Chapter 373 - 342: Yelena’s Condition

Chapter 373: Chapter 342: Yelena’s Condition

The Sisiya Capital.

After Guan Tong arrived, he felt it was different from other cities in Sisiya. The atmosphere here was much more solemn.

The street drunks common in other Sisiya cities were nowhere to be seen. Instead, patrols of soldiers and drones filled the streets, checking the identification of anyone suspicious.

He was questioned once, but the patrol team quickly seemed to receive orders from their superiors. They learned of his special status and let him pass.

He arrived at Sisiya’s national museum. The massive statue of the Conqueror in front of it was now only half a body; everything from the waist up was gone.

Guan Tong didn’t know why Yelena had asked to meet him here. Just as he was pondering this, he heard footsteps behind him.

He turned to see a young, unfamiliar woman walking toward him.

She stopped beside Guan Tong and gazed at the broken statue. "The statue of the great Conqueror, once a source of pride for the people of this country, was smashed by them after the first of the Apocalypse Rules appeared. It just goes to show you can’t rely on human reason in the face of true disaster."

"..."

The young woman turned her head to look at Guan Tong. "It’s been a long time, Teacher."

"You are..."

"Have you already forgotten the effect of the item you gave me, Teacher?"

"I see."

Guan Tong realized the unfamiliar woman before him was Yelena, using the Bystander Transformation Device.

"A lot of people are watching me right now. It wouldn’t be wise to meet with you, Teacher, looking like myself."

"I understand."

"The transformation only lasts for three hours, so let’s finish our discussion within that time. Please, Teacher."

Yelena gestured for Guan Tong to follow her into the museum. He didn’t refuse and walked in with her.

Just like the broken statue outside, the inside of the museum was also in chaos.

Numerous display cases had been smashed, and many exhibits were missing, leaving behind only blank screens that once held their descriptions.

"After the Rules appeared, the people of this country fell into a period of madness and destroyed almost everything they could. After things stabilized, my father intentionally left the museum in this state, without repairing it."

"To serve as a cautionary tale?" Guan Tong asked.

"Yes. He wanted people to remember how much damage unleashing their rampaging emotions could do to this country and its civilization."

"Your father sounds like a wise man."

"He is a wise man, but he is also a father," Yelena said. "So when he received news of Rijeka’s death, he was deeply saddened, and also furious."

Seeing that Yelena was getting to the point, Guan Tong didn’t try to avoid it.

"Before he died, he said that he, or rather your clan, wouldn’t let me go. And what I told him was that this grudge started with him, and his death would be the end of it. If his family insists on starting a new feud, then..."

"Then you won’t back down, Teacher, is that right?"

Guan Tong looked at Yelena. Although it wasn’t her real face, the transformation couldn’t replicate her eyes or her bearing.

"I won’t," he said.

Yelena nodded and continued walking forward.

Guan Tong followed her, and they soon arrived before a display.

Unlike the other displays, this one held a huge, ugly stone inscribed with text. The stone looked incredibly heavy, solid, and sturdy, which was likely why it hadn’t been destroyed in the chaos.

"This stone has a name, the ’Stone of Yarahan’s Hate.’ Have you heard of it, Teacher?"

Guan Tong shook his head. "No."

"It’s from a Sisiya legend. A long time ago, there was a King named Yarahan. His son, a prince, was arrogant and tyrannical, bullying the weak. The people suffered his oppression but dared not resist because of his noble status."

"Then one day, while the prince was out hunting, he encountered a passerby. He coveted the passerby’s bow and tried to take it, but the passerby killed him with a single arrow."

"Afterward, Yarahan was utterly enraged and wanted to avenge his son. But the passerby was long gone, so to remind himself to never forget his hatred, Yarahan had the story carved into stone. This is that stone."

Guan Tong listened in silence. He didn’t know Yelena’s purpose in telling him this, so he just kept listening.

"If my father were still the Governor, he would become a new Yarahan, hunting you to the ends of the earth to avenge his child. But I am the new Governor now, and Rijeka was an enemy who once tried to kill me and Sikokun. My grandmother was even his accomplice."

"..."

Guan Tong saw Yelena’s hand clench into a fist. He could even feel the temperature around her body drop by several degrees.

It was clear her rivalry with Rijeka had been even more brutal than he’d imagined. The emotional shift it caused made her unconsciously use her powers.

He didn’t know the details of Yelena’s abilities. But hearing her words, he knew they wouldn’t have a falling out over Rijeka, which was what he had hoped to see.

"What I said in my message was the truth," Yelena said. "I’m very happy that Rijeka is dead. It’s just that some people think I was the one who did it, and they’re pressuring me for an explanation. Do you understand what I mean, Teacher?"

Guan Tong’s gaze sharpened.

"Yelena, are you asking me to help you eliminate your dissenters? You should know that’s impossible."

Only then did he understand that Yelena’s purpose in meeting him today was to win him over to her side.

"You’ve misunderstood," Yelena said, shaking her head. "I’m not asking you to kill anyone, Teacher. I just have a proposal."

"What kind of proposal?"

"Stay in Sisiya," Yelena said bluntly. "Even if I don’t pursue the matter of the assassination, the Konia Clan and Rijeka’s former subordinates will investigate. That will be very disadvantageous for you, Teacher."

"You’ve already left the academy and no longer have its protection. There’s no guarantee you won’t run into danger. I know you’re exceptionally powerful, Teacher, but even a fierce tiger can be overwhelmed by a pack of wolves when outnumbered."

"..."

"If you are willing to stay in Sisiya, Teacher, you’ll be ’hiding in plain sight.’ With me providing cover, they won’t be able to find you. Besides, I also need your help."

"Yelena, you’re already the supreme Governor of Sisiya. Do you still need my help?"

"I do," Yelena said earnestly. "Back then, most people in Sisiya thought Rijeka would win and sided with him. So even though I’ve become the Governor, my foundation is still weak."

"Although I have a capable aide in Sikokun, her main duty is to protect me, so she can’t be in two places at once. If you’re willing to stay, Teacher, you wouldn’t have to do anything else. As long as you can take Sikokun’s place and guarantee my personal safety, I’ll be free to act as I see fit."

"..."

Guan Tong remained silent.

In this first meeting since their time at the academy, Yelena seemed to have changed a great deal.

At the academy, she was just a student who focused on practicing her Psychic Power and rarely spoke otherwise.

But now, as Governor, she was demonstrating the qualities befitting her position.

Seeing that Guan Tong hadn’t replied, Yelena didn’t press him. Instead, she changed the subject.

"Knowing you, Teacher, I doubt you contacted me just because of Rijeka."

"...That’s right. I want to approach the Alien Intelligence and ask it a question."

The moment the words left his mouth, a sharp light flashed in Yelena’s eyes.

Although she knew Guan Tong must have had another reason for seeking her out, she never would have imagined it was this.

"Teacher, are you joking?"

"No."

"Teacher, you should know that anyone who questions the Alien Intelligence must be a person designated by the Human Federation. The questions asked must also be decided upon by the Human Federation through meetings and votes."

"I know."

"You should also know that this Alien Intelligence, which demands human lives as the price for a question, is currently on Sisiya’s soil. If it gets out of control, the entire population of Sisiya will face a tremendous threat."

Guan Tong said nothing. He raised his hand, and a whistle appeared in his palm.

He brought the whistle to his lips and blew. Three Living Dead appeared without a sound.

"...Living Dead?"

Yelena saw their red eyes and immediately recognized them as the Undead Monsters from the [Night of the Living Dead] Rule.

"That’s right," Guan Tong said. "During the [Silent Moment] Rule, after they made a sound, the Sound Hunters appeared and attacked them."

Yelena was exceptionally sharp and immediately understood the meaning behind Guan Tong’s words.

"Teacher, are you saying you want to use them to replace humans and Parasites as food for the Alien Intelligence? Can that whistle summon an infinite number of Living Dead?"

"Not infinite. Blowing it consumes Psychic Power. As for whether they can be used as food, that needs to be tested on-site... That’s why, if I get to ask a question, I’ll first ask, ’What is your name?’—a question that has already been verified twice."

Yelena’s eyes gleamed. "Asking that question is for the best. If it succeeds, great. If it fails, the loss would only be a few Parasites."

"Exactly," Guan Tong said. "And if it fails—if it’s confirmed the Living Dead can’t be used as food—I will immediately give up my chance to ask a question. I absolutely will not ask a second one."

Guan Tong was being completely sincere. Although there was a question he wanted to ask, he wouldn’t do it if someone else had to pay the price.

The nations had gone to great trouble to capture those Parasites. On what grounds could he use them for his own selfish reasons? Never mind that others would never agree; he himself would never do such a thing.

"..."

This time, Yelena didn’t answer immediately. She was thinking.

Ordinarily, she would never have agreed to Guan Tong’s request, as it would mean risking the lives of countless citizens.

But now that Guan Tong had demonstrated his ability to summon the Living Dead and stated that they had been treated as humans under one of the Rules, the situation had changed.

Yelena was silent for a long time before looking at Guan Tong and saying, "Teacher, if I agree and arrange an opportunity for you to ask a question, will you accept my proposal?"

"...Is that your condition?"

"No. But you should understand, Teacher, the immense pressure I would be under if I agree to this."

Guan Tong knew Yelena was right.

He considered it from her perspective. The pressure of letting someone approach the Alien Intelligence without knowing what they would ask was indeed enormous.

"...Alright."

Guan Tong made his promise.

"I won’t let you bear this pressure for nothing. I promise you, I will stay in Sisiya and protect you until your position as Governor is completely secure."