"How amusing. Hu Tianshuo, you were once a suspect, and yet Ethan Zhang chose to trust you. But what are you doing now? Have you gone mad? Is your mind broken...?" The words fell like ice, cutting through the gloom with fevered anticipation.
I stared coldly at the two before me, disbelief gnawing at my mind. I could never have imagined these two would appear before me now.
"You know exactly what's happening, Earthly Soul. There's nothing left to say—words are meaningless now." The air thickened, suffocating with Lao Chongyuan's control.
Hu Tianshuo turned and walked away, every step slow and deliberate. I wanted to chase him down, demand answers, but forced myself to stay put. Laughter burst from me, jagged and raw, echoing through the oppressive night.
"Lao Chongyuan, if you're here for the Wraith Blood Jade, there's nothing left to discuss. What role are you playing now?" My words were edged with threat and suspicion, darkness pressing in.
"The new Director of the Ghost Burial Squad." The title sounded more like a curse than an honor.
I let out a hollow laugh, shaking my head.
"You really are something, Lao Chongyuan. Of all the Immortality Society, you're the most peculiar—always shifting with the times, playing every role imaginable. Who are you, really?"
As I spoke, Lao Chongyuan smiled faintly, then gestured for me to follow. I trailed him to a stone table beneath the pavilion and sat.
"It's true, I came tonight to discuss the fate of the Wraith Blood Jade. But since you refuse to hand it over, let's leave it be. I just want to tell you a few things." Lao Chongyuan's words hung heavy, layered with ambiguity and quiet menace.
"If this has nothing to do with the Blood Jade, then there's no reason to keep talking. I have no connection with you, nor do I want one."
Lao Chongyuan nodded.
"The reason you hate us so much is probably because you think our evil has become abnormal, right? But in this world, evil is evil—great evil is still evil, and small evil is still evil. Haven't your own actions contained evil as well?"
"If you want someone to talk to, go find someone else."
Seeing that I was already getting up, Lao Chongyuan sighed helplessly.
"The Illusory Realm—do you know of this space?"
In an instant, I was drawn in by Lao Chongyuan's words and sat back down, grinning wickedly.
"So that's it. Is Ethan Zhang inside the Illusory Realm?"
Lao Chongyuan nodded.
"It's been confirmed. Wu just returned from the Illusory Realm and struck Ethan Zhang down with a single blow. Although it was only his double, it’s still incredible."
As Lao Chongyuan spoke, he stood up and began pacing slowly behind me, his presence looming and oppressive.
"Stability. That is humanity's deepest desire. That's why so many from the Ghost Burial Squad chose to cooperate with us, why the rulers surrendered their power. They crave stability. Many in the upper echelons have reaped rewards—life extended by our hand. Isn't that marvelous? Even those so-called paragons of justice in the arts have taken something from us. For years, we've studied human nature, because only through people can we discover the secret to enduring life, even immortality. That is humanity's ultimate pursuit."
"Utter nonsense."
I sprang up from my seat. Lao Chongyuan gave a faint smile as I bared my teeth at him, fury burning in my gaze—yet I couldn't find a single reason to refute his words.
"How many people can face death calmly, even willingly die for something greater? Since ancient times, such sparks have been rare, yet they become legends and ideals for later generations—so-called immortality of the spirit. But what meaning does that truly hold? Time belongs to the living. No matter how memorable the dead may be, the dead are still dead, powerless to change this world. Only those alive, those standing at the summit, can shape reality."
I could no longer contain myself, but Lao Chongyuan pressed on, relentless.
"This is the truth I want you to grasp, Earthly Soul. Those with the power to change things often cannot see reality—they throw themselves into the flood without hesitation. Only those who put self-interest above all else can endure eternally in the river of history. History is written by the victors, isn't it? So let us end this pointless struggle. The era of the Underworld and Ghost Sovereigns is finished. Now begins an age truly ruled by humans. All that is rotten and obsolete should perish. The Living World needs only peace and steady progress."
Lao Chongyuan stretched out a hand toward me. I let out a dark, mirthless laugh.
"You've said so much. Let me ask you—if I cooperate, can you guarantee you'll be my stepping stone?"
Lao Chongyuan's expression didn't change. He smiled and shook his head.
"The difference between the strong and the weak is this: the strong control the weak, while the weak exist only as stepping stones for the strong. So..."
I turned away, forcing a smile.
"There's no need to continue. Lao Chongyuan, you win."
Inside, rage churned with nowhere to go. The Living World was stable now, and if the Immortality Society intervened, they could dominate every field, all under the banner of justice. No one wanted chaos. But for reasons I couldn't name, I sensed something was deeply wrong.
"Maybe you're still confused. Sit down—let me enlighten you, Earthly Soul. I've lived through countless eras, seen every kind of person. No matter the age, from the dawn of human civilization, every action is driven by self-interest—material or psychological. You haven't accepted that yet. You just want to destroy, but if you do, what will you become? Those who disturb the world's peace always become true evil."
I turned coldly and began to laugh.
"I don't mind being that evil, Lao Chongyuan. Save your theories. Maybe you're right—greed is as boundless as the stars. But being human means having the right to choose, doesn't it? The Ghost Burial Squad's fate is frustrating, but I know what that idiot Hu Tianshuo wants—to protect the Living World's peace. Still, I don't agree with choosing evil for such a paltry goal. Maybe it's rational, but let me warn you: don't stand in my way. Anyone who does dies."
Lao Chongyuan smiled faintly, his expression unreadable.
"You sound like a sulking child. Don't you want to know about Ethan Zhang..."
I shook my head, dismissing him.
"Knowing or not knowing—it's meaningless. If he wants to return, he will. Since you've said enough, I can rest easy. Lao Chongyuan, your Immortality Society puppets—one day, they'll slip your control. Heh!"
"Stability. That’s what people crave most. That’s why so many in the Ghost Burial Squad agreed to cooperate with us, why the rulers handed over their power. They want stability. Many of those in power have benefited from us—their lives extended. Isn’t that a wonderful thing? Even so-called righteous men in the arts have taken from us. For years, we’ve studied humanity, because only through people can we find the secret to longevity, even immortality. That is the ultimate human pursuit."
"Utter nonsense."
I shot up from my seat. Lao Chongyuan smiled faintly. I bared my teeth, glaring at him, furious yet unable to refute his words.
"Faced with death, how many can walk calmly to the end? How many would choose to die for something greater? Since ancient times, such sparks are rare, yet they become legends for future generations, celebrated as spiritual ideals that never fade. But what’s the point? Time belongs to the living. No matter how memorable the dead may be, the dead are still dead, powerless to change anything. Only those who live and stand at the top can alter the world."
I couldn’t hold back any longer, but Lao Chongyuan kept talking, relentless.
"What I want you to understand, Earthly Soul, is that those with the power to change things often can’t see reality clearly—they throw themselves into the current without hesitation. Only those who put self-interest first can live forever in history’s river. History is written by the victors, isn’t it? So let’s stop this pointless struggle. The age of the Underworld and Ghost Sovereigns is over. Now begins an era truly ruled by humans. All that old rot must vanish. The Living World needs only peace, steady progress."
Lao Chongyuan extended a hand to me. I laughed darkly.
"You’ve said so much. So let me ask you—if I cooperate, can you guarantee you’ll be my stepping stone?"
Lao Chongyuan’s smile didn’t falter. He simply shook his head.
"The difference between the strong and the weak is this: the strong control the weak, while the weak exist only as stepping stones for the strong. So..."
I turned away, forcing a smile.
"No need to keep going. Lao Chongyuan, you win."
Inside, fury churned with nowhere to go. The Living World was stable now, and if the Immortality Society took control, they could dominate every field, all under the guise of justice. No one wanted chaos. Yet something in me sensed this was wrong.
"Maybe you’re still confused. Sit back down—let me enlighten you, Earthly Soul. I’ve lived through countless eras, seen every kind of person. No matter the age, from the dawn of human civilization, every action is driven by self-interest—material or psychological. You haven’t accepted that yet. You just want to destroy, but if you do, what will you become? Those who disturb the world’s peace always become true evil."
I turned coldly, then laughed.
"I don’t mind being that evil, Lao Chongyuan. Save your theories. Maybe you’re right—greed is as boundless as the stars. But being human means having the right to choose, doesn’t it? The Ghost Burial Squad’s fate is frustrating, but I know what that idiot Hu Tianshuo wants—to protect the Living World’s peace. Still, I don’t agree with choosing evil for such a paltry goal. Maybe it’s rational, but let me warn you: don’t get in my way. Anyone who does dies."
Lao Chongyuan smiled faintly, the expression unreadable.
"You sound like a petulant child. Don’t you want to know about Ethan Zhang..."
I shook my head, dismissing him.
"Whether I know or not doesn’t matter. If he wants to come back, he will. Since you’ve said enough, I can rest easy. Lao Chongyuan, your Immortality Society puppets—one day, they’ll slip your control. Heh!"