Chapter 1248: We Are All Little Wives

"So it was him..."

After hearing Chu Muyun's description, the image of that figure in an enforcer's trench coat immediately appeared in Chen Ling's mind: standing in the Alliance Council chamber, directly condemning the council members on the spot with a judgment of cardinal sins.

This indeed seemed like something Han Meng would do.

In his early years, Han Meng, as an ordinary Enforcer from the Third District, dared to question the entirety of Aurora City. While in the Wuji Realm, he also witnessed everything firsthand, saw himself saving people, and saw himself breaking ties with the Red King. He might have thought that the Alliance Council could clear him of those non-existent charges, but the final vote trampled his sense of justice underfoot and mocked him fiercely.

It was from that moment onwards that Han Meng realized the council members' version of justice was unworthy of representing the true justice of the era.

Therefore, Han Meng judged that false "justice."

A complex expression flickered in Chen Ling's eyes.

The Human Realm was hostile towards him, his master the Red King schemed against him, and he was forced to hide in the deepest parts of the Gray Realm. But he hadn't expected that, out of his sight, there were still people fighting for him. This world wasn't so bad after all.

"So, there's little chance the Alliance Council will allow the Integration Faction into the South Sea Realm?" Chen Ling asked, returning to the main topic.

"Hmm... at least these few council members from the South Sea Realm will definitely vote against it," Chu Muyun summarized objectively. "But it's hard to say about the other council members. After all, the Alliance's purpose is to defeat the Cataclysm, so if they believe the Integration Faction can significantly increase their chances of victory, they might not hesitate to take the risk."

Chen Ling was thoughtful.

"In any case, the best solution right now is to bring the Integration Faction in without alarming anyone, and settle them," Chen Ling said, frowning again. "But is there such a place in the current South Sea Realm?"

"Actually, there is."

"Where?"

"The South Sea Realm has two divine path organizations in total," Chu Muyun slowly began. "One is the Kite Rescue Association, which is a public welfare organization, and the other is the Pu family of the Book God's Path. The Pu family's influence extends into every corner of the South Sea Realm. They possess a large amount of idle, undeveloped assets—such as small islands, farmlands, and schools—and they are not subject to the South Sea police's supervision."

"Are you saying that if I can acquire one of these peripheral assets, I can secretly bring in the Integration Faction members to stay temporarily?"

"That's right. This is much more discreet than going through normal procedures and buying land directly from the South Sea government." Chu Muyun paused for a moment before adding, "The only drawback is that they only entrust these assets to their own Pu family members. Outsiders cannot acquire them."

"I see."

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Ling's eyes. "I'll go check out the Pu family."

Chu Muyun still had matters concerning the Kite Rescue Association to attend to, so after they finished their coffee, they temporarily parted ways. However, Chu Muyun had already told Chen Ling how to contact him, offering to call for backup if he encountered any trouble in the South Sea Realm.

Chen Ling returned to the entrance of the hotel.

The moment he pushed the door open, a faint scent of tobacco wafted into his nostrils.

The room's window was open, and the white curtains fluttered in the evening breeze. A young girl with two fluffy ears on her head was leaning against the window frame, like a melancholic protagonist in a movie, taking a deep drag from the cigarette in her hand and exhaling a cool plume of smoke.

"Xiao Bai, do you know?"

"People often only truly grow after dying once..."

Perhaps the South Sea Realm outside the window was too noisy; Xiao Tao didn't hear Chen Ling open the door at first.

But Xiao Bai, who was obediently sitting in a chair nearby, caught sight of Chen Ling's return out of the corner of his eye and was about to say something when Xiao Tao's melancholic voice sounded again.

"Actually, we are all 'little pampered wives'."

Chen Ling was perplexed.

"We are all 'little pampered wives,' destined to be brutally 'wall-pounded' by a domineering CEO named 'Fate.' We can't resist; it's so brutish yet so mysterious, making one feel hope even when bruised all over..."

"All we can do is go with the flow... and enjoy it."

"I know this truth might be profound for you, as you're at an innocent age, but I'm different. It's just that I've been through too much and realized things too early."

Xiao Tao took another deep drag, finishing the cigarette in her hand, then walked through the hazy smoke to stand before Xiao Bai. Her eyes, which seemed to have seen through the world, looked at the bewildered Xiao Bai with both affection and expectation.

Fourteen-year-old Xiao Tao patted Xiao Bai's shoulder, though Xiao Bai was half a head taller than her.

"But it's okay, Xiao Bai, I believe one day you'll grow up... and become as mature as I am."

Xiao Bai, confused, scratched his head blankly: "Oh... I will."

Chen Ling was speechless.

"Cough, cough." Chen Ling lightly coughed twice.

Xiao Tao turned to look, and the next moment, she froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

But this time, Xiao Tao didn't scream and run into the bathroom like last time, because the bathroom was right by the entrance, close to Chen Ling. She looked at Chen Ling like a terrified marmot, wanting to burrow somewhere but finding no place, so she could only sweat profusely on the spot.

"Great King! Xiao Tao has recovered!" Xiao Bai immediately stood up and excitedly said, "And she understands so many profound truths now! Even though I don't understand them, they sound amazing!"

Xiao Tao's mouth twitched uncontrollably; she wished she could cover Xiao Bai's mouth and choke him to death.

"Good that you've recovered." Chen Ling didn't let the awkward atmosphere linger. Instead, he looked at Xiao Tao as if he hadn't seen anything, "How are you? Is there anywhere else you feel uncomfortable?"

"No... nothing... just a slight headache, maybe from dreaming earlier..."

"Dreaming? What did you dream about?"

Xiao Tao opened her mouth, and after a while, she still replied softly, "I... I dreamed of my brother..."

Chen Ling fell silent.

"Your brother would be very happy if he knew you saved so many people."

"Really?" A faint light gleamed in Xiao Tao's eyes.

"It's true."

The gloom on Xiao Tao's face vanished. She suddenly seemed to remember something, glanced at the brightly lit city outside, and excitedly asked Chen Ling, "Brother Chen Ling, do you think it's possible that Brother Renjie is in the South Sea Realm?"

Chen Ling paused.

In Xiao Tao's understanding, Xi Renjie was not dead. Instead, with the help of Chen Ling, her "savior," he had escaped the Aurora Realm to live in another. In other words, she consistently believed they would be reunited.

"Perhaps..." Chen Ling was silent for a long time, his gaze fixed on the bustling South Sea Realm.

"But there are still so many Human Realms... he could be somewhere else too, couldn't he?"