Chapter 372: Pinokangni (51)

"That pioneer, you didn't intend to kill her. You acted only to disperse me and that remembrancer… why?"

"……" Sa Mu remained silent.

Huang Quan guessed slightly: "Is it the 'Slave of Destiny' that made you do this?"

"You know Ailiuo."

"I thought this would be written in your script."

"My script has always been only a few lines. Anything beyond that is unnecessary and unneeded," Sa Mu said lightly, "He knows my nature: destiny has only one form, no one can circumvent it—yet before that, I have the right to choose."

"But you seem unaware, so it's my turn to ask: who exactly are you?"

Huang Quan closed her eyes: "Perhaps I'm not your enemy."

"Answering off‑topic."

Huang Quan shook her head: "I'm not worth your curiosity. Lone wanderers of the galaxy always have secrets; I've been wanted by the corporation before, so it's not surprising I know something about Star Core Hunters… and that's all." She turned her face toward Sa Mu, "…perhaps I can help you."

———

Death.

"I have a feeling—if Huang Quan really intends to act, Sa Mu is probably already dead."

"I feel your feeling is correct."

"Tch, you guy……"

Ye Yi lazily glanced at the sofa beside her where Pu Yuan Xizhu sat, "Don't you feel anything? When Huang Quan is with Xing, she always likes to speak riddles that are half understandable, but once she leaves Xing or someone else is nearby, her speech becomes… hmm, how to put it? A bit shrewd?"

In short, it formed a huge contrast with her originally directionless demeanor.

Taking the initiative to cooperate and extend invitations feels natural on Shajin or Hua Huo, but on Huang Quan… there's always a strange sense of discord.

"You can't assume she's unintelligent just because she's powerful," Pu Yuan said, adjusting his hat, a playful smile at the corner of his mouth. "After all, she's a lone wanderer of the universe; she's seen every kind of monster. If she only had force without brains, even an Order Bearer as strong as she is would run into trouble, right?"

"And what surprised me is that she was even a wanted criminal by the corporation? The corporation actually dared to put an Order Bearer on a wanted list?!"

"…perhaps they don't know Huang Quan's hidden status?" Ye Yi scoffed, "If they truly knew Huang Quan was an Order Bearer, even without elevating her, they'd at least give her very generous terms—just like Ms. Black Tower."

Pu Yuan Xizhu's gaze returned to the sky dome, his expression unusually serious: "But since Huang Quan is already so formidable, why does she actively seek cooperation with Star Core Hunters? Is she aiming to be wanted by the corporation again?"

"…if Xing learns she secretly trades with Star Core Hunters, that already fragile trust would probably collapse completely, right?"

———

"What reason do you have to do this?" Sa Mu asked.

Huang Quan: "I often forget things, so rather than recall, I prefer to capture things through 'feeling'. So— I know who is inside that cold armor."

"……" Sa Mu fell silent again.

"So? Are you willing to shed the armor and talk?"

"Not yet," Sa Mu shook his head, "I don't need help, but I can give you a suggestion; it will be better for both of us."

"If your goal is the Clockmaker's Legacy, investigate the family. They not only conceal the existence of Death, but also bury the past and truth of the dreamscape."

Huang Quan nodded, "I'm already doing that."

"—and the Starry Sky Train is not your enemy," Sa Mu continued.

"I know that too… I just never expected to hear it from you. What next? Xing was taken by Black Swan; are you going to find her?"

"There's no need anymore… it's fine to tell you, Ailiuo gave me only one instruction—'Make the Starry Sky Train chase the Grand Legacy' together. I tried to resolve this with a simpler method, but as you see, I'm standing here confronting you—I failed. The script cannot be defied."

"…Enough. Before we part, may I ask you another question?" Huang Quan said, "Does your script contain any part about me? I want to know, in the future seen by destiny, what footnote I left."

Sa Mu was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Unfortunately, not a single word mentions you."

Huang Quan let out a light sigh, "…not surprising."

———

Attack on Titan.

"That's not right…"

In the dormitory, Armin lay on his bed, carefully pondering the recent Q&A between Huang Quan and Sa Mu, feeling something was off.

"What's wrong?" the bunk above let out, curiosity prompting him to stick his head out.

"Huang Quan is at least an Order Bearer; even if she's personally uninterested in the Legacy, her influence should be crucial… even sway the situation! How could Sa Mu's script completely omit her?"

"Why not possible? What if she simply doesn't want to act, just wants to enjoy a quiet vacation in Pinokangni?" Let was a bit confused.

"Whether she acts or not isn't her decision. She's so strong that even just standing idle in Pinokangni would attract forces trying to court or interfere. Assuming Pinokangni has no other Order Bearers, or the Star God doesn't intervene… that means whichever side Huang Quan chooses, that side can overwhelm others and drive them from the table."

"But she doesn't appear in Ailiuo's prophecy… does that mean she's truly insignificant? Or perhaps Pinokangni actually has many Order Bearers with hidden identities, just not revealed yet, making Huang Quan unremarkable among them?"

If it's the former, Armin can't comprehend it at all. But if it's the latter, Pinokangni's picture becomes too terrifying.

———

"Finished, Huang Quan turned to leave."

"Wait—" Sa Mu suddenly called her back, speaking word by word, solemnly: "I won't."

Huang Quan slightly turned her head, "What?"

"Your initial question—'Do you still dream, dreaming of those who died because of you?'" Sa Mu said, "I don't. Never."

"I was born without the ability to dream. I live for the cold reality, for a glimmer of light, burning… constantly burning until I turn to ash," Sa Mu lifted his head, "So, I envy you."

"Is that so…"

Huang Quan's eyes lowered, she turned, saying lightly, "Then you are already living in the waking world."