"So basically, it’s a ’ghost’, huh?"

Amber glanced at the sharp horn on Zhenxi’s forehead, then nodded. "How should I put it... Even though it feels nothing like you at all, unexpectedly it kind of suits you."

After her development finished, what Zhenxi gained was, naturally, one of the most famous Abilities of a ’ghost’—Monster Strength. She looked small and skinny, but the Power she held had already reached an unbelievable level. Once she triggered Source Activation, she was no different from a humanoid tank.

The drawback that came with it was that her hematopoietic function couldn’t keep up. If she used Monster Strength heavily over a short period, she’d fall into severe anemia. But that kind of problem only ancient people would fret over could be solved nowadays with just two bags of blood.

Honestly, it was a plain and solid kind of Power, very suitable for a single‑track‑minded sporty Teenage Girl like Zhenxi.

"Then, I wish you smooth sailing, Zhenxi."

After failing to persuade her to stay, Amber sincerely offered her blessing. "Thank you for all your help. No matter when, The Satomi clan will always welcome you back. I’ll keep your place among the Eight Canine Warriors for you."

"I’m the one who’s been taken care of, really."

The Teenage Girl bent down in a bow, picked up the heavy backpack by her side, and stood up with a smile. "Well then, I’ll be taking my leave."

Amber rose and walked her to the door. Right before parting, she still couldn’t help asking again, "You’re sure you don’t want me to help you settle that money? It’s only ten million US Dollar. Compared to the payment that guy Huai Shi took, it’s nothing but a drop in the bucket."

"No need."

Zhenxi shook her head slightly and looked nostalgically at the Black Card hanging from her backpack. "Since I made my choice, I have to bear the consequences.

Besides, it’s just ten million worth of bad luck and misfortune. Someday I’ll pay it back by working hard. When that time comes, I’ll finally be qualified to face this brand‑new life, right?"

"You two, one and the other, both such stubborn blockheads."

Amber sighed, lowered her head, lit the pipe at the corner of her mouth, and finally asked, "So, have you decided what to do with this new life, Zhenxi?"

"That, huh... I haven’t thought that far yet."

Zhenxi turned back one last time, showing a dazzling smile. "But I want to be like Miss Huaizhi!"

Yeah, just like her—cool, carefree, walking in the darkness yet still shining, lighting up all those confused eyes.

To become the sun for the helpless.

As long as she kept working hard, one day, she’d be able to catch up to that distant back, right?

And so, with hope in her heart, the Teenage Girl set off on the journey that belonged to her.

.

In silence, Amber gazed at the Teenage Girl’s back as it grew farther and farther away.

For a long, long time, she finally sighed and glanced sideways behind her. "A certain someone really is steeped in sin."

Huai Shi shrugged. "I’ve got to say, I didn’t do anything."

"It’s precisely because you didn’t do anything that you’re so sinful, isn’t it? Not taking initiative, not refusing, not taking responsibility—your scumbag nature is really something."

Amber frowned in displeasure. "I was counting on you to help me stop her, and what did you do? You throw her a goodbye letter, swap Vests, then spend the whole time standing around doing jack... You’re seriously not even a little worried?"

"I can’t take care of her for a lifetime."

Huai Shi spread his hands. "She’s already grown up. She made her own choice; what can I do? Keep wearing the Huaizhi Vest for the rest of my life, or put her on a leash and chain her up?"

"That’s what I mean—scum is scum. Even when you’re bored of playing, you can dress it up to sound so high and mighty."

Huai Shi was so annoyed he wanted to roll his eyes. "Give it a rest, will you? Even if I’m a scumbag, I never scummed you. What are you getting so righteously worked up for?"

"Probably because I can’t stand the sight of it. Could you switch back to Miss mode, please?" Amber eyed his long‑lost real appearance up and down, raising an eyebrow. "Or is it that you finally learned what shame is and aren’t addicted to cross‑dressing anymore?"

"Who the hell would like something like that?"

Amber snorted a laugh. "Someone does. I remember a certain someone wearing it with a lot of gusto, wild as hell."

"How should I put it, at best it was just running away from reality."

Huai Shi leaned against the corridor pillar under the eaves, studying the fish pond in the courtyard as he sighed softly. "Sometimes I just want to live an easy life for a bit. Take some time off, go to a place I’ve never been, change my face, live a few days where no one knows who I am and I don’t have to be so tired... But no matter how far you run, you still have to go back to your real life in the end.

Amber, break time’s over."

"What about your identity problem? Need a hand?"

"I was going to count on you, but that Old Turtle who’s been watching the fun all this time finally decided to do some work. My wanted status in Yingzhou’s been revoked. Congratulations to me, congratulations to me."

Huai Shi lifted his hand and showed her the notification on his phone. "And then they stuffed me with a big pile of troublesome jobs. The academic exchange team ran into some issues, so I’m afraid I’ll have to hurry off to Kyoto."

"When are you leaving?"

"Today. I just booked a train to Kyoto an hour from now. If I’m quick, I can even grab one of those famous Yingzhou station bentos."

"Rough life," Amber said.

"Who isn’t? Hang in there, Lord Head."

Huai Shi slung on his saddlebag and patted her shoulder. "Don’t forget the reward you promised me. See you in Kyoto."

He looked back one last time at the Amber who was now completely different from the old days.

Huai Shi waved and took his leave.

The blazing sunlight outside the eaves poured down. At Huai Shi’s feet, the lengthening shadow tilted its head up, as if smiling, and looked off into the distance.

A new journey had begun.

On the title page of the Book of Fate, the handwriting shifted silently, and fresh ink surfaced.

[Miracle Imprint·Huaizhi Sushi] 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

—Burn yourself to accomplish a one‑time‑only Miracle.

Hope will arrive, just as suffering will one day end. The Hero who opens the way will become the beacon for those who come after, guiding the lost onto the road of Fate.

As long as the sun will rise again, there is no need to be lost in the long night.