CHAPTER 680: THE TIME HAS COME

The rapid turn of events put a great pressure on Shen Nianzu.

"We have to become Legendary players soon."

His original plan had been to spend the rest of the winter tempering their skill and danger awareness in the Cycles, but it seemed like the Nightmare wouldn’t give them this chance. At this rate, who knew what would become of their peaceful country—and the rest of the world—once spring arrived?

Shen Nianzu clenched his fists, the howl of the fierce wind outside mirroring the turbulence in his heart. He had to get stronger... more... even stronger than this. He had to be powerful enough to protect his parents, his assistant Qing Mo, and all the people he loved in this world. And for that, he needed to become a Legendary player as soon as possible!

A sudden warmth enveloped his ice-cold hand, and he turned to find Jin Jiuchi gazing at him intently with those mismatched eyes of his. "Don’t be afraid, Nian’er," he said, "I’m here."

Shen Nianzu looked into those eyes that reflected nothing but him alone, and like magic, he felt the rising panic in his heart ebbed away as if soothed by an invisible hand. His tense shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. Just how did Jin Jiuchi do it? It was unbelievable that just over a year ago, this man had been so unruly, so wild and unrestrained, so lacking in common sense, doing all the bizarre things that left others dumbfounded—yet look at him now. He had learned to act all charming and dependable.

And him too... since when did he start trusting and depending on Jin Jiuchi so much?

It was to the extent that a mere simple ’I am here’ from the man was enough to give him the illusion that everything would be alright in the end.

"Why are you smiling so prettily?" Jin Jiuchi reached out to poke his cheek, his own lips curving into a playful grin. "Did I look very cool saying that? Did you just fall in love with me all over again? Hmm? Did you, Nian’er~?" he singsong-ed, even wiggling his brows and throwing a wink for good measure.

In an instant, the reliable aura around him vanished with a poof, and Shen Nianzu burst into laughter, blocking the enthusiastic husky who wanted to slobber kisses all over his face. "Nonsense, get away from me!"

Though he said that, the hands pushing Jin Jiuchi away contained no real strength, allowing the man to tackle him down to the sofa.

The two of them jostled about, exchanging affectionate smiles and loud kisses. And just like that, the gloom brought by the Nightmare’s retaliation vanished as if it had never been there to begin with.

Hidden from Shen Nianzu’s sight, Jin Jiuchi showed a smile of satisfaction.

Just then, Shen Nianzu’s phone rang.

"Go and see who’s calling." Shen Nianzu, who was pressed beneath Jin Jiuchi, was more than content to remain where he was and patted Jin Jiuchi’s arm, signaling him to get going.

Grumbling to himself, Jin Jiuchi had no choice but to raise his upper body and stretch out his long arm to snatch the phone on the coffee table. But after that, he quickly snuggled to his jade doll once more as if the mere seconds of separation was enough to agonize him so.

Shen Nianzu was used to this clingy husky’s behavior and simply raised an amused brow. Glancing at the phone screen, he froze slightly, "...Ying?"

It was an unexpected caller. And linking it to the news being broadcast all over the national channels, it wasn’t hard to guess the purpose of this call.

As expected, as soon as he answered, the first thing the other person asked was, "Have you seen the news?"

Even through the backdrop of chaotic footsteps, people hollering one after the other, and continuous ringing of phones, Shen Nianzu could make out the weariness in her tone. "I’ve been trying to reach you for days. You’ve just gotten out of the Cycle, huh?"

"En," Shen Nianzu gave an affirmative answer to both questions. "I have seen the news. It must be hard on you guys."

When public safety was concerned, it was the police who had to scramble around trying to keep everything under control.

Ying did not deny that, only giving a wry chuckle. Then her tone turned serious, "I know you have been challenging Cycles nonstop recently to prepare yourself for the Legendary level. So allow me to ask a selfish question on behalf of our country— are you ready, Nian?"

Shen Nianzu was a little distracted as Jin Jiuchi kept wriggling around like a worm, trying to find a more comfortable position. Unable to bear the movement anymore, he gave the man’s waist a hard pinch while replying to the phone, "I was just talking about it with JJ. We are ready at any time."

"Oh, that’s great," Ying breathed an audible sigh of relief. "Thank you so much, both of you. We really need all the manpower we can gather... in case the Nightmare decides to launch another wave of attack."

"I wish you the best of luck," she expressed solemnly. "Sorry I can’t be of much help."

Ying had advanced straight to the Legendary level thanks to the platinum ticket she had won in the Christmas-themed Cycle, so she didn’t have the slightest idea how the test would be. Shen Nianzu didn’t blame her either; after all, it was common knowledge that the Nightmare’s test was wholly personal and knowing other people’s experience would not guarantee an easier pass.

They exchanged a few more words and Ying was about to hang up on the phone, busy as she was, when something suddenly flashed in Shen Nianzu’s mind, prompting him to ask:

"How is the manpower so far? Is there anyone trying for the Legendary level aside from us two?"

Ying did not suspect anything—or perhaps she was just so tired that she didn’t have the energy to analyze the meaning behind Shen Nianzu’s question. She replied frankly, "Aside from you two, there’s also the leader of Imhotep, Shang. If the three of you succeed, then we will have seven Legendary players. Not a bad number, I think. But I’m not sure if that will be enough if we clash with the Nightmare..." she sighed.

"Oh..." hearing that name, Shen Nianzu’s eyes turned cold. Jin Jiuchi seemed to sense something and squeezed his waist silently, pulling him from the torrent of rage, hatred, and disgust that nearly swept him under. Taking a deep breath, Shen Nianzu continued in a calm tone— too calm, even, that it surprised even himself. "Mr. Shang too? That’s really reassuring to hear. Do you happen to know which Cycle he will enter for the test? If we can group, it will be easier for us to help each other."

Ying seemed delighted to hear that. "That’s a great idea! Let me try asking him. I’ll get back to you soon."

Beep—

The call ended just as the phone slipped out of Shen Nianzu’s grasp to tumble to the carpeted floor with a dull thud.

"Da Shen ah, Da Shen..." he drew in a shuddering breath in Jin Jiuchi’s arms, gritting his teeth so hard that his gums almost bled. His exquisite features were distorted, his eyes bloodshot—yet there were no tears. After all, he had promised that he would not cry anymore. Yet each word spoken from his lips was laced with undeniable anguish and near rabid anticipation, "The time has come. We... we can finally avenge Xinxin..."

Shen Nianzu was petty and vindictive. The saying ’an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ did not apply to him. If someone took his eye, then he would take the other person’s both eyes plus a few pounds of flesh. He had always returned every single vengeance a few folds— this time was no exception. He could still remember very, extremely clearly that Gu Luoxin should have survived... had the healing prop not malfunctioned in the last moment, his Xinxin should have survived.

And it was all Shang, that bastard’s fault!

Gu Luoxin’s life... and the torment he had suffered before death... Shen Nianzu would make the other person pay—everything—back!