Lady Scab

Chen Miemie was a bit surprised by her straightforwardness: "You're being rather proactive. Aren't you afraid of getting the situation wrong and needlessly exposing yourself?"

"In our line of work, we never rely on luck, and we don't believe in coincidences. When something goes wrong, the first thing we do is find a way to fix it and cut our losses."

"You should know who I am, so I won't introduce myself. What should I call you?"

"People in the circle usually call me 'Lady Scab.' I wouldn't dare act presumptuous in front of you—just call me Scab."

"Talking to a smart person saves so much effort. Tell me whatever you think I should know, and if I'm satisfied, I'll leave."

Facing someone as cunning as Chen Miemie, Scab felt this wouldn't be easy to handle.

"The person who placed the assassination order on you is a scholar from the Theorist faction of the Scholars' Academy, named Li Liang. He's a purely academic researcher, not a Mystic.

Li Liang studied under 'Cicada' and is one of his direct disciples. He often relays messages on Cicada's behalf to the outside world.

Three days ago, after disguising himself, he posted the task through the Carp. The reward he offered was double what it would cost to assassinate a guild leader.

Because the reward was so high, no one took the job for several hours—until the 'Silence' witch claimed it and has been holding onto it ever since."

As Chen Miemie listened, he casually picked up the small spray bottle Scab had placed on the counter and sprayed a few pumps at a stain on his own clothes: "No effect. This doesn't get rid of the dirty spot either."

Scab had to follow his leaping train of thought: "That's not for ordinary stain removal."

"Oh? What's it for then?"

"I raise a type of blood leech. This is the leech's saliva, used specifically to remove blood stains that can't be washed away, life grime, and residual curses."

"Wouldn't have guessed—you're pretty capable at this cover business too, huh? How's business?"

"Not bad. I usually charge based on the 'activity' of the stain on the clothing or item. Fresh blood is cheap, years-old grudge blood stains cost more, and the most stubborn ones require the leech to directly attach itself—that's the most expensive."

Chen Miemie set the small spray bottle down with a slightly heavier thud: "I wasn't asking about the dry cleaning shop."

Scab cursed inwardly, "Why didn't you say so clearly," but her mouth kept pace: "I only take a twenty percent cut of the task reward. After accounting for all the risks, I don't make much—sometimes I even lose money."

"You're joking, surely. No one likes doing losing deals."

Scab put on a pitiful expression: "In my reckless youth, I took the wrong path and joined the Mist Church. Later I wanted to go back to a normal life, but there's no turning back. The jobs the Church assigns, I have to do."

Most of Lady Scab's pitiful expression was an act, but her words were true—when someone wants to leave the Mist Church, neither the Church itself nor the mainstream society of the Hundred Cities will allow it.

Even someone as powerful as the Jester has to hide and live in the shadows.

"Tell me about the personnel structure of the Mist Church in the Sealed Library."

"There are three people in charge, including myself. Each of us has a varying number of underlings, averaging four or five." Scab was indeed of Mist's persuasion—she sold out the Church without a moment's hesitation.

"And the city's overall person in charge?"

"The Sealed Library has no person in charge."

"Why?"

Scab gave Chen Miemie a strange look but answered quickly: "The Sealed Library has witch influence."

"So what if there are witches? That doesn't affect your internal organizational structure."

"A third of the Mist Church's highest ranks are witches. With 'Silence' in this city, even a person in charge would be constrained by her."

This piece of data secretly startled Chen Miemie: "Before the Seventh Epoch, witches were hunted relentlessly, so joining the Mist Church makes sense."

Scab blinked: "What I said was one-third right now. Quite a few witches hold high positions, using the Church to gain what they want. People say the Mist Church is full of madmen who enjoy harming others without benefiting themselves.

But in truth, there aren't that many madmen in the world. Most people first have an unfortunate life, hit rock bottom, and then slowly sink into darkness."

Chen Miemie walked to the shop entrance.

Just as Scab thought he was satisfied and about to leave,

he reached out and closed the shop door from the inside, even pulling down the curtain.

He turned around: "Scab, if all you can offer is intel I already knew before I came, then your contribution isn't enough to offset the fault of issuing an assassination order.

Don't worry—I'll use your blood leech saliva to clean up the blood nice and tidy. I won't dirty your shop."

Lady Scab worked in intelligence; combat wasn't her strength. She knew Chen Miemie's track record and had no intention of fighting. She stomped her foot hard, hoping to use the rebound force to leap backward in escape.

Her first step succeeded—her body launched toward the counter rigged with a mechanism behind her.

But the moment her foot touched down, it got stuck to a spiderweb. Soon both legs, then her entire body, were immobilized.

Once restrained, Scab reacted quickly and immediately forced a smile onto her face. She knew Chen Miemie didn't want to kill her—at least not yet—otherwise she wouldn't even have gotten a chance to speak: "I've told you everything I know! Why don't you just ask directly? I won't hide a thing."

Chen Miemie pulled over a chair and sat down.

"That scholar named Li Liang—if he posted the task in disguise, how was he still recognized?"

"Because the reward he offered was too high. When he left, our people followed him and tracked him all the way to his home."

"Didn't it occur to you that a non-Mystic who can work alongside a great scholar must be extremely intelligent, and wouldn't be so careless?"

"It crossed our minds. But it really was him—that's a fact. Besides, by now, he's probably already been captured by the 'Silence' witch. With her methods, he's likely already confessed, hasn't he?"

Chen Miemie stayed silent. Li Liang had indeed been captured—and not just Li Liang; even the great scholar 'Cicada,' who was on sick leave, had received a visit from 'Silence' at his door.

Chen Miemie waved his hand, and the spiderweb around Scab's legs loosened.

"Scab, you have one last chance to show me your worth."

Scab laid out all her chips: "I can gather intelligence for you, keep tabs on the Mist Church's movements, and post tasks to get things done that you'd rather not handle personally."

To be honest, the chips Scab offered were somewhat useful to Chen Miemie. But in the end, she wasn't one of his people. Today she sold out the Church; tomorrow she might sell him out. He couldn't use her with peace of mind.

Chen Miemie raised his right hand, about to swing it down.

Behind her, unseen by Scab, Red hovered above her head, wearing a cruel, bloodthirsty smile. A massive spider spear was aimed at her skull, waiting to strike in perfect sync with the drop of Chen Miemie's hand.

At that moment, the watch on Chen Miemie's left wrist lit up.

He glanced at it.

Time: 16:44.

Sender: [Silence]

Message: After interrogation, Li Liang confessed that because 'Cicada' recognized you from the kidnapping at the Scholars' Academy, he assigned him to issue the assassination order.

'Cicada' himself denies this.

Also, per your instructions, Li Liang was released. Shortly after leaving the interrogation room, he was killed. It wasn't us.

"Li Liang is dead." Chen Miemie furrowed her brow, and at the same time, her right hand—which had been poised to swing—was gently lowered instead.

Scab felt a chill sweep past her from behind, with the faint, whistling sound of a sharp blade tearing through the air at high speed.

The spiderweb around her was sliced open, splitting in two against her skin, and she was free.

When she turned around, there was nothing behind her.

Chen Miemie pulled open the door and stepped out of the shop.

"Scab, remember what you said. You have two months to prove yourself. Work hard, and don't disappoint yourself.

Also, it's best to close this shop for a while—let it rest."