331 Better to Return Earlier (1/2)

”How's the result of the divination?”

”Sir, your fate is very strange,” the elder said with a sigh. ”The revelation says that you will meet what you are destined to meet.”

Ye Qingxuan's features twisted. He would meet what he was destined to meet? Well, no sh*t! What was the point of getting his fortune told?!

The elder laughed. ”Don't be angry. This is one of the best results.”

Ye Qingxuan had no words. He did not see how this was a good result!

”When the Romulus Empire still existed, wizards were fortune tellers who stayed beside the emperor to decipher the messages from the heavens. Sometimes there would be messages of catastrophes or good news. However, no fortune is better than this.

”The future will always go toward the future. Your fate is your own choice and uncontrolled by others. If you're the emperor, you would be overjoyed with this fortune. You can continue forward with your destiny. I can see that your future stretches into the darkness. There are twists and turns but you might see the light.”

After a long silence, Ye Qingxuan nodded. ”I hope that is so.”

”Then let's talk about the important matters.” The elder sat across from Ye Qingxuan and loosened his collar. He said lightly, ”If I've guessed correctly, you also work for the Underground Palace? Let's talk about that.”

Ye Qingxuan straightened and prepared himself.

-

Hundreds of years ago, after the Romulus Empire officially dissolved, the remaining city-states survived for decades and centuries. Until fifty years ago.

Just like the original empire, the City of Wolves, the Romulusians' last home, was destroyed by the natural catastrophe. The mindless phenomenon Tide of Silver had swept past. Everything in its path was flattened. The thousands of miles were still flat has a mirror's surface. If one looked from above, one would see a smooth silvery expanse like a wound on the earth. The Romulusians had no homeland thereafter.

The wandering Romulusians took up the lowliest jobs—physical labor, porters, thieves, bandits, prostitutes… The beastly nature in them meant they would forever be ostracized from society.

But twenty-six years ago, Gaius from the City of Wolves made great accomplishments in the exploration of the Dark World. He received high status in the Sacred City Parliament as refugee with demon blood. He received recognition by various kings and the Pope's blessing.

Under his hard work, Romulusians were recognized and gradually accepted back into society. Their image grew more positive. They received much sympathy and aid. They saw an improvement in quality of life and profited from craftsmanship and similar industries.

However, six years later, twenty years ago, Gaius defected. His soldiers occupied the new colony on the other side of the sea and openly rebelled against the rule of the other nations and the Sacred City. The other nations instantly grew furious and began to chase the Romulusians away. Within a fortnight, the improvements were all gone. The entire process lasted fifteen years.

The Romulusians had lost everything. With nowhere to stay, they became wanderers on an endless road under flying insults and stones. Finally, they were led by six elders and followed the calling of ancient notes. They traveled to the barren lands of the south and found the land once promised to them by god.

However, years had passed. The fig trees and grassy plains no longer existed. The river no longer flowed with milk and honey. All that remained was a desert. It was Auschwitz. It was a paradise with nothing and it was where the Romulusians' stayed.

”We had to find an industry if we wanted to survive here.” The elder asked, ”Mr. Ye, if it were you, what would you do?”

Ye Qingxuan did not know how to answer. He really did not understand how to survive in a place like this. It was arid and impossible to grow agriculture. Without lush grass, breeding was out of the question too. All they had was yellow sand and barren land. They could not hunt either.

Trade? To be honest, there were no specialties here other than the Romulusians themselves. Other than slavers and traffickers, no one else would be able to find any business opportunities. The only thing he could think of was what the Romulusians had done before.