Magical Girl Heavy Dependence

Chapter 60, Trade Fair

Leaning out of the car window, Zhong Ai squinted at the towering skyscrapers that seemed to reach into the clouds.

The cool gray glass facade was somewhat dazzling in the sun, and the artificial fountain sprayed water gently. Not far away, there was a magnificent hotel lobby.

Yan Xi then looked towards the wide pedestrian plaza on the other side of the fountain.

Next to Suyue Pedestrian Street in the heart of Tian'e District, Yincheng, stands a 351-meter-tall skyscraper, far exceeding the luxury of the Donglin Hotel. She had previously heard Shen Caihua mention in casual conversation that the highest award in Yincheng's film and television industry, the "Golden Pen Award," is held here every year. The pedestrian avenue in front of the hotel is decorated with bronze statues signed by various superstars and celebrities, attracting a constant stream of tourists every day.

She seemed out of place compared to the lively atmosphere outside.

But why would they come here?

Yan Xi turned to look at Cheng Chen. At this moment, the black van was parked at the main entrance of the hotel. Cheng Chen opened the car door for the three people in the back seat while talking to Zhong Ai.

"Regarding the Ink Cat Residence you mentioned yesterday, the company's intelligence analysis department found some clues that can't really be called leads. After reviewing them, I decided to bring you here to see for yourself."

"A clue that can't really be called a clue?"

"A trade fair exclusively for demons."

Cheng Chen nodded slightly and explained, "It's disguised as a luxury jewelry and luxury exhibition. It's held regularly at this hotel every spring and winter, for four days each time, similar to a black market."

Yan Xi got off the car behind and couldn't help but interject, "Don't the municipal government and the association care?"

"This kind of trade is common all over the world. Demons also need channels for trade, intelligence, and recruitment. Compared to online trade, offline channels are safer." Cheng Chen looked at her and said calmly, "Besides, it's better to guide than to block. Rather than letting demons hide in the shadows to trade, it's better to let them do it here, which makes it easier to monitor them."

This is the first time they've had a direct conversation since I joined.

Yan Xi listened silently, but when she stole a glance, she saw his calm eyes beneath his sword-like eyebrows, and then hurriedly turned her face away.

"The demons aren't fools; they wouldn't hold a trade fair in a remote, easily besieged location—this hotel is in the heart of Yin City, and the damage from the aftermath of the battle far outweighs the benefits of eliminating the attendees, so the city can't easily take action."

"Over time, both sides reached a tacit understanding, which is the best solution for maintaining the current stability. There are also many secret magical girl gatherings, but no demons will disturb them, for the same reason: both sides need their own space to survive."

Cheng Chen looked down at the intelligence that Ding Guang had passed on through Du Lingyi. "This trade fair has been held for many years, and the organizer behind it has always been mysterious. It wasn't until you said you wanted to investigate 'Mo Mao Ju' that the intelligence analysis department deduced from the intelligence clues collected through many channels that the organizer of the trade fair was likely them... Tsk, what a coincidence."

Of course it's a coincidence.

From "Ink Cat Residence" to "Demon Night Wonder," the words she spoke to Cheng Chen when she signed the contract were all carefully crafted.

Zhong Ai lowered her head, unconsciously fiddling with the strands of hair hanging down beside her ear.

Yinfu Entertainment will definitely find the trade fair by following those simple keywords. If Cheng Chen doesn't make the arrangements, Zhong Ai will definitely beg him to come with her to investigate.

This is part of the plan.

But... Zhong Ai's gaze swept almost imperceptibly over the other two people who were getting out of the car... Why bring them along?

Yan Xi stood firmly on the road with some unease; it was her first time in such a place.

Du Lingyi, standing beside him, was much calmer. She turned her gaze to Cheng Chen, who nodded to her: "The fugitive's trail that your teacher was investigating has also disappeared here. If you find it, I will support you in handling it."

Du Lingyi nodded slightly. This was the condition for [Kaleidoscope Prison] to transfer information to Yinfu Entertainment.

They are not a secular organization and do not have enough connections and channels to obtain entry qualifications for the trade fair, which is why they made a deal with Yinfu Entertainment.

The teacher sent her to join Yinfu Entertainment not only for Cheng Chen's sake, but also for more practical reasons.

"Producer".

Yan Xi cautiously moved closer to Cheng Chen. "What are we here for?"

Cheng Chen smiled at her: "Just think of it as a way to clear your head." Then she tidied her messy hair. "You look beautiful today."

"Brother, let's go."

Zhong Ai stepped forward and took his arm.

Cheng Chen nodded, and the group walked towards the hotel lobby.

Yan Xi was last, frowning in dissatisfaction.

He seemed to be coaxing a child, showing no intention of properly explaining things to her, as if she were an unrelated passerby who had temporarily squeezed into the line.

They are actually unrelated.

She muttered something to herself, dismissed the thought, and quickly followed.

Pass through the magnificent lobby and head straight to the elevator.

Cheng Chen took out his exhibition badge, which he had prepared beforehand, swiped it on the elevator, and then quickly stepped back away from the ground outside the oval glass door.

Ding!

After the door opened, staff members wearing badges around their necks came forward to greet us.

Zhong Ai looked around and saw exhibitors dressed in all sorts of colors coming and going. In the distance, she could vaguely see glass display cases separated by barriers, and rows of jewelry displayed inside.

It wasn't exactly noisy, but it was far from quiet either.

From any perspective, it doesn't resemble a black market trade fair prepared for demons.

"What's wrong?"

Cheng Chen checked in with the help of the staff, and at the same time turned around and smiled at her.

Zhong Ai paused for a moment before replying, "It's not quite what I imagined."

The imagined demon black market should be a place where a group of people hide their true identities, using magic and cloaks as disguises, engaging in scheming and trading in an atmosphere of greed and deceit, and then having a lively closing ceremony with ambushes and double-crosses.

What came into view was an ordinary jewelry exhibition, with business people from the jewelry industry coming and going, without a trace of evil or darkness.

"Activate your magical perception and take another look."

Cheng Chen reminded her.

Zhong Ai paused for a moment, then closed her eyes.

When she opened her eyes again, an invisible magic had already covered her pupils, and the world she saw was instantly turned upside down.

Countless ominous magical powers, carrying a dangerous aura, suddenly surged from the refined, gentle, and jovial distributors. Even the seemingly harmless staff standing behind the counter possessed a level of strength comparable to hers.

Various magical barriers and traps are scattered throughout the passage, and familiars are stationed around the entrances and exits to monitor the area.

On the exquisite and dazzling jewels in the display cases, information has been magically written, recording the seller's true products.

Even among the countless calamities and magical powers, she sensed the presence of many other magical girls.

"That's enough, stop now."

Just then, Cheng Chen's tall and imposing figure blocked her way. "Your actions just now were tantamount to a provocation to everyone present. Even if you controlled your magic power during perception very well, you couldn't completely hide the traces of your spying."

Before the words were even finished, seven or eight extremely imposing and icy gazes in the hall converged on them simultaneously.

Cheng Chen smiled at them, and a surge of terrifying magic flashed from his body and then vanished.

Those demons who had been secretly observing him all paled and obediently withdrew their gazes.

"If you want to see the actual items being traded, send a tiny wisp of magic into the jewelry in the display case. But remember, beware of the hidden magical backdoor inside."

Cheng Chen also told the three trainees, "Don't talk to strangers casually, and don't worry about your identities being exposed. Even if they recognize you as magical girls, the demons here won't easily make a move. After all, everyone is here to make money peacefully."

Zhong Ai and Du Lingyi exchanged a glance, nodded solemnly, and walked toward the venue together in tacit understanding.

Only Yan Xi remained rooted to the spot.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?

……