Chapter 942: Paper Note

Creak—

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass window as Chen Ling calmly pushed the door open.

Life under house arrest wasn't free, but at least in this small room, Chen Ling's time was his own. He pulled up a stool and basked in the sun by the window. After all, sunlight was rare in the Boundless Domain, which was perpetually shrouded in gloom and rain.

Through the church window, Chen Ling could see the street not far away.

Though it was a rare sunny day, there weren't many people on the street. Only a few elderly individuals stood by their doorways, soaking up the sun in solitude, occasionally exchanging a few words with other seniors passing by.

White doves flapped their wings, sweeping past the magnificent and ancient architectural spires, causing countless elderly people to look up, like prisoners from the abyss gazing at the free sky. As the noon bell chimed from the distant clock tower, the doves disappeared into the hazy distance...

Time slowly melted away in the warm sunlight.

Only after he felt thoroughly warmed by the sun did Chen Ling leisurely yawn...

He rose and walked towards his bed.

As Chen Ling casually took off his robe, he suddenly felt something hard brush against his chest. He paused slightly, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

He fumbled with the robe for a moment, and soon, a neatly folded piece of paper appeared in his palm.

“I am Chen Ling.

When you read this, please carefully read all the content below and review your memories.

If the information below contradicts or is missing from your memories, it means the Silver King is altering your memories... Remember, everything written on this paper is true.”

Upon reading this, Chen Ling’s gaze immediately became solemn.

He couldn't recall when he might have tucked this into his clothes...

Chen Ling cautiously looked around, drew the curtains, and even walked to the door to lock it from the inside, only then carefully unfolding the paper.

Lines of text appeared before his eyes.

“I am Chen Ling, a workshop manager at Manufacturing Plant Nine in the Boundless Domain, and a fighter for the spontaneously organized Human Rights Union. Since the Silver King took control of the domain, everything here has gone to hell... My mission is to fight for the human rights that inherently belong to all residents of the Boundless Domain, no matter the cost.

Even if we are unarmed, we must still fight for every individual. Words and cries are our weapons, an unyielding spirit our armor. I will fight alongside my compatriots until ultimate victory.

I was arrested during the most recent demonstration. I know what they're thinking: they want to erode my will by putting me under house arrest, gradually assimilate me, and turn me into one of them, a member of their vast, violent organization. They believe if I defect, the Human Rights Union will collapse on its own.

Therefore, I absolutely must not forget who I am, nor my mission! Even in captivity, I must continue to protest the Silver King in my own way until I reclaim freedom and power for all residents.

I am not fighting alone. Behind our Human Rights Union are wizards who support us. They will find a way to rescue me...”

Chen Ling’s brows furrowed deeper.

“I knew my mind felt muddled today... It seems the Silver King has made his move against me.”

“He stole my fighting spirit, making me lazy and complacent, even causing me to forget many things, and my memories are disjointed... Luckily, I kept this paper; otherwise, he would have succeeded.”

Chen Ling mumbled, a look of lingering fear on his face. He hurriedly refolded the paper and tucked it back into his clothes, as if terrified someone might see it.

Chen Ling took a few deep breaths, composed himself, and then a look of determination appeared in his eyes.

He turned and sat down at the desk.

After seeing the mission written on the paper, Chen Ling found sleep impossible. He decided to immediately begin preparing a letter of protest. He picked up his quill, pondered for a long time, and then began to write solemnly on the paper.

“Dear Mr. Silver King,

Although you have placed me under house arrest, I will not give up. I must state frankly that most of your actions in the Boundless Domain are egregious and absurd...

Specifically, the policy mandating an eighteen-hour workday for young people will severely exploit their lives, and the harsh working conditions are causing diseases to affect their health. Meanwhile, as young laborers are exploited, a large number of elderly residents are left unattended, leading to a continuously rising mortality rate...”

Chen Ling wrote a sprawling four-thousand-word critique of the Silver King and his ruling faction, covering objective, subjective, health, sustainable development, and ethical aspects.

After finishing, he grabbed the letter of protest and stormed out of the room.

“Excuse me, where is the Silver King right now?”

“He's not in the church... I don't know where exactly he went,” a maid replied.

“When will he be back, then?”

“I’m not sure...”

Chen Ling felt a bit disheartened, but he didn't give up. Instead, he took the letter to the prayer room, found a random pew, and sat down, clearly intending to wait for the Silver King's return.

Meanwhile, Lou Yu, who was sitting in the front row with his eyes closed, resting, glanced back, seemingly surprised.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting to deliver a letter to the Silver King.”

“Deliver a letter? To him?” Lou Yu asked in confusion, “What kind of letter?”

“It's a letter of protest regarding the cancellation of the eighteen-hour workday for young people in the Boundless Domain. I hope he will address human rights and not continue down a path that incurs both divine and human wrath,” Chen Ling replied firmly.

Lou Yu: ...?

Lou Yu looked at Chen Ling with an utterly unfamiliar gaze. As if realizing something, he snorted coldly, silently turned his head away, and took a sip of tea from his cup.

“I’ll write a letter to you tomorrow as well,” Chen Ling’s determined voice rang out again.

This sudden statement almost made Lou Yu spit out the tea in his mouth. He turned his head back to Chen Ling again:

“To me? What kind of letter now?”

“You massacred millions of people by razing two major districts in the Boundless Domain to refine the Philosopher's Stone.” Chen Ling's gaze at Lou Yu was incredibly sharp, like he was scrutinizing a criminal. “The Silver King's control over the Boundless Domain is currently just mismanagement, but what you did is truly deranged... Your sins are far graver than his.”

Lou Yu fell silent.

He didn't retort, merely turned his head away calmly.

Light and shadow streamed through the stained-glass fan window above the altar, filling the entire church. Lou Yu sat in the front row of the church pews, his dark shadow stretching long across the floor like an obelisk, resembling an emotionless statue.

“It doesn't matter,” Lou Yu replied indifferently. “I've prepared myself for hell... if such a place truly exists in this world.”