Chapter 4: Unexpected Tenant

Unexpected Tenant

“In short, that’s how it is—do you understand?” Facing the girl’s question, Qing Xukong nodded slowly, almost dazed.

This was ten minutes after the event, in Qing Xukong’s home. After hearing the girl’s long-winded explanation, he still found it hard to accept.

“I’m sorry... could you describe it more simply?” Qing Xukong asked cautiously. He stole a quick glance and saw no displeasure on the girl’s face, so he relaxed and looked back at her.

“Squeak—bang—” An untimely door opening interrupted Qing Xukong’s conversation with the girl.

“Let me explain.” A deep male voice interrupted their exchange.

“Let me introduce myself—I’m Yan. This one is Ling Yu. In short, your situation is not safe, and that’s why we’re here.” The man at the door, Yan, introduced himself and their purpose with crisp efficiency—far better than the white-haired girl.

“What do you mean... my situation isn’t safe?” Qing Xukong asked, confused.

“You don’t actually think what happened this afternoon was just a dream, do you?” The man named Yan stared at Qing Xukong, his gray eyes fixed on him.

“You mean... that accident wasn’t a dream?” Qing Xukong felt as if he’d fallen into an ice cellar; everything around him seemed to be draining his warmth.

“Boy, have you still not accepted this reality?” Ling Yu’s words clashed sharply with her appearance, but Qing Xukong’s chaotic mind had no time to sort it out.

“Not a dream...?” A crushing sense of helplessness overwhelmed Qing Xukong. He realized the world was not as simple as he had believed.

“...You’re merely human. Your understanding of the world is limited to what you can perceive. Beyond the stars lie even more stars.” The man named Yan gazed out the window at the moon, his expression distant.

“I’m losing my grasp on this... what exactly is going on?” Qing Xukong felt invisible pressure pressing down on him. He slumped onto the sofa.

“In other words, your existence caused all of this—and we’ve come here because of it.” Yan stared intently at Qing Xukong, making him feel deeply uneasy.

“Have you not realized yet, boy? You reset the entire Earth’s time for your own selfish desire.” Ling Yu grinned wickedly, placing her hand casually on Qing Xukong’s shoulder and turning her body to play with his hair with her other hand.

“I... reset Earth’s time?” The overly intimate gesture made Qing Xukong glance at the girl. He saw her eyes—like lapis lazuli—fixed on him. He immediately looked away, clearing his thoughts. He calmed slightly—was it because of her inappropriate behavior? He shook his head, banishing the strange thought from his mind.

“Enough, stop teasing him. You’re like a lamb among wolves...”

“For the boy, you’re like a girl wandering at night, watched by city wolves.” Before Yan could finish, Ling Yu launched a cruel joke.

“Enough. Go stand over there, you vile god with your terrible personality.” Yan snapped impatiently.

“In short, you have two choices: either accept surveillance, and we’ll protect you—or...” Yan grew calm, leaving the rest unsaid, but his eyes still locked onto Qing Xukong, gleaming with danger.

“Do I... even have a choice?” Qing Xukong replied with a bitter smile.

“You’re a sensible one. Looks like I won’t need to clean up your aftermath.” Yan’s words made Qing Xukong feel... relieved?

This world has been shaped by forces beyond the stars—we call it “Star Energy.” Those corrupted by it gain incredible powers; we call them “Enders,” meaning those destined to bring about the end. The monster chasing you we call a “Final Beast”—a hollow shell reduced to nothing but beastly instinct, marching relentlessly toward its demise. And you’ve already become one of us. Perhaps I should call you an Ender? Yan’s words hit like a sledgehammer, forcing him to confront the truth that he was no longer the man he once was.

“The immense Star Energy within you makes those Final Beasts crave you—but you’re also a ticking bomb to us. If necessary, you may be eliminated at any time.” Yan stated all this calmly.

“Yes, boy, we’ll be staying here for now. Of course, if you need anything, day or night, come find me.” Ling Yu grinned wickedly at Qing Xukong.

“Yes, that’s right. We have no better way to protect you. You live alone anyway—you wouldn’t mind, right?” Yan spoke in a threatening tone.

“I suppose I have no choice.” Qing Xukong said helplessly.

Thus, this tedious farce ended with Qing Xukong’s surrender. Two strange tenants now dwelled in his home, and the matter was temporarily settled.