Chapter 00076: The Prophet
# The Prophet
Chapter 76
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 76: The Prophet
It was unwise to rashly enter the enemy's lair when the situation was unclear.
Yet, they had come this far, and the child was still small… Moreover, Ji Jue truly had no leads on non-attack, so to continue exploring, they had to take such risks.
Besides, with Qiu Ge around, along with Xiao Niu Ma and the ace bodyguard Xiao An, they could always flee when it came down to it.
Thus, they followed the group into a ruin.
After moving aside a hidden barrier, a downward path was revealed.
The entire town's sewer system was astonishingly vast, intricate and complex, like a maze.
As they wandered through, Ji Jue felt as if a magnetic force was at play, causing the compass to be rendered useless.
They descended layer by layer until they reached the deepest part of the sewer, where they discovered a rusted rolling door.
To their surprise, the space behind the door was larger than expected.
It was like a large encampment; the once useless sewage treatment facilities had been completely abandoned, replaced by makeshift shelters and tents.
In contrast to the chaotic exterior, the scene inside was vibrant.
Various individuals with signs of mutation strolled around the plaza, and there were stalls selling compressed food and other unidentifiable items.
The entire camp seemed to house around sixty or seventy people, all with close-knit relationships.
Upon noticing the newcomers, cautious expressions flickered across their faces.
“Mom!”
The voice of a child echoed as a small cart rolled over.
However, the figure pushing it was a distorted shape, one hand propelling the cart forward, energetically hugging the middle-aged man who walked ahead.
Realizing Ji Jue was watching, the child hid behind the man in fear, carefully covering its slightly mutated limbs with a rag.
Its cracked and dented face had a dark glass bead serving as an eye, peeking cautiously at Ji Jue and his companion, only to quickly retreat behind the man after sensing their gaze.
“Xiao Jiu, be good and wait for me. I’ll come to see you later.” The middle-aged man smiled a bit, patting the child’s head. “I’m taking them to meet the Prophet.”
After watching the child leave, the man offered no further explanations and led them deeper until they reached a door, where two imposing, mutated figures stood guard outside.
“Please take out your weapons,” the middle-aged man said. “Though it may seem impolite, we cannot allow you to take such things inside to meet the Prophet.”
Noticing the gazes around them, Ji Jue didn’t move.
“To speak honestly, I’m a little afraid too,” Ji Jue said cautiously. “Is it possible for the Prophet to come out and meet us here for a while?”
“Hey!” One of the guards shouted in anger. “Outsiders, don’t be too presumptuous!”
“No need—”
From beyond the door, a hoarse voice echoed, “Whether you bring weapons or not makes no difference. You have no idea of the power of the Chosen Ones and no need to act this way. Come in, dear outsiders. Due to physical reasons, I truly cannot come out; otherwise, this wouldn’t be so troublesome.”
The guards exchanged glances and hesitated for a moment before ultimately pulling the door open for them.
What lay beyond was unexpectedly empty.
No extravagant furnishings or decorations as one might expect; it was nearly bare, with only two chairs present.
One chair bore the marks of time, showing signs of repair, while the other seemed welded to the ground, cables intertwined, sharp connectors poking through its pockmarked surface, faint sparks of electricity visible.
Upon this decaying seat rested a head, struggling to maintain its connection to the body.
It was shriveled and cracked, with a bald scalp revealing a metallic texture, a testament to endless modifications.
The aged visage hinted at faint female features.
“Hello, outsiders,” she introduced herself. “I am the ‘Prophet’.”
Ji Jue stood before her, not taking a seat, simply examining her closely. “You don’t seem to know everything, do you?”
“That’s just the name I’m called by; it’s merely a code, nothing special,” the Prophet’s expression twitched, and a trace of a smile appeared. “I guess you have many questions right now.”
“Indeed, there are too many questions, which makes me less anxious.” Ji Jue shook his head. “You seem quite familiar with us Chosen Ones?”
“People like you appear every few decades; they come to this place searching for treasures or wealth, or seeking to hunt. Men and women alike are the same. Some leave; some die. After dealing with a fair number of them and seeing them around, I’ve become familiar.”
“What is non-attack?” Ji Jue asked, feigning ignorance.
“... A third inquiry and an act. How interesting. You are more cautious than I imagined—if you’d like, I can explain from the beginning. Non-attack refers to the matrix left behind by mercury, one of the few legacies of the past ‘Inks’ lingering in this world. You came for this, didn’t you?”
The Prophet’s eyelids struggled to lift as she fixed her gaze on Ji Jue. “You, focused on the path of embers, even without a matrix, dare to delve into the rift and even… entered the old workshop. If not for ‘non-attack’, what else could it be? Are you satisfied with my answer?”
Ji Jue remained silent.
“Please, there’s no need to be so cautious. We, the old and infirm, are but parasites in this workshop system—ants lucky enough not to be reset. We pose no threat to both of you. Especially the one behind you, who has been seeking my weak spot from the start. It’s quite discomforting.”
The Prophet forced a smile before lowering her head, revealing cracks in her skull and numerous tiny gears inside, unabashed of her own vulnerabilities.
“Rest assured, I have no intention of putting on airs or toying with your emotions,” she stated plainly. “Over the years, as our people explored, they found traces of mercury left at a fork in the underground passage. However, it was too dangerous to proceed further. If you’re willing to assist us, we can send someone to guide you.”
She paused before adding, “Just, if possible, I hope you can lend us a small favor.”
Ji Jue remained silent.
He didn’t speak, just stared at her for a long time, eventually letting out a silent sigh.
“I’m sorry, but you may have misunderstood.”
He stated earnestly, “My brother and I are just passing through and accidentally got caught up in this place. We don’t quite understand what’s going on here. As for non-attack and mercury, we’re not very sure and not interested. We truly don’t know what you’re talking about. So, let’s skip the collaboration.”
“Oh really?”
The Prophet appeared slightly baffled but did not become angry or forceful.
Instead, she nodded gently. “Then perhaps that was my misunderstanding.”
She sighed, her gaze dropping. “Though the camp is small, we have enough to accommodate guests. You may wander around as you wish; you are free to come and go. If you change your mind, you can come find me anytime.”
Neither urgent nor anxious, seemingly confident?
Ji Jue couldn’t comprehend what was happening, nor could he make sense of it all.
After glancing at the Prophet one last time, he departed alongside Xiao An.
The camp's people prepared a resting area for them, even providing two packages of compressed biscuits from the outside—though they were two or three years past their expiration date, they were still edible.
Xiao An didn’t seem to notice any toxins.
There were no listening devices here, but who knew what strange alchemical tools might be secretly watching them? After all, the entire rift was a workshop of mercury, and no one could say what these locals might have concealed.
Ghost Engineer Qiu momentarily opened a safe space allowing the two to converse.
Xiao An, filled with confusion, asked, “Ji Jue Ge, weren’t you here for the matrix?”
“Yes, that's right.”
Ji Jue nodded casually, “But just because I want it doesn’t mean I can’t say no, right? Accepting a gift doesn’t mean I agree, and agreeing doesn’t mean I have to do anything, does it?”
“... It just feels like something is off,” Xiao An said, looking puzzled, though appearing to sense something.
Is this how adults speak? It’s so hard to understand.
I’ll remember this and ask Hua Hua later!
Meanwhile, Ji Jue fell back into deep thought.
He might not understand the rift, but he knew exactly how terrible his luck could be.
Starting off nearly dying in the fall, confidently treasure-hunting but finding nothing, and somehow forming ties with the locals for some grand plan?
What the heck!
Furthermore, he truly couldn't trust that mysterious… Prophet?
That name alone sounded suspicious!
Trusting her was akin to believing a refrigerator!
“Come with me.”
He suddenly stood, lifted the flap of the tent, and waved to the middle-aged man who was staring off into the distance with a serious expression. “I have something very important I haven’t told you yet.”
“Hmm?” The middle-aged man was momentarily stunned, tension filling his face.
Then, Ji Jue solemnly declared, “—I can fix air conditioners!”
???
In that instant, the middle-aged man's contorted expression revealed a near tangible confusion.
What is he talking about?
“I can fix air conditioners.”
Ji Jue repeated, “Is there a need? It’s free, no charge! I just like helping others!”
In truth, he really could fix air conditioners, and not just that.
He could repair televisions, washing machines, small electric vehicles, and even larger vehicles like vans.
As for plumbing, plastering, electrical maintenance, and various large equipment maintenance, he wouldn’t claim to be an expert, but he had a fair amount of knowledge!
In short, anything requiring repair, he could handle!
Facing such absurd claims, the middle-aged man was dumbfounded for quite a while before turning to consult, taking ages to return and cautiously saying, “The Prophet said, as long as you don’t damage the camp’s equipment, you’re free to do as you wish. Be careful; I’ll be watching you.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
Ji Jue whistled and took the lead. “Let’s go!”
(End of Chapter)