DING! The "Friend to All Women" progress has been reduced by one.

The crisp system prompt echoed out, instantly rousing Chen Pingchuan from his state. The blood-crazed madness in his eyes gradually faded, restoring his usual clarity.

Chen Pingchuan raised his hand slightly, his long fingers lightly touching the activation switch of the energy blade. In an instant, the weapon, which had been glowing with a blinding red light, gradually dimmed until it went completely dark.

Finally, only an exquisite handle, about the length of a hand, remained in his grasp. It was delicately crafted, with a sleek and striking metallic sheen.

Chen Pingchuan casually tucked the handle into his waistband.

Seeing this series of actions, Nightingale bit her lower lip, secretly sighing in relief. In her view, avoiding a fight was the best possible outcome, especially since the details of the situation remained unclear.

However, for some reason, the previous overwhelming impulse—the urge to abandon everything and leave with Chen Pingchuan—was now gradually extinguishing within her heart.

Chen Pingchuan struggled to control his facial muscles, trying to make the smile on his lips appear less stiff. To the two people opposite him, however, this scene took on an entirely different meaning.

From the perspective of Nightingale and Liu Haofeng, Chen Pingchuan's smile was filled with an indescribable arrogance—a contempt suggesting they weren't even worthy of his notice. Especially in Nightingale's eyes, his posture was identical to how it had been in the simulation: utterly domineering. That overbearing demeanor stirred complex emotions within her.

"When did you arrive?"

Chen Pingchuan's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against a rough wall, giving it an indescribably strange quality.

"Just now." Nightingale's response was succinct, with no wasted words.

"Oh."

After Chen Pingchuan's one-word reply, the two fell into a silent, quiet staredown.

This sudden, bizarre scene stunned everyone present. The people from the mine, unaware of the relationship between Chen Pingchuan and Nightingale, dared not speak for fear of inadvertently bringing about their own doom.

Beside Nightingale, Liu Haofeng's eyes went wide with suspicion and uncertainty. He suddenly realized things were not unfolding as he had anticipated. Nightingale had seen Chen Pingchuan wantonly slaughtering prisoners of war, yet she hadn't moved to apprehend him.

Something's not right. This is bad!

Ye Luo, you bitch, you're going to get me killed!

Liu Haofeng's heart pounded as regret began to well up inside him. He cursed himself for letting his judgment be so clouded and for making such an unwise decision. Just moments ago, Ye Luo had found him hiding in the employee dorms and shared her suspicions, telling him everything, including the possibility that Chen Pingchuan was possessed by a monster.

As for why she didn't tell Feng Jiaqi, Ye Luo's reason was that Feng Jiaqi was too unpredictable. If her lovesick brain took over and she betrayed them to Chen Pingchuan at a critical moment, the entire plan would be ruined. Therefore, with no better options, Ye Luo had chosen Liu Haofeng from among their classmates, knowing he had a history of conflict with Chen Pingchuan.

After hearing Ye Luo's story, Liu Haofeng's first instinct wasn't to agree. He keenly sensed there were unknown factors at play. Ultimately, however, he couldn't resist Ye Luo's persistent persuasion. Of course, another reason was that this was a rare opportunity to eliminate the threat once and for all. He didn't know for sure what had happened to Chen Pingchuan, nor did he care if he was truly possessed by a monster. As long as he could make the accusation stick, it would be nothing but beneficial for him.

However, Liu Haofeng never imagined Ye Luo would conceal such crucial information: the deep and complex relationship between Chen Pingchuan and Nightingale. Otherwise, why didn't she report the situation directly to Captain Nightingale instead of passing the message to him? It wasn't due to a timid and cowardly nature, as Liu Haofeng had assumed, but because Ye Luo didn't know how Nightingale would deal with an informant. So, she passed the task to Liu Haofeng.

Damn it all! Every last one of them is a cunning schemer, and I'm the only honest guy here. From this day forward, if anyone so much as mentions dealing with Chen Pingchuan to me again, I'm walking away, no questions asked.

Unfortunately for Liu Haofeng, it was too late to retreat, because Chen Pingchuan had already started speaking to Nightingale again.

"Are you still leaving?"

Nightingale hesitated for a moment before making the safer choice to stay in the City of No Night.

"Uh... I don't think so."

Nightingale's answer didn't surprise Chen Pingchuan; in fact, he had known what she would say before he even asked. Although Chen Pingchuan hadn't been sure if he would take Nightingale with him, having the decision in his own hands was a world away from being rejected by her.

With that thought, Chen Pingchuan slowly shifted his gaze to Liu Haofeng.

This minor adversary, who had caused him so much trouble, was at it again. He had thought the man had changed his ways, but now it seemed some hidden dangers were best eliminated. Otherwise, they were like ticking time bombs, ready to explode at any moment. This time, no major problems had occurred, but what about the next?

"Alright. Hand this guy over to me." Chen Pingchuan's voice was calm, yet it carried an authority that brooked no argument.

Hearing Chen Pingchuan's request, Nightingale couldn't help but hesitate. She knew that if she handed Liu Haofeng over, given Chen Pingchuan's domineering personality, the man's life would almost certainly be forfeit. This left Nightingale in a dilemma. After all, Liu Haofeng had come to her as an informant. If she just handed him over...

Before Nightingale could make up her mind, Chen Pingchuan's words reached her ears once more.

"Don't worry, I won't kill him."

Nightingale frowned, her eyes filled with suspicion.

"Besides, don't you think trading one person for a whole group is a worthwhile deal?" Chen Pingchuan's eyes held a hint of mockery. When the person you're talking to falls into such an emotional trap, it means they've already taken the bait.

Because lives cannot be compared. While exchanging one person for many might seem like the correct choice, how is that not an injustice to the one being abandoned?

Nightingale remained silent, but the scales in her heart had already begun to tip. She felt there was some truth to what Chen Pingchuan was saying. Although it went against her principles, it was indeed the best choice available.

As for fighting Chen Pingchuan, Nightingale had never even considered it. Leaving aside his miraculous innate abilities, she simply couldn't get past the emotional block in her own heart.

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