I'll Give Her an Offer She Can't Refuse

"What are you talking about?"

"The Yan Kingdom's traditional twenty-four solar terms. It is said that in ancient times, before natural disasters existed, people used songs to remember the sun's cycle."

"..."

So it was a false alarm?

Jingzhe had just breathed a sigh of relief when she quickly realized something was wrong. There was no reason to bring up the solar terms at a time like this. Besides, that shrine maiden was looking at her with eyes as calm as the sea. She probably knew more than just her name.

But who exactly was this person?

As an official of Dali Temple, Jingzhe possessed a photographic memory and keen insight. For the first time, her face was full of question marks.

Luckily, she was wearing a hood.

As long as she did not move her mouth, no one could see the confusion in Jingzhe's eyes. Unlike the coldness of the lower half of her face, it instead gave her an unexpectedly adorable contrast.

"Master!"

"The master has finally returned!"

"I knew you hadn't abandoned us! These were all trials for us, right?"

"..."

The clamor rose and fell.

Jingzhe's position as their backbone was swiftly established. The atmosphere suddenly became tense, not only among Penguin Logistics across from them, but also the Lungmen Guard Department on the rooftops. The earlier boisterous chaos was gone, replaced by genuine killing intent.

Ah...

Jingzhe was a little nervous.

And whenever she got nervous, the charge around her became a little harder to control.

Dazzling bright yellow flashes emerged around the hooded stranger. It was thunder with an imposing presence. It was not merely light—dull drumbeats echoed through the streets, making everyone who heard them shudder inwardly.

"Prepare for battle."

Ch'en raised her bandage-wrapped right hand, her voice no longer impatient.

"I was wondering why that rabble suddenly got so fired up. So they had a backbone now. That explains everything."

"I see."

Hoshiguma casually echoed her.

The Lungmen Guard Department entered a state of combat readiness. If the mysterious figure below made any move, they would attack without hesitation and drag her into the station.

On the ground, the Penguin Logistics crew stood ready.

Texas retracted her soft pink tongue, which she had been using to cool herself down, and her expression finally took on a trace of seriousness.

"We can't beat her."

She admitted honestly, "With this wooden sword, I would lose without any suspense. Exusiai's rubber bullets would not accomplish anything either... Croissant, none of our actual combat weapons are with us right now, are they?"

"They're all stored at the bar."

Croissant answered awkwardly.

If they wanted a fair fight, they would first have to defeat her, then go to the bar to retrieve their real weapons.

But...

Texas glanced at the hooded figure ahead, then looked up at the Lungmen Guard Department unit. The urge to retreat suddenly rose within her. Let the Guard Department deal with this troublesome person. They could rescue the boss after everything was over.

Penguin Screech

The sound pierced through the wall and drilled straight into Texas's ears, startling her into flattening them.

She shut down.

Emperor shouted through the wall, "Penguin Logistics employees, none of you are allowed to flee before battle! End this farce already. I still want to eat sharp cherry blossoms."

"Boss, keep it down!"

Exusiai cupped her hands around her cheeks and shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Get moving!"

Emperor shouted again, then finally quieted down for the moment.

After a brief lull, the atmosphere became tense once more. Croissant tilted her head toward the shrine maiden, arguably their strongest fighter, and suddenly noticed that her hand had already left the hilt of her sword. She no longer looked as guarded as before, instead appearing completely relaxed.

Something was wrong.

Something had been very wrong ever since that description of Jingzhe.

But Croissant did not know what was wrong.

Jingzhe remained silent.

She was not panicking. She had merely noticed the shrine maiden's movement and felt a faint curiosity rise in her heart, wondering what the other party intended to do.

Hoshino also fell silent.

She spread her hands, then walked toward Jingzhe with an easy expression.

Hiss—

It was impossible to tell what she intended to do with that move.

Jingzhe was not the only one who could not understand. The Guard Department officers on the rooftop could not understand either. The Penguin Logistics crew behind her were equally stunned. Exusiai watched everything intently, a strange thought arising in her heart.

Could these two be friends?

Hoshino walked forward.

The street sank into silence. Her footsteps seemed magnified tenfold, echoing against the rumbling thunder.

Closer and closer...

The people who had been overjoyed at Jingzhe's arrival suddenly fell silent as well. The shrine maiden's gaze was like a blade pressed against their hearts, making them afraid to speak loudly. But this attitude changed nothing. Hoshino continued walking slowly, and enemies were sent flying one after another.

She arrived before Jingzhe.

In a soft voice that only the two of them could hear, she said:

"An official of Dali Temple. You're in quite a sorry state."

"?"

"You don't need to say a word. I can cooperate with you and help you out of this predicament. Don't ask about anything else, but after this, you'll owe me a favor."

"..."

What was with that unquestionable tone?

Jingzhe had always thought those who served the gods were merely charlatans putting on a show, but judging from today, this one seemed to have some genuine ability?

That was not scientific at all?!!

Jingzhe had forgotten that the crackling electric sparks all over her body were equally unscientific.

If anyone asked, it was Originium Arts. If anyone asked, it was Honkai energy.

"What are they doing?"

After being on edge for so long, Ch'en was getting a little bored. Looking at the two people who were almost pressed together, she instinctively asked.

"Let me take a look..."

Hoshiguma also cast them a curious glance. After a while, she relaxed and answered lightly, "If they stare at each other for that long, they're either about to fight or fall in love. Those who get it, get it. No need to worry too much."

"Don't make jokes like that!"

Ch'en could not laugh no matter what in such a serious situation.

She continued looking down.

The shrine maiden stood up and gently hugged the hooded figure. Then she suddenly looked up at Ch'en, wearing an expression of shared indignation.

What did that mean?

Was she siding with criminal elements?

Hoshino looked up at Ch'en and waved apologetically. "You might not believe me, but this young lady... is my friend. There's no need to be so tense. Put your weapons away."

No one believed such a childish excuse.

Hoshino seemed somewhat troubled. She lowered her head to think for a while, then shouted in feigned indignation:

"All charlatans are family, didn't you know?"

Charlatans?

Not showing her face, not speaking, and surrounded by bright yellow lightning—she really did give off the impression of a charlatan.

Ch'en suddenly felt a little relieved.

Could this person be another member of Yae Shrine?