Chuckling subtly, Long Hua remarks—
"Since we're going to be working together in this plan, letting you all know a bit of my personal history—consider it a show of sincerity."
Having grown far too accustomed to Long Hua's crudeness, not a single person finds the current mood awkward at this point.
Picking up a large scallop with his chopsticks, Long Hua takes a bite out of it.
Swallowing the seafood, he calls out to—
"Chen Shi family's little girl."
"Hm?"
Being called to, Yao Ying turns her head towards Long Hua.
"Hmm."
Gathering his thoughts, while finishing off the rest of the scallops, Long Hua says—
"You want to learn my methods through observation, correct?"
"Uh… Un."
Receiving a nod from Yao Ying, Long Hua shakes his head, and replies—
"I suggest you quit while you're ahead."
"Why?"
"Shouldn't it be obvious? Those who use methods like mine, they won't ever receive a happy ending. The less people of my nature there are, the better off this world would be."
Laughing aloud, Bai Wen adds—
"Indeed. Lao Long and I are probably going to hell for sure. The ones least likely to go to hell on this table are probably Lao Zhen, Xiao Rong, and you little girl."
Glancing at Bai Wen, Long Hua asks—
"What sort of crimes did you commit?"
"Ai… Hard to say. Maybe I'll tell you about it another day."
Hearing Bai Wen's remark, Yao Ying turns to Nuo'er, who is seated beside her; to which, Nuo'er smiles subtly, and says—
"Past deeds won't be erased—just because you do not remember them."
Taking a sip of wine, Wu Xiao remarks—
"What a loaded table this is."
Directing an odd look at Wu Xiao, Bai Wen replies—
"Do you really have any rights to say that—for all the chaos that you've caused in the past?"
"Hmph."
Contemplating about what Long Hua had said, Yao Ying asks—
"If you won't receive a happy ending—using these methods, then why use them in the first place?"
"An ending is an ending. I don't care if it's a happy one or a sad one, so long as I can get an ending. Some people choose to enjoy life slowly, and some choose to live their life impatiently—wanting to return to reincarnation in a hurry. I suppose, I chose to be the latter type in this life? It's as simple as that really."
Downing what remains of his wine, Long Hua adds—
"In your case, little girl, you're still young, you still got plenty of time to make adjustments to your future. Once you get out of this world… Getting back at those who've wronged you, it isn't your only option—if all you want is a normal life. You could just become a rogue practitioner, or change your name and join a sect. There's plenty of alternatives to take—if you just keep an open mind about it."
Blinking her eyes, Yao Ying sinks into thought. Changing her name, and becoming someone else—to start a new life, that's something that she hadn't thought of.
Raising an eye, as she slurps a bowl of noodles, Zhen Qing Huai remarks—
"Lao Long, it's not like you to give such honest advice."
"I've said this before, the less people of my nature there are, the better off the world would be. I won't make excuses for the wrongs that I've committed, nor will I apologize to those that I've screwed over. However… Hmm. It doesn't mean that I enjoy committing pointless wrongs. I simply find my current methods to be the most effective means to deal with the dilemmas that are presented to me."
"Words of this nature aren't convincing at all, when you're the one saying them, Lao Long…"
Chuckling in response to Zhen Qing Huai's reply, Long Hua picks up another scallop.
Filling her bowl with some noodles, Wu Xiao asks—
"So? In the end, what exactly was that imposter?"
"The weapon spirit from the second excavation."
"Uh…!"
Nearly choking on his food, Yun You asks—
"…Did you take care of it?"
"Left it as a head, and tossed it into the horizon. Well, it shouldn't be capable of stirring up a storm until harvest season."
"…Why do I feel like I should be more concerned?"
Towards Yun You, Nuo'er says—
"Elder brother, it's dinner, quit worrying about needless matters."
"Ai…"
...…
Leading the villagers of Serpent Deity Village together with Xu Tian Kun, Jiu Sheng appears in front of the charred crater—on the side that is furthest away from the black tree.
Immediately, the members of the various factions turned their focus in the direction of Jiu Sheng and Xu Tian Kun.
Raising a megaphone, Jiu Sheng states—
"NPI, Long Yue family, Ashen River Hall—would the listed factions send out a representative to meet with us? Also, General Zhou and General Yang, if the name "Jiu Sheng" sounds familiar to you two, do come forward as well."
"…"
Narrowing his eyes, Yang Ning rises off the ground.
"Jiu Sheng?"
"From the Primordial Star Realm?"
As Zhou Chen exchanges a glance with Yang Ning, the two head towards the members of Nine Lives.
"Well?"
"Un."
Simultaneously, Shao Tianming and Wang Yongning did the same, and were soon followed by Qing Yue and Hong Xuan.
"Shall we as well?"
"Let's go."
Getting off the ground, Zhui Yun is accompanied by Ning Qiu Heng and Lan Shan.