Everyone Is Non-Human Except Me [Rebirth] Chapter 76

Since the last time Wei Huan and Yun Yongzhou sat on the Lover’s Vine and viewed Shanhai, Wei Huan kept finding chances to visit Qing He at the research department. Whenever he glanced up at the Lover’s Vine, he felt everything would get better.

He would wait for the day he could fly up there himself and find Yun Yongzhou hiding.

During school, Wei Huan couldn’t leave Shanhai freely, but with Qing He here, it meant there was direct contact with the Dark Zone people. Occasionally, Wei Huan would ask Qing He about the Dark Zone organization. Qing He was cunning and sometimes truthful, sometimes evasive.

What Wei Huan did know was that even Qing He didn’t know the true identity of the Dark Zone leader.

“I tried to investigate,” Qing He said, “but the leader’s identity is very well hidden. Always wearing a mask, voice altered. I have a feeling he’s not human. But if not human, why come to the Dark Zone to form such an organization?”

It was an odd position. Wei Huan said slowly, “So, a half-demon is most likely. After all, half-demons have both human and demon blood, unable to fully blend, so they form their own factions.”

“But why would a half-demon pursue the matter of 137 so persistently?”

That question stumped Wei Huan. “You have a point.”

Who could it be? The more Wei Huan investigated, the more he felt his death was only the tip of an iceberg in the power struggles. Could this mysterious Dark Zone organization be one of these fighting factions?

Time passed quickly, and autumn was near.

Autumn felt like a signal, the closer it came, the more pain pressed on Wei Huan’s heart. His mood inevitably worsened, and he spoke much less. Even the easygoing Yang Ling noticed something was wrong.

“Recently, that dumb human talks so little,” Yang Ling whispered to Jing Yun while Wei Huan was getting food.

Jing Yun watched him from afar. “Yeah, he even stopped pulling your braid during group training.”

“Right?” Yang Ling bit his chopsticks, “Did something happen recently? Or is it some important date?”

Yan Shanyue ate quietly without a word.

After the meal, Wei Huan walked alone through the school. He wanted to find Yang Sheng to talk, but learned Yang Sheng was out on a mission with students and hadn’t returned, so he left the teaching area.

Where was Yun Yongzhou? He didn’t know what he was doing now.

Wei Huan knew the urgent matter wasn’t feelings, but he couldn’t control his mind — he kept thinking about him, wanting to see him, wanting to talk to him.

But recently Yun Yongzhou seemed busy; they hadn’t met for several days.

Wei Huan sighed and sat on a bench in front of the teaching area. The autumn wind was cool on his skin. He closed his eyes and used the blood pact’s sensing power to search for Yun Yongzhou’s trace. The place in front of him gradually restored — that house, so familiar…

It was the Prime Minister’s Mansion of the Demon Domain Federation.

Had he gone home? Or was he locked up by Yun Ting again?

Wei Huan anxiously tried to connect via heart transmission, but just as he was about to silently recite the secret command, a familiar voice spoke beside him.

“Napping here?”

He opened his eyes in surprise and saw Su Buyu’s smiling face. As always, gentle, pointing to the administrative building: “I saw you coming this way when I was upstairs. Thought you had some business, but you just sat here.”

Afraid that he might see through his flaws, Wei Huan put on his usual playful smile. “Since when have I had anything serious? I just wander around when I’m bored. Teacher Su, aren’t you busy today?”

“Hm,” Su Buyu nodded. “Today’s classes are all done. How about you? How have you been recently?”

His sudden question caught Wei Huan a bit off guard, but he kept a tough front. “Pretty good, eating well, sleeping well.”

The wind blew over, carrying the unique fresh scent of aquatic plants from Su Buyu. Wei Huan suddenly felt something strange but couldn’t put his finger on what.

There seemed to be something extra in that scent.

“That’s good. I was worried…” Su Buyu started, then suddenly changed course, “But I’ve been feeling a bit sad lately.”

Wei Huan was puzzled. “Why sad? What happened?”

Su Buyu reached up and held the mermaid pearl at his chest. “I never really felt much family warmth before, until I met someone. He accepted me unconditionally. His parents too — they cared for me almost like their own child.”

Wei Huan hadn’t expected him to say that. It hit right at the sore spot he had been feeling lately.

“Every time I went to his house, his aunt would cook a big table of delicious food for me. They celebrated my birthday, prepared surprises for me.” Su Buyu’s voice was full of fond remembrance. “But they’re gone now. Sometimes when I think about it, it still feels unreal — like a nightmare. It’s not true, I just haven’t woken up yet.”

Wei Huan’s chest tightened. His fingers gripped the edge of the bench tightly as he struggled to steady his breathing.

“Tomorrow is the anniversary of their death.”

Su Buyu finally spoke aloud the grief he had held inside for days.

He turned his face toward Wei Huan. “I don’t want to go pay respects to them alone. Do you have time to come with me?”

For a moment Wei Huan seemed to lose the ability to speak, frozen on the spot. He hadn’t expected Su Buyu to be so open with the invitation.

Does Buyu know? Has he guessed?

Should he tell him? Should he not?

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Su Buyu’s mouth curved into a small dimpled smile. “I couldn’t find anyone else. I understand — most people probably wouldn’t want to go to something like this.” He laughed softly. “It’s okay. If you don’t want to, it’s fine with me too.”

Wei Huan shook his head, frowning. “No, of course I want to… But if it’s to pay respects inside the barrier, I’m just human — I probably can’t enter it.”

Su Buyu seemed to have expected this and his expression softened. “That’s okay, I can’t enter either. We can just stay outside and look at them.”

Even if he wasn’t completely certain, Wei Huan suspected that Su Buyu was already doubting his identity. After all, they had been together since high school, like brothers. How could he not see any cracks?

Wei Huan had been drowning in his own emotions these days, and Su Buyu’s invitation now was like a lifeline pulling him out of the swamp — reminding him that he wasn’t the only one hurting. He would never be truly alone.

This secret of his identity became an unspoken understanding between them. Before going to sleep, Wei Huan thought maybe tomorrow would be a good time to be honest.

Early the next morning, Wei Huan tried to connect to Yun Yongzhou via telepathy but failed. Then he tried to send him a message:

[Instructor Yun, are you busy? I’m going to Kunlun Void with someone today. I heard there’s a new cake shop. Should I bring some back for you?]

Feeling something was off, Wei Huan deleted the message word by word and rewrote it after much thought. Finally, he settled on:

[Instructor Yun, I’m leaving campus today to go to Kunlun Void.]

He clicked send.

It felt like reporting a mission. Wei Huan sighed and pushed open the dorm door.

For some reason, he felt uneasy inside. He wasn’t sure if this unease was because of the blood contract connecting him.

Su Buyu had arrived early downstairs at the Yansui student dorm. It was the weekend and he wore casual clothes; passing girls glanced at him a few extra times.

“Morning.” Seeing Wei Huan come out, Su Buyu smiled and handed him breakfast. “Eat something.”

“Thanks.” Wei Huan wasn’t very hungry but still ate a little. Su Buyu activated the barrier traversal technique. Wei Huan thought, Yun Yongzhou was really the strangest — he disliked using barrier traversal and preferred to walk with him like two ordinary humans.

When Wei Huan came to his senses again, they were already at the Beiji Tiangui in Kunlun Void. Wei Huan’s hand clenched into a fist unconsciously — this had been his home, but now he had to rely on others just to enter the barrier.

Beiji Tiangui used to be the busiest district in Kunlun Void and an important military training base, largely due to the Nine Phoenix clan. But with the Nine Phoenix’s decline, the district faded into obscurity. Returning to his old home after many years, Wei Huan’s mood was far from what it used to be.

He fully understood that he was no longer the favored son he once was.

“Teacher Su,” Wei Huan suddenly spoke as they walked, “Why didn’t you ask Instructor Yang to come with us?” After saying this, he regretted it — Yang Sheng hadn’t reconciled with him yet and probably wouldn’t want to visit his parents.

On the street, a child ran past them against the flow of people. Su Buyu stepped aside slightly. “Yang Sheng has been on a mission these days and hasn’t returned yet. He asked me to pay respects for him. Actually, in recent years, because of some misunderstandings, Yang Sheng rarely comes with me to visit my uncle and aunt, but I know he secretly comes sometimes. The Nine Phoenix family matters…”

Su Buyu paused. “I guess you know a bit about it. Sometimes some unreasonable people leave bad things at the Nine Phoenix family’s old home, but Yang Sheng always cleans it up.”

Wei Huan felt mixed emotions inside — sadness and relief.

Thinking of Su Buyu’s tone when he mentioned the mission just now, Wei Huan couldn’t help but ask again: “Teacher Su, you and Instructor Yang were both in the Combat Preparedness group. Why did you end up not becoming an instructor but choosing to be a regular teacher instead?”

Su Buyu smiled, “Although I was in the Combat Preparedness group before, I was never the main force. Usually, I just cleaned up the mess afterward. Whether it’s close combat skills, fighting ability, or offensive and defensive strategies, I’m far behind. It’s better not to mislead others.”

Wei Huan faintly felt that these words were meant to smooth things over.

“Really? But I think Teacher Su should be very skilled.” Wei Huan smiled, “Last time at Yunsheng Jiehai Pavilion, I didn’t even see Teacher Su’s mermaid tail, which was such a pity.” He looked at Su Buyu, “I heard merfolk tails are especially beautiful. Teacher Su, can you show me next time?”

Su Buyu’s gray-green pupils trembled slightly, like a rippling lake.

“Alright. Next time for sure.”

The Nine Phoenix ancestral tomb was left by early ancestors. To ensure tranquility, they chose a very remote valley in the demon realm, hidden behind a waterfall. But as the demon realm urbanized, this ancient tomb was isolated by a protective barrier erected by the later Nine Phoenix descendants. The only entrance to the barrier was at the Nine Phoenix family residence in Beiji Tiangui.

Since the complete extinction of the Nine Phoenix clan, the Nine Phoenix residence barrier has been fully sealed. Neither Wei Huan nor Su Buyu could enter, let alone the ancient tomb. They could only look from afar outside the blue barrier. That beautiful house, like a small garden, Wei Huan had only ever returned to it once in a nightmare-like dreamscape.

Su Buyu placed the bunch of white lisianthus outside the barrier entrance and bowed deeply.

Outside the barrier entrance was very clean, as if someone had just tidied up. For some reason, Wei Huan sensed a familiar demonic aura. He tried to step closer, then retreated half a step.

It was indeed different. He looked up. White clouds floated slowly overhead. When they passed above him, they twisted and distorted slightly—hard to notice, but Wei Huan sensed it.

There was a transparent barrier here, with filters allowing only certain demons to approach.

Wei Huan had heard from Yan Shanyue that because of his “betrayal,” many had vented hatred on the Nine Phoenix clan, especially the families of demon soldiers involved in the counter-raid seven years ago. If not for Nine Phoenix’s strong spiritual barrier, this house wouldn’t have lasted.

But now it looked peaceful here, somewhat different from what Nine Tails said.

Could it be because of this transparent barrier?

Wei Huan reached out, sensing the spiritual energy swirling around him. Time seemed to slow. These transparent spiritual energies began to show traces; Wei Huan could sense their flow direction. They bypassed Su Buyu but gathered around Wei Huan, passing through his body and returning to the barrier.

This was from the same root as the demon power on him.

It was the spiritual energy of the Golden Crow.

Wei Huan was puzzled; he didn’t understand why. Why was Yun Yongzhao protecting the Nine Phoenix barrier? All these tangled thoughts left him momentarily at a loss.

According to the dark witch princess Sha Hua, Yun Yongzhao had been to Wuqi. Could he be the one who summoned Wei Huan’s soul? But Su Buyu had also been there. If it was one of them, Wei Huan tended to think it was Su Buyu.

After finishing the ritual, Su Buyu straightened up and held Wei Huan’s arm.

Suddenly, Wei Huan spoke, “Teacher Su, you smell of flowers.”

Su Buyu was stunned, “Really?” He looked down and opened his arms, smiling, “Probably the scent of the lisianthus. It really smells nice.”

“No.”

Since yesterday, Wei Huan felt something off. Before, he didn’t notice, partly because he had never been to Wuqi. But now he had been.

It was the scent of bian flowers.

At that moment, a sudden explosive sound of collapse erupted somewhere, interrupting their conversation. Su Buyu looked up, searching around, finding the explosion’s origin, “Is it inside the Nine Phoenix barrier?”

“No way…” Wei Huan’s pupils dilated.

The ring on his middle finger buzzed, flashing a first-level alert red light. Wei Huan connected the communication and changed into his combat suit. On the other end was Yang Sheng, “What’s going on?”

“Wei Huan, there’s trouble.” Yang Sheng sounded very anxious. “It seems someone has broken into your home.”

Wei Huan was shocked, “Impossible! No one can get in!”

“Yes, I don’t know either,” Yang Sheng explained. “I’ve been monitoring with surveillance. Someone really got in. More than one, actually. I suspect their target is the Nine Phoenix ancestral tomb. Listen, these definitely aren’t ordinary demons or humans.”

Wei Huan already had an answer in his heart. “Demonic puppets. That demonic puppet from last time.”

He had Nine Phoenix demon power, so he could easily enter the Nine Phoenix barrier.

“Very likely. I’ve notified the others in your Group Seven. They’re on their way. Where are you now?”

“I’m here. There was just an explosion inside.” Wei Huan said as he took out the cubic exoskeleton he recently got from Fangcheng but hadn’t tested yet. He turned it on and quickly put it on.

Su Buyu grabbed his arm, “What are you going to do?”

Yang Sheng said on the other end that he was rushing over and told him to stay put. Wei Huan cut off the comms, his gaze cold, “I’m going in.”

“You can’t get in. Wait, I’ll contact the Combat Preparedness group on duty here.” Before Su Buyu could act, Wei Huan coldly said, “Teacher Su, come behind me.”

Su Buyu looked up and saw over a hundred glowing blades poised and ready behind Wei Huan, their sharp tips aimed at the blue barrier entrance.

He looked just like another Yun Yongzhao.

Su Buyu’s feelings were complicated, but he still tried to stop Wei Huan, “Don’t act rashly! Don’t you know how strong the Nine Phoenix barrier’s spiritual energy is? If you attack recklessly, it will backfire on you.”

But Wei Huan wouldn’t listen at all now.

The blades behind him shot like arrows at the barrier’s gate.

“You’re crazy! You’re just a human right now!”

Wei Huan’s whole body was burning with sharp pain. He clutched his chest, then turned to Su Buyu with a smile, “So you really recognized me.”

After speaking, he raised both hands, and golden crow flames erupted all over him. The overwhelming blazing fire, together with blades of light, surged like a tornado toward the barrier gate.

“Wei Huan!” Su Buyu completely gave up disguising himself and tried to stop him. But in the next moment, four golden walls suddenly appeared around Su Buyu — like a barrier, or rather, a shield.

“Buyu,” pain made sweat bead finely on his temples, “you can’t stop me.”

Su Buyu summoned water spirit energy but couldn’t break through the golden shield walls Wei Huan set up for him. Wei Huan knew very well that with only the power of the ring and the blood pact’s golden crow force within him, it was absolutely insufficient to break the Nine Phoenix barrier.

He stretched out his palm and pressed against the transparent barrier that no one but him could see. The blood inside his body began to boil, the golden crow force swirling violently within. In an instant, the originally transparent barrier turned golden, then became a flowing golden stream of light. Wei Huan closed his eyes, letting his blood guide him to feel all the golden crow spiritual power here.

Suddenly, the golden stream of light seemed to find an outlet and surged one after another into Wei Huan’s palm.

The next moment, Wei Huan swung his arm down, and a huge golden greatsword appeared in his hand.

“No!” Su Buyu summoned spirit energy as a torrent suddenly appeared before Wei Huan, trying to block his path. “No, if you strike with that blade, you won’t keep even half your life!”

The torrent lashed against his body, making it hard for him to advance, but Wei Huan stubbornly pressed forward. The AI system inside his mechanical exoskeleton analyzed the situation, but Wei Huan didn’t hear a word. He raised his hand high, the giant greatsword spinning once in his palm before he gripped it with both hands.

“This is Nine Phoenix’s home,” golden light shimmered in Wei Huan’s eyes, “I, Nine Phoenix, cannot stay out.”

“What a joke!”

He slashed the blue barrier gate with one stroke. The collision between the golden demon power and the blue light emitted a massive shockwave, pushing back the torrent and Wei Huan together. Wei Huan half-kneeling in the water, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

“Analyzing battle damage: 34% coverage damaged, vital organs severely injured. Please stop attacking and seek immediate treatment.”

“Shut up.” Wei Huan raised his head, staring at the cracks on the barrier gate. He staggered to his feet; the golden greatsword dragged through the water, making a sharp scraping sound. He took a deep breath and stepped forward toward the Nine Phoenix clan’s barrier gate.

Su Buyu transformed countless ice spikes, trying to pierce the four golden light shields. The spikes left crack after crack.

Almost succeeded.

Wei Huan raised both arms and brought down a fierce slash, cutting through the torrent around him. The powerful light energy collided again with Nine Phoenix’s blue demon power, erupting once more. This time the impact was even more terrifying, throwing Wei Huan’s body back.

“Ah Huan!”

At the last moment, Su Buyu reached out his hand. Warm spring water surged from his palm toward the flying Wei Huan.

But it was too late.

The immense pain blurred Wei Huan’s consciousness. He thought he would fall hard to the ground but instead was lifted again. Strong hands wrapped tightly around his waist. When he looked up, his vision blurred by red blood was the pure white wings and the figure of Yun Yongzhao.

“You…”

“Don’t speak.”

Yun Yongzhao’s face had completely changed. His whole body showed signs of demon transformation. The flame demon mark on his forehead spread to his right eye, the golden Xihe pupil shining like the sun.

His hair instantly changed from brown to pure silver, growing down to his waist. Even the previous Wei Huan had only seen this fully demonized state once.

In the high sky, facing the huge hemispherical blue barrier, Yun Yongzhao extended his left hand. Wei Huan felt the spirit energy from the hand holding him—scorching hot, like an eternal sun. Countless golden light cones rained down densely, weaving a hemispherical golden net in the air, enveloping the entire Nine Phoenix barrier.

“No, Yun Yongzhao,” Wei Huan was helpless, “You can’t do this, you’ll suffer backlash! I’m not going in! I won’t go in…”

“No.” Yun Yongzhao’s expression was blank. As his hand fell, all the light cones plunged sharply into the barrier. The light was so strong it nearly blinded him; all he saw was void and blankness. In that nothingness, he heard Yun Yongzhao’s voice:

“I said I would take you home.”

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