Chapter 172 - 171: A Strategic Gamble with Kafka

Words : 980 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Kafka had envisioned that the Astral Express team would pursue her, leading to her being escorted by Fu Xuan of the Divination Commission. But instead, Pei Guang was calling her directly, disrupting the predicted sequence of events. After a moment's hesitation, Kafka accepted the call. "Hello~" Pei Guang's voice came through, "Hello, Miss Kafka. It's me, Pei Guang—the one who challenged you a few hours ago." Kafka didn't need introductions; she knew exactly who it was. Still, his direct approach made her smile slightly, intrigued by why he would contact her like this. "I'm Kafka. Hello, Pei Guang," she replied. "Tell us your location. We're here to capture you," Pei Guang said bluntly. "Oh? You're planning to capture me? Then come and find me yourself~" Kafka retorted, playful and unfazed. Pei Guang shifted to a threatening tone. "Fine! If you don't show up, don't blame me for what I might do to Stelle." Kafka's tone shifted immediately, "What did you just say?" Pei Guang handed the phone to Stelle. Meeting his gaze, she understood instantly and took a deep breath, affecting a neutral but exaggerated tone. "Get away! Don't touch me! Ah! No, not my clothes... Hey, that's my underwear, nooo... sob..." An awkward silence followed. Even Pei Guang, March 7th, and the seasoned Welt were stunned by Stelle's flat, mechanical delivery. On the other end, Kafka was at a loss for words. Pei Guang, recovering quickly, pushed on. "Ahem. Give us your location, or meet us here. If not, expect trouble. I'm a player: I can do anything!" Hearing Stelle's strange performance, Kafka pieced together the situation, unable to suppress a chuckle. "Alright, alright~," she replied, amused. Pei Guang continued, "If you don't comply, I'll push Stelle to the point where she starts calling you 'Granny'." Kafka sighed. "Becoming a 'Granny' is the least of my worries. I simply don't like playing by someone else's rules. Come find me. I trust your player skills will lead you straight to me." With that, she hung up. Even though Kafka didn't reveal her location, Pei Guang had already triangulated it using hacking techniques during the call. He would have preferred her to comply directly but found her defiance amusing. Looking at Kafka's coordinates, Pei Guang sighed. "Figures. Looks like we'll be running the full quest line. She doesn't like playing by others' rules? Great, neither do I. Let me think..." He turned to Stelle. "Stelle, your acting skills... not great." Stelle, eager to improve, suggested, "Want to try again? This time I'll dress up, and you can really tug on my clothes for effect?" Pei Guang held her back, "Let's not. We'd become five-star outlaws right away." Stelle grinned, "Understood. We'll find a private spot next time." Pei Guang chuckled, "Let's save it for later. We achieved our main goal, at least." March 7th interjected, "Should I try next? I'm great at being the damsel in distress." Pei Guang frowned, "The question is, who would you even threaten by being a hostage?" March 7th thought it over and realized, with a resigned expression, that only their friends on the Astral Express might care. Stelle added seriously, "No worries, I'll catch Kafka as soon as she shows up." Pei Guang nodded, "Good. But I've decided—I'll handle this personally." March 7th was intrigued, "You're going all-out on this one? I'm in! But doesn't this show we're in league with the Stellaron Hunters?" Pei Guang shrugged, "Ever since Silver Wolf joined, that's been clear. And Stelle's background ties us to them anyway. No use ignoring it when it can be leveraged. Now, Tingyun was supposed to guide us. Let's find a spot to regroup until she messages us." March 7th asked, "What if your info is wrong?" Pei Guang mused, "Then we'll tap into Xianzhou's intelligence network to track her down. Trust me, whether it's Kafka or Jing Yuan, they're our keys to navigating the Luofu. Open-world missions are tricky. High-IQ characters break the mold, so I need to update my playbook. Let's find Tingyun—Yukong said she'd assist us." With that, the group, including Bailu in the trash can, went to find Tingyun. On their way, Bailu's voice emerged from the can, muffled but curious, "Are you really connected to the Stellaron Hunters? What are they like? I heard they can wipe out entire civilizations alone." Pei Guang replied, "I'm not sure. I do know one, but she's a shut-in—barely leaves her room. Kafka? Never met her. Stelle, what's your take?" Stelle smiled at the memory, "Kafka? Super gentle, hehe~" Pei Guang rolled his eyes. "What's with the 'hehe'? Still, I'm more confident in my theory now. It's fine!" As they exited the palace, they saw Tingyun admiring the scenery nearby. Noticing their approach, Tingyun sighed theatrically, "Ah, Madam Yukong has tasked me with guiding you once more. It seems our fates are indeed intertwined." Pei Guang grinned, "True. Our tangled fates defy untangling. I've already imagined hundreds of ways our partnership could unfold. But enough of that—do you know a place in the Starskiff Haven with food and drinks so good, people from any world would enjoy it?" Upon hearing Pei Guang's question, Tingyun smiled and replied, "The Sky-Faring Commission has reserved upper rooms at the Petrichor Inn for you all. The food and drinks served there will surely meet your expectations. Once your tasks are complete, please join me at the inn for some tea and a meal to rest and recharge." Pei Guang nodded, "Lead the way, then." Tingyun guided them to the Petrichor Inn.

Chapter 172 - 171: A Strategic Gamble with Kafka

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