Free Web NovelChapter 482: Chapter 99: The Person Heading to Denglin City
Returning to the High Tower once again, Wu Jiu could feel the colossal changes it had undergone.
Even though nobody had spoken of it, just by observing the alterations at the base, he could tell at a glance.
When the members of the Seventh Squad and Ruan Qingyun appeared, warmth blossomed in his heart, as he thought that nothing had changed.
But now, he realized... everything had completely changed.
He had returned in search of Bai Wu only to receive news of Bai Wu’s demise.
Wu Jiu was silent as he bent down, his figure seeming weary. He picked up the knife that had fallen to the ground, striving to maintain his composure, even though his voice still trembled slightly,
"When... when did you get this news?"
"A few days ago, Zero told us. He has no reason to lie to us."
On the elevator, Wu Jiu stood in front of Yan Zizai and Xie Xingzhi, his back turned to the two men.
Yan Zizai and Xie Xingzhi began recounting the circumstances of Bai Wu’s death.
Over the past few days, Xie Xingzhi had made contact with Mechanical City once more through the sanctuary and inquired about some matters from Zero.
But Zero paid little heed to the sanctuary, and Xie Xingzhi could tell distinctly that Zero’s attitude towards them had become extremely indifferent.
Not many details were gleaned.
Originally, Xie Xingzhi and Yan Zizai, along with Zheng Yue and Bai Xiaoyu, had adventured through Mechanical City.
They knew that the machinery of Mechanical City, seemingly sentient beings, were in fact human souls. fгeewebnovёl.com
Zero possessed the ability to perform Gathering Spirit, and Xie Xingzhi and Yan Zizai both hoped Zero would bring some good news.
Even if Bai Wu was resurrected in Mechanical City, it would be considered good news for them.
Unfortunately, Xie Xingzhi did not obtain any valuable information, and Zero was more forgiving towards the Xie Family than ordinary humans.
If the Xie Family didn’t receive much favor, it’s likely that Zero truly didn’t care about the other humans.
After hearing these details, Wu Jiu confirmed that Bai Wu was probably truly dead.
However, during the recounting, Yan Zizai and Xie Xingzhi deliberately omitted certain aspects.
For example, Bai Wu died in Denglin City and was killed by Jing Si.
After listening, Wu Jiu’s silhouette became even lonelier as he softly spoke,
"Zero doesn’t know where he died?"
"Doesn’t know. It was pitch dark around... and the stars could be vaguely seen." Xie Xingzhi said.
Wu Jiu turned around, his gaze as sharp as a knife. He looked at Yan Zizai,
"He saved you and Yan Jiu, more than once. He also saved the Xie Family. I want you to tell the truth. Where exactly did Bai Wu die, and who killed him?"
Xie Xingzhi turned his head away, unable to meet Wu Jiu’s gaze. Yan Zizai sighed,
"Don’t ask."
Upon uttering this sentence, it signified his willingness to reveal the truth, it also meant he was aware of everything.
Wu Jiu reiterated,
"Where did he die, and who killed him?"
"What can you do even if you know? Bai Wu himself couldn’t deal with it, so what can you do?" Yan Zizai challenged.
"All I ask is a clear conscience. He was my subordinate. Dying in such obscurity is unacceptable to me."
He almost bit the last four words out, looking straight at Yan Zizai.
Yan Zizai could see that if he did not provide an explanation today, this man would certainly not let the matter rest.
He suddenly envied Bai Wu for having such a friend, whose death was without regret.
There was no point in a standoff; he knew well the bond between Wu Jiu and Bai Wu.
Bai Wu, from obscurity to his current renown, had embarked on many adventures along the way, many of which were with Wu Jiu.
Their friendship had long since reached a point of true life-and-death commitment.
Yan Zizai clenched his teeth,
"Bai Wu might have gone to Denglin City. Before receiving news of his death, he had come to the High Tower and mentioned going to Denglin City."
"Furthermore, according to Zero, the energy reaction detected by the Angel Envoy was similar to Jing Si’s back at the sanctuary... it’s highly likely that Jing Si was the one who killed Bai Wu."
Just as the elevator reached the fifth floor, Wu Jiu looked towards Xie Xingzhi and said,
"The Xie Family should have some equipment to aid in exploration outside the Tower?"
"Yes, but those are only useful for newcomers, they won’t help you much. It’s nothing compared to the technology from Mechanical City."
Although Xie Xingzhi did not know how strong Wu Jiu was now, Wu Jiu originally possessed peerless strength, and must now be even more terrifying.
Indeed, Xie Family’s technology could enhance some abilities, but at Wu Jiu’s level, such an enhancement was negligible.
"As long as it’s helpful that’s good. I still need to wait a while before I can leave the High Tower, so in the meantime, I will consider taking with me anything that might be useful."
Xie Xingzhi and Yan Zizai gave each other a look, and Xie Xingzhi said:
"Calm down, what are you planning to do?"
"I am calm."
Yan Zizai exclaimed:
"You’re going to Ddnglin City?"
Wu Jiu did not deny it:
"I came here today to discuss with Bai Wu the next steps to take. You may not realize what’s happening inside the Tower, but soon you’ll see..."
"See what?"
"We’ll talk as we walk."
Suppressing the sadness and anger in his heart, Wu Jiu walked ahead of the two and began to slowly talk about the World Beyond the Mist.
He also mentioned the appearance of the High Tower beyond the mist.
The death of Bai Wu, the emergence of the High Tower, the twisted arrival of the World Beyond the Mist – these calamities happened one after another in quick succession.
Yan Zizai finally understood that his premonition had come true. The disaster had indeed begun.
"I’m not adept at these matters, but the High Tower has once again become an Ark. Those people outside the Tower, we can’t just ignore them. However, the decisions you will have to make next are cruel, yet unavoidable."
Yan Zizai and Xie Xingzhi both understood what he meant.
A lot of people had died in the High Tower recently. While it’s possible to replenish the population, the number of people outside the Tower is simply too great, unless the High Tower can open up a sixth, seventh, eighth floor... moving ever upwards.
But evidently, no one dares to go to the sixth floor.
When Bai Wu spoke of the sixth floor, he also mentioned many dangers. This meant that the High Tower only had five floors.
Even the fifth floor, where the rulers reside, had begun to admit residents, trying to increase the population capacity as much as possible, but it did not solve the underlying issue.
Because there were too many people outside the mist.
They had to make tough choices about who to let in and who to turn away.
If it were a disaster movie or a post-apocalyptic science fiction film, the common people’s perspective would be highlighted to emphasize human care, making viewers feel that even ordinary people could enter the High Tower when doomsday arrives...
But when reality strikes –
Whether it’s Yan Zizai, Xie Xingzhi, Wang Jue from the Wang Family, or Zheng You from the Zheng Family, they all understood clearly that if the High Tower really needed to expand to the point where no more people could be accommodated...
It would have to be based on one principle – every person admitted must bring benefits to the collective of the High Tower.
Wu Jiu said:
"You can have a good discussion about how to face what comes next, and the policies for taking people into the High Tower."
"Besides, it’s best to move some of the core members to a sanctuary. I always feel... the emergence of the High Tower is not a good thing."
Yan Zizai nodded. His unease had not only failed to subside but had intensified.
At the moment, however, Yan Zizai needed to dissuade Wu Jiu:
"I know you’re very angry and distressed over Bai Wu’s death, but you can’t be impulsive and you shouldn’t go to Denglin City."
"Your opponent is Jing Si! You should know what kind of monster that is, an existence that can easily annihilate us with a breath. We cannot contend with that."
Xie Xingzhi agreed, but Wu Jiu said:
"I’m not being impulsive, I am calm. Yan Zizai, let me ask you, when the Yan Family betrayed you and you were taken to Shudu Prison, did Bai Wu consider it too dangerous?"
"Xie Xingzhi, Mechanical City was a black area, and at that time, Bai Wu, even less capable than you and I, did he ever hesitate to venture into the black area?"
Wu Jiu’s hand once again gripped his knife tightly.
There was a moment when he seemed to lose the reason to hold the knife, but now, he had become even more resolute.
"It’s different after all, he’s already dead! If he were still alive, we would brave dragon dens and tiger’s lairs, but now he has... he’s already dead! I don’t want you to go and throw your life away too."
Yan Zizai’s expression was very serious.
Wu Jiu obviously could not be persuaded. He stated calmly,
"There’s no need to discuss this topic any further. He and I have been through many battles together. Alive, I must see the person; dead, I must see the body. I don’t doubt Zero, but Bai Wu is my subordinate. I cannot let him die in obscurity."
"You all should just focus on your respective tasks. As for everything regarding the High Tower, I’m counting on you."
...
...
Yan Zizai, Xie Xingzhi, and Wu Jiu ultimately went their separate ways.
What Wu Jiu was doing seemed the most meaningless to everyone else. However, everyone had overlooked one thing.
Bai Wu might have been the person who advanced the exploration outside the tower the most in the past seven hundred years, but Wu Jiu had tremendous fortune.
The things this man did might not be as outlandish as Bai Wu’s, but he was also a person who married absurdity and the ceiling, utterly outrageous.
Records of survival outside the tower had already surpassed people’s understanding.
The previous record was twenty-four days, and the next one had increased over tenfold. A person like that, attempting something nearly impossible, perhaps... the impossible could become possible.
The trio had clearly delineated their responsibilities.
Xie Xingzhi continued to handle communications with Zero, trying by all means to win a sliver of goodwill from Zero towards humanity, so that the refuge could, through the Mechanical City, obtain information about the world beyond the mist.
In this way, the refuge could act as an intelligence relay station, continuously feeding information about the world outside the mist to the High Tower.
Yan Zizai, on the other hand, began to formulate a detailed policy for receiving people at the High Tower while also having the refuge contact some forces outside the mist, trying to establish relations with the external powers.
...
...
During the few hours he could not leave the High Tower, Wu Jiu spent his time leisurely.
He drank with his subordinates, sharing memories of the past, and instructed them to do everything they could to stay alive during the series of events that were to come.
After that, Wu Jiu took a walk with Ruan Qingyun on the lower levels.
The two reminisced about many things from the past, and Ruan Qingyun said,
"I remember when you and Liu Mu joined the Investigation Corps, it was to change the situation at the bottom layers one day. Although it has cost a great deal to reach this step, it’s really good now."
"Yes," Wu Jiu replied.
"It’s just a pity about Liu Mu..."
"It’s not a pity. Liu Mu has found his own path."
"Mm, I never really miss the past, but during the days you were gone, I often reminisced about some things from the Ghost Grinding Firm," Ruan Qingyun said, looking at Wu Jiu with affection.
Wu Jiu smiled very gently.
Their conversation shifted from the past to the present.
"How long do you plan to stay this time?"
"Once I can leave the tower, I will go out again. There are still some people and things in the mist outside that need to be arranged. Although they don’t concern me directly, I still have some responsibilities to fulfill."
What Wu Jiu was referring to were the survivors from Fuyue Twin Islands who believed in the "God of Not High."
Ruan Qingyun didn’t quite understand. She had always been a very resourceful woman, but after thinking several times that Wu Jiu had died and then seeing him again, her heart softened considerably:
"So, I still have to wait for you."
This sentence touched Wu Jiu.
To be born in such a dark and twisted world and have someone always waiting for oneself was incredibly fortunate.
Suddenly, Wu Jiu began to speak words he had never dared to say before,
"Qingyun, I will try my best to stay alive. If I get the chance to see the end of these distortions, no matter how old I am, no matter what we become, I will spend the rest of my life with you."
"I need you to understand that someone like me might find it difficult to survive one crisis after another. Outside the tower, the investigations are never easy."
"Over the years, I’ve seen too many people who left this world forever before they could say goodbye to their loved ones."
"I’ve always been afraid that if I promised you something one day and then I died, wouldn’t I become someone who let you down?"
"But... now I understand that I at least need to let you know my feelings, at least tell you..."
Wu Jiu’s words were interrupted as Ruan Qingyun suddenly hugged him.
This woman, who had never shed a tear or shown fear even when kidnapped, was now sobbing uncontrollably.
Ruan Qingyun thought she might have to wait many more years to hear these words, perhaps never in her lifetime.
She wept with joy, but she also realized something—that this man was probably about to do something very, very dangerous.
The hardest-to-find love in the world is when she can always understand you, and forever stand by your side.
How much she wished she could keep this man, but when the words came to her lips, she still clenched her teeth and said:
"You have to promise me... you have to come back alive!"
...
...
Outside the mist.
When Wu Jiu lifted the sewer manhole cover and walked out of the sewer, the translator just happened to see, and was stunned once again.
This was just ridiculous; it was off the charts.
Damn it, he had clearly seen Mr. Gu in the tent just before, bare-chested, wearing only a pair of shorts.
Now what... fully dressed, neat and tidy, and even coming out of the sewer?
Could there be two Mr. Gus?
Gu Qingyu also saw the translator and asked:
"I’m back, nothing happened at the campsite, did it?"
"No..."
"Good, it’s fine as long as nothing happened. What’s with you, you look kind of pale?"
The translator didn’t know what to say, but if he hadn’t seen it wrong, then at least in the tent, there was another Mr. Gu.
So, he glanced towards the tent.
Gu Qingyu followed his gaze and frowned.
Could it be that something happened to the cat?
He walked straight towards the tent; this cat had saved his life many times. He could let himself down, but he would never let down the cat.
Anxiously lifting the tent curtain, Gu Qingyu was taken aback.
Inside the tent, he didn’t see the cat, but himself, bare-chested, showing off his muscles.
The translator knew that the world had become quite bizarre, so no matter how odd, he decided to pretend he hadn’t seen anything.
Perhaps this Mr. Gu possessed some sort of cloning ability?
That wouldn’t be strange, after all, he had come to accept even the notion of humans turning into monsters.
In this world, there are bisexuals, homosexuals, gender dysphoria, objectophiles, fetishisms, and so on.
The emergence of self-sexual love... seemed logical enough.
Yeah, logical enough.
The translator stopped guessing; a leader’s secrets are not to be fully unknown nor fully known.
So, he tactfully left.
The atmosphere inside the tent, however, was a bit awkward.
"You’re back."
Wu Jiu turned back into a cat, trying to play cute to deflect the situation.
Wu Jiu was also willing to turn a blind eye; he didn’t care what kind of creature the other was, as long as there was peaceful coexistence.
But now, having witnessed this scene with his own eyes, feigning ignorance was no longer an option.
So Wu Jiu started:
"We need to talk. I’ve always been grateful for your care. I know that you killed those insects in the Insect Forest."
"I also know that it was you who saved me every time I was driven to the brink by negative attributes."
"In my eyes, you are very powerful, seemingly no less than some of the twisted top-beings I know. But no matter what you are, you’ve saved me, and you are my benefactor and friend."
The cat’s expression looked like it had a downturned face, thinking it had been careless. How had this man found out?
Wu Jiu said:
"But I hope you can tell me... who are you, exactly?"
(Theoretically, the next Chapter should be able to return to Bai Wu’s perspective. I’ll do it as soon as possible, but I really can’t skimp on the necessary details. That’s it for tonight.)
