When Ye Beiming was still a child, because of his blindness, he was neglected by his father. He diligently learned the lute, heeding Empress Li’s words, in hopes of receiving a sliver of affection.

After Empress Li died, he learned that he was Hei Yao’s son, which led to a dramatic change in his temperament, and he secluded himself in the Cold Palace for a time.

Subsequently, he resolved to avenge Empress Li. He began to take over the powers Empress Li had left behind early on and further expanded them.

He forced Emperor Ye Chengtian to abdicate and ultimately became the Regent King of Great Zhou. He clashed with Hei Yao multiple times, all because he wanted to avenge his "mother," Empress Li.

But in the end, all of this was completely baseless.

Whether it was Ye Chengtian, Hei Yao, or the woman before him, none had any connection to him.

All he had done over the years was simply a joke.

In his golden eyes, there was both sorrow and anger; at that moment, hatred nearly overwhelmed Ye Beiming’s reason.

He stepped back gradually and burst into laughter, his heart left cold, pondering who he truly was and why he had been born.

"Ming’er! Let me explain. Even though I am not your real mother, and even though I was initially afraid of you, as you grew up, I saw how understanding and lovely you became. I truly treated you as my own son. After I died, I went to the Netherworld, continuously worrying about you being alone in Great Zhou, so I..." Empress Li’s voice had choked up by the time she reached this part.

Indeed, Ye Beiming was not her flesh and blood, but he was nonetheless born from her after ten months of pregnancy.

When Empress Li first became pregnant with Ye Beiming, she feared the possibility of giving birth to a monster and even tried quietly to terminate the mysterious "child."

Yet, each time she attempted to act, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Gradually, as her belly grew, Nanny Qing would joyfully say, "Empress, by the looks of your belly, it’s surely a boy."

As her belly grew day by day, Empress Li could hear the heartbeat of the child inside.

Slowly, she developed a motherly affection for him.

Especially after she gave birth to Ye Beiming and discovered he was blind and strangely frail.

At that moment, Empress Li thought perhaps everything related to the Kirin King Tomb was but a dream.

This child had absolutely no relation to that cold and heartless Sheng Qing.

With such thoughts, Empress Li began to care for Ye Beiming like a mother.

But perhaps not long after Ye Beiming learned to walk, Empress Li discovered that this child possessed a Five Elements Magic Soul and had an astonishing talent for martial arts.

Empress Li simultaneously realized her own body was gradually weakening.

Only then did she awaken to the fact that, indeed, events were as they were—this child was truly formed from the mysterious voice in the Black Qilin King Tomb.

For reasons unknown, a part of those memories was sealed when they became a fetus.

Empress Li was filled with regret, but by then, it was too late.

She could only keep track of the days, starting to nurture her forces and the Beiming Guards with the help of her family’s remaining influence and wealth.

After saying all this, Ye Beiming remained silent.

Empress Li appeared very uneasy, knowing that her words likely sounded like mere excuses, ones Ye Beiming would not easily accept.

"The Netherworld Ghost King said that you tried multiple times to break through the Demon Suppression Array at the Demon Suppressing Stele for my sake. Why? Were you afraid that I would go back on our agreement from the past and not help avenge you? Don’t worry. Even though I don’t remember what I said back then, I’ve already avenged half of your grievances," Ye Beiming lifted his eyes, his voice shaking slightly.

"It’s not like that, not as you think. I attacked the Demon Suppression Array because I regretted it. Whether it be Ye Chengtian or Hei Yao, they are all my enemies, having nothing to do with you. I feared you would lose your reason to hatred, missing out on a life that belongs to you. However... upon seeing Yun Sheng, my mind was relieved. I know you would never walk the same path as me," Empress Li said with tearful eyes, yet a knowing smile played at her lips.

Thankfully, his Ming’er had met such a woman.

A woman with such pure Divine Fire as the Divine Lotus Karma Fire could undoubtedly accompany Ye Beiming to the end.

"You don’t have to recognize me as your mother, but you must remember, though I don’t know your origins, if you want to uncover the truth about your identity, you’d best visit the Hei Qilin Tribe." Empress Li dabbed her swollen red eyes.

Empress Li knew that over the years, she had inflicted great harm upon Ye Beiming, burdening him with her vendettas without cause, which he bore for so long.

But she was nothing more than a lingering Yin Soul and had nothing with which she could make amends.

The only piece of advice she could offer Ye Beiming was this.

Empress Li had once sent people to investigate the Kirin King Tomb, but no clues were found.

Yet, considering the ability to enter the Kirin King Tomb, it was undeniable that Ye Beiming’s former self must have been part of the Hei Qilin Tribe.

"I’ve also considered this point. I don’t want a third person to know about today’s events, including... Yun Sheng," having heard Empress Li’s explanation, Ye Beiming felt a slight relief in his heart.

However, it would be hard for him to explain this matter to Yun Sheng.

Who he truly was could likely only be uncovered by investigating the Hei Qilin Tribe.

Empress Li sighed, acknowledging that she indeed had not mentioned this matter to a third party.

After departing from Empress Li, Ye Beiming arrived outside Yun Sheng’s room.

Having grown accustomed to sharing a bed with Little Wildcat, he found it hard to sleep alone at night after parting from her.

Standing outside the door, listening to Little Wildcat’s steady breathing inside, Ye Beiming knew she was still meditating.

At that moment, Ye Beiming’s mind was in chaos, unwilling to disturb Yun Sheng, so he turned to leave.

Not long after Ye Beiming left, Bo Bo, who had gone to get information from Mingri, had already contacted Mingri. The item Bo Bo used to communicate with Mingri was none other than the Netherworld Jade, which should have been "shattered."

Previously, Bo Bo thought he could forever rid himself of the Netherworld Jade.

Little did he know that after Mingri left, Bo Bo discovered that the eerie Netherworld Jade had mysteriously returned to its pristine state and was once again with him.

However, with the Netherworld Jade in hand, it had become much easier for him to find Mingri.

All he needed to do was call out Mingri’s name to communicate with him via Divine Sense.

"Mingri, get out here now!"

No sooner had Bo Bo spoken than the scene of the Netherworld Palace appeared before him.