Chapter 771 - 363: I’m Confused Too

Chapter 771: Chapter 363: I’m Confused Too

Netherworld Sea, Migratory Bird Island.

The brutal slaughter in this sea area has come to an end, with Monarch Storm and the Mosel Kingdom jointly maintaining firm control here.

In the Storm Hall, a long table is laid out with roasted meat and red wine; Baron of Mosel and Tarik, the chief representative of Monarch Storm, sit side by side, with the task completed, they have reason to celebrate.

At the ends of the long table sit the leaders of several maritime powers using Migratory Bird Island as a node for major shipping routes. Besides completely expelling the forces of the Queen of Calamity, they have chosen not to pursue complete annihilation but rather integration.

This is both a military victory and a strategic conspiracy; Moncalleta is about to launch an unprecedented expedition against the Netherworld Sea, directly confronting Moncalleta is unwise.

However, making those impatient Moncalleta noblemen feel troubled opens up space for cooperation, as monopolizing a business is hugely profitable, and monopolizing a shipping route would lead to unimaginable wealth.

Tarik and Baron laugh heartily, drinking and discussing, occasionally raising their glasses with the others at the table. Baron’s gaze falls on the wandering minstrel playing and singing in the center of the hall—the musician’s fingers are very agile, the music melodious, and the singing pleasing.

Tarik takes a sip of red wine with the roasted meat, a delightful and satisfying taste exploding in his mouth.

For this banquet, they invited a gourmet from the Gourmet Association, although only a junior gourmet, which is enough to elevate the celebration’s standard and serves as a deterrent to the leaders of the integrated factions. A gourmet is an assistant, but everyone knows a gourmet only attaches to the strong, even temporarily.

Noticing Baron’s gaze towards the musician, Tarik’s eyes reveal a hint of teasing; he knows the background of this wandering musician—an informant sent by the Mosel Kingdom, evidently, there is a division within the Mosel Kingdom—not everyone wants to see Baron holding great power.

Tarik finds this situation quite interesting and suddenly says, "Would you like me to take care of it for you?"

He speaks of Baron’s problem, but it’s also his own problem, as Tarik is not the only envoy of Monarch Storm; worldly power struggles are already brutal enough, but compared to the divine favor competition, it’s just a small stage.

Monarch Storm is a fierce god, the blood battles among His followers can please Him and enhance His divinity, but blood battles require a specific scene and atmosphere, not just randomly killing someone.

Tarik is considered an important force under Monarch Storm; with Baron’s collaboration, he might accomplish a grander sacrifice by leveraging the divine favor earned from this task, bringing him closer to God.

Baron doesn’t answer, just a moment of deep gaze, he raises his wine glass, swirling the scarlet liquid in the cup, and after a pause, he turns to Tarik, chuckles, and shifts the topic: "Any new information on that seductive woman?"

Tarik laughs heartily, "Why, still thinking about that seductive woman?"

The words carry a light mockery, yet Baron, known for his amorous nature, doesn’t care, giving Tarik a slight glance, "Ha, the allure of the seductive woman is not just irresistible? Even with great willpower, it’s hard to forget, you’ve tasted her too, haven’t you? Have you forgotten?"

Tarik’s pupils constrict slightly, forgotten? How could he forget.

That woman, her every inch of skin, every look, every moan and whisper seems to carve into his bones and blood. Every memory is like a blossom.

The soul-stealing nature of the seductive woman is standard. He sees himself as a man of strong will, a follower of Monarch Storm, who hasn’t crawled out from blood and fire? Especially someone in his position depends on a heart as cold and hard as iron. Yet, even he, every memory of that seductive woman’s allure, the taste on his tongue, the scent in his nose, the touch on his skin, intertwines like chaotic threads.

His strong will lets him ignore the seductive woman’s charm, but one thing remained uncontrollable—the desire to conquer the seductive woman, magnified after resisting the lust.

The more he restrains, the greater the hunger—it’s truly toxic!

This is also why he and Baron have not yet struck against Lunare. On the vintage path, the seductive woman’s survival ability is the highest; only one thing is certain—all feelings are performances, never to be genuine.

Tarik downs a cup, then shows a trace of regret: "Unfortunately, the reaper’s pawn didn’t make a move this time."

Baron smiles faintly, accompanying with a drink.

Cantona, presumptuous disguise, believing they aren’t aware of his background—this is the Shadowy Sea Area, the reaper’s followers are just outsiders. Yet, when given the opportunity to lure him to act, he suddenly disappears with the seductive woman.

What a pity, a preparatory angel of the reaper, if he could have been blood sacrificed in that sea battle, amid the fierce war with the Queen of Calamity and Monarch Storm’s immense joy and war will after offering him to Monarch Storm, it could have provided powerful nourishment for the deity’s divinity.

"There will be opportunities; the reaper is reviving, and his followers possessing a Wish Crystal will definitely want to gather more—the pawn is clever, but the hand holding it might not be."

Tarik puts down his wine cup, "No need to push too hard; without a blood battle under my master’s gaze, just him alone can’t extract much divine nourishment."

"I could certainly use him to get the Death God’s Wish Crystal... and as for that seductive woman who disturbs my mind, she mustn’t be spared." Baron’s gaze suddenly turned ruthless, his determination apparently overriding his desire to conquer the seductive woman.

"I’ve heard the Moon God’s people have started taking action too."

"Heh heh heh, the more lively it gets, the closer it is to my master’s restoration of divine power."

***

In Dragon Capital, waking up after a night of heavy drinking, Lu Shuai, appearing as if nothing happened, went off to work. What he now truly had to focus on was that Chen Rutang becoming the Grand Governor meant there was a myriad of tasks to handle. The current state of Dragon Capital was in ruins and in urgent need of revival, all while dealing with the hindrance from the Potter Family. To hold his position firmly, he must produce results, otherwise, he would be impeached.

Back then, Ye Shidao faced similar situations numerous times and ultimately had to rely on the Potter Family.

Dragon Capital has a solid foundation. As long as the funds are in place, the rebuilding process will proceed smoothly. Although plague is rampant, there is no shortage of doctors and alchemists, and getting it under control is only a matter of time. Dragon Capital has past experience with such situations. The Celestial Principle School and the Night Patrol have been kept busy, preventing unscrupulous individuals from taking advantage of the chaos, while Li Xin found himself with some free time. Due to the curse of the Bloodthirsty Monarch, whenever he used his spiritual ability, it was devoured by that force; the more he used it, the more time he would need to suppress it, much like the Seven Injury Fist, harming the enemy by a thousand but suffering eight hundred himself.

The entire Celestial Principle School had gone out, including Xueyin, who was a little master to many scholars and scholars; it was absolutely impossible for her to stay in the academy at this time. And Ma Liu, the Adventurer Association originally didn’t participate in secular affairs, but Ma Liu directly ordered the Gourmet Association to join the relief efforts. Even though Blue Moon, the president, found such matters a bit troublesome, he couldn’t argue against an elder, as the rank isn’t just by one level.

Temporary porridge stalls have been set up everywhere, with some specifically prepared by the Gourmet Association for those who are frail, containing the secret ingredients of the Gourmet Association. Blue Moon’s heart felt like it was bleeding; those were bagfuls of lira, all given for free, and this year’s accounts might be in the red all the way to his grandma’s house.

Miss Aries and Celestia weren’t idle either. They, under the name of the Moncalleta people, also began relief work, mainly targeting the Moncalleta people in Dragon Capital. Due to the long-standing partnership and close trade relations, there were many Moncalleta people in Dragon Capital. Secretly, Celestia reached a support cooperation with the Hundred Martial Hall and the Night Patrol, which proved to be a timely blessing for the Night Patrol.

Li Xin sat alone in the living room, with everyone else busy; he instead became a bystander, left to study the crimson aura inside his body. This thing had taken residence within him, mixed with his own spiritual ability, unable to be expelled no matter what.

Justin, who appeared to have lost the will to live, lay beside him, crookedly sprawled on the ground, with the light gone from his cat’s eyes.

Justin, the playboy cat, had met his dream cat—Keli. The tale of a stray cat falling in love with a princess couldn’t play out even in the cat world. If Keli despised him, it would have been fine; he could still use thick-skinned persistence to pester her. Unfortunately, Keli merely ignored him indifferently, as if they weren’t even the same species, without even a sneer.

Since then, Justin had become like this, so much so that even Xueyin didn’t bother taking him out anymore. Li Xin tried to reason with him, suggesting that the forcibly picked fruits aren’t sweet, that they were not cats of the same world, that beautiful cats abound in every corner of the world, trying to inspire him. Even Ma Liu’s culinary treats failed to lift his spirits, leaving everyone to let him lie and ponder his cat life.

While studying it, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ear.

"Master Xin, long time no see." Old Fang walked into the living room with a cheerful smile.

Seeing it was Old Fang, Li Xin beamed, "Old Fang, you came just in time. Quickly, have a look at me; I’ve been cursed by the Bloodthirsty Monarch. Life Masters are the very best at dealing with curses, aren’t they?"

Old Fang jumped on one leg in a startle, hastily waving his right hand, "Master Xin, you’re muddled. I’m a half-dead old man, how could I know these things!"

Looking at Old Fang, Li Xin said, "What’s wrong with your left hand?"

"I’m muddle-headed too," Old Fang replied helplessly, "Thanks to you, Master Xin, Dragon Capital narrowly dodged a bullet."

"Let’s talk about business. Don’t hang me with labels; I can’t manage the affairs of the Hundred Martial Hall," Li Xin said.

"Master, have you awakened?" Old Fang looked at Li Xin, a bit puzzled.

"No, just ended up with nothing," Li Xin admitted with a wry smile. "Why is it so difficult for me?"

"Master, you’re a person of exception, naturally different from us. I really just came to give a greeting, so I’m off now." Old Fang said.

Li Xin grabbed Old Fang, "What’s this? What’s this for? It’s been so long, since you’re here, have a meal before you go."

"No, I won’t eat. This place is linked to Celestial Principle School, which doesn’t align with me. I’m getting old, mustn’t linger long, mustn’t linger long." Old Fang quickly waved his hand.

"See, I cooperate with you so well, the Hundred Martial Hall smoothly passed the calamity, and Director Chen... Hall Master Chen even became the Grand Governor. All in all, you profited greatly, so no need to say more, I just want to ask how to resolve this thing in my body. Every time I use spiritual ability, it absorbs it, isn’t this deadly?" Li Xin said, "Sit, take the seat of honor, have some tea."

Given Old Fang’s visit, he certainly didn’t come empty-handed.

"Master Xin, it’s not that I can’t say, but you know the rules; in our trade, we charge for services," Old Fang laughed.