Nachtgespräche in seltsamen Geschichten

Kapitel 23

Yuan Peilin remained silent, still finding it difficult to accept the explanation given by Ya. Spirit masters were extremely rare spiritual beings, and perhaps only one would appear every many years. Given his personality, he did not want to have such an identity, because it would mean encountering more and more trouble.

"Then, Raven, how did you know I possess the abilities of a spirit sorcerer?" The unwilling boy seemed to want to confirm it further.

“…Well…” Crow hesitated for a moment, “You’ll understand later.”

"Hey! What kind of explanation is that!?"

The pure white dove ignored Yuan Peilin's complaints and flapped its wings to fly into the air: "In short, the abilities of a spirit sorcerer are very flexible. Think more about how to use them!" With that, it disappeared into the distance with great elegance.

"...Damn it! That's basically saying nothing at all..."

---janeadam

Reply [58]: "Did that pigeon come to visit you?"

Just as the frustrated boy was grumbling in the direction where the crow had disappeared, he was startled by a sudden whisper. Turning around, he found Qing Lin Anxue, dressed in simple and elegant attire, standing beside him.

"Ah...yes, have you been here for a long time?" Yuan Peilin didn't want Qing Lin Anxue to know that she was a spirit sorcerer at the moment, and it was best to let things take their course.

"No, I just saw you sitting here." Qing Lin Anxue still had an indifferent expression. "If you don't wear more clothes, you might catch a cold."

"It's okay, the weather isn't very cold right now, is it?"

"Hmm... I don't know, I don't think I feel cold."

"Hehe, that's not bad either, you don't have to wear heavy winter clothes."

Qing Lin Anxue responded softly, then kept her eyes fixed on the clear pond, "...Senior."

"What?"

"Will you... help us?" Her voice was very soft. For this usually aloof girl, it must have been quite rare for her to say something like that.

"Are you referring to the repeated attacks on exorcists?" Yesterday, Yuan Peilin had already learned the general details of the matter.

"Um, I'm sorry, even though you're so badly injured, I still..." Qing Lin Anxue didn't finish her sentence.

As the water flows over the bamboo tubes in the pond, the tubes immediately sink and hit the dewy stone platform, making a pleasant "clanging" sound that easily creates the illusion of traveling through time.

"Is that necessary? Your cousin is very capable." Yuan Peilin was certain that he was not jealous of Lu Fenglu, but was simply stating the facts.

“I understand that, but so far you’re the only one who has survived a one-on-one fight with Kotonoha, so it might be better if you’re there.”

Qing Lin Anxue's words were like a drug to Yuan Peilin, but he still forced himself to think calmly for a while. Although what his junior said was true, if they hadn't arrived in time, he might already be a departed soul. Besides, in this young man's heart, it was better to be someone who looked up to heroes with admiration than a hero himself. More importantly, he couldn't break his long-held principles just because of Qing Lin Anxue.

"I'm sorry, junior, it might not be suitable for me to do something like this with my current abilities, so..." Yuan Peilin could only force herself to say what she needed to say with an apologetic expression.

"I see..." Qing Lin Anxue showed no disappointment. "I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn't have troubled you so much."

Yuan Peilin nodded slightly. Actually, his junior's calmness made him feel somewhat uncomfortable. Although this girl had always been like this, perhaps Gu Xiangning's reactions would be more varied.

Just as she was thinking of cute teenage idols, another person's face popped into her mind: "...However, it's not like I'm completely useless. There's something I need to confirm."

"...What is it?" Qing Lin Anxue finally showed a rare curiosity, after all, there weren't many things that could make the senior in front of her worry.

"Ah! It's nothing serious, it's all just speculation. Maybe I'm just being too sensitive, haha..."

The two remained silent for a while afterward, each lost in their own thoughts, until Qing Lin Anxue softened her tone.

"...Well then, senior, I'll go prepare some breakfast for you. It's best not to stay here too long."

"I'm so sorry to have caused you so much trouble."

"It's nothing, senior, don't worry about it."

As she spoke, the indifferent girl turned and walked away, leaving Yuan Peilin alone, still lost in thought.

Just as Qing Lin Anxue was about to step into the house, she was stopped by Lü Fengjian. This handsome young man always had a smile on his face, as if nothing could spoil his good mood, but this time Qing Lin Anxue's answer disappointed him somewhat.

"I see. Even if you make the request, you can't get him to agree to help?"

"I've said it before, my senior isn't the kind of person whose decisions are influenced by anyone," Qing Lin Anxue reiterated.

"...You really are a good junior who understands your senior!"

"What?"

"It's nothing. Don't forget to change his bandage for the last time today." Lu Fengjian turned around, waved his hand, and quickly disappeared from Qing Lin Anxue's sight.

...

---janeadam

Reply [59]: This is a street lined with upscale residences on both sides, exuding an air of wealth even at night. It is inhabited by big businessmen and social elites who absolutely control the city's economy and entertainment scene.

Although it was late at night, many luxury cars still sped by, showcasing the extravagant nightlife of the wealthy, albeit one rife with corruption and decadence. Soon after, one of the cars slowed down and pulled into a parking space. The passenger door opened, and a sweet-looking young woman stepped out. Her smiling face revealed two shallow dimples, and even her voice was incredibly charming. Based on her looks and demeanor alone, she possessed the qualities to become a top idol.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ke'an, I'm sorry to trouble you to give me a ride again."

The long-haired man in the driver's seat looked back and waved his hand: "It's okay. It's so late, how could I let you come back alone? Besides, it's my job."

"Then please be careful on your journey." Gu Xiangning gave a slight bow.

"Thank you, it's cold outside, please go inside," said Mr. Ke'an, the agent, to the girl after starting the car.

"Yes! I know!" Despite saying that, Gu Xiangning still didn't intend to move.

"Oh, right!" Ke'an suddenly remembered something, "Will you invite your friend Yuan Peilin to this concert?"

The teenage idol clearly hadn't expected her manager to ask such a question, but after a slight surprise, she smiled sweetly and said, "Of course, I will definitely invite him."

"...Good luck to you, Xiao Ning."

"Yes! Thank you, Mr. Ke'an."

The two said goodbye again, and the car slowly drove away. The agent could still vaguely see Gu Xiangning's figure standing quietly in the rearview mirror. He smiled, lit a cigarette, and muttered to himself.

"It's hard to believe that there are such likable girls in the dirty entertainment industry."

Just a moment later, the agent stopped the car again because someone was blocking the road. And the person was clearly a woman, a strikingly beautiful woman dressed entirely in fiery red. At night, women dressed like this often hitchhike with strangers for money. But this one didn't seem to be like that, because the two of them appeared to know each other.

"Kotoha, how did you know I would pass by here?" Koan asked casually, exhaling a puff of smoke.

“You should count how many times you’ve taken that idol home.” Kotoha chuckled, her eyes fixed on Kean. “Ever since that accident, her family wanted to send someone to pick her up, but you insisted on doing this.”

Ke An remained silent, seemingly not intending to respond, so Kotoha placed her hand on his leg, her expression becoming even more alluring: "How are you? Do you have that need?"

"Hmph, I'm not interested in you!" With that, he slapped the other person's hand away.

The woman, despite being rudely rejected, wasn't angry; she simply gave a sarcastic smile: "I knew it..."

"What are you trying to say...?"

"Hehehe, don't think I can't tell..." Kotoha said in an ambiguous tone, "You've fallen for that little brat, haven't you?"

Upon hearing this, Ke'an revealed a disdainful expression and stubbed out his nearly burnt-out cigarette in the ashtray in front of the car window: "Your thinking is really boring. No matter how human-like you are on the outside, or how long you stay among humans, you still can't truly understand human emotions." He deliberately softened his tone as he said this, "I just feel... that I suddenly have a younger sister worth taking care of."

"How ridiculous!" Kotoha retorted with a tone no less sarcastic than the other's. "Do you think you have the right to talk to me like that? Aren't you just someone who sells their soul for a purpose? No, you can't even be considered human anymore, you're just..."

Kotoha didn't continue, because a cold gaze was fixed on her. Judging from the sudden increase in the other person's aura, they were likely genuinely angry. This wouldn't benefit anyone, so after weighing the pros and cons, she wisely changed her story.

"Never mind, I just wanted to remind you not to forget the purpose of our visit because of trivial feelings."

"Hmph, I don't need you to remind me of that. Just focus on your own business." Since the other party had already conceded, there was no need for him to insist any further, but Ke'an's tone was still somewhat firm. "Don't always let your bloodthirsty nature lead you to kill indiscriminately; that will easily make things worse!"

"Hehehe, I can't help it, I just love blood red, I can't stand it if I don't look at it for a day..." Kotoha put away her smile and said rather proudly, "Speaking of which, I met a very special person a few days ago."

"A special person? Who is it?"

"I don't recognize him. He looks like a high school student, and he seems to be a spirit sorcerer."

"A psychic!?" Ke'an's expression finally shifted from indifference to surprise. "And then what happened?"

"He's probably already dead," Kotoha said regretfully. "I didn't have time to deliver the final blow, but with that kind of fatal wound, unless a miracle happens, otherwise..."

Before the other person could finish speaking, Ke'an interrupted with a cold laugh: "...You probably can't imagine, but now is precisely the time when miracles are happening more and more frequently."

"Hmph, what a sarcastic remark!"

...

---janeadam

Reply [60]: Mark.

But... I've already finished writing this.

---lanlangc

Reply [61]: Wait...

---janeadam

Reply [62]: Reply [60]: Mark.

But... I've already finished writing this.

---lanlangc

Haha, I already said that from the beginning.

---janeadam

Reply [63]: I'm totally dizzy!

---soway