Translator: CinderTL
To Pi Ruan's surprise, Luo He simply looked at him and shook his head. "You know how I feel about the Master. I would never betray him."
At this point, deceiving a dying man was indeed not in No. 3's character.
Pi Ruan withdrew his gaze, his expression turning serious for the first time. "Judging by the level of information leaked, the culprit holds a high position within Crimson. They even used this intelligence to successfully hunt down No. 5."
"The leak could only have come from one of us—not you, not me. That leaves only No. 2 or even No. 1."
Luo He seemed to have anticipated this, his face showing little surprise. "I won't deny I've considered making a move against Zero, but I would never do it myself."
"However, if No. 1 or No. 2 were to target Zero, I wouldn't stand in their way."
"Hmph." Pi Ruan seemed to recall something, letting out a cold snort. "What do you think Zero is? Someone you can just kill whenever you please? Don't forget that if it weren't for him, all of us would have died in that encirclement twenty years ago."
"But now the Gate within him is dormant. You examined him last time, and could only detect scattered fragments. Even so, you still believe he has a chance to survive?" Luo He understood No. 1 and No. 2's methods well. If they wanted someone dead, few would see the next sunrise.
Pi Ruan narrowed his eyes, a knowing smile spreading across his lips. "Zero alone certainly can't do it. But don't forget, there's more than one Gate within him."
"That Wu?" Luo He raised an eyebrow, setting down his teacup and turning to Pi Ruan. "No. 4, your abilities aren't suited for combat. If he can restrain you, that doesn't mean he can restrain No. 1 and No. 2."
"Then let them try," Pi Ruan replied confidently.
Luo He seemed to realize something. "It seems you're holding back some crucial information about Wu."
Ever since Wu's Gate entered Zero's body, they hadn't received any unusual reports. It was as if Wu's Gate had also fallen dormant.
This was highly irregular.
A few seconds later, Luo He's sapphire eyes suddenly shone with brilliance. As a member of the Luo Family, Wan Yuanning also possessed sapphire eyes.
However, there was a crucial difference: Wan Yuanning's eyes could only penetrate darkness, allowing her to see in the night.
Luo He, a participant in the Abyss Plan, possessed eyes that could not only pierce darkness but also cut through mist and dispel illusions.
This ability was linked to his power—the Gate originating from within his body.
"Did Wu sense the Gate slumbering within Zero?" Luo He's gaze sharpened. "He's also searching for that Gate."
"Don't forget that Zero doesn't truly belong to our world," Pi Ruan reminded him. "To Wu, the Gate within Zero is more akin to a primal source."
"No one can resist the allure of a primal source. Whoever controls that Gate holds the key."
"The Night Watcher, Crimson, and even we—to Wu, there's no fundamental difference between us."
"So... you've found Zero a free bodyguard?" Luo He's voice finally gained some inflection, as if he were suppressing an inner impulse.
"Sort of," Pi Ruan smiled. "But I think 'kidnapper' is a more accurate term. Bodyguards wouldn't turn against their employer, but a kidnapper, if they don't get what they want, might just kill their hostage."
"What abilities does this Wu possess?" Luo He asked, finally showing interest in Wu. No. 4 wasn't known for combat within Crimson; he was a strategist.
If Zero had chosen Wu as his trump card, this Wu was undoubtedly extraordinary.
For an Abnormality, the most terrifying thing was their abilities.
"Collection," Pi Ruan said, sitting up straight and staring at Luo He. "He has a comic book similar to yours, but its ability is to capture and collect ghosts within its pages."
"Just that?" Luo He didn't see anything particularly special about it.
"Then, he can master the abilities of the ghosts trapped within," Pi Ruan continued. "Even manipulate them to become new Urban Legends."
Though Wu's initial stats might be average for an Abnormality, his growth potential was terrifying. When facing other Disciples of the Gate of the Bizarre, you only needed to be wary of their one ability. But when fighting Wu, you never knew how many bizarre abilities he had waiting for you.
One misstep, and you'd fall right into his trap.
Fortunately, for now, Zero and Wu's fusion wasn't very deep. He couldn't easily borrow Wu's power.
"I advise you not to get any crooked ideas about killing him while Zero and Wu haven't fully merged," Pi Ruan said. "I have a feeling their relationship isn't as bad as you think. When it comes down to life or death, Wu will definitely step in to save him."
"After all, if the hostage dies, who will he collect the ransom from?" Pi Ruan said bluntly.
"I fought Wu in the instance. He used at most half his strength against me. The only one among us who has a real chance of winning against him head-on is No. 6."
"No. 1 and No. 2 might have a chance with some tricks, but not you, No. 3." He glanced sideways at the girl sleeping on the bed. Her features were exquisitely carved, and if she didn't open her mouth to curse, she looked like a cute doll. "Unless you can convince No. 8 to join you, but you know that's impossible."
Though Pi Ruan's words were harsh, Luo He had to admit that every word he spoke was true and accurate.
Pi Ruan analyzed the pros and cons, the formalities, without taking sides.
Such a person was the most terrifying.
Under the guise of doing what was best for you, he had already paved a path for you without your realizing it. All you had to do was follow his instructions.
Now Luo He finally understood why Agent 4 had been sent to infiltrate Zero's inner circle. It wasn't just because of his exceptional disguise skills, but also his sharp intellect.
Few people in the world could deceive Zero and earn his trust.
"What a brilliant scheme!" Luo He murmured.
Pi Ruan waved his hand dismissively, knowing that Luo He's words were both a compliment to Wu's abilities and an acknowledgment of his own strategic prowess.
Both Crimson members had once belonged to the Night Watcher, the elite of the elite selected for the Abyss Plan. Half of them had once been S-Class.
If they couldn't handle Wu, the situation within the Night Watcher wouldn't be any better. After all, the encirclement twenty years ago had depleted their elite forces.
The top-tier combatants had been wiped out by their desperate counterattacks, and the remaining experts were facing the Gate's furious backlash.
In this light, Zero seemed to be in a relatively safe environment.
"Hmm?"
Luo He, lost in thought, was suddenly interrupted by something unusual. His azure eyes turned toward the wall, as if he could see through it to the outside.
(End of the Chapter)
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