Free Web NovelChapter 650: Chapter 7: Heretic?
The icy river water rushed overhead; it was heavy, and to Su Changzing, it felt like being buried in silt. It took a great effort to crawl up from beneath it.
But when he climbed up, he didn’t see Kasmin anywhere.
"Still down there?"
He observed from above, then dove back into the water, grabbing Kasmin with precision and pulling her up.
The water was strange, possibly high-level world water. To survive here, one would need at least Tier Seven standards.
An ordinary person from Blue Star falling into this kind of water would likely be crushed instantly by the pressure, reduced to a pile of meat, with not even blood left behind.
Due to a lack of physical strength and the water’s turbulent current, Kasmin struggled to climb up.
"Thanks," Kasmin panted, propping her hands on the ground, her hair wet and sticking to her forehead and cheeks.
"It seems your escape route isn’t designed very scientifically; there’s a risk of drowning." Su Changxing stood up and looked at the massive drainage outlet, complaining.
They were now by the riverbank, with light shining down from above. It was dark all around, and there was no one around, though shouts echoed from afar.
The Imperial Tower was forbidden to approach, which meant no one was usually around here, especially at night. Appearing near it could easily get one mistaken for an assassin and killed by the guards.
"Where are we going now?" Kasmin asked, looking at Su Changxing, feeling he was reliable throughout the journey, so she asked instinctively.
Su Changxing paused and said, "I’m not very familiar with the situation here. Shouldn’t I be asking you that?"
"Right, you’ve lost your memory. I don’t know how your mother found you before," Kasmin said, reacting as she slapped her forehead.
She took a black mask from her bosom and put it on. "Many people know my face, so I can’t show it. The Duke is most likely hunting for me."
"We’re going to the Hound Bar; it’s Hound Gang territory, but that gang is actually an Imperial Family force, led by the former captain of the City Guard," Kasmin explained.
Su Changxing thought for a moment and asked, "Is it reliable?"
Kasmin assured him, "Of course, it’s reliable. That gang has done many things for us over the years."
Su Changxing shrugged, "Then let’s go. I see there are guards patrolling nearby; we better be careful. Is there a curfew tonight?"
Kasmin said, "No, but I doubt many people dare to come out today; everyone’s hiding."
"That’s true. So, if we walk on the street, we’ll stand out, better to hide."
Su Changxing donned his Shadow Cloak again, disappearing into the shadows of the wall corner.
Kasmin followed, "Do you know which direction to go?"
Su Changxing glanced back at her, "As long as it’s not toward the Imperial Tower."
Though he seemed casual, he was constantly observing his surroundings. They were some distance from the Imperial Tower, but not far ahead, he could see a small boat floating on the river.
It was a small boat, more like a metal cage, with a person bound and imprisoned inside, invisible to sight but faintly perceptible.
Su Changxing glanced at the boat and asked offhandedly, "What are these boats usually used for?"
Kasmin cast a sidelong glance, "Transporting goods, usually contraband, considered black market goods."
Su Changxing nodded and said nothing further, not intending to meddle in others’ affairs.
This world felt vague and unreal to him; he was more a spectator here, driven only by sufficient interests to take action.
Walking along the street, there were a few passersby, as well as patrolling guards.
Checkpoints manned by guards were set between streets for identity checks if one wished to pass through.
Though she was the Princess, Kasmin was not a sheltered lady; she was very familiar with this area. "Checkpoints are set between streets; we can pass through houses, but the doors and windows are sealed here."
They stood behind a flower bed where there were no guards, watching a distant alley flicker with firelight, with people gathered around a fire for warmth.
It looked like they were eating, joking at first, then suddenly fighting, for reasons unknown.
Though fierce-looking, there was some restraint, as knives weren’t drawn yet.
These beggar-like people had at least Tier Eight standards. One of them, a Tier Seven Extraordinary, was able to overpower the others.
Su Changxing wasn’t interested in watching further, as such things seemed common; he extended a hand to Kasmin and said, "Hold on to me, I’ll take you across." freёweɓnovel.com
"Huh?" Kasmin blinked, puzzled by his words.
"Don’t move around," Su Changxing said without much explanation, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and activating White Feather Flashing.
This was a simple method, using White Feather Flashing to pass directly through the house to the other side.
The scenery before them shifted momentarily.
They arrived at a staircase inside a house; it was an apartment-style residence, with both upward and downward doors shut, and dim lights illuminating the stairway.
"You really know magic; you’re a heretic!" Kasmin exclaimed, looking at Su Changxing in shock.
She had never seen a heretic use magic, only seen heretics beheaded.
"A heretic? Does using magic make one a heretic?" Su Changxing asked thoughtfully as he looked at Kasmin.
He thought about how ordinary people here only used power without understanding it, appearing quite ordinary.
Heretics were rare, their perception surpassed this world, allowing them to use extraordinary abilities called magic.
Could these heretics be players?
Su Changxing thought it was very likely. Since the Bronze Gate led him here, there would certainly be players.
However, players didn’t seem to be a primary force in this world; instead, they were marginalized, shunned by all.
Possibly due to committing reprehensible deeds too often.
Players, in their endless questing, saw their worldview materialize, emotions dulling, unbound by rules.
In other words,
Players might be players in the truest sense, treating one world after another as games, seeing life within as mere NPCs.
Their every move was guided by the task at hand, without considering other potential consequences.
It seemed quite reasonable for players to be seen as heretics.
"Almost; all heretics can use magic, and all those who use magic are heretics," Kasmin confirmed.
Su Changxing mused, "Actually, this shouldn’t be considered magic; its form differs, though the results may be similar."
"Wait, two guards are there. Let’s go out after they leave,"
"Magic is so convenient!" Kasmin marveled, "This ability to discern others’ positions should also be magic!"
"Something like that," Su Changxing replied vaguely.
He wasn’t sure how to explain it either; perception was crucial to Extraterrestrials, allowing ordinary people to become Extraordinary.
Yet, the world’s structure overturned his understanding.
These people’s perception was weak, even nonexistent, yet they could still become High-Tier Extraterrestrials.
Previously, it seemed absurd, like a child who couldn’t walk but started running across the ground, even flying, as adults watched dumbfoundedly.
After about ten minutes, the guards outside left. Su Changxing used White Feather Flashing to bring Kasmin out from the house onto the back street.
This area had lower buildings compared to before, and more people, mostly hooligans or drunks.
