Chapter 825: Secrets Under a Red Moon

The red moon quietly hid behind the rolling mountain range.

At the brink of dawn, the air suddenly turned still and refreshingly pure.

Not a single branch of the forest swayed wildly like a maniacal ogre’s grip, nor did muffled, nightmare-like whispers fill the space.

There weren’t even any bizarre, patchwork creatures that could only exist on a mental level.

Even the demented souls—those driven here by mysterious figures—had mostly been blasted into puddles of flesh paste by an overwhelming surge of mental power, with only the occasional half-body clinging to the overturned soil of the wasteland, gasping for air.

After such a frantic clash, this quiet serenity somehow evoked an endless sense of comfort.

Doctor An finally tossed aside the burning scrap of paper and looked down at his disheveled self.

He yanked off the tattered stockings from his left leg, already riddled with several holes.

In contrast, the stockings on his right leg remained intact, so he left them be for now.

Barefoot and in a hurry, he scanned his surroundings briefly before retrieving that cylindrical glass pillar.

It was truly miraculous.

After such an insane battle, his secret weapon hadn’t detonated.

What a relief—if it had exploded, half of this wasteland and the surrounding forest might have been obliterated.

Then, she quickly and anxiously got up, rushed to Sissi’s side, removed her own white coat, and draped it over the dazed girl. After a careful once-over, she exhaled deeply and hurriedly embraced her.

This time, only she and I had emerged from the investigation team.

As for the Single Soldier… his current status was too uncertain to count.

In the distance, the void maiden’s flowing white hair vanished into the air as if it had never existed.

Also leaving with her were the Black-clad Bishop and the Old Researcher in a white coat.

To date, the Void Maiden still symbolized the world’s strongest safeguard.

Her embrace and the area where her white hair fell formed an impregnable sanctuary, impervious to any pollution.

Yet the Black-clad Bishop and the First Chief Researcher, clad in white, who left under her protection, showed no sign of joy.

They departed carrying an oppressive, despairing aura, even a hint of confusion.

For a moment, before leaving, they shot a deep look at the Single Soldier, as if he might say something.

But in the end, they remained silent right until they were gone.

Lu Xin did nothing to stop them—even though he could not really have.

In the end, he only flashed a provocative smile, ensuring that both understood his meaning.

For now, he couldn’t annihilate their bodies.

So, he had to take a step back and first shatter their hopes.

……

……

Amidst a rhythmic pitter-patter of music, the Circus crew had packed up their belongings.

They mounted the back of an elephant and, with synchronized and exaggerated gestures, saluted Lu Xin and bid him farewell.

Even the Coronated Clown trailing behind them did the same.

When he patted his chest in salute to Lu Xin, his face still sported an inscrutable smile.

It was both comical and dangerous.

Yet Lu Xin made no move to stop him.

Even though his allegiance was uncertain, the fact that he had appeared at the most perilous moment, lent a hand, and staged such a brilliant performance in tribute to Mom was enough reason not to interfere—a basic courtesy, after all.

“There’s still so much to do…”

In the distance, the sound of a motorcycle’s roar approached.

Director Xue rode his motorcycle slowly to Lu Xin’s rear, with an Undercover Unit crouching on each shoulder.

A group trailed behind him as well.

Those double, blinking eyes made Director Xue appear rather unserious.

But his tone was grave as he said to Lu Xin, “Our teachers are terrifying.”

“They hold the core information about this world’s catastrophe and have spent decades unfolding the most formidable plan in this shattered realm. Although our confrontation succeeded in taking away their strongest card, it also truly pitted us against them, setting the stage for dangerous times ahead.”

“Until now, they had merely been waiting and steadily preparing.”

“But now, with everyone’s allegiances clear, we have thrown them into the battlefield.”

“Even though they have lost their strongest asset, I cannot predict what will happen if they suddenly launch a frenzied assault on us. We must all exercise extreme caution.”

“……”

Lu Xin listened to his words silently, offering no comment.

After a while, he finally asked, “Where is my Sister now?”

Director Xue paused briefly, then replied, “At the Research Institute.”

“Also, there are some people you know there, along with a few things left for you by Ms. Kuimeng.”

“I’ll deliver them to Qinggang for you shortly.”

“……”

“Ms. Kuimeng…”

Lu Xin fell silent for a moment before nodding, “Alright.”

After saying that, he paused, looking at Director Xue as if he wanted to ask something but hesitated.

It seemed he had something on his mind but wasn’t brave enough to voice it.

Yet, feeling that slight chill against his chest, he slowly uttered,

“Can she still come back?”

“……”

Director Xue instantly went mute, clearly understanding what Lu Xin wanted to ask.

After a moment, he shook his head softly and said, “That’s beyond my understanding.”

“But you just used the power of True Creation to restore her Mind Palace, didn’t you?”

“Theoretically, that should mean she can come back, right?”

“……”

A trace of worry flitted across Lu Xin’s face.

“I’m still not entirely familiar with this power…” he murmured.

He whispered, “Regarding that playing card, I can only try my best to restore it to its original form. I dare not entertain any extra thoughts, fearing that if I do things differently, the one who returns might not be her anymore…”

“I understand.”

Director Xue nodded and said, “But I don’t think you need to worry.”

“I believe that as long as her Mind Palace remains intact, Ms. Kuimeng will surely come back.”

“I’m not too familiar with your abilities, but I think our perspectives on Ms. Kuimeng differ.”

“In my eyes, because she can read fate, she would never choose to escape it.”

“For her, ending her life and leaving everything to others…”

“…that’s just surrendering to fate!”

“At least, the Ms. Kuimeng I know—capable of orchestrating such a setup—would never do that.”

“……”

Listening to his words, Lu Xin’s heart skipped a beat.

He looked up at Director Xue; earlier, he hadn’t cared much for the Moon Eclipse Research Institute,

but after the investigation with Doctor An and witnessing the clash between the Institute and the First Researcher,

or rather, just hearing the confidence in his voice and the affirmation that Mom would return, his attitude began to change. In that moment, he even felt a tinge of gratitude toward the old man before him.

“Yes, she will come back…”

Lu Xin exhaled deeply, a small smile breaking over his face as he said, “Am I strong now?”

“Hm?”

Doctor An, who had just led Sissi over, suddenly perked up at the question.

He wondered why this was even being discussed.

Had that dimwitted Director just been debating with the Single Soldier about who was stronger?

Was he getting sidetracked?

Director Xue also looked taken aback for a moment before laughing, “In the realm of destruction, you’re mighty strong.”

“In the destruction game, you could even rank second.”

As he spoke, he pointed to the ground and said, “The top spot belongs to someone down there.”

“So in reality, you might just be the strongest.”

“……”

Lu Xin pondered seriously, finding much truth in Director Xue’s words.

Then he furrowed his brow slightly and said, “But I’m not really one to enjoy destroying things…”

“Understood…”

Director Xue immediately replied, “Only rich people don’t think about blowing up the world, and you’re not exactly short on money now!”

“You could even be considered the biggest creditor of the Moon Eclipse Research Institute!”

“……”

“Hm?”

Lu Xin was somewhat taken aback.

He wasn’t in the mood to discuss money, but admittedly, the old Director was quite a genuine man…

“So, if not through destruction, what other way can we get rid of them?”

After steadying himself, Lu Xin asked this question earnestly.

He meant it seriously—he was determined to eliminate them.

After all, he had just vowed that they would be dealt with.

Keeping one’s word is a basic courtesy.

At his question, Doctor An appeared slightly surprised, while Director Xue’s face gradually took on a look of quiet satisfaction.

He then seriously and solemnly pondered the issue, saying, “For creatures that grow their strength on the mental plane, all they need is to contaminate more people—forcing others’ mental power into serving them under one will…”

“And we are human.”

“When people set out to achieve a grand goal, they naturally need to find friends who share the same aim.”

“So what you need to know now is what it is you truly want.”

“……”

“Alright.”

Director Xue’s words suddenly sparked an epiphany in Lu Xin.

Yes, he was just an ordinary guy who went about life quietly without provoking anyone.

Then, out of nowhere, a gun dropped right at his feet—everyone wanted that gun, claiming it was rightfully theirs.

What could he do?

Naturally, he’d turn it in to the police station.

If that wasn’t possible, he’d find someone he could trust—but never entertain the idea of staking a claim on it.

Lu Xin had never thought of that.