The Eve of Disaster

On the second day of Eden's song rehearsal, Huang Hao found Aponia to discuss something they had never discussed before.

"Aponia, I hope you can lift everyone's commandments."

Aponia looked at Huang Hao, who was brimming with conviction, and gave a soft laugh. "Mr. Huang Hao, may I ask why?"

Huang Hao said, "I hope no one will be confused."

Aponia said, "But those people aren't confused either."

Huang Hao said, "But one person's thoughts are controlled, and their actions are restrained, all so they can fulfill someone else's purpose—for the sake of so-called righteousness."

Aponia said, "This has to be done."

Huang Hao said, "Then it should be their decision!"

Aponia ignored the furious Huang Hao before her and instead brought up another matter. "Mr. Huang Hao, judging from what happened before, you can also foresee the future, can't you? You've met many people and lost hope and faith before as well. I hope I can save more people. You're the one doing this for the greater good."

"What do you mean?"

"In the face of disaster, death becomes a part of daily life. Mr. Huang Hao, you don't need to speak with everyone one by one, because there's only one possible outcome anyway."

Huang Hao was furious. He wanted to pick up the table and smash it into the face of the person opposite him, but reason told him that she was right.

Aponia raised her hands in prayer and said at last, "Even if I agree, there will certainly still be people who don't. If you insist on pursuing this matter, sir, then I have nothing more to say."

Huang Hao had intended to press her further, but he understood. He walked straight out.

Once outside, Huang Hao looked up at the sky. The sun, the white clouds, the blue sky—everything was so beautiful. Yet someone still felt so uneasy.

"What a terrible future."

Huang Hao didn't know why he had said it, but the words still left his mouth. Then he suddenly felt a sharp headache and passed out.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a hospital.

Huang Hao said, "Wh-what happened? Where am I?"

"Father, this is a hospital." While Huang Hao had been unconscious, Angela had immediately returned from the team to care for him. She had not left once.

"An'er, is that you? You've worked hard these past few days." Huang Hao put on his trademark smile, though it looked extremely bitter.

"It's nothing, Father. It's what I should do."

Huang Hao lay on the hospital bed while Angela sat beside him. Outside the window, dark clouds filled the sky. There was no sunlight, and the room felt extremely oppressive.

At that moment, Huang Hao suddenly asked, "An'er, did anyone come to see me while I was out?"

Angela replied, "Aunt Aponia was the first to come. Uncle Kevin, Uncle Qian Jie, and Cosmo also came by. Eden came over and gave some instructions about the song. Oh, right—this box of lemons was sent by Sister Ellie." Angela pointed to the cardboard box beside the bed.

"Anyone else?"

Angela took out several letters. "There were, but they didn't come in person. They just wrote a few letters."

Huang Hao looked at the letters and shook his head with a smile before burning them with his authority.

Angela merely watched and said nothing.

Huang Hao looked out the window. He remembered that it had still been daytime when he passed out, but now the sky was covered with dark clouds. This was no good sign. He climbed out of bed and said, "An'er, let's go."

Huang Hao left the hospital room and looked in the mirror. He realized that he was still wearing the same black cloak. He smiled, knowing that Angela must have helped him.

Huang Hao patted Angela's head. "Thanks, An'er. I didn't know you understood me so well."

Angela moved Huang Hao's hand away and asked, "Father, did what you just said mean that a Herrscher is coming? But the timing is clearly unknown."

"An'er, do you know why I'm still so calm even after passing out?" Huang Hao did not answer Angela's question. Instead, he continued speaking to himself.

Angela said, "I don't want to know."

Huang Hao said, "...All right. It's because I sensed it. This time, the prophecy has become intuition."

"Use my authority to send out a notice. Say that disaster is coming."