ziye sounded intrigued. "Why?"

This youth had never shown his true face, and had already explained that he could perfectly impersonate another person's appearance, voice, and even character. Given that, his own age and identity were mysteries impossible to unravel, especially since he had abandoned his past.

"Because you are too pure," Liu Ru said, staring at him.

"Is that the reason?" Su Ziye was slightly surprised.

It was almost akin to a woman's intuition.

"Is it not enough?" Liu Ru countered.

"Time leaves its mark on everyone. As people grow older, the once pristine sheet of paper accumulates more colors and stains," she said. "No one can avoid this."

"But you are different. The feeling you give me is always so clean—something that cannot be faked."

Su Ziye looked at her. "Who taught you that?"

It was not something Su Ziye had taught her.

"My father," Liu Ru answered calmly, without a hint of sorrow.

"What a pity," Su Ziye said with genuine regret.

"But I am still curious," Liu Ru continued.

"Curious about what?" Su Ziye asked.

"Why you have become like this," Liu Ru repeated her earlier question. "So young, so powerful, so extraordinary. Clearly you could have had countless better paths, yet you chose this one," she said, watching him.

He had chosen to journey alone from the Empire of Stet, traversing thousands of miles of wilderness, leaving behind his home, enduring hardship and exposure. Su Ziye had explained his reasons, but Liu Ru believed the youth must have had better options.

"There is no such thing as a better or worse choice in life," Su Ziye said softly. "Every choice you make is shaped by everything that came before."

"Someone took from me the thing I cherished most. From that moment, I resolved to take hold of my own fate."

"It sounds easy, but is so difficult to do."

"This world is filled with monsters—ancient and powerful, who can even disregard the passage of time itself. To contend with them, I must strive to become a stronger monster. But becoming a monster means giving up many things."

Liu Ru looked at Su Ziye.

For the first time, she sensed sorrow in his words—a feeling she had never perceived in this youth before.

"You have no right to pity me," Su Ziye said quietly to Liu Ru. "Tomorrow is the day of the gathering at the Leaf Night Grand Tavern. We should rest early."

He nearly forced the conversation to change.

"What was it?" Liu Ru stubbornly asked.

Su Ziye turned to leave.

Just as he was about to exit the room, the youth finally spoke.

"My sister."

...

...

The night sky above Leaf Night City was like a vast velvet curtain, studded with brilliant stars.

Beneath that curtain, the enormous underground West Market was a world of its own.

Even in the depths of night, it was brightly lit. Many dealings that shunned the daylight continued here.

And in a lavish, gilded room underground, a thrilling game of chance was underway.

"I'll wager another thousand golden leaf grass," Mo Yun said, lightly pushing his chips forward, as though this was not the entire fortune of ten average households.

"Mr. Mo, you should think carefully," the man opposite him smiled, gently rubbing the cards in his hand. "Your hand is not advantageous now."

"Anything with a predetermined outcome isn't gambling," Mo Yun replied, shaking his head. "Will you match, Mountain Chief?"

"Of course I'll match," the man called Mountain Chief laughed. "I'll match a thousand golden leaf grass as well."

"Shall we reveal our cards?"

Just then, someone strode quickly into the room.

The tense quiet was instantly shattered. Mo Yun turned, displeased, but the newcomer walked straight to him, leaned close, and whispered a few words.

Mo Yun's expression changed.

He looked to Mountain Chief. "Sorry, Mountain Chief, business calls. This game ends here."

Mountain Chief looked surprised. "So you intend to concede?"

"At least turn over your hole cards."

Mo Yun shook his head gently.

He turned and followed the newcomer out, not lingering for a moment.

Only Mountain Chief remained seated.

He gazed quietly at the empty seat, then sighed.

"Should we reveal Mr. Mo's hole cards?" someone asked.

"No need," Mountain Chief shook his head. "I invited him here tonight to keep him out of trouble, to spare him from disaster."

"But it seems, some things happen whether you wish them to or not."

"There are things even Mountain Chief cannot foresee?" his companion asked incredulously.

"Of course there are," Mountain Chief replied calmly. "Just as I never foresaw someone using the Third Prince as a variable to make a move on the chessboard of Leaf Night City."

He stood, spirit dulled.

"I wanted to save Mo Yun's life, but in the end, his fate is his own to command."

"We all lost this game."