Doomsday Jigsaw Puzzle

Chapter 310: Chapter 114: Bai Wu’s Soul Responds

"Should I tell you the truth, or should I just say what you’d like to hear?"

"Even if you say you like Xiaoyu, that’s not the answer I like," said Yan Zizai with no hint of courtesy.

Upon hearing this, Bai Wu thought it was much simpler:

"I consider her a friend."

"But you know she likes you."

"Surely just because I know she likes me, I shouldn’t stop treating her as a friend? What status do we have? You and I, haven’t we almost died on our two outings from the Tower? The boss’s wife has liked the captain for so many years now, and the captain has kept silent out of fear to speak, do you think he lacks responsibility? It’s this world that has forced us to this."

Yan Zizai fell silent, and Bai Wu continued speaking:

"Not to mention that I’m not interested in love and romance, even if I were, this is not the world in which I’d choose to pursue those things."

"This world?"

"Yes, I firmly believe that one day, the world will return to normal, just like it was in the Pre-Tower Era seven hundred years ago. People lived outside the High Tower, not constantly living in fear due to the twisted rules of the world, with plenty of food, and their daily tasks involved more than strapping their heads to their waists to mine. Of course, I also admire those who can find joy amidst suffering; after all, humanity needs to continue and thrive. It’s just that I can’t. My interest has always been beyond the Tower. Red zones, black zones, not to mention purple zones, I can’t guarantee I’d survive any of them one hundred percent."

The first part of his speech sounded like the wishful thinking of someone from a doomed world dreaming of its end, but hearing Bai Wu speak with such matter-of-factness, as if the apocalypse itself would be ended by his own hands, Yan Zizai unexpectedly started to see Bai Wu in a favorable light.

After all, he too was full of pride, but his other attribute didn’t allow him to acknowledge Bai Wu to his face.

"Let’s leave it at that. It’s good that Xiaoyu likes you. If there ever comes a day like you describe, I’ll make a decision on her behalf then."

"Make a decision on her behalf? What, has civilization regressed? What era do you think this is?" freewebnovel.cσ๓

Yan Zizai ignored Bai Wu’s remark and continued:

"I must go; I need to find out what the Patriarch truly thinks. There might be bad news. I have one last question for you."

"What question?" Bai Wu always felt that today’s questions were somewhat troublesome to answer.

"What if the Yan Family forces Xiaoyu to marry someone else, and she would rather die than do so?"

Political marriages in wealthy families? Bai Wu knew about these from his previous life, but he had never been in contact with that level; he found the question difficult to answer.

"This question is quite troublesome, and risky to answer. If such a thing really happens, ask me again, and I will tell you my choice then—if you don’t care about the interests of the Yan Family."

Of course, Yan Zizai prioritized the interests of the Yan Family, but he still smiled upon hearing these words.

"Remember what you said; I’m leaving."

After finishing his words, Yan Zizai left.

Bai Wu pondered over this conversation and felt as if something significant was about to happen.

Long after, he sat in his usual spot where he always came to see Yan Jiu, realizing that this spot hadn’t changed.

He then remembered that although the young lady had met quite a few people, only Chengzi and he had visited her.

Every time he returned to the Tower, he made it a habit to visit this place. He suddenly felt uncomfortable realizing that this individual was no longer at the mental hospital.

It was as if a commonplace yet insignificant routine had lost one of its links.

...

...

The fifth level of the High Tower, the next morning.

Inside the forbidden area of the Yan Family Manor, just as every other time Yan Zizai had visited, the exterior of Yan Zhao’s laboratory was lined with various experimental subjects encased in jars.

Even with the Eye of Insight and the Eye of the Scales, Yan Zizai couldn’t discern any clear explanations, yet he felt that perhaps one day, the Patriarch would indeed find a method for the perfect evolution of humankind.

This was the reason Yan Zizai admired the Patriarch of the Yan Family; he believed that what the Yan Family was doing was truly great.

Even though it was only early morning, Yan Zhao had already begun observing various data changes, and when Yan Zizai arrived, Yan Zhao was observing the serum of an experimental subject through a microscope.

"Is there something?"

"There is a matter I’d like to discuss with you." Yan Zizai nodded.

"Is it regarding the masterminds behind the Xie Family?"

"Partially."

After hearing this, Yan Zhao stopped what he was doing and looked at Yan Zizai:

"Go ahead."

Yan Zizai then recounted the events in the Black Sector, even without mentioning Bai Wu and Wu Jiu, focusing on the duel between two top Evil Fallens. Still, Yan Zhao asked:

"Did the Investigation Corps dispatch three people?"

"Yes."

"Among these three, there were the deputy commander of the Investigation Corps, the captain of the seventh squad, and a member of the Vanguard Group from the seventh squad," Yan Zhao said.

Yan Zizai was not surprised by this information. Such intelligence, after a day, should have reached Yan Zhao’s ears. He nodded and said:

"These three are quite capable. The seventh squad captain Bai Wu and Vanguard Group member Bai Xiaoyu delivered commendable performances, especially Bai Wu who has built quite a reputation in Mechanical City. But I’m not clear about the deputy commander Gu Qingyu, because the area is too vast, much more so than other areas I’ve previously explored, and I did not encounter him during the whole expedition."

As the Guardian of the Yan Family and the captain of six supervisory groups, Yan Zizai’s remark that they were ’quite capable’ was no small praise. After all, when Yan Zizai once glanced at the Guardians of other families, he had also merely said they were ’quite capable’.

Yan Zhao knew about Yan Zizai’s pride and smiled:

"It seems that the lower three layers indeed produced some outstanding talents over the years."

Yan Zizai didn’t deny it. Although he wouldn’t overly praise Bai Wu, at least he needed to make the Patriarch of the Yan Family aware of this person called Bai Wu.

"I believe it is necessary to win over Bai Wu. Even though he is from the Investigation Corps and under Qin Family’s arrangement, his distinguished abilities could be quite useful to us."

Yan Zhao said:

"I’m afraid we are already too late."

"What do you mean?"

"The Qin Family acts faster than us. Even though they weren’t involved in the exploration of the Black Sector, they are very much aware of what it means to return from there. And he was also among those who returned from the Red Sector last time, wasn’t he? This Bai Wu frequents the Xie Family, and he is also part of the Qin Family’s arrangement. This operation was also initiated by the Xie Family, right? I’m afraid you are a step behind."

Yan Zhao didn’t elaborate further, but Yan Zizai had already understood.

"I have a personal friendship with him. I can persuade him to join the Yan Family."

"If you manage to do so, that wouldn’t be too bad."

Yan Zhao, as if knowing Yan Zizai’s ultimate goal, never showed much interest in a talent like Bai Wu throughout the conversation.

"Is there anything else?" Yan Zhao looked at Yan Zizai and asked.

Yan Zizai hesitated slightly, then nodded:

"Last time you mentioned that the Yan Family should start considering the next generation’s succession. I want to talk to you about this."

Because the Yan Family has only a single male and female per generation, succession is a significant matter for them.

Yan Zhao was not surprised; he had known that Yan Zizai talked so much today mainly because of this.

"Why Yan Jiu and not Yan Zhishui?"

"Zhishui is presently busy handling the affairs of the Yan Family, making Yan Jiu more suitable. Why, you think otherwise?"

"Yes, I do," Yan Zizai stated bluntly.

Yan Zhao, well aware of Yan Zizai’s character, asked:

"Why is it unsuitable?"

"Yan Jiu does not wish to."

"How do you know she’s unwilling? I’ve heard that this child has been isolated since she was young, and because of certain characteristics of the Yan Family, she is not very likable. Her lack of emotional expression also prevents her from conveying her joy. For such a person, who can’t leave the High Tower and who remains only a burden to the Yan Family, would it not be caring to allow a subordinate to marry into the family and attend to her?"

Yan Zhao didn’t want to waste time, nor did he wish to beat around the bush with Yan Zizai:

"I have made up my mind on this matter; there’s no need for you to say more. But as for you, why are you interested in a junior’s marriage?"

"She reminds me of my sister. Although I don’t remember my sister well, I remember what she looked like before she died and some fragments. I don’t want her to be as lonely as my sister was at the time of her death."

Yan Zhao sighed:

"Everyone has their own Destiny, and we are all too busy with our affairs. Where do we find the time to care about others? And how do you know that Yan Jiu won’t be happy?"

Yan Zizai stated plainly:

"If you insist on choosing someone to marry in, I hope that person is Bai Wu."

"The captain of Team Seven?"

"Yes."

"I remember the mental hospital on the third floor is monitored by the Investigation Corps’ Team Seven, right?"

"Yes." Yan Zizai did not deny it.

Yan Zhao’s smile held a deep meaning:

"It seems they know each other? So it’s very likely that he was the one who found Yan Jiu originally?"

Yan Zizai nodded.

"He does indeed have ability, which is why you want to bring him in. It looks like it’s not just the Innate Force that is impressive about him; he also has an outstanding mind. But I already have a suitable candidate."

Yan Zizai was taken aback:

"A suitable candidate? Who?"

Yan Zhao said:

"There’s a young man from the Qin Family who is not well-regarded there."

"Qin Zong?"

"You know him?" Yan Zhao acted as though he was quite surprised.

"He’s the current leader of the Investigation Corps. I’ve had the fortune of meeting him. He is not like Bai Wu and not suitable for Jiu."

"I’ve looked into Qin Zong. He has no bad habits, treats his subordinates very well, possesses strong self-control, competent abilities, and under his leadership, the reputation of the Investigation Corps has improved. It’s also because of him that the Corps has more and more skilled individuals these years. Such a person, marrying into our Yan Family, will firstly grant us a good son-in-law and secondly, will make our relationship with the Qin Family a bit more delicate."

"But Yan Jiu doesn’t like him," Yan Zizai said.

"It’s not up to her to like it or not. Besides, how do you know she doesn’t like him? I’ve decided on this matter and have already instructed people to inform Yan Heyu and Yan Zhishui. Yan Jiu must know by now as well."

Yan Zizai was stunned.

Seeing the expression on Yan Zizai’s face, Yan Zhao said:

"The interests of the family must come first. Every generation of the Yan Family has operated this way. If you have a soft spot for her, then bear with it, or do your best to make Qin Zong treat Yan Jiu a little better."

After a long silence, Yan Zizai finally asked:

"Have you already made up your mind?"

"Yes, I have decided. Furthermore, the Qin Family isn’t too fond of that young man either; his straightforward way of handling things doesn’t align with many of the Qin Family’s real businesses, which they did not entrust to him. However, this also shows that the young man has a good character – isn’t that the kind of person you admire?"

Yan Zizai didn’t respond but only said:

"I hope you can reconsider this decision. It’s not yet time for her, and even if you must marry her off, please choose..."

"Enough! Ridiculous! You’re not in a position to make decisions about such matters. Zizai, I can overlook your killing of Yan Ying since I didn’t inform you beforehand, but I hope you understand, as the Guardian of the Yan Family, everything you do must align with the interests of the Yan Family first."

Yan Zizai wanted to say more, but he heard Yan Zhao wave his hand:

"That’s enough, go out. Come back to talk to me when you’ve thought it through."

Yan Zhao had given the order to leave.

Yan Zizai knew it was hopeless to say anything more; he left feeling somewhat disappointed.

...

...

After leaving the forbidden area, Yan Zizai went to see Yan Jiu, who finally showed some desire to speak upon her uncle’s arrival.

She could guess her own destiny, but upon seeing her uncle, she still took the opportunity to meticulously inquire about Bai Wu and the others’ experiences over the past week.

Whether Bai Wu had encountered any danger, if he had been injured, how her uncle had been doing. Yan Zizai recounted their individual experiences of the past seven days with patience, and if there was something he did not know, he would give his conjecture.

"Bai Wu is a very reliable person. His performance in this Mechanical City exploration was crucial. Without him, we might not have made it this smoothly."

Of course, Yan Zizai omitted the part about him and Bai Xiaoyu washing dishes.

Yan Jiu could not feel joy, but being empathetic, she had learned to express it.

Thinking that her uncle and Bai Wu had grown much closer, she appeared very happy.

Yan Zizai watched her, feeling that she was different from his sister but equally heart-wrenching. There were some things he simply couldn’t bring himself to say, and he left without voicing them.

As the conversation revolved around Bai Wu, he wanted to ask, what if Bai Wu were not in her future life?

He didn’t ask, and Yan Jiu didn’t answer, but from her words, he already knew the answer.

After saying goodbye to Yan Jiu, Yan Zizai left the fifth level and headed directly to the Investigation Corps branch on the second layer.

He was going to meet with Bai Wu.

Before long, Yan Zizai met Bai Wu in the captain’s office of the seventh team of the Investigation Corps.

Indeed, as Yan Zhao had said, Bai Wu, Bai Xiaoyu, and Gu Qingyu had caught the attention of the ruling families who wished to win them over.

This afternoon, Bai Wu received quite a few calls, and he was about to meet with the powers of the seven rulers.

Upon seeing Yan Zizai, Bai Wu said:

"Don’t tell me you’ve come to play the mediator? Didn’t we just meet yesterday? Or are you thinking of leaving the tower? Wait a bit, I haven’t decided which area to go to recently."

Bai Wu didn’t like staying in the tower, but he was still pondering where to explore next and how to arrange his personnel.

The Mechanical City adventure had involved some luck, and so had the trip to Zao Lake Village.

Bai Wu thought it over and noticed he seemed to encounter troublesome situations on every expedition; should he try lowering the difficulty for a change? Perhaps take it easy in the blue zone?

Yan Zizai said:

"Do you remember the question I asked you yesterday? I’m here for an answer."

Bai Wu frowned, of course remembering yesterday’s conversation with Yan Zizai.

Yan Zizai repeated it:

"What if the Yan Family forces Jiu to marry someone else, and she’d rather die than agree?"

"So, I can’t avoid this question this time? The truth might offend people."

"You can’t, because this is about to happen."

Bai Wu nodded, with a somewhat helpless tone:

"Yan Jiu is my friend; she has done many things for me. If she asks for help, I will do what I can to assist her, even if it means becoming an enemy of your Yan Family, even if I have to pull your Yan Family down from the rulers’ position."