Bronya and Gepard, who had not yet gone far, immediately led the Silvermane Guards in pursuit.
Though Gepard knew that he and his men were no match for Zhang Xiu's group, he could only obey Cocolia's orders.
Pela, who had been introducing the buildings to the children, joined the pursuit as well.
They followed Zhang Xiu and the others through the streets, watching with their own eyes as the group crossed into the Fragmentum and vanished completely.
These spatial distortions caused by the Stellaron would teleport anyone who touched them elsewhere.
"They actually went into the Fragmentum themselves?" Pela stopped and pushed her slipping glasses back up, then turned to Bronya.
"Should we report them as missing or dead to the Supreme Guardian?"
"No. Our orders are to capture them alive, and whether they're dead or alive, I need to see it with my own eyes. Pela, Gepard, maintain order here. I'll go capture them."
"Please wait, Lady Bronya. Their leader is extremely powerful. Please let me accompany you."
"...Very well. Pela, take some of the troops and maintain order."
With that, Bronya and Gepard left the Fragmentum exit and led their troops off in another direction.
After crossing into the Fragmentum, the group hurried through the streets under Zhang Xiu's guidance, clearing out all the Fragmentum Creatures along the way.
After activating several mechanisms, they arrived at the place where Bronya intended to ambush them.
"If my guess is right, they'll follow us soon and set up an ambush here."
"Let's stay right here and catch them off guard."
"Zhang Xiu, there's no need to get tangled up with them. We can just leave through the Fragmentum exit up ahead." Dan Heng offered his opinion, but Zhang Xiu persuaded him otherwise.
"We need someone's trust and help, and that girl named Bronya is the perfect candidate." After saying that, Zhang Xiu turned and scanned their surroundings.
"So come on out, Sampo. I know you're here."
But his words were met with utter silence. Zhang Xiu clicked his tongue. "If you don't come out, my wife doesn't know how to pull her punches."
"Hey! Hey, easy there, buddy. I was just waiting for the critical moment to lend a hand."
With that flippant voice, Sampo, sporting short dark-blue hair, appeared before them.
"Well, well! You've got some nerve showing your face in front of me after screwing us over." March 7th planted her hands on her hips, her face scrunching into a sulky kitten's scowl.
"Hey, hey, that was because I had faith in your abilities. Besides, isn't old Sampo here to help you now?" Sampo rubbed his hands together, an ingratiating smile on his face.
"All right, enough wisecracks. When Bronya follows us here, find a way to knock her out, then take us away."
"You're actually daring to kidnap the next Supreme Guardian? My goodness, in all my years of getting by, old Sampo's never seen anyone with guts like yours." Sampo widened his eyes in disbelief.
"Cut the crap. Are you doing it or not?" Zhang Xiu gave him a speechless look.
In the original story, this guy hadn't hesitated at all to take Bronya to the Underworld. He was putting on an act now, plain and simple.
"But as the saying goes, heh heh, I'd take a blade through each flank for a friend! Leave it to me." Sampo's face filled with smiles again, and he flashed them an "OK" sign.
"Just remember to cover your mouths and noses, everyone. Old Sampo's smoke doesn't distinguish friend from foe."
Once he agreed, Zhang Xiu and the others exchanged glances, then wordlessly concealed themselves in different spots.
When footsteps sounded in the distance and gradually approached their position, Sampo promptly released a white mist capable of knocking people out.
"This is bad! An ambush! Everyone, fall back!" Bronya swept out her arm, but the next instant, she felt all strength drain from her body.
"You've fallen into our trap!" Zhang Xiu appeared before the Silvermane Guards with a loud laugh, only to spot Gepard struggling to hold on in front of Bronya.
"Huh? Old Gep? What are you doing here too?"
"I... won't let you hurt Lady Bronya..."
He gritted his teeth and stood up, but Sampo's knockout mist was no joke. Zhang Xiu could only stay conscious thanks to his body as an Abomination of Abundance. How long could Gepard, an ordinary Pathstrider, possibly resist?
Before long, he collapsed unconscious alongside Bronya.
"Hehehehe, Bronya~ Time to go say hello to Seele~" Zhang Xiu grinned wickedly at the sight, then swept out his arm. "Honey, take her away."
By the time the smoke dispersed, only Gepard and the Silvermane Guards remained on the empty street. Zhang Xiu's group and Bronya had long since vanished.
Belobog, the Underworld.
Filthy surroundings and thick, cloying air were Zhang Xiu's first impressions of the place. It was like a garbage dump that had been tidied up.
Golden minerals, discarded mechanical parts, and other things lay piled everywhere, while children played nearby.
Among the crowd, Zhang Xiu also spotted Hook running around with her two little followers.
Their arrival drew the attention of the Underworld's residents as well. Had they not covered Bronya, who was on Yaoshi's back, with a cloth, they probably would have been surrounded immediately.
After all, Cocolia had sealed off the Underworld for over a decade. With conspiracy theories festering, the Silvermane Guards had long since become rats in the street that everyone wanted to beat.
"Hey, buddy, can I ask you something?" Sampo approached Zhang Xiu and walked beside him.
Zhang Xiu naturally knew what he wanted to ask, so he quietly gave him the answer outright. "I have a limited ability to foresee the future, so I know a few things about you and Seele."
"My goodness, seeing the future? If I had your ability, why would I ever need to scurry around hiding?" Sampo answered just as quietly, though a flicker of wariness passed through his eyes.
"Heh, it's not as great as you think. I only know a tiny bit." Zhang Xiu lied without blushing or his pulse quickening, giving nothing away.
"What are you two talking about?" Stelle came over and studied them curiously.
"Sampo and I were discussing whether to fight a few matches at the Fight Club later and earn some money. Want to come, Stelle?"
"The Fight Club? I'll pass. Ah, there's no challenge in it." Stelle smiled and spread her hands, her expression brimming with confidence.
"Hoho, pretty cocky, aren't you~ Hey, let's tell Dan Heng to fight instead. I've already thought up a title for him;
how about [Cold Dragon Young]?" Zhang Xiu's voice was neither loud nor soft, carrying just far enough to reach Dan Heng's ears.
Dan Heng folded his left arm across his chest and raised his right fist, resting his thumb against his chin. "If it's to gather information... I suppose I could take a look."
"So what do you think of the nickname I came up with? Hehe." Zhang Xiu sidled up to Dan Heng with an eminently punchable air.
"...Not much." Dan Heng did not move away, merely looking resigned.
March 7th was drawn over too. "What are you secretly talking about behind my back? What's 'not much'?"
"Ah~ Here comes Cold Pink Dragon Young." Zhang Xiu swayed theatrically, looking her over with laughter barely contained in his eyes.
"What? Cold Pink Dragon Young? That's a seriously tasteless title."
And so, joking and laughing, they followed Sampo to an inn.
"Everyone, stay here for now. If there's nothing else, old Sampo will be on his way?"
He still wore an amused smile, his sly eyes sweeping over the group.
"Did you book the rooms in advance?" Zhang Xiu raised an eyebrow and met Sampo's gaze.
"Uh, about that... Hahaha."
In the end, after a round of extortion from Zhang Xiu, Sampo reluctantly paid to book a separate room for each of them, then departed in sorrow.
"Let's rest here for now, then split up and do some investigating later. How does that sound?"
"Yes. Remember to keep out of sight and avoid drawing too much attention. As for you, Zhang Xiu... rein yourself in." Dan Heng made a point of reminding him.
"Don't worry. If there's one thing I know, it's how to rein myself in."
Zhang Xiu patted his chest, the spirit of mischief blazing in his eyes.
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