Chapter Twenty-Seven: Born to Rule

Two minutes later.

Snap, snap!

"Well, Miss Xia, can we talk now?" Having finished dressing and clapping his hands, Xiao Zizai sat down beside Xia He and adjusted his glasses.

"Duo-duo, alright, come over here."

He beckoned to Chen Duo, who immediately ran to his side and sat quietly in the space he had cleared.

"..."

"Did you kill those three guys?"

Xia He looked him up and down, suppressing the terror in her heart. The sight of his transformation moments ago had been truly horrifying, leaving her body and mind shaken; it felt simply impossible.

"That change you just underwent... is that something an Outlier can actually do?"

"Regarding that, I can only tell you that it is indeed my ability. I cannot disclose anything further until you decide to join us. As for those three guys..."

Xiao Zizai’s eyes narrowed.

"Consider them dead."

The reason he said "consider" was because, before snapping their necks, he had fed each of them a "Soul-Locking Pill," made them cover their faces, and dispersed them to the neighboring carriage. They were currently in a state that was neither life nor death.

This was Xia Ye’s instruction: if he truly encountered the "Three Maniacs," he was to turn them into living corpses and bring them back. It seemed they had some significant use, though he didn't know the specifics; he just followed orders.

With no one left to disturb them, he naturally meant to continue his invitation to Xia He. But before he could speak, a phone began to ring inside Chen Duo’s small bag.

Beep-beep-beep! Beep-beep-beep!

"..."

"I understand."

Hearing the sound, Xiao Zizai immediately grasped the meaning. This satellite phone was given to him by Xia Ye before he left, with the promise that it would be used if necessary.

Considering that his transformation might damage the device, he had left it with Duo-duo. The timing of the call was perfect; it was clear that the man intended to handle the negotiations himself.

Without dwelling on how Xia Ye knew about the progress of the mission, he had Duo-duo take out the phone. He glanced at the caller ID and handed it to Xia He.

"You take it. It’s for you."

"Is this the person who sent you here?"

"That’s right. He knows your situation and can help you. Just talk to him; it’s only a phone call, and you have nothing to lose..."

"..."

Accepting the phone, Xia He pondered for a moment. She decided that what he said made sense, and so she chose to answer.

Click!

Given the current situation, she was no match for them in a fight, but since they hadn't used force, it suggested that they, at least for now, had no intention of harming her. She might as well listen.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Miss Xia He. I am aware of your current predicament."

"Who are you?"

"I apologize, but I don't like to lie. I cannot tell you my name until you agree to join. You can call me 'hey,' 'you,' or whatever you like—it’s entirely up to you."

"..."

"Your voice sounds quite young, so I’ll just call you 'Little Brother'."

"That works. I am indeed a bit older than you, so let’s leave it at that." On the other end of the line, Xia Ye offered a faint smile.

"So, Little Brother, what exactly do you want from me? It sounds like you want me to join you, just like those three guys did... Do you have some kind of organization too?" Xia He nodded and asked directly.

"Hmm, I suppose you could say that. But my organization isn't very famous; it doesn't even have a name. It’s probably not enough to scare anyone, but it won’t be universally reviled like 'Quanxing,' either..." Xia Ye answered sincerely.

He continued, "Since we’ve brought up joining, let’s not waste time. As you know, your situation isn't great. There are people from the Company on this train, and they will catch on soon."

"As I said earlier, I know your situation. Zhang Lingyu was your hope, but you can no longer rely on him. Your own powers cause you distress, and you don’t know where to go or what to do next. Am I right?"

"..."

"Go on."

Xia He did not answer, but her silence was an answer in itself.

"In that case, I believe you need two things: first, a 'place to belong'—a place that truly accepts and accommodates you. And second... 'freedom'."

"After such a long time of inner conflict, and having experienced the cycle of hope followed by disappointment, you must be very tired. You don’t want to continue living cautiously and in fear like in the past; you want to live life to the fullest for once, don't you?"

"What, do you think you understand me that well?"

Hearing this, Xia He’s eyes sharpened, but she was also filled with surprise.

"Miss Xia He, I may know you better than you know yourself—at least, I understand your true inner thoughts better: that desire you think is impossible to realize and can only be buried deep inside." Xia Ye smiled again.

"Just like in your conversation with Dou Mei, the last thing you said: 'In this world, where is there a place where one can truly do as one pleases?'"

"Xiao’s answer was correct. Such a place does exist in this world, and it’s right here with me!"

"Heh..."

Xia He let out a cold laugh, non-committal, but she continued to listen.

"I know you have many doubts about my claims, but I can tell you that the Xiao standing before you is a living example."

"You must have heard the conversation between Xiao and those three guys just now. His situation is actually similar to yours, but his nature is inherently bloodthirsty. Years ago, at Lingyin Temple, he lost control and almost killed his own fellow disciples, even crippling the master who treated him like a son. He never wanted any of that to happen."

"Oh?"

Xia He couldn't help but glance at Xiao Zizai beside her. Recalling his terrifying appearance earlier, she seemed to understand something.

"So, he is allowed to kill whoever he wants now?"

"No, it’s not about killing whoever he wants. It’s about being able to act on his own will and choosing to kill only those he deems deserve to die. Don't let his ferocious killing style fool you; he is, in fact... a good person." Xia Ye explained.

"And it is the same for you. I know you are kind by nature, but you have always been troubled by your abilities. You don't want to hurt others with them, but you don't want to be hurt by others either, yet you cannot control it, right?"

"Continue..."

It was clear that Xia He’s expression was relaxing, revealing a glimmer of genuine interest.

"You should know that there is no ability in this world that cannot be controlled. At its root, it is simply that the power is too strong while you are not yet strong enough. I can help you with that, just as I helped Xiao."

"You may not know the strength of those three guys from earlier, but I can tell you that any one of them is no less powerful than Master Lingyu, perhaps even stronger. And a month ago, for Xiao to defeat even one of them would have been his absolute limit."

Although it was a slight exaggeration, the sentiment was accurate enough.

At this point, Xia Ye shifted his tone.

"Miss Xia He, I know your past. As a child, you relied on your parents, but they died because of your powers. Later, you met Master Lingyu and thought you had found a pillar of support, only for him to leave you because of your nature as well. I think..."

"If we hadn't appeared, would 'Quanxing' have been your next 'pillar of support'?"

"..."

Without a doubt, these words struck at the heart of Xia He, causing her eyes to flicker.

"It seems I was right."

On the other end of the phone, Xia Ye smiled.

"So, Miss Xia He, I can guarantee you that what I am offering is not some ethereal, fleeting 'support' that could vanish at any moment. It is an opportunity—an opportunity for the life you truly desire, an opportunity you thought was impossible, an opportunity that requires you to rely on no one but yourself!"

"I also have some understanding of your abilities. Its essence is to stir up the deepest desires within people's hearts and amplify them infinitely. This is an extremely rare ability to 'control others.' It means you are not a speck of dust destined to fall into the abyss, but rather..."

"A natural-born superior!"

"A natural-born... superior?" Xia He murmured, her eyes shimmering.

"That’s right. Think back on your past. You have been cautious enough, humble enough, but that clearly hasn't worked. Your life hasn't changed in the slightest, so why bother?"

"Don't you want to see what you could become when you truly master your own abilities, or even take them further? Become a true superior, and you will possess true freedom!"

"And what about the Company?"

"Haha, the Company?"

Xia Ye laughed.

"I admit, we still need to avoid the Company for now. Before we succeed, they are indeed a nuisance, but that is all. It is a necessary process."

"But when you all walk the path you were meant to tread, step onto the road that belongs solely to you, and reach the pinnacle, you will realize that the Company... is nothing at all!"

"Hehehe... Hahahaha!"

Hearing this, Xia He suddenly laughed as well—a genuine, happy laugh. "I must admit, as a leader, you paint a pretty good picture. I like that!"

At the same time, she had already made her decision. She replied with a smile: "Fine. At the very least, it sounds more interesting than that 'Quanxing' bunch. I’m willing to join."

"Excellent. Welcome aboard!"