Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

He wanted to confirm whether Black Key had heard about the trouble he had caused outside, or whether he had seen him from other sources.

He leans more towards the latter.

After all, Black Key's status as a nobleman is practically nonexistent. He's locked up in a tower every day, and his access to information is probably worse than that of White Key.

As expected, Hei Jian bowed gracefully to Qi Yan and explained:

“Last night I saw the promotional list for this draft, and you were sitting next to Mr. Czerny, so I admire you greatly.”

I was looking forward to meeting you last night and hearing you play.

These words immediately caused Murphy, who was standing next to him, to gasp in shock.

As expected of the possessor of the Voice of the Mortal World, one of the only two remaining bloodlines of the Witch King on this land, so brave!

Murphy's inhalation drew Black Key's attention, and Black Key realized that he had been so engrossed in talking to Qi Yan that he had rudely forgotten about Murphy.

Although he didn't have much affection for powerful figures like Murphy, he also didn't like to show any aloofness.

Black Keys politely said:

"I apologize, I was a little excited when I saw Mr. Qi Yan. My name is Hei Jian, and I am the Earl of Utica."

“Kant Murphy, Viscount of Viseheim.”

Murphy looked at Qi Yan with the eyes of someone admiring a warrior, stepped forward to shake hands with Black Key, and then obediently retreated behind Qi Yan.

This small detail gave Black Key a sudden realization.

"Alright, everyone, let's go to the lounge and chat about whatever we were saying in the hallway," Qi Yan said warmly.

Hei Jian initially wanted to refuse Qi Yan's invitation, since he was a contestant and getting too close to the judges would inevitably cause some controversy.

However, he thought again, why should he care about other people's opinions? As long as he had a clear conscience, that was enough. So he simply accepted Qi Yan's invitation.

The group returned to the lounge and found someone already waiting inside.

"Gargamel?" Qi Yan asked in confusion, "Why did you come here?"

Gertrude: "..."

If there hadn't been no one else in the room, she would never have realized that Qi Yan was talking to her.

"I'm here to talk to you about the participants."

Gertrude ignored certain minor details about the form of address and stated her purpose:

"This talent show has become unexpectedly popular. Many people are attracted by your novel competition format. In addition to the infected in the Sunset District, there are also many people with their own backgrounds participating."

I have their list here. The other judges have already seen it. You can take a look too, but just a look, nothing more.

As she spoke, Gertrude handed her a form.

She thought Qi Yan would disdain this kind of thing, but to her surprise, Qi Yan snatched the form and sat down to look at it seriously.

When Hei Jian witnessed this inside story firsthand, his brows furrowed into a deep frown.

This was the kind of thing he disliked the most, and at this moment, his attitude towards Qi Yan had cooled considerably.

Just as Black Key was pondering how to find an excuse to leave alone, he heard Gertrude speak:

"If possible, I hope you can restrain yourself and not eliminate all of these people at once. At least keep the ones I circled for you."

"You still care about these things?" Qi Yan asked.

“Of course, because some of them are backed by me.” Gertrude’s lips curled slightly.

Qi Yan nodded, indicating his understanding.

Gertrude wants to kill those who control her from behind, and now that she has finally managed to bring them together through the show "The Voice of Letania," she certainly doesn't want them to escape.

However, the conversation between the two took on a completely different meaning when it reached Hei Jian's ears.

They not only want to uncover inside information, but they also want to uncover even more inside information, giving special treatment to their own people!

"Sorry, I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

Hei Jian's face was gloomy. He didn't even bother with the most basic pleasantries and got up to walk out.

"Bai'e, go and deliver it. You can also go to the contestants' waiting area to prepare for the competition."

Qi Yan folded the list neatly and stuffed it into his pocket: "There's not much time left before the show starts, so do your best. I'm really looking forward to your performance."

"Yes, I won't let you down!"

White Chalk got up and caught up with Black Key's pace.

Murphy watched the two leave one after the other, and couldn't help but click his tongue. For some reason, he didn't like seeing Chalk and Black Key alone.

Gertrude gave Murphy a strange look, said nothing, and turned to look at Qi Yan.

For the first time, she showed hesitation, pausing for a long time as if she wanted to say something.

Qi Yan asked proactively, "Are you constipated?"

"...It's about Czerny." Gertrude took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "With your information channels, you must know about Czerny's personality. He's a bit too upright, and his words can be unpleasant at times."

But...but he...he should be able to play a significant role in the Sound of the Mortal World project; his musical skills are exceptional!

Qi Yan's expression grew increasingly strange. He exchanged a glance with Murphy beside him, and both of them understood.

Gertrude clenched her teeth at the sight of the two men's expressions.

“Don’t overthink it. I just don’t want to lose a good hand for nothing. Czerny’s works over the years have brought me a lot of revenue,” Gertrude argued forcefully.

"Yeah, yeah, the profits are so high that even someone who doesn't want to live would care a lot." Qi Yan said with a smirk.

"As far as I know, the copyrights to Czerny's works over the years have all been successfully kept in his own hands through your behind-the-scenes manipulation."

Murphy smiled jokingly: "Could it be that you two have secretly tied the knot, and what's his is yours, and what's yours is his?"

"Viscount Murphy!"

Gertrude's expression instantly turned icy, even revealing a hint of tyranny.

Murphy: "..."

Damn it, Qi Yan teased you and nothing happened, but the moment I spoke, you reacted like you wanted to eat me alive?

Murphy crossed his arms and legs, continuing leisurely:

“Ms. Gertrude, watch your attitude. My brother hasn’t even bothered you yet regarding that giant mushroom incident.”

The sudden mention of this matter caused a shadow to flash across Gertrude's eyes.

But that doesn't mean we should lose our sense of proportion.

The fact that Qi Yan didn't kill her and was even willing to have a normal conversation with her shows that she still has some use.

“It seems you’ve been doing quite well lately, living the good life,” Gertrude said coldly. “You’d better keep it up.”

After saying that, she got up and quickly left the room, not wanting to stay for even a moment longer.

When only Qi Yan and Murphy remained in the room, Qi Yan looked at Murphy with amusement and asked:

"You're not even going to put on an act, yet you're already convinced Gertrude will definitely die in the end?"

"Well, whether she lives or dies is entirely up to you."

Murphy instantly switched from an arrogant demeanor to a fawning, smiling one: "But when it comes to serving you, Big Brother, a hundred of hers can't compare to me. I am your most useful little brother!"

"Are you sure?" Qi Yan showed a hint of disdain. "She's a beautiful, wealthy woman with a slim waist, long legs, and a generous heart. Are you sure you can do what she can do?"

Murphy's eyes widened: "You actually like this?"

Qi Yan stared at him with a deathly gaze, without saying a word.

Murphy shrank back and lowered his head, lost in thought.

Just as Qi Yan got up and headed towards the door to prepare for the recording of the show, Murphy suddenly seemed to have made up his mind, slapped his thigh, and stood up:

"Brother, I can do it too!"

He turned around and saw Murphy with a reckless expression, constantly flirting with him.

Qi Yan fell silent.

After a long pause, he said, "Old Mo, go and get me a piece of pure source stone."

“No problem, bro!” Murphy asked casually, “What do you need the Pure Originium for?”

"I will make you disappear from this land completely!"

Chapter 293 The Refined Man, Czerny

Murphy kept her eyes down and remained obedient, quietly following behind Qi Yan.

The two walked one after the other through the corridor and arrived at the studio of the Sunset Hall.

Staff members were coming and going inside, making final preparations before the start of the preliminary rounds.

Several huge chairs were placed in front of the stage in the hall, where the invited judges were already seated, with staff members explaining the operating procedures to them.

"The efficiency is pretty good. They made the swivel chair I asked for in just one night," Qi Yan praised.

A Voice of China show without swivel chairs is soulless!

Murphy nodded repeatedly behind Qi Yan, not daring to utter a single word.

"Come on, take a seat!"

Qi Yan waved his hand and sat down on the two empty chairs.

A staff member immediately tried to come over and explain, but before he could even speak, Qi Yan had already pressed the button next to the chair, and the chair and Qi Yan started spinning.

Seeing that the white-haired Rupert looked unfamiliar, the staff quickly explained:

"Sir, there is no turning-around step in the preliminary rounds yet. Please do not use the chairs unnecessarily; they are very expensive."

Murphy quickly stepped forward and shoved the staff member aside, signaling with his eyes for them to get lost.

Let alone a chair, even if Qi Yan wanted to dismantle the Viseheim chair, he would still smile and ask if he was tired and if he wanted to rest before dismantling it.

Qi Yan spun around twice, having had his fill, and then peered at the chair next to him.

On that spot sat a tall, red-haired man with a striking presence. The enormous antlers on his head were very eye-catching, but what was even more striking was the natural arrogance and domineering aura he exuded.

It's the kind of aura that comes from reaching the pinnacle in a certain field and looking down on others.

"Oh, Teacher Che, it's an honor to meet you."

Qi Yan waved and greeted the red-haired man with a smile.

The red-haired man glanced at Qi Yan, neither nodding nor waving, and replied with a stiff face:

“My name is Czerny, full name William Fichte Czerny. You can call me Mr. Czerny, but not Teacher Czerny. I am not named Czerny, nor am I worthy of the title of your teacher.”

Qi Yan was rebuffed, gave a dry laugh, and straightened up.

He knew Czerny's personality; the fact that he had taken the initiative to say so much was already quite friendly.

In some ways, Czerny was as stubborn as Patriot.

Back when he first met the old man, he jumped around a couple of times and was immediately embedded in the wall by a shield.

Compared to the old man, Czerny is more refined; he would use a piano-shaped shield to embed Qi Yan into the wall...

Murphy, sitting next to Qi Yan, widened his eyes.

This was the first time he had seen Qi Yan suffer a setback, so he couldn't help but take a few more glances at Cherny.

Noticing his gaze, Qi Yan coughed lightly and leaned closer to explain:

"Don't be surprised, this is just me showing basic respect to the strong."

He shouldn't have said it; after he did, Murphy's eyes widened even more:

"Brother, could this Neil be a powerful figure who can rival you?"

Was he playing dumb all along to fool everyone?

"Vulgar." Qi Yan said with a look of disgust, "The affairs between the strong are not about fighting and killing, but about human relationships. For example, I am good at fighting, so I am considered strong. Czerny is good at music, so he is also strong. Even you are considered strong."

Murphy grinned so wide his mouth almost reached his ears, and hurriedly asked, "What kind of powerful person am I?"

"A powerful figure in the realm of survival!"