Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Three quantum beasts landed on the ground. Black Wolf crouched low, baring its sharp fangs, its claws glinting in the snow.

The lynx and antelope were also on high alert, but the lynx now had a long scratch on its neck, and one of the antelope's horns was broken, both wounds emitting black smoke.

The car door opened, and two officers jumped out. One looked at Black Wolf, then at Chu Ya, a trace of wariness appearing in his eyes.

"B+ Sentinel?"

Chu Ya remained silent, and the officer's expression turned contemplative as he sized him up. "So it's you... A B+ Sentinel, no wonder the quantum beasts are so fierce."

"Captain Huang, what do you mean? Are you planning to ram into me?" Director Liu, who had been standing in the middle of the road, spoke up, his voice steady with a hint of sarcasm.

"What are you talking about, Director Liu? The roads are slippery due to the snow, and I couldn't control the vehicle. How could I dare to drive into you? I value my life," Captain Huang replied with a smile.

The two officers recalled the quantum beasts that were still facing off against Black Wolf into their mental domains. Black Wolf immediately changed its target, ready to pounce on them again, but Chu Ya patted its back, signaling it to hold back.

Director Liu didn't say more and directly instructed Rong Chen, "Go get the children down."

"Alright," Rong Chen responded, his voice hoarse.

As he walked towards the military vehicle, Chu Ya kept an eye on the two officers, ready to intervene if they made any moves. He saw three children sitting in the back seat of the car.

"Get out quickly," Rong Chen reached into the car.

Reluctant voices came from inside: "Chief Administrator Chen, I want to go to Cloud Peak."

"Chief Administrator Chen, why do we have to get out? I want to go to Cloud Peak."

Rong Chen shouted fiercely, his voice trembling, "I said get out! Right now! Anyone who stays in the car will be strangled to death before they can even reach Cloud Peak!"

The students, who had never seen him like this, fell silent in fear. Captain Huang interjected from the side, "What are you doing? We're taking the children to Cloud Peak—"

"Hurry up! I'm counting to three—one! Two!" Rong Chen cut off Captain Huang, and just as he rasped out 'two,' the children scrambled out of the car.

Rong Chen led them quickly to the van, and Chu Ya followed silently, his hand gripping a dagger in his pocket.

If those two officers tried to take the children, he would do everything in his power to help.

They were wary of his quantum beast, which meant their ranks weren't high, probably just B-level. Although he couldn't mobilize his mental energy, with his B+ Sentinel physique and Black Wolf's ferocity, he could still put up a fight.

"Director Liu, taking the children to Cloud Peak is not appropriate, is it?" Captain Huang's face darkened. "This is obstructing military affairs; can you bear the responsibility?"

"Is it Gu Lin who sent you? Tell him directly that as long as I, Liu Hong, am alive and standing here, he won't be able to take another child from the welfare home."

Liu Hong slowly turned to face Captain Huang. Though shorter than the other man, he exuded no less authority, his usually kind face now sharp and severe. "The Angel Welfare Home is jointly run by the three armies. Chairman Jiang and Chief Executive Meng are discussing matters concerning the children in the welfare home and will soon return the children who were taken. Does Gu Lin respect Chairman Jiang and Chief Executive Meng? Can he bear the responsibility?"

"How do you know this isn't the intention of Chairman Jiang and Chief Executive Meng?" Captain Huang sneered.

Liu Hong remained unperturbed. "Then let them inform me personally. Call them now and have them tell me the results of their discussion. If you plan to secretly take the children from the welfare home to harm or kill them—"

"Director Liu, watch your words," Captain Huang interrupted sharply.

"Captain Huang, you don't have the right to warn me!" Director Liu roared, then turned to Rong Chen, "Give me the gun! Since we haven't received notification from Chairman Jiang and Chief Executive Meng, anyone who tries to stop us today will leave behind two lives, either theirs or mine."

The moment these words were spoken, the scene fell silent, only the wind whistling across the open field could be heard.

Rong Chen pushed the three children into the van, took out two automatic rifles from the vehicle, handed one to Director Liu, and held the other himself. Chu Ya stood beside Director Liu with Black Wolf.

Captain Huang stared intently at Director Liu, knowing his temper. Despite his usual good-natured demeanor, once provoked, the man was all sharp edges beneath his calm exterior.

He was just there to carry out his mission but couldn't risk anything happening to the director of the Angel Welfare Home. If things escalated, he wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility.

Captain Huang's gaze swept over the van, seeing only three children and the driver through the half-open door, no one else inside.

"Get in the car," Director Liu, without looking at the two officers, walked towards the van, with Rong Chen and Chu Ya following.

Director Liu asked Rong Chen and Chu Ya to get in first, and just as he was about to climb in, Captain Huang's cold voice echoed, "Director Liu's dedication to the welfare home's children is truly commendable, but do you really think you can bring back the child at Cloud Peak? What was his name? Wang Zhusheng?"

Chu Ya, sitting in the car, felt his heart skip a beat at this. Rong Chen, who hadn't yet taken his seat in the passenger seat, also lifted his head in shock.

Director Liu paused, turning to ask, "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Captain Huang turned towards his military vehicle. "Three days ago, he was already gone."

Director Liu and Rong Chen froze, Chu Ya clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, and the driver, Xiao Wang, punched the steering wheel, causing the van to emit a sharp, prolonged honk.

The children in the back seat sensed something was wrong and stopped demanding to go to Cloud Peak, timidly calling out to Chief Administrator Chen and Director Liu.

"Director, Director."

After a moment, Director Liu reached for the car door, struggling to get in.

Both vehicles started, one heading towards the Tuta passage, the other towards the welfare home. As the two vehicles passed each other, Chu Ya turned to meet Captain Huang's gaze through the window of the military vehicle.

Facing Chu Ya's cold, vengeful stare, Captain Huang nodded slightly and called out, "Mr. Chu," before closing the window.

Driver Xiao Wang wiped away tears as he drove, and Rong Chen repeatedly wiped his eyes, sobbing, "What does our effort amount to? We can't save them, we can't save them..."

Chu Ya took several deep breaths to calm himself before turning to the three children in the back seat and said hoarsely, "Lift your feet."

The children, who had been silent, obediently lifted their feet upon hearing this.

Chu Ya then addressed the space under the seat, "Come out."

"Are you talking to me?" came a small voice from under the seat, belonging to Shen Juanjuan.

The children, surprised to find someone under the seat, lifted their legs in shock, not daring to move.

"Yes, it's you. Come out, it's fine now," Chu Ya said.

Shen Juanjuan crawled out from under the seat and turned to look at the people in the seats, recognizing two of the big boys who had been locked up with him in the water room.

"What were you talking about just now?" Shen Juanjuan was pulled to sit beside Chu Ya, leaning close to his ear to ask, "Why did Chief Administrator Chen and Uncle Driver cry? Did they fight?"

Chu Ya patted his head: "No."

"Oh."

The atmosphere in the car was heavy. When the minivan stopped at the entrance of the orphanage, no one spoke or opened the door. The children all sat in the back seat, not daring to make a sound. Shen Juanjuan looked at Director Liu and then at Chu Ya, holding back his curiosity without asking.

Laughter and play echoed from inside the orphanage as the children played on the playground. The Black Wolf, which had been following the car, now scowled and dashed towards the wilderness, seemingly wanting to get as far away from the orphanage as possible.

It was Director Liu who finally spoke, addressing the children in the back seat: "Get out and go play."

Shen Juanjuan knew he couldn't enter the orphanage, so he remained seated next to Chu Ya, looking enviously at the playground.

After the three children got out of the car, Director Liu said to him again: "Shen Juanjuan, you should go in and play too."

Shen Juanjuan was taken aback, shaking his head: "I don't want to, I'll stay here."

"Didn't Director Liu promise to bring you back? Now he is bringing you back to the orphanage."

Shen Juanjuan stared blankly out the window, then turned to look at Chu Ya.

"Go play," Chu Ya patted his head.

"Will you come find me later?"

"Sure."

"If you don't come, I'll be very, very angry and become very, very scary."

"I won't let you get angry."

All the children got out of the car, and the remaining people watched Shen Juanjuan enter the orphanage gate. Rong Chen then turned to ask: "Director, what if Chief Executive Meng and Chairman Jiang also agree to let Gu Lin take the children away, what will we do then?"

"Didn't they already agree? Otherwise, how would Gu Lin dare to continue selecting children?" There was deep weariness in Director Liu's voice.

"Then are we just going to watch the children be taken away? We can stop them this time, but what about the next time?"

Chu Ya remained silent, turning his head to look at the children playing and laughing in the orphanage. He heard Director Liu say sadly: "The orphanage has no other way out. We'll proceed according to our previous plan."

Plan?

Chu Ya turned to look at Director Liu.

Rong Chen and Little Wang, the driver, looked sad but nodded: "We'll follow Director's arrangements."

"Have all the staff gather in the meeting room. I have something to tell them."

Rong Chen and Little Wang left the minivan, and Chu Ya was about to follow when Director Liu said: "Let them go first, wait a moment."

The car door closed again. Director Liu looked out at the playground, watching the children playing and laughing, and after a moment of silence, he spoke slowly: "Everyone once hoped they could differentiate into Sentinels or Guides, but now differentiation has become a curse, a Grim Reaper. Over ninety percent of the children in our orphanage will differentiate. Look at them, those chasing and playing, crying or laughing, so vibrant and full of life, yet no one knows what they will become in the next moment. The youngest is only six years old, the oldest no more than twelve or thirteen..."

Chu Ya saw Shen Juanjuan running with a few children on the playground, stumbling and falling, quickly getting up, brushing off the dirt, and laughing so hard his eyes were invisible.

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Chu Ya's mouth, and a hint of warmth appeared in his eyes. He watched Shen Juanjuan run to the other end of the playground before turning to look at Director Liu, his expression now serious and calm.

"Director Liu, what do you need me to do?"

There was a brief silence in the car before Director Liu spoke solemnly: "Chu Ya, do you remember when I asked you in Mixin Town, if I needed your help—"

"I remember, and I remember my answer then, that I would do whatever I could. My answer remains the same now." Chu Ya replied without hesitation.

"Good, good." Director Liu said the word twice, then leaned forward slightly, looking directly at Chu Ya: "I want you to take the children from the orphanage to Linya City."

"Take them to Linya City?" Chu Ya hadn't expected this, his expression showing surprise.

"Yes, I've thought about it repeatedly. The only way now is to escape, to take the children away and give them a chance to survive outside."

Director Liu continued: "To travel from the Abyss to Linya City, you must cross the snow mountains, traverse the swamps, and pass through the Usu Sea. The journey is long and fraught with danger. Even adults find it difficult, let alone the children from the orphanage. To reach Linya City, besides management, there must be Sentinel Guides to escort them, otherwise they will all perish along the way."

Chu Ya thought for a moment, hesitatingly asking: "I think going to Linya City might be the best option now, but do you think I have the ability to take them there?"

Director Liu sighed: "I know you're still a child, and your mental domain has been damaged, but you are the only Sentinel here, and a B+ Sentinel at that. Among those I trust, only you can escort them."

Chu Ya fell silent for a moment before saying: "Director Liu, I said I would do whatever you need, and I will do my best to escort the children from the orphanage to Linya City, but can you give me some time?"

He had contracted black gangrene. If he didn't hand over the chip to someone trustworthy soon to ensure the continuation of research, his remaining time might not even last until they reached Linya City.

He didn't believe that all of his father's subordinates had become Gu Lin's men, and he could selectively test their loyalty, though it would involve significant risk.

So he couldn't leave the Abyss now.

Director Liu asked with a hint of inquiry: "Can I ask why you can't leave now?"

Chu Ya didn't respond. Director Liu glanced at his wrist, and he instinctively pulled his hand back, but the stark black mark remained visible outside his sleeve.

Chu Ya lowered his head, not looking at Director Liu's expression, and said hoarsely: "I've contracted black gangrene... Last night, I left the hospital to do something, but I ran into Gu Lin, which is why you saw me like that... I'm still alive, sitting here, because I am a man marked for death, with little time left..."

Since discovering he had black gangrene, Chu Ya had been living in fear, unable to confide in anyone, not even Shen Juanjuan. Now, under Director Liu's penetrating gaze, the tears he had held back for so long began to fall onto his legs, revealing his vulnerability and despair.

Director Liu sighed inwardly, realizing that despite his composed demeanor, Chu Ya was still just a child. His gaze softened, filled with compassion and reluctance.

Director Liu asked tentatively: "May I see?"

Chu Ya nodded.

Director Liu gently rolled up his sleeve and, upon seeing the shocking black mark on his forearm, his eyes began to redden.

"How long have you noticed it?" Director Liu asked.

Chu Ya thought for a moment: "About two months, I guess."

"And what about the rest of your body?"

"It’s gone."

"Gone?" Director Liu was incredulous, staring at the black mark for a moment before looking up at Chu Ya.

Chu Ya started to feel nervous: "Is something wrong?"

"Wrong, indeed it is." Director Liu frowned.

Just as Chu Ya's heart sank, Director Liu said, "Once the black marks appear on the skin in black gangrene, it indicates that the virus inside the body has been fully activated and will develop rapidly. If it’s been two months as you said, there should be many more black spots on your body, not just this one."

A look of relief gradually appeared on Director Liu's face: "I don’t know why this is happening, but it’s definitely a good sign. It means the progression of your condition has been slowed down."

Chu Ya stared at the black mark on his hand, feeling much lighter in his heart.

He only hoped that the black gangrene would give him more time, allowing him to entrust the chip to someone trustworthy and hasten the research for a cure.

Not just for himself, but also for others suffering from the disease and to fulfill his father's wishes.

But that chip...

Although he trusted Director Liu, he wasn’t sure if he should tell him about it.

Sensing something, Director Liu said, "Don’t worry, you can trust me completely, but you don’t have to tell me anything you’re not comfortable with."

Chu Ya wrestled with his thoughts for a few seconds before finally speaking: "Actually, last night I obtained the research results from my father’s lab against black gangrene. But Gu Lin already got one. It’s my fault; he already took one chip..."

"It’s okay, don’t panic, everything is fine." Director Liu held his trembling shoulder and clasped his cold hand in his palm, "Don’t panic, child, everything is fine, everything is fine..."

Chu Ya gasped deeply, as if cold, and continued once his voice steadied: "It’s my fault. There were two chips in total. Gu Lin took one, and I managed to get one."

Director Liu said, "It’s not your fault. You’ve done very well. I believe even adults wouldn’t have done better than you."

Chu Ya looked at Director Liu, who nodded at him, his eyes behind his glasses full of warmth and encouragement: "Despite the sudden changes in your family, you’ve shown such resilience, taking care of yourself and Shen Juanjuan. Being able to obtain a chip from Gu Lin shows how smart and brave you are, what an extraordinary child you are."

Chu Ya’s lips moved, and Director Liu added softly, "Don’t think your father would blame you. He would only be proud of you."

Chu Ya gradually calmed down, and Director Liu patted his shoulder: "I told you before, I have a friend at your father’s lab. After the research was suspended, he fled to Linya City. If you find him, he can continue the research. I know his character well; he is very reliable."

Chu Ya’s heart stirred, and he suddenly looked up at Director Liu.

"In the message my father left me, he said the chip could both cure black gangrene and serve other purposes. I’m worried that Gu Lin’s motive for seizing the chip might be this."

Director Liu pondered, "I’m not entirely sure about that, but if you can find my friend, he should be able to tell you more."

Chu Ya’s expression darkened: "This time, I went to Linya City, and I don’t know when I’ll return. Even if I cure the black gangrene, when will I be able to take revenge..."

Director Liu continued to look at Chu Ya, hesitating for a while before speaking: "In fact, just yesterday, Gu Lin officially became the president of the Morning Star Club."

In these few short months, every event Chu Ya experienced made him feel that things couldn’t possibly get any worse. But then came the death of Yun Tuo, his own illness, one tragedy after another, making him realize that deeper blows were still waiting for him, that the previous moments of despair were actually bearable.

For example, at this very moment, he confirmed from Director Liu that Gu Lin had become the president of the Morning Star Club.

Chu Ya stared blankly out the window, his voice filled with despair: "I heard someone call him president before, but I didn’t dare to believe it. Now that he’s the president, the Morning Star Club is in his hands. How can I take revenge? I might not even be able to get close to him."

Director Liu held his cold hand in his palm: "Child, don’t think too much right now. You must focus on getting treated first. Everything else can wait until you’re cured. Although the progression of black gangrene has been slowed, the time it gives you is limited. Only by overcoming it will you have enough time to deal with Gu Lin."

"How much time, how much time is enough?" Chu Ya murmured.

Director Liu stroked his head: "It’s the time needed for you to grow and become stronger. Although it will be difficult, you must grit your teeth and endure it. This is not just for you, but also the path our orphanage must take."

After a moment, Chu Ya lifted his eyes, which, though still red, showed a newfound determination: "Director Liu, I promise you, I will escort the students from the orphanage to Linya City. I must become strong. I want the children in the abyss to stop fleeing, the miners to stop hiding. I want to protect those I care about and make those who harm others pay. I want to change all this, to restore the abyss... to restore the world to what it should be."

Though he was only a twelve-year-old boy, his words carried a weighty resolve, his dark eyes deep and solemn, beginning to show a natural and formidable presence.

Director Liu was moved, and after a long pause, he said hoarsely, "Good child."