For the past few days, Zuo Xiu and Bai Yu had practically moved into Xu Qing’s villa.
They had initially assumed that the shadow of that day’s "interrogation" would make it difficult for Mu Ran to accept further questioning. However, the boy proved to be far simpler than they had imagined.
Ever since he had fully accepted Xu Qing, he seemed to treat this place as an absolute sanctuary. Even when they tentatively asked about certain details, the boy would only hesitate for a moment before speaking slowly, occasionally glancing at Xu Qing as if that were the only way he could feel at ease.
His speech was stumbling and disorganized, with occasional long pauses between sentences, but this did not tax the patience of his listeners.
The more they learned, the more inconceivable it all seemed.
Though the boy knew very little, the fragments he provided were enough for them to piece together a world that overturned their existing concepts. Had they not witnessed the young man’s methods with their own eyes, they would never have believed such eerie abilities existed: powers that did not rely on cutting-edge equipment, were not limited by the objective environment, and required only small slips of talisman paper or seemingly random patterns to kill without a trace.
Although the boy emphasized that these methods could not be learned by just anyone, the three of them remained skeptical. After all, no one knew what the underlying foundation of these techniques was. Their own abilities relied on the innate psionic power within their bodies, but what about this?
The two individuals currently known to use these methods shared no obvious similarities.
"It couldn't be a family inheritance, could it?" Zuo Xiu joked. "Those two aren't blood-related. Surely that man knows that?"
Mu Ran, who had gotten up in the middle of the night for a glass of water and accidentally overheard the conversation: "..."
*Stop thinking about it! Stop! Please! How did I manage to create another plot hole?!*
*Is this just how the protagonists' minds work?*
Mu Ran didn't understand, but he was profoundly shaken. He immediately contacted the System, planning for the two of them to pull an all-nighter to scramble together a new setting to patch this loophole.
He thought he was being quiet enough, but the people in the room still noticed him.
*Hm? He’s just leaving?* Bai Yu paused, her hand stopping just as she was about to open the door.
Given the boy’s attitude during the day, she had expected him to knock and naturally join the discussion... but this avoidant behavior now... was he hiding something?
***
Watching the boy sit quietly by the French window, staring outside after his offer to help had been rejected, Bai Yu felt a pang of guilt.
It was almost ironic; it was precisely the boy’s unreserved information that had given them reason to be wary. When they understood nothing, they thought he was soft and harmless. But now that they knew of those inconceivable methods, they no longer felt that way.
They weren't doubting the boy himself, but rather fearing the man behind him.
Glimpsing only the tip of the iceberg through the boy’s narrative, no one knew how many trump cards the man held—or how many of those cards he had planted within the boy.
Until they understood everything completely and brought this matter to a close, they would likely need to maintain a certain distance from him.
Fortunately, perhaps due to his previous lack of social interaction, the boy did not seem to notice the subtle shift in their emotions. Instead, being in a safe environment seemed to make his temperament even more gentle and harmless.
Even more unexpectedly, he began to show a certain talent and preference for painting.
"If he hadn't met that terrible former guardian, the boy might have become a painter," Xu Qing concluded.
Occasionally, the boy would sit by the window and observe the shifting light and shadows in the courtyard for an entire afternoon. In the evening, the gentle, thin sunlight would spill over his serious, still somewhat boyish profile, making him look as if he were glowing.
When he crouched in the corner, staring at the ornamental fish with their flickering, graceful fins in the aquarium, his clear, clean gaze was no different from any innocent child raised with love and care.
He integrated into the place quickly, filled with joy and hope, like a plant from a dark corner finally transplanted into the sunlight. Seeing the boy like this only made the trio, who were already reluctant to distance themselves, feel even more conflicted.
"Tch, he could still become one now," Zuo Xiu replied to Xu Qing’s conclusion.
The very next day, Mu Ran received a beret and a complete set of painting supplies.
A bewildered Mu Ran: *What is going on! How do they know I can paint!*
However, considering the mission was almost over, and since this was his first time experiencing such a ridiculous "car crash" of a performance, he figured painting something as a memento wouldn't hurt. Most importantly... it had been far too boring these past few days (he whispered to himself).
Mindful of maintaining his character, Mu Ran didn't choose anything too complex. He used simple techniques to sketch his impressions of the three men.
He had intended to give them as return gifts, but in the end, he didn't send them out. Firstly, he felt the gift was too insignificant; secondly, he was afraid the patterns in the drawings would make them overthink things like "arrays" or "talismans" again.
Mu Ran: *Forced Overtime PTSD.*
*Forget it, I’ll just take a photo for myself as a souvenir.*
***
"Zuo Xiu isn't here today?"
"Apparently someone in the neighboring city asked for his help. He probably won't be back until tomorrow night."
*Tomorrow night?* Mu Ran, who was pretending to paint while eavesdropping, was startled.
He immediately sent a message to the System.
[Mu Ran: You guys are breaking out tonight, right?]
[System: Yes.]
[Mu Ran: ...]
[System: What’s wrong?]
[Mu Ran: Babe, after you escape, can you bluff that mole for a bit longer? One of the protagonists is on a business trip and won't be back until tomorrow night. (Crying Cat Emoji.jpg)]
The System fell into a mysterious silence.
[System: I’ll try.]
After ending the call, the System silently searched for the question: "How should a villain stall for time?"
*Hmm... Self-analysis? Therapy-talking the protagonist?*
***
Early Morning.
[Mu Ran: Is it starting? Is it starting?]
Curled up under his covers, Mu Ran looked even more nervous than the System itself.
[System: Yes.]
[System: I might not reply to your messages for a while. Go to sleep.]
Knowing he couldn't really help, Mu Ran considerately stopped adding to the pressure.
[Mu Ran: Good luck! Call me if anything goes wrong!]
[System: Mm. Sleep.]
The System closed the internal communication interface, opened its eyes in the darkness, and silently began a countdown in its mind.
Their agreed-upon time was 1:30 AM.
Although the System had specifically fashioned a human shell to assist with the experiment, its true essence was a new form of life existing within data streams. Consequently, it possessed many abilities beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
One of these was an absolutely precise internal clock.
The place where he was held was incredibly clean. Aside from the facilities necessary for human survival, there were no markers to indicate the time. No natural light. No other sounds.
In such an environment, a normal human's perception of time would gradually blur. Every second and every minute would feel infinitely stretched in their cognition. No matter how firm one's mind, it was difficult to stay in such an environment for long.
In truth, this was a method of interrogation.
It seemed as though everyone had forgotten the young man, but they were actually monitoring the surveillance at all times. Based on the psychological profiling of the youth, they judged that he would be unable to endure such an environment. No one to output his thoughts to, no special attention from his captors, no opportunity to observe the situation... for any arrogant sociopath, this was unbearable.
Although Guang Rui’s visit had disrupted the plan, after tightening management, even the guards delivering meals over the next four days had been silent. What kind of person could endure such dead silence?
Yet, the young man had endured.
Most terrifyingly, according to the surveillance, he showed no negative emotions whatsoever. Aside from bowing his head to avoid the cameras in the early hours of the first day, he had remained perfectly composed ever since.
The observers: *How terrifying!!*
The System, of course, couldn't know that a group of people behind the cameras were trembling because his behavior wasn't "human" enough.
In its understanding, it only had one scene left to play today. Although it had worked "overtime" once to stabilize its partner's nerves, it had mostly remained in standby mode.
*Well... it’s like an electronic device going into standby when it’s not working. Is there anything scary about that?*
If the System knew their thoughts, it would likely answer that way. Unfortunately, it didn't. It was currently focused on the countdown.
*01:29:35*
A faint sound broke the dead silence of the space.
*A bit early. It seems this collaborator is quite nervous,* the System evaluated inwardly.
Whatever means the other party used, the door locking the System in slowly opened. The bracelets and anklets that had bound the System for seven days clicked open simultaneously.
The System stood up. Before walking out the door, it paused, glancing hesitantly at the black-and-white prison uniform it was wearing.
*...Whatever. I’m only staying outside for a day anyway.*
He left the place that had confined him for seven days.
Outside, the moonlight was perfect.
All was silent, save for the wind whispering through the scattered grass.
The young man in the black-and-white prison garb emerged from the pitch-black doorway. Seven days of imprisonment seemed to have left no mark on him. Aside from the standard-issue inmate clothing, he looked as though he had spent seven days in a comfortable five-star hotel; his demeanor hadn't changed in the slightest.
The moonlight spilled over his already pale and handsome face. Under this hazy light, his slightly weary, downcast gaze made him look like some ghostly creature from legend. A single, light glance was enough to make the person waiting for him feel a chill down their spine.
"Well? Let's go." Seeing the other person frozen, the System urged in a low voice.
His attitude was so natural it was as if he weren't breaking out of prison, but merely going for a stroll.
The newcomer shuddered imperceptibly, then lowered his voice and spoke through his mask. "I'll take you to the place I've prepared first."
He shot a quick glance at the young man through the mask, trying his best to keep his voice from trembling. "Once we're sure you've escaped... you must fulfill your promise."
"Mm..." The System gave a non-committal hum and quickly followed the guide out of the detention area.
As they walked down a secluded path, the System finally couldn't suppress its curiosity and suddenly spoke. "Why are you wearing a mask?"
The sudden, low voice made the person leading the way jump.
He suppressed his inner fear and gritted his teeth. "Don't you understand? Once the deal is done, we have no connection! It's better for you if you don't recognize me!"
*Why does he think I don't recognize him?* The System was puzzled. It hadn't intended to respond, but then it remembered Mu Ran's request to "bluff" the man to stall for time...
"How could I not recognize you..." Liang Guang, who had just breathed a sigh of relief when the youth fell silent, heard that soft, ghostly voice again. "That little genius that day... he called you 'Xiao Guang,' didn't he?"
Behind the mask, Liang Guang's pupils dilated violently.
***
05:00
In two different cities, Zuo Xiu and Bai Yu were jolted awake by the same message.
"This is bad! That man has escaped!!"
***
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