The Minister retorted to Clark, "What do you mean?"
Clark replied, "The answer lies in your heart. Don't try to question me. You know exactly what I mean. You sent foreigners to solve your own country's problems. Isn't that like inviting a tiger into your home?"
"You know it in the deepest part of your heart, yet you try to lie to yourself despite that knowledge. We always try to convince ourselves that life is easy. Loyalty shackles the heart. Do you see yourself as bound?"
Clark was using psychological manipulation on the Minister, not to subdue his will, but to make him see the truth. Though it was mere speculation, it might hit the mark. Now he was directing his accusation at the Emperor. The Minister adored his homeland; to him, the land of his nation was like a god.
The Minister stared at Clark in horror. He said loudly, "And what concern is it of yours? What do you know? You're just trying to make me betray my country!"
Clark responded, "No, no. Not betrayal. But if they've strayed from the path you desire, then make them understand there are limits. Isn't that right?"
The Minister fell silent and sat back down.
Clark filled a glass of alcohol for him and for himself.
Breaking the silence, Clark set down his glass after taking a sip and said, "Loyalty comes in many forms. It can be loyalty to the homeland, loyalty to the ruling family. Many kinds. Your loyalty is to the homeland. Think about it: Is it truly a good deed to let a ravenous wolf into your home to take what is rightfully yours? Does that satisfy you? Where is the proud Minister who wanted to lift the curse and restore his nation to its former glory? No one silenced you; you silenced yourself!!!"
The Minister screamed back, "And what do you know of what I endure?! I see everything! Truly, everything! The mines, everything! Everything is being ripped from me! And now you, whose whereabouts we never knew, you and your friend, you want to voice your opinion?!"
A furious rage ignited in Clark's heart. He stood up, gripping his glass, pushing his sweaty hair back. It reached its peak.
He threw the glass against the tent, shoved the table, and shouted at the Minister, pointing at him, "After all that refined, hypocritical talk, you dragged me into your problems, you honorless fool! You exploited the situation I was in! A man who lost his memory, who knows nothing about himself, and you used me to serve your interests! Yes, you're right that I don't know where I was, but I know myself truly!"
"I won't be silent about my rights! I can leave you! I can burn you all to ashes and walk away! But do you think that pleases me?! I found myself here, I see my purpose here. So let's help each other."
The Minister fell silent. Clark's words were audible outside the tent.
Brutus and the others arrived. The Minister quickly yelled at them, "Get out, you fools! This is none of your business!"
Clark's killing intent flared. He said, "No! Let them hear what the man who raised them has done! You are selling out this country! Your rule over the vast lands hinges on your capital! You scoundrels! You decorate the streets, but in truth, you bring in armies from other nations to clean up the filth you've spread everywhere!"
The listeners were shocked, especially the trio. Brutus said, "Is that true?"
They all fell to their knees.
The Minister replied, "No, my sons, it's not your fault. It's mine."
He began to cry, "It all started when I lost to a member of a lowly sect. He had no foundation of refinement, yet he shattered my aura core and I became a weak man. Then, the Emperor took advantage of that. I woke up a week after my injury to terrible news: 50, no, 100 of our abundant resources had been sold! We keep the appearance of sovereignty, but they hold the real power over those regions!"
He collapsed, weeping like a foolish child. "Soon, they overstepped all bounds to the point of annihilating a village in the forest! It was for refugees. We paid no attention, but the 'Qin Nation' entered, killed them, burned everything, and didn't care about us!"
Alisa cried out, "Fang Yuwei's village! So you knew?!"
The Minister replied, "Yes, I knew everything! It happened right before our eyes!"
Yi Lian wanted to speak, but Clark signaled for her to be silent, laughing inwardly: I've broken his pride and made him doubt himself. Now I just need to extend my hand as a passionate savior.
Soon, Clark and Gene confronted each other. Gene had been watching, waiting for this moment to offer help. Like Clark, a cunning fox.
Clark didn't speak, but he was angry. They both extended their hands to the Minister, saying, "That's the past. Now we are in the present. Let us correct these mistakes together."
The Minister smiled at them, extending his hand and wiping his tears, "Thank you both."
---
Clark returned to his tent, followed by Bai Hu and Yi Lian.
His killing intent was glowing, his demonic aura furious and agitated. He screamed from the depths of his heart, "I want... I want to kill this man! Ugh... How dare he think he can show himself like me?! I was the one who spoke, I started it all, and then he comes to reap the fruits of my labor right before my eyes! Doesn't he thank the gods that I don't want to kill him yet?! And then he challenges me, declaring, 'If you're a man, then kill me'!"
He punched the massive tent pole and struck the table, then began punching randomly, his eyes sunken with rage.
Yi Lian grabbed him and slapped him, saying, "Calm down! Don't let a small problem destroy your heart. Demonic energy feeds on such emotions, but it's a blessing hidden inside a curse. Don't let that aura consume you."
Clark calmed down, wiping the sweat pouring from his face, then said, "Then call him to me."
Bai Hu replied in surprise, "Of all people, you want to meet him?! Are you determined to kill him?!"
Clark laughed, "Of course not! My longing and anticipation for him are great, but you might need your enemy... Sorry, Yi Lian, my senior sister, we cannot defeat the will of the 'Mad Sun.' He is a person buried in history like the Venerable One. Both were buried, and we don't know why. We know only stories about the Venerable One, Lucifer, and Ornstein. Our world is deep, living in a cloud of ideas that rains down on us. I will act, and I don't care if it harms me or not, because we are walking a dangerous path!!"
Yi Lian smiled, "Really! I didn't expect you to be like this. I thought you were reckless and foolish, no different from the others, but now I understand. Don't worry, as long as Bai Hu and I are entrusted with you, you won't die. I will bring him to you. Farewell."
Clark smiled as she left, laughing inwardly: Hehehe... You fools! Enjoy me while I play the good guy for you. I throw you the hook, and you swallow it like idiots! Playing with human nature is like fishing, but you must be playful and patient like a tiger's nature. The mountain cannot hold two tigers. I fear no one, but the danger is Gene! I must be wary of him, but I don't care!!
After two minutes, Gene arrived.
He saw Clark standing before a candle in his tent, studying it intently while swirling his glass in his hand.
Gene broke the silence, "So you're angry! But hahahaha! Who do you think I am?! Naturally, I will seize your opportunity. As you said: we are strugglers, you and I. I will stab you in the back, just as you will do! I won't care! I live not for myself; there is a desire soaring in my heart... Can you see what it is?! But I will find it. Clark, you're a fool if you think you're the only wolf! No no, the world isn't like that! If you are a seasoned wolf, there are wolves more cunning and shrewd than you!"
Clark looked at him, then poured another glass and placed it on the discussion table. He sat down, took a sip of the drink, set the glass down, and said, "Yes, Gene, you're right. We can't pretend... our contempt for each other, our overwhelming desire to end each other's lives... But remember: you are just a phantom! I am smarter, stronger, braver! I am better! Do you understand that or not? Do you think if an opportunity comes, you will seize it? I want to tell you something shocking: you are cursed! And the only one who can break your curse is me!!"
Gene didn't tense up and replied calmly, "So what?!"
Clark's eyes reddened with anger. He poured the alcohol on Gene's face and said, "So what?!"
Gene retorted, "Do you want to start a fight?!"
Clark shoved the table, saying, "If I did, believe me, you would die without knowing what hit you! I will nullify the curse for you."
Gene replied, shocked, "What?!"
Clark said, "Unfortunately, I need you. I need the strong for the battle to come."
Gene asked, "What battle?! Tell me, you son of a fallen woman! It was obvious you knew everything happening around us, yet you remained silent!!"
Clark replied, "Hehehe... It amuses me to see you struggle for your lives."
Gene was angry but quickly regained his composure, "Gaining power... that is truly something great." Then he asked the question that puzzled him, "How?"
Clark replied, "Your shackles remain unbroken even though they should have opened, but the curse in your heart has even blocked the will of Ornstein, of whom only a statue remains, and you could only absorb a tiny part. The solution is me! I can break the shackles binding you, and I can reseal them if I wish."
In truth, Clark was lying. He thought to himself: I am largely truthful, but I cannot reseal him. That is a skill unique to Lucifer; after all, we are different. There are skills called 'Heavenly Blessings' and others we
can learn through our awareness, experiences, and emotions... As for Heavenly Blessings!! And another truth... the secret to breaking the shackles of humans with weak talents is something that is learned, which was discovered by the Venerable One, Lucifer's disciple, not Lucifer
himself. Because the curse that befell the people of Dranglik and Ornstein was due to
Lucifer's resentment. And the Venerable One discovered a method not to eradicate the curse, but this method is extremely dangerous. He wanted the people of the kingdom to suffer; he didn't care about them. But he only tried to use it a few times. Diving into the world of thoughts is very dangerous for mortals. It creates a strange feeling deep within your thoughts... your thoughts, the thoughts of the human you are helping to break his shackles to reach his soul!!!
Clark motioned for Gene to sit on the ground. Gene sat, and Clark stood behind him, placing his hand on his back. He said, "Now I will enter your body with my soul, and then you and I will journey into the depths of your soul."
An aura began to manifest around Clark, red and pure, a terrifying demonic soul. That aura entered Gene's body. Gene began to feel the overflowing power entering his heart!! Meanwhile, Clark began to feel exhausted and nearly lost consciousness. He felt his soul tearing apart the curse's shackles binding Gene. Clark felt it: Yes! He had reached it!
BOOM!
A massive light burst from the sky, powerful and shocking. The light struck Clark's tent where they had gathered. Everyone outside watched in shock. The sight was terrifying and insane.
Clark and Gene were at the heart of the light, looking on in astonishment. A horrifying scene! Then, Clark's eyes began to darken... and he lost consciousness!!!
To be continued.....