CHAPTER 568: CHAPTER 346: EPILOGUE (PART 2)

"Father-in-law, you haven’t answered my question," Gu Zhuo said in a low voice, "Who exactly is Black Cocoon?"

Su Wei remained silent on the matter.

He simply continued speaking to himself, "The people at the Exorcist Association know I’m at this bookstore. Once Rainbow Wings and the Association match up their intel, they’ll quickly realize that the exorcist who appeared on the island is me and will come looking for me at the bookstore."

Su Wei paused, "So, while there’s still time, you should leave here as soon as possible."

"What about you, Grandpa?" After a long silence, Gu Qiye finally spoke.

"In a few days, I’ll return to China to find you. By then, you can contact the girl who contracted with the Train Demon to find me. Her name is ’Ke Qirui.’

"I understand."

Gu Qiye nodded, having Ke Qirui’s contact information on his phone.

Back when Ke Qirui appeared on the Deserted Island, the situation was unique. Although someone from Rainbow Wings spotted her on the island, ultimately, there was no concrete evidence.

Moreover, with Lake Hunting providing cover for Ke Qirui, if Rainbow Wings intended to confront her without evidence, they would certainly be turned away at Lake Hunting’s door.

Thus, given the current situation, heading towards Lake Hunting is their safest option.

Ke Qirui had a deep friendship with the people at Lake Hunting and knew they were opposing the Salvation Society. She would most likely take them in and help them avoid Rainbow Wings’ investigation.

"Take care of yourselves, I’m leaving," Su Wei said softly.

"Grandpa, aren’t you coming with us?" Gu Qiye suddenly asked.

"No... I need some time alone. Don’t disturb me."

After speaking, Su Wei’s voice drifted away into the shadows, vanishing at the stairway’s end.

Su Wei left. A familiar silence enveloped the bookstore once more.

"Mr. Blue Arc, Mr. Ghost Bell, Mr. Mu Long, let me have Yaguba give you a ride," Cezar said softly, "We’ll set off now and return to China immediately."

"I’ll go back myself; you don’t need to worry about me," Lin Yilong said with an expressionless face.

"What about you?" Cezar looked at Gu Zhuo and Gu Qiye.

Gu Qiye remained silent for a moment, then turned to meet Cezar’s gaze.

"You’re called Cezar, right?"

"Yes."

"Thank you for your offer, but my sister’s people said she would take us back to China."

"Alright, got it," Cezar said, rising from the floor, "I’ll be on my way, goodbye."

After speaking, he patted the dust off his pants and walked toward the bookstore’s exit, stepping into the quiet street, where the faint chirping of cicadas could be heard from the trees.

"Dad, stop thinking about it, let’s go too."

Gu Qiye said softly, raising his hand, hesitating for a moment, then gently patted Gu Zhuo’s shoulder.

Gu Zhuo nodded silently.

It was time to leave the bookstore, yet he still couldn’t understand why Su Wei refused to tell them who Black Cocoon was.

"Is Father-in-law planning to let the Black Insect die without a clear explanation?" he pondered.

Gu Qiye stood up silently, glanced at the message on his phone.

[Ke Qirui: Is it over? Come to the abandoned train station in Osaka, and I’ll take you home.]

He didn’t reply, instead switching to another message window.

[Su Zimai: Bro, I sent you the address of the train station in Osaka; get the two of them here quickly!]

[Gu Qiye: I’ll be there soon.]

Seeing his sister’s message lightened Gu Qiye’s mood significantly.

After sending the message, Gu Qiye withdrew his gaze from the phone, turning to Lin Yilong, "What about you, Mu Long, will you come with us?"

"Stop pretending; you have no right to talk to me," Lin Yilong said coldly, "Once the Salvation Society matters are settled, we still need to settle our score."

After speaking, he reached for his blood-stained knight’s helmet, placing it atop his head.

Mu Long slowly stood from the wall, dragging his tattered cloak, and walked out of the bookstore, vanishing into the shadows of the street. Gu Qiye stood by the wall, tilting his head, silently watching him leave.

The place was deserted.

In the end, only two remained in the bookstore.

A moment later, Gu Qiye retracted his gaze from the dim street, turning to look at Gu Zhuo, slumped on the ground.

"Dad, Xiaomai is waiting for us at the station."

"Yes, let’s go home."

....

....

Half an hour later, inside an abandoned train station in Osaka, Japan, at platform number 7.

The persistent dripping sound from the old tracks continued unceasingly. Large patches of moss crept up the yellowing columns, appearing as though demon claws reaching for the sky under the moonlight.

Gu Zhuo and Gu Qiye stood on the platform with their luggage, silently waiting for Ke Qirui’s arrival.

The former found a column to lean against, head bowed while smoking; the latter settled on an old public bench, opened his phone’s contact list, and looked for Black Cocoon’s contact.

After hesitating, Gu Qiye raised his hand to type on the screen, hitting send.

Then, he stared at the screen as if expecting the other to promptly reply as before.

He thought, even if a message suddenly popped up saying, "This is just a joke, I’m alive and well, Mr. Blue Arc," it would be a relief. Yet after a long while, the phone screen remained empty.

Only his own message hung there.

[Gu Qiye: Are you alright?]

Just then, the Train Demon roared from inside the tunnel, headlights slicing through the night, illuminating the mottled tracks, then coming to a stop.

Gu Qiye lifted his gaze from the phone, looking at the brightly lit train.

The train car door opened from inside, a set of steps extending down to the platform.

Su Zimai quickly bounded down the steps from the train car, nimble like a rabbit.

Her hands grasped the car door, poking her head out, first looking at Gu Qiye, then turning to Gu Zhuo, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Amidst the silence, she slowly lowered her head, her eyes suddenly turning red.

Gu Qiye gave her a gentle smile.

"Xiaomai, we’re ba—" Gu Qiye didn’t finish before Su Zimai hugged them both tightly, pulling their heads together.

Gu Zhuo and Gu Qiye were momentarily stunned.

After a while, Gu Zhuo awkwardly hugged his daughter.

Gu Qiye raised his hand, gently stroking Su Zimai’s head, his mouth next to her ear completing the words:

"Xiaomai, we’re back."

"Dad, Brother... I’m just glad you’re okay, I was so worried," she said softly, her voice a bit hoarse.

Su Zimai sniffled, continuing to murmur with a sobbing tone, "I bet with my master that you two will definitely beat those Rainbow Wings idiots, oh no... the Salvation Society. Right, Brother, where’s the other one?"

Finishing, she suddenly released them, looking around as if searching for someone.

Gu Zhuo and Gu Qiye watched her with amused bewilderment.

Before the two at the station could speak, Su Zimai looked up at them with suspicion and asked:

"I’m asking you, where’s Brother?"

"What brother?" Gu Qiye was surprised.

"Oh, I get it, he’s hiding again," Su Zimai sighed, posing like a detective, "I knew it, he loves doing that, always popping out suddenly to give a scare, the mischief king."

"What are you talking about? Where did your brother hide?"

Gu Qiye lifted a hand to gently tousle her hair, then lowered his head, finding it a bit funny as he looked into her eyes, "Dear sister, aren’t I right here in front of you?"

"Please, I’m not talking about you, I mean the other Brother," Su Zimai raised her head, glaring at him, "Come on, is he planning to scare me again? Are you two teaming up with him?"

Gu Qiye was taken aback.

After a while, he slowly realized what Su Zimai meant.

"Wenyu?" he murmured, slowly looking up at Su Zimai with an odd tone, "Isn’t he always at home?"