Lu Wuming himself couldn't quite figure out why he wanted that sword. He knew it was incredibly powerful, and fragmented memories of it seemed to surface in his mind. Though these recollections were hazy, he remembered that anyone wielding that sword, even if their initial strength was inferior to his, could surpass him with its enhancement.
So, if it was such a valuable item, wouldn't possessing it significantly increase his chances of success?
Lu Wuming's thoughts were remarkably simple.
However, the Ghost King, confronted with his suggestion, was once again plunged into a whirlwind of his own making.
First, he wanted to leave the Ghost City, and now he wanted to take that divine sword. Everything Lu Wuming intended to do seemed like an act of betrayal. Yet, his calm demeanor showed no hint of pretense.
Was he perhaps overthinking things?
Besides, considering that Chu Yi had been by his side for so many years, and despite using various cultivation techniques countless times, only two attempts, with Chu Si and Chu Liu, had failed. Even those failures occurred only after a hundred years of success, when the cage of memories began to loosen.
Lu Wuming had only just received Chu Yi's cultivation method. Even if his memories were to loosen, it shouldn't happen this quickly, right?
The Ghost King tried hard to convince himself. After a long period of hesitation, he finally agreed to Lu Wuming's request. He had Thirteen retrieve the sword and hand it over to Lu Wuming.
"You have only one chance. Liu Buli is in the Pill Sect of the Cultivation World. The specific location has been marked on the map for you. Follow the map, and you have his face in your mind, so you will find him."
Before Lu Wuming left, the Ghost King reiterated his instructions: "You have one month. Whether you succeed or not, you must return after one month. This is a command from your father, and you absolutely cannot disobey. Do you understand?"
Lu Wuming smiled, tightened his grip on the long sword, and nodded. He said, "Don't worry, Father. I've never failed to complete anything you've entrusted me with."
The Ghost King: ...
The things I've entrusted you with, you've never seemed to take to heart, have you?
However, considering his current standing in Lu Wuming's heart, now equated with Liu Buli's past position, the Ghost King couldn't help but feel a bit more at ease when speaking further.
After all, he knew very well that when facing Liu Buli, Lu Wuming had never broken his word. If that was the case, then trusting him a little should be acceptable, shouldn't it?
Having finally managed to reassure himself, the Ghost King added one last thing to Lu Wuming. He said, "Hurry back."
"Yes, Father."
Lu Wuming responded.
Carrying the long sword in his hand, he walked step by step to the boundary between the Ghost Realm and the Cultivation World. Hearing footsteps approaching from behind, Lu Wuming turned his head.
He noticed that at some point, Thirteen had caught up to him.
Glancing at his hesitant expression, Lu Wuming thought for a moment and said, "I won't take you with me. Having someone following me will feel like a hindrance."
"I know." Thirteen nodded awkwardly, looking into Lu Wuming's eyes. He hesitated for a long time, and finally gritted his teeth, saying to Lu Wuming, "Young Master, I have always respected you. If you become the new Ghost King, the Ghost City will surely become very different! Do whatever you wish to do. However... never mind. I hope you return safely... That's all I wanted to say."
After speaking, Thirteen turned and left.
Staring at his retreating back, Lu Wuming raised an eyebrow and watched for a while.
He found this guy a bit strange.
Although in his memories, he and Thirteen seemed to get along quite well. But since he had opened his eyes this time, even a fool could clearly sense that this person named Thirteen clearly had something to say to him.
It was just that due to some circumstances, every time he saw him, he would be in this state of wanting to speak but not speaking, and in the end, not a single word was uttered.
What a peculiar fellow.
Lu Wuming shrugged, not dwelling on this minor interlude. He simply stepped through the gate at the junction. Upon seeing the sunlight outside, Lu Wuming paused. As a ghost, he should have been more accustomed to the darkness of the Ghost City. Yet, now, feeling the light, he inexplicably felt a sense of long-lost familiarity.
This was becoming increasingly strange...
The map in his hand indicated the location of the Pill Sect, but Lu Wuming didn't know why, he felt that even without the map, he could easily find the exact location of the Pill Sect.
It was as if he had been to that place countless times, more familiar with it than he was with navigating the Ghost City.
If he had to use a word to describe it...
It was more like home?
The feeling in his heart grew stranger and stranger, and Lu Wuming couldn't make sense of it.
His memories clearly stated that Liu Buli had imprisoned and abused him in the Pill Sect. He definitely wouldn't mistake that place, nor would he forget it. Even Liu Buli's ferocious and terrifying expression was vivid in his mind. How could he possibly consider that place his home?
Had he gone mad?
And this long sword in his hand, Lu Wuming knew that even if the sword was truly formidable, deep down, he didn't truly desire it.
If that was the case, then why did he insist on asking the Ghost King for this sword?
He felt as though he wasn't going to kill someone, but rather like a stray dog that had been away from home for too long, intending to bring this sword back as a gift for his master, to make his master happy...
No.
Why was he thinking of Liu Buli as his master?
The doubts in his heart multiplied. Staring at the long sword in his hand, Lu Wuming didn't know what he was thinking. By the time he realized it, he found himself drawing the sword from its sheath. The sight that greeted him wasn't of the blade's sharpness, but rather a piece of paper that fell out as he moved.
Lu Wuming raised an eyebrow.
He lowered his head and picked up the note. Upon seeing the words on it, Lu Wuming froze for a moment.
It clearly stated: Liu Buli is your lover, Young Master, do not do anything you will regret.