Just as Xiao Zhenyun was about to floor the gas pedal and attack the fake traffic officers, they suddenly approached with smiles on their faces. “Sorry for the delay. Welcome to Yao Town.”
So… the bride from the Li family – Li Jialiang, did we pass the checkpoint?
Xiao Nian listened in disbelief as the fake traffic officer, charmed by Xiao Zhenyun’s looks, once again chattered endlessly about the route to the east of town, enthusiastic and earnest. Xiao Zhenyun politely listened, feigning humility, then swiftly drove the car into the bumpy roads of the town during a brief pause in the conversation.
In the rearview mirror, the fake traffic officer gestured by his mouth, loudly reminding them not to take a wrong turn.
Xiao Zhenyun found it amusing, chuckled softly, and adjusted the terminal with a raised hand. “Now that we’re in town, can we contact the others?”
“In theory, yes. But from now on, our communication is under the professor’s surveillance. Whether it’s texting or calling, the professor can see it,” Xiao Nian hurriedly warned the unreliable Xiao Zhenyun. “You must not input anything inappropriate on the terminal.”
“I know,” Xiao Zhenyun’s tone was overly casual, making Xiao Nian extremely worried. He sternly tried to intimidate this annoying man he both loved and hated, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to! Remember, we’re outsiders here to attend your university classmate’s wedding. It’s not appropriate to ignore Li Jialiang and text Si Di instead. We’ll be exposed instantly, won’t we?”
Xiao Zhenyun always understood the pros and cons. Initially, he had no intention of using the terminal, but hearing Xiao Nian’s constant warnings, he just had to argue, “I can use Morse code. They won’t understand.”
“You can’t even use magic.”
“…”
Xiao Nian had grown recently, knowing that Xiao Zhenyun might go on strike, so after giving him a smack, he had to offer him a sweet date, “Don’t forget, you’re a marked guide. You can use guide elements and spiritual power to find your sentinel.”
“What if Si Chu smells it?”
“With your weak C-grade guide elements, how could Si Chu smell it? … I’m not disparaging the little dog, but with his innocent and clear mindset, Tian Lu might just hop onto his forehead, and he’ll think it’s just an ordinary deer…”
Xiao Nian glanced at the scenery outside the window. They were probably passing through the busiest section of the small town, with small shops lining the streets, their hanging signs displaying outdated styles. Most of the shops exuded a sense of history, cluttered with goods spilling onto the streets, and many had grains drying on half of the road.
“Actually…” he suddenly remarked, “in this grand showdown, the best way for us special individuals to communicate is through spiritual bodies. It’s the most common communication method used by special individuals in tasks involving ordinary people. As long as the spiritual body controls behavior slightly, it’s difficult for ordinary people to discern between the spiritual body and the real animal.”
But then Xiao Nian changed tack, “But you novel protagonists and supporting characters… probably to elevate the overall tone, each and every one of your spiritual bodies is an uncommon animal. A wolf with a two-faced appearance, a deer in mythical form, peacock, white horse, viper – all eye-catching and far from common pet types. The worst, it’s the Czech wolfdog. Imagine if Si Chu’s spiritual body was a golden retriever. Just release it near the village entrance. Who would recognize whether it’s a sentinel’s spiritual body or a real stray dog? Si Di’s spiritual body is a black puppy, Ye Feiran is a rooster, and Xiao Jingfeng’s spiritual body is a donkey with a twisted hoof. When it comes to delivering messages or carrying out assassinations, it’s incredibly convenient.”
“Are you sure anyone would read a novel written like this?” Xiao Zhenyun cited an example, “Last month, the latest movie in the cinemas had a sentinel and a guide with spiritual bodies of a mutated dragon and phoenix, with spiritual power levels of SSSS, and they still found it insufficient…”
“Perhaps turning the storyline on its head like this might actually garner more attention?”
“…”
The town wasn’t large, and with a few words exchanged, Xiao Zhenyun and Xiao Nian had already arrived at the town’s east as directed by the fake traffic officers. From afar, they heard continuous festive firecrackers, indicating they had most likely reached their destination.
A small western-style building was adorned with bright red ‘double happiness’ characters. People streamed in and out of the courtyard, making it seem like half the town had come to attend the wedding. The atmosphere was exceptionally lively. Xiao Zhenyun found a secluded spot to park the car and, with Xiao Nian in tow, leisurely made their way to the exterior of the building.
Although they were conspicuous strangers, amidst the hustle and bustle of the wedding, nobody paid them any mind. Xiao Zhenyun handed over a hastily prepared red envelope at the reception and whispered to Xiao Nian, “In situations like these, the groom’s side will think I’m from the bride’s family, while the bride’s side will think I’m from the groom’s family. As long as we act natural enough, and even without interacting with Li Jialiang, we can comfortably enjoy a meal and then go find Xiao Hui and Xiao Bai.”
With that, he turned and naturally greeted a man adorned with ‘groom’ flowers on his chest. The man first looked at Xiao Zhenyun’s face inexplicably, then returned the greeting as if he vaguely understood, urging him to quickly enter and take a seat for the banquet.
Xiao Zhenyun gave Xiao Nian a ‘see?’ glance and led him into the building. Each room of the small western-style building had been cleared of clutter, replaced with large round tables filled with uncles, aunties, younger brothers, and sisters of various ages.
Xiao Nian: “…”
Xiao Nian: “So, the question is, which table do we sit at?”
Xiao Zhenyun remained unfazed. “We sit at the kids’ table.”
“…”
Unfortunately, Xiao Zhenyun never got to sit at the kids’ table. Before he could find a suitable seat, a big sister, serving the main dishes, found their standing between the tables a nuisance. She casually pushed Xiao Zhenyun into an empty seat and swiftly brought over a plastic chair for Xiao Nian, pressing him into a seat as well.
As soon as Xiao Zhenyun sat down, the lively chatter at the table abruptly halted. Sensing trouble, he raised his head to find several hostile gazes fixed on them in silence. Xiao Nian nervously clutched Xiao Zhenyun’s sleeve, his mind racing with thoughts – were they in some spider’s den? Was everyone at this table the professor’s lackeys, and had their identities been exposed even before they entered?
The next moment, the auntie sitting next to Xiao Zhenyun clapped her hands loudly and exclaimed, “Hey, where are you guys from? You look unfamiliar. Handsome lad! Do you have a girlfriend?”
Xiao Zhenyun and Xiao Nian: “…”
Following the auntie’s loud voice, a chorus of suggestions for potential partners for Xiao Zhenyun echoed around the table. The uncles and aunties eagerly brought forth eligible young girls from their family trees, vying to introduce them to Xiao Zhenyun.
Seeing the neighboring tables of uncles and aunties drawn by the commotion, eager to also offer matchmaking services, Xiao Zhenyun quickly interjected, “I already have a partner, we’re married.” He pushed forward Xiao Nian, “This is our son.”
Xiao Nian: “…” So, I’m your son when you need me, but I’m the annoying administrator when you don’t.
“Come on, young man, you don’t look much older than twenty,” one of the uncles remarked. “How could he be your son?”
Longevity and perpetual youthfulness were prominent characteristics of special individuals. Xiao Zhenyun dared not admit that he was nearing forty. Faced with a group of inquisitive elders, he resorted to his best skill – spinning tales: “When I was fifteen or sixteen, I was reckless and accidentally made a mistake.”
Unexpectedly, the elders nodded in understanding. “Young man, with your looks, you’re easily deceived by unscrupulous women.”
Xiao Zhenyun: “…”
“Do you regret not changing your appearance?” Xiao Nian asked coldly.
Since introducing potential partners to Xiao Zhenyun failed, the elders turned their attention to Xiao Nian, offering to introduce him to a child bride. They mentioned that today’s bride had brought along a young daughter who was a perfect match for Xiao Nian in every aspect.
Xiao Nian: “…”
“And what about you? Any regrets about not changing your appearance?” Xiao Zhenyun retorted even more icily, employing the same tactic against him.
While everyone’s attention was diverted, Xiao Zhenyun quietly dispersed his guide elements and spiritual power, attempting to detect the presence of other special individuals. But as Xiao Nian had stated, his C grade spiritual power was too inadequate. The only shining aspect was his high spiritual pool recovery rate, which was purely an auxiliary healing skill to prevent him from being drained dry by the S grade Si Di. Otherwise, it was utterly useless and couldn’t lend a hand in any other aspect.
Soon, the bride and groom came around to toast at each table. Xiao Zhenyun quickly retracted his guide elements and spiritual power, trying to blend into the crowd to avoid drawing attention.
However, to his surprise, it seemed like the bride’s gaze had been fixed on him since she arrived at their table. When toasting, she deliberately circled around to his side. After finishing her drink, she quietly whispered in Xiao Zhenyun’s ear, “Come to the kitchen behind in fifteen minutes.”
The groom’s expression momentarily darkened, but by the time the bride looked up, he had regained his composure, smiling brightly as he escorted Li Jialiang to the next table.
Unsure of the sudden appearance of the bride and her purpose in leaving him with this message, Xiao Zhenyun pondered for a while before deciding to leave the table and honor the appointment.
The kitchen was located in the backyard on the ground floor of the small western-style building, bustling with activity. Xiao Zhenyun bypassed the main entrance, where people were constantly coming and going. Hesitation and indecision would only prompt others to inquire if he was looking for the restroom. So, he headed straight for the kitchen’s back door as agreed.
In the kitchen, the bride, now dressed in casual attire, had been waiting anxiously. She waved frantically as Xiao Zhenyun approached.
“You finally made it.” Li Jialiang looked intently at Xiao Zhenyun and Xiao Nian, who followed closely behind. “Are you special individuals from the Capital Special Agents Association, here to apprehend the professor?”
Xiao Zhenyun exchanged a glance with Xiao Nian before calmly responding, “No.”
“…” Li Jialiang hesitated. “Um, I apologize for the sudden question. It’s natural to be cautious. Don’t worry, I’m on your side. We have an underground alliance in town opposing the professor. I can take you to our base and introduce you to the members. Everyone is very familiar with this town and can definitely help you.”
Xiao Zhenyun declined without much thought, “We’re not interested.”
“…” Li Jialiang looked puzzled. “Are you still suspicious of my identity? I can prove it.”
“You’ve misunderstood. I really am not here to arrest the professor.” Xiao Zhenyun, knowing Li Jialiang’s allegiance from the storyline, revealed candidly, “But rest assured, there are many special individuals who have entered the town in recent days. Apart from me, all the others are here to apprehend the professor.”
Li Jialiang frowned. “Then what exactly are you here for?”
“To find someone.” Xiao Zhenyun continued, “Have you seen a sentinel with brown hair?”
Li Jialiang, looking uncomfortable yet sincere, replied, “I’m sorry, we can’t discern between sentinels and ordinary people. Besides brown hair, are there any other distinguishing features?”
“…He’s a particularly arrogant guy,” Xiao Nian chimed in immediately, seizing the essence despite his rare encounters with Hedgehog.
To their surprise, Li Jialiang actually managed to associate brown hair with an arrogant guy and immediately exclaimed, “I know who you’re talking about. Follow me.”
Xiao Zhenyun and Xiao Nian exchanged astonished looks and hurriedly followed her.
Li Jialiang darted into the kitchen and approached the person tending to the stove by the firewood pile. “Someone’s looking for you.”
Xiao Zhenyun turned his back and donned his mask, but he heard the person tending the stove say lightly, “Quit trying to hide. I could sense your lackluster spiritual power from miles away.”
“…” Xiao Zhenyun lowered his head and saw the face of Xiao Jingfeng—
A slightly smudged version, with a bit of stove ash.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
