Ch23 - [A man with a smell] He’s really become afraid of this group of keen-nosed beings.

TN Note: This chapter’s title can also mean “A very interesting man”

During this trip to LuoRi Volcano, other than receiving a heart-shaking selfie, there were no other gains.

Thinking about the vagabond bug, Xi Jin, who’s lost in who knows what corner of the Empire, Nalun felt both a headache and somewhat stuffy inside.

As ‘an accomplice’ forcibly bound to Xi Jin, he didn’t even know the whereabouts of his little companion. On the contrary, it was Sirius who could casually monitor the other’s location anytime.

Nalun returned home, head filled with thoughts. Then, he received a call from his other little friend, Alida.

“Oh Nalun, the person I found previously to cause trouble for Sirius wants me to pay him money. I have an issue over here and can’t leave. Can you help make the trip for me! He wants cash.”

Nalun: “…… Who?”

Alida: “That Xi Jin…… is he really an Insectoid?”

Nalun said swiftly: “How did you find him before?”

Alida: “I went to the black street. There were a lot of vagabonds over there. He looked the best.”

Nalun: “Looked the best?”

Alida: “That’s right. The one night romance between a destitute youth and the Imperial Admiral. Because the youth felt like he wasn’t worthy of the Admiral, he left alone the next day…… Touching, no?”

Not. One. Bit.

“Xi Jin was very hardworking. Before he went, he memorized countless scripts. But who knows where this bearded guy came from. He stuck a foot in the middle and completely disrupted the original performance.”

Nalun, who’s suddenly getting shot at: “…… Ha Ha.”

Alida was still very concerned with Xi Jin’s identity and asked once more: “He’s really a bug?”

Nalun sneered nonstop: “Did you not read the news? Huge bug attack. He’s that bug.”

Alida stammered for a while: “I’m in a neighboring city right now. There’s no way for me to see him.”

Nalun: “Why did you go to a neighboring city?”

Alida instantly withered. After a lot of explanations, Nalun finally understood the general story.

Within these few short days, while he was entangled with Sirius, Alida was also in an abyss of suffering.

The infatuated and hard to dissuade little underclassman set roots outside of Alida’s family gates everyday, shedding tears silently. This made the Earl, who needed to leave the house everyday, feel extremely touched. He forced his irresponsible son to go outside to give the person a proper explanation.

Therefore, Alida summoned the courage to arrange a meeting with the underclassman.

“When I woke up, I discovered that I was no longer in the Capital City.”

Nalun: “…….”

Alida’s voice was filled with weariness: “I’m so exhausted.”

Nalun gave him a few words of comfort, encouraging his good friend to remain strong.

Alida: “I feel like I’m about to be kidney deficient.”

The words of comfort ended here.

Alida felt very conflicted: “I really do like women. But everyday, he’s tempting me. I feel very pained. Should I be responsible to him? No, I……”

Nalun expressionlessly interrupted him and dragged the conversation topic back to the beginning: “Where did you agree to meet with Xi Jin?”

Alida still didn’t gather his emotions yet and said sorrowfully: “Your house.”

Nalun fell silent.

Before the Honored Prince Charvey exploded, Alida added just in time: “Didn’t you buy a house in the suburbs a few years ago? Later, it was abandoned because it was haunted. There’s no one near there now so no one will notice. Oh right, it’s a total of 50k, I……”

Nalun: “Enough. No need to say anymore. I’ll pay.”

He must have been stupid… to incite Alida to deal with Sirius.

Although Xi Jin already knew he was Big Beard, he didn’t know any additional inside story here. He didn’t know the rift between the Honored Prince Charvey and the Imperial Admiral. He also didn’t know why Nalun had dressed up as Big Beard.

Nalun also didn’t plan to reveal too much.

Thus, it’s best to avoid revealing the fact that he was actually the one who hired Xi Jin.

A pondering expression appeared in the depth of Nalun’s grayish green eyes. Xi Jin was a Metal-devouring Bug. He was very sensitive to the smell of metal. How should Nalun cover up the ring’s smell on his body?

What’s most important was that since Sirius already controlled Xi Jin’s whereabouts, it’s very likely that Sirius already arranged for people to follow him.

Thinking here, Nalun pulled out the palm-sized communication device and sent a tentative message.

[Polite smile.jpg.]

Sirius replied very quickly.

[Be good. Change to a different kind of smile next time.]

[Where’s Xi Jin? I’m suspecting that you were bluffing last time. I need verification.]

[You guys got separated right? He’s by himself right now.]

[Picture?]

[Image.jpg]

God dammit, another selfie!

[I want to see Xi Jin. To see if the nano locator is real or fake.]

After a while, Sirius sent another picture.

Nalun reflexively became nervous, terrified that it was another high definition, uncensored selfie. However, when he clicked it open, he saw the ill-fated, vagabond bug Xi Jin.

The angle of the shot was from behind, to the right. The background did not reveal the location of the image.

Xi Jin sat on the ground, currently sneakily opening the metal cover of a manhole, looking like he was starving.

The truth was right before him. Sirius really did send someone to follow Xi Jin.

[Two hours after a meal, that’s when the medicinal bath powder works best.]

[Goodbye.jpg]

At this time, a voice came from outside, reporting: “Sir, His Majesty has summoned you.”

Nalun was stunned briefly, thinking to himself, he was still on vacation.

Although this was the case, he still dressed himself quickly and then sprayed a large amount of cologne– First, that Metal-devouring Bug had smelled metal on him. Then Sirius had smelled AiJia Grass on him. He’s really become afraid of this group of keen-nosed beings.

Therefore, the second Nalun appeared in the Emperor’s resting palace, the Emperor sneezed violently three times in succession.

“What’s that smell?” He waved his hand, an utterly disgusted expression.

Nalun: “……” He also wanted to live inconspicuously and peacefully as a person with no smell or odor. Really.

Greeting the Emperor respectfully with a nonchalant expression, Nalun asked the reason for his summon.

Nose covered, his Majesty the Emperor went straight to the main point: “The Hunting Festival is almost here. I plan to put you in charge of the preparations.”

Nalun’s face color changed subtly.