Hoshiguma is an inspector for the Lungmen Guard Department's Major Crimes Unit. She is closely related to Ch'en Huijie and, like Fumizuki, is originally from Higashi. It is highly likely she is a "bodyguard" arranged by Fumizuki to be by Ch'en's side. Since she was here, it meant Wei Yenwu would likely know about this matter soon.
The two of them had originally just happened to pass by and decided to check things out after spotting Flandre and those following her, but now it seemed that staying any longer might lead them to be mistaken for accomplices of those people. With a wave of their hands, Lin Qingyan and Tai He turned and left the alley.
After walking for a distance, Tai He suddenly spoke up. "Do you remember the remains of that person from the Ministry of Justice?"
Hearing Tai He's words, Lin Qingyan recalled the state of the man when they found him. It was a headless corpse that had been charred beyond recognition by lightning, with the head lying not far away. What horrified them most was that both his hands and one leg were twisted in a very unnatural way.
Based on the remnants of the battlefield, the two judged that he must have been tracking someone or was tracked to that location before they engaged in a fight. Then, within two moves, his leg was directly snapped by the opponent. Following that, both hands were twisted and broken, and finally, his head was severed. From the battlefield, it was clear that there was a massive disparity in strength between the two sides.
What they found most incomprehensible was how the snapping of the hands and leg was achieved. But thinking back to the deceased and an injured person in that alley just now, their injuries were almost identical to his. That bizarre and incomprehensible twisting could almost be called a unique signature. Therefore, they could be certain of one thing: that fellow must have sneakily gone to Flower Village that day to ambush Flandre, only to be killed instead.
But why was there no aura of a Lightning Tribulation on Flandre's body? One can suspect based solely on a twisted body, but it is difficult to use as solid evidence. After all, there are many Magic spells or martial arts techniques that can achieve this. With only this evidence, it was impossible to prove that the one who killed that man was Flandre.
And even if it were proven, what would be the use? From their recent interactions with the Imperial Court, they could tell that the True Lung's trust in this Governor of Lungmen was greater than ever before. Plus, on their side, that man had died outside after abandoning his post. Firstly, the Imperial Court certainly wouldn't back him up, so the only ones who would seek trouble with Flandre for him were the masterminds who made him do it. But as it happened, the two of them were in conflict with the person behind that man, so it was impossible for them to help the other side. So even if they knew, they would at most report it; they wouldn't investigate it further.
On the other side, after watching the two leave, Hoshiguma contacted reinforcements and then cordoned off both ends of the alley. Because this alley was within the vicinity of the snack street at both ends, it took half an hour before Ch'en Huijie arrived with her team.
They first took away those thugs who had only intended to rob but were scared witless after witnessing a "murder case." Then, after Flandre walked out from the other side with an equally terrified Rope, the people from the Guard Department began preparing to handle the attackers. Just then, several dark figures appeared once again. Seeing them, the members of the Guard Department were startled and drew their weapons one after another. Fortunately, Ch'en recognized the newcomers as the Black Cloak Shadow Guards.
The Shadow Guards stated that these people could be left to them. Then, they took out several bags, packed up all the corpses and the injured, and left the alley with the attackers.
"That's it?" someone asked.
"What else? Those people are Governor Wei's direct guards," Ch'en said before leading her people away. As for the cleaning of the alley, someone else would naturally come to complete it.
Hiss! Many people gasped. Many people in the Guard Department knew that Governor Wei had a special guard unit. Because the security of the Governor's Mansion was not the responsibility of the Guard Department. And this guard unit almost never appeared anywhere outside the Governor's Mansion.
But their appearance meant that Governor Wei was aware of and paying attention to this matter. They hadn't expected this matter to draw the attention of the Governor's Mansion, but no one knew that this information had originally been sent to Wei Yenwu by Ch'en Huijie.
Because the moment she received the news, Ch'en judged that those people were definitely not ordinary. If they were kept in the Guard Department, not only might they fail to extract any information, but it could also lead to injuries among the Guard Department staff. After all, if these people dared to attack the Guard Department once, there would be a second time. But it was different with Wei Yenwu; setting aside the strength of the Black Cloak Shadow Guards... If someone actually dared to attack the Governor's Mansion, that would be a huge mess. So no matter how you looked at it, handing this matter over to Wei Yenwu was the best way to protect herself and the Guard Department.
After they left, Ch'en looked around and, seeing no sign of Flandre, asked Hoshiguma about it. Hoshiguma stated that the girl had left with Rope as soon as they arrived.
"Rope?" Ch'en asked.
"A small-time thief from the Slums who likes to steal things, nothing dangerous. Flandre said that once when she accidentally wandered into the Slums, the girl escorted her out, so they became friends." Hoshiguma relayed what Flandre had said not long ago to Ch'en. After hearing it, the other woman nodded in understanding.
By this time, Flandre had already left the snack street with Rope. Rope said somewhat tremulously, "Did you... did you kill someone?"
"Well, yeah. They were going to kill us, so why shouldn't it be them who died instead?" Flandre blinked in confusion... Such a logical counter-question left Rope momentarily unsure of how to respond.
"But, after all, people died." Rope was somewhat worried; after all, there were so many police officers present at the time.
Flandre was even less worried about that. She said that since those people attacked the police and she killed them in self-defense, she should technically receive praise from the Guard Department.
"But people died, and dying isn't a good thing!" Rope repeatedly reminded Flandre.
"So what? People die when they are killed. If you're going to commit murder, you must be prepared to be killed. This is the principle Big Sister Talulah told me."
Unlike the people of Lungmen who lived in a comfortable environment, Talulah was more practical. On the icy plains of Ursus, she had witnessed too many partings and sorrows, so she viewed killing and death with more clarity and indifference. Seeing that Flandre's logic was so indestructible, Rope could only sigh and tell her to be careful.
"If you run into danger or trouble, you can come find Flandre. You are Flandre's friend, and Flandre will help you solve it." Flandre looked at Rope and spoke seriously.
Rope forced a smile, agreed, and prepared to leave. Although she lived in the Slums, she was a kind child. Having a friend she just met turn into a "demon" who kills without blinking in the blink of an eye still left her feeling mentally and physically traumatized. After stumbling back home, she discovered a hundred-denomination Lungmen dollars bill in her pocket. Recalling when she left, Flandre seemed to have stuffed something into her pocket; thinking back now, it was this hundred dollars. She couldn't help but mutter to herself in distress, "Is this a friendship fee? Should I consider her a friend?" Then she shook her head.
On the other side, after parting ways with Rope, Flandre prepared to go see Dropper. She first walked back toward the snack street. It was still very lively here, showing no sign at all that a murder had just occurred nearby. Flandre came to a shop selling roasted sweet potatoes. She had bought one here before, and she and Rope had each eaten half. The sweet taste was very pleasant and delicious. So she planned to bring one for Dropper too.
After buying two large roasted sweet potatoes, Flandre hummed a little tune as she arrived at the hospital. When she saw Dropper, he was standing by the window exercising his body. Flandre handed the sweet potato to him.
"So fragrant and sweet!" Dropper took the sweet potato, broke it in half, and looked at Flandre in surprise upon smelling the aroma.
"Right? Flandre thinks it's very delicious too." Flandre replied happily.
"Do you want some?" Dropper handed half back.
Flandre shook her head. "Flandre is already full!"
Seeing Flandre's glowing face and that she truly looked full, Dropper began to eat it himself. After a few bites, he looked at Flandre. "We have two Blood Demons at Rhodes Island as well, but I remember they need a certain amount of blood to maintain their vital signs. Is it okay for you to rely on eating this ordinary food?"
Flandre waved her hand. "No, Flandre also needs fresh blood. This food doesn't provide energy, but being delicious and providing energy aren't mutually exclusive!"
Hearing Flandre's words, Dropper laughed in spite of himself. He had forgotten that Flandre was just a child. Children naturally enjoy the pleasures of the palate. Just as she said, even if it couldn't provide the energy her life required, being delicious would still make a child want to have it.
"I heard tomorrow is Yan's Spring Festival?" Dropper asked while eating the sweet potato.
"Mm-hmm, that's right. But actually, activities start today. For example, this afternoon I'm going to see a performance. That performance will also be broadcast on TV tonight." Flandre pointed at the TV and said very proudly.
"I've long heard that Yan's Spring Festival is the liveliest time of the year. It's just a pity that my injuries haven't healed yet, so I can't witness this rare scene with my own eyes." Dropper sighed.
"How about we sneak out to play?" Flandre said in a low voice.
"Uh, that's probably not a good idea!" As a doctor, Dropper could imagine what a sharp, booming outburst the nurse would make if she came to check and found him missing from the ward. He had seen it before in Reunion Movement. That Yelena had actually snuck out of the hospital to the military camp to handle business, and Dr. Anto almost went crazy with worry when she couldn't find her. After she returned, Anto almost found a rope to tie her to the hospital bed. It took a long time for everyone to persuade Dr. Anto to drop that idea.