Chapter 1778

Each of these stories represents a girl's youth.

"Sister Military Strategist, I really miss Ximen Wudi," Ye Shuangjiang sighed softly over the phone.

She had thought she could help Ximen Wudi, but found she could not—this left her feeling defeated.

"Shuangjiang, listen: I'm returning to Huaxia," the Military Strategist said. "I need to mobilize part of our strength to confront the Death Temple. I don't want to linger here too long—I'm worried Ximen Wudi won't hold out."

"Sister Military Strategist, go ahead—I'll handle things here," Ye Shuangjiang replied at once, her tone firm and resolute, showing not the slightest fear or retreat.

"You must protect yourself too. Our victory or defeat rests on you," the Military Strategist sighed softly.

How could she not wish to end it all sooner?

Yet the course of events had surpassed expectations—even the Military Strategist could not control the shifts.

"Sister Military Strategist, rest assured—I'll strive to stay alive until you return," Ye Shuangjiang said.

She was a clever girl; from just one sentence of the Military Strategist's, she had already guessed certain answers, so her tone grew noticeably heavier.

1684's audacity is growing stronger.

1684's audacity is growing stronger.

"Thank you," the Military Strategist gazed deeply at Ye Shuangjiang, then hung up the phone.

This battle involves too much—too vast. Even she must proceed with utmost caution, or risk falling into the enemy's meticulously laid trap.

Ximen Wudi watched the cargo ship enter the bay without stopping. He shook his head, turned, and sprinted in the opposite direction.

Since the Military Strategist had made this decision, Ximen Wudi was willing to support him. After all, Ximen Wudi truly felt the weight on his shoulders growing heavier.

…………

"Where is Ximen Wudi?" At this moment, the Military Strategist stood on the deck and suddenly asked a male mercenary beside him.

The man wore sunglasses, looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, his muscles bulging, radiating a wild beauty—he looked less like a mercenary and more like a personal trainer.

"My lord has departed by yacht," the man said. "Don't worry about him—he has sufficient strength."

"I know. I'm just a little concerned for his safety," the Military Strategist shook his head. "After all, no matter how strong he is, he can't defeat the Death Temple."

"Relax," said the man named Li Daibing. "The number of Death Gods and Death Temple Guards is at most around a hundred."

"The Death God's strength isn't just high-ranking within the Death Temple—he's… the world's most skilled at concealing his power. Otherwise, he couldn't have escaped the siege of Donglin Temple unscathed," the Military Strategist said.

"No, my lord isn't a Donglin Temple disciple," Li Daibing shook his head. "And he dislikes that title. So in Huaxia's martial world, he possesses no remarkable martial talent."

The Military Strategist nodded slightly: "I understand. You mean… over these years, the Death God has remained utterly inconspicuous, revealing his strength only under special circumstances—but…"

The Military Strategist paused, then added: "But when it comes to true strategy, the Death God could leave Ximen Wudi in the dust."

"I agree with the Military Strategist. The Death God's true identity is likely even more obscure than legend suggests—and… very troublesome," Li Daibing said. "If Ximen Wudi faces the Death God, his chances are truly slim—but not nonexistent."

"Mm. So I must go to Huaxia myself," the Military Strategist narrowed his eyes, his gaze clear as a river of stars. "It's been a long time since I last saw him."

…………

At this moment, Ximen Wudi did not know the Military Strategist was preparing to depart for Huaxia.

He was still drifting across the vast Atlantic.

At this moment, a helicopter slowly approached, its cabin door opened, and a slender figure stepped down, standing before Ximen Wudi.

"We've finally met, Mr. Zeus."

The woman wore a black fitted suit, her figure curvaceous, skin pale and smooth, posture tall and elegant. Her features weren't exquisitely refined, yet held a unique charm, especially in every movement, radiating a bold, spirited grace.

"Hello, Lord of the Underworld," Ximen Wudi extended his hand.

"We can shake hands, but I'm afraid I have no time for that now," the Lord of the Underworld said coolly.

1685 seized the opportunity to seize.

1685 seized the opportunity to seize.

The Lord of the Underworld clearly did not recognize Zeus; otherwise, she would have embraced him warmly.

"Fine, you don't have to shake hands—we can still chat," Ximen Wudi smiled. "We're both from Huaxia—this kind of connection is rare indeed."

At this moment, the helicopter's rotors hummed and rapidly pulled away.

Ximen Wudi watched the departing helicopter and frowned slightly.

"Hey, Apollo, are you looking for me?" At this moment, a familiar voice sounded in Ximen Wudi's ear!

Ximen Wudi had indeed been searching for the Lord of the Underworld, Solskjaer.

He was an absolute formidable rival!

Not just in strength—but in intellect as well!

"What are you doing here?" Ximen Wudi asked.

"Because I'm hunting you," the Lord of the Underworld laughed heartily.

His demeanor was bright, as if all previous gloom had vanished completely.

"Your efficiency is impressive—you've located me so quickly." Ximen Wudi shook his head. "But aren't you supposed to be fortifying near Russia and Bartomeu Port?"

"I've already claimed that region as my Fan Chou," the Lord of the Underworld grinned. "But I anticipated your movements in advance. I'm not foolish—I know you're aiming to kill Karagunis. I want to seize some credit for myself. As for Bartomeu Port's construction… I'm not in a hurry."

"That doesn't sound like you," Ximen Wudi sneered.

"You just don't understand me," the Lord of the Underworld slapped Ximen Wudi's chest. "Brother, remember—don't ever mistake me for a brute."

Ximen Wudi looked at the Lord of the Underworld, two solemn glimmers passing through his eyes.

The Lord of the Underworld was right—he hadn't fully grasped what the man truly intended.

What was the Death God's real goal? Power? Eliminating rivals?

All remained unsolved mysteries.

"Don't overthink it. Right now, what matters most is…"

The Lord of the Underworld glanced around, lowered his voice: "What matters most is escaping first."

Ximen Wudi nodded, then pointed to his body: "Who inflicted these wounds?"

"Don't worry, this wound has already mostly healed, it won't affect combat," the King of the Underworld said.

"That's good," Ximen Wudi said. "You just said… we have to run for our lives first?"

That phrase really did sound strange, even carrying a hint of inexplicable ambiguity.

After all, the two of them had spent quite a long time together on the ship, but Ximen Wudi wasn't thinking about that aspect right now.

He looked at the beautiful Miss beside him: "What do we do now? Where do we go?"

The King of the Underworld said: "Don't you have a route map? Just fly straight to the Maldives. Once we reach the island, we can change clothes and land. That way, our trail will be easy to cover up."

"But…" Ximen Wudi hesitated for a moment, then asked: "It's about a four-hour flight from here to the Maldives. At that distance, can you guarantee the safety of the two of us?"

"Relax. I never let myself fail, and I never allow anyone to ruin my plans." As the King of the Underworld spoke, he took out another bracelet and handed it to Ximen Wudi: "Take this. My number is already saved on it. If you run into trouble, just press the bell."

1686 gazed into the distance.

1686 gazed into the distance.

After saying that, he turned and walked toward the helicopter.

That helicopter carried him off into the distance.

"Now that is pretty cool," Ximen Wudi clicked his tongue in admiration.

Since this helicopter was under the King of the Underworld's jurisdiction, no patrol ship stopped them.

"Mr. Zeus, I hope we meet again. I think, at that time, I definitely won't lose to you."

A voice came from the helicopter.

Ximen Wudi watched the helicopter's tail spewing flames as it grew smaller and smaller in the distance, shook his head, then got into another ambulance and sped off toward the Maldives.

They had to leave as quickly as possible, because, according to Zeus's judgment, the main force of the Temple of Death was almost upon them.

…………

Beside a secluded bay, a solitary house sat among the surroundings. Very few people would notice that a man was leaning against the railing, gazing into the distance, a wine pot in his hand, seemingly drinking leisurely.

However, at that moment, he suddenly turned his face and called out behind him: "Who's there?"

On the sandy beach by the sea, a woman stood.

She wore a simple white dress, yet seemed utterly cut off from the world.

This woman was exceedingly beautiful, her features exquisite, her skin crystalline and translucent, her whole being as if untouched by dust, her bearing transcendent and otherworldly, giving one an unapproachable feeling.

She was a beauty radiating an ethereal air all over, like Chang'e of the Moon Palace who does not partake of mortal fare. Unfortunately, Ximen Wudi could not appreciate such a sight, because at this moment he was bound with ropes, hanging in mid-air.

"I've come to say hello to you." This beautiful woman lightly parted her crimson lips, her voice like an orchid in an empty valley, refreshing to the heart. She crossed her hands in front of her, then said: "My name is Nightingale."

Nightingale — the night of nightfall.