Yinlin was eager to use herself as bait to deal with Lightning Man. If she didn’t take it down, she’d be living in fear 24/7.
This wasn’t about love, justice, or the Contract Goddess—it was purely for her own peace of mind.
Jinluan reiterated: “Don’t ever think like that again. Don’t use yourself as bait.”
Her tone carried a hint of anger.
Yinlin leaned into her act: “Big sister, you’re not my mom. Why do you care?”
Jinluan’s brows furrowed: “Mom or not, I won’t allow it.”
Yinlin: “Is big sister scared of cadre-level demons? Did the Thousand Cage Island incident leave a trauma?”
Song Wuli was getting better at playing the brat, even if it disgusted him.
The more he cringed, the better the persona held—completely detached from his true 34-year-old self.
Who’d guess Yinlin was Song Wuli? Even his late grandma wouldn’t recognize him.
Jinluan didn’t see through the facade, but the mention of Thousand Cage Island darkened her expression, pain flickering across her face.
“No matter what, it’s a no,” Jinluan said, dodging the topic and pulling the conversation back.
Yinlin: “Just hear my plan first. I’m thinking…”
“I said no,” Jinluan cut her off, not even entertaining it.
Seeing Jinluan’s resolve, Yinlin knew she’d get no help here.
She’d have to go solo or find someone else—like Huanhong.
Huanhong was weaker, but any help beat going it alone.
Diamond interjected: “If Thousand Cage Island is too hard to talk about, I can explain. Want me to?”
Whether intentional or not, Diamond dragged the topic back to the island.
Jinluan shook her head: “No need. I’ll talk when the time’s right.”
Another cryptic response. Yinlin was done pressing.
“I’ve got stuff to do, so I’ll head out. Big sister saved me half a life, so I owe half a favor,” Yinlin said, flying off.
Jinluan followed.
No matter where Yinlin went, Jinluan trailed her.
Yinlin: “What’s big sister doing?”
Jinluan: “I’m worried about you. What if Lightning Man strikes again?”
Yinlin: “So your worry means doing nothing? We could set a trap.”
Jinluan: “I can’t accept that plan.”
Yinlin pulled her trump card: “Big sister’s no kin to me. Why meddle so much?”
A direct hit. Jinluan fell silent.
Could she answer? She didn’t dare.
Yinlin flew off again. This time, Jinluan didn’t follow, stunned in midair, lost in thought.
Yinlin flew home slowly, in no rush.
She couldn’t help asking Diamond: “What happened on Thousand Cage Island? Why’s she so shaken?”
Diamond: “You should ask her yourself.”
The more it dodged, the more Yinlin’s curiosity burned.
Diamond shifted gears: “I’m against the bait plan too. With your current strength, you’re no match for Lightning Man.”
Yinlin: “That’s why I need help. Jinluan won’t, so I’ll ask Huanhong.”
Diamond: “I don’t get human thinking, but Jinluan’s abilities are better suited to fight Lightning Man. Huanhong’s no match.”
Yinlin: “But she won’t help.”
Diamond: “Thousand Cage Island changed her.”
Yinlin: “Then stop being cryptic and tell me what happened!”
Diamond: “Listen up, here’s how it went down.”
It coughed deliberately, clearing its throat, and perched on Yinlin’s shoulder, striking a dramatic pose.
Mimicking someone with emotional fervor, it recited:
“I, Magical Girl Jinluan, swear today to protect all magical girls!” Diamond spread its tiny right paw, continuing passionately: “I, Jinluan, won’t die until I’ve had my fill of magical girls! I’ll toy with them in every way, thoroughly, and create a paradise of magical girls!”
Yinlin stared, wide-eyed. Diamond stared back, their gazes complex.
Yinlin: “Insane! Who taught you that?”
Diamond: “Jinluan’s exact words.”
Yinlin: “No way she’d say something so shameless!”
Diamond: “Her exact words.”
Yinlin: “That’s something a human would say?”
Diamond: “It’s Jinluan’s exact words.”
Yinlin: “Impossible. Jinluan’s a bit yandere, but she’s mostly elegant and proper. No way a beauty like her would say something so unhinged.”
Diamond hopped onto Yinlin’s hands, which she extended to hold it.
Facing her, Diamond said: “Picture this: rain pouring, sky dark, water hitting Jinluan’s face, mixed with blood. Corpses everywhere—demons, magical girls.”
Diamond set the scene, then stood on its hind legs, mimicking Jinluan again.
Looking skyward, its eyes held two parts affection, four parts grief, four parts resolve.
Diamond was a natural, acting like someone who’d just watched family die before their eyes.
Its left paw clenched, the right raised, swearing to the heavens.
Like it was in a damn play.
Diamond: “Then Jinluan roared to the sky: ‘I, Jinluan, will marry the most beautiful magical girl in the world!’”
Yinlin: “Lunatic.”
Diamond: “That’s how it went. Her exact words.”
Yinlin: “If that’s true, she actually married one? Who’s her wife?”
Diamond didn’t answer, staring intently at Yinlin.
Yinlin: “What? Can’t say? I’m not judging. I’m a 34-year-old man—I’ve seen it all.”
Diamond kept staring, silent.
Yinlin froze, mouth agape, getting it.
“Haven’t seen this before.” She wiped her sweat.
She pivoted: “Can you contact Huanhong? I need her help with Lightning Man.”
Diamond: “Sure, but I still say Jinluan’s your best shot. She’s more likely to handle Lightning Man. Huanhong’s outclass.”
Yinlin: “Nope, not close with Jinluan. Don’t mention her again.”
I really hope no relation with this one ever come to be, I would drop this story if it ever is