CHAPTER 11: Ping An Is An Immortal

Lui Ming's eyes widened slightly. Mu Lingfeng…?

Ping An's glare sharpened like a blade. His eyes, usually full of mischief and charm, were now cold and burning with anger. His jaw clenched as he turned sharply to face the man gripping his shoulder.

"Mu Lingfeng," he spat, voice low and venomous. "If you don't get out of my sight right now, don't blame me for killing you."

His hand twitched, ready to slap the offending arm away but then, he paused.

Ping An's eyes flicked sideways, just briefly.

Lui Ming was watching him closely.

That calm, flat gaze was now filled with something else. Suspicion. 

The tension in Ping An's hand lessened, his breath hitching for half a second. He lowered his arm slowly, letting the moment pass without retaliation. But his lips stayed pressed into a thin line, his stare still full of warning.

Lui Ming didn't miss any of it. The way Ping An hesitated. The strange familiarity in how Mu Lingfeng's hand rested on him. The way Ping An hadn't mentioned anything not even a hint that he personally knew the man Lui Ming had spent so long trying to find.

And now here he was. Mu Lingfeng, standing right in front of them as if summoned by chance.

Lui Ming's fingers curled loosely at his sides.

So they knew each other.

And he, the one desperate for answers, had been left completely in the dark.

Why didn't he say anything?

Annoyance bloomed beneath Lui Ming's ribs, sharp and sudden. But more than that, his mind spun quickly through possibilities.

It was lucky no, unbelievably fortunate that Mu Lingfeng was standing here right now.

But the problem was… what now?

He couldn't just walk up and say, "Hello, I know you're a legendary future powerhouse feared by the heavens because I read a book in another life."

He'd be tossed into the nearest river and labeled insane.

Nor could he simply start following him. That'd be suicidal, not to mention suspicious.

He needed a reason. An excuse. A way to get close that wouldn't raise alarms.

But how?

Lui Ming's thoughts ran fast, brows drawing slightly together. Every move from here on mattered.

Because Mu Lingfeng…

This man was the only thread of hope he had in this twisted world.

And if he lost this opportunity, he wasn't sure another would come again.

Ping An was cursing himself inwardly, his thoughts a mess of regret and panic.

Stupid, stupid—why did I say his name out loud? I wasn't even thinking… it just slipped out! That bastard's the one who caused it

Ping An turned back to Lui Ming with an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Lui Ming, I—"

But before he could even finish, a cold, flat voice cut through the air like a blade. Low and mocking, barely loud enough for the three of them to hear:

"...So the immortal Lang Yu is acting strange now?"

Ping An's entire body froze. His smile shattered.

He turned his head toward Mu Lingfeng with horror, pupils shrinking. This bastard… he said it on purpose…

"You—" Ping An hissed under his breath.

Is he trying to expose me in front of Lui Ming?

His brain whirled with anxiety. He glanced quickly at Lui Ming again, praying that maybe he hadn't heard that.

But when their eyes met, Ping An's stomach sank.

Lui Ming hadn't flinched at all. He stared back, calm and still, eyes as cool as still water under moonlight.

No questions. No raised brow.

Just silent acknowledgement.

And somehow… that was worse.

Ping An didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Does he already know? Or is he just pretending not to care? Either way he sighed inwardly, forcing a casual smile onto his face. "We… we need to go somewhere more quiet."

He didn't wait for permission. Just grabbed Lui Ming's wrist and started walking toward the alley beside the lantern stall, muttering curses under his breath as he dragged him along.

Meanwhile, Lui Ming followed without resistance, eyes lowered in thought.

So Ping An has ties to the immortal world… and not just any ties—Mu Lingfeng himself is calling him "Lang Yu"?

If he wanted to survive—no, *thrive*—in this world, he couldn't just keep chasing shadows and listening to rumors.

Mu Lingfeng was right in front of him. A living legend. The future pillar of the demonic path, a being strong enough to crush heavenly cultivators like ants.

"We're almost there. Just around the corner. It's quiet. No ears."

Lui Ming gave a small nod.

But he felt something.

A pair of eyes. Watching.

He looked up instinctively—and met Mu Lingfeng's gaze.

Those dark, unreadable eyes seemed to strip away skin and muscle, peering right into the soul beneath.

Lui Ming's breath caught.

Mu Lingfeng spoke—barely above a whisper, but Lui Ming heard it.

"You… What are you really planning?"

The words weren't aggressive. They weren't suspicious either. Just curious.

A slow chill crept down Lui Ming's spine.

He couldn't afford to be careless now.

Ping An stopped walking. "We're here."

They stepped into a narrow alley tucked between two shuttered tea shops. The lanterns here burned low, casting flickering shadows that danced across the brick walls. A pile of empty crates sat in one corner, and the air smelled faintly of damp wood and incense ash.

Ping An let go of Lui Ming's wrist and immediately spun around, his expression tight with nerves.

"Don't say anything yet," he muttered, glancing toward the alley's entrance. "Let me… just think for a second."

Lui Ming said nothing. His gaze remained steady, unreadable.

Ping An exhaled sharply. He looked down at the ground, fingers twitching by his sides, clearly struggling to hold in whatever storm was brewing behind his eyes.

"…I didn't mean for you to hear that," he finally said. "It just slipped. I wasn't trying to lie to you, alright?"

Lui Ming raised a brow. "So you were hiding something."

Ping An flinched. "I wasn't lying! I just… didn't tell you everything. That's different."

Lui Ming folded his arms. "Is it?"

Ping An let out a frustrated noise and ruffled his hair. "Damn it, why do you always have that look on your face? You're impossible to read!"

Lui Ming tilted his head slightly. "You're avoiding the question."

Ping An looked like he was about to argue again but stopped when a soft click of boots echoed at the alley's entrance.

Mu Lingfeng.

He'd followed them. Silent as a ghost, eyes fixed on Lui Ming like he already knew the outcome of every possible conversation.

Ping An's mouth went dry. "Tch…"

Mu Lingfeng didn't speak immediately. He stepped into the alley slowly, the hem of his black robe dragging faintly along the dusty ground.

"Lang Yu," he said calmly, gaze flicking toward Ping An. "Do you always run your mouth when you panic?"

Ping An bristled. "That's rich coming from the bastard who said my name out loud!."

A slight smirk played on Mu Lingfeng's lips, though it never reached his eyes. "I just wanted to see your reaction."

"You're insane."

"I've been called worse."

Their banter, dry and edged with history, made Lui Ming narrow his eyes slightly. They weren't strangers. In fact, they seemed far too familiar.

"Enough," Ping An finally snapped. He turned to Lui Ming, forcing a half-smile that came off as more of a grimace. "Alright, alright, cards on the table. My real name is Lang Yu. I used to be part of the Eternal Void Sanctuary before I descended."

He hesitated, then added, "And yes. I know Mu Lingfeng personally. We have… history."

Lui Ming blinked once. "Romantic?"

"What?!" Ping An's face lit up in bright red horror. "No! No, nothing like that! i just happen to find this thing on the streets"

Mu Lingfeng leaned casually against the alley wall, arms crossed. "Wrong he wa on the streets crying and begging for help."

Ping An turned on him. "That was sweat!"

"It was tears."

"You stabbed me in the leg!"

"And you stole my money. I think we're even."

Lui Ming blinked again. "You Scammed him"

"It was borrowed!" Ping An snapped, turning fully back to Lui Ming. "And stop getting distracted!"

Mu Lingfeng chuckled faintly, but his eyes returned to Lui Ming, thoughtful now.

"…You," he said quietly, "you don't act like a mortal."

Lui Ming's breath caught. "What makes you say that?"

"Your presence. Your gaze. Your silence. All of it is… wrong."

Ping An tensed. "Mu Lingfeng—"

"I'm not accusing him of anything," Mu Lingfeng cut in. "Just… curious."

He stepped closer now, right into Lui Ming's space.

Lui Ming didn't move, though his heart pounded.

Mu Lingfeng studied him up close, head tilting slightly. "You know something, don't you?"

Lui Ming hesitated.

And this was it.

He can't read me… but he sees through people. That's how he survived banishment. That's why he's dangerous. If I lie, he'll know. But if I tell him too much, I might die before I ever get to use what I know.

Lui Ming exhaled, slow and careful.

"I don't know anything," he said flatly. "But I want to learn."

Mu Lingfeng arched a brow.

"I'm guessing you want to learn from me"

Lui Ming met his gaze without blinking. "You survived the Demonic Forest. I think that speaks for itself."

There was a long silence.

Then, to Lui Ming's surprise—Mu Lingfeng smiled.

Not the mocking smirk from before, but a quieter, darker one. Almost approving.

"…Interesting," he said softly.

He turned to Ping An. "Out of all the useless bastards you hang out with this one, i approve."

Ping An groaned. "He's not my friend. He's—"

"—My business partner," Lui Ming cut in smoothly.

Both men looked at him.

Ping An mouthed, friends? i thought we had mutual understanding of each other 

Lui Ming added calmly, "He helps me sell poison. Very popular."

Mu Lingfeng's eyes flickered with amusement. "Poison?"

Lui Ming smiled faintly. "Everyone has to start somewhere."

And just like that, the tide shifted.

Mu Lingfeng laughed—just once, short and sharp.

"I like you," he said.

Lui Ming's fingers curled slightly at his side.

He didn't know why he was laughing but...

That's one step closer.