FXDL V5C9

Translated by: TaffyGirl13

Previous            Index              Next

---

Chapter 9: The path’s branches are secretly revealed

They stayed in St. Petersburg the next day. This beautiful oceanside city founded by Peter I after seizing Ingermanland from Sweden was coined the “Window to the West” by Pushkin.

The sign-in locations in St. Petersburg were very close together. As the city possessed multiple churches that had stood for centuries, many of the sign-ins were set up in chapels.

In the evening, they departed from the State Hermitage Museum and went south along Palace Embankment to check-in at the Catholic Church of Saint Catherine and Kazan Cathedral. Their final stop was back to Neva River, at the Palace Bridge. During the navigation period from April to November, the twenty-two drawbridges across Neva River and its main canals would be drawn to let ships pass through to the Baltic Sea.

This checkpoint’s requirement was to pass through one of the canals during the thirty minute period the bridge was drawn to retrieve the stamp at the sign-in spot on the opposite bank.

“Let’s go eat.” Rocort loudly declared, “I want to drink malta.”

“Didn’t you think it tasted bad?” Fu Xing retorted. Rocort’s expression had twisted in disgust when he had taken his first sip of malta last night. “Your face was all scrunched up like an anus.”

Dan Juan frowned and reprimanded, “He Fu Xing, since when have you become as vulgar as that flamefox?”

Momiji shot a coquettish look at Dan Juan. “Jealous? Do you want to do something vulgar together?”

Dan Juan snorted strongly in disdain, though he did not voice a rejection.

Rocort continued to explain, “Although it tasted really strange and disgusting at first, I somehow started craving for that weird, bitter and tart taste after returning to the hotel.” 

Taeharu stared at Rocort and pointed a finger to declare, “Extreme M.”

“What?” Rocort did not understand. “Is M not a good thing?”

“It’s great!” Zhu Yue flashed a thumbs-up.

Momiji shifted her gaze over to Zhu Yue, causing the latter to smile awkwardly.

“I beg of you, please keep your books stowed away.”

“They are,” Zhu Yue replied apologetically, “But Taeharu will still flip through them herself…”

Momiji’s eyes widened in disbelief at Taeharu, who chuckled dryly and commented in a sweet voice, “Because they’re so interesting.”

“If we walk to the end of Neva Street,” Emerald provided his rare input. “There’s a pretty good Russian restaurant.”

“Are you treating?” Brad asked the empty question.

But to everyone’s surprises, Emerald actually nodded. They gaped in shock, eyes bulging at Emerald.

“Are you serious?” Brad asked.

“Are you alright?” Zhu Yue worriedly stated her concern, “Did you hit your head when we passed under the bridge just now?”

“No.”

Dan Juan narrowed his eyes as he coldly questioned, “Don’t tell me you’re trying to pull a confidence trick on us?” 

“No way!” Emerald scoffed back. While everyone was starting to think he had developed a bit of a conscience, he continued, “That would actually be a waste of a meal.” If he really wanted to get involved with illegal shady business, he would just directly steal rather than taking on any costs.

Seriously, that’s enough! 

“Emerald…” Fu Xing swallowed as he looked uneasily at his friend. “Are…you about to die?”

“What kind of bullshit is that!”

“Because people’s words become kinder when dying…”

Emerald glared at Fu Xing, prepared to give an angry earful. But seeing the genuine worry on the other’s face made him unable to spit any of the venomous words from his throat. He heaved a long sigh before explaining.

“The restaurant was opened by someone I know.” Emerald paused for a moment. “A human, an old friend of mine. He…knows my true identity.” 

Everyone paused for a second but did not show much of a reaction.

“Oh. So?” Fu Xing dumbly asked, “Do we need to bring a gift over?”

“There’s no need.” Emerald couldn’t help but smile at the ordinary responses from his companions. “You guys are so calm about it. I thought you’d be surprised.” After all, there were not many special animate beings willing to become close friends with humans. In fact, some clans viewed revealing their true identities to humans as a taboo.

“Surprised about what? That you have friends?” Dan Juan sniggered.

“You’re the least qualified person in this group to say that.” 

Moscow Station was located in the central part of St. Petersburg downtown. As the train stations extended straight through Neva Street, it became an area where fashion trends converged, displaying the flourishing prosperity of St. Petersburg. Under Emerald’s lead, Fu Xing and the others headed to their destination.

The restaurant owned by Emerald’s friend was on a small sideroad off Neva Street. The LED sign was turned off, but there were yellow lights turned on inside. Emerald directly pushed the door open to reveal a small pub with warm-coloured decor. There were Russian dolls sitting on patchwork tablecloths in front of the wooden bar counter and liquor cabinet, which gave it a comforting and relaxing ambiance.

A middle-aged man was leaning against the bar near the back, his eyes locked onto the LCD TV hanging on the wall. Upon hearing the door’s bell ring, he lazily declared without turning his head, “Sorry, we’re sold out so the shop has closed early for the evening.” 

“Cut the act. If you just want to slack off, then say it straight. Give me a bowl of wild mushroom truffle risotto.” 

The man looked up at them, his eyes widening when he saw who had arrived. “Emerald?”

“You’re still as laid-back as ever, Otis.” Emerald grinned at his old friend. “The only part of you that’s changed is your waist. What happened to those power abs that all the girls would go crazy about?” 

“Those went soft ages ago. Now the only thing powered in this body is my heart.” Otis stared at Emerald. “And you still haven’t changed from thirty-five years ago…”

Emerald only smiled in reply.

The reason that very few special animate beings hung around humans was because they did not wish to see their friends age and move on one after another, leaving them alone in what felt like frozen time, unable to see a future.

“Whatever, let’s not talk about that.” Otis perked up and surveyed the people behind Emerald. “Those are…your kind?”

“Mhm. They’re my friends and current classmates.”

“Oh, welcome!” Ortis warmly led them to their seats. “This is the first time Emerald has brought others along to see me. So which university are you currently attending? Is everyone from the same major?” As his gaze swept across Fu Xing and Flora, confusion flickered on his face. “These two…aren’t your children, are they?”

Dan Juan snorted and began to tremble violently with laughter.

“Of course not!” Fu Xing denied.

“I figured.” Otis nodded knowingly. “I strongly doubt there would be any woman that would be willing to be with such a stingy penny-pincher.”

“If even you can find a set mate, there’s no way I wouldn’t be able to!” Emerald scathingly shot back before explaining, “They’re also my classmates.”

“Classmates?” Otis had a confounded expression on his face.

“I’m currently in senior high…a somewhat special senior high.” 

Otis was dumbstruck for a second, before bursting out into laughter. “After muddling through university for four years, you went back to senior high?”

“I didn’t really attend university, I just blended in with humans and pretended to be a student. It was easier to earn money as a student, and there were more benefits…”

“I remember you earning quite a bit from selling thesis papers.” Otis chuckled. “And used three years’ worth of free housing and dining accommodations.”

“It was truly a great time.” The corners of Emerald’s lips curved up as he reminisced about the past. 

The period of frivolous youth was long ago, only traceable in memories. When looking at himself that existed now, he even wondered if those years of joy had been merely a false dream.

Otis recommended some personal dishes not on the menu, then went into the kitchen to begin cooking.

“He’s a friend I made while muddling through university. He’s a good person.” Then Emerald began to describe those years.

Thirty-five years ago, Otis had led a forest restoration coalition. The two of them had met each other through Emerald’s entry to the coalition.

“You joined a forest restoration alliance?” Dan Juan asked in disbelief, “Was it to steal funds?”

“I’ve always loved nature.” Emerald’s sincere words sounded bizarre.

“Why?”

“All elemental elves love nature. It’s where we were born, as well as the source of our power.” Emerald’s eyes dimmed. “But with technological development and economic prosperity, our precious homes were encroached upon and destroyed, and even became something used for monetary transactions.”

Who had the authority to become a ruler over mountains and forests?

“During a protest, Otis became the target of an antagonistic corporation and was severely beaten up on his way home, nearly dying from the injuries. I saved him by using my special ability to heal his wounds.”

And consequently, his identity had been exposed.

However, Otis had not feared or rejected him as a result, but rather, treated him like a human. He had agreed to never tell anyone else, and had kept his promise these past thirty-five years.

“Back then, I thought I’d achieve something, but I ended up immediately dealing with the problem of employment after graduation.” Otis came out with the dishes and sat at the counter to chime in, “For the sake of survival, I sacrificed the dream from my days of hotblooded youth and fell to the point of becoming a chef back at my hometown. Reality gave me a viscous slap in the face.”

Otis candidly laughed freely. Then he looked at Emerald to switch the topic. “What about you? Did your dream come true?”

“Still working on it.” There was a hint of helplessness in Emerald’s tone.

“What’s your dream?” Dan Juan was quite curious. “Inexhaustible money?”

“You haven’t told them yet?” Otis smiled thinly. “Because you’re embarrassed? Or because like before, you don’t want help from others?”

“I smell a secret!” Momiji smirked evilly. “Don’t tell me you want to build a harem and live promiscuously for the rest of your life?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then exactly what is it?”

Emerald opened his mouth, but did not speak. He glanced at his companions’ expectant expressions and sighed as defeat showed on his face. “I want to buy something.”

“Buy what?”

“A mountain. An entire mountain.” Emerald paused for a second before plowing through the rest in a single breath, “It’s fine even if it’s already been polluted or damaged. I will buy it and slowly restore it completely, then…I can let my scattered clanspeople return to live together on the mountain and fall back into Mother Nature’s embrace.”

He had not mentioned this dream to many people, especially to his clanspeople. Because he knew that they would never support it, having been subdued by human civilization. They would simply persuade him to compromise with reality.

He could use his special ability and illusory spells to trick humans into signing a contract or rely on swindling to obtain the money and easily achieve his objective. However, he chose to pursue the upright and honest path. He would follow the rules of the human world to earn money and exchange it for what he desired.

This was the reason Emerald did everything he could to save money.

Becoming a money-addicted elf was not for his own sake, but for his muddle-headed clanspeople that were uncaring about their situation. It was very silly and naive, but unbearably heart-tugging.

“Tch, those words are always cheesy no matter how many times I hear it.” Otis rolled his eyes in feigned exasperation. “Don’t say things that’ll spoil appetites during meals next time.” 

“Then you should cover your face so we can’t see something that’ll spoil our appetites,” Emerald retorted back with his usual acidity.

The mood was restored to its original liveliness. Amidst the bickering between Otis and Emerald, they happily enjoyed their dinner.

As they began to head out after their meal, Otis gripped Emerald’s hand, reluctant to bid farewell.

“Good-bye, my friend. Reach out again if you get the chance.”

Emerald smiled. “Mhm.” However, he could not make any promises.

“If you are free, remember to attend my funeral in the future.” Otis invited with melancholic open-mindedness, “I hope a peaceful and calming wind can blow during my funeral.” 

“Hmph, just don’t count on me bringing gifts of money or flowers to your family,” Emerald shot back with a grin. Deep in his heart, he knew that such a day could arrive very soon.

He would be alive when Otis died, and when Otis’s children and grandchildren died. His existence would remain unchanged while watching the sun rise and set, as humans were born and extinguished. Until one day, far in the future, death would abruptly descend.

By nighttime, most tourists had returned to their residences, and the people on the streets were sparse. Their group headed to the nearby taxi stop.

Thud, thud, thud. A passerby suddenly dashed out from a side road and crashed into Fu Xing. But without even turning their head, they continued onwards into the distance.

How rude. Fu Xing glared at the dark silhouette while grumbling to himself.

They got into a taxi. About five minutes into their ride, Fu Xing alarmingly discovered that the waist pouch he had been wearing had at some point disappeared.

“Eh! My bag is gone!” Fu Xing searched left, right, above, and below, but did not find it. “Don’t tell me I left it at the restaurant…”

“Should we turn around now to grab it?”

“Hm, I can just go by myself.”

“We can wait for you here then?”

“It’s fine, I’ll call another taxi back later. I was thinking about buying some late-night snacks anyways.” The hotel was located in a remote business area without many food places. “I’ll be back as quickly as possible.”

He jumped off the car, pushed the door shut, and waved good-bye at his companions. After he watched their car drive away, he ran towards Neva Street.

At practically the same time—

Approximately ten minutes after their group’s car left the restaurant, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Moscow Station in St. Petersburg.

Following his flight, Fidel took the train and stepped into the heart of St. Petersburg that night.

His decision to come here had been abrupt, though he had no clear direction for his next step upon reaching this destination.

It seems I’ve been too impulsive. All I can do is grope around in the dark…

Out of habit, he pulled out his hunting apparatus and opened it to check its exquisitely carved face.

The pale blue light that appeared on the surface made the corners of Fidel’s mouth curve upwards.

It appeared that the heavens were not unkind to him.

One, two…five pale blue lights gathered on Neva Street.

Cry out, Yin beasts.

Become the blood sacrifices to the heroic spirits that have died!

Fu Xing walked down the road heading back to the restaurant. While there were a few shops still alight, the majority had rolled down their metal doors, and there were very few pedestrians.

When he passed by a dark path, a powerful force abruptly shoved him into the alley.

“Ah!” Fu Xing lost his centre of gravity and crashed onto the ground. Before he could stand back up, another wave of attack struck with a thud on his waist, sending him crashing deeper inside the alley.

“Ugh…” It hurts… Fu Xing hugged his stomach, the pain making it impossible for him to stand up from where he was kneeling.

Sharp footsteps echoed through the air as they approached and surrounded him.

Trembling with fear, Fu Xing raised his head only to see an unexpected familiar face.

“S-Sylvia?” The guard at Central Park in New York! The darkblood girl that was antagonistic towards me from the beginning! 

Sylvia slapped Fu Xing across the face. “Shut up, I don’t want to hear my name coming from your lips.”

“Ugh!” Searing pain shot through his face as he tasted blood in his mouth. Fu Xing looked up at her in bewilderment and fury. “Why are you doing this?”

“You are an interference that is delaying our revenge.” Sylvia bit out angrily, “You’re what made Darkclaw weak!” 

Darkclaw?

“Are you talking about Leon—”

Another vicious and heavy punch struck Fu Xing in the stomach.

“You’re not worthy of saying his name,”  one of the darkbloods coldly uttered next to him after making the blow, hand still clenched into a fist.

“The Lady of Sin’s descendent has stood to become king of the north and east, establishing a new power. This is a great humiliation to the southern clans.” Sylvia sneered, “The Sagveiss family is the true head of the darkbloods! Yet you’ve made the clan leader soft-hearted and weak!” 

Leon Sagveiss, who was leading the darkbloods with iron-blooded principles to actively seek revenge, is now a passive coward indulging in school games! 

The intense pain left Fu Xing hunched over on the ground as tremors passed through his body.

Soft-hearted? No–that’s not it, Leon was always kind. He was forcing himself to suppress his compassion and hide it so others wouldn’t know.

“You’re wrong. Leon never changed, he was kind from the start…”

A fierce kick landed on Fu Xing’s back, sending him falling onto all fours in front of Sylvia.

“Master Sagveiss should not be kind!”

“Are you sure…” Enduring the pain, Fu Xing raised his head to meet the eyes of Sylvia and the others. He felt a smirk form on his face with a gutsiness that surprised himself. “Aren’t you just taking advantage of his kindness to have him carry out your wishes?”

Sylvia blew up from her rage, drawing her sword from its scabbard. “We just wish for everything to return to before he entered Shalom.” The blade flashed coldly as she pointed it at Fu Xing. “Therefore, you must die.”

As thesword swung down, Fu Xing gritted his teeth and swallowed the pain as he hurriedly angled his body to dodge. The blade struck rock with a piercing clang.

After evading Sylvia’s attack, the other four withdrew their swords, the sharp blades slashing at Fu Xing before he could even take a breath.

Crap, I can’t dodge!

Fu Xing closed his eyes right before the five swords landed on him.

Good-bye, everyone.

I’m sorry for making you guys sad—

The anticipated pain did not arise. Instead, Sylvia let out a strangled cry.

“AH—”

Fu Xing opened his eyes to see Sylvia down on one knee, her snow-white neck now terrifyingly black and red. The other darkbloods were off to the sides with fearful expressions as they stared wide-eyed behind Sylvia.

Fu Xing turned his head. A deathly pale cursed soul stood there, emitting an ominous aura. Standing next to it was a person, though their face was hidden due to the backlighting.

“Die.” A familiar male voice declared, “And become sacrifices to those that have heroically fallen.”

The darkbloods immediately shifted targets. In unison, they began to launch fierce blows at the uninvited arrival. 

However, the other party was not an easy opponent. He evaded each attack while the cursed soul countered.

An intense close-quarters fight unfolded, but very quickly came to an end.

One of the darkbloods was shot in the heart by a modified silver bullet, falling to the ground with a groan. The other three darkbloods were heavily wounded, causing their movements to slow enough for the cursed soul to immediately land fatal blows.

Meanwhile, Sylvia, who had been poisoned by a death curse at the beginning, had stopped breathing midway through the battle.

Fu Xing had originally been planning to flee during the chaos, but he had only managed to stand up before the fight ended, leaving no time for him to exit the alley.

Footsteps approached him.

Fu Xing heaved a long sigh. Ugh, in the end, I still couldn’t avoid what was inevitable. What a tragedy…

“Are you alright?” A warm voice kindly asked from behind him. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine now.”

Fu Xing turned his head in bewilderment. Under the streetlamp’s illumination, the person’s face was clearly visible.

“Eh? It’s you?!” He remembered this man! The person that had saved him twice before! His name was— “Fidel?”

“We meet again.” Fidel chuckled, “Every time I see you, it happens to be while you’re being attacked.” 

“Ah, I guess that’s my skill…” Fu Xing replied self-deprecatingly.

The fact that he was in the mood to crack jokes in such circumstances was astonishing even to himself. His mind was in complete disarray, and he had no idea how he should react because it was all bizarrely ridiculous. 

His own kind had wanted to kill him, while his enemy had saved him.

Fidel glanced back at the figures collapsed in pools of blood. “You’ve attracted a complicated adversary this time.”

“I know, right…” Fu Xing bitterly chuckled.

Fidel peered at Fu Xing. “Do you know what they are?”

“Are they not robbers?” Fu Xing played dumb. “More accurately, very good-looking robbers…” His gaze shifted over to the cursed soul. “Your companion looks complicated too. That’s a pretty hardcore getup.”

Fidel laughed, causing Fu Xing to join in as well. But the laughter strained his wounds, forcing him to curl in on himself as he pressed against his injuries with a pained groan.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine…”

“You require medical treatment.” Fidel supported Fu Xing as he said, “Follow me.”

“Er, but—” Fu Xing wanted to reject since his companions were waiting for him.

However, he was worried Fidel would follow him. Wouldn’t that just put my friends in danger?

“Is there any trouble? I recall you saying that you’re an exchange student. Do you need to contact your school?”

“No, no!” Fu Xing hurriedly denied. “Don’t worry, it’s a school holiday this week, so it’s just free time.”

“So lax?”

“Eh…most exchange students are laid-back and just play around instead of study. You know how it is,” Fu Xing forced a chuckle.

Fidel smiled back and did not question further. He called for one of the World Sanctification Court branches to send a car over for him to take Fu Xing away.

11 PM. Two hours after the group returned to the hotel, there was still no sign of Fu Xing, and none of their calls to his phone went through. Everyone realised something was wrong, and they hurriedly rushed back to Neva Street to search the roads for Fu Xing.

Due to the heavy stench of blood, they quickly found the scene of the crime in one of the dark alleys.

Their faces turned green when they ran over to the scene. Sylvia and the others were lying in pools of blood, with fatal injuries covering their bodies in black and red that clearly indicated the identity of their battle opponents—White Triangle.

“Now what?”

“Fu Xing isn’t here.” Emerald struggled to stay calm as he stated, “He might still be alive.”

“Should we report to the school?”

“The fact that Shalom arranged such a dangerous activity means that any casualties are our own responsibility during this event, let alone a single disappearance. Let’s contact the guards first to clean up here.”

“We can only rely on ourselves.” Flora took a deep breath, “We need to find support to search for Fu Xing’s whereabouts.”

Rocort circled around the scene and found Fu Xing’s waist pouch, which contained his cellphone and camera.

Leon walked up to his dead clanspeople and unexpectedly spotted a blue object lying next to Sylvia.

He bent over to pick it up, his expression turning even more somber.

It was Fu Xing’s keychain, the one that everyone had bought together in Taiwan.

“Leon…” Zhu Yue softly called out, unsure of what she could say in consolation.

Sylvia’s appearance here carried implications in itself. It was possible that she had wanted to harm Fu Xing.

But how was White Triangle involved?

No one could make heads nor tails of this complicated situation. With heavy and anxious hearts, they could only pray.

Fu Xing, you must not die.

Please don’t disappear.

After receiving some simple medical treatment in Moscow, Fu Xing was brought southeast by Fidel to the World Sanctification Court Headquarters in Vatican City.

Fu Xing followed behind Fidel as they passed through multiple gates before finally reaching the centre. Judging by the respectful attitudes of others towards Fidel as they passed by, he could see that Fidel had an extremely high status in the organization.

Fu Xing scanned his surroundings in disbelief.

He was in White Triangle’s headquarters, surrounded by the enemy that wished to annihilate him….yet he was able to easily walk through and receive the same greetings as Fidel as he stayed closely behind.

It felt beyond bizarre and surreal.

“This is the World Sanctification Court,” Fidel introduced as they walked. “The ultimate base of operations for safeguarding justice and sanctification worldwide. There are other intelligent life forms in this world aside from humans, such as the bunch that attacked you last night. We call them Yin beasts.” Fidel paused for a moment, “And the purpose of the Sanctification Court’s existence is to annihilate those evil species.”

Fu Xing swallowed hard. “Annihilate all of them?”

“Yes.”

“Er, are you sure…” Fu Xing searched for the proper words before quietly asking, “Are you sure they’re absolutely all evil?”

“There may be some Yin beasts that are not bad. However, we have no means to discern them. Considering the optimal benefits, eliminating all of them is the most appropriate method.”

“…That doesn’t seem very fair…”

“Allow me to draw a comparison then. There could be dozens of insects inside a house, with both harmful and unharmful types. Even among mosquitoes, there may be some that have never taken your blood. But when you sanitize your house, would you identify every individual insect before eradicating them, or would you simply spray the pesticide everywhere and wipe them out together in a single go?”

At a loss for words, Fu Xing was momentarily unable to refute. Still, he felt that it wasn’t right.

How could you compare people to bugs…

“You are very kindhearted,” Fidel softly said. “But not everyone is worthy of your concern.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I’m guessing that you are acquainted with Yin beasts and are aware of their existence?”

Fu Xing sucked in a sharp breath. Despite not replying, his shocked expression revealed everything.

Fidel honestly stated, “Perhaps you’ve received a Yin beast’s favour or assistance before, or the Yin beasts previously left a positive impression on you. However, I must inform you that this is all a false appearance, a one-sided facade. You cannot view a single human or species from just one face.”

“Then you guys shouldn’t be judging others from just one face either…” Fu Xing mumbled.

Fidel smiled without providing further explanation. He led Fu Xing through the long corridor to arrive before a room located in the middle of the building.

The door was made of white stone. There were several, neatly engraved words in the centre of the smooth, clean surface.

The door reminded Fu Xing of a tombstone.

Opening the door revealed an enormous, hexagonal room with a tall ceiling about five metres high. There was absolutely nothing in the vacant space. The walls were made of two white stone slabs and four grey stone slabs, each densely covered with carved script.

“This is the Tribute Room.” Fidel explained, “The two white walls list our companions who have died in the line of duty throughout the generations starting from when the Sanctification Court was established.”

Fu XIng’s eyes widened at the names on the massive walls.

The bottlecap-sized font covered the entire surface, making it difficult to count how many names there were. Those are all people who died in the line of duty? Special animate beings killed that many people too?

How many of those were killed by Leon? Have my other friends also left behind “war traces” on these walls?

A shuddering chill shot through his heart.

The doors opened once more as two white-clothed men entered with chisels. They each left a few more names on the white and grey walls before silently exiting.

“Then what are the grey walls?”

“Those list the names of the innocents that have been killed by Yin beasts…” Fidel sighed with remorse evident on his face. “The names on the white walls represent our medals of honour; the names on the grey walls admonish us for our incompetence so that we can become more vigilant.”

There was a steadfast expression on his handsome face, but the corners of his eyes were slightly wet. These were tears of humiliation, unwillingness, sorrow, and resentment.

Fu Xing hesitated.

Perhaps the enemy he had previously believed was oppressing him was actually the side being oppressed instead. Moreover, the enmity between special animate beings and humans was crueler and more real than he had imagined. It was not a simple and childish dislike, but a bone-deep hatred. 

Special animate beings were much stronger than humans. No matter how one looked at it, humans were the weaker party.

The weaker party.

He thought back to his past self, when he had believed he was human.

A helpless, cowardly figure appeared in his mind.

When had he started to believe he was infallible, that he was superior? Why did he think that the tolerance special animate beings had for humans was some great mercy, some noble act of moral character?

He had once been a weak and powerless human too!

He could tell his friends about how great humans were and have them accept humans, but what did that accomplish? He had not comprehended the reality of the situation at all. Instead, he had been a naive fool that only spoke of baseless, unattainable ideals.

Fu Xing’s expression fell. Just thinking about it made him feel disgusted with himself.

Fidel patted Fu Xing on the shoulder in encouragement.

“Sorry…” Fu Xing quietly said, “For the stupid and offensive words I said earlier…”

“Don’t say that.” Fidel smiled, “You are very purehearted. You were merely voicing your thoughts. There is nothing wrong with that.”

The door opened once more as a robed saint to enter. “Patriarch Elijah has summoned you.”

“Understood.”

Fidel led Fu Xing out of the Tribute Room and ordered his subordinates to bring Fu Xing into a guest room. Then he turned towards the Sacred Hall.

He had taken just one step inside before Elijah cut straight to the point.

“Who was the person with you this afternoon?” Elijah calmly asked as he stood in front of the ultimate secret weapon: the massive hunting apparatus called the “sanctification apparatus”.

“Just a friend. I previously rescued him from the hands of Yin beasts.”

“A friend?” Elijah raised a brow. “Isn’t that Special Case #13 on the high-level pursuit list?”

Fidel knew that the matter he had been hiding had already been exposed, so he had no choice but to confess, “Yes. At first, he had been taken away by Yin beasts in Marseilles, but he managed to survive. As this was a very unique case, I released a command for pursuit.”

“If he is also a Yin beast, the case would not be unique at all,” Elijah coldly replied.

“No, I’ve checked. I stood next to him with the hunting apparatus and there was no reaction. That is enough to prove he is not a Yin beast.”

Elijah chuckled. “There was a chaotic phenomena on the sanctification apparatus two days ago. All the soul jades were randomly flashing in and out.” He paused for a second, “And this abnormality just so happened to occur at the same time he entered this place.”

Fidel did not respond. He recalled how the hunting apparatus had also malfunctioned strangely the previous two times he had encountered Fu Xing.

“Are you sure he did not use some type of spell to disrupt the device’s operations?”

“He shouldn’t…have…” Fidel answered without much certainty.

He had not checked for this, but he could sense a sincere pureness from Fu Xing that was different from the evil Yin beasts.

No matter how one looked at it, Fu Xing was a kind and purehearted human boy.

“Send him to the research centre for a thorough examination.” Elijah ordered, “If he is not a Yin beast, figure out a way to take him in. Whether he is aware or not, he appears to have a connection with Yin beasts. If he is a Yin beast, then simply convert him into a soul jade to power the sanctification apparatus.”

“…Yessir.”

Not much time passed by the time Fidel returned to the room where Fu Xing was.

“Apologies for making you wait.”

“It’s not a problem.”

“The hospital just sent an update. They said your internal injuries are more severe than they originally thought, and that you require in-depth examination,” Fidel smoothly voiced his crafted lie, a faint sense of guilt rising in his heart.

“Is that so?” Fu Xing grew very anxious. “Is that really bad? I feel fine!”

“Do not worry, I have already arranged for the best medical group to come. Once you finish eating and rest up a bit, they will conduct a medical examination. If there are any issues, they will treat it immediately.”

Fu Xing peered up at Fidel with a touched expression and expressed his heartfelt gratitude, “Thank you for treating me so well.” He sighed, “I’m always causing trouble for others. You already saved me twice before, and now you’re putting in so much effort to take care of me…”

He Fu Xing, what ability or virtue do you have to deserve such treatment?

His special animate friends treated him well, as did White Triangle. Yet he remained a helpless and useless nobody. 

He was no good at all .

“Don’t say that.” Fidel’s conscience stirred restlessly. “I was the one that failed you.” I’m deceiving you.

Soon after dinner, Fu Xing was dressed in a check-up gown and sent to the hospital centre—or what he thought was the hospital centre, which was actually a research facility for an organization that studied living special animate being specimens.

In order to prevent Fu Xing from resisting or fleeing during the examination, there had been sleeping aids and tranquilizers in his dinner. This left Fu Xing either unconscious or semiconscious throughout the entire process. Even when he was awake, his mind was a complete mess, and he had no idea when it started.

“Today’s examination will end here. There will be two more examinations tomorrow, and then you will be finished.” Fidel led the white-gowned, drowsy-eyed Fu Xing back to his room.

“Mm, you were right…there really does seem to be something wrong with my body. I’ve been constantly sleepy these past few days, and my head’s been dizzy and heavy…” Fu Xing raised his head to look up as he struggled to smile. “Thank you for arranging this medical treatment for me.”

That simple and innocent smile was like a needle stabbing Fidel in the heart, leaving him guilty and ill at ease. He gently touched Fu Xing’s face as the latter fell into deep sleep on the bed.

I’m sorry, I really am so sorry…

It took over two days to complete the comprehensive examinations, finally ending at noon on the third day.

The examination report was delivered that same evening.

“Sir Fidel, here is all the data from the examinations.” A member of the research group passed the report to Fidel.

Fidel was not in the mood to read through everything, so he directly asked for the result. “How was it?”

“He is completely human, with no abnormalities.” The research member paused, “Aside from poor growth, speculated to be due to an unbalanced diet.”

Fidel felt relief wash over him as a smile automatically formed on his lips.

An unbalanced diet? That does indeed sound like that kid.

The next morning, Fidel personally sent off Fu Xing at the airport.

“Thank you for taking care of me these past few days.” Fu Xing bowed at the waist, “And for providing me free food and drink, free lodging, and a free health examination.”

“It was nothing.” Fidel smiled thinly. “You can think of it as a reward for your bravery. Escaping from Yin beasts twice is something that even the Sanctification Court’s armed troops couldn’t necessarily do.”

Fu Xing chuckled dryly, his heart thrumming uncomfortably.

“Keep in touch in the future.”

“Yep!” Fu Xing nodded, though he inwardly hoped that they would never meet again.

Who knew what kind of situation the next encounter could be? If Fidel knew his identity, would he still be able to smile like this?

“Oh right,” Fidel removed the round badge on his collar. The gold button had an exquisitely designed triangle and scale on it. “This is for you.”

Fu Xing accepted the gold button. “What is this?”

“My badge. Do you see the small button on the back?”

“Mm, I see it.”

“If you are ever in danger, press it to send a rescue signal. Any of my nearby colleagues from the World Sanctification Court will immediately rush to your aid.”

Fu Xing stared dumbly at Fidel. “Why are you so nice to me?” Is it alright to give away something this precious so easily?

“I don’t know.” Fidel shrugged, “I feel relaxed and at ease when I’m with you. Plus, you are very kind. Just take it.”

“Thank you…” Fu Xing tightly clutched the gold button in his fist.

“I’m sure we’ll meet again some day.”

Fu Xing waved at Fidel, then went into customs.

After Fu Xing left, an accompanying World Sanctification Court member asked Fidel, “Shall we follow him?”

“No need.” Fidel sharply turned around. “He will come find me again.”

---

Previous            Index              Next