Chapter 98: The Assistant · Robin Lo

–I heard he single-handedly dealt with the sneak attack from the monsters outside this morning.–

–No wanted portrait this time; Penglord even put in a good word, saying he’s a guest invited personally.–

Yang Zicang chuckled and walked past them from behind, when suddenly a half-grown child of about ten years old darted nimbly through the crowd and ran over.

–Sir.–

Yang Zicang stopped in his tracks and gazed at the figure rushing toward him.

The child held up a slip of paper and said, –This is for you, sir.–

Yang Zicang took it, glanced at the malnourished child, and unfolded the paper with one hand.

—The auctioneer is the Phantom Thief Zorro.

Yang Zicang bit his parched lips, folded the paper, and tucked it into his coat. He looked at the teenager, –Who told you to give this to me?–

–Our gang’s boss said to give it to you when you came back here this afternoon.–

Yang Zicang nodded, –Thanks.–

–Wait,– the boy called out to Yang Zicang as he turned to leave, –He said you’d give me a reward. Isn’t there one?–

–Tonight at midnight, have your boss come here in person. I’ll give him Chronos.–

–Oh,– the boy stared blankly as Yang Zicang entered the three-story horizontal rock house. Enviously, he crouched down on the spot, counting the layers of stone blocks that made up the outer wall.

Zuo Feixian and his companion, who live next door, had not returned yet. Yang Zicang twisted the key to unlock the door and entered. As soon as he set his things on the bed, he noticed an extra handmade paper envelope on the wooden table by the wall.

He reached out and touched it. After sensing no notification that Chronos had been neutralized, he opened it and pulled out a sheet of paper.

On it, written with hard sand and stone, were a few deliberately crooked, twisted characters.

— Tonight at midnight, come to Room 33, 2nd Floor.

— Z.

–Second floor, room thirty-three?–

He himself was in Room 12 on the third floor.

……

When Zuo Feixian and his companion returned, they brought some roasted meat for him and Master Chen. This was a creature bred here in Wuyou’s domain, its flavor far surpassing what Robin Lo could make. The room filled with a rich, enticing aroma.

–One bite and you crave another—true to Wuyou’s turf. Even the roasting chef is a Moxel of the gourmet variety. What a master chef!– The two ate with grease smeared all over their mouths.

After sharing his plan to bring Professor Chen and the other fellow back with them, Shiu Siuchuan only expressed mild opposition, saying that the teacher looked stubborn and stingy to begin with, and probably wouldn’t be easy to get along with.

Zuo Feixian, on the other hand, said he didn’t mind at all. He even offered to act as the –local overseer,– taking charge of these two from then on.

At night, upon sensing the resurgence of Matt Chao’s Midnight Train ability, Yang Zicang rose from his meditation and walked to the window.

Down below, two young lads were playing marble-shooting beside a pile of logs near the Boulder Plaza. One of them was the messenger who had delivered the letter to him, while the other stood two heads taller.

Two minutes later, the younger kid spotted the man from the afternoon step out with a small pouch in hand and immediately scampered over.

–Hey, big brother, I thought you wouldn’t come out.–

–I wouldn’t go so far as to deceive you little rascals.–

–So, what reward are you giving us?– The so-called gang leader, brimming with excitement, leaped down from the stacked logs.

–One ‘year’ each.–

–Whoa!– The child’s mouth fell open in sheer astonishment. He had never expected to receive this much at once. For an errand like running a message, even getting a few bits of exchangeable scraps for food was already considered generous.

–If you can recall who arranged this task for you, including their appearance, clothing, or even their accent, I’ll give you even more.–

–Ha! He was right—you really did ask me that.–

Yang Zicang smiled at him, as if engaged in a silent exchange with another presence.

–So, what exactly did that person instruct you to do?–

–He said the well was his theft. But right after he got it and went back, he was caught like a mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. He also said that if you asked, I was to tell you this is a duel between thieves, and you’re merely a piece of prey that stumbled into it. However, the next round of the thieves’ rivalry will continue. If you get involved, it will revolve around you.–

A duel between thieves.

Yang Zicang pondered for a moment, then asked, –What else did he say?–

–He also said you’d take three hundred years to buy information about him. If you agree, you can give me your lifespan. I’ll deliver it to you by this time tomorrow.–

Yang Zicang carefully studied the child before him.

He was about one meter sixty tall, already the height of an adult. Though his coat looked worn out, it was still fairly clean.

The child’s skin wasn’t remarkable, but he was definitely not withered and lean like the other kids nearby.

–Did he ever mention his name?–

The child pursed his lips tightly.

Yang Zicang scrutinized his face: –You’re the one who stole the well engine, aren’t you?–

The –gang leader– cracked a smile and looked at the child beside him: –Big brother really did say that, didn’t he?–

The kid nodded.

–That person said that although everyone can now change their age by choice, except for those who are originally children, no one can switch back to before adulthood. Because the minor and the age frequency don’t match.–

–Alright, I have no interest in info about a thief. You all finish your Moxel and go back to rest.–

Yang Zicang gave a year each to the two children, then turned his head to look at the house behind him. His eyes swept over a row of windows on the second floor before turning and walking inside.

–He said his name was Shi Qian.–

Yang Zicang took a deep breath, paused his steps, and turned to look at this fourteen or fifteen-year-old child.

–Three hundred years—tomorrow, I’ll bring you intel about him,– the leader of the children said.

Yang Zicang waved his hand and walked toward the hallway, signaling for the two to scram.

Isn’t it just intel gathering? Can I not find you?

When the time comes, I’ll drag you both out, press you down on a desktop, and spank your bottoms badly with a whip.

Fifty minutes remaining at least.

Yang Zicang thought about it: based on today’s mental state, without transfer stations hopping between, he could only cover about two hundred miles.

But with a station, the speed would be a completely different story.

He quickly went back and knocked on Zuo’s spirit door. Upon opening it, he said to both of them, –Who is willing to implant into my station? You can pull it out anytime after tonight.–

Both of them raised their hands at once.

Yang Zicang chose Shiu Siuchuan, because behind Zuo Feixian there was still a –rock expert,– just in case something went wrong.

–I’ll be back soon. You’d better not leave here tonight. Are you both stocked up on Chronos enough? Deduct it from those five hundred years we’re talking about.–

–How could it not be enough? That’s over four thousand years, you know.–

The mere mention of Chronos sent them into a hallucinatory daze; even now, they couldn’t believe Yang Zicang had each given them over four thousand years of Chronos—temporary though it was, it was still over four thousand years per person.

A breeze stirred inside the room, and the side door of a train carriage materialized on the wall, manifesting into reality.

–Wait for me to come back.–

Yang Zicang left swiftly.

[Next stop of the Midnight Train: Mu Xiaoyu Station. Estimated time of arrival: twenty minutes.]

[This train is about to cross a void zone. Do not let your concentration waver.]

[Woooo—]

Staring at the occasional flashes of conscious illusions on the pitch-black ground outside the window, Yang Zicang’s chest Moxel flickered as he reached out to someone he hadn’t contacted in days.

{Ahh, buddy, you finally miss me!}

The image of Robin Lo sprawled out inside an old bathtub slammed into his eyes like a shockwave.

Yang Zicang felt a sharp pain in his eyes, so he quickly shifted his gaze to the candle flame beside him, zooming in on it again and again until it was like a little orange sun.

–I’ve been in a place these past few days, and now I’ve run into a situation. I need to ask you for a favor.–

The whoosh of water ripples could be heard.

{What place? We all thought you’d vanished. I asked Liang Xi, and that kid couldn’t speak clearly either.}

A coarse hand covered in black hair picked up a book from under the candlestick, with the cover reading Introduction to World Philosophy.

–I…– As soon as Yang Zicang opened his mouth, he felt a strong urge to blurt out the truth.

Damn this thing.

Yang Zicang exhaled an unnamed pent-up fire from his chest and abdomen, then said:

–The Shibin Wastes. Want to come? It’s amazing here—they don’t dock Chronos at the end of the month, and killing someone won’t steal their lifespan. In turn, fights are very rare here.–

{No way, a place like that really exists?}

The sound of beer being gulped down could be heard.

{What kind of divine place is that? Is it the end of this world? Is that where Zhao Anlong and the others went?}

–Stop drinking; I still need you later.–

{Alright, alright, I’ll stop. But hurry up and tell me—I’m itching with curiosity! Ah! Don’t look at me.}

Yang Zicang roared, –Who wants to look at you!–

He really wanted to flip over the bath tub that bastard was soaking in.

–Where did you get all the food and drink?– Yang Zicang patted his chest and said, regaining his composure.

{These are my consultation fees from headquarters—few people in the whole city get such treatment.}

Thinking that his suitcase contained two or three thousand files, he didn’t mind such treatment after all.

Yang Zicang snorted coldly. –Do you know where headquarters’ supplies come from?–

{Well… that takes Chronos time, you know—this is classified as A+ level confidential.}

–Go screw yourself. Get packed, head to our C-level area, and I’ll pick you up there in awhile.–

Hearing Yang Zicang’s words, Robin Lo fell into a brief silence.

Sensing the hesitation in his voice over there, it was as if he had some unspeakable secret.

–What’s wrong?–

{Well, going out now is really dangerous, bro—several people have already died. Liang Xi has shut me out on his end. Vicious, the human heart.}

So that was it—he was nursing a grudge over not being granted access to his area.

Yang Zicang sneered inwardly. This man, who constantly preached that trust was above all, had turned around and sold intel about him. Who would dare to let him in?

–So what happened—was it Lyu Bu?– Yang Zicang deliberately avoided that subject and asked.

–Anyway, a flash in the sky, and people on the ground vanish. Everyone’s in a panic, all of them like birds startled by a single twang of a bowstring. Now you want me to step out? I’m terrified that same trick might hit me. Boss Wang’s been holed up these past two days with his men, too scared to step out, nearly pulling his hair out. Luckily, this month’s got Virtual Zero’s Chronos to offset the losses.–

Sure enough, Lyu Bu had started making his move. With Fang Tian exposed, he no longer held back his strength, launching a full-scale purge.

–I’ll come pick you up in a bit.–

Ten minutes later, Yang Zicang drove the train to emerge amidst a grove of precious trees. He looked up at the sky and finally caught sight of the stars’ phantom image.

Yet the peaceful sky had become the dwelling place of Death.

Yang Zicang didn’t bother going in to greet his comrades. The train quickly turned ethereal again, heading toward where Robin Lo was.

Under the watchful eyes of Boss Wang and his crew, Robin Lo was busily packing supplies into large and small bags, as if preparing for a big move.

–Where are you headed?– Warren Wang couldn’t help but ask.

–My brother’s coming to pick me up in a bit, Yu’an. Life’s tough around here, ya know? I’m going to take shelter and a vacation at the same time, be back after a while.–

–You even have a place to hole up? Where?–

Robin Lo smiled and kept silent.

Warren Wang looked around at the people nearby, walked over to Robin Lo, and said in a low voice, –How much for this intel? I’ll pay.–

–Not for sale today, sorry. This is top, top, top secret.–

Under the indifferent gaze of Wang Chijian, Warren Wang shuffled back, grinning sheepishly and nodding at him before sitting down on a small wooden crate, rubbing his hands against his trouser knees.

Suddenly, a gale surged through the confined space, the roar of the subway train resounding amid the wind.

Boom! A train materialized out of thin air, hovering before the stunned elderly, weak, sick, and disabled.

The doors slid open, and Yang Zicang appeared at the entrance, clad in a khaki jacket, his face chiseled like a blade, radiating vigor and spirit.

–It’s the Great God Yang.–

–This is Matt Chao’s mount.–

{I am Matt Chao.}

The demonic voice rolled thunderously through their hearts, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.

{A mount needs to be ridden, but I am not one.}

Eyeing the piles of luggage on the ground, Yang Zicang hopped down without a word, helping Fatty carry them. At this moment, Wang Chijian and Warren Wang also came over to lend a hand, ferrying the supplies upward.

–See you later, bros. Catch you in a bit!– Robin Lo waved goodbye.

–Hey, Great God Yang, could you take us along too? It’s freaking terrifying here now.–

Yang Zicang shook his head: –Sorry, but I have limited slots to bring people over each time. Unless…–

–Unless what?– Hope lit up in their eyes.

Yang Zicang grinned and said, –Unless you become a member of the train, then you can stay on it forever; I can take you wherever I go from then on.–

Everyone immediately recalled the legend about Matt Chao. They instinctively took two steps back, shaking their heads.

Even if they were offered the chance now, these people wouldn’t dare step onto the train.

The train slowly started moving. Robin Lo, with a face full of delight and curiosity, surveyed the interior of the carriage, nodding occasionally as if to say this place was really nice.

Yang Zicang stared at Robin Lo, who was examining the train, and chuckled:

–Don’t you have a close buddy? How come I’ve never seen him around.–

–Oh, uh, sigh…–

–With such dangerous times, he’s not still out there gathering intel, is he?–

–Well, you know, about the spy’s movements—pry less, will you.–

Yang Zicang sniffed in response, wearing an expression that said he saw through it all but chose not to call it out.

Robin Lo plopped down on a chair and said:

–So, tell me—what trouble have you got for me this time around?–

–It goes like this…–

Yang Zicang spun his tale slowly from beginning to end, recounting everything that had happened in the past few days—except for the part about Ju Yin Chase, the journalist, and the matter of fame.

Robin Lo’s eyes grew wider and wider as he listened, until finally, as if listening to some fantastical tale, he stared at the young man sitting across from him.

–So, that means—over there, you’re already a big producer now?–

–Sort of. You could say I inherited Matt Chao’s legacy. If you knew the formula and the production sequence, you could pick up a thing or two pretty quickly too.–

–That’s just incredible.–

Robin Lo glanced at the pile of supplies on the floor and suddenly couldn’t help but shiver.

–The beer I drank…–

–Mm-hmm.–

–And these chips…–

–Uh-huh.–

–Aaaah!–

Robin Lo clutched his head, nearly retching.

–Why did I have to learn this damn truth?–

After a moment to steady himself, he began to piece together everything Yang Zicang had said, preparing for the intelligence-gathering ahead.

–So one guy stole the little engine you made, got you mistaken for a thief and kicked out, and then another guy came to the trade zone, impersonated your assistant, and sold it.–

–Right.–

–And then this thief told you right there who the seller was, and even revealed his own existence—correct?–

–Exactly, that’s how it was.–

–From a probability standpoint, for you three thieves—pfft, those two thieves, and you—to all show up in that same place makes it extremely unlikely.–

–It was truly a coincidence that I went there. Based on my analysis, those two had known each other for a long time—one followed the other here, just so happening to cross paths with me, the rightful owner who came to buy the Lost Memory Moxel.–

Robin Lo nodded.

–Correct. That’s my speculation too. After all, according to you, that’s the largest trading hub within three hundred li, and also the only place nearby with a big auction house. It’s the most natural spot to fence high-quality goods. Now, here comes the question.–

–What?–

–Why did this so-called Zorro pretend to be your assistant?–

–Well…–

Yang Zicang vaguely sensed that Zorro might be deliberately provoking Shi Qian. This indicated that Zorro was aware of Shi Qian’s every move, even knowing who the true owner of the stolen item was.

After voicing this speculation, Robin Lo pondered and said:

–What you’ve thought of is one possibility. Based on your guess, I lean towards the notion that Zorro is trying to make an enemy for Shi Qian, and at the same time, cut off any potential collaboration between him and you.–

–Making an enemy, you say.–

Yang Zicang thought for a moment, realizing it was indeed plausible.

Robin Lo smirked. –You also mentioned that Shi Qian and he don’t get along. So, if you hadn’t run into him, what do you think would have happened next?–

–If I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have run into this scene today. At most, I’d later learn that someone impersonated my assistant to sell things. If I found out who the thief was back then, I’d easily connect the seller and the thief as one person.–

–Mm, after some time, he’ll definitely spread the news that Shi Qian stole the hydraulic engine. That way, he sets up an enemy for him and also pins the blame on the other guy.–

Thinking about it this way, Zorro has made making things nasty for Shi Qian his top priority.

The bad blood between these two must be pretty deep.

–By then, even if Shi Qian comes to explain, you won’t believe it much anyway. And besides, a thief bearing his name wouldn’t travel so far just to explain himself to you—that would be too undignified.–

–So, based on the previous scheming, in this contest, Zorro came out on top, huh?–

Whether it was the move of a mantis stalking a cicada while an oriole lurked behind—stealing the engine yet a second time—or pinning the future blame on his opponent, it showed that Zorro had won this round.

–But then again, that name ‘Shi Qian’—is he part of the Outstanding Group? From the same city as us?–

Yang Zicang had already thought about this issue. Not just Shi Qian, the one using the alias Zorro was also suspicious.

｛The Outstanding Group has had a Shi Qian before, before I was born.｝

The train suddenly spoke.

–Oh?– Robin Lo’s interest piqued, and he pressed the train for more.

{A long time ago, maybe seven or eight years, or perhaps ten—there appeared in the city a group of people who sought to bring peaceful lives to humanity.}

{They founded the Xiongying Group, mainly using three classics to distinguish different members, while a small number of foreigners used characters from their own literary classics.}

–Literary classics?–

{Because some of them had accessed certain deep-layer information about this world—seemingly related to tales of heroes and champions—they chose these codenames and named themselves ‘Xiongying’.}

So that’s how it is, Yang Zicang realized inwardly.

{But due to the natural fragmentation imposed by Moxel, coupled with human emotional instability, the organization collapsed within just a few years. A portion branched off and established the Hunter Alliance.}

–Our Hunter Alliance,– Robin Lo murmured, –so it split off from the Xiongying Group after all.–