Arriving at the top of Mount Changqiu, Chen Lan—who has yet to be informed of the enemy's identity, looks to the four trails, which lead to the city below.
"So, even the Immortals do sports?"
"Ai, let's just head down."
Saying this, Li Zi Xiang takes out a pair of skis.
Nearby, everyone else has also started to make preparations—to descend the mountain.
As this is happening, the official chat box—
[How come it feels like the flavor of the livestream has changed?]
[It's like a sports festival.]
[After having to deal with those IMLs, isn't it fine for them to have a moment of leisure?]
[Did anyone else feel a major quake near their areas just now?]
[Not really.]
[I did. Apparently a gear fell from the skies.]
...…
"…"
Watching the livestream's chat through a laptop, that is placed on the small table situated in the center of her wooden couch, Nian Tao Tao frowns, as she presses a hand to her temple, while thinking—
(Ai, these people in the chat, what a bunch of idiots…)
Having felt the impact of a gear landing onto the earth, Nian Tao Tao finds it to be a wonder how some of these individuals are still able to maintain a mood of leisure, while watching a livestream.
News media on the internet, as if in denial of there being anything wrong with the Gears of Descension—having portions of itself falling onto the earth, are posting false theories of what the fall of these gears could mean.
It is commonly believed that these gears are what allows the practitioners to enter this world; however, there isn't any evidence to factualize this claim.
Ultimately, the general masses, wishing to believe that there isn't anything wrong, are leaning towards the idea that the fall of these gears is a sign of—
(If the fall of these gears is supposed to mean the complete halt of the Immortals invading us, why is it that they are still appearing at the frontlines at this time?)
Having been contacted by Hong Xuan—regarding Long Hua, Nian Tao Tao feels as if she is loaded with far too many problems, with no clue on how to even solve one of them.
(Surnamed Long has a contract with that foolish daughter of mine. Neither of them is able to betray the other, but…)
Despite this, Nian Tao Tao still can't help but feel like something was off.
(With his current strength, he shouldn't have a need to maintain that contract anymore. In fact, even if that contract goes unfilled, he should be able to back out of it without any heavy repercussions. Assuming that to be the case, then… What does he have to gain from maintaining it?)
Blinking her golden eyes, a thought crosses Nian Tao Tao's mind—
(Don't tell me he actually found out about that thing…?)
Thinking of the object in question, Nian Tao Tao twitches her lips.
Located behind the Long Yue family's estate is a giant forest.
Within that forest, there is a stone pavilion, which acts as the entrance into a ruin.
That ruin, and the asset inside of it—is the Long Yue family's greatest secret.
Every year—for a duration of two months, Nian Tao Tao would visit that ruin with Jing Yin to conduct research on a special object that was trapped within the confines of that ruin.
(…Only Jing Yin and I should know about that thing, so how did he manage to find out about it? …Did Jing Yin spill the beans? …Come to think, she was in disagreement over how I handled the hotel incident. Did she secretly make contact with that surnamed Long after that? …There's also the possibilities of that surnamed Zhen's business dealings with me, which may have hinted to surnamed Long that I might be hiding something of interest to him—assuming that those two talk on a regular basis. But even if that were the case…)
Narrowing her eyes, and finding her second theory requiring far too many coincidences to align, Nian Tao Tao returns to her first theory, causing her to pick up the bell that is on the table and ring it.
Momentarily, a shadow appears behind the decorative screen panel, which is positioned behind one of the guests' seating areas.
"Come closer."
Emerging from behind the screen panel, the Moon Guard approaches Nian Tao Tao, to which, the latter says—
"Xu Ying, keep tabs on Jing Yin. Also, send another person to investigate what other contacts she's had in recent times. …Maybe this is unnecessary, but send someone else to look in on Jing Yao as well."
"Understood. Is there anything?"
Contemplating for a bit, Nian Tao Tao remarks—
"…Ai, this little birthday celebration of my foolish daughter's, it's bound to be a stormy celebration."
Towards this, the Moon Guard, Xu Ying replies—
"Should we increase the number of eyes on that surnamed Long when he visits?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Nian Tao Tao replies—
"What's the point?"
"…Then, how about canceling the celebration temporarily?"
"That would only get him to pull something else… And whether that something else is lighter or heavier—it's not a wager that I'm willing to take."
Having heard of Long Hua's plan, to use this world as his stepping stone, and deeming him to be someone with an insidious mind, Nian Tao Tao adds—
"Against someone of that nature, it's much better to keep them within eyesight, because the moment they vanish from view—that is when you must be on guard against them the most."
"Forgive my ignorance, Madame Nian, but…-"
"It's much easier to be on guard against someone, when they're right in front of you—than it is to be on guard against them, when they're right behind you. Because the moment you have your back facing them, you never know when they might pull out a knife, and just stab you through the heart."
"…"
Imagining this, Xu Ying turns pale beneath her mask.
Heaving a sigh, Nian Tao Tao says—
"We can only hope that they manage to kill him within that ruin. Otherwise… I'd honestly rather not think about it. Ai, go make the necessary arrangements."
"Understood."
Sinking into her own shadow, Xu Qing vanishes from sight.
"…"
Pressing her brows together tightly, an expression of pain appears on Nian Tao Tao's face, as a vague piece of memory manifests within her mind.
Within this piece of memory is a figure seated on top of a throne.
The individual's face isn't too clear due to their long hair, but the ominous glow given off by their silver eyes—to Nian Tao Tao, those eyes seem to be staring directly into her soul.
Looming over the head of this figure is a rotating halo—one that takes on the form of a sinister crown.
In a commanding voice, the figure within this memory says—
(Xǔ Qiū, Yáochén, head to the Everlasting Spirit Realm, and-)
"Uh…!"
Pressing her head in pain, Nian Tao Tao grits her teeth.