My home

"[No-Ji Void Zone]."

"A forbidden domain that can isolate the inside from the outside, preventing our battles with enemies from affecting ordinary people. Each city's night watchman is equipped with three signs that can cast the '[No-Ji Void Zone].' managed by one person. Since we generally do not directly participate in combat, people like us are also called 'Watchers.'"

Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow, "So, you're just a messenger."

"...If you have nothing better to say, then keep quiet for a bit," Zhao Kongcheng rolled his eyes.

"You mentioned three ways to acquire a forbidden domain, what about the last one?"

"The last one is granted by gods, which is your case," Zhao Kongcheng's face turned serious, "Some gods will bestow a portion of their power upon selected humans, making them their agents in the mortal realm. These forbidden domains bestowed by gods are also known as 'Godly Domains.'

However, along with the power, the agents also receive commands from the gods. Some are to destroy human society, some are to protect it, and some are to help the gods find something... In general, a god's agent usually represents the will of the god.

Currently, the dozen or so agents of the emerging gods are mostly trying to destroy the new human order, acting as agents of evil gods who seek to bring chaos back to the world. They have formed an organization called the Ancient God Church.

There are also agents of benevolent gods, but they are very few in number. As for the agents of neutral gods, we do not know how many there are."

Zhao Kongcheng stood up, walked over to Lin Qiye, and stared into his eyes, speaking slowly and deliberately:

"Lin Qiye, what command has Michael given you?... Which side do you belong to?"

Lin Qiye looked bewildered, "I don't know, He didn't say."

Lin Qiye was telling the truth. When Michael had glanced at him from the moon, he had fainted without saying a word!

Zhao Kongcheng furrowed his brow, "He didn't say anything at all? You never heard His voice in your heart?"

"No, really!"

Zhao Kongcheng scrutinized Lin Qiye suspiciously for a long time, as if trying to detect any signs of lying. After a while, he averted his gaze and sat down slowly.

"According to our speculation, Michael should belong to the neutral or benevolent camp; otherwise, we would have killed you long ago. However, since He gave you the Godly Domain, why wouldn't He say anything?

What does He want to do?"

Lin Qiye slightly frowned, "I don't know what He wants to do, but even if He gives me orders, I won't do it. I don't want to get involved in this mess. I can just return these eyes to Him."

With that, he stood up, "If there's nothing else, I'll leave."

Before Zhao Kongcheng could say anything, he turned and headed for the door.

"No! Wait!!" Zhao Kongcheng suddenly stood up, blocking the doorway, staring into Lin Qiye's eyes, "You're leaving after asking your questions? What about me?"

"You? You can be passionate here alone," Lin Qiye answered seriously.

"No, I mean... aren't you curious about me? What kind of person am I?" Zhao Kongcheng felt really exhausted talking to this guy.

"What does it matter what kind of person you are to me," Lin Qiye continued to open the door.

Zhao Kongcheng grabbed the door handle, "Why do I know so much? What kind of organization is behind me? What are we doing... Aren't you curious about any of that?"

"Not curious."

"Why not?"

"According to the logic in movies and novels, once I know about your existence, I have only two choices left." Lin Qiye held up two fingers, "Either join you, or keep the secret forever, like being killed, imprisoned, brainwashed..."

"...Stop watching so much TV!" Zhao Kongcheng was speechless for a moment, "Besides, you don't understand us, how do you know that joining us isn't a good choice?"

Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow, "So, you're saying that even if I know about your affairs and choose not to join, I won't be in danger?"

"Of course not! We are considered military personnel; at most, we would have you sign a non-disclosure agreement. What you said is nonsense!"

"In that case, I might as well listen." Lin Qiye sat back down upon hearing this.

Zhao Kongcheng sighed, feeling more exhausted chatting with this kid for a few minutes than he did squatting outside all day!

"In 1922, after our exploration team discovered the first mythical creature, the Leviathan of Chaos, the leadership of the Great Xia urgently established a military organization to be prepared at all times to counter the invasion of mythical creatures, called the Special Biological Response Team 139.

At that time, our technology was relatively primitive, and we were ignorant of the world around us, so the so-called special biological response team was just a façade and was practically useless.

As time passed, we observed more and more mythical creatures, attempted to establish contact with some of them, and discovered the secrets of forbidden domains, starting to train special combat talents.

As we discovered more owners of forbidden domains, we found that due to the randomness of their appearance, it was impossible to include everyone in the military, so the Special Biological Response Team 139 gradually transformed into a special organization that was half military and half civilian.

Now, we refer to this special organization as... 'Night Watchers.'"

Lin Qiye pondered, "So, your existence is to protect Great Xia from the invasion of those malevolent divine beings?"

"More accurately, it's against all mythical creatures."

"Is there a difference?"

"Of course, as I mentioned before, the appearance of mythical creatures is random and not related to their strength. Therefore, the mythical creatures that appear are not just the powerful divine beings familiar to people, but also some weaker creatures that only exist in rural legends or small folklore. The ghost-faced person you encountered last night is one type of creature from rural horror legends.

These mythical creatures, which do not possess world-ending powers but can still impact human society, are collectively referred to as 'Mystics.'"

"I see." Lin Qiye nodded, realizing why the entity he encountered last night seemed somewhat familiar; it was because it originated from rural stories.

"So, we are soldiers too, soldiers who defend our homes and country! Our existence is to prevent the people of Daxia from suffering, isn't that noble? Isn't that handsome?!" Zhao Kongcheng earnestly persuaded.

"It's very noble, very handsome, I truly respect you all," Lin Qiye's expression turned serious. He wasn't joking. From his eyes, one could truly see a deep sense of respect.

A smile gradually appeared on Zhao Kongcheng's face, "Then you..."

"I'm not going."

"..." Zhao Kongcheng's smile stiffened suddenly, "Why?!"

"I can't leave," Lin Qiye's eyes were full of seriousness. "I have many things to do..."

"What could be more important than defending our homes and country?!"

"I have an aunt and a younger cousin," Lin Qiye looked out the window, his expression calm. "My aunt is not old, but she has been working day and night at the factory for Ah Jin and me, two useless people, for years. Her health is deteriorating...

She is a stubborn person, clearly crying while massaging her neck on the living room chair, yet she insists she's doing yoga to stay healthy...

I sit across from her, and she thinks I can't see.

She lives too cautiously, and she's exhausted.

My cousin is smart and filial, but... he's still too young to shoulder the burden of this family.

I have many things to do.

I need to earn money to support the family, buy a big house for my aunt and cousin, and ensure my aunt never has to return to that dark factory and suffer again!

I want to send my cousin to college, and I want him and my aunt to live a good life together!

For the past ten years, they never gave up on me, even when I was a burden. Now that I'm finally better, how can I abandon them?

You are noble and great. If circumstances allow, maybe I will join you...

But for now, I just want to stay by their side...

Guarding this home."