Chapter 570
The Pinnacle of the World, The Chosen One
Lin Fusheng leaned back in his chair, gazing at the street scene rushing past the window.
His gaze became distant, as if he had traveled through time back to that era of passion and fervor.
"Seventeen years ago, I, your father, Ye Zhiren (who is now a professor), and I all belonged to an organization called 'Utopia'."
“Back then, we were all young and full of energy. We felt that the world was unfair to people with special abilities. Why should we have to hide like rats? Why should our lives be decided by ordinary people?”
"So, under the leadership of the old leader, we gathered a group of like-minded brothers and sisters, dreaming of establishing the first kingdom in the world that belongs entirely to the Inhumans."
"In this ideal country, all people are free from government control and worldly prejudices. They live and work in peace and contentment, and are in charge of their own lives."
Fang Cheng gripped the steering wheel with both hands, listening quietly without interrupting.
Lin Fusheng's voice was very low, as if carrying the heavy weight of a rolling wheel.
"Those days still feel like a dream when I think about them now."
“Your father is the youngest, an open-minded and cheerful person. He is the youngest core member of the organization and is responsible for communication among members.”
"I used to be involved in the underworld. I'm a decent doctor, and I was responsible for treating people's injuries and providing logistical support."
"As for Ye Zhiren..."
Lin Fusheng paused, a bitter smile appearing on his lips:
"He belonged to the intelligence department and was involved in many of the organization's plans and negotiations. He was a capable assistant to the old leader."
"The organization developed very smoothly in its early stages, gathering many extraordinary individuals with different abilities from all over the world."
"Our reach extends to all levels of society, even penetrating the central power structure of the country, and we have also supported a small country in the southern continent as our reserve base."
"But the bigger the operation, the more complicated people's minds become, and the more problems arise."
Lin Fusheng abruptly changed the subject, and the air inside the car seemed to turn colder.
"And the biggest problem lies between the old leader and the deputy leader."
"The old leader was gentle, prudent, tolerant, and magnanimous. He advocated taking things slowly, accumulating strength, and waiting for the right opportunity to arrive."
"And for some reason, that deputy leader suddenly changed his personality, becoming increasingly radical and ruthless, only caring about the result and completely disregarding the process."
"He had several heated arguments with the old leader, believing that any sacrifice was necessary to realize the ideal, even if it meant sacrificing our own people."
"After that, he began to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, even colluding with external forces and treating the lives of his companions as worthless."
At this point, Lin Fusheng's tone suddenly became complicated, filled with an indescribable sigh.
"Your father, despite his usual jovial demeanor, is a very upright man at heart. He believes that the deputy leader's actions have completely contradicted our original intentions."
"But he was of low status and his words carried little weight. Several attempts to persuade him were to no avail. In the end, he could no longer tolerate the conspiracies, schemes, and bloodshed, and questioned the deputy leader in public."
"As a result, he was criticized for being old-fashioned and was stripped of his post, which was then handed over to another of his confidants."
"Your father was completely disheartened by this and began to consider retiring."
"With the old leader protecting him at the time, his withdrawal from the organization went relatively smoothly, and he didn't encounter any difficulties."
“I remember visiting him once not long after he left.”
Lin Fusheng's gaze fell on Fang Cheng's face, and his tense expression softened considerably:
“You were only three or four years old then, still babbling, so you probably don’t remember me.”
"We were sitting in the yard, basking in the sun, and we opened up to each other about many things."
“Your dad held you and told me that he’s used to his current life and that he used to think everything was too simple and too naive.”
He said that living a peaceful and stable life is already a great happiness.
"Compared to those unattainable obsessions he once held, he now realizes that being able to wake up every day, see his loved one by his side, and watch his child grow up little by little is such a joyful thing."
Fang Cheng's eyes darkened slightly, and his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightened unconsciously.
"At the time, I laughed at him for losing his edge at such a young age, but now I realize that he saw things more clearly than any of us."
Lin Fusheng's voice carried a hint of melancholy, and he couldn't help but sigh deeply:
"In the two years following his departure, the cracks within the organization widened, gradually splitting into two factions."
"The moderates, led by the old leader, and the radicals, gathered around the deputy leader, maintain a facade of peace, but in reality, they are already at odds with each other."
"Until the Guangwu Gate Incident broke out, the contradictions that had been forcibly suppressed were finally torn open completely."
“At that time, ‘Utopia’ suddenly became an evil organization that everyone hated, and was unjustly accused of killing innocent citizens.”
"The traitor who actually committed that tragedy had long since colluded with certain politicians, acting as their accomplices."
"In their struggle for power and profit, they pushed their other comrades out as scapegoats, as a pledge of allegiance to the new government, and even handed over a list of core members directly to the special investigation team."
Lin Fusheng closed his eyes, his fingertips trembling slightly as he gripped the armrest of the chair, seemingly unable to bear recalling those hellish days.
"Overnight, it was as if the sky had just collapsed."
"The first to perish was the old leader. His whereabouts were leaked by a traitor, and he was ambushed by a large force of special search teams. In the end, he was outnumbered and unfortunately sacrificed his life."
"With the old leader gone, the ideal world, now leaderless, completely fell apart and could no longer hold on."
"The special search team pressed their advantage, and the manhunt network spanned the entire country. We were like stray dogs, fleeing everywhere."
"During that period, too many brothers who fought side by side were captured, and many others died in the joint pursuit by the special search team and traitors before they could be caught."
Lin Fusheng's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, his voice carrying an indescribable heaviness.
“Your father, Fang Shijie, has long been a member of the organization. He could have stayed out of it, lived a secluded life as he himself said, pretended to be an ordinary person, and been a good husband and father.”
“But he still chose to help, doing everything he could to help the organization members who were fleeing, including me and Ye Zhiren.”
"We survived entirely because he risked his life and was targeted by the special search team."
"But it was precisely because he had served as a liaison for the organization and knew too many people's whereabouts and details that the special search team, under the identification of a traitor, eventually came after him."
Lin Fusheng's voice became somewhat hoarse, and every word seemed to be squeezed out of his throat.
"Finally, in order not to implicate us and prevent his other companions from being tracked down, he chose to immolate himself while evading the special search team's pursuit..."
After uttering the last two words, Lin Fusheng's shoulders trembled slightly, his eyes reddened, and he could no longer utter another word.
The air inside the carriage seemed to freeze completely.
The horns of other vehicles passing by sounded particularly jarring.
Fang Cheng stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed intently on the road ahead, and remained silent throughout.
Lin Fusheng opened his eyes, his face showing exhaustion:
“From that day on, my heart turned cold, and I never mentioned any ideals or ambitions again. Those things are utterly worthless in the face of living human lives.”
"Once the turmoil subsides a bit, I'll secretly return to Dongdu, find the old factory street where you and your son live, open a traditional Chinese medicine clinic, and become an ordinary traditional Chinese medicine doctor."
"I've lived here for more than ten years. Like your father, I've gradually gotten used to a stable life, used to tending the small shop every day, watching the neighbors come and go. Life is simple and peaceful."
"As for the so-called Kingdom of Extraordinary People, and the so-called fairness and justice... they are nothing but illusions and empty dreams."
"I just want to stay by your side and watch you grow up safely. That way, when I go to the underworld, I will have the face to see Shijie and tell him that I have taken good care of his child."
He let out a long breath, as if he were about to release all the heavy thoughts that had been weighing on his heart for more than a decade.
Then he turned to look at Fang Cheng, who was sitting in the driver's seat, his tone full of earnestness and worry:
“Acheng, the past is the past. There’s no need to keep dwelling on it. People can’t live in the hatred and obsession of the past forever.”
"Your father's greatest wish before he died was simply that you could live a peaceful and ordinary life." "So don't investigate what happened back then anymore, and don't be misled by that madman Ye Zhiren and get involved in those bloody and endless grudges."
Fang Cheng did not answer Lin Fusheng's question, but focused on driving the car.
A long silence fell over the carriage.
The engine emitted a low hum, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.
At this moment, the Land Rover SUV is driving across the river bridge.
The river surface was dazzling under the sunlight, shimmering with light.
In the distance, towering buildings stand along the riverbank, resembling a forest of reinforced concrete.
After a long while, Fang Cheng finally spoke, his voice so steady that it was completely calm.
"Uncle Lin, is that deputy leader who caused all the problems still in Dongdu?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Fusheng abruptly turned his head, his eyes filled with disappointment:
"You...didn't you hear a thing I said?"
Fang Cheng met his gaze quietly, his face showing no emotion.
Seeing his expression, Lin Fusheng couldn't help but feel anxious, and replied firmly:
"I cannot tell you where that person is, and you must never inquire about it!"
He stared intently at Fang Cheng, warning him word by word, each syllable uttered with gravity:
"You should know that there are people in this world who cannot be judged by common sense, and that person is one of them."
"If you just say his name in your heart, even if you are tens of thousands of kilometers away on the other side of the world, he will feel it."
“Acheng, I know you are very strong, and your talent may even be greater than your father’s back then.”
"But you are absolutely, absolutely no match for him now!"
"Going to investigate him recklessly and provoke him will only bring disaster upon yourself, your mother, and your uncles, do you understand?"
Seeing that Lin Fusheng was so wary, Fang Cheng didn't press the matter further.
Whether it's Xuanzhen, Ye Zhiren, or Uncle Lin in front of us.
These once-powerful figures all displayed the same fear whenever that man was mentioned.
Perhaps, that man truly stood at the pinnacle of this world, looking down upon all living beings like a god.
But Fang Cheng felt no fear whatsoever.
Fear? It doesn't exist.
His fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel, but a burning fighting spirit rose from the depths of his heart.
The mental panel is his unique source of confidence and the capital to defy fate.
The current gap is not an obstacle, but only a temporary distance.
Faced with such a formidable enemy, Fang Cheng had no need for luck, nor for escape; he only needed time.
As long as he has enough time to hone his physical skills and continuously climb upwards.
That seemingly invincible man who stands at the top of the world will one day be trampled underfoot and taste the bitterness of submission.
Fang Cheng gripped the steering wheel firmly with both hands, looked straight ahead, and said in a deep voice:
"Uncle Lin, don't worry."
“I assure you that the path that the professor and I are about to take will absolutely not repeat the mistakes of ‘Utopia’.”
His tone was calm, yet it conveyed an undeniable seriousness.
Upon hearing this, Lin Fusheng's body stiffened slightly.
He then turned his head and gazed at the young, resolute profile of the man in the driver's seat.
In a daze, the figure of that same stubborn and spirited old friend overlapped with the person in front of me once again.
After a moment, Lin Fusheng sighed silently in his heart.
There's no point in saying more now.
Although she was an elder in name, she was ultimately not Fang Cheng's blood relative.
The child before me has long since shed his naivety and is now an adult with an independent will.
He has his own judgment and his own path to pursue.
Looking back, wasn't I just like that when I was young?
They always think they can change the world with just enthusiasm, but they'll never learn to turn back until they hit a brick wall and get hurt.
Only when that ridiculous ideal is crushed into mud by cruel reality will one truly realize how luxurious a blessing it is to have an ordinary and peaceful life.
The heavens bestow upon you strength far exceeding that of ordinary people, but this often comes with a hidden, heavy price to pay.
He could understand Fang Cheng's current choice, but...
Lin Fusheng turned his head and looked out the window at the vast, boundless river.
But human strength has its limits.
The overwhelming currents of this world are like a torrent bursting its banks, carrying away both mud and sand.
It's already a stroke of luck to be able to barely gain a foothold and preserve oneself in it.
They wanted to go against the current, to be the pillar that turned the tide, and even to try to change the direction of the tide...
Throughout history, perhaps only those destined for greatness, appearing only once every few centuries, have a glimmer of hope.
Fang Cheng, can he really do it?
Lin Fusheng looked again at that vibrant, untouched face, his gaze deep and complex.
It was a concern for the future of the younger generation, and also a recollection of the past.
His hands, which were resting on his knees, clenched into fists, then quietly relaxed.
The worry that had been in his eyes was forcibly suppressed, replaced by a resolute determination hidden deep in his heart.
That's it.
We tried to persuade them, but we couldn't stop them.
Since this child is determined to cross this thorny, narrow bridge, let him go and explore it.
If that day ever comes and Acheng unfortunately encounters that terrifying man...
At worst, he would just return his life to Fang Shijie.
Even if it costs him his last drop of blood, he will protect his only flesh and blood in the world.
Lin Fusheng secretly made up his mind not to try to persuade him anymore.
The Land Rover SUV drove off the cross-river bridge and continued forward.
The tall buildings outside the window are gradually being replaced by low-rise streets and alleys.
Before long, the familiar architectural outlines of the old factory street came into view. (End of Chapter)