While Welt was busy questioning his life choices, over at the Xianzhou Luofu's Fyxestroll Garden, Pei Guang had already gathered everyone needed to carry out the Ten-Lords Commission's mission.
In the pavilion at Fyxestroll Garden, Pei Guang, Stelle, Huohuo, Guinaifen, and Sushang were all present.
Originally, Pei Guang had invited March 7th as well, but the moment March 7th saw Elysia, her eyes lit up.
As someone who had already traveled here before and as Elysia's "senior" and "big sis," March 7th took it upon herself to show Elysia around the Luofu. She even dipped into her own wallet to buy Elysia a bunch of beautiful clothes.
She was having so much fun that she naturally didn't show up. Of course! March 7th would never admit she was scared of all the spooky supernatural stuff.
Sure, she had the guts to face off with the Lord Ravager and even stab a bug in the butt, but being able to fight doesn't mean you're not scared of gods or ghosts. It's just like cockroaches: plenty of people can kill them, but still get startled when one shows up.
March 7th didn't want to get spooked, so she simply didn't come! She thought she was being incredibly clever.
As for Sushang? She just tagged along with Guinaifen. The moment she heard Pei Guang needed help, she came right away. After all, it was thanks to Pei Guang that Aurum Alley could flourish.
Both emotionally and logically, Sushang felt she should show her support.
Once everyone was gathered, Pei Guang began explaining what they were going to do.
"In simple terms, the Ten-Lords Commission has set up a website for urban legends and mysteries. Our goal is to make it big and successful, while checking if some of the user submissions might actually be caused by Heliobi.
Even though Heliobi aren't traditional ghosts or monsters, the effects they cause are pretty similar. Of course, once we complete this mission, you won't be working for free: whatever reward I earn, I'll distribute accordingly. Please trust me, I'm an outstanding team leader!"
Guinaifen said, "Just being part of this operation makes me super happy: I don't even need a reward!"
Pei Guang replied, "No can do—business is business!"
But Guinaifen was curious: "But will this plan actually work? Will the Heliobi fall for it?"
On the way here, Guinaifen had already gotten a taste of what Heliobi were like: especially that tail, which made her realize just how unusual they were.
At her question, everyone went silent. Sensing the mood drop, Guinaifen asked in confusion, "Huh? Did I say something wrong? Sorry, I…"
Sushang shook her head. "You didn't say anything wrong, it's just…"
Huohuo murmured, "It's just that when you said that, we all remembered what it was like when we first met Ah Guang. Back then, I didn't trust him at all either."
Just as she finished, Tail popped out and said, "Ah, that's right! You're Guinaifen, right? Let me tell ya: just stick with this guy and go with the flow, and before you know it… you're winning."
Thinking back on their experiences with Pei Guang, even the Tail believed that even without Huohuo, without itself, and without the judges and underworld agents of the Ten-Lords Commission, Pei Guang could probably solo every Heliobi.
Sure, his combat power wasn't particularly strong, but that ability to maintain dynamic balance… even Tail itself found it a bit scary.
That's right: Pei Guang's strength wasn't fixed, but dynamic. When he was weak, even Huohuo could sneak-attack him successfully. When he was strong, even at Tail's full power, it felt like it couldn't do anything against him.
Stelle spread her hands and added, "Exactly. But doubting him at first and then trusting him, that's just the natural process of getting to know Ah Guang. You'll get used to it~"
Stelle was already very chill about it. After spending enough time with Pei Guang, except for things that were too embarrassing to do openly, she and March 7th could follow him into just about anything without hesitation.
Like she always said: doing something alone is cringe; doing it together is fashion. And besides—was the process fun? Yes. Was the result good? Also yes.
So why overthink it?
Guinaifen: "Tsk… I see."
Pei Guang waved his hand. "No need to overthink. If you're unsure what to do, just follow my lead. I guarantee we'll complete the mission and get the reward. Now then, Guinaifen, since you're our star streamer, let me explain what you need to do."
Guinaifen: "Sure~ But you don't need to call me Guinaifen: just call me Little Gui."
Hearing that name, Pei Guang couldn't help but joke, "Little Gui? Alright, alright! Then just call me Little Xuanzi."
Stelle: "Little Xuanzi?"
Pei Guang: "You don't get it: that's the matching name to Little Gui. Back in my hometown, that combo was pretty famous."
The nickname "Little Xuanzi" came from The Deer and the Cauldron by Jin Yong. To Pei Guang, it was a name that left a deep impression. Little Gui just didn't feel complete without Little Xuanzi.
But then Pei Guang seemed to realize something and turned to Guinaifen. "Ahem! You can call me Little Xuanzi or Ah Guang, whichever rolls off the tongue better!"
Guinaifen: "Hmm~ I actually think Little Xuanzi sounds nice. Since it means a lot to you, I'll call you that then—Little Xuanzi~"
Pei Guang: "Ayyy~~~"
Stelle: "!!!"
At first, Stelle felt a little unfair: why did the new girl get a special nickname? But seeing how happy Pei Guang looked, she thought it over and let it go.
She still remembered that Pei Guang once said his hometown was a place one could only return to through death. If Guinaifen, this Little Gui, reminded him of home… then let him have it.
Of course, Stelle was clearly overthinking it: Pei Guang hadn't thought about it that deeply at all.
Pei Guang: "Alright, back to business. Come on! Little Gui, take a look at this website and what we still need to do."
It was time to officially start the mission.