Chapter 242: Being Different from Most Humans Means Being Unhappy
Ding Ning pressed her lips together, a bitter taste rising in her heart.
Every action of a living being is influenced by the lives around it; even here in the Evil Spirit Realm, facing the calculations of the other Lords, they are forced to scheme as well, just to survive.
Jiang Che had never interacted with other humans before; before entering the Dungeon, he knew nothing about what a Dungeon was, nor did he realize the evil spirits inside were mortal enemies of humanity.
"If possible, I’d rather he be ordinary, like everyone else."
"Being different means unhappiness." Ding Ning shook her head.
Ding Ning watched Jiang Che continue to walk forward; he had passed this first minor trial.
He ignored unnecessary curiosity.
Curiosity comes in two forms: one is knowing it could mean death yet still probing ahead; the other is curiosity that drives him to explore what comes next.
This is the nature of a double-edged sword—too much curiosity is not always a good thing.
Jiang Che headed toward the end of the corridor; there was another door here.
But this time, behind the door, there was no more sound, and the odd sensation on his back vanished before the door.
He checked his surroundings; after confirming this was the only path, he reached out and gently touched the door, feeling his fingers pass straight through.
He pulled his hand back, saw it was unharmed, and then boldly stepped through the Light Gate.
The moment he crossed, he heard Ding Ning’s voice coming from ahead.
’Being different from most human beings means unhappiness.’
Ding Ning’s words instantly reached his ears; Jiang Che’s raised foot paused briefly in the air.
Childhood memories surged up, those scenes flooding his mind.
He always thought everyone was like this, until later he realized only children raised in Red Pearl Mental Hospital lived this way; children outside could giggle, roughhouse, even learn and play.
But those of them inside Red Pearl Mental Hospital weren’t even permitted to learn the basic knowledge of Dungeons.
Being different means unhappiness.
Hearing these words, he realized Ding Ning truly had taken the effort to understand humanity, and had secretly tried to understand him.
"Before, I didn’t know what happiness was—without comparison, that made me happy." Jiang Che stepped inside; Hua quietly retreated, leaving the two alone.
The original plan was, after Jiang Che passed the first minor trial, he’d begin the second one straight away.
Ding Ning said she wouldn’t meet him, because she couldn’t bear the thought of Jiang Che suffering.
But Hua still thought it was necessary for them to meet.
The road ahead would be full of hardship; Jiang Che hadn’t faced it yet, and he didn’t know how unimaginable the pain of spiritual death could be.
This was nothing like the doubled physical injuries from his Dungeon—spiritual wounds were a hundred times more agonizing than bodily pain.
In Jiang Che’s Dungeon, if he couldn’t bear the pain, perhaps death would simply mean death.
Death meant no more pain.
If he could endure, then pain was no longer pain.
This was the survival law in the Evil Spirit Realm: as long as you live, however much it hurts, it’s only a minor wound, because you can endure it.
But the pain of Spiritual Power injury is different; it’s not physical, it doesn’t mean real death, the spirit won’t forget pain—perhaps after spiritual revival, that pain will still haunt you.
This is why Ding Ning didn’t dare see him; she feared one look, and she wouldn’t be able to let Jiang Che enter the trial.
Hua didn’t think this way; she didn’t know if Jiang Che had the confidence and courage to go on, but her thought was, if Jiang Che needed resolve, then let him see Ding Ning.
When crushed by pain and suffering, Jiang Che needed to know he wasn’t alone, that someone he loved was waiting for him.
Jiang Che did not hesitate, walking toward Ding Ning.
Ding Ning stared blankly, wanting to scold Hua, only to realize she was already gone.
"You... maybe you shouldn’t go after all." She still couldn’t bear to let Jiang Che suffer; in this moment, her mind raced with thoughts—maybe Dark Star wouldn’t become king, maybe she and Jiang Che could live well in the Dungeon, their early life was already bitter enough, why keep suffering?
Just as she was thinking,
Jiang Che came over and pulled her tightly into his arms, her small soft body squeezed snugly in his embrace.
The stench on Jiang Che had vanished; it was an Illusion Technique and wouldn’t follow him out of the dream.
Now, the only scent wafting to his nose was clean and pleasant; Jiang Che took a deep breath, it was the fragrance of orange and grass.
He buried his face in Ding Ning’s shoulder, greedily drinking in the sweetness in the air.
Hearing Ding Ning’s words, he immediately lifted his head and shook it with determination. "No, I have to go."
Jiang Che never changed his mind; smelling that orange aroma, he was even more resolute.
Because when he suffered the nauseating stench in the Dungeon, what he repeated in his heart was Ding Ning’s scent.
Surviving, escaping—wasn’t it just to protect them?
Wasn’t it just to protect his family and wife, to let this orange fragrance remain forever?
Jiang Che looked deeply into Ding Ning’s eyes; he had heard her talk about how changes in the two worlds, whether for evil spirits or humans, were opportunities.
Evil spirits would seek chances to ascend, or eliminate rival Lords; humans could seize the chance to grasp the throne.
Or, like Dark Star, rise even higher beyond SSS rank.
If that moment ever came, nobody could guarantee their loved one’s safety—only by possessing power and authority...
Jiang Che’s voice was soft as he caressed Ding Ning’s cheek. "I’ll be fine, don’t worry."
Ding Ning fell silent; she glanced at the door behind, the door Hua had opened before leaving.
Once he finished talking to Ding Ning, he’d have to enter that door behind, starting a new challenge and trial. This time, it wouldn’t be a simple test—the checkpoints of death would be endless for Jiang Che.
"You... your test results are excellent." Ding Ning clutched his hand. "You’re very brave, and smart..."
"You..." Ding Ning wanted to praise him more, but tears welled up in her eyes.
Ding Ning wanted to give him some confidence, but the words caught in her throat—should she tell him to be careful?
This trial was prepared for him; it was a death-training specially arranged for Jiang Che.
"Because I must survive, I must protect you." Jiang Che rubbed her head. "And I believe in you, too—this trial will be amazing. I trust if I make it out alive, from now on I’ll be able to protect all of you."
He was never afraid of things like death.
Days without family are hard; he didn’t want to lose anyone.