Chapter 586: The Ring

Chapter 586: The Ring

Lin Nuo obtained a silver ring on Fenling Street and paired it with Liu Shuqin’s.

All that was left was a standard proposal ceremony—kneeling on one knee to propose.

If it had been in his previous life, he might have been foolish enough to actually do it, whether sincerely or as a joke, just to catch the attention of a pretty girl.

Looking back on his former self now, he found it utterly disgusting.

Even if it would grab a girl’s attention, what good would it do? Others would just think he was a fool.

Though someone as refined as Liu Shuqin wouldn’t say it outright, he could only imagine the snickers hidden in her heart.

As for the silver ring, Lin Nuo reluctantly accepted it, partly due to Liu Shuqin’s strong persuasion, which he found hard to refuse, and partly because upon closer inspection, he sensed there was something intriguing about this seemingly ordinary ring.

He had seen many rings and could distinguish between ordinary jewelry and those with special powers.

However, this one, at first glance, seemed regular; just wearing it on his finger gave him an unsettling instinct that something was off.

Lin Nuo was sensitive to risks—if this ring posed a danger to him, his nerves would tingle. Even without knowing its purpose, he wouldn’t want to take the chance.

After all, as a villain, the protagonist is usually absurdly confident about treasures and such, while Lin Nuo, as a proper villain, remained alert to potential risks.

But he didn’t feel that tension now; presumably, the silver ring was harmless.

He decided to pocket it and study it later.

Looking around, Lin Nuo couldn’t discern the utility of most items; perhaps they had none or perhaps they had different uses.

He was well-read but couldn’t know every item in existence. After all, no one could achieve such a feat, especially when it didn’t relate directly to him—no need to know.

“Junior Martial Brother, please help me put it on.”

Liu Shuqin extended her dainty, smooth, and lovely hand towards Lin Nuo, squinting her eyes as she chuckled softly.

“Forget it; you can wear it yourself.”

“Please help me out; after all, you picked it. I really want you to put it on for me.”

“Do it yourself.”

“Junior Brother, come on, since you’ve picked it out, be a good person and help me put it on.”

Liu Shuqin imitated Ruo’er’s way of acting, tugging at Lin Nuo’s sleeve, her tone a bit flirtatious.

This imitation worked well; it was hard for Lin Nuo to resist her charm, so he reluctantly agreed.

Lin Nuo tried; the ring fit perfectly on Liu Shuqin’s ring finger without any mistake at all.

Though wearing it on the ring finger typically indicates engagement, that was a Western notion and clearly didn’t apply in this spiritual world; she had no idea.

Liu Shuqin was delighted, gazing carefully at the silver ring on her finger, repeatedly moving her fingers as though to showcase the ring.

“Well then, Junior Brother, let me put one on for you too.”

“Come on. Your delicate fingers might fit, but mine definitely won’t. Besides, I don’t often wear accessories, so it’s better just to keep it.”

“Hmm… alright then.”

Liu Shuqin didn’t press the issue; she was grateful that he could put it on for her and wouldn’t push her luck further.

Indeed, this ring fit her perfectly, while Lin Nuo could never wear it.

Well, that’s fine too.

Lin Nuo thought, even if he could wear it, he wouldn’t; he wasn’t engaged, after all—what kind of etiquette would that be?

“Boss, I have a question. Did you make these items yourself, or did you source them?” Lin Nuo asked.

“You don’t need to know that. Just know that everything I sell is genuine; you can trust me.”

The boss said with a knowing smile, wearing a mysterious demeanor that made Lin Nuo’s head hurt.

Did he worry I would steal his business? I was just asking about the source!

Forget it; arguing with him was pointless.

“I’m leaving.”

Lin Nuo stuffed his hands into his pockets, walking out slowly.

Liu Shuqin trailed behind like a devoted wife accompanying her husband; as soon as she saw Lin Nuo leave, she hastened to bow respectfully to the boss before following Lin Nuo’s footsteps out the door.

The boss chuckled lightly, then returned to sit at the counter, picking up a newspaper as if nothing had happened.

After leaving the shop, Lin Nuo planned to wander around elsewhere.

“Junior Brother, wait for me!”

Liu Shuqin rushed up and looped her arm through his.

Lin Nuo: “?? Senior Sister, your hand?”

“My hand! The ring you chose is beautiful; it shines so brightly!”

“…I’m saying, you’re holding my arm in the middle of the street.”

“We are junior brother and sister, very close. What’s the problem?”

“You really don’t mind, do you?”

“I don’t mind. Do you, Junior Brother? Did I embarrass you?”

Liu Shuqin’s words carried a hint of guilt, but they were just words. She knew full well she was giving Lin Nuo a hard time, considering how remarkable a man he was.

Even if it was embarrassing, she had to endure it—thicker skin was necessary; being overly reserved and bashful wasn’t good.

Lin Nuo always thought Liu Shuqin lacked confidence; when they were at Tianling Mountain, he even infused her with some motivational talk. He genuinely hoped she could be more confident. At the very least, she shouldn’t say things that would embarrass someone.

Walking alongside a genius like her definitely made him feel awkward.

“Fine. But I still have to tell you, in terms of embarrassment, you can’t outdo me. I’m a total loser. Anyway, if you don’t mind, I won’t either.”

Lin Nuo was magnanimous and indifferent to details, allowing her to link arms as long as it wasn’t too much.

Suddenly, a black hawk swooped down from the sky, clutching a letter in its beak, landing right in front of Lin Nuo.

Lin Nuo halted, feeling vigilant.

This black hawk…

I wonder if it’s tasty when cooked?

The black hawk’s eyes were a dark red, deep and inscrutable. It stared at Lin Nuo, then slowly opened its beak and spoke:

“Young man, there’s no need to be afraid. I am a wizard from the Evil Bone Sect, and I’m here using this black hawk to deliver a message: Young man, your skills are exceptional; you’ve eliminated two of my most capable followers, which was unexpected.”

Lin Nuo looked at the black hawk coldly, his mind considering how to deal with this situation. However, he refrained from acting, waiting for the hawk to finish.

“You have caught the attention of the Evil Bone Sect. Today, I declare war on you. From now on, you will become a target for our slaughter. Best take care of yourself.”

The black hawk finished its speech, then spread its wings dramatically, creating a fierce gust of wind as it soared into the sky, majestic and graceful, displaying the might of a soaring eagle.

This was a grand black hawk chosen by the Evil Bone Sect, utilized to convey messages through secret methods. Now, the Great Wizard possessed the awareness of the hawk, looking down upon the shattered Huan Tian City, disdainfully surveying all beneath him.

This was a clear warning to Lin Nuo; the imposing presence of the black hawk was surely meant to intimidate him.

You ignorant little punk, soon you shall be annihilated by the Evil Bone Sect, meeting a tragic end in the mortal realm!

Soon, everything you protect will be destroyed!

Soon, you…

Bang!

The Great Wizard suddenly felt dizzy, and then the black hawk fell from the sky.