Evan Yang didn’t know where to start, so he began recounting some of his experiences since entering the mortal world to Melody Wood. Casually, he would also ask about things here and there, comparing them with his own knowledge. In Melody’s eyes, Evan was just making idle conversation, but she had no idea he was actually trying to understand this world.
Meanwhile, back in the garden where Evan Yang and Lynn Lin lived, a man sneaked in. He found only servants inside, with no trace of Evan or Lynn. This made him suspicious. "Strange, where did they go?" he muttered.
Still confused, the man continued searching. After confirming that Evan and Lynn really weren’t there, he frowned and could only leave helplessly to find Prince Adrian Wood.
When Prince Adrian heard that Evan and Lynn weren’t there, he was shocked. “How could that be?”
"Have the guards check if anyone saw them. Let me know right away," the man said.
"Alright, I'll arrange it now," Prince Adrian replied.
The man paced back and forth in the attic, muttering, "Those two just vanished out of nowhere. Strange."
Soon Prince Adrian returned and said, "Got it. The guards saw them heading in opposite directions. I just asked—Evan went to the lakeside, Lynn wandered the other way, just strolling around. No idea what they're up to."
"So that's what happened. I wonder what that guy's doing on your sister's turf. Is he not afraid of being harmed by the zither music?" the man asked suspiciously.
"If that's the case, all the better—just let him be entranced," Prince Adrian said.
"Understood, I'll go first." The man said, then flashed away. Prince Adrian Wood, having nothing better to do, decided to go find Lynn Lin—this was a good chance to get close to her.
By the lakeside, Evan Yang was naturally unaware that someone had set their sights on him; he was still discussing things with Melody Wood.
During his inquiry, Evan realized that the struggles in this world were even more terrifying than those in the Immortal Realm. Here, a family with a resident God could establish its own dynasty. To gain safe shelter, more families and sects would attach themselves to these dynasties, contributing something each year in exchange for peace. Those who refused would be oppressed by powerful sects or clans.
As for Wood Imperial City, it was just one of many dynasties in this world, meaning there were many Gods. When the topic shifted to whether anyone intended to overthrow the Wood Dynasty, a figure appeared by the lakeside.
Both Evan and Melody sensed this person's presence. When Melody detected his aura, she looked shocked. Evan was curious—what kind of person could make Melody react like that?
"Yun'er, why do you have a guest here today? Aren't you going to introduce him to your father?" The man said with a smile.
Hearing this, Evan realized the man before him must be Prince Adrian's father, and Melody was his daughter. Evan stood up and smiled, "Greetings, senior."
"Father, why are you here?" Melody asked awkwardly.
The man smiled, "Hello. I was just passing by and didn't expect anyone to be here, so I came to take a look. I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
"Not at all," Evan replied with a smile.
"May I sit down?" The man asked with a smile.
"Of course," Evan said. He noticed that Melody had become much quieter since seeing the man, so he spoke up early.
The man smiled, then sat down. As he did, his right hand released a colorless, odorless gas. Melody, seeing this, was startled and was about to intervene, but the man glanced at her and smiled.
Evan couldn't smell anything, but his Heaven-Cold energy suddenly sped up inside him—this only happened in the presence of poison. "Is it him?" he wondered.
Thinking about this, Evan was secretly alarmed. Was the other party about to make a move? He was already prepared—if he really acted, Evan would have to use his trump card first.
Melody finally couldn't help but speak up, "Father, there's wine here—have a drink to quench your thirst." She picked up the wine and signaled for him to take it.
The man was secretly surprised—his daughter was unusually defiant today. Evan seized the moment, picked up his cup and said, "This is my toast to you, senior."
The man withdrew his aura and smiled, "Alright." He reached out and took the wine cup.
When their cups touched, Evan could feel the man's hand trembling, as if he was forcibly suppressing something.
Is it in that hand? Did Melody notice? Evan wondered, then looked at Melody. Melody sent him a voice transmission, "Something's changed tonight. You should go back first."
Evan was about to reply when Melody stood up and smiled, "Father, he needs to return to protect his lady. That's all for today. I'll arrange another meeting next time."
She then pulled Evan away from the lakeside, leaving the man staring after them, his eyes wide. Inwardly, he snorted, "How dare you ruin my plans. No matter—when you return, I'll still bewitch you."
The man glanced at the lakeside, then returned to his attic. Today's events made it clear—his daughter was no longer obedient. He slapped the table, "She dares defy me? Time for a lesson."
"Are you afraid of your father?" Evan asked as they walked, watching the man leave.
"My family has always been strict. My father is harsh, and whenever I step out of line, he disciplines me. So, yes, I naturally fear him," Melody sighed.
"Then why did you help me just now? Was your father trying to poison me?" Evan asked.
"You knew?" Melody was startled that Evan had figured it out.
"That's right, I noticed. I didn't expect poison could be released so subtly—he's not simple," Evan replied.
"Sorry. I don't know why my father would do this, but since you're my first friend here, I won't let anything happen to you," Melody said sincerely.
"What about you?" Evan suddenly asked. Melody was surprised by his concern but smiled, "Don't worry. I'm still his daughter—he won't go too far with me."
"Then take care of yourself. I'll come find you tomorrow," Evan said.
Melody replied, "Alright, be careful." The two parted at the fork in the road. Evan didn't return to his garden; he knew the man intended to use poison against him, so going back would be walking into a trap. Instead, he wandered through the vast Wood Estate. With Lynn Lin's token at his waist—the garden's exclusive pass—no one questioned his identity. As long as he avoided certain areas, he was free to roam.
As he walked, Evan arrived near the Wood Immortal Hall. Staring at the hall, he muttered, "Strange. What exactly is inside?"
Just as Evan was wondering about the place, the man from the lakeside appeared and entered the Wood Immortal Hall.
Seeing him enter, Evan muttered, "He must be someone important in Wood City. But what's inside that hall?"
A while later, the man exited the hall and vanished. Evan followed with his divine sense, soon discovering the man had gone to Evan's garden, searching for him.
Seeing the man's frustrated expression upon finding Evan absent, Evan chuckled, "Trying to trap me? Not a chance."
The man left empty-handed, but this time stormed toward an attic near the lakeside. Evan was curious—what was he planning to do there?
When Evan realized the attic belonged to Melody Wood, he frowned in concern, "This isn't good."
Evan hurried after, wanting to see what the man intended to do to Melody.
Soon, Evan arrived at the attic. The man had already entered. Melody was standing by the window; seeing her father storm in, her face changed, but she was prepared. "Father."
Without warning, the man slapped Melody, sending her flying. She crashed to the side, powerless to resist, and her veil fell away.
Evan, already furious, grew even angrier when he saw her face—covered in scars, some from knives, others from unknown injuries.
"Father, I don't know what you're talking about," Melody said painfully, blood trickling from her lips.
"Don't know? Then why did you stop me just now?" The man demanded angrily.
"I didn't stop you. I just wanted you to share a drink with my friend," Melody replied.
"Friend? You still want to make friends? You wretch. Today you'll learn your lesson." The man sneered, pulling out a dagger and aiming to slash her face.
Just then, several mosquito-sized insects buzzed behind the man.
Hearing the sound, the sensitive man quickly reacted, retracting the dagger. Seeing only a few insects, he scoffed, "A few bugs dare bother me? Die."
He shouted, hoping to blow the bugs away, but they darted into his mouth and entered his body.
Shocked, he realized these were no ordinary insects. Recalling his son's story about strange bugs, he finally understood.
Realizing the danger, he quickly sat down and closed his eyes, fighting the insects inside his body. Melody, lying nearby, stared blankly at her father, not knowing what was happening.
The man struggled in pain, battling the bugs for nearly a quarter of an hour without success. He opened his eyes and barked at his daughter, "Aren't you going to help me?"
"How am I supposed to help?" Melody asked.
"Inject your power into me and seal off the bugs' paths. I'll use my inner flames to burn them," the man ordered.
"Understood." Melody obediently moved behind him and infused her power, sealing off the insects' movement as instructed. The man then tried to burn them with his own flames.
(End of chapter.)