Inner Demons

But the old man shook his head and smiled in the dark. "I originally said I would leave in a month, but some changes have occurred now. This old man will leave now. However, you must know—retribution will come, and the Way of Heaven exists. When you stand between Heaven and Earth, you don't need to aspire to embrace the world, but you must live with an open heart."

"There is one thing you must also know." The old man looked intently at Li Yunxin. "Some people might have this illusion—that everything in this world goes according to their will. Calamities are surely resolved, and misfortunes surely turn into blessings, as if the world's destiny resides with them. So, their realm is a little higher, and their perspective is a little broader..."

"They think they are the chosen one of Heaven or fate."

"But many times, things are not that simple. The fortune you receive may not be fortune. You are also someone who likes to set up schemes; you should understand the thoughts of the people within your scheme. Fortune might be given by others. Since it can be given, it can also be taken away. There is a recent example—wasn't that Lingkongzi a darling of Heaven? Her former arrogance would not have been less than yours is now."

"You mean someone is helping me," Li Yunxin immediately said. "I know this. But why? What do the Daoist Orthodoxy, Demons, and the Mutual Aid Society want me to do?"

His words were urgent, one sentence closely following the next.

Because he saw the old man's body gradually stoop and weaken at a visible speed.

But the old man could no longer reply to him—he was like a withering tree.

Before Li Yunxin could utter another sentence, the old man collapsed softly, devoid of his previous divine power and aura.