Chapter 45, Unexpected

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Tengfei and his group tried their best to escort numerous amounts of people. Gushing out the large portal like ants.

Scared to their cores, as they don't even care when pushing people aside. Trying their very best to escape with their lives.

Some were even trampled by the mass. Some were violantly moved.

A catastrophy it is indeed.

From a little far away, the group that was in charge by the administrator 'Four', were having similar expressions. That is being bewildered.

They never knew as to how many people came to just see them in this contest.

Enjoying the scenary of their sufferings.

That is... until now.

Aside from the noises from the rushing crowd, there seems to be also signs of people... screaming.

With a look above, the pretender Zhou Huan, spotted lots of weird looking things. Which each eventually fall off.

First they looked like some time of moving goop. But then, they slowly formed into human like figures with numerous sharp bones protruding out of them. Arms turning into special sharp blades made of bone substances. The liquid color resembled swamp water.

With a wave, Huan attracted the attention of his group before pointing out the imminent danger. Knowing that if they let those creatures be, it would cause a massacre to the people around.

Quafilia, who was beside him, surveyed the creatures with a disgusted look. Checking it from bottom to top before asking numerous questions, "Why do they have random teethes on their head? Also, what's with the crystal in the middle? Isn't that some kind of obvious weak spot?"

Everyone ignored her trivial childish question until they heard her last one. Stating about the small crystal. Which looked like the mana stone that the knight Farengoth used before in his battle.

The long-haired man, Ifol, gave a thought about it before whispering something to his lady friend, Zian Fei.

She furrowed her eyebrows before whispering something back. He gave her a glare which caused her to feel dejected.

The lady slowly nodded with a sigh before concentrating a large amount of refined water mana into one of her ring.

She then sent out a large blast towards one of goopy creatures. Trying her best to aim the spot on the middle.

Luckily it landed barely on the core. Cracking it by the force behind the water technique.

The creature's form ceazed before dropping to the floor like a blob. Constantly trying to turn into human shaped. But ultimately failed horrible before succumbing into a puddle of water.

Tengfei exclaimed, "Oh, it actually worked."

He then facepalmed before sliding his hand down and rubbing his chin, "It would be troublesome if we were slashing at it randomly and kept wondering why they kept staying alive." He then showed a wry smile.

Huan eyed Quafilia while making a shrug, "She's useful at that at least."

Quafilia has her eyes closed as she smiled nearby.

She then commented, "I have many uses... you know." The lady went close before giving Huan a nudge before whispering, "Especially in bed. I have trained in countless arts~"

Zhou Huan ears twitched before pushing her away. He then looked at his spear, realizing that it was the worst weapon in this situation.

He dropped the spear before pulling out the dagger he recently was given. Removing his metal helmet before wearing the Red Mask he won from the auction.

Affter it was worn, he could clearly see as to how many of those creatures were nearby. Easily distinguishing their changing slimy structure.

The administrator, who called himself Four, recently just beaten two of the slimy creatures with his lighting imbued staff.

He then yelled, "Tengfei, I need you right here! Someone's wounded!"

Our gray haired friend gave a nod before following the orders. Going to Four's side and inspecting the wounded man. A large serrated wound could be seen on his stomach area. Attesting to the deadliness behind the bone blades of the creatures.

After removing his gloves, he went forward to healing the wounds by relocating his transferred refined mana into his hands.

He asked, "What are this creatures even called?"

Before Four dashed towards another creature, he replied, "WaterJacks."

Slowly but surely the wounds closed. Amazing him and also affirming his resolve of 'Light' affinity being really useful. Even if he has a weak mana grade, as long as he can save someone, he's contended.

Meanwhile, he didn't want to miss out the battle of his group.

He watched as Zhou Huan aggressively delivered multiple slashes at the WaterJack. Boiling away the liquid like substance before pulling out the crystal in the middle with his hand. Throwing it to the ground, then stomping it to bits.

This marveled Tengfei as he thought, 'He sure is elegant.' With a forced expression.

Another slime was about to eviscerate his neck from behind until the lady, Quafilia, came to his rescue. Using a long curved sword covered in fire, she incinerated the slime with her skilled blade strokes.

The administrator caught this act before wondering, 'Wait... she also has fire affinity?'

Tengfei figured that the healing of his would take some time so he decided to look around.

Checking each place if there was something wrong.

Eventually he spotted an old man being surrounded by creatures.

He was about to yell out the old man's condition but then he remembered something. His mind went blank as he swallowed his vomit back in. The acid tinged his mouth.

Tengfei decided to go save the man himself. Unlike before, this time he has the technique to do so.

But there's a man wounded in front of him. He couldn't abandon to save another. It would be... meaningless.

A predicament he was in.

He gritted his teeth as he kept cursing himself. Tengfei wanted to raise his voice to save the man but he couldn't.

All that was in his head were thoughts of that man being butchered.

...

Luckily...

The administrator pointed it out, "Ifol and your wife! That old man over there needs help!"

After both of them nodded, the labeled wife replied back, "By the way, we're not married yet."

They ran as fast as possible to help.

By the time they got there, the man was already stabbed in the chest. Twas already too late.

Ifol snickered before using his manifested fire sword to slash and incinerate two WaterJacks. His partner, Zian Fei, unleashed a torrent of water. Forcefully pushing out the crystal core of the slimy creature and shattering it on the wall from the force behind it.

Tengfei's eyes were glued upon the recently stabbed man. Who has his last breath coming.

He gripped his hand tightly enough that blood trickled down.

Standing up, he ran towards the man. Trying his best and not wanting to even waste a second. He kept cursing himself in the way.

Though the moment he reached out his hand to heal him... he was...

...

already dead.

Going to all four, Tengfei felt... devastated.

He gritted his teeth and felt really horrible, because he could have pointed him out earlier. But that lingering fear inside him and the scenery of young corpses stopped him from uttering out.

In a way or another, he doesn't want people to be in danger from his requests or business.

That still stays strong when it comes to him avoiding life threatening situations. As his life is not only his since before.

The administrator, Four, grasped his shoulder before saying, "It's not your fault." He then affirmed him, "Focus for now, we need your help."

Tengfei looked up to him before giving a nod. Without Four noticing, his face looked pale.

...

Quafilia pointed with her blade at something large before asking, "Is that the boss? He's quite far away at least."

Zhou Huan finished off a creature and then looked towards the direction.

His face formed a frown as he grip his dagger tightly.

"A giant chunk of iron and inside that is nothing more than another of those cursed WaterJacks." He commented. Huan placed his dagger inside his bag.

He wanted a free hand so he could massage his forehead.

Quafilia was hapilly looking at him.

Noticing her bubbly presence, Zhou Huan asked, "What is it?"

She held her finger next to her lip before replying, "Do you want me to massage for you?"

"If you were any other lady, I would've commented 'If you do that... then I might want to massage those two sacks of yours in return' but alas it had to be you."

"Why particularly me? I'm pretty confident in my body you know." She had a teary eyed look with puffed cheeks.

Zhou Huan surveyed her. He looked around seeing that it was safe to continue, "That attitude reminds me of someone. Also, I'm not interested in Krehorian women at the moment."

Quafilia eyes widened before it closed.

Strangely he found that instead of straight reply... Quafilia just stood there silent before giving a forced smile. Her eyebrows felt forced also.

He felt sadness behind her expression.

Huan observed her carefully before thinking, 'It couldn't be...'

The administrator's voice broke the weird atmosphere around them, "Stop dallying around and prepare for combat with that giant! We have already escorted most of the people out the exit portal. All that remains is defending it."

Zhou Huan shrugged before replying, "We better get something for helping you guys out."

Adminstrator, "Trust me, you will." He then beckoned at Tengfei before continuing, "Now please support both of them."

After Tengfei surveyed Quafilia and Zhou Huan, he then nodded.

The long-haired man, Ifol, came beside them before asking, "How did these things even got here?"

Four, the administrator, was the one who answered, "Through the main entrance. From what I heard recently, we had some defects. Those people allowed this mess to flood in."

The lady beside him then commented, "Luckily you have an emergency exit portal. Quite the filthy rich sectyou got there."

"No, we just have a brilliant individual." He replied. The administrator then brought out a large lightning sword from a glowing ring of his. It floated in mid-air before he hopped on to it. Flying around with it.

Quafilia eyed the sword before showing a grin.

The administrator rode the blade towards the boss figure. Zooming through the air with crackles of electricity trailing behind. His bright figure attracted the attention of the giant.

It waved its heavy large hammer around.

Four's speed was superior, he easily maneuvered around it. A smile appeared on him.

Though that all stopped when he felt a sudden jolt of tremendous pain before pitch darkness.

...

...

...He was squashed like a bug.

Splattering the ground with his organs.

Tengfei's mind became blank when he saw this.

Quafilia's grin turned to a frown.

Zhou Huan, averted his eyes before painfully closing his eyes.

Ifol and Zian Fei had complicated looks.

Tengfei turned to his brother with a serious look. He then proclaim, "We should run."

Huan looked around before asking, "Run where? We're surrounded by these annoying shits. And our only way is behind that boss looking thing. But that's out the question due to what he recently showed us."

Tengfei felt danger before erecting his barrier and blocking the downward slash attack from a water jack nearby. The burning effect reduced its body liquid to nothing.

Ifol took this chance to eradicate the thing.

"Looks like we're in a predicament." Said Zian Fei before she sighed.

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In the spectator's place

March 21st

"Is that you... Lihua?" Asked the middle-aged woman.

The princess averted her eyes, faced her body away from hers before remaining silent.

Slowly the lady got up before reaching out her hand towards Lihua. Her shaky hand.

Touching the surface of her cheek as she feels her own heart throb violently. She then uttered, "Thank goodness." Before hugging her.

Caressing her hair as she continues, "And here I thought you were already killed..."

Lihua didn't know what to do in this type of situation. Her mind went blank but at the same time, a sense of warmth lingers in her.

She then said, "I'm fine aunt Meifen."

The aunt stopped her embrace before giving a proper look at her niece. She then commented, "Oh how much you have grown, and still there's much years to come. Just gets to show how long we've been separated."

Lihua blew away her bangs before replying lazily, "Figures that you will says something along those lines. Quite sappy."

Meifen pulled on her cheeks with a smile, "Also your character went some changes..."

The princess pushed away her hands, "It never did, it's just that you're meeting with the true genuine me." Lihua gave a short smile before eyeing her.

Meifen gave another look at her, "We don't have time to discuss here, let's escape first." She beckoned at the old retainer before continuing, "When can we leave?"

The old man finished discussing something with Li Bingmei (Li Meixiu's sister). He then went and replied back to Xiao Meifen's question, "Reinforcement from that lady's sect will arrive shortly. It seems that they're likely to use an important emergency travelling beast to get here as quickly as possible."

Li Meixiu stood up before giving a talk, "We better group up near the entrance. I have just recently spoken with an underling of mine. The place has a group protecting the main entrance from fiends. Helping them push through gives us an opportunity to escape through the main portal."

Lihua walked up before helping Li Meixiu stay balanced. "We better go fast then."

A person approached with an orange cube on his hand. At first, they were wary of that individual until Li Bingmei said, "This is my fiancé." She then went to him before circling her arms around his arms with a happy face.

Li Bingmei then asked him, "What's that?"

He gave the cube to her before replying, "I caught someone spying on you people while I was escorting the spectators out."

Li Bingmei patted his back, "Ho ho, let's interrogate him later."

He replied with a nod before yawing and stretching his arms. The man then exclaimed, "Man, I'm so sleepy..." Noticing that he was being looked at... he gave a soft chuckle before saying, "Oh, I'm Peizhi. I discarded my surname so please don't be shy to call me by that."

Peizhi then gave a look at Li Meixiu before saying, "It's nice to meet you again future sister-in-law."

Li Meixiu gave a nod before replying, "Seems that you grew taller than before. Sleeping 80% of time sure is helping."

He smiled as a reply.

The old retainer then commented, "Let's move out now."

Everyone agreed in response.

Though when they concluded, a large flash of red engulfed the entire spectators area.

Coming out particularly form the large whale still stuck on the barrier.

Wails of countless people crying could be heard before a flash of white engulfed everywhere.

Lihua adjusted her eyes before noting something at first sight. That the whale's body which had numerous skins of humans were now... gone.

The middle-aged woman Meifen gave an afraid look before asking, "What was that?"

Li Meixiu stared at the same place that the princess was looking at. She then exclaimed, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Her sister, Bingmei snapped her finger before saying loudly, "The secret portal is nearby, let's go already! Don't care about that freaky whale!" She then jumped before dashing towards the portal with both arms on the air.

The old retainer picked up Meifen before following her.

Lihua asked her friend Li Meixiu if she could run. Her reply was with a gesture that indicated yes.

They then followed afterwards.

...

Entering through the portal, the first thing that caught Lihua's eyes was Tengfei defending himself.

A small bird made of light is weaving mana rope around two slimy creatures. Binding before burning them slowly. Tengfei protecting himself and a wounded individual with his light barrier. The waterjacks were constantly aiming to break the screen, pestering him with problems. Cracks could be seen appearing and at any moement, his mana will be depleted.

She felt panic before rushing towards his rescue.

Inserting her refined dark wind affinity into her ring before sending of a large great sword at the foes. Obliterating most of them from the sheer size and force behind it.

Though with that done, she now only has enough mana to stay conscious. But still, she shook herself before running to him.

After seeing that it's safe, Tengfei stopped supplying mana into his ring before falling on all fours. Panting.

A crack appeared on his ring which had the technique of emitting burning barriers. The bird which has completed its task, disappeared into his ring.

Lihua went up to him before asking immediately, "Tengfei! Are you hurt anywhere?"

Tengfei looked up with a forced smile. He then complained, "My body is aching, I can only taste iron, hot as hell from this leather, one eye being blurry in vision and not to forget the fact that the large bloody fish is about to crawl out my throat." He then finished his sentence after coughing, "...Indeed I'm perfectly fine."

The princess gave a caring look before looking around and doing all means to protect him. Alongside the wounded one beside.

Li Bingmei approached Lihua before patting her shoulder. She then said confidently, "Leave it all to me." She then walked towards the countless amount of slime creatures.

Though when they're little far away, she couldn't help but think, 'I must have looked really cool to them... hehe.'

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Li Meixiu gave a look at Peizhi before pointing at Zhou Huan and Quafilia fighting off creatures.

He shurgged before doing as what he probably thinks she wants.

Peizhi ran towards the horde of enemies surrounding both Zhou Huan and Quafilia before throwing out a small turtle at the waterjacks.

The turtle expanded before turning into a very large one. An emerald shelled one at that. Having an enormous head which was enough to gobble up the creatures nearby. In the process of saving the tired Huan and strangely excited Quafilia.

They stared at awe as the turtle easily handled most of it.

Even Peizhi wondered if he was even needed.

At the meantime, the middle-aged lady was being protected by her retainer from creatures. Her head still has thoughts regarding Lihua. A happy feeling inside. Enough to forget that she's in the middle of somewhere dangerous.

Li Bingmei did a stomp as she faced countless enemies. Shifting the earth before countless glowing spears emerged from the ground. Having an etherial like body but just skewered all of them in moments. The sheer amount of power dispersed the liquid like creatures. Cracking their cores at the process.

Lihua and Tengfei witnessed as to how powerful the technique she performed. A skillful one that requires the user to pinpoint where exactly each spear is about to surface.

After seeing that they are fully eradicated, she then thought with a sad look on her face, 'Have I changed?'

Li Bingmei then looked at Lihua, Tengfei and the man behind. Seeing that they're safe, a sigh was released.

...

Eventually every creature got destroyed and peace returned to that area.

....

They all gathered in one area before Li Meixiu asks Zhou Huan, "Where is..."

"That administrator?" His expression turned sour, "Well... sorry to say this but the remains of that person are just... scattered everywhere." He then gave a disgusted look.

Li Meixiu clsoed her eyes before nodding slowly.

Zhou Huan then continued, "Strange, after that bright surge of red light... The large hulking creature was gone. Not to mention that we were abandoned by two certain individuals who took the chance in escaping when we were distracted." An annoyed look appeared on his face.

"I take that the large creature was the one responsible for killing that person?" Peizhi asked.

Quafilia raised her hand before replying, "That's right."

Zhou Huan then looked at Peizhi.

Likewise Li Meixiu was surveying Quafilia.

...

Zhou Huan then broke the awkward silence, "We forgot to introduce each other... huh."

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A portal appeared beside Tengfei before a man carrying a lady emerged out of it. It was an administrator. The same person who was tasked on checking out something by the leader, 'One'.

He was carrying a lady who Tengfei immediately recognized as Red Sin. Injured really badly.

The man laid her on the ground before spotting Tengfei.

He then uttered, "If I recall... You're a healer. Thankfully you're here. Please do what you can."

Tengfei nodded immediately before approaching the lady.

After crouching down, he went to heal her. Also thinking about what she had gone through to receive this type of wounds.

Meanwhile, Lihua was seeing the numerous scars of the lady's skin. Reminded her of what she had beneath her clothing. She curled her hand into a tight fist.

Behind the mask, the eyes of Red Sin opened. She then turned her head towards Tengfei. Seeing the warm soothing light emerge from his hand.

At first, her vision was blurry and she could have sworn that he was wearing a different set of armor.

Her vision eventually cleared up and could see him with a complicated look on his face.

She didn't understand as to why the guess of Tengfei being beside her was true. Like a thought that first came up to her.

Her eyes averted away before she uttered, "Embarrassing."

Tengfei hummed, "Hmm?"

She then said with an annoyed tone, "Fine, go ahead. Ask me a question."

Tengfei realized what she meant.

Just recently, she parted with Tengfei. Also stating that the next time they meet, he can ask a question. As if knowing that it would be a long time before they encounter each other again.

...

Now... they met again.

He gave a chuckle before wondering what to question.

Then something hit him.

Like he remembered a distant memory.

He then asks with his few words being too quiet to hear, "...what troubles you?"

Red Sin turned to his direction and felt puzzled by his question. Hard to answer due to how vague it was.

Though she still replied after giving some thoughts to her answer, "No matter how many times I get rid of them, they would always come back. Similar to that of a small cockroach. Really frustrating." She gave a long pause before continuing, "The answer to what awaits me at the end of this endless revenge. Is what am I doing right? Am I happy to their demise? That is what truly troubles me."

Tengfei couldn't understand which group she's particularly talking about. But he has some guesses.

By the end of it, the healing on her was done. She stood up, activated her mark by supplying it with her mana. Covering her back with scarlet wings. Before she flew up, she told Tengfei, "This doesn't count. You can ask another question when we meet again." She then flew away with a thought of as to why is she so... attracted to him. Being kind and all, even to that race.

Suddenly, she remembered something. An old blurry memory.

She was sitting somewhere high up and a man asked from below. A person who was kneeling, "My Queen, what troubles you?"

Knowing that... somehow made her feel light headed.

...

Tengfei watched as Red Sin fly through the exit portal. Disappearing out of his sight.

Knowing somehow in him that they would meet again.

Suddenly, he felt the air became cold.

When he turned, he found a certain princess with an obvious foul mood.

Her glare made his back trickle with cold sweat.

He knew what made her this angry, and it was a mistake in his part. He got this conclusion by being in her shoes.

A foul mood of seeing a lover speak with someone with enticing body in front of them. At the same time being left out. Especially when they just recently overcame a horrible ordeal.

Even with knowing all of this, he... wanted to do a little prank.

So, he asked bluntly, "You're jealous, aren't you?" Before revealing a grin.

She stepped on his feet heavily as she gnashes her teeth before marching away. Her arms crossed and eyes tightly closed.

Though Tengfei stopped her from leaving him. Grabbing the princess's hand and bringing her into his embrace.

He then cooed, "I love you."

The princess stopped squirming before slowly looking up. Poking out her small adorable head to full view. She had her eyes half closed with a look that was mixed between annoyed and angry. Mostly unamused. Not a single trace of being flustered. Actually... Maybe the eyes.

Lihua then tells him, "You're so unfair, you know?"

He nodded before replying, "You know very well that I wouldn't give up this adorable princess of mine."

Knitting her eyebrows, "Even for a seductive mature woman like her?"

He replied naturally, "Of course."

Lihua surveyed his expression, seeing any trace of lying. But she couldn't find any.

The princess then asks, "You really love me?"

"More than I love summer." He then chuckled.

She broke into her usual sweet series of giggles before commenting loudly, "I don't know what scale of love is that!"

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Somewhere in an underground passage. Deep inside the ruins. Covered in cobwebs and dust. Nothing was kept lit except the oil lamp which is being carried by someone.

A man stood. Cloaked in black. Having an emerald scarf wrapped around his neck.

He revealed an orb which was glowing in red before inserting it into the coffin in front.

"Too many wasted souls used. Hopefully it is here like what he tasked." A tired tone.

A click sound was heard before the red orb slowly turned black.

The coffin skidded its stone like cover away before revealing its contents.

A corpse with ancient looking clothes, holding a green fragment.

The man took the green piece before wrapping it with cloth.

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