Chapter 1510: Covert Entry

Thankfully, because of Zhao Li Xin’s habit of tossing random things into his spatial ring, there was an entire pile of boxes filled with ointments, elixirs, and medicines of every kind, each one crafted by Jin Hao’s capable hands. Since those items belonged to Zhao Li Xin himself, they hadn’t vanished like everything else that came with Huo Long.

After taking his medicine, Zhao Li Xin settled into meditation, his breathing deep and steady as his body began to heal. Meanwhile, Lory wandered through the manor in search of clothes to change into.

The little fire spirit floated ahead of her, leading the way to her room. When Lory opened the wardrobe, she blinked in surprise. Rows of ancient gowns and modern clothes filled the massive wardrobe, elegant silks beside denim and leather, a strange harmony of eras.

She had no idea when Zhao Li Xin had prepared all of this until she remembered his recent fascination with online shopping. A wry smile tugged at her lips.

Her ancient man had truly turned into a modern, spend-happy man. Well, as long as he was happy, she supposed. She dressed in black pants, a crisp white long-sleeve shirt, and a hoodie jacket.

Practical, comfortable. Then she made her way to the armory room, where gleaming weapons lined the walls like sleeping beasts. Zhao Li Xin’s collection had always been impeccable, each piece forged to perfection, rivaling even the finest products of Bellerophon. Lory moves some of the weapons to her spatial ring.

Pausing before a tall mirror, Lory studied her reflection. It was best to change her face, just in case. She adjusted the shape of her eyes and lips, softened her jawline, and dyed her hair a light brown.

When she was done, she uncorked a vial of Versipell potion and drank it down, feeling its cool magic seep through her veins. The potion would mask her presence from the anti-spell security scattered everywhere outside.

By the time Zhao Li Xin finished meditating, the pallor had faded from his face. His steps were calm but purposeful as he moved through the manor, the faint echo of his boots against the marble floor filling the silence.

[Wife?] His deep voice broke through the stillness.

Lory turned toward him, relief flashing in her eyes. [You look better,] she said softly.

[It’s just a small injury,] Zhao Li Xin replied, his tone as calm as ever.

Lory exhaled. He was always like this, so composed, so unshaken. And for that, she was endlessly grateful. If Zhao Li Xin were an ordinary man, he’d have died a dozen times over just from being with her. No matter how strong her healing power was, even she couldn’t have saved him every time.

Zhao Li Xin, unaware of her thoughts, tilted his head slightly as his gaze fell on her altered appearance.

[This is a new look,] he remarked, not the least bit surprised—he had long grown used to her ever-changing faces.

[Yeah,] Lory said, tugging her hoodie’s zipper higher. [I’m thinking of going to Zenon to check about the Blackridge, they’re talking about. [Also...] She gestured toward her neck. [We need more information about this.]

[You don’t want to return to Harland instead?] Zhao Li Xin asked worriedly. He had little concern for the rest of the world; his first and only priority was always her well-being.

[No, I had the feeling we are too far from Harland, even if we wanted someone to pick up, it would take a few days,] Lory said.

Zhao Li Xin understood what Lory meant, but instead of easing his mind, her words only deepened his worry. She was always like this—steady, calm, ready for anything. Even when the world around her burned, she stood firm.

[Li Xin, you should change your appearance a bit, as well," Lory said, while tying her hair into a ponytail.

He glanced down at his hands, thinking for a moment before giving a simple nod. [Okay,] he replied in his usual unruffled tone.

Then, as if the idea had just come to him, he added, [Can I change my hair color? Oh, maybe I can add freckles on my face too...]

Lory exhaled heavily, a pang of guilt twisting in her chest.

It wasn’t the first time she’d changed his appearance, yet each time felt like committing a grave sin. To tamper with something so flawlessly made, his sharp features, his regal bearing, that effortless grace he wore like a birthright, it felt almost blasphemous. Unfortunately, necessity demanded it.

[Sure... whatever you like,] she said, thinking at least he looks happy.

[Oh, then I’ll cut my hair short too,] Zhao Li Xin said, a hint of mischief tugging at his lips.

Lory’s mouth twitched. Her eyes lingered on the cascade of his long, silky black hair, smooth as ink, radiant even under dim light. It was the kind of hair that would make even a shampoo model jealous. The thought of cutting it almost hurt her soul.

But then she noticed the faint spark of excitement in his eyes—that rare playfulness that broke through his usual calm. How could she possibly deny him that?

[...O-kay,] she relented at last, sighing as she lifted her hands in defeat.

[How about a scar here? Or maybe a big mole?] Zhao Li Xin suggested eagerly, pointing to his brow with a grin that could almost be called mischievous.

Lory stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. Sometimes she wondered if Zhao Li Xin secretly despised his own face. Why else would he look so delighted every time he had the chance to change it?

The thought wasn’t so far-fetched. Half of Zhao Li Xin’s misfortunes had stemmed from that face, too handsome, too striking, too impossible to ignore.

It was no wonder he had worn the golden mask for so many years. Not merely to hide his identity, but to shield himself from the chaos his beauty provoked, especially from the kind of women who lost all reason at the mere sight of him.

Only after meeting Lory did he begin to appreciate his own appearance. Once he realized she loved his face, though not for its perfection, but because it was his, since that Zhao Li Xin stopped despising his so-called ethereal face. If not for her, he might still be hiding behind that cold, terrifying mask.

Lory took her time crafting his disguise. He couldn’t be too ugly, but he couldn’t be too handsome either, just ordinary enough to disappear into a crowd.

As Clift had once said, "Only in the movies do they send handsome men as spies. Unless you’re baiting a honey trap, better to look forgettable." The words proved sound advice.

When she finally stepped back to inspect her work, she almost choked on her laughter.

Gone was the ethereal beauty who could command a room with a glance. In his place stood a man who looked as though he hadn’t slept in a week, his hair was short and messy with a shade of dark blond, his skin pale and dotted with brown freckles, his nose slightly crooked, and thick black-rimmed glasses perched precariously on his face. Dressed in a checkered shirt and black pants, he resembled a weary gamer who’d lost track of time and sunlight alike.

Lory sighed heavily. "Okay... this should be enough."

"Thank you, I look great, honey," Zhao Li Xin said, grinning with disarming satisfaction.

Lory bit her lips; she felt she was about to cry. "No, you don’t."

The truth was, this was the first time she had ever made such a drastic change to Zhao Li Xin’s appearance, but she had no other choice. It was for his safety. Moreover, with her powers sealed, if anything were to happen, she wouldn’t be able to protect him. Instead, she’d only gonna a burden to him.

Lory is rubbing her temple. "Alright, let’s just get out of here."

The fire spirit floated closer, took one look at Zhao Li Xin, and let out a horrified cry. "Master! How could you look so ugly!?"

Lory froze for a heartbeat before bursting into laughter. ℯ

Meanwhile, Jade’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he stared at Zhao Li Xin in disbelief. "Papa..." he whispered, sounding as though his world had ended.

Lory nodded gravely, patting Jade’s shoulder. "I know how you’re feeling."

Zhao Li Xin scoffed, straightening his glasses with all the pride of a man who doesn’t know how to be humbled. "Hmp, so petty," he snorts.

When they emerged from the Mystic Realm, the world greeted them with silence, then ruin. The place where Zhao Li Xin had landed was a scene of devastation: the ground was charred black, a crater gaping beneath their feet as if a star had plummeted from the heavens. Smoke curled lazily from the scorched ground, carrying the sharp scent of burnt metal and soil.

Lory’s gaze swept over the wreckage, her chest tightening. Only now did she grasp how perilous their fall had been. The small crate nearby lay dented and half-melted, evidence of the tremendous force they’d endured. Her heart ached as she turned to Zhao Li Xin, standing there unscathed and well.

Without a word, Lory stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against him. Gratitude flooded her heart, gratitude that he was still here, still breathing. Perhaps the heavens were merciful after all.

[Lory...] Zhao Li Xin murmured, feeling the rapid rhythm of her heart against his chest. Understanding her silent fear, he brushed a kiss against the crown of her head. [I’m fine,] he said softly, voice steady and warm.

She drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to steady the storm inside her. Releasing him, she tilted her chin up, her tone composed once more. "We should go now," she said, switching to Harlandish, a subtle cue, a reminder to maintain their disguise.

Zhao Li Xin’s lips curved faintly. "Okay," he replied, the single word carrying both understanding and unspoken resolve.

Lory checked the map on her phone and saw that she was already within Luxemborough’s borders, though still outside its capital city, Zenon. She took a steadying breath, then pressed the call button. A few moments later, Lucas’s voice came through, tinged with both worry and relief.

"Lory, are you okay?"

"I’m fine," she replied, though her tone carried a hint of weariness.

"There’s just... one problem." She hesitated briefly before adding, "They injected me with M.A.D.D. again. I can’t use my powers."

There was a pause, then Fredhardt’s voice came on the line, gruff but edged with concern. "So what now? Do you want someone to come get you?"

Lory couldn’t help but chuckle softly. "No need, I’m fine. Zhao Li Xin is with me. They injected him, too, but it didn’t seem to have any effect on him."

"Oh? That’s... interesting," Fredhardt muttered, the intrigue clear in his tone.

Lucas spoke again, his voice calm but thoughtful. "So what’s your plan, Lory?"

"I’m already in Luxemborough," she explained, her gaze sweeping over the faint lights glittering in the distance. "So I went ahead with the investigation. Since I’m already here, I might as well see it through. Besides, I’m curious why they brought me to Zenon instead of Wellington. They said they wanted to show me something—something that would make me take their side."

Lucas paused for a moment before responding. "That sounds worth investigating."

"I thought so too," Lory agreed. "Can you look into something called Blackridge? They mentioned it, but I couldn’t get a clear sense of what it is."

"Understood," Lucas replied.

Before she could end the call, another voice joined in, it was Fargo’s, his voice low and teasing as always. "By the way, Lory, funny coincidence—Clift, Jay, and Samuel are already in Zenon. Why don’t you link up with them?"

"Oh, yeah, that’s right!" Lory’s eyes brightened, and a smile tugged at her lips.

"You should be able to contact them. I’ll contact them too. Anyway, you know what to do, you’ve worked with them since you were young," Fargo said.

"Okay~" Lory answered cheerfully.

"Be careful, Lory," Lucas’s voice cut in. "Li Xin, please protect my sister. She tends to do crazy stuff, so be wary."

"I know. Worry not, brother-in-law, I’ll protect her well," Zhao Li Xin replied courteously.

Lory pouted but didn’t say anything.