Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 294 - 261: Resolute Mind, Cultivation Technique Chooses Its Master

Chapter 294: Chapter 261: Resolute Mind, Cultivation Technique Chooses Its Master

"Eh!"

Green Lady suddenly stopped, looked at the pale, obviously malnourished woman with confusion, and asked, "From the tone of Sister-in-law, it seems you already knew your husband’s identity was false. Why didn’t you report it to the General’s Mansion?

As far as I know, since he took over as Director of Household Affairs, he has spent most of his time in the fields and hasn’t been around to keep an eye on you..."

With those words,

cold sweat broke out on the woman’s forehead instantly.

Her expression became even more bitter.

Zhou Ping’an, with sharp eyes, glanced casually and noticed that the area behind this woman’s ears had turned bright red, and her emotions had become very strange—panicky, guilty, sad, with a hint of reluctance...

It was the little girl, however, whose eyes were vacant.

Clearly, she had not understood what had just happened or grasped that her father had disappeared long ago.

The man she had seen these past few days, who had become somewhat indifferent and less attentive, was actually an impostor.

"No need to ask further. The textile and breeding groups probably need more hands. Someone will reassign your living quarters soon, and tomorrow morning, you go register at the household office, find some work, and you can support yourself and your daughter."

Zhou Ping’an said indifferently.

Let bygones be bygones.

No matter what this woman’s motives were for hiding the truth about her husband’s impersonation, there was no need to delve deeper.

Human nature should not be scrutinized too directly.

Some things also shouldn’t be scrutinized too deeply.

After all, she was a mere civilian woman without a bit of self-defense or martial arts skills.

To survive, one doesn’t always have to demand too much from her.

"Let’s go in and see, Li Yuankang’s progress in cultivation is highly abnormal; there must be a secret. I’m getting more and more curious now."

He summoned a few soldiers forward, settled the mother and daughter of the Li Family, and Zhou Ping’an took the lead toward the back room with half the wall broken.

Behind the half-collapsed wall, the study still retained some elegance.

Paper, brush, ink, and inkstone were neatly arranged.

Even on a few bamboo ink paintings, one could smell faint traces of fresh ink.

Clearly, they had been painted not long ago.

"Here..."

Green Lady was an expert at searching houses for hidden spaces.

Just by stepping inside and casting a casual glance, she noticed something was off with an oil lamp on one side of the wall.

She thought for a moment, turned her body sideways, and gently grasped the lamp base, trying its strength, and lightly twisted it halfway.

There were no hidden arrows, no poison water shot out.

With a slight creak, half of the wall turned, revealing a doorway, under the light, steps winding downward were visible.

Lin Huaiyu glanced at the clever mechanism of this place and the spacious secret chamber underneath the study, even noticing the slightly luxurious decorations inside, and sighed.

"No wonder that woman wouldn’t make a fuss. The psychology of wishing for good luck is there; the luxuriousness of this place also plays a certain role."

Zhou Ping’an looked at Third Miss in surprise.

He thought this girl was still concerned about why the woman willingly accepted a thief as her husband; she really wouldn’t rest without getting to the bottom of it.

Could it be that Third Miss had some kind of obsession?

She’s quite persistent about certain things.

Indeed, that was true.

What she believed to be right, she pursued vigorously and fearlessly.

What she deemed wrong, she would never compromise and would resist to the end...

The woman’s greed for wealth, and her hope for a better future—there’s no need to delve into these thoughts. Another reason, Lin Huaiyu could probably never have guessed it.

Suffice to say, with Li Yuankang’s methods and intellect, there were countless ways to tame a woman harboring deep hostility.

What specific methods he used is better left unsaid.

However, from the furnishings of this house and the presence of the secret chamber, one can tell.

This residence was probably a backup plan set by Li Yuankang when he was still a young noble.

This man, being the direct son of a County Magistrate without any external threats, had prepared many means early on, living in a grand residence but aware of the need for security.

If not for a fluke encounter with me,

as time passed, he might have indeed become a giant in the Demonic Sect, stirring up trouble far and wide.

But, that’s all in the past now.

All his "inheritance" will eventually benefit me.

Zhou Ping’an sensed around a bit, felt no warning in his psyche, and, with the oil lamp in hand, he stepped into the secret chamber first.

Just as he had descended the fourteen steps, he felt in his mind the Karma Fire Red Lotus suddenly leap, various desires rushing at him, and his skin also felt a burning sensation, similar to when he had not yet been in training and had applied copious amounts of menthol.

"This is..."

Zhou Ping’an stood still, his spirit concentrated, and he realized that this was not necessarily a bad thing. Inside the secret chamber, there was a strange, eerie energy attacking his body.

The energy was invisible and intangible, infiltrating his flesh through his pores and affecting his spirit.

The energy that seeped into his body gradually strengthened his muscles and blood.

As his spirit sank into his flesh and he carefully perceived, he could faintly sense a bizarre roar within his blood cells...

It seemed that even his flesh had undergone some subtle changes.

"Strengthening, or alienation?"

Zhou Ping’an retreated three steps and stood back on the stone steps.

Looking up at the middle of the secret chamber, he saw a black plaque being offered.

The plaque reflected a dim, dark light, bearing a ferocious human figure with eight arms and three eyes, his muscles knotty.

The source of the aura in the chamber seemed to emanate from that object.

He reached out to stop the two women beside him.

"There is a strange energy in the chamber; try to see if you can benefit from it," he suggested.

After a moment, he added,

"If it feels wrong, retreat immediately."

Zhou Ping’an knew that his body and spirit were actually extraordinary.

After cultivating the "Five Desires Demonic Scripture," he had, on some level, undergone some bizarre "evolution." The strange energy in this chamber was likely related to Li Yuankang’s sudden advancement and swift cultivation.

Similarly, it was very beneficial for him.

However, Lin Huaiyu and Miss Qing might not be compatible with such power.

"I’ll try it."

Lin Huaiyu trusted Zhou Ping’an without any doubts.

Hearing this, she summoned her True Qi with full vigilance and stepped down from the steps.

But after only three breaths, she began to tremble, her eyes flashing with blood.

"Not good."

Before Zhou Ping’an could reach out to pull her,

Lin Huaiyu had already swiftly retreated back onto the stone steps.

She took deep breaths heavily.

"That plaque is strange; the aura it emits is heavily demonic, it can trigger the desires at the heart’s core. Unless one cultivates the [Five Desires Demonic Scripture], it is unmanageable," she said.

She shook her head, not disappointed nor considering cultivating the "Five Desires Evil Art," but just sighed lightly, "Although this demonic art is profound, it is incompatible with my nature. It’s better not to look at it, to avoid distress."

Zhou Ping’an had actually not concealed the acquisition of the Five Desires Demonic Scripture from Lin Huaiyu; she had seen it when they were treasure hunting together.

However, this demonic art had a massive impact on one’s spirit.

Zhou Ping’an was able to maintain his nature and easily entered the path and cultivated to an advanced stage not only because of his strong spiritual will but largely because he had cultivated the Imagery of Fiery Red Lotus and had a large amount of Wishful Heartforce to counter the demonic thoughts.

Thus, he could benefit from it without being harmed.

Lin Huaiyu obviously didn’t have these conditions, plus she pursued a path of purity and specialization in one technique, so she didn’t feel any regret.

"This is so wicked? I’ll give it a try."

Miss Qing was eager to try.

However, the duration she lasted was even shorter than Lin Huaiyu by one breath.

She staggered back to the steps, her eyes full of shock.

"Indeed unbearable. It feels like it wants to forcibly twist one’s nature. Even if successfully cultivated, it wouldn’t be oneself anymore. This technique cannot be cultivated..."

After saying this, she also glanced curiously at Zhou Ping’an.

She asked curiously, "Brother Zhou, what was your personality like in the past?"

"What past, what now, I have never changed,"

Zhou Ping’an laughed and said, "Miss Qing, haven’t you heard that some people have a will as firm as a rock, unaffected by externals? I am such a person."

"I believe."

Miss Qing chuckled lightly, yet inside she marveled

She thought surely Zhou Ping’an had some secrets he hadn’t shared with her, and compared to Lin Huaiyu, this guy was somewhat biased.

However, considering that the two opposite had been mutually entrusting their lives from the start, and she was a latecomer who joined due to coincidental benefits, there was no need for envy.

"Cultivation techniques also choose their practitioner; the higher the level, the harder it is to cultivate.

In the past few centuries, the Five Desires Evil Art has appeared not ten times, but at least seven or eight times.

But each time, it has caused a massive upheaval, and the cultivators met unbearable ends. I only hope, Brother Zhou, that you can break this curse."

"Don’t worry, I will act cautiously,"

Zhou Ping’an understood the sincerity in Miss Qing’s words and nodded in response.