Chapter 86: A Shadow at Every Step

After finally comforting Shalina, Liu Yunfei found himself dreading the task of consoling Owali next. A month spent together had forged a deep bond of friendship between them. This young man was spirited, righteous, and loyal—a truly outstanding youth. Yet Liu Yunfei had never considered sharing his plan with Owali. After all, Owali had once been a follower of the Temple of the Sun, and if he were manipulated by the wrong people, the entire scheme could collapse. So, it was best to keep him in the dark.

Parting has always been the sorrow of life, and saying goodbye was never easy. Liu Yunfei’s flight was in the morning and, after breakfast, the luxurious motorcade was ready at the door. Shalina, her eyes brimming with tears, clung tightly to little Ram’s hand and gripped Liu Yunfei’s sleeve, refusing to let go. Owali, trying to appear strong, fought back his own emotions. Liu Yunfei shook hands with them one by one, knowing he would soon secretly return to their side, yet the sadness was infectious. “Why are you all acting as if this is a farewell of life and death? Once things settle in England, I’ll come see you in Saudi Arabia.”

Liu Yunfei hurriedly climbed into the Bentley, afraid that if he lingered any longer, he might choke up as well. At the airport, he unexpectedly met Bettia and Henry. “Aren’t your flights at noon?” he asked.

“Brother, Bettia and I came especially to see you off. We got here hours ahead to wish you a safe journey.” Henry patted Liu Yunfei’s hand.

Liu Yunfei stepped forward and embraced Bettia gently. At that moment of parting, Bettia shed her reserve and held him tightly, letting her tears fall in silence. “Silly girl, why are you crying? Your husband is quite capable; we’ll see each other soon. Just remember to look after my money—if you squander even a penny, I’ll spank you.”

Her tears turned to laughter. “You scoundrel, all you care about is money.” She playfully punched him a few times before finally letting him go into the departure lounge.

The journey was uneventful, and three hours later, Liu Yunfei was already standing at London’s Heathrow Airport. Led by the welcoming party, he finally saw, inside a black car, the true Prince Awahid he’d heard so much about, who had been waiting for him for quite some time. This, too, was part of Liu Yunfei’s plan; even if someone tried to follow him, by the time they reached their destination, another identical Prince Awahid would appear, tricking the Temple of the Sun into believing Liu Yunfei was truly in England.

Looking at the former king’s illegitimate son—who shared his face but whose pale cheeks, weary eyes, and eager smile revealed a life far from easy—Liu Yunfei could sense that, though the prince bore royal Arabian blood, his days had not been happy. His status prevented him from appearing in public, and for years he had lived on a small farm on the outskirts of London. If not for a modest inheritance left by the old king, he might long ago have been reduced to living on British welfare.

But the affairs of the Saudi royal family were none of Liu Yunfei’s concern. His thoughts were still with Owali. After exchanging some brief words with Prince Awahid and reminding him of the necessary precautions, Liu Yunfei left the dejected prince, who, having received a generous payment from the old king, naturally promised to do his best.

The motorcade sped along the highway to London, no one noticing the small crack in the rear window of the main car. Only Prince Awahid knew that the distinguished guest picked up from the airport had already returned to Florence.

Liu Yunfei had discussed with the old king that Hadina was most likely to make a move while they were still in Italy. Once in Riyadh, Owali would be met by a phalanx of military and police—and possibly even supernaturally gifted protectors. Fearing Liu Yunfei would quickly return, the road to the airport was the most likely place for Hadina to strike.

In haste, Liu Yunfei returned to the Knight’s Castle, where Owali, Shalina, Ram, and the butler Shadi had already finished lunch and were preparing to leave. Discreetly, Liu Yunfei transformed into a tiny fly and perched atop Owali’s head. He couldn’t help but notice how many days it had been since Owali last bathed or washed his hair—the thick black strands resembling some exotic plant, flecked with white dandruff, and the pungent scent of Arab hair oil wafting up, nearly making him vomit the airplane meal he’d just eaten.

According to Liu Yunfei’s plan, he would wait for Owali to be alone, then use a sprayer to knock him out, transform into Owali’s appearance, and stage a classic case of “stealing the beams and replacing the pillars,” awaiting Hadina’s men to come and abduct him. Unexpectedly, the old butler never left Owali’s side, his loyalty moving Liu Yunfei. Even when Owali went to the restroom, the butler stood guard right outside.

Thus, from the car ride to the airport, nothing happened; no kidnapping attempt, as Liu Yunfei had anticipated. Did Hadina not know he had already left? Or had they given up on kidnapping Owali? This was the best opportunity—no police, no agents—if they wouldn’t act now, when would they? Puzzled, Liu Yunfei arrived at Florence Airport. Since it was not an international airport, they would have to transfer in Rome.

Outside, the group seemed in good spirits. Ram and Shalina chattered like two happy sparrows in the back seat. In the front, Owali, aside from his questionable hygiene, still carried himself with the bearing of a young prince—courteous and composed, refraining from joining the women’s chatter. In the business-class cabin, the old butler sat beside him, silent, his eyes never leaving Owali’s face, wearing his signature smile. Liu Yunfei felt a strong urge to smack that smile off his face—when you’re supposed to be serious, you’re not, and when you are, I can’t even make my move after all this time.

Once the plane took off, Liu Yunfei suddenly heard the butler Shadi ask Owali in Arabic, “Young prince, how is your cultivation of the Heart Technique progressing?”

“Oh, I’ve been practicing all along. Lately, I’ve noticed something odd—every time I enter a meditative state, it’s as if I lose consciousness, my mind goes completely blank. Only when I finish do I immediately come back to myself.” Owali had always respected his teacher greatly.

Shadi beamed as if hearing the best news, laughed for a long while, and then took Owali’s hand. “That could be a sign of reaching the highest level. Let me check.”

Ever since the last time he had disguised himself as Awahid, the butler Shadi had tested Liu Yunfei in Arabic, which had aroused his suspicion. Yet Shadi seemed genuinely devoted to Owali, almost like a father, which made it difficult to suspect him. Still, there was something strange about this cultivation—reaching the point of losing consciousness was an achievement? What kind of technique was this, and to what end?

Shadi’s voice brimmed with barely contained joy. “Excellent! My prediction was right—you have finally reached the tenth level of the Resurrection Technique. Congratulations!”

But Owali seemed anything but excited. “But what does the Resurrection Technique actually do? I’ve trained for over ten years, but it’s useless in a fight. The name—does it mean I can come back to life if I die?” This was exactly what Liu Yunfei wanted to know, so he listened intently for Shadi’s answer.

“No, no, you misunderstand. It’s not for you to be resurrected. You’ll soon understand its purpose. It will bring you wealth, honor, power, immortality—everything you desire.”

“Really? But I feel this Resurrection Technique is not only useless but lately, these symptoms make me uneasy,” Owali said with growing concern.

“Don’t worry, there’s nothing to fear. Would I ever harm you? Let me be bold and say, I treat you as my own son. I want you to have the whole world.” Shadi grasped Owali’s hand and patted it gently, his eyes shining with paternal affection.

Liu Yunfei sensed double meanings in Shadi’s words, deepening his suspicion, but Shadi said no more, and Owali didn’t press him further. Could it be, as the old king suspected, that the goal was to make Owali king? But even that wouldn’t give him the world.

Liu Yunfei then realized he would have to revise his plan. He had never practiced this so-called Resurrection Technique; if Shadi really was a Temple of the Sun agent, all he needed to do was grasp his hand to know this was not the real Owali.