Chapter 1020: Eating

The dim setting sun, filtered through the hazy gloom, cast a long shadow of Chen Ling within the church. The long shadow of the cross was like a slowly turning hour hand, while the large red theatrical robe, motionless at its tip, resembled a silent corpse throughout the long hours.

A full day had passed since he was nailed to the cross. At this moment, Ying Fu's words still echoed in Chen Ling's mind.

"A vortex, then..."

Based on Chen Ling's understanding of Ying Fu, there was no reason for him to lie at this moment. Yet, Chen Ling still couldn't imagine how a vortex stirred up by an emperor's destiny could kill the King of Silver.

Could the elusive concept of "destiny" truly kill someone?

Audience Expectation Value +5Current Expectation Value: 65

When the two lines of audience expectation values floated before Chen Ling, he was slightly startled, a look of surprise on his face. He was merely pinned there, doing nothing. Logically, it would have been good if the expectation value hadn't dropped; yet, it had inexplicably risen by 5 in one go?

Chen Ling had a premonition that something must have happened in a place he couldn't see.

A creak—

As Chen Ling was deep in thought, the confessional door slowly opened. He looked up slightly and saw a maid approaching with a tray. Immediately losing interest, he lowered his head, showing no intention of acknowledging her.

The maid seemed to be delivering food to Chen Ling for the first time. As she entered the confessional and saw the figure nailed to the cross, she paused slightly. She pursed her lips, and after a long hesitation, spoke softly:

"It's time to eat."

"I'm not hungry." Chen Ling replied indifferently.

"The master instructed that you eat on time."

"In his eyes, I'm already a dead man walking... and I should still eat?" Chen Ling sneered, "Look at me now, how am I supposed to eat?"

Chen Ling's limbs were all manipulated and nailed to the cross. Apart from his head, which could move freely, the rest of his body was beyond his control. Even if food were placed before him, he wouldn't be able to eat.

Chen Ling's sharp voice echoed in the confessional. The maid stood by the cross for a long time before moving a ladder from the side and propping it directly beside Chen Ling. Then, holding the tray, she climbed step by step to the top of the large cross. She scooped a large mouthful of vegetables and meat with a spoon and brought it to Chen Ling's mouth.

"Is this acceptable?" The maid looked into Chen Ling's eyes and spoke earnestly.

Chen Ling hadn't expected the other person to feed him in this manner, and for a moment, he was taken aback. As he looked at the spoonful of vegetables and meat, a long-forgotten sense of hunger surged within him. Chen Ling didn't bother to think too much about it. The King of Silver wanted him dead, but not yet, so the food wouldn't be poisoned. He instinctively devoured the spoonful of meat, his eyes glowing green like a famished ghost who hadn't eaten for days.

The maid fed Chen Ling spoon after spoon of food. Each time she offered it, the spoon would be completely clean the next moment. She was extremely patient, combining every piece of vegetable with rice in the tray. Soon, the entire tray was empty.

The food was delicious. Chen Ling hadn't eaten such fragrant food in a long time. As he felt the sense of fullness spreading through his body, his constantly tense mind finally relaxed a little.

"...Thank you," Chen Ling said softly.

The maid smiled faintly, descended the ladder step by step with the empty tray, and then returned it to its original place. After a final glance at Chen Ling, she left the confessional, gently closing the door behind her.

Darkness once again enveloped the cross. Chen Ling watched her leave, then slowly closed his eyes.

In a dim corner of the warehouse, Fang Liangye slowly opened his eyes.

"You're awake?" Wu Duo's voice came from nearby, tinged with concern. "How do you feel?"

"...I'm fine, just a little tired." Fang Liangye, dragging his weary body, sat up from the corner and looked around.

After separating from Chen Ling, Fang Liangye had frantically navigated through the underground waterways. Only after traversing most of Wuji Domain's underground and confirming that the King of Silver wasn't pursuing him did he relax and head towards the warehouse.

"Where are those people from the Twilight Society?"

"You mean Jian Wubing and the other two?" Wu Duo shook her head. "They heard Chen Ling was in immediate danger and became extremely anxious. After pondering all afternoon, they left Wuji Domain together... saying they were going to seek external help?"

Fang Liangye's heart stirred slightly upon hearing that Chen Ling was in danger, but he quickly sighed and leaned powerlessly against the wall.

"Don't try to be a hero, alright?" Wu Duo, seeing through his thoughts, said, "Your memories have been restored. Now, you are Fang Liangye, an ordinary person. What you need to do is protect yourself."

"...Mm." Fang Liangye nodded softly.

Wu Duo looked at Fang Liangye's eyes, which revealed helplessness and loss in the faint light, and pursed her lips. She sat beside Fang Liangye, gently turned, and rested her head on his chest.

"Liangye, you know... when you had the memories of Heart 6, I was really worried," Wu Duo said, her eyes, like black obsidian in the dim light, gazing deeply at Fang Liangye. "Back then, you exuded coldness and profoundness to your very core. I didn't dare to get close to you, afraid you would forever become an emotionless executioner..."

Fang Liangye gave a bitter laugh. "That's still better than being a coward."

Wu Duo frowned, and said earnestly, "Liangye, gentleness and cowardice are not the same. You are simply too gentle, but you're never lacking in courage. Otherwise, you wouldn't have become a member of the Human Rights Union, would you?"

"...Perhaps." In Fang Liangye's mind flashed the image of that stormy, thundery night, and the scarred body of a young boy. A flicker of self-reproach and sorrow crossed his eyes. He knew very well that he had never been courageous; otherwise, Xiao Yu might not have died.

Seeing this, Wu Duo pursed her lips. Lying in Fang Liangye's embrace, she gently wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned close to his ear and whispered: "You can't be trapped in the past forever. That wasn't your fault. I like the gentle Fang Liangye, now and always."

Fang Liangye's body trembled slightly. He felt strands of hair brush against his cheek and was at a loss for what to do.

"Hold me tight," Wu Duo said.

Fang Liangye hesitantly raised his hands and gently embraced Wu Duo's body. The real touch and warmth from his fingertips transferred to his heart, slowly settling his painful and weary mind.

In the dim corner of the warehouse, the two figures held each other, quietly drifting into sleep.

Until a commotion came from outside the warehouse.

"Someone... help! Old Li is dying!"

Fang Liangye and Wu Duo awoke simultaneously. The sky was still dark and hazy, with no sign of dawn. They exchanged glances, then immediately got up and ran towards the warehouse window.