Chapter 223: Her Name is Ji Yunpei!
Driven by suffocating unease, the system mustered its courage, crawled out from Gu Qiqi’s embrace, and revealed its presence before the three high-level Spiritual Ability Users.
Thus, the three saw a bizarre fish resembling an anglerfish, its ugly appearance illuminated by the two small, light-like organs atop its head.
It floated as if bowing, bending back and forth, and timidly said, “S-sorry… I didn’t mean to interrupt everyone, it was rude of me. Please, please don’t hit me.”
Long ago, the system was indeed timid and shy. Although it was no longer the same as it used to be, speaking in the same tone it used back then still came naturally.
This was its true nature.
However, its grotesque appearance, combined with its weak and pitiful demeanor, always created a sense of disharmony, like a fierce-looking tough guy who is unapproachable, suddenly squatting on the ground, sobbing and holding his head after being punched.
Yet, Bai Kai, Nanling Qifeng, and Huaiyuan Jun were experienced Spiritual Ability Users who understood that one could not judge monsters purely by appearance.
In fact, more often than not, beautifully alluring monsters are much more terrifying than this grotesquely twisted creature.
From their perspective, the system’s reaction seemed reasonable.
Setting aside Bai Kai and Huaiyuan Jun, Nanling Qifeng had witnessed thousands of monsters at Yumen Pass over decades; he had long become desensitized to such things.
However, reason did not equate to trust. Looking at the timid system, Huaiyuan Jun, who had been handling interrogations for the Siye Society for years, was the first to voice doubt. “There’s no need to fake pity; how many monsters really have good intentions? There’s no need for us to discern truth from falsehood.”
“As for whether we’re going to hit you… that depends on your performance!”
Although her interrogations typically devolved into talks settled by punches, this was a familiar territory for her, and she fell into her role the moment she spoke.
“Performance?” the system replied weakly, “Cooperate! I will definitely cooperate with you all, as long as you do not harm me.”
“Shut up! Don’t speak unless you’re asked!” Huaiyuan Jun said sternly. “If you attract that monster here, we’ll all be in trouble.” She continued, “Since you said you’d cooperate, fine! Answer my first question: who is the woman lying over there? What is your relationship with her?”
“Umm…” The system hesitated as soon as it opened its mouth.
All three present, including Nanling Qifeng, could be considered members of the Siye Society. To tell them that the woman lying on the ground was the infamous “bloodthirsty Witch who devours monsters,” Gu Qiqi, was no different from throwing itself into a trap.
Huaiyuan Jun didn’t give the system a chance to think, pressing relentlessly, “Don’t hesitate! I won’t believe anything that comes after you hesitate.”
“I’ll give you three seconds—three, two, one!”
“Ji Yunpei!” the system hurriedly replied, “Her name is Ji Yunpei, she lives in Huangjiao Town, Nanbei District, Shancheng…”
Its voice grew softer until it seemed to have expended all its strength, falling into silence once more.
“And you? Keep going! You haven’t explained who you are yet!” Huaiyuan Jun urged.
“I…” The system opened its mouth again, its tone noticeably heavier, “I am her affiliated monster.”
“Affiliated monster?” Huaiyuan Jun pondered briefly and then looked towards Nanling Qifeng. “Elder Nanling, what do you think?”
Upon hearing this, Nanling Qifeng examined the system and slowly said, “I’ve heard that Spiritual Ability Users in Country R often sign contracts with monsters after subduing them, calling them Shikigami. The Spiritual Ability Users of the Eurocontinent have traditions of raising magics, and those in the southern regions also have practices of breeding spirits… What it said does have some credibility.”
After listening, Huaiyuan Jun nodded and looked at the system again, “Alright! Since Elder Nanling has said so, I’ll tentatively trust you a bit.”
“Second question: why did you suddenly jump out to speak? Was it your master’s instructions? What is her aim?”
Upon hearing Huaiyuan Jun’s question, the system couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
Ah, not surprising, she is the guardian of the Siye Society!
Huaiyuan Jun’s suspicion of Gu Qiqi triggered some unpleasant memories.
During countless attempts to stop the world-ending factors, it had tried to seek help from the Siye Society, and even had two previous hosts who were operatives of the society, but the current situation in which it appeared like this clearly indicated it hadn’t yielded good results.
While the Siye Society had superior strength and efficiency in handling monster-related incidents and spiritual energy attacks, keeping Z Country a rare sanctuary until disasters fully took root, it also had to be said that many members of the society were overly cautious and even harsh. Monsters and non-Siye Society Spiritual Ability Users had to undergo multiple interrogations and probing to earn the trust of a Siye Society member like Huaiyuan Jun.
Li Xuan from Huacheng’s Siye Society was representative of such individuals; as for the others… one could only say that aside from Li Xuan, everyone else in the Huacheng Siye Society really was an oddity.
From a certain perspective, the system actually admired the Siye Society’s approach because the thinking and behavior of monsters and Spiritual Ability Users are influenced by their power, making them difficult for ordinary people to comprehend. Such methods could maximally eliminate the potential hazards of monster incidents and spiritual energy attacks.
However…
There was also a very small probability of wrongfully accusing a good person and missing the opportunity to save the world.
The seven world-destroying factors were all entities beyond normal understanding; if one lacked the courage to take risks and attempt unconventional methods, they could not possibly defeat them.
Just like its previous two hosts, who were operatives of the Siye Society, had created quite a conflict with the society due to some misunderstood words and deeds.
In the end, one was placed under house arrest for overly aggressive behavior until the world faced its end, while the other, distrusted by those around him, fell into despair and lived in gloom.
Even now, the image of its host curled up in a darkened room, staring dreamily at the red sky outside and asking it in a heavy tone, “System, why won’t they just trust us and try our methods?” still lingered in the system’s mind.
It did not hate the Siye Society, but it would never rely on or like them…
Taking a deep breath to pull its thoughts from the memories, it quickly composed itself and responded to Huaiyuan Jun’s question.
“I… I wasn’t instructed by my master; I just… just heard your conversation earlier and wanted to help you.”
After pausing and seeing the three not questioning further, it continued, “I thought, since the three great ones currently have limited mobility, if you really want to see that painting, I might be able to help in place of my master and acted without orders.”
“Y-yes, don’t worry! I absolutely mean no harm, and I wouldn’t dare… Moreover, my master is still here, so I can’t run away.”
Upon finishing, it fell silent, waiting for Huaiyuan Jun’s response.
However, after a brief silence, the first to speak was neither Huaiyuan Jun nor the venerable Nanling Qifeng, but the most unreliable, Bai Kai.
“Master, where did you put the painting? Just let this guy bring it out for everyone to see!” Bai Kai said earnestly for once.
Finally, it had managed to pass through… Hearing Bai Kai’s words, the system felt a surge of joy.
“What’s your reason?” Huaiyuan Jun frowned. “Although this creature has a point, if you consider it as a monster, those words aren’t enough to be completely trustworthy, right?”
“I can’t say.” Bai Kai pouted. “If I had to say, this guy gives me a feeling that is both familiar and endearing.”
“Master, if… I mean if, a guy who resembles Second Senior Brother in every aspect appeared before you, asking for that painting, would you give it to him?”
Nanling Qifeng, “…”
If such a person really appeared, he would certainly give it to him, only…
Who exactly did Bai Kai see reflected in this strange entity? Nanling Qifeng wondered.
“If worse comes to worst, I’ll vouch for it; if something happens, I’ll take the responsibility!” Seeing that Nanling Qifeng was silent, Bai Kai added, “Besides, it’s just a strange painting; it shouldn’t cause any major issues, right? Don’t you think so, Master?”
Not knowing whether it was an illusion, the system’s actions and demeanor made Bai Kai momentarily feel like he saw Luxianbei.
That indescribable similarity made him willing to believe the system’s words, just like he would unconditionally trust Luxianbei.
“…”
Right, right, it won’t be a problem.
Just look at Water Brother, what a good person!
Wondering how such a disaster like that came from him… the system thought.
After listening to Bai Kai’s remarks, Nanling Qifeng pondered for a moment, then sighed silently and said to the system, “Since my disciple has said so, you can come take it!”
“Okay! Then I shall act rudely.” Without waiting for Huaiyuan Jun to say anything to stop it, the system soared into the air and flew toward Nanling Qifeng, only halfway there when it suddenly froze in place upon hearing his words.
“That painting is kept in my underwear, in the left fourth compartment near the waistband; there are quite a few things inside, so search carefully. Oh, and that compartment has a special fastening that requires twisting left three times and right four and a half times.”
Bai Kai, Huaiyuan Jun, the system, “…”
Amazing! How did he manage to stuff the painting in such a hidden place in those few seconds when he was about to faint from a surprise attack?
