Chapter 4: Face Swapping

Sorcerer's Path: "How many of you are there"

... ...

Sorcerer's Path: "Either change now, or you will definitely not be able to change later."

The scene behind the door opened startled Lanling greatly

This manor is situated deep within the desolate mountains, and it is truly puzzling how it was constructed.

Ye Jingyu happily said: "You speak."

Lanling Road: "Do you think that if I do not agree with you, the foundation of the Su family will perish?"

It seems that this sorcerer is very wealthy, as this is a remote area deep in the mountains, with no signs of human habitation within a radius of 100 miles. Remarkably, this sorcerer has built a manor here

Night Startled Feather Road: "Only brought ninety-eight pieces."

Indeed, how should one repay the grace of saving a life

Ye Jingyu and Ye Jingfeng dismounted, and Lanling exited the carriage. The three of them walked into the manor

This is a laboratory, behind a large table sits a gaunt figure draped in a long black robe, wearing a pointed hat. At first glance, it seems as if there is no one inside the robe, resembling merely a wooden stand; the person is exceedingly thin, with a pair of long, sharp hands that resemble branches.

My name is Ye Jingyu, and my sister's name is Ye Jingfeng. Once you have recovered your health, we will immediately take you to a place to change your face said the woman in black, Ye Jingyu

Every corner of the castle's interior is adorned with magnificent decorations, yet the lighting is exceedingly dim. This opulent yet oppressive atmosphere makes Lanling feel as though he is deep within a vampire's castle in a horror game

"How can one know without trying?" said Ye Jingfeng, "My sister has taken such good care of me that now I feel like a little child."

The castle is entirely black, while the garden is exceptionally vibrant, creating a striking contrast.

Nightmare Yu said: "The young lady will agree, and I do this for her, for the Su family."

"It is settled with a word." The woman in black let out a long sigh of relief

Ye Jingyu said: "Is there really no way at all? Changing faces is truly important to us"

After a full quarter of an hour, Lanling nodded with difficulty and said, "Alright, I agree to your request, to impersonate Soren for three years, just three years!"

Ye Jingyu closed his eyes in distress, took a deep breath, and then opened his eyes to say: "Alright, I agree. Let my sister stay here to accompany you for three years. You won't make her do anything terrible, will you?"

She touched very carefully, as if not letting go of every millimeter. Then, she went on to touch the face of Sauron's corpse inside the coffin

Yè jīng yǔ yǎnjīng tōnghóng, dào: "Nǐ zhēn de kěyǐ ma? Nǐ cónglái dōu méiyǒu líkāi guò wǒ de shēnbiān."

Lanling was instantly rendered speechless; he could not possibly say that he would owe it for now and repay it a hundredfold in the future, as that would be too hypocritical

His body is truly extraordinary; he was just rescued from the brink of death not long ago, and merely a few days later, he has completely recovered. It is truly puzzling what this mysterious energy within him could be.

"It is necessary for the two individuals to bear a striking resemblance, with their facial structures being almost identical in order to make the exchange," the sorcerer stated

To separate her from her sister for three years is truly akin to performing surgery and vivisecting the two of them. Not to mention placing her sister in this terrifying castle; she simply cannot accept it, as Ye Jingfeng is so innocent and timid.

In front of them stood a large door, adorned with golden threads on its black surface. Ye Jingyu approached and knocked on the door, but there was no response from within. It was as if a gust of wind had blown by, and the door opened.

"Younger sister." Ye Jingyu and Tushujing exclaimed in surprise

Moreover, upon entering the castle, Lanling distinctly felt a drop in temperature by several degrees

The woman in black said: "Is three years acceptable? You only need to impersonate Lord Sauron for three years, helping the Sauron family through this crisis. After three years, as long as you are willing, you can return to being yourself."

This should be the master of the manor, a certain mysterious sorcerer

It was as if a gust of wind had blown by, and the emaciated sorcerer suddenly appeared before Lanling. At that moment, Lanling finally saw the face beneath her black cloak

At first glance, Lanling saw Soren's corpse, which was utterly unrecognizable. Not only was his entire face gone, but the skin of his entire body had also disappeared

"Very similar," said Ye Jingyu, and then opened the coffin

Ye Jingyu shook his head and said, "There is no time."

There is another method," the mysterious sorcerer suddenly said

A quarter of an hour later, she spoke up: "It can be exchanged for one thousand gold coins"

Inside the castle, it remains empty, yet every piece of furniture and every inch of carpet is spotless

On this day, the three finally arrived at their destination, the castle estate of a certain mysterious sorcerer

"What is it?" the sorcerer asked, his voice as dry as dead wood, indistinguishable in gender.

Lie down, change faces. The sorcerer said

On the table's support, there was an additional mask.

Although Ye Jingfeng possesses high martial arts skills, she is rather timid and feels somewhat unaccustomed to the atmosphere here. She secretly wishes to hold her sister's hand, as she has never been here before

Lanling Road: "Then you can go back to get the money first, and then come to change your face"

This is a woman, so old that her age is indiscernible, with a face so thin that it seems to consist only of skin. The only reason she can be identified as a woman is because her lips are painted in a very bright color. Moreover, she is blind, with her eye sockets hollow and empty, resembling a dry well.

The mysterious sorcerer opened a box and took out a living creature that was completely transparent, resembling a mass of water. Upon being removed, it emitted a scream of fear. Could it be that this living creature is used for facial treatments?

Sister, how could you take matters into your own hands when the young lady did not agree to this matter?" the younger sister whispered in alarm.

For Ye Jingyu, her sister had been almost inseparable from her since childhood, akin to conjoined twins. Although her sister's martial arts skills surpassed her own, it was always she who took care of and protected her sister

... ...

After merely two hours, the laboratory door slowly opened

The twin sister beside her seemed to want to say something, but was stopped by her with a cold gaze

The entire castle is luxurious and exquisite, yet the room on the top floor is completely like hell. At first glance, Lanling saw countless heads, countless eyes, countless severed limbs, and various colored liquids. The air is filled with swirling smoke, permeated by a strange odor

Ye Jingyu said: "However, we really did not bring that many gold coins"

The three individuals continued their journey, walking for a full five days and covering over 1,000 miles. Along the way, the population was sparse, and the areas became increasingly remote and secluded.

The entire estate was deserted, resembling a ghost town. However, the trees in the garden were all neatly trimmed.

Ninety-eight and one thousand are indeed vastly different. Moreover, this sorcerer appears to have no room for negotiation whatsoever. For a moment, Lanling was at a loss as to whether to feel relieved or to be disappointed for the two sisters

"If you disagree, then leave." The mysterious sorcerer said coldly

The woman in black continued, "Moreover, I do not need money, nor do I require anything else; what I desire is for the legacy of the Su family to continue to be passed down."

"Alright, I promise you," Ye Jingfeng suddenly stood up and said resolutely

They could only watch so much; next, Ye Jingyu and the other two exited the laboratory

She extended her claw-like hand and touched Lanling's face. Instantly, every hair on his body stood on end, as if he had truly been touched by a ghost

As soon as these words were spoken, Lanling and Ye Jingyu almost simultaneously said: "It is not permissible"

In the following days, Lanling remained in the carriage to recuperate, while Ye Jingyu took him to a mysterious sorcerer to undergo a face change

Moreover, these severed heads belong to both humans and various creatures, and some of the severed heads even have eyes that can move

In a moment, Ye Jingyu stood still, unsure of where to go, while Lanling was extremely reluctant.

The mysterious sorcerer pointed at his sister, Night Wind, and said: "I like her very much. If she stays to accompany me for three years, I will waive the 902 gold coins that you owe."

... ...

Lanling does not understand the economy of this world and does not know whether one thousand gold coins is a lot or a little, but his sister Ye Jingfeng let out a low exclamation.

"Rest assured, there will be no danger, and we can change it back later." Ye Jingyu said, "You should rest well; we will continue on our journey to find a place to stay for the night."

Ye Jingyu led the two individuals up the staircase, ascending an unknown number of floors, until they finally reached the topmost level of the castle

Lanling finally understood why her estate was so magnificent and luxurious, she truly was wealthy

Lanling Road: "I really want to repay your life-saving grace, but I truly want to be myself"

"It is not allowed," said the sorcerer

"That has nothing to do with me; I only want money," said the mysterious sorcerer

... ...

Of course... the mysterious sorcerer chuckled and then said: "Alright, I am going to perform the facial now, you all should step back."

Ye Jingyu said: "We do not have that many gold coins with us. Can we exchange first and pay the remaining gold coins in one month?"

The woman in black said: "If you agree to my request, you will not only repay my life-saving grace, but also save a family that has been passed down for two hundred years"

Suddenly, Lanling fell silent

It is completely different from what Lanling imagined; this is not a human skin mask, but rather a thin layer of semi-liquid crystal, approximately two to three millimeters thick, with the contours of a human face, yet entirely transparent, and it appears to be constantly flowing, as if it possesses life.

Nightmare Wind said: "Sister, it is the master who raised us, and the young lady regards us as her own sisters. I cannot bear to see the family lineage come to an end like this. For the sake of preserving the family legacy, what does this small sacrifice of mine amount to?"

After these few days of interaction, Lanling has developed a strong fondness for Ye Jingfeng. Her martial arts skills surpass those of her elder sister, yet she is very naive and romantic, possessing a timid disposition, always having regarded her sister as her sole focus.

"Face swap?" Upon hearing this term, Lanling was taken aback.

Having said that, Ye Jingyu pulled her sister out of the carriage, urged the steed onward, and continued to advance

Indeed," said the woman in black, "Young Master Soren is the sole heir. The royal family has been eyeing the territory of Tianshui City for many years, always contemplating the reclamation of the territory to establish direct rule over the county. If Young Master Soren were to die, Tianshui City would lack an heir, providing the royal family with sufficient justification to reclaim the territory of Tianshui City.

"Face swap." Ye Jingyu said

This manor, although not large, is exquisitely beautiful