Taboo Mage - Chapter 226 - The Final Truth

“What?!” My voice suddenly rose several octaves.

Echoing my shock was Lin Huan, who had just walked in. The little fox in his arms also heard Xu Benzhang’s words. It leaped out of Lin Huan’s embrace and dashed towards Old Lady Xu, baring its sharp teeth.

The old lady, who had been sitting on the sofa in a daze, was momentarily stunned when she saw the little fox. Then her eyes lit up, and she reached out with a smile.

“Benben… you’re back? Come here, let me hold you.”

The little fox took a few steps back, then disdainfully glanced at Old Lady Xu before turning and burrowing into Jue Chi’s arms.

Seeing the little fox ignoring her, Old Lady Xu hurriedly stood up and walked over to Jue Chi, reaching out to touch the little fox.

Jue Chi placed his right hand on the little fox’s head. When he saw Old Lady Xu approaching, he merely lifted his eyelids slightly. As he lowered his head, he pulled the Kasaya from his body and draped it over the little fox.

The large Kasaya completely covered the little fox, making it impossible for the old lady to see it. She began to make a fuss, accusing us of stealing her dog.

Watching the old lady’s hysterics, I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

She had the heart to harm a dog that had accompanied her for over twenty years, and now she was putting on an act of remorse, accusing me of stealing her dog. Her dog had long since ended up in the belly of her precious grandson!

“Hey, Boss, is what Xu Benzhang said true? If it is, then it means Zhou Qifang lied to us. But why would he do that?” Lin Huan glanced at Old Lady Xu, then moved closer to me and whispered.

I furrowed my brow slightly. Lin Huan’s question was exactly what I was pondering. Xu Benzhang had no reason to lie to us now.

Moreover, with the old lady present, how could he lie? Even if the old lady wanted to protect her son and take most of the blame, I believed Xu Benzhang wouldn’t want that.

Xu Benzhang might be selfish, but he was quite filial when it came to the old lady.

So, if Xu Benzhang’s words were true, could it really mean that Zhou Qifang was deceiving me?

I glanced towards the storage room. The glass door reflected Zhou Qifang’s busy figure.

No, Zhou Qifang wouldn’t lie to me. This belief suddenly popped into my mind, and I couldn’t help but smile wryly. It seemed that yellow talisman from Zhou Qifang was really effective.

If Zhou Qifang found out, who knows how much he would mock me.

If both of them were telling the truth, then as someone who experienced the event firsthand, Xu Benzhang wouldn’t be wrong. This meant the problem must lie with Zhou Qifang.

Zhou Qifang wouldn’t lie to me, so the only possible explanation for the current situation was that Old Lady Xu’s dream had deceived Zhou Qifang.

Yes! The dream! Zhou Qifang had only invaded Old Lady Xu’s dream. Dreams can change based on one’s subjective consciousness. Zhou Qifang couldn’t control the old lady’s dream; he could only guide her to dream certain things.

This meant that in her subconscious, the old lady had automatically repaired this memory, painting herself as someone who loved her son deeply and had no choice but to give up her beloved dog.

An idea struck me, and I glanced at Old Lady Xu. In her subconscious, she saw herself as an innocent victim, believing all the trouble was caused by her cruel son.

“Ah! I figured it out!”

A thought flashed through my mind, and this time, I quickly grasped it.

Thinking back, from the beginning until now, it had always been Old Lady Xu who suffered. Xu Benzhang, to put it bluntly, had only been a little frightened; he hadn’t really been harmed.

So, the truth was, the dog wanted revenge on Old Lady Xu all along! Xu Benzhang was just collateral damage.

Realizing this, everything fell into place, including why Xu Benzhang had been so ruthless with his mother. I was sure the dog had done something.

To make someone suffer deeply, the most thorough way is to make them watch their most precious thing shatter before their eyes.

The old lady had caused the dog pain by trying to end its life, which it valued most. To make Old Lady Xu feel the same pain, the dog had to make her watch her most cherished person end her life.

The dog chose Xu Benzhang.

Realizing this, I couldn’t help but laugh. After all this time, I had been played by a dog.

I felt my intelligence had been thoroughly mocked and trampled.

Lin Huan, standing beside me, looked at me in confusion, asking why I was suddenly so happy. I shared my theory with him.

Lin Huan stared at me, then at Zhou Qifang, before finally widening his eyes and slapping his forehead as he finally understood the truth.

“You mean, the dog actually wanted my mother’s life?”

Xu Benzhang’s voice suddenly came through. I turned to look at him, seeing the confusion on his face, and nodded solemnly.

Xu Benzhang stood there with his mouth agape, unable to process it. I sighed. In the end, the most hated person turned out to be the most innocent.

It was hard to tell if it was fate playing tricks or just the strange workings of destiny.