Chapter 1512: Join The Fray

As they followed the digital map on her phone, they caught sight of a silver railing that gleamed faintly under the waning sunlight. Lory lifted her hand and pointed. "There’s a road up there," she said to Zhao Li Xin.

"Are you tired?" Zhao Li Xin asked, noticing the thin sheen of sweat across her forehead. His voice softened with concern.

Lory shook her head, a determined glint in her eyes. "No, I’m fine. This is nothing."

Zhao Li Xin knew how stubborn she could be, so he didn’t press further. "Alright," he said quietly. "But if you get tired, just tell me, okay? I’ll carry you."

Thus, they made their way toward the narrow flight of stone stairs leading upward. A moment after they reach the quiet open road. The air was still, touched by the scent of pine and damp earth.

Lory pulled out her phone again to check their location, the screen glowing softly against the dimmed light. A blue dot blinked on the map, a rest area, five kilometers ahead. She frowned thoughtfully. Five kilometers isn’t far... but how do we get there?

Using Zhao Li Xin’s qinggong would have been the easiest way, but there was still a risk. Even though this road was quiet and rarely used by cars, still, every now and then, some cars still passed through, and Lory worried someone might catch them and record them on camera, and upload it for fun.

She knew the possibility was small, yet she didn’t want to take the risk. Not now, when her powers were sealed, and when something bad happened, she would only become a burden to her husband.

As she contemplated what moves she should take, she heard a low rumble approaching from behind, the sound of an engine laboring up the road. A truck came into view, its headlights cutting through the gloom. Without hesitation, Lory turned and waved, raising her thumb hopefully.

The vehicle slowed with a hiss of brakes, dust curling around it. The door creaked open, revealing an old man with a weathered face and a beard as white as frost. His eyes, sharp but kind, studied the pair curiously.

"Are you guys lost?" he asked, his tone half-amused, half-concerned.

Lory offered a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of her neck. "Sort of. We were camping... got attacked by a wild animal, and—well, here we are."

The old man let out a knowing sigh. He’d met enough young couples with no experience who wandered into the prohibited camping area and got themselves into trouble.

They thought the wilderness wasn’t as dangerous as it used to be, yet it was still no place for a bunch of amateurs. Had they learned nothing from the Dark Age War time? Luckily, this couple was unharmed.

"Get in," he said, gesturing with his thumb. "Where are you heading?"

"Thank you so much. The rest area, please," Lory said gratefully, her smile brightening.

Zhao Li Xin moved first, positioning himself as a barrier between Lory and the elderly stranger. Then he turned and offered his hand, as he guided her up beside him before quietly closing the door beside her.

The old man caught the gesture in his rearview mirror and shook his head in faint disbelief. What a fool, he thought, spoiling a woman like that.

Lory, oblivious to the man’s silent judgment, as she already used to being pampered by Zhao Li Xin. Lory leaned against his shoulder, and not long after, exhaustion caught up with her, and she drifted into sleep.

The car rolled to a stop before a small rest area, its headlights cutting through the haze of early dawn. Lory stirred awake at that moment, blinking at the harsh glow of a flickering neon sign that hummed faintly above the quiet roadside, its light bleeding across the windshield like a weary greeting.

After thanking the old man with a soft smile, she stepped out, the cool morning air brushing against her skin as she made her way to the coffee shop nearby. Inside, the silence was almost fragile.

Empty tables stretched beneath dim lights, and the faint hiss of a coffee machine filled the stillness.

Lory and Zhao Li Xin settled at a corner table. She ordered a milk tea, a hot tea, and a sandwich, simple comfort for the road ahead. Steam curled from her cup as she took a sip, the warmth chasing away the last dregs of sleep.

Zhao Li Xin watched her quietly, his fingers loosely wrapped around his own cup of tea, eyes glancing now and then at the door, at the window, at the emptiness around them.

Then, without warning, the television flickered to life above the counter. The sudden burst of light and sound shattered the calm.

A reporter’s voice filled the room—

"Good Morning, Today’s breaking news: a luxury private jet has crashed in East Peak forest. All passengers, including the pilot, were presumed to be dead, but three passengers survived the crash."

Footage flickered across the screen, showing twisted metal, flashing sirens, and the blur of emergency crews moving with grim urgency.

The news anchor’s voice was calm, detached, as she reported the victims’ names but not the survivor’s name for privacy reasons. Both Lory and Zhao Li Xin look at each other with meaningful looks.

Their gazes met for a brief, before turning toward the giant screen on the wall. The grim scene reflected in their eyes, confirming the suspicion that had lingered in their head since the first words of the broadcast.

Later, additional reports came about that three people had survived the wreck. Lory’s expression darkened; her intuition knew whose those people were.

"You think it’s the Constellation members," she said quietly, her voice barely above a breath.

"En," Zhao Li Xin replied, his eyes narrowing with quiet menace. "They’re stronger than we thought."

All of a sudden, Lory’s phone rang. She answered immediately since only a few people knew her number. "Hello?"

"Lory, where are you?" Jay’s voice came through, anxious and hurried.

"Hey, Jay, you got called from Fargy? Oh, I’m at West Peak," Lory said in a relaxed tone. "Where are you?" she continued.

"On the way to Zenon. I’m going to meet with Clift and Samuel to help them. Anyway, Fargy said to pick you up and Li Xin, so sit tight, I’m gonna pick you up," Jay said. ℯ

"I’ll be waiting then. I’m at a rest area—I’ll send you my location," Lory replied.

"Okay, don’t go anywhere," Jay said before hanging up.

Lory chuckled softly and shook her head. She took another bite of her sandwich, then spent the next hour browsing through the latest news about Zenon and the plane accident. Eventually, she came across an article about the Saintess’s visit to Zenon.

Her brows lifted slightly. She couldn’t help but wonder if the Saintess’s arrival had something to do with Sean and the other survivors. It wouldn’t be surprising, given the close relationship between the S.A.I.N.T. Organization and Luxemborough.

Across from her, Zhao Li Xin sipped his hot tea with quiet composure while scrolling through his phone. His brows furrowed in concentration, and every so often, he pushed his black-rimmed glasses higher on his nose, an unfamiliar gesture for someone not used to wearing them.

Cute, Lory thought, propping her cheek with both hands as she watched him with fond amusement. Even without his usual ethereal charm, he still looked adorable in her eyes. People said love was blind; well, they were right.

Sensing her gaze, Zhao Li Xin lifted his eyes. A small, knowing smile tugged at his lips. "What are you looking at, dear?"

"You," Lory replied with a playful grin.

Zhao Li Xin chuckled softly. "Even with a face like this?" He had seen his reflection earlier and was admittedly surprised by his altered appearance, but it didn’t bother him. After all, Lory was the one who changed it, and that alone made it acceptable.

"You still look very good in my eyes," Lory said, her cheeks flushing as her smile turned tender and sweet.

Zhao Li Xin shook his head with another quiet laugh, unable to understand what went on in her mind, but whatever it was, he didn’t mind at all.

Lory laughed, her tone light and carefree. She didn’t look like someone who had just lost her power. Unlike most Gifted, she didn’t seem troubled by it.

Not only because she had been trained for situations like this since she was a child, and because in the past she had spent early years in the cultivator world without having her power; therefore, a few hours without her power means nothing for her.

The coffee shop door chimed softly as it opened, letting in a gust of cool air and a man dressed head to toe in black. A hood shadowed most of his face, yet strands of messy blond hair escaped from beneath it, catching the light briefly.

A grey poko-poko patterned mask covered the lower half of his face, concealing any expression. He paused by the entrance, sharp eyes sweeping the room.

The café was quite empty, with only a few guests; therefore, he immediately found the one he was looking for. With unhurried steps, he made his way toward them.

Lory’s eyes widened the moment she saw him. Despite his heavy disguise, she recognized him instantly. Grinning, she lifted her hand and waved him over. The man pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down without a word.

"What’s up!" Jay takes off his face mask and then places it on the table.

"How could you recognize me?" Lory asked, puffing her cheeks in mock frustration. She had put effort into her disguise, after all.

Jay pointed at the table with a deadpan look. "That’s how." 𝐟𝑟ⅇ

Lory followed his gaze and immediately wished she hadn’t. Scattered before her were several empty plates, streaked with chocolate, whipped cream, and traces of berry sauce.

Her cheeks warmed as she realized just how many desserts she’d devoured. She’d started with a simple sandwich, but within two hours, she somehow managed to order and finish five cakes.

"It’s a small plate," Lory defended herself.

Across the table, Zhao Li Xin let out a chuckle, his eyes soft with amusement as he lifted his teacup. The steam curled lazily upward, as though sharing in his laughter.

"Told you, you eat too much," Zhao Li Xin teased.

"Yeah, I guess your sugar addiction’s getting worse with age, huh?" Jay leaned back in his chair, arms crossed with smug satisfaction.

"Shut up, Jay," Lory glared at him.

Both men let out a light chuckle, and Lory puffed her cheeks in frustration. How on earth did her introverted, stoic husband bond this fast with her best friend? Wasn’t he supposed to be mysterious and hard to approach? She was happy they got along well, but teaming up to bully her is still unacceptable.

Jay raised his hands in surrender, still grinning. "Alright, alright. If we’re done bullying Lory for today, let’s go catch up with Clift."

"Oh, right! There’s something I need to tell you!" Lory suddenly blurted, stopping them just as they stood up.

Jay blinked. "What now?"

"I got MADD implanted in me." Lory grinned sheepishly while pointing at her neck.

Jay’s smile froze. "...AGAIN?"

Lory let out a dramatic sigh and clutched her chest. "You don’t have to say it like that! It hurts, you know."

"I’ll get you a cookie to ease the pain," Zhao Li Xin said knowingly, then headed for the counter. "Chocolate chip, right?" he turned around to confirm it.

Lory brightened instantly. "You know me so well, honey!"

Jay gave Lory a praising look, "You find a good husband."

Lory grinned in delight, "I know~"