"He is."
The old man didn't stop, his pace quickening.
In the blink of an eye, the writhing tentacles behind him could no longer keep up.
His stooped back gradually straightened. His face seemed to be molting, the aged skin flaking away piece by piece.
The old man muttered to himself, 'Or rather, he used to be.'
'I never expected it to be you. Twenty years ago in Baili Village, you rescued the Human Pillar and ruined my century-long plan.'
'But why did you have to go and impersonate a descendant of the Zheng Family?'
'A grave absurdity.'
'The Zheng Family line should never have produced a second Mystic.'
'I never imagined it. I thought you would head west, yet you appeared at my hidden sanctuary. It must be fate.'
'Mystics are drawn to one another, guided by Deceitful Objects in accordance with the Deceit Heavenly Dao.'
'You thought it was serendipity, but it was destiny.'
