Chapter 285: Deception
"This is the feather I gave you back then? As a precaution in case I ever lost my memory or suffered mental damage?"
Staring at the feather in Ji Xuanyuan's palm, 'Fu Hua' blinked blankly.
Did that really happen?
'Fu Hua' racked her brain but couldn't recall anything like that from her memory.
As silence stretched on, Ji Xuanyuan's expression gradually turned hesitant, and she slowly pulled her hand back.
"You… don't have any memory of this, do you?"
She spoke while a flicker of caution appeared in her usually calm gaze.
Seeing Ji Xuanyuan start to retract the feather—and sensing that Ji Xuanyuan was beginning to question her identity—"Fu Hua's" ahoge (that silly strand of hair on her head) suddenly stood upright.
"Of course I remember! I totally gave that to you, just in case something went wrong! No wonder I'm me—always thinking things through, no detail overlooked! Anyway, hand it over already!"
She reached out and snatched the feather from Ji Xuanyuan's hand.
"!!!"
Ji Xuanyuan's face showed shock as her hand instinctively reached forward, as if trying to take the feather back.
Naturally, 'Fu Hua' didn't let her. She lifted the feather high and poured her Honkai energy into it.
A golden glow shimmered from the feather, and then a phantom figure appeared in the room.
Tall and slender, robed in elegant ink-wash sleeves, her light gray hair was tied back with a simple wooden hairpin—an ethereal aura, like a celestial being descending into the mortal world.
It was unmistakably the real Fu Hua.
Her consciousness had been stored within Kiana using the power of Fenghuang Down, so this form was essentially a feather-made consciousness backup.
"Oh? So you popped out on your own, huh?"
'Fu Hua' blinked in surprise, then stroked her chin and circled around the quiet, unmoving projection of the real Fu Hua, eyes full of curiosity and admiration.
"As expected of me! Not only did I plan ahead with a failsafe in case of memory loss, even my consciousness backup is this graceful and dazzling! Hahaha!"
Behind her, Ji Xuanyuan and the unmoved Fu Hua exchanged a glance and each gave a silent nod to themselves.
It seemed this 'Fu Hua' really cared about her identity. So much so that she forced herself to accept their fabricated story, even though she couldn't possibly remember something that never happened.
Just then—
"Slurp!"
Book of Fuxi sipped tea nonchalantly and cast a disdainful glance at the two beautiful yet scheming ladies.
[Please don't blow our cover, Book of Fuxi.]
[Hmph! Aren't you two ashamed of yourselves? Don't screw this up! Sure, she's easy to fool now, but if you cross the line, I can't promise what'll happen.]
[You're saying she's easy to fool? Really, Book of Fuxi?]
[Compared to your blockhead, can't-read-between-the-lines brain? Don't question my judgment—I'm a thousand times better than you at reading people. In a way, she's actually just a very simple-minded kid. But still, she's a Herrscher. I won't be sticking my nose in this recklessly. You guys better be careful.]
With that, Book of Fuxi returned to sipping tea and cut off the mental conversation.
Fu Hua, on the other hand, fell into thought.
It seemed Book of Fuxi had taken quite a liking to this 'Fu Hua.' Regardless of the reason, it was clear that her opinion would need to be considered when dealing with this presence.
In short—whether or not to end her with a single palm strike would require very careful consideration.
Fu Hua let out a silent sigh. Meanwhile, the fake 'Fu Hua' had stepped right up in front of her and was beaming.
"Excellent, truly excellent! Now, come on—hand over your memories and power already. That's your responsibility, isn't it?"
"...Who are you?"
Fu Hua responded with a tone of confusion and hesitation.
'Fu Hua' blinked.
"I'm obviously Fu Hua—you, duh! Who else would I be?"
"You don't seem like it."
"Aiya! I've had an epiphany, alright? I broke free from my golden chains, cast off confusion and weakness, and of course I'm more youthful now! Totally different from your uptight, shackled old-timer vibe. I get why you're confused. But look—just look at this face! And this—"
Boom!
A loud bang shattered the air. A sturdy table collapsed under "Fu Hua's" palm. She then slowly withdrew her hand, puffed out her chest, and said with pride:
"With martial arts this refined and perfectly controlled—what is there left to doubt?"
"YOU JUST DESTROYED SOMEONE ELSE'S STUFF AGAIN!!!"
Book of Fuxi floated over, pointed at the shattered wooden table, and without hesitation, hurled a tiny teacup directly at "Fu Hua's" head.
Then came a lengthy, no-holds-barred scolding that left everyone else too terrified to interrupt.
Over ten minutes later, still fuming, Book of Fuxi floated out of the room and disappeared through the door.
Only then did the 'Fu Hua'—who had somehow instinctively knelt during the entire tirade—wipe her cold sweat and gingerly stand up, visibly rattled.
Fu Hua: "(ー_ー)..."
Ji Xuanyuan: "(ー_ー)..."
'Fu Hua': "What are you two staring at? Don't get the wrong idea! I just didn't want to stoop to her level, that's all!"
Fu Hua & Ji Xuanyuan: "We didn't say anything."
'Fu Hua': "Good! Anyway, hand over your full memories now. Honestly, I'm a bit fuzzy on the details about why I was asleep for so long. Sigh, the price of getting stronger, I guess?"
She waved her hand with casual authority, demanding rather rudely.
Fu Hua frowned. After a pause, she shook her head.
"I refuse."
"Why?"
"Because I still can't confirm you're really me. The differences are too great. Even if you are, the backup I left behind was meant to help me stay true to my original self. How can I be sure that you still carry the will to protect humanity?"
'Fu Hua': "Seriously?! You're such an old fossil! You never change, huh?!"
"I carry not just memories, but power. That kind of thing can't be handed over lightly. If you're not truly Fu Hua—or if you've strayed from the path—giving you more power could spell disaster. I have to be cautious."
Fu Hua's tone was calm as ever, but her meaning was clear: Are you the genuine Fu Hua, or not?
'Fu Hua': "Tch! Are you picking a fight?!"
"No. Just necessary caution. So—how do you intend to prove that you, in this current form, still uphold the same ideals I did?"
'Fu Hua': "I don't need to prove anything to anyone!"
"Then I will not entrust myself to someone I'm uncertain about. Of course, you could forcibly erase my will—I have no way of resisting. I must admit, I didn't account for this possibility back when I created the backup."
Fu Hua's gaze remained steady and serene as she looked at her "self."
This was both a decision and a test, to gauge what kind of personality this 'Fu Hua' truly had.
'Fu Hua': "Tch! Fine, you stubborn fossil. Still, you are me, so I won't make things difficult for you. So, what do you want before you'll willingly merge with me?"
"Let me enter your body first. I'll observe you until I feel I can acknowledge you."
'Fu Hua': "Ugh, such a hassle! Fine—come on in! Watch all you want, I am Fu Hua. That's a fact, end of story!"
"One more thing, if I find anything suspicious, any trace of deception or manipulation… I will choose to perish with you. I hope you understand the risks before we proceed."
'Fu Hua' rolled her eyes.
She was Fu Hua, through and through—what tricks could she possibly be playing?
Old fossil or not, this cautious, meticulous side… well, she didn't exactly dislike it.
"Get in already!"
She reached out and directly absorbed Fu Hua into her body, then sighed.
"Man… taking care of my old self must've been boring and exhausting. No wonder Book of Fuxi's so cranky now. Thinking back, I really owe her an apology. Right, A-Ji?"
Ji Xuanyuan: "...Call me Ji Xuanyuan. Or A-Lin, if you prefer. Please refrain from 'A-Ji', Immortal."
'Fu Hua': "Ugh, cut it out with the 'Immortal' this and that. With our history? Just call me A-Fu, A-Ji!"
Ji Xuanyuan: "Immortal, I'll be taking my leave."
'Fu Hua': "Don't go! Don't leave me all alone again!"
But her plea didn't stop Ji Xuanyuan from returning to the Xuanyuan Sword.
'Fu Hua' walked up to the sword rack, grabbed the Xuanyuan Sword, and gave it a few shakes.
"Hey! A-Ji! Come out and chat with me!"
She tried for quite a while, but Ji Xuanyuan didn't reappear. Left with no choice, 'Fu Hua' put the sword down and muttered in frustration:
"All I did was call you A-Ji— If you don't like it, we can talk it out! But ignoring me completely? What the heck…"
Still grumbling, 'Fu Hua' glanced toward the open door, overcome with a strong urge to head out and explore. But then she remembered the house arrest decree from Book of Fuxi, and stopped just short of crossing the threshold.
In the end, she simply squatted by the doorway, gazing longingly at the freedom just outside her reach. A gloomy cloud seemed to hang over her head, making her look as lonely and pitiful as a little puppy left out in the rain.
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