Mo Ziye was speechless. He swallowed, trying to bolster his confidence, but his hands and feet felt weak, his heart already filled with trepidation.
“I don’t really want to shatter your illusions, but you guys are always digging for information. To avoid misunderstandings, I have no choice but to speak the truth. After all, I do have a mouth,” Bai Cha smoothed her hair. “However, I must say this for fairness: there are indeed people with malicious intent, but there are certainly also hardworking individuals. Don’t lump all the rotten apples in with a single instance of my words.”
“When you were very young, your parents should have already taught you about right and wrong. But in reality, this world isn’t just about right and wrong. This concept is quite blurry,” Bai Cha said with some helplessness. “To do what is known to be impossible, and after understanding that there is no absolute right or wrong, to still steadfastly do what you believe in and take responsibility for it – that is what an adult should do.”
“You need to grow up. So, even though I don’t have high hopes for the Light Faction, I still support you in defending your faction’s stance. I just hope you don’t become a radical, understand?” Bai Cha stood up, picking up the tablet. “Alright, I have to rush to my next appointment. I’ll be leaving now. You all train well.”
“Wait, wait a moment!” Mo Ziye quickly stood up and ran forward two steps, grabbing Bai Cha’s wrist, the fear in his eyes still lingering.
Mo Ziye himself didn't know what he was afraid of.
Was it fear of the truth? Fear of truly standing on her opposing side? Fear of his faith crumbling?
Or was it the fear that this world, after its illusions were shattered, would deviate from his ideals?
“Xiao Bai, is what you’re saying true? Did the people in my faction really, really, really harm our homeland?” On Mo Ziye’s pure young face, his radiant star-like eyes were like a galaxy shrouded in clouds, filled with timidity, fear, and bewilderment.
When had this blow ever hit the passionate and innocent youth? It made Bai Cha feel for a moment that she might have been too harsh.
“You should perhaps understand that there are good people and bad people in this world. The Light Faction has good people, and naturally, there can be bad people too,” Bai Cha said as tactfully as possible. “For example, your father; I’ve always had a pleasant cooperation with him…”
“What about the Shadow Faction?” Mo Ziye’s breathing quickened, as if searching for a lifeline. “So, you’re saying both the Light and Neutral Factions are like this, what about the Shadow Faction?”
Bai Cha fell silent. She didn't understand what psychological comfort Mo Ziye was seeking.
Would it comfort you if I said the Shadow Faction also had traitors? Would saying the Shadow Faction also had bad people erase the wrongdoings of the Light Faction?
For a moment, Bai Cha felt a pang of disappointment.
“If I said no, would you be disappointed?” Bai Cha removed her hand from his wrist, shaking her head in disappointment. “The average lifespan of those in the Shadow Faction doesn't exceed forty; ultimately, they cannot escape death. What is the use of betrayal? No matter how much wealth we have, we cannot take it to the underworld.”
With the advancement of technology and medical techniques, the average human lifespan could already reach over 150 years, with some even reaching the age of 200. In such a situation, wealth and power naturally allowed for a better life. After all, no matter how humane society tried to be, it still carried a touch of the jungle law.
However, the average lifespan of the Shadow Faction had fluctuated very little from ancient times to the present, only increasing from thirty-five to forty. Years of combat and training, excessive physical development, and the invasion of foreign genes had resulted in the Shadow Faction having very short average lifespans.
Even Dragon Knights had two-thirds less lifespan than normal Dragon Knights.
They were all people on the verge of death; what was the point of seeking money or power?
“Moreover, we weren’t born to risk our lives; we have choices. If we truly wanted something, why wouldn’t we join other private organizations? Believe it or not, others would treat us like deities,” Bai Cha turned around, and Lucifer obediently followed, blocking the space between Bai Cha and Mo Ziye.
“If anyone wants to leave, I will let them go.”
Bai Cha’s voice grew fainter. The expressions of the people from the Shadow Faction in the conference room turned quite grim as they stood up to disperse. Gu Zitan also wanted to leave but was stopped by Mo Ziye.
“Principal! Xiao Bai…” Mo Ziye’s face was pale. Before he could say anything, he was interrupted by Gu Zitan.
Gu Zitan felt a little guilty. After hesitating, he still spoke, “Catching hold of one person’s mistake cannot cover up another’s. Why do you need to verify everything you hear?”
Gu Zitan walked away hastily; he was actually flustered. As a member of the Neutral Faction, he naturally knew what had happened back then. The Neutral Faction also bore some responsibility for this matter.
In a sense, weren’t silent good people accomplices to the bad?
“Zhi Yue, do you… do you believe it too?” Mo Ziye looked somewhat helpless, turning his gaze to the Zhi Yue and Zhi Ying sisters again.
Zhi Ying rolled her eyes. She didn’t even bother to respond with a cold snort. As someone who had been suppressed and overlooked since childhood, she knew better than anyone how much disgusting stuff was mixed into this. She really couldn’t bring herself to like pampered young masters raised in a greenhouse.
Zhi Yue also said nothing. She stood up and left the conference room.
Although she had a temper, her intelligence was not low. She naturally knew how to extract useful information from other people’s thoughts.
Besides, even though she didn’t like Bai Cha, she found some of her words to be reasonable.
Bai Cha had left.
The atmosphere in the Z Nation’s rest area didn't lighten; instead, it became more somber.
Usually, everyone liked to gather around Bai Cha, joking or playfully teasing her, like children or pets bouncing around their owner. Even though Bai Cha rarely paid them any attention, and even when she did, it was just a few brief words, it still made them feel happy.
But now, with Bai Cha gone, although everyone continued to train as usual, they felt something was missing.
The night wind was slightly cool, but the rest area at the balance beam was far from peaceful. Years ago, Bai Cha’s disturbance at the balance beam had caused half the personnel to leave, severely weakening them. Yet, even though everyone had returned for the World Championship and the honor of the balance beam, they rarely confided in each other. A deep chasm seemed to have formed between the two groups.
It was like a piece of glass inserted between two lumps of clay, making it impossible for these two lumps of clay to be kneaded together.
Astria was still explaining the competition matters, while Virgo Chronos idly toyed with his glass, appearing somewhat distracted.
Amber’s crystal cup contained Sajeong’s clear sake, his most favored cup and his most favored drink, clearly arranged by Freya with great care.
Freya always seemed this way, kind and cheerful to everyone. In front of everyone, she had their favorite beverages, even the cups and chairs were everyone’s preferred ones. She seemed to be full of enthusiasm and love for everything, remembering everyone’s names and preferences.
In fact, if it weren't for her, the balance beam would have long since fallen apart. She was like a sturdy spider web, holding everything together.
“Alright, alright, everyone, don’t be so serious~ We haven’t gathered like this in a while. Since the World Championship is still far away, let’s just have some fun,” Freya said, crossing her legs and leaning back in her chair, her long legs swinging in the light, appearing exceptionally slender.
“Freya, the World Championship is not a game,” Astria frowned. “If an organization is not united, it will be very troublesome.”
“Then~ why aren’t we united?” Freya lightly tapped her thin lips, smiling innocently and cunningly. “After such a big incident happened, it’s natural that it takes time to bridge the gap~ Why the rush?”
After speaking, she chuckled softly again. She always seemed this way, never serious, yet never making people dislike her.
“Freya,” Astria said with some irritation. In some ways, he was quite similar to Bai Cha, possessing an inherited trait of coldness and rationality.
“Oh my, why are you shouting? Anyway, the balance beam is definitely not going to be first this time, so why so much pressure?” Freya propped her chin with her hand, giggling and swinging her pink crystal goblet. “Alright~ I finally managed to secure such a large and nice rest area, so everyone must have fun, otherwise, I’ll be very sad~”
Unlike others who were observing her expressions, Freya was genuinely enjoying herself. Even the most critical person would show some restraint in front of Freya.
Watching Freya stand up and walk away, Astria’s expression turned grim. Freya’s words clearly implied that he would lose to Bai Cha this time.
The hot water was at just the right temperature. Freya, wrapped in a white bathrobe, her skin showing a faint pink hue from the hot water. Even the most ordinary bathrobe seemed to accentuate her delicate beauty on Freya.
Each room had an independent balcony equipped with the most advanced anti-surveillance technology, ensuring no one could spy from the balcony while also not hindering the appreciation of the beautiful scenery outside.
Freya sat on the pink and white cushion of a hanging chair. The ordinary rattan hanging chair was adorned with colorful flowers by Freya. A small crystal table held a delicate fruit platter, and a pink crystal goblet contained a deep blue Starlight cocktail.
This was Bai Cha’s favorite cocktail, the only one Bai Cha knew how to mix. It had the lowest alcohol content but a lingering aftertaste, its flavor intense yet making one increasingly sober. Freya had tried many times but could only replicate its appearance; the taste always felt like something was missing.
“Just come in. I’ve turned off the alarm,” Freya said, sitting on the hanging chair, her slender white feet not quite reaching the ground. She smiled faintly, looking at the black-clad figure squatting on her balcony railing, her eyes devoid of any hostility.
“I didn’t expect to have a guest tonight! Let me guess what you’re here for?” Freya swirled her wine glass, smiling cheerfully. “Are you perhaps here to get a close-up look at the most adorable girl’s most beautiful face in the world?”
Black-clad figure: “……”
Although he had prepared himself mentally, facing Freya directly still stunned him.
Such chuunibyo and narcissistic lines, yet spoken by her, they felt utterly natural. It was probably only Freya who possessed such charm.
“She should be interested, so I don’t need to be.” The black-clad figure tightened his cloak, his voice as cold as the winter night snow.
“She? You…” Freya blinked, surprised. The voice was both unfamiliar and familiar; she felt she had heard it somewhere before, but after thinking for a long time, she couldn’t recall. “So, you didn’t come to find me to ask me to throw the World Championship, did you? But you’re dressed so mysteriously, I can’t recognize you.”
Throw the match? Such words could probably only be uttered by Freya. The World Championship matches were randomized. Even if Freya alone threw the match, what would be the point?
“You cannot save her,” the black-clad figure said, jumping down from the balcony railing with a light, soundless grace, like a cold current flowing through the ocean, freezing the surrounding air.
Freya’s expression turned grim. She wasn’t stupid and quickly realized what this black-clad figure was talking about.
“Freya, goddess of love and beauty, besides being skilled in crystal arts, you are also adept at stargazing,” the black-clad figure’s voice was pleasant, like the slow flow of seawater at the bottom of the ocean. He seemed to have no hostility, standing before Freya, stating plainly, “If I’m not mistaken, her fate star should have already encountered an accident.”
“What do you mean?” Freya’s face turned cold. Her usually adorable face showed rare traces of hostility and caution.
“You can only fight for a sliver of hope,” the black-clad figure said calmly. “And you will fail.”
“Oh really? Who are you? And why are you so certain of my failure so easily?” Freya scoffed.
“I can help you.”