Chapter 459: with translation of chapter title

「「Your backup plans are truly numerous. 」」

「「As for me, I'm actually not good at beating around the bush; if I could return to my old line of work, many things would become much simpler. 」」Potoeu withdrew his gaze from nearby: 「「Brother Dan Heng, you just walked around the hotel; did you see any guest, or any few guests… whose status is more noble? 」」

「「Dan Heng instantly felt something was wrong: "…What do you want to do?"」」

「「Potoeu stood with one hand on his hip, solemnly explaining his plan: "It's simple—we'll quietly kidnap a few hostages; after that, everything becomes easy. We can use them to negotiate with the family, or we can take their identities——"」」

「「Dan Heng firmly refused: "No need, let's return to the train now. 」」

——

Honkai 3。

「「Isn't the bottom line of the Sea‑Patrolling Wanderer 'not to bully the weak'? 」」

Mei Yue looks puzzled, clearly Potoeu spoke confidently on the train, yet he changed his mind as soon as they reached the hotel; moreover, speaking of nobility, the Dan Heng before him might be the most noble of all.

It feels better to seize Dan Heng than to kidnap others; he might be more willing to accept it for emotional reasons.

「「The unnamed client turned into a galactic fugitive! Hahaha, I think it's interesting, Mei Yue! 」」Kiana laughed rolling on the lounge sofa; think about it, those who can come to Pinokangni are mostly big names from all walks of the universe, noble identities, perhaps they're the local tyrants of some planet, and they're definitely not "weak" at all.

「「Kiana… you're also starting to get slick‑tongued. 」」Mei Yue gave Kiana a sideways glance.

Beside, Fu Hua interjected: "Potoeu's style is indeed somewhat… wild. But the problem is, aside from this method, there seems to be no better idea to enter the dream realm; are we really just going to sit and wait, doing nothing?"

「「Ah, this is when the importance of the Silver Wolf shows up. 」」

Bronya spread her hands, slightly proud, lifting her chin: 「「Indeed, in any world, hackers are indispensable; if they could meet the Silver Wolf, they might be able to directly help them enter the Thus we have: Liúmèng Jiāo. 」」

——

「「What! Are you scared, brother? Pull out your gun; we're supposed to pull off a big job! 」」

「「Are you two leaving? Should I cancel the Asdena white oak you just ordered? 」」the bartender bowed respectfully.

「「Potoeu stared for a moment: "…Huh? Asdena white oak? But you just said… 」」

「「Haha, you two seem a bit drunk. Just half a minute ago, you ordered a bottle of Asdena white oak from me. 」」

「「Dan Heng: "Looks… your Memo‑keeper friend has come to find you. 」」

「「…Oh right, right, right, look at my brain—after all those cybernetic modifications I get like this, forgetful! Let me see… his precious thing, it really is Asdena white oak, with engraved words… 'I'm waiting for you on the Astral Express.'」」

After going around in a big circle, they still ended up back on the Astral Express; the two immediately returned, and indeed they saw the suddenly appearing Black Swan.

「「…Are you that Memo‑keeper? 」」

「「The Black Swan nodded: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Dan Heng. I've seen you in others' memories. And Mr. Potoeu… we can also count this as our first meeting; I hope you like that bottle of Asdena white oak. You really pick hard‑to‑find liquor. 」」

The two got straight to the point, introducing themselves, but when mentioning Huang Quan, the Black Swan said that she herself would explain it more clearly.

After finishing her words, Huang Quan had already walked behind Potoeu.

「「Hello, both of you, I am Huang Quan. 」」

——

Thus line: Pirate King。

「「Oh? Are we going to fight face‑to‑face now?! 」」

Crocodile sat up straight with excitement; earlier, the sky‑curtain viewpoint had followed the train crew, and although many important pieces of information had appeared, no battle had occurred between them, but now the battle he had long awaited is finally about to begin!

At the moment Huang Quan was speaking, Potoeu's right hand had already risen; his signature revolver had been cocked, the black muzzle aimed at Huang Quan's head—and all of this happened in an instant!

Fast!

Mihawk and Crocodile almost instinctively exclaimed.

It's practically a magic trick. Seeing this tense scene, Crocodile grinned, his cigar tracing a scarlet arc in the dim room: "Heh, it looks like Potoeu's strength is also not bad… Mihawk, who do you think will win?"

Mihawk leaned back in his chair, his gaze like a hawk's locked firmly on Potoeu's finger resting on the trigger: "Of course it's Huang Quan; as long as he dares to fire, he will surely die."

「「You trust Huang Quan that much? Although she is indeed strong. But I think Potoeu is also formidable; this guy dares to come alone to cause trouble for Huang Quan, so he must have some special tricks. 」」

「「No tricks will help. Three steps…」」Mihawk drew the black sword slung behind his back, his finger lightly stroking the hilt: "At this close range, do you think the blade is faster or the gun?"

——

「「What?! His treasured… the Radiant Recall Pavilion's, you betrayed me?! 」」

「「Facing the pitch‑black gun barrel, Huang Quan had no intention to act; on the contrary, her tone was very calm: "Sorry, this is my request. For some reasons, I was expelled from Pinokangni; fortunately this Memo‑keeper accompanied me all the way, giving me a chance to silently escape the family's control. 」」

「「Actually, it wasn't accompaniment but tailing. The process absolutely couldn't be called silent… but oh well, I'll go along with you. 」」The Black Swan smiled faintly.

「「I asked her to take me to a place outside the family's sight, to contact a few trustworthy people—that is, all of you. 」」

「「Trust? Hahahahaha…」」Potoeu gritted his teeth, saying these adorable words: "Little cutie, are you taking me for a madman or an idiot? Or how about this: first let me poke a few holes in you to see what's hidden inside, then we'll talk about trust…"

「「No need for that. I'll tell you everything you want to know, but not now… If my identity isn't exposed, perhaps we could have more time, but right now we can only do this. 」」

「「Potoeu furrowed his brows: "Only? What do you mean 'only'？」」

「「Huang Quan solemnly said: "Only this way can I guarantee everyone's safety… Please, Astral Express, immediately jump and leave the Asdena star system. 」」

「「……」」

「「Dan Heng's foreboding grew stronger. 」」

「「Pam also panicked: "What does this passenger mean? 」」

「「In my view, she harbors no ill intent and is speaking the truth. 」」The Black Swan said lightly.

「「Mr. Dan Heng, I once briefly traveled with your companions and know where they are. Please believe that the unnamed guests are still safe and sound, but they likewise need our help. 」」