Chapter 193 Are you saying I'm schizophrenic?

In the drowsy darkness, pain struck her at random intervals. She dreamed of evil spirits wielding sharp needles, using them to pluck out the nerves of sinners. Rumors on Shura Island said that after having their nerves plucked out, the sinner would turn into a mass of unconscious, rotting flesh, watching helplessly as their bodies rotted away until they turned to dry bones.

Then the evil spirits put the chopped nerves back into the corpse, and all the sufferings experienced after death will burst out in an instant, causing the sinner to wail for a long time. At that time, the ghosts will sit on the mountain of corpses and drink wine, enjoying the sinners' wails. Such a place is called hell.

Qingye knew this was all just gossip. There was nothing after death. But now she was in the wilderness of despair, where nightmares would become reality. So, was she in the hell of her own imagination, tumbling down with the pitch-black corpses, falling into the depths of the land of wailing?

"Qingye, wake up."

“!”

Qing Ye was awakened. She was lying on a strong, cold shoulder, a silver arm bent backward, securing her waist like a rope. Not far ahead, a long, bloody needle dissipated into a shadow, and the man lifted her up.

"Mr. Chu..."

"Hold on tight when you wake up." Chu Hengkong said, "It's hard to walk with one hand."

She tried to wrap her arms around Chu Hengkong's neck, but her arms drooped limply. Too weak, Qingye couldn't even hold herself steady. "Forget it," Chu Hengkong said. He continued forward in an awkward position. Qingye lowered her head and slumped over his shoulder, trying to find a place to bury herself.

It was obvious that Mr. Chu wouldn't have happened to leave the settlement and bump into her while she was seriously injured. He must have been following her for the past few days, hence the faint sound of footsteps... Nothing in the Lost Forest is free-for-all. The fact that she'd been able to find food so often after her injury was, of course, because Chu Hengkong had used his unfortunate chain...

So even if I had a nightmare, I didn't see any monsters...

“…Sorry! I’ve caused you trouble!” Qingye said loudly.

"No apologies!" the killer shouted, and the severity of his expression startled her.

"It is never wrong for a person to gamble his life in order to become stronger!"

Qingye instinctively shrank her neck, the movement causing a sharp pain in her wound. She said weakly, "But I'm also taking a risk by getting you involved..."

"This was my own decision, and it has nothing to do with you," Chu Hengkong said. "Don't be bound by concepts like the collective. You took risks for your own strength and fought for your dreams. Since your actions didn't harm anyone else, there's no need to apologize to them."

"OK."

Qingye wanted to express her gratitude, but she felt words were useless to this man. She bowed her head in silence, burying the gratitude deep in her heart. They walked in silence for a while, then entered the now-empty arena. The tattered mural caught Qingye's eye, reminding her of their encounter in the painting.

"Ooo ...

"What are you doing again?" Chu Hengkong said helplessly.

"Well, I can't help but think of the past few days, and I was feeling shy."

"..." Chu Hengkong was speechless for a moment, "Do you really have to torture yourself when you are seriously injured?"

"I didn't mean to do that! Whenever I feel down, I can't help but think of embarrassing past events..."

"Think positively, at least you have a good figure."

"Wow, Mr. Chu, you you you actually made dirty jokes to me! I misjudged you!" Qingye screamed.

"Then what should I say? Should I lie and say it was dark and I didn't see anything, and that my skin temporarily lost its sensitivity so I didn't feel anything when we were squeezed together?" Chu Hengkong laughed. "Look at it more openly. Embarrassment comes from limiting yourself. That's unnecessary for you."

"You're talking nonsense! How could any woman not be embarrassed by this?"

"Your sister Huaisu would make it into a glorious past, saying that when I killed the Messenger of Terror, I wasn't even wearing armor, I was just wearing a knife. It was so sexy that the killers in the company were secretly watching me." Chu Hengkong said, "Of course, this is just a metaphor. I didn't secretly watch you."

Qing Ye curled his lips: "You emphasize it so much and seem to be feeling guilty..."

"Really not."

"No need to emphasize it a second time!"

Qing Ye gradually relaxed after hearing this irrelevant trash talk. She knew Chu Hengkong didn't usually talk like this, and this was a kind of consolation from a killer, a senior's care for a defeated junior, but this indirect concern made her feel at ease.

"I won't lose again." Qing Ye said dazedly, "Next time... I will definitely... win."

Qingye on his back passed out. Chu Hengkong was on high alert, ready to face the nightmare that was about to unfold. His gaze pierced through the fog and looked towards the forest on the other side of the river.

At the edge of the forest, a demon with horns on its head was materializing fear. Its muscles were muscular, its face was ferocious, and it roared while holding an iron club.

But suddenly, the running demon lost its balance, fell backwards comically, and fell into the fog. Then it disappeared strangely, as if it had been swallowed by the fog.

A few seconds later, three creatures the size of puppies emerged from the mist. They were small, pink creatures with long claws. They peered at Chu Hengkong, seemingly curious, yet afraid to approach due to the man's ferocious presence.

Chu Hengkong transformed his left hand into a long sword.

The pink creatures darted back into the forest, frightened away by him. Chu Hengkong remained motionless until there was no more sound in the fog.

He tightened Qingye's grip on his back and turned to move forward. His keen senses told him that those pink creatures were still quietly watching him from the forest, observing his back.

There must be someone in the settlement. Chu Hengkong thought to himself that he must never set foot in the jungle from now on.

·

An hour later, the settlement.

Chu Hengkong put Qingye on the bed and gulped down a big gulp of water. His coat was draped on a stool. The bandage he had put on temporarily had been soaked with blood several times and had turned deep red.

He hadn't taken care of himself in the few days since he was away. He didn't dare sleep because of the threat of nightmares materializing. He also had to help Qingye slay nightmares at night. On the way back from dragging the girl, he fought three groups of bizarre evil spirits. He was amazed by their powerful strength and diverse methods.

Ji Huaisu stood by the door with his hands on his hips, a forced smile on his face. Chu Hengkong raised a hand.

"Wait until I finish speaking before you get angry." Chu Hengkong raised a hand. "The jungle is very dangerous. Starting today, we will take turns finding food. You and Qingxia will take turns guarding the settlement. Someone must guard the stone seed."

"Okay." Ji Huaisu nodded. "And then?"

"Qingye has made good progress and has learned some very powerful techniques. We can send her out for assassinations later." Chu Hengkong put down his hand. "I'm done."

"Oh, are you done?" Ji Huaisu began to grind his teeth. "Then Mr. Chu, can you explain your ridiculous logic behind leaving without saying goodbye for the past three days? If Ye Xing had really taken action, you two would have died long ago!"

"Ye Xing won't do that." Chu Hengkong said, "If a warrior like him wanted to kill me, he would challenge me to a duel in person. Besides, Qing Ye has passed his test, so he won't attack me again."

Ji Huaisu's eyes twitched: "Then, what if Xiaoye fails?"

"If you don't pass, you'll die." Chu Hengkong said calmly, "I'll be responsible for bringing her body back and asking Bernfa to bury her."

Ji Huaisu poked his forehead with his middle finger: "So you martial arts lunatics!!"

"You have to be responsible for your own choices." Chu Hengkong said indifferently, "Captain, please understand me. I was fully prepared to collect the bodies, but I ended up carrying a living person back. I'm also very tired..."

"Go away, you inhuman thing." Ji Huaisu made a face. "I need to treat Xiaoye and take a rest. I warn you, Inspector Chu, don't take any more risks without my instructions!"

"All at your discretion, sir."

Chu Hengkong waved his hand, went back to his room and lay down, covering his eyes with a piece of cloth. In a few seconds, the cloth was removed, and Fan De, who was lying beside the pillow, had a look of resentment in his eyes.

"You went out to play without me."

"I'm afraid other messengers will smell the scent and come here." Chu Hengkong grabbed it and asked, "How much have you sorted out?"

For the past few days, Fander has been busy collaborating with Ji Huaisu to record knight knowledge, and his handwritten notes alone have piled up two large piles. He twisted his tentacles, beaming with pride. "It's a blast! Let me tell you, we've made a killing! We've got the training methods for Levels 1-4 of the Discipline Knight Path! Low- to medium-point Discipline Seal and Holy Judgment, all covered! We've even figured out most of the formation essentials for the Holy Pillar's core mechanics!"

"Don't lie, you lied about the most important part..."

"There's also some extremely useful information that's crucial to our survival." Vander said mysteriously, "Once I've sorted it out, there's at least a chance we'll survive!"

"Then it all depends on you, Archaeologist." Chu Hengkong yawned. Seeing how listless he was, Fan De couldn't help but be curious: "What happened to you? You can't have been awake for a few days."

"I have also been practicing the secret technique of Canxin these past two days..." Chu Hengkong's voice was unclear.

"What's the result?"

"A piece of shit."

Amidst the rhythmic sound of his breathing, Chu Hengkong closed his eyes. His thoughts, guided by the flow of the secret technique, sank into his ethereal body. The ethereal body contracted and faded, like a transparent soul flowing toward his heart.

His heart contracted and expanded, and after an exceptionally strong beat, his self was like a drop of ink falling into water. He returned from the outside world to himself and surged into the ocean of self.

The 48th "One Heart Ceremony" began.

·

There was one thing Silar hadn't told him, or perhaps even the old warrior-captain hadn't anticipated. When the external forces within the body became too numerous and complex, the "Zanxin Secret Art" ceased to be a controllable practice and became an unmanageable crisis. The practitioner would revolt against the external forces within, and the external forces would similarly have the opportunity to rebel against the "main body."

Therefore, if the first "One Heart Ceremony" fails, the outsiders will take over and launch a rebellious challenge to the main body.

Chu Hengkong opened his eyes, and the world in his mind was the familiar manor. Behind him were the green plants carefully tended by the gardeners. In front of the fountain, the gate of the villa was wide open, and four twisted figures walked out of the lightless hall.

The imaginary unbroken long sword was still on his waist. Chu Hengkong drew out the rock sword and concentrated: "For the last time-"

"You heartless hypocrite!"

Amidst the screams, the small figure charged forward like a cannonball, its headbutting Chu Hengkong in the abdomen. Chu Hengkong was sent flying halfway across the manor. Gripping the pain, he swung his sword, chopping the figure in two. However, the small figure's body dissolved like mud, its melted half forming a foul-smelting pool of black blood that pinned Chu Hengkong to the ground.

The short figure's upper body rapidly regenerated, revealing a stained black robe, a well-behaved bob hairstyle, and a tearful face through the blood. This thing was actually a "woman," a little girl in her early teens. She straddled Chu Hengkong, pounding her fists as she sobbed, "I've helped you through so many hardships. Without me, you can't even use your Wrist of Trouble! Instead of gratitude, you're trying to kill me. How could you do this?!"

Chu Hengkong roared: "Is this the end?! You're a piece of rotten meat!"

"I am you, Chu Hengkong!" the fallen girl cried bitterly, "Wuwu... You chased me to my arm and you still want to kill me. You are not a human being at all... I will beat you to death, beat you to death!"

"Get out of here!"

Chu Hengkong tried to lift his hand, but couldn't. He tilted his head to the right, glaring. Unbeknownst to him, a slender woman had appeared on his right, stepping on his arm with her bare foot. The woman had red hair and a captivating smile.

"Don't be like this, General Chu." The red-haired woman stepped on him seductively. "We haven't even enjoyed a few nights together yet, how can we part ways so sadly?"

What a disgusting thing...!

Chu Hengkong fought the urge to vomit. He raised his left hand to punch, but it was entangled by several tentacles mid-strike. A girl in a silver sailor suit looked down at him, her silver bangs covering half her face, revealing only a single twilight-colored eye.

"Honestly, buddy," the silver-haired girl said, "not to mention that I usually have complaints about you. This time, really, you've gone a little too far."

She let go of Chu Hengkong's arm and drifted away like a ghost. The next moment, a red beam of light came whistling, vaporizing the red-haired girl, the black mud girl, and the lower body of Chu Hengkong in less than 0.5 seconds.

A human figure wearing a fully covered metal combat suit walked over, with the muzzles of the palms open, flashing a destructive red light.

"Now begins the 48th self-purification experiment."

The matter-disintegration ray was emitted at full power, and Chu Hengkong was annihilated in the light.

Total time: 7.8 seconds.

The 48th "One Heart Ceremony" was a complete failure.

(End of this chapter)