Chapter 32: I Will Save You

In the distant Star City.

Su Ziye was slowly recounting everything that had transpired in the city of Kunka.

This even included the process of Christina replacing her heart, for this was something the young girl had permitted him to speak of.

Christina's exact words had been: "You only need to narrate everything as it happened. You may tell them all that you know; the more you tell, the greater your reward will be, and the safer I shall become in return."

And indeed, the power Christina displayed throughout this entire incident made it so that the more one understood, the greater the terror one felt toward this young girl who claimed to be the Alaya-vijnana.

Su Ziye had finally come to believe Dark Star’s initial assessment of the Kunka incident—that it would be an event of profound significance influencing the future of the world.

Now, looking back, Su Ziye even suspected that it was the Star Master himself who had chosen him to go to Kunka.

Only a being of the Star Master’s might and realm could ascertain so many variables, and intervene in this world with the absolute minimum of collateral cost.

Finally, Su Ziye concluded his account.

"Today, Christina has completely taken control of the Crawford family. Yi Lanshan led the Western City in a full withdrawal from Kunka in accordance with their agreement, and Christina's parents have been imprisoned indefinitely within the Palace of Black and White under the charge of conspiring with outsiders and betraying the family," Su Ziye summarized.

"Why didn't Christina make use of her parents' influence?" an elder asked.

"No matter how powerful the Alaya-vijnana may be, without reliable subordinates, how could she possibly control the entire Crawford family, including the various major chambers of commerce under the family's clandestine jurisdiction?" another elder added.

Even after hearing what Christina had accomplished, they still found it hard to believe that a lone, solitary young girl could achieve complete dominion over a family.

And she had done so without relying on her own parents.

"Because Christina needed to establish authority—absolute authority," Su Ziye sighed.

"Her own parents orchestrated this betrayal, pushing the family to the brink of utter ruin. If Christina had shielded her parents, what authority would she have left to speak of? Besides, if her parents were still allowed to operate normally in the public eye, who would ever believe that this young girl was the true master rather than a titular puppet?"

"When Yi Lanshan proposed taking Stella and Nokt away, it was precisely to spare Christina from being caught in a difficult dilemma."

"Yet, without a moment's hesitation, she publicly announced the verdict against her parents."

"Furthermore, she possessed the absolute power to enforce it."

"As for the control of the family, unfortunately for them, she had a flawless proxy."

An elder immediately asked from below, "Who?"

"Xia Rang," Su Ziye replied. "He seemed to be an ordinary steward of the Crawford family, but in truth, he was a deep-cover agent planted by Xia within the family, specifically placed there to monitor Douglas's movements. After Xia's death, relying on his unique abilities and constitution, he managed to survive until this day."

"Christina perceived Xia Rang's identity long ago and gradually led him to place his bets on her. She knew that as long as she successfully forged the Exquisite Heart and proved her strength amidst this crisis, Xia Rang would fulfill their original agreement and help her clean up the aftermath."

"Now, within the Palace of Black and White, Christina has banished everyone else, including the original members of the Crawford family. In that vast palace, there are only herself, her imprisoned parents, and Xia Rang’s group of four, who serve as her sole channel to the outside world."

"Complex problems and opinions that once required hundreds of people to deliberate and handle can now be solved with absolute perfection by Christina alone, and her rewards and punishments descend upon everyone with utmost swiftness. She is able to perceive everyone's past and karmic ties, and compute the simplest solutions to the most baffling dilemmas. The Crawford family was always an entity operating from the shadows; now, it has simply become countless times more efficient and countless times more precise."

"Therefore, apart from those at the very top, few people know that Kunka has completely changed masters. As for those who are privy to the inner details—such as myself and the esteemed elders present here—we can only feel awe and dread toward this fourteen-year-old girl. How could anyone ever dare to plot against her wealth and power? You must understand that her capabilities are virtually equivalent to those of a saint, yet she is unbound by any of a saint's restrictions."

"As for the Crawford family, it has survived, and its members are filled with terror and submissiveness toward this new head. She saved the family single-handedly, yet with an iron fist, she dealt with every traitor, including her own parents. No conspiracy can escape her gaze, leaving everyone to serve their new master in constant fear, secretly praying for the Alaya-vijnana to die young so that they might finally escape her eternal control."

"That is all. Everything I know has been told."

Su Ziye quietly concluded his report.

"You have done well," the Great Elder offered this gratified summary.

Indeed, this was a task only Su Ziye could have accomplished. Had it not been for his unique status and Christina's favorable regard, no one else could have penetrated such secrets and emerged unscathed.

"Therefore, you shall receive the reward you were promised."

With these words, the Great Elder softly called out the name Xingxi.

"Xingxi."

As the Great Elder's voice faded, Xingxi appeared silently before them all in the very next instant.

Golden eyes and long silver hair, her exquisite youthful face devoid of any expression.

"Starting from today," the Great Elder said, looking at Xingxi.

"There shall be one more person granted the authority to command you."

"His authority shall rank just beneath the twelve elders."

"Do you understand?"

Xingxi turned her head quietly to look at Su Ziye, as if branding his image deep into her mind.

"I understand."

"Then stand right there and don't move," Su Ziye said, looking at Xingxi with a faint smile.

In the next moment, the youth stepped forward and pulled Xingxi into a warm embrace.

Xingxi stood motionless where she stood.

Like a statue.

The youth gently held Xingxi in his arms before everyone's eyes. He was so tall that he seemed to be cradling a delicate doll.

"I told you," Su Ziye whispered softly beside Xingxi's ear.

Using a voice that was gentle, yet audible to everyone present.

"I will save you."

Xingxi gave no reaction whatsoever; not even her breathing changed by the slightest fraction.

Meanwhile, the Great Elder looked toward the siblings and continued, "And thus, Your Highness the Prince, you shall receive your next task."

"The plan for the City of Everlasting Night shall commence this winter. When the time comes, you shall take Xingxi with you."

"Fulfill this mission for the future of the Dark Star."

"Do you hear me?"

Su Ziye gazed at the elder's snow-white beard.

He still did not kneel.

"I understand."

He replied thus.

*(End of this Volume.)*