I Only Want to Lie Flat But Am Forced to Cultivate Immortality
Chapter 190 - 115 Drifting, Ghost Play

Chapter 190: Chapter 115 Drifting, Ghost Play

Fate is ordained by the heavens, fortune is shaped by oneself.

A child’s destiny is set at their full moon, but at the moment of the "Birthday Grab", there are many choices to be made.

Toys and tools, brush and ink, gold and copper coins, wooden swords...

They could become a toy master, a scholar, a merchant, a soldier, or even a bandit.

Fate is not a choice, fortune is shaped by oneself.

Right now, Xu Qing, who turned just a few years after a full moon, is facing the choice of the "Birthday Grab".

After the Golden Armored Corpse stage, the Hidden Corpse realm is a crossroads in zombie cultivation, and his choice now will determine the final result of his evolution.

The Fur Corpse dominates the mountain forests, cultivating this path can turn one into a Fur Demon.

The Fire Corpse is the Master of Flames, cultivating this path can turn one into a Drought Fiend.

The Black Corpse is the Water Dominator, cultivating this path can turn one into a Water Fiend.

Xu Qing pondered for a moment and finally decided to walk the path of the Water Fiend.

He lives in the city, not the mountains and forests, so he cannot cultivate into a Fur Demon.

The Drought Fiend needs to consume the Fire Spirit and Earth Qi, and he does not possess the conditions for that either.

Considering everything, the path of the Water Fiend was the most suitable for him.

Linhe is a place with abundant water, and he has mastered many water techniques and possesses a Water-Soaked Bowl to utilize.

Moreover, he has the Unstable Black Water, a ready cultivation treasure, which can help him step into the Water Fiend branch.

The advantage of time, place, and harmony with people. If he insists on choosing another path, it would be like climbing a tree to catch a fish, a self-inflicted hardship.

Having determined his evolution path, Xu Qing felt much more at ease.

With everything in place, all that was left was the right timing.

Once the Golden Armored Corpse cultivation is successful, refining the Unstable Black Water and progressing to stages like the Hidden Corpse, Undying Bone, Flying Corpse, and eventually the legend of Kui Ba will no longer be distant dreams, his greatest concerns would only be time and lifespan.

And Xu Qing lacked neither of these things.

...

That day, a thunderstorm struck the Jin Sect.

The Wu brothers arrived together outside the government prison.

The prison guards, strict and vigilant, hurled insults and refused to let them in.

Only Wu Wencai, understanding of human nature, took out five silver coins, but the two guards found it insufficient and said, "Five coins can let one of you in, but if both of you want to go in, it’s not enough."

Wu Wencai, helpless, took out another five coins, and finally, they were allowed to enter the prison.

With a guard leading the way, they walked from the outer prison to the inner prison and finally saw Wu Yaohua, confined in his cell.

At this moment, Wu Yaohua’s clothes were tattered, his exposed skin covered in several deep wounds, evidence of previous inhuman torture.

Seeing the two brothers, Wu Yaohua attempted to rise, but was restrained by the chains on his hands and feet.

The guard opened the cell door, and Wu Zhiyuan could no longer contain his sorrow.

"Father, your son has come too late!"

The guard, irritated, said, "What are you crying about? He’s not dead yet, so stop wailing!"

"Hurry up, you’ve only got a cup of tea’s worth of time."

Wu Wencai bowed to the guard and quickly moved forward with Wu Zhiyuan to support the battered Wu Yaohua.

Sitting in a heap of straw, Wu Yaohua wept bitterly.

"My sons, it must be a fleeting clarity before death that allows me to see you in my dreams..."

Wu Zhiyuan choked and shook his head, unable to speak.

Knowing the urgency of time, Wu Wencai stepped forward, saying, "Uncle, do not despair, this is no dream. My brother and I are seeking justice for you. If we stay righteous, an official will surely overturn your unjust case."

"What are you saying? Officials protect each other, and the new prefect does not heed good counsel, likely bribed. How can the case be so easily overturned?"

"I’ve suffered beatings and injuries, my body broken and unable to last long. Do not waste your efforts. I only hope Zhiyuan will take care of your mother, and Wencai will focus on his studies, marry well, and bring honor to the Wu family. I have no other wishes!"

Listening, Wu Wencai could not help but shed tears.

"Uncle, what are you saying? Zhiyuan will petition the higher office for a delay in your penalty. When the Imperial Censor visits in a few days, I will appeal the case again and surely reveal those who framed you!"

To reassure Wu Yaohua, Wu Wencai took out the Soul Calming Talisman and the Healing Talisman given by Xu Qing.

The former was kept close, the latter dissolved in water and ingested.

As he helped Wu Yaohua drink the water and take the talisman, Wu Wencai recounted how Xu Qing had guided him.

"When Brother was engaged, his sister-in-law and her husband Yang Hong repeatedly intervened. This time, Uncle was framed, it is likely Yang Hong’s doing. I have resolved to go to the post house tomorrow, waiting for the Imperial Censor to present the petition."

Hearing this, Wu Yaohua, as if a drowning man grabbing a lifebuoy, or a person falling off a cliff seizing a lifeline, could not help but exclaim:

"Brother Xu’s kindness is immeasurable. You two must never forget his grace."

As the few conversed, they were unaware of eavesdroppers nearby, with spies listening in.

Shortly after the Wu brothers left, the guards hurried to the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office and found one of the government officials.

After a brief whispered conversation, the latter quickly mounted a fast horse, soon reaching Baisha County’s seat.

From the side door of Zhang Yong’s house appeared the eldest son-in-law.

"Why are you here? Are you looking to ask me for money again?"

Yang Hong, with a dark face, glared at the government official Zhou Heng, lowering his voice, "If word gets out, neither of us will have a good ending!"

Zhou Heng, shamed, retorted angrily, "Is that how you see me? I’ve come all this way to deliver a message in good faith, and you say such harsh words. If so, I’ll leave immediately, and in the future, anyone else can deal with Baisha County, not me!"