Chapter 40: The End of the Plan

A professional team was already making arrangements for Liu Shihao's funeral affairs, while Liu Lei and others—Liu Shihao’s true inner circle—were engaged in an intense discussion with Zhou Xianglin.

It was already two in the morning, yet none of them had gone to sleep in the VIP suite of the private hospital.

The conversation was still ongoing, practically escalating into a full-blown argument!

"Liu Lei, let me repeat myself: what you are thinking right now runs completely counter to your boss's wishes. If he were still here, he would rebuke you. His body is not even cold yet, and are you already planning to rebel—?"

Zhou Xianglin, usually the epitome of gentleness and refinement, was now practically shouting, motivated both by grief for his old friend and by his desperate desire to protect the Illusion-Breaking Project.

Sitting across from him on the sofa, Liu Lei took several deep breaths, trying his best to remain calm.

"Director Zhou, I know you are right. Not only did the boss pluck me from obscurity, but I also regard him as a father figure in my heart!"

Liu Lei looked up, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Zhou Xianglin, whose face was flushed with anger.

"Yet I stand by what I said. You know the young master's condition better than I do; he already meets the criteria to leave the valley!"

With that, Liu Lei stood up, glanced at the silent driver, nanny, and others nearby, and then spoke with utter seriousness.

"Indeed, the boss gave orders to ensure the Illusion-Breaking Project proceeds, but I am not subverting the project. Have you all considered this: what if the young master had left the valley a little earlier? If so, would he be here today?"

"Let's talk about reality. After all, I am merely President Liu's assistant, and none of us here hold lofty positions. To be brutally honest, without the boss, we are nothing! Soon enough, once the news of the boss's death leaks, the internal factions of the Liu Group and the tycoons of external capital will descend like sharks smelling blood!"

"Take the Liu Group internally, for instance. How long can the contingency plans left by the boss hold up? In the absence of a direct heir, let alone the company, they will covet the whereabouts of the boss's personal assets. These people may be a notch below the boss, but they are smarter than the vast majority of the world—and far more ruthless!"

"They will follow the scent and eventually uncover the Illusion-Breaking Project, discovering the existence of Hidden Immortal Valley. What happens then?"

Liu Lei unbuttoned his shirt collar to loosen his neck, taking a few more deep breaths.

"When that time comes, I might not have the capacity to maintain the project's perfect conclusion! The identities of so many people inside the valley, their restoration or alteration of records, and the promised financial compensations might not be properly fulfilled. What will become of their futures?"

"To take a step back—a hundred thousand steps back—the boss and the young master have already missed out on too much of each other. Do you intend to prevent the young master from even attending his own father's funeral?"

Liu Lei’s final roar left Zhou Xianglin utterly speechless. He glanced at the people beside him, feeling somewhat at a loss.

"I’m going out for a cigarette..."

The stocky, burly driver could no longer bear the heavy atmosphere in the room. Leaving behind those words, he opened the door and walked out.

The moment the door clicked shut, Zhou Xianglin slumped defeatedly back onto the sofa.

"You're right... You're right... Whether considering the current reality of the outside world or Hongyu's state of mind, it is time for the Illusion-Breaking Project to end..."

Clearly, Zhou Xianglin had foreseen the eventual conclusion of the project, but he had never expected to be forced into making such a painful decision within such a short timeframe—not only failing to preserve the project itself, but seemingly breaking his promise to his old friend...

---

Before dawn, after a brief period of rest, Liu Lei and the driver Leng Zhiheng boarded a private jet alongside Zhou Xianglin.

Shortly after daybreak, the group landed at Jingzhou Airport.

Later that day, everyone arrived at Muling Primary School, the headquarters of the Illusion-Breaking Project.

Not long after, all the stationed personnel at headquarters gathered on the school playground, awaiting an important announcement from Director Zhou Xianglin. The radio stations at over seventy monitoring posts maintained uninterrupted communication, ensuring they could hear the broadcast from Muling Primary School through the loudspeakers.

Everyone knew something significant was happening, though they were unsure of the exact nature of it. Of course, quite a few people guessed the correct outcome, though none imagined a forced termination; instead, they assumed it was the natural result of Liu Hongyu's recovery.

After all, the arrival of Liu Lei and the other members of the entourage was a telling sign in itself.

On the playground, a loudspeaker system was set up in front of the old teaching building. Liu Lei and the others stood nearby, while Zhou Xianglin took his place at the very front.

Zhou Xianglin tapped the microphone, producing a series of static thuds from the loudspeaker.

After calming his emotions and gathering his thoughts for a long moment, Zhou Xianglin finally spoke.

"Colleagues of the project team, dear friends! I know many of you have already guessed what today's matter is about... Some of you joined us more than a year ago, some have followed us for four or five years, and a few even discussed this with Director Liu and myself seven years ago. Yet, as the ancients said, no banquet in this world lasts forever. Today, I am here to share some good news: the Illusion-Breaking Project is drawing to a close. This play can finally be wrapped up..."

---

At the front of the playground, the back of the playground, the outskirts of the primary school, the forest outposts, and behind the radio stations of the seventy-odd commercial forests...

Countless staff members connected to the Illusion-Breaking Project were listening quietly.

The moods of the crowd were naturally complex; some felt joy, some reluctance, and most felt a sense of disorientation and bewilderment upon being abruptly told that a project meant to last much longer was coming to an end.

Naturally, aside from the field staff, Duan Yonghua—disciple of Old Master Mu—and his fellow travelers were standing behind one of the monitoring station radios.

The project was about to end!

On the playground of Muling Primary School, those deeply emotionally attached to the Illusion-Breaking Project felt a lingering reluctance, and the more sentimental ones even shed tears.

Yet, there were also plenty of people filled with joy. Many had grown thoroughly sick of this wretched environment; truth be told, the working conditions of many field staff were far harsher than those in Hidden Immortal Valley.

---

That evening, Duan Yonghua and the others hardly knew how they had made their way back, returning in a daze of lingering numbness.

Upon returning to Hidden Immortal Valley, the others dispersed to notify residents across the valley. Duan Yonghua first debriefed Old Master Mu before heading to the schoolhouse to find Zhuang Lin.

In the corridor of the academy, Duan Yonghua recounted everything he had heard that afternoon verbatim.

Of course, Duan Yonghua only knew that the project was wrapping up; he had no idea it was actually because Liu Shihao had died. Zhuang Lin, however, understood the underlying truth the moment Zhou Xianglin’s words were relayed, realizing precisely why Liu Hongyu had been so restless earlier that day.

"Mr. Zian, in any case, people will soon arrive to help transport everyone out. We just need to play our parts well for the ending..."

Duan Yonghua's tone was somewhat dejected, entirely devoid of any excitement about returning to modern developed society or receiving a hefty financial reward.

After a brief silence, seeing that Master Zhuang remained silent, Duan Yonghua looked at him with hesitation.

"Does Mr. Zian have nothing to say?"

Zhuang Lin listened quietly before finally speaking.

"Just as you said, we merely need to bring this to a proper close..."

Duan Yonghua fell silent after hearing this, wordless for a long time. Observing his demeanor, Zhuang Lin remarked with a hint of emotion,

"Reluctant to leave, are you?"

As if waiting precisely for those words, Duan Yonghua, who had been standing, sat down on the wooden bench of the corridor, patting his trousers as he spoke with underlying sentiment.

"Of course I'm reluctant... Growing up, aside from some fond childhood memories, where else could I stay for so long and feel so at ease? To many people, this is merely an exaggerated theatrical stage, but to me, it feels like a dream homeland..."

Duan Yonghua sighed softly.

"However, Master used to say that a physician must have a benevolent heart; there are thousands of patients out there waiting for me to cure them. Perhaps it's for the best that this dream ends a little sooner!"

Zhuang Lin remained silent, giving a gentle nod.

Duan Yonghua looked at Zhuang Lin, feeling certain he had not misjudged the man. Master Zhuang was not the kind of cold, ruthless person driven solely by greed.

"Mr. Zian must be reluctant to leave as well, right?"

Without looking at Duan Yonghua, Zhuang Lin gazed with a faint smile at the wisps of cooking smoke rising from various parts of the valley, replying in a detached tone.

"I am not leaving!"

"Ah? Not leaving? Not leaving..."

Duan Yonghua blankly repeated the words, his mind wandering off in confusion.

Even as he departed from the academy, Duan Yonghua continued to ponder Zhuang Lin's words...

---

Compared to the external staff, the residents of Hidden Immortal Valley harbored an even greater reluctance to leave. Even those obsessed with their monetary compensation could hardly claim they could completely detach themselves from Hidden Immortal Valley.

Some had lived in Hidden Immortal Valley for over a year, others for more than two. The earliest batch had transitioned from staying for brief periods to living alongside the rest, spending at least four or five years of their lives here.

Here, there was little life pressure; here, there was none of the petty scheming of the outside world; here, neighborly relations were harmonious; here, both body and mind were at ease, and illness was a rare occurrence.

Yet, all things must eventually come to an end. By midnight that day, aside from the very young children, virtually everyone in the valley had learned that the Illusion-Breaking Project was drawing to a close.

Even young Master Liu, whom everyone assumed would be kept in the dark, had found out!

Of course, Liu Hongyu did not know everything; he was still unaware of Liu Shihao's death.

That evening, Old Master Mu prepared a table of fine dishes, inviting Duan Yonghua and his wife, as well as Master Zhuang.

Everyone sat kneeling around the large table on the floor. Old Master Mu personally poured wine for everyone, even glaring down Duan Yonghua when the latter offered to take over the duty.

Normally, Old Master Mu did not allow children to drink alcohol—not only Mu Hongwen, but Liu Hongyu as well had been subjected to this rule. Today, however, wine was poured into Liu Hongyu's bowl, and even young Xiao Wen's bowl contained a shallow portion.

" Grandpa Mu, are you lifting the wine ban on me today? What auspicious occasion is this, to have even invited the Master?"

While everyone else remained silent, Liu Hongyu broke the ice with a joking remark to liven the atmosphere. He could naturally sense the strange tension in the air, yet he had to pretend to know nothing.

"Isn't the Mid-Autumn Festival just around the corner? We're just gathering early!"

Duan Yonghua chimed in with a smile, though little Xiao Wen immediately piped up with childish innocence,

"Then why aren't we gathering on the actual day of the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

Liu Hongyu hurriedly pinched Xiao Wen's nose in playful jest.

"What do you children know? If we gather today, we can gather a second time on Mid-Autumn Festival—we get to celebrate twice!"

After finishing pouring the wine, Old Master Mu smiled and nodded.

"Consider this the Mid-Autumn Festival. Tonight, let us all drink to our hearts' content. Master Zhuang!"

Old Master Mu raised his wine bowl toward Zhuang Lin, who solemnly raised his bowl in response. The two elders of highest seniority then gestured to the entire table, offering a toast to everyone present. All the guests raised their bowls in return, including a brightly grinning Mu Hongwen.

"Drink until we're drunk and refuse to stop!" "Right, drink until we're drunk and refuse to stop!"

The dinner lasted quite late. Everyone shared many words around the table; putting aside the sensitive topics that could not be spoken, it was undeniably a display of genuine emotion. By the end, everyone was slightly intoxicated.

When Liu Hongyu slumped over the table with a flushed face and fell soundly asleep, the emotional fervour at the table gradually subsided.

Old Master Mu sighed, looking across at Zhuang Lin, who still sat composed and sober.

"Master Zhuang has an impressive tolerance for alcohol..."

"Mr. Tingwen is not doing badly either!"

"That's different. Old man here took a sobering pill beforehand!"

Zhuang Lin smiled, drained his bowl of wine in one gulp, and then looked at Duan Yonghua, who was already somewhat hazy with drink.

"Shall we help Young Master Liu inside?"

"Ah, right!"

...

Some rejoiced while others sorrowed. Regardless, on this particular night, nearly everyone in Hidden Immortal Valley suffered from insomnia.

---

Before the break of dawn, accompanied by the whirring sound of a ceiling fan akin to a helicopter rotor at the threshing floor, a group of people whose attire felt entirely out of place in Hidden Immortal Valley arrived at the settlement.

Several individuals dressed in suits and white lab coats stepped out of a transport helicopter, pushing wheeled stretchers as they hurried toward the Mu family's medical clinic.

The clinic was brightly lit, its front doors left wide open.

*Screech~*

The doors were pushed open by the group, who proceeded into the interior of the clinic and reached the back courtyard.

In the courtyard stood a table. Under the lamplight, Old Master Mu and Zhuang Lin were playing a game of chess, one stroking his beard while observing, the other holding a Go stone in deep contemplation.

As the crowd entered the back courtyard, both the physician and the scholar turned their calm gazes toward the intruders.

This scene possessed an intensely striking visual impact for the outsiders, giving them the surreal illusion that they had genuinely stepped back into ancient times—a sensation none of them had ever experienced from birth until now, neither on screens nor on any stage...