Forge a path to success.

Chapter 420 Towards the Future (Part 1 Complete)
Guardian Spirits in the Clouds, p. 197
Until the aircraft landed, I was still in disbelief about everything that had happened.

“We actually won.” Balanse was still in shock, the long gash on his face still visible.

"I don't think it had anything to do with winning or losing; it was purely luck," I stammered.

Yes, we defeated that great evil spirit—or rather, we begged it to have mercy. I crafted a very convincing lie, which Balanse shouted down in his booming voice. We told him that the culprit behind the plane crash was someone else, and that we were following that lead; if the plane had crashed, it would never have seen the truth it wanted to know.

So we survived the life-or-death ordeal through conversation, even though Balanse and I were just two stupid idiots who couldn't even handle our daily lives, let alone uncover the truth. But anyway, we survived.

The airport glowed its familiar red light under the night sky, as departing passengers complained about the bumpy journey. This time, no guardian spirit greeted me, for they had all returned to their base. In my eyes, the airport was empty, and wandering ghosts began to linger above people's heads.

The world has changed, but people continue to live as before, unaware of the present situation and unaware that life in the future will only get worse, not better.

Balanse grabbed a stone and hurled it into the air, chasing away a ghost. Some startled passengers turned and glared at him, but he paid them no mind.

"What do we do next?" the silly boy asked me.

"What's next?" I countered. "Honestly, I've secured this deal, and I have a clear conscience."

“But we can’t just stand by and do nothing,” Balanse said, spreading his hands. “What about the other aircraft? I know you’re not that kind of person. You’ll feel more guilty than I do.”

I got even angrier: "What do you know? Do you know me that well?"

“Of course, we’re friends!” he said matter-of-factly.

He had this air of self-righteousness about him, as if he were my best friend or childhood sweetheart. The truth was quite the opposite; we were merely acquaintances who met by chance during a mission, and in the grand scheme of my life, he was nothing more than an insignificant passerby.

However, I couldn't find the words to refute it, because deep down that's truly what I thought. I couldn't just sit idly by.

I am a guardian spirit; protection is the meaning of my existence.

"Next, we'll find those guys who still have a conscience and try to bring some people in to mend things and change the Guardian Spirits' plans as much as possible." I walked towards the dormitory. "And after that... who cares, we'll see."

"I like this word."

"You've just started following me like this, buddy? What about your life?"

“I think saving the world is more important than delivering takeout,” he said. “Besides, I can’t just sit by and watch you struggle all by yourself; that would be too disloyal.”

I found myself gradually starting to like this guy.

"Alright, let's go then," I said cheerfully, "we'll see how it goes."

We went to the supermarket and bought some discounted food, ending this long day with the ramblings of an old TV show.

[The Guardian Spirit in the Clouds, Part 1, Completed.]

The second installment of the Guardian Spirit series will be released at the end of 3002. Please look forward to a brand new adventure for "me" and Balanse Skye!

·
Chu Hengkong closed the book and examined the not-so-thick book.

He started reading the book on his first day in the city-state, and only finished it on the last day before his departure. He felt that he was reading slower than he used to, not as fast as he used to be. Perhaps it was because practicing martial arts too much had dulled his mind, or perhaps he had become too fixed in his ways and was beginning to resist accepting new ideas.

He went down to the lobby, grabbed a cup of tea, and also picked up some sweet bread for breakfast. The seafood bookstore was brightly decorated today, and the stingy and demanding staff generously piled the manager's basin full of snacks. The seal was nestled in the basin, eating and crying at the same time.

Gulibo stroked his seal beard sympathetically: "Don't worry, shop manager, we'll eat the snacks you've been hoarding for you, Bo."

"Caw!" the sea seal cried out in pain.

The editor patted the carp's magnificent back and encouraged it, "Have some backbone—don't embarrass yourself!"

"I don't want to go to work! I don't want to eat—!" the seal howled.

With Trek promoted to Captain-General, the position of Third Captain naturally became vacant. However, the Third Lineage needed someone in charge, even if it was just a figurehead, it had to be at least a 5-point figurehead. So, at a time when the city-state was short-handed, the council members, after deliberation, unanimously decided to let a well-regarded and strong civilian figure fill the position first, and then study a formal plan when a new person became available for the captaincy.

The owner of the Great Seal Shop, who has a good reputation in the area and has made outstanding contributions, seems to be the only good citizen who meets the criteria. Therefore, starting today, it will be promoted from shop owner to acting captain.

Lico stroked the seal's fur sympathetically: "Manager, keep up the good work..."

"Please work harder to reach level 5 in mutation points and take my place in this sea of ​​suffering..."

Chu Hengkong observed for a while and noticed that after feeding the animals, the staff went about their business as usual, seemingly unaffected by the manager's departure. He asked the otter editor, "What will happen to the bookstore then?"

“First of all, the store manager isn’t involved in the bookstore’s operations, and its absence saves a lot on food expenses.” The otter editor pushed up his glasses. “Secondly, the Captain of the Divine Guard is allowed to have a side business. Its presence at work doesn’t prevent the bookstore from operating and the monthly manuscript submissions from continuing, and the sun still rises as usual.”

Chu Hengkong couldn't help but feel sympathetic: "The shop manager's life is really going to be quite fulfilling from now on..."

The otter editor noticed the book in his hand and gestured towards the recommended bookshelf for this month: "It's on the bestseller list again this month, which is a remarkable achievement for a new author and a new book."

After the Battle of Jing Sha for Independence, many citizens took notice of this prophetic book. They felt they had discovered it sooner and wished they could haile Miss Iron Sparrow 987 as a folk prophet. However, no one could find the shy girl anywhere in the five major lineages. Readers believed she might have gone to other dusty islands for refuge, while some pessimists thought she had left during the previous war.

"Actually, she's an old friend of mine," Chu Hengkong told the editor. "She was a little embarrassed to say that she could only write up to this point, so she left it unfinished and quietly ran away... But she told me the outline, and I continued writing the second book for her."

"Really?" The otter editor raised an eyebrow. "No offense, but I've heard you're not very good at writing stories."

"I can practice."

Chu Hengkong promised to submit his manuscript on time, adding a new item to his mental to-do list. He then walked out of the bookstore and strolled along the sun-drenched street.

The houses along the road were leaning precariously; the impact of the divine tree's merging was so great that many people's houses simply collapsed. Some were distressed, others were full of energy as they rebuilt their homes. Citizens who had finished their work earlier sang in the treetops, and wildflowers everywhere cheered them on.

Many citizens recognized him and cheered excitedly, and little girls even asked for his autograph. After the Battle of Jingsha, their names became synonymous with heroes of the city-state, and it was said that Mansa Star Castle was already building plant statues of them. Chu Hengkong was determined to make his escape before the statues were completed, otherwise he might get carried away and stay there for several more months to enjoy himself.

He wandered aimlessly until he reached a solitary cliff overlooking the sea on the edge of the city. There was no one around, and sunlight filtered sparsely through the leaves, falling on the damp grass.

Chu Hengkong thought the place was alright, so he dug a shallow pit in the sunny spot. He looked at the book in his hand one last time, then at the name of the male protagonist, the simple-minded but physically strong food delivery rider.

Balanse Sky, Balance Sky.

Heng Kong.

“Not like me at all.” Chu Hengkong laughed.

He rummaged through his pockets for a while and finally found a watch. It was a prestigious brand, and although it was quite old, the hands were still running normally, and there were few scratches on it, showing that its previous owner had taken good care of it.

He thought that the girl might occasionally take some time to maintain the watch, even though she was always busy and rarely had the chance to use it. He had originally intended to bury it, but then felt it was a pity, so he wore the watch on his own wrist. The gift he had given away had come full circle, ultimately returning to his own hands.

But there always has to be something in a grave, so Chu Hengkong buried the book she had written and moved a stone to make a tombstone. He hesitated for a long time before carving the inscription, after all, she was a difficult person to define, and whatever he wrote would probably be ridiculed by her. In the end, he simply gave up and wrote a simple, commonplace inscription.

[A good friend]

Chu Hengkong erected the tombstone and suddenly felt much lighter. So he sat down against the tombstone, staring blankly at the sea, emptying his mind.

After a while, the boss sat down next to him.

How does it feel to bury your first love with your own hands?

“She wasn’t my first love,” Chu Hengkong said. “My first love was you.”

Wilbert coughed loudly, his face turning red, and he gently patted the girl's back.

"But as you know, our relationship is just not suitable for a romantic relationship. I only fell for Wang Quan after I thought it through..."

But it probably didn't last very long, right?

But on the night she came to celebrate his birthday, he watched the girl's every smile and gesture, knowing full well it was just playful banter, yet he genuinely fell for her. It might have just been the meaningless stirrings of adolescence, but he still remembers it to this day.

If you remember it, then you must have liked it.

He gently comforted the girl, "Boss, don't worry, I'm not that kind of clueless man. I clearly distinguish between my childhood fantasies and my current life. I guarantee our relationship will never change... Sigh!" "Chu Hengkong, shut up."

Violet stomped on him hard, and Chu Heng stared blankly at the sky, wondering when this girl's inexplicable temper tantrums would ever get better.

He couldn't think of anything to say for a moment, so he just stood there in a daze, while Velvet used the Y2K bug to handle various trivial matters. After a while, he finally remembered something and asked, "Boss, the Blood Oath's commandments are passed down with death."

"Yes."

"But I have no responsibility to inherit yours after your death."

Wilbert had no relatives or friends, and in the entire world's vast family, he was the only person she could rely on. She couldn't think of anyone else who was qualified to inherit the responsibilities of the Velus family.

Vilbert stopped what she was doing and thought about it for a while.

“Akong, I believe that once a person dies, they cannot be resurrected,” she said. “The original spirits have already made the mistake of the Black Moon, so they will not allow the same mistake to happen again. Therefore, we who came from Earth may never have truly ‘died’ from the beginning.”

Without true death, there is no such thing as inheritance.

"Then this doesn't sound like a coincidence."

“There’s no such thing as being saved for no reason,” Vilbert said. “Do you remember how you came to be?”

"I was summoned here while eating sashimi and fishing, so I'm probably not on the same page as you."

"I'm used to it; you're always the most special one."

Chu Hengkong then remembered something else: "Now that the king is really dead, I haven't inherited anything?"

"I think she couldn't bear to continue torturing you before she died."

Vilbert looked into her eyes, her tone completely flat.

"Therefore she passed the curse on to me, and now I am the King of the Blood Oath."

·
Three days later, in Huilong City.

Guo Yutu raised his hand in a military salute, looking listless: "Blood Alliance assassin Guo Yutu reporting for duty."

Lylena Barry's face was as black as charcoal: "Blood Oath assassin Lylena reporting for duty..."

Qingxia grabbed the two of them, her attitude enthusiastic: "Welcome, welcome! From now on, we're all in this together. If we die, we die together!"

"I really regret not dying on the walls of Mansa Star Castle."

"Why didn't I die on Earth...?"

Two veteran Blood Alliance assassins arrived at their workstations with a sorrowful expression, while the other assassins, ranked No. 10 and below, cast sympathetic and understanding glances their way.

Velbert inherited not only the responsibilities of the monarchy but also her authority; the assassins must now obey her just as they obeyed the monarchy before. Although she promised to soon lift the corrupted contracts of the Fallen based on their contributions, the assassins were well aware of this woman's extremely wicked and vicious nature.

Hoping for her to show mercy is less desirable than hoping for royal compassion. Before they lose their usefulness, the brothers will probably be finished here for the rest of their lives.

Inside the Dragon Temple, Ji Huaisu carefully held a shimmering clip and pulled a golden thread from Velbert's eye. With lightning speed, she tossed the thread into a jade pendant, sweating profusely. "Damn, who wrote these rules? They're so complicated! I almost broke my hand!"

Van der's eyes remained expressionless: "Vilbert was burned four times during your failed surgery, so I think she has more right to speak on this..."

"Didn't I treat her too? It's normal for such delicate surgeries to have a small incision!"

Violet rubbed her dry eyes and got up from the operating table. The jade pendant was emitting a shimmering golden light, projecting the characters that had been appearing in her eyes.

Qingye read aloud word by word: "How many years... 3 years? 2 years? Why does this number keep changing?"

“The flow of time on Earth is different from that in the Submerged Realm. This is a transformation I made based on the information I currently have,” Wilbert explained. “My homeland will be invaded by heretics in about 2 to 3 years in the standard time of the Submerged Realm.”

“There is plenty of time,” Shakes commented.

Upon hearing this, Ji Huaisu slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Is that so? You should have said so earlier! We'll all go together then, and we'll take on as many as come!"

"However, it is highly likely that at the same time, the crisis in the Submerged Realm will also arrive. At that time, we will probably have to deal with a veritable world-ending crisis."

"Wow, that's scary." Ji Huaisu stuck out her tongue. "To be honest, I'm not that nervous. After all, the world seems to collapse every day. I'm used to it, I'm used to it..."

"Sister Huaisu, I really envy your mental fortitude! There's so much to do! Just this chaotic situation is enough to kill you!" Qingye cried out in despair.

Vande quietly slipped away and found Chu Hengkong practicing martial arts outside the temple. He was still bursting with energy, spending his time training whenever he had nothing to worry about.

"What do you mean, buddy?"

"I don't really say. If the enemy comes, we just fight."

Vande glanced sideways: "I remember when we just finished the wilderness battle, you said we shouldn't become machines of meaning, and advocated a life with a balance of tension and relaxation."

"Times change," Chu Hengkong chuckled. "As the information available differs, people's choices will also differ. What you once thought was an insight may be a mistake in retrospect."

"You're just like a philosopher."

He put down the knife, sat down, and poured himself a glass of wine.

“It’s unrealistic to talk about people without considering their environment.” Chu Hengkong said thoughtfully. “If I were put in the same environment, I can’t guarantee that I wouldn’t become a second Vansalar or the Dark Kingdom… But my luck is that I know their experiences, so I won’t make the same mistakes now.”

"If you're supposed to save the world but not be a meaningless machine, then what are you supposed to be?"

"Go be a hero of significance!" Chu Hengkong stretched. "A hero is the best, with great achievements and a dashing demeanor."

"I want to live happily and then save the world for them to see!"

·
An empty life has found meaning.

Although it is neither absolutely correct nor a perfect ideal, it is not entirely a reflection of my own thoughts, but rather inherited from the wishes of others.

But that was the answer he arrived at after many adventures, and the one he believed to be correct.

He will move forward with this answer, without any regrets.

And so, time flowed slowly as the countdown began.

The once-collapsed buildings were rebuilt, the decadent hearts were revived, and as the heretics' plans were being meticulously planned, the people who were meant to save the world began to grow.

And so, a year passed.

"Dude, breaking news!" Vande rushed over with a scroll in hand. "Jingluo Prefecture has announced the official start of its military campaign, and many generals on the island have accepted the challenge. If this continues, a civil war on Shura Island is about to break out!"

Chu Hengkong sheathed his longsword and put on his coat. He grabbed the scroll containing the message and put it in his pocket along with Fan De.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Thus, a new adventure is about to begin—

Inheriting will and responsibility, we set off for distant horizons.

[The first half of "Forging a Lifeline" is complete.]

　On the path of destiny's ascension, it has come to a glorious end! Author's closing remarks will be released later!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)