AZI Volume 2 Chapter 20

"Immortal like?"

"Correct."

Following Jing Yin's answer, the conversation pauses, as Nian Tao Tao positions a hand near her chin in thought, to which the former remarks—

"This is why you brought me out here to talk about this."

"Immortals have all kinds of methods available to them that I am unable to keep track of. Being more cautious in front of them is always a good thing, at least according to the ancestors."

"Their divine sense, you mean?"

"Yes, and if he's really an Immortal, that charade we saw just now could be genuine."

Realizing what it is that Nian Tao Tao is concerned about, the same concern manifests in Jing Yin's heart, and it was also then that—

"Mother."

"Qing Yue."

Turning around, Nian Tao Tao sees Qing Yue—who has just taken her mask off.

"Perfect timing. You've fought with the one surnamed Long; what do you make of him?"

"He's a scumbag."

Between being asked the question and her reply being voiced, not even a second had passed. Clearing her throat, Nian Tao Tao says—

"…Let me rephrase my question. Did he seem like he could have been utilizing the same energy as an Immortal?"

"…"

Towards this question, Qing Yue's expression turns solemn, as she attempts to recall her fight with Long Hua.

"My combat experience against Immortals is insufficient, so I wouldn't be able to say for certain, but when I fought him in an enclosed space, umm…"

A sense of embarrassment washes over Qing Yue, as she recalls that miserable experience, while recounting it with a begrudging tone, saying—

"I should have had the advantage in that sort of environment, but all of a sudden it was as if he…"

Finding it difficult to put what had occurred during the fight into words, Qing Yue pauses in contemplation before continuing with—

"You'd think that being in an enclosed space with a sword of that length would hinder him somewhat, but that sword easily cut across the walls as if they were butter. Leaving me with basically… Well, I figured I could use my Demon King to end it all."

"Oh? So, it was as if you were fighting against a natural disaster, then?"

Upon Qing Yue replying with a nod, Nian Tao Tao narrows her eyes.

Hearing Qing Yue's reports to her—regarding the events that occurred in the city's wastelands—Nian Tao Tao was already suspicious of Long Hua's origins. Her reason for agreeing to that wager back on the 99th floor of the hotel is related to her preexisting doubts.

"…"

Recalling the wager that occurred, along with Qing Yue's reply to her question, it's all but confirmed that Long Hua is indeed an Immortal.

"Yin…"

"According to the records kept in the Long Yue family's archives, there is mentioning of Immortals capable of using a special force of energy related to sword arts. Maybe that's how he managed to bypass the city's detection system?"

"Sword Qi, was it? Didn't think I'd live to see the day—in which, I'd encounter a genuine Immortal that speaks our tongue."

"But the question now is…"

"Why is he here, putting on the guise of a Sinner? If there's a chance, I'd love to sit down and chat, but not knowing what his intentions are is quite an issue."

Thinking of her household's deepest secrets that must never be revealed to the Immortals, a light of hostility emanates from Nian Tao Tao's golden eyes.

"All that aside, you still haven't answered how we should go about dealing with the current issue."

Towards Jing Yin's remark, Nian Tao Tao replies—

"Hmm, the hostage situation at a glance is quite ridiculous. On the surface it's nonsense, and comical, something right out of a comedy skit. But with him being an Immortal—there's reason to believe that he may just kill that idiotic daughter of mine, if we push him hard enough."

"Does him being an Immortal automatically make him a Ling Yuan family clansman? Aren't there records saying that there are other Immortal households outside of this realm?"

"You're saying—that he may not be affiliated with the Ling Yuan family? Hmm."

The possibility of this being the case is rather slim in Nian Tao Tao's opinion, but even if it were the case—

"Affiliations do not matter much, so long as he is an Immortal of the outside world. Just this identity alone means that I'm forced to treat this situation as him genuinely holding that daughter of mine hostage…"

"Then do we just give up on the map?"

"…We give up on the map; we give up our future in the process."

"It's just one opportunity we-"

Before Jing Yin can even finish her sentence, Nian Tao Tao shakes her head, and says—

"Fact of the matter is, keeping him—who is an Immortal with unknown intentions and origins by my daughter's side would be problematic. Ideally, we take him out of the picture right now."

"…How do you plan to do that?"

Turning to Qing Yue, Nian Tao Tao says—

"Qing Yue, go get the rifle, and load it with the AI round. Also, throw an invisibility cloak onto yourself. Other than that… Do whatever else you can to avoid detection."

"Understood."

Putting her mask back on, Qing Yue moves pass Nian Tao Tao, and heads for one of the black SUVs, while Jing Yin asks—

"You plan to blast him with an AI round?"

"We've been meaning to test these bullets out, have we not?"

"With him being so close to the young lady and my sister, I do not believe it's safe."

"I'll make preparations to prevent him from acting against them."

Pinching the ring in her right hand, Nian Tao Tao mutters a short phrase.

As the ring gives off a flash of green light, four knives appear in Nian Tao Tao's right hand.

Each knife is inscribed with foreign runes, and should Long Hua be here to see them, he would realize immediately that these knives were of Immortal origin.

As Nian Tao Tao examines the knives, Jing Yin says—

"Aren't these knives one-time use only?"

"A new batch will be finished in another month. No point in keeping these around when there's spares coming in."

"...…"

Turning to Jing Yin, Nian Tao Tao asks—

"You're against this?"

"So long as he's not affiliated with the Ling Yuan family, I don't see a reason to agitate him. In fact, I'd see more reason to keep him in a good mood—if his affiliation was neutral."

Towards what Jing Yin is suggesting, Nian Tao Tao closes her eyes, and sinks into contemplation, as she lowers her right hand.

"According to the ancestors of my family, Immortals that come into this realm do not harbor good intentions. The denizens of this realm and my ancestors have suffered much under their brutality, and I had grown up listening to these tales as bedtime stories. I'm old, and attempting to change at my age proves to be difficult."

Raising a sigh, Nian Tao Tao reopens her eyes, and looks up at the night skies that are filled with gears.

"They do say that traditions fade over the passage of time. If that Immortal is indeed an ally, then his appearance here might be the world telling me to take a step back, and just leave everything to a new generation. Your suggestion, you wish to tell me that this is an opportunity for us?"

"Correct."

Turning silent, Nian Tao Tao begins to weigh her options at hand.

"Ai, well, I did say in the past that if my idiotic daughter could find a way to break through this current predicament, I'd readily hand over my position as family head to her."

"Then…?"

"Seems like that time might be around the corner."