Naizabi fought with one hand to keep his eyes open, and after a moment of silence, he waved his hand to summon an Illusory Spirit in the shape of a mirror: “This is my Illusory Spirit—Huanzhi Zhi Jing.”
Hearing that name, Su Xing immediately realized many things: “So you uncovered the truth with the help of this Illusory Spirit? Then this Illusory Spirit is really incredible!”
Naizabi shook his head: “It can indeed help me seek out the truth, but it’s not as easy as you think. Regarding any matter, it can only be used once. I need to present the event, the suspect, and any piece of evidence to the Huanzhi Zhi Jing. If the suspect is correct, it will deduce the general truth. But if it’s not, then it’s useless.”
Surui suddenly understood.
If that’s the case, then actually, this Illusory Spirit’s ability isn’t all that useful.
At most, it can help eliminate one wrong option.
After all, the culprit behind many mysteries is rarely out in the open and easy to identify.
It’s almost impossible to directly point to the real culprit.
Still, this time it was just enough, allowing Naizabi to uncover the truth.
“Could you please tell us the whole story from the beginning?”
Seeing that the three companions clearly intended to get involved, Su Xing straightforwardly asked.
“According to the scene revealed by the Huanzhi Zhi Jing, the Mayor used Master Xisailu’s Illusory Spirit to absorb the talents of gifted artists from all over the Lianbang, and then specifically nurtured the artists of the Art Capital. But the Linggan Yuanbi can’t just absorb talents at will—it has to have the talented person brought before it. Back then, the Mayor traveled around the Lianbang incognito, visiting famous people and rising stars, and I suppose that was his goal.”
Upon hearing this, Kaka gritted his teeth: “How could he do that? Visiting others just to steal their talents?”
Naizabi gave a bitter laugh: “I didn’t realize this at the time, not until much later. So when the Mayor invited well-known artists from all over the world to this exhibition, I realized he was about to act again.”
Hearing this, Su Xing was shocked inside: “You mean, he’s planning to use this opportunity to let the Linggan Yuanbi absorb others’ talents once more?”
Naizabi nodded: “That’s what I suspect. The Mayor hasn’t made any big moves these past years, so I guess he doesn’t have much inspiration stored up. This exhibition is the perfect opportunity.”
Kaka immediately said: “We will definitely stop the Mayor’s scheme!”
Though he said this, Su Xing still felt a bit uneasy: “You’ve known this truth for quite some time, right? Why didn’t you seek help?”
Naizabi’s expression grew heavy: “I originally intended to enter the city to find the truth, but I was discovered by the Mayor before I knew it, and then I was trapped in the city. If it weren’t for Miss Xi Xi helping me, I might have starved to death here long ago.
You know how Lingyu Xueyuan is.
They don’t have any unified contact with the outside, so you have to seek help in person.
But I couldn’t get out, and I didn’t dare to trust outsiders easily, so I simply had no way to ask for help.”
That was true.
As an organization independent of the Lianbang, Lingyu Xueyuan itself never leaves any contact information within the Lianbang.
That way, they can avoid a lot of trouble.
“Then why didn’t you ask the Lianbang for help?”
Quinn quickly asked another question.
This time, Naizabi’s face showed clear ridicule for the first time, “Lianbang? You think I didn’t try to seek help from the Lianbang? If it weren’t for the Lianbang, how could I have ended up in this predicament?”
Hiss!
With those words, Su Xing’s urge to back out became even stronger.
The Lianbang is involved too?
Does this have to be so big?
Naizabi, not knowing what she was thinking, continued: “After I first uncovered the truth, I came to the Art Capital. At that time, the Mayor hadn’t noticed me, so I managed to gather some evidence. I used the Dae Haijiao to report to the Lianbang with this evidence, but the very next day, the Art Capital was sealed off, and I became a wanted criminal who couldn’t leave the city.”
After hearing this, the four of them stared wide-eyed. Kaka stammered: “Could… could it be you made a mistake? How could the Lianbang possibly cover for him?”
Quinn couldn’t help but question: “The evidence you provided… was it maybe not enough, so the Lianbang didn’t trust you?”
“I recorded the scene of the Mayor holding the Linggan Yuanbi,” Naizabi replied with a single line, plunging everyone into silence.
If that was the case, then for the Lianbang to not send help but instead protect the Mayor—there really was no way to justify it.
Naizabi sighed: “Unfortunately, the sound stone can only store recordings for a year, and these past years, the Mayor has strictly controlled the sale of Yishu zhi Du Yinxiang Shi. By now, I don’t have any evidence left.”
If that’s the case, then Su Xing and her companions had no way to call for the Masters.
After all, they didn’t have any evidence themselves, and if they entered the city, it would make too much of a commotion and definitely arouse suspicion.
“Teacher Naizabi, how are you feeling?”
Suddenly, a girl’s voice called from afar. A pretty girl in a yellow dress came running over.
Kaka immediately said, “It’s her! The Mayor’s daughter, Miss Xi Xi!”
Hearing the voice, Xi Xi nodded apologetically at Kaka, her voice soft: “Sorry, I had no choice but to steal your painting before. Does your head still hurt?”
She was referring to the time Kaka was knocked out.
Seeing her so embarrassed, Kaka blushed and shook his head: “N-no, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Naizabi smiled and affectionately patted Xi Xi’s head: “I only met Xi Xi by accident back then. If she hadn’t kept helping me all this time, I would have been caught long ago.”
Xi Xi hugged Naizabi, wanting to comfort him, but for some reason, she stiffened for a moment before saying, “Teacher, there’s no need to thank me. You’re the real victim here.”
Evangel suddenly asked: “Once you get the Linggan Yuanbi, what do you plan to do? Report the Mayor and get him removed?”
Naizabi shook his head: “I haven’t thought that far yet…”
As soon as he finished, Xi Xi, the girl, became anxious.
She broke free from his embrace and asked in confusion, “Teacher! Didn’t you promise me that as long as you got the Linggan Yuanbi and returned everyone’s talent, you wouldn’t go after my father?”
So that’s how it was. Su Xing finally understood.
She had thought this girl was going to turn her father in for the greater good, but now it seemed the girl was actually quite clear-headed.
It’s just unclear if she’s trusting the right person.
Naizabi naturally responded: “Yes, that’s what I promised you. When I said I didn’t know, I meant I don’t know what I’ll do after finishing this. After all, you know I’ve spent over ten years on this. It feels like I’ve become disconnected from society.”
Xi Xi’s eyes reddened at this, and she hugged Naizabi again without saying anything.
Kaka was also moved to tears by this touching scene: “Wu wu wu, Teacher Naizabi, you’re so great, sacrificing so much for the victims…”
Naizabi shook his head sincerely: “It’s not that noble. I’m also doing it for myself.”
Surui suddenly thought of something: “By the way, are all the people in your group trustworthy? They won’t leak your plan, right?”
“Absolutely trustworthy.”
Naizabi smiled reassuringly at Su Xing.
“Xi Xi goes without saying. Most of the others are seeking the truth for their own parents, who were also deprived of their talents like me. Some of the younger children are orphans I found wandering the city years ago. I adopted them—they won’t betray us.”
“Then why not let them go out to spread the word?”
Quinn asked.
Naizabi sighed, “Without evidence, we have no way to act. The children who stayed are all people who firmly believe something is wrong in the Art Capital. They don’t want to leave, and I naturally want to keep this strength together.”
Now that the matter was brought up, there really wasn’t anything suspicious.
After all, if there were any problems, they would have shown up long ago, not dragged on until now.
Surui checked the time—it was already past ten o’clock.
She had to interrupt this warm scene: “So for now, you can’t contact anyone outside. What do you plan to do? If we miss this chance, it might be another ten years before we get any evidence again.”
Naizabi nodded seriously: “That’s right. That’s why I risked everything to have Xi Xi come out—it’s all for this exhibition. I can’t miss this opportunity.”
He had a boy bring out the stolen painting: “This painting was made using the energy of the Linggan Yuanbi. With it in hand, as long as I can get into the exhibition, I might be able to use its energy to attract and locate the Linggan Yuanbi. Once I get the Linggan Yuanbi, I believe I’ll soon find a way to return everyone’s inspiration and talent.”
Su Xing frowned, feeling that this plan was a bit too hasty.
How exactly does the Mayor control the Linggan Yuanbi?
Doesn’t controlling someone else’s Illusory Spirit require some kind of price?
Also, since it’s already certain the Lianbang might have problems, won’t the Lianbang try to stop him during this process?
And most importantly…
Su Xing’s gaze scrutinized Naizabi, this determined old man.
How had he survived for so many years in this thoroughly controlled city?
Could he really do it with just the help of a teenage girl?
Naizabi noticed Su Xing’s gaze and gave her an inquiring look.
Su Xing rolled her eyes and asked: “So this time, do you need our help to get you all into the exhibition?”
Upon hearing this, Naizabi nodded: “Yes, I was originally counting on Xi Xi’s help. But now that you all are willing to help us, that’s even better.”
Kaka immediately promised: “We’ll definitely help! We’ll take responsibility for this!”
Surui looked at him and couldn’t help laughing, shaking her head: “Then let’s come up with a plan. The exhibition starts tomorrow. Who do you want to go in?”
“I can go alone,” Naizabi replied.
“You don’t need to worry about what comes after. I’ve already planned everything. If something goes wrong, you just hold off the guards at the entrance, and I’ll find a way to sneak inside.”