Chapter 1236: Weng Faluos 3.3 (277)

The city is utterly silent, the uneasy feeling accumulating every second. Bai'e looked around the deserted market, brows furrowed, "The news must have spread. Every household has shut their doors… all the shops in the market have temporarily closed."

Xing still couldn't believe it: "I have a feeling this is her scheme…"

"I hope so… no matter what, I just can't believe she would be taken down by a few mere assassins…" Bai'e took a deep breath. "If this is all a ploy, then Teacher Tibao must know something… but it's inconvenient to say it outright in the news."

Several people arrived at Cloud Stone Heaven Palace; the usually bustling bathhouse had been cleared out, leaving it empty. Danheng and Kelatus had already returned first, seemingly discussing something.

After a brief exchange, Bai'e also got straight to the point: "Lord Kelatus, were you in the city when the incident occurred? What exactly happened…"

Kelatus shook his head: "Unfortunately, no one knows the exact situation at the time. The witnesses only saw… uh…"

"... It's fine, please speak plainly."

"... The witnesses at Cloud Stone Heaven Palace saw Aglaea fall from the Golden Descendants Bath."

Mimimi covered her mouth: "Oh my goodness…"

"When the Holy City Guards approached to check, she already showed no signs of life. But they didn't dare to hastily conclude… because she was a Demigod who had lived over a thousand years, the leader of the Golden Descendants. Most citizens of this city believed she had nothing to do with death." Kelatus lowered his head, "She was pierced through the heart by a peculiarly styled dagger. Only after seeing it myself did I become certain—it is a concealed weapon worn by the Cleansers."

"Then why didn't they attack us?" Xing asked, puzzled.

"I think the same as you… this makes no sense at all. The folks who appeared in Tree Court, as well as those who confronted Danheng in the Deep Abyss, never immediately resorted to violence—just surveillance and intimidation. They had no reason, nor the guts to use force against Aglaea. Perhaps…"

Danheng: "Speculating blindly isn't helpful. Go see Miss Tibao—she understands Aglaea's thoughts best."

——

Azure Files.

"Bang——!"

Lu Bamó Ailu slammed the table hard, making the takeout box on it jump into the air.

As the president of Convenience Store 68, Ailu's face, which usually bore a confident smile, was now flushed red because of the Aglaea incident.

"Unforgivable! This is simply unforgivable!!" Ailu gritted her teeth, "Such a ruthless woman should be tied to a Flak41 anti-aircraft gun… no! To deal with such evildoers, we should saturate-bomb them with cruise missiles!!"

Jiadaizi also let out a soft sigh upon hearing that: "President, although I understand your hatred for those Senate folks, they aren't students from Jiwo Tuosi—one cruise missile could actually kill them instantly."

"No, that won't work either!" Ailu clenched her fists, her teeth grinding, "These people used such vile means to harm others; they should pay a heavy price. We should tie them to Tibao's rocket, pack them up and send them straight to Heichi Camp, letting those monsters…"

Seeing Ailu's angry face, Muyue's eyes also flashed with a hint of seriousness: "Xiao Ai, actually these people are truly ruthless outlaws."

"I certainly know this kind of thing! But… their evil level has far exceeded the definition of a 'bad person'! True outlaws are hard‑core, admired… and very handsome! Guys who lurk in the shadows scheming against others, with no bottom line at all, are just worms!!"

"If such people appeared before me, even without a request from Convenience Store 68, I'd take them out!"

——

"Kelatus suggested we first go talk to Fengjin, after all she was the one who announced Aglaea's death."

Bai'e came to the Golden Descendants Bath; it was empty except for Fengjin alone.

As the only person present who had seen Aglaea's corpse, Fengjin's face was as pale as paper; her eyes, usually full of smiles, were now dull and lifeless, as if shrouded in an unshakable gloom.

Bai'e approached her, even able to see her slightly reddened eye sockets and the bloodshot veins at the back of her eyes; it's hard to imagine what turmoil the girl's heart has just undergone.

"Fengjin."

The girl slightly lifted her eyes: "... You've come back."

"We heard what Kelatus said. You… are you okay?"

Fengjin's voice showed utter exhaustion: "I'm fine… after the incident I've been staying with Tibao and Teacher Tining. I'm so glad you made it back so quickly… they really need someone to keep them company."

"You saw… Aglaea's…" Xing's voice caught in his throat.

"... We witnessed her final moments." Fengjin lowered her lashes, her voice suddenly thick with sobs, her shoulders beginning to tremble uncontrollably, "I rushed to treat her right away, but even the heavens' blessings…"

"Announcing her death… has been the hardest thing I've ever done as a healer."

The girl took a deep breath, wiped her eyes, and lifted her head: "Lord Bai'e… don't push yourself. Your shoulders are heavier now—by all means, don't collapse."

"... It's fine, I can still hold on." Bai'e clenched his fists, "I've lost a mentor and a comrade. Tibao and Teacher Tining, meanwhile, have lost a bond spanning a thousand years—like a part of life itself. Go rest, Fengjin. You probably haven't slept in ages, huh? Leave the rest to us."

——

Legend of the Sword Heroes.

"These days Bai'e also bears a bit of a leader's air. If Aglaea knows anything down below, she could probably rest in peace."

The night wind in Yuzhou City carried a slight chill, brushing over the lofty pagoda top. Jingtian tipped his head back and took a big gulp of wine, then passed the wine jar to Chonglou beside him: "Do you feel this kid has become quite different from before?"

"Heh… Bai'e's ability was never bad; it's just that back when we first met, his temperament still needed polishing." Chonglou took the wine jar Jingtian passed, drained it, and said, "... It's much better than when I first saw you."

"Me?"

Jingtian pointed at himself, his two brows instantly knitting together.

I said, red hair, why are you bringing me up out of nowhere? My starting point and Bai'e's are obviously different, okay? He's a Demigod, a Golden Descendant—and moreover the most perfect Golden Descendant, trained from the start to be a savior! Me? I'm a clerk at Yongan Pawnshop! Every morning I get up, wipe the counter, appraise pawn items, and serve tea and water to that stingy old man Zhao Wen Chang. Back then I definitely couldn't compare to Bai'e!