“What makes you infer that? ” The woman’s voice in the dark was clear and crisp.
—— “Because of some existing information. “
“The Hellfire Sect? “
—— “Yes. “
With the confirmation over the phone, the woman immediately realized what the young man out at sea was planning.
My god, it certainly was…
The Campfire Plan could have done this long ago.
The atomic bomb explosion did indeed reduce my concerns, as it lowered the number of eruptive Hellfire Vines on those two days.
But does this mean other sources of heat can achieve a similar effect?
She turned sideways to look out the window.
Are those the trails pulled across the sky by planes tonight?
On the other end, Yang Zicang paused for a few breaths, as if considerately waiting for the flurry of thoughts on the other side of the line to settle, then asked, “I would like to ask, what exactly is that thing you mentioned? “
Is there truly a way to hinder the “Golden Path “?
This piece of intelligence made Yang Zicang, who was originally about to give some feedback to the one timing their investment over the sea, somewhat regret expanding his Financing Model at this moment. But he immediately sensed a twinge of thought and calmed his own mind. A rare sense of joy then arose within him.
Compared to dangers you can clearly see, these threats, entirely impossible to detect beforehand, are what truly feel daunting to face.
But at this moment, he had merely asked without any real hope, never expecting to gain such an unexpected harvest.
— “Actually… this isn’t the first time you’ve asked me. “
Yang Zicang’s fingers gripping the phone involuntarily tightened.
— “Last time, I knew absolutely nothing about this aspect of the information. “
He listened to the eerie, rasping static sound continuing through the receiver from the Nightmare, which caused the speaker’s voice to change in timbre.
— “But because of your reminder, I’ve been keeping an eye out for clues in this regard all these years. Now I can finally hand over the traces I’ve found to you. Ahem, along with what I promised. I think this counts as my perfectly fulfilling the pact I swore to protect. “
Yang Zicang felt as though countless gazes were watching him from all around, as if descending from the heavens or another dimension, yet upon closer scrutiny, they were merely hallucinations.
-｛Distributor May Valkyrie has marked a new node for the glorious prelude I am currently nurturing.｝
-｛Distributor Rocky Tataming has signaled “Action. “｝
-｛Distributor February. Di’an has indicated a 105% price increase for the glorious prelude I am currently nurturing.｝
A string of focused thoughts from the distributors came through the Distribution Beacon.
Yang Zicang’s breathing grew more rapid. Among all the dangers he had ever encountered, the organization represented by the Path was undoubtedly one of the most extreme.
Up until now, I’ve only been able to passively encounter their appearances, completely unable to discern what kind of power lies behind them, what kind of personnel and strength they are composed of. Even some of the things I have worked hard to accomplish might shift imperceptibly, taking on an entirely different form without me being able to detect it at all.
The curse of fate is indeed terrifying.
But facing a mysterious opponent capable of distorting fate within the currents of time.
The dread and loathsomeness of this organization is no less than that of that person who toys with fate, who from the future… sacrifices the lives of others to convey precious information to me.
Both of these kinds of beings are existences I deeply detest and abhor.
“I didn’t expect that my last remaining concern could also see such unexpected progress at this moment. “
“Of course you find it surprising, my great traveler. But you have no idea how hard I’ve had to work. “
Yang Zicang let out a low laugh. “No wonder this number can still get through after more than two hundred years… Thank you for keeping this promise, Miss Gohomes. So, could you please tell me the information about that thing? “
As Yang Zicang spoke, the multitude of people in the financing model who had been boisterously laughing and chatting—along with the investors they had expanded to across the sea—gradually fell silent. Although they could not hear the voice on the other end of the phone, nor did the young man making the call utter any keywords out loud, they knew that this recently rising ‘Chairman Yang’ must surely be engaged in something of extreme value.
Because within the accessories made from the beacon, the distributors are one after another transmitting the thought, “The current life experience I am experiencing shall be marked with a new node, ” regarding this investment experience that is utterly mundane for the fog inhabitants on the ships.
For most people who have struggled for many years in this world, they have already gained considerable insight into transmitting these thoughts.
The distributors are densely “marking ” “new nodes ” for this seemingly ordinary event. It goes without saying that the value contained in this experience comes with different evaluation criteria for them.
Usually, when faced with experiences where the beginning and outcome are difficult to judge, or matters so chaotic and unclear, more than three nodes are enough for a distributor to take a gamble and issue a purchase offer.
Moreover, what this “Chairman Yang, ” who had just arrived at sea tonight, had done was already inherently different.
A crackling voice came through the phone: “The emergence of many golden paths is related to an emotion such as regret. “
“Regret? ” Yang Zicang pondered the word. This was something he had never expected. What a peculiar thing.
Little Bird, hidden, tilted her head in the direction of the distant land, half-lowering her eyelids, revealing a hint of mocking and sullen light.
— “Based on the various information I have compiled over these years, I can confirm the particular intelligence should be accurate. This is because ‘regret’ implies constantly reliving memories, incessantly inscribing someone scene into consciousness and memory, and carrying a strong wish and desire to rewrite that part of ordinary experience. “
“A wish, huh. ” Yang Zicang’s mind suddenly flashed back to those inexplicable words that the “Sherry ” manager had voluntarily told him the first time they met at the Feilü Inn.
Yang Zicang’s expression changed slightly.
Could it be that, at that very moment, the lobby manager of the Divine Hotel was already hinting to him about this matter?!
Ah, of course. Otherwise, how could the key to the Divine Hotel open those memories sealed shut by distorted mindsets and rewritten intentions?!
-｛Distributor May·Valkyrie has marked a new node for the glorious prelude I am currently nurturing.｝
The young man’s heart pounded as he continued to listen.
At the same time, he recalled some things in his mind. Facing clear memories of the past evokes more than just such emotions; the joy and happiness, the mysterious and eagerly anticipated novel experiences, they all leave behind vivid impressions.
But… he didn’t want to change them.
Holmes’ crisp and delicate voice sounded, mixed with the hiss of unstable signal static: “That is the main way to drive that wooden staff and present the path. As for the rest, I’m not clear. “
“What about the information that blocks those on the path from rewriting the current state again? “
— “This information, first and foremost… secondly, it concerns a story. “
The connection began to become unstable, the interference growing stronger. Yang Zicang looked up towards the distant sea surface.
“What? “
The woman’s voice struggled through the electrical noise: “It’s a story about the ‘Liuli Cup.’ “
The current interference grew stronger, and a deliberately left ripple suddenly appeared in the air. “Consider this my help for you, Cuckoo. “
A small silhouette traversed hundreds of thousands of kilometers in an instant, soaring high in the night sky. Its gaze followed a trace that only it could perceive, locked on, and then in a flash, the presence vanished again.
After a short while, the interference suddenly lessened.
The woman’s voice on the other side finally became slightly steadier. “This story I only pieced together over a hundred years after I first learned of the ‘Liuli Cup.’ Because only then did I realize that this is a story known to many of you in the Mist Gang. That provided the final piece of evidence allowing me to confirm its connection. “
A story known to so many?
The people chatting on the boats nearby couldn’t help but glance again at their own accessories.
Yang Zicang listened to the voice in his ear, his expression unreadable.
“There was once a god… He was the most exceptional general by the God King’s side. “
“Because he shattered a Liuli Cup in public during a garden feast where the peaches of immortality were shared, he was banished to the mortal realm. “
Yang Zicang softly repeated the words from the speaker, as if trying to etch them into his mind for fear of forgetting them. But his murmur gradually ceased. “Huh? “
The woman’s voice continued: “He fell into a muddy river that flows through some place, and over five or six hundred years… he transformed into a demon king blocking the way here. He devoured many people who had to cross that river. But if he hadn’t shattered the Colored Glaze Cup, all this could have been avoided. However, a broken piece of colored glaze cannot be restored. “
This… Yang Zicang found it somewhat odd… It was indeed a very familiar story. So familiar that, at the mere mention of it, a certain honest image came to mind.
— “Remember? Hmm, no, I asked a superfluous question. ” A somewhat teasing voice came from the woman over the phone:
_”When you told me that story about the journey, you certainly didn’t expect the information hidden within it. When I learned about certain well-known matters, that they could nurture refined thoughts.
“Moreover, obtaining the mere three-word information of ‘Colored Glaze Cup’ had seen no progress for over a hundred years, as if all information about it had been erased. Only then, one day, I suddenly recalled the story about that god-king’s most outstanding protective general, who was sent down to the mortal realm and turned into a demon. “
“Uh, ah? ” Yang Zicang listened, a bit stunned.
— “You mentioned it when you told the story, you know. “
The woman chuckled.
“Perhaps, during that banquet, the personnel arrangements for the Journey to the West had already begun. “
Yang Zicang stumbled and nearly stepped off a plank into the water.
The woman on the other end of the phone was silent for two seconds. “The surveillance is increasing. It’s about time for me to hang up this line. Goodbye, Needle of Engraved Fall. The future of the Ancient Demon’s homeland is in the hands of your Fog Folk. “
As the woman was about to put down the receiver, she immediately pressed it down again with force. A soft click came from within the phone, followed by a faint hissing sound, like limestone being heated and burned.
Gomez tried to pick up the receiver again, but inside there was nothing but a high-pitched static, which soon faded into complete silence.
Gomez suddenly turned his head to the right.
In the darkness, under the moonlight streaming through the window, a metallic-gleaming little bird landed on the back of the adjacent chair. Spreading its wing, it extended a business card forward, but with a slight, forceful snap of its wing, the card split into two.
“Transfer Cuckoo immediately. “
“You are… it’s you. ” The woman with the radiant face smiled as she stood up and picked up her coat. “Can you guarantee my safety, Mr. Cuckoo? “
The little girl tilted her head in thought, then looked up at the woman’s graceful figure.
“Dealing with you organic lifeforms is truly a dangerous affair, ” the little bird hopped around. “Don’t act like we’re familiar. Remember, this is our first meeting. My name is ‘Bar Han.’ “
The little bird tugged a small, fingertip-sized brown hat from under its wing and placed it on its head.
“There are already many of your colleagues searching nearby. Now, remember to follow my steps closely. Also, use the business card if you encounter danger. “
It dashed to the door in a flash, listened for a moment, then pecked at the lock, “Hurry up and open it; there’s not much time. “
“Alright, I trust you. ” The woman put on a common fine-wool knit jacket, and her aura instantly transformed, making her look like an ordinary village woman. Little Bird turned its head to give the jacket—which blocked her ether perception—an extra glance, then nodded to itself in acknowledgment.
The one person and one bird swiftly weaved through the tangled terrain near the town’s junction. Building after building fell behind them. In a rhythm of pauses and dashes, of sidling against walls and waiting for people to leave, the woman gradually drew close to a spot where some chaotic, loudly shouting smugglers were arguing over stolen lumber.
“We can’t stay here either. Let’s move on. “
“No need, sir. ” The woman spoke gently and stopped in her tracks. She glanced at the somewhat chaotic refugees and smugglers. “You shouldn’t meddle too much in our world. “
“I’m different from them, ” the cuckoo on the broken log up ahead turned its head and said darkly. “Little Bird, ” it squawked darkly. “Gonna know everything. “
“Why? “
“Because this isn’t the world Little Bird’s old friends wanted to see, Cuckoo. I don’t want to get involved in everything. “
Cuckoo’s head lowered slightly, like a member of some ethnic minority doing a head dance, their small cap shifting rhythmically left and right, “Only an elusive operator like you is enough to make Little Bird move, and keep planting the possibility of scoring big for the future of the world, Cuckoo~“
The woman’s expression shifted slightly. She glanced to the side, where two increasingly rowdy groups of people seemed about to come to blows.
“Don’t mind them, Cuckoo.” Little Bird halted her movement. “We’ll just keep moving. Let them die, if they’re going to die. With that guy around, the world won’t end tonight.“
The corners of Holmes’ lips curled into a faint smile. She stepped forward to follow, nimble as a shadow, as Little Bird bounced and leaped, crossing several meters in a single bound to alight on another branch before darting away.
…
“TheLiuli Cup, Repentance…“
Yang Zicang, standing on a broken plank door weathered by seawater, savored the story he had just been told.
“This… shattering theLiuli Cupby accident is just a myth. What could that possibly have to do with obstructing the path to the Golden Path?“
-｛Distributor April·Odyssey proclaims with intense fervor, eagerly awaiting the chance to “draw a final stroke to my deeds!“｝
-｛Distributor July·Mr. Lei wishes to negotiate a special price for my current experience.｝
Yang Zicang murmured as he gazed at the greasy, cracked screen of his antique nightmare phone — the “brick phone.” On the screen, hardened and marked with faint scale textures, a nightmare’s crimson iris slowly opened.
“Colored glaze cup, shattered colored glaze cup, ether…“
{I’ve watched that play. }
A naive thought-sound came from beside him. Yang Zicang turned his head to look, “What play? Wait, do you have memories of that TV series? “
The evil dream’s pupil swiveled, seeming to ponder like a child, {What does ‘TV series’ mean? }
“Uh…” The faint sense of wonder that had just risen in Yang Zicang quickly disintegrated; indeed, an evil dream couldn’t possess memories of Earth. “What exactly is the play you’re talking about? “
{The Tale of Mist Maiden and the Glazed Cup. }
The evil dream phone hummed, {That stage play was amazing. I really, really like it. My ‘Warba’ used to take his different dates to see it, so I’ve memorized every part. }
“Is this… a stage play? “
After a moment’s thought, Yang Zicang immediately asked, “Since you can recite it, what is it about? “
The evil dream phone’s eye stared into Yang Zicang’s for a few seconds. {It’s been some time. Even though I memorized it, I forgot everything again. }
“……“
The evil dream phone’s pupil looked purely at the face before it.
{But I still remember a little about ‘Aladdin and the Magic Lamp,’ ‘The Warrior with Iron Arms,’ oh and ‘Romeo and Juliet’—that one’s most of all. Do you want to hear them? }
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