The sudden voice startled Xiao Yu, making him jump. He stared hard at the scythe before him—it was precisely the one he had been searching for. Looking up, he saw the speaker: a man with silver threading the temples of his hair, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles, presenting an air of scholarly refinement.

"And you are?" Xiao Yu found it strange to encounter an ordinary person in this place. Logically, anyone not connected to the Li family shouldn't be here. Nevertheless, the man’s demeanor was so amiable that Xiao Yu let down his guard and reached out to take the weapon. In truth, his understanding of human nature was as incomplete as Xiao Shu’s; he had no idea that this kind elder before him was the very architect of the tragedy that engulfed the two brothers.

"My surname is Li, my given name is Tai Zheng. I am Xiao Shu’s father." Li Tai Zheng introduced himself with easy confidence, acting as if he knew Xiao Yu well, and placed the scythe directly into his hand.

Taking the scythe, Xiao Yu looked at Li Tai Zheng with confusion. This was his first time meeting Xiao Shu’s father. After fighting through life and death with Xiao Shu for so long, the young man had never mentioned his father, save for his twin brother. Li Tai Zheng’s sudden appearance was entirely unexpected. However, the visitor did bear a slight resemblance to Xiao Shu; if one were to claim a blood relation, it wouldn't seem strange at all.

"Ah, well... thank you." After a few seconds of hesitation, Xiao Yu finally managed to utter two words of thanks, his emotions a turbulent mess, unsure how to address this elder who had materialized out of nowhere.

"Heh heh, you are most welcome. Many years ago, I too saw a scythe just like this one. I understand your situation somewhat," Li Tai Zheng said with a slight smile, speaking casually.

Hearing that the man seemed to grasp his predicament, Xiao Yu could hardly believe his ears. His mouth fell open, eyes wide, and after a long moment of stunned silence, he finally managed to ask, "My situation? You truly understand?"

"Heh heh," Li Tai Zheng nodded, smiling. "Many years ago, I had an old friend who died unexpectedly in battle. We all presumed his body was lost forever, but who would have thought that the very next day, he reappeared, wielding a scythe just like that one. He cut down countless enemies until the ninety-ninth man fell before his eyes, at which point he excitedly told me he had attained immortality."

The word immortality spilled from Li Tai Zheng’s lips, thick with mystery and promise, as if what Xiao Yu was about to gain wasn't a ticket to the underworld, but rather the chance to ascend as an angel. Xiao Yu realized he wasn't alone; besides the old woman of Miao Village, there were others who had shared similar trials, who had undertaken the same near-fatal quests and recovered bodies that refused to vanish. In an instant, Xiao Yu grew excited, his despair instantly transforming into eager anticipation. He pressed further, "Is your friend still around? Did that promise truly come to pass?"

"Of course," Li Tai Zheng’s expression suddenly turned solemn, his tone utterly earnest. "Not everyone is granted such an opportunity. Since you were chosen, you must possess something extraordinary. To escape the cycle of fate—you can finally do what you truly desire."

"That... what is your friend's current condition?" Xiao Yu continued to inquire. Stirred by Li Tai Zheng’s persuasion, he felt a sudden eagerness, realizing his recent remorse had been childish. This was a magnificent opportunity; why had he allowed himself to see it as something terrifying?

Li Tai Zheng turned and walked toward the room’s exit, speaking as he went. "He is living very well now. He has wives and concubines, managing his household like an emperor." A subtle, sinister smile flickered across his face. Had Xiao Yu noticed such a smile, a seed of doubt might have taken root. Alas, he was too thrilled by the recovery of the lost scythe, too deeply submerged in the paradise woven by Li Tai Zheng's words, to pay any mind to the visitor's expression. Besides, this man was Li Xiao Shu’s father, and Li Xiao Shu was his brother forged in battle. How could he possibly suspect his brother’s father? The man surely meant him no harm.