CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: GOLDEN MARY’S SECRET

Looking at the changes happening on the screen, Lin Qianxuan sighed.

This destiny doesn’t seem as easy to change as imagined.

The means of the hostile forces are a bit beyond imagination.

Initially, Lin Qianxuan thought the opponent had only dispatched a small team.

A few armed men in black, and a transcendent with the ability to manipulate airflow to capture Chen Long’Er.

But the fact told him that the enemy had more than just these resources.

They can mobilize Xugu City surveillance, draw nearby military, even armored cars and sniper rifles can be brought out.

Truly absurd.

More absurd is how much they are willing to pay for Chen Long’Er.

It’s like a game plot deliberately made difficult for the sake of challenge.

Scenes of obtaining the second Sound Talisman for Chen Long’Er flashed through Lin Qianxuan’s mind.

The opposing organization doesn’t seem to treat Chen Long’Er entirely as an experimental subject.

There even seems to be an intention to recruit.

Chen Long’Er’s value must far exceed imagination.

Or rather, the value of the Dragon Bloodline far exceeds imagination.

Yet if the Dragon Bloodline is so valuable, why not brainwash and cultivate from the start?

Was it unnoticed in the beginning?

Indeed, it might have been so.

Initially, Chen Long’Er was not taken seriously, but later, when she awakened her bloodline, her importance was realized. However, she had already formed her own worldview, firm and unshakeable, under her parents’ guidance, making her hard to control.

Moreover, it can be foreseen that Chen Long’Er’s parents likely also died at their hands.

With such hatred involved, there is no way they could win over Chen Long’Er.

The conflict is irreconcilable, and Chen Long’Er’s value is extremely precious.

So, if she can’t be obtained, must she be destroyed?

Lin Qianxuan roughly understood why Chen Long’Er’s fate would vanish.

He glanced at the screen, initially planning to start the fourth attempt, but realizing it was already noon, he decided to abandon playing further and have a meal instead.

There’s a small restaurant downstairs, so Lin Qianxuan went out and headed down. Upon arriving at the restaurant, he casually ordered two small dishes and a soup.

The owner knew him well because he often ate there; sometimes, when he didn’t feel like coming down, he would call, and the owner’s daughter would deliver it upstairs.

However, his daughter apparently didn’t like delivering meals, preferring to hide in a corner playing on her phone.

So Lin Qianxuan didn’t want to be annoying, thinking it’s good to get some exercise himself.

Quickly, Lin Qianxuan’s two dishes and soup were served, and he started enjoying them.

"Boss, one stew beef over rice, one sweet and sour pork ribs over rice, one stir-fried spare ribs over rice."

In the middle of eating, a familiar voice made Lin Qianxuan look back.

Ye Mao also appeared in the small restaurant.

But now, he no longer looked disheveled.

His hair had clearly been trimmed, and he looked much more spirited, with much of the intense aura in his eyes gone.

"Brother Ye, out for a meal too!" Lin Qianxuan greeted.

"Yeah." Ye Mao nodded in response.

He seemed somewhat reserved, though this was only the case for over a year now.

When Lin Qianxuan first arrived, he would enthusiastically introduce which place had good food and which supermarket was no good.

He even once gave Lin Qianxuan half a watermelon.

However, in the past year or so, he had become quiet, possibly due to work stress.

During this year, Lin Qianxuan could count the number of times he’d seen him on his fingers.

When he went to knock to give some fruits before, there was no response for quite some time.

"Brother Ye, work is important, but health is more important. You’ve become a bit reclusive." Lin Qianxuan casually found a topic to chat about.

"I’ll keep that in mind." Ye Mao nodded in agreement.

Ye Mao’s attitude seemed somewhat perfunctory.

However, Lin Qianxuan didn’t mind; they were all adults with their own judgments, and he had no reason to interfere.

Soon, Ye Mao’s three meals were served.

Lin Qianxuan thought he would take them to go, but instead, Ye Mao ate them all himself.

His spoon moved with lightning speed, quickly finishing three plates of meals.

At this moment, Lin Qianxuan had also just finished eating.

He looked at Ye Mao’s defined muscles under his thin shirt with amazement.

Ye Mao stayed home gaming, yet his physique was becoming more robust, with an ever-increasing appetite.

If Lin Qianxuan didn’t control his diet and allowed himself indulgence, he would also gain weight.

When preparing to pay, Ye Mao seemed to realize he hadn’t brought his wallet or phone, so Lin Qianxuan simply scanned and paid for him.

"Thank you, Xiao Lin," Ye Mao said.

"Brother Ye, you helped me a lot back then, it’s no big deal." Lin Qianxuan waved it off.

Ye Mao hesitated, then took out some fruit resembling Cyan Fruit from his pocket and handed it to Lin Qianxuan.

"These were sent by my relatives before, not many left. Have a taste." Ye Mao said.

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony." Lin Qianxuan smiled and accepted them.

....

This small episode didn’t weigh on Lin Qianxuan’s mind too much.

After finishing his meal, he returned to his residence, ready to continue playing.

He also washed the Cyan Fruit given by Ye Mao, preparing to taste them.

He usually bought fruit, mostly oranges and sugarcane.

Ye Mao had given him exactly five Cyan Fruits, and Lin Qianxuan took one, washed it, and put it in his mouth.

With one bite, the juice was rich and its refreshing taste somewhat exceeded expectations.

Lin Qianxuan was a bit taken aback, having never tasted such a delicious fruit.

Surprisingly, it didn’t even have seeds inside?

Soon, Lin Qianxuan finished one fruit in two or three bites.

"Something’s not right..."

After eating that fruit, Lin Qianxuan felt a chill spreading throughout his body.

It was refreshing, as if a gentle breeze was constantly brushing against him.

The whole person felt extremely comfortable.

The accumulated fatigue of a long time was instantly swept away.

At this moment, Lin Qianxuan’s mind was extraordinarily clear, and he vaguely realized something.

Ye Mao went home and disappeared for several months, was he really just playing games?

"Could there be a wardrobe at his house that transports to the Otherworld? Maybe the cooldown is quite long, otherwise, how could he be gone for months?"

Looking at the remaining four Cyan Fruits, Lin Qianxuan casually speculated.

No wonder Ye Mao hesitated a bit before giving these fruits.

But he still gave them away; if it were Lin Qianxuan, he definitely wouldn’t have done that.

Brother Ye is too principled and doesn’t like to owe favors.

To be honest, if it were before and Lin Qianxuan got these fruits, he would definitely try to find out more from Ye Mao, hoping to get some benefits from it.

But now...

Lin Qianxuan’s gaze fell on the unconnected computer.

He seemed to have stumbled into some special encounter himself.

For now, figuring out his own matters was the most important thing.

After all, time was somewhat tight, with less than a month left.

If he didn’t quickly find a way to clear the level, he might not dare to go to Chao Li Country by then.

Gripping the mouse, Lin Qianxuan decided to start playing while the effects of the "Cyan Fruit" lingered on him.

-----------------

Opening the game, Lin Qianxuan returned to that alley once again.

He had done pretty well with the strategy so far, but the problem now was that after a day, it would be easy to expose his location.

The enemy’s territory was vast and powerful.

The officials in Xugu City were probably at their beck and call.

Even hiding in places without surveillance wouldn’t keep him hidden for long.

And judging from the large number of people organized, it seemed like it was pre-arranged.

He had naively thought he was safe in Purple Flower Street.

Wait, how did Golden Mary know about the official movements?

Lin Qianxuan’s mind raced, suddenly recalling the late-night call from Golden Mary.

Something’s up!

Does she know someone in the officials?

Or did she just happen to see it?

Lin Qianxuan thought it was unlikely to be a coincidence, which meant Golden Mary had some key information abilities.

She only confirmed the situation once the soldiers had surrounded Purple Flower Street, so it was unlikely she knew beforehand about the official actions.

Then...

A plan began to form in Lin Qianxuan’s mind.

If he could get some information help from Golden Mary,

He could change locations midway, buying more time for the strategy.

Moreover, it would also be a way to increase her favor.

Of course, the premise was that Golden Mary truly had the capability.

Lin Qianxuan tapped the keyboard, beginning to control his game character.

(Stepping forward, he approached Chen Long’Er.)

...

As before, Lin Qianxuan completed the initial strategy, quickly obtaining the first Sound Talisman, and established contact with Chen Long’Er.

Then he sought the help of the Flash Studio to arrange them into Purple Flower Street.

Golden Mary was still the one to send them, but this time, Lin Qianxuan didn’t let her leave.

Instead, he secretly found Golden Mary, intending to communicate.

[Lin Qianxuan (seriously): Miss Mary, I’m sure you saw it too.]

[Golden Mary (pretending to be puzzled): Saw what?]

[Lin Qianxuan (staring at Golden Mary): The extraordinary aspects of my friend.]

[Golden Mary (slightly excited): You mean, Mr. Lin?]

[Lin Qianxuan (nodding): We’re not ordinary people. I came to Chao Li Country not just because of your invitation. I also brought a task, which is to ensure my friend’s safety until reinforcements arrive and escort her back to Xuan Country.]

[Golden Mary (unable to contain her excitement): It’s true! Mr. Lin, are you part of some special organization? And her? That’s not just cosplay props on her, right? I knew it! The tail that can move on its own, and the horns growing out...

Golden Mary clenched her fists, looking excitedly at the game character.

Evidently, this revelation had a big impact on her.

Her attitude towards the matter was one of curiosity and excitement.

[Lin Qianxuan (seriously): Are we friends?]

[Golden Mary (without hesitation): Of course, without your help, we wouldn’t be here today.]

[Lin Qianxuan (seriously): Can I trust you?]

[Golden Mary (collecting herself): Yes.]

[Lin Qianxuan (seriously): Please don’t tell anyone about my matters. Also, my friend is now being pursued by people from Ni Country who have collusions with the officials of Chao Li Country. I need your help.]

[Golden Mary (surprised, pointing to herself): Me? What can I do?]

[Lin Qianxuan (pretending to be mysterious): Could you help me check the situation around Xugu City? If you find strangers or armed troops getting close to us, inform me immediately and tell me in which direction to evacuate more safely.]

[Golden Mary (her gaze shifting): How could I possibly do that?]

Seeing Golden Mary’s expression, Lin Qianxuan felt assured.

"So, you did keep a trick up your sleeve!"

[Lin Qianxuan (with a smile): Of course, you can, or rather, no one else can besides you.]

[Golden Mary (biting her lip): Mr. Lin, please don’t tell anyone. I only accidentally discovered a loophole in Xugu City’s monitoring network, it wasn’t intentional hacking..."]