Ling Cage: Twelve Talismans? I have everything I need.

Chapter 75 Breaking the news
The heavy doors of the hall closed silently in front of them, temporarily isolating the argument from the cold reality.

Morgan did not immediately return to his residence; his steps faltered slightly in the empty, metallic corridor.

His steps finally stopped outside a relatively secluded cabin.

Far from the heart of the lighthouse, the site is spacious and empty, containing only an old-world piano.

Before the door was even opened, intermittent piano music flowed out from the crack in the door.

The piano playing was awkward and the fingering was immature, clearly indicating that the player was still in the practice stage.

Morgan gently pushed open the slightly ajar door.

The cabin was dimly lit.

A dark-haired girl of about ten years old and a younger boy with soft blond hair sat side by side on the piano bench.

Jingnan's fingers moved somewhat clumsily across the keys, while Charles watched intently at the sheet music, occasionally whispering a note as a reminder.

Morgan remained silent, his tall figure hidden in the shadows by the door, quietly watching the scene unfold.

When the music ended, only the soft breathing of the two people remained in the music room.

Morgan then stepped inside, his boots making a clear sound as they hit the floor.

The two children were immediately startled and turned around at the same time.

“Daddy!” Charles’s eyes lit up, and pure joy instantly bloomed on his little face. He almost blurted it out.

He jumped off the piano bench, intending to pounce on her.

Morgan's gentle expression froze instantly, and his brows furrowed tightly.

He stood still, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority and a deliberate aloofness.

"Charles."

It's just a call to a name.

Charles abruptly stopped running, his smile freezing on his face.

He stood there awkwardly, his little hands clutching the hem of his clothes helplessly.

He lowered his head, his voice extremely reluctant: "...City...City Lord."

Jingnan, who was standing next to Charles, had already stood up. She was a few years older than Charles and was more sensitive and perceptive.

She didn't speak, but stood quietly to the side, bowing her head slightly to show respect.

The air inside the cabin seemed to freeze.

The faint warmth from just now vanished without a trace under the cold, oppressive weight of the title "City Lord".

Morgan looked at Charles's lowered golden head, his small shoulders trembling slightly, and finally softened his tone.

"...You played well, you've improved."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two children before refocusing on Charles.

“Charles, in a few days, it will be the next round of departure ceremonies. As a pillar of the Lighthouse faith, the Light and Shadow Society needs to play its due role. At that time, as the head of the Light and Shadow Society, you will need to represent the Light and Shadow Society and preside over the ceremony with me, read the prayers, and soothe people’s hearts.”

"This is your duty, understand?"

Charles suddenly looked up, his eyes still wet with tears.

Presiding over the departure ceremony? That would mean he would stand on a high platform, facing all the upper and lower classes.

...He was too young to fully comprehend the cruelty involved, but he instinctively felt resistance and a hint of fear.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but under Morgan's unquestionable gaze, he could only nod in the end, his voice hoarse.

"...Understood, Lord City Lord."

Morgan gave him a deep look, but he didn't say anything more. He just nodded slightly, then turned and strode away from the music room.

Yang Chen resignedly allowed Bai Yuetian to push and shove him, enduring the other's incessant chatter all the way.

Finally arriving at the familiar door, Bai Yuetian couldn't wait to reach out and knock.

Just as Yang Chen was about to take out his key, the door opened almost instantly.

Bai Yuekui stood inside the door, having changed into a set of casual cotton and linen clothes. She had obviously heard the commotion outside and was waiting there in advance.

"You're back?" Bai Yuekui's gaze first fell on Yang Chen.

"I thought you wouldn't be back for a while."

She had heard Yang Chen say in the morning that he might come back at noon, but she didn't expect it to be at this time.

"Yes, the children were brought back after their visit, everything went smoothly." Yang Chen smiled gently and stepped aside to enter the room.

However, in the instant he turned to the side...

Bai Yuekui's gaze naturally passed over him and landed on the tall man behind him who was trying to peek out with an infuriating smile on his face. The warmth that had been in Bai Yuekui's eyes when he was with Yang Chen vanished instantly.

Instead, a complex mix of emotions arose, including "It's you again," "You're like a persistent ghost," and "You're here to cause trouble in the middle of the day."

Bai Yuetian seemed completely oblivious to Bai Yuekui's disdain; his bright smile remained unchanged, even growing brighter.

He raised one hand, waved enthusiastically, and greeted everyone in a loud voice.

"Hi! My dear sister! Good morning! Look at my new body, don't I feel especially energetic? I came here especially to have lunch with you and strengthen our sibling bond!"

Bai Yuekui didn't speak, but silently scanned Bai Yuetian from head to toe with his cold eyes.

That look in his eyes seemed to be assessing a piece of trash that needed to be disposed of immediately, or thinking about the easiest way to stuff this noisy source back into that spherical life support pod.

Just when Yang Chen thought Bai Yuekui would slam the door in Bai Yuetian's face like she did last night, she slightly moved aside, making room in the doorway.

However, her gaze remained firmly fixed on Bai Yuetian, and the meaning was crystal clear.

You can come in, but you'd better behave yourself, or you'll face the consequences.

Bai Yuetian seemed to have received an imperial decree, and immediately beamed with joy. He stepped inside, not forgetting to turn back and greet Yang Chen.

"Chengzi, come in! Don't be shy, make yourself at home!"

His attitude of taking over as the guest completely forgot that this was originally Yang Chen and Bai Yuekui's home.

Bai Yuetian smugly squeezed through the door, not forgetting to turn back and wink at Yang Chen.

Yang Chen followed him in and closed the door behind him.

The room was filled with the faint aroma of food, indicating that Bai Yuekui had prepared lunch.

Bai Yuekui ignored Bai Yuetian, turned his gaze to Yang Chen, and his tone returned to its usual gentleness: "Are you hungry? The food will be ready soon."

"Yeah, a little." Yang Chen nodded, trying to ease the tension.

"Those little guys have so much energy after a morning of visiting."

"Mm," Bai Yuekui responded, turning and heading towards the kitchen.

Bai Yuetian immediately followed like a piece of chewing gum that he couldn't shake off, and peered into the kitchen doorway.

"Wow! It smells so good! Yue Kui, your cooking skills have improved! You're just as good as my sister! You've got the style of your brother!"

"Hey, let me tell you, ASH really put a lot of effort into the body she made for me. Just smelling it makes my mouth water. I'm going to have to try my sister's cooking later."

A crisp sound came from the kitchen as a spatula struck the side of a pot, the force of which was noticeably greater than usual.

Yang Chen stood in the living room, watching Bai Yuekui's busy figure in the kitchen.

Looking at Bai Yuetian, who was excitedly describing how realistic her digestive system was at the kitchen door, she felt completely overwhelmed.

He silently walked to the dining table, sat down, poured himself a glass of water, and sighed inwardly: This lunch is probably not going to be peaceful.

Bai Yuekui brought out two dishes and placed them on the table without even glancing at Bai Yuetian.

Bai Yuetian didn't care at all. He immediately pulled out a chair and sat down, his eyes shining as he stared at the dishes on the table.

"Although sensors can simulate these experiences, it's still more satisfying in reality."

"Dinner's ready! I'm starving! Orange, sit down! Yue Kui, stop what you're doing and come on over!" Bai Yuetian greeted them warmly, as if he were the master of the house.

Bai Yuekui brought out the last bowl of soup, placed it in front of Yang Chen, and then sat down next to Yang Chen.

She picked up her chopsticks with elegant movements, as if it were just her and Yang Chen at the table.

Bai Yuetian didn't care about his sister's coldness. He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a large piece of braised pork, stuffed it into his mouth, chewed it exaggeratedly, and exclaimed with satisfaction.

"Mmm! Delicious! So delicious! This flavor is amazing! The taste simulation, the texture feedback... I'll try digesting it later... uh..."

His praise came to an abrupt halt as he felt a cold, piercing gaze fixed upon him.

He didn't need to look up to know whose gaze was coming from.

Bai Yuekui didn't turn around, but his fingers tightened slightly around the chopsticks.

She said to Yang Chen in an extremely calm voice, "Being too noisy while eating will cause indigestion."

Yang Chen: "..."

Bai Yuetian: "..."

He swallowed the meat in his mouth with difficulty and glanced at his sister cautiously.

Finally, he temporarily shut his incredibly handsome mouth, which was on par with the universe's best.

The only sounds in the restaurant were the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the sounds of chewing.

Yang Chen silently ate his rice, feeling that this meal was the quietest he had ever eaten.

(End of this chapter)