NABC Chapter 20: What is false, and what is true?
Chapter 20: What is false, and what is true?
"No... doubt?"
"I am here--"
For those who possess extraordinary abilities and reach the pinnacle of their power, recalling their fleeting lives...
It only takes a moment of distraction.
So when Gongsun Ling's heartbroken and incredulous gaze returned to that cruel reality once again.
What she heard—
It was his hoarse and trembling response after she called his name.
Gongsun Ling lowered her head; she refused to believe it.
This devastating blow actually came from... the very person he trusted most behind him?
But the fact remains the fact: what pierced her abdomen was none other than Lü Buyi's very familiar weapon—
The right hand that led her into the Three Truths Dharma Gate, through more than a hundred years.
At this moment, surprisingly, Gongsun Ling did not choose to look behind her.
Instead, she raised her head and looked directly at the distorted figure in front of her, which was disguised and unwilling to show its face.
Now should be the best time.
In a battle between people of their caliber, such a glaring flaw was enough to lead to her defeat and death.
However, the dark, noisy figure remained motionless.
Just like the silent figure behind Gongsun Ling.
Gongsun Ling's breathing was heavy and rapid; she was almost unwilling to confront this truth that denied her life.
At this moment, she even hoped that the figure in front of her would say nothing and just deliver a fatal blow.
At least that way, in his last moments before death, Gongsun Ling could comfort himself that it was not Lü Buyi who betrayed him.
All of this was absolutely just a scheme by the accomplice of the other side in order to defeat him.
But he didn't make a move; he remained silent.
At this moment, not only was the identity of the person in front of us revealed.
All of Gongsun Ling's previous doubts were now answered.
Why did the Corpse Immortal of Ten Thousand Industries, who had two powerful corpses comparable to himself in his own era, not choose to join forces to kill him before the war of cause and effect?
Why must it be at the most dangerous moment for the Corpse Immortal of Ten Thousand Industries that this person in front of him will finally decide to attack him?
Why did the Three Truths in the Same Month Order ultimately choose myself as the second-generation successor?
Why has he tried to change her mind from the very beginning of the war?
Why—
Why is he silent now, at a moment when victory is within his grasp?
Because he is Lü Buyi, and because he is also the guardian of the Myriad Corpse Immortals!
Gongsun Ling felt as if something had fallen down.
Is it blood?
Or tears?
She couldn't tell the difference, and she didn't want to look.
She simply watched the figure before her, watching him shed his distorted disguise.
He felt the figure behind him dissipate and then merge back into him.
Their eyes met, and they remained silent.
But Gongsun Ling could clearly see that there was pain and reluctance on his face.
Then, she heard a sigh.
"That's why I'd rather miss all the opportunities of the past century until this final moment—"
"That's why I truly decided to face you in this form in order to save Wanye."
Lu Buyi slowly stepped forward, ignoring Gongsun Ling's hateful gaze, and gently wiped away her tears with his fingertips.
"Ah Ling, I really don't want to hurt you."
"I don't want to see you hate me..."
Gongsun Ling gripped Lü Buyi's outstretched right wrist tightly with her left hand, preventing him from getting any closer.
Her voice became hoarse; she still couldn't believe that the person in front of her had truly been with her for a hundred years...
Lü Buyi.
"If that's the case, why did you save Wanye? Why did you do it?"
Gongsun Ling's voice had never been so loud before: "You are clearly in human form, aren't you?"
"You are not a Dharma Corpse, and are not under the control of the Myriad Corpse Immortals!"
"Why did you betray the Three True Teachings!"
"Why did you choose the Myriad Corpse Immortal?"
"Why did you betray the trust placed in you by Patriarch Canyi, Little Jiangzi, and me?!"
Gongsun Ling's gaze was intense; she wanted to hear the person before her say that she had no choice in the matter—
Or tell her that he had some unspeakable difficulties that led him to do this.
One reason is enough, just one reason that will make her believe him.
She just needs a reason that can make him change his mind, thereby reversing the tide of battle and destroying Wanye!
However, Lü Buyi merely shook his head slightly in sorrow and told Gongsun Ling that it was all done voluntarily.
There was absolutely no coercion or chance of a turnaround.
"The Corpse Immortal of Ten Thousand Industries saved my life and gave me a second chance at life. Such a great kindness and virtue cannot go unreturned."
"A great favor?"
Gongsun Ling did not understand where Lü Buyi's words of being saved and reborn came from.
But she understood that at this point, he really had no need to lie to her anymore.
"Just for...this?"
"That's right, just for this."
"What about the Three True Dharma Gates? What about the nurturing and Dharma transmission grace from your Master and elders?"
As Gongsun Ling spoke, she seemed to have made a connection to something, and her hands clenched even tighter.
If what Lü Buyi said is true.
Therefore, there is only one possibility that he would place the Myriad Corpse Immortal before the Three True Methods.
Gongsun Ling's hand trembled slightly, and although Lü Buyi gently comforted her with his other hand, it still trembled.
"So, it turns out that your teachers and I misjudged your character and virtue..."
"Or is it that, from the very beginning, from the very beginning you were—"
Gongsun Ling didn't finish her sentence, because that answer would truly negate what she had been searching for for half her life.
Don't nod, even if you're just trying to fool me.
You might as well lie to me one more time!
But Lü Buyi did not choose to lie to her anymore. He nodded gently and gave her his answer.
"That's right, just like the answer you expected. From the very beginning, I was the guardian chosen by the Corpse Immortal of Myriad Affairs."
"Entering the Three Truths Sect was merely a scheme I orchestrated, solely to destroy or seize the [Three Truths Moon Order] to ensure the continuation of the Myriad Corpse Immortals."
"Therefore, the so-called kindness of raising, teaching, and resolving doubts is naturally not as important as my first priority."
"—Protect the myriad corpse immortals and the world of supernatural powers."
Upon receiving the answer, Gongsun Ling smiled—a smile tinged with unparalleled sorrow.
"From the very beginning, he was the guardian of the Myriad Corpse Immortals..."
"I see. If that's the case, then everything makes sense."
"Innate Divine Power - [Practicing the False to Return to the True]".
"Hehe... So that's what it means to practice the fake to return to the real."
In fact, Lü Buyi did not want to see Gongsun Ling in such a despondent state.
But at this moment, he cannot show weakness.
Just as Gongsun Ling would not abandon his responsibilities for him, he would not abandon his mission for his own selfish reasons.
But Lü Buyi dared not look into Gongsun Ling's eyes again.
He dared not look at how he appeared in her eyes at that moment.
Gongsun Ling loosened her grip on his own hand and placed her hand on Lü Buyi's face, which was filled with immense sorrow.
Yes, he didn't cry, and he didn't shed a tear.
Why would Lü Buyi shed tears?
But Gongsun Ling could see his reluctance; she would rather have the last glimmer of hope than give up.
"No... doubt?"
"Master... of the sect."
"Senior brother—"
Gongsun Ling's words, each one filled with sorrow, were so poignant they could drown anyone who could empathize with her.
She looked up at the still gentle gaze of the man before her and questioned him.
"The Three True Dharma Gates... have we been in vain for over a hundred years?"
"Practice makes perfect—"
"Senior brother, sect leader, Bu Yi..."
"Tell me, what is fake? What is real?"