Today might be a bit late; if master wakes up today, he might not get to eat until a little later.
Lucifer stood in silence, leading the little girl out of the subway station.
"Brother, are you unhappy?" the little girl looked at the older brother holding her. "Does big brother not like this world?"
The older brother before her was truly handsome, with particularly beautiful peach blossom eyes. Yet, despite his dark pupils being so bright and beautiful, they gave the little girl a sense of desolation.
It was like a sapling slowly withering in a desert, completely barren. The little girl remembered seeing on television that adults who were uninterested in everything, with such desolate gazes, were usually the great villains who disliked the world, very possibly bad people.
But this big brother had helped her, so maybe he was a good person.
"I probably do," Lucifer looked at the little girl with surprise and smiled. "Someone once loved this world deeply, so I will also love the world she loved."
These words were too profound; the little girl admitted she didn't quite understand and could only continue to ask.
"Then why did big brother help me? I met so many people along the way, and they all hid in fear. No one was willing to help me," the little girl said, feeling a bit wronged.
Actually, it wasn't entirely the fault of those ordinary people. Those few individuals who came up and claimed she was his daughter, and looked so fierce, naturally made ordinary people dare not step forward. It was just that someone must have called the police. Lucifer had already reported it, and similar cases were quickly found. Someone must have noticed the little girl had reported it, but before the police could take further action, Lucifer had already resolved the situation.
"You are all the hope and dreams she has nurtured, so naturally, I must inherit her will," Lucifer smiled. "She would undoubtedly prefer to see you smile."
At least, in his memory, his master was a lamp in the mist, and also the spark that could burn the sky to ashes. He had come for her, and she was also where his heart belonged.
May the mountains and rivers be peaceful, and the human world be safe. May the ordinary fireworks bring peace year after year. May the child sleep soundly in her dreams. I wonder if people today have become stronger, living the way you would have wanted them to.
Big brother was saying incomprehensible things again.
The little girl, dazed and confused, followed Lucifer and was then handed over to the driver of an aerial motorbike.
"Missing an arm, how's business?" Lucifer looked at the somewhat weathered but much more relaxed Lang Ya with a sigh.
Lang Ya, who had survived a zombie bite, was one of the few. The moment he was bitten, Lang Ya decisively severed his left arm. After retiring, he started a flying transport business as an aerial motorbike rider. He seemed relaxed and at ease now, occasionally helping out.
"Of course! My motorcycle is fast and stable," Lang Ya grinned. "I'll entrust my foolish son to you. Is the young lady who needs a ride the one?"
The little girl was timid and a little scared. Lucifer placed the little girl on the back seat and fastened her seatbelt.
"This person can be trusted. He will take you home," Lucifer whispered to comfort her. "I've already asked the law enforcement team in City C to notify your parents. They should have received the news of your return journey and don't need to worry. If all goes well, you'll be home this afternoon."
"Thank you, big brother," the little girl nodded dazed, then looked at Lang Ya. "Thank you, uncle."
"Alright! Ready!" Lang Ya whistled, accelerated, and the motorcycle ascended, speeding off in one direction.
Lucifer stood in silence for a long time. He was truly obsessed to walk over and over again on all the paths she had walked, as if this way he could still meet and embrace her.
The Bai family villa was said to be Bai Cha's home, but it was actually the base of operations for the Bai family patriarch. The most advanced technology made the Bai family one of the most secure strongholds in Country Z. Since Bai Cha left, Xiang Nan, Meng Qinghuan, Gu Mingze, and Yun He had all moved in.
After all, no one else was a "hexagon warrior" like Bai Cha and Ye Feng. Or rather, perhaps others could be, but no one else would ever bear the burden of everything alone.
Yun He respectfully delivered the information and withdrew in silence. Ever since her conflict with Meng Qinghuan, even though Meng Qinghuan had returned to the Shadow, it seemed their relationship could never go back to the way it was.
They were people on the same path, yet they had erected a barrier between themselves. Meng Qinghuan didn't know what to do and could only remain silent, smiling and accepting everything as if nothing had happened.
"Give up. Prolonging her life like this is meaningless."
It was another consultation with the world's top doctors. The vast conference room was filled with the most authoritative physicians globally. Representatives from the Shadow and the Neutral Faction who could speak were all present. However, after the sixth consultation, almost all the doctors uttered the same words.
"Miss Bai's heartbeat is too slow; there's almost no difference from a dead person. And Miss Bai is indeed brain-dead," an elderly doctor sighed.
"What does Doctor Shi think?" Lucifer looked at a young doctor in the corner.
That person was as pure and serene as the breeze, appearing to have some similarities in temperament with Lucifer. Despite his young age, he had already earned the reputation of a "miracle hand." In the few consultations, he was the only one who hadn't spoken.
"I believe, perhaps, a stimulating trigger is missing," the man referred to as Doctor Shi appeared composed, his voice low and pleasant, with a similar effect to Lucifer's. "As far as I know, the public can no longer tolerate everyone's silence."
Ever since Bai Cha fell from the sky, the public had been in an uproar online. It couldn't be suppressed, and no one dared to suppress it. All they could say was that Bai Cha was receiving treatment.
But now, a year had passed, and the public's patience had reached its limit. The Global Federation's homepage still featured Bai Cha's heroic feat of saving the world and eliminating all zombies, displayed prominently alongside the video of Bai Cha single-handedly holding back a massive tsunami.
"Hold a funeral?" The Boss finally spoke after a long silence.
Everyone in the room was surprised. They hadn't expected the Boss to be the first to suggest giving up.
"She cared most about the people during her lifetime. Holding a funeral would allow everyone to come and mourn," the Boss added.
"You want to create a trigger to awaken Miss Bai? That's not impossible either," Xiang Nan considered for a moment and agreed. "Let's announce her death first. If she's still not awakened after seven days, then announcing her heart is still beating and she's in a vegetative state would still be timely."
This was a last resort.
Thus, that very night, everyone in Country Z couldn't sleep, or perhaps the entire world was shocked. Bai Cha, hidden for a year, was declared dead after unsuccessful resuscitation.
"Queue up to enter the mourning area. The total number of ordinary people cannot exceed thirty. Each person has a maximum of ten minutes!"
Loudspeakers repeatedly broadcasted announcements in the mourning area.
The mourning area was located in the suburbs. Several kilometers outside were densely packed with barriers. Even though many places stipulated that only representatives could attend, the surrounding area was still packed to the point where not a drop of water could pass.
In the crystal coffin, Bai Cha was like the most beautiful statue. People continuously placed small white daisies around her, piling up several layers.
At the staircase outside the back door of the funeral home, Qian Jiang sat outside. A long line stretched before him, with wilderness behind. Several cigarette butts lay in front of him, and his eyes were bloodshot.
"Give me one." A familiar voice sounded. It was Zhou Ping, not of high official rank, but someone he had a decent relationship with, someone who was doing quite well in the Neutral Faction.
"I can see you're genuinely sad. Unlike some people from the Bright Faction who stand around faking it, making me sick," Zhou Ping also sat on the stairs. He was young, only twenty or thirty years old, dressed neatly but appearing a bit weary.
"And you?" Qian Jiang offered him a cigarette. He was considered the Boss's right-hand man, and this was the first time he had spoken in days.
"My family wasn't very friendly with Bai Cha, but Bai Cha has saved me twice," Zhou Ping stretched lazily, pretending not to care. "You can't forget kindness just because you don't hold grudges. It's just that I'm too useless to help."
"Speaking of which, it's a bit annoying. The second time I saw Bai Cha, I was so excited, but she completely forgot me, saving me the second time as if I were a stranger." Zhou Ping cupped his face, looking a bit dejected.
Of course, she would remember. She had saved so many people; she never took any of them to heart.
Qian Jiang thought this as he continued to smoke.
"And you?" Zhou Ping looked at Qian Jiang with curiosity. "Why is someone of your high status so concerned about her?"
"...That year, during the tsunami, I happened to be there for an inspection," Qian Jiang said sullenly, and Zhou Ping instantly understood.
That year, Qian Jiang was thirty-eight years old, a staunch believer in scientific supremacy and materialism, thinking that science could develop to overcome everything.
Then, he encountered the greatest tsunami in history.
This tsunami was very stealthy; such a massive tsunami seemed to have intelligence, hiding from everyone. By the time it was detected by machinery, there were only two days left until its arrival.
There was no time to activate any protective shields, only enough time to evacuate people. Qian Jiang, as an inspector, could not evacuate first, either in reason or public opinion. He had to prioritize the evacuation of all citizens.
That was the first time he saw Bai Cha. That day, on the beach, he was doing a final sweep to check for any missed individuals. Then, he would leave this place as quickly as possible, even if this city, one of the most prosperous, would turn into ruins, even if Country Z's economy regressed by a hundred years, no one would be able to do anything about it.
And that time, on the beach, that small figure stood proudly, appearing indifferent and composed.
"You are Qian Jiang?" The young girl's voice was still childish then, around fifteen or sixteen years old, with deep and calm pupils. She was barefoot, and blood swirled around her. "Tell everyone I've returned from Country M early. There's no need to be nervous."
This face was stunningly beautiful, with a hint of childishness but already enough to amaze Qian Jiang and make him react.
"Bai Cha!? No, Miss... Bai?" For someone twenty to thirty years younger than him, Qian Jiang, who already held some status, found it rather awkward to call her 'Miss.' But soon, he wouldn't have time to think.
The tsunami had arrived early. The ear-piercing alarm sent Qian Jiang and his bodyguards into a panic.
"What are you panicking about? I'm still here," Bai Cha snorted. Qian Jiang saw impatience on Bai Cha's somewhat childish face.
Immediately after, everything overturned Qian Jiang's worldview.
The surging, massive tsunami seemed to crash against an incredibly solid piece of glass, as if slapped hard. The most dangerous and highest waves caused no harm; they were actually pushed back by Bai Cha.
The remaining part of the waves had almost no power. The overflowed seawater only reached Qian Jiang's calves as he stood on the beach.
That day, Qian Jiang stood blankly in the water, his gaze shifting from stunned to fervent as he watched the young girl battle nature.
That day, Qian Jiang learned what a god was.
The funeral lasted for seven consecutive days, and people from all walks of life, from all over the world, and from various countries attended.
Children rescued from disasters were brought by their parents to present a daisy, their minds still hazy. A delivery boy, who had received a casual act of kindness, silently expressed his gratitude. A young person, who had been guided in their most confused years, bowed in silence. And a teenager who idolized Bai Cha and looked up to her wept silently.
So tired...
So sleepy...
It was getting heavier in the darkness. Bai Cha had never slept for so long; it felt as if she had slept for an entire century.
But Bai Cha still felt very tired. She wanted to sleep more soundly, but something furry and warm kept rubbing all over her, making her itch and preventing her from sleeping peacefully.