The boy looked in awe. In the calm voice, he said, "It seems you liked the mask." An honest smile flickered on his small face, "Since it was rotting in the basement, you can take it for free".
Sigh..this boy. It will be hard for him to survive like this, too kind, too innocent.
"Kid, since you showed honesty and kindness, I'll need to do something for you to return the favor."
The boy shook his head. "No..you don't need to—"
Breaking his voice Han Zhen said "Just meet me in the small manor outside this streets in two days." His tone was calm yet firm. "It's unique, you won't miss it."
For a moment, a faint softness returned to Han Zhen's eyes. A gentle smile he had long forgotten.
In two days, I will also fulfill this body's revenge.
Taking the mask, he turned and left the shop. Clack. The wooden door shut behind him.
The boy stood there puzzled. He didn't ask his name. But somehow, that man's back carried a strange loneliness.
For Han Zhen the world had become too unstable to fix it so he walked on the same path the world wants. But that child was different.
"Maybe..if its him, it might be possible", he was blinded in his own thoughts.
Outside, the narrow alley was same unchanging, the air was cold and fierce.
He had now gotten another treasure. But the whole series of event seemed to connecting something. His every action lead to something mysterious. It seemed as though he wasn't moving by his own.
His finger trembled slightly, heart beat was uncontrollably fast. Thud thud. His breathing unstable, face pale. He finally realized. That symbol in the library, this mask. Why do they look exactly same?.
It as if his whole action, the system, all were connected for a bigger scheme. The mere thought was enough for him to lose his balance.
Ah! again these thoughts. He slammed the wall near him. Boom. He had become stronger. The whole wall shattered in a few seconds. He pulled his hand back.
But he was not too satisfied. "This is still not enough, more strong, I need to be more strong", of course his enemies were not normal mortals.
He wore the mask. His whole body-no, his very soul was now linked to it. He had almost forgotten his own identity, but he had system, who resisted the control. His body trembled, veins screaming. The mask was truly sinister.
Ha..Who was the original owner? He shuddered at the very thought.
After a few minutes of walking, he finally stood before the Heavenly Suppressing Prison.
The walls rose high and thick, formed from refined spiritual stones. Guards were stationed at the main gate. They did not permit entry to anyone, and to a man wearing a demonic mask, they were hostile.
What could they do? Han Zhen said calmly, "I am a physician called by your leader."
"Physician? Why would a physician be here…?" one guard muttered. After a moment, another nodded awkwardly. "Ah… maybe the leader forgot to inform us. You may enter."
Huh, they believed this easily. The mask's power was truly fascinating, yet ominous.
The leader is in the main hall, one guard spoke.
Inside, the air was heavy, filled with massive death energy. Many must have died here, he muttered. The layout was remarkable, like a rich manor: small cottages for conversation, tall towers for guards. Criminals seemed to be kept in the basement.
After walking for about a minute, he reached the main hall. He silently entered it without caution.
At the center, a throne loomed. On it stood a figure motionless, eyes gleaming pure white. She wore a dark black robe covering her entire body, rich silk over her mouth.
"Who are you?" A deep voice echoed through the hall, Qi surging outward with a low rumbling Whum-Whum shaking the floors and walls.
Han Zhen's body trembled slightly. His own Qi surged violently, but he did not lose focus. Eyes sharp, body steady, he resisted the pressure as if nothing had happened.
"I am the Rakshasha." A deep silence filled the hall.
After some pauses.
"I came to detoxify your poison."Her gaze sharpened. "Poison?" she whispered.
"You dare—"
Before she could finish, the system blinked again.
[Target scanned.] [Name: Qing hiye] [Status: Poisoned] [Cultivation: Six Paths Realm – 7th Layer]
The system had already given him answer, now all that was left was to getting her favor.
At the same time, miles away from the Heavenly Suppressing Prison…
A black veiled carriage was speeding through the silent road. Inside sat Maid Yan, her face hidden beneath a silk veil. Opposite her, Elder Mo rested with his eyes half-closed, the smell of herbs thick around him.
"Elder Mo," Yan broke the silence, her tone calm, "Are the preparations complete?"
The old man's eyes opened slightly. "Mm..he should have absorbed your poison now and might have advanced to core forging realm, HE said so exactly."
Yan's eyes narrowed, "You mean the Great One know of his existence?"
The old man let a short Sigh. "Silly girl, Did you forgot who gave us the mission to take Han Zhen body for a ritual" after some pauses he continued. "Han Zhen is the vessel for the Great One to Descend in this realm".
"Ah! so it was all HIS plan", the old man replied with a nod.
But..
Her gaze flickered. "You mean… his body alone can withstand it?"
"Yes," Mo said, his voice calm yet heavy. "That poison you refined didn't kill him. It tempered his bones, expanded his meridians. Now he is exactly what The Great One described. Tomorrow, when we reach the manor, we begin."
The carriage rocked slightly, the faint rhythm of hooves echoing — tak… tak… tak.