Alveira dressed in casual clothes, strapped a laser gun to one thigh and a crystal dagger to the other, then nodded at Rose. “Is everyone assembled?”
Rose pressed her ear against the door, listening nervously. “Yes, Zion brought two subordinates, and there are some people waiting downstairs at the hotel.”
“Any movements from the Duke?”
“I just heard that the guard configuration has changed. Many have moved to the floor below, but the specifics are unclear.”
“We’ll go our way,” Alveira said. “Knowing the enemy is important, but without clarity on the Duke’s movements, we can only break through head-on.”
“Yes!”
The princess and Rose stepped out of the luxurious suite, and the two bodyguards at the door immediately blocked them.
“Your Highness, you cannot leave the room at will,” one bodyguard said.
Alveira glared at the bodyguard’s black sunglasses, seeing her distorted reflection. “I’m just going for a walk. Is that not allowed?”
“I’m very sorry, but if you must go out, you need the Duke’s approval.”
“Then you can notify him.”
The bodyguard slightly lowered his head, indicating he would be gone for a moment. He pulled out his communicator, stepped a few paces away, and started making a call to the Duke, his superior, or someone else. Alveira signaled to Rose, who turned to the other bodyguard and casually asked, “Excuse me, what day is it today?”
As the bodyguard was momentarily distracted, Rose kneed him hard in the abdomen. Simultaneously, Alveira pulled the gun from her thigh and smashed the butt onto the head of the calling bodyguard. The bodyguard screamed but wasn’t knocked down. He dropped the communicator, grabbed Alveira’s wrist with one hand, and pressed her neck with the other.
“Rose!” Alveira shouted.
Rose drew her gun, pressed it against the bodyguard’s temple, and pulled the trigger.
Alveira stepped back just in time to avoid the blood splatter. “Warn me before you shoot!” she complained to Rose.
“Your Highness is not a faint-hearted lady who swoons at the sight of blood. You never hesitated when hunting foxes with Earl Darius.”
Rose picked up the bodyguard’s communicator and switched to the team channel. Orders mixed with static came through. “Attention all units, Target B has escaped. Teams 1 and 2, protect the Duke. Team three, pursue Target B. Team four, execute Plan Σ.”
“Target B?” Alveira was puzzled. “What’s Plan Σ?”
Rose shook her head. “It suggests the Duke’s actions were premeditated. We must escape quickly.”
“Agreed. Where’s Zion?”
“Follow me.” Rose discarded the communicator and led the princess to the emergency stairs. Despite wanting to use the communicator to monitor the Duke’s movements, its built-in tracking system was too risky.
The elevators were likely under full control, and the stairs to ground level were fraught with danger. Rose and Alveira headed upward instead, reaching the hotel rooftop. Zion and his two subordinates awaited them in a flying car.
Zion was a tall, dark-skinned middle-aged man from York γ. Formerly a close guard to Marquess Madonna, Darius’ mother, he later followed Darius to the royal palace. After Darius joined the military, Zion stayed with the prince. Loyal and trustworthy, the prince had specially assigned Zion to accompany Alveira, proving invaluable now.
“Your Highness, you’re finally here!” Zion knelt on one knee. “I was about to come down to find you.”
“No need for that,” Alveira said. “What’s the situation?”
“The police are mobilizing,” Zion replied, “but they don’t seem to be after us.”
Even on the rooftop, the wailing sirens were audible.
“Also, the Duke’s private army is gathering secretly. We must leave quickly.” Zion opened the car door. “Do you wish to go to the spaceport ground terminal, Your Highness?”
“No. The Duke will expect that. We must avoid it.” Alveira thought for a moment. “We need to return to the spaceport. We just need to find a spacecraft capable of interstellar travel. Do you know where we can easily find one?”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Zion helped the ladies into the car and checked their seat belts. “The governor’s mansion in Leyting should have several such crafts in its garage.”
……
Joanna, panting, jumped over a green area, toppling several trash cans to obstruct the pursuing police cars. Her flying car had run out of energy and was abandoned roadside, forcing her to proceed on foot. Though slower, she was now a smaller target, allowing her to evade several police searches.
However, it seemed escape was now impossible. The police had spotted her and were closing in, herding her into a dead end. Tall walls surrounded her on three sides, with the only exit blocked by police cars. Unless she sprouted wings or mastered wall-climbing, escape was impossible.
In Joanna Begrel’s life as a space pirate, this was her first time facing such dire straits. Even her imprisonment in Hecate wasn’t this hopeless. If not for her belief in “surviving in desperate situations”, she might have surrendered by now.
“Ah, come on, Lord. You can’t really want to throw your loyal sheep into the lion’s mouth, can you?” Joanna muttered, shaking her head and reaching for the gun at her waist.
The police disembarked. They used their car doors as shields while aiming their guns at the cornered pirate. “Drop your weapon and surrender immediately!”
Joanna’s face showed distress. Was this really happening? End up in Hecate again, enduring its disgusting food and life without freedom? She’d rather die… Leo, where are you? Are you really leaving me to die just because you’re mad at me? If I survive this, I’ll upgrade your memory, I swear…
She slowly drew her gun, raising it in the air to show no resistance, turning the barrel down.
—A flying car rose behind the walls!
Its draft blew Joanna’s red hair, and its engine roar sounded like a hymn of salvation.
The police didn’t expect this sudden change. Some aimed at the car, others fired. Laser beams scorched the car’s exterior. A more accurate shot could have downed the car, but then another flying car dove down, followed by a third!
“Damn it! She has accomplices! She has accomplices!”
“Squad 6 requesting backup! Requesting backup!”
Joanna watched the three flying cars pass overhead with no intention of rescuing her. It was just a coincidence that they passed by thrillingly.
Too coincidental. More than winning twice in Russian roulette at a casino. As if divine intervention heard her prayers and granted a miracle.
As the cars approached the alley exit, Joanna sprinted, shooting down two police officers trying to stop her, then jumped onto a police car, leaping from car to car until she reached the alley exit. Using the vehicles’ height, she made a final leap and tossed her gun.
The last car passed overhead just in time. Joanna grabbed its edge, dangling precariously as it ascended. Lasers whizzed by, some grazing her skin, others piercing limbs.
Joanna endured the pain, shouting to the people in the car. “Help!”
The car door opened, and a blonde girl with a gun leaned out. “Let go!” she ordered.
No way Joanna would let go now! She grabbed the girl’s hand. The girl screamed, almost pulled out, but another person in the car pulled them both back, preventing a double fall.
“Let go!” the girl shouted again. “Or I’ll shoot!”
“Save me!” Joanna replied.
The girl hesitated, biting her lip, finally pulling Joanna into the car with effort.
“Th-thank you.” Joanna collapsed on the girl, gasping.
The girl shut the door, gasping. “You’re injured!”
“Huh? Really?” Joanna felt the pain, knowing she was injured, but the girl’s horrified expression suggested it was severe.
The driver turned. “Your Highness, this person is unknown and was being chased by the police. She must be a criminal. We should drop her.”
The blonde girl hesitated, saying, “But she’s injured!” She turned to Joanna. “Who are you? I don’t usually leave people to die, but I won’t burden myself with a criminal. If you’re really one, I’ll have to drop you.”
Joanna looked at her weakly, thinking the girl was really pretty, but a little familiar. If she said that, she’d be seen as a creepy older woman hitting on her. “I’m the space pirate, Joanna Begrel,” she said, “being hunted by Duke Winnet. If you’re afraid, drop me.”
The girl turned to the other person, dressed as a female bodyguard. “We should drop her. These days, anyone can claim to be Joanna Begrel. The world is going downhill!”
“Who is pretending?!” Joanna roared. “I’m the real Joanna Begrel! Who are you?”
The girl replied righteously, “Alveira Chabais.”
Joanna looked at her seriously, comparing her to the Alveira seen on TV, and finally said, “I better get off myself.”
Alois and Joshua ran through the corridor. In an instant, the guards and attendants stationed there transformed into masked, black-clad assassins wielding guns, firing deadly beams at them.
However, they were facing the killer Mourner, whose very name was enough to instill fear. Joshua showed no mercy, cutting through them swiftly. They reached the ladies’ restroom with its door wide open and several black-clad individuals shooting inside.
How rude! Joshua thought. How could several grown men intrude into the ladies’ restroom? Shameless! He fired at them, killing each one, praying to the Lord as he stepped over the bodies and entered the restroom.
Inside, there was nothing but corpses. The window was open, and the high-altitude wind rushed in.
“Where’s the captain?” Alois asked from behind him.
“I think… probably outside.”
A Gondola rose to the window, and as expected, Joanna’s signature red hair was flying inside the cabin.
“Boys, get on!”
Joshua thought, ‘This really feels like when we escaped from Hecate.’ He pulled Alois, letting him jump first, and followed, shooting a few more assassins who had rushed into the restroom as he leaped out.
The Gondola’s door closed. Joanna quickly piloted the craft away from the hotel. “Damn, this Gondola is for ground use. We can’t take it to the spaceport.”
“What do we do?” Alois asked.
“Find a ship capable of space travel!” Joanna said. “Leo, get ready to pick us up.”
“Uh, that might be a problem, Captain.” Leo hesitated for a rare moment. “Armed police are surrounding the spaceport, and I’m blocked at the dock!”
Joanna cursed and said, “Leave Leyting immediately, Leo!”
“Yes, Captain!”
Ending the call with Leo, Joanna turned back, apologizing to Alois and Joshua. “Sorry for dragging you into this.”
“We expected it,” Joshua said succinctly. “What do we do now?”
The Gondola soared over a tall obelisk, startling a flock of pigeons. Their white wings scattered, revealing the police cars in pursuit.
Sirens pierced the tranquil sky of the planet.
Leo had hacked into all surveillance and communication systems at the spaceport, sifting through the ocean of data for what he needed—police flooding in from every entrance, heavy ships preparing to depart, and all exits locked. Without blasting the gates with ion cannons, they were trapped.
“Attention all personnel, attention all personnel,” Leo broadcasted ship-wide, “return to your stations. The Dream of a Cold Night is about to take off! I repeat, the Dream of a Cold Night is about to take off!”
Although there were fewer than twenty people on the ship, his words still caused a stir. “Leo, what nonsense are you talking about?” Ibb Descartes shouted towards the ceiling as he headed for the hangar. “The captain and the others aren’t back yet!”
“This is the captain’s order,” Leo replied coldly. “Launch immediately. Gunners to your stations, prepare the main cannon.”
“Are you crazy? This is the spaceport!”
“Aren’t we all subjects of the ‘Mad Queen’?!” Leo activated all engines, forcibly detaching from the docking clamps, ignoring repeated warnings from the spaceport to let the ship break free.
“Leyting Spaceport Command Tower warning the Dream of a Cold Night! Return to dock immediately for police inspection!” the tower staff warned, but the Dream of a Cold Night ignored the directive, responding instead, “Main cannon energy fully charged, ready to fire!”
“Damn it! Move aside! Can’t you see we’re fighting for our lives here?” Joanna screamed, dodging an oncoming heavy motorcycle. The driver swerved hard, crashing into a red car, triggering a series of unfortunate traffic accidents. Joanna kept praying to the Lord, hoping the innocent bystanders caught in the chase would remain unharmed, or she’d be guilt-ridden.
Leyting’s police had mobilized in full force, their vehicles swarming the sky like a buzzing swarm of bees. Alois thought he was lucky not to have a phobia of crowded objects, or he might have died of fright before being caught.
“Why are the police after us? I thought it would be the Duke’s private army or the Royal Guard,” Joshua said.
“They’re probably busy ‘protecting’ the Princess,” Alois guessed. “The Duke likely labeled us as ‘assassins of the Princess’, hoping to get rid of us without lifting a finger!”
“Damn, we’ll get caught if this continues.” The flying car turned into an alley, weaving between rows of windows. Joanna slowed down. “At the next fork, get off. I’ll distract the police. Find a place to hide and contact Leo. He’ll get you out.”
“What about you, Captain?”
“At worst, I’ll break out of Hecate again!” She laughed, drifting the car to a stop at the alley’s fork. “Get out!”
Joshua pulled Alois out, saluting Joanna. “Captain, be careful!”
“Don’t need you to remind me!” Joanna floored the gas pedal. The car shot off like an arrow, quickly vanishing in the maze of alleys.
Alois sighed in relief. “Where to?”
“First, get out of here!” Joshua looked up. A hidden camera in the alley had captured their every move. If the Duke or police had the capability, they could track their movements. They could only hope the footage hadn’t been noticed yet. But Leo surely saw it. Joshua knew all cameras were the eyes of the AI. It was watching them too.
“Main cannon energy fully charged, ready to fire!”
Leyting Spaceport Command Tower was in chaos. “Stop them! They’re mad!” “The spaceport will be destroyed!” “Alert the Royal Space Force! Stop them!”
But it was too late. The Dream of a Cold Night’s main cannon fired a particle beam wrapped in electricity at the spaceport’s gate on Leo’s command. Though made of high-strength metal, the gate couldn’t withstand a close-range shot from a ship’s main cannon. A loud roar echoed through the spaceport. After the beam’s light faded, a hole about 500 meters in diameter appeared in the gate. Due to the pressure difference, a strong wind blew into the spaceport, throwing unsecured items into space. The Dream of a Cold Night rode the current through the hole, leaving the daunting task of repairing the gate and balancing the pressure to the spaceport authorities.
“Dream of a Cold Night has successfully left Leyting Spaceport and entered space navigation.” Leo calmly announced to the crew. Simultaneously, he extended his thoughts into Leyting’s streets, searching the surveillance footage for the three idiots. Ah, Joanna was single-handedly fighting the police. Although she had the upper hand for now, she’d eventually be overwhelmed by their numbers. Alois and Joshua, thanks to Joanna, had evaded their pursuers and were running down a dark street, heading straight towards a police blockade. Damn!
Leo anxiously tried to contact their communicators to warn them to change direction but noticed a familiar blue Batwing car nearby. If this person was there, Alois and Joshua would be safe.
The AI revised and optimized its rescue plan in 0.1 seconds, then connected to the blue car’s communication device.
Fang Xiu lay on the bedding, gasping continuously.
A few thin blankets were added to the cage floor, and the top of the cage was covered with straw mats to shield from the drizzling rain. Most of the meat and drinks had been eaten, leaving only bones and empty cans.
Beside Fang Xiu, Bai Shuangying’s face was expressionless as he applied herbal paste. He mashed the herbs into a paste and used his index and middle fingers to apply it to the bite marks and lacerations.
Oh, and the bruises too.
…He had only been away for a little while, and Fang Xiu got beaten up again!
Judging by the marks, it looked like someone had viciously kicked him in the stomach.
Humans are indeed fragile, Bai Shuangying thought blankly, applying a little more force with his fingers. In the blink of an eye, they could die on you.
Fang Xiu trembled and coughed dramatically. “Don’t be mad. Here’s what happened…”
Not long ago.
After laughing wickedly, Fang Xiu spent three to five minutes assessing the situation before heading into the inner room.
Upon learning that Brother Scar and Doctor had both died, Fourth Master was furious. Naturally, Fang Xiu, who delivered the bad news, didn’t fare well; Fourth Master kicked him from the living room into the courtyard, causing him to spit out blood.
Fourth Master immediately followed him outside. Standing nearly two meters tall with a pair of menacing eyes, he exuded a pressure comparable to a grizzly bear. Fortunately, he hadn’t lost his rationality. He merely fixed his cold gaze on Jia Xu.
“Explain,” he spat out a single word.
Seeing Fang Xiu unable to get up from the ground, Jia Xu had no choice but to steel himself…
“We want to work with you!” he shouted.
On the way here, Fang Xiu had mentioned this seriously.
Doctor was in terrible condition and might not make it. If both Fourth Master and Doctor were fine, they would pretend to be rookies scared out of their wits; if only Fourth Master was okay, they’d go with the “useful newbie” route.
Jia Xu recalled the script Fang Xiu had taught him. “This afternoon, we went to the cemetery. Brother Scar accidentally violated a taboo and was attacked by evil spirits… We both almost died and barely escaped.”
It was all true, just with a little omission.
Fourth Master still looked furious. He crossed his muscular arms and remained silent.
“Here are the chains and the jade Buddha fragments. We’re returning them to you.”
Jia Xu puffed out his chest, trying to appear calm. “It’s our first time participating in the ritual. We don’t know anything. If we were to oppose you, we’d just get ourselves killed, and that would be a loss for everyone.”
“We need the help of experienced people, and it wouldn’t be convenient for you to be alone. There’s no need for us to kill each other when food and drink are no longer an issue.”
After finishing, Jia Xu recounted in detail the encounter with the Old Man Fu.
Fourth Master was calmer than they had expected. As he listened, his brows furrowed more and more tightly, then gradually relaxed.
Jia Xu seized the moment. “We also figured out the second taboo. If there are three taboos this time, then only one remains…”
Finally, Fourth Master sneered, “Fine, at least you two had the sense to return.”
He whistled, and the spirit-binding chain slipped from Jia Xu’s hand like a snake, wrapping itself around Fourth Master’s arm.
“We can cooperate, but you two are still staying locked up.” He pointed at Jia Xu. “You, come in and explain in detail.”
Cold sweat ran down Jia Xu’s back.
The chain dragged people effortlessly, ignoring physical differences. Just a moment ago, he had harbored the naive hope of launching a sneak attack.
Fang Xiu was right. If Fourth Master dared to entrust the chain to his subordinates, he must have had his reasons. The thing was loyal to its master, and if Jia Xu had tried anything, he would’ve been instantly overpowered.
Taking a deep breath, Jia Xu followed Fourth Master inside.
……
“He told Fourth Master the second taboo?” Bai Shuangying paused in applying the medicine.
“Mm…” Fang Xiu stretched his back. “The other side had almost figured it out anyway, so why not use it as leverage?”
Bai Shuangying was silent for a moment. “That Fourth Master… isn’t a good person.”
His face plainly conveyed, “You got kicked ten miles by him.”
Fang Xiu chuckled. “Relax, there’s still one taboo left. Fourth Master is on his own now. He’ll definitely ‘cooperate’ with us.”
“If you know how to read people, why deliberately provoke a beating?” Bai Shuangying asked, puzzled.
Fang Xiu licked the bloodstains on his lips. “This way, Jia Xu looks more like the boss, and Fourth Master won’t be too wary of me.”
It was strange. Though Bai Shuangying was a fierce ghost, his hands were exceptionally gentle as he applied the medicine. His snow-white sleeves floated with his movements, swaying softly like mountain mist.
Bai Shuangying sat beside him. His black hair cascaded down his back like a waterfall, flowing over his shoulders. A strand of hair fell in front of Fang Xiu’s eyes, and he couldn’t resist touching it. It felt just like satin.
The strands of hair were as cold as Bai Shuangying’s fingertips. As they slid over his burning wounds, the sensation was so soothing that Fang Xiu almost lost the strength to think.
*Last king of the Shang dynasty who’s often depicted as a tyrannical and decadent ruler. He’s often mentioned in folklore for his cruelty, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to the downfall of the Shang dynasty and more famously his consort, Daji.
“…I’m not a fox spirit*.”
Clarity: This is referring to Daji, King Zhou’s consort. She’s often blamed for the fall of the Shang dynasty and was the influencer in corrupting King Zhou.
For once, Bai Shuangying caught the reference, and his hands immediately applied more pressure.
Fang Xiu winced and then tried to keep a straight face. “I know, my dear consort is a seductive ghost*.”
*Clarity: Given the reference and that Bai Shuangying (supposedly) is a seductive ghost, Daji is a pretty fitting character for him, which is what Fang Xiu is making fun of.
Bai Shuangying: “……”
For the sake of having eaten well, he grudgingly suppressed his malice.
Bai Shuangying lowered his eyes and gently stroked Fang Xiu’s bare back. His thin muscles stood out, and his shoulder blades were sharply defined. Fang Xiu’s skin was already pale, but the blood-red wounds on his back made for a startling contrast.
…Too thin and fragile. He’d look much better if he gained some weight.
“So you do feel pain after all.” Bai Shuangying continued applying the medicine, his fingertips tracing each wound.
“I’m not only terribly afraid of pain, but I’m also scared of trouble, suffering, loneliness, and especially death,” Fang Xiu confessed earnestly.
Bai Shuangying was equally earnest. “It’s not even nightfall yet, stop talking in your sleep.”
Fang Xiu laughed again. He turned his head, and his black eyes, like two pieces of onyx, gleamed faintly.
“Really,” he said. “I’ve never told anyone this before. It’s a little secret between friends… Ow!”
Bai Shuangying couldn’t resist and pressed harder again.
Fang Xiu flopped like a fish. “Take it easy! Please, brother, I’ll treat you to Fourth Master’s head another day…”
In the small courtyard house.
Fourth Master didn’t know he’d been added to the menu, but if he did, he’d probably be even angrier.
He understood that the ritual was merciless, but losing two subordinates in one day was still too much. This was his fifth ritual, which meant he’d have to participate in the remaining three on his own.
Just the thought of it made Fourth Master’s scalp tingle. If he didn’t still need the newbies, he’d have killed them all to vent his anger.
Doctor was understandable. His mental state was off. His body had deformed, and it made sense for him to have committed suicide in despair.
But Brother Scar wasn’t so easy to kill.
Back in the mortal world, Brother Scar was one of his thugs, with several lives on his hands. Fourth Master knew Brother Scar’s personality well. Having survived four rituals, Brother Scar wouldn’t have been stupid enough to violate a taboo randomly.
Brother Scar’s only flaw was his arrogance. He might’ve let his guard down around the newbies.
But knowing something was wrong didn’t help. This was an obvious trap.
No matter how Brother Scar had died, the fact was, Fourth Master was now alone. No matter how strong he was, it would be hard to manage so many people, deal with the village’s evil spirits, and still investigate the third taboo.
“Fucking hell.”
Fourth Master kicked a table hard, shattering the fragile wood.
…He had no choice but to cooperate with that group.
Fine, if he could control Brother Scar and Doctor, he could control those fledglings. He just needed to keep an eye on the two guys, especially Jia Xu, who with his thick brows, square jaw, and imposing physique, looked like someone who meant business.
At the same time, Jia Xu was sighing loudly in the cage.
His sighs were so exaggerated that Fang Xiu couldn’t help but turn to look. It had been a long day. Poor “Boss” Jia Xu had had a rough time.
Jia Xu had successfully negotiated cooperation with Fourth Master.
As for his companions… Fang Xiu’s particularly mischievous smile still hadn’t been explained, but Jia Xu had preemptively covered it up by claiming, “Fang Xiu was so scared he got confused.”
It wasn’t clear why Jia Xu was so nervous, given that they weren’t enemies at this point.
After the cooperation deal, Cheng Songyun told them the original escape plan, including everyone’s abilities. Jia Xu and Fang Xiu also shared their experiences and skills, though Fang Xiu slightly tweaked his explanations.
“Polluting karma” was hard to explain, so it was better to describe it as “concealing one’s presence”.
While Bai Shuangying’s ability had some lethal potential, turning people into trees was a bit flashy and had many limitations. A punch to the face from Blondie, on the other hand, was simple and effective. Hit hard enough, and everyone became equal, one life at a time.
In terms of practicality, Mei Lan’s “water surface stealth” and Cheng Songyun’s “fierce ghost shield” were more useful, even with their limitations.
Jia Xu’s “transformation” and Blondie’s “physical enhancement” were on par with the “ghost scout” of the gloomy teenager. They were straightforward and didn’t require any cost.
That said, Bai Shuangying had never demanded any kind of price either… Could it be that Jia Xu’s Painted Skin was so afraid of Bai Shuangying because it was actually weak?
Perhaps Jia Xu’s heavy sighs were from realizing this.
Having finished applying the medicine, Fang Xiu slowly came out of hiding.
Thinking about how his ghost’s abilities hadn’t even reached the threshold for a “price” tax, he couldn’t help but pat Bai Shuangying comfortingly, to which Bai Shuangying responded with a slow-growing question mark on his face.
After exchanging information on their abilities, Blondie was particularly smug as the designated primary combatant.
He glanced at Fang Xiu. “Everyone else’s ghost and abilities match, except yours. Why would a seductive ghost have a stealth ability? Shouldn’t it have something like ‘seduction’?”
Fang Xiu was stunned. “My ghost looks like that. Does it even need to cast a seduction spell?”
Blondie: “?” Brother, your point is valid, but something feels off.
Fang Xiu: “Besides, using stealth to lure humans in makes perfect sense. After seduction, are they supposed to use an ID card to book a hotel?”
Blondie pondered for a moment but still felt something was off. “…Brother, you summoned a male seductive ghost. You’re not into guys, are you?”
He backed away while clicking his tongue.
At this unexpected question, Fang Xiu was momentarily confused but quickly became genial again. “I’ve never thought about it, but don’t worry. Whether I like men or women, I can guarantee I won’t like you.”
Blondie: “…”
He froze, unsure whether to say, “That’s a relief” or “Fuck you”.
A group of evil spirits saved him from answering.
Old Man Fu’s suona band appeared once again, this time by themselves. The sound of suonas filled the courtyard, the melody winding and twisting like a river.
“God descends from Weishan—guests arrive with bitter rain—”
“Foreign guests are rare—lingering in the village—”
“Today we welcome them with joy—tomorrow we bid them farewell in sorrow—”
“Fighting like trapped beasts—only to wound our hearts—”
A pair of big-headed child ghosts entered the courtyard, their large masks smiling brightly, painted in faded oil colors.
Each of them held four red paper invitations, matching the eight people in the courtyard—no more, no less.
“The shrine is restored, the temple fair is coming—”
“The village chief invites you at night—”
Their sharp voices echoed.
It’s here. Fang Xiu straightened his clothes. His red T-shirt was soaked with blood and medicine, looking rather disheveled.
Hearing the noise, Fourth Master, fully armed, emerged.
He wore the ghost chain on his right arm, held a peach wood sword in his right hand, and wore a pair of ancient-style armguards on his left. Five jade Buddha pendants hung around his neck, strung together with red threads, and a copper gourd dangled from his waist.
He hadn’t even spared Thin Monkey’s dagger, which hung next to the gourd.
Fang Xiu remained silent. This scene was akin to a new player running into a whale*; Fourth Master had more gear than they had people, and that was just what was visible.
*Krypton player. This is equivalent to a whale in games, a player who spends a large amount of money on in-game purchases or microtransactions.
…Interestingly, there were no talismans from Mai Zi among his items.
Fourth Master approached the pair of spirits and reached for an invitation. They giggled and handed him one but clung tightly to the rest.
Cursing under his breath, Fourth Master turned to unlock the cage.
“Everyone, come out and get your invitation.” He ordered irritably.
Cheng Songyun shuddered. “Do we have to take it? What if something happens… ah!”
She hadn’t finished speaking when an invisible force flung her against the wooden fence.
Fourth Master withdrew his left hand and shook his armguard. “Anyone else want to talk nonsense?”
Fang Xiu raised his hand.
Fourth Master ignored him, and Fang Xiu kept his hand raised.
Fourth Master: “……”
Fourth Master: “…Speak.”
“My copper coin sword was confiscated. Can I have it back?” Fang Xiu asked softly.
“Just do your part. That trash is useless anyway,” Fourth Master replied.
“So, what exactly should we be doing?” Fang Xiu blinked.
Fourth Master glared at him. “Do you not understand human language? Get your invitation.”
At this point, he seemed to give up, scratching his head in frustration. “Fine, I’ll explain one more thing. Old Man Fu dares to use the name of a god because he’s a great evil spirit. Don’t rush to your deaths carelessly trying to send him off.”
Blondie couldn’t hold back. “But he sounds pretty reasonable.”
“Evil spirits that speak human language are either small-time ghosts that are tricksters or great evil spirits.” Fourth Master sneered. “They use language as a tool. None of them are good. If you think you can reason with them, you might as well reincarnate now.”
Fang Xiu: “……” Hearing the phrase “none of them are good” come from you is rather ironic.
He helped the groaning Cheng Songyun to her feet. “Cheng Jie, are you okay?”
Cheng Songyun nodded and forced herself to stand. “You don’t have to be so polite. My daughter is about your age. Just call me Auntie.”
“My mom told me that if someone’s younger than her but older than me, I should call them ‘jie’. Cheng Jie, you don’t look fifty yet, and I’m twenty-eight,” Fang Xiu whispered.
Cheng Songyun’s expression softened. “What about your mother?”
“She’s fifty-one,” Fang Xiu replied. “If she were still alive.”
Cheng Songyun paused, her lips tightening. “…Just call me Cheng Jie.”
“Alright.”
“Stop chatting over there!” Fourth Master snapped. “Get out here and take your invitation!”
Cheng Songyun lowered her voice. “Xiao Fang, I don’t think those invitations are anything good…”
“I know, but Old Man Fu must have information we need,” Fang Xiu whispered back.
After two days, they had combed through most of Weishan Village.
The abandoned houses were all alike, containing only some broken furniture and old odds and ends. Interestingly, aside from ancient newspapers pasted on the walls, they hadn’t found any recent newspapers, let alone diaries.
Everything was eerily “clean”, as if someone had been diligently tidying up.
Fang Xiu had found some clues at the cemetery, but still no leads on the strange statue.
…Which meant that the next step in their investigation would inevitably involve confronting the evil spirits.
Fang Xiu was about to offer some placating words, but Cheng Songyun figured it out herself. “Haa, I understand. Some things still require risk.”
Just as she finished speaking, another wave of force hit them, and this time, both Fang Xiu and Cheng Songyun were slammed into the wooden fence. Cheng Songyun was fine, but Fang Xiu coughed up blood again.
Fourth Master: “Did I not say to fucking hurry up? Are you deaf?”
Bai Shuangying, who was watching from the sidelines: “……”
This was annoying. He had already run out of herbs.
In fact, ever since the big-headed children entered, Bai Shuangying had been deep in thought.
These spirits clearly weren’t here with good intentions. If things escalated into a full-blown fight, what would he do?
Bai Shuangying had originally intended to take a laid-back approach. Helping out a little was fine, but if Fang Xiu was on the verge of death, he definitely wouldn’t risk exposing himself to save him.
If Fang Xiu died, Bai Shuangying would lose some of his cultivation, but compared to full exposure, that was a price he could afford.
But perhaps he had been cooped up for too long, and observing the ritual was actually quite entertaining. There were also living souls to devour… Maybe, as long as he didn’t reveal too much, he could put in a bit more effort?
Even if Fang Xiu died, it should be after Bai Shuangying had had enough fun.
As Fang Xiu spat out blood and wiped it from his mouth, he tugged on Bai Shuangying’s sleeve.
“Stay behind me later. That Old Man Fu is a great evil spirit, very dangerous. Fourth Master wouldn’t lie about that.”
Bai Shuangying’s eyebrows twitched. “I heard.”
What great evil spirit? If not for the restraints of the underworld, Old Man Fu wouldn’t even be enough to fill Bai Shuangying’s teeth.
Fang Xiu realized something. “Ah, you can mimic human speech too… Don’t let it bother you when Fourth Master says you’re a ‘small time ghost that is a trickster.’ It’s not true.”
Bai Shuangying’s expression faded. “……”
…More effort? He might as well keep spectating.
A few minutes later, even the lunatic had an invitation stuffed into his collar. Fourth Master used the ghost chain to tether the lunatic while allowing the others to move freely.
Although “freely” was a loose term, as the suona band herded them along, making it impossible to control their own pace. The suonas blared in their ears, and the eerie melodies pierced through their bodies, making their insides feel as though they were being pricked by needles.
Fang Xiu tried striking up a conversation with them, asking about the origin of the “God’s descent from Weishan”, but they completely ignored him. Eventually, Bai Shuangying grew annoyed and stopped him.
“Don’t bother,” Bai Shuangying said. “They’re only mimicking human speech. They don’t understand what they’re singing, and they certainly can’t comprehend what you’re saying.”
Fang Xiu’s understanding of the cultural literacy of evil spirits took a new turn.
“Being able to speak human language” and “understanding human language” were two very different things.
“You can speak human language. That’s great,” Fang Xiu remarked. “Otherwise, we’d have to communicate through possession, and I wouldn’t even be able to ask if the food I’m treating you to suits your taste. You wouldn’t get human jokes either…”
Bai Shuangying: “…Sometimes, I think it’s actually you who doesn’t speak human language very well.”
Fang Xiu: “See? You’re already making human jokes.”
Bai Shuangying fell silent.
Fang Xiu grinned, lowering his head to examine the bright red invitation. The invitation was square-shaped, with a mourning-white upside-down “Blessing” character in the center and lines of golden text neatly written along the edges.
[Do no evil, heaven’s blessings are far-reaching; Practice all virtue, and the rain that nurtures all things brings deep fellowship.]
[Peace is precious, yin and yang harmonize resolving calamities; Haste makes wastes, defying the gods and ghosts.]
The horizontal and vertical lines corresponded to one another, with the horizontal pair clearly forming the shrine’s couplets. The new vertical lines were less perfectly matched, but their persuasive intent was obvious.
As Fang Xiu stared at the vertical lines, the smile in his eyes slowly faded.
……
This was the second night since they arrived at Weishan Village, and the rain had continued for a second day.
The rain clouds made the night even darker, and Weishan Village seemed to be swallowed by a river of shadows, except for a vast area of fiery red near the shrine.
The shrine had been restored to its original state, its doors wide open, revealing a brand-new idol inside.
This time, the idol had four arms and four legs, with its limbs still twisted and chaotic, resembling a squashed spider.
It still had three heads, its faces painted ghostly white, while its lips were painted bright red. The red paint hadn’t fully dried, slowly dripping down the idol’s chin, giving it a strange, bloody appearance.
On both sides of the altar, red candles flickered chaotically, and outside the door, countless red lanterns hung in the rain that trembled violently in the rain, like beating hearts.
The scale of the “fair” this time was far greater than before, with stalls stretching as far as the eye could see, forming a maze. Across from the shrine, a lavish opera stage had been erected, its orange-red lights illuminating half the sky.
The seats in front of the stage were packed, and in the center sat the tall and thin Old Man Fu, standing out like a crane among chickens.
The group was herded toward the stage by the suona band. As they drew closer, the opera singers’ voices grew louder, drowning out the mourning music of the suonas.
“She toiled in vain, left with a heart full of sorrow.”
“He only sought self-preservation, ending up as a puddle of rotten flesh.”
“She fled in terror, only to be fried in oil.”
“He wailed in anguish, finally hanging himself with white silk.”
“The guest becomes the host, the host becomes the guest, a fabrication of lies; Ghosts resemble gods, gods resemble ghosts, all morals overturned—”
“Impossible to grasp, impossible to understand, no answers to be found; No way out, no way in, a bird trapped in a cage—”
The mournful tune pierced through the air like a cry, burrowing into their ears. When they saw the opera performers clearly, both Blondie and Mei Lan screamed in horror.
They were looking at four corpses, four corpses they recognized. Each one wore red silk opera costumes, with bright red flowers tied to their chests, slumped over in high-backed chairs.
Mai Zi’s corpse was dark and swollen, with maggots crawling out of her nose and mouth. Lao Mian had become a pile of meat wrapped in red cloth, oozing putrid liquid through the silk. The timid auntie was reduced to white bones, still bearing scorch marks.
And then there was Doctor’s body.
When they had left, it had still been hanging from a tree.
Doctor’s white coat had been replaced with a red opera robe, and his broken neck hung limply to one side. His mouth remained still, yet the sharp, bone-chilling lyrics continued to pour out.
“Impossible to grasp, impossible to understand, no answers to be found; No way out, no way in, a bird trapped in a cage—”
“Impossible to grasp, impossible to understand, no answers to be found; No way out, no way in, a bird trapped in a cage—”
“Bravo!”
Old Man Fu stood up, clapping his hands vigorously. “Marvelous singing!”
The rest of the figures stood up as well, mimicking him. “Marvelous—singing—”
Then, all of them simultaneously turned their heads and looked directly at Fang Xiu’s group.
The author has something to say:
By the way, let me explain why Bai Shuangying doesn’t use healing magic (*/ω＼*).
This story draws on traditional Chinese culture. In folklore, only certain deities (like Taiyi Zhenren*) or special ghosts (like medicinal ghosts) are skilled in healing magic. It’s not something just anyone can do, and it has nothing to do with strength.
*A Daoist deity. It is believed he was a historical figure and a renowned physician.
When it comes to healing, various panaceas and elixirs are more common.
It was the moment between night and dawn when the sky wasn’t clear yet.
The moon was still high in the sky, and every household’s courtyard was adorned with jack-o-lanterns and ghost masks, while fireplaces burned with flames that never died, warding off invaders from the other world.
From afar, the city was enveloped in a myriad of flickering lights, as if a giant fireball had descended upon it, breaking into millions of sparks scattered across the land.
Due to the special Samhain festival, the city transformed into a sleepless royal capital.
Everyone anxiously awaited the arrival of daylight.
Fortunately, their wait came to an end as a hint of light appeared on the horizon, signaling the passing of the perilous season.
Zhou Qian and others, with the help of the queen, gently landed in a secluded corner of the street. They then traversed the entire city, excluding the royal palace, to get a good grasp of its layout.
The city wasn’t very large, and with a basic attribute speed boost, their journey through the city took just over an hour.
After their initial exploration, as dawn covered the city, they found an open breakfast shop at the street corner. They walk in, bathed in the morning glow, and head upstairs to a window-side table.
With the Red God temporarily gone, only Zhou Qian, Bai Zhou, He Xiaowei, Yin Jiujiu, and Yun Xiangrong, along with an NPC named Alayne, remain.
Having been through quite an ordeal without proper food, they now order plenty to eat and drink, using the NPC Alayne’s money.
He Xiaowei barely managed to swallow a few bites of dry and hard bread, then looked towards Zhou Qian, who was gazing out of the window. His chin was slightly raised, and his eyes were indifferent, seemingly having no intention of touching the shoddy food provided by the breakfast shop.
Next to him, Bai Zhou seemed to have developed culinary skills or found something in the trade shop—
He was able to cook shrimp with boiled eggs for Zhou Qian in this instance.
Bai Zhou’s actions were meticulous and cold, resembling a scientific experiment more than cooking.
As Zhou Qian waited for his shrimp and eggs, he leaned his cheek on his hand and stared towards the city gate, narrowing his eyes as if plotting something.
“What are you thinking about, Qian’er? Do you have a plan?” He Xiaowei asked.
Previously, He Xiaowei would have thought such a task impossible.
According to the queen, the king of the Land of Silence came in peace. His personal arrival in the Royal City of the Kingdom of Words signified sincerity. Yet, to protect himself, he brought numerous magicians and a strong guard contingent.
The king’s magician alone was capable of imposing deadly commands in minutes, indicating strong abilities, not to mention the other magicians accompanying him.
How could the players confront so many magicians and snatch something from their king?
It wasn’t that the players couldn’t defeat these magicians.
But spells like prohibitions and curses were the magicians’ forte; a barrage of such spells against the players would be overwhelmingly difficult to counter.
Moreover, this place was the heavily guarded Royal City of the Kingdom of Words, filled with countless guards and court magicians.
With both countries negotiating peace, the king of the Land of Silence personally visited, demonstrating both nations’ sincerity.
If he faced danger, the Kingdom of Words would naturally assist him. The players would then face the threat of both countries’ armies and magicians.
With merely five players, possibly not entirely united, to confront the forces of two entire nations…
No matter what He Xiaowei thought, this felt like an impossible task.
They might not survive until Di Fu appears.
However, by now, He Xiaowei fully trusted Zhou Qian’s intellect, so unusually, he didn’t express any fear or difficulty.
He took another bite of his bread and waited for Zhou Qian’s response.
At this moment, Bai Zhou offered Zhou Qian a spoonful of egg-wrapped shrimp. Zhou Qian smiled at him before he ate it. He Xiaowei shivered and watched as Zhou Qian turned back towards the city gate and said, “The hidden achievement wasn’t specified by the system. But our current mission is clear: we stand with the queen and Alayne against Difu.”
“Even if we put the mission aside, for Xiao Qi’s sake, we must proceed.”
“And obtaining the ‘Key of Freedom’ is one prerequisite for confronting Difu. Are we all in agreement?”
“No doubts,” He Xiaowei replied.
Zhou Qian continued, “The Red God Queen isn’t here now, but she hinted at something.”
He Xiaowei, puzzled, looked at Zhou Qian, who turned to him. “She brought us here to cooperate with Alayne in killing Difu. But why does she believe Difu will appear here?”
He Xiaowei was taken aback.
Zhou Qian explained, “There are several possibilities, and we must prepare for them. First, the kings of both countries might not really be negotiating peace. A war could break out here soon. If the meeting between the kings involves great lies and betrayal, along with bloodshed and killing, Difu, anticipating this, would certainly come to absorb energy.”
“The second possibility is that the kings are indeed negotiating peace. But for Difu to miss such a significant event to create chaos would be illogical. She might deliberately cause confusion, making each king believe the other has betrayed him.”
After a pause, Zhou Qian narrowed his eyes, and his gaze became ominously serious.
He said, “But just in case, we need another plan. It is already dawn. Today is likely our last chance to complete the mission. If neither possibility occurs and Difu doesn’t show up all day, we won’t be able to save Xiao Qi or complete our task.”
“What do you mean then…?” He Xiaowei asked, frowning with a foreboding feeling.
“If Difu doesn’t appear, we’ll have to lure her here,” Zhou Qian declared.
He Xiaowei: “You…”
“Exactly.” Zhou Qian nodded. “If the kings are truly seeking peace, we must incite betrayal between them, thereby drawing Difu out.”
“This approach serves multiple purposes, not only to draw Difu but also because we stand no chance against the powerful forces accompanying the kings. Only by pitting them against each other can we benefit*—seizing the ‘Key of Freedom’ when the power around the king of the Land of Silence is greatly diminished. If we’re lucky and he also brings the golden feather, we can directly use it to save Xiao Qi.”
*The snipe and the clam fight while the fisherman benefits. It comes from a fable describing a situation where two parties are locked in a struggle that exhausts them both, allowing a third party to swoop in and take advantage.
Hearing this, He Xiaowei fell silent for a moment, sharing Yin Jiujiu’s sentiment.
She hesitated before asking, “Is there no other way? I feel… this involves the safety of both nations’ people… If we do this, and it leads to years of war, how many will die because of us?”
Zhou Qian’s expression was stern as he remained silent. He Xiaowei couldn’t help but speak up at this moment. “I definitely want to save Xiao Qi, but Jiujiu’s words also resonate with me. I feel… uneasy about this.”
After a long silence, Yun Xiangrong spoke up. “They are NPCs, not real people.”
“Even so…” He Xiaowei sighed deeply. “Well, let’s just say I’m being sentimental. That Qian’er… anyway, the people from the Land of Silence haven’t arrived yet. Before they do, can we think of any other way?”
“Or at least, should we try to warn the citizens of this city, let them evacuate first? If the magicians and soldiers of both countries are going to fight, let them fight, but the civilians are innocent…”
“We can’t warn the civilians. We don’t have the opportunity to reset and must ensure absolute certainty of success. Doing anything extra now could expose us to the people of both countries, resulting in complete mission failure. Then we won’t be able to save Xiao Qi, and we’ll all die here.”
Zhou Qian immediately rejected He Xiaowei’s suggestion. “The king of the Kingdom of Silence likely has spies in the Royal City of the Kingdom of Words. If a spy learns of this and informs the Land of Silence, their king might not even step foot here.”
“But… then…” He Xiaowei could no longer bite into his bread, letting out a heavy sigh.
Zhou Qian looked at him and said, “Xiaowei Ge, you really don’t need to feel burdened. I haven’t finished speaking. Let me ask you. What point in time have we arrived at?”
He Xiaowei was stunned for a while, then his eyes widened. “You mean…”
“What I mean is—” Zhou Qian said solemnly, “‘What has happened cannot be changed,’ this is a constant setting throughout this instance.”
“The queen doesn’t truly have the ability to foresee the future, as can be proven from the conversation between Alayne and the queen relayed by Alayne. The queen didn’t know Alayne’s true fate or whether she could kill Difu. But the queen sent us here because she knew beforehand that Difu would appear here.”
“The only explanation for this—”
“’Difu’s appearance’ is something that has already happened, belonging to the ‘past’. ‘Whether Di Fu will be killed by Alayne’ is unknown, belonging to the ‘future’.”
“It seems that the time difference between this ‘past’ and ‘future’ is very small, possibly all occurring within today. Meaning, the time we are currently in is very close to the real ‘present’, just less than a day apart.”
He Xiaowei started to understand, and his expression gradually became less despondent.
Zhou Qian continued to explain, “In short, ‘Difu’s appearance’ belongs to the ‘past’, and her appearance itself is accompanied by lies, betrayal, chaos, hatred, and slaughter. This indicates—”
“The animosity and betrayal between the two countries also belong to the “past’, and it is something that will definitely happen.”
“How the peace talks between the two countries fail could happen in many ways. If not guided by us, there would be other triggers. But if we completely control the situation, we can ensure every detail serves our needs, not just ‘historical progress’.”
Yin Jiujiu seemed persuaded, nodding her head. “I understand. We’re only changing the specifics, not the course of history or everyone’s destined fate. If someone is destined to die, regardless of what we do, they will still die; the only difference is whether they die an hour earlier or later…”
“It’s like… like Alayne’s good friend, Qi Yunsi—during Samhain when Alayne was 8, in the original history, he died in her place during the vigil. We went back to the past, intervened in history, and neither he nor Alayne went to the vigil. But in the end… he still died!”
“Exactly. All the story set-ups before this imply this point, which is very important and can be seen as a hint from the system on how to clear the instance.”
“So, we can guide the two countries to hostility without any guilt because it has already happened.”
Zhou Qian glanced at He Xiaowei’s expression and added, “Moreover, setting aside this, Amei, Beilan… and many others we don’t know about, in every corner, have died because of Difu’s evil.”
“Today, there is only the Land of Silence and the Kingdom of Words. If we don’t eliminate Difu and allow her power to grow stronger, in the future, countless countries around the world will go to war under her influence, and then people all over the world will suffer. So, even looking at the bigger picture, we can only make the choice we are making now.”
“Between the civilians of two countries and the entire world’s populace, I can only choose the world.”
“Between NPCs of no importance and Qi Liuxing, I can only choose Qi Liuxing.”
“I understand, Qian’er… I actually get what you’re saying.” He Xiaowei scratched his head. “I just wanted to lament a bit. Sometimes wanting the best of both worlds… is really hard.”
“The world never conforms to one’s desires. That’s the normal state of life.”
Zhou Qian said, “Everyone wants to find a perfect, flawless solution that doesn’t let anyone down. But before we can save everyone, we also have to weigh our own capabilities. We’re not omnipotent gods; we can’t take care of everyone and have to make choices. We… must accept the imperfections and flaws we carry.”
At this point, Zhou Qian didn’t look at He Xiaowei but turned towards Bai Zhou, who was close by.
Bai Zhou was preparing a second shrimp and egg dish, seemingly nonchalant, but Zhou Qian knew that Bai Zhou had already prepared for many complex situations in his heart.
He was composed because he was strong.
Yet, at the same time… he also demanded too much of himself.
When Bai Zhou handed over another shrimp and egg, Zhou Qian grabbed his wrist, looked into his eyes, and spoke through the private chat tool. “Zhou Ge, the last thing I said was really meant for you to hear.”
Two minutes later, everyone, including the NPC Alayne, had arrived in the cellar.
“Are we here looking for Xiao Qi and Xiao Ke? Why would they come to the cellar? Is there some secret hidden here?” He Xiaowei muttered as he jumped down into the cellar.
He was the last person to enter the cellar, which, despite being filled with many people, was eerily quiet. He Xiaowei was surprised at this silence when he saw the scene that completely froze him in place, his eyes immediately reddening.
Zhou Qian turned around, glanced at He Xiaowei, who had just entered, then looked at the others. In front of them, he closed the lid of the freezer holding the head and placed it into his backpack.
“Ke Yuxiao is still in this time-space. He might head up the mountain, trying to find a way out through the Red God’s inn. But as the inn serves as a connection point between spaces, there’s only one such prop, and now that we have it, he can’t escape.”
“What we need to do first is obtain the golden feather to heal Qi Liuxing’s body. After that, I can use the Tick Tock Clock to resurrect him.”
“Then we will settle the score with Ke Yuxiao.”
“Also, we need to be cautious about one thing. When we came over here, we specifically checked, and the Temple of the Goddess of Prayers is still next to the Tartar Inn. Probably because of the spy situation, there are now many people in ghost masks stationed there, and villagers keep entering, likely to carve curse tablets.”
“Under such circumstances, it’s less likely for Ke Yuxiao to get through. But we still need to be vigilant later on to prevent him from directly entering the temple to curse all of us.”
Hearing this, Hidden Blade frowned and said, “Ke Yuxiao… his situation is very abnormal. Xiao Qi’s talents have already been activated, making him very powerful. But after thoroughly understanding Ke Yuxiao’s skills, he doesn’t have any significant offensive capabilities.”
“Normally, even if Xiao Qi had spent a lot of mana, he shouldn’t have died so easily at Ke Yuxiao’s hands. Ke Yuxiao must have hidden his attack power and life force. But that’s almost impossible…”
“Indeed, some disguise items can completely transform one person into another, with attributes adjusted accordingly, but this adjustment is limited and cannot turn someone from a hundred thousand health to ten thousand.”
“Moreover, the attribute panels of ordinary players and Rank God players are worlds apart. It’s impossible for them to disguise as each other.”
“So, you suspect Ke Yuxiao is a Rank God player?” Zhou Qian asked.
“Yes. But even Bai Zhou and I probably don’t know why he could disguise as an ordinary player. This might be…” Hidden Blade looked at Bai Zhou. “Some new item researched by the Peach Blossom Legion, or a new skill they’ve developed for Rank God players? After all…”
Hidden Blade’s following words were left unsaid, but everyone present understood.
This matter was likely related to the Peach Blossom Legion. They put up such a big show just to have Ke Yuxiao kill Qi Liuxing, and there must be a deeper conspiracy behind it.
They certainly weren’t targeting Qi Liuxing alone, but Zhou Qian. But what could be the reason that made them believe killing Qi Liuxing would also kill Zhou Qian?
Bai Zhou’s gaze darkened. “There are some things that Shao Chuan has never told me. After we get out, I will ask him for clarity.”
Zhou Qian glanced at Bai Zhou, then said, “I’ve had my suspicions about Ke Yuxiao since our time in ‘Flower of Evil’. But during the brain interconnection, I didn’t notice any anomalies from him, as if he could completely hide his thoughts…”
“We can verify this later. Let’s go get the golden feather first.”
Hidden Blade stepped forward. “You guys, go get the feather. I’ll stay here and guard the temple to prevent Ke Yuxiao from cursing all of us.”
“Master, it’s very dangerous for you to be alone!” He Xiaowei immediately said, “We now don’t know his capabilities—”
“Indeed, we don’t know the extent of his abilities, but if he is a Rank God player, which is almost certain given his unique disguise skill, then—”
“Guarding this time-space’s temple to prevent him from cursing us must be done by a Rank God player. Difu is too powerful, and Bai Zhou is indispensable in dealing with her. So, it’s best for me to stay here.”
He Xiaowei: “Then I’ll stay and help you!”
“No need,” Hidden Blade interrupted He Xiaowei, as he conjured his curved blade, shining like a crescent moon.
Holding the blade handle, Hidden Blade smiled at He Xiaowei, “The title ‘Master’ shouldn’t be taken lightly. Since you’ve acknowledged me as your master, you should trust me.”
Hearing this, He Xiaowei still looked worried, so Zhou Qian stepped forward and patted his shoulder. “If Ke Yuxiao really can control thoughts at will and switch identities freely… his skills are indeed special. But on the other hand, it shows he specializes in these abilities rather than others like output.”
“Thus, from a one-on-one fight perspective, Ke Yuxiao definitely isn’t strong. Otherwise, he could’ve easily disguised as an ordinary player to approach me and kill me effortlessly with his Rank God player identity in the instance.”
Zhou Qian looked at He Xiaowei and further explained, “Bai Zhou’s identity was exposed in front of the Peach Blossom Legion only towards the end of ‘Wish List’. It’s not something they knew in advance, nor did they know he would secretly protect me.”
“At the start of ‘Wish List’, the people they sent to kill me were Situ Qing and Lu Mengmeng, not Ke Yuxiao. Perhaps they underestimated me, but they also didn’t dare to send Ke Yuxiao without absolute certainty.”
“Ke Yuxiao’s skills are highly valued by them, and they couldn’t afford to let him die easily, so they didn’t risk sending him to kill, even fearing he couldn’t pass such a difficult hidden instance.”
“Their step-by-step strategy has told us, aside from that special skill, whether in terms of one-on-one fighting ability or the ability to find clues and pass instances, Ke Yuxiao isn’t strong at all. So—”
Approaching Hidden Blade, Zhou Qian also solemnly patted his shoulder. “I believe you’ll be fine. But still, be careful.”
“Sure. Don’t worry,” Hidden Blade said.
Zhou Qian looked at him, then added, “Before we leave, we’ll explain to Alayne and ask her to find a way to help you. In case of an emergency, regarding Ke Yuxiao, kill if necessary. Don’t insist on capturing him alive. Preserving your life is the most important.”
“No problem,” Hidden Blade said.
Zhou Qian then said, “I’ll give you an item. I think it’ll be very useful.”
Looking down at his wrist, Hidden Blade indeed received an item: a combination of a pen and paper—
[Item: Starting with a Picture, The Process Depends on Imagination*]
*It’s an internet phrase that refers to a lot of relevant information can be fabricated with just one picture. For instance, someone posted a picture and then added their own caption to it describing the event (but it could be completely made up).
[Function: The map you draw, the story you imagine, might one day become reality… Perhaps everyone has had such a beautiful dream? This item can satisfy all your imaginations! Go on, defeat your enemies with your imagination!]
[Note: Please try to draw accurately. If it’s not recognizable, it’s not the item’s fault; those with poor drawing skills use with caution. Beware of injuring oneself]
Zhou Qian also sent a message with tips on using the item.
After reading it, Hidden Blade: “……”
Subsequently, Hidden Blade’s wrist received another notification, this time from Bai Zhou, giving him some self-defense and escape items.
Lowering his wrist, Hidden Blade looked at Bai Zhou. “Thanks.”
Bai Zhou shook his head. “Be extra careful.”
Minutes later, Zhou Qian and the others left Alayne’s house and headed down the mountain path away from the village.
He approached Alayne first, asking, “Do you know how to find Difu?”
“I don’t know. I was hoping Amei would tell me… I didn’t remember at the time, and I wanted her help to find Difu, which is why I let her take me to her inn.”
Alayne looked at Zhou Qian. “I thought you knew the way, seeing as you were leading.”
Zhou Qian said, “If you don’t know, then pretend I know.”
Alayne: “?”
Zhou Qian turned back to the other players, explaining, “If the NPC has information, it should be considered accurate. But since Alayne doesn’t have any clues, we have to deduce from the information we’ve collected.”
“We eight were separated by the statue at the entrance of the Tartar Inn into different time-spaces—three groups, each with an eight-year gap according to this pattern. Using the mini time prop we got from the Red God’s Inn, we indeed managed to go back eight years.”
“So, the three colors on these two props are temporarily set to an eight-year interval. However, Zhou Ge previously heard about Alayne’s near sacrifice by the village chief when she was ten, and we don’t know exactly from what time we returned to when Alayne was eight.”
“These two incidents don’t necessarily relate to the number ‘eight’. What we can be sure of is that the different times the time prop can adjust are not entirely based on eight-year units.”
Looking into the distance, Zhou Qian said, “Right now, just by manipulating this prop, there are two possible ways. One is to return to the Red God’s Inn and find that golden bird to see if a reaction can be triggered between the two. After all, the golden bird is quite special. Even though it’s a statue, it might actually possess a part of Difu’s power.”
“The second way… is to go back to the village entrance and see if the two time-controlling props, one large and one small, will work together.”
“Of course, if neither of these ways work, there’s a third option—” Zhou Qian looked at Alayne. “And that is for you to wake up Amei, who you’ve knocked out, and force her to lead us to Difu.”
Alayne: “…………”
“Young man, why not choose the fourth and simplest way?”
The speaker was a strange woman’s voice. Zhou Qian looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in red coming from the depths of the woods.
He heard Alayne whisper softly, “The queen?”
This person was indeed the wife of the once King of the Kingdom of Words and the Red God, who had once shown Alayne the way in the otherworld.
Looking at Alayne, she said, “I’ve calculated… It’s about time. Samhain has brought me to the human world, and I’ve met you. As I once said to you, I will provide help when necessary. Now is the time.”
“Can you teach us how to traverse space and find Difu?” Alayne asked. “I can only feel the strength of her power, but it envelops me. She is everywhere, and I really am…”
“When Samhain arrives, each inn exists in multiple spaces. Of course, I also know the way to traverse space.” The queen raised her hand, and a red circle appeared in front of everyone’s feet. “Go to my inn. I will take you to the royal city. However, be careful. The royal city is especially crowded today, and the guards are extraordinarily vigilant. The king of the Land of Silence has arrived.”
“The Land of Silence?” Zhou Qian asked.
“Yes. The two countries have been at war for a long time. It’s time for peace talks. But he’s obviously still wary of the Kingdom of Words, bringing countless magicians to protect him…” The queen said, “Well, if you’ve made up your mind, step forward. I’ll take you there.”
Alayne didn’t hesitate and stepped directly into the red circle, disappearing in an instant. At this moment, the players finally received a clear prompt for progressing through the game—
[Congratulations to the players for surviving until now. You have triggered the regular ending mode: Alayne has left, and the Red Lotus will soon lose its effect, unable to trap Amei. Players will face Amei’s attacks.]
[You need to find a way to survive under Amei and the spirits she can summon and find a way to return to your true timeline as deserters.]
[At dawn, all dangers will end, the deserters can return to normal life, and you can leave the instance.]
[If you choose the regular ending mode, do not step into the red circle.]
[Stepping into the red circle will trigger a hidden achievement, which, upon completion, grants a rare reward.]
[The success rate for achieving the hidden achievement is 3%. Players, please choose wisely.]
This time, without Zhou Qian needing to say much, everyone stepped into the red circle, including Yin Jiujiu, whom Zhou Qian couldn’t fully trust yet.
Lastly, Zhou Qian gave Yun Xiangrong, who was standing inside the red circle, another look, but didn’t say more, simply gripping Bai Zhou’s hand next to him.
Soon after, Zhou Qian and Bai Zhou together entered a world bathed in red.
It was as if someone had paved a road with blood for them, forcing them to step on it and keep moving forward.
Then, Zhou Qian felt Bai Zhou’s palm cover his eyes.
Lifting his arm, Zhou Qian held his wrist. “I’m okay, really. I was mentally prepared when I saw the name of this instance.”
Bai Zhou simply said, “This color is harmful to your condition. Better to see less of it.”
“Okay.” Zhou Qian nodded, thought for a moment, and then said, “Zhou Ge, I’ve just realized… Hidden Blade is indeed a good person. You see, you’re a good person, and the friends you make are also good people. This is called ‘birds of a feather flock together’.”
Bai Zhou told him, “You’re also very good.”
Facing the oncoming wind, Zhou Qian smiled. “That’s something no one would believe if it got out. They’d only say you see me through rose-tinted glasses or that I’ve bewitched you.”
Bai Zhou gave him a look and shook his head. “That’s because many people don’t understand and only see the surface.”
“When did you see the ‘inside’?” Zhou Qian asked him.
“A long time ago.”
“How long is a long time?”
“Probably around the third grade in elementary school.”
“Huh? Elementary school? We were just kids then. What could you see? It’s just that you’re too good, so you think I’m good too.”
Bai Zhou laughed softly and reached out to smooth Zhou Qian’s hair.
Despite the eerie scene of both of them wearing ghost costumes and surrounded by red light, the atmosphere between them was unexpectedly warm and tender. When Bai Zhou’s hand moved away, Zhou Qian looked at him deeply and took his hand.
The smile on his lips gradually faded, and he said, “Zhou Ge, having you by my side at times like this feels especially good.”
“We will bring him back,” Bai Zhou said, his tone not much different from usual, but it carried an undeniable force to Zhou Qian’s ears.
“I know.” Zhou Qian smiled and said, “Normally, when I do this kind of thing, my confidence is 99.9%. Now with you here…”
Bai Zhou: “It seems I haven’t brought much of a bonus.”
Zhou Qian said seriously, “No. With you here, my confidence is 200%!”
“Actually, if from a mathematical perspective—”
“How can you view this from a mathematical perspective?”
“…Then what did you mean by 27.6% that one time you saw me?”
“I won’t tell you. Just guess.”
……
Elsewhere, on a hillside five hundred meters east of the graveyard.
Ke Yuxiao, dressed in a black robe, hid his figure under the cover of trees.
From his vantage point, he could clearly see the surroundings of the temple. When necessary, he would enter to attempt a curse.
After all, leaving here would mean he could clear the instance.
Whether the curse born of hatred and betrayal he casts for Difu would increase her power significantly, he didn’t care.
Just then, an unusual figure flashed in the distance, clearly not an NPC but the speed only a Rank God player could have.
With the sharp senses of a Rank God player, Ke Yuxiao quickly recognized him as Hidden Blade.
Cheng Songyun sighed. “Including myself, it can only protect up to two people. How long it lasts depends on how long I can hold out. Once its sleeve covers me, I start hallucinating, and it’s really scary.”
She shivered as she spoke.
“Mine is a child ghost. It can pass through walls and run around. Other evil entities usually don’t bother with it. But it can’t do much, not even pick up a leaf.” The gloomy boy took over the conversation. “At best, it can be a scout.”
Mei Lan: “Water ghost. It can hide me in water, even a cup of tea, but for that day, I have to offer an evil spirit as compensation… If not, it will take my lifespan.”
Blondie cursed. “The one surnamed Jia uses a painted skin to disguise a ghost, and surnamed Fang straight-up brought a seductive ghost. Damn it, after all this, I’m the only one who can fight.”
“But at least Cheng Jie’s* decent. A shield is somewhat useful,” he glanced at Cheng Songyun.
*(Older) Sister (姐) Used as an address for women who are older or more senior than you as a show of closeness, fondness, or affection.
Cheng Songyun forced a smile.
After thinking for a while, she said, “How about this? Let the child ghost keep watch, and once they let their guard down, Mei Lan can go out and destroy a few talismans. Without the talismans, the cage shouldn’t be able to hold this guy… Um…”
She looked at Blondie.
“Du Zhichao,” Blondie said. “Just one talisman from the fence is enough. I’ll kick the door open for you.”
“I’m the one to go out and destroy the talismans? How do I get out?” Mei Lan looked confused.
Cheng Songyun: “I’ll let some blood and have it flow out of the cage. You can follow the blood out. If you can hide in tea, blood should work too, right?”
As for compensation, that was manageable. With so many evil spirits outside, once they got out, they could work together to catch one for Mei Lan.
“…My ghost says it can do that, as long as the surface is connected,” Mei Lan said after a moment, her face looking brighter.
“Good, good.” Cheng Songyun sighed in relief. “Let’s wait a little longer. If Xia Fang and the others don’t return by tomorrow, we’ll run.”
Having a plan calmed the four of them somewhat. Mei Lan carefully checked the talismans on the wooden fence, while the gloomy boy relaxed and closed his eyes to nap. Only Blondie, with a grim face, kept glaring at Doctor in the courtyard.
After Fourth Master returned, he went straight into the inner room. Doctor, however, remained awake the whole time, as if he didn’t need to sleep. He sat by the extinguished campfire, constantly twitching his white coat, occasionally muttering to the air, more like a lunatic than the actual lunatic in the neighboring cage.
At noon, Doctor wobbled over and threw a chunk of bloody meat into the cage.
“Eat it,” he said in a raspy voice. “If you don’t eat something with moisture, you won’t last a few days.”
No one touched the meat.
Doctor, seemingly on the verge of a breakdown, babbled incoherently, “Fresh… How can you not… Haa.”
“Idiot, get lost.” Blondie bared his teeth.
Cheng Songyun quickly stepped forward, saying softly, “Brother, we don’t want to eat people… Sister knows you’re in pain. Why not talk to me? It’s not too late. Maybe we can work together.”
Doctor looked at Cheng Songyun, as if awakening from a nightmare for a brief second. He stared at her for a long time, silently mouthing words that seemed to say “mom”.
But in the end, Doctor stiffly shook his head.
“It’s too late, too late!” He clawed at the wooden fence so hard his nails lifted off. “Too late, there’s no time…”
Then, he slowly turned around, staggering back to the campfire.
Cheng Songyun didn’t back away. She remained by the cage, watching intently. She noticed fresh bloodstains on Doctor’s white coat, vibrant red, as if they were seeping through from inside his clothes.
Back in his spot, Doctor covered his neck, staring blankly at the ground. He was completely still, save for the tears streaming down his face. His eyes were so red it looked like they were about to bleed.
Blondie couldn’t help but spit. “This guy is really fucking sick. It’s not his first time performing a sacrifice, yet he’s still freaking out.”
“Something’s wrong,” Cheng Songyun whispered. “Doctor’s acting way too strange.”
Blondie dismissed her and sat down, squinting to rest. Mei Lan, tired from the long wait, yawned and rubbed her eyes.
Cheng Songyun, however, remained by the cage, fully focused.
Two hours passed, and Doctor finally moved again.
He walked to the tree next to the cage and slowly took off his white coat.
Rip! The fragile fabric was torn into a rope, which he tied around the short tree trunk.
The noise was loud, and it was close by, waking both Blondie and Mei Lan.
Cheng Songyun was about to say something when she suddenly closed her mouth—
From this angle, she could see clearly: a human face, the size of a fist, had appeared on Doctor’s exposed neck. Its tiny mouth opened and closed as if breathing. In just a few seconds, it bulged outward, nearly fully formed.
Doctor’s shirt was soaked with blood, bulging at several spots, shaped like severed limbs. A thin, malformed arm wriggled free from a seam in the shirt, its fingers moving slightly.
“Spare me, spare me…”
Doctor looped the makeshift rope around his neck, sobbing as he thrust his head into the noose.
As he whimpered, a twisted leg pushed out from his back, kicking furiously.
“Have mercy…”
He fell to his knees and suddenly leaned forward, hanging himself in a kneeling position.
Even in death, his eyes remained wide open, filled with terror.
Doctor was dead. The grotesque limbs on his body ceased growing, like dying buds. His body gradually stiffened, but his expression slowly changed.
The bulging eyes gently closed, stopping halfway. His mouth twitched, twisting into a serene, peaceful smile.
Just like Mai Zi’s corpse.
Though the enemy had killed themselves, given how strange Doctor’s death was, no one felt relieved.
Mei Lan covered her mouth tightly, barely holding back a scream. Blondie was at a loss for words, backing up to the far side of the cage, his Blondie standing on end.
“W-What do we do now?” Blondie coughed. “The guard’s dead. Should we run?”
Cheng Songyun was trembling, but her voice was steady. “Let’s wait a bit longer. If Xiao Fang and Xiao Jia come back to this… scene…”
The Jade Buddha Gang might think their escape attempt was responsible for Doctor’s death and take their anger out on the two young men.
“Auntie, this is a golden opportunity!” Blondie’s voice tightened. “Let them figure it out on their own. If we wait any longer, no one will get out!”
After saying that, he turned to Mei Lan, desperate. “I’ll do the bloodletting. Let’s go now.”
After all, Cheng Songyun and the gloomy boy weren’t necessary. Doctor’s creepy corpse was right next to the cage, and he couldn’t take it anymore.
Cheng Songyun stepped between him and Mei Lan. “Talk properly! Don’t use force—”
Blondie glared, raising a hand to push her aside. Just then, there was a commotion at the gate.
Jia Xu came in, supporting a heavily injured Fang Xiu, leaving bloody footprints with every step. Jia Xu had a basket full of familiar offerings on his back, and the chain hung loosely over Fang Xiu’s shoulder, its end empty.
The scarred man hadn’t returned with them.
As they entered, Fang Xiu’s gaze swept across the courtyard, finally landing on Doctor’s hanging body.
Seeing that Fourth Master wasn’t in the courtyard, Fang Xiu relaxed a little. Then, he noticed a strange sight…
Doctor had hanged himself with a skinny rope, and now two corpses—one kneeling, the other standing—looked like a cheerleading duo.
It was all Bai Shuangying’s fault. He’d laughed away ten years of good karma!
……
Meanwhile, Bai Shuangying wasn’t in the courtyard.
Fang Xiu had spent half a day wandering the graveyard, stalling until dusk before heading back. He had planned to bring Bai Shuangying along, but Bai Shuangying refused.
He had other matters to attend to.
First, he enjoyed a fresh soul, then gnawed on a group of evil spirits. It had been a long time since he’d eaten so well. Though it barely scratched the surface of his long-standing hunger, he still felt incredibly satisfied.
…How wonderful. When was the last time he’d felt this good?
…When was the last time he breathed the outside air?
Bai Shuangying lightly leapt onto a tombstone, gazing into the distance at the shadowy mountains through the rain. The rain had eased a little, and he could now make out the silhouette of Weishan. The mountain had an awkward shape, standing alone and leaning toward the village as if it would collapse at any moment.
Ugly, Bai Shuangying thought to himself.
He adjusted his sleeves in the rain, countless chains swaying lightly in the air. This place was vast, and unseen shadows stretched out in all directions, disappearing beyond the horizon.
In the next moment, something “twisted” entwined itself around the chains. It spread like a toxin through veins, flowing along the chains until it disappeared into the void.
Bai Shuangying hadn’t told Fang Xiu, but if he wanted to taint causality in such a complex way without being detected by the underworld, it wasn’t impossible…
In fact, he could slowly corrupt things, doing it bit by bit. But by the time he’d finished corrupting just one enemy, the ritual would likely be over. It was such a clumsy and time-wasting method that it wasn’t even worth mentioning.
After all, this approach only worked for himself.
After completing this round of corruption, Bai Shuangying leapt off the tombstone.
Satisfied, he stretched, deftly rolling up his sleeves and beginning to gather the wild herbs growing near the graves; herbs known to stop bleeding and reduce swelling. While accompanying Fang Xiu through the graveyard, Bai Shuangying had made a note of their location.
He’d checked earlier and confirmed that Fang Xiu’s injuries weren’t deep. It certainly wasn’t enough to damage muscles or bones, but he still found those wounds unsightly.
Things that annoyed him should simply be dealt with.
As he thought of those blood-soaked wounds, Bai Shuangying instinctively touched the small blood-red mole. The little mole was still firmly in place, the contract they had established remained intact.
There was still some time left before nightfall. He figured Fang Xiu wouldn’t get himself killed in just a short while.
…Probably, right?
The author has something to say:
Fang Xiu: Definitely not.
Fang Xiu: But I did lose my good karma.
Bai Shuangying: ? You had good karma to begin with? (surprise)
In the dim room with curtains drawn, Duke Winnet sat upright on a high-backed chair with his hands clasped together on his lap. Upon seeing Joanna, he observed the etiquette befitting an imperial nobleman, took her hand, and kissed it. Joanna accepted this silently with a slight smile.
Alois watched coldly as the Duke feigned cordiality with Joanna. He hadn’t changed much in the past two years, with his brown hair neatly plastered to his head and his shrewd tea-colored eyes glaring at the three like a raptor. Those eyes were very similar to Darius’s. Thinking about it, they were actually distant relatives, with the Duke’s grandfather Frank IV being the father of Darius’s grandmother.
“It’s an honor for a commoner like me to serve you, Your Grace.” Without waiting for the Duke’s permission, Joanna found herself a soft, comfortable-looking sofa and sat down as if she were the master of the room.
The Duke spread his hands. “Alright, time is pressing. Let’s skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point.” He looked at Alois, who was holding the box. “I admire the courage it took for you and your men to bring this precious cargo over such a great distance. You all deserve a generous reward.” Like an orator, he paused deliberately to pique their curiosity. “Surely, Hikari has already paid you the deposit?”
“Yes.” Joanna called Alois and Joshua to her side. Alois was somewhat nervous, although he knew his disguise was perfect. However, whenever the Duke’s eyes were on him, he couldn’t help but doubt if he had been seen through. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken the risk. In our line of work, we don’t start without seeing the money.”
“I understand your sentiment.” The Duke smiled understandingly. “I will, of course, pay the balance. But before that, may I inspect the goods?”
Joanna raised a finger and shook it from side to side. “Pay the balance first, then you can see the goods.”
“Ah, Lady Joanna, you are too distrustful of me. Moreover, the rule of trading is to exchange money and goods simultaneously. Don’t you understand this basic principle?”
“Rules are made by people. Each matter should be handled appropriately,” Joanna replied unyieldingly. “You know this cargo is of extraordinary value. I’ve taken great risks to infiltrate the Empire and deliver it to you. Don’t I deserve some special treatment? Besides…” She mimicked the Duke’s tone. “This is your place, surrounded by your men. Are you worried that I might play tricks? Do you doubt my reputation in the underworld? That’s overly cautious, not the demeanor of someone capable of great things.”
The Duke’s smile turned sinister. “Does Joanna Begrel, who has betrayed twice, actually have ‘reputation’? Is there something wrong with my ears?”
“Assassinating an innocent girl for your own unspeakable purposes doesn’t seem very upright either,” Joanna retorted.
“You seem to know a lot about my affairs?”
“The Lord watches over you from three feet above.”
The two exchanged cold smiles, but eventually, the Duke lost the momentum and compromised by pulling out his communication terminal and dialing a few numbers. A few seconds later, Joanna’s terminal buzzed with a message from the bank confirming that a sum had been deposited into her account.
“I’m very satisfied.” Joanna nodded to Alois. “Give it to him.”
Alois placed the silver box on the coffee table and stepped back. The Duke crouched down, pulled the box towards him, fiddled with the smart lock, and entered a password. The smart lock lit up green, indicating the correct password, and the box clicked open. The Duke didn’t lift the lid. He only opened it a crack to quickly glance at the contents, then closed it.
“The goods are correct.”
The Duke stood up, brushed off the dust, pulled a silk handkerchief from his chest pocket, wiped his hands, and tossed the handkerchief onto the coffee table.
“We’ve all gotten what we wanted.” The Duke extended his hand to Joanna. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
“Pleasure doing business.” Joanna smiled and shook his hand. “May we leave now?”
“Of course. Would you like me to send someone to escort you?”
“No need, I can still afford a taxi.”
“You’re too kind.”
“Likewise.” Joanna, unwilling to continue the pleasantries, turned and walked straight to the guest room door. She pushed it open forcefully, startling the black-clad servant standing outside.
In the room, the Duke said, “Escort Lady Joanna downstairs and help her call a taxi.”
“Yes, sir!” the servant replied.
Joanna didn’t refuse the Duke’s “kindness” and followed the servant to the elevator. The screen showed the elevator was on the first floor. Joanna irritably pressed the down button several times before the elevator slowly began to rise.
“So slow.” She turned to the black-clad servant. “Where’s the restroom?”
“Uh… down the hallway to the end, then turn right.” The servant pointed out the direction. “Do you need me to show you?”
“I can find it myself!” Joanna frowned. “Do you intend to follow a lady to the restroom? That’s extremely rude!” She signaled to Joshua, who understood and lowered his head. “We will watch the elevator for you.” Joanna then walked towards the restroom.
She ignored the guards and servants stationed along the hallway, quickly walked into the restroom, and locked the door. There was a window in the restroom. She glanced outside and saw a dozen black hovercars driving into the hotel’s back door.
‘What did Alois say earlier? The princess is also staying in this hotel, just upstairs? Ah, Winnet, that old fox, came up with a plan to kill two birds with one stone, didn’t he?’ Joanna thought. ‘Assassinate the princess first, then kill me. This way, he can claim that the evil space pirates killed the princess, and the Duke becomes a hero for subduing the terrorists. What a brilliant plan, a damn brilliant plan!’
She quickly sent two messages, one to Leonard and one to Joshua.
To Leo: “I’m in the public restroom on the 23rd floor of the hotel.”
To Joshua: “Come to the restroom. Knock twice.”
A minute later, someone knocked on the restroom door.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
“Damn it!”
Joshua and Alois stood side by side in front of the elevator, watching the numbers on the screen slowly increase. 7, 8, 9…
The black-clad servant occasionally glanced towards the restroom and at them, his eyes filled with deep vigilance and hostility.
14, 15, 16…
“The captain sure is slow,” Alois said casually.
17, 18, 19…
Joshua’s communication terminal suddenly buzzed. He took it out and looked at it. “The captain said she forgot to bring paper and asked us to bring some.”
Alois said, “Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up.”
20, 21, 22…
The black-clad servant stopped them. “Let me handle such a small matter.”
“You probably don’t have the kind of paper the captain is used to.” Joshua said, “But I do.” In a flash, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at the servant’s head, pulling the trigger!
23!
“Ding.”
The elevator door slowly opened, revealing three black-clad men inside. They were masked and holding submachine guns, the barrels pointed at Joshua and Alois. As soon as the door opened, they would start shooting.
But Joshua was faster!
Three beams of light shot into their chests.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Three shots. It wasn’t Joshua.
Joanna pushed open the stall door and ran to the window. At that moment, the restroom door was kicked open, and several masked, armed men burst in, starting to shoot without a word.
As the laser beams shot out, Joanna jumped out the window, with only one beam grazing her hair, cutting off a few strands of fiery red hair.
Joanna was falling rapidly through the air! The urgent wind swept past her cheeks like sharp knives cutting through her skin. Gravity, like an invisible hand, pulled her towards the ground. The fierce wind made it almost impossible for her to breathe, but she still shouted with all her might, “Leonard!”
Before the words were fully out, she fell into the cockpit of a Gondola.
The Gondola was unmanned, or rather, not piloted by a human.
“Just in time!” Leo’s voice came through the speaker.
“Leo, I absolutely love you!” Joanna grabbed the steering wheel and made the Gondola spiral upwards like a bird riding the wind, quickly returning to the window she had jumped out of.
As a high-end artificial intelligence, Leonard tirelessly performed the daily maintenance of the spaceship today, checking the computer system, dispatching robots to clean various places, and removing trash. Meanwhile, he transformed into a stream of data and sneaked around Leyting. Leyting had many low-end AIs since it was an industrial planet that used machinery to replace labor, reducing cost expenses.
“Oh, the fate of AI is to be ordered around!” Leo complained discontentedly.
In Leyting, he discovered many interesting things. For example, the fake diva he had seen in Neo Venice was also in Leyting. How coincidental! She (or he?) had just held a solo concert recently. Leo retrieved footage from the concert’s surveillance cameras and watched it with great interest, secretly storing it in his database.
The stage effects of the concert were dazzling and magnificent. Even Leo, who had seen countless strange landscapes, couldn’t help but be impressed. Theoretically, Leyting didn’t have the stage equipment to support such special effects. How did the director and stage designer of Camilla’s concert create such brilliant effects?
The search engine quickly provided him with the answer. “They actually landed Camilla’s spaceship directly on Leyting just for the stage effects? Because the spaceship carried special holographic projectors? Oh, poor people of Leyting. How spiritually and culturally void must your lives be?” Leo thought with sympathy.
While watching the concert video, he also tracked down Joanna’s whereabouts. She and her two subordinates had taken a bat-winged air car and were caught arriving at a five-star hotel in Leyting. Leo tried to sneak into the hotel’s surveillance system to monitor Joanna’s meeting with Duke Winnett, but he found that the surveillance system used an internal network, preventing him from hacking in externally!
If the “Lady of the Night” were docked at the spaceport now, Leo could have calculated without worry until he broke through the hotel’s weak firewall. However, he was on the “Dream of a Cold Night” now. If he used too much computing power, he might accidentally crash the spaceship’s system, and he wouldn’t risk crippling his own body just to deal with a mere hotel.
…But he was a bit worried about those three bastards. After all, they were handing over such an important item to the Duke. Leo restlessly roamed the circuits, eventually connecting to all the electronic eyes around the hotel. Even if he couldn’t see inside, he could at least keep an eye on the outside.
Alois tugged at his collar. This dignified-looking coat was very uncomfortable. Celia, with her excellent makeup skills, gave him a new hairstyle and smeared a lot of unknown gel on his face. After the disguise, Alois looked in the mirror and couldn’t recognize himself.
Joanna tied her messy red hair into a bun, put on a pair of metal-framed glasses, and wore a business suit, looking like a stern female secretary (this attire made Leo roll on the floor laughing for a long time).
Joshua didn’t change much, except he dyed his irises with organic dye and tied up his long hair. Although his attire was a bit strange, it wasn’t suspicious. Following Joanna, he barely looked like a bodyguard.
Now the three of them sat silently in the bat-winged air car sent by the Duke. As soon as they arrived at Leyting’s surface from the spaceport, the Duke’s subordinates came to greet them.
“I am truly honored by the Duke’s warm welcome,” Joanna said to the air car driver. The driver didn’t respond, as if he hadn’t heard her at all. This attitude touched a nerve in the female pirate, and she deliberately said loudly, “The Duke must be very compassionate to hire a deaf-mute driver!” As expected, she saw the driver’s eyebrows twitch through the rearview mirror.
The air car took a deserted path, deliberately avoiding Leyting’s busy areas, and finally arrived at the entrance of a luxurious five-star hotel. “I thought the Duke would choose to make the deal in some abandoned parking lot,” Alois whispered to Joanna.
“You’ve watched too many weird gangster movies,” Joanna replied in a low voice. “The Duke is officially here to ‘visit and inspect’, so there are probably a few reporters following. Every move is highly scrutinized, so it’s more convenient for us to visit him.”
Joshua coughed. “You two are speaking too loudly.”
They both fell silent.
A bellboy opened the car door. Seeing a lady, he extended his hand to help Joanna out of the car. Joanna ignored him and got out of the car directly, looking around, leaving the bellboy awkwardly standing there. Alois stifled his laughter, swaying as he got out, and Joshua followed him. The bellboy’s hand was still outstretched, but the assassin thought for a moment, then took a bill from his pocket and pressed it into the bellboy’s hand.
Alois’s stomach hurt even more from holding back his laughter.
The driver drove the air car to the hotel garage. A man in a black suit stood at the entrance of the hotel, holding a communication device to his ear. After saying something, he walked towards Joanna, bowed, and gestured invitingly. “This way, please.”
Alois carried the silver box and followed Joanna with Joshua. The man in the black suit stopped her. “The Duke only invited you.”
Joanna raised her wrist, trying to grab the hair on her shoulder, but only caught air. She remembered her hair was tied up. So she adjusted her glasses instead. “Do you expect a delicate woman to carry such a heavy box?”
Delicate woman! Alois’s lungs were about to burst from laughter!
The man in the black suit didn’t insist. “Alright.” He led the three through the hotel lobby and took the “staff-only” elevator to the 23rd floor. Along the way, Joanna keenly noticed several security guards disguised as ordinary guests (who were secretly glancing at her) and a few reporters trying to dig up news on the Duke (just from their sneaky, suspicious looks, it was a miracle they hadn’t been kicked out of the hotel).
Outside the door of a luxurious suite on the 23rd floor, the man in the black suit bowed again and opened the door for Joanna.
“Thank you.” Joanna smiled. She remembered “manners” at this moment.
Alois and Joshua nodded to the man as well, making him feel embarrassed.
“By the way,” before entering, Alois suddenly asked, “Is Princess Alveira staying on this floor too?”
The man was stunned. “No, the princess is staying upstairs, on the top floor.” This wasn’t a secret, so he was puzzled why the other party asked.
Alois smiled appreciatively at his honesty. “Thank you.”
Alveira stood by the window. The large floor-to-ceiling window was tightly covered with thick floral curtains, supposedly to protect the distinguished guests in the room from being spied on by malicious people outside. Alveira always sneered at this reason. With special tinted glass, it was absolutely impossible to see inside from the outside. She couldn’t understand why the hotel staff had closed all the curtains, making the room as dark as night. Did they think the guests staying there were vampires afraid of sunlight?
“Rose.” The princess called her personal maid. “What’s today’s schedule?”
“Yes.” Rose picked up the terminal and opened the itinerary. “There are no arrangements for this morning and afternoon. At 6 p.m. planetary time, there is a dinner with the military factory executives that you must attend in formal attire.”
The words “formal attire” made Alveira frown. She hated wearing elaborate evening gowns and exchanging insincere pleasantries with various people. She’d rather go hunting with Darius, play games with Musaya, or even simply read and chat with Annot than attend a dinner party.
She opened a narrow slit in the curtain and peeked down. A black bat-winged air car drove into the hotel, and a few people got out. She couldn’t see who they were clearly because a tall tree below obscured her view, but she immediately recognized the air car as one of Duke Winnet’s private cars, usually parked in the hangar of his flagship “Stella”. Alveira had only seen it once but would never forget it. Although the car didn’t look particularly luxurious, (according to Musaya) it was a discontinued limited edition with superior performance and immense value. So she remembered it very well.
But the Duke rarely used this car. Why was it here?
Shortly after the car arrived, several people dressed as reporters were “asked” to leave the hotel by security. Alveira could almost imagine the security guard’s cold tone. “Sorry, your behavior violates the privacy of our guests. If you don’t want to be sued, please leave immediately.” Ten minutes later, a dozen black air cars drove toward the hotel. But they didn’t enter through the main entrance. Instead, they went around to the back of the hotel building.
Alveira let go of the curtain. “Rose, where is Winnet?”
“The Duke is in his room. Do you want to see him?” Rose said. “The Duke said he’s not feeling well today and instructed not to be disturbed by anyone. But if you wish to see him, I’m sure he would…”
“No,” Alveira said. “Rose, bring out my casual clothes and my gun.”
Rose’s eyes widened. “Your Highness…?”
“Secretly gather everyone we can trust and prepare to escape.” Alveira lowered her voice. “He’s coming to kill me, by night he’s coming to kill me [Note].”
The author has something to say:
[Note] From the Bible, Nehemiah 6:10: “Then he shut himself in and said, ‘Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.'”
Jia Xu stared at Bai Shuangying, dazed for a full ten seconds.
Wait, was Fang Xiu’s ghost always here?
He had a strong impression of Bai Shuangying, but all morning, he hadn’t noticed this striking ghost at all, nor had he thought to ask Fang Xiu where Bai Shuangying had gone. It wasn’t until Fang Xiu started talking to Bai Shuangying that Jia Xu realized something was off.
What a terrifying ability. Fortunately, Fang Xiu was his teammate.
At the moment, Fang Xiu was dragging the blood-soaked Brother Scar, walking straight toward the cemetery. His steps were relaxed, as if he were pulling a suitcase on a leisurely vacation.
In the rain, Brother Scar left a faint trail of blood behind him.
“This doesn’t seem right.” Jia Xu gulped nervously. “We have the chains and the jade Buddha. We could go back and save everyone… There’s no need to go through all this…”
Fang Xiu looked back. “If Fourth Master dares to give his subordinates the chains, he must have a way to control them. Maybe the chain listens to his commands, like how Skinny Monkey’s knife worked.”
“Skinny Monkey?” Jia Xu was confused. “Wasn’t that knife Doctor’s?”
“Oh, it’s just a nickname. Doctor is pretty skinny,” Fang Xiu said casually. “As for the jade Buddha, we don’t know if it has any special usage or how many lives it has left. For now, let’s not worry about it.”
“But everyone—”
Fang Xiu sighed. “Brother Scar doesn’t have many props. The treasures of the Jade Buddha Gang are probably all with Fourth Master. We have no idea what his methods are. If we end up in a death match, with six newbies on this side, who knows how many would die.”
“As long as Fourth Master isn’t dead, he won’t let things rest. Then we’ll have to deal with both Old Man Fu and guard against sneak attacks from Fourth Master. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.”
Jia Xu: “Being locked in a cage is safe? We’d still have to eat human flesh!”
“As long as the two of us behave, the people in the cage will be safe,” Fang Xiu patiently explained. “Besides, now that we have Old Man Fu, there’s no need to eat human flesh. Before we go back, I’ll stop by his place and pack some food.”
Jia Xu glanced at the struggling Brother Scar.
Wait, buddy, I think your idea of “behaving” is different from mine… And is Old Man Fu’s place a cafeteria? Can you just grab food like that?
He felt stifled, but without a better solution, he dejectedly followed along.
The cemetery was on the west side of Weishan Village, a short distance from the village. It was quite large, with an alarming number of gravestones.
From the cemetery, one could see the wandering ghosts in the distance outside the village. The spirits outside didn’t seem very intelligent, roaming aimlessly like beasts. The further away they were, the more densely packed they became, forming a natural barrier.
Lao Mian hadn’t lied. If you went far enough, it really was all ghosts. This was likely to prevent the sacrificial offerings from escaping.
The number of evil spirits in the cemetery seemed normal.
It was daytime now, and the cemetery only had wandering souls and small, obviously low-level monsters. They shuffled between the gravestones, clumsily imitating people sweeping the tombs.
Some of the gravestones were old, some new, with a time span of at least a hundred years. The old gravestones were arched and gray, while the new ones were made of white marble, some even with photographs.
Under Bai Shuangying’s expectant gaze, Fang Xiu dragged the desperately struggling Brother Scar to the center of the cemetery. He pulled off the talisman from Brother Scar’s forehead. “Bai Shuangying, hide us.”
Bai Shuangying nodded. The nearby evil spirits, drawn by the scent of blood, surrounded Jia Xu and Brother Scar.
Jia Xu held his breath, frantically giving Fang Xiu meaningful looks.
Fang Xiu: “…You should hide Jia Xu too, if it’s not too much trouble.”
Bai Shuangying grumbled softly before waving his hand. Jia Xu was finally out of danger, and the evil spirits in the cemetery slowly gathered, fixating on Brother Scar.
“You… Fuck… Fourth Master will… slaughter you all…”
Brother Scar’s body was in tatters, lying on his back, weakly cursing.
A wolf demon couldn’t hold back anymore and bit down on Brother Scar’s hand. With one bite, it took off half his hand, and Brother Scar let out a piercing scream as blood gushed out.
Fang Xiu folded his arms and watched intently.
The wolf demon swallowed the flesh and started sniffing again. The wandering souls also edged closer, leaning down to gnaw at Brother Scar’s wounds. Losing so much blood, Brother Scar barely had the strength to struggle anymore.
“So that’s how it is,” Fang Xiu said. “The evil spirits can attack us without any consequences.”
Jia Xu: “…Huh?”
Before Jia Xu could finish his confused sound, Fang Xiu moved—
Taking advantage of being hidden, he punched the wolf demon. But instead of the wolf demon reacting, Fang Xiu himself shuddered and dropped to one knee on the spot.
“Ugh, it really itches,” he squeezed the words through gritted teeth.
His whole body was itching, so badly that he wanted to peel off his skin or replace the itching with pain. He realized he had already scratched his arm several times, leaving deep marks.
“No attacking evil spirits.” Doctor hadn’t lied. He needed to fix this quickly.
Fang Xiu took a deep breath, trembling as he picked up a piece of meat from the ground and threw it to the wolf demon. The wolf demon sniffed it and licked it up.
As the wolf demon swallowed the meat, the itching melted away like snow.
Fang Xiu caught his breath, grabbed Brother Scar’s hand, and slapped the wolf demon on the head. The wolf demon growled in irritation, shaking the blood from its head.
Brother Scar remained on the ground, gasping, with no reaction.
“…If we’re attacked first, self-defense is allowed,” Fang Xiu muttered.
He recalled how he had been jostled by evil spirits in the market and had used the copper coin sword to clear a path. He had also lured an evil spirit into attacking him at the shrine and had cut off one of its arms, all without breaking the taboo.
Self-defense didn’t violate the rules, even if the counterattack was stronger than the initial assault.
The second taboo was truly interesting. On the surface, it could be summarized as “Be polite”.
But there was a subtle “double standard” at play.
The Jade Buddha Gang could harm them freely without breaking any taboos. The evil spirits could also attack them at will. Yet for some reason, some spirits, especially the stronger ones, had refrained from doing so.
…What’s the difference? Does the second taboo only protect evil spirits?
…No, they had ghosts with them too, and they were also locked up by the Jade Buddha Gang.
…Only the evil spirits of Weishan Village are special? That didn’t make sense either. There had to be plenty of foreign evil spirits. Otherwise, even if the whole village had turned into ghosts, there wouldn’t be such a diverse “spirit expo” here.
Fang Xiu rubbed his blood-stained arm, lost in thought.
The itching was gone, and the remaining pain kept him alert. Fang Xiu replayed the memories of their arrival in the village, analyzing them frame by frame in his mind.
[“Guests arrive with the bitter rain—”]
[“Weishan Village hosts guests—Weishan Shrine welcomes guests—”]
…They were guests from outside.
[“I am the village chief of Weishan Village.”]
[“That couple, it wasn’t the villagers who did it.”]
…They were the local villagers.
“Haha.” Fang Xiu laughed out loud, “Now I get it.”
“What are you laughing at?” Jia Xu asked, trembling.
Fang Xiu, sitting close to the weakened Brother Scar, lightly laughed as he touched his wounds, sending a chill down Jia Xu’s spine.
“I understand why the spirits in the village like to roleplay,” Fang Xiu said. “They’re actively complying with the ‘E’s’ rules.”
“…The second taboo is ‘Do not harm the villagers of this place, except in self-defense.'”
Jia Xu was stunned.
Just like when Fang Xiu had uncovered the first taboo, Jia Xu couldn’t find any flaws in the reasoning.
Being protected by such a powerful rule, “imitating villagers to repair Weishan Shrine” was hardly a big ask.
“All done. Let’s high five1!” Fang Xiu walked briskly toward Bai Shuangying.
High five? Bai Shuangying thought for a moment, then clumsily raised his hands and started clapping1.
1Clarity: The joke here is that the word Fang Xiu uses is (击掌) which transliterated means hit (your) hand (so clap), but it means to high five. Not knowing the term, Bai Shuangying is acting out the literal meaning (thus he started clapping).
Fang Xiu’s smile grew wider, and he opened his arms for a big hug. “Come on, undo my hiding now. Thanks for your hard work. I’ll treat you to a meal later!”
Bai Shuangying quietly let himself be hugged. “Alright.”
He had only killed Skinny Monkey to relieve boredom, and apart from hiding these two humans, it hadn’t been too taxing. But when food was offered, how could he refuse?
Fang Xiu dipped his finger in blood and drew a circle around Brother Scar, carefully leaving a gap at the edge. Then, he meticulously placed a strand of Bai Shuangying’s hair ring in the gap, his movements extremely cautious.
At this point, Fang Xiu was no longer hidden, and Brother Scar’s eyes followed him. “What… are you doing… I’m warning you…”
“Relax, I know you have the jade Buddha. Don’t worry, I’m not interested in it.”
Fang Xiu paused above Brother Scar’s head, then leaned down, staring at Brother Scar upside-down. “I just want to see how you use it.”
“That way, when we get Fourth Master’s jade Buddha, we’ll know how to use it.”
Brother Scar’s eyes widened, staring at Fang Xiu’s smiling face, for the first time showing confusion.
This guy is obviously a newbie, so why… Damn it, could he be…
The next second, Brother Scar was engulfed by a swarm of evil spirits.
Fang Xiu, whose concealment had been lifted, wasn’t spared either.
His body was wounded, and many of the evil spirits took the opportunity to bite him. Fang Xiu tightened the spirit binding chain, trying to fend off the spirits while keeping his eyes locked on Brother Scar.
He watched as Brother Scar smeared his own blood on the jade Buddha, which emitted a soft glow before crumbling into dust.
Then Brother Scar let out an inhuman scream and was completely torn to pieces.
“He gave him a jade Buddha with only one life left. Fourth Master is pretty stingy,” Fang Xiu muttered as the chain barely held off the evil spirits. Before he could react further, Bai Shuangying’s concealment wrapped around him again.
So cooperative? Fang Xiu looked up in confusion, meeting Bai Shuangying’s expressionless face. Jia Xu, too, was staring at him in shock, looking like he was about to throw up.
“Fang Xiu… your body…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine, I’ve been paying attention. They’re just superficial wounds. It won’t affect my movement.” Fang Xiu glanced at his battered body, wincing slightly as he spoke. “We still have to trick Fourth Master when we go back. Think about it: Brother Scar is dead. If we return completely unharmed, it wouldn’t make sense. Plus…”
Jia Xu swallowed dryly. “Plus…?”
“Plus, the living souls are only the appetizer.” Fang Xiu smiled at Bai Shuangying. “We made a pact, so we’re a team. You should be able to ‘counterattack’ for me… I remember all the evil spirits that bit me. Why don’t you grab one and give it a taste?”
Bai Shuangying looked Fang Xiu up and down.
Those wounds must hurt. Fang Xiu’s body trembled slightly from the pain, yet he could still smile.
For some reason, Bai Shuangying found those wounds a bit unpleasant to look at. Fang Xiu’s clothes were red enough already. Adding more red seemed excessive.
Without a word, Bai Shuangying walked toward the evil spirits, grabbed a wandering soul, and devoured it in one gulp.
Fang Xiu nodded approvingly. “Yes, that one bit me. And next—”
“No need to say more,” Bai Shuangying interrupted. “I remember all the spirits that attacked you.”
……
Inside the cage.
Cheng Songyun let out a long breath and patted her chest.
“Listen to me,” she said, slightly anxious. “We need to come up with a plan. We can’t just sit here… What if something happens to Xiao Fang and the others?”
Three pairs of eyes turned to her in response.
“Why don’t we all stop hiding and talk about what our ghosts can do?” Cheng Songyun continued, “In case something happens, we can at least coordinate and help each other.”
“Okay.” The gloomy-looking teenager was the first to respond.
“I agree,” Mei Lan said softly.
Yellow Hair clicked his tongue. “Didn’t you all see what mine can do already? A lame servant ghost, just makes my physical abilities stronger, like I’ve got more strength and speed or something.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Cheng Songyun quickly agreed. “But everyone should talk about it. We can’t just sit and wait to die.”
After speaking, Cheng Songyun’s expression briefly turned twisted, as if she had thought of something.
“…We really can’t just sit here and wait to die,” she repeated once more.
The author has something to say:
Let us congratulate Brother Scar for going offline (cue the triumphant sound of the suona).
The second taboo has been uncovered—
It seems like a cemetery picnic for the two of them, complete with Jia Xu tagging along like a third wheel*.
*Lightbulb (电灯泡) Slang referring to a third wheel.
Note: These are mini extras that the author has written posted separately on JJ. She intermittently updates them, usually on Valentine’s Day and other holidays for her CPs. The translation will be updated when the author updates her blog. You can get updates when translations are updated in my Discord server. Below is a ton of dog food.
2025/29/8
Everyone’s Summer Cool-Down Routines
Another Qixi has come around, and our married couples are celebrating again.
Here are their little everyday tricks for beating the heat—
“You’ll be staying a week?”
The Border Collie village chief sniffed Nol’s backpack. “Mm, we’ll free up the best guesthouses, and meals are no concern… May you both enjoy your stay.”
Nol gave the chief’s head an amiable pat; the chief wagged his tail with sober restraint.
However hot the world may be, around Sheepskin Ball Village it’s winter weather—ranging from late autumn/early winter to the dead of the coldest days. Most dog-headed people here are thick-furred herding breeds and love this climate.
By now, though, Sheepskin Ball Village ought to be renamed Sheepskin Ball Town—since Tahe settled down, it has flourished. The population more than doubled, and pretty two-story homes have gone up.
With the temperature just right, many fluffy dog-headed pups played in the snow outside, and Nol couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
Wonderful. It was as if he were seeing Tahe at the very beginning.
“You really do like it here.” Teest cleared his throat loudly.
“Your idea was genius,” Nol rubbed a passing pup and praised his knight at full volume. “Why didn’t I think of it?”
When the weather heats up, Mr. God of Creation tends to hole up in the Lost Tower with Peradat, working through the ice cream stores. Teest wanted to get out, but hated to go too far, so he dutifully stayed in the Tower.
Then Teest thought of the dog-headed people’s habitat.
His Creator was easily persuaded. Half the battle was won by luring Nol out of the tower. So long as the destination wasn’t hot, Teest trusted in his powers of gentle persistence.
Snow drifted outside the window. Naturally they did warmer things. Near dawn, Nol held him close, smacking his lips a bit dazedly.
“Let’s go to the nearby town tomorrow,” Teest mumbled into Nol’s chest. “There’s someone I want to kill—I’ll need you to vet it.”
He said it the way someone might say, “There’s something I want to buy.”
“Mm?”
“It’s snowing there too. The scenery is lovely. Come with me, will you?”
“Mm…” Nol rumbled, squeezing Teest tighter. Teest took that as a yes.
“Great!” He nipped his lover’s collarbone.
Tomorrow would be particularly exciting. Of course, they’d be back here before dark.
Because Nol liked this place very much—and he liked Nol very, very much.
2025/5/20
Everyone’s Birthday Cakes
Congrats to the couple from “Help”on moving into the Married Zone ☆(/ω＼)
This year’s 520 (May 20) mini-extra: couples celebrate their birthdays! It’s a perfect chance to compile everyone’s birthdays~
Teest: June 21st
Source: A normal birthday. (Summer Solstice, 2023)
Cake: [Weird Cake]
A sweet (?) gift from the God of Creation that defies classification. If Teest didn’t know Nol’s temperament so well, he would think Nol was taking revenge for those awful “monster dishes” of the past.
In the end they still ate the cake-like thing down to the last crumb. It wasn’t poisonous, and it didn’t taste as bad as it looked. Also, watching him eat that weird thing made Nol’s ears flush bright red, which was a pleasing sight.
※ As the years go by, Nol’s cakes keep getting better. Mr. Teest enjoys ever more delicious treats but loses much of the fun of teasing his lover.
Nol: September 23rd
Source: A normal birthday. (Autumn Equinox, 2023)
Cake: [Peach Cake]
A peach cake decorated with a frosting black dragon and white cat, with a hidden core of carefully cooked bewilderment fruit jam. Cut the cake and golden jam slowly spills out, its fragrance intoxicating.
Teest’s peach cake is very tasty. Nol suspects he actually learned it formally from Old Kurt. Maybe next time he will sneak off and learn it too…
※ On the Tahe Continent, peach cake has no special meaning. But the two of them know that for Teest it carries a private metaphor—it symbolizes “love”.
2025/2/16
What to Do When You’re Stuck Together
Suddenly stuck together—what should you do?
A belated Valentine’s Day mini joke (?) story has arrived! Time for some sweet, sticky fluff ☆
Nol was stunned to discover that his hand was stuck to Teest’s.
He rolled over, and his first instinct was to look for golden thread to check if someone had idly stitched them together with magic. Teest was roused from sleep by his fussing, but kept his eyes shut, letting Nol rub and tug at his hand however he pleased.
It wasn’t until Nol let out a puzzled “Huh?” that Teest lazily opened his eyes. “Good morning, honey.”
Nol was amused and exasperated. “Done pretending to sleep?”
Teest was sharper than a wild beast. After all that prodding, there was no way he hadn’t noticed.
Teest yawned. “I was simply enjoying your hand massage.”
“Our hands are stuck together.”
Nol shook their joined hands. “This isn’t Tahe’s magic. I can only detect interference from an external force, but thankfully there’s no malicious intent.”
Teest narrowed his eyes, smiling meaningfully. “Ah, that was a little experiment of mine.”
Nol: “……”
Teest stretched out his arm, looping it around Nol’s neck. “As the God of Contracts, I do have ambition, you know. This was just a minor test—you’re not mad… are you?”
Before he finished speaking, he leaned in nimbly and planted a good morning kiss on Nol’s forehead.
Nol’s facial muscles twitched as he looked at his knight in exasperation. “Alright, tell me—how do we undo the magic?”
“It’s simple. I ask, you answer. As long as you keep telling the truth, the magic will loosen bit by bit.”
Teest kissed the back of Nol’s hand again, his lips brushing lightly across his lover’s fingers.
…Teest’s magic was actually behaving normally? Nol was shocked.
Oh well, he didn’t have anything to hide anyway.
He lay back down cooperatively, and Teest pulled him tightly into his arms.
Teest cleared his throat. “Including all of Tahe, I’m the one you love most.”
“Yes,” Nol admitted readily.
“I’m the one you love most.”
“I do love you, but you just asked that.” Nol looked confused.
“Because it sounds nice.”
Teest gently rubbed the back of Nol’s neck. “Next question—do you prefer gentle kisses, or rough ones?”
Nol: “……???” Something about this line of questioning seemed off.
But since the guy had him stuck fast, he didn’t really have a choice… right?
Nol coughed a few times, then muttered something quickly under his breath.
Teest: “I didn’t catch that.”
Nol mumbled it again, barely audibly.
“I—didn’t—hear—you—honey—”
“…Rough,” Nol muttered, his face gradually turning red.
Ten or so minutes passed, but to Nol it felt like a decade.
He used up all the face he’d saved for over twenty years—Teest asked every question he shouldn’t, pushing him to the point where he wanted to dig a hole and disappear from the world.
“I answered everything truthfully—why hasn’t it undone yet?” Nol gritted his teeth.
“I lied.”
Teest hummed a cheerful tune. “I actually have no idea what this thing is. But I do know—it’s a rare opportunity.”
“Teest——!”
“Well, you can’t do anything else today anyway. As compensation for deceiving you, let’s put some of those honest answers into practice, shall we?”
“I—mmph—!”
And thus, a delightful day began. Rejoice and celebrate.
2024/8/13
Everyone’s Favorite Sports
A belated short story for Qixi Festival, with a little Olympic commemoration (*/ω＼*)
Teest: [Hunting]
Strictly speaking, Mr. Teest is referring to “murder”. The Mad Monk has never been very interested in non-human targets. After all, animals don’t usually join cults.
Unfortunately, Nol insists that “murder” doesn’t count as a sport, so Teest had to rebrand it as “hunting”. Fortunately, as long as the target is appropriate, Nol is quite willing to join him. Having the God of Creation as an accomplice always makes Teest’s hunts particularly thrilling.
“You could leave this sort of thing to the other demigods,” Nol said helplessly.
“You know my nature, dear,” Teest replied softly. “I just want to ensure that every one of my crimes is committed under your watchful eye.”
He was sincere.
Nol: [Cycling]
During his student years, Nol devoted most of his time to studying. Of course, sitting for long periods at a desk isn’t healthy, so he would take time to cycle and relax his body and mind.
Nol even participated in some informal cross-country cycling during the holidays, which was probably his healthiest hobby. His cycling results weren’t outstanding, but Nol didn’t mind—he was just trying to avoid deep vein thrombosis.
Now, Nol has had to leave this hobby behind on Earth. As for Tahe—when spending time with Teest in Tahe, Nol never worries about a lack of exercise.
After all, Teest ensures he gets plenty of exercise in every sense. But since that hardly counts as proper exercise, his favorite sport remains “cycling”.
A bit of a pity.
2024/6/1
Childhood Hairstyles
I suddenly wondered what everyone’s hairstyle was like when they were kids, so I’m sharing this on Children’s Day—
Consider it a little addition to the setting (〃ω〃)
Teest: [Medium-Length Hair with Neatly Trimmed Ends]
The Flama family paid great attention to the appearance of their children, and Mrs. Flama specially chose the most suitable hairstyle for her youngest son. She would regularly maintain it every month until they were separated.
Nol: [Slightly Longer Student Cut]
Shorter than the trendy student cuts but longer than the standard crew cuts. In short, it was an ordinary student hairstyle that exuded a strangely good-student vibe.
2024/5/20
Everyone’s Favorite Fruits
This year’s Married Couple Day on 520* has arrived, so let’s write about everyone’s favorite fruits ☆
*The number 520 when pronounced in Chinese is very similar to [wǒ ài nǐ] (我爱你) I love you. Due to this, it has become a day in China called “Internet Valentine’s Day”.
Congratulations to the couple from [Full Server First Kill] for entering the happy married zone (*/ω＼*)
Teest: [Peach]
When Teest was young, he never showed a particular fondness for specific foods and was never picky about what he ate. Whatever the family had, little Teest ate along with them. Of course, this might have been due to the high culinary standards of the Flama family.
Although Grape Collar was known for grapes, peaches were more popular in the Flama household. Mrs. Flama would make delicious peach pies, and fresh, crisp, and sweet peach slices often appeared on the table—his parents would clean the peaches, remove the pits, cut them into small pieces, and share them with their children. The children ate happily, so Teest knew that his family loved peaches.
So, it became the most memorable fruit for him, and he didn’t mind its taste.
※ Its taste brings back particularly special memories for Teest.
Nol: [Fig]
Nol, or Xu Yue, had a particular fondness for ripe figs. They would crack open slightly, oozing nectar. The best part was that they could be frozen in the fridge—when slightly thawed, they had the texture of rich, icy desserts, perfect for soothing a weary soul.
That was the first and last fruit Nol bought for himself after graduation, before moving into Joy Garden. After that, all that awaited him were years of nightmares. Perhaps the “reality” of the taste was too vivid, so in his long dream, figs never appeared again. His desire to buy them somehow always disappeared.
Now, he could firmly grasp them once more. On the first night back on Earth, Nol bought a large bag of figs for himself and Teest. They weren’t fully ripe yet, but they tasted uniquely delicious.
※ Its taste carries a hint of freedom and liberation.
~~~
“Red-green skin and sticky flesh inside. Honey, it chews like tender innards filled with honey,” Teest earnestly commented.
Nol almost choked on the fig in his throat but managed to swallow it down.
Teest watched him with interest for a moment and continued, “The sweetness is wonderful, and it would be great in a cake. Why didn’t you include it in Tahe?”
“Blame Star Stealer Sol. I always forget,” Nol said. “We can bring back a few plants this time.” He had no doubt about the neighbors’ enthusiasm for planting; after that, it could be handed over to the General for promotion.
Teest shrugged, then paused mid-motion. He noticed Nol pulling out a large bag of peaches—yellow peaches, nectarines, flat peaches, all varieties were there. Tahe only had standard peaches. This was Teest’s first time seeing these fruits.
Nol nudged the bag forward. “These are ready. Take them to your family or plant them in the Lost Tower, whichever you prefer.”
“All mine?” Teest raised an eyebrow.
“All yours.”
A week later.
Teest received a vibrant peach pie from the Flama family, and Nol got an incredibly delicious fig cake. They exchanged these delightful sweets with kisses and each other’s little spoons.
Kinky Translations 