Chapter 54: So How Are You Planning to Trick Me Now?

Chapter 54: So How Are You Planning to Trick Me Now?

The pigeon said, “You’re probably wondering how I found you out, aren’t you? It’s actually quite simple. Pigeons have a flocking instinct—a lone pigeon feels unsafe. You were sailing around all by yourself without a care in the world. That’s not how a pigeon thinks. On top of that, pigeons are drawn to resources and pass information between each other. Coming to the square means coming to fight for food, but you were clearly reluctant to eat pigeon feed. That marks you as a newcomer. Pigeons also have their own scent—and you don’t have one. What else would you be? I used to keep pigeons. I’d use my birds to lure in whole flocks to feed. I know pigeon habits inside out. You can’t fool me.”

I had nothing to say to that.

Even if I’d been exposed, the worst outcome was losing one parasitic pigeon—my real self would be completely unaffected. Even so, I had no interest in engaging with him. His background was a mystery, and a trap seemed far more likely than not.

The pigeon said, “Come on. I’ll show you something interesting.”

He flapped his wings and took off without another word.

Curiosity won. I followed.

The two of us circled in the air above the city, with a sweeping view of the streets below and the wide green spaces and forest beneath the city. The angle gave me a much clearer picture of the city’s full layout and its surroundings—my vision being what it was.

Hua City’s streets, pedestrians, and shopfronts felt somewhat familiar, actually—not unlike Pingdu City, where I had lived. The distinctly Huaxia architectural style made it clear that whoever had designed these buildings understood Huaxia culture deeply.

There were plenty of thoroughly modern, sci-fi touches scattered through the streets—flying motorcycles, shuttle boots, people suspended in the air while walking their dogs—yet the buildings themselves had been deliberately built in a more traditional style. Nostalgia, probably.

We circled for a while, and the pigeon somehow attracted several others to fly along with us. When he seemed satisfied, he led our little flock down onto the roof of a large manor.

The manor, however, had an early-warning system. Several laser emplacements immediately locked onto us.

The special pigeon sensed it at once, banked, and bolted. I sensed it too, and without a moment’s hesitation, I followed. The few ordinary pigeons that hadn’t reacted fast enough were blasted into roast squab .

The two of us touched down on the roof of an apartment building some distance away, both still rattled.

I decided this pigeon was dangerous—this was practically asking to die. Unable to stop myself, I gave him a sharp peck.

He said, “Hey—don’t! I’m sorry. That was genuinely my mistake. I didn’t expect them to have added quantum laser defenses. That manor looks like the estate of some high official or noble person from the outside. In reality, it’s a quantum research institute—specializes in quantum weapons. There are plenty of treasures inside.”

I said, “You nearly got me killed. You know that? Extraordinary things. Honestly, I don’t think your intentions were good for a single second.”

The pigeon gave a short laugh. “Ha. So now you’ll talk to me? Relax. Even if I were trying to trick you, you’d only lose one cheap parasitic pigeon. Anyone can see yours was knocked together in a hurry. I’m not about to throw away my golden phoenix for cheap goods. This pigeon of mine has status. I’ve been using it for five or six years, and all the patrol cats in the city recognize it.”

I said, “Sure you have. But who are these patrol cats you’re talking about? That talking cat I saw earlier?”

The pigeon said, “Talking? There are over a thousand patrol cats in this city, and every one of them talks. Which one did you mean?”

I was speechless. Over a thousand?

The pigeon said, “Don’t look so surprised. Patrol cats are essentially the surveillance cameras of the Elite World—they move through every corner…