"He bided his time. The moment I made a major decision and showed even the slightest hesitation, he would appear and influence my mind, making the decision for me—one I would regret, yet have no choice but to see through to the end!" Xia Ruize shook his head with a bitter smile. "Like raising an army in Zhongzhou, killing my master, and what happened at the Ascension Altar—none of those were my true intentions! But what else could I have done? No one was willing to believe in me anymore... And if I didn't keep moving forward, what would become of Mother? What about Xiaoxue? What about my friends and brothers? Was I supposed to raise both hands and surrender to everyone, letting those with scores to settle kill me? What about all the people behind me... Besides... I tried that too. Back then, while I was under his control, I killed a general who opposed my decision... That general had been my brother, following me for a very long time! When I came to my senses, I regretted it beyond words. I even asked them to let his family kill me! But in the end? When his younger brothers threw themselves at me and were about to kill me, the possessed me slaughtered every one of them! I had no choice, so I could only keep walking forward, one step at a time..."
A trace of hesitation appeared on my face. How much credibility did Xia Ruize's attempt to clear his name really have?
"His power is immense. In the Human and God Realm, he has been laying plans ever since that war. Even the Demon Hall in the Human and God Realm, where Hei Zi is, has more than a few of his pieces in play. After all,