Chapter 794: Chapter 31: No Need for Assistance (Part 3)

“Ah Ce, don’t worry too much about a minor setback. What’s there to fear about making mistakes for someone as smart as you? We’ll find time to discuss it later…”

“No problem, big brother, I’m doing fine.” The voice behind the door sounded quite lively. Mo Yuankai glanced at the door not far away and deliberately said, “Actually, this time Dawn Knight made some mistakes too, she…”

He didn’t get a chance to finish before his younger brother interrupted, “It’s not her fault, I’m just upset on my own.”

This is the most dreaded situation. He understands the reasoning but is just unhappy. He wants to vent some frustration, and when you try to help guide his emotions, he shuts you out. What can you do then?

“I’m a bit tired, I’ll rest first, goodnight.”

“…Alright, you rest early.”

Mo Yuankai was left speechless and awkwardly descended the stairs.

The candlelight flickered on the first floor, illuminating the female knight’s face in the hall. Orianna sat on a small sofa, looking worried. She had just spoken with Dawn Knight as well, and like Mo Yuankai, achieved no results.

“I don’t think Mr. Gongsun did anything wrong.” Orianna’s mood was low.

Mo Yuankai poured himself a cup of hot chocolate: “But what Dawn Knight said wasn’t wrong either, right?”

He poured a cup for the female knight as well, and Orianna accepted the hot drink, saying, “I don’t understand, why did things suddenly become so tense between them…”

“It’s not ‘them,’ it’s Ah Ce who’s anxious.” Mo Yuankai sighed, “On one hand, there’s a clash in their ways of thinking; Ah Ce is eager to prove her innocence, while Dawn Knight focuses on uncovering the truth. On another hand… Orianna, do you think people need to help each other?”

Orianna nodded vigorously: “Of course! Without your help, I might still be struggling with the Holy Sword issues even now. We can’t survive alone in this world; what a lonely life that would be.”

“We need help from others because there are things one can’t do alone. For me, my combat skills are decent, but my mind isn’t sharp. I need Ah Ce to help me analyze situations, or else the intrigue would overwhelm me at a glance.” Mo Yuankai sighed, “But does Dawn Knight really need anyone’s help? In terms of intellect, few can rival her; in terms of combat, she’s a Creator Realm Mage, who could possibly aid her in battle?”

This is distance, a distance far beyond any status or strength. Being near her for too long might make one feel their own existence loses meaning.

The more you understand and want to get closer, the more you feel your powerlessness. How should this helplessness be vented? Orianna couldn’t find the answer, she thought maybe no one knew the answer.

She went to the window, opened it, and wanted to get some air. The night breeze blew in, making her shiver with its dampness.

It was going to rain.

·

Gongsun Ce lay in bed, staring silently at the ceiling, feeling like a cicada that had died.

When alive, cicadas are very noisy, always resting on a tree, endlessly vibrating their wings. Those who like them say it’s the sound of summer, while those who hate them find the noise irritating. But cicadas don’t care about people’s thoughts; they just sing on their own, having to seize every moment because their life is too short—it only lasts the summer.

When summer ends and the autumn wind rises, the sound of the cicadas fades away. When no one pays attention to the silent bugs, their lives depart along with their songs, bodies quietly falling into the dust, carried away by the autumn wind to an unknown place.

Gongsun Ce thought to himself that he was just a cicada, endlessly spewing silly words to make people laugh. Because he has no more worth; no one truly needs him. The celestial heroes don’t need his combat power, Dawn Knight doesn’t need his reasoning. They were just too kind-hearted, keeping a clown around who chirps away to ease the loneliness.

But they don’t know, the clown fears loneliness even more. Those with ability can find a place anywhere, but a clown without an audience ends up alone, like a dead cicada beneath a tree, uncared for.

“…”

The night breeze blew through the half-open window, with its damp scent and low pressure pressing an uncomfortable premonition into his heart. It made him feel worse.

“It’s going to rain,” Gongsun Ce whispered.

He hated rainy days. Rainy days always reminded him of past times, of the alley he couldn’t walk away from. Of the raindrops hitting his body, of the soaked clothes by the cold rain. He curled up in bed, tightened the quilt, trying to bring some warmth to himself, but it had little effect.

What Situ Yi said was absolutely right; he really was a third-rate clown. After the act ended, no one was happy, except he himself was the only one sad. Was it all his fault in the end? Should he have known better not to overestimate himself?

A small role should stay quietly in the shadows. Don’t put on a show to amuse others.

Knock, knock.

The knocking was heard. He didn’t respond, lay on the bed with his eyes shut.

Knock, knock.

The knocking came again, persistent and stubborn. He sighed silently, got up, and opened the door.

Alandia stood at the door, unusually in a heavy robe-like nightdress instead of formal attire.

“I haven’t finished what I wanted to say, Mr. Gongsun.”

Gongsun Ce said nothing, standing quietly there.

“I don’t agree with your reasoning, but I appreciate your goodwill. Thank you for wanting to clear my name.” Alandia said sincerely, “Is there anything I can do for you?”