Chapter 91 Patience and Deterrence (5)
The woman suddenly brought up this topic, her voice filled with a sense of desolation, and Shu Ningmiao glanced at her in surprise.
Liang Siyan tucked a stray hair behind her ear, her gaze sweeping over the people around her for a moment. Her voice, though soft and low, was perfectly clear for the girl beside her to hear: "...I have lost the courage I once had. The courage born of anger and resentment will also fade away with new emotions."
"I'm afraid that my decisions will kill someone else, and I doubt the correctness of everything I do, so I irresponsibly hand over the choice to others."
"I'm wavering and incredibly cowardly; I'm no longer fit to be a leader."
“Perhaps,” she said, closing her eyes, her expression heavy, “it was wrong from the very beginning.”
The woman looked at her, as if hoping to get some evaluation or advice from her that could serve as a conclusion.
After listening, Ke Shu Ningmiao simply hummed in agreement, walked straight past her, squatted down outside the fireproof material circle, propped her face up with one hand, and focused intently on the fire: "Whatever."
She didn't seem to care at all.
Liang Siyan rarely meets people who live so freely and unrestrainedly, and Shu Ningmiao is a particularly special one among them.
She had met many students during her teaching career, and Shu Ningmiao's self-confidence did not stem from her own dull perception—a common problem among many children from wealthy families.
On the contrary, she could sense that the girl was quite sensitive to the emotions of others. In a state of high sensitivity and vigilance, she maintained her own indifferent personality, which neutralized her arrogant sense of detachment, and seemed to be a kind of self-protection.
The woman sighed softly and swallowed her words.
The two watched the crowds come and go in silence. After a long while, Liang Siyan's voice, devoid of emotion, finally rang out: "We're ready."
With her soft voice, the surroundings gradually quieted down.
If it weren't for the unexpected incident involving Achini and the subsequent unforeseen events, Prometheus would have been a fairly disciplined organization.
Although Liang Siyan's mild protest propaganda approach was not very effective, it laid the foundation for Prometheus's present situation, leading to the current divisions within Pines regarding their policies.
Lin Chuiyun stood not far from her, his whole body wrapped in a black cloak, his white hair flying under the deep red lining, standing out conspicuously against the dark red background.
He kept a stern face, pretending to be mature beyond his years, but in reality, he was only a few years older than Shu Ningmiao.
If Lin Chuiyun had continued his studies, he would probably have been in the same grade as senior Lux, but he seemed to have suffered much more than his peers, with a dark and puzzled look between his brows.
Even his white hair looked like it had been through wind, frost, snow, and rain—Shu Ningmiao had wondered why this person had white hair. In the memories she had glimpsed, Lin Chuiyun had not had white hair in the past, nor had he ever suffered from any illness.
After searching online, she discovered that there were quite a few people like this.
Just like the influence of a person's own superpowers, Lin Chuiyun's "white hair" is a reverse effect of the superpower on the body. It is related to the nature of the superpower. Ice-attribute superpowers will reduce the melanin in the human body, while fire-attribute superpowers are mostly red hair, which is really strange.
Shu Ningmiao squatted to one side and was glared at by him again. The boy's slender white eyebrows furrowed slightly. He pulled his collar to cover his somewhat pale face and took a deep breath.
He spoke, his gaze not falling on her, but clearly directed at her: "Remember, I didn't die for you."
The girl raised her eyebrows slightly, without saying a word.
He was almost killed by her not long ago, so it's really strange that she would think that way.
Lin Chuiyun's eyebrows furrowed unnaturally, and he subconsciously straightened his back. He gave her one last deep look before turning his back and walking into the depths of the fire.
The others started lighting the fire.
The dry branches and leaves collected from the surrounding area were the best and cheapest combustion aids, although the smoke was quite thick, hissing and spewing out from the flames, crackling and swirling up, which was then blocked by the fire-retardant material and the superpower, quickly forming a curtain.
A slender figure could still be vaguely seen in the smoke. Lin Chuiyun stood motionless in the middle of the fire, probably protected by ice.
Her terminal was out of power, and she didn't know how much time had passed. She had only been here a short while when she was bitten by insects and her arm was covered in red welts. The welts were a mix of red and purple, intermingling with the scabbed areas from her previous cuts, and looked quite frightening at first glance.
Shu Ningmiao looked up at the silent Prometheus members around her and felt that their tightly sealed cloaks seemed to serve another purpose.
The fire surrounding Lin Chuiyun was like a giant boiler, burning hot and loud, with small explosions constantly coming from inside the furnace.
Suddenly, with a soft pop, the faintly visible figure disappeared into the flames amidst the flickering firelight.
Her guess was entirely correct. If Archini's ability "Fire Sacrifice" were to be used for teleportation, two conditions would need to be met simultaneously: first, Archini must use fire; second, the person who "sacrifices" to open the two fires.
His supernatural limitations were practically tailor-made for Prometheus; he could never have been this powerful anywhere without this group of self-sacrificing "believers."
When Shu Ningmiao stood up, she found that everyone around her had picked up the Life Talisman and were silently staring at the still-burning flames in front of them.
They did something unexpected to her, as if in some kind of ritual, simultaneously placing the pendant on their chests.
Shu Ningmiao felt a soreness in her teeth, not because of their actions, but because she was saddened that such piety had become a convenient tool.
Liang Siyan stared blankly at the embers, then silently reached out her hand.
The eerie fire flickered, and Shu Ningmiao heard faint sobs.
"Fire is special to us."
Liang Siyan's hand went into the fire, her charred knuckles brushing against the flames, and she murmured as if she had no feeling: "Do you know the story of Prometheus? He protected mankind, stole fire, and sacrificed himself to bring mankind the first hope—Prometheus was born to continue this hope, and the inextinguishable flame represents the continuation of mankind and fights against Pandora who brought disaster."
"Flame can guide us into darkness and give us strength, so we admire fire."
Liang Siyan closed her eyes, seemingly thinking for a long time, before telling her everything: "Do you remember the Prophet we mentioned when we first approached you?"
The word was spelled in Old Pinhian, and Shu Ningmiao found it unfamiliar at first. Yu Lu had said that it was just a fabrication, that prophets were not omniscient, and that there was no one who could truly foresee the future, so she did not take it to heart.
"Propheta once referred to the leader of Prometheus. The teachings left by the first leader stated that only a 'prophet' like him was qualified to be the next guide of Prometheus."
Liang Siyan withdrew her fingertips and calmly crossed her arms: "But that's too presumptuous. After his death, he couldn't find the so-called 'prophet.' Prometheus quickly split apart and soon disappeared into the crevices of the new land."
“So you should understand that when Achini sent us to find you, this ‘prophet,’ most of us were still wary and skeptical, and we had different opinions about you.” Liang Siyan finished explaining, then slowly knelt down in front of her, looking up at her calmly: “Although it’s too late to say anything now, I’m still sorry—this is on behalf of others.”
"Do you still think I'm a prophet?" Shu Ningmiao didn't turn to look at her; her expression was exceptionally cold in the blazing firelight behind her.
Liang Siyan was slightly surprised: "No, I only think of you as a child right now."
The closer Liang Siyan got to her, the more she realized that the seemingly calm and mature girl in front of her was just a teenager who had just come of age.
Being strong does not equate to being mentally mature, and even if one is mentally mature, one is not always right. All these factors do not prevent Liang Siyan, as an adult who has lived more than half of her life, from feeling compassion for a child.
To have reached this point amidst so many crises, Liang Siyan felt nothing but admiration for Shu Ningmiao.
After all, she herself is a failed adult.
Shu Ningmiao stopped discussing the topic of the "prophet." Prometheus would soon become history, and further research would be meaningless.
Liang Siyan looked away and returned her gaze to the fire: "And you, do you like fire?"
"I don't like fire."
“Few people dislike fire.” Liang Siyan said with a slight smile, “I mean… the warmth and brightness that fire itself brings.”
"Dispelling darkness and guiding the way are simply properties of fire itself."
"The more abundant the nutrients, the brighter and more vigorous the fire, and it certainly looks warm and full of hope."
Shu Ningmiao sat on the ground in front of the still-burning fire. Sparks flickered and blinding light burst from in front of her. Her face was blurred in the firelight, and the details of her expression could not be seen: "But the fire will not go out on its own - unless it burns everything around it that can burn."
Suddenly, the surroundings became quiet.
She slowly turned her head, her gaze meeting the woman's: "Do you have any clean clothes?"
——
The white lab coat, punctured by bullets from the research center's guards, soaked in water, and covered in green algae, was successfully retired. Shu Ningmiao changed into a black rowing jacket, trousers, and boots.
This was the first time she had worn clothes that had a worn, patina-like texture and weren't very breathable.
There was no enclosed room for changing clothes in the large warehouse. Liang Siyan sat in front of her and watched over the clothes. When she heard her movements pause slightly, she calmly said, "This is waterproof."
Well, it's certainly practical in a sewer like this where water drips everywhere.
Shu Ningmiao wrapped herself up tightly and accepted the hat, raincoat, mask and glasses that Liang Siyan handed her. With this disguise, no one could recognize her original appearance.
Seeing that she had finished packing, Liang Siyan said, "The signal was located in Zone 12, and it disappeared in just a moment."
She paused for a moment, even though she had witnessed the deaths of many people, she still unconsciously froze at the thought of this life that passed away so lightly.
"The received frequency is too weak and too short to pinpoint a specific location." Liang Siyan regained her composure and calmly analyzed, "Because it's daytime, we can't leave too many people behind. The students haven't been heard from for a long time, and even the search of the new area is more thorough..."
Shu Ningmiao lowered the brim of her hat: "I'll go find it myself."
The area defined by the received signal is not large, and it wouldn't be difficult for her to find it by herself. If she lets those who are not superhumans search for it, they are more likely to miss the obstacles set up by the superhumans.
Holding the new map provided by Liang Siyan, she retraced her steps, climbed out of the sewer pipes, and ascended to the ground via a rusty staircase. Some tattered wire mesh was still piled up at the entrance of the hole.
Although it was an abandoned sewer opening, there wasn't even a single plant covering it.
Shu Ningmiao opened the map, which had already been roughly divided into areas by Lian Nagi's handwriting. The 12th ward was very close to the center of Shinchi.
Achini really... showed absolutely no fear.
Judging from the map, the layout of the new land is actually very similar to that of Pines, radiating outwards from the center, with the more developed the center and the more backward the periphery.
Of course, the term "developed" should be put in quotation marks depending on the context. The very center of New World Development is not some super shopping mall, but rather a church district.
It's not a church of a particular denomination, but a "church district," with magnificent churches nestled together in the center and within a radius of tens of kilometers.
The unique sight of various religious buildings standing side by side is due to the diverse religious sects that have come together in the new land.
Outside the church district are various church-sponsored orphanages and shelters.
When Shi Yu came to Xindi last time, the car from Yangsong Church drove directly into the center.
Because of the unique nature of the Yangsong Church, the driver chose a relatively smooth and clean route.
Shu Ningmiao emerged from the sewer entrance of District 7 and finally saw the real new land.
This is an exaggerated area, crowded, chaotic, and muddy like a no-man's land, where dilapidated high-rise buildings stand shoulder to shoulder.
Piles of garbage, their original forms obscured, lay beneath billboards and neon lights. Piles of garbage were set ablaze, and countless interconnected fires turned the sky an unnatural red.
Shu Ningmiao took off her glasses, and a wave of heat hit her face. Even amidst the raging flames, people were still walking through as if nothing was wrong.
The heat condensed in the air, like a soft, damp mist, as if the whole world was stained with a damp, musty feeling.
But even in such a harsh environment, there was a lively atmosphere, and the noise cleverly drowned out Shu Ningmiao's presence.
Even in such a magical place, there are still many people working and living earnestly.
Shu Ningmiao paused for a moment, mentally calculating the fastest way to get to District Twelve. Before Liang Siyan left, she had reminded her that the church district was not open to just anyone. To ensure the safety of clergy, only believers or those with a permit from a church could enter the church district.
If you pretend to be a believer to enter, you will need a certificate of conversion.
...How about we just grab one at the entrance?
"Hello." A head lowered to her level, leaning closer: "Hello?"
Before he could get close, Shu Ningmiao nimbly took a few steps back with her hands behind her back, coldly watching the newcomer.
This man had brown hair and eyes, freckles on his face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and looked very dashing.
Shu Ningmiao recognized his dark blue uniform. The last time she came to Xindi, the driver said that people wearing such uniforms were the self-defense force spontaneously organized by the people of Xindi.
"I've seen you standing here for quite a while. Is there something you need?" The Self-Defense Force member who spoke to her was also quite young, probably in his early twenties. He had a round face that made him look even younger, and he seemed very helpful: "You can ask us for help if you need anything."
"Don't be afraid." Seeing Shu Ningmiao walk forward as if she didn't care about him, the boy waved his hand and followed her sideways, as carefully as if he were dealing with a wary stray cat on the roadside. He was not surprised by her heavily disguised appearance: "We won't ask about your background or past. We just want to help you."
To become a member of the Self-Defense Forces in a place like Shinchi, this person must have some ability.
The fact that they prefer doing volunteer work shows they're an idiot.
According to the route on the map, it takes three hours to walk from here to the 12th ward. Locals here might know some shortcuts.
Shu Ningmiao stopped, turned her head to scrutinize him for a moment, and lowered her voice: "What's your name?"
"Me?" Upon receiving a response, the brown-haired, freckled boy pointed to himself and replied with a smile, "My name is Allen."
"I need to go to the church of the Yangsong Church for worship. Do you know the shortcut?"
She asked this not because she really wanted to go to the church, but just on a whim. Besides the church, she couldn't remember any other denominations in the new land.
Alan gave a short "Ah," and Shu Ningmiao thought he was going to say he didn't know, but to her surprise, his eyes visibly lit up.
This person's eyes were quite interesting, exceptionally bright and darting around, and even though he tried to pull his lips down, he couldn't hide his excitement.
“Of course I know.” Allen took a few steps back, his eyebrows slightly raised, and slapped the thing behind him a few times, making a heavy thud from the metal. “You’ve come to the right person. No one knows the roads in New Territories better than me, and I can drive you there in my patrol car right now.”
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Author's Note: This is from the "Pinne Star Dora Daily News."
The disappearance of a student in Kornunos on the morning of the 4th has drawn widespread public attention. The search is still ongoing, and officials are currently refusing to release any information. This newspaper will continue to follow the story. (Published at the request of the Public Security Bureau: The public is welcome to provide clues. For details, please send an email to the person in charge, Wang X: 1XXXX9XX7611□□. Please do not send irrelevant information; those who seriously disrupt public order will be fined or detained.)
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