Chapter 511: 2.2 Main·Pinokangni (182)

Interesting. But since it's the diamond's resolution, no one can guess the answer in advance. I'm on my way to Pinokangni; once the remaining matters are arranged, we'll return together to Bei'erweite and await the reveal.

Shajin's face eased a little: "Does that mean I have nothing to do in the short term? So I can properly enjoy my vacation?"

"Leave it to me and Tuopa, kid. Thanks to you, the moment the jade stone was sent to the family's garrison, the company's preparations were already complete. The seeds of planting have taken root and sprouted, and then… it's time for harvest."

Shajin was about to continue speaking when he suddenly noticed something and hurriedly said: "Let's stop here for now; it seems someone is coming..."

He turned to see Botiou slowly walking up behind him, and with interest he said, "Oh": "Today there's quite a lot of news—a sea‑patrolling ranger who's also a company fugitive actually showed up on his own——"

"You even took out two company employees right under the nose of the company fleet—do you know what that means?"

Botiou completely brushed off Shajin's act: "Damn you, old man—just let them sleep a while, quit using that damn threat on me. Besides, I've taken out more company dogs than the surplus value you've squeezed out; I don't mind adding a few more zeros to the wanted list."

"I have a question for you. Be honest, or I'll blow you away right now—" Botiou aimed his black gun barrel at Shajin's head, "Tell me… where is Osvaldo Schneider (Head of the Market Development Department)?"

——

Spirit Cage

"That guy's threat is really…… adorable, how is Shajin holding back from laughing?"

"Douzi, if you dare laugh in this situation, you'll probably have a hole punched in your head the next second."

Suixing silently wiped her bow, head down, and said: "Although I've long known that Botiou and the company are at odds, it doesn't seem that simple…… it feels like there's some deep hatred. But for now we can basically conclude that he definitely has a personal grudge against the head of the Market Development Department."

"A personal grudge? The precondition for a sea‑patrolling ranger to cause trouble is that the other party crossed their line—no bullying the weak, no wanton killing of innocents—could the company have violated both?"

Earlier, Shajin's Awei Jin Tribe was annihilated while the company stood by, hands tied, watching the tribe be wiped out…… characterizing this act runs completely contrary to the slogan "Preserve and Protect," but even so, it's hard to demand more, since no assistance is ever owed.

But if the company actively sent people to bully the weak and slaughter innocents…… then the nature is entirely different.

Not to mention Botiou turning against the company; if the facts hold, it wouldn't be surprising for the sea‑patrolling ranger to launch a pinpoint strike on the company's Market Development Department.

Rather than trusting the company, Suixing is still more willing to trust Botiou—after all, this brother helps when in trouble; if it were the company, dealing with Xingqiri would probably just be "willing to provide every assistance except help."

——

After the battle ended, Xing was planning to relax and enjoy himself in Pinokangni, but then he suddenly received a message from Zhigengniao.

Since the Oak family's power to protect guests comes entirely from order, and as that force dissipates, death in Pinokangni is no longer impossible. She and her brother both fell to the ground; she fell into a coma, and when she woke she saw only a crowd of caregivers, but no trace of her brother. Because they refuse to tell her Xingqiri's whereabouts no matter what, she wants Xing to help search for clues about her brother in the grand theater.

After Xing agreed, he went to the theater and indeed found a note on the stage.

The edges of the note's paper have yellowed, and most of the writing is obscured by rust‑like stains, making it illegible.

But some characters remain clearly visible, recording the scriptures of Taiyi from the first to the seventh day. When Xing turned the slightly damp, withered page, a cluster of iridescent bubbles rose up. They lingered in the air only briefly before turning to mist—in that instant, a muffled voice sounded in Xing's ear.

"The victor has the victor's duty. End me…… and then fly toward the sky."

Zhigengniao's voice trembled: "We… were supposed to fly toward the sky together."

"..."

His voice lost its former composure and elegance, leaving only a hoarse, broken‑ideal sob: "I also really want… to be with you."

——

Demon Slayer

Eh——?

The first to react was Kanroji Mitsuri of the Mistblossom Temple; her pink‑green eyes widened suddenly, as if she had just realized something. Recalling what Xingqiri had just said, it was practically……

Wait, wait a minute! Doesn't what he just said sound a bit off?!

During the time they grew into Pillars, many Demon Slayer swordsmen used similar tones in their last words—"It's now up to you," "Stay alive," and the like. Xingqiri saying this while holding his sister makes one wonder…… has he already…… fallen to his death?

Ah, no way! No way no way no way! Kanroji Mitsuri clapped her hands over her ears, as if that could negate Xingqiri's final words she'd just heard: "Although we have to defeat him, he's certainly not a 'villain' type, right? He's also fighting for more people, for his own 'justice'! I don't want to see him die!!!

Tch. Shinazugawa Sanemi, annoyed by her outburst, frowned and snapped: "Shut up! Stop crying! That guy is at least a wayfarer—how could he just drop dead? Still, his words sound like a farewell, like a last testament…… Even if he didn't fall, he'd probably be secretly executed by his family."

From the moment he seized the authority of Harmony, Xingqiri had already set foot on the path of no return; now that he has failed, death means nothing to him—he had long prepared himself for personal eternal martyrdom…… What truly pains him is likely the moment the order he had believed in for years collapses.

More important than life is the concept of order; if that notion is shattered, it's like being stripped of one's core…… Even if alive, one would be nothing but a walking corpse.

Actually, Shinazugawa Sanemi also hopes this guy manages to stay alive; although the train crew just gave him a beating, we have to admit his ultimate goal is still pretty good—it's just that something went wrong along the way. If he really died, that would be a real shame.

Now that he has abandoned Harmony, the paradise of order has likewise vanished; the company will certainly not take him in, the train crew just beat him up, so boarding is out of the question. Even if he lives, he probably has nowhere to go……