AITAMITB Chapter 142

The feeling of being grabbed by the neck is not pleasant; it’s even more uncomfortable than having a knife directly stabbed into the heart.

The latter is just death, while the former signifies—

Control.

Life and death, all within the whim of others.

When locking eyes with the evil god, Zhao Xiaokui saw its intentions in its eyes from start to finish.

In the conversation with Loisette, Zhao Xiaokui finally understood why the latter firmly believed that only she could completely kill it.

“All the dark ages are actually ended by the same kind of person, the darling of the world, the pride of destiny. They find vitality in countless dim strands of fate, creating towering waves in the darkest moments before dawn, tearing apart the deepest darkness that people think cannot see the light.”

Seeming to understand the questioning gaze, Loisette calmly said, “Yes, yes, don’t be in a hurry. You want to know why I think you are the one destined, right?”

“Is it the power of faith? There are definitely more than just me in this world who can use the power of faith…”

“Of course not.” Loisette looked at her with a gaze full of affection, as if looking at an innocent child. “How could it be just the insignificant power of faith? Human faith and affection are too easily obtained, easy enough to make people lose interest. What truly makes you that person is the authority the world shares with you.”

“You want to know why it’s you, right?”

Zhao Xiaokui’s mouth, which had just opened, closed again.

This evil god is really terrifying, almost like it has telepathic abilities.

“To see through someone’s thoughts is actually not difficult, even without telepathy, I can still do it.” Loisette spoke as if she could really hear what Zhao Xiaokui was thinking, “I know you, like most people, feel ordinary, small, and insignificant. But, dear, you must know that some people are destined to be different from the rest. This world has always been unfair like that…”

“The world favors you, and you are the one and only.” Her words seemed to have the power to enchant, making bones feel a bit lighter.

Zhao Xiaokui did not deny that she felt a bit ecstatic—after all, who wouldn’t feel such emotions when being considered the most special in the world?

However, this emotion was fleeting.

Feeling ecstatic in front of an evil god was akin to wishing for one’s own demise.

“Oh.” Loisette deliberately revealed an exaggerated expression, “Aren’t you even a little happy?”

Lying on the bed, Zhao Xiaokui coughed lightly, looking at Loisette with calm eyes, “Are you suggesting that I should be honored for being chosen?”

“Isn’t that the case?”

“To be honest, the profession of a savior, according to your description, sounds like randomly selecting a lucky audience to suffer. I indeed gained many resources, and I don’t deny that it might be the world’s favor towards me. Without this favor, I might have died in some corner, and my remains could have already decayed. But does being alive really mean it’s better than being dead?”

“In the language of our human world, I endured pain, grew, and I shouldn’t be thankful for pain itself or the people who brought the pain. I should be grateful for the me who survived through it.”

“Oh… my dear, you are truly adorable.” Loisette, as if fascinated by her, suddenly approached, cupping her cheeks. The black eyes met Zhao Xiaokui’s dark golden pupils, and in an instant, a figure slowly emerged within her dilating pupils.

…

Loisette ascended the stairs, supporting herself on the railing, going up step by step.

Even in the most ordinary residential building, she walked as if she were in a grand palace hall.

Suddenly, she sniffed and lifted her dress, quickening her pace as she ran upstairs.

An elderly person with white hair tasted the soup just cooked in the pot. Looking at the woman in a black dress, she smiled kindly and said, “The meal is ready, come in and sit. We can eat when Xiaokui comes back.”

“Is this the food you described to me?” Loisette extended her finger, picked up a piece of steamed pork, and disregarding decorum, put it in her mouth. After a moment, her eyes lit up, “It’s really delicious. I haven’t felt this way in many years.”

The old woman tapped her hand with the end of the chopsticks in her hand.

“Be honest, the guests haven’t arrived yet.”

In a moment, a teenage girl with a backpack unlocked the door with a key and loudly announced to the room, “Grandma, I’m back.”

The old woman said, “You’re back, come and eat. We have guests today; come and call them.”

Fifteen or sixteen-year-old Zhao Xiaokui, with features yet to refine, had a hint of innocence in her eyes and eyebrows. The chubby cheeks, adorned with a bit of baby fat, made her look exceptionally cute.

As she looked at Loisette, there was a hint of scrutiny in her eyes, as if asking, “Coming as a guest to our place dressed as if you’re going to the Oscars, isn’t there something wrong with your head?”

In terms of hiding emotions, the fifteen or sixteen-year-old Zhao Xiaokui was far from the one she would become in ten years. Moreover, her expression didn’t hide any thoughts at all; anyone with eyes could see.

Ignoring the unspoken sentiment, the old woman cheerfully picked up a piece of food with chopsticks for his granddaughter. Loisette elegantly tossed a sweet and sour spare rib into her mouth. Under Zhao Xiaokui’s incredulous gaze, she chewed the bone along with the meat, swallowing it whole.

“She—how—”

Zhao Xiaokui was so shocked that she couldn’t even articulate her words.

Loisette, on the other hand, smiled at her and said, “You from ten years ago are much cuter than you from ten years later.”

The old woman added, “No, you’re mistaken. Whether it’s ten years ago or ten years later, my little Xiaokui is equally adorable.”

Fifteen-year-old Zhao Xiaokui protested, “Grandma—”

The old woman laughed heartily, “Alright, alright, you don’t have to call her ‘Little Xiaokui’ in front of others.”

Young Zhao Xiaokui, after finishing her meal, was promptly sent off to do her homework.

The two individuals who met across time and space sat together, holding cups of tea, and gazing at each other.

Neither of them spoke as if daring the other to speak first.

In the end, Loisette couldn’t resist breaking the silence. She set down the teacup, delicately pinched the lid, and gently ran her slender fingers along the edge of the cup. “Do your Star Seer practitioners meticulously calculate which leg to step with when entering a door and which tooth to grind while eating? Do you even dare to manipulate the entire world?”

The old woman blinked and asked, “You say I manipulate, but what have I manipulated?”

Loisette snorted coldly, both being astute individuals, she didn’t want to watch the woman act dumb in front of her. She straightforwardly stated, “You know what you’ve done. You should have a clear idea of who that girl is. If you can’t fulfill the promise you made to me back then, don’t blame me for being heartless.”

The old woman chuckled lightly, her gaze full of kindness as she replied, “Rest assured, we Star Seer practitioners abide by our promises. Since I dared to promise you this matter, it means I can definitely fulfill it.”

Loisette’s gaze followed Zhao Xiaokui as she left the room, showing a hint of anticipation and nervousness. “So… so you saw it, I mean, the matter concerning the River of Destiny…”

“No, I didn’t,” the old woman raised a hand, “It’s time for you to leave.”

…

Zhao Xiaokui felt as if her head had been forcefully struck by a sledgehammer. She toppled backward, the back of her head slamming onto the sturdy stone bed behind her. If it were an ordinary stone, by now, it would likely have shattered into pieces. However, this particular stone, sourced by Loisette from somewhere, was exceptionally solid. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been suitable for binding Zhao Xiaokui. This powerful blow not only caused no damage but also left Zhao Xiaokui in pain, with stars dancing before her eyes.

The woman in the black long dress withdrew her hand, looking at Zhao Xiaokui lying on the bed with a contemplative expression. Soon, as if understanding something, her lips gradually lifted, revealing a satisfied smile.

…

“I received some news…”

Park Huiya entered the temporary base, assuming her usual appearance, and addressed her teammates inside.

…

“Have you heard the story of the hero defeating the Demon King? My dear, it’s time for you to leave. Take your sword and bravely face the Demon King. A sword not bathed in the Demon King’s blood is not worthy of being called a sword.”

Zhao Xiaokui paid no attention to what she said but focused on the surrounding space.

The dense dark force that had separated this space from the Illusory Realm had somehow become thin. It was so thin that it couldn’t completely isolate this space from the outside world. Zhao Xiaokui could even hear the sounds of people moving and softly conversing outside.

“Are you leaving?”

“Before playing the role of a hero, you must first be a princess in need of rescue.” Loisette’s cold fingers lightly touched her forehead. “Pray to me, hoping that your teammates can rescue you before this base is destroyed.”

As she spoke, Loisette waved her hand, and a bright red countdown appeared in Zhao Xiaokui’s eyes.

Seeing the astonishment in Zhao Xiaokui’s eyes, the malicious Loisette burst into laughter. Her laughter seemed to linger in the space even after her figure faded away.

The countdown was not long, only ten minutes.

Zhao Xiaokui couldn’t move her body at all. Except for being able to open her eyes, she couldn’t do anything. She could only watch as the bright red numbers slowly counted down. When there were less than seven minutes left, she finally heard a different sound.

“Is this the place?” It was Arthur’s voice.

“It should be here. Ye Ying questioned those researchers and combined with the data I copied from the computer, if the Evil God hid the captain somewhere, there’s no other possibility besides here.”

As Lin Bai spoke, he stared intently at the identification device in front of him. Countless green codes flashed through his eyes—

Attack, resist, and find vulnerabilities.

He stood expressionless as if he were staring blankly at the identifier. However, sweat dripped heavily from his forehead. Finally, after a pleasant long beep, the metal door opened with a sound, revealing the scene inside.

The first thing everyone saw was Zhao Xiaokui confined to the stone bed.

Lin Bai shouted, “Captain Zhao, Zhao Xiaokui!”

The person on the bed showed no response. If it weren’t for the slight movement of her chest, one would almost think she was a cold corpse.

Hill directly pressed a detector onto the iron chain suppressing Zhao Xiaokui and warned the others, “Be careful, there is a strong contaminating force on this iron chain.”

Sucha said to Hill, “Give me the red package.”

Hill retrieved the package from the space and handed it to him. Sucha’s hand trembled, revealing a red robe outlined with golden threads. He unfolded the robe, spread it on his hand, and reached directly for the black iron chain.

Layers of golden light unfolded, and Sucha controlled his trembling hands to tighten continuously. Finally, with a crisp sound, the iron chain crumbled. Sucha’s head was also covered in sweat, and his face was pale as gold paper.

Hill grabbed one of Zhao Xiaokui’s arms, swung her onto his back, and said, “Let’s go!”

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