Silent Crown

by Feng Yue

  It fell onto the floor with a clink.

  Ye Qingxuan was immobilized. For a moment, he was shaken by the sudden prestige. Every inch of him was frozen in horror, not daring to act before the ‘giant object.’ Even his brain was silent and could not move.

  There was a frail figure behind Ye Qingxuan. He was covered in a black feather cape and was at least two meters tall but was not muscular. His waist-length hair was like gray ash and his face was colorless. Ye Qingxuan could not tell if he was angry or calm.

  Just as being stabbed was an insignificant matter, the young man before him was like dust. He looked down at Ye Qingxuan as if studying an interesting object. There was no frustration or annoyance.

  “Who…are you?” Ye Qingxuan forced out.

  “Me?” the man replied indifferently. “I’ve had many names but I’m afraid many have been forgotten. Only my least favorite one still survives. You can call me…” He paused and uttered, “Paganini.”

  -

  Ten minutes ago, the Knights Templar and iron whales were in the center temple. Colt had been called for. He entered quickly and came before the hanging emblem under the priest’s guidance. He lowered his head politely. “I am Colt, representative of the Rock Institute. May I ask what the Sacred City requests?”

  “Colt, get ready for coherence.” A hoarse voice rang out. It was familiar and emotionless, just purely issuing an order. “Enter the prayer room in ten minutes and guide the lighthouse’s light.”

  Stunned, Colt’s head snapped up. He looked at the holy emblem as if he could see the elder in the distance behind it. “Teacher?” Overjoyed, he said, “I am not yet a grandmaster but I am already qualified to touch the ‘lighthouse’?”

  For centuries, all secret keepers passed down the same command to finally construct the scepter of a ‘lighthouse’ in the aether world. From then on, the lighthouse was finally illuminated. It hung in the aether world, transmitting the wishes of generations of secret keepers—to light the Dark World, observe the global environment, and enter the territory of omniscience.

  It was difficult to actually operate it, they could not maintain the global environment observation, and there were huge costs but the power was still huge. Throughout history, the secret keepers had worked with the Sacred City closely. They enjoyed high status and became a force within the School of Revelations. This was the reason why they were so highly regarded within Revelations.

  To any other Revelations musician, going into coherence with the Lighthouse and guiding the light was a huge honor. Controlling that power was like transforming into an omniscient spirit, able to see through all darkness and secrets.

  Even as the current heir to the secret keeper position, the Lighthouse was still a faraway honor to Colt. This was why he was unsettled and scared it was a joke.

  Heisenberg’s voice was still indifferent. “Colt, this is your chance,” he said. “Grandmaster Koch has passed. Now, you are the only Revelations musician in Romulus. I am giving you my authority to represent the School of Secret Keepers and become the eye of the Sacred City. You will report straight to the Papal Chamber to supply information for the Cardinals. Do you understand the weight of this responsibility?”

  Colt was overjoyed. Forcing down his ecstasy, he lowered his head, answering, “I-I understand, Teacher. Please don’t worry, I won’t disa—”

  “Do not forget your place!” The voice, icy as the deep sea, froze Colt. Heisenberg reprimanded coldly, “The way of Revelations lies in focus and calmness. You can only observe the situation by placing yourself out of it. Otherwise, you will lose independence and be blinded. How can you speak of the truth then? After all your years of studying, you still cannot control yourself. Can you not even understand the simplest principles?”

  “Teacher, I—”

  “No need to explain. Go get ready.” Heisenberg’s voice faded and the holy emblem dimmed. All that remained was an echo, “And still, unable to accomplish anything…”

  Colt stared at the emblem dumbly. After a long while, he thought of something and lowered his head. “I understand.”

  Ten minutes later, a servant walked over respectfully. “The prayer room has been prepared.”

  When Colt looked up, the servant froze and stepped back subconsciously. Those eyes were empty and cold, indescribably so. They were like a vortex in the deep sea. Just glancing at them was asphyxiating.

  “P-please follow me…” He did not dare to keep looking.

  Colt nodded and followed. On the way, he casually asked, “Excuse me but has the Sacred City called for other musicians before me?”

  The man answered. Just as Colt had expected, he heard that name again.

  “I see.” He nodded with a smile but his eyes hardened, reflecting the coldness of the tundra.

  Fire brewed in the wilderness.

  -

  The prayer room was in the center of the iron whale temple. With its help, the coherence with the Lighthouse went smoothly. But it was surprising to Colt that he was so calm. He felt no nervousness or excitement. It was as if all his emotions had frozen and there was no longer anything to anticipate. All that remained was deadly stillness.

  He closed his eyes. Using the Lighthouse’s light, he looked into the faraway city. There, he saw it. He saw the abyss musicians and the grandmasters fighting them. He saw the immense power and terrifying rhythm contained in the strange city’s Sacred Fire.

  And he saw…

  The white-haired man at the peak of the city who pushed the door open and approached the fire. It was familiar and coincidental, just as every other time. Colt could only watch his back as he disappeared into the hall.

  As if blinded by the white hair, Colt closed his eyes.

  “Ye Qingxuan…” he muttered. As if chewing on flesh, he tasted something metallic between his teeth.

  “Ye Qingxuan.”

  Colt suddenly laughed as if finding a solution within his pain and craze. Illuminated by the Lighthouse, he reached out and instantly saw the boundless information. He wiped away one and connected two different logic lines together.

  The result was very different.

  Wiping away his smile, his expression turned serious and shocked. Using his authority, he connected with the Sacred City.

  “Teacher, the situation is hard to maintain. The abyss is directly controlling the core and the grandmasters…are at risk!”

  There was a long, long silence. Then Heisenberg exclaimed, “What did you say?!”

  “The abyss is well prepared and has the upper hand now,” Colt answered with a quivering voice. “I’ve sent all the observation data. In a few minutes, everything might fall into the abyss’s control.”

  “Colt, do you know what you’re saying?” Heisenberg checked the data sent from the temple. His voice grew hoarse. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, Teacher.” Colt’s lips twisted into a sneer. He repeated, “We must act. Please tell the Cardinals to quickly decide! Otherwise…”

  The connection cut off.

  Colt sneered and counted backwards. Ten, nine, eight, seven… Before he got to ‘three,’ the connection was restored. This time, it was an unfamiliar and serious voice. “Colt, this is the Cardinals. You will temporarily have the authority of a bishop and command Knights Templar on behalf of the Papal Chamber.”

  The voice paused and grew resolute. “The Sacred City shall sign the ‘purification document’ and give Knights Templar the activation code for Heaven’s Gate! Even if Auschwitz is wiped from the map, do not allow the abyss to succeed!”

  “Understood.”

  Colt lowered his head, bowing before the almighty power. And then, he…laughed silently. Only one thought went through his mind.

  Goodbye forever, Ye Qingxuan.

  384 Iron Rules

  Fire burned in the darkness of the hall. Paganini stood before the Sacred Fire. His black shadow covered the youth’s face like an abyss pushing him down. He said, “Ye Qingxuan, I know you.”

&n
bsp; Under the extreme pressure, Ye Qingxuan’s face was pale. Sweat trickled down his back. There was no need for any words, movements, or thoughts. The man’s mere existence suffocated Ye Qingxuan.

  The Eye of Silence was carved with the words knowing too much may not be a good thing. He had never hated his knowledge of Revelations more than now because he saw the stars under Paganini’s hood. They fluctuated like the original darkness of the universe. He could distort the temperament and reality by merely standing there.

  Every word was like a clap of thunder in Ye Qingxuan’s soul, causing his consciousness to shake. If the moonlight had not soothed his terror and psychological wounds, he would have been destroyed.

  Now, he forced a smile onto his pale face and rasped, “I’m flattered.”

  “Your actions deserve my praise.” Paganini studied him. His voice had an undertone of approval. “I have paid attention to you from the abyss, including everything you’ve done in Anglo. You are the most talented genius I’ve seen this century—second only to your father.”

  Ye Qingxuan’s pupils constricted. “My…father?”

  “Someone has to remember him, right?” Paganini said indifferently. “Ye Lanzhou’s talents were beyond my—no, everyone’s expectations. He turned his name into a hint and wiped my memories. Thankfully, I have a habit of backing up my memories periodically. That was how I noticed a gap in them.

  “I used six years to undo his hint, thus noticing his talent…It is unprecedented. Sadly, someone so talented had to be my enemy due to our different views. It is such a pity.” He looked at Ye Qingxuan and said in a low voice, “What do you think?”

  “It’s probably because you did something wrong.”

  “Oh?” Paganini laughed. “I only followed my heart and did everything for the path to the Originator. I’m nothing different from the other musicians except for the fact that I found the abyss music theory to suit me better.”

  “If you think you’re right then why must you prove your innocence to me?” The more scared Ye Qingxuan was, the more serious he seemed. “If you wish, why don’t you to the Ministry of the Sacred City and appeal for innocence? I’m sure the Sacred City will understand your efforts.” Finished, he closed his eyes, waiting for Paganini to lose his temper and kill him. To be honest, he regretted it but it was useless. His mouth could not be helped.

  However, Paganini did not grow furious or even show any embarrassment. Instead, he said as if discussing dinner, “If there’s a chance, I’d go, but not now.”

  “So what now?” Ye Qingxuan asked. “What do you want to do now?”

  “I want to talk to you,” Paganini said. “I had become one of the dark followers after all these years but I don’t want to put my wishes on sword point. At my level, strength and effectiveness are no longer important. The most important thing is to follow my own way. If possible, I don’t wish to use violent ways to solve problems.”

  “Talk?” Ye Qingxuan was bewildered. “About what? Joining you?”

  “There are many dark musicians in the world. We don’t need you,” Paganini said lightly. “I will welcome you if you did, but it’s okay if you’re not willing. You can continue being a musician of your kind.

  “On the path to the Originator, we are all travelers. If one day, you reach my position and have the same attainments, I will be happy for you as well.”

  “Oh…really? Thanks.” Ye Qingxuan chuckled dryly. He was slightly relieved but also disappointed for some reason. It was weird!

  “Now, I wish to talk about something else.” Paganini turned to look at the Sacred Fire. Elsa slept within the fire as if she would sleep for thousands of years. “About her.”

  “Her?” Stunned, Ye Qingxuan narrowed his eyes. “There’s nothing to talk about. Mr. Paganini, she’s just an average girl. The dark followers are above her.”

  “Just an average girl?” Tickled, Paganini burst into laughter. “For hundreds of years, so many people have used all their tricks and gave up everything but no one expected that the first new natural catastrophe would be a little girl. And she even inherited the position of the three wise men…” He paused. Looking at Ye Qingxuan, he raised his voice. “You’re here to take her away, right?”

  Ye Qingxuan did not reply. It was not that he was speechless but that words were useless. They knew each other well. Lying would only make him seem laughable.

  “Give up,” Paganini stated. “Do you think the Sacred City would allow a natural catastrophe outside of their control to survive? Or do you think that the Romulusians would thank you?

  Caligula nurtured her so she could shine one day. After today, she will burn completely and give them strength… She can’t leave with you. She herself will not allow it. Ye Qingxuan, you understand this, yes?”

  After a long silence, Ye Qingxuan forced between clenched teeth, “It might not be how you say it is.”

  “Really?” Paganini retorted. “Why don’t I think that Wolf Flute thinks so too? He said that you know what to do and you lied to yourself but you don’t actually know what to do, yes?”

  He paused. Looking down at Ye Qingxuan’s dagger, his eyes became tinged with mockery. “Otherwise, why did you bring a knife?”

  Ye Qingxuan did not reply but Paganini continued.

  “You’ve already prepared for the worst scenario—to kill her, yes? I know you, Ye Qingxuan. I’ve seen countless people over thousands of years. Therefore, I know you better than you know yourself.

  “People like you seem to be friendly towards everyone. But actually, you’re indifferent to everyone. From the start to now, from Avalon to here, your pain and appeals don’t come from the outside. They come from yourself because you realized that this world is different from what you thought!

  “Even if you save her, it’s not to become a hero but because you feel that you owe her and don’t want to feel guilt! You are always living in your own world!”

  “Bullsh*t!” Ye Qingxuan roared. He used all his energy but his voice sounded so thin and weak. He hung his head tiredly. Paganini laughed in his face.

  “The time for immaturity is over, Ye Qingxuan. Face reality.” He pressed a hand to Ye Qingxuan’s forehead and said seriously, “Since you don’t understand, let me tell you something. Some iron rules and truths of this world.

  “In this world, everyone must pay for their choices. The Romulusians abandoned her for power and the Sacred City will abandon you all for that reason…You have no reason to sacrifice yourself for the Sacred City and have no right to take her away because you shouldn’t have come!”

  The voice seemed to have invisible weight that crushed Ye Qingxuan’s shoulders. It forced his head down and immobilized him. Unable to fight back, he fell into the abyss of asphyxiation.

  “I understand that you are unwilling. You may have experienced so I will give you a satisfactory ‘compensation’.” Paganini rose and murmured in his ears, uttering the secret of a demon, “For example, how Ye Lanzhou died.”

  Ye Qingxuan’s expression changed. His head snapped up. He saw Paganini’s eyes and his pale face in the reflection. It was filled with weakness and confusion. After a long while, he looked away weakly. All his power was sapped. He closed his eyes.

  “I understand,” Ye Qingxuan murmured. “This is my cost?”

  “It seems that you’ve thought it through.” Paganini nodded, appreciation filling his eyes. “It’s the hardest for men to face reality. It is very difficult for you to make such a choice. The road ahead is still long. Wise men do not worry about a moment. I anticipate your development in the future.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Paganini, for your guidance.”

  Ye Qingxuan bowed politely. Paganini smiled and opened his mouth to speak, but heard the youth’s hoarse voice.

  “In return, let me tell you something too!”

  Cold moonlight lit up in Ye Qingxuan’s chest. The sub-originator shook. The vast music theory from the Avalonian enchantment forcefully chipped away at Paganini’s restrict
ions. The gap was only large enough to fit a youth.

  Ye Qingxuan moved forward, welcoming the terrifying figure—the abyss’s physical incarnate.

  Jiu Xiao Huan Pei hummed at his fingertip. A slender cane shot out, transforming into a sword in his hands. It stabbed to the front! In that moment, thunder rumbled. Complex notes were carved into the cane. Moonlight flowed out like a flood, transforming the blade.

  The murderous feeling cut to the bone.

  It was the Sword!

  Boom!

  The blade pierced through Paganini’s body, cutting out a giant hole in his chest! Paganini’s slender body twisted from the sudden attack. He looked up in shock and stared dumbfounded at the youth. Ye Qingxuan’s face was emotionless. There was no confusion in his eyes.

  He bent over and uttered the truth, “Your iron rules are bullsh*t!”

  385 Infinity

  With a snap of the finger, the frosty moonlight sword broke out, piercing through Paganini’s body. He was like a broken scarecrow but no blood existed in his chest. Instead, solid music theory was revealed.

  In the cleaved darkness, the broken music theories were like broken chains and disordered music scores. They tried to recover but could not connect again under the moonlight.

  The abyss music theory fell like a house of cards before the moonlight. This was the purification score that Moon Chant had created for the abyss. It was only a shred of its original but it was not able to be overlooked.

  However, even with his body damaged, Paganini still had no reaction. It was like a breeze to him. There was no pain. He just looked at Ye Qingxuan. His eyes changed from shock, confusion, to…scorn!

  “That was your last desperate attempt?” He looked at Ye Qingxuan with uncertainty and disdain. “It’s wild, shallow, and completely illogical. I am so dis-disa-” His voice cut off as if frozen. His expression froze as well. Rattling came from his body, rising and falling until a horrible scream came from the thousands of cracks in unison.

  “Ah!!!” Countless black feathers flew from his hood like a crow molting right before death. They burned to dust. His body instantly shattered. The peacefulness of the hall was also destroyed.