Chapter 32: Just Who Are You Anyway?
Sigh…
Mo Tu trudged down the road, clutching a charming little puppet box in his hand. It seemed so out of place with him.
“It appears I was wrong. Even if reality has deviated so drastically from what was supposed to happen, some things just can’t be changed.”
Maybe it was destiny’s choice, or perhaps it was history rewinding itself.
Even the power of an Extraordinary Star couldn’t alter the final outcome.
The Supernova Star Eclipse would still occur.
The entire city of Shanghe would be dragged into that sticky mess.
“If only I’d told Yao Can and company about Lianhua’s existence back then, would this all have happened?”
Only a night had passed, yet such drastic changes occurred.
He was off the mark.
Countless bits of information flashed through Mo Tu’s mind as his mood grew heavier.
“No, even if I did something ahead of time for Lianhua, it probably wouldn’t have made a difference. My stars aren’t potent enough to fix the future…”
Mo Tu felt his thoughts were getting tangled.
He quickly gathered them up again.
“But that little one could do it. She seems to have altered history once before. So, she’s the only one who could accomplish these things. That must be the uniqueness of an Extraordinary Star.”
Mo Tu returned to his temporary abode, pausing at the door.
In the puppet box lay Lianhua’s doll—the same one mentioned by Night Lan that was supposed to be broken.
Countless possibilities raced through his mind.
Though he didn’t truly comprehend the ins and outs of “Doll City,” Mo Tu could guess the role the doll played in this whole affair.
After the “Doll City” incident was resolved, its star-eclipse inducer—Lianhua—didn’t vanish but likely lost her ability to induce star eclipses. So she survived somewhere anonymously.
Future Night Star or Night Lan stumbled upon her by chance, interacting with her without complete information.
An “incomplete” Lianhua might have just been an ordinary human to them.
Night Lan or Night Star might have seen her as a helpless little girl needing help.
Thus, one of them decided to fix the doll—possibly their reason for arriving in this era.
The question arose:
Why was the doll meant to cause the Supernova Star Eclipse destroyed?
The answer was: because of the Night Watcher.
But why would the Night Watcher do such a thing?
What was so special about destroying the doll?
“Hmm.”
Mo Tu chuckled quietly, his thoughts clarifying.
“Is this the key to turning the tide?”
It must be.
The doll should have significant ties to “Lianhua,” possibly acting as a switch for the star eclipse.
Destroy it and the Supernova Star Eclipse could be stopped completely.
This was the most plausible theory.
These outcomes couldn’t be predicted by divination, but Mo Tu’s intellect could discern the truth.
Even if it was merely a possibility, not certain, it remained a viable path.
“So, the key to changing fate was in my hands even before the situation formed. Looks like that little one’s deviation is quite terrifying.”
Yet, when the Supernova Star Eclipse finally erupts, should he use the destruction of the doll to end the eclipse?
Mo Tu was a Night Watcher, tasked with solving star eclipses to maintain order.
If there was a quick solution to end star eclipses, it was his duty to implement it.
For instance, after the “Doll City” incident started, Mo Tu could destroy the doll himself.
“But… is that right?”
Doing so would amount to rewriting history, negating any future change.
Night Star or Night Lan’s efforts would be in vain.
Mo Tu pondered his future self’s thoughts.
He closed his eyes and thought quietly, recalling what Night Lan had said.
Also what his future self planned for Night Star.
“Ahh… Since my future self chose to let her wish to repair the doll, doesn’t that mean… I believe in her?”
Mo Tu exhaled audibly, opening his eyes with a rather helpless gaze.
“Alright, I suppose I’ve mentally prepared myself for this, but handling it badly? No thanks.”
Mo Tu found himself unable to endure such cruel irony anymore.
Just imagining dealing with such a troublesome responsibility gave him a headache.
Pressure mountain-high.
Speaking of which, Mo Tu headed toward Night Star’s residence, contemplating how to break the bad news.
“Hopefully, she won’t cry much. Best if she can pull herself together. You’re the only one who can change history after all…”
…
Inside the hut.
Mm…
Night Star sighed while slumped over a table, worry etched on her face.
Eypar floated around her, understanding the cause of Night Star’s lackluster spirit.
“Night Star, your friend will definitely be fine. Take care of yourself!”
“Mm, let’s hope so.”
Ding-dong~
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Night Star looked up curiously.
“Who could it be? I didn’t order anything… Could it be Lianhua?!”
Thinking so, Night Star briskly rose and went to open the door with excitement.
“Lin-”
But standing before her wasn’t the little adorable girl she hoped for, but Mo Tu.
“You…”
Night Star’s expression flickered with slight disappointment.
She had hoped it was the missing Lianhua.
“Is there something you need?”
She noticed that the usual smile on Mo Tu’s face had vanished. A serious look replaced it, creating an unsettling atmosphere.
Then, Night Star saw something familiar in Mo Tu’s hands—a box that sent a shiver down her spine.
“What’s that…? Is that Lianhua’s doll box? Was Lianhua found?”
Mo Tu nodded and shook his head.
“She’s been located, but… There’s something you need to prepare for.”
“What?”
Night Star’s heart raced.
“Lianhua has passed away. Her body hasn’t been found yet. The law enforcement team is searching for her. All they found was this doll box so far.”
“Huh—?”
The news hit Night Star like a bolt of lightning, rendering her motionless.
Lianhua…
Had she really died?
That can’t be!
They were chatting, snacking, laughing together just yesterday…
Impossible!
But she could sense that Mo Tu wasn’t lying.
Night Star pressed her lips together and lowered her head, a wave of sorrow engulfing her.
“You’re lying, right?”
“It’s the truth. Please, take it with grace.”
Mo Tu handed her the doll box, treating her as if she were Lianhua’s kin.
Night Star hugged the box instinctively, her heart feeling hollow and pained.
She didn’t weep loudly, nor scream—just stood there, frozen in a suffocating silence.
Mo Tu glanced at her, confirmed her state, and turned to leave.
Let her be calm for now. He’d guide her to the truth bit by bit later.
She’d have to pull through this herself.
“Wait…” Night Star’s stifled voice filled the air, laced with barely noticeable sobs.
Mo Tu paused, glancing back to see Night Star staring at him with teary crimson eyes. She was clearly suppressing her sadness, scrutinizing him.
“Mo Tu, just who are you?”
“Oh?”
