Chapter 67: Past Events
Chapter 67: Past Events
A mysterious black water bullet floated quietly, smooth and glossy, reflecting a terrified face.
“Is this magic… a secret art?”
You Wucheng forced himself to stay calm, but his body trembled uncontrollably.
Aside from You Qiushui, most of the You Clan, due to their “Black Rope” bloodline, leaned toward the “Purgatory Faction.” You Wucheng had, since childhood, drunk “Purgatory Water,” bathed in “Yellow Springs’ aura,” and seen his share of succubi, deep-realm infernal devils, and such.
But this strangely colored water bullet before him had a chilling aura he had never encountered before. It wasn’t evil, but purely vicious and destructive!
“Do you think I’ll answer you?” Li Yi couldn’t be bothered with idle talk and sneered coldly.
As he spoke, that deep black water bullet, like a heart, thumped once with a boom.
In that instant, it expanded slightly, then collapsed inward, returning to its original size.
This contraction and expansion seemed to have changed nothing, yet You Wucheng clearly felt that the terrifying power contained within had grown even more immense.
A secret art, absolutely, without a doubt, it was a secret art!
At that moment, those few Blood-chattering Imps had also been completely slain.
“I, You Wucheng, swear to the ‘Law Sage’ Confucius, from now on, I will never appear in the Land of Light and Shadow again!”
Utterly terrified, he hesitated no more, speaking rapidly, finishing the oath in one breath.
“Now that’s more like it…”
The spell in his palm dissipated. Li Yi raised a hand. You Wucheng thought he was going to attack and flinched, his neck shrinking, fear on his face.
But Li Yi reached out only to straighten You Wucheng’s rumpled clothes for him, his expression calm and detached. “This oath isn’t a magical contract. If you don’t keep it, I can’t roll you into a ball or stretch you out… However, with so many young noblemen watching, you wouldn’t want to gain a reputation for breaking promises within the Empire’s noble circles, would you?”
“You… you… let’s go!” You Wucheng knew his shame was complete, his face turning livid with anger. He originally wanted to leave with a fierce threat, but felt the more he said, the more shameful it would be.
“Sorry, everyone, for disturbing your movie-watching…” Li Yi turned and bowed apologetically.
“No problem, this show was far more interesting than your movie!”
Zhang Mingshi’s words sparked a wave of agreement. These pampered young masters never complained about trouble being too big.
“You’re called Li Yi? Interested in joining my Zhang family?” Zhang Mingshi fanned himself lightly, carrying the air of a fine gentleman in a corrupted world. “I see your talent and temperament are top-notch. Struggle for a few years, and perhaps you could marry into the family or be granted the surname, becoming a branch of our Zhang Clan.”
“Thanks for the kind offer, but I’m a mountain village rustic, used to freedom. I wouldn’t fit into the life of a grand mansion.” Li Yi smiled, politely declining.
…
Just like the police in Hong Kong movies, Wang Sheng arrived belatedly.
“I brought this trouble, got you involved…” He lowered his head, his eyes annoyed, seeming somewhat self-reproachful. “Li Yi, I’m really sorry.”
“Just give me a bigger share of the money. Isn’t it said that talking about feelings hurts the wallet?” Li Yi noticed his strange mood and didn’t press the issue, dismissing it lightly, and asked, “Do you have a grudge with You Wucheng?”
“Not You Wucheng, but his cousin, the You Clan’s proud son—You Honghu.”
When mentioning that name, Wang Sheng’s voice was like a venomous snake in damp grass, carrying a touch of chill.
“You Honghu? How did you and he have a falling out?” Li Yi was surprised.
“It’s a long story… He and I once competed for a girl, that’s how we became enemies.” Wang Sheng shook his head, smiling a bitter, self-mocking smile. “Don’t look at me now. Back in the day, I was one of the most outstanding talents, just below the Heaven’s Pride level…”
“What happened?”
“I lost. That girl chose him. A few years after marrying him, she fell ill and died. As for me, my luck was bad too. During a trial, someone shattered my Magic Vortex, and I became a cripple.”
Wang Sheng’s tone wasn’t impassioned; it was straightforward, as if talking about something unrelated to himself.
But Li Yi could clearly sense the deeply buried resentment and suppression within, like a temporarily dormant volcano that, once awakened, would unleash world-destroying fury!
In those few brief words, Wang Sheng only touched the surface, not elaborating on many key points.
There must be other circumstances involved!
However, this was someone else’s private matter, and Li Yi felt it wasn’t his place to inquire.
“I’ve decided to close the Land of Light and Shadow.” Wang Sheng sighed.
This statement wasn’t unexpected.
If the opponent were You Wucheng, there might still be room for maneuver. But if it were the You Clan’s proud son, You Honghu, the nature of things would be different.
This person was a top contender in the You Clan’s succession line. The power he wielded could crush the Land of Light and Shadow with barely more effort than squashing a bedbug.
“Close it then, we’ve made enough anyway…”
Li Yi nodded, putting on a carefree front.
“However, your share of the money, I can’t give it to you.” Wang Sheng’s tone was strained. Crossing this line made it difficult for him to speak. “I hope I can exchange it for something else.”
“Exchange?” Li Yi was stunned for a moment, asking curiously in return, “Is it—the Storm Fortress?”
“Sorry, the Storm Fortress can’t be given to you either.” The fat man hesitated, looking embarrassed. “It’s something else—my many years of array theory, called the ‘Myriad Array Collection.’ Also, this thing can’t be given to you now…”
“Why?” Li Yi grew even more curious.
“There’s one array within it that isn’t complete yet. I need to test it on myself first to complete it.”
“Test it on yourself?” Li Yi chuckled. The fat man’s phrasing was quite amusing. “What kind of array is it, exactly? Worth all this trouble?”
“This array is my own original creation. I’ve named it—’Wheel of Six Paths.'” When saying this, a glint flashed in Wang Sheng’s eyes. In that fleeting instant, he wasn’t the timid, submissive fat man, but the flamboyant talent of yesteryear.
“Wheel of Six Paths? The name certainly has an imposing aura!” Li Yi praised lightly, stroking his chin, full of curiosity. “Is it a small array, a medium array, or a large array?”
The fat man shook his head, silent.
“It’s not… an Arcane Energy Array, is it?”
The fat man kept his mouth shut, saying nothing.
“Could it be… a Super Magic Array?” After a few random guesses, Li Yi also felt it was pointless and stopped pressing.
“Don’t worry, I’m not some great man, not even a good person, but I have my own principles! Since I took your money, I definitely won’t let you suffer a loss!” The fat man’s tone was deep, his plain words carrying a vow-like, unshakable firmness.
“What are you going to do? Don’t do anything irrational!” The more Li Yi listened, the more something felt off. He felt this fat man seemed to be delivering last words.
“Relax, my Magic Vortex is broken. I’m just a cripple; what can I do?” The fat man smiled faintly, waving a hand. “You know me. I’m terrified of death. I won’t do anything desperate.”
Li Yi nodded, but the worry in his eyes didn’t fade.
…
“Die, die, die!”
Under the night sky, several strands of Infernal Magic, carrying dark, evil power, flew about, eroding walls and the ground, leaving terrifying scars everywhere.
You Wucheng flew into a rage, nearly driven mad with hatred, truly unwilling. He could only vent his anger on inanimate objects.
He knew too well. Tomorrow, when the gossipy young masters spread this, he would become the biggest joke in noble circles!
“No, I can’t swallow this. I’ll go find Cousin!”
…
In a narrow, small room, a lone lamp burned dimly like a bean.
Under the faint lamplight, a handsome, distinguished man sat cross-legged. His serene demeanor held an indescribable air of ease and grace.
Although the solitary lamp hung above his head, four shadows lay beneath him, like a blooming flower of the undead, spreading open.
These four shadows had nothing to do with the light. They were ghostly, supernatural things, eerie and bizarre, swaying unsteadily.
Thump, thump, thump!
A knocking sound came.
The man’s expression changed, ripples appearing on his face. The shadows beneath him were like water disturbed by a thrown stone, becoming chaotic, waves rising and falling, faint moans of resentment audible, shaking the soul.
“Terrible timing…” He grunted softly and responded, “Who is it?”
“Cousin, it’s me, You Wucheng. I have something…”
Outside the door, You Wucheng’s voice sounded cautiously.
The man in the room was actually the You Honghu that the fat man had spoken of!
“Come in!”
“Cousin, you must help me get justice!” You Wucheng was anxious, rushing in with big strides.
“Stop, don’t move!”
You Honghu roared angrily, startling You Wucheng.
“Cousin, what’s wrong?” he asked curiously.
“Look at your own feet.” You Honghu looked displeased, giving a light snort.
You Wucheng looked down and was so frightened he nearly jumped out of his skin!