Chapter 42: The Butcher of Men and a Suspicious Gift

“Oh—I never expected Little Cat Tail’s methods to be quite like this.”

Listening to Irene’s slightly teasing words, Xiluo’er remained unfazed.

Xiluo’er shook her head and replied, “It’s merely a matter of circumstance. After all, Rona has already grown suspicious of me.”

“I must warn you, Little Cat Tail. Serol, the City Lord of Kana City, only appears serene on the surface.”

“During the civil war in Vanseti, Serol earned the moniker ‘Butcher of Men’ among the enemy forces. Should she discover you tampering with her autumn encirclement, you’ll face dire consequences.”

‘Butcher of Men’… Serol?

Xiluo’er pondered Serol’s typically gentle expression, finding it difficult to reconcile with such a blood-soaked title.

“But that’s an operation from the City Lord’s Mansion. How do you plan to tamper with it?”

Irene’s question was met with a mysterious smile from Xiluo’er.

“I have my own channels.”

Facing Irene’s pensive expression, Xiluo’er said nothing more. Instead, she picked up the items Irene had prepared for her and rose to her feet.

“For now, this will do. I’ll repay you for this as soon as possible.”

‘The next time I meet Shadow, I’ll demand funding from them!’ Xiluo’er mentally resolved.

“I told you there’s no need to rush.”

“Also, Little Cat Tail, you actually look quite cute when you deliberately try to sound cool.”

Xiluo’er’s departing figure paused for a moment. Still, she said nothing, quickening her pace as she left.

‘Hmph, none of your business! It’s not like I’m eating your family’s rice!’

‘Well, actually, I’m eating your sister’s family’s rice.’

This was precisely why Xiluo’er preferred not to meet Irene in public. The woman simply showed too little respect!

****

Unusually, when Xiluo’er returned to the Adventurer’s Guild, Eve had already come back.

Typically, Eve would return later than Xiluo’er, suggesting that the mission she handled today wasn’t particularly demanding.

“Welcome back, Xiluo’er…”

Eve, who had been engrossed in a book, greeted Xiluo’er, her gaze immediately falling upon the bag Xiluo’er carried.

“Xiluo’er, did your friend give you that?”

“How did you know, Sister Eve?”

“I happened to catch a glimpse through the window. Though it was quite far, I could see her handing you something.”

Eve stated this with candid honesty.

Xiluo’er couldn’t help but inwardly sigh with a bitter smile. ‘Next time, I’ll just have Irene go to the black market.’

‘Now, even the transaction process has been fully observed by others.’

Hurrying to arrange her materials, Xiluo’er didn’t dwell on it. She carried the bag, ready to ascend to her room.

“Well then, Sister Eve, I’ll head back to my room now.”

“Wait a moment.”

Eve’s words halted Xiluo’er in her tracks. Turning around, Xiluo’er noticed Eve staring intently at the bag in her hand.

“Xiluo’er, what’s inside that bag?”

It was only then that Xiluo’er belatedly realized: ‘Ah, Eve might already suspect what I was out doing today.’

‘Damn it. I shouldn’t have brought the bag in so openly.’

“Um, this…”

“It’s just a gift from a friend, Sister Eve. Nothing much.”

‘Good friends exchanging gifts when they go out—that’s perfectly normal, right?’

Xiluo’er initially thought her explanation was flawless. To her surprise, Eve narrowed her eyes after hearing it.

“A gift…”

‘They’re already at the stage of exchanging gifts to deepen their relationship. What’s next?’ Eve didn’t dare to imagine.

“Xiluo’er, may I see what’s in the bag?”

Eve’s question instantly made Xiluo’er’s heart clench.

‘Damn it, I absolutely cannot let Eve see this.’

‘If Eve saw the bag containing Firefang Tree sap and Rotten Glowgrass powder, wouldn’t I be finished on the spot?’

“Uh, Sister Eve, are you very curious about what’s in this bag?”

“Not extremely curious. I simply want to see what she gave you, Xiluo’er.”

Though Eve’s tone was calm, her gaze remained fixed on the bag in Xiluo’er’s hand.

“Hmm… then perhaps it’s better if you don’t, Sister Eve?”

After timidly saying this, Xiluo’er saw Eve’s eyes snap to her.

“Why?”

“If it’s just a gift, there shouldn’t be anything you can’t see, should there?”

‘Oh, it’s not that you can’t see it; it’s that if you did, everything would be ruined.’

Fortunately, Xiluo’er’s clever mind quickly devised a plausible explanation.

“It’s not that, Sister Eve.”

“I actually don’t know what gift is in this bag. My friend didn’t tell me.”

“She only told me that it’s a very important gift, and I should open it in a private place once I get back.”

“So, Sister Eve, how about I tell you what it is after I’ve seen it myself?”

‘A very important… gift… open it in a private place…’

However, Eve had already stopped listening to Xiluo’er’s subsequent words. These keywords filled her mind.

‘Generally, a gift packaged with these keywords could only mean… that kind of thing, right?’

At this thought, a dangerous glint flashed in Eve’s eyes. ‘It seems that friend Xiluo’er made indeed has ulterior motives.’

Seeing Eve fall silent, Xiluo’er tentatively spoke, “Sister Eve?”

“Hm, it’s nothing.” Eve waved her hand. “Since it’s a very important gift, then never mind. Go on, Xiluo’er.”

“Okay, then…”

Xiluo’er quickly scurried up the stairs. Yet, after only a few steps, she heard Eve’s voice from behind her again.

“Next time, if there’s an opportunity, bring me to meet your friend.”

“I’m rather curious what kind of person she is.”

Though Xiluo’er didn’t look back, she could feel Eve’s sharp gaze piercing her from behind.

‘Ahaha, this is truly…’

After giving a simple reply, Xiluo’er dared not look back, fleeing to her room as if escaping.

‘Phew, no, dealing with Eve is just too tormenting!’

She didn’t know why, but Xiluo’er was certain that Eve’s tone just now had been inexplicably full of oppressive force.

****

After checking the materials Irene had acquired in her room and confirming they were fine, Xiluo’er sat on her bed, troubled, contemplating another issue.

The autumn encirclement—she needed to find a way to get involved and participate.

If she didn’t go, her plan couldn’t be implemented.

As for how to join, although she had confidently told Irene she had her own ‘channels,’ in reality, Xiluo’er could only approach one person related to the autumn encirclement: Eve, the hero who accepted the City Lord’s commission.