Paying Rent

(Bonus chapter for Yang Suiyue Liu, the big boss of Space)

"Young people are advising you to drink less because they care about your own health; it's not my place to interfere with this kind of thing."

"The law only cares about whether something is violated or broken; it doesn't care about people's basic needs like eating, drinking, and relieving themselves."

Upon hearing this, Xiulikas didn't say anything more. He ordered a drink as usual and sat in the corner, drinking it by himself.

Stop drinking alone.

"As an Assassin, I'm used to it."

"But based on the information I've received, you're not just an Assassin, you're also a priest."

"Among the Perpetual, there have been many who have served as tribal priests throughout history."

"But you're different, priest. Others worship ghosts and spirits, but you worship fate."

Xiulikas downed his drink in one gulp and stared coldly at Curze.

"Many things are self-evident in the face of fate, and likewise, many things are unspeakable in the face of fate."

"I'm not here today to talk to you about fate; I'm here to get your rent paid."

"Pay rent?"

Curze's statement caught Xiulikas off guard.

"Grand Inquisitor, although I am not an old Nostramo people, I did contribute to the construction of New Nostramo, and besides, I bought the house in full, I don't rent."

"You said it yourself, Nostramo, in this place, I'm essentially the landlord. Is there a problem with me asking you to pay rent?"

"I didn't bring anything with me today except money for drinks."

"No rush, Lord Xiulikas. I'll go to your house to get the money after you finish your drink."

Xiulikas watched Curze silently; he could sense that the Grand Inquisitor was dangerous, and his thoughts were dangerous.

"The road to my house is very dangerous. It's late at night, and I don't know the area well. What if I fall and get hurt?"

"Just get up wherever you fall. If you really can't, lie down and rest for a bit, then keep going."

"I'm an impatient person, I won't wait for anyone on my way home, you'd better keep up."

I'll pay for your drinks tonight.

"Thank you for your Grand Inquisitor, Your Honor."

Soon, midnight arrived.

Curze followed Xiulikas to his house.

"The location is a bit remote, please Grand Inquisitor."

"In fact, based on your work record in Nostramo, being able to afford a house like this is already quite good. If you had bought something better, I would have assumed you had bribed the officials in Nostramo."

Xiulikas didn't reply; he simply took out a bag of Evernight Silver Coins.

"This is my rent, Grand Inquisitor, please accept it."

Don't play dumb with me.

"Grand Inquisitor..."

"Either obey and do as I say, or I'll let you watch your skin be peeled off."

Upon hearing this, Xiulikas felt his hair stand on end.

In an instant, a dagger appeared in his hand, and he stabbed it behind him.

Strangely, he didn't turn around; it was his shadow that moved.

"As expected of the Fate’s Assassin, it seems the information from Father was indeed correct. You didn't deceive Father, so you're still alive at this moment."

"Who's there?!"

Xiulikas didn't turn around; he just shouted at Curze, but his voice trembled.

He could see and feel that Grand Inquisitor Curze was standing right there, and his fate was right before his eyes; fate could not be faked.

But just a second before, he heard a voice behind him that sounded exactly like the Grand Inquisitor's, but the voice wasn't the key point.

Fate is the key.

The instant that voice appeared, Xiulikas felt a fate ninety-nine percent similar to that of the Grand Inquisitor.

However, the mastermind behind this destiny is even more calm, rational, and even cold-blooded.

"Have you been drinking too much? It seems Nova was right to tell you to drink less," Curze said with a smile.

Originally, Curze's smile was not much different from Han Mingxuan's; both of them were gentlemen.

But now Xiulikas only felt fear, a fear that made him feel physically nauseous and disgusted.

"What exactly did you, or rather, all of you, experience?"

"Who knows? In the Khan's words, it must be the power of my father."

It was that voice from behind again.

"Think it over, Assassin. I'm giving you two seconds: either you obediently pay your rent, or I'll skin you alive right now."

"I know you Perpetual cannot be killed, and I have no power to kill you, but I can torment you for eternity."

Xiulikas remained silent for a long time.

He looked intently at Curze.

"Grand Inquisitor, whatever you intend to do, fate has foretold that your thoughts are dangerous."

"Do as I say, Mr. Assassin. It's better for both of us this way."

Upon hearing Curze's voice turn cold, Xiulikas laughed instead.

"So be it, so be it. I've done all I could. The rest is up to fate."

At this moment, Xiulikas truly understood.

Why does fate foretell an incomparably dark future?

Perhaps the Emperor's actions were just a prelude, but at this moment, the appearance of the Grand Inquisitor before him signified that the dark thread of fate had officially begun.

Immediately afterwards, Xiulikas put away the original bag of silver coins and took out a bag of old coins.

No more, no less, 18 pieces.

"Then we'll mix your blood together, leave our mark on it, and your destinies will be intertwined."

Thanks, I received your rent.

"Grand Inquisitor."

Is there anything else?

Xiulikas pondered for a long time, and could only utter one sentence in the end.

"No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, please remember the teachings of the Father of Night. The fate of humanity is now in turmoil, and the future is in your hands."

Before leaving, Curze gave Xiulikas a long, hard look.

"I will, Your Excellency. I promised my Dad, and I know that the darkness before dawn is the most Despair and the darkest."

"Respectfully seeing off the Grand Inquisitor."

Watching Curze leave, Xiulikas felt a mix of emotions.

As Perpetual, he had seen too many wise leaders and too many righteous messengers.

Knowing something is one thing; doing it is quite another.

He then slumped onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

After thinking it over and over without reaching a conclusion, he finally decided, fueled by the alcohol, to sleep until dawn and then figure it out.

The wheel of fate has turned to this point; things have come to this, so let's go to sleep.

Back in his Office, Curze didn't rush to look at the ancient coins.

He was waiting for the Night Haunter to return.

"How's the situation? Has that Perpetual caused any trouble?"

"There's no problem. He slept soundly, and I used my Psychic Powers to look into his dream; it was a good dream."

"Then it seems he really didn't intend to do anything."

If someone has just gone through something like that, and their soul is completely unguarded when they sleep, then it means they have nothing to hide, and that's enough.

"Are you sure you want to do this, brother? The backlash from the Warmaster's fate will affect everyone."

"Unless the Emperor betrays the Imperium, that fate is a joke."