Buzz——
Amidst the flowing clouds in the sky, two more aircraft flew by, pulling out long, faint grey cloud trails under the moonlight.
“Look, two more planes are landing over there. “
In a wealthy manor somewhere in the night, a girl in her early teens pointed at the two roaring aircraft descending toward the city.
A slightly taller maiden beside her tilted her head, gazing at these seldom-seen creations.
“What are they flying around aimlessly all over the sky? “
For most people in this world, watching planes buzz across the sky and their figures gradually fade away is a rather intriguing experience… one that evokes boundless imagination.
But on this night, before the planes had even cooled down, they hurriedly took off again, speeding toward the night sky in yet another direction.
“What are they doing, darting east and west? “
The petite girl hummed and pouted, “Everyone knows that our Heiwenzike is the busiest and most bustling country in the world! It’s perfectly normal for more planes to come and transport people. “
Her older sister, after a moment’s thought upon hearing this, let out a contemptuous snort. “You really are ignorant. Someday, I’ll take you to touch an airship firsthand—then you’ll understand what’s truly best for transporting people. “
……
Within the refuge area of the night, some residents who had no mood to rest in the early summer night gazed up at the passing bombers.
“Ah-woo, ” a man yawned and swept his eyes over several people passing by, who were noisily hauling a pile of collected junk to an empty spot on the camp’s side to prepare a campfire.
“Something else is happening tonight, huh? “
“Building a campfire in this weather—that’s definitely suspicious. “
The murmurings among the people in the refuge area only deepened the confusion for the round-eared man standing among them, who was staring at the campfire in thought, his brows furrowing in puzzlement.
“Why so many planes? ” He gazed at the flames beginning to glow before him and murmured, “And on top of that, they’re starting a campfire. “
Two people passed by beside him.
“It hasn’t even come close to 3 AM, and we’ve already seen two batches go by. “
Whispers reached him: “Maybe it’s another activity organized by those Fogfolk. Heightening security patrols like this really is necessary at a time like this. “
“Hey, did you guys hear those broadcast sounds earlier? ” Another person joined in, pointing at the distant loudspeaker on the utility pole that had already gone silent. “A few voices were hijacking the channel on those speakers just now. How strange… “
The group chatted as they walked away.
The round-eared man beside the campfire pricked up his ears for a few moments, then turned his head back. After a moment’s thought, he looked toward where he had been sleeping.
He didn’t know exactly what was going on, but with an abnormal situation emerging, regardless of the circumstances, he figured he’d better get involved first.
He strode toward his lodgings. As a Fogfolk, the man who had been staying there, helping many refugees overcome their difficulties, had long won everyone’s trust and favor. Take the rest area for instance — he had an entire bed to himself, plus the right to use half the room. Even the other two living there were quiet, honest, and kind people carefully chosen. They never touched his belongings stacked inside.
Inside the room, the man selected some wood that could serve as fuel, along with other flammables, then slung a weapon onto his back.
The commotion woke up the two men snoring on the opposite bed. After asking around, when they heard about going out to start a fire, the two natives stirred, squinting with a questioning “Huh? “, got up, and followed along to help.
……
Out at sea, Bai Zilong finished making this reply, his mind tangled with hesitation.
Wager was actually applying to me for permission to take people into the Divine Hotel!
His heart thumped loudly.
Had the two guild leaders not discussed this among themselves? The young man with his hand on the earpiece shell pondered, his heart filled with an indescribable tension.
Yang Zicang probably wants to know… what exactly our attitude is toward the Divine Hotel.
At a time like this, should I really not contact Hong Haocheng? But… Bai Zilong recalled that business card which had suddenly floated down before his eyes out of nowhere.
What was that, and how was it done?
Could it be that someone or something else can enter the Sub-Ether Space while still inside the hotel? Otherwise… Bai Zilong thought of a terrifying possibility.
That model—which had once nearly cost Yang Zicang his life and caused a massive uproar in the disrupted frequency zone—had someone already used it, entering this world and this hotel long ago without anyone knowing, and even… hiding themselves right beside him?
Bai Zilong’s face showed a hint of suspicion and unease as he tilted his head slightly, his eyes sliding weirdly to his side. By his shoulder, behind him—there was nothing but empty space.
The radio waves within his earphone crackled to life again at high frequency. Another call was coming back in.
His hand reached out to touch the machine.
— “Hello Buchen, this is Ross.“
“Good day, sir.” The young man’s voice carried out. The caller paused for a good few seconds on the other end.
Bai Zilong continued, “I am Yang Buchen. General Ross, please speak.“
—— “……“
……
“Where is Zorro? Have any of you seen him?“
In the resting courtyard one street away from the Administrative Office, after looking around for people, Ma Shuo asked, in confusion, the botanist who had gotten up because of the commotion outside, and the over-fifty-year-old elder of the Hellfire Sect.
“Haven’t seen him.“
“Edgar is missing, too. I heard he didn’t come back.“
Ma Shuo was scratching his head in confusion when he saw a mixed-race man with a distinguished bearing but a somewhat sickly look on his face walking out of the house.
The two exchanged a glance, and only then did Ma Shuo remember that this man was also a friend of Yang Buchen’s.
“Hello, shall we go make a fire together?” Ma Shuo, who had originally planned to ask Zorro if he had any more secret information, asked the man politely instead.
He Yishu let out a soft, “Hmm?“
Just as they were finding it strange, the people in the yard saw a whole platoon of soldiers standing outside the gate. As if receiving a signal, they pushed open the door and ran over.
“Your Excellencies. We are the 7th Regiment, directly under the Special Defense Command.“
The company commander, with a square face and a firm gait, stepped forward powerfully and handed a letter to the two men.
“What?“
“We have received approval to escort Your Excellencies back to World Ark Headquarters to access the Key.“
He Yishu, who had been looking tired and apathetic, suddenly felt as if an electric current had shot through him.
He snatched the letter and eagerly scanned the text on it.
Had someone disappeared? Or had some emergency occurred? But… no matter how urgent it was, how could that inn easily let these unrelated people in?
But if it was just to touch the Key… one person entering at a time… That won’t do. I have to go back first and see.
With this thought, He Yishu looked up at them and said seriously, “You go to the World Ark headquarters on your own. I will meet you all there. “
“Yes! ” These people promptly saluted without a moment’s delay and turned to leave.
They left without any hesitation, showing no intention of searching him at all.
Ma Shuo looked at him curiously. He Yishu turned to him and said, “I don’t know what your relationship with Chairman Yang is really like, but this matter should be related to the anomaly. If you want to find out something, either follow them or find your own way to the World Ark headquarters here. “
“Hey, where are you going? “
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll find a way to rendezvous with you all over there. “
Seeing that someone with a car available was not going to take it, Ma Shuo, who had already prepared some tools, began to ponder. Yang Buchen had almost grown up under his watch. Even just going to the World Ark headquarters, he deliberately chose to use his own power. Ma Shuo found this strange but also somewhat admirable.
“You’re right, tonight’s too strange. ” Ma Shuo glanced at people occasionally passing by outside the courtyard, carrying tools and timber. “I should use my own means and take the opportunity to scout for information along the way. “
Ma Shuo took a deep breath and started doing warm-up stretches. “It’s been a long time since I ran properly. “
Inside the house behind him, He Yishu’s figure vanished into a ripple in the air.
……
At the Feilü Hotel, He Yishu, who had just returned to his room, froze stiffly on the spot. It took a moment before he snapped out of it, startled by the sounds of footsteps passing by outside and someone deliberately knocking on every door.
He Yishu ran from the bedroom to the suite’s entrance, picking up faint footsteps and voices drifting in from outside.
Somewhat familiar—it sounded like that person who resembled a swordsman.
He pulled open the door, and the two figures heading toward the stairs turned around. Upon seeing the man emerging from Room 406, they halted.
“Excuse me? “
“I am Sword Thirteen. ” Before He Yishu could even ask, Sword Thirteen spoke in a gruff tone: “There might be some bloodshed at this hotel tonight, so we’ve come back. “
The boy beside him, with medium-length black hair flowing loose, curled the corner of his mouth into a sly grin.
“I just found out someone’s been gunning for my brother. And it turns out someone’s been watching our hotel for quite a while too. “
“This… “
“Anyway, since we’re here in the right place at the right time, ” Zhao Anlong shifted his stance, “everyone who comes in tonight, we’ll be keeping a close eye on them. So later, remember to protect yourself. But don’t be afraid either—we’re all here. “
Sword Thirteen nodded.
It wasn’t until then that He Yishu finally breathed a slight sigh of relief. Then he heard the man in front of him continue.
“To be safe from any enemy who might show up and try to snatch a key to get into a room—use mine instead later. “
He saw Zhao Anlong a few steps away, pull out a brass key engraved with the three numbers “401 ” from his coat pocket.
……
A flickering white trajectory flashed over. After the ecstatic crowd at sea received it, they again saw the figure standing floating on the ocean atop a piece of rotten wooden door.
“What is Chairman Yang trying to do now? “
“It seems he’s contacting someone again. “
-｛Distributor February. Di’an gave me a “thumbs down “.｝
In the picture within the ocean, the figure finally managed to get his hands on another phone. It looked truly exquisite, a creation that simply shouldn’t exist in this era. Yet, seemingly, none of its basic functions were missing or distorted.
Yang Zicang dialed the number.
-｛Distributor Di’an expressed with intense emotion… “It’s time to leave. “｝
The young man’s eyes shifted slightly.
……
In the darkness, after a long silence, the phone finally rang again.
Click.
The woman’s arm lifted, taking the receiver and putting it to her ear. A soft murmur emanated from her rosy lips.
“Hello, Chairman. I just caught wind of some intelligence. Sure enough, aircraft from many countries are deploying as per your instructions. “
— “All credit goes to you. “
“Hehe, you flatter me. Still the same person I know, hmm, you could easily sway those people by your own name alone. After all, the current situation is completely different from normal times. “
“No, madam. I cannot currently use my reputation to carry out this matter. It would require clearly explaining the principles to the air forces of various nations. However, that is not the reason for my call at this moment.“
The silhouette of the woman holding the phone shifted slightly. Propping her head up with her hand, the several phone calls had already re-bridged the distance between them.
“What are you trying to do this time? You know that the urgency of that first call had me pondering for a long time. Even now, I still have no idea what you’re actually planning.“
“I want to know if you know of any way to block the Golden Path. I can’t think of anyone else who might understand.“
A hint of a smile crept into the corners of the woman’s eyes. “Afraid I’ll find out your plan? Oh, you. You’ve only just borrowed my name. After this, I might never be able to use it again.“
“I’m afraid that if I tell you, someone might step out from the Golden Path again and rewrite all of this. That would render everything meaningless.“
In the darkness, the slender figure pondered for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly before relaxing. “Very well. Since it’s for the future of the world, I’ll give you a piece of information.“
After a brief silence on the phone, a more eager affirmative “Mm” came through immediately.
“This information is about the ‘Liuli Lantern.’“
“That is?“
The whistling roar of another circling plane echoed from afar.
The woman glanced sideways towards the window behind her. Before she could speak, the person on the other end of the line, seemingly having heard the sound as well, said:
“Compared to the Campfire Plan, I’ve actually thought of another way to dispel the doomsday demons. That is, leaving behind engine trails, symbols of a more advanced civilization and technology, in the colder clouds, yet not far from the human living space. “
The woman’s beautiful eyes widened.
Leave a Reply