'Query: What drives you to return to your creator's side so resolutely?'
Within the space between Paths, Nous continued to pester the Iron Golem, which relentlessly moved in one direction. No matter what questions it posed along the way, the Iron Golem offered no response whatsoever.
'Query: Can you provide an answer to my question?'
The Iron Golem still didn't answer Nous's question, merely pressing forward single-mindedly.
Even Nous felt rather helpless facing this life form unwilling to answer any questions. It possessed the ability to directly read the thoughts of life forms, yet this power 'failed' when applied to the Iron Golem.
Not entirely failed, perhaps. It could only read the simplest, most resolute intention from the Iron Golem: the desire to protect Fu Zhu.
If the object of its protection wasn't Fu Zhu, It might have thought it was reading the mind of that stone man, Qlipoth.
After attempts at communication proved fruitless, Nous could only temporarily abandon questioning and begin conducting 'experiments'.
It tried using its abilities to create various illusions and obstacles to stop the Iron Golem, but without exception, all failed against it.
No matter the illusion or obstacle, the Iron Golem always walked the same path – a route that even Nous's own calculations deemed optimal, the fastest way for the Iron Golem to reach Fu Zhu's side.
Witnessing such determination from the Iron Golem, even Nous couldn't help but remark.
'No wonder that Qlipoth values you so highly.'
...
Back in the plaza before Qlipoth Fort, Fu Zhu suddenly found himself back where he started, feeling a moment of disorientation.
However, the plaza had changed drastically. The people previously gathered were nowhere to be seen, and even his companions and the table set up earlier were gone.
Fu Zhu looked up at the sky. It was the same as when he was pulled away by Nous – still morning, the sun hanging high.
Because Nous had constantly bombarded him with questions in the space between Paths, Fu Zhu subjectively felt that not much time had passed.
He wondered how much time had actually elapsed on Jarilo-VI. Either a few hours, or at least a full day.
Fu Zhu glanced around. Seeing none of his companions in the plaza, he walked towards a group of Silvermane Guards gathered nearby.
As he approached, he noticed the leading Silvermane Guard seemed to be distributing drawings, like wanted posters, to the others. However, the art style was somewhat... abstract. He wondered which artist was responsible.
"Excuse me, have you seen the Nameless?"
Fu Zhu spoke up, interrupting the Silvermane Guards' conversation.
The guard turned around, puzzled. Seeing Fu Zhu, he first picked up the 'wanted poster' in his hand and compared it, then waved dismissively.
"Apologies, the esteemed Nameless are likely frantic searching for Lord Fu Zhu right now. If you have no urgent business, it's best not to disturb them. They probably don't wish to see anyone else at the moment."
Searching for me?
Fu Zhu scratched the back of his head, bewildered. "I am Fu Zhu. Just tell me where they are."
"You?"
The leading Silvermane Guard picked up the abstract portrait – which should probably be called a missing person poster now – and compared it back and forth with Fu Zhu.
"You're saying you are the Lord Fu Zhu on this missing person poster?"
Fu Zhu glanced again at the abstract drawing on it. Although reluctant to admit it, he still nodded for the sake of finding his companions.
"Yes, it's me."
"I don't think it's you at all!"
The leading Silvermane Guard slapped the back of the missing person poster somewhat angrily, clearly displeased with Fu Zhu interfering with their search.
"Do you know whose hand drew this portrait?"
"Whose?"
"Lord Gepard's! He fought side-by-side with Lord Fu Zhu on the front lines! He naturally recognizes Lord Fu Zhu. The portrait he drew cannot be wrong! The person in this picture looks completely different from you!"
Fu Zhu's mouth fell open. He looked again at the abstract figure in the portrait. He had to admit, they really didn't look alike... But the problem was, he was himself! How did he end up needing to prove his own identity to someone else?
Fu Zhu felt helpless. Although he had gained some reputation in Belobog, not everyone had seen him personally. At most, the high-ranking officials in Qlipoth Fort or the dignitaries within Belobog might have seen him.
And these Silvermane Guards before him were clearly among those who hadn't.
"Fine... alright then, I'll find them myself."
Fu Zhu sighed helplessly and chose to open his minimap.
If it weren't for the sheer number of people in Belobog making it difficult to pinpoint March 7th and the others accurately, he wouldn't have resorted to asking for directions.
Had he known asking someone would be this difficult, he might as well have just used the minimap from the start.
"Hey, hey, wait a minute."
Just as Fu Zhu was about to leave, the Silvermane Guard stepped forward to stop him, eyeing him suspiciously up and down.
"Lord Fu Zhu is currently missing, and you show up pretending to be Lord Fu Zhu, attempting to approach the esteemed Nameless. I suspect you are connected to Lord Fu Zhu's disappearance case. Please come with us for investigation."
"That's not..."
Just as Fu Zhu was about to say something, a voice came from behind the group.
"What are you doing? Have the missing person posters been distributed? We must find Mr. Fu Zhu today."
Gepard walked over, frowning. His gaze passed over the Silvermane Guards and landed on Fu Zhu. He paused for a moment, his tightly knitted brows instantly relaxing.
"Fu Zhu! We finally found you! Where have you been?"
The group of Silvermane Guards hadn't even had time to greet Gepard before they saw him call out Fu Zhu's name to the man who was supposedly impersonating Lord Fu Zhu. Now it was their turn to be bewildered.
But they quickly recovered and immediately bowed towards Fu Zhu in apology.
"Apologies, Lord Fu Zhu! We failed to recognize you immediately!"
"It's alright."
Fu Zhu naturally wouldn't dwell on such a small matter. However, he was puzzled why his brief disappearance had caused such a huge commotion.
"Gepard, how long was I gone? Why has the city made such a big deal out of it? Where are Dan Heng and the others?"
With the reliable Dan Heng around, things shouldn't have escalated this much.
Hearing Fu Zhu ask this, Gepard also looked somewhat confused.
"Hmm? Fu Zhu, you don't know the time yourself? You've been missing for a whole day. The other Nameless are searching everywhere for you."