Silent Crown

Chapter 384 Iron Rules

Fire burned in the darkness of the hall. Paganini stood before the Sacred Fire. His black shadow covered the youth's face like an abyss pushing him down. He said, "Ye Qingxuan, I know you."

Under the extreme pressure, Ye Qingxuan's face was pale. Sweat trickled down his back. There was no need for any words, movements, or thoughts. The man's mere existence suffocated Ye Qingxuan.

The Eye of Silence was carved with the words knowing too much may not be a good thing. He had never hated his knowledge of Revelations more than now because he saw the stars under Paganini's hood. They fluctuated like the original darkness of the universe. He could distort the temperament and reality by merely standing there.

Every word was like a clap of thunder in Ye Qingxuan's soul, causing his consciousness to shake. If the moonlight had not soothed his terror and psychological wounds, he would have been destroyed.

Now, he forced a smile onto his pale face and rasped, "I'm flattered."

"Your actions deserve my praise." Paganini studied him. His voice had an undertone of approval. "I have paid attention to you from the abyss, including everything you've done in Anglo. You are the most talented genius I've seen this century—second only to your father."

Ye Qingxuan's pupils constricted. "My…father?"

"Someone has to remember him, right?" Paganini said indifferently. "Ye Lanzhou's talents were beyond my—no, everyone's expectations. He turned his name into a hint and wiped my memories. Thankfully, I have a habit of backing up my memories periodically. That was how I noticed a gap in them.

"I used six years to undo his hint, thus noticing his talent…It is unprecedented. Sadly, someone so talented had to be my enemy due to our different views. It is such a pity." He looked at Ye Qingxuan and said in a low voice, "What do you think?"

"It's probably because you did something wrong."

"Oh?" Paganini laughed. "I only followed my heart and did everything for the path to the Originator. I'm nothing different from the other musicians except for the fact that I found the abyss music theory to suit me better."

"If you think you're right then why must you prove your innocence to me?" The more scared Ye Qingxuan was, the more serious he seemed. "If you wish, why don't you to the Ministry of the Sacred City and appeal for innocence? I'm sure the Sacred City will understand your efforts." Finished, he closed his eyes, waiting for Paganini to lose his temper and kill him. To be honest, he regretted it but it was useless. His mouth could not be helped.

However, Paganini did not grow furious or even show any embarrassment. Instead, he said as if discussing dinner, "If there's a chance, I'd go, but not now."

"So what now?" Ye Qingxuan asked. "What do you want to do now?"

"I want to talk to you," Paganini said. "I had become one of the dark followers after all these years but I don't want to put my wishes on sword point. At my level, strength and effectiveness are no longer important. The most important thing is to follow my own way. If possible, I don't wish to use violent ways to solve problems."

"Talk?" Ye Qingxuan was bewildered. "About what? Joining you?"

"There are many dark musicians in the world. We don't need you," Paganini said lightly. "I will welcome you if you did, but it's okay if you're not willing. You can continue being a musician of your kind.

"On the path to the Originator, we are all travelers. If one day, you reach my position and have the same attainments, I will be happy for you as well."

"Oh…really? Thanks." Ye Qingxuan chuckled dryly. He was slightly relieved but also disappointed for some reason. It was weird!

"Now, I wish to talk about something else." Paganini turned to look at the Sacred Fire. Elsa slept within the fire as if she would sleep for thousands of years. "About her."

"Her?" Stunned, Ye Qingxuan narrowed his eyes. "There's nothing to talk about. Mr. Paganini, she's just an average girl. The dark followers are above her."

"Just an average girl?" Tickled, Paganini burst into laughter. "For hundreds of years, so many people have used all their tricks and gave up everything but no one expected that the first new natural catastrophe would be a little girl. And she even inherited the position of the three wise men…" He paused. Looking at Ye Qingxuan, he raised his voice. "You're here to take her away, right?"

Ye Qingxuan did not reply. It was not that he was speechless but that words were useless. They knew each other well. Lying would only make him seem laughable.

"Give up," Paganini stated. "Do you think the Sacred City would allow a natural catastrophe outside of their control to survive? Or do you think that the Romulusians would thank you?

Caligula nurtured her so she could shine one day. After today, she will burn completely and give them strength… She can't leave with you. She herself will not allow it. Ye Qingxuan, you understand this, yes?"

After a long silence, Ye Qingxuan forced between clenched teeth, "It might not be how you say it is."

"Really?" Paganini retorted. "Why don't I think that Wolf Flute thinks so too? He said that you know what to do and you lied to yourself but you don't actually know what to do, yes?"

He paused. Looking down at Ye Qingxuan's dagger, his eyes became tinged with mockery. "Otherwise, why did you bring a knife?"

Ye Qingxuan did not reply but Paganini continued.

"You've already prepared for the worst scenario—to kill her, yes? I know you, Ye Qingxuan. I've seen countless people over thousands of years. Therefore, I know you better than you know yourself.

"People like you seem to be friendly towards everyone. But actually, you're indifferent to everyone. From the start to now, from Avalon to here, your pain and appeals don't come from the outside. They come from yourself because you realized that this world is different from what you thought!

"Even if you save her, it's not to become a hero but because you feel that you owe her and don't want to feel guilt! You are always living in your own world!"

"Bullsh*t!" Ye Qingxuan roared. He used all his energy but his voice sounded so thin and weak. He hung his head tiredly. Paganini laughed in his face.

"The time for immaturity is over, Ye Qingxuan. Face reality." He pressed a hand to Ye Qingxuan's forehead and said seriously, "Since you don't understand, let me tell you something. Some iron rules and truths of this world.

"In this world, everyone must pay for their choices. The Romulusians abandoned her for power and the Sacred City will abandon you all for that reason…You have no reason to sacrifice yourself for the Sacred City and have no right to take her away because you shouldn't have come!"

The voice seemed to have invisible weight that crushed Ye Qingxuan's shoulders. It forced his head down and immobilized him. Unable to fight back, he fell into the abyss of asphyxiation.

"I understand that you are unwilling. You may have experienced so I will give you a satisfactory 'compensation'." Paganini rose and murmured in his ears, uttering the secret of a demon, "For example, how Ye Lanzhou died."

Ye Qingxuan's expression changed. His head snapped up. He saw Paganini's eyes and his pale face in the reflection. It was filled with weakness and confusion. After a long while, he looked away weakly. All his power was sapped. He closed his eyes.

"I understand," Ye Qingxuan murmured. "This is my cost?"

"It seems that you've thought it through." Paganini nodded, appreciation filling his eyes. "It's the hardest for men to face reality. It is very difficult for you to make such a choice. The road ahead is still long. Wise men do not worry about a moment. I anticipate your development in the future."

"Thank you, Mr. Paganini, for your guidance."

Ye Qingxuan bowed politely. Paganini smiled and opened his mouth to speak, but heard the youth's hoarse voice.

"In return, let me tell you something too!"

Cold moonlight lit up in Ye Qingxuan's chest. The sub-originator shook. The vast music theory from the Avalonian enchantment forcefully chipped away at Paganini's restrictions. The gap was only large enough to fit a youth.

Ye Qingxuan moved forward, welcoming the terrifying figure—the abyss's physical incarnate.

Jiu Xiao Huan Pei hummed at his fingertip. A slender cane shot out, transforming into a sword in his hands. It stabbed to the front! In that moment, thunder rumbled. Complex notes were carved into the cane. Moonlight flowed out like a flood, transforming the blade.

The murderous feeling cut to the bone.

It was the Sword!

Boom!

The blade pierced through Paganini's body, cutting out a giant hole in his chest! Paganini's slender body twisted from the sudden attack. He looked up in shock and stared dumbfounded at the youth. Ye Qingxuan's face was emotionless. There was no confusion in his eyes.

He bent over and uttered the truth, "Your iron rules are bullsh*t!"

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