Everyone Is Non-Human Except Me [Rebirth] Chapter 49

“Ah Huan!”

Jing Yun’s voice snapped Wei Huan out of his thoughts. He looked up to see the other three staring at him.

“What’s wrong?” Su Buyu asked. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Wei Huan’s expression was dazed. His mind was a mess, and his heart was pounding.

How could he have forgotten all of that?

“I’m fine.” He shook his head. “I just remembered I have something to take care of. You guys keep having fun. I might need to head back.”

Jing Yun looked disappointed. “You’re going to abandon us?”

Wei Huan felt like he was going mad. Just looking at Jing Yun made him think of Yun Yongzhou—of those amber eyes slowly opening as he sank to the seabed, looking at him.

Are you going to leave me behind?

No. He forced the image out of his mind, took a deep breath, and smiled at Jing Yun. “Next time I’ll definitely catch jellyfish with you. Anyway, Instructor Yang’s here, and so is Teacher Su.”

“Be careful on your way back,” Yang Sheng said with a nod, then turned to comfort Jing Yun. “Let’s go. There’s an underwater amusement park on the fifteenth level—I’ll take you.”

Su Buyu spoke up. “You guys wait here at this submarine station. I’ll take him up first.”

Wei Huan didn’t object and let Su Buyu escort him back to the first level. He was silent the whole way, his mind replaying the scene in the spiral mirror valley—him passing his breath to Yun Yongzhou, pulling him upward…

Then what?

What happened after that?

His memory cut off again.

Without more air, he couldn’t have lasted long underwater. So did he manage to bring Yun Yongzhou back up first, or did Yun Yongzhou awaken thanks to the mermaid scale?

“Why the frown?”

Su Buyu’s gentle voice broke through, and Wei Huan quickly smoothed his expression. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking it’s a bit of a shame.”

Su Buyu gave him a soft smile. “You don’t actually have anything urgent to do, do you?”

Just like when he disciplined that student earlier—Su Buyu always exposed the truth in the gentlest way, leaving no room to resist. Wei Huan looked at him and admitted, “No, actually…”

He touched his own forehead. “Teacher Su, you probably know about my pact with Instructor Yun. There’s still some of his demonic energy in my body, and it might conflict with the mermaid scale’s properties. I think I’d better not go back down and risk causing trouble for you all.”

Blaming it on the pact seemed safest—Su Buyu already knew about it anyway.

After speaking, he swam to shore. When Su Buyu came up too, they walked together to the entrance of Shangshan Academy.

Su Buyu opened the barrier and walked out with him. “Are you really heading back?”

Wei Huan nodded and removed the mermaid scale from his forehead, returning it to Su Buyu. “Thank you.”

Su Buyu lowered his gaze to the scale in Wei Huan’s hand and was silent for a while.

“Once a mermaid scale leaves me, it can’t be returned. Keep it,” he said, lifting his eyes. “Or throw it away.”

Wei Huan met his gaze, then withdrew his hand. He smiled, genuine and bright. “Then I’ll keep it safe.”

Looking at that familiar smile, Su Buyu felt his heart clench.

Again.

He wished Wei Huan wouldn’t smile at him like that. Wouldn’t say such things that kept his foolish hope alive.

Just as Wei Huan was about to turn and leave, Su Buyu suddenly called after him.

Wei Huan turned back. Su Buyu’s sea-green eyes were filled with an unreadable emotion, like he had something he wanted to say. Wei Huan couldn’t help but ask, “Teacher Su?”

Su Buyu felt his emotions spilling over, all the careful ripples he’d hidden in his heart swelling into a storm, desperate to break free. If only the world held no one but the two of them.

He looked into Wei Huan’s eyes. Thoughts screamed in his head: Say it. Say everything now, and nothing will be the same.

I know who you are.

I know everything.

I…

“Teacher Su, are you alright?”

Wei Huan looked at him with some concern. But Su Buyu quickly regained composure, pulling himself back from the edge. He forced a calm smile and softened his tone.

Even though a tsunami had just passed through his chest.

“I need your help with something. Could you come to Shangshan tomorrow at 7 p.m.?” He abandoned all the emotional confessions and switched to a teacher’s normal, casual request.

Wei Huan didn’t hesitate. He grinned cheerfully. “Of course. What do you need help with?”

“I’ll tell you when you get here,” Su Buyu said gently. “Right here—I’ll be waiting.”

“Alright.” Just then, Wei Huan received a call request. He quickly checked—it was Qing He. With no time to say more to Su Buyu, Wei Huan hastily parted from him. “Teacher, I really have something urgent right now. I’ll definitely come tomorrow!”

After leaving Shangshan, he found a secluded spot and only dared to answer after confirming there was no one around. Wei Huan noticed the background behind Qing He was different from before, so he asked first, “Why did you contact me suddenly? Where are you now?”

“Did you find that person?” Qing He ignored his question entirely and directly demanded the answer.

Wei Huan still had some patience. He explained, “I looked for you. It’s a middle-aged man with a lame leg, right?”

Qing He’s expression changed, as if recalling something unpleasant. He replied hastily, “Yes, lame. Where is he now? Did you find him?”

Wei Huan didn’t understand why Qing He was so fixated on this man rather than Yan Shanmo, who had actually harmed him. It was as if he didn’t care about that at all.

“I’ve only been able to track part of it down. His name is Old Hei. He’s now working under Yan Ping of the Nine-Tails. You might not know, but Yan Ping’s identity is complicated. Publicly, he’s a major figure in the demon realm’s food industry, but privately he has close and shady dealings with the dark zones and the human world—things like human trafficking, and he’s deeply tied to Research Facility 137. Old Hei is now one of his most trusted men. If you really insist on meeting him, I think it’s going to be difficult.”

“I must find him.” Qing He’s tone left no room for argument. His gaze drifted aside, as if he were thinking about something.

“If you need help, I’m willing to assist.” Wei Huan wasn’t sure if it was overflowing sympathy, but he kept thinking about the images he’d seen when he borrowed Qing He’s vision—the child being tortured. By all rights, Qing He should hate Yan Shanmo, or the entire Nine-Tails group. But his current attitude didn’t seem like hatred at all.

No—it wasn’t that he didn’t hate Yan Shanmo, but rather that hatred wasn’t his most pressing need right now.

Qing He seemed to snap out of his thoughts and returned to his usual demeanor. Clearly, he wasn’t ready to reveal too much. “Let’s talk about your matter first.”

Wei Huan could understand. After all, he himself was hiding things too. Up to now, they’d only treated each other as tools for information exchange.

“I remember telling you before—your identity data in this body had been erased. Tracing the deletion pattern, I found a few broken links. One of them is a complete barrier. It’s invisible, and I couldn’t trace anything past it—but I came up with another method.”

“What method?” Wei Huan asked.

“Since this barrier was built by someone connected to 137, and 137 is a biotech research facility with only a few departments related to cybersecurity, I had no choice but to force him out.”

Wei Huan instantly understood. In Qing He’s plan, the person responsible for this final broken link was connected to 137, possibly even an insider. So he decided to provoke them by attacking their cybersecurity system to flush the person out.

No wonder he wasn’t with the organization anymore—it was because of this. Wei Huan hadn’t expected Qing He to go so far to help him investigate his identity. He’d thought someone like Qing He wouldn’t take it to heart.

“This is too dangerous. Once you force him out, he’ll definitely trace it back to you.”

Qing He shook his head. “I’ve been careful. He won’t find me easily.”

Soon, Wei Huan received an encrypted file. He heard Qing He say, “This is what I found. He’s the one who erased and concealed your identity. He’s just an ordinary employee in 137’s cybersecurity department. You’d better find him quickly, in case he discovers my motive.”

Wei Huan was still worried. “What about you?”

But Qing He seemed unfazed. “Hiding my identity is what I do best. You just worry about yourself. And don’t make such a scene when you go find him. After you and Ah Zu went to that building last time, their entire defense system has been upgraded.”

That didn’t surprise Wei Huan. “So what’s your plan now?”

“The boss said he’d find someone to take me to the demon realm to lay low for a while.” Qing He frowned. “I really didn’t want to go to that place. I resisted at first, but thinking it over now…” He suddenly laughed. “It’s just right.”

Could he be planning to look for Old Hei himself?

Wait—his ‘boss’ must be the leader of their secret organization. But how could he get someone to take Qing He to the demon realm? Could it be that he holds some status there—or maybe he’s not even human?

“Your boss can take you into the demon realm?” Wei Huan questioned. “Aren’t you guys a human organization?”

Qing He looked surprised too. “Ah Zu didn’t tell you? Our boss isn’t human.”

Wei Huan was completely shocked. “Not human?! Then is he a demon?”

“Half-demon, I think.” Qing He didn’t seem entirely sure. “I’ve never seen him use demonic power, but the half-demons in the organization say he has demon energy—not a lot, so probably a half-demon.”

“What’s his name?” Wei Huan asked.

Qing He raised an eyebrow. “Why are you asking so much? Why should I tell you?”

He had a point. Compared to someone he wasn’t that close to, Qing He—being naturally suspicious—would clearly choose to protect the organization’s secrets.

“You’re right. I’m just curious about him. But no matter what, if you really go to the demon realm, you must tell me.” Wei Huan’s expression was serious, and his tone even more so. “And if you’re going to look for Old Hei, you have to take me with you. Don’t act alone.”

“Why?” Qing He gave him a teasing grin, replacing his mask with a black eyepatch that covered the demon mark on his face, leaving just a faint edge visible. “Why are you being so sincere with me? Acting like we’ve been through life and death together. Are we even that close?”

The words were sharp, but Wei Huan didn’t get angry. He just became even calmer. “You’re going to need me. After all, by then, we’ll both be humans in the demon realm.”

Qing He’s expression shifted slightly. He lowered his head and muttered under his breath, “Nag.”

“You’re not the first to call me that,” Wei Huan raised his eyebrows as if he’d just been complimented.

“I’m not wasting time talking to you,” Qing He was about to hang up, giving Wei Huan no chance to respond. As Wei Huan babbled on from the other end, Qing He glanced at the mess of notes scribbled across his desk.

“Hey? Weren’t you about to hang up?” Wei Huan was shameless. “I think I’ve got you figured out—you’ve got a sharp tongue but a soft heart, you—”

“There actually is something you might be able to help with,” Qing He admitted reluctantly. “Though honestly, it’s a long shot. I doubt you can do much, but since you keep volunteering so eagerly, I might as well tell you.”

So I begged for the job, huh. Wei Huan chuckled. “Alright, shoot. Let’s see if I’m any use.”

Qing He looked down. “I… I heard there might be a way to bring the dead back to life.”

Just that one sentence made Wei Huan’s heart jolt.

“Of course, I don’t really believe it myself. I don’t even know if he’s really dead. I just… want to try finding out.”

Qing He hesitated again and again, as though struggling in the grip of painful emotions. His rational mind forced the rest out. “I’ve tried everything else and failed. But I heard that in the Demon Realm, there’s a ritual to call back human souls. It’s called Soul Summoning. I don’t know if it’s real, but since people say it exists… I want to try.”

Soul summoning?

Wei Huan felt like Qing He was still talking, but he couldn’t hear a word.

Calling back a human soul…

So there really is such a legend. And he had never heard of it. If human souls could be summoned, what about demons? Could it be that someone had used that ritual… to bring him back?

As Qing He was still agonizing over this desperate, near-hopeless possibility, Wei Huan responded first.

“I’ll do everything I can to help you look into it.”

After the call ended, Wei Huan walked back toward the dorms, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts about soul summoning. Just as he entered the barrier around Yansui’s domain, he heard Yun Yongzhou’s voice. He turned around abruptly—no one was there.

He glanced around but still saw no sign of Yun Yongzhou.

[Where are you?]

The voice came again—Wei Huan then realized it was the mind-link. He quickly replied.

[On the way back to the dorm. What’s up?]

He thought Yun Yongzhou had something urgent to say, but to his surprise, the man’s tone was stiff and awkward:

[I haven’t eaten yet. That noodle dish you made last time was… barely edible.]

What?

Wei Huan couldn’t help laughing. What was with this little master—couldn’t he just talk normally?

If anyone else had said something like that, Wei Huan would’ve been furious. Who did they think they were, bossing around a proud Nine Phoenix like him? But it just had to be Yun Yongzhou.

He didn’t feel angry at all. In fact, he even forgot about soul summoning—he only wanted to tease him.

[I agree, it was only barely edible. Instructor Yun, if you don’t want to go out, you could order takeout. I’ll wait at the Shanhai gate and deliver it right to you. How about that?]

The line went quiet for a moment. Then Yun Yongzhou spoke in a sullen voice.

[The noodles you made last time… were pretty good. I want some. Come find me.]

See? Wouldn’t it be easier if you just said that from the start? Wei Huan nearly grinned ear to ear.

Only he, little Nine Phoenix, could take on this glorious mission of treating this golden-crow prince’s tsundere syndrome.

Somehow, his thoughts took a strange turn. He suddenly recalled that memory from the Yunsheng Jiehai Pavilion—when he had helped Yun Yongzhou pass on his breath. That scene wouldn’t leave his mind.

Unconsciously, he licked his lips. The playful mood from earlier instantly turned awkward. It was just a helpful gesture, but why did thinking about it now feel so…

He shook his head, trying to clear the weird junk from his brain.

[You don’t want to come, do you?]

Yun Yongzhou’s voice came again—low, heavy, like a rain-laden cloud.

[No,] Wei Huan blurted out without thinking. [I want to…]

Too fast. He realized he was way too eager—kind of embarrassing. He’d been so lost in thought, he’d forgotten to answer earlier, and now he’d fallen right into his trap. Anytime Yun Yongzhou was involved, Wei Huan lost all his composure.

Yun Yongzhou’s reply came through the telepathic link. For some reason, Wei Huan could feel he was happy. Or maybe he was just imagining it.

[I’ll wait for you.]

When Wei Huan arrived at Yun Yongzhou’s dorm building, he heard someone calling his name from behind. Turning around, he was surprised to see his homeroom teacher—Xing Yan, the boisterous, hot-blooded man.

Despite being reluctant, Wei Huan had no choice but to share the same elevator with him out of respect. After the doors closed, both of them stood in unbearable awkwardness.

Unexpectedly, it was Xing Yan who broke the silence.

“You’re here to see Instructor Yun?”

Wei Huan gave an awkward smile. “Uh… just dropping something off for him…”

“Really?” Xing Yan looked puzzled. “Didn’t he say you were staying over tonight?”

“What?!” Wei Huan’s face was a mix of shock and disbelief.

When did I say I was staying over?!

But he didn’t dare contradict Yun Yongzhou in front of Xing Yan—especially since they were colleagues. Who knew what kind of gossip might spread? So he forced a fake smile and said something he didn’t mean.

“Teacher Xing… how did you know that?”

Xing Yan laughed heartily. “Total coincidence. I ran into him this morning. The higher-ups assigned me to do a patrol tonight with the students. I casually mentioned, ‘That human kid in my class probably has nowhere to go during break, I’ll take him with me.’ Then little Yun came right up and said—very seriously,” Xing Yan’s face dropped into a perfect imitation of Yun Yongzhou’s signature frosty expression, “‘He’ll be with me tonight.’”

After he finished, Xing Yan shrugged. “So I switched to a different student.”

This happened in the morning? But in the morning, he was still at Yun Yongzhou’s place.

So… he thought I was going to stay at his place for the whole weekend?

Ding — the elevator doors opened. Xing Yan was about to step out, and Wei Huan quickly seized the last opportunity to explain, “No, Teacher Xing, I’m not staying the night at Instructor Yun’s. I—”

“Alright, I don’t want to keep playing babysitter for you two over the weekend. I need my rest too, don’t report everything to me.” Xing Yan turned back and winked at him. “You two enjoy your break.”

You two???

No way—this greasy uncle definitely couldn’t be the same angry, roaring homeroom teacher I know.

Feeling like his innocence had been unjustly taken, Wei Huan trudged to Yun Yongzhou’s door in despair. He had barely stood there for a second before the door opened by itself. Wei Huan stepped in and instinctively slipped on the light blue cotton slippers he’d worn before leaving. As he shut the door, all the complaints he had lined up vanished. What came out instead was something entirely different: “Do you ever actually close this door properly? Aren’t you worried about getting robbed?”

Yun Yongzhou came out of the kitchen holding a glass of water, long legs moving at a relaxed pace. He was wearing the same silver-rimmed glasses Wei Huan had seen him wear the first time they connected telepathically.

Wei Huan glanced at him and still thought—he looked really good.

He figured there was no saving himself—he was a hopeless face-con.

Forget it. With a face like that, who cares about lost innocence?

“You want to eat now? I’ll cook.”

Yun Yongzhou sat down on the sofa. “Yes.”

“Alright.” Wei Huan answered obediently, shrugged off his light jacket and placed it on the sofa armrest. Familiar with the setup, he headed into the kitchen. “I’ll finish cooking soon. Then I’ll head back and won’t bother your rest.”

He was just three steps from the kitchen when—bang!—the door slammed shut. Wei Huan stood there, baffled, watching as a thin strand of glowing rope unwound from the doorknob, slipped past him, and looped around behind.

“I don’t feel like eating anymore.”

What the h*ll?

What’s with this guy? What does he even mean?

Wei Huan’s temper flared instantly.

Here he was, a dignified little Nine Phoenix, coming over to cook like a housemaid without complaint—ready to slave away—and this guy’s treating dinner like some on-off switch? Is he just messing with him?

Fuming, he turned around and saw Yun Yongzhou still sitting on the sofa, head turned toward the window, saying nothing.

Yun Yongzhou had a vague sense he’d said something wrong, but couldn’t figure out what. He quickly tried to recall—he’d barely said anything, so how did he manage to piss Wei Huan off?

“You clearly don’t want to eat.” Wei Huan stormed over to the sofa, angrily picked up his jacket. “I won’t serve you anymore. I’m going home.”

But before he could take two steps, a glowing strand shot out and, in a flash, tied him up from head to toe. Legs tangled, Wei Huan was yanked forward like a falling log—straight onto Yun Yongzhou.

Yun Yongzhou, still seated on the sofa, was completely caught off guard. His hand jerked, and the water in his glass spilled all over Wei Huan’s back like a heavy downpour.

To be exact, half of Wei Huan’s body was slumped on the floor. But his head—his very expressive head—had landed right between Yun Yongzhou’s thighs.

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