Chen Luo himself returned home in a cheerful mood, but upon arriving, he sensed something was amiss.
The home that had been full of warmth when he left now seemed to have taken on a different flavor.
The Herrscher of Sentience and Book of Fuxi were sitting on two separate single-seater sofas, left and right, the atmosphere somewhat heavy. Meanwhile, the little fox was sitting on the middle couch, its entire face screaming 'carefree'.
"Question: What was I doing right before I shut down and fell asleep?" Book of Fuxi asked the Herrscher of Sentience before her seriously.
"It was the hundredth year of the Tang Dynasty's founding. You ran out of energy while eliminating demonic beasts at the Great Wall." The Herrscher of Sentience also answered calmly and collectedly.
"Hmm..." Book of Fuxi rubbed its forehead somewhat troubled.
"What's going on here?" Seeing this scene, Chen Luo couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.
"Ying!" The first to answer wasn't the Herrscher of Sentience or Book of Fuxi, but the carefree little fox on the sofa.
Seeing Chen Luo return, the little fox stepped on the back of the sofa, leaped up, and pounced into Chen Luo's arms.
"And why aren't you guys using the air conditioner?" Chen Luo muttered as he walked to the sofa, picked up the remote, and turned on the AC.
These two—one a Herrscher of Sentience, one a combat puppet—not feeling the heat is something Chen Luo can understand. But look how miserable the little fox is!
Chen Luo's strength isn't enough to let him go completely without AC in this summer heat. This is also why Chen Luo took the initiative to go out. Not using AC at home—are you trying to drive people crazy with the heat?
If it were winter, it'd be different. Chen Luo has the Gem of Haste, which can emit light and heat. But right now, Chen Luo doesn't have a Herrscher of Ice core.
"XiXi suddenly started saying things like 'I'm not myself' or something. Could it be that you broke its brain during the repairs?" The Herrscher of Sentience looked at Chen Luo with a reproachful gaze.
"..." What do you mean 'I broke its brain'? It's clearly that your acting isn't good enough and you got exposed, right?
To be honest, Chen Luo never really expected the Herrscher of Sentience to last very long. After all, although the Herrscher of Sentience resembles Fu Hua when not speaking, the moment she opens her mouth, the resemblance is gone.
Especially since there's quite a gap in demeanor, so Book of Fuxi was bound to recognize it eventually.
But he's only been gone for over two hours, right? You got exposed way too quickly! Chen Luo thought it could at least last until evening when they go to the bar.
And now, it's probably that the Herrscher of Sentience realized she's been found out but refuses to admit it, hence this last-ditch resistance.
The problem is, although Book of Fuxi can't find any specific flaw to prove the Herrscher of Sentience isn't Fu Hua—after all, the Herrscher of Sentience possesses all of Fu Hua's memories—Book of Fuxi simply doesn't believe it anymore.
Not believing means not believing.
Book of Fuxi has been with Fu Hua for thousands of years, and it's a ELF; its memory doesn't fade. Trying to fool it is actually quite difficult.
"It might really be that I caused some issue when replacing the power source. Little ancestor, don't move yet; let me repair you." After saying this, Chen Luo started walking towards Book of Fuxi.
"Wait, don't come over. I'm absolutely sure I'm not missing any functions. I'm perfectly normal." Book of Fuxi warned Chen Luo, already entering a semi-combat stance.
Book of Fuxi now views both Chen Luo and the Herrscher of Sentience with some distrust, feeling like these two troublemakers are out to harm it.
Although for Fu Hua, the time span is over a thousand years, for Book of Fuxi, it's like just waking up from a nap.
To use an analogy: it's like you wake up from sleep and find your parents acting extremely strange, and there's an additional sibling you don't recognize.
Although you accepted the initial explanation, the longer you interact, the more you feel your parents' behavior is utterly bizarre, as if they've become different people.
Wouldn't you be scared?
That's the state Book of Fuxi is in now.
As for letting Chen Luo repair it?
Only a fool would do that!
"All patients say they aren't sick. It seems you're indeed critically ill, little ancestor." Chen Luo sighed.
"I'm really not sick. My functions aren't abnormal." Book of Fuxi said, somewhat frantic again.
The current situation makes Book of Fuxi feel it might have been better not to wake up at all.
"..." Hearing this, Chen Luo also looked at the Herrscher of Sentience.
What do you plan to do?
"..."
What else can we do? Keep up the act.
Although the Herrscher of Sentience didn't say anything, Chen Luo could understand her inner thoughts at this moment.
Or perhaps it was telepathy.
"XiXi, look, this is Fenghuang Down." After a moment of silence, the Herrscher of Sentience opened her right hand, and a glowing feather appeared there.
Although the Herrscher of Sentience doesn't actually have Fenghuang Down, Senti is the Herrscher of Sentience. Simulating a Fenghuang Down feather is a trivial matter, isn't it?
"..." Seeing the feather imbued with the Herrscher of Sentience's power in her hand, Book of Fuxi became even more conflicted.
This Fenghuang Down feather is the real deal, containing the power of the Herrscher of Sentience—Book of Fuxi can discern that because it has watched Fu Hua use it for thousands of years.
But the more this is the case, the more conflicted Book of Fuxi becomes. Even though nothing seems wrong upon inspection, everything feels wrong!
"Right, it's Fenghuang Down!" Just as Book of Fuxi was anxiously looking around, its eyes suddenly lit up.
"Your hair ornament looks similar to Fenghuang Down, but it's not completely the same!" Book of Fuxi pointed at the hair accessory the Herrscher of Sentience was wearing.
Sometimes at home, if a familiar object is missing, you might not notice immediately because you're so accustomed to the house. You might feel something is off but can't pinpoint what.
But if you notice a familiar object has changed its appearance, you'll immediately realize there's a problem.
"..." This left Chen Luo speechless.
Alright, this time it's my fault.
Originally, Chen Luo intended to give the Herrscher of Sentience a hair accessory that wasn't completely identical to Fu Hua's but was of a similar style.
Who knew the Herrscher of Sentience would want to impersonate Fu Hua after Book of Fuxi woke up?
"That, little ancestor, actually, I possess an ability that can transform objects, allowing me to disguise Fenghuang Down. The hair accessory on Master's head is one I disguised. After all, Master's hair accessory is too recognizable. To hide in the mortal world, one must be cautious in all matters, so I changed its shape for her." Chen Luo explained.
"If you don't believe me, I can change Fenghuang Down back to its original appearance." As he spoke, Chen Luo reached out towards the Herrscher of Sentience.
The ornament on the Herrscher of Sentience's head is actually just an ordinary Dominion Key. The reason it looks like Fenghuang Down is because the Herrscher of Sentience disguised it with her own power. To simulate it to 100% resemblance, Chen Luo just needs to change its shape a bit—something he happens to be able to do.
"No." But before Book of Fuxi could say anything, the Herrscher of Sentience protected the hair accessory on her head.
"Ah, this..." Chen Luo was stunned.
What's the meaning of this?
We, your subjects, are prepared to fight to the death, so why has Your Majesty surrendered?
"This is a keepsake you gave me. Moreover, if even it were to take the form of Fenghuang Down, wouldn't that mean..."
Wouldn't that mean I've completely become a substitute for Fu Hua?
The Herrscher of Sentience didn't voice the latter part, but Chen Luo could roughly understand her expression.
"..." Chen Luo fell silent.
"Ah, so you finally admit you're not the blockhead, right?" Book of Fuxi jumped out at this moment.
"How should we handle this?" Chen Luo pointed at Book of Fuxi with his finger and asked.
If the Herrscher of Sentience needed it, Chen Luo could modify Book of Fuxi to cooperate with the Herrscher of Sentience, enough to make it lose memories of this period, or even firmly believe that the Herrscher of Sentience is Fu Hua.
Feeling the inexplicable chill that suddenly arose, Book of Fuxi instinctively took a step back.
"No need for such trouble. It's impossible to keep it hidden forever anyway; I know that." The Herrscher of Sentience waved her hand, appearing very carefree and unrestrained.
Being recognized by Book of Fuxi was inevitable; the only difference was how long it would take.
For the Herrscher of Sentience, this was just a playful game; no need to take it too seriously.
If she had Chen Luo change the appearance of her hair accessory, only to be discovered later that she isn't Fu Hua, that would truly be adding insult to injury.
"Uh..." Now it was Book of Fuxi's turn to feel awkward, having been on full alert.
Book of Fuxi thought that once it exposed the deception, these two scheming individuals might resort to violence. But these two didn't seem to have any special reaction.
Doesn't that make me look foolish?
"Just who are you two?" Book of Fuxi looked warily at Chen Luo and the Herrscher of Sentience.
"Tch, you were just calling me 'blockhead, blockhead' a moment ago, and now you're turning your back on me? XiXi, you're really cold and heartless." The Herrscher of Sentience said with a tearful expression.
"Do you think I'd believe your nonsense? You demon?! And what happened to Phoenix?" Book of Fuxi stared at the Herrscher of Sentience sitting on the sofa.
Book of Fuxi was now somewhat worried about Phoenix's safety.
After all, if she has obtained almost all of Phoenix's memories, that means Phoenix is in danger, and Book of Fuxi couldn't quite figure out her motives.
"Where... are you looking?" The Herrscher of Sentience, who had suddenly appeared behind Book of Fuxi, gently lifted Book of Fuxi's chin and said softly.
"Eh, you, how did you..." Book of Fuxi suddenly felt that this method of disappearing and reappearing suddenly seemed very familiar.
"Let me reintroduce myself. I am the 8th Herrscher, the Herrscher of Sentience. Surprised? Shocked?" The Herrscher of Sentience, who had subdued Book of Fuxi in an instant, pinched Book of Fuxi's chubby little cheek.
"The… the Herrscher of Sentience?!" Book of Fuxi's hair practically stood on end.
It's actually a Herrscher!
But then again, if it's the Herrscher of Sentience, then everything can be explained.
The Herrscher of Sentience is the Herrscher who controls consciousness. Perhaps I'm not in reality right now, but in her illusion?
Anything is possible.
But wait, that's not right; I'm an ELF.
"A'Luo, come here quickly. Set some restrictions on her to prevent her from accidentally spilling the truth later." After completely subduing Book of Fuxi, the Herrscher of Sentience called for Chen Luo's help.
Phoenix spent thousands of years with Book of Fuxi, which means the Herrscher of Sentience also spent thousands of years with Book of Fuxi. The Herrscher of Sentience understands Book of Fuxi's attack patterns and weaknesses perfectly clearly.
"Ah, why must you trouble a mere traveler?" Chen Luo sighed, placed the little fox on the sofa, and then walked over to Book of Fuxi.
"Wait, young master, I have something to say to you." Feeling herself completely immobilized, Book of Fuxi grew panicked as she watched Chen Luo approach.
If this Chen Luo could replace her power source and ensure normal operation after a thousand years of being powered off, it means he definitely has some skill in understanding ELFs.
Moreover, he holds Void Archives; he might really be able to modify her.
Book of Fuxi is in big trouble!
"Young master, listen to me. Herrschers are terrifying beings. You must never try to cooperate with a Herrscher. You're only aiding the villain, making a pact with the devil. Sooner or later..." Book of Fuxi tried to make Chen Luo understand how dangerous it is to coexist with a Herrscher.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the 10th Herrscher, the Herrscher of Dominance, and the 12th Herrscher, the Herrscher of Corruption." Chen Luo spread his arms and said.
"However, recognizing one's mistakes and correcting them is the best..." Book of Fuxi, who had been speaking, suddenly fell silent mid-sentence.
Book of Fuxi didn't understand, didn't comprehend why a Herrscher could use the First Divine Key. But whether she understood or not was meaningless now, because Book of Fuxi felt she was done for this time.
In this entire household, I'm the only one who isn't a Herrscher, right?
And it's the Herrscher of Corruption, no less! A Herrscher of Corruption who knows how to repair and improve ELFs—the natural counter to ELFs, for heaven's sake!
If only I hadn't exposed their tricks so early. Indeed, the more you know, the quicker you die.
Phoenix, save me!
* * *
After being released by the Herrscher of Sentience, Book of Fuxi felt herself all over but didn't find any extra hands growing or any parts mutated.
"What exactly did you do to me?" But the more this was the case, the more frightened Book of Fuxi felt.
"Nothing much. I just set some keywords for you, so you know what should and shouldn't be said." Chen Luo said after brushing off non-existent dust from his hands.
What could Chen Luo do to Book of Fuxi? Chen Luo just affected its operational program after giving it another physical check-up.
As for harming Book of Fuxi? Completely unnecessary, completely unnecessary.
"I don't believe it!"
"Don't believe me? That's fine. Then finish reading these mangas first." Chen Luo threw his tablet to Book of Fuxi and then headed straight for the kitchen.
Chen Luo still remembered that he actually came home to cook…