The Dawn of the New World Chapter 1520

'As if it's that easy!'

Even skipping a question had its own implications. An astute enough observer could pry the meaning behind every decision no matter how small and Lady Saira did not give the impression that she would let anything slip.

Hao Xuan's eyes narrowed as he examined the apparatus. He had memories of similar contraptions from his previous life and each one was a little different, although they were mainly divided into two categories.

The first one used various methods to get to the factual unbiased truth behind every decision. Usually, this process included prying information from behind the veil regarding the decision about an individual's actions. It was as close to the unfiltered truth as one could possibly get but the cost was obscenely high.

Contraptions able to get such information were so expensive and large that only a rare few ancient clans and powers were able to keep them. Not to mention that they would need someone not only powerful but also well-versed in the workings of the veil to operate the device.

The second category of such contraptions were much smaller, cheaper, and significantly easier to operate but they were little more than glorified polygraphs. They could only read the physiological and mental signs that an individual would give off.

Meaning if they "believed" they were telling the truth then the machine would think it was the universal truth.

And given the size and relative simplicity of the device Lady Saira had pulled out, chances were it belonged to the second category.

'Doesn't hurt to be safe, I'll try it out first,' Hao Xuan thought.

Once all the marbles had stopped moving Lady Sira motioned for him to sit. There was only one empty chair beside Song Yi so Hao Xuan didn't have many options to choose from.

But as soon as he sat down she reeled back, "Eww, what the hell are you doing?! Don't sit so close to me with your filthy slave smell!"

Hao Xuan sniffed his collar and had to agree with her. He hadn't shaved in months or gotten a haircut. The most he had done was wash his face a couple of times so the smell wasn't very pleasant.

Not to mention the dirty unkempt hair growing in every which direction made him look like he hadn't seen the inside of a washroom in decades.

'Should probably take a shower or something soon. Maybe even a shave...'

But he couldn't very well admit all that in front of Song Yi.

"If you don't like it then leave," Hao Xuan expressionlessly muttered.

She stood up and dragged the chair a few feet away before plopping down with a hard scowl while grumbling to herself.

"Filthy peasant! Probably doesn't even know what water feels like..."

Hao Xuan ignored her entirely to meet Lady Saira's gaze.

"Why don't we start with something simple?" she asked smilingly, "When did you arrive in the city?"

Hao Xuan rejoiced inwardly upon hearing the question.

'She is trying to set up a baseline by asking me things she already knows. Seems I was correct about it being the second type. This should be much easier!'

"Not too long ago. A week or so," he casually responded.

She glanced at the marbles that spun a few times and one of them rolled to the left.

"Hn, good. Then, is your name really Jin?"

Hao Xuan's brow rose, 'Clever girl, but there is no reason for me to hide it.'

"It is one of my names, yes."

They both turned to look at the marbles in unison. More than half of them rolled to the right.

'Huh...that's strange. Did it say I was lying? Or half-lying?'

"Splendid! Then-" she smiled through the veil while gesturing to his chains, "Who is your master?"

Hao Xuan chuckled, "Are you asking who put these chains on me or on whose will I am here?"

This time her brow rose higher, "Hmm, the second one."

"I can't tell you their names but they are powerful, supremely powerful. There is nothing in the abyss that they are not aware of."

Every piece of marble rolled over to the left shocking all three girls to their core.

Lady Saira exchanged a knowing glance with Song Yi, receiving a hesitant nod as a go-ahead.

"Then...did your masters send you here for the chosen one?"

"For Nae Shin?" Hao Xuan was amused when he figured out what they were trying to get at, "No, not at all. I met him by pure coincidence and as they say- the stars aligned. I had nothing to do with him before last night."

"And...now? What is your goal now?"

"Now I must protect him until he is delivered to safety, that is my only goal as far as it pertains to him."

The marbles were on his side, he was telling the truth from what they could tell.

Lady Saira went silent. Hao Xuan could feel something in the air around him. They were communicating with spiritual sense right in front of him and if he so desired he could "tap in" but-

'No need to take risks. It's better if they believe I am no threat.'