Yu Sheng listened quietly as Bai Li Qing explained all these intricate details.
Once she finished, the greatest impression left on him was just how capable those organized groups were when it ca to crafting their theories. The followers of the Holy Revere Hermitage were clearly leagues beyond the mad ramblings of the Angel Cultists. No wonder the Hermitage could create sothing as insane as an “Artificial Saintess” and hold onto their own territory, while those Angel Cultists only managed to kill themselves, hoping to startle so Dark Angels enough for their “Lord” to glance their way. The two groups simply weren’t on the sa level.
Of course, Yu Sheng had little interest in deeply analyzing whether the Holy Revere Hermitage’s grand idea of “redeeming humanity and repairing the entire world through sanctification” actually held any truth.
These were heretics, after all—of course their words had to be alluring. Even if the core of their philosophy was twisted, they’d always manage to make it sound appealing. Otherwise, how else could they attract new mbers?
After all, true believers who started out genuinely wanting revenge on society were rare. If a fringe organization openly declared its mission was to set the world afla, the only ones it could attract were embittered failures already beaten down by life. But if they said sothing like, “Our organization’s mission is to use scientific innovation to bring warmth to the entire world,” it instantly sounded cultured…
Yu Sheng’s thoughts wandered in circles for a few seconds before he snapped back, quickly asking another question: “Has Holy Revere Hermitage caused Borderland trouble before? Have they tried anything big here?”
“Given Borderland’s special status, we’ve crossed paths with nearly every heretic group or large criminal organization—including Holy Revere Hermitage,” Bai Li Qing replied. “But most conflicts occurred far out on distant Frontier stations or colonial planets. They rarely dared to cause trouble here on Borderland’s ho turf. Past incidents were mostly limited to smuggling or rescuing their captured mbers—but this ti is different.”
As she spoke, Bai Li Qing’s voice grew heavier.
“The Artificial Saintess isn’t sothing they casually deploy. Beyond their formidable combat abilities, each of these killing machines holds a special symbolic importance within Holy Revere Hermitage. An Artificial Saintess often serves as the core of a major ‘Sanctification’ operation, symbolizing a Saint’s guidance and protection as much as defending Hermitage assets… You understand my aning.”
Yu Sheng remained silent, his brow furrowed deeply in thought. After a long pause, he finally broke the silence: “Could it be related to this sudden fog?”
“…That’s precisely what I’m suspecting,” Bai Li Qing nodded gently. “This fog is highly abnormal. An Otherworld of this scale couldn’t have been here all along without anyone noticing. And its timing is especially suspicious—appearing so soon after the Angel’s Descent incident. Right now, anyone causing disruptions in Borderland is especially suspicious.”
Just then, the specialists from the identification departnt returned.
They brought back the black Head Veil and several of the blades Yu Sheng requested.
“We’ve completed our analysis. It’s an N-12-type Artificial Saintess, with an estimated operational lifespan of less than five years. The N-12 is a new model, so our database has limited records,” the specialist reported to Bai Li Qing. “Its outer shell is constructed from military-grade Type-II Auton Alloy armor, with traces of carbon-yne crystal clusters, likely produced in the Grand Cross Constellation. The blades are made of single-direction crystallized alloy—a mature technology carried over from the previous N-11 model. The exact production location couldn’t be determined, but it’s believed to originate from a secret forge belonging to Holy Revere Hermitage.”
The technician paused briefly, pointing toward the Head Veil: “We also examined this veil. It’s a ceremonial design from a local brand distributed widely through the Council’s trade network to over twenty external channels. It’s particularly popular outside Borderland, resulting in nurous counterfeits and rebrands. Unfortunately, authentic product verification has been poorly managed, complicating attempts to trace its origin.”
Yu Sheng listened, a bit overwheld, silently acknowledging that professionals truly were in a league of their own—even though he didn’t quite understand what they ant by alloys and production sites.
Yet clearly, to Bai Li Qing, these details were invaluable.
“N-12…” she murmured thoughtfully, “Deploying such advanced models can’t be decided by local branches alone. It must have been authorized by a senior Sage at the middle level or higher within Hermitage.” After a brief pause, she nodded toward the technician. “Good, you may return for now.”
“Yes, Director.”
The specialists departed.
Bai Li Qing’s gaze then fell squarely back onto Yu Sheng.
Yu Sheng listened as Bai Li Qing explained, stunned by what he heard.
After she finished, his main feeling was simple amazent—organizations that studied theory were truly impressive. Those people at Holy Revere Hermitage were clearly far superior to the chaotic Angel Cultists. No wonder they had successfully created absurd things like an “Artificial Saintess” and claid their own territory. anwhile, Angel Cultists only knew how to kill themselves, hoping their deaths might scare so passing Dark Angel enough to earn their deity’s glance—the difference in efficiency was clear as day.
Of course, whether Holy Revere Hermitage’s theories about “repairing humanity and the world through sanctification” actually made sense was sothing Yu Sheng had no interest in analyzing closely.
After all, heretical cults always had compelling argunts. Even if their logic was twisted at the core, they’d wrap it up smoothly enough that everything looked polished and convincing on the surface.
——
“We’d like to keep this arm for analysis,” Bai Li Qing said seriously. “Samples of Artificial Saintess bodies are rare, especially this new model. The Special Affairs Bureau is prepared to purchase it as a high-grade artifact. Is that acceptable?”
“That’s fine by ,” Yu Sheng replied with a carefree smile. “Like I said, all I want are these long blades. You handle the rest; I’m not really sure about market prices. I’ll just take these blades back with .”
Carefully, he picked up the exceptionally sharp and sturdy blade-like fingernails, handing them to Foxy, who promptly tucked them away inside her tails. Yu Sheng then hesitated slightly before picking up the black head veil. Turning toward Irene, he asked curiously, “Want to turn this thing into a skirt for you?”
“I absolutely don’t!” Irene instantly showed her disgust. “It’s creepy and weird. Who knows how many terrible things that C-type buckle has done while wearing it? I don’t want the bad luck.”
Yu Sheng chuckled. “Funny, you seem plenty happy when you strip monsters of their skins and scales to craft equipnt in your gas.”
Irene stood firmly atop Bai Li Qing’s desk, hands on hips. “That’s completely different! A ga is a ga, reality is reality.”
Yu Sheng casually tossed the head veil to Foxy. “Alright, fine. If you don’t want it, you don’t want it. Foxy, just store this thing for now—you’ve got plenty of space in your tails anyway.”
By the ti they finished discussing the Holy Revere Hermitage, it was nearly three in the morning.
Considering that the investigation wouldn’t be solved overnight, Yu Sheng decided to return ho first. Foxy was already yawning constantly, her ears drooping with exhaustion.
Besides, Yu Sheng still needed to bring the house back into the real world. Although Wutong Road No. 66 naturally generated cognitive interference—allowing it, theoretically, to drift through the skies of Boundary City unnoticed—he worried that staying too long in the Otherworld might still cause unforeseen problems.
“We’ll be heading back first,” Yu Sheng said, casually opening a large Door directly into the living room at ho. “Wutong Road No. 66 will be back in position soon. There might be so minor ‘movent,’ so be ready to record the new signature and update your automatic systems.”
“Understood.” Bai Li Qing rose from behind her desk. “I’ll personally oversee the Deep Diving Unit’s search efforts. If we discover new leads inside Mistbound City, I’ll let you know imdiately.”
Yu Sheng nodded, stepping through the Door with Foxy and Irene. As the illusory Door closed silently behind them, Bai Li Qing stood still for a few seconds before quietly exhaling and picking up her phone, dialing an internal extension.
“Who’s on duty in the technical departnt right now…? Good. There’s sothing we need…”
——
“Ho feels so much better,” Irene muttered the mont they were back, hopping from Foxy’s arms to stretch vigorously. “The Steel-faced Ice Queen’s office was cold everywhere. Even the air felt heavy.”
Foxy gave a massive yawn, several of her fluffy tails drooping with fatigue. “Benefactor, I’m sleepy.”
Seeing her state, Yu Sheng laughed, reaching out to scratch gently behind the Demon Fox Maiden’s ears. “Go upstairs and sleep first. I’ll bring the house back.”
“Okay~” Foxy mumbled drowsily, heading slowly upstairs. Halfway there, she simply dropped to all fours, crawling up lazily.
Watching this, Yu Sheng chuckled helplessly.
It seed this fox girl was growing more relaxed and casual by the day—not that it was a bad thing.
Shaking off his own sleepiness, Yu Sheng approached the main entrance, placing his hand on the door handle to begin returning Wutong Road No. 66 to the real world.
This was the first ti he’d attempted a reverse operation, so admittedly, he was a little nervous.
When a person beca nervous, strange ideas tended to pop into their head.
As soon as he established a connection with the Door, an odd thought flashed through Yu Sheng’s mind—if his house could travel freely between the Borderland and Mistbound City, would it also be possible to go elsewhere? What if he assigned new coordinates and sent it sowhere distant—maybe another planet, or perhaps one of those strange worlds he’d glimpsed when practicing door-opening before?
Would Wutong Road No. 66 naturally appear there as well? What if it landed in another city, another civilization…?
Seeing Yu Sheng suddenly freeze, then smile oddly, Irene imdiately guessed what was happening. The little doll quickly interrupted him, “Hey, hey! Don’t start experinting now—it’s past three in the morning, give it a rest!”
Yu Sheng coughed lightly, hastily dismissing those wild ideas. “Ahem, I was just imagining possibilities. Imagining, you know? Not like I’m going to actually do anything crazy this ti.”
Muttering quietly, he dutifully refocused, carefully reassigning Wutong Road No. 66 and the Door as a single, complete entity, readying it to return to its original spot.
The door handle turned gently, clicking softly as the lock disengaged.
Slowly, Yu Sheng pushed open the heavy door.
The street outside was peaceful under the night sky. No mist, everything normal.
Standing on the empty lot outside were two unfamiliar Special Affairs Bureau operatives. Each held sothing resembling a recorder, staring blankly at Yu Sheng.
After an awkward pause, the two operatives spoke simultaneously, “Uh…you’re back?”
“Yeah, we’re back,” Yu Sheng answered.
“Welco back…”
“Want to co in?” Yu Sheng asked politely.
“No, no, we’ve got instant noodles waiting…”
“Oh, alright, I’ll close the door then.”
“Please do, please do.”
Closing the door, Yu Sheng exchanged puzzled looks with the little doll at his feet.
“I feel like these two aren’t very bright,” Yu Sheng comnted.
“Yeah,” Irene agreed, nodding vigorously. “Pretty silly, if you ask .”
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