Chapter 2714 - 2709: A Lost Little Corner

Chapter 2714: Chapter 2709: A Lost Little Corner

As expected, it’s just a generic response after all.

In most accountability situations, subjective intent is a major factor.

Regardless of the specific motive in this case, claiming to be lost first is perfectly reasonable.

Especially since this person genuinely looks like they are lost.

In the midst of question and answer, Fu Qian also scrutinized the appearance of the woman at position three.

Though her face wasn’t visible, her attire alone didn’t suggest the look of someone up to no good.

It even seemed unlikely she was a staff member.

Perhaps it can’t compare to the Executioner’s attire earlier, but it’s certainly splendidly dressed, adorned with jewels.

A honored guest invited to the banquet?

This image seems more fitting for such a character, almost reminding Fu Qian of the headless courtly ladies he saw in Bronze Lady.

But then, a problem similar to the earlier scene arises.

The tone of communication between these two isn’t quite right, is it?

Maybe, on this joyous day, some people are a bit excessively spontaneous.

But a guest accidentally getting lost could still be a plausible situation.

Yet the other person, Lord Hu Ba, clearly looks more like a staff member.

Even if suspicious behavior is detected, shouldn’t he be less aggressive, not immediately holding an onsite trial?

And it seems he doesn’t really agree with the guest’s explanations.

"Are you crazy? Shouldn’t you be helping me get out of here?"

Indeed, driven by fear, the involved party quickly realized this, raising their voice.

"You can’t possibly think I’m stealing something, do you? Or are you going to search me?"

...

This is the legendary ’floor and ceiling reversal’?

The woman at position three seems to have gone through a push-back process under the other’s aggressive pressure, realizing she doesn’t need to feel guilty.

For Fu Qian too, the likelihood of theft seemed slim.

Despite her elaborate and ornate attire, it’s well known that this type of ceremonial dress isn’t designed with much storage space in mind.

Considering her hands were empty too, even if the other were insane enough to search her entirely, the chances are they’d find nothing.

Meanwhile, the risk incurred would be significant, especially during such a spotlighted occasion, anyone would have to weigh it carefully.

It can only be said that this person adjusts quickly, knowing how to leverage their advantages to swiftly turn the tables—

"Very well."

Unfortunately, perhaps regrettably, the other pondered for no more than a second before complying cheerfully.

...

Indeed, in this joyous and harmonious atmosphere, everyone seems a bit carried away.

Lord Hu Ba’s reply was indeed surprising to the crowd, including Fu Qian who acted as a mere spectator, and was quite impressed by this casualness.

From the woman’s comments, it’s almost confirmed the previous speculation, that the person blocking her was indeed local staff.

Yet this individual, who shouldn’t be acting recklessly, was quick to accept the call and prepare to act erratically.

It can only be described as slightly mad, echoing the woman’s earlier question.

"You..."

The involved party seemed to have realized this too, instinctively retreating, struggling to voice the words clogged like thick phlegm.

"Do you know where this is?"

But Lord Hu Ba timely came to the rescue, still maintaining a smile as he approached a couple of steps forward and asked proactively.

"I don’t know—otherwise why would I be lost."

The pressure was indeed strong, yet the woman instinctively shook her head, logical thinking still intact.

"Then you’re lucky, I know... and I know this place won’t have anyone come."

Lord Hu Ba actually stroked his beard, his tone crafty and implicitly ambiguous.

"What do you want to do?"

Evidently sensitive to this, the woman’s voice instantly grew sharp to the point of piercing, heedlessly rushing to a corner of the room.

"Do you know why no one comes here?"

Lord Hu Ba stuck to the continuity of the questions, letting this scene unfold as it did.

"...Why?"

The repeated tug seemed to have pushed the woman’s emotional state close to collapse, instinctively following up with the question.

"Because this place originally has no path, that door has long been sealed shut."

Lord Hu Ba gestured towards the side.

"The only way would be to leap three times a person’s height and climb through that small window."

...

It’s surely the presence of Extraordinary Elements.

The height isn’t tall, but for an ordinary person it far exceeds the limit, not to mention the current woman who looks utterly powerless.

Lord Hu Ba’s words certainly infused the plot with noteworthy fantastical elements, shifting it from third-rate adult themes.

"Are you suggesting you jumped in yourself? Or that you know where the other person is?"

Not sparing the silent woman, Lord Hu Ba pressed on aggressively, directly uncovering the other’s disguise and indicating she could divulge her accomplice.

"But, but I truly don’t know..."

It was regrettable that the woman seemed a bit stubborn, after a slight hesitation, still shaking her head.

"When I came to, I was already here, I have no idea how I got here."

However, there was some progress, acknowledging the peculiarity of her presence.

"You really don’t know?"

Even Lord Hu Ba, though appearing skeptical, seemed to cautiously consider this possibility.

"It’s true, truly don’t know..."

The woman’s voice sounded almost on the verge of tears.

"So that’s the case—"

Talking to himself, the other person seemed finally slightly convinced.

"Then it indeed matches my earlier statement, you’re lucky, because I know where the other person is."

But the twist came in an instant, as Lord Hu Ba suddenly changed his focus and again made a shocking statement.

"What—where is it?"

The woman sounded almost driven to insanity, instinctively asking like a sudden reflex.

"Here."

Lord Hu Ba’s finger pointed back at himself, his smile deeper than before.

"I brought you here, didn’t you remember?"

Indeed, another chilling twist emerged, the righteous enforcer transforming directly into the behind-the-scenes mastermind.

"Mm... Of course it’s you! How could I forget?"

And yet the twist hadn’t ended, the woman’s voice next moment turned unexpectedly languid, even including a hint of laughter.

...

So was it all scripted dialogue? Is this not a tad too theatrical?

As a spectator, Fu Qian’s capacity for acceptance was undoubtedly high, feeling deeply that the plot leaned a bit more in the direction of lowbrow.

Turns out it was the two of you orchestrating it all along? So playful?

Most crucially, who exactly was this self-directed and self-performed act for?

Could it be that I, as a spectator from hundreds of years later, was also part of your play?