Snatching a Tooth from a Tiger's Maw

Wig Brown had Kaiming's fate and body. His build was sturdy, no longer stooped and frail like an old man's, yet he felt that Xie Yu was "looking down" on him.

He had never imagined that a weak young man's gaze could be so hard to bear. The person who had been waiting obediently to be plucked had suddenly opened a gaping maw and turned into a monster, lunging to tear at his throat.

How could he possibly hand the Sealed Artifact he kept on him to an outsider?

But the change was too sudden. He had never foreseen such a development and had made no preparations, leaving him at a loss for the moment:

"You're crazy. You must be crazy..."

Xie Yu calmly studied the man before him, reckoning that the most dangerous moment had probably passed.

The fake Kaiming had not been so mad as to immediately attack and silence him, which meant his gamble had paid off. This Mr. Fry and whatever stood behind him gave the fake Kaiming pause, making him afraid to attack Fry or kill someone in front of him.

And Xie Yu had not completely torn away the pretense, leaving the fake Kaiming a sliver of hope, a chance that he could still avoid being exposed.

If you wanted to force someone not to make a certain choice, offer them another, lazier, easier one...

Xie Yu noticed the fake Kaiming's panic and smiled. Taking control of the situation, he said:

"You won't give it to me? Then let me refresh your memory."

"Before your teacher, Mr. Wig Brown, died, he foresaw his own death and came to arrange his funeral. Because I attended to him so well and we had such a pleasant conversation, he left a gift. He never said it was for you, yet you put it on yourself."

"Clearly, the old gentleman saw that I had a genius for Sealed Artifacts and, appreciating my talent, left it to me!"

"How dare you openly claim it and refuse to let me see it?"

Of course, Wig Brown had arranged a funeral and taken over Kaiming's nest, so as far as the outside world was concerned, Wig Brown was dead in any case.

And Wig Brown had clearly looked down on Kaiming "while he was alive,"

Hearing this, Wig Brown felt dizzy.

He was a powerful mage. After devouring Kaiming, his mind and soul should have advanced further.

Yet powerful and terrifying as he was, faced with this young man, all his methods seemed so powerless. He had never anticipated a single thing Xie Yu said.

He wanted to curse Xie Yu for twisting right and wrong, for talking utter nonsense and being completely mad, but it was as though magic had sealed his mouth, and he could not get a word out.

Wig was also thinking, looking for a way out and a way to make his story hold together. It had occurred to him to say, "Sealed Artifact 3-0771 was an inheritance Wig Brown left to Kaiming. The old man had no children and regarded Kaiming as his successor."

But that was too far-fetched. He had not liked Kaiming much before, and Kaiming could hardly be considered an outstanding student.

He had been about to think of a more convincing explanation, only for Xie Yu to beat him to it.

"Is that old bastard Wig Brown dead?" Mr. Fry seemed utterly shocked, then said happily:

"Kaiming, that makes things easy. It really does! I'll have that matter you were concerned about settled soon."

Fry's reaction took Xie Yu by surprise. Xie Yu did not know what Kaiming had discussed with Fry. The cloak had not been with Kaiming at the time, so perhaps only the cane had heard it, but Xie Yu had not yet had a chance to make contact with that [loyal cane (Affection 0)].

Though he did not know the details, Mr. Fry's attitude was a great help.

The fake Kaiming's face turned ruddy, but the blood seemed unable to flow freely through his neck, which had swollen larger. His mouth and throat were choked up; he seemed desperate to speak, yet could not.

He wanted to argue back, but he had too much to consider. He had to maintain his identity and stay in character, find a flaw in Xie Yu's words and strike back, and do it all more convincingly than Xie Yu. He also had to speak immediately; he could not wait... Xie Yu saw through the fake Kaiming's predicament.

"So that's what this is all about."

Fry understood Xie Yu's account and clapped his hands happily:

"Even I don't get many chances to see a Sealed Artifact. This young assistant meant well. From what he said, he wasn't fighting you for ownership. He just wanted to handle the Sealed Artifact and maintain it, and then he'd give it right back. Why be so stingy? How about this, Kaiming? Let me say what's fair: this young man is quite sincere. I'll personally act as witness and guarantor. Don't worry, you won't miss out on the benefits."

Mr. Fry seemed to enjoy "taking charge." It appeared his status really was quite high, Xie Yu observed.

Fry's words made the fake Kaiming even angrier. What did he mean, he was stingy? What did he mean, suddenly saying what was fair? What did he mean, the young man was sincere?

If the situation had not been so tense, if he had not been trapped in this damned body, he would truly have cursed it all...

He understood that he had already lost the best opportunity to argue back. The crucial moment to refute Xie Yu and establish his own version of events had passed.

Wig finally looked away from Xie Yu, realizing that he truly could not see through this young man.

Where had Kaiming found a madman like this?

That morning, he had been an inconspicuous, weak, quiet child.

That afternoon, he had served tea and water with impeccable manners. Wig had even been thinking that he had gained a good assistant for nothing, and that he would let him live a few more days while he enjoyed a life that was no longer lonely.

But it had all been false, all a facade.

This young man... was definitely a demon.

"Good! Good! Good!"

He hid the way he was gritting his teeth, forced out a smile, and relaxed his expression.

He walked back to the study where he received guests and pretended to rummage through the cabinets. Then he took out the pendant and handed it to Xie Yu, slowly and gently.

[Sealed Artifact 3-0771 was deeply shocked. It had never imagined it would fall into your hands, much less that Wig would willingly hand it over to you. (Affection rose to 0)]

[At the same time, it developed an aversion to and suspicion of Wig Brown.]

[It heard you mention "maintenance" and felt somewhat expectant. (Affection rose to 10)]

"An Abnormal State of the mind and soul domain, with characteristics of the body and fate domains as well. At least the mental level of a four-star mage! No wonder that old bastard was so confident." Fry stared at it, evidently quite curious about this so-called Sealed Artifact.

Even he had few opportunities to come into contact with such things in ordinary times.

It was not a matter of poverty or insufficient status. The reason Sealed Artifacts needed to be "sealed" was precisely because they were extremely dangerous. Unless held by a mage who specialized in them, in the hands of the vast majority of mages they would either produce no reaction and be impossible to activate, or simply prove fatal.

"Give it back to me in two days."

The fake Kaiming returned to his normal demeanor and very reluctantly accepted Xie Yu's explanation. "Mr. Wig Brown's funeral will also be held then."

"Very good. I also need your cane. Give it to me too," Xie Yu said, using a new reason to shut the fake Kaiming up:

"Tending to the Sealed Artifact requires an item you keep close to you."

The fake Kaiming did not curse Xie Yu for pushing his luck. After a moment's silence, he handed over the cane.

The cane was too pitiful. He had to take it with him, Xie Yu thought.

Besides, the cane had been closest to Kaiming. If Xie Yu was going to avenge Kaiming, it would be willing. From it, he should be able to learn the details and obtain evidence of Kaiming's murder.

[The three-story wooden house that liked reading (Affection 80) grew anxious:]

[What about me! What about me! Me?]

I can't take you with me. Xie Yu looked up at the large wooden house and smiled reassuringly.

Once the tiger's tooth had been pulled, it was time for the tiger to die.

Wig Brown's funeral. You picked it yourself.