"It's true that I faked my death."
Speechless said those words in a tone that wasn't serious. There was no solemnity in his smile as though he was making a joke that had overstepped its boundaries.
However, Shi Xiaobai could only treat it as the truth because he had chosen to hear the truth. There was no reason for Speechless to continue 'feign' anymore.
However, there were too many questions in Shi Xiaobai's mind but he found it difficult to believe that Speechless had faked his death. He could not believe that everything that had happened after the huge battle in the Silent Desolate Lands was planned by Speechless.
Speechless said, "I know you have many questions that you would like to ask but you have no idea where to begin. You have complex thoughts and I am similarly having mixed feelings. But the difference is that I'm not sure where I should begin or how I should explain. I have been racking my brains to consider this problem. Over the past few days of me faking my death, I had been deliberating again and again. So, if it's possible, please quietly listen to my narration. I will tell you everything you would like to know in a complete manner."
Shi Xiaobai looked deeply into Speechless's eyes and said with a nod, "Alright."
Speechless took a deep breath and he suddenly turned extremely serious. He said, "Firstly, I am very sorry for framing you as the murderer but please forgive me. I did not have any ill intentions against you and had no choice but to do so. In a while, I will explain the reason. But regardless, I have to first solemnly tell you—sorry! You did not do anything wrong but you had been innocently made the 'murderer'. I had done something that has crossed the line against you. Sorry!"
Shi Xiaobai turned serious as well. He was magnanimous so he did not turn angry because of this. However, it was not so easy for him to let this matter pass. Hence, he said with a serious tone, "Explain everything clearly before This King considers if he should accept your apology."
Speechless nodded and said seriously, "I will explain everything but I don't want to use such a serious tone to narrate the matter because, to me, it was an absolutely correct matter. Although it was a scheme, a ploy, it was pointed in the correct direction. There is only gain after there is a loss. What I have gained is more than what I have abandoned. So in my point of view, it is a blissful story of seeing the silver lining behind the clouds. I have no way to use such a sad and guilt-ridden manner of telling this story that might seem overboard to you. It might seem impolite and very unreasonable but…I hope for you to understand."
Shi Xiaobai wiped the seriousness off his face and said with a stable tone, "Perfect, This King does not like listening to sad and dark stories. Tell the story in a manner you would like."
"Thanks. I like that point about you. Such broad-mindedness!"
Speechless changed his expression in a second and hung a 'flippant' smile on his face. He looked like he was teasing and had wiped away the serious tone in his voice. He had returned to that unconventional and unrestrained style he usually adhered to.
After Speechless said that, he suddenly realized something wasn't right. He hurriedly added on, "Don't misunderstand. The 'like' I mentioned has the meaning of appreciation. Don't overthink it. Although I'm extremely handsome now and look a little androgynous, making it easy to think that I'm a girl disguised as a boy, I, Speechless Li, am a boy. I like girls and am a straight man among straight men. If you don't believe, you can try touching. Hey, this is what you call pecs of a man!"
Speechless pointed to his chest that did not seem that firm but his tone was filled with pride.
Shi Xiaobai could not help but roll his eyes. He felt somewhat regretful giving Speechless 'free reign'. This fellow liked rendering others speechless. It was better if he maintained that serious demeanor of his.
Shi Xiaobai said exasperatedly, "Scram!"
Speechless chuckled and said, "When I was eight, I got to know quite a nice fellow. I became his friend and we played together for three months. In the end, that fellow suddenly confessed to me, giving me a shock. Only then did I learn that the fellow always thought that I was a girl. Back then, I was still young and my facial features had not developed. I was only beautiful and lacked the male charisma. So I did look somewhat like a girl. Later on, I explained it clearly to him but that fellow ended up saying that he was unable to extricate himself from his love for me. He did not care if I were male, female or transgender. Back then, I beat up that fellow terribly and placed him on a blacklist. Now, come to think of it, that fellow was quite a good friend before his confession. Unfortunately, that precious friendship has been destroyed. Sigh."
Speechless sighed as he shook his head before stealing a glance at Shi Xiaobai. He said softly, "I really do not want to use this face of mine to destroy a lofty friendship."
Shi Xiaobai rolled his eyes and said, "This King cannot understand what the difference that face of yours has from others but the damage your mouth produces prevents any friendship from being everlasting. Cut the crap and talk about the important matters!"
After babbling on all this while, the main topic had yet been broached. It was hard to convince others that Speechless wasn't stalling for time.
However, Speechless did not seem to have any of those intentions. He nodded sulkily and said, "Then, let's talk about the important matters. However, you should have known very little of what had happened or even be completely unaware of it. After all, when I faked my death, you were in an unconscious state. As for the rest, they would definitely hide the truth from you. According to a normal script, you should not even know that I'm dead. But you not only know that I'm dead, you even know that you are the murderer. It is likely that something that had exceeded my expectations had happened. Of course, this incident has two possibilities. First, someone told you of the truth. Second, you guessed it after discovering something amiss. It might deal with secrets you might not want to divulge so I'll not pursue the matter but in order to let you understand what had happened, I believe there is a need to start from the very beginning. Well, then let's begin from the moment you fell unconscious. The lot of us had left the Silent Desolate Lands and prepared to head for the Infernal domain.
The 'incident' that Speechless had mentioned was, in fact, the Infernal Queen. If not for the Infernal Queen telling Shi Xiaobai the truth, he would have truly been left in the dark. However, there was also the announcement of the completion of the Absolute Choice. Even if the Infernal Queen had not spoken of it, Shi Xiaobai in time would have been able to infer the conclusion. If Speechless were to continue probing on that point, it was difficult for Shi Xiaobai to respond.
Shi Xiaobai pricked up his ears in preparation to hear Speechless's story. What happened after he fell unconscious?
Speechless said, "Back then, you fell unconscious and Sunless was heavily injured. The mood was heavy and sluggish. I got Liu Yu to 'hold you' up together with me while the three of us walked in the second row. I got Lengxi and Yuesheng to help Sunless bandage her wounds so they walked in the third row. Furthermore, I got Feng Yuanlin to walk right in front while Pulp Farmer walked in the back. This arrangement seemed like a random one but it was, in fact, orchestrated by me."
Shi Xiaobai asked, "Why did you make such arrangements?"
Speechless said with a laugh, "Simple. Girls easily suffer from distress and anxiety. If they were to walk in front, they would definitely turn back to look at you frequently but they cannot be placed too far so the third row was most suitable. As for Pulp Farmer, he might look boorish but he is extremely meticulous and observant. If he is too close, it is easy for him to spot something amiss, so I placed him in the back. As for Feng Yuanlin, he was placed right in front because that fellow is obedient. I shouted a few times of "Don't turn your head. Watch your front" and he obediently never turned his head back. This formation ensured one thing—that the change of expressions of me and another person would not be seen by others."
"Another person?"
Shi Xiaobai faltered slightly before he suddenly gasped in shock, "Liu Yu?"
"Smart."
Speechless said with a praise, "Heh, you might not know. Back then, Liu Yu's expression could be said to be extremely marvelous…Oh, sorry. I still need to apologize on Liu Yu's behalf. This matter was not accomplished by me alone so I found an accomplice. Yes, the accomplice was Liu Yu."
Shi Xiaobai was surprised.
This bastard had an accomplice!