Chapter 1920: "0"

The only reason he let Li Leider go and devour the memories of the other domains was because he could not leave Chengtian. If one person between him and Li Leider was destined to be sacrificed, then of course it should be himself.

Li Leider just looked at Ying Fu. After a long while, he spoke in a deep voice:

"What..."

"Are you already so impatient to die?"

Ying Fu's hoarse voice rang out from behind the Folding Screen:

"I... wished to witness the Red Star's demise... But if I do not die... and the memories are not extinguished... Chen Ling will never be able to devour the Red Star..."

"I have not forgotten... I still owe him a life..."

"When all is said and done, you're still unwilling." Li Leider spoke faintly. "Since you're unwilling, then just continue lying here."

The ultra-massive Heart Python, resembling a skyscraper, rose from behind Li Leider. Its figure was like a terrifying monster towering over the Chengtian Dynasty. It seemed as if a slight sweep of its tail could level the entire Imperial Palace... Of course, it did not possess a physical body.

Seeing this, Ying Fu was stunned... A look of absurdity surfaced in his eyes:

"You're crazy..."

"You want to devour my memories... and in the end... you'll still have to die with these memories..."

"So what?" Li Leider spoke calmly. A hint of paranoia and madness rippled within those deep blue eyes.

"I am his disciple, the ultimate God of Thieves, the Seventh-Generation Red King!"

"How could I let you steal the memories of him?"

"Becoming the last person to remember him, and then dying with all the memories of him on this planet... isn't too bad either."

Before Ying Fu could say anything else, the ultra-massive Heart Python behind Li Leider opened its bloody maw and forcefully swallowed Ying Fu's Heart Python whole!

All the memories regarding Chen Ling and the Red Star from the Chengtian Domain were absorbed into Li Leider's Heart Python, causing its size to skyrocket once more!

Cracks spread across its body as if it was already approaching its limit. A look of pain simultaneously surfaced on the faces of both the Heart Python and Li Leider...

Scarlet blood flowed from Li Leider's seven orifices.

— "3".

Li Leider's face was as pale as paper. He slowly raised his hand, wiping away the blood on his face... With great difficulty, he lifted his heavy, hunched back and placed the fedora back onto his head.

He took one last look at the figure on the bed before turning around and walking step by step out of the bedchamber.

Behind the Folding Screen.

The eyes of an aged figure stared blankly at the sky outside the window.

The pain in his physical body constantly tormented his mind. His dried-up life force seemed ready to drag him into the abyss of death at any moment... But for some reason, half of his foot remained firmly nailed to the boundary of "life". A final, gossamer-like wisp of breath wandered through his body, making it seem as if he could breathe his last at any second.

Ying Fu felt as though he had forgotten many, many things—so much so that his entire life felt as if its framework had been pulled out, making even his very existence feel weightless...

Despite the agony, he still refused to bow his head to death. He remembered that he had an obsession—an obsession that absolutely prevented him from wanting to simply die like this.

It was just that this obsession...

What was it again?

...

Li Leider slowly pushed open the door. Two figures had already been waiting outside for a long time.

Li Leider glanced at the two of them. Seeming unsurprised by their appearance, he spoke calmly:

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Jian Changsheng opened his mouth, seeming as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't voice a single word...

What else could he say?

His unwillingness, his helplessness, his bitterness, his reluctance... Even if he spoke them aloud, no one would remember. Their yearning could not cross the boundless deep space, nor could it reach the Red Star. It could only be buried deep beneath the earth along with all the memories of that person on this planet.

"...No."

Sun Bumian looked at Li Leider. "We'll leave this final, most crucial step to you..."

This time, in a rare display, Li Leider didn't respond coldly. Instead, he gave a slight nod.

"...Mm."

The invisible Heart Python passed right through the two of them.

In an instant, the two figures stood blankly in place, like statues that had lost their souls...

— "1".

The hem of the British Overcoat fluttered gently in the wind.

Li Leider could no longer bear the immense weight brought by the memories. His shoulders gradually became hunched. His lips pursed slightly, and he stood motionless in place, recovering for a long time before slowly walking away...

He staggered along, like an old man about to be buried under the yellow earth.

He walked alone through the empty Imperial Palace,

and out of the vermilion city walls;

Following the stifling silence, the bustling and lively streets embraced this man who carried a mountain on his back.

Small, colorful lanterns were hung all over the streets, presenting a riot of colors wherever one looked. The regression of civilization had not extinguished people's passion for life, and forgetting had instead added fuel to the fire.

The passing pedestrians were still immersed in laughter and cheerful chatter. They seemed completely oblivious to what the Red Star was, and had forgotten the danger that could drag everyone into the abyss at any moment. They were carefree and brimming with enthusiasm.

"Little Pan, you're out of school so early?"

"Yeah, Uncle... School let out at noon today. We're celebrating the Colored Lantern Festival, aren't we!"

"Speaking of which, I've only ever heard of this Colored Lantern Festival happening over in the Red Dust Domain in the past. Why did it suddenly become a major statutory holiday in Chengtian this year?"

"What's wrong with that? We get three extra days off!"

"Hey, did you get that free Kongming Lantern? The one they give out if you attend the fire safety lecture. You can also get two extra eggs."

"Huh? There's such a thing?"

"Yeah, they said it's to prevent fires, so no other flammable things are allowed to be released... But my family has already gotten three. And I have to say, those free local eggs are pretty good."

"Then I'll go check it out right now..."

"..."

Children leaving school formed long lines, walking through the bright and beautiful streets.

A figure trailed at the very end of the crowd. His worn fedora and coat were completely out of place amidst the jubilant atmosphere around him. With his head bowed and shoulders hunched, he drew curious glances from many people... But in the very next moment, they seemed to forget his existence, continuing to laugh and chat as they moved forward.

The Seventh-Generation Red King, Li Leider, shuttled through the crowd like a ghost detached from the world.

"Yo, Old Zhao! How's business lately?"

"It's alright, barely enough to support the family!"

"I see your daughter has gotten into a key high school. She has a bright future ahead of her; you'll be able to enjoy a good life too!"

"Hahahahahaha! Ah, this child has been smart since she was little. I never really pushed her... By the way, how about our two families get together tomorrow night and go release Kongming Lanterns?"

"Sure, my boy will probably be thrilled to pieces."

"Though it seems like the epidemic has flared up again recently. It's best to stay warm and take care of your health."

"I heard about that too... But hasn't the new Vaccine come out as well? I don't think it'll be a big problem, right?"

"Sigh. Ever since then, there really have been more and more of these bizarre illnesses."

"Ever since when?"

"Hmm... Hey, you're right... Ever since when was it?"

"Haha, what are you blabbering about here? I think you're going senile!"

"..."

Beneath the black brim of his hat,

a faint smile flashed across Li Leider's pale lips.

One heavy footprint after another was branded onto the road surface. It was as if an era, unwilling to fade, was leaving behind its final marks—the proof that it had once existed.

And at this moment, the figure carrying the weight of this era crossed the street... arriving before the doors of The Church.

Li Leider's hands gently pushed open The Church doors. A low creaking sound echoed beneath the empty vaulted ceiling...

This church was very small, even somewhat dilapidated. Perhaps because the Colored Lantern Festival was approaching, or perhaps because someone had cleared the area in advance, The Church was currently completely empty.

Tap— Tap— Tap...

The British Overcoat slowly walked between the pews.

Bright sunlight filtered through the arched stained-glass windows, casting colorful spots of light inside The Church. A tall chair resembling a throne stood right in the center of The Church like a tombstone of an era.

Like an exhausted traveler who had been rushing about for a whole year and finally found his last refuge, Li Leider gripped the arms of the throne and slowly sat down...

The Church fell into a gentle silence once more.

Right in front of Li Leider were the stained-glass windows. The colorful spots of light fell upon his body, radiating a dreamlike halo.

Beneath the black hat brim, those eyes gazed through the stained glass at the azure sky. The deep blue and the ethereal blue overlapped deep within his pupils, where a complex emotion rippled continuously...

Hiss—

The Heart Python, massive enough to crush an entire city block, was coiled behind The Church, letting out a pained wail.

All the memories of the Red Star and Chen Ling on this planet were within its body, nearly causing it to burst... The cracks on its surface were still growing and spreading. It seemed as though it wouldn't be long before it completely collapsed.

Li Leider sat there quietly. Even though he could feel the same pain as the Heart Python, his body remained motionless, towering like a mountain.

He slowly closed his eyes...

All the memories of Chen Ling on this planet surged within his mind.

These memories came from different people, but woven together, they shaped a truly multi-dimensional Chen Ling. He could feel all the heartache and bitterness along the way, from the moment that Red-Clad Performer walked out of Frost Street in the fifth-generation world.

Looking across two generations of worlds, the current Li Leider was the person who understood Chen Ling the most.

And precisely because of this,

an indescribable sorrow spread from the bottom of his heart.

Tick, tock—

The hands of an old-fashioned mechanical clock ticked gently;

a faint scarlet hue quietly seeped out from the depths of the sky... It was as if some existence was approaching this planet.

Li Leider opened his eyes. No one knew what emotions resided in his heart at this moment. He simply watched the scarlet hue in the sky quietly, his gaze containing unwillingness, helplessness, yearning, and bitterness...

He cocked a silver Handgun.

Then,

he gently pressed the muzzle against his chin.

He was the last person in this world who remembered Chen Ling. Only when he died, taking all the memories of them to vanish entirely, could everything march toward its conclusion... He was the final watcher of this era;

"Master..."

A single tear traced silently down Li Leider's cheek.

Li Leider looked into the depths of the sky, murmuring to himself...

"I... shouldn't have..."

"...disappointed you, right?"

Bang—!

The trigger was pulled.

Memories intertwined with tears, shattering with a deafening roar.

"0".