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The truck carrying Hollow Special Operations Section 6 and the Cunning Hares' vehicle gradually disappeared into the end of the highway.
"Let's head back as well."
With the matter temporarily settled, Arden also planned to return to Yunkui Summit. Yixuan, Ju Fufu, and Sweety were still waiting for him.
Making his wives worry in anxious anticipation was not something a qualified husband would do.
"By the way… where's my brother?"
Only then did Belle remember Wise.
When Blazewood had been attacked by the rebels, Wise had been in his room. No one knew where he had hidden afterward—but as long as he was safe, that was what mattered.
"He knew you were fine, so he went back first to prepare some things."
Zhu Yuan's words made Belle feel as though her brother no longer doted on her. But thinking about it, with so many powerful companions around her, Wise really didn't need to worry. After all, in terms of combat ability, he and Belle were about on the same level.
"Belle, don't forget what Miss Miyabi said. You're coming back to Yunkui Summit with me."
"Ah? Oh!"
With Arden's reminder, Belle recalled that indeed, such a thing had been decided.
"Alright, I'll let my brother know. I won't be going home for the next few days."
Belle rode in Zhu Yuan's police car, while Arden drove the sidecar motorcycle with Yiji seated beside him.
When they reached the checkpoint between New Eridu and the Outer Ring, they found the area under lockdown. Of course, with Zhu Yuan's identity as a Public Security officer and Arden's status as a consultant, they were not obstructed.
As for the reason for the lockdown—it was naturally due to the municipal election. If Bringer secured more votes than his opponent, he would seize control of the Janus Quarter Public Security Bureau and become the Chief Commissioner. That would make him far more difficult to deal with.
And what Miyabi and the others needed to do was stop him before that happened.
…
Zhu Yuan and Qingyi returned to the Public Security Bureau.
Belle took Yiji's previous seat in the sidecar, while Yiji wrapped her arms around Arden's waist from the back. The three of them returned together to Yunkui Summit.
"Arden, you're back!"
At Yunkui Summit, in the small courtyard where Arden's family lived, the first to come out and greet him was his master, Yixuan.
"Mm, I'm back… mmwah!"
Arden embraced Yixuan and kissed her cheek, then gently pressed his ear against her slightly rounded belly.
"Daddy's back!"
As if sensing the fetus move, Arden's face filled with happiness. "Good son, you know to welcome your father."
"What son? We don't even know whether it's a boy or a girl yet."
Yixuan corrected him gently before turning her gaze to Belle, who had followed him in. "And this is…?"
"Oh right, let me introduce her!"
Arden explained to Yixuan, Ju Fufu, and Sweety—who had also come out to greet them—what had happened in Blazewood, and why Belle had come to Yunkui Summit with him.
"Bringer… the mastermind behind the scenes…"
Yixuan frowned thoughtfully for a moment, but soon relaxed. She trusted Arden—trusted her husband—to handle the matter properly.
"Let's not dwell on that. Belle, is it?"
Yixuan's gaze settled on Belle.
"Y-Yes, hello, Grandmaster."
Belle, who was usually so outgoing, seemed a little restrained this time.
"Just call me Yixuan."
Yixuan smiled warmly. "Stay at Yunkui Summit without worry. It's very safe here."
Belle was arranged to stay in an empty room in the courtyard.
"Phew…"
The moment she entered and bid farewell to the others, she let out a long breath of relief.
She admitted that everyone at Yunkui Summit was kind—but surrounded by so many beauties, she couldn't help feeling a bit tense.
"Daoist Arden, honestly… he really is something…"
Belle had to admit that even as a woman, she felt envious of Arden. Just how many good deeds had he done in his previous life to earn such blessings in this one?
Calling him New Eridu's number one life winner didn't feel exaggerated at all.
Knock knock…
Just as Belle was lost in her thoughts, there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
It was Arden's voice. "The main cafeteria's closed. I asked Junior Brother Pan Yinhu to prepare some dinner for you."
"Thank you, I was just getting a bit hungry."
Creak…!
Arden pushed the door open and placed the tray on the table.
"Are you getting used to things here?"
"I'm very—"
Ring ring ring!
Belle's phone rang. The caller ID was unfamiliar. After exchanging a glance with Arden, she answered it.
"Shopkeeper, it's me—Yanagi."
Yanagi's voice came through the phone. Belle's expression relaxed slightly as she quickly shifted into business mode.
"Miss Yanagi, are you calling because you need assistance?"
"Can you determine Perlman's location from your end? We've already dispatched personnel, but we have no definite information."
Yanagi's tone was calm. One could easily imagine her adjusting her glasses on the other end of the call.
HAND's intelligence network was excellent, yet even so, they could not pinpoint Perlman's whereabouts.
That left only one possibility.
The route transporting Perlman was within a Hollow. And when it came to Hollows, naturally one sought professionals.
"Hold on, let me ask our home's smart housekeeper."
Belle's response plunged Yanagi into silence. You're a Proxy, yet instead of doing it yourself, you're asking a smart housekeeper to locate someone inside a Hollow? What kind of housekeeper could possibly do that?
…
Belle and Arden went to Yiji's room.
There was a full set of equipment there connected to the shop's main system. The signal was far smoother than wireless access.
"Fairy!"
Using the system, Belle called out to the "smart housekeeper."
["New Eridu's number one-ranked smart housekeeper at your service!"]
As usual, Fairy gave herself a bit of praise first. ["Comparing with collected Hollow region data, this housekeeper located a potato-shaped individual matching Perlman's weight within 3.14 seconds. He is currently inside a Hollow near Thirty-Third Street in the Janus Quarter."]
["This Hollow is small in scale with low activity, covering only several abandoned factories. Threat level: Low."]
Fairy always emphasized how capable she was, highlighting how her electricity costs were well spent. But it had to be said—she truly was efficient. Within mere seconds, she accomplished what even Hollow Special Operations Section 6 found extremely troublesome.
"A small Hollow… what are they going there for? To silence him?"
Belle was puzzled.
That Hollow clearly had no valuable resources. The Ethereals inside were among the weakest. Aside from occupying space, it was practically meaningless.
"More likely, they're fishing."
Arden voiced his speculation.
"Fishing… for what? Could it be…"
Hearing this, Yanagi and the others grew wary.
If there was any "fish" worth catching, aside from Daoist Arden and the Proxy, there was only Hoshimi Miyabi.
But looking at Miyabi beside her, quietly murmuring "Sword of Red Heaven… Sword of Red Heaven…," Yanagi dismissed her concern.
Catching a Proxy might be manageable. But if they accidentally hooked a Void Hunter… they might end up flinging both the person and the fishing rod away.
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