Being an otaku in the world of American comics

#507 - Peking City at Night

After agreeing on the general plan for the next steps, Liang Yue didn't waste any time. With a flip of his sleeve, he took out a portable panoramic sand table and began to examine the situation within a three-hundred-mile radius of their location with the women around him.

With a burst of light and shadow, in just a few seconds, the entire city of Beiping and its surrounding area were displayed on this virtual sand table.

As this was a trial that would last for thirty years, Liang Yue didn't necessarily need to rush into anything.

According to him, he should have stayed in Beiping for ten days to half a month to familiarize himself with the surroundings.

However, this was the first time the women had officially come with him on a trial, and their excitement was at its peak, so he could only be pushed forward by them.

The city of Beiping on the panoramic sand table was now shrouded in a layer of silver light, adding an air of gentleness and romance, making it exceptionally enchanting.

In this era, the city was full of classical buildings. Whether they were old and weathered, classic, or trendy, they all appeared particularly quiet and harmonious in the night.

Overlooking this metropolis that had experienced both hardship and prosperity, even Nan Lixiang, Yang Buhui, and the others who had been excitedly chattering beside him, unconsciously quieted down.

Silently observing the people and events here, they were silently intoxicated and awed by the magnificence and subtle beauty of this ancient capital.

Liang Yue, too, was observing the city from a God's-eye view for the first time.

Although he had been to Beiping many times in previous trials, Liang Yue didn't have the current conditions or the current state of mind back then.

Invisibly, Liang Yue seemed to have gained something in his heart, something he couldn't quite explain.

It seemed to be an inexplicable emotion, like some unfounded sighs and regrets.

His mind was filled with ups and downs, tides rising and falling, yet he couldn't express it at all.

After a long while, he gradually emerged from this state.

He slowly began to regain himself, and then carefully observed this ancient capital.

At this time, this world was in the autumn harvest season. Even under the silver nighttime coating of the sand table, it couldn't hide the busyness of the streets and the enthusiasm between the people coming and going.

Carriages, ox carts, rickshaws, and the like were constantly pulling grain to shops, granaries, and other places in every corner of the capital.

Even though it was already nightfall and the weather was getting cooler, people were still busy like a colony of ants, coming and going in an endless stream, with dust flying everywhere and sweat pouring down their backs.

On a few brightly lit streets, some upper-class people, either dressed in gorgeous clothes or suits, were moving in groups of three or five between the brothels.

Through the gaps in the window lattices and eaves, all kinds of sentimental people from unknown places were busy raising their glasses and seeking pleasure at the banquets.

Inside a teaching building that was clearly a school, a group of students were holding books and arguing fiercely and enthusiastically by candlelight.

Inside the imperial palace, the Forbidden City was now a desolate sight, once filled with gold and priceless treasures.

After nightfall, it was even darker, and only the occasional patrolling eunuchs carrying lanterns would bring a few long-lost glimmers of light to the corridors.

Unlike the cold and desolate scenes in those former aristocratic families, there was a bustling scene not far from the Forbidden City.

The various pedestrians on the streets were all dressed in decent Chinese clothes and suits, a mix of Chinese and Western styles, singing and dancing in peace.

Upon closer inspection, Liang Yue could vaguely recognize that it seemed to be a gathering place not far from the embassies of various countries.

… …

"Hey, Chunqiu~ Look, there are a few people lying on the roof over there, and they don't seem to be far from us."

At this moment, Hinata was focusing her attention on the area near their residence. When she saw a few sneaky figures, a look of excitement immediately appeared on her small face.

Hearing this, everyone's eyes subconsciously focused over, and they quickly locked onto the few gray shadows.

It had to be said that with the cover of night, although these ill-intentioned people were moving quickly and were agile, they could easily be overlooked under the cover of clothing and trees, even though the sand table was covered with a layer of night light.

There weren't many of these people, only five in total, but judging from their movements and subconscious habits, they all seemed to be experienced.

Their cooperation was orderly, and their advances and retreats were skillful.

More importantly, one of them had a katana on his back… …

"Looking at their direction of movement, these people are coming for us, right?"

Takagi Saya said with her arms folded and a look of surprise on her face, and then she didn't forget to glance at Liang Yue.

Judging from the sand table, the movement route of these five people seemed to be very purposeful.

According to their current direction, they would at least pass by their courtyard in a few tens of seconds.

And then~ land and enter a nearby commercial district?

This was obviously a bit unreasonable. If they just wanted to go shopping, why would they have to climb over the wall now?

But the problem was that Liang Yue had only just arrived in Beiping today.

Hinata and Saeko had only arrived less than an hour ago.

They hadn't offended anyone or provoked anyone~

"… … Japanese? Could it be the woman on the bus during the day?"

Looking at the figures on the sand table, whose style of behavior looked more and more like a low-profile version of ninjas, Liang Yue couldn't help but mutter to himself in surprise.

"So, you've only been here for half a day, and you've already offended a Japanese woman?"

"A cold aura? Is it a special kind of energy?"

Saeko also looked over curiously upon hearing this.

"Well, the feeling it gives people is as if they've lived in a graveyard for a long time and grown up eating dead people's flesh."

Liang Yue thought about it carefully and described it in his own understanding.

"Necromantic power? It's a pity that none of us have been transferred into necromancers."

Hearing his words, Shizuka-sensei touched her chin and frowned slightly.

"Why bother with that much trouble? It would be good to just catch them and interrogate them!"

Xiao Zhao rolled her eyes and said with a smile upon hearing this.

Before she could finish speaking, Nana had already eagerly flown onto the roof, turning into a gray shadow and quietly heading in the direction the five people were coming from.

On the other side, the elf princess Arwen also silently climbed a large tree in the yard, nocked an arrow, aimed at the dark direction, and was ready to provide support and coordination at any time.