Edited by Jules
Xiao Lan couldn’t help blurting out, “How can you really be dead?!”
Xiao Chengyan shrugged. “If I’m lying, then I’m your son.”
Xiao Lan: “…”
Thanks, but he didn’t want to be his own grandfather at all.
Xiao Lan pushed down his turbulent emotions and faced Xiao Chengyan with renewed seriousness. “What happened?”
Xiao Chengyan leaned back, adopting an even more relaxed posture, and even began sipping from a wine glass that appeared out of nowhere. “To answer, we have to start with the beginning of the Advent World’s existence…
“The Advent World was created by two beings.
“They don’t have names. One has power similar to light, and later became the Master of the Advent World. The other is similar to darkness, and is the Insurgent.
“Based on our human understanding, they should be similar to the existence of twins.
“It’s just that they were born from the cosmos.
“As for their goal —
“According to what the Insurgent said, they had originally been wandering throughout the cosmos, trying to find those similar to themselves, but they didn’t have any special plan.
“Later, they incidentally discovered the intelligent creatures that were men. They were amazed that humans, though weak, were astonishingly similar to them.
“At the same time, they began to thoroughly research human culture, and discovered humanity’s thirst for power. Almost all religions and myths contained the existence of gods as well as heroes bestowed power by the gods who in turn were worshipped by ordinary people.
“As such, the Master came up with an idea — ‘God Creation Project’.
“What would it be like if they allowed humans to truly possess the powers of a god? Would the ‘god’ created with the help of their powers be considered one of their kind?
“The Insurgent wasn’t that interested in this plan, but still helped the Master carry it out.
“After consulting various human cultures, they created the Advent World as the background for the God Creation Project.”
Xiao Lan: “Sounds a bit like how humans research gorillas.”
Xiao Chengyan took a sip of his wine. “Isn’t it very intriguing? While humans boast they are the most intelligent of all living beings, and research other living things, there were two even higher dimensional existences who were researching us.”
Xiao Lan looked at the ceiling. “This feeling is a bit uncomfortable…”
Xiao Chengyan smiled. “Right? Who would want to be a lab rat?”
He continued with his story. “The Master cared more about the results of the research, and has always only observed from the outside. The Insurgent, on the other hand, was more interested in the process. He often pretended to be a player or NPC, and entered various games.
“During this process, the Insurgent discovered the contradictions in human nature.
“Humans aren’t beings that can maintain absolute rationality, especially after gaining power. It grew harder and harder for players to retain their rationality, to the point that murder among players was gradually reaching a critical point.
“With power, a person can’t be impartial and selfless like the gods in the stories, so much so that human behaviour is practically opposite to what is recorded in religious texts.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“At the same time, the Insurgent also learnt of the complexity of human nature. Unlike other living beings, humans have many and varied goals. Honestly, it was just a small portion of humans who pursued power.
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“This was the point where they started to disagree.
“Later, as the Insurgent started to modify the Advent World more and more, the conflict between them also grew increasingly intense.
“Up until the Master wanted to expand the influence of the Advent World.”
Xiao Lan frowned and asked, “Expand? Isn’t it enough that there are so many people in the Advent World?”
Xiao Chengyan shook his head. “Of course not. He wanted the Advent World to encompass all of humanity, and to achieve a final result through mutual slaughter.”
Xiao Lan was speechless for a time.
He then thought of the night he had entered the game for the first time when he was fifteen. If this sort of world took over all of humanity…
It would be hell on earth.
Xiao Chengyan: “During that period, the Insurgent and the Master discussed it once, and finally parted on bad terms. Then, the Insurgent expressed that we might need to use a slightly more crude method to stop the Master.”
Xiao Lan couldn’t help holding his breath.
Perhaps this ‘crude method’ was the reason for the current situation.
Luo was definitely the Insurgent. Why he had become like this, why Xiao Chengyan died, as well as what truly happened during what players viewed as ‘Wushe tearing the sky apart’ were questions that would all be answered with this.
Xiao Chengyan suddenly took a big gulp of wine. “The Advent World was originally created by the Insurgent and the Master together. Any large activity definitely wouldn’t escape his notice.
“As such, we launched our operation the instant the Master prepared to make a move.
“Wushe’s members ambushed each instance with the help of the Insurgent, killing the boss and destroying the setting. Anything worked as long as it affected the game’s stability. Just like that, Wushe created several holes to impede the Master.
“Whereas the Insurgent and I ambushed the Master, allowing the Insurgent to swallow up his power and causing him to lose control over the Advent World.
“Originally everything was going very smoothly. Because our actions were extremely quick, those lazy and stupid contract players had no time to react at all, and the Insurgent soon began swallowing up the Master’s power.”
Xiao Chengyan paused. “What was unexpected was that… Actually, the Master had always been afraid of the Insurgent, who shared his origins.
“When they were first born, the Master woke a little earlier. He secretly took away the sleeping Insurgent’s core, and never told the Insurgent anything about it, so the Insurgent had no idea about it.
“At the critical juncture of their decisive battle, he used the Insurgent’s core to heavily injure the Insurgent.
“After that, our operation naturally failed.
“All the players who took part died… without exception.”
After that, Xiao Chengyan drank his wine and no longer spoke.
Xiao Lan, however, sank into silence. It was only after a very long while that he asked, “What about you… How did you…”
Xiao Chengyan pointed at the lava pool beneath his feet. “The Insurgent sensed that the Master’s core was here. I rushed over to destroy it, but I failed and died.”
Looking at his father’s extremely indifferent attitude towards his own death, Xiao Lan didn’t know what he was feeling himself.
Xiao Lan changed the subject. “…Then, that Insurgent?”
Xiao Chengyan shook his head. “After the Insurgent suffered heavy damage, he sent me here, and I don’t know what happened to him after that.
“But…” Xiao Chengyan pointed at Xiao Lan. “I sensed his aura on you. Looks like he isn’t dead, and you seem to know him?”
Xiao Lan felt that he was truly unable to keep any secrets in front of Xiao Chengyan. He nodded. “Yes.”
Xiao Chengyan asked, “How is he now?”
Xiao Lan: “He can’t remember many things anymore, and is in the process of recovering his power.”
“That’s good.” Xiao Chengyan smiled.
Suddenly, he took a white piece of paper out of nowhere and passed it over. “Take it. This is something the Insurgent handed to me at the end. I don’t know what it is, but perhaps it was in preparation for this moment.”
Xiao Lan reached out and took it. The thing in his hands looked like just a common piece of white paper; there was nothing on it.
Perhaps only Luo himself could discover the key within.
At that moment, Xiao Chengyan passed him another wine glass. “Foolish son, you’ve already grown up; as a father, I should have long taught you how to drink. What a pity that I’m late by this many years. Do you think you’re willing to do me the honour now?”
Xiao Lan looked at the wine glass in front of him.
The wine in the glass had a starry lustre, and sparkled as the alcohol rippled, as if it was a glass of stars.
This was a belated glass of wine between father and son to celebrate his coming of age.
Xiao Lan: “…”
He still reached out and took it.
Xiao Chengyan raised his glass to Xiao Lan, nostalgia and regret hidden in his eyes. “Come, let’s celebrate you… having grown into what your mother hoped you would be…”
Xiao Lan also raised his glass. After clinking glasses with Xiao Chengyan, he finished it in one gulp.
However, this glass of wine had no taste, and didn’t even have any texture.
Slight sourness surfaced in his heart. Right… This was just an illusion.
Noticing Xiao Lan’s expression, Xiao Chengyan laughed at himself. “What a pity. If I was in my prime, this could be a glass of good wine that would even make a drunkard black out. Back then, there was an old drunkard who often used rare items to beg me for a glass… Now, it can’t even compare with plain water.”
Xiao Lan put down his glass. “Do you regret it?”
Xiao Chengyan toyed with the glass, his smile turning a little contemptuous. “Rebellion and change cannot happen without sacrifice; it has always been so. Anyone can die; there’s no reason I should be an exception.”
Xiao Lan still wanted to say something, but realised that Xiao Chengyan’s figure had grown hazy.
“Looks like this bit of consciousness can only hold for this long…” Xiao Chengyan said while looking at his hand.
He stood up, spread his arms and said, “Want to see fireworks?”
With that, Xiao Chengyan clapped his hands.
Instantly, this bubbling lava pool exploded. The sparks which filled the entire pool scattered, and with a bang, actually burst into fireworks.
“Goodbye, son. Hahahahaha…”
Following the laughter, Xiao Chengyan’s figure dissipated along with the room of fireworks.
From now on, the world truly no longer contained a contemptuous Xiao Chengyan.
Because the fireworks went off without warning, there were still traces of astonishment on Xiao Lan’s face.
Now, he was still holding the bookmark. Everything in the room was normal, as if everything just now had never happened.
Except for the white piece of paper beside him.
This told him that none of it had been his imagination.
“Sir!” The door suddenly burst open and Luo rushed in. “Apologies, I felt a strange energy just now —”
Xiao Lan turned to him, silent for a moment.
Luo noticed the strangeness in Xiao Lan’s behaviour. He quickly went over and sat beside Xiao Lan. “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Lan opened his mouth. “I…”
But he didn’t know what to say.
Luo reached out, pressing Xiao Lan’s head to his shoulder. “You can lean on me. You don’t have to speak.”
At the same time, he gently patted Xiao Lan’s back.
Xiao Lan leaned against Luo, silent for a long time.
For a time, Luo kept patting his back softly, soothing Xiao Lan’s emotions.
After a while, Xiao Lan tightened his grip on the bookmark. In a very, very quiet voice, as if speaking to himself, he said, “As a father, he was truly awful… But, he’s not here anymore…”
Xiao Chengyan was a terrible father, but had still once been the broad shoulders that had supported this family.
He did carry his son when he was young and played games with him, giving him care and guidance.
But when he felt that the child needed tempering, he ruthlessly used cruel and overbearing methods, and didn’t care about the damage brought about by such ways.
As the leader of the rebellion, however, he was also brave and advanced without looking back.
Even when he gambled his all in one shot, he had thought of leaving behind a chance to meet his son once.
Perhaps Xiao Chengyan himself had never cared for other people’s praise or slander.
Moreover, regardless of what complicated feelings Xiao Lan had for him, this person was no longer around.
Just as Xiao Lan felt that he was understanding him just a bit more, he was lost forever…
Xiao Chengyan, these three words; why were they so complicated?
Feeling Xiao Lan’s taut muscles, Luo gently kissed Xiao Lan’s forehead. “I will always accompany you. I’ve said before: ‘You will always have me in your life to accompany you until the end of everything.’”
Xiao Lan couldn’t help reaching up and hugging Luo tight.
Luo’s body felt really warm.
Baobao Notes
Shut up im not crying you’re crying
Yeah I’m crying
Same🥺
I know, some bish is cutting onions in my kitchen again… 😭😭😭😭
Thanks for the chapter!
I’m not crying! My eyes are just sweating
😭
Stop it! I’m even more ugly when crying! 😭😭
Thank you for the chapter ❤️
It’s the ninjas!! Why are they cutting onions again QAQ
Thank you for the chapter!!! ❤️❤️
Thanks for the chapter! I still can’t believe the guy is actually dead… Maybe XL will meet other fragments in some of the other things left behind by his father?
I just remembered what Xiao Lou said to Lou if you find me act weak and pitiful
What?! Im not crying, YOU’RE the one crying! sob
Thx for the chappy
Don’t cry me 🤧
Thank you for the chapter
Who cares about crying? I want to know what’s with that piece of paper and I want to see a lava firework too xD
Thx for the ch ٩( >ヮ<)۶
you. are. heartless. bestie, get some medical attention
Such a touching and emotional chapter 😥 I have the feels.
QAQ
He’s a good guy like he did his best given the circumstances he tried to help his wife and son even with the player restrictions
TT_TT I dunno why but the line “having grown into what your mother hoped you would be” hit me in a soft spot.
thanks for the chapter <3
Your whole family is crying.
/hiks/
Wahhh, I cried T^T
I can’t curse Xiao Chengyan now after knowing all of this. OMG my tears 😭😢Thank you for the chapters
I’m ugly crying 😭😭😭😭
this chapter feels like losing my father all over again
I was crying and I admit it🖐
WAA｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡
I am crying shut up!
Solo estoy botando un poco de agua 🤧
I feel a little sad, but no tears come to my eyes. However I also skimmed it because otherwise I would be crying and I like breathing unhindered
I just knew they will see each other again because HE STILL HADN’T INTRODUCED LUO AS HIS HUBBY TO HIS PAPA. Please I wanted to see Xiao Chengyan’s reaction to this mwahaha
I actually want Xiao Lan to somehow magically whip his father’s soul to resurrect him into a new body (you know, witch craft) just so that he can introduce his God hubby to his dad (I think we’re pretty sure Lou is somehow a god like being)
It’s sad just to Xiao Lan not for his father…I mean just a lil bit sad for him(the Father)..
Hmmm why do I feel this way
Это просто потоп из глаз
༎ຶ‿༎ຶ the hel-
DAMN WHO’S CUTTING ONIONS IN MY KITCHEN THIS TIME!!!!!😭🤧😭 QAQ MY POOR BABY XIAO LAN!!!!! HE CAN’T EVEN VENT ON HIS FATHER’S CORPSE NOW!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭
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