Chapter 369

"I told you early that I'm not interested in the inheritance war; I came to Pinokangni only because of work. I'm to recover some lost assets for the company, you know... namely the ownership of the Border Prison."

"Thanks to the star core, this has long become a bad debt; the company has tried several times to sit down and talk, but the family won't even open the door." Shajin adopted a troubled, helpless tone: "You don't know how difficult these people are to deal with. Put it this way, they were able to conceal the existence of 【Death】 before, and this time they will surely be able to cover up Zhigengniao's death quickly."

Regarding this, Shajin needs Xing's help, but Xing said they have other plans.

"It's fine, I'm not forcing you, but what I want isn't much. Why don't you hear me out first, okay?"

Shajin's smile gradually faded, their eyes sharpening like a hawk's: "I have only one goal: the family's gate is a high wall; to topple it, I must first chisel a few holes. Once a breach appears, the company has plenty of means."

"Now, the opportunity has come. As long as we can uncover the truth behind 【Zhigengniao's death】, we can give the deceased justice and also gain leverage for negotiations—please, family, come to the table."

"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… I've been investigating everywhere in Pinokangni, making friends, all for this moment."

——

Slash the Crimson Red Pupil.

"If you ask me…"

Within the empire's hunter organization, Wei'er was eating the scone Black Pupil had given him, speaking unclearly: "I actually admire Shajin this guy—though he doesn't look like a good person, his ability to get things done is truly impressive."

Black Pupil tilted their head at the words, seeming not to understand Wil's view: "…I feel he's just a smooth-talking playboy."

"How could that be? Black Pupil, you…" Wei'er stretched out a hand and began gesturing: "He's a company executive, first time coming to a place like Pinokangni, carrying that much money, and the first thing he does isn't to enjoy himself but to work! That takes serious discipline!"

"Uh… Wei'er, you country bumpkin, it's normal to be dazzled, right? Could it be that this kind of prosperous life is already old hat for Shajin?"

"That's not all." He wiped crumbs from the corner of his mouth, "As soon as he arrived in Pinokangni, his luggage was confiscated—equivalent to a naked person planning to wage war against the entire family! This is—"

"He's just so cool, right?" Lan beside him smiled slightly, taking up the youth's words: "He's like a wolf whose teeth have been pulled and claws filed down by the family, yet even so… he still tries every way to bite through the family's throat—have to admit, that's truly admirable."

"Isn't there still Professor Laatio helping him?" Black Pupil muttered, stuffing a candy into their mouth.

So far, that professor hasn't made any move." Lan lifted the teacup, blowing on the fragrant steam, "That professor doesn't seem like the type to obediently follow Shajin's orders…… Perhaps in handling the Pinokangni matter, they are peers?"

——

"This disaster is extremely detrimental to the family, so they will surely spare no effort to block outsiders from intervening, especially the company. But I also believe some factions are exceptions, which is why I need your reasons. The Astral Express's life is out there, and 【Harmony】 will also give you the fairest evaluation."

"Xing can't decide this alone, but Shajin said it's fine, she can chat with her companions properly, and then she gave Xing her contact information and, under the pretense of an investigation, forcibly shoved fifty thousand credit points at Xing."

Xing asked Black Swan for their opinion, and they felt this deal was probably not that simple.

"He doesn't yet know about Miss Liuying—but from your reaction, he may have sensed something, and thus intentionally steered the conversation toward the 【truth of Death】, drawing you into his logic."

Black Swan couldn't help but praise: "Quick reaction, clear logic… I must remind you, working with that man is very dangerous."

"We must give Liuying an explanation." Xing said firmly.

"I agree with that as well. But no matter what, be careful. In a dark forest surrounded by wolf packs, you first need to ensure you can make it out alive."

"Have you noticed any other abnormalities?"

"In an extremely short time, two victims appeared one after another… This in itself is highly abnormal. There are two possibilities: Pinokangni's dream collapse has accelerated, making 【Death】 unusually restless and the family's protection begin to weaken; or, all the actions are part of someone's plan."

——

The Funeral of Fúlílián

"Everyone's actions are part of someone's plan…" Fúlílián repeated those words with deep meaning, instantly feeling a chill run down their spine, as if everything had been calculated for death, a creepy sensation.

"Could it be someone from the family?" Xiuta'erke suddenly asked.

"Idiot…… How could the family possibly do that?" Zan Yin sneered, "What good would killing Zhigengniao do for the family? This isn't just shooting themselves in the foot, is it? And from Xingqiri's attitude, it seems they aren't aware of it."

"Lady Fúlílián…" Filien's voice was soft, like frost of deep autumn pressing on grass blades, "I actually think… both possibilities are happening."

——The former is destined, the latter somewhat related to Miss Huangquan. After all, as an 【Envoy】, she likely bears a mission and duty hard to speak of.

"But Huangquan doesn't look like someone who could scheme everything behind the scenes, does they?"

Xiuta'erke scratched their head, "Her memory is so terrible; even if she could come up with a tremendous plan, she'd probably forget it in a few days? She can't even remember the way to the main hall…… Rather than trust her, I'd rather believe Liuying is the mastermind behind everything."

——

Black Swan led Xing away from the Dream Hotel, after which they parted ways completely.

However, before leaving, Black Swan gently stroked Xing's earlobe, leaving a cool sensation. Then she handed Xing a card.

"This will do, a small parting gift. If one day you unfortunately sink into the deep sea of the Memory Realm, with no Rememberer beside you—it will guide you out in my stead."

Saying that, Black Swan gave a light smile: "I also value worldly affairs… so let's consider this my compensation for keeping something from you."

"Thank you."

Black Swan said they still had some private matters regarding that sea-wandering scout to attend to, and they parted here.