Chapter 100 – When the Roses Bloom (18)
◎ Groundhog? Pangolin! ◎
“I have a question,” the usually silent Fang Zhixu suddenly spoke, “Does a puppet know it’s a puppet?”
He washed his face, shaved his beard, and tidied up neatly. Fang Zhixu had changed a lot these two days. The unexpected reunion with Zhang Wanyao made him completely collapse, but also gave him a new life. Now, the sense of decadence that had been on him completely disappeared, returning him to the mature and rational appearance he once had.
“They may know or may not know it,” Zhuang Qingyan answered slowly.
“When the causality ability is implanted, neither the puppet nor the master feels any obvious discomfort. If done discreetly enough, they might not even be aware. All the hardships are borne solely by that causality awakener. So, these individuals are jokingly referred to as ‘spring silkworms.'”
In ancient literature, spring silkworms were symbols of selfless dedication. However, in the present context, it’s filled with irony. This supernatural ability is too elusive, capable of clandestinely altering someone’s life trajectory, becoming a scapegoat for another person.
Zhuang Qingyan paused. “As for whether Nai Kang’s puppet knows its own identity, that’s debatable.”
“I think Juralamani doesn’t know,” Song Ke affirmed confidently.
When a warrior faces life and death, their eyes and displayed state cannot deceive others. When Song Ke fought Juralamani, the opponent’s moves were fierce, their mind resolute, showing no anomalies. If he knew he was a puppet, he’d certainly have some reservations; there would be flaws in his technique, and his emotions would fluctuate slightly when being killed. Yet, Juralamani displayed none of these signs.
Juralamani’s strength had reached close to S-level. He was an absolute powerhouse and wouldn’t easily die. Nai Kang choosing him as a puppet was an extremely wise decision. There was no need to explicitly inform him.
“Additionally,” Zhuang Qingyan’s mind was like an unfathomable library, swiftly recalling related information, “this kind of life bond cannot be established in one go. It needs several reinforcing sessions. Also, when making a puppet, both the main host and the puppet must be present.”
Zhang Ci further speculated, “So, the puppet’s selection leans towards people familiar to Nai Kang, at least those he frequently encounters.”
Nai Kang held a prestigious position, allowed entry into the Reunification Palace, and had few people who met him face-to-face, further narrowing down the possibilities.
The awakeners in the cafeteria discussed animatedly.
“I don’t understand, can’t Nai Kang just randomly snatch someone and lock them up? Wouldn’t that be safer?”
“I don’t think so. If a normal person is imprisoned for no reason, their mindset would surely explode. What if they can’t take it and commit su*cide? Wouldn’t that waste the puppet opportunity? Is Nai Kang that foolish?”
“Then he could capture several more, rotate them,” the young man who spoke first was unconvinced, turning to Zhuang Qingyan, “Hey, buddy, can the identity of a puppet be transferred?”
“Possible,” Zhuang Qingyan nodded slightly.
The crowd was astonished. The puppet’s identity could be transferred? Wouldn’t that make it as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack?
“But the causality awakener must personally implant it,” Zhuang Qingyan leisurely completed the latter half of the sentence.
That was a real shocker—absolutely terrifying.
Their hearts sank back into their chests, murmuring involuntarily, “Thank goodness he died early; otherwise, it would’ve been troublesome.”
“Fortunately, fortunately. The identities of the remaining two puppets are fixed.”
Samuel, towering in stature, stood up, his voice deep, “I understand Nai Kang better than any of you. He’s known as the ‘tyrant’ because he dislikes anything slipping from his control. In my opinion, he won’t disclose the truth to the puppets.”
In the New Calendar Year 47, it was Nai Kang’s 27th year as the magistrate. Samuel, joining the mercenaries at fifteen, had witnessed Nai Kang’s bloody ascent to power, steadily developing over the past three decades.
Samuel thought for a moment and added, “I’m not sure what his plan was before, but after yesterday’s battle, Nai Kang lost an important puppet. It’s highly likely he’ll keep the remaining two controlled within the Reunification Palace, the safest place in Mu City.”
Zhang Ci nodded in agreement, “To sum up, the puppets are people Nai Kang is familiar with or trusts, frequently encountered by him, probably currently within the Guard Unit or the Reunification Palace, unaware of their identity.”
Who could such individuals be?
Everyone fell into contemplation, the atmosphere in the cafeteria unusually hushed.
“I know someone,” Fang Zhixu gradually clenched his fists.
“He has been living in the Reunification Palace for years, closest to Nai Kang, tightly controlled by him, easily accessible at all times. Most importantly, that person, until today, is still alive and well.”
Dark flames ignited in Fang Zhixu’s eyes, “He’s Nai Kang’s only son—Nai Wen.”
“I used to be Nai Wen’s attending physician, well aware of his condition. His bone disease was congenital, previously considered incurable before the apocalypse, but now, survival is entirely possible with the healing supernatural abilities.”
“Come to think of it, we haven’t heard about Nai Wen for a long time,” murmured a few local mercenaries behind Samuel.
“That little p*rvert always enjoyed mutil*ting healthy children. He used to cause trouble frequently, and our neighbor’s daughter was… by him… It seems like he’s vanished from the face of the earth lately.”
“Nai Wen being a puppet, only killing him will reveal the truth,” Zhuang Qingyan sighed, “But to kill him, one must enter the Reunification Palace. It seems that even if it’s a den of dragons and tigers, one inevitably has to make a trip there.”
“I’ll go to the Reunification Palace,” Song Ke was the first to step forward.
Zhuang Qingyan and Zhang Ci glanced at her, almost simultaneously speaking.
“It’s dangerous for you alone, I’ll accompany you.”
“I’ll go with you.”
The scene fell silent for two seconds, the senior brothers and sisters from Yue Mountain Martial Arts School looked at the two, their breaths hitching in disbelief.
Su Cha and Lu Xiaoyu intervened in time:
“I’ll go too.”
“Sounds interesting, count me in.”
Samuel, Fan Yiwen, and others also chimed in, “I’ll join too.”
Most of the high-level awakeners present stood up.
Zhang Ci raised a hand to calm their agitation, raising his voice, “I know everyone came to Shaye for survival. This assassination mission is extremely dangerous, completely voluntary, you don’t have to force yourselves.”
“Qiong Qi, your kindness is understood, but this concerns everyone’s interests. I must go.”
“Nai Kang is practically riding roughshod over us; I have to take him down!”
“Without killing Nai Kang, Shaye will never have peaceful days. Qiong Qi, I’m willing to go with you!”
The name Qiong Qi belonged to the soul of Shaye. His charisma was unmatched. The fervent voices surged higher and higher. Zhang Ci stood amidst the crowd, like a guiding light illuminating the gloom.
Zhuang Qingyan watched coldly for a while before dousing them with a metaphorical bucket of icy water. “Just shouting won’t work. It’s not about who has the loudest voice.”
“What do you mean?”
Zhuang Qingyan casually pointed at Zhang Ci and a few others, “You, you, and you, either you’re wanted criminals or unidentified refugees. You can’t even enter Mu City, and you’re thinking of storming into the Reunification Palace?”
“…”
Why does this man deserve a beating so much?
However, despite Zhuang Qingyan’s harsh words, the point was straightforward. For these individuals, getting close to the Reunification Palace was utterly implausible.
Was there any other way they could infiltrate?
Song Ke recalled encountering Liu Zixuan in Hua City. Though he was only a D-rank, his ability was exceptionally unique, capable of opening a door to any plane. If they could find someone similar, wouldn’t they have a chance to enter the Reunification Palace?
Sharing her thoughts, Song Ke saw Zhuang Qingyan nod in agreement. “Exactly. It doesn’t necessarily have to be door-opening abilities; other supernatural abilities could work too. If utilized properly, seemingly trivial abilities could be remarkably effective.”
“I’ll have all the awakeners in Shaye re-registered,” Zhang Ci concluded.
*
Mu City.
Irene and Lin Youyou, accompanied by a group of girls, dashed through the smoke.
“Irene, this is the last place!” Lin Youyou shouted.
“Marsha, haven’t you sensed your sister yet?” Irene blasted away the pursuing private soldiers and turned to ask.
Marsha clenched her lips, shaking her head rapidly.
While Nai Kang attacked Shaye, Miao Lun used private soldiers to take over the city’s defenses. Irene and her team raided several private soldier camps, rescuing some girls conscripted as ‘Rose Army,’ but Marsha’s sister, Marie, was still nowhere to be found.
“Could it be that your sister is still in Miao Lun’s mansion?” a wounded girl timidly suggested, “I heard that Miao Lun keeps pets he fancies for a while before getting tired and throwing them to the private soldier camps.”
Miao Lun’s mansion was easy to locate, but it was heavily guarded by high-level awakeners, making it virtually impenetrable. Rescuing anyone from within was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
“Let’s send them back first, then we’ll go check,” Irene and Lin Youyou sent the girls back to the apartment and, with Marsha, approached Miao Lun’s mansion.
They didn’t dare get too close, hiding in streets several kilometers away. Marsha folded her hands and activated her telepathic sense. After a few seconds, she exclaimed in excitement, “I found my sister!”
Indeed, Marie was there, but as Marsha’s smile surfaced, it froze the next moment.
“What’s wrong?” Lin Youyou asked nervously.
Marsha’s expression turned puzzled, “My sister said she’s with a sister named Yao, and they won’t leave for the time being.”
Yao?
Irene and Lin Youyou exchanged astonished looks. Zhang Wanyao? They had lost contact with her since that day in the apartment and hadn’t expected to hear her name this way.
“What else did Marie say?” Irene asked.
Marsha closed her eyes, concentrating on communicating with her sister silently.
“She told me to quickly leave Mu City and seek reinforcements.”
“What reinforcements?”
Suddenly, a commotion arose within Mu City. Generals and the joint forces were returning to the city. The news of Ruan Wenjun’s death spread like wildfire, and within moments, over a hundred fully armed mercenaries streamed out of Miao Lun’s mansion.
“This isn’t good,” Irene frowned. “With Nai Kang returning at this time, Miao Lun must have received news about the Rose Army’s betrayal. He’s free now and finding us is just a matter of time.”
Irene gripped the cannon with her left hand. These girls had barely escaped. Would they now be caught again?
“Irene, let’s go to Shaye,” Lin Youyou said seriously. She had received information from Su Cha and Song Ke about Shaye’s current situation.
“I assure you, Shaye is different from Mu City. The leader there, Qiong Qi, is Song Ke’s senior martial brother. He’s honest and fair. If they go there, at least they won’t suffer abuse and harassment anymore.”
Irene lowered her gaze in silence, fearing her decision would push these girls into another pit.
Lin Youyou earnestly persuaded, “Even Samuel has joined Shaye. If Qiong Qi were like Nai Kang, so many locals wouldn’t willingly follow him.”
“Fine, let’s go to Shaye,” Irene finally relented and nodded slowly.
The three returned to the apartment, gathered the rescued girls, and along with a few dozen people, headed toward the city gates, aiming to leave Mu City before Miao Lun’s search.
As they approached the city gates, Irene abruptly halted—Godanwei and Hu Chao manned the outpost. Their eagle-like eyes scrutinized every person entering or leaving, especially the women, who had to roll up their sleeves for inspection.
“Irene…” a trembling voice came from behind.
Those girls, their faces pale, rolled up their sleeves. Except for Marsha, who hadn’t been caught, every one of them bore a deep red rose-shaped brand on their arms.
This was Miao Lun’s victorious “medal”, the “honor” of joining the Rose Army.
Irene fell into a state of intense, speechless fury.
“Scum!” Lin Youyou turned away, angrily cursing.
“Um, excuse me…” a stranger’s voice interrupted them.
Irene looked wary, swiftly turning around with Lin Youyou, shielding the girls. They recognized the familiar figure—why was it him?
Kansu, who had crossed paths with them before, awkwardly smiled, his face and clothes covered in mud. “It’s me, it’s me. Sorry for eavesdropping again, I swear I didn’t mean to. I always accidentally know too many secrets, and it’s really bothersome…”
Kansu nervously rambled on, noticing the terrified and disoriented looks of the girls. He slapped his mouth belatedly, then finally got to the point, “Are you trying to leave the city? I can take you out.”
“You? What can you do?” Lin Youyou raised her chin, glaring fiercely.
Kansu scratched his head sheepishly, “Uh, well, my ability is ‘digging tunnels.’ Over the years, I’ve secretly made many passages, including a way out of the city. My friends call me Groundhog, though I absolutely deny it. I’m clearly a pangolin…”
Kansu continued with nonsensical chatter, then he realized—
The beautiful lady in front of him had sparkling eyes, looking thrilled as if she wanted to devour him.
Kansu: …Did I say something extraordinary?
