He Kao: "Why?"
Huang Xiaopang: "Aren’t you willing?"
He Kao: "You never even asked if I was willing! I’ll admit, if you had approached beforehand, I wouldn’t have refused, but you should at least explain clearly, right?"
Huang Xiaopang: "If you’re unwilling and want to reject this identity, it’s quite simple. Once you officially beco Hidden Moth, find soone and, like I just did, pass the identity of Hidden Moth to them."
He Kao: "I just want to ask why—why ?"
Huang Xiaopang lowered his head and said, "I’ve always believed your dad entrusted my dad with passing the Hidden Moth identity to you in the future.
Back then, I asked this question, asked my dad if that was the case. My dad avoided my gaze, didn’t deny it, but repeatedly emphasized that ti was running out and asked not to inquire further."
He Kao: "Just like you’re doing now?"
Huang Xiaopang: "So you have to call godfather."
"You..." He Kao didn’t know what to say, his words were gagged.
Huang Xiaopang lowered his head again and said, "I was already eighteen then, an adult. Seeing my dad’s reaction, how could I not guess?
But his illness was already severe at the ti, he explained everything to while lying on the hospital bed. By the ti he completed the ceremony, he had passed the Hidden Moth identity to .
I also thought about finding an opportunity to pass the Hidden Moth identity to you once I beca Hidden Moth. However, once I truly beca Hidden Moth, everything felt so exhilarating, it was hard to let go; I kept wanting to enjoy it a few more days.
The longer I held the Hidden Moth identity, the harder it was to let go, while also getting more fearful. All these years as Hidden Moth, I feared nothing, cared for nothing; no matter what, I could live happily.
I can’t imagine if I lost the Hidden Moth abilities and the mories related to the identity, turning back into an ordinary person, how life would even go on?"
He Kao: "Did you change your mind today?"
Huang Xiaopang raised his head, his voice slightly trembling: "Because if I don’t do it now, I might really die, and I dread losing my life!
Recently on the street, I t a lady; she must be truly skilled. At a glance, she saw my hand string and said it was a bloodsucking evil object, carrying it long-term would be fatal.
I don’t know if she realized it was a Hidden Moth Object, but she must have seen my poor health condition linked to it."
He Kao: "Does using Hidden Moth abilities harm the body?"
Zhou Du died at just thirty-two, considered a premature death; Huang Cankui lived to fifty-one, not particularly long-lived.
In the recorded conversation, Peng Xian also speculated that using Hidden Moth abilities might deplete vital life force, leading to shortness of life.
Huang Xiaopang: "Don’t get wrong, I’m not trying to harm you. Using Hidden Moth abilities does indeed consu sothing. I don’t know what exactly, but I can feel it, perhaps it’s the Primordial Qi ntioned in novels.
My dad summarized his experience: within a day, entering or exiting Hidden Moth Space should not exceed three tis.
If one day you enter and exit Hidden Moth Space three tis, then ideally you shouldn’t use Hidden Moth abilities again within a month, and try to recuperate your body’s consumption.
Humans have self-recovery abilities, even minor injuries can heal, but frequent injuries are detrintal. According to my dad, using abilities at most once every half month is a guideline based on his own physical sensations.
As for entering Hidden Moth Space three tis a day, that’s for really extre situations.
It’s said drinking cola is bad for health, but having a bottle occasionally is fine. If soone drinks boxes daily, problems are bound to arise... That’s how I understand it.
I suspect my dad was planning to pass the Hidden Moth to early on, hence always told to take care of my nutrition, eat nutritious foods, and anchor my health..."
He Kao thought to himself, Director Huang’s summarized experiences might have so truth and effect, but aren’t necessarily accurate. Using Hidden Moth abilities must have so kind of consumption, otherwise, he wouldn’t have passed away early.
But he didn’t voice this thought, instead saying: "So that’s why you were so chubby growing up!"
Huang Xiaopang: "After becoming Hidden Moth, I understood my father’s intent, but fear crept in too. Regardless of its impact, I always paid close attention to nutrition, hence appearing gluttonous.
Recently, I’ve used Hidden Moth abilities excessively, especially tonight. If there were monitoring instrunts showing if usage exceeded limits, I’d certainly be over the top.
I sense that I can’t use Hidden Moth abilities anymore, or I’d surely be dood! But with my temperant, as long as I’m Hidden Moth, I can’t resist, so I might as well..."
He Kao: "Might as well cut the troubles once and for all?"
Huang Xiaopang: "Don’t make it sound so harsh... It’s almost like that."
He Kao: "The ceremony is completed, according to you, you’ll forget mories related to Hidden Moth identity, but you seem to rember quite clearly."
Huang Xiaopang: "It’s not like it all disappears instantly; as of now, I still rember. But once I sleep, everything will be forgotten. My father was like that, and within half a year, he passed away.
Unless I never sleep again or fall unconscious, wake up tomorrow morning, and a lot will be forgotten. Human consciousness is fascinating; it fills gaps based on other mories, balancing it all out.
If I do wake up tomorrow, you’ll know what happened... Hopefully, I’ll wake up."
He Kao’s tone beca severe: "Are you scared now?"
Huang Xiaopang: "Yes, I’m scared, increasingly uncertain as I dwell on it. I’m afraid I won’t wake up tomorrow, even if I do, I might not live long! But tomorrow I won’t be afraid since I’ll forget, so let’s hurry up and sleep."
In the darkness, He Kao’s expression was unclear, but his voice asked: "Before sleeping, do you have anything else to say?"
Huang Xiaopang: "From now on, you’re Hidden Moth. Please take care of my mom, take care of Xiaoshan, if possible, also take care of . I used to shield you; if I survive, I’ll have to..."
He Kao interrupted: "Wait! Who did you just ntion? Whether you say it or not, I’ll definitely take care of Mrs. Chen, but what’s with Xiaoshan, why specifically ntion her?"
Huang Xiaopang avoided his gaze: "Just casually ntioned, we grew up together... Also, you better take care of President E too.
Today’s events were unfair to her... Anyway, I don’t need to say it, you’re the best at taking care of others. You’ve been taking care of President E as best you can."
He Kao: "Don’t sidestep it, you must’ve not told sothing! At tis like this, be honest, or I can’t shield you afterward!"
Huang Xiaopang seed to grit his teeth and finally decided to confess: "I’ll tell you then, since it’ll be forgotten tomorrow. Guess what I did the first ti I used Hidden Moth ability?"
He Kao: "Did you peek at Xiaoshan showering?"
Huang Xiaopang was astonished: "How did you guess right away!"
He Kao couldn’t help slap his own mouth: "My jinxed words!" He glared at Xiaopang not knowing what to say, especially now, he couldn’t beat him up, could he?
Huang Xiaopang murmured: "I was young and ignorant, just curious... I always suspected she noticed then, but even if she did, she’d likely think it was a trick of her eyes."
He Kao: "How young?"
Huang Xiaopang: "I already told you, just turned eighteen, just starting college."
"That’s not young, nearly nineteen! This is... Never mind, we’ll sort it out after today!"
He Kao paused, then asked: "I have one last question; from what you said, am I currently just a Hidden Moth reserve?"
**
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