The nurse was startled as she rushed to the door for a look. Truly seeing a skeleton, her eyes rolled back and she nearly fainted. Fortunately, Leonardo caught her just in time with steady hands.
Taga Mingqi’s heart was in chaos at this moment.
“You, you, who are you! ” The male figure at the door erupted in faint orange flames, his face full of shock as he shouted.
The skeleton in the bathtub was silent for a few seconds.
It slowly raised its head and said:
{Hello, I am Yang Buchen’s Secret Skill Summoning Beast. }
“Ah?! What! “
A mixed look of fear and astonishment instantly spread across Leonardo’s face.
“My god, Hero Sir—they have such a summoning beast… No, that’s not right. No, no, no, not at all! “
Leonardo looked as if he had stumbled upon some special secret.
He stepped inside, brimming with excitement, and said: “You are the Moon Angel, right! You are his Moon Angel! That’s exactly it, isn’t it? “
Taga Mingqi turned away.
“Look, just look at that. Hey, by the way, where is your master? “
{I… }
Tata Mingqi was silent for a long time, straining with effort, before he spoke: {My master had urgent business and left first. He told me to wait here for you all and explain the situation. }
“Ah, so that’s how it is! ” Leonardo’s fingers stroked his chin, wearing an expression as if this was indeed the obvious answer.
Yet Loki. Tata Mingqi turned his head, letting out a long, inaudible sigh as if burdened by an unfathomable mood.
……
The moment Yang Zicang slipped on his coat, grabbed the key, and returned from the bathtub to the inn, his mind felt as if a locked door had sprung open, unleashing buried memories.
As if prompted by an absent, forgotten voice, he suddenly recalled everything he had completely erased from his mind!
Just like how he had remembered the vanished Li Qian from the last time, Yang Zicang now recalled that night in the small town!
“Ashis! “
The face of that stranger, whose name he had only heard spoken once in passing by the five who sought shelter from the rain, now crystallized with perfect clarity before his eyes!
The barrier, the statue handed into his own hands, the cloaked figure leaning on a staff, the sunset-stained path emerging through the downpour, and the image—clear and present despite his distance—of a man killing Ashis.
Yang Zicang’s hand abruptly clenched into a fist.
Then… he thought of Sheryl and Caden, and a flicker of shock flashed through his eyes.
“So… so they never left to wander distant lands for their… final days in this world. “
But rather… they had been waiting for the salvation he had promised Sheryl?
Why did it have to be this way.
At this thought, a sudden idea dawned on Yang Zicang.
That man named Joshua, wielding a power nearing divinity, must have altered somepastevent in this world… No, that’s not right!
Yang Zicang suddenly realized—wasn’t this exactlytampering with the inherent fates of the world?
So this change with Shirley and Cardan—in his newest memories, they directly refused his proposal and went to “rejoin ” the military right after leaving town—could this be… Joshua modifying something abouthismemories, starting from some point further back in time?!
A hollow terror, born from his very core, began to radiate and engulf Yang Zicang’s heart.
In the silent room, Yang Zicang stood completely still for a full two minutes, rivulets of murky water still dripping from his feet. Then, from outside, he suddenly heard faint, silver-bell-like laughter and chatter.
His head moved. It was Xue Qi’s voice. Had she come back to the hotel in the last two days?
“All my stuff is packed! When our boss suddenly sees me show up, he’s definitely going to be shocked, hehe. “
“Shocked or not, just remember to bring me back a few books this time, okay? Don’t just bring clothes. “
“I’ve made a note of it. And you, a girl on your own here, stay safe. “
Realizing that Xue Qi was planning to return to him, Yang Zicang walked straight through the unlocked bedroom door. Stepping barefoot onto the floor, he reached the entrance and pulled the door open.
With a softcreak, the two young women in the hallway, sharp of hearing, spun around at the unexpected noise.
“Aaaah! “
“Ah! A ghost! “
“It’s me!” Yang Zicang, barefoot, extended a hand dripping with viscous liquid, looking at his own wrinkled palm. He sighed, then rubbed his bald head with his hand. “It’s me,” he said with a sigh. “You only recognize appearances.“
Hearing Chairman Yang’s voice, the two women who had been poised to attack both froze for a moment.
Hua Mi asked, “Chairman, is that you in there?“
Yang Zicang covered his head.
Xue Qi suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes reddening with surprise as she hurried over. “Bu Chen, you…“
“Wait!” Hua Mi suddenly called out loudly from behind. “Xiao Qi, don’t move.“
Xue Qi, on the verge of tears with red-rimmed eyes, turned her head to look at Hua Mi, who was a few steps away. Yang Zicang also glanced sideways.
Hua Mi said solemnly, “Whose body?!“
Xue Qi looked at her, utterly confused.
After a slight pause, Yang Zicang let out a barely audible sigh. “Whose longevity.“
Hua Mi suddenly got excited. “Whose world!“
“Hey, what are you guys talking about?“
“Whose journey,” Yang Zicang replied weakly.
“Ah, it really is you, Chairman. Xiao Qi, you can continue now.“
Xue Qi tilted her head and crossed her arms. “Are you guys playing house or what? Ha, good thing I was worried about this guy.“
Just as she finished speaking, Xue Qi saw tears suddenly well up in Hua Mi’s eyes like little pearls. Sobbing with grievance, she stepped forward one hesitant step at a time, “President… how… did you end up like this… wuwuwu… Is it… that dangerous out there? “
“Ah? Hah, huh? ” Xue Qi dropped her arms in shock, watching Hua Mi walk past her and stand before Yang Zicang. The girl placed her slender, fair hand gently yet tremblingly on the man’s burned face.
“Wait, me? ” Xue Qi stood by, feeling as though her limbs had lost all coordination.
“Ahem, well… I’ll explain later. ” Yang Zicang stepped back half a pace, turned to look at Xue Qi, then back at Hua Mi with tears in her eyes, striving to hold them both in his gaze as he said, “So… have you eaten? “
“……“
“Let me take you somewhere nice to eat. ” Hua Mi said, her voice soft and tender.
Xue Qi took a long breath, bit her lip, puffed out her chest, and finally exhaled deeply.
……
Back at the inn, with He Yishu gone, She Liqing had returned. Seeing Yang Zicang’s arrival, Karl said he was a bit worried about the other side and hoped to go back and have a look.
Yet, even with the Gaze-dispelling Sword in hand, moving through the Sub-Ether Space was anything but smooth, and he could hardly discern his direction at all.
Let alone finding the true bearing amidst the boundless twisted illusions far more treacherous than any ocean.
“When do you want to go back? “
“Preferably within the next couple of days, ” Karl said from across the table in the hall. “If you can hold out here for a day or two, giving me more time to find the route, then there shouldn’t be a problem. “
Yang Zicang found himself in a bind.
He was up to his ears in “Radiance ” debt and couldn’t afford to miss the data handover tonight. Yet, he couldn’t leave too few people staked out watching Wager—otherwise, the guy might seize the chance to attack.
Seeing Yang Zicang’s dilemma, Xue Qi asked, “Is there something else you need to do on your end? Why work yourself into this mess without stopping to rest? “
“That’s right, President Big Brother. If you keep this up, how are you ever going to find a girl to marry? “
“Maybe some blind girl will fall for his inner beauty? ” Xue Qi rolled her eyes.
“Ahem, maybe now is not the time to discuss this. “
Yang Zicang looked at Karl. It was hard to refuse letting him go back to the ship.
Having had no word from Kim Tae-cheol and the others for so many days, even Yang Zicang was starting to worry.
-｛Distributor May·Valkyrie indicates I am in the midst of birthing an entirely new prelude to glory.｝
Yang Zicang’s gaze suddenly narrowed.
Could this count as potentially having a Radiance?
Noticing Yang Zicang’s newly solemn expression, Karl sensed something was up.
“President, are you still needed for something outside? Hmm… if it’s really that tough… “
“Wait, ” Yang Zicang said, raising his burned and wrinkled bald head. “Let me be clear: out there, I’m currently participating in an event that will almost certainly birth a Radiance. “
“Huh? “
“Huh? Really? ” Hua Mi’s eyes suddenly lit up as she looked over.
“Ha? ” Xue Qi lowered her arms from propping up her head. “You’re in such a state and still taking on missions? “
{As expected of the man who brought me into the Divine Hotel! }
Suddenly a voice cut through. Yang Zicang turned his head to search for its source, finally spotting a clay-yellow pot placed on a nearby shelf.
He had almost forgotten about that fellow. “Thanks for the compliment, ” Yang Zicang said, withdrawing his gaze.
{You’re welcome. The way you look right now is the most handsome. I’ve never seen such a good-looking man—no, human—before. }
“……“
A sudden silence fell over the hall at this string of praise.
“If that’s the case, then you go ahead and get busy, President. I’ll keep watch here, ” Karl said with an understanding tone.
Hua Mi, on the other hand, rubbed her hands together. “What are you up to? Is it dangerous? “
Xue Qi cast her a glance, crossed her legs in the opposite direction, and continued pouting while propping her chin on her hand, her elbow resting on the sofa armrest.
“Not really. “
- ｛Distributor February Dian was watching my current life experience with some curiosity.｝
- ｛The Qiki Two-Faced Gold Skull Gemstone Pendant indicated that Distributor Dian was hesitating to speak.｝
A flicker passed through Yang Zicang’s eyes.
Hearing the President’s reply, the people on the two sofas instantly felt their minds start racing. But after a brief reflection, they reluctantly suppressed those ideas with a pang of regret.
“Then we’ll just have to keep holding down the fort here. ” Xue Qi stretched an arm out, revealing her slender waist as she arched her back in a lazy stretch.
“Guess that’s all we can do. After all, the inn is what matters most. I figure if danger comes, at least… Mr. Jin and Wenxiong can make it back. Just hope they’re okay for now. “
“True enough. Sigh, we’re still way too lacking in this so-called ‘Radiance,’ ” Hua Mi said, legs pressed together and hands neatly folded on her knees, looking every bit like an obedient schoolgirl.
{I have an idea. }
Suddenly, the pot emitted a resonant, illusory voice.
“Huh? ” They all looked up in unison, a wave of awed reflection washing over them. If even a mere pot dared to claim it had an idea, why hadn’ttheythought of approaching this from a different angle? But still…
“So what’s your idea? ” Xue Qi sat up straight and asked.
{Why not just take him along when we go out? Might as well bring me too. Even if it’s just by stir-frying a dish, by the time I come back, I should be able to recount ascorchingtale. }
“……“
“Ah! ” Xue Qi gasped in surprise, turning her head to look at the lobby manager stationed behind the bar. “Mr. Mus, does, uh… this thing have any credibility? “
“At the moment, there’s no problem at all. After all, it does have the authority to check into the inn on its own. “
This left everyone staring in dumbfounded astonishment.
“However… ” Mus’s sleek face broke into the faintest hint of a smile. “If too many strange creatures show up, this place is going to turn into a monster inn. And when that happens, you guys’ human stories might just become awfully… mundane. “
Yang Zicang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“My personal suggestion is that each floor should host no more than two, at most three, of these unusual guests. The number of non-normal humans on your party’s current check-in list is already flirting with the edge of caution. “
“Indeed, thank you for the reminder, Mr. Mus. “
While this advice from the kettle only serves to increase the danger coefficient without boosting the odds of turning Radiance into Luminescence, it at least allows Yang Zicang and his companions to learn a new condition regarding the guests.
Xue Qi crossed her arms and slumped back into her chair.
“Then we’ll just have to hold down the fort. “
A thought raced through Yang Zicang’s mind, and suddenly he looked up as if struck by an idea.
“I think I have a method we can try. “
Hearing this, the others looked up in surprise.
“What method could that be? “
“I’ll go talk it over with him. And as for you, Karl “—Yang Zicang turned his gaze to the burly man, who was completely baffled by the sudden call— “how about it? “
“What is it? “
“If I recall correctly, you wanted a trading card for that trait, didn’t you? The one you mentioned. “
The “Immortal ” trait, something attainable only through the dance on the brink of death!
In an instant, Karl sensed an overwhelming danger wash over him; clutching his sword, he couldn’t help but swallow hard.
“President, you… what are you planning to have me do? “
Both ladies turned to look at him.
“I want you to follow Mr. Wager and learn from him—his martial techniques. “
“What?! ” Everyone else stared at Yang Zicang in shock.
“It’s not just us who lack Radiance, is it? “
Yang Zicang’s words made the three of them reflect, furrowing their brows as they looked up.
“Is that possible? “
“Heh heh, that’s a good question. “
……
In the basement, sitting in a corner, Wager looked up from the extremely old newspaper he had been reading for God knows how many times, snorting derisively at the two people across from him.
“Do you think something like that is possible? “
Seated, Karl’s eyes flickered with a sharp glint.
“President, you think this is impossible, don’t you? “
“Ahem! ” Wager was suddenly choked as he lowered his legs, looking at this man, once his own subordinate. “You… “
“This is an experience we’ve voluntarily brought to you, one that is sincere and worth telling. “
Wager’s expression froze as if seeing the man before him for the first time. After watching him for a long while, he said:
“It’s Karl, right? Do you have any idea what kind of strength the man you’re facing, that is, me, possesses? “
“Of course I do. “
“Aren’t you afraid? “
Karl’s eyes answered him.
And he thought to himself, what do I have to fear? The gemstone that can break through the “Sub-Etheric Force Field ” is right on my chest.
Wager was momentarily touched.
“So that’s what you’re after… Fine, whatever. I never expected that when I’m all alone, it would be you instead… Alright, if that’s the case, then for the next few days, I’ll teach you the two secret techniques I know. “
- ｛Distributor February. Di’an, with his wealth of experience, indicates that I am birthing a prelude to new glory.｝
-｛Distributor Duan ‘An felt a wave of shock.｝
Yang Zicang, who had been watching everything from behind, finally breathed a long sigh of relief.
Then it occurred to him that TarbitMachenseemed a little too quiet.
“Then everything is settled just like this. ” Yang Zicang’s voice came gently from behind. “That’s our pledge. “
“What! ” Wager jumped up with a start. “You sneaky bastard, are you Yang Buchen?! ” He stared at him twice more; it was indeed Yang Buchen’s build, before saying, “So what’s the deal? Did you get beaten back by the soldier-puppets? “
“Heh, I… mm, let’s not talk about that for now. Once you’ve taught my friend and this thing gives birth to Radiance, I promise you the possibility of receiving that Radiance in the real world. “
Only then did Wager’s heart truly settle.
“Alright… Seems like you’re up to something again. Fine, I’m in. By the way, you’re heading out, right? “
“Hm? ” Yang Zicang looked over.
Wager flicked the old newspaper in his hand. “Next time you’re back, bring me a few novels—and some more newspapers. “
Novels… Yang Zicang mused for a moment. Actually, a forgotten unfinished novel had been lingering in his mind.
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