Chapter 122: Animals Are Not Allowed to Become Spirits After the Founding of the Nation

Chapter 122: Chapter 122: Animals Are Not Allowed to Become Spirits After the Founding of the Nation

"Animals turning into humans?" Liang He was inexplicably reminded of a joke from Blue Star about animals not being allowed to become spirits after the founding of the nation.

"Wouldn’t they just become spirits then?"

"Spirits?"

Hearing this term for the first time, Eli stared at Liang He in confusion, wondering where she had drawn such a conclusion. "What are spirits?"

"In the myths of Blue Star, if an animal turns into a human, it’s considered a spirit." Aside from spirits, terms like monsters and demons were also used similarly. "Of course, spirits aren’t just animals. They can also be transformed from plants, antiques, or even pink skeletons."

Seeing Liang He’s explanation becoming increasingly outrageous, Eli had to put in a lot of effort just to understand what she meant. Those were nothing more than unproven legends from Blue Star; they were entirely different from Beastmen.

"Hypothetically speaking, if this Platinum Giant Lion turned into a human, what would you think?" Eli suddenly felt inexplicably nervous. His hands, which had been resting naturally on the chair, unconsciously clasped together between his legs and rested on his knees.

"What would I think?" Liang He’s thoughts drifted away as she pictured the Platinum Giant Lion transforming into a human. She felt it out in her mind. "Then Cyril would probably be a cute but arrogant little boy."

Having seen right through his true nature, Liang He hit the nail on the head.

Seeing that she showed no signs of disgust or fear, Eli decided to press his advantage. "You wouldn’t be afraid?"

"Why would I be afraid? Even if they turn into humans, they are still the fluffy pets I raised." As she spoke, Liang He was struck by an inexplicable sense of pride. "Besides, spirits are all very good-looking. The spirits my fluffy pets turn into would definitely be even more beautiful."

If her fluffy companions turned into humans, those she had so carefully raised and cared for would undoubtedly be the best-looking spirits of all.

"Yes, that makes sense."

Seeing Liang He’s sincere response and absolute lack of disgust or fear, Eli silently breathed a sigh of relief, regaining his initial calm. However, he soon thought of another crucial issue and tensed up all over again. "What if... someone deceived you?"

"Deceived me? Why?" Liang He was somewhat baffled by Eli’s inexplicable question.

"Perhaps they had a compelling reason." Staring intently at Liang He’s face, Eli pursed his lips unnaturally, desperate to observe her immediate reaction.

"Then it would depend on the situation," Liang He said. She wasn’t one to act on impulse. She knew very well that concealment and deception were a natural part of this world; even animals used trickery when hunting. Therefore, the original motive behind the deception and concealment was her standard for judgment. "Like you said, if it’s a forced deception and concealment that hasn’t harmed anyone else, I think I could give the other party a chance to explain and make amends."

She remembered someone once telling her that the greatest virtue was the ability to correct one’s mistakes. So, she wouldn’t condemn everyone with a broad brush. Putting herself in their shoes, she might not have had a better solution either.

"Can you really do that?" Eli asked in a low voice, perhaps asking Liang He, or perhaps asking himself.

However, Liang He didn’t have time to dwell on it. Before she knew it, it was time for her afternoon training class. She said goodbye to Eli and hurriedly left with the Platinum Giant Lion. As she departed, Liang He left Eli with one last thought.

"As long as there is a genuine desire to repent, it is never too late."

It was vastly better than knowing you were wrong but continuing to make the same mistake over and over again. Cutting one’s losses in time was also a kind of courage.

Watching Liang He’s gradually fading silhouette, Eli slowly withdrew his gaze. He turned to look out at the boundless prairie and the vast sky. It felt as if all his worries had been swept away by the gentle breeze and drifting clouds, leaving behind a clear expanse.

"It’s never too late. Liang He, can you wait for me?"

He thought, "Liang He, I truly hope that one day, I can stand proudly before you and solemnly introduce myself to you once again. Hello, Liang He, I am Elias. I am your one and only... Little Black."

Meanwhile, Hoder—who had no idea that Elias, the very man Huo An was wary of, was in the same hotel and had already made contact with Liang He—received an anonymous message. Following the secret code within the text, he made his way to a guest room.

"Uncle Huo An, it really is you."

Hoder had acted stealthily, verifying there was no tail behind him before knocking on the door. Only when he entered the room and turned to face Huo An behind the door did he completely sigh in relief.

"Thank goodness I still remember the numeric ciphers we used to play with when I was a kid. Otherwise, there’s no way I could’ve cracked that bunch of gibberish you sent. I almost thought my Light Brain had caught a virus."

The moment he walked in, Hoder started babbling on and on. Huo An rolled his eyes, utterly disgusted. If it weren’t for the special circumstances, he really wouldn’t have bothered engaging with his foolish nephew.

"Enough, cut the crap. I’m looking for you on serious business," Huo An said.

"Oh, right! Uncle Huo An, shouldn’t you be on Sky Shining Star? Why did you sneak over to Greenfield Star, and why won’t you let me tell Liang He?" Reminded by Huo An, Hoder suddenly recalled his questions and looked at him with a face full of confusion. He could understand Huo An keeping his guard up against others, but why did he specifically instruct him not to tell Liang He about his arrival?

"The situation is special. I’m traveling in secret." Facing his foolish nephew’s head full of questions, Huo An didn’t bother explaining everything one by one. He merely gave a brief rundown of the situation regarding Elias and the Rebel Army, passing along his own hypotheses in the process.

"Are you saying... Liang He has been targeted by both the Star Thief Leader, Elias, and the Rebel Army at the same time?" Hearing that there was danger, Hoder immediately got serious.

Seeing this, Huo An finally felt a bit of gratification. At the very least, his foolish nephew was reliable during critical moments.

"There are still two days until the training ends. Once the closing ceremony is over, everyone will go their separate ways, so they can only strike within these two days," Huo An explained. According to his analysis, the most likely time for them to make a move would be on the final day. Especially after the closing ceremony, when attendees would be checking out and leaving one after another. With a chaotic crowd, it would be much easier for the Rebel Army to slip in.

"However, if the Rebel Army predicts our prediction, they might do the exact opposite," he added.

The more people lingered in the hotel, the easier it would be for them to fish in troubled waters. Furthermore, when the Federation Army arrived, they could use the civilians as hostages to threaten the Federation and seize the opportunity to take Liang He away.

Both scenarios Huo An described made perfect sense.

Hoder’s brows furrowed tighter the more he listened. "Right now, we are out in the open, and they are hiding in the shadows. It really puts us in a passive position." Unless the Rebel Army set up their traps in advance and were discovered, they could only adapt to the situation as it unfolded.

"That is exactly why I came here in secret. I want to shift from the light to the dark," Huo An said. The reason he hadn’t shown his face was that he hoped to appear unexpectedly at the last moment and deal a heavy blow to the Rebel Army.

"I get it! Liang He says this is called—the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!"

The meaning of this idiom was easy to grasp. Even though Huo An had never heard it before, he could basically understand it. He chuckled and patted Hoder on the shoulder, suddenly feeling that his foolish nephew had also become a bit smarter under Liang He’s influence.

"You’re right. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. I’m going to be that oriole now." Huo An had practically made all the secret arrangements on Greenfield Star. As soon as the Rebel Army made a move, he could launch a counterattack at lightning speed. "However, I need you to do something for me."