However, with Fairy handling the calculations, something like this was extremely easy.
Under Wise's guidance, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi eventually reached a safe location without any complications.
Zhu Yuan rolled forward, smoothly dropping into a squat, while Qingyi slid a long distance, limbs spread in a pose reminiscent of a starfish.
"My savior, now that you're here, don't you think it's time to come out?"
Once she stopped moving, Qingyi straightened up and glanced at a nearby pile of scattered items.
Not long after she finished speaking, a Bangboo walked out from behind it.
"So, we finally meet."
This Bangboo was, of course, Wise, and both of them couldn't help but feel slightly surprised when they saw him.
"Aren't you the Bangboo from Belobog Industries?"
Qingyi quickly remembered her encounter with the Belobog Industries team at the memorial square. At the time, that Bangboo had been in the hands of their president.
"No, that's not right. An ordinary Bangboo couldn't possibly have this level of intelligence, let alone the ability to hack into our communicators. Who exactly are you?" Qingyi asked, clearly puzzled.
Just then, Zhu Yuan spoke in a thoughtful tone.
"Senior, do you remember this? There was a legendary Proxy on the Inter-Knot. They said he never went into the Hollow himself, but could still connect the inside and outside."
As soon as she heard that, Qingyi remembered the well-known name associated with the story.
"Phaethon," Qingyi calmly uttered the name.
"That's right. It's me," Wise acknowledged.
"So when Belobog Industries handed in their report, you were already secretly observing everything?"
Calling it a secret observation wasn't exactly accurate, considering how obvious he had been back then.
In response to Qingyi's question, Wise briefly explained what had occurred that day.
"To put it simply, I came to the same conclusion as you. That monster wasn't ordinary, and there was probably a larger scheme behind it, one tied to something I've been looking into."
"So you helped us because you wanted the evidence to be handed over to HAND, so they could uncover the truth behind the monster?"
Zhu Yuan considered Wise's explanation for a moment, then chose not to object.
"Actually, part of the reason is that I didn't want you to risk your lives over this. In any case, it's not too late to retrieve the evidence now."
Phaethon's reputation was known both inside and outside the industry of Hollow Raiders, so Zhu Yuan and Qingyi didn't overthink it and agreed. They had survived thanks to him, after all.
With the decision settled, the three wasted no time and began moving.
"Alright, you can guide us."
Qingyi said before stepping closer and holding Wise with one arm. Due to her posture, the Bangboo's lower half ended up pressed against her soft, flat abdomen.
The awkward position left both Zhu Yuan and Wise a little confused.
"Senior, what are you doing?"
"It's just easier to move like this. Let's go."
After Qingyi said this, the two no longer paid attention to the matter. Zhu Yuan shifted his attention to their next move, while Wise treated it as nothing unusual.
Once Zhu Yuan walked ahead, Qingyi gave a slight smile and leaned down, whispering softly into Wise's ear.
With how close she was and with the constant movement, Wise could just barely feel her lips brush against his ear.
Still, he didn't react much to something like this, though the sensation was far more stimulating than he expected.
On the other side, Belle, who was watching the video, noticed Wise's strange reaction as well. After a short pause, she smiled as if she understood something.
She gently moved his chair back, putting a bit more space between Wise and the table. Sitting that close wasn't proper and definitely needed fixing.
At the same time, Qingyi finally said what she had been thinking.
"Mr. Phaethon, haven't we met somewhere before?"
The moment she finished speaking, she felt the Bangboo in her arms shake violently.
Seeing this, her lips curved slightly upward. It seemed her guess wasn't wrong.
'So I was right.'
That was Qingyi's thought, but Wise's reaction wasn't caused by her words at all.
In reality, after years of hiding his identity and dealing with his sister, Wise had become exceptionally good at keeping his composure and lying when needed.
The reason for this was that something had happened to his main body. The stimulating sensation felt exactly the same as last time.
It seemed Belle was up to something again. Still, this had been his own decision. Lowering the synchronization sensitivity allowed him to perceive his surroundings through his real body a little more clearly.
He couldn't stop her at this point, so all he could do was deal with what was happening right now.
"You must be mistaken, Miss Qingyi."
"Oh? Is that how it is? Then let's just assume it was my imagination."
Qingyi smiled lightly and chose not to continue, having already gotten the answer she was looking for.
Then, guided by Wise, the two bypassed the enemy's encirclement and moved to the rear to retrieve the evidence.
"There's an exit from the Hollow nearby. If you two aren't in a hurry to arrest me today, then I'll be leaving first?"
Wise spoke in a joking tone.
Qingyi nodded in response, then said, "Don't worry. Abandoning a bridge after crossing it brings divine punishment. Besides, I've always believed that arresting Proxies indiscriminately is unfair."
"Cough… Senior, as a Public Security Officer, don't you think saying that is a little inappropriate?""
Zhu Yuan cleared his throat and gently reminded Qingyi to be mindful of her wording. Unfortunately, this was simply how she was, and reminding her never really changed anything.
Thinking this, Zhu Yuan said nothing more and instead turned to Wise, whom Qingyi had just set down.
"Anyway, Phaethon, thanks for helping us today."
"You're welcome. I should also thank you for detecting the danger to the evidence vehicle through such subtle hints and entering the Hollow to safeguard it despite the danger. Farewell to you both. I hope that next time we meet, we won't stand on opposing sides."
Once he was done speaking, Wise rushed out of the Hollow on his short legs. He still needed to find time to deal with Belle's issue, after all.
Bound by his mission and unable to refuse, she had grown far too conceited. That simply would not do. For that reason, he resolved to maintain his dignified image.
As Wise disappeared, Zhu Yuan moved to retrieve the evidence, while Qingyi watched quietly, lost in thought.
"Senior, Phaethon has already left. We should take the evidence out too. Hmm? Senior, what's the matter? Is something wrong?" Zhu Yuan asked, clearly puzzled, as Qingyi slowly voiced her thoughts.
"Zhu Yuan, did you notice it? Phaethon's words just now..."
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