Chapter 117
Chapter
117
2026
Pei Xi strode through the base and happened to run into Kieran coming around a corner.
“How do you plan to deal with Ye Zheng?” he asked.
Pei Xi could hardly believe it. Ye Zheng had truly killed four living people in that manner. They were clearly the same age, so why could Ye Zheng always do things that went so far beyond imagination?
“Hm? It can’t really be called dealing with her. She’s a troublesome child. I just want her to stay quietly until everything is over, and then you can all go home together.”
Pei Xi’s expression tightened and his gaze darkened further. “What counts as ‘over’? Kieran, how do you plan to handle Zhou Yun outside?”
Kieran lowered his head and sighed, his face showing a trace of sorrow.
“If possible, I don’t want to kill her.”
They had entered the base through a hidden side passage after taking a detour. Even so, they’d been attacked by monsters along the way. Pei Xi had gone ahead earlier to scout and discovered that all defensive forces were concentrated at the front. Sharp shrieks echoed endlessly. He wanted to go out and see what was happening, but the knights stopped him.
Kieran had told him about the origins of this base, the Hope Project, and the truth behind the prophecy. His own birth mother had even signed her name on that heavy document.
All of this turned Pei Xi’s surging anger into confusion. Had Kieran done something wrong? Perhaps in the distant future, he would be remembered as a pioneer who carried out absolute justice.
The responsibility and expectations weighing on him grew heavier. Pei Xi didn’t even dare to remain lost in thought. He had to force himself to act.
“Let me ask differently. How do you plan to rescue those five hundred thousand people?”
Whether the Hope Project was just or not was a difficult question, but they couldn’t possibly stand by and do nothing while five hundred thousand lives were in danger.
Kieran looked at Pei Xi’s resolute face. Words of persuasion reached his lips but were swallowed back. After a moment, he spoke with a smile that carried both relief and satisfaction.
“My original plan was to stall Zhou Yun. As long as nothing happened to you all, that would’ve been enough.”
“But after spending these past few days with you, I know you won’t sit still and wait for death. Perhaps I can’t stop you. I should trust you. Trust in the Hope Project.”
“Zhou Yun destroyed the restraints and took away all the Fallen Ones. Most of them are currently devouring the base’s defensive forces at the front. Once the defenses collapse, the monsters will destroy the base’s protective shield. When that shield breaks, Zhou Yun’s fog will enter, and the base won’t be far from destruction.”
Pei Xi frowned as he listened. He couldn’t help interrupting.
“You mean the base’s guards are all outside the protective shield, fighting the Fallen Ones in the white fog?”
The white fog didn’t only bring low visibility and harsh conditions. More terrifyingly, the fog possessed consciousness and could strangle people at any moment.
Kieran nodded, as if seeing through the youth’s thoughts.
“During the first week, the base lost two-thirds of its guards. But as Zhou Yun’s power declines, the situation has improved somewhat. Perhaps they can hold on until Zhou Yun completely exhausts her strength.”
Pei Xi clenched his fists. He didn’t dare ask how many people two-thirds truly meant. He shook his head.
“But before Zhou Yun’s power runs out, if we can’t meet her conditions, she might kill all the trapped people!”
At that moment, Pei Xi’s brows furrowed tightly. A sudden question came to mind.
“Why is Zhou Yun so strong? I’ve never heard of such a powerful figure.”
Among the younger generation, he had seen the double S-rank powerhouse Bai Muqing. Her 【Divine Domain】 had similarities with Zhou Yun’s eerie white fog ability. Within its range, she could easily manipulate everything. However, even the famous Bai Muqing couldn’t cover an area containing millions of residents like the Western District.
Pei Xi suspected that Zhou Yun’s strength might already surpass that arrogant triple S-rank Sykes. After all, aside from opposing him in competitions, Sykes didn’t have many particularly outstanding battle records.
“Can’t we persuade her to release the hostages? The legendary world-destroying aberrant realm is about to descend. With a powerhouse like her—”
“Even if Zhou Yun surrenders, she won’t live long enough to face the aberrant realm.”
The man interrupted Pei Xi’s naive suggestion.
“She not only released the Fallen Ones but also stole the dragon bones stored in the base and used them on herself. Dragon bone power carries a chance to awaken abilities. She was fortunate enough to turn from an ordinary person into an ability user instead of losing her mind and becoming a monster.”
Pei Xi’s eyes widened. It was the first time he had heard that ordinary people could become ability users. Thinking further, he realized that dragon bones couldn’t be implanted into men’s bodies. Only women had such an opportunity.
Kieran shook his head regretfully and continued.
“But she used far too much. I’m certain that half the weight of her body now comes from dragon bone. The base has never had a woman endure such a quantity of dragon bone. The fact that she has survived until now is already a miracle.”
The man sighed.
“Sometimes women’s willpower truly surpasses imagination.”
He looked up at Pei Xi’s heavy expression.
“Your metal transformation ability can counter the white fog’s attacks. Sykes’s 【Destruction】 and his superior combat skills require no concern either. If you want to rescue those people, I can allow you to go out.”
“I believe in you. You’re the children destined to bring dawn to everyone, destined for victory and glory.”
“I understand. I’ll gather them and set out immediately.”
Pei Xi’s tone carried unconscious anxiety. The moment he heard the word “glory,” he immediately cut Kieran off.
Kieran narrowed his eyes slightly, naturally assuming the youth was eager to save the hostages.
The stiff-backed young man turned and left. After only a few steps, the man’s gentle persuasion sounded from behind once more.
“Remember, don’t trust Zhou Yun.”
“She deceived me. She used Yuan Yuan’s last wish to deceive me and made me believe she wanted to complete what Yuan Yuan couldn’t do. That’s how all of this began.”
The white-robed bishop watched Pei Xi walk farther away. Shadows fell across his lowered face.
He took a photograph from his robes, gazing at the family of four in it, and murmured, “I have sinned.”
✧✧✧✧✧
Pei Xi ran through the base. He had to hurry and inform Roy, Sykes, and the others so they could act together. The longer they delayed, the greater the danger to the five hundred thousand people.
Lu Qi had disappeared after entering the Western District. She was very likely among those trapped by Zhou Yun.
Suddenly, a figure in white robes hurried out from ahead. Pei Xi couldn’t stop in time and collided with the person.
The small white-robed figure staggered backward. Pei Xi quickly caught her. The moment he saw her face, shock flashed across his blue eyes.
“Lu Qi!”
“Pei Xi?”
Lu Qi looked at him with equal surprise. Seeing a familiar teammate here, perhaps someone who had come to rescue her reckless self, the girl broke into a joyful smile.
Just as she was about to ask how Pei Xi had found this place, something suddenly occurred to her. She reached into her sleeve and her expression became restrained.
Pei Xi also looked surprised. He wanted to ask why Lu Qi was here, yet he realized that this reunion scene was not quite what he had imagined. Lu Qi’s demeanor carried an inexplicable heaviness.
No matter what, finding Lu Qi was great news. Pei Xi instinctively grabbed her hand. “It’s good that you’re safe. Let’s go together. I…”
Lu Qi’s large eyes looked at him. When their gazes met, the girl quietly withdrew her hand. Pei Xi froze.
“No, Pei Xi. I still have something to do. I can’t go with you.”
Lu Qi hesitated, her tone slightly unsteady.
“What is it? Do you need my help? I know the person in charge here, Bishop Kieran. Maybe he can…”
Pei Xi stopped halfway through the sentence. His pupils shrank as he suddenly remembered where this place was.
Why was Lu Qi here? Kieran had said that all the women here had participated voluntarily, but how could that possibly be true for Lu Qi?
His anxious gaze swept over her. Only then did he notice how unusually pale her face was. She had always been the kind of girl whose cheeks flushed healthily with the slightest movement, always lively and energetic. Yet now she looked fragile, though her eyes were still bright. At first glance, she appeared unharmed.
Pei Xi stepped closer. Disbelief crossed his face as he wanted to question her about what had happened. But Lu Qi spoke first.
“No, Pei Xi. I don’t need help right now, especially not from anyone in this base.”
Lu Qi pressed her lips tightly together. The childish liveliness gradually faded from her face. After a long pause, she continued.
“I’m sorry. I really have something urgent to do. Once I’m finished, I’ll come help all of you!”
She quickly passed by Pei Xi and ran toward the other direction.
Pei Xi turned to watch the girl’s hurried figure, his face filled with confusion. At this moment, Lu Qi looked like the one who needed help and protection. What was she so desperate to do? Why wouldn’t she tell them?
He pressed his brow with a slight headache. Perhaps it was better for Lu Qi to stay inside the base for now. In her current state, she couldn’t accompany them into the white fog anyway.
Soon he returned to the rest room. First, he shared the good news of finding Lu Qi with Roy and Kyle. Both of them jumped up in excitement.
Then Pei Xi looked toward Sykes and invited him to join their mission to rescue the five hundred thousand ordinary people.
The golden-haired crown prince occupied the large sofa alone, sitting in a relaxed posture. When Pei Xi spoke, he merely lifted his eyes.
“I need to rest.”
Sykes’s golden eyes were cold. He supported his head with one hand and refused Pei Xi’s invitation.
“…Your Highness Sykes, you are the crown prince of the empire.”
“A crown prince also needs rest.”
Pei Xi almost laughed from sheer disbelief. He raised his voice in question. “Sykes, those are your subjects. How can you ignore them like a coward?”
The moment the words left his mouth, Ryan, the crown prince’s aide standing beside the sofa, quietly glanced at Sykes’s face. The instant he saw the unusually dark expression there, he immediately looked away.
Sykes suddenly stood up, irritation radiating from his entire body.
Pei Xi looked at him in confusion. During the past month or two, Sykes had clearly become much calmer than when they had first met. At the very least, he had seemed like a normal person who could hold a conversation. But now he looked like a beast trapped in a cage, on the verge of losing control.
His black-gloved fist clenched and loosened repeatedly. Sykes turned his head aside, restraining the urge to unleash his power.
He needed rest. His head hurt terribly at this moment! Ever since entering this base, he had become increasingly irritable. Buried memories rose and sank like countless fragments stabbing into his brain, yet he couldn’t see a single one clearly.
If Ye Zheng were here… No, he didn’t need her. He could already imagine that person’s subtle smile and the pitying look in her eyes. It would only make him even more irritated!
Sykes strode forward angrily. Pei Xi cautiously turned his arms to metal, thinking that he was about to start a fight.
But Sykes brushed past his shoulder. His voice sounded like cold, hard stone.
“Heh. Let’s go.”
✧✧✧✧✧
Inside the dim confinement cell, a small pool of water shimmered in the young girl’s palm.
The water gradually condensed into the shape of a tiny paperclip and probed toward the keyhole of the black ring.
The black ring’s lock was simple. Its material was an extremely sturdy aberrant stone, which made complex internal mechanisms impossible.
Ye Zheng’s hand trembled as she used the last of her strength to pick the lock. Fortunately, this black ring was the same model used by the church. She handled it with practiced familiarity.
『Wait, how are you so skilled at this?!』
The system couldn’t help speaking up. It had originally planned to secretly help her cheat by providing a few lock-picking tips.
“Occasionally causing a little trouble for the church is one of my small hobbies.”
Ye Zheng’s dark eyes curved slightly. In the silent confinement cell, a faint and almost inaudible click sounded. She raised her newly freed hands and glanced at the black rings resting on her lap.
Power surged back. Ye Zheng closed her eyes and let out a soft breath, then suddenly opened them again.
This confinement cell was indeed unusual. Even after removing the black rings, her power had only recovered halfway.
Originally she had planned to take a gamble and deal with the guards outside the door directly. But with only half her strength restored, it was too risky.
Ye Zheng lowered her gaze. Her eyelashes cast quiet shadows over the faint bluish darkness beneath her eyes. One hand reached into her robe.
Just as when she had entered the maze to retrieve the sword last time, she had brought that dragon bone fragment with her again. It was a cylindrical piece about the size of a small tube.
『You’re not planning to put it into your body again, are you? Look at those women who turned into monsters. Dragon bone power easily spirals out of control!』
『In the original storyline, you never implanted dragon bone. The plot has already deviated drastically. Every time you use dragon bone power, it carries unknown risks, the exact same risks those ordinary women faced!』
The system had always known the dangers of dragon bone. But only after entering the Western District and personally witnessing these tragedies through Ye Zheng’s eyes did it truly feel the reality of her walking on the edge of a cliff.
“There is no victory in this world without risk.”
Ye Zheng held the dragon bone in one hand while the other pressed against the scabbard at her side. Her face was resolute, without the slightest hesitation. She drew the long sword in a single motion. Golden light flashed.
“Open the door. I want to see Saintess Ye Zheng.”
A familiar voice sounded from outside. Ye Zheng’s movements paused.
“Kieran? Heh. In the decades I’ve been here, you think you can pressure me by using that boy?”
“Open the door.”
The woman’s voice sounded aged yet unquestionable, carrying power and authority even through the iron door.
Ye Zheng put away the dragon bone and the sword, then returned to sit quietly on the bench.
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Authors Note
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Rushing internship materials, rushing updates. As an INTP, I’m forever fighting deadlines…
~~~End~~~