"Do I need to give myself a pep talk? I already considered it when planning my revenge. If I can survive such a deadly situation, then it means heaven wants me to live. One shouldn't go against heaven's will, so of course, I must live well. Since heaven can forgive my sins, why should I torment myself?"

"As for the physical suffering I'm enduring now, I don't find it particularly agonizing. I used to experience something similar almost every day when I was practicing my skills, and I got through it, didn't I? Besides, many of the people I killed didn't deserve to die. They only made one mistake in their lives, but I stubbornly killed them anyway. It's only natural that heaven would punish me a little."

"Anyway, it's just a few days. I just need to persevere, and then a bright new life awaits. I've been so busy with revenge, rushing around every day. There are so many things I haven't had time to do, so many pleasures I haven't enjoyed. The thought of a bright future makes me really happy."

"The revenge is complete, that period is over, and it's time for me to say goodbye to the past."

He made it sound quite reasonable, but…

"Do you think the people of Tianshi Manor will let you off? So many people died, and they all died at Tianshi Manor. Do you think their headquarters won't come to investigate?"

"Of course, they will. But who, besides you, knows that I'm the one behind it? I'm very cautious in my actions, meticulous. They could investigate for a hundred years and still not find me."

I pondered for a while, furrowing my brows. Ding Kan asked me what was wrong, wondering if I had discovered any flaws in his plan.

I said, "Not really. You spent over a decade learning so many things to arrange this revenge plan. It's indeed perfect, so much so that I feel a bit superfluous. If I didn't exist, then no one would know what you did."

Ding Kan was amused by what I said. He probably laughed too hard, straining his wounds, which made him wince in pain.

"The way you put it sounds like I'm going to kill you to silence you. Don't worry, I won't do that."

"How can I trust you? You still need our family's rabbit to help you heal. Of course, you'd say you won't kill me now, but what about later? After all, I know your secret. What if you change your mind someday?"

I wasn't joking. Ding Kan does have his lovable side, and I admire him. However, this person is also quite dangerous. It would be great to be friends, but if he became an enemy, it would be terrifying. I must consider everything thoroughly in advance.

Ding Kan finally managed to ease the expression on his face and told me seriously, "I believe that Shopkeeper Wan is not someone who betrays friends."

Ding Kan was earnest, but his simple explanation was not enough to satisfy me.

"I can choose not to treat you as a friend first, and then betray you."

Ding Kan looked at me helplessly and said, "Shopkeeper Wan, what exactly do you want me to say?"

"Simple, I want you to tell me the truth."

"Alright, I'll tell you the truth. You can't betray me. I've already arranged things so that if you betray me and tell others that I killed the 309 people from Tianshi Manor, then I can immediately shift the blame onto you."

"Don't forget, you were there at the scene. I'm suspicious, but you're just as suspicious. Moreover, I'm a disciple of Tianshi Manor, while you're an outsider. You were the one who ultimately broke the Hundred Ghost Bureau, but I'm the one who was seriously injured. Tell me, who will they choose to believe, you or me?"

"Shopkeeper Wan is a talented person, I know that, but when it comes to acting and underhanded tricks like framing someone, you're far behind me. So, Shopkeeper Wan doesn't need to worry. I don't need to fear you betraying me, nor do I need to kill you to silence you."

Okay, this reason was quite convincing, but it also made me feel a chill down my spine. This kid really is meticulous in his actions. Although he doesn't intend to harm me, he's definitely wary of me.

That's good, at least I don't have to worry about him killing me to silence me.

That night, we rehearsed our lines again, preparing for how to respond when Tianshi Manor came to investigate us.

It really wasn't a waste of preparation. Two days after we rehearsed our lines, people from Tianshi Manor headquarters came to us two survivors to understand the situation.

I repeated what we had prepared in advance. I don't know if the investigator believed it or not. Then, it was Ding Kan's turn to give an explosive performance.

Don't even mention the two investigators; even I, who personally experienced it, began to suspect that my memory of breaking through the levels with him was messed up. It felt like what he said was more real than my own experience.

After sending off the two investigators, the shop returned to its peaceful days. Ding Kan's treatment was going smoothly. Originally, they had planned for 49 days of treatment, but he cooperated well, and he was almost fully recovered in just over ten days. Then, I saw him constantly flipping through the map of the old city district on his phone, the area where Jasmine used to work. He also frequently asked Jasmine about that old city district.

Jasmine originally wanted to cut ties with her previous life and was unwilling to mention her previous work experience, but she couldn't resist Ding Kan's persistent coaxing and still told Ding Kan a lot. I also overheard a few things and learned where the casinos were, where the red-light districts were, and where other shady dealings took place.

Seeing Ding Kan so interested in the old city district, I couldn't help but ask him what he was researching it for.

Ding Kan smiled and said, "Is it strange? Aren't you just as interested in it?"

I told him solemnly that I really wasn't interested in that place.

Ding Kan asked me, "Since you're not interested in that place, why are you so interested in listening?"

I said, "I'm only interested in why you're interested in that place, not interested in the place itself, understand?"

Ding Kan immediately shook his head, "Tongue twister, I don't understand."

"If you don't understand, then forget it. First, tell me what you're researching that place for? Do you also want to go have some fun?"

"Yes, is that not allowed?"

"Sure, go now. You're not my son. I can't control you."

Ding Kan blinked innocently, "What did you say?"

"I said…"

Before I could finish the second half of my sentence, the stool under my butt suddenly broke, causing me to fall. I got up and started arguing with him. Don't think that just because your injuries haven't fully healed, I won't dare to hit you.

Then, the evil spirits in the shop all ran out to watch the fun. Some of them even started betting on who would win.

After the excitement subsided, when the evil spirits had all dispersed, Ding Kan told me, "Someone is using cruel methods to refine evil magic over there. Qin Tianming had already investigated some of the situation, but unfortunately, he's dead now, and the matter has been shelved. I want to continue what he didn't finish. As master and disciple, it can be considered me doing my best for him."