Chapter 1510 – Decimating Nie Liang, Attacking Yang Tao, Sword Aimed at the World (49)
The system, acting as a bug listener, tightly controlled the movements and conversations of Nie Liang and Wei Ying.
Upon learning their plans, the system gleefully told Nie Yang, “They’re about to strike! Wei Ying is planning to have Nie Qing take Fu Ling back, using a pretext to keep you behind. You need to swap identities in the next two days, or you will miss your chance.”
After taking some time to adapt, Nie Yang was no longer as resistant and uncomfortable as he had been at first.
“I understand. To be safe, I plan to make my move on the last night.”
If he swapped identities too soon, Nie Qing would definitely raise a fuss, ruining his plans instead.
It was better to choose the last night for the swap, waiting for Nie Qing to wake up, only to face his own father-in-law’s executioner’s blade.
Thinking of that scenario, Nie Yang laughed until he was in tears, causing the system to secretly marvel at his ruthlessness.
On the last night before Fu Ling returned home, Nie Yang found an excuse to stay in Nie Qing’s tent, where the two brothers discussed many matters late into the night.
Before long, Nie Qing fell into a deep sleep, while the feigning-asleep Nie Yang opened his eyes.
He took out two pills the size of longan, which were the Disguise Pills gifted by the system.
After confirming how to use them, the system kindly provided him with a bottle of sleep-inducing powder that would put someone into a deep slumber.
To activate the Disguise Pills, he needed to obtain the target’s blood and mix it with the pills before consuming.
Nie Qing wasn’t completely asleep; if he took blood directly, he’d likely wake up in a panic.
Nie Yang nervously cut Nie Qing’s fingertip and then gave himself a little prick.
He mixed Nie Qing’s blood with the pills and swallowed them. Before long, his slightly thin body filled out a bit, and his skin seemed to squirm, making anyone who saw it shudder in horror. Once the squirming calmed down, Nie Yang got up to look in the bronze mirror, seeing Nie Qing’s face staring back at him.
“Indeed—”
What kind of aberration was this system, possessing such bizarre abilities?
Not only his face, body, and skin but even his eyes and aura were indistinguishable from Nie Qing’s.
The system reminded him, “As the saying goes, one’s appearance reflects one’s heart; you must control your inner thoughts, or you’ll easily be discovered.”
With such a resemblance, it was solely due to the Disguise Pills’ magical effects, and as Nie Yang adapted, his aura would also change, revealing flaws.
But that was no concern. Nie Yang would replace Nie Qing in taking Fu Ling home, temporarily distancing himself from Wei Ying, so the old fox wouldn’t notice.
Nie Yang’s eyelids drooped, “I understand. I’ll be careful.”
He gave another pill to Nie Qing; the other was sleeping so deeply that Nie Yang watched as he transformed into his own likeness.
After ensuring it was accurate, Nie Yang went back to sleep, but his mind was filled with thoughts, and he couldn’t fall asleep, staying awake until dawn.
That night, not only did Nie Yang struggle to sleep, but Wei Ying was also restless.
“Lord!!!”
Wei Ying’s voice was thick with tears as he clutched the nearly skeletal hand of Nie Liang, trying to keep him awake.
Nie Liang’s breath was weak; for some reason, a surge of strength rushed through his almost withered body, giving him the energy to speak.
“Zi Shun… take good care of… Qing’er… if anything happens, don’t hesitate to scold and teach him…” Nie Liang felt that surge of strength rapidly waning, and instinctively tightened his grip on Wei Ying’s hand, saying, “…If the Nie Clan cannot be saved… then let it be…”
Nie Liang had sacrificed his life for the Nie Clan, but he couldn’t let his friends suffer because of him.
Wei Ying nodded repeatedly, agreeing to everything Nie Liang said.
“With a true friend like you… this life… is not in vain…”
The last few words were said softly.
Wei Ying replied, “So do I.”
After he answered, he realized Nie Liang had closed his eyes, and the hand that had been raised relaxed its grip.
A pang of fear struck his heart, and Wei Ying knelt beside the bed, stunned for a long time before finally reacting and leaning to the side, suppressing his sobs.
Not long after, Fan Chen arrived late.
Seeing Wei Ying’s state, he could only guess what had happened, darkness clouding his vision as he nearly fainted.
“Zi Shun… regarding the lord’s funeral…”
Fan Chen stepped forward, nearly staggering to the ground, realizing his legs had gone weak.
“Follow the plan.” Wei Ying suppressed his sorrow, speaking hoarsely, “The lord hasn’t gone far; we mustn’t let him worry.”
The trap had been set; they just waited for their prey to bite.
As dawn broke, Nie Yang rose to dress Nie Qing in mourning clothes, revealing a flawless shallow smile in the mirror…
However, today was the day for taking Fu Ling home, so he decided to forgo the smile.
Instead, Nie Yang switched to a sorrowful and quiet expression and left briskly.
Stepping out of the tent, Nie Yang looked back one last time, finally steeling himself to turn and leave.
“Father-in-law.”
Nie Yang respectfully called out to Wei Ying.
The two shared a father-son relationship but were also lord and subject, with Nie Qing still referring to him as “father-in-law,” indicating his esteemed position in Nie Yang’s heart.
Thus, even though Nie Yang was wary of the man, he couldn’t make a move against Wei Ying for the time being.
Wei Ying’s complexion was as pale as a ghost, appearing somewhat dazed.
He pulled himself together and told his “son-in-law,” “The journey is long; thank you, Young Master, for your hard work regarding Fu Ling.”
Nie Yang inquired with concern, fully embodying the persona of another Nie Qing.
The system observed his performance, secretly astonished—Nie Yang was truly a born actor, destined for the Oscars if he had lived in a different era.
Wei Ying weakly replied, “It’s nothing. Last night… remembering the late lord’s past, emotions got the better of me, which is why I was unable to sleep last night…”
The system timely reminded Nie Yang in his mind.
“This morning at the rooster hour, Nie Liang couldn’t bear his illness and passed away, and Wei Ying has been grieving all night long. You should refrain from exposing him; he looks so pitiful. The person lying in the coffin isn’t Nie Liang’s substitute, but the real Nie Liang. He dressed himself in mourning garments…”
“So, father and son have left on the same day… I wonder how Nie Liang feels seeing his son catch up to him on the road to the underworld,” Nie Yang mused, “Seeing the current situation, don’t you think you’re too heartless, system?”
The system nearly rolled its eyes. It wasn’t human; it was a superior life form beyond humanity; humans were but ants, and no matter how tragically they died, it wouldn’t stir its sympathy. Nie Yang’s human emotions were indeed ridiculously naive.
Wei Ying said, “The auspicious time has arrived; Young Master, you may set out.”
Nie Yang instructed, “A Yang’s temperament… if there’s anything amiss, please bear with him, father-in-law.”
Wei Ying couldn’t even muster a smile in response, simply promising to take care of “Nie Yang.”
“Set the spirit on the road!”
The white banners fluttered, mournful cries resounded, and Nie Yang set out with Fu Ling.
Until the thousands of troops disappeared from sight, Wei Ying’s expression suddenly turned cold as ice, his clenched fists making a painful cracking sound.
“Return!”
He intended to personally subject that beast, Nie Yang, to a thousand cuts!
