Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1246: Chapter 87: The Day the Mainland Stopped Turning

Whether it’s the ceiling or the four walls, the room painted black has 24 once again in a daze.

Zhong Luochen has remained silent, even closing his eyes.

This is the skill of quiet meditation gained from Qi Cultivation, learned early in life from a Master of national culture, but at the time, it wasn’t to gain Transcendent power, but simply to cultivate one’s mind and character.

Zhong Luochen always felt that family influence only provided him a relatively high starting point. If he couldn’t fully absorb the advantages from this starting point, someone like him from a noble family would easily fall from a high pedestal, and once fallen, he’d be shattered completely.

He couldn’t yet achieve the state of sitting through the day like in Zen meditation, but to return chaotic thoughts to calmness, he could still accomplish. Moreover, since already depriving his heart of many emotions, he now did even better than before.

Finally, Zhong Luochen opened his eyes.

24 failed once again from his attempt, turned around—or perhaps, sensed Zhong Luochen’s current state.

“Do people really have souls?” Zhong Luochen’s voice carried inquiry, his gaze was bright, “What is a soul? A component part of the body? Or simply the activity of brain neurons?”

24 pondered briefly, surprised by Zhong Luochen’s question at this moment.

He slowly said, “There are many theories about the soul, and perceptions vary among people. Even I haven’t completely deciphered the mystery of the soul. To fully know all the secrets of the soul would be at the level of the creator.”

“Mr. 24 doesn’t know either?” Zhong Luochen furrowed his brows.

24 calmly replied, “I merely said different perceptions exist. Some believe the soul is thought, some consider it an imprint, and some even think it’s a part of the world will…I particularly lean towards this perspective.”

Zhong Luochen said, “Then tell me about this viewpoint you favor.”

24 thought for a while and said, “I once visited a world already reduced to ruins. They followed a path named science. In this world, a new world will was artificially created.”

Zhong Luochen listened quietly, without intending to interrupt, just noting down each word.

“They made a kind of machine that, in an instant, concentrated everyone’s thoughts together, forming a massive consciousness. As soon as this consciousness was born, it almost possessed creator-like abilities, entirely on par with the world will… Even two forces began the most primitive clash, ultimately destroying the entire civilization. In the end, the world will defeated the consciousness cluster and then devoured it.”

24 remained silent for a long time, “After devouring the consciousness cluster, the world will became tremendously powerful, and its exclusivity was unprecedentedly strong, making it absolutely a Forbidden Area for us explorers.”

Explorer…Forbidden Area.

Zhong Luochen continued jotting these down.

“Even though the world will has become immensely powerful, I have a feeling this is its original state.”

24 pondered, “I’ve been peeping at this ruin world in the crevice until a new civilization began emerging…Humans started appearing, and the world will began weakening. Accompanied by humans continuously multiplying, the world will eventually returned to the level before the collective consciousness clash.”

Zhong Luochen grasped the key point, “Mr. 24, are you suggesting the world will split itself, nurtured civilization, and ultimately devoured back?”

24 yawned and said, “I didn’t exactly say that…After all, it’s just an unverified hypothesis right now. After all, I’ve only encountered such a situation once, there’s simply no way to use it as a reference.”

Zhong Luochen contemplated before saying, “According to your saying, a soul equals human consciousness.”

“Or just a part,” 24 chuckled slightly, “But if it’s this perspective, then it means no matter if it’s Transcendent power or scientific power, the source originates from the world will…Do you find it contradictory?”

“Before evolving, it already existed, further evolution only reaches its intended level…” Zhong Luochen frowned deeper as if talking to himself, “Feels like a predetermined script, then rehearsed over and over again…Is it to verify something, or to observe something…”

24 gave Zhong Luochen a deep look suddenly, then slightly lowered his eyelids, appearing extremely tired…yet his heart was not as calm.

He’s well aware of Zhong Luochen’s state, he’s merely an ordinary person, even a mortal with soul insufficiency—But such a soul-deficient mortal could infer from his mere words a question he’s pondered for a long time.

Of course, this inevitably involves the insights Zhong Luochen discovered but could understand the contradictions within in an extreme time and hit the core issue, a remarkable achievement for a mortal.

Suddenly, Zhong Luochen asked, “Is the soul modification technique you mentioned based on this perspective?”

24 opened his slightly drooping eyelid a bit, “Why say this.”

Zhong Luochen seemed to question himself, “If humans indeed received part of the power from the so-called world will from the start, theoretically everyone possesses the potential to use this power…You’ve mentioned your Curse Technique is your soul’s talent, others can’t learn it, but you also said you can modify the soul for me to acquire this power…Since it’s a talent, naturally it’s innate yet can be acquired through modification, means so-called talent everyone possesses, some are apparent, some are hidden, talents can differ but can be adjusted through modification…Adjusted to be apparent, adjusted behavior similarly. But the premise of all this is…the core of every soul is at least similar, or rather…common. Similar, common, can also reverse indicating it’s from the same origin.”

Feels like my secrets will be completely extracted by this new boss…Is everyone in this Sub-world so smart…

“So you feel the risk of soul modification is actually small, I’m just appeasing you, huh.” 24 said amusedly.

Zhong Luochen shook his head, “This is just my guess, and these guesses are derived from the information you revealed. I haven’t been conceited to consider myself completely correct. But…I hope to experiment.”

“Oh?”

Zhong Luochen looked at 24, already holding a thought in his mind, calmly said, “Since you can modify souls, why not experiment…I can find subjects for you.”

24 revealed an intrigued smile, “Only plan to get involved personally after getting enough test subjects to ensure the success rate? Boss, I find you naturally cold-blooded.”

Zhong Luochen slowly said, “I will arrange for the candidates…So, I won’t disturb you from resting.”

Zhong Luochen left decisively, until the room door closed and darkness enveloped, 24’s voice gently arose, “What a wonderful soul, who so vile split it apart…”

…

…

After leaving Ren Ziling’s magazine office, Leng Feng exchanged a few words with Wang Yuegang, then separated.

This time, Leng Feng’s return was mainly to visit old friends and previous leaders, so next he visited several families.

Around three in the afternoon, Leng Feng called Luo Qiu—the number was asked during dinner last night.

“Interested in mountain climbing with me?”

After leaving from the last visited leader’s home, Leng Feng made this call to Luo Qiu.

…

Luo Qiu didn’t hold a deep impression of Uncle Leng Feng, but he knew that the friendships formed matter, regardless of the duration of contact.

His father indeed had many friends, but for the past Luo Qiu, only a few were truly close.

Of course, this kind of affection, Luo Qiu can give to others, and others can give it to him as well.

This is probably what is meant by mutual exchange.

Luoxia Mountain, a local tourist spot in this city, where the locals have been to the point of nausea… On the ascending path, Leng Feng was walking with relish, talking about these nostalgic things.

“Nowadays, few young people are willing to go hiking.” Leng Feng said with a smile, “Life is so rich now, hiking may not be as fun as games for young people.”

Luo Qiu took a bottle of water from his backpack and handed it over.

Leng Feng moistened his throat, and the two then stopped halfway up the mountain, sitting in a place where the wind was blowing.

He pointed to a large gray area ahead and said enthusiastically, “I used to train there. Later, the base was withdrawn, and I was assigned to another place… Well, it’s exactly this spot. But I’ve heard that this place will also be removed next year, they’re planning to build a new airport.”

Leng Feng pointed to the city at the foot of the mountain, with a bit of an air as if he were surveying the land, both its ups and downs.

As he spoke, Leng Feng gradually fell silent, quietly looking at the city below the mountain.

After quite a while, Leng Feng finally sighed, glanced at Luo Qiu, and suddenly laughed, “You are a strange child, as I think about it. You always make me want to say something when I see you… It’s like you’re not there, even though you clearly are, and yet it feels like talking to the air. You’re really different from your dad.”

Luo Qiu couldn’t say anything… probably due to his own constitution.

Leng Feng shook his head again, “I still like young people to have some vitality. At your age, you shouldn’t be like this. Kid, don’t blame me for being nosy. I’ve seen too many young people, hundreds of entry level guys come to the camp every year, some younger than you, some older. Some are arrogant, some are short-tempered, some are timid, and some don’t speak. I wouldn’t say I’ve seen all kinds of people, but the diversity of life is indeed common… Do you have something on your mind? Is it about Ren Ziling?”

Luo Qiu was taken aback… Meeting Leng Feng this time, he was indeed in a somewhat bewildered state.

He didn’t intend to treat Leng Feng like a guest, but he also couldn’t treat him like Officer Ma or Ye Yan… Leng Feng occupied a place Luo Qiu encountered for the first time.

Somewhat close, but essentially something was still missing… However, Leng Feng’s sudden question disrupted Luo Qiu’s train of thought.

“Why do you say that?” Luo Qiu asked curiously.

Leng Feng should be quite a straightforward person, but at this moment he hesitated a bit… However, hesitation was indeed not in his nature, so he sighed and said directly, “How should I put it, a few years ago you were still a child, at a time when you needed attention the most, and I couldn’t say much… But now you’re an adult, you have your thoughts. So, how do you see Ren Ziling? You no longer need her guardianship, and she’s still so young, your relationship like this… I think, you should have realized as well?”

All of a sudden, Luo Qiu finally realized the reason why he couldn’t pinpoint his position towards Leng Feng.

He stayed silent for a while.

Only then did Luo Qiu look at Leng Feng and smile, with a voice like the boss’s, “Mr. Leng, you used to like her, didn’t you?”

Leng Feng’s gaze wavered slightly, having seen life and death, capable of suppressing thousands of new recruits with his aura alone, yet at this moment, he felt an inexplicable fear of looking directly at this young man in front of him… there was a slight anger provoked by Luo Qiu’s sudden tone.

But eventually, he wouldn’t truly be angry. Leng Feng smiled wryly, shook his head, “Kid, if you took out the word ‘used to,’ I’d probably have to give you a beating.”

Luo Qiu seemed even more quiet.

Leng Feng patted Luo Qiu’s shoulder, looked towards the city below, “I have a wife and kids, and we get along well, not as complicated as you think. Just simply as an old friend, I truly don’t want to see her continue like this. Do you remember what you told me yesterday when we went to the cemetery?”

Luo Qiu nodded.

“She still hasn’t let go.” Leng Feng sighed, “She’s a good woman, either she’s not emotional, or it’s for a lifetime.”

Luo Qiu remained silent.

Leng Feng said, “Are you willing to watch her secretly cry several times a year?”

“This past year, I’ve been unable to find what I want to do.” Luo Qiu wasn’t looking at Leng Feng but at the city below, “I feel like I’ve always been searching, searching for a way to not have my emotions taken away… But I can’t find the real reason driving this behavior. And in the process of this search, perhaps I’ve been subconsciously doing this.”

Leng Feng frowned, he didn’t come today to argue with Luo Qiu about anything, he just wanted to confirm some things… He knew Officer Ma and others had a good relationship with Luo Qiu’s family, and some matters weren’t convenient to bring up face-to-face.

Someone was needed, not too close but also concerned about this family, to expose this matter directly… Maybe that person had to be him.

He wasn’t quite sure what Luo Qiu’s words at this moment were meant for, just asked instinctively, “What… do you want to do?”

“To find a world where two possibilities exist simultaneously, without contradicting each other.”

Time stood still at this moment.

It was a genuine pause.

Earth fell directly into a state of cessation.

Everything, all thoughts, ocean, land, wind, cars on the ground, trains, countless air routes, people eating or talking… even the maid in the club wiping glasses.

All of these were clearly presented in Luo Qiu’s perception.

Maybe it was just a second.

Maybe it was a minute.

Maybe a long time had passed.

An energy different from the altar, like a seed, suddenly sprouted in Luo Qiu’s body…

…

The mountain wind suddenly blew, Leng Feng shivered, feeling like he had zoned out for a while.

He looked instinctively at Luo Qiu beside him, finding him holding his phone, taking pictures of the city below.

There were some things he wanted to say, regarding Ren Ziling’s future issues… But when it came to his lips, he couldn’t say it… Maybe he would talk about it in a few more years.

He thought like this.

“Let’s go back.” Leng Feng stood up, “I’ve booked tonight’s flight, leaving in a while.”

This was actually two or three days earlier than planned… but due to the appearance of the viper, Leng Feng had to cut his vacation short and return to the capital as soon as possible to handle the potential threat from the Zhao family.