The white-haired old man in a pristine white suit turned to Yun Xia and said, "I understand. Compensation will be delivered to him through other channels."
It was common knowledge that cardinals didn't actually wear red robes.
Of course, the real reason was that strutting around in bright red in modern times would draw too much attention—especially during such a sensitive period. Discretion was preferable.
Though the cardinal knew full well that, based on the intel they'd gathered, Chen Luo couldn't possibly have harmed Yvette in the slightest, he was still the prime suspect—at least, the most plausible one they had.
Yun Xia and Liu Wenxuan might not have understood, but the cardinal did.
This "War Angel" hadn't come just to spar with S-rank talents. If she didn't provoke extreme retaliation, how else could she incite the other S-rankers to act recklessly?
And right now, the easiest way to enrage them was to kill Chen Luo.
Yun Xia and Liu Wenxuan might've assumed Yvette had some shred of warrior's honor, but the cardinal knew better.
That was why he'd risked angering three S-rank talents just to send someone to probe Chen Luo's limits.
Naturally, scouts had also been dispatched to investigate every other potential suspect.
Less than ten minutes had passed since Yvette's death, yet the Church's response was already in full swing.
"Oh, and one more thing," Yun Xia added as she stood up from the rooftop's edge, "make sure his homework gets done too. Have your best handwriting forger handle it—we don't want his teachers noticing anything off."
Since when did machines exist that could perfectly mimic handwriting to complete assignments?
This was simply the result of Yun Xia catching wind of someone targeting Chen Luo and negotiating a compromise.
The "homework pickup" was just a pretext for a brief interaction. And now that Chen Luo's innocence was confirmed, hefty compensation was due.
Chen Luo might not have been an S-rank talent, but Yun Xia and Liu Wenxuan's influence carried enough weight—especially Liu Wenxuan, the kind of madman who'd genuinely dare to raze the Vatican.
As for whether Chen Luo actually stood a chance against Yvette…
When Yun Xia leapt off the hundred-meter-high building, a pair of wings materialized behind her. At the same time, a woman only she could see clearly soared toward her from the distance.
The flying woman dissolved into a gentle gust just before collision, propelling Yun Xia beyond her normal speed limits.
This "big sister" had been stationed near Chen Luo's home the moment Yun Xia learned he was under scrutiny.
As one of Yun Xia's prized Elemental Cards—and aligned with Chen Luo's own affinity—the Wind Card ensured that, even if he couldn't defeat the suited man, escape was always an option.
Yun Xia had also confronted the cardinal preemptively, keeping watch to prevent underhanded tactics.
Although she didn't actually believe Chen Luo could've killed Yvette, it never hurt to be prepared.
Though, realistically, if Chen Luo could take down Yvette, crushing that suited man would've been as easy as squashing an ant, right?
It's not like someone who could slay a dragon would get taken out by a bear's sneeze or something…
---
"Finally, they're gone." Chen Luo exhaled in relief as the faint sense of surveillance faded.
The good news? The scrutiny had stayed outside his apartment, never breaching his personal space. At least his privacy remained intact.
"Pretty sure I fooled that suited guy."
Chen Luo wasn't stupid. He strongly suspected the man had been sent to test him—and that the Wind Card, with its acute sensitivity to wind energy, had been deployed as his safeguard.
He'd become a pawn in their power struggle, but by now, their attention had likely shifted elsewhere.
"Buzz!" A soft vibration. His phone was ringing again.
This time, though, it wasn't Yun Xia.
"Oh no… Did father find out I took his collectibles? Wait, no—he hasn't even been home." Muttering, Chen Luo answered.
"Ah, my dear old father! To what do I owe the honor of this call from the man who considers my birth a mere accident?" He struck first, preempting whatever reason his dad might have for calling.
No matter the purpose, offense was the best defense.
"Oh, my beloved son! Can't a father call without being mocked? You know how it is—your old… eternally youthful, beautiful, radiant mother and I are archaeologists! Our work takes us around the world. It's not like we're off honeymooning!" A playfully flippant male voice replied.
Clearly, Chen Luo's father wasn't the "dignified adult" type either—not with three sets of gacha figurines in his collection.
A veteran hoarder, probably with a side of weeb.
"Let me guess… Mom's right next to you, isn't she?" Chen Luo deduced within 0.1 seconds.
"Son, you're really smart" a gentle feminine voice chimed in.
"…"
For his usually shameless father to suddenly upgrade "Mom" to "eternally youthful, beautiful, radiant mother," only one thing could explain it:
A greater threat was looming over him.
"So, what's the occasion? Are you coming home early?"
Oh shit. Are they? How am I supposed to explain the sudden appearance of a cousin in the house?
Or do I just have Senti stay inside me 24/7?
"Oh, no, no. We just realized you're on summer break, so we thought we'd check in. Though we already know you'll either be holed up at home or out 'helping people,' so—"
"Wait, hold up! I'm actually planning to travel this summer," Chen Luo cut in.
"Huh? You're traveling? Then what about your cousin?" Surprise colored his mother's voice.
"Cousin? What cousin? Since when do I have one?" Chen Luo's brain short-circuited.
Chen Luo wasn't sure about other families, but he genuinely couldn't recall ever having relatives visit. Let alone a cousin that comes from who knows where.
He'd never even met his paternal or maternal grandparents...
"Your grandparents went to a very faraway place..."
That phrasing might as well mean "they're dead."
Being as sharp as he was, Chen Luo had stopped bringing it up since childhood. No need to reopen old wounds for parents who'd already suffered enough.
"This cousin is distantly related. So, I won;t explain it to you. Just know she exists. She wanted to visit this summer, so I recommended our city—thought you'd be home. Maybe... cancel your trip?"
"Mom, don't you think that's... unfair? I finally decided to travel, and instead of support, you want me to entertain some cousin I've never met?" Chen Luo protested.
"Fine, I'll tell her no. But little Luo, are you sure about traveling alone? Why not join our archaeology dig? Archaeological excavations are fun!"
"Where are you now?" Chen Luo asked casually.
"Greenland. Next stop—the Arctic," his father chimed in.
"The Arctic?! Hell no. Only a ghost would want to go there. It's freezing cold." Chen Luo immediately vetoed.
Not that he'd planned to go anyway, but this sealed it.
"Oh well. By the way, little Luo, do you still like foxes?"
"Foxes?"
"That little white fox you rescued from the market in middle school? It was white and very cute. You nursed it all summer before its owner came back with a fat reward. Well, recently they're traveling for work now and want you to take care of it. They will pay you to raise it. Want to take it on your trip?"
"Mom, do you even know what 'traveling' means? Who brings a fox? Also, it's gotta be huge now. Super inconvenient," Chen Luo deadpanned.
"Fine, forget it. Oh, we'll transfer extra funds! If you need more, ask me. Remember to treat yourself nicely during the trip. Spend when you should spend money and help people when you can." his mother nagged.
"I know, I know." Chen Luo nodded
"Since you won't be home, we'll postpone our return this month."
"Cool. Have fun in the Arctic. Send me penguin photos."
"Sure, sweetie—wait, where in the arctic have penguins?!"
"Guess you'll have to hit Antarctica after."
"Hah?!"
Main point: Don't come back.
After hanging up, Chen Luo headed upstairs to pack. If he was "traveling," he'd commit to the act.
Besides, visiting another world totally counts as travel.
And Chen Luo was about to spend days fighting Honkai beasts tomorrow. The battle will take several days, so preparations were essential.
Chen Luo planned an extended stay in the Honkai world. By his logic:
Zombies and Honkai beasts = enemies
Enemies = loot drops (Primogems)
Since he can kill monsters and they drop Primogems, don't blame Chen Luo for being merciless.
If the yield proved worthwhile, he might just camp in Nagazora all summer.
He didn't know the city's population, but as a major metropolis, it had to be substantial. At least by himself, 45 days of nonstop slaughter might not clear it—especially since he needs to avoid advanced Honkai beasts.
Hence, full supplies: food, water, tents. Mostly for show, since the bar covered lodging. But extras could save survivors post-Third Collapse—not purely altruistic, as desperation bred lucrative wishes.
Speaking of... Does Nagazora have jewelry stores?
While others profited from wars or disasters, Chen Luo profited from the apocalypse.
I'll ask Theresa for a detailed map later.
As for the things that Chen Luo bought on Taobao[1] with half of his savings, they will probably arrive tomorrow morning.
While thinking about this,Chen Luo started to prepare dinner.
Although he can buy ingredients or finished meals in his bar, this requires Primogems. Although it costs only 0.1 Primogem, isn't 0.1 Primogem a Primogem?
Plus, eating at home felt more homey, and per Senti's strong insistence.
"I'm back," her voice announced alongside the door's creak.
"Welcome home~ you had a hard day of foraging? So—do you want dinner first? Or a bath first? Or... me?"
"??? You okay?"
"Never better."
"Then I chose dinner." Looking at Chen Luo, she didn't know why he had a seizure, the Herrscher of Sentience said decisively.
"Tch."
"Tsk your ass"
…
"Theresa, get me Nagazora's most detailed map. As the Overseer's granddaughter, this should be easy, right?" Chen Luo slid over a bitter melon juice and said to Theresa who came to the bar early.
"Summer break already? You helping me find my niece? And how do you know it's Nagazora?" She fired off questions between sips.
"Break starts tomorrow. Why Nagazora? Trade secret. And it may not be Nagazora, but it is very likely to be Nagazora."
"Oh." Theresa nodded.
Since he only wants a map, she'll give it to him. Since Chen Luo promised to bring her niece back, it was a small request.
Although Theresa thinks this should be a long-term job, it doesn't cost money anyway, so why not let him try?
"Ding!" The door chime rang.
The sound of pushing the door rang, and Chen Luo sensed Venti coming.
Although it's a bit ambiguous to say this, after getting so much from Venti, Chen Luo can vaguely feel his presence.
The same is true for other old customers.
In simple terms, it's the guidance of Primogems.
But this time, Venti wasn't alone.
As for why Chen Luo knew…
"Bard, why bring me here? There's no way a bar would—wait, there actually is one?! Is this some prank? Could it be that you and some other people are teaming up to play a prank on me? Vengeance will be mine!"
TL Note:
[1]: Taobao (淘宝) is China's largest online shopping platform, often described as a hybrid of Amazon + eBay.