---o---
"Bronya?"
Fu Zhu was a little surprised. He leaned in to look at Xing's phone, and sure enough, the ssage was an invitation from Bronya for them to visit Jarilo-VI, though it didn't specify why.
"Why didn't she ssage ?"
Xing put her phone away and placed her hands on her hips, looking Fu Zhu up and down with an exasperated expression. "Big bro, are you sure your phone is even on you? Bronya called last night asking why she couldn't reach you."
"Hiss."
It suddenly dawned on Fu Zhu. He had habitually stuffed his phone into his inventory. Given the unique properties of his Minecraft inventory, he wasn't the least bit surprised that it could block signals.
The mont he pulled out his phone, Fu Zhu saw a long string of missed calls and unread ssages, all from Bronya, with a sparse few from March 7th and Xing.
"My bad, my bad. It's on ."
At this point, March 7th couldn't help but lean forward and complain, "It's so hard to get in touch with you every ti! Fu Zhu, can't you just keep your phone in your pocket?"
"I'm just afraid I'll drop it."
"But you can't be unreachable all the ti... Otherwise, what's the point of even having a phone?"
"You're right... I'll be more careful next ti."
---o---
Sam and Silver Wolf watched as the trio suddenly started chatting about sothing else, standing off to the side feeling completely ignored. Sam finally let out two heavy coughs.
Fu Zhu turned his head to look at Silver Wolf, who was standing beside him. "What's up?"
Silver Wolf pointed at Sam, who was standing opposite them and holding the Stellaron. "Is this really the ti for a family chat?"
The reminder made Fu Zhu rember that he was here to conduct a hostage exchange. He glanced at the fully-armored Sam, then at the leisurely and carefree Silver Wolf beside him. He imdiately took a rope from his inventory and tied Silver Wolf up securely.
Silver Wolf: ???
Fu Zhu drew his Godfall Sword and held it to Silver Wolf's neck, then asked Sam in a cold voice, "Where are the goods I asked for?"
Sam was a bit bewildered by this sudden developnt, but she obediently held out her left hand.
"I have them."
Fu Zhu gestured to Xing with his head. Xing, for her part, produced a pair of black sunglasses from who-knows-where and put them on. She imdiately strode forward, took the custom briefcase, opened it for a quick inspection, and then nodded at Fu Zhu.
"Boss, the goods are clean."
Upon receiving Xing's confirmation, Fu Zhu shoved Silver Wolf toward Sam. "A pleasure doing business with you."
Sam, looking sowhat lost, caught the stumbling Silver Wolf and helped untie her.
March 7th stood to the side, giving Fu Zhu and Xing a cold stare. "Why did you two suddenly start acting... When you clearly didn't care about them a minute ago."
At March 7th's remark, Fu Zhu suddenly broke into a laugh.
"This is the first ti I've run into a situation like this. I wanted to experience what it feels like to be a mafia boss."
Xing, standing beside Fu Zhu, grinned and flashed a peace sign at March 7th.
---o---
"If there's nothing else, then we'll be taking our leave."
Having retrieved Silver Wolf, Sam prepared to leave. Although Silver Wolf wanted to stay a bit longer, Elio's orders were for her not to linger.
Fu Zhu glanced at them and nodded, letting them go.
Xing sidled up and whispered in Fu Zhu's ear, "Big bro, you're not keeping them here?"
"No need." Fu Zhu shook his head and lectured Xing with the sincere gravity of a seasoned expert. "Even kidnappers have professional ethics. You have to at least wait a day before capturing them again. Otherwise, what if the family refuses to pay the ransom next ti?"
Xing's hand shot up to her other palm in a flash of understanding. "So that's how it is!"
March 7th stood by, listening to the shaless remarks of the siblings, her mouth twitching uncontrollably.
"So you're only letting them go because you're afraid the family won't pay up next ti..."
After her comnt, March 7th brought the topic back to the matter at hand. "Fu Zhu, are you done with your business? If you are, let's head to Jarilo."
"Is it done? Yes. But do we have to be in such a rush?" Fu Zhu frowned. He was planning to take Xing and March 7th into the Simulated Universe to show them what Minecraft was like.
March 7th looked helpless and spread her hands. "Because Hiko didn't approve a very long leave for us. The Express is scheduled to depart for Penacony soon."
"Alright then."
Hearing March 7th say this, Fu Zhu could only nod in agreent. He then turned to Asta, who had co with them. "Asta, please say goodbye to Herta for . If she has any problems with the Simulated Universe, she can contact anyti."
"Okay." Asta replied obediently, then smiled and waved goodbye to Fu Zhu's group along with Arlan. "Mr. Fu Zhu, Xing, March 7th, please co again next ti."
Xing and March 7th cheerfully replied before pulling Fu Zhu over to the Domain Anchor on the platform. The three of them placed their hands on it together.
Three pillars of light descended, and the trio's figures vanished from the platform.
---o---
Within the city of Belobog on Jarilo-VI, the three of them appeared next to the in-city Domain Anchor. After taking a mont to adjust to the sudden change in light, they slowly opened their eyes.
The mont they did, the unfamiliar yet bustling scenery of Belobog drew gasps of surprise from the two girls.
"When did Belobog get so many people? And looking at their clothes, they don't seem to be locals."
Xing looked from side to side, then suddenly spotted a transport ship flying across the distant sky. "Look, that ship... it's probably not from Belobog, is it?"
March 7th and Fu Zhu imdiately turned to look. A single glance was enough to confirm that the ship was definitely not from Jarilo.
March 7th watched with curiosity as the ship disappeared from view, scratching her head. "Did Jarilo just reconnect with the cosmos and already get this many off-world visitors?"
Fu Zhu's eyesight was better. He had recognized the logo on that ship; it looked familiar.
"That ship seems to belong to the Company."
"The Company? That's great! It ans Jarilo is starting to trade with the outside world."
Hearing that the ship belonged to the Company, March 7th felt a genuine sense of joy for Belobog's revival.
Just as the three were feeling happy about the changes in Belobog, a Silvermane Guard walked over, stopped before them, and offered a respectful salute.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, and you two ladies, the Great Guardian specifically asked to wait here for your arrival. Please accompany to Qlipoth Fort to et with her."
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