Pei Guang lifted Bailu out of the trash can and, as she looked at him in confusion, tied a rope around her. Holding her securely, he leapt over the wall into the enemy's territory.
Stelle and March 7th exchanged glances, their expressions hidden by the effects of their helmets.
Stelle tilted her head toward March 7th. "So… how do we follow his lead if we can't even see his expression?"
March 7th shrugged. "Beats me. For all we know, Ah Guang has some trick to make his expressions glow through the helmet. Let's just follow him!"
Sighing, Stelle nodded. "Alright, fine."
The two quickly followed Pei Guang, landing beside him just as the mara-struck soldiers in the area noticed something amiss.
"Who goes there?!" shouted a leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
This particular disciple was one of the true followers; the rest were short-lived species who sought immortality, only to be used as expendables in the attack on the Divination Commission. The purpose of the attack was simple: disrupt the Commission's divination process and keep Jing Yuan from discovering their plans.
Meanwhile, Fu Xuan, unable to do more than she already had, could only wait at the Seat of Divine Foresight for Pei Guang and his team, hoping they would clear out the enemies and secure the divination array.
The disciple prepared to strike, but Pei Guang quickly spoke up, "The leader sent us to capture the dragon girl. We caught her, but we were discovered and had to flee here. What's the situation inside?"
As he spoke, Pei Guang drew a cross over his chest and recited with feigned piety, "The mercy of Sanctus Medicus, the Ambrosial Arbor's new growth. One in sanctification, together into bliss. I have proof of our allegiance here."
He pulled out a Disciples of Sanctus Medicus emblem.
Bailu, catching onto the act, began struggling fiercely. "Let me go, you vile scoundrels! I swear, one whip of my tail, and you'll all be sent flying!"
Seeing the emblem and hearing the code, the disciple hesitated but then nodded, his gravelly voice softening. "Brother?"
Pei Guang responded firmly, "Brother!"
The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, unaware that their communication codes had been leaked, fell for Pei Guang's deception. The disciple looked over Pei Guang's group, noticing their bizarre appearances—especially the ghastly helmet that covered Pei Guang's head.
"How did you end up like this?" the disciple asked skeptically.
Pei Guang sighed and shook his head. "We're not sure. After taking the medicine, only our heads completed the ascension, while our bodies remained unchanged. But the Sanctus Medicus mercy will surely grant us full transformation in the end. How's the situation here? Need our help?"
The disciple hesitated briefly but ultimately bought into Pei Guang's act. "We've seized control of the divination array. The Divination Commission is in chaos, and their forces are spread too thin to reclaim it. With our brothers stationed in every corner, it'd take at least ten times the current number of Cloud Knights to clear us out."
Pei Guang nodded appreciatively, surveying the area. "Good. Let me check the surroundings—it doesn't seem ideal to act here…"
The disciple gestured toward a nearby building. "No problem. We've got more brothers stationed there, ready to ambush anyone who dares pass through. Time's short, but we'll hold the dragon girl to celebrate our victory."
Bailu, overhearing this, fell into stunned silence.
Her perception of Pei Guang had shifted multiple times since their first meeting. Initially, he seemed like a carefree companion who indulged her love of food and drink. But now, seeing his uncanny ability to infiltrate enemy ranks with ease, Bailu found herself repeatedly astounded.
It wasn't just his smooth talk—it was the sheer audacity of his lies and how easily people fell for them.
Suddenly, something clicked in Bailu's mind. At first glance, Pei Guang's infiltration seemed implausible. But thinking back to his meticulous preparation, it was disturbingly logical.
That ghastly helmet everyone had laughed off before? Bailu now recalled its special properties: boosting mental resistance and inflicting immense psychological damage on enemies.
Even more absurdly, its eerie appearance made it impossible to doubt Pei Guang's claim of "partial ascension."
At that moment, Bailu realized that when it came to Pei Guang, nothing was left to chance. Every bizarre move he made seemed ridiculous until the plan fell into place—at which point it became terrifyingly effective.
Bailu, though baffled by the mechanics behind Pei Guang's odd tools like the cauldron and helmet, began piecing things together. She had always wondered why he kept such an ugly helmet around. Now, its purpose became clear: even if he had crafted a more aesthetically pleasing version, it wouldn't have inflicted such devastating mental damage on these foes while aiding in his ruse.
Pei Guang continued weaving his tale: "Alright, you carry on with your mission. I'll use the Divination Commission's Starskiff to bring the dragon girl to the leader. Do you know the safest route inside? I'd hate to walk into a Cloud Knight ambush and risk losing her. That would ruin our plans."
The disciple eagerly handed Pei Guang a map. "This map marks the positions of all our brothers and sisters. Follow this route—it'll keep you clear of any traps."
Pei Guang inspected the map, then asked, "Where are we on this map?"
The disciple moved closer to point out their location. "Here. Follow this path, then head in this direction. Avoid this area—there are many Cloud Knights and lackeys of the Arbiter-General there. Oh, and take this." He handed Pei Guang a strange, fleshy orb. "This token will ensure even the regular mara-struck won't attack you."
Pei Guang pocketed the orb casually and asked, "Anything else I should know? Got any handy supplies for me? You know, just in case a fight breaks out."
The disciple shook his head. "I've given you everything I have."
Watching the exchange, Stelle and March 7th exchanged glances, simultaneously throwing up their hands in amused disbelief. This level of manipulation was just another day with Pei Guang, but for Bailu, it was her first time witnessing him in action.
Bailu stared wide-eyed as Pei Guang expertly exploited information gaps, coaxing every bit of intel and supplies out of the disciple. He had everything: their codes, their tokens and an uncanny ability to bluff convincingly. Coupled with the unsettlingly realistic, hideous helmet—which doubled as a tool for mental assault—it was no wonder the enemies fell for his act.