Chapter 1598 – Conquering Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Part Twelve)
“Who exactly are you now?”
Lü Zheng looked at Hua Yuan with a guarded expression, his demeanor tense, as if he would draw his sword and fight at the slightest hint of trouble.
Hua Yuan curled his lips into a sneer; to him, Lü Zheng’s wariness was like a stranded fish flailing helplessly.
“Lü Shaoyin, who do you think I am?”
Hua Yuan’s tone shifted, no longer the soft and gentle speech of Nan Sheng, but rather akin to the bluntness of Dongqing River.
“Do you really think you’re Liu Xi? You’re just a figment of Hua Yuan’s madness,” Lü Zheng spat, delivering the most provoking words he could muster. Letting this lunatic continue to flail about would likely lead to more trouble; it’s better to send him off to his curtain call, “If you truly are Liu Xi, why don’t you recall the times we studied together in Langya County? What did we say at Wangshan Pavilion?” Lü Zheng articulated each word slowly, “You can’t answer that, because you’re not Liu Xi! You are Hua Yuan, a person from Nan Sheng Ningzhou, with parents and brothers. Your twin brother died young, and your parents passed away from the plague before you could even begin your education. Your family fortune was seized by your uncle and aunt, who pretended to treat you well while using disgraceful means to ruin you. You grew weak and married the woman they picked for you, a harlot who bore you a son and a daughter, while you were too timid to fight back… Hua Yuan, this is the real you; what you are now is merely a fabricated illusion…”
The real Hua Yuan had a gentle disposition bordering on cowardice; he never knew how to resist, yet he also despised his circumstances, unwilling to be bullied and humiliated, which led to the emergence of the vengeful, cunning “twin brother”. Ge Lin was somewhat related to Hua Yuan; his tragic background but exceptional strength made Hua Yuan sympathize with his plight while envying his capabilities, perhaps that’s why “Ge Lin” emerged in the first place.
The remaining personas seemed like unstable emotions giving rise to bugs.
Their existence weighed heavily on Hua Yuan. To protect himself, Hua Yuan instinctively split off the persona of Liu Xi to contain them.
The reason was simple: when facing Jiang Pengji, all of his personas trembled in fear.
Who would have guessed that this persona was so dangerous, capable of not only consuming the weaker ones but also threatening the primary personality, claiming the territory for itself?
Lü Zheng didn’t know these intricate details, but from his guess, the truth wasn’t too far off.
“You are not Liu Xi at all! You’re just a madman who has lost his mind and doesn’t even know who he is!”
No sooner had Lü Zheng finished speaking than Hua Yuan suddenly lunged, snatching the sword from his hands, gripping Lü Zheng’s throat, his face twisted with rage.
“Do you think I would believe you based solely on your words? If you spout nonsense again, I’ll kill you.” Hua Yuan’s voice was strained, tremulous with barely contained mania, sending chills down one’s spine as he panted, “I am absolutely Liu Xi; as long as I kill the imposter posing as me, I am the one and only Liu Xi. Lü Shaoyin, if you obstruct me again, don’t blame me for forgetting our past friendship.”
With that, he yanked Lü Zheng’s collar, throwing him aside.
Lü Zheng stumbled, losing his footing and awkwardly grabbed the tent, crashing down to the ground in a disheveled manner.
Had it not been for the tent being expertly set up and solid, he might have toppled it over.
Lü Zheng picked himself up clumsily, gripping the sword tightly in one hand, letting out a heavy huff, he turned and left.
This matter had to be reported to the Lord; right now, Hua Yuan was a madman who could kill at any moment. If they insisted on keeping him around, it was likely Jiang Pengji wouldn’t even need to bring her army before Hua Yuan had secretly plotted against An Huan. If that were to happen, it would truly be absurd!
Lü Zheng was right in his thoughts, but little did he know, An Huan had already been forewarned by Hua Yuan.
An Huan paid no heed to Lü Zheng’s concerns; instead of taking them seriously, he almost felt like laughing.
What did madness even look like? He had seen true madness before, Hua Yuan was clear-headed and exceptionally capable, where was the lunacy in that?
If every madman were like him, then what chance would normal people have?
Lü Zheng didn’t know that when Hua Yuan joined An Huan, he had taken the initiative to clarify his background, and at that time, it was his “twin brother” that came online.
The “twin brother” told An Huan that he was Hua Yuan’s twin, who could not bear to part after one had passed away, hence they shared the same body.
The two had different temperaments and habits, making them appear as madmen afflicted with insanity to those who did not understand.
An Huan was in dire need of personnel at the time; Lü Zheng had just joined him, and he hadn’t yet grasped Lü Zheng’s capabilities, holding some reservations. Seeing Hua Yuan actively ally with him, clear-headed and a talent, he saw no signs of madness and thus believed Hua Yuan’s claims.
Over the years, Hua Yuan had maintained this facade well, with An Huan placing great trust in him and utterly dismissing any accusations of insanity.
Lü Zheng’s frustration was palpable, nearly bursting in anger, yet An Huan remained unyielding. Disappointed, Lü Zheng had no choice but to devise a plan to diminish Hua Yuan’s threat, such as removing him from the Young Master’s side and seeking to sow discord between An Huan, the Young Master, and Hua Yuan.
However, this plan was nipped in the bud from the very first step.
An Huan trusted Hua Yuan and equally disregarded this adopted “Young Master.”
He didn’t understand Lü Zheng’s concerns and even felt he was stirring up unnecessary trouble, growing somewhat displeased with Lü Zheng because of doubts about Hua Yuan’s loyalty.
Lü Zheng was no fool; realizing that persuasion was futile, he knew An Huan wouldn’t change his mind.
“How infuriating!”
Upon returning to the tent, Lü Zheng was ready to throw something in frustration but ultimately restrained himself.
“Sir, why doesn’t the Lord believe your words?”
Lü Zheng’s book boy had followed him from Dongqing to Nan Sheng, having witnessed all sorts of storms over the years. The book boy didn’t understand why the once eager and desperate An Huan now acted this way, so unlike the man who had once earnestly requested Lü Zheng to come out of retirement.
“Humph, why else?” Lü Zheng scoffed, “It’s all just born from a sense of superiority.”
