"The moment you said 'Kid, I'm sorry for my interference. But you're just standing there, staring at a blank space—have you decided anyway?' I realized in an instant that you and Wu swapped places during my awakening."
"The way you described my condition doesn't match what I'm actually experiencing. I'm in the awakening stage, and I'm certain the Wu I know can see it—he revealed his prophetic dream to me. But the Wu standing in front of me can't even perceive what's really happening! That's what made me suspect you weren't real," I explained further.
"Seems like I don't need to explain myself," The stranger said.
"Who are you, bystander?" I asked cautiously.
"Hahaha."
"Answer me while I'm being nice."
"I'm also your comrade."
"Don't tell me—you're also an exiled monk?"
"Hehehe."
"Reveal your identity and stop copying Wu Xianxi's appearance."
The stranger swung with wild fervor. A blaze of searing orange flame dominated the field in radiant fury. I could feel its bold, untamed aura—it sent a thrill through my spine, every inch of me bristling with awe.
Bit by bit, it transformed into a youthful figure—a girl who looked like the same age as me.
"A girl?"
"Hihi, sorry for stalking you without your consent."
"So that staff is yours?"
"Yes."
Come to think of it, the adult man who got interviewed by the reporters has to be the real adult man—he and this girl only switched identities just now. Therefore, he doesn't lie about his prophetic dream and that he is indeed an apprentice.
"Yo, kid." The adult man showed up behind the ablazed car.
"Say, Wú Xiǎnxī Fǎshī, is that staff yours or hers?"
"That's mine."
"But that girl said the staff is hers."
"Think, kid. You can only see an apprentice's Messenger if you share your prophetic dream to one another. That girl didn't even share her prophetic dream to you."
"So you're a dark-wielder?"
"Yes."
"What if we ended up killing each other because we're different?"
"Who the f*ck said that we can't be together? Just because I'm a dark-wielder and you're a light-wielder?"
"Being dark-wielder means that you're evil and being a light-wielder means that you're a good person."
"What if you teamed up with me because you're going to kill me in the end, Fǎshī?"
"What if your mission is to kill a light-wielder? What if killing a light-wielder guarantees you a rarer skill?"
His eyes darkened. He looked down and didn't speak a word.
"And you, woman—what are you doing here?"
"I swapped places with him forcibly, so he won't kill you."
What? Why is this girl trying to save me? I don't even know her.
"Well, you see..." She hesitated, and her lips refused to utter a word.
After some thinking, she did some breathing exercises to gain her composure.
She approached me, courage shining in her lively yellow eyes.
"Mister, please let me share my dream with you! You see, I'm trying to save you here! I'm not a bad person!"
"I—I'm a light w-wielder! And I'm also one of the exiled monks! I may not have the same exile location as you, but I promise I'm an exiled monk too!"
"I was exiled near the forest suffering from wildfire!"
Why is she trying so hard to convince me?
"Cut the crap."
In the middle of our conversation, Wu Xianxi interrupted. His eyes glowered at me—a gaze sharp enough to cut flesh.
By just staring at him, I think he's really going to slaughter me like a heinous butcher.
"Quo Li, what if I told you that light-wielder and dark-wielder are pure bullshit? To think that we all sinned and no one is actually righteous in the first place, why would someone have the right to classify us as light or dark? Those messengers? Maybe they are righteous? No, hell not! They also sinned! All are sinners!"
"Are you still going to believe that division exists? These beliefs are just trying to brainwash us to make us fight and kill each other!"
"That's not true."
The wind surged, as if the earth itself recognized his presence.
"Glowing ball?"
"The Heavens sent us light messengers, and the hell sent the dark messengers. The Heavens and Hell are currently in turmoil—that's why both sides sent messengers to get more people to join their team. If you are chosen as a light-wielder, that means the Heavens called upon you. The same logic applies with dark-wielders—they are chosen by the Devils. The mission of the light-wielders is to become a savior, while the dark-wielders' mission is to obliterate this world."
"You should understand that light and dark shall never work together."
"Sins? That's not important here because all are sinners. What truly matters is if you're chosen by the Heavens or not."
Thank you, Glowing ball! You saved my ass there!
The ball glanced at me intently.
"Kill him, Quo Li. He's a big threat."
His words vibrated in me, triggering my memories of the monastery. The vignette, blurry quality makes it unclear, but it is still recognizable, even a little bit. A glimpse of people, the archaic design of the temple, and the home where I used to live a simple, peaceful life. Rumbled papers, unsolved equations, and religious books—my unforgettable, precious belongings.
While cherishing the scene, it suddenly played to one of the most horrifying timeline of my life—my exilation. Tension, debate, and countless arguments filled the court. I was standing there, watching them throw words to each other, and then stuck in ambiguity. While everyone was in the stalemate position, someone barged from the door—an unexpected interruption that caught everyone's attention. I saw a familiar figure, very similar to physical features of Wu Xianxi. He reached toward me, and I heard an inaudible voice coming from him.
What is he saying...?
Two guards rushed toward him and grabbed his arms. Wu Xianxi resisted, he backflipped and kicked their heads simultaneously. He skidded and maintained his balance by putting one hand on the wooden floor.
"Wu Xianxi, what's with this sudden reveal?"
I can hear the voice of the Sēngzhí, but I can't hear the voice of Wu Xianxi!
Wu Xianxi pulled a knife hidden in his Kasaya, a robe worn by monks.
He jumped and flew toward the Sēngzhí, attempting to attack.
No...NO!!! WHY WOULD HE KILL HIM?
Everything starts to warp, restoring the reality.
And then, I saw myself holding a yellow, glowing sword, striking at Wu Xianxi's hands.
"Kid, wake up—you're about to kill someone without knowing it."
He grinned, his hands are melting like grilled cheese.
"Go ahead, and kill me."
My hands are trembling, devoured by fear—I instinctively threw the sword away, before it becomes a bloody sword, engraved with the history of its victims.
"WHY DID YOU THROW ME?!"
Oh, I knew who it is—it's the glowing ball. I didn't recognize him because he's in a different form.
"I'm sorry!"
"KILL HIM NOW OR I WILL CALL THE OMNIPOTENT TO CURSE YOU!"
"I will kill him!" The girl volunteered eagerly.
"Girl, I knew you witnessed that tragedy. But, you can't kill me now. I have to live for a while, let me atone for my sins and fulfill my last mission before you kill me."
"This man...has to die." She murmured.
She unleashed the long silk ribbon, and arcs of fire wove through the air, scorching everything they touched.
So badass...
"Fight me, Fǎshī."