Chapter 1335: Weng Faluos 3.4 (370)

"If we don't stop the birth of the Iron Tomb, this infection will likely spread to Earth." Yingjing Qihai said, "Although these virus-like things can't easily turn real humans into Heichi monsters, everything related to machinery and electronics will likely be interfered with and controlled by the Iron Tomb—the worst conceivable outcome: humanity will be exterminated by nuclear weapons controlled by the Iron Tomb virus."

"Then… is there a solution?" Fengmo Xiaotailang remained silent for a long time, then slowly spoke.

"There is, actually." Yingjing Qihai pushed up the half-rim glasses on her nose, "If you could convince all nuclear-armed nations to voluntarily destroy all nuclear weapons in their arsenals, and then have all countries—including ourselves—destroy all lethal thermal weapons, including missiles, firearms, and drones, then I think perhaps we could minimize the threat posed by the Iron Tomb."

"What would humans use to fight then? Swords and spears? Bows and arrows? Return to primitive society?" Fengmo Xiaotailang curled his lip.

"That's returning to primitive society." Yingjing Qihai sighed deeply, "I feel the more technologically advanced a civilization is, the greater the damage it suffers from the Iron Tomb virus's spread. But the problem is, the more primitive a civilization, the less it can resist when the army led by Xingxiao invades. This is an unsolvable vicious cycle."

——

""Liwei Ya…… and…… these monsters……""

Bai'e lowered his head, looking at his constantly trembling hands.

These hands that once held a wood carving knife had just gripped the sword hilt, killing the girl in a floral dress who had always called him 'Brother Bai'e' behind his back.

A broken sob choked out of Bai'e's throat, his lips continually moving. He gazed at the raging fire before him and knelt in despair on the ground.

""Ah……""

""Why… why…?!""

""……""

""On the day the Heichi invaded, the hesitant youth finally set out, marching with his companions toward the first battlefield. And in the distant future, on the land of Weng Faluos, the footsteps of heroes will be recorded: he will grip his sword blade, inscribing an immortal verse within the golden epic.""

""When the first ray of light rose from the horizon's edge, the youth covered in wounds stood on the scorched earth, burying each victim one by one, silent and speechless… together with his homeland, his past, his name.""

""Relying only on his frail legs, he embarked on the journey, crossing the ridge of boulders, traversing the overflowing cup, moving through the cold death mist of the gray-dark hand…… he wandered aimlessly, like a withered leaf drifting with the wind. He passed through countless city-states, carving the smile of the white-haired swordsman.""

""He was not without purpose. Deep in the youth's heart, a voice always guided him forward: fulfill the Weiyuan, tread dangerous paths, only do what he is capable of, to save all who ought to be saved—just as on the day he set out, the voice of that companion at his ear…""

""'Go protect those who deserve protection.' In memory, the voices of Xing and Bai'e sounded together.""

That was what the voice said. The man did not hesitate; he simply acted resolutely.

Bai'e gritted his teeth and said, "Ordinary people should be like this in order to make extraordinary choices."

""He continued to wander until the call of Chase Fire echoed across the land. In the scene depicted by the prophecy, humanity will defeat the gods, seize the fire seed, and bring a new dawn to Weng Faluos.""

""'However, the pursuit of fire is an ever-losing journey; amid all of this, life should be as insignificant as dust.' Aglaea's voice echoed in Bai'e's heart, 'Only by taking the world as one's teacher can one bear its fate—are you ready?'""

The voice in his heart whispered, and Bai'e softly replied.

""It's fine. My life is inherently insignificant.""

Laigushi continued, "He made up his mind, answered the call of Goldweave, and journeyed to the Holy City. But when faced with the young warrior, the elders merely showed disdain, and between sneers they sent him into the military camp. Yet, to everyone's surprise—including his own—this recruit of unknown origin would shine brightly in the upcoming battle, achieving fame in a single engagement…… This was also when he first met his companions in life."

——

Jujutsu Kaisen.

"The birth of this Heichi thing also has something to do with that Laigushi guy, right?"

As he personally witnessed Bai'e, transformed into a monster after slaying his loved ones, letting out a hoarse, furious roar, Itadori Yuji clenched his fists tight, his pupils sharply constricting, as if a suffocating darkness surged in the depths of his eyes.

"Hmm." Rixiabu Dugye nodded and said, "If our guess is not wrong, then this Heichi is a path simulated by the Imperial Scepter to 'destroy' civilization."

"What a bastard—what it's doing isn't any different from what Zhenren does?!"

This power that casually tramples souls and turns living people into monsters…… no matter how many times he sees it, it makes Huzhang feel nauseous.

Not the same." Xiaozi exhaled a long puff of smoke and crushed the cigarette butt, "Zhenren turns people into monsters through 'Non-action Transformation' because he enjoys the pleasure of trampling life. But Laigushi…… in his eyes, perhaps those digital lives simulated by the scepter aren't even considered 'life' at all? They are code composed of cold mathematical logic, flickering electrical signals in the circuit. In the hands of this scepter operator, they can be anything—but they need not be human."

""……""

Huzhang felt a chill run through his heart.

However, there's one thing I find strange." Yui Itto suddenly spoke up, "If 'destruction' is the final answer the scepter keeps solving for, then even without Heichi, theoretically any simulated civilization would eventually head toward extinction. If so, why would Laigushi bother to let Heichi interfere with this process?"

——

When Xing opened his eyes again, the scene before him had changed.

(This is the Fate Abyss……)

Before them, Bai'e, Wandi, and Tining stood at the cliff's edge, unaware of what they were discussing.

Besides the three of them, outside the Triple Hall a large crowd urgently needing evacuation and priests had gathered, each utterly confused, unable to grasp the situation, and for a time the chatter of discussion rang out nonstop:

""Why suddenly evacuate the entire Hall of the Three Fates……""

""Are you braindead? That golden‑haired fellow is the prince of Xuanfengcheng! If you make him angry… everyone in the city‑state will die!""

""Don't panic. With the Holy Maiden presiding, we just need to wait calmly……""