Who is the Rat

Half a Watermelon had no idea what the two had discussed. After their conversation, they had shielded it with spiritual energy, and within just a quarter of an hour, they returned.

Lin Luoyu didn’t say much upon coming back, only sitting silently in a clean spot to meditate and rest. Donggua’s expression was equally calm, offering no additional reminders.

It seemed they had reached an agreement.

Finally, Half a Watermelon turned his gaze to Cui Hao, only to find that the previously curious young man was now sitting quietly with his eyes closed, not bothering to ask questions.

This unusual silence was almost amusing.

Had the kid finally learned to be considerate of his senior sister?

Whatever the case, at least it was peaceful now.

By the time dawn fully broke and the sun rose, Lin Luoyu was the first to stand, signaling the group to continue their journey.

As they pressed forward, they occasionally encountered rogue cultivators who seemed to be tracking them. Fortunately, their cultivation levels weren’t high, so the group simply detoured to avoid unnecessary trouble.

They traveled relentlessly, from day to night.

Finally, after enduring the silence the entire way, Cui Hao couldn’t hold back any longer.

"Let’s rest… My spiritual energy’s about to run dry."

As soon as he spoke, Lin Luoyu stopped first, followed by Donggua and Half a Watermelon.

Donggua glanced at Cui Hao’s exhausted state. Normally, a Foundation Establishment cultivator with spiritual energy shouldn’t struggle to keep up after just a day and night of travel. Even Half a Watermelon could follow the group with just one leg—how could Cui Hao, with two, fail to endure?

Lin Luoyu looked at Cui Hao, panting heavily, and noticed the meaningful glance he gave her. She understood—he was ready for the next step. He must have absorbed the information from the jade slip she’d given him.

Her tone remained calm. "Then we’ll rest for a while. We’ll arrive tomorrow anyway. Better to conserve our energy in case we run into trouble. I’ll take the first watch, then Xigua, then Donggua."

Donggua wasn’t surprised. No matter how unreasonable Cui Hao’s demands were, Lin Luoyu would always relent after a moment of silence.

She nodded in agreement, then scanned the area before settling into a spot to rest.

For her, the real struggle wasn’t the exhaustion from travel, but the lingering, bone-deep agony of the blood qi writhing inside her.

Cui Hao rubbed his arms and slowly walked toward Donggua.

Just as she was about to sit cross-legged to suppress the turmoil in her body, she saw that damned nuisance approaching.

Irritation and disgust surged in her heart—was this brat not going to leave her alone even during rest?

Whatever he wanted, it wouldn’t be anything good. Either he’d ask annoying questions or something downright stupid.

Still, for Lin Luoyu’s sake, she had to endure.

Donggua took a deep breath, steadying her emotions, and braced herself for whatever nonsense Cui Hao was about to spew.

Cui Hao approached unhurriedly, then glanced sideways at Lin Luoyu, who had moved to a vantage point to keep watch. He retrieved a soundproofing talisman from his spatial ring and activated it, enveloping himself and Donggua in silence.

Lin Luoyu sensed the fluctuation of spiritual energy and looked over, but upon seeing it was Cui Hao, she said nothing.

Donggua eyed him warily—what kind of stupid question required soundproofing?

Was he about to ask something indecent?

Cui Hao’s usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by an unsettling calm.

"I know what you and my senior sister discussed."

Donggua’s gaze sharpened as she studied him, as if he were a completely different person. She didn’t rush to respond.

Cui Hao leaned slightly closer. "You underestimated my senior sister. And you overestimated the righteousness of the Taidao Sect. Did you really think she believed you?"

"You thought that by offering that thing, proving your sincerity, playing the victim, and claiming it was for the greater good, she’d be moved to bare her soul to you?"

Donggua narrowed her eyes, her expression guarded.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Cui Hao scoffed, his tone turning cutting.

"I’m saying you’re about to be sold out by my senior sister without even realizing it. What you offered isn’t ordinary—that’s why you only came clean when you couldn’t hide it anymore."

"You’re smart. Greed isn’t a bad thing—it’s only a problem when you lack the strength to control it."

"That thing bears some resemblance to what we’ve been investigating. You’re willing to give it up to save your life, which is fine… but do you really mean it?"

"I don’t care if you stumbled upon it by chance or schemed to get it. But if the Taidao Sect wants it, it’s no trifling matter."

"Before we came, I already had word—this thing is a Great Dao, another path beyond immortality."

Donggua stared into Cui Hao’s piercing eyes. Gone was the obnoxious, foolish expression—now, there was only pure, unbridled greed.

Faced with that greed, an inexplicable joy surged in her heart. Donggua grinned.

"So, what are you suggesting? That I shouldn’t trust a righteous cultivator, but trust you instead? Choose death over survival? You might become a powerhouse someday, but right now, you’re just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and we’re being hunted by a Nascent Soul rogue."

Cui Hao’s gaze remained steady. "All cultivators are greedy—even righteous ones. The difference is what they covet. My senior sister doesn’t care for material gain—she craves purity of heart, soul, and conscience."

"But everyone has a weakness. Hers happens to be me. I can drag her down with us. But I want sixty percent. You get thirty. If you want my senior sister to keep quiet, she might need ten."

Donggua shifted uncomfortably. She never expected these words from the fool she’d dismissed. After another glance at Lin Luoyu, she said,

"You’re less trustworthy than your senior sister. A treasure is worthless if you’re dead."

Cui Hao smirked and shook his head.

"Interests are always more reliable than people. The reason I called for this stop is that if we go all the way, that thing will end up in the Taidao Sect’s hands. My senior sister will take the credit, and my reward will barely be more than the spirit treasure in her hand."

"That kind of reward is meaningless to me."

"And you? At best, you’ll buy yourself a temporary reprieve. But do you really think the Taidao Sect will protect you afterward? Or that they’ll wipe out all the rogue cultivators to keep you safe?"

"Don’t you get it? In this world, nothing is real except the power in your hands."

"My talent is far inferior to my senior sister’s. If I want to surpass her, I have to be more ruthless—and more greedy."

"And if you want to truly survive, to live freely, you’ll need what’s in your grasp—to make sure none of us remain weak."

Donggua’s smile widened, genuine this time. Cui Hao suddenly seemed far more appealing.

This greed. This recklessness. This foolishness.

This was the kind of person who made her blood sing.

Donggua asked curiously, "So you were pretending to be a fool all this time?"

"Sort of. Just wanted to annoy that insufferable senior sister of mine, always preaching about righteousness." Cui Hao tilted his head slightly and sneered, "Making me look like a rat scavenging in a filthy gutter—utterly repulsive."

Donggua narrowed her eyes and mocked him outright, "But you are."

A wise person would compromise now for future gains, while a fool wouldn’t. She still needed to test whether Cui Hao was truly a fool or just a clever man playing dumb.

Cui Hao met her gaze coldly, his tone eerily calm:

"Then let’s see who ends up the rat—and who ends up the pig."