Chapter 205: ...Me?

The scarred man instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He had never imagined that after so many people had gone to such great lengths to guard Jian Changsheng, who had already escaped once, they would turn around and find Chen Ling missing from the adjacent cell... Were they taking turns to rack up escape achievements here?!

Over the years, the Stellaris Guild's dungeon had incarcerated many, including several divine path wielders. But two such bizarre, vanishing acts, seemingly into thin air, were far too strange, completely beyond the comprehension of everyone in the dungeon!

The scarred man tremblingly unlocked the cell door, then, along with four subordinates, rushed inside in a flurry. Seeing the empty, vacant space before them, their eyes nearly popped out.

“How is this possible… vanished into thin air again?!”

“This is truly unbelievable. Two different people, escaping from the same prison in the same bizarre manner?!”

“There’s nothing… unclean in this cell, is there?”

“Quick! Sound the alarm!”

“I’ll go notify others to seal off the guild; he absolutely cannot be allowed to escape!!”

The five subordinates were also aghast. Perhaps due to their previous experience, their reactions were swift this time; they immediately rushed out of the dungeon.

Only the scarred man remained, standing dumbfounded in the empty cell, as if questioning his very existence.

“Damn it, this is truly damned… The two paper figures outside didn't even react. How did he escape?!”

The scarred man stood bewildered for a long time before suddenly realizing something. He stormed out of the cell, rushed to the door of the adjacent cell, and furiously pounded on the bars, roaring:

“It was you! You escaped once yourself! And this time, you helped him get away too! What methods did you use?!”

Inside the cell, Jian Changsheng, equally bewildered, raised a finger and pointed at himself, a mixture of three parts doubt and seven parts shock...

“...Me?”

The five subordinates hurriedly made their way through the dungeon corridor, ascended the stairs two steps at a time. After passing two hollow paper figures guarding the dungeon entrance and exit, they emerged outside the dungeon.

“These two paper figures are useless... Someone escaped, and they didn’t even react?”

“Maybe that person didn’t escape through this route at all?”

“But this is the only entrance/exit in the entire dungeon. If he didn't leave this way, where else could he have gone?”

“I don’t know… Never mind, let’s quickly notify the guild; maybe we can still intercept him.”

“Ah Feng? Why are you out here too… Are you on this patrol shift?”

The other four paused slightly, then simultaneously turned to look at the man in the corner. He was wearing the same dungeon uniform, and his face was familiar; it was Ah Feng, who had been on the previous patrol shift.

“I had just finished my patrol and was about to change shifts when I heard you all shouting about someone escaping, so I followed to take a look…” Ah Feng shrugged, naturally changing the subject. “Good thing the person didn’t go missing on my watch… You guys are in deep trouble.”

Hearing the latter part of his statement, the others’ expressions darkened. They spoke with a bitter tone:

“Ugh, don’t even mention it… Let’s go notify the others first.”

As an invisible python slithered over their shoulders, no one seemed to suspect Ah Feng's words. Instead, they quickly dispersed and ran towards various departments.

Ah Feng’s gaze swept across the surroundings, quickly locking onto the largest and most luxurious house in the manor. He began walking towards it.

Ah Feng was, of course, Chen Ling, who had changed his face. After entering the dungeon, he had been waiting for the opportune moment to escape. And as it turned out, the Stellaris Guild was merely a guild, not a law enforcement headquarters. The defenses of this dungeon were not even as strict as the cells in the Zone Three Law Enforcement Headquarters. While it was adequate for incarcerating ordinary people and low-level divine path wielders, it was full of flaws when facing a "prisoner" like Chen Ling, who possessed special abilities.

Relying on his ability to transform objects and seamlessly switch faces, Chen Ling successfully blended out of the cell. He had temporarily regained his freedom of movement within the guild.

Chen Ling chose not to eliminate the few individuals who went to report the escape. This was because a chaotic guild was far easier to infiltrate than an orderly one…

He had only taken a few steps when several figures guarding the house stopped him, scrutinizing him cautiously:

“What do you want? This is a vital area of the guild, not somewhere you can just enter.”

“I’m here to notify the Young Master,” Ah Feng quickly said. “The two people who were just sent to the dungeon have vanished into thin air again… The Young Master might be in danger now!”

At his words, the guards’ expressions changed slightly. “Someone escaped again? What exactly do you people in the dungeon do?!”

Ah Feng forced a bitter smile, remaining silent.

“Understood, now go,” the guard impatiently waved his hand.

Ah Feng nodded and turned to leave.

He casually found an empty building and entered. When he emerged again, he had transformed into a stoic, hunchbacked man—the Puppeteer who had personally captured Chen Ling and Jian Changsheng not long ago.

The hunchbacked man walked directly towards the luxurious building, not even glancing at the guards stationed around it, as if they were invisible… Upon seeing that indifferent face, the guards immediately became flustered and agitated.

“Master Puppeteer… what brings you here?” a guard cautiously asked.

“Someone escaped; their whereabouts are unknown. I’ve been ordered to protect the Young Master and also to report some information,” the Puppeteer said, giving him a faint glance. “Is there a problem?”

“No, no problem at all! Please, come in…”

The guards immediately cleared a path and respectfully gestured for him to enter. The hunchbacked man withdrew his gaze and calmly walked forward…

So, I’m called the Puppeteer?

Chen Ling secretly noted the title.

As he drew closer, Chen Ling finally discerned the full view of the luxurious building. From a distance, it resembled a palace, occupying the most central position in the manor. It was also the only place in the manor, apart from the dungeon, that had guarded protection…

If all went as expected, what he was looking for would be here.

Meanwhile, a figure knocked on the manor's garden gate.

Chu Muyun, who was strolling in the courtyard, raised an eyebrow and looked towards the gate. After a moment of hesitation, he still walked forward to open it.

Behind the door stood a figure with a scarf covering half their face. Chu Muyun pushed up his glasses, a hint of surprise in his expression:

“Mr. Wen, is there something you need?”

Wen Shilin’s gaze swept around, and after confirming no one was paying attention, he spoke earnestly: “Doctor Chu, may we speak inside?”

Seeing this, Chu Muyun grew even more puzzled. He led Wen Shilin into the courtyard and closed the gate behind them.

“Doctor Chu, did Lin Yan come to see you last night?” Wen Shilin asked directly.

“No,” Chu Muyun replied, shaking his head.

Chen Ling hadn't returned last night, which had somewhat surprised Chu Muyun, but that was the extent of it. He knew Chen Ling had his own affairs to attend to, so he hadn't given it much thought.

Wen Shilin remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly:

“...He might be in trouble.”