Night Frost and the Zone Fifteen Guardian came for two reasons. First, to assist Moon Owl and keep her from being swarmed by Cantata Threes. Second, to find the one controlling all of Zone Fifteen, team up with the Guardian, and take him out. Hunting the Mud King was the Magic Maidens’ top priority—and Night Frost was certain he wouldn’t stay away.
This time, she wouldn’t stir unnecessary trouble. The one provoking conflict between Qian Corporation and the Magic Maidens was likely a Cantata Three within the Order Keepers. Qian Qingqing, backed by Qian Corporation—a corporate giant—gave them leverage. And since she was still alive, the corporation had no reason to clash head-on with the Order Keepers.
“Let’s take Qian Qingqing back,” Night Frost said.
She checked Qian Corporation’s headquarters on her phone. Still a fair distance—flying full-speed would take five or six minutes. To stay hidden, driving without mana was safer.
“Another hassle,” she muttered.
She informed the Zone Fifteen Guardian, who raised no objection and followed her lead. The Order Keepers’ meeting hadn’t started yet. A trip to Qian Corporation was feasible—and if it earned their goodwill, they might gain allies in hunting the Cantata Three controlling Zone Fifteen.
“We’re taking you back. Staying here solves nothing,” Night Frost told Qian Qingqing.
Qian Qingqing desperately wanted to leave. She’d nearly died at a Magic Maiden’s hands and longed to collapse into her father’s arms.
“Then let’s go.”
Night Frost changed clothes, tucked the Room 401 key into her Spatial Box, and sealed it with a quick Formation. Then, the two escorted Qian Qingqing toward Qian Corporation.
No buses or subways ran at this hour. Hailing a ride took nearly thirty minutes—unsurprising in such a remote area. She set the drop-off at a residential building near headquarters; arriving directly might draw suspicion.
The driver, a Fourth District local, chatted as they entered: “You girls out this late?” “Tourists? I know all the best spots—nowhere in the Fourth District I haven’t seen!”
Night Frost nodded politely, which thrilled him. He talked on, though none of the three felt like chatting.
Luckily, no obstacles appeared—not even a glimpse of a Magic Maiden. They reached the residential zone smoothly.
Five a.m. At this season, dawn should’ve broken. But the Fourth District remained cloaked in gray haze.
Qian Corporation’s tower glowed under emergency lights. Frantic over his missing daughter, the CEO had mobilized the entire company.
“Your father cares deeply,” Night Frost murmured.
Chaos reigned inside. Staff had searched tirelessly all night.
Night Frost approached the security booth. The guard blocked her. She studied him—both arms were high-grade mechanical prosthetics. A mere gatekeeper, yet heavily augmented.
Years on duty sharpened his instincts. Not on the guest list. No uniform. No fear in her eyes—only curiosity. Either she was vastly stronger… or utterly clueless. He concluded: Magic Maiden. Still, duty bound him to stand firm.
“I’m here to deliver her,” Night Frost said, glancing at the camera and gesturing behind her.
A girl with a bandaged arm stepped out cautiously, a trace of fear lingering on her face.
“Uncle Lan… it’s me…” Tears flooded Qian Qingqing’s eyes. She’d been terrified—the Cantata Three’s casual flick could’ve ended her; the two Cantata Twos might’ve dragged her into a lightless cell; bleeding out, consciousness fading… Just as she lunged toward him, Uncle Lan hid his hands. A razor blade shot from his mechanical palm.
Night Frost yanked her back. The blade grazed Qian Qingqing’s cheek, slicing off a strand of hair. Only quick reflexes saved her from decapitation.
Who’d believe the kindly Uncle Lan—the man who always greeted her warmly—would try to kill her? Without Night Frost, she’d be dead.
“So you *are* a Magic Maiden… Qian Qingqing, don’t blame Uncle Lan!” His strikes were sharp, seasoned. Mechanical arms and lethal blades pressed Night Frost back.
“Why not transform? Looking down on an old man?!” he snarled.
Night Frost stayed silent. Noise would summon security. Let them handle it.
Silver blade sliced the haze. An arc of light flashed. Instinctively, mana surged from Night Frost, deflecting the strike.
“Not bad. Against an average Cantata Two in hand-to-hand? You’d win,” she remarked calmly. He didn’t pause. She stood still as the blade descended.
*Bang!*
A bullet pierced his chest—straight to the heart. Flesh body, mechanical arms. Pain froze his swing. Night Frost gave a gentle push. He collapsed into a pool of blood.
“Finally here.”
Security spotted Qian Qingqing on camera and alerted the CEO. He arrived just in time to witness the attack. Enraged, he rushed out with guards, snatched a pistol, and fired himself. A mere guard daring to harm his daughter? Unforgivable.
“Dad!” Night Frost stepped aside. Qian Qingqing threw herself into his arms. He stroked her hair, voice trembling: “You’re back… you’re back…”
He summoned medics, assigned trusted staff to secure the area, then led Night Frost and the Guardian to the lounge.
Night Frost recounted everything—her friend’s disappearance, the assistant’s scheme, the protest, the chase, the rescue—lightly embellished.
“I see it now. Someone tried to use Qian Corporation… even schemed to seize power by pitting us against Magic Maidens. I knew the Order Keepers had rotten elements. But to reach *my* house?” He sighed. “Alas… I’m not what I was. Willing, but powerless.”
He looked older than fifty—white-streaked hair, sunken cheeks, frame like skin over bone.
“Who was Qian Qingqing’s assistant? He can die now.”
His secretary whispered: “Sun Xiao.”
*Sun Xiao?* The name tugged at Night Frost’s memory. Where had she heard it?
“He fled. We found this diary at Lan Ling’s home.” A glance revealed all: Lan Ling’s family had been kidnapped as leverage—to ensure Qian Qingqing’s permanent silence.
The CEO leaned back, weary. *My own children… such headaches.*
“I know who’s behind this. Name your reward. You saved my daughter—I owe you.”
“We need little. Only help tracking one thing. You may refuse,” Night Frost said after a pause. “The white-cloaked Magic Maiden who destroyed Zone Fifteen. She wields a strangely shaped wand…”
“That’s all?” He nodded. He’d heard of Zone Fifteen’s fall. His global network had eyes there. Hunting a Cantata Three was dangerous… but gratitude outweighed fear. “I’ll try. If danger comes, I’ll shift blame to you.”
“I accept.”
Relieved, he saw them off after brief talk.
As they left, the CEO turned. Frail body, but eyes burned sharp.
“Time to visit my good-for-nothing son… and second daughter.”
He’d pieced it together. Compared to them, Qian Qingqing was the rightful heir. Yet jealousy drove them to conspire with Magic Maidens—to murder their own sister. Betray family for power and wealth?
When would this sibling bloodshed end?
He let out a long, weary sigh.
