A grueling beast fight had concluded.

The young Yuan Yi and Yuan Dasheng walked down a deserted alleyway.

Yuan Dasheng was covered in wounds, each step a painful reminder, causing him to grimace.

Yuan Yi clutched his pocket, containing his meager three and a half spirit stones.

He gritted his teeth and finally said, “Dasheng, wait here. I’ll go to the apothecary and get you some plaster, at least!”

As Yuan Yi departed, Yuan Dasheng staggered, leaning against the cold wall, slowly sliding to the ground.

He panted heavily, the act of sitting down causing the wounds to flare, his heart pounding in his chest.

The alleyway was deserted, the light dim, and it seemed only the heavens and earth were left with him.

Suddenly, the sound of a gong.

Yuan Dasheng instinctively looked up, the sound coming from within the wall opposite him.

Then, a burst of drumming, followed by the booming voice of a presenter: “Now, we present to you Lord Li Leifeng, who will perform a puppet show for the old patriarch! The play is titled ‘Qin Lie’s Valiant Stand’!”

In an instant, a mechanized stage slowly rose, adorned with a dazzling array of puppets, each uniquely crafted. The performance began.

Yuan Dasheng gazed upwards, watching through the gaps in the trees as the puppets seemed to speak and act like real people, a lively scene of combat and evasion.

Li Leifeng’s manipulation skills were masterful, and amidst the gongs, drums, strings, and bells, Yuan Dasheng gradually forgot his pain, captivated by the performance.

The play progressed, reaching its dramatic climax. Treachery unfolded as the villainous plotted, falsely accusing Qin Lie of harboring ambitions of self-rule and disloyalty.

The young ruler, swayed by deceit, issued three decrees, disregarding the grave injuries of the veteran General Qin Lie, ordering him to charge into battle.

Qin Lie, three war banners strapped to his back, struggled to rise, lifting his long spear, each step heavy as a mountain, as he marched toward the battlefield.

He sang, “From youth I received grace, the former lord’s favor, a debt as heavy as the mountains, etched in my heart. He taught me loyalty and righteousness to protect the realm, bestowed upon me wisdom and courage to stand firm in the world.”

“Oh, the former lord’s grace, like a father, like a brother, nurtured me to grow, taught me loyalty and righteousness, gifted me with wisdom and valor.”

The gong sounded steady and powerful, as if announcing the gravity and tragedy of this battle.

He continued, “I aided the young lord’s ascension, like a father, like a brother, with all my heart. Though suspicion falls upon me, I hold no resentment, only hoping the realm will stand eternal.”

“Oh, young lord, I assisted you to the throne, like protecting a sapling, hoping for your growth into a forest. Though suspicion falls upon me, I hold no resentment, only wishing you can restore the nation’s glory.”

The Erhu emitted a high-pitched, clear sound, sometimes melancholic, tugging at the heartstrings, sometimes melodious, expressing Qin Lie’s hopes.

General Qin Lie charged into the battlefield, like a lion surveying its domain, killing enemies left and right, striking fear into their hearts.

He sang again, “Though my body is old, my will remains strong, my blood will spill on the battlefield to repay the lord’s grace. The former lord’s spirit smiles in heaven, I have no regrets facing this battle.”

The Tang drum resounded, the drumming deep and stirring, like galloping warhorses, a magnificent aura.

Yuan Dasheng watched, his blood boiling.

Qin Lie fought tirelessly, refusing to retreat, his injuries worsening, his energy depleting, eventually falling into the enemy’s encirclement.

No matter how his generals charged to rescue him, they could not break through the dense enemy lines.

Knowing he had no hope of survival, Qin Lie raised his head and sang aloud, “The former lord’s grace is forever etched in my memory, the young lord’s restoration is my heartfelt desire. My blood spills on the battlefield, my death is not in vain, my soul returns to the homeland to comfort the former lord!”

“What fear do I have of the enemy! Thousands of troops and horses are not to be feared!”

“My death is not for fame or fortune, but only for a loyal heart!”

“Remembering the former lord’s profound kindness, how can I retreat in the face of national crisis!”

“Oh, young lord, may you know that a loyal minister has no regrets sacrificing his life! After my death, may you understand, with a loyal and devoted heart, to protect the realm!”

The rhythm of the gongs and drums shifted multiple times, conveying both the tension and intensity of the battle and the sorrow and desolation of parting.

In the end, Qin Lie and the enemy general perished together!

In his final moments, he faced the direction of the capital, kneeling on one knee, bowing with his hands clasped: “My lord, your servant departs!”

A heavy drumbeat shook the entire stage.

Suddenly, the Suona began to play, its sound high-pitched and clear, filled with tragedy, as if piercing through time and directly striking Yuan Dasheng’s heart.

The Suona sound continued for a moment, then the flute joined in.

The flute sound was crisp and melodious, sometimes gentle and lingering, sometimes soaring and impassioned.

Finally, the sound soared upwards, like a green bird taking flight, soaring all the way, its faint form gradually disappearing into the vast blue sky.

Yuan Dasheng looked up, speechless for a long time!

This was the first time he had watched a puppet show, and he understood the words, his body and mind deeply moved.

“Dasheng, Dasheng!”

Yuan Yi ran back, holding several plasters in his hand.

He smiled, “Good luck! The apothecary was clearing out stock, so I got a bargain and bought a few extra plasters!”

“Come, let me put them on for you!”

Yuan Dasheng allowed Yuan Yi to tend to his wounds, looking at Yuan Yi, then at the puppets on the stage.

The light from the lanterns illuminated his face, and the cheers and applause of the crowd from the other side of the wall echoed in his ears.

“Let’s go, what are you still sitting there for?”

Yuan Yi stood up and walked away.

Yuan Dasheng reached out and pointed to the stage opposite them.

Yuan Yi looked back, unconcerned, “Oh, it’s a puppet show!”

Yuan Yi glanced again: “It’s ‘Qin Lie’s Valiant Stand,’ a very famous play.”

“Too bad, he didn’t follow the right person!”

Yuan Yi walked ahead, Yuan Dasheng following behind.

As they were about to leave the alleyway, he turned his head for one last look at the mechanized stage.

The stage was slowly descending, the puppet playing General Qin Lie still kneeling.

Yuan Dasheng looked at Yuan Yi’s back and suddenly made a few sounds.

Yuan Yi turned his head in confusion, glancing at Yuan Dasheng, not understanding what he wanted to say, but simply waving his hand, “Let’s go, go home and fill our bellies, go to sleep early!”

They depended on each other, fighting beasts. The Monkey Gang.

“Look, Dasheng, this is my child, he is my child!”

Yuan Yi was ecstatic, “I have a child! I have descendants in this world!”

“I’ll name him Yuan Er, Dasheng, my life isn’t as long as yours!”

“If I’m ever gone, let Yuan Er replace Yuan Yi and continue to be with you!”

Yuan Er was hungry and cried.

Yuan Dasheng squeezed juice from a peach the size of his face and fed it to him.

As a result, Yuan Er was soaked.

Yuan Er got sick.

Yuan Dasheng traveled through the Immortal City at night like the wind, rushing into the medical hall, grabbing the apothecary by the neck, dragging him along as he ran and jumped. The apothecary’s screams shattered the tranquility of the moonlit night.

Yuan Er began to climb, grabbing Yuan Dasheng’s thick monkey fur, challenging the heights, and every time he fell, Yuan Dasheng’s palm would accurately catch him.
Young Yuan Two could walk and jump.

“Uncle Monkey, they’re bullying me!”

Yuan Two, accompanied by Yuan Dasheng, came to settle the score, scaring the other children into wetting themselves and crying uncontrollably.

Yuan Two began to be bold and aggressive, curious about a certain question: “Uncle Monkey, who is more powerful, you or my father? Have you ever fought?”

“When I ask Father, he never answers me!”

Yuan Two ran to Yuan Dasheng, his face full of admiration and excitement: “Uncle Monkey, you’re so amazing, so mighty! When can I be like you?”

“Father, I heard you want to find a demon cultivation technique for Uncle Monkey? Don’t do it!”

Yuan Two burst into the study, shouting loudly.

Yuan One’s face was livid, and he roared: “Silence! Who is filling your ears with nonsense again?”

“Father, Uncle Monkey’s strength is already beyond control! His monkeys and apes, while they are called pets, they are more accurately the masters! Those cultivators are nothing more than slaves responsible for feeding them!”

“The situation is already like this, if Uncle Monkey’s strength makes another leap, I fear the situation will be even worse.”

“Whose will the Monkeyhead Gang be then?”

Yuan Two pleaded incessantly.

Separated by several houses, endowed with demonic prowess, Yuan Dasheng overheard all of this.

Its brows drooped, it no longer lay down, but crouched on the ground, looking at the floor, emitting a mournful sound.

Hearing of the monkeys being slain, Yuan Dasheng stretched out its finger and lightly touched Yuan Two’s chest.

When the assassination attempt on Yuan Two failed, Yuan Dasheng injured its own soul to protect him.

During the Fire Persimmon Festival explosion, Yuan Dasheng held Yuan Two in its arms, shielding him.

On its deathbed, Yuan Dasheng, before its final breath, once again extended its finger, as if it could faintly hear the melody of “Qin Lie’s Valiant Charge.”

Yuan Two died.

After a brief period of chaos, the Monkeyhead Gang was quickly stabilized by an elder who seized power and restored order.

Yuan Dasheng also died, this was Ning Zhuo’s deepest feeling.

He retrieved the Tree Martial Ape Dasheng and repaired the entire mechanism, but could not find any trace of its sentience, as if it had never existed.

“Lord Sun’s secret mark hasn’t changed!”

Ning Zhuo clenched his fists. Whenever he wanted to personally investigate Sun Lingtong’s actual situation, the Buddha Heart Demon Seal in his sea of consciousness would constantly vibrate, emitting brilliant Buddha light.

The Buddha self-saves, the precious seal warns.

Admonishing Ning Zhuo that entering the fray would mean falling into someone’s trap.

Qi Bai’s face was ashen.

He looked at Sun Lingtong, unable to believe that someone could resist his Soul Punishment.

Sun Lingtong’s hands and legs were nailed with coffin nails.

His entire body was nailed to the pillar.

His brow was furrowed, his eyes rolled back, and he trembled from time to time due to the torment of some kind of sorcery.

After such torture, Qi Bai had gained nothing.

To maintain his position as the Examining Judge, the soul force and magical power he expended grew greater and greater.

Under normal circumstances, he might have already stopped torturing Sun Lingtong!

After all, torturing Sun Lingtong to interrogate the Drifting Temple was only for the convenience of recruiting Han Ming.

It was a completely unprofitable deal.

But in the Tiger’s Struggle Qi Luck Arena, Qi Bai’s competitive spirit was ignited, his desire to win was especially fierce.

“Perhaps, his collapse is just moments away!”

With such expectations, Qi Bai roared with a hideous expression, “Very well, I like your kind of hard bone.”

“Next, you will endure ten times the pain you suffered before!”

“Hehehe…”

“Death would be a blissful thing for you, but unfortunately, you have angered me!”

Qi Bai urged his sorcery, striking Sun Lingtong directly.

Sun Lingtong felt as if mountains were pressing down on him, the intensity of the pain creating an illusion.

As if his body and mind were being crushed by the mountains!

The boundless pain permeated every inch of his skin, yet he could not faint.

He was like a small boat, falling into the endless abyssal vortex in a storm.

Past memories were like a ray of light, weak but stubborn, shining in this boundless darkness.

All of them were about Ning Zhuo.

“If others can control the Black Market, why can’t we?”

“Interesting, let us brothers work together to take control of the Black Market!”

“Little Zhuo, don’t reveal your true face, use the Cang Steel Armor to disguise yourself! I’m already known by others anyway, it doesn’t matter!”

Ning Zhuo smiled and changed his address: “From now on, I’ll just call you Boss Sun!”

“Boss, the goods are wrong!”

“Boss Sun, I’m right behind you!”

“Boss, let’s charge!”

“Boss Sun, don’t worry, I will always follow you!”

Agony like the sea and the abyss engulfed Sun Lingtong.

He opened his eyes, his once lively gaze now filled with blood.

Sun Lingtong smiled tragically, knowing that the Emptiness Seal had limited effect, and that it would be hard for him to persevere.

He resolutely activated his last resort.

Qi Bai keenly noticed the abnormality, and exclaimed in shock: “What? You are actually destroying your own soul!”

Sun Lingtong activated the Emptiness Seal, attacking his own soul in order to resist Qi Bai’s soul search.

Qi Bai widened his eyes, in utter disbelief: “Who exactly is that Drifting Temple to you? You would rather have your soul scattered than protect him?”

“Are you or are you not a member of the Empty Gate? Are you still a demonic cultivator?”

“Could it be that he is your fellow disciple? The Holy Son of your Empty Gate?”

“Hehehe!”

Sun Lingtong grinned, uttering his final laugh with immense difficulty. “He is not a fellow disciple, he is my brother!”

“Brother?” Qi Bai was even more puzzled, “Aren’t brothers meant to be sold off? You would give up your life for a little bit of information? What exactly do you want?”

Sun Lingtong lowered his eyes, he was too weak, his voice was very soft: “I, I just want to prove that he didn’t, didn’t follow the wrong person!”

Qi Bai leaned in to listen, but all he heard were these words.

“Incomprehensible!”

Qi Bai was furious!

He had never felt such anger in his life.

He felt deeply violated.

He completely lost his patience.

At this moment, he forgot about subduing Han Ming, and forgot about the Drifting Temple.

He formed his fingers into a sword, and stabbed fiercely towards Sun Lingtong’s brow.

This stab would definitely pierce Sun Lingtong’s forehead, killing him truly.

Boom…

An explosion suddenly occurred.

Qi Bai sneered, not caring in the slightest, determined to kill Sun Lingtong.

But in the next moment, the array patterns appeared, firmly protecting Sun Lingtong, and blocking the fatal blow.

The violent explosion rushed over, accompanied by surging flames.

The explosion blew Qi Bai away, then engulfed him.
Looking back at Sun Lingtong, protected by the formations, he was teleported out of the house.

In the next instant, he landed beside an old man.

This elder was ancient and decrepit, his face weathered by time, dark circles beneath his eyes, and wrinkles so deep they could ensnare mosquitoes.

His hair was a chaotic, inky black, cascading from his crown to his shoulders, then down to his feet like a wide, dark cloak.

He leaned on a gnarled staff, his back hunched severely, his entire posture resembling a coiled dragon shrimp.

He was Sun Lingtong’s sworn brother.

End of Chapter.