As Zhou Fu swung his fist again, the figure raised a hand to block, smiling faintly, "Who I am is not important, just consider me a stranger."
"Who exactly are you!" Zhou Fu shouted, his attacks becoming sharper, aiming directly at the figure's face, attempting to tear off the veil.
The figure watched Zhou Fu's chaotic breathing and the complete lack of strategy in his moves, with countless openings, and shook its head helplessly, easily deflecting his attacks.
Zhou Fu was solely focused on tearing off the figure's veil, completely unaware that his own movements had become disordered and riddled with flaws.
The figure smiled faintly, only defending and not attacking, allowing Zhou Fu to attack wildly.
Zhou Fu's only desire was to know this person's identity, oblivious to the fact that he had already fallen into a disadvantageous position.
Seizing an opening, Zhou Fu lunged forward, reaching for the veil on the figure's face.
Seeing this, the figure instinctively raised its palm and struck Zhou Fu's lower abdomen.
Zhou Fu, his strategy in disarray, had no time to react and was hit squarely by the palm. He was sent staggering back several steps before regaining his balance.
It was fortunate that the figure had suddenly held back its strength; otherwise, Zhou Fu would have suffered more than just a few steps back.
Zhou Fu stared at the figure with murderous intent, drew the Soul Suppressing Stone short sword from his waist, traced his finger to ignite a fierce flame, and said coldly, "Who exactly are you?"
Seeing this, the figure smiled faintly and remarked, "I didn't expect Master to treat you so well, giving you my original weapon."
Hearing this, even Zhou Fu, if he wasn't so slow-witted, would have guessed who this person was.
Being able to recognize the Soul Suppressing Stone short sword, this person was undoubtedly his senior brother, Zhou Fu.
But if he had come to Jiangdu, why didn't he go to the sect leader? He hadn't returned to the sect either.
The sect leader had been looking for him all along.
"Senior Brother Zhou Fu is dead. Who are you, daring to impersonate him!" Zhou Fu still refused to believe this person was Zhou Fu.
Seeing Zhou Fu's disbelief, the figure shook its head helplessly, removed the veil from its face, revealing a dark complexion, and smiled, "Long time no see, junior brother Zhou Fu."
Zhou Fu looked at Zhou Fu before him, unable to believe it.
This person was truly his senior brother, Zhou Fu.
Zhou Fu looked at the shocked Zhou Fu and chuckled, "It's been over a year, junior brother Zhou Fu. You've changed a lot. Your voice is different, and your skin has gone from fair to dark."
Zhou Fu suppressed his shock and asked with confusion, "Since you've returned, why didn't you go to see the sect leader?"
Zhou Fu stroked his chin and thought before replying, "How should I put it? I've returned this time intending to completely bid farewell to my past life, to sever ties with everyone I was once connected to, including the sect and Master."
Zhou Fu retorted indignantly, "If that's the case, why did you let the sect leader know you were alive? Wouldn't it have been better to disappear completely and let everyone believe you were dead?"
Zhou Fu looked at Zhou Fu's angry expression and said, "You might be mistaken. I didn't tell Master that I was alive."
Zhou Fu clenched his fist, "If that's so, why aren't you clarifying things with the sect leader now?"
Zhou Fu shook his head, "I originally intended to explain everything directly to the sect leader, but after thinking about it, it's better not to meet him. After all, with his personality, he would surely fear I might get into trouble again and keep me by his side."
Zhou Fu looked into Zhou Fu's eyes, seemingly pondering if his words were true, "You really don't plan to even see Master?"
Zhou Fu nodded affirmatively, sighing, "I won't go. Let it be this way. Let him believe Zhou Fu is still alive."
Upon hearing this resolute answer, a murderous intent flashed in Zhou Fu's eyes, "You are not Zhou Fu!"
At this, Zhou Fu paused, his expression turning serious, "Senior brother, what do you mean by that?"
Zhou Fu looked at the person before him who looked exactly like Zhou Fu and said, "You just said the words 'Zhou Fu,' not me. Moreover, from the beginning, you've been intentionally or unintentionally distancing yourself from Zhou Fu. Although you've tried your best to act like Zhou Fu, you are not him!"
Zhou Fu smiled faintly, shaking his head and sighing, "You're still the same as before, with incredibly sharp observation skills. However, I am indeed Zhou Fu, but you could also say I am not."
Zhou Fu, standing before him, was bewildered, "What do you mean?"
Zhou Fu didn't want to explain further and said, "In reality, whether I am the real Zhou Fu or not is not important to you, is it? On the contrary, you probably wish for me to disappear forever."
Hearing this, a murderous intent flared in Zhou Fu's eyes, but he didn't vent it.
Zhou Fu sensed the murderous intent in Zhou Fu's eyes and shook his head helplessly, "Don't worry, I will never appear before Master. You can wholeheartedly become his disciple."
Hearing this affirmative statement, Zhou Fu's suspended heart finally settled.
As long as this guy never appeared before the sect leader, he would have a chance to become the sect leader's disciple.
"Alright, I'm leaving now!" Zhou Fu said, turning to leave. But then he suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back to look at Zhou Fu, "Junior brother, this is our last meeting. I still have a reminder for you."
"You can never replace my position in Master's heart. Instead of imitating me, it's better to be yourself diligently."
"Also, your murderous intent is too strong. Pursuing discipleship single-mindedly is counterproductive. If you remain like this, you will never succeed in becoming a disciple. Sometimes, retreating is advancing. If you want to become a disciple, first get rid of this heavy murderous intent. I hope you understand."
After speaking, Zhou Fu didn't bother with Zhou Fu's expression and continued to walk away, "I hope you remember what I said."
Gazing at Zhou Fu's receding back, Zhou Fu stood frozen, his expression complex.
Were all his previous actions wrong?
The sky had completely darkened, and in the vast cemetery, only Zhou Fu's lonely figure remained.
Meanwhile, at the Midnight Spirit Shop.
Yu Daohen lay in a rocking chair, unable to sleep for a long time. He looked at the night outside the door and fell into deep thought.
You brat, where are you now?
Yu Daohen had decided that after dealing with the matter of the Hell's Entrance and Meng Da Long, he would go search for that kid Zhou Fu.
On the midnight street, a solitary figure walked at a leisurely pace, looking up at the starry sky, and slowly said, "I have fulfilled my promise to you, and this is considered my repayment for this life."
A gentle breeze blew, and in this world, Zhou Fu walked towards the life he yearned for.
One year ago (Flashback).
Zhou Fu, with severe injuries and appearing to have little time left, arrived at a canyon. He looked at the man who looked exactly like him and immediately knelt down, pleading, "Please, do one thing for me. I'll pay any price, including my own life!!"
The man looked at Zhou Fu, who was kneeling on the ground, pale and with little time left, and fell into thought.
What could possibly cause someone with so little time left to risk coming here without even the guarantee of a proper burial?
What the two discussed is unknown, but what is known is that the next day, as the sun just began to rise.
Zhou Fu walked out of the canyon, his injuries completely gone, his face full of vitality, showing no sign of the near-death state he was in when he entered the canyon.