Squid Who Loves Diving
Chapter 343 Strange Sounds
Shang Jian Yao replied seriously:
“I haven’t compared the differences between people who have been hypnotized and those who have had their memories altered, so I can’t be sure.”
Heh, now he’s the meticulous Shang Jian Yao… Jiang Bai Mian sat there, pondering as she said:
“If some people within the Zhao family are indeed involved in the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’ assassination of Xu Li Yan, then the manor incident was likely done by the true ‘Father’ himself. However, given his caution, he probably wasn’t in the manor itself, but hiding somewhere nearby, quietly watching everything.”
Shang Jian Yao struck the exact same pose as Jiang Bai Mian:
“Then how do you explain Zhao Shou Ren and the others having their memories altered?”
“Perhaps he showed up initially when controlling the manor, and later left behind only a puppet in the style of a fake ‘Father.’” Jiang Bai Mian felt a sense of being provoked and explained her guess in detail, “Those who went to the manor to investigate likely didn’t encounter memory modification, but ‘hypnosis.’ Those observing from the outside, because they weren't discovered, naturally wouldn't be affected.”
Before Shang Jian Yao could question her, she herself discovered a problem:
“But what exactly does the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’ want to do? If they planned to use Zhao Family Manor as a base to extract profits, they shouldn’t have gone so far. The most important thing in this matter is to avoid arousing the Zhao family patriarch's suspicion. Otherwise, successive investigations would be very detrimental to their concealment. If it were me, I would definitely only deduct a portion of the tributes, making it seem like reasonable losses, a steady stream. Wiping everything out at once? Who wouldn’t be suspicious?
“If they just wanted to invade and expand the sect, this method isn't smart either. If it were me, I would directly alter the memories of the relevant personnel, sell several manors in the shortest amount of time, then leave myself and have someone else come forward, using the money from the manor sales to legitimately buy other manors…”
At this point, Jiang Bai Mian noticed that Shang Jian Yao was looking at her strangely, and she immediately “uh”ed, subconsciously defending her group leader’s glorious image:
“I’m just thinking from another point of view, analyzing the problem from the perspective of a villain. I don’t really want to do that, bah, I mean, I don't even have such thoughts normally, but only when I'm immersed in such a scenario will I strictly follow logic to deduce what kind of developments there would be."
Shang Jian Yao nodded:
“Watch my lips.”
After speaking, he opened his mouth several times without making a sound.
“I don't understand lip reading!” Jiang Bai Mian said unhappily.
Even though she said that, she actually moved her mouth, seemingly recreating Shang Jian Yao’s performance just now.
“Anti-Intellect Church? Are you trying to say ‘Anti-Intellect Church’?” Jiang Bai Mian tentatively said the answer.
Shang Jian Yao revealed a relieved smile and clapped his hands, saying:
“Correct!”
“Are you saying that it’s not strange for the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’ to do things that are devoid of intelligence?” Jiang Bai Mian shook her head, not quite agreeing. “But according to the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’s’ teachings, the higher-ups must maintain their minds, thinking on behalf of the members. They should still be relatively smart, hmm, the true ‘Father’ is one example.”
Shang Jian Yao said solemnly:
“Stupidity is contagious.”
“Prove it to me!” Jiang Bai Mian subconsciously retorted.
Shang Jian Yao immediately opened his mouth and said:
“Look…”
“Stop!” Jiang Bai Mian directly stopped him, raised her hand, and rubbed her forehead, saying her guess. “I believe the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’ wants to use Zhao Family Manor as a base to plan something. This should be a short-term endeavor, so they don’t need to consider whether it will be exposed. They can be eager for quick success.”
“Are they printing flyers there?” Shang Jian Yao’s eyes lit up.
He seemed very interested in the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’s’ flyers filled with typos.
Jiang Bai Mian rose from the edge of the bed in the room, walking towards the door as she answered:
“Perhaps.”
Shang Jian Yao followed her, getting up and walking outside step by step.
“Aren’t you going to ask me where I’m going?” Jiang Bai Mian asked with a smile after placing her palm on the doorknob.
Shang Jian Yao replied in a serious tone:
“I’m not Long Yue Hong.”
“Then tell me where I’m going and what I want to do?” Jiang Bai Mian asked with a smile.
Shang Jian Yao thought for a moment and said:
“Need to add money!”
Jiang Bai Mian’s eyebrows twitched slightly as she smiled in surprise:
“Since it involves the ‘Anti-Intellect Church,’ it is indeed necessary to talk to Councilor Zhao, let him be mentally prepared for the possible premium that may arise later. At the same time, let's see what kind of help he can find in First City, preferably a person in power who deeply despises the ‘Anti-Intellect Church.’”
If the final assessment result is a very high level of danger, she will consider giving up directly. After all, the “Anti-Intellect Church” is also a major force, and it’s not wise to provoke such a bunch of idiots when it’s unrelated to the main task.
At this time, Shang Jian Yao inexplicably blurted out:
“I wonder if the ‘Furnace Sect’ and the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’ have any relationship.”
Jiang Bai Mian “hmm”ed:
“I won't go directly to Ranst. We will go back and send a telegram to Councilor Zhao.”
After speaking, she twisted the handle and opened the door.
The two went downstairs and bid farewell to Ranst, returning to the Jeep.
Looking sideways at the Harvest Bathhouse, Jiang Bai Mian sincerely sighed:
“Steaming and taking a bath like this is really comfortable. I feel like my body is a lot lighter. Hmm, I must bring Xiao Bai and the others to try it out later.”
Shang Jian Yao’s expression suddenly became troubled, as if he was pondering hard.
Before Jiang Bai Mian could ask, he proactively said:
“Can Genaeva accept a steam bath?”
“I’m not sure about that…” Jiang Bai Mian wasn’t that knowledgeable about robots.
The Jeep slowly started, entering the city’s main road, but it didn’t return to the Green Olive District in the northwest of First City. Instead, it headed straight for the exit at the southernmost part of the Golden Wheat District.
“It’s still early, we can observe the environment around Zhao Family Manor. We won’t do any investigations, just familiarize ourselves with the terrain,” Jiang Bai Mian casually explained.
Their Jeep had been newly modified after the Wild Grass City turmoil, so they didn’t have to worry about the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’ recognizing it.
Upon hearing this, Shang Jian Yao sighed:
“It’s a pity Xiao Hong didn’t come along.”
You mean, if Xiao Hong was here, a simple terrain familiarization would turn into a direct conflict? You think too highly of Xiao Hong. Nothing happened for so many days before, right? Jiang Bai Mian’s thoughts turned, and she gave up refuting him.
…
A little after three in the afternoon, the Jeep returned to Hugo Inn, stopping in the same spot as yesterday.
Glancing at the gray SUV that had appeared nearby, Jiang Bai Mian smiled:
“Xiao Bai and the others should be back already.”
Shang Jian Yao carefully inspected the condition of the SUV. It was unknown if it was with regret or relief that he said:
“No bullet holes.”
Jiang Bai Mian didn’t want to pay attention to him, turning around and entering the inn.
Inside the lobby, there was no one at the front desk. The wooden door corresponding to the room behind it was tightly closed.
As Jiang Bai Mian’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, Shang Jian Yao had already darted over, as if wanting to enter the front desk and pretend to be the inn owner.
Hey… Jiang Bai Mian didn’t dare to shout loudly, quickening her pace, trying to catch up with Shang Jian Yao, not giving him a chance to act freely.
The two went around the reception desk one after another. Jiang Bai Mian reached out and stopped Shang Jian Yao’s subsequent actions.
Just then, she heard a *ho ho* sound coming from behind the closed wooden door.
It was like a beast wailing, growling softly.
All the expressions on Jiang Bai Mian’s face instantly disappeared. She tilted her ear, trying to listen carefully to the movements inside the room.
In her perception, there was only the electrical signal of one large creature present inside.
The *ho ho* sound rang out twice more, then disappeared completely.
Behind that wooden door was a stretch of silence.
Jiang Bai Mian’s heart stirred. She gave Shang Jian Yao a look, and she then quietly retreated from the front desk area, returning to the lobby.
Shang Jian Yao imitated her, retreating away from that room faster.
Just as the two reunited and struck a pose to head towards the stairway, the wooden door creaked open.
The one who came out was the inn owner, Hugo. His slightly golden hair and linen shirt were slightly damp, as if he had sweated a lot. His somewhat wrinkled, tanned face was tinged with some paleness.
He looked at Jiang Bai Mian and Shang Jian Yao, asking in a slow tone:
“Is there anything I can do for you?”
Shang Jian Yao immediately replied:
“The front desk can’t be left unattended. It's easy for thieves to visit.”
Hugo nodded:
“Don’t worry, I know all the thieves in this area.”
“It seems like we were overthinking it.” Jiang Bai Mian smiled and pulled Shang Jian Yao away.
After returning to the second floor, Jiang Bai Mian turned her head to look at Shang Jian Yao, asking in a suppressed voice:
“Did you notice something was wrong inside that’s why you went over?”
Shang Jian Yao shook his head:
“I wanted to help him watch the front desk for a while.”
Jiang Bai Mian was speechless.
The two quickly returned to room 202. After a short rest, they waited for Bai Chen, Long Yue Hong, and Genaeva to knock on the door.
After exchanging their experiences today, Jiang Bai Mian smiled and breathed a sigh of relief:
“At least we don’t have to worry about not having money to live on recently.
“Yes, tomorrow, take 100 Oray as a deposit and redeem the man-portable rocket launcher. Being in First City, we still have to ensure sufficient firepower as much as possible.”
100 Oray definitely couldn’t buy a brand-new vehicle, but as a deposit for an SUV that was over seventy years old and had obviously undergone major repairs, it was enough.
After settling on this matter, Long Yue Hong asked somewhat hesitantly:
“Are we really going to deal with the ‘Anti-Intellect Church’?”
“If we don’t, maybe there will be another upheaval like in Wild Grass City, dragging us in.” Bai Chen was the one who answered.
Jiang Bai Mian was slightly surprised by this but didn’t make any teasing remarks.
She also thought so, after all, the “Anti-Intellect Church” always liked to do bad things that affected a large number of people.
Of course, whether to deal with them or not would ultimately depend on the level of danger. If it was too dangerous, they could consider reporting it to the relevant departments of First City.
Shang Jian Yao then smiled and said:
“It is everyone’s responsibility to fight against evil cults!”
*Clap clap clap,* Genaeva applauded.
Shang Jian Yao repeatedly greeted him, thanking him for his support.
After a few seconds, Jiang Bai Mian looked at Bai Chen, asking seriously:
“What else do you know about the owner of this inn?”