318: Chapter 317 Maybe

The smell of blood filled the air, permeating in every direction.

The three including You Hongle were dismembered by the Slashes. Only before they died did they realize they had been set up by Huo Gui, but it was all too late, and they ultimately paid for it with their lives.

"They were merely pawns, not beyond redemption. Why did you have to take their lives?" Yan Guofa's slightly cloudy eyes fell upon Chu Xuan, his voice low.

"If their spirits had been controlled and they were unable to act of their own accord, there would be room for discussion. But this was their own choice, and I already gave them a chance."

Chu Xuan's expression remained calm. "So next, what is your choice?"

"I will not move against you, because you have done nothing wrong. It is just that your actions are too aggressive. If you had spared them and used both mercy and might, you could have completely taken these few for your own use."

Yan Guofa said solemnly, "The Specter invasion is a global crisis. Every Transcendent is an extremely important force, let alone Rank 10 Transcendents like them who are not easy to cultivate... Next, the organization will entrust you with heavy responsibilities and the authority of an Inspector. I hope you can prioritize the big picture."

"Heavy penalties should be used in chaotic times! If I were like you, acting only as a peacemaker whenever something happens, then don't bother giving me this Inspector authority."

Chu Xuan continued, "If you cannot even distinguish between reward and punishment, how can you command respect? If this continues, there will only be more people like Huo Gui."

Yan Guofa said in a deep voice, "I will find Huo Gui and give you an explanation."

"No need for an explanation, just don't get in my way." Chu Xuan waved his hand and left with Lin Jie, entering the old residential area ahead.

As they entered the stairwell, Chu Xuan looked at Lin Jie, who had been hesitating to speak, and asked, "What do you want to say?"

"I just find it a bit strange."

Lin Jie frowned. "I could feel that if that red sphere had exploded just now, it would have been very dangerous... I already felt a sense of warning, but in the guiding images the Heavenly Secret gave me, there was another choice: to do nothing."

"Do nothing?"

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. If he had done nothing, wouldn't that heart of the earth have exploded directly? Both he and Lin Jie would have died on the spot.

No, that's not right!

It might not have necessarily exploded!

There was another possibility: Yan Guofa had arrived long ago!

Chu Xuan paused and looked down in deep thought. Recalling the "delay the killing" message Yan Guofa had left him, it was clear the man had anticipated those people would come to intercept and kill him.

Since the other party didn't know the specific capabilities of the silver scroll he brought out, the ring left in the paper effigy was a countermeasure.

But if he hadn't discovered the ring's existence in time, Yan Guofa would have appeared immediately to personally stop the incident from occurring.

However, in that case, the effect of being at odds with him would probably have been much weaker.

"So it really was an act? Then... who was he acting for?" Chu Xuan muttered to himself.

At this time, Lin Jie added, "In my vague perception, if you did nothing, Huo Gui would die, and then I would get his sword. That would be the best outcome for me."

Hearing this, Chu Xuan's mind stirred.

Under what circumstances would such a situation occur?

Unless... Huo Gui's true body was being watched the whole time!

With this thought, Chu Xuan asked again, "Did you see anything else?"

This time Lin Jie shook his head. "It wasn't a life-or-death crisis, so the images were very blurry—just some residual fragments, with no additional information or guidance."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly and didn't ask further.

Meanwhile, on a wilderness area a hundred kilometers away, an illusory figure suddenly emerged from the ground and gradually solidified. It was none other than the disappeared Huo Gui.

His expression shifted slightly, followed by a look of frantic joy.

"Success! It actually succeeded! Although I failed to kill Chu Xuan, I still completed the mission! I have become a World Traitor, and... obtained the True Authority of traversal!"

Huo Gui laughed loudly and reached out his hand. Half of his arm merged into the space in front of him and disappeared. When he pulled his hand back, he actually held a roast duck.

He took a fierce bite, chewed twice, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Yes, Quanjude, this is the taste!"

"At this Rank, my path ahead is clear!"

Amidst the laughter, Huo Gui took a step forward while gnawing on the roast duck, merging into the Void Realm and disappearing entirely.

...

Somewhere in a dark place.

"Zhu Zhao, what's the situation now?"

"Revelation has been exposed. We lost the Debt-Collecting Ghost and several Constellation Envoys... but Chu Xuan is still not dead! It is basically confirmed that Chu Xuan is the mysterious expert who killed the Night Demon in Haicheng."

"He truly is a menace. We must find a way to eliminate him! It seems we'll have to let Revelation set another trap..."

"Revelation has lost contact again and warned us that to kill Chu Xuan at this stage, we might have to wait for the White Tiger to return..."

"White Tiger... That fellow participated in the Seed Project. With his strength, he will surely take another step forward! However, just to be safe, we need to find a few more helpers for him. How is Huo Gui doing?"

"Huo Gui has completely become a World Traitor and obtained the Authority of Traversal. Once his Rank increases, he will be able to traverse interfaces. Perhaps we can have him lead the White Tiger to assassinate Chu Xuan."

"Hmm, that's fine, but it's still not enough! What does Yan Guofa say?"

"He didn't accept the mission, but he didn't reject it either. Through observation, his behavior is a bit strange. On the whole, he is still hesitating, but he should still have some inclination toward our side."

"As a Paper-patcher, he can only mend and repair. It won't be long before he realizes this world is beyond saving. He might as well accept the God's grace, regain his youth and lifespan, and live another life."

"Good! We will continue to lie low..."

...

Inside the old residential area, Lin Jie was pushed out of a door by a middle-aged woman who grumbled impatiently:

"I really don't know you! Our family has lived here for nearly twenty years, and I've never heard of the people you're talking about. Don't ask again, or I'll call the police!"

Bang!

The door slammed shut, leaving Lin Jie standing somewhat dazed at the entrance. His expression was momentarily blank as he followed Chu Xuan downstairs in a daze.

After a long time, he murmured, "There's no trace of me. Do I really not exist? But... where exactly did I come from?"

"Where you came from isn't important. What's important is where you are now," Chu Xuan's voice rang out calmly.

"Where am I?" Lin Jie was stunned. He looked down at his hands and body, saying subconsciously, "I am right here."

"Yes, you are right here."

"But... my parents, relatives, classmates, and friends—are they all fictional? Do they not exist?" Lin Jie's lips trembled.

Chu Xuan asked, "Do you feel that you exist? Are you a living person? Do you have independent consciousness?"

"I..." Lin Jie looked down at himself again. After a long time, he nodded, but his tone was extremely uncertain. "I am real."

"If you believe you truly exist, then that is enough! Live in the moment and forge ahead. Don't overthink the rest. Perhaps at some point in the future, when you look back, you will know the answer yourself."

Chu Xuan's expression was inscrutable. He suddenly smiled. "Perhaps you transmigrated here from another parallel world."