I originally thought that even if the hallucinations caused by the confusing smoke would have some differences, they couldn’t be exactly the same. However, the underlying principles don’t change, especially since this time I was very aware that I was in an illusion, naturally reducing some of the tension and fear, and there would be no problem at all.

Who knew that the development would completely go in a different direction from her expectations.

Zhu Yu cautiously chose to stand still, thinking that since she was in an illusion, it would naturally be safer if she stayed still.

Perhaps because her mind was still relatively clear, even if she couldn’t wake up from the illusion, she had more self-control this time. Unlike the last time when her legs uncontrollably ran, she could stand there steadily.

While she closed her eyes, standing like a statue, ignoring everything around her, she didn’t know how much time had passed. Suddenly, there was a familiar warmth in her empty palm, and her hand was once again tightly held.

The strength and the feeling of being wrapped up, almost as if trying to encase her entire hand, were all too familiar to her.

Zhu Yu relaxed her heart, cautiously opened her eyes, and saw that she was still standing in front of the staircase, with Lu Qing standing next to her, holding her hand.

Could it be... she had escaped from the illusion?

Zhu Yu looked at Lu Qing in surprise. Lu Qing seemed to understand the doubt in her heart and nodded with a smile, "We got through it. It’s okay now."

Hearing his words, Zhu Yu let out a sigh of relief, looking around again, only to find the two of them there, "Where are the talisman?"

"The two of them chased after the thieves. With their skills, you don’t need to worry too much," Lu Qing looked at her with a gentle smile, "I’ll keep watch here, and if any of their thieves come out, I’ll catch them all.

Madam, please go upstairs to get the luggage those people hid.

I’ll be here waiting for you. Don’t be afraid. If anything goes wrong, just call me loudly, and I’ll come to help you immediately."

Zhu Yu, upon hearing this, her eyes turned sharp, suddenly released the hand holding Lu Qing’s as if it were something dirty, and flung it far away.

"What are you doing?" Lu Qing seemed to be taken aback by Zhu Yu’s reaction, looking surprised, "Why are you suddenly throwing a tantrum? Did I do something wrong that upset you?"

"No, of course not." Zhu Yu shook her head with a slight smile, "You’re just part of the illusion, how could you possibly anger me?"

"What are you talking about, Madam? Why are you making no sense to me?" Lu Qing’s confusion on his face deepened.

Zhu Yu ignored him, lowered her eyes, and stayed silent.

No matter how real this person in front of her was, no matter how genuine the feeling, she was utterly convinced that this was merely an illusion, all happening in her own head, and in reality, she hadn’t escaped from the confusing smoke at all.

Because in such an unstable place, the real Lu Qing would never call her "Madam" but would only call her "Mr. Zhu" or "Chief Historian Yu," without exception.

Hence, she should not react to any of the illusions around her.

"Madam... oh no, it was my mistake just now, Mr. Zhu, please don’t take it to heart." Lu Qing smiled apologetically, with a tone coaxing her, "Are you still scared from being trapped before?

Don’t worry, the detoxification pills we took really worked, we have already broken free from the illusion, everything you’re seeing now is real.

If you don’t believe me, ask me questions, and see if I can’t answer them?"

Zhu Yu sneered in her heart.

Ask questions? Answer them? Naturally! It all happens in her head, and the answers are also in her head.

Simply put, under the effect of the confusing smoke or seductive fragrance, her brain was helping outsiders deceive herself, no matter what question it is, essentially it’s just self-questioning and self-answering, how could it fail to answer!

Seeing her remaining unresponsive, Lu Qing seemed somewhat anxious, too: "Zhu Yu, what’s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?

If not, let’s forget about the things, just give me your hand, and let’s go outside now to get some fresh air, and then you’ll believe me, right?"

Zhu Yu remained unmoved, still ignoring him.

Suddenly, there was some chaotic footsteps nearby.

Lu Qing’s voice showed more urgency, "No, there are more people hidden here than we thought. These footsteps sound wrong, we can’t stay here anymore, we must leave now, quickly meet up with the talisman!"

Zhu Yu still did not move, even shaking off the hand that Lu Qing reached out to catch her with and closed her eyes.

"Zhu Yu! This is not the time for petty tantrums, be good, give me your hand, we have to get out now! 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

If we’re not quick, there won’t be time—"

With a muffled thud, Lu Qing’s voice was abruptly silenced.

Even though she kept reminding herself that it was all fake, Zhu Yu still couldn’t control herself, she abruptly opened her eyes, looking toward where Lu Qing stood.

Behind him, at some unknown time, there was a faceless man in black, whose sword had pierced through Lu Qing’s back and emerged from his chest.

Bright red blood quickly spread from Lu Qing’s chest onto his clothes, and with a face full of disbelief, as the man in black withdrew the sword, his body seemed to lose its bones and collapsed softly to the ground, with more blood gushing from the hole in his chest.

Immediately, Zhu Yu’s breath was filled with a thick scent of blood.

At that moment, Zhu Yu’s heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, merely shaking, not even able to truly beat.

She tried hard to remind herself that it was all an illusion, all fake, trying hard to calm herself down, but the scene in front of her was far too realistic, even the increasingly heavy scent of blood...

In that bloody scent, there was clearly a faint fragrance!

Zhu Yu desperately wanted to wake up, she pinched her waist hard but couldn’t feel pain and didn’t wake up abruptly.

She raised her hand to slap herself!

She was using all her strength, but her arms felt filled with cotton, unable to muster any power.

After trying various methods, she couldn’t make herself wake up, every time she opened her eyes she would see Lu Qing’s body lying before her, making Zhu Yu anxious.

Suddenly, she thought of something, slightly opened her mouth, and bit hard on her own tongue—