Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 127: He Zheng - The Original World

Chapter 127: He Zheng – The Original World

No matter how many worlds he had visited, no matter how novel they were or how many people and memories they carried, the emotions they evoked could never compare to his true world.

When he left this world, he lost a fragment of his emotional soul. Now that he returned, that fragment had somehow been restored to him. At this moment, he felt as though he had been reborn, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

When he consumed poison to end his life, he had never imagined he would have another chance to live. After exchanging his emotional soul, he never thought he would regain it again.

He Lang didn’t actually want this fragment of emotion back. He knew that emotions brought him nothing but pain. He feared them, avoided them, rejected them. But Gua Tu told him, “Only when the seven emotions and six desires, the three souls and seven spirits, are all present can one truly be considered human.”

Reborn with a complete soul, everything was a new beginning. He was no longer the third prince, no longer He Lang. He was now a carefree wanderer, unbound by rules, free to watch the sunset, to observe the clouds rising. When troubled, he sought solace in the company of ancient lamps and Buddhas; when restless, he roamed freely, reciting poetry to the wind. He lived an unfettered and tranquil life.

Such a life was indeed carefree, serene, but undeniably lonely.

Leaning against a tree, drinking wine in solitude, He Lang often imagined his future in the haze of intoxication. He didn’t dare to hope to meet a kindred spirit, nor did he wish to touch upon feelings again. Instead, he wondered if some fortuitous coincidence might bring him a companion to share his later years.

He curled his lips into a bitter smile. Perhaps it was more likely that he would live out his days alone in the wilderness.

In the midst of his peaceful days, a sudden storm arose.

While wandering from place to place, He Lang heard countless strange and interesting stories. This day, while enjoying a drink at an inn, he listened intently to the chatter of the other patrons. He didn’t expect to hear his own name.

“Any news about the third prince, He Lang, lately? Has the emperor given up on finding him yet?”

“What news could there be? Even the Thousand Questions Tower, known for gathering intelligence across the land, hasn’t found a trace of him. If you ask me, the emperor should just let it go and focus on governance. It’s been ten years already. Who knows if the man is even still…”

The speaker immediately fell silent, not daring to continue.

“The emperor has been focusing on governance! He’s already so wise and capable. Otherwise, how could our nation defeat such a powerful neighboring kingdom?”

“Yes, the emperor was ruthless when he ascended to the throne, but in the years since, he’s shown increasing compassion for the people. He’s a good ruler… but his lack of an heir is rather concerning.”

The group chatted about various topics. He Lang listened, lost in thought. He quickly pulled his hat and mask lower to conceal his face. On an impulse, he approached them to ask, “Gentlemen, I’m new to the capital… Did you just mention the third prince? Wasn’t he declared dead long ago?”

“Shh, young man, be careful with your words.” The man’s face turned serious, and he lowered his voice. “You look young, so it’s no wonder you don’t know about the events from a decade ago.”

He Lang clenched his fists slightly, pressing for more details. Luckily, the man was willing to talk.

“Back then, the third prince did die—or so it was said. Some claimed he committed suicide out of despair after being neglected by the late emperor. Others whispered that he was forced to his death in a power struggle. Who knows the truth? We common folk shouldn’t speculate. Anyway, after ascending the throne, the current emperor seemed possessed. He even had the prince’s tomb opened to check, only to find it empty! Since then, he’s been searching the world for the prince. Even now, after so many years, posters of the third prince’s portrait are still plastered at the city gates, and anyone with information is richly rewarded with land and title. But no one has been fortunate enough to find him…”

The man sighed regretfully and shook his head. He Lang froze, sweat breaking out on his forehead as a cascade of surprises overwhelmed him.

Ten years had passed since he left. He never expected things to unfold this way. He thought he could finally live like a carefree wanderer, but now it seemed he was surrounded by danger.

After thanking the man, He Lang hurried to leave, only to be stopped by the same man who called out to him.

The man, noticing He Lang’s concealed appearance, grew suspicious and asked, “Why are you hiding your face, young man? Why not stay and share a drink with us?”

“Thank you, but I’m unwell. Perhaps we’ll meet again someday.” He Lang shook his head and insisted on leaving. The man found him even more suspicious and blocked his way before he could exit the inn, demanding to see his face.

This drew the attention of the other patrons, who began clamoring for He Lang to reveal himself.

Nearby, the officials from the yamen noticed the commotion and came to investigate. Growing suspicious as well, their leader ordered He Lang to be detained.

Startled, He Lang darted into the crowd and fled, but his pursuers quickly followed.

“Stop! That man is highly suspicious! He might be the third prince!” The leader shouted, his speculation driven by desperation. After all, the emperor had spent ten years searching for the third prince without success. Any lead, no matter how tenuous, was worth pursuing.

The officers, all well-trained, pursued He Lang relentlessly. Although He Lang’s body had improved through his experiences in other worlds, giving him the strength to escape, the mask concealing his face fell off during the chase. His features were soon recognized, causing an uproar in the streets.

He Lang darted into a narrow alley and slipped into an abandoned house, pressing himself against the wall and crouching to catch his breath, his legs trembling.

For half a month, he had wandered through sparsely populated areas without issue. He never imagined the capital would be so dangerous.

Hearing the scattered footsteps fade away, He Lang finally sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from his brow.

But before he could fully relax, a rustling sound came from behind him.

A low, hoarse voice broke the tense silence, trembling with suppressed emotion. “Royal Brother, you’ve made me search for so long.”

He Lang’s body stiffened, his heart sinking like a stone, his legs frozen in place as if weighed down by lead.

This voice sent shivers down his spine. The chaos it stirred in his mind was unprecedented. Despite no longer harboring any affection for this person, his heart betrayed him, racing at the unexpected encounter.

He Lang cursed the emotional fragment that had been returned to him. Even though he had lived calmly and composedly for years, the strange feeling in his chest was an unrelenting reminder of something he didn’t want to acknowledge. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed all visible emotion.

He was sure He Zheng had no idea that he truly had died once before, that he had left this world with his heart shattered. With just one glance, He Lang moved his gaze away.

They had known each other since the age of eight. Though He Lang had been of low status, he had taken it upon himself as the elder to protect He Zheng until he was eighteen. The ten best years of his life had been shaped by He Zheng, as had the ten years of turbulence and wandering that followed.

Now, at twenty-eight, He Lang was nearing his thirtieth year. He couldn’t afford to entangle himself with this person for another decade.

“You’ve mistaken me for someone else,” He Lang said coldly, his gaze indifferent, as if addressing a stranger.

This attitude made He Zheng’s expression change. Gripping He Lang’s wrist firmly, he said with determination, “Royal Brother, enough of this. Come back with me.”

He Lang shook off his hand forcefully, hiding his own in his sleeves. Without looking at He Zheng, he said, “Your Majesty has achieved great things. I, a mere commoner, pose no threat to you. Why not leave me be and spare yourself the indignity of coming to this filthy, common world?”

The gentle, patient elder brother who had once treated him with warmth and kindness seemed gone. He Zheng hadn’t expected such cold words. He froze for a moment, his lips moving wordlessly before he finally said, “Royal Brother, you’ve misunderstood… I’ve repented a thousand times for what happened ten years ago…”

He Zheng stepped closer, reaching out as if to take He Lang’s hand. But He Lang avoided him without hesitation, stabbing He Zheng’s heart with the gesture. His face turned pale, his voice softening as though afraid of scaring He Lang away. “Please don’t fear me… I promise what happened before will never happen again. The fact that you’re still alive in this world is my greatest blessing. Please, come back to the palace and rest.”

The more He Lang listened, the more impatient he became. His tone grew icier as he refused. “I’m afraid I can’t bear such blessings.”

He Zheng gritted his teeth, struggling internally before steeling himself. He wouldn’t let He Lang go.

With a wave of his hand, several armed guards emerged from behind him, forming an imposing line.

“Escort the third prince back to the palace.”

…

When He Lang stepped back into the palace walls, he had expected to feel weighed down, shackled. But when he truly felt indifferent, he realized it was nothing more than that.

He Zheng had already driven him to death once. What more could he possibly do now?

After his return, the palace suddenly bustled with activity. First, He Zheng conferred upon him the title of prince but denied him a residence or domain, forcibly keeping him in the Changhuan Hall, a place usually reserved for the empress. Then, he hosted a grand banquet in the palace, declaring his joy and celebrating with the ministers.

He Lang, unaccustomed to such opulence, felt overwhelmed by the sudden surge of congratulations. In the past, even as a prince, he had spent his days languishing in a cold, desolate courtyard, wallowing in self-pity. He had never attended such a grand occasion, nor been the object of flattery and attention.

From his elevated seat, He Zheng kept a close eye on He Lang’s expression. Seeing his calm demeanor and his inability to blend in with the joyous crowd, He Zheng felt a ripple of unease. Tentatively, he asked, “Didn’t you used to enjoy lively occasions, Royal Brother?”

“In the past?” He Lang swirled the wine in his cup, not lifting his head. “People change.”

He Zheng fell silent, his gaze lingering on the cup in He Lang’s hand. His heart tightened, and he abruptly snatched the cup away. “Drinking harms your health, Royal Brother.”

“What’s the harm? I’ve even drunk poison. Why would a bit of wine matter?” He Lang smiled indifferently, pouring himself another drink and downing it in one go. Slightly tipsy, he bid farewell to the guests and left the hall.

He Zheng stared at his retreating figure, his dragon robe crumpling under his clenched fists. That single offhand remark had chilled him to the core, dragging up nightmares he had desperately tried to forget. He would rather He Lang hate him, blame him, than treat him with such cold indifference, denying their shared past as if it meant nothing.

The lively music and festivities suddenly felt unbearably grating. He Zheng left the banquet in a huff, heading to the Changhuan Hall. There, he stood outside the door, hesitant but unwilling to leave.

The night was cold, and the wind biting. His attendants dared to advise him to take care of his health, but he turned a deaf ear.

A little wind and chill were nothing to him. He just wanted to know if the man who once cared for him deeply could truly be so ruthless as to erase him from his heart entirely.

An hour passed, and He Zheng’s body was chilled to the bone, but not a word came from He Lang. The palace servants, unable to bear it any longer, knelt in a line before the hall, weeping and pleading for the prince to come out.

Finally, the tightly closed door creaked open slightly. “If you have something to say, say it. You’re disturbing my rest.”

The servants felt as though they had been pardoned, while a faint light seemed to flicker in He Zheng’s dim eyes. Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and strode inside.