Chapter 272 - 154: Mortal Realm’s Lone Vigil in the Eternal Night

Chapter 272: Chapter 154: Mortal Realm’s Lone Vigil in the Eternal Night

Night fell.

The various merchant associations in Mortal City looked around in confusion. As soon as night fell, all the official members of the Mortal Realm had vanished, as if on some formal mission. The only ones left guarding Mortal City were some auxiliary personnel.

They tried asking the auxiliary personnel what was happening.

The only answer they received was a shake of the head.

It seemed they truly didn’t know.

’Could it be...’

’The Mortal Realm is making another big move?’

...

「By the sea.」

The Mortal Realm Port.

Chen Fan had shed his usual azure robe for a black one. He stood at the very front with a solemn expression, facing the sea.

Night had already fallen.

The Eternal Night shrouded the entire world. Standing within the range of the Port’s Ghost Fire, he couldn’t see the surface of the water. He could only hear the sound of the waves crashing against the reefs, the sea breeze carrying the salty tang of the ocean to his face.

He looked up.

There were no stars, no moon.

Only an endless, boundless darkness.

Stars and a moon.

Those were legends passed down from ancient books. Many people had never seen a star in their entire lives, yet they firmly believed in their existence, just as they firmly believed the Eternal Night would one day recede.

This wasn’t some kind of faith.

It was the conviction that kept them alive.

The one thing that kept them from falling into despair.

A sliver of hope, at the very least.

Chen Fan stood at the front.

Lame Monkey, Zhou Mo, and Wang Kui stood behind him. Farther back were all the official members of the Mortal Realm, dressed in black. Everyone had gathered here today.

Directly before them was a stone stele.

A stone stele, standing tall by the sea.

A clear inscription was carved upon it.

-

"In the 379th year of the Eternal Night Calendar."

"The Mortal Realm Commerce Pavilion sailed the seas in search of new lands and discovered a New Continent. However, Huo Lin, Feng Yi, Yan Zhi, He Tuo... these men were martyred in the vast ocean, their souls entrusted to the raging waves."

"Thus the sea routes were opened, and their loyal bones lie in eternal slumber."

"Their great deed of opening new lands is worthy of being carved in stone and metal."

"Their merit in expanding our frontiers is enough to outshine the stars."

"This stele, made of Ghost Bone, is therefore erected. The sound of the tide shall be their eulogy. The people of the Mortal Realm shall honor their memory forever."

-

"..."

Chen Fan stared at the stele before him in silence for a long time. Finally, he turned to face the crowd behind him, meeting their gazes, and spoke in a calm, soft voice.

"Some have asked me."

"Why would I send people out, knowing the Dead Sea is likely teeming with Ghost Objects and fraught with danger."

"Because—"

"Waiting in Jiangbei won’t bring us the dawn. It will only bring us dwindling supplies of Ghost Stones, slowly decaying buildings, and eyes that grow more desperate with each passing generation."

"Huo Lin and the others knew they might not return from this voyage. But more importantly, they knew that if no one went to see what this world truly looks like..."

"If no one went to see what lies beyond the continent..."

"If no one went to see where the Undersea Ghost Tides are hidden..."

"...then our children would be trapped behind the City Wall forever."

"But everyone."

"We didn’t use to live cowering behind a City Wall. We used to play in vast plains, we roamed the mountains and rivers, we lay on our roofs at night and watched the stars. That was our world."

"We will not hide behind the City Wall forever."

"We will eventually drive out the Eternal Night and reclaim the entire continent."

"And they..."

"...are the pioneers."

"They walked into the darkness without a second thought, but in doing so, they gave us a greater chance to welcome the light. Every member of the Mortal Realm must remember these pioneers."

"If the Mortal Realm one day dispels the darkness, it will be because they were the ones who lit the first torch."

"Their exploration has ended. Ours has just begun."

"These past few months."

"The Mortal Realm has changed Jiangbei, and even various other places around Jiangbei. But that’s not enough. I want the Mortal Realm to change the entire Eternal Night Continent, to make its nights as bright as day!"

Chen Fan’s voice trailed off. He said no more, turning his back to the crowd to look at the stele once again.

His back was as straight as a pine tree.

He lowered his head slightly.

Soon, the crowd behind him bowed their heads in unison, observing a moment of silence.

This was a farewell.

At the front of the crowd stood the twelve surviving members of the Commerce Pavilion. With red-rimmed eyes, they stared intently at the stele. They had witnessed their brothers’ deaths firsthand and regretted that those brothers were not standing here with them now.

But they also felt a sense of relief.

The Domain Lord valued them greatly.

The brothers who had families had also received a substantial pension.

"Rest in peace."

Wang Mazi murmured under his breath.

...

The night passed quickly.

Day broke.

According to the original plan, today was supposed to be the official launch of "Mortal Realm Communication." However, the Mortal Realm’s camp was currently bustling with activity. Large tables were set up end to end, laden with delicacies.

Today was a celebration feast.

A celebration for the safe return of the "Commerce Pavilion" and their discovery of a New Continent.

That’s right.

This news had not been kept from the official members of the Mortal Realm. There was a risk of it being leaked, but Chen Fan also wanted to see if there were any moles in the Mortal Realm. If there was a mole, then this bombshell of a revelation would be enough to force their hand.

Though ’mole’ wasn’t entirely accurate.

’More like a pawn from another faction.’

"..."

Chen Fan sat alone on the City Wall, watching the bustling preparations outside. He leaned back in a rocking chair, his knuckles tapping unconsciously on the armrest.

’A New Continent.’

’A New Continent that was destroyed by a Ghost Tide, a land covered in Ghost Stones.’

’That meant immense wealth.’

’It was practically free for the taking.’

’Just by landing on it, one could become fabulously wealthy.’

The rate of wealth accumulation would be far faster than what he could achieve in Jiangbei. It would be enough for him to build a completely secure Jiangbei Defense Line. The problem, however, was how to reach the "New Continent." Getting to the island the Commerce Pavilion had named "Hope Island" was one thing...