“To be precise, a former newspaper reporter. Just call me Xi. Nice to meet you.”
Xi’s professional habits noticed Pandana’s gaze.
She shook her credentials and introduced herself to Pandana a little sheepishly.
She noticed the Swamp Moon behind Pandana.
Xi took a deep breath and bowed to Pandana in front of her.
“Miss, it’s like this…”
Pandana learned from Xi the reason why Xi was here.
A month ago, Xi was still a newspaper reporter.
She had taken a photo of the Valen Ring and wanted to publish it, but the newspaper rejected it.
The next day, she was fired for some made-up reason.
Thus, she had a bone to pick with that Valen Ring.
“So yeah, that thing cost me my job. I’m going to hunt that guy down no matter what.”
To corroborate her story, Xi took a photo from the pouch at her waist and handed it to Pandana.
Pandana took the photo and glanced at it.
A silver-haired young man held a middle-aged man in fancy clothes with his right hand.
On the middle finger of the young man’s right hand was a golden ring, whose shape closely matched what Dongfang Jiang had described to her.
“The background is in the Capital Sewer?”
“That’s right. So, how about cooperating? I’ll provide intel, and together we catch the culprit?”
Pandana listened and fell into thought.
After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and looked at Xi.
“It’s a pleasant proposal. But why me?”
“Journalist’s intuition. I think we’ll get along.”
Xi scratched her head a little embarrassedly after saying that.
As a former reporter, she knew that trusting Pandana this much was abnormal, but for some reason, she just trusted her.
“Hmm… hard to refuse…”
The same feeling happened on Pandana’s side.
Both were strangers, yet both felt the other was trustworthy.
“Then let’s work together.”
Pandana and Xi reached an agreement.
With Xi’s guidance, Pandana moved much faster.
They encountered some trouble along the way, but Pandana quickly dealt with the enemies using the Swamp Moon.
While Pandana and Xi were searching for Kaxiu, Dongfang Jiang, as a special guest of the Badan Family, arrived at the Badan Family Mansion.
“I came here last night, but seeing it in the morning is still quite shocking.”
As soon as Dongfang Jiang finished his thought, he felt a pleasant perfume scent enter his nose.
The entire mansion before him began to spin.
“So this is Lady Yisela’s Illusion Magic… not bad.”
The feedback from his five senses was real.
Dongfang Jiang’s brain sent signals of discomfort, and an indescribable nausea made him feel sick.
“That’s your punishment from last night, Dongfang.”
Yisela’s voice, like a oriole’s, entered Dongfang Jiang’s ears.
He harmonized the energy in his body and used the Purification effect of the Swamp Energy to recover his body.
Dongfang Jiang opened his eyes.
The once-spinning mansion became steady.
Yisela, the user of the Illusion Magic, had her hands clasped together, her golden hair falling over her pure white dress.
“Recovering so quickly. Impressive.”
Yisela was genuinely pleased that Dongfang Jiang had broken free of her illusion so fast.
“So this is Illusion Magic? When did I fall for it?”
Dongfang Jiang was very curious about Yisela’s Illusion Magic.
He lowered his voice and asked her the question.
Hearing this, Yisela rolled her eyes at him, reached out, and lightly patted his chest.
“Silly, did you forget Kaxiu is still watching us? If you want to know, I’ll tell you at noon.”
“Oh, right.”
“But before that, I’ve prepared clothes for you. Change first, and for today, just stay by my side.”
“Okay.”
The moment Dongfang Jiang agreed, Yisela took his arm and pulled it into her embrace.
She gave him a mischievous smile.
“So, do you have an answer to that question from yesterday?”
“Both. You have your good points, she has hers.”
Dongfang Jiang answered without hesitation.
Whether it was Pandana, Xue, or Yisela, each of them had their own virtues.
“Tsk, what a smooth answer.”
Yisela had thought Dongfang Jiang would just make something up, but she didn’t expect him to say something like that so naturally.
“So, does that answer pass?”
“Just barely…”
Yisela led Dongfang Jiang into the mansion.
The entire place looked brand new, with no trace of last night’s disarray.
She brought him to her room, where a set of clothes matching hers had been prepared.
“Whoa, couple outfits.”
Dongfang Jiang blurted out as he looked at the clothes Yisela had prepared.
Realizing what he said, he turned to look at Yisela.
Yisela turned her head away, avoiding eye contact with him.
Her hand subconsciously stroked her golden hair.
“…”
“…”
Both fell silent.
Yisela had her maid help Dongfang Jiang change into the outfit, then she fled the room like she was escaping.
The next time they met was when Dongfang Jiang opened the door after changing.
Yisela had returned to her usual calm demeanor.
She crossed her arms and looked him over.
“It suits you, Dongfang.”
“Thanks…”
Dongfang Jiang responded honestly.
Yisela said nothing, just silently stared at him.
Their eyes met, and Dongfang Jiang reached out to lightly tousle her soft hair.
“Let’s go.”
“Mm.”
Yisela extended her hand and took Dongfang Jiang’s, slowly leading him toward the Council Chamber.
“Father agreed to let me follow you. You still have several Guardians to find, don’t you?”
Halfway there, Yisela dropped that bombshell.
“Hey, hey, what do you take me for? I’m not some bad guy running off with a Young Lady.”
Dongfang Jiang didn’t take Yisela’s words seriously and responded jokingly.
To him, it didn’t matter if Yisela didn’t leave the Royal Capital with him.
Hearing his answer, Yisela said nothing, just silently walked by his side.
“We part ways here. Wait for me outside the door.”
“Okay.”
When the door closed, Dongfang Jiang heard Yisela’s slightly plaintive reply.
“Is it possible that I want to go with you, you blockhead?”