Twilight's Threshold Chapter 728: The One in the Vessel - Novel Cool

Chapter 728: The One in the Vessel

Chapter 728: The One in the Vessel

"It's a lie!"

Words could not describe the thunderous roar that erupted within Hu Ma's heart at this moment, nor could they capture the shock he felt as his perception was challenged. He even felt a sense of dizziness, as if he might lose his balance.

But amidst this vertigo, he clenched his teeth and stood firm, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Daoist Sage Hongxuan. His voice, deep and resolute, seemed to strain with effort, "I don't believe a word you're saying."

"You say that reincarnates are living Celestial Fiends, created solely to steal the balance of this world?"

"You claim I'm your creation, different from the others?"

"But I know who I am!"

His voice grew louder, beyond his control, with a hint of bitterness, "I've seen the starving ghosts of Guanzhou, witnessed human refinement into pills, observed the confusion of the dead who failed to enter the Netherworld, and even the City of the Unrighteous Dead, filled with countless wailing souls."

"I've seen the broken cycle of reincarnation, and the struggles of the common folk. I've seen those so-called gods, mere pets of the noble Guiren Zhang."

"I've seen the stone weights you use to measure the world, and the reckless use of the Purple Heavenly Stem by the Ten Surnames and Tong Yin Meng."

"..."

His voice grew heavier with each word, and the confusion on his face seemed to dissipate under the force of his own words. His expression hardened, "I know where my heart and body belong."

"Indeed, I was once perplexed, unsure if I was of the Hu Family or if the reincarnate was me. I didn't understand why I was different from others, but now, I'm no longer the person I was when I first awoke. I already know what I want to do."

"What I see is what I know, and what I think is where I stand."

"Now, you suddenly appear, employing such devious tactics to disturb my peace. You... are dreaming!"

"..."

His words were resolute, his heart clear.

But across from him, Daoist Sage Hongxuan, holding a candle, merely gazed steadily into his eyes without rebuttal. Instead, he spoke slowly, "Go and verify it yourself."

"I'm not here to deceive or persuade you; I'm merely informing you of this matter."

"I know what reincarnates are, perhaps even better than you."

"They are born with three souls accompanying their immortal lives, controlling the seven souls within their mortal bodies. Their three souls have been replaced, free from the consequences of bloodline and karma. But you are different; your immortal life was sewn into your soul, always belonging to the Hu Family."

"Guiren Zhang and Tong Yin Meng once crafted the Zhaoyao Jing, but they were unaware that it had already existed since the time of my master. The key to the mirror was found, and the fate of all reincarnates could be weighed, leaving nothing hidden."

"You have hands and feet; you can go and measure for yourself."

"..."

As he spoke, he lifted his eyes to look at Hu Ma, and it was unclear if his gaze held fatigue or a cold smile. Only his voice remained clear and heavy, "Even if you don't go and measure, you can still know."

"Twenty-three years ago, your fate was sealed, and twenty years ago, you were born on Old Yin Mountain. Whether it was our return with the immortal life of Lao Jun Mei or your persecution by those reincarnate malevolent spirits, traces of these events remain in this world."

"It's no wonder you feel confused now, as the memories of those malevolent spirits suppress your own. Everything you remember doesn't truly belong to you."

"But your genuine memories are still there, and they will resurface as you cross the bridge. You can even go to the Huangquan Baoyi Ting and see your true self."

"You can even ask directly, ask your matriarch, or inquire at the Twelve Ghost Shrines."

"The answer to who you are and whom you belong to is there, waiting for you to open your eyes and see!"

"..."

At this point, he paused, looking at Hu Ma, who seemed to be engulfed in boundless darkness. He sighed softly, "I know you've suffered, and your misfortune is great, but you are everything the Hu Family has gambled on."

"Ever since Duke Yi's living sacrifice, the day the Celestial Fiend was summoned, the roots of disaster have been deeply hidden, impossible to escape."

"You spoke of the injustices in this world, and I know of them—human refinement into pills, malevolent spirits devouring humans. I've witnessed crueler and darker deeds, but does that mean we should surrender this world?"

"You must understand that while you strive for the welfare of the people, believing it to be right, the question has never been about the fairness of this world, but whether it should exist at all!"

"I'm not surprised that you believe in the reincarnates."

"Because I once believed in them too, even worshipped them, admiring their extraordinary talents as if they were divine."

"But when I learned that after crossing the bridge, they endlessly pursued their homeland, and that they shared the same origin as the Celestial Fiend, requiring an endless supply of Zi Qi, I understood their panic. I knew they had glimpsed a truth, and when I learned of their desire to seize the mandate of heaven, I realized:"

"Those not of our kind will have different hearts. Even if they don't intend harm, what they seek will inevitably lead to the collapse of this world."

"So, I betrayed them, and if I had to do it again, I would make the same choice."

"They have vision, ambition, and the means, but they are not us!"

"..."

As he spoke these words, fatigue seemed to wash over his face, and he sighed lightly, "If I were to use their language, this matter is not about morality, but survival!"

These eight words resonated within Hu Ma's heart, creating an unavoidable crack in the determination that had just emerged.

At this moment, it was the Big Red Robe, Longjing, and those proud faces, each word spoken with conviction.

Then, it was the Erguotou, White Wine Lady, Sweet Potato Wine, and Monkey Wine...

He thought of the confusion and personalities of the Reincarnates, and also of the information gap between them. Just as he was about to refute the State Preceptor's words, he suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Because he, too, knew that the Reincarnates, especially those he was familiar with, truly didn't know what their future goals were. Moreover, the Purple Heavenly Stem had indeed become something of utmost importance to them.

But still, there was a sense of reluctance and disbelief in his heart, yet he couldn't quite find the words to argue.

"I know you need time to verify all of this and to accept it, but time won't be on your side for long."

Master Dongxuan's voice also became low and deep, and he sighed softly, saying, "Back then, when the Ghost Walkers crossed the bridge and fought with that group of Reincarnates, they managed to conceal the secret by sealing the Twelve Ghost Shrines."

"So, for the past twenty years, other Reincarnates have been unaware of your existence. But as far as I know, there have always been Reincarnates investigating this matter, searching for the whereabouts of the Twelve Ghost Shrines..."

"I'm certain someone has already been here and even found out something."

"When they learn the truth of what happened back then, they won't tolerate your existence."

"..."

"Buzz!"

His softened words made Hu Ma's heart race with foreboding, and he felt slightly dizzy.

Indeed, White Wine Lady and the others had been searching for the Twelve Ghost Shrines and investigating something in the Northern Capital...

What they were looking for was actually related to him? If the past Reincarnates were to come after him, to become his enemies...

He even shook his head subconsciously, wanting to shake off these thoughts, unwilling to imagine such a scene.

The State Preceptor had told him all this, and reminded him of these words, so he took one last look at him, shook his head, held the candle in his hand, and turned to walk outside. The rest was up to Hu Ma to verify on his own.

But just at this moment, suddenly, a hoarse voice sounded from behind, "Wait..."

The State Preceptor stopped in his tracks, the candlelight casting his shadow in front of him, making it flicker.

Hu Ma forced himself to sound calm, and his voice echoed behind the State Preceptor, "You said... I, I'm created by the Hu Clan and the Dalaofa Religion, meant to steal the Immortal Life of Reincarnates, and you call me a Demon Slayer. Then, what about you..."

"Why did you create me, and what do you want me to do?"

"..."

The State Preceptor listened to his question, and after a long while, he sighed softly, "I thought you wouldn't ask this question so soon."

Impatience and anger crept into Hu Ma's voice, "Tell me!"

"After all you've said, do you still just want me to help you seize the Immortal Life and become an Immortal?"

"..."

"Becoming an Immortal has always been a lie to manipulate the Ten Surnames into action..."

With his back to Hu Ma, the State Preceptor sighed softly and said, "Your true purpose is to protect the Heavenly Mandate and slay the Celestial Fiend."

"Two hundred and thirty years ago, Duke Yi's ambitions grew, and he wanted to raise an army to seize grain. He performed the Gu Wu ritual, offering living sacrifices to summon the Celestial Fiend, an ancient Gu Wu method to enhance his troops with its ferocity."

"But even Duke Yi didn't know that this time, the Celestial Fiend would be too fierce. Not only did Duke Yi seize the grain, but he also went on to conquer and take over the Zhang Family's empire."

"However, the sacrifices to the Celestial Fiend couldn't be stopped. The thicker the offerings, the more ferocious the troops became. They took over the empire but couldn't stabilize it. At the slightest setback, malevolent spirits would rise, and calamities would spread across the land."

"It was then that our Dalaofa Religion's Ancestor Master was forced to descend from the mountains and offer a strategy to Duke Yi. He gathered all the extraordinary individuals in the world and held the Capital Grand Ceremony, intending to uncover the truth and expel the Celestial Fiend. Unfortunately, it also brought an even more terrifying entity."

"Today, Duke Yi is long gone, and the Celestial Fiend is sealed deep within the cave. But it has never disappeared and continues to demand sacrifices."

"You could say that for the past two hundred and thirty years, we've been caught in this grand sacrifice, offering the entire world as an offering."

"And you, you are the next Chief Priest chosen by our Dalaofa Religion. By any means necessary, your ultimate goal is to end this never-ending grand sacrifice..."

"..."

At this point, he sighed softly and took a step forward. Only his voice echoed back, "Prepare yourself!"

"After the Reincarnates cross the bridge, they will undoubtedly aim to pursue the Heavenly Mandate. But the Heavenly Mandate is the final shackle of the heavens and earth, and it must never fall into their hands."

"You shattered the Zhaoyao Jing and helped them cross the bridge. Now is the time when they trust you the most. Whether you kill them or use them, they are already trapped in the jar, and it's up to you to decide how you'll deal with them..."

"When survival is at stake, it's a dead end!"

"Young friend, the Hu Clan has endured much. Don't let your ancestors' deaths be in vain..."

(End of Chapter)

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