Quinn disagreed, saying, “You’re already at this age, such an old age, and when it comes to adventure, it’s really not your turn. It’s better to let the young people go on adventures.”
As soon as he finished, he realized there was a problem with his words, and immediately stammered to add, “I-I-I’m not saying old people can’t go on adventures, just that young people have more… more energy.”
Nuzhabi nodded, indicating he wasn’t angry, and said firmly, “I know, but this is a wish I’ve held onto for so many years. I must do it myself.”
Evangel suddenly asked, “Have you really made all your plans? Or are you deliberately not telling us everything? Why do I feel like you’ve only told us a small part of your plan?”
Su Xing also looked at Nuzhabi, sharing the same thought as Evangel.
Since Nuzhabi had long realized this art exhibition was his last chance, he should have planned everything out thoroughly.
But what he was showing now seemed half-hearted.
The part that was already done was very meticulous, but he had barely said anything about the parts yet to be completed.
If he really was being half-hearted, then that’s one thing.
Otherwise, it could only mean Nuzhabi was hiding something.
Nuzhabi’s expression carried a trace of guilt.
“Sorry, I did hide some things… because it’s dangerous. I don’t think you should have to bear that.”
Hearing this, a hint of mockery flashed in Su Xing’s eyes, while Quinn was completely confused, and even the usually straightforward Kaka seemed to sense something was off.
Evangel, on the other hand, asked bluntly, “Don’t you think what you’re saying is a bit two-faced? You’ve already dragged us into this, and yet you still won’t tell us the whole plan. Isn’t that the real irresponsible thing?”
Exactly. Su Xing gave Evangel an appreciative look and secretly gave him a big thumbs-up.
Xixilian hurriedly hugged Nuzhabi, shielding him with her body, and turned angrily, “How can you say that about Teacher? That’s just too much! Teacher is clearly doing it for your own good!”
Evangel let out a laugh, not buying it at all.
“If he really cared about us, he’d lay everything out in the open without hiding anything.”
Quinn was gentler, but just as firm.
“Maybe Teacher Nuzhabi doesn’t mean any harm, but Evangel just wants to know the truth, that’s all. And so do we.”
Kaka nodded, trusting Nuzhabi as always, “Yeah, Teacher Nuzhabi, just tell us the whole plan. Who knows, maybe we can help!”
Nuzhabi was stiffened by Evangel’s blunt words, but after hearing Quinn and Kaka, he finally nodded slowly.
“Alright, I’ll tell you the plan.”
He finally revealed his plan after entering the art exhibition.
“As for the Masterless Phantoms, to control them, I must gain their recognition and pass their trials. And as far as I know, to take the trial of the Inspiration Pen, you must hold a painting created by it.”
Su Xing suddenly understood, “So that’s the second reason you stole the painting. No matter what, you need that painting.”
Nuzhabi nodded, “Yes. To prevent not being able to find a usable painting after sneaking into the exhibition, we need to prepare one in advance, just in case something goes wrong.”
The group discussed the details of tomorrow’s actions a bit more, then split up and returned to the inn.
As soon as he entered the room, Quinn immediately said, “I’m going to contact Teacher Aydra. Even if they can’t come, we can’t just keep this from them.”
Compared to Su Xing and the others, he was a genuine, model student, and naturally cared more about what the teachers thought of him.
After Su Xing realized the teachers were of no use, she didn’t even consider reporting back to them.
First, because she felt it was pointless, so she didn’t bother keeping it in mind.
Second, as someone who was keenly self-aware as a “bad kid,” Su Xing had no fondness for reporting to teachers when out adventuring or playing unless absolutely necessary.
But since Quinn brought it up, Su Xing didn’t object either.
That was just how she was, let alone the even more lackadaisical Kaka and the cold Evangel.
Only Quinn would actually remember such things.
After saying that, Quinn took out the Big-Eared Conch to contact Teacher Aydra.
However, what he didn’t expect was that after waiting for a long time, Teacher Aydra never picked up.
Su Xing frowned and immediately used her own Big-Eared Conch to contact Teacher Aydra.
The result was the same as Quinn’s—no one picked up on the other end.
“What’s going on?”
She took a sharp breath.
“Didn’t we use the Big-Eared Conch to contact Kaka before? Why doesn’t it work now?”
Quinn guessed, “Could it be that there’s no signal interference inside the City of Art, but we can’t contact anyone outside?”
Hearing this, Su Xing nodded, “That could be it. But won’t others find it suspicious?”
Kaka said carelessly, “We can just ask the Mayor tomorrow, can’t we?”
Upon hearing that, Su Xing suddenly understood.
That’s right, they’re guests, not enemies.
Of course they have the right to ask about something like this.
She really had outsmarted herself.
The next morning, Su Xing woke up her companions and went to find the Mayor’s Secretary, Nick.
He was in front of the Sacred Art Gallery, directing the security staff with the arrangements.
Clearly, they’d done a lot to prepare for this art exhibition.
The moment he saw the four of them, Nick called over someone nearby and walked over.
Although Su Xing and the others were still young, being able to represent their school in an outside assignment showed their extraordinary potential.
Nick didn’t want to make enemies with them.
“What is it? Did you come to see me about something?”
Su Xing politely got straight to the point, “Yesterday we tried to use the Big-Eared Conch to report our safety to our teachers, but it seems like we couldn’t get through. Do you know why?”
Upon hearing this, Nick explained, “Sorry, but since the art exhibition is about to begin, to prevent any incidents, we’ve blocked the signal for the entire City of Art. Once the exhibition is over, it’ll be fine. No need to worry.”
Su Xing feigned confusion, “I understand wanting to ensure the exhibition’s safety, but what does that have to do with whether we can contact the outside?”
“Of course.”
Nick was clearly prepared for this question.
“Blocking the signal is, first, to prevent anyone with ill intentions from coordinating between inside and outside the city, and second, to make sure that if anything happens, the bad guys can’t discuss countermeasures with people outside.”
“I see…”
Su Xing seemed thoughtful.
If it prevents bad people from discussing plans during an incident, it can also stop good people from discussing plans, right?
The Inspiration Pen’s theft of talent was already something that happened in secret.
If it succeeded today and wasn’t discovered from outside, then it would be even harder to investigate afterward.
Blocking the signal—wasn’t that the real goal?
Su Xing, who already disliked reporting to adults, was instantly delighted.
She turned and raised her eyebrows at the other three.
See, it wasn’t that she deliberately didn’t contact the school, it was the City of Art that didn’t give them the chance.
With that question resolved, Su Xing tentatively asked, “None of us have attended an art exhibition before, so we’re worried we might do something inappropriate. Could we ask if there are any rules for visiting the exhibition?”
“But I—mmph mmph!”
As soon as she said this, Kaka immediately tried to object.
As the son of the richest man, even though you couldn’t tell from the surface, he’d actually attended plenty of art exhibitions—definitely not as inexperienced as Su Xing made it sound.
Luckily, Evangel reacted quickly and decisively clamped a hand over Kaka’s mouth, dragging him back.
Quinn stammered to explain, “Kaka… he just feels a bit nauseous. Whenever he needs to throw up, he… he… acts like this.”
Nick gave an awkward smile, not sure whether he believed it or not, and just asked, “What do you want to know? There aren’t really any rules for viewing the exhibition. For people like us, just don’t touch the paintings or use image stones to record them, and that’s enough.”
Su Xing tilted her head, casually asking, “What if, by accident, we trip or something and knock a painting off the wall—would that cause any big problem?”
As soon as she said this, Quinn’s gaze landed on Su Xing, looking a bit surprised and uncertain.
Nick shook his head, “Don’t worry, that won’t happen. All the paintings are fixed to the walls and can’t be knocked off. As long as you don’t deliberately scratch them with a knife, there shouldn’t be any problem.”
Su Xing got the answer she wanted, and after a few more casual questions, she said goodbye to Nick and returned to the inn with the other three.
“Su Xing, that first question you asked… did you mean something by it?”
Walking down the street, Quinn couldn’t help but ask.
If he wasn’t mistaken, Su Xing had asked that on purpose.
Su Xing nodded; she had no intention of hiding anything from her teammates.
“I was probing to see whether we could grab a painting during the chaos of the exhibition.”
Kaka didn’t understand, “Why would we do that?”
Su Xing replied, “Nuzhabi said that to control the Inspiration Pen, you first need a painting made by it. Even though we don’t really plan to get involved, I still want to keep a backup plan for ourselves, in case we do need to take part in the heist.”
Evangel nodded approvingly, “That’s the right thing to do.”
“We’ll need your help with this, Kaka.”
Su Xing smiled, “According to Nick, the paintings are fixed to the walls. When the time comes, have Little Blue loosen one of the walls for us, so if we need to, we can easily take a painting down.”
For once, Kaka was given a responsibility and nodded vigorously, “Don’t worry! I won’t let everyone down!”
Su Xing reminded him, “It’s best to do it as early as possible, and make sure not to attract anyone’s attention… not even Nuzhabi.”
Kaka might be careless, but he wasn’t stupid.
He’d already picked up on Su Xing’s distrust of Nuzhabi, so of course he didn’t ask any more questions.
The art exhibition would start at six in the evening, which meant they still had a long time to kill.
If you ignored all the art, there actually wasn’t much fun to be had in the City of Art.
After learning how the city’s “masters” were really “created,” none of the four wanted to sightsee anymore.
It just felt like a sin.
“Why do you think the Federation government is protecting the City of Art, anyway?”
The four of them wandered aimlessly down the bustling commercial street.
Quinn, who had been pondering this the whole time, finally couldn’t help but speak up.