“Teacher?”
Darlina covered her mouth, unable to believe the figure before her eyes.
It had been far too long since they last met.
One by one, the assassins were sent flying, crippled by a single punch from the woman.
Within five meters around Darlina, not a single assassin could get close!
“Retreat!”
Across from her, the man in black robes caught sight of Wu Yi’s face, and something deep in his memory was violently awakened.
The terror and urge to submit, rooted in his very DNA, instantly crushed his fighting spirit.
That woman.
How could it be? Didn’t Lord Sam say she was dead? How could she appear here?!
She’s back.
She really is back.
“Retreat! Retreat, now!!!”
The black-robed man shouted with all his might, and then his only instinct was to flee.
He scrambled and stumbled, clambering over the crowd’s heads as he ran for his life.
Wu Yi raised her smoke-gun and aimed.
“Whoosh—”
It struck the back of the black-robed man’s head, blood spraying everywhere.
The force of the shot sent the smoke-gun flying back, landing once again in Wu Yi’s hand.
She sprinkled in fresh spices, lit it with a flame, and the blood sizzled in the heat.
“If anyone else wants to run, you can try.”
……
Seventeen assassins were killed, and seven were captured.
Unfortunately, the seven captives had their tongues cut out, their minds clouded, no different from beasts, and nothing could be gleaned from them.
As things calmed down a bit, Darlina rushed forward and hugged Wu Yi.
“Teacher! You’re back, I’m so glad.”
“Good timing, I made it to your Debate Tournament.”
“But I lost terribly,” Darlina lowered her head in shame, “I failed your teachings.”
“There were never any winners or losers in this Debate Tournament, so, what is your choice?”
Darlina was left momentarily confused by the question.
“Even if I really agree with the Seeking-God Faction, there are so many people more suited for that position than me.” Darlina touched the horns atop her head, “Besides, I’m a Demon. For a Demon to become a New God, isn’t that a bit…”
Wu Yi frowned, a trace of disappointment in her eyes as she looked at her.
Darlina would rather be punished by Wu Yi than see disappointment in her eyes.
She bit her lip lightly and lowered her head.
“Darlina, you understand Demons better than anyone. What do you think sets Demons apart from other beings?”
“The difference is… we’re stronger, and we have horns?”
“Is that really important?”
“……”
Of course Darlina knew that didn’t matter.
It’s just… because of her childhood experiences, she subconsciously saw those traits as flaws.
“Darlina, from now on, I am no longer your teacher.” Wu Yi spoke seriously.
“Teacher?! You…” Darlina looked up in a panic, “Why? Have I disappointed you so much? Am I… unworthy to be your student?”
“No, it’s just that you no longer need a teacher.”
Wu Yi patted Darlina’s head: “You’re right, you shouldn’t live to meet the expectations of any ‘God’, not even mine.”
“……”
“Darlina, from now on, don’t be afraid to let anyone down. I want to see your own choices, choices you’ve thought through yourself, not made to meet someone else’s expectations—be it mine, Vagang’s, or the world’s.”
Darlina stood there in stunned silence.
“Oh, right,” Wu Yi slapped her forehead, “I still have things to do. Lend me some money, I have to go.”
……
Wu Yi bought the passenger ship and completed her resupply.
The next day, she set sail once more.
Even though she said there was no need for a farewell, Darlina still hid among the crowd in secret.
After just reuniting, they had to part again—how could she bear it?
The little Demon sobbed her heart out on the dock, her two little ram horns trembling uncontrollably.
In the end, she couldn’t hold back and jumped up, shouting loudly, “Teacher! Next time you come, I’ll treat you to grilled squid!”
“Uh, please don’t.”
A lot of things she looked forward to as a child, once they really happened, turned out to be… not all that special.
She’d thought, from books, that grilled squid would be delicious, but after eating it for three or four days, the novelty wore off, and it just became nauseating.
Not to mention she’d eaten it for ten years on the island. Ugh—
She’d rather get some fries at the dock.
The passenger ship left the harbor, and only when the ship was out of sight did Darlina lower her hand in disappointment.
Wu Yi had no idea what choice she made, nor did she care.
She believed in Darlina—once freed from the shackles of others’ expectations, she would only do better.
……
The wind was strong and steady, and the passenger ship sailed swiftly.
Wu Yi crossed her jade-like legs, sitting in the captain’s cabin, enjoying the sea breeze with a look of pure contentment.
She didn’t notice that a strange Little Bat-Fox silently flapped its wings and landed atop the mast, drooling as it stared at her.
And there was now one less Red Fox Reed on the vine.
[Lamiya, I’m in the open, you’re in the shadows. Until the decisive moment, don’t reveal yourself.] Kefulu communicated secretly with the Bat-Fox atop the mast using her mind.
[But I’m so hungry…] The Little Bat-Fox bared its teeth, drool dripping onto the deck with a patter.
[Hold on a little longer. Once we get the chance, I’ll let you eat your fill.]
They needed to get more information about Wu Yi from the “Captain Miss”, and to find Wu Yi, they would spare no means.
Lamiya flapped her wings, hooking onto the lookout deck with her tail and little claws, hanging upside down beneath the crow’s nest.
She quietly observed Wu Yi’s every move.
She was a patient assassin.
When she struck, it would be a one-hit kill.
“Hmm…”
A strangely damp wind blew from afar, and Wu Yi stood up, glancing eastward.
The sky was being swallowed by a mass of endless darkness.
“Annoying, another Storm… Kefulu, get the passengers on deck inside to take shelter, and have the crewmen get ready to bail water.”
“When did I become your first mate?” Kefulu’s tentacles twitched with irritation, “You’re making a Sea Monster your first mate? Why should I take your orders?”
“Because you can’t beat me… Now get to work, or tonight you’ll be too sore to move.”
“???”
How could Kefulu endure this subordinate position?
She sneered, secretly warning herself not to rush.
In this world, what goes around comes around.
But before she could move, she noticed Wu Yi standing there, staring east in a daze, as if she’d seen something, her brows tightly furrowed.
It was the first time Kefulu had seen this woman look troubled.
Wu Yi suddenly turned around, her expression serious.
“Kefulu, whatever you’re planning, I need your help this time.”
“What’s wrong?”
“This isn’t an ordinary storm cloud.”
Wu Yi held her forehead: “If nothing goes wrong, we’re all going to die once.”