Returning to the village—sometime pass the hour of seven, with Tian Cheng and Yao Ying, Long Hua sees someone standing near his tent.
"Oh? Zhou-laoye?"
"…"
Turning to Long Hua, Zhou Chen glances at the sphere of golden radiance that is looming in the air, and asks—
"Didn't you say you had no wishes to be a hero?"
"Is that the way you see all this as?"
"…"
Seeing the snake-like smile on Long Hua's face, Zhou Chen could only heave a sigh.
As Zhou Chen turns to the side and prepares to leave, Long Hua raises an eye, and remarks—
"You should be able to tell that I don't mean this world any good by doing this."
Without facing Long Hua, Zhou Chen replies—
"And what of it? If we wish to survive—for just a while longer, it's not like any of us here have a choice, but to go with your directed flow. This entire situation… It's no different from luring a tiger over to chase out a wolf."
"…"
Maintaining his venomous smile, Long Hua remarks—
"How understanding of you."
"…Prior to getting out of retirement, I've taken my time—to appreciate my collection of paintings, thinking that I won't be able to see them again for a while, if ever."
"Hm?"
"I… Seem to have recalled some memories from…- Perhaps, a previous life? I do not know who I was in those memories, but… I seem to have committed a grave sin towards a great number of people."
Blinking his eyes, Long Hua eventually chuckles with amusement, and replies—
"Should I say—karma is a real bitch, or maybe ask about how the mighty has fallen?"
Chuckling with bitterness, Zhou Chen shakes his head, and leaves.
"…"
Tilting her head, Yao Ying asks—
"He recalled his past life?"
"The sin he committed, it was probably related to all the weapon spirits in this world, and because of that, he has no rights to be asking me to play hero. He'd only sound hypocritical if he did after all. Well… That's not to say that he won't change his mind afterwards."
"Against all the weapon spirits in this world?"
Widening her eyes slightly, Yao Ying asks—
"He…-? Was he the Ling Yuan Ancestor? But then, why is he here as a weapon spirit?"
"Who knows? And who cares? But if he really was the Ling Yuan Ancestor, this must be quite an amusing situation for him to find himself in."
Turning to Yao Ying, Long Hua goes on to ask—
"Little girl, the fact that you're still here—does that mean you plan to baptize yourself with this upcoming battle?"
"…"
Averting her eyes, Yao Ying asks—
"If I pray to you, would-"
Cutting Yao Ying off, Long Hua says—
"Dreams are a beautiful thing, aren't they?"
"…"
"I don't wish to be prayed to by people, and even if I were, I will not lend them an ear—much less an actual hand. Most of those who've had dealings with me—I don't think they'll receive a good ending in life."
"…"
Blinking her eyes, Yao Ying walks pass Long Hua and enters the tent. She intends to use whatever time that she has left to familiarize herself with the Tranquil Heart Incantation and the Cloud Ink Incantation.
"Does that logic apply to machines as well, master?"
Towards Tian Cheng's question, Long Hua shrugs his shoulders, and replies—
"No clue. But you're more than welcome to distance yourself from me—if you find the thought disturbing."
Walking pass Long Hua, Tian Cheng says—
"I've already come this far, so I'll watch over you until the end, master."
As Tian Cheng enters the tent as well, Long Hua stands in place, while raising his head to the dark skies.
(*-laoban.)
"Hm?"
(I'll watch over you until the end as well.)
Towards the Tai Xuan Emperor's words that are said with a heartfelt tone, Long Hua replies—
"You can piss right off."
(Ai, this difference in treatment really stings a lot.)
"Don't expect it to change."
Detecting the sound of footsteps approaching him from behind, Long Hua is just about to turn around, but before he can do so completely, the person says—
"Hua, mother has a message for you."
Seeing Zhui Yun, Long Hua replies—
"Let's hear it."
"15 days from now, that's when the ruins that she purchased will be opened for full excavation."
"Is it open to just about everyone, or…-?"
Shaking her head, Zhui Yun explains—
"Originally, she wanted to limit the groups to only NPI agents and the Moon Guards, but that's no longer possible with recent events. Also, the ruins themselves are a bit… Special, even by current standards."
"I see. Well, I'll be there."
Nodding her head, Zhui Yun adds—
"Someone will be at the airport of GC021 to pick you up."
"Hmm. Let's make the meet-up location at NPI's HQ instead. I'll just teleport into the city through New Moon Village."
"Doable, that would work out better for us anyways."
With the meeting spot settled, Long Hua asks—
"Exact location of the ruins?"
"…Coincidentally, it's near where you initially encountered us."
"Oh?"
"…"
Detecting a hint of nervousness on Zhui Yun's face when bringing this matter up, Long Hua can't help but raise an eye, while thinking—
(Does this imp know something about my true self?)
Just as Long Hua is thinking of this, three more figures approach, and the one wearing a red mask remarks—
"Seems like we were too late. Well, I guess this saves us the trouble of having to explain everything."
Three Moon Guards approach, one of which is Xun Yu, and the other one, judging by her small stature, it should be—
"Oh, it's the shorty from the hotel incident."
"…"
Pausing her footsteps, Qing Yue can't help but grind her teeth together beneath her white oni mask.
Regaining her composure quickly, she thought—
(Whatever, at least this means that my cover hasn't been blown yet.)
"…"
"…"
As for the third Moon Guard, who is wearing a red mask, Long Hua turns to the former's direction, and remarks—
"I don't think I've met this one yet."
Waving a hand, the Moon Guard introduces herself as—
"I'm called Hong Xuan. Looking forward to…- Hmm, I guess, work with you—in the ruins of the Long Yue family, in 15 days' time?"
"Hm?"
Thinking that it would only be the ruins of NPI that he would be dealing with in 15 days' time, Long Hua can't help but frown.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Simultaneously, all eyes turned to Zhui Yun, who says—
"I was just getting to that. …It turns out the ruins brought by Madame Nian and Lady Nian are interconnected."