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Heir of the White Lotus (Web Novel) - Chapter 1996: What the Hell is 108?
Chapter 1996: What the Hell is 108?
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
Adam returned to the hideout.Luca was in one of the rooms, presently trying to become a Templar Paladin. So Adam did not disturb him.
Somehow, Adam felt that the man did not need his help in advancing. Just judging from the number of artifacts Luca carried with him, he could tell that the man had some deep background.
Since Luca had never bothered mentioning it, Adam did not bother asking.
Thankfully, the Paladin had left a few gourds of wine in the hall.
"How thoughtful," Adam murmured.
He uncorked one and poured it into a cup. Then he began his journey to intoxication. If not for the constant screams of monsters outside, as well as the spooky atmosphere of the hideout, it would have made for a wonderful spot to drink.
"At least, the moon looks beautiful," he said quietly, gazing at the red celestial body through the arched window.
Beside him, Valerian slept peacefully in his cat form. Adam gently stroked the little fellow’s back and smiled. It was a sad smile.
I’m still too weak.
Adam’s gaze lingered on the sleeping young dragon.
Too weak to protect him, he thought sorrowfully.
No matter how strong I get, how many more ranks I advance, perhaps... I’ll never be strong enough to protect my little brother.
Valerian had nearly died in the last battle.
Adam’s expression gradually became solemn and he thought, What will happen when we leave this secret plane?
The enemies waiting for them outside would only become stronger.
What if the next enemy is stronger than the one before?
What if I’m not there in time?
Adam gently stroked Valerian’s back again.
He had always believed that as long as he grew stronger, he would eventually be able to protect those around him. But now, he was beginning to realize just how fragile that belief was.
He downed the wine in the cup, then refilled it. He downed it again. The cycle continued as he began feeling a light buzz.
"Really good stuff," he praised softly.
Adam had pulled down all defenses of his mind, preventing the Lotus from clearing the fog of drunkenness. His eyes appeared a little cloudy as he continued gazing at the moon, his mind drifting to everything he had just learned at the Sun Temple.
The crimson moon hung above the ruined city, bathing the streets in an eerie red glow. The faint scent of blood lingered in the air, mixed with the cold night breeze and the distant howls of the monsters wandering through the streets.
Adam took another sip from the cup. The alcohol burned pleasantly as it slid down his throat.
Perhaps it was because of the alcohol, or perhaps because he had finally allowed himself a moment to stop and think, but the countless mysteries surrounding this secret plane seemed to become even more complicated.
Did the High Priest and Shireen create the Morning Star? he wondered.
If they had, then why had they hidden it in the dungeon?
And more importantly...
How did Sandra know about it?
Adam’s eyes narrowed slightly.
She had marked this place on her map, he believed, long before he had even entered the secret plane. She had known about the Sun Temple. She had known about the High Priest.
And now, somehow, the Morning Star had been waiting for him there.
How much does this woman know?
If she did, why didn’t she retrieve the weapon herself?
Maybe... as an undead, she’s unable to?
He took another sip, and the bitter taste lingered on his tongue.
And what about the other X marked on her map?
His gaze shifted to the crimson moon.
If the Morning Star represents the Sun...
Then could the other X lead me to something that represents the Moon?
The possibility made him frown. But even if that were true, it still didn’t explain Sandra’s true intentions.
What is her end goal?
Why is she helping me?
What does she truly want from me?
Does she also want to leave this secret plane?
Adam fell silent.
There were too many pieces, yet he still couldn’t see the complete picture.
The vampire king. The devils. The Brand of Evil. Genevieve. The sun. The moon. The Morning Star. And that damned number.
108.
He poured himself another cup.
How did Jacob contact the devils in the first place?
What exactly happened when he made that deal?
What is he planning to do with Genevieve?
The more Adam thought about it, the more he felt that the truth was buried beneath layers of history. He was missing something, but he couldn’t put a finger on what exactly.
Two kingdoms had fallen. An entire land had been cursed. Countless people had become monsters. And somehow, after more than two thousand years, the consequences of that ancient tragedy were still unfolding.
Adam took another long drink, finishing the wine. He proceeded to uncork the second gourd. His eyes remained fixed upon the blood-red moon.
The High Priest said the sun had abandoned them, he thought.
Shireen, whoever she is, said the Moon Goddess was burning red with anger.
Was that merely the result of the curse? Or was there something more to it?
The moonlight reflected faintly in his dark eyes. Then his thoughts returned to the talismans. The half-sun, the half-moon, and the circle of 108 lines.
Why 108?
He had encountered the number too many times for it to be a coincidence.
It had been carved into the talismans. It had been hidden within the walls of the temple. The High Priest had repeated it again and again in his final moments.
The 108. The 108. The fuckin’ 108!
Adam slowly exhaled.
For the first time, the number itself somehow felt more frightening than any monster he had encountered in this place.
What the hell is 108?
He stared at the crimson moon for a long while. The ruined city remained silent around him. Somewhere in the darkness, a monster howled.
Valerian slept peacefully beside him, completely unaware of the mysteries surrounding them.
Adam took another sip.
Then, almost drunkenly, he murmured to himself:
"Genevieve..."
On this night, Adam felt a strange feeling stirring within his heart.
He didn’t know what it was exactly.
Only that his thoughts kept returning to her...
