Yama Reborn-Chapter 426 - 423 [This is Not My War]

Chapter 423 [This is Not My War]

What is life, or rather, where does life come from?

Chen Nuo, of course, could not answer that question. Even more so, if, according to what the Gray Cat said, life is a measure of Time defined in four-dimensional space...

Then, based on this definition of "life," probably no one in this world could answer.

Chen Nuo also understood very well that when the Gray Cat posed this question to him, it wasn’t because it expected an answer from him.

The cat itself didn’t know the answer.

If it had known, the maternal civilization would have found the direction of evolution long ago.

"If you find this answer, could you solve the predicament you’re currently facing?" Chen Nuo frowned.

"...Maybe." The Gray Cat stretched lazily, sounding somewhat helpless. "Again, everything is just our speculation. None of us have succeeded, so we don’t know what the answer is. Maybe, finding the answer means success. Or perhaps... we’re just a bunch of foolish monkeys, silly enough to try catching the moon reflected in the water."

When the Gray Cat finished saying these things, its tone was somewhat lonely.

Chen Nuo realized... The conversation for tonight had come to an end.

This cat wasn’t going to tell him anything more.

But Chen Nuo was not ready to let this creature off so easily.

"That last competitor, the fourth Seed, who is it?"

The Gray Cat responded indifferently, as if the matter was of no consequence, "If you’re worried about the safety of Lu Xixi... then you really needn’t worry it would come to harm your wife. Before finding the answer, they’ll only opt for observation. It might even act as Lu Xixi’s protector. Just as Seed would protect you from harm from other Seeds. Especially that one. It won’t cause trouble."

Chen Nuo frowned. "But Lu Xixi said that she has a bad feeling, always thinking that once she fully regains consciousness, something terrible will happen."

The Gray Cat glanced at Chen Nuo nonchalantly and said offhandedly, "Women... they are sensitive and suspicious, prone to wild thoughts—if they weren’t like that, would they even be women? Maybe it’s postpartum depression. Why don’t you find a psychologist for her, or consult a gynecologist, have some postnatal care, stabilize her hormones or something..."

Alright, Chen Nuo knew that these last few sentences were just the Gray Cat spouting nonsense.

However, Chen Nuo was certain of one thing: when the Gray Cat said "you don’t need to worry it will harm Lu Xixi," its tone was serious.

But the Gray Cat told him confidently there was nothing to worry about...

Curiously, Chen Nuo’s Sixth Sense told him that he could trust the Gray Cat’s judgment.

"Is Seed now the strongest among you?" Chen Nuo asked another question that he was somewhat concerned about.

This time the Gray Cat actually shook its head. "To be precise, if you compare the combat strength between Seeds, none has absolute superiority or weakness."

I see, so there is indeed some kind of mutual restraining relationship between the Seeds?

"Seed’s control over space is the strongest I’ve encountered. The Octopus Monster is far inferior to it."

"Space is just one part of the direction we’re seeking... Haven’t you humans always speculated that what you call four-dimensional space is an overlay of countless three-dimensional spaces with Time as the axis? Hence, Seed’s mastery over space is one direction it is pursuing in evolution."

"What about the Octopus Monster? Is it the same?"

"Maybe. Until the final cards are revealed, nobody knows what direction the others have taken."

Chen Nuo frowned, suddenly asking, "What about you then? What’s your direction?"

The Gray Cat suddenly became impatient, waving its paws. "My direction is to lay low, I’ve forfeited, alright? Understand? Everyone was racing together, and halfway through, I just stopped, and then lay down on the ground and refused to run anymore."

"Then let me ask one last question, which I’ve always wanted to know but you have never directly answered," Chen Nuo looked at the Gray Cat.

The Gray Cat became agitated, jumped up from the ground, and paced back and forth. "You ask too many questions... If I answer too much, I’ll die... I..."

"Enough! We both know very well that what you fear isn’t death, nor being implicated by me! Gray Cat! If you were really that timid, that afraid of the other three Seeds, then you shouldn’t have stayed by my side!

"You know that I am Seed’s Chosen One. You also know that Lu Xixi is the fourth Seed’s Chosen One! If you were really that scared or wanted to hide, you shouldn’t have stayed here. You should have fled long ago, hidden far, far away from us!"

Chen Nuo bluntly pierced through that point.

The Gray Cat stopped talking.

After a long while, it sighed feebly. "Okay... one last question! Really the last one!"

"Why did you give up?

"Is it really because you are cowardly and afraid, thinking that you can’t compete with the others? Are you afraid of dying?

"Or is it... because you think this matter is too far-fetched, as you said just before, a ten thousand, a hundred thousand... a billion times more uncertain?

"Or maybe, is there some other reason?"

The Gray Cat twisted its body back and forth, hugging its head with its paws, seemingly in extreme inner turmoil.

Finally, it sighed and gave its answer.

"You’re right about all of that... But besides what you mentioned, there’s another reason."

"What reason?"

"... I can’t win. This isn’t my war," the Gray Cat sighed.

Chen Nuo was stunned. He didn’t know how to interpret that statement.

The Gray Cat whispered, "Don’t ask me why, and don’t ask what I mean. I don’t know either. But... I just feel a very genuine sensation in my heart..."

At this point, the Gray Cat looked into Chen Nuo’s eyes and repeated very clearly:

"I feel and realize: This is not my war, I can’t win!"

That night, Chen Nuo slept on the couch, and he was sleepless.

For a Super Ability User, strong spiritual power as a foundation means that a night without sleep would not affect their body or condition.

But when dawn came, Chen Nuo still felt somewhat listless.

All night, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts.

So, according to the Seeds’ speculation... life as the measure of Time, being the fourth axis? Time defined by life as the measure... then one axis could link together countless three-dimensional spaces... Life as the measure... How vast is life on this world? It can almost be described as "infinite." Keep in mind, life includes not just humans or mammals, not just creatures that are born from eggs... It even includes more than just animals! Even... viruses! A snail living in the tropical rainforest might perceive the world only within the ten or so meters it moves around in its entire life. A jaguar may only perceive the world within a few kilometers around it throughout its life. For the snail, its "three-dimensional world" may just be those ten or so meters. For the jaguar, its "three-dimensional world" may just be those few kilometers. For humans, because of advanced observational means, we can peek into outer space, into the depths of the universe... So, how does this axis link all these three-dimensional spaces together? A Time axis measured by life?

Chen Nuo sighed.

Bro, don’t fool me; I haven’t read much, Gray Cat...

Ou Xiuhua got up in the morning and saw Chen Nuo lying on the living room couch. While she felt a bit relieved, there was also some disappointment in her heart.

The relief was clear—perhaps Chen Nuo had gained a bit of Lu Xixi’s forgiveness, which is why he hadn’t continued to kneel.

The disappointment was... sleeping on the couch meant they hadn’t fully mended their relationship yet.

Ou Xiuhua is a person who stubbornly sticks to her principles.

This might be a merit in her character, or possibly a flaw.

But it is precisely because of this trait that she has created her life as it is today.

Because of her stubbornness, when she was younger, she was wooed by the profligate father of the original Chen Nuo, Chen Jianshe, with his handsome face and smooth talking, and she followed him wholeheartedly, marrying and having children with him.

Even later, no matter how much Chen Jianshe messed around or misbehaved, Ou Xiuhua never thought of divorce. Instead, she bore the burden of supporting the family and raising the children with gritted teeth.

Until Chen Jianshe completely disappeared.

Then, she followed Gu Kang, the biological father of Xiao Yezi.

It was almost a repeat of the same mistakes she made with Chen Jianshe, another unreliable man, but once Ou Xiuhua committed to someone, she stuck with it to the end.

Even to the point of risking herself to save her husband, she did not hesitate to embezzle public funds. As a result, she ended up in prison.

That is the weakness in Ou Xiuhua’s character.

Once she takes a step, commits to a person or thing, she will never give up halfway. She will persevere to the end, never changing her course mid-journey.

This kind of woman...

How should one put it?

With such a personality, if she meets a scoundrel or a playboy, she will live a very tough life.

But if she meets a good man, this same personality can also lead to a happier life.

So, according to Ou Xiuhua’s stubborn way of thinking:

If they already have a child, then they are a couple; there is no reason to separate, they must make it work.

If there are conflicts, then resolve them, push to the limit, figure out a way!

If it was someone else, maybe they might think: Why bother? When the relationship is so strained, what’s the point of forcibly staying together? Better to split up.

Not for Ou Xiuhua. No way!

"What?"

Chen Nuo blinked at Madam Ou. "What did you just say?"

Ou Xiuhua sat quietly in front of Chen Nuo and spoke slowly, "I’ve made up my mind. You’ve already bought the house across the street...

"So, you and Xiao Lu can’t keep being at odds like this. Our house only has two rooms; it’s impossible for so many people to keep squeezing together. There’s not enough space, and it’s not comfortable.

"So, starting today... Your sister and I will move to the house across the street. Oh, right, and Yu Naitang, she should move across the street with us too. She is your sister-in-law; there’s no reason for a sister-in-law to live with the young couple and share their daily life. It disrupts the proper order!

"From now on, this house, this home, will just be for you, your wife, and your child—a family of three! The rest of us will live in the house across the street."

Chen Nuo opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word.

Ou Xiuhua adopted an "I’ve made up my mind, no use in discussing it further" attitude.

In the end, she also subtly reminded her son.

"You know... Chen Nuo,

"You’ve got a child with her, so you can’t let your mind wander anymore!

"Besides, even though she’s mad at you now, but... since you have a child, it means you two were very good together before, and she must have deep feelings for you.

"So... you should know what to do without me teaching you. You know... couples may quarrel, but they make up in the end..."

Alright then...

Chen Nuo immediately understood.

So Madam Ou was taking the younger ones and moving across the street... all to free up the "bed" for her son and daughter-in-law! What a mom! A truly devoted mom!

"I’ll take care of the baby for now. You definitely won’t be any good at looking after a child, and the child’s mother isn’t in the right mental state at the moment.

"In the future, the baby will stay with me. I’ll care for them during the day, and they’ll sleep with me at night.

"As for you... you better think of a way to make up with the child’s mom. Once you two have reconciled, and Xiao Lu’s mental state has recovered, then the child can stay with you. It’s just across the way anyway, very convenient."

Yes... truly a devoted mother!

That day, during the daytime, Chen Nuo went out for a while to help Ou Xiuhua purchase some things.

Additionally, he greeted the brothers from his inner circle in Jinling, letting everyone know that he was back.

Then he contacted Li Yingwan and Niveer, making sure that Xicheng Xun had successfully returned.

Upon reflection, he suddenly thought of something he had overlooked and mentioned it casually while on the phone with the three girls.

"Oh, by the way, let’s find a time to have a meal together in the next few days. All three of you come."

On the other end of the phone, the three girls were using speakerphone.

After hearing this, Li Yingwan was a bit puzzled, "A meal? Brother? Are you treating us? Why all three of us?"

"Stop the nonsense. If I tell you to come, just come. I’ll let you know the time and the place later," he retorted.

"What kind of sneaky plot are you up to now, Chen Nuo?" The voice on the other end changed to Niveer’s.

Hummingbird’s wariness seems to have increased quite a bit.

Chen Nuo smacked his lips. "After all, we all swore a pledge of brotherhood that’s solid as gold. My kid’s having a belated first-month celebration, so you’d better prepare your red envelopes."

After saying that, Chen Nuo hung up the call directly.

As for the shockwaves on the other end of the phone... Chen Nuo didn’t care!

"..."

On this side of the phone, Hummingbird stood dumbfounded next to the landline, her body seemingly petrified.

"What did he just say? Is my Huaxia not good and I misheard? Or..."

"Speak up!!" Niveer turned and glared at Li Yingwan.

Li Yingwan’s face went pale, and she remained silent.

Behind the two of them, Xicheng Xun sighed softly and then slowly got up to walk outside.

"Where are you going!" Hummingbird called out.

"To find out about Huaxia’s etiquette—what this first-month celebration for a child is all about, and how to give gifts or money appropriately," Xicheng Xun replied calmly.

Li Yingwan screamed, "Just... accepting it like this? A child?!! I’ve been keeping constant watch over Sun Keke!!"

"That means Lu Xixi has come back..." Xicheng Xun spoke slowly. "This is also a scenario we had anticipated. If he could find Lu Xixi again, that might be the best outcome."

"But a child!!!"

Xicheng Xun looked at the two girls with a pitying gaze, then suddenly laughed, but the sword maiden’s laughter carried a hint of mockery.

"Don’t you understand yet?

"If our lingering around him before could have posed a threat to Lu Xixi’s presence by his side...

"Now the situation is different!

"If we continue to cling to him, in his perception, it’s no longer just about possibly endangering his relationship with Lu Xixi.

"It could even endanger his child’s position! Do you have any idea what an animal does when its offspring might be facing a threat?!

"All I know is, this is absolutely not the time for any display of resistance; let him do as he pleases. By the way, did you all swear a pledge of siblinghood with him? Good. This time, I will also recognize his mother as my sworn mother."