Chapter 1243: NO. 147: Silent Wisdom

NO. 147: Silent Wisdom

Regardless of other things, at least the senior's identity is true.

"At the same time, that is also the only true aspect."

Through the screen, Aomo calmly clarified.

"Thanks to the crystal core, I remember my childhood experiences quite clearly. He is Lars Lessembla, a descendant of a branch of the Lessembla family clan. You must have roughly looked into his information; let's skip over his clan's power and this vampire's background. The point is his current ability."

"I thought… he was paying attention to you in that regard," Huoerhaiya said leisurely, "He hasn't failed to show his complex attitude toward you in conversation, which inevitably makes me curious."

"From Heaven Gate City to Boundary Gate District, so many people pay attention to me; there's nothing to worry about. He's just an extra kindergarten senior tag," Speaking of this, even Aomo couldn't help but have a subtle expression, then paused under the other's scorching gaze: "What kind of story could develop in that childhood to lead to this situation?"

"Is this overstepping?"

"This is meaningless curiosity," he said, glancing elsewhere as Aomo turned his head back; beneath his dark red eyes lay a hint of reverse inquiry: "But you seem already prepared."

"But you don't seem very happy, do you?"

Even without using particle projection, a simple video call retains astonishing pixel clarity.

Aomo could even make out the pattern of each feather on either side of the other's forehead, and naturally felt a touch of melancholy during the conversation.

This melancholy likewise showed in the other's eyes, instead deepening the curve of their lips.

Huoerhaiya hid nothing.

Even when the other obviously shifted the topic, she responded without hesitation.

Not only was she not hiding it, she was deliberately displaying this change.

As usual, her leisurely, alluring tone, her usual confident poise, and the resulting visible aggressiveness.

Within just a few days, the impression Aomo had of Huoerhaiya's temperament kept shifting; this latest change seemed to have her regain her former appearance.

And this meant she had also reclaimed a pursuit not greatly different from her past.

Among common knowledge is the notion that a person's experience determines their temperament, yet temperament has always been a superficial impression; true inner drive is far more complex, and Aomo is willing to reduce it to pursuit.

This pursuit can be swapped for desire or longing, but ultimately it's the same thing.

That is the blood that sustains your mortal flesh and bone.

This theory stems from Yaxin Lessembla's teachings, making it the sole bond between Aomo and that vampire uncle.

It is also a profound manifestation of childhood education.

Childhood is an unavoidable important stage for everyone; some spend a lifetime healing childhood wounds, others spend a lifetime giving thanks for childhood happiness—either way, they interpret childhood's gains through their lives.

Whether good or bad, except for Miss Huoerhaiya.

If having no gain were itself a gain, people like Huoerhaiya could avoid being excluded, but unfortunately this is not the stage for philosophical debate.

Those who skip childhood for various reasons find their path filled only with hardship, only scars, and only pride.

Huoerhaiya's pride, wounds, and hardships are all tied to the Feather Serpent's wish; the radical surgery deprived her of the childhood she should have had, yet it became the preface that her entire story cannot avoid.

Just like Batman's alley, the pearls on his mother's neck, they must be replayed over and over in the mind.

And when that day comes, these things need no longer be replayed; everything settles to dust, and he/she gains the ordinary person's right to live a mundane life……

Whether one agrees or not, he/she is already dead.

Now standing here should be a truly newly made person, yet also someone vastly different from the past.

As for this, Aomo feels no particular regret or sorrow.

Because even by observing their past as a bystander, he remains a supporter of the path of peace and joy.

In the world, the view of all things hinges on a stance; for all who have endured hardship, the right to return to ordinary life—though it may invite scorn from ordinary folk—is supremely precious.

Once, in his eyes, Huoerhaiya seemed ready to embrace that right.

But now, all of that can only be considered an illusion.

"Undeniably, compared to thrill‑seekers who find danger exciting and treat challenges as enjoyment, I would rather those around me be more content and at ease."

Aomo, fingers interlaced against his chin, did not hide his regret; Huoerhaiya merely evaluated it with that thin, cool smile:

"What a wicked‑tempered deity."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Clearly you added fuel before the dying embers, then blame the fire for flaring up again."

"Regarding this matter, I have a favorite lyric."

"Oh? How so?"

"Heroes face trials~ saints face temptations~?"

He hummed softly that timeless story segment—giving heroes trials, saints temptations— the enduring legendary epic thus written, also recorded in mythology; for the Feather Serpent who likewise understands Jidong language, it is immediately applicable, with no barrier to comprehension.

"It sounds like you're just proving your own wickedness."

"On the contrary, price and gain always go hand in hand; although I cannot deny I'd rather see you simply break free, it is escaping that immature confusion that I deem most essential."

"Your evasive manner doesn't resemble a deity at all—more like a man playing with women's feelings—and I like it."

"That's indeed a sharp assessment, but having made it, you ought to declare this topic closed."

Aomo's tone was as calm as still water, unmoved by those words, and he did not dwell on how, just hours ago, the other had revered him like a deity, only to now hurl such abuse at him.

In fact, having hastily fled from a girl, his present concern is only one thing.

"Although I have no particular impression of him, I allow you to convey my approval on my behalf—pretend I was indeed disciplined by him, rather than him being dazed by my few words and dragging his pals to turn himself in to the teacher."

"Hmm… I see," Huoerhaiya blinked, "If I were to relay his words verbatim, I'd truly wonder whether he'd jump straight up to the ceiling on the spot."

"Regarding whether vampires can control their own blood pressure, my answer is yes," Aomo said, slightly turning sideways and waving a hand, then turning back, "Although goading can be a good way to boost efficiency, I do not advocate using it that way."

"What a pity," the Feather Serpent said faux‑sympathetically, "The blood demons I know rarely possess such composure, and that blunt speaker doesn't seem the steady, intellectual type."

"Indeed."

Having thought back to how that childhood figure caused the incident, Aomo had to agree with the other's judgment; he even felt that the old senior's current tall, sturdy, reliable image was also part of the pretense.

After all, nobody usually expects a vampire's body to grow.

Even if a cultivated blood clan mostly would reorganize their bodies, shaping themselves into a satisfying form, but like in the photo, being that tall and sturdy gives a sense of security as if one could go to Egypt and be subdued……

Although quite offensive, Aomo's idea involves the notion that excessive inferiority may manifest as excessive arrogance.

But……

After all, he's an upperclassman; after all, he's the nephew of an acquaintance; after all, he inherited the family business and ended up as the vampire club president.

He no longer continued this topic, merely saying lightly:

"But no matter what, it wouldn't hurt to treat him that way; maybe there will be a surprise."

"Oh? I see, is that his kind of personality?"

This time, the woman's smile, which shares the same vulgar lineage as Ailisuzhi, Weishideer, etc., is truly vulgar, causing Aomo to merely raise his index finger to his lips.

"Seeing through but not speaking of it, then, I wish you success."

"Huh? Such a plain blessing?"

"I have to point out that your attitude is becoming increasingly pushy."

Aomo shook his head.

"Although I don't really care either, but this backlash is so intense, you ought to be feeling jittery."

"Oh dear, are you worried that my mindset is still unstable?" the woman said, covering her mouth in surprise; although the gesture was somewhat natural, in Aomo's eyes it remained an unavoidable affectation.

Not even a fraction of Ka Lian Jiang.

But this sharpness and aggressiveness that cannot be contained no matter how much it is restrained is basically her usual style.

Simply, the rainbow snake that conceals its light cannot understand the feathered snake's style of sensing the outside world by constantly flicking its tongue with such high intensity.

Some observe to know the world, some constantly probe to feel the world; becoming accustomed to such differences is also part of survival of the fittest.

"Undeniable, but I don't feel like saying more," he sighed, speaking helplessly beside the half of the screen where deep blue and black clothing edges faintly appeared, "Then, I hope you can find fun and fulfillment amidst the madness."

"Oh, that's a nice blessing; then I also wish the Rainbow Snake God to have fun, oh, and by the way, could you give my regards to Dekesas nearby?"

"You can come yourself."

"That won't do, I still have work, the one you gave."

Having said that, the signal cut off cleanly, letting both of them stare at the screen returning to the chat interface, a moment of silence.

"She has returned to the image I had of her, especially that last sentence."

After a few seconds, Dekesas spoke first, his tone light despite the provocative implication in those words.

"Ah, indeed."

Aomo nodded, lifted his head, seeming to have a slight headache as he twisted his nose bridge, then immediately fell into thought.

"A bad personality… thinking back, perhaps that's indeed the case."

"This commission?" Dekesas reacted quickly, since she had earlier been getting water from the water dispenser not far away.

"Hmm."

"Although I hope she could be more like an ordinary person, I cannot deny it."

As if wanting to surrender himself entirely to the sofa, the youth sprawled like a lump of mud, watching his girlfriend approach with the water cup.

"I also want to see a fellow survivor make it through."

"That's only human," the girlfriend said calmly, "but then it will become quite troublesome later."

"Just later? I always feel that I've overlooked something even now."

Someone didn't speak, merely burying their head in sipping the water cup, their ears swaying as if nothing mattered.