Chapter 325: Twisted Memories
A corner of Cheng Yuan’s mouth twitched. ’What kind of bizarre logic is that?’
’Me, pledge my loyalty to Xuanyuan Potian?’
Xuanyuan Potian was horrified and roared, "What nonsense are you spouting? Cheng Yuan is my Young Master! It is I who serves the Young Master, not the Young Master who serves me!"
As he spoke, Xuanyuan Potian dropped to one knee, cupping his hands respectfully toward Cheng Yuan. "Young Master, the soldiers don’t understand the situation. Please, don’t hold it against them!"
Huh?
Everyone was dumbfounded, their entire worldview shattering into a million pieces.
’The War God... kneeling to Cheng Yuan?’
’And begging for Cheng Yuan’s forgiveness?’
’Has the world gone completely mad?’
’What in the world is going on?’
Of course, Cheng Yuan wasn’t going to hold it against the soldiers. He raised a hand to help Xuanyuan Potian up. "It’s nothing. Get up."
Xuanyuan Potian turned, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers with extreme gravity. "From this day forward, seeing the Young Master is the same as seeing me! Everyone in the Dongshan Defense Zone will obey the Young Master’s commands without question!"
All the warriors of the Dongshan Defense Zone were Xuanyuan Potian’s die-hard loyalists and obeyed his orders without a moment’s hesitation.
The soldiers roared in unison!
"We greet the Young Master! From now on, we will follow your every command!"
Cheng Yuan activated his Double Pupil and scanned his surroundings. He saw that all the soldiers were following the order with strict discipline, with no dissenters among them. This left him quite satisfied.
Cheng Yuan took out another Rejuvenation Pill and handed it to Xuanyuan Potian. "Dissolve this in water. The soldiers were just injured. One bowl for each of them, and their wounds will heal quickly."
"Thank you, Young Master."
Cheng Yuan said calmly, "Potian, if there’s nothing else, have someone take me back. I’ve been missing for too long, and my wife will be worried."
At the mention of his wife, a troubled expression flickered across Xuanyuan Potian’s face.
"Young Master, allow me to escort you personally."
Cheng Yuan was very perceptive and instantly sensed that something was amiss. "Potian, what is it? We’re on the same side. Just say what’s on your mind."
Xuanyuan Potian hadn’t wanted to say anything, but since Cheng Yuan had asked, he could only sigh. "To be honest, I’ve been busy with the all-army tournament these last few days and had no time to seek revenge on you. But Hailian came to the War God Mansion yesterday and threatened to kill herself. That’s why I had to make time to... invite you here. If she finds out I didn’t kill you, she’ll surely try to kill herself again. I’m not afraid of fighting wars, but I dread these kinds of family matters."
Cheng Yuan said gently, "Since I’m the cause of this problem, let me be the one to solve it."
Xuanyuan Potian’s face paled. "Young Master, you might as well just kill me! How could I possibly dare to raise a hand against you?"
Cheng Yuan grinned. "Potian, you’re overthinking things. I’m not asking you to attack me. My Hypnosis is very powerful; I can make your wife forget that He Tianci was killed. Then she won’t give you any more trouble."
Xuanyuan Potian’s eyes lit up. "That would be wonderful!"
After a pause, Xuanyuan Potian asked hesitantly, "Young Master, could you make Hailian forget her connection to the He Family? Or perhaps... alter her memories?"
"Alter them how?"
"Make her believe that, back then, she was cast out by the He Family for insisting on being with me. That she’s had no contact with them since. And because I’ve been away at war all these years, we haven’t had any children yet."
"No problem. Bring your wife here."
Soon, He Hailian was brought over.
Seeing the blood all over the office floor, He Hailian asked excitedly, "Potian, is Cheng Yuan dead? Where’s his body? I want to tear him limb from limb!"
Xuanyuan Potian glanced back at Cheng Yuan with an embarrassed smile.
Cheng Yuan, of course, didn’t take offense. He walked unhurriedly over to He Hailian. "Sorry to disappoint you. I’m very much alive."
He Hailian’s head snapped around. The moment she saw Cheng Yuan, her eyes blazed red with fury.
"Xuanyuan Potian! What the hell is wrong with you?! Our son’s murderer is standing right here! Why haven’t you killed him? Give me a sword! I’ll cut him down myself!"
Xuanyuan Potian quickly grabbed He Hailian to restrain her. "Hailian, calm down..."
Cheng Yuan cut him off, his voice firm. "Potian, let her go. Give her the sword."
"But..."
Xuanyuan Potian had no choice but to release He Hailian.
He Hailian snatched up the two broken halves of Zankong and charged straight at Cheng Yuan.
A faint light flickered in Cheng Yuan’s pupils as he activated his Double Pupil, instantly putting He Hailian into a trance.
To everyone watching, He Hailian was just swinging wildly at empty air, never once touching Cheng Yuan.
But He Hailian herself was both crying and laughing.
"SOB... Tianci, my poor boy! Mommy has avenged you! Hahaha! Tianci, I killed Cheng Yuan with my own two hands!"
Hypnotizing someone was simple, but altering their memories was not. To do that, he first had to break her obsession.
That was why Cheng Yuan had created an illusion for the hypnotized He Hailian. Within it, she killed him with her own hands, allowing her obsession with avenging her son to be completely purged.
Only then did Cheng Yuan begin to alter He Hailian’s memories.
"He Hailian, you fell in love with Po Jun in college. You pledged your lives to each other, bringing great shame to the He Family, and they disowned you. You have followed Po Jun onto the battlefield for many years, and your greatest regret is that you have yet to bear a child."
He Hailian’s pupils dilated, and her expression grew stiff. She repeated his words woodenly, "I fell in love with Po Jun in college..."
As she spoke, the wooden expression on her face melted away, replaced by a radiant glow.
Clearly, being able to follow Xuanyuan Potian to war and always be by his side was her lifelong dream.
Still speaking, He Hailian walked toward Xuanyuan Potian, her eyes filled with adoration.
"Potian, meeting you has been the greatest fortune of my life."
Xuanyuan Potian shot Cheng Yuan a grateful look before gently pulling He Hailian into his arms. "Hailian, meeting you has been my greatest fortune, too."
A few seconds later, Xuanyuan Potian let her go and said softly, "Hailian, go and get some rest. I have some official business to attend to. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done."
He Hailian pouted unhappily. "Work, work, work, that’s all you ever do! Potian, forget about your duties for a bit. Our top priority should be having a baby."
"Ahem... Hailian, everyone is watching."
"Let them watch! You’re the War God, their leader!"
He Hailian forcibly dragged Xuanyuan Potian away. Vermilion Bird then stepped forward, an ingratiating smile on their face. "Young Master, I’ll see you home!"
Cheng Yuan gave a slight nod and got into a Jeep to head back.
...
「Meanwhile」
An uninvited guest arrived at Lin Ruoxi’s office: her Second Uncle, Lin Xingyu.
Lin Ruoxi did not give Lin Xingyu a warm welcome. "Second Uncle?" she asked coldly. "What are you doing here?"