Chapter Sixty: Unveiling the Truth

At this moment, Ganyu was already sobbing uncontrollably. She gazed at Ganying with a dazed expression and said, “Brother, have you finally understood?”

Ganying nodded numbly and replied, “Even if he truly is as wicked as a demon, he has suffered the consequences he deserves. Master Mo has already struck him so hard that he cannot even rise from his bed. Though he is not our father by blood, he has raised us all these years, and that is enough. Let him live out his remaining days in peace.” After uttering these words, Master Gan suddenly seemed to age many years, slumping despondently into the master’s chair, his head bowed in silence.

Though Jun Bullet was also shaken by the bewildering events, he was a man of keen perception. He asked, “Young Master Wu, it seems you mentioned earlier that this demon was plotting some kind of sinister scheme. What exactly is it?”

Wuluohua gave Jun Bullet a respectful salute and said, “Mr. Jun, you are indeed astute. Master Gan, your mission is not yet complete, for the demon is not dead—he is right here!”

Ganying, battered by blow after blow, was nearly broken. Upon hearing Wuluohua’s words, it was as if he received a dose of elixir. He asked, “Young Master Wu, what do you mean?”

Wuluohua lifted his folded fan and pointed coldly at someone. “He is the true demon!” As he spoke, Wuluohua carefully stepped in front of Ganyu to shield her.

Everyone followed his gesture, astonished. Ganying and the others looked as well, and he found himself dumbfounded, for the person indicated was none other than today’s bridegroom, the young master of the Deng family.

At that moment, the elder of the Deng family could endure no more. He suddenly stood up and shouted, “Boy from the Wu family, if you want to discuss matters of the Gan Fortress, keep it to this place. What does this have to do with my child?”

Mo Bai smiled faintly and said, “Elder, do not be hasty. Why don’t you ask your beloved child about some events from the past that only you would know?”

The young master Deng, who had remained silent at the side, suddenly paled. He spoke, “Brother, do not speak recklessly. I, Deng Yong, am merely marrying into the Gan family. I know little about the affairs of the Gan Fortress and have only met Miss Gan for the first time today. How could I possibly be this so-called demon I’ve never even heard of?”

The Deng family elder immediately added, “That’s right, that’s right. This is my Yong’er’s voice—I can recognize it.”

Mo Bai took several steps forward, standing before the Gan family and said, “The demon truly lives up to his name. Not only can he craft masks indistinguishable from the real person, but he can also perfectly imitate another’s voice and mannerisms in such a short time. Worthy indeed of being one of the nine great fiends.”

Deng Yong sighed, “You speak nonsense. If I were the demon, then who is the lord of Gan Fortress? Your story makes no sense—you are only contradicting yourself.” As he finished, many villagers nodded in agreement, and even the Gan siblings looked perplexed.

Mo Bai smiled, “There’s no need for haste, everyone. Look—who is that?”

He turned his gaze toward the entrance. There, a lively young girl with long hair was carrying a person on her back, entering at a slow pace. She complained as she walked, “Whew, Brother Mo, don’t give me such hard work next time. I’m exhausted—he’s as heavy as a dead pig.” With that, she tossed the person forward.

Mo Bai quietly summoned a thread of spiritual energy, gently cushioning the person Nalan Xiner had thrown so he landed softly on the ground.

The crowd erupted, “Gan Sen? No, wait, is it the demon? Who is he?” A wave of confusion swept over them.

Mo Bai explained, “This is the real Young Master Deng.”

Someone immediately objected, “How is that possible? He’s obviously Master Gan Sen, or at most, the demon you mentioned.”

Mo Bai replied, “The demon’s true skill lies not only in transforming himself into another’s likeness, but also in changing one person into the appearance of someone else. He’s been planning this for a long time. But even the wisest can make a mistake. He revealed his spiritual aura too soon and should not have used me as a pawn in his feigned illness.”

Young Master Deng snorted, “You can speculate as you wish, but everyone here can see the truth with their own eyes.”

Mo Bai smiled, “Your confidence is understandable. No one can break your disguise technique—yet that does not absolve you of these heinous crimes.”

He paused and continued, “Twenty years ago, during the five great spiritual sects’ campaign to destroy the demon, the fiend encountered the lord of Gan Fortress returning from abroad. Using his spiritual arts, he subdued the lord, transformed him into his own likeness, and then used various tricks to convince the five sects they had killed the demon. He intended to disappear forever. But upon learning the true identity of the fortress lord, he secretly made his way to Gan Fortress outside Guihai City. The moment the demon beheld the beauty of Lady Gan, he was overcome by desire. Lady Gan, seeing her long-absent husband, greeted him warmly, never suspecting the truth. But that very night, as she lay with the demon, she discerned he was not her husband. She pieced together the truth and bore her shame in silence, waiting for a chance to avenge her true husband. Yet, for the safety of her children and Ganying’s temperament, all she could do was endure in secret. Her suffering wore her down until she died in sorrow, but before her death, she confided the truth to Miss Gan in veiled words.”

At this, Mo Bai glanced at Miss Gan and went on, “Perhaps at the time, Miss Gan did not understand her mother’s meaning. But as she grew older, she gradually realized the truth. When the demon saw that the grown Miss Gan surpassed even her mother in beauty, his evil desire was rekindled, and he began to plot how to seize her for himself.”

“So, he devised this elaborate scheme. First, he found a suitor for Miss Gan, planning to kill the bridegroom and then feign his own death. He would then transform into the bridegroom and thus, with a flawless plan, take Miss Gan for himself. Is that not so, demon?” Mo Bai smiled at the so-called ‘Young Master Deng.’

Deng’s face darkened, but he persisted, “It is an entertaining tale, but a story is just a story, not reality.”

Mo Bai mused, “Is that so? Perhaps my appearance was merely a twist in your story, though not as perfect as you imagined. Last night, you twice snuck into Deng Village—first to abduct, then to hide. You thought your actions seamless, but fate has its own designs.”

By now, everyone understood the truth. The Deng family elder gazed stupidly at Deng Yong and murmured, “This is my Yong’er, unchanged. Yong’er, do you remember when you were ten and we went to the river together? You caught so many fish with me—I was so happy then.”

Deng Yong replied, “Of course Yong’er remembers. How could I forget?”

The elder staggered back as if struck by thunder, retreating over ten paces. With sorrow, he said, “My Yong’er has feared water since childhood. How could he have gone fishing with me by the river? Alas!”

The so-called ‘Young Master Deng’ was stunned, suddenly realizing the old man had tricked him. Yet he forced himself to remain calm and argued, “Perhaps your memory fails you, old man, especially after such a tumultuous day.”

Seeing the old man shake his head, Mo Bai finally declared, “Enough, demon. The act is over. You are thoroughly exposed. If you persist, I will make you surrender completely.” Gesturing to Nalan Xiner behind him, he asked, “Do you know who she is? You should take a good look into her eyes.”

When the ‘Young Master Deng’ met Nalan Xiner’s gaze, he recoiled in shock, muttering, “Nalan Violet Eyes, Nalan Violet Eyes!” With that one phrase, he betrayed himself—for how could an ordinary villager know of the Nalan family’s spiritual bloodline?

Mo Bai said firmly, “You know well what the Nalan Violet Eyes can see, do you not?”

The ‘Young Master Deng’ stammered, “Nonsense. That’s fake! I am Deng Yong—I am Deng Yong! You have no proof, no proof!”

Mo Bai sighed and shook his head. “This is the eldest son of the Wu family, masters of spiritual arts. Surely you know the Wu family possesses something that can undo your transformation magic?”

At these words, the ‘Young Master Deng’s’ face turned ashen.

PS: Sixty chapters in January. With the new book period over and no interruptions in July, I hope this will lay a solid foundation for the future.