chsdbacks Page 26
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Le Zhengling watched this scene with envy, then thought of the kitten that had thrown him into the hole, and thought: If only it had come in with him back then.
You can pet your cat, I'll pet mine, we can drink tea, chat, bask in the sun and moon, and live such a carefree life. This is what paradise should be like. Otherwise, this place has the name of an utopia, but all I can do is watch you show off your cats while I stand by, filled with envy and jealousy. What's the point of this kind of life?
"So, here's the question... cough, what are these two seemingly extraordinary things?" Le Zhengling snapped out of his wonderful reverie and finally couldn't help but ask.
Merlin smiled and moved the two items in front of Yue Zhengling, "They are true [chance] and [possibility]."
"What do you mean? Explain this properly, this kind of..."
"Don't talk about it, don't ask, okay, just eat!" Merlin swiftly delivered a three-part combo, and before Yue Zhengling could close his mouth, he deftly flicked the Metatron cube with his finger, accurately sending it into Yue Zhengling's mouth with a marble-flicking skill that Yue Zhengling could never match.
"Gulp..." As if possessed, Yue Zhengling swallowed the thorny little thing smoothly into his body. When he realized what was happening and tried to choke, the thing seemed to have disappeared completely, as if it hadn't even passed through his esophagus.
"!!!!" Touching his neck, Yue Zhengling looked at Merlin in surprise, seemingly waiting for him to explain.
"Very good, just as I expected. Your soul's capacity to contain it is able to withstand such a high concentration of compressed divine ether." Merlin looked Yue Zhengling up and down with satisfaction, nodding as he spoke to himself.
“I know that thing is harmless to me, but please explain in detail what it is used for.” Le Zhengling frowned in confusion. After all, the weight on his body had increased, and his impulsive urge to speak recklessly had been effectively suppressed. He guessed that thing was definitely not simple.
"Didn't I say that it's the Infinite Metatron's Cube, the crystallization of the possibilities that guide the soul?"
"Infinity?" Yue Zhengling's attention fell on Infinity. "This is the Holy Crystal used by Infinity!?"
"...Although I don't know what you mean by Holy Crystal, with the compression of divine magic, this thing can absorb and convert all magic power below its level, which means it is a special infinite magic furnace."
"And you know what the so-called Metatron Cube is, right?"
"I do know, but only roughly." Le Zhengling shook his head. In his previous life, he had some knowledge about the Metatron Cube, but it was useless knowledge he only learned because he had been exposed to ACG.
The Metatron Cube is a geometric pattern composed of three-dimensional figures corresponding to the four elements and ether. It interprets the universe by representing these three-dimensional figures. Through the Metatron Cube, one can understand the root of all things and the origin of the world.
From around the sixth century BC in Greece, discussions and theories about the origins of things began to emerge.
The process will be omitted, but the ancient Greeks concluded that when the four elements (water, air, fire, and earth) plus the fifth element "ether (the cosmic element)" constituted the harmonious universe, the Metatron cube was formed.
It uses these simple three-dimensional graphics to represent the five basic elements and interpret the universe.
In addition, the cube contains a star-shaped tetrahedron, which represents the energy structure of the universe—the Merkaba field, responsible for releasing and absorbing energy, ensuring that everything in the universe can function properly.
Fire atoms are the sharpest tetrahedrons, gas atoms are almost imperceptible octahedrons, water atoms are slippery icosahedrons like small balls, and earth atoms are cubes that can be stacked.
The cube composed of five elements is called the Metatron cube.
Chapter Sixty-Three Your Name
Listening to Yue Zhengling's explanation, Merlin frowned strangely. This explanation was neither wrong nor right. From this explanation, he clearly realized that Yue Zhengling seemed to have no basic magic knowledge at all, otherwise he would not have made such a low-level mistake.
“While what you said about the five elements forming Metatron’s cube is correct, what does that have to do with the ancient Greeks?” Merlin said, both amused and exasperated. “Never mind, these theoretical things aren’t the focus of what I’m going to talk about later. We’re not studying history; we just need to know how to apply it.”
"The Infinite Metatron Cube can help stabilize your form because you entered the Star Sea in a soul form. Since you are still in your infancy and do not have a physical body, you will eventually become a normal light body. If that state continues for a long time, your other half as a human will be slowly assimilated and decomposed here."
Yue Zhengling listened quietly to Merlin's explanation.
"Hmm, I haven't seen that expression in a long time. It must be very fulfilling to be a teacher~" Merlin smiled and patted Yue Zhengling's head.
"You can say whatever you want, but don't get physical. I'm not a child!" Le Zhengling took two steps back unhappily.
"Compared to my age, you're just a child. And as I said, you're in your childhood, which is very different from me in my adolescence."
Yue Zhengling turned her face away, "I'm just a human being."
“Ah, so you still won’t face your own identity? Why are you so fixated on the concept of ‘human’?” Merlin looked at him with interest, then opened his arms.
"Although humans are very interesting, and I love them immensely, even as a half-human, half-nightmare being, I have never denied my non-human side. Why are you so adamant?"
Le Zhengling looked up at the sky, its clear blue color seemingly able to wash away all his troubles, but his heart was filled with thick dark clouds that he could not wash away no matter what.
"Because if I give up acknowledging that I'm just a human being, then everything about me in this life will be negated... Only the me from my past life will remain. Is that still me? But I can't remember my name from my past life, which prevents me from becoming the me from my past life again..."
"Oh dear, how sentimental. As long as you live happily, that's all that matters~" Merlin smiled carefree. "Choose the lifestyle you want according to your own wishes, and you'll discover a lot of new fun."
"Yeah, just like you, a voyeur like Zi Ma, watching all the funny things happening in the world, you must live a very easy life. In your spare time, you can even deceive people through the screen, wouldn't that be even more comfortable?"
Le Zhengling looked at him with disdain.
As if oblivious to the sarcasm, Merlin nodded in agreement. "That's right, now that you understand, why don't you try it with me?"
"No thanks! I'm afraid I'll be haunted by the resentment of hundreds of millions of people in the future! If you're going to do something reckless, please, absolutely, please don't drag me into it!"
After saying that, Yue Zhengling walked towards the table. "There's clearly a place to sit, but you chose to stand and talk. You must be out of your mind!"
"Oh dear, this way of changing the subject is really..." Merlin shook his head and sighed, then followed behind Yue Zhengling back to where they had started their conversation.
He had made up his mind to drag this hard-won fellow human along to enjoy (and suffer) life together!
The first step of the plan is to change the other party's preconceived notions about him. The method, of course, is to earnestly guide (teach) the other party, so that under the guidance of this great and righteous life mentor, he can become a knight (or prankster) who will not easily die even if he is thrown into the late age of gods!
Teaching others to succeed is his forte! Don't you see that every member of the Knights of the Round Table reached their peak only after being trained, cough, guided, by him?
In addition to the Knights of the Round Table, he also trained a large number of national reserve talents of all kinds. He is exceptionally experienced in talent cultivation!
Thinking about the long period of time that would come, he would have a new disciple, and his smile became even brighter.
Le Zhengling sat back down, staring speechlessly at the spilled tea and the flower petals scattered across the table. Finally, he simply cleared the three chairs from the table and quietly returned to his seat.
Merlin, who was slowly walking over, saw the messy table. He tapped the table with his finger, and instantly, everything returned to normal.
The flower petals on the table disappeared, as did the spilled tea. The teacups were put back in their original positions, and the only thing that remained unchanged was the untouched teapot.
Without any hesitation, Yue Zhengling picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup. After thinking for a moment, he also filled Merlin's cup to about seven-tenths full. "Thank you, Merlin Emrys."
Upon hearing this full name, which he had almost forgotten in a very long time, Merlin was stunned and couldn't react for a long time. Emrys, the surname he wanted to forget and almost thought he had forgotten, was inadvertently mentioned by the person opposite him.
This made Merlin understand why Yue Zhengling was so fixated on his identity as a "human"—because he couldn't accept or let go of his past.
With that in mind, Merlin sighed and slightly revised his plans.
Seeing Yue Zhengling pour him tea, Merlin nodded in satisfaction. This small gesture showed that he was well-mannered and knew how to be grateful. Such a student was just like the original Artoria.
Well, I don't know why Artoria's gaze towards him grew colder and colder, often filled with contempt. At its worst, she would stare at him like he was a pig. I really don't understand this.
Is that what modern society calls the rebellious phase of children towards their parents?
Completely unaware of his own limitations, Merlin planned to find the answer by comparing the two situations during his future teaching of Yue Zhengling.
“I say, fellow human, there’s something I’m actually quite concerned about.” Merlin put aside his other thoughts and looked at Yue Zhengling.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Yue Zhengling asked, puzzled.
“We’ve talked for so long, done so many things, wasted so much time, and now…” Merlin looked at him earnestly.
"Now?" Yue Zhengling repeated.
"Even now, I still don't know your name..." Merlin sighed with regret.
"!!!!!!!!!!" Yue Zheng was stunned when he heard this.
Yeah, we've been meeting for almost two hours, and I don't think I've even introduced myself yet.
Le Zhengling put down her teacup, paused for a moment, and then said, "Ling, you can just call me Ling..."
Chapter Sixty-Four: Like attracts like.
"Your surname? Aren't you going to tell me?" Merlin narrowed his eyes, as if trying to read something from Yue Zhengling's face.
"Surname...?" Yue Zhengling's gaze drifted into the distance.
“In my country of birth, there is a concept called family, country, and world. Looking at this order, you can tell how much that country’s culture values the existence of family.”
(The phrase "family, country, and world" comes from the Book of Rites, "The Great Learning": "Only when one cultivates oneself can one regulate one's family; only when one regulates one's family can one govern the state; only when one governs the state can one bring peace to the world.")
“Long ago, in my country, no matter how the dynasties changed, powerful clans still controlled everything in the country. At its peak, five surnames and seven families developed, and surnames were the core of this.”
Le Zhengling slowly explained the facts to Merlin, but before he could continue, Merlin waved his hand and said, "Hmm, I know about this. So you were born in that ancient country. But the five surnames and seven families you mentioned, didn't they decline under your only legitimate female emperor in history? Back then, I never imagined that little girl would do such a great thing. It's really interesting."
Unexpectedly, Le Zhengling, who knew this history, was stunned for a moment, and then realized that this person had the ability to see far and wide in the present, and could see every corner of the world even when imprisoned here.
Therefore, Merlin was certainly very familiar with the past.
Feeling a little embarrassed, he rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Don't interrupt. I was just trying to tell you how powerful groups centered around the concept of 'family' were back then! In short, because of the concept of 'family,' for hundreds of years, there have been many people who would betray the interests of their country for the sake of their 'family.'"
"And the core of this 'family' is the 'surname.' The reason I don't want to tell you my surname is because I don't know if that 'family' is my 'family.'"
Le Zhengling wasn't stupid; after so many things had happened, he had deduced some things from the clues.
First of all, the Le Zheng family is definitely not an ordinary family. If I'm not mistaken, what Grandpa Le Zhengtu is hiding is absolutely earth-shattering, otherwise he wouldn't have attracted so many strange people, nor would his life have taken such a big turn.
Secondly, considering that Guan Buzi's mother mentioned finding a glass ball with divination symbols, and combining this with the mention of the "Ji" family in the letters found at home, if he's not mistaken, they should have a deep connection to the ancient Zhou Dynasty of China.
Fu Xi derived the hexagrams, and King Wen elaborated on the Book of Changes.
If it really involves ancient Chinese mythology, then the matter is definitely very serious.
His grandfather kept too many things from him. He didn't know if his grandfather's intentions were for his own good, or if he had realized that his grandfather wasn't actually his grandson and therefore didn't tell him.
However, to be precise, as a soul from another world, he is different from all other beings in this world; at the very least, he was definitely not born from this origin.
So it's not surprising that my grandfather, who is clearly no ordinary person, saw this.
But all of this was just his conjecture, and he felt that since he was in this state, everything in the past had nothing to do with him anymore.
Having come to this place known as the ideal land, his greatest wish is to live a carefree life in this beautiful and picturesque place. If possible, accompanying Merlin to witness the largest Holy Grail War in history would also be a good choice.
Whether this will actually happen depends on whether there is an artificial girl named Mash Kyrielight in this timeline.
If that were true, things would get really interesting; at the very least, Rafe would never commit suicide again.
Then, he would watch everything unfold with Merlin, and then slowly spoil the next scene for him. Watching him get furious because of the spoilers seemed like a very interesting thing. Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up slightly.
Meanwhile, Merlin, on the other side, was listening to him while thinking about how to teach (teach) him, a slight smile playing on his lips.
The two people, each with their own ulterior motives, exchanged a smile, creating an unusually harmonious scene.
Meanwhile, Fou, who was sleeping in Merlin's arms, shivered as if she sensed something.
“I’m becoming more and more interested in your story!” Merlin’s eyes sparkled.
"Yeah, after all, you're the kind of person who thinks, 'If you're unhappy about something, tell me so I can be happy.'"
"Ah, don't say that. After all, I live by eating dreams. Although I hope they are happy dreams, in terms of practical benefits, nightmares are much more nutritious. Happiness has to overcome despair, but that requires overcoming a test that is several times more difficult than cheap despair."
Merlin laughed heartlessly as he uttered these words, while Yue Zhengling, who already knew the true nature of the nightmare named "Merlin," felt a sense of disgust.
But this aversion is not the kind that arises from the other person's bad character, but rather from the mutual dislike among people of the same kind.
Tragedy is often more memorable than comedy, and misfortune is often more shocking than happiness; this is an unavoidable part of human nature.
To Merlin's words, Yue Zhengling shook his head indifferently, not intending to express his opinion. "Merlin, I want to live here."
To avoid unnecessary trouble later, Yue Zhengling chose to raise this most important request first.
"Sure, I'd love to have you here!" Merlin, who had been looking for an excuse to keep Yue Zhengling here, said happily. "And you don't have to be so polite. After all, this place doesn't belong to me, so you can stay as long as you like!"
This was Merlin's true thought. Although he had lived here for a long time, he had never thought of taking over the place. After all, this was just a place where he was imprisoned. Although the environment was nice, he might get tired of it one day and leave.
Well, the reason he still came in despite knowing the witch wanted to imprison him here was to avoid the witch and get some rest. As for personally reinforcing the confinement here, it was simply because he had nothing better to do.
The tower was rebuilt in its current form because it did not conform to his aesthetic.
The tower at that time had no ceiling; its vertical walls stretched endlessly, imprisoning him. It was a tower that seemed to have no roof, only stone walls extending infinitely towards the sky. It existed simply and brutally to imprison him.
It took him a lot of effort to transform it into the tower that is beautiful from any angle.
Having already enjoyed enough of Cathy Parluge's company, he naturally welcomed Yue Zhengling's offer to stay here.
After all, new feelings are incredibly tempting, not to mention his plans to make his life incredibly exciting!
Chapter Sixty-Five: The Sword Throne Under the Afterglow
Seeing Merlin agree so readily, Le Zhengling was a little incredulous. In his mind, the other party would have made a bunch of perverse demands, then made him sign various unequal treaties, and then implemented them for a period of time before he would agree.
Did I misunderstand Merlin? Was he actually a good person?
As Yue Zhengling thought to himself, this small realization plunged him into a life of misery in the days that followed.
After that, both of them fell silent. Yue Zhengling didn't intend to tease Merlin anymore, so he didn't know what to say. Merlin, on the other hand, mentally completed his plan to make the days ahead more interesting.
As for the conspicuous rainbow card floating next to Merlin, neither of them mentioned it.
Le Zhengling knew that he had already received a great favor from the other party, and it would be greedy to ask for more.
Merlin, however, felt it wasn't the right time yet. This thing was closely related to his future plans, and he needed to verify his conjecture before using the card on Yue Zhengling.