Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

As soon as Cheng Yu voiced his doubts, the "self" who looked exactly like him punched him squarely in the face without hesitation. The punch was powerful, making Cheng Yu see stars and his cheek swell instantly. In the other person's face, which was identical to his own, Cheng Yu clearly saw anger and dissatisfaction, as if blaming him for his lack of self-control.

Before Cheng Yu could fully react to the sudden punch, his opponent grabbed him by the collar and roughly lifted him up. The two were almost face to face, and the powerful aura emanating from his opponent made Cheng Yu feel suffocated.

"What the hell are you doing?!" The angry roar of "himself" exploded in Cheng Yu's ears, making his eardrums buzz and almost causing him to have tinnitus on the spot. The voice was full of anger and disappointment, as if it was utterly disappointed in Cheng Yu's actions.

Immediately afterward, that "self" seemed even angrier, and delivered another heavy punch to Cheng Yu's face. This punch was even harder than the previous one, making Cheng Yu's head buzz and drawing blood from the corner of his mouth.

Several heavy punches completely jolted Cheng Yu out of his confusion and bewilderment. He finally realized that the guy in front of him who looked exactly like him was not an illusion, but a real person.

Cheng Yu glared at the "himself" who had inexplicably attacked him, his anger flaring up instantly. The fact that the other person had hit him for no reason filled Cheng Yu with immense anger and resentment. Without hesitation, he swung his fist and smashed it hard into the other person's face.

Because the two were extremely close, the other party had no time to dodge and took a solid punch from Cheng Yu. The punch was also very powerful, causing the other party to groan and take a step back in pain, with a look of agony on his face.

The two Cheng Yus wrestled together, exchanging punches and kicks, neither giving an inch. The scene looked extremely bizarre; two identical people were fighting each other wildly, as if it were a battle between themselves.

The ever-changing, kaleidoscope-like scenery around them gradually disappeared, replaced by an endless expanse of water. This water, calm as a mirror, reflected the two figures of Cheng Yu wrestling.

They stood on the water's surface, yet did not sink, as if the water possessed some magical power that supported their weight. Every time their toes touched the surface, ripples spread outwards, like pebbles falling into water.

The battle between the two Cheng Yus continued, but the other "self" clearly had the upper hand. He seemed to have more combat experience, and every attack was precise and powerful, forcing Cheng Yu to retreat steadily.

Finally, that "self" grabbed Cheng Yu's head by the hair on top and forcibly pressed his head towards the water's surface. Cheng Yu stared at the mirror-like surface of the water beneath his feet, his eyes filled with shock and confusion. He realized that this body of water was remarkably similar to the spiritual world he had seen in anime in his previous life; both possessed a mysterious power capable of reflecting a person's true inner thoughts.

"What...what's going on?" Cheng Yu muttered to himself, his mind filled with questions. He didn't know what this body of water was or why it was here.

Just then, the voice of "yourself" rang out again: "This is your spiritual world, where your deepest thoughts will be reflected."

"The spiritual world?" Cheng Yu was even more puzzled. "Why has my spiritual world become like this?"

“Because you have lost yourself,” the “self” said. “You have been deceived by those false illusions and have forgotten your true self.”

“I…” Cheng Yu wanted to refute, but found himself speechless. He recalled his experiences in those illusions, each scene filled with temptation and challenge, almost making him lose himself in them.

“You must find your true self,” the “self” said, “otherwise, you will never be able to leave here.”

After saying that, he released Cheng Yu's hair and stood quietly to the side, watching Cheng Yu struggle on the surface of the water.

Cheng Yu stared at his reflection in the water, his heart filled with confusion. He didn't know what his true self was like, nor how to find it.

All he knew was that he had to find a way to leave this place as soon as possible, otherwise he would be trapped in this illusory spiritual world forever.

Meanwhile, Bai Yu was still trying to find a way to save Cheng Yu. He didn't know what had happened in Cheng Yu's mental world, but he could sense that Cheng Yu's situation was becoming increasingly dangerous.

Cheng Yu struggled to his feet, soaking wet, but he paid no heed, his gaze fixed on the other "himself" standing not far away. The other's appearance shocked and puzzled him; the tattered clothes, the tangled hair, the horrifying wounds all over his body, and the empty eye socket all spoke volumes about the suffering and battles the other had endured.

"You, what happened to you? Why did you become like this?" Cheng Yu couldn't help but ask, his voice trembling slightly. He could sense that the other person was probably from another version of himself from a different timeline, but why was the other person in such a sorry state? With his abilities, how could he have allowed himself to suffer such severe injuries, even losing an eye?

However, in the other's remaining single eye, a resolute light still shone, as if filled with hope for the future. Hearing Cheng Yu's question, the "self" showed an even more furious expression. He strode up to Cheng Yu and loudly questioned, "You still have the nerve to ask this? Look at yourself, what are you doing here? Do you really think you are Him? You can be Him?"

This sudden question left Cheng Yu even more bewildered; he had absolutely no idea what the other person was trying to say. Why wasn't the other person answering his question, but instead asking him a question in return? And who exactly was this "He" the other person was referring to?

Cheng Yu shook his head, looking blankly at the other "himself," and said, "I'm sorry, I really don't know what you're talking about, but please answer my question first, okay? Can we talk properly?"

"Talk? Hahaha~ Of course," the "self" suddenly let out a piercing laugh, its eyes filled with mockery. "Then I'll tell you why I became like this? I'm just another version of you from a parallel universe in the future, and I turned into this monstrous form to come back and help you. I'm telling you, you'll never be Him!"

"Who exactly is this 'He' you're talking about? Please tell me, okay?" Cheng Yu nodded. He roughly understood the other person's identity, but the "He" the other person spoke of only deepened his confusion. He desperately wanted to know who "He" was and why his future self was so wary of him.

However, the "self" opposite him looked at Cheng Yu as if he were mentally challenged, his eyes filled with disappointment and disdain, and then he burst into laughter, his laughter filled with helplessness and self-mockery.

"How could you become so foolish? This is your mental world. Don't you know what you're thinking? Look at what's under your feet!" The "self" stopped laughing and said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu subconsciously looked down at the water at his feet. The water was like a mirror, clearly reflecting his figure, but this figure filled him with utter unfamiliarity and fear.

His once yellow fur had turned an eerie white, and numerous writhing tentacles had sprouted from his body. These tentacles seemed to possess life, constantly pulsating and emanating an evil aura. This wasn't him at all; what kind of monster was this?

"This is...me?" Cheng Yu's voice trembled. He couldn't believe that the monster reflected in the water was actually himself.

“This is your deepest, truest thought,” the voice of “yourself” rang out again. “You crave power, you crave to become ‘He,’ you make yourself believe you are Him, don’t you? But you don’t know that it will lead you to destruction.”

"I crave power? When have I ever had it? I've never had it. This is impossible..." Cheng Yu muttered to himself. He recalled his experiences in those illusions, each scene filled with temptation, making him yearn for greater power. Could this be his deepest, truest thought?

“Is that so?” said the “self.” “You do not crave power, but you do not know that countless people have been hinting to you countless times that you are Him, wanting you to become Him so that you can become the catalyst for their use. Under such circumstances, you also begin to doubt that you are Him, and that He will also influence you to become Him. This does not come from the outside, but from your own heart.”

"Then what should I do?" Cheng Yu asked, eager to know the answer.

“Find your true self,” the “self” said. “Only by finding your true self can you take control of your destiny and break free from ‘His’ control.”

"My true self..." Cheng Yu murmured, closing his eyes and beginning to recall his experiences since arriving in this world. He remembered his recent encounter with Bai Yu, the happy times at the Spear Tavern, and the adventures he had shared with his companions...

Gradually, the confusion in his heart began to dissipate, and a clear thought emerged in his mind: he was not "He", he was Cheng Yu, a yellow-haired wolf from another world. He had his own companions, his own goals, and his own future.

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with determination. Looking at the monster's reflection in the water, he shouted, "I am not you, I am Cheng Yu!"

As he finished speaking, the monster in the water began to twist and deform, eventually disappearing, replaced by Cheng Yu's original appearance.

“You finally understand,” the “self” said with relief. “Remember, true power comes from within, not from external illusions.”

After he finished speaking, his figure gradually became transparent and eventually disappeared into the air.

But just as that "self" was about to completely disappear, a powerful force suddenly struck, hitting Cheng Yu hard in the cheek. The punch came so unexpectedly that Cheng Yu was stunned. He covered his face, staring incredulously at his reflection. The "self" that had vanished had reappeared, even more furious than before.

"You fucking idiot, how could you be so easily bewitched by illusions again!" The voice of "yourself" was filled with rage, as if it wanted to devour Cheng Yu alive.

Cheng Yu suddenly woke up with a start, realizing that everything that had just happened was just an illusion. He felt a chill run down his spine; how could all of this have been resolved so easily? Those eerie tentacles, those constantly changing scenes, and that mysterious "He"—it was all like a giant net, trapping him firmly within it.

Looking at Cheng Yu's terrified state, "himself" was filled with disappointment and anger. He approached Cheng Yu step by step, the powerful aura emanating from him making Cheng Yu feel suffocated.

“It seems you still don’t understand,” the voice of that “self” was deep and cold, “If you can’t do it, then let me take your place.”

"Replace me?" Cheng Yu asked疑惑地, "How would you replace me?"

“It’s very simple,” a cruel smile appeared on the lips of that “self,” “I’ll beat you to death with my fists, and then I’ll take your place. This is the worst-case scenario, but also the most effective method.”

"How could this be!" Cheng Yu exclaimed in horror. "I absolutely refuse! If this is the case, I must solve my own problems. I must find a way to prevent myself from becoming 'He'."

"Oh? Then tell me, what's your plan?" The "self" looked at Cheng Yu with great interest, as if wanting to see what else he could say.

Cheng Yu fell silent, his head bowed, his mind racing. He knew he had to come up with a solution as soon as possible, or he would never escape this predicament.

“I…” Cheng Yu began, his voice trembling slightly, “I don’t know what to do, but I know I can’t give up. I still have partners and friends, and I can’t let them down.”

"Partners? Friends?" The "self" sneered. "Do you really think they can help you? They will only become a burden and make you weaker."

“No, they are not a burden,” Cheng Yu said firmly. “They are my strength and my hope. Without them, I would have lost myself long ago.”

“Is that so?” A complex emotion flashed in the eyes of that “self”. “Then prove it to me, prove that you can control your own destiny, prove that you are not ‘He’.”

After saying that, he launched another attack on Cheng Yu. This time, his attack was even more ferocious and swift, as if he wanted to completely destroy Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu gritted his teeth, desperately trying to defend against the opponent's attacks. He knew this was a life-or-death battle; he couldn't afford to lose.

The two engaged in a fierce battle on the water's surface, exchanging blows and creating ripples with each collision. Although Cheng Yu was no match for his opponent, he repeatedly thwarted their attacks with unwavering willpower and his longing for his comrades.

"Why won't you give up?" the "self" asked while attacking. "You know perfectly well that you are no match for me."

“Because I can’t give up,” Cheng Yu said, panting. “I still have an unfinished mission, and I still have people I want to love. I can’t just fall like this; I must fight to the very end!”

"A lover? Don't you already have that? Could it be your master? You're really bold!" The "self" suddenly stopped moving, looking at Cheng Yu with eyes full of doubt. "Do you really think that way?"

“Of course,” Cheng Yu said firmly, “I came into this world not to become ‘He,’ but to find my true self and to protect everything I cherish.”

“The real me…” that “me” murmured to himself, his eyes gradually softening, “Perhaps, you really are different from me, um… bolder than me…”

He slowly withdrew his fist, stood there quietly, and looked at Cheng Yu.

“You won,” he said. “You proved yourself; you are not ‘He’.”

Cheng Yu was stunned; he didn't understand why the other party had suddenly changed their attitude.

"Why do you say that?" Cheng Yu asked.

"Ahem, you don't need to worry about that. You'd better really be able to win over your master, since that could affect other timelines. Ahem~ Let's not talk about that," the "self" said with a tone of praise mixed with a hint of embarrassment.

After he finished speaking, his figure began to become transparent again. This time, he did not launch another attack, but completely disappeared into the air.

Cheng Yu stood there, stunned for a long time. He didn't know who that "self" was, or why it had helped him. But he knew he had to find Bai Yu and the others as soon as possible; only then could he completely break free from "It's" control and find his true self.