This village had always prized peace and harmony. Never before had anyone expressed thoughts like those of the rebellious boy. To the villagers, a life spent wandering was one of misfortune and hardship. They didn’t want their children to suffer such a fate, so they raised them with the belief that tranquility was everything, for generations, that had been the way of things here. Never had a single person gone against it, until now.
Watching this scene, Lin Xiao and Ling Xi realize that the boy is one of the very few who haven't been completely ensnared. Despite growing up in this village, the young man had managed to retain his passion and willpower. That alone was impressive.
“Look at that kid,” Zhang Nu remarked. “Doesn’t he understand how fortunate he is to live in such a beautiful place? And yet he wants to leave? Once he gets a taste of how cruel the outside world is, he’ll understand just how good he had it here.”
But when Lin Xiao heard that, he caught something strange in Zhang Nu’s tone—was that envy?
Did Zhang Nu actually long for this kind of life? A simple, controlled routine? A life where even thinking for oneself was discouraged?
“You envy this life?” Lin Xiao asked bluntly. “A life dictated entirely by others? A life where even the smallest shred of individual thought is considered wrong?”
He stared at Zhang Nu seriously, clearly wanting a real answer.
Zhang Nu was a bit taken aback by the question. This village seemed so calm and peaceful. How could it possibly be as rigid and suffocating as Lin Xiao claimed?
“Lin Xiao, what are you even talking about?” Zhang Nu said. “This kind of peaceful life—where you don’t have to run around every day—what’s wrong with that? Isn’t this happiness?”
But Lin Xiao just shook his head, clearly disappointed.
“Zhang Nu, you’re too far gone,” he said. “Have you forgotten who you were before we came here? You used to be so full of energy, always thinking about how to grow stronger. And now look at you. You really don’t see what’s happening?”
Zhang Nu was about to argue back—but then, something clicked. He remembered how he used to be. Before coming to this village, he had dreams. He had a purpose, a goal. He trained hard every day. But now? He couldn’t remember the last time he cultivated.
Suddenly, everything made sense.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “This place... it isn’t what it seems.”
“If we stay here any longer, I’m afraid I’ll become just like everyone else.”
Lin Xiao nodded. The fact that Zhang Nu could still snap out of it with just a few words meant the influence hadn't completely taken hold. But Liu Hai was a different story.
“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses,” Lin Xiao said. “But Liu Hai... I don’t think he’s recovered.”
“Look at him, he’s actually encouraging that young man to settle down and live a quiet life. I don’t think we’ll be able to pull him out of this so easily.”
Zhang Nu turned to look at Liu Hai, his expression heavy with guilt. This was his fault. If only he hadn’t suggested they stay in this village a little longer, maybe Liu Hai wouldn’t have ended up like this.
“So what do we do now? Should we just tell him the truth?” Zhang Nu asked.
Lin Xiao shook his head.
“It won’t work,” he said. “He’s already tasted the comfort and peace here. He won’t believe us. The only way is to make him see for himself that this place is a trap.”
Zhang Nu and Ling Xi both nodded at that. The three of them fell silent, trying to think.
Then, suddenly, Zhang Nu’s gaze landed on the rebellious youth again.
“I’ve got it,” he said. “That boy—he might be the key to waking Liu Hai up.”
The others stayed quiet for a moment, then nodded in agreement. Zhang Nu might be onto something.
If that boy really could help shake Liu Hai out of this, then they were willing to do whatever it took. Their next step was clear: they needed to talk to the boy urgently.