Twilight Boundary-Chapter 728 - 719: The Person in the Pot

"Fake!"

The thunderous roar that erupted in Hu Ma's heart at that moment was beyond description, as was the impact on his understanding. He felt as though he could barely stand.

Yet, in this dizziness, he gritted his teeth, standing firm, his bloodshot eyes fixed on State Preceptor Dongxuan. In a low, strained voice, he said, "I don't believe a word you say."

"You say the Reincarnators are living Tai Sui, existing only to steal the essence of heaven and earth?"

"You say I was created by you and am different from them?"

"But I know who I am!"

His voice, uncontrolled and loud, carried a fierce tone as he sternly shouted, "I've seen the hungry ghosts of Official Zhou! I've seen people used for Alchemy, seen the confused dead unable to enter the underworld, and witnessed the City of the Dead, with its countless vindictive souls wailing day and night."

"I've seen the Reincarnation Road broken and the masses struggle. I've seen those so-called gods, who were merely dogs raised by the nobles..."

"I've seen the stone weights you use to measure the world, and the Purple Tai Sui recklessly expended by the Ten Surnames..."

As he spoke, his voice grew deeper. The confusion on his face seemed to dissipate with his words, his expression hardening. "I know where my heart is, where I stand."

"I was indeed once troubled, uncertain whether I belonged to the Hu Family or was a Reincarnator. I didn't understand why I was different from others. But now, I am no longer the person I was when I first awoke. I have long since known what I want to do."

"What I have seen is what I know. Where my thoughts are is where I belong."

"Now you suddenly jump out, using such insidious tricks to disturb my peace of mind? You... dream on!"

His statement was resolute and clear, his inner self transparent.

Across from him, State Preceptor Dongxuan, holding a candle, simply stared into his eyes without refuting a word. He spoke slowly, "Go verify it!"

"I'm not here to deceive you or to persuade you. I'm just here to tell you this."

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

"They are born with three souls that accompany an Immortal Fate, entering the body to master the seven souls. Their three souls have all been replaced, untouched by bloodline or karma. But you are different. Your Immortal Fate is stitched into your soul and has always belonged to the Hu Family."

"Noble Zhang and Tongyin Meng once created the Demon Detection Mirror, but they didn't know that the mirror has always existed. My Master's generation had already found the key: weighing the Karma Soul on the scales. All Reincarnators are revealed, with no place to hide."

"You have hands and feet. You can go weigh yourself."

As he spoke slowly, he looked up at Hu Ma. His gaze was indiscernible—perhaps fatigue, perhaps a sardonic smile—but his voice remained clear and heavy. "Even if you do not go to weigh yourself, it's fine."

"Twenty-three years ago, your fate was set. Twenty years ago, you were born in Old Yin Mountain. Whether we brought back the Immortal Fate of Lao Junmei, or you were hunted by those malevolent Reincarnators, traces remain in this world."

"You are understandably confused now, for the memories of those evil spirits are pressing on yours. Everything you remember actually does not belong to you."

"But the true memories belonging to you have always been there. They will resurface as you go to Shangqiao. You can also go to the Clothes Stripping Pavilion of the Netherworld and see your true self there."

"You can even ask. Ask your Granny or the Twelve Ghost Altars."

"Who exactly you are and to whom you belong—the answer is there. It only depends on whether you are willing to open your eyes and see!"

Upon saying this, he paused for a moment, looking at Hu Ma, who seemed to be engulfed in endless darkness. He gently sighed and said, "I know you suffer and are unfortunate. But you are everything that the Hu Family has gambled on." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"In this world of ours, ever since Douyi used human sacrifices to Summon Tai Sui, the seeds of disaster have been deeply buried, with no escape."

"You have just spoken of the various injustices in this world. I, of course, know about using living people for Alchemy and evil spirits consuming people. I've seen things more brutal and darker than these. But does that mean this world should be handed over to others?"

"You must understand. While you strive for the people's welfare and feel righteous, the consideration has never been about fairness, but whether this world should exist at all!"

"It doesn't surprise me that you trust the Reincarnators."

"Because I once trusted them too. I even revered them, admiring their exceptional talents as if they were deities."

"But when I learned that after crossing Shangqiao, they were always Chasing the Return to Hometown Realm; when I knew they shared the same origin with Tai Sui and were born needing infinite Purple Qi; and when I knew they had glimpsed a certain truth that left them interminably anxious, even desiring to seize the Mandate of Heaven, I realized:"

"Those of a different kind are bound to have different hearts. Even if they meant no harm, what they pursued would inevitably lead to the collapse of this world."

"So, back then, I betrayed them. And if I had to do it again, I would do the same."

"They have knowledge, magnanimity, charisma, and methods. But alas, they are ultimately not us!"

As he said this, his face also appeared full of fatigue. He sighed lightly, "If I were to use their accustomed way of speaking, this matter is not about morality, but survival!"

These eight words sank into Hu Ma's heart, and the determination he had just felt inevitably began to crack.

In one moment, it was Big Red Robe and Mr. Longjing—those proud faces and compelling words.

In another moment, it was Er Guotou, Miss White Wine, Sweet Potato, Monkey Wine...

He thought of the Reincarnators' confusion, their personalities, and the information gap between them. At the very point where he most wanted to refute the State Preceptor's words, he suddenly found himself speechless.

Because he knew that these Reincarnators, especially those he was familiar with, indeed did not know what their future goal was. And the Purple Tai Sui had indeed become crucially important to them.

Yet, there was still frustration in his heart, still a refusal to believe. But frustratingly, he didn't know how to counter it.

"I know you need time to verify all this and time to accept it, but there isn't much time left."

State Preceptor Dongxuan's voice also lowered, sighing wearily. "Back when the walking ghosts crossed Shangqiao and battled with those Reincarnators, borrowing the Twelve Ghost Altars' seal, they managed to keep this secret hidden."

"So for the past twenty years, the other Reincarnators have not known of your existence. But as far as I know, Reincarnators have been investigating this matter and searching for the whereabouts of the Twelve Ghost Altars all along."

"I am sure someone has already been here, even discovered something."

"When they learn of the truth from back then, they will not tolerate you."

BUZZ!

The lightness of his words sent alarm bells ringing in Hu Ma's heart, making him slightly dizzy.

Yes, Miss White Wine and the others had indeed been searching for the Twelve Ghost Altars and investigating something in Shangjing...

Were they actually looking for information about him?

Then, if the former Reincarnators truly all came to kill him and become his enemies...

He unconsciously shook his head, trying to shake off these thoughts, unwilling to imagine that scene.

The State Preceptor, after telling him these things and reminding him of these words, gave him a final glance, shook his head, and with the candle in hand, turned to walk outside. He was truly leaving everything to Hu Ma to verify for himself.

But at that moment, a hoarse voice suddenly rang out from behind him, "Wait..."

The State Preceptor halted, the candle before him casting shifting shadows.

Hu Ma's forcibly calm voice sounded from behind him. "You say... I... I was created by the Hu Family and the Daluo Dharma Sect, meant to steal the Reincarnators' Immortal Fate. You also say I am some tool to slay evil. Then... what did you create me to do?"

Listening to his question, the State Preceptor sighed softly after a long moment. "I thought you wouldn't ask this question so soon."

Hu Ma's voice was filled with impatient anger. "Tell me!"

"After saying so much, are you still just trying to make me help you seize Immortal Fate, to become that so-called Immortal?"

"Becoming Immortal has always been just a lie to deceive the Ten Surnames into action..."

The State Preceptor, his back to Hu Ma, sighed lightly. "What you truly must do is protect the Mandate of Heaven and slay Tai Sui."

"Two hundred and thirty years ago, Douyi's ambitions soared. Wanting to raise soldiers and seize grain, they used an Ancient Witchcraft ritual, sacrificing humans to Summon Tai Sui. This was Ancient Witchcraft, capable of borrowing ferocity to bolster soldiers."

"Yet not even Douyi knew that this time, Tai Sui came too fiercely. Douyi not only seized grain but even launched invasions that took the Zhang family's lands."

"However, the sacrificial ceremony for Tai Sui could not be stopped. The heavier the offerings, the more ferocious the soldiers became. Even after conquering the land, they couldn't stabilize it. At the slightest misstep, evil spirits rose everywhere, spreading disaster."

"Our Daluo Dharma Sect's ancestral master was also forced to descend the mountain at that time. He advised Douyi, gathered miracle men from across the land, and set up the grand sacrificial ceremony in Shangjing. The original intent was to ascertain Tai Sui's origin and expel it. But alas, it brought about even more bizarre terrors."

"Now, Douyi is long gone, and Tai Sui is suppressed in the depths of a cave. But it has never disappeared and continues to demand offerings."

"You could say that from two hundred and thirty years ago until now, we have still been in this grand sacrificial ceremony, with the world itself as its offering."

"And you are the Daluo Dharma Sect's chosen next Main Sacrificial. Whatever means are used, the ultimate goal is to end this endless grand sacrificial ceremony."

Saying this, he slowly sighed and took a step forward, his voice carrying back, "Prepare yourself!"

"Once Reincarnators cross Shangqiao, they will inevitably aim for Chasing Destiny. But Destiny is the last shackle on this world's essence and must not fall into their hands."

"You destroyed the Demon Detection Mirror and helped them cross Shangqiao. Now is when they trust you most. Whether you kill them or use them, they are now caught. It only depends on what methods you prepare to use..."

"This concerns survival. It is, by nature, a deadlock!"

"Young friend, the Hu Family has endured much. Do not let your ancestors' sacrifices be in vain..."