That night, Zixin stayed up, sneakily passing through the living room unnoticed and stepping out of the cabin. Once out, he followed the brown path ahead, leading him to Daisal.
The moon hangs low, its faint reflection lying on Zixin's dull grey pupils. With each step he took, the moon would cast a slender ray of moonlight up ahead, lighting up the dirt path into a golden brown road.
Zixin's thoughts drifted afloat, mashing and clashing against one another: Whenever I'm in this kind of atmosphere, I always seem to encounter wolves. How terrible must my fortune be for it to be so consistent? Sigh, I have changed…
His steps halted, his lowering his gaze, and stared blankly at the moonlight while he muttered, "Before, I wouldn't even consider luck in my calculations because of how unpredictable it was. But now, under the influence of Elmer's, the Table's, and the Wolf Lord's memories, I have changed."
A faint smile formed upon his lips as he muttered, "Perhaps if luck is a variable, then it could be taken advantage of… maybe, just maybe, controlled but…"
He paused, lifting his gaze and watching the moonlight drift as the time ran.
"Indeed, that's a matter that I cannot be bothered with. The plan must be accomplished."
…
Roughly half an hour later, Zixin finally reached Daisal, but it was slightly different from what he could remember. The atmosphere was oppressive.
Although carriages still rolled across the roads and passersby walked along the streets, a faint dullness still emanated from within.
Shifting his pupils, Zixin searched for a point of interest, his gaze landing on Lady Silk's worn-down stall.
He walked towards her, and just as their eyes fell on one another, Lady Silk spoke, "I'm assuming that you're here to gather intel. Well, let me make it quick and easy! A large wolf, or as they call it, a Wolf Lor,d was spotted on Mount Lorebal,e and thus, Hunters began creating a plan to put an end to the monster. Unfortunately, though, it's taking longer due to political shenanigans that I have no interest in."
That's good, but… if my understanding is on point, all of Daisal's combined forces shouldn't be able to defeat the Wolf Lord. Zixin thought, rubbing his chin.
Silver light flashed from his eyes as he realized: Hmm? Isn't this an opportunity waiting to be taken advantage of? I wonder how… oh right, I still need Xiaoxiao to first complete the commission. A quick visit doesn't sound half-bad.
Lady Silk's brows curved, frowning and letting out an exasperated sigh. She shot him an irritated expression, speaking, "If that's all, would you mind leaving?!"
What's up with her all of a sudden? Did I say something that pissed her off? Zixin sighed internally, asking one last time.
"In that case, how much intel does the entirety of Daisal have regarding said monster?"
She shook her head, giving a nonchalant response, "Do I look like an intel broker to you? I'm a proud tailor, and that's a fact!"
After a brief pause, she continued, "Anyways, I barely know anything about it… Go figure, a mere tailor lacks intel regarding monsters."
I've seen you making bets in the Combat District before, even able to gain your own seat at the table against Vanor. Such is not a "mere tailor". Zixin commented internally, just as the voice of a passerby reached his ears.
"Vanor was defeated by the Wolf Lord!"
Lady Silk's eyes shone, speaking, "Hahaha, well, there's your intel."
Zixin lightly bowed, handing her the fifth Pier Coins and thanking her. He soon left, following the shouting man.
Zixin lightly tapped the man's shoulders, alerting him and causing him to look back. Once he noticed Zixin's curious expression, he smirked, explaining, "Oh? Are you curious about how I gathered this?"
Zixin nodded, his gaze locked onto the man.
"Well, I actually just overheard when I listened to the higher-ups talking. I listened through the walls and low and behold, somehow obtained it." The man's smirk slowly faded, replaced with an awkward smile as he scratched the back of his head.
Daisal's architecture needs improvement. Zixin commented inwardly, thanking the man and handing him fifty Pier Coins.
…
As Zixin strolled in the market, he cast his glance at the chaotic streets. An ocean of people swarmed across the market, pushing one another. But even so, a small leeway still existed.
Sweat poured down some of them, whilst some murmured to themselves. Hunters strolled the crowded streets, pushing against each other, some getting into unnecessary fights, while others headed their own way.
Was the Wolf Lord's appearance this unprecedented? Has this never happened before? Zixin's thoughts were abruptly halted once Arbane grabbed his arm, dragging him away.
Huh? Arbane? Oh right, doesn't he takes dailu strolls? Zixin pondered.
While being dragged, he fixed his gaze on his surroundings, watching a group of Hunters work to their bone. Some carried swords while others carried books. Their faces were ashen with despair.
Does Arbane know what the Hunters' plans are? Hmm… It's rather unlikely, after all, it shouldn't have been long since they discovered the Wolf Lord's existence. Even so, the plan may still be incomplete, or the so-called "higher-ups" may have chosen to keep quiet for the time being. Asking so much from a child, even if it's Arbane, is too much. Zixin dismissed his thoughts, taking a sigh.
"Do you know the details of Vanor's encounter with the Wolf Lord?" Zixin asked as he began walking faster.
Arbane poked his cheeks and spoke, "From what I've heard, Vanor was caught off guard by the Wolf Lord's sudden appearance. Fortunately, he managed to escape in time."
Zixin remained quiet, which gave Arbane the urge to probe, "Would you and Hope be fine?"
Zixin responded, giving him a solemn look, "I can't be certain, after all, we have had our own fair share of encounters with the Wolf Lord."
Arbane halted in his tracks, shooting Zixin a concerned look while asking, his hands slightly trembling, "Are you… fine?"
Zixin's lips parted momentarily, only to close just as fast. He rubbed his temples, responding, "I'm fine, I just had some minor injuries."
The atmosphere fell into silence with neither of them having the will to break it.
Not long after, they both reached the Xiaoshop. Upon stepping into the office, Zixin headed to Xiaoxiao's office.
After opening it, he was met with her lying on her couch. Noticing Zixin, she stood up, telling him the news, "It's been a while, hasn't it? I won't waste both our time; I've decided to join your weapon commission with the artifact. To be quite frank, I don't remember if I've told you this before."
"I don't mind," Zixin replied plainly.
"You only really need to 'Lend' your sub-ability to the artifact's core, and onceit takes it, it should reform into a suitable weapon based on a blueprint that I found a few years back. You should know once you have it." She paused, continuing, "Setting that aside, do you even know how to 'Lend'?"
Silence remained as they both stared at each other before both sighed.
Xiaoxiao's gaze drifted towards the ceiling, her eyes lighting up with a newfound idea.
"How about learning now? It should still take some time before the artifact is completed. Even if it's only the basics that you can grasp, it should be good enough." Xiaoxiao said, her eyes filled with hope.
"Why can't you teach me?" He asked, tilting his head.
"I'm an Unchosen, or in otherwords, I don't have an ability." She explained, her eyes becoming dimmer and dimmer by the second.
"Shouldn't I be the one asking the questions? I mean, why didn't you practice 'Lending' when you knew we'd do this?" She asked, tilting her head.
"I was practicing something else, and I… also forgot."
Sigh, the only person I can ask for help is–Fang Hau. Zixin wondered, smiling lightly.
"What sort of compensation do you want in exchange? And, thank you."
"It's actually quite simple; all I wish for is the Longevity Bloodline's full support for my research, ideas, and invention," Xiaoxiao spoke confidently.
That's quite the ambition, isn't it? But, at the end of the day, it all comes down to convincing my dear sister, Xiu Ying. Zixin thought, his thoughts drifting.