Chapter 215
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Chapter 215: Destiny, Good and Evil
Boom.
White lightning flashed across the sky as the rain poured relentlessly, with no sign of stopping.
On the eve of a natural disaster, the weather often shifts dramatically. This rain, heavy and persistent, was likely to linger for a long time.
Two figures, holding umbrellas, approached an unimposing, old villa in the Dawn District.
The villa’s door creaked open, and Mu Ling followed Yin inside. As she closed her umbrella, Mu Ling couldn’t help but ask:
“Why didn’t your younger brother come to pick you up? Did we miss him by leaving early?”
Yin hesitated, her expression closing off. She seemed unwilling to talk about her younger brother.
“Perhaps he had something to do,” Yin replied softly. “It’s okay… He doesn’t need me to take care of him anymore.”
Mu Ling frowned. “But he should be taking care of you instead.”
Deciding not to press further, Mu Ling turned her attention to the house.
The villa was spacious, with elegant brown flooring. A classical gold chandelier cast soft light over the space. The furniture, though not extravagant, reflected the refined taste of its owner.
“Yin, have you come back?”
A voice broke the silence. A middle-aged man descended the stairs with a calm air. His platinum hair, tinged with gray, and silver-framed glasses gave him the appearance of a scholarly figure.
Dressed in a black sweater, beige vest, and slim black pants, he exuded the aura of a university professor—approachable, yet dignified.
Pausing on the stairs, he regarded the two young women with a slight smile.
“Is this your friend?” he asked Yin.
Yin nodded. “Yes, Mr. Carol. She’s my childhood friend from Tatsumi City.”
Carol stepped forward, offering Mu Ling a warm handshake. “Hello, beautiful miss. My name is Carol, a scholar of mysticism at the academy.”
“A scholar of mysticism?” Mu Ling echoed, surprised.
She extended her hand, her curiosity piqued. A researcher in mysticism was likely an extraordinary person. Yet, she felt no trace of power from him—only a faint weakness, as if he were more fragile than an ordinary man.
“By the way,” Carol said, breaking her thoughts, “I don’t know your name yet.”
“Mu Ling,” she replied.
The mention of her name caused a subtle shift in Carol’s expression. It was a fleeting reaction—surprise, recognition—but it didn’t escape her notice.
Carol recovered quickly, shaking her hand with a genial smile.
“Miss Mu Ling, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I believe in destiny, and since you were a childhood friend of my wife, our meeting today may have been fated.”
He gestured toward the sitting room. “Please, have a seat.”
As they sat down, Yin began to prepare tea. However, Carol gently stopped her and poured the tea himself, serving them both.
Mu Ling observed their interaction closely. Though Yin had introduced Carol as her husband, their dynamic felt more like that of a subordinate and superior. Something about them seemed… off.
To steer the conversation, she said, “I also believe in fate, but I don’t think destiny is unchangeable.”
Carol smiled, neither agreeing nor refuting her words.
“Perhaps only gods or incomprehensible entities can change destiny,” he mused. “For powerless mortals, fate is often unyielding.”
He sighed. “Sometimes, love is doomed to fail, dreams remain out of reach, and even allies may turn against each other. Fate is cruel and fickle.”
Mu Ling fell silent, his words striking a chord.
“Fate is cruel,” she admitted. “But it also offers hope. In moments of despair, it gives people something to cling to—perhaps a chance to meet someone who restores that hope.”
Yin smiled warmly at her. “I agree with Mu Ling. When I lost my sight, I thought all hope was gone. But then Mr. Carol appeared. He saved me.”
Her smile radiated happiness—a kind of joy that came from deep within.
Mu Ling couldn’t remember the last time she had smiled like that.
Later, as Yin and Carol prepared dinner, Mu Ling wandered the house.
A white world map on the wall caught her attention. It depicted the world of Noah, marked with cryptic symbols she couldn’t decipher.
“Meow.”
The soft cry drew her gaze to a black kitten perched on the sofa. Its yellow, gem-like eyes glinted as it wagged its tail.
“Hello,” Mu Ling said, crouching down and extending her hand.
The kitten sniffed her fingers cautiously before rubbing its head against her hand.
Yin appeared, smiling. “Blackie seems to like you, Mu Ling. That’s rare—it usually hides from strangers.”
Mu Ling picked up the kitten, stroking its fur. “It doesn’t seem shy at all.”
Yin explained, “I found Blackie on a snowy day, buried under a tree. It was barely alive. But now, even though I’ve lost so much, I no longer feel powerless in the face of life’s pain.”
At the dining table, the meal was sumptuous. Mu Ling noticed Yin serving Carol attentively, though he seemed to eat reluctantly.
“Meow, meow.”
The kitten reappeared, rubbing against Mu Ling’s legs.
“Little Black must really like you,” Carol remarked. “I’m almost jealous. It never liked me—I even tried naming it ‘Dog’ once.”
Mu Ling laughed. “A black cat named ‘Dog’? That’s absurd.”
Carol smiled faintly. “Absurdity is a matter of perspective. Good and evil, right and wrong—these are constructs. Change your perspective, and everything shifts.”
Mu Ling frowned. “Good and evil are clear distinctions.”
“Are they?” Carol countered. “In nature, there’s no morality—only survival. Concepts like kindness exist because intelligent beings impose them.”
Mu Ling was undeterred. “Even
if kindness is flawed, I won’t
turn a blind eye to evil.”
Carol studied her intently.
“You’re a determined person,
Mu Ling.”
Yin smiled, chiming in.
“Determined people believe in
those they trust. I believe in
Mr. Carol. He’s my savior.”
Mu Ling’s fork paused mid-air.
“I… I haven’t loved anyone.”
Both Yin and Carol froze,
surprised.
Later that night, after Mu Ling
had left, Yin stood in the
kitchen, tidying up. Carol
remained by the window,
watching the rain.
“She’s your friend?” he asked.
Yin nodded. “Yes. Mu Ling has
always been strong and kind.
She hasn’t changed.”
Carol’s voice grew somber.
“Perhaps it’s fate’s cruelty…
My divinations don’t work on
Babel Tower members. It’s
unsettling. But everything
matches—the name, her
history.”
Yin’s expression darkened. “Are
you certain?”
Carol nodded gravely. “Abner’s
records confirm it. Mu Ling is
likely from Babel Tower.”
Yin looked away, her heart
heavy. “I never imagined…
She’s endured so much.”
Carol continued, “Abner and
Grey both fell to Babel Tower.
Mu Ling may have even killed
Abner herself.”
Yin turned to him, resolute. “My
body and soul belong to you,
Master. Even if she stands
before me, I will not waver. You
are my only savior.”
