Elansno spoke too softly.
Lan Xia didn’t hear clearly. “What?”
Elansno said: “Nothing.”
This funeral finally concluded as night fell. Lan Xia turned around, saying flatly: “Why did you save me that day?”
Elansno didn’t speak for a moment.
Lan Xia glanced down at the time on his light-brain: “About two more minutes, then Algiers and the others will come find me. If you don’t leave, you’ll die in Dawn.”
Nie Liang frowned at this, yet surprisingly couldn’t summon any ill feeling toward this person threatening the Admiral.
“…I came to Dawn not only to attend Kang Quan’s funeral,” Elansno finally said slowly. “But to discuss cooperation with Dawn, or rather, the entire Northwest Sector.”
“Cooperation?”
“—Elansno!” A shocked, furious, disbelieving voice came.
Before Elansno could react, he felt bone-piercing cold. White frost transformed into sharp ice spikes, rushing toward his vital points.
Lian Yao and Jin Daike drew their guns.
Unexpectedly, the one deflecting this attack was Lan Xia.
Lan Xia: “Everyone stop.”
Elansno turned to look.
Just as Brother said, Dawn’s four leaders arrived very quickly. The one who’d just attacked was Shou Bing—son of Suto’s old leader, who’d only recently awakened his mental power.
These four had uneven strength levels, yet all were highly vigilant toward him… and disgusted.
Elansno looked away. “Thank you… Mr. Lan Xia, for intervening.”
Lan Xia: “Continue. What cooperation are you discussing?”
Algiers frowned: “Cooperation?”
…
Dawn’s conference room lights stayed on most of the night.
“…So, that’s it. The First Army won’t become your obstacle. As long as we cooperate, the Northwest Sector breaking through Federation control is only a matter of time.”
“You can even use those who died in this operation as a rallying cry for uprising, expose the Hall of Divine Mercy’s true nature. Once everyone knows the Northwest Sector’s purpose, then a righteous army will meet no opposition.”
Having commanded the First Army for so many years, Elansno was naturally no fool. He could be called an ambitious hero. In just a few hours, his analysis of the situation and current state was even more precise than what Algiers and other faction leaders had analyzed.
“No one knows the Federation defense line’s weaknesses better than I do.”
He laid conditions clearly on the table, including military supplies he could provide. Just short of completely emptying out the First Army and handing it over.
Lan Xia and Algiers’s group remained silent for a long while.
Algiers: “This is indeed very tempting for us. But how do we trust what you’re saying is real and not a trap? In everything you’ve said, I can’t find a single condition favorable to you.”
His gaze gradually sharpened: “If this is cooperation, it should be mutually beneficial to last. Admiral Elansno, what exactly are you trying to do?”
The person long viewed as the greatest obstacle to overthrowing the Federation suddenly defects overnight, offering up his resources without reason.
Even venturing deep into enemy territory with only one person to negotiate.
Algiers momentarily didn’t know whether Elansno had gone mad, or they’d gone mad and were dreaming.
However…
He remembered two days ago, Elansno had saved Teacher.
And when they left that day, they hadn’t encountered any interception from Second Army reinforcements.
Moreover, intelligence from Lian Yao’s network said all Second Army soldiers involved in transporting orphans—except for the missing Wright and later reinforcements—were all dead.
None survived.
His intuition told him this was connected to Elansno.
Elansno smiled: “Just assume I… suddenly had a change of heart, don’t want to be the Federation’s lapdog anymore.”
Shou Bing had also calmed down by now.
From the moment he learned Uncle Quan was Elansno’s adjutant until the funeral ended, he understood what he was thinking. Elansno deserved to die, true—but he was the one Uncle Quan had saved with everything he had.
Shou Bing: “We have no reason to trust you.”
Elansno: “I have a method that will definitely make you believe me. Don’t know if you’re willing to try it.”
Algiers and the others exchanged glances. Finally, Lian Yao said: “Speak first.”
This conference room’s long table.
Elansno sat opposite them. Hearing this, he smiled slightly, reaching toward the quiet Lan Xia: “Invade my mental domain.”
Lan Xia raised his eyes: “What did you say?”
Algiers, Jin Daike, and Lian Yao didn’t quite understand. Shou Bing quietly explained to them.
S-level evolvers had a unique region in their brains called the mental domain—the core place from which mental power was released. Could be said to be each S-level evolver’s most vulnerable, sensitive place.
Once attacked, death would come instantly.
No S-level evolver would willingly open themselves completely to another S-level.
Elansno pressed down the somewhat restless Nie Liang. Under Algiers and the others’ wary gazes, he actively walked before Lan Xia, repeating in a low voice: “Invade my mental domain.”
The gentleness on Lan Xia’s face had already faded. Clear golden pupils showed some confusion.
Elansno curved his lips: “Don’t dare?”
“I’m not the one putting my neck in enemy hands. What’s there not to dare?” Lan Xia said.
Elansno removed his gloves. Pale, slender fingers, under everyone’s gaze, extended before Lan Xia.
Lan Xia pressed his lips slightly, raising his hand.
Fingertips touched.
Purple mental power followed Elansno’s fingertip, invading meridians—caressing warm blood flowing through meridians, pulsing heartbeat, vibrant life force.
Lan Xia’s heart suddenly produced unprecedented trembling.
As if he’d walked alone all these years, finally finding the treasure once lost. Then his heart ached without warning, sore and astringent.
…So this was what invading someone’s mental domain felt like?
He entered a place of dim golden light. This was Elansno’s mental domain. Dimness represented his mental power still in a depleted state.
He encountered no obstacles, entering Elansno’s most sensitive, vulnerable place with ease.
Shou Bing watched a trace of Teacher’s purple mental power light up between Elansno’s brows, unconsciously saying: “So fast.”
“What’s so fast?” Nie Liang pressed.
Shou Bing: “The invasion was quick. Teacher probably encountered no obstacles.”
Lan Xia suddenly spoke: “I want to leave a mark of mine here. Won’t endanger you. Just to ensure our cooperation proceeds normally.”
Fine, cold sweat appeared on his forehead. Elansno endured the intense stimulation from his sensitive mental domain being invaded, catching his breath. “…Okay.”
Lan Xia sketched a pale purple flower in his mental domain. Sensing his discomfort, quickly withdrew.
“You can erase it anytime. But once you do, I’ll sense it, and our cooperation ends.”
It was a violet.
Elansno froze several seconds, suddenly smiled, saying hoarsely: “…You actually could’ve left it deeper. So I could never erase it.”
Lan Xia glanced at him.
Shou Bing couldn’t help thinking: madman.
Wouldn’t that hurt like hell?
Cooperation was thus established, in a way no one had anticipated.
Algiers indeed had sufficient boldness. After consulting with the others, they reformulated plans. However, given Elansno and the Northwest Sector’s past grievances, they temporarily didn’t notify other factions.
Still needed proper deliberation.
By the time everything was settled, it was already late night.
Lan Xia: “Alright, everyone go rest. We’ll discuss the rest tomorrow.”
He looked at Elansno sitting beside him: “You’re not leaving?”
The wounds carved at his ribs started hurting again. Probably the painkiller wore off. Elansno had gone three or four dozen hours without rest in a depleted state. Face pale, reactions slowing.
Hearing this, he said: “…Leaving.”
From beginning to end, he never looked directly into Lan Xia’s eyes.
After speaking, he braced against the table to stand. Eyes went black. Then he vaguely heard Nie Liang’s panicked voice before losing consciousness.
…
Inside the soul sea.
Small light orb commented: “Fishing for sympathy.”
Having gotten his wish to stay in Dawn, Gong Du—now a pitch-black orb—pressed against it, correcting: “This is called reasonably utilizing everything available.”
Including wounds. Though they didn’t hurt, he wasn’t faking injury.
He watched with satisfaction as the protagonist group’s four members bustled for nearly two hours—examining, taking out new medicine for Nie Liang to apply, finding him a clean room to sleep in…
Taken care of properly.
Gong Du was very moved: “The protagonist group is truly kind. Noble character.”
Small light orb detected a trace of fake sincerity, saying: “They’re afraid the contract just made will fall through.”
Gong Du wouldn’t listen: “Worthy of being cubs I raised. Just excellent.”
Small light orb: “…”
Gong Du continued: “Hope before long they’ll still treat me this well.”
Small light orb thought of his script and fell silent.
——
Elansno slept for a long time.
When he woke, it was already the next evening.
Only Nie Liang stood guard beside him. Looked like he hadn’t moved once. Hadn’t let anyone approach.
As soon as he woke, Nie Liang noticed, hurriedly pouring him a cup of water: “Temperature’s just right.”
Elansno propped himself up to sit, drank a few sips then suddenly paused, raising his hand to touch his mask.
Nie Liang said: “Don’t worry. No one removed it.”
“Everything’s already prepared for you. You can wash up in a bit.”
Elansno lowered his hand.
Even having recovered his memories, he didn’t want to remove this mask anymore. Especially not in Dawn.
He carefully observed this adjutant of his.
From the moment he’d turned around and killed Second Army people, Nie Liang hadn’t shown any opposition. Even adapted remarkably well. Didn’t ask a single extra question.
Elansno sat at the bedside, suddenly asking: “I want to overthrow the Federation. You seem very happy about it.”
Nie Liang crouched down, tilting his head slightly to look up at him. “Admiral, whether you want to protect the Federation or overthrow it, I won’t voice any opinion.”
“I’m just following you.”
Following from afar was good enough. Because no believer would demand anything of their deity, nor pray for divine favor.
No matter how insane others thought him, his feelings for Elansno had always been pure.
Mad and obsessive people had emotions both complex and simple. Distilled into the clearest statement, it was—
I hope you’re well.
I hope you’re happy.
I hope you’re healthy and carefree.
I hope you’ll always be the deity I can chase.
So overthrowing the Federation or protecting it—the former just meant standing on the same front as the Admiral. The latter, what conflict was there with only protecting the Admiral?
If that meager bit of conscience felt dissatisfied because he protected the Admiral, he didn’t mind killing his own conscience.
Elansno was quiet several seconds, saying: “When I first saw you, you seemed familiar. Before you became my adjutant, had we met?”
The Admiral said ‘my adjutant’.
Little mad bird only caught those four words.
He screamed internally, replaying them several times, and unconsciously glanced at the time on his light-brain, deciding to remember forever the moment the Admiral said those four words. He’d also make it the password for all his devices, engrave this time on all his throwing blades.
No matter how much he screamed and tumbled inside, Nie Liang lowered his eyes, recounting in a refined, steady manner: “When you were fourteen, I was twelve. In the place where I was born, you shot and killed soldier ruffians, saved me.”
“I see.” Elansno nodded, indicating he understood.
Knock knock knock—
Lian Yao tapped the half-closed window, standing outside. Seeing Elansno had woken, he reminded: “Teacher said to call you for dinner.”
His expression, though still not great, had eased considerably.
“This is Dawn’s interior. All absolutely tight-lipped insiders. No need to worry about news of you being in Dawn getting out. Just handle your First Army properly.”
The implication: he didn’t need to hide within Dawn.
Elansno: “I’ll be right there.”
Lian Yao left after delivering the message. Elansno went to wash up, changed clothes. He seemed exceptionally concerned about this dinner invitation.
“Do I smell of blood?”
Nie Liang shook his head.
The Admiral specifically changed into pale white clothing—simple style, expensive materials, looked very clean.
He’d been by the Admiral’s side over three years. Seemed like he’d never seen him wear white before, always military uniform. Now suddenly changed—didn’t look like a decisive general, but like a refined young noble.
No bloody smell. Clothes were clean.
Elansno curved his lips, revealing some happiness rarely seen ordinarily.
Different from his usual careless, mocking smile. Had an indescribable anticipation that made the world around him seem brighter.
Elansno: “Let’s go.”
Nie Liang reminded: “Admiral, you haven’t eaten previously. When you were unconscious, I injected a nutritional shot. Though the effect has passed, I don’t recommend eating overly stimulating food right now.”
“If the food at the table would burden your stomach, please eat sparingly.”
Elansno: “I understand.”
He just… wanted to stay near Brother a little longer.
And besides…
It was eating together with Brother.
How could he refuse?
**
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152
Hmm