Author: 木尺素 / Mu Chisu
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 40
Zhou Qian’s current environment was incredibly stifling.
The pitch-black corridor was narrow and cramped. The path ahead was blocked by a thick solid wall, and the path behind was endless. However, at the end of that road, there is still another solid wall.
But wait… After traveling this long distance, would everything behind him change?
In many games involving mazes, there was a common routine—when you wander around, get lost, find that you can’t get out anywhere, and don’t know what to do, it might be a good idea to go back to the starting point. You may find a new exit there. The beginning might also be the end.
But this wasn’t the case now. As Zhou Qian turned his head, even before he had a chance to walk back, he found another thick wall behind him.
Zhou Qian clenched his fist and knocked; the wall was solid.
This only made the atmosphere in the tunnel even more oppressive. Zhou Qian was now trapped in a small, square space. Solid walls surrounded him on all sides, even the ceiling. On his left and right were two glass doors.
On one side, the young Jiang Yuqing pressed his hand against the glass door, gazing at him with desperate eyes. On the other side, an older Jiang Yuqing’s eyes were murky, seemingly unaware of his surroundings. The distant rumbling noises and the occasional shaking further intensified the tense atmosphere.
Ten minutes to make a choice was relatively ample time.
Zhou Qian first looked at the young officer on his left. This figure slowly overlapped with the officer writing poetry in the photo illusion.
But Zhou Qian clearly knew one thing: in a way, all the young officers that appeared in this memory world weren’t entirely the same individual.
The first time Zhou Qian encountered the officer in the photo illusion, the officer was writing poetry. After finishing the poem, he burned it because he clearly remembered that Bei He had died.
Moreover, upon seeing Zhou Qian and other players behind him, he expressed great astonishment and said, “In my lifetime, I can actually see you again?”
When Zhou Qian entered the illusion earlier, the officer he met was still him. He didn’t believe Bei He would appear, thinking all of it was just his hallucination.
Because he still knew that Bei He had long been dead.
Thus, the young officer in the photo illusion was indeed the same person from beginning to end. His emotions were consistent—he was deeply saddened because he clearly remembered that every member of the Falcon Squadron had died.
However, thinking back, the Jiang Yuqing in the main plot of the “West Pier”, although young, didn’t initially have similar memories or understanding.
He was immersed in the Cypress City storyline, waiting for Bai He and the other Falcon Squadron members to save him. It was only on the pier, when he saw Bei He and everyone turn into ghosts and unable to leave Cypress City, that he realized or recalled that they had all died.
Hence, Jiang Yuqing in that level, though youthful in appearance, actually corresponds to the older Jiang Yuqing with dementia.
The elderly Jiang Yuqing revisited old grounds in a young shell, reliving similar past events and recalling everything.
It was evident that many young Jiang Yuqings appeared in this game. But this didn’t mean these young Jiang Yuqings were the same entity. They weren’t all on the side that would help the player survive.
Only the young officer in the photo illusion remembered everything. He would guide players to survive, reminding his older self of the past.
But the young Jiang Yuqing in the illusion, or in a specific level, might not be the same.
So, Zhou Qian knew deep down that the Jiang Yuqing on both sides, one old and one young, might not offer any lifelines.
Through the glass door on the left, looking at the handsome face of the young Jiang Yuqing, Zhou Qian thought of the cruel question he asked Jiang Yuqing by the dim candlelight in the illusion not long ago.
“Do you feel guilty? If you were to live the rest of your life alone, what would your truest wish be?”
Jiang Yuqing’s answer was crystal clear and still echoed in his ears.
“Countless times in my dreams, I always dream of the same scene.”
“In the tunnel where Bei He and I made our last escape, it’s endlessly long. This way, we can hold hands and keep running…”
“But even in my dreams, I was still lucid. I knew very well that the moment when the shells would drop, or the bullets would fly, was inevitable.”
“So, the end of the dream was simple—”
“I walked with Bei He to an exit of the tunnel, climbed out together, and then I died alongside him.”
“We would never betray the oath we made when we joined the Seventh Army, nor would we betray our faith. But at least, we could die together.”
Then, abruptly changing the topic, Jiang Yuqing in the photograph illusion said, “But dreams are just dreams. If history could repeat itself, I would make the same choice. I couldn’t turn back and leave the tunnel to die with Bei He. Because my life… was not my own. The times bestowed upon me a mission; I had my duty, so I had to survive.”
“Everyone… Everyone wanted me to survive. They wouldn’t let me die.”
“Even Bei He said… With great power comes great responsibility. I indeed had to survive.”
“They called me a hero, a great man, saying I was crucial.”
“They said the nation needed me, the people needed me, and I had to continue my research…”
“But maybe… when I’m old, losing my memory, and can’t do research anymore, I can finally belong to myself. By then, I want to live for myself, even if it’s just for a moment.”
“I don’t know how long I will live. But if I can live to an old age… I’m afraid by then, everyone I know will be dead. Bei He, Dong Shui, Nan Hu, Xi Jiang… all gone. And the rest of the Seventh Army, perhaps all have passed away one after another—”
“The Falcon Squadron’s tasks were all confidential, and their records have been gradually destroyed.”
“See, they made such sacrifices, but no one in the world will know or remember.”
“No one remembers they were heroes… except for me.”
“In this world, only I remember their efforts, the blood they shed, and their sacrifices…”
“So, I cannot forget them.”
“Perhaps old age, brain degradation, and atrophy will uncontrollably make me forget everything.”
“If that’s the case, I hope to die before I forget completely.”
“I want to die holding onto the memories of them.”
Walking along this long tunnel, Zhou Qian realized that everything in front of him was actually in line with Jiang Yuqing’s words in the photograph illusion. This seemingly endless tunnel, which eventually would have an end, was the recurring dream of Jiang Yuqing.
In the dream, he finally let go of his identity and mission and impulsively lived for himself. Even in the dream, he wouldn’t desert, nor would he betray the Seventh Army to join the S Army. He just wanted to die with Bei He.
Now, the young Jiang Yuqing stood to Zhou Qian’s left.
From his perspective, Bei He, so close yet untouchable, was right there. This was the end of the tunnel. All he had to do was grab Bei He’s hand, turn around, escape through an exit, and they could die together under gunfire…
So, he couldn’t choose the left path.
Opening that door, the next thing would be gunfire and explosions. Zhou Qian was certain that he might be blown to pieces.
What about the right side?
The older Jiang Yuqing on the right was very close to the real Jiang Yuqing at this moment in time. He was old, forgetful, and continuously erasing memories.
Moreover, this Jiang Yuqing has manic episodes and once became a Rank B “monster”.
Zhou Qian didn’t even need to think about it; he knew that once he entered that room, the older Jiang Yuqing would become murderous again. Representing the disease of “dementia”, he would surely kill himself. Now that Jiang Yuqing’s life was in its last day, the condition of dementia was likely worsening. Therefore, the “monster” in this conscious world might become stronger, not just Rank B.
There was no resentment for Zhou Qian to utilize here, and no one to help boost his vitality. His ultimate ability was basically useless. In this situation, he was really weak. So, for him, entering the room on the right also meant certain death.
Both paths led to death.
The only difference was whether he would be killed by gunfire or killed by Jiang Yuqing himself.
Zhou Qian raised an eyebrow slightly, checked the time on his wristwatch, and once again looked around the narrow tunnel.
He suddenly realized that if he looked at it from a different perspective… Perhaps the situation of this tunnel was different from that of the “West Pier”.
If the former nursing home and Room 701 that the players entered represented the first layer of Jiang Yuqing’s consciousness world, then the Checks and Balance level and the West Pier level were deeper layers within that consciousness world, namely the second layer.
At first, Zhou Qian thought that this tunnel, just like the West Pier and Check and Balance, was also the second layer of consciousness.
But as he saw the tunnel becoming narrower and narrower until he was completely blocked by walls on both sides, Zhou Qian realized something was wrong.
Perhaps the tunnel did start as the second layer of consciousness.
But it was possible that the outer first layer had already collapsed.
Today was the third day Zhou Qian had been in the nursing home. It was also the last day of Jiang Yuqing’s life.
Jiang Yuqing’s life was coming to an end, with his condition at its worst. Before, only the caregivers, vases, security guards, and the front desk had disappeared, but now it seems that the entire former nursing home might have vanished.
The first layer of consciousness irreversibly collapsed, with this second layer merging with it and then replacing it, becoming the primary layer of consciousness.
And this was the only consciousness world that the elderly Jiang Yuqing could sustain.
Every tunnel has its end.
This was a dream that Jiang Yuqing had, letting go of all external responsibilities.
Now the space of consciousness was further reduced to a cube.
The last memory point in Jiang Yuqing’s mind was also here.
……
Zhou Qian was just pondering this when suddenly, a massive cannon sound rang out again.
The ground shook violently before him.
Once he steadied himself, he found that the walls had moved closer.
It wouldn’t be long before Jiang Yuqing in the real world passed away. He wouldn’t even be able to maintain this last bit of tunnel memory space.
Taking a deep breath, Zhou Qian turned to the left and approached the young Jiang Yuqing.
The young Jiang Yuqing immediately showed a joyful expression. He spread his arms as if wanting to embrace Zhou Qian, welcoming him to come and take him out of the tunnel towards a shared fate in death.
Zhou Qian walked to the glass door, even pressing his palm against it.
But he didn’t open the door; he just looked at Jiang Yuqing and said, “Actually, once a person dies, it’s all over. Death isn’t scary. Living is the hardest. So I think… in a way, you are braver than Bei He.”
“Jiang Yuqing, you’re a brave and determined person. Even in dreams, you’ve never betrayed anyone.”
“Such a person as you is a true hero.”
“And because of this, this dream is just that—a dream. You wouldn’t want to die alongside Bei He in a past story. If you die, no one in the world will remember those heroes whose names aren’t even mentioned in the archives.”
“So, dying with Bei He under the bombardment of Cypress City is not your final wish.”
“And me… I’ll find you. Bei He promised to meet you. I’m here to fulfill that promise on his behalf.”
“I will, in the name of Bei He, go to the end of your life to greet you.”
With that said, Zhou Qian waved to the young Jiang Yuqing and turned to walk to the other end of the tunnel.
On both sides of the narrow tunnel was the same Jiang Yuqing, but they existed in different times and scenarios.
Now, Zhou Qian was like walking from one side of his life to the symbolic endpoint on the other side.
He stood quietly in front of the glass door on the right side for a moment, gently pushing the door open.
The moment the glass door opened, the ground shook again.
Looking back, Zhou Qian saw the glass door close by itself.
Through the door, the young Jiang Yuqing was pounding on his side, but he couldn’t open it or run out.
……
After a violent shake, another door vanished, replaced by another wall.
Then, with a series of loud “clangs,” three walls kept closing in.
In no time, the spot where Zhou Qian stood for the multiple-choice question was occupied by a solid wall.
The consciousness world further collapsed and converged, leaving just a small space.
And in this tiny space, only Zhou Qian and the elderly Jiang Yuqing remained.
Before leaving the photo illusion, after answering Zhou Qian’s cruel question, Jiang Yuqing had handed him a celadon bottle.
Now, Zhou Qian finally understood what was inside that bottle.
“Come on, Jiang Yuqing.” Looking at the elderly man with cloudy eyes, Zhou Qian spoke up. “Either you kill me, or I kill you.”
[Target: Jiang Yuqing]
[Rank: S]
[Specialty: ???]
[Warning: The target’s attack is extremely strong! Player Zhou Qian cannot resist his attack at all!]
[Warning: The target’s defense is super high! Player Zhou Qian cannot harm him at all!]
The target was the incarnation of the master of the conscious world.
Indeed, how could one defeat the master of this world while in the conscious world?
[Player Zhou Qian, the system has recently launched new tombstones. You’re welcome to purchase—]
The agitated form of Jiang Yuqing indeed appeared again.
His attack power had clearly increased, and his eyes had turned bright red.
He raised his palm, showing no mercy, and slapped Zhou Qian.
Killing Bei He and erasing memories associated with him was the only directive given by this diseased brain!
Amidst the intense killing intent, Zhou Qian looked up at Jiang Yuqing calmly.
Surprisingly, Zhou Qian’s eyes were rather gentle. Speaking in Bei He’s tone, he softly said, “Mr. Jiang, I love you. That’s why I’ll… gently kill you.”
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