Chapter 259: The One Who Should Fight Against Heaven

Ever since that day the fellow nicknamed Rabbit Master died, the city had begun to feel rather tense.

Back when it was ordinary days, Chen Changsheng would usually spot one or two people sitting and drinking wine at the tavern when he went there. But in the days following the death, the tavern remained consistently empty.

People were also very rarely seen on the city streets.

Du A’niang told Chen Changsheng, “They’ve probably all gone up to the fortress wall. I won’t be surprised if the Demon Race is about to arrive.”

After learning this, Chen Changsheng made his way to the city tower.

His eyes found the tower packed with people. Some were drinking; others were chatting idly; some were even leaning against the wall, snoring.

The crowd’s eyes turned toward Chen Changsheng.

“Who’s that?” someone asked.

Mazi, mid-sip, glanced over. “Mind your own business. Keep playing,” he said.

Under the collective gaze, Chen Changsheng walked up onto the city tower.

Song Gudao sat cross-legged at the top of the wall, completely still. His eyes were closed, as if waiting for something.

Chen Changsheng approached him from behind. “Something about to happen?” he asked.

Song Gudao opened his eyes. He shook his head. “Hard to say yet. Rabbit Master is dead, so our news from the Demon Realm is cut off. We need to be extra vigilant these days. Can’t afford to be caught off guard if trouble strikes.”

Chen Changsheng sighed. “Your natural talent is excellent. Dying here… it’s a pity.”

“Here?” Song Gudao looked at him. “What’s the difference between the Mortal World and this Divine Domain?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “I mean beyond both places.”

Song Gudao paused. He stared at Chen Changsheng, his eyes seeming to wait for an answer.

Chen Changsheng offered no further explanation. “Within a short time, no turmoil should come from outside the city. You can relax.”

Song Gudao’s lips parted slightly. After a pause, he smiled. “Hearing that from you, Senior, puts my mind a bit at ease.”

Chen Changsheng stepped forward and sat down. “Aside from stubbornly guarding this place, have you no other plans?”

“Perhaps…”

Song Gudao gave an uncertain answer but did not elaborate. He shook his head. “Haven’t really thought it through yet. Most likely, I’ll die here. To be honest, we all dream of dying outside the walls one day. That way… there’d be no lingering attachments. It would be a release.”

“Leaving also settles everything,” Chen Changsheng said.

But Song Gudao countered, “Leaving hurts far more than dying outside the walls.”

Listening to his convoluted words, Chen Changsheng shook his head. “Leave or stay? Want to go, but also don’t? Live or die? Want to live, but also don’t? The people of this place truly live strange lives.”

Song Gudao laughed at that. “Too kind!”

“It wasn’t praise.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Chen Changsheng sighed once more. Whenever he got into these topics with Song Gudao, their talk always ended up at cross-purposes.

Perhaps it was a result of deeply held obsessions.

Song Gudao suddenly spoke up. “The last City Platform opened yesterday.”

Chen Changsheng asked, “How many died?”

Song Gudao replied, “Around twenty thousand. This new Divine Child… you’ll definitely be interested.”

Chen Changsheng took his Wine Gourd and drank before slowly saying,

“It’s that little monk, right?”

“Little monk?”

Song Gudao sounded confused. He then said, “He’s probably the youngest Divine Child in decades.”

Chen Changsheng said calmly, “So it really is him.”

Song Gudao said, “That day I went to pick up Mu Cang, I saw him. Probably an acquaintance of yours, Senior.”

Chen Changsheng said, “Coming here is his Destiny.”

Song Gudao said, “He hasn’t woken up yet. Frankly, what baffles me more is this: weak as he is, how did he manage to climb the City Platform amidst thousands fighting to become Divine Child?”

“It’s his fate,” Chen Changsheng answered.

“Fate?”

Song Gudao thought for a moment, then shook his head. “They say fate is fixed by Heaven. Could it be… this child was destined by Heaven?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “No. He should be the one who fights against Heaven.”

Song Gudao’s eyes lit up. He chuckled. “Indeed outstanding.”

Chen Changsheng glanced at him. “You might be disappointed when you meet him.”

Song Gudao asked, “Why?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “His convictions run counter to this world’s ways.”

Song Gudao frowned, thoughtfully stroking his chin for a moment, still undecided.

“Very well,” Song Gudao said eventually. “As long as he doesn’t cause trouble.”

When Chen Changsheng heard this, he looked at Song Gudao but said nothing.

Seeing Chen Changsheng’s gaze, Song Gudao suddenly felt uncertain. That look made him wonder… could this new child really cause trouble?

Seems like I need to keep a closer eye on him.

.

.

Chen Changsheng returned to the small courtyard.

Just as he reached his courtyard gate, he noticed signs of occupants in the previously empty neighboring yard; its gate was slightly ajar.

“This Song Gudao…”

Chen Changsheng shook his head but paid it little mind. He pushed his door open and entered his yard.

Gou’er was sitting in the courtyard. His face was deathly pale as he gazed upon the withered, desolate scene within the walls.

At this moment, numerous puzzles filled his mind.

Where is this? And why am I here?

Where is… he? Where are… they?

As he pondered, a sound suddenly came from the yard beside his.

Gou’er looked sideways. He stood up and walked to his gate.

Seeing the pathway empty, he stepped towards the adjacent yard instead.

Hesitating repeatedly, Gou’er finally rapped on its door.

Knock knock…

Gou’er opened his mouth and called out, “A-anyone home?”

Chen Changsheng hadn’t even sat down before he heard the call from outside.

He gave a light flick of his sleeve, and the courtyard gate suddenly swung open.

Squeak…

“Someone…”

Before Gou’er could finish his sentence, the door had opened by itself.

He shrank back, startled, peering cautiously with half his body around the gatepost into the yard.

When Gou’er saw the man inside the courtyard, he stopped cold. His eyes widened, and he walked into the yard.

“You… why… how?”

Chen Changsheng swept the dust off a chair with his sleeve, not turning his head as he said, “Come in. Have a seat.”

Gou’er paused, hesitated for a few moments, then walked forward. He sat down on a chair nearby.

“Chen…”

Only now did Gou’er realize that, despite knowing each other a while, he didn’t even know what to call the man before him.

“Call me Mr. Chen.”

“Mr. Chen.”

Gou’er sat stiff and formal. He opened his mouth. “Um, where… where is this…?”

“Didn’t the person who brought you tell you?” Chen Changsheng asked.

Gou’er shook his head. “I only just woke up. This place feels… quite different.”

Chen Changsheng answered him, “This place is called the Divine Domain. It can also be called the Tomb of Heaven and Earth. It is also the so-called DESTINY-place for Divine Children.”

Gou’er listened without fully grasping it. “What Divine Domain? What ‘Tomb of Heaven and Earth’? Destiny? Mr. Chen, I… I don’t understand.”

Chen Changsheng offered no elaborate explanation. “People will tell you more in time. I originally thought you’d have some more days before arriving here. You’re a bit earlier than expected.”

“Huh?” Gou’er blinked, startled.

Chen Changsheng said, “Better tell me about it. How did you climb the City Platform?”