Chapter 592: Pure Heart and Loyalty

Chapter 592: The Crimson Infant's Heart

"The current population base of the Great Ming Empire's homeland is nothing but a field of blood and flesh with a changed skin. A thousand miles of fertile fields, billions of common people—without the endless succession of thousands of people, how could there be prosperity and flourishing in each sequence?"

*Plop.*

A large chunk of flesh and blood, already melted into a half-skeleton, fell to the ground. Zheng Chuj's eyes burned like fire.

"If it weren't for our help, taking another step forward would be as difficult as climbing to the sky."

The difficulty of sequence promotion, beyond doubt.

The vast population, limited resources. The arduous path ahead, the perilous situation.

Whether objective conditions or human factors, they all make the promotion to higher sequences extremely difficult.

At present, Li Jun can confirm that there is only one living Sequence Two—Zhang Fengyue.

And this is under the premise that the Great Ming Empire has successively sparked two waves of technological and martial arts trends within a century.

One leaf reveals autumn; imagine how difficult it must be.

Therefore, although Li Jun clearly loathes the deeds of 'Society and State,' Zheng Chuj still has confidence in winning him over.

Because in their experiments, the solitary martial sequence has one prominent characteristic: selfishness.

A person must act for themselves, or heaven and earth will destroy them. To become strong, one can abandon everything, ignore everything—this is the true meaning of solitude.

This is a characteristic evolved by the martial sequence genes after absorbing the painful lessons of sect martial sequences' downfall.

If forming sects and gathering crowds doesn't work, then one person shall become a god.

A solitary person, first a beast, then a deity.

All sympathy, pity, love and hate, and grudges are useless burdens for the solitary martial sequence. Only by treating all things in heaven and earth as nutrients for one's own growth can a true martial sequence god be born.

This is the secret of solitude explored by Society and State and Sangyan Temple. Zheng Chuj is confident that this is the only correct path.

He believes Li Jun should now understand this, but he is reluctant to face it due to various entanglements.

But if Li Jun continues to resist, he will deviate further from the correct path, struggle with difficulty, until he can no longer move and dies in place.

"In this world, only we of Society and State can understand you."

The nearly melted flesh and blood revealed a piece of white bones and various non-human organs in dazzling array.

Zheng Chuj opened one bloodshot eye, speaking earnestly and forcefully.

"We are just a purely transactional relationship, each taking what they need. After you get what you want, if you still have that ridiculous pitiful heart, you can let go and hunt us down again, seeking an absurd justice for these 'seeds,' how about that?"

Throughout the vast Yincai City, Zheng Chuj's words echoed.

The sound came from every causal tree and every inch of blood and flesh field, clearly audible to all.

In the distance, Zhang Ziyuan, who was stringing his bow and nocking an arrow, glanced over with the corner of his eye, his brow slightly furrowed, his expression a bit solemn.

Tanzhen was buried in a fight with several monsters, blood splashing everywhere, completely ignoring the noisy sounds around him.

"With your skills in divination, it's better not to show them off. But your hybrid technology that stitches yourself into a big mess is quite something; no wonder you can hide so deep."

Li Jun pressed down his eyes, looking down at Zheng Chuj standing at the bottom of the pit.

"I want to ask you something—do you know an old man who should be Sequence Three?"

"Who?"

Zheng Chuj was taken aback, not understanding Li Jun's meaning.

"It seems you don't."

Li Jun nodded, "That's good. If the opportunity for breaking the sequence truly comes from you and your kind, I would have to have a good talk with that old man."

*Swoosh!*

A long spear pierced through, entering Zheng Chuj's chest and nailing him to the ground.

Flames wrapped around the spear, spreading and burning Zheng Chuj's body, *sizzling* as they did.

"It seems you still haven't fully awakened. That's fine. Once those who entangle you are eliminated, you will naturally awaken. Moreover, the events in the other place have only just begun; we will have many chances to meet again."

In the firelight, Zheng Chuj's voice gradually weakened.

"When we meet again, I believe you will make the right choice."

*Crack.*

Two leg bones snapped, and Zheng Chuj's body crumbled like sand, burning into a pile of pitch-black ashes.

Li Jun's face darkened. He had heard many people speak boldly before death.

But this time, listening to Zheng Chuj's mystical words, an unease rose from nowhere, spreading through his heart.

Besides this, there was another point.

In Li Jun's vision, no prompt for acquiring mastery points appeared.

This meant that Zheng Chuj was not dead yet!

*Whoosh!*

An inexplicable sound of waves echoed throughout the entire Yincai City.

The green ocean surrounding the periphery suddenly began to contract, revealing fertile black soil and white bones pulled out one by one wherever it passed.

The intelligent causal trees lowered their heads to swallow the blood and flesh products around their guards, their root-like feet deeply embedded in the blood and flesh fields, sinking underground along with them.

This Yincai City was trying to escape!

Although Li Jun knew Zheng Chuj must be somewhere in this blood and flesh field, as Zheng Chuj had just said, he had no effective way to stop him.

The Solitary Martial Sequence's 'Enemy-Defeating' could not cover such a vast range.

Even the updated reconnaissance methods after Ma Wangye's promotion to Sequence Three could not find Zheng Chuj's true form hidden in the vast life force.

Therefore, it was no wonder Zheng Chuj was so fearless, because in this farm, Li Jun could not kill him.

*Bang!*

Suddenly, a gunshot echoed.

Li Jun quickly turned around and saw Zhang Ziyuan holding a short-barreled gun resembling a 'Peony Guard,' with Buddhist scriptures engraved on the gun body glowing brilliantly. The muzzle pointed to the sky, firing a fist-sized light sphere that swayed upward.

In an instant, Li Jun clearly felt a very complex spiritual force rapidly spreading, like opening a tiny eye of a tightly meshed net, covering the entire blood and flesh field, quickly filtering.

*Bang!*

The light sphere exploded, scattering tiny light points in all directions.

Almost at the same time, Ma Wangye, who had understood the situation, shed his armor state and leaped into the air with Zhang Ziyuan, aiming their guns at the suspicious spots marked by the light points.

Flames spurted, and gunshots rumbled, as blood and flesh deep pits continuously exploded.

This firepower, compared to the overall blood and flesh field covering over a hundred acres, was completely negligible—a drop in the bucket.

But strangely, the blood and flesh field that was sinking and fleeing toward the depths suddenly stopped abruptly, like the angry sea surface in a storm, surging with waves of crimson flesh. It was as if a giant beast had been struck in a vital spot, rolling in pain.

"Trying to run away without even saying a word in front of me—is that not a bit too disrespectful? Do you really take me, Zhang Ziyuan, as a reckless young master trying to make a name for myself in the other place?"

The scholar in the green robe wore a cold smile, standing firm like a tiger. His left hand pushed and pulled the gun, *click*, loading another round, and fired at the field beneath his feet, blasting a huge blood and flesh deep pit.

In the imperial homeland, it is commonly said that cultivating agriculture and studying literature strengthens the family, for which all men are capable of friendship. Yet upon arriving at this place, I have been ignored from start to finish. Since you, who till the earth, look down upon me, who studies books, I must not be blamed for my ruthless demeanor.

Zhang Siyuan, his gun roaring, muttered strange and absurd nonsense.

The waves of flesh surged violently, and in the chaos, Li Jun clearly heard a piercing scream.

“Eh?”

Li Jun lifted his head, only to see the flesh waves above him contort and transform into a colossal, mountain-like hand, its gaps oozing with fleshly ridges, descending to crush Zhang Siyuan.

A flash of shadow!

A figure darted past, and the giant fleshly hand froze in midair, exploding into torrents of blood and flesh.

“Do you finally realize you can’t escape? You’re in such a hurry. Too late—I thought you had some remarkable escape artistry. It turns out you’re just a fish in muddy water.”

Zhang Siyuan slung his gun over his shoulder, gazing at the sprawling flesh field with disdain.

“Zhang Siyuan, do not forget your identity! The New Donglin Party’s schemes will not let you go!”

The giant fleshly form bellowed Zheng Chu’s furious curse.

“Stop fawning over yourself. With your realm’s might, you dare speak of grand schemes before the New Donglin Party?”

Zhang Siyuan scoffed, “Moreover, do you understand the meaning of being the sole offspring? Using your father to press down on you—I think you’ve lost your mind.”

“You—”

Zheng Chu, blocked from fleeing, no longer maintained his earlier composure. The surging killing intent before him left him no time to jest with Zhang Siyuan.

Li Jun, resuming his armor, hovered midair, his long spear wielded with black flames blazing at its tip.

“Lord Li, if you wish to leave, I can reveal the secrets of Sangyan, the Buddha, and Lin’ga—she is your true enemy with a blood-debt between you.”

Zheng Chu’s plea for mercy was cut short by a sudden, ferocious assault.

Two giant hands erupted from the ground like swatting flies, converging to crush Li Jun.

Boom!

Bones and flesh exploded from the hand’s gaps, the force like thunder.

Zzz!

A streak of black-and-red lightning materialized behind the flesh giant, and Li Jun suddenly appeared there, the spear piercing through the giant’s head.

The blade’s edge cleaved Zheng Chu’s body in two, his head severed as the giant collapsed into a river of blood.

The flesh field shrank again, its waves rapidly subsiding.

“Why won’t you behave? This trick of yours won’t work.”

Zhang Siyuan repeated the tactic, hurling a glowing grenade.

“The New Donglin Party seeks a chaotic territory. Kill me, and who will help you achieve your goal?”

Without needing further coercion, Zheng Chu knew his flesh body had nowhere to flee. He coalesced into a frail, ordinary form—the same ruined warrior that had just self-dissolved.

It was precisely the corpse from moments before.

Zheng Chu’s eyes widened in terror: “Spare me! I can accept your Confucian seal. The matter you wish Li Jun to handle, I can accomplish too.”

“Still playing with words? Do I fear your sowing of discord?”

Zhang Siyuan’s expression froze, his gun trembling into a long bow. Drawing the bowstring like a full moon, he released an arrow that sought the soul.

Divine decree, Buddha’s whisper—within the mechanical hum, the sound of scholarly reading echoed.

Zheng Chu’s body convulsed, realizing he was locked in place, his connection to the flesh field severed, unable to move.

A massive hand with armor plating slammed forward, its five fingers exploding with a crack that scattered the arrows.

A majestic figure materialized, blocking Zheng Chu.

The situation reversed, and Zheng Chu, once despairing, now brimmed with relief and joy: “Lord Li, I knew you’d awaken eventually.”

Boom!

A violent punch silenced further words, Zheng Chu’s body exploding into filth, consumed by spreading flames.

[Acquired: 150 Proficiency Points]

[Remaining: 182 Proficiency Points]

[Learned: Four-ranked Technique of Combative Frenzy-Blood (Ingestion)]

With Zheng Chu’s death, the entire Cause City erupted in wailing.

The remaining cause trees toppled one by one, their strange creatures spilling to the ground, flesh and blood withered and lifeless.

The vast flesh field melted rapidly into dark-red liquid, seeping into the earth.

In mere breaths, the thriving Cause City vanished, leaving only a toxic, marsh-like stench.

The acquisition of proficiency points was expected, yet the capture of a martial arts technique from Zheng Chu surprised Li Jun.

His thoughts turned—naturally, he could absorb it.

Zheng Chu had mastered a body combining Wu, Fo, and Dao, so his inner essence must harbor martial genes. Though unused, Li Jun could ingest them via Tasting.

Now, Zheng Chu was dead, yet the Black Deva still clung to Li Jun.

“You once said you only know ‘Shooting’ skills, did you not?”

Li Jun turned to Zhang Siyuan, his left hand’s fingers flexing, a clear gash on the fist—a wound from the arrow’s impact. The arrow’s power was immense, and its strange force disrupted the armor’s control nearby.

“Yes.”

Zhang Siyuan nodded seriously: “This locking and tracking of enemies is part of the ‘Shooting’ arts. If you draw the bow and arrow without finding the target, isn’t that just reckless?”

“Truly?”

Li Jun stepped forward, his spear descending into his palm.

“Truly.”

Zhang Siyuan smiled broadly, his words shifting: “Moreover, the Confucian Six Arts are the basics of the Confucian order. One must dabble in them, but what I wield is truly only ‘Shooting’.”

“Why does it sound contradictory?”

Li Jun took a step.

To be a person, one must be humble; that has been my father's counsel to me for all these years.

At this moment, are you listening to your father's words again?

Zhang Siyuan stepped back, replying, “If there's reason, one must heed it, even though that old man often babbles.”

Dun Zhu, covered in blood, stood aside, his face a portrait of bewilderment.

He could not fathom what had transpired between his teacher and his master, yet this local man sensed something amiss, silently shifting his feet to block Zhang Siyuan's retreat.

You heartless wretch, you relish in your master's beating, don't you?

Zhang Siyuan glared at Dun Zhu with a sour expression, halted, and, with a rueful laugh, said, “Jun Ge, have you misunderstood something?”

A misunderstanding, perhaps, but I worry of being sold; I foolishly amass money for others.

I am truly a good man.

Zhang Siyuan, solemn, declared, “The nonsense of that son of Zheng Cu is merely disgusting to our brothers, a sabotage of our bond.”

And what of the weapon you hold?

Clang!

Zhang Siyuan resolutely dropped his gun to the ground, raising both hands.

This contraption was given to me by the old man; it resembles those stitched monstrosities of the State and Agriculture Orders, yet it is a genuine product of the Ink Sequence. Jun Ge, if you doubt it, let Master Ma examine it; he will surely vindicate me.

I think it's prudent to strike first, then inquire.

From the crimson eyes, Master Ma's cold laugh reverberated.

Master Ma, we have no grievances past or present; do not conspire against me in this manner.

Zhang Siyuan, with a plaintive look, said, “My small arms and legs—if I err and be struck down, what then?”

After all, you are a third-ranking Scholar Sequence; you aren't so easily killed, are you?

Master Ma remarked, “I see you, young man, are a master of feigning innocence while striking ferociously; this tactic has surely felled many.”

Alas, my heart was set upon the bright moon, yet the moon only shines upon the ditch.

Zhang Siyuan sighed helplessly, crouched, and pressed his head to the earth.

I cannot explain further; Jun Ge, if you truly doubt me, come. My request is modest—just spare my life.

Thud!

The long spear struck the ground, and the human armor separated.

Upon hearing the commotion, Zhang Siyuan leapt up, delighted, and asked, “Jun Ge, do you believe me?”

I believe, in the capacity of Zhang Fengyue, that I would not abandon my duty to orchestrate with my own son.

Li Jun picked up the gun that Zhang Siyuan had dropped, tossed it to the other party.

That old man is indeed benevolent.

Zhang Siyuan sprang to his feet, rearmed himself, and laughed, “Otherwise, I would never have sought to scheme against the Tiger Mountain.”

Li Jun stared deeply at him; he chose to spare Zhang Siyuan, not merely because he believed Zhang Fengyue would not employ his design.

The true reason lay in the other man's journey, which displayed disdain for the local Buddhist Order and genuine concern for the villagers, unlike feigned acts.

Li Jun had met almost every Scholar Sequence, each a master of performance.

Yet the impression Zhang Siyuan gave Li Jun was not an act; he truly sought to transform the locality.

You, young man, just wanted to assault me, didn't you? Come, let me kick you twice to settle the hatred!

Zhang Siyuan wore a grim grin, beckoning to the back, to Dun Zhu.

Sir, a misunderstanding. Dun Zhu shook his head.

Come!

Misunderstanding.

Li Jun watched the two brawlers, pondered for a moment, then spoke abruptly.

If I truly sensed a problem in you and insisted on striking, what would you do?

I would endure.

Zhang Siyuan paused, turned back, and laughed.

Would you not retaliate? Li Jun countered.

Zhang Siyuan earnestly replied, “The fourth Sequence walks alone, the third Ink Knight knows he cannot win; why would he fight back?”

Are you not afraid of death?

Zhang Siyuan answered without hesitation, “Of course I fear, but I trust you will not kill me.”

Li Jun frowned and asked, “Why?”

Because in this present locality, only you and I truly wish to help them.

Zhang Siyuan slapped Dun Zhu's back, turning the man's face pale.

This boy is so foolish; if he is willing to trust you, I am willing too.

Li Jun's mouth corner lifted into a smile. “If I were to trust Zheng Cu, would I first become a beast, then a deity?”

Then I would immediately turn back, leave the locality, and go to the old man to bow and admit my mistake.

Zhang Siyuan laughed similarly, “Then, in my later years, I will do but one thing.”

What thing?

To play with your life.

The two locked eyes, paused in silence, then burst into laughter.

Dun Zhu, nearly gasping from a slap, stared bewildered at the two.

Just moments ago, they were poised to fight to the death; now they seem to cherish each other.

The bright man—truly perplexing.