Free Web NovelAccompanied by the pleasant sound of water, two half-filled teacups were gently pushed by slender, fair hands towards Lu Yibei and Shen Baiwei respectively.
The deep red tea swirled, rippling and emitting a rich aroma.
“Excellent Lapsang Souchong. Would the two of you like to try some?”
This was the tea room on the top floor of the nine-story tower, thirty square meters in size, with polished solid wood flooring throughout. The tea table was placed near the window, offering a clear view of the lush vegetation outside. Hong Bian had brought them here after stopping Lu Yibei from attacking Shen Baiwei.
They had no choice but to come!
Without the hotpot left by Ms. Wang Meili, Lu Yibei would struggle against even the weaker Calamity-level Maitian God, let alone a top-tier Calamity like the First Generation Miracle Saint.
How could she resist? When Hong Bian stopped her just now, her precognitive thoughts hadn't even caught up. Only when Hong Bian's hand touched her hand did the precognitive thought belatedly flash through her mind.
With saving and loading restricted, rashly angering this thousand-year-old Calamity-level monster would likely lead to everyone perishing if he showed a little “miracle” at the slightest disagreement.
Moreover, as the First Generation Miracle Saint and one of the controllers of the Divine Kingdom Jade Gate, Hong Bian indeed had the ability to influence the fate of Yumen Pass. He had just said he wanted to discuss the future fate of Yumen Pass, and Lu Yibei was here precisely to change the fate of Yumen Pass. How could she refuse?
If the problem could be solved through negotiation instead of combat, then it would enter the realm of Disaster!
...
Glancing at the hot tea on the table, Lu Yibei and Shen Baiwei, as if sharing some special tacit understanding, made no extra movements.
It’s best not to touch the tea given by people from the past! Shen Baiwei thought.
The tea given by the First Generation Miracle Saint was black tea. Who knew what he had added to it... Was this something to drink casually? Lu Yibei thought.
Don't be fooled by how handsome and ethereal these Holy Children of the Miracle Order look; they're all dark inside. She had already been tricked by Fang Ji once; she wouldn't fall in the same place twice. freeweɓnøvel.com
Seeing that “the two Miss Shen” were unmoved, Hong Bian smiled and shook his head, “It seems both of you harbor considerable hostility towards me? However, I believe there might be some misunderstanding.”
“Actually, you and I might have the same goal.”
Shen Baiwei, “...” Heh, that’s a lie! My goals and those of the Disaster are completely different. How can you say we are unified?
As Shen Baiwei remained silent, Lu Yibei took a deep breath silently, gathering her courage to speak, “Oh? Is that so? But I heard that you are spreading heresies within Yumen City Pass, and even during the Shaman King’s army’s advance, you incited hundreds of Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers to betray the Nanling Commander?”
Although she was worried that Hong Bian might harm her, the fact ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) that he was willing to sit here and calmly converse with them, despite his overwhelming strength, indicated that there was no immediate danger.
Then... let’s talk!
If the Black Emperor could be talked to, why couldn't the First Generation Miracle Saint?
Talk it out thoroughly!
Hearing Lu Yibei’s words, Shen Baiwei turned her head to look at Lu Yibei, her eyes slightly widened.
How dare the Disaster say that?!
Saying such things in front of the First Generation Miracle Saint wasn't that the same as pointing at a mafia godfather's nose and saying, “You ♦ committed a crime, do you know that?” It was a death wish.
Just as she was surprised, Lu Yibei added, “Sorry, I’m a straightforward person. I heard this from Xia Lianqing and Dragon Tang, and since you brought it up, I just said it.”
Xia Lianqing and the others said it! It has nothing to do with Bei Bei.
Watching the Disaster's outrageously skilled blame-shifting, Shen Baiwei's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
“Haha.” Facing Lu Yibei’s somewhat offensive words, Hong Bian merely chuckled lightly, “In that case, this Miss Shen must be that fire.”
Fire? What the hell? Lu Yibei frowned, and before she could voice her confusion, she heard Hong Bian continue, “Then, Miss Shen, have you ever considered that everything I’ve done was arranged by Prince?”
“You mean, you’re in league with the Nanling Commander?” Lu Yibei asked in surprise.
“Of course.” Hong Bian said with a wry smile, “You and they have underestimated Prince’s charm far too much. He is a born leader. Without his command, I couldn’t direct his subordinates, let alone bewitch their minds.”
He paused, as if to emphasize the unbreakable alliance between him and the Nanling Commander, then added, “You, Dragon Commandant, and Miss Xia from Daimu Courtyard, perhaps don't know that Prince not only recognized my talent but also saved my life...”
“Many years ago, I was being hunted by enemies. Severely wounded, I traveled thousands of miles across the desert from Khorasan to this place, already on the brink of death. Fortunately, Prince saved me, allowing me to be reborn.”
As he spoke, he paced to the window beside the tea table and stopped there, looking down at a withered wild grass peeking out from a crack in the windowsill.
Then, with a touch of his finger, the withered grass miraculously regained its green vitality.
Watching the withered grass miraculously come back to life, Hong Bian recalled the time when he was on his last breath, heard a call, and with great effort opened his eyes to see that heroic figure. A gentle smile appeared on his lips.
As a Miracle Saint, he had performed many miracles of resurrection, but the only time “resurrection” happened to him was orchestrated by another, making one marvel at the wonder of fate.
The truth of Hong Bian’s statements was hard to discern. Lu Yibei frowned, nudged Shen Baiwei with her elbow, and whispered, “What do you think?”
Shen Baiwei glanced at Lu Yibei, then silently turned her face away.
She chose not to look!
She was just an innocent bystander who was forcibly dragged into this and didn't want to get involved in these messy affairs.
Seeing Shen Baiwei’s lack of reaction, Lu Yibei shrugged indifferently, looked at Hong Bian, and pressed on, “Then what was his reason for doing this?”
Even if he wouldn't likely betray the Nanling Commander due to a life-saving grace, such an action still inexplicably reduced a significant portion of the Long Xiang Army’s combat power. There must be a convincing reason, right?
“That’s a long story. In short, due to some special reasons, the Shaman King is quite wary of me.” Hong Bian explained with a smile, “If I hadn’t shown discord with Prince, he would never have dared to invade Yumen Pass rashly.”
“...”
So, it was a trap, preparing to catch them in a jar?
However, this guy’s acting was really good, fooling Xia Lianqing, Dragon Tang, and even many Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers.
He's got seventy percent of my skill! Lu Yibei nodded thoughtfully.
As Hong Bian said, when he and the Nanling Commander were on good terms, the Shaman King and his various tribes, though appearing formidable and ready to invade at any moment, usually turned out to be all bark and no bite. While small-scale looting, killing, and raids were common, a true war never happened.
This time, it was likely that the Nanling Commander had been preparing for a long time and finally decided to act against the Shaman King.
It was like a vicious bandit with a group of thugs loitering around your house every day. Although they didn't kill or harm anyone, they would occasionally steal small things or extort money. Anyone with a bit of temper couldn't tolerate it.
But...
Just by listening, this guy doesn’t sound like the culprit who caused Yumen Pass to be sealed for a thousand years, trapping countless lives, does he?
This guy is definitely hiding some crucial information! Lu Yibei thought.
“Additionally, if a surprise force could be stationed within the city during the Shaman King’s army’s invasion, striking at a critical moment would surely yield miraculous results. And the only place in the city where so many armored soldiers could be hidden is here with me.” Hong Bian continued.
As he spoke, he raised his hand and opened his palm. A golden, resplendent flower with overlapping petals condensed and then dissipated in his palm, leaving only a faint floral fragrance.
She had originally wanted to ask why only this place could hide so many armored soldiers, but after seeing Hong Bian's somewhat showy gesture, she chose to remain silent.
Asking would be pointless; the answer would surely be “miracle”!
If the dignified First Generation Miracle Saint couldn't miraculously hide hundreds of Longxiang Army Armored Soldiers right under the Shaman King's nose, then what kind of Miracle Saint would he be?
After learning the backstory, whose truthfulness was unknown, from Hong Bian, Lu Yibei suppressed her suspicions and steered the conversation back on track, asking, “Then, Holy Monk... let’s talk about the future fate of Yumen Pass, shall we? You invited us... Hiss!”
Lu Yibei had only spoken half a sentence when Shen Baiwei fiercely pinched her waist.
Turning her head, she saw Shen Baiwei glaring at her fiercely, her eyes seeming to remind Lu Yibei, “You were invited, I was forced!”
Why does it feel like a docile pet suddenly bit someone? That’s why you shouldn’t casually keep alien pets! Lu Yibei muttered to herself, shifted a bit, and continued to Hong Bian, “Just now we were talking about...”
“We were talking about me inviting the two of you to discuss the future fate of Yumen Pass.” Hong Bian said.
“Ah, yes! That’s it.” Lu Yibei nodded, “I’m very curious, why do you think we will influence the future of Yumen Pass? Or rather, how did you notice us?”
“Because...” Hong Bian smiled and shook his head, “You might not believe it, Miss, but I invited you because I had a dream during a nap earlier, and I’ve always believed that dreams have strong symbolic meaning...”
As Hong Bian spoke, Lu Yibei and Shen Baiwei’s thoughts suddenly became hazy. The scene in their vision began to fade, then disappeared. Hong Bian’s voice in their ears gradually became indistinct, until only a vague, dreamlike murmur remained.
It was as if they were half-asleep, hearing someone speak in their ear.
Immediately after, their consciousness briefly plunged into darkness, and then strange images floated before their eyes.
They saw a snake.
A giant snake with a head like a buffalo, a body like a dragon but without mane, sharp claws, or scales, its form ethereal like condensed mist, wrapped its mountain-like massive body around a mighty pass standing amidst the yellow sands.
And atop the giant snake's head, a figure enveloped in flames, wearing a brilliant crown, stood holding a sword...
