Chapter Thirty-One: This World Is Sick, and You Are the Medicine

After that...

Xia Ye had many more conversations with Xia He about her plans and details. Over the past few days, he had basically thought everything through and refined it. After some verification and examples, Xia He felt reassured.

Just like Xiao Zizai and Chen Duo, since she had chosen to join, she needed a "codename," an "identity," and a "purpose." Regarding this, she also had her own idea...

"What do you think about 'Su Daji'?" After a moment’s thought, Xia He chuckled softly. "Everyone already thinks of me as a seductress, so I might as well truly play the part, hehehe~"

Her twenty-one years of life had been grown up under such slander and defamation. She hated the words "seductress," but had endured silently for so long...

She wanted to rebel a little!

"Su Daji, huh... hmm..."

Upon hearing the suggestion, Xia Ye considered for a moment, then shook his head.

"Interesting, but not quite right."

"In legend, Su Daji did indeed seduce King Zhou and bring chaos to the world, but she was merely following Nuwa’s orders, just a pawn. In the end, she met a sorrowful fate. The symbolism isn’t very positive."

He thought seriously for a moment, then an idea came to him quickly.

"How about this: Su Daji’s true form is the nine-tailed fox, born in the Kingdom of Qingqiu. The divine foxes of Qingqiu are auspicious and are the true sovereigns. Let’s take this as the source..."

"Foxes are naturally alluring and should be subservient by nature, but if she were an empress, she could harmonize and synergize with imperial power. So, why not adopt the meaning of 'Qingqiu' and take the title 'Empress'? What do you think?"

"Empress... I like that!"

It had to be said, this was indeed much better and more imposing than "Su Daji." Xia He pondered briefly, then smiled gently and nodded in agreement.

"Alright, since it’s decided, just wait for me a while—shortest a week, longest half a month—and then you can officially begin the first phase of treatment," Xia Ye said with a smile.

"So, you really see me as a 'patient,' huh? Then I want to ask, what exactly is my illness?" Xia He raised an eyebrow.

"You’re out of sync with the world and out of sync with yourself. That’s the root of your illness. And not just you—Old Xiao and Duo Duo are the same," Xia Ye glanced at her without hesitation.

Then his tone shifted:

"But this illness is relative to the world as it is now. This world—or rather, the rules of society composed of humans and supernatural beings—are such that those who cannot integrate outside these rules... are considered 'ill.'"

"But from another perspective, if the rules themselves are unreasonable or should not exist, then your 'illness' is no longer an illness, and the truly 'sick' ones are all those 'rules' themselves!"

"Oh?"

"That’s the first time I’ve heard someone put it that way. Interesting~" Xia He narrowed her eyes, clearly intrigued.

"Then I want to ask, is your so-called 'treatment' for 'us' or for this 'possibly sick world'?" She knew well that this would reveal what kind of person he truly was, and she wanted to know the answer.

"..."

"Both, I suppose..."

After a moment’s thought, since the question had been asked, Xia Ye lifted his eyelids and fixed his gaze on her eyes.

"In my eyes, only by 'healing you' first can I 'heal this possibly sick world.'"

"Because to this 'stable' and 'peaceful' world, you are the necessary 'sacrifices.' Only by sacrificing you can greater stability be achieved. Therefore, being born into this world is your 'illness,' and your existence is the 'illness' of this world!"

As he spoke, his eyes flickered, a faint burning light kindling within them.

"This has been the case since ancient times. Stability has always been obtained through sacrifice because, in the eyes of the vast majority, the 'little self' is destined to exist for the 'greater self.' I dislike this very much and refuse to abide by it."

"And interestingly, those who support 'sacrifice' mostly only support 'others’ sacrifices.' When it comes to themselves, most become cowardly. So I respect those truly willing to sacrifice for the 'greater self.' As for the rest... they are also part of the 'disease.'"

Lowering his head, Xia Ye’s eyes shifted as he fell into memories:

"I saw too much of this during my years of wandering. All the joys and sorrows, partings and reunions, in the end, are nothing but a farce. Everything a person cares about is just dust before a massive machine ceaselessly turning..."

Scenes of human dramas during his travels flickered before his eyes, leaving only a face full of helplessness and a sigh.

Then his gaze suddenly sharpened:

"But I believe no being qualified to be called a 'human' should ever be 'sacrificed' for any reason, and every 'person' should have the right to follow their own choices without condemnation. This may be a fantasy, but I am willing to try to change it. This is perhaps one reason I want to heal you!"

Indeed, this was Xia Ye’s true heart, not simply aiming to "ascend to immortality," nor merely needing "test subjects." Otherwise, his options would have been far broader.

His innate ability, "Insight," allowed him to see the essence of things, and he regarded the world’s matters more profoundly and thoroughly than others. Through his travels, he gradually perceived the "truth of the world"...

Yet he rejected this "truth"!

But precisely because of this, he became even more determined to pursue immortality. If human power is sometimes limited, then one must transcend being human—breaking the existing rules requires first breaking free from their constraints!

"!!!"

At this very moment, after hearing his words, Xia He’s eyes widened and her mouth slightly parted. As one of the "sacrifices," she fully understood what he was saying.

Whether it was the place she lived during her childhood or the "company" she now knew about, no one ever truly cared what she thought. Even if it hurt her, all that mattered was how to maintain greater "stability."

Almost instantly, all those past memories surged like a tide, bringing tears to her eyes. She then stared blankly into Xia Ye’s shining eyes and murmured:

"So, you are like us too?"

"Hehe..."

Hearing the question, Xia Ye suddenly smiled.

"To be honest, my existence may be the most severe 'disease' this world suffers from. The world and I are the same... both incurable!"

Since arriving in this world, what he saw was different from everyone else’s. When he finally felt pain, found it unbearable, and had the ability to change things, he had to make a change—even if the world rejected it.

But... this was the freedom he sought!

Then he turned back to Xia He, his expression softening, and said with a gentle smile:

"As I said, this world is sick, I am sick, and you are the cure—the medicine to heal both me and the world..."

"I will heal you first, then take you to challenge those stubborn rules. Of course, there will be no coercion. When the time comes, if you still wish to..."

"Then come with me."

P.S.: The reason why Xia He chose the name "Empress of Qingqiu" will be revealed in the next chapters. It also exists within ancient texts and legends and is an important setup for the story’s natural progression!