Chapter 218

When Olyana arrived, she saw smoke and fire rising from the training ground.

It smelled somewhat pungent.

Master Jingzi Xuanzang brought Vivian and sat on the ground without hesitation, gnawing on two chickens.

To be precise, Tang Luo was holding one chicken for Vivian, while he himself only tore off a chicken leg and ate it symbolically.

Vivian took big bites of the beggar's chicken, which indeed didn't taste great, and ate it with great delight.

"Master Jingzi," Olyana said, clearing her throat.

Vivian looked at the chicken in her hand, then at Olyana, her expression quite troubled.

"Give it to me first," Tang Luo said.

Vivian handed the beggar's chicken to Tang Luo, stood up and bowed, then looked at him pleadingly.

Tang Luo simply gave her one and a half beggar's chickens, walked up to Olyana, and smiled: "Come to inspect the results?"

"..."

Olyana closed her eyes briefly before opening them: "No, you've caused quite a stir."

"I merely had the idle people leave, to avoid them interfering with my abduction plan," Tang Luo said. As for how true this statement is, it cannot be known.

"Well, I hope Master, next time your methods can be a bit gentler," Olyana said. What could she do?

She was also desperate—she couldn't win in a fight and still needed Tang Luo's help, so she could only try her best to clean up after Master Jingzi.

"My methods have always been gentle," Tang Luo said.

No one died, no blood was seen—indeed, it was a gentle method. Robert spat blood himself, proving his endurance is weak and he needs more training.

"Rudolf asked me about you," Olyana said, changing the subject and lowering her voice.

"That's quite normal, after all I am also a royal swordsmanship instructor," Tang Luo said.

"No," Olyana said, her face stern. "Just this morning, he specifically inquired about your situation—this is somewhat abnormal."

Tang Luo raised his eyebrows slightly: "What did he ask?"

"Your strength," Olyana said. "He asked how strong you are as a royal swordsmanship instructor, and whether you have the ability to teach Vivian and Charles well."

"That still sounds quite normal?" Tang Luo said.

"But this is not his usual manner," Olyana said. "Rudolf is already old; he now prefers enjoyment over wielding power, and isn't particularly concerned about his two children. Many palace affairs are handled by me—he basically doesn't interfere."

"Could it be that I've successfully drawn his attention?" Tang Luo said, showing no worry at all, on the contrary, even a bit pleased.

"That's not a good thing!" Olyana warned in a low voice.

"Good, good," Tang Luo said. "Before I abduct Vivian, I will try to stay as low-key as possible."

"Please," Olyana said, her tone softening.

In the palace, in the deepest part of a spacious and somewhat secluded room, stood a tall and luxurious throne.

Rudolf sat upon it, still wearing a splendid sleeping robe, appearing extremely casual in attire, but occasionally, his gaze and demeanor exuded a majesty that made one's heart tremble.

Before him knelt an attendant, careful and meticulous, reporting in detail what had happened on the training ground today.

After listening, Rudolf said nothing, silently waved his hand to dismiss the attendant, and after a while spoke: "That person—is he truly the strong one you said?"

Not far away, behind the shadow of a pillar, a person slowly emerged.

It was none other than Li Huan, who had secretly explored the palace that night, left, and was later found by Rudolf.

Li Huan stepped out, not because he was showing off, but because his condition was extremely poor.

His face was deathly pale, one hand propped against the pillar, swaying as if about to collapse, giving the impression that a mere breeze would knock him down.

Like Lin Daiyu's delicate willow in the wind, pitiful to behold—too bad he's a man.

"He is strong," Li Huan said, his voice somewhat hoarse. "We come from the same place; there, he is undoubtedly the strong one."

He had utterly sold out Tang Luo without any psychological burden.

"Is that so?" Rudolf said noncommittally. "I know he should be stronger than you ants, but probably not by much."

"If Your Majesty doesn't believe it, you can try," Li Huan said. Though it was a provocation, his tone unconsciously trembled.

The Rudolf before him had indeed left an indelible shadow in Li Huan's heart.

This king had actually captured, including Li Huan, a total of three divine demon wanderers!

In the secret dungeon, Li Huan saw two other barely alive Western divine demon wanderers.

They, like Li Huan, were Rudolf's captives.

Rudolf's purpose in capturing them was to uncover the secrets of these strange foreigners, to find out what lay behind them.

Unfortunately, this concerns life and property—it is a major matter.

Thus, Rudolf currently only knows these special foreigners come from the same mysterious place.

That place is where all such extraordinary beings with special traits reside.

Including the Master Jingzi Xuanzang brought in by Olyana.

"Try?" Rudolf laughed. "You want me to strike and kill him? No, no."

Li Huan's heart suddenly began to race—this proud king had seen through his provocation!

"Now is not the time," Rudolf said, smiling.

That Xuanzang, to a certain extent, had indeed aroused Rudolf's interest—not only because of Li Huan's "admiration" of him.

The greater reason was that Rudolf saw in Olyana this ambitious woman, and sensed a few degrees of awe in her demeanor.

Just like when this woman married him years ago.

Like a moth flying into the flame.

Or, as a domineering CEO would say: Woman, you're playing with fire.

Whoever can make Olyana play with fire will not be weak.

Although Tang Luo was described as a worm, in Rudolf's heart, Tang Luo's status is still far higher than Li Huan's and theirs.

It can wait to continue growing, to be picked only after it has matured.

Compared to simply trampling people underfoot, Rudolf prefers to strike down those vigorous powerhouses at their most triumphant, most peak state, casting them from the mountaintop.

Just like Oliana's scheming, Rudolf has always been very clear about it.

But he simply holds back, even secretly promoting it, of course not out of love.

Because he wants to see Oliana standing—thinking she stands at the pinnacle of life—only to be cast down into hell in an instant, and witness that expression.

Only those strong enough to earn his regard are worthy of Rudolf's waiting, and ultimately his strike.

This is Rudolf's pride.

Others do not understand, and these foreigners do not either.

Rudolf did not explain anything to Li Huan, nor did he deign to explain to such insignificant worms.

"Now is not the time; later it will be too late." Li Huan forced himself to say.

This is his hope.

Once Rudolf strikes at Tang Luo, Li Huan will have a great chance to complete his mission and directly leave this world.

By then, even if Rudolf becomes ten thousand times stronger than now, he can only sigh in despair.

It also repays Tang Luo's past humiliation toward him—truly a plan that kills two birds with one stone.

If this does not work, Li Huan will be harsher on himself, redirecting the disaster onto Robert.

If Rudolf is in a bad mood and kills Robert, Li Huan can also escape danger.

Sometimes letting the mission fail is also a way to distance oneself from danger.

Of course, the premise is that there are still chances for failure; otherwise, it is also a dead end.

"Hah." Rudolf gave a light chuckle. "What are you anticipating?"

Li Huan fell silent for a moment, then revealed a twisted expression: "I am anticipating his death!"

"Do you have a grudge against him?" Rudolf asked.

"Not really." Li Huan said, "It should be that I bear a grudge against him—on what grounds can he be so lofty, so powerful, so..."

"Hahaha!" Before Li Huan could "speak his mind openly," Rudolf burst into laughter, cutting him off: "Not bad, ant—you are slightly more interesting than the other two."

Li Huan felt a sigh of relief in his heart, knowing he had guessed correctly.

"So, I give you a chance." Rudolf asked with interest, "Setting aside your thoughts, objectively speaking, how is your relationship?"

"……" Li Huan remained silent, saying nothing.

As for his relationship with Tang Luo, they met during the Stone Pavilion incident, which counts as having settled a grudge.

To be precise, it was he who unilaterally bore a grudge against Tang Luo.

Later, through the mediation of Master Yunxiao Huan, who asked Kongming to help, the two met once and clarified things, which can be considered resolved.

Barely, it's a case of no fight, no acquaintance.

But judging from the other party's demeanor at the time, it seems to be regret—yes, just regret.

Without doubt, that Tang Xuanzang still resents what happened then, but out of respect for Kongming's face, and because everyone is also a member of the Martial Arts Myth, he let it go.

Li Huan believes that if given the chance, that monk will surely trap him just as he would.

"Not good." Li Huan said, "We are acquainted, and there was once a conflict."

"You hate him, but he may not necessarily hate you, right?" Rudolf said, during the boring wait, some performance should come.

"I don't know." Li Huan said, hatred should not be spoken of, but lack of good feeling is certain.

"Then how about this?" Rudolf said, "I let him come to save you—what do you think?"

Li Huan suddenly lifted his head to look at Rudolf on the throne: "What do you mean?"

"I will create a suitable scene, letting him come to save you." Rudolf said, "You are choosing—he will come and rescue you without holding past grudges, or you will abandon this fellow townsman."

"What if I choose correctly?" Li Huan asked.

Rudolf said, "Choose correctly, and I will release all three of you, letting you retaliate or revenge whenever you wish."

"What if wrong?"

"If wrong, then it depends on my mood." Rudolf said, "You have no qualification to negotiate with me; now I am giving you a chance." He shut down Li Huan's words.

"Good! I choose that he will not come to save me!" Li Huan said.

Gods and demons walk for profit—let alone Tang Luo having had a conflict with him; even if not, he would not rashly come to save someone.

Even as fellow members of the Martial Arts Myth, no exception.

A mere gesture might be possible, but to venture into the tiger's den to save someone? I'd rather go to hell! Unless I am your father.

"Then I choose that he will come to save you." Rudolf said, "Rest assured, I will set up appropriate obstacles, so he will not come and go freely. After all, I also want to see whether this person is worth my waiting; if he lacks the strength you claim, why should I waste my time?"

This is an opportunity for Li Huan, and also a trial for that Mirror Master, Xuanzang.