Chapter 133-The Manga Pariah's Guide to Self-Salvation
Inside the canyon.
"...Chase them. Drag that guy out and bring her before me."
"I want to kill her personally."
Sykes, whose ability had been eliminated, looked at the receding black shadow. He lowered his head expressionlessly, ordering his subordinates to pursue Sierra and the others, but his eyes stared at Ye Zheng, his tone ruthless.
"Sierra left with such terrifying power; she might create even greater chaos. Your Highness, we must catch up with them as soon as possible."
Ye Zheng's brows furrowed slightly, looking into Sykes' eyes as if worrying, yet with a hint of indescribable amusement.
Sykes caught Ye Zheng's mockery very well.
His ability hadn't recovered yet; any harsh words he said now seemed like a bluff.
He could also wave his hand and let the trash behind him take Ye Zheng down. Although there was no direct evidence that she colluded with Sierra, as the Imperial Crown Prince, he didn't need evidence.
The only reason Sykes didn't do this was that suppressing Ye Zheng with power made it seem like he really had no other way to deal with her except that, simply like admitting defeat!
"Lady Saintess, since you are worried, then take your people and join us in the pursuit."
His golden eyes stared straight at Ye Zheng, carrying an irrefutable meaning. "You won't refuse, will you?"
Ye Zheng smiled: "Of course. The urgent task is to stop Sierra. There is no need for us to be at daggers drawn like just now."
Percy
When Ye Zheng answered him with "So what," looking at Ye Zheng's resolute expression and the White-Clad Knights
What no one expected was that the one who took the Fallen Breed away in the end was actually Sierra!
That tyrant Sierra, famous throughout the empire—killing nobles, provoking the Crown Prince, publicly kidnapping the Saintess, committing crimes everywhere. As a heretic with death sentences already upon her, it didn't matter to add another major crime. Her appearance not only unexpectedly took away the Fallen Breed but also took the blame that should have fallen on Ye Zheng.
Unless it could be proven that Ye Zheng instigated Sierra, even Sykes could not convict Ye Zheng, because Ye Zheng indeed didn't do anything, merely opposing their actions verbally.
As for Ye Zheng's slaughter in the base, the eyewitnesses likely all died inside the base.
Recalling Ye Zheng's words carefully, she didn't even say a sentence explicitly stating she wanted to take the Fallen Breed away; one couldn't even catch a verbal slip.
Percy looked at the Saintess who stood as straight as ever. The rain had stopped at some point. Ye Zheng, like them, was in a soaking wet state, yet showed not a hint of wretchedness. Her black eyes were exceptionally bright instead, turning slightly to look in his direction.
At the moment their eyes met, Percy subconsciously avoided her gaze.
He suddenly realized he had lost thoroughly, whether in strength, mind, or something deeper.
That hand which was once cut off by Ye Zheng and then healed and restored by her, unconsciously clutched the clothes at his heart. He felt utter exhaustion, but his body surged with high-spirited vitality, as if urging him to continue struggling, not to give up, until he defeated one after another more powerful enemies.
Ye Zheng glanced at Percy, whose state wasn't quite right, guessing he was probably being influenced by the will of the higher-dimensional world, just like she was just now.
But Percy's choice was not important. In Ye Zheng's world, he was never the protagonist.
Lucy would take Sierra and the others to the beautiful and vast grassland together. She temporarily couldn't fulfill the agreement to visit Lucy's hometown as a guest, but perhaps they would fulfill this agreement at a better moment in the future.
Ye Zheng exchanged a tacit look with Wen De
They wouldn't find them. Sykes' insistence on tying her and her people to his side for supervision was the wrong choice; they could instead grasp the whereabouts of the pursuit troops and help cover tracks.
The thick fog that had enveloped the West District for a full month dissipated under the blue sky and sunlight, accompanied by a drizzle.
The Hope Project
The Crown Prince's team did not trace Sierra and the Fallen Breed.
Originally, they captured a huge black shadow on the horizon, but for some reason, it vanished instantly like a mirage. Since the surrounding population was trapped in York Town, no one saw where they actually went.
Of the fifty thousand people trapped in the small town by Zhou Yun, over a thousand were casualties due to supplies and accidental conflicts. Aside from that, they encountered no other attacks. After the thick fog cleared, they were escorted home by government personnel who came to support.
Before leaving the West District, Ye Zheng left two members of the Holy Journey Knights Order
Annabelle was the one most familiar with the Dragon-Bodied Humans. Let her establish contact with Lucy and the others, settle them down before the empire dispatched more manpower to search the West District, and hide for a period of time, waiting for her next move.
Ye Zheng originally wanted to return to the base personally to see the specific situation and collect more data and evidence about the Hope Project, but unfortunately, Sykes watched her too closely, and for once his brain was sharp, sending people to guard the base in advance.
Although that base was dilapidated, the large amount of remaining data had value in various senses. They were not only the results of the Hope Project but also powerful evidence of crime. One point Ye Zheng was very curious about: who would be held accountable for this incident in the end?
Ye Zheng already had an answer in her heart. It would be nothing more than Kiran
Although the Hope Project was not completely exposed to everyone's eyes, the strange thick fog and the highly aggressive Dragon-Bodied Humans were seen by ordinary people in the West District. Plus, Sykes led hundreds of knights, and many had personally entered the base; not everyone could keep their mouths shut.
Rumors about the Hope Project and the cruel, inhumane experiments would spread sooner or later.
In this event that attracted the attention of the whole country, the empire needed to push out sinners to give an explanation to the public, thereby clearing their own relationship.
Both the Royal Family and the Curia
"Lady Saintess, take a rest."
The train sped through the darkness. Ye Zheng was sitting alone in a slightly swaying small compartment, staring thoughtfully at the reflection on the glass window. Wen De pushed open the door of the small compartment, carrying a cup of warm water, placed it on the table, and sat opposite Ye Zheng.
"You have half an hour to take a nap. After arriving in the Upper District
The impact of this incident was huge. It was very likely that as soon as they got off the train, the relevant personnel would be immediately invited into the conference hall to report this incident to the Emperor.
Ye Zheng picked up the water cup and took a small sip. "You are right, Wen De. I'm not sure what awaits me after getting off the train."
She laughed. "Maybe someone will take the opportunity to convict me, this thorn in their side."
The Curia and the Royal Family, who checked and balanced each other on the surface, had been cooperating on this Hope Project in secret for hundreds of years. Now that it was completely destroyed, how could they not hate it?
Moreover, they had always disliked her, this Godsent
Ye Zheng knew clearly that the tricks she played in the West District could only fool young boys like Percy and Sykes. Facing mature and massive political animals, they didn't even need evidence; they only needed to know it was her causing trouble.
"So in the last thirty minutes, I will entrust everything to you."
Wen De's face suddenly became serious. She wanted to get up but was held down by the shoulder by Ye Zheng across from her.
"They will most likely only take me away for questioning. Once you get off the train, immediately take everyone in the Knights Order back to the Lower District
"Assuming someone questions you, don't panic. Remember, you were lost in the West District for several days, met up with me, and tracked the traces of the Dragon-Bodied Humans together. You never saw any Sierra."
"Finally, let Cheng Cheng and Cheng Che track Pope Wen Jian's itinerary in the Upper District. At all costs, find—the Dragon-Bodied Humans he has hidden."
Wen De frowned in confusion. "Are you sure, Wen Jian also hid... in the Upper District?"
Ye Zheng leaned against the back of the soft chair, curled her lips affirmatively, and nodded.
Speaking of which, she noticed the commotion in the West District originally because of Wen Jian.
It started with coincidentally saving Zoya
In this exploration of the West District, Ye Zheng had already figured out the experiment process. The Pope, who inherited [Mother of All Things], gave life to the dragon bone, then sent the dragon bone life form packed in experimental jars to the West District experiment base, putting the dragon bone life into the "Holy Vessel" womb for incubation, trying to let the dragon bone be born as a powerful human.
It was worth noting that the experimental data showed the subjects were not only dragon bones but also other unknown lives and substances.
The experiment record sheets Ye Zheng searched out in the base showed that Sykes was D-3633, representing the 3633rd experimental subject of the dragon bone experiment, while Percy was X-366, his initial life source unclear.
Leaving aside the doubts about Percy, judging from the experiment process, Pope Wen Jian who possessed [Mother of All Things] only needed to provide the dragon bone life. As for implanting dragon bones into women to screen for Holy Vessels, that was the task of the West District base.
However, Wen Jian secretly implanted a dragon bone in Zoya.
Thinking again of the subtle disdain and hostility Kiran showed when mentioning Wen Jian, Wen Jian was never an honest person. behind the back of the base, he started a set of small experiments himself.
"I understand. I will find them."
Wen De's tone was warm and thick, carrying a firmness that made people trust her.
Previously they had been investigating Wen Jian and his secret experiments, only finding his mysterious connection with the West District.
Now it seemed their focus was wrong. The direction of their investigation had always been the girls who disappeared without reason in the Lower District and their connection with Wen Jian, but they didn't expect that they might be surviving in a non-human way. This was the easiest clue to track.
Dragon-Bodied Humans had huge bodies and extremely strong attack power. Wanting to hide them was an extremely difficult thing, and also a thing very prone to leaks.
Wen De already knew what to do. She looked into Ye Zheng's eyes, and both revealed a smile of mutual understanding.
It was simple. The fields the Curia dabbled in were comprehensive, including activities researching Demonic Domain creatures. This was the best means to hide the Dragon-Bodied Humans.
And with the West District base destroyed, Wen Jian would definitely make a move.
"They are too greedy." Ye Zheng sighed. "Keeping them, I don't believe it is because of mercy."
Kiran once explained to her that they took care of the Fallen Breed out of care. Even if those women failed the Demon Dragon's temptation test, they wouldn't cruelly kill them, but care for them attentively.
A trace of mockery flashed across the bottom of Ye Zheng's eyes. Wasn't it because the so-called Fallen Breed possessed extremely strong value? On average, each one's aggression was equivalent to an A-rank ability user, and they also possessed robust bodies. Just the Dragon-Bodied Humans kept by the base probably had combat power no less than the Royal Knight Order.
Those men wouldn't be willing to part with such powerful existences. This was the reason the base and Wen Jian supported them.
"Cheng Cheng and Cheng Che will complete the task. Aside from this, do you have any other orders?"
Tracking Wen Jian's whereabouts wasn't hard, Wen De thought. As the Saintess said, giving it to the Cheng sisters was most suitable.
They were undocumented citizens and hadn't tested their ability ranks. The two sisters' actions were bound together, claiming their ability was [Light and Shadow].
The older sister could create illusions through light to deceive people's eyes, and the younger sister could shuttle through shadows, coming and going without a trace. When tracking Sierra and the others' trails with the Crown Prince in the West District, it was precisely Cheng Cheng who used light to hide their tracks.
Ye Zheng continued: "Also, keep in contact with Sister Annabelle and ensure her safety."
The people in the base were almost all dead. Only Annabelle remained among the high-level personnel. She was an important witness, a knower of the truth. Perhaps some people wouldn't be happy to see her safe and sound.
Wen De nodded and continued to look at the Saintess with inquiring eyes. Ye Zheng said "Hmm" and added: "Finally, send someone to monitor Percy and his two teammates."
Hearing this request, Wen De was a bit puzzled. In her view, although that boy had some reputation, he was actually unworthy of the name and nothing to care about. But since it was the Saintess's request, she would carry it out well.
Ye Zheng noticed Wen De's confusion and a trace of imperceptible contempt, adding: "Not just Percy, but also his two teammates, one named Caleb
Regardless, they were the protagonist team after all.
According to the original plot, Lucy mutated into a Dragon-Bodied Human, and the remaining three members of the Cloud-Soaring Squad would definitely make a move. Although the plot had changed a little, appearing to them as Lucy missing, the plot had gravity. This world would think of ways to guide fate toward the established development.
Percy would most likely be questioned by the empire with her. She could observe personally. Ever since she met Percy while carrying Kiran's head, Caleb and Roy had not been seen, which made her a little concerned.
[Ye Zheng, you really look like a meticulous villain now, not even letting the protagonist's lackeys off.]
The System watched silently and couldn't help teasing.
Ye Zheng suddenly heard the System's words, lowered her head, and chuckled lightly, but the smile quickly dissipated, her expression becoming somewhat stagnant.
Wen De saw the Saintess's expression was a bit strange. She couldn't help leaning forward to ask, "My Lady, are there more tasks?"
The train's speed slowed down at some point, becoming bumpier instead, like a hidden, fast-beating heart. Ye Zheng's body suddenly stumbled. She propped her hand on the table to stay steady and looked up at Wen De.
"Last thing, tell my mother not to worry about me. I will come back."
The train drove out of the dark track. Light sprinkled on Ye Zheng through the heavy glass window. She heard the sound of the car door opening, tidied up slightly, and stood up from her seat.
Wen De stood up with her. Although many things were just entrusted, this always steady knight couldn't help revealing a nervous and worried look at this moment. She gazed at Ye Zheng's back and followed silently.
At the other end of the train, the imposing Crown Prince walked over wearing a neat red uniform, glanced at them, and got off the train from another door without saying a word.
Wen De saw the neatly lined up knights and beautifully dressed officials outside the car door. Their gazes were cast silently and scorchingly on the stopped train. Wen De subconsciously grabbed Ye Zheng's hand.
Ye Zheng held the car door, turned her head to reveal a soothing smile, and gently broke free from Wen De's hand.
"It will be fine, Wen De."
"I know, there are still many people waiting for me. I will be back soon."
Ye Zheng pulled her black trench coat tighter. Inside the trench coat was the initial document of the Hope Project led by the second-generation Saintess Marianne, a document signed with countless women's names.
Letting Lucy and Sierra take them into hiding was just an expedient measure. Ye Zheng had promised to save them, even if she was the only one who cared about this promise.
Ye Zheng stepped down the stairs, her boots stepping on the land of the Upper District again. She raised her head, revealing a reserved smile to the officials who came to receive her, but her tone was very thin and cool.
"Let's go."
She glanced at the potbellied man, recognized him as the Director of the Security Bureau of the Upper District, then withdrew her gaze and walked at the very front. Behind her, the potbellied middle-aged man could only follow her step by step, seemingly not expecting the legendary Saintess to have such an arrogant and indifferent appearance.
Ye Zheng walked calmly at the front. There was nothing to be timid about. Even if she killed the West District Bishop Kiran, multiple researchers of noble birth, and assisted Zhou Yun in destroying the base, she had a clear conscience.
She was not the empire's sinner. The people who tried to judge and incriminate her were the sinners.
Ye Zheng pressed the document in her bosom. If they hated her for destroying the experiment the empire had painstakingly managed, then she could return to them a—true Hope Project.
A true Hope Project, launched once again by the Empire's thirteenth-generation Saintess, Ye Zheng!
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