Chinese Novel

Back to Home

Chapter 57: The Core of Character

The Immortal Realm Traveler #340 12/11/2025
Back to Chapter List
Transformed from a cheerful young man into a gloomy, sinister king of magic, his magical eyes transition seamlessly, creating a sense of organic, natural evolution. It seems as though he has always been a being of dual nature—both righteous and wicked. His robust upper body muscles are taut, veins standing out prominently beneath his skin, his expression fierce and terrifying, like a divine warrior from hell. He struggles to break free from the cypress tree, causing the entire prison to tremble and the tree's branches to sway gently. "You've gathered so much strength? This is impossible!" the dog elder stammers, his endearing canine face expressing human-like astonishment. With veins coursing across his cheeks, resembling a mythical war god, the king of magic lifts the corner of his left lip: "The power of ancient war gods stems from the heart and the will. As long as my spirit remains unbroken, my strength shall never fade!" The Dog Elder nodded with sudden clarity: "So you've been quietly gathering strength all along..." At this, a strange expression flashed in his black-button-like eyes: "I know you hold great regard for the Prime Sovereign, but I never expected him to hold such a prominent place in your heart." For a piece of information still uncertain, he had already grown furious, nearly losing his composure and exposing powers he had carefully concealed for a long time. The evil archetype's "love and hatred" differs from ordinary people—decades of friendship may mean little to them, while a single glance, a fleeting moment of recognition, can inspire them to risk their lives. It is distorted, indeed. The Dog Elder spoke calmly: "The Prime Sovereign is not dead!" The trembling prison suddenly grew still; the tree canopy ceased its swaying. The Demon-Eye King paused, his expression momentarily confused, asking, "Why didn't you say so earlier?" The Dog Elder couldn't help but emphasize: "It was you who suddenly went mad without reason." "Ah, then that's settled!" The intensity and fury in the mage's eyes swiftly faded, and a warm, bright smile returned to his face: "What happened to him?" The dog elder remained silent for a long while, then spoke slowly: "He killed a colleague." A sudden spark of light ignited in the mage's weary eyes. Without realizing it, his head inclined forward, his gaze sharp and intense, fixed on the dog elder, his voice trembling with restrained excitement as he urgently asked: "Tell me clearly, tell me clearly..." The dog elder frowned, deeply dissatisfied with the mage's animated demeanor. "A few days ago, he went to the Qinghai branch to carry out a mission..." He then briefly recounted the events that unfolded at the Qinghai branch, concluding with a sigh: "He should have made more rational, more thoughtful choices—yet he disregarded the consequences and ended up making a serious mistake." The mage stood motionless, as if stunned. Silence settled in the prison chamber. After a long while, a deep, steady laugh emerged—growing louder, then expanding into a hearty laugh, and finally into a full-blown, joyful outburst. “Hahaha… hahaha…” The Mages’ Eye roared with laughter, utterly delighted. This was quite different from his usual reserved, half-smiling “smirk” — his laughter was full, bold, and unrestrained, echoing throughout the room with each resonant burst. “Have you laughed enough?” the Dog Elder raised his head, eyes narrowed, exasperated. “I thought you were about to be crowned emperor today!” The Mages’ Eye King ignored him, still laughing loudly. Only after a while did he finally pause, still buzzing with excitement, and eagerly asked: “Last time I saw him, I already sensed his growing intensity. What did he say when he killed someone? What was his expression like? Do you have any video footage? Quickly, send it to me—hahaha!” “Enough!” The Dog Elder seemed genuinely irritated, lifting his paw and slapping it firmly onto the ground. Vines instantly came to life, coiling around the Mages’ Eye King’s mouth, physically silencing him. After a while, once the magical eyes had calmed down, the Dog Elder waved his paw, dispelling the vines, and asked in a steady voice: "I know Yuanshǐ—he is wise, deep-thinking, skilled at weighing advantages and disadvantages, and always maintains rationality. He is far from rigid or eccentric. "Did you curse him, then? "I'd like to know exactly how you managed it." The King of the Magical Eyes lifted a corner of his mouth. "I made one mistake—I did indeed curse him, but that was merely empty rhetoric. I am only a seductive spirit, not a witch or a practitioner of witchcraft." The Dog Elder was momentarily stunned. …… Fu Family Village, basement. In a small room of thirty square meters, Zhang Yuanqing sat at a round table, gazing at the composed man across from him, wearing glasses with gold-rimmed frames, and smiled: "It's good to see you again, Doctor Sun!" The middle-aged man was refined and slender, yet carried no hint of frailty; instead, he possessed a strong, resilient dignity reminiscent of bamboo—his crisp white shirt and gold-rimmed glasses merely softened his sharp presence. This doctor was the psychologist who had evaluated and assessed the mental state of the official staff during the large-scale health examination. "I've heard about your situation," Dr. Sun sighed. "You should have come to see me sooner." "My superior had reminded me, but I didn't feel I had any issues—after all, people with mental illnesses rarely perceive themselves as having problems, don't they?" Zhang Yuanqing said with composure. Dr. Sun's eyes brightened. "So you're admitting that your mental state has been affected?" "Not really," Zhang Yuanqing shook his head and then explained. "I still don't feel that killing Wei Yuanchou was wrong. But after taking a step back and reflecting calmly, I realize that at the time, I was a bit irrational—I should have tied him up and brought him back to Songhai." "If I had been myself back then, I would have done that. I can clearly feel that I've changed significantly in recent times. So, my rational self is telling me now that perhaps I should see a psychologist." "The fact that you're willing to acknowledge your own mistakes shows there's still room for recovery." Dr. Sun nodded, easily grasping the meaning behind Yuanshǐ Tianzun's words as a seasoned psychologist. It was much like how, in the past, I was timid and hesitant, but now I am brave and fearless—clearly sensing the transformation within myself. Yet at this moment, Tianzun does not feel any deficiency, because self-awareness is inherently subjective; a madman never considers himself mad. Dr. Sun asked, "In your opinion, what caused such a distinct change in you over such a short period of time?" Zhang Yuanqing replied without hesitation: "It's the curse of the Mág Eye. That dog! He once cursed me to become as mad as he is. At the time, I didn't pay much attention, and now, without realizing it, I've gradually transformed into a Mág Eye being—what a nuisance!" Dr. Sun furrowed his brows: "But as I heard from Fu Elder, the Mág Eye never made such a curse upon you. Indeed, the spirit of the enchanting demon lacks the ability to cast curses." "I'm not entirely sure either. The dog elder also told me I haven't been cursed—yet the facts stand as they are," Zhang Yuanqing said, sighing. His moral洁癖 has intensified, leading to increasing bias and rigidity—essentially a weakened version of the legendary King of the Mystic Eyes. Dr. Sun formed this judgment and continued with the topic: "Before coming here, I've gathered as much information about you as possible. The most compelling case for me is the Copper Rooster Pavilion incident. I'd like to ask you: what's your current stance toward those powerful figures involved?" This question left Zhang Yuanqing in prolonged silence. Dr. Sun patiently waited, without pressing further, maintaining a warm and approachable smile throughout. After a long sigh, Zhang said: "I've witnessed the arrogance of the upper echelons—I'm deeply frustrated, yet powerless. I've said this before, and it remains true to my current feelings. I'm dissatisfied with the subsequent penalties imposed on the Copper Rooster Pavilion, as well as the District Public Security Office's refusal to acknowledge its mistakes. Yet, I can't change any of it. Like most people, I can only vent my frustrations in my heart." Dr. Sun quickly followed up: "And now?" Zhang Yuanqing spoke slowly: "I will probably still endure. To endure means that, perhaps, I might also act in accordance with justice." He nodded, extending the topic gently and guiding the conversation: "It's undeniable that power prevails everywhere, and fairness and justice are relative. An adult with rich social experience and life insights often finds it difficult to remain idealistic, because they've witnessed so much injustice and darkness, and no longer believe in the good. What do you think?" Zhang Yuanqing nodded: "Although you're asking me questions, I agree with your point." "Not at all—this isn't questioning. This is genuine conversation!" the doctor corrected, then listened attentively as Yuan Shǐ Tian Zūn continued: "Human nature is like this. There is a beautiful aspect, but there is also profound selfishness and darkness. Once a person acquires power, he will inevitably seek benefits for himself and for his family. As a result, he will inevitably take from those without power, giving rise to exploitation and oppression." “Zhang Yuanqing said: ‘I feel utterly powerless because I cannot change human nature.’ Doctor Sun gained an initial understanding of Yuanshish Tianzun’s mindset and grasped his psychological state, thus decisively moving into the third step—guidance. He said: ‘Indeed, human nature cannot be changed. Why not then try to coexist with it? We can view its darker aspects with greater rationality and objectivity.’ ‘What do you think?’ He looked at Yuanshish Tianzun with intense eyes. Zhang Yuanqing smiled, turned to Doctor Sun, and spoke slowly and deliberately: ‘On what grounds do I have to coexist with it?’ Doctor Sun was momentarily stunned. …… ‘It’s impossible!’ Elder Dog raised his voice: ‘Although I haven’t detected any trace of the curse in him, you have achieved your desired outcome—Yuanshish has indeed become increasingly rigid and erratic in a short period of time. That is an objective fact.’ The Mage-Eyed King smiled with a strange expression, saying: ‘Remember what he said when he came to see me?’ "The Dog Elder paused to recall," He said that greed is truly human nature. We must face this nature, acknowledge its shadowed aspects. While punishing evil and promoting good, we must also learn to blend in with the light—this is something I deeply admire. It's rational, and it's correct." The Heavenly King with the Magic Eyes laughed heartily: "Nonsense! He's just making things up. He's manipulating you—no, he's manipulating himself." "What do you mean!" the Dog Elder's expression grew serious. The Heavenly King asked: "Do you know why I hold the Prime Heavenly Sovereign in such high regard? We aren't particularly close, and I know him only somewhat. Indeed, I deeply admire his integrity—his refusal to act selfishly, his consistent fairness, and his willingness to fight fiercely for justice, even against the powerful." "Such individuals are rare, and though I've searched diligently, I've found many. Yet I've never held someone in such high esteem before. Nor have I ever regarded a just person as a true fellow traveler. This is unique—don't you find it strange?" The Dog Elder fell silent, pondering deeply, and gradually forming a hunch: "Your meaning is..." The Mage-Eye King burst into laughter: "Because that's exactly who he is—smoothness is his protective layer, masking his underlying rigidity; rationality is merely a façade he uses to dull both his own senses and those of others. He is a deeply rigid madman, harboring a wild beast within. From the very first time I met him, I sensed a kinship with Yuan-Shi, the Primordial Sovereign—despite his careful disguise. He is destined to be my companion. Together, we will walk the path of purifying the world, forging a realm free from oppression, free from power, truly just and equitable." The Mage-Eye's enthusiastic laughter echoed throughout the room. "The biggest difference is that I'm rational, while he isn't... Zhang Yuanqing mused, saying, "I know this sounds rather biased. By the way, let me give you an example, Dr. Sun. Suppose you see a pile of dog droppings on the street, and you happen to have both the time and the tools to clean it up—would you go ahead and clean it up?" "I would!" Dr. Sun nodded. "So, when I was still just an ordinary person, I could only quietly complain about injustices because I knew I had no power to act. But now, once I have the ability to remove all the filth and mess, why should I still endure it? Why should I continue to coexist with it? Coexistence is simply a compromise born out of helplessness." Zhang Yuanqing expressed his true inner thoughts. "Your analogy was not quite accurate. The correct one would be: if I see someone robbing someone on the street, I would stop them, take them to the police station, and let the law handle the punishment." "Dr. Sun said, 'Rather than cutting off the robber's hands, it's only when judicial power falls into the hands of individuals that injustice arises to the vulnerable. At the very beginning, what would become of order if everyone were as you are?' Zhang Yuanqing countered, 'Have you ever thought about this? When you take that robber to the police station, he turns out to be the brother-in-law of the station chief, and within a day, he's released—then he continues his robberies. Isn't that fair to the vulnerable?' 'If you insist on arguing that there will naturally be legal consequences for the chief and his brother-in-law, then my example still stands. Perhaps the head of the inspection team is their sister's husband, after all.' ... Dr. Sun thought to himself, 'I'm almost convinced by you.' He took a deep breath and spoke as gently as possible, 'As we discussed earlier, human nature is flawed and requires accountability. The Five Elements Alliance has never ceased its investigations and disciplinary actions against officers found guilty of misconduct. Your example is merely an isolated case—what you're presenting is a case of changing the subject.' "If everyone did what you're doing, the world would come unraveled." Zhang Yuanqing remained silent, having spoken little for a long time, as though he had no words to defend himself. As Dr. Sun prepared to further shape his perspective, Zhang Yuanqing lowered his head and softly said, "Have you heard of Mr. Wei Yuanzhou's grandfather?" "Yes, I have," Dr. Sun replied. "Then, who speaks up for him? Who brings him justice? You talk about organizational discipline and punishment—yet, for all these years, the organization has never disciplined him, never given him justice? Would he have been willing to go to extremes if it weren't for being completely out of options? Ancient sages said, 'When things are unbalanced, they cry out.' When no one returns to me justice and fairness, I naturally cry out." Zhang Yuanqing said. "And people like him are not isolated cases. In fact, I'm not even sure whether the 'continuous punishment' you speak of applies to most people, leaving only a few survivors, or whether it's confined to a small group—leaving countless others who should have been punished still at large." "The Five Elements Alliance handles groups that break the law and commit misconduct—yet perhaps not as many as the powerful magnates eliminated by the Mago's eyes in just one year. Isn't it possible that most of the plunderers and lawbreakers have actually remained unpunished, drifting freely throughout their lives? Maybe they'll never be held accountable at all. "Then, what grounds do you have to say I'm wrong?" Dr. Sun remained silent for a moment. Zhang Yuanqing continued: "I killed Wei Yuanchu, yet I wasn't particularly satisfied, because although Wei Yuanchu deserved to die, he was also a victim. The outcome of this matter was that a once-cherished family was left without any heirs. "So what exactly caused this outcome—was it me? "Of course, I admit my approach fell short; I acted impulsively, and I could have handled it more thoughtfully. But that's because I had the means and the channels to ensure Wei Yuanchu received justice. "Yet, Dr. Sun, many others simply have no one to turn to." The room fell silent. Dr. Sun paused for a long time, then stood up and said, "I now understand your thoughts. I believe our consultation session today is no longer necessary." He gave a slight nod and left the room. Fu Qingyang's face darkened. With his elbow resting on the table, he spoke slowly: "We still don't know exactly how the magical eye casts its curse. The Dog Elder has already gone to investigate the magical eye. I'll share the results with you shortly, hoping they may inspire your treatment plan." Upon seeing Dr. Sun hesitating, Fu Qingyang slightly furrowed his brow, "What is it? Please go ahead." Dr. Sun nodded and said, "Perhaps the magical eye has never actually cursed him at all." Fu Qingyang was taken aback, "What do you mean?" Dr. Sun adjusted his words and said, "During the initial health examination, I asked about his family environment. The Prime Immortal lost his father at an early age and was left with his grandparents, who provided little oversight. "A child suddenly living in a foreign environment experiences significant impact. If, during his school years, he also frequently faced bullying..." Fu Qingyang's expression grew increasingly grave, and he coldly interrupted, "So what exactly are you trying to say?" Dr. Sun chuckled, saying, "Is it possible that this is truly the original Master Tianzun? His skill in networking and adaptability is actually a choice he made to fit the environment. The rationality we've observed before is no exception. "On the surface, he appears open-minded and sociable, but his true nature is more rigid—firm, unyielding. "I once noted in my evaluation that he is a metaphysical thinker... this is merely one facet of his authentic personality." Seeing Fu Qingyang listening intently with a serious expression, he continued, "Since becoming a spiritual journeyer, his abilities have grown stronger and his rank has risen steadily. Subconsciously, he no longer feels the need to conceal himself, so he has gradually begun to reveal his genuine self." Fu Qingyang frowned, saying, "No, Master Yuanshǐ isn't like that. If his entire demeanor is merely a performance, wouldn't I have noticed?" Dr. Sun remarked, "This is quite possible. For instance, he may not even be aware of his true personality himself. For example, the 'second personality' we often refer to!"