Bewilderment

Angel was truly beset by countless confusions, and these unanswered questions nearly drove him mad.

Tian Zhu appeared gentle towards him, claiming to want to protect him, but why would Tian Zhu protect him? Was it merely because they had met only twice? What was Tian Zhu's true objective?

Amidst a jumble of chaotic emotions, a wave of vexation and helplessness spread from the depths of his heart to his limbs. His life seemed to follow an invisible trajectory, from beginning to end, and then from end back to beginning, an endless cycle, just as Tian Zhu had said.

He looked at Tian Zhu's face, that peerlessly handsome face now devoid of any expression, exuding an immense, invisible pressure. In the dark room, the fire in the fireplace on the left wall blazed fiercely, yet the flames were an eerie blue-white, casting a deeper, more somber reflection upon Tian Zhu's countenance.

Tian Zhu took a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the blood from his hands, then said, "I shall now transfer your soul into Ming Kai Chang's body."

Angel closed his eyes, allowing Tian Zhu to extract his soul from his body and place it into Ming Kai Chang's vessel. When his soul merged with the new body, he opened his eyes to see his original form lying on the ground, while his soul now resided in an unfamiliar body. The sensation was truly wondrous.

Tian Zhu said, "Angel, do not disappoint me."

Angel did not know how to respond. From what he had seen in the mirror chamber, Tian Zhu's expectation was for him to become a demon. Tian Zhu wanted him to deal with the mob, to make the mob separate into demonic souls. If he truly succeeded, this entire world, save for him and Tian Zhu, would have their bodies controlled by angelic souls, becoming "angels" in name only.

But why did Tian Zhu wish for him to become a demon? He truly couldn't comprehend it; his mind felt as if it would explode.

Tian Zhu observed Angel, every inch of Ming Kai Chang's body scrutinized by Tian Zhu's gaze. After a moment of thought, Tian Zhu said, "Number 111 Shan Sheng Street is the Qing Jian base. Upon arrival, you must ring the doorbell; someone will come out to exchange a secret code. That person will ask: 'Why have you come to this place?', and you will reply: 'Accumulated Field and Wanderings'."

Angel was once again astonished by Tian Zhu's omniscient ability. He took the paper, left the church, and hurried away. Arriving at 111 Shan Sheng Street, he rang the doorbell. After a long wait, the door finally opened.

As soon as the door opened, an old man in a black robe and hood poked his head out, his voice hoarse and unpleasant: "Why have you come to this place?"

Angel looked into the old man's eyes, which sparkled with a sharp glint, giving him the feeling of facing an old rat foraging underground. He calmly replied, "Accumulated Field and Wanderings."

"Ah," the old man seemed to recognize him, the wrinkles on his face relaxing slightly, his expression no longer stiff but beginning to show emotion: "You are... Ming Kai Chang."

The old man appraised him once more, then said, "Follow me."

The old man pushed the door open and stepped inside first, Angel following closely behind. The moment he entered the base, a cold, damp breath assailed him. Dark clouds covered the sky, seemingly brewing a heavy rain. Just a few seconds later, thunder boomed, and heavy raindrops pelted the ground, splashing everywhere. Under the dim light, ghostly shadows seemed to flicker.

A pitch-black ancient building stood amidst the rain. The old man did not stop, heading straight for it. The iron gate of the ancient building was covered in sharp spikes. The old man gently pulled the gate open, and a gust of cold wind blew through, flipping the brim of his hat. Under the flash of lightning, the old man's face appeared even more terrifying, making Angel shiver involuntarily.

After entering the ancient building's main hall, the old man led him to a door leading upstairs to the second floor. The old man pushed the door open, and the clamor of a crowd emanated from within.