Chapter 206

She didn't even have time to widen her eyes when she felt the back of her head held roughly. Her mind was still caught unaware, but her body reacted naturally. Swiftly, her arms wrapped around his torso in a bid to deepen the kiss-

Tswii!

Suddenly, all she felt in place of the previous warmth was cold air.

"..."

Her eyes opened unwillingly, her hand rising up to her lips. Still, a soft smile blossomed on her face.

"I love you too…"

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|DxD|

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Flower-Fruit Mountain, Himalayan Mountain Range

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Tswii!

Using the Instant Transmission, Igor appeared underneath the shelter of a gazebo. Atid and to his surprise, Sun Wukong were seated at the table.

"..."

After merging with Triny, not only did his power increase, but also his perception. Yet when he locked on to Atid, he could sense everyone else except the old sage. Even now as he stood in front of him, Igor could barely sense him.

And from the grin on Sun Wukong's face, it was clear this was intentional.

"Did you really think that after a few power-ups you'd be able to sense me, brat?"

"..."

Normal people greeted each other with hellos after not seeing each other for over a month. But no. The old sage decided he should crush his confidence.

"Tch. One day I'll surpass you."

"Hehe. Maybe when I'm dead or retired, brat. Now, do you want some tea?"

There was a luxurious assortment of prestigious cups and what Igor assumed to be a high-end tea. From the looks of things, Atid certainly enjoyed the taste.

Pulling a chair back, he also joined them at the table.

"What? No sake this time?"

"Cough!"

As if the word "sake" was the trigger, Atid choked on his tea. After repeatedly trying not to die, he took a napkin and wiped his mouth.

"Brother. You and sake…never. Never again."

There was visible panic on Atid's face.

"Don't drink sake, Igor. Please…don't."

"..."

For all it was worth, Igor was confused.

"Why? It's just sake."

"..."

Atid began slowly, his tone condescending as if he was talking to a child.

"Brother. When you drink-"

"You turn into an infrastructural hazard, brat. Don't drink and let's leave it at that."

"..."

Igor felt a bit of grief. He was told that he destroyed a building…

"But it was only once…"

"One-too-many, brother. One-too-many…"

Facing a two-pronged attack, Igor could only grit his teeth and endure.

"Fine."

Taking a teapot, he poured himself some tea. There was a brief period of silence as the trio drank their tea. It wasn't until a few moments later that Igor spoke.

"So, when are we leaving, monkey sage?"

"We can leave now or remain here for another hour. Indra said something about wanting to meet you, brat."

"Uncle wants to meet me? If this is another request on mentoring new recruits then I'm not having it."

"As if an idiot brat like you can guide recruits. No, he wants you for something different."

"..."

Igor saw no reason to decline so he accepted.

"Alright, monkey sage. I'll see what he wants."

Then silently, he downed his cup of tea. For the next few minutes, the trio sat silently as they savoured the tea. Over the years, it had become a sort of ritual for them to sit like this in silence.

Sun Wukong couldn't help but admire the growth of these two boys in front of him. Both had grown considerably over the past three years, both in mind and in body. Especially Igor.

The old monkey idly reminisced of the boy who stupidly asked him about the blindfold covering his eye. Quick to instigating conflict with absolutely no regard for the consequences, he was as hard-headed as they came.

Thankfully, that seemed to have somewhat regressed over the years to a certain extent.

[If only he could lose that cursed tongue as well.]

Over the years, both boys had garnered quite a significant following due to them being the rising stars of the new generation. And as fortune would have, each boy had a select group of fanatical followers.

While Atid's followers were perverted women, Igor's followers were a bit more unique. For some reason, young devas liked his personality and had become hellbent on emulating it.

Unfortunately, they seemed to emulate the worst aspects of Igor.

[I've already lost count of how many victims had their mothers cursed for birthing them.]

Still, he wouldn't complain too much. From this month alone, Sun Wukong could sense that Igor had indeed grown, and not in strength alone.

"..."

Although the blonde still didn't know the proper manners required to drink tea, the calm way he drank it told the old monkey all he needed to know about Igor's mental state.

[He has indeed grown.]

Maybe he won't need to whack him with his staff anymor-

"Atid. You look like a pansy when you drink like that."

"..."

Contrary to expectation, Atid did not flare up in anger. After freezing for a moment, he calmly placed the cup on the table before facing Igor.

"Brother. We've only just arrived. Don't choose violence when we haven't even finished half the pot."

"The reason we haven't even reached half is because you're kissing your tea instead of drinking it."

"It's called 'savouring'. But I don't blame you. Someone of your intelligence wouldn't understand. Look. Even Uncle Sun still hasn't finished his."

"..."

Igor looked at Sun Wukong for a moment before frowning.

"That's his second cup, idiot. Unlike you who wants to molest his cup, he actually drinks his tea."

"..."

Atid couldn't come back from this. His dignity had been scattered across the ground by Igor's insults. And from the slight twitch of the lip on the old monkey's face, he could tell that despite trying to mind his own business, Sun Wukong found this situation funny.

"Igor…"

There was only one way left to recover what was left of his face.

"Take that back."

Standing up, Atid glared at Igor who only grinned back at him.

"Make me, cup-kisser."

Atid didn't hesitate. With a golden aura covering him, he spoke.

"The Pacific. Now."

Without further words, he vanished.

Vwong!

"..."

With Igor remaining behind, he looked at Sun Wukong with a "helpless" expression.

"See, monkey sage? I didn't instigate it this time. He did."

Without waiting for a reply, he placed two fingers on his forehead and vanished.

Tswii!

"..."

Finally left alone, Sun Wukong did not seem the least bit fazed. He already knew not to get between these two when they wanted to duke it out.

Sitting in silence, he calmly finished the rest of his tea before placing the cup on the table.

Sigh…

"As long as those two remain together, there will never be true peace."

The old monkey could swear that whenever those two got together, their respective IQs take a vacation. Just a little trade of barbs and there would soon be tsunami warnings issued across multiple weather channels.

"Yes. There will never be true peace."

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|DxD|

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Remote Region, Heavenly Realm

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In a region devoid of sentient life, Indra suddenly appeared. Once he arrived, all the animals in the vicinity hurriedly scattered away. Even a squirrel that was on the tree he was standing underneath it suddenly vanished faster than the eye could see.

"Hmph."

Indra smiled in amusement as he felt multiple energy signatures run from him. It was clearly intentional on his part. It brought him some enjoyment to see creatures run from him.

"I see that you have yet to grow, Indra."

"..."

Unfortunately, very few people would remain unaffected by his presence. And the one on the top of the list just happened to be both his former teacher and his current rival.

"Shiva."

Turning to face his former mentor and his attendant, Indra adjusted his glasses when he saw Shiva had assumed his childish form.

"Quite ironic for you to say I haven't grown."

Shiva didn't take offence to the subtle barb. Instead, he got right to the point.

"I won't waste time. You already know I want Igor to be my disciple. Now, I not only want him to be my disciple, I want him to join my camp."

"..."

Indra didn't react much. He was aware of Shiva's desire for Igor. He had personally seen that power after peering into the human world. So he could understand Shiva's desire.

"Fine. Do whatever you want."

Surprisingly, he did not try to refuse or negotiate, which somewhat stumped Shiva. Regardless, he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Good. I am glad this concludes it. Let us depart, Nandi."

Satisfied that he got what he wanted, Shiva and Nandi were about to vanish when Indra stopped them.

"Stop. Wait a second, will you? Sheesh. Why the rush?"

"..."

Shiva stood idly with his hands behind his back, his eyes calmly looking up at Indra. Uncharacteristically, the War God rubbed his head before sighing.

"Look. I know I haven't been the best student and that is why you're looking for Dimori. I also know that my teaching methods aren't suitable for him and that you'd be able to teach him much better than I could. But know this! Just as you will train Igor, I will also train my son. He has the potential to surpass me and I will make sure that happens."

"..."

Surprisingly, Shiva's lips stretched into a grin.

"Heh~."

Slowly, he hovered up until he was face-to-face with Indra. Stretching out his arm for a handshake, he spoke.

"I look forward to the battle between our heirs."

"?!"

Inwardly, Indra was shocked to the high heavens. But outwardly, only his eyebrows slightly rose.

[Heir?]

He had an inkling of suspicion, but he didn't truly expect that Shiva was preparing to groom Igor as the next God of Destruction. Even he didn't have that privilege when he was younger.

"Hehehehe…"

He found the whole situation funny.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Hilarious, even. Now it made sense why Shiva was so out and about. In the human world, he's appeared more times in a year than he did in the ninety-nine. Every god worth their salt knew of Shiva's ambiguous relationship with the troublesome blonde.

Indra could only imagine the chaos if the world found out Shiva made an Aryan his heir.

"Hahahahaha…"

He shook his head in amusement. He wasn't jealous of Igor. Merely intrigued. Clearly, Shiva saw more potential in Igor than he did.

"Alright!"

Reaching out to shake Shiva's hand, he confirmed their agreement.

"I agree."

Indra knew he might not compete with Shiva and Nandi in terms of teaching, but his son wasn't lacking in teachers either. He had him, the annoying dragon in his gauntlet, and his mother to teach him all he needed to know.

"May the best heir win."