The Creatures that We Are

“Haha, one can’t capture a wolf without some sacrifice. The Nine Scions are cunning. We couldn’t afford any leak beforehand.” Yan Liang smiled under his mask. “Not even Vermilion Bird and Azure Dragon knew the plan.”

“Vermilion Bird and Azure Dragon are your people,” Colorless said bluntly. “The Twelve Zodiac Signs and the Union aren’t obligated to take the risk for you.”

“Don’t worry. All’s under our control,” Yan Liang said calmly. “You’re fine, aren’t you?”

“You…” Colorless was going to say something else, but Goldthread stopped her.

In sunglasses and mask, he stated in a hardened tone, “Don’t confuse the result with the process. Whatever the case, it’s a fact that you used us and put us in danger. You must make amends for that, or how will the Qilin Guild maintain your credibility and authority?”

“That was a special occasion. I promise that the same thing won’t happen again,” said Yan Liang. “The Qilin Guild is willing to compensate you.”

“For the next three months, the Guild will pay for the regular medicines and expendable Black Gold items used by the Zodiacs and the Union, provided it’s within the reasonable amount.”

Goldthread didn’t say anything else. He wasn’t satisfied with that, but he knew that it was the most compensation and respect the Hundred Rivers Union could get.

“And,” Yan Liang turned to the other members of the Union, “Black Tortoise has made a reservation to rent the Support Rune Circuit for one day within the next ten days. We’ll pay triple the rent. You may decide the actual time.”

Chen Ying nodded. “I was told last night. Madam Li has given her approval.”

Colorless shut her mouth.

Chen Ying stood up and lifted the briefcase with the Life Rune Circuit. She glanced at the other team leaders. “I’ll go store the Rune Circuit. Please walk our guests out.”

War Tiger, White Rabbit, Yan Liang, and Ke Yo walked out of the meeting room one by one. Colorless, Goldthread, and Liao Liao accompanied them under the guise of sending off the visitors when they were actually keeping watch in case the four left something in the base secretly or pulled some tricks—the possibility was slim, though.

The group rode the elevator to the ground floor. Then they walked out of the secret tunnel in the forest.

They were silent all the way. Then Ke Yo suddenly said apropos of nothing, “Team Leaders of the Union, you’re all quite strong. Why don’t you consider joining the Guild?”

That caught Goldthread, Colorless, and Liao Liao off guard. They thought they had heard her wrong. Was she foolish or arrogant for recruiting them so openly?

Ke Yo said bluntly with a calm expression, “I used to serve the Tails and have done my share of dirty and heavy work, all to survive in this world. But at the end of the day, the Tails are merely disposable pawns to the Godbearer Cult, to be cast away after use.”

“Now, the Tails are all dead save for me. I’m lucky that Guildmaster Qilin’s willing to give me a chance to make a different choice despite my history. Personally, I believe he’s the only one who can lead humanity to victory and sustain our civilization. None other can do the same.”

War Tiger and White Rabbit shared a silent look.

“I’m not one to mince words. I hope you don’t mind.” Ke Yo narrowed her eyes slightly. Her smile seemed disingenuous. “I believe blind loyalty means nothing. Survival is the only doctrine to follow. We’re running out of time, and there’s nothing after death. You should give it a long and hard thought.”

Goldthread, Colorless, and Liao Liao stayed silent.

Yan Liang led the group with his hands behind his back. He didn’t say anything about Ke Yo’s remark.

After a while, he stopped and laughed quietly. “You don’t have to walk us further.”

“Yeah, just go back.” War Tiger smoked leisurely as he grinned at the three team leaders. “The girl has a point. If you wanna jump ships, the Twelve Zodiac Signs is a good choice.”

“Don’t make things worse!” White Rabbit glared at War Tiger.

War Tiger laughed and turned around, waving at them. “Bye.”

Goldthread and Colorless scowled, while Liao Liao waved them goodbye with a friendly smile. “Safe trip.”

They watched as the four drove away. Goldthread and Colorless turned away to return to the base at the same time. Liao Liao caught up with them after a moment of surprise.

Colorless said with a frown, “Vermilion Bird asked me to treat Ke Yo with hypnosis before. She wasn’t like that at the time. It’s like she’s a different person.”

“Perhaps she’s never changed, only showing her true color now.”

“Possible,” Liao Liao agreed.

“No member of Tails should be trusted.” Goldthread scoffed. “Were I Guildmaster Qilin, I wouldn’t dare to use her. The girl is cunning and without a bottom line. It’s clear that she’s a traitor by nature who will happily go through three different surnames[1].”

“Three surnames. Haha, well said.” Colorless laughed. Then she remembered something. “Oh, did you read the letter from Canary?”

“Yeah.” Goldthread tensed, his voice going stiff too.

“What do you think?” Colorless elbowed him.

“I’m still considering it,” Goldthread admitted.

“What for?” Colorless was surprised. “Do you not think my girl’s good enough? Canary’s more than what you deserve given your…”

Realizing that she had said something hurtful, she quickly explained, “I don’t mean it that way.”

Goldthread didn’t say anything, but he didn’t get angry, either. He continued to walk forward, signifying the end of the conversation.

The two women fell to the back.

“Sister Colorless, Canary likes Team Leader Goldthread?” Liao Liao was excited to learn the shocking news.

“You couldn’t tell, right? She’s had a secret crush for a long time.” Colorless raised an eyebrow in resignation. “She only revealed it because she got wasted during our last team gathering.”

“Dang it!” Liao Liao slapped her thigh. “Harvest Song’s got a rival.”

“Huh?!” Colorless was the one to be shocked this time. “Harvest Song likes Goldthread too?”

“Don’t you know? It’s been talked about.” Liao Liao stroked her chin and smacked her lips. “Who would’ve thought that Team Leader Goldthread is actually a magnet for girls?”

“But why?” Colorless didn’t get it. “That guy’s got his face covered all day. How is he so popular?”

“You don’t get it. That’s exactly what makes him attractive.” Liao Liao snickered. “Without a face, anyone can imagine what they want him to be. Innocent girls are most likely to fall for an illusion they conjure for themselves, fooling themselves into falling in love.”

“Liao Liao,” Colorless said, impressed. “Aren’t you a hacker? Do you moonlight as a relationship expert or something?”

“Oh, no. I just read a few romance novels recently and learned something from them,” Liao Liao said humbly.

…

December 24th, three o’clock in the morning.

Clover Park, Nanji District.

Amid the camphor trees by the artificial lake, Ke Yo waited quietly in a black jumper and jeans for mobility, wearing a baseball cap, mask, and sunglasses.

Now that she was Elder Black Tortoise, she was no longer under anyone’s watch and had the freedom to move as she wished. Of course, she didn’t trust it completely, so she stopped every few steps to use Strange Whistle for two seconds. If there were awakeners tracking her, she would notice immediately.

Ke Yo was on high alert. She suddenly sensed a slight energy disturbance behind her. There was a colorful light.

“Here you are.” Ke Yo slowly turned around. Her sunglasses reflected the shimmering light.

Deep in the forest stood a woman enveloped by colorful dust particles. The cluster of energy particles bloomed and scattered before gathering again, as if playing out the birth and death of a nebula.

With the dust obscuring her figure, her height and build kept changing.

She was the spy lurking in the Hundred Rivers Union, Dust.

1. An insult for those with no loyalty, referencing Lu Bu from the Three Kingdoms. ☜

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