Chapter 749: Promises of Regret

Perhaps it was because when Lu Xin spoke these words, his resolve was unwavering.

That unyielding tone made the whole small restaurant feel oppressively stifled.

Lu Xin did not deliberately threaten or use mental power to suppress, but Number Eight across from him began trembling uncontrollably.

It was obvious that Number Eight was trying desperately to steady himself, yet his gaze had already become vacant.

The determination and pride that had once resonated deep within him had now transformed into a hollow sense of impotence…

“Questioning me?”

Under such pressure, Number Eight endured an indescribable torment.

When the overwhelming pressure nearly broke him, a burst of despair erupted from deep within. Slamming his hand on the table, he straightened up, his eyes bloodshot as he glared fiercely at Lu Xin:

“Number Nine, are you offering your kindness out of charity because you hold all the initiative?”

“Is it because you just displayed a power so terrifying that even this world would tremble, that you think I wouldn’t dare challenge you?”

“I…”

He shouted while his voice wavered uncontrollably, struggling to maintain control as he continued, “I’m all over the place right now. I can’t even precisely distinguish right from wrong, yet there are some things that don’t need to be explained. I know what’s right and what’s wrong. Number Nine, your might scares me. I—I’m truly afraid…”

“But should I really give up just because I fear you?”

“…”

He spoke loudly and aggressively, his tone fierce, yet his eyes brimmed with desperate helplessness.

The atmosphere in the small restaurant instantly grew suffocating.

The old security guard nearby also began to show signs of tension and worry, watching the two without knowing what to say.

“Oh dear…”

At that moment, from the kitchen behind, the chef poked his head out and said, “Enjoy your meal and keep it civil, alright?”

“We’re brothers. Can’t we talk things out properly?”

“If you break something, you’ll have to make it right…”

“…”

“…”

Thanks to the chef’s interjection, the tension seemed to ease slightly, though Number Eight’s hand resting on the table still trembled subtly.

It was as if all the strength had been drained from him; in an instant, his anger gave way to despondency.

“Number Nine…”

Number Eight’s voice trembled as he recalled, “I left the Orphanage many years ago, but I still remember the expressionless face you had back then. I’ve had nightmares repeatedly—dreaming of you and of the children who died in the Orphanage. I know it wasn’t entirely your fault, but back then, you were just too terrifying…”

“That’s why I’ve always wanted to ask, always wanted to come back and ask you…”

“…Have you ever regretted it?”

“…”

“…”

Throughout Number Eight’s outburst, Lu Xin had remained seated in silence.

He could sense Number Eight’s fear and confusion, and instead of being provoked, it filled him with a quiet sorrow. When Number Eight finally asked that last desperate question and looked at him with hopeless eyes, Lu Xin sighed softly.

“No.”

He lowered his head and replied slowly, “Because back then, I didn’t have those feelings.”

“But…”

After a long pause, he slowly raised his head and looked at Number Eight, whispering, “But once I experienced emotion…”

“…Number Eight, I regret it every single moment!”

“…”

“…”

I regret it every single moment.

When Lu Xin uttered this, there was no trace of intensity—just a dispassionate recitation of fact.

It was as if he were simply stating a cold, undeniable truth.

Number Eight had a thousand reasons to believe Lu Xin was just placating him, yet those words struck him deeply.

In all of Qinggang, perhaps only he truly understood some of the secrets of the Midnight Tribunal.

He alone knew how terrifying Lu Xin could be, having singlehandedly shielded all of Qinggang, taking down one of the Ultimate Sword Bearers in the Wasteland, and returning to the city unscathed and emotionally stable to join him for a midnight snack.

A person of that caliber had no need for lies.

Where deception was necessary, he had other ways to handle it.

For him, lying to someone represented a form of respect.

…

“Number Eight, I’d like to ask a favor of you.”

After saying this, Lu Xin suddenly felt an unprecedented lightness.

Seeing Number Eight fall into a deep, pained silence, he exhaled softly and murmured,

“Beg me?”

Number Eight slowly looked up, his eyes filled with incredulity.

“Yes.”

Lu Xin continued slowly, “I need you to help me find the children from the Orphanage. I know some have come back to life, and some have been lost forever. Along the way, I’ve met Teacher Xiao Lu, Little Nineteen, Number Seven, Number Two, and you, as well as Little Seventeen who’s always by my side. Yet I still can’t stop thinking about the others…”

“You were once by the side of the Old Director, so you must know more about them…”

“I hope you can find them…”

“…”

“This…”

Number Eight never expected Lu Xin to make such a request.

His expression twisted into a complex mask of disbelief and uncertainty, wanting to question but not knowing where to start.

Lost in turmoil, he eventually asked, “Why?”

“Because…”

Lu Xin began, but then slowed, as if pondering the right words.

Repentance, redemption, atonement—perhaps all of it…

But in the end he only whispered, “Because I promised to save them…”

…

…

Suddenly, Number Eight’s expression froze.

He looked at Lu Xin in disbelief, his eyes awash with confusion and a flood of complicated emotions.

After a long while, he murmured, “Number Nine, you have changed so much…”

“You…”

“…”

As if knowing what he wanted to ask, Lu Xin smiled and said, “I’ve found what I really want to do…”

“Or, you could call it my mental core,” he added.

“…”

Number Eight’s eyes shifted, and instinctively he asked, “What?”

Even the old security guard beside them suddenly perked up, clearly intrigued by the question.

Lu Xin, a bit embarrassed at first, finally gathered his courage in the presence of his old classmate—someone he felt guilty toward—and said slowly, “The first part is that I want to help this world build the rules and order it deserves…”

Number Eight listened, pausing in thought, “And the second part?”

Lu Xin, still a bit abashed, replied after a moment, “In a world like this, I want to be a respectable, wealthy man.”

“…”

Number Eight was utterly dumbfounded.

Even the old security guard coughed heavily, as if choked by alcohol.

“You…”

The sting of hurt and dejection in Number Eight’s voice was soon washed away, and after a long pause he incredulously said,

“You’ve reached a level of fantasy—you actually…”

“…”

This was a domain where Lu Xin held all the cards. He remarked seriously, “Everything can be a fantasy, but what about money?”

Number Eight was momentarily at a loss for words.

“My ambition is to help this world establish order and rules, and to become a wealthy man in it.”

Having already voiced it all, Lu Xin spoke with a sense of calm nostalgia,

“Number Eight, when I returned from Flame City and saw you, I was so envious.”

“Because you always seemed so resolute and pure.”

“Though, judging by recent events, your purity might also be easily exploited, I still admire you.”

“Because you know what you want and you dare to pursue it…”

“I doubt I could ever be as pure as you.”

He shook his head slightly and sighed, “I once wondered if I could ever be pure, but when I examined myself, I realized I was just an ordinary person. I yearn for a stable life and enjoy the thrill of making money…”

“Money really is a wonderful thing…”

“No need to steal, cheat, or even threaten—it can be acquired honorably from those who possess it.”

“Money brings respect and provides a sense of security!”

“Though many say that money can’t solve all problems…”

“But isn’t money the best thing in the world when it can solve the most problems?”

“So, I’ve concluded that I don’t have to be so pure. I can simply make life a bit better…”

“…”

Moved by his inner stir, Lu Xin shared his thoughts before looking back at Number Eight softly, “Once you truly understand yourself, your resolve strengthens and your path becomes clear. Regarding the Orphanage, I have my own judgment: while you might be chasing absolute fairness and justice for our former comrades, I’m simply trying to fulfill the promise I made back then…”

“So, Number Eight, I ask for your help.”

“…”

As Number Eight listened, his face fell into utter confusion.

“Perhaps…”

He began to speak, then paused, a bitter smile creeping across his face, “Number Nine, it’s hard to imagine you’d say such things…”

“Where on earth did you learn all this?”

“…”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “Read more books; you can do it too.”

“Ever since I left the Orphanage, I’ve been studying.”

“Number Eight, when we first met, you said my grades were poor, but now I even have a college degree…”

“…”

Although Number Eight hadn’t outright agreed, his demeanor visibly softened.

Only then did Lu Xin feel a measure of relief inside.

Compared to the Sword Bearer, it was Number Eight’s attitude that mattered most to him.

At last, their stances were in harmony.

In that moment, Lu Xin finally felt ready to face Number Eight as he would an old friend.

…

…

While Lu Xin and Number Eight spoke, the old security guard sat silently, drinking.

Meticulously, he picked at the egg whites of a salted duck egg with a toothpick, savoring each tiny bite.

Only those who have endured long hardships could grow accustomed to such a way of drinking.

Regarding the conversation between Lu Xin and Number Eight, he paid it no mind—glancing at them only occasionally while quietly sipping his drink until the surroundings fell silent. Then he noticed Lu Xin’s gaze fixed on him.

Slowly, he set down his wine glass, grabbed a cloth to wipe his hands, and met Lu Xin’s eyes.

“Is it my turn now?”

“…”

Lu Xin stared at the old security guard as a familiar image began to form in his mind.

“Yes, Teacher Sun,” he said softly. “You were once one of Director Sun Zhong’s most trusted assistants.”