boyutpedia Page 32
Page 32
Deep within the foundation, that magnetic voice resounded once more, calm and grand, carrying a detached indifference that overlooked history:
"Not a secret, not a god."
"We only believe in the order established by human wisdom and the principles governing the operation of all things."
“We are the ‘Curtain Cornerstone Administration’.”
"It has existed for so long that it is far more revered than anything known to us."
"Now that I have returned from the abyss, I shall contain, study, and protect—and rule over all anomalies in this world!"
The moment the words fell, the Blood Ancestor's enormous head, like an iceberg under the scorching sun, completely melted and collapsed. The last bit of furnace light went out, turning into a pool of boiling, rapidly cooling, filthy blood that flowed into the blood sea below, which was also collapsing.
Seventh second.
The Blood Ancestor's body had completely disintegrated, leaving only a last vestige of his will.
Before it completely dissipated, it asked again:
"Who...who is the one who uttered that voice?!"
Deep within the foundation, that mysterious and majestic voice, like the final felling gavel, was clearly imprinted in the last echo of this collapsing space:
“I am the embodiment of the supreme authority of the Curtain Foundation Administration, the one who governs everything—I am the ‘Director’.”
boom! ! ! !
An endless sea of blood, a crimson sky, a rotting giant eye formed from congealed blood plasma... all traces of filth, distortion, and madness, under the crushing force of absolute order, disintegrate and vanish like stains wiped away by an eraser, returning to eternal nothingness.
The illusion then collapsed.
In the director's office, Zhang Su, sitting upright, watched as the sea of blood disappeared and turned into darkness outside the floor-to-ceiling window. He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, "It's finally over." He wondered what had become of the Tai Sui on Old Master Dongyuan Qiu's body after they left, and whether he could still contain it. He hoped it wouldn't disappear along with the Blood Ancestor, otherwise he would have suffered a loss.
After all, you risked your life to finally beat the dungeon, so how could you not get any rewards afterward?
Volume 1: Chapter 29: Anomaly Levels
After sitting in the director's office for a while and thinking about what to do next, Zhang Su gave the order again: "Keystone, send me back to reality."
Cornerstone responded with an OK sign.
Suddenly, Zhang Su's vision went white as a blinding light assaulted him.
Immediately following was the feeling of being forcibly pulled away from one's soul, along with the heavy feeling of being refilled with flesh and blood.
Zhang Su suddenly jolted awake, his consciousness finally "landing".
He found himself still in the same posture he had before being dragged into darkness by the Black Tai Sui—his hands resting steadily on Dongyuan Qiukugao's shoulders.
The old man stood frozen in place, as if under a spell, but the sight was chilling: thick, black blood, glistening with a cold sheen, was trickling out of his slightly open mouth, tightly closed eyes, nostrils, and ear canals, leaving seven filthy streams on his deeply furrowed face.
A clump of pitch-black, viscous substance, seemingly condensing all the filth and malice in the world, was constantly writhing and expanding, hovering less than a foot above Dong Yuan's head, emanating an ominous and sinister aura. It was the Black Tai Sui that had been peeled off!
Yuan Shu then reported: [Target: The 'Black Tai Sui' within Dong Yuan Qiu's body has been successfully removed. Target's vital signs: rapidly declining; estimated time to death: less than three minutes.]
"Fortunately, the Black Tai Sui didn't run away with that Blood Ancestor." Zhang Su thought to himself, his gaze calm as still water, and he gently released his hands from the old man's shoulders.
Just as his fingertips left Dongyuan Qiu's shoulder, a crack, barely perceptible to the naked eye, silently opened in the space above the Black Tai Sui that was suspended above his head. A powerful suction force erupted instantly, and the Black Tai Sui was unable to even struggle. It was as if it had been thrown into a bottomless abyss, twisted and compressed, and completely swallowed by the crack, disappearing without a trace.
It was the containment protocol that took it into the void.
Then, Zhang Su looked at the faces behind Dong Yuan Qiu, which were distorted by excessive tension, fear and sadness—Yuan Hao's fists were clenched so tightly that his arms trembled slightly, Yuan Ping bit her lower lip hard and looked panicked, Yuan Zhi's glasses were fogged up, and Yuan Yuan clung tightly to Ming Yuan, her small body trembling incessantly.
They were all waiting for the outcome.
Zhang Su then announced to them, "The surgery is complete."
His gaze swept quickly across the crowd before finally settling on Dong Yuan. He said in a heavy tone, "The Tai Sui has been removed, and Mr. Dong Yuan's life is coming to an end. In these final moments, you should all say goodbye to him properly."
"father!"
"Grandpa!"
The oppressive dam collapsed instantly.
Yuan Hao Qiu, like an arrow released from a bow, was the first to rush forward, his arms trembling as he embraced the old man. Yuan Feng, Yuan Hai, Yuan Ping, and Yuan Zhi followed closely behind, clumsily and carefully supporting the body that had been drained of all life.
Dongyuan Qiu's body finally lost its balance and fell softly backward, where her children caught her steadily and gently laid her flat on the thick, soft mattress that had been laid out beforehand.
The instant his body touched the soft cushion, Dongyuan Qiu's tightly closed, cloudy eyes slowly and laboriously opened a crack.
His gaze was initially unfocused, but then he managed to focus with difficulty, sweeping over each of the tear-soaked faces of his loved ones gathered around him.
Then, a smile, a truly genuine smile, one that had shed all shackles and been freed from all pain, slowly bloomed on his face, which was covered in black blood and wrinkles, like the first ray of sunlight after the gloom had dissipated.
"Ah... This feels so relaxing... I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time."
His tone was as if he had just let out a huge weight.
"The pain in my bones is gone, it's like the mountain that was pressing down on me has finally been lifted off my body. It feels so good."
These words were like sparks thrown into boiling oil. Yuan Hao could no longer hold back, and a wild, mournful cry erupted from his throat as he buried his head deep in his father's cold neck.
Yuanping's cries were sharp as tearing silk. Yuanhai turned his face away, his shoulders heaving violently, and silent tears streamed down his face.
Yuanzhi gritted his teeth, his glasses completely fogged up. Yuanyuan and Mingyuan burst into tears, like lost young animals. The entire living room was filled with huge, heart-wrenching cries of grief.
"Don't cry, silly children." Dongyuan's gaze moved with difficulty, and his kind light fell on each of his children and grandchildren. "Since I turned fifty, this body of mine has become a cage for feeding Tai Sui, bringing me only endless pain. I have been waiting for this day every day. I have been waiting for a full nineteen years, and finally it has come."
He was panting, his eyes darting around, as if he had pierced through the walls of time and seen his spirited self: "When I was young, I was just like you. I relied on my good health and thought that having the blessing of the Grand Duke Jupiter and becoming an extraordinary person was a great thing."
"Being able to summon wind and rain, and protect one's home... is a blessing that others can only dream of, it's incredibly powerful."
"It wasn't until I got old and was plagued by illness that I truly understood. This is not a blessing, but a poison that gnaws at your bones and drains your marrow, a curse hanging over the heads of your descendants."
"Now, I'm finally free from this curse! I'm so happy!"
"You may not understand why I'm saying this now, but that's okay. In the future... you'll understand. Trust me."
“Dad! We understand! We really understand! We were confused! We were wrong! We will listen to you! Please don’t go! Please look at us again!” Yuan Hao raised his head, tears streaming down his face, and cried out hoarsely. His other children and grandchildren also cried out in agreement, their voices filled with endless regret and pleading.
Dongyuan's gaze, with an almost greedy tenderness, slowly and carefully swept over the faces of each of his loved ones once more, wanting to imprint their appearances, along with the last vestiges of their attachment to this mortal world, deep into the souls that were about to return to nothingness.
A thousand words stuck in his throat, ultimately turning into an increasingly indifferent, carefree smile on his lips.
"You have a long road ahead of you." His voice was so low it was almost a whisper, his breath like a candle flickering in the wind. "You can only walk this path on your own. You must support and help each other... and not let the family fall apart."
"After I'm gone, my soul will return to the Dragon God's temple, where I'll always be watching over you. You all must take good care of yourselves..."
His gaze, filled with the last glimmer of light and gratitude, turned with difficulty to Zhang Su, who had been standing quietly to the side.
He nodded very slightly, but with utmost solemnity, his lips moving slightly.
"Finally, thank you, Lord Zhang Su... You lifted the curse on my family and freed me from this misery."
With the last of his strength, he uttered those words with perfect clarity, carrying a sense of calm as the dust settled.
"Farewell, children... Farewell, Lord Zhang Su. I'm leaving."
After uttering this sentence, Dongyuan Qiu closed his eyes.
Zhang Su stood solemnly, bowing respectfully to the old man who had endured so much hardship and finally found peace after breaking free of his shackles. He bid him farewell in a deep voice, his words echoing clearly in the weeping living room: "The worldly troubles have been shed, return to the great wilderness. Farewell, Master Dongyuan."
Even at the very end, Dongyuan Qiu had a smile on his face.
He closed his eyes peacefully and completely.
The Qiu family's cries reached their peak, turning into a long, heartbreaking sob and weeping.
They silently and closely surrounded the old man, holding his cold hands or gently smoothing the wrinkles in his clothes, bidding him a final farewell with silent companionship and endless tears.
Zhang Su stood quietly at the edge of the room filled with grief, his gaze finally sweeping over Dong Yuan's peaceful face before he turned and silently left the living room, which was filled with immense sorrow.
The door closed gently behind him, separating him from the possibility of separation by death. (Noon)
The sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows of the corridor, casting cold, silent patches of light on the floor.
……
The following day, July 12th.
Two obituaries were published on bulletin boards throughout Muyun Harbor and in the obituary section of newspapers.
The first piece uses relatively retro and sophisticated vocabulary, and is written in a truly rare style:
[July 13, 1173 AD, 11:47 AM]
Muyun Port, the ancestral home of the Qiu family.
The patriarch of the Qiu family, Dongyuan Qiu, passed away peacefully at the age of sixty-nine in his residence without illness.
Throughout his life, he upheld harmonious family ties and managed his household with utmost care. Although he was plagued by serious illness in his later years, he remained devoted to his children and grandchildren, never daring to slacken his efforts. Now, by the grace of Heaven, he has been freed from suffering and passed away peacefully.
Upon hearing this tragic news, the entire family was devastated, and relatives were heartbroken. In accordance with Mr. [Name]'s wishes, the funeral will be conducted in a simple manner.
I respectfully submit this message with tears in my eyes.
The second article is written in a more standard style, making it easy for everyone to understand:
[Obituary (Part Two) (Part Three) Mio's announcement]
With a heavy heart, we inform our relatives and friends:
Our beloved father and grandfather, Mr. Dongyuan Qiu, the patriarch of the Qiu family, passed away peacefully at his home in Muyun Port at 11:47 a.m. today (specific date), leaving us forever.
The gentleman passed away at the age of 69.
Mr. Dongyuan devoted his life to his family. Although he suffered from illness for a long time in his later years, he always cared deeply for his family and remained steadfast. Today, he has finally laid down all his burdens and peacefully completed his life's journey in the company of his loved ones.
Mr. Qiu's passing is an immeasurable loss to the Qiu family, plunging our entire family into immense grief. Our eldest son Yuanhao Qiu, second son Yuanfeng Qiu, third son Yuanhai Qiu, eldest daughter Yuanping Qiu, second son Yuanzhi Qiu, granddaughter Yuanyuan Qiu, grandson Mingyuan Qiu, and all other relatives are deeply saddened and weep as we inform our friends and family.
This is to inform you of your passing.
The Qiu family tearfully pleaded
July 13th, Holy Calendar 1173.
……
Also on July 13th, in the living room of the Qiu family building.
The afternoon sun shone through the stained glass windows, casting dappled yet slightly somber shadows on the heavy oak floor.
A subtle atmosphere, as if a deal had been struck, filled the living room.
Zhang Su and Randolph Stone sat facing each other, with six different items neatly arranged on the large coffee table between them.
Zhang Su lowered his head slightly, his gaze intently sweeping over the reward on the table for his experience with the 'Qiu Family Incident'.
He examined them very carefully, meticulously assessing the quality and shape of each item.
First, the Qiu family promised to retrieve five extraordinary items belonging to Tai Sui:
The Bloodthirsty Dagger: A short dagger less than a foot long. The blade is covered in thick, dark red rust, as if soaked in dried blood, obscuring its original metallic luster. Its design is unusually ancient; the handle is made of some kind of dark, finely cracked hardwood, wrapped with a heavily worn dark leather cord, the end inlaid with a small, dull piece of obsidian. The entire dagger exudes a chilling aura, as if it were just unearthed from an ancient tomb or a bloody battlefield.
An Unquenchable Candlelight: An old oil lamp with a simple, unadorned brass base. The base is chipped and chipped, and a third of the glass dome that should have covered the flame is missing, its jagged cracks resembling menacing fangs. Within this broken dome, a small, bean-sized flame burns quietly. Its color is a sickly, almost transparent pale white; no heat emanates from it, yet it can be clearly seen flickering steadily, emitting a faint but undeniable pale light and a strange, drowsy, spiritual warmth.
The Shadow Glove: A pure black glove that covers only the left hand. The material is indistinguishable, neither leather nor cloth, but cool and slippery to the touch, like the skin of some deep-sea creature. It has no seams or decorations, appearing as a single, seamless piece, its surface gleaming with a faint, eerie sheen in the light. The knuckles seem slightly thinner than those of a normal glove, likely fitting snugly against the skin.
The Hungry Ghost Bag: an unassuming object. It's just an ordinary bag, sewn from rough gray linen, about the size of two palms. The opening is tied with a worn-out hemp rope, and the surface is stained with some inexplicable dirt, making it look like a common ration bag from the slums. However, the more ordinary it is, the more unusual it appears among this pile of items.
The Mask of the Fool: A mask carved from some pale, thin wood. Only the size of a palm, it depicts a hollow, exaggerated smile—eyes that are two crescent-shaped hollows, and a mouth stretched to an unbelievable angle. The expression is stiff and comical, exuding a cheap yet unsettling eeriness. The edges of the mask are polished to an unusual smoothness, and the inner surface seems to have a faint, indescribable oily sheen.
Then came the answer to Randolph's question, in which the mayor promised him a Level 4 anomaly.
A palm-sized, pure black cube-shaped box. Its material is neither gold nor stone; it feels heavy and cold to the touch, its surface smooth as a mirror, without any seams, keyholes, or decorative patterns, like a perfectly cut piece of black metallic ore. It lies there quietly, like a piece of dark jade absorbing light, exuding a restrained and profound sense of oppression.
After a while, Zhang Su finally looked away from the various objects that exuded a cold, eerie, or ordinary yet dangerous aura. He raised his head, a faint smile playing on his lips, and looked at Randolph Stone sitting upright opposite him.
“Secretary-General Stone,” Zhang Su’s voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, “I thought I would be able to meet the Mayor today. It seems that my importance is not enough to trouble the Mayor to make a personal trip.”
He tapped the black box on the table lightly. "Especially, this is what you're delivering."
Randolph's perfect politician's smile immediately appeared on his face, full of sincerity and just the right amount of apology: "Your Excellency Zhang Su, you have misunderstood! The mayor values you very much! It's just... alas, the city hall's official duties are really complicated, and the mayor is overwhelmed."
"More importantly, our official organization has strict risk control regulations. As an important figure of Sequence 7 or above, Your Excellency the Mayor's itinerary and contacts must undergo strict evaluation and multiple reporting and protection. You will not personally contact high-level superhumans or unknown beings whose risks are not fully controlled unless necessary."
"This is by no means a disrespect to you, but rather a sign of respect and careful consideration for your potential!"
Zhang Su simply smiled, said nothing, picked up the bone china teacup beside him, and slowly took a sip. That smile made Randolph feel a little uneasy, and he quickly added, "If Your Excellency feels that the mayor's failure to attend in person shows a lack of sincerity, we can further offer monetary compensation..."
“No need.” Zhang Su put down his teacup and interrupted Randolph decisively. “While I don’t refuse money, this reward is what it is.”
He changed the subject, his gaze returning to the smooth black cube with a scrutinizing look. "I'm just a little curious, why would Secretary-General Stone have to escort a Level 4 anomaly all by himself? It seems the mayor has considerable trust in your abilities. Or perhaps..."