Calamity Messenger

Chapter 412: Chapter 342: Who Can Be So Fortunate

"You’ve been so reckless in your battles before," Yan Qing said. "What happened? Why did you suddenly become so strange?"

Ying Rushi felt very aggrieved inside. Am I strange because you suddenly started talking nonsense and then abruptly gave up?

But she knew very well that she was wrong. Yellow Dog indeed knew nothing about it, and she hadn’t given any hints or implications, even deliberately acting indifferent, everything was a storm within her heart. If she were to blame Yellow Dog for this, she’d be like executing without teaching... just like Ying Le, so wayward and brutal.

She tried her best to suppress the beasts of her heart and calmly replied, "I just feel that compared to the rewards, this bit of danger is worth taking a chance on. Did you forget? We have Bingzi Pepper Forest and Heaven-Swaying Sword; even if gravely injured, we can recover. In the future, you might face stronger demons, right? Rather than taking risks in the future, why not take risks now? When it’s time to be aggressive, should we not be aggressive? What do you think? Hui is responsible for long-range support, and you need to organize the troops, so naturally, the risky stuff falls on me. Do you think I’m not up to the task?"

Ying Rushi silently praised herself, for the tone was appropriate but dignified, not perfect, but the logic contained no glaring flaws, and the final counter-question was a fatal blow. Because Yellow Dog always interrogated her from a moral high ground with questions like ’Do you think of me as a teammate?’ Now it was her turn to interrogate Yellow Dog.

However, Yan Qing nearly broke her composure with one sentence: "Are you very nervous? You talk a lot."

"I’m not nervous!" Ying Rushi blushed and took a couple of shallow breaths before saying, "Why would I be nervous? It was me who just saved you; shouldn’t you be thinking about how to repay me?"

"Alright, if Hui finishes eating and doesn’t see us, she will definitely look everywhere for us. We should go——"

"Wait." Yan Qing grabbed her arm, "I don’t want Little Feline to hear what I’m about to say next."

Ying Rushi’s heart erratically skipped a beat, recalling Yan Qing’s soliloquy from last night.

’As long as she is willing to take one step towards me, I’m willing to take the remaining ninety-nine steps.’

’Once an opportunity to be alone is found, I will tell her how much I love her.’

Could it be because of the selfless rescue just now?

Is it happening now? Here?

But I, I had just made up my mind to give up on you, how can you——

"The Calamity Organization invites you to join. Do you accept?"

A clear, cold voice rang in Ying Rushi’s ears. She stared blankly at Yan Qing, discovering that he held a token engraved with the word "Calamity."

In a flash, she thought of a name: "You’re Yan Qing who created the Calamity Organization, seeking to reign over the world!"

"That’s a misunderstanding!" Yan Qing said, his face dark. He really was fed up with how well everyone remembered his name despite only announcing it once. Remembering the name would have been fine, but they remembered even the dark history speech. If he’d known, he would’ve just chosen the default ’Welcome to the Calamity Organization.’

"Hurry and accept."

Ying Rushi silently accepted, feeling curious about the Calamity Organization, then complex information flooded her mind. Her pupils slowly dilated as she looked at Yan Qing, stupefied.

"How about it, [Immortal You] and [Unity Lock] are great, right?" Yan Qing chuckled. "If you had come to me for help sooner, I would’ve brought you in earlier, saving you from being chased around by Ying Le."

"How could you bring me in? The value of these team skills is immense, but I can’t even judge it. Even the Chronicles of Observations left by the Divine Martial Ancestor have no similar rumors. Not to mention Foundation Establishment, even the legendary Immortal Monarch would crave it." Ying Rushi incredulously asked, "Do you trust me so much?"

Yan Qing raised an eyebrow and smiled, "When I brought Red Snake and Black Wolf in, they didn’t ask such questions."

"But I’m not Black Wolf or Red Snake! They are your—"

Ying Rushi stopped halfway, realizing her emotions were off. Constantly berating herself here, saying don’t be like this, don’t be angry, there’s no reason to be angry, and yet she was angry, mad at Yellow Dog’s different treatment, mad at Yellow Dog for not seeing through her feelings.

Of course, Black Wolf and Red Snake wouldn’t ask such questions, but I am only your teammate and friend. How can I accept it calmly? Why do you compare me with Black Wolf and Red Snake? What exactly do you take me for?

But Ying Rushi was most angry with herself. Why would she think of so much from a simple sentence? Yellow Dog’s question was clearly just a way to express his trust; as friends, she should be happy, right? Why does she feel aggrieved and uneasy? That’s not the position a friend should have.

I hate myself like this, jealous, resentful, suspicious... I hate it hate it hate it, I don’t want to become such a person!

I clearly want to be close to him, but I can’t help but want to hurt him.

Continuing like this, we might not even be able to stay friends.

Ying Rushi took a deep breath, swallowing all the bitterness inside her stomach. She exhaled a breath of impure air, looked at Yan Qing, and said, "Thank you, but the seat in the Calamity Organization must be important, right? The team skill is so strong, only a few people can probably use it. If you need, you can expel me in the future to free up a place. I don’t mind."

"You’re the first to tell me something like this." Yan Qing said.

Of course, because Black Wolf and Red Snake definitely wouldn’t leave you... Ying Rushi tried to interrupt her thoughts, turning to leave. She dared not stay any longer. Until she cooled down and placed herself in the right position, every word Yan Qing said could cut her to the heart.

"But I won’t kick you out." Yan Qing said, "After all, you sincerely and earnestly asked me."

Ying Rushi was startled, unable to help asking, "What did I ask you for?"

"You want to be with me at all times, without ever separating." Yan Qing sighed, "I never imagined your first request would be a lifelong one, so I have no choice but to graciously agree."

Ying Rushi hurriedly shook her head, flushed with urgency: "That’s only limited to the Demon Gathering Land! It doesn’t count outside!"

"You didn’t add that prerequisite. I don’t care, I’ve already taken it seriously." Yan Qing said leisurely, "As you said, it’s agreed to be always together, so even less than a moment doesn’t count as always."

"So," Yan Qing reached out to wipe the blood off her face, "I give you my life."

"[Unity Lock] activates for recently allied members, meaning next time you fight recklessly to the point of losing your life, it’ll be my turn to be reckless." Yan Qing blinked, "But White Fox, you’re my most trusted teammate, the Thief’s House’s most exceptional and composed thief. I trust your judgment. If you want to gamble your life, I’ll gamble with you."

"Don’t let me lose."

Ying Rushi stared at him, momentarily on the verge of tears.

Yan Qing watched, feeling guilty. He intentionally spoke emotionally to stop Ying Rushi from being reckless, but it seemed to work too well. Could his eloquence actually be so good?

"Tell me," Ying Rushi suddenly stepped forward, "Do you want to be with me all the time?"

"You’re asking me," Yan Qing stepped back, correcting, "But I accepted, as it was your first request."

"Even leaving the Demon Gathering Land?" Ying Rushi stepped forward again.

"Even leaving the Demon Gathering Land."

"No matter what happens?"

"No matter what happens."

Yan Qing retreated several steps, feeling the flow of the conversation getting stranger. It’s time to throw out his burden: ’What I meant by always, of course, refers to our continuous alliance as thieves, and in the future, the Thief’s House will be my territory. Just diligently complete tasks for me.’

Ying Rushi stepped forward again. Yan Qing wanted to continue retreating, but his back hit the solid bookshelf, leaving no room to retreat. He stared at Ying Rushi’s glistening eyes that closed in on him, feeling her nervousness, embarrassment, fear, and desperate bravery.

Ying Rushi pressed her lips tightly, staring directly at Yan Qing, her voice carrying a slight, subtle sob:

"Prove it to me."

Those who first fall in love, cast aside their weapons, and become vassals.