Yang Zicang suddenly realized, “Mr. Distributor, do you possess a device capable of extracting the experiences from a previous Track of Fate?“
The one in front of him who could utter the phrase ‘previous Track of Fate’ must be exactly what this is all about!
-｛Distributor February. Di’an gave me a “Favorable Review“!｝
“No, he hasn’t! Sir Zicang, my package will arrive soon. Quickly go back indoors to prepare for its receipt, and take my pigeon with you too. “
Yang Zicang had no mind left to heed Duli’s words at all.
The distributor, Odyssey, shook the cage, then slung it behind his back and said with a smile:
“Although I truly don’t have any, I do know another friend who possesses such a Moon Realm treasure. And as it happens, he is also a distributor of the third layer of the Moon Realm. “
“OHHH! No, no, no!! “
With a whoosh, a gray, misty figure suddenly emerged from the air. A pitch-black owl, carrying a small, phantom-like envelope in its beak, appeared from within the fog.
Odyssey raised his hand and looked at the owl beside him. “Please wait a moment, Sir Messenger. ” He then turned to face Yang Zicang across from him and said with a smile: “My friend has a rather peculiar temperament. He doesn’t like to vie with others for these radiant experiences. “
The owl, perched on the corner cabinet against the wall, gave him a curious glance before turning its gaze to Yang Zicang.
Yang Zicang thought for a moment and then addressed Mr. Owl: “My apologies, but I think I’ll refuse to accept this package. Hmm… ” He turned his gaze to Odyssey, “What do I need to pay for that? “
“Generally, nothing. However, as an apology, Sir Messenger, allow me to give you this. “
Orsod took a deck of poker cards from his chest pocket and extended his hand. “Pick a card, any card. “
The owl’s eyes instantly lit up with a spark of excitement. It swallowed the shadowy envelope from its beak, fluttered down with a soft “whoosh whoosh, ” landed on Orsod’s arm, studied it carefully for a moment, then plucked out a card from the deck.
The bird turned the card over to look at it. It was a “Three of Spades, ” and a look of disappointment spread across its face.
It gave the card a flick, tucked it away under its wing, and squeaked, “Thanks. ” After those somewhat stiff words, it vanished with a “whoosh, ” dissolving into smoke that swiftly disappeared into the air.
From the small speaker hanging around the pigeon’s neck came a pained screech.
Yang Zicang stared at where it had vanished. “Hey, that talking bird is…? “
“It’s a messenger for the Royal Court, a kind of beacon too—just a living one. “
“Does it also need the power of a poker card to protect itself? “
“Not really. As long as they don’t actively engage in combat, few entities can harm them—short of a Holy Sage in person. Just now, the thing was simply getting a kick out of flipping cards. “
“……“
“Speaking of which, Sir Buchen, have you already signed with a tier-four distributor? If not, why not consider a partnership with me? “
He hadn’t met many distributors before, but out of everyone so far, this one took the crown—second only to Tatamingchi—as the most eager-to-help distributor he’d ever come across.
“I can offer the same price as Duli. You know, I’m a fourth-layer Radiant, after all. “
Yang Zicang hesitated no longer and took the initiative to speak:
“Alright then, we can sign the contract right now. But there is a premise, the Distributor of the Fourth Layer: you must guarantee that the Radiances and Flashes of Land from the previous Epoch can be extracted. “
“– Nay — nay, dear Mr. Yang Bucheng! I can give you two treasures! ” a voice blared from the speakers.
Odyssey chuckled softly and shook a finger, “Radiance is basically impossible to extract across the Track of Fate, you know. But if you might possess a Flash… hmm, I can guarantee it can be extracted. Moreover, that itself would be a Glorious Light. “
This finally allowed Yang Zicang a sigh of relief regarding the immense debt he owed to the several Distributors. As long as he could extract just one Flash, it would be enough to obtain Moonlight for at least one entire Layer.
Suddenly, a clap of thunder roared in the sky above the courtyard. If not for the town’s earlier, deliberate creation of rain, this thunderclap might very well have been the city’s first of the year.
……
The rain began to pour down deafeningly.
Shancheng, the not-too-distant capital of the Grand Duchy of Herzenhorzburg.
In the heavy rain, a court attendant pushed open the mansion’s broad door. Inside, in the living room, Yao Xiaoqin was sharing pastry-making tips with two madams.
She lifted her pale neck and smiled softly, her gaze falling on the man who was standing behind the attendant.
But within the woman’s heart lay a hidden resistance, for she knew that this man, who appeared to always travel with only a single guard, in reality had invisible guardians eternally by his side.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince. ” The two ladies rose with politeness tinged with respectful deference.
“It’s getting late, so we’ll take our leave now. ” The elegantly dressed women picked up their bags and departed with graceful smiles.
“Coming here at this late hour… “
Yao Xiaoqin rose and approached with measured steps, asking, “Has something happened? “
Leonhard waved at his guard, signaling him to leave. Then, as if in his own home, he went to the side to pour himself a glass of juice, turning back to say, “I’d like to ask a favor of you. “
“So formal… What is it? “
“You’ve heard about what happened in Hydropolis City down south, haven’t you? “
Yao Xiaoqin nodded thoughtfully. She had heard that a nightmare-beast outbreak had occurred there and had been dealt with by Yang Zicang.
Rumor had it that Yang Zicang had been severely wounded, but to face a Corruption-Level nightmare-beast and resolve the matter in such a short time still filled her with a sense of pride and relief regarding their president.
Leonhard carefully studied the expression on the woman’s face, pondered for a moment, and ultimately decided not to directly inquire about the matter of the Secret Box.
Instead, he changed the subject: “Has he contacted you recently? “
Yao Xiaoqin approached with a playful smile. “No, not without your approval… how would I dare contact any other man? “
Leonhard raised his hand. “Wait here for me. “
With that, he turned and left the room, returning within a few minutes, holding an exquisite women’s handbag in his hand.
“Oh, is this for me? “
“Of course. This is the custom creation from the most renowned tailor in our Shanhang City, Master Cathy Mott. “
He handed the bag to the woman, whose smile was both joyful and reserved. Yao Xiaoqin’s soft palm gently and imperceptibly squeezed the bottom of the bag before slipping it over her wrist. Crossing her arms gracefully, she said, “Thank you, how thoughtful of you. “
Leonhard said calmly, “No problem. But now that you’ve accepted my gift, you’ll have to do something for me, won’t you? “
“What might that be, Your Highness the Crown Prince? “
“It’s a bit of a waste having you stay here as one of the Fogfolk. A friend of mine is very interested in the Fogfolk’s leased lands. I’d like to ask you to take her inside. Then… ” Leonhard raised his hand, on it was a necklace. “This is yours. I’m returning it to you for now, Miss Yao Xiaoqin. “
Yao Xiaoqin’s smile hung lightly on her face. She released her hands, turned to look, and took it off.
｛I have touched the “Silver Single Crystal Necklace ” I hadn’t felt in so long.｝
Taking a deep breath, she raised her head. “Alright then. “
“Don’t let this bag leave your side. ” Leonhard patted the bag on her wrist and smiled.
……
Having obtained the distributor’s address from the Third Layer of the Moon Realm, Yang Zicang felt a genuine surge of joy in his heart. Lena and Shea had gone to visit her father; Yang Zicang went to check on them and saw that both of their moods had already eased considerably.
“There’s nothing else to do here. You two should head back and rest. “
“And what about you, Mr. Buchen? ” Sorn asked, looking at him.
“I’m waiting for someone. You go on ahead. “
Seeing that Yang Zicang seemed intent on doing something, Sorn felt a flicker of doubt, but under Lianna’s tugging, he bid farewell and left.
After they had all gone, Yang Zicang went to the bed where Ebiser lay.
Thanks to Rental’s help, aside from the professionally dressed wounds, his body showed no signs of deterioration yet.
At the bedside, Yang Zicang stood alone, staring at the man who seemed to be sleeping. “I don’t know if this will mean anything to you, or what will become of Lianna in the future. It’s just… this time, I really could have saved you and preserved a piece of knowledge that could have been passed down much further. “
Yang Zicang took out an Ability Sphere.
Let this be my meager, to perhaps an insubstantial compensation.
He grasped it tightly and crushed it over the man’s head.
｛I used “Preservation Expert “.｝
｛I invested 500N in it.｝
After using it, the white bedspread over the entire bed was tinged with a faint, ethereal warm-golden hue.
……
Rain poured down in sheets. In the middle of the night, a knock sounded on the wooden door of a side room in the courtyard.
Yang Zicang, who had returned and taken a bath, pulled the door open.
In the raging storm of wind and rain, a figure wrapped in a thick cloak stood at the door, the bone-chilling wetness instantly rushing into the room along with the rain.
“Mr. Yang? Major Otto sent me. I’m Holm. “
The man who had come took off his hood, revealing a face drenched with raindrops. In his arms, he clutched tightly a small box wrapped in oilcloth.
Yang Zicang closed the door. The howling wind and rain were muted for a moment, but then rapidly reclaimed the room.
“Greetings, do you mind if I use this? “
After carefully setting down the box, Hom said, while pulling a radio out of his satchel. “Could use some… interruption.“
“This is…? “
“It’s basically useless out here, but all that buffering fuzz sometimes covers up things better left unheard, ” explained Hom with a faint smile.
“This thing is a must-have for anyone who’s someone. Especially near the Fogfolk settlements. “
Yang Zicang paused for a moment before grasping his meaning. The arrival of the Fogfolk had driven radio sales through the roof.
“Not a problem. “
Hom nodded and promptly twisted the knob.
With a “crackle-hiss, ” distorted music and fragmented chatter burst from the speaker. Hom fiddled with the dial until a somewhat clearer voice came through.
— “…From an unverified source is reporting… Not for the first time… claims of… ‘demons’… attack incidents… coming soon… “
—Official sources from the Grand Duchy of Pelzenbergschloss dismissed commenting outright. Instead… they left only simple written message pleaded with the people… to stay calm… remain inside their homes; notifying as more citizens fill register of the dead already without abatement procedures set convenient today.
Yang Zicang let out a sniff. “An overseas station, right? “
Almost as if answering him, the voice from the radio suddenly broadcasts something while reading article summary titles.
— “… Voice of Stummrep Public, This report hears strictly special coverage that belongs closely to interested queries about said topic with higher degree secured investigative oversight here from main studio… including specific known-new progress. ” .
“Haha. ” Holm sped a glance at Yang Zicang, his finger moving to tune into a distorted music station. A soothing melody emerged, wrapped in static hissing.
“Alright then. ” He turned towards the box and undid the oilcloth.
Inside was a specially crafted metal box. Opening the padding revealed two fist-sized, coke-black ore pieces.
“These are ember ore crystals. “
Holm whispered to the person on his right, reaching out to touch a finger on one, “This is standard ore. “
Then, moving his finger to the right side, “This is the target—the ‘Ash Core.’ Same surface, but its internal energy is much more inert, making it hard to distinguish. “
Suddenly, the radio blurted out another line: “…in casualty reports… evading the East District… It is recommended that all Hersonhortzburg individuals… leave major cities as soon as possible… “
The sound of the radio drew a smile from Yang Zicang as he fixed his gaze on the stones.
A wisp of white ethereal flame silently ignited on his fingertip, hovering over the rock on the right side.
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