This Spiritual Energy is Lethal!
Chapter 458: The Price

Chapter 458 -458: The Price

Chen Ke took some time to look for the black stone before finally leaving the place.

Later that evening, fires that broke out all over Langdon City became the talk of the town.

The customer flow at the cafés soared as people discussed the causes of the fires and speculated about conspiracy theories.

However, the police stations kept their lips sealed about these fires, especially the incident at the orphanage, which no one mentioned.

It seemed as though everything was deliberately concealed by some mysterious force.

Mrs. Maria stood beneath the clock tower, leaning on her silver cane, gazing across the Taist River towards the orphanage.

At the same time, Director William was sitting on the balcony of his mansion, slowly rocking in his rocking chair, staring blankly at the turbulent river.

“The moon knows everything, will it spill the secrets?” murmured William, followed by a self-mocking laugh.

At night, Chen Ke arrived at the Good Golden Cup Hospital to find Jacob’s room, where he sat quietly by the bedside, covering his eyes, with little Jack by his side.

The wall clock ticked away, and it was exactly 9:28 PM.

“I failed, Jacob,” said Chen Ke.

“What did you find there?” asked Jacob.

“I ran into some trouble; the place had burned to ashes,” Chen Ke walked to the window, saying helplessly.

“At least you tried. There have been many fires in the city, and it can’t be without reason. It seems things are beyond my expectations…” Jacob sighed.

Jacob was powerless when it came to matters touching the Transcendent level; he once thought Chen Ke could help him, but it seemed the danger of the situation had surpassed his expectations.

The two fell into a silence, with little Jack not understanding their conversation, sitting quietly on the chair.

Chen Ke glanced at the wall clock, the minute hand just reaching 6, it was half-past nine at night, and he sighed, staring out the window at the moonlight, lost in thought.

He couldn’t help but reflect, recalling the words left by another Chen Ke before he left.

“…Only red dust and the realm of gods, on the Earth, only the gods and their Clan remain, no place for humans, that is the end of mankind…”

Chen Ke also remembered the dream-like vision.

A white figure on horseback, leading a mutated army, confronting himself on the red soil.

“I am the beginning, I am the end, I shall give the waters of life freely to those who are thirsty to drink…”

Had the other Chen Ke also seen such a scene? What did it mean?

Moreover, in that vision, Chen Ke clearly saw himself holding the Black Gun in his left hand, with six green Holy Diamonds lying in the palm of his right.

It was a battle destined by fate, like a deadly promise.

The question was, where and when would this great battle take place?

Chen Ke closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, and for a moment, he felt tired again.

Not just tired, but a strong sensation of asphyxiation rose up, as if his lungs were filled with water, making him feel like he was submerged.

He suddenly opened his eyes, his body shuddering as he returned to reality. He felt damp, his shirt inexplicably soaked through. Unbuttoning his collar, he wiped the water off his collarbone; his hand was all wet.

“What did you find there?” Jacob asked.

“Eh?” Chen Ke was startled and turned to look at Jacob.

“The orphanage,” Jacob spread his hands.

“I… I told you about it before, didn’t I?” asked Chen Ke.

“Did you?” Jacob responded.

Little Jack looked at Chen Ke with a puzzled expression on his face.

Compelled by something, Chen Ke glanced at the wall clock, 9:28 PM…

He checked the life countdown again; it did not replenish the two lost minutes because of this strange occurrence.

“Why are you wet?” Jack suddenly asked.

Chen Ke looked at Jack awkwardly, then looked down at his feet. The spot where he had been standing had left a wet mark on the floor, soggy as if someone had urinated there.

“I have hyperhidrosis…” Chen Ke explained.

“Oh.” Little Jack nodded in understanding, not sure whether he really believed Chen Ke or just didn’t want to ask further.

“The matter isn’t over yet, Jacob. I need… your children to help me find someone,” Chen Ke said.

“I hope the person you’re looking for won’t bring them any danger,” Jacob said.

“An Asian, like me. He might be wearing a black suit, that’s all I know,” Chen Ke said.

Jacob fell silent for a while.

Another Chen Ke had told Chen Ke to find him but did not tell Chen Ke where he would appear. Yet, since he had said so, he must not be planning to hide himself.

They had a brief encounter during the day; when it came down to pure combat ability, the other Chen Ke could definitely defeat him.

“Xu Jing’s information was wrong, that Chen Ke… his combat ability is not low, and he has many tricks…” Chen Ke thought to himself.

And he was also wielding his own Moonlight Greatsword, which he handled with great ease.

“The foundation had killed that Chen Ke many times before; they couldn’t have been unaware of his details, unless he had gained some power by chance…” Chen Ke pondered.

“Chen Ke, my children can help you find him,” Jacob said.

Chen Ke looked at Jacob but said nothing.

“You’re right, Chen Ke. I can’t defeat this era with a revolver; maybe some things just don’t have an answer,” Jacob sighed.

“You’ve only been blind for an afternoon; how did you turn into a philosopher?” Chen Ke shook his head.

“Because I realized that I have never been so unconcerned with everything, never reflected on and thought about myself in the darkness as I have now,” Jacob said.

“The Jacob I know isn’t like this,” Little Jack jumped down from his chair, somewhat incredulous that his idol would say such things.

“I’m not afraid of those monsters, Jack. But if I merely get close to them, influenced by their power before I even get the chance to see them, turning into what I am now, then perhaps the best thing to do is to stay far away from them,” Jacob said.

“That is Transcendent-level power; it doesn’t need to do anything to you, it can defeat you just like that… at least that’s part of it,” Chen Ke shrugged.

Memetic infection ability and cognitive assault methods of mutated individuals are opponents ordinary people cannot match. Even Administration Bureau agents like Diana, without specialized protective equipment, would be affected.

“You’ve never said things like this before,” Jack shook his head.

“That’s because I’ve never encountered such a situation before…” Jacob sighed.

Jack had nothing to say, but Chen Ke could tell that he was a bit unhappy.

“I just walked through the iron gate, stepped inside, and then lost consciousness. If Chen Ke hadn’t been by my side at that time, you might only have been able to read about me in tomorrow’s Langdon Morning News,” Jacob said helplessly.

“But Chen Ke has that kind of power, doesn’t he? There must be a way to make other people like him,” Jack asked.

Jacob sighed. Children don’t understand the adult world. Even if there was a way, why would anyone easily give it to them?

“You don’t know what price you need to pay to gain that power,” Chen Ke shook his head.

“I’m willing to pay any price,” Jack said.

“What if you were given that power, but you could only live for 5 hours? Would you want it?” Chen Ke asked.

Jack fell silent.

“Jack, don’t try to probe into that kind of thing; we have our own ways of living,” Jacob advised.

Jack didn’t speak, sitting back in his chair. Then, Jacob instructed Jack to do as Chen Ke said, to send the children out onto the streets the next morning to look for the Asian man.

Jack nodded and gave Chen Ke another glance before leaving the ward.

Watching Jack’s retreating figure, Chen Ke felt a twinge of concern. He knew that Jack wouldn’t give up pursuing that power because he had seen the same longing for power in Jack’s eyes as he had seen in Bader’s.