Inside the backpack, there was the weapon that Chongzong was most familiar with.
A nine-section whip that shone with a cold silver light.
But why was it in this backpack?
It was because of Ito Yunai's father, Ito Shinran.
In their encounter on the cruise ship, Ito Shinran had taken away the nine-section whip.
Through some twists and turns, it had now found its way back to Chongzong through Ito Yunai.
Was it Ito Shinran's intention, or was it Ito Yunai's independent decision, or perhaps it was a mutual agreement between father and daughter?
Or maybe there was someone else behind them, plotting and calculating something?
In just a few seconds, countless thoughts flashed through Chongzong's mind.
Like a flock of birds suddenly flying through a forest, causing chaos.
But in the end, the birds flew away, the thoughts settled, and the forest returned to calm.
Chongzong didn't take out the nine-section whip, nor did he close the backpack. He just left it there.
"...Can you explain?"
Looking directly at Ito Yunai, Chongzong said.
"Explain what?"
Ito Yunai looked puzzled.
This unexpected retort left Chongzong at a loss for words.
Explain what? There were so many things to explain, and yet she asked what needed explaining?
Chongzong was quite speechless.
After a moment's pause, Chongzong closed the backpack and pushed it back onto the table, giving it back to Ito Yunai.
"Although this thing does belong to me, I won't accept it unless you explain clearly."
Looking straight into Ito Yunai's eyes, Chongzong's voice was cold and almost indifferent.
"Explain...what?"
Ito Yunai still didn't understand.
"If you keep playing dumb, I'll leave."
Chongzong moved his chair back slightly, ready to stand up and leave at any moment.
It was only at this point that Ito Yunai truly panicked.
Giving the nine-section whip back to Chongzong was a task assigned to her by Ito Shinran.
Why did it have to be Ito Yunai who returned it?
In fact, Ito Shinran just wanted to test her.
Returning it personally would have been more proper and appropriate.
Apologize, make amends, and return the item to its rightful owner.
But Ito Shinran also wanted to train his daughter.
Returning the nine-section whip to Chongzong served two purposes.
One was to use a knife to kill, requiring the knife to be sharpened.
The other was that a signal transmitter had been added to the nine-section whip, making it easier for Ito Shinran to keep track of the situation.
Returning an object to its owner may seem simple, but it can also be difficult.
Especially when the recipient is Chongzong.
But Ito Yunai didn't think too much about it.
Compared to Chongzong and her own father, this child was too naive.
Ito Yunai truly believed that all she needed to do was to simply return the nine-section whip to Chongzong.
Now, under Chongzong's repeated questioning, Ito Yunai finally realized that she had oversimplified things.
To what extent does Chongzong need to confess for him to accept the Nine Whip punishment?
In any case, he must not be informed about the plan to use him to get rid of Bai Yaxin and the tracking device. As for the rest, we will have to adapt as we go.
If we miss this opportunity, it will only become even stranger if we try again later.
With this determination in mind, Ito Yunai once again pushed the school bag towards Chongzong.
"My father told me to come."
"And then?"
Chongzong asked immediately.
"Well... a lot of unpleasant things happened before, and both my father and I thought it would be better to return things to their rightful owners. We also hope that you can forgive us for the mistakes we made earlier."
"I'm really sorry, Uesugi-sempai."
Ito Yunai lowered her head deeply.
Most of this apology was meant to fulfill her father's mission.
But there was also a hint of apology towards Chongzong.
—This should be enough.
—This should complete the mission.
—This should lead to forgiveness.
Ito Yunai thought so.
But what she got was...
Chongzong didn't say anything and simply stood up and left.
The Nine Whip punishment, the school bag, all remained untouched on the desk.
