Chapter 238: 234. The Dog That Is Wary of Strangers (Two-in-One)

234. The Dog That Is Wary of Strangers (Two-in-One)

He Jia'an understood the reason for the rampant growth of urban legends on Sakura Island and fell into silent contemplation.

Matsumoto Gin looked at the deep-in-thought He Jia'an and asked curiously, "Do you not have any dissatisfaction with us using you like this?"

"The feeling is mutual." Upon hearing this, He Jia'an raised his head and said calmly.

From the moment he was able to escape the hospital so smoothly and without obstruction, He Jia'an had clearly realized that the Chosen Alliance Investigators behind Matsumoto Gin had let him leave on purpose.

On one hand, they wanted to test He Jia'an's abilities and background; after all, anyone could see that what He Jia'an revealed in the hospital was by no means the full picture, and he had definitely held back on the truth he had already uncovered.

On the other hand, they also wanted to use He Jia'an to conduct a deep investigation. The Inner World was too dangerous a place; Matsumoto Gin could disregard his own safety, but he had to consider the risks to other Investigators in his organization.

Finally, and most importantly, He Jia'an himself was a massive, uncertain risk factor. One must know that He Jia'an was someone who had suffered severe Mental Pollution from the Lord of Yellow Sands. Although Matsumoto Gin did not know how the other party had managed to remain clear-headed and calm on the outside after stopping psychiatric drugs and therapy, and then traveled across the ocean to Sakura Island, he did know that He Jia'an was a ticking time bomb. He could undergo Alienation at any moment, and if he were to alienate into a Servant or kin of the Lord of Yellow Sands, he would become a monster that no amount of manpower could counter.

As for someone who dared to defy his own organization's ban and run away privately, Matsumoto Gin knew that He Jia'an was a "bald" vulture that could never be leashed.

Since that was the case, rather than worrying about stimulating the other party's mind during a conflict, it was better to simply play along and use him.

It was just that Matsumoto Gin had still underestimated He Jia'an's "audacity." Having just escaped death in the Inner World, he actually dared to run back into the Inner World again.

Helpless, as long as the other party could still be regarded as a human being, and as long as He Jia'an still had utility, Matsumoto Gin had to ensure his personal safety and could only follow him in.

Although He Jia'an could not guess Matsumoto Gin's full intentions, he could guess that the other party would not sit idly by and watch him, so he would be even more unrestrained in his actions than usual.

Seeing He Jia'an's slightly mocking gaze, Matsumoto Gin was stunned for a moment, then roughly understood the meaning behind He Jia'an's smile and couldn't help but smile helplessly.

"Do you have nothing you want to ask about my blade?" Matsumoto Gin asked again, though he appeared calmer this time.

"It's a Forbidden Weapon of your Chosen Alliance, right? Although I had never seen it with my own eyes before seeing you use it, after seeing the abilities and effects it displayed, I guessed it." He Jia'an fished a crumpled cigarette from his pocket, held it in his mouth, and said indifferently, "It's that Magic Blade recorded in the legends of Sakura Island, the Kusanagi Sword, isn't it?"

"You also know of the Kusanagi Sword." Seeing He Jia'an take out such a lousy cigarette, Matsumoto Gin spoke while asking a colleague who was smoking for an intact cigarette and a lighter, yet He Jia'an refused.

"Thanks, I don't smoke. I'm just used to holding something in my mouth while thinking, and I prefer the scent of this brand of cigarette itself; I'm not used to others." He Jia'an waved his hand and continued, "I heard of the Kusanagi Sword because when I was still a rookie, the teacher who brought me into the trade used the 'Kusanagi Sword' in your hand as an example when teaching us about Forbidden Weapons during an operation."

"So that's how it is." Matsumoto Gin felt a bit emotional, looking at the ancient tachi in his hand that now looked unremarkable, and said, "As a Forbidden Weapon, it is indeed typical. For every bit of power you use, you must pay a corresponding price, and that price is the lives of Abnormal creatures and humans."

"Try not to use it if you can. I've heard that the owners of this Magic Blade all end up dying prematurely and bring great trouble to those around them." He Jia'an kindly reminded the other party.

Matsumoto Gin chuckled and said softly, "I have my own reasons for having to use this blade, and if I lose control, I have also prepared a contingency plan."

"A contingency plan?" He Jia'an raised an eyebrow, but the other party just smiled as before without further explanation, and he couldn't be bothered to pursue it.

"Alright, I have satisfied your curiosity; now it is our turn to ask you." Matsumoto Gin's smile vanished, and he asked seriously, "Did you break the Curse of Kisaragi High School?"

He Jia'an scratched his head, "I wouldn't dare claim that. Actually, it was just one, the others were just incidental."

His original intention was to break Hanako's Curse, but since the "inescapable Biology Classroom" shared the same source as Hanako's Curse, it just happened to be dealt with at the same time.

Hearing this, everyone in the vehicle wore expressions of astonishment that then turned cautious.

After they arrived in the Inner World, they had come to Kisaragi High School to find He Jia'an, and subsequently discovered some hidden clues. Following the trail, they found the Biology Classroom, which should have had no way in or out. At the time, they found it hard to believe, and upon confirming that the Space Channel that should have existed in the Biology Classroom had indeed disappeared for unknown reasons, they immediately guessed that this might be He Jia'an's doing.

Now, He Jia'an's generous admission made everyone begin to scrutinize this S-Class Investigator from the Shenzhou Region; his slightly cynical and unflappable demeanor only added a layer of mystery to him.

"Can you tell us how you did it?" Matsumoto Gin asked seriously, his hand gripping the scabbard tightening, as if he were already prepared to use violent means to force an answer.

It wasn't just Matsumoto Gin; the others in the vehicle were the same.

Tsk, these beasts in human clothing, these refined scoundrels. He Jia'an caught a glimpse of all their blatant, undisguised small movements. He didn't intend to hide it anymore and simply said, "Actually, there's nothing else to it. You have your Kusanagi Sword, and I have my secret treasure. That thing is very capable when it comes to dealing with Curses."

"Can you take it out and let us see?" Matsumoto Gin asked.

He Jia'an heard the implication in Matsumoto Gin's words, or rather, guessed the other party's subsequent intention to push for more, and smiled: "You can look, but I know you want it, so I won't take it out. Of course, I am surrounded by you now, and I have nowhere to retreat, so I won't resist. If you want to search me, you will definitely be able to find that thing."

"But don't blame me for not warning you. If you try to take that thing from me, you might suffer a price more painful and terrible than the Curse. Believe me, that price... death is not the end."

Matsumoto Gin frowned slightly, his eyes flickering. He was pondering, not the possibility of He Jia'an deceiving him, but whether he should abandon the plan to take the item.

But the other Investigators present did not think so. A crew-cut Investigator crossed his arms and said in a deep voice, "You're lying to us, trying to scare us so we can't take your Forbidden Weapon, right?"

He Jia'an smiled cunningly. Seeing his somewhat cheeky appearance, the others immediately glared with anger, their faces full of displeasure. Several Investigators even stepped off their seats and grabbed the other party by the collar.

"Get your situation straight, you're in our hands now!"

"Hurry up and take the thing out."

Some, without a word, directly began to grope and search He Jia'an's body.

He Jia'an said with a grin, "Actually, you don't need to do this at all. That item of mine is better off in my hands than in yours. Listen to me first, and if you think it doesn't make sense, then you can grab it as you please."

Matsumoto Gin thought for a moment and decided not to tacitly approve of his teammates' search of He Jia'an. With one sentence, he made everyone who had stepped forward return to their seats, then said to He Jia'an, "He-kun, then let us listen to what you have to say and see if it makes sense."

He Jia'an leaned against the seat back, tidying his clothes while explaining, "My goal is the same as yours. I want to solve the problem of the Curse, and you want to solve the problem of the Curse. At least in this regard, our interests are aligned."

"That makes sense, continue." Matsumoto Gin nodded.

"And, what I just said was indeed the truth." He Jia'an took out the New Year Red Envelope that was half-blackened, as if part of it had been accidentally soaked in water, and said, "This is the secret treasure I mentioned, and I wasn't lying just now. This Red Envelope recognizes its master, and it has already recognized me as its master. I believe that with your knowledge, you all know that some Forbidden items do indeed have the function of recognizing a master. If you snatch it from the owner at will, the snatcher will pay a price, and it is the same for this."

"I know some of you don't believe me, but think about it, what if it's true? I wouldn't want anyone to die because of me."

"Besides, even if I were lying to you, a Forbidden item is a taboo in itself; using them requires paying a price. If it's in my hands, the one bearing that price is me, and it has nothing to do with you. You don't have to bear the risk."

"Since our goals are the same, and neither of us wants to bear the consequences of any impolite behavior, why not cooperate? Let it stay in my hands, and I will use it. It can ensure your safety and also complete your mission. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

"And think about it, I'm the one acting as the cannon fodder to take the lead and deal with the danger for you. It's very easy for me to die at any time. If I die, won't this treasure be yours anyway?"

Hearing He Jia'an's silver-tongued defense, everyone looked at each other, and finally, they all turned their gazes to Matsumoto Gin, deciding to let their leader make the final call.

Matsumoto Gin took a deep look at He Jia'an, "I have to say, your eloquence has convinced me."

"So... are we cooperating?" He Jia'an reached out, extending an invitation.

Matsumoto Gin reached out to shake his hand, withdrew his gaze from the Red Envelope in He Jia'an's hand, took a deep breath, and said, "Then, partner, how do you want to proceed next?"

He Jia'an put the New Year Red Envelope back into his inner pocket, stretched, and said in a leisurely manner: "Next, I want to..."

Knock, knock, knock...

"Hi, I'm here, please wait a moment."

The door opened, and a middle-aged woman with average-to-good looks appeared before everyone.

The middle-aged woman first raised an eyebrow when she saw He Jia'an, but when she saw an elegant white-haired man beside him, she said with a look of surprise, "Oh my, Mr. He, why are you here? It's been a few days, why are you... uh, and who is this?" She was actually a bit confused. After seeing He Jia'an, whom she hadn't seen in a few days, she found that he was bandaged everywhere, like a wounded patient who had just escaped from a hospital.

"Long time no see, Ms. Uda Ryoko. Sorry to bother you again." He Jia'an smiled slightly.

"Hello, I am an Enforcer, my name is Matsumoto Gin." Matsumoto Gin took out the fake identification he had prepared in advance and showed his identity to the other party.

After Uda Ryoko saw the identification Matsumoto Gin displayed, she actually did not know herself if the other party was real, but seeing the calm and unhurried aura Matsumoto Gin projected, she immediately believed him for the most part.

Uda Ryoko felt that the visitors were not here with good intentions, and perhaps because she had a guilty conscience, she asked with some trepidation: "May I ask, what business do you two have here to instruct me?"

"Not at all, we just want to ask a few questions," Matsumoto Gin said nonchalantly, then he glanced around, "Look, would it be convenient for us to go inside and spend a little time talking?"

Facing the gaze of two adult men, Uda Ryoko bore great psychological pressure; after a long silence, she could only bite the bullet and nod, letting them in.

After entering the house, Uda Ryoko made tea for the two who had sat down in the living room.

Woof!

When they sat down in the living room, perhaps the movement inside had attracted the attention of the dog outside; very quickly, Chaijiro, whom they hadn't seen for a long time, seemed to have caught the scent of an acquaintance, immediately dashed in, then circled around and pounced on He Jia'an's thigh.

"Oh, Chaijiro is still very energetic," He Jia'an had a deep impression of this clingy and cute dog and liked it very much, so he gave the dog, which was frolicking on his thigh, a vigorous petting.

Seeing this scene, Matsumoto Gin was somewhat surprised and muttered: "This dog... are you two very familiar?"

"No, this counts as our second meeting," He Jia'an said with a smile.

"Yes, Mr. He is visiting for the second time," Uda Ryoko said while bringing over the tea set, confirming to Matsumoto Gin, "But I don't know if there really is such a thing as affinity at first sight; when Chaijiro first met Mr. He, it liked him just like an old friend and was willing to take the initiative to get close to him."

"Is that so?" Matsumoto Gin was a bit surprised; perhaps also finding the dog cute, he reached out, wanting to pat the dog's head as well.

Argh!

However, before Matsumoto Gin's hand could touch the other party, Chaijiro suddenly changed from the well-behaved and cute appearance it had in He Jia'an's arms, baring its fangs and opening its big mouth to bite at Matsumoto Gin's hand; fortunately, Matsumoto Gin dodged quickly, otherwise he would have been bitten.

"Chaijiro!" Uda Ryoko was shocked and scolded the dog; seeing Chaijiro act as if nothing had happened and fawn over He Jia'an's leg after Matsumoto Gin withdrew his hand, she couldn't help but say helplessly to Matsumoto Gin, "I'm sorry, Mr. Enforcer, Chaijiro is a bit wary of strangers."

Matsumoto Gin: "..."