Chapter 435: I Am a Spy Hiding in the Mechanical City
Chapter 435: I Am a Spy Hiding in the Mechanical City
Early in the morning, Fang Cheng and Uka Qingxue had already arrived outside the palace, preparing to return to the Mechanical City.
Only Oni Yuki and the Fox Sisters came to see them off.
Oni Yuki appeared completely normal, as if nothing had happened the previous night. She simply reminded Fang Cheng not to hold back and do whatever he needed, since the Iron Fortress remained his staunch ally and reliable support.
When it came to Tsukikage Hoshi’s turn, the fox woman made a request.
“The Fox Spirit House has closed. Chuxia originally planned to bring all staff back to the Iron Fortress, but I’ve redirected them to seek shelter with you in the Mechanical City.”
The boss lady fluttered her small fan with a knowing smile. “You’ll take proper care of them for me, won’t you?”
Fang Cheng immediately understood there was more to her words – this clearly hinted at quickly reestablishing a new Fox Spirit House in the Mechanical City, with Tsukikage Chuxia’s group being ideal staff.
However, all the girl monsters under the boss lady’s command were remarkably cute and attractive. He couldn’t help wondering if she truly felt at ease leaving them in his care.
Before his imagination could run wild, Tsukikage Hoshi issued a warning: “Don’t even think about making moves on those children, or you’ll answer to me.”
She absolutely didn’t want her new establishment immediately turning into a nursery full of crawling baby monsters.
Finally facing Uka Kaori, the woman maintained her cool demeanor while discussing official matters. She urged Fang Cheng to expedite the corpse supply, as reserves were dwindling and sourcing from Honshu Island grew increasingly difficult.
Seeing her determined to maintain professional distance, Fang Cheng suddenly remarked: “About that proposal you made during our lunch – I’ve decided to accept it.”
“What proposal?”
Uka Kaori feigned ignorance, while Oni Yuki and Tsukikage Hoshi looked on curiously.
Fang Cheng winked. “You know – that statement the evil god forced out of you. It claimed those were your true feelings, and I happen to agree.”
Before she could react, he immediately pulled Uka Qingxue onto the Blood Eagle’s back. Their raucous laughter echoed as they soared away.
Uka Kaori froze momentarily before her fair face flushed crimson – three parts humiliation, seven parts fury.
How dare that evil god claim those were her true feelings! Absolutely impossible!!
But with Fang Cheng already escaping beyond reach, she couldn’t even vent properly. Chasing after him would be undignified.
Turning back, she found Tsukikage Hoshi smiling mischievously. “What exactly did you propose to him?”
Oni Yuki’s curiosity burned equally bright, wondering what suggestion could provoke such a reaction.
Uka Kaori’s lips parted soundlessly. There was no way she could voice it.
She silently etched this humiliation deep within her heart.
…
The Blood Eagle’s shadow swiftly departed Ibuiki City under dawn’s light, observed by early-rising monsters below.
Fang Cheng’s laughter continued unabated, thoroughly enjoying this rare instance of making Uka Kaori lose composure.
Kneeling beside him, Uka Qingxue maintained her usual reserve – though those watching closely might notice the faintest ghost of a smile.
When his mirth finally subsided, Uka Qingxue produced a crimson booklet from their luggage. “Lord Cheng.”
“What’s this?”
Fang Cheng opened it to find Uka Qingxue’s portrait photo alongside birth records and other identity documents.
“My official identification.”
Uka Qingxue explained, “I’ve resigned from my position at the Iron Fortress and retrieved my identity documents from Madam. I’m entrusting them to your care now.”
Monsters from the Iron Fortress all carried identification papers similar to human ID cards, necessary for various official matters. As a servant, Uka Qingxue’s documents had always been kept by Uka Kaori. Having reclaimed them, she now followed convention by handing them to Fang Cheng.
“Why give it to me… Hmm? When did you take my surname?”
Fang Cheng suddenly noticed the name beneath the portrait now read Fang Qingxue instead of Uka Qingxue.
The newly renamed girl replied calmly, “Since I belong to you now, taking your surname is proper. The change was processed last night. I’m Fang Qingxue now.”
Not only had her surname changed, but her manner of address shifted from casual “you” to formal “you”. For Area 11 residents, surname changes meant little unless preserving family legacy – especially among monsters.
Fang Cheng tossed the ID back without ceremony. “Keep it yourself. If I granted you freedom, I don’t consider you a servant anymore. Think of yourself as… a paid assistant.”
Fang Qingxue caught the documents. “Understood.”
Her words said one thing, but only a ghost knew her true thoughts. After carefully storing her ID, she asked, “Lord Cheng, what duties shall I perform after returning?”
The question was reasonable given Fang Cheng’s usual idle demeanor. Being his servant likely meant similar idleness.
After consideration, Fang Cheng snapped his fingers. “Your daily mission is this.” He patted his thigh with a grin. “Let’s start your internship early. Come here.”
Last time he’d petted her by invoking life-debt etiquette. Subsequent requests had been firmly denied. Now he finally had legitimate grounds for cat-petting.
Fang Qingxue met his gaze with frosty eyes. After prolonged silence, she reluctantly transformed into a feline form and settled on his lap with regal grace.
The Blood Eagle’s speed dwarfed any vehicle. Having departed at dawn, they reached Mechanical City by noon. Though their round trip took four days, the city’s atmosphere had tensed visibly – patrol officers wore battle-ready expressions.
Fang Cheng initially feared Nozawa Ritsu had returned early with the resistance organization and modified humans. But Kanzaki Rin’s estimates suggested they needed another week to travel from Honshu to Hokkaido.
Wanted posters lining the streets revealed the mystery – featuring Sato Hayato and an unfamiliar bespectacled beautiful girl. Fang Cheng nearly facepalmed. He’d instructed Sato Hayato to covertly investigate Mechanical City’s power structures.
Had that boy confused “stealth operation” with “public spectacle”?
…
At Mechanical City’s city defense department – effectively the police station – uniformed officers streamed through imposing doors. Across the street, a sleepy supermarket cashier dozed behind empty registers.
Sato Hayato exited the store, steel balls clinking in his pocket. His baseball cap and high-collared jacket obscured most features, leaving only slivers of face visible beneath the fabric.
Crossing the street to the city defense department’s door, Sato Hayato looked up at the eight-story building and took a deep breath before climbing the steps.
The service hall greeted him upon entry. To the left lay offices, while the elevator and stairs stood to the right. Beyond these lay the detention area where arrested criminals stayed until sentencing and transfer to prison.
Sato Hayato moved through the hall toward the detention zone.
“Watch your eyes!”
A police officer blocked his path. “Handle business outside! No entry here…”
Thwip!
Before the officer finished speaking, a steel ball pierced both his shoulders.
“Ahhh!!”
A woman’s scream in the distance snapped everyone to attention.
Police officers nearby saw their fallen colleague and scrambled to draw handguns.
Whizz! Whizz! Whizz!
Steel balls erupted from Sato Hayato’s body, precisely avoiding citizens while striking officers – all shots deliberately missing vital organs.
The hall plunged into momentary silence before exploding into chaos. Citizens screamed and stampeded toward exits.
A female clerk ducked behind her service counter, slamming the alarm button.
The shrill alarm sound rang out through the city defense department.
Ignoring the groaning officers, Sato Hayato strode into the detention area.
BOOM!
His terrifying psychic force blasted open the locked iron door. Ambushing officers inside immediately opened fire.
Gunfire roared as smoke filled the air.
When officers emptied their magazines, they froze – every bullet hung suspended before Sato Hayato, forming a metallic wall.
Sato Hayato blew gently. The bullets reversed course, dropping every officer while avoiding lethal wounds.
The fallen officers recognized the wanted criminal who’d been troubling Mechanical City.
They held their breath, suppressing even their moans of pain.
Maintaining his cold demeanor, Sato Hayato secretly felt a bit pleased by their fearful gazes, though he kept a straight face.
Though Fang Cheng always taught him to finish off enemies and avoid mercy during battles…
…some officers here might be innocent. Sato Hayato chose to disable them all rather than risk wrong kills.
The leader’s words rang true in his heart – danger and pressure truly accelerated growth.
His power had surged since entering Mechanical City, far surpassing gains from routine exercise.
Passing cell after cell, Sato Hayato soon found his target – a battered young man.
“Fumoto Sho. Artillery battalion commander. Framed by the city defense minister’s son using privileges. Detained ever since. Correct?”
“That’s me!”
Fumoto Sho stared warily. “What do you want?”
His girlfriend was kidnapped on the street by the minister’s son. Furious, he confronted the man only to get arrested and thrown into the city defense department.
He had expected the military to back him up, but instead got stripped of his rank. A minor officer without political backing like him couldn’t compare to even one finger of the minister’s son.
“I’m here to get you out. But first, tell me about Mechanical City’s military deployments and equipment details.”
Sato Hayato stated his purpose directly, then shattered the cell door with his mental powers.
“Choose now – follow me or rot in this cell.”
Fumoto Sho watched Sato Hayato turn away, glanced at the broken door, then gritted his teeth and followed.
As alarms blared, more police swarmed the city defense department.
Yet Sato Hayato walked through like an unstoppable war god. Every bullet fired at him got flung back by mental powers. He only bothered dodging sniper rounds and grenades.
After cleaning out the police blockade, tires screeched as a car stopped at the entrance.
The driver was Kujo Yuri, wearing matching couple outfits with Sato Hayato.
They sped off with Fumoto Sho in tow, leaving groaning officers in their wake.
Fumoto Sho sat stiffly in back, staring at the pair. “Who…who are you people?”
Sato Hayato almost said “emotionless killer” but remembered their leader’s orders. “We’re undercover spies in Mechanical City.”
Fumoto Sho thought of all the abandoned handguns at the police station. These two clearly needed dictionary lessons for “undercover”.
While Sato Hayato “stealthily” rescued Fumoto Sho, Fang Cheng and Fang Qingxue returned to their apartment.
“Brother Cheng’s back!!”
Sato Mai spotted him first, body-slamming him before others noticed.
Fang Cheng caught her mid-body slam, scanning the living room. Everyone except Kamikawa Takumi and Minamoto Karei was there playing cards. Ye Yuqing and Nangong Saye had paper notes plastered on their faces.
The two glared at Sato Mai clinging to Fang Cheng, mentally cursing the brat.
Takeda Masumi tossed her losing hand aside – perfect excuse to skip paying up.
Fang Cheng’s gaze met Kanzaki Rin’s across the room. Their shared bed experiences forged instant understanding.
Uka Mirai settled for hugging the maid after being outmaneuvered. “Qingxue, did you see Mother?”
“I did.” Fang Qingxue patted Uka Mirai’s head. “Mirai, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Since when do you call me Mirai…?”
“Ahem.” Fang Cheng cleared his throat. Better explain the Iron Fortress situation now than deal with fallout later. Though innocent, this required careful handling.
“Lord Cheng, let me.” Fang Qingxue stepped forward under everyone’s puzzled stares. “I’ve left the Uka family to join the Fang family. My new name is Fang Qingxue. Don’t mess it up.”
Clatter!
Takeda Masumi’s phone hit the floor unnoticed.
The living room froze.
All eyes shifted to Uka Mirai.
The small dog looked confused, but dark energy swirled around her. Her eyes turned bottomless black.