Calamity Messenger

Chapter 126 - 102: Secret Vault Conversation

"Red Snake, take a look at this—"

Yan Qing turned his head to find that Shang Xinlei wasn’t inspecting the Glazed Platform, but was instead squatting in the corner taking a Blood Replenishing Pill. She had already taken one on the way, but it hadn’t been very effective. After all, people in reality don’t have health bars like game characters; while the Blood Replenishing Pill is useful, its effects are not immediate. She would have to wait for the pill to gradually repair the internal injuries caused by the Foundation Establishment Messenger.

She removed the Red Snake Scarf allocated to her by the Thief’s House, but didn’t pull off her mask. Still, the mask fit perfectly around her facial contours, highlighting her delicate jawline.

Although he had seen her true appearance in the game before, perhaps the 1080P screen resolution wasn’t high enough, or maybe seeing her in person was just different. Yan Qing was still slightly stunned by the sight of this wild and troublesome little Red Snake through her mask. She seemed like a female thief straight out of a game cutscene, with snow-white skin and exquisite features. Even now, with her face looking sickly and fatigue evident in her eyes, there was a fragile beauty to her that made one marvel at the creator’s excessive favor toward her.

But she’s still not as attractive as the Jiang Shi I designed, Yan Qing thought to himself, feeling that his aesthetic sense was slightly superior to that of the creator.

"Are you seriously injured?" Yan Qing asked, "So badly that you can’t even stand?"

Using it for healing would be a bit of a waste, but if Shang Xinlei were truly seriously injured and unable to take care of herself, he would still lend her the Bingzi Pepper Forest for her to unleash a big move.

"I just need... a little rest. Layman Yu Li’s hits are quite painful." Shang Xinlei glanced at him and said lightly, "Don’t worry about me. By the time you’re done looting, I’ll have almost recovered."

Yan Qing said nothing, merely towering above her, staring. Seconds later, Shang Xinlei grew somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze, raised her hand to cover her face, and turned her head, saying, "You may know who I am, but you don’t have to stare like that, do you?"

"Suit yourself," Yan Qing said calmly. "If you want to keep it to yourself, then keep it to yourself."

Shang Xinlei was taken aback, instinctively wanting to retort, but Yan Qing had already turned and walked back to the Glazed Platform. Saying he wouldn’t mind her, he truly didn’t, not even glancing back once. This was her first time meeting someone like Yan Qing, whom she’d merely encountered at the Thief’s House, exchanged only a few words with in private, yet he always seemed to keenly capture her thoughts, as though they had known each other for a long time elsewhere, long enough that even deceiving herself would be seen through by him.

The Secret Vault returned to peace, leaving only the sound of Yan Qing clicking on turquoise plates and his increasingly impatient muted curses. He chose a slab that seemed to have the longest validation time, only about two seconds. Reading and completing the human verification within two seconds was challenging but not impossible. Yan Qing soon became adept, but no matter how fast he was, he couldn’t keep pace with the turquoise plate’s rate of changing questions.

After a dozen attempts, during a near-successful failure, Yan Qing could no longer hold back. Clenching his fist in a near frenzy, countless wrath and curses erupted into a beast-like roar of impotent anger.

Hearing a soft chuckle behind him, Yan Qing turned around furiously, only to see Shang Xinlei staring at the ground. However, her slightly trembling shoulders completely betrayed her—she was actually laughing.

There was no way only he would be tormented by such a socially retaliatory human verification. Like a foreman disliking workers resting, Yan Qing went over to urge her, "Had enough rest? Hurry up and open the cabinet!"

"I’m tired—"

"I’ve never seen a mouse fall into a rice jar and still feel tired."

Shang Xinlei fell silent, seemingly unable to conjure a decent excuse to deflect.

Yan Qing could tell she had something on her mind. She said ’Don’t worry about me,’ but it sounded almost identical to ’Come and care about me.’ But Yan Qing wasn’t her father or brother and had no reason to console her. Such behavior was also contrary to his usual character. More importantly... he was not only bad at comforting others but even worse at arguing with them. Only when facing a keyboard could he fight like a lotus-tongued nine against one.

After a moment of stillness, Yan Qing prepared to go back and conquer the human verification when Shang Xinlei finally spoke, "I can’t take anything from here."

"Why? You’re bold enough to assassinate the Emperor yet can’t take his possessions? Your moral standards are truly elusive."

"It’s precisely because I failed to assassinate the Emperor that I am unqualified to take anything," Shang Xinlei slowly explained. "The Emperor was attacked, throwing Jiangjing into chaos. Even if my father isn’t at fault, in the end, he will bear the responsibility. After all, the Emperor has not yet ascended to the throne, and my father is the Minister of Jiangnan, the Chancellor."

Is it really not your father’s fault... Yan Qing glanced at her, suppressing his urge to quip.

"If I had succeeded in assassinating the Emperor, my father could have continued governing Daliang. These problems would cease to be problems. His prestige would be enough to suppress all the demonic forces. The Imperial Family would continue to rely on him, and the noble families would remain united under his command. The Shang Family would continue to thrive. Before the next Emperor ascends, my elder and third brothers would surely hold key military posts, allowing the Shang Family to make a smooth landing and return power to the Shao Royal Family."

"Qian Gongyu would also regain freedom through the amnesty of the new Emperor’s ascension. She wouldn’t know the Shang Family’s sordid details. With sufficient time to arrange things, my father wouldn’t necessarily need to tie her to our chariot. She’d probably become a lifelong friend, she being silly and adorable, whom I could easily have in the palm of my hand, like keeping a pet."

"But I failed."

The tone held no change; however, the underlying emotions took a sharp downturn. Shang Xinlei hugged her knees tightly, burying her head in her chest as if trying to hide where no one could see her.

"With such a major blunder, my father as the Chancellor would be held accountable, implicating the Shang Family, while Xiaoyu still wouldn’t be able to leave the Shuiyue Pavilion. I used to despise my father’s unilateral decisions and autocratic ways, yet I can’t even match him now," she muttered into the air, "Not only have I failed to help them toward a better path, but I’ve also brought trouble to the family."

"I used to look down on those wasteful and indulgent noble offspring, yet I ended up being no more than an overambitious wastrel myself... even worse than them. No matter how many women they woo or how much money they squander, nothing compares to the trouble I caused the family in one night."

Yan Qing couldn’t help but nod; Shang Xinlei’s self-reflection was indeed quite valid. As the saying goes, it’s not fearsome for a second-generation rich to indulge in a lavish lifestyle, but terrifying when they start a business. The illusion that one is more talented than their predecessors is the most dangerous mirage for scions of nobility.

Of course, if Shang Xinlei had succeeded, it wouldn’t be said this way. According to Yan Qing’s understanding of her, she should have been confident that the Emperor’s guards did not include the Foundation Establishment Messenger. After all, she frequently entered and exited the Imperial Palace and was friends with the Princess, often wandering Jiangnan by night. Layman Yu Li’s appearance was indeed an unforeseen black swan event for her.

Without Layman Yu Li, even if the Emperor had a protective artifact, Shang Xinlei would have at least a seventy percent chance to breach his defenses in a calculated surprise attack. It’s even more likely that the Emperor had no protective artifact at all—after all, the Imperial Palace was the heart of Jiangnan City, a secluded garden where he believed no harm could reach him; why would he need protection?

But such is life, judged only by success or failure. This is also the difference between children of nobility and those of humble origins. No matter how hard the latter works, they only ruin themselves, while if the former works too hard, they might wager the entire family on the table.

"So, I cannot take anything from the Secret Vault. The more the vault loses, the greater the pressure on my father and the Shang Family." Shang Xinlei’s voice was calm yet filled with anguish, reminiscent of rain clouds on a gloomy day: "I know it’s just an insignificant amends, a self-deceiving atonement, considering I was the one who brought you in."

She let out a bitter laugh at this, mocking herself: "But I just can’t bring myself to casually add more burdens to the family. Of course, I won’t and am not qualified to restrict your actions. Feel free to do as you please, you don’t need to worry about me."

Actually, Shang Xinlei began regretting her words as soon as she spoke them. Some things are better left unsaid, as exposing one’s weaknesses often elicits disdain rather than sympathy.

Most people just want to admire the flowers, not see the ugly roots beneath them.

Moreover, Yan Qing is not an ordinary person; he’s an ally in the Thief’s House and will continue to collaborate in the future. Letting him know and even control her personality was as dangerous as handing over her chains to him. Sharing her thoughts with him was as foolish as entrusting him with her life... and she did both of these foolish things.

She wasn’t as calm and composed as she thought. Merely because he saved her and said, "I came for you," she trusted him without reservation.