Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1363: I Am You

After being treated, Fang Huolin was guided to the Vice General’s office by an attendant.

The attendant, a Mana Foundation Magus, couldn’t help but sneak several glances at the brave warrior who had slain Yorihiko Tsuitsui in today’s battle.

How is he able to see with those bandages around his head? He wondered.

”I can hear the sound of your footsteps,” Fang Huolin murmured. ”That’s enough for me to find direction.”

The attendant shuddered. ”S-sorry, sir! I didn’t mean to—”

”Kid,” Fang Huloin interrupted him. ”How old are you?”

The pair entered the Wall, then the attendant guided the man through a series of complex corridors and stairs.

The youth nervously answered, ”I just turned eighteen, sir.”

Fang Huolin sighed. ”And why did you join the Tiesha Tang?”

The attendant tilted his head, slightly puzzled. ”They give food and water, and a place to sleep. I, uh... I suppose that’s enough for someone like me to join.”

Fang Huolin remained silent for a few moments before asking, ”You got any family?”

”No, they’re all dead.” The teenager shrugged.

”...I see.” Fang Huolin nodded.

After several minutes, they arrived on the floor where the Vice General of the army, Zhou Liang, worked.

Fang Huolin suddenly clasped the youth’s shoulder, causing the latter to shudder involuntarily.

”D-did I do something wrong, sir?” The attendant asked, fear gleaming in his youthful eyes.

Fang Huolin bent over and whispered in his ears, his voice oddly ominous:

”Before the sun sets tomorrow, the Wall will be breached, and everyone inside will be slaughtered. If you value your life, you will find a way to leave camp tonight. Understood?”

The attendant shuddered. He looked at the hero of today’s war with a horrified look in his eyes. ”S-sir, what... what are you—”

”There’s enough money in there to last you a long time.” Fang Huolin pushed a bulging pouch of money towards the youth. ”Be wise and find a way to leave the camp tonight. If not... you can only die a death worse than a dog’s.”

He then added in a cold voice, ”Oh, and one more thing. If you dare disclose this information to anyone else, I will gut you alive.”

With that said, he walked past him and headed straight towards Zhou Liang’s office.

Meanwhile, the attendant watched Fang Huolin’s departing back with trembling eyes.

Why... why would he...

He thought to himself, terrified. His first instinct was to report this incident to his superiors. But then he remembered Fang Houlin’s threat.

This man... he was able to best Yorihiko Tsuitsui in battle! He thought.

I stand no chance against him!

His gaze settled on the bulging pouch in his hands. After a quick scan, he learned that it was full of gold and silver coins. This was more money than he’d ever seen in his entire life.

The attendant gulped and finally came to a decision.

Run.

Get as far from this place as possible!

***

Knock! Knock!

”Come in.”

The door creaked open, and Fang Huolin entered the working quarter of the Vice General. He noticed that Zhou Liang was still busy working on seemingly important matters, so he didn’t dare to disturb him.

Only after he heard the man set aside the quill and lean back in his chair did he cup his fists and respectfully greet. ”Vice General!”

Zhou Liang glanced at Fang Huolin with a sneer on his face, not even bothering to hide it. He probably thought that the man wouldn’t be able to see because of losing eyesight due to the poison.

However, Zhou Liang had been ordered by the General to reward him for slaying a key figure in the enemy’s camp, so he had to oblige.

”What Artifact do you want?” he asked, his voice laced with contempt.

”Vice General, you...” Fang Huolin was slightly taken aback. ”Have I offended you—”

”Shut your fucking mouth and tell me what you want,” Zhou Liang coldly interrupted him.

”Don’t think for a second that you’re some prized soldier. You’re a cripple now and no longer of any use to us. The only reason you’re being awarded is so that the rest of the soldiers feel motivated.”

Fang Huolin was taken aback, his body trembling involuntarily.

Seeing this, Zhou Liang’s lips curled into a cruel smile. ”What? Did you really think you could engage in battle after losing your eyesight? Do you actually believe yourself to be some kind of martial master?”

His words turned colder, and he added, ”Listen here, Fang Huolin. You have one purpose and one purpose only. You will accept this Grade 3 Artifact, then show your friends at camp what happens when you work diligently. We don’t expect you to fight in tomorrow’s battle. Just do as I fuckin’ tell you.”

Fang Huolin remained silent for a long time, his head gradually lowering in... despondency.

”I understand, Vice General.”

Zhou Liang’s expression softened a little. ”Good. Now tell me what Artifact you want. Choose a good one because you need to show it to the other soldiers in the camp. I would suggest this black sword—”

”Actually, I wanted information about the runic formation inscribed on the Wall,” Fang Huolin said with an eerie smile. ”As the Vice General of the army, I’m sure you’d have information related to it, no?”

Zhou Liang’s face darkened. ”You want... what?”

”Information,” Fang Huolin repeated. ”About the Wall. You see, I want to open the doors tomorrow so my friends can enter and slaughter you scums. I will take great delight in seeing you all squeal like pigs.”

Zhou Liang’s eyes narrowed, his hand involuntarily reaching for the sword strapped to his waist.

”Who... who are you?” He asked. ”You’re not Fang Huolin!”

”Correct.”

Fang Huolin unwrapped the bandages on his face, revealing himself to be...

”I am you.”

Zhou Liang was thunderstruck. Underneath the blood-soaked bandages stood a figure wearing his own face, except where the eyes should have been, there were only two hollow sockets.

In that moment, he realized that the enemy had somehow managed to infiltrate the Wall.

But before he could even warn the rest of the camp about the intrusion, he saw the hollow-eyed Zhou Liang’s hand enlarge in his vision.

And then, everything went dark.

Several minutes later, only one figure remained inside the office.

It was Zhou Liang.

He leaned back in his chair and covered his eyes with a palm.

Suddenly, he felt the urge to laugh.

And so...

He laughed and laughed and laughed.