Chapter 597: City Lord Ninglan Qiuyue Knocks at Night
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 597: City Lord Ninglan Qiuyue Knocks at Night
"How long are you going to stand outside without coming in? Are you standing there for penance?"
As a slightly languid voice drifted from inside the office, Liliana, standing at the door, finally placed her trembling hand on the handle and pushed her way in.
"Look at you. You look like a guppy that failed to mate—completely dejected. What kind of trouble did you stir up this time?"
"I'm sorry... Mentor. This time... this time I..."
"Ai~ don't move. Let me see what's going on." Facing her own teaching assistant, the Witch felt a hint of helplessness.
She wondered now: why had she taken her on in the first place?
Perhaps it was because Liliana had appeared before her at her most arrogant moment, allowing the Witch to see a reflection of her former self.
This was the inclusivity of the teaching assistant system; a Witch could choose her assistant for any reason she pleased.
Generally, Witches didn't think much of students—a sentiment stemming from the macro-level hierarchy of life. However, there were always exceptions. From another perspective, choosing a teaching assistant was a roundabout way of showing favor to a student.
But people change, and so do their sparks of brilliance. A person might become a dazzling genius later on, or that occasional flash of light might extinguish in the very next second.
The Witch looked at Liliana standing there, then pulled out a little toy she had recently acquired: a Great Knowledge Seed.
Indeed, many Witches viewed Great Knowledge Seeds as little more than toys.
However, the Great Knowledge Seed was a "high-end toy" with significant fame and no small amount of technical sophistication.
Occasionally, after achieving a breakthrough, Witches would craft new techniques into small toys and distribute them. It was a way to share knowledge and also a method of spreading one's reputation.
Witches who didn't understand the underlying technique would treat it as a fun diversion, helping to spread the creator's name. Witches who did have research in that area would be prompted by the toy to seek out the creator for a professional discussion.
This was a tradition among the Transcendent Witches of the Witch Academy.
She manifested the Tree of Great Knowledge and operated the Ley Line Identification Art using a method she’d learned while gossiping with other Witches. After some searching, she found a specific recording.
"This is much more convenient than that Ley Line Imaging System," she muttered. Then, the images began to play.
On the other side of the projection, Liliana watched the familiar scene. Her body trembled, and her fingers instinctively clenched.
It was the one scene she never wanted anyone to see again, yet here it was, playing right in front of her mentor...
"Come here. Sit down and watch it with me." The Witch looked up at Liliana and beckoned her over.
"Yes..."
Liliana lowered her head and walked to her mentor's side. Seeing the Witch smiling as she patted the half of the stool she had vacated, Liliana sat down.
"It’s fine. It’s just one loss. Ever since you stopped failing, it’s been a long time since we’ve talked like this, hasn't it? Let’s analyze your first failure in a long time together."
"It’s... the second..."
"What?"
* * *
After leaving Ninglan Township Castle, I wasn't in a great hurry to leave the city. After all, before I decided whether to help those people with the translation, I had said I wanted to take a good look around this new Ninglan New City.
As for whether the people outside the city needed immediate rescue?
That’s a good question, but what would happen even if I went?
That was the population of an entire small world. I couldn't even kill them all, let alone save them.
Forcing extra responsibilities on myself or feeling pity every time I see someone miserable... that would be exhausting.
At the very least, I haven't reached the stage of life where I can casually sacrifice my time to provide free help to others. When I truly reach that stage and possess that mindset, it won't be too late to start. The Void never lacks worlds in distress.
When I said I wanted to wander Ninglan New City, I naturally didn't mean experiencing the newly built skyscrapers, landmarks, or luxury hotels. Instead, I wanted to go to the very ends of the streets and alleys to experience the actual lives of the people here.
The buildings and expanded territories the Witch Academy constructed for Ninglan New City weren't the "world" I was looking for. They were more like "vanity projects"—extravagant places for the wealthy class of Ninglan New City to enjoy, and infrastructure to serve the students and visitors of the Witch Academy.
Broadening one's horizons isn't just about seeing skyscrapers and high-society venues; that only raises the upper limit of one's knowledge. The richness of the lower limit of one's cognition can only be accumulated through trivial, insignificant matters.
Perhaps it’s talking to an old granny sitting on a small stool by her door, experiencing the intangible cultural heritage of Ninglan New City that isn't widely publicized.
Or perhaps it’s helping a child who fell and is crying by the roadside, giving her a sweet candy and feeling her innocent gratitude.
Or even helping a bullied child by driving away his tormentors, only to discover that the child I helped was actually the one who usually used tricks to prank others.
These are the true "ways of the world" unknown to the masses. Witnessing the diversity of people and events, understanding them, and accepting them—that is what it means to have seen the world.
To this, I simply smiled and let it go. I didn't go back to lecture the child. From my perspective, if a child like that grows up without changing, he will eventually pay the price for his childhood mistakes.
So... many small daily things truly foster growth. Gaining experience from small matters, even if they are lessons learned the hard way, is a good thing.
After all, it’s much more cost-effective than suffering a major setback from a massive event only to realize a very small truth in the end, isn't it?
Watching the sky gradually darken, I knew it was time to call it a day.
I returned to the hotel.
After a quick wash, I lay on the bed and reviewed the day's events.
My arrival at Ninglan New City today had been quite rushed, and many things were planned to be decided only after I understood the situation.
However, I had accomplished quite a bit today. For instance... I had temporarily solved the translation problem for the Literary Association and the City Defense Commander.
The Knowledge Shadow method was a temporary fix for the current trouble, while the translation teaching was done so they wouldn't bother me in the future.
Then there was the information I gained from talking to those two teaching assistants. Although I hadn't left the city yet, I already had some understanding of the situation outside.
Originally, they wanted to trade their surveyed topographical maps of the area around Ninglan New City for some useful information from me, but I refused. Once I left the city, my Ley Line Identification Art could handle that. Why let them take advantage of me?
Having gathered this intelligence, I had formed some brief plans of my own, such as the Omni-Link Main Network Tree I mentioned earlier.
As for what benefits the Omni-Link Main Network Tree could bring to those people, those were actually incidental. The main point was what the current me could obtain from it.
Back then, I had obtained a Revelation from the Omni-Link Main Network Tree, and the prototype of my Tree of Knowledge was born because of it.
But at that time, even until I left that small world, I knew very well that I hadn't completely understood that Omni-Link Main Network Tree.
After all, it was the crystallization of technology accumulated by a civilization over a vast period. However... I still remembered that I held "absolute" control over it.
Just as I was thinking about my next steps, there was a knock on my door.
I sat up abruptly and looked toward the door. Even without opening it, I knew exactly who was outside.
It was Ninglan Qiuyue.
"Coming."
I gave a simple response, then stood up and walked to the door.
As the door opened, her figure truly appeared before me.
"If it isn't City Lord Qiuyue? You certainly pick your times. Coming to see me late at night, two women alone... is there something you need?"
"Just call me Qiuyue. 'City Lord Qiuyue' sounds too distant. Aren't you going to invite me in?"
"Fine, please come in. This is your territory anyway. But as for how I address you... that will depend on what identity you intend to speak with me in," I said, stepping aside to make a path.
I didn't believe for a second that Ninglan Qiuyue had run over here late at night just to have a chat.
Hearing my words, Ninglan Qiuyue's footsteps faltered slightly. Clearly, some of the small ideas she had in mind probably couldn't be stated directly now.
"Alright..." Ninglan Qiuyue sighed softly, her tone dropping slightly. "Sister Xiao Han, do you remember what you said to those two teaching assistants during the day?"
"Hmm... not really. It was mostly boring trash talk and formalities. It was annoying to listen to." I closed the door and glanced outside; Ninglan Qiuyue had come alone. "Have a seat. It’s a suite, so the layout is decent enough."
"Yes." Ninglan Qiuyue didn't stand on ceremony and sat down, facing me directly. "I wonder how Sister Xiao Han views the current situation of Ninglan New City?"
"With my eyes, while sitting."
"Sister Xiao Han still loves to joke. I know those two teaching assistant senior sisters might have left a bad impression on you today, but I am not here on their behalf."
"Oh? You're making a clean break from their stance?"
"No, I also need their strength. Just as you told Le earlier, the challenges Ninglan New City faces are immense. Naturally, I need to borrow strength from all parties. I know Sister Xiao Han is different from those teaching assistants..."
"You can skip the flattery. You should understand my temperament; I don't like trouble. Although I'm adapting to various troubles, it’s always better to speak plainly when possible."
"Fine..." Hearing this, Ninglan Qiuyue organized her thoughts. "I hope Sister Xiao Han can stand on the side of Ninglan New City. I don't expect you to bring us anything extra, but I ask that you protect Ninglan New City once during its most critical moment."
"I won't stand on anyone's side to do their bidding, but I understand what you mean. You want a safety net for Ninglan New City?" I asked, looking directly at Ninglan Qiuyue with a smile.
The fact that she said this revealed that she knew quite a lot. For instance... she knew the extent of my strength.
Otherwise, given that she had the teaching assistants of two major clubs standing behind her, they should have been her first resort. Unless... Ninglan Qiuyue also felt they were unreliable.
"Yes," Ninglan Qiuyue nodded and said earnestly.
She naturally knew what level Xiao Han was at. She had heard rumors about Xiao Han from those two teaching assistants—apparently, Xiao Han had done something major just before arriving, which had terrified them.
That was why she sought Xiao Han to be the city's safety net. She felt Xiao Han truly had the power to save Ninglan New City once.
In truth, with the Witch Academy behind her, she didn't need to worry about a safety net. But troubling a Transcendent Mentor versus troubling a student assistant were two different concepts.
She had to admit that although she hadn't fully taken over the management of Ninglan New City yet, she was learning how to be a qualified City Lord. Her own management and decision-making abilities would reflect her value—a value that was perhaps even more important than her personal strength!
"And the price? What do you plan to use to move me? Or are you relying on the friendship between us?"
"Naturally not," Ninglan Qiuyue denied immediately.
Regarding their "friendship," she felt that she and Xiao Han didn't really have much of one. However, this shallow connection was enough to secure a meeting and a conversation tonight. Once this favor was used up, it would be difficult to even see her again.
"I don't know what Sister Xiao Han needs. If it is within my power, I will naturally do my utmost."
"Are you offering a blank check? You should understand that those without desires are the hardest to entreat. I suggest you don't ask me what I want before you've thought it through. Instead, look at what you have. Once you say it, I'll know what I don't need."
"Is that so?" Ninglan Qiuyue hesitated, realizing she shouldn't push further. She was still insufficiently prepared.
However, she hadn't come away with nothing. At least she learned that Xiao Han herself didn't know what she wanted.
In such a situation, she needed to proactively find out what the other party intended to do next. Since there was no clear demand, she would have to discover a need on their behalf. As long as the other party did something specific, they would encounter trouble or chores—and that was where a need could be created.
"Very well... that was my mistake. I've troubled you by intruding tonight, Sister Xiao Han. If I don't head back soon, Lan Ke will probably be looking everywhere for me. Before I go, I'm curious—do you have any plans for your time in Ninglan New City?"
"Hmm... nothing within the city. Tomorrow, I plan to go outside to see that giant tree you discovered," I said.
"That tree? Is there something special about it?" Hearing my answer, Ninglan Qiuyue made a mental note of it.
She had overheard the mention of that world's "plant technology system" earlier, so she naturally assumed Xiao Han thought the tree might have other anomalous properties.
"It must have something different to attract me, right? But I can't be too sure. I'll know once I see it for myself tomorrow."
"True. I hope you find what you're looking for, Sister Xiao Han. However... I must warn you. Once you leave the city, you may encounter all sorts of people. Never show them sympathy or mercy. They will do anything to survive. Even in the face of peril, the evil of human nature accompanies them until death."
"Thanks for the warning. I'll keep it in mind." I accepted her advice with a smile. It seemed the City Defense Commander's explorers must have suffered in this regard for her to warn me like this.
But as for the evil of human nature... I had experienced that long ago.
After seeing Ninglan Qiuyue out, I was the only one left in the suite. I casually placed a teleportation mark in the bedroom, then lay on the bed, waiting to see if tonight held any surprises.
However, even late into the night, I didn't feel Sister Bai using a Reverse Summoning Spell from under the covers. It was only the first night, so I suppose Sister Bai didn't want to disturb me.
With a sigh, I stopped waiting and prepared to close my eyes.
Soon, I fell asleep. The rest of the night passed in silence.