Chapter 429: Stone Shadow: The Face of Cyclic Fear

He had prepared for me a human skin mask of my third uncle. He wasn't trying to show me his disguise skills. He wanted me to wear it.

Suddenly I admired him greatly. From a thousand li away, he knew the situation here and made the most accurate judgment. He knew that no matter how hard I tried, no matter how many old connections I sought, the whole affair was beyond recovery. Third Uncle's influence in Changsha had completely collapsed, splintered into countless small interest groups, with no one capable of commanding them.

The only solution was for Third Uncle to return.

But Third Uncle could never come back. So what to do? We would create a Third Uncle.

But looking at this human skin mask, I suddenly felt a chill surging up from the soles of my feet, making me tremble for no reason at all.

I didn't know if it was because of fear, panic, excitement, or some other emotion. In truth, at that moment, countless emotions within me were in utter chaos. My mind conjured countless scenes—some of my third uncle, some of myself after becoming Third Uncle facing various people, and some of being alone. My thoughts were a mess. At the same time, Poker-face and Fatty's faces kept flashing through them.

Fortunately, it was just a moment. I immediately calmed down. My palms began to sweat, and I started to consider the problem very calmly. A few seconds later, I understood my choice.

A choice with no other option.

"How do I wear this thing?" I asked the girl.

"If you're willing to wear it, I will help you put it on. The whole process takes four hours and can last four weeks. Have you decided?"

I thought to myself, that's enough; I just need to rescue them. "Is it realistic?"

"After I help you put it on, you can judge for yourself," she said, and pointed to a reclining chair, motioning for me to lie down.

I walked over and lay down. She immediately placed the human skin mask over my face. At that moment, Third Uncle's words from years ago suddenly echoed in my ears:

Some masks, worn too long, can never be taken off.

(End of "Qionglong Stone Shadows")