Ancestral Grotto
Zhao Min and his companions found themselves suddenly transported back to the Ancestral Grotto, whisked away in the blink of an eye. As they materialized amidst the dense vegetation, Jin Ju surveyed their surroundings with caution, noting the absence of any human activity. After ensuring their safety, Jin Ju released a relieved sigh, his thoughts drifting to Steward Jie.
"I never thought Steward Jie possessed such a caring side beneath his stern countenance." - Jin Ju mused aloud.
Yu Lingxin, joining in the contemplation, added: "We were under his care, and naturally, he developed attachments to us. His displeasure at our exile was evident."
Ye Jianhong, his anger fueled by his transformed feminine body, interjected vehemently.
"If he truly cared, he would have mended my body before sending us away!"
The unexpected sound of his high-pitched voice caught the group off guard, including Ye Jianhong himself.
Unable to contain her amusement, Yu Lingxin laughed at his misfortune, taunting him.
"Sister Jianhong, it seems our group has achieved a balance of yin and yang."
Incensed, Ye Jianhong reached out to grab Yu Lingxin's robe, attempting to lift her into the air threateningly.
However, his delicate arm betrayed him, lacking the strength he once possessed.
Yu Lingxin, finding it difficult to suppress her laughter, swiftly grabbed Ye Jianhong's arm and forcefully pried off his feeble grasp.
"Sister, you've relied too heavily on your strength thus far. Technique is more important, especially with weak arms like mine." - Yu Lingxin added fuel to the fire, twisting Ye Jianhong's wrist as he struggled.
A vein throbbed on his forehead, and despite his efforts, he remained pinned to the ground.
Jin Ju, attempting to bring a halt to the escalating situation, pleaded with Yu Lingxin.
"Please stop, sister. A man has his pride."
Seizing the opportunity to further belittle Ye Jianhong, Yu Lingxin leaned closer, her voice dripping with derision.
"And where, exactly, do you see a 'man'?" - She challenged.
Jin Ju could only shake his head, torn between laughter and exasperation at the absurdity of the situation.
To his surprise, Yu Lingxin released Ye Jianhong without further provocation.
"Consider it a favor, you ungrateful donkey. Understand that you are now weak, trapped within a frail body. What can you achieve without gu worms? It's better that I teach you this lesson." - Yu Lingxin explained her motive, her words penetrating Ye Jianhong's thoughts.
Silently adjusting his clothes, he harbored unspoken thoughts of retaliation, unable to admit what was evident even to him.
"Just you wait, woman. Once I regain my body, I will teach you a 'lesson' of my own."
The silence was shattered by Jin Ju's voice, as he contemplated their dire situation.
"I had only just managed to recover the shop before the Annual Competition began." - Jin Ju lamented, his voice filled with desolation.
"And now, how can I even think about reopening? I am labeled as a criminal, and my reputation has been tarnished."
Yu Lingxin, her usually composed demeanor wavering, added her own perspective.
"Material possessions can be replaced, but I have lost all my acquaintances once again. It feels like starting from scratch, without the connections and relationships I had established..." - She concurred with a heavy sigh.
"Indeed. One of the greatest losses for me is the customer base that had come to know my name. Countless sales now lost, and I am left with all but what I have with me." - Jin Ju's heart sank further at the thought of his lost profits.
Jin Ju thought about how he's never going to sell a single ware to those he spent painstaking effort to rope into his business.
Ye Jianhong remained silent, his frustration and dissatisfaction evident in the grunt that escaped his lips.
He looked down at his transformed feminine chest, the physical manifestation of his current predicament.
Amongst the group, his struggle to revert back to his original body was the most significant challenge.
The three companions exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a shared sentiment: resentment towards their cruel fate.
"So, what do we do now? We have lost almost everything, and the Bao clan considers us wanted criminals." - Yu Lingxin sighed.
Instinctively, the three turned to Zhao Min, seeking guidance.
However, Zhao Min stood oblivious to their presence and the previous events, his gaze fixed upon the sky, eyes narrowed in deep thought.
After a brief moment, he responded, his words carrying an unexpected weight.
"Isn't it obvious what has happened?" - Zhao Min began, capturing their attention.
"Our fate mirrors that of the Three Demons. You witnessed their legacy, read about the lives they were forced to lead. They achieved the peak of mortal strength, only to be discarded when they no longer served the immortal beings' purpose."
The weight of his words settled heavily upon the group, their hearts burdened by the realization. They were but insignificant pieces on a board.
Yet, Zhao Min's lips curved into a smile, an unsettling glint in his eyes.
"This turn of events is the best possible outcome!"
Jin Ju, Yu Lingxin, and Ye Jianhong exchanged bewildered glances.
What did he mean?
Sensing their confusion, Zhao Min clarified his perspective.
"Only now do I understand my true nature!" - He proclaimed.
"Unknowingly, I have always sought to follow my own desires, unrestrained by the demands of others. But I have forever been constrained."
"'Cultivate diligently' they said. 'Pay homage to our ancestors' they said. 'Fulfill your missions' they said..."
Pausing for a moment, Zhao Min's laughter took on an eerie tone.
"This turn of events is a stroke of brilliance! Those dog immortals have inadvertently loosened their grip on me. This was their mistake!"
"They labeled me a demon, then I will be a demon!"
"I shall bite the very hand that fed me!"
"I will shatter these chains of control and become the master of my own!"
Even Yu Lingxin, usually adept at understanding people, was taken aback.
"Brother Zhao, the shock must have been overwhelming. Please, calm down and approach the situation with a clear mind." - She urged.
"You've finally snapped and become a crazed demonic bastard." - Ye Jianhong ridiculed him.
Unfazed by the ridicule, Zhao Min turned to face them, his grin widening.
"I'm in a good mood, so I will share my moment of enlightenment." - Zhao Min proclaimed, his gaze sweeping over his companions before collecting himself.
"You may know individuals who hold the belief that a person devoid of cruelty holds a higher moral standing than one who possesses the capacity for cruelty."
"Such a belief is not only incorrect but also dangerously misguided! If you lack the ability to be cruel, you become a helpless victim to anyone who wields cruelty as a weapon!"
This was precisely why people were drawn to anti-heroes and villains. There exists within them a yearning for the integration of their inner darkness, as it grants them strength of character and self-respect.
"In order to truly become yourself, it is essential to develop the capacity for cruelty." - Zhao Min continued, his voice steady and measured.
"By sharpening your fangs, you come to recognize the inherent danger you possess. Perhaps you even possess a significant level of danger. However, crucially, you maintain control over this dangerous aspect. This understanding empowers you to demand self-respect and, consequently, others will treat you with respect for your power and restraint."
He paused momentarily, allowing his words to settle in the air before continuing.
"Let me be clear, this does not imply that being cruel is superior to abstaining from cruelty."
"Someone with power, but without self-assured restraint, is but a wild animal, a falling star about to be extinguished. This is where the Three Demons were wrong. They only realized their fate in their final moments."
"Instead, what I mean is that having the ability to be cruel but consciously choosing not to be is superior than not having that ability at all."
"In the latter case, you are merely weak and naive, oblivious to the harsh realities of the world, whereas in the former case, you are dangerous, but restrained by your own volition."
Jin Ju's heart resonated with the curse of powerlessness, his desire to become stronger burning within him. He yearned for the means to protect himself and his wares.
Yu Lingxin, lost in contemplation, now voiced her thoughts.
"Many people train not solely for the purpose of fighting, but to cultivate themselves, striving to avoid conflicts whenever possible." - She began.
"However, there is a line of thinking that suggests that being skilled in combat actually diminishes the chance of having to fight. When faced with provocation, responding with confidence, which shows dominance, will deter the aggressors."
"The strength you acquire by embracing your inner demon acts as the most powerful assurance for maintaining peace... A balanced mind has to embrace both its light and dark." - She concluded.
Zhao Min nodded and continued, his words carried a resolute determination.
"Do you comprehend it now?" - He asked, his voice infused with a fervent energy.
"I have made the decision to come to terms with my inner darkness. I refuse to be seen but not heard, to be a puppet tied to strings. I want to be true to myself!"
"We were powerless like naive livestock, without fangs to bear. But now, the opportunity is here to change that!"
"If the immortals wish for me to become a fugitive tainted by darkness, I shall willingly embrace that role!" - Zhao Min declared, his eyes glinting with an audacious resolve.
"Now when the immortals and elders are away, we have the chance to seize what we desire, to pillage and plunder as we please. We shall acquire any resource through any means necessary. Unburdened by constraints and regulations, we shall advance and grow stronger, with each step fueling our ascent!"
Jin Ju felt his palms tingling as he imagined the material gains they could lay their hands on.
Ye Jianhong nodded in agreement, finding himself drawn to the allure of such freedom and power.
"Being famous is almost the same as being infamous. So what if I can only be infamous?"
However, he couldn't help but interject with a note of his usual criticism.
"But in the end, won't you end up like the Three Demons, eradicated like rabid dogs?"
A sly grin crept onto Zhao Min's face, his eyes glimmering mischievously.
"Hehehe, you still fail to grasp the full extent of my words." - He taunted.
"To truly attain freedom and hold the reins of our own restraints, we must transcend mortality itself."
"We must become gu immortals!"
"And how, tell me, do you think we become gu immortals?" - Ye Jianhong replied with a hint of ridicule.
Surprisingly, it was Jin Ju who stepped forward to respond.
"Think about it, Ye Jianhong. If gu immortals exist in this world, then there must be ways to attain such a status." - Jin Ju reasoned.
His gaze met Zhao Min's, seeking confirmation of their shared belief.
Zhao Min nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with resolve.
"You're right, Jin Ju. The existence of gu immortals implies that there are secrets to be uncovered, cultivation does not simply end at rank five. If we have the willpower and determination, we can seek out these hidden truths and overcome our current circumstances."
He turned to face his companions, an unprecedented drive burning within him.
"Follow in my footsteps, if you have the courage and resilience to discover this secret." - Zhao Min declared, his voice filled with conviction.
"We will embark on a journey that will test our limits and lead us towards the path of becoming gu immortals."
With his words hanging in the air, he took the lead, guiding the team towards the nearest town to act out their demonic role.
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