Chapter 666: Chapter 664: The Old Path (24)_1 Chapter 666: Chapter 664: The Old Path (24)_1 “I’m heading back first, you rest well,”
With that single sentence that deeply stirred Lei’s emotions, Fu Qian quite rudely took his leave without looking back.
In the room, Lei’s face was now unable to hide the murderous intent, staring fixedly as Fu Qian nonchalantly shut the door behind him.
Exiting the hotel, Fu Qian was not questioned by the police officer.
Clearly, the content of the conversation between the two men did not seem strange to the surveillance personnel– at most, it appeared slightly melodramatic.
Of course, the parties involved wouldn’t think so.
…
The fire had been lit, and the direction set; let’s see if Brother Lei, as a member of the “Second Entrance Palace,” could bring any surprises!
Fu Qian did not wander aimlessly but chose to head straight back to his accommodation for the night.
Of course, that final remark was deliberately provoking Lei.
Or more precisely, provoking Laxik within him.
This bout of mutual probing nearly ended with Fu Qian’s complete victory.
Lei’s several questions, when put together, had a simple purpose: one was to confirm whether Mrs. Harrold’s body had been found, and the second was to instinctively want to eliminate the unknown under his own guidance.
In response to these two demands, on the one hand, he informed him that the incident had not yet been discovered, so there was no urgent need to flee.
On the other hand, it was clear that he knew a lot but hadn’t reported to the police, which undoubtedly steered Lei’s thoughts with an ambiguous stance.
Mysterious in action, enigmatic in purpose, seemingly orchestrating the unfolding events from the shadows, while observing with a detached gaze.
All these elements seemingly foretold a vast conspiracy overhanging the town, with oneself either masterminding it or being part of it.
For a troubled soul desperately seeking a way out, this concept was a fatal attraction.
Originally, they tried everything possible, resorting to extreme measures, only to be ultimately scattered and unable to achieve Transcendence.
Now, all of it suddenly seemed explicable by some conspiracy–as long as Laxik within did not dissipate too swiftly, Fu Qian believed Lei would certainly take action.
As for how he would act?
No doubt, he would be like the protagonist in a movie with a lost memory, who exerts all efforts to unravel an evil conspiracy.
…
Choosing to do so was not because Fu Qian had any perverse pleasure.
From the start, he had pondered the essence of this mission.
Although the moment he entered the mission, it was within a creepy ancient mansion, the story was essentially a rather normal one, merely about a few young people’s vacation time.
Then, after completing the first mission, a countdown appeared.
Combining the previous and subsequent information, it seemed like an endless time loop lasting no more than forty-eight hours.
It was as if it were a recording tape of that exact duration.
Whenever the movie ended, it would play again from the beginning.
And his mission was to act as a character within the movie and stop its playback.
If that was indeed the case, it surely involved an action transcending dimensional barriers.
One might employ any method to influence the movie’s narrative, shaping any desired outcome.
But this was still just the ending of the movie, fundamentally different from the playback of the recording tape, and it was hard to imagine what impact it would have.
In fact, subsequent actions concerning the reenactment of Laxik’s behavior largely confirmed this point.
Though far from even a remnant soul, the sporadic information revealed showed that Laxik was clearly not a simple character.
It is foolish to belittle others’ efforts.
However, as a point of reference, one might consider a brother who was smart, cold, unyieldingly tenacious, with a will as strong as steel wire; in such a loop, ended up in this current state.
No matter how you look at it, this predicament seems unsolvable, which really corroborates earlier speculations.
But now another question arises.
At this moment, after who knows how many reincarnations, the fact that I’ve been sent in to accomplish a containment means that transcending reincarnation must be possible.
These two points are undoubtedly somewhat contradictory.
So where’s the difference? Between me and Laxik.
Being a person who values logic, this question has been echoing in Fu Qian’s mind since a moment ago.
And at a certain moment, he realized the root of this contradiction–set thinking.
Why assume that Laxik plays the same role as I do?
Why be so sure that he too was tasked to come here?
In previous missions, I have encountered more than one predecessor who failed miserably, so when I come across similar behavior, I subconsciously categorize it as the same nature.
Therefore, in earlier missions, after discovering the tragedy of Laxik, I took it for granted that his situation also had a solution.
Is it possible that the dilemma he faced was unsolvable from the start?
No matter how hard he tried, was he doomed to a failed outcome, persistent only to result in the dissipation of his soul, enduring endless torment?
Understanding this, it’s easy to realize the difference between myself and Laxik–it lies in him.
The difference between the predicaments Laxik and I face is that, comparatively speaking, there is the variable of him.
The first task, which was to find Laxik, was definitely not meaningless.
Even after finding him, my new task also related to him–to transcend reincarnation with Laxik.
It’s precisely his existence that brings the possibility of transcending reincarnation.
So to complete the mission, I must make good use of Laxik as a variable.
Moreover, if this speculation is true, it has to be said that Brother Laxik is quite tragic.
All his efforts in the predicament, tearing himself apart in a struggle that annihilated both body and soul, seems to have served merely as a key for others to use.
…
“You’re back.”
When I returned to Chief Jones’ house, the couple was like the first time I met them, one watching TV on the sofa, the other clearing the dishes.
And Mrs. Mary, evidently less experienced in these matters, greeted me with a slightly unnatural expression.
I wonder if it’s because of some discontent regarding the previous “false accusation.”
Regrettably, it’s very difficult for me to feel any guilt.
“Yes, how is Fran doing now?”
With a normal expression, Fu Qian smiled and responded, even taking the opportunity to inquire about his companion.
“She seemed a bit tired and went to rest a while ago. You can knock on the door and see if she’s fallen asleep.”
Mrs. Mary nodded and pointed upstairs, her face giving nothing away. Fu Qian thanked her and, making his way upstairs with softened footsteps, noticed that Chief Jones on the sofa hadn’t turned around, seemingly having given up such an opportunity for observation.
“You’re back?”
Just two knocks and the door opened from the inside.
Fran stood at the doorway, looking tired as she faced Fu Qian, repeating the same words as Mrs. Mary.
Oh? She’s changed back.
Seeing her for the first time, Fu Qian immediately made a judgment.