The moment the word “kill” left her mouth, Bai Feifei felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
“Heh, now that’s more like it!” Xu Mo remarked with satisfaction, seeing that Bai Feifei was finally on the right track.
You’re the one who decided to take action, I didn’t force you at all~
To be honest, Liang Shuguang’s appearance made Xu Mo feel that this game was finally getting interesting. He was even starting to look forward to how it would all play out in the end.
“Alright, then it’s settled. We’ll do it during his abdication ceremony. Since he set up the stage himself, we might as well play along. Dying at a moment like that would be a fitting end to his legend.”
“Also, just a warning: there might be some unexpected entertainment. I have a feeling that guy won’t retire quietly.”
Bai Feifei nodded, remaining silent.
She found the Old-Timer’s excitement rather baffling, but then again, Evil Gods were chaotic and mad by nature. Perhaps he didn't need a reason to be excited.
The thought of assassinating the City Lord at the upcoming ceremony didn't make her nervous.
Compared to killing someone, she was more worried about what they had discussed earlier—the civil unrest in Dawn City. She was trying to figure out how to prevent it.
At her age, this was the first time she had ever pondered such a heavy question.
She fell completely silent, letting several hours slip by. No one knew what was going through her mind.
It wasn't until night fell that she finally closed her eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.
The very next second, her eyes snapped open.
—Xu Mo had logged in, of course.
He wasn't tired yet. Once Bai Feifei fell asleep, it was his time to act freely, so he naturally wanted to move around a bit.
However, there was nothing for him to do right now...
Just then...
Knock, knock, knock. A knock sounded at the door.
Xu Mo raised an eyebrow. He felt like he could already guess who it was.
...
“Why do you keep coming to see me in the middle of the night? Do you have some kind of special fetish or something?”
Xu Mo let Wan Qianhong into the room, then lay back down on the bed with his hands clasped behind his head.
Seeing Bai Feifei in this state again, Wan Qianhong’s lips twitched slightly.
She didn't say anything. Instead, she waved her hand, and fine droplets of fresh blood seeped from her palm, quickly filling every crevice of the room.
A crimson membrane of blood sealed the room, completely isolating it from the outside world.
“Whoa,” Xu Mo remarked, admiring the scene. “Your ability is really quite Lovecraftian. But what's the meaning of this?”
“Sigh.” Wan Qianhong turned her head, her voice sounding rather exhausted.
“There are sentries everywhere on the way to your room. Too many people are watching your every move. This is to prevent us from being monitored or overheard.”
Xu Mo leaned against the headboard, unsurprised. “Heh, that’s only natural.”
“They finally found a stable solution, so they're terrified I might stir up trouble.”
“Hehe... So, what are you here for?”
Wan Qianhong’s gaze instantly grew despondent.
“My teacher sent me a message. She wants me to talk to you.”
“Liu Yun?” Xu Mo sat up slightly. “Tell me the details.”
Wan Qianhong replied, “Teacher said that the City Lord’s abdication ceremony will be in three days.”
Xu Mo didn't interrupt, waiting for her to continue.
“Actually... there isn't much to it, I suppose.” Wan Qianhong’s voice sounded as numb as if she were reciting a textbook.
“To put it simply, she spoke of the City Lord’s contributions. She knows what you’re like, but she still hopes you’ll let him finish his abdication ceremony in peace.”
“The ceremony will likely be held in three days. Liang Shuguang will give a speech from the top of the white building, and various factions from across the continent will be invited. She hopes you won’t cause any unnecessary trouble.”
At this point, Wan Qianhong’s lips trembled slightly. “Also, she wanted to ask if you have any intention of becoming the new City Lord after he steps down.”
Once she finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence.
Wan Qianhong was deeply conflicted. She had been absolutely shocked when she received that message earlier.
She had never expected her teacher to plead for Liang Shuguang at a time like this...
Her heart and her reason had collapsed too many times already. Coming to find Bai Feifei wasn't just to pass on the message; she also wanted someone to talk to.
Meanwhile, Xu Mo frowned.
Did Liu Yun really say that?
Is she really that stupid?
A ceremony in three days, where Liang Shuguang would speak, and under the eyes of the entire world...
The time, the place, the target—everything was laid out perfectly!
She's telling me not to cause trouble? No, she's clearly terrified that I won't go make a scene!
“Did Liu Yun tell you this in person?” he suddenly asked.
“Huh?” Wan Qianhong was taken aback, not understanding why he was suddenly asking about such a minor detail.
“No, she didn't. She sent me a message through a private line on her phone just now.”
Xu Mo leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face as the corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile.
“Hehe... I see. Alright.
“Regardless of what she said, what is your opinion?
“How do you think this should be resolved?”
Wan Qianhong replied, her voice filled with conflict.
“I believe... achievements cannot wash away sins, and ideals are no excuse for evil.”
Then, her voice filled with frustration.
“But... I really can't think of a better solution.
“Dawn City is simply too dependent on the City Lord. Perhaps the way things are now is truly...”
Xu Mo laughed and hopped off the bed, stepping right in front of her.
“Alright, cut the crap. To put it simply, you want to kill him too, don’t you? That’s all I need to hear.
“How many days has it been since you joined the Masked Hermit Society? Since I have seniority, that makes you my subordinate, understand?
“Within the organization, the Old-Timer is the boss. So you follow my orders. Any problem with that?”
Wan Qianhong was stunned, her mind failing to process this immediately. She instinctively took half a step back and stammered,
“Uh... follow your orders? I guess I could. What kind of order?”
Xu Mo grinned, leaning in close to her face. In the blood-mist-filled room, his expression carried a hint of sinister charm.
“Very well, Unceasing Purple. This will be your first mission since joining the Masked Hermit Society.
“As for the participants, it will be just the two of us.
“The objective: assassinate City Lord Liang Shuguang during his abdication ceremony, right in front of the entire world!”
Wan Qianhong: !?
...
The City Lord’s Mansion in the core area of Dawn City was shrouded in darkness. Tonight, only a single window in this white building, which symbolized Dawn City’s supreme power, cast a faint, flickering light.
The lights inside were off; instead, a single candle was lit.
Liang Shuguang sat in his wheelchair with his back to the door, humming a melodious tune.
It was an old song from Dawn City that sounded like a nursery rhyme. The lyrics were indistinguishable, but he simply hummed along, seemingly in a very good mood.
The candle flame flickered. Within the light cast upon the wall, a long-haired silhouette appeared.
Liang Shuguang’s humming stopped.
“You’re here?”
Rate on N.U.
