# 698
Chapter 699: Using Magic to Defeat Magic
Jialan walked to the front of the shop and gently pushed the metal rolling shutter. The completely corroded shutter was as fragile as paper, collapsing inward and stirring up large clouds of dust.
Dim light filtered into the shop. Beneath the thick layer of dust, one could barely make out the old electrical appliances that once filled the space, but without exception, everything had already been ruined. Behind the decayed counter was a curtain, and the entire shop was empty.
The three people present were all experienced wanderers in the Mist, so they weren't particularly surprised to see this. Over the long years of erosion by the Mist, these buildings had long lost their original structural integrity, existing as high-risk structures on the verge of collapse at any moment.
"Could Lin Qiye and the others really be in a place like this?" Jialan stood at the entrance, asking with concern.
"No, Lin Qiye and the others all took relevant courses at the training camp. As long as they arrived here, they would definitely recognize this as Japan, then recall the map and find a way to cross the sea back to Great Xia." Wu Xiangnan explained.
"But it's already been two years, and they haven't returned, so I think they must have been swept into a 'Human Enclosure.'"
"Isn't this place the 'Human Enclosure'?"
"No, this is just Japan covered by the Mist." The knight continued, "This kind of place isn't fit for human survival at all. They should be inside some domain or divine artifact created by Japanese gods, and the entrance to get in should be nearby."
"How do we find this entrance?"
"With just the three of us, it's very difficult." The knight surveyed the surroundings, pulling out a pixelated device from his chest that looked like a phone. It displayed a map of Japan, with a green light constantly scanning the surroundings but finding nothing.
"However, the 'paratrooper' should be searching for the entrance now. As long as he sends a signal from the entrance, I can receive it here, and then we can go in through the entrance."
"So there's nothing we can do for now?"
"That's right."
Jialan held the black box in her hand, her brow furrowed slightly, and let out a long sigh.
Wu Xiangnan could see her urgency. He walked over to her and comforted her, "Jialan, I know you're anxious, but some things can't be rushed... Here's what I'll do. I'll teach you some simple Japanese these two days. When you enter the 'Human Enclosure,' even if something happens, you'll at least have some preparation."
Jialan hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Alright!"
...
When Lin Qiye and Amemiya Haruki returned to the house, Hoshimi Shota and Lady Wu had already come out of the bedroom and started repairing the damage to the living room.
Lady Wu held wooden planks she had somehow obtained, waiting to the side, while Hoshimi Shota stood by the damaged wall, carefully measuring something, then began using wooden boards to repair the drafty section.
Fortunately, this house was originally built with a wooden structure. In Hoshimi Shota's hands, these walls with their blown-out holes were slowly being restored to their original state.
Amemiya Haruki walked over to him, surprised. "You can also repair houses?"
"Before, in the countryside, my dad and I built houses in the mountains, so I know a little." When Hoshimi Shota saw Amemiya Haruki and Lin Qiye had returned, as if remembering something, his cheeks flushed slightly, and he said seriously, "Don't worry, Amemiya. The demon woman damaged the house, and I'll be responsible for fixing it for her."
Lady Wu stood to the side, carrying tall wooden planks, watching Hoshimi Shota as he worked, smiling silently.
Amemiya Haruki nodded and didn't say much more. If Hoshimi Shota could fix the house for him, it would save him the trouble of hiring someone.
"I think we need to move up our timeline for entering the ruins." After some thought, Lin Qiye said seriously to Amemiya Haruki.
"Because of that mysterious person just now?"
"That's right. If his target is the same ruins you mentioned as ours... then if he gets in before us, we'll be at a disadvantage. Now that we have the diving equipment, we don't need to wait until the day after tomorrow."
"That makes sense." Amemiya Haruki agreed with Lin Qiye's idea. "Should we set out tonight or wait until tomorrow?"
"After midnight tonight, we'll try the prophecy twice more. Regardless of the outcome, we'll enter the ruins that night." Lin Qiye said seriously.
"Okay, I'll follow your lead."
"However, before the game, I need to make some preparations first..."
Upon hearing Lin Qiye's words, Amemiya Haruki was slightly stunned. "Preparations? What kind of preparations?"
Lin Qiye glanced at Lady Wu standing to the side and said slowly, "Preparations to win the game..."
...
Asylum of the Gods.
In the study, Merlin looked at the earnest Lin Qiye before him and said in surprise:
"A way to beat a prophesy master in a game?"
"That's right." Lin Qiye nodded. "It seems that opponent can窥探 the trajectory of fate to some extent. Conventional methods won't work against her, so I've come to ask for your advice."
Merlin looked at Lin Qiye for a long while, the corners of his mouth slightly rising.
"What's wrong, Lord Merlin?"
"To beat a prophesy master might be difficult for others, but for you, this is not a problem at all." Merlin said with a smile.
Lin Qiye was somewhat confused. "Why?"
"Have you heard the saying? Only magic can defeat magic." Merlin reached out and stroked his beard, laughing. "Sitting before you is a great god of magic, the originator of prophecy. With me here, as long as I shift part of the trajectory of fate, she won't be able to beat you."
Lin Qiye's eyes gradually brightened.
"Tonight at midnight, I'll be counting on you." Lin Qiye stood up and said respectfully to Merlin.
...
Deep night.
Lin Qiye and the other three gathered around the low table once more, their expressions all very serious.
This was their last two chances to receive prophecies before entering the ruins. Hoshimi Shota also understood this. He had no combat ability and couldn't follow Amemiya Haruki into the ruins. The only role he could play was Lady Wu's prophecy.
If he couldn't beat Lady Wu this time, then this trip would have been for nothing. It would even make Amemiya Haruki think he was completely useless.
No matter what, he wanted to help Amemiya Haruki.
So at this moment, he was the most nervous, the most eager to win person at this table!
Lady Wu, seated beside him, seemed to sense Hoshimi Shota's nervousness. Her golden eyes flickered as she looked away, sighing in her heart.
This prophecy... it seemed very important to Shota...
Should I let him win once?
After all, even if I let him win once, as long as I win it back from Lin Qiye's hands, I can still use the punishment to send him to my bed...
Alright, that's what I'll do!