The Victim

He looked at the uncompromising stubbornness in his grandson's eyes and sighed inwardly. That look was exactly like his own when he was young, and exactly like his son's.

"It seems that in the past few years you've spent out there, you've only grown in skill, not in wisdom," Long Ye's tone turned cold. "Still so naive. Do you really think you can change the world with just a heart full of hot blood?"

"I'm not naive!" Long Ao gritted his teeth. "I just don't think we should get used to sacrifice, or treat it as a matter-of-course option. Every sacrifice should be an absolute last resort. It should be remembered, not lightly dismissed as just another price to pay."

The gazes of the grandfather and grandson clashed fiercely in the air, the atmosphere in the study tense and explosive.

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together." Long Ye finally waved his hand, his face returning to the placid calm of an ancient well, though beneath that calm lay deep disappointment.

"It's fine that you brought your friend back. Nanny Wang will take good care of you. But the affairs of Jiangcheng are not for you to question. You can try to stop it, provided you have the ability to do so."

"Get out."

"Grandpa..."

"Out."

Hearing his grandfather's unquestionable tone, all of Long Ao's words caught in his throat.

He knew it was useless to say more. His grandfather's beliefs were a fortress forged by decades of blood and fire, indestructible. Even as his closest kin, he couldn't shake them.

Suppressing his churning emotions, he turned and strode out of the study.

The door closed behind him, cutting off the heavy, suffocating atmosphere inside.

In the courtyard, Chen Guan stood up from a wicker chair. Looking at Long Ao's taut face and clenched fists, he didn't ask any questions.

Nanny Wang glanced at Long Ao's expression and said softly, "Young Master, the rooms are ready. You're in your old room, and the one next to it is for student Chen. Go rest your feet for a bit."

"Thank you, Nanny Wang." Long Ao tried his best to soften his tone, turning to Chen Guan. "Let's go. Let's get settled first."

Chen Guan hoisted the coffin back onto his back and walked with Long Ao toward the west wing.

Long Ao noticed the coffin instantly turn invisible on his back and remained silent for a moment. "If you ever need anything in the future, just tell me."

Chen Guan nodded. "Yeah, I'll let you know if I need anything."

"I'm serious." Long Ao walked ahead, not shying away from Nanny Wang beside them. "All the gifts bestowed by fate have already been secretly priced."

The door clicked shut, cutting off whatever he might have said next.

After closing the door, Long Ao stood in place, unmoving for a long time.

He had thought An Changqing was the only one capable of being his rival, but the appearance of Guan Jinyue and Chen Guan was undoubtedly a slap in the face.

He had also wondered yesterday, what was the point of him tagging along?

Chen Guan was stronger than him.

Long Ao stared in the direction of the study, as if trying to see the person inside through the walls. "Grandpa, I don't believe in fate."

...

In the evening, Nanny Wang prepared a simple home-cooked meal.

The atmosphere at the dining table was silent. Long Ye did not appear; according to Nanny Wang, he was handling important matters in the study. Long Ao didn't ask much about his grandfather. He ate quickly, his mind clearly not on the food.

After dinner, Long Ao said to Chen Guan, "For the matter with the Great Wall, we'll set out tonight. You can rest first, or take a walk around. The courtyard is safe. I need to prepare some things alone."

Chen Guan nodded. "Alright."

Long Ao returned to his room and shut the door tight.

Chen Guan stood in the courtyard for a while, watching the night gradually dye the sky.

The night sky in Jiangcheng always seemed to be covered in a layer of gray haze, with sparse stars. He returned to his room, put down the coffin, sat cross-legged, and sank his mental energy into his sea of consciousness.

The Starry Sky Visualization Map slowly revolved, nourishing his spirit. He deliberately looked at the mark of Baal deep within his soul.

"Wake up." Chen Guan provided a wake-up call, knowing that Baal had been watching the show all along.

The mark lit up lazily, and Baal's teasing voice rang out. "Oh, finally remembered Lord Baal, did you?"

"What is the Great Wall's real plan?" Chen Guan asked directly. With Long Ao's earlier remark, even the most obtuse person would sense something wrong. Long Ao coming to Jiangcheng wasn't just a family visit; it likely had to do with Long Ye and himself as well.

"Plan? What plan? The old dragon head's plan to use you as bait to catch a big fish?"

Baal scoffed. "Do you even need to ask? It's obvious. What that little guy named Hong Xing told you about being bait was just sugar-coating it. The truth is, the old dragon head needs to make everything hidden in Jiangcheng's underground completely active so he can uproot it all."

"And you, kid, are his chosen, most suitable sacrificial lamb. As for the reason, Lord Baal isn't omniscient, so don't ask me."

Chen Guan's heart sank slightly. Just as he thought, Hong Xing had been hiding something.

"Do you have a way to break this?"

"Break it? Why would I break it?" Baal said leisurely. "This is so interesting. Based on my understanding of the old dragon head, his calculations must be quite thorough, with a high success rate."

"If you die, this little mark of mine will just have to find a new place to stay. A bit troublesome, sure. But if you don't die, it means you're highly capable, and I'll think even more highly of you. It's a win-win deal for me."

"...Suit yourself."

Chen Guan exited his sea of consciousness and opened his eyes. The room was dim, illuminated only by the faint light filtering in from outside the window.

Baal's attitude was exactly as expected.

This demon god had never been an ally; he was more like a wicked spectator crouching by the stage, hoping the plot would take the most unexpected turn.

Counting on Baal to help break Long Ye and the Great Wall's scheme was like gambling. Although Baal had a prior agreement with him, Baal wasn't short on candidates. The currently missing Guan Jinyue was a prime example.

However, it wasn't a total loss. Baal's words had confirmed the worst-case scenario.

He was indeed the marked sacrifice in the plan. The cult was bound to be eradicated, but whether he lived or died in the process didn't matter.

Run? Could he really run?

Touching the coffin beside him, he knew that as long as his main body didn't die, he wouldn't die. This was his greatest advantage. He might just be able to win some benefits for himself. If he just ground through daily tasks at the academy, earning popularity points would be far too slow.

He wasn't Baal's only contractor, and Baal wasn't his only helper either.