My Arms Can Turn into Blades-Chapter 291 - 198: Descent into Depravity

"Influence...?"

Li Zheng looked around at his fellow comrades for the first time feeling at a loss.

Just now, when Chen Lusi couldn't sense the external Spirit, he was only shocked but not to the extent of being at a loss.

At this moment.

He genuinely experienced the power of the 'Anomaly Realm'.

"So what should I do?"

After a long time.

Li Zheng barely calmed down and asked, "Should I go and ask them to clarify?"

"Whether it's a switch or an influence by something, asking definitely won't work. Finding the source of the pollution and the main body of the anomaly is the only way to solve it.

But you can try to probe around, and at the same time, keep an eye on whether anyone else shows abnormal behavior..."

Saying this.

Chen Lusi paused, but eventually continued the latter part of his words, "Since we all came in together, if Zhou Jian and Ma Bo have both been affected... then the situation might be worse than we imagined."

"Alright."

Upon hearing this, Li Zheng was silent for a long time, then responded and turned to find Zhou Jian.

"Additionally, if you notice I'm not behaving normally, you can try to directly remind me. If I still haven't returned to normal..."

Chen Lusi called him back and pointed to himself, "Then don't believe anything I say. We don't know what the main body of the anomaly wants. Don't take risks."

Li Zheng paused, then nodded with difficulty and continued walking toward Zhou Jian.

...

Although the palace complex seemed far away.

In reality, it didn't take long to reach. It felt like only a short while had passed when they arrived at the outskirts of the first palace complex.

Along the way... the group seemed to get along with the 'locals'. The locals seemed oblivious to Chen Lusi and the others, as if they couldn't see them.

Even though Chen Lusi's clothing clearly didn't match the surroundings.

Even though so many of them were gathered together.

The only interaction Chen Lusi had with them was when he pulled out a gun.

At other times.

They acted as if they were blind.

As for Ma Bo and Zhou Jian.

As the distance increased, the former finally stopped staring in one direction and instead focused on the palace complex ahead.

Zhou Jian was talking with Li Zheng the whole way, but what they discussed remains unknown until they neared the palace complex, where they both looked up at the complex ahead.

As they got closer.

The palace, which appeared grand and majestic from a distance... was actually terrifying.

Because the structure seemed alive.

The palace walls intertwined, pavilions overlapped, rooftops glued together, various architectural components continually squirmed and changed shape, barely maintaining the intricate architectural wonder seen from afar.

It was like... an indescribable entity wrapped in the skin of architecture.

"..."

Many from the Security Army gasped when they saw the specific appearance of the palace.

And Chen Lusi, looking at the intertwining and squirming palace, felt nauseous.

They all stood at the outskirts of the palace, unsure what to do despite having reached it.

The one in front, Li Zheng instinctively looked at Chen Lusi again.

Chen Lusi pondered, took a few steps forward, then passed Li Zheng, approached the palace wall, hesitated for a moment, and slowly reached out his hand.

"Chen Lusi."

Seeing this, Li Zheng became a bit anxious and immediately called out to him.

Chen Lusi did not respond.

Just watching would not get them out.

He couldn't possibly place all his hopes on rescue.

So, no matter what, he needed to figure out what this was...

With that thought.

Chen Lusi directly extended his hand and pressed it against the squirming palace wall ahead of him.

And the palace wall that was squirming and changing form immediately froze.

Next.

Chen Lusi's action seemed to break the rules of this bizarre structure.

The palace wall, which could barely maintain its form, collapsed inward like a liquid, twisting and reconstructing.

Everyone was dumbfounded by this sudden change as they hadn't yet reacted.

The palace wall became a canvas, suddenly reconstructing a scene of an ancient court assembly.

The sound of debate arose along with it.

"Your Majesty! Think thrice! That Hou Jing is fickle, and the traitorous generals harbor ulterior motives!"

"Do not speak nonsense to confuse the masses. His Majesty extends kindness across the land, and the enemy generals are about to be inspired to surrender. This is fate; how can it be rejected?!"

"Haha, that's right, with Jing, the northern frontier will be clear; this opportunity must not be missed! Issue the decree!"

"..."

Chen Lusi was slightly startled, then after a brief silence, turned back to look at the Security Army member who first identified the palace as 'Jiankang Palace'.

"Hou Jing's surrender to Liang."

The Security Army member simply replied with four words.

The scene on the palace wall rotated and reconstructed again.

"Your Majesty! Hou Jing intends to rebel! You cannot continue to indulge him!"

"Jing is isolated and depends on me for his life; how could he possibly rebel?"

...

"Your Majesty! He has truly rebelled!"

"Say no more! Jing has no intention of crossing the river!"

...

"Your Majesty! The rebel army has captured Huainan's governor, Xiao Ning! The main force has reached Cihu!"

"What!?"

...

"Your Majesty! Hou Jing has piled up earth mountains east and west of the city, driving civilians regardless of status, beating them indiscriminately. Those weak and tired are killed to fill the mountains, their cries shaking the earth!"

"..."

...

"Your Majesty! Hou Jing has already occupied the entire city."

"..."

...

"Heh! Heh!"

"Your Majesty! I already told you! Impossible!"

...

The final scene appeared.

An elderly man, issuing unwilling huffs, finally breathed his last.

Then the historian lifted his brush and wrote a sentence—"In the third year of Taiqing, in May, Bingshen day, the Emperor lay sick in Jingju Hall, complained of a bitter mouth, and sought honey but could not find any, twice said, "Ha! Ha!" thus he passed away."