Did the Gongsun Mo of the past leave?
After the "headache," Zheng Xiu's Deceitful Object had gained the upper hand. By now, Zheng Xiu had long since freed himself from the influence of Gongsun Mo's memories; he was no longer being manipulated by them in this World in the Painting. But this was a double-edged sword. Zheng Xiu sat dazedly on the ground, unable to know if the Gongsun Mo of that year had also experienced this moment. Did he slink away in disgrace, or did he have other reasons to stay in the stronghold?
'A trap?'
Zheng Xiu frowned as a thought occurred to him.
The trap he was referring to wasn't one set by Xie Yunliu, but by the World in the Painting itself.
'What would happen if I just leave now?'
'Death itself isn't frightening.'
'What's frightening is losing my true self in this World in the Painting.'
