Shi Jingzhi tightly grasped Yin Ci's hand, curling up on the bed.

If those terrifying guesses were true, all the past oddities had an explanation - such as Yin Ci's initial "desirelessness" state of wanting nothing, his "blindness" when returning to Mount Huilian, and that heart demon formed from a skull and arms.

And twenty-four years ago in Gathering Valley, why would someone as strong as Yin Ci fall into the state of qi deviation, and be so sensitive to "betrayal".

Shi Jingzhi was well acquainted with the suffering of imprisonment, but the courtyard that imprisoned him still had a third of an acre, and the giant tree in the backyard could still display the changes of the four seasons. The emperor allowed him to read books and practice internal strength to strengthen his body. He was not completely cut off from people or light. Even so, after more than twenty years of house arrest, it still left a void in his heart.

The time Yin Ci was trapped under the Great Prohibited Formation of the northwest was definitely not just a mere twenty years.

The book lay quietly beside their pillow, emitting an extremely faint smell of ink.

This was just an ancient book, and Shi Jingzhi would not believe it completely from the start. However, he had found answers in reality to the absurdities in this book one by one--

Exchanging military merits for a person was not simple. Yin Ci was the main general and would occasionally fight separately from Sun Wang. The time and situation of the battles could not have any flaws, and needed to be carefully altered. To achieve this step required the imperial court's intervention, eliminating loopholes year by year.

...And he had indeed seen obscure books with traces of modification, and the time before the modification happened to match Yin Ci's memory.

According to Sun Wang's records, the sacrificial rite used a mercury-filled stone coffin made of Muyan stone to seal the corpse, a ruthless move. The Great Prohibited Formation of the northwest pressed down from above, constantly draining Yin Ci's power. Buried so deep underground like this, Yin Ci should have had no way to escape.

...The Hua family ancestor had mixed into the team constructing the restriction, and during the "awakening formation" stole a few barrels of mercury to sell. If that mercury was extracted from the coffin, it would not be strange to leave a gap at the seal of the stone coffin.

And it was this tiny gap that gave the person in the coffin a sliver of hope for survival. The reason why the Great Prohibited Formation of the northwest could still "operate out of thin air" was probably due to the remnant limbs and corpse pieces left by Yin Ci back then - the stone coffin was made of the hardest Muyan stone in the world.

Without hearing of earthquakes or man-made destruction, and with Yin Ci having no internal strength, based on Yin Ci's temperament, Shi Jingzhi could only think of the path of "using the body as a vessel".

Thinking this way, the effectiveness of the Great Prohibited Formation of the northwest was getting worse and worse, probably because it lost Yin Ci as the source of living power, and the underground remains were slowly being exhausted.

...It all matched up.

Man's plans cannot compare to the plans of the heavens. The real tragedy that occurred, even after three hundred years, still left a faint shadow. It was just a pity that Yin Ci's achievements were erased back then, and he disappeared without anyone investigating deeply.

Looking at the records and statements in the book, Sun Wang was completely unaware that Yin Ci was immortal. His own ancestor only thought his former close friend had turned against him, and sacrificed the meritorious official based on trumped-up threats, thus feeling immense pain. If he knew Yin Ci was not dead, General Sun would certainly not have become disheartened and retired from his armor.

The subsequent events were not easy to explain. With Sun Wang's temperament, it was impossible for him to silently take on Yin Ci's achievements, and even more impossible for him to turn around and return to the palace to serve with utmost loyalty.

He Cheng'an's disappearance was also very subtle. Yin Ci's immortal body did not seem innate, so how did He Cheng'an learn of the existence of the immortal body and quietly utilize it while keeping the secret? The Great Prohibited Formation of the northwest did indeed guard one side, allowing the people to live and work in peace... What exactly did He Cheng'an want to do? And where did he go?

The immortal body and the hundred-year plan, the final source actually converged on He Cheng'an. Shi Jingzhi's head buzzed, and he buried his face in Yin Ci's long hair, sniffing pitifully for a while.

"Ah Ci," he turned to the sleeping Yin Ci, "it's so difficult."

Yin Ci naturally did not answer.

Shi Jingzhi got even closer, clearly feeling the other party's warm body. All the sufferings accumulated in this life, at this moment, turned into tenderness. He hugged the person in his arms tightly, as if grasping the only piece of driftwood in the torrent, yet not daring to use too much force, fearing that this driftwood would sink to the bottom with him.

That feeling appeared and penetrated deep into the bones, the sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy flavors merged into one, and it was simply indescribable.

"Seeing your appearance just now, you seem to have separated delusions from memories." Shi Jingzhi turned over, propped himself up, and looked down at Yin Ci face to face. "The hardships Ah Ci has suffered, just imagining them is unbearably painful for me. If you were to go into qi deviation just like this, it would actually be a kind of relief... Do you think I would say that?"

Yin Ci's eyelashes trembled slightly.

"I am the Desire Child created by that old bastard He Cheng'an, born not knowing how to write the two words 'let go'."

Shi Jingzhi fiercely bit the tip of Yin Ci's nose.

"You clearly promised to watch the lanterns with me and agreed to propose marriage. Now the two of us haven't even started, and you want to slip away? Is the master less attractive than the old matters from three hundred years ago?"

Sect Leader Shi spoke and even became aggrieved. After a while, he took a deep breath and mumbled a string of words in his throat, "No, this won't do."

Not to mention the inscrutable He Cheng'an, he himself had the blood of Xu Li and Sun Wang. If this move didn't work, and Yin Ci saw his descendant who was like a package of old foes, he might really run away.

Thinking of this matter, Shi Jingzhi immediately felt a sense of empathy. He quickly tied Yin Ci's clothes corner to his own clothes corner. Then he cleared his throat and spoke affectionately, "That He Cheng'an's conspiracy has been passed down for hundreds of years. With our joint efforts, we will surely be able to unravel the mystery from back then... Alas, it still doesn't feel right. Ah Ci, what should I do with you?"

Yin Ci's eyelids twitched.

Sect Leader Shi probably didn't know that Yin Ci heard his entire rehearsal loud and clear.

Shi Jingzhi pressed a few of Yin Ci's acupoints for deep sleep. If Yin Ci continued to be mentally distracted, he would indeed be firmly restrained. However, today was different from the past. With this little brat by his side, even if he wanted to leap into the abyss of madness, there were still countless ties pulling him back from behind.

[Although I can't promise you too long... No matter what you are, I will look at you properly until the end.]

Shi Jingzhi's life was not yet settled. If this was the "end" he left for him, it would be too... useless.

The darkness was the same as always, not a bit more or less. Moths would indeed be devoured by raging flames, but in the endless dark night, only a cluster of firelight was needed to guide the way.

Yin Ci's scattered consciousness gradually gathered, and the sounds of the outside world slowly returned, just waiting for Shi Jingzhi to actively release the acupoints. However, that fox rehearsed suitable dialogues on his own, as if Yin Ci was a fragile piece of crispy candy that would crumble with a light pinch.

Yin Ci had no choice but to listen as Shi Jingzhi's tone changed from coquettish to affectionate, from righteous to sweet nothings. The current leader of the Ku Mountain Sect was uncharacteristically tongue-tied, his usual eloquence seemingly knotted up. Shi Jingzhi became more and more stuttering, and in the end, he even started whimpering.

All the worries and troubles were nothing more than the result of caring too much.

Finally, Shi Jingzhi's voice became hoarse, and he grew tired. He flipped through a book for a while, and eventually half of his body was leaning on Yin Ci, his voice tinged with a hint of confusion.

"I don't know what to say." Shi Jingzhi muttered almost desperately, "I'm still afraid, afraid that I will die this year, afraid that you will leave me. This matter runs deep, and I can't promise anything, but..."

Halfway through his words, Shi Jingzhi buried his face in Yin Ci's collar. He let out a long sigh and added in a muffled voice.

"Yin Zizhu, I will never let you down."

The first three characters were spoken, and for a moment, Yin Ci couldn't react.

The courtesy name is more respected than the given name. His courtesy name was personally bestowed by Emperor Xu Li, the founding emperor. Although Yin Ci was the youngest, the other three always addressed him by his courtesy name to show respect. In light of the subsequent events, this "respect" was particularly ironic.

Three hundred years.

For three hundred years, this name disappeared from books and faded from rumors. It was connected to endless flames of war and endless betrayals. Even Yin Ci relegated it to a part of his "delusion" and directly discarded it.

...But Shi Jingzhi resolutely picked it up and stuffed it back into his heart. In just an instant, the memories finally settled, making a silent, huge impact.

Yin Ci could no longer wait for the other person to release his acupoints. He broke through the acupoints on his own and stretched out his arms, tightly embracing the shoulders of the person in his arms. Shi Jingzhi trembled for a moment, then exerted all his strength, as if he wanted to embed the person in front of him into his body.

"Just this sentence is enough." Yin Ci said softly, "This sentence is enough."

Luoshen Tower was very quiet, while Taiheng Sect was bustling with voices.

Before Qu Duanyun could return to his sect, the news from Taiheng had already reached the relay station. The gray pigeon carrying the message didn't escape Shi Zhongyu's eyes. She left the bandit village ahead of schedule and intercepted Taiheng's message as usual.

This time, the news shocked her so much that she almost hurt the pigeon--

[The Shi Rou has appeared, the Sect Leader should return quickly.]

"Qu Duanyun is undoubtedly a member of the Immortal Gathering. Do you still want to get involved?"

After being slapped by Shi Jingzhi in public, Shen Zhu pretended to have a falling out with him and returned to the village early. She immediately sold the inside story of the Red Hook Chaos to Shi Zhongyu, making a small profit on the spot.

Following Shi Zhongyu allowed her to explore Taiheng's movements, and she wouldn't miss the opportunity. However, Shen Zhu couldn't understand--Shi Zhongyu, a discarded disciple, even if she knew the news, couldn't move the behemoth that was Taiheng.

What was she busy doing in vain? Could it really be for that illusory "righteousness"?

"Sect Leader Qi's death is inseparable from Qu Duanyun. Back then, when Jin Lan and the others were inexplicably attacked, it was probably the Immortal Gathering putting pressure on me." Shi Zhongyu folded the letter back to its original state and released the trembling gray pigeon.

"Hmm--so what? Sister doesn't seem like someone who seeks revenge. Could it be that you want to take revenge?" Shen Zhu let out a long "hmm" and rolled her eyes.

Shi Zhongyu was stunned for a moment, then sighed softly, "Duanyun is someone I watched grow up. He is definitely not an inherently evil person. Rather than revenge, I want to know the reason--if it's about fighting for fame and fortune, he has no worries about food and clothing and was already designated as the leader of Taiheng. If it's about harboring evil intentions, he's not like Wu Huai, who acted recklessly after gaining power."

Seeing that this person was about to start preaching about righteousness again, Shen Zhu's interest plummeted. Before she could snort coldly, Shi Zhongyu added faintly.

"...So after getting the answer, I'll consider whether to spare his life or not." She was dressed in the dirty attire of a desert bandit, but her eyes were clean and determined.

Shen Zhu immediately perked up, and her voice became a few degrees sweeter, "Sister has a plan?"

"Yes. Qu Duanyun wants to manipulate the 'rules,' so I'll treat him with his own methods. Miss Shen, help me deliver a message. I need to see Sect Leader Shi."

"A piece of cake. I wonder what Sister intends to...?"

"The rivers and lakes can't move the imperial court, and the major sects are too busy with their own affairs, allowing Taiheng to dominate. The Shi Rou's chaos has not yet been settled, and now is the perfect opportunity."

Shi Zhongyu wiped her face, her fingers brushing over the Reverse Yang Token on her chest.

"The martial arts world abhors a one-voice system. In such chaos, a martial arts alliance leader should be chosen."