“Wager. ” As the group entered the tavern on the first basement floor, Coco Lang raised a hand in a casual greeting, nodding toward the newcomers, especially Hua Mi and He Yishu among them.

It seemed those two hadn’t been stingy with their spending.

Spotting the group’s descent, Wager remained composed. Even compared to renting land from the Mistlanders, this was as safe as it got.

“You really want to sign a cooperation treaty with me? “

“Spare me the chatter. What’s the closest place you can teleport to near White Violet City right now? “

The group took seats at a nearby table, and the ball-of-yarn rats, displaying good sense, kept their distance, only watching curiously from afar in neat rows.

“To be honest, I’ve rented a room in the Harbor, ” said Wager, a solitary man, with indifference. “Treasure Harbor isn’t far from White Violet City—especially with that damn thing of yours, it’s even faster to get into the city. “

Mentioning the business card set his teeth on edge.

“What’s the matter? Not happy holding onto it? Then give it back to me. “

She Liqing looked somewhat puzzled at “Yang Buchen ” and the Weiting Travel Merchant Association boss, who seemed to have taken a heavy loss.

The man’s face at that moment was a fascinating spectacle, a welter of frustration, relief, anger, hesitation, and a whole host of conflicting emotions.

“Never mind, I’ll keep it after all. At least it proves my sincerity, ” Wager said, his face stiff with stubbornness.

“What are you two talking about? “

She Liqing couldn’t help but ask. Everyone around seemed to know, but she alone was clueless.

“You’ll know when the time comes, ” Yang Zicang replied, clearly reluctant to elaborate. He fixed his gaze on Wager. “Harbors aren’t safe either, especially for people like us who are mastering the divine realm. “

“Then I’m out of ideas. “

The two men were locking eyes when He Yishu cleared his throat with an ‘ahem.’ “Actually, I do happen to own a house. “

“And what good is that? It has to be mine to count. “

“I’ve got a villa in Ravenstone. If I were to sell it to you temporarily—would that qualify as your room? “

Hua Mi stared at the rich playboy beside her in shock. “You know, ” she said, “I’m suddenly starting to wonder… “

“Oh? “

“If there really isn’t some kind of cosmic joke writer up there orchestrating all this. “

“What do you mean? ” The group looked at the girl, who had the innocent charm of a little sister next door.

“Seriously, wherever you go, you seem to slip right into a cushy vacation. Show up, and bam—a villa waiting for you. “

“Hah… ” He Yishu used his fist to cover his mouth. “It was my marshal who gave it. And I’m not the only one staying there; Xue Qi lives there too. “

“Awe~ ” Hua Mi pouted her lips.

Both Wager and Yang Zicang frowned slightly. Heiwen Zike was too far away, but it was still much closer compared to themselves. Just as they were about to give their consent, She Liqing, who had been kept at arm’s length all along like an outsider, only able to watch the whole affair, suddenly raised her hand.

“Well… if you don’t mind, my boat is still by the seaside. “

Yang Zicang, He Yishu, and even Wager all had their eyes light up.

……

Returning once more to the seaside of White Violet City, Yang Zicang and He Yishu had just stepped out of the little boat’s cabin when they immediately turned around to She Liqing, who was about to come along with them. “Xiaoqing. “

“Huh? “

She Liqing sensed something was up immediately.

Yang Zicang hesitated for a moment before saying, “To prevent that bastard from escaping, we’d like you to sail the boat a bit farther out. “

“This… ” With a trace of struggle, he fudged the question nervously: “And what does that mean? “

“You know about the ocean, don’t you? Out there on that vast, endless sea~ even if the timeline throws someone off, a person who falls into the water could still drown! So to keep that old geezer from slipping away, you think you could do that? “

She Liqing opened her mouth, making no sound at all.

For a long time…

“Alright, Guild Leader. “

“Attaboy! ” He Yishu gave his shoulder a solemn slap, then handed him a black-stamped check. “This is a travel expense reward for you, buddy. “

Yang Zicang glanced at the Heiwen Zike check, worth three thousand silver coins.

“Head out now. You can return to the inn anytime, but beware of Wager’s sneak attacks. Hmm… I’ll invest a few thousand timelines for you—keep amplifying them as a precaution. Also, I’ll bring you food and some things to pass the time. What do you like? “

“I like playing video games. “

“Great. I’ll bring you something similar like a novel… if I can find one. “

After giving his instructions, Yang Zicang grabbed the small luggage bag He Yishu had brought. In the darkness, he blurred into a dash and shot straight up the cliff. With the help of a model Yang Zicang had deployed, He Yishu also went speeding up.

Right then, Yang Zicang was deeply worried about Anxi and Yao Xiaoqin—especially Anxi. He’d been the one to go with him to Qiaoshi Village, making him far too easy to tie back to Yang Zicang.

Fortunately, Anxi replied quickly. He said he’d caught wind of the situation and hadn’t stepped outside since morning. Even Hurst had gone to ground with him in a hidden rented property, too afraid to show his face.

“And Yao Xiaoqin? Is she alright? “

{She… she should be fine. Someone will protect her. }

Yang Zicang stared at the surveillance screen and saw something off about Anxi. The other man’s gaze kept darting around, evasive.

“Good to hear you’re okay. Get yourself a new countenance—we’ll be leaving before long. I’ll get in touch with her right now. “

Dropping the connection, Yang Zicang tried several times before finally linking up with Yao Xiaoqin. Her expression was taut with tension. She was clutching a bath towel wrapped around her, braced against the back of an ornate wooden door.

“President Buchen, are you, are you okay? I’m so worried about you. They say the house we rented was destroyed—is that true? “

Yang Zicang was slightly startled as he looked at her hiding in the luxurious bathroom.

“Qinqin, where are you? “

“I’m at a hotel. Hey, guess what? I’m on a mission by myself! “

“Huh? Which hotel? I’ll pick you up now. We can’t stay here any longer. Or, just head straight back to the inn and meet up with us. “

Yao Xiaoqin, wrapped in a towel, wore a conflicted expression.

“It’d be such a shame to come back now! I’ve already connected with the Chief Ceremonial Officer. Just two shopping trips with him taught me so many things ordinary people could never find out! “

Yang Zicang’s heart tightened.

“Well… I think we should all gather as soon as possible and leave this country. We almost got killed today. “

The words just slipped out. Yang Zicang suddenly felt like he was playing up the misery, awkward though it was, since he only meant to show concern for the girl.

A flicker of resolve flashed across Yao Xiaoqin’s face.

“No can do, President. I can’t just be the errand girl by your side. I… I want to forge my own radiance—no, blinding light, even! That’s the only way I can walk far in this dangerous world! So… let me be selfish this once, President Brother. I’ll be heading to the capital with him in a couple of days. The Chief says he needs my help with something. “

Yang Zicang involuntarily leaned back, eyes wide in disbelief mixed with gossipy curiosity.

“Don’t tell me… there’s someone else there in the hotel with you… “

“Hmph, what are you thinking!? “

Yao Xiaoqin, momentarily furious, immediately softened, adopting a tone mixed with anger and affection:

“Thank you for worrying, Chairman. I’m not some easy catch. Don’t worry, alright? Be good, I’ll keep you posted on the situation. I’ll need you and the others for some things later on! “

The link was severed from the other end for the first time, of their own accord.

Yang Zicang, still running, quickly composed himself.

Even he was surprised; what he’d expected would take multiple attempts to soothe, like in the legends, was calmed with just a stir of the heart — in a single second!

“Has my mental power increased again? “

“How is it, Brother Yang? Are they all doing alright? ” He Yishu inquired.

“Mm, they’re all fine. “

Mr. He, noting Chairman Yang’s dazed expression, cleared his throat lightly. “Chairman… how many times have you been with a girl? “

Yang Zicang turned his head, hesitating. “Never. “

“Ah, uh-huh. ” The young man alongside, who had also halted, paused for a moment, then diverted the topic: “So, what do we do now? Take them and leave White Violet City directly? “

Yang Zicang’s eyes narrowed. He suddenly remembered that he seemed to have taken on a commission.

He had just started running again when he made another abrupt stop.

“What’s the matter? ” He Yishu, who had run a few meters, stopped and turned back, watching Yang Zicang as he gazed toward the distant sea.

“I need to go pick someone up. And besides, we’re not going to run away anymore. “

“Huh? What now? You’re not sulking, are you? “

“Hmph, we’re Fogfolk, after all. We don’t just run off at the first sign of intimidation. Even… “

…even a woman is better than that,he thought silently.

He Yishu, realizing something, chuckled and walked over. “Alright, alright, I get it. So, what’s the plan? I didn’t even bring any disguise supplies. “

“Doesn’t matter. If we don’t have them, we’ll just go and get them ourselves. This is exactly the kind of opportunity Karl has been waiting for. “

With that, Yang Zicang’s figure wavered and nearly fell. He Yishu quickly reached out to steady him, but caught sight of a hat that had somehow materialized in his hand.

A few hours later.

Karl was brought onto the ship by a wide-eyed He Yishu—who couldn’t stop gasping in shock the entire way—and Yang Zicang, who was holding the “Gaze-dispelling Sword. “

She Liqing was startled badly.

“Not bad, Xiaoqing. You’ve already rowed us this far. “

“Cough… aren’t you guys leaving? “

“We just changed the plan. We’re staying here until we root out the real background of those bastards! “

Yang Zicang’s eyes were suddenly filled with rage.

“Karl, let’s go. Tonight, we start looking for where those sneaky bastards are conspiring. “

-｛Distributor February. Di’an gave me a Favorable Review.｝

Karl, who had already gotten a rushed briefing from Yang Zicang about the purpose of this trip on the way, was so stirred by this wave of emotion that he instinctively rubbed the goosebumps on his arms.

“Where do we begin? The hotel? “

“From… ” Someone at the bow nearly spat blood.

“Ahem…” He Yishu from the side moistened his lips with his tongue, straining to suppress the expression threatening to twist his face.

“Forget it,” Yang Zicang sighed, “Let’s start from that old street where I was ambushed instead. And those vehicles coming and going, along with the visitor logs from the city gates.“