Chapter 443: Trust

The world after the rabbit hole was like a paradise.

In another gap of the dream, on the boundless plain, the grass was lush, a cool breeze blew from afar, and the sea of grass raised waves.

The members who had escaped the disaster sat limply on the ground, looking at their surroundings blankly, crying and laughing or just dazed; in just one short night, there had been too many shocks, too many changes.

Regardless of sorrow or joy, it was all too overwhelming, to the point that everyone was exhausted and numb, unable to laugh or cry.

However, having long been accustomed to displacement, soon someone organized order again, seizing the time to rebuild the camp, and at the same time, piecing together the wounded.

Yu Shu was so busy his feet didn't touch the ground, quickly stitching together the torn-apart wounded, injecting spiritual quality, and catalyzing recovery as quickly as possible. Soon, amidst the wailing and groaning, one complete or incomplete person after another was pieced back together.

In the haste, there was no time to distinguish, and often embarrassing things happened where someone else's limbs were stitched onto one's own body, which could only be swapped after Yu Shu finished his work.

The place the old fogey brought out was indeed a good one.

Those who went to scout the surroundings returned and even discovered several springs; the water was sweet, and there were colorful fish swimming around inside; one really didn't know which beautiful dream it was a remnant of.

Amidst the busyness, the supplies that had been loaded onto the trucks before were all unloaded; most of them were equipment and tools painstakingly crafted by hand, and even food that could be used to boost morale.

Yet, there were not many materials like cloth, wood, or even steel, which was a drop in the bucket and completely insufficient.

Everyone could only lie on the ground to rest for the time being.

After understanding the specific situation, Bao Dacai, who had always been slacking off, sighed; since he had already done the work, he might as well finish it, sending the Buddha to the west, and it wouldn't hurt to do this little bit more.

"Everyone move back, clear out an open space."

He took off the rather strange-looking hat on his head, held it in his hand, stretched it, and straightened it, making it look like a bucket.

The hat was placed on the ground with the opening facing up, and then he took out a small trumpet and started blowing at the bucket-hat; amidst the strange, off-key trumpet sounds, the bucket-shaped hat began to vibrate violently.

Immediately after, as if vomiting, a large amount of messy things were sprayed out!

Tarpaulins, stones, iron sheets, broken wood splinters, rotten furniture, torn skirts...

Most of them were broken pieces, with very few complete ones; looking closely, there was even half a treatment chair from Yu Shu's clinic in the original camp.

Almost all of them were things from the previous camp.

Hmm, there were also some bits of flesh, corpse parts, twisted armor iron sheets, and broken weapons mixed in... but no one cared about that anymore.

At this moment, witnessing the miracle happening before their eyes, everyone couldn't help but cheer again.

Even Ji Jue beside them couldn't help but clap.

It really is Nirvana.

Whether the heritage of the Mohists of the past is lofty or not is one thing, but this genetic essence of running away with a bucket at any time and place has truly been passed down.

A trip that says go, goes.

And this strange equipment and ability made Ji Jue suspect that this old fogey had absolutely no culture shock in this dream.

He was completely like a fish in water.

Heart Pivot, Ether, and Mirror, the three supreme goods that constitute this Dream of the Yellow Millet, you, Strange Tale Alchemy, have occupied them all!

If it weren't for a little trust in the style of the Mohists and the anti-social degree of Nirvana, Ji Jue would have suspected that he was an undercover agent planted by the other side...

"As expected of Strange Tale Alchemy, it really is an eye-opener."

"A petty trick, not worth mentioning."

A kind and gentle smile remained on the old fogey's face, just like an old fogey cooling off on the street corner, and the bucket-like hat in his hand had returned to its original state.

The hat opening seemed tired, as if panting, and a wisp of blue smoke emerged.

After patting it, he put it back on his head.

Ji Jue sighed silently.

Sure enough, it looks so strange no matter how you look at it...

"What's wrong."

Bao Dacai grinned, "Is it ugly?"

"No, it's nothing."

Ji Jue shook his head slowly: "In terms of taste, I'm not qualified to say anything about others, it's just, I feel..."

He paused, and even he himself was amused by his own thought: "This hat looks like a snake that swallowed an elephant."

"..."

Bao Dacai was silent, his expression twitching slightly.

As if stunned, his expression was inexplicable.

Even the edge of the hat, which looked like a snake, tilted up slightly, as if it were also looking at him.

"What's wrong?" Ji Jue was puzzled, feeling that perhaps he had made a slip of the tongue, "Ah, sorry, it's just..."

"No, it's nothing."

Bao Dacai grinned, revealing a mouthful of old yellow teeth, and said to him: "The hat is very happy."

"Ah?"

Ji Jue was dumbfounded.

Bao Dacai raised his hand, pointed at the tilting hat brim, and said with high spirits: "Look, it says thank you."

Ji Jue didn't know what to say.

Completely incomprehensible, rambling on; could this be Strange Tale Alchemy?

It was really impossible to understand with common sense and logic.

It was too inexplicable.

"As the saying goes, old objects develop spirits; perhaps Mr. Ji, you are the kind of person they particularly like." Bao Dacai tapped the hat brim, and then shook several strange doll pendants inside his clothes: "They are all chattering; it's rare to see them so interested in others."

Ji Jue shrugged regretfully, "Unfortunately, I can't hear anything."

"It doesn't matter, things like affinity and compatibility are not in words."

Bao Dacai waved his hand and walked away with his hands behind his back: "Rest first, Mr. Ji, if there's anything later, just come find me; people get old and get sleepy, spirits are exhausted..."

He yawned, took out a turkey-like doll from his pocket, threw it out, and dropped it on the ground, where it immediately expanded in the sunlight.

Soon, a strange-looking treehouse rose from the ground, with strange-looking pillars underneath, resembling chicken feet.

If he had been somewhat cautious about his persona of being old, weak, and helpless before, then after being exposed by Ji Jue, he simply didn't bother to act anymore.

He just did it straightforwardly.

Just as everyone in the camp was rebuilding in full swing, Ji Jue sat on the side and watched quietly, suddenly feeling there was nowhere to go.

Out of boredom, he strolled around twice, only to find that the familiar figure was missing from the crowd.

Wen Wen.

Only on a distant hillside did he see the girl's lonely back.

Ji Jue was stunned for a long time before he realized that the version update was too fast, and he hadn't reacted yet... Don't say, now Sister Wen's appearance, small and petite, hmm, is actually quite cute.

Not even as tall as his shoulder.

Although he himself was still in an artificial body state.

He couldn't imagine that one day, he would actually see her like this.

"Sister Wen? Sister Wen!"

Ji Jue carried the things in his hand, walked up, and called out; after calling for a long time and finding she didn't react, he could only pat her shoulder: "Little Sister, come back to your senses."

"..."

After a long time, after a crisp collision sound, Wen Wen seemed to finally come back to her senses, as if waking from a dream, and then, turned her head and glared: "What did you just call me?"

"Sister Wen."

Ji Jue blinked his innocent big eyes, looking blank, secretly holding back his laughter.

It's over, this immature face, combined with her usual manner, gave a feeling of a child learning to throw a tantrum like an adult, "milky fierce, milky fierce..."

Pfft!

It wasn't until he was hammered that Ji Jue realized he had accidentally said his inner thoughts out loud.

Whether it was intentional or accidental, it was really hard to distinguish.

Seeing Wen Wen about to clench her iron fist again to establish her dignity, he immediately raised both hands to beg for mercy: "Don't hit yet, Sister, don't hit yet, look at what this is?"

As he spoke, he shook the glass bottle in his hand.

Abundant foam rippled out from the glass bottle he had just pinched, carrying

a hint of chill and a refreshing fragrance.

"Beer?"

Wen Wen was shocked, forgetting to hammer Ji Jue's dog head: "Where did you get it?"

"Just picked up half a bag of dirty wheat, washed it clean, catalyzed it, anyway, alchemy... managed to get some results, but I haven't studied brewing, just followed the fermentation process once, don't expect the taste to be very good."

Ji Jue lifted the beer mug in his other hand and handed it over:

"At least, there are plenty of ice cubes."

Wen Wen didn't stand on ceremony, tilted her head, drank it all in one gulp, wiped the foam from the corner of her mouth, and after a long time, sighed lightly, exhaling a tiny amount of breath: "It really is, long time no see..."

God knows how many years she had been stifled in this place; one glass of beer later, there was actually a moving feeling of tears in her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Ji Jue was curious.

"It's just..."

Wen Wen was silent for a moment, wanting to speak but stopping, a bitter smile: "Just consider it me wanting to escape reality and be quiet for a while... Before, when I was alone, everything gave me a headache, but now that the burden can be taken off, I'm actually so tired I don't want to do anything..."

"Normal."

Ji Jue picked up the home-brewed beer and sipped it twice: "After all, you're not good at this at all; for a makeshift team to persist for so long, it's really hard on you."

"Hey, can't you say anything nice from a dog's mouth?!"

"Just telling the truth."

Ji Jue asked curiously: "Sister Wen, you wouldn't happen to think you're that kind of Heavenly Origin Superman with superb leadership and a thousand responses to one call, would you?"

"Forget it..."

Wen Wen rolled her eyes herself, lay down, and leaned on the lawn: "A guy like me who is stubborn, when encountering things, can't help but want to swing my fists, unable to distinguish the situation, unable to see what's good or bad, and don't know what's right or wrong... To really reach that level, it would be harming others and myself."

"As for which side is good or bad, let's not mention it, but I actually think it's quite good." Ji Jue shrugged: "At least trustworthy, reassuring."

"Tsk, you're starting to say nice things at this time."

Wen Wen squinted her eyes, complaining in her mouth, but couldn't help but hook her lips.

In the long silence, for a long time, several times, she wanted to speak but stopped; Ji Jue also waited silently, until she finally seemed to have made up her mind, sighed, propped up her body, and looked at Ji Jue seriously.

"I'm sorry, Ji Jue."

Wen Wen apologized solemnly, "I'm very sorry, I actually dragged you into this muddy water too."

It's just that, that immature face, combined with such a serious look, always gave a feeling that made people unable to help but laugh.

It's over, after becoming a Little Sister, all dignity is gone, leaving only cuteness.

Ji Jue smiled and didn't say anything.

He didn't care.

Even if he hadn't been meddlesome and hadn't touched that, if it was because Wen Wen was involved, he wouldn't care either.

Rather, if he could help, he would be quite happy.

Seeing Ji Jue's indifferent look, Wen Wen felt even more guilty: "Actually, I originally planned..."

"—You planned to write a resignation letter after waking up, leave it on the desk in the Beishan District, then go beat up the guy who repairs motorcycles, take back your money, fill up the gas, and drive over directly from the sea?"

Ji Jue interrupted her words and said bluntly.

"..."

Wen Wen stiffened, her expression twitched, and the originally serious expression gradually couldn't be held back.

Her gaze dodged, unable to hide her guilty conscience.

Just as Ji Jue expected, the guesses and premonitions, just like what he saw in the dream...

She was completely seen through!

Yet Ji Jue had no consideration at this time, but instead pressed step by step.

"What's wrong, Sister Wen, why aren't you talking?"

He leaned forward curiously, examining Wen Wen's expression: "Is it because you don't like it?"

Wen Wen immediately glared, puffed up, and threw a punch.

Ha, expected it!

Ji Jue grinned, having already set up a blocking posture in advance.

Didn't expect it, right? This punch was also in my pre... Pfft!

With a 'bang', the iron hand was actually smashed in one punch.

Ninety-degree bend.

He started sweating.

No, Big Sister, why is your strength so great?

This isn't right, in this dream, doesn't everyone lack blessings and matrices...

However, looking at that expression, Ji Jue suddenly felt that sometimes it's a good thing to be in a dream.

Ji Jue couldn't help but smile: "Sister Wen, your look of incompetent rage is actually quite cute."

"..."

Wen Wen looked at him gloomily and didn't speak; perhaps she also knew in her heart that she really couldn't do anything about this dog thing, but after a long time, she suddenly asked curiously: "Ji Jue, do you plan to stay in here for the rest of your life and not go out?"

"..."

How can this person still be real-life reality-checking others at every turn! Can't take a joke at all!

The situation is stronger than the person; in order not to be broken into and beaten up while eating hot pot and singing in the workshop, Ji Jue could only beg for mercy obediently.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong!"

"Hmph, stinky brat..."

Wen Wen snorted, raised her head triumphantly, seemed to react to her current appearance, coughed twice, and pretended to be very serious.

Then, she heard Ji Jue's voice.

"Tong Hua is still crying very sadly."

Ji Jue suddenly said: "Xiao An also can't react, just like family members left each other behind and walked away, Old Zhang keeps sighing, really like an old man whose family had something happen..."

Wen Wen's smile stiffened.

Silence.

"Although these didn't happen, I saw them all in the dream, Sister Wen."

Ji Jue turned his head to look at her: "If it wasn't a dream, I probably would have already called a bunch of people, flattened that damn archipelago with cannons, and then, put some hat on you and dragged you back; even if you were angry, I would definitely do it.

At that time, if you went to apologize one by one, it would be very awkward, right?"

Wen Wen shook her head: "I just..."

"You just don't want to trouble others, I know."

Ji Jue interrupted her again and said bluntly: "When something happens, you don't say anything and carry it alone... Others will feel you have responsibility and backbone, but that's ultimately for 'others', right?"

He paused and no longer concealed his annoyance, "But for those who truly empathize with you, such a lonely look is too untrusting, right?

Even if the Beishan Group doesn't have many people, everyone doesn't want to be excluded by you, Sister Wen."

When encountering things, no matter how big the thing is, Xiao An will have a way, Old Zhang will have a way, Han Han will have a way, and he himself will have many ways.

Even if he can't solve it himself, even if he can't handle it, at worst, he'll lower his face to beg the teacher, or even... go bow his head and beg that old fogey Tianlu?

Ji Jue was unhappy because of this, but helpless.

Wen Wen didn't speak.

It was as if she was stunned, looking at him.

For a long time, she suddenly laughed.

Happy and grateful.

Just like crystal that has wiped away dust, under the shining of the sun, it was dazzling and breathtaking.

"Thank you, Ji Jue." She said sincerely.

Ji Jue was puzzled and looked at her suspiciously, but she didn't seem to intend to explain, just picked up the wine glass, tilted her head, and drank the long-lost sweetness in one gulp,

"Then I'll trouble you with the things that follow."

She got up from the ground, patted Ji Jue's shoulder one last time, and just like that, humming a song, she walked away.

Her steps were light, as if she had taken off a heavy burden.

Only Ji Jue was left in place, scratching his head blankly: Did he awaken some thousand-year-unseen mouth-escape talent, and the speech-therapy effect was so amazing that in a few words, he cured Sister Wen?

Not right, right? What kind of dream is this...

Embers shouldn't fantasize, and don't think about it, did Heart Pivot look at you once back then?

He didn't understand at all what had happened!

Confused, yet helpless.

He looked down at the beer in the glass, tilted his head, drank it all, chewed the ice cubes, and walked toward the camp that was gradually emerging in outline below.

Don't understand what's going on, but let's work first.

Just do it!

Time reached that evening.

Perhaps it was evening.

When the sky changed and dusk appeared, in the square in the center of the camp, all the members gathered in one place again, dense and black.

In the deathly silence, no one spoke.

In the silent chaos, everyone was peeking, wanting to occupy a high place to get a clearer view of the whole picture, to see clearly... that broken behemoth sealed under layers of metal bandages.

Just like a crushed wheel.

Less than one-third of its original size.

The so-called... 'Angel'!

The once high-and-mighty, incredible messenger of the gods, now lay dying, shackled on the execution platform, to the point that even struggling and making a sound had become a luxury.

So pathetic, so ridiculous.

Making people unable to look away.

But in the end, everyone's gaze couldn't help but look further ahead, at the figure sitting lazily on the angel's remains.

And even, in his hand, that pitch-black revolver.

In the past, a toy everyone disdained, now seemed to possess magical power, making the gaze feel a burst of heat, scalding.

In the eyes, bloodshot appeared.

"Everyone, just as I promised before, the turning point has arrived."

Ji Jue raised his head, staring at those faces, without a smile, and not serious, just telling them in a matter-of-fact tone: "Even a high-and-mighty, invincible angel will eventually meet death at the hands of mortals.

Next, all of you will witness it with your own eyes.

However, before that, there is one more problem that must be solved..."

He paused, and before the noise erupted in the crowd, he raised the thing in his other hand, a silver bullet, refracting the crystal light emitted by the bonfire and the sunset.

"There is only one bullet, and only one angel."

Click, amidst the crisp sound, the bullet was loaded into the cylinder, closed, and chambered.

And then, Ji Jue held the pistol backward and handed it toward the crowd in front of him, staring at their confused or shocked expressions, and suddenly laughed.

Just like a devil handing out a contract and a quill, so expectant.

"Who's coming?" ===== CHAPTER 444 =====

Then, immediately following, Ji Jue held the pistol backward and extended it toward the crowd before him. Gazing at their confused or shocked expressions, he suddenly began to laugh.

Just like a devil handing out a contract and a quill, so expectant.

"Who's next?"