Chapter 78 - Role Playing the Dark Horse Character

Chapter 78: I Think We Have a Good Relationship The recommendation from that person was indeed useful. At the very least, Li Li gained a simple understanding of the entire empire through this book. Previously, An Heyu mentioned that there were only ten SS-ranked ability users within the empire. However, during the timeframe recorded in this travelogue, the empire had fifteen SS-ranked ability users. The travelogue begins fifteen years ago and concludes seven years prior to its compilation and publication. From Li Li's perspective, the protagonist of the travelogue was likely the author herself, and this author was probably a formidable S-rank figure who belonged to a noble lineage, as suggested by her eloquence and insight. The protagonist refers to herself as the Traveler. She began her journey from the Floating City, passing through various noble territories, including the yet-to-be-merged Dyed-eye City and other cities like Zhusheng City, as well as Desolate Dragon City. After reading this book, one could gain insight into the empire's power dynamics seven years ago, the inclinations of the ruling nobles, and local customs. However, these insights were secondary. What delighted Li Li the most was discovering a hidden message beneath the Traveler's narrative. Eight years ago, the Traveler visited a place called Dawn City and met a person she referred to as Mister. They had candlelit conversations, exchanging their views on the world. In earlier parts of the book, the Traveler refrained from interfering with events she encountered, likening herself to a chronicler of stories who seldom altered their original course. Occasionally, she would engage with local customs as a guise, experiencing life as a weakling. This led her to save some individuals and even take on an apprentice. The Traveler's perspective was undoubtedly detached from worldly affairs, like a pair of eyes observing from outside the world. But after meeting Mister, everything changed. In the book, the Traveler remarked: Mister made me distinctly aware of my arrogance and rigidity. My chronicles were merely a lofty overview, and I had never genuinely understood this world. I won't linger here long, but during my stay, I am willing to lend Mister my aid, understand this world, and accompany them in changing it. This revelation, combined with the period it described, made it hard for Li Li not to associate it with an organization — the former Ability Guild. Given the timeline, it might be more accurate to call it the early stages of the Ability Guild. For Li Li, this was a pleasant surprise, as she had not expected to find information related to the former Ability Guild within a travelogue. The empire sought to erase the existence of the former Ability Guild. The nobles brutally suppressed and massacred the remaining members, and the brilliance of those days seemed only memorable to those who truly experienced them. At this moment, Li Li glimpsed some of this past through the travelogue. Among the five SS-ranked ability users mentioned who died in recent years, at least two or three of them were members of the former Ability Guild before the travelogue concluded. Although the Traveler's writing was subtle, it was evident that they despised the empire's system and wished to change this bleak world. Yet, the travelogue's final entry was from seven years ago and didn't cover the tumultuous events six years ago when the former Ability Guild underwent significant changes. Li Li could only speculate based on the information at hand, but she could imagine the calamity that led to the former Ability Guild's demise six years ago. By the time she finished the book, it was already dusk. She closed the book and prepared to return it to the shelf. At this moment, from the desk opposite hers and separated by an aisle, the person who had spent the day there with her said, "Great work, right?" Li Li realized this person might want to talk. Just like how she usually reads forums and analyzes reader responses, she was also willing to hear other people's insights about the book. With a playful smile, she responded, "Quite good. If there were a second volume, I would read it right now." "Unfortunately, there's no sequel," the book lender said. This woman was dressed casually, with a white blouse and a mid-length skirt, her hair tied back in a ponytail, exuding an air of a literary young woman. Yet, her face hinted at exhaustion and numbness, as if she were merely an empty shell, ready to perish at any moment. It was the gaze of someone whose goals had shattered or lost their purpose. At this moment, she seemed to have questions, pressing questions, she wanted to ask Li Li. "The Mister in the book, the man who prompted the Traveler's change, what do you think he's like?" she inquired. "An idealist, but also eloquent and capable of inspiring people," Li Li replied. Reading the conversations between the Traveler and the Mister, she couldn't deny that he was an articulate speaker, very capable of expressing his thoughts and instilling his ideas in others. "Yes, he's very persuasive," the woman two meters away commented. Since the book was written from the Traveler's perspective, it was difficult for Li Li to harbor any ill feelings toward the "Mister" after finishing the book. His actions were just, his thoughts broad-minded, and his words gentle. He walked the path of changing the world, treating nobles like the Traveler with fairness. However, labeling him persuasive wasn't inaccurate. After all, the Traveler did end up changing for the Mister's sake. The book lender's tone was calm, but her wording indicated her disdain for Mister. Perhaps even loathing. "Why do you dislike him?" Li Li's interest was piqued. She put down the book, rested her chin on the backs of her hands, and looked forward with a smile. It didn't make sense for a commoner to dislike someone who appeared to advocate for commoners and low-ranked ability users, with unimpeachable actions and language. The book-lending woman lifted her vacant eyes to meet Li Li's gaze. "He altered a person's mindset with just a few words," she said. "Isn't that frightening?" "That's an interesting perspective," Li Li responded with a smile. Yet, she couldn't agree with it, as she also appreciated psychological strategies. For Li Li, it didn't matter as long as the method worked, so she couldn't grasp why the book lender found it frightening. With a sigh in her heart, Li Li felt perhaps the difference between science-minded and humanities-minded people did manifest in their nerves. She, accustomed to conflict, and this literary young woman simply couldn't see eye to eye. Standing up, she courteously said, "Thank you for your recommendation, I'll be leaving now." As she stood, pushed the library chair back to its place, and turned to return the book to the shelf, the literary young woman spoke again from behind her. "Hope to see you again," she said. "I don't know who you are, but I think we're close enough to exchange names." Li Li pretended not to hear, as her actions were not something that should involve ordinary people. Then she heard the woman behind her say, "My surname is L..." L? Lin (临)? Her surname is Lin? In Dyed-eye City, and she's a Lin? Li Li paused. She turned to see the woman's unchanged face and vacant eyes fixed on her. Then the woman continued, as if this was of significance. "Double-wood Lin (林)." Li Li's smile remained constant, and she naturally tilted her head, indicating she heard. "Sorry, we have no connection whatsoever," Li Li emphasized just as casually. She then turned her head and returned the book to the bookshelf as originally intended. After all this, she gazed at the cover of the travelogue in silence for a moment. Then she smirked and left the library. Who exactly was that person, and why did she mention the "Mister" from the book? Li Li had already pondered these questions upon hearing the surname "L" in the library. As for the additional term "double-wood Lin," she remained skeptical. Upon taking a step back and pondering it calmly, Li Li could sense something was off about the woman, leaving only the question of who she truly was. Though the high-ranking members of the Lin clan only numbered four, there were many affiliated branches. If that woman had lived through the events of six years ago, she could well be a noble. Of course, the most unsettling and eerie thought was that she might be someone most unlikely. "But she doesn't seem malicious," Li Li mused for a while. The Lin clan's situation was far more complicated than the Yue clan's, but it merely fueled Li Li's curiosity. Even if she truly was that person, it seemed she wouldn't take any action before they met again. Debating whether to inform An Heyu about her peculiar encounter with a mysterious stranger, Li Li took advantage of the twilight to head toward District Three. Another reason was An Heyu's decision to stay crossdressed until leaving Dyed-eye City, which piqued Li Li's interest greatly. She admitted indulging in a bit of schadenfreude, but the sight of An Heyu, with red hair, a short skirt, and black stockings, was too amusing! Having tried crossdressing for just a day, An Heyu was visibly unaccustomed, fidgeting with his cloak even in front of subordinates in District Three. Seeing Li Li enjoying the spectacle, he could only ask resignedly, "Have you eaten?" Li Li hopped down from the container, strutted in her heels, letting him have a full view. "Yeah," she responded cheerfully, using a generic and dismissive phrase. As night fell, Li Li finally asked An Heyu about his impressions of Lin Ran. An Heyu thought for a moment before replying, "She doesn't go out much even in Floating City, I've never seen her." In short, she was a recluse, deeply uninterested in noble social interactions. Mentioning this, An Heyu speculated from his colorful array of experiences, "Did something happen?" Li Li squinted her eyes at him, while An Heyu continued to list examples, "Like you breaking into the Lin clan's mansion during the day?" "You have a huge misunderstanding about me," Li Li shook her head. "True, maybe I am overthinking," An Heyu nodded in agreement with Li Li's denial and then said, "If you really were going to do that, you'd take me along." After he finished speaking, he hesitated for a moment and asked, "Right? You'd bring me along, wouldn't you?" Li Li smiled, "Uh-huh, your misunderstanding runs deep." Was he suspecting she would secretly break into the Lin clan's mansion alone and cause chaos? No, she certainly wouldn’t. At the very least, she’d bring along you guys, her trusty companions! At this moment, they were heading toward the new base An Heyu was establishing. He was seriously developing this faction, and within a few days, it had taken on its initial form. Tonight, they would head over to let Li Li and his new guise make an appearance among the minor leaders, affirming his female identity, and also coming up with a name for the organization. "It must not be something like 'Little' anything," An Heyu fretted on the way, "Calling it 'Little District' for a district three underground organization just sounds bad." "You really lack naming skills," Li Li raised an eyebrow, "Why not call it 'The Little Third'?" An Heyu replied, "No, we cannot do that." Li Li shrugged indifferently. Anyway, if she were to actually name it 'The Little Third,' An Heyu would begrudgingly accept it. However, as they approached the building where the organization's base was located, in the distance, she spotted a person in white standing outside the entrance. It was the uniform of the Ability Guild. Activating her abilities, Li Li quickly used an illusion to see the person's face clearly. It was someone she had seen previously–a man she saw with Lin Ruye and another noble from the Lin clan, likely a subordinate of the Lin clan. He was also the one who had raised suspicions about Li Li. Crows circled in the night sky, bringing everything within Li Li's visual range. He had come alone. Li Li confirmed this. As they approached, the man in the white uniform turned around and saw Li Li and An Heyu walking towards him. "I have some matters to discuss with you," he said, his tone possessing the usual condescension of an aristocrat. This dispelled some of Li Li's speculations, yet— Li Li smiled, "What a coincidence, I have some questions for you too." She could use this person to gain a lot of information.