TDU Chapter 328
Chapter 328 Encountering Yan Zhichun
‘What kind of {Reverberation} is this...?’
As Chen Junnan attempted to free his right hand from his neck, he realized it no longer obeyed him, it felt as if it belonged to someone else entirely.
“Miss…” Chen Junnan grit his teeth and said, “What do I have to do to make you believe I want to kill Terrestrial Snake?”
“Whether you kill Terrestrial Snake or not is none of my concern,” the white-clad young woman smiled faintly. “Are you aware of who I am?”
Chen Junnan felt cornered. He hadn’t been active in {End Point} for years; who knew which deity this young woman was an envoy of?
“Let this young master go first…” Chen Junnan said, “I never intended to kill you, but aren’t you just making an enemy of yourself?”
“Yet ending your life brings me no loss,” the white-clad young woman went on. “After all, you have no idea who I truly am.”
“Wait a moment… let this young master take a guess…” Chen Junnan felt his breathing growing labored. “Let this young master try to guess who you are… alright?”
“Hah? Go ahead then.”
“This young master has never heard of anyone whose {Reverberation} can directly control others, but another case comes to mind.”
“Oh?”
Chen Junnan forced out a smile and chuckled softly, “If this young master is not mistaken…you’re using your own right hand to choke your neck right now, aren’t you? It’s all an act. If you kill me, you won’t come out unscathed.”
Within the room, the white-clad young woman, gripping her own throat with her right hand, paused in sudden surprise.
“You force others to emulate your movements…” Chen Junnan, feeling the pressure on his neck ease, calmed his breathing before continuing, “And the means of control… I remember it’s upon hearing your {voice}, am I right?”
The white-clad young woman felt a cold shiver run down her spine. After wandering through {End Point} for years, she had learned to be cautious; everyone who discovered her {Reverberation} had to die. She always played the part of an {Unfortunate One} in front of all her {Reverberatees}; only then could she perfectly conceal her true identity.
But today, everything seemed to spiral beyond her control.
This man… he appeared to know her ability.
Chen Junnan gradually regained control over his right hand, sensing the young woman’s resolve beginning to falter.
“What’s your name?” the young woman asked.
“This young master’s Chen Junnan.”
The young woman considered his words carefully. Though she always asked her opponent’s name before delivering the final blow, she had never heard the name {Chen Junnan} before. Had she missed a kill previously?
After a long silence, Chen Junnan broke it, “And what should I call you, da jie?”
The white-clad woman paused, then replied, “Yan Zhichun (燕知春).”
“Yan... Zhichun...?”
A heavy hush settled between them—an eerie stillness that seemed to stretch endlessly.
“What’s wrong...?” Yan Zhichun tapped the ceiling lightly. “Why the silence? Do you know me?”
“Ah, no…” Chen Junnan frowned, shaking his head. “I don’t think I know you… but it’s strange.”
Though he had never seen this young woman’s face before, the name {Yan Zhichun} was hauntingly familiar.
So much time had passed, yet he couldn’t place where he’d heard it.
“I’m curious,” Yan Zhichun remarked. “Chen Junnan, you might be the first person in the entire {End Point} to know my {Reverberation}. Why didn’t I kill you back then? And how do you know my {Reverberation}?”
Chen Junnan blinked, returning fully to the moment. He sensed there was more beneath her words. “Now is hardly the time to dwell on that, Chun jie. The fact that you didn’t kill me means I wasn’t one of your targets. Maybe… we were once teammates.”
Yan Zhichun’s brows furrowed in thought. She was no ordinary player in {End Point} and would naturally be wary of trusting Chen Junnan so easily.
But...
“Chen Junnan, since you managed to climb onto the ceiling, you must have discovered the {method of guaranteed survival} in this game, right?”
“Of course, Chun jie,” Chen Junnan nodded. “Though I’m not as smart as you, this young master is no fool.”
“I’ve found that {method of guaranteed survival} as well,” Yan Zhichun said. “Even if you threw the iron ball at my head, I wouldn’t die.”
“It’s no shock you’re aware,” Chen Junnan answered. “I know you’re sharp, but my current focus isn’t you, it’s Terrestrial Snake. After all, I staked my life against that old creep, and I am determined to end him.”
Yan Zhichun lowered her gaze, contemplating briefly before speaking. “If that’s the case… I might just lend you a hand.”
Chen Junnan’s smile blossomed instantly. “Oh? You truly are the selfless exemplar of End Point. How could I ever repay you?”
Yan Zhichun giggled and nodded. “Of course… I expect your repayment for {all eternity}.”
“What…?” Chen Junnan blinked, momentarily taken aback. “That’s quite the heavy debt, ‘all eternity’ huh?”
“I want you to become an {Adherent of Judgment’s Domain},” Yan Zhichun declared. “From this moment forward, swear to protect {End Point}. ‘All hail Judgment’s Domain’ shall be your solemn creed. For as long as you retain memory, no one may ever be permitted to gather all three thousand six hundred {Dào}.”
“Huh?” Chen Junnan’s mind momentarily faltered. “{Adherent of Judgment’s Domain}…? I feel like I heard that term just a few days ago. Is it some newly popular organization? Are you the {Leader of Judgment’s Domain}?”
“{Leader of Judgment’s Domain} is too grand a title,” Yan Zhichun replied calmly. “I’m just one among many {Adherents}. Our purpose is to protect {End Point} from destruction.”
“Oh, I see.”
“You don’t sound surprised at all,” Yan Zhichun remarked. “I expected you to ask more questions. Aren’t you curious why we must protect this place?”
“I’m not curious about that,” Chen Junnan said with a sudden smirk. “I would never allow anyone to collect all three thousand six hundred {Dào}; not even the person I trust most. Absolutely no one should succeed.”
“Huh?” Yan Zhichun’s expression faltered in shock. “You–You’re—”
“Looks like you {Adherents} are quite interesting,” Chen Junnan said, fully relaxed as he lay against the ceiling. “This young master just remembered…I know a girl; she’s also part of {Judgment’s Domain}.”
"Oh?" Yan Zhichun smiled knowingly, as if something clicked into place. “So you’re already acquainted with one of our people?”
“I am, I just don’t know if she considers me an ally.” Chen Junnan laughed. “At this moment this young master belongs to no one. I’m just one of the few who have come to know the real {rules} of this cursed place. But I never expected you {Adherents} to share the same goal as me.”
“You happened upon the true {rules} of this place as well…?” Yan Zhichun stopped briefly, then said, “Then you must be a born {Adherent}.”
TL Note: Dun Dun Dunnn!! What?! Why are three thousand six hundred {Dào} not to be collected? What are the true rules of End Point? Is escape even possible then?
Oh and to explain, Yan Zhichun’s (燕知春):
燕 (Yàn): a surname that means "swallow" (the bird).
知 (Zhī): means "to know" or "knowledge."
春 (Chūn): means "spring" (the season), often symbolizing youth.
