Jing Li paused his movements, subconsciously taking a few steps forward to help steady Zhang Weixi’s swaying body.
However, before he could touch Zhang Weixi, the staggering figure suddenly regained his balance and slowly straightened his posture.
At the same time, Zhang Weixi’s aura changed instantly, gradually reverting to the aggressive and sharp demeanor that Jing Li had seen before.
Even the top of his head gradually formed clusters of black mist, instantly enveloping the meager wisps of spiritual energy and further weakening them.
For some unknown reason, the reformed black mist appeared unstable, restlessly drifting around instead of settling atop his head, creating a chaotic scene.
Jing Li silently observed with narrowed eyes, then withdrew his hand and resumed his stance, though the spiritual power in his palm remained condensed, prepared for any contingency.
He calmly remarked, “What’s this, no more pretense?”
“Look at Jing-laoshi’s words. It’s just a shell. I don’t believe that with your insight, you can’t see through it.” The figure in front paused for a moment, then slowly turned around with a smile, looking at Jing Li with a grin. “Besides, even if I had ten times more courage, I wouldn’t dare to be presumptuous in front of you.”
He unabashedly admitted the possession.
“Not to mention that my master is still earnestly awaiting your response. My meager abilities are hardly worth your attention, Jing-laoshi.”
Zhang Weixi’s smile grew broader, but his tone betrayed an arrogant nonchalance that contradicted his humble words. He exuded an audacious demeanor reinforced by his sharp aura, as if certain that Jing Li could not harm him.
His disregard for human life further highlighted his arrogance.
Considering possession a trivial matter, he moved directly to the main topic. “Speaking of which, has Jing-laoshi considered our offer? Your urgency in summoning me here, could it be that you’ve decided to join us?”
“If so, I must apologize for my earlier disrespect. I hope Jing-laoshi can forgive me.”
His presumptuous manner made it seem as though Jing Li had already agreed, needing only to be introduced to his master. He sounded even more arrogant and conceited than before.
However, Jing Li keenly sensed a hint of anxiety in his eyes.
The more desperate he appeared, the more suspicious Jing Li became. As he spoke, the black mist atop his head grew increasingly turbulent, seeming to struggle against dispersing, while the enveloped spiritual energy grew fainter.
“Zhang-laoshi, your dedication to your master is admirable, not forgetting to advocate for him even in a few words.”
Jing Li studied him for a moment, then responded leisurely, “However, your invitation lacks sincerity. You invited me to join half a month ago, only to disappear without a trace. Now you’ve decided my course of action on your own.”
Pausing, Jing Li pursed his lips and stared at his eyes intently, “Why does this sound so unreliable to me?”
“Jing-laoshi, do you intend to refuse?”
Zhang Weixi’s expression darkened upon hearing Jing Li’s words. “Allow me to clarify, Jing-laoshi. My master is willing to invite you because he values your abilities and doesn’t wish to see them wasted.”
“But if Jing-laoshi truly declines this gracious invitation, then don’t blame my master for being merciless.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Zhang Weixi suddenly laughed. “Jing-laoshi’s formidable skills may make you underestimate us, but I wonder if Mr. Jing and Mr. Gu could also…”
He trailed off intentionally, but the implied threat remained clear.
Jing Li’s eyes narrowed dangerously, nearly unable to stop himself from unleashing the condensed spiritual power in his palm. But realizing he had yet to extract useful information, he restrained himself at the crucial moment.
He stared intently at Zhang Weixi for a moment before scoffing derisively. “Is this your master’s hospitality?”
“Never mind that I know nothing about your Dark Forest, but even if you want me to join, you must first tell me the specific terms and content of our cooperation, right?”
“Or do you intend to deceive me outright, only to exploit me later?”
Jing Li appraised Zhang Weixi up and down disdainfully. “Don’t tell me this is how you were ‘invited’ as well? If so, don’t you feel any resentment or indignation?”
As the words left his lips, a flash of malice appeared in Zhang Weixi’s eyes, gradually giving way to more complex emotions and causing the black mist around him to grow even more turbulent.
Yet, as if restrained by something, he forcibly suppressed his emotions.
“If Jing-laoshi is willing to join, we’ll have someone brief you on the specifics,” Zhang Weixi said coldly, displeased by Jing Li’s earlier remarks and dismissing any pretense of courtesy. “But I advise Jing-laoshi against any tricks. If you anger my master, you’ll be the one to suffer.”
Jing Li raised an eyebrow without responding.
Zhang Weixi clearly did not want to say much more to him, and his current state did not allow for further delay. He steadied his emotions before asking directly, “So, has Jing-laoshi made a decision?”
“No rush.” Jing Li studied Zhang Weixi’s increasingly unstable condition for a few seconds. Seeing his darkening expression and the reactive turbulence of the black mist, Jing Li calmly replied, “I’ll decide after your people explain the cooperation terms and plan.”
“Furthermore, since we all intend to remain hidden among ordinary humans, it’s best to follow human rules and not forget your true identity.”
Was this a warning against overstepping boundaries?
Zhang Weixi felt a flash of anger, wishing he could engage Jing Li in battle were it not for his master’s consideration.
Even though he managed to restrain himself, his expression betrayed his frustration.
“Very well, I’ll convey your words to my master.” Zhang Weixi gave Jing Li a cold look before turning to leave. After a few steps, still dissatisfied, he sneered, “But I’ll advise Jing-laoshi as well – don’t entertain any unrealistic notions. Once my master finds the time, he won’t be so easy to deal with…”
“So your master has encountered some trouble recently?” Jing Li keenly noticed the revealing detail.
Zhang Weixi’s expression changed, as he realized his slip of the tongue. With a cold snort, he hurried away, his rushed pace betraying unease as his aura grew increasingly chaotic.
After just a few steps, he suddenly stumbled and collapsed to the ground.
Jing Li remained where he stood, making no move to approach.
After waiting several minutes with no sign of Zhang Weixi getting up, he noticed the black mist around him had dissipated, leaving only a faint wisp of spiritual energy feebly circling his head.
It seemed the entity had already left this body.
However, Jing Li did not let down his guard. After observing for a while, he stepped forward and kicked Zhang Weixi’s leg. “Hey.”
The figure on the ground remained motionless.
Jing Li hesitated briefly before crouching down, reinforcing his spiritual power in case of a sneak attack.
He reached out and lightly pushed Zhang Weixi. His touch met with soft and limp flesh, devoid of any strength, giving the impression that the person had indeed fainted.
Jing Li checked Zhang Weixi’s pulse, then reached for the back of his neck, both to test if he was real and to gain full control over him.
Even when Jing Li’s hand touched his nape, Zhang Weixi remained still.
It seemed that whatever had inhabited the body had truly departed in a hurry.
Recalling Zhang Weixi’s unstable state and parting words about his “master finding time,” Jing Li deduced the mastermind must have encountered some issue, affecting the puppet he controlled.
Perhaps he could investigate any recent major disturbances or abnormalities that might lead to the mastermind’s trail.
With this thought, Jing Li sent Hu Li a message explaining the situation and asking him to discreetly look into it. He then flipped Zhang Weixi onto his back and used his spiritual power to search his memories from afar.
There were indeed no memories of their previous meal at Miwei Private Restaurant or of how he had connected with Wu Xiaojun.
In the recent memories, there was a segment where Wu Xiaojun had called to discuss a collaboration, but Zhang Weixi, himself, had hung up on him, thinking he was crazy.
It seemed the entity had likely been in control previously but had encountered some issues, causing a temporary lapse that allowed Zhang Weixi’s consciousness to resurface briefly.
Having confirmed his suspicions, Jing Li searched Zhang Weixi’s memories for anything suspicious and found an odd recollection along with the face of a strange man.
The man appeared to be in his thirties, with dark, cold eyes and an ominous aura strikingly similar to the entity’s.
In the memory, the man had approached Zhang Weixi and his assistant after Zhang Weixi joined the crew for a drama adaptation of Yan Qing’s work, under the pretext of a collaboration.
While the specifics were discussed with Zhang Weixi’s manager, the memory showed them signing a contract, exchanging pleasantries, and the man gifting Zhang Weixi a present before parting ways.
Later, Zhang Weixi and his assistant returned to their car. The curious assistant opened the gift box, revealing a black jade pendant identical to the one Jing Li had previously received, except for a slight variation in patterns.
The assistant muttered uneasily, “Why does this pendant look a bit evil? It’s giving me the creeps.”
Zhang Weixi shot him a warning glance, cautioning him to be careful with his words.
After that, there were no further scenes involving the man.
It seemed this was the true opportunity for Zhang Weixi to be possessed, with the “evil” jade pendant gifted by the man being the key medium.
To sever the possession, he would likely need to obtain that jade pendant first. Forcibly severing the connection was possible but risky – Zhang Weixi’s already weakened, corrupted body might not withstand the shock.
Jing Li studied Zhang Weixi’s increasingly frail state, then erased the memory of their recent conversation, leaving only the recollection of their arrival at the emergency exit.
He then transferred a portion of spiritual energy into Zhang Weixi’s body, taking care not to arouse suspicion by injecting too much – just enough to restore his appearance before their encounter.
Later, once Zhang Weixi’s guard was down, he would need to get him to produce the jade pendant himself before making his next move.
After completing these steps, Jing Li helped Zhang Weixi up from the ground and took him via elevator back to his room.
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