Feng Rui was moved to a room for treatment.
The servants worked frantically, bringing all sorts of invaluable medicines to stabilize his condition. An elderly physician hurried to examine him, his brow furrowed as he skillfully applied the mythical silver needles to key acupuncture points. Even his stepmother and half-brother arrived, their worried expressions more of a formality than genuine concern.
His stepmother shed tears and sobbed quietly while being comforted by her son, but inwardly, she sighed in relief. She had always blamed herself for not giving birth earlier, and although the inheritance of the Han Clan went to the strongest son, Feng Rui was still an obstacle simply by being the firstborn.
The atmosphere in the hall was tense, while Feng Rui's ghost, on the other hand, floated nearby, analyzing the physician's technique.
"Not bad, a solid 7/10"
He didn't understand why the quality of techniques had dropped so much compared to his past, but perhaps it was a cultural matter—maybe other places had better standards.
This time, unlike previous occasions when Feng Rui was "revived" with mystical elixirs and blood seals, one of the many life-saving treasures he had consumed in his previous banquet activated, practically granting him an extra life. This, combined with other medicines, opened the door to life for Feng Rui, allowing him to return to his body without issues.
However, his body remained weak, and the servants brought even more valuable medicines to stabilize him.
"Ding!"
[The World Tree Seed is very pleased with the quality of the spiritual medicine and the purity of the soul fragments.]
[Current status: Sealed (9% Unlocked)]
[It requests the host to pay more attention and improve their purification methods.]
The notification appeared, and almost simultaneously, a faint warmth coursed through his body—courtesy of the seed. His fatigue had eased, and he felt revitalized.
His stepmother clicked her tongue in annoyance at seeing his swift recovery. However, to maintain appearances, she ordered the servants to bring medicinal soup and inform the General.
But just then, the door swung open, and General Han entered with a grim expression.
"Did you almost die again?" he murmured, observing Feng Rui with a mix of exasperation and something else—something hard to decipher.
The atmosphere grew heavy as the General ordered everyone to leave the room, leaving only father and son.
Feng Rui, still weak, attempted to sit up and greet him, but his father spoke in a grave tone, "The servant has been captured and will soon be judged."
Feng Rui's heart skipped a beat. He had yet to decide whether it was worth keeping Lin Xian around, but as the only player he knew, he couldn't let him go just yet.
"No, Father, it wasn't him. In fact, I owe him my life," Feng Rui replied without hesitation.
The General stared at him intently, and for some reason, Feng Rui felt his words catch in his throat. There was something strange in his father's gaze—it almost looked like… betrayal?
A servant entered carrying a tray with a steaming cup of tea. As soon as the aroma reached his nose, Feng Rui recognized it. It was the exact same blend he had given Lin Xian in an elixir.
"What's wrong? Drink it," the General ordered.
A chill ran down Feng Rui's spine.
Was this intentional? Why was the General doubting him?
He remembered requesting a long list of ingredients to camouflage the recipe within them. How could they have replicated it? Was there an expert hidden in the mansion whom he hadn't noticed?
The General narrowed his eyes upon seeing his reaction. "So, it's true—you recognize the tea."
Feng Rui realized he was at a crossroads. He had no idea what was going on, but it was best to cut off any suspicion at its root and instead gain the General's trust. Without thinking further, he grabbed the cup and drank it in one gulp.
"Wait!" The General tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Feng Rui felt the liquid travel down his throat into his stomach. He lifted his gaze and, with a serious expression, explained, "Father, I gave this recipe to the servant to verify that he wasn't lying to me. It wasn't a scheme, nor did I try to tarnish his name. When I noticed something strange in the Ancestral Sanctuary, I went to investigate… but I was attacked. I barely survived thanks to Lin Xian."
As he spoke, Feng Rui felt a slight relief when he noticed that no violet bubbles emerged from his mouth. He hadn't lied at all—he had simply omitted some details.
The General frowned, deep in thought. Then, after a few seconds of silence, he asked in a firm voice, "Where did you get this recipe?"
Feng Rui hesitated for a moment before answering, his acting skills shining through. "I'm not sure… It may sound strange, but I think I have the influence of an ancient and powerful soul. The information came from that past."
The General took a deep breath, his expression shifting slightly, and for the first time, Feng Rui saw something… fear. A genuine fear flickered in his father's eyes—something he never expected to see, especially in a man who had once faced the so-called 'Celestial Demon.'
The General ran a hand over his face and murmured to himself, "So… it has already begun."
Feng Rui had a bad feeling.
"Father? What do you mean?"
"Feng Rui, tell me the truth… Have you started to notice the Celestial Demon's control over you?"
Feng Rui's heart pounded. Were they already using proper names? No beating around the bush?
"Celestial Demon…?"
"Your physique is a curse disguised as talent, son. I thought I could control it, but it seems it's already too late." The General looked at him with cold detachment and a hint of regret—he had brought a monster into this world, and he had been part of this plan.
"The story is long, but since your birth, you have carried the influence of that cursed entity. We sealed it when you were a baby, but it has slowly resurfaced. Speak—how much have you seen? How much do you remember about 'him'?"
Feng Rui's mind spun, feeling like his "lore" was growing more convoluted by the second. How much was a lie? How much was the truth? Or perhaps the General himself had been fed a lie?
But if his father believed he was being controlled by an external entity, maybe… maybe he could take advantage of that.
Feng Rui narrowed his eyes and adjusted his narrative, hoping to extract more information.
"Father… is that why I live in that courtyard? My memories are becoming more and more fragmented. I forget things… And then, other types of fragments appear—voices, fleeting memories… I feel like I have died many times. Is that true? Is it not just a dream?"
Feng Rui's anguish and agitation were so real that the General felt a pang of guilt. He had watched this child grow, trained him, given him his name—only for him to be devoured in the end.
The General closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
"If you've truly started to remember things about that being… then it's time for you to know the full truth. Your mother… came from a demonic sect."
Ding!
[You have uncovered a hidden piece of truth. Would you like to issue a mission?]
Before Feng Rui could question further, the system notification echoed in his mind, and a new suspicion arose.
Had he really gained the ability to issue a mission just from that? Out of nowhere? Or perhaps… was someone else in the room? A stealth ability? Anti-detection?
Feng Rui's heart raced.
His origins were shocking, sure—but at this point, they no longer mattered. At this rate, he could probably become the patriarch of a demonic sect himself.
What worried him more… was the player lurking nearby.
Had they been the one who deciphered the recipe?
Could they kill him without him even realizing?
A shiver ran down Feng Rui's spine.