Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 408 The Return of the Dead
"When death cannot stop fate, when the departed return, the ending of this drama will exceed everyone's expectations."

"Under the shadow of fluttering yellow robes, lies become the most real thing."

—Excerpt from *The Yellow Dress Theater: The Chapter of Lies*

The night wind, like a ghost wandering among the ruins, was cold and desolate, passing through the empty courtyard of the Barletta mansion, swirling withered branches and decaying leaves, and whispering softly.

The once magnificent mansion now seemed lifeless, with only the occasional weary patrolling guards dragging their feet.
The sound echoed dullly and hollowly on the stone pavement, carrying a slowness and despair that did not belong to the living.

In the study, the dim oil lamp barely cast a faint halo of light, as if it could be swallowed by shadows at any moment.

Novell Barletta sat alone at his heavy desk, before which lay a mountain of ledgers and files, densely covered with numbers and clauses.

Those dull symbols that were originally irrelevant to him now resembled cold, hard verdicts.

He rubbed his dry eyes, sighed deeply, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips, but his eyes held a deep and unfathomable weariness and helplessness.

Months ago, Queen Medeiros's purge was like a sudden storm, uprooting the Barletta family from its very foundations.

The parents were executed on charges of "heresy," and the family's property and wealth were completely swallowed up by the church.

The once magnificent Barletta is now reduced to her sister Sophie, who is consumed by madness and grief.
A distant cousin, Leah, who is still unaware of the dangers of the world, and him—a playboy who used to only indulge in a life of debauchery at banquets—are now forced to bear the shackles of rebuilding their family.

Aesop Lee, whom he had once envied, been jealous of, and even resented—the man who was more like an "heir" in his father's eyes—had long since perished by the sword during the church's purge.

Thinking of this, Novell chuckled softly, his laughter filled with self-mockery and regret: "Aesop Lee... I was such a fool before."

A knock on the door abruptly shattered the silence. The door was pushed open, and a flustered servant, pale-faced and shivering in the cold wind, burst in: "Young Master, there's someone outside... claiming to be Young Master Aesop Lee, saying they want to see you!"

The document slipped from Novell's hands and scattered on the ground. His pupils constricted sharply, and he almost roared, "Nonsense! Aesop Lee died long ago by the Church's sword!"

The servant's voice trembled, but he refused to back down: "He told me to tell you that as long as you give him your name, you will definitely see him."

Silence froze in the study. Novell took a few quick breaths, and finally whispered, "Take me there."

The corridor stretched endlessly into the night, like a dark river leading to an unknown destiny.

With each step, he could hear his own heart pounding in his ears. It wasn't until he reached the courtyard gate that he saw the figure standing in the moonlight.

The moonlight was pale, like the skin of the dead. The person was thin, and the outline of his face was so familiar that it made one's heart tremble, yet it was also sculpted into a stranger by the frost and scars.

That smile, as if from many years ago, still carried composure and certainty.

Novell's lips trembled, his voice choked with emotion: "Aesop Lee...is it really you?"

The man walked slowly, his steps labored but unwavering, his voice soft yet profound: "Norville... I'm back."

It felt as if my blood was flowing backwards at that moment.

Novell took a step back, then stepped forward, embracing his brother, whom he had once both resented and admired, tightly, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably: "Welcome home... It's so good to see you alive."

He couldn't see the faint curve of Si Ming's lips during their embrace, like the overture to a stage that had just begun.

The candlelight flickered, casting warm shadows of two people on the wall, but it couldn't dispel the chill that enveloped the room.

Novell sat in the reception room, gazing at the "Aesop Lee" before him, his mind churning.

"Are you really not dead?" he asked in a low voice.

Si Ming smiled gently, a deep, surging light flashing in his eyes:

"That day, I almost died in the bloody battle at the palace and was thrown into the wilderness as a corpse. When I woke up, I was surrounded by the cold bodies of my comrades... I crawled out of the pile of corpses and hid there, waiting for my chance."

Novell was silent for a moment, then lowered his head: "My parents died in the purge, our family property was seized, and the family is now just an empty shell."

Si Ming sighed, his tone steady: "You've done enough. Let bygones be bygones. Now, we only have each other."

A hint of shame appeared in Novell's eyes: "I was jealous of you because Father, His Highness... everyone valued you."

“You’re wrong,” Si Ming’s voice was soft yet firm. “You are more powerful than you think.”

At that moment, Novell seemed to draw strength from his calmness, and the dejection in his eyes was gradually replaced by a glimmer of light. Siming smiled slightly and said in a low, meaningful voice:
"Since the world is already shrouded in fog, let's make the fog even thicker—until it engulfs everything, then unveil the fog and rewrite fate as we desire."

Novell nodded, a long-lost hope welling up in his heart, completely unaware that he was being drawn into a much larger drama.

The Barletta Palace was shrouded in thick fog at night, as if it were a long, drawn-out dream.

The moonlight was cool and clear, casting dappled shadows through the leaves of the garden deep in the courtyard.

Wearing an Aesop's robe, Si Ming quietly walked through the dimly lit garden, his steps light and almost silent.

He stopped outside the pavilion deep in the garden, his gaze piercing through the layers of mist, and saw a slender and solitary figure sitting there quietly.

The woman was thin and frail, with a black shawl draped over her shoulders. Her pale face was almost transparent in the moonlight, and her eyes were empty and blank, as if gazing into the distant void.

"Orian, are you there?" she murmured softly, her voice ethereal, like a gust of wind that would vanish into nothingness in the next second.

Si Ming's heart stirred slightly. He slowly stepped forward and spoke softly:
"Mrs. Sophie."

Sophie seemed completely oblivious to anyone approaching, continuing to gaze into the void and repeating her low murmurs:
"I heard your voice... Are you calling me again? Orion, why won't you take me with you..."

Si Ming entered the pavilion and gently called out:

“Mrs. Sophie, it’s me, Aesop Lee, I’m back.”

Sophie's gaze slowly shifted from the void, gradually focusing on Siming's face. After a moment's hesitation, a hint of fear and confusion flashed in her eyes.

“Aesop Lee… are you… or… is it just my imagination again?” Sophie’s voice trembled slightly, filled with extreme fear and struggle.

Si Ming gazed at her calmly, his voice gentle yet clear:
“It’s true, madam, I didn’t die. I crawled back from hell. Prince Orion… if he knew you were like this, he would be heartbroken.”

Sophie's pale face suddenly twitched, her frail body trembled violently, and tears of despair welled up in her eyes as she murmured frantically and helplessly:
“You all lied to me… Medici lied to me, the Church lied to me, even Orion lied to me.”

He promised he'd always be with me... but he still left, leaving me all alone to face it all... Aesop Lee, tell me, tell me this was all just a dream, okay?

Siming gazed at the woman on the verge of collapse, a slight sigh escaping his lips. He slowly approached Sophie, extending his hand, but did not touch her, only softly saying:
“Madam, you need to pull yourself together. Medici spared your life not only because you are a model of noble appeasement, but more importantly…”

His gaze fell on Sophie's slightly protruding belly, and his tone was solemn and cautious:
"The child in your womb is Medusa's true purpose. She needs Trelian's bloodline to maintain her legitimacy."

This child is of utmost importance to her; she must ensure your safety, but that safety doesn't truly belong to you.

Upon hearing this, Sophie turned ashen-faced, instinctively clutching her stomach with both hands, her body trembling violently. A mixture of fear and anger flashed in her eyes, and her voice was filled with despair and resentment:
"So, I'm nothing but a prisoner, a lowly vessel? Even my own child has become a bargaining chip for Medici to manipulate this world?"

Si Ming's expression was calm and sincere as he slowly nodded: "Yes, Madam. Now, you are a crucial bargaining chip for the revival of the Barletta family, and a pawn in Medici's maintenance of rule. This is the reality you face."

Sophie's expression gradually became numb, and a despairing stillness shone in her eyes. She whispered:
"Aesop Lee, are you telling me all this to make me give up?"

Si Ming looked at her, his tone gentle yet firm:
"No, madam. I'm telling you all this in the hope that you'll come to your senses, because only those who are clear-headed can find their true direction in the dark fog."

No matter what Medici plans, you will always be a princess, the legitimate heir of the Trelian line. This child will be your only bargaining chip to change your destiny.

Sophie remained silent for a long time, then her gaze finally sharpened, with an almost obsessive stubbornness and determination, and she murmured:

“You’re right. I have to live, for Orion, for this child. I must live.”

Even if everyone sees me as a madman, I will watch this all collapse with my own eyes, until that day, when Orion can finally rest in peace..." Si Ming looked at Sophie quietly, nodding to himself, his eyes revealing a faint sense of admiration and sympathy.

He slowly turned and left the pavilion, muttering to himself:

"The drama of sorrow and madness has only just begun."

The night was deep, and the moonlight outside the window grew increasingly pale, casting an ominous shadow on the corridors of the Barletta family mansion.

Si Ming slowly pushed open the door that once belonged to "Aesop Lee". The interior furnishings were as before, and everything was kept as it was, as if the owner of the room had only left for a short while.

He stood quietly inside the room, his gaze sweeping over the familiar yet unfamiliar furnishings.

The bed was neatly made and clean, and the books that Aesop Lee once loved were placed on the table.

And there was the portrait of the girl he had never truly seen—Leah. The girl in the portrait had a pure and sweet smile, and her eyes were as clear as lake water.

Just as Si Ming was deep in thought, the door was suddenly pushed open gently, and a slender and timid figure stood in the doorway, cautiously peeking in.

Her pale face showed a hint of fear and unease, and her large amber eyes stared at the room with suspicion and uncertainty.

"Brother..." The girl's voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of suppressed anticipation and fear, "Is it really you?"

Si Ming slowly turned around, meeting those familiar yet unfamiliar eyes, and smiled gently: "Lia, it's me."

Leah did not approach immediately, but stood hesitantly in place, her slender hands tightly clasped together, hesitating and struggling, as if she was trying her best to suppress some kind of instinctive suspicion deep in her heart.

Her voice was so low it was almost a whisper: "I thought... I would never see you again. They all said you were dead, brother."

Si Ming sighed softly, took a step forward, and gently extended his hand, gesturing, "Come here, Lia, I'm still alive. I promised you I wouldn't leave you easily."

Leah trembled slightly, her struggle and fear becoming more pronounced. Her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she forcibly held back.

She tentatively approached Si Ming, her gaze cautiously sweeping over his face, a fleeting yet sharp hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

Si Ming felt a slight sense of unease, but maintained a gentle smile, allowing the girl to scrutinize him closely.

A moment later, Leah lowered her head, forcibly dispelling the doubt in her eyes, as if her hesitation just now was only a temporary illusion.

She reached out and threw herself at Si Ming, gently embracing his waist, pressing her cheek against his chest, and said in a trembling voice:

“Brother, I’m so scared… Everyone has left. Father, Mother, Sister Sophie, and Brother Novell all seem like strangers now.”

I'm so scared when you're still the same as before.

Siming felt the girl's slight trembling, and a complex and subtle emotion swept through his heart.

He whispered comfortingly, "Lia, don't be afraid, I'm back. I will protect you, and I will protect the whole family."

Lia gently raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears as she looked at Siming, her voice filled with helplessness and confusion: "Brother, are you really not going to leave again?"

Si Ming smiled slightly, his tone firm and sincere: "No, I will stay by your side until everything settles down."

The girl finally revealed a faint smile, seemingly having temporarily forgotten the lingering doubts and struggles in her heart, and returning to her dependence on and trust in her brother.

She raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, as if trying to convince herself, and murmured softly:

"As long as you are by my side, it doesn't matter even if the world collapses."

Si Ming gazed at the girl's resolute yet innocent face, a faint worry passing through his heart.

He could see clearly that Leah was hypnotizing herself, forcibly ignoring all possible truths in order to maintain her inner peace and sense of security.

He gently stroked the girl's soft hair and whispered:
"I will protect you, Leah. I also hope you can protect your heart and not be hurt by this cruel world."

Leah nodded slowly and hugged him tighter, as if that would allow her to grasp the last glimmer of hope and a sense of security.

Siming's gaze passed over the girl's shoulder and landed on the city shrouded in mist outside the window in the distance, his eyes gradually becoming deep and calm.

The tragedy of this city has only just begun, and he is destined to be the mastermind behind this script interwoven with lies and truth.

As night deepened, the Barletta mansion, shrouded in thick fog, resembled a sleeping behemoth, silent and gloomy.

Only the study still emitted a faint light, the orange flame flickering like a ghost, reflecting Si Ming's deep eyes.

Scattered on the table were various intelligence reports, showing the difficult situation the Baleta family was in under Medici's oppression.

Si Ming's slender fingers gently moved through the documents, his expression solemn yet carrying a subtle hint of anticipation.

The scene of seeing Sophie earlier kept replaying in his mind; her slightly protruding belly symbolized the royal bloodline, symbolizing what the nobles desperately needed—

hope.

Si Ming's lips curled slightly, his eyes flashing with a hint of excitement:
"So this is the true gift that fate has given me."

After a moment's thought, he took a blank sheet of paper from the drawer. The paper was pristine white, symbolizing endless possibilities. Without hesitation, he picked up a pen and gently wrote a few lines:

“Destiny has been reborn, the royal bloodline has never been broken, and the true heir is about to be born.”

He gazed at those lines of text, smiling as he murmured to himself:
“The nobles only fear Medici because they believe they have lost their choice. But if given another ‘destiny,’ they will not hesitate to believe in it and even fight for it.”

The Master of Fate's eyes gleamed with wisdom and composure. He reached out and gently stroked the paper, and the words on it suddenly shimmered with a faint blue light, as if an invisible force was quietly weaving a vast web of destiny.

The air in the room suddenly froze, as if some invisible force was gathering from the void. Si Ming looked up and calmly gazed at the phantom that was gradually appearing in the room.

That is the mysterious power of the God of Fate himself, a true lie, a thousand-faced weaver of destiny.

The illusory figure stood silently and majestically before the God of Fate, and asked in a low voice:
"Are you sure you want to do this? Once this lie is woven, it will be difficult to take it back."

Si Ming smiled calmly: "I never existed to take back a lie. Besides, this lie is exactly the truth that the nobles crave."

Sophie's unborn child was real; all I did was give him a true 'destiny.'

The illusory figure remained silent for a moment, as if pondering or scrutinizing: "You're gambling."

Si Ming smiled slightly: "I've always been like this. In the gamble of fate, there are no absolute winners, but at least this time, the stakes are high enough."

The illusory image faded, and the room returned to silence. Siming lowered his head again, gazing at the words on the page, his smile widening.

"The Balletta family, the prelude to this gamble has only just begun."

He slowly folded the papers, put them in his pocket, walked to the window, and looked down at Areston in the night, his eyes revealing a hint of expectation and determination:

"Nobles, are you ready to face this real lie?"

The mist outside the window surged silently, as if echoing the whispers of fate, weaving an even greater conspiracy and a game of destiny.

"The line between lies and truth is never clear. People will only choose to believe the truth they desire."

"When the curtain of fate falls again, no one can escape the role assigned to them by the script."

—Excerpt from *Morning Star Lies Theater: Aesop's Return*

(End of this chapter)