Chapter 352

Death God.

「Tall and sturdy, using thermal energy to kill opponents…… Such a killing method must either be the Duke of Netherfire or Sam. 」

「Sam? 」

Sam, one of the Star Core Hunters, is, according to Walter, absolutely a top-tier expert; he dares to intrude into the Primordial Dream, and Jing Le Chun Shui is not at all surprised, but what truly piques his curiosity is why Sam would be interested in Liuying.

「Bai Zai, you've got it wrong? The Star Core Hunters are interested in the Watchmaker's legacy, but Liuying is just a girl who recently died—how could they be interested in her? 」 Chun Shui shook the wine pot, his voice carrying a hint of lazy amusement.

「There is a possibility. 」 Bai Zai gently placed the teacup on the table, 「Liuying uncovered the truth about the Watchmaker's legacy in the Primordial Dream; Sam wants to get clues from her, so he pursued her…… but everything happened too quickly, and perhaps he doesn't yet know that Liuying is already dead in Meme's hands. 」

「In other words, Liuying is being chased by both Meme and Sam at the same time? What a poor little girl……」 He sighed softly, his tone unusually free of frivolity, instead tinged with a hint of regret.

Bai Zai lowered his gaze, his fingertip lightly brushing the rim of the teacup, causing faint ripples on the tea surface.

「Life and death are fated; if she can still wake up, I hope she won't be overly obsessed with the dream. 」

「You're taking it pretty lightly for her. 」 Jing Le tilted his head, the gaze beneath his straw hat carrying a hint of a smile, 「What do you think the probability is that the attacker is the Duke of Netherfire? 」

「Thirty percent. 」

Bai Zai frowned: 「The Duke of Netherfire is too composed; I don't know what opportunity he's waiting for. Now the sharpness of each faction has surfaced, yet clues about him are exceedingly scarce……」

「I don't rule out the possibility that he has a grand scheme behind the scenes. If that's the case, then striking now to completely disrupt Pinokangni's situation would be absolutely wise for his aspiration of 【Destruction】. 」

——

「The Black Swan led several people to a room filled with televisions. 」

「「Come——I can show you a little trick. Get ready, and try not to cry out. 」」

「With a light flick of the Black Swan's fingertip, four or five semi-transparent apparitions appeared in the room—without exception, all were likenesses of Liuying. 」

「「This…… is Liuying? 」 Huang Quan frowned. 」

「「That's right. These are memories left in this room about her—the slight tremors of the floor, the reflections flashing on the screens, the flow of recollection… I have gathered them and reconstructed them in fragmentary form. 」」

「One of the Liuying apparitions said: 「When I met Xing, that thing…… if I'm not mistaken…… it must be related to the 【Watchmaker】. 」

「Huang Quan looked at Xing: 「She mentioned your name. 」

「「Even behind her back they call you that—looks like you two get along well. 」 The Black Swan smiled lightly, 「She seems to be sharing her discoveries with someone…… and it's related to the Watchmaker. 」

「Huang Quan lowered his eyes: 「She still doesn't know she'll become a victim……」

「Several people continued investigating the other Liuying apparitions; one of them stared at these screens, saying: 「If… we could do it again……」

「「Is she looking at these screens like a mirror…… what does 【do it again】 mean? 」

「And an apparition advancing down the corridor said: 「Let's set out……」

「「【We】? Does she have anyone else with her? 」 This detail intrigued the Black Swan; she pointed to the exit on the other side of the room and speculated: 「Based on this information, Liuying entered the corridor together with a companion—likely just one person. 」

——

Pirate King.

「Hmph. 」 Crocodile blew out a smoke ring, 「That girl was still cooperating with someone in her dream before she died—most likely someone from the company. Only the company would work with a woman like her, who is seriously ill and utterly powerless…… the goal is the Watchmaker's legacy, hehe, Shajin really played his hand well. 」

「Hawkeye, who do you think Liuying is cooperating with? 」

Mihawk sat in the cabin, nibbling on a piece of grilled meat; he raised his wine cup and took a small sip, a flicker of displeasure crossing his golden hawk eyes: 「I have no interest in guessing. 」

「Heh, I think you're angry, aren't you? 」 Crocodile's sinister face curled into a mocking smile: 「Just because in that extreme situation, Huang Quan still didn't choose to strike. 」

Mihawk didn't respond; he wasn't angry, but disappointed. Even now, Huang Quan still refuses to draw his sword even once, to kill even once—he won't act even against such a beast……

What is she hesitating about?

Could she be indecisive?

If it were Jing Liu, she would have already drawn her sword without hesitation……

Thinking of this, Mihawk inwardly felt a twinge of irritation.

Crocodile saw Mihawk's inner displeasure, so he didn't bother him further, instead giving Basilisk a sideways glance: 「Hey, clown, what do you think? 」

Basilisk shuddered, his meat skewer clattering to the ground with a 「pak-da」 sound. He swallowed his saliva and forced a laugh: 「Ahaha… maybe, maybe he's cooperating with that Sam? 」

「Sam? How could that woman possibly cooperate with Sam? Sam is obviously hunting her too…… boring……」 Crocodile snorted coldly, his golden hook flashing a chill in the sunlight, 「Someone like you can only come up with such an answer. 」

——

「The three continued forward, discovering at a turn in the corridor that Liuying's voice was panicked: 「How……?! This isn't what we agreed on……」

「「The situation is starting to change; it seems that companion… has deviated from the original plan. 」 Huang Quan said.

「The Black Swan nodded: 「Or perhaps, judging by the outcome… this is that person's true 【plan】. 」

「Going down the corridor, Liuying's apparition sprinted toward the door beneath the stairs: 「Mecha……?! Why……」

「Huang Quan stepped a little closer, carefully observing the apparition's terrified expression: 「She was forced this way by someone…… and……」

「The Black Swan mused: 「【Mecha】…… an intriguing remark. I recall the Hound House hunting a criminal like that——【a tall male clad in silver armor】. 」

「When Liuying's apparition reached the lowest room, her tone grew desperate: 「The door…… won't open…… this is a dead end……」

「Huang Quan analyzed: 「From these fragments, we can infer that Liuying's companion betrayed her midway, locking her alone in this room while he vanished…… why? 」

「「She said before, this transaction is related to the 【Watchmaker】——involving the Watchmaker touches many people's bottom line. 」」