Unusual Fate Records

Chapter 169, Section 039: Three Minutes

For a moment, Jin Ziyue lost even the ability to think, and all the strength in his body was drained away.

No?

How could it not be?
Jin Ziyue didn't believe it. He remained in the dream, sitting cross-legged, waiting for the most important girl in his life to appear.

When Jin Ziyue opened his eyes at dawn, Fu Qin was still nowhere to be seen.

The man was hunched over, clutching his hair, curled up on the sofa.

The miracle didn't happen.

"How was it? How was it?" Fu Xun was unusually excited.

Jin Ziyue did not answer immediately, but remained silent.

Fu Xun noticed his unusual behavior and asked in a different tone, "What's going on?"

Jin Ziyue lay on the sofa for a long time, like a dead piece of wood.

In the oppressive silence, Fu Xun's emotions were not as high as they had been at the beginning.

"Qin's soul did not appear." Jin Ziyue's voice was hoarse, and he looked ten years older in an instant.

"Tell me more specifically."

"There's nothing in my and Qin's memory palace."

"Oh," Fu Xun replied listlessly.

Once he came to his senses, Jin Ziyue sat up from the sofa. His eyes were bloodshot, and the messy hair on his forehead made him look utterly defeated.

Why can I see Haruko Sada in my dreams, but not Fu Qin's soul?

There is no problem with the wording.

There was no problem with the token either.

However, a mistake in one step led to failure.

Fu Xun looked at Jin Ziyue, whose stubble was growing, his eyes were lifeless, and his mouth was slightly open but he couldn't utter a word.

The sudden change was like a divine retribution for this man.

Fu Xun was unaware of how much mental preparation he had secretly made for this, but all of that preparation was now meaningless, as Qin did not appear.

the more you hope, the harder you fall.

Just as Fu Xun was wondering how to comfort him, Jin Ziyue had already shakily gotten up, picked up a bag of milk, and gone downstairs.

"Where?"

"Hot milk. I promised her I would take good care of my stomach." Jin Ziyue's gaze stretched through the wall to the horizon, regaining a hint of clarity.

Fu Xun felt a little relieved and said, "Get me some too."

Jin Ziyue nodded and went downstairs to borrow his mother-in-law's microwave oven.

A moment later, he placed the warm milk bag in his mouth and the heated milk in his other hand in front of Fu Xun.

Fu Xun glanced at him. Even though his eyes were sunken and his face was haggard, there was still no trace of sadness or loss in the man's eyes.

The young man admitted that when he first heard that Fu Qin no longer existed, he almost couldn't suppress his rage for a moment.

There is a kind of anger at being mocked, and a heart-stopping sorrow. More directly, it is probably the countless days and nights of longing that, in the end, only result in a devastating sense of loss.

Jin Ziyue, who was directly facing all of this, was probably even more caught off guard by the events, but now he could calmly drink his milk as if nothing had happened.

Her brother-in-law's mind was already as firm as iron.

Fu Xun asked tentatively, "Are you alright?"

Jin Ziyue tidied his messy hair and said calmly, "When things don't go your way, just be depressed for three minutes. Opportunities are never for the pitiful. As long as you're alive, you have to keep running for her sake."

Slightly relieved, Fu Xun asked, "What are your plans next?"

"The power of 'All Rivers Flow into the Sea' has been constantly activated. Each time it contributes a decree that has been passed down for over a century, it always moves us a step closer to the truth. Even if we don't have the chance to meet, it is still a valuable clue."

Jin Ziyue's voice was steady, having shed any excess emotion and transitioned to a calm, thoughtful manner, as he slowly added:
"Currently, I have guessed three possibilities. First, Qin's soul is still somewhere in the world, but due to some kind of constraint, it cannot be communicated or guided; second, Qin's soul is no longer here; third, her soul is still bound to the body of a living person, and the function of [Soul Prayer Dream] is to use dreams to guide the soul of the deceased."

"In other words, does the third scenario mean that my older sister might still be alive?" Fu Xun suddenly felt a surge of hope.

“It’s hard to say.” Jin Ziyue pondered for a moment. “When we were preparing her for the encoffining, we chose cremation. Qin died of an unusual disease. At the time, a doctor suggested donating her body for research, but we rejected that. Besides, we had many enemies of the Others at that time. After discussing it with her, I respected her decision.”

"Damn it!" The young man clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"I can't rule out the possibility that she's living under another identity, but it's much less likely than the first two options. Besides, [Hundred Rivers Converge at the Sea] must have guided me to Zuojingdu at this stage, so there must be some unknown clues. I want to find someone who can communicate with souls; perhaps I can get more information that way."

Fu Xun's expression softened slightly, but remained gloomy:
"Is there really anyone in the world who can communicate with souls? If it's about manipulating souls, then the distance between Zuojingdu and the southern part of District 9 is nearly 200,000 kilometers, which has absolutely nothing to do with that silly girl Qin, right?"

"I've already had the organization find people related to soul abilities. To understand the situation, we need to start with people in that field. Also, don't call her 'Silly Girl,' call her 'Sister.'"

“Qin doesn’t mind me calling her that!” Fu Xun glared.

“I mind.” Jin Ziyue glanced back.

"..."

"Boom, boom."

There was a sudden knock on the door.

"Jin Jun, are you home?"

Fu Xun and Jin Ziyue exchanged a glance. The latter gave him a reassuring look, and he nodded, blending into the wall and disappearing from sight.

Jin Ziyue opened the door.

The landlady was a head shorter than Jin Ziyue, her face full of conflict, and she seemed hesitant to speak.

"Mother-in-law, is there anything I can help you with?" Jin Ziyue asked.

"Jin Jun, don't be too upset about what happened between you and that girl."

Jin Ziyue gave a wry smile: "Mother-in-law, it's not what you think."

She glanced into the room to make sure he was really alone before saying earnestly, "Your mother-in-law can tell you're very sad, even disappointed. Something must have gone wrong, right?"

Jin Ziyue was taken aback and did not immediately refute her.

“Your mother-in-law is worried that you won’t be able to get over this, so she’ll have to nag you a bit.” She didn’t even bother to come inside, staring intently at Jin Ziyue, and said, “What’s past is past, and there’s no need to dwell on things that upset you. Whether you’re feeling lost or sad, as long as you’re alive, you have to keep moving forward.”

She flashed her signature smile, her tone gentle, conveying a unique sense of care from an elderly person.

Jin Ziyue nodded and said, "I will, thank you, Grandma."

The old man made sure that Jin Ziyue's mental state had truly recovered somewhat before he went downstairs with his cane.

Fu Xun's expression was sarcastic: "Although the events being emphasized are different, it seems quite fitting for the occasion."

Jin Ziyue didn't speak, but got up and tidied his black trench coat. The fierce battle had left too many marks and damage to his outfit.

He swung his black trench coat, flicked his wrist, and draped it over his body, then put on the mask that was half crying and half laughing.

From then on, his face was no longer visible; only his wolf-like eyes, gleaming with a sinister light, gazed into the deep distance ahead.

The fourth volume is finished.

(End of this chapter)