The King of Curses
Chapter 59 - 59 24 Commitment

59: Chapter 24 Commitment 59: Chapter 24 Commitment “Sister Zhi Zhen, I’m hurt.

Emotionally, it hurts a lot.”

　　”Mm, I know, it’s all my fault.

I’m sorry, I deceived you.”

　　An Zhizhen’s eyes glistened with tears as she opened her arms, her expression affectionate.

“If you feel sad, come to your elder sister’s embrace for comfort.”

　　—It was you who deceived me, not some other woman!

However, what I just said did sound like I was deliberately seeking comfort, somewhat sappy…

He felt he was quite sincere, indeed, still not very articulate, a sign of poor social skills.

Sensing Cen Dongsheng’s awkwardness, she smiled and said,

　　”I am sincerely apologizing because you are earnest about our relationship, so I’m earnest too!”

　　Cen Dongsheng sighed and said,

　　”So now, Sister Zhi Zhen, there shouldn’t be anything left you’re hiding from me, right?”

　　”Of course, after all, you’ve passed the trial.”

　　An Zhizhen still held her arms slightly open, trying to tempt Cen Dongsheng into her embrace, but was completely ignored by someone who was oblivious to such gestures.

He had no mood for romance right now.

“So…

Sister Zhi Zhen, are you a Curse Forbidden Master?”

　　”Yes.”

　　She regretfully lowered her hands.

“You were that way before meeting me, right?

From when did you start awakening your abilities?”

　　”Uh…”

　　An Zhizhen tapped her chin with her finger, showing a reminiscing expression.

“Dongsheng, you came to Xiaokang Building two months ago, right?

So, figuring it out, I’ve been a Curse Forbidden Master for exactly a hundred days before that.”

　　That was too early, Cen Dongsheng thought.

Calculating from the time An Zhizhen became active, the nodes speculated by the outside world were actually conservative; no one could have predicted she would hide so deeply.

And judging by Sister Zhi Zhen’s character, the preparations she made before officially stepping onto the world stage were likely larger and more complex than anyone imagined—

　　”What is your ability, can you tell me?”

　　He asked seriously once more.

And Sister Zhen also kept her promise from earlier, not hiding anything.

“My curse is called ‘Heavenly Leader,’ simply put, it has the effect of manipulating others’ will…”

　　Cen Dongsheng felt a complicated mix of emotions as he listened.

He was glad that Sister Zhi Zhen did not hide her ability from him.

Honestly, this alone relieved him—this was his test.

Curses involving “spirit manipulation” were the most feared and detested by other curse masters in the past.

Those with such abilities often chose to hide it unless they had strong backing or strong abilities themselves.

Though Cen Dongsheng’s probe was based on his own experience, Sister Zhi Zhen would certainly recognize the same issue.

But on the other hand, he realized that deep down, he truly felt a sense of apprehension.

He could no longer casually treat Sister Zhi Zhen as “just an ordinary person” without any mental burden.

“I thought you would be scared.

Don’t you think my ability is frightening, especially when you’ve just realized I deceived you?”

　　…

She indeed realized it.

“Because you’ve deceived me before, I feel it’s okay,” he replied.

“Even without using your ability, Sister Zhi Zhen could still deceive me, right?”

　　”What a cunning answer.”

　　An Zhizhen’s eyes curved into a happy smile.

What was it in that sentence that made her happy?

Cen Dongsheng sometimes found it incomprehensible, unsure if it was because he didn’t understand the complex psychology of women or if it was simply because An Zhizhen was a difficult person to understand…

…

Following this, Cen Dongsheng, to a certain extent, fulfilled his wish: through Sister Zhi Zhen’s description, he learned the essence of ‘Heavenly Leader’ for the first time.

He was astounded, realizing that the curse that stood at the pinnacle was truly unique.

While it possessed the traits of general spirit manipulation abilities, it was on a vastly different scale.

“Hope you can keep it a secret.”

　　She placed her finger on her lips, making a silencing gesture.

“I understand,” Cen Dongsheng responded, “I won’t tell anyone.”

　　”Also, you don’t need to be too tense,” An Zhizhen said.

“When it’s time for others to know, they will naturally find out.”

　　Cen Dongsheng nodded.

The “time” she referred to was probably the era that awaited the birth of the first “Ancestor,” an era where the balance of power, the birth of the Forbidden Master society, and stability were nearing.

Unlike someone who had seen the future, Sister Zhi Zhen was uncertain of the specifics of the new era, but she seemed to foresee that this day would eventually come.

“I have one last doubt.”

　　Most of the questions were understood, with only one remaining…

Cen Dongsheng cleared his throat, taking out a small red orb from his pocket.

“This is the Blood Contract Medium.

Sister Zhi Zhen, you actually know its effect, don’t you?”

　　”Yes, I got it out of Yu Wentao’s mouth before his death.”

　　”…

Was this also a part of the trial?”

　　If at that time, he really chose to use words to deceive, trying to plant the Blood Contract Medium on An Zhizhen, what would have happened?

The mere thought was terrifying.

“Sort of.”

　　An Zhizhen answered with a cheerful smile.

“But at that time, the trial was almost over, and I actually wanted to believe in you more…

Didn’t I even instigate you to quickly use that forbidden item on me?”

　　”…

So it wasn’t just a test, there was sincerity in it?”

　　Truly wanting to become someone’s slave, wasn’t that just having a mental issue?

Thinking the answer wasn’t that simple, Cen Dongsheng quietly waited for the other to tell the truth.

“You later said, ‘The foundation of partnership is equality,’ that phrase really resonated with me.

In my view, if you were willing to use the ‘Blood Contract Medium’ on me, I could use ‘Heavenly Leader’ on you.

It’s also a form of equality.”

　　Sister Zhi Zhen spoke as she placed her hand on her ample chest, leaning forward.

Her words resembled the evening breeze, with a tone that was indescribable—whether it was deep affection or subtle ambiguity.

Unknowingly, she narrowed the distance between them, her delicate face close enough that the surrounding dim light accentuated the blush on her cheeks.

“I can feel your thoughts and feelings, and in exchange, my body belongs to you…

Doesn’t this kind of relationship feel intimate and beautiful?”

　　”…”

　　Cen Dongsheng was stunned once again.

A completely unexpected idea.

My consciousness is under Sister Zhi Zhen’s control, while her body is under my control…

It sounded almost erotic.

—No, no, I’m the one at a disadvantage, right?!

“So…

what about now?”

　　Cen Dongsheng’s tone became slightly intricate.

“Have you abandoned this idea?”

　　”I can tell you’re unwilling, Dongsheng.” An Zhizhen stood up straight again, answering regretfully, “So I won’t do it.”

　　”…

Is that so.”

　　”The past two days, I intended as a buffer period, thinking I should wait until you heal before telling you everything.

But, before that, you had already noticed the truth.

So…”

　　She didn’t continue.

…

The evening breeze blew gently as the night enveloped the land.

The two walked side by side in the corridor, finally reaching a corner, gazing at the distant lights of the human world, tiny and scattered.

A usual summer night, an originally unmemorable day.

An Zhizhen placed her hand on the railing, the wind gusting in disheveling her jet-black hair.

“Alright.

I’ve said all there is about me.

You now know everything about me.”

　　She turned sideways, suddenly extending her hand toward him.

Cen Dongsheng stared at her hand, as white as jade.

Initially, he didn’t grasp her intention, but his instinct was more honest, subconsciously reaching out to hold it.

“—It’s finally my turn to ask you something, Dongsheng.”

　　From within the palm came a slight tremor, and he saw the woman’s lips pressed tightly together.

“Is the promise between us…

still valid?”

　　Sister Zhi Zhen’s demeanor exuded a strong sense of unease, having him hold her hand seemingly so he could feel her quickening heartbeat due to nervousness.

The two heartbeats synchronized in the night breeze, as if merging into one.

—So, at this very moment, was she acting or was she sincere?

Cen Dongsheng thought it didn’t matter.

“I already promised you, Sister Zhi Zhen.

This was something I initiated.”

　　No matter what, this was the goal he had worked towards for two months, with no reason to give up.

Even with this disruption, it only confirmed “An Zhizhen is still the same An Zhizhen…” and made him laugh at his naive thought of “maybe past An Zhizhen wasn’t like this…”

　　He and Sister Zhi Zhen were not related by blood, they were strangers;

　　It was his wish to get closer, and she offered the chance, as well as the test.

It was still fair.

“Really?

We’re going to be lifelong, sole partners, are you sure you won’t regret it?”

　　Don’t casually tie me down with such heavy words.

“Really, all true.” Cen Dongsheng said slightly exasperated, “Do I need to prove it somehow?”

　　”Uh…

But you initially said you were emotionally hurt, so I’m worried that you’re unhappy inside?”

　　”In that case, compensate me.

Comfort my wounded soul.”

　　He replied casually.

“…

Alright.”

　　An Zhizhen considered for a moment, appearing to ponder seriously, then leaned toward him, speaking quietly,

　　”But it’s late now, let’s go home first.”

　　”?” Cen Dongsheng blinked, “What home?”

　　”Of course…” Sister Zhi Zhen blushed again, her voice softened, she whispered.

“To my house.

Even if you’re almost healed, you can continue staying…”

　　”…”

　　This woman, could she be up to something strange again?

Cen Dongsheng felt he mustn’t be fooled, absolutely not.

So—

　　”Alright, let’s go home,” he said.