Chapter 99 - 97: Second Throw

Chapter 99: Chapter 97: Second Throw

On the main road leaving the Royal Capital, a silver sports car ambled forward, occasionally sputtering to a stop as if reluctant to leave the city.

Tch! Who the hell would miss this place!

Inside the sports car, Chen Qi’s eyes were glued to the Compass in his hands, paying no mind to his driving.

To put a satisfying cap on his trip to the Royal Capital, Chen Qi ultimately decided to indulge his curiosity and observe the city’s feng shui through its magnetic field.

Fortunately, Chen Qi knew his limits. He only activated the Compass’s long needle, not daring to touch the short needle to lock onto any nearby Life Magnet Fields.

Moreover, the spot Chen Qi chose was only a few hundred meters from the city exit—the very definition of caution.

’Strange. It’s completely unremarkable, with no signs of artificial alteration whatsoever.’

As he drove on, the magnetic fields within a three-hundred-meter radius were clearly visible to Chen Qi.

If he pushed his Spirituality to its limit, he could expand the range to 500 meters.

Chen Qi had expected to see incredible array modifications, similar to those in the Chaotic City.

The reality, however, was quite disappointing. The Royal Capital of the Lanyu Kingdom hadn’t bothered with any of that flashy nonsense; it was completely untouched.

Not ready to give up, Chen Qi "accidentally" took a wrong turn and, in a stroke of "bad luck," ended up circling the Royal Capital’s Outer Ring.

However, aside from witnessing more of the magnificent and wondrous nature of the magnetic fields, he still saw no signs of any other techniques mixed in.

With the Compass in hand and having obtained an Earth Master’s legacy, Chen Qi found it hard to believe that he would be completely unable to detect some kind of grand arrangement in the Royal Capital, if one existed.

He had even specifically looked up the Royal Capital’s city layout. It hadn’t changed for hundreds of years, and even after Gutaf ascended the throne, there had been no large-scale reconstruction.

’So, does that mean there really aren’t any arrays set up here?’

Since he had found nothing, Chen Qi prepared to leave.

It was just a whim, after all; it wasn’t like he absolutely had to dig up the Royal Capital’s deepest secrets.

However, just as Chen Qi was once again driving to leave the Royal Capital, only a few hundred meters from the exit, his communicator suddenly received a call from an unknown number.

Chen Qi stared at the communicator with great interest. ’Could this be the person I’ve been waiting for?’

If his initial probing of the Royal Capital’s magnetic field was to satisfy his curiosity, his subsequent lap around the city was purely to bait a hook.

...

"Red Heart 7, it seems the Compass really did fall into your hands."

"You’re an interesting one. To think you’d actually dare to probe the Royal Capital’s magnetic field layout."

"Don’t waste your energy. I’ve been surveying this place for eight years. Forget the Royal Capital—I’ve made a round of every major city in the Kingdom."

"And guess what I found?"

Chen Qi finally answered the call. A deep male voice came from the other end of the communicator.

’Just as I thought. The Compass’s previous owner couldn’t hold back any longer.’

After rejecting Lin Biyun’s advice, Chen Qi had realized something: he had probably already been targeted by the Compass’s original owner.

After thinking it over, Chen Qi decided to take the initiative and lure the snake out of its hole.

As long as the Compass’s owner wasn’t an idiot, he would surely realize what Chen Qi was doing by circling the city.

Chen Qi’s actions were a blatant provocation. If the man didn’t dare to show himself, then Chen Qi wouldn’t have to worry about him too much.

What Chen Qi hadn’t expected, however, was that this guy would actually be in the mood for an "academic discussion" with him.

...

"The Royal Capital’s layout is indeed unremarkable. Although I haven’t ventured deep into the Inner Ring, allow me to make a guess: the layout there is probably even more decayed."

"In fact, it’s not just the Royal Capital. The feng shui of every city in the Lanyu Kingdom is likely quite poor."

"As for the reason... well, of course, it’s because of the [King’s Game]."

"This is the price the Lanyu Kingdom must pay to keep the game running."

The so-called feng shui, or geomantic formations, refers to the influence of human Spirituality on the Matter Field.

When a large population lives in the same area for a long time, they inevitably alter the surrounding Matter Field to become more suitable for human existence.

In essence, it is simply humanity’s impact on its environment, just manifested on a different plane.

But the Lanyu Kingdom is special. Because of the King’s Game, a portion of every citizen’s Spirituality is siphoned away.

The extracted power of interference from their Spirituality becomes the driving force that runs the game.

The result is that people’s benign influence on their surroundings has weakened.

After several decades, the decay of the cities’ feng shui layouts has become inevitable.

...

"Hahaha, impressive. No wonder you made it out of the Chaotic City alive."

"Your deduction is identical to the results of my own surveys. The feng shui layouts of all cities in the Lanyu Kingdom are shrinking and decaying."

"If His Majesty the King wasn’t so willing to share the benefits, preventing widespread outrage, the feng shui formations of the entire Lanyu Kingdom would have collapsed under the strain long ago."

"I’ve searched for so many years and haven’t found a single Spiritual Transformation Pivot."

"So you see, that Compass is really not that useful in the Lanyu Kingdom. Why don’t you return it to its rightful owner? Maybe we can even become good friends."

As if Chen Qi’s performance had earned his approval, the voice on the other end of the communicator suddenly became much heartier.

But his unrealistic suggestion showed he was thinking a bit too highly of himself.

The treasure was barely warm in his hands. How could Chen Qi just hand it over after a few simple words?

"If we’re going to be friends, shouldn’t you introduce yourself first?"

"Have you considered the possibility that it fell into my hands precisely because you and the Compass have no affinity?"

"I think it’s doing just fine here with me."

Chen Qi was quite curious about this guy’s identity.

’To spend eight years surveying the entire Lanyu Kingdom... there really are some capable people among the players.’

"It seems you have no intention of being friends with me, Red Heart 7."

"Since you like the Compass so much, you can hang onto it for now!"

"You don’t have much time left anyway. I can’t be bothered to haggle with a dead man."

"Seeing as you put on a good show just now, I’ll give you a piece of information for free."

"The one targeting the Red Heart 7 Card is the Yin Erosion Wanderer. His Card is Diamond 7."

"I do hope you manage to survive. Hahaha!"

After saying this, the man on the other end of the communicator hung up.

Apparently, Chen Qi’s refusal to play along had really annoyed him.

That final laugh was filled with nothing but schadenfreude.

’Diamond 7, the Yin Erosion Wanderer?’

’So the truth about the so-called Card of Certain Death is finally out.’

’That bastard sounded pretty pleased with himself. I will remember this!’

Chen Qi hadn’t expected this pleasant surprise.

Perhaps the bastard only told him to drive him to despair, to make him lose sleep, but it was always good to know who his opponent was.

’Looks like I’ll need to make some preparations in advance,’ Chen Qi silently decided, then drove out of the Royal City.

Meanwhile, atop a tall building, a man in black watched Chen Qi depart.

The man’s left eye was slightly open, his pupil emanating a silver halo.

Within it, three clusters of Spells rotated, constantly refreshing the world in his vision.

If Chen Qi were here, he would have surely recognized that the man was using the Earth Master’s [Spiritual Eye].

"Heh, young people truly don’t know their own limits."

"Even I don’t dare to provoke that old bastard, the Yin Erosion Wanderer. Fearless out of ignorance."

"What is mine will eventually return to my hands."

The man in black, codenamed Spade A, withdrew his distant gaze. He had already seen Chen Qi’s end.

’Don’t think I can’t do anything to you just because you signed a contract.’

’The reality is, I don’t have to do a thing. You’re going to die regardless.’

’As for the Compass falling into the Yin Erosion Wanderer’s hands, that doesn’t matter either.’

’Because that old bastard is certain to die in this round of the game.’

’And so, the item will still return to my hands.’

In truth, after cultivating the Earth Master’s [Spiritual Eye], the Compass was no longer of much use to Spade A.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Jiru carry it around just in case.

The reason he wanted the Compass back now was for the magnetic field data of the Chaotic City recorded within it.

’That Game Monarch fellow is truly incredible. If only I could occupy the Chaotic City...’

’Too bad he’s too bizarre. I can’t afford to mess with him!’

Suddenly, a bloody tear streamed from Spade A’s right eye. A sharp pain made him shudder violently, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"Damn it, what in the world did I see that time?"

"Quiet, quiet! You’re my eye, so stay put!"

Spade A clamped his hand over his right eye, as if it would leap out of its socket and run away if he didn’t.

After a long while, everything subsided. Spade A had completely collapsed to the floor.

This was the price he paid for recklessly looking around after cultivating the [Spiritual Eye].

And the target of his spying had been the Chaotic City.

...

The silver sports car flew at high speed at a low altitude. Chen Qi was eager to get home this time and was in no mood to wander around and enjoy the scenery.

A little over two hours later, Talin City was already visible in the distance.

’Looks like no one’s planning to ambush me?’

As he entered the city, Chen Qi’s tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

It wasn’t that Chen Qi was being paranoid; his current situation was truly not looking good.

Chen Qi did a rough count. There were at least four or five different parties keeping an eye on him from the shadows.

For instance, there was the one who first tested him using the Source Ore. Although they had never shown their face, Chen Qi hadn’t forgotten.

Then there was the one who sent the blueprint for the Great Decomposition Saber. Perhaps Chen Qi was overthinking it, but he still didn’t dare to lower his guard.

He had figured out the truth of the Card of Certain Death, but in the process, he had inexplicably gained an enemy in the Yin Erosion Wanderer.

Now, the Compass’s owner had been added to the list. Chen Qi suddenly realized that for someone who just wanted to live an honest, low-key life, he had somehow managed to draw an incredible amount of aggro.

If he didn’t do something about it now, he really wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly at night.

After returning to his lair, Chen Qi handed the file on [Blood Salt] to Taruno, instructing him to investigate and verify it thoroughly. Then, he immediately entered his lab and went into seclusion.

Taruno had been curious why his boss was back so soon, but when he opened the file, he was completely dumbfounded.

’This is... an investigative report from the Kingdom Central Intelligence Agency?’

’My previous judgment was right! The boss really is a big shot in the Kingdom!’

’I definitely latched onto the right thigh!’

Trembling with excitement, he swore to complete the mission given to him by the great Executor and fight for the stability of the Kingdom.

...

"Oh, great Ancestor of humanity, founding master of the Wisdom Sect, revered ancestors of the Chen Family, please grant me boundless Qi Fortune."

Back in his lab, Chen Qi began a new Xuanxue ritual without a moment’s hesitation.

His prayer made it obvious what he was about to do.

That’s right—Chen Qi had finally decided to throw the die and make his second Wish.

While the current situation wasn’t a dire, life-or-death crisis, it would be too late to act if he waited until disaster was at his doorstep.

Chen Qi could already sense the situation was starting to spiral out of control. If he didn’t do something, he would inevitably lose his composure and his grasp on the initiative.

Chen Qi was well aware that a sliver of panic had already taken root in his heart; otherwise, he wouldn’t have left the Royal Capital in such a hurry.

People instinctively feel that their own lair is safe, but this is often just an illusion.

By returning to Talin City now, Chen Qi was perhaps taking on a far greater risk than he would have faced in the Royal Capital.

Chen Qi was keenly aware of all this, yet he still chose to return to Talin City.

This wasn’t because Chen Qi had lost his mind. On the contrary, it was a decision he had made after careful consideration.

The [King] of the Royal Capital was too much of an unknown; Chen Qi couldn’t get a handle on him.

In contrast, his known enemies were at most LV4. It was a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils. By leaving the Royal Capital, he could seize more of the initiative.

But by doing so, Chen Qi would inevitably face greater risks in the short term.

After leaving the Royal Capital, the Yin Erosion Wanderer was like a guillotine hanging over his head. It might fall in the next moment or the next month, but it would fall sooner or later.

Of course, Chen Qi didn’t want to disrupt his plans because of a danger that had yet to arrive.

But he couldn’t just leave himself exposed to such high risk, either.

Thus, he had only one choice: to prepare a trump card for himself.

A trump card that could turn the tables at any moment.

And as it happened, Chen Qi possessed just such an ability. All he had to do was roll the die again.

And so, with a flash of rainbow light, the bronze die appeared once more in the real world.