Chapter Seventy-Four: A Struggle to the Death

Back at my workstation, I found myself utterly unable to focus, my mind awash with a torrent of images. I couldn't distinguish truth from illusion; everything seemed shrouded in mist, as if I were chasing shadows in a dream. Unaware of the passage of time, I suddenly realized it was already two in the morning. The entire workshop remained engulfed in relentless activity.

I observed everyone intently, searching for answers in their faces. Yet, no matter how closely I watched, there was nothing out of the ordinary about them. It was me who appeared deranged, drawing puzzled glances from my colleagues. Sun Wenwen even approached and asked, “Chu Yun, are you alright?”

I shook my head in silence. Then, a sudden thought struck me—perhaps there was a way to discern which world was real. I recalled the method of the Ninefold Palace Shadow Arts imparted to me by the Emperor. If I could summon purple lightning in my palm, then everything here would be an illusion.

Silently, I began to circulate the technique, and in an instant, purple lightning crackled in my hand. Witnessing this, I was jolted fully awake, as if doused from head to toe in icy water. My heart pounded. Hurriedly, I withdrew the lightning, furtively glancing around—fortunately, no one had noticed.

Had anyone seen, the consequences would be unimaginable. I still had no idea where these people truly came from, but I was certain: all of them were under some evil influence. I dared not act rashly. First, I had to understand why these people were here.

Feigning composure, I rose from my post, my eyes flickering to the busy workers. At some point, their faces had grown grotesque and twisted, barely human. My heart leaped to my throat. Anyone in my position would feel the same.

Now, with the Black Jiao gone and uncertain whether the Crimson-Eyed Demon Pupil still lingered within me, I had only myself to rely on. I came to a sobering realization: in this world, one can only depend on oneself—no matter how powerful others may be, they won’t always be there to help.

Steeling myself, I struggled to remain calm. At a moment like this, I dared not betray a hint of anxiety. Step by step, I made my way toward the restroom, each movement as perilous as treading on thin ice, terrified that a single misstep would see me torn apart by those monstrous faces.

Just as I was about to slip into the restroom, everyone in the workshop suddenly stood up in unison. Every eye fixed upon me, and within their gazes I saw only resentment and malice. The atmosphere froze as if solidified. Though I’d faced horrors before, I couldn’t still the storm in my heart.

Facing those twisted visages, a few seconds stretched into an eternity. I longed to bolt, but I knew that the moment I moved, I’d become their target. But even standing still, I’d already become the target—someone was already charging at me.

The first to rush over was a worker from Line Three, commonly called Skinny Monkey on the floor. He was short and thin, hence the nickname, but his speed and dexterity were unmatched—no surprise he’d be the first to reach me.

Clearly, escape was impossible. If I was doomed, I’d fight to the bitter end. I’d weathered countless battles—coping with him for a while wouldn’t be beyond me.

Skinny Monkey lunged at me without a word, swinging a fist at my temple—he meant to kill. I stepped back, dodging the blow. Even through the air, I could feel the wind from his punch slice past my face. He’d thrown everything he had into that strike; had it landed, I’d be finished. Who would have thought, for someone so wiry, he fought with such ferocity?

Missing with his punch, he immediately kicked at me, swift and relentless. I blocked with both hands, but underestimated his strength—my arms went numb from the impact. Before I could recover, another punch flew my way. I darted aside, evading his attack, shaking out my hands to restore feeling.

In that moment, I knew I couldn’t afford mercy—I had to fight for my life. It was also a chance to test my current fighting skills.

Now, instead of dodging, I went on the offensive. My fist collided with his, and I heard a sharp crack—his bones had snapped. Yet even with a broken arm, he showed no sign of pain, attacking me with undiminished fury. Soon, a swarm of people charged at me.

Among them were my cousin, Zhang Kai, and Sun Wenwen. But I couldn’t bring myself to strike them. The workshop was utter chaos, and I was like a cornered rat, desperately scurrying about, battered from all sides.

Several times, I tried to flee to the door, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t open it. Everyone pursued me relentlessly, and soon I was bleeding from multiple wounds. My black leather jacket was shredded to rags—I must have looked utterly wretched. But I couldn’t afford to stop. If I did, I’d be dead for sure.

The method of the Ninefold Palace Shadow Arts churned within me, purple lightning swirling around my hands. Adrenaline surged through my body as I fought back with all my might, felling anyone who stood in my way with a single blow. I showed no mercy to anyone but my cousin and the others I cared about. For the rest, I fought with lethal intent—my survival depended on it.

As the saying goes: if you don’t look out for yourself, heaven and earth will destroy you.

Seeing those who came at me, I seized a chair and smashed it down on their heads. Soon, bodies littered the floor, but it wasn’t long before they began to rise, blood gushing, the stench of gore thickening in the air.

No matter how fiercely I fought, this couldn’t go on. My strength and spiritual power were draining fast, and panic clawed at me. I had to find a way to keep them down for good.

I retreated, thinking desperately, but no solution came to me. Without realizing it, I was forced into a dead end. A mass of people hemmed me in, all scrambling to get at me.

In that instant, despair chilled me to the bone. In my mind, I called out wildly for the Crimson-Eyed Demon Pupil—my last hope, the only card left to play.

But no matter how I called, there was no response. I knew, then, that I had truly reached the edge of death.