Chapter 105: Predestined 

As soon as these words fell, Ming Zhuo let out a cold laugh, "Regardless of what they are, the word beast suits you best."

"I speak the truth, but you speak out of anger." Ming Han was accustomed to Ming Zhuo's cold sneers and mockery, and instead of getting angry, he continued to laugh, "What is a beast? It's an animal that can't be taught or domesticated. Take your father for example. They named him Hui Mang, recognising him as a god, and he was ordered in the divine palace day in and day out, no different from a horse or a dog we kept."

At this moment, the moonlight was murky and yellow, obscuring everything. Ming Han, borrowing Lin Changming's appearance, did indeed have the demeanour of a handsome young man, but his words were deeply wounding, "Moreover, horses and dogs sometimes have human-like traits. Do gods? It's often said that 'a tiger, though fierce, will not eat its cubs,' but your father,(1) when mad, would even eat you. If I hadn't acted quickly and dug out his heart, you would have been torn to pieces by him. Ai, people say parents' love is boundless, but even as your Jiùjiu, I've worried myself sick over you. Over the years, I've personally taught you everything about opening your divine senses and casting puppet spells. Yet, you are ungrateful, estranging yourself from me and even plotting to kill me. Truly, you've broken my heart."

"You say you've taught me everything, including how to plot a murder. Decapitating you proves I've mastered what you taught. You should be proud." Ming Zhuo lifted his hand, holding a few remaining jade beads between his fingers, "I thought with your endless chatter, you were confident of victory. But what can you do with just a few jade beads?"

Ming Han smiled, "What if these beads don't disappear?"

"There's a significant problem," Luo Xu also raised his hand, blowing gently to let the paper money between his fingers float away, "These jade beads and paper money are manifestations of Lin Changming's mind. Now that you control him completely, you could make them disappear with just a thought."

The paper money fluttered in the air like unsteady white butterflies, trembling. The fact that they didn't disappear meant Lin Changming still had some consciousness left, and Ming Han hadn't yet gained full control over him.

Ming Han laughed again, "I see you two are better off apart. With too many cunning minds together, you'll only end up becoming jealous of each other. This won't last long. Ng, not bad, you've noticed a clue; I indeed haven't completely controlled Lin Changming. As I said, although he is foolish, his mind is firm."

Every word he spoke was a mix of truth and lies. Now that he had admitted it, it only made it harder to discern the truth, as no one knew if he was deliberately creating a false impression.

Luo Xu said, "Lin Changming is neither the clan leader nor a Tongshen anymore. Torturing him won't benefit you."

Ming Han replied, "I granted him spiritual power and helped him set up this array to fulfil his wishes. How can that be called 'torture'? Instead of persuading me, you should persuade yourself. Back then, I promised the old Imperial Lord to give you a demi-god companion, but now it has become a shackle. Don't get angry over it."

He first implied Ming Zhuo was hiding something, then brought up the soul-binding contract, seemingly to gauge Luo Xu's reaction or perhaps to incite discord between them.

Luo Xu's gaze fell on the paper money, seemingly absorbed, and he said, "Oh? So, you don't know the reason behind the reversed contract either?"

"The contract was set long ago. I died once, so I can't remember the details. As for the reason, I truly can't recall now." Ming Han left his words vague and smiled at Luo Xu, "But I might know a way to break the contract. Would you like to hear it, Imperial Lord?"

Luo Xu said, "There is no need for you to say anything. I believe this contract was preordained by heaven."

Ming Han was curious, "This contract can also be considered a Heavenly Destiny?"

"Unexpected yet inevitable, isn't that destiny?" Luo Xu watched the paper money float without landing, "You love giving advice. Why not take mine now?"

Ming Han said, "I hope to hear the details."

Luo Xu said, "My advice is, don't anger the Lord."

Ming Han replied, "That might work outside, but not here. I know the Imperial Lord is extraordinarily talented, but anyone who enters this array has to behave and listen to me. You can't vent your anger for him now."

"My Diē fought you for two reasons," Luo Xu lifted two fingers and pointed to his neck, "One, was that I was chained. Two, I have a stubborn mouth."

Ming Han said, "A stubborn mouth, just like the old Imperial Lord."

"My Diē’s stubbornness was backed by support. Now it's my turn," Luo Xu raised an eyebrow slightly, "I can't vent for the Lord, but the Lord can vent for me."

Ming Han asked, "Could it be the Lord can create spiritual power out of nothing?"

Ming Zhuo raised his left hand, grabbing Luo Xu's collar. He spoke to Ming Han, or rather to the body of Lin Changming, "Lin Changming, if you don't wake up, I'll kill your Shifu!"

Ming Zhuo knew Lin Changming could hear. This paper money was a symbol of Lin Changming's faint consciousness. No matter inside or outside the array, past or present, Lin Changming's only weak point was Jiang Linzhai's death. And now the only way to prevent "Jiang Linzhai" from dying was to return spiritual power to "Ruyi Lang" immediately!

The paper money multiplied instantly, fluttering in the sky like a swarm of butterflies. The crescent moon on Ming Zhuo's forehead dimmed as he heard a gust of wind, a sign of the return of his spiritual power.

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Foot Notes

1. He uses a formal word for father here, 父亲 (Fùqīn). This is in contrast to the informal, colloquial way Luo Xu calls his own father, 爹 (Diē), later in the chapter.