CHAPTER 362: CHAPTER 359: 【HUH?】(TWO IN ONE CHAPTER)

Chapter 359: Huh?

Among those driven to distraction was Jinling’s "Team Defeat the Great Devil."

However, the current trio had dwindled to just two: Niveer and Li Yingwan.

The athletic beauty and the long-legged girl from South Korea had spent a fortune over the past three months.

Every top private detective they could find had been hired using their tactic of throwing money at the problem.

Niveer, the British noblewoman, especially, had taken this tactic to its extreme.

In Huaxia, the profession of private detective openly does not exist—it’s illegal.

But in reality, the private sector always has workarounds. Usually, they operate under names like "business information consultancy companies" or similar, or they simply operate in the underground gray areas.

Nearly all the most renowned detectives in Jinling and the surrounding area had been employed by the two girls at a high price, all in search of a young man named Chen Nuo.

The result... was, of course, no result at all.

The two girls’ extravagant spending was later halted by Xicheng Xun.

"Ah Xiu has always been hiding and protecting his identity; he prefers to keep a low profile!

"He might have gotten into trouble this time, but whether he’s dead or not is still uncertain!

"Naturally, we hope he’s not dead!

"But if you continue like this, even if Ah Xiu is fine, you’ll cause a lot of trouble for him!

"So many top private detectives hired by you to find a high school student who, on the surface, has an ordinary identity.

"If someone with ulterior motives notices this, it could spell immense trouble in the future, not just for Ah Xiu, but also for his family!"

Finally, Xicheng Xun added, "Ah Xiu is an incredibly capable person! The ordinary private detectives you’ve hired are worlds away from his reality and won’t be of any use at all. They’ll only add to his troubles!"

"Then... what should we do?" Niveer asked with a frown.

"Among the people we know, only one person truly belongs to the same world as Ah Xiu. Don’t look at me! While I have some abilities, I’m far from Ah Xiu’s level. The person I’m referring to isn’t myself."

Niveer and Li Yingwan quickly understood.

"You mean... Lu Xixi?"

Xicheng Xun didn’t answer the question, and then the swordswoman left.

Niveer and the long-legged girl didn’t know where she had gone. They asked, but Xicheng Xun didn’t reply.

Both of them guessed that the Neon girl had most likely gone to find Lu Xixi.

「 」

Just as the second class of the morning ended, the math teacher entered the classroom of Class 4, Year 3, holding a stack of papers.

The language arts teacher was Old Jiang. He exchanged a look with the math teacher before nodding and leaving.

The math teacher walked to the podium. "Those who need to use the bathroom, go quickly now. Everyone else, please stay in your seats."

A chorus of groans filled the classroom.

Everyone understood that their ten-minute break between classes was gone again.

A large number of students promptly stood up and rushed to the restroom.

Many students didn’t actually need to go; they just wanted to step out for some fresh air and stretch their legs.

With less than half a month left until winter break, the academic pressure in Year 3 was mounting.

No. 8 Middle School, a traditionally underperforming school, had unprecedentedly put up a banner beneath the academic building, displaying a countdown: "XX days left until the college entrance examination."

Class 4 of Year 3 was an advanced class, carrying all of No. 8 Middle School’s hopes for a turnaround in the next year’s college entrance exam. Its students had been tormented terribly in recent months.

The situation was so dire that students from Year 1 and Year 2, witnessing their plight, began to worry with trepidation, as this was a glimpse of their own future.

The math teacher patiently waited as students trickled back into the classroom—by then, the ten-minute break was almost over.

Seeing the last empty seat filled, the math teacher handed the test papers to Sun Keke, asking her to distribute them—Sun Keke was now the math class representative.

Indeed, she had also taken on the role of study committee member.

"We’ll have a mock exam for two periods without breaks," the math teacher declared, as expected. "This set of papers is a bit difficult, but many of the question types are similar to what we’ve recently reviewed and practiced. If everyone has been diligent with their review, it shouldn’t be too hard."

Hard my ass!

Many students, after a quick glance at the major problems at the end of the paper, turned ashen.

After Sun Keke finished distributing the papers, she sat down at her seat, gripped her pen, glanced over the paper, and then steadily began to write.

First, she wrote her name.

The classroom soon returned to silence.

The math teacher sat behind the podium, picked up a textbook, and slowly read through it, occasionally glancing up to scan the classroom and monitor exam discipline.

After one period, which marked the end of the third class of the morning, Sun Keke looked up. She heard the bustling noise of the break from outside the classroom.

The math teacher stood up and stepped out of the classroom, shouted twice from the doorway to disperse the students from other classes who were on break, significantly quieting the noise.

At that moment, Sun Keke noticed snow beginning to fall outside the window.

It was... January already.

The first snowfall of the year had arrived.

The large, goose feather-like snowflakes silently drifting from the sky seemed to instantly throw Sun Keke’s mind into disarray.

She took a deep breath, pushed distracting thoughts from her mind, and quickly checked the paper she had completed. Then she stood up and walked to the front with the paper in hand.

"Keke, finished so quickly? Don’t you want to check it again?" The math teacher’s attitude towards Sun Keke was very amiable.

On one hand, she was, after all, the vice-principal’s daughter. On the other hand, Sun Keke now wore the "academic star" halo, making her the kind of student teachers adored.

"I’ve checked it already," Sun Keke replied softly, placing her paper on the podium.

"Alright, go back and rest," the math teacher waved her hand dismissively, then immediately picked up a pen to start grading Sun Keke’s paper on the spot.

「 」

Sun Keke walked out of the classroom and strolled slowly from the corridor to the playground, then reached out her hand to catch the snowflakes falling from the sky.

As snowflakes landed on her palm, they quickly melted into water.

Sun Keke, gazing at the snowflakes, fell into a daze.

It was as if, vaguely, she saw two figures from the past outside the playground and recalled a familiar conversation...

"...What are you going to do?"

"Going to watch the snow..."

...

Sun Keke clenched her fists tightly and took a deep breath.

You annoying guy... why haven’t you... come back yet...

School Belle Sun’s eyes were a little red.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Sun Keke swiftly turned her head and saw a figure standing on the rooftop.

A gaze fell upon her!

Sun Keke’s eyes lit up, but then dimmed again.

「 」

"One bowl of noodles, extra meat, hair-thin noodles."

"No, two bowls, the same," Sun Keke whispered to the owner, adding to the order.

Lu Xixi looked carefully at Sun Keke but said nothing. She casually picked up some chopsticks from the canister, arranged them neatly, then pinched two cloves of garlic from the small bowl on the table and began to peel them meticulously.

Before long, the first bowl of noodles was served.

Lu Xixi didn’t stand on ceremony, pulling the bowl directly in front of her and beginning to eat.

Sun Keke didn’t speak, just sat across from Lu Xixi, quietly observing the woman.

Lu Xixi seemed much more haggard. The once-unparalleled beauty of her face appeared to have faded somewhat.

It was hard to pinpoint what was wrong, but she exuded an indescribable weariness.

A bite of noodles, a bite of garlic, a spoonful of soup.

Lu Xixi ate quickly; even her way of eating made Sun Keke feel a pang of nostalgia—it was exactly like that little rascal’s.

"You..." Sun Keke began softly.

"I didn’t find him." Lu Xixi shook her head, stating it bluntly.

Sun Keke’s gaze turned gloomy.

She had actually guessed as much. If he had been found, he would have been brought back long ago. Lu Xixi wouldn’t be meeting her alone, nor would she be so dejected.

But still harboring a sliver of hope, Sun Keke quietly asked, "Not even a single clue?"

Lu Xixi didn’t speak. She simply ate the last bite of noodles, then lifted the bowl and gulped down half the broth.

Feeling her body warm up, Lu Xixi finally set down the bowl, slowly wiped her mouth, and shook her head. "No clues."

Sun Keke fell silent.

"He went to Antarctica before, and one of his subordinates went with him. I found that subordinate, asked about the entire Antarctic experience, then I personally went to Antarctica, to the place he disappeared. I searched there for ten days, using every method I could think of."

Sun Keke remained silent.

"How is his family doing?" Lu Xixi asked.

"Everything is fine at home; I’m taking care of them," Sun Keke lifted her gaze to Lu Xixi. "There’s also Brother Lei, and Zhang Linsheng. We all look after Chen Nuo’s mother and his sister."

After a pause, Sun Keke whispered, "The family isn’t short on money, and even if they were, with us around, they wouldn’t lack for anything."

Lu Xixi pondered for a moment. "His sister is starting elementary school next year, right? I heard that to attend a good school here, you need some kind of household registration or student status..."

"My father can handle it."

"If you need money, use this," Lu Xixi took a card out of her pocket and placed it on the table.

Sun Keke responded with an indifferent expression, "It’s not needed."

"No," Lu Xixi spoke quietly. "This isn’t my money; it’s his. It’s... money he entrusted to me before."

Ah... household funds...

Sun Keke frowned at Lu Xixi.

Lu Xixi stared at Sun Keke’s face, then shook her head. "You don’t need to ask for details. There’s a lot of money here, ten million. It’s enough for his mother and sister to live the best life. It can also ensure Xiao Yezi attends the best schools."

After a pause, Lu Xixi didn’t wait for Sun Keke to speak and added, "Don’t be quick to reject me. I told you, it’s not my money, it’s his! You don’t have to reject this money just to oppose me. Using his money to give his family a good life is the right thing to do."

Sun Keke bit her lip hard, feeling a pang in her heart, but still took a deep breath and reached out to take the card.

"You’re right. There’s no need to argue over such meaningless matters now." Sun Keke pocketed the card. "I’ll give it to Auntie Ou."

"Make up a good reason. As far as I know, his mother is an ordinary person. Don’t frighten her with such a large sum of money."

Sun Keke looked down. "I’ll find a way."

Sun Keke’s noodles were also served. The girl picked up her chopsticks and quickly took a few bites.

But soon, tears started rolling down her cheeks, falling into the bowl of noodles.

Lu Xixi didn’t speak, just squinted at Sun Keke.

Suddenly, she stood up, walked around the table, sat down next to Sun Keke, and gently reached out an arm to hug Sun Keke’s shoulders.

"...You don’t have to do this. I don’t need comfort," Sun Keke struggled lightly.

"No... you do," Lu Xixi’s voice was close to Sun Keke’s ear, whispering softly, "And... I need some comfort too."

In this small ramen shop near No. 8 Middle School, during the midday of winter, two women gently held each other.

Sun Keke sobbed, "When he first disappeared, I cried for many days... I thought I had run out of tears... but still, still... I can’t help it..."

Lu Xixi’s eyes reddened, but she gently wiped the corners of her eyes, whispering softly, "Yes, I know, I understand too."

"I want to go with you to find him!"

Sun Keke lifted her head to look into Lu Xixi’s eyes.

Lu Xixi’s heart softened.

She sighed gently, cradled Sun Keke’s face, and kissed her on the forehead.

Sun Keke was stunned and subconsciously murmured in a low voice, "Sister Xiao Lu..."

"Mm, call me that from now on," Lu Xixi said, a gentle smile appearing on her face. "Actually, you are a very, very good girl... When it comes down to it, I’m the one who wronged you. You were with him first. It was I who stole him away..."

Sun Keke cried without speaking, but gently shook her head.

"You’re still very young, and you have a bright future, a harmonious family, parents who love and adore you... You’re only eighteen, and a beautiful life still awaits you..."

As Lu Xixi spoke softly, Sun Keke grew increasingly panicked.

"Sister Xiao Lu, you, what do you mean by these words..."

"Keke. I didn’t find him in Antarctica, despite trying every method. All I know now is... he... is no longer in this world."

THUMP!

Sun Keke’s vision went dark, and she slid from her chair onto the ground.

Lu Xixi quickly pulled Sun Keke up, gently embracing the girl.

"Promise me, you will live well."

"I want to go find him!!"

"No, you won’t find him. I couldn’t find him either. He is no longer in this world."

Lu Xixi’s tone was firm as she held Sun Keke tightly. "But I still need your help with something!"

Sun Keke looked up with a trace of hope. "Me, help you? Is it about him?"

"Yes, it’s related to him," Lu Xixi nodded. "So, I need you to live well. Focus on yourself first! In some time, I will come back for you. Then, I will need you to take on a very, very important responsibility. Sun Keke, diligently cultivate your spiritual power and try to make yourself as strong as possible. Because... you will need it in the future!"

Lu Xixi didn’t stay with Sun Keke for too long. She watched from the entrance of the noodle shop as Sun Keke left, lost and disoriented.

Watching Sun Keke’s retreating figure, the Star Sky Empress bit her lip hard.

Of course, she would not give up just like that.

If Chen Nuo was no longer in this world... then the Star Sky Empress would undoubtedly become the most terrifying avenging angel in this world!

Chen Nuo had died in Antarctica, and he had gone there with people from the Octopus Monster!

Therefore...

Whether to find clues about Chen Nuo or to avenge him...

The Star Sky Empress would target the Octopus Monster as her primary target for elimination!

In fact, upon returning from Antarctica, Lu Xixi had already decided what she needed to do!

She would find everyone from within the Octopus Monster who had experienced, been aware of, commanded, or supported this Antarctica expedition!

If necessary, she was even willing to destroy, at all costs, this largest Underground World organization of Ability Users!!

For a lone Ability User, it was naturally impossible to stand against a behemoth like the Octopus Monster.

It was simply a joke.

But if it was a top-tier Controller, possibly the strongest Controller among humans, then this matter was no longer a joke!

Of course, it would still be very difficult, very dangerous. Even for a Controller, antagonizing the Octopus Monster could hardly guarantee personal safety.

So, Lu Xixi had to wait for some time...

Gently touching her abdomen, Lu Xixi took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

The long, loose windbreaker concealed the contours of her waistline—Sun Keke hadn’t noticed earlier that Lu Xixi was already pregnant.

There were five months until the child’s birth.

Lu Xixi’s plan was simple.

She would find a safe place to secretly, covertly give birth to this child, Chen Nuo’s child.

She would preserve Chen Nuo’s only bloodline.

Then, she still had to secretly entrust this child to someone absolutely trustworthy and reliable for upbringing!

To ensure the child’s safety, she couldn’t let anyone know the child’s relationship with her!

Then, the Star Sky Empress could, with no strings attached, unleash her fiery rage upon the Octopus Monster and wage war!

「 」

Chaos, the void...

Alright, these tiresome words are meaningless.

In fact, in this damned place, it seems like everything is meaningless: time, space, everything...

Chen Nuo didn’t even know where he was, nor could he be certain if he was still alive.

Most importantly, he was even beginning to adapt to this state of existence.

No body, no physical form; this place was simply a vast nothingness.

He could only feel his consciousness flowing—that was the only thing he was aware of.

He could feel his "existence."

Note: existence, not being alive.

Since the last "transportation," after regaining consciousness, Chen Nuo had found himself in this damnable situation.

He was conscious, but it seemed he was left with only "consciousness."

He didn’t know where he was, but at least he could be certain he was not in the Red Circle.

This place didn’t even resemble a three-dimensional space.

He couldn’t even feel the passage of time...

When there are no reference points, the so-called passage of time becomes meaningless.

The only thing he could feel was the "existence of his consciousness."

It was unknown how much time had passed... In any case, it no longer mattered.

He confirmed the first thing: Kamisou Ichiro, that guy, wasn’t here.

Well... he was probably transported out.

Then, after an unknown amount of further time, Chen Nuo confirmed a second thing: he had likely become trapped during the teleportation process in a space that belonged neither to Earth nor to his original dimension.

Yes, just "stuck" here.

He had tried to let his consciousness expand infinitely. However, there was no end.

He tried to let his consciousness shrink infinitely. Still, there was no end.

This place had no concept of "spatial dimensions."

Chen Nuo had experienced restlessness, fear, worry, anger, despair, breakdown... and many other emotions.

In the end, when all emotions had calmed, he found it increasingly difficult for emotional fluctuations to arise.

This reminded him of Seed Side’s theory: without a physical body, a central nervous system, or various endocrine secretions and hormones, emotions would gradually cease to exist.

Chen Nuo felt that his previous emotions were merely the release of "stored" negative emotions in his consciousness.

Now, having released them all, he gradually settled into calmness.

This kind of calm... Damn it, could this be the legendary state of ’all is vanity’? If this continues, I’m afraid I’ll soon become a stagnant pool, devoid of thought.

So, at some unknown point, Chen Nuo started trying to talk to himself, using this method to maintain the flow and activity of his consciousness.

So am I dead?

No, I’m not dead.

Then am I alive?

Doesn’t seem like it.

Just a bundle of consciousness?

Probably.

A soul without a body? Isn’t that just being a ghost?

If I go back as a ghost, will Lu Xixi and Sun Keke despise me?

I should worry about more important things! Speaking of which, how do I get out of this place?

Don’t know... If I knew, I wouldn’t be blabbering like this.

Say, I can’t even feel hunger or thirst now. Is this another form of immortality?

No way! Compared to this kind of immortality, I’d much rather live a life of flesh and blood.

Right, does this mean I can never eat ramen again?

What’s so great about ramen? Soup dumplings are better.

Nonsense, there’s also tofu pudding!

Of course! Salty tofu pudding, the absolute best!

...

Such conversations went on for an unknown number of times, for an unknown duration...

When a person’s thoughts can drift without limit—truly without limit—such dialogues seemed capable of being generated endlessly.

Finally...

At a certain moment...

"...Shut up! Shut up! Stop your babbling!! It’s so damn noisy!!!! Shut up! Just shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

A voice erupted suddenly, breaking Chen Nuo’s pattern of endless inner dialogues.

The voice suppressed Chen Nuo’s thoughts, seemingly filled with anger, restlessness, and helplessness!

Chen Nuo’s spirit perked up!

He recognized the voice!

"Motherfucking Corot!! You damn old turtle bastard!! I knew it was your damn doing! Where the hell have you brought me?!"

After a moment of silence, Corot’s reply came, seemingly cold, yet filled with boundless malice.

"Where? We are in the Mother!"

"..."

After a few seconds of silence, Chen Nuo responded,

"...Huh?"