Silent Crown

Chapter 275 Wash Away the Black River

In an instant, Ye Qingxuan had lost completely. A saying amongst Indian monks was, "One snap contains twenty instants, one instant contains twenty thoughts, one thought contains ninety moments, and one moment contains nine-million lives and deaths."

During the nine million lives and deaths of that moment, countless thoughts and emotions arose. Music theory overlapped messily, and Ye Qingxuan was hit hundreds of times. Every time he gathered himself again, he was completely obliterated by the curse.

During this process, he gradually created an understanding of the black river. The various negative emotions had clear layers and were integrated. The hundreds upon thousands of negative emotions gradually became one. As they were destroyed and reborn, they formed the black river.

Extra notes and unsuitable music theory were taken out. After nine rebirths, the black river became clearer than ever. It was colorless and formless. Ye Qingxuan could barely trace it.

In the East, Mind musicians would plant demonic thoughts into other’s minds. An extremely high level was ‘free transformation.’ This seed came and left without warning, like the spring wind transforming into rain. The victim would be transformed into a puppet without any realization or sign. Now, Ye Qingxuan could survive a few seconds of the battle between music theories.

The mark of the demonic eye seemed to understand something and grew furious! This *sshole was secretly copying its ways! No School of Mind musician had ever tried these tricks!

The mark was a music note that represented godly power but it was still an object created by Hyakume. The average man would either struggle painfully and transform into a demon or commit suicide to avoid the pain. No one was so bold and reckless!

Ye Qingxuan’s constant challenges angered the consciousness sleeping inside the rune. It jolted and separated into nine. It had given up on the Ripper and now charged at Ye Qingxuan against the tide!

"Finally!" Ye Qingxuan grinned. The colorless river in his heart surged again. This time, it was broken down, of course. However, it did not retreat after collapsing. Instead, it entangled with the music theory of the curse. The next step would be for the curse to use this as a springboard and jump into Ye Qingxuan’s body. However, there was no next step.

The colorless river suddenly caved in. The broken music theory reconnected and transformed into something else. The new theory swallowed Hyakume’s. Covering the nine satanic runes, it finally revealed itself.

Moonlight! It was moonlight!

A huge moon that covered the sky rose in the Ripper’s heart. It broke through the endless darkness. Everything in its path was purified equally. The black river was washed away and a bright moon rose in the heart! It had finally transformed into moonlight!

This was what was born after Black Friday washed away all stray thoughts and grew to its peak—the image of Moonlight that Ye Lanzhou had planted! It had not yet reached the terrifying level of the ‘moon above the sea,’ but it showed signs of that phenomenon.

Ye Qingxuan had to thank Hyakume’s curse to some extent. He had always focused on unorthodox and shady tricks. Not only did the curse teach him the basics, it also contained various application techniques for mind battles. It was practically like the old man who taught secret tricks in adventure novels. Now, the ‘old man’ did not need to exist anymore.

The mark of the eye was washed countless times under the moonlight. All satanic auras melted. A consciousness thousands of miles away felt something. Fury shot out from the deep abyss with bone-numbing hatred and evil. Roars spread from the music theory.

"Ye Lanzhou, you’re here!"

Then the wild power spun. It surged from thousands of miles away using the entangled music theory, wanting to destroy everything. However, the moonlight cut the eye mark completely like a blade at that moment.

The twisted mark shattered and the layers of negativity disappeared. The curse was completely destroyed. As the connection of music theory broke, the power that had come out of nowhere vanished as well.

Angry roars sounded angrily in the air. The fury scattered in all directions. In an instant, countless people across the land woke up from their nightmares with sweat rolling down their backs.

At the same time, Naberius, observing outside the dungeon, felt Hayakume’s aura disappear completely. He flinched and shock appeared on the two skulls.

"Is the curse really lifted?"

The darkness that had been restricted now shot forward like a fountain. The burning darkness surged and broke into the territory of Naberius’ bloody Danube River. His vision went black and he stumbled back.

The almost-tangible murderous intent had transformed into a cyclone. His face hurt from the wind. The Ripper’s power was awakening.

"Mr. Holmes, it seems that you’d rather work with the Ripper than accept my feelings?" Naberius stared into the dark dungeon and shook his head. "I’m so disappointed. I’m so hurt." Despite his words, he left without hesitation. He had stayed here for too long. There was no point in remaining. He might even attract a creature of the same level. The consequences were unimaginable.

He was just running errands for Hyakume, not giving up his life! So what if he could not deal with Holmes this time? He would wait for the youth to be alone. Why must he fight something as strange as the Ripper?

"See you next time, Mr. Holmes," he chuckled. The ground beneath his feet rumbled. A giant snake opened its mouth and swallowed him. Then the snake returned into the mud and disappeared.

In the distance, the Elizabeth Tower remained standing. When the three hands of the clock joined at the top, an eerie bell rang. It resounded in the again-silent city.

Midnight had arrived.

-

In the dungeon, the surging dark aura disappeared quickly. Naberius thought that the Ripper had recovered her original state. Actually, she was completely spent after Ye Qingxuan’s cure of sacrificing themselves to destroy the enemy.

Sensing that the animosity was gone, she closed her eyes and fell unconscious. Ye Qingxuan sat down. There was no part of his body that did not hurt. Thankfully, he still had many lifesaving medicines that he had swiped from Lola. After all, Lola had money and taking all the drugs was just like Lola drinking his blood.

But now…what was he supposed to do?

He looked down at the girl sleeping beside him. The Ripper…he could not connect the crazy psychotic killer with this girl. They were too different.

Possessed by her uncontrollable power, the darkness in her heart had been enlarged continuously. If she woke up now, she would realize that her long dress had been dyed red by blood. She would wake up from a nap to find herself dyed red by the blood of innocent victims. This nightmare had haunted her day and night. Was she still in a nightmare now?

Ye Qingxuan tidied the messy hair on her forehead. His fingertip accidentally grazed her skin. Soft crying sounded in his ears. This was the side effect of coherence.

He sighed and laid his jacket on her. He could see the seemingly familiar and beautiful face behind the torn veil. There were tear stains by her eyes. The coldness and arrogance were gone. All that remained was fragility and loneliness.

Stunned, Ye Qingxuan lightly brushed a teardrop away. "Princess Mary, you’re so weak," he murmured. "The curse has been lifted. Dream well."

After a long while, the youth walked out of the dungeon and closed the door for the sleeping princess. He disappeared in the mist.

-

When the midnight bell rang, all the clocks and watches in the clock shop rang in unison. The man gorging before the window finally stopped. He sucked on the sauce on his fingers, enjoying the aftertaste of the stewed pork he had just eaten, and moaned happily. He had probably gained ten pounds but who cared? Hermes did not.

Now, he was nothing like the frail and eerily beautiful boy from a few months ago. After growing ten centimeters taller, he had also gained at least thirty pounds. It seemed…he had aged a lot. He was a twenty-something man now…uh, a fat man.

It was not a problem that he could no longer wear his old clothes. The best tailors visited every day to measure him and make customized clothes.

After loosening his belt, he realized that he could keep eating so he happily rang the bell beside him. The servant quickly sprinted away. Ten minutes later, another hot and steaming feast was brought over. He could eat another meal. How great!

"Bai Xi, want some midnight snacks?" He glanced at the girl sitting behind the counter.

Bai Xi raised her head and glanced at him. "No need. Teacher, please enjoy your food. I hope you die of obesity soon."

"Youths shouldn’t be picky eaters!" Hermes’s smile seemed more honest after he became fat. "You’re still growing. What if you lack nutrients and grow up like a stick? You won’t even get married."

A dagger suddenly landed on the table, cutting him off. His expression grew helpless. Hitting his forehead, he nodded and said, "Since we have time, why don’t I give you a history lesson?" Without waiting for Bai Xi’s reply, he went with his own ideas and said, "Bai Xi, did you know that King Arthur actually passed down his lineage?"