Undying Life

Chapter 903: A Journey of the Mind

In the underworld, within the Great Zheng Holy Court, Changjing, there stood a grand palace heavily guarded by numerous powerful warriors. This was an essential location for the Great Zheng Holy Court.

Inside the palace, the grand doors were shut, and at the center of the hall sat an enormous green ice block, emitting a faint cold aura, making the block appear ethereal. Within the ice block, a man sat cross-legged.

This man was Luo Xingchen, the former leader of the Temporal Dojo. His hair was disheveled, his face showing exhaustion, and his entire being seemed to be enduring immense suffering. He was trapped, silently enduring his agony, sitting cross-legged and ignoring the external world's continuous attempts to sway him.

Aside from this "ice block," there was another person in the hall: Liu Wushuang, the commander of the Great Zheng's Jinyiwei (Embroidered Uniform Guard). Liu Wushuang sat on a chair, watching Luo Xingchen while sipping tea and frowning.

"It's been a month already. The Sacred King asked me to persuade you, but can't you cooperate a little? Like a piece of wood, you haven't said a single word!" Liu Wushuang said, exasperated.

A month ago, Zhong Shan suddenly instructed Liu Wushuang to persuade Luo Xingchen to join the Great Zheng. Receiving this task, Liu Wushuang was excited for a while. Such an important mission was not given to Yi Yan or Xiao Wang but to him, Liu Wushuang?

For the past month, Liu Wushuang had tried everything. He praised, insulted, despised, and admired Luo Xingchen, but it was like talking to a piece of wood. Luo Xingchen hadn't spoken a single word, not even twitching an eyelid.

Liu Wushuang was utterly speechless. What kind of person is this?

"You're really a piece of wood. No wonder Chen Xiaoqian betrayed you!" Liu Wushuang finally gave in, resorting to harsh sarcasm.

This statement had more effect than a month's worth of words. Luo Xingchen, who hadn't reacted to anything else, seemed deeply hurt by this remark.

The heart that had seemed dead within Luo Xingchen suddenly throbbed with pain.

His lips moved slightly, and veins popped out on the back of his clenched fists.

This subtle change did not escape Liu Wushuang's notice.

"Huh? This piece of wood reacted?" Liu Wushuang thought in surprise.

"Luo Xingchen, Chen Xiaoqian isn't worth it. Why do you still cling to her?" Liu Wushuang walked closer, smiling.

But Luo Xingchen still remained silent. With a heart that felt dead, what was there left to say?

However, Liu Wushuang had found the breakthrough point.

"Are you in pain because of Chen Xiaoqian's betrayal? What's the point of feeling this way?" Liu Wushuang continued.

"Chen Xiaoqian was never truly your woman. She was Dao companions with Chen Zihao. Chen Zihao only offered her to you to plot against your Temporal Dojo!" Liu Wushuang said.

Luo Xingchen remained silent.

"Tsk, tsk, I just don't get it. What are you sulking about? You were cuckolded by Chen Zihao? Is it really that big of a deal?"

Luo Xingchen still did not speak.

"If you ask me, you didn't lose out; you gained!" Liu Wushuang pressed on.

"Chen Xiaoqian was originally Chen Zihao's woman. In mortal terms, she was someone else's wife, and you had her for nearly a thousand years. What are you still upset about?"

"You gained so much and still act like you lost something. Are you even a man?" Liu Wushuang kept berating.

Luo Xingchen's silence was a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil stirred by Liu Wushuang's words. The relentless mocking finally seemed to break through the barrier of his stoicism.

"Shut up!" Luo Xingchen suddenly shouted.

Even the stoic Luo Xingchen couldn't take it anymore. The dead heart within him was ignited by Liu Wushuang's words. Although Liu Wushuang spoke the truth, it was unbearable for Luo Xingchen to hear.

Inside the green ice, Luo Xingchen's eyes bulged with anger, veins protruding from his forehead. If not for being trapped by Zhong Shan, he would have leaped out to fight Liu Wushuang.

Liu Wushuang wiped the sweat off his forehead. "My goodness, it took a month, but you finally spoke."

For the past month, Liu Wushuang had felt like he was talking to himself, with Luo Xingchen not uttering a single word. Now, finally, Luo Xingchen responded.

Luo Xingchen glared at Liu Wushuang.

"Don't look at me like that! I didn't make this up; it's all true. A real man doesn't worry about not having a wife. If you join Great Zheng, you can have any woman you want," Liu Wushuang said.

Luo Xingchen stared at Liu Wushuang for a while, then closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Where is she?"

"Who? Chen Xiaoqian? You're still thinking about her?" Liu Wushuang asked, frowning.

"Where is she?" Luo Xingchen repeated.

Liu Wushuang's eyes lit up. "She's in the Great Zheng's prison!"

"The prison?"

"Yes, the prison. If you join Great Zheng, I can request the Sacred King to grant her to you," Liu Wushuang said.

Luo Xingchen looked at Liu Wushuang, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

"Let her go," Luo Xingchen said painfully.

"Let her go? Why should we? What right do you have to make demands? You're a prisoner yourself; why should we release her just because you say so?" Liu Wushuang said sternly.

Liu Wushuang realized he had found Luo Xingchen's weak spot: Chen Xiaoqian. It seemed the Sacred King's task was nearly complete.

Luo Xingchen felt truly powerless, as if he had nothing left.

"I must warn you, the conditions in our prison are harsh. I'm not sure how long Chen Xiaoqian's delicate body can endure," Liu Wushuang continued with a hint of malice.

"If you harm her in any way!" Luo Xingchen said coldly.

"Why wouldn't we?" Liu Wushuang taunted.

Luo Xingchen glared coldly at Liu Wushuang, feeling utterly helpless. Chen Xiaoqian? What would they do to her? The prison? Eternal torment? The abuse of numerous brutal prisoners?

"Darling, don't worry, I will provide you with the best life!"

"Husband, with you, I am at peace!"

Though he knew these were false sentiments, Luo Xingchen couldn't help but recall past moments.

"Luo Xingchen, why are you hesitating? If you join Great Zheng, both you and Chen Xiaoqian will be free. In Great Zheng, you will have everything you need: wealth, companionship, law, and land. You won't lack anything. What are you still hesitating for? Join Great Zheng!" Liu Wushuang suddenly coaxed softly.

Luo Xingchen gritted his teeth, his heart trembling. Join Great Zheng? Freedom? Joining Great Zheng meant losing true freedom, the freedom of the soul, the prideful freedom.

Originally, Luo Xingchen would rather die than serve anyone, but now...

Caught between his pride and his deepest love, Luo Xingchen's teeth ground audibly as he endured the inner torment. Liu Wushuang, sensing the moment was ripe, added fuel to the fire: "If you join Great Zheng, I can ensure Chen Xiaoqian is yours!"

Luo Xingchen, unwilling as he was, could not bear it any longer for the sake of the woman who did not love him. The age-old weakness of heroes for beautiful women had caught him.

Eyes closed, Luo Xingchen's body trembled. His pride or the salvation of a woman who didn't love him? A tear of soft emotion escaped his eye as he thought of Chen Xiaoqian.

Liu Wushuang watched excitedly as Luo Xingchen seemed to struggle within himself before finally making a decision. Just as he was about to speak, a voice echoed in the hall.

"If you join Great Zheng, I can give you Chen Xiaoqian's heart as well!" It was Zhong Shan's voice.

Upon hearing Zhong Shan, Liu Wushuang immediately bowed in respect.

Luo Xingchen, on the other hand, was taken aback by Zhong Shan's words.

A moment ago, Luo Xingchen had been ready to trade his pride for Chen Xiaoqian's freedom. But Zhong Shan's sudden offer had a profound impact on him.

Chen Xiaoqian's heart? For some reason, Luo Xingchen felt a surge of hope.

Zhong Shan had appeared because he believed the time was right. He had been observing, and in that crucial moment, he saw Luo Xingchen's pride finally give way. Understanding that Luo Xingchen was ready to sacrifice himself for Chen Xiaoqian, Zhong Shan interrupted to offer an even greater incentive.

"What did you say?" Luo Xingchen asked, his eyes twitching.

Seeing the confident Zhong Shan, Luo Xingchen felt a sense of failure, but it did not diminish the impact of Zhong Shan's words. Chen Xiaoqian's heart? Luo Xingchen had never dared to hope for such a thing, but it didn't mean he didn't yearn for it.

"How many times in a lifetime can one truly love? Don't you want Chen Xiaoqian's heart?" Zhong Shan asked with a smile.

Luo Xingchen's eyes twitched. He looked at Zhong Shan for ten long breaths, his emotions in turmoil.

"To show Great Zheng's sincerity, I will ensure Chen Xiaoqian's heart is yours first. Then, you can join Great Zheng," Zhong Shan declared solemnly.

Luo Xingchen's lips moved, but no words came out.

Seeing this, Zhong Shan knew he was about to secure what he wanted. With a gesture, the massive green ice block disappeared, and so did Luo Xingchen.

Liu Wushuang was shocked to realize that the ice block he had been talking to for a month was merely an illusion.

"Well done," Zhong Shan said to Liu Wushuang.

Delighted by Zhong Shan's praise, Liu Wushuang replied, "Thank you, Sacred King! It was my duty!"

"Are Chen Xiaoqian and Chen Zihao still in the prison?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Yes! They are under heavy guard, with their seals reinforced every three days. There's no chance of escape," Liu Wushuang answered promptly.

"Has anything been done to them?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"No, Sacred King. Under your strict orders, no one has dared to harm them. They have merely been sealed and imprisoned. We haven't even searched them for any belongings," Liu Wushuang stated seriously.

"Good. Lead the way," Zhong Shan commanded.

"Yes!" Liu Wushuang responded, ready to guide Zhong Shan to the prison where Chen Xiaoqian and Chen Zihao were held.