Free Web NovelChapter 104: Chapter 104: Traveler
Bai Wu didn’t frown, although his mind did.
"I’ve been careless after all, I forgot this matter."
His facial expression was very calm, but there was a hint of confusion within the calm, as if he was the one raising the question.
Despite the current relationship between him, Yan Jiu, and Hong Yin, it was far from being at certain significant event stages.
But some things, or rather, some people, have a natural talent for encountering such situations.
Bai Wu didn’t want to delay. Although his last name was Bai, he had no intention of establishing a school of thought around it; he spoke directly,
"Miss Yan, I have a very important task for you. Contact the captain through surveillance and tell him that I have obtained important information and am at a crucial stage. Please, do not initiate a rescue operation, as it will only bring me more trouble. This is extremely urgent, go quickly!"
Hong Yin’s dark pupils looked at Yan Jiu, and Yan Jiu examined Hong Yin in return.
To Bai Wu’s surprise, Yan Jiu did not act immediately, but Bai Wu did not panic; he deliberately emphasized,
"As a friend, you should sense the urgency in my voice. I hope you understand the importance of prioritizing tasks."
"Oh, okay, I’m sorry, don’t be angry, please."
Feeling the increased urgency in Bai Wu’s tone, which seemed somewhat angry, Yan Jiu immediately forgot what she had been thinking.
After the message was conveyed, Bai Wu calmly put away the conch shell, tossed it into his backpack, and cut off the connection.
"Brother, who is she?"
"A friend who is good at painting, somewhat similar to you, considered to be of the Evil Fallen lineage."
Suddenly, Bai Wu felt his body become extraordinarily heavy.
The random attribute changes that happened every thirty seconds could occasionally result in this, with speed reduced to a negative number.
Hong Yin nodded without saying much.
After giving it some thought, Bai Wu assured himself that nothing had happened between him and the two girls. Moreover, one couldn’t enter the High Tower, and the other couldn’t leave the High Tower due to her emotions.
Could it be possible that these two could bump into each other? This seemed even less realistic than his rice cooker being spirit-possessed.
With this thought, he felt considerably more at ease.
...
...
High Tower.
After returning from the red stele, Team Seven attracted quite a bit of attention. Wang Shi was right; they had done something worthy of being recorded in history.
What exactly was in the red area was a matter of curiosity for everyone, even the rulers.
Various powers had actually planted spies in the Lower East Square, and the return of Wu Jiu and others from the red stele caused a significant stir.
Soon after, Legion Commander Qin Zong of the Investigation Corps issued an order for Wu Jiu to go to the fourth level and report the details of their find in person.
Wu Jiu didn’t delay. Despite his heavy heart, it didn’t affect his efficiency at work. Or rather, crazy work could temporarily suppress some even crazier thoughts.
He sent Yin Shuang with Shang Xiaoyi to the hospital, while Wang Shi dealt with the outside world. Lin Wurou then returned to the Investigation Corps to stand by for orders.
In the headquarters of the Investigation Corps on the fourth level, inside the office of the Legion Commander, Wu Jiu met with the thirty-four-year-old Legion Commander Qin Zong.
As the commander of the Investigation Corps, Qin Zong currently displays Innate Force of the sixth order and ninth segment. He is on the verge of breaking through to the seventh order, but it has been a long time since he last left the tower.
He is magnificently built and carries himself with regal grace, exuding the impression of a frank and open-minded gentleman, yet everyone familiar with Qin Zong knows that his tactics are far from straightforward.
In order for the Investigation Corps to contend with the Garrison Corps, despite being seen as inferior, Qin Zong employs methods that are sometimes dark and at other times light. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Even some members of the Investigation Corps believe that in certain matters, Qin Zong is too ruthless.
However, he is also very generous and protective of his subordinates, which is why the Investigation Corps remains deeply loyal to him till this day.
Wu Jiu disclosed everything to Qin Zong without reservation, everything he and Bai Wu had seen and heard on their way, along with Bai Wu’s conjectures.
Qin Zong’s expression was grave:
"Your decision was correct, and it might even be said that it’s fortunate you didn’t proceed deeper into that area with your subordinates. It is an unfortunate stroke of luck that you only appeared on the periphery of the red zone! You needn’t feel guilty, you did not abandon your men; it was their own choice. The difficulty of the red zone is far greater than we had imagined."
"Ninety years ago, the Garrison Corps of Gao Ta Town and the Investigation Corps from outside the tower joined forces to explore the red zone. The best talents of both armies were involved, but not one who ventured into the red zone survived."
"Just two years later, both armies joined forces again, this time under orders from higher-ups to investigate the red zone. The result was the same: complete annihilation. The losses to both the Garrison Corps and the Investigation Corps were enormous. What’s even more puzzling is why they didn’t get a chance to use the Return Roulette?"
"After these two attempts, we dared not aim too high. Let alone red and black zones; in fact, even purple zones now have survival rates calculated by the thousandth."
Qin Zong patted Wu Jiu’s shoulder and continued:
"I can understand the pain of losing your subordinates. I’ve been monitoring this new recruit, too. He helped you solve a case not long ago and returned from the purple zone with you, right? He is a rare talent indeed, and it is a real shame to lose him."
"But with our current combat strength, we’re truly not ready for the real red zone. Qingyu, perhaps one day in the future you’ll have the potential to venture into these areas, but the more capable you are, the more you must cherish your life. Not every era produces warriors like you for the High Tower."
With these words, Qin Zong was warning Wu Jiu not to attempt to rescue his subordinates.
Several hours had passed since Bai Wu entered the red zone. In that time, even a veteran would feel great survival pressure in a blue zone, let alone for a new recruit like Bai Wu in a red zone?
Qin Zong had already presumed the new recruit dead.
Wu Jiu had indeed been preparing to report his plan to head out immediately after the cooldown for leaving the tower expired, in order to rescue his subordinate.
Qin Zong saw through Wu Jiu’s intention and did not want him to risk his most capable subordinate for someone who was already gone.
As Wu Jiu hesitated and Qin Zong pondered what honor to bestow upon Wu Jiu’s beloved soldier, Wu Jiu suddenly received a call from the Investigation Corps division.
"Captain! Good news! Bai Wu isn’t dead! The kid’s not dead! He’s still alive!"
Lin Wurou’s voice came through, and Wu Jiu was somewhat dumbfounded.
"Slow down and speak."
Lin Wurou couldn’t slow down; he had been on standby at the division but had just received a report from Yan Jiu through surveillance that Bai Wu was still alive.
Yan Jiu had an excellent memory. Although her expression was blank, she recounted Bai Wu’s words completely.
Bai Wu had not died and had obtained key intelligence!
Upon hearing this, Lin Wurou immediately informed Wu Jiu. Wu Jiu’s previously rigid face finally softened a bit, though it still looked quite somber.
"I understand. But keep this matter confidential for now."
Wu Jiu hung up the phone and, looking at his reaction, Qin Zong asked:
"What happened? Can I, the commander of the Legion, know this secret?"
"My subordinate from Vanguard Group seven told me that Bai Wu might still be alive and has brought back crucial intelligence."
Qin Zong was startled and immediately stood up:
"Is that true? How did you confirm it? He’s been in the Red Zone for so long and he’s still alive?"
This was the secret Wu Jiu had entrusted Lin Wurou to keep. Wu Jiu said:
"It is an item capable of establishing some form of communication with the Tower, but as for the specifics of its effect, I’m not clear either. It’s his privacy, and I didn’t inquire in detail."
Qin Zong nodded, detecting the implication in Wu Jiu’s words. As a prominent figure of the fourth level, he really didn’t need to know every secret of a new recruit.
Qin Zong also quickly regained his composure.
"Let’s not be too optimistic for now. No matter how valuable the clue, until he returns, we must be prepared for all outcomes."
The key intelligence from the Red Zone excited Qin Zong, despite his experience with many significant events, could hardly conceal his excitement.
A few years ago, the appearance of someone like Wu Jiu in the Investigation Corps suggested to Qin Zong that perhaps the status between the Investigation Corps and the Garrison Corps could shift because of Wu Jiu.
It was a gift from the heavens to the Investigation Corps, granting him a righteous and powerful subordinate.
In just a few short years, Wu Jiu had proven his unique value. Even the members of the Garrison Corps had to admit that Wu Jiu was an irreplaceable force no one else could match.
But Qin Zong suddenly had a feeling that maybe another formidable warrior was about to emerge in the Investigation Corps.
...
...
Outside the Tower, the Mysterious Mine.
After six hours of waiting, the gathering in the cave finally moved on to the next phase.
Bai Wu had been wondering how the host of the cave would communicate with thousands of Evil Fallen.
After all, this place was divided into many areas, separated by layers of rock walls.
To Bai Wu, the entire massive cave seemed more like a labyrinth.
But very soon Bai Wu learned how the highly influential host of the Evil Fallen planned to meet with the myriad of Evil Fallen.
Illusionary Realm.
The scene before everyone’s eyes vanished abruptly, and all the Evil Fallen appeared to suddenly find themselves at a lavish banquet.
Even though the entire place was shrouded in black dust with many grey and black particles floating around.
The soothing music, along with the exquisite decoration and dining tables, made Bai Wu feel as though he was attending a high society party.
In this setting, the bodies of all the Evil Fallen were adjusted, given that they were in an illusionary realm.
It was more than adjustment; Bai Wu even felt... that the host of the gathering was a gentleman skilled in convivial party exchanges.
Apart from the animal Evil Fallen such as spiders, centipedes, tigers, lions, etc., all Evil Fallen who had been humans took on their original human forms.
Dressed in elegant and clean evening attire, each one’s face still conveyed resentment and hatred, but amidst the soothing music and the black dust, it appeared quite hazy.
From a distance, it was as if one were watching a black-and-white old movie from Bai Wu’s previous life, set in the last century.
As for the animals, they were placed in different rooms with a completely different ambiance.
All the tension that was previously in the air had vanished, and these Evil Fallen seemed like guests attending a grand wedding banquet.
There are exceptions.
Hong Yin was still in her red dress, her small hand holding Bai Wu’s large one.
The Evil Fallen with a beauty mark also didn’t dress up for the occasion, remaining in her previous attire, Bai Wu noticed, which should be the attire of the people from the bottom of the High Tower.
This Evil Fallen either stole someone’s clothes from the High Tower or she originally came from the High Tower.
The Mirror Evil Fallen and the Demon Evil Fallen also retained their original appearance. Level-nine Evil Fallen were not affected at all.
Their reactions were different from other Evil Fallen, seeming rather disdainful of such a scene.
Especially Hong Yin, who was also skilled in spiritual power with the super attribute of spiritual power*12, regarded this illusion as child’s play; she could easily make everything return to normal.
The weaker the entity, the more realistic the scene appeared to them. For example, Bai Wu.
Bai Wu was also clear that these were illusions. In his view, the goal was not to see through the illusions, since the most important thing was to listen to what the host of the gathering had to say. Immersing in an exquisite place was always better than a mine cavern.
His attention quickly fell on the front.
At the forefront was an empty stage and on the stage, three crows sat in front of a piano. Their master was not playing the piano but instead performing on a violin.
Bai Wu could tell that this was a famous piece from his previous life, Bach’s Unaccompanied Violin Suites.
The Evil Fallen had long since lost their taste in music, but Bai Wu still had it. Although to him, the standard for evaluating a person’s performance level was in accuracy, not in aesthetics.
But the gathering host’s level was clearly a unity of both. Especially the host’s appearance, which made Bai Wu feel it matched the temperament of a musician.
The lively eyes and high nose bridge gave him a somewhat exotic look, and the face that could manage to sport a sexy little mustache might not be considered handsome but was very distinctive and eye-catching.
Bai Wu looked at the host of the gathering and used Prayle’s Eye, which could only be activated four times temporarily.
"When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also will... alright, it won’t gaze back at you, you can trust my work. But it’s best not to keep staring at the Traveler. As a performer who wanders through various regions, he has long forgotten his own name. All the Evil Fallen who have seen it call him Traveler. After getting the travel ticket, he conceived a grand plan, of course, ’grand’ is only in reference to Evil Fallen."
"Level-nine Evil Fallen, Mutation Entry: Spiritual *6, Perfect Mutation Entries: Fissure Transfer, Body of Dust, Equality of All Beings, Siren’s Song, Evil Eye."
What made Bai Wu somewhat regretful was that he didn’t find any useful clues.
The Traveler had a grand plan for the Evil Fallen, but this plan could only be speculated from subsequent information.
The only useful thing was, Bai Wu probably knew why the Traveler was able to make Prayle’s Eye ineffective.
Perfect Mutation Entry, Equality of All Beings.
Bai Wu speculated that this must be a term that suppresses all supernatural abilities, able to make all powers temporarily fail.
However, since it is only labelled ’perfect’ and not ’legendary’, the suppression effect might not be very strong and may loosen with the opponent’s level.
At least for Hong Yin and the other three level-nine Evil Fallen, they seemed calm from beginning to end.
The violin piece quickly ended, and the Traveler’s motions were gentle and elegant as he placed the violin on top of the piano. He then spoke in an even tone,
"Thank you all for coming from afar. It’s regrettable that some friends encountered some accidents on the way. May death bring them relief."
After a brief pause, the Traveler went straight to the point:
"With the Well opening once again, the restrictions of the regions will be temporarily lifted in these few days. Nobody knows when the Well will open next time, it could be decades, or even centuries. We have suffered greatly in our lifetimes, after eternal life, at least we should choose a place we like."
"And I, can help you all with that."
