Beyond the door was a lavishly magnificent bedchamber.

An opulent European-style palace bed stood at the center, crimson velvet drapes hung from golden Roman columns on all four sides, dried rose petals were scattered beside the bed, and at the headboard were gold chains and a pearl hair clip. Even the pillows were delicately embroidered with a layer of gold-thread lacework.

Tan Xiao picked up a golden comb from the vanity table and dragged it through his own hair a couple of times, sighing with admiration. “Incredible—everything in this room is either gold or silver! Look! There are even gemstones!”

Glasses Man’s expression was thoroughly disdainful. “We thought you’d found some important clue. What a waste—hey! Did you come in here for gold and jewels?!”

Tan Xiao paused. “…Oh right. We’re looking for a sword.”

He seemed to have only just remembered this, set down the comb, and began searching.

He opened the gorgeous wardrobe—inside hung all manner of extravagant formal gowns. He lifted the bedding and window curtains. Nothing suspicious.

Glasses Man said, “This is clearly a woman’s room. Why would a sword be hidden here? If you ask me, we should be looking for an armory or something like it.”

He turned to leave, took a few steps, then noticed Hat Man had remained inside.

“What’s wrong?” Glasses Man doubled back, puzzled. “You’re not leaving?”

Hat Man stood frowning, studying the lavish bedroom before him with unusually intense focus.

He raised a hand and gently brushed the surface of a table, rolling the dust between his fingers. Then he looked down at the shoe prints on the floor tiles…

Glasses Man glanced around as well and leaned in. “What is it? Did you find something?”

“The dust in this room,” Hat Man said with a furrowed brow, “is very sparse. Much less than everywhere else.”

“Now that you mention it, you’re right…” Glasses Man looked more carefully, then shook his head in confusion. “But why? Does this room have something special about it?”

“It’s definitely special!” Tan Xiao chimed in. “Haven’t you noticed how much more lavish this room is?”

Glasses Man snapped back irritably: “Do we need you to point that out? Anyone who isn’t blind can see that!”

Tan Xiao laughed out loud. “Ah! Right, I forgot you’re nearsighted~”

Glasses Man: “…”

“Alright, stop bickering.” Hat Man walked over to Tan Xiao, frowning as he examined him for a moment. “You—turn around.”

Tan Xiao’s eyes went wide. “Why?”

Hat Man didn’t bother explaining. He simply stepped behind Tan Xiao and plucked several strands of hair from his head.

Long, golden strands.

“He used the gold comb from the vanity table on his hair just now. These belong to the room’s owner.” Hat Man held them up so both men could see clearly. “A woman living in a room like this—her status would be nothing less than queen or princess.”

“A queen would live together with the king, so…” Glasses Man understood now. He pointed at the hair in Hat Man’s hand. “That means this room belongs to a golden-haired princess!”

“Exactly.” Hat Man nodded. “Every person we’ve encountered along the way has been asleep. We haven’t seen the princess at all. So where would she be?”

The more Tan Xiao heard, the more confused he was. He couldn’t help cutting in again: “Does it even matter where the princess is? Aren’t we here to find the sword?”

Glasses Man snapped, “Who said you were included in ‘we’? We are us, you are you! We and you are two different parties—understand?!”

“What the—” Tan Xiao was annoyed. He reached out and snatched the hair right out of Hat Man’s hand. “Then give the hair back to me! I was the one who found this room first!”

Glasses Man: “It was clearly—”

“Enough.” Hat Man pinched the bridge of his nose. “The sword isn’t found yet. For now, let’s cooperate temporarily. Once the sword is found, whoever can take it wins by their own ability. Does that work?”

Once the sword was found, his group would have the numbers advantage. The edge would only grow.

Glasses Man had reached the same conclusion and said nothing.

Tan Xiao thought it over, then handed the hair back magnanimously. “Fine! We’ll go with what you said—temporary cooperation!”

—