AZI Volume 2 Chapter 37

"…He's late."

With clear annoyance on her face, Nian Yao Yao stands with her arms folded. Judging by the dark bags beneath her eyes, she clearly didn't get a decent rest last night.

"Also… How long are you going to stick around for, old hag?"

"Hm? You mean we're not going to find that village together?"

Towards Nian Tao Tao's genuine look of surprise, Nian Yao Yao blinks her eyes with amazement, before saying—

"To have the face to ask me this—after what you did last night, old hag, you really don't have any shame left, do you?"

"You're making it sound far too scandalous. In any case, we're both looking for this village, and since the map is in your capable hands, I figured that I might as well tag along."

"So, you're basically driving yourself into our group because you no longer have the manpower left to do things forcefully?"

"…"

Due to the number of people that are currently in her office, Jing Yao is just as irritated as Nian Yao Yao—for she hasn't been able to get through even a quarter of her daily workload.

"Pretty much."

Counting Qing Yue, Nian Tao Tao has only six Moon Guards remaining.

Should Long Hua continue to cooperate with Nian Yao Yao under these circumstances, attempting to acquire the map through forceful means—proves to be difficult.

"How exactly does you joining us on this venture benefit us?"

"Your strongest combatant isn't present, and you're outnumbered at this time. The fact that I'm not giving the orders to take the map from you now—is to your benefit, is it not?"

"…"

The moment these words come out of Nian Tao Tao's mouth, the air turns tense.

"…"

"…"

Standing side by side, Zhui Yun and Qing Yue glare at one another from the corner of their eyes—in a way that is reminiscent of feral dogs, that are ready to pounce at the other, the moment their owners release their hold over their leash.

(Damn, this sucks…)

Despite putting on a strong front, Zhui Yun knows that she is currently outmatched—with the other side having more combatants.

"…"

Taking in the tension-filled situation with an expression of concern, Jing Yao prays that they won't begin a fight in her office, or anywhere near the hospital.

"Hm…"

With a lollipop in her mouth, Jing Yin pays no heed to the situation, as her attention is drawn towards the mobile game—that she has opened on her smartphone. Currently, she is playing a PvP match with someone that goes by the username YC.

"…"

"…"

Just as it would seem like the situation would worsen—

"The air here reeks of gunpowder."

Stepping into Jing Yao's office without anyone noticing his arrival, Long Hua frowns at this scene. Towards his arrival, Nian Yao Yao says—

"Perfect timing, Long Hua drive these people out of here."

Thinking about Nian Yao Yao's request for a brief moment, Long Hua shakes his head with a sigh, and replies—

"I don't know what exactly happened here, but it's probably something along the lines of—your mother wanting to tag along with us to find that village. Attempting to shrug her and her BSDM perverts off at this point—is only a waste of time and effort."

"You just had to stick that last bit in, didn't you?"

Turning his head towards the source of this remark, Long Hua sees a short-statured Moon Guard—serving as the commander of the remaining five.

"Oh? Seems like my aim was off last night. I could correct that right now if you want."

Towards Long Hua's sinister smile, Qing Yue takes a step back with a bead of cold sweat rolling down her mask-covered face.

"Well then, I guess everything is now settled."

"Not quite."

Turning to Nian Tao Tao, who had attempted to close this discussion off at her own convenience, Long Hua goes on to ask—

"Where did you acquire the knowledge to use a magic array?"

In response to this question, Nian Tao Tao's expression turns solemn, to which, Long Hua adds—

"Those animalistic traits that are possessed by you and your daughter are most unusual. Similarly, to me, you are not of this world yourselves."

"...…"

"…"

Taking her mother's silence to be a confirmation of Long Hua's statement, Nian Yao Yao sinks into thought. She had always thought this to be the case, but she has never put much care into it because—

"Whether or not we are natives of this world, what does it matter really? Home is home, isn't it?"

Towards her daughter, who had said these words in a solemn tone, Nian Tao Tao smiles. But it is difficult to tell whether this smile is one of pride or ridicule—for the former is completely ignorant of the outside world.

"Home is home… Ai, if you do not wish to answer the question, so be it. However, a particular decision must still be made."

Turning to Nian Yao Yao, Long Hua goes on to say—

"I am indeed what the residents of this world would call an Immortal."

Simultaneously, everyone in the room raised their heads.

If they were able to get some answers out of Long Hua, it would help them to understand their enemies better.

(Ai, this is going to be a pain in the ass…)

Although he could choose to delay this matter, Long Hua didn't see the point in doing so. If anything, choosing to delay the matter will only damage the trust that he has with NPI—making it difficult for him to work with Nian Yao Yao in the future.

"You-"

"Knowing this—do you still wish to maintain our contract?"

"I-"

"Foolish daughter of mine, do think this through a bit more."

"…"

Being cut off twice—the first by Long Hua, the second by her mother, Nian Yao Yao's expression turns awkward. However, she does see her mother's point, as she gets her excitement to settle down.

While Nian Yao Yao thinks about how she should approach Long Hua's question, Nian Tao Tao looks to the latter with a sharp gleam in her eyes, and asks—

"In the eyes of an Immortal, what value do we hold?"

"…"

"Nian as in Nian beast, a legendary creature that appears at the near end of a year. Much like dragons and phoenixes, your bodies are a treasure trove of valuable resources."

Stepping out from behind Long Hua, Tian Cheng answers as such, and adds—

"Your species are considered a rarity; hence many would think to hunt you down the moment they catch wind of your whereabouts. In fact, numerous beasts that are often heard of in myths have gone extinct as a result of human greed."

"…Is that…?"

Compared to Nian Tao Tao, who is unfazed by the information given, Nian Yao Yao's expression is a mix of concern and surprise.

Confirming Tian Cheng's answer with a nod, Long Hua adds—

"As she says. The world the Immortals live in—is a world where blood is shed on a daily basis in order to vie for limited resources. In that world, stories of disciples killing their masters and vice versa are common tales. If you ask around, you can also hear the tale of a single man killing off their entire clan—all for the sake of achieving a minor growth in power. To most Immortals, whatever sacrifices they can make to raise their cultivation base by even a tiny amount is considered worthwhile, especially so when they've been bottlenecked for years. I do not know exactly how rare you Nian beasts are in the Immortal's world. But it's true that the materials that can be carved from your bodies are of extreme value, for they can be used to create powerful magic treasures, or even elixirs—that can aid an Immortal greatly in their cultivation."

Going on to elaborate further, Long Hua draws a quarter of Bai Zhe's blade from its belt sheath, and says—

"The metal used for the creation of this sword is nothing special. Had it been forged from the horn of a Nian beast, I could probably use it to kill a level six Immortal in one slash under certain conditions."

"…"

Standing still, Nian Yao Yao finds it difficult to voice a response to what Long Hua had just said.

A living, breathing Immortal that speaks her tongue stands before her.

The world that the Immortals live in.

Cultivation base.

Nian beast, a mythical beast that is considered as rare as dragons and phoenixes.

The amount of information that is being given to her all at once is quite difficult to organize, but the most important question of all remains unchanged, and that is—

"What decision are you asking me to make exactly?"

Sheathing Bai Zhe away, Long Hua goes on to state—

"My shizun once said to me that contracts are to be valued—for they are the most primitive form of establishing trust between two parties. Knowing the kind of threat that an Immortal can pose to you, are you still able to trust me? Trust an Immortal—that is no different from what I had just described to you?"

Looking at Long Hua, who is giving off a foreign air, Nian Yao Yao thought back to their previous conversation.

(Nothing's really changed. I'm still the same as ever.)

(I wonder if that statement still holds true, or maybe… What he meant is, this is how he's always been like?)

With a frown of uncertainty, Nian Yao Yao asks—

"…Even if there is a contract between us, will there still come a time in which you would choose to stab me in the back when you deem it to be a necessity?"

"…"

A faint smile that gives off a sadistic flavor appears on Long Hua's face in response to this question.

"It would be best for you to keep this question in mind at all times, since I am incapable of guaranteeing anything—as a result of my personal circumstances. I shall wait outside while you come to make your decision."

Turning around, Long Hua leaves Jing Yao's office with Tian Cheng.