Chapter 035: Lina's Visit

Ao Defan stared in astonishment at Shen Duo’s delicate, smiling face. For a moment, he was speechless, then turned to Lei Hang with a cheerful grin. “Young Master, you truly have a talent for judging people. Since Shen Duo insists, I’ll gladly accept this. Shen Duo, if you ever need Uncle Ao Defan’s help in the future, just say the word. As long as I’m able, I will never refuse.”

The smile on Shen Duo’s lips deepened. “Of course, Uncle Ao Defan. I won’t stand on ceremony with you.” To gain the promise of a beastmaster from one of the ten great mercenary groups was a treasure, the very thing many Illusionists dreamed of. Shen Duo had not truly expected to gain much from Ao Defan, but in the days to come, she would indeed learn much from him—though that is a story for another time.

Lei Hang watched the two of them happily. Within the mercenary group, aside from his father Lei Lie and his two uncles Lei Bai and Lei An, the one he respected most was Ao Defan. Now that Ao Defan and Shen Duo were getting along, it was just what he hoped for.

Just as Ao Defan tucked away the Water Spirit Flower, the door to the private room burst open. A soft, coquettish voice called out from the entrance. Lei Hang’s brows furrowed, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.

At the sound, Shen Duo turned to look. The tavern boy stood at the door with a pained expression, apologizing to Ao Defan, but it was the splash of brilliant red at his side that caught everyone’s eye.

By now, Lina had changed out of her provocative leather outfit from the auction. Instead, she wore a red, form-fitting Illusionist’s robe that only served to accentuate her charm. Her ample chest drew the eyes of every man present, her smooth black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her lips were a glossy crimson. She gazed with interest at Lei Hang and Shen Duo inside the room.

“Well, junior brother, after just a few years, do you not even recognize your senior sister?” Shen Duo nearly choked on the sweet nectar drink she had just sipped. Among the three of them, who else could Lina be calling her junior but Lei Hang? Lei Hang had graduated from Will Academy only two years ago, with Luo Hui as his mentor. Who would have thought he had a senior sister as well?

Lei Hang’s back stiffened, his handsome face drooping in distress. The moment he saw his senior at the auction, he knew nothing good would come of it, and sure enough, here she was already. He could only turn around stiffly and reluctantly greet her.

Lina laughed coquettishly and, with no hint of shyness, sat down right next to Lei Hang, helping herself to the nectar drink on the table. With a smile, she glanced at Shen Duo before turning her gaze to Ao Defan. “You must be the renowned beastmaster of the Flame Mercenary Group. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Ao Defan returned her greeting with equal politeness.

Under Lina’s steady gaze, Shen Duo remained unruffled, betraying no hint of discomfort. In the end, it was Lina who gave in and shot Lei Hang a meaningful look.

Lei Hang would have preferred not to introduce Shen Duo to Lina. This senior was seven years his elder and had many good qualities, but she was especially nosy and loved meddling in his private affairs. Back at Will Academy, whenever he spoke a little too much with a girl, Lina would immediately try to push him together with her—much to his misery. Unfortunately, he couldn’t best her, so he could only try to avoid her. Even when he graduated, he bid farewell to Luo Hui and slipped away quietly back to the mercenary group.

“My good friend Shen Duo, the ninth young lady of the Shen family.” At Lei Hang’s introduction, Shen Duo gave Lina a polite nod.

Lina covered her mouth in surprise. “So you’re the ninth young lady of the Shen family?” Realizing her reaction was a bit much, she let out an embarrassed laugh. Not long after her arrival in Locheng, Lina had heard the rumors about the ninth young lady of the Shen family—a cowardly good-for-nothing. But after the mercenary group entered Locheng, she’d heard talk in the auction house of Shen Duo’s heroic battle against Shen Aofan with the Flame Mercenaries. She’d found it odd that someone so weak could suddenly become so decisive and ruthless. Seeing Shen Duo in person today, witnessing her composure, Lina was now convinced the rumors were true.

Lina’s gaze flickered between Lei Hang and Shen Duo. Shen Duo, unfamiliar with Lina, tried her best to ignore it, but Lei Hang was different. He anxiously signaled Lina with his eyes, but she paid him no mind, acting as she pleased. Still, Lina was not without propriety—after all, she was a senior auctioneer.

As they drank, the conversation turned to the mercenary group’s plans.

“How long will the group be staying in Locheng?” Lina asked Lei Hang.

Lei Hang glanced at Shen Duo with some concern and answered truthfully, “We’re only here to replenish supplies. My father sent word at noon today—we’ve already accepted an A-rank mission for the capital of the Kast Empire, Karbas. In less than two days, the group will set out.”

Locheng was a border city of the Bakra Empire, adjacent to the Catra Forest. The Kast Empire lay to the southeast, just beyond the forest. Once the group skirted the Catra Forest, Karbas, the Kast Empire’s capital, would be close at hand.

Shen Duo was a little surprised at how soon the group was to depart.

Lina smiled slightly. “Will Shen Duo be going to Karbas with you?” At this, Lei Hang’s eyes betrayed a hint of disappointment. “Shen Duo will remain in Locheng.”

Lina looked at Shen Duo, who nodded in confirmation.

Ao Defan spoke up at just the right time. “In life, friends must part, no matter how close. All we can do is look forward to the day we meet again.”

Everyone felt Ao Defan’s words rang true, and they raised their cups for a toast.

“Don’t worry, junior brother,” Lina declared boldly, “With your senior sister here, I won’t let anyone bully Shen Duo.” She even shot Lei Hang a meaningful wink.

Lei Hang suppressed his frustration and thanked Lina. Though she seemed flighty, she was in truth shrewd and capable. If Lina was willing to look after Shen Duo, he could be half at ease.

Shen Duo, quietly eating at the side, also saw through the cleverness beneath Lina’s beauty. On the surface, she seemed all curves and no brains, but everything she did spoke of sharp intelligence.

After leaving the Bruto Tavern, Lina returned to the auction house. Shen Duo followed Lei Hang to the group’s temporary camp outside Locheng, and upon entering Lei Hang’s tent, she took out three Water Spirit Flowers from her storage ring and placed them before him.

She had picked more than a dozen Water Spirit Flowers in the cavern. At present, Lei Hang was a six-star Spirit Illusionist; each rank for an Illusionist was divided into nine stages, with the seventh being a crucial threshold. Until he advanced to Sky Illusionist, the Water Spirit Flower was the best aid he could ask for, helping him ascend smoothly. Three flowers would see him through to Sky Illusionist.

Even with Lei Hang’s composure, he was stunned by Shen Duo’s actions and the blue-glowing Water Spirit Flowers in her hand. To have even one of these treasures was rare beyond belief; for Shen Duo to produce three at once moved him deeply, though he couldn’t help twitching at the thought.

Though he was curious how she came by so many, Lei Hang didn’t ask. If Shen Duo chose not to tell him, she must have her reasons. As her friend, all he could do was trust her.

Shaking his head, Lei Hang said, “Shen Duo, you’d better keep these. If you don’t need them, you should sell them at the auction house.”

Shen Duo smiled faintly and pushed the three flowers toward him. “Brother Lei, do you think it’s safe for me to bring these alone to the auction house?”

Lei Hang started, understanding at once. Such treasures were coveted by many; if word got out, Shen Duo would be in grave danger. The truth that ‘a man’s wealth is his own ruin’ was known to all. With that, Lei Hang no longer refused and accepted the three Water Spirit Flowers. Now, all he could think was that, with their help, he could advance to Sky Illusionist ahead of time. With greater power, no one would dare bully Shen Duo so easily.

Looking at the girl’s gentle yet resolute face before him, Lei Hang silently made a vow, his deep eyes shining bright as stars in the night sky.

After a simple farewell, Shen Duo left Lei Hang’s tent, her slender, delicate figure vanishing into the darkness.

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