Identity Exposed?

“Inside Unbridled’s spirit body, I saw the informant, but it was a spirit servant.” Zhang Yuanqing recounted the spirit questioning in full detail to Fu Qingyang. The Centurion, whose facial features were handsome as if sculpted with a blade, frowned deeper and deeper, his expression growing increasingly grim as he listened. When Zhang Yuanqing finished, he looked at that handsome face and asked, “Centurion, have you heard of the Dark Night Rose?” Fu Qingyang shook his head. “I have not. There are only two possibilities: either the Dark Night Rose is an obscure civilian organization, or my clearance isn’t high enough to access information about it. But any organization capable of working with Hei Wuchang—and making him wary of them—cannot possibly be an obscure nobody.” *In other words, the secrecy level of the Dark Night Rose is so high that even a Centurion like Fu Qingyang is kept in the dark?* Zhang Yuanqing fell into deep thought. Fu Qingyang glanced at him. “What is your take on this matter? I’d like to hear your thoughts.” Zhang Yuanqing pondered for a moment. “Could you unlock my handcuffs first?” Fu Qingyang froze. “My apologies!” He walked around the high-backed chair and unlocked Zhang Yuanqing’s restraints. Zhang Yuanqing rubbed his wrists. “First of all, through that memory, we can confirm the reason Hei Wuchang is hiding in Songhai. He’s waiting for the leader of the Dark Night Rose. But because neither side trusts the other, they haven’t actually met yet. For us, that’s an opportunity.” Fu Qingyang gave an affirmative grunt. “Then what do you think Hei Wuchang and the Dark Night Rose are plotting?” *How would I know? Probably destroying the world or something?* Zhang Yuanqing made a silent joke to himself, but then his heart gave a jolt as he recalled a detail from the memory. He said slowly: “For the Fallen Holy Grail.” The reason Unbridled had urged Hei Wuchang to meet with the Dark Night Rose leader as soon as possible was that taking control of the Fallen Holy Grail was the key. Fu Qingyang nodded in satisfaction. “However, isn’t that rule-based item already in Hei Wuchang’s hands? Why would it involve the Dark Night Rose?” Zhang Yuanqing asked, puzzled. “I don’t know. But did you notice how Unbridled advised Hei Wuchang?” “Meet with the leader of the Dark Night Rose, and then take control of the Fallen Holy Grail... Oh! Hei Wuchang hasn’t gained control of the Fallen Holy Grail.” “Correct. Theoretically speaking, that should be impossible. The moment an item enters a person’s inventory, it automatically binds to that master, and rule-based items are no exception. Why hasn’t Hei Wuchang gained control of the Fallen Holy Grail?” *This...* Zhang Yuanqing knit his brows and pondered for a moment, then a flash of inspiration struck him. “Is there a possibility that something went wrong with the Fallen Holy Grail? Even though he obtained the item, he can’t control it.” Fu Qingyang nodded. “Then, following that line of thought, we can infer that the leader of the Dark Night Rose possesses the method or means to resolve the issue.” “Exactly. That explains why Hei Wuchang didn’t flee far away after getting the grail, and instead went into hiding in Songhai. Without solving the problem with the Fallen Holy Grail, he can’t truly claim the Deceitful Eye Judge’s legacy. A rule-based item is indeed worth more than one’s own life,” Zhang Yuanqing said. “So the picture is becoming clearer and clearer. The Deceitful Eye Judge met a bizarre death, and the Fallen Holy Grail fell into Hei Wuchang’s hands. But for some reason, the grail malfunctioned and could not be controlled. Out of desperation, Hei Wuchang tried to cooperate with the Dark Night Rose, and both sides agreed to meet in Songhai. Yet lacking mutual trust and fearing betrayal, they’ve been feeling each other out.” Fu Qingyang spoke with measured cadence. “If we want to know the Fallen Holy Grail’s status, we have to start by investigating the death of the Deceitful Eye Judge. And his death is related to the Demon Lord... well, supposedly.” *Related to the Demon Lord...* The Demon Lord’s successor felt a surge of guilt mingled with overwhelming curiosity. The time of the Demon Lord’s demise wasn’t far from the Deceitful Eye Judge’s death. Brother Bing had predicted—no, had been certain of—the Deceitful Eye Judge’s death. Could the Deceitful Eye Judge have been killed by the Demon Lord, with Brother Bing witnessing it? Yes, Brother Bing must have witnessed it! That was how he got his hands on the Demon Lord character card, and why he had been so certain of the Deceitful Eye Judge’s death. Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath. “I have a theory. Do you think it’s possible the Deceitful Eye Judge was killed by the Demon Lord? Or perhaps the two of them perished together?” Fu Qingyang seemed inspired by the thought and urged, “A sound angle. Keep going.” Zhang Yuanqing nodded. “In Unbridled’s memory, that person from the Dark Night Rose manipulated a spirit servant to meet him. This indicates they are a Night Wanderer. And the Demon Lord was also a Night Wanderer. Is that just a coincidence?” “Not a coincidence!” Fu Qingyang shook his head, stating with conviction, “The problem with the Fallen Holy Grail stems from the Demon Lord—a problem only a Night Wanderer can resolve. The largest sect of Night Wanderers is the Taiyi Sect, but the Taiyi Sect obviously would never cooperate with Hei Wuchang. That left him with no choice but the Dark Night Rose. The words ‘Dark Night’ reflect a great deal on their own...” Zhang Yuanqing hurriedly chimed in, “Centurion Fu’s insight is truly piercing. As expected of a Scout—truly the most perfect profession.” Fu Qingyang glanced at him. “You’re not bad yourself.” “Thank you for the praise, Centurion. My childhood dream was to become an exceptional detective.” “I meant your flattery is quite good.” “...” A faint smile appeared on Fu Qingyang’s face. “Of course, I don’t mind it. Being good at socializing is a strength.” Pausing briefly, he added, “Though lustfulness is not.” *I’m really not a pervert! That damned Guan Ya just loves smearing my name...* Zhang Yuanqing maintained a gentle, spring-breeze smile, showing no sign of embarrassment. Fu Qingyang did not dwell on the topic, changing the subject instead. “In your report on clearing the Sheling Tunnel, did you conceal any information?” Zhang Yuanqing’s heart sank. “Someone from the Taiyi Sect will be coming to question you soon. Prepare yourself mentally.” As he spoke, Fu Qingyang retrieved a business card from the pocket of his white trousers and said coolly, “My card. In the future, if anything comes up, you may call me directly. This is a privilege reserved for captain-level personnel.” His expression remained detached, yet remarkably earnest, like a young, accomplished monarch bestowing a favor upon a minister. *Having a backer really feels great!* Zhang Yuanqing hastily accepted the card and made a point of tucking it away with solemn care right in front of Fu Qingyang. Fu Qingyang added, “You saved so many colleagues tonight, which is no small feat. I will report this contribution to the Elder overseeing the Hei Wuchang case.” *Is he looking to hook me up with an even bigger patron?* Beaming, Zhang Yuanqing said, “Thank you, Centurion. Guan Ya talks about you all the time. If I hadn’t seen you with my own eyes, I really would’ve been misled by her.” “Misled?” Fu Qingyang paused. “What did she say about me?” Zhang Yuanqing replied, “More money than sense.” Fu Qingyang’s sharply sculpted face gave a slight twitch. The two stepped out of the villa. The front gate was packed with black MPVs. Aside from the three critically injured and unconscious Fire Masters who had already been transported away, the rest were waiting quietly by the vehicles. The most undisciplined were Guan Ya and Ling Jun. The former was leaning against a car hood with arms crossed over her chest, while the latter squatted by the curb with a cigarette between his fingers. “Guan Ya, come over here for a moment!” With a cold face, Fu Qingyang walked off to the side. Guan Ya followed in bewilderment. If she hadn’t seen wrongly, her cousin had just shot her a glare brimming with murderous intent. Several young women in the backup team fixed their bright eyes on Zhang Yuanqing, looking him up and down. Then they whispered excitedly among themselves: “He’s handsomer than I imagined.” “He’s just so young. Looks like he just started college.” “Young is good! Young means he’s easy to fool.” Ling Jun flicked his cigarette butt away and sidled over to Zhang Yuanqing with a warm smile. “Yuanshi Tianzun?” Zhang Yuanqing sized him up. The man wore a loose, light-blue shirt, baggy casual pants, and sneakers. His ear-length hair was slightly disheveled, and his eyes crinkled when he smiled, projecting a very friendly demeanor. “You are...?” “Ling Jun, from the Taiyi Sect.” Zhang Yuanqing was startled, thinking to himself, *The Taiyi Sect is here to question me already? I haven’t even prepared an excuse!* “I hear you have a thing for women?” “Huh?” Zhang Yuanqing was stunned, thinking, *When did I ever have a thing for women? How can you slander someone like that?* “*Sigh,* Elder Sun was truly muddled. You should have been a talent for our Taiyi Sect.” Ling Jun sighed, chuckling with easy familiarity. “Care to join the Taiyi Sect? I’m sure the single ladies over there would be more than happy to connect with you on a deeper level.” When it came to socializing, Zhang Yuanqing had never been timid. He raised an eyebrow. “Are they the kind of single girls who draw blood on the first prick?” Ling Jun froze for a second, then burst out laughing. “You’re a riot, kid! I love making friends with interesting people. If you ever want to join the Taiyi Sect, hit me up anytime. If not, that’s fine too—after all, I wasn’t the muddled one.” After just a few words, the two hit it off immediately and even exchanged contact information. Ling Jun pocketed his phone, lit another cigarette, and smiled with narrowed eyes. “I’ve cleared so many instances, yet I’ve never once encountered an S-rank Spirit Realm, but you’ve cleared two of them.” He slowly exhaled a plume of blue smoke, his smile amiable. “As expected of the Demon Lord’s successor.”