335: Chapter 329 The Scheme with the Bull Demon

"To clear yourself of responsibility."

"To protect your current position and this skin you are wearing."

"You must act even angrier than the Wan Family."

"You must take the initiative to offer assistance to the Wan Family in hunting down the murderer."

"Which is to say—hunting down me."

The Yao Beast was stunned.

It couldn't quite keep up with Chen Zhiwen's line of thinking.

"You want this King... to hunt you down?"

"Are you crazy?"

Chen Zhiwen shook his head, a glimmer of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"No, this is not madness."

"This is seeking survival by putting oneself in a desperate situation."

"When the time comes, the people from the Wan Family will surely think you are a soft target, and might even treat you as an ally."

"They will have no defenses against you."

"And this will be the best time for you to strike!"

Chen Zhiwen made a downward slashing motion in the air with his hand.

"At that moment, I will be in the open, drawing their fire."

"And you, as an 'ally' lurking by their side,"

"will deliver a fatal blow to them at the critical moment!"

"Even if it is the Mid Nascent Soul Stage Myriad Thunder Bear, if it is ambushed by you while completely off-guard,"

"even if it doesn't die, it will at least lose a layer of skin!"

This was Chen Zhiwen's chain scheme.

Utilizing the anger of the Wan Family, the position of the Artifact Refining Alliance, and the identity of the Yao Beast.

He would drag all the factions into it.

And finally, he would be the one to reap the rewards of the battlefield.

This plan was interlinked and flawless.

The only variable lay with the Yao Beast before him.

"Everything depends on you."

Chen Zhiwen stared into the Yao Beast's eyes and said, word by word.

"Whether you can play this part well."

"Whether you can resist attacking in that moment until the perfect opportunity arrives."

"Whether you can avoid being exposed by those old foxes from the Wan Family."

"This is the key to success or failure."

The secret chamber fell into a brief, deathly silence.

Only the heavy breathing of the Yao Beast could be heard.

After a long while.

The Yao Beast had finished digesting that Yao Core, and its aura had grown even stronger.

It slowly raised its head, its eyes filled with disdain and arrogance.

"Hmph!"

"Human, you underestimate this King too much."

A twisted sneer appeared on that face of "Liu Shengli".

"This King is of the noble Yao Race."

"How could I be manipulated by a despicable human like you because of a mere Tier 4 Yao Core?"

It stood up, its Demonic Qi roiling, as if it wanted to attack.

"Who do you think you are?"

"How dare you tell this King what to do?"

"Acting? That kind of lowly trick, this King disdains to do it!"

Facing the Yao Beast's sudden hostility.

Chen Zhiwen did not panic at all.

He didn't even raise an eyelid.

He simply silently took out another item from his storage ring.

It was a bead that was rounder and had a deeper luster.

Faint flashes of lightning could be seen on it.

That was... a Middle Stage Tier 4 Lightning-attribute Yao Core!

For a Yao Beast with a powerful Physical Body like this one,

a Lightning-attribute Yao Core could not only increase cultivation but also temper the Physical Body; it was simply a supreme treasure.

The Yao Beast's clamoring voice stopped abruptly.

That pair of bull eyes stared straight at the Yao Core in Chen Zhiwen's hand.

Its eyeballs were almost popping out.

A swallowing sound came involuntarily from its throat.

"Gulp."

This sound seemed exceptionally loud in the quiet secret chamber.

The previous arrogance and untamability vanished in an instant.

A mocking smile curled the corners of Chen Zhiwen's mouth.

"Disdain to do it?"

"It seems you don't have the fortune to enjoy this Yao Core."

As he spoke, he made a move to put the Yao Core away.

"Wait!"

The Yao Beast panicked.

It lunged forward, trying to snatch it, but Chen Zhiwen easily dodged.

"Give... give it to me!"

The Yao Beast breathed heavily, its eyes filled with greed.

"As long as you give me this Yao Core."

"Never mind acting."

"Even if you want to ride on this King's head and take a dump, that's fine!"

Chen Zhiwen sneered.

"I have a cleanliness obsession; I have no interest in the few hairs on your head."

He flicked his finger casually.

That precious Middle Stage Tier 4 Yao Core fell into the Yao Beast's mouth once again.

The Yao Beast swallowed it impatiently in one gulp.

It didn't even chew, fearing Chen Zhiwen would go back on his word.

As the immense medicinal power dispersed within its body, the Yao Beast trembled with comfort, letting out a satisfied groan.

"Hmph."

"That's more like it."

Those who take benefits are bound by them.

Having swallowed the benefits, although the Yao Beast was still somewhat unwilling, its attitude had clearly softened significantly.

It twisted its body awkwardly and mimicked human behavior, adjusting its robes.

Then it looked at Chen Zhiwen with a sideways glance, its tone carrying a hint of provocation.

"Fine."

"Since I have accepted your benefits, this King will reluctantly cooperate with you once."

"However..."

It paused, a comical expression appearing on its face.

It was trying to look "profound," but because it couldn't control its facial muscles well, it looked exceptionally ridiculous.

"You say it so lightly."

"Acting, this King has never learned that."

"If I mess up the performance, don't blame me."

"How about..."

The Yao Beast crossed its arms, looking at Chen Zhiwen with a playful expression.

"Why don't you demonstrate for this King?"

"Let me see what your hypocritical human acting really looks like."

Chen Zhiwen looked at this foolish cow that didn't know whether to live or die.

He felt both annoyed and amused.

But he didn't get angry.

Because he knew that although this Yao Beast was stupid, its strength was genuine.

Moreover, its straightforward personality was sometimes the best disguise.

"Fine."

Chen Zhiwen nodded.

His eyes changed instantly.

The previous coldness, calculation, and depth all vanished.

Replaced by extreme terror and innocence.

His body trembled slightly, and his face instantly turned pale as paper.

His voice also carried a weeping tone.

"I am wronged!"

"Alliance Leader Liu! This Junior is truly wronged!"

"This Junior is just a Loose Cultivator, how would I dare to make a move against the Wan Family Young Lord?"

"This is clearly someone framing me!"

"I beg the Alliance Leader to investigate clearly and seek justice for this Junior!"

This instantaneous transformation.

Was faster than turning a page.

If it hadn't seen it with its own eyes, the Yao Beast would have thought someone else was standing before it.

It widened its eyes and opened its mouth wide.

Looking at the human who had just been sinisterly calculating against it,

now looked like a frightened little rabbit.

Stunned for a long while.

The Yao Beast finally came back to its senses.

It extended a thumb and exclaimed sincerely:

"Brilliant!"

"Absolutely brilliant!"

"You humans..."

"Are indeed born liars!"

Inside the secret chamber, the candlelight flickered.

Light and shadow cast mottled shadows on the walls, like ghosts dancing.

Chen Zhiwen stood in the center of the secret chamber.

At this moment, he was no longer that decisive and cold-faced Cultivator.

His back was slightly hunched, as if bearing a great injustice.

His eyes were red, tears swirling in them, but he stubbornly refused to let them fall.

It was the posture of a small person oppressed to the extreme by power, both fearful and unwilling.

"Alliance Leader Liu... this Junior is wronged..."

Chen Zhiwen's voice trembled, carrying a hint of a sob.

He cupped his hands and bowed deeply to the "Liu Shengli" in front of him,

his body heaving violently with emotion.

"This Junior was just passing by; that Wan Family Young Lord was too overbearing,

this Junior only did it to protect myself... only..."

Before he could finish, he was already sobbing uncontrollably.

This performance, if displayed to the outside world, would be enough to move anyone with a hard heart.

Even that impartial Law Enforcement Elder,

would likely feel pity for him.

Opposite.

The Yao Beast, disguised as "Liu Shengli", was completely dumbfounded at this moment.

Its large, copper-bell-like eyes were wide open, its mouth slightly agape, even allowing one to see the tonsils deep in its throat.

The teacup in its hand tilted, and the scalding tea flowed down its robes.

Yet it was completely unaware.

Half a quarter of an hour passed.

The secret chamber was deathly silent.

Only Chen Zhiwen's suppressed sobbing sounded occasionally.

Finally.

The Yao Beast, as if startled from a dream, gasped sharply.

"Hiss—"

It put down the teacup in its hand, making a crisp clinking sound.

Afterward.

It circled around Chen Zhiwen twice, looking him up and down.

As if looking at a rare creature it had never seen before.

"It's like it."

"Too like it."

The Yao Beast extended its still somewhat rough large hands, scratched its scalp, and muttered in a strange tone.

"If this King hadn't watched you change your face with my own eyes."

"If this King didn't know that you are a ruthless fiend."

"This King would have really believed your nonsense."

Its voice carried a hint of undisguisable amazement,

as well as a few parts of deep wariness.

"You humans..."

"Are indeed all more cunning than a sieve."

"This ability is simply more terrifying than those fox spirits who are good at illusions."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhiwen instantly composed his expression.

That miserable, wronged expression receded like the tide.

Replaced by his usual calm and indifference.

He straightened his body and adjusted his robes.

Afterward.

He walked to the armchair on the side and sat down, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.

His movements were smooth and flowing, elegant and calm.

Where was there any trace of the tearful, pathetic appearance from just a moment ago?

"You flatter me."

Chen Zhiwen said indifferently.

A meaningful arc curled the corners of his mouth.

"Surviving in this world of cultivation, having just fists is not enough."

"Sometimes, a mask is more useful than a Tier 4 Magic Treasure."

The Yao Beast watched Chen Zhiwen's instantaneous state switch,

the wariness in its eyes growing stronger.

It slowly walked to the main seat and sat down, mimicking Chen Zhiwen's manner, and picked up the teacup.

But because its palm was too large, the delicate teacup looked exceptionally comical in its hand.

"This King was indeed looking at the sky from the bottom of a well before."

The Yao Beast sighed, its voice becoming a bit deeper.

"This King always thought that power was everything."

"As long as the fists are hard enough, one can crush all conspiracies and schemes."

"But today, after seeing your performance, this King finally understands."

"Why we of the Yao Race can never defeat you humans."

It raised its head, staring intently at Chen Zhiwen.

"You are too good at lying."

"Lying to others, even lying to yourselves."

"This kind of hypocrisy to the extreme is also a kind of Dao."

Chen Zhiwen put down the teacup, looking at the Yao Beast before him that seemed to have suddenly enlightened.

His heart couldn't help but stir slightly.

"It seems this stupid cow is not as stupid as I imagined."

He pondered inwardly.

"Or rather, it is imitating."

"Learning."

Chen Zhiwen recalled these past few days, the Yao Beast had swallowed quite a few Tier 4 Yao Cores.

Those Yao Cores contained not only pure Demonic Qi.

But also parts of the residual souls and instinctive wisdom of those Yao Beasts before they died.

Perhaps.

It was precisely these Yao Core essences that had subtly enhanced the Yao Beast's intelligence.

Allowing it to start learning to think, from being a beast that only knew how to act recklessly.

"This is not a good sign."

Chen Zhiwen's eyes narrowed slightly, concealing a flash of cold light in his eyes.

If this Yao Beast really became smart.

That would definitely be a double-edged sword for him.

Perhaps even.

It could become a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

A thug with courage but no strategy is the easiest to control.

But a Yao King who knows how to think and weigh the pros and cons,

could turn around and bite at any moment for greater benefits.

"Since Alliance Leader Liu has such insights, that is a good thing."

Chen Zhiwen said calmly.

His tone carried a bit of encouragement, as if he were teaching a Junior.

"Acting, this kind of thing, practice makes perfect."

"In the coming days, we must practice more."

"After all."

"Those we are going to deceive are not ordinary stray cats and dogs."

"They are the two old monsters of the Wan Family, Myriad Thunder Bear and Wan Shun."

"These two people have lived for hundreds of years; even their eyelashes are hollow."

"Once you reveal a single flaw, it will be complete doom."

The Yao Beast nodded heavily upon hearing this.

The contempt in its eyes had long since vanished.

Replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.

"You are right."

"Although this King hates the hypocrisy of you humans."

"But in order to survive, for more Yao Cores."

"This King is willing to learn."

"Again!"

The Yao Beast slammed the table, causing tea to splash everywhere.

"This time, it's my turn to play the victim."

"You find the faults!"

Looking at the enthusiastic Yao Beast, alarm bells rang in Chen Zhiwen's heart.

But a relieved smile appeared on his face.

"Fine."

"Then please, Alliance Leader Liu, begin your performance."

...

The next morning.

The horizon was just beginning to show a fish-belly white.

Chen Zhiwen got up to take his leave.

After a night of "sparring," although the Yao Beast's acting still seemed a bit stiff,

at least it had made significant progress in expression management.

It was no longer wearing a fierce look of "I want to eat you."

"I won't be coming to the Alliance Leader's mansion for a while."

Chen Zhiwen stood at the entrance of the secret chamber and looked back at the Yao Beast.

His voice was kept very low, yet every word was clear.

"According to reliable information."

"The repair work on Xia Yu's Tier 4 Magic Treasure has reached its final stage."

"By noon today at the latest, it will be completely finished."

"Our plan is about to start."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of excited red light flashed in the Yao Beast's eyes.

It licked its lips, revealing a mouthful of stark white teeth.

"Is it finally time to act?"

"This King's great axe has long been thirsty and impatient."

"Go with peace of mind."

"I will play the part here well."

As it spoke.

It extended its hand, making a gesture of asking for something.

"However, don't forget the reward you promised this King."

"After the matter is accomplished, those high-tier Yao Cores, not a single one less."

Chen Zhiwen nodded.

"As long as you act according to the plan, you will not lack Yao Cores."