Mortal Dawn and Dusk, My Eternal Life - Chapter 53

Within the secret chamber, the atmosphere was stifling. Old Master Du’s withered hands, like ghostly claws, tightly clutched Gu Mingxuan’s neck. His face was filled with the greed and ecstasy of someone about to savor a peerless delicacy. He could clearly feel a surge of incredibly vigorous life force emanating from the young body before him, a force that made his very soul tremble!

As long as… as long as he could claim this life force for himself, for a period of time, he would be free from the pain that felt like ten thousand ants gnawing at his heart, and he would have… more than enough time to pursue his dream of eternal life!

“General Gu, don’t blame this old man for being ruthless.” Old Master Du leaned close to Gu Mingxuan’s ear, his voice hoarse with a sinister chuckle. “If you must blame someone, blame your life force; it is truly… too tempting! Your life force will become the most perfect cornerstone on this old man’s path to eternal life!” With that, he no longer hesitated. The complex demonic power within him began to churn wildly, and a powerful suction burst forth from his palm, preparing to completely drain Gu Mingxuan’s life force!

Meanwhile, Su Mingyue, hidden high in the tree in the courtyard, her heart leaped to her throat when she saw this scene! “This idiot!” she cursed inwardly, clutching a few silver needles in her hand, ready to act at any moment! Although she had said she wanted to give this Gu Mingxuan a hard time, she would absolutely not stand by and watch him be drained into a mummy by Old Master Du, that old monster! This Gu Mingxuan, though strange in his behavior and somewhat self-important, from his previous conversation with Old Master Du, still harbored… a sense of justice. And, for some reason, she simply didn’t want him to die. This inexplicable feeling made even her feel a little strange.

However, just as Su Mingyue prepared to intervene—her clear eyes sharply narrowed! Something was wrong! She could clearly feel that Gu Mingxuan, tightly restrained by Old Master Du, showed no signs of resistance, yet the strange power within him, far from weakening under suppression, was instead… slowly circulating in an extremely subtle manner! The power from A-Mu’s non-human “heart” was also subtly pulsating in a peculiar rhythm, as if… waiting for something.

This fellow… he’s not waiting to die! He’s… setting a trap!

Su Mingyue’s heart stirred. The silver needles she had been ready to shoot were quietly retracted. She decided to continue observing. She wanted to see what tricks this interesting Captain Gu was truly up to.

Inside the secret chamber, Gu Mingxuan, whose neck was clutched by Old Master Du, showed no trace of fear on his face. He even… directed a strange smile at Old Master Du. He slowly raised his head and said to Old Master Du in a voice almost like a whisper, filled with mockery:

“Old Master Du, do you know?”
“Actually… I’m hungry too.”

“Hungry?” Old Master Du was startled at first, then sneered disdainfully, “Hehe… on the brink of death, yet still spouting nonsense! I think you’ve been scared silly! But don’t worry, this old man will let you go very ‘peacefully’!” He believed Gu Mingxuan was trying to bluff and buy time. The suction in his hand also increased slightly! He wanted to devour this “perfect supplement” as quickly as possible!

However, the next scene made the smile on Old Master Du’s face completely freeze! He could clearly feel that his previously invincible suction, the moment it touched Gu Mingxuan’s body, vanished without a trace, like a mud ox entering the sea! Not only did he fail to extract a single shred of life force from Gu Mingxuan, but instead… he felt that the meager life force he still possessed, previously absorbed from his second concubine and that little rabbit demon, actually began to uncontrollably… flow away in reverse!

A much stronger, more overbearing, and more greedy suction erupted from Gu Mingxuan’s seemingly weak body, like a bottomless black vortex, frantically devouring the life energy within Old Master Du’s body!

“What… what’s going on?!”

Old Master Du’s expression changed from initial triumph to shock, and then from shock to boundless terror! He suddenly remembered what Gu Mingxuan had said just now—”Actually, I’m hungry too.” He… what did he mean by that…?

A thought that sent chills down his spine suddenly rose from the depths of his heart!

“You… you’re not human! You’re also… a monster!” Old Master Du shrieked, his voice trembling, his eyes filled with incredulous fear. He never dreamed that the “perfect prey” he had painstakingly captured would actually… also be a “hunter” like him! And, what’s more, a more advanced, more terrifying “hunter”!

“Oh my, listen to you, am I not a monster?” Gu Mingxuan’s lips curved into a cold arc. His pitch-black eyes, in the darkness, suddenly lit up with an eerie dark golden glow!

Old Master Du was terrified out of his wits. He instinctively tried to loosen his grip on Gu Mingxuan’s neck and flee backward! But it was already too late! Gu Mingxuan’s hand, which had been easily subdued by Old Master Du’s subordinates, clamped back like an iron vise, suddenly grasping Old Master Du’s wrist! The strength was so immense that Old Master Du felt his wrist bones were about to be crushed!

“You… you let me go! Let me go!” Old Master Du shrieked in terror, struggling desperately, but finding himself utterly unable to break free from Gu Mingxuan’s grip! He could clearly feel his life force being frantically drained by this “monster” at a terrifying speed! His body, which had just regained some youth, visibly withered and shriveled again… The pain and terror of having his life force drained were a hundred times more intense than any backlash he had experienced before!

High in the tree, Su Mingyue watched this dramatic reversal in the secret chamber, her clear eyes filled with deep shock and… contemplation. She could clearly feel that the power of life force absorption erupting from Gu Mingxuan, though domineering, was completely different from Old Master Du’s complex and evil demonic power. It was a… purer, more primal, and even… had a peculiar trace of energy originating from herself!

This Gu Mingxuan… who exactly was he? Was he human? Was he a demon? If human, why did he consume others’ life force? If a demon, why was there no trace of demonic qi on him? And… what was with that faint sense of familiarity…?

Huge mysteries enveloped Su Mingyue’s heart, filling her with unprecedented curiosity about this man’s true identity.

Inside the secret chamber, Old Master Du’s struggles grew weaker and weaker. He knew that if this continued, he would eventually be drained into a mummy by this monster!

“Attack! All of you, attack! Kill him! Quickly, kill him!” Old Master Du used his last shred of strength, roaring hoarsely at the black-robed man and the household guards, who were already terrified.

His subordinates, though fearful, dared not disobey orders. They hardened themselves, raised their blades, and slashed at Gu Mingxuan! Gu Mingxuan looked at the attacking ants, a cold glint of disdain in his eyes. He violently kicked Old Master Du in the chest, sending the old man, who had become like a wind-dried orange peel, flying away, temporarily breaking free from his restraint. Then, his figure shifted, and like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, he charged into the black-clad strong men!

Old Master Du was kicked away, falling heavily to the ground. Although he temporarily escaped the fate of being drained, he was left with only half a life. His eyes were filled with endless fear and… unwillingness! He knew that this time, he had completely fallen! He didn’t hesitate for a moment, struggling to crawl up from the ground, caring nothing for dignity or composure, and scrambled frantically towards the secret chamber door, desperately trying to escape!

He had to escape!
Escape this place!
Escape this monster, even more terrifying than himself!