Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Do You Understand, Chen Ke?

Hainerd looked at Chen Ke, waiting for his answer.

Chen Ke was at a loss for words for a moment. He hadn’t considered such a question carefully before. Until recently, he could only survive for 5 hours, much like a wild boar on fire, running everywhere.

Even now, though Chen Ke could extinguish all souls, it would only extend his life from 20 hours to a week.

To himself, it indeed seemed like a lot more breathing room, but compared to a normal person, Chen Ke’s lifespan was about the same as that of a terminal cancer patient.

Unless he found a way to remove the life countdown, he could only ever live in the midst of killing. Not to mention that in addition to his lifespan, there was also Ash Element within his body…

So, it was only when Hainerd asked about Chen Ke’s future plans that Chen Ke suddenly realized that his current situation wasn’t as optimistic as he had thought.

“Your opponent is Si’s consortium, but I am very curious, how do you plan on making your move, and what will signify the end of your revenge? Killing their boss, or completely breaking them down?” Hainerd asked.

“I’m just searching for an answer, Hainerd,” Chen Ke replied.

“Everyone with a problem wants an answer, but not all questions can be answered,” Hainerd said meaningfully.

“If they can convince me…” Chen Ke said.

Hainerd set the empty beer can aside, grabbed another, pulled open the tab, and took a big gulp.

“I’ve let go, Chen Ke. You know, I was like you once, but after over a decade of pursuit, I neglected the most precious things around me,” Hainerd said, gazing out to sea.

Under the brilliant sun, the blue ocean merged with the sky, and waves of white foam rolled onto the beach from afar. A few white birds flew by, and Chen Ke wasn’t sure if they were seagulls.

The two lapsed into silence. Chen Ke smelled the fishy scent and wondered what kinds of fish were being packed in boxes.

“Do you know your place in Lucina’s heart?” Hainerd suddenly said.

Chen Ke was taken aback; so this was what Hainerd meant to speak of.

“I know. She’s somewhat fond of me,” Chen Ke nodded.

“It seems you don’t quite understand…” Hainerd shook his head.

Chen Ke turned to Hainerd.

“Our line of work is filled with abandonment and betrayal. Sometimes it’s for more money, other times it’s just personal grudges… Your own comrades will stab you in the back. Backstabbing is as common as eating breakfast,” Hainerd slowly said.

“We chose this path, so we should be prepared,” Chen Ke replied.

“Lucina grew up in this environment since she was young. It’s my fault. She trusts no one and has seen a lot of cruel things. Abandoning a seriously injured partner and running away is not a shameful act in our business. Two days ago, she had already resolved herself…” Hainerd said.

“But I saved her,” Chen Ke stated.

“You didn’t have to. Even if someone was to do it, it should have been me. She never thought you would save her,” Hainerd looked at Chen Ke.

“I am the one who lost her… It’s my responsibility,” Chen Ke stated.

“That’s why I say you don’t quite understand your position in Lucina’s heart,” Hainerd said.

Chen Ke scratched his head.

“In our trade, a person like you is rarer than a walking whale. I don’t believe you used to mix in our circles before, nor do I believe you come from the Administration Bureau,” Hainerd said with a chuckle.

“What has Lucina told you?” Chen Ke asked.

“She’s keeping your secret, she didn’t tell me anything. It’s rare for her not to lie to me. But that doesn’t mean I can’t tell. That day, if you didn’t have any tricks up your sleeve, you’d never have made it out in one piece,” Hainerd said.

Chen Ke looked at Hainerd and remained silent.

“Listen, Chen Ke, I’m not interested in your past or future… But if it involves Lucina, then I must make it clear to you. You don’t belong to this trade, my world is not worthy of you. Your actions are those of a hero, yet you always call yourself an assassin. Pihom, that bunch of jerks, and myself… this is our life, but I hope you can at least pull Lucina out…” Hainerd said softly.

“Once you have settled your personal vendettas, I advise you to leave the courier business, take Lucina with you, and leave this city… I haven’t guided her well. I’ve always hoped she could live a normal life, not needing to face-off against the County Police with guns, no more injuries, but to be with the one she loves, buying a mansion in Carefree City, playing her favorite racing games, going to the movies on weekends, having a couple of kids, enjoying a normal person’s life… Do you understand, Chen Ke…?” Hainerd looked at Chen Ke with a look that held a plea, a trust.

“I don’t know…” Chen Ke shook his head.

“I won’t urge you to let go of personal grudges, after all, I understand that feeling. Si’s consortium owes you a life, and you want to get it back. But before you succeed, or, say, before you… understand what I’ve said, don’t let Lucina get too deep. She has never lied to me for someone else’s sake. I hope when you accept her, no one will come to kill you, and no one will hurt her in order to find you,” Hainerd said.

Chen Ke nodded.

“She’s downstairs now; go see her, Chen Ke,” Hainerd sighed and said.

Following Hainerd’s direction, Chen Ke saw a grey iron door; he stood up and, led by a worker, stepped into the iron door.

The worker stood at the entrance, telling Chen Ke to keep going down to reach the hidden safe house. So, Chen Ke followed the inconspicuous staircase inside the iron door downward and soon saw the familiar red-colored safe house metal door.

He wanted to knock but hesitated, his hand hanging in mid-air.

Hainerd’s intentions were clear; he hoped that Chen Ke could bring a normal life to Lucina, to completely escape the dark world.

However, at this moment, Chen Ke had no confidence, as he himself was unrelated to the word “normal.”

Although Chen Ke was also earnestly seeking a way to return to normalcy, he always felt he was drifting farther from this goal.

He initially could only absorb killing aura to extend his life. Later, he gained the abilities of the Killing Aura Trigger, Killing Aura Radar, Life Engine, Life Transfer Gate…

Maybe this was what they call going in the opposite direction intended? As if fate was playing with him, searching for answers required time, which could only be bought with killing aura…

The harder he tried, the further he moved away from being normal…

Chen Ke sighed, listening for sounds behind the red metal door, hearing only the “puff puff” sounds of sandbags being hit and the low growls of a woman.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his mood, turned the doorknob, and walked in.