At the same time, at the Chong Hua Administration Platform.
"Elder Zhou!"
"Greetings, Elder Zhou!"
Zhou He was a very strict person, and he had a good habit of changing clothes. Outside, he wore his clan's regular clothes, but as long as he returned to the Administration Platform, no matter how important the task was, he would first go to the guard room to change into the robes of the Administration Platform. Actually, at his position, no one would care if he didn't wear formal clothes, but Zhou He didn't.
He had to wear the robes of the cultivators of the Administration Platform.
Every member of the Chong Hua had a set of attire that represented their function. The most popular among young men were Mo Xi's Military Council's black slim-fit battle attire. It had narrow sleeves, a lapel, a golden buckle, and a golden ribbon. The most popular among young girls was Shen Nong Platform's attire. It was a green silk robe made of peacock silk, perfumed with agarwood, and covered with a white silk robe.
In comparison, the attire of the Administration Platform wasn't so nice. It was only a moon-white robe with a standing collar and narrow sleeves. There was nothing special about it.
Regarding this, some people explained Zhou He's obsession with the robe as a mild obsessive-compulsive disorder, while others said it was some kind of superstition. There were different opinions.
Actually, the reason why Zhou He had to change his clothes was very simple.
He liked this task of his, so much so that every time he accepted a task, there would be an indescribable sense of ceremony. Changing into the robe was definitely the beginning of this ceremony.
Right now, he was about to enjoy this revelry that he was obsessed with.
"Elder Zhou, the Gu worms and magic tools for the trial have been prepared. The trial body has also been brought to the Asura Room. The current situation is very stable. "
Zhou He was walking along the long corridor while adjusting the steel claw finger glove on his left hand. Hearing this, he was startled. "Very stable? How stable? "
The attendant nodded. "There's no excessive reaction. It's very calm."
Zhou He didn't immediately speak. After a while, he said in a low voice, "It really is the legendary 'Beast of the Divine Altar'."
The Asura Room of the Arcane Stage was built underground. When Zhou He approached, the iron chains of the door automatically retracted with a clatter, and the stone doors carved with the image of Xingtian slowly opened on the left and right.
A piercing chill immediately gushed out from the crack of the stone door.
The guards standing on either side of the stone gate saluted Zhou He, and then shook out a black sable cloak that had been prepared beforehand, intending to drape it over the elder. However, Zhou He raised his finger, indicating that there was no need. He walked straight in.
The Asura Room was a cold room about five feet wide and long. Because most of the trials needed to be carried out in cold places, the inner walls of the Asura Room were made of Kunlun's ten-thousand-year-old ice. The top of the four walls and the bottom of the feet were made of ice. At first glance, it was as if one had entered the legendary Palace of Mirrors.
Gu Mang was meditating with his eyes closed in the middle of the Asura Room.
Zhou He walked over and looked at the man with interest. Ever since he became Elder Ren, he had come across a lot of people who tried to temper their bodies. Most of them were scared out of their wits when they were escorted to the main gate of the Arcane Stage, let alone entering the Asura Room. However, he had never seen someone like Gu Mang, who looked as if nothing had happened.
Was this person completely stupid, so he didn't know what he was going to face next? Or did the Black Demon of Liao Country give this body some ability, such as not being afraid of pain, not being afraid of death … and so on. How interesting it would be to dissect it.
Zhou He became more and more excited. He stuck out the tip of his tongue and licked his lips. His slender fingers pressed on the "falcon" on his waist.
Perhaps it was because this person's identity and reaction were too special, so Elder Zhou, who had always been used to treating the trial bodies as livestock, was actually a little curious about the subject of dissection for the first time in his life. He couldn't help but think, what was Gu Mang thinking at this time?
And Gu Mang seemed to have peeked into his heart. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at him with his blue eyes. He spat out a word.
"Cold."
Cold?
Was this the only thought?
Zhou He stared at those blue eyes, as if he wanted to grab some more exciting emotions from them.
But he didn't.
How could there be? As long as Gu Mang didn't want to, how could Zhou He find out a little bit of his true emotions? What kind of person was Gu Mang?
He was a spy appointed by the emperor.
A spy who had been lurking in Liao Country for eight years. Bearing countless misunderstandings, accusations, abuse, human lives, and self-blame, Marshal Gu could still grit his teeth and persist on the road to the end.
When he joined the enemy Liao Country, the enemy didn't dare to trust him at first. He also tried all kinds of methods and poisoned him. But he still couldn't get a secret from him. How could Zhou He do it?
"It doesn't matter." Zhou He said, "You won't care about this cold in a while."
After saying that, he raised his hand and bent his knuckles. The followers who cooperated with him for the trial looked at the order and entered the Shura Room. Zhou He said, "Let's start."
Gu Mang raised his eyelashes. Through his thick and long eyelashes, he saw the cultivators in moon-white robes lining up in an array. Those people were dragging a wooden tray in their hands. There were daggers, Gu worms, magic weapons, and medicine. The daggers were used to cut flesh. The Gu worms and magic weapons were used to carry out the Hei Mo Trial. The medicine was very precious. It was the top-grade Heavenly Fragrance Life-prolonging Dew, which could keep him alive in a critical moment.
The cultivator closest to him had a roll of snow-white bandages on the tray. Gu Mang knew that it was not used to bandage, but to pad his teeth to prevent him from biting his tongue to commit suicide.
Gu Mang closed his eyes.
In his current memory, this was the second time in his life that he had seen such a scene.
The first time was in the Liao Country. Yes, although the Space-Time Mirror did not return all his memories after the treason, perhaps because it was too painful, this period was an exception.
At that time, he buried Lu Zhanxing's head beside the Soul-summoning Abyss. Then, according to his discussion with the king, he pretended that he was forced to a dead end and turned to the enemy of the Liao Country.
The main hall of the Liao Country was paved with golden-red bricks. The whole hall was like a raging fire. The civil and military officials in the hall were like demons and ghosts, each with their own strange points. The young monarch sat on the high throne with a crown on his head. He was only a sixteen or seventeen year old child. He couldn't control the dancing demons under him at all. The one who was truly in charge was the man with a golden mask standing beside the monarch.
The national master of the Liao Country.
Gu Mang remembered that he knelt on one knee and bowed his head to offer his proof of allegiance. A scroll of Chong Hua's secret method for nearly a hundred years was created by the Wang Jian.
Although he had discussed with the king and stripped away the most important spells, this scroll could still be said to be one of the most important secrets of the Chong Hua state. When the officials of the Liao Country saw the Wang Jian, everyone's eyes lit up. Even the king of the Liao Country couldn't help but stretch his neck and show a happy face. He was eager to read it.
Only the national master chuckled through the golden mask with curved eyebrows and eyes, "General Gu, let's not talk about the gift first. Let's talk about why you betrayed the Chong Hua first."
Gu Mang told the officials of the Liao Country what happened after the defeat in the Fengming Mountain. When he talked about the place where his sworn brother was beheaded, he even cried and choked with sobs.
In fact, before he joined the Liao Country, many people in the Liao Country had already heard the news. They had all heard about what happened to Gu Mang after the defeat in the Fengming Mountain. Now that they saw it with their own eyes, coupled with the Wang Jian who betrayed the country, their suspicions towards him were reduced.
Gu Mang said in the end, "I have also experienced the humiliation of the king of the Hua Kingdom. Instead of staying in the Chong Hua and being humiliated by others, why not make the same choice as the king of the Chong Hua and betray the Hua Kingdom?"
Hua Poan was the founding king of the Liao Country. Who didn't know the similarities between Hua Poan and Gu Mang?
The king of the Liao Country was immediately convinced. His voice trembled and there was uncontrollable excitement in it, "Qing, since you have such awareness, then …"
Halfway through his words, he suddenly felt that he had crossed the line. He couldn't help but shut his mouth and sneaked a glance at the national master beside him. However, he met the national master's smiling eyes. The king of the Liao Country was instantly drenched in cold sweat. He swallowed hard and quickly said, "Then, then, then we will listen to the national master's opinion!"
The national master narrowed his eyes and turned his head with a smile. He said to Gu Mang who was kneeling in the main hall, "General Gu, the reputation of the beast on the altar is like thunder to my ears. The beast's surrender is naturally a blessing for the Liao Country. It is a great joy. But … "
His voice gradually weakened. The national master suddenly opened his smiling eyes. A pair of slender eyes glanced at Gu Mang through the golden mask. There was a cold light in his eyes.
"But, General Gu," the national master said, "do you know what the first thing the king of the Hua Kingdom did after he betrayed the Chong Hua?"
"…"
Gu Mang was stared at by the cold and narrow eyes. He actually felt the pain of being bitten by a poisonous snake. The national master smiled, but there was no smile under his black eyes.
"The king of the Hua Kingdom found a few of his personal death servants and asked them to tie him up. He spent three days and three nights to dispel the curse of the Chong Hua. Then, he injected the breath of the Black Demon into the blood vessels in his chest. In this life, whether it was the Chong Hua or his' teacher 'Chen Tang, he had severed all ties with the Hua Kingdom. "
With every word he said, the fierceness and cruelty in his eyes increased.
In the end, the Golden Mask seemed to have been melted through by his evil. One could almost see the ferocious face behind the mask.
The national master smiled coldly and said, "General Gu, since you are willing to follow the king of the Hua Kingdom, then what should you offer? You should know very well, right?"
…
In the end, Gu Mang was escorted to the Soul Tempering Room in the Liao Country.
It was a place very similar to the Chong Hua's altar. It was also the same cold room, the same moon-white gown, and even the tray with the dagger and gauze were the same.
The interrogation and tempering went on at the same time for three days and three nights.
In the past three days and three nights, the skin and flesh on his back had been cut open along his spine, and the Gu worms that devoured spiritual energy were placed deep into the wound. Thousands of puppet strings spread along his muscles and blood vessels, cutting off the spiritual energy channels that were performing the Heavy Beauty Spell, messing up his internal organs and turning them upside down.
The national master sat on the rose-red sandalwood chair in the Soul Tempering Room. He crossed his legs and crossed his hands on his knees, looking at him calmly.
When he was in pain, when he was screaming, when he was drooling and bleeding, when his heart was broken, he asked him gently, "General Gu. Do you regret it? "
"From white to black, from black to white, it is not easy. You have to think clearly. Once your body is filled with the Black Demon spiritual energy … Among the twenty-seven countries in the Nine Continents, only the Liao Country can take you in."
"Do you really hate the Chong Hua that much?"
Gu Mang's body was soaked in his own blood, but this was nothing. The most painful thing was the puppet strings that penetrated deep into his flesh like a crab's eight claws.
Among the thousands of steel wires, there must be some that had the ability to spit out the truth. When he lied, the steel wires all over his body erected sharp thorns. Thousands of small thorns instantly exploded in his flesh, almost tearing his whole life apart!
Gu Mang's vision was already blurred. Blood, tears, sweat … everything was there.
He heard the national master of the Liao Country asking him bewitchingly, "Do you really hate them?"
He hated them so much that he did not hesitate to point his spear at them. He hated them so much that he did not hesitate to be their enemy for the rest of his life.
Gu Mang's throat convulsed and he almost vomited. He lowered his head and almost choked with laughter. He said, "Yes … Yes, I hate them so much, I hate them so much …"
The steel thorns were like bones, and his whole body trembled.
The beast on the altar of the Chong Hua could still bite his mouth, saying nothing and not revealing anything. He could still endure the pain in his body and mind, and his lips trembled as he spat out fragmented words.
Yes.
I hate.
I do not regret.
From now on, I, Gu Mang, will cut off all ties with the Chong Hua. I, Gu Mang … betrayed the Liao Country and pledged my loyalty to the Liao Country. In order to take revenge, I am willing to be tortured and fall into the devil's path. I will never regret it.
I will never regret it …
Turbid tears of blood flowed down his face. He was tortured to madness. His hair was messy, and his face was dirty. He was like a ghost, laughing in grief. He didn't know how he held his teeth, but every time he couldn't take it anymore, he would try his best to recall the scenes of the past.
He remembered Jun Shang saying to him on the golden stage, "Marshal Gu, please believe me. In my life, I have never and will never see you as lowly slaves."
He remembered Lu Zhanxing saying to him, "Mang 'er, go down. Your brother Lu will be happy for you no matter what choice you make."
He thought of Mo Xi …
Mo Xi.
Thinking of this name made his heart ache.
He remembered the summer breeze when he first met Mo Xi. He remembered Mo Xi's clear eyes when she turned her face. He remembered Mo Xi's first smile and her sad eyes when they parted.
It had been more than ten years.
It wasn't that he wasn't moved. It wasn't that he didn't have the impulse to agree to Mo Xi's request. He believed that they could really cross the chasm and have a lifetime together.
But …
In the end, they couldn't fight against the heavens, couldn't fight against fate.
Her Highness the Princess, his little martial brother, what kind of expression would she have when she found out that he had betrayed the country? She would probably hate him.
If she hated him, that would be good.
Don't be so impulsive. Don't be so stupid. Don't go against all the officials and be willing to be his guarantor … don't do that …
Mo Xi.
I'm sorry. Your Senior Martial Brother truly, truly loves you.
Every word he said in the past that he loved you, every word he said was true.
From now on, every word he said that he hated you, every word he mocked you, was false.
You also mustn't, mustn't … feel regret because you weren't by my side when my martial brother betrayed the country and couldn't persuade me for the last time.
Because …
Gu Mang's tears rolled down his face silently. Together with his sweat and blood, they fell on his broken and almost lifeless face.
Because the person who tried to transfer you to the border and delay your return was not Jun Shang …
The person who suggested that was actually me!
It was me …
I was weak. I didn't dare to let you watch me leave. I didn't dare to listen to your advice and see your sad eyes again. I was afraid that if you looked at me, I wouldn't be able to leave.
I'm sorry. I have to go on a long journey. I must leave. I'm sorry. In the end, I still chose Chong Hua. I chose my brothers. I chose this path and gave up on you.
I'm sorry …
More blood flowed down his forehead and into his eyes. His old friend's handsome face suddenly slid down his face along with his tears. The ink was extinguished. He saw the fire and the defeat of the soldiers in Feng Ming Mountain in a blur of scarlet. He saw the mountains and rivers being sacrificed. He saw those who had sat around the stove with him, drank wine with him on snowy nights, advanced and retreated with him, and talked about daily necessities with him. They were all looking back at him from the other side of the Styx River.
Gu Mang had a strong illusion. It was as if he was immersed in this vast Styx River. He wanted to swim across and grab any one of their hands.
Wait for me.
Wait for me. I'm coming. I'll take you home. I'll take you home.
But at this moment, a sharp pain suddenly hit him. The demon's claw attached to his spine absorbed all the Chong Hua's spiritual power. It opened his skin and flesh and pulled back his exposed bones.
"Ah …!!"
Seventy thousand fellow soldiers, innocent souls, and a promising future.
They turned into nothingness in this extremely ruthless tearing … The Black Demon's spiritual power mixed with the wolf demon's blood flowed into his body.
In front of him, the smiling faces of his fellow brothers gradually faded away in a sea of scarlet red … …
Gu Mang choked with sobs.
He knew that from now on, he would never be able to return to the past.
It would never be possible …
He knew that he would never be able to return to them.
"Tsk tsk …" The State Preceptor pinched his face at the right time. He stretched out his thumb and rubbed the dirty face that was mottled with blood and tears. He said softly, "Marshal Gu. Are you heartbroken? Are you regretting that the spiritual power of your motherland was taken away from you? "
Gu Mang convulsed and trembled. His body was not strong. He was actually very afraid of pain and bitterness. He was so afraid that he didn't want to pull out the barbs on the edge of his nails. He didn't even want to drink medicine when he was sick.
But a soft body didn't necessarily carry an equally soft soul. Gu Mang raised his eyes. His eyes were red. He said hoarsely, "No."
"…" The State Preceptor stared at his eyes in surprise, but he didn't see any wavering or deceit in those black eyes.
Gu Mang's soft lips trembled. He said weakly but stubbornly in a low voice, "I don't regret it. I want revenge …" Tears streamed down his face. He suddenly lowered his head and wailed at the top of his lungs, "Revenge!!!"
The State Preceptor's expression finally wavered.
He let go of the hand that was pinching Gu Mang's chin. He slowly raised it to the side and bent it, "Guards."
The attendant next to him saw the State Preceptor's order and immediately said, "Yes, State Preceptor!"
The State Preceptor said, "Engrave all the black magic spells of Liao Country on his bones."
"Yes!"
After he finished this sentence, he raised his hand. As if he was acknowledging a certain status, he put his blood-stained hand on Gu Mang's head and rubbed it.
"Gu Mang, do you know what this means?" The State Preceptor's dark brown eyes were flowing with unfathomable light and shadow. "This means that in your life, even if you lose your memory, even if you break your bones, even if you gouge out your eyes and cut your tongue, as long as there is a bone in your body, you will be controlled by the black magic spells. You will never be able to get rid of it. "
"What you can use, what you will use, and what is engraved in your bones will always be the dirty magic that is spurned by the world. You will never forget it."
After he finished, he grinned with his white canine teeth.
"Congratulations, Gu Mang. You are a man of Liao Country now. "
…
His vision changed and he woke up from a dream.
The face covered by the golden mask disappeared and was replaced by Zhou He's frowning face. Zhou He lifted Gu Mang's chin with the tip of the Falcon's knife. "What are you thinking about?"
Gu Mang didn't say anything.
He didn't know if he used to be a good general, but at least later on, he had been a conscientious secret agent.
Although his memory had fallen apart and he himself had many puzzles that he couldn't solve.
But he had always guarded his secret to the death.
Whether it was to Liao Country, Lu Zhanxing, or Mo Xi. He had always kept the truth that he should never mention.
It seemed that at least for now, he was not a failure as a secret agent.
Zhou He was probably angered by his silence and said gloomily, "I want to see how long you can hold on."
The light array of the magic spells lit up and flew out from all sides, locking Gu Mang's limbs and neck.
Zhou He ordered his men, "Let's start."
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