From the fake emperor to the concubine

Each question was like a heavy hammer blow to Zhang Yunfan's wavering defenses.

Zheng Yi's voice suddenly became serious and heavy, carrying a warning born of experience: "The path of cultivation is against the will of Heaven, how difficult it is! Countless people have spent hundreds or even thousands of years in arduous cultivation, yet they may not even be able to glimpse the gate to the Great Dao, and can hardly make any progress!"

"However, on this path, sometimes just making one wrong choice—for example, trusting someone you shouldn't have, or drinking a bowl of wine you shouldn't have—can instantly wipe out all the cultivation you've painstakingly achieved, plunging you into an abyss of no return!"

He paused, seemingly admiring Zhang Yunfan's inner struggle: "This burly man in front of me, he might genuinely be grateful and have no ill intentions..."

"But it's also possible... that it harbors malicious intentions and conceals deadly intent!"

He offered his final choice: "Whether it's true or false, good or bad, it all depends on whether you dare to risk your life to believe in the sincerity of his bowl of wine."

Through these playful yet coldly scrutinizing words alone, Zhang Yunfan could clearly sense the undisguised, almost overflowing, deep malice emanating from this mysterious old monster senior in his sea of ​​consciousness who constantly used the title "I" (朕).

This malice wasn't directed at the burly man; it was more like he was enjoying putting Zhang Yunfan in a dilemma, watching him feel terrified and tormented!
The bowl of fine wine that was so close at hand now seemed to Zhang Yunfan as the most terrifying poison in the world.

To drink or not to drink?
Believe it or not?

Every thought weighed heavily, almost suffocating him. Large beads of sweat finally slid uncontrollably down his forehead.

Originally, Zhang Yunfan didn't really care. He seemed honest and straightforward, and his face, which always had a simple smile, seemed unable to hide anything. But deep down, he was an extremely perceptive person who could see through changes in the atmosphere around him.

This keenness is almost instinctive; it's an innate ability of his.

Zhang Yunfan has never told anyone about this, not even Zheng Yi, who is currently possessing the sea of ​​consciousness.

It is precisely because of this ability that Zhang Yunfan has been able to turn danger into safety time and time again.

Distinguish between truth and falsehood in advance so that you won't be scammed when you help others.

Anyone who gets close to him, whether it's feigned warmth or a calculated probing, as long as they harbor even the slightest inappropriate thoughts, will be detected by his keen perception, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

He sensed no hostility or malice directed at him from the boisterous man who was breaking open the clay seal and picking up the wine jar.

The other person's aura was as open and free as the wilderness, his eyes as bright as torches, and every move he made exuded a rugged sincerity.

but!

Within the sea of ​​consciousness, the senior's warning was cold, cruel, and truly terrifying.

Those words were like poisoned ice needles, piercing deep into his soul.

It was so terrifying that if he even slightly touched that thought in his mind, or even just recalled the echo of his predecessor's words, a chill would instantly explode from his tailbone, rising wildly up his spine, making his scalp tingle, and the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, as if countless cold insects were crawling under his skin, giving him a chilling feeling of falling into an abyss, being swallowed by boundless darkness and bone-chilling cold.

In this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, where danger lurks at every turn, which cultivator hasn't crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood?

Which one of them didn't risk their lives, endure countless life-or-death trials, pay unimaginable heavy prices, and suffer the loneliness and torment of long years to struggle to climb to where they are today?

But as that senior said, it is cold and cruel, no matter how much blood and tears you have shed, how much unimaginable suffering you have endured, or how many dangerous dangers you have overcome.

Just mishearing a single sentence, just one sentence! A tiny, perhaps even unintentional, mistake.

I trusted someone I shouldn't have.

Everything forged with life and blood, all the cultivation, status, dreams, and even the traces of existence, will collapse in an instant like a sandcastle swept by a raging wind, turning into nothingness, leaving only shattered bubbles, becoming an unattainable, fragile illusion.

This extreme terror—the sudden loss of all foundations, the complete absence of resistance, the instantaneous annihilation of everything, the devastation of being swept away into the dust, the utter ruin—made Zhang Yunfan feel as if the solid ground beneath his feet had vanished, and he was falling irrevocably into a cold, dark abyss. The bone-chilling cold froze his limbs and bones, and even his heartbeat felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible icy hand.

Seeing Zhang Yunfan's ever-changing expression, his eyes sometimes sharp and sometimes unfocused, and his body tense like a fully drawn bowstring, the burly man Zhuo Liqun stood there motionless for a long time.

Judging from Zhang Yunfan's visibly shaken appearance, he could naturally guess what Zhang Yunfan was thinking at that moment.

After all, he had seen similar situations many times before.

Who told me to have such a despicable and inhumane younger brother?
A barely perceptible hint of helplessness and understanding flashed across Zhuo Liqun's eyes.

"Hehe, it seems you're not good at drinking, but that's alright," Zhuo Liqun's voice was still loud, but beneath that cheerfulness, there seemed to be a hint of subtle distance.

"I'll drink it myself." He said without pausing, as if the invitation had never happened. He raised his chin, which was covered with short, stiff stubble, and his Adam's apple bobbed powerfully. He held the rough earthenware jar, which was emitting a strong smell of alcohol, high in the air. The amber-colored liquor poured down like a small waterfall, and some of it even flowed freely down his lips and beard, soaking the coarse cloth shirt on his chest.

His behavior was exactly the same as before; that arrogant and unrestrained spirit, that generous and forthright manner, made one feel that if one still harbored any dark suspicions about him, it would be a sign that one's own heart was too narrow and one's mind too dark.

Moreover, Zhang Yunfan could clearly sense that the instant Zhuo Liqun put down his wine bowl and began to drink heartily, a faint yet unmistakably clear look of disappointment flashed across the man's bright, star-like eyes beneath his thick eyebrows. It wasn't deliberate contempt, but rather a sense of realization that things were just as they were, a slight sigh at the disappointment of unmet expectations.

This slight disappointment, like a tiny thorn, gently but firmly pierced Zhang Yunfan's pride, which was unusually sensitive due to fear.

For no apparent reason, a strong feeling of resentment and shame, mixed with being looked down upon, surged into my heart.

When did Zhang Yunfan become so timid and hesitant?

It's just a glass of wine! If you don't even dare to drink this unknown wine, and you don't even dare to face this unknown risk, then what are you talking about defying fate?

What kind of immortality are you trying to cultivate? What kind of great path are you seeking?
As soon as this thought arose, the bloodlust that had been suppressed by fear in my chest surged up suddenly.

Zhang Yunfan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

He solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to the burly man who was putting down an empty can and casually wiping the wine stains off his beard with his large hand, and said in a deep voice, "Brother, may I ask your name?"

The burly man, Zhuo Liqun, was also taken aback upon hearing this. A hint of surprise appeared on his rugged face. He seemed completely unprepared for the young man in front of him, who had just been immersed in great fear and whose face had turned pale, to suddenly ask such a seemingly ordinary yet decisive question at this critical juncture.

He grinned, revealing his white teeth. His smile was as open and honest as ever, without any intention of hiding anything. "My name is Zhuo Liqun," he said in a loud voice, with a matter-of-fact frankness. "I am not a famous person. It was just that by chance and luck, I gained the favor of an old senior and received some inheritance. I can barely be considered to have taken a few steps ahead of others."

Upon hearing this name, Zheng Yi, who was possessing Zhang Yunfan's sea of ​​consciousness, drawled out the words: "Ze... well, this name doesn't sound very good. It always gives people the feeling of a major villain."

Upon hearing the name Zhuo Liqun, almost simultaneously, all the people around him turned their gazes toward him with a complex mix of emotions, including doubt, curiosity, and disbelief, as if drawn by an invisible magnet.

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Even Zhang Yunfan himself felt a sudden jolt of fear and a sharp contraction in his pupils upon hearing the name. The chaotic fear and distracting thoughts he had been experiencing were instantly suppressed by the impact of the name. He blurted it out involuntarily, his voice filled with surprise and doubt.

"Fellow Daoist! You...you are the one who, in order to rescue an innocent girl kidnapped by the Blood Wolf Gang, single-handedly fought thirty evil cultivators of the same level, fought a bloody and bitter battle, and ultimately ruthlessly killed nine and severely injured sixteen, killing them until their livers and galloped away, leaving them terrified and their souls scattered, only daring to watch helplessly as you carried the girl away?"

When people mentioned his proudest achievements, Zhuo Liqun smiled frankly, a smile that carried a humble indifference, yet also a deep-seated pride: "Hey, just some old stories, nothing more than luck."

He waved his hand, but his straight back and the gleam in his eyes said it all.

Deep within Zhang Yunfan's sea of ​​consciousness, Zheng Yi was speechless upon hearing about Zhuo Liqun's deeds, and a wave of helplessness rippled through his consciousness.

Such a good reputation and such perfect conduct are making it increasingly clear that it's like a template directly copied from some traditional storybook.

Zhuo Liqun is a classic example of a seemingly virtuous person who is actually a villain.

"That's right, he's becoming less and less like a good person," Zheng Yi said, both amused and exasperated.

Upon hearing Zheng Yi's words, he immediately retorted, unconvinced: "You can't say that, senior."

"This Fellow Daoist Zhuo's name and his appearance... are quite different." Zhang Yunfan's gaze swept over Zhuo Liqun's somewhat rugged face, which even carried a bit of a rough and tumble air. "But what this Fellow Daoist has done makes it absolutely fair to call him a hero!"

He said with absolute certainty: "I don't know how many people have benefited from his kindness, or how many villages have been spared from the slaughter of monsters because of him!"

If Zhang Yunfan could see Zheng Yi's expression, he would find that Zheng Yi's expression was becoming increasingly strange, as if he were watching a meticulously crafted mask slowly unfold.

This excellent reputation and this impeccable style of conduct are increasingly resembling the stereotypical image of a hypocrite, so perfect that it sends chills down one's spine.

However, Zheng Yi did not refute anything, but simply suppressed his doubts, as it was clearly just his stereotype.

As for the others, at least Zhang Yunfan in front of him was deeply impressed by this glorious image.

After learning the other person's name, Zhang Yunfan's doubts and worries vanished instantly, as if the sun had dispelled the last wisp of gloom.

He readily picked up the murky, strong liquor on the table, the rough ceramic cup complementing his calloused hands: "Fellow Daoist Zhuo, I was judging you by my own petty standards before!"

His voice was loud and clear, with the straightforwardness of a cultivator: "It is truly inappropriate to suspect that you would poison the wine. I will punish myself with three cups to express my apology!"

After saying that, he tilted his head back and chugged the liquor, his Adam's apple bobbing as the spicy liquid trickled down his chin, but he didn't seem to care.

Even though he was suspected of using such underhanded methods, Zhuo Liqun wasn't angry at all. Instead, he laughed and said, "It's alright, it's alright! It's good to be cautious when traveling! If I were in your shoes, I would definitely have the same thought as you."

His gaze was open and honest. He raised his glass and clinked it against Zhang Yunfan's, making a crisp sound. "Come on, bottoms up!"

Zhang Yunfan had no idea that while he and Zhuo Liqun were drinking and chatting, Wei Siling, hiding in the shadows, was about to have her inner energy surge wildly!

She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, leaving several crescent-shaped bloody marks.

"This idiot! Fool!" Wei Siling screamed in her mind, her consciousness like a powder keg that had been ignited.

"You believed that guy so easily! You're not afraid of death yourself, but don't drag me down with you!" She could almost see the cold blade hidden beneath Zhuo Liqun's gentle smile.

As a member of the Demonic Sect, she had seen far too many of those "models of righteousness" who appeared respectable and prestigious but secretly engaged in the most despicable acts!
Who knows the truth about Zhuo Liqun, whether he is really clean?

Behind his favors, how much indelible blood is stained?

How many innocent bones lie buried beneath the name of heroes?

Wei Siling's eyes were filled with icy coldness, and the demonic energy within her body was poised to strike like a venomous snake.

However, the moment the thought crossed her mind and she slightly exerted force with her toes, a terrifying, bone-chilling restraint from the depths of her soul suddenly descended upon her!
It was as if countless invisible, barbed chains had instantly pierced through her limbs and tightened around her heart!
That domineering master-servant contract power, like ten thousand feet of ice, instantly froze her boiling killing intent and raging demonic energy!
Her body suddenly stiffened, as if she had been frozen in place, unable to move an inch, not even her fingertips trembled.

A heavy, suffocating feeling gripped her throat. (End of Chapter)