Wu Quan opened his mouth, but said nothing. He lowered his head and fell silent.
In his mind, scenes from the Abstinence Hall surfaced: Old Dog Wu and a group of corpses sitting beneath a plastic canopy in the pouring rain, drinking as tears streamed down their faces... Then came the scene after the storm had passed, when they donned black robes and charged toward the front lines without hesitation.
In the past, he had been utterly unable to understand Old Dog Wu and the Spirit Mediums' actions. But after following Lin Qiye for so long, he seemed to understand them a little now.
He was willing to use his abilities to protect the world, but calling that his lifelong aspiration seemed somewhat inappropriate... Deep within his heart, there was something more important than protecting the world.
Back when he had painted that black umbrella on the wall in his youth, he had already found a goal worth pursuing for the rest of his life.
The person beneath that umbrella—that was his true lifelong aspiration.
Wu Quan did not want to deceive Huo Qubing. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke honestly:
"Protect one person first. If I have strength left over, then protect the world."
Upon hearing that answer, a trace of undisguised disappointment flashed through Huo Qubing's eyes...
He slowly rose from the carriage. His black-and-gold marquis's robes fluttered in the wind. He glanced at Wu Quan, who had lowered his head, then turned and entered the carriage.
As Huo Qubing left, Wu Quan unclenched his sweat-soaked palms, and a bitter, self-mocking smile appeared on his face.
Sure enough, someone like him could never earn Huo Qubing's approval.
The others, seeing this, sighed regretfully as well.
Just then, Huo Qubing's voice came from within the carriage:
"From today