Chapter 99 Guide 27

"Bao, leave quickly and go to the tower." In the silence, Dong Yao suddenly said, his tone tense and cold.

"What's wrong?"

Lu Xue's angelic face was slightly furrowed.

[...He can't leave anymore, He has already arrived.]

A tall sentry slowly walked in through the doorway. He was using He Cang's body, but his movements were clumsy and stiff. He kept his head up, staring straight at Lu Xuejin, his eyes filled with a chilling desire.

You dare to be so insolent in front of me?

Lu Xuejin thought silently.

On the surface, however, he looked wary.

Dongyao's voice was emotionless: "[Baby, I'm sorry TT This is the final boss of the small world. As a high-dimensional being residing in the spirit world, it altered human genes, created the first Sentinel, and, with a playful attitude, made the Sentinel a source of pollution, causing the contaminants to be born. Originally, the story was supposed to be resolved by the mature male protagonist, but a data error during a previous update caused it to awaken prematurely and go berserk.]"

This near-divine being can detect the system's existence, and you, baby, have become its target as well.

interesting.

Whenever something goes wrong, Dongyao uses Xiaoyao's voice, tone, and facial expressions, completely masking his cold and hard demeanor when he first took over the job.

Lu Xuejin said, "But Wan Hong is still just an ordinary S-rank, and I haven't sacrificed myself yet to solve the problem in his mental landscape."

Dongyao, weak and on the verge of tears, said: "Yes, it's all my fault. Baby, run! I'll cover you; it won't find you."

Lu Xuejin tilted her head: "What about the others?"

"I had no choice but to send you out ahead of schedule, forcibly pausing the small world." Dong Yao sighed, extremely regretful. "We were so close to having full dedication points!"

She quickly recovered and encouraged Lu Xuejin: "It's nothing, we can continue in the next world. It's okay if we don't need this one."

As they spoke, the monarch had already passed through the iron gate and stepped onto the balcony. The closer it got to Lu Xuejin, the more obvious its excitement became, as if Lu Xuejin were a piece of Tang Monk's flesh that was tempting to be devoured.

This kind of persistent stare is unsettling.

Lu Xuejin lowered her eyes and met its gaze, saying softly and regretfully, "It seems that's the only way."

But the next second, he released his mental power directly. In Dong Yao's surprised and somewhat angry cry of "Baby," the vast mental power poured down on Chao Jun like a collapsing snow mountain.

The real world was calm and peaceful, but the mental world around the two, or rather, the higher dimension, was turbulent and turbulent.

The surrounding guides and sentries were instantly knocked unconscious by the impact, while those with stronger senses were swept into a psychedelic world of colors, where two enormous creatures appeared in their dazed vision.

One had a serpentine outline, and its three enormous eyes on its head were so large that one dared not look directly at it. The other was even taller and more dazzling; just a slight glance upwards was enough to cause one to close their eyes tightly in pain, blood trickling from the corners of their eyes, and their mental imagery to tremble uncontrollably.

The monarch used a shriek to conceal the changes in its three eyes, attempting to deceive Lu Xuejin with illusions, but this had no effect on her whatsoever. The monarch's immense power could instantly obliterate A, yet it could not cause even a moment's disturbance to the being before it.

How is that possible?

Even if it is a descendant, the fact that it is trapped in an illusion by its own kind means that it is either still trapped in the human context and has not realized its extraordinary identity, or its strength has been damaged. No matter how you look at it, it is impossible for it to be so powerful!

Damn it, it was deceived by its own kind! Weak, despicable bastard!

But now he realized that it was all in vain. Under the powerful mental field, the monarch looked around blankly like an ordinary creature, unable to even find the shadow of the enemy.

It seemed to have returned to its weak state when it was first born, unable to see the world through the eyes of its servants, unable to change the world at will, and could only silently and angrily wait for its scales to fall off inch by inch.

The scent of death returned, engulfing it.

The monarch was dealt with so easily and decisively by Lu Xuejin.

When the spirit perishes, the physical body it embodies cannot last; it is swept away by the wind in an instant, leaving no trace.

[...]

Dongyao suddenly remembered that when Lu Xuejin had just arrived in the world, its host quickly awakened as a guide. She was not uncomfortable with the extra spiritual power, but instead mastered it with extraordinary speed, as if it were her own arm.

It kept praising its host.

Lu Xuejin smiled faintly, as if it were nothing to mention.

The first attempt was so successful that it fooled the scheming sentinel, causing him to slip and fall on his way home. Something was very wrong with that. Where did Silence find such a powerful wife? On her first encounter with the power of nothingness, she managed to pull off so many tricks.

Judging from the way he skillfully manipulated and played with others, it didn't seem like the first time.

Dong Yao paused for a moment, then joked, "[...Oh my god, baby, how are you so amazing? Are you really human?]"

I thought we'd have to slink away like idiots.

Lu Xuejin did not answer.

He twisted his wrist, his gaze somewhat unfocused, and suddenly shouted, "Dong Yao!"

Why are you suddenly calling my name, baby?

"Is this world based on Shen Yuncheng's research?"

【……Um? 】

Lu Xuejin tilted her head: "Otherwise, how could the final BOSS look so much like the Dream Goddess that Shen Yuncheng mentioned?"

...

Wan Hong rushed home and left work on time, carrying a bag of fresh ingredients back to the villa. The living room was very quiet. Lu Xuejin was upstairs, but she couldn't smell the other sentries.

Shameless brethren, disguised as humans, always jump out to get in his way whenever he gets close to Lu Xuejin, using stiff, pitiful expressions to attract her attention.

But at this moment, he put down the bag and waited, but he did not sense any activity of pollutants, only the faint sound of footsteps coming from the stairs.

Lu Xuejin slowly descended the stairs, holding onto the handrail, a smile on her face that was a mixture of satisfaction and mockery.

Upon seeing Wan Hong, her smile immediately became gentle and charming.

Lu Xuejin never hesitates to show concern for those who are interested in her.

"You've worked hard, let the hourly worker make dinner, otherwise you'll always be the one running around doing everything."

The White Pagoda provides each guide with a part-time housekeeper who regularly cleans and cooks for them, both to reduce their workload and to monitor their condition periodically. However, Wan Hong takes care of all the housework in Lu Xuejin's home, leaving no room for a housekeeper to come.

Upon hearing that someone was going to take over some of the work, Wan Hong immediately said, "No need, I'm going to try making a new dish tonight."

The high-energy sentinels work hard during the day and can still cook, wash dishes, clean, and water flowers when they get home at night. They are energetic even after their companions fall asleep.

Wan Hong put down the ingredients, looked around, and calmly asked, "Where is he?"

Lu Xuejin happened to walk up to him, her sapphire-like eyes reflecting Wan Hong's image. Hearing this, her smile deepened, and she said in a nonchalant tone, "I got tired of playing with him, so I disposed of him ahead of time."

Throughout the conversation, Lu Xuejin kept observing Wan Hong's expression, hoping to see the sentry's furrowed brows, tense cheeks, and the gloom that flashed in his eyes—all negative emotions.

But Wan Hong just said "Oh".

Isn't it dirty?

He also said, "You can wait for me to come back."

It means he will handle it.

It was as if the disappearance of a living person, abandoned and disposed of with the ridiculous excuse of "getting tired of him," was just a trivial matter. In his eyes, the loss of A's life was not as serious as getting Lu Xuejin's hands dirty.

Even if the animosity between sentinels has reached the point of life and death, the disappearance of one of their own should still evoke feelings of sorrow, even in the most indifferent person.

Instead of getting the reaction she wanted, Lu Xuejin's interest was piqued.

From this distance, you could smell the blood and disinfectant that Wan Hong hadn't cleaned up properly. It must have been shortly after the battle ended. The sentry's neck was still flushed red, and his neck looked like a thick tree trunk with bulging veins.

Lu Xuejin reached out and touched it. The cool touch of her fingertip felt like a falling snowflake.

When Wan Hong heard the news of A's death, he reacted indifferently. But when Lu Xuejin stroked his neck and pinched and played with his curly hair, his body became as tense and stiff as a wooden statue.

Lu Xuejin pressed her ear close to his chest, and the sentry's heart pounded. He chuckled softly, "As a thoroughly bad person, pretending to be so innocent and deceiving so many people, it really makes me feel a little uneasy."

“That child was so happy and attentive because he could help me solve my problems, like a little dog circling around its owner.” When mentioning A, Lu Xuejin’s voice was initially full of emotion, but quickly turned cold. “Unfortunately, the list is fake. It was just something I made up for the game.”

Lu Xuejin looked up, and on that angelic, innocent face, her clear blue eyes flashed with undisguised, chilling malice.

Wan Hong looked at him quietly, and curled her lips indifferently: "As long as it's fun, that's all that matters."

"What if one day I am discovered to be the one who once praised me, and those who once held me in such high esteem turn around and judge and scorn me?"

“I already said, I’ll handle it,” Wan Hong said.

This kind of blind obedience, without considering right or wrong or seeking any reward, sounds like a complete...

"—lackey." Lu Xuejin called out in a derogatory and disdainful tone.

Wan Hong fell silent.

[Dedication Points +4]

[...He felt great when he reached 100.]

The sentry, secretly pleased, went to prepare the ingredients and cook.

Dongyao suggested: "Bao, should we leave now?"

The potted plants on the windowsill were lush and green, thriving so well in autumn, all thanks to Wan Hong's attentive care. Lu Xuejin would only occasionally stand by the window to touch the leaves and petals, or casually water them, paying no heed to whether the plants lived or died.

He picked up a small pair of scissors and cut off an unopened bud, then crushed it open heavily with his fingers.

The delicate petals fell inch by inch between her slender, fair fingers.

"Wait a little longer, I can't bear to leave." Lu Xuejin sighed silently. "How long has it been since I've spent such a peaceful time with my husband?"

Dong Yao said silently.

In the previous world, the male protagonist wanted to have a peaceful relationship with you, but you abandoned him without any hesitation.

In the end, every world has to torment the male protagonist, toying with his feelings and making it impossible to see how much he truly loves him.

Did Silent Marry a Wife or a Master?

As a system, Dongyao couldn't understand the fun and romance between humans.

It simply reminded me: [The final boss dies prematurely, the small world won't last long, and I'll take you out then.]

With the monarch eliminated, the raging pollution disaster abruptly ceased. The pollutants, which had been relentlessly attacking and overwhelming just moments before, immediately became docile, disorganized, and scattered, easily driven out and annihilated by the federal army.

The pressure on the Federation suddenly decreased, and the tense wartime state returned to normal.

Ji Yangxia was among the last group of people to return to District 1 from the front lines. Previously, he had followed divine instructions to fight against contaminants on the border, risking his life almost without hesitation. Therefore, even after a period of recuperation following the war, he was still covered in wounds and exhausted.

Physical wounds are secondary; Sentinels are tough and resilient, and with federal medical care, they will eventually recover. However, their mental state, damaged and depleted by pollutants, is difficult to restore in the short term.

After the performance review concluded, Ji Yangxia left the office. Everyone in the office area moved with remarkable efficiency and energy; they were all promising young people in their prime, their every step exuding confidence and spirit. Seeing them, Ji Yangxia felt increasingly weary, as if even her breath was stealing away her youth.

He pulled down the brim of his hat, covering half of his eyes. With a mountain of official business to handle, Ji Yangxia had no time to catch his breath.

"...Chief Ji." Suddenly someone called him.

Ji Yangxia looked up and met Lu Xuejin's concerned eyes.

The care, like a warm, thick soup, seemed to overflow from her eyes, instantly dispelling the restless coldness and chill on her uniform.

Ji Yangxia held her breath, trying her best to suppress the instinctive desire, but she still couldn't help but greedily take a deep breath.

The guide's unique scent filled my chest, and my fatigue and pain vanished in an instant. Even the persistent mental anguish seemed to burst forth with joy, like parched land finally receiving rain.

Ji Yangxia involuntarily stopped walking and awkwardly tried to find a topic to talk about, attempting to prolong their brief time together.

He was content just to look at Lu Xuejin and smell his scent.

Judging from the direction Lu Xue came from today, she probably just finished giving some councilors some emotional support—the cause of the sudden pollutant disaster is still unclear, and it has caused significant damage to the border and even the entire federation.

Mass mental breakdowns occur frequently, and even high-ranking officials who are heavily guarded are showing signs of losing control.

At times like these, they only trust the guides who are most loyal to the Federation.

Ji Yangxia racked his brains and finally said dryly, "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's my duty." Lu Xuejin smiled slightly and said, "There's still some time before I get off work, sir. Let me clear up the scene for you too."

"No need." Instinct beats to reaction, and Ji Yangxia blurts out the refusal, but then pauses subtly and remains silent.

Lu Xuejin said, "Your current condition is very poor; it's not good to force yourself to stay strong."

The light pierced through the glass, slanting as time passed, with the dim side falling on Ji Yangxia, while Lu Xuejin waited patiently for a reply on the bright side.

Because of mutated genes, strong humans generally have some awareness of their own death.

Ji Yangxia felt that her life, like her weary body, was about to come to an end.

For days and nights on the border, corpses littered the landscape, and every breath was filled with blood and foam. There was no space to think; all that was left was to fight stiffly and numbly, not even knowing when one's subordinates would fall.

Even now, Ji Yangxia still experiences moments when he sees a blood-red scene before his eyes.

The constant battles left no room for thought in Ji Yangxia's mind, which was actually a good thing.

When I have some free time, my wandering thoughts always tend to drift to one question: Why do the gods not care about the damage caused by pollutants?

The closer one gets to the deity, the more one realizes its indifference. It has no love whatsoever for the creatures of this land.

Ji Yangxia couldn't help but suspect that such large-scale abnormal activity of pollutants was very likely being manipulated by the gods in secret.

The more they thought about it, the more painful it became, not only because their creator was so cruel, but also because humanity had almost no power to fight back against higher-dimensional beings.

Ji Yangxia exhausted all his energy but could not find a way to redeem himself.

As a result, he fell ill both physically and mentally, and his death was imminent. The Black Tower had already begun searching for a successor for him.

To avoid being influenced by external forces, Ji Yangxia had never received any counseling, relying solely on artificial placebos and filtering devices to endure the pain and suppress his desires. His self-control was seen as monstrous by the Sentinels, but as he approached the end of his life, Ji Yangxia suddenly didn't want to endure it anymore, and he decided to indulge himself.

Just then, the deity spoke: "You are not permitted to accept his guidance."

The commands of the gods are always aloof, cold, and silent, offering no explanation and leaving no room for refusal.

Ji Yangxia curled her lips, determined to abandon everything she had carried and upheld throughout the first half of her life, and before dying, seek a beautiful dream from her secret and hopeless lover: "Okay. I'll have to trouble you this time."

It's no exaggeration to say that this was Ji Yangxia's first time stepping into the counseling room. He observed everything before him, and his years of work experience prompted him to analyze the color scheme and furnishings of the counseling room.

"Just relax when you come in and don't think about work," Lu Xuejin said, seemingly seeing through his thoughts.

Ji Yangxia smiled helplessly and wearily, trying to calm his mind.

The chair was tilted at a certain angle, and lying down brought an unsettling sense of emptiness. Ji Yangxia tried his best to suppress his instinctive reaction until his whole body sank into the soft back of the chair. He let out a long sigh and realized that he had been tense the whole time.

"Have you done any counseling before?" Lu Xuejin sat right next to him, so close that Ji Yangxia could even count his individual eyelashes.

Ji Yangxia honestly shook his head.

Lu Xuejin blinked in surprise: "Is this your first time...? Relax, I'll be careful."

Ji Yangxia said, "Just come in."

Although it was her first time receiving guidance, Ji Yangxia felt that she was not a fragile person. The pain brought by the guide was far less than the disturbance of the pollutants, and she did not need to be as careful as Lu Xuejin.

The expected pain did not occur. The moment Lu Xuejin's mental energy entered, Ji Yangxia's body let out a joyful cheer.

This was the most carefree moment of his life. Time seemed to have turned back, returning to the days when he had just awakened and was studying in the Black Tower. At that time, his vision was bright and clear; he was like the sun just crossing the mountain ridge, and everything in the future looked upward.

His perpetually tense brows slowly relaxed, and Ji Yangxia gazed at Lu Xuejin with unusual tenderness. The eyes of a junior are always so beautiful; no amount of filth can alter their clear, pure essence.

In the other person's eyes, he is probably a reliable senior, and it's best if he always is.

Lu Xuejin will never know the despicable and lewd desire she harbors for him.

As his mental energy penetrated deeper and deeper, Ji Yangxia's eyes began to glaze over.

His vision was of Federal District 1, where filth accumulated over the past two decades piled up, making the sky gloomy, the light dim, and the ground covered with dark, vine-like objects. Transparent whales darted between the high-rises, emitting painful cries that were inaudible to the human ear.

Lu Xuejin waved her hand slightly, and the whale raised its tail and swam towards him.

Upon close inspection, the whale's body surface is covered with layers upon layers of pollutants, densely packed together.

This is the source of its suffering.

"Good boy. Don't be nervous, relax—yes, that's it." Lu Xuejin coaxed softly, and as her mental energy subsided, the pollutants on the whale's body visibly dissipated.

Perhaps because they were both S-class, or perhaps because Ji Yangxia had never done any guidance, clearing the mental image was very difficult. Lu Xuejin closed her eyes and focused all her attention on helping the whale break free of its restraints.

The pollutants on the whale's head wriggled restlessly, displaying unprecedented tenacity in the face of mental cleansing.

Lu Xuejin's expression was serious, and her brows were slightly furrowed.

Although the whale remained still and allowed him to clean it, its high-pitched calls disturbed the scene. He had to devote extra mental energy to calming Ji Yangxia's spirit.

Just then, several "eyes" silently opened inside the twisted barnacles. Lu Xuejin seemed completely unaware of this and continued cleaning methodically.

Suddenly, Lu Xuejin opened her eyes and transformed into a creature with pure white and smooth fur, resembling a feline in appearance. She nimbly leaped up and bit something in mid-air.

The paw pad landed silently.

Before the spiritual power was restored, it moved slowly, but in the blink of an eye, the pollution was swept away.

Lu Xuejin spat out what he had bitten—a snake-like creature about the length of a palm with a huge head.

The claw pads held it firmly down.

"Got you."