Chapter 264: Return to Winter Thunder Fortress

Half a face hidden in his hood, Yi Su was forcibly pulled out of the Shadow Plane, catching him off guard as he awkwardly steadied himself on his plate armor.

Yi Su's eyes were filled with disbelief: "How can you see me?"

"I've always been able to." Lei En's face showed a faint smile as he half‑jokingly said, "I'm a wizard, I possess knowledge and abilities related to planes; that's normal."

"Stop lying to me." Yi Su was skeptical inside.

He clearly remembered that more than half a year ago, when he first met Lei En, they had a long standoff beneath that clock tower, and Lei En couldn't detect his position at all.

Lei En gave no explanation, but asked again, "What are you doing on my airship?"

He gave the shadow assassin a once‑over; despite the scruffy beard and slightly vacant eyes, his spirit was much better than before.

Since Pirino was slain by the quick‑eyed holy swordsman Heins after the Tribunal, the entire Aiden family lost its Count title, and Yi Su lost his purpose in life.

A legendary transcendent had been soaking in a brothel for months, never setting foot outside.

He spent his days in debauchery, living a life of indulgence, mingling with prostitutes day and night, nearly ruining his body, and even his skills regressed.

Lei En had visited Pink Pawn several times, trying to recruit this elusive assassin, offering generous terms, but all were refused.

Before leaving Mo Du this time, he was still unwilling to give up and went again yesterday.

He expected things to be the same as before, but they turned out vastly different.

Yi Su tidied his assassin gear, lifted his hood, flung the half‑length cloak behind him, and nonchalantly said, "Nothing. Yesterday you said you were heading to the Saen Plateau, so I came to see. I've tried all the girls in Pink Pawn; it's boring, I'm looking for other fun."

"I don't have much fun here," Lei En said dismissively.

"Hmph."

Yi Su snorted a few disapproving sounds through his nostrils, a smile curling his lips: "Your fun is far more thrilling than mine. I saw it coming—you're a troublemaker, unstable wherever you go, bound to cause a lot of trouble. Anyway I'm idle, so I'll hang out with you for a while and watch the spectacle."

Lei En was instantly at a loss for words.

He turned his thoughts back and thought Yi Su's words sounded somewhat reasonable.

First, in Longshande he encountered the followers of the deceiver Luo Xi, plotting against Duke Silver Star; then in Mo Du he sparked a dispute over the Bo Ju Ling Di, taking part in the great battle at Weizelan's Fu Kong Cheng; other incidents included a fallen one opening the Abyssal Gate, and blood‑letting Boke Castle to protect his family, and so on.

Along the way, countless casualties occurred.

In just over half a year, he experienced more major events than most do in a lifetime.

"Am I Conan?" Lei En recalled the death‑god elementary student from his past life, who died wherever he went, and felt a bit embarrassed.

Nevertheless, he was pleased; Yi Su appearing on the airship meant he had accepted his invitation.

The role of a legendary shadow assassin was huge.

Beyond gathering intel and ambushing foes, Yi Su also owned a Shado Black Eagle with lightning speed, his personal strength was outstanding, and he was equipped with luxurious gear—truly a rare and powerful aide.

"Come to my cabin; let's have a proper talk," Lei En said with a warm smile.

Yi Su gave no answer and followed him down the deck.

The airship flew west.

After sunset, the airship continued through the night for over two hours, and around nine‑something PM, a massive lake appeared on the southern bank of the Na Qu Mo He below.

In the moonlight, the tranquil lake surface reflected shafts of brilliance visible from a hundred li away.

They had arrived at Dong Ting Hu.

A modestly sized city sat on the lakeshore, its lamps glowing in the night.

Lei En emerged from his cabin, stood on the deck overlooking Dong Ting City; on the western lakeside, a sheer cliff jutted into the water like a dagger, atop which an ancient castle stood, faint silhouettes moving within.

Having been away for eight months, Dong Ting Fortress was unchanged from before.

Thinking of the people he was about to meet, Lei En felt a mix of excitement and anticipation.

A moment later, the airship reached the sky above the fortress; flying high at night, those on the ground did not notice its arrival.

A reckless landing could have been taken as an enemy attack.

"You wait here for me."

Lei En ordered, causing the airship to hover mid‑air, then cast a spell to open a random door and walked through alone. His random door had four rings, enhanced by the Key of Doors, and its teleport range was comparable to a five‑ring door, allowing him to teleport from mid‑air to the fortress courtyard.

Stepping out of the random door, a squad of guards happened to pass, shouting, "Stop!"

Lei En spread his hands while standing still.

He looked at the guards, all silver‑armored knights sent by Duke Silver Star to Viola, each looking as if facing a great enemy, drawing long swords and surrounding him.

When they drew near and saw him clearly, they instantly recognized him.

"Lord Count."

The leading silver‑armored knight captain quickly sheathed his sword; eight months ago he had come to Dong Ting City with Lei En, so his impression was deep, and he repeatedly apologized, "My apologies."

"That's fine," Lei En said indifferently, asking, "Is Viola at home?"

"The Countess is," the captain replied immediately.

At this moment, Dong Ting Fortress was also stirred; lights lit up in every room, and from behind the windows looking into the courtyard many recognized Lei En, murmuring among themselves.

Housekeeper Abigail had not yet rested; she stepped out of the main gate, joyfully calling, "Lord Lei En." Her eyes held a hint of satisfaction and warmth.

"Madam Abigail."

Lei En smiled in response, just as he was about to enter the great hall, a graceful figure rushed down the stairs, appearing before him. The half‑elf remained as beautiful as ever, golden hair simply tied at the back, revealing a pair of small, slightly pointed ears; her exquisite face was full of surprise and excitement.

"Lei En, you're back," Viola's voice carried a faint tremor.

"I've returned," Lei En nodded.

After more than half a year apart, Viola's aura had subtly changed, as if a layer of holy radiance emanated from her creamy skin, evoking the legendary angels and making mortals dare not stare blasphemously.

However, this had no effect on Lei En.

The Soul Eye showed that Viola's power had risen rapidly, already at Eight‑level Ten Thousand Spirits Wizard, her Soul Tower now housed multiple demon souls. The holy emblem suspended atop the Soul Tower radiated divine light outward, illuminating Viola's soul space transparently, with several Divine Technique runes drifting within.

"What a powerful Divine Technique."

Lei En muttered a quiet praise, feeling glad for Viola's transformation.

Clearly, the Phonograph's results had manifested, further spreading Longhaired Lady's doctrine; Viola, as the main promoter, rose steadily within the Beauty and Goodness Church, and as a Divine Chosen she attracted Longhaired Lady's favor, making her rapid power growth inevitable.

In the instant his thoughts shifted, Viola was already standing before him.

The fragrant breeze hit his nose, making Lei En's heart flutter; he reached out and pulled the Half-elf into his arms, warm and soft as jade, inhaling the scent of her hair deeply.

Viola struggled lightly for a moment, found she couldn't break free, and allowed Lei En to hold her.

"So many are watching, you have plenty of time tonight," Viola whispered in a voice as thin as a mosquito's by Lei En's ear.

"Ha ha…" Lei En laughed two light laughs, then let go.

Only then did he notice a faint pink flush spreading over Viola's slender neck to her ears, a blend of shyness and pleasure, possessing a breathtaking beauty.

"Why didn't you tell me in advance when you came back?" she brushed her slightly disheveled hair and asked oddly, "Is it just you alone?"

"I'm heading to Sain Plateau, and will stop by to see you on the way."

Lei En said this while waving his hand toward the sky, pulling out a communicator and saying, "Descend now."

Soon, the silhouette of a magical airship emerged from the night, slowly descending, growing larger in view, and finally landing steadily on the open ground outside the castle.

Viola and the castle's guards were all extremely surprised.

They watched as the airship's cargo doors opened, and several towering figures stepped out, clad head to toe in thick metal armor like little giants; their heavy steps exuded a formidable aura that struck fear.

Everyone present had, to varying degrees, heard of the Extreme Warrior's fame, knowing that in Weizelan's Fu Kong Cheng, a dozen of them held back the onslaught of tens of thousands of Undead Army.

Within the Empire, the name of the Extreme Warrior has already resonated.

Hearing about it is one thing; seeing it with one's own eyes is another, especially for the Silver-armored Knights who, as fellow legion members, felt a great pressure from the Extreme Warriors, each one's complexion subtly shifting.

Viola asked in great surprise, "Lei En, are they the Extreme Warriors?"

"Yes."

Lei En's face bore a hint of pride as he said, "My purpose in going to Sain Plateau this time is to recruit more Extreme Warriors, expanding the Augustus Family Legion's size."

Viola gasped in amazement.

As a Divine Chosen, her eyesight far surpasses that of ordinary transcendents, and the divine power granted by the Longhaired Lady makes her senses extremely keen.

The Extreme Warriors before her each possessed absurdly overwhelming strength, not inferior to Longshande's Public Security Chief Da Wen La He.

Among them, two were clearly Legendary High-rank!

Viola looked at Lei En, whom she thought of day and night, and instantly realized his power had changed dramatically from half a year ago, clearly many times stronger than hers; he should only be a high-level Wizard, yet exuded an unfathomable aura.

She also recalled the rumor that Lei En had defeated a Legendary High-rank Death Knight among ten thousand troops.

Once famous, he shook the Empire!

Truly, I don't know how he managed it?

Viola's mood was complex, but she didn't forget to have the servants prepare food for Lei En and the Extreme Warriors, and arrange rooms for the night.

(End of Chapter)