Chapter 1952 - 1948: Zhao Lina’s Compromise
After confirming that Qin Mengyao and Yang Xiaoting were not the chosen ones, Ye Fan spoke to Li Zhaojun. He temporarily needed to meet with Zhao Tianya and Zhao Lina to try to persuade them to come to Li Zhaojun’s place. He wanted to attempt to identify whether these two were the chosen ones through a method of recognition by Taining.
Ye Fan was aware of how harsh Zhao Tianya’s attitude towards him was at that moment, so he decided to meet Zhao Lina first to seek her opinion. Upon meeting Zhao Lina, she was surprised by Ye Fan’s arrival, as he had previously mentioned he didn’t have time to see her due to the approaching so-called catastrophe.
"Ye Fan, why are you here? Didn’t you say you would be too busy before the catastrophe, and we couldn’t even meet?" Zhao Lina asked with a questioning tone.
Ye Fan replied, "Even with the looming catastrophe, I must do something about it. Now, I want to determine whether or not you are the chosen one."
"What does that have to do with me? Even if you brought me into the cultivation world, my skill level compared to yours isn’t even close. You think I could be the chosen one? What a joke!" Zhao Lina exclaimed with surprise and a bit of anger.
Ye Fan said, "If you think I’m joking, then you’re mistaken. I’m always serious about my work. This time, I’m meeting you because I must get some answers. I’m aware that some matters may feel awkward to you, but now it’s time for you to face them. I want you to meet Zhao Jun. Zhao Jun is currently keeping an item for me, called Taining, an ancient divine weapon. In ancient prophecies, only the chosen one would wield this weapon. Perhaps you are the chosen one. I can only take you to meet Zhao Jun and let you try to see if Taining recognizes you as its master."
"Are you crazy?" Zhao Lina said angrily. "You know our relationship, and you know my attitude on this matter. Yet, you come here to trouble me, wanting me to meet that woman? You... you are being extremely disrespectful to me! Do you think I would follow your ideas? Ye Fan, I honestly don’t know how to talk to you!"
Zhao Lina finished speaking furiously. She felt that Ye Fan was very disrespectful to her, wanting to express her dissatisfaction with Ye Fan this way. However, Ye Fan actually had no other motives towards Zhao Lina. He was clear about his objective, wanting to prove something rather than deliberately put Zhao Lina in an uncomfortable situation.
"I do not intend any disrespect. What I’m doing is entirely for the sake of saving the entire spiritual realm. If you don’t know what you’re doing, I can correct you. As a police officer, you should always have a sense of social responsibility. If someone threatens the safety of humanity, shouldn’t you be doing something?" Ye Fan asked.
Zhao Lina retorted angrily, "You’re twisting the concept. What humanity? You’ve made yourself sound too important. What I do is merely to maintain my life and the balance of society. You think I have the capability to fight against those so-called creators? These people can destroy the Earth with a flick of their finger. I don’t have that power, and I’m just trying to protect my family’s safety..."
"Now that opportunity is before you. Let me tell you, the chosen one is near me. Although I don’t know who it is, perhaps it’s you. The choices now are extremely limited. I’ve tested many people around me, and none have been the final answer. The final answer may really be you!" Ye Fan said, "If it is you, then your responsibility extends beyond protecting the ones by your side; it includes the safety of all humanity under your control. Don’t you think you should put in some effort for this cause?"
"I..." Zhao Lina didn’t know what to say.
Given Zhao Lina’s attitude, it seemed impossible for her to discuss something like global responsibility with Ye Fan. Yet, she was a person with a sense of duty. What Ye Fan said moved her, though she found the notion of bearing such responsibility quite absurd.
Ye Fan said, "How about this, just come with me once. If it’s not you, I won’t trouble you further. I won’t make you confront Zhao Jun directly. I realize doing so is disrespectful to you. Once we’re there, I’ll personally bring out Taining. You just need to follow my instructions to test whether you are the chosen one. Once the test is complete, you can leave, and I’ll handle the remaining matters. Is that satisfactory?"
Zhao Lina hesitated for a while and then nodded, "Alright, I’ll listen to you. But remember, I won’t meet that woman. I’ve expressed this attitude from the beginning!"
...
...
Ye Fan did not intend to harm Zhao Lina. When he arrived at the villa in Hua Hai City with Zhao Lina, he asked Li Zhaojun to stay upstairs and not come down while he personally went up to bring Taining downstairs.
He didn’t directly bring Taining to Zhao Lina because Taining and Ye Fan weren’t particularly amicable. Taining could not enter Ye Fan’s storage space. Taking Taining away from Li Zhaojun might have unpredictable consequences. It was better to have Li Zhaojun keep the weapon.
Downstairs, Zhao Lina was very nervous, afraid to meet Li Zhaojun, the woman she least wanted to see. The conflict between her and Li Zhaojun stems from competing for a man. Even past grievances now centered around Ye Fan, she wouldn’t willingly concede, knowing Ye Fan wouldn’t abandon Li Zhaojun for her.
"This is Taining." When Ye Fan appeared before Zhao Lina with Taining, she finally took a good look at Ye Fan.
Zhao Lina asked, "Is this a weapon? Why... does it seem so ordinary to me?"
"That’s because you don’t know what’s hidden within this weapon. Inside this weapon is a power we cannot fathom. If we can harness this power, it might help us successfully resist the catastrophe. As for the final outcome, I’m unsure, but I know one thing: this is the chosen one’s weapon." Ye Fan said.
Zhao Lina asked, "What do I need to do?"
"What you need to do is simple. Just infuse your spiritual energy into it. If it recognizes you as its master, then you are the chosen one." Ye Fan said.
"Alright." Zhao Lina nodded, ready to proceed with the test.