Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 624 - 624 623 Killing of Consciousness 3【Happy Little New Year】

624: Chapter 623: Killing of Consciousness 3【Happy Little New Year】 624: Chapter 623: Killing of Consciousness 3【Happy Little New Year】 PS: Happy Xiaonian, and also seeking a round of tickets, I’ll be adding more updates during the Spring Festival, thank you all for your support.

……

Fishermen’s lives were simple and happy.

One day, a constable in official attire, Hei San, appeared on the riverbank.

He came to the edge of the river, wanting to cross the river to perform his duties.

After looking around, clearly unable to find a suitable method to cross, he called out to the black-awned boat in the middle of the river:

“Fisherman, I need to cross the river, could you give me a lift?”

The black-awned boat slowly approached the shore.

For the people who lived on the water, ferrying passengers was also a way to make a living.

Hei San stepped onto the plank, and the boat immediately pushed off towards the opposite bank.

Two fisherwomen coordinated perfectly, one poling, the other rowing.

Standing at the prow, Hei San struck up a conversation, “How many years have you two young ladies made a living on the boat?

Are you getting by alright?”

The woman handling the pole propelled it with strength, smiling coyly, “The guest should know, my sister and I have lived on the river for five years.

We’re not rich, but getting by with food and warmth is not difficult.”

Hei San nodded, then asked, “Without the burden of a family, life must be manageable.

I’m just worried about the elderly and children at home.

I see both young ladies are married, yet you still toil on the boat all day long.

Why not abandon the boat, go ashore, and cultivate a few acres of thin fields?

It would be much safer than living on the water.”

The woman with the oar laughed heartily, “What’s the difference?

Some are good at farming, others excel at navigating boats; it’s all making a living, we’re just accustomed to it.

My sister and my husband enjoy the carefree life on the water, without the need to worry about the weather or pay land tax.

Isn’t that wonderful?”

Hei San complimented her, “The daughters of Jianghu are indeed free-spirited and easy-going.

I see there’s another person studying in the cabin, is that your and your sister’s husband?”

Both women smiled like blossoming flowers, “Indeed, he is our husband.

He has been diligently studying on the boat for three years and is bound to become a scholar sooner or later.

Then he can join us in our blessings.”

Hei San chuckled, expressing polite concern, “How is the gentleman doing?

I am a constable from Fufeng City.

Perhaps one day when the gentleman comes to the city for the exam, I could possibly help him out?”

The person in the cabin looked up with a smile, nodding in acknowledgment, without saying much.

But when Hei San saw the person’s face clearly, he couldn’t help but be greatly startled, stumbling back two steps on the deck, nearly falling into the river.

If the woman poling hadn’t quickly caught him, his retreat would have turned him into a drenched chicken.

“Careful, guest!”

Seeing that all three people on the boat were looking at him, Hei San could no longer suppress the fear in his heart.

He pointed at the gentleman and said with a trembling voice:

“Criminal Investigator Hou Niao!

Is that you?

Three years ago, I beheaded you.

How can you still be here?”

Hou Niao stood up, clearly recognizing the constable as well, “Hei San?

Didn’t you say back then that you would only cut my ropes and let me escape without looking back?

Why are you saying this now?”

Hei San was on the verge of tears, “Criminal Investigator Hou Niao, back then I only said that to ease your mind.

In broad daylight, with everyone watching, how could you escape?

If I had truly just cut your ropes, I fear now it would be our brothers’ memorial year!”

The two fisherwomen also came to their senses, their faces overcome with fear.

The man who had shared their bed for three years, could he actually be a ghost?

Then, how did he manage to escape after his head was chopped off?

Were the thousands present at the execution ground all blind, stupid, or dazed?

Impossible!

But if his body hadn’t actually escaped, what had?

Could it just be a force of will to live?

All three of them looked at Hou Niao as if they were looking at a monster…

Hou Niao slowly stood up, his expression changing from anxious doubt to fear, and with a self-deprecating smile on his face, he mouthed: So this was all a dream, he had died three years ago?

A red line faintly appeared around his neck, becoming more and more obvious.

It was clear that his strong will to survive could no longer sustain the cut around his neck that should have broken three years ago—it was on the verge of collapse!

Even though his desire to survive was intense, Hei San’s words had already shattered the foundation of his life; he could no longer adhere to his past beliefs.

The loss of conviction, the actuality of death, and the internal struggle for life—all intertwining—deepened the bloodstain around his neck, making it increasingly visible.

Feeling the changes within himself, even sensing the deathly odor that had been suppressed within his body for three years, Hou Niao suddenly understood: he had indeed been beheaded three years ago, and what kept him going was merely a breath of reluctant defiance.

Looking at Hei San opposite him, he clamped his hands over his head and burst into laughter, “I have an ace up my sleeve; bet you didn’t know about that, huh?”

With a twist of his hands, he removed his own head.

Immediately, another head sprouted from his neck, grinning widely,

“The path of the law has one face in front and another behind!”

Tossing the head in his hands aside, he drew his sword and leaped up for the attack—First Slash down!

Hei San had no time to dodge.

Trapped in the situation, with the vastness of heaven and earth, there was nowhere to hide, no escape, when his opponent broke out of the illusion.

This was the power of rules.

Since he had created the Black Illusion Realm, he had to abide by them, whether it was the opponent or himself.

Hei San was sliced by the sword, his body turning into a cloud of black smoke, out of which a resentful wail could faintly be heard; with Hei San’s disappearance, two fisherwomen also became wisps of smoke in a daze, and so did the black-clothed boat beneath his feet, the river, the riverbanks, the entire realm of illusion.

Hou Niao smiled faintly, watching the world crumble before his eyes in an instant, feeling somewhat regretful.

He had finally seen himself clearly, just like his father, both were lawbreakers under the guise of the law.

Someone had tried to kill him using the steadfast beliefs in his heart.

Sadly, they failed—he was a demon!

When his consciousness returned to his body, it had only been a moment in front of the cabin window on the floating bridge.

He glanced at the two women who were also coming to, and everyone felt a bit awkward.

The illusion had been dominated by his thoughts, not only because his realm was the highest, but also because he was the real target for others.

The two women had become unintended victims, turned into fisherwomen in the illusion, serving as his women for three years.

During that time, he had thoroughly practiced his own styles on them, of course.

Though it was all in the mind, the memory now seemed incredibly clear, as if it had happened just yesterday—what’s known as a prolonged spiritual communion.

No one spoke because they didn’t know what to say.

Some things can be cherished, some need to be forgotten.

They were both good women, and he didn’t want to influence their thoughts; he had to give them the freedom to decide for themselves.

The three of them left the raft without agreeing to do so, and below them on the city wall, a middle-aged Daoist sat cross-legged, with a strange smile on his face but no breath in him—he had passed away.

That was the treacherous part of this Black Illusion Technique—when successful, it killed invisibly and left the opponent nowhere to run; in failure, the price was one’s life.

Such were the rules.

To gain or to lose was incredibly harsh.

“Does any of you recognize him?” Hou Niao was unfamiliar with this Daoist.

Lan Ting shook her head, still not fully recovered from the illusion, and was a bit reluctant to make eye contact with him.

Lan Re’s composure was much stronger, “Hei Bajia, a Golden Core Cultivator from the Wu Sect, renowned for his expertise in mystical skills.

In recent years, he was very active in the Anhe Dao Country, meddling with the affairs of our northern and southern sects, a very troublesome figure to deal with.

Senior brother, you’ve killed him!”

Hou Niao pursed his lips, “It’s us!

Don’t even think about dumping all the blame on your senior brother’s head.”