Chapter : 88

The first thing that entered Yan Yunqing's vision was a head of long hair like a blazing fire, cascading down and moving without wind.

The newcomer was dressed in black leather that hugged her impressive figure. Her face was stunning, with a touch of red at the corner of her eyes, exuding an aura of superiority over everyone else.

To put this aura in simple terms, it was the aura of a supreme ruler.

Yan Yunqing's mind drifted for a second. This adjective popped into his head, and he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Yan Yunqing had thought many times about meeting his retainers again. Each of his retainers was more difficult to deal with than the last. Yan Yunqing had once thought that if they were to meet, he would just pretend not to know them.

Anyway, the main character Demon King's appearance was completely different from his current appearance. The only similarity was the black hair and red eyes.

When entering the game, one could customize their face. Yan Yunqing had even seen a photo import function, but he found it troublesome and just randomized it with one click, using an ordinary system face. It would probably take some time to find him in a crowd.

And his current appearance was somewhat similar to his original appearance. Not to boast, but if he hadn't been so good-looking, he wouldn't have encountered so many perverts growing up.

After, his looks seemed to have been enhanced.

So now, he and the Demon King's appearance basically had no common points, except for both having black hair and red eyes. If he encountered a particularly perverted retainer, he could completely avoid disaster by pretending not to know them.

Unless he met an intuitive one. However, this one in front of him...

"What are you spacing out for?" The red-haired woman, wearing knee-high boots, walked up to Yan Yunqing and looked down at him.

"That chain has a soul-devouring effect. If you use a healing potion, the chain will instead harm her soul."

Isabelle Alves.

From the Radiant Dragon clan, she was the most prestigious next-in-line Dragon King of the clan. Her twin brother was that dragon prince who had been beaten up by Yan Yunqing several times and was suspected of having Stockholm Syndrome.

Yan Yunqing looked at Nana in his arms, then at Isabelle, his mind racing.

Isabelle, actually, couldn't be considered Yan Yunqing's retainer. They had initially met as friends.

The Demon King's journey had started with a bound healer support, Silf. But Silf wasn't by his side the whole time, because Silf herself had left the forest for the sake of the few elves whose souls were imprisoned by the Necromancer. So Silf's goal had always been clear: to find the souls of those few elves.

In the middle of this, the Demon King and Silf had been separated for a while. It was not the most intense period of the war, and various forces were very active.

The Demon King, due to an accident, met the mercenary Isabelle, known as the Flame Rose, and Merlin, who claimed to be from a small noble family in the Light Empire and was out for adventure after coming of age.

Because of that accident, the three of them traveled together and became close friends.

Yan Yunqing knew the personalities of these two friends best: Isabelle was decisive, brave, and resolute. At the same time, she was very rational and did not have the impulsiveness and recklessness of ordinary dragons.

Merlin was of noble birth and had some minor flaws in his personality, but he was also sincere, knowledgeable, and full of wisdom.

Yan Yunqing was actually not worried about his identity being discovered by these two friends. The main trouble was Isabelle's twin brother, that slightly unhinged Divik.

Yan Yunqing looked at Nana, who was on the verge of death, and made a decision, "Isabelle, where's Merlin?"

Hearing this, Isabelle frowned. Her gaze moved from the blood-stained girl to the chestnut-haired man holding her.

He was wearing a mask, so his specific appearance was unclear. In Isabelle's memory, she did not know such a person.

"You know me? Who are you?" Isabelle sized up Yan Yunqing.

Isabelle was just out for a stroll at night when two auras suddenly appeared in the ruins.

Out of curiosity, she came to take a look and saw this masked, chestnut-haired man holding a girl imprisoned by a Soul Lock Chain, trying to save the girl's life with a healing potion.

Because Isabelle hadn't seen a Soul Lock Chain for a long time, she spoke up out of curiosity to remind him. She didn't expect this person to be able to call out her name, and even know Merlin.

The name she was currently using was not Isabelle.

This person did have the scent of a dragon on him, but Isabelle was sure that this person was definitely not of the same clan. Wait a minute... this scent was a bit like...

Isabelle moved closer. Just as she was about to carefully sniff what this familiar scent on this person was, her arms suddenly felt heavy.

The blood-stained girl was shoved into her arms. Isabelle was stunned and reached out to catch her, "What are you doing?"

"Take her for treatment, please, Isabelle," Yan Yunqing said quickly. "Even if she's treated, don't let her out. Wait for me to find you."

After saying that, Yan Yunqing quickly ran towards the direction of Free City.

He had originally wanted to say a few more words to Isabelle, at least to give some instructions for Nana's follow-up arrangements. However, a message from Rocco popped up on the private chat system.

[Rocco (Private)]: The black-robed people are here to search. When can you come back?

Yan Yunqing cursed inwardly. His portable anchor point teleportation was one-way. To get back after teleporting out, he could only rely on the substitute doll's active skill.

However, the location of the portable anchor point was installed by him outside the city. It would take some time to rush back. Yan Yunqing simply didn't have time to say a few more words to Isabelle.

There was no other way. He could only hope that Isabelle, seeing that Nana was about to die, would just save her without asking too many questions.

He had to hurry back, otherwise Rocco would be in danger.

[Ri'an (Private)]: Coming back right away.

Yan Yunqing rushed to the ground of Mandiper at almost the fastest speed. He walked near the duel arena of Mandiper, and the substitute doll's active skill lit up, indicating that Yan Yunqing had entered the skill range of the substitute doll.

Finding a corner, Yan Yunqing took out his magic staff and used the Cleaning Spell on himself twice in a row, then switched back to his original persona and used the doll's position swap.

In the blink of an eye, Yan Yunqing was back in the washroom of the primary area.

He casually put on another bracelet that Rocco had stolen. This bracelet did not have an identity recognition function. Its biggest function was positioning.

It was probably because Mandiper had not considered that a guest would steal another's bracelet to use, as this bracelet was very difficult to take off without being damaged.

Yan Yunqing walked out of the washroom. No one was suspicious of his appearance. The primary area was still as lively as ever. No one noticed that Mandiper had been bombed tonight.

If nothing else, the soundproofing of the Mandiper venue was quite good.

Yan Yunqing directly used the bracelet that Rocco had stolen to swipe open the door of the magic compartment and returned to the floor where he had been staying these past few days. His expression was calm, as if he had nothing to do with all the bad things.

[Ri'an (Private)]: I'm almost on this floor. Have they searched our room yet?

Two seconds later, Rocco's message came.

[Rocco (Private)]: The next room is ours.

Immediately, the compartment door opened. Yan Yunqing saw many black-robed people standing on the floor where he lived, checking room by room. It was simply a dream for him to return to his room without being noticed.

Yan Yunqing clicked his tongue inwardly, directly threw a few more Fire Emblems in the opposite direction, closed the compartment door, and detonated them at the same time.

As expected, the explosion attracted the attention of the black-robed people on this floor. Yan Yunqing watched a group of red names run past on the minimap.

After the last red name passed the compartment door, Yan Yunqing reopened the compartment door, activated his roleplay, turned into a black cat, and rushed towards his room.

The speed was very fast. The black-robed person at the back only saw a black shadow flash by. He turned around sharply but saw nothing.

Yan Yunqing took this opportunity to deactivate his roleplay, and slipped sideways into the small gap in the door that Rocco had secretly left for him.

Arrived safely!

But this was not enough. Yan Yunqing had already put the stolen bracelet back into his backpack. Rocco returned his original bracelet to him. Yan Yunqing put it on, rushed into the washroom, and started to run hot water.

After a short while, there was a knock on his door.

Yan Yunqing stripped himself naked, confirmed that there were no wounds on his body, rinsed himself with scalding hot water for another two minutes, wrapped a bathrobe around himself, and opened the door impatiently, "Who is it? What's with all the knocking?"

As soon as the door opened, several black-robed people stood outside.

The black-robed people saw Yan Yunqing, who looked like he had just gotten out of the bathtub, steaming with heat, his cheeks flushed from the steam. Their suspicion lessened a bit.

"Sir, there was an attack in Mandiper just now. We need you to show your bracelet. We need to confirm if you were involved in this attack."

Yan Yunqing leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, sizing up these black-robed people, with a very impatient posture, "An attack? You're not suspecting me, are you? I just became a Midas Touch. Is this your attitude towards a Midas Touch?"

The black-robed people looked at each other, somewhat surprised that a Midas Touch was still living on this floor. One of them said, half-believing, half-doubting: "It's just a routine check, sir. We are not suspecting you of participating in the attack."

Yan Yunqing clicked his tongue, but still extended the hand with the bracelet.

Seeing his cooperation, the black-robed man immediately checked the bracelet's positioning, confirming that Yan Yunqing's bracelet's positioning had not left this floor during the time of the incident.

And he was indeed a newly promoted Midas Touch.

The black-robed man took a step back and bowed his head respectfully, "I'm very sorry, but a villain has broken into Mandiper. Please be careful."

After dismissing the black-robed people and closing the door, Yan Yunqing turned around and saw Rocco looking at him nervously.

Yan Yunqing reached out and ruffled his head, whispering to him: "Don't worry, I've already sent Nana out. She was seriously injured. I've asked a friend to take her for treatment."

Hearing this, Rocco finally breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that Yan Yunqing had gone to save Nana this time. Since Yan Yunqing hadn't returned for a long time, he had been in a state of constant tension, worried that someone would come to check Yan Yunqing's location at any time.

Fortunately, the plan succeeded.

Hearing that Nana was injured, Rocco couldn't help but worry again: "Is it serious? Why don't we have Nika take Nana to Mr. Paul for treatment!"

Yan Yunqing shook his head: "Nana is not in a position to appear in front of outsiders right now. Don't worry, my friend is very reliable. If even he can't do anything, then no one else can save Nana either."

"I see..." Rocco murmured.

Yan Yunqing walked back to the washroom. There was still a wooden tub full of hot water. Although he had used the Cleaning Spell, he still felt like he smelled of blood. He might as well take another bath.

Also, that cold and gloomy feeling had not dissipated. There were no negative debuffs on his status bar, so Yan Yunqing could only attribute it to his own illusion.

He casually asked, "I always hear you guys talking about Mr. Paul. Is he a physician in Free City?"

Rocco followed behind him. Hearing Yan Yunqing's question, he said, "No, Mr. Paul is the bishop of the Church of Light stationed in Free City. He is a good person and often treats us poor people for a small fee."

Yan Yunqing's footsteps paused,stunned : "The Church has people stationed in Free City?"

Rocco nodded: "Yes, is that strange?"

Yan Yunqing: "...Not just a little strange."

Yan Yunqing walked behind the screen in the washroom, threw off his bathrobe, and stepped into the wooden tub. The scalding hot water instantly enveloped his entire body.

Rocco also came in, but he didn't go behind the screen. Instead, he squatted at the entrance of the washroom, "Do you think Mr. Paul is a bad person? But he's really a nice person."

"I didn't say that Paul is a bad person."

Yan Yunqing said: "It's just that the people from the Church... forget it, you guys should not trust the people from the Church too much either."

In his mind, the Church of Light was a potential villain. Those believers were crazier than the last. Yan Yunqing didn't think that the new Church of Light that emerged after the death of the God of Light would be any better.

What's more... this Church would actually send people to be stationed in Free City?

What kind of place was Free City? This was the former site of the Eternal Empire. Free City was built on the ruins of the Eternal Empire.

More than half of the people living here were descendants of the Demon King's subjects.

How was the previous Church of Light destroyed? It was after the Demon King killed the God of Light that the people who had been oppressed by the Church for a long time turned around and wiped out the Church.

It could be said that the Church and the Demon King had an irreconcilable conflict. They were mortal enemies.

And now the new Church had sent people to be stationed in Free City, and even treated the descendants of the Demon King's subjects for their illnesses and injuries?

How could this sound so fantastical? Unless this new Church had no connection whatsoever with the old Church.

Otherwise, with the character of those fanatics, it would be good enough if they didn't kick them when they were down. To treat their illnesses and injuries and help the poor?

Even the resurrected God of Light would think this was a ridiculous joke.

Yan Yunqing, the Demon King himself, found it even more ridiculous.

Rocco fell silent. Yan Yunqing didn't mind. He closed his eyes and soaked quietly in the water. His quest panel had not reminded him of a quest failure, so Isabelle should have already taken Nana for treatment. With Merlin and Isabelle around, Yan Yunqing could also relax a little.

Today's high-intensity money-winning, followed by a tense and exciting rescue operation, had consumed too much of Yan Yunqing's energy.

Now that he finally had a moment to rest, a wave of drowsiness washed over him.

There was a rustling sound from behind the screen. Yan Yunqing forced himself to stay awake so as not to fall asleep in the wooden tub, but he was still made drowsy by the steaming hot air.

Rocco's low voice came from behind the screen: "Now that you mention it, I think I suddenly remembered something."

Yan Yunqing casually replied, "Hmm?"

"Actually, before, Mandiper had approached me and Nika, wanting us to also work in Mandiper."

Yan Yunqing opened his eyes, forcing himself to be a little more awake. Hearing this, he felt a little strange: "You and Nika?"

Neither Rocco nor Nika could be said to be outstanding in appearance. In fact, due to malnutrition, both of them were thin and scrawny, not even as cute as an ordinary chubby child.

Looking at Mandiper's selection criteria, all the children selected from the children's group were not exceptionally beautiful, but they were all pleasant-looking.

Even the most ordinary Xiao Ai was better-looking than an ordinary person.

With Rocco and Nika's conditions, it was impossible for them to be selected into Mandiper.

"I remember that at that time, it was when Nika and I had just awakened our talent skills," Rocco said. "Jeff didn't know much about this, so he took us to see Mr. Paul."

"Mr. Paul gave us a physical examination and said there was no problem, so we left. A few days later, the people from Mandiper came and said they wanted to choose children to enter Mandiper. At that time, there was another very pretty little sister in the children's group, but that person chose me and Nika."

"Actually, at that time, I really wanted to go to Mandiper, and so did Nika. Although we would lose our freedom if we went to Mandiper, we could eat well, wear warm clothes, and have money for treatment."

"Nika and I both really wanted to go, but just as we were about to make the final decision, we were stopped by Nana. Later, Nana said something to Jeff, and Jeff wouldn't let me and Nika go to Mandiper." Rocco was a little embarrassed, "I was a little angry with Nana at that time..."

Now it seemed that Mandiper was indeed not a good place.

Yan Yunqing's drowsiness was briefly dispelled. He sat up straight and asked seriously: "Are you sure? At that time, who knew about you awakening your talent skills?"

"Besides the people in the children's group, the only person in Free City who knew that Nika and I had talent skills was Mr. Paul."

Yan Yunqing stood up. The water in the wooden tub sloshed out. He casually wiped himself a couple of times, put on his clothes directly, and walked out from behind the screen.

He was still buttoning up his clothes as he walked, and water dripped from his wet black hair.

"Tell me in detail, you suspect Paul?"

Rocco turned his head away uncomfortably, "It's not suspicion... didn't you tell me not to trust him too much? So I just recalled things about him."

Actually, Mr. Paul had always given him a rather ordinary impression. For some reason, Rocco had always disliked that man who always had a gentle expression.

Rocco had thought before that it was because Nika liked that Mr. Paul very much that he disliked that person. Now that he thought about it, it was indeed that Mr. Paul who had a problem!

"After this incident, did anything else happen to you?"

Rocco recalled: "After refusing Mandiper... one time when we were stealing money, we were caught. Fudi almost had his leg broken.

When we went to Mr. Paul for treatment, he asked us why we didn't want to go to Mandiper. Does that count?"

"Of course it counts."

Yan Yunqing was sure that this Mr. Paul was definitely related to Mandiper.

"How did you answer?"

"Nika said she didn't want to leave Jeff, so she didn't go to Mandiper." Rocco thought for a moment, "I was still a little unhappy at that time, so I said that Nana didn't let me go."

Yan Yunqing did a tactical lean back, "Wait, this matter you're talking about, how long ago was it?"

Rocco: "...Hmm? About a year ago? I can't remember clearly."

Yan Yunqing: ...Could it be that Jeff and Nana were retaliated against for this? Probably not, right?

It's been a year. If Mandiper wanted to cause trouble for these two, would they have to wait a year?

Yan Yunqing shook his dripping hair. He fell into deep thought.

This Mandiper was obviously not right. What kind of casino had a dark dungeon? That strange magic circle that could absorb his mana was also strange.

And Nana was hung up on it with chains... wait, thinking about this scene carefully, it was particularly similar to the plots of some novels and movies about sacrifices and summoning demons?

Although he didn't know the specific function of that magic circle, Yan Yunqing estimated that the truth was not far from his speculation.

Not long after Rocco and Nika awakened their talent skills, they were approached by people from Mandiper.

Besides the members of the children's group, only Paul knew about this... was there a connection between that Mr. Paul and Mandiper, or was it simply a cooperative relationship?

As for where the connection was...

Yan Yunqing's thoughts raced. In an instant, many details flashed through his mind, and finally, they stopped on the large relief mural he had seen when he first arrived at Mandiper.

If he remembered correctly, on that relief mural, the one overlooking all living beings in the very center was precisely that newly born Goddess of Light.

Yan Yunqing remembered that he had even complained in his heart at that time: If the God of Light could be resurrected, he would definitely be angered to death again by this mural.

Now, looking at it, even the God of Light, the head of the gods back then, had been tampered with by the master of Mandiper to become the Goddess of Light. From this point alone, it could be seen that Mandiper and the new Church were definitely related.

Even, the Church was very likely the power behind Mandiper.

So the bishop stationed in Free City by the Church would cooperate with Mandiper, perhaps for the talent skills of Nika and Rocco... but their talent skills were not so precious that Mandiper would need to resort to any means to obtain them?

Yan Yunqing pressed his temples. He had originally thought that he wouldn't have to confront the Church so soon. But as a result of doing an examination quest, how did he suddenly run into a force related to the new Church?

***

Isabelle returned to Free City with Nana. She avoided the roads where she might be discovered, hid in the shadows, and came to the front of a secluded shop.

Before she could knock, the wooden door of the shop creaked open, and a messy-bearded old man opened the door.

"It's the middle of the night, and you still want to go for a walk," the old man grumbled. His gaze fell on Nana in Isabelle's arms. "It's one thing for you to go for a walk, but why did you pick someone up and bring them back?"

Isabelle raised an eyebrow at the old man: "Do you have a problem?"

The old man shrank his neck, "I wouldn't dare."

Isabelle placed Nana on the sofa at the entrance. The old man yelled from behind: "Don't put her there! She's covered in blood, it's not easy to clean!"

"Naggy," Isabelle glared at him again. "She's all yours, heal her."

The old man, or rather, Merlin, peeked out from behind Isabelle and said in surprise, "Eh? A Soul Lock Chain?"

He took a few steps forward, walked to Nana's side, picked up one end of the chain, and studied it carefully, "It really is a Soul Lock Chain... You suddenly brought her back, is it because she's related to the matter you've been investigating recently?"

Isabelle went to pour herself a glass of water and gulped down a few mouthfuls, "I don't know."

Merlin: ?

"You don't know?" he muttered. "You must be fooling me again. I'm telling you, I'm not easy to fool..."

He muttered, and his voice finally disappeared under Isabelle's raised fist. He complained weakly, "Violence can't solve problems."

Isabelle snorted with a laugh: "But violence can solve you."

Merlin: ...

Merlin was weak, pitiful, and helpless. He didn't dare to really taste Isabelle's fist. Her terrifying fist had really broken his leg before.

He could only take out his magic staff, rummaged through his potion rack, found what he could use, and started to remove the Soul Lock Chain from Nana.

Isabelle pulled a chair and sat down next to him, supervising while saying: "I met a man outside the city just now."

"A man?!" Merlin was on alert. "What man?"

Isabelle rolled her eyes: "That's not the point. Shut up and let me finish."

Merlin: "...Oh."

"I met a man. He suddenly appeared in the ruins, holding this girl in his arms." Isabelle pointed at Nana on the sofa.

"He wanted to use a healing potion on this child. I saw the Soul Lock Chain on her and stopped him."

"As a result, he turned back, looked at me, called out my name, shoved this girl into my arms, told me to bring her back to you for treatment, and then ran away."

Hearing this, Merlin didn't pay much attention: "It's not surprising that he knows your name. You've been quite famous in Free City recently. It's not strange for people who follow you to know me."

Isabelle's eyes flickered: "No, the name I'm talking about is not Chris."

Merlin's hand that was treating Nana's wound paused for a moment, "...You mean?"

"It's Isabelle," Isabelle said. "He even called out your name, Merlin."

"He knows me, and he also knows that you are not dead."

Although Merlin was the greatest magician in history, he was not a long-lived species. With the short lifespan of the human race, it was impossible for him to live for two thousand years.

Even if Merlin had broken through the realm of a Saint Magus, it would be impossible, unless he became a god in a human body, then he could have a long life.

Of course, Merlin did not become a god. The reason why he was still alive was because of some special reasons.

This reason was not easy to make public, so after Merlin realized that he would not die a normal death, he had consciously disappeared.

Until now, many people believed that the great magician Merlin had died in an unknown corner of the Ailman Continent.

Merlin was puzzled: "He knows me?"

Not many people knew that he was not dead. Even few of his former friends knew. They could basically be counted on one hand.

Isabelle hesitated: "I think I smelled Divik's scent on him."

Merlin sensed the key element: "Someone from Divik? But you don't know him—"

Wait, how could Isabelle not know someone from Divik's side, unless it was an identity that was not good for Isabelle to know—

Merlin's pupils quaked.

Old man shocked.JPG

Could it be—

Isabelle slammed her fist on Merlin's back, "Shut your mind."

Merlin's hand didn't even tremble and he continued to treat Nana's wound. He was a little depressed: "I haven't said anything yet!"

Isabelle had a cold face: "Do you expect me not to see your exaggerated expression?"