Walnut used me to boost her sales performance.

He was very curious to know how D'Artagnan was going to set up a toy research institute.

"Sure, after all, Tok traveled all the way to Liyue for me. As his older brother, he should show some sincerity for this last wish before leaving."

D'Artagnan smiled and agreed.

Although this requirement may be a bit troublesome, it is not difficult to achieve.

"Hehe! That's right!"

Tok was delighted, and Jiang Bai was also curious about where he planned to find a [Toy Research Institute].

"Kind brothers, come on over! It's Tok's turn to show you around this time!" Tok extended an invitation.

"Hehe, no problem!"

The group followed D'Artagnan to the vicinity of Lingju Pass. There was a modified research institute nearby, which was left behind by the Doctor when he was studying the ruins. It was perfect for Tok to visit as a toy research institute.

Upon entering the cave, Jiang Bai saw a massive, rumbling machine, neatly arranged "circuits" and "pipes," a huge relic guardian being transported by a conveyor belt, and a Rei Slime used to generate electricity.

It was as if he had suddenly entered the industrial age, giving him a disorienting feeling.

"What exactly is this place? What have you done to it? Does the Thousand Rock Army know about this place?"

When confronted with Jiang Bai's questioning, Dadalia did not hide anything.

This place is already in a semi-abandoned state, so naturally they don't care about being exposed.

"I know a little about this place; it should be considered the Doctor's Toy Lab."

"Doctor? Your second seat?"

“Well, he occasionally has a bit of a quirk of tinkering with old things…” D'Artagnan glanced at Tok, trying to be as tactful as possible.

"He modified this site to study [One-Eyed Little Treasure]."

"Could it be that the Ruins Guardians were created by you?" Paimon asked suspiciously, voicing the question that both Kong and Jiang Bai wanted to ask.

D'Artagnan shook his head. "No, those monsters are more closely related to the Abyss. Strictly speaking, they're our enemies... We're just doing research..."

"As for why the ruins guards have been coming out recently, it's probably because they've gotten tired of it and lost interest in this place."

D'Artagnan shrugged. He wasn't really familiar with the executives, so he had no idea what his colleague was thinking or doing.

Tartaglia's words revealed a lot of information. Whether it was the Ruins Guardians being related to the Abyss, or that they were enemies of the Abyss, or that Liyue actually had a "Doctor"... all of these were very important to Jiang Bai.

Jiang Bai frowned. "The Doctor is also in Liyue? But why did you say there are only two Enforcers in Liyue?"

"How should I put it..."

D'Artagnan thought for a moment and gave an explanation that they could understand better:

"The doctor has several 'slices' of different ages, and these slices are active on their own, somewhat like his clones."

"Slice? Doppelganger?" Paimon felt like he didn't understand.

"Yes, each of his slices is a [Doctor], because they were taken from different age groups, and each slice has its own personality. The slice we studied here before has already left Liyue. However, I don't know if there are any other slices here..."

"I think I understand... but if I lose interest, I'll just turn around and leave. I don't even turn off the machines here. What a terrible personality!"

Paimon expressed his contempt for the Doctor's indifferent attitude towards life and death.

"Are there any good-natured officers left among your executives?"

"Don't say that. Do you think I have a bad personality?" Dadalia pointed to herself.

"It's pretty good when it's good, and pretty bad when it's bad," Paimon said objectively.

Thankfully, Tok didn't hear Paimon's words, otherwise he would have complained again.

"No wonder you dared to bring Tok here; it turns out you had done your homework beforehand."

"Not really, I don't know what it's like inside."

Paimon looked at him in shock. "Don't you care about your brother's safety?"

"How could that be? No matter what danger there is, I will take it all for him. Isn't that the kind of person my brother is? That's the meaning of my fighting!"

"Alright..." Paimon said nothing more; that's the kind of confidence that comes with real strength.

Chapter 354 This is the consequence of showing off.

As they walked inside, Tok chatted with his brother.

"Brother, I think I heard someone say that One-Eyed Little Treasure is a killing machine."

Although he didn't believe it, he couldn't help but care about it.

"How could that be? You're still young, don't talk about fighting and killing."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Tok was immediately delighted. "Yes! I knew they were liars all along! One-Eyed Treasure is for defeating bad guys and protecting the world! It's Tok's favorite toy!"

"Yes, with it around, bad guys can't hurt Tok."

Watching the two brothers each say something, Jiang Bai felt deeply worried about Tok's future.

When he gets older and learns the truth, will he really be safe from trouble?

His favorite toy, the hero who saved the world, has been turned into a killing machine. Can he really bear this sense of devastation?

If one day he were alone in the wild and, by sheer luck, encountered a live Ruin Guardian, excitedly ran towards it, only to be killed, all because his beloved older brother had told him that the Ruin Guardian was a toy protecting him…

Jiang Bai glanced at D'Artagnan, who was showing Tok around. Could this guy really withstand such a blow?

Honestly, there's nothing wrong with protecting your younger brother and shielding him from all danger, but that's not how you teach him! At the very least, you should let him have the ability to recognize danger!

Seedlings that haven't experienced wind and rain will die if the wind gets too strong.

Never mind, I'll tell this guy later.

Although D'Artagnan is quite annoying, his brother is innocent.

As soon as Tok entered the central part of the ruins, he became incredibly excited, looking around and touching everything, finding new and interesting things everywhere.

They eventually arrived at a hall where the guardians of the ruins were kept.

Looking at the numerous, soon-to-awaken ruin guardians inside, Jiang Bai and Kong both turned their gazes toward Tartaglia.

Tadalia's smile remained unchanged. "Tok, let's play hide-and-seek."

"hide and seek?"

"Close your eyes and count to 60 silently. I have a surprise for you. You absolutely cannot open your eyes during this time."

"Okay!" Tok covered his eyes and started counting down.

The moment Tok closed his eyes, D'Artagnan's expression turned serious.

He wielded a spear made of water elementals, moving with incredible speed through the hall, subduing the awakened guardians of the ruins.

Jiang Bai witnessed a magnificent battle performance, with unrestrained and violent attacks. These massive relic guardians were powerless against him.

However, if there are only a few guardians of these ruins, it's manageable. But when the number reaches a certain level, even someone as powerful as the young master finds it difficult.

"40, 39, 38..."

The countdown from Tok continued, and as more and more of the relic guardians awakened, he activated the Demon King Armor without hesitation.

Black armor covered his entire body, and he transformed into a streak of light as he rushed towards the massive guardians of the ruins.

Jiang Bai watched intently. Perhaps it was his determination to protect his younger brother, but the young master was indeed much stronger than he had been in the Golden House last time, even though his injuries hadn't fully healed.

"Tsk, the speed at which he's getting stronger is terrifying..." he muttered to himself.

The youngest executive is no exaggeration; his strength may not be top-notch, but his potential is definitely top-notch.

Especially since he is still young.

D'Artagnan gasped for breath until the last ruins guard fell, at which point he used his spear to brace himself against the falling object.

Using the Demon King's Armor itself puts a great strain on his body, especially since his injuries haven't healed yet.

I've been able to persevere until now only because of sheer willpower.

"Brother, I'm almost done counting!"

"Yes! Tok, you can open your eyes now!"

D'Artagnan forced himself to stay alert and disappeared into the hall before Tok opened his eyes.

Looking at the ruins guarded all over the place, Tok was stunned. "Wow!"

"This place is exactly the same as in my dream, it's the world of One-Eyed Little Treasure!"

"This is the surprise your brother prepared," Kong said with a smile.

D'Artagnan reminded him of his sister; as an older brother himself, he understood her desire to protect him.

"Wow! He really did it, manipulating the Ruin Guard like a toy!" Paimon exclaimed in amazement.

"Not bad." Jiang Bai nodded in approval.

Although his behavior was reckless and he acted without thinking, his intentions were good, and he certainly had the ability to withstand any danger.

"If these one-eyed little treasures weren't so big, I'd really like to take them home." Tok was completely captivated by the ruins guardians.

Jiang Bai and Kong found D'Artagnan, who was hiding by the wall, panting. D'Artagnan looked quite disheveled, as if he was severely dehydrated, and his face was extremely pale.

Jiang Bai clicked his tongue twice, "This is the consequence of showing off."

"Are you alright?" Kong asked with some concern.

This guy looks like he'll never be able to see his brother again.

D'Artagnan gave a wry smile. "It's not good. Activating the Demon Lord's Armament while injured is more difficult than I expected. Luckily, Tok didn't find me here, otherwise it would have been too embarrassing for him to see me like this."

"Aren't you afraid we'll kill you?" Kong stared at him intently.

“I remember you have brothers and sisters too, right? I know you, you wouldn’t lay a hand on me in front of my brother.” D’Artagnan leaned against the wall, looking at them with a carefree smile.

Jiang Bai rolled his eyes. "Just because he won't do anything doesn't mean I won't do anything to you. Aren't you worried I'll tie you up again?"

“If that’s the case, then I can only hope for the best…” D’Artagnan shrugged slightly. “But I have no savings left, and now that you’ve kidnapped me, they won’t pay the ransom anymore…”

Having learned their lesson the first time, those people at the Northern Bank wouldn't do something so pointless and foolish again.

"Alright, I'll let you go today for your brother's sake."

There's no third time's the charm. Jiang Bai has already tied this guy up twice, and he really doesn't plan to do it a third time. It would be bad if he pushed them to the brink and they attacked the Hall of Rebirth directly.

"Thank you."

D'Artagnan completely relaxed, chuckled, and began to explain his reasons for doing all this.

"Childhood dreams are the most fragile things; even if left unattended, they will eventually shatter on their own. So, someone has to protect them, right?"

No one answered his question, so he continued to speak to himself:

"Promises made should be kept, and mistakes should be sincerely apologized for."

"The dream we give him must be cherished until the very end."

Jiang Bai remained silent as he looked at the disheveled but gleaming Tadalia.

Just like Paimon said, this guy is pretty good when he's good, and pretty bad when he's bad.

Humans are complex beings, and it is impossible to define them based on a single event or to say that they are necessarily bad people.

In this matter, Jiang Bai's opinion of Dadalia did indeed change.

Chapter 355 I Might Know Something About Your Sister

D'Artagnan could no longer show his face, so he delivered the gifts and sent Tok to his ship to go home.

The ship sailed away into the sunset, and as he looked at the sunset on the horizon, he thought of his sister again.

"Where is my sister?" he murmured softly, his expression forlorn.

Jiang Bai heard his mutterings and remembered what Ye Lan had once told him.

"Your sister has blonde hair like you, right?"

"Ah."

“I overheard some people talking the other day, and it might have something to do with your sister.”