But no matter what, with the Corpse King dead, the troubles with the corpses had truly come to an end.
This matter could finally be considered closed.
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
Through twists and turns over these days, continuous life-and-death battles, and multiple unexpected changes, they had hovered on the brink of death and witnessed scenes both bone-chilling and inconceivable. Now, they could finally ease their burdens and relax.
Mo Hua also breathed a sigh of relief.
He turned and left with light steps.
But, just as he turned around, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Within the darkness, he had a premonition.
It seemed as though something fierce had taken residence within him.
This thing was malformed and cruel, like the Taoist Meaning, but extremely twisted, akin to the Corpse Kingâs vile thoughts, brimming with loathing and glaring at him menacingly.
Yet, as soon as he attempted to perceive it, it would, as though startled, vanish without a trace, its hiding place unknownâŠ
This sensation was exactly the same as the mutated Taoist Meaning on the Corpse King.
"But hasnât it dissipated already?"
Mo Hua wondered, baffled.
Concerned about the Taoist Demon, Mo Hua had to be more cautious.
Upon returning, he sought the advice of Mr. Zhuang.
"Master, the Taoist Demon that died seems to have latched onto meâŠ"
Mr. Zhuang was somewhat surprised, yet not taken aback; reclining in his bamboo chair, he said leisurely,
"You ruined its chance of becoming a Taoist Demon, so of course it hates you, and thus its Taoist Meaning has fused into your cause and effect."
"Fused into cause and effect?"
Mo Hua didnât understand.
Mr. Zhuang then explained,
"Everything in the world has its cause and effect, from the grass and the trees to every drink and peck, none can escape the realm of causality."
Mo Hua felt like he understood Mr. Zhuangâs explanation, but upon closer thought, he was still confused.
Mr. Zhuang sighed, "Donât think too hard; cause and effect is just a form of the Great Daoâs rule. Everything operates according to its own rules; this is causality."
"Itâs the same with people."
"A personâs past actions, thoughts, and desires are all formed by the cycles of causality."
"And all of a personâs past forms the cause, and everything that happens later forms the effect based on those past causes."
"Therefore, cause and effect also make up a personâs fate."
"The fate of the past is set, unchangeable, but the fate of the future, based on your previous life, is subject to myriad changesâŠ"
Mo Hua seemed to have an epiphany and nodded.
Mr. Zhuang looked at Mo Hua, hope shining in his eyes, "As for matters of causality, itâs good that you understand them now; thinking too much is pointlessâŠ"
"When your Divine Sense grows stronger, your experiences more diverse, and your understanding of the Great Dao, Formation, and all things more profound, then you can study furtherâŠ"
Mo Hua couldnât help asking, "Master, is this âcause and effectâ thing really useful?"
Mr. Zhuang said, "It might be useless, but it could also be extremely useful; it all depends on how deeply you understand it."
Mo Huaâs eyes flickered as he asked,
"Master, so the Taoist Demon infusing into my cause and effect, is it a good thing or a bad thing?"
"Itâs not a good thing," Mr. Zhuang said.
Mo Hua felt a chill in his heart.
"But itâs also not necessarily a bad thing," Mr. Zhuang added.
Mo Hua, with his mouth agape, couldnât help but mutter,
"Master, what youâve said is... as good as saying nothing..."
Mr. Zhuang gently tapped Mo Huaâs head and chuckled,
"In this world, everything has its pros and cons, misfortune and fortune go hand in hand; thereâs no such thing as absolute good or bad."
"So what should I do?" Mo Hua asked.
Mr. Zhuang said indifferently, "Just keep a normal heart, uphold your Taoist Heart, and thereâs no need to worry or fear. Donât even think about it; once your Divine Sense is powerful, everything will be easily solved..."
Mo Huaâs eyes brightened, recalling Mr. Zhuangâs previous words,
"If the Taoist Heart is clear and the Divine Thought is strong, then all evil will not invade... Is that right, Master?" Explore more stories at empire
Mr. Zhuang nodded with approval.
Mo Hua thus let go of his concerns.
However, he didnât notice the solemn weight in Mr. Zhuangâs lowered gaze.
As Mo Hua stood to take his leave, Mr. Zhuang suddenly said,
"Mo Hua."
Mo Hua looked at Mr. Zhuang with some confusion.
Mr. Zhuang paused for a moment before asking,
"How did this mutated Taoist Meaning fuse into your causality?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment and then replied truthfully,
"It seems that... I ordered it to die, and it tried to, but didnât fully succeed, and then it hated me..."
Mr. Zhuangâs gaze froze, his fingers hidden in his sleeves quivering, and his heart couldnât help but flutter.
"You... ordered it to die?"
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded and asked worriedly, "Master, is there any trouble?"
Mr. Zhuangâs eyes became inscrutable as he smiled faintly,
"It doesnât matter, just remember what Iâve just told you."
"Alright, Master!"
If the Master said it didnât matter, then there probably wasnât anything wrong.
Mo Hua left cheerfully and at ease.
After Mo Hua left, Mr. Zhuang sighed deeply and frowned.
Old Kuiâs figure appeared, and he said in a soft sigh,
"Too bold..."
Uncharacteristically, Mr. Zhuang didnât retort but instead nodded in agreement,
"Yes, too bold..."
To actually order a Taoist Demon to die...
Fearless due to ignorance.
And the troubling part is that the Taoist Demon really followed his command to die...
Mr. Zhuang said helplessly,
"The Corpse King wasnât quite a Taoist Demon. Making the Corpse King kneel was just touching upon a great causality, but now that he directly ordered a Taoist Demon to die, itâs like he swallowed this great causality whole. Truly... recklessly audacious..."
Old Kui glanced at Mr. Zhuang contemptuously, "Werenât you quite proud before? Feeling remorse now? What do we do?"