AZI Volume 3 Prologue – Cut Off

"Lady Nian…"

With an expression of concern, Zhui Yun looks to Nian Yao Yao—who has a nervous expression on her face.

"…I'm fine...…"

Answering Zhui Yun with a tone of uncertainty, Nian Yao Yao looks to her left.

"I'm somewhat surprised that you would make your decision this quickly."

Saying this is the third person who is present, Nian Tao Tao.

Currently, they are in Jing Yao's office, but the office's owner is nowhere to be seen, and neither is Jing Yin present.

As for Qing Yue, the moment they returned here, Nian Tao Tao had sent her away—with the task of continuing her Disciplinary Bureau duties, while keeping an eye on Long Hua.

"…"

Responding to her mother's remark with silence, Nian Yao Yao gathers her thoughts.

Having witnessed the strength that Long Hua had been able to demonstrate back in New Moon Village, Nian Yao Yao can only say—

"That guy is indeed a ticking time bomb. With strength like that, it's all but inevitable for him to fall under public scrutiny in the future. Once that happens… My company would have a difficult time explaining itself out of the mess—that is my employer-to-employee contract with him. I originally thought it was fine to cut my connection with him five years later—by then, he would be sent off to the frontlines. But… In case his identity gets revealed earlier than that—cutting him off right now, is probably a better call. Even if his identity doesn't get exposed early, with a five-year gap of no dealings between us—it would make things far more convenient in the long run."

Ultimately, the employer-to-employee contract must be cut off no matter what. In that case, Nian Yao Yao figured that she may as well do it early.

(I can still hire him under the guise of a mercenary if needed. So, in actuality, nothing's really changed—other than the fact that he isn't associated with a Guild on paper.)

The only other concern that is left—is whether or not the termination of their work contract will count as a violation of her main contract with Long Hua, the one that was drawn up with Immortal arts.

(It should be fine. I cut him off on good terms. However…)

If it does count as a violation, Nian Yao Yao can only imagine what the punishment might be.

Turning to her mother, Nian Yao Yao asks—

"And what about you? Any plans to perform an ambush? I seem to recall you sending your other Moon Guards away before we entered the sewers."

Originally, Nian Tao Tao did have an ambush in mind, but now—

"Against that thing? Throwing good troops at it—is the same as tossing lives into a grinder. Utterly meaningless."

...…

Celestial bodies, as far as the eye can see.

Within the vast voids of space is a lone figure—who is drifting about at random.

The man is dressed in a scale-patterned black robe over a white layer. His flowy black hair—that reaches to his ankles, makes it impossible to see the features of his face.

"Hmm. What a difficult situation to be in. Is this how a mortal child would feel when they have their toy taken away from them?"

Drifting outwards from the man's right hand is a bundle of red threads—that are as thin as strands of hair. The ends of these threads are connected directly to the man's palm.

Among the vast quantity of red threads, there is one among them that is stretching off into the great beyond.

As for where the opposite end of this thread is tied to, only the man would know.

If one is able to use a powerful magnifying glass on this thread, they would be able to see numerous V-shaped cuts throughout its body—as evidence of a blade like weapon, having been used to make numerous attempts at severing it.

"No matter."

Waving his left hand, the man causes the remnant bits of sword Qi—that are on the thread, to dissipate.

"What is cut off can always be mended. And what is mended, will be much more difficult to break."