Chapter 77: Yizhou’s Illusion (Part 5)

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Yizhou’s Illusion (Part 5)

On this day, Yizhou returned to the small thatched hut he had been temporarily living in since his escape.

Life had been difficult, and the constant pursuit had clearly worn him down. His clothes were worn, his body had become much thinner, and the hardships he had endured had left their mark on him.

However, he was unusually optimistic today. This was because a few days earlier, he had revealed his true identity to his good brother, Lin Fan, telling him that he was the Sect Leader’s grandson.

He had even told Lin Fan the story of his mother’s life.

Deeply moved by what he had heard, Lin Fan offered to take the risk of meeting the Sect Leader in Yizhou’s place and inform him that Yizhou was still alive.

After much hesitation, Yizhou finally agreed.

To convince the Sect Leader that Lin Fan was truly acting on his behalf, he even entrusted Lin Fan with his mother’s keepsake token as proof of his identity.

To be honest, Yizhou no longer wanted anything to do with the Wenjian Sect after everything that had happened. There was even resentment buried deep in his heart, but at this point, what could he really do about it?

He had lost his cultivation, his Golden Core, and everything that had once made him proud. Even if he wanted revenge, he did not have the strength to pursue it.

But there was one thing he had never forgotten.

Before her death, his mother had made him promise that one day, he would go and meet his grandfather.

At first, Yizhou had never told anyone about this. His grandfather was in deep seclusion, and Yizhou had originally planned to make a name for himself first. He wanted to become someone worthy of recognition, so that when his grandfather eventually emerged from seclusion, he could proudly tell him who he was.

That plan, however, had already fallen apart.

How could a crippled mortal like him possibly make a name for himself now?

However, it would be a lie to say that Yizhou did not long for a family.

More than anything, he simply did not want to be alone anymore.

He no longer cared whether he could cultivate or return to the life he once had. If there was someone who could stay by his side, someone he could call family, then perhaps being a mortal would not be so bad after all.

A few days earlier, Lin Fan had sent him a message, telling him that his grandfather had agreed to meet him. He had also confirmed Yizhou’s identity and was willing to acknowledge him as his grandson.

They even said that they would meet today.

For that reason, Yizhou was unusually nervous and excited.

He woke up early and went into town to buy some things. He wanted to take the time to prepare a meal for his grandfather. After all, this would be his first time meeting a member of his family, he no longer have anything he can offer but his heart.

He had imagined this moment countless times, yet now that it was finally about to happen, he found himself at a loss for how to act.

Beneath his hood, his expression remained as impassive as ever, but he could not stop himself from wanting to smile.

Would his grandfather be happy to see him?

Would he accept him after learning that he had awakened a demonic bloodline?

Would he still consider him family?

Yizhou had almost forgotten what it felt like to look forward to something.

For so long, he had believed that everyone had abandoned him. He had lost his sect, his cultivation, and nearly everyone he once trusted. Yet now, someone had told him that he was not truly alone.

For the first time in a long while, Yizhou felt something warm stir in his chest.

Perhaps he really did have a family after all.

Perhaps he would no longer have to wander this world alone.

Back at the hut, Lin Fan was pacing around anxiously. He looked visibly flustered, but the moment he saw Yizhou return, the tension in his expression seemed to ease. "You came back!" His voice was unusually loud.

Yizhou was slightly surprised to see Lin Fan here so early. Seeing how worried he looked, he assumed that Lin Fan had been concerned about him and had come ahead of time to make sure everything was ready for their meeting.

However, before Yizhou could say anything, Lin Fan fell silent.

Instead, figures began emerging one after another from the shadows.

Yizhou’s footsteps stopped.

Familiar figures appeared around the small hut, all dressed in the signature dark blue robes of the Wenjian Sect. They moved quickly, surrounding the hut from every direction and cutting off every possible escape route.

Yizhou’s expression gradually changed beneath his hood.

These were not ordinary disciples.

The people surrounding him were clearly stronger than those who had hunted him before, and the equipment they carried was of a much higher grade as well. From the weapons in their hands to the spiritual artifacts hanging at their waists, everything about them radiated a sense of danger.

Yizhou slowly looked around.

Something was wrong.

The last person to emerge from the shadows was an unfamiliar man.

A powerful aura surrounded him, far heavier than that of the other people present. Even without releasing his full pressure, his presence alone was enough to make the surrounding spiritual energy feel tense.

Yet if one looked closely, there was something else about him.

His features bore a faint resemblance to Yizhou’s.

It was not obvious at first glance, but the more carefully one looked, the more difficult it was to deny that the two shared some similarities.

"Grandfather, this is the evil demon I told you about. He is the one responsible for my mother’s death."

Hearing Lin Fan’s voice, Yizhou turned around.

On the opposite side of the unfamiliar man stood a group of elders, surrounding and protecting Lin Fan. Their expressions were cold as they watched Yizhou, leaving no doubt that they had come prepared.

Yizhou’s gaze slowly settled on Lin Fan.

Lin Fan knew that he had been spotted.

Yet there was no guilt or hesitation in his expression.

Instead, he smiled.

It was the same simple and honest smile Yizhou had come to know so well.

"Now," Lin Fan said, still smiling, "it is time to pay for your crimes, demon."

When Yizhou heard all of this, everything clicked into place.

Lin Fan had betrayed him.

Not only that, he had even taken Yizhou’s identity for himself.

Yizhou knew he should not be surprised. After being betrayed so many times, he should have grown used to it by now. He should have known better than to trust anyone.

Yet at this moment, he still felt a little sad.

He wanted a mother. A master. A younger brother. An uncle and an aunt.

He wanted a family.

Perhaps he had simply been too greedy, asking for too much,

In the end, he had nothing left.

The happiness he had once known and the warmth he had finally allowed himself to feel were nothing more than an illusion.

It had all been fake.

But beneath the sadness was something far more overwhelming.

Anger.

He was angry at Lin Fan for betraying him.

Angry at his grandfather for coming here only to condemn him.

Angry at the Wenjian Sect for everything they had done to him.

Angry at the people he had once treated with kindness, only to receive betrayal in return.

He was angry at the humans who feared and hunted him.

Angry at the demons who had dragged him into this fate.

And, perhaps most of all, he was angry at himself.

Angry for trusting people.

Angry for hoping.

Angry for believing, even for a moment, that he could have a family.

His anger spread until he no longer knew where to direct it.

He hated this world.

How good would it be if this world simply did not exist?

If there were no world, there would be no people to betray him.

If the world continued to betray him, then why should he not return the favor?

If this world had chosen to abandon him, then he would no longer have any reason to care about it.

On that day, Yizhou died.

And in his place, the person who would one day bring an end to the world was born.

—Excerpts From The Path Of The Heavenly Tyrant, Chapter 2###