Xingtie: Starting with an in-depth analysis of the Yellow Springs

Sand Gold continued to tell Xing his deductions.

"Who could do it? My friend, it can only be her, that woman who calls herself the Sea Patrol Knight... an uninvited guest posing as someone else, an envoy who concealed her true identity..."

[Qingque: Could it really be Huang Quan? No, it was clearly that monster who killed him.]

[Rin: When Liuying died, Huang Quan didn't draw her sword. Logically, as a Commander, she shouldn't have been unable to defeat him.]

[Gold Sand: The Envoy of Nothingness, she obtained the invitation by killing the Annihilation Gang, and even pretended to be a sea patrol knight. No one knows her purpose here. Isn't it clear? She brought—death.]

[Ying: But considering her background, isn't it unnecessary?]

[Jane: Do you really understand her?]

[Black Tower: Nothingness can devour everything; death is nothing more than that.]

[Huang Quan: I've come to return an item...]

Ever since I entered Pinocchio Planet, I've been constantly deceived, and now I don't want to trust anyone anymore.

He shook his head at the idea of ​​placer gold.

"In that case, I won't trust anyone."

As expected, Sand Gold understood Star's intentions.

“It’s okay, you can make your own judgment. Building trust always takes time, and I’m willing to wait.”

[Yae no Miko: Poor star, deceived by everyone.]

Zhongli: A nameless man with a simple mind and immense power, he is highly valuable in the eyes of those with discerning eyes.

"Don't choose the wrong side. If I were you, I would keep my distance from Huang Quan. After all, no matter what, the schemes laid bare are far more powerful than the monsters lurking in the shadows... right?"

"But who says there isn't a deeper conspiracy behind the apparent schemes?" the Black Swan interjected as it arrived.

The placer gold was somewhat helpless.

“…Remember, I think our deal ended a long time ago.”

Looking at the black swan, she spoke softly.

"Sajin is telling the truth; this memory is real, without any distortion or fabrication." (The Robin's Death Memory)

"Friend, let's get straight to the point. I'd like to establish a partnership with Star Train in my personal capacity," he said earnestly to Star.

"I just want to take back ownership of this place. Thanks to the Star Core, this thing has long become a bad debt. The company has tried to sit down and talk several times, but the family won't even open the door."

[Bell: Now we know the purpose of the gold dust; we're taking back Pinocchio.]

[Xingqiu: In that case, we can cooperate without any conflict of interest, and we can also learn the truth.]

"Now the opportunity has come. As long as we find out the truth about the death of the robin, we can give the deceased justice and at the same time gain leverage in negotiations. Please invite the family to the table."

"I've done my research and made many friends, all for this moment."

“You can uncover the truth and uphold justice, and I can use this to complete the company’s mission…that’s what we call a win-win situation.”

Xing thought about it and realized that the decision to cooperate was not something she could make alone.

"I can't make that decision on my own..."

Sha Jin understands what Xing means.

"Don't rush, why don't you go back to your companions and talk to them first?"

Chapter 32: Duke of Hellfire

[A win-win company wins twice, right?]

"Oh, and... here you go! You need some spare cash to conduct your investigation. Don't be shy!"

[Eileen: I want a dozen bosses like that!]

[Luminous: So, what am I working so hard for? A few Primogems.]

[Zhongli: I suddenly miss you, young master.]

[Datalia: ...]

[Star: Oh, don't be so polite. (Extends hand)]

[Gold dust: We're all friends, feel free to use this little bit of money.] (5)

After Sand Gold left, Xing touched his chin. He hadn't really forced him, but he still felt something was off.

"What's next? What are you planning to do?" Xing's eyes cleared as her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the black swan. What was I thinking just now?

Xing then asked for his opinion on the black swan.

"On the surface, this deal doesn't seem to be bad for you. But Sand Gold is a shrewd businessman, and his calculations are definitely not as simple as they appear."

He intentionally steers the conversation toward the truth about death, drawing you into his logic.

[Ningguang: Mr. Sand Gold is truly a shrewd businessman.]

[Gold Sand: You flatter me, I'm actually more of a gambler.]

"There is more than one path to explore. In the dark forest surrounded by wolves, you must first make sure that you can escape alive."

After learning some information from the Black Swan, Xing was sent back to the place of reality.

Before leaving, the black swan gently stroked Xing's ear, leaving a cool sensation. Then, it handed Xing a card.

"A small parting gift. If one day you unfortunately sink into the deep sea of ​​memories, and there is no one to accompany you—it will guide you out."

[Black Tower: Number zero, this is the Fool card.]

[Doctor Truth: Generally symbolizes the beginning of a journey, the starting point of everything.]

[I don't understand, sseumida]

[Vivian: Is this foreshadowing some kind of message?]

Back in reality, Hoshino contacts the other members of the train, and Himeko leads them to the Clockwork Boy statue to gather.

Xing jogged to the meeting point. They hadn't arrived yet, so she organized the information and waited for everyone to arrive.

Some time ago, deep within the realm of memories.

The scene then shifts to Sam battling Yomi.

"You should draw that sword now... Ranger."

Huang Quan pointed his scabbard at Sam.

"Hunter, do you still dream? Dream of those who died because of you?" He then sheathed his knife and gripped the hilt with one hand.

Rewinding the clock again, a few days earlier, at the Yonghuo Mansion.

Amidst a sea of ​​fire, Huang Quan held a knife, aiming it at the fallen Netherfire Duke.

A weary voice rang out.

"It seems the outcome was already decided."

"They're still alive, and so are you. You still have a choice. Leave the music box behind, and then go."

"Choice? The path of destruction is fraught with blood, and there is no room for hesitation."

"The Fire Demon of Topfit... even if you offer your life to a star god, you will not gain His favor."

[The Grand Duke of the Underworld's destruction stemmed from his faith in Nanuk and his own racial characteristics, while the Destroyer Star God was solely driven by destruction.]

"Ranger, you are on a narrow hunting tour, so naturally you can't understand it."

"We come from fire, we are born from fire, we spread, burn, and destroy, until the firewood is burned out, leaving only ashes. Burning is the life of the fire demon, the beginning and the end. We are born to die, just to implement a side of the universal truth: all things are born to be destroyed."

[Chongyun: From his own perspective, he truly embodied the destruction of faith, dedicating his life to this goal—a real man. However, I don't agree.]

Death was his destiny, so he was not afraid of it.

[Mavika: You're not a good person, but your spirit is respectable; it's just a difference in beliefs.]

"Your companions don't seem to think so. They fought for your chance to survive."

“They are my children, just like I once was, like flames yet to burn out. They are still young, and I will not blame them.”

[Nicole: The education of the children is not bad, it's a pity that their faith has been destroyed.]

[Jing Yuan: Though not watched by the Star God, you yourself have plunged into destruction. @Huanlong, you are far stronger than me. Your greed for abundant power will bring you the vengeance of the hunters.]

[Huanlong: So what!]

“But my flames have grown hoarse, and time is running out. Do you see the Star of the Gathering in the distance? I will take Purgatory there—so before that, I must cross you.”

Wow, so Huang Quan actually saved us from a crisis.

[Hu Tao: Would you like a monument?]

"Why?" Huang Quan asked, puzzled.

“For you have gone further than I have in the path they opened up… Messenger.”

“You can’t hide your identity. Pull out that knife hilt, and we will indeed stay here. We are destined to fight to the death, because I have chosen to do so.”

"Destruction is a magnificent moment. If one seeks survival through base means... life is far too long."

Better to live a wretched life than die a glorious death; knowing one is no match for the enemy, one still chooses to die.

Zhongli: He wouldn't allow himself to betray his beliefs, even at the cost of death.

[Comment: He practiced what he preached.]

Even if the answer... might be your own destruction?

"The answer is not important; what matters is its existence, just as your existence is. Everything exists to be destroyed—and so does the angel. Even in the void, dreams can be born (Pinocchio). What is considered impossible is simply what has yet to come."

With a sigh, Huang Quan understood the Grand Duke of Netherfire.

"Okay, I promise you."

"You will witness the most brilliant and violent fire in the world. May this burning illuminate your unfathomable dreams."

[Bell: With just a few simple words, the image of Grand Duke of the Underworld is vividly portrayed.]

"A bottomless dream...indeed, but you've misunderstood something. This knife remains sheathed, not out of pity or contempt. It's a secret I don't want to reveal, but as a form of retaliation..."

As they spoke, Huang Quan gently placed his hand on the hilt of the knife.

"...I will be honest with you. Hunting...is not the path I'm on."

The sound of a sword being drawn rang out.

May death end your long dream and lead you back to the world of wakefulness.

[Grand Duke: How pathetic, only in death did he realize it was a messenger of nothingness, a messenger that should never have existed.]

The scene returns to Sam.

"I will still dream about it. Stop now, your time has not come."

Sam also retrieved the scattered flames from the mech, looking on with questions.

"When I was?"

Huang Quan nodded slightly.

"I've seen many seemingly clever disguises that can cover up the appearance but can't hide the true nature. You're no exception."

"That Pioneer Star, you didn't intend to kill her. You only attacked to separate me and that Memory Maker... Why?"

Sam did not respond.

"Was you a slave to fate, making you do that?"

"You know Elio."

"I thought this would be written into your script."

“My scripts have always been only a few lines long. Nothing more is necessary or required. He knows my character: there is only one destiny, and no one can escape it, but before that, I have the right to choose.”

[Star: Sam doesn't want to kill me?]

[Kafka: The Star Core Hunter, a star that will never be your enemy.]

[Himeko: Although they have ulterior motives, they have indeed been helping us so far.]