Originally posted on RBKTR Translations.
Author: Lan Qi Zuo Ren (藍旗左衽).
Translated by: Yujuan
Feng Ping Lan and the others rushed back to the inn. When they arrived, everyone had already assembled.
“So damn slow, where did you guys go?” Ivan questioned discontentedly.
“We… went out to take a look around.”
Conglong thought they had gone out to buy food, and, seeing that the four of them had come back with empty hands, was extremely dissatisfied. “Why did you come back with nothing?”
“We were called back before we could buy anything?” Feng Ping Lan bluffed his way out with a laugh, “What’s the current situation?”
“The shadows caught a trace of demonic aura…” Quetzal spoke. “Not just one.”
“Can we know who it is?”
Quetzal shook his head, “We can only be sure that one of them is particularly strong…”
So that they wouldn’t inadvertently alert the enemy, he had put his exploration spell to extremely weak use, its disadvantage being that the information received would also be very weak.
Only an upper-level demon would be able to detect it.
“They are currently located in the building next to the South Pool, on the highest floor.”
“I’ve already placed the barrier.” Conglong said, pleased with himself, “The water is coincidentally my field of expertise, I can completely eliminate all the spell fluctuations, and my fighting strength will also be synergized. Look at mine!”
“What are you planning to do? Spray your vomit all over our enemies?” Ivan rebuked, a stomach full of pent-up anger caused by the retching noises and sour smell he had experienced on the way here.
“Shut up! You’re annoying!”
Quetzal’s expression changed slightly, his gaze switching out the window.
“They’ve changed locations.” He could feel the whispers coming from the shadows, “They’re heading down…”
“They might be planning to leave, quickly chase after them!”
“The attic is a tea room, the person they’re meeting with must be a crucial figure too!” Feng Ping Lan instructed, “We’ll split into two groups, one to intercept any demons, another to head up and encircle them.”
“Finally.” Morris twisted his neck, smoothing out his muscles, looking like he had anticipated this for a long time, “Now this is fun!”
“Be careful, don’t break any facilities or decorations, the cost of the damages created by your fighting won’t be paid by the Association.” Dongya reminded him hurriedly.
Morris cursed lowly, seemingly not very satisfied.
“Scatter, let’s move!”
The group of people, escorted by the Contracts, were instantly transported to the building by the pool.
Simo and Conglong would man and defend the post outside, setting up a barrier with their soundwaves and water shadows, surrounding the building. Simo’s tuning fork hammered the ground heavily, the seismic waves transmitting throughout the other corners of the inn, shaking the worm snakes hidden beneath the soil awake, making them scuttle out of the surface, fleeing into the building.
A tiny disturbance generated within the guest rooms in the distance, so that a large number of female attendants went to tidy things up and placate the guests.
Byriel scattered his Confounding Incense above and below the building, knocking out the guests and female attendants who had yet to leave. Ivan and Dongya transported these people to a safe place.
Morris and Quetzal broke through from the front entrance, charging in all the way. Now that there was no one else in the building, the target was like a turtle in a jar.
“Around the corner of the second floor…” Quetzal spoke in a low voice.
“Got it.” Morris focused his demonic power in all his four limbs, his sharpened claws letting out an awe-inspiring cold light, so strong it could cut through iron as if it were mud. He ran as he muttered, “This calls to mind the times we were on the battlefield…”
Quetzal’s lips lifted, also recalling, “When we gave the Tenth Prince a surprise attack.”
“That’s right!” Morris smiled, “That was Prince Shuekan’s idea. I’ll never forget the expression on the Tenth Prince’s face when he was captured, hahaha!”
Quetzal did not answer, his train of thought temporarily returning to the past.
He recalled the first time his little prince sent out his troops. No one would have expected him to strike first, using a surprise attack to launch an offensive on his own elder brother, that the arrogant and self-important Tenth Prince would be defeated just like that.
“You knew that the battle had started, but did not brace yourself for a surprise attack. That’s a mistake and ignorance of a loser. We’ve won fair and square.” Facing his brother’s censure, Prince Shuekan had replied magnanimously.
Faint warmth was induced on those grave and stern features.
“I never thought we would be joining hands with human Summoners.” Morris laughed mockingly at himself, “To be honest, it doesn’t feel as bad as I had thought!”
Quetzal’s face darkened, turning colder and sterner than before.
“This is just temporary…” Quetzal reminded coldly.
A reminder for Morris, as well as a reminder for himself.
Going upstairs, then turning around the corridor, the two sides of the walkway was filled with white shoji doors, vivid landscapes painted on them, the dancing ink looking like black clouds and rain, black blood.
Quetzal could feel the demonic aura getting stronger.
“In front!”
Quetzal lifted his hands, the dual swords hidden in the floors piercing out. He lifted them out, swinging downwards.
Clang!
The fierce sound of metallic clanging rang out, dazzling flame bursting from the corner.
They were blocked. As expected, this was a difficult character…
His cold lips lifted slightly.
It had been a long time since he had encountered a serious opponent… Interesting.
Quetzal stabbed his left sword into the ground, the blade sinking into the shadows, then appeared from the shadow of the ceiling light before him, shooting towards the corner.
The sound of clashing weapons sounded out in succession.
Quetzal glanced at Morris. Morris understood, his steps whirling, and with a wave of his claws, the shoji doors beside him soundlessly slashing into a big hole. He took a big stride forward, stepping through the room, rushing straight towards the fading bend behind the walkway and crashing into the wooden walls in a surprise attack, abruptly descending in the midst of dust and shattered tiles, using absolute demolishing force to blast the other heavily onto the ground.
“Ah!”
His tall and sturdy body pinning the target onto the ground, flame emitting from his fingers, the fire elemental incantation combined with force took shape in a pair of pincers that was hard to struggle out of.
“Caught you!” Morris laughed brightly in self-satisfaction.
The person under him was not resigned to his capture, trying to flip over. Morris raised his eyebrows, “Don’t move!’ Then gave a large wave, landing a heavy hit on the back of the other’s head.
Quetzal gripped his dual swords, emerging from the bend in the corner. When he saw the western sword that had fallen onto the floor, his expression changed abruptly.
That was—
“Rebel!” A low voice came from under Morris’ body, “I will make you pay your price…”
“You’re pretty unbridled!” Morris sneered, using his fingers to knock on the back of the other’s head twice, gripping his hair to face himself, “Let me see what a bad guy looks like—”
When he saw that the face he had lifted was a familiar face full of hate, he froze right then and there.
“Yerde?”
“Thou plebeian! Let go!” Yerde rebuked furiously.
Morris hurriedly let go, retreating to one side.
“You’re that powerful demon?” Morris abruptly thought of another matter that was far from good, “Then, wouldn’t the one you’re meeting with be—”
Ah, oh no!
*
Feng Ping Lan, Kaido, Su Li Wan, Zong Yu, Zhong Xian, and Tan Hua descending from the surrounding to the rooftop balcony, slipping into the room.
They tiptoed towards the end of the walkway, where the room with the best view facing the pool stood.
“The people in the room might be Summoners, although we didn’t detect any demonic auras, their Contracts might be nearby…” Feng Ping Lan whispered to his companions.
“Do we attack directly?” Ivan spoke.
“They’re conversing inside…” Feng Ping Lan inclined his ear to listen, “Listen for a while, we might overhear any information…”
Then, the group of people slowly inched closer to the side room, cautiously placing their ears on the sliding doors.
“…You seem to have a pretty good understanding of tea ceremony.” A gentle young man’s voice sounded from within the room.
“Young Master Kiyohara is flattering me, this is just the level of an amateur’s.” A courteous and mild woman’s voice rang out.
Feng Ping Lan felt that this voice sounded a little familiar, but none of the girls around him would talk with this kind of intonation.
“I am a little surprised that you would keep this appointment, after all, you would always refuse prior to this.”
“I sincerely apologize, it is truly the fault of my burdensome classes, I was was just too occupied to be in the mood for attending to any social interactions…” The woman replied apologetically.
“Is that really so?” The man laughed lightly, “With your status, even if you deliberately neglected your studies, you would have no need to worry about your position being affected.”
“That kind of conduct would bring shame on my family.”
“I appreciate those who are self-reliant.” The man praised frankly, “There are seldom any girls who are as reserved and humble as you.”
“There are many like me…”
“Yes, but only you are truly content.”
The more Feng Ping Lan and the others listened respectfully outside, the more they felt that something was not right.
“What are they doing inside?” It didn’t sound like they were discussing any classified information. “It sounds like a blind date…”
“Did we get it wrong?” Ivan questioned.
“Quetzal can’t get things wrong, they must have something to do with demons.”
“How long do we have to wait? We’re not attacking directly?” Kaido asked impatiently, and when he realized that Tan Hua was also listening in fascination, he couldn’t help but rebuke. “Tan Hua!”
Tan Hua returned to her senses, lowering her head in embarrassment.
“But don’t seem to have discussed their main point, who knows, this could just be the starting conventional greetings.” Su Li Wan spoke out her opinion quietly.
They exchanged glances.
“We’ll continue listening for a while longer.”
Ah, eavesdropping was a sort of sickness, an addictive sickness…
The man within the room continued to speak, “Actually, the reason I continuously proposed a meeting between us was out of my mother’s wish. I have to confess, in the past, I felt glad that you rejected me.”
“I truly apologize… For causing Young Master Kiyohara so much trouble…” The woman sounded troubled.
“I always thought that you were no different than the other heiresses. But it was until I met you that I realized, just how stupid my previous passivity was.”
“You flatter me, I am absolutely… undeserving of you—” The woman’s words were unexpectedly cut off, letting out a small sigh of surprise, “Y-young Master Kiyohara… Why…”
“Lift up your head, don’t keep on lowering it. Your pretty complexion shouldn’t be kept hidden.”
“Young Master… Kiyohara…” The woman’s voice was blocked up, sounding as if she was repressing something. “Don’t be like this…”
“Don’t call me that, it sounds very estranged. You can call me by my name.”
The people outside the room held their breaths and calmed their minds, concentrating on their listening.
Feng Ping Lan swallowed a mouthful of saliva, “Do we call the police?” Mr. Police, there’s a pervert in here!
“What are they trying to do? Directly jumping straight to the reproducing stage in a blind date?” Ivan furrowed his brows, “How terrible…”
Su Li Wan indicated her companions to stay quiet. “Shh!”
“But…”
“Call me Kengyou.” The man said firmly, “I will also call you by your name, Yi Chen.”
“What?!” The group of people listening outside couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Who’s out there?!”
Someone inside shouted, and the next second, the sliding doors were pulled open. A cultured man wearing a kimono looked at the people outside in astonishment.
The people outside couldn’t hide in time, and could only stand in their original spots. They glanced into the room, looking at the equally shocked Liu Yi Chen.
“It’s you guys?!”
“Hi, Class Rep.” Feng Ping Lan waved.
“Does Miss Liu know them?” The man glanced back at Liu Yi Chen.
“This…”
Practically at the same time, Morris, Quetzal, as well as a completely piteous Yerde rushed in hurriedly.
“Ah, we were a step late.” Morris looked at Liu Yi Chen, who wore a pure-white dress and had her hair in a half-up hairstyle with a camellia hairpin, eyebrows raised, “You don’t look half-bad dressed as a girl.”
“I was originally a girl…” Liu Yi Chen replied with clenched teeth, forcefully restraining her emotions, trying her best not to lose control. “What’s going on?”
”Uh, um…” Feng Ping Lan scratched his head, “It’s hard to explain, hehehe…”
The refined man name Kiyohara Kengyou looked at the newcomers, seeming to have come to an understanding.
“Is someone amongst these people whom you refused me for?” He smiled at Liu Yi Chen in good taste.
“No, Young Master Kiyohara, you misunderstand…”
“Did you eat something bad? Why are you speaking in such a dispirited tone?” Morris frowned, saying insensitively.
“This is my first time seeing Class Rep speaking with such a temperament.” Feng Ping Lan tacked on like a moron.
Liu Yi Chen gritted her teeth, taking in a deep breath, then glanced at Kiyohara, courteous and sweet-tempered, saying gently, “We offer our utmost apologies for creating such a ruckus, if I may, I would like to take a temporary leave to discuss a few matters with my friends. I do hope that Young Master Kiyohara will forgive me.”
“Wow, Class Rep’s using honorifics!”
“Xiao Liu has become so virtuous.”
Feng Ping Lan and Ivan clicked their tongues in wonder.
Yerde glared furiously, indicating for them to shut up.
Kiyohara smiled, “They came especially to find you, I presume they came for an important matter. Do not be courteous, I will be waiting here.”
“Thank you very much.” Liu Yi Chen bowed deeply, retreating, pulling the doors close.
Then she turned, rushing at Morris with a wild and violent fist.
One punch, two punches, three punches.
Face, stomach, head.
The arm wrapped by a soft chiffon cloth was fierce and powerful, fist not missing a single target.
“Ugh!” Being attacked so suddenly, Morris gave a tight groan, bending his waist.
Liu Yi Chen turned her head, eyes filled with the fire of rage switching directions. Feng Ping Lan and Ivan immediately knelt.
“Ma’am, please spare our lives!”
Liu Yi Chen glared at the two people begging for their lives, humphing heavily, then reluctantly collected her fury.
“Let’s talk in that corner.” She pointed at the corner by the flight of stairs with her chin.
Feng Ping Lan and the others moved to the corner, while Yerde went to the room to explain and apologize to Kiyohara Kengyou.
The moment they reached the bend in the corner, Liu Yi Chen immediately extorted a confession in a stern voice. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Reporting to Lady Class Rep, this small one is here to handle a case.” Feng Ping Lan reverently, more or less recounting the ins and outs of the whole matter.
“A bounty mission?”
“We sent you messages and calls, but you didn’t pick up.” Ivan hurriedly added on.
“Uh, because I was in Japan…” Liu Yi Chen coughed a little awkwardly.
Apart from this, she didn’t want her companions to know the reason for her coming to Japan, so she had deliberately turned off all methods of communicating with her.
“We all thought Class Rep was sick, I never thought Class Rep was in Japan for a holiday, how nice.”
“And all dressed up too.” Morris sniggered, and was kicked by Liu Yi Chen.
“This isn’t a holiday!” Liu Yi Chen refuted solemnly, and after hesitating for a moment, said with clenched teeth, “…This was Yerde’s condition for letting me leave his club. If I wanted to resign, I had to go on blind dates with the descendants of various prestigious families, as well as participate in a gentry’s social party.”
She had arrived in Japan last Sunday night, then starting from Monday, paid a visit to each and every prestigious member of the gentry, and took part in a debutante tea ceremony as well as the blind dates. The meeting with Kiyohara Kengyou was the ninth date.
Everyone came to a sudden realization.
“Uh, so, we screwed up your blind date, sorry…”
“It’s fine.” Liu Yi Chen smiled fiercely as if she had nothing to lose, “I didn’t really want to take part in the first place, and you guys just happened to appear, so it saves me the time to refuse him! Humph humph humph!”
“It would be easier just to show him your true colors.” Morris picked his ear, objecting.
“But if I did that, Yerde would blame me for not taking it seriously.” Liu Yi Chen furrowed her brows, replying exasperatedly.
“…So you did consider that method…”
“Class Rep, the gentry’s social party you mentioned, is it the one held on Friday night?”
“That’s right.” Liu Yi Chen thought about how there was another social party the entire night on Friday, her entire body feeling weak.
“You’re also a member of the Green Lion?” Kaido questioned straightforwardly.
“The Green Lion? What’s that?” Liu Yi Chen had a face filled with confusion, “I only came here because Kiyohara asked me to accompany him to the party held here this Friday night.”
Everyone exchanged glances.
“So, Kiyohara Kengyou is a member of the Green Lion.” Feng Ping Lan nodded his head.
“Could it be that he’s the mastermind of this entire matter?” Ivan guessed.
“Impossible, the Kiyohara clan has had good relations with the Association for centuries, they can’t possibly betray the Association.” Liu Yi Chen immediately rejected this conjecture.
“Then… Can we ask his help in this investigation?” Feng Ping Lan asked carefully.
“What?”
“I see that that guy seems to fancy you quite a lot.” Morris teased, “Before your true colors are revealed, why don’t you use that charm of yours that’s useful for a change and let this matter be a little easier to handle.”
Liu Yi Chen made an expression of revulsion, “What nonsense are you spouting! Kiyohara isn’t blind, he won’t fall for that!”
“Xiao Liu looks pretty dressed like this.” Su Li Wan complimented sincerely, “It’s very hard to refuse a request from Xiao Liu.”
Liu Yi Chen felt incredibly awkward, “This style of dress doesn’t suit me…”
“Although it’s not suitable, it still looks very good on you.” Su Li Wan reached out a hand to straighten the camellia hairpin that had gone askew on the back of Liu Yi Chen’s head, “I prefer the usual Xiao Liu. A straightforward and unconstrained Xiao Liu has an indomitable and dazzling charm to her.”
“Stop joking around.” Liu Yi Chen mumbled in embarrassment.
When she returned to the room, Kiyohara was still sitting inside with a smile, not at all angered for being interrupted.
“I apologize for leaving out of my own initiative, for being so rude, I am deeply ashamed.” Liu Yi Chen knelt down to face Kiyohara, bowing deeply to express regret.
“I have more or less heard the story from Yerde, you have no need to apologize.” Kiyohara sized up the people behind Liu Yi Chen with a smile, his gaze stopping on Quetzal’s group for a moment, following which his smile switched back to Liu Yi Chen, “Miss Liu has many friends, it is clear that you are not a hypocritical person. They must have been attracted by your truly sweet-tempered qualities.”
“Pftt!” Morris burst out laughing, then disguised it as a cough.
“I’m flattered.” Liu Yi Chen once again bent her waist solemnly, then lifted her head, “As a matter of fact, I have a request… about the party this Friday, might I ask Mr. Kiyohara to explain it in a little more detail? Because this party seems to be related to the Opposers, there are a few doubtful points that need to be clarified.” She made a deliberate pause, then spoke after confirming that the other wasn’t angered, “Hastily pulling you into a mission and requesting your cooperation like this, I am truly sorry.”
Kiyohara laughed lightly, looking at Liu Yi Chen ruminatively.
“To be honest with you, I had come here exactly for this reason. Since you have mentioned it, I have no need to be polite.”
“What?”
“The Kiyohara Family has a favorable relationship with those politically and business-related. One of our clients is a member of the Green Lion, whose few incidents previously caused him to be deeply worried, so he entrusted me to attend this particular gathering in his place.” Kiyohara explained fluently, “Coincidentally, Miss Liu had agreed to the lunch party I had suggested for quite some time, and I was indeed lacking in a female companion, so I could handle both matters at the same time.”
Liu Yi Chen blinked, a little surprised, “So you were using me?”
Yerde revealed a displeased expression, but still gracefully kept a cool head.
“If that is what you think, I will be very saddened.” Kiyohara gave a wry smile, “I look upon this meeting with absolute seriousness. Disregarding the party, the Takusetsu inn is a famous century-old shop in Kyoto, I had originally planned on arranging us to meet in person here.” The cultured and handsome face carried a hint of distress, glancing at Liu Yi Chen sincerely, “I am not used to interacting with others, have my actions offended Miss Liu?”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter.” Liu Yi Chen said casually, “I don’t mind.”
In any case, she had come just so she could resign from her club, strictly speaking, it was her that had used the other’s goodwill.
She never thought she would be schemed against a little. Very good, this meant that Yerde owed her one! Haha!
“Miss Liu is truly kind-hearted.”
“About the Green Lion, how much do you know about them?” Liu Yi Chen no longer exchanged courtesies, cutting straight to the point, “Are all their members connected to the Summoners?”
“No, a majority of them are political and business celebrities, but more than half have the backing of Summoners.”
“That many?” Feng Ping Lan was astonished.
“Those who are able to climb up the hierarchy more or less know the existence of Summoners, or have used a demon’s power.” Kiyohara continued to speak, “The members come from various countries, all of them having the power and prestige of their domain. Although their numbers are big, only a tenth of their people are given access to their true core, chosen to become confidential members.”
“How are they chosen? What are confidential members?”
“The method of selection is pretty secretive, and absolutely no clues or rules to be seen. In short, when the gathering ends, some of them will be a step closer to the core power.”
“It sounds like a harem battle! Everyone’s fighting for the king’s visit, hahaha!” Feng Ping Lan laughed foolishly all by himself, earning him eye rolls.
“Miss Liu’s friend is quite humorous.” Kiyohara replied courteously, “After becoming a confidential member, you will be given tremendous benefits, having everything going abnormally well for you no matter in the business world or in political circles. Whether those few incidents are related to this organizer, that is a riddle.”
“No matter what, the murderer must be within this crowd of members. All we need to do is to wait for an opportunity during the gathering to capture the murderer.”
“That’s not it.” Kiyohara refuted the guess, “The focus is not on the interactions during the night feast, the actual social contact and private transactions all occur in their respective rooms, negotiated before the dinner party. Discussing during the feast, won’t their entanglements of one’s interest be obvious at a glance? The dinner party is only a place of pure celebration. Tonight, all the guests will arrive, if we really want to investigate, we should set our sights on the guest rooms tonight.”
Feng Ping Lan clapped his hand with all his might, saying worshipfully, “You’re really amazing!”
Kiyohara paused, but still smiled faintly with courteousness, “Thank you.”
“What does the Green Lion’s cufflink look like?” Ivan spoke.
“I’ve placed it in my room, I can let you look at it later. Does anyone have any more questions, I will definitely answer them to my best ability.”
They exchanged glances.
They had already received a fairly good amount of intelligence, there was no need for any other information for the time being, with only the investigation left to do.
“What did the person who commissioned you request for you to investigate?” Kaido crossed his arms, asking rudely.
Kiyohara glanced at Kaido, then looked at Tan Hua beside him, smiling politely, “This must be the Imawabe Family’s… Oh, no, the Wei Family’s young master, I have long heard of your name.” He collected his smile, “That’s classified, I’m afraid I cannot tell you.”
Kaido frowned, humphing heavily, no longer asking any questions.
Seeing that the conversation could not be continued, the blind date unable to be carried on, the group of people prepared to leave.
“I never thought that our first meeting would have such a development, I hope this hasn’t left a bad impression on Miss Liu.” Before he left, Kiyohara apologized to Liu Yi Chen.
“It doesn’t matter.” Liu Yi Chen was indifferent, replying frankly, “Having the willingness to come clean, it shows that you’re not a bad guy.” In any case, the blind date was a failure, she had no need to reply with a well-bred young lady’s courtesy.
Kiyohara displayed an expression of appreciation, but still spoke with politeness, “Next time, I will be sure to entertain you with generous gifts.”
*
After Feng Ping Lan’s group had returned to their room, they explained the situation with the others, then distributed the work once more. Liu Yi Chen arrived a little late, appearing with the cufflink she had lent from Kiyohara Kengyou.
The cufflink was pretty exquisitely-made, a turquoise gemstone inlaid in the golden surface, the blue and green jade carved into a lion’s head.
“I’ll be returning it later.” Liu Yi Chen said it with a tone of doing official business, as if she was in a hurry to participate in this mission.
“Why don’t you accompany that Young Master Kiyohara for a while longer?” Byriel had heard of the situation earlier, smiling mockingly, “You look particularly enchanting today, may you be successful in every endeavor. Do you need me to teach you a few tricks?”
Liu Yi Chen humphed coldly, “Save it. He’s not my type.”
“Oh? Then what is your type?” Byriel propped his head up, lips curling into a heart-throbbing smile, “Want to consider trying it out with me?”
Liu Yi Chen rolled her eyes, “You’ll have to wait till I have the desire to gain STDs.”
After everyone was settled down, they started discussing their next plan.
“Dinner is at seven, the guests can choose to go to the dining hall or to eat in their rooms. Whether they choose the dining hall or to stay in their rooms, they have to inform the attendants ahead of schedule, so the inn has a detailed list of names. This way we can be sure who are not in their rooms, we can place eavesdropping spells in them.”
“What about those who don’t leave their rooms?” Conglong asked.
“We’ll think of something to lure them out. Perhaps we won’t have the ability to attain a hundred percent, but as long as we can eavesdrop on more than eighty percent of people, we’ll be able to gain a fair amount of information. Even if they don’t reveal any related information, we can also confirm that they have nothing to do with this case, focusing the target on the remaining twenty percent.”
“Then, how do we lure them out?”
“About that…” Feng Ping Lan scratched his head, “In any case, we’re disguised as international stars, we can continue acting as them…”
“What are you planning to do?” Morris raised his eyebrows.
Feng Ping Lan glanced at Simo, letting out a brilliant smile. Simo felt somewhat terrified, but could only resign herself.
Thirty minutes later. Byriel had attained the guest list from a female supervisor attendant who was still retaining her graceful bearing, apparently, with no use of any spells at all.
At six-fifty.
The female attendants were all whispering an exciting piece of information to each other. Among the guests was a famous international band, who had made the decision to have an impromptu outdoor performance in the courtyard plaza.
Simo stood in the center of the courtyard, wearing sunglasses and a hat. She was not afraid of being recognized, just shy.
There wasn’t a microphone in her hands, she had never needed such a thing, and besides, through the microphone, her most genuine voice would be interfered instead.
“Is that her?”
“I thought it would be a man…”
“Only one? Wasn’t it a band?”
When the crowds received the rumors and started gathering, Simo took a deep breath, sound waves carrying a demonic power bursting out from her throat.
The wind rose.
The soundwaves were sent into every room and every corner of the corridors. Entering their ears, monopolizing their thoughts, affecting their willpower, evoking their longing.
The masses couldn’t help but take a step forward, moving towards the courtyard to assemble. Their gazes were set upon the singer in the center, but turned a blind eye on her, only the sense of hearing operating out of their five senses. All their attention, their perception, were all centralized on that melody pervading through their hearts.
Simo sang serenely, gaze moving towards a corner in the crowds, nodding slightly to her companions.
Action start.
Originally posted on RBKTR Translations.
Author: Lan Qi Zuo Ren (藍旗左衽).
Translated by: Yujuan
Feng Ping Lan and the others rushed back to the inn. When they arrived, everyone had already assembled.
“So damn slow, where did you guys go?” Ivan questioned discontentedly.
“We… went out to take a look around.”
Conglong thought they had gone out to buy food, and, seeing that the four of them had come back with empty hands, was extremely dissatisfied. “Why did you come back with nothing?”
“We were called back before we could buy anything?” Feng Ping Lan bluffed his way out with a laugh, “What’s the current situation?”
“The shadows caught a trace of demonic aura…” Quetzal spoke. “Not just one.”
“Can we know who it is?”
Quetzal shook his head, “We can only be sure that one of them is particularly strong…”
So that they wouldn’t inadvertently alert the enemy, he had put his exploration spell to extremely weak use, its disadvantage being that the information received would also be very weak.
Only an upper-level demon would be able to detect it.
“They are currently located in the building next to the South Pool, on the highest floor.”
“I’ve already placed the barrier.” Conglong said, pleased with himself, “The water is coincidentally my field of expertise, I can completely eliminate all the spell fluctuations, and my fighting strength will also be synergized. Look at mine!”
“What are you planning to do? Spray your vomit all over our enemies?” Ivan rebuked, a stomach full of pent-up anger caused by the retching noises and sour smell he had experienced on the way here.
“Shut up! You’re annoying!”
Quetzal’s expression changed slightly, his gaze switching out the window.
“They’ve changed locations.” He could feel the whispers coming from the shadows, “They’re heading down…”
“They might be planning to leave, quickly chase after them!”
“The attic is a tea room, the person they’re meeting with must be a crucial figure too!” Feng Ping Lan instructed, “We’ll split into two groups, one to intercept any demons, another to head up and encircle them.”
“Finally.” Morris twisted his neck, smoothing out his muscles, looking like he had anticipated this for a long time, “Now this is fun!”
“Be careful, don’t break any facilities or decorations, the cost of the damages created by your fighting won’t be paid by the Association.” Dongya reminded him hurriedly.
Morris cursed lowly, seemingly not very satisfied.
“Scatter, let’s move!”
The group of people, escorted by the Contracts, were instantly transported to the building by the pool.
Simo and Conglong would man and defend the post outside, setting up a barrier with their soundwaves and water shadows, surrounding the building. Simo’s tuning fork hammered the ground heavily, the seismic waves transmitting throughout the other corners of the inn, shaking the worm snakes hidden beneath the soil awake, making them scuttle out of the surface, fleeing into the building.
A tiny disturbance generated within the guest rooms in the distance, so that a large number of female attendants went to tidy things up and placate the guests.
Byriel scattered his Confounding Incense above and below the building, knocking out the guests and female attendants who had yet to leave. Ivan and Dongya transported these people to a safe place.
Morris and Quetzal broke through from the front entrance, charging in all the way. Now that there was no one else in the building, the target was like a turtle in a jar.
“Around the corner of the second floor…” Quetzal spoke in a low voice.
“Got it.” Morris focused his demonic power in all his four limbs, his sharpened claws letting out an awe-inspiring cold light, so strong it could cut through iron as if it were mud. He ran as he muttered, “This calls to mind the times we were on the battlefield…”
Quetzal’s lips lifted, also recalling, “When we gave the Tenth Prince a surprise attack.”
“That’s right!” Morris smiled, “That was Prince Shuekan’s idea. I’ll never forget the expression on the Tenth Prince’s face when he was captured, hahaha!”
Quetzal did not answer, his train of thought temporarily returning to the past.
He recalled the first time his little prince sent out his troops. No one would have expected him to strike first, using a surprise attack to launch an offensive on his own elder brother, that the arrogant and self-important Tenth Prince would be defeated just like that.
“You knew that the battle had started, but did not brace yourself for a surprise attack. That’s a mistake and ignorance of a loser. We’ve won fair and square.” Facing his brother’s censure, Prince Shuekan had replied magnanimously.
Faint warmth was induced on those grave and stern features.
“I never thought we would be joining hands with human Summoners.” Morris laughed mockingly at himself, “To be honest, it doesn’t feel as bad as I had thought!”
Quetzal’s face darkened, turning colder and sterner than before.
“This is just temporary…” Quetzal reminded coldly.
A reminder for Morris, as well as a reminder for himself.
Going upstairs, then turning around the corridor, the two sides of the walkway was filled with white shoji doors, vivid landscapes painted on them, the dancing ink looking like black clouds and rain, black blood.
Quetzal could feel the demonic aura getting stronger.
“In front!”
Quetzal lifted his hands, the dual swords hidden in the floors piercing out. He lifted them out, swinging downwards.
Clang!
The fierce sound of metallic clanging rang out, dazzling flame bursting from the corner.
They were blocked. As expected, this was a difficult character…
His cold lips lifted slightly.
It had been a long time since he had encountered a serious opponent… Interesting.
Quetzal stabbed his left sword into the ground, the blade sinking into the shadows, then appeared from the shadow of the ceiling light before him, shooting towards the corner.
The sound of clashing weapons sounded out in succession.
Quetzal glanced at Morris. Morris understood, his steps whirling, and with a wave of his claws, the shoji doors beside him soundlessly slashing into a big hole. He took a big stride forward, stepping through the room, rushing straight towards the fading bend behind the walkway and crashing into the wooden walls in a surprise attack, abruptly descending in the midst of dust and shattered tiles, using absolute demolishing force to blast the other heavily onto the ground.
“Ah!”
His tall and sturdy body pinning the target onto the ground, flame emitting from his fingers, the fire elemental incantation combined with force took shape in a pair of pincers that was hard to struggle out of.
“Caught you!” Morris laughed brightly in self-satisfaction.
The person under him was not resigned to his capture, trying to flip over. Morris raised his eyebrows, “Don’t move!’ Then gave a large wave, landing a heavy hit on the back of the other’s head.
Quetzal gripped his dual swords, emerging from the bend in the corner. When he saw the western sword that had fallen onto the floor, his expression changed abruptly.
That was—
“Rebel!” A low voice came from under Morris’ body, “I will make you pay your price…”
“You’re pretty unbridled!” Morris sneered, using his fingers to knock on the back of the other’s head twice, gripping his hair to face himself, “Let me see what a bad guy looks like—”
When he saw that the face he had lifted was a familiar face full of hate, he froze right then and there.
“Yerde?”
“Thou plebeian! Let go!” Yerde rebuked furiously.
Morris hurriedly let go, retreating to one side.
“You’re that powerful demon?” Morris abruptly thought of another matter that was far from good, “Then, wouldn’t the one you’re meeting with be—”
Ah, oh no!
*
Feng Ping Lan, Kaido, Su Li Wan, Zong Yu, Zhong Xian, and Tan Hua descending from the surrounding to the rooftop balcony, slipping into the room.
They tiptoed towards the end of the walkway, where the room with the best view facing the pool stood.
“The people in the room might be Summoners, although we didn’t detect any demonic auras, their Contracts might be nearby…” Feng Ping Lan whispered to his companions.
“Do we attack directly?” Ivan spoke.
“They’re conversing inside…” Feng Ping Lan inclined his ear to listen, “Listen for a while, we might overhear any information…”
Then, the group of people slowly inched closer to the side room, cautiously placing their ears on the sliding doors.
“…You seem to have a pretty good understanding of tea ceremony.” A gentle young man’s voice sounded from within the room.
“Young Master Kiyohara is flattering me, this is just the level of an amateur’s.” A courteous and mild woman’s voice rang out.
Feng Ping Lan felt that this voice sounded a little familiar, but none of the girls around him would talk with this kind of intonation.
“I am a little surprised that you would keep this appointment, after all, you would always refuse prior to this.”
“I sincerely apologize, it is truly the fault of my burdensome classes, I was was just too occupied to be in the mood for attending to any social interactions…” The woman replied apologetically.
“Is that really so?” The man laughed lightly, “With your status, even if you deliberately neglected your studies, you would have no need to worry about your position being affected.”
“That kind of conduct would bring shame on my family.”
“I appreciate those who are self-reliant.” The man praised frankly, “There are seldom any girls who are as reserved and humble as you.”
“There are many like me…”
“Yes, but only you are truly content.”
The more Feng Ping Lan and the others listened respectfully outside, the more they felt that something was not right.
“What are they doing inside?” It didn’t sound like they were discussing any classified information. “It sounds like a blind date…”
“Did we get it wrong?” Ivan questioned.
“Quetzal can’t get things wrong, they must have something to do with demons.”
“How long do we have to wait? We’re not attacking directly?” Kaido asked impatiently, and when he realized that Tan Hua was also listening in fascination, he couldn’t help but rebuke. “Tan Hua!”
Tan Hua returned to her senses, lowering her head in embarrassment.
“But don’t seem to have discussed their main point, who knows, this could just be the starting conventional greetings.” Su Li Wan spoke out her opinion quietly.
They exchanged glances.
“We’ll continue listening for a while longer.”
Ah, eavesdropping was a sort of sickness, an addictive sickness…
The man within the room continued to speak, “Actually, the reason I continuously proposed a meeting between us was out of my mother’s wish. I have to confess, in the past, I felt glad that you rejected me.”
“I truly apologize… For causing Young Master Kiyohara so much trouble…” The woman sounded troubled.
“I always thought that you were no different than the other heiresses. But it was until I met you that I realized, just how stupid my previous passivity was.”
“You flatter me, I am absolutely… undeserving of you—” The woman’s words were unexpectedly cut off, letting out a small sigh of surprise, “Y-young Master Kiyohara… Why…”
“Lift up your head, don’t keep on lowering it. Your pretty complexion shouldn’t be kept hidden.”
“Young Master… Kiyohara…” The woman’s voice was blocked up, sounding as if she was repressing something. “Don’t be like this…”
“Don’t call me that, it sounds very estranged. You can call me by my name.”
The people outside the room held their breaths and calmed their minds, concentrating on their listening.
Feng Ping Lan swallowed a mouthful of saliva, “Do we call the police?” Mr. Police, there’s a pervert in here!
“What are they trying to do? Directly jumping straight to the reproducing stage in a blind date?” Ivan furrowed his brows, “How terrible…”
Su Li Wan indicated her companions to stay quiet. “Shh!”
“But…”
“Call me Kengyou.” The man said firmly, “I will also call you by your name, Yi Chen.”
“What?!” The group of people listening outside couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Who’s out there?!”
Someone inside shouted, and the next second, the sliding doors were pulled open. A cultured man wearing a kimono looked at the people outside in astonishment.
The people outside couldn’t hide in time, and could only stand in their original spots. They glanced into the room, looking at the equally shocked Liu Yi Chen.
“It’s you guys?!”
“Hi, Class Rep.” Feng Ping Lan waved.
“Does Miss Liu know them?” The man glanced back at Liu Yi Chen.
“This…”
Practically at the same time, Morris, Quetzal, as well as a completely piteous Yerde rushed in hurriedly.
“Ah, we were a step late.” Morris looked at Liu Yi Chen, who wore a pure-white dress and had her hair in a half-up hairstyle with a camellia hairpin, eyebrows raised, “You don’t look half-bad dressed as a girl.”
“I was originally a girl…” Liu Yi Chen replied with clenched teeth, forcefully restraining her emotions, trying her best not to lose control. “What’s going on?”
”Uh, um…” Feng Ping Lan scratched his head, “It’s hard to explain, hehehe…”
The refined man name Kiyohara Kengyou looked at the newcomers, seeming to have come to an understanding.
“Is someone amongst these people whom you refused me for?” He smiled at Liu Yi Chen in good taste.
“No, Young Master Kiyohara, you misunderstand…”
“Did you eat something bad? Why are you speaking in such a dispirited tone?” Morris frowned, saying insensitively.
“This is my first time seeing Class Rep speaking with such a temperament.” Feng Ping Lan tacked on like a moron.
Liu Yi Chen gritted her teeth, taking in a deep breath, then glanced at Kiyohara, courteous and sweet-tempered, saying gently, “We offer our utmost apologies for creating such a ruckus, if I may, I would like to take a temporary leave to discuss a few matters with my friends. I do hope that Young Master Kiyohara will forgive me.”
“Wow, Class Rep’s using honorifics!”
“Xiao Liu has become so virtuous.”
Feng Ping Lan and Ivan clicked their tongues in wonder.
Yerde glared furiously, indicating for them to shut up.
Kiyohara smiled, “They came especially to find you, I presume they came for an important matter. Do not be courteous, I will be waiting here.”
“Thank you very much.” Liu Yi Chen bowed deeply, retreating, pulling the doors close.
Then she turned, rushing at Morris with a wild and violent fist.
One punch, two punches, three punches.
Face, stomach, head.
The arm wrapped by a soft chiffon cloth was fierce and powerful, fist not missing a single target.
“Ugh!” Being attacked so suddenly, Morris gave a tight groan, bending his waist.
Liu Yi Chen turned her head, eyes filled with the fire of rage switching directions. Feng Ping Lan and Ivan immediately knelt.
“Ma’am, please spare our lives!”
Liu Yi Chen glared at the two people begging for their lives, humphing heavily, then reluctantly collected her fury.
“Let’s talk in that corner.” She pointed at the corner by the flight of stairs with her chin.
Feng Ping Lan and the others moved to the corner, while Yerde went to the room to explain and apologize to Kiyohara Kengyou.
The moment they reached the bend in the corner, Liu Yi Chen immediately extorted a confession in a stern voice. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Reporting to Lady Class Rep, this small one is here to handle a case.” Feng Ping Lan reverently, more or less recounting the ins and outs of the whole matter.
“A bounty mission?”
“We sent you messages and calls, but you didn’t pick up.” Ivan hurriedly added on.
“Uh, because I was in Japan…” Liu Yi Chen coughed a little awkwardly.
Apart from this, she didn’t want her companions to know the reason for her coming to Japan, so she had deliberately turned off all methods of communicating with her.
“We all thought Class Rep was sick, I never thought Class Rep was in Japan for a holiday, how nice.”
“And all dressed up too.” Morris sniggered, and was kicked by Liu Yi Chen.
“This isn’t a holiday!” Liu Yi Chen refuted solemnly, and after hesitating for a moment, said with clenched teeth, “…This was Yerde’s condition for letting me leave his club. If I wanted to resign, I had to go on blind dates with the descendants of various prestigious families, as well as participate in a gentry’s social party.”
She had arrived in Japan last Sunday night, then starting from Monday, paid a visit to each and every prestigious member of the gentry, and took part in a debutante tea ceremony as well as the blind dates. The meeting with Kiyohara Kengyou was the ninth date.
Everyone came to a sudden realization.
“Uh, so, we screwed up your blind date, sorry…”
“It’s fine.” Liu Yi Chen smiled fiercely as if she had nothing to lose, “I didn’t really want to take part in the first place, and you guys just happened to appear, so it saves me the time to refuse him! Humph humph humph!”
“It would be easier just to show him your true colors.” Morris picked his ear, objecting.
“But if I did that, Yerde would blame me for not taking it seriously.” Liu Yi Chen furrowed her brows, replying exasperatedly.
“…So you did consider that method…”
“Class Rep, the gentry’s social party you mentioned, is it the one held on Friday night?”
“That’s right.” Liu Yi Chen thought about how there was another social party the entire night on Friday, her entire body feeling weak.
“You’re also a member of the Green Lion?” Kaido questioned straightforwardly.
“The Green Lion? What’s that?” Liu Yi Chen had a face filled with confusion, “I only came here because Kiyohara asked me to accompany him to the party held here this Friday night.”
Everyone exchanged glances.
“So, Kiyohara Kengyou is a member of the Green Lion.” Feng Ping Lan nodded his head.
“Could it be that he’s the mastermind of this entire matter?” Ivan guessed.
“Impossible, the Kiyohara clan has had good relations with the Association for centuries, they can’t possibly betray the Association.” Liu Yi Chen immediately rejected this conjecture.
“Then… Can we ask his help in this investigation?” Feng Ping Lan asked carefully.
“What?”
“I see that that guy seems to fancy you quite a lot.” Morris teased, “Before your true colors are revealed, why don’t you use that charm of yours that’s useful for a change and let this matter be a little easier to handle.”
Liu Yi Chen made an expression of revulsion, “What nonsense are you spouting! Kiyohara isn’t blind, he won’t fall for that!”
“Xiao Liu looks pretty dressed like this.” Su Li Wan complimented sincerely, “It’s very hard to refuse a request from Xiao Liu.”
Liu Yi Chen felt incredibly awkward, “This style of dress doesn’t suit me…”
“Although it’s not suitable, it still looks very good on you.” Su Li Wan reached out a hand to straighten the camellia hairpin that had gone askew on the back of Liu Yi Chen’s head, “I prefer the usual Xiao Liu. A straightforward and unconstrained Xiao Liu has an indomitable and dazzling charm to her.”
“Stop joking around.” Liu Yi Chen mumbled in embarrassment.
When she returned to the room, Kiyohara was still sitting inside with a smile, not at all angered for being interrupted.
“I apologize for leaving out of my own initiative, for being so rude, I am deeply ashamed.” Liu Yi Chen knelt down to face Kiyohara, bowing deeply to express regret.
“I have more or less heard the story from Yerde, you have no need to apologize.” Kiyohara sized up the people behind Liu Yi Chen with a smile, his gaze stopping on Quetzal’s group for a moment, following which his smile switched back to Liu Yi Chen, “Miss Liu has many friends, it is clear that you are not a hypocritical person. They must have been attracted by your truly sweet-tempered qualities.”
“Pftt!” Morris burst out laughing, then disguised it as a cough.
“I’m flattered.” Liu Yi Chen once again bent her waist solemnly, then lifted her head, “As a matter of fact, I have a request… about the party this Friday, might I ask Mr. Kiyohara to explain it in a little more detail? Because this party seems to be related to the Opposers, there are a few doubtful points that need to be clarified.” She made a deliberate pause, then spoke after confirming that the other wasn’t angered, “Hastily pulling you into a mission and requesting your cooperation like this, I am truly sorry.”
Kiyohara laughed lightly, looking at Liu Yi Chen ruminatively.
“To be honest with you, I had come here exactly for this reason. Since you have mentioned it, I have no need to be polite.”
“What?”
“The Kiyohara Family has a favorable relationship with those politically and business-related. One of our clients is a member of the Green Lion, whose few incidents previously caused him to be deeply worried, so he entrusted me to attend this particular gathering in his place.” Kiyohara explained fluently, “Coincidentally, Miss Liu had agreed to the lunch party I had suggested for quite some time, and I was indeed lacking in a female companion, so I could handle both matters at the same time.”
Liu Yi Chen blinked, a little surprised, “So you were using me?”
Yerde revealed a displeased expression, but still gracefully kept a cool head.
“If that is what you think, I will be very saddened.” Kiyohara gave a wry smile, “I look upon this meeting with absolute seriousness. Disregarding the party, the Takusetsu inn is a famous century-old shop in Kyoto, I had originally planned on arranging us to meet in person here.” The cultured and handsome face carried a hint of distress, glancing at Liu Yi Chen sincerely, “I am not used to interacting with others, have my actions offended Miss Liu?”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter.” Liu Yi Chen said casually, “I don’t mind.”
In any case, she had come just so she could resign from her club, strictly speaking, it was her that had used the other’s goodwill.
She never thought she would be schemed against a little. Very good, this meant that Yerde owed her one! Haha!
“Miss Liu is truly kind-hearted.”
“About the Green Lion, how much do you know about them?” Liu Yi Chen no longer exchanged courtesies, cutting straight to the point, “Are all their members connected to the Summoners?”
“No, a majority of them are political and business celebrities, but more than half have the backing of Summoners.”
“That many?” Feng Ping Lan was astonished.
“Those who are able to climb up the hierarchy more or less know the existence of Summoners, or have used a demon’s power.” Kiyohara continued to speak, “The members come from various countries, all of them having the power and prestige of their domain. Although their numbers are big, only a tenth of their people are given access to their true core, chosen to become confidential members.”
“How are they chosen? What are confidential members?”
“The method of selection is pretty secretive, and absolutely no clues or rules to be seen. In short, when the gathering ends, some of them will be a step closer to the core power.”
“It sounds like a harem battle! Everyone’s fighting for the king’s visit, hahaha!” Feng Ping Lan laughed foolishly all by himself, earning him eye rolls.
“Miss Liu’s friend is quite humorous.” Kiyohara replied courteously, “After becoming a confidential member, you will be given tremendous benefits, having everything going abnormally well for you no matter in the business world or in political circles. Whether those few incidents are related to this organizer, that is a riddle.”
“No matter what, the murderer must be within this crowd of members. All we need to do is to wait for an opportunity during the gathering to capture the murderer.”
“That’s not it.” Kiyohara refuted the guess, “The focus is not on the interactions during the night feast, the actual social contact and private transactions all occur in their respective rooms, negotiated before the dinner party. Discussing during the feast, won’t their entanglements of one’s interest be obvious at a glance? The dinner party is only a place of pure celebration. Tonight, all the guests will arrive, if we really want to investigate, we should set our sights on the guest rooms tonight.”
Feng Ping Lan clapped his hand with all his might, saying worshipfully, “You’re really amazing!”
Kiyohara paused, but still smiled faintly with courteousness, “Thank you.”
“What does the Green Lion’s cufflink look like?” Ivan spoke.
“I’ve placed it in my room, I can let you look at it later. Does anyone have any more questions, I will definitely answer them to my best ability.”
They exchanged glances.
They had already received a fairly good amount of intelligence, there was no need for any other information for the time being, with only the investigation left to do.
“What did the person who commissioned you request for you to investigate?” Kaido crossed his arms, asking rudely.
Kiyohara glanced at Kaido, then looked at Tan Hua beside him, smiling politely, “This must be the Imawabe Family’s… Oh, no, the Wei Family’s young master, I have long heard of your name.” He collected his smile, “That’s classified, I’m afraid I cannot tell you.”
Kaido frowned, humphing heavily, no longer asking any questions.
Seeing that the conversation could not be continued, the blind date unable to be carried on, the group of people prepared to leave.
“I never thought that our first meeting would have such a development, I hope this hasn’t left a bad impression on Miss Liu.” Before he left, Kiyohara apologized to Liu Yi Chen.
“It doesn’t matter.” Liu Yi Chen was indifferent, replying frankly, “Having the willingness to come clean, it shows that you’re not a bad guy.” In any case, the blind date was a failure, she had no need to reply with a well-bred young lady’s courtesy.
Kiyohara displayed an expression of appreciation, but still spoke with politeness, “Next time, I will be sure to entertain you with generous gifts.”
*
After Feng Ping Lan’s group had returned to their room, they explained the situation with the others, then distributed the work once more. Liu Yi Chen arrived a little late, appearing with the cufflink she had lent from Kiyohara Kengyou.
The cufflink was pretty exquisitely-made, a turquoise gemstone inlaid in the golden surface, the blue and green jade carved into a lion’s head.
“I’ll be returning it later.” Liu Yi Chen said it with a tone of doing official business, as if she was in a hurry to participate in this mission.
“Why don’t you accompany that Young Master Kiyohara for a while longer?” Byriel had heard of the situation earlier, smiling mockingly, “You look particularly enchanting today, may you be successful in every endeavor. Do you need me to teach you a few tricks?”
Liu Yi Chen humphed coldly, “Save it. He’s not my type.”
“Oh? Then what is your type?” Byriel propped his head up, lips curling into a heart-throbbing smile, “Want to consider trying it out with me?”
Liu Yi Chen rolled her eyes, “You’ll have to wait till I have the desire to gain STDs.”
After everyone was settled down, they started discussing their next plan.
“Dinner is at seven, the guests can choose to go to the dining hall or to eat in their rooms. Whether they choose the dining hall or to stay in their rooms, they have to inform the attendants ahead of schedule, so the inn has a detailed list of names. This way we can be sure who are not in their rooms, we can place eavesdropping spells in them.”
“What about those who don’t leave their rooms?” Conglong asked.
“We’ll think of something to lure them out. Perhaps we won’t have the ability to attain a hundred percent, but as long as we can eavesdrop on more than eighty percent of people, we’ll be able to gain a fair amount of information. Even if they don’t reveal any related information, we can also confirm that they have nothing to do with this case, focusing the target on the remaining twenty percent.”
“Then, how do we lure them out?”
“About that…” Feng Ping Lan scratched his head, “In any case, we’re disguised as international stars, we can continue acting as them…”
“What are you planning to do?” Morris raised his eyebrows.
Feng Ping Lan glanced at Simo, letting out a brilliant smile. Simo felt somewhat terrified, but could only resign herself.
Thirty minutes later. Byriel had attained the guest list from a female supervisor attendant who was still retaining her graceful bearing, apparently, with no use of any spells at all.
At six-fifty.
The female attendants were all whispering an exciting piece of information to each other. Among the guests was a famous international band, who had made the decision to have an impromptu outdoor performance in the courtyard plaza.
Simo stood in the center of the courtyard, wearing sunglasses and a hat. She was not afraid of being recognized, just shy.
There wasn’t a microphone in her hands, she had never needed such a thing, and besides, through the microphone, her most genuine voice would be interfered instead.
“Is that her?”
“I thought it would be a man…”
“Only one? Wasn’t it a band?”
When the crowds received the rumors and started gathering, Simo took a deep breath, sound waves carrying a demonic power bursting out from her throat.
The wind rose.
The soundwaves were sent into every room and every corner of the corridors. Entering their ears, monopolizing their thoughts, affecting their willpower, evoking their longing.
The masses couldn’t help but take a step forward, moving towards the courtyard to assemble. Their gazes were set upon the singer in the center, but turned a blind eye on her, only the sense of hearing operating out of their five senses. All their attention, their perception, were all centralized on that melody pervading through their hearts.
Simo sang serenely, gaze moving towards a corner in the crowds, nodding slightly to her companions.
Action start.
