Chapter 863: Strange Reunion

I once imagined that I wouldn't be very important to Bai Yang. But I never expected my significance to be so insignificant—he couldn't even remember my appearance or recall my name. Given his intelligence, he shouldn't have made such a basic mistake. This can only mean that he never paid any attention to me or to the challenges he assigned me. I treated those three challenges as my goals for the past five years and as my new life philosophy, but now it all seems utterly ridiculous.

Should I be angry right now...? No, I have no reason to be angry. Bai Yang is a Sheng Xiao, and I am a participant—we're on opposing sides, so he had no obligation to place all his hopes on me. Besides, I did gain a lot from this. I met Jiang Ruoxue, broke out of my isolated self, and accomplished things I never thought possible before. Now that I've seen Bai Yang, I can finally let go. I'll just report everything I've done to him, and then we'll be even, with no debts between us. It's just that my life goals will probably need to change again...

"Bai Yang, the 'one' challenge you assigned me—I’ve already solved it," I said disappointedly.

Upon hearing that, his pupils contracted slightly, then slowly widened.

"That's right... the challenge!" He suddenly turned to me. "Yan... Zhichun... right?"

I paused for a moment. I didn't know how he stored his memories in his mind—he could remember the "challenge," but not me?

"You actually completed it?"

His gaze made me feel afraid, as if he were suffering from some psychological disorder, appearing obsessive and deranged.

"Y-yes..." I suddenly didn't know how to respond to him, so I just answered, "I-I put in some effort, and I encountered some helpful people, but overall, the challenge has been resolved in its initial form. If you need it... I'll continue to work on it."

"No..." Bai Yang interrupted me. "Yan Zhichun, it's not about 'me needing it'—it's about you needing it."

"What...?"

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself, then continued in an ice-cold voice: "Yan Zhichun, I have to admit, at the beginning, I didn't have high hopes for you—it was my misjudgment."

"You..."

I was slightly stunned; Bai Yang was giving me a contradictory feeling, and I couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.

"You know I had no other choice back then," Bai Yang continued. "Fortunately, you succeeded—it was quite a gamble for me."

I didn't know what to say, so I just stared at him blankly.

"By the way, you took five years to complete the task, which means you didn't lose your memory, right?" he asked again.

"Yes... I've always been careful; there was no reason for me to lose my memory."

"No, it's not just about being 'careful'," Bai Yang replied. "Luckily, you showed up here. You've not only helped me but also helped yourself."

I think I figured out where Bai Yang's sense of disconnection was coming from...

After pondering for a few seconds, Bai Yang said, "Yan Zhichun, you probably don't realize how many uncertainties there were in those 'five years' of yours. If any part had gone wrong, I would have made sure you got off for good."

Yes... I understood now... Bai Yang's way of speaking had changed.

This subtle shift—I'm not sure if anyone else would notice it besides me.

What Bai Yang is saying now no longer needs any "translation."

Before, he would wrap his highly aggressive words in a soft exterior and politely deliver them to others' ears, but now it's different.

Every word he says is direct, unmasked, with his true subtext laid bare, making his aggression multiply and making him seem unapproachable.

"Bai Yang... what happened to you over these five years...?" I didn't know where to begin; I wanted to know where he had been and what had happened to him.

What kind of major event could turn a person like this? Given Bai Yang's experience and wisdom, what could even count as a "major event" for him?

"I'm fine," Bai Yang said. "In fact, I'm better than before."

"Is that so...?"

"Tell me about it," Bai Yang said again. "How did you solve that challenge?"

After hearing that, I organized my thoughts and told him about the story of Ji Dao.

This organization was originally established based on his promise, so there was no need to hide anything.

"I see... A strange organization that operates independently, scattered across various places, with even you not knowing the exact number of members," Bai Yang nodded after listening. "It's reasonable. It effectively solved all my challenges with one method."

"So, can we fulfill the promise now?" I asked.

"Promise... what do you mean?"

"You said that if I completed the challenge, you'd share information with me and ensure my 'eternal safety'..."

"I've already ensured that," Bai Yang said. "Perhaps you don't realize it, but I really did guarantee your safety and that of those around you."

I frowned slightly at his words; they were hard to decipher. How could he have ensured my safety when he couldn't even remember who I was?

"Besides, I don't have any new information," Bai Yang stared at me and continued. "I just became a Sheng Xiao, so it's not the right time yet."

"Just... just now?" I was stunned again.

Bai Yang had been a Sheng Xiao five years ago—how could he have "just become one" now?

Could the same person become a Sheng Xiao multiple times?

In my impression, Bai Yang was a smart and capable person. I thought that when I saw him again, I'd appear on a similar level, earning his respect.

But now, he feels even more unfathomable, as if he's on a completely different plane.

"Yan Zhichun, remember my location," Bai Yang pointed to the building behind him. "This is my 'game field.' From now on, come see me once a day, and I'll share any information with you as soon as I have it."

I looked around at the scenery and noted the position of the building.

He had once advised Yang to choose a game field that was as hidden as possible, yet his own was right by the road, extremely conspicuous.

"Bai..." I hesitated before saying, "Yang-ge, what is your game?"

"Why?" He looked at me coldly. "What does that have to do with you?"

"I'm just curious..." I said quietly. "A person like you... what kind of Renji Game would you design?"

"My game is called 'Trust Game'," Bai Yang said. "I advise you not to get curious. If you step into it, I won't be able to guarantee your 'eternal safety' anymore."

I nodded wisely, knowing he wasn't joking.

There's no need for me to challenge Bai Yang's game out of curiosity—it's basically suicide.