Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 213: Fed Dog Food

When Yasaka Mashiro spoke those words, silence descended upon the group. If Swollen Woman were to make an appearance, the storyline would take an interesting turn. However, all in all, it could be beneficial for the players because Swollen Woman's intervention would greatly increase the chances of resolving the Eldritch God Taketori. Of course, there was also the possibility that Swollen Woman's malicious tendencies might flare up, leading to the players' demise.

But based on Liu Xing's years of experience running Cthulhu campaigns (from the sidelines), releasing Nyarlathotep at the very end of the module usually indicated that the game master was ready to give the players a helping hand. This involved allowing the players to utilize Nyarlathotep's power to complete their mission. However, the players would most likely have to undergo a Sanity check, and one or two unlucky ones might even meet their doom.

"I don't think Swollen Woman will show up," Gu Jun bluntly stated, hitting the nail on the head. "After all, Swollen Woman's activities are confined to China. It's highly unlikely she would transport all of us to China."

Liu Xing nodded in agreement and said, "Well, let's not rely on Swollen Woman suddenly coming to our aid. We should focus on dealing with the Dark Willow Gang in reality. With the Sawada Family and the Ghouls' assistance, we've narrowed the gap between the two sides. Theoretically, we have a chance if we engage in covert combat. We shouldn't just passively take hits. Plus, with the video regarding Tennoji Sohide, we don't have to worry about the Dark Willow Gang trying any tricks openly."

Yin En nodded in agreement and produced a gilded invitation. "I obtained an invitation to a spa from Sawada Yinyin. It allows two people to enter the spa. I plan to visit the spa tomorrow. Who wants to join me?"

"How about I take Mian Gu Lu with you to the spa? Mian Gu Lu's current physical condition isn't great, and I think some time at the spa might help. Even though it's Dark Willow Gang's property, there are many people there, and Dark Willow Gang probably won't act openly in broad daylight," Yasaka Mashiro proposed boldly.

Chen Wenbin, standing nearby, expressed some concern as he shook his head. "This seems too risky. As you said, the spa belongs to the Dark Willow Gang. Even if they don't take action at the spa, they might intercept you on the way. Then you three would be left defenseless, and escaping Dark Willow Gang won't be easy."

Yin En stepped forward to counter Chen Wenbin's argument. "I think it's doable. The spa is right next to the villa area, and the Sawada Family lives there. I originally planned to visit my father-in-law after leaving the spa, so I can take Mian Gu Lu and seek assistance from the Sawada Family."

After some discussion, it was decided that Yin En would take Mian Gu Lu and Yasaka Mashiro to the spa and then meet Sawada Yinyin's father.

Meanwhile, Gu Jun planned to go solo and visit Ziwu City Library to find Kuroba Naoki. Kuroba Naoki's notes had provided him with valuable insights, but there were still some points that Gu Jun hadn't clarified. Therefore, he intended to have a thorough conversation with Kuroba Naoki.

As for the others, they hadn't yet decided what they would do the next day. Most of the locations had already been explored, and the available information had been gathered. The remaining locations were potentially dangerous, including Ziwu City Government Building, Dark Willow Gang's construction company, the undeveloped area where Killer Demon might be hiding, and the police station.

Thinking about the police station, Liu Xing was curious and asked, "By the way, Chen Wenbin, why did you set fire to Unseen Pond today? And why are your phones all turned off?"

Chen Wenbin raised an eyebrow, sighed in exasperation, and explained, "Blame it on Watanabe Jiang, that idiot. When we arrived at Unseen Pond today, we saw your car first. So, we left you a note and our phones and went straight to Unseen Pond. What we didn't expect was to find Kanna Ryoko sitting in the pavilion by Unseen Pond. We decided to approach her."

"Wait, you're saying Kanna Ryoko was at the pavilion by Unseen Pond? Are you sure you didn't mistake someone else for her?" Otonashi Takuya suddenly interjected.

Chen Wenbin nodded affirmatively and continued, "Yes, we're sure it was her. From Kanna Ryoko's demeanor and appearance, it matched exactly what Yin En and Liu Xing described a few days ago. What's more, Watanabe Jiang, that guy, went up to her and asked if she was cosplaying as a shrine maiden, which infuriated Kanna Ryoko. It completely ruined our plan to approach her. Later, Watanabe Jiang tried to secretly film Kanna Ryoko with his phone, but she caught him in the act and, without a doubt, used magic to destroy all our electronic devices. That's why you couldn't reach us."

This... was truly a breathtaking series of actions.

Liu Xing couldn't help but admire Watanabe Jiang's audacity for taunting Kanna Ryoko, explaining why he later dared to confront the director of Ziwu City Hospital with a gun. However, the most crucial point was that Kanna Ryoko had left the Godless Shrine!

"While in your understanding, Unseen Pond is part of the Godless Shrine, Kanna Ryoko had never left Godless Shrine or participated in Unseen Pond activities before. Now, she's finally left Godless Shrine. We don't know if this is a good or bad thing," Otonashi Takuya said with a serious tone.

The group's expressions grew somber. Unusual events often foretold significant developments. Kanna Ryoko's sudden departure from Godless Shrine after centuries of staying within raised concerns about what might be on the horizon.

"After that, did you decide to set Unseen Pond on fire? Were you planning to retaliate against Kanna Ryoko?" Liu Xing asked with curiosity.

Chen Wenbin shook his head and continued, "Actually, it's like this. After Kanna Ryoko destroyed our electronic devices, she returned to Godless Shrine. At that time, Yoh Asakura noticed someone spying on us. So, we slowly approached the spy, who was hiding in tall grass about a person's height. To force him out, I used a lighter to intimidate him. Unexpectedly, he didn't react, and in my haste, I accidentally threw the lighter into the grass, causing a fire..."

Indeed, it was yet another breathtaking turn of events."After setting the fire, we realized the situation was dire because there were several tourists at Unseen Pond who witnessed me starting the fire. So, I decided to turn myself in. After all, running away would bring many troubles, and I believed you would get me out of the police station. Watanabe Jiang, on the other hand, fled Unseen Pond because he had a gun with him. You should be aware of what happened afterward," Chen Wenbin explained with a wry smile.

Yasaka Mashiro rubbed his chin, deep in thought, and said, "So that's how it happened. I think the person who was spying on you was probably a Ghoul. Aoki mentioned that they send Ghouls to monitor Kanna Ryoko daily."

At this point, Yoh Asakura, who had been silent, nodded and said, "Indeed. After Watanabe Jiang escaped, and Chen Wenbin was apprehended, I waited until the fire department extinguished the blaze. I went to inspect the area beneath the grass where we found the tunnel with deep scratches on both sides. I can confirm that it was created by the Ghouls."

Liu Xing nodded, as this was all within his expectations. However, he was now more curious about what happened to Chen Wenbin after entering the police station, as it was not easy to get inside such a place.

Before Liu Xing could inquire further, Chen Wenbin continued, "I suppose you must be curious about what happened to me in the police station. Since I turned myself in, I wasn't interrogated for long and was sent to the detention center. In the detention center, I encountered two members of a gang. From their conversation, I learned that they were from out of town and intended to cause trouble for the Dark Willow Gang."

"Then, they asked me for information about the Dark Willow Gang. Thinking that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, I chose to divulge some information about the Dark Willow Gang. They continued to discuss quietly and seemed to be planning to infiltrate the Dark Willow Gang and gather more information."

"At that moment, a police officer came to get me. At first, I thought it was arranged by you to bail me out. However, it turned out to be a female officer who asked if I would be willing to become an undercover agent for the police."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xing raised an eyebrow. It seemed that Chen Wenbin had triggered a side quest involving the police station.

However, what Chen Wenbin said next left Liu Xing somewhat speechless. "Of course, you must be wondering why I, with my cautious nature and preference for staying out of trouble, rejected the offer. Besides, it was clear that they wanted to go after the Dark Willow Gang. My old bones can't handle that kind of risk, so I had no choice but to decline the female officer's proposal. I even considered recommending you guys for the undercover role, but I was promptly escorted out by the officer."

The group exchanged glances, feeling a bit regretful about Chen Wenbin declining the police station's side quest. However, it was understandable, given Chen Wenbin's cautious nature and advancing age. Sending him undercover would have been a risky endeavor, and he might not have lasted a day against the Dark Willow Gang.

"However, after I was released from the police station, Police Chief Ryochuan Taro invited me for tea. Because I was bailed out by the Sawada Family, it seemed that Ryochuan Taro misunderstood my relationship with them. He wanted me to help him arrange a meeting with the head of the Sawada Family for potential cooperation. I managed to brush it off casually, but I think Yin En, as the prospective son-in-law of the Sawada Family, could give it a try. Besides, we have leverage over Tennoji Sohide. Negotiating with Ryochuan Taro could yield us some benefits," Chen Wenbin suggested to Yin En.

However, Yin En expressed some concerns, saying, "While that sounds good, I can't trust Ryochuan Taro completely. Collaborating with him might lead to disadvantages or even betrayal. I've encountered my fair share of double-dealers. Nevertheless, Sawada Yinyin told me about this, and I trust her. She wouldn't deceive me."

Listening to Yin En repeatedly mentioning Sawada Yinyin, Liu Xing couldn't help but feel like he was being fed romantic hints. It seemed that even in a Cthulhu RPG game, the characters were dealing with love matters.

"Well, let's hold off on contacting Ryochuan Taro for now. However, we can find an opportunity to hand over the evidence of Tennoji Sohide to him. That way, Ryochuan Taro can take care of Tennoji Sohide and weaken the Dark Willow Gang's power," Gu Jun concluded.

After discussing these matters, it was time for dinner.

After finishing dinner, Otonashi Takuya went to meet with Aoki at Unseen Pond. Before his departure, Liu Xing reminded Otonashi Takuya to inquire about the underground tunnels at Unseen Pond and whether the Ghouls would be interested in protecting Mian Gu Lu.

If the Ghouls could assist in guarding Mian Gu Lu, dealing with the Dark Willow Gang would become much easier, unless the Dark Willow Gang had access to heavy weapons.

However, Liu Xing also understood that the likelihood of the Ghouls coming to protect Mian Gu Lu was low. After all, KP Li Shunchan wouldn't provide such significant assistance to the players. Therefore, Liu Xing estimated that Otonashi Takuya might, at most, be able to persuade Aoki to help.

Nevertheless, having Aoki alone would suffice. Aoki was already an elite Ghoul with considerable knowledge of magic. He could at least handle Honda Koichi on the Dark Willow Gang's side.

On Liu Xing's end, he didn't plan to idle in the evening. Liu Xing and Yin En intended to investigate the sewer area because Sawada Yinyin had informed them that Dark Willow Gang's underground businesses were located there, such as casinos. So, Liu Xing and Yin En wanted to see if there was any information they could gather in the sewer area.

Since the sewer area wasn't far from Chen Wenbin's home, Liu Xing and Yin En quickly arrived at the sewer's exit in Ziwu City.

The sewer area could also be called the old city district of Ziwu City. Here, most of the buildings were old-fashioned two-story detached houses, common in the Island Nation. The streetlights were also old-style incandescent lamps, spaced far apart, creating several dark areas.

Based on the information provided by Sawada Yinyin, Liu Xing and Yin En drove directly to the sewer's exit location.

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