Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 756 - 615 Bringing the Wolf into the House_1

The Alliance Leader of Panqi Mountain and Yanzhi Sea

Silence.

A long silence.

Huai Shi's expression twitched, and she lifted her phone to ask, "I think I understand a little, but did you steal some comic's setting?"

"..."

Zhenxi guiltily averted her gaze. "It's just to make it easier to understand; it's more or less like that."

Huai Shi thought for a moment, then lifted her phone again. "Eighth-grader syndrome?"

"No, not at all!" This time, her voice sounded even more guilty.

"Anyway, it is said that in order to avoid repeating the bloody conflicts between the Wu Family and the court aristocracy decades ago, His Majesty has once again issued the Order of Compassion for All Beings, forbidding all Court Officials from taking lives... If it weren't for this, I wouldn't dare to go out."

As Zhenxi said this, her expression suddenly darkened. "But I didn't expect that I'd still be targeted."

It would be strange if you weren't targeted, right?

Even if the struggles among Court Officials were limited, and scores were settled through proxy wars, it only prevented large-scale open conflicts. All contradictions would shift to the shadows, to be resolved in ways that were both crueler and more ruthless. At the same time, as long as one wasn't discovered, many people's behavior started to become increasingly deranged...

The position of the head of the Li Jian family was currently vacant, and who knows how many eyes were tightly fixed on that spot.

Managing to survive all the way to Kyoto, and only encountering an assassin near Nara after taking the bullet train, was already an incredible stroke of luck.

But, considering the Chef Demon showdown as a proxy war...

Huai Shi chillingly realized—had she really become a tool again? But this didn't seem to be something to be shocked about; she was used to it...

What did the bloody mayhem of Yingzhou have to do with her?

Miss Huaizhi was but a cold and soulless cooking machine.

As Huai Shi calmly sipped her tea, Li Jian Zhen Xi blinked and leaned in, scrutinizing her. "Miss Huaizhi, you're a Sublimator too, right?"

"..."

Huai Shi didn't even want to respond.

"Why don't you come with me to the Li Jian family's home!" Li Jian Zhen Xi grabbed her hand that was holding the tea, seemingly not minding that the cup was hot. "The Li Jian family must be really short on people right now; a powerful Sublimator like you could definitely make a lot of money!"

"..."

Honestly, Miss Zhenxi, I'm a Sublimator of unknown origin. Are you sure it's wise to invite a wolf into your home like this?

Besides, I've already been hired by your cousin. I'm thoroughly an individual with ulterior motives.

You're leading the way so readily; it's making me a bit nervous...

Seeing Huai Shi's silence, her expression gradually saddened. "Is it not okay?"

"I am indifferent," Huai Shi sighed and typed on her phone to show her.

Since she would have to deal with them later anyway, she might as well go in and assess the situation. While she was at it, she could eliminate this naive, doe-eyed fool—the sooner, the better. It would be best if she had no chance of qualifying at all!

Miracles attract each other. So do disasters.

For ordinary people, the farther away from Sublimators, the safer. The higher the stage of Stigma, the greater the distortion it causes to the surroundings.

Haven't you seen a bunch of Fourth and Fifth Stage individuals wandering the Border and Hell?

In the Current Circumstances, once one leaves their own territory, they become a key monitoring target of the Astronomical Society, like a criminal with an ankle monitor; anyone would feel uneasy.

Picking up a broken book had altered the course of her life in countless ways.

As an ordinary person, the deeper Li Jian Zhen Xi entered the world of Sublimators, the more her Fate was destined to be unfortunate. Without a Soul, she might go mad at the sight of something inexplicable.

The sooner she gets out, the safer she'll be.

The person who had become a Second fifth even before nodding had already made up her mind.

"Ah, that's great!" Completely unaware of the trick Huai Shi was planning, Li Jian Zhen Xi jumped up excitedly, almost dancing with joy.

Her occasional glances toward the older woman beside her failed to hide the happiness in her heart.

Great, I can spend some more time with Miss Huaizhi!

Zhenxi, come on, FIGHT!

First, set a small goal: get Miss Huaizhi's contact information!

Let's all become best friends.

Anyway, please bless me, Mother back home... I think I've fallen for a woman.

The happy moments of solitude did not last long. Soon, the quiet streets were lit up by car headlights.

The half-asleep waiter jolted awake, looked at the lights outside the window, and stared in amazement at the dozen or so expensive luxury cars parked in front of the fast-food restaurant.

From the extended limo in the center, a solemn figure stepped out. He walked into the store, eyes straight ahead, and slowly looked around. A chill began to spread.

The waiter stiffened and mustered the courage to ask in a shaky voice, "Uh, customer... may I help you with something?"

The visitor did not respond, his gaze falling on the corner of the diner, upon the girl incessantly chattering to her indifferent traveling companion.

And at the same time, the indifferent traveler finally lifted her face, looking over.

Even with the newcomer's composure, he was momentarily astonished by that face. It wasn't her beauty that shocked him, but a deep sense of wariness it inspired.

Huai Shi was also watching him.

Over his left eye, he wore a black eyepatch. The middle-aged man was dressed in an out-of-fashion Yingzhou long dress. He carried no sword, Bare Hand.

Yet the hands that emerged from his sleeves were covered with scars and calluses, reminiscent of some sharp and heavy weapon.

His expression was somber.

However, Zhenxi seemed completely unaware of this, rushing over with absolute trust and embracing the man's arm. "Uncle Yan Jing, you've come to pick me up?"

"You've had a tough journey, Miss Zhenxi." Uncle Yan Jing's mouth curved into a slight smile, finally showing some expression, but he soon turned and approached Huai Shi.

"I am an Official under The Satomi clan, Horn Mountain YanJing." The middle-aged man bowed and formally expressed his gratitude, "I have already heard the details, and I thank you for saving Miss Zhenxi..."

It seemed he had figured out what had occurred in just a few minutes.

He invited, "As night has already fallen, if you do not mind, please rest at my humble abode for the night. That would also allow us to properly express our gratitude."

Huai Shi nodded and stood up. As they brushed past each other, her eyebrows rose slightly.

This man had a scent of blood about him... The fresh scent of death.

***

Although the Li Jian family's domain was in the Guanshan Area and didn't extend to modern-day Nara, they still owned quite a few properties in this central district frequented by Court Officials and noble families.

A grand procession of carriages carried them out of the city, bringing them to settle in a Yingzhou-style estate on the outskirts.

All along the way, Zhenxi was exclaiming like a country girl, taking photos with her phone, unable to mask her rustic air. Even the Servants attending at her side could not help but stifle their laughter.

Conversely, when facing Miss Huaizhi, they felt an overwhelming pressure, all jittery and cautious.

For she seemed forever expressionless, showing no surprise at the sights before her. There was no admiration or appreciation, let alone envy.

Even when looking at the masterfully designed and maintained courtyards and landscape, or dining on the meal presented by famous chefs, she never showed any sign of being moved.

Instead, she constantly exuded a kind of oppressive force, a subtly imposing air of aristocratic disappointment.

That's it? Are you kidding me?

Horn Mountain YanJing was in attendance throughout, discreetly observing. He discovered that her coldness was not feigned. Quite the opposite; when dinner concluded, he called upon the Musician who had performed, wanting to hear the old man's impression of her. He received an unexpected answer.

"That Miss must be a person of considerable status, right?" The old Musician pondered for a moment, then responded seriously, "Even with my years of serving guests, I couldn't help but feel jittery. Not even when playing for Envoys of the Former Emperor or the various Court Officials have I felt such pressure."

Horn Mountain YanJing fell silent. After a long while, he nodded, gestured for the Musician to leave, and then stood up to walk towards a small building at the back of the estate.

He passed through layers of verification, and eventually, the paper doors opened before him.

Behind the doors, a dimly lit room revealed retainers gathered around a long table. At the head of the table sat Inu River, the family elder now fully in charge of Li Jian family affairs. Seeing Horn Mountain enter, he beckoned him to sit down.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting; I've arrived late." Horn Mountain took his seat and said, "I just brought Miss Zhenxi back, and there were some issues."

"...Qingping's daughter?"

Horn Mountain nodded.

"Is it a serious problem?" Inu River frowned, "I recall that Qingping's Little Brag has only this one daughter; nothing grave has occurred, I hope?"

"It has been dealt with." Horn Mountain YanJing stood up, stepped back, then kneeled, performing a dogeza to apologize, "The leak of Miss Zhenxi's information was my responsibility."

"Forget it. Who doesn't want to sit in the seat of the family head? Even the weakest competitors must be decisively dealt with if an opportunity arises... Heh, those boys from back then, every single one of them has grown into something substantial, haven't they."

Inu River shook his head dispassionately, his tone betraying neither admiration nor disdain.

As for Zhenxi, he merely sighed with pity.

She must have been terrified, right? If it weren't for Deer's Sing Hall's edict that we must gather all of the bloodline, why would we involve her in this?

Carrying the blood of the Wu Family, weakness is the original sin.

He had seen too many such tragedies already.

After understanding the details of the incident, Inu River asked, "Have you investigated the background of that woman named Huaizhi?"

"Not yet. She's said to be a student from Ivory Tower, but something feels off, and it doesn't seem like a mere chance encounter."

"Whether it's a chance encounter or she has ulterior motives, since she has come to the Li Jian family, she is a guest of the Li Jian family. Don't let others ridicule the Li Jian family for lacking manners."

After pondering a moment, Inu River spoke, "Treat her well, offer a generous gift, and then send her off. These are troubled times; it wouldn't be wise to let her stay long."

In the silence, someone suddenly asked, "What if she doesn't leave?"

Inu River did not answer again. What need was there to respond? An unwelcome guest who cannot be driven away is, after all, an unwelcome guest...

The topic ended there.

Next were the urgent matters needing resolution before the heirs arrived.

"Horn Mountain, how goes the investigation of the Murderer?"