"We're here."
Welt looked at the lavishly decorated building before them, the Dewlight Pavilion. This was the meeting place for the heads of the various families, nominally belonging to Sunday and also serving as the place where he handled his affairs. However, looking at it, Welt still felt a sense of unease.
According to the information he'd gathered, this Dewlight Pavilion was also known as a fortress. Without an invitation from Sunday, an ordinary person could never hope to set foot inside in their entire life, and he wasn't sure if they would be granted entry now.
"I'll go and ask. It's hard to say if the head of the Oak Family will be willing to see us during such a sensitive time."
"Alright."
Fu Zhu agreed, and Welt walked over to the several Hound Family members guarding the pavilion's entrance.
While Welt was making inquiries, Fu Zhu took the opportunity to place a Crafting Table on the ground. Since he was about to face Sunday, who was very likely the mastermind, he had to prepare for the coming "Hongmen Banquet."
He had previously been affected by Sunday's Harmony's Chord. Although he had quickly dispelled the buff with milk at the time, there was no guarantee he wouldn't fall for it again. Fu Zhu wasn't about to risk his and his companions' safety to test the true effects of Harmony's Chord.
To guard against Sunday's secret machinations, Fu Zhu thought of a very suitable mod—the Automatic Feeder Upgrade for the Sophisticated Backpack.
As the name implied, the Automatic Feeder Upgrade could automatically feed the user food stored in the backpack according to preset conditions. Milk, which could remove debuffs, was included in this category.
Moreover, the materials needed to craft it were quite simple, and Fu Zhu happened to have them all on hand, so he could make one on the spot.
Once the Automatic Feeder Upgrade was crafted, all Fu Zhu had to do was put it in his backpack, and if he was ever hit with a negative status effect, the upgrade would automatically feed him milk, helping him remove the debuff.
Just as Fu Zhu was busy crafting the upgrade, two figures approached from behind him.
"Huh? Isn't this Mr. Fu Zhu? What are you doing here?"
Aventurine, accompanied by Dr. Ratio, walked over. He peeked at the Crafting Table in front of Fu Zhu, instantly recognizing the unique wooden cube as one of Fu Zhu's miraculous tools, which was also mentioned in the intelligence reports collected by the Company.
"Are you planning to craft something interesting to blow up the Dewlight Pavilion? I support that with both my hands and feet."
Fu Zhu looked up at Aventurine, who was fanning the flames beside him, and casually put away the completed Automatic Feeder Upgrade and the Crafting Table. "Just blowing up one pavilion is boring. Why not blow up all of Penacony?"
Aventurine's enthusiasm was immediately extinguished. He raised his hands in surrender. "My apologies, Mr. Fu Zhu, I shouldn't have egged you on. Please, have mercy and leave Penacony in one piece. Otherwise, I'll have a hard time explaining it to my superiors. Oh, right, allow me to introduce you. This is [Doctor of Truth], Ratio, a partner from our corporation."
Fu Zhu turned to look at Dr. Ratio standing beside Aventurine. Unlike Aventurine, who was dressed like a flamboyant peacock, Dr. Ratio exuded an intellectual aura from head to toe. He proactively extended a hand toward Fu Zhu.
"Veritas Ratio. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Fu Zhu."
"Same here. It's a pleasure to meet you too, Dr. Ratio."
After the brief introductions, Aventurine asked why Fu Zhu was outside the Dewlight Pavilion.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, what brings you here? Although many tourists like to take photos in front of the Dewlight Pavilion, I don't think that's your kind of hobby."
Fu Zhu crossed his arms, raised an eyebrow, and said with a smile, "Who's to say I'm not here for a photo with Sunday?"
"In that case, please be sure to include me in the photo."
As the two chatted idly, Welt returned. He was slightly taken aback to see two strangers standing beside Fu Zhu, but Fu Zhu quickly introduced them. "These two are from the Company. One of the Ten Stonehearts, Aventurine, and Dr. Ratio."
After hearing Fu Zhu's introduction, Welt gave the two a polite nod. "A pleasure to meet you."
Aventurine and Dr. Ratio returned the courtesy. Only then did Welt speak to Fu Zhu. "Let's go. Sunday has agreed to see us."
"Mm."
Fu Zhu wasn't surprised. It would have been more surprising if Sunday had dared not to see him.
Welt and Fu Zhu started walking toward the Dewlight Pavilion, but to their surprise, Aventurine and Dr. Ratio began to follow them. Fu Zhu glanced back at the pair, and Aventurine offered an explanation.
"What a coincidence, Mr. Fu Zhu. We also need to discuss some matters with the head of the family, Sunday. You wouldn't mind if we went together, would you?"
As he spoke, Aventurine desperately winked at Fu Zhu.
Fu Zhu recalled his earlier agreement with Aventurine—to bail him out at a critical moment.
---o---
"Of course."
With Fu Zhu's approval, Aventurine breathed a sigh of relief, feeling more confident about the upcoming negotiations.
The four of them walked side-by-side into the Dewlight Pavilion, where they were immediately subjected to multiple layers of security checks. The tedious inspection process made Fu Zhu忍不住 complain.
"This really is a 'fortress.' I wasn't even checked this thoroughly when I met Jing Yuan."
Aventurine, who was being inspected nearby with his arms raised, turned his head and asked curiously, "You mean the Divine Foresight General of the Xianzhou Luofu?"
"Yeah."
"Well, that's not surprising. The Divine Foresight General is an Emanator. If someone truly wanted to harm him, this kind of ordinary inspection would be useless. It's not like dealing with these family heads..."
Aventurine trailed off mid-sentence as the surrounding Hound Family guards shot him glares.
The other three were quickly cleared, and then it was Fu Zhu's turn. The Hound Family guards immediately noticed the Sophisticated Backpack he was carrying and pointed at it. "Mr. Nameless, we need to inspect that backpack as well."
"I refuse."
Fu Zhu rejected their request without hesitation. The contents of his Sophisticated Backpack were all his worldly possessions. How could he let others casually search through his home?
His immediate and firm refusal made the Hound Family guards frown. They hadn't expected such a strong reaction.
"Mr. Nameless, if you do not allow us to conduct an inspection, then we're afraid we cannot let you enter."
"Then you'd better brace yourselves."
Fu Zhu unslung the Sophisticated Backpack and casually held it out before letting go.
As the backpack hit the ground, everyone felt the floor tremble. A couple of unprepared guards nearly lost their footing and stumbled.
One of the guards stepped forward and tried to lift the backpack. But the moment his hand grasped the strap and he pulled, his face turned the color of a pig's liver.
"It's... so heavy!"
Fu Zhu said nothing, a faint smile on his face. This Sophisticated Backpack was filled with all his possessions. The total weight of everything inside exceeded ten thousand tons. He could ignore that weight, but that didn't mean others could.
Furthermore, he had set it so that only he could open it. Even his companions like Welt couldn't access it.
After trying for a while, the guards realized they couldn't open it or even lift it. They broke into a cold sweat, hesitating over whether they should deny Fu Zhu entry. Just then, another Hound Family member ran out from inside.
"The Head of the Family says to let him pass directly."
This finally brought relief to the other guards. They quickly stepped aside, pointing sheepishly at the Sophisticated Backpack, which had left a crater in the floor.
"Mr. Nameless, you can take your backpack now."
"Mm."
Fu Zhu casually picked up the backpack from the floor. Aventurine, watching from the side, couldn't help but marvel at the sight. He leaned over and whispered to Dr. Ratio, "Are all Emanators this terrifyingly strong physically?"
Dr. Ratio shook his head and whispered back, "A typical Emanator merely far surpasses others in their application of Path powers. Their physical strength is not necessarily greater than an ordinary person's. This is clearly a power that belongs to Mr. Fu Zhu himself."
"Tsk, tsk. With that brute strength alone, he could probably beat an Emanator to a pulp, right? I can't believe Mr. Fu Zhu is an Envoy of Finality..."
After the inspection process, the four of them entered the final meeting hall together. Sunday was sitting in the head seat and, upon seeing them enter, immediately stood up and greeted them with a smile.
"Welcome to the Dewlight Pavilion, all of you."
Sunday gestured for the four to take their seats before asking their purpose for coming.
"I wonder what business brings the Astral Express and the Company's special envoys to the Dewlight Pavilion together?"
Welt didn't answer immediately. He first looked over at Aventurine and Dr. Ratio on the other side. Aventurine made a "please, go ahead" gesture, and only then did Welt speak. "Mr. Sunday, the Astral Express has come regarding the matter of the serial murders. As Nameless, we cannot simply stand by and watch, especially when one of the victims is Miss Robin."
Hearing the name "Robin," a flicker of darkness crossed Sunday's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came. The smile on his face faded slightly.
"Please allow me to first thank the Astral Express for your kind intentions. In that case, may I entrust the investigation of this matter to you? The Family will provide all necessary support. After all, everyone in the cosmos trusts that the Astral Express stands on the side of justice. I believe the results of your investigation will be convincing to all."
Sunday's reaction surprised Welt and Fu Zhu. They hadn't expected him to hand over the authority to investigate the matter to the Astral Express so readily.
While Sunday and Welt were talking, Fu Zhu had been carefully observing his facial expressions, but he hadn't noticed anything amiss.
Suddenly, Fu Zhu spoke up coldly. "The Family's assistance would be most welcome. However, not long ago, we were attacked by a member of your family who wields the power of [Harmony]. If you could, Head of Family Sunday, just providing us with the clues you have on hand would be enough."
Hearing this, Sunday's eyes narrowed. Fu Zhu keenly caught the subtle shift in his expression.
Bingo. Sunday was connected to this matter. In fact, it was probably he who ordered Gopelmu to drive him and Acheron away. Fu Zhu couldn't think of anyone else who could command a former head of the family.
Sunday took a deep breath and then said with a solemn expression, "In truth, many within The Family are on edge because of this Harmony Soiree. After all, too many factions have come to Penacony to participate. It's inevitable that some family members would be overly nervous. However, I assure you both, such an incident will not happen again. I will also find the culprit who attacked you and give you a proper explanation."
"That would be for the best."
Having probed this far, Fu Zhu's side had nothing more to discuss. Sunday could see this as well and began to see his guests out.
---o---
"I will need to discuss other matters with the Company's envoys next. Please forgive me for not seeing you out."
"It's no trouble."
Welt waved his hand and stood up, preparing to leave with Fu Zhu.
Aventurine, who was sitting nearby, was stunned by this. He almost jumped up to stop Fu Zhu.
Wait, how can my big thigh just leave?!
He had been counting on Fu Zhu's presence to use their deal as leverage if something unexpected happened!
Although he had prepared three chips for this plan, it was always better to have more trump cards. Who could guarantee that his three chips would be enough to see the plan through?
"Is something the matter, Mr. Aventurine? Is there something else you wished to say to Mr. Fu Zhu?" Sunday noticed the change in Aventurine's expression and asked with a gentle smile.
Aventurine sighed internally but kept his expression unchanged.
"No, let's continue."
Outside the Dewlight Pavilion, as soon as Fu Zhu stepped out, he turned to Welt. "Uncle Yang, I'm going back in. You go meet up with March and the others first."
Although Welt wanted to ask what Fu Zhu was planning, his trust in him won out. He simply nodded and reminded him to be careful before leaving.
Once Welt was gone, Fu Zhu took a Potion of Invisibility from his backpack and drank it down.
While his Observer Mode also made him undetectable, it came with many restrictions on his actions. A Potion of Invisibility was far more convenient.
After drinking the potion, Fu Zhu's figure instantly vanished. He then turned around and walked back into the Dewlight Pavilion.
Upon returning to the hall, Fu Zhu arrived just in time to overhear the conversation between Sunday and Aventurine.
"Mr. Aventurine, I wonder what business brings you here this time?"
"Naturally, to discuss a deal. And to get my deposit back and..."
"The casket containing the [Cornerstone], correct? The [Cornerstone] is a sacred stone used by the Company to seal the great power of an Emanator of Preservation. The Ten Stonehearts each hold one. It is very dangerous. For the Harmony Soiree in Penacony to proceed smoothly, the [Cornerstone] must be kept in the family's custody until then."
Aventurine's eyes were downcast, his expression grim. But he had already anticipated this outcome.
"Very well. But you should at least return my deposit, right?"
"Mr. Aventurine, your compromise came a little too quickly..."
Sunday stared at Aventurine with a meaningful look. He then picked up a handbag and a casket from the side, stood up with his hands clasped behind his back, and looked down at Aventurine from a superior position.
"Before that, Mr. Aventurine, I hope you will answer me honestly. What exactly is stored in this casket that you have so decisively abandoned?"
After saying this, Sunday began to chant softly.
"Oh, soul of three faces, I bid you brand his tongue and palm with hot iron, that he may not fabricate lies, nor make a false vow."
However, just as Sunday was about to use the power of Harmony to interrogate Aventurine, he noticed something unusual.
Wait... why is the power of Harmony affecting two people?
Sunday looked around in surprise. Besides Dr. Ratio, who was standing far away, there were only himself and Aventurine in the room. He couldn't possibly be using the power of Harmony on himself.
So, who was the extra person? He couldn't sense anyone's presence at all!