Xu An lay in bed, recalling that lovely figure.
Could a senior sister and junior brother date? They probably could, right? Yunkui Summit, Yunkui Summit-doing as you pleased should be fine, right?
Forget it. I'd better rest properly and improve my strength first. After all, Ye Shunguang was the one chosen by the Qingming Sword.
Sigh, I need to think carefully about how to solve her problem.
Forget it, this can't be rushed. My abilities are limited right now, and I haven't gained any ability that could solve this problem. I'd better get more attribute points first.
As Xu An's thoughts wandered, he drifted off to sleep.
Early the next morning, Xu An rubbed his bleary eyes and washed his face, immediately feeling much more refreshed.
When he reached the courtyard, he found his master and several senior brothers and sisters there. Even that sleepyhead Belle was there.
"Oh? Belle, how come you're up so early today?
"Master! Senior brothers, senior sisters, good morning." Xu An greeted them one by one.
"What do you mean, up so early? I get up early every day, okay?!" Belle stamped her foot, declaring her innocence. That awful Xu An, he's just calling me lazy! Damn him, damn him, damn him.
"Good morning, my disciple." Yixuan smiled faintly.
Then she continued talking with the person before her.
Xu An stood beside Belle and listened too, secretly whispering to her.
"Belle, want to get breakfast at Yin Tea House? I had this really delicious pastry yesterday. Shall we go get some later?" Xu An raised his eyebrows.
"Sure, sure. Later, though. Let's listen to what Master and the others are talking about first."
"Mm-hmm. (๑•ω•๑)" Xu An stopped talking and listened carefully to their conversation.
"You must be the cultivators of Mount Yunkui, correct?
"I am Damian Blackwood, the chief executive of Hui Crystal Meike, a special development enterprise under the TOPS Consortium.
"Mount Yunkui hasn't visited the Waifei Peninsula in a long time, and you've encountered an airship safety incident within my jurisdiction just after returning... You have my deepest regrets."
"If regrets were useful, what would we need apologies and gifts for? Coming empty-handed doesn't look very regretful." Xu An muttered under his breath. Beside him, Belle secretly covered her mouth and laughed.
"Ahaha, your disciple is quite amusing... I hear Mount Yunkui has become Mayor Mayflower's partner. May I take that to mean your return to the Waifei Peninsula was also at the mayor's behest?"
"Correct. We did receive a commission from the mayor to investigate the situation within the Lemnian Hollow. I'll have my disciple send you the official authorization documents later," Yixuan replied unconcernedly.
Her hand suddenly landed on the head of Xu An, who was squatting beside her, and began stroking it.
OAO? Xu An looked up, giving his master a strange look. Just talk. Why are you suddenly scratching my head? I just fixed my hair, damn it.
Yixuan ignored him (￣へ￣), continuing to ruffle his hair.
There was nothing Xu An could do but let her do as she pleased.
Belle wanted to ruffle his hair too, looking at Xu An pitifully.
Xu An was helpless. There was nothing he could do about either of them.
He could only nod resignedly.
And so, Belle joined the hair-ruffling ranks.
Damian continued, "As I thought... However, the Lemnian Hollow is somewhat special.
"Hui Crystal Meike has Bright Porcelain extraction and processing equipment in the Bright Porcelain mining area. Please do not enter without permission, to avoid causing interference.
"After all, we must ensure the normal production and supply of Bright Porcelain."
At that, their eldest senior sister Ju Fufu frowned and protested, "Normal production?! But I just heard workers on the street saying there seemed to have been a workplace safety incident inside the Hollow.
"Maybe the problem was caused by your reckless mining inside the Hollow!"
Yixuan agreed as well. "Mm-hmm, exactly. The safety incident Fufu mentioned may affect the Hollow, so naturally, we of Mount Yunkui must take part in the investigation."
"There was indeed a safety incident, but we have already sealed off the affected area according to regulations, and provided treatment and compensation to the workers.
"To ensure your personal safety, please refrain from entering the Bright Porcelain production area," Damian reiterated. Xu An felt there was something threatening about his expression.
"Oh~ Lastly, I must remind you of something-Bright Porcelain production is one of the TOPS Consortium's most important businesses.
"Whether it's Mount Yunkui or any other important figures... you'd best not delve too deeply.
"I'll leave it at that... Here is my contact information. I'll take my leave for today." After leaving his contact information, Damian departed Yunkui Summit.
"That guy seems pretty full of himself. Kind of makes me want to treat him to a good slap," Xu An said.
"Exactly, exactly. He looks so conceited." Watching Damian leave, Belle echoed Xu An.
"One look tells you that guy is no good! ( T_T) He's incredibly suspicious!" Senior Sister Fufu said with a frown.
Yixuan remained composed. "Fufu, what exactly was the safety incident you mentioned?"
"Junior Sister Belle and I heard about it on our way back to Yunkui Summit... It sounded like the workers were waiting for compensation." Ju Fufu held her chin as she recalled it.
"Yes, I heard about it too. A lot of workers nearby are discussing it. Apparently, they suffered corruption in the Bright Porcelain production area inside the Hollow. But the exact details are still unclear," Pan Yinhu added.
"I keep feeling that the abnormal Hollow observation data and the problems in the Bright Porcelain production area... I keep feeling there's some connection between the two."
Ye Shiyuan said, "Junior Sister is right. This is exactly what they call trying to cover something up only to expose it further. It looks like we'll have to find a way to take a look at the Bright Porcelain production area inside the Hollow.
"But judging by that Damian's tone, he certainly won't let us enter the Bright Porcelain production area easily."
As they spoke, they all looked at the squatting Xu An.
Seeing everyone looking at him, Xu An wasn't quite sure what to do.
"What are you all looking at me for? Expecting me to suggest something? If you want me to fight, I can definitely do that. Using my brain is what I hate most. òᆺó"
They rolled their eyes at Xu An one after another.
"Belle, can you use your Hollow navigation technology to find the production area?"
"Umm, I contacted my brother remotely last night. He said the observation data inside the Lemnian Hollow had become abnormal. The HDD uses remote computation and can't analyze it in real time. He'll have to come here to calibrate the data on-site.
"Master, we need to find a safe way to bring my brother over as soon as possible." Worry showed between Belle's brows. She was clearly afraid that someone might target her brother while he was over there alone.
"Don't worry, Junior Sister. I just sent the mayor's investigation authorization to Damian and formally requested his assistance with the investigation.
"As far as procedure goes, this investigation has officially entered the collaborative stage. Even if TOPS wants to pull any tricks, they'll have to be cautious.
"Besides, we've already been exposed, so there's no need to take the dedicated airship route anymore. Why not drive along the highway? That would be a little safer," Ye Shiyuan said thoughtfully.
"Although... we've had no shortage of trouble on the highway before... it's still much more reassuring than an airship." Belle couldn't help recalling being chased not long ago. If she hadn't experienced that before, she might almost have believed the highway was safe.
"Yes, in that case, let's split up. Belle, Xu An, we'll go with Fufu and Yinhu to investigate the workers nearby.
"Shiyuan will drive to Sixth Street to pick up your brother. We'll meet back at Yunkui Summit afterward."
Seeming to notice Belle's worry, Yixuan quickly continued, "Don't worry. Before we set out, I'll also cast a divination to see whether this operation bodes well or ill."