Chapter 197
Chapter 197
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 197 – Lan Qi: The Savior of the Rogue
Outside, the rain continued to drum against the windows, as if nature itself provided a background score, reminding those in the dim warehouse that time was fleeting, every second slipping away.
“Phoenix, if your sister were to develop severe mental illness, and you, the only family she can rely on, were imprisoned, can you imagine what her life in a psychiatric hospital would be like? And as the sister of a repeat offender in the Resurrection Church, how would she be treated?”
In the room, the Great Love Poet continued speaking with her light, teasing tone. Phoenix’s bloodshot eyes overflowed with tears.
“Stop… leave… leave Phyllis alone…”
His voice was broken and wavering.
He desperately tried not to imagine what she was describing, but the images flooded his mind uncontrollably, driven by her hypnotic voice, pushing him to the edge of insanity.
Finally,
“Enough, Great Love Poet. Come back.”
Lan Qi, sitting behind the table, beckoned, speaking calmly.
“Tsk, I was just getting into it.”
The Great Love Poet clicked her tongue in mild dissatisfaction.
“I’ll let you out more often to play,” Lan Qi said.
“No.”
The Great Love Poet was unhappy to be interrupted while enjoying herself.
“I’ll make you a new skin,” Lan Qi added.
“A new skin?”
She looked at him curiously.
“Yes. While we can’t change your facial features, we can alter your entire appearance. You won’t need extra clothes; one magic card can fully change your outfit.”
Lan Qi explained.
Previously, in the registration card maker exam, the three-level white ordinary equipment card [Cartoon Mask] could be equipped to a summon, making a fierce appearance cute and altering its form. Combining this with [Transformation: Demon], Lan Qi could create a custom appearance card for the Great Love Poet.
Though mainly aesthetic, and occupying one of Lan Qi’s card slots, it would lower her recognizability. In the Northern Continent, even without openly using her sonic abilities, having a mental link substitute would still be useful.
Lan Qi was unsure if such custom summon-skin cards would sell. Each one was private and expensive; only a summon enthusiast would likely purchase one.
“Quick, quick, let’s get back to work!”
The Great Love Poet clapped on Lan Qi’s table and, following his instruction, dissipated, returning to his card form.
She was clearly excited about the potential of a new outfit, eager for her personal card to eventually occupy all of Lan Qi’s card slots.
“You two…”
Huperion felt uneasy.
Lan Qi and the Great Love Poet were playing dress-up with Tatta’s image—if Miss Tatta found out…
Once the Great Love Poet vanished, Phoenix finally felt as if he had surfaced from drowning, gasping in terror.
He stared at Lan Qi behind the table.
Seeing Lan Qi command this incredibly powerful, almost supernaturally strong summon, Phoenix could no longer judge how strong this man truly was, or how many secrets he held.
He even began to think that, back in that demon academy, Lan Qi really was as terrifying and evil as he and his sister had believed.
Lan Qi first turned on all the lights in the warehouse, unlocked Phoenix’s shackles, handed him a steaming cup of red tea, and returned to his seat.
“Sorry, Phoenix, my summon may have been a bit too aggressive.”
Lan Qi said with slight apology.
Huperion silently recorded Phoenix’s statement. She knew Lan Qi was conservative, believing aggressive actions were too extreme.
Phoenix lowered his head, listening quietly, unwilling to interrupt.
Even though the room had shifted from an interrogation chamber to a student council meeting area, Phoenix’s heart remained icy, still echoing with the Great Love Poet’s words.
“First, I assure you, none of what the Great Love Poet said will happen.”
Lan Qi’s expression was gentle and composed, entirely different from the Great Love Poet. His words and actions were proper and upright.
“!”
Phoenix couldn’t tell if Lan Qi was serious or speaking in code.
To him, the words seemed to imply, “If you don’t cooperate, it could happen as the Great Love Poet said.”
“I believe you are ready to reform. Do you have any intention of abandoning darkness for light?”
Lan Qi finished his opening statement and asked.
By now, Lan Qi and Huperion had already gained some clarity.
Every teammate encountered in the shadow world [Purgatory Corridor Academy] carried some measure of inevitability.
Phoenix’s sister, if not a resurrectionist, was still brought along in the Purgatory Corridor Academy and again on this trip to Hedon Kingdom. She clearly mattered deeply to Phoenix; he couldn’t leave her alone in Yaloran Kingdom.
One look at Phoenix’s expression confirmed this.
“…Do I even have a choice?”
Phoenix asked hoarsely, head bowed.
He knew these demons, like the Destruction Bishop before, would use the safety of his sister as leverage to ensure his full cooperation with the Church.
When facing the godlike Destruction Bishop, who had consumed their small town, young Phoenix had wagered his soul to save himself and his critically ill sister.
He had been prepared to give his soul to demons again, even at the risk of damnation, to protect his sister to the last moment.
“Of course, I am not like those heartless, cruel cardinals of the Resurrection Church. I am a good youth of Ikerite, law-abiding, full of love, clearly distinct from the Church’s followers. You may open your heart to me fully.”
Lan Qi’s smile was like a warm spring breeze.
It sent shivers down Phoenix’s spine.
He dared not reveal his deep doubt about Lan Qi’s words.
If he denied Lan Qi, he might provoke him, and Lan Qi could claim the prisoner’s “ideological awareness is insufficient” and extend the corrective session.
“Regardless of whether you ultimately repent, once we confirm your sister’s innocence, Ikerite Academy will ensure she is no longer affected by the Resurrection Church. She is herself, you are yourself, no connection—nothing more.”
Lan Qi’s voice remained calm:
“I am willing to help anyone in need. Even if you feel redemption is impossible, if you sincerely repent, I will give you a chance to live again and return to the right path.”
“For your sister’s sake, you are important too. You are the only one she trusts, the only one she can rely on. Consider it for Phyllis’s happiness.”
He then sipped his tea, silent, giving Phoenix time to think.
“…”
Phoenix understood Lan Qi was enigmatic and dangerous.
Yet at this moment, Phoenix inexplicably felt that this glowing demon, with piercing emerald eyes capable of seeing his thoughts, was the only one who could offer salvation.
Just as he had once protected him and his sister in the principal’s office of Purgatory Corridor Academy.
Lan Qi was terrifying.
But Phoenix began to hope that being aligned with him would bring protection.
A comfort greater than anything else.