AZI Volume 6 Chapter 52

"…"

Savoring the taste of the cherry blossom wine, Long Hua is just about to take another sip as the taste fades; however—

"The hell you all look at?"

Being stared at by everyone nearby, Long Hua can't help but frown with irritation.

Opening his mouth, Shao Tianming says—

"I think I speak for everyone here when I say this; Long-laoban, you're someone that none of us can hope to see through."

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

"It's not a praise dammit. Regardless of what shocking news hits you, you don't seem surprised at all—as if none of it really concerns you. In fact, I feel like the entirety of this world can go up into flames, and you'd still be sitting back, and drinking away at your own leisure. Also, that look in your eyes…"

"What kind of look are you talking about?"

Taking over for Shao Tianming, Ye Chen says—

"The sort of look that a person would make—when they see themselves to be superior than those around them."

"…"

Drinking out of the calabash, Long Hua replies—

"The longer you live for, and the more you experience, the less you care about the things around you. Maybe, I'm just someone who has reached that point?"

Glancing at Shao Tianming, Long Hua adds—

"Surnamed Shao, you're right in saying that even if this world goes up into flames, I'd still be drinking away at my leisure. Why bother to care for a world that is completely foreign to me? The people who I had cared for, they aren't here; hence, I see very little purpose in getting myself invested into this environment."

"…"

"…"

Compared to the others who didn't know what to truly make of these words, Qing Yue—who is seated within her tent, raises a frown.

In that instance, Qing Yue realizes—

(Surnamed Long, he won't ever think to help this world. To him, this world is merely a single stop on his journey to whatever goal that he has in mind. He's very different from us—who calls this world home.)

Although she knows that the anger she is currently experiencing is unjustified, Qing Yue can't help but clench her fists, causing her knuckles to turn white.

As a practitioner, Long Hua doesn't feel any sense of attachment to this world. His thoughts on the matter are very similar to a tourist on a holiday—where on the first day of arrival, he was asked by the locals to care about their nation's internal issues when all he wants to do is to savor the scenery, and leave without looking back. 

"That's just-?"

Before Shao Tianming can finish his sentence, he pauses with a solemn expression on his face.

"…"

As Shao Tianming crushes the emptied can in his hand, Wang Yongning puts on the same expression as the former, as he gets off his stool.

Momentarily, everyone comes out of their tents—with the last to do so being Tian Cheng and Yao Ying, who is confused by the sudden situation.

"…"

Continue to remain seated, Long Hua patiently waits for the enemies that are nearby to approach them.

Among these enemies, Qing Ming Yang and Lin Yu Heng are nowhere to be seen.

"Well, well."

"Another group."

Emerging out of the trees' shadows is a group of practitioners, all of whom have their robes stained in blood.

Giving an estimate of their headcount, there are around 20 of them, four of which are in the Core Formation realm, while the rest are all in the Foundation Establishment realm.

"…"

"…"

Since negotiations aren't possible due to the language barrier, the weapon spirits are quick to arm themselves with their Relics.

"Die!"

Shouting this, Ye Chen is the first to charge forth, and is followed by Shao Tianming, Wang Yongning, along with Teng Hao.

"Take them down."

The one who seems to be the leader of the practitioner group is a young man dressed in dark purple robes, and at his words, the practitioners near him step forward.

"I'll take the one at the center."

With Shen Le taking up the front, Ling Yi and Chang Ye situate themselves to her sides, as they engage with three Foundation Establishment realm practitioners.

"…"

From the Moon Guards, an individual, who is wielding a metal umbrella—that is nearly two meters in length, places herself in front of her peers.

*Pah!* opening the umbrella, the Moon Guard uses it as a shield to block off a spirit Qi handprint.

Following this, she pulls on the umbrella's handle to draw out a blade that is two feet in length.

Closing the distance between the enemy and herself, the Moon Guard barrages the practitioner with a series of deadly slashes.

"…"

Surrounded by smaller sized white tigers, Qing Yue situates herself in the Moon Guards' center, and would command the tigers to intercept an attack—if the allies near her aren't able to react on time.

"…"

Positioning himself in front of Hui'er, Zhang Yong pushes back a practitioner, while the latter—

"Cover your nose!"

Crushes a pill, and tosses it out in the form of powder.

"Uh?"

As soon as one of the practitioners breathes in the pale pink powder, their vision begins to blur.

Exploiting this opportunity, Zhang Yong closes the distance, and is just about to cut the practitioner down; however—

"Snap out of it!"

Dragging the poisoned practitioner back, another practitioner steps forward to block off Zhang Yong's attack.

"…"

"…"

Amidst the chaotic battlefield, Tian Cheng and Yao Ying draws closer to Long Hua.