Chapter 113 - 97: The Uncanny Valley Effect

"Act as bait?"

"You want me to lure out Gentleman and Li Xiaoxiao?"

’So that’s the answer,’ Zhou Chen thought, ’but it seems a bit unrealistic. Those two were just hit hard by the Star Association. Shouldn’t they be in hiding? Why would they be wandering the streets? And even if they were, it’s not like they’d definitely run into me.’

’Besides, isn’t the Star Association supposed to be playing the long game to catch a big fish...?’

"You can think of it as a speculative move."

Jiang Che explained, "Both Gentleman and Li Xiaoxiao have markers on them left by our action teams. As soon as they use their Essence, the markers will report their location back to us.

For the sake of stealth, the feedback from the marker only lasts for five minutes before it goes dormant. It will only reactivate the next time it detects an Essence Fluctuation.

Gentleman is a former Star Association Operator, so he noticed the marker and has shielded it somehow. The marker on Li Xiaoxiao is functioning normally, so she probably hasn’t noticed it yet. However, she hasn’t used her Essence in the last four hours, so we’ve temporarily lost track of her.

Li Xiaoxiao hates you to the bone. If she runs into you, it’s highly likely she’ll try to attack you from the shadows. As long as there’s even a small Essence Fluctuation, we’ll be able to pinpoint her movements and send people to trail her covertly.

There’s also the possibility that she’s detected the marker but can’t remove it, so she doesn’t dare use her Essence to avoid exposure. In that case, she won’t make a move no matter how much she hates you. Of course, the chances of you encountering her are very, very slim.

That’s why I said you’re just a speculative move. It would be great if you could lure one of them out, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t. We have a dedicated team handling this.

Your main task is to be Erin’s bodyguard and show her around modern society... Just think of it as a paid vacation."

Jiang Che took a sip of coffee to wet her throat and continued, "For now, Erin can’t go home. The Laine Kingdom is holding ruling party elections at the end of the year, and the situation is extremely complex. The various factions are fighting openly and covertly. Since Erin has been kidnapped once, it’s possible it could happen a second time.

Since last year, many nobles in the Laine Kingdom have been targeted by secret attacks from opposing political parties, especially their children... Keeping Erin here in Jinzhu is a form of protection for her, and it also allows Duke Elizabeth to work without worry.

Erin is a Duke’s daughter and an honored guest from the Laine Kingdom. We can’t just keep her inside the Star Association headquarters forever; that would be incredibly impolite. Duke Elizabeth’s wish is to find someone to show her around modern society.

She said you’re the only one she knows. Plus, Duke Elizabeth has reviewed your file, so she specifically requested you to be Erin’s guide.

Don’t worry, the rewards will be substantial. Besides covering your Advanced Secret Ceremony for your Tier Two Advancement, the Duke will also give you two more Alchemy Materials as payment."

’Two more Alchemy Materials? Just being a tour guide isn’t hard at all, and the bait part is just a side gig—practically negligible...’ Zhou Chen decisively puffed out his chest and declared loudly, "I guarantee I’ll complete the mission!"

’This is way easier than being a double agent!’

Since he had decided to be her guide, it was only natural to meet the "student" he would be leading.

Before Jiang Che could put him to work, Zhou Chen quickly slipped away with his advancement plan, heading to the third basement level of the medical department. He found Erin in a special ward.

Her silky blonde hair was tied up in a bun. With a fair complexion, she was dressed in a loose-fitting white hospital gown, sitting cross-legged on the bed and watching TV with great interest. An animated show with explosive special effects was playing.

"Mr. Zhou Chen, you’re here~" She turned her head and saw Zhou Chen push the door open, but she didn’t seem surprised.

She had spoken with her mother earlier. She would be staying in Jinzhu for a while under Zhou Chen’s care, since he was the only person she knew.

’Mr. Zhou Chen’s smile is a little creepy,’ she thought, ’but he’s a good, trustworthy person. And he even let me set off a huge firework.’

"You don’t have to add ’Mister.’ Just call me Zhou Chen. I came to see how you are." Zhou Chen smiled, pulled over a stool, and sat down. "Are you injured? Or is there something wrong?"

Erin shook her head. "I’m fine. They said this is just a required check-up. Once the results come in at noon, I can be discharged."

"I see..." Zhou Chen nodded. ’Erin’s identity is sensitive. The Star Association would definitely give her the highest level of care.’

He then cleared his throat and said seriously, "Erin, starting today, I’ll be your temporary guardian. You can come to me for help with any problems you encounter. If I’m not around and can’t reply right away for whatever reason, you can contact my superior, Ms. Jiang Che. You should have already met her."

As he spoke, he pulled a phone out of his pocket and handed it to Erin.

"This is a special phone for internal Star Association use. It has my number and Jiang Che’s. Let me show you how to make a call..."

Erin took the phone, giving a small smile and blinking her large, sapphire-like eyes at him. "Mr. Zhou Chen, I’m not a primitive. I know how to use a phone and go online with a computer. Although the kingdom has only been unsealed for three years, we learn things very quickly. The royal academy started offering linguistics and basic computer science a long time ago. It only took me half a year to graduate from both."

’Oh... So she’s a prodigy...’ Zhou Chen scratched his head in embarrassment. "Well, if you know how to use the internet, that makes things easier. You should know most of the basics already. Is there anything you’d like to do?"

"Lots of things." Erin’s face first filled with longing and excitement, but then she deflated like a popped balloon and said in a small voice, "But my father and mother would never let me do them."