"Makes a lot of sense, that’s probably it." Yang Xiao nodded in agreent.
Although he admired Yamamoto Chunai’s heroic deed, objectively speaking, Yamamoto Chunai is a newcor after all. Newcors lack experience and adaptability, so it’s unlikely she would do anything beyond expectation. Most of her actions could be anticipated.
In Yang Xiao’s analysis, luck played a significant role in her escape.
If possible, Yang Xiao sincerely hoped her luck could improve, looking forward to the day the two would et again.
anwhile, Yang Xiao thought of another matter. The three attacks launched by the Paint Ghost were all carried out under illuminated conditions.
The first attack targeted Suzuki Takashi, and it happened in the waiting hall of Shirahata Station. Yang Xiao had visited the site, and the lighting was good there.
The second attack was on Yang Xiao himself, not far from the entrance of Youjian Mountain Tunnel, also during the day.
The third ti, the Paint Ghost attacked the Detective Agency, and at that ti, all the lights in the agency were on, providing excellent illumination.
Yang Xiao boldly speculated this guy had a certain phototropic tendency, only able to "witness" targets within illuminated ranges.
Of course, as to the exact outco, he couldn’t be sure, but this theory at least pointed them in a direction.
If tonight, either he or Takagi Reina or Xiao Lin Zhengyan unfortunately got expelled from the train, they should try this thod to survive.
The re thought of walking into a dark, ghost-infested underground tunnel is a courage not typical for any ordinary person.
Next is the third point, the Underground City ntioned by Yamamoto Chunai; it was also her destination, and from the outco, she went missing there.
The last ssage was two photographs, one of which showed a street flanked by small houses that looked like simple dormitories.
Perhaps due to the space and layout, Yang Xiao felt oppressed at first glance.
The houses stood very close to each other and had no windows.
The background of the second photo was a room, likely one of those houses, with a gloomy and oppressive environnt.
Upon clearly seeing the room’s layout, especially the two iron chairs welded to the ground, Yang Xiao imdiately realized this was not a dormitory but a cell.
This was a prison!
At the sa ti, a rumor about Shelter No. 14 flashed in Yang Xiao’s mind, which ntioned it being a prison and sotis described as a secret experintal base.
It seems this rumor was not without foundation; indeed, there were traces of a prison here, and those who were imprisoned in this place were no ordinary people.
Yang Xiao instinctively began to speculate on the other party’s intentions. What was most unsettling was that the mark of the Black Buddha Mother appeared here.
Could it be... this was once a secret base of the Black Buddha Mother’s forces?
They imprisoned a group of people here, the number unspecified but definitely not small, after all, these specially built cells numbered in dozens at least.
And this was only what was shown in the photos; how many more similar places there were remained unknown.
"What the hell were these bastards doing here?" Yang Xiao felt increasingly uneasy.
Suddenly, a burst of footsteps echoed from the hallway outside, there were two sets, one following the other, approaching from afar.
"They’re here." Takagi Reina snorted coldly.
"Hmm." Yang Xiao was not surprised at all, their actions last night must have caught the other party’s attention.
Soon, the footsteps stopped outside the door, soone raised a hand to knock.
"It’s , Mr. Chu Xi." A gentle male voice ca from outside.
"Kato Shinjiro, why has he co?" Xiao Lin Zhengyan felt a pang of panic and turned to look at the clock on the wall. It was not yet 7 o’clock. They were more than an hour ahead of the agreed ti.
"Don’t trust him, he’s a fake!" Xiao Lin Zhengyan quickly said.
But when it cos to judging matters, Yang Xiao never seeks the opinion of others, at least not from a newcor like Xiao Lin Zhengyan.
He stepped forward and calmly opened the door, revealing Kato Shinjiro standing outside, along with an anxious-looking Sakai Misaki.
Yang Xiao’s gaze skipped past the leading Kato Shinjiro and fell directly on Sakai Misaki’s face behind him.
She looked like a child who had done sothing wrong, lowering her head nervously and uneasily under Yang Xiao’s scrutiny.
At that mont, Yang Xiao understood everything.
Kato Shinjiro’s attitude also beca genuinely sincere at that mont. He nodded to acknowledge the greeting, "Could Miss Zuo Bo rest inside first, Mr. Chu Xi, I have sothing I’d like to discuss with you."
"Let’s talk outside." Yang Xiao did not refuse and turned to look at Takagi Reina and Xiao Lin Zhengyan, "You two stay with Miss Zuo Bo and watch the place. Send a ssage if anything happens."
Saying this, Yang Xiao stepped out the door. Sakai Misaki hesitated, seemingly reluctant to leave Kato Shinjiro’s side until the latter gave her a reassuring look and smiled, saying, "Mr. Chu Xi and I are friends, and both Miss Takagi and Mr. Xiaolin are kind people. You can trust them as you trust ."
Hearing Kato Shinjiro say this, Sakai Misaki finally reluctantly walked into the Detective Agency. Takagi Reina held her hand, giving her a forced smile and seated her by her side, giving Yang Xiao a reassuring look implying that everything was under control.
Once the door closed, the two walked down the corridor to the restroom, where the silence between them was finally broken.
The restroom next door was where Sasaki Kanai had gone missing.
"Thank you," Kato Shinjiro said seriously.
"Thank for what?" Yang Xiao sneered, "Thank for being so stupid and getting tricked by you?"
"Thank you for not exposing , Mr. Chu Xi. I sincerely apologize for what I did to you and your friends."
"But please believe , I an no harm to you. Sakai Misaki is very important to . I need her alive." Kato Shinjiro’s scholarly face was very solemn.
"Stop flattering yourself. All you need is a substitute death, nothing more." Being a seasoned player, Yang Xiao was a bit disappointed with this guy’s theatrics.
"No, it’s not just that." Kato Shinjiro straightened up, his expression even a bit solemn, "Mr. Chu Xi, you’re an impressive individual. I think you might already be aware that among people like us, there are so anomalies who can ’foresee’ future occurrences."
Yang Xiao frowned, "Is it prophecy? Did soone foresee things about you on this mission before you ca?"
"You really aren’t ordinary." Kato Shinjiro nodded, seemingly very satisfied with Yang Xiao’s reaction, "Yes, it’s prophecy. A woman appeared in mine. I will encounter certain death during this mission, and this woman can help survive."
"But the prophecy was too vague. I couldn’t confirm this woman’s identity. Initially, I suspected Yandeta Chiyoda, Miss Takagi, and even Hirano Yuuhi. But now, I’ve confird she’s right beside ."
"It’s Sakai Misaki. So I must ensure her survival. Her life, to so extent, equates to mine." Kato Shinjiro’s voice beca increasingly serious.
"Clap"
"Clap"
"Clap"
Unable to contain himself, Yang Xiao applauded, vibrant yet with words that sting, "Wonderful, truly a great story. I really like it. You’ve really gone out of your way, Mr. Katou."
Despite Yang Xiao’s sarcastic tone, Kato Shinjiro showed no displeasure. On the contrary, he valued Yang Xiao more. Soone who can be smoothed over with sweet words is not worthy of collaborating with him.
"Mr. Chu Xi, I know my choice has hurt your relationship with your partner, but please believe in my difficulties and sincerity."
"As compensation, tonight I will leave the train and enter Youjian Mountain Station with Sakai Misaki to end this mission." Kato Shinjiro said solemnly.
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