Chapter 22: Cheng Yaojin is also on the way home
"So, you plan to return to your own world?"
In the huge lounge, the Disaster Emperor Sniper Team gathered together. After Beichen explained the whole story in a fragmented manner, Rui spoke first and asked with an expressionless face.
Beichen, whose mood had calmed down, nodded calmly.
"...Yes, it has been decided."
"Why? Because you think you're the next world destroyer?" Black Malice scoffed impatiently. "That happened ten thousand years ago. Who knows if it's true or not?"
"That's not the problem. The problem is that if Little Loach's identity is accidentally exposed, she will be hunted by the whole world. Rationally, I support her going back, rationally."
Very rarely, Su Jie expressed an opinion that was completely opposite to Hei Huo's, which caused Hei Huo to glare at him with extreme dissatisfaction.
"Is that really the case?"
Yaye crossed his arms and looked at Rui.
"Prince Rui, what do you think? Such a thing as a world enemy."
Rui covered his mouth and pondered for a long time, then suddenly it seemed as if he understood.
"Sir Yaye, you are indeed a senior who has lived for hundreds of years. You have a very clear understanding of human beings."
"Hmph. ...Looks like you understand."
"Well, thanks for your suggestion."
Beichen looked at the completely confusing conversation between Yaye and Rui in confusion.
"Uh, what are you talking about?"
"Nothing," Rui smiled brightly (at which point Beichen reflexively stepped back). "Anyway, please stay here for a week. I want to show you something interesting."
"Ah...but I want to go out and look for Xiaxue tomorrow—"
"Speaking of the Demon Sword Xiaxue, he recently did something rather stupid and meaningless. But now I think it was probably because of you."
Black Fire sat down on the dining table at the side and crossed his legs.
"Stupid thing?" Beichen racked his brains but still couldn't figure out what stupid thing Xiaxue, who had a strange noble aura all over his body, would do.
"Well, our neighboring country, Latia, has recently decided to hold a nationwide Spiritual Martial Arts Competition to determine ten winners. The first-place prize is a one-month contract with the Emperor-level combat weapon, the Demonic Sword Xiaxue."
Rui laughed as he spoke, even picking up the teacup lid and playing with it. "I was wondering why Xiaxue, who was so arrogant and hadn't looked for a contractor for over fifty years, suddenly had a split personality. Now, after hearing about your story, I understand. He suddenly exposed his whereabouts and rumors to the world, probably to call you over."
"...Yeah...that's right. He wouldn't send me here for no reason. He must be looking for me."
Beichen lowered his head and thought for a while, then agreed.
Su Jie reached for a Sky Wind Fruit on the coffee table, transformed one of his fingers into a clawed blade (they say this is a pointless feat, like a human being being able to move their ears or lick their nose), and began carving. "But the Lingwu Division Fighting Tournament isn't until three months later. Do you think Xiaxue will be willing to show up before then?"
Beichen frowned in disappointment: "It will take another three months to see him...? Can't we go and see him in advance? Maybe -"
"Oh, it's okay to do it in advance." Rui smiled again, "As long as you can pay me the penalty first—you plan to cancel the mission to escort me to the capital, right? Then you have to pay one-tenth of the reward first, that is, Wandori."
Beichen was so stunned that she was speechless: once the matter of the Red Moon Priestess was disturbed, she had completely forgotten about it!
"No, wait."
Xiang Ying, standing by, objected seriously. "Indeed, because you frequently take advantage of salary deductions, we've rescinded our previous estimate from Wan Duorui and accepted yours. However, we've actually accepted two separate commissions, and we've already completed part of your moon poison removal. This means you must first pay us the corresponding compensation, which is Wan Duorui. That leaves the remaining commission's penalty of 10,000, which we have more than enough to cover."
Beichen was so moved that he was speechless: Xiang Ying, you are such a great housekeeper!
"Then how will my reward be calculated?"
Yaye interrupted from the side.
"I, the mighty Vampire Scythe, have been by your side for so many days, saving your lives countless times. Don't tell me you want to get rid of me without 50 million Dori? You can go back if you want, but pay off all your debts. I won't stop you even if you go to the moon."
"Wait a minute, the problem is that you never mentioned the issue of compensation!" Beichen shouted exhaustedly, "You... aren't you a gangster who forced the sale?!"
"Do I need to tell you that I'm offering a generous reward for helping with high-level combat equipment?"
“…”
"Oh, come to think of it, brother, it seems we haven't settled the usage fee for those days with Little Loach yet?"
"Indeed, it seems we have never done any free business, bro?"
“…”
Even the Twin Warriors came out to join in the fun.
Beichen was half amused and half touched.
This way of retaining people is really...
She looked around at everyone, trying to imprint these faces into her memory, and then asked softly:
"...Aren't you afraid?"
Yaye first seemed to be looked down upon and snorted unhappily: "Afraid? Do you think I, Yaye, would allow myself to have such thoughts?"
Black Fate then spoke: "Why do you think we are afraid?"
"Do you think we will treat you as the second Red Moon Priestess?" Su Jie tilted his head and looked at Beichen with amusement.
"Haha..." Rui chuckled, "Actually, I wouldn't be afraid even if you were the real Red Moon Priestess."
"W-Why?! Are you really sure that legend has no chance of coming true?!"
"No, Master."
Xiang Ying placed her hand on Beichen's shoulder and spoke gently.
"I think I kind of understand where they're coming from."
He said this, smiling and exchanging glances with the others.
"Speaking of the fear of death, every living thing has it. But—Master, do you remember the legend of the Red Moon Priestess? The Priestess chooses people, averts all major disasters, and usheres them into a new era. So, they—including me—are not afraid of death. Instead, they believe that if you are the Priestess, then everyone else present will be the one you choose. So, what is there to be afraid of?"
“…”
Beichen opened her mouth but didn't say anything, because she saw affirmation of Xiang Ying's words in the eyes of Yaye, Heihuo, Sujie, and Rui.
These people.
These people - why would they increase her attachment to this place at a time like this?
While Beichen was stunned, Lu Yi stepped forward and touched her head: "So, just listen to me. Give me a week and I will show you some interesting scenes."
After saying that, he left the room without caring whether Beichen agreed or not.
Heihuo then stepped forward and flicked her forehead as usual, followed by Sujie who gave her another slap.
"It's about a ten-day carriage ride from here to the Latia Fighting Tournament. So, you have two to twenty days left. Stop dwelling on those intangible things and just stay here. Got it, little loach?"
"Don't worry. Let's assume the legend is true. If you want to destroy the world, even if you stop eating, drinking, defecating, and sleeping from now on, you probably won't be able to destroy the world completely in three months. Don't underestimate the fighting power of this world full of Moon Envoys and Spirit Warriors."
“…”
Su Jie's words made Beichen's depressed mood slightly better.
Yes, destroying the world is no easy task. How much power can a mere legend give her? When she looked up and saw the red moon, she didn't feel anything unusual.
There are no radio waves, no holy clothes, and no sudden super powers.
Seeing Beichen's expression improve, Gemini Claw said nothing more, waved goodbye, and left. --- probably to follow Rui to that so-called "interesting scene."
There were only three people left in the room.
"Instead of sitting here feeling sorry for yourself, why not find a way to improve yourself? Do you think you can compete in a fighting tournament at your current level? Be careful you'll be beaten to a pulp in the preliminary round."
Yaye smiled evilly and gave Beichen a look of contempt.
"—Well, if I see you looking so defeated and helpless, even if Xiaxue initially wanted to send you back, I would take it back without hesitation and let you fend for yourself in this world."
As he said this, he tossed his long white hair arrogantly and walked out of the door in a swagger.
Xiang Ying and Bei Chen were left looking at each other in bewilderment.
"Master... after listening to them, are you still planning to go back?"
After a short silence, Xiang Ying asked softly.
"...Yeah. The better they treat me, the more I have to go back. Even if the legend is false, people believe it to be true. If the fact that I was able to see the red moon is discovered one day—in that case, not only will I be in danger, but you, Yaye, Rui, Black Disaster Sujie, even Mr. Gu Yinyue and his group, and even Pinhua in Wilvis Town and my guild acquaintances will be dragged into it. Even if I can ignore my own safety, how can I ignore you?"
Beichen said this while clutching the corner of his clothes tightly.
...I don't really want to go back. I really want to stay with these people.
Just now, when those people were trying to comfort and keep her in their own way, she realized that if she wanted to leave here, she might have to endure the pain of cutting her own flesh.
──Since when has she become dependent on these things?
It wasn’t like this before.
In her original world, she had no relatives or friends, and she deliberately avoided making close friends with anyone, but she had managed to survive. But why was it that now, whenever she thought about leaving these people, leaving this world that she had almost adapted to, her eyes kept reddening?
"I see."
Xiang Ying's words interrupted her thoughts.
"Since Master has made up his mind, I will not stop you. I just ask you not to abandon me. If you want to return to your own world, please take me with you."
"What!?"
Beichen jumped up from the sofa.
"Are you kidding me!? There are no possessed moon envoys in that world. Do you want to starve to death!?"
"That's okay."
Xiang Ying held her hand seriously.
"I should have died long ago. Every minute and every second I'm still alive is a gift from you, and of course it belongs to you. Being able to be with you until the last moment of your life is what I hope for most."
"But—!"
"If you don't take me with you, I will go back to the War Weapon Grave in the Welvis area and wait for death."
Xiang Ying said this without hesitation, and this sentence successfully made Beichen's expression even more distorted and complicated - joy, sadness, emotion, opposition, struggle -
"I am your shadow. Without my body, what is the meaning of my shadow's existence?"
“You are so despicable!!”
Beichen screamed almost in tears and hit Xiang Ying's chest hard with his forehead.
"You're trying to get me to stay this way?! Excellent! You succeeded!! How could I possibly watch you die? You despicable fellow... You're so cunning!!"
While yelling, she raised her fist and hit Xiang Ying's chest hard.
Stay? Is it really possible to stay?
Ah... At least, staying in this world and dying in battle is better than watching Xiang Ying starve to death in that world.
"It's not mean..."
Xiang Ying sighed softly and hugged Beichen's slightly trembling body.
"I sincerely believe this. If Master thinks it's best for you to return, please do so. But please allow me to follow you. This is my last wish. ...That's all."
A world without a master is almost destroyed.
——Longsword·Shadow·Five Strings·Quantized Seed, secretly said this to himself in his heart.
“…”
Beichen suddenly fell silent.
Xiang Ying knew that she was beginning to calm down and start thinking, so he didn't say anything, but just hugged her quietly and patted her back gently as if to comfort her.
"Really? Everyone's using all sorts of cruel methods to force me to stay. Okay, I admit it. I don't want to leave. Not at all."
After a while, Beichen spoke sullenly into Xiangying's arms.
"But, this doesn't mean I can just take it for granted that I can continue to exist here. I can't afford to gamble, even if there's a one in a million chance—I absolutely cannot let anything happen to you because of me. So... before the Lingwu Division Fighting Tournament... I'll investigate. Within three months, I'll find out the truth about the legend of the Crimson Moon Priestess. If I can guarantee that staying here won't cause any trouble, then I'll stay. If the legend is true and it's unavoidable, I'll ask Xiaxue to take you back to my world. ... Is that all right?"
"Well, ...thank you for your help, Master."
Facing Xiang Ying's smile, Beichen also wiped his red eyes hard and smiled brightly.
...I won't let you die. Before I return and end the contract...I will entrust you to a trustworthy user and use the brand to order you not to seek death because of me.
She lied. She had secretly made a vow in her heart that was completely different from what she had said.
"So what does the master plan to do next?"
"Anyway, let's go to the library and find all the books about the Red Moon Priestess and read them!"
"Yes, Master!"
Beichen and Xiangying were talking as they walked towards the library together. On the other side, Rui was in the combat command room, issuing a series of instructions to his subordinates with a smile on his face, which made Heihuo and Sujie on the side grin from ear to ear.
A world-class show is about to begin.
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