Chapter 730: My Heaven

I don’t want to ride my bike in a hurry, and I don’t want to scream.

I’m going on a journey—to find that “grand idea,” that “earth-shattering scent,” and to find Brother Guyu.

I need to find a way to save “Yucheng,” but time is running out. I’ve calculated it: with me included, there are only twenty-two people left in “Yucheng” now. If I don’t act quickly, Sister Siwei and Brother Guyu will have no home to return to.

So, in the next cycle, I shook off the citizens who kept chasing me, asking about “ascension,” and retrieved the gear I had hidden beforehand.

I put on my crown, fastened my sword, straightened my cloak, mounted my steed, and set off toward a place called “Daocheng.”

Sister, I’ll take this cloak with me. I’ll carry my shattered heart and the swallow’s corpse, searching for our heaven.

And I promise you—I’ll act like a true eight-year-old. I’ll call all men “Brother” or “Uncle,” and all women “Sister” or “Auntie.”

I don’t have any particular desires—only to become a true “hero.”

This time, I’ll embark on this journey alone. I won’t trust anyone, and I won’t join any organization. I’ll seek only a path that can save us.

…

“Daocheng” is indeed a very strange place.

There are far more living people here than I imagined, and their scents are varied and fascinating.

After just a few hours here, my nose is already itching.

But… are the people here always this enthusiastic?

The big guy behind me has been following me for a long time. Though his scent isn’t unpleasant, I really don’t want to join any group. Why does he keep insisting?

“Dang it!” the big guy panted as he ran. “Kid, enough already! You’ve got a bike, but I don’t! Just give me a straight answer—are you joining us or not?”

I squeezed the brakes and turned to look at him.

“Uncle, are you… are you an ‘Echo’?”

“Dang it… yeah, I am.” He bent over, catching his breath. “What, you too?”

“How long have your memories lasted? Do you know what happened twelve years ago?” I asked.

“Twelve years ago…?”

He straightened up, scratching his head. The muscles in his arms bunched together—he looked much stronger than Zhou Zhenglong.

“Yes,” I nodded. “Something big happened here twelve years ago… Do you know about it?”

“Dang it… your ‘Echo’ has lasted way too long…” He hesitated. “I don’t know, but how about coming back with me to ask our leader? He loves recruiting ‘Echoes.’ His memory isn’t great either, but he probably keeps some notes or something…”

“Then forget it,” I replied. “I don’t want to join any group. Sorry, Uncle.”

“Kid, you’re stubborn…” He sighed helplessly. “Even if you have memories, you’re still a child. Wandering around here alone is dangerous.”

“It’s fine. I’m not scared,” I said. “Thank you.”

I’ve had enough of places where people gather. I’ve had enough of “leaders.” Even without their help, I can find that person’s scent with just my nose.

I’ve smelled it once before—I could never forget it.

If I can really find him, I’ll follow him wherever he goes until he tells me why he called for me.

I don’t need anyone’s help. I can do this alone.

I got back on my bike and prepared to ride deeper into the city.

“Ugh, dang it… recruiting for ‘Heaven’s Gate’ is getting harder and harder…”

The big guy’s voice reached me again, and this time, I squeezed the brakes once more.

I turned slowly and asked softly, “Uncle, what did you say your group was called?”

“‘Heaven’s Gate.’ Why? Heard of it?”

“Heaven…” I clutched the cloak on my back.

Ever since I arrived in “Daocheng,” this man has been chasing me to join his group… Could he be the “angel”?

Has he come to collect the prince with the shattered heart and the swallow’s corpse, to take them to heaven?

“Uncle, what’s your name?” I asked.

“Zhang Shan,” he said. “Did you know me before?”

I frowned slightly. “Zhang San…?”

Before she died, Sister told me, “Maybe the angel is someone among us—a Zhang San or Li Si… or some unremarkable person.”

Is this what she meant? As if fate itself guided me… Is this man truly the angel?

“What Zhang San…?” He frowned too. “Shan! As in mountain!”

“I’ll go with you, Uncle,” I said, looking at him seriously. “Take me to ‘Heaven.'”

No matter what, at least this man’s scent isn’t bad. There’s no harm in going with him to see.

“‘Heaven’…” Zhang Shan shook his head helplessly. “Sounds like I’m taking you to die. We’re called ‘Heaven’s Gate’!”

Then he paused, muttering, “Though Chu Tianqiu did say… it used to have a two-character name. What was it again…?”

I turned my bike around and rode up beside him. “Let’s go, Uncle.”

“Fine, finally got you to stay.”

He reached out to pat my head. Instinctively, I wanted to dodge, but I held still.

“Strange kid. Keep up.”

I nodded and pedaled slowly behind him.

If I join “Heaven,” will I find that special scent faster?

If the owner of that scent is truly many times stronger than me, I’d even take off my crown and kneel before him—just to save “Yucheng” and bring my Sister Siwei back.

Maybe I’ll have to keep pretending to be a child, but that’s fine. I’ll protect everyone.

I am Zheng Yingxiong from “Yucheng.”

And now, carrying the heavy scent upon me, I’ll begin to lie.