Shen Ye was utterly in despair.

But just when he had resigned himself to fate and decided to give up...

A man suddenly found him.

The man appeared quite ordinary, just a typical middle-aged man of average build.

But on him, Shen Ye could immediately sense an air of authority, with almost every sentence ending like a question, such as "Do you think that works?" or "What do you think?" making people feel respected.

However, these were mere pleasantries, for whenever someone wanted to refuse him, they found themselves incapable, as his words were flawless, offering no chance to refuse or deny.

This person was formidable.

That was Shen Ye's first impression.

The man did not state his name, only said his surname was Zhao, and Shen Ye could call him Brother Zhao. He also mentioned having some connections in Nest City, and if Shen Ye was willing, he could pull some strings to rescue him and silence those highly-placed figures.

His tone was sincere, but Shen Ye also understood there were no free lunches in the world, so he asked the man what kind of price he must pay if he agreed.

The man remained silent for a long time, then pulled out an ordinary dagger from his pocket, slowly revealing the answer.

He needed Shen Ye to accompany him in murder.

To kill the innocent.

But it wasn't for pleasure, it was to save more people, to change the world.

If the complete Initial Sequence of Celestial Ku Blessing could be obtained, he would have the opportunity to meet the Supreme, qualified to ascend to the divine rank.

At that time, with the power of a God, he could single-handedly eliminate all injustice and oppression in the world, creating a Utopia.

Tier Seven True God did indeed have such an ability, and the man surnamed Zhao demonstrated that power to Shen Ye.

In the end, Shen Ye hesitated for a long time before accepting that dagger.

His ideals coincided with the man surnamed Zhao, both hoping to change the world, and if the man spoke truthfully, Shen Ye was willing to serve him loyally as one of his subordinates.

But Shen Ye also understood...

After accepting the dagger, he too would become one of those he despised — killing innocents for his so-called interests and ideals, committing heinous acts, creating more tragedies and seas of blood.

Perhaps someday, he would die at the hands of a vengeful soul, a child with eyes full of anger, raising a dagger for the most righteous revenge.

He could even foresee his own end, but ultimately he still took that path.

People are complicated; people change.

So this time, the one who raised the butcher's knife against the common folk was Shen Ye.

The ridiculous part was that after he pinched his nose and abandoned his conscience to slaughter tens of thousands in an unnamed district, Brother Zhao disappeared.

Taking his ideals, taking those unreachable dreams, he vanished forever from Shen Ye's view.

No one knew where Brother Zhao went, nor if he had collected the Celestial Ku Blessing.

He left, leaving only a ruin covered in flames and the eternal crime lingering in Shen Ye's heart...

Shen Ye had asked himself more than once whether their actions were truly right; was he creating a Utopia or merely producing more avengers like himself?

No one could provide him an answer, and he himself would never find one.

He could only console himself, deceive his brain, saying their actions were forced, because if they didn't do it, another Death God Squad would.

And later...

He learned about the Saint's Remains, knowing it was an Initial Sequence of the same rank as the Celestial Ku Blessing, and by absorbing it, he might unlock the mysteries of the past and become a true savior just as Brother Zhao had said!

So he came, stood on the side of the middle-aged Main Combatant, opposing Mokaka.

His thoughts were simple — to take the position of mayor and obtain the Saint's Remains.

He had no personal grudge against Mokaka, even admired him.

But just like the previous massacre, he found excuses to persuade himself to kill Mokaka for the greater good.

And thereafter, he encountered someone he could not evade.

Yun You.

Thus, all these lies were mercilessly shattered with Yun You's appearance.

He had to face the brutal truth and his committed sins.

Fortunately, his life ended there.

All past troubles, hatred, desires, and discontent slowly faded away with the last breath in his chest.

Death is the endpoint of everything.

He could be freed, but Yun You's life had to continue.

"Go peacefully, you're not truly alone in this world, hmm." Yun You gently released his grip, and Shen Ye's phalanges crumbled into fine sand, carried by the wind to the sky where they shimmered in the starlight as if embracing a world he'd never truly grasped.

At this moment, Yun You's heart held no hatred, only melancholy and a resolute heart.

[Idealists are often beaten and trodden upon by this world, always met with harsh endings, yet...]

Staring at Yun You, in a daze, Master Zero suddenly spoke.

[But at least this time, you are not alone.]

Yun You didn't reply, merely grinned with a genuine smile.

She suddenly felt her luck wasn't bad, maybe even quite good.

Shen Ye spent his life struggling, his friends didn't understand his ideals, his closest brother betrayed and deceived him, two others obeyed his every word but didn't truly endorse his ideals, were brutally tempered, and treated his words like air.

He found no one to confide in and could only suppress his deepest thoughts, finally being forced to reveal them to Yun You, his "enemy."

And Yun You? Those around the girl, without exception, were companions sharing her perspectives, understanding her, and willing to fight for her.

In this regard, Yun You thought herself far luckier than Shen Ye.

"Don't be distressed, for what we pursue is essentially the same."

"I will witness that beautiful Utopia for you, I promise."

Yun You silently thought and then walked out of the sewer, stepping back into the ring of attention.

She won the duel once again.

The "cards" on the middle-aged Main Combatant's side were only two now.

She was already guessing who the next opponent was because from Shen Ye's memories, she clearly saw the supporter on the middle-aged Main Combatant's side.

Nevertheless, she couldn't help but sigh when that person truly appeared.

Tang Jin, her third senior sister.

A week ago, Tang Jin briefly clashed with her.

At that time, she thought the senior sister acted unintentionally, not recognizing Yun You and therefore attacked.

But now it seems Tang Jin might have already decided to betray Old Jin.

"I can give you one chance, little sister."

Tang Jin adjusted the blindfold mask on her face, speaking softly, "Now surrender, and we won't have to reach that irreparable point. You know, the old man surely wouldn't want to see us hurting each other."

Yun You smiled.

"The moment you stepped into the ring and decided to harm my friends, you've already pushed things to an unalterable point."

"I don't know what Old Jin would think, but I believe if he knew, he'd certainly stand with me, so..."

"Senior sister."

Yun You clenched her wrist, stepped forward with no retreat.

"Your words, I'll send them back to you intact."

"Either you willingly surrender, or"

"Let's let matters reach that so-called irreparable stage."