Are you a girl?

Upon hearing this, Xie Shenhong realized his conjecture had been correct.

The pocket watch, as he suspected, contained the crucial item for activating the puppet.

As for Duanmu Yun’s suggestion, he did not find it particularly strange.

Few people knew that Hai Zhu was not present, and naturally, even fewer could use the Hai Zhu puppet.

However, over time, it was inevitable that some would grow suspicious.

At such a juncture, finding someone who was neither a knight nor a royal family member to control the puppet became exceedingly important.

Yet—

“I’m sorry, Sister Yun, I cannot undertake such an important task.”

It wasn’t that Xie Shenhong felt uncomfortable temporarily transforming into a female puppet; rather, he was a man of wavering resolve.

He would flee at the first sign of difficulty and simply give up when faced with setbacks.

A good-for-nothing like him had no right to shoulder such a weighty responsibility.

“Only you can do this.”

Duanmu Yun declared unequivocally.

“How is that possible?”

Xie Shenhong was incredulous.

“Since you gave me this, you must have already guessed that Lady Hai Zhu is no longer with us.”

Xie Shenhong nodded.

“But you guessed wrong.”

“Huh?”

“From the very beginning, Lady Hai Zhu never truly existed…”

As Duanmu Yun explained, Xie Shenhong finally understood everything.

The Hai Zhu who had appeared ten years ago was merely a puppet!

All this time, Hai Zhu had been portrayed by various individuals!

This golden pocket watch was the divine artifact that controlled the Hai Zhu puppet!

Alas, after so many years, the artifact’s power had gradually been depleted, and the Hai Zhu puppet’s combat strength had begun to wane.

“Then why not replenish its power?”

“We’ve tried many methods, but all have failed.

No matter who it was, no one could make the hands on the pocket watch move forward even a single notch, for a divine artifact chooses its master…”

Xie Shenhong looked down, clearly seeing the hour hand on the pocket watch resting at the ‘1’ mark.

“What was it before?”

“Each notch represents the time one can transform into the Hai Zhu puppet each day.

Previously… there was less than 20 minutes left, which is only one-third of a notch.”

Xie Shenhong fell silent.

After a long while, he subconsciously murmured:

“Does it really have to be me… a good-for-nothing like me…”

“Shenhong, don’t you dare speak such words!”

Duanmu Yun, who had been quietly waiting, suddenly erupted in anger.

Yet, this scene was not unfamiliar to Xie Shenhong.

In his previous life, when she covered his escape from the capital, Duanmu Yun had been just as furious.

It was simply because he had uttered similar words at that time.

It was simply because this relative, though not by blood, wished more than anyone else for him not to belittle himself.

Honestly… how was he supposed to run away now?

Sighing inwardly, Xie Shenhong nodded.

“I understand.

I will do my best.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you… don’t worry, we will all support you from behind…”

Duanmu Yun, both joyful and relieved, embraced him.

Rarely did she refrain from any superfluous teasing.

Rarely was she so earnest.

Yet, for some reason, the thought that occurred to Xie Shenhong was that he wished Duanmu Yun would never be so earnest.

‘I must ensure the puppet’s power is restored as soon as possible.’

Xie Shenhong secretly vowed in his heart.

After all, a good-for-nothing like him was only useful as a charging battery.

****

After briefly informing Xie Shenhong of the points to note and the responsibilities he should fulfill, Duanmu Yun picked up the phonograph.

“Shenhong, what is recorded here?”

“You’ll know once you listen.”

Xie Shenhong could only say this.

Fortunately, this indirect method would not trigger intense heart pain… perhaps it wouldn’t be so troublesome, and writing it down might also work.

But soon, he discovered—

“Shenhong, are you smitten with Knight Lyte?” Duanmu Yun looked at him as if she had discovered something amusing.

Xie Shenhong, however, was utterly stunned.

The most crucial parts had not been recorded by the phonograph at all.

Yet, it was impossible for him to be mistaken about such a thing, especially since he had been so calm, rational, and capable when he transformed into the Hai Zhu puppet.

After much thought, there was only one explanation.

He immediately took out his phone and sent a message to Duanmu Yun.

–Sister Yun, quickly check the content.

Duanmu Yun generously showed her phone to Xie Shenhong—all the most critical sentences were missing.

Clearly, Xie Shenhong’s attempt to indirectly tell others about future events would only result in missing key information, just as it had now.

“Shenhong, go back and get some good rest.

Don’t overthink things.

I know this task is a bit stressful, but you will definitely do well.”

“Mm.”

Xie Shenhong offered a desolate smile and nodded.

In the end, all he could truly do was act as a charging battery… Once Duanmu Yun left, he immediately cut his finger, allowing blood to drip onto the golden pocket watch.

One drop, two drops, three drops…

Until the entire watch was stained red, yet the markings on it did not move a single increment.

Xie Shenhong’s heart sank completely.

What divine artifact recognizing its master, what charging battery—he was probably a disposable battery!

The kind of junk that had already run out of power!

“Damn it, why am I so useless?”

Xie Shenhong walked aimlessly towards home, unable to imagine Duanmu Yun’s disappointment when he was eventually proven to have no secondary charging effect.

No, Duanmu Yun wouldn’t be disappointed; instead, she would comfort him, telling him not to blame himself too much… but that was precisely what Xie Shenhong found most unacceptable.

Being useless was one thing, but to make others worry about him in turn… wasn’t that just a pure burden?

He absolutely refused!

“But what should I do… Oh, I’m sorry.”

Lost deep in thought, Xie Shenhong once again bumped into someone, but as he finished apologizing, he realized it was the same person from before.

“You should pay more attention to your surroundings when walking,” Lyte said.

“Why are you here?” Xie Shenhong’s face quickly contorted.

“What are you planning?”

He was so agitated because he was already near his home.

Lyte, this imperial spy, appearing here… no matter how he thought about it, it was an extremely ominous situation.

Had he been seen transforming back?

But he had clearly sensed Lyte leaving at that time…

Or had his conversation with Duanmu Yun been overheard?

But Sister Yun’s intelligence-gathering magic was the strongest in the kingdom; if he had to fear information leaks even when by her side, then where in this country could he possibly be safe?

Xie Shenhong grew more and more desperate, wanting to transform into the Hai Zhu puppet, but the pocket watch showed no reaction.

Clearly, he had used up all his time for transforming into the Hai Zhu puppet for the day.

He was at his wit’s end.

“You’re injured?”

Lyte’s gaze shifted to Xie Shenhong’s still-bleeding hand.

‘Is this guy here to steal the pocket watch?’

Xie Shenhong immediately clutched the pocket watch tightly and stepped back, but only then did he realize he was not only acting meaninglessly but also exposing the importance of the pocket watch.

He was completely doomed!

But Lyte did nothing.

He merely lowered his head with an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry, I startled you, but I mean no harm.”

Seeing Xie Shenhong still glaring at him like a protective puppy, ready for a fight, Lyte mustered his courage and took a step forward, stopping about a meter away, then extended his hand.

“Give me your hand.”

“Do you think I’ll surrender…”

“Not your belongings, but your injured hand.”

Xie Shenhong paused slightly, hesitated, then extended his hand.

Without any physical contact, Lyte silently cast healing magic from a distance.

Once the wound was fully healed… Lyte smiled faintly and took a step back.

Beyond that, he did nothing superfluous.

“What do you want here?”

Xie Shenhong’s tone had softened considerably.

Given the current situation, Lyte probably didn’t know the importance of the pocket watch.

Otherwise, with Lyte’s Golden-tier strength, there would be no need to put on such an act with a good-for-nothing like him in a secluded place.

Of course, it wasn’t impossible that Lyte was wary of him suddenly transforming into the Hai Zhu puppet.

But the most likely scenario was that Lyte considered him an ordinary suspicious individual.

After all, his reaction when facing Lyte had been far too intense, and Lyte’s official identity was that of a knight.

Even arresting him for interrogation would be perfectly justifiable.

However, in the next moment, Xie Shenhong was utterly bewildered by Lyte’s words—

“It’s like this: school starts tomorrow, and I hope you’ll attend your classes properly.”