Chapter 517

Arc 5: I Am Deeply Disappointed Feb 11 Written By Pure Preview

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Chapter 517 Wei Yang? (章羊?)

“If you put it that way…” Qian Five’s eyes darkened, as if recalling something. “I think I have a vague impression of this {Heart Insight}.”

“You do?” Qi Xia was genuinely startled. He had assumed that anyone possessing such an ability in {End Point} would be a known figure, and yet after all this time, their name had never reached him.

Beside him, Chen Junnan, who had been picking at his ear, sighed. “Ole Qi, forget about {Heart Insight}. That one’s beyond handling.”

“Beyond handling?”

“Indeed,” Qian Five nodded. “Seems even Eldest Brother Chen remembers, but the reality now diverges somewhat from your memories… he’s far more unconventional than before.”

“What?” Chen Junnan clicked his tongue. “That old geezer isn’t playing by the rules again?”

“It’s been a great many years since I last saw him,” Qian Five replied in a low voice. “I heard he’s running a farm on the edge of the city… though I can’t fathom what living things could exist here besides all manner of humans.”

“Then what sort of person is he?” Qi Xia questioned. “Running a farm…with power of that caliber, would he truly accept a life spent here?”

Chen Junnan shook his head and said to Qi Xia, “Ole Qi, you’re far smarter than me, can you even imagine what would happen if someone’s ability was truly {Heart Insight}? What kind of situation that person would constantly face?”

Qi Xia put himself in the scenario. Five people sat in the room, each harboring secrets unknown to the others. If a {Heart Insight} were really present, he would inadvertently capture every voice hidden in their hearts.

Whether it was the pain each person most wanted to keep hidden, or those filthy memories too shameful to speak of, they would all, without hesitation, pour into their ears.

“He… is more likely to go mad than we are,” Qi Xia said. “The desire to peer into another’s innermost secrets is a human instinct; he cannot restrain his own {belief}.”

“Hence his choice to withdraw,” Qian Five said. “After being immersed in the filth of human hearts for so long… even he would feel a certain aversion.”

“I want to find him,” Qi Xia said. “I want to converse with this {Heart Insight}.”

“Are you sure?” Qian Five frowned. “The moment you meet him, he will perceive every thought in your mind. Can you really {converse} with someone like that?”

“Hah…” Qi Xia rose and addressed Qian Five, “Even {Celestial Snake} failed to read me… how could he possibly pierce my intentions? It’s still early; I’ll meet him before night comes.”

“I don’t mean to discourage you,” Qian Five closed his eyes and exhaled, his expression grave. “That person’s ability is even stronger than {Celestial Snake}’s. He has honed {Heart Insight} to perfection. A sound that escapes the {Celestial Snake}’s ears does not mean he cannot perceive it.”

“It’s of no consequence,” Qi Xia said with a smile. “Even I wish to comprehend my own mind. There’s so much to deliberate upon each day; this will be a good chance to let him help me sort out my thoughts.”

The others exchanged uneasy glances. To go meet someone capable of probing one’s innermost secrets… what a psychological hurdle that would be.

“Unfortunately, all I can give you is a rough direction,” Qian Five said. “Each {Cat} carries wounds they don’t wish to speak of. We can’t accompany you there.”

“I’ll go with you,” Qiao Jiajin lifted his head to look at Qi Xia. “Swindler lad, I’ve always lived upright and honorably. There’s nothing in my heart I fear being seen, so I have your back.”

Qi Xia then looked at Officer Li and Chen Junnan. Both wore expressions of hesitation.

“I… can’t,” Officer Li shook his head. “I’ve committed unforgivable sins, and I prefer that few be aware of them.”

Qi Xia nodded, understanding, then turned to Chen Junnan. “Chen Junnan, what about you? Are you afraid of your secrets being read?”

“This young master isn’t afraid of a damn thing,” Chen Junnan said, though his face betrayed his reluctance. Yet following his impulses, he stood. “This young master, while far from {upright and honorable}, certainly {a man of many vices}.  I’ve embarrassed myself plenty already, so one more time won’t hurt. Besides, I’ve had quite a few run-ins with that old geezer before. I’m curious to see what he’s like now.”

Seeing that the three were determined to find {Heart Insight}, Qian Five had no choice but to rely on his memory to sketch a rough map, pointing eastward from the prison.

After all, the prison was already near the city’s edge. A few more hours’ walk would bring them to the farm.

“If I remember correctly, it should be around here,” Qian Five said. “This intel is about a year-old. If the place has been abandoned, it means he’s moved or lost his memory. Make sure you return promptly.”

Qi Xia nodded and took the map from Qian Five. “What’s this person’s name?”

Qian Five thought for a moment, his memory a little faded. “I believe it’s… Wei Yang (魏杨)?”

“Wei Yang (未羊)…?” Qi Xia’s brow creased as a faint, almost imperceptible flicker brushing across his thoughts.

(TLN: 魏杨 and 未羊 are pronounced identically, as wèi yáng, though the latter carries a rather…coincidental meaning. The Chinese word 羊 (yáng) refers to goat while the Year of the Goat is associated with the 8th Earthly Branch symbol, 未 (wèi).)

“That’s right, Wei Yang,” Qian Five nodded. “I should warn you first: this man is extremely difficult. If it doesn’t work out, don’t get entangled with him, and under no circumstances should you fight him.”

“Fight…?” Qiao Jiajin paused. “Transformer lou, so you’re saying we’re going to throw hands?”

“Given Wei Yang’s nature… it’s highly likely,” Qian Five remarked. “In short, be careful. No one can take on a person with {Heart Insight}. Even I wouldn’t be a match for him.”

Qi Xia cast a brief glance at Qiao Jiajin; the pair said nothing further and, beckoning Chen Junnan, exited the prison.

At this moment, Yun Nineteen was about to lift {Sound Insulation}, but Qi Xia seized the last moment to turn back, his expression wary as he regarded Qian Five.

“What is it?” Qian Five asked.

“{Cats} are reputed to be highly cohesive,” Qi Xia said quietly. “But might such a possibility exist…that an {Adherent of Judgment’s Domain} has infiltrated your group?”

“What?” Both Qian Five and Yun Nineteen froze at the question.

“Exactly what is {Judgment’s Domain}?” Chen Junnan asked.

Qian Five disregarded Chen Junnan’s question and lowered his head to think for a while. He knew Qi Xia wouldn’t suddenly speak without cause, but he couldn’t pinpoint any clues, so he could only ask in return, “Do you suspect there’s an {Adherent} in our ranks?”

“I’m not certain,” Qi Xia said. “Our plan is of utmost consequence, the only variable that might intervene is {Judgment’s Domain}. If there isn’t one in {Cats}, that’s ideal. If there is…I cannot say what those madmen might attempt.”

After saying this, Qi Xia led the two of them out the door, leaving Qian Five alone in the room, deep in thought.

‘{Judgment’s Domain}…’ Qian Five knew that while there were no {Adherents} in {Cats}, there was indeed one person with extremely close ties to them.

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TL Note: Rant goes here ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)