by N. Heller
"You're genius," Surprisingly, Qing Jiuliu praised Lin Sanjiu this time, "That man looks dumb. This should be good enough to con him."
Fixing the beard onto her chin was a more laborious task than Lin Sanjiu had initially thought. The silver lining was that Qing Jiuliu had some experiences with various props when he was in the industry. After what it seemed like an eternity, they had finally covered the lower half of her face with the pieces of beard.
The next thing Lin Sanjiu needed to do was to cover her exposed eyebrows, eyes, and her stature that might undermine her guise. As such, Lin Sanjiu snatched a sizeable black curtain from a president's room and covered her body from her head to her toe, leaving only her stubbled chin exposed in the air. With her height of nearly 6 feet, she did look more like a man now.
The first thing Lin Sanjiu did after the glue had dried was to search for any clues left by Ji Shanqing. She went floor by floor, starting from the top level to the ground level. Since she didn't know what had happened to Ji Shanqing and where he went, she couldn't throw discretion to the wind and clash with Irezumi. For the sake of the grand prize, she couldn't afford to get into an accident now.
What surprised her the most was that Qing Jiuliu decided to stay and help her search for the clues about Ji Shanqing after he had weighed the situation.
"Well, when I think about it," As he fiddled with his beard that looked as if some canine animal had mauled it, he said earnestly, "... If I leave now, I can take at most ten bottles of boozes with me, and I probably would finish them all a few days later. But you, you're like a walking alcohol and tobacco storage. Since I am pretty free now, I might as well follow you around first."
Lin Sanjiu was torn between laughing or crying. Qing Jiuliu then continued, fiddling his chin, "... Do you have a razor? I want to shave off my beard. It feels itchy and uncomfortable."
"Sure, I'll meet up with you later," Lin Sanjiu told Qing Jiuliu, "I'll continue to search the rest of the building."
Lin Sanjiu had no idea whether or not Ji Shanqing left any hints behind. Even if he did, she wouldn't know what form the clues would take, so she was oblivious as to what she should look for. Right now, all she could do was concentrate her search for something that seemed to stand out from the surroundings particularly. However, although she had been looking for two floors straight, her search yielded no worthwhile results.
"That's weird. I didn't see any new marks from fighting…" Lin Sanjiu was losing hope as she traveled down. As such, she returned to the floor Ji Shanqing told her he would be. She craned her neck and looked far into the distance, "Where did he go?"
"I wonder what has Qing Jiuliu found," Just when the thought surfaced in her mind, the door behind her was shoved open. Lin Sanjiu turned around and closed her lips tight to swallow the words "What have you found?"
On Irezumi's unusually long and gloomy face, there were a pair of constricted neon yellow snake eyes.
"Who are you?" Irezumi hissed, "... And why are you here?"
"It works! He can't recognize me."
Lin Sanjiu swept her glance across to see that he was no longer carrying the short man on his shoulder.
"Where has he carried the short man to?"
Compared to a man's voice, her voice was too sharp. And faking a male voice was a feat that only worked in the movie. After Lin Sanjiu hesitated for a brief moment, she didn't say anything but took a step back and took out her [Tape Recorder].
"Oh?" Irezumi widened his yellow eyes, "Do you want a fight? That's great! I needed somebody that can help me to let off some steam—Hey, hold on a sec," Lin Sanjiu stared at him fixedly. She pressed her finger firmly on the tape recorder.
"You look like…" Crooking his head, Irezumi scrutinized Lin Sanjiu from her head to her toe, causing the latter's heart to run faster and faster like a galloping horse. Even though she had covered herself with a black curtain, her physical appearance still looked different from a man. For example, she didn't have broad shoulders as most men did. If Irezumi realized her true gender, a brutal fight might ensue afterward.
However, what Irezumi said next froze Lin Sanjiu on the spot.
"You look strong," He had a look like his brain had been unclogged as his eyes began to lit up brighter with every passing second, "Normally, those who have decided to fight me were all pretty strong… Hmm, fantastic!"
"Fantastic?"
Lin Sanjiu's heart jumped even faster as realization had suddenly dawned on her.
"Have you been to Twelve World Centrum before? How old are you? Of course, you're definitely not a Colleen. There's no question of it," Irezumi turned around a few times like a happy bird and bombarded Lin Sanjiu with many questions, "What is your main ability? Do you want a visa?"
The last words that came out from Irezumi's lips matched with the thought in Lin Sanjiu's mind.
"Do you wish to join us as a candidate for a trial?"
"I knew it!"
"We'll grant you everything you wish after you have accomplished all the trials," Irezumi looked around again as he was too delighted with himself finding yet another candidate, "... Of course, if you refuse to enter the trial, I have to eliminate you."
"We have to choose between getting all our wishes granted or getting killed. No wonder they can always recruit candidates. Just who is behind all these damn trials?"
Lin Sanjiu laughed bitterly in her heart.
Lin Sanjiu couldn't speak now, and her beard was fake. Her facade as a man was as fragile as bubbles. Just when her brain was whirring fast to think of a strategy to pull her out from this dangerous situation, Irezumi's contented sigh drifted into her ears, "This building must be my lucky spot. Including you, I have found two candidates here."
"Two candidates? Here?"
Lin Sanjiu could only feel blood was rushing up to her brain.
"What's in your mind? Do you want to join the trial?" Irezumi glared fixate at her with his two elongated pupils, "Say something."
There was nothing to hesitate now— Lin Sanjiu nodded twice as if she was afraid Irezumi would suddenly retract his offer.
"Marvelous," Irezumi replied. Then, he narrowed his eyes, feeling a bit suspicious, "... Why won't you ask anything? Besides, ever since I showed up, you have not uttered a single word. By right, a candidate should have a lot of questions to ask."
Even though faking as a dumb was a way to cover her true identity, she couldn't tell Irezumi that she was a mute either via hand sign or writing. The moment she lifted her slender hand out from her cloak, she would be exposed.
Seeing that the person in front of him refused to respond, Irezumi's two vertical irises had constricted into two thin lines as he walked closer to her.
"Brother Lin!"
A voice from the behind Irezumi stunned both of them. Irezumi quickly turned around, and Lin Sanjiu saw the strange youngster at the door.
She couldn't tell which part of the youngster was more enrapturing. When the youngster stepped into the light, even Irezumi fell silent.
That was a face that could grasp one's heart and dazzle one's eyes.
No, not only his appearance—
In fact, the moment she saw his face, only then Lin Sanjiu knew why those luminary artists would be otherwise known as "superstars." It was as if everything in the world had plunged into eternal darkness at the very presence of the youngster. He was like the brightest star, pulsing with his great luminance in the middle of the impenetrable umbra.
"Who the f.u.c.k is this?" Lin Sanjiu couldn't help cursing aloud in her heart.
"Who is this gentleman, Brother Lin?" The youngster was unaware of her inner activity. He walked closer to him and stared warily at Irezumi, "Are you alright?"
Dumbstruck, Irezumi swung his head after he realized he had been enthralled by the beauty of the youngster in front of him. When he finally snapped back into reality, he then asked with a frown, "You know each other?"
"Of course," As if he was protecting her, the youngster moved a step forwa
rd. Just a single step was enough to make people feel his nervousness, and his determination to protect the person behind him, "... Brother Lin had lost his vocal cord when he was saving me from an accident. Even though he survived from the clutches of death, he has lost the ability to speak. If you have any questions, ask me. I'll answer them for you."
… Even Lin Sanjiu was spaced out a bit.
"Oh, that's why he didn't speak at all, so he's a mute," Irezumi assented as he accepted Qing Jiuliu's reasoning, "Since you two are partners, the thing has become a bit harder now— All in all, I can't afford to let a third party know the thing about candidates."
After those words had been spoken, he was stunned, "Oh, you wouldn't know if I didn't tell you…"
Had Lin Sanjiu not refrained from uttering any sounds, she would have sighed at Irezumi's stupidity. Even Qing Jiuliu was a bit perplexed as he was at a loss about what he should reply.
"Anyway, let's forget about it," Irezumi suddenly waved his hand after he contemplated it for a while, "We need more candidates, and I have recruited a pretty little boy that is even prettier than you. Since you two are partners, then both of you can be my candidates? What do y'all think?"
"A fair-faced young lad? " Lin Sanjiu heart went pit-a-pat. Without waiting for Qing Jiuliu to make any response, she stepped forward and nodded.
"That's the answer I want. If you two refused to become my candidate, I'll have no choice but to kill you, little bud."
Initially, Qing Jiuliu showed some reluctance, yet his hesitation was swiftly over. The moment he heard what Irezumi had said, he quickly rephrased his unspoken words, "... What should we do as a candidate? Can you tell us more details?"
"Sure, I'll tell you everything you need to know," Irezumi coughed, pulled out a chair and sat on it, "Find yourself a seat and listen closely to what I say."
Lin Sanjiu's action was a little bit stiff as she searched with Qing Jiuliu for a seat.
As Irezumi began his explanation, Lin Sanjiu didn't pay any real attention to it. From time to time, she would dart a few glances at the youngster sitting next to her. Her mind was occupied by one thought, "With a beard, he totally changed into a different person. He really deserves to be an award-winning actor."
Chapter 458 - A Whistle
"We are very well-hidden in the Twelve Worlds Centrum so almost no one knows of our existence."
Irezumi placed both of his hands on his knees with a solemn expression on his face. Two black lines with shimmery outlines slowly swept across the two people in front of him. The first part of his explanation matched what the short man said so Lin Sanjiu listened inattentively. When Irezumi started talking about the organization's background, her ears immediately perked.
"It is compulsory for all the members in our organization, including arbiters as well as candidates like you, to keep our existence strictly confidential. Just like the 'main body' of our organization, we operate in the background, hidden from sight. A member can only come clean about his identity when he becomes the leader of the organization as he is the public-facing representative to the Twelve Worlds Centrum. Who knows how many people in the Twelve Worlds Centrum have tried to uncover the hidden forces behind our leader but no one had ever succeeded."
"Are we competing to be the leader of the organization?" Qing Jiuliu quickly interjected when Irezumi paused for a moment.
"Yes, reaching that stage is another issue altogether," Irezumi nodded and let out a somewhat grudging sigh. "You newcomers do not have the right to know the name of our organization or the identity of our leader. That goes without saying. The only thing you can do now is to complete more trials to raise your rank—"
"Wait," Qing Jiuliu interrupted. Perhaps, Qing Jiuliu exuded a natural charisma as a lead-role actor. Despite looking disgruntled, Irezumi stopped the moment Qing Jiuliu spoke. "I have a question. Why isn't the new leader elected from the existing members in the organization? Why are you finding an outsider to be your leader?"
"You would know the answer if you listen properly!" Irezumi waved him off, annoyed. "If you keep interrupting me, I will mess up the introductory speech I memorized!"
"He memorized that introductory speech? " Lin Sanjiu mused.
After Irezumi hissed at him, Qing Jiuliu finally kept quiet. Irezumi continued, "Due to the secretive nature of our organization, we can't hold large recruitment drives to get new members. As a result, our members are dwindling... Our leader must be an accomplished posthuman that is outstanding in every aspect, be it superior intellect, combat ability, mental strength or others. If we only elect a person internally, each leader would only be weaker than the one before. To maintain the power and influence of our organization, we started this system of candidates and arbiters."
"Sounds logical, " Lin Sanjiu thought as she frowned.
"The arbiter's role is to search for candidates with excellent combat skills and to supervise and observe candidates as they complete a series of trials," Irezumi eyed Qing Jiuliu after he said those words. Irezumi was only satisfied when he noted that Qing Jiuliu had kept his mouth shut. "Every time a candidate completes a trial, he moves to the next rank. Every time you reach a new rank, you can gain the corresponding authority and benefits associated with that rank. You gain the right to make various requests in the organization. For example, you can request visas other resources.
"Both of you are still Rank 1 candidates. The highest rank you can reach is 10. The person who completes the Rank 10 trial would emerge as the leader," Irezumi said unhurriedly. Lin Sanjiu even suspected that the man would forget his memorized script if he spoke too fast. "However, if you fail three trials consecutively, you will be removed from the candidate list. The candidates who fail the trials after the fifth rank can choose to become arbiters or upper-tier members. Those who fail before reaching the fifth rank can choose to become a lower-tier member or to be expunged by the arbiters."
"In the words, this candidate-arbiter system is another form of recruitment? "
"Okay, I have finished explaining the system," Irezumi seemed very happy that he had finally completed the long introduction. "I have to record some of your personal information right now. What are your names?"
"Qing Jiuliu."
Qing Jiuliu said his name without even a second of hesitation. According to him, there were at least 2 billion plus people in the world that would recognize him if they saw his face. Consequently, he had never considered hiding his name even after the apocalypse. Lin Sanjiu couldn't help thinking that Qing Jiuliu would probably be a goner if he met Ji Shanqing in the mirror maze if he was placed in her position.
"What about him?" Irezumi took out a pencil before anyone noticed and handed it to Lin Sanjiu.
"He… he is called Strongman Lin."
The newly-named Strongman Lin sighed. The award-winning actor seemed to have a bad taste in names.
Surprisingly, Irezumi nodded his head, "That's a good name. There is magnanimous air about it. It sounds worthy of a powerful man… What are your main skills?"
As the short man had already informed them that the arbiter had a method to verify a person's ability, Qing Jiuliu did not dare to lie. He revealed to Irezumi his and Lin Sanjiu's ability truthfully. When Irezumi found out about Lin Sanjiu's ability, he didn't even attempt to hide his disappointment. Sighing loudly, he recorded both their abilities.
"The previous candidate was stronger. Ugh, it's such a shame." After Irezumi grumbled a little, he folded the piece of paper in his hand and kept it. Surprisingly, he didn't take out any sort of Special Item to verify their abilities. After that, he looked at his two candidates, "I only need these two pieces of information. When you go up a rank, I will need to add more information."
"What is our trial about?" Qing Jiuliu asked.
"Our organization runs many enterprises. One of our enterprises ran by our Red Nautilus branch has been destroyed recently." Irezumi knotted his brows as he continued, "That was a very popular enterprise in Twelve Worlds Centrum.
Based on reliable sources, the person who destroyed that branch was a tall woman. She is currently in this world. We still have more than ten months before she moves to another world. Your trial involves finding that woman, killing her and bringing her corpse back to me."
Lin Sanjiu's heart raced instantly. Her heart thumped so loud that she was even afraid that Irezumi would notice—
"That's it? Find a tall woman?" Qing Jiuliu's spontaneous reaction made it seem as if he had not seen or known any tall women around. "That description is too vague. Even if I have to find for a needle in a haystack, at least I know I'm searching for a needle. How would you know that I got the right person if I brought just any corpse back?"
"The description isn't vague," Irezumi coughed. "You need to look for a woman who is about 180cm. Two or three months ago, she came to this world from Red Nautilus. Her age is around 25 to 30. She knows that there are people after her, so she is probably very cautious when she moves around. Based on our previous work, we are certain that our target is within a 1000 km radius.
"Even though we got her name from a consular officer, I can't tell you that information to maintain the difficulty of this trial. When you bring her corpse back, you need to tell me her name. I will use that information to verify her identity. I might also ask you for some details about the destruction of that branch. In short, the purpose of this trial is to test your ability to track a person, your interrogation skills and your fighting capabilities.
Even though her thoughts were racing now, Lin Sanjiu could not say a thing. The branch which had been destroyed was obviously the Slaves Training Camp. Wasn't the person that ran Slaves Training Camp called 'Head of College' or something? She was nearly caught by that person. If this was true, was the 'Head of College' a member of this organization?
"Is he an upper-tier member or the leader?"