Investigation

Xiao Hongchen slid down against the wall, Mirror Flower Water Moon quietly activated.

Nana stood atop the perimeter wall, stunned for a moment.

What she saw was not Xiao Hongchen, but a beetle, skimming silently across the ground before darting into the shadows of the trellis, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Of course, this was merely a visual effect, not an actual transformation technique.

The Black-Clad Holy Servant guarding the gate was still yawning when, the next second, he found himself unable to move.

A Metal Centipede lunged from the darkness, binding him tightly and leaving him no room to struggle.

Immediately after, a Metal Dagger was silently pressed against his throat.

"Don't move."

The voice was kept extremely low, yet remained clear.

"Otherwise, you die."

The Black-Clad Holy Servant nodded frantically, causing the blade at his neck to tremble. He didn't even dare to nod anymore, forced to use his eyes to desperately convey his will to survive.

He was just a gatekeeper; why would he risk his life?

In truth, these Holy Servants were all orphans, just like Nana, their relatives' souls controlled by the Holy Spirit Cult, leaving them no choice but to be manipulated by the organization.

"Is the Elder inside?"

"Yes, yes," the Black-Clad Holy Servant whispered. "The Elder returned less than two hours ago, along with the Great Holy Spirit."

Xiao Hongchen noted this in his mind, fished a small Soul Tool Communicator from his sleeve, and shoved it into the Black-Clad Holy Servant's hand.

This type of Soul Tool Communicator actually came in a pair; when the button was pressed on one side, the other would vibrate frantically.

In reality, this was a gadget from fifty years ago, long since replaced by Soul Tools capable of real-time voice calls, but some people still used them... because they were incredibly cheap.

"As soon as the Elder comes out, press it. Understand?"

Before the words had even faded, a round piece of Bitter Chocolate was shoved into the Black-Clad Holy Servant's mouth.

"If you don't take the antidote within a week, you will die from the poison."

He lowered his voice, enunciating every word:

"You know what to do."

The Black-Clad Holy Servant's eyes widened. Before he could react, the Metal Centipede binding him quietly released its grip, and the person was gone.

"Hey, Xu Haolong, what are you muttering about over there?"

The White-Clad Holy Servant at the entrance of the black building heard the commotion and walked over. He looked left and right, finding nothing unusual, only to see Xu Haolong standing there, his face still pale with lingering fear.

Xiao Hongchen swaggered right past the White-Clad Holy Servant, vaulting over the wall.

"A beetle was flying around my side just now. I couldn't catch it, and it made me a bit irritable. My apologies."

Xu Haolong said humbly.

The White-Clad Holy Servant stared at him for two seconds.

"Watch yourself. If there's a next time, my boot soles might get a little itchy."

"...Understood."

Several hundred meters away from the courtyard, Xiao Hongchen started the Soul Tool Motorcycle.

Nana sat on the back seat, quietly waiting for him to speak.

"The Elder is inside, along with the Great Holy Spirit. There are quite a few people. I left an informant inside; as soon as the Elder makes a move, he'll notify us."

Nana listened without interrupting.

"Two or three days at the fastest, a week or two at the slowest. Just wait for the signal." He paused. "You'll stay at my place for the time being. As soon as the message comes, we can set off at any time."

Nana was silent for a moment.

"Is it... convenient for me to stay there?"

"What could be inconvenient about it?" Xiao Hongchen said. "My house is quite large. You can just hang out there during this vacation. When you're tired of playing, just go to sleep. It's no problem."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Nana sat on the back seat, tilting her head as she listened. She felt the words were a bit strange, but she couldn't put her finger on why, so she didn't dwell on it.

"Okay."

She replied very calmly.

Xiao Hongchen coughed, brushed the topic aside, and looked back at the road ahead.

Soon.

Nana whispered to herself in her heart.

Mom, Dad, it's almost time.

Hongchen Mansion.

Xiao Hongchen and Nana entered the living room, having prepared themselves mentally.

As it turned out, their mental preparation was not enough.

Meng Hongchen was sprawled on the sofa with zero decorum. When she saw Nana behind Xiao Hongchen, she froze for a second, then the corners of her mouth slowly curled upward.

She rose instantly, striking a condescending pose, looking every bit like a chief judge preparing for an interrogation.

Seeing that expression, Xiao Hongchen knew nothing good would come of it.

"Brother, no wonder you came home so late today. Did you forget what you said yesterday?"

"The situation has changed. Nana is staying at our house for the time being, and we can depart at any time."

Meng Hongchen let out an "Oh":

"So she's staying at our house for the time being. I see."

She nodded incessantly as she spoke.

"That's how it is. Take her to pick out an empty room."

Xiao Hongchen said irritably.

"You only know how to boss me around."

Despite her complaints, Meng Hongchen stood up nimbly and beckoned to Nana, looking like an old hand at this:

"Come on, come on, follow me."

Nana followed her toward the stairs, her posture slightly stiff, her fingers gently pinching the hem of her clothes.

The two went up to the second floor and bumped straight into Ye Guyi in the hallway, who was just about to head downstairs after hearing the commotion.

Ye Guyi's gaze landed on Nana, sizing her up without much reaction, before she said softly:

"You're here."

Nana was slightly stunned, then nodded:

"I'm here."

"Brother, hurry up and come up."

But there was no response for a long time.

Xiao Hongchen had sensed trouble early on and had run off to the Gravity Chamber in the backyard to temper his body.

Two nights later, something in Xiao Hongchen's pocket began to vibrate frantically.

It's finally starting.

"Meng, Guyi, Nana."

He knocked on their doors one by one to notify them that the operation was beginning.

Meng Hongchen walked out from the room next door, her eyes immediately shedding their usual playfulness:

"Xiao, are we making our move? Right now?"

"That's right, right now!"

Ye Guyi had already walked over from the other side; she was ready.

Nana stood behind her, something burning within her deep blue pupils.

The four gathered at the doorway. Xiao Hongchen swept a glance over them and nodded:

"Let's go over the plan." His tone was steady. "Once we're inside, Meng, you immediately poison the ordinary Holy Servants. Then, the three of you hold off the Second Holy Spirit, and leave the Great Holy Spirit for me to handle."

"Understood."

The three women said in unison.

Xiao Hongchen pushed open the main gate. The night wind rushed to meet them, causing their clothes to snap loudly.

"Let's go!"

Arriving near the courtyard, Xiao Hongchen waved his hand to signal the three women to stop.

"I'll go scout the path first. That Xu Haolong might have planted false information to set a trap for us."

He found it hard to forget that name once he had heard it.

With that, he vanished into thin air before the three women.

He climbed over the perimeter wall with practiced ease.

The Eye of Fate on Xiao Hongchen's forehead opened quietly, scanning the entire building. That intense, oppressive sense of threat was gone.

There was no warning of danger.

It seemed the Soul Saint Elder had indeed left; Xu Haolong hadn't played any tricks this time.

Xiao Hongchen retreated the way he came and reappeared before the three women.

Meng Hongchen was nearly startled by him: "Can't you make a sound before appearing!"

"We can go in now," Xiao Hongchen said, ignoring her. "Proceed according to the original plan."