Yama Reborn-Chapter 540 - 537: Zero’s Whereabouts
Chapter 537 [Zero’s Whereabouts]
"I told you, I don’t know Zero’s whereabouts."
Kamisou Ichiro pondered for a moment, and gradually said.
Chen Nuo raised an eyebrow, a meaningful smile on the corner of his mouth.
"If you really didn’t know, you wouldn’t have paused for so long when you answered earlier."
Kamisou Ichiro fell silent, and this silence was particularly long.
·
Zero!
The deadlock Chen Nuo is trapped in now seems to have Zero as the biggest mastermind behind it.
Although the answer is temporarily elusive, Chen Nuo has a vague feeling: Zero might become the critical element to solve the puzzle.
He set a trap on Chen Nuo’s father, a scumbag in the original timeline, then waited for the timeline to arrive and brought himself to the 1980s.
Then, he pushed forward the identity swap between the "Star Sky Empress" and "Yun Yin."
Laying the first nail for the fate entanglement with the "Star Sky Empress."
Why did Chen Nuo give up evolving into a four-dimensional life, reincarnating countless times?
It was to save the beloved Star Sky Empress.
But how did Chen Nuo fall in love with the Star Sky Empress, how did he become entangled with her?
Because of Zero!
The origin of this matter was Zero!
And later, Yun Yin became Sun Keke, reincarnating in Sun Keke’s body...
This seemingly inexplicable move, Chen Nuo thought carefully afterward and understood its intricacies.
Who is the anchor for Chen Nuo’s reincarnation in this era?
It’s Sun Keke!!
Sun Keke was the era coordinate chosen by Chen Nuo before reincarnation, the anchor of the rebirth time point!
And this anchor... had been tampered with by [Zero] early on!
This scheming, this subtle maneuver extending a thousand miles, upon careful consideration, truly astonishing!
Zero’s phrase [Wish you eternal happiness in love] was not a blessing at all.
But a vicious curse!
Zero used such a trap, an emotional vortex, to trap Chen Nuo tightly in this deadlock.
This deadlock was orchestrated by Zero.
Hence, perhaps only Zero can provide the solution.
However... Chen Nuo’s only direct encounter with Zero was during that time travel to the 1980s.
Since then, Zero has never appeared again, starting from his rebirth in 2001, Zero has never shown up in this era.
Using the scumbag father to lay the groundwork is more like two people completing a long-distance duel across eras.
In the current timeline, at this moment in time.
Finding Zero! This is Chen Nuo’s concluding hope for breaking the deadlock.
Seed has said, he doesn’t know where Zero is.
That Gray Cat also said, it doesn’t know where Zero is.
Even the Gray Cat made a bold guess: maybe Zero is already dead?
The concept of "death" here is complex.
According to the Gray Cat’s speculation, Zero might indeed be dead, but for an advanced lifeform controlling time ability, its death is not an ordinary death. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
It might just be limited by the length of the timeline, unable to reach the time in 2001.
However, it can continue to live eternally within a certain past timeline.
So... a long-distance duel?
Of course, this is only the Gray Cat’s guess and cannot be confirmed.
Therefore, even if hope is slim, Chen Nuo still wants to give it a try.
·
"So, you actually know something about Zero’s whereabouts?" Chen Nuo stared at Kamisou Ichiro.
Kamisou Ichiro’s expression remained calm, and after a long silence...
He nodded.
"I do know some things, but... what chips do you want to offer in exchange?" Kamisou Ichiro smiled, "For instance, agree to my proposal earlier, cooperate with me once?"
This time, it was Chen Nuo’s turn to remain silent.
Collaborate with the Octopus Monster, besiege The Fourth Seed, seriously injure The Fourth Seed, letting the Octopus Monster gain part of The Fourth Seed’s power—provided they keep The Fourth Seed alive, not killing it, this is also to protect Lu Xixi’s life.
Then... for the Octopus Monster, gaining power enhancement, in future confrontations with Seed, gaining more capabilities to resist Seed, although still in a weaker position, power increase assures greater self-preservation.
Under the premise of preserving The Fourth Seed’s life, enhancing the Octopus Monster’s strength.
Extending the duration of the confrontation with Seed longer.
Although it doesn’t solve the problem, it’s at least currently a delaying method.
Like a person with a terminal illness, choosing between living three months or three to five years.
Most people would choose the latter.
If time extends a bit, a turn for the better might occur.
So, just like Zero’s tactics used against himself.
Since he couldn’t find the key for evolution, he dragged it out so that the other competitors couldn’t win in the race.
Dragging it might just bring about a turn for the better.
Chen Nuo thought of this, suddenly smiled, and proposed a question.
"According to your logic, it seems reasonable. However... if I have to strengthen a seed’s power to prolong the confrontation with Seed... why should I choose you?
I can completely assist The Fourth Seed to deal with you, strengthening The Fourth Seed’s power, which would also more securely protect Lu Xixi’s safety.
If The Fourth Seed is seriously injured, it means The Fourth Seed’s life, and Lu Xixi’s life, is controlled by you. What if you kill The Fourth Seed? Why should I take this risk?"
Chen Nuo posed this question.
Kamisou Ichiro laughed instead.
This time, this Octopus Monster laughed happily.
"Very good, Chen Nuo, it seems you’ve prepared to accept my terms, your words are not rejecting me but just bargaining with me."
The Octopus Monster certainly isn’t a fool.
Really rejecting, a simple "NO" would suffice.
Making things sound difficult merely serves to raise the stakes.
In negotiations, when one party questions the terms of cooperation, often it’s not for rejection but for getting a better deal.
·
Seeing Kamisou Ichiro smile joyfully, Chen Nuo did not get angry and said calmly: "The logic stands; from a logical standpoint, cooperating with The Fourth Seed is superior to partnering with you. If you want to pull me over, you have to present conditions sufficient to move me."
Kamisou Ichiro spoke lightly: "My condition is simple... You can’t defeat me by siding with The Fourth Seed. So, this option isn’t feasible."
Kamisou Ichiro then spoke lightly: "Only a seed can counter a seed, which you know well. But the confrontation between seeds is tough unless Seed vastly leads. Between myself and The Fourth Seed, it is hard to truly injure each other severely, requiring substantial human assistance.
The Fourth Seed is a lone wolf. If you come against me, his helpers at most would be himself and the Star Sky Empress.
Whereas on my side, there’s Nolan, and the Wizard."
"...That still places us at an advantage, you are aware, last time the Wizard, Nolan, and Diamond Lillian together still couldn’t best Lu Xixi and me."
"I understand, but I can kill without hesitation, needing desperation, I’d mercilessly attack Lu Xixi, trust me, really forcing me to the limit, I’d do it."
Chen Nuo: "......"
"But it’s different with The Fourth Seed; if we join forces, The Fourth Seed will be alone. If we unite, first it’ll render The Fourth Seed’s Chosen One null, and his Chosen One is the Star Sky Empress. Without a Chosen One’s aid, he’d face all of us alone."
Kamisou Ichiro spoke confidently: "Chen Nuo, make a choice.
Option A, you assist The Fourth Seed, the scenario is: You plus Star Sky plus The Fourth Seed against me and Nolan including the Wizard. You might win, but I definitely have the assurance to kill Lu Xixi.
Option B, you help me, the scenario is: You, Star Sky, Wizard, Nolan, and even could invite the Son of the Sun, plus me! Everyone together against The Fourth Seed alone.
Which do you think has higher odds?
Whichever A or B is chosen, the resulting interest is the same, namely; enhancing a seed’s power and prolonging the confrontation with Seed.
But the risks taken differ greatly.
With the same benefits, differing immensely in risk, even a fool knows how to choose."
Chen Nuo considered for a moment: "So that Son of the Sun guy would also accept your terms?"
"He’s been my guest for a while now, living a life like an Emperor." Kamisou Ichiro smiled.
Chen Nuo hesitated for a moment and then proposed a condition.
"I want to first know Zero’s whereabouts!"
Kamisou Ichiro shook his head: "That’s impossible, Chen Nuo, you are not an honest person. I don’t trust you. But... I can first tell you a bit."
Chen Nuo spread his hands, meaning: Go ahead.
"Zero... has indeed died, perished in the era before ours. However... he lives eternally in the past era."
Chen Nuo frowned.
This aligns with the Gray Cat’s previous speculation, but...
Then, wouldn’t it be... impossible to find Zero?
"I have a method to communicate with Zero." Kamisou Ichiro slowly said: "I can even let you have a conversation with Zero once."
Chen Nuo immediately widened his eyes.
Cunning Octopus Monster, claiming you don’t know Zero’s whereabouts?!
