Seeing many red spots suddenly appear on my body, and they were moving around my heart, it made my foot, which had just stepped out of the hall, unable to take a second step.
One advantage of being a young person in the new era is that you can go online with your mobile phone, and you can also learn about things you've only heard of but never seen through television. For example, these red dots on my body, I've seen them in movies before; they are the infrared sights on a gun.
Looking towards the direction where the red light was emitted, I indeed saw people hidden in specific positions, holding black objects in their hands. Even with my toes, I knew they must be firearms.
Glancing back at Li Zuo, who was sitting leisurely in his wheelchair, sipping tea, I could only curse "old fox" in my heart.
I had always wondered why he scolded Li Rui away and didn't leave a single bodyguard by his side. It turned out he didn't lack bodyguards; they were all hidden in the dark. This was more insidious than using the Yin Worm Gu. If I had harbored any ill intentions just now, the outcome would have been predictable: I would have already become fish bait at the bottom of the sea.
With a somewhat grim expression, I turned back and looked directly at Li Zuoquan. "Elder Li, they say that even if business deals fail, goodwill remains. There's no forcing a bull to drink water. Besides, you just said that if we didn't want to help you, we could leave anytime. This situation now is unbecoming of your status as an elder."
Li Zuoquan seemed not to have heard the sarcasm in my words. After putting down his teacup, he said slowly.
"I did say that, but the moment you decided to listen to me reveal the secret, I considered you to have agreed to help. Otherwise, why didn't you leave after seeing the photos? If you had left, I wouldn't have said a word. But now that you want to leave, I can only apologize..."
Seeing Li Zuoquan's smug expression, I cursed "old fox" in my heart. He deliberately used the photos to set a trap, luring me into it!
In this world, no one can resist the truth about their father's coma being right before their eyes. Let alone me, a young man who had just turned eighteen, even Zhang Dabiao was full of excitement when he saw the photos. I believe that even a saint, upon knowing the clues about their father who had been in a coma for ten years, would relentlessly pursue the truth. This is a son's responsibility and an unavoidable obligation.
Li Zuoquan had seized upon my eagerness to know why my father came to Molu Village and why he had been in a coma for so many years, thus setting this trap. This couldn't be called a conspiracy; it was a blatant stratagem.
I lost, and I lost willingly. Fighting against this old fox, Li Zuoquan, I had no chance of winning. Realizing everything, I took a deep breath and looked at him with genuine admiration.
"Elder Li, I am truly impressed by you. Since I cannot escape your grasp, I would like to make a small request, which I hope you will grant."
Li Zuoquan nodded, gesturing for me to continue.
"My elder brother knows nothing about the Half-Yin Realm. He only rushed here from afar because he was worried about my safety. I hope you can let him leave. What do you say..."
Before I could finish speaking, Zhang Dabiao grabbed my shoulder. "Qingyun, what are you talking about? What do you take me, Zhang Dabiao, for? Do I seem like someone who fears death to you?"
Despite Zhang Dabiao's reprimand, I remained unmoved, my gaze fixed on Li Zuoquan, hoping he would agree to my small request.
Li Zuoquan chuckled. "I envy your brotherly affection, being willing to go through fire and water for each other. I understand what you mean, but I must tell you clearly, it's impossible."
My expression became agitated as I looked at Li Zuoquan. "Why?"
"There are no watertight walls in the world; even the dead can speak. Do you think I would risk it all and agree to your terms?"
Li Zuoquan's attitude made everything clear: no matter what, neither of us would leave here peacefully today. Either we agree to help him, or we would be buried here on the spot. There would be no other option.
After consoling Zhang Dabiao, who was about to make a move, I calmed myself and asked, "If I hadn't opened the envelope earlier and had just turned to leave, would you have let me go?"
His answer was decisive: "No."
"Why? Just because I took the four million from Li Rui?"
Li Zuoquan shook his head with a smile. "At my age, do you think I still care about money? Those are external possessions; they are no longer useful to me. Unlike you young people who still need them to buy all sorts of luxuries. Do you know what I value most at my age?"
Looking at Li Zuoquan, whose head was buried up to his neck, a flash of inspiration struck me, as if I had grasped something, but it quickly slipped away from my mind.
What do I value most?
With his current status and position, he lacks nothing. What could he be lacking? The only thing he might lack is life.
That's right, life! Throughout history, those in power, or the wealthy and influential, have always wished for longevity, even hoping to live longer than turtles. Even the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang did not give up his pursuit of immortality. How could ordinary people be any different?
"To live!"
Li Zuoquan gently clapped his hands. "Indeed, as people age, they fear death. Even if it's just prolonging their existence, they want to live. Living is my greatest wish now, but eternal life is impossible, so I must find another way..."
I directly interrupted him and finished his sentence. "So, you set your sights on the Half-Yin Realm? Because the Yin souls there do not undergo reincarnation and can live forever?"
Clap, clap—
Li Zuoquan was not angered by my interruption. Instead, he applauded me, a smile of approval on his face, like an elder appreciating his younger disciples.
Upon learning this answer, I felt as if I had been thrown into the Antarctic sea, my entire body chilled to the bone, and even my heart skipped a beat.
This was not only because Li Zuoquan had revealed his secret but also because, knowing this, my chances of leaving here alive had become a mere luxury. Even if Li Zuoquan kept his promise, what about that mysterious person from the capital? Were there others behind him who also desired eternal life?
After all, humans are greedy. Young people are greedy for wealth, lust, and power. But when they possess all these things and realize their lifespan is dwindling, they become greedy for life itself, believing that as long as they are alive, everything will remain under their control.
In the Half-Yin Realm, not only can Yin souls escape the suffering of reincarnation, but living people can also reside there, although they cannot stay for too long. Although Yin souls cannot easily leave, with the Tiger Kui Seal, the Half-Yin Realm is like paradise for them.
With all this in mind, I finally understood why the Fifth Prince wanted me to guard the Half-Yin Realm for him, and I could also guess why my father had a ten-year agreement with the Fifth Princess. The root of all this likely lay in the Half-Yin Realm, or more precisely, in the Tiger Kui Seal.
I looked up, and Li Zuoquan was smiling at me.
"If I don't agree, do I have to die now?"
Li Zuoquan shook his head. "Don't put it so harshly. It's just allowing you to enjoy immortality ahead of time. Such treatment is not something ordinary people can experience."
I cursed him in my heart, "You old immortal! To keep your secrets, you even want to silence us."
"It seems I have no other choice?"
Li Zuoquan smiled without speaking.
"If I help you, will I gain my freedom and be able to leave whenever I please?"
"As long as you agree to help me, you can leave anytime after the task is completed. Furthermore, I will give you wealth that you can never spend in a lifetime. This deal is a win-win for you."