Fanmula

"Accelerated breathing, dilated pupils—these are symptoms of adrenaline toxicity." Annan said leisurely, "You've been in Fanmula for over four hours today, haven't you? You're neither members of the Six Emblems nor have you undergone exorcism treatment. How could you possibly leave the City of No Return?" The goblin's face twisted into an exceedingly grim grimace. With a flick of his finger, the railcar reversed back toward the core ring. The passengers inside instantly revived as if blessed by long-awaited rain. Even Yaxiu and the others felt their spirits ease considerably, as though every cell in their bodies was dancing— "A sugar addiction?" Having seen countless sugar folk, the Swindler was the first to react. His expression turned utterly ghastly. "That was a withdrawal reaction! We're hooked on sugar!" "No wonder," Harvey mumbled around his unlit cat grass smoke. "I was wondering why my craving for a smoke felt so faint. Turns out it wasn't my willpower getting stronger—my craving had already been satisfied." Holding Lisi, Yaxiu froze. Sugar? None of them had eaten any sugar, so how could they possibly— Everyone realized it at the same moment, turning their eyes toward the light mist outside! The sky had fully darkened by now. The city's neon glow was swallowed in the eternal, hanging haze. The frantic light pollution was softened beneath an ambiguous filter, like the bashful, charming boudoir of a young maiden, yet also like a nightmarish haunt harboring lethal danger. "Don't panic," Banjie said. "Although it causes psychological dependence, it does no physical harm to the body, and it can be completely eradicated through exorcism treatment." "This mist... what on earth is it?" Igola murmured. "Beneath Fanmula lies underground farmland blanketing the entire city, and what grows there is mermaid fish-mint," Annan explained. "It is the primary ingredient in cat grass smoke, an indispensable component in various hallucinogenic drugs, and Fanmula's foremost industry. "The greatest problem with cultivating mermaid fish-mint is that it ceaselessly emits 'Beauty Mist.' Beauty Mist cannot be dispersed by any sorcery means. If allowed to accumulate in high concentrations, it turns extremely toxic. There is only one way to deal with it—relying on people to inhale it. "However, sorcerers soon discovered that treated Beauty Mist is not only entirely non-toxic, but also provides lasting mental euphoria—far more comfortable and healthier than smoking cat grass. "And so, Fanmula became the city of mist you see today," Annan said. "Ranked first in life expectancy, first in public safety, first in work efficiency, and first in citizen happiness. Known as Fanmula, the 'City of No Return,' from which none who arrive can ever escape. "And standing before us right now are two travelers who cannot refuse Fanmula's embrace." The orc and the goblin regained their composure. "Doesn't matter. I've already notified the Duchess to come. We can take our time waiting here—" "You're out of time," Annan said with a smile. Her words seemed to act as an incantation. In the next instant, a roar like aircraft sliced across the night sky. Over a dozen Red Hats riding aerial balance boots surrounded the railcar, their warnings echoing through the carriage: "Suspected criminals are believed to be tampering with the railcar and disrupting transit. All passengers, disembark immediately for inspection! Repeat: all passengers, disembark immediately for inspection!" "We're surrounded by Red Hats!" Yaxiu tensed at once. "What do we do? Fight our way out?" "No need to fight. Just surrender," Annan said briskly. Igola narrowed his eyes. "Eldest Miss, have you forgotten the new contract we just signed? Or does that contract hold no binding power over you?" "That's not it," Banjie explained. "The reason we came to Fanmula is that someone here can shelter us—the Miss's maternal aunt is a Red Hat in Fanmula." "Don't worry, I already notified my aunt just now. These people are here to pick us up," Annan said with a chuckle. Yaxiu and the others let out collective sighs of relief, flashing thumbs-up to the Purple Moth. As expected of someone bold enough to profane a god—she really did plan before acting— *Smack!* The moment Yaxiu and the others stepped out of the railcar, they were instantly pinned down by the Red Hats. And not just Yaxiu—even Annan and the rest were slapped with heavy sorcery manacles, every last one of them forced flat against the ground! The group stared silently at their Eldest Miss. They said nothing, yet their silence spoke volumes. "Don't lift that person's cloak. Cleios just sent word that his appearance seems to cause severe mental shock to sorcerers." Hearing this, Yaxiu felt sick to his stomach—just how had the rumors twisted him into an invincible, hideous archdemon? He noticed Annan's face turn instantly pale upon hearing the voice, making him wonder what terrifying monster had arrived. When he looked in the direction of the voice, all he saw was a pair of long, pale legs clad in thigh-high boots. A beautiful elven Red Hat of mature elegance stepped into view. A fitted corset vest accentuated her towering bust, and an ultra-short skirt barely covered her breathtaking curves. Walking with graceful strides in her thigh-high boots, she arrived before Annan's group and looked down upon the fugitives from Azula. She waved her hand, signaling the Red Hats to drag away the operatives from the Family Ruin Agency. "Break them as much as allowed. Otherwise, every sewer rat will think they can drop by Fanmula for a visit." Then the beautiful elven Red Hat turned her gaze upon the rest of them. Yaxiu and his companions trembled, and even Igola dared not step out of line—even though she released no sorcery power, her mere gaze carried crushing pressure for Two-Winged Sorcerers! A Sanctuary Sorcerer! They had actually been captured by a Sanctuary Sorcerer! They were completely finished! Only Annan stubbornly held her head high and shouted, "Where is my aunt?!" Yaxiu and the others were thoroughly impressed—as expected of the Eldest Miss, she easily pulled off what they could never do! "Nona Sennheiser abused her authority, colluded with outsiders, and leaked Red Hat intelligence. She has been suspended, detained, and is awaiting disciplinary action," the beautiful elven Red Hat said coldly. "You won't be seeing her." "You have no right to arrest us either!" Annan shouted. "We're law-abiding citizens—" "The Red Hats suspect you of itinerant criminal activity, and you are now officially detained for investigation and interrogation." The beautiful elven Red Hat borrowed a notepad and a pen from a subordinate, scribbled a few lines on it, and tossed it to Annan. "If you'd like, I can write a few more—though I won't need to write one for that wanted fugitive, will I?" Annan gritted her teeth. "Qinna, you—" *Smack!* The beautiful elven Red Hat kicked Annan squarely in the face. The power behind that thigh-high boot was nothing to sneeze at; Annan was sent flying several meters. Clearly, this elf felt not the slightest urge to spare the fairer sex. "Impertinent," she said coldly. Seeing this, Banjie hastily pleaded, "Madame Qinna, the Miss didn't mean to offend you, she only—" "Enough, Banjie. No need to defend that girl. I didn't think after all these years she'd still be this useless. She has completely become a Doran—incapable of achieving anything, good only for botching everything." Except for Banjie, everyone was struck dumb by the sheer amount of information packed into those words. "You must be the scrap metal my daughter picked up." The beautiful elven Red Hat looked at Yaxiu and the others, her expression like she was examining a pile of toys. "Welcome to Fanmula."