Chapter 159 - 58: Tools Deprived of a Future

After Shui Rou ate two pieces of roasted Calamity Beast Meat, she fell into silence once again.

Observing her expression, Han Zhan, with his keen senses, detected a subtle change in her, knowing it was time to strike while the iron was hot.

So he asked, "After traveling this far, what do you think of Fengbai Village?"

"The children are free and joyful, adults are well-clothed and well-fed, everyone seems to lead a happy life."

"And what do you think Fengbai Village would become if the rumored dragon were released?"

"It would be completely destroyed, vanishing from this world."

"The dragon once protected your village, that’s undeniable. But after releasing it out of gratitude, only to watch it wreak havoc on the village and slaughter humans, do you think this is what it once desired to do?"

Shui Rou remained silent.

Growing up in Water Village and listening to the High Priest’s teachings, people like Shui Rou had a narrow mindset.

The High Priest molded her obsession into the ultimate goal every Water Village person should strive for, deceiving them with an information cocoon.

Lies are easily exposed.

As long as you see the truth.

Just like Shui Rou now.

After hearing Han Zhan’s words, Shui Rou, who was previously convinced of her correctness and righteousness, experienced a wavering of faith for the first time.

Why couldn’t the villagers of Water Village, like those of other villages, engage in farming, hunting, and enjoy life normally?

Why must Water Village’s children forgo fun from a young age to practice the Water Transformation Technique, year after year, day after day?

Why release the dragon bound by Sealing Chains, letting it continue its slaughter, merely to repay its sheltering kindness?

Some things don’t require Han Zhan to speak; just a crack in the mind can breed numerous questions.

"We need to know the location of Water Village." Han Zhan spoke earnestly, "Only by knowing the exact location of Water Village and addressing the Evil Dragon’s threat can you truly restore freedom to its villagers!"

"You shouldn’t be tools deprived of a future by the High Priest to fulfill personal obsessions and desires!"

Han Zhan’s final two sentences struck Shui Rou’s soul deeply, like a blow to the head.

Tools deprived of a future.

Her memory contained no joy, no play, no memorable people or events.

Only cold water, cold food, cold Water Transformation Technique, and cold tasks.

Tools? Are they truly just tools?

Shui Rou felt her mind tangled; she couldn’t decide whether to continue believing the High Priest, protecting the Divine Dragon, and removing all other obstacles, or agree with Han Zhan, giving Water Village, and herself, a different future.

"My mind’s a bit messed up right now." After a lengthy pause, Shui Rou finally spoke.

Her voice no longer sounded cold, just a bit helpless.

She now seemed more like the young girl she should be, not a cold, task-executing machine.

Han Zhan knew he couldn’t rush Shui Rou.

So he nodded, giving her space to buffer.

"After walking all morning, you must be tired. Rest in the room first. When you’ve recuperated, come for lunch."

Hearing Han Zhan’s words, Shui Rou’s gentle eyes suddenly raised, gazing at him, as though wanting to firmly memorize his appearance.

She quickly lowered her gaze, nodded, and briskly walked towards Han Zhan’s room.

Watching Shui Rou’s departing silhouette, Feng Pingcheng and Huo Lie appeared from afar without warning.

"Is this really okay?" Feng Pingcheng, having heard Han Zhan’s confident words earlier, felt skeptical.

Little did he know, Han Zhan’s dialogues with Shui Rou were meticulously crafted.

First, instilling doubt in her established beliefs, then showing her the reality of Fengbai Village, further shattering her self-hypnosis-like convictions, and finally unveiling the High Priest’s selfish motives, leaving Water Village’s future to her decision.

Such a combination barrage could ensnare even an innocent assassin girl like Shui Rou, let alone an elder village head like Feng Pingcheng.

"Once I find Water Village, I’ll make sure to pin down this High Priest and give him a thorough beating!" Huo Lie chimed in.

"That ’beating’ you’re talking about, is it legitimate?"

...

Returning to Han Zhan’s room, Shui Rou shut the door.

She curled up alone in the corner of the room.

Han Zhan’s words and the High Priest’s teachings collided and clashed in her mind, causing her to clasp her head in torment.

While Shui Rou struggled in painful decision-making, at the bottom of Water Village’s deep pool, the High Priest and Yi Fan stood side by side.

"How many more days?" The High Priest glanced at Yi Fan and asked.

"At most three days, at least one."

When Yi Fan spoke, light flickered in his eyes, constantly shifting, analyzing, and reshaping.

Using the Talent of Lies, he was unraveling the Sealing Chains binding the Evil Dragon.

The High Priest of Water Village consistently sought to break all nine Dragon-Binding Locks and fully liberate the Evil Dragon, but Yi Fan differed.

Breaking the Dragon-Binding Locks takes too long; they can’t wait that long, so his method is using the Power of Lies to reshape a "Evil Dragon" to "deceive" the Sealing Chains and replace the original Evil Dragon.

It’s a loophole.

Only the Power of Lies can accomplish this.

"Today, I’ll shatter the Water Repelling Shield, sinking the entire Water Village to the bottom. For you, surviving underwater shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

"No problem."

After brief dialogue, the High Priest and Yi Fan returned to Water Village.

At this time, all Water Village residents, including the elderly, adults, and children, gathered at the village center, quietly awaiting the High Priest’s commencement.

"It’s almost time to shatter the Water Repelling Shield; then everyone should activate the Water Transformation Technique, adapting quickly to underwater survival."

"Before that, I need to address the final threat to the Evil Dragon’s Resurrection."

With that, she struck the ground heavily with the dragon-head staff.

A water sphere suddenly appeared above the High Priest’s head.

Inside the sphere was a young maiden identical to Shui Rou, seemingly a soul-like form, imprisoned within the sphere.

"To prevent enemies from tracing Water Village’s location through you, Shui Rou, you must be completely sacrificed."

"Rest assured, you are Water Village’s great warrior and will forever live in our hearts."

As she spoke, she extended her left hand, crushing the water sphere forcefully, along with the maiden’s soul within!

Simultaneously,

In Han Zhan’s room, Shui Rou, still curled up, felt a sharp pain deep in her soul.

Startled, she opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a sound.

Blood flowed from her seven apertures as she collapsed unconscious on the ground!