Firefly

Chen Miemie had made a new friend, and his mood was even better.

He and Mute met for the first time and chatted for a long while. Although Mute’s speech was somewhat halting, her thoughts were clear, and her powers of observation were sharp. Her opinions on many matters were strikingly perceptive.

She could manage short sentences with some difficulty, but whenever she needed to say something longer, she used her writing tablet.

The two of them talked until after ten that night, when Mute suggested saying goodbye. Because she had been chatting with Chen Miemie, she had already stayed out much longer than usual, and the attendant assigned to look after her had sent a message urging her to return.

Following Mute’s directions, Chen Miemie made his way to a nearby passenger boat dock and boarded a small boat.

He had no idea where [Firefly Inn] was, but the local boatmen all knew.

The little wooden boat carried the moonlight and Chen Miemie alike, slicing through the moon’s reflection on the water as it drifted leisurely between the buildings.

Seeing Chen Miemie lying on the deck and looking thoroughly relaxed, the boatman deliberately slowed his rowing, making the boat move even more slowly.

The boatman took him directly to the inn’s entrance.

“Two hours, sir.”

Only then did Chen Miemie remember that he had never discussed the fare before boarding. “Uncle, it’s so late, and you’ve been rowing for at least half an hour. You’re only charging me for two hours?”

“Heh, it isn’t that far. In our line of work, people say we negotiate prices, but for roughly the same distance, there’s always a standard fare.”

Chen Miemie grew interested. “Among all the boatmen in the city, isn’t there anyone who fleeces their passengers?”

“Everyone’s different, so naturally, that can’t be avoided. But there’s always a limit; no one goes too far. Some people may have the inclination, but they don’t have the nerve.”

“Why not?”

“Because if a passenger files a complaint with the [Black Tide Merchant Guild], and the complaint is verified, the penalties are severe. In the worst cases, they can even lose their qualifications to work in cargo transport and tourism.”

“The [Black Tide Merchant Guild] is that powerful?”

“Of course. See those ripples carved into the side of the boat?” The boatman pointed to a corner of the vessel.

“I hadn’t noticed them until you pointed them out. They’re waves, right?”

“That’s right. It’s the symbol of the ‘Black Tide.’ Back when Mr. Bo was in charge, he replaced every boat in the city for the boatmen. After the replacements, it wasn’t just small-time boatmen like us—even the small vessels used by the Tidal Palace were supplied by the [Black Tide Merchant Guild].”

“Mr. Bo? I heard the current guild leader is Miss Bo Yunjian.”

“That’s right. Mr. Bo was Miss Bo’s father. He passed away some time ago.”

After paying the fare, Chen Miemie entered [Firefly Inn].

The instant he pushed open the courtyard gate, his eyes lit up.

The courtyard was filled with scattered points of fluorescent light.

Even more surprising was the variety of their colors. They weren’t merely green; there were blue, purple, and white lights as well.

The glowing points drifted in twos and threes from the grass, beneath the flower leaves, and out from the depths of the vines covering the wall.

They moved unhurriedly, like willow catkins wafting on the evening breeze, or like a handful of pieces of jade someone had carelessly scattered. The tiny lights rose and fell, drawing invisible arcs as they drifted closer and farther away through the night.

At times, they gathered in one place, flickering on and off as if conferring about some secret. At others, they suddenly scattered, each floating toward a different corner of the courtyard.

Chen Miemie was completely spellbound by the sight for several seconds.

“Chen Miemie, welcome back. If you didn’t come back soon, A-Lin would have assumed you’d gotten lost in the city and been ready to contact you.” A-Lin’s voice came from the front desk.

Chen Miemie declared righteously, “Getting lost is impossible. My exceptional sense of direction would never allow such a thing.”

“Heh. Impressive. Would you like some late-night food?”

“No, I already ate outside. By the way, are you the only one watching the inn around the clock? Don’t you have anyone to take shifts with you?”

A-Lin fell silent for a moment. “You could say that.”

A-Lin seemed to have something on his mind, and Chen Miemie did not press him. He went upstairs to his room.

There were no lights along the way, yet the entire staircase and the walls seemed to have been outlined in phosphorescence, clearly revealing their shapes.

Chen Miemie returned to his room without a hitch.

The night grew deeper and deeper.

Two o’clock in the morning.

A dark figure vaulted over the wall from outside the courtyard.

Dressed all in black and wearing a mask, the figure landed soundlessly inside the courtyard. He watched the front desk for a long while, confirming that A-Lin had fallen asleep in the reclining chair.

He quietly crossed the front courtyard, passed the desk, and crept toward the stairs.

He did not notice that several tiny phosphorescent lights had already crawled onto the hem of his clothes.

“Entering without permission makes you a thief. So, Mr. Thief, explain your purpose and identify yourself.”

At some point, A-Lin had risen from the reclining chair.

The dark figure was startled at having his movements exposed, but he put on a fierce front.

“Kid, if you’d just gone to sleep and stayed out of the way, you could’ve remained safe and sound. Why insist on showing off?”

A flash of cold light shot toward A-Lin.

A-Lin turned sideways.

A sharp dagger sank into the wooden pillar behind him.

After throwing the dagger, the dark figure did not follow up with another attack. Instead, he accelerated and dashed toward the courtyard gate.

He was the perfect example of someone who talked tough while running away at top speed.

The dark figure was not afraid of A-Lin. But once his presence had been exposed, tonight’s plan had already failed. Retreating immediately to avoid causing an even greater disturbance was the best option.

A-Lin did not chase him. He simply remained where he was at the front desk.

“This is your last chance. Surrender and state where you came from.”

The dark figure was already only two meters from the gate. “Kid, I don’t feel like dealing with you tonight. Next time, you won’t be so lucky.”

A cold glint flashed through A-Lin’s green eyes.

“Phosphor Fire: Self-Immolation.”

The numerous glowing motes that had accumulated on the dark figure’s body suddenly began to flare, their light intensifying several times over.

Then every mote of phosphorescent fire in the courtyard rushed toward him.

“Ah!”

The dark figure had only enough time to let out a single scream before his entire body burst into flame, transforming into a human-shaped mass of green fire.

The glowing lights filling the courtyard were not fireflies at all. They were phosphor fire—phosphor fire that could be controlled.

Within only a few minutes, the living thief was burned to ash.

Only then did A-Lin walk over. He used a broom to sweep up the ashes, then took the opportunity to repair the small patch of grass that had been scorched and damaged by the flames.

A-Lin’s technique was powerful, but he could not control it with precision. With the thief’s remains completely obliterated, there was naturally no way to discover his identity.

He stood in the front courtyard and looked up at the fourth floor.

“Three waves of visitors on the very first day someone checked in?”

And in a corner of the rooftop, beyond A-Lin’s sight—

Chen Miemie had watched the entire confrontation between A-Lin and the dark figure below.

This was his residence. Even if it was only a temporary residence, the Oddities had already spread their power throughout the surrounding area. They would never tolerate anyone sneaking into Chen Miemie’s room while he slept.

Pure Water’s voice sounded from within his blood.

“It’s confirmed. This A-Lin is not the same person as the one from this morning.”