Lord of the Mysteries · Chat

At the entrance of Fuzhe Town, the inn was bathed in the warm orange glow of the setting sun. The shop assistant Qi Ling was placing a pot of warm wine on the table. A gravel-paved path stretched out from the door, with the occasional cart carrying spices toward the harbor. The door was pushed open. Strangers stepped into the hall one after another — Kings wrapped in a heavy cloak, Luya with lingering frost at her fingertips, Liuna with her lashes lowered, and Toka and Lijier walking in side by side. They each took their seats, their gazes brushing past one another as if on purpose, like a pack of beasts catching the scent of blood in the dark. Qi Ling went from table to table, refilling the wine. Kings asked in a low voice, “Who among you spotted the ice wolverine first?” Luya sneered, “You think you were the only one who got the message?” Toka pressed his hand against the edge of the table, cracks splitting through the wood grain. “Arguing is useless. Wherever a soul beast appears, a Lord is bound to show up sooner or later.” At the mention of the word “Lord,” the hall fell silent for a moment. No one noticed that on the rooftop across from the inn, a tall, slender figure had been standing for a long time. Yin Chen gazed at the door where warm light spilled out. The seal of the Seventh Apostle in his palm was faintly burning hot — the person he was waiting for was right inside, only the youth was still unaware. Further off, in the shadow of a tower, Teliya toyed with a silver-white chess piece, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips. Behind her, You Ming’s voice drifted low, “Fuzhe Town? The priests sent you to watch a place this small?” Teliya tossed the chess piece into the air and let it disappear into the dusk. “Don’t rush. The real show is just beginning.” Inside the inn, Qi Ling wiped the counter, unaware of everything happening outside. All he knew was that there were more guests staying tonight than usual, and closing time would probably be late.