The Unveiling

As if mirroring the previous night, as darkness fully descended, the wind began to rise, howling and battering against the windows, creating an irritatingly loud and unnerving din.

Xiang Qi’s hazy eyes fluttered open, her expression gradually settling into a thoughtful calm as she gazed contemplatively towards the door.

Since parting ways at dusk, she had remained in her room, conserving her energy for the arduous battle awaiting her that night. She also sought to replenish the energy drained by her ability’s use during the day, ensuring she wouldn’t find herself unable to activate it when most needed.

‘As things stood now, a single, strained use should pose no significant issue, right?’

Pondering this, Xiang Qi straightened her posture, taking several deep breaths to stabilize her condition.

Finally, she felt ready. Despite the physical weakness brought on by hunger and thirst, she had optimized her state as much as possible, rising to open the door.

Shu Xun was leaning against the door. When it suddenly swung open, she was startled, nearly losing her balance and tumbling into Xiang Qi’s arms.

“Sister Xia, are you well-rested?”

“Mm…” Xiang Qi hummed, not intending to answer directly. Instead, she posed another question. “Where is Gu Changqing?”

Without waiting for a reply, she turned to retrieve the items she had prepared earlier, leaving her back completely exposed to Shu Xun, the girl with glasses.

“Him? Sister Xiang apparently called him away, saying there were some situations she needed him to look into.” Shu Xun followed Xiang Qi into the room, a hint of displeasure on her face. “We’re supposed to be on the same side now, yet he just went off with someone else without a word. He‘s really unreliable.”

“It’s fine. This was something he and I had already agreed upon.”

Xiang Qi’s long eyelashes quivered slightly. She spoke casually, yet she never turned around.

“Agreed upon?”

Shu Xun seemed confused, scratching her head. Her long hair, unkempt for two days, looked particularly messy.

“When did this happen?”

“When you were helping us make the tools. Oh, did you bring the items?”

“Yes, I brought them.”

Retrieving a long rope and several canvas pouches from behind her back, Shu Xun approached Xiang Qi. Just as she was about to hand over the items, Xiang Qi suddenly spun around, a faint, unreadable smile playing on her lips.

“What, couldn’t resist?”

If such an expression hadn’t been on the face of a beautiful girl, it would have been utterly infuriating. However, Xiang Qi was indeed a beauty, and at only 162 centimeters tall, she appeared particularly adorable.

“What are you talking about, Sister Xia? What couldn’t I resist?” Shu Xun blinked, her expression growing even more bewildered. She placed the items on the table, then smoothed them out, arranging them neatly.

“Nothing, I just said it casually.”

With that, Xiang Qi turned back, picking something up from the bed.

Shu Xun watched her, then glanced at herself, slowly raising her hand. A faint glint of cold light subtly emerged in her grasp, remarkably inconspicuous in the weak moonlight.

Then the room lit up. The sudden burst of light stung her eyes, making her instinctively shield them with a hand, her expression somewhat dazed. She felt her hand lighten, something having been taken from her.

Xiang Qi toyed with the short dagger she had just acquired, curling her lips in disdain. Did they truly believe her lifelong danger perception was just for show? Before even opening the door, that faint, elusive sense of crisis had put her on high alert.

The atmosphere grew quiet. The candle flame flickered gently, casting soft, dim shadows. Shu Xun, her eyes now adjusted to the light, narrowed them and subtly retreated two steps.

“When exactly did you find out? I was certain I hadn’t shown any flaws.”

The previously gentle and delicate demeanor was completely gone, replaced by an icy aura that made one’s skin prickle.

“Ah, you mean that?” Xiang Qi tilted her head, offering an innocent smile. “It hasn’t been long, actually. Just when you leaned close this morning.”

‘Doesn’t that mean she knew from the very beginning?’ Shu Xun remained expressionless, removing her glasses and looking directly into Xiang Qi’s eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that. There were actually quite a few flaws. Ignoring someone as powerful as Xiang Ke and choosing me, who clearly has no combat ability, is rather inexplicable, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Furthermore, I haven’t shown any special abilities along the way, essentially acting as a useless pretty face. For someone to still get close to me under such circumstances, what could their true motive be?”

“Tch, I thought it was for some grand reason. That’s far from enough.”

Shu Xun pulled another short dagger from her clothes, brandishing it at Xiang Qi. To Xiang Qi’s surprise, she then tossed the knife aside, signaling her lack of resistance.

“Now, let’s have a proper talk, Miss Xia Lingxue.”

Shu Xun had come prepared with a two-pronged strategy. If threats proved ineffective, then she would openly and sincerely discuss things. As long as she achieved her goal, the process wasn’t truly important.

“Sorry, I don’t want to talk to you.”

The time they had agreed upon for their afternoon action was fast approaching, and Gu Changqing still hadn’t arrived, making Xiang Qi worry that something had gone awry. Her unease intensified.

One thing she was certain of: the threat did not come from the girl with glasses before her.

The next moment, as Xiang Qi’s eye twitched, Shu Xun punched a hole through the bed board, then casually withdrew her fist as if nothing had happened.

“Can we talk now?”

‘Alright, I take back what I said. The threat might actually be coming from this person.’

‘Is this also an effect of an ability? Why is mine so terrible, leaving me miserable for half a day after just one use?’

Suddenly, Xiang Qi’s previously excited mood, stemming from her discovery of her ability’s effects, soured completely. She felt she had been saddled with a useless trinket.

‘Look at others’ abilities, then look at mine. This is the so-called gap.’

This was Xiang Qi’s disadvantage due to her inexperience. Having only a vague impression of her own ability, she didn’t truly understand what abilities should be like, and was instantly bluffed. Ultimately, she was still a pure newcomer. Although she had somehow joined a team of veterans, she was essentially still a rookie.

After her customary display of ability and strength, Shu Xun found the effect surprisingly good. The person opposite her immediately quieted down, appearing remarkably cooperative.

She instantly suspected a trick, and for a moment, dared not act rashly.

The reason she had blended into the newcomer’s team was precisely because she wasn’t confident in her own hard strength. Her later use of Xiang Qi as a cover also stemmed from this consideration.

Thus, two suspicious individuals were left stunned by their mutual overthinking.