episode_0054

He had made himself perfectly clear.

If Xu Nian still didn’t understand, she’d be an idiot.

Ugh!

What the hell is up with this system?!

So your so-called “rewards” are just stolen on the spot?!

At least last time you had the decency to copy that lavish meal, but now you’re not even pretending, huh?

I’ve never seen such a trashy system!

Other people’s systems are all overpowered—why did I end up with this kind?

“Sorry, sir, this… we found it. I’ll return it to you right away.”

Xu Nian respectfully handed the reverted box—the Xv artifact—back to the man.

The man took the artifact and took another drag of his cigarette.

“Honestly, I’m quite curious. How did you take it? You even disabled the tracking device inside. But no matter how I look at it, you’re just a one-star Xv user. You were even under our surveillance the whole time—solid alibi. Really strange.”

Xu Nian’s ears turned red.

Stay calm, stay calm—gotta hold it in!

Hold it in, no matter what—can’t let it slip!

Come on, acting skills I learned—don’t fail me now!

“I—I found it in the flowerbed by the road! I really didn’t know it was yours! I don’t know anything—I just became an Xv user. Look at my sincere eyes—you can tell I’m not lying!”

“Nian’s telling the truth. She didn’t deceive anyone. I can vouch for her.”

“Heh.”

What does ‘heh’ even mean?!

“Do you know that your actions alone are already illegal? And a serious crime at that. If it weren’t for the fact that you two show promise and our team is short-handed, we wouldn’t be letting you off this easily.”

“Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!”

Seeing that he wasn’t pressing charges, Xu Nian quickly put on a cheerful face.

“I have a name—Xiao Ge. Codename: Flame. You can call me Captain Xiao or Captain Flame.”

“Xiao Yan? Have you ever been publicly humiliated by a fiancée who broke off your engagement?”

“Read less web novels. I’m still single.”

“What? How could someone as charming and accomplished as you still be single?” Xu Nian hurriedly flattered him.

“In our line of work, danger is a constant companion. I don’t want my wife worrying all the time, so I’d rather stay single.”

Just then, Leng Xiao walked over. “Captain, everything’s been handled.”

“Good. Let’s go. The Soul Prison Lantern can be reset too.”

Leng Xiao glanced at Xu Nian and Su Qingya but didn’t say anything more.

But Xu Nian could feel the unspoken accusation: “Sneaky little thief.”

This is so embarrassing! Stupid system! Couldn’t you just materialize the rewards out of thin air?!

Now the owner’s come knocking!

“You might have nightmares tonight. Be prepared.”

Leng Xiao thought for a moment and decided to give a heads-up.

“Why?”

“Side effect of using the artifact.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

The two got into the police car and waved at Xu Nian and Su Qingya.

Xu Nian quickly waved back.

But Su Qingya’s expression shifted slightly.

“Nian, you can sleep in my arms tonight.”

“Why?”

“Too many ‘whys.’ Didn’t she just say you’d have nightmares? So, in my arms—that’s the safest place.”

Xu Nian’s face flushed.

She raised her hand, about to say something—

Then realized she was inexplicably holding a box.

???

Why does this box look familiar?

Oh.

Very familiar.

This is the damn Soul Prison Lantern!

Just then, the police car that had driven off turned around and came back.

“Looks like I really do have to restrain you.”

Xiao Ge, sitting in the passenger seat, stared at Xu Nian, speechless.

“I—I really didn’t mean to! I don’t know how this thing ended up in my hand!”

Xu Nian hurriedly shoved the artifact through the car window.

“Take this thing away! As far as possible! Go, go, go!”

Xiao Ge firmly grabbed the artifact—

And then, it reappeared in Xu Nian’s hand.

Now all four of them were stunned.

“Having fun messing with me? Farming emotional energy off me now?”

“I swear I don’t know what’s happening!”

Xu Nian let out a frustrated laugh.

Her stomach hurt.

The Path of Joy isn’t even related to theft!

They tried several times, but it was useless—the artifact clung to Xu Nian’s hand like glue.

“Seems this artifact really likes you.”

Xiao Ge mused. He could tell Xu Nian wasn’t using any special power, yet the artifact refused to let go.

This wasn’t entirely without precedent.

A bonded Xv artifact would return to its user no matter how far away it was.

But this lantern wasn’t Xu Nian’s bonded artifact.

A bonded artifact had to be nurtured from its “embryonic” state, growing alongside its master. Only after the master’s death would it become ownerless.

Besides, Xu Nian’s path was Joy, while this lantern’s path was Fear.

Su Qingya, hearing Xiao Ge’s words, snapped.

“Stupid lantern! How dare you steal my Nian!”

She was even jealous of an artifact!

In one swift motion, she yanked the lantern from Xu Nian’s hands, pressed it onto Xiao Ge’s lap, and suppressed it with her own Fear-aligned energy.

This time, the Soul Prison Lantern actually behaved.

Xiao Ge gave Su Qingya a strange look.

Tier suppression.

Before he could speak, Su Qingya pulled Xu Nian several steps back.

“Take this lantern away! Now! And don’t come back!”

Xiao Ge didn’t press further. He chuckled and said to Leng Xiao, “Alright, let’s go. There shouldn’t be any more surprises now. Oh, and remember to come to the Security Bureau sometime.”

He reminded the two before leaving.

But then—

The damn box was back in Xu Nian’s hands!

Su Qingya’s eyes widened.

It had literally teleported into Xu Nian’s grasp.

What the hell?

Xu Nian was utterly baffled.

But soon, she connected the dots—was this because of the earlier “reward”?

That so-called “deepened bond” with the artifact—did it mean the lantern would now be permanently loyal to her?

Before accepting the reward, the artifact had betrayed her without hesitation.

Now? It was sticking to her like a plaster—impossible to shake off.

Xiao Ge, who hadn’t driven far, returned once more.

He stared at Xu Nian silently. Xu Nian laughed awkwardly.

“Captain Xiao, uh… should I try returning it again?”

“Just register. From now on, you’re a reserve member of our team, responsible for safeguarding the Xv artifact—the Soul Prison Lantern. Though, given how attached it is to you, I doubt it’ll go missing.”

“That… doesn’t seem right. I’m a reserve member just like that?”

“Jail or enlistment. Pick one.”

What kind of choice is that?!

That’s no choice at all!

“Can I ask… how many years in jail?”

“Hm?”

“Captain! Reserve member Xu Nian reporting for duty!” Xu Nian saluted sharply.

“Save that for tomorrow.” Then, Xiao Ge’s gaze shifted to Su Qingya.

Su Qingya, noticing his look, immediately stepped forward, hands on Xu Nian’s shoulders. “If Nian’s joining, then so am I.”

“Fine. Be ready early tomorrow—arrive before nine. We’ll run some training for you rookies.”

With that, Xiao Ge actually left, letting Leng Xiao drive off without another word.

Xu Nian stood there, holding the box.

The night wind was cold.

“Captain, isn’t this a bit…? What about reporting to higher-ups?”

“Trading one artifact for two promising talents joining the official ranks? I’d say it’s worth it.” Xiao Ge gazed out the window. “Besides, it’s just a change of custodian. Consider it… a small investment.”

He lit another cigarette.