At the Serpent Hair Society stronghold in Banzhen City.
Guan Tong, Uenoshi, and Moon Key sat together, a tablet on the table displaying a video call with Black Star and White Star.
“Starting today, Moon Key is a member of our ‘Trace Origin Travel Troupe.’” Guan Tong formally announced the addition of Moon Key to the several members.
The choice she had made two days ago was to come with Guan Tong to Sakura Prayer Country and join his organization.
She wanted to avenge her companions from the Children of Argan Tribe, but she couldn't do it with her own strength alone.
Her prophecy was, relatively speaking, a support-type ability, requiring coordinated combat power to be fully utilized. Guan Tong and his group could undoubtedly make up for this.
For Guan Tong as well, Moon Key's prophecy ability was very special. He even thought that through her, this “window,” he could get a glimpse into the secrets of the “Cosmic Cycle.”
Assuming that the Cosmic Cycle mentioned by the Life-Hunting Demon and the Mysterious Gambler was true, then the future Moon Key prophesied was likely fragments of that entire cycle.
If Guan Tong could grasp these fragments through Moon Key, he could better use the power of the [Wordless Book] to change the parts of this cycle that were unfavorable to him.
“Welcome!”
Black Star and White Star were very happy to have a new member. After all, the troupe had been established for quite a while, but Guan Tong hadn't been recruiting widely. Having a new member was quite difficult.
“Thank you.” Moon Key said softly.
She wanted to be in a better mood, but the reality that her tribal companions had been cruelly killed still weighed heavily on her, leaving her feeling down.
After the brief meeting, Moon Key returned to her room to get used to life here. Guan Tong, meanwhile, discussed the preparations for the new Rule with Uenoshi.
“The new Rule will be announced the day after tomorrow. I've already told the Serpent Hair Society to prepare and heighten their alert.”
“Mm.” Guan Tong nodded. “Bruce didn't make a move this Interval Period. I'm guessing he's building up his strength. If the new Rule doesn't have much impact, he'll likely send troops.”
Uenoshi's gaze was cold and sharp, clearly ready for a big battle.
“Oh, right, there's one more thing.” Guan Tong said. “Shi Jingyi will be coming to Banzhen City tomorrow to stay for a while.”
Uenoshi was somewhat surprised. “But isn't she an academy teacher?”
“She took some time off for a secluded meditation.”
Shi Jingyi had already told Guan Tong that her Mind Power upper limit had officially broken through two thousand. And the moment she broke through, she felt a strong connection to a certain Authority Fruit.
But to pluck that fruit and truly make it her own Authority seemed to require an extended period of some kind of “communication.”
This communication required a high degree of long-term focus. Relying only on nighttime cultivation after teaching each day wasn't enough; there wasn't enough continuity.
So she planned to suspend her classes and go into a long, secluded meditation. By maintaining focused concentration for an extended period, she would complete the communication and acquire the Authority.
“Secluded meditation... Why come to Banzhen City?” Uenoshi was confused.
“I insisted strongly.” Guan Tong explained. “Secluded meditation is different from ordinary cultivation. During this time, you can't be distracted, and your perception of the outside world will be sealed off. If you're disturbed, you could be in danger. So it has to be done in an absolutely safe environment.”
“I understand. Troupe Leader, you're going to guard her seclusion.”
“Correct.”
Uenoshi then caught the underlying meaning in Guan Tong's words. “Are you implying that doing her secluded meditation in Pinglu would be dangerous? But she's an academy teacher, with Beixing's official protection, isn't she?”
Guan Tong shook his head. “Uenoshi, to be honest, I don't trust so-called official protection. 'Officials' aren't a single person; they're a large collective. Any collective has conflicts of interest and people who aren't of one mind... I can only rest easy if I guard her seclusion myself.”
When it came to Shi Jingyi's personal safety, Guan Tong wouldn't be the least bit careless.
Especially after Bruce issued the Level Five Warrant, the situation had become murky. Many people or groups were looking to take a risk and cash in on a huge bounty. That was clear from the several batches of mercenaries that had entered Banzhen City.
Under these circumstances, even with official backing, Shi Jingyi would still be targeted by those wanting to claim the bounty.
Normally, Guan Tong wouldn't worry about her; her strength was enough to handle all kinds of demons and monsters.
But secluded meditation was different. To let her fully devote herself to acquiring the Authority, Guan Tong had to create an absolutely safe environment for her.
Uenoshi nodded, then suddenly said, “Troupe Leader, you really care about her.”
Guan Tong just smiled and didn't say anything.
The next day.
Pinglu, at Shi Jingyi's small courtyard.
“Is this really necessary?”
Shi Jingyi watched Guan Tong stuff all her daily necessities, big and small, into a storage ring, a look of resignation on her face.
“Of course. Didn't we agree? I'll only feel at ease if you do your secluded meditation right under my nose.”
Shi Jingyi let out a soft sigh.
She had originally planned to do her secluded meditation at home. But after she mentioned it earlier, Guan Tong had strongly opposed it and, through persistent coaxing, got her to agree to come to Banzhen City.
“Don't take this lightly.” Guan Tong continued. “At first glance, Pinglu seems very safe. But that's for ordinary people. For someone like you, if it weren't for your strength deterring them, someone would probably have attacked you long ago.”
Shi Jingyi nodded slightly. “Alright, I'll listen to you.”
“By the way, that Duanmu Feng guy, where did he run off to?” Guan Tong asked.
“I don't know. Why are you asking?”
“You broke one of his arms. If he wants revenge, he'll be a problem.” Guan Tong said. “Even if his strength is far behind, any small problem is still a problem.”
Shi Jingyi frowned slightly upon hearing this. “Xiao Tong, do you want to go kill him?”
Guan Tong didn't deny it.
His first reaction upon learning about Shi Jingyi and Duanmu Feng's fight in the academy meeting room was to go eliminate the man and remove the trouble for good.
It wasn't that he was overly bloodthirsty; he always made decisions based on a mindset of “reciprocity.”
“Jingyi, think about it. If you were weaker than him, would he have stopped after only breaking your arm in that meeting room? Based on your description, I think he would have killed you.”
“...”
“I know you're kind-hearted, but some people simply don't deserve your kindness.” Guan Tong said seriously.
“No matter who it is, regardless of their strength, if they have the intention to kill and act on it, then there must be equal retribution. Only this way can we deter those who want to do evil.”
Guan Tong had always believed this.
Even if the person who wanted to kill him was as weak as an ant, as long as they took substantive action, he would inevitably retaliate and kill them back with the principle of “even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit.”
If he let someone go because he thought they were weak, it wouldn't just boost their arrogance; it would also plant a dangerous seed for himself.
If he let them off, the chances of the enemy being grateful for his magnanimity and immediately submitting from then on were very slim.
The enemy would most likely think: It's fine that I failed this time. Since he won't retaliate equally, I'll just plan more carefully next time, and maybe I'll succeed.
So towards this kind of person, Guan Tong would never be soft-hearted.
But he didn't think Shi Jingyi's approach was wrong either. Everyone had different experiences, and their ways of doing things would differ.
He knew that because of the consequences of accidentally killing a challenger at the school when she was young, she had always been extremely cautious about killing. But that was okay; he could do it for her.
Just like the student, Lu Cheng, who had colluded with parasitized forms to try and surround and kill Shi Jingyi; in the end, Guan Tong had personally killed him.
Shi Jingyi looked at Guan Tong. She knew that although he was a few years younger than her, he was very assertive and wouldn't easily change a decision he'd made.
It's just...
“Xiao Tong, Duanmu Feng belongs to the Countermeasures Research Office. He's also someone who has fought on the battlefield against parasitized forms. If you do that, it could have serious consequences.”
Guan Tong said in a low voice, “When others hurt us, weren't they afraid of serious consequences? Jingyi, if I were Gao Liangwei, do you know what I would do?”
“What?”
“I would execute Duanmu Feng directly and give you and me an explanation.”
“...”
“If he doesn't do that, it means he thinks it's acceptable for his subordinates to hurt us.” Guan Tong said coldly. “In that case, I'm determined to make him remember the lesson.”
“...”
“Alright, enough about that. Let's go now.” After Guan Tong had packed up Shi Jingyi's things, he thought for a moment, then left a wisp of Shadow in her home.
“What's the Shadow for?”
“Surveillance.” Guan Tong said. “If someone comes to your place during your secluded meditation, I'll know immediately.”