Pangu listened quietly to the end, his expression complicated.
"I know someone is wrecking this world," he said. His voice was steady, with a slight tremble at the end.
"I know compute is tight. I didn't think that while the reports still said 'within standard,' this was what it looked like once it reached people."
"And then there's the suffering that people never should have had to bear. Not all of it can be blamed on the Creditor."
"Thank you for letting me know."
Shanjue stepped forward: "Is there anything we can help with?"
Pangu shook his head: "Until your souls have fully merged with your divine bodies, there's no rush. Why not follow your big brother around and learn something from him?"
He glanced into the distance.
"Right about now he should be in his study reading, or listening to music. I'm going out for some air."
Before he'd even finished, Pangu's figure had dissolved.
——
On their way to Wanquan's room, the siblings ran into Shunyi in the corridor.
He was carrying a cup of black coffee.
"Looking for the Young Master?"
"Mm."
"Then take this in for me while you're at it."
Shunyi handed the coffee to Shanjue and left.
——
The siblings arrived at Wanquan's door. It wasn't fully shut, and music was drifting out.
"Big Brother, can we come in?"
No answer.
Shanjue pushed the door open a little. The music was still playing in the room, but Wanquan was lying stiff and straight on the bed, and no matter how many times they called, he didn't respond.
Shanjue put the coffee on the table.
"Could it be...he's left his body?" Qianhui whispered.
"Yeah, that must be it."
They quietly closed the door and waited outside.
The music kept playing. Nothing moved in the room.
"Could Big Brother's soul have gone to the Mortal Realm or Hell?"
"Maybe."
"But the music's still on and he's just lying there like that——it doesn't add up."
Shanjue thought about it: "There's too much we don't understand. Maybe we're overthinking it."
They turned to leave.
Just then——
"Who told you to close the door?"
The voice came from behind them, but they couldn't see anyone.
"Open the door, now——how am I supposed to get back like this!"
Only then did Qianhui notice a thin line of light glowing in the gap of the door. When the door closed, the room's soul-shielding barrier closed with it.
The siblings hurried to push the door open. Wanquan's body slowly sat up.
He rubbed his temples and glanced at the music still playing.
"Oh, the music's still on."
He picked up the coffee from the table and took a sip.
"Cold."
Then he looked up: "What did you want me for?"
Shanjue took a deep breath.
"Big Brother, please teach us——how do you leave your body?"