Absolutely legitimate Star Iron, I've awakened the Underworld System?

　Immediately afterwards, a video call request popped up on the phone screen. (Novel Group Six; Four)

　Bai Qiong was stunned for a moment, thinking to herself, "Why is the plot development different from what I remember?"

　In the original storyline, Kaffa sent a text message and then took a photo to prove her identity. Now she's directly using video?

　He hesitated. He was only wearing his underwear. Wouldn't it be too embarrassing to answer the video call like this?

　"Did you just wake up and not wear clothes?"

　Kafka's voice came again, tinged with a hint of mockery, "Just answer the phone when I tell you to. What haven't I seen when I woke you up? What are you shy about?"

　Bai Qiong's cheeks flushed slightly; this woman was truly merciless in her words.

　He took a deep breath and finally decided to answer the video call.

　On the screen, Kafka's image was clearly visible.

　She wore her signature black coat over a white shirt, black skinny jeans, and purple stockings, while her round-framed sunglasses added a touch of playfulness.

　She leaned back lazily in her chair with a slightly upturned smile, the background seemingly a dimly lit room.

　"Is this enough?"

　Kafka's voice carried a hint of amusement.

　Bai Qiong nodded quickly, her eyes darting away, "Enough, enough, it really is you."

　"You, on the other hand, have maintained a pretty good figure~ It's great, just like before... But who's lying next to you? I'm curious. Are you planning to find me a daughter-in-law?"

　Kafka looked Bai Qiong up and down, tilting her head as if trying to see what was happening around him.

　Bai Qiong blushed at his words, "Let's get down to business, let's not talk about this."

　Kafka chuckled softly, then her smile faded, and her tone became serious. "Aren's demonic possession is very serious right now."

　Bai Qiong was stunned upon hearing this.

　"But you know, the warrant for his arrest has not been withdrawn by Xianzhou, and he is still a top-level wanted criminal."

　Kafka continued, her tone tinged with helplessness, "I can't leave until he recovers, so I need your help now, White Sky."

　"How do you want me to help you?"

　Bai Qiong frowned.

　"Of course you should come find me."

　Kafka said gently, "I'll send you the coordinates."

　Just as Bai Qiong was about to ask for details, his phone received a text message displaying coordinates.

　"You absolutely have to come, I'm waiting for you!"

　After saying this slightly ambiguous sentence, Kafka hung up the phone.

　Bai Qiong stared at his phone screen, a sense of unease in his heart.

　He tried to send another text message to inquire, but a message popped up in the chat box saying "Sending error, chat target does not exist".

　Bai Qiong put down his phone and rubbed his temples.

　Kaffa, that wicked woman, always does things so mysteriously...

　According to the original plot, Kafka contacted me via text message, and when proving her identity, she only sent a photo of her chest, instead of openly requesting a video call with Shirado.

　Having known the plot in advance, I naturally knew that the Star Core Hunters were not enemies to the train crew.

　However, the "Letter from an Unknown Woman" storyline appears quite early in the story, so when the protagonist talks to Kaffa, there are actually quite a few hostile options.

　This mission even has two endings: one is to resolutely refuse to help Kafka five times in a row, reaching the end through true free will; the other is to choose to help Kafka...

　So, what attitude should I adopt towards my adopted "mother"?

　Should we show our friendliness and help her, or...?

　Should we choose to do something that would hurt or upset her?

　In the original story, no matter what choices you made, it wouldn't affect the ending. Is it the same in this world?

　Bai Qiong fell into thought.

　"what happened?"

　Just then, March 7's voice came from behind, carrying a hint of sleepiness.

　Bai Qiong turned around and saw that March 7th had already woken up and was looking at him with sleepy eyes.

　"nothing."

　Bai Qiong shook his head, not wanting San Yueqi to worry, and casually said, "It was just a nuisance call."

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Five Consecutive Rejections

　After all, the relationship between the train crew and the Star Core Hunters isn't exactly friendly right now, so they can't exactly tell March 7th that they're going to see Kafka.

　He walked over, put on the clothes that were placed by the bed, but his mind was still on what had just happened.

　"I want to go out."

　Bai Qiong said, her tone tinged with apology, "You should go to sleep first."

　March 7th pouted, and although somewhat reluctant, she still nodded.

　Bai Qiong left March 7's room, returned to his storage room, picked up a baseball bat and a flame gun, and prepared to set off.

　Bai Qiong stopped in his tracks as soon as he reached the connecting area between the carriages.

　Walter and Himeko were sitting on the sofa, their voices low, as if they were talking about something.

　Hearing footsteps, the two looked up at the same time, their gazes fixed on him like chains.

　"Bai Qiong, where are you going so late?"

　Walter's voice was deep, with a hint of tension that was barely perceptible.

　His fingers tapped lightly on the sofa armrest, the rhythm slightly disordered.

　Himeko put down her coffee cup, the bottom of which made a soft sound as it hit the table. "Yeah, Shirakami, judging by your posture, are you going out?"

　Bai Qiong's throat tightened slightly, and her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes.

　He couldn't just say he was going to see Kafka, could he?

　Although the original storyline seemed to say it wasn't a big deal, given the current tense relationship between the train crew and the Star Core Hunters, it's best not to mention it, lest it trigger some strange timeline.

　"Yes, I plan to go to Luofu Immortal Ship."

　His voice was steady, but he deliberately avoided their gazes, "There are some things that need to be taken care of."

　"Luofu Immortal Boat?"

　Walter's brow furrowed even deeper. He stopped tapping, sat up, and placed his hands on his cane. "Although the problem with the star core has been resolved and there's no major danger for the time being, are you sure you'll be alright going alone?"

　"It's alright, Uncle Yang."

　Bai Qiong tugged at the corners of his mouth, trying to make his smile seem more natural. "I'm just going to take care of some personal business. I'll be back soon."

　I guess so……

　Himeko's gaze remained fixed on his face, as if trying to uncover some secret.

　Her fingers gently traced the rim of the coffee cup, her tone tentative, "Is it really just a private matter? Bai Qiong, don't keep it from us."

　Bai Qiong's heart skipped a beat, and her fingertips felt slightly cold.

　He knew Himeko's keen perception; it wouldn't be easy to deceive her.

　But he can't tell the truth yet, so he has to grit his teeth and continue.

　"It really is just a private matter."

　His voice became more forceful, as if trying to convince himself, "You don't need to worry about me, I'll be careful."

　Walter and Himeko exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting in mid-air, as if silently exchanging some information.

　Finally, Walter sighed, loosened his grip, and placed his fingers back on the armrest.

　"Alright, since you put it that way, we won't force you. But remember, safety first."

　"I will, thank you Uncle Yang."

　Bai Qiong's voice softened slightly, tinged with gratitude.

　"Also," Himeko suddenly spoke, her tone carrying an undeniable seriousness, "if you encounter any trouble, be sure to contact us immediately."

　"Yeah, I remember."

　Bai Qiong nodded, but a heavy weight pressed on his heart. He knew that by doing this, he was actually deceiving them.

　"Go early and return early."

　Walter waved his hand, indicating that he could leave.

　Bai Qiong took a deep breath and turned to walk towards the exit of the carriage.

　His footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, like a tapping on the heart.

　……

　Bai Qiong stood in front of the Taibu Temple and looked up at the complex of buildings before him.

　The moonlight shone on the bluish-gray stone wall, casting a cold, gleaming light.

　His steps were light and unhurried, as if each step was a test of the surrounding air.

　In the dimly lit corridor, only a few dim lights barely illuminated the way ahead.

　Bai Qiong's gaze swept across every corner, and he silently thought, "It's within this range, isn't it..."

　Finally, he stopped in front of a half-open door.

　A low, heavy breathing sound came from inside the door, accompanied by a barely perceptible sense of oppression. Bai Qiong's hand rested on the door panel, feeling the roughness and coldness of the wood.

　Bai Qiong gently pushed open the door, and there stood Kafka's familiar figure. She stood in the center of the room, looking at him calmly, as if she had expected his arrival.