Dinner Invitation

Chen Miemie had been busy over the past two days. While waiting for Chen Miaomiao, he had been wandering all over the Moon Library, constantly uncovering problems and drawing up various rules and regulations for the oddities.

At noon, Chen Miemie went looking for Bridge Maiden.

The two agreed to meet outside the Skin-Shedding Clinic.

Things were different now. Chen Miemie was already the representative of a new race. He had been standing outside the society’s headquarters for less than two minutes when Vice President Du Jun came hurrying out.

“Minister Chen, why are you standing outside? Come in, come in.”

Chen Miemie didn’t react to the form of address at first. It took him a moment to remember that he had once casually invented the identity of Foreign Minister of the Everlasting Moon.

His face immediately split into a grin.

“Not at all, not at all. I won’t be going in. Bridge Maiden said she’d be here in a moment. By the way, I heard Bridge Maiden has officially taken over as president. How’s she doing? Is she running around like a headless chicken?”

Du Jun wasn’t simply sucking up. He genuinely liked Chen Miemie. After all, their society still owed Chen Miemie a life debt over the Black Box Incident not long ago.

He didn’t treat Chen Miemie like an outsider.

“She’s got talent, works hard, and has all the resources she needs. She picked things up very quickly. The only problem is that she’s young, so she’s still a little lacking in presence. But with a few of us old fellows backing her, she’ll probably grow into the role within a few months.”

“Age really is an invisible limitation. Just look at me—someone as outstanding as Chen Miemie, and I still haven’t risen to a higher position in the Silver Moon Court. It’s practically inconceivable.”

The two of them were clearly about to start showering each other with compliments when Bridge Maiden arrived just in time.

“How did you two end up meeting?” Bridge Maiden gave them a casual greeting, then turned to Chen Miemie. “Chen Miemie, you have information on the new oddity, right?”

Chen Miemie nodded. “I do. But I’d rather die than give up a single word. Don’t even think about getting anything out of me.”

“Then how about I treat you to a meal at Flesh-Eater Hall? We can talk over dinner.”

Chen Miemie’s expression changed at once. “That place is already open again? Come on, come on. Things are always easier to discuss at the dinner table.”

Bridge Maiden looked at Du Jun. “Are you coming too?”

Du Jun glanced at Chen Miemie. “Am I allowed to?”

Chen Miemie looked at Bridge Maiden. “Why are you looking at me? It’s your society’s restaurant. I’m only bringing my mouth.”

And so, Du Jun shamelessly tagged along and joined the meal.

After another series of winding turns through the alleys, enough to make Chen Miemie’s head spin, they finally arrived at Flesh-Eater Hall.

From a distance, it still looked like the same dilapidated building wrapped in the coils of a giant python. But the moment Bridge Maiden pulled open the courtyard gate, the entire place suddenly blazed with light.

The three of them sat down in a small private room.

A moment later, the table was filled with delicious dishes.

Bridge Maiden had no patience for empty pleasantries and immediately began asking about the intelligence.

“Chen Miemie, is the current leader among the book oddities the newly appointed Grand Scholar of Law, Withering Poems?”

“No. It’s me.”

The sudden voice startled both Bridge Maiden and Du Jun.

When they realized that the speaker was the Forbidden Fruit Bestiary, they relaxed immediately and leaned closer to examine it.

“Who are you?”

“I’m the Forbidden Fruit Bestiary, the current chief steward of the book oddities.”

Du Jun was a little puzzled. “I know the few who used to lead the books. And among the most dangerous ones, I don’t remember seeing you.”

The Forbidden Fruit Bestiary was furious at being questioned. Its tiny wings flapped so quickly that they blurred.

“What good is leading a group? What good is being able to fight? Knowing who to follow—that’s the real skill.”

Du Jun had no intention of arguing with a book. He immediately changed his tune.

“So you’re the esteemed chief steward, the Forbidden Fruit Bestiary. Does that mean Withering Poems has to listen to you?”

“Not exactly. There’s no real hierarchy among us books. We make up titles for ourselves just for fun.

“If you insist on saying there’s some administrative function involved, it’s because there are too many books in the city. For ease of communication, the city was divided into five regions—east, south, west, north, and central—with one liaison for each. Withering Poems is the one stationed in the center of the city.”

Bridge Maiden was speechless. The Forbidden Fruit Bestiary was the most unserious book she had encountered in the past few days.

She turned back to Chen Miemie. “How should we coexist with the oddities? Do you have any suggestions?”

While the two of them had been talking, Chen Miemie had been wolfing down the delicious food. Only when the question was directed at him did he reluctantly put down his chopsticks.

“There are new members now, so things are bound to change.

“I wouldn’t call these suggestions. But I can tell you about a few trends that are likely to emerge. You might be able to prepare in advance and avoid some risks.

“First, Withering Poems taking office as Grand Scholar of Law is a signal that the city intends to fully implement the rule of law.

“It’s a book, and there’s also a whole circle of books based on legal codes behind it. Their enforcement will be almost as merciless as that of machines. Compared with the previous Stone Speaker, they’ll adhere to the rules even more strictly.

“Power, personal connections, race, wealth—none of these will matter to them. Before the law, everyone is equal.”

That first point alone made the hair on Bridge Maiden and Du Jun’s bodies stand on end.

Who in this city was most likely to break the law?

The powerful were one group. Witches were another. And then there were mystics. Those who possessed supernatural abilities were often more likely to break the law—an old saying held that martial prowess bred defiance of authority.

Du Jun wished he could pull out a pen and paper to take notes. He shouted inwardly, This meal was worth every bit of shamelessness it took to get here!

Chen Miemie continued.

“Next is the economy.

“You know about Cicada’s Everlasting Moon Chamber of Commerce, right? The name alone makes it obvious who’s behind it.

“Previously, they were only making a little noise within the city. But now that the three races have merged, the city’s overall strength is greater than ever. The next step will be to shift the direction of development and expand into intercity, interregional, and interracial trade.

“That will be the next great source of wealth.”

This time, Bridge Maiden’s eyes lit up.

Getting the news in advance and catching the next wave of prosperity might only allow ordinary people to drink a little of the leftovers. But for an organization like the Skin-Shedding Clinic—or a family like the Gongshu clan, with its money and resources—it could mean taking off overnight.

Bridge Maiden and Du Jun waited for a long time, but Chen Miemie never gave them a “third point” or a “final point.”

“What else?”

“I didn’t make anything up—er, I mean, I haven’t figured out how to put the last point yet. It concerns Mystery. Since this city has been renamed the Moon Library, it is protected by moonlight. Unless you’re a high-level mystic, there’s no need for you to know about it.”

Bridge Maiden pointed at Du Jun, then at herself. “We’re both Mystery 5. Doesn’t that count as high-level?”

Chen Miemie had finished eating. He wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“Mystery 5 is only the starting point. You’ve only just truly set foot on the path of Mystery. You’ll understand once you advance.”

Bridge Maiden was already perfectly satisfied with everything she had learned that day.

“I don’t have any more questions. What did you want to see me about?”

“I want to carve some small objects out of stone, and I need a highly skilled sculptor.”

Bridge Maiden didn’t hesitate for even a moment. “No problem. When do you need them?”

“No, wait. My requirements are very high. The stone is incredibly hard, and the work involves a very high level of Mystery. This person needs to be highly skilled, powerful in Mystery, trustworthy—and able to keep the matter confidential afterward.”

Bridge Maiden still looked completely at ease. “I know. No problem.”

Chen Miemie was a little skeptical. “Who do you recommend?”

“My old man, Gongshu Feiliang, is a master of stone bridge carving. It’s a family craft passed down through the generations, and he’s been in the trade for decades. Even [mystery] is somehow connected to stone carving. He’s the number one stone sculptor in the whole city.”

The Gongshu residence.

Gongshu Feiliang suddenly sneezed three times in a row.

“Huh? What’s going on? Why do I feel like someone’s setting me up?”