Chapter 224: Speculation on the Seven Deadly Sins

It can be foreseen, at the latest within a year's time.

Vivian's beauty and charm will reach an astonishing degree; by then, if she still has her princess identity, stepping forward and raising her arms in a shout, even if she cannot overturn Oliana, will be enough to cause her great trouble.

Adding to that, jealousy at work, it's no wonder Oliana is so "unable to forget" Vivian.

At night, all quiet, the guards in groups of three took turns keeping watch.

Charles and Vivian slept in the spacious carriage; the dilapidated houses in the abandoned village were not as comfortable as the carriage.

The carriage was parked outside a three-story small building that would not leak wind or rain, in a sheltered spot.

The guards on watch stood beside the carriage, the campfire flickering in the darkness; a little farther away were their horses.

On the top floor of the three-story building, Tang Luo stood by the window, gazing at the dense, dark forest.

One night passed peacefully, with no strange monsters rushing out of the forest to attack the troops.

Although the village was abandoned, the well still contained clean water that could be used.

Early the next morning, in response to the prince and princess's request, a guard came to the well and began drawing water for washing up.

The old water-drawing tool made a "creak-creak" sound.

The guard turned the handle, his face looking somewhat grim; why did it feel heavier the more he turned it—was the bucket caught on something?

He let go of the handle, but the handle did not spin back on its own; the bucket seemed stuck in a certain position.

The guard dared not yank it randomly, for if he broke the old rope, it would not be good.

He poked his head out and looked toward the well opening, wanting to clarify the situation.

Just as his head appeared at the well opening, a hand suddenly emerged, grabbing the guard's neck, and a tremendous force came upon him.

It made the guard fall backward, landing seated on the ground.

A fierce light flashed in the guard's eyes, as he was about to launch a counterattack, but upon seeing who it was, he froze for a moment, then immediately stood up and bowed respectfully: "Master Mirror."

"Daring to look at anything recklessly, don't you want to live?" Tang Luo said.

"Ah?" The guard froze for a moment, not understanding what Tang Luo meant.

"There's something in this well; if you want to look, be careful not to be pulled down."

The guard startled, "Could it be a water ghost?"

Water ghosts, overall bluish-green or blue in color, shaped not much different from humans, origin unknown, with rumors saying they are the corpses of those who drowned.

They appear in groups of three or five, showing up by lakesides, riversides, and similar places, carnivorous creatures.

Agile in movement, possessing great strength.

If unfortunately dragged into the water, even a trained "palace guard" would be doomed.

"I don't know." Tang Luo said, "Let me take a look." I can look, you unfortunate one.

Tang Luo poked his head out and could see inside the well: a bucket that had already left the water surface and was suspended midway.

Inside was clear well water.

And the reason the bucket was halted midway was a dried-up human hand gripping the bucket's edge tightly.

As Tang Luo saw this, the water surface in the bucket rippled, and a face nearly like a skull appeared.

Black hair in the bucket swayed like waterweed.

Hollow eyes stared at Tang Luo.

A strange numbness came out of nowhere, depriving the person making eye contact of bodily control, making him like a toppling sculpture, falling straight into the well.

The original plot should have been like this.

"This thing probably shouldn't count as a water ghost." Tang Luo looked at that head, unmoved.

"Forget it, no matter what it is, I'll liberate it first."

Something never seen before, looking unappetizing, most importantly, it qualifies as a fallen entity.

Naturally, it must be liberated.

Tang Luo raised his hand and punched downward.

The ground trembled slightly.

The guard seemed to hear a piercing, tragic cry, making him shiver all over.

A lot of water sprayed out of the well opening, scattering around.

But that water was no longer the clear water seen at first; instead, it showed a sticky black-red color.

It emitted a pungent smell, making one want to vomit upon smelling it.

Cold sweat broke out on the forehead; the guard then realized how reckless his earlier action had been.

The well actually harbored a strange monster, and moreover, it was probably not a water ghost, but far more dangerous than a water ghost, not something ordinary people could handle—at least these palace guards, in single combat, were no match.

It's not that all monsters are very powerful; many are more strange than strong.

In this world, the strongest force for now remains human armies.

Under the trampling of the great army, blood and qi form arrays; whatever female sorcerers, monsters will suffer.

But for those who are alone, even if their swordsmanship is superb, encountering such a strange monster as in the well just now is also very dangerous.

Unless one reaches the level of sword master, a single sword strike will naturally cause the monster to scatter and retreat.

There are also weapons made of special materials that can inflict extra damage on some monsters.

"I've cleared the surroundings; there should be no danger." Tang Luo said, "But it's hard to guarantee no more monsters will appear causing trouble; you all depart for the nearest town and wait for us, the old schedule, seven days—if we haven't returned in seven days, leave."

"Yes." The guard nodded and accepted the order.

————

"Hey, why did they all leave, leaving just us three?"

Charles in the carriage poked his head out, his voice still carrying dissatisfaction, resentment, and hidden fear.

Now in charge of driving the carriage, Tang Luo said: "How is it, Your Highness the Prince, are you afraid?"

"What am I afraid of? You're just worried I'll get strong enough to kill you with one sword, that's why you're scared!" Charles couldn't take the provocation, immediately lifted his head, showing he feared neither heaven nor earth.

"Not being afraid is best." Tang Luo said, "Once we enter the forest, I won't look after you anymore. If you can survive in there, then you can become strong."

Charles changed expression: "Is this your way of making me strong?" He wished he could jump up and smash this person's dog head.

I've been tricked!

He thought the so-called method was to find some reclusive master, like the Sword Saint of old, to guide his swordsmanship.

Success in three days, then he could behead that damned mirror with one sword.

"Otherwise, do you think it's about paying money?" Tang Luo said.

"I..."

"Afraid again?"

"What am I afraid of!" A surge of anger supported Charles as he refused to bow his head.

"Not being afraid is good." Tang Luo said, fell silent, only the occasional snort of the horses could be heard.

As they entered the forest, there was no longer a road passable by carriage ahead. Tang Luo got off the carriage, simply untied the tether, and patted the horse's neck: "Rest here for a while."

Several horses neighed, trotted a distance away, and began to nibble the grass on the ground.

Charles got off the carriage with a grim face, glanced at Tang Luo, and used a worn-out phrase—namely, a look that could kill—Tang Luo had already died countless times at this moment.

It's just that looks can't kill, at least Charles now certainly couldn't do that.

So he could only get angry.

"Hey, you still not getting down?" After getting off the carriage, Charles said to the carriage.

Probably due to his young age, he didn't notice Vivian's astonishing charm at all.

"Oh, okay." Vivian slowly got off the carriage, wearing a palace-style long dress, clearly not attire for going into the wilderness.

"Come, little princess, here's the recipe." Tang Luo took out a thin little booklet, which he had casually written during his free time.

It's not anything like the Classic of Mountains and Seas, just very ordinary dishes, plus simple methods.

But the difference in information was enough to make Snow White's eyes light up.

She held the recipe upside down, unconsciously murmuring: "Steamed lamb, steamed bear paws, steamed deer tails, roasted roast duck, roasted chick, roasted young goose, braised pork, braised duck..."

Saliva unconsciously flowed out, dripping onto the recipe before she snapped awake.

Vivian lifted her head, wiped her saliva, and smiled at Tang Luo, revealing two sharp little tiger teeth.

Well, even her other teeth looked somewhat sharp.

Already beyond the level of just hurting Ding.

Tang Luo stroked Vivian's head while smiling and said: "Alright, the upcoming journey requires you to walk on your own. I'll come pick you up in four days. Whether you can smoothly become strong and become the heavenly king of the dark cuisine world depends on your own fortune."

"Yes, teacher." Vivian put away the recipe, her eyes already gazing deep into the forest, stuck out her tongue to lick her lips, her originally pink tongue now carrying an abnormal red brilliance.

"Go, boys and girls, hurry to create miracles." Tang Luo shouted loudly.

"This way." Vivian twitched her nose twice, as if she had smelled something, said that and ran straight over.

Seeing her excited little appearance, those who didn't know might still think she had come for an outing.

Charles cursed, quickly followed Vivian, and the two rapidly disappeared into the forest.

"Angry..."

Tang Luo muttered softly.

Li Huan, Luo Bu, Greysi, and he—currently four God-Demon Walkers, their missions are all to assist someone.

Li Huan doesn't know who he's assisting, Greysi's mission target is Rudolf, and his personality is arrogant.

Luo Bu's situation, as understood from Greysi, is that his mission is related to the little prince Charles, and what Charles represents should be impotent rage—anger.

Oli Anna, then, is envy, and also greed?

Tang Luo also couldn't accurately determine whether it was one of the two, or both.

Based on the current situation, this mission is likely related to the Seven Sins.

It's highly possible there are seven different factions, seven God-Demon Walkers participating—there's also a certain possibility it's five.

Because Oli Anna showed mixed traits of envy and greed, the God-Demon Walker of this faction is only Tang Luo himself.

Also, Snow White Vivian, although no God-Demon Walker was seen beside her, she herself has already shown the trait of gluttony.

Additionally, Tang Luo somewhat suspects Vivian has another sin—lust.

Tsk, this is looking at a minimum of three years, up to the death penalty.

"Rudolf is already dead, so Greysi should have failed his mission." Tang Luo thought to himself.

The Seven Sins mission, seemingly unrelated, actually has connections, intertwined relationships, quite complex.

For example, Tang Luo's mission involves Vivian, Charles, and Rudolf—the three ninjas.

But whether the specific mission will make the God-Demon Walkers oppose or cooperate, no one dares to be certain.