Chapter Twenty-One: Mo Chen’s Identity

In the morning, I awakened from deep slumber, recalling the words Liliel had spoken to me before leaving yesterday. So, she likes me after all. What a clumsy child—always hiding her feelings. But I am much the same; truly, we are sisters, I mused to myself.

“Miss, Wolman has come to visit. He’s waiting in the drawing room—do you wish to see him?” Ang gently knocked on the lid of my resting coffin to inform me.

“What does he want? Is there something urgent?” I pushed aside the lid and sat up, asking languidly.

“It’s about the local underground factions,” Ang replied.

“Hmph, is it really necessary to bother me with such trifling matters?” I said, rather displeased. “Never mind, I’ll see him. I have nothing better to do—perhaps I can find some amusement.” Rising from the coffin, I spoke with lazy indifference.

After Ang attended to my toilette, I made my way toward the drawing room.

“Greetings, Lady Liliana.” In the drawing room, Wolman greeted me with respectful ceremony.

“Rise,” I answered carelessly, then eyed the burly young werewolf before me with a hint of interest. “What could be so serious that you can’t resolve it yourself, and must come to consult me? I’m curious.”

“This matter concerns one of your friends, so I dared not make a decision on my own,” Wolman explained.

“My friend? Is it Star Whisper or Lexiaoyou?” At his words, my expression grew serious, my gaze turning icy cold. Should anyone dare harm them, I would never let it go unpunished.

“It’s neither of them.” Wolman, cowed by my glare, spoke cautiously.

“Hm?” His answer puzzled me. Apart from Star Whisper and Lexiaoyou, I had no other friends.

“It concerns someone named Mochen.” Sensing my confusion, Wolman hastily clarified.

Mochen—him, the one who once dared to confess his feelings to me. I frowned slightly at the thought. Truthfully, I never truly counted him as a friend; to me, he was merely someone unrelated. Still, for the sake of acquaintance, I’d help him this once.

“What’s the matter?” I asked plainly.

“It’s a conflict between two factions. The group we oversee and Mochen’s faction have clashed, so I came to ask how Your Highness wishes to handle it,” Wolman replied respectfully.

“Mochen’s faction?” I asked, perplexed. Was Mochen really part of a faction?

“Yes. Mochen is the heir of Dragon Fang Society, one of the city’s three major factions,” Wolman explained.

“Well, who would’ve thought he was hiding so much? How amusing.” A faint smile crept onto my lips. He was skilled at disguising himself, too. Who could have imagined the seemingly simple student at school possessed such a hidden identity? Truly intriguing.

“So, what was your initial plan for resolving this?” I asked Wolman.

“We’ve arranged to meet Dragon Fang Society’s leaders for negotiations, hoping to resolve the conflict without violence,” Wolman answered.

“Very well, let’s negotiate. Set it for tonight; I’ll attend personally,” I instructed Wolman. Mochen, I wish to see what lies beneath your mask.

“Yes, Lady Liliana,” Wolman replied respectfully.

“By the way, you mentioned the city’s three major factions. Who is the third?” I inquired.

“The Bai family,” Wolman answered.

“The Bai family?” I raised my brows in surprise.

“Yes, the family to which Baiye belongs—the one you previously ordered to be warned,” Wolman replied, catching my meaning.

“How interesting. It seems those around me are full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.” A smile touched my lips. Apart from Star Whisper, Lexiaoyou, do you too possess some astonishing identity? I couldn’t help but wonder.

“All right, you may go. Send someone to fetch me tonight,” I instructed Wolman, then rose and returned to my bedroom. If I’m to witness tonight’s spectacle, I must rest well—best to sleep through the day. Tonight promises to be rather entertaining.

“Yes, Lady Liliana. I will send someone at the appointed hour.” Wolman replied with reverent obedience, and after I departed, he too left the drawing room.

“Tonight, we must ensure Her Highness’s safety.” Ang addressed Wolman gravely at the door. “They may not be able to harm her, but if she is disturbed, it is our failure.”

“Yes, Master Ang. Rest assured,” Wolman answered dutifully.

“Good.” With instructions delivered, Ang turned towards my bedroom.

Only after Ang departed did Wolman turn and leave.

That night, at the negotiation site between Blood Society and Dragon Fang Society.

The two parties sat opposite each other, their faces dark with anger, the air thick and oppressive.

Ang and I hid quietly in a shadowed corner, watching the boy opposite who had shed his usual simplicity for a cold, indifferent demeanor.

“Fascinating, Ang. Which do you think is the real him—the cold one now, or the simple one he usually appears to be?” I asked Ang with a hint of curiosity.

“Miss, I cannot say. Perhaps he has a dual personality,” Ang replied calmly.

“I don’t think so. I feel his current manner is his true self; the simplicity is only a mask to get along with others—just as I do,” I said lightly.

“Miss…” Ang looked at me with concern.

“It’s nothing, merely a sudden reflection,” I smiled.

As we spoke, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Both sides moved from tense hostility to verbal sparring.

“Enough.” A cold voice sounded. Mochen, who had sat silent throughout, spoke: “This street belongs to Dragon Fang Society. Unless you all withdraw, we’ll settle this on the battlefield.”

“Hmph, what a joke. We paid dearly to secure this street. You think a single sentence will make us give it up? Child, don’t be ridiculous.” That was Wolman’s voice. Dragon Fang Society had only sent Mochen, a mere youngster, which had left him dissatisfied. If I weren’t present, he likely would have started a bloodbath already.

“Wolman, why not give it up? If he wants it, let him have it,” I said, stepping out of the shadows.

“Who’s there?” Dragon Fang Society’s members tensed.

“Miss,” Wolman greeted me respectfully.

“Liliana?” Mochen was so surprised, he could barely speak.

“It’s been a while, Mochen, or shall I call you Dragon Fang Society’s heir?” I smiled at him.

“Liliana, what are you doing here?” Mochen was still caught in his shock.

“If you can be here, why can’t I?” I replied with a smile.

“You’re part of Blood Society?” Mochen asked, disbelief in his voice.

“No,” I shook my head calmly. “Blood Society is too insignificant for me to join. You want this street? No need to fight—take it. Wolman, have everyone withdraw.”

“Why should we? Who do you think you are? Just because you say so, we’re supposed to give up what’s rightfully ours? Who are you, anyway?” This voice came from within Blood Society—clearly Wolman had not revealed my identity.

“Dare to disrespect the Miss—death.” Wolman’s voice was icy. No sooner had he spoken than the offender spewed blood and was flung back, clearly dead.

“A deserved end,” Wolman declared coldly. “Lady Liliana is one of Blood Society’s true leaders. Anyone who dares disrespect her will die. Her command is absolute—all Blood Society members must obey, or die.”

“Miss, I failed to protect you from being disturbed,” Wolman apologized, fearful.

“It’s nothing—just a worm,” I said indifferently, not caring in the slightest.

“Liliana, what’s going on?” Mochen asked, his tone frosty.

“As you see, Blood Society is nothing but a toy to me. I am one of the true figures lurking behind it. Surprised? Do you find me very different from your previous impressions? That’s right—this is the real me. Just as you conceal yourself daily, my mask is thicker than yours. Are you disappointed?” I smiled at Mochen, watching his reaction with amusement. I imagined he would give up now, having seen this side of me.

“I truly didn’t expect the real Liliana to be like this,” Mochen recovered his composure, speaking calmly. “But I find myself even more in love with you. Liliana, you’re perfect. Be my girlfriend.” His gaze burned with passion.

“Is he insane?” I thought, feeling a headache coming on. Things had gone quite differently from my expectations. I had assumed that seeing my true self would make him give up and stop bothering me. Unexpectedly, he seemed even more unreasonable.

“Hmph, I told you—I have no interest in you,” I reverted to my usual cold tone.

“It doesn’t matter. I won’t give up—never.” Mochen’s voice was resolute. “Let’s go. Blood Society can have this street.”

“Young master?” Dragon Fang Society’s members asked in confusion.

“This is my decision,” Mochen replied firmly to their questioning.

“Don’t be so hasty. I said you can have this street. I’ve never gone back on my word,” I told Mochen coldly.

“Uh…” Mochen was startled by my response, then smiled happily. “Liliana, I like you more and more. You’re mine—no one else can have you.” He declared his claim over me and strode away proudly.

“Hmph.” I scoffed disdainfully. Arrogant humans—what right do you have to possess me? In my eyes, you are but a lowly ant, not even worthy of speaking with me as an equal.

“Hmph.” Ang grunted in displeasure, ready to kill Mochen for his arrogance.

“Let it be, Ang,” I said. There was no need to kill him over such matters. Yet, it seemed this Mochen would be even harder to deal with now—I felt a headache coming on.