"Qingtang, our intelligence network in the Cloud Knights has been exposed, losing many brothers and sisters!"
"It's certain now—there are hounds inside, and not just one. Most are likely hiding in the Luofu!"
Most are in the Luofu?
Leon caught the keyword.
Not long after leaving the cargo lane, he spotted two people sneaking around in a secluded corner, looking like they were up to some shady deal.
He hadn't seen a single person besides Mara-struck along the way.
Two suspicious figures suddenly appearing naturally drew his attention.
After listening, he realized the internal traitor on the Luofu he'd suspected on the train was stumbled upon so soon after arriving.
Was it good luck, or just perfect timing?
"Brother Zigui, the incident at Cloudford shouldn't involve the Cloud Knights but…" Qingtang's tone hesitated.
"Spit it out, don't keep me hanging!" Zigui urged.
"Today, the gardener Zhujin, stationed at Cloudford's Sunken Ruins Dock, tragically perished, killed by three outworlders."
"…You mean Zhujin was taken out by outworlders? What kind of weakling?"
Qingtang looked uneasy, sharing details that made Zigui even more incredulous.
"According to reports, the three were one man and two women."
"The man didn't act, but one gray-haired woman had two heads and four arms."
"Two hands swung a sky-blue, gold-plated giant staff."
"The other two wielded a ground-splitting flame spear, its fire blazing with a terrifying aura that could ignite the sky…"
Zigui completely lost it, bursting out.
"What Xianzhou expletive nonsense! If it was that big a scene, you think I'm blind and couldn't see it?"
Hearing this, Leon's lips twitched.
He could confirm they were talking about Stelle.
What a wild exaggeration.
Stelle had the makings of a prankster, but at most, she was a walking Stellaron essence.
Two heads and four arms? Come on.
Still—
It was good they safely reached the Luofu.
Qingtang: "Probably just an incompetent's excuse, but Zhujin's death is certain."
"Such bad luck. Right after the leader's orders, things keep going wrong," Zigui grumbled, clearly displeased.
"What about us gardeners stationed outside? What's the leader's next directive?"
"Simple!"
Zigui's face darkened, full of malice.
"Based on known intel, the hounds hiding inside were involved in our major operations."
"Even the failed one at the Seat of Divine Foresight!"
"Without those hounds, that blind general would be dead by now."
"You can imagine how much this affects us."
"The gardeners outside the Alchemy Commission's cavern have one task: identify these hounds quickly and eliminate them without a trace."
Qingtang: "Need to keep any alive for questioning?"
Zigui shook his head.
"No need. Best to leave no survivors—too risky, too little value."
"Past experience shows no matter the method, it's hard to get anything from hounds."
"If any brothers or sisters are exposed, give them a merciful end before the hounds get them."
"Just days ago, the leader told me personally that the Luofu's current setup is critical. A thousand-year plan hinges on this, with no room for error."
"I'm passing this to you as is. Keep it in mind."
As he finished, Zigui was about to say more when footsteps from the left caught his attention.
Damn, how'd they get so close before he heard?
Both turned toward the sound, killing intent rising.
But seeing who it was, they were dumbfounded.
Zigui: Another Qingtang?
Qingtang: Who am I? Where am I? What's with that other me?
"You, wearing my face, give the code. 'Never gonna give you up'—next line?"
Pointing at himself, Qingtang grew more confused, his eyes flashing with bewildered self-conflict.
"The next line is… uh, it's…"
"You fake can't even say the code. Die!"
The new Qingtang rushed forward, landing a heavy punch on the original's face.
Zigui snapped to, his face turning liver-red, his elbow morphing into a blade that pierced the beaten Qingtang's dantian.
"You bastard, almost fooled me. Brother Qingtang, good thing you arrived in time to expose this hound."
"No blame, Brother Zigui. These hounds' disguises are clever. I was almost fooled by one posing as you."
"If I hadn't noticed something off, I wouldn't have made it here to meet you."
On the ground, Qingtang's eyes held lingering confusion, staring at 'himself.'
He was the real one!
The sudden impostor was the hound!
Sadly, with his dantian pierced, he couldn't leave a final word.
"So that's… wait, no—"
Zigui suddenly shifted, leaping back like facing a great enemy, his blade aimed at Qingtang.
"I don't recall any rendezvous code. Who are you?!"
"No need to tense up, Brother Zigui. There's no code—I tricked that impostor."
Qingtang explained calmly.
"If it was me asked, I'd immediately deny it, questioning where the code came from."
"But this guy actually thought about it, showing he didn't know if the code was real."
"Think about his reaction. No need for me to say more, right, brother?"
Zigui blinked, feeling something was off.
But thinking it over, the logic seemed sound, no issue.
Imagining himself in that scenario, he'd also find it absurd and instinctively ask where the code came from.
Yes, exactly!
That's it!
Zigui sheathed his blade, his suspicion toward Qingtang mostly fading, and they began talking.
During the conversation, he asked subtle questions, all answered fluently.
Now, he fully dropped his guard.
This was definitely the real Qingtang.
Minutes later—
Zigui bid Qingtang farewell, his grim expression much improved.
As Zigui walked away, Qingtang's lips curled into a strange arc. His hand wiped his face, revealing a red-and-white fox mask and his true appearance.
Naturally, it was Leon.
"Darling, isn't using the mask of a fellow traveler super fun?"
The mask, grinning eerily, hopped onto his shoulder.
"Be precise. Not a fellow traveler, and not my doing, thanks."
Aha didn't respond, just giggling wickedly.
Heh heh heh… using the mask means sending coordinates…
Soon, there'll be a good show!
Leon: "Think you're on the fifth layer?"
Aha: "What's Brother saying? I don't get it."
"No matter. Just letting you know I'm in the atmosphere. Fool? Hmph, whoever it is, I'll make sure they don't return!"