In the virtual space, Mr. Bai waited until he saw Xiao Lin go offline before speaking. "Tell me the details about his background."
"He revived along with a research institute near the satellite town yesterday. He's a time traveler from 200 years ago, and... he might be very powerful."
Lan Shiyu began to recount the events at the lab from the previous day, telling Mr. Bai everything in detail.
This included his first encounter with Xiao Lin and the terrifying sense of "otherness" he had felt emanating from the man.
After he finished, Mr. Bai fell into deep thought, then suddenly looked up at Lin Niannian. "Niannian, have you had any contact with him?"
"I was his tour guide all morning. I showed him the Corpse of the Madman and the satellite wreckage. He's a bit unhygienic, though—he likes touching everything," Lin Niannian replied.
Ignoring Lin Niannian's complaint, Mr. Bai continued, "What kind of person do you think he is?"
Lin Niannian gnawed on her thumb as she thought. For some reason, the scene of Xiao Lin touching the Corpse of the Madman flashed through her mind.
The young boy standing before the massive corpse, his palm resting on its sharp claws, silent and still. His silhouette radiated a profound sense of sorrow and solitude.
It was as if he were mourning a friend who had passed away.
"He... he's a good person with empathy," Lin Niannian mumbled vaguely at first, then raised her head and repeated, "I think he's a good person."
Mr. Bai looked at Lin Niannian intently. After a moment, he lowered his gaze and said, "Let me get straight to the point: you've likely been deceived."
"Huh? No way?" Lin Niannian looked shocked.
Mr. Bai shook his head. "First, a Transcendent is a Transcendent; the signs are distinct. If you can't distinguish them, then they aren't one. Second, the unknown does not equate to power. True strength is demonstrated through ability and destructive power, both of which he lacks."
"As for that sense of otherness and fear you perceived, that is too subjective. It sounds more like mental interference. So, he is likely a psychic-type ability user."
Lan Shiyu didn't seem surprised. "Actually, once I calmed down, I suspected as much."
"But I quite like him. Why... why would he lie to us?" Lin Niannian found it hard to accept.
Mr. Bai smiled slightly. "For someone from two hundred years ago facing a completely strange world, deception is already a rather gentle approach."
"So, how should we handle him?" Lan Shiyu asked.
Lin Niannian felt a moment of anxiety. She wanted to put in a good word for Xiao Lin but didn't dare speak out of turn in front of Mr. Bai. He was the owner of Blue Dragon Mining, the powerful figure holding the lifeline of their entire town, and a 7th-generation Transcendent—even more powerful than Lan Shiyu.
Mr. Bai seemed to be thinking as well, and the room fell into a silence so deep that not a sound could be heard.
After a long while, Mr. Bai spoke. "Within our capacity, we provide protection for the weak, as long as he is not a bad person."
Lan Shiyu straightened his posture. "Understood."
Lin Niannian let out a long sigh of relief and then started chattering incessantly. "Actually, Mr. Xiao Lin is quite nice, and his coffee is delicious! I kept drinking it yesterday..."
"He even said he wants to open a café in town!"
Ignoring Lin Niannian's rambling, Mr. Bai continued, "Regarding the assets in his possession, you can gradually transfer them to us on a fair basis."
"It seems he has no intention of selling at the moment."
"That's not a big issue. Have him list what he is willing to sell first. As for the rest, once he realizes he has no use for them, he will naturally sell them."
"Alright, I will discuss it with him then."
Mr. Bai nodded and sank back into thought, seemingly reviewing what he might have missed, while the other two did not disturb him.
After a long silence, he brought up another matter. "How is the investigation into the mine going? Any results?"
"Reporting on that is the main purpose of today." Lan Shiyu responded immediately. "The stone coffin found in Shaft No. 3 seven days ago—we have cleared half of it now."
He paused. "We did indeed find a fountain pen mark on the lid."
"A fountain pen. So it really is the Writer's mark..." Mr. Bai's brows furrowed deeply. He knew exactly what this implied.
"If it really is the Writer, then things are going to get complicated."
"However, we can't confirm its authenticity yet. The miners who dug up the coffin are unharmed for now, so we can't rule out the possibility of it being a forgery," Lan Shiyu added.
Mr. Bai pondered for a moment. "What about the Writer's manuscript?"
Lan Shiyu shook his head. "We have searched every piece of paper in the entire town, but haven't found the manuscript yet."
"If the manuscript doesn't exist, it might be a fake. But it's also possible the manuscript is inside the coffin," Mr. Bai seemed to be talking to himself.
"Should I order the coffin to be opened?"
"Not for now. I will go there personally in a few days. We'll decide once I arrive."
"Then we'll trouble you, Mr. Bai." Lan Shiyu bowed to Mr. Bai.
"This is a trouble I should be solving anyway. By the way, are there any gifts you two want?"
Lin Niannian quickly raised her hand. "I want the osmanthus cake from downstairs at the company building!"
Lan Shiyu was about to stop her, but Mr. Bai smiled indulgently. "Alright, I'll buy it for you before we leave. They have a new flavor; it's quite good."
"Yay!" Lin Niannian was overjoyed.
Lan Shiyu could only silently shake his head. "By the way, Mr. Bai, I heard the Yunze City government forces clashed with the Crimson Legion?"
Hearing this, Mr. Bai leaned back, looking somewhat helpless. "Yes, on the buffer plains outside Yunze City. Yunze City hoped I would intervene, but I refused."
"Are they not unhappy about this?" Lan Shiyu asked.
Yunze City was the main base for Blue Dragon Mining. Although there was no written contract, the Yunze City officials had always been trying to curry favor with them.
"I only assist with Yunze City's defense; I do not interfere with acts of retaliation. Furthermore, it is said the Crimson Legion is also under the protection of a Transcendent. I don't want this to escalate into a conflict between Transcendents."
Mr. Bai tapped the table lightly. "Shiyu, the situation is becoming increasingly chaotic. Your troubles will only multiply. I appreciate your hard work."