Chapter 1358: Chapter 85: The Cottage (Part 1)
Chapter 1358: Chapter 85: The Cottage (Part 1)
“What do you want to do?” In front of the small villa, seeing the finger of the lady with butterfly wings about to knock on the door, Long Xiruo couldn’t help but pause.
“Knock on the door.”
Indeed…
Long Xiruo shook her head, and in a manner of someone who has been through this before, said: “Listen, we’re just here temporarily waiting, there’s no need to disturb the folks inside… Hmm, it seems a bit strange in there.”
Speaking, she moved the lady with butterfly wings to stand behind her, casually tossed the Golden Dragon onto the ground, then tentatively pushed open the villa’s front door.
Squeak—!
The entrance hall was dimly lit, but somewhere ahead in the corridor glowed faintly… The Godly Land True Dragon glanced after, mulled for a moment, then walked directly in.
“Sister Long! You didn’t take off your shoes!”
Don’t mind the heavy tone, the actual voice was merely whispering… Turning to see this large-breasted butterfly looking all stern, the Godly Land True Dragon raised her hand, formed her fingers into a drill-like gesture… a maternal face of stern teaching.
The lady with butterfly wings held her head… not squatting defensively.
Long Xiruo then made a shushing gesture, then headed towards the light source—that was the light coming through the crack of a door—in addition, as she approached that door, she unexpectedly found a large hole in the ceiling of the corridor.
It seemed something had crashed straight through it… Why does it feel like this place is reeking of the Golden Dragon Fafnir… Plus there’s also a particularly distinctive fragrance lingering.
This perfume smell seems familiar… Where have I sensed it before?
Before the doubts in her heart could coalesce, Long Xiruo tilted her head and gave the living room door a gentle push.
Under the remaining force, the door slowly opened, and she looked inside—for quite a while, Long Xiruo just stood at the entrance of the living room.
Impatient to wait any longer, Luo Pianqian had to carry the Golden Dragon with both hands, shut the door, then slowly dragged it into the corridor, arriving beside the Godly Land True Dragon, softly calling, “Sister Long?”
Long Xiruo merely pointed into the living room. The lady with butterfly wings instinctively looked in, only to see the living room was quite bright, done in an old European style from decades ago… Then, she saw a woman lying on the carpet.
Properly speaking, she had fainted on the floor.
“Is this person… injured?”
“Would you get injured in your own home?” Long Xiruo promptly replied in frustration.
“Oh yes! Sometimes you might bump your head, stub your toe or something.”
Thus the Godly Land True Dragon again formed her fingers into a drill… a maternal face of stern teaching.
…
While the lady with butterfly wings was rubbing her head in grievance, the True Dragon had already gone to the side of the woman lying on the floor, turned her over… revealing a pair of shameful assets no less than those of the butterfly lady.
“Tsk!”
Long Xiruo pursed her lips, then reached out her finger towards the woman’s neck… and casually pulled open her collar a bit, seeing two small wounds on her neck.
Long Xiruo rubbed her chin, faced the lady with butterfly wings’ gaze, and contemplated, “This woman was probably just bitten by a bloodsucker… probably fainted from anemia.”
“Bloodsucker!” Luo Pianqian instantly looked nervously around.
“The bloodsucker should have left after feeding… Aside from this woman, I don’t sense any other presence in this house for now.” The True Dragon casually said: “But there is a scent of lust and perfume.”
“Perfume?” The lady with butterfly wings instinctively raised her nose, carefully sniffed a few times, “Indeed! It seems to be the scent of You Ye’s sister!”
“Huh?” The True Dragon furrowed her brow, “Are you talking about that black-bellied girl who always sticks like chewing gum to that sly merchant, flaunting around all day? What’s she doing here.”
“That’s true…” The lady with butterfly wings nodded, automatically ignoring the True Dragon’s description of the maid to avoid another drill-like punishment.
She placed the woman from the floor onto a nearby sofa, “Sister Long, shall we wait here for Mr. Dazzle to come back?”
Long Xiruo directly said, “This woman, judging from the situation, won’t wake up for a while. Bloodsuckers, generally after eating, like to find a place to lie down, elegantly titled as enjoying the aftertaste, but actually it’s like taking drugs, entering into a useless mode, so they shouldn’t come back shortly… This place is at the edge of the Clan Farm, I reckon we can stay for a while… You keep an eye on Fafnir here, I’ll tour inside the house… I feel a bit uneasy for some reason.”
Saying this, the Godly Land True Dragon chanted words… from her palm, a golden rope slowly extended, then wrapped around Fafnir, tying it up, then after clasping and opening her hands, something spread from the center of her body, spreading throughout the entire living room.
“I placed an inner border here, don’t leave the living room until I return.”
Long Xiruo thought for a moment, still feeling uneasy, casually tied up the fainted woman together, “Obediently wait here for me to come back, if she happens to wake and annoys you, just find something to plug her mouth.”
“… Okay.”
…
…
Late at night, the castle of the Torrido Clan had mostly been cleaned up… the valuable, undamaged, or restorable artworks had all been cleared out.
However, seeing the considerable number of artworks completely destroyed in this catastrophe, many bloodsuckers had a look of heartache on their faces.
This clan is among the Thirteen Clans most pursuing art and beauty… the animosity towards the Golden Dragon gradually heightening in their words.
At this time, Baelgang was inspecting the eastern wing of the original castle… he bent over, picked up a deformed cup made of gold from the ground, dusted off the dirt… finally shook his head and threw the cup back onto the ground.
“Baelgang!”
Meanwhile, Kuluo Luoya and the Secret Steel Tower Master arrived together… seeing the Secret Steel Tower Master, Baelgang’s face had a hint of reunion.
Meeting with the werewolf Kuluo Luoya inevitably turned into mutual mockery, yet towards the Secret Steel Tower Master, Acting Archduke Baelgang obviously remained more courteous.
“Baelgang, I heard the general situation from Kuluo Luoya.” The Secret Steel Tower Master directly went to the point, “I want to know, by gathering us, do you already have plans.”
“After waiting half a day, only you and Kuluo Luoya came.” Baelgang shook his head, “Far less than I imagined.”
“After all… it’s too unbelievable.”
The Secret Steel Tower Master shook his head, “You should know, that was already a matter a century ago. And over these hundred years, things have been peaceful… regarding those matters, most of the new generation knows nothing. Those others, perhaps they’re just observing.”
“I roughly know their attitudes.” Baelgang shrugged, “By the way… did you inform your Luminous Tower Master of this matter?”
“Not yet.” The Secret Steel shook his head and said, “Before things have solid evidence, I don’t plan to attract excessive attention… If merely a false alarm, I’d rather just consider it visiting old comrades.”
“You might be disappointed.” Baelgang smiled bitterly, “This time what I encountered might be even more terrifying than back then… in front of one of them, I couldn’t even resist.”
“After a hundred years?” Kuluo Luoya couldn’t help but furrow his brows.
Unlike him, since growing old, physical functions declined, greatly reducing strength… Bloodsuckers as a species are such that the older they get, the stronger they become.
No one knows, after the war a century ago, to what extent Baelgang might have evolved… Kuluo Luoya suddenly remarked, “In the first decade after the war, you completely had the ability to become the fourteenth Archduke, right?”
Baelgang responded with composure, “A century ago, if the army joining wasn’t us, but the Archdukes, Beast King, and the Luminous Tower Master… how much do you think the survival rate would increase? At that time, we had less than one percent survival rate…”
“Probably… twenty percent?” Kuluo Luoya scratched his head, not adept at such data analysis, “However, even though the victory back then was indeed brutal, after a century of recuperation, the new generation has also grown up… Overall, I feel now the Non-Human Domain’s overall strength is much stronger than when it was just established a century ago. Plus… we have the Spoils of War!”
“You advocating battle?” The Secret Steel Tower Master furrowed his brow, looking at this still essentially combative man despite his twilight years.
“If you’re cowardly, then accept it, don’t use fancy terms like strategic compromise.” Kuluo Luoya said solemnly, “Werewolves, only warriors stand to face the enemy, not cowards who retreat. Bylegang! This was discovered by you and called together by you! Is it war or something else, speak!”
“I’m truly grateful you weren’t the commander back then.” Bylegang shook his head in annoyance, “War or not… I want to go to the battlefield from before and take a look, then decide afterward.”
“Battlefield…” The Secret Steel Tower Master was startled, “What’s there to see… we’ve been exploring that place back and forth for ten years after the war, with no discoveries.”
“No…” Bylegang said seriously, “I’ve had that thought before. But after today, I have this feeling that back then there was something we forgot… I feel like going once more might find the answer.”
Kuluo Luoya held a dubious attitude, pondering silently.
“What do you want us to do?” The Secret Steel Tower Master asked directly.
Bylegang said, “Originally, I planned to act together with you… but I want to handle things here first, it might be a bit later. Give me half a day.”
Kuluo Luoya sneered, “Those guys have all reappeared, and you still have leisure to clean your dwelling?”
But you don’t know, twelve Archdukes just died… Bylegang simply glanced at the coarse guy—it’s truly baffling how such a person created so many highly artistic scripts, it’s downright unscientific!
“Alright.”
The Secret Steel Tower Master nodded, “Anyway, the battlefield is sealed, and opening the seal takes time. I’ll go ahead with Kuluo Luoya, you follow.”
It was clear that this Secret Steel Tower Master belonged to the action faction—saying this while already summoning the flying carpet and stepping directly onto it, “Kuluo Luoya!”
“See you later… Bloodsucker.”
The werewolf hero shrugged and jumped directly onto the flying carpet.
…
In a blink, the flying carpet had soared into the sky… watching the flying carpet go, Bylegang said quietly, “Only gathered two, seems my credibility is truly facing a harsh test…”
Shaking his head, Bylegang then began to wander the castle ruins—shortly after, a bloodsucker came to report that Bazby had successfully survived from the Lost Rift and now arrived at the Farm.
“Let him come see me.” Bylegang thought for a moment and commanded.
After the bloodsucker left, Bylegang arrived at the edge of the rift, gazing below at the bottomless pit, lost in thought—the twelve Archdukes had mentioned some changes had occurred in the rift before their deaths.
But he hadn’t had the chance to inquire… everything felt like it suddenly became chaotic.
From those people reappearing, to the chaos caused by the Golden Dragon, the deaths of twelve Archdukes, and changes in the rift—all within less than a day… he couldn’t find a complete thread in all this information.
As he pondered, Bylegang suddenly felt something… his expression changed slightly, then he adjusted his mood and slowly turned around.
Just beyond the cliff’s edge, a figure had arrived at some unknown time… this silhouette was shrouded entirely in faint light, making it difficult for Bylegang to discern the true appearance.
However, he clearly knew the figure’s identity.
Bylegang stepped forward, “I truly didn’t expect the matters here would alarm you… so, Luminous Tower Master, is there something I can assist you with?”
The one who appeared here was none other than the First Tower Master of the Magician Association’s Arcane Tower, who had just parted ways with Long Xiruo moments ago: Dazzle.
Bathing in light and shadow, when facing this clan’s Acting Archduke, his demeanor was completely different from when facing the Godly Land’s True Dragon—just as he was full of majesty during his time at the Arcane Tower.
This gaze was like trying to see through Bylegang completely.
Yet this Acting Archduke’s face remained calm, his etiquette flawless… the Luminous Tower Master slowly said, “Regarding the Golden Dragon Fafnir riot this time, indeed, it was our association’s oversight. The loss to the Torrido Clan, I will send people to verify, and fully compensate afterward.”
“Able to alarm the Luminous Tower Master to personally come and offer condolences… compensation can already be ignored.” Bylegang smiled slightly, “Besides, only some dead objects were destroyed, we didn’t have actual personnel casualties… it’s just the Golden Dragon also went missing here, hopefully, the Luminous Tower Master can find it quickly, to avoid greater losses.”
“Regarding this, you can rest assured.” The Luminous Tower Master said calmly, “I’ve already found Fafnir… I promise you similar things will not happen again.”
“With the Luminous Tower Master’s promise, Bylegang willingly accepts.” Bylegang smiled slightly, “Since you’re a guest from afar, why not invite the Luminous Tower Master to the Farm, I’ll host you for a while.”
“No need.” The Luminous Tower Master waved his hand, “I’m soon taking Fafnir back… convey my regards to the Torrido Clan members injured in this disaster, also tell them their lodging fee this year will be halved.”
“Much appreciated.”
The Luminous Tower Master nodded, seemingly intending to leave… but he didn’t leave immediately, causing Bylegang to grow puzzled.
Only when this First Tower Master was silent for a moment did he slowly speak, “There’s one more thing.”
“Please speak, Tower Master.”
The Luminous Tower Master was silent again for a moment, before saying, “I want to request one of your Farm’s crops.”
Bylegang opened his mouth… crops were certainly precious clan assets, but when facing a true powerhouse in the Unhuman Domain, it’s not to the extent of unreasonable reluctance to give—factually speaking, because of the exceptional quality of the clan Farm’s crops, some local bigshots occasionally make such requests.
What took him by surprise was that even the First Tower Master of the Arcane Tower had such needs…
“Is there a problem?” The Luminous Tower Master said calmly.
Why use this light and shadow effect enhancement—naturally, because he felt his actions couldn’t justify such a face.
“Of course not!” Bylegang quickly said, “Since the Tower Master has chosen, it’s naturally our honor… then, which specific one from the Farm is the Tower Master pointing at? I’ll personally deliver.”
“He…” The Luminous Tower Master opened his mouth.
Awkward moments appeared—he didn’t know the name of the person under the tree!
Forgot to ask??
“He?” Bylegang subconsciously opened his mouth.
It’s he—not she… in western languages, he and she are extremely clearly differentiated—he??
The Luminous Tower Master promptly shook his head, waved his hand… before Bylegang, another light and shadow slowly appeared—this light and shadow gradually became clear, seemingly female… at least dressed as a female.
But when this silhouette was about to fully appear, the face became obscured with a layer of mist, making it impossible to see any facial features.
“Luminous Tower Master, what is this?” Bylegang once again asked in confusion.
Not only was this Acting Archduke puzzled… even the First Tower Master of the Arcane Tower—he couldn’t seem to profilarly depict the appearance of the person he’d just seen under the tree!
That’s embarrassing… but this Tower Master, with immense self-control, stated unflinchingly, “Age roughly twenty-one or two, typical oriental features, black hair, black eyes. Though male, is the most ideal female type, possibly familiar with eastern Taoist culture.”
“It’s certainly… a very unique character setup.”
The Luminous Tower Master coughed lightly, saying, “I just resonated with him, had some interest in accepting him as my student, don’t overthink.”
“Won’t overthink… certainly.” Bylegang nodded seriously.
“This is my personal contact crystal.” The Luminous Tower Master threw a crystal to the Acting Archduke, then vanished on the spot.
Looking at the First Tower Master’s personal contact crystal in hand—heedfully, there weren’t many like this in the Unhuman Domain?
“Only… when did the Farm have such character appeared?”
Bylegang couldn’t help but fall into deep confusion. After all, he’s serving as Supervisor, cultivating one batch of crops after another…