Chapter 380: Unchanging Original Intent, No Taboo (22)

The pre‑dawn wilderness.

"Sister, that emperor is deliberately sowing discord between us."

Patarnalos broke the silence first.

"I know."

Both are the Empress's handmaidens, and have lived countless ages, so they can naturally see through Luosen's methods.

But even after seeing clearly, their hearts remain quite displeased.

After walking for a while, Adela finally couldn't hold back and said bitterly: "This bastard only uses a few dozen grams of sun essence to do as he pleases with us; he's truly terrible."

Patarnalos actually has a rather good impression of Luosen.

"He is indeed a bit of a bastard, but sun essence is truly useful to us. Moreover, he is indeed a rare divine gunslinger; *cough cough*, anyway he's quite unforgettable."

Adela felt even more uneasy: "He tormented me for almost two hours, then gave only ten grams of essence!"

Patarnalos, having gotten a bargain, chuckled: "Sister, are you jealous?"

Adela neither denied nor admitted: "Anyway, he's just a bastard!"

Patarnalos smiled: "Regardless, this sun essence greatly aids us, significantly increasing our odds against the Dark Brotherhood."

"The Dark Brotherhood happens to be brewing a major operation, so this sun essence arrives at a very timely moment."

Those words are correct.

Adela's steps suddenly halted, she abruptly turned and headed back toward the Tulip Manor.

"Sister, what are you doing?"

"Going to find him to exchange for more sun essence."

"Sister, isn't this too humble?"

Patarnalos wore an incredulous expression.

Adela's face full of plaintive resentment: "Power is dignity. Sacrificing some dignity for more power is only natural."

Patarnalos wasn't foolish either; after a pause, she suddenly understood Adela's thoughts.

"Sister, you won't fall in love with that bastard, will you?"

She had just been relaxing, not taking it to heart, and didn't expect her sister to become serious.

Adela turned her head to the dawn hue appearing on the horizon.

"You overthink, little sister; we must do our utmost to stop, at least to delay the Dark Brotherhood's advance. More power means a higher margin of error tolerance."

Patarnalos, however, saw it completely and earnestly advised.

"Sister, stop hiding it; you just like him."

"But he is the emperor, the most unpredictable and ruthless kind of person in this world."

"His reputation is decent; we can cooperate with him, but never place our emotions on him, otherwise you'll suffer greatly!"

Patarnalos, why do you ramble so much? I understand every word you say, and I will restrain my feelings without you having to remind me.

At this point, Adela suddenly realized her lapse; she immediately inhaled deeply, then exhaled at length.

"Little sister, you're right; emperors are all heartless, I thought too much."

"Let's go, back to Blue Stone City!"

At that moment, the sun leapt over the horizon, its morning light piercing the wilderness and swiftly dispersing the morning mist.

Soon the outskirts would see early‑rising farmers, so the two sisters quickened their pace.

But after walking a while, a familiar voice came from beyond the mist: "Good morning, ladies."

With those words, a gust of wind blew, scattering the already thin morning mist and revealing a large tree by the road.

A figure leaned against the trunk, none other than Emperor Luosen of the Natural Empire, with whom they had shared several nocturnal flirtations.

Adela startled: "Your Majesty?"

Luosen smiled and beckoned: "Come, come to my side."

Adela frowned: "Your Majesty, speak quickly, we are quite busy."

Luosen, with added emphasis, said seriously: "I insist."

Adela hesitated briefly, then finally walked toward Luosen.

Upon reaching Luosen, he seized her in his arms, applying slight pressure to suppress her struggle, then gave a deep kiss.

Adela resisted for a few seconds, then yielded.

Patarnalos, watching the scene, couldn't help but sigh softly.

A few minutes later, Luosen whispered comforting words with a telepathic murmur.

"Miss Adela, Patarnalos and I are merely playing, but for you it's genuine affection."

"I cannot bear to see you sad and distressed."

Saying this, Luosen truly felt he was an outright bastard.

If on Earth, he would certainly be labeled the greatest scumbag in history.

But now, his mindset has changed dramatically.

As long as his original intention remains unchanged, he has no restrictions on his methods.

On the other hand, Adela is not so easily soothed.

She snorted coldly: "Your Majesty, flowery words have no effect on me."

Luosen naturally knows.

He smiled lightly, reaching his hand into her dress.

She subconsciously tried to resist again, but stopped immediately, having sensed Luosen's movement.

The gesture made her shy, and she couldn't help but whisper: "Your Majesty, my little sister is watching."

Luosen chuckles lightly: "Don't worry, the skirt blocks it, she can't see." After a while, he smiles, withdraws his hand from the dress, and whispers: "I just heard Patna say you're trying to block the Brotherhood's major operation. As an ally, I naturally won't stand by."

"These 300 grams of solar essence are my first aid to you."

"If in the future you encounter an unsolvable difficulty during an operation, do not hesitate, come directly to me, I will do my utmost to help."

This is no longer flowery words.

Ada roughly understands the Natural Empire's high‑energy technique level, and knows its domestic solar essence production capacity is very limited.

These 300 grams of solar essence are of great help to her, and for the other side, it is genuine material.

She also knows the other side places great weight on reputation; now they even make such a clear promise, which shows everything he said earlier was sincere.

Warmth suddenly fills her heart, and all resentment disappears completely.

She glared at Luosen a bit embarrassedly, then softly cursed: "Your Majesty, you're a bastard!"

Because Luosen's solar essence was placed in an unsuitable spot; although it was in a smooth container, it was definitely the other side's perverse taste.

Luosen, realizing the situation was set, laughed: "That's right, I am a bastard."

As he spoke, he activated the five‑ring spell "Floating Technique", his body soaring through the morning mist at incredible speed, drifting like a weightless leaf.

Even beyond a half‑plane, few can achieve such graceful, fluid Floating Technique, let alone within a half‑plane.

His peerless casting ability once again proved indisputable.

Ada stood by the great tree, watching Luosen depart all the way.

She kept watching the direction of his departure even after his figure vanished, never withdrawing her gaze.

At that moment, Patna's voice reached her ears: "Ah—this guy's casting power is truly despair‑inducing."

Ada nodded in agreement: "Indeed. If his soul ascends to the 23rd ring, he must be the strongest in the Solar Realm."

Patna sighed again.

"Sister, the supreme strongest have always been merciless."

"If you like him, you'll only end up heart‑broken later."

This time, Ada did not evade; she reluctantly withdrew her gaze.

"No, he's different; he has feelings. Otherwise he wouldn't risk entering this half‑plane."

"He's just a bit wayward, but who in this world has no flaws."

Patna couldn't help rolling her eyes: "Sister, you really are beyond help."

"Perhaps."

"Let's go, keep moving, little sister."

Elsewhere, Luosen had already returned to the Tulip Manor, standing side‑by‑side with Tira Lilin by the bedroom window, gazing at the beautiful morning light over the fields.

Tira Lilin said: "Darling, do you think they're trustworthy?"

Luosen nodded: "At least Ada is completely trustworthy."

He had already seen through this Life‑Girl's nature: a little woman forced to shoulder heavy responsibilities, forced to travel constantly, forced to project a strong façade.

As long as you give her a supportive shoulder when she needs it, you'll earn her unwavering aid.

Tira Lilin asked again: "Then what shall we do next?"

"Of course we learn from Knight Orante, find a good hideout, and set up several more watchposts."

"Besides, I feel my strength is still lacking; I must intensify cultivation."

Strength is something that is never too much.

With Laifu's assistance, at most three months, he should be able to raise his soul's intensity to the 13th ring.

By then, he will be able to cast spells of the eight‑ring power.

Tira Lilin asked again: "Will the trade with mortals continue?"

"Of course it will continue, but we must limit the daily trade amount. For example, only one transaction per day."

He already has a great understanding of this world, but is far from seeing through the mist.

Therefore, he will not cut off this information source, and will even keep expanding the trade scope.

"Lilin, I will also continue learning time‑magic with you."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

Tira Lilin naturally obeys Luosen's decision unconditionally.

Half an hour later, Luosen finished all the trivial matters and left the Tulip Manor with Tira Lilin.

He had been away for less than an hour, and about a kilometer from the manor, two people looking like ordinary farmers appeared.

The two gazed far into the distance at the Tulip Manor.

After a long while, one said: "The Dark Brotherhood was badly defeated this time."

The other farmer nodded: "Clearly, His Majesty Luosen has wielded astonishing power beyond imagination."

"The Dawn Crown has produced another strong competitor. Gaomiler should have a headache."

"Who says not?"

"However, this young Emperor is an extraordinary person; will he see through our plan?"

"Even if he sees through it, what can he do? In this half‑plane, His Majesty is the sole supreme ruler; he lets whoever lives live, whoever dies die."

The other farmer still worried: "It's true for others, but Luosen is different. His magical talent is unbelievably strong."

"Alright, actually I'm a bit worried too. But we're just small folk; we'll just watch the drama."

"You're right."

The two farmers stared for a while longer, then immediately shouldered their hoes and carried their baskets away.

(End of Chapter)