I'm bombarding the Supernatural World with my firearms

"The most important thing is—"

Black Doctor's expression gradually became serious, and a faint light seemed to illuminate his ordinarily unremarkable back: "I've found that all the self-inflicted wounds on Miao's body, although they look extremely terrifying, are mostly superficial, not causing too much damage to the internal organs or bones."

"This also means that Miao, you were fully conscious when you harmed yourself, not because you were hallucinating or unable to distinguish reality in the Illusory Realm."

"This very point also precisely proves my speculation."

"There must be some necessary reason that compelled you, Miao, to harm yourself."

"It wasn't until I discovered that your body was rapidly healing itself, and those cells had all transformed into tiny beings and started to converge and charge toward your brain, that I realized that this might be the reason why you harmed yourself."

As the words fell.

"Clap Clap Clap!!!"

Chen Miao slightly smiled with satisfaction, clapping his hands: "I didn't expect you, kid, to not only be highly artistic but also to have the makings of a military strategist, analyzing so meticulously."

To be honest, although there were some differences from what Black Doctor had said, it was largely the same.

And at this time, having survived a narrow escape from death, he also felt quite good.

Although his body was somewhat tired, his mood was still pretty good.

And Hungry Monkey and the others were now looking at Black Doctor with faces full of shock.

"Black Doctor..."

With some disbelief, Hungry Monkey began, "Isn't your character off the mark? I remember you being a very competent surgeon, right? How come your logical reasoning is so good?"

Doctor Gou looked at Black Doctor with a strange expression, sizing him up for a long while before finally speaking in a low voice, "You haven't been possessed or had your body snatched, have you? You were so silent and reserved over in Broken Pot City, so why have you suddenly turned into a famous detective once you got here?"

"Arguing with such a well-founded logic?"

"No!"

Only Zhou Shen, with a not so pleased expression, stared at Black Doctor and enunciated every word, "It has been three days since Miao came back, and you said you attached that device to Miao's legs on the first day. If that's the case, why did you wait until the third day to tell us about it?"

"In other words, you made a decision on your own without communicating with anyone and have been hiding it from us for three days?"

"If Miao hadn't woken up today, how long were you planning to keep it from us?"

"..."

Black Doctor's face was without much fluctuation, only turning his head to look at Zhou Shen and calmly said, "May I speak? I'll just ask you one question—if you saw that terrifying device I put on Miao's legs."

"Would you have stopped me?"

"Or if I had told you those things I mentioned earlier, would you have believed them?"

"Hey." Hungry Monkey said, the tone of his voice slightly unfriendly, "That's not a nice thing to say. It's like you're implying we're all fools who can't see right from wrong. Just now, before Miao woke up, didn't we all believe you about those tiny beings?"

"You believed because you could see them with your own eyes through the microscope."

Black Doctor continued, his expression indifferent, "But when you hear about continuously inflicting wounds on Miao, you would definitely reject it instinctively at first and then open fire with discussions."

"But by the time you finish making a choice, the moment would have passed."

"Miao might have died by then."
Your journey continues on empire

"The fastest way to execute a decision is to act on it alone. It was a measure of necessity. I can understand everyone's loyalty to Miao, but it's that very loyalty that makes it difficult for all of you to make decisions lightly."

"I hope you all understand."

With a hint of apology on his face, Black Doctor looked at Hungry Monkey and the others and slightly bowed his head, giving them a way out so as not to make the situation too rigid.

"It's nothing."

Chen Miao waved a hand, "First, have someone make me some corn porridge and salted vegetables."

...

Thirty minutes later.

On the ground.

Chen Miao sat on a stool, picked up a chopstickful of salted vegetables, chewed thoroughly a few times before lifting the corn porridge with one hand. After slurping a mouthful from the edge of the bowl, he closed his eyes, contentedly savoring the taste.

This spoonful was truly satisfying.

At this moment, no delicacy in the world could compare with this mouthful of corn porridge.

Corn kernel porridge.

He hadn't eaten for several days, and although it hadn't reduced his life vitality by much, he was still feeling quite hungry.

Underneath his feet was a washbasin.

A washbasin temporarily modified, not holding water but containing a dozen rapidly spinning blades, like a group of butchers cruelly boning meat. For now, this was the method he must use to contain the curse.

There was no other way.

"Does it hurt, Miao?"

Zhou Shen looked at Miao with a hint of heartache, his voice hoarse and trembling with a slight redness in his eyes, "If I had known that going out to get money would lead to such a great crisis, I would never have let you go, Miao. I should have gone myself."

"Now the pain you bear on your body is paining my heart."

"The Tomb Guardian wouldn't be affected by the loss of a Zhou Shen, but the rest of us can't be without you, Miao. You are our cornerstone. I don't know what we'd do if something happened to you, Miao."

"Promise me, Miao that you'll never go out alone again. Even if we can't protect you—at least... at least we could die in front of you, so we wouldn't have to endure seeing you suffer alone like this."

This speech was truly an outpouring of genuine sentiment, bringing tears to the eyes of many present.

And Hungry Monkey stared blankly at Zhou Shen with an expressionless face; wasn't this flattery a bit too much, a bit too exaggerated? His initial suspicion was correct—Zhou Shen's presence truly threatened his own status.

This man was utterly shameless.

"It doesn't hurt."

As if the blades scraping bone weren't against his own feet, Chen Miao finished the corn porridge in one gulp and casually placed the bowl aside, then said evenly, "Those who aim for great achievements should not sweat the small stuff, let alone such minor injuries."

"As a leader, one must be brave and fearless."

"Enough about this, aren't you curious how I got injured, and why aren't you asking?"

"Here's the thing."

Without waiting for Hungry Monkey and the others to reply, Chen Miao started telling his story, "It's a long story, so let's keep it short. I went out to withdraw money, and just as I got off the Hell Bus, something unexpected happened."

"I was cursed by a demon from afar."

"And then I ended up like this."

"In the end, I escaped and came back."

"Let's postpone further discussion for tomorrow; I'm a bit tired today and need to rest early."

"I'm heading back to my room now. Later, bring this washbasin into my room for me."