If one were to ask why Gu Qingfeng now acted with such timidity and apprehension, constantly worrying about gain and loss.
The answer was simple: it was all because of Xiao Jinr.
That's right.
It was Xiao Jinr.
Ever since the Ancient Era ended and the Current Era began, when Gu Qingfeng was reborn from extinction in the mortal world and first laid eyes on Xiao Jinr, a very peculiar feeling had stirred within his heart.
This feeling was indescribable, neither the affection of blood ties nor the fondness of romantic love. It wasn't concern, nor was it mere regard.
It was more like a hope.
A hope that Xiao Jinr would always remain obedient and adorable, innocent and pure, living a carefree, unburdened, and unfettered life.
Rather than call it a hope, it was more like an aspiration.
An aspiration on a spiritual, mental, and even soulful level.
Just as Gu Qingfeng knew he might never live freely in this lifetime, he placed this aspiration for freedom upon Xiao Jinr.
Perhaps that was it.
Gu Qingfeng himself wasn't entirely sure. He didn't even know why he felt this aspiration upon meeting Xiao Jinr. The only thing he knew was that he would pay any price to ensure Xiao Jinr could live freely and unfettered.
This was the most sincere feeling deep within his heart.
In the past.
Gu Qingfeng had thought Xiao Jinr was only connected to the Daoless Age.
Later, he came to learn that Xiao Jinr was not only linked to the Daoless Age but also to Original Sin and to Illusion.
It wasn't until he saw Xiao Jinr again in the Lingluo Celestial Domain that Gu Qingfeng discovered Xiao Jinr's existence was far more complex than he had imagined. So complex that it made him suspect Xiao Jinr might not only be the calamity star of the Daoless Age but possibly also the True Lord whom Original Sin had been seeking, as recorded in the Book of Fate. This feeling had been particularly intense when he saw Xiao Jinr in the Lingluo Celestial Domain, especially when Xiao Jinr asked what would happen if heaven and earth could not tolerate her.
This was precisely why Gu Qingfeng was now plagued by apprehension and worry over gain and loss.
In the past, he was a lone soul, indifferent to life and death, free from desires and wants. Therefore, he never considered the consequences of his actions.
But now it was different.
Though Gu Qingfeng was still a lone soul, still indifferent to life and death, and still free from desires and wants, his heart now carried a promise—a promise to Xiao Jinr, and also a promise to freedom. He did not want Xiao Jinr to be controlled by Fate; he only wished for Xiao Jinr to live freely, carefree and unburdened.
Therefore, Gu Qingfeng could not afford any mishaps.
With this promise weighing on him, Gu Qingfeng could no longer act as recklessly and unrestrainedly as he once did. He had no choice but to consider the consequences first.
"Kid Gu, this Old Monk doesn't know exactly what person or matter caused this shift in your mindset, but...
What this Old Monk wants to say is, no matter who or what it is, you can't fully believe it. Trust only three parts out of ten, because every person you meet and every event you encounter could be a trap laid for you, a game set in motion by someone else—especially Genggu Wuming. That woman has always been a master at playing chess!"
Da Xing the Mad Monk said gravely, "After all, you're a variable of Original Sin, influencing the future situation. That woman Genggu Wuming would definitely not stand idly by. This Old Monk even suspects she might have long since set the board, and you, kid, are already caught in it, just unaware yourself."
Gu Qingfeng glanced at Da Xing the Mad Monk but said nothing. He understood and grasped the meaning behind his words.
Actually.
He had also doubted Xiao Jinr's existence.
He wondered if Xiao Jinr was a chess piece placed by Genggu Wuming. Perhaps she was, perhaps not. Gu Qingfeng wasn't clear. It was also possible that Xiao Jinr, himself, and even Da Xing the Mad Monk were all chess pieces in Genggu Wuming's hands, with none of them being the wiser.
"If you've truly fallen into Genggu Wuming's scheme, and your state of mind has been influenced and altered, you'll never be able to walk the path of Original Sin."
Gu Qingfeng was puzzled and asked, "Why?"
"This Old Monk asks you: you want to break free from Original Sin, correct?"
Gu Qingfeng nodded, then immediately shook his head.
Da Xing the Mad Monk was baffled and asked in confusion, "What does that mean?
Are you no longer planning to break free from Original Sin?"
"To tell you the truth, I originally intended to break free from Original Sin, but later..." As he spoke, Gu Qingfeng sighed inexplicably. "Now I don't even know whether I want to break free from Original Sin or become Original Sin."
Indeed.
In the past, Gu Qingfeng had been determined to break free from Original Sin. It was only after meeting Xiao Jinr, especially after suspecting that Xiao Jinr might also become the True Lord of Original Sin, that Gu Qingfeng began to hesitate.
In his mind, if Original Sin absolutely had to find a True Lord, Gu Qingfeng would rather that True Lord be himself than Xiao Jinr. Just as he would rather have Fate dominate him than have Fate dominate Xiao Jinr.
"Seems that little vixen Genggu Wuming's influence on you is truly extraordinary. One trap linked to another—her schemes run deep!"
Da Xing the Mad Monk stroked his bald head, pondering, "What is Genggu Wuming's intention?
She influences your state of mind—could it be to prevent you from seeking Original Sin?
No!
That's not right. She influences your state of mind not to prevent you from seeking Original Sin, but to prevent you from breaking free from it. In other words, she wants you to become the True Lord of Original Sin?
What kind of play is this?
How is it different from what this Old Monk thought?"
"How is it different?"
"No!
Nothing..." Da Xing the Mad Monk seemed to be hiding something.
"Da Xing, why do I get the feeling you're quite eager for me to become the True Lord of Original Sin?"
"Don't you want to, kid?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Da Xing the Mad Monk quickly corrected himself, "No!
That's not it!
This Old Monk doesn't mean that. This Old Monk doesn't wish for you to become the True Lord of Original Sin; this Old Monk only hopes you can break free from Original Sin."
"Is that so?"
Gu Qingfeng smiled without speaking.
Despite Da Xing the Mad Monk's vehement denial, Gu Qingfeng could see clearly that this old bald donkey absolutely wished for him to become the True Lord of Original Sin. Moreover, this old bald donkey had lured him here, and nine times out of ten, it was precisely for this matter. Gu Qingfeng even suspected that the accident in the Chan Sect's secret realm and his subsequent fall into the Desolate Ancient black hole—even if these were coincidences, Da Xing the Mad Monk had likely known about them beforehand. This old bald donkey was just pretending to be unaware.
"Da Xing, let me ask you something: do you wish for me to become the True Lord of Original Sin?"
Da Xing the Mad Monk didn't hesitate, shaking his head directly. "Of course not."
"Why?"
"What do you mean 'why'? Didn't you want to break free from Original Sin?"
"But now I no longer wish to break free from Original Sin. On the contrary, I now want to become the True Lord of Original Sin."
"Really or falsely?"
"Of course it's true."
Da Xing the Mad Monk stared into Gu Qingfeng's eyes for a moment, as if trying to discern the truth, then grinned and said, "Kid Gu, don't try to play mind games with this Old Monk. I won't fall for your tricks. And this Old Monk can tell you quite responsibly: as a friend, I truly do not wish for you to become some blasted True Lord of Original Sin. Truly!"