The candlelight on the windowsill flickered, swaying incessantly under the gusts of wind, nearly extinguished.

Huoyanzi looked despondent as he spoke to Li Shiwuwu, "Young Daoist, the truth is just like this."

"You came here specifically, so that fierce person from back then must be the master you mentioned."

"But that Seed Immortal Temple and the barefoot method of seeking the temple were all lies we told that fierce person out of necessity."

He performed a Daoist salute, "So, don't be persistent."

Seeing Li Shiwuwu and Hua Erling walking barefoot, the people of Qingyang Temple understood what was going on.

"Senior, are you really not deceiving me?"

Suddenly, Li Shiwuwu placed the Chopping Knife against Huoyanzi's neck, his eyes glinting with cold light.

He simply couldn't believe that their thirty disciples, who had been barefoot since childhood and suffered so much, were all due to a lie from the old abbot.

He spoke in a chilling tone, "But what if I say I've already found the Seed Immortal Temple?"

After all, the black soil beneath his feet clung to him like a leech, impossible to fake.

Yet the childish writing on the sheepskin scroll, even the descriptions of Qian Yuanzi, all seemed reasonable and flawless, making him waver.

"Young friend, calm down," the abbot quickly advised with kind words.

As for Huoyanzi, though he feared the blade, he still shook his head and said, "Young Daoist, don't be persistent. The Seed Immortal Temple truly doesn't exist."

After a long while, Li Shiwuwu withdrew the knife.

He turned around and left without looking back.

The night was desolate.

The mountain wind howled with a chill, blowing ceaselessly.

Li Shiwuwu stumbled down the mountain path, seeming lost and desolate.

Hua Erling led the Five-Fingered Horse, following behind, filled with reluctance.

"Heh, fake? It doesn't exist at all?" Li Shiwuwu murmured to himself.

"If it's fake, what does it mean that Qian Yuanzi schemed for decades, killed countless people, and abducted thirty infants?"

"If it's fake, what about the suffering we've endured, the brothers who died, and the pain I endured from being skinned?"

"If it's fake, what is this Seed Immortal Temple that clings to me like a shadow?"

"I don't believe it. I refuse to believe it."

Gradually, Li Shiwuwu's hair became disheveled, and he looked increasingly withered.

The feeling of his body gradually shriveling was worse than being skinned, making him almost want to bash his head in.

"Erling, leave, don't follow me anymore."

Li Shiwuwu suddenly turned back, glaring at his companion, who had known him since childhood, and shouted.

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At this moment, he was too unstable, afraid that if it continued, it would lead to lifelong regret.

"Fifteen, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Hua Erling shook his head frantically, "How could I abandon you at a time like this? No, absolutely not."

Li Shiwuwu approached, forcing a smile on his face, "Erling, listen to me."

"You always said you had a square mark on your shoulder, with an extraordinary pattern."

"Maybe you're some noble or aristocrat, who knows."

"Now you're free, you have plenty of time to discover your origins. As for me, don't worry, I'll be fine."

Before Hua Erling could refuse, Li Shiwuwu took out Lord Guan, making it spit out a large amount of gold and silver, as well as some bottles and jars.

"Listen to me, take more gold when you seek your family. If you do find them, to put it bluntly, those family members who have never met you will look up to you and won't belittle you."

"As for these bottles and jars, they contain poisons collected by that old man, all good for traveling the world and killing without a trace. Take them with you."

"Remember, we were taught by Qian Yuanzi. When we're out in the world, we can't let others bully us. It's always been us bullying others."

Li Shiwuwu spoke slowly and softly, smiling, "If someone does bully us, that old man in the eighteenth layer of hell would surely laugh at us."

"Oh, and take this dagger too. Qian Yuanzi used it for skinning; it's as sharp as cutting through mud."

"I won't give you Lord Guan; this toad is fierce, you can't control it..."

Listening to the words, Hua Erling was already in tears, "Fifteen, can't you stay?"

"I'm begging you, really begging you."

"I don't want to find those family members, not at all."

Seeing this, Li Shiwuwu sighed, his withered face looking extremely eerie.

"Erling, listen to me."

"You see my current state; I must find a solution, and you can't help me."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"When I find the method, I'll come to you."

But in the next moment, Li Shiwuwu suddenly struck Hua Erling's neck with a hand chop, making him fall into a deep sleep.

"Erling, I'm sorry."

Afterward, he placed Hua Erling on the back of the Five-Fingered Horse, secured him with ropes, and loaded various bundles onto it.

Then, he stuffed the incomplete map of Bingzhou into his arms.

Only then did Li Shiwuwu pat the horse's head, his eyes cold, "Horse, I know you're human."

"Now your life contract is in my hands. I want you to prioritize the person on your back on this journey. The next time we meet, it will be the day I grant you freedom."

"Go!"

With a neigh, the horse and rider disappeared into the night, leaving only the sound of clattering hooves echoing in the night sky.

The person was gone, the night grew colder.

"Huff..."

"Huff..."

Li Shiwuwu panted heavily, his face twisted, collapsing into the wild grass behind him.

He felt his body was starving, his soul was starving, but he had no idea what could effectively relieve it.

At this moment, in the wilderness.

Various beastly roars and strange sounds echoed, making one feel awe.

But none of this concerned Li Shiwuwu.

He staggered to his feet again, randomly heading in a direction, stumbling as he went.

The next day.

The sky was clear, and a warm breeze caressed the face.

Li Shiwuwu, covered in dirt, wobbled into a large market town under the strange gazes of the crowd.

It was the morning market, with monkey shows, puppy sellers, sapling vendors, buyers and sellers chatting, and steam constantly rising from steamers...

All mixed together, buzzing incessantly.

Li Shiwuwu looked at everything before him, feeling as if countless flies were buzzing around his ears, making him inexplicably irritable.

When he raised his head, his eyes were filled with violence.

He brandished the black Chopping Knife.

In an instant, he seemed like a tyrant bullying the market, wielding the knife to intimidate passing citizens and vendors.

"Shut up, all of you, shut up."

"Get lost, all of you, get lost."

"Get lost!"

He held the Chopping Knife, chasing the vendors who fled in all directions, ready to chop at any moment.

In an instant, the once bustling morning market turned into chaos and disorder, with cries and screams.

Moments later.

A group of people arrived, wielding long sticks, led by a burly man with an imposing presence.

"This is outrageous."

"Who dares to cause trouble on my turf with the audacity of a bear?"

But before he could finish speaking, Li Shiwuwu suddenly collapsed as if exhausted.

The burly man's face twitched, "This kind of person, scared out of his wits before I even arrived?"

"Someone, tie him up and take him into custody."