Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1486 - 135: Shoreguard Arc - "He Spread the Spring Breeze Along the Shore with the Setting Xi
Su Ming’an withdrew his hand, without touching the photograph.
It was as if he could hear something shattering, the yellow forest split into forward and backward directions.
He turned around and walked towards the coast.
The white-haired, golden-eyed youth calmly watched him, neither holding him back nor calling out. There was a mere "click" as he gently closed the redwood box in his hand.
The ocean burned with fiery afterglow, reflecting the world on the sea’s surface. The temperature of the wind increased slightly, like the first breeze of spring.
The reflection stretched very long.
Crash, crash, crash.
The waves continued to surge.
"Well, it’s okay, choose the path you think has the highest chance of success. It’s okay if you turn and leave." The white-haired youth smiled:
"Forcing you onto my warship and demanding you to dig up my past was never necessary. Even if you continue to dig, probably won’t yield a good result."
"However, if you choose to turn away, it means your potential ends here. You’ll no longer have new possibilities; your best outcome would be ascending to high dimensions, unable to return home, and only able to guard your small world forever. Can you accept such a bad ending?"
Su Ming’an did not stop.
He continued walking amidst the boundless waves, never looking back once.
"Bad ending?" He shook his head, his response was simple: "This is a happy ending."
He gazed at the beach like gold under the sunset, his dark eyes like glass, reflecting a faint golden hue.
For a moment, he indeed felt the urge to touch the photograph in the box, to explore more stories, but his glance inadvertently caught the Ring of Time and Mechanical Ring on his fingertips, those names engraved upon them.
Just a glimpse pulled back his steps forward.
To reach this point, too many people had fallen in the darkness before dawn; if he made a mistake in pursuit of a better ending, everything would be ruined.
He recalled the conversation between Dawn and Xike, when they asked: is it reality or fairy tales?
Is reality with regrets, or a perfect fairy tale?
Reality is common; fairy tales are hard to seek. He walked to today, barely grasping reality, now faced with a fairy tale that required traversing mountains and seas to touch. But he turned to see the mountains, rivers, lakes, and high-rise buildings already built, and turned around.
Even so, his best ending is merely becoming a god, but this is already most people’s happiness.
Su Ming’an placed his palm on his chest, the rings on his index and middle fingers glinting with sunset gold:
"I’ve heard Starfire say: [HE, BE, TE are just endings relative to everyone, but for a world that has been saved, for all the people living in the world, this is an eternal HE.]"
"What I want is just this kind of HE. So I gradually understood why Sherrod’s ending was HE. I also understood why, for Fengchang, death was also a kind of HE. In the past, I was half-comprehending because I never thought I would also face my ’end.’"
"But now, when I became ’them,’ I finally understood."
He turned his head, looking at the white-haired youth in the sea.
Under the sunset, the white-haired youth’s figure also seemed somewhat lonely. He silently held the closed redwood box, the cracked mask hanging at his waist, like a child abandoned in the world’s corners.
Su Ming’an slightly arched his brows.
"—It turns out when facing what is called a HAPPY ENDING, we really will smile, not cry."
Plop.
The redwood box fell into the sea.
Su Liujin paused for a moment, then slowly revealed a clean smile on his face.
He was a completely different person from Su Ming’an, yet shared astonishing similarities in certain aspects.
How long had he slept and waited in this sea with no people or candy? Finally waiting for someone who could take him out, lead him to pursue old memories, yet he did not beg like grabbing a straw for survival, but respected the other’s wishes, hoping for a greater chance for the world’s redemption.
So he chose to smile, not cry.
Even being left in place, even living in this world with nothing.
When they became ’them’, some things were finally understood. Why we can defy instinctual desires, why humans are different from other animals, why at some moments we smile instead of crying.
"Sorry, Liujin. I can’t join your story anymore." Su Ming’an clenched his fist, the hard touch of the rings made his voice even firmer:
"I’ve already seen the final road, even if it’s not a perfect ending, for ultimate victory, I’ve decided not to continue the adventure anymore."
"Perhaps, if my heartbeat were half a beat faster, if the temperature of the seaside wind were higher, if my blood flowed faster, my palm would have dropped, touched the photograph, and followed you forward."
"I have adhered to the most naive idealism for a long time. Now, the ideal can be achieved..."
The fiery sun gradually lowered, their shadows falling on the waves like snow, like swords gradually sheathed.
He had tread in the dream called ’World Game’ for too long, too long... so long he almost forgot his name, his hobbies, his emotions, his softness...
It’s time to end this nineteen-year-old youth’s dream.
However long the journey, it always ends. However many stories, they always stop.
He turned around, not looking back.
Just a voice from behind:
"Let this Great Emperor give you a farewell gift, Lighthouse Sect Leader."
"This Great Emperor was a step slow, didn’t board the New World ship in time. The Great Emperor without a body can’t leave here. If you miss this Great Emperor in the New World, look at this emblem."
Along with the sea wind, a carved emblem was tossed over, engraved with a pink jellyfish waving a small wooden sword, the jellyfish haughtily looking ahead, as if fearing nothing.
Su Ming’an gazed at this seemingly childish, crudely crafted emblem as if liked by children.
Su Liujin was indeed still a child.
Su Ming’an rubbed the emblem, pinned it to his left sleeve, and continued forward, no longer looking at the figure in the sea.
To the glow of the sunset, he seemed to see a shadow on the shore, that was the New World’s ship.
The blood-red sunset fell on his shoulder, burning red like fire. The sea breeze blew, stirring his black hair and fluttering robe, for an instant, his figure seemed to overlap with a captain about to board a ship.
The sound of waves like drums, the sound of a flute like thunder.
The sunset spilled on him, his shoulders still as red as flames.
...
Back in the room, Su Ming’an landed and saw on the ground the blood-painted array had already dried out.
The empty glass bottle had fallen to the ground, and the Executioner Hui Bei was no longer there.
"This was Su Liujin’s blood, so Hui Bei could awaken the sleeping Su Liujin in this second Disciple Game..." Su Ming’an touched the dried array, sighing in his heart.
The survival count in the top-right corner had fallen to 178. He rose and headed towards the garden.
Since he decided not to explore the story of the Zeroth Disciples Game and the Supreme Lord, he must focus all his energy on acquiring the Fifth and Ninth Thrones. According to Si Yue, Huan Jiala has always stayed in the garden.
In the sea of flowers, a purple-haired youth swings leisurely, seemingly unaffected by the poison gas.
His eyes are as soft and bright as crescents, his face like a pearl; elves are inherently androgynous creatures, and the Elf King transcends gender limitations. Perhaps this is why the Fifth Thrones chose him as the Agent; they look alike—both are pure and beautiful beings.
"Huan Jiala." Su Ming’an explained the situation and directly requested help.
Huan Jiala’s eyes were like two calm Crescent Springs.
"I need the Fifth Thrones to descend upon you to help us resist the Master of the End of All Things. This means that you might be overwhelmed and cease to exist," Su Ming’an said.
"Okay." Huan Jiala nodded.
"Involving high-dimensional possession and the annihilation of the soul, even in a new world, I may not be able to recreate or revive you," Su Ming’an clarified the danger.
"It’s alright." Huan Jiala nodded again.
"If there’s anything you want to do, or someone you want to see, you can do it quickly. I’ll accompany you," Su Ming’an offered.
Huan Jiala looked at Su Ming’an without speaking until Su Ming’an was about to ask again, then Huan Jiala stared at Su Ming’an and said, "I’ve already seen them."
...Seen them?
Su Ming’an looked around; besides the flowers, leaves, and spring breeze, there was no one else nearby.
Su Ming’an felt slightly puzzled, but Huan Jiala didn’t elaborate, simply stating, "I have consulted Starfire. Since Luowasha was once his dwelling, it doesn’t require much energy. On the contrary, He can bring a large amount of energy to accelerate your departure."
Not only does it not require payment, but extra funds can also be obtained. Su Ming’an felt an increasing fondness for the Fifth Thrones, but he also had reservations—could the Fifth Thrones truly be trusted?
"He can sign a bet to ensure nothing adverse happens to Luowasha," Huan Jiala said. "What you need to provide is a coordinate."
"Coordinate?"
"The current coordinates of Luowasha," Huan Jiala succinctly stated, "The Master of the End of All Things should know."
Su Ming’an silently observed Huan Jiala.
Huan Jiala also quietly returned his gaze.
A few seconds later, Huan Jiala realized something was amiss and added, "The First Level God should also know."
... This guy reacts slowly, just like Starfire.
Su Ming’an asked, "Speaking of which, why doesn’t the First Level God help us fight against the Master of the End of All Things?"
Huan Jiala replied, "To Them, the destruction or survival of this world doesn’t affect Them much. They are natural laws conceived inherently, transcending life. By nature, Kritchens symbolizes the sky, Isabelle symbolizes the sea, Augustine symbolizes the earth. If They leave Luowasha, Luowasha would turn to void. Regardless of whether humanity perishes, They would be reborn into the world."
At the root, there is no direct conflict of interest that would make the First Level God spend immense effort or even life to confront the Master of the End of All Things. As long as They are in Luowasha, They are essentially immortal.
However, Su Ming’an thought of a crucial point.
—Qin Si.
Qin Si is the embodiment of the Radiant Mother God Kritchens, who snuck into the player group long before the Eleventh World began!
Kritchens also invested in Su Ming’an with a Little Sun, hoping Su Ming’an could take Him out of Luowasha!
The Radiant Mother God Kritchens, unlike the other two First Level Gods, the God of Chaos is elusive, remaining a backdrop, showing He doesn’t want to get involved in anything. The Demon Mother Goddess just wants to play with men and play various games with Yi Song. Only the Radiant Mother God Kritchens genuinely intervened in Su Ming’an’s battle with the Sixth Thrones Little Greedy Cat.
There is desire, where there is desire, there is potential for cooperation.
"We can ask the Radiant Mother God for the coordinates," Su Ming’an pondered. "In exchange, I can vow to finally take Him out of Luowasha, then inform Yuanyuan. It might just create another ’Cloud City God pulled from the divine throne.’"
This is the only option left.
He dare not seek the Demon Mother Goddess, who knows what strange demands She might make... Lessons from the past, guides for the future.
Su Ming’an nodded to Huan Jiala, "Thanks."
He switched perspectives back to his original form, leaving a bewildered Wang Xingkong in place.
"Wow, dude, you’re so handsome." Wang Xingkong looked up and saw Huan Jiala, instantly stunned by his beauty.
Huan Jiala coughed lightly, his face slightly reddened, and he averted his gaze.
...
Lighthouse Church.
Klemms Church.
The crystal prisms hang from the dome of the Green Stone Church, and inside the walnut-carved confession booth, a young man with golden shoulder-length hair, eyes like jade, and draped in snow-white robes embroidered with gold thread sat on a wooden chair, listening to the confession of a silhouette outside the partition.
"I confess, I was too timid to step onto the front lines. I hid behind and criticized those who went to the front lines..." The believer confessed.
As the afterglow pierced through the stained glass, the prism refracted a halo, projecting a lighthouse emblem onto the gray-white stone wall.
"You should be like a prism," Boris spoke gently to the believer outside the partition, "Breaking down the divine light and refracting the preordained color. From now on, you must act with caution and prove your reflection with valor on the front lines, and the Lord will forgive you."
He heard the soft scratching of a quill on parchment; a newly-joined textile worker was recording the doctrine of the Lighthouse Master.
"I must also confess, I once committed a disrespectful act against the Lord..." the believer confessed.
Boris narrowed his eyes, his fingers fondling the gold thread on the edge of his white robe, his gaze no longer calm and gentle, but revealing a dangerous expression: "Please speak."
"I, I once regarded the Lord as a lover..." the believer confessed.
Boris stood up, coldly gazing outside the partition. The believer seemed unaware of the Sect Leader’s cold gaze, continuing to chatter on about her loneliness, her confusion, how the Lighthouse Master gave her courage during live broadcasts, how she regarded Him as a lover, even repelling and insulting anyone approaching the Lighthouse Master...
"You are banned from boarding the ship to the new world," Boris stated coldly, "Unless the ship has room to spare. Furthermore, you must use your remaining time to make amends to those you insulted and seek their forgiveness."
The believer cried bitterly, pleading for Boris’s mercy. No one knew, before joining the Lighthouse Church, she was an unruly classic forum player. After listening to Boris’s sermons a few times, she seemed like a different person, serving the Lighthouse Master with devout devotion.
Bathing in the afterglow, Sect Leader Boris pushed open the wooden door of the confession room and saw the believers reciting:
"...As the Lighthouse Master slays the gods, the old god system began to collapse at the end of the Divine Era, and new sects continuously emerged, coinciding with the turbulent era of alternating Bright and Dark Eras. The Lighthouse Master descended to the world..."
This was exactly the Lighthouse Genesis scripture compiled by Boris.
On the mural, the Lighthouse Master was depicted holding a balance in one hand and a sword in the other, slaying all evil. White tendrils like wings, incredibly holy, incredibly solemn.
Whenever believers looked at the mural, they showed expressions of awe and devotion.
The light of the Lighthouse spreads across the world.
The Lighthouse Master blesses all living beings.
Boris walked to the desk and saw a wide-open wooden window, a golden invitation floating in the light dust, the sun wheel emblem of the Radiant Mother God embossed with gold fire seal.
His white silk gloves caressed the invitation, pulling out the papyrus letter, reading the luminous Luowasha text:
"The Radiant Mother God... is interested in the Lighthouse Church and invites me for a meeting?"
