Remember Me (Second Update)

A few hours earlier, in the Emperor's palace.

In the reception hall, Bai Qi sat across from Yao Di. A red tea table stood between them, laden with pastries and tea.

"Is this true?" Though Yao Di looked doubtful, the undisguised ambition in his eyes had already completely exposed his thoughts.

Bai Qi told Yao Di of the visions he had had these past few days: spies from an enemy nation, Mermaids and humans entangled together, and a new turning point for imperial power...

And based on what had happened before, Bai Qi told Yao Di that Chi Li's identity might not be so simple.

For Yao Di, even the faintest trace of a clue would be enough. Even if it ultimately proved false, it did not matter. He only needed an opportunity to "catch" Si Jinyan legitimately.

Yao Di feared Si Jinyan, yet his bottomless ambition had always made him want to use Si Jinyan for himself, to tame Si Jinyan into an obedient hunting hound.

Yao Di asked again, "Imperial power will encounter a new turning point... Which side will this opportunity favor?"

Bai Qi lowered his head in silence. Only after a moment did he say, "He did not tell me."

After the former Emperor died, nearly all the confidants around him vanished from the Empire for various reasons. Yet Bai Qi, who had been deeply connected to the former Emperor, had remained in seclusion within the Empire—

He possessed a mysterious power of foresight, one that could glimpse destiny itself, as though he were the favored servant of a god from myth.

Few people knew this secret.

Bai Qi's quiet, gentle, and unworldly nature also made him easier for Yao Di to use. Holding tightly to this wizard card, greedy and ambitious Yao Di chose to keep Bai Qi.

The news Bai Qi brought him this time made Yao Di's hand, resting on his knee, clench uncontrollably with excitement.

Ever since the former Emperor's death, Si Jinyan had become increasingly unwilling to obey Yao Di's orders. Yao Di could not make Si Jinyan obey his every word and willingly work himself to the bone as the former Emperor had.

Fury. Resentment.

Si Jinyan enjoyed immense public support, and his reputation resounded throughout the Empire. This enormous influence had already taken shape during the former Emperor's reign. Si Jinyan was nearly flawless in his work and widely praised for his character. This only improved his reputation further, keeping him firmly in his position, his fame even surpassing that of the Empire's current Emperor.

Bai Qi's few words were an immense surprise and gain to Yao Di.

"What else did you foresee?" Like a hyena catching the scent of meat, Yao Di's eyes gleamed with ambition.

Looking at the surging desire in Yao Di's eyes, Bai Qi said calmly, "Si Jinyan will lose control."

Bai Qi's eyes lowered slightly, as if he were recalling the image from his memory. "...His entire body was covered in scales, like an asura crawling out of hell."

Yao Di paused for a moment, cautiously drawing out the implication in Bai Qi's words. "This is an opportunity?"

Bai Qi's calm eyes lifted once more to look at Yao Di. Slowly, he spoke a single word. "Yes."

As he walked out of the Emperor's palace, Bai Qi looked up at the gray, overcast sky.

After returning to the manor, Bai Qi sat once more before that black-and-white chessboard.

The black pieces were just one step away from defeating the white king.

Holding the black king, Bai Qi stared at the board and murmured, "A royal descendant without a Core Scale, and a human carrying a Merfolk Core. How interesting..."

This time, Bai Qi had not used the power of prophecy at all. His special status in Yao Di's eyes meant Yao Di would hardly doubt such words from him, especially when this "prophecy" also benefited Yao Di.

On the day Chi Li had summoned him, Bai Qi had examined him. Chi Li was only human, yet he possessed the ability to summon Merfolk when his life was threatened.

Merfolk summoned by a royal descendant could not harm that descendant or refuse to save him, or they would suffer backlash.

When Bai Qi first met Si Jinyan, he had been puzzled. Si Jinyan's build and abilities both suggested that he carried royal blood, yet Bai Qi could not sense the aura of royalty from him.

The scale located over the heart was a Mermaid's most important scale, and it was also the symbol of identity for certain Merfolk, such as royalty.

Until Bai Qi sensed the aura of royalty on Chi Li, who was human...

With all these coincidences, they could no longer simply be called coincidences.

On the chessboard, the black pieces utterly defeated the white pieces. Yao He's voice sounded again. "Xiao Qi, you're getting better and better. I can barely beat you anymore."

Before Bai Qi even realized it, every muscle in his body had tensed. Only upon hearing that familiar voice he missed did he suddenly relax.

A heartfelt smile appeared on Bai Qi's face.

A moment later, the smile vanished completely, and he murmured absentmindedly, "Yes... But why did I only grow after you left..."

Chi Li was jolted awake by excruciating pain.

He abruptly opened his eyes, but his vision remained pitch-black.

He was still bound, and beside his ears came the harsh, heavy breathing of a beast.

The movement at the back of his neck nearly hurt badly enough to make him pass out again. With the previous experience, Chi Li immediately realized that Si Jinyan was marking him.

Yet he could not even make a sound of refusal, much less resist.

Chi Li no longer remembered how long this process had lasted.

Nor did he know how many times Si Jinyan had done it.

How many more marks Si Jinyan had left.

Chi Li only knew that every time he opened his eyes again, Si Jinyan still had not finished.

He judged the time by the light filtering into the cave. But later, the periods when he was unconscious grew longer and longer. Several times, when he woke, it was still night.

Fear gradually spread through Chi Li's heart. He struggled, only to realize when he opened his mouth that he seemed to have swallowed something, something carrying a heavy stench of blood.

This made Chi Li's nerves tighten even further. He bit down on those slick "hairs," and the "hairs" retreated.

Chi Li's voice was hoarse. "...What did you make me eat?"

He had gone too long without speaking, and his voice was even somewhat stiff.

"Blood." This was the first time Si Jinyan had spoken to him in so long.

"My blood." Si Jinyan's voice was low and hoarse as he explained to Chi Li.

Too much time had passed. Without food to sustain him, Chi Li's life would be endangered.

Si Jinyan's constitution, however, allowed him to survive for a long time even without food.

Mermaid blood could replenish Chi Li's strength.

That slick sensation plugged Chi Li's mouth again, making his scalp go numb.

Si Jinyan's deep voice sounded once more. "Don't spit it out."

The "hair" burrowed deep into Chi Li's mouth, sending a chill down his spine.

Chi Li froze. Yet his vision remained pitch-black. Si Jinyan being able to speak to him proved that he had recovered some of his sanity.

Anxious, Chi Li cried out unclearly, "Si Jinyan... Let me go..."

Si Jinyan did not answer again, nor did he release him.

Chi Li could only feel scorching breath spilling over the back of his neck.

Before Chi Li's consciousness sank into chaos once more, he heard Si Jinyan's indistinct voice. "Chi Li, I have to do this."

Si Jinyan's voice was broken and blurred, making Chi Li feel as though it came from the end of a dream.

In the pool, a fish tail coiled tightly around the person in his arms.

As though murmuring an ancient oath, black reason and agonizingly flickering desire repeatedly crossed Si Jinyan's golden eyes.

"...Remember me."

Desire made Si Jinyan want to meld Chi Li completely into his flesh and blood.

Si Jinyan branded Chi Li over and over again, refusing to stop even after the marking was completely successful.

"...I will come find you again."

Again and again, Si Jinyan softened toward Chi Li. He believed it was merely the result of his instincts overpowering his reason.

Until he saw Chi Li fall into a pool of blood because of him once again. As Si Jinyan held Chi Li close, even his fingertips trembled. Furious flames drove him into a rage, while overwhelming grief threatened to drown him...

Pain from above and below spread through every nerve in Chi Li's body with each breath, like poison completely coursing through him within seconds.

Chi Li's entire body went rigid, and the gaze hidden amid the tentacle-like strands of hair lost all light.