Yu Lumin had originally lost all hope, no longer expecting to have any living relatives in this world.
However, a single sentence from Yan Shouyi struck Yu Lumin like a bolt of lightning, leaving him in silence for a long time.
In fact, Yan Shouyi’s words were also helping Yu Lumin analyze the possibilities; perhaps the State Preceptor was indeed Yu Lumin’s biological father.
"You… you didn't have to say this," Yu Lumin said in a low voice.
Zhang Shantong stroked his beard, "Saying this only adds to his troubles."
"With your intelligence, even if I hadn't said it, you would have figured it out sooner or later," Yan Shouyi shook his head. "The reason I spoke frankly is so that you can face these issues head-on as soon as possible, and not falter at the decisive battle."
Thinking about his actions that day, Yu Lumin felt immense guilt.
Indeed, it was fortunate that Yan Shouyi had initiated this confrontation today, resolving their conflict and clearing up the misunderstanding in time.
If this misunderstanding had persisted until the final battle, it would have severely affected the outcome, putting Yan Shouyi and the entire Xuanmen in a more disadvantageous position.
Yu Lumin was not one to dwell on trivial matters. He reflected on his mistakes and expressed his apologies and gratitude to Yan Shouyi.
"I need some time to carefully consider these matters," Yu Lumin said seriously.
"You must set your position straight," Zhang Shantong chimed in, reminding Yu Lumin to clarify his stance.
Even if the State Preceptor was Yu Lumin’s biological father, his current actions had placed him in opposition to the entire Xuanmen. If Yu Lumin could uphold righteousness and disown his father, no one in the Xuanmen would question his position as the new Celestial Master. Conversely, if Yu Lumin chose to betray the Xuanmen and align himself with the State Preceptor, he would be scorned for eternity.
Yu Lumin, having resolved his inner turmoil, understood this point clearly.
He lowered his head and said with a hint of melancholy, "Even if he is my biological father, he has ignored me for so many years, neglected me, and even treated me as a mere pawn. I will not acknowledge his identity."
What Yu Lumin truly needed to acknowledge was the identity of the Old Celestial Master, Zhang Yin.
Kinship was not merely a matter of blood relation; it also involved constant guidance, meticulous care, and enduring companionship.
If Yu Lumin could not grasp this, he would be unworthy of being the Old Celestial Master's most valued disciple.
"It's best that you understand this," Yan Shouyi said, patting Yu Lumin on the shoulder. "Remember, you are not alone. We should look forward."
Everyone felt the same.
Yu Lumin nodded, then pursed his lips and looked towards the flustered middle-aged woman in the distance.
The woman who had briefly been his mother for only seven days.
Fortunately, Yu Lumin did not cling to the past. He called Liu Yiren over and said to her, "After daybreak tomorrow, arrange for disciples to escort her down the mountain and send her back from where she came."
"Then you..."
"Since I am not her son, I have no reason to see her again," Yu Lumin said with a heart of stone. He turned around, hesitated for a moment, and then added, "After sending her back, inquire about her lost son. See if we can use the intelligence network of Dragon Tiger Mountain to find the child's whereabouts."
Liu Yiren's expression softened. She nodded, then took the woman to arrange accommodations.
This woman was also to be pitied. She had lost her child, then fell ill from longing, and was subsequently exploited by the State Preceptor.
Having resolved Yu Lumin's issues, Yan Shouyi turned his attention to the Life Ghost.
Dealing with this fellow had become the immediate concern.
Zhang Shantong snorted, "Kill him directly."
"Wait, what if he knows something about the State Preceptor?" Yan Shouyi quickly interjected.
Yu Lumin frowned, "Even if we ask, he might not confess honestly."
"Let me try."
Yan Shouyi grabbed the Life Ghost with one hand, choked his throat, and asked coldly, "You were sent to Dragon Tiger Mountain by the State Preceptor. Do you know where he is now?"
The Life Ghost, who had been compliant before, now stammered and refused to answer.
Long Feicheng's soul floated out and chuckled, "Brother Yan, this guy isn't answering, not saying he doesn't know, which means there's hope! How about I stab him a hundred times and see if I can pry open his mouth?"
"Do you want to hear what you're saying?" Yan Shouyi rolled his eyes. "When did you become interested in men too?"
"Damn it!" Long Feicheng quickly explained, "My 'stab' isn't what you're thinking! Sigh… Brother Yan, you've changed. Your inner thoughts are getting dirtier."
"Get lost!"
Yan Shouyi fixed his gaze on the Life Ghost, then formed a Buddhist salute with one hand and recited loudly, "Amitabha, forbid false speech!"
The power of the precept immediately took effect. Yan Shouyi repeated the same question.
This time, the Life Ghost covered his mouth with both hands, his face contorted in pain, as if struggling fiercely against the power of the precept.
Seeing this, Yan Shouyi directly pried open the Life Ghost's fingers.
"Speak quickly!" he commanded.
The Life Ghost gritted his teeth, his soul suddenly trembled, and then he actually dispersed!
Zhang Shantong's face darkened, "Good heavens, he’d rather his soul be scattered than tell the truth!"
"No rush!"
Yu Lumin suddenly moved. He produced a Taoist talisman, chanted a spell, and managed to re-condense the Life Ghost's soul, which had already dissipated halfway!
"You… this…"
Yan Shouyi was dumbfounded, exclaiming in surprise, "Your methods are extraordinary, truly a supreme skill for tormenting people!"
If one's soul was shattered and then reassembled, and then shattered again… perhaps the eighteen levels of hell would be no more than this.
Yu Lumin shook his head, "It's not that simple. The re-condensed soul will have some memory loss. If used again, this fellow might become an idiot."
"In that case, we should interrogate him quickly," Yan Shouyi's brow furrowed.
As the Life Ghost's soul re-formed, he looked around blankly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Hadn't his soul already scattered?
Why wasn't he dead yet!?
More importantly, he had already experienced the pain of soul dispersion once, and though he had tasted the suffering, he hadn't died. This was even more unbearable than death.
The Life Ghost stammered, "I… how am I… still alive…"
"Do you think you can die easily if you fall into our hands?" Yan Shouyi threatened, "I advise you to confess honestly, otherwise I'll make you die and come alive, come alive and die, cycling endlessly, begging for death but unable to achieve it!"
Hearing Yan Shouyi's cruel methods, the Life Ghost found the State Preceptor's methods to be comparatively gentle.
Therefore, he immediately defected and said honestly, "I'll say it… I'll tell the truth…"
"Where is the State Preceptor now?!"
The Life Ghost answered without hesitation, "In… his hometown…"
Hometown?
Yan Shouyi's brow furrowed deeply.
Based on his understanding of the State Preceptor, the State Preceptor claimed his hometown was at the foot of Changbai Mountain in the Northeast. However, his stronghold had been destroyed, and Wushen Mountain was gone. The State Preceptor should have no reason to remain in Changbai Mountain.
Therefore, there was only one answer – the State Preceptor had returned to the territory of the former Qingjiang Kingdom!