Chapter 26: Trading Lilith It’s been a long time since I vented my emotions…
Lilith hadn't vented her emotions or spoken to anyone in a long time. Although the woman in front of her looked indifferent, she also gave people a strong sense of security. It felt like she had the ability to hold up the sky even if it fell.
If only... this person could form an alliance with her.
"Mary, do you remember the first time we met?"
"Remember," Mary said, "you were completely defenseless at the time, summoning your Stand the entire time."
"Because back then, I thought I was the only one with a Stand..." Lilith scratched her head sheepishly. "Once I realized no one could see my Stand, I never put it away. Partly because I needed it to brew herbs every day, and partly because I needed to be wary of bad guys, especially Diego." She smiled wryly. "I was really scared of him. I always thought he'd murder me."
"What is your Stand ability?" Mary asked.
Lilith didn't hide anything, but spoke openly, "My stand can enhance my medical skills." She explained, "Ms. Mary, as a doctor, I can tell you that patients never get sick according to medical books. Every patient's physical condition, gender, constitution... is different, so prescribing the right medicine is extremely difficult."
A hazy green shadow emerged around her. A slender, beautiful double circled around its master. Lilith stroked its cheek, a look of embarrassment on her face. "I named it Hands Bring Spring. Its function is to ensure that my prescriptions are 100% tailored to the patient, achieving maximum effectiveness."
It seems that it’s not that the substitute is so powerful, but that Lilith herself is very outstanding.
Lilith knew her current situation and did not rashly ask about Mary's stand ability, but continued with the previous topic.
She looked at Mary. Although she was now a man, her whole body exuded the gentleness unique to women. "I was born in a country ravaged by war, but fortunately, my parents loved me and did everything they could to allow me to escape my homeland. I traveled across the ocean to come to this country. Although I have faced discrimination, I have relied on many kind people to help me survive until now."
Her eyes shifted to the flames in the brazier, and her tone became even deeper than before. "When I first came here, I used my mother's dowry to exchange for money, barely making ends meet, but I had no hope for life like this. I wandered around aimlessly, saving the sick and stopping those who showed me kindness. I wasted several years of my life like this."
"The only person who helped me was a cowboy named Mandon Tim. He was unprejudiced and forward-thinking, and it was thanks to his help that I ended up stationed where I met you." She said, as the old saying goes, "A blessing in disguise. I finally found a place to settle down in this country, but I never expected to be targeted."
Mary knew that the person targeting her was Diego, who was traveling with her.
"He came with a very bad attitude. I knew he didn't consider me a human being at all." Lilith lowered her head. "When he asked me for a colorless and odorless poison, I knew it was over."
"If I didn't help him, he might have killed me right then and there. If I helped him, he would have killed me afterwards, and I would have killed an innocent person." This memory was the one Lilith hated the most. She couldn't help but speak faster. "I hesitated for a long time, but I still gave Diego medicine. But it wasn't poison, it was a tonic for the body."
Mary knew where this was going, so she took over the conversation: "You told Ms. Tel the truth, but Ms. Tel had enough of life, right?"
Lilith was so shocked that she was speechless. She didn't expect Mary to know all this. After a long while, she managed to squeeze out a dry sentence: "Diego told you?"
"Manden and I worked together to uncover the truth. He never gave up looking for you after you disappeared, and even asked me to investigate for clues." Mary smiled slightly. "He would be very happy that you are not dead."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell him I was still alive. I wasted so much of his time." Thinking that besides her parents, there were still people who remembered her, Lilith wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve: "But at that time..." Lilith sighed: "Time was too tight. My mind was blank and I could only think about escaping. I thought about it for a long time on the way to escape, but I still didn't send a letter to Manden. He is a good man. I can't repay kindness with hatred and drag him into this complicated vortex. To protect myself and for Manden's safety, I really can't tell him the truth."
"I understand you." Mary said this sincerely. In fact, she knew that Johnny must be very anxious now, but for his safety, she also had no way to tell Johnny her whereabouts.
"Thank you." Lilith politely thanked Mary again and continued, "At first, Ms. Tel and I communicated through letters... but later I was moved by her ideas, and she also called me her friend, so we met in person."
"We met not far from her house, in the luxury store she owns. I was a little scared when we first met because, compared to the kind old lady in the letter, she looked quite serious." Lilith carefully sipped the hard-earned spring water from her cup before continuing, "I took her pulse and found that she really didn't have long to live. She wouldn't even have a few months left. She didn't react at all when she heard that. I was surprised by her calmness."
"At first, we only met once a week to chat. Later, she suddenly asked me if it was possible to make a medicine that would prevent the body from decaying for a long time. She didn't want to turn into a skeleton soon after her death." At this point, she suddenly fell silent.
Mary didn't urge her, but just patted Lilith's palm, silently comforting her.
"...I said I could do it...but it would make her life slip away even faster, practically no different from poison. But she told me it didn't matter, she was willing." Lilith said softly, "She also asked me a question: Are you a Stand user?"
"What do you mean?" Mary's eyes narrowed.
"No, no," Lilith shook her head. "Ms. Tel isn't a Stand user, but she knows about it and was obsessed with finding a Stand that could grant immortality. She spent a lot of money looking for a Stand user, but always failed."
"Her intention at the time was to imply that I should take the money and change my appearance quickly to avoid being murdered and robbed," Lilith said. "She told me then that there was a woman in the desert who could completely transform a person, reborn. I just took it as a joke at the time, but it wasn't until the day Ms. Terr died and her housekeeper quietly stuffed over a million dollars into two suitcases and handed them to me that I understood her true meaning."
"I knew Diego wouldn't give up, so I faked the scene and then traveled here overnight. Initially, I thought I'd transform into a white person and live a life of wealth and luxury. But along the way... I saw my compatriots and learned a lot about my homeland... I changed my mind. I want to donate this money to my country, but I can no longer be myself."
Mary looked at the man before her, his eyes filled with unwavering hatred. "Although our country boasts a splendid culture... it doesn't welcome women. If I use my original identity, not only will I be unsafe, but those pedantic people might even reject me. So, after much hesitation, I've decided to become a man and go support my country."
Listening to Lilith's words, Mary ruthlessly grasped only one key point: "So... you don't want to give a penny of this money?"
Lilith choked, but her upbringing allowed her to quickly regain her usual gentle demeanor. "I wouldn't do that. Or rather, even if I wanted to, I couldn't succeed. I just arrived in the desert to find Ah Bian and strike a deal, and you guys followed me right after. I want to take the money and leave, but I'm afraid I won't live to spend it."
"so what?"
…
"I...my mother gave me quite a few things. I don't mean to brag, but I'm a wealthy woman back home, and the things I keep are very precious." Carefully observing Mary's expression, Lilith forced herself to speak confidently. "It's a pity that these things can't reach their full value in my hands. I hope you can help me auction these oriental treasures, and then I'll give you the millions of dollars, and we'll be even."
The flames in the brazier flickered, but still couldn't bring any warmth to Mary. She didn't say anything, but stood up silently and went out to look for Diego.
Lilith's palms were wet with sweat. This was a last-minute plan she had come up with. Although she knew Diego would not give up and would definitely chase her into the desert, she never imagined that Diego was not alone. He had powerful helpers and was even on good terms with the Native Americans.
She thought back to her first days in the desert. Although she too had been discriminated against, the Indians hadn't treated her well either. Seeing their bloodstained spears and machetes, she felt terrified, her legs weakening. But her will to survive forced her to steel herself and explain her purpose.
When she explained her search for Ah Bian, a native with two ponytails approached her, holding a knife to her neck. "How do you know Ah Bian?" His tone was so cold that Lilith froze. She didn't know why this sentence would bring about such a fatal disaster, but she still tried to explain, "I don't know if you know Ms. Tel. She told me this."
After hearing this, the man retracted his knife, but his tone remained cold. "The woman who bought Indian clothing and got inspiration from it?" He sneered. "Only my sister believed that person's lies. I knew she couldn't keep it a secret."
"She is dead, and now I am the only one who knows about it. After all, the number of people who know about your sister's stand ability has not changed." Lilith said with courage, and her words finally made Yinren's expression warm up a little.
"Follow me," he said, and with a few leaps he created a great distance between them.
Lilith followed behind on horseback, and the sadness in her heart was mostly alleviated.
Soon, they arrived at their destination. Yinren's face broke into a smile, and he opened his mouth wide and shouted, "Sister!" As soon as he finished speaking, a figure leaped down from a height. It was an extremely beautiful woman, who reminded Lilith of a graceful and graceful antelope.
This woman, like the Yin people, was quite cold towards people outside her own tribe. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
Lilith replied in a low voice: "I hope you can regenerate me."
Ah Bian looked at her and said, "First, you have to pay." The woman spread out the five fingers of her right hand and said, "You need to pay five thousand dollars."
"no problem"
"I have to remind you," Ah Bian said emphatically, "my substitute isn't omnipotent. It can only work on you once, which means the change is permanent." She looked at the pale Lilith and continued, "Also, while I can change your race and gender, it's based on your outward age. I can't turn a burly man into a young girl, nor can I restore youth to a centenarian."
Although she knew that the Stand's abilities couldn't be magical, she was indeed a little disappointed.
But... this is the only way
She stared at Ah Bian and whispered, "I am still willing to be changed by your ability. Please help me."
…………
The cloth that blocked the wind and sand was lifted, and Diego and his group returned to the tent.
Looking at the blond man, Lilith couldn't help feeling scared, but she still straightened her back and pretended to be calm.
Even though she has changed her appearance, she still represents her country.
Standing in front of Lilith, Diego said mockingly: "Mr. Lilith, do you think I, DIO, am a philanthropist?"
"There's an old saying in our country that money makes the world go round. Everyone knows how much a million dollars is a fortune." Lilith glared at Diego, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. "Ultimately, it's because you're scheming to take shortcuts, otherwise this money wouldn't have ended up in my hands. You're just doing me a small favor by asking for it now. If you keep trying to shirk it, I'll never give you the money."
"Are you threatening me? Do you think I can't find the money?" Diego's voice turned completely cold.
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