Asura in Arknights

The three-story hotel was booked by the Inspectorate, and Li Ang didn't know which room Jingzhe went to.

Adele had wanted to help organize the research notes left by her parents, but those notes weren't written solely in Letanian; they also contained small amounts of Sami and other languages, and she couldn't understand all of them.

Moreover, the work of organizing the Dali Temple was already halfway done. If Adele were to rashly get involved, it would only slow down the original progress. As for the materials that had already been organized, Adele had already learned about their general contents from the previous reports.

Upon learning this, Adele was somewhat dejected. Leon comforted her, and they decided to go out and relax a bit.

The real test will come in three days, and now is the only time to relax. However, when they left, they left Magellan at the Dali Temple.

Magellan had boasted that he could find a way in no matter what if someone wanted to, so Leon simply entrusted the task of finding the route to Magellan.

He left a strong enough seal inside Magellan's body, so that even if something happened to that aura, Li Ang could detect it immediately and rush to her side.

When Li Ang and the others left, Magellan's resentful expression was quite amusing, and Adele couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

Why couldn't Magellan hold back in the end? Who else could he turn to but her?

Unfortunately, the person in charge of researching the route with Magellan wasn't Jingzhe, but a middle-aged man who looked very serious, which meant they missed out on a good show.

After leaving the Dali Temple's residence, Li Ang and Adele went back to their lodgings to rest for the night.

When it got light the next day, they changed into ordinary clothes and did not wear armor or protective clothing.

Protective suits are tools used to explore extreme environments, and mobile cities have a certain degree of temperature regulation. In addition, the Sami people have some special methods that can at least ensure that the temperature in the city is not too bad. Otherwise, no one would have lived in this godforsaken place, Sami, long ago.

The armor and protective suits were too conspicuous; they didn't want to be the center of attention.

"Phew... There doesn't seem to be anything special here, let's just take a look around."

Hammerford isn't a tourist city, and there aren't many random shops on the streets. After strolling around with Adele, they found that apart from some clothing stores, there wasn't much new or interesting to see.

However, for a young girl, being able to buy some pretty clothes is enough. Adele enthusiastically dragged Leon around these clothing stores.

There is a significant gap in economic strength between Kasimir and Sami. The money they spend on their shopping spree here wouldn't even be enough to book a table at a high-end restaurant in Kasimir.

They could easily buy whatever they want without caring about the price, but Adele still prefers to compare prices between different stores and pick out the one with the right price.

Li Ang quickly came to a conclusion: although what she bought was important, Adele preferred the selection process.

"Li Ang, Li Ang, what do you think of this?"

Adele, carrying a thick scarf, jogged over to Li Ang and handed it to him with a look of anticipation.

After fiddling with the scarf, Li Ang thought for a moment and said, "Isn't this scarf a little too thick?"

“No!” Adele said with certainty. “This thickness is just right. It’s one of the thinnest ones in the store, so it will come in handy even when we get back to Kazimierz.”

“But…” Li Ang scratched his head and said, “I don’t feel that cold, so isn’t buying this scarf a bit unnecessary?”

Upon hearing this, Adele stared intently at Li Ang, and only when she realized that he wasn't joking and genuinely felt he didn't need the scarf did she let out a soft sigh.

“I know you’re healthy. This scarf isn’t for keeping you warm; it’s for decoration! Decoration!!” Adele stood on tiptoe slightly, held the scarf up to both sides of Li Ang’s neck a few times, and said, “Such a big, bare patch looks really bad!”

decorate……

“I’ll give it a try then.” Li Ang smiled helplessly, then took the scarf from Adele and wrapped it around his neck.

That's right, the person who bought the clothes this time wasn't Adele, but Leon.

Adele displayed unimaginable efficiency in choosing clothes for Leon. They had only browsed half of the clothing stores on the street, and everything on Leon except for his sunglasses was completely new. Leon didn't know if there was any room left on his body to fit the new clothes, but Adele always managed to find one or two new items in the stores and hang them on him.

He was truly puzzled as to why he would buy a scarf that served no practical purpose and was merely decorative. Wouldn't it be a hassle to wear? Adele had bought him quite a few other similarly meaningless items.

After debating with Adele several times, Leon simply gave up thinking and obediently stood still as her clothes rack.

Anyway, Adele is quite happy, isn't she?

Chapter Sixty-Two: A Chance Encounter

“Miss, this scarf would be perfect for your boyfriend.”

At the same time, the shop assistant's flattering voice could be heard from the side.

"As long as they're customers who can generate revenue, even if you put a dog leash on them, these people would say it's perfectly appropriate, right?" Li Ang thought to himself.

Perhaps because the place is too small, there are only a few people in the marketing training class here. The people's rhetoric is almost all cut from the same mold. Li Ang has already seen it too many times in a short period of time. It's enough. He can even guess what the other party is going to say next.

but……

"But miss, here's another recommendation. This one should suit your boyfriend's style better. Would you like to try it?"

"Is it the dark blue one? I already saw it in the shop next door. What are your prices here?"

While Adele was arguing with the sales clerk, Leon's thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.

Perhaps because she was immersed in the joy of shopping, Adele did not notice that the residents here were looking at the two of them with a strange look in their eyes, with an indescribable feeling hidden deep in their eyes.

Li Ang was very sensitive to other people's gazes, but he couldn't describe what that feeling was like.

Surveillance? Not really.

It's impossible for so many people to be monitoring him using the same method; Li Ang felt that these people were all roughly the same.

If I had to describe it, it's like those shy young boys in their school days who, when facing someone they like, would often glance at them out of the corner of their eye while exchanging a few words... Li Ang's current situation is somewhat similar to that, but far more subtle.

Although the emotions expressed by these Sami clearly had no other meaning, Li Ang read a second meaning from their eyes.

For example, the salesman who was haggling with Adele should have been focused on his argument with her, but Leon felt that he was being secretly watched, even though the salesman himself did not make any such move.

After thinking for a long time, Li Ang finally came up with an explanation that was somewhat unrealistic, but consistent with the current situation—

These people all suffer from dissociative identity disorder. Their second personalities are observing Li Ang through the eyes of their bodies, which is what alerted Li Ang.

But does everyone have a split personality? That's simply impossible.

Li Ang didn't tell Adele about this. Adele was in a very good mood right now, so it was best not to spoil her mood.

After another round of heated debate, Adele finally managed to negotiate down the price of a cup of milk tea. However, she didn't buy the blue scarf but instead bought the one she had initially chosen. Li Ang, who was standing next to her, rolled his eyes, wondering how Adele could endure such "torture."

"Welcome back next time, both of you." The salesman's voice sounded somewhat forced; what he really thought was definitely different from what he said.

By this time, the two of them had already left the store, and Adele had contentedly wrapped the scarf around Leon's neck.

Li Ang shifted his body, feeling a bit awkward about his clothes. "How about it? Are you satisfied now? Should we go check out the rest of the stores? Should I buy some for you too?"

"No need. Sarah and I bought a lot of clothes together. If we buy any more, our closets will be too full."

"But you, your wardrobe only has black and gray clothes!" Adele complained.

No...actually, there are a few more dark blue clothes.

Li Ang hesitated, but in Adele's eyes, these three colors of clothing probably made no difference.

Besides, we didn't come here to buy clothes... How are we going to take all the clothes back if we buy too many?

Since Adele showed no sign of stopping, Leon had no choice but to keep her company. However, they hadn't walked far when they encountered an unexpected person on the street—Professor Jonah, whom they had met the day before.

Jonah, who was in the distance, also noticed the two of them. Li Ang thought Jonah would pretend not to see them and then stay away, after all, he had been so indifferent yesterday.

To Li Ang's surprise, Jonah quickened his pace and walked towards them after seeing them, greeting them warmly, "Gentlemen, I didn't expect to meet you here."

"We were also surprised to meet you, Professor Jonah."

Li Ang frowned almost imperceptibly. "Is there no class today? Why is Teacher Jonah here?"

Jonah smiled somewhat awkwardly, "I had some free time this morning, so I came here to buy some things."

"You absolutely must keep this a secret from the principal, or he'll dock my pay."

"No, we assure you."

"That's good," Jonah breathed a sigh of relief, then his gaze fell on Li Ang. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "This outfit suits you very well. Did the lady next to you help you choose it?"

“Thank you,” Li Ang nodded politely. “My fiancée picked this out for me.”

“So that’s how you two are related,” Jonah said with a look of sudden realization. “Then I congratulate you both in advance.”

Neither Leon nor Adele had any intention of chatting with Jonah now; they just hoped he would get the hint and leave as soon as possible. However, their conversation was becoming increasingly awkward, and Jonah was still reluctant to leave.

As Li Ang grew increasingly impatient and considered whether to simply ask him to leave, Jonah finally stopped the pointless conversation.

Suddenly he asked, "By the way, how's your business going? Have you met with those Yan people?"

Jonah wasn't indifferent to this matter, so why is he suddenly asking about it?

There must be something fishy going on here.

While Li Ang was considering how to answer, he heard Adele speak.

"...We went to see those Yan people, but they had no intention of letting us see those documents." Adele's tone was very frustrated, just like someone who had been turned away several times.

Although Li Ang was somewhat surprised, he still went along with Adele's words and said, "Yes, those Yan people are really too arrogant. We didn't even see a person in charge when we got there, and we were kicked out by them."

"Are the people of Yan so great? These materials don't even belong to them."

"That's really bad... The school allowed those Yan Chinese to take the data, so there's nothing I can do about it."

Jonah paused for a moment, then slowly said, "However, I suddenly remembered something yesterday that might be of some help to you."

Chapter Sixty-Three: The Girl

Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious; this guy is definitely up to no good.

Jonah squinted and thought for a while before saying, "I saw those two professors a few times when they were around."

"I remember that besides the adults from the Snow Festival, there was a girl who was with them. She should still be in this city. Why don't you go and try to find her? She might know something."

Jonah revealed a very secret message.

Those who participated in the mountain festival that year were not only the few snow priests and the two scholars, but also a girl with a very low profile. Jonah only discovered the existence of that girl by sheer chance.

Although we don't know exactly what role the girl was playing, she must have some knowledge of the situation in the mountains, and we should be able to get some information from her.

In fact, Jonah is now at his wit's end. He knows that what he is doing is full of flaws in the eyes of others, but in fact, Jonah has no other choice.

If his physical condition continues to deteriorate, who knows what strange things might happen to him? We must resolve this as soon as possible.

But Jonah didn't know what he had stolen on a whim. Perhaps the only solution was to get to the root of the problem, which was the deepest part of the Dark Mountains.

The problem is that, apart from being a bit greedy, Jonah is just an ordinary person. He doesn't have the talent for Originium Arts, and as for weapons, he struggles to even kill a single winged beast.

Although the physical changes granted him some special abilities, such as immunity to cold and the ability to control a certain degree of cold air, this only increased Jonah's strength from one Originium Bug to two Originium Bugs. Going deep into the Dark Mountains alone was no different from suicide.

In this situation, the appearance of these outsiders gave Jonah a glimmer of hope.

Whether it's the people from Yan or these scholars from Letania, if they enter the Dark Mountains, Jonah can secretly follow behind them. With these people clearing the way, they should be able to shield him from most of the trouble.

The Yan people remained silent, and Jonah dared not go to urge them. These three Letanians had only recently arrived, and he had originally intended to wait a few days before making a decision. However, the nightmare he had that night had frightened Jonah, and he could no longer wait.

“Hmm…” Li Ang nodded thoughtfully, “Thinking about it carefully, this information isn’t very useful, is it? All I know is that she still lives in Hammerford, but the city is so big, where am I supposed to find her?”

Jonah's expression began to falter. He even suspected that Li Ang was deliberately teasing him. He knew that the more he said, the more problems he would expose, but if he said nothing, all his efforts would be in vain.

Sure enough, people who dare to run around are not the same type of beings as those bookworms who have gone crazy from studying.

With a forced smile, Jonah said in a somewhat reckless tone, "Well... I have indeed heard some uncertain reports."

"I'd like to hear the details," Li Ang said with a slight smile.

-------------------------------------

After leaving behind a few detailed pieces of information, Jonah ran away in a disheveled state.

This guy is still too green. Although Li Ang is not particularly skilled in intrigue, he has at least spent some time in the treacherous environment of Bohr Pharmaceuticals. He silenced Jonah with just a few words.

Watching his departing figure, Adele couldn't help but frown. "This person... is a bit strange."

“It’s very strange.” Li Ang nodded in agreement.

"Furthermore, as an ordinary school teacher, don't you think he knows a bit too much?"

The specific participants in the mountain sacrifice a year ago—this is information that even the Dali Temple hadn't been able to gather. Even considering the factor of being in a privileged position, Jonah knows far too many secrets.

Moreover, the starkly contrasting attitudes of the two days left Li Ang puzzled. What puzzled Li Ang the most was what benefit Jonah would gain from coming to tell them this information.

Although it seemed like a chance encounter, who knows how long Jonah had been wandering around outside trying to find them.

The two discussed it for a long time, but couldn't come to a conclusion.

Regardless, Adele handled the situation perfectly.

Although their cooperation with the Dali Temple was nothing shady, Jonah obviously didn't need to know about it. If someone was instructing him behind the scenes, setting up a smokescreen could at least buy him some time.

"So what do we do next? Should we go and take a look at the place he mentioned?" Li Ang asked Adele for her opinion.

Later, Jonah provided very detailed information, enough for Li Ang and his men to pinpoint their approximate location within the city.

Li Ang was somewhat tempted. He could tell that Jona wasn't just making things up; there really was such a person. If he went to make contact with her, he might get some unexpected gains.