CHAPTER 29: EXIST WITHOUT REASON
---
Deep within the endless jungle, Wang Zhongyu ran for his life.
Behind him—
a massive five-headed beast roared violently.
Its body towered high above him, each scale resembling rough stone glowing with faint crimson light. Every step it took shook the forest floor.
The beast was fast.
Far too fast.
---
ROOOAAARRR!!!
---
The deafening roar echoed across the jungle as the creature chased him relentlessly.
Branches shattered.
Trees collapsed.
The ground trembled beneath its weight.
---
Wang Zhongyu pushed his body to its limit, sprinting through the dense forest without stopping.
His breathing grew heavier.
His vision blurred slightly.
But he did not stop running.
---
Then—
he saw it.
A cave.
---
Without hesitation, Zhongyu rushed toward it and immediately entered.
The darkness swallowed him instantly.
Behind him, the beast forced its enormous body into the cave entrance, roaring furiously as rocks cracked around it.
---
Zhongyu took a deep breath.
Then exploded forward with the last of his strength.
His speed surged suddenly, creating distance between himself and the monster.
---
He continued deeper into the cave—
until he suddenly stopped.
---
Ahead of him—
there was nowhere left to run.
---
At the very end of the cave was a massive underground river flowing violently into a gigantic waterfall below.
Zhongyu looked left.
Then right.
Nothing.
No path.
No escape.
---
ROOOAAARRR!!!
---
The beast's roar shook the entire cave.
The sound was so overwhelming that Zhongyu covered his ears instinctively as rocks began falling from above.
The cave trembled violently.
---
Zhongyu slowly closed his eyes.
"...It's the only choice."
---
Then—
he jumped.
---
The beast reached the edge moments later.
Its glowing eyes locked onto Zhongyu as he fell toward the raging river below.
---
ROOOAAARRR!!!
---
Without hesitation—
the beast jumped after him.
---
SPLASH!!!
---
The freezing river swallowed both of them instantly.
Zhongyu surfaced first and immediately began swimming with everything he had.
Behind him—
the five-headed beast swam rapidly through the water, chasing him even faster than before.
---
Zhongyu gritted his teeth and forced his exhausted body forward toward the distant waterfall ahead.
Closer.
Closer.
---
Then suddenly—
CRUNCH!!!
---
One of the beast's heads bit directly into Zhongyu's left arm.
---
"AAAGHHH!!!"
---
Pain exploded through his body.
Blood spread across the river instantly.
Zhongyu looked back in horror as the beast tore away a large piece of his left arm and swallowed it whole.
---
The waterfall was directly ahead now.
There was no stopping anymore.
---
Both Zhongyu and the beast were dragged over the edge.
---
The world flipped violently.
Wind screamed past them.
---
As they fell, Zhongyu gathered the last of his strength and kicked the beast away with all his power.
The force separated them midair.
---
The beast crashed head-first onto a massive stone below.
CRACK!!!
Its skull shattered instantly upon impact as blood exploded across the rocks.
The enormous body twitched once—
then became motionless.
Dead.
---
Meanwhile—
Zhongyu crashed violently into the river below.
---
BOOM!!!
---
The impact devastated his body.
For a moment, he lost all hearing.
Only silence remained.
---
Half-conscious, Zhongyu forced himself upward through the water using only his right arm and legs.
Slowly.
Painfully.
---
Eventually—
he reached the riverbank.
---
He collapsed onto the wet ground, breathing heavily.
His entire body trembled from exhaustion and blood loss.
---
For a long moment—
he simply lay there staring at the sky above.
Silent.
Empty.
---
Then slowly—
Wang Zhongyu stood up.
---
Blood continued dripping from what remained of his left arm.
Yet his expression remained calm.
Almost numb.
---
Without looking back—
he began walking toward the unknown forest ahead.
Alone.
---
CHAPTER 29: THE JOURNEY BEGINS
---
Wang Zhongyu walked through the jungle weakly.
His breathing was uneven.
Blood continued dripping from what remained of his left arm.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
---
He coughed violently.
Blood stained the corner of his mouth.
His vision blurred slightly as exhaustion slowly consumed him.
---
Then—
he looked forward.
---
In the distance stood a massive entrance gate.
Ancient stone walls stretched high into the sky.
Countless figures moved in and out beneath the enormous archway.
---
Mason City.
---
Zhongyu took a deep breath.
Then slowly rushed toward the entrance with the little strength he had left.
---
After entering the city—
noise surrounded him instantly.
Merchants shouted loudly.
Carriages moved through the streets.
Cultivators and strange beings walked everywhere.
The city was alive.
Yet none of it had anything to do with him.
---
Zhongyu walked quietly through the crowded streets.
Then—
he stopped.
---
Ahead of him was a large food inn.
Countless beings sat outside eating warm meals while laughter and conversation filled the air.
The smell alone made Zhongyu's stomach tighten painfully.
---
Growl...
---
His stomach growled loudly.
---
"...I'm so hungry..."
---
He stared silently at the food for a moment.
Then slowly walked closer.
---
Zhongyu stood nearby quietly, waiting for the eaters to finish.
Minutes passed.
Finally—
one man stood up from his seat.
He carried his leftover food toward a nearby garbage container and casually threw it away.
Then turned to leave.
---
Zhongyu immediately lowered his head respectfully.
"...Senior brother..."
"...Can I eat your leftovers?"
---
The man stopped walking.
Slowly—
he turned around.
---
The moment he saw Zhongyu's filthy appearance, his expression twisted in disgust.
---
"Trash like you dares speak to me?"
---
Before Zhongyu could react—
the man grabbed him by the throat instantly.
---
BANG!!!
---
Zhongyu was slammed violently into the ground.
His head struck the stone hard enough to split the skin open.
Blood flowed from his forehead and nose immediately.
His vision blurred heavily.
---
The man stepped on Zhongyu's back viciously.
CRACK.
---
"If I see you touch that garbage..."
"...I'll kill you here."
---
Then—
KICK!!!
---
Zhongyu's body rolled across the ground violently.
He coughed blood repeatedly.
---
Yet—
none of the surrounding beings cared.
Some glanced briefly.
Others continued eating.
No one stepped forward.
To them—
it was nothing unusual.
---
After a long while—
Zhongyu slowly stood again.
Weakly.
Silently.
---
He left the crowded streets and continued walking alone.
---
Eventually—
he reached the seaside.
---
The sound of waves echoed softly across the shore.
The wind moved gently through the air.
---
Zhongyu slowly sat down on the cold sand.
His exhausted eyes looked toward the water quietly.
Watching.
Searching.
For fish.
---
Wang Zhongyu slowly walked closer toward the sea.
The cold wind brushed against his face as waves quietly reached the shore.
His tired eyes scanned the water carefully.
Then—
he spotted a fish.
Far away beneath the surface.
---
"...Too far."
---
Zhongyu stared at the deep sea silently.
"...And the water is deep."
---
After a moment, he spoke quietly to himself.
"...I should find a tool first."
---
He looked left.
Then right.
---
Not far away—
countless thin trees stretched across the land.
---
Without hesitation, Zhongyu immediately walked toward them.
---
Soon—
he entered the small forest area filled with thin trees and tangled plants.
The surroundings were quiet.
Only the sound of wind moved through the branches.
---
Zhongyu spotted several long thin sticks nearby.
He slowly approached them carefully.
Step by step.
---
Once he got close enough—
he looked left and right cautiously.
Then down at the ground.
Searching for something to test the sticks safely.
---
Nothing.
---
"...There's nothing I can use..."
---
Zhongyu remained silent for a moment.
Then sighed softly.
"...I'll use my robes."
---
Slowly and carefully, he removed part of his robe while avoiding pressure on his injured left arm.
The moment he looked at it—
his gaze paused slightly.
The flesh around the wound had already turned dark purple.
---
Zhongyu took a deep breath.
Then wrapped the cloth around his right hand like a glove.
Carefully—
he touched one of the thin sticks.
---
Nothing happened.
---
A faint sense of relief appeared in his eyes.
---
Slowly, Zhongyu bent the stick.
CRACK.
---
It broke cleanly.
Still nothing happened.
---
After confirming it was safe, he continued breaking more of them carefully.
---
Later—
Zhongyu walked back toward the seaside.
Ten thin sticks rested across his shoulder while a small rock remained in his right hand.
---
Once he arrived—
he carefully placed the sticks onto the sand.
Then sat down quietly.
---
He picked up one stick.
Placed the small rock against it.
And slowly began grinding the tip repeatedly.
---
SCRAPE.
SCRAPE.
SCRAPE.
---
Time passed quietly.
---
Eventually—
the tip became sharp.
---
Zhongyu looked at it silently.
Then faintly smiled.
"...Done."
---
Slowly, he stood up.
Then walked into the sea.
Cold water rose to his knees.
---
His eyes carefully searched the surface.
Left.
Right.
Waiting.
Watching.
---
Then—
he saw one.
A fish moving slowly toward the left side.
---
Zhongyu carefully stepped closer.
Small waves formed around his legs.
---
He tightened his grip on the sharpened stick.
Then—
THROW!!
---
The spear shot through the water.
But missed.
The fish immediately fled.
---
"...I missed."
---
Zhongyu walked forward and retrieved the stick silently.
Then searched again.
---
Another fish appeared.
THROW!!
Missed again.
---
Another.
Missed.
Again.
Again.
And again.
---
But Zhongyu did not stop.
---
Time passed slowly.
His body grew weaker.
His breathing became heavier.
His right arm trembled from exhaustion.
---
Yet—
he continued searching.
---
Finally—
he spotted another fish near the right side.
---
Zhongyu narrowed his eyes.
Then used every remaining bit of strength left in his body.
---
THROW!!!
---
The sharpened stick pierced directly into the fish.
---
The moment it happened—
joy filled Zhongyu's exhausted face.
---
He immediately rushed forward and grabbed the stick along with the struggling fish.
---
"...I got it..."
---
He returned toward the sand and slowly sat down again.
The fish remained in his hands.
Still moving weakly.
---
Zhongyu looked around quietly.
"...There's no fire here."
---
He glanced toward the distant city.
"...And if I go searching for something to cook this..."
"...I don't know what might be waiting there."
---
Silence.
---
"...I'll just eat it."
---
Zhongyu swallowed softly.
Then slowly peeled away the fish skin.
The flesh beneath was orange-colored while its eyes remained pure white.
---
He bit into the raw flesh carefully.
Then slowly chewed.
---
"...It's hard."
---
Another bite.
---
"...And the taste is terrible."
---
He lowered his gaze slightly.
"...But I don't have a choice."
---
And so—
Zhongyu continued eating the raw fish quietly beneath the cold sea wind.
---
Eventually—
he finished.
---
He sat silently on the sand afterward, staring toward the endless sea.
The wind was peaceful.
The waves calm.
For the first time since arriving here—
everything felt quiet.
---
Then Zhongyu spoke softly.
"...I need to find a shelter for now."
---
Slowly—
he stood up again.
---
He wore his robe carefully once more.
Placed the remaining thin sticks across his shoulder.
Held the small rock tightly in his right hand.
---
Then—
he looked toward Mason City in the distance.
A faint smile appeared on his exhausted face.
---
Zhongyu took a deep breath.
And started walking.