The report was written extremely briefly, one might even say sloppily. The handwriting was neat, but the content consisted of only a few lines: Location confirmed, source of anomaly identified as four remnants of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus (simple physical descriptions attached), subdued and restrained on-site. A makeshift altar and unfinished secret medicine were found at the scene. No civilian casualties, no spectral reactions.
At the bottom was Huo Huo's signature and the Arbiter's seal; the ink pad hadn't even been applied evenly.
Hanya's gaze lingered for a moment on the four characters "Disciples of Sanctus Medicus".
This was indeed beyond initial estimates.
She recalled the preliminary synchronization message from the Cloud Knights not long ago, stating that four unconscious members of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus had been found in an abandoned house. They were all in a daze, with no obvious external injuries but severe mental trauma. One of them kept muttering "a blue fire fox" and "don't look at me".
("A blue fire fox...")
Hanya understood.
It was "Tail", that troublesome Suiyang inside Huo Huo.
It seemed it had been thoroughly annoyed this time, or rather, driven by Huo Huo's uncharacteristic "toughness".
She gently placed the report paper back on the desk, leaned back against the chair, and folded her hands in front of her.
On her cold, aloof face, that habitual stillness of an ancient well finally showed a ripple—her brows furrowed slightly, then quickly smoothed out.
("A miscalculation.")
Her original plan had been to use that low-difficulty, yet potentially frightening, small task to test—or perhaps "educate"—this subordinate who was always thinking of running away.
Either she would complete the task and prove her ability, or be scared back into honestly continuing her work.
Either way, she had follow-up plans.
But the development of events had completely deviated from expectations.
Huo Huo not only completed the task but did so... so cleanly and decisively, one might even call it crude and direct.
Facing the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, there was no request for help, no maneuvering; she just charged in, subdued them, left the report, and left.
This style of action was like a different person from the Huo Huo of the past, who was afraid of the dark if she stood in the hallway for a moment too long, or would jump in place if she saw the shadow of a wandering spirit.
More importantly, her resolute posture just now of "cutting ties immediately upon completing the task, not willing to stay a second longer," along with that action of not giving her superior any chance to inquire or ask her to stay...
("It doesn't quite seem like her.")
Hanya evaluated calmly.
Was it that the influence of "Tail" had deepened, temporarily overriding Huo Huo's own personality?
Or perhaps... some kind of extreme rebound after long-term suppression?
Either way, the situation had become a little more complicated.
But, it was not entirely without benefits.
Hanya's gaze swept over the crude report again.
The clues regarding the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus needed to be dug into deeply; those four mentally traumatized members were the breakthrough point.
Huo Huo's—or rather, "Tail's"—action this time could be considered an unexpected joy; at the very least, it had cleanly swept away a potential hidden danger.
As for Huo Huo's resignation...
A look of helplessness flashed in Hanya's eyes.
She had never truly intended to approve that resignation letter.
People of the Ten-Lords Commission, especially Arbiters, could not just leave as they pleased, especially those who carried such special existences.
The reason she had Huo Huo execute the task inherently contained the meaning of "letting her go out to get some air and calm down".
Being in the oppressive environment of the Ten-Lords Commission for a long time, the string was pulled too tight, and it was indeed easy for problems to arise.
But now that Huo Huo had run out on her own, her state was clearly not right. Forcibly bringing her back would likely be counterproductive and might even irritate that unstable Suiyang.
("Observation is needed.")
Hanya made a decision in her heart.
She pulled open a drawer of her desk, took out a simply designed Jade Abacus, and slid her fingertips quickly, finding a contact noted as [Unemployed Vagrant · Gui].
She edited the message and sent it.
[Hanya: There is a matter that requires your attention. Assist in observing an individual. Physical characteristics are as follows: Foxian, female, height approx... light cyan long hair, often wears large black sunglasses, has a conspicuous cyan Tail. Currently, she should be active in the Exalting Sanctum or surrounding areas. Note her movements, who she contacts, and what her mental state is like. Report briefly to me daily. Do not make direct contact, and do not attract her attention.]
Almost the moment the message was sent, there was a reply.
[Guinaifen:???]
[Guinaifen: Lady Hanya? You are looking for me? Observe someone? Why me? I am just an ordinary commoner who does street performances and livestreams! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧]
Hanya's expression did not change; her fingertips tapped lightly.
[Hanya: Ordinary? Need I ask the Soul-Striders of the Ten-Lords Commission to help you recall in detail the time you snuck into a sealed ruin without permission for a so-called'spirit-hunting livestream', causing three sealing talismans to be displaced and attracting three water phantoms to linger?]
[Guinaifen:...]
[Guinaifen: (An emoji of cold sweat dripping, hands pressed together in a frantic apology)]
[Guinaifen: I'm sorry, Lady Hanya! I was wrong! I really didn't know it was sealed! The sign must have been blown over by the wind! I promise I won't dare to do it next time! You are a magnanimous person! (;´д｀)ゞ]
[Hanya: This observation task will count as you making up for your past mistakes. If you perform well, not only will the previous incident not be pursued, but in the future, if there are suitable 'anomalous events' that do not involve secrets or danger, I may consider providing some information for you to 'gather material' from.]
The other side was silent for a few seconds, seemingly weighing the pros and cons between "being targeted by the Ten-Lords Commission" and "possibly obtaining exclusive livestream material".
[Guinaifen: (An emoji with bright, shining eyes and a fist clenched in excitement)]
[Guinaifen: Deal! Rest assured, Lady Hanya! I guarantee I will complete the mission! I am a professional at tailing and observing! I definitely won't be discovered! I have noted the target's characteristics! I will report to you immediately if there is any news! (๑•̀ᗢ•́)و✧]
Putting down the Jade Abacus, Hanya picked up her vermilion brush again, as if she had just handled an insignificant trifle.
Why not send someone from the Ten-Lords Commission?
The reason was simple: the Arbiters and even the clerks of the Ten-Lords Commission all carried, to varying degrees, a special aura from long-term dealings with life, death, and wandering spirits, or they simply wore a gloomy, serious expression that said "stay away".
They were too conspicuous in a crowd, making it easy for Huo Huo, who was in a sensitive state, to notice them.
Someone like Guinaifen, on the other hand, was less noticeable and easier to approach for observation.
As for agreeing to let Huo Huo leave...
Hanya glanced at the report that had been slapped onto the table, then looked at the door.
("A period of rest is also good.")
She refocused her attention on the unfinished files, her vermilion brush falling to write an iron-drawn, silver-hooked "Approved" character.
Within the office, silence returned, broken only by the turning of pages and the scratching of the brush tip.
The streets of the Exalting Sanctum were always bustling, with human voices, the roar of starship engines, and the cries of vendors weaving together into a vibrant background soundscape.
The sunlight was much brighter than inside the Ten-Lords Commission, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked tapir bun rolls and the crisp, clear scent of tea drifting from some unknown teahouse.
Huo Huo walked aimlessly with her hands in her pockets.
The large sunglasses on her face blocked out some of the overly bright sunlight and the gazes that passersby might cast, but it also cast a gray, hazy hue over the world.
She passed through the bustling grocery market, skirted around the food stalls with their constant shouting, and walked past the entrance of the clinking jade tiles parlor...
Her footsteps were sometimes fast, sometimes slow, with no destination.
("Free...")
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