Chapter 55
“Home?”
When Xiao Qi heard that word, his eyes lit up immediately.
Wen Xin saw the anticipation on his face and felt his heart soften. He patted the little fox’s head.
When Wen Xin had told Cardinal Shi he would take Xiao Qi away, he had been determined, leaving no room for negotiation. He was ready to sever all ties with Wei Xin Cult if necessary.
As long as Xiao Qi wanted to leave, he would not hesitate.
Wen Xin planned to first check on Tang Qi’s safety. Then, he would take Xiao Qi to the outskirts of City B and find a temporary place to stay. If the message he had sent through the cult’s messenger to City A reached its destination, it wouldn’t be long before someone came to negotiate.
At that point, he could work with the base to strategize on how to get in touch with Zhang Quanyong.
He also prepared himself for the worst.
If no one came from the base or if the message never got through, he would have to come up with a plan on his own to accomplish the difficult mission.
Wen Xin kept these thoughts hidden, not wanting to worry Xiao Qi.
Unexpectedly, after a moment of wagging his tail in excitement, Xiao Qi lowered his head with hesitation.
Surprised, Wen Xin patted his head and gently asked, “Don’t you want to leave, Xiao Qi?”
The little furball immediately lifted his head and called out cheerfully, “Yip!”
Of course, he wanted to leave. He dreamed of going home with Wen Xin!
Understanding his response, Wen Xin was puzzled. “Then why don’t you want to go?”
Xiao Qi instinctively wanted to use his illusion powers to communicate but then remembered Wen Xin didn’t know he could use magic or that he could speak. Using it might expose his identity as the Pope and scare Wen Xin.
After a moment of thought, Xiao Qi decided to be cautious. He jumped down to the ground, wagged his tail, and signaled Wen Xin to follow him.
Wen Xin followed him out the door.
There were not only guards standing outside.
Wen Xin saw Cardinal Shi, who looked anxious, and beside him were two red-robed cardinals pacing back and forth.
These were the other two cardinals of Wei Xin Cult—one in charge of foreign affairs and the other sharing internal duties with Cardinal Shi.
Beyond them stood a dozen black-robed Bishops, twelve in total. That meant every figure with power and status in Wei Xin Cult had gathered here.
The moment Wen Xin and Xiao Qi appeared, every gaze turned to them, faces tense and breath held in nervous anticipation.
Cardinal Shi, assuming Wen Xin had told Xiao Qi everything, approached nervously. “Your Ho—”
Wen Xin, worried he might slip up, interrupted, “Xiao Qi and I are going out. Please inform His Holiness the Pope.”
Cardinal Shi immediately realized Xiao Qi was still concealing his identity from Wen Xin and paused in surprise.
Xiao Qi glanced at him.
That glance, as cold as ice, froze Cardinal Shi in place, making his whole body stiff.
If Xiao Qi hadn’t stopped him in his consciousness, he would have dropped to his knees.
Even without kneeling, the old man’s knees were half-bent, his lips trembling.
Wen Xin observed this and guessed they were likely having a private conversation in their minds.
Truthfully, Wen Xin was genuinely angry after their argument.
Seeing the deep remorse on the old man’s face stirred complex emotions within him.
This discontent wasn’t solely directed at Cardinal Shi.
As one of the three cardinals, Cardinal Shi represented the collective mindset of Wei Xin Cult. If even he thought it was only natural to place the burden of thousands on Xiao Qi, what would the rest of the cult think?
Wen Xin realized that Wei Xin Cult didn’t genuinely respect Xiao Qi, nor did they care about how exhausted he was.
From beginning to end, they worshipped only the power that created their utopia.
How could he not feel chilled by this thought?
Wen Xin couldn’t help but worry: What if Xiao Qi lost his power one day? How would Wei Xin Cult treat him then?
What if these fervent followers, blinded by ambition, involved Xiao Qi in some irreparable disaster because they believed his power could accomplish grand feats? What then?
Ma Zilian was a living example of that.
Cardinal Shi, meanwhile, was nodding at Xiao Qi like a pecking chicken. “Yes, yes, have fun. Would you like me to send someone along?”
The answer was, of course, no.
Cardinal Shi nodded so vigorously that his head looked like it might fall off.
Thoughtful as ever, he remembered Wen Xin mentioning “going out to play” as an excuse to distract Xiao Qi earlier. He had someone prepare a bag of general currency and handed it over.
Wen Xin glanced at Xiao Qi. When the fox nodded, he accepted the heavy bag.
He opened it and gasped.
It was full of small gold nuggets, polished to a perfect sheen.
The Cardinals beside them, eager to please, chimed in, “Perhaps you should take another bag or two, just in case.”
Xiao Qi seemed to agree, looking to Wen Xin as if asking if more would be needed.
Wen Xin: “…”
Now he had a better understanding of Wei Xin Cult’s wealth. He said wryly, “This should be enough.”
He hadn’t gone out yet, so he wasn’t sure how much spending a day in City B would cost, but he wasn’t clueless.
On the way to the cathedral, he had heard prices and had a rough idea of the cost of goods.
Xiao Qi nodded contentedly. Ignoring the eager gazes of the cult members, he called to Wen Xin again.
They stepped forward together, and no one dared stop them.
Behind them, Cardinal Shi craned his neck and called out, “Have fun and come back early! It’s not safe after dark!”
*
Wen Xin wasn’t sure where Xiao Qi was taking him.
When they arrived at a busy commercial street turned marketplace, with food stalls and street performers, he realized Xiao Qi really did just want to go out and have fun.
Wen Xin wanted to know why Xiao Qi hesitated about leaving, but the little fox seemed to have forgotten to answer.
Seeing Xiao Qi’s eyes glued to the stalls and unable to look away, he smiled helplessly.
But he had promised to take Xiao Qi out to play, so he had to keep his word.
Just in case, Wen Xin checked people’s reactions to Xiao Qi.
When no one seemed afraid, he guessed Xiao Qi had cast a mental suggestion.
Or perhaps only the core members knew the Pope was a pink fox, since the statue in the temple wasn’t colored.
Wen Xin picked Xiao Qi up and lifted his tiny paw. “Alright, let’s play. Do you have any suggestions?”
Xiao Qi blinked innocently, not understanding. He tilted his head, clueless.
Wen Xin’s lips twitched. “You don’t know… Have you never been here before?”
Xiao Qi yiped once, confidently confirming Wen Xin’s suspicion, and then yiped louder, as if praising him for figuring it out.
Wen Xin: “…”
He chuckled, half-amused and half-sad, squeezing the fox’s paw. “Alright, since I’m taking you out, follow me.”
Having fun seems to be ingrained in human nature.
While Xiao Qi was still glancing around shyly, Wen Xin had already followed the delicious smells to a stall selling meat pies.
The apocalypse didn’t mean a lack of food. Resources had become more valuable, and people leaned toward filling meals.
Some families grew crops; others raised livestock and sold their goods. Transforming them into snacks made them pricier, but people willing to indulge still bought them for the taste.
Wen Xin bought two meat pies.
The vendor controlled the heat well. The crusts were golden and crispy, glistening under the sun. The smell of seasoned meat filled the air, making mouths water.
Wen Xin blew on the pie until it cooled and offered it to Xiao Qi.
The little fox bit into it eagerly, eyes squinting with satisfaction as his tail wagged furiously.
“yip yip!”
Wen Xin, it’s delicious!
Wen Xin took a bite and heard the crunch as the flaky crust crumbled in his mouth. The juicy filling spread across his palate like an explosion, making him sigh in contentment. “It really is good.”
The vendors were a married couple, busy with the lunchtime rush. They worked together, rolling dough and grilling pies, hands flying.
Hearing Wen Xin’s praise, they smiled warmly. “We raise our own pigs, fed on grains. That’s why they taste so good!”
A customer who knew them well joked, “Yeah, right. Most factories have shut down. Grain feed costs more than regular grains. What choice do you have?”
“Get outta here,” the vendor joked back, laughing. “Can’t you keep quiet while eating?”
Wen Xin paused his chewing, eyes drifting.
No matter how many times he saw it, the sight of these happy faces always struck a chord.
Xiao Qi finished his pie quickly.
Not wanting a new one, he sniffed at Wen Xin’s half-eaten pie, leaning forward to take a bite.
Crunch—
Wen Xin, as if he had eyes on his chin, moved his hand away, leaving Xiao Qi biting at the air.
Caught, the little fox wasn’t embarrassed at all. He tried again, and Wen Xin, amused, tore off an untouched piece and fed it to him.
Patting the fox’s head, he said, “Save room. We’re going to eat more.”
Xiao Qi’s eyes sparkled.
They moved from one stall to the next. The barbecue stall had creative dishes like grilled tofu and chicken cartilage seasoned uniquely.
Then came the takoyaki stall, substituting chicken or pork for octopus and drizzling homemade sweet sauce on top.
By the time they were full, both smelled like a mix of different foods.
Sipping sweet drinks, they stood by and watched performers break bricks with their chests and jump through hoops.
The winter night fell quickly.
As darkness deepened, street lamps flickered on, powered by the base’s electricity plant. Store owners paid for this electricity as part of their rent.
Some shops brought out their handmade lanterns as backup for the unstable power supply.
Each lantern was different.
Some were crafted beautifully, shaped like lifelike rabbits that drew crowds.
Others were rough, crooked with sticks poking through the paper. The owners didn’t care, proudly showing their “unique” designs.
The street glittered with a kaleidoscope of colors, full of life and warmth.
Wen Xin and Xiao Qi strolled leisurely, soaking in the sights from end to end.
When they reached the end of the road, they turned and retraced their steps, drawn to the bustling crowd.
When the stalls started to close, Xiao Qi called out, jumping to the ground.
He led Wen Xin to the entrance of a tall building.
It looked like any office building before the apocalypse, but Wen Xin noticed the elevator inside was working.
It seemed to be owned by Wei Xin Cult, as black-robed guards manned the entrance.
Seeing Xiao Qi, they pressed the elevator button.
Wen Xin and Xiao Qi rode to the top floor.
The doors opened to a rush of cold wind, making Wen Xin shiver despite his strong physique.
Xiao Qi ran to a long table and turned on an electric heater, calling Wen Xin over.
Wen Xin saw solar panels nearby.
Approaching the table, he noticed cushions and thick, cozy blankets on the sofas.
He wrapped Xiao Qi in a blanket and sat down.
“yip.”
Xiao Qi pointed to the glass railing, signaling for Wen Xin to look.
From this height, most of City B spread out before them, ablaze with lights.
Wen Xin gazed down at the glowing cityscape.
The apocalypse was like a rake pushing grain. People were the tumbling grain, and some, unable to hold on, slipped through and decayed in the rain.
Pain and mourning were the norm.
Whether on the road to City A or inside the base, he had never seen smiles as he did in Wei Xin Cult.
Wen Xin closed his eyes.
He realized Xiao Qi hadn’t just brought him out to play. The little fox wanted him to see this indescribable scene.
And he understood why Xiao Qi hesitated to leave.
While Wen Xin was lost in thought, Xiao Qi crawled out of the blanket, hopped onto his shoulder, and licked his forehead.
Then, the little fox jumped into his lap and began gesturing.
He regretted not learning sign language earlier; communicating without words was hard.
Still, he managed a few simple gestures.
“yip.”
Wen Xin saw him gesture: home.
Xiao Qi pointed at the city lights and gestured “home” again.
—This joy, this lively and bright atmosphere, this is what we dream of as home.
Xiao Qi wasn’t sure if Wen Xin understood. He kept gesturing.
—I know you care about them.
I know you love every person and creature, that you wish for everyone’s happiness, and that you welcomed us even though we’re different and dangerous.
But the apocalypse brought pain. You see people die and feel wounded, as if experiencing their death yourself.
Even if we go home, you’ll still suffer as long as the disaster continues.
Because you’re Wen Xin. Kind and warm-hearted Wen Xin.
Xiao Qi finished gesturing and nestled into Wen Xin’s embrace, ears twitching and tail wagging.
His eyes seemed to ask:
—Wen Xin, I’m giving you this city as a gift.
—Does it make you happy?
Wen Xin understood Xiao Qi’s gestures.
He was silent for a long time, lips moving as his eyes quivered.
Warmth spread in his chest, melting all the bittersweet emotions there.
After a while, he whispered hoarsely, “But you’re tired here and not happy.”
Xiao Qi tilted his head, confused.
He was tired and unhappy, but how did Wen Xin know?
Wen Xin smiled at his puzzled expression.
Did Xiao Qi trust his disguise that much, or did he trust him too much to suspect anything?
He kissed Xiao Qi’s forehead and stood, holding the little fox close.
The breeze was cool, and the moon shone bright.
Wen Xin looked out at the dazzling city lights below, embracing Xiao Qi.
“Thank you. I love this gift.”
Xiao Qi chirped with pride.
“yip yip!”
I knew you’d like it!
Wen Xin gazed at him lovingly, adding, “I heard the Pope is maintaining this with his power.”
“But I worry… what if he’s not there one day?”
Xiao Qi froze.
What did he mean by ‘not there’?
Wen Xin asked, “You know the Pope well. Do you think he could extend this to another city?”
Xiao Qi frowned.
To suppress his nature, he needed to use part of his power.
But if it was for Wen Xin, he could try.
Xiao Qi nodded slowly.
“So, two cities are possible,” Wen Xin pressed. “What about three, four, or five?”
Xiao Qi’s face fell, looking troubled.
That was too much for him.
“See? That’s the problem.” Wen Xin ruffled his head. “Three cities would be overwhelming for him. Keeping one city stable is already a lot. What if he can’t handle it one day?”
Xiao Qi wanted to say he could handle it.
Wen Xin spoke before he could: “If he collapses from it, it would hurt me deeply.”
“It’d be like watching me fall apart.”
Xiao Qi choked, unable to respond.
Wen Xin patted his head again, looking ahead.
Somewhere between walking down the bustling street and seeing the people’s smiles, something inside him changed.
A fierce, unwavering emotion welled up, just like when he swore to protect Wen Jingfeng.
Illusions drained Xiao Qi’s energy, but it wasn’t sustainable.
This burden shouldn’t be on the little fox.
Without relying on illusions, what could hold this scarred world together?
Wen Xin closed his eyes, thoughts swirling until he grasped something faint.
He whispered inside,
“If only I could…”
Well that’s when you only do it like once a week or 2 hours a day. Then you can also promise safety because he’s strong.