Back in the county capital’s Corrections Division, in D-132, Xu Qing frowned as the boy vanished. Then he walked toward the Paintedfolk’s cell.3

Perhaps because of the threat of the shadow, the old Paintedfolk man didn’t hide away. Instead, as Xu Qing approached, he quickly clasped hands and bowed in greeting.2

“I am Sir Inkwell of the Paintedfolk. Well met, exalted Jailer.”5

“What was that thing?” Xu Qing asked the old man.1

“Sir, that boy was destiny aura!” Sir Inkwell responded immediately.5

Xu Qing’s gaze became sharper.2

In response, Sir Inkwell shivered. For some reason, he was getting the feeling that this jailer was different from the others. Generally speaking, Sir Inkwell didn’t care about the guards in the prison. Because of the unique qualities of his species, it wouldn’t even bother him if the people in the painting ripped the painting to shreds. After all, they were illusory. However, when this particular guard sent his shadow into the cell, Sir Inkwell had felt an intense sensation of deadly crisis. It had seemed to him that...11