The Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter raised her gaze, glanced at him, and said with a smile, "The Five Elements Alliance is hunting Black Impermanence for the Holy Grail and the Roster. Why go to all this trouble? Let me guess—you want the Roster for yourself and don't want the Five Elements Alliance to get it."
As she spoke, she tilted her head, looked up at the ceiling, and adopted a girlishly innocent pose. "But why would a nobody like you want the Roster? Oh dear, how peculiar!"
Zhang Yuanqing's lips twitched. "Everyone has secrets. You don't need to know mine. Of course, you can refuse. The decision to trade is yours."
This is why I hate dealing with crazy people and yanderes, he thought. Their minds are so twisted, it's impossible to have a rational conversation with them. And to make matters worse, I can't even beat them in a fight.
At that moment, the Palace Master finished brewing a cup of coffee. Her slender, jade-like fingers gripped the handle as she brought the cup to her lips, only for it to bump against her mask.
"Oh dear!" she exclaimed suddenly. "I forgot I was wearing my mask!"
Not just crazy, but also brain-damaged! Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself.
The Palace Master set down the cup and smiled sweetly. "You're right, everyone has secrets. As long as they don't threaten my safety, I couldn't care less about other people's secrets."
Relief washed over Zhang Yuanqing as he lowered his voice, "The Black Impermanence and Night Rose's exchange is scheduled for tomorrow night. Possible locations include Lai Fu Hotel, Songhai Third Primary School, and Songhe Park."
He rattled off the three locations in one breath, then added, "Among these, Songhai Third Primary School is the most likely."
The Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter playfully flicked her wide sleeves, amusing herself like a little girl. "Because tomorrow is Saturday, and the students are off?" she asked casually.
Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "That's one reason. Another is that Songhai Third Primary School is in the city center, just a street away from a residential area. It's a quiet spot amidst the bustle. If things go wrong, he can easily slip into the residential area and escape."
Lai Fu Hotel is occupied by guests, meaning any conflict there would result in mass casualties and a rapid depletion of Morality Value. Songhe Park, on the other hand, is too secluded; if surrounded, there would be no escape.
Based on the Black Impermanence's cautious and cunning nature, Fu Qingyang designated Songhai Third Primary School as the primary target, with the other two locations as secondary targets. There were also several other less likely but not entirely impossible locations.
"The five Elders of the Songhai Branch will lead their respective subordinates to ambush the designated locations," Zhang Yuanqing explained. "Fu Qingyang and an Elder from the Hundred Flowers Association will be responsible for Songhai Third Primary School."
"I think once the war starts, you can seize the opportunity to strike back at the Night Rose," Zhang Yuanqing suggested.
The Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter leaned against the bar, propped her chin on her hand, her eyes curving into a smile.
"Not a bad idea. To prevent the Roster and the Black Impermanence's Spectral Entity from falling into the Five Elements Alliance's hands, should I help you kill Fu Qingyang too?"
Do you want to take me down with you? Zhang Yuanqing replied solemnly, "Palace Master, I'm a serious person. I don't appreciate jokes."
The Palace Master giggled, her shoulders shaking with laughter. "Xie Lingxi doesn't seem to think so. Oh, by the way, after our last meeting, I went to her hotel and strung her up for a good beating."
Zhang Yuanqing froze. No wonder the little green tea hasn't contacted me for days. She's angry at me.
I need to smooth things over. I haven't tricked her into giving me the Dream-Entering Jade Talisman yet. Once the Black Impermanence Incident is resolved, I'll go comfort the little green tea.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now," Zhang Yuanqing said, preparing to leave.
The Palace Master cupped her cheeks in her hands, nodding with a smile.
As Zhang Yuanqing stepped out of the café, he glanced back. The place was pitch-black, the door tightly locked, and the Palace Master's alluring figure had vanished without a trace.
He turned away, walking home while mentally rehearsing and analyzing the situation for the upcoming night.
"Official records indicate that Black Impermanence is at the peak of the Saint Stage and one of the strongest classes, not to be considered an ordinary Saint. The Night Rose's Grand Protector is undoubtedly a Nightwalker, though their exact level remains unknown. If they're at the Saint Stage, it would be manageable, but if they're Sovereign-level, the conflict would escalate into a fierce battle, making the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter's intervention a form of insurance for both myself and the Officials."
"But that's not enough. The Five Elements Alliance wants not only the Holy Grail but also the Roster. If the Palace Master attempts to seize the Roster, she'll likely face opposition from Fu Qingyang and the elders of the Hundred Flowers Association."
Therefore, a more chaotic situation must be engineered, forcing the Officials, Black Impermanence, and Night Rose to prioritize the Holy Grail.
The solution lies with the Vice President of the Spiritual Energy Association—the Gu King.
This high-ranking Witchcraft Master cares nothing for the Roster, only the Holy Grail. His involvement would compel all parties to focus their efforts on the Grail.
This would significantly reduce the Palace Master's resistance in securing the Roster. Currently, she shows little interest in the Grail; her primary motivations are to thwart the Night Rose's schemes and eliminate either the Grand Protector or their Leader.
"The plan is solid, but when we put it into action, unforeseen variables are inevitable. Reality is always full of surprises."
"I hope this helps me survive this identity exposure crisis. Old Hag, bless me."
Early morning. Human Blood Steamed Bun, the baby-faced Witchcraft Master, had just finished delivering breakfast and emerged from a residential building.
As a Witchcraft Master, he possessed boundless energy, delivering orders from dawn till dusk, occasionally working overtime through the night.
The delivery job allowed him to travel freely, making it ideal for gathering intelligence, meeting with comrades in stealth, and earning a decent income.
Human Blood Steamed Bun genuinely enjoyed his work.
For the past few days, he had kept his communication channels open, waiting for the self-proclaimed Night Rose member to contact him.
Having learned from his previous encounter, Human Blood Steamed Bun realized this might be an opportunity to curry favor with the Vice President and prove his worth.
If the contact could provide sufficient intelligence, taking a calculated risk would be necessary.
Just as he mounted his electric scooter, another phone in his pocket chimed with a notification.
Human Blood Steamed Bun's spirits lifted. He quickly pulled out the phone to check the message:
"Black Impermanence and Night Rose's meeting place: Songhai Third Primary School. Time: midnight tonight. If you don't find the target, wait for my next message."
Songhai Third Primary School, midnight tonight? The baby-faced deliveryman's mind buzzed, struggling to comprehend the information.
Such crucial intelligence, given away so easily?
They had pinpointed Black Impermanence's meeting place directly?
The Vice President had been searching for Black Impermanence for nearly ten days with little success, unable to track down the cunning and cautious figure.
Then, Human Blood Steamed Bun's face erupted in uncontrollable joy.
If the intelligence proved true, he would have made the greatest contribution to the case. The Vice President would undoubtedly reward him handsomely, and his status within the Spiritual Energy Association would skyrocket.
Even if the information turned out to be false, it wouldn't matter. The Spiritual Energy Association had received plenty of false leads in recent days.
"Report this to the Vice President immediately."
Human Blood Steamed Bun revved his electric scooter and sped off like a bolt of lightning.
Time: 11:50 PM.
Under the deep night sky, outside Songhai Third Primary School, Zhang Yuanqing sat by the floor-to-ceiling window of a 24-hour convenience store, slurping a bowl of instant noodles. He raised his hand, pressed the wireless microphone, and whispered:
"The target has entered the primary school. Everyone, stay alert. Stay alert."
A few seconds later, Jiang Jingwei's crisp voice crackled through the channel: "Fu Qingyang's gone in? Why can't we join the fight? We're just stuck here on perimeter duty. This is so boring."
Zhang Yuanqing: "To prevent your untimely demise. Besides, it's not Fu Qingyang who went in—it's Heaven's Injustice."
Jiang Jingwei: "Can't I really go in? I want to fight and blow up the school!"
Girl, your ideas are dangerous! Zhang Yuanqing: "Why?"
Jiang Jingwei: "I went to elementary school here! So much homework, strict teachers... it gave me serious psychological trauma. But back then, I hadn't gotten my Character Card yet."
Zhang Yuanqing: "Wow, don't underestimate the underdog! Can you help me burn down my alma mater too?"
At that moment, Teng Yuan's weak but stern voice cut in: "I don't mind your banter, but please consider the feelings of others in the channel."
Jiang Jingwei and Zhang Yuanqing immediately fell silent.
During tonight's operation, Fu Qingyang had gathered his trusted subordinates and dispersed them around Songhai Third Primary School—in nearby shops, at intersections, and other strategic locations. Their mission was to prevent civilians from approaching, intercept fleeing enemies, and respond to any unexpected developments.
Elite Members weren't needed for direct confrontations; sending them would be a waste of lives.
Zhang Yuanqing focused on eating his noodles, but his mind was preoccupied. Fu Qingyang had mentioned earlier that he suspected the Black guard of Impermanence's willingness to trade with Night Rose stemmed from some hidden advantage.
Such confidence often implied a trump card or an impending twist.
At Songhai Third Primary School, the teaching building stood shrouded in the pitch-black night. Only the leftmost office on the ground floor was lit.
The office contained six desks, their surfaces piled high with books, teaching tools, computers, and other clutter.
At the desk nearest the window sat a gaunt-faced man with a horse-like face, narrow eyes, and pale complexion. Though unattractive, his appearance was far from ordinary.
Such a striking face, however ugly, left an indelible impression.
The Black guard of Impermanence tapped his fingers on the desk, listening to his subordinate, "The Madam," report:
"Boss, I've confirmed it. Night Rose successfully borrowed the Book of Covenant."
"How did you confirm it?" the Black guard of Impermanence asked slowly.
The Madam smirked. "I captured a woman and tested it myself. After the covenant was established, she became my most loyal slave, unable to refuse any of my demands."
Black Impermanence hummed in approval, nodding with satisfaction.
As the leader of an evil organization, he knew that dealing with the Night Rose was like trying to skin a tiger. The chances of a smooth transaction were slim; the risk of being double-crossed was far greater. That's why, during his time in Songhai, Black Impermanence had been waiting for one crucial piece of news:
The Night Rose had borrowed the "Book of Covenant" from foreign powers.
This item, belonging to the "Knight" class, allowed for the creation of binding contracts. Violators would face severe consequences. With this protection in place, Black Impermanence finally dared to trade with the Night Rose.
It was Black Impermanence who had insisted that the Night Rose borrow the item from foreign powers.
Knights were an Orderly Class, and approaching them as a Witchcraft Master would only result in immediate execution. The Night Rose, however, faced no such constraints; their organization boasted numerous members of Orderly Classes.
For a price, they could easily acquire the Book of Covenant.
Just as the clock on the wall struck midnight, a knock echoed at the office door.