Chapter 24 Before the End (Part 2)
On the night after Xiaxue left, a grand private banquet was held at the Royal Palace of Elysien. All relatives and friends, including Beichen, gathered together (Su Mo was also invited as a friendship), making the small private banquet hall seem lively and crowded.
The large table was filled with delicious dishes for humans and various crystals for weapons. The soft warm-colored lighting crystals illuminated the room.
Beichen sat in the main seat and raised his glass to everyone.
Since everyone present was her own family, she didn't say any clichés, but just looked around at everyone with a somewhat complicated smile.
"Perhaps this banquet can be considered the 'Last Supper'."
"...Hey, hey, you're saying such depressing things right off the bat. Is that okay? Morale is the most important thing before a battle. Morale."
Xiao Ying started the fight first at the table nearby - but Beichen didn't take it seriously.
"There's a saying in my hometown: 'It's best to be upfront about the ugly things.' Although I believe in myself and everyone else's abilities, I still have to prepare for the worst."
Beichen said, turning his head to look at Xiaoying:
"Laughing Poppy... If we don't return this time, you will succeed me as King of Elysion. I have already written the decree of succession and hidden it in the secret compartment of my study."
Xiao Ping's expression changed:
"What nonsense are you talking about? Putting aside how ridiculous that edict is, how can a warrior become emperor in this world?"
"Don't look down on yourself before others look down on you. What if you can't be emperor without weapons? You can still be the first one—or do you think you can't bear the pressure?"
“…”
Xiao Ping bit her lower lip with a gloomy expression and looked at Beichen intently.
No wonder she was so confident in entrusting so many things to him—now it seemed that her trust in him had reached the point where she wouldn't mind handing over the entire country to him. This was her home, the one she had built with her own hands, expending countless efforts.
"The more you say that, the less I want it." The stunning long whip glared at Beichen with hatred, "Take back this stupid order!"
"No."
Beichen shrugged, made a face at Xiaoying, then turned to look at Li Ye who was sitting next to him.
"Li Ye, whether I come back or not, I will not restrict you no matter what you want to do. But if one day you get tired of it and want to leave, please protect the important state secrets of Elysion."
"If you don't want me to spread your ridiculous and embarrassing boudoir stories to everyone in Senagard, you'd better return home in triumph."
Li Ye was still the same, with a dignified smile on his face, playing with a strand of hair in his hand, and saying some scary words without changing his expression.
Beichen's mouth twitched, and then he looked at Fang Ai who was drinking beside her.
"Aunt Fang...I'm sorry, I put your only son...in danger. I will do my best to protect him and bring him back to you safely."
"I don't need your protection."
The beautiful woman winked at Beichen and smiled cunningly.
"Isn't he a man? Does he need a little girl who's so much shorter than him to protect his own safety? Even if he really loses and dies, it's his fault because of his poor martial arts skills, not yours. He chose this heroic path of saving the world."
As she spoke, she raised an eyebrow at Gu Yinyue.
"Besides, dying on the battlefield is the honor of a man of the Gu family—especially since this battlefield is so crucial. I am the wife of Youyu's most feared general. If I didn't have the ability to endure this, I wouldn't have married Yin Yue's father. I have long been mentally prepared for my husband and son to leave."
Beichen, however, doesn't really believe in this carefree attitude:
"But no mother would not worry about the safety of her child."
"Of course I'm worried. ...But I won't say 'don't go,' and I don't want to hold you responsible. Just look ahead and fight without hesitation."
Fang Ai said this and made a slightly funny gesture.
"I'll prepare a table full of delicious Youyu dishes and wait for you to come back."
"Um!"
Beichen couldn't say anything else and just nodded vigorously.
Then, her gaze shifted to Glenn Sher, who was dozing in his chair. The little Shiba Inu was sleeping soundly on his neck, as if the conversation just now had not reached the ears of the group of masters and servants.
...Forget it. My brother is a free Tuling warrior. He already has a heavy enough mission to shoulder for the clan. It's better not to put more pressure on him. Anyway, if Elysien is really in trouble, needless to say, he will come to help.
After all, Glen Sher, who is free and unrestrained and not bound by anything, is the one with the nickname "Funeral Rabid Dog" - a figure that makes people shudder.
"So, Lahan..." Beichen said as he poured wine into Lahan's half-empty glass, "Actually, I've been curious for a long time—our contract period has been over for a long time, right?"
"Well, it's been a year now."
Lahan shook the cup playfully.
"Then why don't you leave? Wouldn't it be hard to live in Elysien?"
"Well……"
When it comes to serious issues, Lahan looks a little overwhelmed and scratches his hair awkwardly.
"I can't really explain it. It was certainly tiring, and I left a few times along the way... but I always came back. I don't know what it is. My contract was clearly up long ago, but no matter how far I'm away, I can't help but wonder how those new recruits of the Night Cavalry are doing lately, and whether they've done what I told them to do—and then, inexplicably, I come back again. ... Maybe I've gotten used to working hard, and I'm not used to having some free time."
He chuckled as he spoke, and threw a (terrifying) wink at Beichen:
"And the queen here is a cute little girl who looks soft and fluffy—"
Snap.
Xifeng pointed the sniper rifle at Lahan's head and pressed his index finger on the trigger.
——So Lahan calmed down and curled his lips in boredom:
"Anyway, I'm pretty tired of that wandering life. It's nice to settle down here. At least with a bunch of you guys around, I don't have to worry about being bored."
Are we just a joke in your eyes?!
──Although they didn’t say it out loud, many people still complained angrily in their hearts.
"Well, since you've decided to stay here—if I don't come back, the responsibility of assisting Xiao Ping will be left to you."
"I?!"
Lahan pointed at himself with a look of horror.
"Where do I get such great abilities from?! I'm just a military commander!"
"Well, just be in charge of the general's duties. Actually, you are not as useless as you think. You are very talented as a general."
"If you praise me like that, I'll turn up my nose."
The ghost-eyed warrior leaned back and grinned.
"I can't guarantee how well I can do, but I'll try my best—but this is just a hypothesis after all, and I don't want it to come true."
"I don't want that either."
Beichen pursed his lips and shook his head.
──However, not wanting to lose is one thing, but if you don't fully prepare for the worst-case scenario, you won't be able to concentrate on facing the final battle.
If I really lose, I will definitely be unwilling to accept the fact that I have no idea what to do next.
But now... well, in this case, I can fight the final battle with peace of mind.
"Now that we have arranged our 'afterlife', let's discuss our battle plan."
"...Didn't you say that there's no need for a plan?" Su Mo interrupted teasingly, earning a glare from Beichen, who blushed slightly.
"I mean, nothing too complicated, but it's impossible to die without any plan at all."
There was a funny expression under the mask, and Su Mo made a "please speak" gesture.
“Ahem!”
Beichen cleared his throat, then slowly calmed down, put down his wine glass, straightened his back expressionlessly, and glanced at everyone with a calm look.
"The following is the plan I came up with after discussing it with you guys over the past few hours. I'll repeat it here.
A week later is the next Blade Crying Night. I'm afraid that the decisive battle will start at that time, because the product of this production is probably the overwhelming advantage in the number of violent iron ghosts. Therefore, the Wanzu after that... may be at its weakest stage. If an attack is to be launched from the Red Spirit turret against Wanzu, Xiaxue and the turret will definitely choose that day.
As for Wanzu's control device, I have checked all of Theresa's research records, and just now, I also exchanged information with Su Mo... As expected, it is impossible for us to dismantle something that even the three major consciousnesses and Theresa have tried for so long to dismantle. It is combined with a huge chain blasting device, and it is set to cause a chain explosion as long as it is moved. Even if its structure is known, no one dares to touch it easily.
So the method Xiaxue came up with actually makes sense."
Xiao Peng frowned:
"What method?"
"Creating a new body for Wanzu. ... Su Mo, you also know about this, right?"
"Well, I found it when I went to Chita to get the vaccine and samples of the star poison."
Su Mo nodded.
"Let me explain—do you remember that tactile ball you see in every Lingwu Division guild? It measures your level, allows you to check your ranking and unique name. When each warrior places their hand on it, they receive a certification chip from the tactile ball. This is like the warriors uploading their data to Chita's database and creating their own dedicated folder. At the same time, this also means that every warrior who passes this certification has a 'channel' connecting them to Chita.
Then, these channels eventually converged at a single point... well, I'll call it the 'central pillar.' Anyway, the central pillar connected all the weapons in the world, so through it, it was possible to control all weapons in the world to perform the same action in a short period of time. —And, the command Xiaxue gave Xiangying about controlling all weapons in the world likely came from this central pillar. Xiangying was probably chosen because activating it required a tremendous surge of stellar spiritual energy.
"Hmm..." Xiang Ying nodded seriously, "So, if I inject all my star power into it as Xiaxue said—"
"The trap will be activated." Beichen frowned. "At this moment, the power of all the weapons in the world will use Xiang Ying's body as a gathering point and gather together. Then, the central pillar, together with Xiang Ying, will materialize this tremendous power, catalyzing the growth of the star minerals buried in the central pillar... Eventually, it will surround the entire Chita and raise these new, pure roots to the earth—to become the new center of life. When that time comes, Wanzu's consciousness can be transferred to this new body, and the old body, which is full of holes, will not matter even if it is blown up."
Li Ye said, "What will happen to Xiang Ying if we do this?"
Su Mo shook his head. "That's not an energy shock a three-dimensional creature can withstand. Even if his body could become the energy fusion point for the new Wanzu, his consciousness would have been crushed and dissipated when the new Wanzu's body was formed."
"Then even if this idea is feasible, we can't do it, right?"
"No, we're going to do it."
Xiang Ying spoke with a determined look - as he spoke, he looked at Beichen's expression. When he saw the smile in her eyes, and the gentle yet affirmative look, he took a breath, and slowly spoke amid everyone's astonished expressions.
"Of course, not everything will go according to Xiaxue's plan. I don't want to die so early—I haven't even sharpened my blade many times, and my master still owes me several dates!"
Cough cough cough cough cough cough! Beichen started coughing for no apparent reason.
"However, I can try to hold on for halfway. After creating Wanzu's body, I can let Wanzu's consciousness immediately take over this temporary new container. Then, I can use this opportunity to remove Wanzu's control device in one fell swoop. That way, even if Wanzu's body is damaged, at least its consciousness won't be harmed. Once it leaves this temporary body again, my mission will be complete. At that time, I can have someone immediately destroy this central pillar."
"This is still very dangerous." Lahan stared and muttered.
"Yes, it would be very dangerous if I relied on myself alone."
Nodded to Ying.
"...So, I have to ask for everyone's help."
"Huh."
But Xiang Ying did not answer Lahan's question, but turned to look at Beichen - and Beichen, chuckled a few times in a mysterious way.
"Let's put that aside for now. Enough of the depressing stuff, let's get to the exciting stuff. I think everyone has something they want to do, right? Ideals, goals, whatever? Let's talk about them—well, I'll start with myself."
Beichen said, scratching his face with his fingers a little embarrassedly:
"I... I want to write a travelogue of Senagard, the kind that records the customs of every place. Also, I want to sleep until I wake up naturally."
"We're really sorry you didn't get enough sleep."
Black Fate raised an eyebrow with a wicked smile.
"Little Loach's ideals are so unambitious—so boring. Now listen to mine! My ideal is to be with little loaches all over the world... Pfft!! Damn little loach, why are you hitting me!!"
Before Heihuo could finish his words, Beichen hit him with a Tianfeng Fruit, and he got angry, feeling a little aggrieved.
But Su Jie smiled lewdly and shook his finger.
"Brother, you're talking about taking a photo with Little Loach using that 'digital camera', right? Little Loach, what are you thinking about? Hehehe, it seems like you have a head full of bad things."
"It's because you guys are so messy!"
"Promiscuous." Xifeng interjected.
“…”
"Ahem," Xiang Ying tried to smooth things over. "Well, let me tell you, my ideal is—um, to publish the charms of my master that I've recorded to the world, so that everyone knows how perfect my master is—"
"...Uh, let's forget about that." Beichen covered his forehead with his hands, feeling somewhat exhausted.
"Then, what about establishing the Crimson Moon Witch Goddess Cult?"
"Don't brainwash people casually!"
"...at least publish a collection of the master's paintings—"
“…”
"Then let's hold an auction for the master's autograph..."
“…No one will buy it.”
In order not to dampen Xiang Ying's enthusiasm, Beichen muttered in a exhausted voice.
"My dream is to write a book documenting torture methods from around the world. I'm already 60 percent done."
Zephyr then spoke.
"There are still more than a dozen countries to go."
"Ah? A dozen countries alone account for 40%?" Beichen was a little confused. "Are the penalties in those countries so harsh?"
"No, those dozen or so countries only account for 10 percent."
Xifeng said this, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised dangerously.
"The remaining 30% is reserved for me, so you have to cooperate."
“…W-Why should I cooperate?! Who else would write a record book and leave such a large percentage for their creations?!”
Beichen complained with a green face, and everyone gave him sympathetic looks.
"My ideal is to study martial arts from all over the world, absorb their essence, and open a large martial arts school in the future."
Gu Yinyue also spoke in a low and slightly yearning tone - but at the end, his cheeks turned slightly red for some reason.
"And getting married."
Everyone rolled their eyes, only Beichen blushed:
"...Don't worry, I...I will grant you your wish! No matter which one it is."
"Then... let's add one more... I want a son and a daughter."
“…I, I’ll try my best.”
Facing the subtle gazes of a large group of people, Beichen gritted his teeth and answered with a stiff smile.
"Hmm... As for me, I probably want to run some errands for the Fallen Darklings. Since I was able to form a contract with Dead Matcha, it means the Fallen Darklings' lives can return to their original trajectory, and their social status can be raised again."
As Yaye spoke, he tapped the table with his fingers, his red eyes narrowed, as if he was imagining the future scene.
"...Also, it would be great if I could find some free time to improve my painting and sculpting skills. If possible, it would be nice to hold an exhibition for myself in the future."
"Ohhhh—then can I please a naked, upside-down statue of Redis?!"
Su Jie, who was very vindictive, raised his hand excitedly, and Ya Ye also laughed heartily and agreed:
"Okay! If we have an exhibition, I'll definitely include that image!"
“…”
Redis, I'm sorry, I will secretly add two mustaches on that portrait so that people can try their best to not recognize that it is yours - Beichen was sweating coldly at the corners of his mouth.
The topic turned to Yagad - but after more than ten seconds of silence in the room, he still said nothing.
"'My ideal is to realize Miss Beichen's ideal'... is that so?"
Lahan pretended to twist his body a little - he imitated it quite well, but surprisingly, Yagad slowly shook his head.
"My ideal is to marry all the men who harbor improper thoughts about Miss Beichen, except for the ones she likes—well, that includes women too."
"Wait, wait, wait! That's not an ideal! It's just dark resentment!" Black Huo shook his hands violently.
"And I'm not that popular! No one other than the one I like will like me, so you can't kill people casually!" Beichen also shook his head.
"And that's not the way to be jealous! At most, you can curse people by using Ding Ding's scarecrow to eat noodles without seasoning and go to the bathroom without toilet paper!" Su Jie echoed.
──Su Jie, you are quite vicious.
"No, I'm not jealous." Yagad shook his head seriously and corrected, "I just want to prevent the Ling Shuang incident from happening again. If I were jealous, it wouldn't be as simple as 'killing' her."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the room shuddered with fear.
"Well, my dream is to become an idol among girls! Or maybe even the spokesperson for the Lingwu Division Guild—like, say, there's this handsome warrior named Longyun here."
"Your ideal isn't just a delusion, isn't it?" Naraka mercilessly smashed the fruit against Longyun's head. "By the way, my ideal is for Longyun to return to normal and not embarrass me."
"...Well, I do have a serious dream too! My dream is to become the first Emperor-class warrior who isn't a Vein-type! The rankings are pretty close now, maybe I can actually make it!"
"But," Naraka twisted his mouth in amusement, "isn't Xiang Ying the first emperor-level weapon that isn't a Star Vein species?"
“…”
So Longyun sadly began to use the Star Mineral Solution to relieve his sorrow.
"Is it my turn?"
Atlas, who had been waiting impatiently for a chance to speak, raised his hand.
"My ideal is to be able to be in love with Beichen every day."
Poof - Beichen had intended to drink some wine to calm himself down, but he spat out half of the wine far away.
"Well, you're being realistic."
Black Plague slapped Atlas with a twitching face,
"Actually, everyone has this wish, but they just haven't said it out loud. Well done, Atlas! You are worthy of being the greatest warrior of Elysion! But please give yourself a fig leaf! Say a wish that is more dignified! Please!"
"oh."
Atlas nodded obediently.
"Sounding. Searching... Search completed."
"My ideal is to be Chun Ge."
Poof──Beichen spit out tears again before he could say anything.
"Isn't it good? Can't that person be resurrected with full health on the spot after death?" The possessed Moon Messenger tilted his head in confusion.
"No! Absolutely not! Change it!"
"Oh. Then my ideal is to have a father named Li Gang."
"That's absolutely not allowed!!"
"Oh. ...Search again...search completed."
Atlas didn't know why, but his expression suddenly sparkled:
“My goal is to have no cavities!!”
"turn down!!"
Beichen, Xifeng, and Heihuo Sujie raised their hands at the same time and made a cross gesture.
Then the possessed Moon Envoy lowered his tail in grievance.
"No need to search, stupid tail." Yaye patted Atlas's head in a playful manner. "Just tell me what you want to achieve the most. Besides being in heat."
"Oh. That's easy."
The tail immediately lifted up and then started swishing around.
"My ideal is that we can all be together forever. No hurt, no unhappiness, no separation, no quarrels, no constipation."
"No need to mention constipation—" Beichen patted Atlas' tail in amusement. "It's a good wish. We will all work hard to make it come true."
She looked up at everyone and said:
"Well, from now on, everyone should recite your ideals several times in silence—this is what we should do after returning from the battlefield. We can't let our lives end before they even begin."
She raised her glass—and then, soon, glasses came over one by one, and the sound of glass clinking rang out.
"For the sake of my unfulfilled dream, I must come back alive!!"
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