Chapter 0: The Incident at Flowerless Palace (12)
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Under the starry night,
two shadows zipped through the air, one following the other, braving the increasingly chilly eastern wind as they pressed onward.
Sitting cross-legged on her flying sword, Luo Ying was “gulping” down some booze while steering the sword’s direction.
“Want a sip?” Luo Ying asked.
Behind her, Lin Nan, nearly curled up from the cold wind, thought for a moment and took the wine jug from her.
“You don’t mind?”
Just being cautious, he asked again.
Luo Ying smiled, “No, sharing fine wine is the best ritual for praying to win battles. During our days in Half Moon City, Bai Tao and I often did this.
Countless monsters have perished at our hands, yet here we are, still standing.”
Once a person starts boozing, they can’t help but chat more – and Luo Ying was no exception.
As Lin Nan poured the fiery liquid down his throat, he listened to Luo Ying reminisce about their battle days in Half Moon City.
After spending a day together,
the air between Lin Nan and Luo Ying seemed a bit less awkward than at first.
As he handed back the wine jug to Luo Ying,
she let out a loud belch and suddenly asked, “So, did you think I was joking when I said I’d help you with three things?”
Lin Nan replied, “Not at all. I know you’re serious.”
Luo Ying chuckled, “This is my first time making such a promise to anyone. Don’t underestimate my determination—at least within Heavenly Sword Sect, whatever you want, I’ll help you get it.
For example, aside from the Dark Light Sword I have, in the secret chamber, there’s another diamond-grade weapon of the same caliber. If you want it, I can figure out a way to get it for you.”
Lin Nan nodded, “I understand.”
“No, you don’t understand.
I know more about the situation at Flowerless Palace than you do, and I have a better grasp of Bai Tao’s abilities than you think.
Now that Bai Tao is back in charge of Flowerless Palace, she’ll treasure this opportunity. She’ll definitely be cautious in dealing with the remnants left by the Great Palace Master. Why would she easily trust Fatty’s reckless suggestions?”
Lin Nan, “….”
“You really can’t see through Fatty’s plans, can you?
Since the first day on the island, I noticed that guy was eyeing Bai Tao in a strange way. Later, he stayed voluntarily at Flowerless Palace just to boost his presence in front of her.
So, do you think it’s really necessary for us to make a special trip back to Flowerless Palace?
It’s just a way to give Fatty a little face, showing that I, Luo Ying, value him, thereby elevating his status in Bai Tao’s eyes.”
Lin Nan replied coolly, “So, you think asking you to assist me in a trip to Flowerless Palace and counting it as one of the three things you’re doing for me is too easy?”
“Isn’t it?”
The red blush from the wine still lingered on Luo Ying’s cheeks.
“For you, it’s wasting a precious opportunity. Are you really willing to stick to it?”
Lin Nan’s expression turned colder, “Luo Ying, you’re mistaken.
Do you think I care?
Honestly, I could handle the Flowerless Palace matter by myself.
Bringing you along was just a side note.
After all, it was you who offered to help me with three things. Did I ever make any requests?
If it weren’t for your genuine feelings for him, why would I agree to your request?”
Lin Nan’s series of counter-questions made Luo Ying frown. She quickly turned around, their gazes crashing together.
In that instant, Luo Ying sobered up; she realized that the soul residing within Lin Nan wasn’t the usual second personality who always pampered her and treated her as the most important person.
He was merely an uninvited spirit with no known origin.
Yet his aura was strong, almost like a wise old man who had lived for at least a few hundred years.
“I’m going to Flowerless Palace because I once had a delightful and unforgettable experience with Fatty, and I don’t want to give up on him. If you don’t want to accompany me, you can just turn around and leave right now.”
Luo Ying continued coldly, “Do you think I, Luo Ying, am someone who goes back on my word? Since I’ve promised, I’ll stay with you till the end.
However, I want to make a bet with you.”
Lin Nan gave her a skeptical look, “Go on.”
“Since you trust Fatty so much, let’s bet. Even if Flowerless Palace is indeed caught in Ji Shen’s conspiracy as Fatty claims, as long as I successfully reunite with Bai Tao and the Great Palace Master is no longer around, those remaining forces won’t stand a chance against us. It’ll be over in three days tops.”
Lin Nan asked, “So, what’s the wager?”
“If what I said is true and the problem is resolved within three days, you’ll immediately leave his body, never to return.”
“Sure, but what if you lose?”
Luo Ying smiled, “During this three-year period, I’ll be at your beck and call; however, if your requests go against the interests of Heavenly Sword Sect or the Human Race, I can refuse.”
Lin Nan shrugged, “No matter how you look at it, it seems like you’re the one getting the better end of this deal.”
“It all depends on whether you’re willing to gamble.”
“I agree. Adding a little betting stakes to this trip doesn’t sound bad at all.”
“However, during this time, you must fully obey my commands; no acting on your own.” Luo Ying added.
“Alright, once three days pass without a resolution, I’ll take the reins, and you’ll also have to follow my arrangements unconditionally.”
“Deal!”
They slapped hands to seal the agreement.
In Lin Nan’s view, if things could wrap up that quickly, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Better safe than sorry was the best outcome.
He merely felt uneasy, seeing how confident Luo Ying was and how little she seemed to regard Ji Shen.
Certainly, if this gamble could make Luo Ying realize that she and he were on different levels and that she should obey him in the future, that wouldn’t be too shabby either.
…
When diving from a height, posture is crucial.
If a diver’s head hits the water first, it could result in a nasty concussion or even shatter the skull, leading to immediate d*ath.
So, even with serious injuries, the water-savvy Fatty, upon discovering that he was above a choppy sea, instinctively spun around and aimed his feet toward the ocean.
He didn’t want to d*e! He couldn’t d*e!
“Splash!”
With Fatty’s weight hitting the water, it almost created a splash nearly two meters high.
“Glub glub…”
Fatty plunged nearly five to six meters below sea level, the arrow wound on his back sending sharp pains through him, but it quickly relieved the dizziness from the impact of entering the water.
Luckily, the system interface had returned to normal; as long as he could float to the surface, he could drink the red potion to keep replenishing his strength.
Twenty minutes later.
Having confirmed Fatty’s location through private messages, Lin Nan and Luo Ying quickly flew toward him.
When Fatty, desperately flailing in the water to keep his balance, caught sight of the familiar faces of Luo Ying and Lin Nan, he instantly burst into tears.
“Waaah! Master Sister, Brother, I really missed you guys so much!”
At that moment, Fatty looked utterly pitiful, his clothes in tatters and bl**d oozing from numerous wounds all over his body.
To make matters worse, he had two arrows deeply embedded in his back.
If it weren’t for Fatty’s tough skin and meat, those arrows would’ve likely pierced right through him by now. How else could he have survived this long?
…..
PS: Dear readers, throw in some votes and save the kid!
