Chapter 429

"Did two-dimensional stuff eat your rice?" Su Tianfu's reaction was more intense than expected.

It was also strange—this Dr. Su, who used to be relatively serious, had become far more lively since arriving here.

"My gastrointestinal issues are gradually improving, though they occasionally flare up," Yi Donglai explained.

"Dr. Su invited me on this trip; emotional stability helps regulate the intestines. I took medical leave from Bai Ta Prison, and during this time, other doctors are handling the inmates' mental health."

"My fifth sister and Xiao Zhao came along too—they're on a rehabilitation department team-building trip."

Wu Qi used to be a doctor too, but later quit to buy an RV and travel across the country; now, because of Su Tianfu, she's chosen to return to the hospital.

"The advantages of the system are clear right now," Meng Zhending asked Su Tianfu: "Why don't we both quit and take the civil service exam? I remember we can enter directly through talent recruitment."

"Get real—my dream is to retire at forty," Su Tianfu rolled his eyes, then remembered something and said to Li Huowang:

"By the way, Xiao Li, you're just in time—tomorrow come with me to sign the contract, and I'll get you a bank card to transfer the money."

Li Huowang naturally knew what Su Tianfu meant—the copyright fee for *The Dao of Weird Immortals*.

This guy actually wrote a novel with Xiao Huowang as the protagonist and posted it online.

Li Huowang checked yesterday—Su Tianfu's previous book, *The Sun in the Mysterious*, sold well across all platforms and had a solid fanbase; this book and another, *Reincarnation: I'm a Literary Plagiarist*, were being updated simultaneously.

One was a mindless, trashy web novel updated once daily; the other, updated at twenty chapters per day, made people suspect whether the author had truly reincarnated and was copying others—so much so that due to the starkly inconsistent writing styles across all three books, many even suspected the author had schizophrenia.

"Dr. Su," Li Huowang sighed, "didn't I say this was personal privacy? And how long have you been planning this?"

Su Tianfu gave a thumbs-up. "Relax—I changed a lot of the details."

That wasn't even the issue.

Still, Li Huowang wasn't strongly opposed—he needed the money to improve his parents' household, which would also make it easier for Li Jiancheng to drive his car, no longer needing to come home at 11 p. m. and leave again at 6 a. m.

If his parents learned his experiences had been adapted into a novel earning royalties, they wouldn't be so frugal with this money.

"Let's not talk about work anymore—it's rare vacation time. Let's go explore."

Su Tianfu changed the subject, pointing at the nearby "Iron Man": "Damn, so cool—when can I get a real one? I mean the actual suit—the Marvel fans really have the power."

"When will Chinese comics and domestic sci-fi finally stand up?" Meng Zhending shrugged, catching up with Su Tianfu. "Come on, Xiao Li—this place needs you two young people to lower the average age."

Li Huowang nodded and smiled at Yang Na beside him: "Let's go, Nana—let's wander around."

Yang Na's face beamed with joy—she was clearly pleased with this date with Li Huowang. Though she didn't know why he insisted on coming to Shanghai, what mattered was that they could spend time together like this.

It was worth it that she had coached her best friend on their story.

Logically, Li Huowang shouldn't have dragged Yang Na into this—but Yang Na was a projection of Wu Sheng Laomu.

Around him were all Confused Siming—this feeling of being orchestrated was overwhelming.

It was safer to keep Yang Na close, to prevent Qing Wanglai from pulling some stunt these two days; after all, he'd already abandoned the plan to assassinate Su Tianfu, and Qing Wanglai might panic and resort to threats.

And most crucially, Li Huowang noticed something.

Confused Siming are all in Bai Yujing.

Confused Siming have no past, no future.

If projections are born because Confused Siming appear, causing corresponding people to emerge in the modern world, then Su Lin and Meng Qi will one day become Confused Siming of this world.

For these two Confused Siming, the timeline of this world has lost all meaning.

Like Ji Zai—Li Huowang is Ji Zai's past, yet Ji Zai transcends time; even centuries before Li Huowang's birth, since the world's creation, Ji Zai already existed and could protect those who knew of him.

The synchronization between modern-world projections and their originals requires a trigger—the trigger called "birth."

Lei Yinsi collects Xin Su, the Gospel Church collects Xin Su—both actions are happening simultaneously. Does this mean the modern-world "Su Tianfu and Meng Zhending" are being influenced by the actions of "Su Lin and Meng Qi"?

The appearance of Su Tianfu and Meng Zhending might mean they've already become Confused Siming.

But if those two have already become Confused Siming and their originals went to Bai Yujing, then who was the person interacting with Da Qi and Da Liang during this time?

If Su Tianfu is Su Lin, then why hasn't he just told Li Huowang his true identity?

Heaven's Way is fifty; Confused Siming jointly govern forty-three. Which Heaven's Way do Su Lin and Meng Qi control?

The fact that those two never responded to the chat group messages is also strange.

Li Huowang scratched his itchy head and decided to temporarily stop thinking.

Most importantly, if Su Tianfu really is Su Lin and not an uncontrollable projection, then bringing Yang Na here to stay with this group is far safer than leaving her back home.

Meng Zhending pointed at a cosplayer wearing a magic hat: "Tianfu, your favorite Bai Mao! You've been enhanced—go on, I'll take your photo."

"Fuck off—that's gray-white." Su Tianfu cursed, then frowned suspiciously:

"Why does her cosplay feel off? She's got none of that 'human trash' vibe?"

"Whatever—just take a photo to prove we showed up at this anime expo."

Zhao Shuangdian asked Meng Zhending: "He likes white hair?"

"More accurately, he likes white-haired paper dolls," Meng Zhending raised his camera. "We've both been half-otaku since childhood—like attracts like. Come on, smile. There—now I'll take one too."

Li Huowang watched Su Tianfu posing for photos with "Luffy, Iron Man, Yi Leina, Weigong Shilang, and Garen," while Meng Zhending switched between taking pictures—something felt strangely off.

"I'm going to the restroom," Li Huowang said, glancing at the group having fun, then hurried toward the toilets.

He pulled out his vibrating phone from his bag—it was Qing Wanglai calling.

"Hello."

"Li Huowang, you can prepare to move."

Qing Wanglai's voice made Li Huowang freeze.

"There are so many people here—you want me to act now? Are you insane?! I warn you—if you pull anything stupid, I won't let you off!"

Li Huowang's outburst drew glances from nearby people, but this was an anime expo—there were plenty of performance artists; even if he bit a lighter, people would just applaud.

"I said prepare, not act immediately. Inside the men's room, the last toilet's pump contains a silenced pistol and a Swiss Army knife."

"After we leave the venue and head to the hotel, Zhao Lei will drive over as your ride-share driver. Tonight, when Su Tianfu signs the contract, he'll take you to a place without cameras."

"Only then do you act—don't worry, no one else will be hurt."

Qing Wanglai's tone remained calm, even slightly familiar—but Li Huowang's heart tightened.

So eager?

Are you going to act today?

"Li Huowang, this world is on the brink of collapse," Qing Wanglai warned. "Look around you."

Around?

Li Huowang frowned, slowed his steps, and looked at the surrounding "humans, gods, demons, ghosts, and monsters," all dressed and painted differently—nothing seemed particularly unusual or out of place.

Could Qing Wanglai be pulling my leg?

But soon, Li Huowang noticed a common trait among all these people: each had a small cross on their hand, neck, or waist.

"What's going on here?"

"They've all taken refuge in the Buddhist faith."

Gu Yuan of the Si Tian Jian pointed to a group of people bound inside the Jian Tian Si, their attire varied, chanting sutras, and said:

"These civilians who came into contact with the monks of the Great Lei Yinsi have come to worship the Tian Fo Zun—including registered members of the Jian Tian Si, followers of the Fa Jiao, and government officials."

"Anyone who has been to Lingshan or interacted with those monks has become a devout Buddhist. Now even those around them are gradually developing a tendency toward faith."

Li Huowang fell silent for a moment, then asked: "When did this start?"

"An hour ago," Gu Yuan smiled.

"It's not all bad—at least their tempers have improved. Take this follower of the Fa Jiao, for example."

"I ask you, when did you begin to believe in the Tian Fo Zun?"

"We have always believed in the Tian Fo Zun," the dwarf man smiled gently. "For thousands of years, we have waited for the Tian Fo Zun's return."

Gu Yuan picked up a ruler and severed the head of the dwarf man, who wore a ten-thousand-character mask atop his head.

The head rolled on the ground, turning several times. It opened its eyes, glanced at Gu Yuan and Li Huowang, then closed them again, continuing to chant sutras: "Amitabha Buddha, the Tian Fo Zun saves all beings."

Strangely, Li Huowang felt no horror or fear at this sight—only

Peace.

Unprecedented inner peace.

"Little Li, why were you gone so long?" Meng Zhending asked as Li Huowang returned. "We were about to go eat and head back to the hotel. Where are you staying?"

"He Ping Hotel," Li Huowang replied.

Meng Zhending smiled. "Oh, what a coincidence—no wonder we're destined to meet."

Li Huowang nodded, but internally he was calculating how to handle the current situation.

The influence of the Tian Fo Zun was growing stronger, while the influence of Zhen Ding Rulai was fading. The Buddhist sect was gradually adopting a strange style.

Of course, these problems were minor. The key was how to contact Su Tianfu; meanwhile, he needed to delay Qing Wanglai's actions. Breaking ties with him outright didn't matter—after all, the man had always been scheming.

As Li Huowang's thoughts grew chaotic, he saw Su Tianfu opening a bottle of pills, shaking out a few, shoving them into his mouth, and swallowing them with a gulp of mineral water.

Su Tianfu rubbed his eyes—he looked unwell.

"What's he doing?" Li Huowang asked, referring to Su Tianfu, who was staring blankly at the FGO gacha screen on stage.

"His old problem's flared up again," Meng Zhending said upon hearing Li Huowang, walked over to Su Tianfu, spoke a few words, then led him over. "I told you not to watch those gacha things."

"Damn it, how was I supposed to know one second it was a stage play and the next it turned into a gacha draw?" Su Tianfu shook his head, covering his eyes and gritting his teeth. "Let's go, let's go—these bastards always lose ten pulls!"

No sooner had he spoken than shouts erupted around the stage: "Dog shills!" "European dog!" "Ou chi mao!" "Wdnmd!" "Suck suck suck suck!"

"." Su Tianfu froze, then quickened his pace. "Call a car—let's get out of here!"

The group stepped out onto the street outside the venue, where they could still see the red Art Palace left behind by the Expo.

"Exit… exit… okay, can't see it anymore," Su Tianfu slowly opened his eyes. "Better now."

His strange behavior piqued Li Huowang's curiosity. He turned to Meng Zhending and asked: "What's going on with Brother Su? What was wrong just now?"

"This—"

Meng Zhending seemed hesitant, but Su Tianfu spoke out without concern:

"Lately, maybe due to work stress, I developed a condition: whenever I see others playing gacha games and I want to pull myself, I get hallucinations."

Hallucinations?

What kind of hallucinations?

"How to describe it…" Su Tianfu thought. "Because of these hallucinations, I once suspected I was the protagonist, so I tried it once or twice, then gave up. This is the classic example of self-strengthening overcoming illusion—hahaha."

"Because of this illusion, I once suspected I was the protagonist, so I tried a couple times and then gave up—that's the classic example of self-strengthening overcoming illusion, hahaha."

"So whenever this happens, I take one or two tablets of olanzapine or risperidone to calm my restless, gacha-craving heart."

Su Tianfu gazed wistfully up at the sky above the venue and said:

"When I was young, I was like you, Little Li—mentally unstable, sometimes even hearing voices: 'Fusheng Xuanhuang Tianzun,' 'God,' and such."

"Lately, I often dreamed of the Big Bang, the creation of the universe—looking back, it was actually kind of cool. I even learned a technique in those dreams: 'Light Genesis Plus.'"

"Too bad, I spent half a day trying it at school and couldn't make it work—I ended up injuring Yu Sheng, who happened to pass by."

As Li Huowang listened to Su Tianfu's rambling, for some reason, cold sweat broke out on his body.

"He was probably planning to bring people to beat you up, right?" Meng Zhending chuckled, his expression turning nostalgic. "I remember he brought a bunch of gangsters to cause trouble for you. Somehow, he suddenly went insane. Lately, we gave him special treatment—it was starting to help, then he vanished."

"He was planning to bring people here to beat you up, right?" Meng Zhending smiled, a look of nostalgia crossing his face:

"I remember he brought a whole bunch of societal types to cause trouble for you, but somehow, he suddenly went insane; we only just started making progress with his special treatment when he disappeared."

Su Tianfu also shook his head. "Can't find him. The police said that day, all city surveillance systems were undergoing scheduled maintenance—and our district happened to be on the rotation."

"My useless cousin is the same," Meng Zhending sighed. "He didn't return to school. I've used connections to look for him—no luck. Sigh."

It seemed the sudden disappearances of patients had caused them considerable trouble.

Li Huowang sensed a gaze and turned his head—only to find Zhao Shuangdian staring at him.

It seemed that the patient's sudden disappearance had caused them considerable trouble.

Li Huowang sensed a gaze and turned around to find Zhao Shuangdian staring at him.

Could it be that she knows it was me and Qingwang who did it?

Li Huowang was suddenly surprised—back then, Zhao Shuangdian wasn't even Su Tianfu's assistant yet, so why didn't she tell Su Tianfu about this?

As Li Huowang was thinking, he suddenly felt pain at his waist; he turned to look beside him and saw Yang Na pinching the soft flesh on his side, her gaze cold.

"Hmph, the car's here!" Yang Na huffed, quickening her pace toward the front.

This.

He was just thinking.

Li Huowang was about to chase after Yang Na and ride with her when Meng Zhending asked Su Tianfu:

"By the way, why did you change your name? After returning from studying abroad, you changed it to Su Tianfu. When Yu Sheng saw you, he said the Buddha had taken back his belongings, and from then on, he became your mount."

"Why the hell would a priest know anything about the Buddha?" Su Tianfu said with a strange expression, stroking his chin.

"Probably just a moment of madness. Su Lin was a perfectly nice name too."

Su Lin?

Su Lin!

While Li Huowang was stunned, Wu Qi, Yi Donglai, and Zhao Shuangdian had already boarded Yang Na's car.

"Let's go, we'll ride together," Meng Zhending said, tapping Li Huowang on the shoulder.

After the three got in the car, Su Tianfu in the front passenger seat said: "Peace Hotel."

"Got it." The driver pressed the accelerator and drove forward.

Su Tianfu was still chatting with Meng Zhending when Li Huowang spoke up: "Su—"

"Sir, please fasten your seatbelt," the driver reminded.

Su Tianfu, just fastening his seatbelt in the front passenger seat, looked at the driver and said: "Bro, your monocle's pretty cool—I saw a character in The Matrix wear one like that."

"Really?" the driver asked. "Was it called Amon?"

Li Huowang looked through the rearview mirror at the driver—and realized the driver wasn't anyone else but Zhao Lei, wearing the monocle!

He grinned, looked at Li Huowang through the rearview mirror, and formed a silent mouth shape: "Boom~!"

With a screeching brake sound, a tanker illegally driving on the road collided with several small cars ahead.

Flames erupted; wild fire serpents and heat waves shattered the glass and swallowed Li Huowang and the others whole.

(End of Chapter)