Chapter 65: Illusion

“…What?” Struck like lightning—even slow—she understood at last.
Bai Yanci’s strange behavior—the gaze through her at someone else.
Everyone was sure she was dead—Bai Yanci more than anyone.
“She hated her”—Bai Yanci had always believed it.
If not hate—why give all consciousness—spirit wandering alone—refuse to return?
Powerless—Bai Yanci kept the lover’s body—wait centuries of wash and reshape—moon forbidden art again—a thread of remnant soul.
On the moon Bai Yanci had seen Xi Yue die.
Years later—same soul choosing death again—no doubt needed—exactly what she would do.
But pain and loneliness made days feel like years for the great immortal.
So Bai Yanci tried—for the first time—to live as human—picked up books she’d once scorned.
Seeing “drink drowns sorrow”—she tried—strong wine—numb nerves—throw reason away.
Always so clear—after Yi Ke left she chose a woven phantom—woke only sometimes—neither human nor ghost.
Bai Yanci thought her a dream—longing’s dawn—who takes a phantom’s words as truth?
She looked up—sourness—eyes wet: “Bai Yanci—look—I’m not dead—I’m alive—standing right here—not some mess of illusion.”
No extra reaction—still faint smile—then sigh: “Good—I know.”
Said she knew—eyes unchanged—still dreaming awake.
“Bai Yanci!” She stepped—longing broke the dam.
Bai Yanci stepped back—safe distance—wouldn’t touch her.
Empty arms—tilted head—puzzled at Bai Yanci.
“You’ve said this countless times—I believed every time. When I come close—touch you—it’s moon in water.” Bai Yanci choked. “Ke-ke—sorry—I was wrong. Even if you’re false—my illusion—stay longer—don’t be so cruel—please?”
---
“No.” She smiled—ignored the resisting eyes—took her hand. “Sister—I really came back.”
Real warmth—Bai Yanci blank—legs gave—sat on the sofa—disbelief: “Ke-ke—it’s really you…”
“Yes—I’m back—it’s really me.” She held Bai Yanci tight—kiss on the forehead.
Whatever her face became—Bai Yanci knew her—saw the soul that was only hers.
Bai Yanci leaned in—rain of tears—wouldn’t let go: “Really you. Back—finally back. You don’t hate me? You forgive me? Where did you go all this time…”
Questions without end—then pause—all words one line soft: “Sorry—I was wrong.”
“You’ve said sorry many times today.” She patted Bai Yanci’s back. “Since you know—don’t wrong me again—okay?”
“Okay.” Now whatever she asked—Bai Yanci would agree. “Anything you want—I give. Anything you do—I go with you. Even the whole immortal realm—if you want—I’ll win it for you…”
Grand talk—she laughed: “Enough—stop—I don’t want to be emperor of the immortal realm—how boring.”
Drunk—cheeks red—delicious to look at.
She kissed—meant light—Bai Yanci wouldn’t—forgiveness opened the flood—hand on her nape—deep kiss.
Couldn’t break free—pinned.
Less kiss than bite.
Lips part—breath hot—sparks. Breath rushed—near suffocation—Bai Yanci wouldn’t stop—deeper—harder.
Rhythm shattered—blood on the lip—then mercy.
“Sweet.” Bai Yanci judged.
This rabbit—always missed the point. Three years of books—definitely not serious ones.
A book on the floor—she reached—Bai Yanci snatched: “Can’t look…”
Cover tag—**GL novels**—four characters—laugh harder: “Sister—don’t tell me these three years…”
No hiding—Bai Yanci dropped pretense: “I bought many—not finished—all on your shelf.”
Study door open—several rows of colorful GL on the shelf—stunning.
Domestic GL print so scarce—Bai Yanci had gathered a lot.
Bai Yanci asked: “Ke-ke—you mentioned moon and Qingxi—something wrong on the moon?”
Finally business: “Sister—any forbidden art on the moon—to pinpoint an immortal’s location?”
“Soul-chasing art.” Bai Yanci said. “To find me Qingxi dares that—forfeit life.”
She knew it—huge lifespan cost—track another—taboo.
Lifespan spent—even great immortals age—cultivation falls—no reversal.
“Large array—at least one great immortal casts—four immortals anchor—object of the sought—two days—then the trail.”
Two days—Qingxi would find here.
Two great immortals full force—Jintian buried with them.
“I only met Qingxi once—don’t know her temper.” Frown. “Will she wreak havoc on earth?”
“Qingxi was mild—no ambition—healing arts. After one seclusion—changed—lethal arts—loyal to Diting. Known her long—can’t predict acts.”
“Then you…”
“No matter—I have a plan.” Bai Yanci low. “If that bastard Diting doesn’t intervene—you and I—Qingxi is nothing.”
Diting proud—one great immortal—ordered Qingxi—won’t come himself.
Bai Yanci soft: “Leave that—you’re back—want to go anywhere?”
She knew—SI, Jintian University.
Gentle shake: “No—to them I’m dead. Show up—horror movie on the spot.”
Then laugh: “Besides—this face now—besides you—who’d know me?”
Bai Yanci smiled: “Good—as you say.”
They went to the mall—Bai Yanci told three years’ news.
After her “sacrifice” Bai Yanci wanted to leave Qixie to Yang Yufei—but Mu secretly returned—Bai Yanci watched the bureau—no slack.
Then almost monthly disappearances in Jintian—investigation—Mu heard she died—lost key subject—grabbed more—restarted God-Making Plan.
Three years—every clash—Mu’s mad plan.
Whenever Mu sent grabbers—Yang Yufei blocked.
“My foster mother’s insane—three years—fallen god gone—still won’t quit.” She almost admired the persistence.
Stick to one thing that long—rare. Still didn’t know the plan’s true content—or if Mu wanted more than fallen-god power.
Walking—first-floor bakery again.
Bai Yanci swiped—sat aside—smiled: “Forget unhappy things—try their new item—out last month.”
Donuts.
Bai Yanci picky—what she offered tasted good.
She finished—praised: “Good—really good.”
Bai Yanci watched fond—eyes full of light: “Slow—no one’s stealing—it’s on your mouth.”
“Hey—isn’t that…”
Before she finished—Bai Yanci’s gaze hotter—pressed close—tissue—wiped her mouth.
Ignoring stares—in front of everyone—kissed her.