Chapter 580: Only This Much

"Xu Xiaoshou?"

Shouye's fingers trembled violently, his voice shaking as if he had been electrocuted.

"Questioned, Passive Point, 1."

"No."

Xu Xiaoshou adjusted the straw hat on his head, just about to say something.

"Xu Xiaoshou?!"

Shouye's voice suddenly rose several octaves. His chin jutted out, and his neck leaned slightly forward.

"Questioned, Passive Point, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou was silent for a moment.

"Not at all."

"Xu Xiaoshou!!!"

Shouye roared, as if his worldview had just shattered. At this moment, besides roaring, he couldn't make any other movements. He tremblingly, unconsciously stretched out a finger, which shook wildly up and down. His entire body trembled and swayed from shock and horror... Despite being a Dao-Slashing level expert, Shouye now felt his steps unsteady, his body completely unstable, even when treading on air.

"You are Xu Xiaoshou?"

"How could you possibly be Xu Xiaoshou?"

At this moment, Shouye truly felt like he was going insane.

In his mind, within the ancient book space, everything "Holy Slave No. 2" had done and said replayed scene by scene, frame by frame. The more the scenes replayed, the stronger the impact became. Every word and action of the so-called "Holy Slave No. 2" now violently assaulted Shouye's soul once more. His mind went blank, and Shouye's lips parted and closed, unable to utter a single word.

"You have the wrong person."

Xu Xiaoshou knew in his heart that his subconscious reaction had already given everything away. At this moment, he only regretted why he had felt relief so quickly after surviving the ordeal, why he hadn't run a few more steps after swallowing the pill. Why had Shouye arrived so incredibly fast? He possessed "Concealment" and "Transformation," so there was no reason Shouye should have been able to sense his presence!

"How did you find me?" Xu Xiaoshou adjusted his straw hat, his expression serious. He was not one to give up easily. Any matter that could be talked his way out of absolutely should not be handled with force. Because he simply couldn't win a fight!

"I..."

For the first time, Shouye was utterly floored by a form of address. His mouth twitched, as if he wanted to laugh, but then, for no reason, sadness welled up in his heart, and he inexplicably felt like crying. Unbelievable! This Xu Xiaoshou, he was truly unbelievable! How dared he impersonate Holy Slave No. 2 so flawlessly amidst so many Throne and Dao-Slashing experts? How did he manage to make the Storyteller trust him completely, without any doubt? And how did he imitate Holy Slave No. 2 so vividly and realistically? He... Shouye's thoughts froze.

After a pause, he just stared blankly and asked, "So, Holy Slave Wuxiu is Elder Sang from Tiansang Spirit Palace, the Vice President of the Alchemist Association in Tiansang City?"

"And that's your master, Xu Xiaoshou?"

The suspicion that had initially surfaced but was then discarded by everyone now resurfaced in his mind. Shouye couldn't recall how the Red Robes and others had managed to forget this suspicion. But, if the person before him was indeed Xu Xiaoshou...

"So, that day at the City Lord's Mansion, you were the Ghost Beast, and Zhang Taiying was innocent?"

"So, you're not only connected to the Holy Slaves, but also deeply involved with the Xuyue Gray Palace and the Ghost Beasts themselves?"

"Is this why you've consistently rejected me?"

Shouye felt a sudden clarity in his thoughts and abruptly roared with indignation, "Yes or no!"

Xu Xiaoshou remained silent for a good while. Surprisingly, Shouye did not interrupt him. After a long moment, Xu Xiaoshou removed his straw hat and sighed.

"Yes, and no."

As his appearance shifted, hair grew on his slightly bald head, and his dark, sunken eye sockets transformed into the clear eyes of a young man. Xu Xiaoshou's gaze was sincere, filled with apology.

"I'm very sorry for deceiving you, but circumstances forced my hand. I had no choice but to resort to this strategy; otherwise, neither you nor I would have been able to escape from the Storyteller's ancient book space."

"To put it another way..."

"To put it another way, you saved my life?" Shouye roared.

"You don't have to put it so directly..."

Xu Xiaoshou gave an awkward smile and said, "You could phrase it more subtly, the meaning is similar enough."

"I'll kill you!"

Shouye roared and lunged forward. Like a startled bird, Xu Xiaoshou shivered and vanished from his spot.

"Senior, wait! Please allow me to explain..."

"What more do you have to explain?!" Shouye had gone mad, changing direction and lunging again.

"You're right, excuses. Anything I say now will sound like an excuse, but I truly had my reasons!" Xu Xiaoshou ascended in a single step, reappearing in another part of the void, and solemnly stated, "If there wasn't a reason, why would I have gone to such lengths, don't you agree?"

"You damn well shut up!"

"Alright, I'll shut up."

Xu Xiaoshou immediately fell silent.

After several failed lunges, Shouye finally calmed down. He then realized that Xu Xiaoshou indeed possessed skills like spatial transfer. Immediately, he clutched his aching chest, panting, "Tell me everything, one by one, all the foolish things you've done."

"Okay."

Xu Xiaoshou immediately nodded, acting as obedient as possible, and began, "This is a long story. I'll start from Tiansang Spirit Palace. Do you remember that beautiful, sunny afternoon..."

"You motherf***er, shut up!"

Shouye's face turned green with rage. Who had the time to listen to this kid start from Tiansang Spirit Palace? It was as if he thought Shouye wasn't bewildered enough by his deception!

"You told me to speak."

Xu Xiaoshou pushed his hand forward slightly. "Senior, calm down. Let's talk this through properly. I've never forgotten your kindness in gifting me this sword." He pulled out the famous sword, Blazing Python, with a backhand motion. However, upon seeing the sword, Shouye felt like he was about to burst apart even more.

What the hell was I thinking, to have taken a liking to such an utterly absurd junior and considered him my successor? Was he even human? A lunatic! A monster! A bizarre pervert! None of these words were enough to describe this Xu fellow! Had this kid lost his mind? How dared he admonish the Storyteller like that? How dared he deceive over a dozen Throne and Dao-Slashing experts? How *dared* he...

Shouye's mind was in utter frenzy. He could think about it, but seeing it truly, genuinely, concretely unfold before him—and then having it appear as a memory, a past accomplished fact where the outcome was successfully realized... Xu Xiaoshou was simply beyond the pale!

"Hiding the sky to cross the sea, shedding one's cicada shell..."

Shouye clapped his hands together lightly, mumbling blankly. He didn't even know how he should react to this situation. His heart was filled with shock, an inexplicable excitement, mixed with admiration and worry. But mostly, it was incomprehension, disbelief... How did he do it?! He must be a devil!

"Xu Xiaoshou."

Shouye suddenly calmed down, gathering all his emotions and pushing them to the back of his mind.

"No matter what you've done or for what reason, there are two things you can't explain, so..."

"I didn't kill anyone!"

Xu Xiaoshou understood completely in an instant. Even when he realized he was exposed, he had already started devising countermeasures.

"I didn't kill anyone. I only saved the Ghost Beast because we are friends."

"I will not join any faction."

"The Holy Slaves have nothing to do with me... I only found out my master was a Holy Slave when I entered the ancient book space and the Storyteller suddenly sent me a telepathic message."

Xu Xiaoshou spoke in rapid-fire succession.

Shouye, however, suddenly sighed softly. "Xu Xiaoshou, do you think I still dare to believe you?"

At this moment, Shouye believed that no matter who came, they would no longer be able to trust this young man before him, to discern which of his words were true and which were false.

"You don't have to believe me."

Xu Xiaoshou spoke from the heart, then suddenly paused mid-sentence. "Look into my eyes."

Shouye raised his gaze. Xu Xiaoshou's eyes were clear, like a fishless pond, transparent to the bottom. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. But at this moment, Shouye suddenly felt that Xu Xiaoshou's heart was like a vast ocean. This mere window could only reveal a tiny corner. What about the countless miles of ocean beyond, and the true form beneath the tip of the iceberg? In the past, Shouye was confident he could accurately grasp the psychology of any naive teenager. But facing this young man, he suddenly lost all his courage.

"I can't see through you..."

Shouye said powerlessly, "Therefore, I will never again believe half a word you say, no, not a single word, not even any intonation!"

"I..." Xu Xiaoshou felt like a mute who had swallowed bitter herbs—he had grievances but couldn't express them.

"Come with me. Whatever excuses you need to make, the Red Robes' prison will be open to you. Your previous words and actions will be the ultimate testament to any explanation you offer." Shouye clenched his fist, and this entire world was immediately enveloped in darkness. At this moment, having completely lost his ability to judge the person in front of him, the only path he could choose was to follow his initial intention and take Xu Xiaoshou back. In the Red Robes' prison, there would certainly be plenty of time for heart-to-heart talks. It wouldn't be too late to speak after they arrived!

"I told you, I'm not going with you."

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head. "Xin Gugu is my friend, so I saved the Ghost Beast. Yu Zhiwen is my friend, so I didn't kill her either."

"Everything I did was from my heart. I don't want to get involved with any faction, nor do I want to be misled by worldly views or anyone's one-sided statements."

"I see with my own eyes, and I walk my own path. That's all there is to it!"

Shouye was deeply moved by this, but he couldn't help but wonder if Xu Xiaoshou hadn't already had enough entanglements with various factions. He waved a hand. "Xu Xiaoshou, the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life was meeting you at the entrance of the City Lord's Mansion." If not for you, that Ghost Beast... Shouye closed his eyes heavily.

"No, that wasn't a mistake."

Xu Xiaoshou asserted firmly, "That was luck!"

The scene fell silent for a long time.

Shouye slowly extended his hand. "Don't struggle any further."

"I won't struggle."

Xu Xiaoshou flipped his hand and pulled out Lu Ke's humanoid ice sculpture. "If you try to catch me, I'll smash it."

Shouye: ???

His mouth twitched instantly again, and veins bulged on his face. Xu Xiaoshou... You really are something, Xu Xiaoshou! I should have known! How could there be two people with such similar temperaments in this world? I should have apprehended you back in the ancient book space!

"I didn't kill him."

Xu Xiaoshou pleaded earnestly, "All I did was for everyone's sake. You couldn't handle the Storyteller, and my friends were dying."

"What else could I do?"

"I wanted to survive alone, but I found I couldn't!"

"I stepped forward, but..."

Xu Xiaoshou looked helplessly at the sky. "But I'm only at the Innate level. Would you have listened to me? If I had an idea, would you have let me implement it? If I dared to stop the Storyteller, would you have let me try?"

"I just wanted an outcome, a good outcome, that's all."

Xu Xiaoshou swallowed, then nodded. "Can it be?"

"No."

Shouye, however, shook his head. He understood, he empathized, but he was also afraid. He was afraid that Xu Xiaoshou was still the same Xu Xiaoshou, or perhaps that Xu Xiaoshou was no longer the same Xu Xiaoshou. He was afraid of being deceived. Xu Xiaoshou's words didn't match his actions!

"Come with me. Once everything is explained, if you are cleared of suspicion, I can certainly protect you..."

"You're full of it!"

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly cursed out loud, then paused and apologized, "I'm sorry, I spoke without thinking."

"It's fine, I don't care."

Shouye spread his arms. "Come with me, Xu Xiaoshou. Don't make any more mistakes. First, give me back Lu Ke, whom you're holding."

"I can't give him back to you..."

Xu Xiaoshou's nose suddenly stung. He understood Shouye's understanding of him and could feel the old man's repeated tolerance. But... Going back with him was impossible! Not to mention Xin Gugu, or Jiao Tangtang. Within his Yuan Mansion, there was still a Greedy God and a "Ghost Beast Contract." If all of this were exposed, he wouldn't be able to clear his name, even if he jumped into the Yellow River!

But... Could he not save them? Xu Xiaoshou clenched his fists, feeling the sudden powerlessness of his true self against this world.

"Senior..."

"I cannot let you go!"

Shouye interrupted him directly. "Strictly speaking, for all the deceptive acts you, Xu Xiaoshou, committed against the Red Robes concerning the Holy Slaves and Ghost Beasts, even death would not be enough to atone."

"Senior!"

Xu Xiaoshou, however, interrupted him again, his voice raised. "How many times have I said it? I wasn't just doing it for myself, but also for..." He trailed off.

"Holy Slaves?" Changing the subject, Xu Xiaoshou said bitterly, "I know you don't believe me, but if the Holy Slaves wanted me, how could I resist?"

"At Tiansang Spirit Palace, in the outer courtyard, even when I was still struggling for the competition..."

"The roots had already been planted!"

"The fruit had already ripened!"

"By the time I turned around, everything was already set in stone..."

"Elder Sang was already my master!"

Shouye's eyes darkened.

He didn't believe it. Xu Xiaoshou's eyes suddenly reddened.

"Ghost Beasts?"

"What could I do about the Ghost Beasts?"

"I, Xu Xiaoshou, have already told you about your Red Robes' beliefs. I don't agree with them!"

"What I feel and what I recognize are the living, flesh-and-blood, empathetic beings who appeared before me, not 'Ghost Beasts'!"

"Dare you say that when you saw that resolute Ghost Beast Minotaur and the berserk Eight-Winged Red Twin Dragon Python, your heart felt not a single ripple?" Xu Xiaoshou roared angrily.

*I did...* Shouye inwardly agreed, but their paths diverged; they could not conspire together. Those who deserved to die, those who deserved to be annihilated, no matter how brilliantly their dying embers glowed, were merely clinging to survival, a desperate resistance born of powerlessness. They deserved sympathy. But any diligent Red Robe would not hold back because of it.

Xu Xiaoshou became enraged. He saw Shouye's expression and immediately guessed his inner reaction.

"But what about me?"

He roared, shouting, "I was just like most of the people who went to Lijiang Grassland, looking for an opportunity!"

"Who would have thought there'd be a Storyteller there, and an ancient book space that had been dormant for so long?"

"They died..."

Xu Xiaoshou thought of the many young cultivators who had perished on the spot due to the Red Robes' methods and the Storyteller.

"What about me?"

He retorted, "I entered the ancient book space, I'm not dead yet, and I don't want to die!"

"To put it grandiosely, what I did was to sacrifice a little to achieve a greater good, for everyone to get out together."

"To put it selfishly..."

Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment, then emphasized, "I did it for myself! I just wanted to survive, that's all."

"Is that wrong?!"

*No, not wrong...* Shouye closed his eyes heavily, *but...*

"I just wanted to survive, that's all..."

Xu Xiaoshou thought of White Cave, the City Lord's Mansion, and Tiansang Spirit Palace, and suddenly his eyes welled up with tears. He thought of Xin Gugu. And the solitary, helpless white hospital room. The emotions that were building up, ready to roar like a beast, seemed to be softened by all these memories. Xu Xiaoshou's voice lowered, as if he were talking to himself.

"I just wanted to make more friends, on the premise that I survived, that's all."

"Is that wrong too?"