"[The Mortal Realm of Gods], is that the divine kingdom between mortals...?" The pageboy murmured the name of the Divine Ruins, then suddenly realized, "That's why the higher-ups of the Night Watch value Lin Qiye so much, because he is the soul of this city."
"That's right. In order to continue this miracle, the Night Watch has been secretly watching Lin Qiye to prevent him from leaving the [Mortal Divine Realm], because once he leaves, this city that has lost its soul will cease to exist."
"If that's the case, then why did they make Lin Qiye a Night Watchman? Wouldn't it have been better to just let him remain an ordinary person and maintain this miracle?" the page asked in confusion.
"As I said before, maintaining such a large-scale miracle requires a massive amount of divine power. The divine power that Michael poured into Lin Qiye's body can only sustain this city for ten years. When the ten-year period is up, which is half a month later, this city will still disappear. Lin Qiye, who will regain the complete [Mortal Divine Realm], will become the world's most promising agent of the gods."
"If we tell him about the Forbidden Ruins, the mysteries, and the gods at that point, it will be too late... He might fall into darkness, be deceived by the people of the Ancient Gods Church, and become an evil god."
"Therefore, his joining the Night's Watch was part of the higher-ups' plan."
Master Chen sighed, recalling the phone call Commander Ye had given him, and continued, "Our purpose in coming to Cangnan this time isn't to investigate divine fluctuations, but to examine Lin Qiye's current mental state and determine whether he can accept the reality of the city's destruction in half a month..."
"Unexpectedly, these Outer Gods interfered again, bringing forward the time of Cangnan's destruction."
"Fortunately, the Night's Watch has been preparing for this moment for the past ten years, and even if Cangnan disappears, they have the most comprehensive plan for the end..."
The pageboy turned to look at the gradually disappearing city and sighed.
"Those residents of Cangnan City were wiped out in their ignorance, then resurrected, enjoyed ten years of life, and left behind their own offspring... Lin Qiye's merits are truly immense."
"Not everyone was unaware," Master Chen said slowly, glancing out the window. "There was one person who knew everything from the very beginning. He... was the most burdened and sorrowful person in this city."
...
The rooftop of the firm building.
Chen Muye, Wu Xiangnan, Hong Ying, and Wen Qimo stood there, still bewildered by Si Xiaonan's departure, without uttering a word.
"Captain, Leng Xuan is missing too." Hong Ying pursed her lips, her face pale. "Xiao Nan, she...
""Xiao Nan didn't betray us," Chen Muye said firmly. "She's just left temporarily to do what she wants... I believe she'll come back."
Wen Qimo remained silent for a long time, then nodded. "I also believe that Xiao Nan will not betray us."
Just as Hongying was about to say something, numerous golden specks of light rose from the city, and everything around them began to disappear...
"What happened?" Wu Xiangnan was stunned when he saw this scene.
In the distance, one by one, pedestrians transformed into golden specks of light and vanished into the air. Parents, about to become specks of light themselves, stroked their children's heads, smiling and telling them to be strong...
Because they are a generation of miracles.
"What's going on? Why is everyone disappearing except for the children?" Wen Qimo frowned and looked down at his own body, which showed no signs of turning into specks of light.
Hongying and Wu Xiangnan exchanged a glance, but neither of them turned into specks of light.
"Because you haven't been in Cangnan long enough." Chen Muye's voice came from the side. He sat on the edge of the rooftop, watching the city gradually disappear, and spoke calmly.
"Only those who were in the Cangnan City area at 2:36:19 PM on October 24th, ten years ago... will disappear."
Wen Qimo and the others exchanged glances and nodded thoughtfully.
"I remember, Hongying, you came to Cangnan four years ago," Wen Qimo said. "And I came three years ago, I think the vice-captain was..."
"I came here five years ago," Wu Xiangnan said.
An Qingyu looked at his own body with a puzzled expression. No light spots were floating out either. After thinking for a moment, he nodded.
"Ten years ago, in October... I was in elementary school in Huaihai City, before I came to Cangnan."
Wu Xiangnan pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
"I remember, among us, it seems only... stayed in Cangnan for ten years."
At this point, he suddenly paused, as if he had thought of something, and abruptly turned his head to look to the side.
Sitting alone on the edge of the rooftop, Chen Muye lowered his head, looking at his own body, a bitter look appearing in his eyes.
His body is disappearing.
Golden light began to dissipate from his fingertips, spreading little by little to his palms, wrists, and arms... The golden glow illuminated his cheeks, and he looked up at the vanishing city, his eyes reflecting the city's shimmering lights.
It shines as brightly as the stars.
"Captain!!" Hongying froze on the spot when she saw this. After a moment, she ran to Chen Muye's side like a madwoman, staring intently at the light spots, her whole body trembling.
"Captain, you..."
"It's alright." A gentle smile appeared on Chen Muye's face. He reached out his other hand and gently stroked Hongying's head. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time."
"Chen Muye!" Wu Xiangnan's brows furrowed deeply. "What exactly happened? Why...?"
Chen Muye sighed, looked up into the distance, and said calmly, "Ten years ago, when I was still in Shangjing City, I received orders to leave Shangjing alone and go to Cangnan to find the person in Zeus's prophecy who could overthrow divine authority. My mission was to find him and bring him back to Shangjing."
"Unexpectedly, during the divine war at the border, Gaia seized [Shiva's Wrath] and, at the cost of her own power, directly annihilated the entire Cangnan City… At that time, I happened to be within Cangnan's borders."
Chen Muye shook his head with a wry smile, "Thanks to Lin Qiye, I had a chance to live again. At the time, I didn't know what had happened. Later, after learning everything from the commander, I volunteered to stay in Cangnan and hide [Shiva's Wrath]. I never returned to the capital and disappeared without a trace."
"Then you came…"
At this point, he reached to his chest, took out the sheepskin scroll wrapped in the [Boundless Silk], and handed it to Hongying.
"Xiao Nan didn't take [Shiva's Lament]. She's not a bad person. From now on... I probably won't be able to guard this thing anymore. Hong Ying, please keep it safe for me. When the higher-ups come, hand it over."
Half of Chen Muye's body had disappeared. Golden light illuminated a corner of darkness. Hongying was already in tears. She took the [Shiva's Lament] from Chen Muye's hand and nodded heavily.
Chen Muye lowered his head, took out his own emblem from his pocket, and softly murmured the small words on the back. Looking at the city in front of him, a smile appeared between his brows.
"I, Chen Muye, have guarded this city for ten years. Now... it's time to leave with it."
"Captain!!" Hongying cried out, reaching out her hand as if trying to grab the dissipating light, but could only grasp at nothingness.
Chen Muye's gaze swept across the faces of the group, and he smiled, saying:
"Oh, and if you see Lin Qiye again, remember to thank him for me."
"Thank you for giving me, for my child, for everyone in this city... a miracle."
"These past ten years, I, Chen Muye, have no regrets…"
As the sound gradually faded, Chen Muye's body transformed into golden specks of light, soaring into the sky and merging with the golden torrent, creating a dazzling expanse of sky.