Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 736: Chapter 598 Good News (Alliance Master Tangtang Zhengzheng0_1)

Although it was hard to breathe, he still had to breathe.

And before long, Huai Shi had pushed the matter to the back of his mind, like a foolish dog burying its head in the sand to escape reality.

Too many lice, and you stop scratching; too much debt, and you stop worrying.

In his finite life, Huai Shi had understood a principle: no matter how cunningly humans try to save money, when it comes time to spend, you always have to spend. If you don’t, perhaps others will spend it for you, or you may never get the chance to spend it again.

It’s just money, isn’t it?

If it’s gone... earn it again...

Already accustomed to the intense, stabbing pain in his core, Huai Shi tearfully picked up his teacup and drank it down in one gulp.

Then he stood there, stupefied.

”How does it feel?”

The Director of Affairs came over, looking at him expectantly. ”I used a new formula this time. It should be quite effective, right?”

”...This feeling, it’s so refreshing!”

Huai Shi looked down in disbelief at the teacup in his hand, savoring the marvelous tea aroma still lingering on his lips. The tea that had entered his stomach seemed to rise, bringing a continuous stream of exquisite reactions. He couldn’t help but exhale with relief, sweeping away the stuffiness in his chest and bringing tranquility to both body and soul.

His restless heart quickly calmed, and he felt a sense of serenity.

”How did you make it?” he asked, sipping carefully at the tea in his cup. ”I’ll prepare some for myself when I get back.”

The Director of Affairs laughed heartily, appearing greatly satisfied. ”As expected, Mr. Huai Shi, you have the best appreciation for art. How about this? I’ll write down the method for you later. Although judging it relies a lot on experience, if you try it a few times, you can reach my level of excellence.”

”Tell me more,” Huai Shi said, his eyes brightening as he leaned in.

While the two were exchanging tea-brewing skills and culinary insights, a faint rumbling came from above.

At that moment, the Iron Crystal Throne hovered in the sky. A dark shadow had begun to appear on its deck, stretching forward slowly.

The illusory light source, a remnant from the death of the Dome Giant, was obscured.

An overwhelming Airship Cluster roared past from even greater heights.

The Director of Affairs paused mid-sentence. He looked up, squinting at the retreating Airship Cluster, a smirk playing on his lips.

”I must say, this flustered retreat of theirs is truly a delight to behold.”

With that, he raised his teacup, bidding farewell to the Ivy Vine Emblem on the flagship of the Airships, watching the losers depart.

Huai Shi strained to look up.

He could faintly make out two silhouettes atop the flagship, peering down at them, but he couldn’t see them clearly. However, one outline was extremely familiar.

”Safe travels,” he muttered, lifting his hand and waving vigorously.

The figure on the other side lifted their hand too.

A shadow of a middle finger was cast onto the deck of the Iron Crystal Throne, followed by a gesture across the neck.

—Scum, I’ll have you shark bait in three days! I’ll skin you! That was probably the message.

Huai Shi raised an eyebrow and shrugged. He watched the shadow of the Airships fade into the distance, then turned his gaze away, continuing to drink his tea and, once again, beginning to relish his laid-back lifestyle.

”Speaking of which, there’s some good news I haven’t had the chance to tell you,” the Director of Affairs said suddenly. ”But upon reflection, I think it’s better to let the person involved express their gratitude in person.”

”The person involved?” Huai Shi looked up, puzzled.

When he saw the man who had been waiting for a long time in the distance, his eyes widened, and he froze in place.

”See, Huai Shi? You *did* make a difference,” the Director of Affairs said gleefully, raising his eyebrows. ”In this Hell, at least one soul was saved because of you...”

”Condra?” Huai Shi asked in disbelief. ”You—you’re alive?”

”Although I’m not sure why I was chosen by the records of the Heavenly Kingdom, I guess I’ve come back to life, in a manner of speaking?”

The Event Spirit once known as ’Condra’ bowed his head, placing a hand on his chest in gratitude. ”Thank you for everything you’ve done, Mr. Huai Shi.”

In his hands, a thick book emerged.

—”Les Miserables”.

”Is that so?”

Caught in a rush of sudden joy, Huai Shi couldn’t help but smile.

”It seems there are occasional good things even in Hell!”

.

.

”Did you make any friends, Liz?”

High above, on the exterior deck above the Airship’s gasbag, an old man in a wheelchair turned around, scrutinizing the annoyed teenage girl beside him.

Liz turned back, her expression stern. ”Teacher, does anyone in the world call *this* kind of relationship ’friendship’?”

Michel laughed. ”I, for one, think making more friends would be good for you. If you’re always acting like the High Priest, don’t you feel lonely sometimes?”

”Once I’ve skinned him and offered his hide to the Skinner, sacrificed his innards to Kukulkan, and presented his heart and head to The First Sun, *then* I’ll consider befriending what’s left of him,” Liz answered seriously. ”Other than that, I don’t see any chance of us getting along amicably. Please, rest and heal. Stop letting your imagination run wild, alright? It’s so cold out here; you should go back inside.”

”Just getting some fresh air. What harm is there in that?”

Michel shook his head nonchalantly. He looked down at the steel bracelet on his wrist, which resembled shackles. A faint orange light glowed on its small display screen.

It was gradually fading from the red zone but had not yet returned to the safe green zone.

This was proof of soul contamination.