Collapse Iron: The Five Heroes of the Clouds Won't Let Me Go

Cheng Xiao was unaware of everything happening in the outside world.

He seemed to be trapped in an imaginary space at this moment.

Recalling Xu Zhao's warning, Cheng Xiao felt there was too much information to process.

First, could the illusion really be Ah-ha? But why can't he sense any power of pleasure at all?

Second, if the illusion is Ah, then why would it trap itself in this place?

The mask on his chest felt slightly warm, and Cheng Xiao frowned as he took it out.

"Little Ha! Come out here and explain yourself!"

The sound of Xiao Ha immediately filled the surrounding space, but the person was nowhere to be seen.

"Cheng Xiao, do you know? If you had never used the [Rat] talisman to revive me a thousand years ago, perhaps the story of the Two-Phase Paradise this time would have had nothing to do with you."

"But unfortunately, you provoked me."

Little Ha let out a sly laugh, and Cheng Xiao said with displeasure:

"Stop messing around, what exactly do you want?"

"Well? Didn't Xu Zhao already say that I want you to stay in this imaginary space prepared for you forever, to stay with me forever!"

"Your existence originates from the [Rat] talisman. Aren't you afraid I'll reclaim my power?"

"Don't worry, how could I not have a backup plan? Benha has already reached an agreement with Aha in the real universe. Our consciousnesses are no longer separate. Aha and Little Ha are indistinguishable."

"Okay, I'll go with you. Let me out first. Guiji is still rampaging outside; I need to ensure the safety of the others!"

Suddenly, an invisible tongue licked Cheng Xiao's cheek.

"What are you doing?!"

Little Ha made a sticky swallowing sound: "This taste...it tastes like a lie! Cheng Xiao, don't try to fool me. Now that I've gone this far, I have no intention of turning back."

"I'm saying this one last time, stop messing around!"

Seemingly sensing Cheng Xiao's anger, Xiao Ha finally revealed itself.

"Guiji... oh no, I should say Weidu, hahaha, I made a deal with him. He'll be the bait to lure you in, and I'll help him trap you. Isn't that perfect?"

"Are you kidding me? What's wrong with you?!"

"Yes, you're right. I was sick, terminally ill, almost going crazy! You know, because of your power, I was resurrected from a mask. Although my physical body is still tormented and in pain, my spirit has been freed. I am truly happy."

"Cheng Xiao, I want you to play three games of pleasure. If you win all of them, I will let you go. If you lose even one, you will stay here forever!"

"I refuse!"

"You can't refuse. To tell you the truth, as I've said before, pleasure is a two-faced god, both smiling and weeping. Illusion, just as its name suggests, is a false reflection, one of two sides, a spiritual clone that relinquishes power to avoid being corrupted by greed."

"And the divine body that contains the power of pleasure has long been corrupted by gluttony, requiring a vast amount of willpower to satisfy its desires. As a demigod, the willpower you alone generate is greater than that of everyone in the Two Realms combined!"

"If you don't want the mad god body and the gluttonous beast to resurface, you have to help satisfy that ever-growing appetite."

Cheng Xiao suddenly realized, but then questioned, "Then why do I need to win all three games?"

"Hahaha, you win! Your desires are satisfied, and the wine of pleasure will intoxicate your madness. But if you lose, hee hee, the insatiable madness will imprison you forever!"

"Then why are you aiding and abetting evil?"

"What are you talking about, Cheng Xiao~ I am Aha, I'm helping myself, is there a problem? But compared to my original body that was forced to separate into two halves, I was resurrected by you, and I am a complete duality, so logically speaking, there is indeed no need to control you."

Xiao Ha's face flushed, and she revealed a seductive and radiant smile, a smile that concealed all her ill intentions.

"But the pleasure of keeping you imprisoned by my side forever, of having you with me forever... is something I simply cannot refuse!!!"

"You're a madman!"

"Hahaha, what joy doesn't lead to madness?"

Before even starting the ride, Little Ha announced:

"First game, let's begin!"

......

Inside the Nissou Paradise, Himeko calls her father, Ryusuke, to invite him to meet her.

To express her filial piety, Himeko personally brewed Ryusuke a cup of coffee filled with heartfelt wishes.

"Ahahaha, Himeko's coffee is such an unforgettable memory. When I first tasted it, it felt like I was seeing the red spider lily."

Ryusuke's expression turned serious: "So, is it alright if I don't drink it?"

Himeko looked heartbroken: "Dad, this is a token of my love as your daughter. Are you going to refuse your filial piety?"

Ryusuke looked troubled, a line of cold sweat trickling down his cheek. After swallowing several times and going through a mental struggle that could be described as an epic battle, he finally hardened his heart:

"Drink! Why wouldn't you drink! This is coffee you made for me, Himeko. As her father, I'm so proud of you. How could I not savor my daughter's cooking!"

Ryusuke then gulped down the entire cup of coffee in one go with lightning speed.

After enduring the tearing of his mouth, the roaring of his throat, the shrinking of his esophagus, and the destruction of his intestines, Ryusuke looked up to the sky and sighed:

"This tastes absolutely amazing."

"Does Dad like this flavor?"

"Um...cough cough, how should I put it, this taste is like hot, scalding magma flowing from the depths of a planet, it's just too explosive, my stomach might have a perforation right now, I'll never forget it for the rest of my life."

Himeko smiled happily:

"Although I didn't quite understand, Dad meant it tastes good, right? That's great! Chengxiao really didn't lie to me. All that practice these past few days hasn't been in vain. Let me make you another cup."

"No, no, no. Coffee is good, but you can't overindulge."

"Is Dad scared?"

"Who wouldn't be afraid of that?!"

After the farce ended, Himeko said seriously:

"We should go back to school, back to the source of all that tragedy, and put an end to the blood-soaked game from fifteen years ago."

"Of course, after all, that's an indelible wound for the school."

The father and daughter returned to the old classroom, where Himeko once again saw the spirits of her deceased classmates wandering there, speaking cheerfully about the school anniversary celebration.

But many bloody handprints appeared on the glass window, just as evil and terrifying as before.

With a gentle wave of his hand, Ryusuke announced the successful completion of the campus and graduation ceremony, allowing the souls of the victimized students to rest in peace, and all the illusions vanished without a trace.

"This is the power of illusion; even tragedy, under the influence of willpower, can linger like a maggot that gnaws at your bones."

Ryusuke then comforted Himeko, telling her not to be reminded of the past, and revealed the truth that he too was nearing the end of his life.

"Hime, you just need to look forward. I was punished for researching the curse of the weathered child and I also contracted the curse. But I am really happy to see you again before I die."

"dad...."

"Haha, don't be sad for me, but before I go to my death, Dad hopes to get the truth."

"What does Dad want to know?"

"I'm curious about the final outcome of the Bloodstained Game back then, and... why the weathering curse on you disappeared?"

Ryusuke stared intently at Himeko, as if trying to see right through her.