By the time midnight arrived, the chaos of Xiahai City seemed not to reach the underground.
The narrow, low streets of the Black Market still shimmered with neon signs of all colors.
Xiaoxi lifted the tent curtain, and Miss L was already there, while Fox Momomo was diligently preparing coffee for her.
“You’re here? Not bad, A Xing, you’re not as rigid as you used to be. I was really afraid you’d spill everything back in the office earlier today.”
“No way, you made the hint so obvious. Besides, Xinglan was still in The Association’s hands at that time.”
Xiaoxi let out a cold laugh, her expression so dark it was frightening.
“Those two Magic Girls had just taken Xinglan away, and you shut the door behind them to have a heart-to-heart with me. If I’d told the truth then, I probably wouldn’t be able to take this person away today, right?”
Fox Momomo, who was pouring coffee for Xiaoxi, shrank her ears. It seemed Sister A Xing was really angry.
Usually, only when she was caught selling intel or when A Xing fought the Blood Moon Witch did she see this kind of look from her.
“Not just that. If you’d shown even the slightest dissatisfaction when you first heard the conditions, the Council wouldn’t have let you see Ye Xinglan. They’re really wary of you, you know. Proposing that condition was just to test your attitude, so—”
Xiaoxi thought for a moment. “I don’t mind working for the Council, but it depends on what the job is. Now that the Divine Summon Order and all sorts of troublesome people are popping up, I’m not about to just sit back and watch.”
“As for Xinglan, forget it. I can guarantee that under my supervision, nothing will go wrong with Xinglan, but I’m not about to trust her safety to them.”
“What if the Council doesn’t agree?”
Xiaoxi said nothing, only narrowing her eyes slightly.
“Big Sis—both of you, wait a second! If you want to talk business, how about I step out and give you some space?”
Fox Momomo quickly clapped her hands over her fox ears.
As an intel dealer, it was important to know all sorts of information, but you also had to know what you shouldn’t be hearing!
What they were talking about now involved the Council; anyone could tell it was above her pay grade!
“Trying to jump ship now? Too late,” Miss L swiped at her fox tail.
“Don’t worry, it’s not as dangerous as you think, and Ali, you don’t need to look so fierce either. Honestly, it’s not as hard to handle as you imagine. The fact that I called you out means I’ve already arranged everything—don’t underestimate me as your agent.”
The moment Miss L finished speaking, the tent curtain was lifted again. A graceful figure walked in, giving Xiaoxi a gentle smile.
“Hello, Eternal Star. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m glad to finally meet you today.”
The newcomer was a graceful and dignified woman, her long light-gray hair flowing, with sapphire-like gentle eyes.
At first glance, the word that came to Xiaoxi’s mind was “wifely.”
After shaking hands with Xiaoxi, the woman immediately noticed the Crystal Ball and Tarot Card set up at Fox Momomo’s stall.
With interest, she crouched down to examine them, carefully gathering her skirt so it wouldn’t touch the dust on the floor.
“Divination, huh? I’m quite interested in these things. Impressive—didn’t expect there to be a fortune-telling booth even in the Black Market.”
“Hehe, just a side business. I do it for fun~” Fox Momomo flicked her tail proudly.
“Let me introduce you,” Miss L interjected, “Ali, remember I told you a Council member from North Blossom City took a night flight straight to Xiahai City? This is her—the Astrologer, one of the Council’s Six Seats.”
The atmosphere inside the tent instantly chilled. Fox Momomo, who had been glowing under the praise, shrank and hid behind Xiaoxi.
The Council’s Six Seats! So this is what Minister Lin meant by ‘not that dangerous’? She’d rather die than get involved with someone of this caliber!
Xiaoxi’s guard was up as well. Could it be that the test during the day wasn’t enough, so the Council had to chase her down here?
“No need to be so nervous, Miss Ali—may I call you that? I asked Minister Lin to bring me here. Today, I don’t represent the Council. I just hope to talk to you as myself.”
Only then did Xiaoxi realize that once she averted her eyes, she had no memory of the Astrologer’s face or voice… Cognitive Obstruction Magic? Was this Six Seats member of the Council a Magic Girl?
Xiaoxi didn’t dare jump to conclusions. After all, Cognitive Obstruction Magic wasn’t exclusive to Magic Girls.
Still, despite the effect, she couldn’t shake a strange feeling of familiarity towards the Astrologer.
“I’ve watched the recording of the battle between the Blood Moon Witch and God’s Emissary. Not a single ordinary person was hurt. Before the Magic Girls from The Association arrived to evacuate the crowd, it was the Blood Moon Witch and Alanbel who kept God’s Emissary contained and protected everyone nearby.”
“I also heard Miss Ali’s attitude from outside the tent just now. Honestly, on a personal level, I completely understand how you feel.”
Xiaoxi suddenly understood why the Astrologer had been eavesdropping outside.
If she’d shown a different attitude, perhaps the Astrologer would never have agreed to meet her.
“And on the Council’s side?” Xiaoxi asked coldly.
The Astrologer smiled. “Miss Ali, as you know, The Association is an amalgamation of several major organizations. Over the years, the Council stabilized at six seats, but we’re hardly of one mind. There are some whose thoughts I can’t guarantee.”
“That’s why I want to talk to you personally. If you’re willing, I can lend you a hand in this matter.”
Xiaoxi understood how much weight those casual words carried. This was the support of one of the Six Seats—but she didn’t look pleased.
“And your reason? Astrologer, why would you help me?”
“Reason? Simple. Some of the others are just coveting the power you and the Blood Moon Witch possess. That’s not the right mindset. I only hope The Association does the right thing, nothing more.”
The Astrologer shook her head, lowering her eyes so her long lashes hid her emotions.
“Miss A Xing, I know you dislike The Association and the Six Seats, but you should realize not everyone in The Association harbors sinister intentions. The Six Seats are no different—I was the one who helped establish The Association in the first place, in hopes of bringing peace and stability to this chaotic world.”
“If that reason seems too nebulous to you, let me give you something more practical—the Council, or rather, I personally, need your help now more than ever…[Eternal Star].”