Chapter 324: Pinokangni Chapter Thirteen

"Just a few stones, why be so pessimistic? What if they're gone?" Shajin shrugged, his tone indifferent.

"Without that piece of Shajin Stone, you're just a Cigangniya slave sentenced to death by the company—or is that product code on your neck also a gift from the Amber King?"

Before Laatio's words even finished, Shajin's smile vanished instantly.

He lowered his eyes, silent for a moment, then his smile quickly returned to his face, even brighter than before: "Oh, sure, humor! Looks like our learned friend did his homework."

——

Teyvat.

The mist over Mount Aocang drifted lightly, three immortals gathered around the stone table, gazing at the scene in the heavenly canopy.

Shajin's attitude surprised Xueyue Zhenyang True Lord: "This young man is surprisingly composed; despite Laatio's humiliation, he can still laugh."

Liuyun Jiefeng True Lord let out a soft hum, tapping the rim of her teacup: "Hehe, Xueyue, don't underestimate the company's P45 leaders—they're elites picked from countless worlds; though young, their disposition is naturally impeccable." She narrowed her eyes: "As for that 'Shajin Stone'..."

Lishui Duoshan True Lord looked at her, puzzled: "How?"

"It sounds like that's an extremely important treasure for the company, even capable of deciding the life of a P45 executive. But if it's so important, why not guard it strictly, instead letting Shajin bring it to Pinokangni?" Liuyun pondered: "The situation in Pinokangni is now complex and tangled—the Clockmaker's legacy, family secrets, friction among factions—it doesn't look like safekeeping, but rather..."

"Fishing."

Xueyue suddenly said.

Liuyun glanced at him: "You're quite direct."

"'Using something this important to go fishing? Would the company even allow that?' Lishui Duoshan True Lord widened his eyes. If the Shajin Stone truly is as important as they suspect, then undoubtedly they're gambling with the life of a P45‑level senior leader."

"'Whether the company is willing doesn't matter...' Liuyun chuckled. 'As long as Shajin is willing.'"

——

"\"This is my job; otherwise, how could a gambler help the company retake Pinokangni? \""

Shajin smiled confidently: "Don't worry, Professor, I have plenty of ways. The family fears the company stirring trouble, so they oppose it at every turn—perhaps Pinokangni has been a Harmony conspiracy from the start."

"\"If you ask me, that invitation letter is just a self‑staged front, or maybe they want to pull something outrageous at the Harmony Gala…\" Shajin drawled, '…or perhaps the inviter is someone else, but they tacitly allowed it, planning to turn the tables and set up something bigger. It doesn't matter—family or the Clockmaker's legacy, as long as I can use it.'"

"\"Get to the point. What's the plan? \" Laatio said sternly."

"\"No need to be so explicit now—it's not yet time to show our cards. \""

Laatio made a 'tsk' sound: "Damn gambler, the premise of cooperation is mutual trust—doesn't the preschool education of the Cigangniya people include this?"

"\"Do you trust me then? \" Shajin asked with a smile."

"\"——That depends on your attitude. \""

Shajin spread his hands: "So you don't trust me either—fine with that. Besides, I've never studied, and my parents certainly didn't teach me this—it's a shame they passed away before they could."

Laatio froze for a moment, then sighed: '…I didn't mean to offend.'

——

Slashing Crimson Red Eyes

The fireplace in the night‑raided base crackled, Ma Yin rested her chin on the coffee table, staring at the two distrustful figures on the heavenly screen.

That professor may have a sharp tongue at times, but his heart is actually very soft.

"You couldn't have just found out today, could you?" Najieta said while twisting the screws on her mechanical arm, adding casually, "He and Shajin differ quite a bit in their work style, so it's no wonder Shajin doesn't trust him… I'd guess Shajin also realizes that if he fully disclosed his plan to Laatio, the other would likely reject it outright."

Ma Yin frowned: "Is his plan really that unreliable?"

"\"…Not really. \" Najieta shook her head. 'Although I don't know Shajin's plan, when I served as an officer in the Empire I saw plenty of reckless gamblers. The more dire the situation at the gambling table, the more willing they are to stake everything on a huge gamble for a chance to turn things around—just as Shajin said… "All, or nothing at all."'

Given Shajin's gambler nature, his plan likely carries enormous risk; at the current stage, such risk is completely unacceptable to the ever‑rational, steady Laatio. But when the situation becomes desperate and his chips are down to just one… then the professor will have no say.

Tazumi cradled a cup of hot milk, his gaze falling on Shajin's calm, carefree expression, faintly worried: 'But if we do this, wouldn't the company fear tearing faces with the Harmony faction's family and sparking open conflict?'

"\"Afraid? \" Najieta suddenly laughed. 'The Underworld Fire Duke is not an emissary of Destruction, yet he dares to set his sights on Pinokangni, wanting to seize it. With a Preservation emissary present, how could the company fear the family? Unless the family also has a Harmony emissary in command.'

"\"…Or rather, the company might even hope the family strikes first, giving itself ample justification to step in and retake this land of beautiful dreams. \""

——

Shajin waved his hand casually: "Don't worry about it. But they taught me that \"friends are the weapon of the Aweijin people\"—in a situation where Harmony eyes us hungrily, the more friends we have, the better."

"Let me think… the Flowlight Recall Abode and the Stellar Express have already made contact; the Oblivion Crew probably won't work out, the Pure Beauty Knight Team's attendance is still uncertain, and as for the Tavern folk…"

"... Speaking of that, I just met a woman who claimed to be a Sea‑Wandering Ranger. I feel something's off—could you help me look into her background?"

Shajin turned around, finding no one behind him—Laatio had already vanished without a trace.

"\"…Where is he? \""

Standing alone in the empty room, the smile at the corner of Shajin's mouth finally faded away, turning into a sigh: '…Surely I'm not that hateful, huh? Well, it looks like I'll have to rely on myself.'