Chapter 544: My Name Is Xu Liunian

My name is Xu Liunian.

I lied.

If time is allowed to flow, youth fades, and dreams are left idle.

I often wonder what my parents hoped for when they gave me this name—perhaps a life of peace and ordinariness.

And, just as they expected, I grew up to be an utterly ordinary person.

From childhood, I had an average appearance, average height, average grades, and an entirely unremarkable family background.

I never learned any special talents either. While other children took up painting, piano, or dance, I never practiced any of them.

By the time I realized that many around me were far more accomplished, it was already too late to change anything.

So, I could only settle for an ordinary job, live an ordinary life, and try to pass through an ordinary existence.

My parents wished me a life—I gave them the passage of time.

Wasn’t this exactly the kind of life they had envisioned for me?

Yet my parents could never have imagined that my mundane life would be completely overturned after death, leading me to experience things no ordinary person ever would. They certainly never dreamed I’d end up in this place—living here, dying here.

Not just them…

Even I, when following my superior’s orders to escort tens of thousands into the spatial train bound for this “Paradise,” could never have foreseen the horrifying fate awaiting me.

No one could have predicted that “Paradise” would one day become this twisted. No one would have thought I’d become a complete “Madman.”

But at least I held on.

Two years after becoming a “Madman,” I finally met the person who would wake me from this nightmare.

Before he appeared, I had convinced myself that I had simply returned to where I belonged—that I was just a taxi driver, waiting for fares by the roadside.

At the time, only one thought occupied my mind: *This is clearly the real world.*

But then, with just a few words, he shattered the illusion before my eyes, revealing how absurd it all was.

How could I possibly be a taxi driver in the real world?

When did this offhand lie I fabricated become my actual life?

If I were just an ordinary taxi driver… why would I take such immense risks, even becoming a “Native,” just to seek a new path?

Though the first half of my life was utterly unremarkable, everything changed after my death.

Fortunately, my constitution was different from everyone else here. The influence of the “Madman” wasn’t as deep, and I retained a sliver of reason.

*”You waited by the roadside for two years… without eating, drinking, or sleeping?”* the man had asked.

*”It was this car… When I saw it in the city, I felt like I was under a spell…”*

*”Is there something strange about this car?”*

*”How could I see this car here? I’m not even—”* I turned sharply, only to find the man beside me gravely wounded, on the verge of death. *”You’re hurt?”*

Looking back, it was fortunate his horrific injuries interrupted my thoughts.

Otherwise, I might have blurted out—*”I’m not actually a taxi driver.”*

At the time, my thoughts felt strangely disjointed. Though still a “Madman,” I could manage basic communication, but this rationality felt fleeting—slowly slipping away.

When that man saw the sprawling roads outside the city, he stood frozen, staring at the distant skyscrapers.

Only after he collapsed abruptly, as if struck by some revelation, did I realize he looked familiar.

Wasn’t this Qi Xia?

Thank goodness I didn’t say too much—otherwise, he might have pieced together the truth, unraveling my plans.

Yes, in his memory, it’s better if I remain just an ordinary taxi driver.

I have my own duty—to dismantle this deceitful “Paradise,” to give everyone an answer.

Even if I’m trapped here with no escape, I can’t just stand by. This is my mission.

I moved Qi Xia’s body aside and sighed. *No matter how capable you are…*

*”The Unfortunate” will always be “The Unfortunate.” You’ll die like a stray dog at the city’s edge, unnoticed by anyone in this godforsaken place.*

Now, I have to drive back. Though you helped restore some of my sanity, there’s nothing I can do for you. Maybe we’ll meet again someday.

I have a new idea now. If the “gods” outside can’t enter, we’ll create one from within to tear this place apart.

Such defiance of natural order will surely draw attention—even if this is a space detached from all worlds, someone will notice.

Yes, that’s right…

I took a deep breath and walked to the car. Just as I reached for the door, my mind wavered.

*Wait… Who am I again?*

*Why am I even here?*

*Ah… I’m a taxi driver…*

*Right now… I’m just waiting for a fare…*

I blinked blankly. *Yes, I’m a taxi driver. I need to—*

Before I could step inside, I noticed a figure standing beside the corpse in the distance. A man in an eerie white robe, simple in design.

His hair, unkempt and uncut for ages, cascaded to his waist, tied loosely into a long braid that gave him an almost ethereal air.

Upon closer inspection, his strands bore a faint emerald hue, barely discernible, like ink staining the dim sunlight.

*”You…”* I felt like I’d seen him somewhere.

He turned slowly, revealing a pale, detached face—and then I noticed the emerald mark on his forehead.

*”Xu Liunian?”* he called.

His voice was bizarre—both masculine and feminine, as if two beings spoke through one mouth.

Those three words sent a shiver through me, pulling back some of my fading reason.

*”How did you end up like this?”* he asked.

As he stepped closer, a flicker of fear stirred in me. Though I couldn’t recall exactly who he was, I knew he wasn’t ordinary.

Only when he stopped before me did I notice his furrowed brow, his gaze turning complex. *”Where’s your reason? Did Zhuque take it?”*

*”Zhuque…?”*

Before I could answer, he reached out and lightly tapped my forehead.

Instantly, memories flooded back—chaos dissolving like mist, clarity returning.

*”Qinglong…?”* Recognition dawned, and relief washed over me. *”Thank goodness it’s you…”*

*”Not bad this time—at least you didn’t mistake me for Tianlong.”* He nodded.

*”I won’t make that mistake again…”*

I steadied myself, shaken by the thought of what might have happened had Qinglong not appeared—losing myself again, wandering aimlessly.

Such is the fate of the “Natives.”

*”It’s been a while. I never thought you’d become a Madman.”* His expression darkened. *”Has Zhuque grown bold enough to target even you?”*

*”Does it matter?”* I shook my head. *”Here, all are equal. I’m just one among many. Besides, Zhuque wouldn’t recognize me anyway.”*