Chapter 353

Fang Yue:!!!

A transcendence-level anomaly? Isn't the parchment a Rain-level anomaly?

No no no!

The point isn't that—the point is, the Alliance Council already knows the parchment is on me!

A chill surged into his heart.

Against the colossal Alliance Council, Fang Yue had almost no chance of victory.

Cold sweat slowly beaded on his forehead; Fang Yue fell silent for a moment, suppressing the intense killing intent rising in his chest, forcing out a strained smile.

"What do you mean by that? I don't have any parchment!"

"Whether you have the parchment isn't for me to judge. I'm merely relaying what Chairman Qian said to you."

Fang Yue's smile faded, and he fell silent.

The air grew still.

The atmosphere gradually grew heavy.

Bai Xiaoya silently stepped back, retreating toward the corner where the bone spear lay.

And just then, Fang Yue spoke again: "What do you want?"

Qiu Dugu slowly relaxed his hair, which had been poised to strike.

He knew that if Fang Yue asked this, he likely didn't want to fight.

But Qiu Dugu didn't understand Fang Yue—this man could strike without warning, without hesitation, leaving no room for the slightest lapse.

Having survived long in the game's ever-dangerous environment, Fang Yue's combat experience far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Meeting Fang Yue's gaze, Qiu Dugu spoke calmly: "My position has already been stated. Now it's your turn—what do you think? The higher-ups have already confirmed the parchment is on you. So it must be on you. Either you die to prove your innocence, or… join us."

If possible, Qiu Dugu truly didn't want to clash with Fang Yue.

The footage of Fang Yue's battle with Black Cloud last night was still vivid in his mind.

Fang Yue blinked in surprise: "... Join you?"

"Yes. Join the Alliance Council as a full member, replace Ma Shaoku's position, and become my partner. Then you'll be one of us—the custodian of the anomaly 【parchment】, not an enemy hoarding it."

Fang Yue suddenly understood why Qiu Dugu had come personally, rather than sending someone else.

Clearly, he came prepared!

Comparing these two outcomes, anyone with a functioning brain would know which option to choose.

Killing Qiu Dugu wouldn't be difficult.

The hard part is being permanently placed on the 【Alliance Council】's black list, becoming a pariah hunted by all.

Fang Yue let out a bitter laugh, called out to Bai Xiaoya—who was about to grab the bone spear and ambush Qiu Dugu—and said: "Fine. I'll join the 【Alliance Council】. But can you guarantee that no one will attack me after I join?"

Fang Yue knew the parchment's power—such a powerful anomaly—would the Alliance Council really entrust it to an outsider?

"You can rest assured. The 【Alliance Council】 has strict internal discipline. Unless someone betrays the Council, internal members are forbidden from fighting each other. So as long as you join, you'll be guaranteed safety."

In that case, there's no reason to refuse—especially...

Fang Yue glanced at Bai Xiaoya, thinking of Yuan Jie still waiting in the room. He could act recklessly alone, but with people he cared about nearby, he couldn't afford to be reckless.

"Alright. I'm willing to join the Alliance Council and become your partner."

Upon Fang Yue's declaration, Qiu Dugu exhaled deeply, his tone growing noticeably more familiar.

"Good. Then you and your friend pack your things—we'll head straight to the branch to meet Chairman Qian. From now on, you'll live at the branch. It's very safe."

"Meet Chairman Qian?"

"Yes. When his order came down, I persuaded him: if you're willing to join the 【Alliance Council】, the parchment will be entrusted to you, and I'm to bring you there for a meeting and formalities."

Could this be walking into a tiger's den...?

Fang Yue felt some unease.

Out here, he could still fight back—but once inside their territory, all bets are off.

But then again, the 【Alliance Council】 controls Jianghai City with an iron fist—running from the first won't save you from the fifteenth.

After asking Bai Xiaoya's opinion, Fang Yue told Qiu Dugu: "Fine. I'll go with you. My friend will stay at the hotel."

"Fang Yue?!"

Bai Xiaoya, who had just agreed with Fang Yue, couldn't help speaking up: "This isn't what we agreed on! I'm going with you!"

Fang Yue pulled her aside, lowering his voice: "... I'll go first to scout. If there's danger, it's easier for me to escape alone—I can alert you via phone. Once I leave with Qiu Dugu, you two leave the hotel immediately, find a safe place, and wait for my message."

"But..."

"Don't worry. I won't get hurt."

"... Alright. We'll wait for your message."

After convincing Bai Xiaoya, Fang Yue left with Qiu Dugu.

After they departed, Bai Xiaoya led the unaware Yuan Jie out of the room, dodging surveillance the whole way, clutching her phone tightly as she waited for news.

A black sports car sped rapidly through the city's roads, ignoring all traffic rules, yet triggering no alarms.

"Qiu Dugu, aren't we being a little too conspicuous?"

"The Alliance Council has never been a low-profile organization. It governs Jianghai City. Why should we be low-profile? You don't see it normally because related information is suppressed. That's also why logistics makes up such a large portion of the Alliance Council's membership structure."

Indeed, if you can't speak online and the media is silenced, the only way to learn the truth is to go out and see for yourself.

Watching Fang Yue's thoughtful expression, Qiu Dugu said: "You don't need to be so wary of me. I'm sincerely inviting you to be my partner."

"Better safe than sorry. They're both defenseless—no need for them to come with me. If your Alliance Council truly means well, I'll bring them back after becoming a full member."

"... As you wish."

Qiu Dugu didn't understand why Fang Yue was so cautious—but Fang Yue knew, Qiu Dugu had no idea of the parchment's true value.

As long as he understood the function of the parchment, he would surely comprehend Fang Yue's caution.

Would the Alliance ever so easily relinquish something this important?

Fang Yue still harbored deep doubts; Qiu Dugu's face simply wasn't that big—how could three or four words from him change the Chairman's mind? Unless he was a Face Fruit ability user, it was impossible.

Therefore, the Chairman's change of heart must have another reason.

Either the Chairman was lying.

Or… the parchment wasn't as easily taken away as it claimed.

Fang Yue leaned toward the latter; otherwise, compromise and cooperation were out of the question.

"Parchment, can your ability be used in reality? Predict whether I'll face life-threatening danger if I go to the Alliance's branch."

(End of Chapter)