AZI Volume 4 Chapter 31

"…"

Just as the creator of that odd world had said, Long Hua did indeed wake up in a hospital bed the moment he opened his eyes.

The room is white from the walls to the ceiling, while the vicinity itself is rather lacking when it comes to furniture. As for the bed, it's an outdated model from a few years back.

Cheap, that would be the first word to come to mind, if one had to describe the place.

Cracking his neck, Long Hua sees Tian Cheng occupying the seat that is beside his bed, to which, he asks—

"Still remember everything?"

Responding with a nod, Tian Cheng replies—

"I do, master."

"I see. Right then, let's leave this stupid place."

Tossing the blanket aside, and finding himself dressed in a hospital gown, Long Hua is just about to sit up from the bed, but it is at that moment that—

"Apologies for the intrusion."

Two individuals walk into the room.

The first person was someone who Long Hua recognized—being Zhou Chen, who is dressed in a white dress shirt, and a pair of dark trousers.

As for the second person, judging by their white uniform, they're clearly someone from the military. The individual looks around 70 years of age with white hair and dark eyes.

(Every denizen in this world is a weapon spirit, was it? Hmm.)

Sitting up from the bed, while thinking of this, Long Hua looks at the two with a bored look on his face.

Cutting straight to the point, Long Hua asks—

"So? What business does Zhou-laoye have with me?"

Gesturing to the man beside him, Zhou Chen explains—

"This is a friend of mine, a general in the military, his name is Yáng Níng. I tend to call him Lao Yang."

"A general, is it? Well, as you can see, accommodations for Sinners aren't too great, so don't expect any entertainment."

Towards Long Hua's words, which could only be taken as a rude remark, Yang Ning smiles, while shaking his head, and replies—

"I'm well-aware of that. We're just making the rounds—asking everyone who went into the deeper levels of the ruin what they managed to find."

"I'm not the first person you two visited, right? In that case, the others have probably already explained to you what happened."

The creator of that odd world had tampered with everyone's memories, so it's impossible for anyone other than Long Hua and Tian Cheng to recall their meeting with Wang Bei Mu.

"I'd still like to hear about the situation from you."

Maintaining a bored look on his face, Long Hua raised a sigh. It seems like this situation is unavoidable.

"Answer me this first, how long was I out for?"

"About two days."

"I see. Well then…"

Getting straight to the point with Zhou Chen and Yang Ning, Long Hua explains—

"After the dynamite went off, we ended up in the treasury. From there… Can't say much other than us having collected a few treasures and leaving. Uh…?"

Originally, Long Hua had thought to be as vague as possible with his explanations, as a means to match his story somewhat with the others; however, he immediately notices something to be amiss.

"…"

At this very instance, the world had lost its colors, and any hint of sound was silenced.

Momentarily—

"I see."

"…?"

As color, and sound returned, Long Hua widens his eyes with evident shock, and upon Yang Ning and Zhou Chen noticing the former's expression—

(Again…?)

As the same phenomenon repeats itself, and lasts for only a brief instance, Long Hua's expression returns to normal; his previous show of shock has gone completely unnoticed by Yang Ning and Zhou Chen.

(What kind of power is this? It's as if… A really strict set of rules had been written out, and if anyone goes against them, the rules will work out any abnormalities—to maintain the rule maker's ideal setting. This power… It's definitely something that belongs to those who have attained the unreachable apex of cultivation.)

Vaguely aware of his enemy's strength now, Long Hua heaves a sigh, while rotating the Tranquil Heart Incantation, and asks—

"So? What happened to surnamed Shao and the knock-off Immortal?"

As Yang Ning and Zhou Chen exchange a glance between themselves, the former answers—

"They were originally supposed to have been detained in a prison, but during transport, the members of the hall ambushed their escort, and took them away."

Off to the side, Zhou Chen remarks—

"It would seem like all the core members of the hall are capable of utilizing Partial-Apotheosis. Making matters worse is their ability to get to and from without much effort."

"Hmm, I see. So, what happens to ruin excavations from here on out?"

Towards Long Hua's second question, Yang Ning explains—

"It will be continued. The items that the hall had brought back from the ruins, and put onto an auction were coveted greatly by the super-wealthy. A special auction that deals with selling ruin excavation rights of the currently known ruins is scheduled for next week. They'll no doubt attend it to purchase some of these rights."

Blinking his eyes once, Long Hua asks—

"And what happens to our office from here on out?"

"Naturally, we'd wish for you and your squad mates to continue excavating ruins—since all of you have experience under your belts now. …We sent in around 450 individuals; aside from Colonel Ye and Major Teng's squad, the rest are either dead, or have already signed a contract with the Ashen River Hall. In the case of Major Teng's squad, their situation is a bit awkward, hence-"

"Not happening."

Saying this, and walking into the room is Ye Chen, who is dressed in his usual attire of a short-sleeved black jacket with a pair of loose pants.