Chapter 27

Chapter 27: The Puppet Master – 3

Considering how the little puppet he had been licking had praised his appearance, Storm, being a man himself and well aware of the less-than-virtuous nature of men, didn’t dare look in Night Jiujui’s direction again.

Even later, while the two were eating and he was cleaning the room, he kept his head down, afraid that the jealous lapdog might give him trouble.

Not that he was looking, but the sticky-sweet conversation at the dining table still found its way into his ears.

There were the little puppet’s coquettish complaints and picky remarks, followed by the utterly indulgent coaxing of someone who seemed willing to cater to her every whim.

Storm found the entire scene almost unbearable to listen to.

An S-rank NPC had actually fallen this far. He had absolutely no dignity or bottom line left.

After silently sighing over how beauty could be a blade that cut straight to the bone, how a beautiful woman could bring disaster, and how even the greatest heroes could never resist a beautiful woman, Storm was just about to wring out the rag in his hands and continue wiping the tea table when…

A knock sounded at the door.

There was no need for Tu Jin to say anything. Storm, who was exceptionally good at reading the room, immediately put down the rag, rinsed his hands in the water, and prepared to answer the door. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

But…

Just as Storm’s hand settled on the doorknob—

“Don’t!”

A piercing voice suddenly rang out from behind him.

The little puppet, who had been throwing a tantrum just moments ago, had suddenly burrowed into Tu Jin’s arms.

She was trembling all over, her eyes filled with terror as she stared at…

The door?

Storm stopped moving. Instinctively, he looked toward Tu Jin, who was holding the little puppet—his clingy lap… No, not a lapdog. Tu Jin. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

His eyes silently asked: What would Tu Jin choose?

Did he even need to ask?

While soothing the little puppet in his arms, Tu Jin simply signaled Storm with his eyes not to open the door and to hurry up and send whoever was outside away.

Storm, who had known this would happen, thought: …

He smiled inwardly as he silently condemned the shameless lapdog for having absolutely no self-respect. On the surface, however, he obediently began to release his grip on the doorknob.

However—

Storm’s pupils contracted sharply when he realized that he could no longer control his own hand.

Sensing that something was terribly wrong, Storm immediately tried to turn around and alert Tu Jin. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

Anyone capable of controlling him so effortlessly in this instance could only be one of the three NPCs residing on the third floor.

He couldn’t resist their control, but wasn’t there still an S-rank NPC in the room?

Tu Jin could definitely handle this.

Unfortunately…

Storm’s plan sounded perfectly reasonable in theory, but putting it into practice was clearly another matter.

In the brief instant between realizing that his hand was no longer obeying him and attempting to call out to Tu Jin, Storm’s reaction had been incredibly fast. But the force controlling him spread even faster.

Forget turning around and calling for Tu Jin. At that moment, Storm couldn’t even blink of his own accord.

All he could do was watch helplessly as his hand slowly turned the doorknob. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

“Click—”

The door opened.

“Welcome, guest—”

The stiff, mechanical words slipped from Storm’s mouth. His eyes were wide with horror as he stared at the smiling man standing outside.

Tu Jin quickly sensed that something was wrong at the entrance.

Looking down at the little puppet in his arms, who seemed to be growing increasingly frightened, he furrowed his brows. His displeased gaze swept toward the doorway.

Just one glance—

The irritated reprimand that was about to leave his mouth abruptly stopped. Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

“Qing Guizhu?”

Staring at his friend standing in the doorway, who seemed subtly different from usual, Tu Jin furrowed his brows even more deeply.

“You…”

“IT’S HIM!”

Before Tu Jin could finish asking his question, the little puppet trembling in his arms suddenly clutched his collar tightly.

Her terror was so overwhelming that it seemed ready to burst through the limits of her voice.

“It’s him!”

Who? Original translation by Lhaozi, read at lhaozitranslation.com

Tu Jin was confused for a brief moment. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, his sharp gaze turned toward the man outside the door, almost as though it could tear him apart.

“You’re not Qing Guizhu!”