086 Unfamiliar Gaze
The King of the Underworld gazed at the unfamiliar reflection before him, momentarily stunned. He reached out to touch his eyes, the shadow of his fingertips obscuring every subtle change in his expression.
Nuoluo, who had been watching the scene outside the inn, noticed the King's strange behavior. She turned her gaze toward him. “Your Majesty…” She suddenly realized such a title was inappropriate here; on the mortal earth, no one could bear such an honorific.
Nuoluo looked at the King with some embarrassment, recalling that he had once told her his name.
When she uttered "Li Tian," both she and the King were caught off guard. Though he had told her his name before, in Fengdu City all the mortals had perished, leaving only spirits behind—she had never had the chance to address the King directly. To call the highest god of the Underworld by name was an immense breach of decorum.
Yet the gods could not reveal their true identities before mortals. For humans, the gods remained forever shrouded in mystery.
Nuoluo could not describe her feelings at that moment. It was her first time addressing the King in this way, yet the name felt strangely familiar, as if it had been carved into her very soul.
A name, a calling—a bond that would be endless from this moment on.
The King, too, was stunned. How many years had it been since he last heard his own name? Since ascending as King of the Underworld, the name had become a hidden, sacred thing, buried beneath his exalted station.
Nuoluo glanced at him apologetically.
The King was still lost in his reverie.
Nuoluo called out again, “Li Tian, is something wrong?”
She could not discern what the King felt; even the slightest lapse in his composure could spell disaster for the city of Baili. She could not be sure whether she had angered him.
His expression did not change. After a long pause, he nodded slightly, signaling his acceptance of this reality. Since it had come to this, he could also address her by name—a name he had heard Niaoniao call countless times, but never imagined he would speak himself.
Once they began addressing each other like ordinary people, their identities shifted. In this moment, they were no longer lofty deities, but two unremarkable humans in Baili City.
Nuoluo and Li Tian thus completed the transformation of their roles, returning to their former selves. Li Tian’s hand dropped softly. Perhaps now, just for this moment, he could forget who he was. Here, he was nothing more than an ordinary man, familiar with the simplest of lives.
Outside the inn, the streets grew busier, the coming and going of people breathing new vitality into Baili City.
Inside, guests were constantly entering and leaving. Everyone who entered could not help but glance at the noble pair, but most only dared a single look before averting their eyes, unable to withstand the awe they inspired.
Li Tian’s innate presence was not something ordinary mortals could bear.
Yet there was one person who watched their every move, seemingly oblivious to their overwhelming aura.
Nuoluo also sensed she was being watched. She followed the gaze and saw it was the innkeeper who had been observing them.
When he saw her look his way, the innkeeper smiled back without the slightest trace of fear, as if looking at the most ordinary of guests.
Nuoluo returned the smile and looked away.
Li Tian glanced at the innkeeper as well, detecting nothing unusual. He was indifferent to all things—what did it matter if something was amiss? He had never regarded mortals with anything but disdain.
As the pair turned away, the innkeeper’s head bowed over his ledger again, a mysterious, inscrutable smile playing at his lips. That smile transformed him instantly into someone altogether different.
Although all the guests could see that Nuoluo and Li Tian were extraordinary, none dared disturb their peace. No one would risk provoking someone so far beyond their own strength.
Nuoluo and Li Tian remained seated, quietly watching the scene outside. There were only two cups of water before them. Though the inn was full, it seemed an invisible wall separated them from the rest.
The initial tension their presence caused soon faded as people grew accustomed to them, resuming their conversations about the happenings in the city.
“It’s been much quieter in town these past few days.”
“I noticed that too. Just days ago there were rumors of the Reaper’s arrival, but clearly that was nonsense—whoever started that must have been mad, frightening us all to death! Every night I was terrified I’d open my eyes and see the Reaper standing at my bedside.”
“I heard the rumors too and was scared for days, but nothing’s happened so far.”
“The Reaper—why would the Reaper come here? It’s probably someone playing tricks.”
As the discussion grew lively, timid souls glanced nervously around, afraid the Reaper might appear before them at any moment. But most had come to believe it was only a rumor, something that could never happen.
“The Temple of the Earth Goddess shines as brightly as ever—we should thank Her Grace for her protection.”
“Yes, as long as we have the Earth Goddess, we will be safe.”
Everyone turned to gaze toward the Temple of the Earth Goddess, praying for her blessing.
Little did they know that the very ones they spoke of sat quietly among them, watching events unfold.
Nuoluo listened to their talk in silence. She was glad that news of the disturbances in the Baili Mountains had not spread. No one seemed aware of the changes there, and as she listened, nothing seemed amiss—life was returning to normal. She felt a measure of relief; her efforts had not been in vain.
Li Tian, too, heard their conversation and realized the “Reaper” they spoke of must be himself.
Foolish mortals—if the Reaper had truly come to Baili City, it would already be a city of the dead. Even without the Reaper, if not for Nuoluo’s intervention, Baili would have been razed by wild beasts. And that mysterious underground world would have brought unimaginable destruction. It was Nuoluo’s presence that changed everything; everyone owed their thanks to the Earth Goddess.
Nuoluo and Li Tian silently accepted the people’s judgments.
No one could have imagined that the Earth Goddess was right beside them, accompanied by the King of the Underworld himself, a being whose status surpassed even that of the Reaper.
Nuoluo kept careful watch over Li Tian, relieved that the townspeople’s words remained moderate and did not offend him.
They continued to listen wordlessly, but there was yet another who listened just as intently.
The innkeeper did not join the discussion. Occasionally, he glanced up at the speakers, or observed Nuoluo and Li Tian. Whenever he looked up, his expression was calm; but whenever his head was lowered, a mysterious smile flickered at his lips.
Outside, sunlight poured down generously, warming every heart.
People spoke freely—some prayed for the Earth Goddess’s blessing, others voiced their hopes for the future.
Soon the topic shifted to the recent catastrophe. Baili had suffered greatly, but compared to other places, the people here had recovered their lives with remarkable speed. It was a subject most avoided, too heavy to dwell upon. To mention it was to recall the helplessness and despair of those days.
“If the Earth Goddess truly protects us, why did she let such things happen? So many died—does she feel no remorse?” a voice cried out, loudly blaming Nuoluo for her failure.
A sudden hush fell. Though none had ever seen the Earth Goddess, her temple stood in the city’s most prominent place. For generations, the people had prayed for her protection—they had never expected disaster to strike from nowhere.
Others looked at the outspoken accuser in shock as he continued, undeterred, to voice his grievances.
“If the Earth Goddess cannot keep us safe, then she does not deserve our respect.”
“Lower your voice! The gods are watching—are you tired of living? If Her Grace is angered, not only you, but all of us in Baili will suffer.”
“Yes, don’t go spreading dangerous talk. Without Her Grace, we’d all be dead by now. How could we have survived till today?”
People scolded and berated him, casting wary glances around, fearful his words would bring calamity down upon them.
But the man persisted, “Even if the Earth Goddess stood before me, I would say the same. It was her negligence that led to such disaster—she should bear all responsibility.”
“You’re mad—what you say is your own business, nothing to do with us. You can rave on all you like!”
“Yes, exactly—a complete madman, daring to accuse Her Grace. Truly courting death.”
“Let’s go, leave this lunatic to his ranting!”
The inn’s servant retreated to his master’s side, bewildered by the man’s boldness. Was he mad, to openly accuse the Earth Goddess? How could someone like him dare speak of Her Grace at all?