Chapter 75: "The Past" and "The Future"

Bonus chapter for 50 powerstones! Drop more plzzz

...

Shajin stretched lazily.

"Alright, I've had enough fun~"

Then, with a hint of surprise, he said,

"But I never expected you, Osial, to make a better punching bag than Harpas~"

"Why don't you become my pet instead, hmm?"

All three of Osial's heads opened wide at once, spewing three torrential blasts of water with overwhelming force straight at Shajin.

That was his answer.

Yet Shajin merely tilted his body slightly, effortlessly dodging the impact of the rushing currents.

"So that's your answer, is it?"

Beneath his mask, Shajin's eyes turned cold and merciless, like a frigid wind from the depths of the underworld.

"Then allow me to show mercy—and send you and your wife to reunite in the afterlife!"

He extended his right hand, palm slowly opening.

A greatsword formed from Imaginary energy suddenly appeared in his grip, the blade shimmering with a strange light, as if it had emerged from the void itself.

The massive sword hovered ominously in the air, like the Sword of Damocles, radiating a terrifying aura.

With a swing of his arm, Shajin slashed downward. The greatsword tore through the air like a bolt of lightning, instantly severing all three of Osial's heads without the slightest resistance.

Osial's enormous body collapsed onto the sea, sending up a vast spray of water.

Almost at the exact moment his life force vanished, the world itself seemed to fall silent. Time froze.

Osial's massive corpse began to emit a bizarre aura—an eerie black mist that rapidly spread outward.

This mist was no ordinary fog—it was formed from the accumulated grudges of countless demon gods. It manifested as twisted black threads that wrapped around Osial's body, relentlessly eroding his flesh.

As the demon gods' resentment spread, the surrounding sea began to rage violently. Waves surged, towering high and crashing onto the shore with a deafening roar.

At the same time, a colossal tornado formed in the sky, spinning fiercely and blotting out the heavens.

Lightning flashed within the storm pillar. Winds howled. The scene resembled the end of the world.

This was the Backlash—the result of a demon god's death triggering the release of their Authority.

Shajin glanced at it dismissively, then wiped it all away with Imaginary energy like it was nothing.

The godlike power he wielded left an indelible mark on the hearts of Baqiu and the people of Liyue.

But beneath the mask where no one could see, Shajin's eyes turned crimson.

A voice echoed in his ears.

"Not enough!"

"Too weak!"

"Kill!"

"Keep killing!"

In the General Affairs Office…

Zhongli sat with his eyes closed, brows furrowed deep in thought.

His index finger tapped rhythmically against the wooden table in front of him.

Tap. Tap.

Then, as if something came to mind, his brow relaxed. He opened his eyes and poured himself a cup of tea.

Bitter at first, followed by a mellow sweetness.

...

Shajin clutched his head tightly, Imaginary energy surging chaotically around him. What had once only damaged the harbor's edge now completely pulverized Liyue Harbor into rubble!

In a corner of the "cage," Baqiu trembled, his massive frame now looking oddly pathetic.

Lumine stared at the unstable Shajin with worry in her eyes.

She clasped her hands in front of her chest and silently prayed.

Inside his mind, Shajin felt as if he'd become a monster. He wanted to hurt others, but his reason screamed at him to stop.

Kill!!!

Kill!!!

KILL!!!

Slaughter until the sky turns black!!!

Leave not a single soul standing!!!

Shajin gritted his teeth hard.

"SHUT UP!!!"

BANG!!!

A deafening hammer-blow erupted inside his mind. The violent glint in his eyes gradually faded, clarity returning bit by bit.

Then, a harmonious symphony began to play, replacing the murderous whispers that had seduced him.

Shajin found himself immersed in total darkness.

...

Inside this pitch-black space…

Shajin's lips curled into a faint smile as he observed the two figures before him with intrigue.

One looked exactly like him as a child. The other wore pink sunglasses and shared his exact appearance—except for an aura of greater depth in the eyes.

Shajin raised his right hand, palm up, as if in invitation.

"Not going to introduce yourselves?"

("Past" is represented by "Little Shajin," "Future" by "Shajin.")

"Little Shajin" tapped his chin thoughtfully. "What's the matter, sir… You look… unwell?"

"Shajin" simply shrugged. "What are you talking about? Aren't we… just you?"

Shajin smiled faintly, offering no answer.

Or rather… he had already begun to suspect the truth…

"I thought the destiny of 'Solitary Star' and 'Disastrous Evil' would drag me into a pit of endless suffering~"

"Shajin" waved dismissively. "Under the protection of the Aeon of Preservation and the Mother Goddess, what's a mere destiny?"

"And this place? It's no hellhole. It's… the place where you and I are reborn~"

Then "Shajin" placed his right hand over his chest.

"We…"

"Are your Past and Future."

Shajin took a deep breath.

He looked at them with a complex expression.

"Why… are you two here?"

"Shajin" burst into unrestrained laughter. "Hahaha… You really haven't changed at all~"

"You… still fear the dark~"

"The moment you stepped in here, you took off your towering hat and started sniffing around for intel—just like a hyena scavenging in the desert."

"Because you know…"

"Opportunities vanish in the blink of an eye…"

Shajin crossed his arms over his chest. "Compared to your nonsense, even Rosalyne's curses sound like music~"

"Shajin" shrugged. "You know I rarely speak from the heart, so you'd best listen this time."

"And tell me I'm wrong—go ahead. You're exactly that kind of person. Cautious. Self-deprecating. Won so much, yet no one fears losing more than you do."

"People only see you throwing chips like a high roller at the table—but they don't know there's another hand beneath it, clutching your stash and trembling…"

"Impressive, really. No wonder the Tavern extends you an invitation in the future."

"You were born to be an actor. Not only do you fool others—you fool yourself even better~"

Shajin narrowed his eyes. "Tavern? Another new name, huh~"

"Shajin" chuckled and spread his hands.

"Alright, no more digging. I'm you. You're me. I won't hurt you."

He pointed to himself and "Little Shajin."

"The two of us spent quite a lot of chips just to return to this backwater planet~"

_

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