Chapter 100 : Won't Miss Shen Praise Me?
In the game "Destiny," shadow-based profession systems had always been the prime choice for various forces training death warriors.
Convenient for hiding, quite fast, and powerful in combat...
Although the shadow path didn't have many particularly outstanding features, its advantages perfectly matched what death warriors needed. The only criticism was that shadow-related martial arts were scarce and quite valuable.
But forces capable of training death warriors obviously didn't mind this investment.
The destiny trait [Shadow Affinity] was perfectly suited for death warriors. Because it was only blue, and even white ones existed, its preciousness wasn't particularly high.
But the higher-tier [Shadow Flow] was not something ordinary people could access.
Take the shadow ability "Shadow Hiding" for example.
Although hiding in shadows might seem like a common ability, in reality, without the help of a destiny trait, based on human's natural affinity for shadows, even after practicing relevant martial arts, one would only have the chance to enter shadows after reaching mastery and the sixth rank.
With a relevant destiny trait, one could hide deeper, earlier, and be harder to detect.
Even take people along when hiding.
A few months ago, before Miss Zhu Yan knew Mu Qinglan, she was taken into shadows by her master, a fifth-rank assassin.
And now, with the blue destiny trait Yun Juan obtained from breaking through the Earth Gate, under the enhancement of medium-level shadow affinity.
Her "Shadow Hiding" was difficult even for a fifth-rank expert to detect.
Of course, the prerequisite for this strong concealment was that she remained as still as possible and had requirements for the size of the shadow, but even so, this was a quite powerful life-saving divine skill—
This was why she hadn't desperately tried to break out.
However, just as light would pale in front of stronger light, weak shadows would also be silently devoured in front of darker, deeper shadows.
Yun Juan was sixth rank, had a blue destiny trait, and was a master of Shadow Step.
With these three combined, her strength was actually quite formidable.
But this level of power, in front of Mu Qinglan, who simultaneously possessed the purple destiny trait [Shadow Flow] and Shadow Mage lv3 (equivalent to a mastery-level shadow secret technique), was not even worthy to carry her shoes.
Perhaps in direct combat, it would be hard to say.
But if it was just about manipulating shadows, Mu Qinglan could leave this newly-broken-through-to-sixth-rank death warrior lady countless streets behind.
It was like in a car race, before others even started, the Akina Mountain racing god was already at the finish line.
The moment she entered the shadow,
Mu Qinglan captured that subtle ripple and simultaneously, imperceptibly looked over.
There was no one where she looked, but she felt she shouldn't have been mistaken.
"Ah Qi." Mu Qinglan said silently.
"Mama!"
A soft, fine voice sounded by Mu Qinglan's ear, not heard by anyone else.
"To my right, at the fourth pillar from the main door, is there something there?"
"Yes... it's a, it's a person. Does Mama want Ah Qi to drag her out?" Ah Qi asked.
"No need."
Mu Qinglan couldn't help but look there again, somewhat puzzled and somewhat amused, before softly saying: "Ah Qi just needs to keep an eye on her for me."
"Mm-hmm!"
This was really... like a flood washing away the Dragon King's temple.
Showing off martial arts in front of Guan Yu.
She remembered in the storyline, this assassin wanted to pass through by using disguise techniques, but the person she disguised as had recently met the player and then she acted as if she didn't recognize the player, which raised suspicion.
But unexpectedly, this time, she was trying to enter shadows in front of her?
It was a bit amusing.
"So this is the ripple of 'Shadow Hiding.' I'm feeling it for the first time..."
"My current ability should be enough for Shadow Hiding now, but this wheelchair... I certainly can't roll a wheelchair forward in the shadows."
Mu Qinglan thought to herself, somewhat speechless.
"But hasn't this fifth-rank constable from the Six Bureaus discovered her?" The white-haired girl frowned slightly.
According to common sense, sixth-rank Shadow Hiding should definitely be visible near a fifth-rank expert.
But now...
'A shadow affinity destiny trait... White wouldn't be enough, so it's blue? Shadow Affinity? If just hiding, not attempting to move within shadows, it would indeed be hard to detect…'
Mu Qinglan smiled, and in just a few words, she had stripped away the death warrior lady's underwear.
After confirming it was Shadow Hiding, deducing from game experience was quite easy.
She was, after all, a high-level player.
On the other side, under the pillar, Yun Juan evidently hadn't discovered Mu Qinglan's malicious secret surveillance. She only inexplicably felt a strange sense of dread rising in her heart.
As if she had been targeted by a top predator in the food chain.
Her hair stood on end.
What the hell?
Yun Juan shuddered in the shadow, completely unable to understand her own cowardly reaction.
This feeling, this feeling of being targeted, was even more terrifying than being spotted by the sixth-rank specter in the secret realm a few days ago!
How was this possible?!!
She was now at the sixth rank, a sixth-rank warrior skilled in concealment and escape. What kind of expert capable of unconsciously causing this reaction could possibly appear at this banquet?
Could it be that the fourth-rank from the Six Bureaus had already arrived?
But that didn't make sense. Even if she was fourth rank, if I shrink tightly here, not moving at all and playing dead, theoretically she shouldn't be able to detect my presence so easily.
Plus, the Six Bureaus people haven't shown any unusual movement?
Yun Juan couldn't understand.
She didn't understand why, despite training desperately, she still appeared in such a sorry state.
"What exactly is..."
But at this moment, she suddenly heard Mu Qinglan's utterly calm voice.
"Constable Jiang."
"Hmm?"
Yun Juan instinctively looked out from the shadow, only to see Mu Qinglan with her right elbow resting on the wheelchair armrest, supporting her chin with one hand, her expression lazy yet with an indescribable coldness.
"Has Princess Mu made any discoveries?" The ponytailed constable dared not neglect her.
"I think I already know where the culprit is."
"?"
The guests instantly burst into an uproar, but were immediately silenced by a stern glare from the ponytailed constable, afraid of being arrested as accomplices of the murderer.
"Please speak!"
The ponytailed constable's eyes were eager, one hand resting on her sword, highly concentrated.
In the shadow, Yun Juan suddenly widened her eyes in disbelief, her scalp tingling, feeling an unprecedented sense of crisis.
So, my earlier feeling of dread was indeed for this reason.
But how?!!
Just a cripple, someone in a wheelchair, how could she discover my location?
What exactly... what exactly... is going on!!?
"I said earlier I might need your help."
Under everyone's gaze, Mu Qinglan turned her head and smiled, but what came out of her mouth had nothing to do with the culprit.
"It's fine." Zhu Yan shook her head.
"I thought the assassin would be smarter, have some self-awareness of her abilities, and use makeup, disguise, or other unconventional methods to slip away quietly, but unexpectedly..." Mu Qinglan said, shaking her head.
Yun Juan's hair stood on end.
Has she... truly been seen?
At the same time, killing intent surged in her heart as she struggled with whether to break through and retreat, or to gamble, betting that the other was bluffing.
'So provocative?'
The ponytailed constable was alarmed.
Aren't you afraid that the killer, if provoked, might become desperate and kill you?
Thinking this, she cautiously looked around, stood beside Mu Qinglan, and slightly unsheathed her spiritual sword, revealing a sharp aura, ensuring that no matter which direction the assassin struck from, she could intercept the attack in time and save the princess.
"Constable Jiang."
The vigilant ponytailed constable immediately looked at Mu Qinglan.
The constables all turned their heads.
Mu Qinglan calmly met her gaze and smiled: "Please protect me while I perform."
"Understood." The ponytailed woman's expression was serious. She was also curious whether this highly intelligent friend that Bai Yuyu greatly admired could actually help the Six Bureaus find the culprit.
A frail young lady plus a genius strategist?
The ponytailed woman laughed bitterly in her heart. This was exactly the kind of gossip that idle people in the city loved to fabricate...
Protect while performing?
The guests' minds spun rapidly, understanding that she was about to showcase her real skills. They unanimously stepped back, dispersing to avoid being accidentally injured by any aftereffects.
And under everyone's attention, Mu Qinglan unhurriedly opened her toolbox and took out...
A fire lighter?
Everyone's expressions showed doubt for a moment, as if wanting to ask how this fire lighter could find the assassin.
But Mu Qinglan had no intention of explaining, only looking at the blue light in her hand with a faint smile, removing the cap, bringing it to her lips, and gently blowing.
Hiss—
The flame ignited, nothing happened, and quite a few branch constables frowned in thought, wondering who this young lady was that even the constable had to listen to her instructions.
Yun Juan also breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that earlier might have just been luck.
But at this moment.
Mu Qinglan unhesitatingly threw the fire lighter.
Bang!
The fire lighter fell to the ground, landing in the shadow.
But instead of extinguishing, it ignited as if it had touched crude oil, burning ferociously and violently!
"Ahh!!!"
A piercing wail exploded in the front hall, almost unbearable with pain.
The ponytailed constable's eyes widened!
She really found her!!
Before anyone could react, she stamped her feet, her leg muscles tensed and propelled her forward. In an instant, she flashed to the assassin's side and delivered a spinning kick!
The assassin was struck as if by lightning!
The strange flames adhering to her body like maggots were almost dispersed. The assassin spat blood and was shot out like a cannonball!
She crashed through several pillars before struggling to her feet, covered in blood.
As she struggled.
The dagger attached to her back fell to the ground.
The ponytailed constable followed up, confirming that the unextinguished fire on her wouldn't set the hall ablaze and cause a fire before drawing her sword.
A cold wind pressure extended along the sword blade, and at the moment it lit up the sword tip, she unhesitatingly slashed down.
The wind disaster was fierce.
In an instant, the storm surged wildly!
"Die!"
Perceiving the terror of this sword energy, Yun Juan's arm hairs stood on end, and a shocking chill ran from her tailbone all the way to the top of her head.
Her eyes widened as adrenaline surged frantically.
In a flash of lightning, she didn't even dare pick up her dagger, only managing to transform into shadow, her form rapidly retreating, then throwing several black balls, hoarsely roaring:
"All of you can die with me!!"
The ponytailed constable hesitated for a moment, remembering that the people at today's gathering all had considerable status and couldn't be harmed, and also considering the value of the assassin before her.
Swoosh—
The sword energy storm wrapped around the black balls, crashing into a corner and exploding in a cloud of black smoke.
Meanwhile, the assassin had taken advantage of this opportunity to knock away two blocking constables, break through a window, and escape.
The ponytailed constable followed closely behind.
"..."
After the Six Bureaus constable and the assassin had both left, the guests looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
She really did find her?
A Six Bureaus branch constable of obviously higher status stepped forward and bowed to Mu Qinglan: "Thank you for your assistance, miss. We will remember this."
"Thank you, miss." Other constables also clasped their hands together and said in unison.
The guests were extremely envious. Friendship with the Six Bureaus! That would bring so much face when mentioned to friends and family.
Unfortunately, they didn't have that qualification.
Mu Qinglan smiled and nodded, thinking to herself why Shen Yao hadn't arrived yet. Had she forgotten her sweetest, most adorable little owner? Oh, she had resolved the matter too quickly, and Shen Yao hadn't arrived yet.
That was fine then.
"Is there anyone else?" Mu Qinglan silently asked Ah Qi.
"No one else, Mama." Ah Qi confirmed.
"That's good."
"Why didn't Mama let Ah Qi take action? Ah Qi could have done it too! And she wouldn't have escaped!" Ah Qi said unhappily.
As the top-tier divine creature, one of the three world bosses [Great Shadow], Ah Qi was undoubtedly the ruler of all shadows in the world.
Unless there was a shadow system transcendent who had broken through the Heaven Gate nearby, no one could take away Ah Qi's absolute authority over surrounding shadows.
And under Mu Qinglan's enhancement,
Her control over shadows had improved significantly.
It could be said that if Ah Qi had been allowed to act earlier, she had a hundred ways to silently deal with that assassin—even though they were both at the sixth rank.
Drowning, burning, dismembering, devouring, beheading...
Ah Qi's manipulation of those who sank into shadows was even easier than her playing with fish and mice.
"Killing her would not benefit me."
"It's precisely because I want her to be discovered by others, and it's even better if she can escape... after all, the stronger she is, the greater my contribution appears for having found her existence..."
Mu Qinglan explained with a light laugh. In the sunlight streaming through the window, the light in her eyes was obscure.
Ah Qi seemed to understand but not really, and said nothing more.
Mu Qinglan lowered her head and put the other fire lighter she was holding in her left hand back into the toolbox.
[Shadow-Burning Fire Lighter]
[Item (Blue)]
[Effect: The fire from this lighter can be fueled by special shadows, extremely difficult to extinguish, adhering like maggots. No effect on ordinary shadows]
[Note: Made from mixed Shadow Insect Grass fire tinder from the far west, extremely rare]
"Really... gave you face."
Mu Qinglan shook her head helplessly. Using a blue item to force her out was indeed a bit painful.
But given that she couldn't reveal her true strength, this was the best method.
As for how she could discover her hiding place?
Can't you figure it out yourself?
Anyway, some would guess it was her shadow servant, some would guess it was special methods, but probably no one with a normal mind would guess that Mu Qinglan's own shadow affinity was far higher than that assassin's.
Who would guess that?
At any rate, the event had already happened, and how others guessed afterward was a matter for later.
Using a one-time blue item, it was still acceptable. She also dropped equipment, seemingly the dagger most commonly used by assassins.
At least it could make up for some of the loss.
Mu Qinglan thought, calling Zhu Yan to go pick up the dagger.
However, just as Zhu Yan had picked up the dagger but hadn't yet returned to report, Mu Qinglan felt someone grasp her wheelchair from behind.
Along with it came a chill.
As if an iceberg were standing behind her.
"Miss Shen, you've finally arrived?" Mu Qinglan raised an eyebrow and asked.
"...Yes."
After a moment of silence, Shen Yao nodded, then looked at the nearby constables and asked calmly: "Where is Jiang Ling? Ask her to see me."
The branch constable shrank his neck, glanced at Mu Qinglan, and said: "Constable Jiang has gone out to pursue the culprit."
"The culprit has been found?" Shen Yao was slightly surprised.
She remembered that in the report, Jiang Ling clearly had a worried expression. How had she gone out to chase the culprit in such a short time?
Was it luck, or...
Thinking this, Shen Yao unconsciously lowered her head, focusing her gaze on the white-haired girl below.
Mu Qinglan smiled faintly, claiming credit:
"I did it. Won't Miss Shen praise me?"
"...Impressive."