“Hello.”
Qi Yue’an courteously bowed with the other maidens, her mind already racing with how to broach the subject of this place, when Qi Yue abruptly stood up beside her.
“You’re so adorable… might we chat tonight? I’m incredibly curious about this place!”
Her eyes seemed to sparkle with stars as she dashed towards the maiden who had just descended the steps, appearing poised to embrace them at any moment.
Qi Yue’s sudden action truly startled Qi Yue’an. She had yet to ascertain the safety of this place, yet Qi Yue was already boldly approaching the self-proclaimed City Lord with such an audacious gesture.
While Qi Yue’an harbored many questions herself, she certainly had no desire to perish here.
“Yue, come back.”
Qi Yue’an raised her voice slightly, intending to caution her, but for a moment, the right words eluded her.
“Alright~”
Far from ignoring her, Qi Yue merely spun around with a cheerful grin, returning to Qi Yue’an’s side.
“It’s quite alright. Though I am the City Lord, my role is merely one of administration. We are all Qi Yue’an; there are no distinctions of status or nobility among us.”
Qi Wei appeared unconcerned by Qi Yue’s actions, offering them both a polite, practiced smile.
“Moreover, I am rather intrigued myself, as this time, it is a rare case of consciousness intrusion, and furthermore…”
Qi Wei strode closer, bathed in the unchanging azure light of the sky. Despite her hair being the classic half-black, half-white, her pristine white robes and her unique golden eyes imbued her with an extraordinary, almost divine aura.
“A single soul, yet two consciousnesses…”
Her gaze fixed on Qi Yue’an, and in her distinctively emotionless eyes, a faint flicker of interest became discernible.
Suddenly exposed, Qi Yue’an’s heart pounded. She took a small step back, only to notice that the other maidens nearby showed no reaction whatsoever.
“Rest assured, I shielded our conversation from the surroundings…”
“Presumably, having arrived here, you must harbor many questions. Come with me.”
Her voice carried a unique blend of gentleness and tranquility, which somewhat alleviated the tension in Qi Yue’an’s heart.
“Don’t be nervous; just follow me.”
Before Qi Yue’an could react, Qi Wei gently took her hand, then gestured towards the cathedral.
Upon witnessing this, Qi Yue’s cheeks puffed out in a defiant pout. Unwilling to be outdone, she clasped Qi Yue’an’s other hand. Despite their identical appearances, the three maidens possessed remarkably disparate personalities.
The sensation of being led by two people—or rather, two versions of herself—felt peculiar. Nevertheless, she did not release their hands, driven by her desire for information. Yet, this sight appeared remarkably astonishing to the other maidens in the plaza.
“Wow… this newcomer. It’s my first time seeing the City Lord make such an expression…”
A ‘Qi Yue’an’ with twin pigtails seized the opportunity to tug at her companion’s skirt, only to have her hand swat away with a look of disdain.
“Indeed, it’s quite uncommon. While the City Lord can be gentle at times, she usually maintains a rather cold demeanor, preferring to retreat into the cathedral alone.”
The maiden with classic flowing hair mused, yet the pigtail-wearing girl paid little heed to such thoughts, instead continuing to observe the scene, even pulling out a camera.
“No clandestine photos.”
She snatched the camera just produced by the pigtail-wearing maiden, who then bounced around in protest.
“But… the City Lord is truly adorable, isn’t she? So much like a little animal, just like An… Ran, you’re not jealous, are you? You’re clearly a self-professed ‘Moon Faction’ member, yet you refuse to admit it, insisting you like Xiao~”
The maiden’s sudden words caused Qi Ran’s movements to falter for a beat. With a triumphant grin, she leapt up and snatched the camera back.
“Hehe… don’t worry, I won’t neglect you. I’ll come find you when it’s time to sleep tonight~”
Qi Ran finally reached her limit, giving the maiden a rap on the head, prompting her to dutifully crouch down, shielding her head.
“Ouch…”
Oblivious to the playful ruckus, Qi Yue’an ascended the cathedral steps alongside Qi Yue and Qi Wei.
****
This edifice resembled a temple more than a church for worshippers. It appeared to have endured countless eons, its mottled steps bearing the marks of erosion, as if dedicated to a deity long since deceased.
In stark contrast to the bustling scene below, the temple atop the steps felt like a world apart. Evidence of meticulous cleaning was apparent here, making it considerably tidier than its weathered exterior suggested.
Only their footsteps echoed in the vast, empty hall, where pale celestial light streamed through holes in the walls, casting an impression of profound solitude and desolation.
“Have you… always lived here?”
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Qi Yue’an inquired of the maiden before her. The maiden did not turn around, merely nodding softly.
Qi Wei did not turn back; her steps merely faltered imperceptibly before her calm, unperturbed voice drifted back.
“Yes, I’ve been here… ever since I can remember.”
Her voice echoed faintly through the grand hall.
“Initially, I was alone, wandering through these ruins and silence. I knew not the passage of time, nor my origin, nor my destination.”
She continued forward, her tone placid yet rhythmic, as if recounting someone else’s tale.
“Until one day, a maiden suddenly appeared nearby. She always carried a faint melancholy, but… she was very endearing.”
Qi Wei led them through an archway into a relatively well-preserved side hall, where several simple stone seats were arranged.
“She was the first ‘outsider’ I encountered. We lived together in this dilapidated cathedral, relying on each other. Later, every so often, maidens identical to her would be sent here. Their personalities varied, but most… were far more lively than her.”
She gestured for Qi Yue’an and Qi Yue to sit, while she herself stood by the window, gazing out at the unchanging, eternal landscape.
“Then, one day, the original ‘her’… vanished. I couldn’t find her, and so I remained here, guarding this place, year after year. Gradually, my appearance also became like theirs, though only these golden eyes remained unique to me.”
She gently raised a hand, her fingertips brushing her own golden eyes.
“Subsequently, more and more sisters arrived here. We decided not to scatter, and together, we established our home… Ancheng, to welcome every ‘us’ who would arrive thereafter.”
She turned, her gaze settling once again on Qi Yue’an.
“The city’s name originated from that very first maiden; we all called her ‘An’.”
Following this, Qi Wei slowly began to explain the city’s so-called “factions.”
The “An Faction” comprised those who longed for the original main personality, Qi An. The “Moon Faction” tended to invest their emotions in the sisters they lived alongside. The “Xiyin Faction,” “Bai Jin Faction,” and others corresponded to significant figures in their respective stories.
“These factions are merely designations we use to differentiate our emotional leanings during this long solitude.”
She concluded, her eyes drifting, almost inadvertently, towards Qi Yue’an.
“Furthermore, I am a staunch member of the An Faction.”
Qi Yue’an shivered at her words, though Qi Wei merely shifted her gaze back after speaking.
“Based on the information brought by all who have arrived,”
Qi Wei continued.
“The ‘Qi An’ we recognize should be the main personality who passed away at the beginning of each of our stories, and we, in turn, are those who, after the conclusion of our respective narratives, have converged here…”
Having listened to this lengthy and poignant tale, Qi Yue’an’s heart swelled with emotion, as if she had touched a heavy, collective memory. Nevertheless, her purpose in coming here remained clear.
“I understand… thank you for telling me all of this.”
Qi Yue’an lifted her head, her silver eyes gleaming with resolve.
“My primary reason for coming here is to learn more about… Lin Xiao. Since he has encountered, and arguably even orchestrated, the destinies of numerous ‘Qi Yue’ans,’ I believe I should be able to find some answers here.”
“May I ask,”
She carefully chose her words, posing her most central dilemma,
“In your view, what kind of person is Lin Xiao, truly? Does he treat each of ‘us’ with genuine affection, or… does he merely regard us as tools to achieve some objective?”
Qi Wei listened in silence, her golden eyes as profound as a deep pool, seemingly capable of reflecting the very weight of a soul.
She did not respond immediately, instead taking two steps closer. Almost unconsciously, she reached out and gently tucked a stray wisp of Qi Yue’an’s black hair behind her ear.
This subtle gesture carried an ineffable tenderness and… a faint, elusive sense of familiarity, causing Qi Yue’an to pause slightly.
Qi Wei gazed at her intently, and across her expressionless face, a fleeting ripple, akin to nostalgia, subtly passed.
“Lin Xiao…”
Qi Wei finally spoke, her voice ethereal and measured, as if deciphering an ancient inscription.
“In my estimation, he is a complex being whose outward appearance has been worn down by eternal time, yet whose core, perhaps, still clings to an initial obsession. As for sincerity…” She paused,
“Perhaps even he himself has repeatedly questioned his own heart through countless cycles of reincarnation…”
“But what is certain,”
Her gaze seemed to pierce through Qi Yue’an, looking towards a more distant void.
“He has always been searching, or rather, waiting for some… variable that can break the established cycle.”
She tilted her head slightly, looking out at the vast, hazy sky.
“Many of ‘us’ here harbor equally complex and elusive emotions towards him: hatred, resentment, bewilderment, concern, and some… have even genuinely developed feelings for him.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Yue’an’s hands clenched slightly. She could no longer resist asking what she had long yearned to know.
“Then, did they… with him before? Like, dating…”
She couldn’t finish her sentence, a faint blush appearing on her ears. Qi Wei observed her bashful demeanor, her eyes returning from their distant gaze.
“Oh? By your expression, are you perhaps of the Xiao Faction? And with such a rare personality, too…”
A flicker of interest appeared in her eyes, which, paradoxically, only made Qi Yue’an more flustered.
“Ah, I noticed it earlier too. I just wanted to get a little closer to her, but she refused, even saying she had a husba—”
Qi Yue suddenly interjected with gleeful enthusiasm, only for Qi Yue’an to swiftly clap a hand over her mouth before she could utter anything more explosive.
“Yue! I merely… merely wanted to confirm something. After all, he is the only one…”
She hastily explained, yet her words only seemed to dig her deeper into the hole.
“In any case, tell me. At least… let me know…”
Qi Yue’an truly wanted to know, pressing the question despite the current awkward atmosphere.
However, in front of Qi Wei, she appeared much like an ineffectual wife, who, despite knowing her husband had other women, dared not confront him directly, only venturing to ask their friends how many there were.
Witnessing their lively interaction, Qi Wei offered a rare, gentle smile.
“Rest assured, the Xiao Faction is actually a minority among us. Even those who were part of it mostly harbored fleeting, unspoken affections that have largely faded now.”
“Someone like you, who is already… married, is the first.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Yue’an breathed a sigh of relief, experiencing an unprecedented sense of relief and joy. In this regard, she was not merely a substitute for them; this was uniquely hers…
“What profound devotion…”
Qi Yue and Qi Wei remarked, unable to help themselves as they observed her.
“No… it’s not what you’re thinking. I just want Xiao to like me…”
She hastily explained, yet her words only served to lend further credence to that very notion.
“I don’t like him!”
Qi Yue’an stated with certainty, though Qi Wei offered no rebuttal, instead appearing as if she had confirmed something. Meanwhile, Qi Yue seized the moment of Qi Yue’an’s fluster, moving closer and suddenly embracing her arm.
“So… you merely wish to ‘conquer’ him, but not genuinely love him?”
“I…”
Qi Yue’an struggled to explain. She did indeed wish to ‘conquer’ him, but this was merely a means, not the ultimate goal. The true reason was simply her desire not to be abandoned or replaced.
“If it’s just about ‘conquering’ him… I can do it for you later, you know? You just need to live well; there’s no need to get caught up in it yourself~”
Qi Yue seemed to understand Qi Yue’an’s thoughts. However, upon hearing those words, a chord seemed to strike deep within Qi Yue’an’s heart, and a long-suppressed emotion spilled forth.
This was, in fact, an excellent proposal. For someone as inarticulate, insecure, and clumsy as herself, it would undoubtedly be better if Qi Yue handled the matter.
Yet, a clearer voice within her heart told her that if she were to agree to this jesting offer… then her very existence would become unnecessary.
“No!”
Qi Yue’an shook her off.
“Don’t take away my role!”
No sooner had the words left her lips than she felt a pang of regret. However, contrary to her expectation that Qi Yue would start to dislike her or Qi Wei would cast her out, Qi Yue merely chuckled as if confirming something, while Qi Wei observed her face thoughtfully.
“Alright, don’t be angry. I know I was wrong~”
Qi Yue soothed Qi Yue’an. Beside them, Qi Wei watched Qi Yue’an’s awkwardness with a long sigh, as if recalling a significant memory. Her eyes fixed intently on Qi Yue’an, as if peering through the surface to a deeper truth.
“Qi Yue’an… or rather, you are Qi An, aren’t you?”
Qi Wei’s sudden revelation of the truth startled Qi Yue’an into a flurry of panic. Qi Yue, however, showed no apprehension whatsoever, as if she had long known they would be exposed.
“A single soul… yet capable of sustaining two consciousnesses. Aside from Qi Yue, the only other one able to exist stably like that is her.”
Her gaze was no longer tranquil; it now held a touch of fervor and a deeper layer of regret, causing Qi Yue’an to take half a step back.
“Don’t worry, I won’t harm you. After all, I am a staunch member of the An Faction.”
Qi Wei smiled, her tone imbued with an even deeper warmth than before.
“However, I also know… that although they are all Qi An, she can never truly return.”
After these words, the atmosphere lightened somewhat. Subsequent topics largely concerned companions like Bai Jin, and eventually, the conversation turned to the nature of this space itself.
“Qi Wei, what exactly is this place?”
Qi Yue’an asked, having long been perplexed by the sights here.
“You’re not calling me Wei, then…”
Qi Wei seemed a little disappointed, yet she still answered.
“This is the inner world of the Crown of Reason, seemingly containing information from a lost civilization. While the population here is primarily ‘Qi Yue’an,’ there are also other types of people, though most of them… are not entirely complete.”
Qi Yue’an recalled the people and sights she had encountered upon first entering this place.
“I won’t waste any more of your time. You may explore this place further, but remember not to stay here for more than a day.”
Having spoken, she picked up a broom, seemingly preparing to sweep the area once more.
“Alright, let’s go. This is my first free activity since waking up, so you absolutely must come with me.”
Qi Yue appeared utterly delighted, and as compensation for her earlier emotional outburst, Qi Yue’an could only agree.