PSW - Chapter 85
Chapter 85
A “farce,” a human life.
Base Leader Feng and the other administrators expressed their sincerest apologies to Zheng Yi. Li Hongyun’s body was taken away; they would continue to investigate whether his death was caused by backlash and look into his recent activities to confirm his motive.
The thought of getting close to Zheng Yi, winning the young girl’s affection, and binding her with the chains of love was likely one many people had. Li Hongyun was simply the first to take drastic action.
A special mental ability user… Feng Shuxian briefly considered what would have become of Zheng Yi if he had succeeded, whether she would have been controlled and hypnotized into doing things… She pressed her lips together, watching as Yu Yinan helped Zheng Yi upstairs to rest.
Although neither Zheng Yi nor Yu Yinan had brought up the topic of recruitment again, their silence was an attitude in itself. After the high-temperature period, the two of them would probably leave.
It was for the best. Li Hongyun had brought about his own demise, which also served as a deterrent to those with similar ideas. Once the high-temperature period passed safely, it was better to part on good terms with Zheng Yi and her companion than to force them to stay.
In the apocalyptic world, disasters abound, the Saint saves the world. Bringing sweet rain, punishing the wicked, delivering all living beings, wandering the earth. When all things believe in the Saint, all things will live.
Perhaps there was some hidden meaning to it. Feng Shuxian thought of Yu Yinan and Zheng Yi, of the sudden change in Zheng Yi’s aura when she used her ability, of Yu Yinan’s attitude toward Zheng Yi, and of the simplicity and innocence Zheng Yi displayed…
Those two definitely had their secrets. But these secrets… Feng Shuxian had no desire to probe, nor would she. Judging by the fact that Li Hongyun had died instantly from backlash the moment he tried to use his ability on Zheng Yi, these two sisters were probably not to be trifled with.
It was enough to part on good terms.
“Did he- did he use his ability on you, trying to control you, but died from the backlash because the difference in your mental strength was too great?” Almost as soon as they returned to the room, Yu Yinan looked at Zheng Yi, wanting an answer.
Seeing the state of the man’s corpse, Yu Yinan felt both a sense of satisfaction and lingering fear. A mental ability user… She hadn’t even felt him use his ability on Zheng Yi. If Zheng Yi hadn’t been so powerful, Yu Yinan didn’t dare to imagine what might have happened.
How could such a person exist? How did he dare?
“Yes,” Zheng Yi replied. It was nothing more than a crude and lustful sense of prying, not enough to anger her. It was, however, a bit of an overestimation of his own abilities.
[He probably saw that you had just finished making it rain and were at your most mentally and physically exhausted. If it were an ordinary ability user, they would have definitely fallen for it.] Zero One guessed the man’s motive, also feeling a bit of residual fear. [Good thing you’re not an ordinary person, Host… There’s a passive mental resistance skill book in the store that can slightly increase mental resistance. Do you want to take a look, Host?]
‘No need.’ The passive skills in the store were divided into ten tiers. The low-tier ones were cheap but not very effective, and upgrading them required far too many Saint Points. It simply wasn’t worth it.
Just how terrifying was Zheng Yi’s mental strength? No, she was indeed in a weakened state, her energy nearly depleted after making it rain. Yet that mental ability user had still died instantly the moment he used his ability… Yu Yinan reached out and took Zheng Yi’s hand, a slight unease rising within her. Was Zheng Yi really just an ordinary person?
All sorts of abilities… When it came to the water element, Zheng Yi’s mastery was something almost no other ability user could match. Dual-type? Triple-type? Yu Yinan had no idea how many other abilities Zheng Yi possessed that she didn’t know about.
Zheng Yi, oh, Zheng Yi…
Li Hongyun’s death caused quite a stir in the base.
The temperature was cooling day by day, and both ability users and ordinary people were beginning to have hope for the future. But at a time like this, something like this had to happen?
Those who devoutly believed in Zheng Yi were beside themselves with fury. They simply couldn’t comprehend how someone would dare to lay a hand on their benefactor, to act against a deity. And to have deliberately chosen the moment right after Zheng Yi had finished using her ability to make it rain.
Thankfully, the Saint hadn’t left immediately. She had mercifully lingered for a while, gently watching over them, which caused the villain’s scheme to fail and backfire on him.
As for those who harbored the same thoughts as Li Hongyun, their reactions varied. Some broke out in a cold sweat, terrified by the gruesome state of his corpse, and abandoned their malicious intentions. Others scoffed at Li Hongyun for his bad luck, thinking it had nothing to do with his name, “Hongyun,” which meant “great fortune.” They didn’t think it was a sign of Zheng Yi’s power, but merely a coincidence. And Zheng Yi… she was a prize to be won.
Still others felt it was an issue specific to mental ability users. They believed Li Hongyun had suffered a backlash only because his mental ability was too weak. They weren’t mental ability users, so why should they be afraid of Zheng Yi? The Saint wasn’t a physical entity, and even the act of descending to possess a body took a huge toll, so how could she possibly come down and personally ferry their souls to the afterlife? Not only were these people not deterred, but they became even more obsessed with Zheng Yi.
“Zheng Yi, Zheng Yi! Saint, I beg you, grant me an audience!”
“Zheng Yi! Saint, my heart is sincere, the sun and moon can bear witness!”
“Saint-”
After Li Hongyun’s death, even more people began to show up to pray during the daily rain. However, many among them were not sincere believers but were hoping to use this opportunity to catch Zheng Yi’s eye and be given a chance.
The base administration didn’t interfere with these displays of affection and faith, but Feng Shuxian made it clear to Zheng Yi and Yu Yinan that they were free to act as they saw fit if anyone tried to harm them.
She had witnessed Yu Yinan’s flames. With her current combat strength, few ability users in the base were her match.
Unfortunately for Yu Yinan, with Li Hongyun’s death serving as a precedent, no one foolish enough to approach them had appeared for several days, and she hadn’t had a chance to show off in front of Zheng Yi.
Fourteen days into the second rainfall. The temperature had already dropped to thirty-five degrees Celsius. In the evening, when the sun was gone, ordinary people could occasionally come out for a breath of fresh air.
On the fifteenth day of the second rainfall, after making it rain, Zheng Yi bought and consumed a Stamina Recovery Pill. The temperature today had already fallen to thirty-one degrees Celsius. It would likely drop into the twenties soon. With the high-temperature period ending, it was time for them to leave.
Zheng Yi earned one Saint Point for sharing food with Yu Yinan every day. For the past few days, she hadn’t bought any finished products from the store, instead eating some of the rice, noodles, and canned food she had stockpiled, only occasionally buying fresh vegetables and fruits for a change of pace.
Host: Zheng Yi
Saint Points: 12944
Inventory Slots: 11
Special Abilities: Water/Healing (Intermediate)/Personal Space (Beginner)
She still had a surplus of over twelve thousand points.
“Are you leaving?” That evening, Feng Shuxian made a rare visit, knocking on their door.
“Yes,” Yu Yinan replied. “The terms you offered are very generous and appealing, but my sister and I are used to being free and unrestrained. We’re really not suited to staying in one place for long.”
Besides, there was the matter of faith… After the high-temperature period, it would be fine at first, but later the daily average might not even stay above four points. When the base no longer lacked water, would Zheng Yi still be expected to make it rain every day? Once people got used to the daily rain, if Zheng Yi happened to feel unwell and took a day off, some might even complain.
Yu Yinan had truly thought about it a great deal. Before even asking Zheng Yi’s opinion, she had considered all sorts of possibilities. Staying, leaving—she had imagined almost every scenario. She had even considered the possibility that Base Leader Feng’s friendliness was just an act, and that she might turn on them completely if they insisted on leaving, leading to a fight between the two of them and the entire base.
Feng Shuxian smiled helplessly. “But this is the apocalypse…” However, she didn’t try to persuade them further. With Yu Yinan and Zheng Yi’s strength, they could probably live well in the Wasteland. Perhaps this was what it meant to be young. If she were a decade or two younger, she probably wouldn’t want to be trapped in one place either.
The world was so vast; even in the apocalypse, it held its own unique scenery and charm.
“Is there anything you’re short on? Food, fuel, or a vehicle?” Feng Shuxian composed herself and asked seriously.
“No, thank you~ It’s not easy for the base to develop. We don’t lack anything, so you don’t have to worry, Feng Jiejie,” Zheng Yi said with a smile.
“When do you plan to leave? I’ll have some people see you off.” Feng Shuxian paused here. “We won’t announce your departure. To avoid anyone like Li Hongyun getting any funny ideas.”
“If you have the chance, if… you get tired of traveling, or run into any trouble, you can always come back here.” Feng Shuxian looked at Zheng Yi and Yu Yinan. “I’m very grateful for your contributions to the base, and I thank you for staying during the high-temperature period.” Even if it was a mutually beneficial arrangement, the fact that Yu Yinan and Zheng Yi had come forward and offered their help was a kindness to the base, a debt Feng Shuxian would acknowledge. As for the faith points Zheng Yi had gained? That was what she deserved.
“Feng Jiejie…” Zheng Yi called out softly, appearing deeply moved. She showed a hint of hesitation before her expression firmed. She held out her hand. “I have a contract here. Once signed, you can contact me three times. Each time you use it, one line of the contract’s pattern will disappear. After three uses, the contract will vanish.”
“It requires nothing from you. Are you willing?”
Feng Shuxian was taken aback for a moment, guessing this was likely another of the “Saint’s” abilities. She extended her hand and placed it in Zheng Yi’s palm. “How do I contact you?”
“I’m not sure either? Maybe… you just touch the contract and think about it with your mind?” Zheng Yi smiled shyly. She held Feng Shuxian’s hand, her eyes closed tightly with a pious expression. She began to chant in a soft, obscure voice, as if reciting a spell. Her crisp voice was like silver bells, like flowing water, like a holy light shining upon a believer’s heart, captivating the mind and soul, drawing one in to become lost in it, even if the words were incomprehensible.
As she chanted, a golden pattern gradually appeared on the back of Feng Shuxian’s hand. Three strokes intertwined and converged, finally forming a profoundly mysterious sigil.
At first glance, the pure gold sigil was puzzling and intriguing. It was fine as long as you didn’t delve into it, but if you stared at the sigil and tried to probe its meaning, your entire soul would experience a painful dizziness, and a mental fog would descend upon your mind, warning you not to delve deeper, not to think too hard.
Feng Shuxian glanced at the golden pattern on the back of her hand for only a moment before looking away. Her gaze toward Zheng Yi grew even more solemn. She looked at Zheng Yi, at the innocent, harmless smile, and wondered… what kind of soul was hidden beneath it? She couldn’t understand it, couldn’t see through it, but she had no desire to try.
“This is for you.” She handed over a dark gold token. It was the hardest, most stable metal she could currently create. On the front, the characters for “Zhongshan” were formed, while the back bore the single character “Feng.”
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