Chosen: Beyond Fate

Another fracture split across the bone blade, and a fragment broke away.

Like an unnecessary branch being pruned from a tree, the excess was stripped away to refine the core, making the clear blade seem even more ethereal and elusive. It was growing. No, perhaps it was more accurate to say that it was being nurtured or forged.

Within an invisible furnace woven from Supreme Benevolence, a Foolish Abomination, life, death, hope, and despair, the power of Pacifier flowed through the craftsman’s hands, reshaping the Light of Compassion once more.

The sound of a bubble bursting was heard again. Amid the broken cries of anguish, a mutilated corpse was dragged from the mass of flesh by Ji Jue as he shouted.

Even now, the crippled figure still clutched a blood-soaked piece of cloth. Its fingers held on with desperate strength, refusing to let go. Its dim eyes slowly opened, looking as though it were weeping, and its lips parted soundlessly for a brief moment, as though it was pleading.

“I know,” Ji Jue said. “Leave it to me.”

The corpse shattered into fragments and crumbled into ash. Faint strands of spirit matter dispersed, but a single thread flowed into the blade in Ji Jue’s hand. The fleeting blade grew by yet another barely perceptible amount.

Patient Number Two was cured. Then the third, fourth, and fifth patients were cured too.

Ji Jue gasped for breath, barely able to remain standing. Half of his body had already been swallowed by the writhing mass of flesh, yet his movements only grew faster, his technique becoming increasingly fluid and practiced.

Tong Hua was gradually falling behind, becoming increasingly flustered and overwhelmed.

“Surgical scissors.”

“Retractor. Pull harder.”

“Don’t get discouraged again.”

“Wipe the sweat around my eyes.”

“Give me the pliers and a fixation plate.”

Tong Hua felt a wave of dizziness and confusion wash over her. She turned around blankly and searched through the trolley but couldn’t find what he needed. It was only when Ji Jue spoke again during her moment of panic that she finally noticed a figure standing beside her.

It was Xie Lan. He patted Tong Hua on the shoulder and handed the requested instrument over in her place. With his other hand, he took the retractor she had been struggling to hold, pulling the line taut and opening the wound once more. He replaced her as the first assistant in the operation, fulfilling the duties of a surgeon.

“Scan,” Ji Jue said without even turning around.

Tong Hua once again extended her hand, transmitting everything she perceived into Ji Jue’s vision. With that, the bone blade fell and moved again and again.

One cut after another, the entangled flesh was hacked apart, and the souls that had melted into a single indistinguishable whole were separated beneath the blade’s intangible edge. The corruption and contamination were excised, and the fusion and aberration were severed. Once again, a dormant soul was pulled from the rotting flesh tumors.

“Thank you... thank you...”

A faintly discernible face twitched as though it were crying, but very quickly, it stiffened and broke apart, turning to dust and ash as it died. After being delayed for so many years, death arrived like salvation. Amid the songs and tears of the doctors, it came for everyone who was long overdue.

The sounds of shattering never ceased. The fissures spreading across the heavens resembled an enormous spiderweb. As the masses of flesh withered and collapsed, White Hall’s projection rapidly faded, yet the gazes cast from within seemed to multiply, filled with mockery or contempt, never once looking away. Following the rites inherited from an ancient oath, they watched with unwavering attention, witnessing everything.

They witnessed the arrival of redemption and death.

***

Complete chaos had broken out outside the Time Ruin.

The moment the aura of the Absolute Abyss emerged from within the Time Ruin, the entire Cliff City had been placed on the highest alert. But immediately after that came the silent arrival of Ascension.

The emblem of Supreme Benevolence appeared within the vortex of the Time Ruin, revealing blessings and divine essence. Then came the descent of White Hall, followed by the flames of Ember that ignited within the darkness, illuminating everything.

Outside, the search and rescue teams and emergency departments that had just finished mobilizing were in complete disarray. Everyone was utterly confused. Tong Shan stood beneath the vortex, staring wide-eyed, refusing to miss even the slightest detail.

Lu Shenzhou, who had just arrived from South Ridge District, was drenched from head to toe. Rainwater streamed down his bald head as he stared at the scene before him in utter bewilderment. “What the hell is going on? Why are there so many auras of Supreme Benevolences and Foolish Abominations?”

“I’m starting to think the Supreme Benevolences and the Nine Abominations are having a meeting in there,” Tong Ting, holding an umbrella, said from beside him, slightly easing the tense atmosphere at the scene.

Wen Wen, who had been standing with her arms crossed and fingers tapping against her sleeve, suddenly froze. As if she had remembered something, she looked up in disbelief.

“The conversion between Benevolence and Abomination?” Her voice dropped. “I thought that had already...”

Tong Ting raised a finger to his lips. “Shh!”

Some topics were better left unspoken. He merely said softly, “It wouldn’t be possible in the real world. But Time Ruins and rift realms exist independently of reality. Who can say for certain what’s going on in there? Maybe...”

He stopped himself and lowered the umbrella slightly, as though trying to hide the trace of astonishment in his eyes. No one was paying attention to him anymore. Everyone looked up in shock, staring at the storm clouds and torrential rain overhead.

A faint flash of light appeared within the dim rain curtain. Then a second, then a third.

Threads of shimmering light streamed in from every direction, surging like rivers. Some moved with the speed and grace of leopards, others with the steady weight of elephants. Some were as light as birds taking flight, while others carried the solemn majesty of singing whales.

Countless rivers of radiance, each utterly different from the others, converged. The tributaries of life folded inward layer by layer, overlapping and merging until, at last, they became a magnificent ring that cycled without end. Within that dazzling and surging flow, billions of streams gathered as one, and from them emerged a silhouette of Supreme Benevolence.

It was the ruler of life and death, and the cycle of all living beings—the Supreme Benevolence Vortex.

Tong Shan lifted his head. He blurted out, “What is that? Is that a Supreme Benevolence summoning?”

The form of Supreme Benevolence descended upon Cliff City. Unlike its usual concealment and elusive nature, it appeared openly and without restraint before everyone’s eyes. It was the first time in months that it had shown itself. It seemed that it was calling out to something, yet there was no response.

As the lonely rain fell, the shining radiance faded after a long while. The sovereign Supreme Benevolence turned away and vanished, never to reappear.

Then came shocked cries and panicked shouting from the temporary camp below as the entire area erupted into chaos. High above them, the vortex on the verge of collapse trembled violently once again. Finally, it completely fell apart.

Blazing beams of light burst forth from within, but they were immediately sealed off by the esoteric rituals and containment arrays set up around the area. A fierce wind swept across the area as the heavy rain eased.

Everyone braced themselves for the worst.

Yet, as the Time Ruin shattered, no wave of corruption or aberration burst forth as they had expected. Not only that, but there was no longer any trace of the Abomination’s aura. Only lingering echoes and distant rumbling remained.

At the very end, there was a faint sound that resembled a sigh of satisfaction, or maybe relief. It drifted away with the wind, never to be heard again.

Within the disturbed fragments of light, more than a dozen figures gradually emerged. Some were unharmed, others wounded; some looked utterly disheveled, others remained composed.

The Chosen Ones had returned.

Everyone’s attention was drawn to the figure at the front, whose bloodstained white coat fluttered in the wind. A badge swayed against his chest.

Carrying a metal case sealed beneath layer upon layer of spirit matter, Ji Jue walked forward through the light rain. Under everyone’s gazes, he headed straight toward Tong Shan.

“All infected flesh carrying the Undying Disease is in here. I’m handing it over to the Security Bureau.” Before Tong Shan could say anything, Ji Jue continued, “Run whatever inspections you need, then dispose of it. It’s not something worth keeping.”

Tong Shan froze for a moment before glancing to the side. Immediately, several people clad head to toe in hazmat suits rushed forward, took the metal case, and hurried into a nearby quarantine facility. It wasn’t long before alarms began sounding, and several more personnel rushed inside.

Then everything fell silent. Only a single figure appeared behind the window and made a gesture toward Tong Shan, as if to say, “No leakage risk.”

Tong Shan finally let out a sigh of relief. He shot a glare at Tong Hua, who was hiding behind Ji Jue, but ultimately chose not to say anything in front of everyone. Instead, he asked, “What exactly happened in there?”

“A training story that went on far too long,” Ji Jue replied with a slight shrug. “Not something that fits a lighthearted comedy, and certainly not a feel-good family story. Just a hospital soaked in blood, tears, and suffering.

“The mastermind behind it is the Heretic Cult. What happened in Cliff City isn’t an isolated incident. The real threat is in Spring City. They’ve already infiltrated the underground caverns there, and there’s definitely more than one team stationed there. There’s a high chance they’re preparing some large-scale operation. I suggest the Security Bureau starts preparing already.”

Tong Shan’s steady composure wavered. The corner of his eye twitched frantically, and his expression darkened. “Are you certain?”

“Isn’t there a historian standing right here?” Ji Jue stepped aside and nodded toward Tong Hua, who had witnessed everything from beginning to end. “Ask her.”

Tong Hua’s eyes widened in shock. She had never imagined that her teammate would sell her out the moment they left the Time Ruin.

Tong Shan was no longer concerned with family ties. He waved his hand, and his subordinates immediately stepped forward and took Tong Hua away. The scene looked like the arrest of a major criminal more than anything else. If it weren’t for the fact that the timing and setting were completely inappropriate, Tong Hua would have immediately reported him for credit.

I was only an accomplice! Ji Jue is the real mastermind! He’s the one who blew up the hospital! Everything in the Time Ruin that was still remotely intact got blown up by him! Apart from the few Chosen Ones who came out with us, he killed every single thing in there that could still move! Why are you people taking me away? Arrest him already!

After Tong Hua was escorted away, Tong Shan turned back toward Ji Jue. This time, however, he wore a warm and friendly smile. “How about spending the night at the Security Bureau? If you’ve suffered any injuries, we can arrange treatment immediately. It’s a routine procedure. Don’t worry, I guarantee there won’t be any trouble.”

“It’s fine. Thank you for your concern,” Ji Jue replied.

Wen Wen, who was clearly holding back her temper, grabbed Ji Jue by the cheek and dragged him off to one side. With An Ran in tow, she gave him a thorough examination from head to toe. Only after confirming that he had suffered no serious injuries and carried no lingering complications did she finally relax.

Using the excuse of going out for a smoke, she managed to get him alone. “Are you sure everything’s fine?”

Ji Jue nodded in assurance. “Yes. Everything’s fine.”

He understood exactly what Wen Wen was worried about. He had left behind no traces or clues that could be traced back to him.

Don’t ask. If you have to ask, just know it was a cheat given by my teacher! The Soul-Summoning Bell is insanely strong! Huh? How did you know I pulled out the Sage’s Remnant Shadow? I made my way out of the Time Ruins with nothing but my own skill and hard work, obviously.

Wen Wen let out a relieved sigh and patted him on the shoulder before leaving.

Ji Jue turned back and began searching through the crowd. His gaze settled in a corner where a bald, scrawny old man stood. He was wearing a sleeveless undershirt and slippers and held his hands in his pockets as he lazily chatted with a younger colleague.

Nearby, several experimental-subject Chosen Ones lay on stretchers, barely conscious. Tears streamed down their faces as they glared furiously at Xie Lan, loudly demanding to file complaints, but no one paid them any attention.

Sensing Ji Jue’s gaze, Xie Lan gave a slight nod, then he bid farewell to Mr. Zhang. “You guys talk. I’ll be going now. I haven’t finished my ward rounds at the sanatorium today.”

“Go on, go on.” Mr. Zhang waved him off casually. He signaled for the security lockdown to be lifted and allowed Xie Lan to leave.

When he turned back around, Ji Jue was holding out a record book and a small box. Inside the box was a fragment of bone that had broken off from the surgical blade. Mr. Zhang took them curiously.

“What’s this?” He flipped through the record book. Almost immediately, shock took over his expression. “This is outrageous. Are you sure about this?”

“In theory it works, and in practice there’s no issue. It’s reproducible. By combining corruption with the power of Supreme Benevolences, it’s possible to remove the Undying Disease and separate the patient’s soul from the infected body.” Ji Jue paused. “It isn’t really a cure. It’s just a method for effectively killing the patient. If a newbie like me can do it, other people should be able to learn it with enough practice.”

He shrugged. “But after thinking it over, I couldn’t come up with anyone suitable. So I’ll have to trouble you. Take this and pass it to someone who can actually be trusted.”

Mr. Zhang didn’t reply for a long time. Eventually, he pulled a pair of reading glasses from his pocket and carefully examined the record book compiled by Tong Hua. After a while, he let out a quiet sigh. “This... Who came up with this?”

“A doctor, of course,” Ji Jue replied. “The best doctor in the world.”

Mr. Zhang said nothing. He carefully put away both the record book and the box, treating them as priceless treasures before slipping them into his pocket.

“Leave it to me,” he promised. “I’ll have a proper talk with a few lunatics I happen to know.”

Ji Jue nodded, marking the end of the conversation. In the seemingly endless night, he leaned against the wall and faced the cold wind blowing in from the distance, his eyes half-closed. The bloodstained identification badge on his chest swayed gently in the breeze, as if it was dancing.

After a long while, the wind died down. The sparse rain departed with the clouds. Under the glow of distant neon lights, the night sky glittered with countless stars.

Ji Jue raised his head and gazed into the heavens. It seemed as though countless tiny lights were rising from the darkness below, ascending into that magnificent sea of stars. Once there, they became one with the constellations, no longer separate from one another. When they looked back toward the mortal world and saw Ji Jue gazing up at them, they seemed to shine even more brightly, as though they were blinking at him.

Ji Jue raised a hand and waved with a smile.