Chapter 943: Opportunity

Chen Ling did not know how long he had been waiting in the church.

Outside the window, the setting sun gradually sank, and darkness once again engulfed the land. When the last ray of light vanished behind the stained-glass window, a hungry rumble echoed from Chen Ling's stomach in the dim church.

Chen Ling rubbed his stomach, his eyes showing a hint of weariness.

He rose from the pew and walked towards the prayer room door. At the same time, Lou Yu's voice spoke again:

"Not waiting any longer?"

As time passed and night fell, Lou Yu remained in the same posture, sitting in the front row of the church pews. The magnificent cross hung above him, and his figure was now enveloped in shadows.

"He doesn't seem to want to see me," Chen Ling said, shaking his head.

"I'll just have someone deliver this letter... Anyway, I'll write a new one tomorrow. As long as he doesn't give me an explanation, I'll keep writing letters and coming here to find him every day."

With that, Chen Ling walked out without looking back.

Lou Yu glanced at him sideways before withdrawing his gaze. As the prayer room door slowly closed, silence and darkness gradually consumed everything, leaving only a statue-like figure in a black robe, sitting beneath the cross, unmoving and silent.

"Your Majesty, he has returned."

In another room, Chi Tong pushed open the door and spoke respectfully.

A figure in a British-style overcoat leaned casually against a black grand piano. Through the window, he gazed leisurely at the gloom shrouding the Boundless Realm... The moonlight and starlight were obscured by this haze, like a vast hand covering the sky, hanging over the Boundless Realm.

"I saw him," the Silver King said, taking a small sip of black coffee from the piano stand.

"Have you been watching him all day?"

"After all, he's a fusion of a world-ending calamity. It's always wise to be cautious."

"Do I still need to report to you then?"

"No need to detail what he did; just tell me the conclusion."

"Understood," Chi Tong said earnestly, looking at the record sheet in his hand.

"According to our observations, his behavior today shows a clear difference from before. Last night, he ate coriander along with his meal at the banquet, but today he picked out all the coriander before overeating. Furthermore, his demeanor and tone have changed significantly. He's started sunbathing, watering flowers, and even diligently cleaning his room, as if treating it like his own home."

The Silver King nodded slightly. "Give me the suggestion letter he wrote."

Chi Tong respectfully handed over the letter. The Silver King scanned it briefly, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"It seems the calamity within him doesn't care whether Chen Ling's memories belong to him or not... Or rather, as long as Chen Ling isn't facing a life-or-death crisis, it won't intervene."

"So, whose memories did you swap with his?" Chi Tong couldn't help but ask.

"He was an ordinary person from a civilian resistance group, sent from the detention center. He was arrested for organizing workers to protest in the streets."

"A civilian resistance group..." Chi Tong was puzzled. "Why did you swap his memories with this person's? Is there anything special about his past?"

The Silver King smiled faintly.

"You'll know soon enough."

The Silver King casually put down his coffee, turned, and walked out of the room, the hem of his British-style overcoat gradually disappearing into the darkness. "Arrange for him to see me tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The next day.

Chen Ling put down his washbasin-sized rice bowl and exclaimed in surprise:

"What did you say? The Silver King wants to see me??"

"That's right," Chi Tong chuckled. "After His Majesty returned yesterday, he read your suggestion letter and said he intends to discuss it with you in detail."

"No problem!" Chen Ling immediately agreed. "When? Now?"

"Anytime is fine; His Majesty seems to have nothing urgent today."

"Then now!"

Chen Ling was impatient. He stood up and headed out, reaching out to pat Chi Tong's shoulder twice firmly. "Thank you, Chi Tong! I knew you'd put in a good word for me."

Chi Tong looked puzzled.

Chi Tong gave Chen Ling a strange look, hesitated for a moment, and then couldn't resist asking:

"In your memories... who am I?"

"What are you talking about?" Chen Ling looked at him, confused. "We're brothers! Back in the workshop, I slept on the top bunk above you... Have you forgotten? I even helped you pursue that beautiful woman, Xiao Ran, from the next workshop!"

Chi Tong's mouth twitched slightly. He mused that his persona in Chen Ling's mind was unexpectedly close, and he couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth lift.

"Haha, I remember! Xiao Ran!"

"Even though you work for the Silver Government now, I believe you have your reasons... Hey, what were your reasons again?"

"That... that's a bit complicated... Let's not get into that right now. His Majesty is waiting for you inside."

"Alright."

Chi Tong led Chen Ling to the door. The latter impatiently pushed it open and quickly walked inside.

The Silver King was seated on an ancient stone chair. Seeing Chen Ling arrive, he put down the paper in his hand and slowly rose with a smile.

"How are you finding your stay here these past two days? Are you settling in?"

"It's alright," Chen Ling replied, uninterested in small talk with the Silver King. He got straight to the point. "Why did you ask to see me?"

"I read your suggestion letter from yesterday, and I find your points quite reasonable," the Silver King said leisurely. "Sustainable development is indeed an important policy. After Lord Wuji's continuous sacrifices of two major regions, our population is dwindling, so prioritizing everyone's well-being is crucial..."

Chen Ling was momentarily startled, then his eyes lit up with joy. He immediately replied:

"Yes, if things continue like this, we'll..."

"But before that, there's another issue," the Silver King interjected, changing the subject.

"What issue?"

"There are bad elements among the populace," the Silver King said with a hint of helplessness. "A few days ago, we were hunting a Twilight Society member hiding within the Boundless Realm, but he escaped after being severely wounded... Based on his trail, he should now be hiding near the Sector Nine Manufacturing Plant."

Upon hearing "Twilight Society member," Chen Ling's pupils contracted slightly.

"I've reviewed your record, Mr. Chen," the Silver King said lightly, resting a hand on his head. "Years ago, your younger brother Xiao Yu was killed by a Twilight Society member. I hardly need to tell you what kind of demons they are..."

"The Twilight Society..." Chen Ling gritted his teeth. "Why are they there?"

"We don't know; we've sent people to investigate. But if I'm not mistaken, you're quite familiar with that area."

"Yes, I used to work there."

"Excellent..." The Silver King's lips curved slightly upward.

"Now, I'm giving you an opportunity... to find that Twilight Society member, and then, kill him with your own hands."