Honkai Impact: Grandma Pine Sparrow is still chasing me!

Chapter 283 The "Lamp" Comes Knocking

"This is nothing. Master Bai Shu can predict the future and has many other skills! If you ask me—Hey! Rice Cake, what are you doing!"

Pine Sparrow, who had planned to promote Qiong and then make a quick buck at Saffre, was forced to abandon her plans because a grumpy little snake lashed her tail.

"Can't we please not give people the first impression that we're scammers?!"

As soon as Nian Gao finished speaking, Qiong and Shafulai looked at Song Que and "Nian Gao" at the same time.

“Master Songque…I’ve heard of you.”

Under the moonlight (is this even the moon?), Saffra crossed her arms and stared at the sparrow... Although she called him "Master," she didn't show the same respectful attitude she had towards Sora.

"A famous fortune teller in Langqiu, some say you are well-versed in all five major divination arts and proficient in all seven celestial bodies and four astrological systems."

Song Que was quite happy to receive praise from this stranger, Shafulai—not just psychologically, but also because of the income she would receive later.

"You flatter me, you flatter me, I just..."

"But I know you're just a con artist."

Song Que's smile froze on her face, her eyes showing a hint of panic and embarrassment, but she quickly regained her composure.

“My friend, what makes you say that? I, Song Que, travel the world relying on my true skills…”

Real skill? Even Pine Sparrow himself probably wouldn't believe that, let alone Safrai, who had spent the entire day gathering information from the streets. All the residents who received help from the "two masters" today gave the same answer: it was Master White Magic who cleared out the shadow monsters.

A sparrow? Just a conman turned lackey.

……

Song Que soon discovered that, apart from Shafulai Lianqiong and "Nian Gao," both had their eyes on her, which made her feel uneasy and restless.

"Alright, alright, I admit there's a bit of exaggeration involved, but it's just the pressure of life! Compared to Master Bai, we can only rely on a few treasures for protection when we're out in the world... Wait a minute, Nian Gao, can you help me set up some lighting?"

As Song Que spoke, he rummaged around near the table and quickly found a few candies wrapped in colored paper. He then mysteriously handed them to Shafulai and Qiong.

"What is this, Martian candy?"

"Mars Candy? Does Langqiu have a brand called 'Mars'?"

"Wrong, wrong, wrong! This is called 'Diamond Candy'! Legend has it that this candy has been blessed by the gods. As long as you bite into the candy and make a specific blessing gesture, the gods will respond with protection, making your body indestructible and invincible for a short period of time!"

Saffra took the candies from the sparrow. As a sweets lover (especially candy), she had a great interest in all kinds of candies, and this "golden candy" naturally caught her attention... By the moonlight, it didn't seem much different from the candies she usually ate.

"Didn't you want to get stronger? Eat this during wartime, and I guarantee you... Ouch! Qiong, what's wrong with you too?"

Before Song Que could finish speaking, he saw Qiong Tong apologize to Shafulai with a helpless expression on her face.

"Sorry, she ate too much last night and sleepwalked, don't worry about it! There's no such thing as a superpower, and there are no shortcuts to getting stronger. The only way to eliminate shadow monsters more efficiently is through repeated practice. I really can't teach you... There's a saying that goes, practice makes perfect!"

Saffra seemed to have taken Qiong's empty platitudes to heart, and she bowed to Qiong.

"Thank you, Master Bai Shu! I will keep your teachings in mind... Yes, there are no shortcuts." After saying this, Song Que bowed to Qiong again and turned to leave.

"Um, you can just call me Qiong..."

Watching Saffra's departing figure, Pine Sparrow sighed regretfully.

"You two, one human and one beast, are really... such a good money-making opportunity just slipped away like that."

Qiong and "Nian Gao" rolled their eyes at Song Que in unison.

"What if Sister Lamp—that older sister from the Lamp Organization—really ends up on the battlefield, and at the crucial moment, eating your candy doesn't work and she dies at the hands of monsters?"

"That's right! Making money is fine, and so is getting some extra value after clearing out the Shadow Monsters, but you can't make money that might kill people! Remember these four words: Have a conscience!"

Song Que pouted and reluctantly gave a French military salute.

"Okay, okay, we got it... Damn it, even our precious candy was taken by that woman, you two have to get it back for me tomorrow!"

Song Que paused, feeling she couldn't go too far, since she was the one who made the mistake. She also had to admit that their current cooperative relationship was almost parasitic (she still needed them to make money! Compared to those few candies, Qiong and "Nian Gao" generated far more revenue). Song Que lowered her stance considerably.

"Just consider it helping us buy some candy, and the cost will be deducted from our share."

The sparrow fell silent and lay back down in its blankets.

Qiong and "Nian Gao" didn't crawl into bed, but instead stepped out of the cabin and looked up at the night sky—the Martian night sky is beautiful, or rather, the night sky on a moonlit night without industrial or light pollution is beautiful...

However, it can't compare to the night sky of St. Freya.

"Home is where your family and friends are..."

"What's wrong, homesick? Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be back in no more than a few minutes!"

Qiong didn't respond. To be honest, he didn't put all his eggs in one basket with "rice cake". Otherwise, why would he have planned to visit the God of Mars?

Let's be realistic. Qiong looked around at the desolate surroundings and focused her gaze on Song Que's dilapidated and drafty little wooden house—according to Song Que, it was actually an unwanted "safe house in a dangerous area".

"Nian Gao, do you think we should persuade Song Que to move to a different place?"

"Change locations? I'd love to!"

Kiana was very supportive of moving to a different place. Not only was this place dilapidated and deserted, but more importantly, it was too small, forcing a lone man and woman to share a room – that wasn't good!

"Come on, you don't have hands."

"Oh? Are you sure?"

For some reason, Qiong sensed a hint of frivolity in the stupid snake's tone.

------------

One day after Qiong and Songque began "doing business" in the streets and alleys, the Ten Arts War began.

From the very first day, the arena for the Ten Arts War was packed with people, creating an incredibly lively atmosphere. As Song Que said, all sorts of talented individuals were eager to participate in this grand event—who wouldn't want to go to Ruimu?

At first, Qiong was somewhat excited, but he quickly grew tired of it—because for the past few days, all he did was go to the competition venue to draw lots, defeat his competitors who were not even on the same level with a few blows, and leave the stage amidst the cheers of the entire audience, which were stirred up by Song Que and "Nian Gao".

Matsuki and "Mochi" did ask Sora why she didn't seem genuinely happy about winning the match. Sora's answer was simple:

Healthy people and disabled people boxing, adults racing against three-year-olds, Ferraris racing against wheelchairs (Songque: What is a Ferrari?). You win and you're still proud of it? Have you no shame?

After leaving the arena, Qiong went directly to the "haunted house" and "gathering place of shadow monsters" that Song Que had arranged to meet under the name of Bai Shu. She spent half an hour clearing out the monsters (the journey took nearly half an hour, but the clearing took less than two minutes, which was faster than fighting in the arena!). However, compared to the cheers she received in the arena, Qiong felt more comfortable with the residents' gratitude.

At least he can feel at ease, right?

During this time, Qiong felt "bored", so even though "Nian Gao" kept urging her, Qiong only perfunctorily started writing the pioneer log. It was full of things like "Today I helped Aunt Wang deal with the shadow monsters, and Song Que tricked Uncle Wang into buying a bracelet worth 50 lang for 2,000 lang" and "Today I helped the Wu family clean up the shadow monsters in their house, and Song Que tricked them into buying the pebbles she picked up by the river" - there was nothing to write about except for Song Que's "crimes"!

"I'm so bored..."

"Hurry up and write!"

This continued for half a month, and the preliminary rounds of the Ten Arts War were already halfway through. Qiongwo, who was basically financially independent and bored out of his mind, was in the little wooden house that Songque absolutely refused to move out of (if he moved, wouldn't people be coming to our door all day long asking him to help exorcise evil spirits? It's better to stay here, although it's not very comfortable, it's quiet—that's what Songque said). He was chewing on the tip of his quill pen and thinking about what to write today under the urging of "Nian Gao"...

dong dong dong.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Who?"

No one spoke outside. Qiong put down her pen, got up, and walked towards the door—Songque said she had something to do today and wouldn't be back, so it couldn't be Songque. Did she encounter a shadow monster and ask for help?

Bang bang bang!

Before Qiong could even open the door, the people outside started kicking it.

The broken door of the cabin naturally couldn't withstand the continuous attacks, and it collapsed.

Who are you?!

The cold-faced blonde woman who was leading the way walked in.

"Hello, Mr. Bai Shu. We are 'The Lamp,' please come with us."

"Are you the Light Organization?"

No, why is "Lantern" coming to their door? Did Pine Sparrow cheat them out of money?