Chapter 44: I Will

Upon close inspection, Xi Lian's complexion was indeed much better than when she was just rescued, and Bai Hang's companionship and care were indispensable.

But the unease that originated deep in her soul still clung to her like a shadow.

Heimu sighed in their heart.

"Xi Lian." Heimu opened, the voice carrying a faint ethereal echo, but at this moment it seemed deliberately slowed and softened.

Xi Lian subconsciously hugged her knees, like a child awaiting judgment, and whispered, "…Black Curtain Lady."

"Here, are you adjusting yet?" Heimu asked, eyes scanning the books and snacks.

"Hmm… Bai Hang has been very kind to me." Xi Lian said softly, fingers unconsciously twisting the hem, "Thank you… for not preventing her from seeing me."

"No need to thank me. It was her own choice, and what you deserve."

Heimu said calmly, then subtly shifted tone, purple‑black eyes fixed on Xi Lian, "But Xi Lian, you should understand that these… are not a long‑term solution."

Xi Lian's body trembled slightly, without speaking.

"The confinement within you originates from Emperor III's power, intertwined with the essence of your existence. Bai Hang's warmth can temporarily soothe your spirit, but it cannot sever that Lock."

Heimu's voice was low, yet each word rang clearly in Xi Lian's ears, "To truly attain freedom, no longer suffering that endless bondage… you need to make a choice."

Xi Lian lifted her head, azure eyes filled with confusion and struggle: "Choose… what?"

"Choose… Consent me."

Heimu spoke slowly, tone bearing an almost candid solemnity, "It is not forcing you into Submission, nor stripping your will. Rather, I hope you can try… to trust me. Trust my path, trust everything I do; the ultimate goal is not to enslave or bring Destruction."

She paused briefly, as if choosing the right words.

"I know, this is difficult. My power's essence, my mode of existence, may to you seem no different from the former Iron Tomb, full of uncertainty. Your fear of me is understandable."

In Heimu's voice there was no discernible emotion, yet Xi Lian vaguely sensed a faint… weariness flickering deep within those purple‑black eyes.

"But Xi Lian, this is one of the few ways right now to truly 'liberate' you, and later other Golden Descendants. I need your Consent as a key to unlock the conceptual Lock that confines you. This is not a transaction, but… cooperation, or rather, a trial of 'trust' that is crucial for both of us."

The space fell silent again.

Xi Lian lowered her head, pink hair strands hanging down, obscuring her expression.

Her heart was undergoing an intense battle between heaven and humanity.

Heimu saved her, that is a fact.

But the manner of the rescue, and the heart‑pounding power she possessed, instinctively made her feel fear.

The Heimu spoken of by Bai Hang, and the Heimu she herself experienced and perceived, seemed to have a subtle difference.

Which one is the real one?

Trusting an existence that once represented Destruction?

Placing freedom upon Consent of the source of the confinement?

This is too contradictory, and too difficult.

Heimu hovered silently there, offering no urging, only patiently waiting.

Heimu knew what this decision meant for Xi Lian.

This was not merely a simple nod or shake, but required her to overcome a massive inner fear and embrace an unknown tomorrow.

Heimu waited quietly, like the most patient hunter, and like a calm shore before a storm.

Heimu knew this decision weighed as much as a thousand tons for Xi Lian.

The only thing Heimu could do was to show sincerity, then wait.

Xi Lian finally lifted her head.

In those azure eyes, fear had not fully vanished, but deep within a faint yet unwavering light had appeared.

She looked at Heimu, her voice light yet clear, echoing through the space:

"I… I need time. But… I am willing… to try."

The Black Curtain Lady left the System Space with a subtly lighthearted mood.

Xi Lian's willingness to try trust was undoubtedly an important step.

However, the cheerful, spinning Aha brand thumb emoji flashing gaudy rainbow light in her view instantly diluted that lightness.

She expressionlessly noted in her mind 'Sooner or later I must settle scores with Aha (though perhaps I can't)' and her figure silently appeared at the private carriage junction.

In the lounge area, the system doll sat upright on a high‑back chair, its modified violet‑red inverted‑cross eyes unblinking as they faced Bai Hang on the opposite sofa.

Bai Hang's white Fox Ears twitched slightly from tension, and the azure eyes were filled with the bewilderment of 'What is happening now?'

The air was quiet to an unsettling degree.

Seeing Heimu return, the system doll was the first to turn its stiff neck and, in its flat electronic tone, said, "Madam, time has arrived."

Heimu nodded, the faint softness that had risen because of Xi Lian quickly receded, returning to the usual cold composure: "Then let's begin."

Beside her, Bai Hang instantly straightened her back, Fox Ears perking higher, and asked nervously, "What… what are we starting? Is there some important operation?"

Images of infiltration, combat, or confronting terrifying foes flashed through her mind.

Heimu glanced at her, seeing her as if facing a great enemy, and, unusually, offered no explanation, simply said, "That's about right. Follow me."

Bai Hang rose immediately, inhaled deeply, ready to face any challenge.

Then, she watched Heimu and the system doll walk toward…

the tightly shut door at the carriage junction leading to the main train area?

Starry Dome Train (Night Mode)

Meanwhile, at the other end of the train, Xing's abstract Performance Art was being performed in San Yue Qi's room.

"Uh~~~"

A drawn‑out, odd sound attempting to mimic a bubbling tone came from the throat of the ash‑haired girl collapsed on San Yue Qi's bed.

She lay sprawled, eyes vacant, staring at the soft ceiling light as if contemplating the universe's mysteries, though the method strained her voice.

"Hey! Xing! What nonsense are you spouting now!"

San Yue Qi, sporting damp pink hair and wrapped in cute rabbit pajamas, walked out of the bathroom, saw this "lying corpse" that even came with its own sound effect, and couldn't help but press a hand to their forehead.

Xing stopped her "bubble‑tone meditation", blinked, looked at San Yue Qi, and with a serious expression said, "I'm trying a new kind of… vocal exercise. It's said to train the core muscles, optimize breathing rate, and elevate one's life level."

San Yue Qi: "…Speak human language."

Xing touched her own forehead; the large lump that had previously swelled there had shrunk considerably, though a careful feel still detected a slight swelling.

"Uh, it seems better," she said vaguely.

"What do you mean 'seems'! Let me see!"

San Yue Qi leaned forward, cold fingers gently pressed onto Xing's forehead, feeling carefully, "Hmm… it really has shrunk a lot, you wouldn't notice without a careful touch. Honestly, what on earth did you do? Sleeping in the corridor and ending up with such a big lump on your head?"

Xing sat up, with an innocent and confused expression: "I don't know either. I just remember that night I slept pretty heavily, and when I woke up this was how it was. Pam said maybe I was being dishonest while sleeping, rolled off the cardboard and hit it?"