AZI Volume 6 Chapter 55

Informed of these bits of information—regarding Lord Tian She Zi, Long Hua can't help but feel like the odds of it being related to that unpleasant individual are getting higher and higher.

"So, this Lord Tian She Zi isn't a genuine god?"

"Their status might as well be no different from an actual god—at least, in the face of their followers. Refill."

Refilling Wu Xiao's cup, Long Hua goes on to ask—

"Hmm. You know anything about these ruins?"

"Can't say that I do."

As Wu Xiao takes a sip, a thought crosses Long Hua's mind.

(…? For some reason, there's something familiar about the act of sitting down together, while it's raining…)

Changing the topic, Long Hua asks—

"…I've been wondering, but how come storage pouches aren't something that is more common in this world? Don't practitioners on the frontlines carry them on their person?"

"Oh? Are you thinking that by heading off to the frontlines, you'd be able to acquire more resources? Sorry to disappoint you, but you're out of luck if you really think that. The bodies of the practitioners there are clones; now, let me ask you this, why would a clone be carrying any valuables on its person?"

"…"

Hearing this, Long Hua forms an unpleasant frown on his face, whereas Wu Xiao continues to say—

"The first purpose of the frontlines is to apply constant pressure on the weapon spirits, so that they may grow; it's second purpose is to train the Ling Yuan family clansmen. Truth be told, there's really no purpose in you heading there."

"What a way of killing two birds with one stone…"

Shrugging her shoulders, Wu Xiao asks—

"In any case, you've time right now, my dearest?"

"If you're looking for me to play you a tune, well—sorry to say this, but that flute is gone."

"…What happened?"

Thinking quickly, Long Hua answers—

"A practitioner ambushed me, but luckily the flute was placed near my chest, and took the hit for me by sacrificing itself."

"…"

Directing an incredulous look at Long Hua, Wu Xiao asks—

"Any injuries?"

"None."

"I'm not talking about you; I'm talking about the person who ambushed you."

"Uh?"

With an odd smile on her face, Wu Xiao remarks—

"I can tell that your body has gotten sturdier. If a Foundation Establishment realm practitioner were to hit you, they'd probably injury their own hand."

"Aren't you concerned about the wrong person?"

"Oh? So, you admit to being my husband then?"

"…"

Standing up, Long Hua intends to leave, while Wu Xiao remarks—

"Ai… Maybe next time we should go out to some place remote together? Having a nice scenery to go with a tune would be nice."

Ignoring the remark, Long Hua presses a hand to his chest, and mutters—

"…Sitting down together beneath the tree, while it's raining...… For some reason, it feels oddly… Familiar?"

Certain items, certain actions, certain behaviors, all these things can cause a person to think of the past.

Even if a person may have forgotten about the matter, so long as the memory itself had left a lingering impression, the former will inevitably recall them when their emotions are tickled.

"…"

Towards Long Hua's remark, Wu Xiao turns silent.

"Surnamed Wu…"

Turning his head to the side, Long Hua with an uncertain expression on his face asks—

"You and I…? Have we met each other before all this?"

"…"

Raising a subtle smile, Wu Xiao replies—

"I'm not sure. However… Given a bit more time, I should have my answer. As for whether or not I choose to reveal my answer to you then… We'll see, I suppose?"

"…"

Towards this answer, Long Hua replies—

"Whatever then."

"…"

As Long Hua's back fades into the darkness, Wu Xiao looks up at the starless skies.

(Is it you, Qing Yi? …They say that god has a twisted sense of humor; having experienced that first-hand, I suppose it isn't impossible? But...… Spur of the moment choice, too late to regret it.)

...…

The next day, the group resumes their exploration of the ruins.

"…"

Glancing at Yao Ying, who is holding onto a kitchen knife, Ye Chen asks—

"Hey, surnamed Long, just who is that little girl?"

Heaving a sigh, Long Hua answers—

"If I say that she's the illegitimate daughter of someone important...… Some scumbag—who wants to cover up their one-night stand from their main wife, would you believe me?"

"…So, she was basically sent here to die—to get rid of the evidence?"

"Something like that."

Considering how close this explanation is to the truth, Long Hua feels like he's already answered more than enough.

"Ancestor, your spoils from last night."

Receiving the storage pouches from Chen Lan, Long Hua stores them away.

And as the group continues to move—

"…For real?"

The clouds darken, and droplets of rain fall from above.

"Guess it's rain season…"

...…

"Hmph!"

Smashing the head of a practitioner into pieces, Yang Hai draws in a deep breath of air prior to straightening his back.

Fur of pale blue colors along with a few strands of white covers his arms. This is his Relic, the sort that is merged with one's own body.

"Didn't expect Immortals as well."

Deactivating his Relic, Yang Hai's arms return to normal, as he looks to his peers, who all had a grim look on their faces.

"Should we return to the village first?"

Looking at the corpses of the weapon spirits that were nearby, Yang Hai replies—

"Let's have one of us head back to report the situation. The rest of us will continue to search for at least one group of foreign Sinners to bring back. That said, who wants to report back?"

"I'll do it."

"Go then."

As one of the villagers runs off, another asks—

"What do we do with these guys' supplies?"

"Take what's useful. We'll just leave the bodies here as fertilizer."

"So, this is food from the outside world? Looks like something to look forward to tonight."

"…"

Staring at the darkening skies, Yang Hai remarks—

"It's going to rain again. For now, let's find some shelter."

"Agreed."

"Tch, sucks that we let one of the Immortals get away."

Shrugging a shoulder, Yang Hai replies—

"Don't worry about it. …Hmm, the other groups might have already found some foreign Sinners, and brought them back to the village."

"If they did, then is there any purpose in us continuing to loiter?"

"Cleaning up a few more Immortals has benefits."

"True."

...…

"Talk about convenient."

Entering a cave, which possesses enough space to cover all of them, the members of the group find a random corner to seat themselves in.

Taking out a dry towel, Li Zi Xiang and Hui'er begin to wipe the rainwater off their bodies.

Along the way over, Hui'er had collected a few medicinal ingredients, and expecting to stay here for a while, she begins to concoct pills with her Relic.

Using this opportunity, Long Hua turns his back towards the others, and just as he is about to check his spoils—

"…Here too?"

At the far end of this cave is a statue of Lord Tian She Zi; this time, the model is a child, who is holding a fan over its head.

"…"

Walking over to the object, the Moon Guard—who was wielding a metal umbrella last night, claps her hands together, and bows to the statue, while muttering something beneath her breath.

Attire wise, this Moon Guard is wearing the standard equipment of a black bodysuit with a white oni mask.

For bestial traits, she possesses a pair of sharp black ears, which seem to be from a canine, along with a tail.

"…"

"…"

Exchanging a glance, the Moon Guard directs a subtle nod at Long Hua prior to moving along.

"…"

Staring at the same Moon Guard—who proceeds to walk pass her, Qing Yue frowns.

This specific Moon Guard with long black hair is actually her second-in-command, her name is Xún Yǔ.

"…"

"…"

"…"

Just as Xun Yu walks pass Teng Hao and Gui Lian, the two direct a glance at the former with an odd light in their eyes.