This time I chose Paladin.

Chapter 241 Abnormal Communication Suggests Resolve
"Old Liang, why don't you kill Ping Xingdou and Fu Nian?" During another delayed communication, Nie Weiyang, who was on his way, asked Liang Zhenduan: "You have no reason not to kill them."

The reply arrived three days later, and Liang Zhenduan was extremely anxious: "Initially, I thought... there was no need to rashly kill a scholar. After all, we all know the importance of modern technology, and every scholar can create miracles. Even if it was just to appease the other scholars, I... sigh."

"Later I thought, since Ping Xingdou is already in prison anyway... rather than killing an important target in the eyes of the enemy and driving them to desperation, it's better to ensure that their target is always in our sight."

"...Now it's too late for anything I can do. I can only try to minimize the damage. After this, I will apply for resignation."

As night falls on the Gobi Desert, the sandstorm subsides, leaving only the cold stars hanging in the velvety night sky.

Nie Weiyang crouched in the shadow of the massive sandstone cliffs, the severely delayed long-distance communication seemingly catalyzing a certain unease that permeated the air.

He tucked the dim orb used for communication back into his neck brace, his movements still steady, though his knuckles were slightly bluish.

The message from Liang Zhenduan made his heart sink.

That anxiety and helplessness were clearly discernible through the fluctuations in his mental state, and the explanation for not killing Ping Xingdou and Fu Nian, which sounded reasonable, seemed particularly jarring at this moment.

"Initially, the goal was to protect the scholars... then the goal was to control the target... now the only option is to minimize the damage..."

Each reason is valid, but when put together, they point to a less than desirable possibility.

Nie Weiyang rubbed his temples.

Was he wrong? Perhaps he shouldn't have trusted Liang Zhenduan's judgment and work ability so much?

No, the problem is deeper. His mistake was that he still subconsciously carried over the habitual thinking from last week, and that he placed too much trust in the safety of crucial aspects on the 'normality' and 'rationality' of others.

Human nature is complex, especially in this new world where power and mystery coexist, and even reason itself can be distorted by intangible things.

But what could he do? He was just a man, a paladin… The identity of 'Nie Weiyang' allowed him to do things beyond the limits of human capability. But could he do it all the time, every single day?
Moreover, an even more terrifying thought surged into his mind:
Last week, Liang Zhenduan worked diligently in his position as the head of the old city. Two years later, before the "Sunrise Incident," which represents global warming, he "died from overwork."

Is it really just death from overwork?

This conclusion seemed reasonable at the time.

Immense pressure, overwork leading to illness, lack of resources... the more resilient a person's will is to break down, the more easily their physical body will break down.

But looking back now, everything seems suspicious.

Given Leung Chun-tuan's physique, willpower, and available resources, would he really collapse so easily?
Even the information from last week's timeline might contain errors or omissions. After all, he is not a god; he is neither omniscient nor omnipotent.

Furthermore, given that the Star Stones interfere with the soul, and the Star God Cult, an organization closely associated with both the Starry Sky and the Return Sect, has already caused significant trouble ahead of schedule...

So, who can be sure that the Star Stone won't be exploited and amplified by those people? And who can be sure that Liang Zhenduan's decision not to kill Ping Xingdou and Fu Nian wasn't due to interference from a spiritual level?
The people deeply involved in this matter, apart from Nie Weiyang himself, are Liang Zhenduan, Ping Xingdou, and Fu Nian.

These three died one after another in the previous game!

Ping Xingdou died before Nie Weiyang went to the old city, leaving behind only some classic poems and names. Liang Zhenduan died of overwork two years later, which is now highly questionable. As for information related to Fu Nian, he had never seen anything at all!

Is this really a coincidence?
"Let's not talk about resigning yet... although you really shouldn't have stayed in that position. Anyway, Lao Liang, use the method I mentioned before to examine your mental state," Nie Weiyang said.

His voice remained calm; after all, things had come to this point, and he was thousands of miles away, so there was no use in being anxious.

"And report to Heiji, tell him that you and Koichi are both acting strangely. Understand? Listen to me, report to Heiji!"

If even a determined person like Liang Zhenduan can be influenced without realizing it, then just how dangerous is the current situation in Gushi?
He must take immediate action, even if it is just a warning.

This warning, of course, was not only for Liang Zhenduan's side!
Nie Weiyang picked up the light orb again, gave Han Jiangxue and Yi Jian a few instructions, and then called out, "Russell!"

There was a rustling sound outside the tent, and soon Russell poked his head in, a few long golden tiger hairs on his head, his heterochromatic eyes particularly striking in the dim light: "What's wrong? Did you find Zhao Deming's trail?"

“No, it’s something more urgent.” Nie Weiyang quickened his pace. “I need you to contact the Pingdu Supreme Command immediately and use your fastest contracted beast.”

Russell's expression hardened, and he abandoned his nonchalant demeanor: "Speak."

"I need you to report to Heito and, in my name, recommend: immediately and strictly monitor the mental state of all personnel in the former city and surrounding areas, and temporarily withdraw non-essential exploration and research personnel."

"Furthermore, we request that professionals with high mental strength and expertise in mental protection and detection be dispatched to conduct an in-depth investigation of the old city, with a focus on investigating whether there are any signs of large-scale, covert mental pollution or manipulation."

“I suspect something went wrong there after I left… If that’s the case, then the enemy we’re facing must have other ways of transmitting information. Just as we’re building a communication network, they must have their own methods…”

Even though no enemy should be underestimated, the current situation is still somewhat unpleasant.

Nie Weiyang paused, his expression unusually grim: "Finally, and most importantly: I suggest that once any object resembling a 'star stone' is discovered—a dark crystal with a galaxy-like flow of light inside—we should immediately try to destroy it completely using physical or energy means!"
"If it cannot be destroyed, it must be placed in the most secure container, carried by designated personnel in their backpacks, and absolutely must not be removed unless under special circumstances. If destruction is successful but causes unrest in the Netherworld, destruction will be suspended, and it will only be preserved!"

As a graveyard for wandering souls, a tombstone spanning galaxies, the physical strength of the Star Stone is terrifyingly high; modern humans would likely find it difficult to destroy it at will. But even if it's difficult, we must try...

Russell listened to the series of instructions, especially the last part about the "Star Stone," and his pupils contracted slightly. He didn't ask any further questions, but simply nodded emphatically: "Understood! I'll get on it right away!"

He quickly left the tent, and soon outside came a strange song in a low voice, communicating with the distant through some kind of natural covenant.

Nie Weiyang remained alone in the tent, slowly exhaling a breath of stale air.

He has issued the warnings he can, but whether the distant water can quench the immediate fire remains to be seen.

Zhao Deming is currently the closest criminal to him; he is still on the run, and the Star Stone crisis has suddenly erupted...

He walked to the tent entrance, lifted a corner, and looked towards the approximate location of the ancient city of Zhongzhou in the southeast, then turned to look at the escape route of Zhao Deming in the southwest.

Crimson eyes gleamed with a cold light in the night.

Time is running out.

He had to resolve the immediate problem quickly, and then... get back as soon as possible.

As for how I should appear in front of people when I rush back?

This problem is both complex and simple. Nie Weiyang hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind—

What Nie Weiyang cannot do, another force can.

Nie Weiyang… You must shoulder more responsibility, you must become a stronger pillar, you must guard against people's worship of that identity, but before that, you should ensure that people can survive and that civilization can continue. Before this goal, everything else is secondary.

—Administrator Number Two, it's time to come back!
(End of this chapter)