He changed Tiwat

The ice shield in its hand melted away the moment it came into contact with the flames.

But it still rushed towards the flames regardless, as if trying to break through the flames with its own body.

However, it failed; blue flames erupted from the gaps in its armor, and then it turned to ashes.

Behind the bow-wielding "empty shell," a knight's lance and a large banner, using his companion's body as cover, thrust towards Dainesreb. Had the bow-wielding "empty shell" not dissipated, these two weapons would surely have pierced his companion's body.

Perhaps from the very beginning, this was their plan—to use their companions' bodies as cover, even if it meant piercing their companions' bodies with their own hands, just to gain a chance to penetrate the blue flames.

Unfortunately, it was all in vain.

Blue flames spread along the knight's lance and flagpole, melting the weapons and corroding the armor, eventually engulfing the bodies of the other two "dark shells" and turning them into two plumes of smoke.

Chapter 201 Black Serpent Knight Hafdan

Dainsreb removed the blue fire.

The three "dark shells" that were just here have vanished without a trace.

"The former 'Black Serpent Knight'..." Dain sighed softly.

"Are these also 'Black Serpent Knights'?" Han Fulai asked, upon hearing Dain's words.

Those "empty shells" he and Jiang Xue fought before were basically just empty shells, living up to their names. There was probably no substance inside those "empty shells" of armor, only black smoke and black mud.

Ye Mingxiang, the "Black Serpent Knight," not only differs in appearance from the other "empty shells," but also clearly possesses self-awareness and a physical body. While it's unclear whether he can still be considered human, he certainly shouldn't be categorized as a "monster."

Of course, according to Ye Mingxiang himself, he wore the "Black Serpent Knight" outfit simply because it represented his leadership position. He was essentially different from the "Black Serpent Knight."

However, judging from Dain's current statement, the "Black Serpent Knight" and the "Empty Shell" seem to be the same kind of monster?

Dain's tone was somewhat melancholic: "The former Kanria Palace Guard was composed entirely of 'Black Serpent Knights,' each of them possessing the glory of a knight."

"So...they are actually all your subordinates?" Jiang Xue asked, tilting his head. He wasn't looking at Daines Reeb, but at the distance.

Something seemed to be wriggling in the darkness, and those "dark shells" had just retreated to that spot before suddenly roaring to the sky and launching a desperate attack on Dain.

“They used to be…” Dain lowered his head, “but now, with that intense aura of curse emanating from them, and that fighting style that has abandoned all honor… they are now the minions of the Abyss.”

Just then, more “dark shells” suddenly emerged from the darkness, forming three groups of nine people, creating a tight square formation, like an impenetrable wall blocking the way for the three.

The leader, the "Dark Shell," raised his knight's lance high and let out another incoherent roar: "!!"

Jiang Xue's expression hardened, and she gripped the bladeless sword at her waist, stepping forward to block Han Fulai.

Suddenly, Dai gestured for a stop with his arm out: "Wait a minute!"

At the same time, Han Fulai also whispered, "It's about time..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the figure of a "Black Serpent Knight" suddenly appeared on the broken wall of the tower room.

The "Black Serpent Knight" wore black armor that blended seamlessly into the darkness of the background, with only his eyes revealing two beams of green light. He had a sun emblem tattooed on his chest and was also wielding a greatsword in one hand—but this sword was not Ye Mingxiang's Thousand Rock Ancient Sword, but a knight's greatsword more in line with European style, with patterns characteristic of Kanria decorating the hilt.

Hmm? Isn't it him who came...? Han Fulai's gaze lingered on the "Black Serpent Knight," and he paused slightly. However, who came didn't affect the outcome.

The "Black Serpent Knight" also roared to the sky, his voice even louder than the "dark shells," like a general issuing orders to his subordinates.

Upon hearing the voice of the Black Serpent Knight, the Dark Shells, maintaining their defensive stance with weapons held level, slowly retreated and then disappeared into the darkness.

Dain looked up and met the gaze of the "Black Serpent Knight" standing on the broken wall.

“…Hafdan?” Dain uttered a name.

Although his expression beneath the helmet was not visible, the "Black Serpent Knight" seemed to nod slightly to Dain. Then, he turned his back and leaped off the broken wall.

"...Is that so...If that's really the case, then it's truly sad."

Dain muttered to himself.

"What exactly happened?" Jiang Xue turned her head and asked Han Fulai in a soft voice.

Han Fulai then gestured in the direction where the "dark shells" appeared: "I guess... there are Hilichurls there, let's go and see."

Dai responded to Han Fulai with action, taking the lead into the darkness, followed closely by Jiang Xue and Han Fulai holding the "Lumenite" catalyst.

As the light from the "lumenstone" catalyst pierced the darkness, the group saw what lay behind those "dark, empty shells"—a small room within the ruins. It might have once been a rest room or prayer room in this "clock tower," but everything from the door to the furniture had long since decayed.

In the small room stood a statue, its upper body now incomplete, whether due to the passage of time or human destruction. The face was also completely missing; only the wide sleeves and robes suggested it was from a very distant era. Furthermore, the statue held a golden triangular object in its hands, shaped like an inverted pyramid, perhaps its identifier. However, none of the three people present possessed the necessary knowledge to determine its origin.

Beneath that half-statue, several Hilichurls were huddled together.

Upon hearing footsteps, one Hilichurl who was sitting cross-legged barely moved, while the other Hilichurls remained lying down or reclining, showing no reaction whatsoever.

These Hilichurls were surrounded by a visible black aura, as if their bodies were slowly "evaporating" along with that black aura.

At the feet of those Hilichurls, a patch of "black mud" that Han Fulai and his companions were very familiar with spread out.

"...As expected, these 'Black Serpent Knights' have nothing to do with the secrets of the Abyss Order. Hmph... I should have guessed it sooner." Dain's tone was icy, his fist clenching and relaxing, as if he had thought of something.

"This is what you meant by the Hilichurls' 'ending,' isn't it?" Han Fu looked at Dain.

Dain nodded slightly.

"Hichurls who prepare for their end will age, become afraid of light, and even gradually merge with the darkness. Even so, the curse continues to erode them."

“And those ‘Black Serpent Riders’ are actually protecting these Hilichurls—protecting the former people of Kanria,” Han Fulai said in a low voice.

“Yes…” Dain turned his back, stepped out of the small room, unwilling to look at his former compatriots who were waiting for their end.

“Although they have lost the ability to speak, the tone of those ‘Black Serpent Knights’ that they shouted before they charged at me was in the ancient Kanrean language, which means… ‘Run!’”

Those "dark shells" who died under the blue flames of Dain had only one thing on their minds before they went to their deaths: the people they were protecting.

“Even corrupted by the curse, they still remember to fulfill their duties… I apologize for what I just said; you have not forgotten your honor.” Dain placed his hand on his chest, looked up at the ceiling, as if talking to himself, or perhaps paying homage to the “dark shells” that were no longer there.

"So that's how it is... Senior Brother..." Jiang Xue gripped the hilt of the bladeless sword, her knuckles turning white.

Han Fulai took a few steps and came to Daines Reeb's side, asking, "You just mentioned a name, Hafdan."

Chapter 202 Their target is you, Dain

"The one who just dismissed the other knights was an elite member of the former palace guard. His name is—Hafdan." Dain's voice was filled with sorrow. "I vaguely remember that on the day of the Calamity of Kanria, before I, as the 'Sword of the End,' rushed to the palace, I entrusted that knight named Hafdan with the task—'Tell all the Black Serpent Knights, no matter what, to protect the people of Kanria.'"

He raised his hand to stroke half of his mask and slowly closed his eyes.

The scene from that day seemed to reappear before his eyes.

"Indeed, we have the title of 'Royal Guard.' But in the face of such calamity, royalty, celebrities, commoners... these identities have lost their meaning. Faced with the power of the gods, only the identity of 'Kanria' exists on earth."

Han Fulai simply listened quietly to Dai Yin's story. As the "successor of the Emperor," this was a topic he had no right to discuss.

From Dainesreb's perspective, he had reason to hate the gods. But through their interactions over this period, Han Fulai also learned that Zhongli, or rather the Rock King, was not a bloodthirsty god. He believed that this hero who protected Teyvat with his own flesh and blood must have other reasons.

Moreover, the "Dark Calamity" of five hundred years ago was also inextricably linked to Kanria.

But for Daines Reb, these explanations are meaningless.

He still lives under the "curse of immortality," suffering five hundred years of hardship with his people.

When people have a stance, right and wrong often become less important.

“Perhaps in the hearts of these 'Black Serpent Riders' who have lost their minds, they are still fighting to protect the people of Kanria,” Dainsreb said slowly. “They see this ruin as Kanria in the midst of disaster, and those Hilichurls as people begging for help…”

"Even I have to admit that this will is so tenacious that it has not been worn away even after five hundred years... It can be considered a miracle born from despair."

Daines Reb turned to look at Han Fulai, then changed the subject.

“But… how did you know? Before Hafdan appeared, you seemed to know that someone would come to stop the ‘Black Serpent Knights’ attack. You even assured me that the trip would go ‘smoothly’.”

His blue eyes stared into Han Fulai's eyes, and Han Fulai did not flinch or avoid them, facing Dain's questioning with composure.

At this moment, Jiang Xue also came out of the small room of the Hilichurl and stood behind Han Fulai.

“Brother Fulai, I’d like to know too. Not just now, but ever since you stepped into this ruin, your behavior has been very strange.”

The captain of the Kanria Palace Guard and the former commander of the Thousand Rock Army stared intently at Han Fulai, their gazes filled with pressure, as if they would invite him to a doubles match on the spot if he did not give a satisfactory answer.

Han Fulai shrugged. There was no point in hiding it any longer. The performance of those "Black Serpent Knights" had already confirmed Han Fulai's guess.

“This is a setup. A setup orchestrated by the leaders of the ‘Abyss Order’ and the ‘Black Serpent Knights’... Their target is you, Mr. Dain.”

"Me..." Dain touched his chin, lost in thought.

Han Fulai then turned around and faced Jiang Xue.

"As for us, we are outsiders, unexpected visitors. There was no place for us in this scheme originally. But your senior brother Ye Mingxiang decided to bring us into this scheme at the last minute—although he gave us a chance to leave... but I think he is very clear about your identity, and your identity does not allow you to leave here."

"Heh, as expected." Jiang Xue didn't seem very surprised, but a self-deprecating expression appeared on her face.

“Since we are outsiders, and this setup is aimed at Mr. Dain, we are actually quite safe in this ruin. The only one in danger is Mr. Dain, who is a Kanrean. So… as you saw before, I’m quite relaxed,” Han Fulai explained.

Jiang Xue remained silent.

"Please allow me to reintroduce you."

Han Fulai turned to Daines Reeb again and bowed.

"I, Han Fulai, Deputy Director of the Office of the Moonlit Pavilion in Liyue, and Executive Deputy Secretary-General, have been ordered to investigate the anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss. This person's real name is Xinghan, Commander of the Thousand Rock Army of Liyue, one of the Seven Stars, and is my friend and superior. I apologize that due to the haste of the previous events, we did not reveal our identities to you... Although I know you are unwilling to cooperate with the Seven Stars, I assure you that our goals and interests are aligned, both aimed at combating the 'Cult of the Abyss'."

At times like these, showing openness and revealing some of your hidden secrets can often gain trust—even if they are trivial. It's like talking to Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun about Ke Qing's fondness for the Emperor's doll, or discussing how to make Golden Shrimp Balls with Ke Qing—it's an easy way to bridge the gap between two people, and Han Fulai has long been adept at this.

From the moment he entered the ruins, he was preparing for this "openness and honesty." The so-called "building up by first suppressing" technique was used, showing a posture of harboring secrets and wanting to speak but holding back, and then going through some events together, becoming Dain's "comrade-in-arms."

Men are simple creatures. If they study together, fight together, and have a heart-to-heart talk, they can become inseparable friends.

Even if they are "lackeys of the gods," they are still "lackeys with whom we can cooperate."

Dain didn't seem very surprised. He just looked at Jiang Xue and asked, "Is the 'True Technique' on you related to that person named Ye Mingxiang that he just mentioned?"

Although Jiang Xue did not make a move in front of Dai Yin, the way he gripped the hilt of his sword and mobilized his energy when facing the "Dark Shell" array could not be hidden from Dai Yin. Dai Yin had already seen through the clue at that moment.

Jiang Xue sighed, "It's the 'Black Serpent Knight' you saw outside the ruins before. He's my senior brother, and he's the one who taught me the 'True Technique' and the 'Wind-Slaying Sword' in place of our master."

“…So the skills of the Kanria royal family are still being passed down in this world.” Dain raised his hand again to stroke his mask. “I’ve never heard of the name ‘Ye Mingxiang.’ Perhaps he is a descendant of the Kanria royal family, or perhaps this is not his real name?”

Jiang Xue lowered her eyes. "I don't know, but my senior brother... since I met him more than 20 years ago, he has always looked about 30 years old, but in the past few years, he has aged a lot."

“I see…” Daisreb sighed. “He is also someone afflicted by the ‘curse of immortality’… I understand.”

He faced Han Fulai, crossed his arms, and adopted a listening posture.

"Mr. Han Fulai, tell me, what is that scheme targeting me?"

Han Fulai only replied with four words:

"A scheme to kill you."

Chapter 203 Something Extraordinarily Strange Must Be Ghostly (Bonus Chapter 3/20)

"A scheme to kill me?" Daines Reeb remained with his arms crossed, his expression unchanged.

Taking on the "Abyss Order" single-handedly is a life-or-death situation, and as the former captain of the Kanria Palace Guard, he has experienced far too many life-or-death crises—and he has lived far too long.

Furthermore, he found it hard to imagine that the Abyss Order was capable of killing him. Over the years, he had thwarted many of the Abyss Order's schemes, and in terms of personal grudges, he was a thorn in the side of the Abyss Order, yet he remained "alive."

In fact, very few forces in this world could kill him.

A person who survived the war that destroyed the kingdom of Kanria was not easy to kill, and he was even more so after being cursed.

But Han Fulai's expression was very confident.

He pointed to the sky above his head.

The key is located on the top of this "clock tower," in the spot that faintly glows with a blue light.

“Mr. Dain, you just said that this ruin… or rather, the roof of this building, has something that weakens the power of the ‘Curse of Undying’?”

“Yes.” Dain nodded.

Han Fulai slowly said, "Then... if that thing is powerful enough, it can not only weaken the 'Curse of Immortality', but even eliminate the 'Curse of Immortality'. 'Immortality'... will then become 'death'."

“Hmph, the ‘curse of immortality’ is not as simple as you think. It’s a curse from the gods…” Dain was about to retort, but stopped halfway through his sentence.

Han Fulai then continued, "So, a curse from the gods can also be broken using the power of the gods, can't it?"

Dain's expression was somber. The reason he stopped halfway through his sentence was because he remembered something.

"This ruin is not the ruin of the Kanreia people, but the ruin of an ancient civilization." Han Fulai seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, and he immediately saw through Dain's thoughts. "The upside-down city we see, the unrecognizable murals along the way, the broken and unknown statues we just saw, and the power that can weaken the 'Curse of Immortality'... all come from an ancient civilization unknown to us."

"Just as you said before, Mr. Dain, this place wasn't built by the 'Abyss Order,' but they got there first. So... if the 'Abyss Order,' who got there first, accidentally discovered a way to counter the 'Curse of Undying' here, and set a trap to lure you into it, wouldn't that be reasonable?"

“You mean…” Dain rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought once more.

As Han Fulai finished speaking, Dain realized that his arrival at the Abyss was orchestrated by the "Abyss Order," and there were too many coincidences involved.

Recently, a foolish Abyss Apostle happened to show his tracks in front of him, and he happened to chase him and escape into a portal. The portal then conveniently sent him to the Abyss of Laminaria, where he saw a "Black Serpent Knight" with self-awareness and a ruin that could weaken the power of the "Curse of Undying" in the Abyss of Laminaria, which he had never set foot in before. All of this aroused his uncontrollable curiosity.

Therefore, he would inevitably choose to enter this ruin to explore it, and then, naturally, he would walk to this "bell tower" and enter the top floor of this "bell tower".