---o---
Aglaea repeated the words Imperator had spoken to her at that time.
After listening, Dan Heng became even more convinced of his theory. There was absolutely something wrong with that mist, and someone had deliberately entrapped Fu Zhu. What he didn't understand, however, was why Fu Zhu had begun roaming the outside world afterward but refused to meet with anyone else.
Based on all the information they had, Fu Zhu should be on the same side as the Chrysos Heirs. Why was he unwilling to meet with his allies?
Unless... that Fu Zhu was a fake.
Dan Heng wasn't certain, but he felt it was necessary to find that 'Fu Zhu'.
With this in mind, Dan Heng asked Aglaea again, "Do you have any information regarding the 'Fu Zhu' who is currently wandering the outside world?"
Aglaea was intelligent and immediately understood the implication behind Dan Heng's words; he suspected the Fu Zhu outside was an impostor.
"I know you're suspicious, but Cipher has met him before. Cipher told us in no uncertain terms that it is indeed Fu Zhu."
But Dan Heng shook his head. "Even so, I hope to meet him in person."
Who's to say there aren't some things Fu Zhu is unwilling to tell the Chrysos Heirs?
If it were him and Stelle, perhaps Fu Zhu would be willing to reveal the truth.
Seeing Dan Heng's insistence, Aglaea didn't argue further.
"In that case, I will send a message to Cipher. She has been tracking Fu Zhu's movements this entire time and should know the most. I'll have her come back to meet with you."
"Thank you for your trouble."
After the simple discussion concluded, Aglaea entrusted Tribbie with arranging for Dan Heng and Stelle to rest.
"Teacher, please take our two guests to rest. I know they are very anxious, but finding Fu Zhu cannot be rushed. We have been at this for over a thousand years. Let them relax a little. I'm sure he is fine."
"Yes. Thank you." x2
Tribbie led the two back to Fu Zhu's private room. Just as Dan Heng and Stelle sat down, intending to ask Tribbie a few more questions, she suddenly pulled a letter from her pocket and handed it to them.
"What's this?"
Dan Heng took the envelope and glanced at it. Only two words were written on the outside: Fu Zhu. He looked up at Tribbie, confused.
Tribbie spoke with some embarrassment, "I apologize for Aglaea's sudden questioning of your identities earlier. Now that you have proven yourselves, it is our turn to prove our own. Fu Zhu gave this letter to us over a thousand years ago. He said that, just in case the Iron Golems failed to deliver their letter to you, this task would fall to us to fulfill."
Upon hearing this, Dan Heng immediately opened the envelope. The contents were nearly identical to the letter the Iron Golem had given them, with the only difference being that the opening line was changed from "meeting the Iron Golem" to "meeting Tribbie and the others."
Although it offered no other useful clues, it made Dan Heng trust the Chrysos Heirs even more. Fu Zhu had indeed established a positive relationship with them; the Chrysos Heirs were trustworthy.
"Please, rest well. When Cipher returns, I will be the first to inform you."
Tribbie handed the letter over and didn't linger, leaving the guest room to let them rest.
Stelle glanced left and right, then plopped down onto a nearby lounge chair and let out a sigh.
"Dan Heng, when are we going to find my brother? Or should we focus on the Flame-Chase Journey first?"
Dan Heng walked over to an empty seat beside her and sat down, contemplating. "Our priority is to find Fu Zhu, and March 7th."
To this day, he still hadn't deciphered the clue Fu Zhu left behind. What did "Body and soul separated, hard for others to find yet close at hand" mean? This matter concerned March's whereabouts; he had to figure it out as soon as possible.
This Trailblaze expedition could not afford to leave anyone behind.
Two hours later, after the pair had rested for a while, they were just about to head out for a stroll to learn more about Amphoreus when a knock suddenly came from the door.
"Excuse me, are Mr. Dan Heng and Miss Stelle inside? I am Castorice."
Castorice?
Dan Heng and Stelle exchanged a look. They immediately recalled that Castorice was that Saintess, wasn't she?
Dan Heng quickly opened the door. He saw the young woman standing at the entrance and gave her a nod.
"Please, come in."
"Thank you. After you."
Castorice expressed her thanks and followed Dan Heng inside only after he had entered. However, she was holding a massive, black scythe in her right hand the entire time.
Stelle's eyes were instinctively drawn to it, and she soon found she couldn't look away. The scythe looked incredibly 'rough'!
From the blade to the handle, countless small, blocky protrusions were visible. She had seen this style of weapon more than once!
"Castorice, was that scythe in your hand given to you by my brother?"
Hearing this, Castorice's eyes lit up, and she nodded repeatedly.
"That's right. Fu Zhu did indeed give me this scythe. It seems you truly are the real Nameless Guests."
Dan Heng invited Castorice to sit down, while he and Stelle sat opposite her.
"What can we do for you?"
Castorice nodded, asking with some urgency, "Since you two are Fu Zhu's family, I would like to ask if you have a special way of contacting him? I wish to see him."
Stelle couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Oh no, could this girl be aiming for March's position?
Dan Heng, hearing that Castorice was also looking for Fu Zhu, shook his head with some regret.
"I tried to contact Fu Zhu earlier, but I failed. Do you happen to have any clues about him? I learned from Aglaea that just before he lost contact, he was on his way to find you. Can you tell us the details of what happened at that time?"
Castorice nodded and began to recall the situation back then.
"At that time, the undead suddenly attacked. The priestess took me away. I thought we were all going to be killed by the undead, but to my surprise, I could feel the undead entering another realm. They didn't harm anyone in Aidonia. But not long after, the life force of everyone in Aidonia vanished in an instant."
"And after that?"
"After that, I don't know the details. The priestess and I met up with the reinforcements from Okhema and were brought here."
Dan Heng nodded with understanding. He was able to piece together the events that transpired in Aidonia back then.
First, Fu Zhu must have built a Nether Portal, connecting the overworld with the Nether. Those undead were likely drawn to the Nether, which is why they didn't harm the citizens and went straight through the portal.
As for the citizens, they were likely killed by the same culprit who ambushed Fu Zhu. Otherwise, there was no way to explain how not a single one of them survived.
Dan Heng refused to believe that every single one of them had entered the Nether out of sheer curiosity.
The Nether was a place they had to visit.
---o---