0131 Infiltration

“But… are you really without any doubts?” Someone’s heart remained troubled. Now, Huan Luo carried the weight of her parents’ hatred, the hopes of the nation, and her own loss of control—all three monumental burdens. Could she simply ignore them all?

“No doubts,” Huan Luo replied evenly, her steady tone unwavering. Her resolute gaze signaled she was ready to depart at any moment.

“Alright then.” With no grounds to oppose Huan Luo’s decision to join, the other person readily agreed. Huan Luo must have her reasons for such a choice. Moreover, having her along was nothing but a boon, like gaining a full-time bodyguard. Still, curiosity got the better of them, and they asked, “Do you know there’s a way to suppress Dragon Fang in the Forest of Night Ghosts?”

“What?” Taken aback by the question, Huan Luo’s expression blanked for a moment. “There’s a method to suppress Dragon Fang in the Night Ghosts’ forest? Who told you that?”

“...Lance,” came the hesitant answer. Watching Huan Luo’s face shift from confusion to a spark of surprised delight, the speaker felt awkward about bending the truth. “He said it before he left. I don’t think it was a lie.”

Huan Luo’s complexion stiffened, yet she sensed the other’s mood sinking immediately after speaking. She dropped all pretense and said plainly, “I wasn’t aware of that. If it turns out to be a pleasant surprise on this journey, it’s not a bad outcome.”

“Besides, the Forest of Night Ghosts isn’t entirely overrun by monsters yet. I reckon the beasts can’t fully penetrate it either,” they added. “Though both facts come from Lance, I really have no choice but to go.”

“Understood.” Even if the path was guided by Lance, the journey had to be undertaken. Though a lingering discomfort gnawed at her, Huan Luo maintained her eternal poker face, suppressing any emotional waves. “When do you plan to leave? How will you get out of the city?”

At this technical inquiry, the other’s face lit up with pride. Triumphantly, they produced a long-hidden outfit from their bedding, holding it high for Huan Luo to see. “Of course... disguised to leave the city.”

Looking up admiringly at the soldier’s uniform, Huan Luo nodded. “Hmm, this outfit is well-prepared. But there’s only one set?”

“...” Sheepishly, the other withdrew their arm, mumbling, “I thought I’d be going alone.”

“Also, wearing that at the city gate won’t get you through. Do you have a permit to leave the city?”

“...” Shrinking into a small ball, they produced a forged permit and handed it over. The document was so blurred it was unrecognizable, the black ink seemingly melted into the brown paper in an indistinct blot. “I’ll show this to the city guards. If they let me pass, I’ll walk through. If not, I’ll mix this hard-earned ‘Soft Bone and Tendon Powder’ with a wind magic circle drawn on my palm to summon a breeze that’ll put them all to a peaceful sleep.”

Upon hearing this grand plan, Huan Luo’s face darkened with three silent lines. “Regardless of how tightly Kirin Pass is guarded, if you really escape like that, you’ll be branded a traitor with iron nails hammered into your name.”

The other responded with righteous defiance, “Nail me then. I’ve got enough debts already, and dark skin isn’t afraid of ink. Let them slander me all they want. I must finish what needs to be done.”

Thump. Huan Luo tapped her forehead once.

The other collapsed to the ground, clutching their head, tears welling in their eyes.

“Forget it,” Huan Luo sighed helplessly. Her week of secluded recovery was about to be ruined. She had hoped to give outsiders the illusion she’d been lying in bed the whole time and slip out quietly with the other. But clearly, the other’s mind was set on this kind of outcome. It seemed she had to take charge herself. “Come with me.”

Changing into a pink dress that could blend in easily among the maids, Huan Luo led the other in a quick trot out of the room where she had stayed all week. Though she had no time to acquaint herself with the surroundings during her confinement, long military training lent her a knack for quick concealment and evasion. With only guards and maids around—no soldiers stationed nearby—Huan Luo managed to move smoothly despite dragging along the other like a burden.

After winding through several passages, they finally arrived near the main office hall of the large mansion. Due to the influx of visitors from Aikasia, Pang Hou had no choice but to compress the living quarters of Kirin Pass residents to make room, providing tents for the Aikasian arrivals. The Gerrod family, who held power in Aikasia, and Huan Luo had each been allotted two large chambers. However, after Andy’s repeated refusals and Huan Luo’s tacit consent, their group ended up sharing a spacious house close to the city center of Kirin Pass, provided by Pang Hou. The entire building was constructed from thick stone slabs, adorned with colorful gemstones, resembling a fairy-tale villa emblematic of Kirin Pass’s style.

At the heart of the villa was an office space reserved for Andy. After arriving at Kirin Pass, Huan Luo fell ill, and General Gerrod concentrated his efforts on calming the Aikasian people, lacking the strength to manage other affairs. Thus, only Andy and Sang Qing handled the post-war matters of Aikasia now, with Andy bearing the greatest responsibility. A private lounge for Andy was a necessity.

At this moment, Huan Luo and the other had already stealthily arrived near the lounge beside Andy’s office. It was the busiest hour, and the maids wisely refrained from barging in to bring tea or cause disturbance. The office occupants were fully absorbed in their work, paying no attention to their surroundings. Their hardworking comrade Andy habitually retreated early to the lounge for quiet work. Huan Luo tilted her head slightly, signaling the other forward.

The other promptly stepped out from a corner and approached Andy’s door, knocking softly with a mid-range male voice, “General Andy, there is something requiring your review.”

Annoyed, Andy did not think much and quietly consented, “Come in.”

Sensing an opportunity, the other hurriedly motioned for Huan Luo to appear as well. With calm and measured steps, Huan Luo emerged from the shadows. Somehow, her light steps looked so professional and graceful, while the other’s could only be described as sneaky. The other sighed in resignation, lamenting the injustices of life.

Upon opening the door, Andy sat at a makeshift table in the lounge, deep in thought. Yet, the moment someone entered, his instincts flared—though the knock had sounded male, two women came through the door.

Andy raised his head warily, but before he could react, one of the two swiftly closed in beside him. A cool hand gripped his neck precisely. A familiar cold voice whispered in his ear:

“Don’t move.”