Alibuda Era Festival 22

High Priest Bernanke of Solancia was an elf who was very friendly to me. We were kindred spirits and shared similar interests. If we had met in a different time and place, we might have become good drinking buddies.
At first, I found it hard to understand. Having traveled the world for many years, I've seen all sorts of corrupt officials and incompetent scoundrels. I've seen far too many foolish and useless nobles and high-ranking officials. To be honest, shamelessness and incompetence are their true colors, nothing to be surprised about. If the situation were reversed, that would truly frighten me.
I've seen many incompetent and foolish high-ranking officials, but incompetence to the extent of Bernanke is truly astounding. Leaving aside Mao Yan'an, this old man is arguably the most depraved and shameless person I've ever seen. It's not hard for someone to be thick-skinned, but to be this thick-skinned is something most people can do.
However, no matter how depraved and shameless he is, my years of experience in the underworld have taught me that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Even if there's a free late-night snack, the dinner will definitely be expensive. If someone holds a high position without corresponding strength, let alone sitting in that position for more than ten years, it's impossible for them to even stay in it for more than ten days. For example, Leng Qiji was able to be king for decades. He seemed incompetent, but at least he had the "ability" to keep his subordinates loyal and prevent them from rebelling. In the early days, he had his perverted father, and later he had Leng Linglan. If someone else had taken his position, they would have been killed by his perverted father and Leng Linglan long ago.
No matter how incompetent Bernanke was, he had still been the High Priest of Solancia for hundreds of years. Even if his combat abilities had decayed with age, he must still possess some formidable qualities. Otherwise… I don't believe there's no power struggle in the elven world; this old man would have long since become someone else's stepping stone. No matter how foolish someone may appear, never underestimate the abilities of a survivor—that's something I've always believed.
I didn't dare underestimate the High Priest, maintaining a degree of caution, but this caution slowly transformed into admiration. It's somewhat laughable, but after spending this time with him, I genuinely admire this old man.
Judging solely from his behavior, the High Priest was an incompetent and shameless lecherous old man. Leaving aside his incompetence, it's truly remarkable for someone to be so shameless; I certainly couldn't.
Most people probably think shamelessness is easy—just bury your conscience. But conscience, shame, and a sense of right and wrong are values built up over a lifetime. It's not difficult to be shameless once, but to do it consistently for a long time, without feeling lost or pained when alone in the dead of night, is incredibly difficult.
Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night with a strange emptiness, a questioning of my reality and my values. I'm certain many existing beliefs in this world don't suit me, but I'm unsure what the outcome of my current path will be. I believe many people feel this way, because it's simply human nature.
Bernanke's lewd and shameless behavior is incomprehensible. He's not just lustful; he treats everything as naturally as breathing and drinking. He
openly engages in sexual intercourse in front of over a hundred people—something we find shameful, but he doesn't seem to care. As a high priest, he fawns over everyone for a few aphrodisiac recipes; I don't think he needs to go to such lengths, but he doesn't seem to care.
Elves are a noble race, and their restraint regarding etiquette and morality surpasses that of humans, but this old man Bernanke… let alone elves, there are probably few humans who can compare to him. I increasingly feel that he's not shameless, but rather… "uninhibited."
Morality. Shame—he doesn't care about any of that, not even status or position. He cared nothing for dignity; it seemed as if the old man had no constraints, nothing could restrain him. To us, his high position and shameless debauchery were a living joke of Solancia, but if the ideas we valued and found amusing were meaningless to him, then who was the one being laughed at? Was it him, or us?
These thoughts had occasionally flashed through my mind recently, without much deep consideration, but today this situation changed because I encountered a crucial problem.
I had previously made an agreement with the High Priest to have him hand over the beautiful bodyguards Prince Lehman had assigned to me, so I could have my way with them a few times and take advantage of them. In truth, given our current situation, proceeding cautiously and treading on thin ice, we have no inclination for seeking pleasure or women. The reason I made this request is solely for the sake of the brainwashed Bianca.
Bianca has been modified, strengthened, and brainwashed, becoming a trump card in Lehman's hands. Even Lunfer suffered greatly because of her. If I could understand Lehman's methods through Bianca, and even counter-control her, it would be extremely beneficial to me.
The High Priest kept his word. After accepting the beautiful sex slave I offered, he indeed made a request to Lehman to send Bianca over.
Thinking back to Lhasa, when I forcibly ejaculated on Bianca's face, spraying into her small mouth, seeing her expression of sorrow and anger as she desperately held back her tears—it was the greatest act of desecration. Even now, recalling it still excites me immensely.
In contrast, Bianca is a completely different story now. After Prince Rayman's modifications, she still retains her elven features: a beautiful face, a slender figure, and striking pointed elven ears. However, the spiral horn on her head seems to be the result of transplanted genes from another creature, which has also made her figure more shapely, with a well-endowed bust.
Noticing this, I wasn't in a bad mood. Although Bianca wasn't exactly my type, I was going to do it anyway. Sleeping with a beautiful elven girl was better than sleeping with an old, ugly, middle-aged fat woman.
"Damn it, that bitch attacked us a while ago, giving us enough trouble. Now that she's in my hands, I'll make sure she screams for death."
Excited by my thoughts, I became a little carried away and started muttering to myself. These words wouldn't normally matter, and no one else would care, but Leng Linglan was standing next to me. Her expression immediately changed when she heard me say this.
"If you're really capable, then use your own strength to capture her. Sending someone here for you to rape like this isn't heroic,"
Leng Linglan said calmly, completely unaware of the glaring flaw in her words. So, capturing and raping someone with one's own abilities is heroic? However, at this point, Leng Linglan's expression changed again, and she looked at me as if I were something disgusting. She asked in a low voice,
"You...you wouldn't have said this about me behind my back before, would you?"
It was an awkward question, especially given our current relationship, and it was particularly difficult to answer. I could only say evasively, "Which of your previous enemies, if they were men, hadn't said this?"
Upon hearing this, Leng Linglan glared at me angrily. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly shuddered, revealing an incredulous look of astonishment. I knew something was wrong and followed her gaze. I saw that there was another person behind Bianca, following her into the tent.
Bianca wasn't alone, which surprised me somewhat. The person who followed her in was a human woman, completely shrouded in black robes and veils, her face obscured. I almost mistook her for the old hag.
This woman carried a staff and was a mage; faint magical fluctuations emanated from her, suggesting considerable power. I quickly remembered that she was the female mage who helped Rayman cast "Howling Wind" that night during his attack on the canyon.
To be able to cast ultimate magic, her cultivation was extraordinary. I was astonished at the time that Rayman had such a person by his side. Now, seeing her up close, the astonishment only intensifies. I can't understand why Lehman would send someone like this, nor can I fathom why I feel a strange familiarity with her.
(Strange, why does she look so familiar? Is she someone I've wronged? Or have we met before? But I've never seen such a powerful female mage here, nor can I even recall anyone like her. Whether it's Alibuda, Ishtar, or the Plantagenet Federation, when did the human camp produce such an outstanding woman?)
I racked my brains, but my mind was completely blank; I couldn't find a single clue. Just then, the High Priest came over and whispered in my ear, "Not bad, right? The Third Prince sent two beautiful guards over. You can handle this one, and you can keep the other one yourself."
It was safer to have the High Priest make contact with the dangerous person first. I could still get a lot of information by subtly inquiring afterward. Logically, it was the best arrangement. But for some reason, after hearing the High Priest say that, I suddenly felt a sense of fear. It was as if I couldn't let this happen no matter what. My heart was clenched tightly, and in just a few seconds, I even broke out in a cold sweat.
At that moment, that strange sense of familiarity became the source of my tension. I increasingly felt that I should have seen this woman before, and even knew her well. However, whenever I tried to see her features clearly and confirm her identity, my vision became blurry. I couldn't see clearly, as if I knew deep down that if I saw her clearly, certain things I didn't want to face would be laid bare before me, leaving me with no way out.
(What is this sense of pressure? It's different from the pressure I feel when facing a master. Who could give me this kind of pressure? Strange, I...)
If I had a choice, I really wanted to turn around and run out of the tent immediately, but that was impossible right now. So I stood there, watching the woman lift her hood, revealing her face underneath.
Indeed, it was a face I knew all too well, though its expression was completely foreign to me…
In an instant, a "boom" rang in my mind, blasting all my thoughts to smithereens. There was no way I wouldn't recognize the face before me; even if the expression had changed, it was undeniably Ah Xue's face… or rather, Tianhe Xueqiong's face.
My gaze moved down from my face, past my neck, to my shoulders, and finally to my chest. Concealed by black clothing, my large, round breasts rose and fell with my breath, threatening to burst forth at any moment. Such enormous breasts were the best proof of my identity; if the super-breast connoisseur, Xin Jian Shen Ni, were here, she would surely nod in agreement with my judgment immediately.
In my confused state, I couldn't easily believe this fact, but everything before me was undeniable. Fox ears. Animal fur—all those obvious features had vanished. This woman was 100% human. Even if I didn't want to admit it, Leng Linglan's exclamation easily shattered my denial.
"...Xue Qiong?"
Tianhe Xue Qiong was the Holy Maiden of the Palace of Light, and she and Leng Linglan were very close. Although Tianhe Xue Qiong followed the Heart Sword Goddess and cultivated on a solitary peak for many years, avoiding contact with outsiders, she and Leng Linglan were both the most outstanding female disciples of the Cihang Jingdian in this generation. They admired and respected each other, naturally becoming friends and one of each other's few close friends. Others might not recognize Tianhe Xue Qiong, but Leng Linglan certainly wouldn't mistake her.
Knowing this fact clearly, my heart sank. Seeing Leng Linglan lose control and take a large step forward, I wanted to stop her, but I was a step too late.
"Xue Qiong? You're Xue Qiong, are
n't you?" Upon seeing her old friend, Leng Linglan was overjoyed and stepped towards Tianhe Xue Qiong, her hand directly pressing down on her shoulder. Although it wasn't a hostile move, a master's move was second nature. With this strike, the area covered by her five fingers enveloped the entire shoulder and neck.
In response to this crisis, Tianhe Xueqiong reacted instantly. Before Leng Linglan's palm could land, a black aura suddenly emerged from Tianhe Xueqiong's shoulder, like mist and clouds. It seemed to be some kind of protective spell that corroded flesh and blood. Leng Linglan recognized its power and quickly withdrew her hand with a flick of her wrist. Unexpectedly, the black aura was drawn in and coiled around Leng Linglan's palm. If she were touched by the black aura, she would not be able to escape unharmed. At this point, it was impossible not to reveal her true skills.
"Hoo!"
Leng Linglan shouted, releasing her energy. The pure yang righteous energy of the Cihang Jingdian lineage resonated, colliding with the black aura that was coiling around her wrist. The yang prevailed over the yin, and the black aura dissipated and vanished. As soon as the black mist dissipated, before Leng Linglan could even catch her breath, a staff came hurtling towards her. Leng Linglan parried with her bare hands, a look of astonishment on her face, clearly indicating that the force of the staff was beyond her expectations.
A mage's entire energy is converted into magic power, so it's unlikely that they would have great strength, unless they are a rare exception
or using a divine artifact that can convert magic power into strikes. Caught off guard, Leng Linglan suffered a sudden setback, but she changed her move with lightning speed. When she retaliated a second time, she contained a sharp blade of energy within her strike, clashing with the staff and creating a deafening explosion.
These summons and decrees happened very quickly. The two immense forces collided, and both Leng Linglan and Tianhe Xueqiong were thrown back. Bianca, standing nearby, dodged, trying to seize the opportunity to attack Leng Linglan, but I was already prepared. I pulled the trigger of the Demon-Slaying Spear, firing a shot. Bianca retreated and dodged, and although I missed, it prevented her from attacking again.
Leng Linglan had just regained her footing and was about to lunge forward again when I placed a hand on her shoulder and shook my head at her, stopping her from making a rash move. At this moment, the High Priest seemed to have just recovered from her shock and started shouting.
"W-what's going on? What's happening here? Let's talk this out, why are you fighting?"
The high priest looked at me and said, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy because of a fight over a woman? Women are everywhere, there's no need to fight over them."
Leng Linglan's male attire led the high priest to mistake her gender, interpreting her actions as a fight over a woman, which I found somewhat amusing, especially when the high priest came to my side and whispered to me.
"Hey, bro, you're going too far! Didn't we agree you'd only get one woman? Why did you bring another one? If you want to do group sex, you should at least tell me so I can prepare!" "
...Prepare what?"
"Even if you don't prepare any props or drugs, at least change into some pants that are easier to take off, or just don't wear pants at all. That way, it'll be easier to pounce on you and get the better of you young guys." "
...God, meeting you, I really have no choice but to give in."
I also have to thank the High Priest; his blunt words eased my tension and allowed me to think rationally.
The situation was clear. Although there are people in the world with similar faces, this kind of appearance, this kind of huge breasts... Such dark magic, and a woman who possesses all three of these qualities, could only be Tianhe Xueqiong.
The coffin being taken by Bianca, and Tianhe Xueqiong appearing here—the changes in between are, of course, Rayman's doing. However, his strength and methods far exceed my expectations; if I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes, I would truly find it unbelievable.
The terrifying energy within Xueqiong's body has reached a point where no one on the Loess Plateau can cure it. The experts of Cihang Jingdian and Ishtar are all helpless. Even a master like Bai Laden can only propose a solution using the Earth's Secondary Core, unable to personally treat her. Looking at Tianhe Xueqiong's current state—unimpeded movement and the ability to use magic—it's clear that Rayman has indeed resolved her internal problems. And since he didn't use the Heart of the Earth, the power involved is truly astonishing.
Furthermore, when Tianhe Xueqiong fell into the hands of the Black Dragon Society and underwent brutal physical modification, becoming half-human and half-beast, I've devoted years to research and consulted countless professionals, yet I couldn't find a solution. Everyone believed it was an irreversible and destructive modification, with virtually no hope of restoration. But now, I'm witnessing an impossible reality: her half-beast body has returned to its original form, she's back to human! It's like a nightmare returning; I can hardly believe it's true.
"I can repay you, but you might not be able to accept it."
Lehman's words before he left still echoed in my ears, but I never expected them to be presented in this form. I'm so angry I could grind my teeth.
Looking at Tianhe Xueqiong's expression, although she was a little more humane than Bianca, she wasn't much better. It was obvious that her mind was being manipulated. In other words, she was a puppet who had lost her self. After all, Lehman had rescued and transformed her to control her as a subordinate. There was no reason for him to give her a sound mind that she couldn't control.
This is good for me too, at least Tianhe Xueqiong won't recognize me or remember what happened, saving her from coming after me immediately.
(But, about me and Xueqiong...)
Thinking of Xueqiong, I suddenly felt an unbearable pain in my chest, almost tearing it apart. I almost showed it on my face, but I remembered the situation and forced myself to endure it. I put on a lewd smile, pulled the high priest aside, and whispered to him.
"Brother, putting everything else aside, something big has happened. Do you know who this black-clad magician is?"
"...God knows, apparently a new human assistant recruited by Lehman, paid for by the government."
"What's her name? Didn't she introduce herself when she was sent?"
"Hmm? How do you know her name? I haven't even mentioned it, and you already know."
"Never mind that. Let me tell you, this woman is very problematic, don't touch her."
"Why? Is she rotten down there? Or does she have a serious STD?"
"It's even worse than that! Do you know who this woman is? She's Tianhe Xueqiong, the Holy Maiden of the Temple of Light!"
I said seriously, "The Holy Maiden of the Cihang Temple. She was supposed to be traveling overseas to broaden her horizons, and upon her return, she was likely to take over an important position in the temple, perhaps even becoming the next ruler. How did she end up here? And looking like a sex slave?"
"What? This woman is the Holy Maiden of the Cihang Temple?... This is a huge problem!"
The High Priest was utterly shocked. Although the doctrines preached by the deities served by the Cihang Temple were completely unrelated to the elven world, the Cihang Temple's influence in the human world was not to be underestimated. Unless Solancia wanted to offend all of humanity, she couldn't possibly ignore the power of the Cihang Temple.
"Is it really the Holy Maiden of the Cihang Temple? You can't be mistaken, can you?"
"It's absolutely true. Even if I were to mistake her, my subordinate, who used to be the Holy Maiden's guard, would never be wrong. If word gets out that you've brought the Holy Maiden of the Temple of Light under your command, it won't just become an international issue; it could even start a war."
I spoke cautiously, deliberately feigning a terrified expression, hoping to intimidate the High Priest and make him understand the seriousness of the matter. To my surprise, the guy's face slowly lit up with joy, as if he had heard some great news. He even grabbed my hand and said excitedly, "Great! I didn't expect Lehman to actually send such a wonderful gift. I've been trying to sleep with my own clan's elven saintess, but I've never slept with a human saintess. Lehman's gift is really thoughtful. Brother, you take your girl back and have some fun. I'm going to enjoy myself right here."
"Hey, wait, I just said..."
"Wait for what? What's there to wait for? Don't tell me... you want a piece of the pie too?"
At this point, the high priest seemed afraid that I would steal his woman. He took two steps back and looked me up and down.
"It was all agreed before. You were to take Bianca back to do it. Now that Bianca is here, this other one should belong to me. You can have her if you want, but you'll have to wait in line. At least you have to wait until I've done it once... no, at least one night before I can give her to you. Cutting in line is absolutely non-negotiable."
The High Priest spoke these words very seriously. Leng Linglan, who was standing next to him, was so angry that her face turned purple, and she almost attacked again.
I gave Leng Linglan a look, signaling her not to act rashly and to try to solve the problem myself, but I knew it wouldn't be easy.
(Damn it, how can this old man be so inconsiderate? It's one thing to be lecherous and cause trouble, but he doesn't even care about the war! Solancia is truly cursed to have such a high priest. Sigh… What does Solancia's fate
have to do with me? The problem is, this means Ah Xue is going to be raped… Damn it, even if I have to turn against him immediately, I can't let Ah Xue be raped by that old lecher.) I've made up my mind, but I'm still clueless about how to maintain that mindset. I tried to persuade Da… The priest hoped he would prioritize the well-being of all people and not drag the spirits of Solancia into the war for his own selfish desires. However, the priest looked surprised and said that he was known throughout the world for his selfishness and how could he say such a shameful thing? He also said that Master Xin Chan of Cihang Jingdian was kind and compassionate and more afraid of war between the two countries and the suffering of the people than anyone else. He said that as long as an envoy was sent to explain to Master Xin Chan and some exchange of benefits was made, he would definitely not start a war for a saintess.
(Damn, I have to admit that the old lecher has some skill; he's pretty good at judging people. Master Xin Chan wouldn't abandon someone for the sake of exchanging benefits, but when it comes to the well-being of the people, he'll most likely compromise. The old lecher has a way with people; if I were in his shoes, this would be the only way I could do.)
I glanced sideways and saw Leng Linglan's expression change slightly; she seemed to have the same thought as me. But if things were to be swept under the rug like this, we'd be in trouble. So I started to spread alarmist rumors, saying that Lehman had sent this hot potato with ulterior motives and a hidden agenda. If we just took advantage of him without thinking, we might suffer a huge loss.
Having said all that, I should have been more cautious, but the High Priest still brazenly declared, "What does it matter? I'm the one doing the work, we'll all share the blame. This kind of deal is profitable no matter how you do it, I'm not losing out."
Hearing this, I was so angry I wanted to kick this old lecher to the ground, but in this situation, I couldn't afford to lose my temper and take action. The High Priest, oblivious to my anger, was still leering at Tianhe Xueqiong's plump, white breasts with lustful eyes, greedily rubbing his hands together, saying that since she was a saintess, she must be a virgin. This was a huge bargain; he was actually able to deflower a human saintess.
(A virgin? Right, Xue hasn't lost her virginity yet, this plan can work.)
A thought flashed through my mind, and I deliberately dragged out my voice, frowning as I said, "As far as I know, saintesses in the human world are protected by a sacred chastity-locking spell. If this seal is still in place, it probably won't be so easy for you to break your virginity, and you might even suffer a great loss."
"Ah! I didn't think of that!"
The high priest exclaimed in surprise, his expression becoming uncertain. I was relieved that the plan had worked, but then I saw the high priest's gloomy expression quickly change, soon turning into a smile, and I secretly thought to myself that something was wrong.
This old lecher must have realized that forcibly breaking a virginity under the holy curse is quite risky, and could even backfire. If his manhood is damaged, he won't be able to sleep with other women in the future, which is too much of a loss. But if one way doesn't work, there's another. Even if he can't penetrate the saintess's virginity, being able to open her anus isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Ordinary people don't think that fast, but... this time I've encountered someone completely like me. He can think of everything I'm thinking of. I can't gain any advantage, and I can't gain the upper hand. Just when things seemed beyond saving, I suddenly noticed something strange in the high priest's eyes. He seemed to be expecting me to say something. At that moment, I was completely at a loss for words. What he was expecting was...?
Then I realized how foolish I had been. I had forgotten the crux of the matter. At the same time, I glared at the high priest with hatred. This despicable and shameless old man was willing to disregard the lives and well-being of his own people in order to force me to make a deal. He was utterly shameless.
"Hey, brother, I know you never come away empty-handed. If you can't get your hands on a woman, you always try to get something out of her. This shouldn't have been my problem, but I happen to have some connections with the Cihang Jingdian Temple. Seeing you do this to their Holy Maiden, I can't stand it. Why don't you name your terms? How can you return this woman?"
"Brother, that's getting to the point! Stop talking about all that stuff about living beings and common people. What does that have to do with me? If it's any of your business, it'll only concern those idiots like Zen. Now this piece of meat has fallen right in front of me. If you want to take it, I can't abandon my brotherly duty—a hero should help others achieve their goals, right? But you can't take it all! You have to leave something behind, otherwise… wouldn't you be the one lacking loyalty?"
That's utter nonsense. This is the first time I've ever heard of a hero putting loyalty before righteousness. It's a curse that Solancia has produced such a religious leader. But I have no way to refute him now, so I can only go along with it and see what he wants.
"Haha, a beauty like jade, of course I wouldn't ask you to exchange gold and silver treasures for her, that's too vulgar... Besides, I don't lack those things."
The high priest glanced at me, then looked at Leng Linglan, and said, "Actually, it's just about finding a cave, what's the big deal? I'm not that picky, brother. To be honest, my tastes in this area are all-encompassing, young and old alike. To put it bluntly, as long as someone is handsome, gender is not an obstacle, race is not a problem. Hehe, your attendant is quite handsome too. How about I take a loss and exchange the saintess for your attendant, let him keep me company for the night, how about that?"
◆ Chapter Two: Old Love Like a Dream. Throughout my life, I've inevitably
faced numerous difficult choices and traded interests with others, but none have ever left me so stunned. This old lecher is truly a cunning fox; not content with just devouring me, a female reporter, he's now setting his sights on the person beside me.
Compared to Ah Xue's worth, there's not much I'd be reluctant to part with. However, the target the High Priest casually pointed to is far too special. From any perspective, Leng Linglan is not a woman I can casually trade.
Highly skilled in martial arts and proud, how could Leng Linglan possibly treat herself as a bargaining chip? I knew from the beginning that this was impossible, but being direct wouldn't be appropriate. In my panic, I could only try to find excuses, and because I was so flustered, my words of refusal were exceptionally clumsy.
"Huh? You want my follower? Well... if you're interested, then he's certainly lucky. But, um... I don't know what you're planning to do. I mean, are you going to sleep with him? Or are you going to let him sleep with you? If it's the latter, there might be a lot of obstacles, after all..."
I was rambling on and on, but the High Priest seemed to have been enlightened and exclaimed, "Ah!" He frowned and started thinking seriously, making this absurd situation even more ridiculous. At that moment, I was surprised to find that I was actually so unwilling to trade Leng Linglan.
This fleeting thought didn't have time to linger, because the situation descended into chaos once more. This time, it wasn't due to changes inside the tent, but rather to a commotion outside, as if under attack, with soldiers fleeing and fires raging.
The regular army of Solancia was on its own soil; there was no way they would face enemy attacks or encounter bandits. The only possible target I could think of was our group.
(Could it be that because we haven't returned in time, the old hag is worried something's wrong and has resorted to kidnapping and teaching people a lesson? But... how could that be? She wouldn't care about anyone's life or death.)
I felt something was strange, but the enemy attack came so quickly. The riot that was still quite far away suddenly arrived nearby. The enemy's strength seemed considerable, but I didn't know which side they were.
Bianca and Tianhe Xueqiong hadn't received any orders and remained standing still, showing no intention of going out to deal with it. On the contrary, the high priest looked panicked and kept shouting for someone to protect the carriage.
"What...what's going on? Why would someone attack like this out of the blue? When did the security in our country become so bad?"
The High Priest exclaimed, and then a sudden change occurred. A pressure suddenly came from the right side of the tent. The enemy had silently approached so close. Before we could react, the enemy struck first, the tent shattered instantly, and three cold lights shot out almost simultaneously, penetrating the tent. The target was none other than the High Priest.
To be honest, this kind of experience was truly rare. I was there, yet the target of the assassination was someone else. I hadn't encountered anything like this in a long time. After all, there aren't many beings in this world more detestable than me. Seeing the High Priest being assassinated really shocked me.
Judging from their force and speed, these three attacks were launched from a crossbow, incredibly powerful and moving at a speed too fast for the naked eye to see. I couldn't discern what the cold light was formed from; in the blink of an eye, they were upon the High Priest, striking his head, throat, and chest—all vital points, intent on killing him. Judging from the situation, unless someone intervened, the old lecher's time to unleash his full wickedness was about to come.
However, we had all forgotten one thing, something very important. An elder who had served as the High Priest of the Elves for hundreds of years, standing firm across generations—such a figure was not easily defeated. If such attacks could kill him, Bernanke would not have existed centuries ago.
The three points of cold light, poised to strike and take my life, suddenly slowed down. I could see clearly that the cold light was composed of silver shuttles the size of a little finger, their brilliance flowing, and they mostly carried special attribute damage. They were very high-level magical weapons; being hit by one was no joke.
Such an attack could be intercepted by a master of Leng Linglan's caliber with sword energy, but with the silver shuttles at such close range, sword energy would likely be unable to block them. They could only rely on their protective true energy to block them head-on, a last resort, and could never achieve the miraculous effect they were seeing now.
The three silver shuttles slowed down, not stopping, but moving forward at an extremely slow pace. The tips of the shuttles had already touched the high priest's robes, only a few inches away from hitting his body. However, this extremely short distance felt like an insurmountable gap. The closer the shuttles got, the slower they flew. They were so close, yet they just couldn't reach him.
The incredibly magical effect was a perfect mastery of "space," breathtaking and a feat that could only be achieved by cultivating magic to its peak. At the same time as the shuttles' speed was slowed down, the high priest's body also underwent a mysterious change.
Right before our eyes, the high priest's colors rapidly faded, transforming from vibrant hues to transparency, until only a blurry silhouette remained, like a humanoid figure formed from solidified water, indistinct and unclear. Having transformed into this strange form, the three silver shuttles resumed their normal firing rate, piercing through the high priest's body in the blink of an eye, their momentum continuing as they passed through the other end of the tent.
"Hoo!"
Exhaling a breath of stale air, the High Priest's figure returned to normal. His forehead, throat, and chest, where the silver shuttle had pierced him, were completely unharmed. At this point, Leng Linglan and I were utterly dumbfounded. If we hadn't seen it with our own eyes, we would never have imagined that this old lecher possessed such extraordinary abilities. If that divine power had come from the Black Dragon King, it wouldn't be surprising, but…
in any case, we had finally witnessed the power of High Priest Solancia firsthand. He truly deserved to be the chief elder of the elven race's magic lineage, passed down for hundreds of years. Leng Linglan and I exchanged a glance, our eyes reflecting shock and shame.
The curtain on the right side of the tent was torn, and we could see the "enemy" who had fired the silver shuttle. I had previously felt that the Silver Shuttle's flight force was too strong, definitely not made of flesh and blood. Now, this hypothesis has been confirmed. The object that entered the camp to pursue was neither stone nor wood; its entire body was composed of shimmering, unusual metals and minerals. It was a magical mecha, simple in construction, yet its core emanated a powerful energy. It had
a huge head and chest, and limbs that were thin and frail, seemingly fragile and easily broken. Yet, it would emit a blue light like ice crystals one moment, and then transform into flames the next, undergoing violent energy conversions. In these conversions, it would unleash tremendous power. It was a combat mecha intended for single use only.
These mechs, due to the imbalance between their energy and their structure, have an extremely short lifespan, but the power they unleash before self-destruction is formidable and should not be underestimated. If they were equipped with some kind of divine artifact, they would be even more powerful. The fact that they could deploy such magical devices indicates that the enemy is indeed strong; no wonder there's such chaos outside. Although we have no reason to act as the elves' bodyguards, it wouldn't be right to stand idly by. Leng Linglan moved a few steps, standing between the high priest and the magical mechs, acting as their protector.
Bianca, who had been stunned, suddenly moved, bravely charging towards the magical puppet to perform her protective duties; Tianhe Xueqiong also chanted incantations to assist in the attack. My eyes were fixed on Tianhe Xueqiong, but then I heard a "whoosh" behind me. The High Priest collapsed to his knees, spitting out a mouthful of blood that stained his white beard and robes.
"Uh, brother, what happened to you..."
Before I could finish my question, the High Priest waved his hand at me, as if to indicate that he was alright. But as soon as he moved his hand, he coughed up another mouthful of blood, clearly indicating that his injury was quite serious.
The silver shuttle hadn't hurt the High Priest at all, and there was no reason for him to be so badly injured and coughing up blood. This injury must have come from his use of magic. In other words, he might have some hidden illness or injury, or perhaps he was cursed so that any use of magic would trigger his injury. No wonder that this dignified High Priest never seemed to have any magical skill; he appeared as useless as a cleaning lady.
Seeing the High Priest injured and kneeling, I unconsciously became anxious. After all, I had been eating and taking from him all this time, and I was naturally concerned when he was in trouble. But before I could act, I heard Leng Linglan cry out in alarm.
"Watch out!"
I glanced to the side and saw that the magic puppet had fired a silver shuttle at me. In the chaos, I didn't have time to dodge, but I saw Leng Linglan flash by, her hand sweeping across, her blade energy cutting through the silver shuttle. At the same time, Tianhe Xueqiong's black magic attack struck the puppet. The magic puppet was instantly drained of its energy, its core dimmed, its entire body decayed and collapsed.
"Ouch!"
A sharp pain shot through my chest. I stared blankly at the half-splitter of the silver shuttle embedded in my skin. Although Leng Linglan had cut the shuttle in two, its momentum was still strong, and the first half had still struck me. For a moment, I couldn't say anything. I could only stare at my chest before helplessly collapsing and losing consciousness.
I didn't wake up until several hours later. Since the half-splitter had only been propelled by the remaining force, its power was weak, and I only suffered minor cuts and bruises. Hua Gengsha gave me a simple treatment and that was it.
Honestly, with someone as talented as Hua Gengsha around, I wouldn't be worried even if the injury were ten times worse. Let alone a silver shuttle piercing my chest, even if it went straight through and shattered my heart, I believe Hua Gengsha could handle it. In comparison, I'm more worried about waking up to find myself turned into a zombie or monster by this despicable doctor. That kind of treatment would be worse than death.
This inexplicable attack, the entire incident, was shrouded in mystery from beginning to end; the attackers' identities remained completely unclear.
Normally, if the identity of an assassin is unclear, it's usually because they can't be caught, or all the assassins are dead and can't be interrogated. But this time, the "assassins" who launched the attack weren't human, or even living beings, but just magically powered puppets that suddenly rushed into the elves' territory, attacking indiscriminately and causing chaos.
Afterwards, all the puppets were destroyed. They were programmed with commands and wouldn't run away until the very last moment; given enough time, they were all destroyed. An investigation of the puppet wreckage might yield some clues, but the enemy wouldn't be foolish enough to leave any information for us to investigate if they used puppets as weapons. I wouldn't be surprised if the elves couldn't find anything.
Therefore, we currently have no answer as to what the enemy's true nature is, nor do we know what the enemy's goals are; everything is simply inexplicable.
Leng Linglan said, "The elves all say the enemy's target is to assassinate the High Priest. Don't you think so?"
"You don't think so yourself, so why ask me? It's understandable that we're here to cause trouble, but if we really thought we could assassinate the High Priest of Solancia with these puppets, that would be too self-destructive."
Even without conducting in-depth target investigations, a typical assassination group wouldn't send out an assassination squad of this level just because of the title of the First Elder and Chief Priest of Solancia. They would need at least ten times more to have any chance of taking down the High Priest of Solancia amidst a sea of thousands of troops. Otherwise, with this level of combat power, even if the High Priest really became useless due to excessive indulgence in wine and women, having over ten thousand troops outside wouldn't be just for show.
Moreover, based on what we just witnessed, the high priest's supernatural power was truly astonishing. Looking back on all the masters I've encountered in my life, a few might be able to do it, but if asked who could definitely do it, I honestly couldn't answer. The high priest could make his body nihilistic, allowing all attacks to pass right through him. This ability alone qualified him to compete with the strongest figures of the era.
Although the high priest knelt and coughed up blood after using this protective spell, continuing to cough until medical personnel arrived and took him away, seemingly due to the magic causing his body to succumb to the strain, I still dared not underestimate him because of this.
These are all digressions. Based solely on the available information, I cannot analyze the enemy's attack intentions, nor can I determine whether they intended to attack the elves and accidentally implicated us, or vice versa. In any case, during this chaos, besides the High Priest being attacked, another mech broke through the elves' blockade and stormed into our camp. However, before anything could be done, Hua Gengsha personally intervened, shattering the mech with a single claw, shocking all the elf soldiers present.
After that, no more mechs attacked, and the elves maintained their distance from our camp. When I was shot unconscious by the machine gun, Leng Linglan quickly brought me over and handed me over to professionals. Hua Gengsha treated me with the calmness of dissecting a corpse, took out the silver shuttle, bandaged the wound, confirmed that it was only a minor injury, and then threw me down to make tea.
"Ghostly woman, I know it's a minor injury, but even though the silver shuttle has been removed, my chest still hurts, like something's still stuck inside?" "
When a martial arts master injures someone, the internal energy can remain dormant in the body, continuously causing damage. The magical weapon that struck you works similarly; there's a little residual energy in your body, but it's not harmful. It'll probably disappear in a day or two. Just treat it like a cold; bear with it, and it'll be fine." "
...And you call yourself a miracle doctor? You can't even cure a cold?"
"I can treat you, but you'll need medicine. Do you want to take my medicine?"
"...For a cold or flu, just let it heal on its own. Adults don't take cold or flu medicine."
Taking random medications for such a minor ailment could lead to side effects even after recovery; I'd rather suffer for a few days.
Meanwhile, Leng Linglan was still troubled by the new problem. She explained briefly that Tianhe Xueqiong, the Holy Maiden of Cihang Jingdian, was her close friend. Several years ago, Tianhe Xueqiong went to sea to study and also carried out a mission for Cihang Jingdian to visit a foreign continent. However, the group disappeared before even setting sail. This matter was classified as a secret by Cihang Jingdian, and countless people were dispatched to search for her over the years, but to no avail.
"She disappeared within my territory of Alibuda. I mobilized all my resources to search for her, but after several years, there were no results. I knew something had happened to her,"
Leng Linglan said. "Later, the attitude of the Palace of Light became very strange. They stopped the search and ignored Yang Guan's matter. I think there must be something fishy going on. Perhaps Xue Qiong was caught up in the power struggle within the Palace." "Such things...only the higher-ups of the Divine Palace would know. Now it seems that with the Black Dragon King's rebellion within the Divine Palace at the time, it's plausible that the Heart Lamp Hermit, with his cunning and treacherous nature, would have used some kind of insidious scheme to eliminate Xue Qiong."
I chuckled inwardly upon hearing these deductions. Leng Linglan, as a contemporary heroine, possessed considerable insight and judgment, but her conjectures were far removed from the truth.
When I first brought down Tianhe Xueqiong in Alibuda, I was completely disfigured. Even if someone saw me, they wouldn't guess it was me. Tianhe Xueqiong and her group were thus captured without explanation. Later, Tianhe Xueqiong fell into the hands of the Black Dragon Society. Given the Black Dragon Society's meticulousness, this process, while not entirely without clues, was extremely difficult for outsiders to find any leads.
Later, Tianhe Xueqiong transformed into the little fox girl A Xue and traveled the world with me. I was wary and deliberately kept a low profile, almost always having A Xue wear a mask. Since she neither showed her face nor changed her appearance, it would be a miracle if anyone recognized her. When we wandered to the Southern Barbarians and a delinquent middle-aged man joined our group, everything was settled. Unbeknownst to me, Mao Yan'an gradually confirmed A Xue's identity and made contact with Master Xin Chan.
If Tianhe Xueqiong were merely a simple holy maiden of the shrine, and her voyage to study was simply to broaden her horizons, Master Xinchan would have taken immediate action to bring her back after receiving Mao Yan'an's message. However, the reality was far from simple. Considering the consequences of bringing Tianhe Xueqiong back, Master Xinchan remained silent, secretly observing the situation. In any case, rather than bringing her back to be a sex slave to a demon nun, a happy little fox girl was undoubtedly a better choice.
Of course, with the intelligence from Mao Yan'an, there was no need to spend so much manpower and resources to find the Holy Maiden's whereabouts. The possible locations where Tianhe Xueqiong could have disappeared were too wide. A serious investigation would require searching overseas. Even though Cihang Jingdian was wealthy and powerful, it couldn't afford to waste money like that. Therefore, the investigation was scaled down and eventually became a formality. Leng Linglan naturally felt there was a problem, but the truth was far from what she thought.
"...Unexpectedly, Xueqiong appeared in Solancia. What's behind this? Xueqiong's disappearance must be related to the Black Dragon Society. The Black Dragon Society has been destroyed. Xueqiong's appearance here, could it be... that Solancia is connected to the Black Dragon Society?"
Leng Linglan frowned and pondered. What she was thinking was coincidentally the same as my speculation. The darkness behind Lehman was intricately connected to the Black Dragon Society in the past. Putting aside everything else, Tianhe Xueqiong's current situation was already unbelievable.
"Hmm, are you sure that woman is Tianhe Xueqiong? I mean... Tianhe Xueqiong is from Cihang Jingdian, and that woman... you can tell at a glance she's a master of dark magic."
"No mistake, although I find it hard to believe, there's absolutely no doubt about it. She is Tianhe Xueqiong, I won't be wrong, especially her unique temperament..."
Leng Linglan spoke with absolute certainty, but then shook her head, unable to understand the unusual change that had occurred to her friend.
A saintess turned witch, this was the result of a combination of chance and my painstaking design. If Tianhe Xueqiong's light magic hadn't been dispersed and restored to pure energy, I wouldn't have been able to successfully corrupt and transform her. This violates the principles of magic today, so it's normal that Leng Linglan couldn't imagine it.
However, Leng Linglan was right about one thing: the aloofness emanating from Tianhe Xueqiong at that moment was precisely that unique quality she possessed. That's why I only saw her as Tianhe Xueqiong, not as A Xue.
It wasn't difficult for Lehman to know Tianhe Xueqiong's identity; he simply needed to scan her memories when she wasn't on guard. Lehman had her continue using the name "Xueqiong" to show me that he understood this. Although Tianhe Xueqiong's memories hadn't returned, her body had transformed from beast to human. I still can't figure out how Lehman did this; the only explanation is… Lehman's skills in this area surpass current levels, allowing him such extraordinary abilities. As for why Lehman possesses such skills, the reason probably points directly to the Black Dragon Society.
The Black Dragon Society conducted special experiments all day long, mastering the most advanced technologies in all aspects, surpassing the current level. These technologies have been missing even now that the Black Dragon Society has fallen apart. The Cihang Jingdian and the East Sea Resistance Army have searched high and low, but they cannot find the researchers and data of the Black Dragon Society. It seems that those research results have been destroyed or never existed. If it is said that Lehman obtained these technologies and transformed Tianhe Xueqiong back to her original form, that would be very reasonable. After all, it was the Black Dragon Society that transformed Xueqiong in the first place. The one who tied the knot must untie it.
(Lehman didn't change Ah Xue back to the light attribute. I wonder if it's because he didn't want to? Or because he couldn't? The Black Dragon Society didn't master this technology back then either... Hmm, turning Ah Xue, who's already been set as a dark mage, back into her original form is probably impossible. At most, they could only create a dark version of Tianhe Xueqiong.)
I remember that among the many technologies the Black Dragon Society researched, the most amazing one was breaking the elemental limitations of magic. The Black Dragon King and the Black Witch Goddess both once used two different types of magic interchangeably, with earth-shattering power. If this technology also falls into Lehman's hands, I will have to reassess his strength.
Leng Linglan said, "I must immediately find a way to send this information back to Cihang Jingdian. If Prince Lehman is colluding with the Black Dragon Society, his ambitions are definitely not limited to Solancia, and he will surely endanger the land. However... I have no evidence and cannot be sure whether these technologies were developed by Solancia himself."
"Impossible. Before Lunfield fell from power, he and Lehman were mutually restraining. If Lehman was conducting such large-scale research, Lunfield would have known. Of course, he might not have mentioned it to you, but judging from his lack of vigilance towards his brother, he doesn't know much about Lehman's strength. I don't think Lehman would be conducting large-scale research in Solancia."
I left something unsaid: If Solancia had such technology, they could easily develop other powerful magical weapons. There was no need to steal Bin Laden's blueprints to create some kind of doomsday dragon. The chances of successfully building something that's almost mythical are very low, and the chances of something going wrong after it's built are even higher. If I were in charge of a country's military and politics, I wouldn't waste resources on such a thing.
I don't plan to tell Leng Linglan about the relationship between Tianhe Xueqiong and A Xue. There's not much point in talking about it now. Besides, it involves the truth about Xinjian Shenni, which is too exaggerated. I don't know if she can handle it. If I mess things up and she thinks I'm lying, it will have the opposite effect.
"But... there's something that really intrigues me." I deliberately put on a lustful expression and said, "What happened to your friend is astonishing. Lehman's modification methods are truly ingenious, especially... those big breasts. I don't remember them being that big before. How did he modify them to be like that? If I could learn that technique, I would definitely use it to benefit the world."
As I spoke, I gave Leng Linglan a special glare at her chest. Leng Linglan seemed to recall the grudge between me and Tianhe Xueqiong in Sala City: she let out an "Ah!" her expression changed drastically, and she stormed off angrily.
Leng Linglan and Tianhe Xueqiong's relationship is better than I expected. I don't even know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. However, Leng Linglan hadn't gone far when a gift fell from the sky and made me break out in a cold sweat.
"By order of Prince Lehman, immediately break camp and return to the Huaer Forest. I will serve as your guard. Please begin your journey and do not waste time."
Lehman sent an envoy to urge us to set off. This in itself was not a problem, but the envoy he sent was the issue. I began to suspect that Lehman might have a tendency to stir up trouble. Knowing that we were currently troubled by the Heavenly River Snow Jade, he still sent someone like this.
Seeing that familiar face appear, I was overjoyed, but knowing that I could not show my true emotions at this time, I quickly suppressed my joy and made myself appear calm and composed. Compared to me, Leng Linglan clearly showed her joy. Her ability to hide her emotions was no less than mine, but there was no need to hide them now.
"Xueqiong, how are you? I am..."
"Both of you are honored guests of our side. Please prepare to depart immediately and do not cause me any trouble."
With a polite but indifferent attitude, Tianhe Xueqiong's face was cold and aloof, keeping everyone at arm's length. It was clear that if she didn't have orders to complete, she would have turned around and left without saying a word to us.
Leng Linglan wasn't stupid. Seeing Tianhe Xueqiong's expression, she could guess her mental and physical state. Since the other party had forgotten the past, there was no need to rush over and wail; it wouldn't help. So, Leng Linglan also put on an indifferent expression, nodded, seemingly unconcerned, but clenched her fists.
I remained silent, my eyes fixed on Tianhe Xueqiong. Images of Ah Xue's smiles and frowns from the past flashed through my mind. The two had the same face, yet completely different souls. It was hard to imagine that this woman was my Ah Xue.
Regardless of whether we could bring Tianhe Xueqiong back to normal, I was more worried about whether it was possible to turn her back into Ah Xue. If it wasn't possible, then everything I was doing here would be meaningless.
I tried to control my emotions, but a fear of losing something precious made my hands tremble uncontrollably.
"General Farrell, I've been ordered to protect you all the way to Wall. Do you have any special requests?"
Tianhe Xueqiong appeared before me, her voice devoid of any emotion. I didn't want to hear that voice, yet I had no choice. I could only nod and force a smile.
"It's nothing, thank you for everything. Let's get along well on this journey."
◆ Episode 3: A Long Journey, No Such Person Found
As the carriage left the forest, my gaze kept drifting towards the Valley of Evil. There must be something in that valley, but I had no ability to uncover it, which was truly regrettable. Especially considering Lehman's determination to obtain that evil object in the valley, I regretted not seizing this opportunity to strike at the enemy's weak point.
Facing this unfathomable elf prince, I felt completely outmatched. Lehman acted like a master chess player, each move landing unexpectedly, throwing our plans into disarray and leaving us utterly bewildered, unsure of our next move. To
deal with such a formidable enemy, our current strength was insufficient. We couldn't win by brute force, and we had no openings for strategy. I felt that only someone of Bin Laden's caliber could possibly contend with Lehman.
...So, could it be that Bin Laden had planned this all along, sending us to Solancia to deal with Lehman for him? Although we lack the strength to defeat Lehman, Bin Laden's use of us as pawns to sabotage Solancia and deplete Lehman's power is... damn it, no wonder Uncle didn't come along; he must have known the situation was bad and fled. Sitting
in the carriage, many thoughts raced through my mind. Thinking was the only thing I could do right now—assessing my resources and checking if I'd overlooked anything.
Potential allies... Yu Ni and Violet went after Ah Xue and haven't returned. They might also be in Lehman's hands. If they've been modified by Lehman or had their brain information read, it would be extremely disadvantageous for us. Other helpers I could find are either far away or lack the strength; coming would be suicide.
Suddenly, I remembered someone. Although I never saw their face, they had helped us, and... they were incredibly strong.
During the fierce battle in the valley that day, Lehman attacked us. If a mysterious woman hadn't appeared in time, dispelling the lightning, we wouldn't have escaped unscathed. That mysterious woman was very strong, perhaps even at the highest level. I couldn't figure out who she was, yet she seemed strangely familiar.
I pondered this question for a long time without an answer, but at this moment, a flash of inspiration struck me, and I remembered why that familiarity felt so strong.
On the East China Sea, during our confrontation with Li Huamei, a woman mysteriously appeared and engaged the enraged Li Huamei head-on, holding her back for a time and allowing us to escape. Although I don't know who she is, the figure of the woman in the raging sea completely overlaps with the image of the mysterious woman in the Valley of the Dead that night. Especially that unique pride and self-assurance, which we could clearly feel even from just a blurry outline.
In other words, this mysterious woman saved me twice, once in the East Sea and once in the Valley of the Dead. It's really strange that I can't remember who she is, or even deduce her from the slightest clue.
(Who is she? I've committed so many evil deeds, no one would come to save me out of nowhere. Who is she? Experts don't just appear out of nowhere, especially female experts, who are few and far between. When has there ever been such a female expert on earth? She appeared at the right time twice, I don't believe it's really just a coincidence. Could it be... she's been following me all along?)
Thinking this, I was startled and my eyes involuntarily turned to look out the car window, searching around. Although I found nothing, this action did not escape the notice of Leng Linglan, who was in the car with me.
"What's wrong? Is something the problem?"
She frowned as she spoke. Even dressed as a man, Leng Linglan was still stunningly beautiful. Her crisp military uniform made her look handsome and dashing. I wouldn't be attracted to my own sister, but I sincerely admired her. No wonder that when Leng Linglan walked the streets of Sara, far more women screamed and fainted than men. I heard that some women admired her so much that they vowed to remain celibate for her for life.
"There are only our guards around, no one else is following us, so don't worry."
Tianhe Xueqiong's voice sounded cold, but her outfit was very sexy. She wore a black leather vest, super short black leather hot pants, and black boots, all of which were tight against her body, outlining her sexy and attractive curves as if they were a second layer of skin. In particular, her round, fleshy buttocks appeared round and large under the black leather pants, making one want to slap them hard.
The mysterious and noble black color, the unique scent of leather, hinted at immorality and depravity. A leather choker would have added a touch of sadomasochism, highlighting her status as a dark queen. But our focus wasn't on that. When the corset cinched her slender waist, her H-cup breasts became strikingly large. With each jolt of the carriage, those two snow-white, full breasts surged and bounced, as if they might burst forth at any moment.
Tianhe Xueqiong's gaze was fixed on us, completely unconcerned about the bounce of her breasts, but it was hard for us not to notice. In the cramped carriage, the two large, round breasts opposite me felt like two giant mountains pressing down on me. I could clearly feel the burning pressure. After a while, I had to cross my legs to hide my embarrassment. Even Leng Linglan subconsciously tugged at her collar, seemingly wanting to protect her chest, feeling ashamed of herself.
"Are you... responsible for protecting us to the Huaer Forest?" I tried to start a conversation with Tianhe Xueqiong with this question.
"By order of His Highness the Prince, I am to protect General Farrell's safety on the road from here to the Val Forest. I have not received any other orders."
Tianhe Xueqiong spoke coldly, and the feeling of keeping people at arm's length made me uncomfortable. Fortunately, I didn't have to endure it for long, because Leng Linglan, who was unaware of the situation, couldn't hold back and took the initiative to probe Tianhe Xueqiong, asking her how much she remembered about the past, and why she, as a human, was working with elves in Solancia?
"There's no need to tell you these things... However, His Highness instructed that all orders from General Farrell must be obeyed, and all questions from General Farrell must be answered truthfully. May I take what I just said as your question, General?"
I never expected Lehman to give such an order. He's so confident, not only sending the puppet he controls to me but also issuing such an order, not afraid that I would find a way to break it. He's incredibly arrogant.
I nodded, and Tianhe Xueqiong also explained that her memories were incomplete. She only remembered fighting a poison dragon on a deserted island, but the details were vague. It's possible that this battle caused brain damage, making her unable to remember who she was.
Before the battle with the poison dragon, all that remained of my memories was of practicing asceticism on a certain icy, snowy mountain, persevering through wind and rain. Moreover, in these vague memories, I also sensed an extremely terrifying evil creature nearby, whose chilling gaze was constantly fixed on me.
(Uh… Tianhe Xueqiong isn’t so stupid after all, or rather, she’s become smarter after losing her memory, actually sensing the existence and true face of that demon nun.)
I chuckled inwardly. Leng Linglan nudged me and whispered that Lehman was indeed insidious and ruthless. Back then, when Tianhe Xueqiong was cultivating in seclusion on the lonely peak, the only person she came into contact with was the Heart Sword Divine Nun. Lehman twisted the truth, deliberately leaving Tianhe Xueqiong with a bad impression of her mentor, and might very well sow discord in the future, causing the master and disciple to turn against each other.
(Miss Leng, you're way too wrong. Lehman didn't sow discord. Your master's aunt is indeed a demon nun, truly wicked! It's hard to say whether this master and disciple will turn against each other in the future, but if everything goes according to plan, this master and disciple have already become a pair of perverted sadomasochistic partners.)
Tianhe Xueqiong said that she didn't know who she was before, nor did she know why she fought the Poison Dragon, but from the time she regained her memories, she was with Lehman. She believed that Lehman was her savior and was determined to be loyal to Lehman and protect her savior.
"Hmm, I understand what you're saying. I only have one question left." I said, "Prince Lehman is indeed great, but he only saved you once. Why are you determined to serve him for life?"
Leng Linglan nudged me with her elbow, seemingly annoyed that my question was too idiotic. But as an outsider to this field, she didn't understand my true intention: the fleeting look of confusion in Tianhe Xueqiong's eyes before she answered.
"There's no reason. Repaying someone's life with your own is a natural principle." The
reason itself wasn't important, but the brief pause before answering, and the look of confusion in her eyes, showed that "repaying a life-saving debt" wasn't a reason, but merely an input command. To put it bluntly, she thought she was repaying a life-saving debt, but it was actually just a reason Lehman had given her to serve him.
(I've roughly figured it out. Lehman erased Xue's memories and then inputted one or two deeply ingrained commands to manipulate her... The method is crude, quite difficult to crack, but not impossible.)
I secretly pondered, noticing Leng Linglan's hands clenched tightly, suppressing her impulse. I could guess that although my sister was brave and resourceful, she had a straightforward personality. She probably really wanted to tell Tianhe Xueqiong the truth directly, preventing her friend from being used by bad people again. Unfortunately, this idea was too unrealistic; Tianhe Xueqiong, brainwashed and mind-controlled, wouldn't believe her at all, and it would only backfire.
Leng Linglan understood this, so she had to painfully endure it. I witnessed this scene and felt a pang of sadness. Wanting to do something for her, I reached out to pat her fist in encouragement. But the moment I touched her hand, Leng Linglan recoiled as if burned by a red-hot iron, swiftly pulling her hand back. This overly sensitive reaction startled me.
"I'm sorry, I..."
Before I could even say a few words to smooth things over, I noticed something was off about Leng Linglan's expression. At first, I thought it was because of the touch, but then I caught a familiar sweet scent. I was so used to this scent that I didn't immediately realize anything was amiss. It was only after a while that I realized the source of the scent and snapped out of my reverie.
I turned my head and saw Tianhe Xueqiong sitting there, her cold expression unchanged, but her chest… her two enormous breasts, like melons and fruits, swayed up and down with the carriage's movements. Amidst the astonishing waves of her breasts, I noticed that her snow-white, alabaster skin was slowly covered and overflowing with liquid, more and more, and the rich, sweet fragrance emanated from this liquid.
Leng Linglan also noticed this. When she glanced at Tianhe Xueqiong's chest and saw the patch of white fluid, her face showed an expression that looked like she was about to scream. Even when fighting against the most powerful enemy, it was rare to see her so horrified, which showed the impact this scene had on her.
"You...you are..."
In response to Leng Linglan's question, Tianhe Xueqiong glanced at her chest and said nonchalantly, "Oh, I'm leaking milk. I've been feeling well these past few days, and my milk supply is quite plentiful, so it just leaks out without me realizing it."
In the past, every time Xueqiong used magic, she would secrete milk. The higher the level of the magic she used, the greater the magical power she used, and the more milk she would secrete the next day. She would always unknowingly wet her clothes, often leaving people dumbfounded as they watched the two wet patches spreading rapidly on her chest. It would take her half a day to realize it herself. Later, in order to avoid similar embarrassing scenes from happening again and again, Xueqiong would put pads in her bra the day after using magic to absorb the leaked milk.
Lehman's modifications to Ah Xue were incredibly drastic, yet he didn't seem to have reversed her abnormal constitution. Was it because it was too difficult to change? Or was it a deliberate choice to preserve it? I find it very curious. Ah Xue used to wear silk or cotton clothes, which would absorb the overflowing milk, creating wet stains. Although noticeable, it wasn't so bad after a while. Now, Tianhe Xueqiong was wearing a leather vest, which couldn't absorb the overflowing milk. The vest was also very tight, clinging almost to her skin, so the overflowing milk flowed down her cleavage and onto her nipples, creating a very shameful scene... at least that's what Leng Linglan thought.
"You...how could you become like this? Boss Hai is too...too..."
Leng Linglan stammered for a long time, unable to continue, only to be interrupted by Tianhe Xueqiong: "Too what? Breast milk is a gift from heaven to women, secreting breast milk is proof of being able to become a mother, every woman should be proud of it, I think it's an honor, don't you think so? Or...are you used to being..." "Have you been a fake man for so long, wrapping your breasts with strips of cloth all day long, that you've run out of milk?"
I often feel that in the end, disguise and impersonation are less about deceiving others and more about deceiving yourself. Not to mention that Leng Linglan's disguise as a man is very crude, just wrapping her chest with strips of cloth and tying up her hair. If you expect to keep it a secret from outsiders for a long time, you have to rely on outsiders being blind to it.
Of course, Leng Linglan didn't think so. She exclaimed in shock, "How did you figure that out? Where did I give myself away?"
"Do you really think your disguise is flawless? You're too beautiful; even in men's clothing, you don't look like a man," Tianhe Xueqiong said. "Besides, you and this man have been flirting, flirting, flirting—who are you trying to fool?"
Leng Linglan retorted angrily, "What flirting, flirting?"
"The way you two look at each other is so strange. It's obvious there's something wrong. Men don't look at each other like that."
As Tianhe Xueqiong spoke, her actions were unexpectedly bold. She stretched out her finger and poked Leng Linglan's chest. Leng Linglan was too shocked to react and didn't stop her, letting Tianhe Xueqiong's finger poke her chest, which was wrapped in cloth.
"Also, he just touched your hand. Your strong reaction not only confirms that you're a woman, but also that you definitely have ambiguous feelings for him."
After Xueqiong transformed into Tianhe Xueqiong, her gaze seemed to have become much sharper, but on this point, I think she was really wrong. Leng Linglan and I didn't have that kind of relationship, and this second princess couldn't possibly have those feelings for me. However, just as I was about to explain, Leng Linglan suddenly screamed, first slapping me to the ground, almost making me vomit blood, then smashing the carriage door open with another slap, and amidst screams from outside, she leaped out of the speeding carriage.
"...Mom...Mom...Whether it's true or not, there's no need for such a big reaction, right? So agitated, were you raped by your father?"
I sat up awkwardly, feeling pain all over my body, wanting to howl, but I found Tianhe Xueqiong looking at me with disdain, her gaze exactly the same as when we first met.
"You... all you ever say is 'treacherous' or 'doing evil.' Is that all the meaning this world holds for you? Do you see all living beings as things to be used and abused? People like you... are truly scum."
"...Well, having cultivated dark magic to such a high level, you must have killed countless people. Meeting someone like you, I don't think it's reasonable for you to call me scum."
I casually retorted, this kind of thing was nothing new to me, but this time I knew very well that the moment Tianhe Xueqiong called me scum, a long-dormant anger resurfaced within me.
Despite a minor setback, the journey that day was peaceful. We traveled as planned, setting up camp in the wilderness for the night.
Elves are a race that values nature and life; over 90% of them are vegetarians and don't even ride horses. A carriage was specially arranged for me to ride in in preparation for receiving state guests, but they themselves don't ride horses. With thousands walking across the plains, their speed was naturally limited. The only exception was the high priest Bernanke, who didn't resemble an elf at all. Despite being a role model for the clergy of Solancia, he completely disregarded the precepts of faith, brazenly riding in the carriage and remaining inside for most of the day without showing his face.
If I'm not mistaken, the High Priest was probably having sex with a female reporter in the carriage. With Charlotte's expertise, it's intriguing whether she'll take the opportunity to interview this old lecher. However, from beginning to end, we only saw the carriage swaying and couldn't hear any sounds coming from inside, so we can't imagine what was happening inside for now.
Hua Gengsha and the Bai family members later asked me why Leng Linglan suddenly broke out of the carriage along the way. Were they ambushed by the enemy and a battle ensued?
This question was quite awkward, so I could only offer selective explanations, saying that the enemy did indeed launch an ambush, poking Princess Leng's chest with their finger when we weren't paying attention, forcing Leng Linglan to flee in the broken-down carriage.
"Ah? Such a lewd attack? That's so disgusting!"
"They did what we wouldn't dare, beating us to the punch! How hateful!"
"But, wasn't the person in the carriage with you a woman? Why would a woman poke Princess Leng's breasts?"
"What do you know? Aren't there female perverts among women? The world is full of wonders, don't be so surprised, it's too ugly."
I didn't say anything more, just watched the Bai family members deduce their own answers. Later, Leng Linglan traveled with Hua Gengsha, avoiding seeing me, making it impossible for me to find her to discuss anything. It seemed like she was angry with me, but based on my understanding of her, I felt that she was afraid to see me and was hiding.
This was really strange. I didn't understand what Leng Linglan was afraid of. Was she afraid that I had feelings for her? Even if she were, her martial arts skills are so much higher than mine. Even if I had that intention, I wouldn't have a chance of succeeding. Besides, no matter how beastly I am, I wouldn't go so far as to sleep with my own sister. Putting aside those I've already slept with, I would never touch Leng Linglan if I had a choice. Her worries are just too much.
Tonight, while resting at camp, I lay alone for a long time. The injury in my chest seemed not to have healed, and it was even more painful when it flared up intermittently. I rested for an hour or two, and the pain even made me sweat on my forehead before I managed to suppress the pain, but a heavy feeling in my chest lingered for a long time.
"How can it hurt so much? Wasn't the injury supposed to be minor? Hmm... maybe I should go see the witch doctor, just in case the diagnosis is wrong."
Just as I was about to leave, someone unexpectedly came to visit. It was the dwarf princess, sent for a political marriage. I wondered what she wanted.
More than a day had passed since she took the Jade of the Day. The effects of the medicine had worn off, and Lindsay's mind had returned to normal. She was no longer affected by that blind infatuation. She appeared beside me with a strange expression, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't. It seemed she wouldn't speak on her own initiative.
"How are you? Are you awake?"
Lindsay nodded, which was her answer to my question. Compared to the eagerness she had shown before, her eyes were filled with confusion, and I couldn't figure out what was bothering her.
"You came all this way to see me...do you want to do it again?"
Lindsay immediately shook her head vigorously and said, "No. Your technique is very good, and it feels very comfortable with you, but...the feeling afterward is strange, I...can't quite put my finger on it."
"Hmm, is that so..." I patted the chair next to me, gesturing for Lindsay to sit down beside me. Lindsay shook her head suspiciously, and I smiled and assured her that I would never touch her against her wishes. Only then did Lindsay lower her guard a little and sit down beside me.
"You find it strange, is it because it's different from what you imagined?"
"Yeah, very different." Lindsay nodded vigorously, frowning. "After taking True Love, I should love you a lot. Your lovemaking technique is excellent, and it feels so good when we're together. I've never felt so good before, but... even so, something's missing. I always feel... something's not right, especially after the drug wears off and I'm sober. That feeling becomes very strong, and it's very uncomfortable to think about."
"I see... do you know why you feel this way?"
"I don't know."
Lindsay shook her head, just as I expected, but I didn't expect her to add, "But I know you definitely know, and you'll say things like I'll understand when I grow up, humph!"
"Uh, well..."
I chuckled wryly, caught off guard by the little elf girl's clever retort. That was indeed what I intended to say, but now I decided to rephrase it.
"The first lessons are truly the best life education. Lindsay seems to have grown up overnight, from a little girl to a young woman. Now that you're grown up, you can't speak the same way you used to."
I said, "You feel something's off because this love is unreal. At least, I think it's not the feeling you've always longed for, so even though the love is intense, you just feel something's not right."
"Is that so? Then... what is true love?"
"Haha, even I don't know the answer to this question. I'm a man who gets called a scumbag everywhere. It would be too funny for me to talk about what true love is. But..." I tilted my head and thought for a moment, then said, "I don't know what love is, but on the road to true love, it's inevitable to make sacrifices, even to the point of giving... It should also be tested by time. If those things are missing... Although I don't deny that love at first sight exists, I still feel that... without those things, the feeling of love just isn't right."
After saying this, I even found it funny myself. How could I say such a thing? I'm the least suitable person to say such things. True love should be explained by people like Famit and Charlotte to be convincing. People like me... are better suited to just talk the talk.
"So that's how it is..." Lindsay said, "Then why didn't Sister Hua tell me this?" "
Please, that old hag could never have loved anyone in her life, let alone been loved. How could someone like her know what true love is? Someone who doesn't even know what love is, trying to make a drug that makes you feel love—that's just a shoddy product! And you actually believed it?"
"You knew all along, so why didn't you tell me?"
"So what if I knew? Everyone interprets true love differently. Some value a fleeting moment of brilliance, others cherish eternity. A psychopath like the witch might consider turning her lover into a specimen as her true love. How would I know what your true love is? You look pretty horny yourself, offering yourself up like this. Who knows if your true love is having seven orgasms in one night? Since you don't know, how can I stop you from trying?"
Lindsay's words were too blunt, and she couldn't take it anymore. She nudged me with her elbow in anger. I'm never one to back down, so I returned the favor by grabbing her small, round breasts, which earned me a scream and a kick from the little dwarf princess.
"Hey, even a one-night stand can have a hundred days of grace. We've at least shared a wedding night, don't be so heartless, like you're murdering your husband..." I laughed. "Actually, I didn't know until I tried it. Your butt may be small, but it's incredibly bouncy, and your skin is pretty good too. If you want to have another go, feel free to come find me anytime. Give me some good treatment!"
"No way! I'll never let you take advantage of me again."
Lindsay made a face at me and ran out. She's still quite childish in that respect. I originally wanted to tell her to go and pursue her true love, but the words came out before I realized how ridiculous I was.
I was so foolish. I completely forgot the most fundamental thing. Lindsay's life is temporarily saved, but not because of our efforts, but solely because of Lehman's compromise. If Lehman changes his mind, she could be dead at any moment. In that state… how could she possibly find true love?
I was acting so strangely today, saying so many meaningless things to Lindsay. It's ridiculous. What's affecting me, making me so emotional?
"...What kind of creature do you see as just something to be fucked and abused? Someone like you… is truly scum!"
These words echoed in my ears, and I found them utterly absurd. There has never been a shortage of people who would insult me in this tone, and there are many who would insult me even more harshly. I am already used to it, so how could I possibly be affected by such a thing? But if I had no influence, why would I have been bothered by these words until now?
"Mr. John..."
Lindsay, who had left sometime earlier, ran back, peeking her cute little face out from the doorway. She hesitated, saying, "There's something I don't know how to say..."
"Want to do it again? Don't be shy. I was the one who kept you a virgin. Practice makes perfect. Now it's your turn to wag your ass. You don't even need to ask!"
"No, no, if you keep this up, I won't say it. I wanted to tell you something Sister Hua didn't tell you, and she told me not to tell you."
"Ha, that's normal. If that witch were to behave herself towards me, that would be a miracle. What is she hiding from me? A husband back home? Or a dozen husbands back home?" "
Neither. It's... there shouldn't be any bars in the Walter Forest."
"Hey, what's the big deal? I always pay for prostitutes, I don't go to bars to pick up girls. What do I care if there are bars or not? Let those who need to worry worry about it."
I waved my hand dismissively, but then a thought suddenly struck me: "Uh, what? There aren't any bars in Walter Forest? This... this doesn't seem right!"
◆ Episode 4: Comrade Runs Away. There is no bar in the Heart Rift
Wal Forest, which should be a very normal thing and not strange at all. Although the simple-minded elves do not prohibit alcohol, they cannot drink as freely as humans. Usually, except for drinking at sacrificial occasions, they drink in moderation in their daily lives. It is rare to hear of any heavy drinkers among the elves, so there is even less need to open a bar.
When Bin Laden commissioned me to deliver the message, I found it strange, but my understanding of the elves' ecology and customs was only superficial. I thought that since Bin Laden spoke so confidently, perhaps my assumptions were wrong, so I didn't question it. Later, after meeting Bernanke and discovering how absurd the High Priest of Solancia was, and his drinking was a given, I didn't think much of the bar thing.
If Lindsay had simply raised a question, I would have insisted on my opinion and explained it to her. But she said that Hua Gengsha told her to keep this a secret and not tell me, so there's definitely something wrong with the matter.
My heart sank. Without further delay, I rushed to Hua Gengsha's tent to confront her and find out what she had been hiding from me. Unfortunately, I found no one there. Hua Gengsha's tent was empty; only Leng Linglan was there. When I stormed into the tent, Leng Linglan was sitting cross-legged, concentrating on her internal energy, at a crucial moment in her practice.
I knew that this kind of practice was extremely dangerous if disturbed or interrupted. Leng Linglan hadn't left anyone outside to protect her; she was hiding alone to practice, risking everything. She must have something urgent to do. I didn't dare make a sound and quietly observed her. I noticed a medicine bottle lying beside her, the pills or liquid inside already taken.
Clearly, Leng Linglan had taken Hua Gengsha's medicine and was currently circulating it to neutralize its effects. I knew Leng Linglan had been receiving treatment from Hua Gengsha, but her old injuries should have mostly healed after all this time, so she shouldn't need this kind of emergency treatment anymore. Could there be something else that needed treating?
Leng Linglan's training method was too aggressive and unorthodox, causing her to suffer from a host of internal and external problems. I wasn't entirely clear about her condition, but seeing her frowning and gathering her strength, and recalling her words and actions, I couldn't help but become suspicious.
After a while, Leng Linglan finished circulating her energy, stopped, and slowly regained consciousness, noticing someone beside her.
"You're back... It's you?"
Leng Linglan initially seemed to think that Hua Gengsha had returned. When she found it was me, she was shocked and her body trembled violently. She almost spat out blood. Fortunately, she had profound cultivation and immediately closed her eyes and calmed her mind to quell her chaotic true energy.
"What? Do you need to see me so scared?" I frowned and said, "Just tell me honestly, what did Yuantang do to you? Or what did he say to you?"
Leng Linglan remained silent, clearly unwilling to talk about it. Sometimes I really hate these women. They clearly have something on their minds, but they stubbornly refuse to say anything. In the end, they not only harm themselves but also others. No matter how much you interrogate them, they won't talk. It's more difficult than getting a confession from a prisoner. This is still considered good. Some of them just cry in the end. It's really infuriating.
"Fine, I know you won't tell me even if I ask, but I'm telling you, no matter what Yuantang does, I don't have those kinds of feelings for you, and I won't lay a hand on my own sister. Even if I did, with your martial arts skills, do you really need to worry about that? I don't understand what you're worried about... You guys all just presume to treat me like scum, did you even ask me? Just because you think something doesn't mean I have to do it."
These words were more of a personal rant than a shout at Leng Linglan. After saying them, I realized I had lost control. Fortunately, Leng Linglan had already composed herself, stood up to face me, and with a forcedly calm expression, explained Hua Gengsha's whereabouts.
"Dr. Hua seems to have noticed something amiss along the way. After setting up camp tonight, she said she wanted to go out and check things out to confirm her thoughts. She didn't say when she would be back, only that she might meet us directly in the Huaer Forest and asked us to keep it a secret from her."
"Concealing it isn't difficult. The elves won't pay much attention to this person anyway. Just say she's in the car. But did she discover anything and tell you? Our situation is very strange. Everything seems peaceful, but danger lurks beneath the surface. I don't want someone who discovers something to be killed during their investigation and not have time to tell us. Discovering it is the same as not discovering it."
Hearing this, Leng Linglan's expression became serious. She had seen a lot and knew that the situation I described was indeed troublesome. But Hua Gengsha hadn't returned yet, so she couldn't get any information out of her. And I thought of a very bad possibility.
"That old hag... she wouldn't have just run away like that, would she?"
"Surely not? She... I think she should..."
Leng Linglan hesitated for a moment, ultimately unsure. Just then, someone came to inform us that Tianhe Xueqiong requested to see me, causing Leng Linglan and me to exchange glances.
Tianhe Xueqiong taking the initiative to contact me to rekindle our relationship? I would never believe such a thing could happen. I knew that the meaning behind it wasn't simple; nine times out of ten, she was acting on someone's orders or relaying a message. However, even knowing there was a problem, I had no reason to refuse. I could only frown and prepare to go to the appointment.
"Xueqiong is my good friend. She is currently mentally unstable, and what she is doing is not her intention. If there is any conflict later, please be patient with her."
Leng Linglan's words made me think of something. Tianhe Xueqiong's current situation is that her memory has only been erased, and it doesn't seem to be a case of reshaping her personality. How can it be considered that her actions are not her intention? If this is against her will, then what about all of Xueqiong's existence and all that she has done? Were they not her intentions either?
The thought flashed through my mind, but what came out was a different kind of emotion: "It's rare to see someone like this. I've watched you grow up, and I've never seen you care about anyone else so much. You not only tolerated her, but you also pleaded for her on my behalf. It seems this friend is truly important." "
That's just because you don't know enough. Actually, I care about many people, not just this one." Leng Linglan's words seemed to make some sense, but from her expression, I knew it was a lie. Besides... everyone in Sala knew that this second princess actually had no friends.
"Why make your life so difficult? Honestly, you're a popular idol in Sala. If you smiled more, were more gentle, left more room for others and for yourself, and didn't push yourself so hard, I think you'd be much happier than you are now." "It's my life
, I'm in charge of myself. I don't need you to interfere."
My well-intentioned suggestion backfired. Seeing Princess Leng's anger and displeasure, I shrugged and said, "Hey, give me some face. Even if what I said is nonsense, at least consider that I'm your brother. A brother giving his sister some life advice is nothing, right?"
To be honest, I wasn't intentionally taking advantage of her, so it shouldn't have been a problem. But unexpectedly, Leng Linglan's expression changed. She suddenly grabbed my left wrist with tremendous force, and the intense pain made me turn pale. Leng Linglan then let go, but looked at me with a strange expression and slowly said, "In this life, I... I will absolutely never acknowledge you as my brother."
After saying that, Leng Linglan rushed out like a whirlwind, leaving me standing there dumbfounded. Although we've recently become friends, given our past grievances, it's normal for Leng Linglan to be unfriendly towards me. But something about what she just said felt off. Before, she always said things like, "I wouldn't acknowledge a brother like you," with a derogatory undertone. But the wording just now… it felt strange, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
Unable to figure it out, I went to deal with Tianhe Xueqiong's problem first. Unexpectedly, the situation there was even more troublesome. When I returned to my tent, Leng Linglan had already arrived, seemingly worried about Tianhe Xueqiong and had come to check on her.
Surprisingly, Tianhe Xueqiong looked completely different from how she appeared in the carriage during the day, and not at all like someone in a normal situation.
Inside the tent, Tianhe Xueqiong, dressed in white gauze, sat on the velvet carpet. Her delicate skin, accentuated by the white gauze, appeared even more radiant. She leaned slightly forward, her left hand resting lightly on a small square table. Her jet-black hair cascaded down to her bare shoulders, and a red choker adorned her pink neck.
Looking down, her ample, snow-white breasts were encased in two strips of white gauze, revealing her rounded navel and flat stomach, with the buds faintly visible. Her exceptionally slender waist accentuated her exquisite curves. Further down, the high-slit white gauze dress showcased her long, straight legs and shapely ankles to their fullest extent.
A captivating smile appeared on her beautiful, icy face. Although there was no wind inside the tent, the high-slit, sheer long skirt kept swaying, revealing glimpses of her sexy, pert buttocks and the secret place between her legs. Especially when she swayed her slender waist, her pair of H-cup, snow-white breasts seemed about to burst out. If the black leather in the morning was fiery and seductive, the white gauze now was sexy and elegant. Each had its own charm, and both were the most captivating sights.
But considering our current situation, even an idiot would know that Tianhe Xueqiong would never intentionally dress so sexily to come here for a presentation. Although I was indeed captivated by her stunning beauty the moment I first saw her, and my mind went completely blank, I immediately realized something was amiss and started asking her questions.
"What brings you here in the middle of the night? If there's nothing else, I'd like to get some rest."
As soon as she asked the question, Tianhe Xueqiong's gentle smile vanished, replaced by her earlier aloofness. She said, "This morning, I misspoke and offended you, esteemed guest. I was very rude and have come to apologize."
Her words were humble, but her eyes and tone betrayed a completely different story. Leng Linglan and I exchanged a glance, both of us having the same thought, but finding it hard to believe.
"I dare not apologize. This shouldn't be your own idea, but Lehman's order, right?"
"His Highness's order is my personal will. There is no difference between the two."
"Did Lehman tell you how you should apologize? Lick my toes?"
Knowing that blaming Tianhe Xueqiong was pointless, and knowing that she was innocent, I still couldn't control my anger and retorted with venomous words. But her response was even more astonishing. After hearing my words, Tianhe Xueqiong reached to her chest, hooked and pulled, and the two white veils that wrapped around her breasts slipped down, revealing her round and magnificent breasts to us.
"Your esteemed guest is lustful, so to show my apology and sincerity, I'll do it to you right here."
The shocking words and actions were truly astounding. Leng Linglan immediately took action, reaching out to cover my eyes, not wanting me to see Tianhe Xueqiong's enormous breasts. But in my rage, I was one step ahead; before I even realized it, my right hand had already lashed out.
"Slap!"
A crisp sound startled everyone present, including myself. It wasn't that I'd never done something like this before, but I couldn't recall the last time I'd done it.
A red handprint appeared on Tianhe Xueqiong's face; having taken the slap squarely, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, forming a crimson thread that flowed down, making her look extremely pitiful.
I accidentally slapped Tianhe Xueqiong. After my initial anger, I felt a pang of discomfort. My only thought was to rush over and check on her, but then I considered Tianhe Xueqiong's mental state. I figured the slap wouldn't have much of an effect on her; at most, it would just hurt for a moment.
"You..."
Tianhe Xueqiong murmured, her eyes suddenly becoming hazy and lost, as if she had lost her mind. Soon, her dim eyes regained their light, but it wasn't the cold and ruthless look from before. Her gaze was much gentler, carrying a hint of a smile that felt strangely familiar to me, and my heart trembled.
"Master...Master..."
Hearing this soft call, I almost cried out "Ah Xue." That kind and gentle gaze was undoubtedly Ah Xue's. When our eyes met, I was overjoyed, wondering if the slap had had an unexpected effect, breaking Lehman's mental restraint and restoring the erased memories.
"Master...Save..."
In an instant, panic flashed in my eyes, then they closed. When I opened them again, I had returned to Tianhe Xueqiong's coldness, but I had lost my composure. The next moment, disregarding her exposed chest, Tianhe Xueqiong rushed out of the tent at high speed and fled in panic, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Leng Linglan watched her disappear, then turned to me and asked, "Why did she call you 'Master'?"
"Who knows? She called you 'Master,' but her eyes were empty and hazy. She was just calling you 'Master,' not me, was she?" I casually replied. "Perhaps she remembered something from the past and called upon her Master, the Heart Sword Nun, to save her."
"Hmm, you're right, that's probably it,"
Leng Linglan responded, then fell silent, turning her head to ponder. I knew that Leng Linglan shared my joy at this moment. Although the turmoil just now was only momentary, it proved one thing: Lehman's mind control was not flawless. As long as we found the right partner, we could restore Tianhe Xueqiong to her original state.
"By the way, why were you so angry and slapped her? With your personality, shouldn't you be stunned to see such a beautiful woman exposing herself in front of you?"
Leng Linglan questioned my unusual behavior. This was indeed a difficult question to answer, but after a moment's thought, I came up with a passable answer.
"Well... because she's your good friend. I saw how shameless she was, and I got so angry that I hit her."
This answer was pretty lame, but Leng Linglan reacted unusually. A genuine smile bloomed on her lips, and with that smile, her aura changed, as if she suddenly became radiant.
"...You...I think I've finally discovered one good point about you."
Leng Linglan turned and left after saying that, leaving me standing there for a long time, completely confused and unable to figure out what was going on.
The turmoil of this night was truly a headache. Although it wasn't as dramatic as an assassination attempt, the sheer number of problems still made my brain cells scream all night long.
The next day we continued our journey. The carriage that Leng Linglan had damaged was repaired. Leng Linglan, Tianhe Xueqiong, and I rode together, while the High Priest remained alone in the same carriage. I heard he hadn't left it all night, meaning he'd been inside for a full day and night. Judging from the occasional "bang bang" of cannons coming from inside, this old man's energy was more than a young man's, and his lecherousness was truly astounding.
Who exactly was the High Priest doing cannons in the carriage with? To do that for a full day and night, it wasn't just his stamina that was impressive; the person inside was also incredibly cooperative. If it was Charlotte… I doubted she had such stamina to keep going like that for so long. Even if she didn't die, she'd definitely be missing a piece of flesh down there.
(Hmm, I can't underestimate this old man. After all, he possesses superb cultivation. Could it be... he's using this opportunity to practice some kind of dual cultivation technique?)
Dual cultivation, which involves the pleasures of men and women, is basically a human world practice and wouldn't appear among elves. But since Solancia already has a heretical third prince, it wouldn't be strange if there were another elf priest practicing dual cultivation.
Out of curiosity, I inquired to find out who the high priest was with in the carriage, but the result was unexpected.
"What? Who's the high priest with in the carriage? You've asked the wrong question. You should ask who's in the carriage with the high priest?"
"What? There are more than two people in the carriage?"
"How could there only be two people? Although the High Priest issued a strict order forbidding anyone from peeping inside the carriage, and to prevent any exposure or assassination attempts, this specially made carriage was protected by multiple layers of security barriers. However, during this day and night, the High Priest still summoned others into the carriage—his personal attendants."
Leng Linglan said, "According to what we've gathered, the High Priest's personal attendants all seem..." "She has delicate features, and although according to the rules she must be male, there's a possibility of deception. There are some girls dressed as boys, and... disemboweled boys."
Leng Linglan's expression was slightly unnatural as she said this, but she still spoke. After all, in Alibuda, her nominal father, Emperor Leng Qiji, had the same hobby, doing similar things every day, and she was already used to it.
Hearing Leng Linglan's words, and imagining the orgy inside the carriage, I had a sudden urge to pull down my pants and rush in to join in. But then I thought about how chaotic the situation inside might be, and if I rashly rushed in, I might end up being the one being violated instead of the one doing the perpetrator, which would be extremely bad.
(Damn, I want to be a religious leader someday, a high priest or pope, where everything I say is taken as divine will, even better than being an emperor. I heard my grandfather used to run some kind of love cult; sure enough, lecherous people love this kind of thing, establishing their own sect, using sex as a form of preaching, and intercourse as a means of evangelism.)
These thoughts excited me, but then I couldn't help but chuckle. Lately, I've been too busy with other things, and as a former playboy, I haven't had this kind of hedonistic mood in a long time.
Tianhe Xueqiong sat opposite us, seemingly forgetting everything that happened last night, her expression blank. Leng Linglan and I were both lost in our own thoughts, so we let the silence continue.
"Hmm, the weather isn't great today. The fog seems to be getting thicker since we set off..."
I remarked casually, looking out the carriage window at the increasingly dense fog. Solancia is located in the north, with many forests, and is naturally cold and humid. It's not uncommon to encounter fog while traveling through the mountains; as long as we don't get caught in any fog poisoning miasma, there's no danger.
However, the fog has indeed been getting thicker along the way, slowing the caravan's progress. If it weren't for the magic device guiding the way, the caravan might very well have gotten lost.
(Strange, I don't know if it's just my imagination, but why do I feel a little dizzy? Have I been under some kind of spell? Or is someone casting a curse?)
My body felt unwell, and a sense of unease crept in, but when I asked Leng Linglan, she didn't seem to notice anything wrong.
So I put aside my doubts and pondered a serious question that had just occurred to me. Last night's events showed that Lehman's mental control wasn't as unbreakable as I thought, but after careful consideration, I realized a problem: even if I broke Lehman's control, the consequences might not be as I wished. What kind of person would Tianhe Xueqiong become after the mental control was broken?
Would she revert to Ah Xue? Or would she become the original Tianhe Xueqiong? I had absolutely no confidence in this matter. The human brain is incredibly complex, and restoring erased memories is an extremely difficult task to execute accurately. Before, Ah Xue was merely unconscious; once she was awakened, she would undoubtedly still be the same little fox girl, Ah Xue. But now, with Lehman's interference, the situation is completely out of control, and I have to face the fact that Ah Xue may never return.
This blow was so heavy that it exceeded my capacity, forcing me to seriously reconsider. I risked my life in Solancia to awaken Ah Xue, and now that she's awake, or perhaps she'll never wake up again, why am I taking these risks? Surely not out of sheer stupidity?
(I wondered if I could escape in time. When I agreed to work for Bin Laden, I signed a contract with magical effects. If I broke the contract, even if Bin Laden didn't come to kill me personally, I could instantly fall into hell and be burned alive for hundreds or thousands of years...)
As I pondered this, our journey continued, and the group drew ever closer to the Wal Forest. Hua Gengsha, who had left, had not returned, greatly increasing the possibility of her secretly escaping. I was worried, but there was nothing I could do.
"Strange, when I came to Solancia before, I encountered fog on the way, but it was never this large or lasted this long. What's wrong with this land?"
Leng Linglan said, "The places we passed through along the way also looked strange. The way those elves were acting... how should I put it?"
"Very eerie."
"Yes, it was really eerie." Leng Linglan looked at me and said, "Did you feel that way too? In the forests we passed through, spirits watched us from afar, silently, in the mist and the trees. So many people just watched quietly, and it was the same in several forests. It felt like entering a ghost realm, giving you a chill all over."
With Leng Linglan's martial arts skills, feeling a chill was just an adjective, not an actual feeling. The forest was naturally humid, and with the thick fog, the temperature was indeed low, but I could understand Leng Linglan's feeling. Everything we saw along the way had an eerie atmosphere.
Leaving aside the abnormal exception of Hua Gengsha, elves, though proud, are generally a race that reveres light and shouldn't give off a sinister feeling. However, throughout our journey, in the several forests we passed through, the elves living there didn't come out to greet us; they simply hid behind the trees, spying us menacingly. It wasn't so much watching as glaring; it was more like staring. Even after we left, we felt a strong prickle of unease.
A group of pointy-eared elves, perched on silvery-white trees, half-peeked out, their figures appearing and disappearing in the thick fog, their azure eyes glowing eerily… This scene, no matter who saw it, would be considered sinister.
An unusual situation is unfolding. If this isn't just affecting those few forests, but spreading throughout Solancia, then I must say that something is wrong with this land.
This situation is likely not a matter of just a few days; it's been going on for quite some time. I received no news from abroad, and the international community knows nothing about it either. I feel there's a deep-seated conspiracy at play, like the Headless Horseman incident in Ishtar.
An overwhelming sense of unease makes this not-so-long journey feel like walking through the underworld, making it hard to breathe. The only thing breaking the oppressive atmosphere is the occasional assassination attempts.
In just one day, there have been three in succession, all involving sudden attacks on troops, attacks on the High Priest's carriage, or direct charges into enemy lines, searching for Lehman's whereabouts. The three groups of people, though few in number and not particularly strong, were quickly wiped out and subdued. However, these three groups were unrelated to each other and acted solely for the same reason: to avenge the missing Prince Lunfiel.
"It seems that although Lunfiel lost the struggle, he is very popular. On the contrary, Lehman is in power and does not have the support of the elves. His future is uncertain!"
Leng Linglan said this deliberately to provoke Tianhe Xueqiong, but Tianhe Xueqiong did not react. It was unclear whether she was not provoked or if there was another reason.
Several waves of assassins attacked, and Bianca led her men to quell them all. Only once did one of the assassins, a skilled warrior who was later said to be a member of King Solancia's royal guards and a master of the Lunfiel faction, also participate in the assassination while masked. Ordinary soldiers could not stop him, but Tianhe Xueqiong dismounted from the carriage, raised her arms, and unleashed two dark magic spells: "Evil Poison Serpent" and "Wheel of Darkness".
A giant serpent formed from solidified earth darted out and bit the imperial guard. Although the earth serpent's strength was not great, it contained deadly venom. Even a mere touch would cause poisoning, let alone a bite. The guard's movements were restricted, and his strength was weakened by a third. At this moment, a rapidly spinning, sharp black halo appeared and easily severed his head.
As his head fell to the ground, his blood-spurting body was immediately and completely invaded by the poison. It quickly decomposed before everyone's eyes, turning into a pool of foul-smelling mud. This shocking way of dying stunned everyone present. The remaining assassins lost their will to fight and were quickly killed as well.
Although Leng Linglan didn't speak, I knew she was shocked. Would the Tianhe Xueqiong of the past have been so ruthless? Regardless, given her prestigious lineage, she shouldn't be so callous with human life, right? In fact, Leng Linglan herself often drew her sword and killed people when she felt the need; considering the number of deaths, she was practically a mass murderer. There was no need for such lamentation.
As for me, one thing was certain: that beautiful little fox girl who always wept bitterly for the innocent dead would never have imagined that one day she would use such ruthless methods to kill so cleanly and efficiently…
◆ Episode 5: Huaer Forest. The King's New
Clothes, the Val Forest, the capital of Solancia, the sacred realm of elves... Long ago... when I was still serving in the army in Alibuda, I thought I would never have the chance to set foot in the Val Forest in my lifetime. After all, my hands were stained with the vengeful blood of elves. Let alone going to the elf capital, even entering Solancia would probably get me killed instantly.
So, the strange thing that happened now is truly unbelievable. When this journey finally reached its destination, I stepped onto the land of the Val Forest. Ahead of me was a large group of elves respectfully lined up, beating gongs and drums, welcoming me, the enemy who had slaughtered countless of their compatriots.
Looking around, the elves lining up to welcome me at the forest entrance weren't just ordinary civilians and soldiers; there were even some royalty and nobles. They were handsome, their simple yet elegant attire revealing their refined bearing—clearly not ordinary people.
During my first visit to Baghdad, I was also greeted by a large entourage, but in terms of scale, it was far less impressive than this. Even the country's royalty and nobility had come out to greet me! Such a grand gesture was something even the President of the Plantagenet Federation or the Zen Master might not receive, let alone someone like me, a third-rate character.
Hearing the deafening gongs and drums, the exploding fireworks, and seeing the countless elves waving and clapping in the lively scene before me, I almost thought I was dreaming. Even Leng Linglan, standing beside me, was stunned.
"No...impossible...how could Solancia act like this?"
I could understand Leng Linglan's astonishment, because everything happening now felt so jarring. Before, when I was traveling with Solancia's soldiers, I could clearly sense their hostility. It was only because the High Priest treated me as an honored guest that these elves didn't immediately attack me, despite the perilous situation—that was a normal reaction.
However, now those lining up to welcome me weren't just there; they were also wearing friendly smiles and waving enthusiastically, as if I weren't their blood enemy, but a highly honored guest they sincerely welcomed. How could this be possible?
I have neither the virtue of a saint nor the aura of a king. To say that I have any extraordinary charm to influence my enemies is utter nonsense. I don't even believe it myself. But the unreasonable facts are right in front of me. If they were forced to come out and line up, I could understand that. But how do I explain the smiles and attitudes on their faces?
"And the most absurd thing is... Is this really Solancia? Elven ceremonies should be solemn and dignified, so what's with this carnival-like atmosphere?" As soon as
I brought this up, Leng Linglan nodded vigorously, expressing her utter incomprehension. Especially when she saw fireworks exploding in the air, transforming into the words "Welcome, distinguished guest John Farrell, the world's most lewd and despicable villain, to the Elven Kingdom," we knew we were still conscious, but we couldn't help but doubt our own sanity.
If all of this wasn't a dream, then the elves' desire to break free from their dull ancestral rules and learn human culture might be a good explanation. Because after the dazzling fireworks lit up the sky, a group of pretty elf girls in beautiful colorful dresses emerged from the forest. They were all very young, with childlike smiles on their faces, dancing and skipping with light, joyful steps.
"Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome!"
There was no mirror, but hearing the children enthusiastically shout those eight words, I knew my face must have looked terrible.
A simple "Warm welcome" was just the beginning. The children lined up neatly, striking the same pose, even their facial expressions were similar, or rather... all expressionless. They opened their arms, raised their hands, and sang in a tone that sounded enthusiastic yet rigid.
"Welcome, welcome, a glorious welcome."
"Welcome, welcome, a sincere welcome."
"Welcome, great war god, star in the sky, helmsman on the earth, General Farrell..."
At this point, all the children bowed deeply, facing our direction, and sang the second half of the song in this posture: "...arriving in Solancia."
If Solancia truly wanted to learn human culture, then what I saw was undoubtedly a symbol of their failed attempt.
Dragging innocent children out for a welcoming performance is one of the most foolish and despicable acts of human behavior. I don't understand what's so exciting about watching kids do this. Is it because children don't know how to fake it, and hearing their congratulations makes you feel so great?
But forcing children who don't know how to lie to do something against their conscience is not only despicable, but also... the person who does this must be very insecure to need to deceive themselves to build confidence. Maybe they're impotent in bed and need children's cheers to maintain their self-esteem. Like that useless guy Leng Qiji, who loved doing this. After hearing the children's cheers, he'd casually take them to his harem to hear another kind of cheer.
Seeing that Solancia didn't learn anything good, but instead chose to learn this major human flaw, I felt a chill. Looking at Leng Linglan, I found her face was also ashen. At that moment, deafening music resounded through the sky. Just as I was about to speak to Leng Linglan, a hand suddenly landed on my shoulder. I turned around and saw the grinning High Priest.
"Uh, why are you only showing up now?"
"I was about to get off the carriage, but that chick was too captivating, so I couldn't resist having a quick fling. Hehe, anyway, the welcoming ceremony is for you. You can just watch the beginning. I'll make it to the climax."
The High Priest calmly tied his belt while giving me a thumbs up, indicating that the beauty I presented to him was indeed top-notch and that he thoroughly enjoyed it.
"The climax? What do you mean?"
I asked, puzzled, but immediately realized that the High Priest, that lecherous old man, was practically lawless and unscrupulous. The only reasons he could stop messing around with women and get down to business were Lehman and King Greens of Solancia. Judging from the scene, it was obviously King Greens who was about to appear.
"When you see His Majesty later, there's something I need to remind you of beforehand, so you don't make a mistake without knowing it, which would be very much like Bagg Wild Deer."
The high priest spoke seriously. I thought to myself that King Greens and the high priest had been acquainted for many years and were birds of a feather, so he couldn't be any good either. But since he was the king of a country, I couldn't afford to offend him on his own turf, so I listened attentively with Leng Linglan.
"His Majesty is kind and unpretentious. You are a distinguished guest he specially invited, so there shouldn't be any problems. However, His Majesty is very particular about his clothes. When you see him, immediately compliment his clothes, and he will be delighted."
"Oh, I thought there was something more to it. Flattery is a piece of cake, but why must you compliment his clothes? Usually, flattering a king is more effective by starting from other aspects. Complimenting his clothes is rather unoriginal and meaningless, isn't it?"
"Well... Brother, you don't know this, but His Majesty's clothes in recent years are very special, possessing a unique aesthetic. Only a true sage or wise man can appreciate that noble art."
The usually shameless high priest was actually hesitant this time. I felt something was amiss, and an ancient story suddenly came to mind.
(No way? Although everything I've seen since arriving in Solancia has been absurd, he's still the ruler of a nation, surely he wouldn't really...)
Before I could be sure if this absurd thought would come true, the deafening music suddenly stopped, and the surroundings fell silent. Then, cheers erupted again. I looked in the direction of the sound and saw a long, elegant red carpet appear at the entrance to the forest, floating half a foot above the ground, maintained by magic.
As the red carpet appeared, flower petals rained down from the sky, and a tall figure slowly strode in, followed by several attendants. The crowd cheered even louder upon seeing this figure; it was King Grins of Solancia who had appeared.
I knew little about this elf king before, but my first impression of him was that he was a leader with a very regal air.
Elves have a long lifespan, and although King Grinds had several children, he showed no signs of aging. He was dignified, tall, and walked with a powerful stride, exuding the majesty of a leader. What was most remarkable was that while many elves were handsome, few possessed such a muscular physique. This elf king's body was muscular from head to toe, like a perfect male statue, and from a distance, he even gave the impression of an unyielding giant rock.
This was quite unexpected. I had assumed that King Greens, with his indulgence in wine and women, wouldn't be in good health, even if his body wasn't completely ruined. I hadn't expected him to be such a muscular giant. His well-developed muscles were clearly the result of years of training, brimming with powerful energy and strength—not to be underestimated.
(Strange, Bernanke had mentioned that he and Greens were in poor health, particularly in that area, which was why I was there to diagnose and advise them. But Greens's body is stronger than a lion's; there's no reason he shouldn't be in that area. Was Bernanke talking nonsense? Or is there something else going on?)
I pondered this question, but compared to another significant problem before me, it was utterly insignificant. From the moment King Greens appeared, Leng Linglan's eyes widened in disbelief. The king's muscles were truly astonishing. And how could we be so sure of his impressive physique?
Because… King Greens, walking with his head held high, occasionally striking poses like a bodybuilding coach to accentuate his powerful muscles, was completely naked, walking out with an air of nonchalance.
We were all well-traveled and experienced, but to see a monarch, especially the ruler of a powerful nation like Solancia, walking naked in front of his people with such a composed and even smug expression—we had never even imagined such a thing.
If I had a choice, I would have liked to run away, pretend I didn't see anything. But King Greens walked straight towards me, and I had nowhere to hide… It's strange, he's the one who should be digging a hole and burying himself, why am I the one looking for a place to hide?
"Is this John Farrell? I've heard of you for a long time…"
King Greens stood before me, his entire being like an unyielding boulder, making it hard for me to breathe. He looked down at me, his gaze sweeping over me, and laughed heartily, "A handsome man indeed! The Farrell family has a fine heir."
Like a vocalist, King Greens' voice could be described as deep and resonant, leaving a very good impression. Compared to Leng Qiji, King Greens undoubtedly possessed a more regal air. However, when it comes to eccentricities… these two kings are quite evenly matched.
"Tell me, what do you think of my new outfit today?"
King Greens' question was truly difficult for me to answer. If it weren't for the High Priest's prior warning, I would never have been able to respond so quickly and calmly.
"Your Majesty's outfit... is both magnificent and dignified, domineering yet elegant, formal yet casual, and most importantly, possesses a unique artistic feel. It is truly rare in heaven and earth, the most suitable attire for Your Majesty as a king."
I didn't even know what I was saying, but I tried to be as comprehensive as possible. My eyes are perfectly normal; how could I possibly see that non-existent new outfit? But judging from King Greens' expression, he was very satisfied with my evaluation.
"Hahaha, good, well said! My new clothes represent the pinnacle of magical technology in Solancia. Only true sages and wise men can see them. You have certainly not disappointed me, and my long wait has not been in vain."
King Greens laughed heartily, but I noticed Leng Linglan beside me, looking as if she was about to faint. I never imagined that the ancient fairy tale "The King's New Clothes" would have a real-life version, playing out before my very eyes. It's hard to say whether King Greens is wise or foolish, but at least it's certain that he's probably an elf who doesn't usually read human fairy tales.
"I originally intended to test you with a few questions, but you've passed the first test. The rest... let's discuss after we've had three drinks together."
King Greens took my hand and raised it high, causing countless elven subjects around us to cheer. In that instant, I felt utterly absurd. Those who
caused tens of thousands of deaths in war and sold hundreds of thousands of prisoners into slavery—from a purely moral standpoint, they were undoubtedly sinners—yet they could become national heroes in their own country. This was already absurd. A sinner is a sinner; why should a sinner become a great man?
If being treated as a great man in one's own country is absurd, how should one view the fact that I'm treated as an honored guest in an enemy country? I killed their fathers and brothers, raped their wives and daughters, and sold their relatives and friends into slavery. Don't these elves feel anything? How can they still laugh and even clap their hands in celebration?
In Ishtar, our cooperation was purely based on mutual benefit. No matter how obedient the soldiers of Ishtar were to me, I knew they would turn their backs on me sooner or later. I could sense this from their eyes and gestures. But I couldn't find the same feeling in these elves. When I entered the Val Forest, every look I encountered was full of friendliness and welcome. Although there were a few exceptions, the proportion of exceptions was less than 10%. Even Leng Linglan couldn't understand it and asked in surprise.
"Have these elves gone mad? You killed so many of their kind, you're their mortal enemy, why are they welcoming you like this?"
"...Probably because I'm handsome."
"Ridiculous, there's no such thing in this world!"
"Yeah, I think so too, so what else can I say to you?"
Leng Linglan was taken aback, knowing I had no answer, so she fell silent, looking around intently at everything in the Huaer Forest.
Unlike the human capital, Huaer wasn't a man-made city, it was completely integrated with the natural trees. As far as the eye could see, countless giant trees stood tall and imposing, their trunks thick and large, with branches growing horizontally. On each branch was a thatched hut, where the elves lived.
Even with the best construction techniques, these giant trees alone couldn't build enough houses and rooms to house all the elves. But when combined with magic, it's a different story. The elves' level of magical culture is unparalleled in the world, and their skills in using natural elements far surpass those of humans. The Wal Forest is filled with thousands upon thousands of towering giant trees. These trees are of a special species, and as they grow, the elves guide natural energy into them to nourish their growth, which is why they can grow so enormous, far exceeding the trees of the ordinary human world.
As giant trees absorb natural energy to grow, they themselves become mediums for the flow of natural energy. I've read in historical records that during the war in Solancia, the elves activated the energy contained within the giant trees to form a protective shield that covered the entire forest. It not only blocked arrows but could even withstand artillery fire and attacks from mid-level magic—truly formidable. In comparison, setting up a levitation array to make houses half-float on the branches is just a piece of cake.
The levitation array is invisible and intangible, supporting the elves' dwellings and allowing them to walk in the air at the height maintained by the array without worrying about falling from a height.
Living in the forest, fire is a matter of utmost caution; a single mishap can lead to catastrophic disaster. Therefore, I noticed that every household had lights hanging outside, but these lights weren't lit by fire; instead, they were illuminated by magical stones of various colors, each color used to distinguish between ordinary homes and shops.
These different colored lights added vibrancy to the lush forest, like countless jewels scattered throughout, sparkling and shimmering, possessing a serene beauty unlike any other in the human world.
Walking through the forest, the path seemed to end, but whenever I reached a difficult spot, the massive tree roots would automatically part to form a passage. I walked among countless elves, looking up to see many elven women and children peeking at me from the trees. Their eyes weren't particularly excited; they seemed rather hazy. Just as I was about to get a closer look, a mist rose around me, gradually obscuring everything.
At the heart of the Huaer Forest stood the palace of Solancia, supported by five enormous trees. Each tree was far larger than ordinary, with a diameter of tens of feet, so huge that it was hard to believe they were living beings. Their trunks had crystallized, shimmering brilliantly, sometimes icy blue, sometimes snowy silver, incomparably beautiful.
Five giant trees were arranged in a circle, their branches intertwining to form an exceptionally powerful levitation magic circle. Within this circle stood a palace constructed entirely of wood. Though not opulent, it possessed a sacred and solemn aura, and even from a distance, I could feel the powerful magical energy emanating from it.
"Wow, this isn't a palace! It's practically a fortress or a temple..."
I thought to myself, genuinely impressed. However, the thought of such a magnificent building housing and ruling over a super-muscular, muscular king felt rather ridiculous.
Throughout the history of elves, countless humans have visited Walwood, but of all them, I must have been the one who received the grandest welcome.
King Greens led me by the hand into the palace as if I were his closest friend of many years; his warm hospitality almost made me think I had met my own father.
Upon entering the palace, a grand banquet was immediately laid out. King Greens hosted me with a state feast, and the lively atmosphere of the banquet goes without saying. King Greens even clapped his hands to summon the court dancers to perform.
Such a scene would surely be astonishing to scholars studying elven ecology, because just as traditional elven customs dictate that they rarely drink alcohol, it's inconceivable that elven beings, with their pride and conservatism, would have court dancers. If it were written in a travelogue, it would be ridiculed as a blurring of human and elven habits. But I actually witnessed it. Those beautiful
, elegant elven maidens, adorned with heavy gold ornaments around their necks and waists, danced and swayed their graceful bodies. Their skirts barely covered their buttocks, and apart from the gold rings on their ankles, their lower bodies were bare. As they kicked their legs to the music, the sheer sexiness and allure of that moment was captivating.
If the dance was stunning, its beauty teetering between art and obscenity, then what followed left me utterly speechless. As the music ended, King Grind clapped his hands again, and the dancers withdrew, replaced by another group of elven dancers. Their actual ages were unclear, but they all appeared to be human girls around eight or nine years old.
These elves had snow-white skin and beautiful faces, clearly destined to be beauties. Some of them looked familiar; they seemed to be the ones who had shouted the welcoming slogans at the forest entrance. They held small drums and wore semi-transparent white veils. Although their most prominent features were not visible, their delicate curves were on full display. As they sang and danced, vigorously shaking their snow-white bottoms, I heard King Greens clapping loudly.
"You seemed unimpressed when they put on their welcoming performance earlier, which I greatly admire. Human culture has many merits, but how can children be used like this? Sending children to perform welcoming acts is utterly despicable."
King Greens looked at me and laughed loudly, "Children should be used like this! Lord John, your reputation for debauchery is unparalleled, and the people of the earth tremble with fear at the mere mention of it. Later, you will choose a few of them to serve you in bed. This is my intention, so don't refuse, hahaha."
Hearing this loud laughter, I turned around and looked at Leng Linglan behind me. Although I didn't say anything, my eyes conveyed a very clear meaning: "This girl is just like your cheap father." Thinking about it this way, it seems that the rulers of the major powers on Earth all have this kind of predilection. King Coldness is one example, as is King Greens. Rosetta is a land of dwarves, where adult women are no different from humans. As for Ryan... Buffett... he's gay, so he's not interested in young girls, but he might just fall head over heels for young boys.
With singing and dancing, wine is a given. King Greens, somewhat intoxicated, began to recount my great achievements to his ministers. Actually, given my notoriety on Earth, I'm practically infamous. Even without much introduction, these elves have heard of my misdeeds. But seeing King Grinds open the transparent screen and, with actual pictures and charts, recount my past murders, arson, rapes, and kidnappings in detail, with his subjects clapping loudly for each incident, I honestly don't know whether this is praise or public humiliation.
The entire banquet felt like an unreal dream, and it was becoming more and more like a nightmare. Before I could bear it any longer, I decided to get down to business first.
When King Greens came to toast me and whispered that he had no special requests, I guessed from his eyes and tone that he wanted to know what kind of woman I wanted to sleep with. I had no interest in that, and simply expressed my interest in the bars of Solancia and hoped to visit some local bars.
"What? You want to visit bars?"
King Greens exclaimed in surprise, his voice loud enough for everyone around to hear, shattering my attempt to be discreet. But then I thought, Bin Laden and Lehman each had their own ulterior motives, and I couldn't possibly outsmart them. Rather than blindly following them, it wouldn't be bad if something unexpected happened; it might even disrupt my plans.
However, King Greens' expression was unusually solemn, and even his mustache looked more serious. My previous guess was indeed correct. There was no bar in Walwood, or perhaps the meaning of a bar was not so simple.
"Joseph, you are indeed remarkable. I had already arranged this trip for you, but I didn't expect you to take the initiative to suggest it. You truly deserve to be called a wise and virtuous man who can see my new clothes. You have certainly not disappointed me."
Speaking of the non-existent King's New Clothes, I have to say that throughout the entire banquet, this naked king remained so arrogantly naked. If you only looked at his well-built muscles, you could appreciate it as a piece of performance art. The problem was that when he walked, a certain part of his body swayed, which made it difficult to know what expression to make. At least I really wanted to ask Leng Linglan what she thought about it.
"No need to rush. Let's all drink and have a good time tonight. Once you've arrived in Solancia, you'll be treated to my hospitality. After you teach me the important techniques that will benefit our country, I will naturally arrange sightseeing for you. At that time, you can stay as long as you like, let alone just visit the sights."
I didn't quite understand the meaning of that sentence, and I couldn't ask for details at the moment. When the state banquet ended, we were all assigned accommodations. Basically, everyone stayed together and wasn't particularly separated. Even without Hua Gengsha, the Bai family members still took good care of themselves in an orderly manner. For safety reasons, Leng Linglan stayed with Lindsay, and I stayed next to the two women.
After a tiring day, anyone would want to rest, but just as I lay in my room about to close my eyes, someone knocked on the door. When I opened it, I found that the person outside was Bianca.
"His Highness wishes to see you."
The "His Highness" Bianca referred to was naturally Lehman. Given our current relationship, it would be dangerous for me to go see him like this. However, after some thought, I figured it wouldn't be that easy for things to turn sour, and since I genuinely needed to see him again, I went with Bianca.
I had assumed that we would have to walk the entire time in the Val Forest, but Bianca had a vehicle. This wooden cart, similar to a sled, had magic stones installed at the bottom that repelled the levitation array, generating power to float and move. The cart was both light and ingenious, and most importantly, it moved almost silently. If I could, I should get one of these to play with.
The wooden cart moved among countless giant trees, weaving through branches and leaves, getting further and further away from the inn where we had been arranged, even leaving the "bustling area" in the heart of the forest. Seeing the surroundings gradually becoming desolate and quiet, with few human voices, I couldn't help but wonder: was Bianca not here to take me to meet someone, but to take me to a secluded place to kill me? It didn't seem very reasonable, but Lehman wasn't my grandson; I couldn't accurately predict what he was up to.
However, this guess didn't come true, because Bianca began to lower the cart, making me realize that this rocky area before me was our destination.

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