Chapter 590: Smoking Friend

Chapter 590: Smoking Friend

“It’s inconsistent with what we know,” Qilin said. “If the Godbearer Cult could bring back bodies, they wouldn’t have to seek the help of the Spectres.”

“Right.” Azure Dragon nodded and continued with his speculation. “Can it be the Tails then? There are three other awakeners with the bottom Talents we haven’t encountered. Perhaps one of their Talents can resurrect people after leveling up.”

He listed the Talents, “Lucky, Painter, Flake Out. Given the name, Flake Out seems the most likely to be a Talent for resurrection.”

“Flake Out, serial number 195, Knowledge-type.” Vermilion Bird’s eyes glinted. “No, that’s not right. Resurrection should be the ability of a Life-type or Miracle-type Talent. Even a Time-Space-type barely fits the criteria.”

“Think outside the box, Vermilion Bird,” said Azure Dragon. “There are limitless possibilities. For example, Madam Wu’s Strong, Buff-type. If she had reached machine ascension and thus gained immortality, it could be considered a form of resurrection too. Take Knowledge-type as another example, if Dr. Jia, with Genius, succeeds in developing true resurrection pills, that’s another means to the same end.”

“You’re right.” Vermilion Bird nodded.

“Let’s stop the guessing game here.” Qilin concluded the meeting. “We'll only learn the truth from Luqi himself. Be careful from now on. Our priority is to help Seven Shadow acquire the Guard Rune Circuit from the abyss and open the Gates of Closure as soon as possible.”

“Understood.” Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird nodded.

“Speaking of Seven Shadow.” Qilin’s gaze darkened. “I’m not sure if I’m being paranoid. I feel like he’s changed. It’s become more difficult for me to understand him.”

“I feel the same,” Azure Dragon chimed in. “I considered him a good colleague. Bold yet shrewd, but he did live by certain principles. Now, though, I feel like he’s getting ideas.”

“He lost his grandmother, parents, and a team member. It’s a great blow to him. Seven Shadow’s always been the sentimental type.” Vermilion Bird sighed. “I think he’s reconsidering his path going forward.”

She said with an edge of complaint in her tone, “You choosing not to save him back in Island Nation must have hurt him, too, Guildmaster.”

Qilin let out a bitter laugh. “In that, I did use him, and he has every right to hold a grudge for that. However, I thought Seven Shadow was someone with a broader perspective.”

He shook his head and sighed. “I’d like to avoid being his enemy, if possible. Outside of Dragon, he’s the greatest threat.”

Vermilion Bird hid her surprise. If Qilin said that to her and Azure Dragon, he must have become deeply wary of Seven Shadow.

While bending down to water the plants, Songstress heard footsteps approaching. She tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear and looked up, breaking into a smile. “Miss Liu, are you here for some flowers?”

Liu Qingying returned the smile. “I am.”

“White lilies again?”

“Yes, I’d like a bouquet, please.”

On the same day every year, Liu Qingying would buy a bouquet at Songstress’ shop and then visit a long-lost friend in the Taiping Bridge Cemetery.

Liu Qingying took out her phone to make the payment when a large, tall shadow loomed over her like a mountain. Then the nasal voice of a man said, “And a bouquet of white roses for me.”

Liu Qingying didn’t even have to turn around to know that it was Dead Pig.

“A moment.” Songstress wasn’t surprised at all. She walked inside with a smile. “I was wondering where you were, but you showed up.”

“It’s been a while, Sister Liu.” It was deep into autumn, but Dead Pig didn’t seem bothered by the chill at all. He wore a custom-made gray linen shirt and black linen shorts, walking on a pair of thick wooden sandals.

Liu Qingying roasted him in the softest voice, “How did you become even fatter, Dead Pig?”

“Haha, it’s unavoidable going into middle age.” Dead Pig was entirely unfazed, his tone still pleasant.

“You’ll end up not fitting into an elevator alone.”

“I’ll work on losing weight. Starting from tomorrow.” Dead Pig was still smiling. He had said that a million times.

They had been friends for years. As they exchanged barbs, Songstress returned with two bouquets. One of white roses, for Dead pig, and the other of white lilies, for Liu Qingying.

They took the flowers and headed to the nearest subway station without a word, as if they had rehearsed it.