That evening, Liu Buli did not rush to take Lu Wuming to sleep.
He sat alone at the table, meticulously preparing everything that could be of use. After taking stock, his expression remained grim. Lu Wuming watched his actions and couldn't help but ask, "Master, if you're not confident about dealing with that Duan Liuyun, can't we just postpone it?"
"No," Liu Buli refused decisively. He said, "Duan Liuyun is immensely talented. If we don't deal with him now, he will soon become too powerful for us to handle. At that point, he will be the butcher and we will be the meat. You possess something he desires, and he will not let you go. Then, no matter what we do, we will be powerless. We will have no choice but to die, understand?"
Liu Buli explained earnestly.
Unfortunately, Lu Wuming could not comprehend.
In his eyes, his Master was the most formidable being. There was no problem his Master couldn't solve, no person his Master couldn't handle. Now, for his Master to say there was a stronger existence was something he simply couldn't grasp.
Liu Buli sighed.
He couldn't make Lu Wuming understand.
Did he have to tell the young man that the world he lived in was merely a book, that Duan Liuyun was the ultimate boss of this world, and that he and Lu Wuming were just a minor interlude in the protagonist's growth?
Even with utmost effort, an interlude could never compare to a boss.
Liu Buli was remarkably clear-headed, and he understood this.
But even though he understood, he didn't want to tell Lu Wuming directly. After all, if everything went smoothly tomorrow, he wouldn't have to worry anymore. As long as Lu Wuming was safe, the original plot of the novel wouldn't matter.
That night, Liu Buli stayed awake.
Lu Wuming sat beside him, listening as he discussed his strategies, also staying up late.
As the first light of dawn peeked through, Liu Buli stood up. He stretched his stiff limbs and looked at Lu Wuming beside him. "Wuming, you wait for me at home. If..."
Liu Buli trailed off, his words caught in his throat.
After a moment of silence, he finally gritted his teeth and adopted a firm tone. "Master will return. Rest assured."
Truthfully, he himself had little confidence in these words. However, he knew that even if this was his last farewell, he had to stand tall to reassure Lu Wuming.
Contrary to his expectations, Lu Wuming did not ask to go with him. Instead, he nodded obediently, seemingly believing his Master's comfort.
Liu Buli blinked, staring into Lu Wuming's eyes for a moment longer. Seeing no issue, he smiled and turned to leave the courtyard.
Upon reaching the entrance of the Pill Sect and meeting the Grand Elder, the latter looked expectantly behind Liu Buli. Not finding Lu Wuming, the Grand Elder became visibly conflicted. He said, "Sect Master, weren't we supposed to bring that monster along? If you don't bring him, how will our transaction proceed?"
Liu Buli raised an eyebrow and glanced at the Grand Elder. He said calmly, "First, my disciple is not a monster. I have given you many chances, but you have not cherished them, so you will pay the price. Second, I was not here to conduct a transaction today. Bringing my disciple would only be a hindrance. Do you take me for a fool?"
The Grand Elder was so startled by his words that he dared not speak further.
Liu Buli did not rush to attack him. He merely gestured with his chin. "Lead the way. When there are matters that do not concern you, you should learn to shut your mouth obediently. Otherwise, this life you have barely managed to cling to will be lost entirely."
The Grand Elder quickly let out a dry laugh and gestured for Liu Buli to follow.
Liu Buli pursed his lips and followed.
In any case, the sword had been drawn and could not be sheathed.
Whatever awaited him now, he could only fight to the end.
Little did he know, after they left, Lu Wuming, who had been sitting motionlessly in the room, stood up. After taking a few deep breaths, he turned, opened the door, and walked out.
He arrived at the Hall of Repentance in the Pill Sect and saw the disciple who had poisoned Liu Buli.
Cultivators could go days without eating or drinking without any issues. Moreover, this disciple's cultivation was not low. For him, spending a few days in the Hall of Repentance to save his life was not a big deal.
Seeing the door open, he immediately looked back.
Upon seeing that it was Lu Wuming, his eyes lit up with joy. "Are you the junior disciple who just joined the Sect Master's tutelage? Did you come here because the Sect Master has reconsidered and plans to spare me, and sent you to inform me?"
Of course not.
Based on Lu Wuming's understanding of Liu Buli during this time, his Master had completely forgotten about this person.
So, this was for the best.
A forgotten person would disappear without anyone meticulously investigating how or when.
Lu Wuming closed the wooden door again, his hands transforming into claws. A smile spread across his face. Lu Wuming looked at the disciple and said, "Master hasn't decided how to deal with you yet, but I have. I need your malice, your anger, and preferably emotions like pain. So, I apologize for the hardship you will endure in the time to come."
As his words fell, the disciple realized what was about to happen.
He immediately adopted a defensive stance, but he was no match for Lu Wuming. His claws tore through skin, ripping a chunk of flesh from his chest.
A scream of utter despair echoed in the Hall of Repentance, but it was completely muffled by the walls.
Liu Buli looked down at the blood on his hands, the madness in his eyes deepening.
He remembered the feeling from his past life. He knew that malice and despair could make him stronger.
He didn't know if what he had inherited from his past life was enough, so he wanted to collect more...
Enough to make him even stronger, so he could help his Master tear apart the person his Master wanted to deal with.
—
(Thank you, my dear readers, for your comfort. I also hope my father will recover. Updates will still be made because ICU does not allow family members to stay for too long, and most of the time I can only wait outside for news. The slow updates are due to my emotional state. The previous chapter's writing was merely a reaction to someone urging me to update, which made me want to lash out. I apologize for bringing negative energy. May all be well.)