Chapter 561: My Insignificance
The me in here, and the me out there... which one is the "copy"?
Before I determine my strategy, I must first figure out this most basic logical question.
Although I call them "copies," in the final analysis, we are exactly the same—even our memories are identical without a single difference. So who is real, and who is fake?
I can't think of any difference between myself and them. After all, the "real me" had already disappeared seventy years ago when everyone died for the first time. Since then, I've been living in a bizarre state—endlessly, eternally.
Now, "I" and "I" both believe ourselves to be real. But very few people can truly grasp this question—since hardly anyone truly understands "Endless Life."
Perhaps there's only one train of thought that can resolve this issue.
As long as one side dies, then the other side is real.
Since the "me" outside hasn't figured this out, it's up to the "me" inside to make the choice.
Assuming all the above inferences are correct, then if one "me" can turn to ashes in "End Land" and never be reborn, all the tragedy will stop here.
In that way, my memories will only exist outside of "End Land," and there will no longer be a person named Xu Liunian inside here.
I'm really not smart enough—I can't find a way to liberate everyone, nor can I find a way to destroy this place.
But I did find a way to liberate myself.
In this way, countless versions of me will think they once got out.
Seventy years. Twenty-five thousand, five hundred days. More than two thousand five hundred deaths.
Maybe those two thousand five hundred versions of me are all living happy lives?
Only I am the one always left behind. Since I can't find the "source" of this thing, I'll just patch up the "bottom."
I crushed the empty beer can in my hand as I finalized my strategy.
Whether I succeed this time or not, I'm prepared to disappear completely within "End Land."
I might become the first "Participant" in all of "End Land" to actively vanish. But before I go, I'll do everything I can to pave a path for those who come after.
I want Qi Xia to completely create a living Yu Nian'an.
A true Yu Nian'an who matches what he imagines in his heart.
As long as Yu Nian'an is by Qi Xia's side, he will surely be unstoppable. He will use his subconscious to send everyone out, then realize what I've realized, and have everyone turn to ashes along with him.
Yes. This is my own path.
In this way, everyone will count as having "escaped," won't they?
It's just that the path I've chosen is very tragic for me. It has no direct relation to me—it relies entirely on "Endless Life." If Qi Xia doesn't agree with me, I will fail completely.
Qinglong wanted to use "Endless Life" to manage this place methodically. Tianlong and Chu Tianqiu wanted to use "Endless Life" to make themselves "gods." And I—I'm a bit greater than them. I actually foolishly want to use "Endless Life" to copy everyone outside.
That day, I saw Zhang Chenze coming to find Chu Tianqiu, so I pretended to pass by the doorway. Perhaps even heaven was helping me.
I happened to catch the name "Wen Qiaoyun."
A bold guess: Is it possible that Zhang Chenze had happened to encounter Wen Qiaoyun, who had turned into a "Madman"? This must have felt unfair to her, so she came to ask Chu Tianqiu for the truth?
If I'm not mistaken, she would want to know how a "Madman" could turn back into an "Amnesiac," and Chu Tianqiu would very likely mention me.
When she came out, I used just a few words to trick her intention out of her.
"I'm Xu Liunian. Were you looking for me?"
"I... how did you know?"
Zhang Chenze's expression was exactly as I had predicted. How should I describe this feeling?
Let's just say "End Land" has its own food chain. Qi Xia and Chu Tianqiu can manipulate me effortlessly, and I can fool others with just one sentence.
I told Zhang Chenze that we needed to create a new "Wen Qiaoyun." No matter what this person looked like or what memories she carried, as long as she could be stronger than Qi Xia, she would surely be Wen Qiaoyun.
Zhang Chenze is Qi Xia's teammate. She's upright and easy to win over Qi Xia's trust. Having her do this would have a higher success rate than if I did it myself.
Besides, how could Qinglong have given such a difficult task only to me?
So I gambled again. I told Zhang Chenze that "the Zodiac side" had already been taken care of. Only one last step remained. If they could add that spark, this thing stood a very good chance of succeeding.
Looking at her expression, I knew she was wavering.
This is right. Qinglong needs helpers. So do I.
Those who preserve the fewest memories can only stay at the bottom of the food chain.
As I said, even heaven is helping me.
When I packed my bag and was about to go find Qi Xia, I happened to see Xiao Xiao and Jiang Ruoxue from the window. Logically, "Path of Extremity" and "Gate of Heaven" are mortal enemies. These two wouldn't come without a reason—something must have happened.
I leaned by the door and overheard their conversation.
The "Centaur Hour" was coming.
No, rather—my "east wind" was coming. As an ordinary person, if I want to make my move amidst these layers of waves, I have to rely on the "east wind."
And this "Centaur Hour" will be the best time for me to perform.
Qi Xia, as a person who relies on intellect, absolutely cannot survive running for two hours straight. Would he ever expect that at the most critical moment, it would be me who comes to save him?
I immediately left "Gate of Heaven" and headed to the edge of the city. If I want to save Qi Xia from the "Centaur Hour," I need my taxi.
This taxi is both the beginning and the end of the two of us. I will lay down all my "paths" and then make a magnificent sacrifice in this cycle.
I will absolutely not tell Qi Xia that I am a "Participant." I will tell him "I come from hell."
Other than that one truth, I'll probably tell a lot of lies.
There's a saying: "A man's words are good when he is near death." But I'm the opposite.
Qi Xia, I wish you wouldn't believe a single word I'm about to say. But that won't work.
Even if I've been lying to you all along, I have never had any ill intentions.
My ultimate goal is for everyone to escape—even if it means living outside in the most bizarre way possible.
I don't want to be a pawn anymore. I just want to be myself.
But will you remember my name?
I'm not someone else. I'm not a pawn.
Qi Xia, if one day I disappear completely, you must remember me.
My name is Xu Liunian.
I'm about to start lying to you.