Chapter 59

To speak or not to speak?

Zhao Futu was momentarily at a loss.

According to the rules of the Nightmare Space, contractors are not allowed to reveal too much information to the characters in the story, and they must not disclose any information about the Nightmare Space. Violators will face severe punishment, even being directly erased by the Nightmare Space! However, if he did not give Zhang Jue a satisfactory answer now, he might not be able to leave this room alive today.

After much deliberation, Zhao Futu finally spoke in a dry voice, "Yes!"

The terrifying aura around Zhang Jue dissipated, and he seemed to lose all strength, appearing extremely dejected. He took a step back, raised his head, closed his eyes, and pondered deeply. Finally, he sighed with a sense of frustration and said slowly, "Such is the will of heaven!"

"Such is the will of heaven!..."

Having confirmed the answer from Zhao Futu, Zhang Jue's expression was extremely dejected. He slowly sat down on the bed, his face tinged with sorrow and a hint of unwillingness. He did not continue to pursue the matter, nor did he ask why history had turned out this way, or the question that Zhao Futu feared the most, which could endanger his life and lead to his forced erasure by the Nightmare Space.

He only sighed with a gloomy expression, speaking slowly as if to himself, "I was originally a physician from Julu. At that time, a plague was rampant in Ji Province, infecting tens of thousands of people, and countless died. I went into the mountains to gather herbs and accidentally met the immortal Nanhua, who bestowed upon me the three volumes of the *Taiping Jing*. The immortal pitied the suffering of the world and taught me the art of talismans, commanding me to save the people."

"I did not forget the immortal's teachings. After coming down from the mountain, I led my two brothers to travel far and wide, treating the sick."

"However, the plague was widespread in Ji Province, and the efforts of my three brothers were insufficient to save the people from their suffering. Therefore, I founded the Taiping Dao, gathered over a hundred followers, and taught them the art of talismans. We traveled to various places, and this finally brought an end to the plague. But the court was corrupt, eunuchs held power, and the imperial relatives controlled the government. I could only save lives and treat diseases with medicine and talismans, but many more innocent people died under the cruel rule of the officials."

"The country suffered from disasters year after year, but the court neither reduced taxes nor opened granaries to help the people. Countless people in Ji Province were displaced and starved to death. I had the power to summon wind and rain, but I could only watch helplessly as they died one by one!"

"Until one day, I finally realized that this world is full of shackles. To save the people, I must overthrow the corrupt and dark Han dynasty!"

"Thus, I gathered many followers, sent disciples to various regions, and organized thirty-six groups, planning to rise up in the year Jiazi to overthrow the corrupt Han dynasty and establish a true era of peace and prosperity!"

Zhang Jue's eyes seemed to regain some vitality, and he looked deeply at Zhao Futu.

Zhao Futu did not speak, not knowing what to say, as his understanding of Zhang Jue was limited. History is written by the victors, and no dynasty has ever given Zhang Jue a high evaluation. He is always labeled as a leader of a peasant rebellion. It is difficult to judge what kind of person he is based on a simple understanding.

Zhang Jue sighed deeply, saying, "After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the world called us rebels and traitors!"

"I am now forty-five years old, and I have no wife or children!" Zhang Jue's face showed a hint of mockery, and he said angrily, "Why did I start the rebellion? If the corrupt Han court was not beyond saving, why did I lead the people in rebellion?"

"Was it to usurp the throne for personal gain? Even if I usurped the throne, what use would it be a hundred years later when I am still alone?"

Zhang Jue has no children?

Zhao Futu was initially stunned, then his whole body trembled, and he involuntarily looked deeply at Zhang Jue.

In Chinese culture, the importance of lineage is paramount. Why was Liu Bei so eager to have a son, and why did he later adopt Liu Feng as his stepson? Without a son, he could not gather so many famous ministers and generals under his command, and if he met with an accident, his power would immediately collapse due to the lack of an heir. This was an unavoidable fact in that era. Even if Cao Cao had no children, he could not have become a dominant figure. The importance of bloodline in China is unparalleled.

Zhang Jue was a practitioner of Daoism, and it was not uncommon for ancient Daoists to remain unmarried. The allure of immortality far outweighed the allure of worldly wealth! At this moment, Zhao Futu realized something he had previously overlooked: Zhang Jue had never married or had children! The Maoshan Daoist tradition, known for its talismanic practices, emphasized that wealth should not be kept overnight, and sexual relations were strictly forbidden, even after entering the Dao.

Otherwise, there was a risk of losing one's powers and dying!

Their talismanic practices relied on external forces, and their hearts must be sincere and their intentions genuine. Once their hearts were filled with greed and desire, they would face the backlash of fate!

Zhang Jue has no children.

In this case, even if he conquered the empire, who would inherit it?

Zhao Futu realized not only that Zhang Jue had no wife or children, but also that his two brothers, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, had no wives or children either!

Why did they raise the banner of rebellion?

Suddenly, the image of Zhang Jue and his followers in Zhao Futu's eyes became more noble. If they were not moved by the suffering of the people, with their abilities, it would be easy for them to pursue wealth and honor like others. Even if they did not seek worldly wealth, they could have sought immortality in the mountains, which would be better than risking their lives and souls in the chaos of the world.

If a practitioner is struck by the backlash of the heavens, the outcome is nothing short of complete annihilation!

………………

"I have acted with a clear conscience all my life! I have never forgotten the immortal's command to save the people!" Zhang Jue stood up and looked into the distance, saying slowly, "But why does heaven want to destroy me!?"

"Why does heaven want to destroy me!!... cough, cough!..."

Zhang Jue's chest heaved rapidly, and a sickly flush appeared on his face. Suddenly, he coughed violently and spat out a mouthful of black blood.

"Great Virtuous Teacher!" Zhao Futu quickly stepped forward to support Zhang Jue's swaying body.

At this moment, a series of spatial prompts sounded in his ears: "Character Zhang Jue has awakened prematurely!... S-class character Zhang Jue has awakened his soul!... Nightmare Space is automatically shielding!... Unknown energy interference!... Spatial information shielding failed!... Contractor accepts... accepts... task... interference intensity determined as S-class!... Space initiates erasure... erasure..."

Then a series of static followed, and then:

"Major historical plot twist!... The plot twist may exceed 80%!... This will completely alter the historical plot of this plane!... The battlefield space of this plane may collapse!... Importing spatial law forces!... Locking S-class character Zhang Jue!... Law locking target!... Forcibly correcting historical plot!... Forcibly correcting... "

"Forcibly correcting historical plot completed!... Contractor No. 1013 triggered an unknown task!... Reward: 5% plot twist!... No further information can be revealed to character Zhang Jue!... Otherwise, erasure!..." [In blood-red letters!]

………………

"Great Virtuous Teacher?" Zhao Futu looked at Zhang Jue's ashen face, not knowing what to say.

Zhang Jue calmed his breathing, waved to indicate that Zhao Futu did not need to support him, and said slowly, "You may leave now! I know you do not value those material things. Tomorrow, I will have my disciples teach you the art of talismans."

"Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise!" he murmured softly.

Zhang Jue then sat up on the bed, closed his eyes, and composed himself, showing no sorrow or joy: "Since heaven wants to destroy me, let it come!"

………………

Stepping out of the room, although he had mysteriously received a 5% plot twist reward, Zhao Futu's heart was filled with oppression!

He took a deep breath and said slowly, "The great way is without sentiment!"

{Piaotian Literature}