Translator: CinderTL
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, silence reigned. The three figures lay still, their chests rising and falling steadily, their eyes closed in deep slumber.
Suddenly, Pi Ruan, lying flat on the bed, abruptly opened his eyes.
He sat up without a sound, glanced neither at the other two in the room nor at the door, and slipped out of bed. He opened the door and stepped out.
The hall was dimly lit, all the furniture shrouded in a layer of dark gray mist, their forms blurred into indistinct outlines.
Unlike ordinary darkness, this mist seemed alive, slowly writhing and shifting.
Even more bizarrely, if someone were watching from the side, they would be astonished to see that the room still contained three figures.
Pi Ruan's body remained on the bed, eyes closed, breathing evenly.
The figure who had just walked out the door was like his soul.
Reaching a secluded door, Pi Ruan pushed it open without hesitation. The door, which had been locked, swung inward silently.
No, it wasn't just the door.
In this world, all sound seemed to have vanished.
Even the rain outside had stopped.
Inside the room, a small table held a kerosene lamp, its tiny wick casting a dim, bean-sized glow.
A refined man sat at the table, holding a black-bound book.
When Pi Ruan arrived, Luo He showed no surprise. It was Pi Ruan who frowned first, his voice tinged with reproach. "Number 3, your ability is unique. Once resonance occurs, it will greatly accelerate Zero's memory recovery."
Luo He merely shrugged in response. Then, as if by magic, he produced a teapot and poured Pi Ruan a cup of tea. "Some things can't be avoided, no matter how much we try. The ending is already written. Whether we want to see it or not, what will happen will happen. The only thing we can control is the timing."
Pi Ruan didn't dwell on the matter. He knew that Number 3 wouldn't have used his ability to create such a dream unless it was for something crucial.
He took a sip of tea. Steam still rose from the cup, and as the hot liquid slid down his throat, he felt for a fleeting moment as if he had grasped life anew.
"What's the matter?" he asked, cupping the teacup in both hands and looking at Luo He.
Luo He stared into Pi Ruan's eyes, the two men meeting across the flickering kerosene lamp. The flame danced, casting shadows that shifted with each breath. "Nothing major," Luo He said. "I just wanted to call you here to thank you in person."
Pi Ruan grinned, his eyes narrowing. "Thank me for what? For saving your sister and then giving her my Gate?"
"You know, owning a Gate isn't a good thing, especially not my Gate," Pi Ruan sighed, leaning back in his chair as if lost in memory. "But now that you mention it, I do miss the little darling inside. It was the only one who kept me company during my loneliest times."
"Though I know it wanted my life," Pi Ruan sighed again, then switched back to his flippant expression, boasting, "But I think it had some affection for me. Otherwise, I should have died when the Gate was stripped away."
"If I were you, I'd have preferred to die then," Luo He said. "It's a bit morbid, but I think this might be the Gate's final Curse on you—forcing you to watch yourself rot away bit by bit."
Pi Ruan deflated like a punctured balloon, collapsing onto the table and whining, "Alright, alright, can you please stop talking? I'm already miserable enough."
"Fine," Luo He agreed to end the topic, as it wasn't his intention to begin with. He wasn't good at conversation and often killed the mood.
"Number 4," Luo He said, looking at Pi Ruan, "You're nearing your limit. Whether this supernatural event is resolved or not, you won't be able to leave."
"You helped me, and I don't like owing favors, especially not to someone we're not that close to," Luo He said. "Do you have any unfinished wishes? You can tell me."
"I still need a son to carry on my family line. Number 3, are you interested?" Pi Ruan's eyes lit up instantly, and he grinned, turning the tables.
Luo He was taken aback, but his expression quickly changed as he saw a thoughtful look on Number 3's usually impassive face.
He seemed to be seriously considering the question.
"Never mind, never mind. Even if you agreed, I might not accept," Pi Ruan said nervously, waving his hands.
"Fine, then choose something else," Luo He nodded.
"Protect Number 10 for me," Pi Ruan said.
"That doesn't count," Luo He replied. "Even if you hadn't asked, I would have done it anyway. Number 10 chose to have his memory erased to stay by Zero's side and prevent him from falling into the abyss. That alone makes him worthy."
"Mm," Pi Ruan swallowed hard, then leaned in cautiously, whispering something in Luo He's ear.
"That's it?" Luo He asked, confirming. He hadn't expected Number 4's dying wish to be so simple. He'd assumed it would be something like revenge.
"Yes, exactly this." Pi Ruan puffed out his chest. "A man should have a man's responsibility!"
"Alright, I'll do it," Luo He replied. "And during this time, I'll do my best to keep you looking as you do now. When you die, it won't be too gruesome."
"No need," Pi Ruan said without hesitation, rejecting the offer. "Zero is already starting to suspect me. Everything is going according to Sir's plan. Don't create any unnecessary complications."
After his death, Number 10 would be protected.
After all, from the beginning, Sir had positioned him as a disposable pawn, ready to be sacrificed at any moment.
To deceive Zero, sacrifices were necessary. Once Zero believed he had uncovered the hidden mole in his midst, he would lower his guard.
Only then would Number 10 have a chance to continue his infiltration and gain even greater trust.
He was a crucial piece in their plan.
"Perhaps... bringing Zero into this world in the first place was a mistake," Luo He murmured, his voice echoing. "That power is far beyond our reach."
"Not ours, theirs!" Pi Ruan retorted firmly. "The Night Watcher! We're just pawns being used, and once they're done with us, they'll eliminate us."
His tone was agitated, this was a matter of principle that could not be desecrated.
"Then why not just eliminate Zero directly?" Luo He turned to Pi Ruan. "Since his Gate is dormant deep within his body, why not just strike and be done with him? That way, we'd all be free."
Pi Ruan narrowed his eyes, studying Luo He as if reevaluating his nominal ally. "You've been holding that back for a long time, haven't you? Now that you know I'm dying, you figure it doesn't matter if you tell me. After all... dead men can't betray your secrets."
"Number 3, you're the Night Watcher's hidden pawn planted within the Crimson."
(End of the Chapter)
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