Chapter 580: That's All

"Xu Xiaoshou?"

Shou Ye's fingers trembled uncontrollably, his voice sounding as if he'd been struck by lightning, full of quivering tones.

"Under interrogation, passive points, 1."

"No."

Xu Xiaoshou adjusted the straw hat on his head, about to say something.

"Xu Xiaoshou?!"

Shou Ye's voice suddenly rose, his chin jutting forward as his neck leaned in.

"Under interrogation, passive points, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent for a moment.

"Not at all."

"Xu Xiaoshou!!!"

Shou Ye roared explosively, as if his entire worldview had shattered. In that moment, all he could do was yell, unable to make any other movement.

His fingers extended shakily and aimlessly, twitching up and down wildly.

His whole body shuddered and staggered from shock and astonishment...

Though he was a Zhando-level powerhouse.

Right now, even stepping into the void felt unsteady for Shou Ye, his form completely unstable.

"You're Xu Xiaoshou?"

"How could you possibly be the real Xu Xiaoshou?"

At that instant, Shou Ye was on the verge of madness.

In his mind, within the ancient records space, every word and action of that "Sheng Nu Lao Er" replayed scene by scene, frame by frame.

The more it replayed, the stronger the impact.

The words and deeds of that so-called "Sheng Nu Lao Er" now hit Shou Ye's soul with full force.

His mind went blank, Shou Ye's lips parted and closed, but he couldn't utter a single word.

"You've got the wrong person."

Xu Xiaoshou realized his subconscious response had already given everything away.

He regretted why he had felt relief so quickly after surviving the disaster, why he hadn't swallowed another pill and run further away.

Why had Shou Ye arrived... so fast!

He had "concealment" and "transformation"—there was no reason Shou Ye could track his aura!

"How did you find me?" Xu Xiaoshou straightened his straw hat and composed himself.

He wasn't one to give up easily.

If he could talk his way out, he absolutely wouldn't fight.

Because he couldn't win!

"I..."

For the first time, Shou Ye was stunned by a title.

He twitched his mouth, as if trying to laugh, but suddenly felt an inexplicable wave of sorrow, an urge to cry for no reason.

Incredible!

This Xu Xiaoshou was truly incredible!

How dared he pretend to be Sheng Nu Lao Er in front of so many Wangzuo and Zhando figures, and pull it off flawlessly?

How had he made the storyteller trust him completely, without a shred of doubt?

How had he imitated Sheng Nu Lao Er so perfectly, down to every detail?

How...

Shou Ye's thoughts froze.

After a pause, he asked blankly, "So, Sheng Nu Wuxiu is Sang Lao from Tian Sang Spirit Palace, and also the vice president of the Refining Pill Master Association in Tian Sang City?"

"In other words, your master, Xu Xiaoshou?"

That initial suspicion, once dismissed by everyone, now resurfaced.

Shou Ye couldn't recall how Hong Yi and the others had forgotten it.

But if the person in front of him was Xu Xiaoshou...

"So, that day at the city lord's mansion, the gui shou was you, and Zhang Taiying was innocent?"

"So, you're not only connected to Sheng Nu, but also to Wu Yue Hui Gong, and even deeply involved with gui shou itself?"

"Is that why you've been rejecting me all along?"

Shou Ye felt everything click into place, then roared in fury, "Is it true or not!"

Xu Xiaoshou was silent for a good while.

Uncharacteristically, Shou Ye didn't interrupt.

After a long time, Xu Xiaoshou removed his straw hat and sighed.

"It's true, and it's not."

As his features shifted, the slightly bald head grew hair, and the dark, sunken eyes transformed into the clear gaze of a young man.

Xu Xiaoshou looked sincere, his eyes full of regret.

"I'm sorry for deceiving you, but circumstances forced my hand. I had no choice but to resort to this, or neither of us could have escaped the storyteller's ancient records space."

"In other words..."

"In other words, you saved my life?" Shou Ye bellowed.

"Well, maybe not that directly..."

Xu Xiaoshou gave an awkward smile. "You could say it a bit more gently—the meaning's about the same."

"I'll kill you!"

Shou Ye shouted and lunged forward.

Xu Xiaoshou flinched like a startled bird, his body vanishing on the spot.

"Senior, wait, hold on, let me explain..."

"What more could you possibly argue?" Shou Ye was frantic, changing direction and charging again.

"You're right, it's all just excuses, but I have my reasons!"

Xu Xiaoshou reappeared in another part of the void, speaking earnestly. "If there wasn't a good cause, why would I go to such lengths? You know that's true, right?"

"You damn well shut up!"

"Fine, I'll shut up."

Xu Xiaoshou immediately fell silent.

After several futile lunges, Shou Ye finally calmed down.

He realized Xu Xiaoshou still had skills like spatial transfer.

Clutching his aching chest, he gasped, "Tell me everything, every foolish thing you've done, from start to finish."

"Okay."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded obediently. "This story is a long one. I'll start from Tian Sang Spirit Palace. It was a sunny afternoon..."

"You son of a—shut up!"

Shou Ye's face turned green with anger.

Who has time to listen to you start from Tian Sang Spirit Palace?

You're probably just trying to fool me even more!

"You told me to say it."

Xu Xiaoshou gestured forward. "Senior, calm down. Let's talk this out properly. I'll never forget the kindness of the sword you gave me."

He pulled out the famous sword Yanmang.

But seeing that sword, Shou Ye felt like he was about to explode.

What in the world possessed me to take this absurd young man as my successor?

Is he even human?

A madman!

A freak!

An oddity and a pervert!

None of these words were enough to describe this Xu guy!

Has he lost his mind?

How dared he scold the storyteller like that, deceive over a dozen Wangzuo and Zhando figures?

How dared he...

Shou Ye's mind was in utter chaos.

He thought about it all, but it had truly happened right in front of him.

As a done deal, now replaying as memories...

Xu Xiaoshou was simply beyond forgiveness!

"Deception, a golden cicada shedding its shell..."

Shou Ye clapped his hands together lightly, murmuring absentmindedly.

He didn't even know how to react.

His heart was shocked and excited beyond words.

A mix of admiration and worry.

But mostly, incomprehension and disbelief...

How did he do it?!

He's a devil!

"Xu Xiaoshou."

Shou Ye suddenly calmed, suppressing all his emotions. "I don't care what you did or why, but there are two things you can't explain, so..."

"I didn't kill anyone!"

Xu Xiaoshou instantly understood.

Even when he realized he was exposed, he'd already thought of a countermeasure.

"I didn't kill a single person. I only saved the gui shou because of my friendship with it."

"I won't join any faction."

"Sheng Nu has nothing to do with me... I only found out my master was Sheng Nu when I entered the ancient records space and the storyteller suddenly sent me a message."

Xu Xiaoshou spoke rapidly.

But Shou Ye sighed softly, "Xu Xiaoshou, do you think I'll believe you now?"

At that moment,

Shou Ye believed that no one else would trust this young man—figuring out which words were true and which were lies.

"You don't have to believe me."

Xu Xiaoshou opened up completely, pausing briefly. "Look into my eyes."

Shou Ye lifted his gaze.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes were clear, like a fishless pond, transparent to the bottom.

They say eyes are the windows to the soul.

But suddenly, Shou Ye felt Xu Xiaoshou's heart was like a vast ocean.

This window only revealed a corner.

What about the rest of the endless sea, and the hidden side beneath that iceberg?

In the past, Shou Ye was confident he could read any inexperienced youth's mind accurately.

But facing this young man, he suddenly lost all courage.

"I can't see through you..."

Shou Ye said weakly, "So, I won't believe another word from you—not half a sentence, not a single character, not even a tone."

"I..."

Xu Xiaoshou was left speechless, with grievances he couldn't express.

"Come with me. If you have any excuses, Hong Yi's prison will give you a chance. All your previous words and actions will be the final evidence for any claims you make."

Shou Ye clenched his fist, and the surrounding space was enveloped in darkness.

Now that he'd lost all ability to judge the man before him, the only path was to take him back as originally intended.

In Hong Yi's prison, there would be plenty of time for heart-to-heart talks.

Or rather...

They could discuss it once they got there!

"I said, I won't go with you."

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head. "Xin Gugu is my friend, so I saved the gui shou; Yu Zhiwen is my friend, so I didn't kill her."

"Everything I've done comes from my own heart. I don't want ties to any faction or to be swayed by anyone's biased views."

"I'll use my own eyes and walk my own path—that's all!"

Shou Ye was deeply moved by what he heard.

You've got ties to these factions already, haven't you?

He waved his hand. "Xu Xiaoshou, the biggest mistake of my life was meeting you at the city lord's mansion gate."

If not for you, that gui shou...

Shou Ye closed his eyes heavily.

"No, that wasn't a mistake."

Xu Xiaoshou said firmly, "It was luck!"

The scene fell silent for a long time.

Shou Ye slowly extended his hand. "Don't resist anymore."

"I'm not resisting."

Xu Xiaoshou pulled out Lu Ke's human-shaped ice sculpture. "If you try to take me, I'll smash this."

Shou Ye: ???

His mouth twitched instantly, veins bulging on his face.

Xu Xiaoshou...

You clever Xu Xiaoshou!

I knew there couldn't be two people with such similar temperaments in the world.

I should have captured you in the ancient records space!

"I didn't kill him."

Xu Xiaoshou said earnestly, "All I did was for everyone's sake. You couldn't handle the storyteller, and my friend was about to die."

"What could I do?"

"I wanted to survive on my own, but I realized I couldn't."

"So I stepped up, but..."

Xu Xiaoshou looked up helplessly, "I'm just an Xiantian level. Would you listen to me? Would you let me carry out my ideas? Would you let me confront the storyteller?"

"I only wanted one outcome—a good one, that's all."

Xu Xiaoshou swallowed hard and nodded. "Is that okay?"

"No."

Shou Ye shook his head.

He understood, he empathized, but he was afraid.

Afraid that Xu Xiaoshou was still the same Xu Xiaoshou, or that he wasn't anymore.

Afraid of being deceived.

Afraid that Xu Xiaoshou's heart wasn't as it seemed.

"Come with me. Once everything's explained and you're cleared, I can protect you..."

"You're talking nonsense!"

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly snapped, then quickly apologized, "Sorry, I spoke out of turn."

"It's fine, I don't mind."

Shou Ye opened his arms. "Come with me, Xu Xiaoshou. Don't make more mistakes. Give me back Lu Ke first."

"I can't give him back..."

Xu Xiaoshou's nose suddenly tingled.

He understood Shou Ye's perspective and felt the old man's repeated tolerance.

But...

Going with him was impossible!

Forget about Xin Gugu and Jiaotangtang.

In his Yuanfu, there was still the Greedy God and the gui shou contract.

If all that came to light, he'd be guilty beyond redemption!

But...

Could he not save them?

Xu Xiaoshou clenched his fists, feeling his true self's helplessness against the world.

"Senior..."

"I can't let you go!"

Shou Ye interrupted directly. "The deceptions involving Sheng Nu, gui shou, and you, Xu Xiaoshou, against Hong Yi—technically, they're punishable by a thousand deaths."

"Senior!"

Xu Xiaoshou interrupted loudly again, "I've said it how many times—it's not just for myself, but for..."

He couldn't continue.

"Sheng Nu?" Shifting gears, Xu Xiaoshou said bitterly, "I know you don't believe me, but how could I resist if Sheng Nu wanted me?"

"In Tian Sang Spirit Palace, in the outer court, even when I was struggling for the competition..."

"The roots were already planted!"

"The fruits had already formed!"

"When I looked back, everything was set in stone..."

"Sang Lao was already my master!"

Shou Ye's eyes dimmed.

He didn't believe it.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes suddenly reddened.

"Gui shou?"

"What could I do about gui shou?"

"I've already told you, Xu Xiaoshou, about Hong Yi's beliefs—I don't agree with them!"

"What I feel and accept is the living, emotional being that appeared before me, not some gui shou!"

"Dare you say that when you saw that determined gui shou minotaur and the berserk eight-winged Chi Shuang Long Python, you felt nothing inside?" Xu Xiaoshou roared.

I did...

Shou Ye echoed inwardly, but our paths differ, so we can't conspire.

The damned and extinct, no matter how they shine in their final moments, are just struggling to survive, a powerless resistance.

They might be pitiable.

But any dutiful Hong Yi member wouldn't hold back.

Xu Xiaoshou was furious.

He saw the expression on Shou Ye's face and guessed his inner thoughts.

"But what about me?"

He roared, "I'm just like most people who go to Li Jian Prairie, wanting to try my luck."

"Who could have expected there'd be a storyteller, a long-dormant ancient records space?"

"They died..."

Xu Xiaoshou thought of the vast number of young trial participants who perished on the spot due to Hong Yi's methods and the storyteller.

"What about me?"

He asked, "I entered the ancient records space. I hadn't died yet, and I didn't want to die!"

"What I did, put grandly, was sacrificing the small for the greater good, so everyone could get out."

"Selfishly speaking..."

Xu Xiaoshou pondered, then said heavily, "I did it for myself! I just wanted to survive—that's all."

"Is that wrong?!"

No wrong... Shou Ye closed his eyes heavily, but...

"I just wanted to survive..."

Xu Xiaoshou thought of Bai Ku, the city lord's mansion, Tian Sang Spirit Palace, and suddenly his eyes brimmed with tears.

He thought of Xin Gugu.

And that lonely white ward.

The suppressed emotions, like a beast about to roar, were softened by these memories. Xu Xiaoshou's voice lowered, as if talking to himself.

"I just wanted, on the premise of surviving, to have a few more friends—that's all."

"Is that wrong too?"