Lord of Prayer

Chapter 143: Chapter 114: Advance

In life, some things are over once they’re over. Others, however, linger in the heart, fermenting like bitter wine. Time doesn’t wash them away; it only makes them stronger, more bitter, until they become a knot that can never be undone.

Recalling them in the dead of night brings sorrow and pain, a desire to make amends when it’s already too late, leaving nothing but endless remorse.

Why else do so many people say to cherish the moment, lest you regret it when it’s gone?

Because it’s a mistake many have made.

Zhou Chen lowered his gaze. He had joined this mission to appease his conscience, to avoid feeling guilty later for the demise of that pure Soul. But after the King of Music’s reminder, he had a sudden realization. ’If I only do this much… if I only go this far… will I truly not regret this one day?’

’I clearly have the Ability to do more…’

“If you can’t decide, how about a coin toss?”

The King of Music smiled. At some point, a coin had appeared on the back of her hand. She spun it nimbly back and forth, then flicked it toward Zhou Chen.

_The moment a coin is tossed into the air, the answers to all important questions in your heart become crystal clear._

Zhou Chen raised his hand and caught the coin. He stared at it for a moment, but instead of tossing it in the air, he threw it back to the King of Music.

“I’ve made my decision.”

He closed his eyes and exhaled a heavy breath. When he opened them again, his pupils burned with a resolute light as scorching as a Fiery Fire:

“Tell me Erin’s location.”

The result of his deep deliberation was just four simple words: He would regret it!

So, he had to move forward.

He would leave no room for regret.

The corners of the King of Music’s rosy lips curled upward, as if she had just witnessed something that pleased her immensely.

’This look, this attitude…’

’Such a beautiful radiance of humanity!’

She pressed a piano key with her index finger. With a crisp note, a beam of light shot toward Zhou Chen, transforming into a brilliant lamp to guide his path.

“I have a few more questions,” Zhou Chen said.

The King of Music nodded. “Make it quick. You’re running out of time.”

“You seem quite pleased that I’m going to save Erin. Why is that?”

“Do you remember the prophecy I mentioned earlier?”

The King of Music repeated herself. “The threads of a chaotic destiny are tangled here. Perhaps it will usher in a new beginning, or perhaps an eternal fall into Hell. Perhaps it will bring hope to the World, or perhaps it will create a Demon… That annoying fellow’s prophecies are always uncannily accurate, so at least one of these four possibilities is bound to happen.”

“Your destiny is a blur, your future filled with infinite possibilities. Since that’s the case, why shouldn’t I guide you toward the righteous path? Mmm, let’s call it a personal hobby. I’m passionate about cultivating heroes, as they are the greatest source of material in the World. You can tell, can’t you? I’m a musician.”

“Mmm… think of it as an admission fee. I’ll tell you a little secret. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

The King of Music’s soft whisper echoed in Zhou Chen’s ear. “If you get the chance, you could try to control ’that thing’ at the heart of the Curse Source. Who knows? You might just create a miracle.”

’The thing at the heart of the Curse Source… The mysterious item that even the King of Chaos is after?’ Zhou Chen froze. ’Isn’t she just sending me to my death?’

“What exactly is it?” This was something he had been curious about for a long time. From the very beginning, he’d had no idea what this thing all the different factions were fighting over actually was.

“I honestly don’t know. I only heard another annoying fellow mention that it’s something very important.” The King of Music had nothing more to add. “Any other questions?”

“One last question. Your name.”

“The King of Music,” she said. “Everyone calls me the King of Music.”

’King of Music…’ Zhou Chen nodded and placed a hand over his chest in thanks. “Thank you for your guidance. I should be going.”

“Go, Zhou Chen.” The King of Music sat up straight before the piano, like a concertist about to begin a grand performance. “I shall play for you. I hope you do not disappoint me.”

“A performance for me?” Zhou Chen was stunned, feeling incredibly honored. ’The King of Music and Art is going to play for me personally?’

’This was the highest honor!’

“As I said, heroes are the best source of material.”

The King of Music entered a state of indescribable focus and began to play a low prelude. It was like the calm before a storm, filled with an unsettling tremor, as if gathering Power.

Under the influence of the music, Zhou Chen felt his blood begin to boil, his entire body filling with Power. He wasted no more time and strode out of the hall. The Music Note Lamp flew into the distance, illuminating his path.

He stepped out of the Barrier Bubble and re-entered the Cursed Black Sea, a tide formed from tens of thousands of Undead and other disasters. Activating his Anti-Curse Array, he forged ahead, following the Music Note Lamp.

“Command, can you read me? Calling Command.” He began hailing on the comms channel. His device crackled with static, and then the signal finally returned.

“We read you, Zhou Chen. Did you encounter the King of Music?” Jiang Che’s voice came over the comm.

“Yes, she told me Erin’s location. What’s the status of the others?” Zhou Chen held nothing back. The Bloodthirsty Chainsaw in his hand, wreathed in Cyan Flame, swung in wide arcs. He hacked and slashed as if clearing thick brush, carving a path through the Cursed Ocean to speed his advance.

“The other teams are approaching the source of the contamination. No casualties for now. But after the Gate of Heaven opened, the Curse Source was weakened significantly. Large numbers of Abyssal Creatures have already pushed deep inside. Ground forces and missiles wiped out the Tier Three and Tier Four threats, but a lot of Tier One and Tier Two creatures made it through. You need to be careful,” Jiang Che warned, but made no move to stop him.