By nightfall, Lina and Shirley were already as close as sisters, chatting nonstop. The two shared many things; Shirley gave Lina a doll, and in return, Lina gave her a little trinket that Yang Zicang couldn’t quite name.

Dinner was enjoyed in this lively little village, right beside a checkpoint by the roadside. So there was no need to worry about ruffians attacking for loot.

“Do you plan to take your family and leave this continent under your identity? “

By the wine table, Yang Zicang cast a sidelong glance at the beautiful, slender maiden at the next table—she was at an age brimming with radiant youth and vitality. In this small tavern, many eyes were drawn to her, someone clearly raised in privilege and comfort.

Their temperament was worlds apart from those who scrounged for a living in the fields.

“Mm-hmm. ” Cardon nodded.

“If one marries a native, do their offspring naturally enjoy the right to leave as well? “

“Direct-line relatives lose that right after three generations. “

Yang Zicang’s heart stirred with surprise. He Yishu craned his head and asked, “You mean a marriage partner can also leave together? “

Cardon knew full well what was on both their minds. A faint, melancholic expression flickered across his face, tinged with a hint of unease, but soon he shrugged it off and said plainly:

“Only if they’re a ‘Radiance-kindle.’ You know what that means, don’t you? “

Radiance-kindle…

Hearing that term again, Yang Zicang couldn’t help thinking of his copy of “The Saint’s Memoirs. ” The page was pressed tightly against the pocket over his chest. His fingers slipped inside to touch it, and a rough outline of information instantly surfaced in his mind.

｛Sjölnushimin’s Memoirs, Synchronization Rate 27.8%｝

Yang Zicang kept his expression unchanged, but a jolt and a stir of delight coursed through him.

It had already dropped to such a low level.

After finishing the meal, Lianna still felt like playing, but Ebiser ordered her to rest immediately. Thus, everyone took their leave. Caden waved goodbye and then asked the server to bring another portion of stir-fried edamame and a bottle of low-alcohol, home-brewed barley wine.

After this group had walked away, Shirley sat back down at this table and gave two soft snorts/gently scoffed twice.

Carden, in a low voice, spoke as if it were nothing, using a dialect from somewhere unknown:

“Don’t talk. This Fogfolk has astonishing perception. I wonder if he has some special secret technique. “

“Even if he does, so what? He’s just a new arrival. Let alone possessing one, I’m afraid he hasn’t even seen the shadow of a Bloodline Statue. “

“Don’t underestimate people, ” Carden said. “Our people have successfully found some information on him from the secretly stored archives of the Baolou Port Maritime Bureau. Besides stirring up this wave of protest movements sweeping across the continent’s nations, he also used a Holy Sword to cleverly produce a ‘flash’ right after arriving. The Maritime Bureau originally intended to give him a medal, but it seems because it involved some incident, it got suppressed. “

Shirley pouted defiantly, “It’s still just a bunch of coincidences. “

Carden took a sip of his drink, turned his head to glance at their own carriage parked by the roadside, and said:

“Just treat him as an expert. Anyway, as per the plan, the person hasn’t come to hit our carriage yet, which means higher-ups have probably already devised a sound plan to deal with him. We just need to wait. “

As soon as he finished speaking, the horse by the roadside let out a soft whinny.

“Ah, Mommy, I’m scared! “

A little boy tugged at his mother’s hand in a slightly spoiled manner. Carden turned his head and saw a woman with her hair pinned up, holding the child with one hand and carrying a basin of what looked like laundry as she passed by the carriage.

The woman holding the little boy nearly brushed against the horse, but fortunately, the horse looked very gentle, as if specially trained. It lowered its head and gently nudged the child, immediately making the little boy laugh with joy.

“I hope we didn’t cause you any trouble, ” Carden said as he stood up.

“Oh, it’s okay. It looks fierce, but I didn’t expect it to be so gentle when you actually get close. Are you travelers on the road? “

“Yes, we’re planning to head to Hydrapower City. “

“You’ll have to pass through New Sails Town, then. “

Carden put his hands on his hips, took a deep breath, and nodded. “Hmm, that should be the way we’re taking. “

“Times aren’t peaceful. Going through New Sails Town is the safer choice. “

By the time the woman finished speaking, the child had already touched the horse’s head. He turned around and looked curiously at his mother, wondering why she wasn’t leaving yet.

“What are you going to do? ” Carden asked after a brief two-second silence.

Shirley’s eyes flickered with slight surprise as she glanced at the man beside her, then looked toward the woman on the other side, who was still holding the laundry basin and hadn’t moved away.

“I was planning to wash clothes by the creek, but the water has been muddied by all the people draining it to catch fish over the past two days. So I need to find another place. “

She glanced at the sky and smiled, “But it’s getting a bit late. Fogfolk, if you don’t mind, could you help me wash a couple of pieces of clothing? I can tell you some old tales about New Sail Town. “

A question that would absolutely get someone labeled insane if asked to an ordinary person was, for the Fogfolk before her, a worthwhile undertaking worthy of serious consideration.

“Is it far? ” Shirley spoke up proactively. “If it’s not far, I can go help you wash a couple of pieces. Dad, you keep drinking your liquor. “

“It’s not far, right by the well next to the yard. “

“Then… ” Caden’s heart sank a little. “Alright, Shirley, be careful. “

Shirley nodded solemnly.

……

Bai Yuxian waited inside a room with an exhaust fan spinning gently above his head.

Before long, the door was opened.

“Come on in, the person you’re waiting for has arrived. “

Bai Yuxian’s heart tightened nervously.Will Mingtao really come?

He stood up, looking towards the door, faintly hearing footsteps in the hallway that sounded somewhat familiar.

Bai Yuxian couldn’t help but wonder: that Crossing Man who had followed him for so long—could he have been hypnotized and brainwashed?

Or perhaps… he’s already under someone’s control?

The footsteps stopped at the doorway, and a shadow carrying a briefcase was cast upon the wall.

The figure turned and stepped into the doorway, looking into the room. Their eyes met—two men in Home Guard uniform. A gust of cold enveloped Bai Yuxian, and within him, his heart died.

“Director, Ang Xi’anin reporting for duty. “

Bai Yuxian had completely regained his composure. He let out a faint “Hmm, ” and studied the man before him—someone who looked exactly like his former attendant, identical from height to physique, and even down to his facial features.

The Home Guard soldier across from him handed Bai Yuxian a briefcase.

After picking it up, Bai Yuxian dusted off the gray on his worn-out clothes, then walked toward the door, passing directly by the man standing at the entrance.

Ang Xi’anin followed behind him with a faint smile.

“Boss, that was a close call—I almost didn’t get to see you again. Here, let me carry that for you. “

“Enough. I’m not the bureau chief anymore, there’s no need for that. “

Bai Yuxian lifted his leather document case slightly, sidestepping the hand that reached out.

Ang Xi’anin’s expression shifted slightly.

Bai Yuxian stopped in his tracks and turned his head: “The general must have had you bring the calling cards, right? How many? “

“Two in total—one for you and one for me. Counting the one Yang Buchen has, that makes three altogether. “

“And the rest? “

“I heard one was commandeered. I don’t know about the others. “

“Commandered… ” Bai Yuxian fell into thought for a moment. He looked up, carefully scrutinizing that face. After a few seconds, he asked: “Is he still alive? “

In the corridor, the man was silent for a moment.

“How did you figure it out. “

“There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s just… the feeling is different. “

“Feeling? “

Bai Yuxian’s eyes half-closed, yet his gaze grew sharp, carrying the same fierceness he once had as the head of the intelligence bureau.

“It’s a facial swap surgery, isn’t it. “

The man before him opened his mouth to speak, but Zorro suddenly felt a chill as if facing an unknown creature cloaked in human skin—a sensation so unsettling he dared not lie.

“Yes. But… Director, please consider the bigger picture. “

“Strip the face… Got it. Let’s go. “

Bai Yuxian turned, picked up his bag, and strode toward the far end of the long white corridor.

The man beside him, whose demeanor had been somewhat languid, now dared not show any hint of casualness. He quickened his pace, falling in step like a shadow beside this man who, though slightly shorter than him, seemed to wield the power of a thousand-warrior army.

As the two walked,

a small cuckoo bird flew in from a height behind them, tracing a faint phantom arc through the air as it drew near. Hovering aloft, it flapped its wings silently, craning its neck to peek at the two retreating figures ahead.

Then, with a deft burst of speed, it dove and shot into the flap of the leather bag carried by “Ang Xi’anin, ” leaving a faint trail of energy ripples in the corridor air—like a translucent, ethereal cuckoo.

……

Zorro in Hydrapower City stepped off the train, glanced at the crimson-orange sunset, and immediately hailed a car, heading toward the far end of the city.

Gazing at the towering buildings bathed in golden sunlight on either side of the street, for a moment he felt as if he had stepped into 1900s America.

“These are miracles, aren’t they, sir? ” the driver said, looking at the foreigner in the backseat through the rearview mirror with great pride as he stuck his head out to look around.

“Yeah, but there are also many commoners’ courtyards among these tall buildings. The spacing between houses here is quite large. It’s nice and leisurely; everyone has their own living space. “

These skyscrapers seem to spring up sporadically from among ordinary courtyards, but fortunately, even the land near the buildings is usually well-kept with fine commoner homes.

There is a special atmosphere that blends pastoral charm with modern style.

The driver, however, didn’t see it that way. He somewhat tried to hide the “scars, ” saying:

“Pfft, if it weren’t for those gangs messing things up years ago, the Fogfolk would have built even more wondrous structures. What a pity—those short-sighted nobles were afraid everyone would live in the same kind of place and only allowed these buildings. Every single brick costs as much as gold. Otherwise, everyone in our city could have lived in these high-rises. “

Zorro chuckled ever so softly behind the driver, pitying him from the kind of torment that world could never touch.

“Alright, focus on driving. Help me find a place to buy a horse when we get to the other end of town. “

The driver perked up, “Findin’ what kind? oh― an adrenaline-junk to test— ya have in mind pst the shop’s hot target till pain nice? Those get your heart racin finest stable? “

Zorro grunted and said, “I mean a real horse. I’ve got distance to travel. Hardly can invite you to drive me into the next village entirely. “

The driver burst out laughing. “Pah—yes yes. Hop I get to sport a tad more— yer o fiver— then I certainly push you uptown city yonder as far station shed you through…? It’d beat your mare for sure. “

Of course, this kind of talk was unrealistic. Even if he had enough oil barrels, once they actually got on those horse trails, the car’s bumpy ride might not even be faster than a carriage.

……

Midnight had passed. Yang Zicang, who had already been asleep in bed and woken up, gazed at the moonlight outside the window.

｛I have temporarily stopped the operation of the Crystal of Serenity.｝

He couldn’t help but want to recite a poem.

“A pool of moonlight before the bed, I suspect it’s… “

Suddenly, a silver-white line, like a spider’s thread, flashed out from the air.

｛Yao Xiaoqin wants to invest 1N in me.｝

Yang Zicang connected with a surge of joy in his heart, then put on a stern face and said, “What’s up? “

{Are you mad at me? I haven’t been able to reach brother president these past couple of days. }

On the other side, lying on a luxurious, wide, plush bed, the woman’s beautiful face was nestled into a single soft pillow, with a candle burning brightly by her head.

Yang Zicang’s brow twitched.

“Been doing okay lately? Any trouble come your way? “

{It’s only been a few days, and you’re already saying “lately. ” But there is one bad thing, though. }

“Oh? ” Yang Zicang yawned.

{Can’t get in touch with the president. Doesn’t that count as a really bad thing? }

“Aha, well, that… “

{President, there’s something I need to tell you. }

Yao Xiaoqin turned over, the thin quilt revealing her snowy white shoulders, and said in a silent voice, quite excited:

{Over here, an important big shot has a wooden chest. Mm… that thing is very precious. }

Yang Zicang, who was just about to say something, felt his words choked off by her jumping in…

But this new topic was unavoidable, because clearly, right next to them, there was one of those boxes.

｛You know its information?｝

{_I haven’t been playing around lately, President/Leader. I’m working hard to get stronger. I don’t want to… in the future by your side, be just a trophy/vase.

Don’t worry, we have a long time ahead. I think for now, we need to make some contributions to the forces that provide us with this long-term support. Only then can we truly live in peace later on, right? _}

She had just cut him off on purpose. Yang Zicang stretched his toes vigorously, turned over, and asked in his mind.

｛What is that wooden crate? Do you know?｝

{I’m not sure yet, but I know they were all brought from the land of the last era. And now, those who carry the crates can go to the land of the next era. }

Yang Zicang was startled.

{This is, perhaps, the only way for ordinary natives of this world to survive. }

-｛Distributor May. Valkyrie, with her rich experience, has marked for me a brand new prelude to brilliance.｝

-｛Distributor Loki. Tata Mingqi indicates with his rich experience that I am brewing a new prelude to brilliance.｝

-｛Distributor February. Di’an feels she can’t buy it.｝

The crates… are they tickets? The tickets for ordinary people… He thought, and they’ve already existed for several hundred years?

While wondering what the hell those things were, a faint sense of relief toward the Holy Ring Council also welled up in his heart.

This behemoth force, whose energy reserves remain unfathomable, still wasn’t completely heartless. For these living beings never able to command their own destiny, they had at least left behind a faint, misty path of survival.

Having it—even that—was always a good thing.

“So what do you plan to do next? Dig into that secret? ” Yang Zicang felt a flash of respect for Yao Xiaoqin. He dropped his voice down to a whisper.

A swift horse galloped up to the checkpoint at the village entrance.

At the other end, Yao Xiaoqin stretched her arm straight out from under the blanket, mingled with a touch of pride, the shadows just below her collarbone faintly revealing their seduction.

{Of course, keep going! Now, they all love watching me dance. I’ve already made connections with plenty of high-status people. I believe I can find its secret. If… I mean, IF I have to stay here a long time, maybe we won’t meet again until the next continental era. You won’t hold it against me, will you? }

After a quick check of their travel papers, Zorro whipped his horse into motion, urging the worn-out animal swiftly along the road toward Concie Village.

Yang Zicang stared at the expectant face on the opposite side of the psychic magic array. He smiled lightly.

“How could I? I’m just the president of the Inn Registration Association. Whether you do this or not simply doesn’t fall within the scope of matters awaiting my acknowledgment. “