Unexpected Foe (before battle)
"Prominent"...?
But of course. I claimed control of a branch of the Heishou Packs.
While you were wasting your time out there searching for the river of immortality or whatever.
... I don't even know where I'd even start to refute your braindead accusation.
Haah, this is way beneath me. I don't even want to address you as my senior, either.
So who is it? Big brother Huan? Nah, I can't imagine he'd ever be interested in someone like you.
What are you talking about...?
I'm asking whose teat you've been suckling on to gain the control of the Mao branch. Because we both know for sure that there's no way in hell you have the means to control them, right?
You little twerp...!
Are you sure you wanna insult my height from where you're standing...? Pfft.
Master Yihua...?
<It... doesn't seem like the mastermind of this operation was actually anyone important...>
Agreed. I can tell by just the look of that traitor with the physiognomy of a deceiver.
This is a waste of time. Hey, Zilu! Cut 'em all down!
... The mission was to assassinate them.
To meet them in an open battle, to take the lives of Hierarch candidates... was not what was agreed upon.
What the fu - Blah, blah, blah, just shut up and do as you're told!
I may fight to protect your life, yet I cannot do more.
A Heishou heeds no voices but that of the one who holds their leash.
<Looks like that Shi Yihua doesn't even control these guys.>
There is an apt saying, oft invoked in the east. A fox may pretend to the throne - but only with the blessing of the tiger.
Shut up over there!
Dammit, this Heishou Pack is useless... Can't even get a simple job done...
…….
Master Yihua, the Heishou Pack was here merely as a backup plan. Our true strategy involves...
Ahem, true.
This is fine. I have other plans to sweep you all away...!
This is the second time this individual has made an odd emphasis on a variation of the word 'sweep'.
What, are you saying that you bribed the Sweepers or something?
…!
…….
While their reactions may appear suspicious, that suggestion is almost an absolute impossibility.
The Head is at the top of the Sweepers' chain of command. In other words, only the head possesses the authority to command them.
Right... Yeah, of course.
Moreover, they are prohibited from touching, let alone entering, any designated residential areas during the Night in the Backstreets.
This is a permanent, immutable Taboo of the Head, one of the very first to be introduced.
The effort of going through a myriad of paperwork to ensure that Mephistopheles is recognized as a residential vehicle was ultimately to capitalize on this Taboo.
Yes, it is exactly as you say.
What a stupid question to ask, making me anxious out of nowhere... Tsk, that soured the mood.
Come, let us leave. I had only intended to have them see my face, after all.
Too bad I won't even remember them in a few days once they all get swept away! Ha ha ha!
Master Yihua...?
... We best leave before any more unnecessary words are said.
Faust is right - these guys are acting way too suspicious to not have some scheme brewing back there.
So overtly suspicious that I'm starting to wonder if they're trying to use reverse psychology on us into walking right into their trap.
... Well, when surrounded by nothing but uncertainties, there's a solution that usually works.
<Faust.>
Faust had intended to make this suggestion first, but... it appears that you share the idea.
<Yep. So, Outis...>
Yes, Executive Manager.
<We have twelve Sinners, Jia Xichun, and Wei on our side.>
<And I don't think the so-called 'Mao branch' are willing to fight...>
<Which means that we only have three enemies - Shi Yihua, our 'guide', and Zilu... the assassin.>
<We have the numerical advantage, don't we?>
You always make the most accurate read of the battlefield.
What's going on over there...? What's that tick-tocking noise...?
…….
Our former guide seemed to have figured out what our conversation was about, because he took a few slow, careful steps away from Shi Yihua... before bolting off into the distance.
I've been thinking this all day, but he sure is a fast runner.
... Ohh!
<What? What is it, Hong Lu? Did you remember something?>
I did. I had a hard time recalling this because he isn't from my family~
But I remember now! You're big brother Yihua of the Shi family, right?
... Didn't that guy just announce that himself earlier?
<Anyways... Hong Lu, I'm gonna get that guy and beat the motives out of him... is that gonna be okay with you?>
Hm~ He's not from my family, but... I'm sure big brother Yihua will be happy to answer your questions~
<Great. Another thing...>
<As your commander, I should probably say something cool to start off the battle, right?>
Wow, that's going to be so cool! Like something straight out of a story.
... Outis said something like this once.
That, even if one side has the absolute advantage in battle, the commander's words may be the deciding factor in who wins and loses.
So, I decided to borrow a few words from a book Hong Lu once lent me. It was a general who said it, I believe.
<... Destroy them all!>