Chapter 58 - Role Playing the Dark Horse Character

Chapter 58: “Qu Yan is very likely to exhibit his collection this time.” An Heyu said for the last time before entering, gazing at the brightly lit villa ahead with careful analysis. “Regardless of what happened, you made him lose face this morning. Being Qu Yan, he’d try to regain some prestige by showcasing his masterpieces.” He was worried that Qu Yan might produce the heads of the Prophet and other former high-ranking members of the Ability Guild, which would undoubtedly provoke Hei Ge. Meanwhile, Li Li walked directly past him. An Heyu watched her back for a moment, then surrendered and followed, “Give me a heads-up before you make a move, so I can be prepared, alright?” Her response was a noncommittal “Mhm.” It was well past noon, the sun was moving westward to set. Under the chilly sunlight, Li Li's crimson eyes seemed to focus on the space ahead, yet they penetrated the distance to observe the interior of the building before her. Three familiar teenagers opened a corner window on the second floor, a black crow on the tree branch outside tilted its head and watched them silently. The venue for the party was the Yue family estate, a garden-style villa with regularly maintained trees, flowers, rockeries, flowing water, and a small pond. The villa itself was European style; besides the main hall for guests, there were three side halls distributed around the corners of the courtyard. After entering through the front door, the servants would guide or entertain guests into the main hall. Because of this, An Guyu and his companions first entered the main hall and then proceeded to open a window at the far end of the second floor, jumping down to a stone path in the backyard. “I’ve been to Yue Qing’s house several times.” An Guyu said, pale-faced after being carried down from the second floor by Yi Ming, then pointed shakily northward, “They have a dedicated collection room over there.” Yi Ming placed An Guyu down and turned around to catch Tang as she jumped down. The three avoided wandering servants; the existing greenery on the path offered excellent cover. The damp, cool breeze blew softly as birds chirped among the foliage. An Guyu, having evaded the bodyguards arranged by his brother often enough, surprisingly didn’t fail too badly in hiding this time. They quickly arrived at the side hall designated by An Guyu. Compared to the bustling main hall, the side hall was much cooler, yet it was still guarded. The three of them hid behind a rockery, observing the entrance of the side hall. At the door stood a uniformed woman with moon-white hair, tapping her toes impatiently and turning her face to listen to the servant. It was Rao Yue. She seemed quite reluctant to wait there, her entire demeanor radiating irritation. Upon seeing Rao Yue at the door, Yi Ming immediately sensed her strength. Her presence carried an indelible scent of gunpowder, as if she herself was a live explosive waiting to detonate. Though An Guyu didn’t speak, his gesture to stop showed he thought they should wait. And Rao Yue did move. Her gaze scanned outside, her deep blue pupils appearing to bore directly into them. Did they get discovered? In that instant, Yi Ming yanked Tang back, pressing against the rockery, ears keenly listening. “I’ll head to the front, you keep guard over this door.” Came a somewhat deep and weighty female voice, followed by departing footsteps. The three behind the rockery cautiously observed for a while, finally confirming that the troublesome guard had left. The remaining servant was just a low-level individual, easily overcome by Yi Ming’s ambush, after which the three entered the side hall. “There are only conventional collection rooms on the first and second floors; I’ve been here before.” An Guyu spoke softly, the three huddling behind a stone bench in the corridor, peeking out. “But my brother mentioned that Yue Qing is fond of conducting human experiments; there’s likely a basement here, and warned me against wandering around.” “Your brother knows quite a lot.” Yi Ming also whispered back. Just knowing An Guyu for a few days, he had heard plenty about ‘my brother, my brother.' “He’s especially smart,” An Guyu said, then turned his face away, “just likes to boss me around.” Yi Ming couldn’t quite comprehend An Guyu’s woes; as an orphan, his foster father pretty much gave him free rein. Tang, who in the past was under Bronze’s surveillance for a long time, could relate a bit, but only slightly: “I don't like being overseen either. Though if it were Big Brother, I'd be willing.” As they continued to walk, they exchanged quiet conversations. “Is Big Brother Baige?” An Guyu recalled what Tang had said before. “Then is Baige also the one you’re searching for?” Back when Tang rebutted Yi Ming’s claim of not being Hei Ge, she mentioned Yi Ming was searching for someone related. Yi Ming definitely wasn’t Hei Ge—that much, An Guyu was now very certain of. But that raised another question. When An Guyu asked this, he couldn’t help but think of what he knew, adding: “But the person you encountered at the time didn’t resemble Baige at all.” Yi Ming didn’t know either, but he trusted that Li had his reasons: “Not sure, but if it’s Li doing it, there's definitely a reason.” But the person you were chasing after at that time— An Guyu wanted to say more, but then Tang said, “Come over here.” She had noticed a golden strand of hair at the front of a door. “Is it Yu Xiao?” Tang indicated the golden hair strand. “It appears to be short enough.” Yi Ming nodded, somewhat incredulously, “He actually remembered to leave a mark?” An Guyu’s thoughts were steered off track, following up with: “Probably a sign for you. Let’s take a look inside.” Inside there were no people; most of the Yue residence’s servants were serving guests in the main hall, leaving the side halls empty, with only a guard at the door. Inside was an animal specimen collection room. The group searched around, finding a golden hair strand at the bottom of a display cabinet. “It must be in here.” Yi Ming guessed, looking up at the cabinet and feeling inside it, activating his ability. The metal cabinet slid aside under his control, revealing a hidden passageway leading underground. The cold wind blew upwards from below, the darkness within seeming like a trap awaiting prey. “Then... should we go in?” An Guyu pointed out. “Let’s go in.” Yi Ming nodded. Tang hesitated but did not stop them. Yi Ming led, Tang in the middle, followed by An Guyu as they entered the passage. The dark hallway soon reached its end, where faint lights began to appear at the bottom. They entered the first level of the basement, where porcelain white tiles covered the floor, incandescent lamps quietly illuminating the hallway, and a chill crept over their legs from the ground. “This must be it.” An Guyu shivered, “Let’s find the person and get out quickly.” “Bang!” The sound of gunfire suddenly erupted. Yi Ming’s hand transformed into metal, catching the bullet aimed at Tang behind him, maneuvering her to the front. Yet the expected outcome of catching the bullet didn’t happen. The bullet pierced through his metal arm without slowing, shooting straight through his side. A drop of fresh blood splattered on Tang’s cheek. “Yi Ming!” Tang hurriedly used her ability. The sudden change drew all three of their gazes. Behind them, on what had been an empty staircase, stood a person. With moon-white hair, a white uniform, and high-heeled boots, she held a gun aimed at Tang. An A-rank Spell-type ability user, wielding a conjured gun loaded with a penetrating attribute. Only an ability user stronger than her could possibly block her bullets. “An family’s little young master, who are you trying to find in here?” She said, exasperation etched in her features. “Regardless of who it is, I can kill your two thief friends in under a minute and bring you to the family head for an explanation.” Rao Yue hadn't really left; she was just waiting to catch them in the act! And at this moment, the hot-tempered A-rank ability user had no interest in hearing them out! “Wait!” An Guyu instinctively exclaimed, “We’re just playing a game of hide-and-seek—” Three replica guns appeared behind her, and she casually drew one, aiming it at the two behind An Guyu. “Beginning countdown,” she announced. Three guns fired simultaneously. ... Meanwhile, in the main hall, An Heyu and Li Li had already reached the banquet hall. Luxurious chandeliers lit up above them, casting golden light down, causing the gems on the walls to glimmer brilliantly. The red-haired young man stood tall, conversing with others in a social mode. At this moment, the host of the banquet, Yue Qing, strode over. The aristocrat who had been speaking with An Heyu tactfully departed, while Yue Qing mocked, “Is your brother still rebellious?” An Heyu instinctively wanted to glance back at the silent Li Li behind him but restrained himself, instead saying, “Didn’t you mention before that every child has their own thoughts?” "My staff caught him running wild in the side hall," Yue Qing said, referring naturally to Rao Yue, "bringing along two civilians, utterly lacking in noble demeanor!" Running wild in Yue Qing's residence?! What was he up to? An Heyu was even more tempted to turn around; he had no clue about this, but he was sure Hei Ge would know. Perhaps this was all orchestrated by Hei Ge! He felt it was completely possible! At this point, Yue Fu, who had strolled over with Yue Qing, nonchalantly crossed his arms and said, "Master, let me take a look. If Rao Yue's fiery temper injures that little good-for-nothing, what then?" He even blatantly insulted An Heyu's brother right in front of him. An Heyu's golden eyes fixated on Yue Fu, bearing a hint of restrained anger. Just then— "No, you go check." Qu Yan entered the conversation, pointing at Yue Qing. For a moment, Yue Qing's expression showed resistance, but he quickly concealed it: "Mr. Qu, I should be here hosting you—" "You go." Qu Yan's tone left no room for argument. Though fallen, nobility remains nobility. The An family once shared equal footing with the Qu family in Floating City. Because of this, Qu Yan would not tolerate plebeians, however respectable, bullying nobles in his presence. Even if Yue Qing is regarded as nobility now, in the eyes of these people, he is always a filthy mud-footed peasant. The purple-haired noble arrogantly bypassed Yue Qing, turning his gaze towards An Heyu, whose face maintained a standard social expression since Qu Yan’s arrival. Finally, Yue Qing yielded. After Yue Qing left with Yue Fu, Qu Yan continued to gaze at An Heyu. As An Heyu's fingers began to twitch involuntarily, Qu Yan spoke. "Scavenger, you are an old-school aristocrat." He assumed the posture of an elder. "Your parents were people I even respected. And you? Coming to this backwater place, it's truly a case of diminishing returns with each generation." He arrogantly withdrew his gaze, "The Requiem of the Lost has no use in your hands." Wow, a direct insult. Observing the internal aristocratic strife up close, Li Li wondered how An Heyu would respond. Would he swallow it with a pinched nose? Or retort? Bear in mind, the Qu family was among those responsible for his family's downfall. If it were Li Li, she would certainly retaliate, but An Heyu had a brother to consider. Would he pretend not to hear, like last time? An Heyu, however, let out a light chuckle, his expression bearing a trace of inherent pride. Then, word by word, he remarked politely, "Letting an A-rank publicly behead you, you seem to be of no significant use either." Was An Heyu throwing shade? It was the first time Li Li saw An Heyu being sarcastic, and it truly hit the mark. At least for a moment, Qu Yan's expression faltered. But then he laughed, the sound booming: “Hahaha,” For a long while, he continued before saying, “Really impressive.” Whatever that meant. Leaving behind those ambiguous words, he departed, moving towards the staircase beside the hall, seemingly heading to the second-floor platform. Once he left, An Heyu turned back. "Could you please help me this time, I’m begging you," he said to Li Li. For a moment, he was back to being the fretful, brotherly mother hen. Li Li didn’t even need to think to know what he meant, though she had intended to do so anyway. But instead of answering, she stepped forward. Whispering softly in his ear, she said, “I hope this is the last time you ask me for this reason.” And with that, she left the hall, asking a servant for the location of the restroom, as if she were merely seeking a polite exit. However, she didn’t truly go there; instead, she walked down the corridor, vanishing from sight in an instant. Upon reappearing on the stone path, a cool smile spread across her face. The smile of someone masking their anger. "This is destined to be the last time," she sighed softly. She earnestly hoped that, after this, she could once more enjoy a delicious cup of milk tea. ... In the basement's first level of the side hall, the sound of gunfire continued. “Are you trying to kill me too?!” An Guyu’s shout echoed. "Bang!" Under Yi Ming’s ability, the metal wall shifted, blocking Rao Yue’s line of sight. The wall moved, shaking the entire basement, dust and debris falling from the ceiling, with bullets piercing through it. Rao Yue’s firepower blasted a huge hole through the newly erected barrier, forcing the trio to dive to either side, narrowly avoiding injury. “Are you crazy!” An Guyu screamed, plastered against the wall on the left hallway, feeling his shirt sear as a bullet whizzed past his back, “Do you really want me dead!” Rao Yue didn’t answer, instead shifting her gun to aim at Tang beside An Guyu, not bothering to avoid him. “Stop it! I’ll really die!” An Guyu cried out in despair. The gunfire answered his plea with a relentless roar. "Bang!" Yi Ming, from the other side, his eyes widened, turned and raised his hand to block the bullet, but it was too late! In a flash, the bullet nearly reached the two defenseless individuals. "You’ve overstepped." Ice suddenly emerged from the ground before them, the orange bullet frozen mid-air within the ice. Rank suppression destroyed the accompanying powers of Rao Yue’s ability. “Master!” Rao Yue turned, bowing. Emerging from the upper stairs, backlit by external light, was none other than Yue Qing. “I said it would happen.” Behind him, Yue Fu poked his head out, “Rao Yue’s temper was bound to mess up, and if that little good-for-nothing died, we’d end up severing ties with An Heyu...” He paused, adding, “Killing An Heyu is a bit troublesome, might cost us some of our own.” Rao Yue offered no rebuttal, simply maintaining her posture of taking responsibility. Yue Qing waved a hand, silencing Yue Fu. “Yue Fu, bring An Guyu up here. The rest, let Rao Yue finish them off as she pleases,” he instructed his subordinates. Yet, he himself stood at the passage entrance, making no move to come down. As if… fearing something.