Chapter 22: How Could I Forget You?

Another illusion!

Though He Yimo’s body was immobilized, his mind was clearer than ever.

He could faintly sense a power deep within him resisting the fox demon’s illusion.

Jiang Jinyue’s question clearly stemmed from her suspicions about He Yimo.

【——Haven’t we met somewhere before?】

If He Yimo answered truthfully that they had met, it would mean he hadn’t been fully hypnotized that night at the Grand Tutor’s residence and retained some memory of the Enchantress.

This was likely why Jiang Jinyue revealed her true fox demon form in a fiery red dress before him—she aimed to awaken He Yimo’s instinctual memories!

“I think I’ve seen you before.”

He Yimo spoke woodenly.

Hearing this, the girl’s enchanting eyes narrowed sharply, her lips curling to reveal a small silver tooth as cold killing intent welled up within her.

“So you weren’t under my illusion that night after all!”

“No wonder Mo Yuyan didn’t kill you with one strike… But where did my illusion go wrong?”

Jiang Jinyue mused coldly.

But as she tensely recalled clues, He Yimo continued speaking:

“I think I saw you once while having tea at Pin Feng Lou… Tsk, too bad I didn’t have enough money to request the top courtesan and have you serve me in a private room.”

“???”

For a moment, Jiang Jinyue’s expression froze again.

She looked up at He Yimo skeptically, but upon confirming he was speaking sincerely, her lips twitched, and her face flushed red with anger, itching to punch his playful smirk.

Damn it! Did he mistake me for a brothel courtesan?

When did I ever go to such a place!

Typical playboy—his mind filled with such things! And here I was thinking my illusion had failed, scaring me half to death!

The more Jiang Jinyue thought about it, the angrier she became. Her face turned beet red as she repeatedly resisted the urge to hit him.

“Calm down, calm down, Yueyue…”

“If I hit him now, this pawn would be wasted!”

She took deep breaths, inwardly reminding herself not to lose her temper with a mere mortal.

It wasn’t He Yimo’s fault for offending her—after all, Jiang Jinyue had used an illusion to make him speak honestly.

After a moment of calm, Jiang Jinyue regained her composure.

She dismissed her fiery red dress and fox demon form, reverting to her simple sect junior sister appearance before lifting the illusion from He Yimo.

“Senior Sister, why is your face so red?”

He Yimo maintained his wooden expression, feigning ignorance and concern.

Hearing his question made Jiang Jinyue’s face flush even more, but she took a deep breath and put on a sweet smile:

“It’s normal; I naturally blush easily~”

“Haha, I thought you had a crush on me.”

He Yimo chuckled amiably.

Watching the Enchantress’s rich emotional performance brought him immense satisfaction—all thanks to the pill his aunt gave him that resisted illusions!

“A c-crush…”

Jiang Jinyue’s lips twitched. She didn’t deny it but merely smiled shyly.

But just as He Yimo smirked coldly, the girl feigned embarrassment and grabbed his arm—

“By the way, Junior Brother Yimo doesn’t know my name yet.”

She acted as if she’d been caught having a crush on him.

At that moment, He Yimo regretted his teasing smile.

Had he known Jiang Jinyue was so shameless, he wouldn’t have taunted her. That way, after parting today, they’d remain strangers at Wuji Sect.

But seeing Jiang Jinyue’s enthusiastic demeanor, she seemed determined to befriend He Yimo today.

“So what’s your name, Senior Sister?”

With the atmosphere set, He Yimo couldn’t refuse without breaking character.

Jiang Jinyue smiled lightly, placing her hands behind her back: “I’m Jiang Jinyue, an inner disciple of Wuji Sect. You don’t have to call me Senior Sister; I only joined one year before you.”

“Drunk without joy leads to sorrowful parting; parting under the vast moonlit river…”

He Yimo instinctively recited the poem.

Jiang Jinyue’s eyes widened with delight at the familiar words. Her lips curled into a proud smile:

“Didn’t expect a playboy like you to know some culture~”

This time her smile was genuine—not like her previous fake acting smiles.

He Yimo sensed Jiang Jinyue had special feelings about her name. Though the original story didn’t mention her background, it seemed like another hidden plotline similar to Mo Yuyan’s love for Go…

“Jiang Jinyue—what a poetic name.” He Yimo complimented with a smile.

“Right? I think it’s lovely too!”

The girl beamed happily.

If she were in her fox demon form earlier, He Yimo imagined Jiang Jinyue would be wagging her tail now.

In truth, Jiang Jinyue was cute and likable based on appearance alone. But knowing her cunning nature beneath that sweet exterior made He Yimo wary of getting too close.

Better not provoke her…

Best if she doesn’t suspect anything about He Yimo and focuses on tormenting the protagonist like in the original story.

“Miss Jiang, my Senior Sister is waiting for me outside.”

“So I’ll take my leave first.”

He Yimo cupped his hands in farewell and prepared to slip away.

This time Jiang Jinyue didn’t stop him. She waved with a smile as she watched his figure grow distant until he joined the white-clad sword fairy waiting at the back gate.

After a long silence, Jiang Jinyue’s smile faded. Her enchanting eyes turned calm and cold.

“He’s just a mortal; logically speaking, he shouldn’t be able to break my illusion.”

“But he’s certainly more interesting than prophecy suggested—not like those countless identical cannon fodder roles.”

“Perhaps he’ll be an even more entertaining pawn than Chen Jianxin…”

With that thought, a wicked curve formed on her lips.

……

……

……

“So did no disciples catch your eye during this entrance exam?”

He Yimo approached Mo Yuyan, feigning curiosity as he inquired.

Mo Yuyan led the way ahead without turning back: “Aren’t you one?”

“Hehe, Senior Sister is so kind to me.”

He scratched his head with a grin.

Mo Yuyan glanced back at him. Though tempted to say she only took him as a disciple for Go games and not to get too full of himself, she decided against dampening his sunny demeanor. As his senior sister, she shouldn’t mock or discourage him.

Oh well… let him enjoy himself for now… Mo Yuyan sighed inwardly.

“Senior Sister, where are we going now?”

He Yimo continued chatting as they walked.

Mo Yuyan led ahead and explained calmly:

“I’m taking you to meet someone who’ll guide you.”

“Though you’re familiar with Dye Ink Peak now that you’ve joined Wuji Sect, you still don’t know its internal structure. Junior Sister Yun Jin will show you around and introduce various buildings.”

“After all, you can’t stay cooped up on Dye Ink Peak forever.”

After spending several days together, Mo Yuyan wasn’t as aloof and unapproachable as initially. At least she’d grown accustomed to He Yimo’s smooth-talking ways by now.

As they chatted casually, she led him to a main hall.

Memories from his past life playing the game flooded back—He Yimo knew this Wuji Sect “main city” like the back of his hand.

Pill Pavilion, Blacksmith Shop, Treasure Pavilion, Merit Hall, Horizon Ranking Board, Immortal Alliance Branch…

This main hall contained entrances to all major activities within Wuji Sect—in short: it was essentially the game’s main interface.

And waiting at its entrance was none other than Yun Jin—the “Beginner Guide” character from He Yimo’s past life memories who’d always been one of his favorite female characters!

“Ah!”

“Junior Brother Yimo! Are you feeling better?”

The green-clad girl waved cheerfully with a healing smile as she greeted He Yimo.