“No!” “I don’t agree!” Just as Aqina finished speaking, Tatiana and Vera voiced their opposition almost simultaneously.
Even Iul, who was always calmly analyzing things, frowned.
His fingers, gripping his cane tightly, were pressed so hard they turned white.
“Aqina, this is too risky.” Tatiana reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, her fiery red eyes filled with concern for the first time.
“I know your abilities, but times have changed.
That bunch of trash kills without blinking; they’re all desperate criminals.
They have plenty of underhanded tricks.
What if they destroy your organs, or even sever your limbs, or bury you alive?
What will you do then?” “Being unkillable doesn’t mean you won’t suffer,” Iul said, his voice dry.
“And what if you get captured and they use you to threaten us?
You know we couldn’t just abandon you…” “That’s exactly why I have to go.” Aqina’s mind was made up, and she cut off their attempts to persuade her further.
“Because I’m the only one suitable.” “If I don’t go, we’ll be at a complete disadvantage.
I don’t want you all to follow me and live in fear, always on the run.” She counted off on her fingers, analyzing point by point: “First, I can’t die.
That’s my greatest asset.” “Even if the plan goes awry, if I get caught, beaten, or even stabbed.
But as long as I have breath in me, I won’t die.
I’ll always find a chance to escape.” “Second.” She pointed to the bulging nameplate pouch at her waist.
“I’m the ‘fattest’ recruit in the entire Frost Burial Valley trial right now.
The Scavengers are here to make money; they won’t be able to resist seeing this many nameplates.” “Greed is their greatest weakness.” “Third,” Aqina looked at Tatiana and smiled.
“Lighter.” “Big sister, you need to stay at the ambush point.
You’re our strongest combat force; without you, our lethality would be cut in half.
Vera’s vines and herbs need time to prepare, and Iul needs time to set traps.
Besides, his leg isn’t healed yet, so he can’t run fast.
You need to look after him.” “Only I can act as the Bait, and only I can lure the fish onto the hook.” The cave fell silent.
Only the occasional crackle of the firewood could be heard.
Tatiana stared at Aqina for a long time, held by the gaze filled with sincerity in those eyes.
She conceded once again, just as she had the first time they met.
It was precisely because of the sincerity in those eyes that Tatiana had chosen to accept her request to team up.
This time was no different.
Tatiana slammed her fist hard against the nearby ice wall, causing shards of ice to cascade down.
“Damn it, you’re right.” She gritted her teeth.
“But this plan is just too…” “Too cliché?” Aqina finished her sentence, grinning.
“What’s wrong with being cliché?
If it works, it’s a good plan.
I’ve used this mutual destruction tactic so many times, and hasn’t someone fallen for it every single time?” Iul covered his forehead and smiled bitterly.
“That’s because they don’t know you can’t die, after all…” “The Scavengers don’t know either.” Aqina blinked.
“They might not have heard the rumors about me.
Even if they have, they might not care; they’ll just think I’m tough or have some special survival technique.
Once they see with their own eyes that I can still run while heavily wounded, they’ll only be more eager to catch me, wanting to pry out my secrets or steal my nameplates.” Vera asked softly: “So, what exactly do we do?” Aqina crouched down again and used a twig to mark a new spot on the map.
“Here, northeast of Unfrozen Creek.
There’s a narrow Ice Canyon here; I remember the terrain.
It’s not far from Unfrozen Creek, only about a mile away.
There are seven or eight-meter-high ice walls on both sides, and the passage in the middle is only three meters wide.
It’s a natural ambush point, and essentially a dead end.” “So we must be certain we can take them out, otherwise this will become our own grave.” Aqina looked up at Iul.
“Dog-headed Strategist, I’m leaving this place to you, and our lives as well.
No problem, right?” Iul’s eyes lit up; his previous worry was diluted by the mention of the natural ambush point.
“The canyon has limited height difference to exploit, but precisely because of that, the enemy won’t be as wary of the high ground.
Give me time, and I can set up three consecutive traps.
The first is a tripwire with caltrops, the second is falling ice, the third…” He looked at Vera.
“I need your help.
Do you have any of that powder that causes temporary blindness upon contact?
Or something that makes the skin sting intensely?” Vera immediately pulled an oil-paper packet from her cloak and replied, somewhat excitedly: “Yes!
This is something I mixed using Fire Flower pollen and Ice Mist Flower pollen.
This powder makes the skin feel both cold and hot, causing people to roll around in agony.
If it gets in their eyes, they won’t be able to see for at least half a day.” Iul took it and carefully tucked it away.
“That’s enough.
You really have the best ideas when it comes to powders.
We’ll use this for the third trap, scattered on the path they must take, combined with the tripwire, making them crash right into the powder.” Tatiana added: “Vera, ambush a cluster of Boom-Melons at both the entrance and exit of the canyon.
I’ll detonate them remotely using my element power.
Once they’re all inside the canyon, I’ll seal the path and trap them like rats.” Vera nodded.
“Don’t worry, big sister.
I have plenty of these plants.
They won’t be able to escape, and I’ll make them taste my power!” Aqina also gave Vera a thumbs-up.
Mostly because the little witch’s powder was too wicked.
When she played allogene in her past life, she only knew the stamens of these two flowers could be used for potions.
The potions enhanced element reactions, but she hadn’t realized they could be used this way in Teyvat.
Truly, allogene wasn’t open enough.
Teyvat was just full of geniuses.
“A perfect fishing spot.” Aqina nodded with satisfaction, drawing a circle on the map over the canyon location with a twig.
“Now, all that’s missing is me, the Bait.” She stood up and stretched her shoulders, her bones making a slight cracking sound.
“Counting the ones I seized from the Blood Wolf squad, I have twenty-five nameplates in total.
I’ll intentionally expose the pouch so they can see it.
With six Scavengers, even if they split them evenly, that’s four each.
That’s enough of a temptation.” “How will you lure them out?” Tatiana asked.
“Just wander around their doorstep?” “That’s too fake.” Aqina shook her head.
“I’ll pretend to be chased by another group, running blindly until I reach the vicinity of Unfrozen Creek.
The Scavengers must have set up secret sentries around their stronghold.
Discovering a ‘little fat sheep’ like me—alone, wounded, and carrying a large number of nameplates—they won’t be able to resist.” She looked at the three of them, her expression turning serious.
“The key is timing.
I’ll depart from here, intentionally taking a detour, and should arrive at the outskirts of Unfrozen Creek in about an hour.
I’ll create some signs of combat there, then start running toward the ‘Ice Canyon’ ambush point we agreed upon.
You must finish setting all the traps and be hidden before I reach the canyon.” Tatiana calculated the time.
“One hour.
It’s not particularly tight; it should be enough.
Iul’s leg is inconvenient, and setting traps takes time.
Vera, help him, and let’s get moving quickly.” Iul struggled to stand up on his own.
“I’m fine!” “Don’t push yourself.” Tatiana hoisted him up.
Her movements were somewhat rough but carefully avoided his injured leg.
“You’re the most important person right now.
If the traps aren’t set well, Aqina’s risks will be for nothing.” Vera also hurried over to support him on the other side.
Aqina watched the three of them and took a deep breath.
“Then let’s begin.
Remember, if the situation goes wrong, or if I bring too many fish, prioritize your own safety.
I’ll find a way to escape and meet you at our current rendezvous point.” Tatiana gave her a long, deep look.
“You’d better come back alive.” “Of course.” “I am the Undying Cockroach, after all.” Aqina smiled, patted the nameplate pouch at her waist, and reached out to fist-bump Tatiana.
She didn’t rush to leave, but started tidying herself up.
After all, if you’re going to act, you have to do the whole thing.
The Scavengers weren’t fools.
Acting skills were important, but props and costumes were also indispensable.
This was called Entrapment.