Chapter 87 - 83 - ( )

"Everyone, why don't we first return to the inn, sit down for a cup of tea, and carefully discuss our next steps? How does that sound?" Tingyun smiled faintly at the group, her gaze fixed on Wende, her fluffy tail wagging unconsciously. Wende: I feel like something isn't quite right here... "Hm?" Seeing Tingyun's gaze locked onto Wende, Stelle's head shot up alertly. She then silently took a step forward, blocking Tingyun's line of sight. [Oh no! My waifu is lusting after my daddy's body! What should Gramps do!] [Hello? I'm used to it. Our dad is Tang Sanzang, everyone wants to take a bite, right?] [Dammit! That little minx has impure intentions towards my father's massage!] [Is this what they call a special attack effective only against foxes? When is Wende going to go pet Jing Yuan-yuan?] [Lightning Lord: Stay away from Jing Yuan-yuan! Jing Yuan-yuan: Stay away from Wende-de!] "Bros, I found something fun!" Sister Guoguo, who had been slacking off and playing on her phone while watching the plot unfold, suddenly shouted into the stream. She then held her phone up to the camera. [This fast?] [Even this works?] [So you play Honkai: Star Rail too.] [Boss! I want to book a session with Wende!] [Is your massage parlor legitimate? It is? Then I'm not going!] On Sister Guoguo's phone, an image of a massage parlor with a sign bearing the four large words "Wende Massage" was clearly visible. In the bottom left corner, there was a note specifying "Professional Massage." For privacy reasons, the person who posted the picture had censored parts of it to avoid bringing trouble to the shop owner. [I found it! It's on Erxianqiao Avenue in the Chaoyang District of Shanghai!] [Really? Why do I feel like you're talking complete nonsense?] [Are you just nesting nonsense inside of nonsense over there?] "If I may be so bold, I've already found it. This shop is indeed in Shanghai," Sister Guoguo said with a completely straight face. "Don't worry, I'll go check out the shop for you guys! I'll even bring a few of my friends along for a team-building exercise and create some great content for you!" [Yes, yes, yes! Can you bring Tao Nai Youyou?] [I want to see Antarctic Bear Takes Arctic Goose for a Walk!] [Take Lan Yu-chan to see it! Hehehe.] [A blue-haired big sister getting a massage, I like it, hehehe...] Returning her focus to the plot. Stelle, the fact that you stepped forward to protect your sworn father is very gratifying to me. But can your little hands behave themselves! Watching those hands that were subtly trying to reach for him, Wende's recent feeling of "my child has grown up" instantly reverted to "you rebellious child!" Smack! "Ouch!" Ignoring Stelle, who was nursing her stinging hand, Wende turned his gaze to the little fox. "In that case, let's head back to the inn first. We need to report the situation to the Astral Express anyway." "Mm, whatever Benefactor says." Tingyun nodded obediently. Welt pushed up his glasses and remained silent. He couldn't shake the feeling that the foxian lady before him was like a cat that had just gotten its favorite toy... or perhaps a dog? I hope we don't end up adding to the train's population... Welt thought to himself as he watched Tingyun lead the way. At a small tea table in front of the inn, Welt picked up his phone and initiated a communication with the Astral Express. ["Himeko, we've made some new progress."] "Message failed to send." "?" Welt's brow furrowed. He then tapped on Dan Heng's profile picture. ["Dan Heng?" "Message failed to send." "..."] Putting his phone away, Welt's expression turned grave. "It seems the Stellaron Hunters' little hacker has made a move again. But for her to block the signal intermittently like this... isn't that a bit too blatant?" Welt looked at Tingyun, who was standing beside them holding a cup of tea. "Aiya, why is Benefactor looking at this little lady? Network security isn't under the Sky-Faring Commission's jurisdiction," Tingyun said with an aggrieved expression as she placed the tea in front of everyone. "No, Miss Tingyun, I didn't mean to blame you," Welt said, shaking his head. "It seems our plan to pursue the Stellaron Hunters needs to be accelerated." Ding. "Eh? Who's texting me?" March curiously picked up her phone to take a look. Uncle Yang ["1"] "?" "Uncle Yang, why did you send me a '1'?" March looked at Welt, bewildered. "Miss Tingyun, as you can see, our network communications are actually still normal. It's just the communication between us and the Express that has been severed. This is clearly intentional," Welt deduced, speaking to Tingyun. "Benefactor means... the Stellaron Hunters are deliberately luring you all?" Tingyun instantly understood the meaning behind Welt's words. As an Amicassador of the Sky-Faring Commission, one couldn't hold this position without a slick, diplomatic mind. "This little lady will go make some inquiries right away." Tingyun also dropped her itching-for-a-massage demeanor, her small face becoming serious and solemn. "Mm, we'll be counting on you, Miss Tingyun." "What's wrong, Dan Heng? You look like you have something heavy on your mind." In the observation car, Himeko looked at the frowning Dan Heng and couldn't help but ask. "The communication is cut." Dan Heng shook his head, then handed his phone to Himeko. Dan Heng ["March? What's the progress?" "Message failed to send." "?" "Message failed to send."] "It seems our communication with the Xianzhou has been intercepted," Himeko's brow furrowed slightly. "Yes. I'm a little worried about them," Dan Heng said bluntly. At first, with Wende there, he felt that this trip wouldn't have any major problems, even with that man also on the Xianzhou. But now, the more he thought about it, the more something felt wrong. If it were really that simple... He felt that something was trying to lure him out... and it seemed he had no choice but to go. "Is that so... I understand what you mean." Handing the phone back to Dan Heng, Himeko nodded with understanding. "According to the rules... the train's stopover time is seven standard days. During this period, passengers are free to use their time as they wish. Right now, having me and Pom-Pom on duty is enough. If there's something you want to do, then go. I can see that you are very reluctant to set foot on the Xianzhou, and very afraid of that man named Blade... but..." Himeko looked at Dan Heng with a gentle smile. "If there's something you want to do, then go do it. Don't leave yourself with any regrets." "Himeko..." Dan Heng looked at Himeko's gentle eyes and nodded at her, then turned to leave. "By the way... after this is all over, you'll continue to travel with everyone... right?" "Mm." Dan Heng nodded firmly.