CHAPTER 481: CHAPTER 478: [WAREHOUSE, BROKEN POT, BLANKET, AND THE LITTLE GIRL]

Chapter 478: The Warehouse, The Broken Pot, The Blanket, And The Little Girl

Chen Nuo: "..."

He stared at Lu Xixi, disbelief filling his eyes. Then, in an instant, he made a decision!

WHOOSH!

Before the electric spark in Lu Xixi’s hand could fall, the two people, still grappled together, vanished from their spot!

---

Chen Nuo’s Teleportation Ability activated, taking Lu Xixi with him as they instantly moved dozens of kilometers away!

PFFT...

In the icy, dark seawater, both their figures appeared simultaneously.

Prepared, Chen Nuo had already held his breath. He instantly broke free from Lu Xixi’s grip and shot away like a darting fish.

Turning around, he looked at Lu Xixi—Chen Nuo was even ready to rescue this woman who was supposedly afraid of water.

However, he was stunned!

In the water, Lu Xixi squinted, coldly staring back at him.

Where was there even a hint of panic or fear?

Not only that, Lu Xixi’s lips curved into a smirk, and with a light flick of her fingers, the cold seawater between them instantly parted!

Water control?!

Since when did my wife possess such an impressive water-control ability?!

As the seawater parted, Chen Nuo and Lu Xixi found themselves floating in a water-free pocket of air.

"Any more lies? You deceitful bastard!"

Lu Xixi squinted. "You’re dead meat! I will kill you!"

Chen Nuo was also starting to feel uncertain now.

Could it really... not be Lu Xixi?!

The name isn’t right...

Her favorite foods are wrong.

She’s not even afraid of water anymore?!

Could it just be a similar appearance?

But the thought was fleeting; Chen Nuo immediately dismissed it!

Impossible!

This isn’t just similar!

She’s completely identical!!

Lu Xixi was already charging at him!

Chen Nuo took a deep breath and teleported again, activating his Teleportation Ability to try and increase the distance between them!

With his Teleportation Ability activated, Chen Nuo teleported again, putting more than ten kilometers between them!

However, the very next moment, Chen Nuo suddenly felt a hard blow to his left side!

Lu Xixi was right upon him, almost touching him, one palm already pressed against his ribs.

Chen Nuo’s eyes widened!

This... this is impossible, right?!

Instinctively, Chen Nuo flipped his body, breaking the surface and plunging deeper into the sea.

Lu Xixi twisted and shot upwards, her form like a nimble fish in the sea, swiftly catching up to Chen Nuo’s retreating figure as a bolt of lightning struck down!

Chen Nuo twisted, his Mentality Cocoon blocking the lightning, watching as Lu Xixi closed in...

Chen Nuo took a deep breath. Countless Spiritual Force Tentacles rapidly spread out like a densely woven net, encasing Lu Xixi.

The next moment, Chen Nuo confirmed his earlier shocking realization!

Lu Xixi had disappeared on the spot!

In a flash, Lu Xixi vanished from within the dense network of Spiritual Force Tentacles!

Chen Nuo was absolutely certain this wasn’t high-speed movement using an ability! His Spiritual Force Tentacles had blocked every angle, forming a seamless net! Lu Xixi hadn’t broken through the net; she had simply vanished from where she stood.

So, this is...

Teleportation?!

---

「In a certain official agency in London.」

"Damn it! What the hell is this disturbance?!"

The fluctuations on a monitoring instrument caught a worker’s attention. He nearly spilled his coffee as he rushed over frantically, mashing buttons.

A few minutes later, a supervisor in a suit hurried in. "What happened?!"

"Sea condition fluctuations," the worker said, his expression odd. "In the sea area sixty kilometers southwest of London, there was unusual water movement. Our weather detection buoys recorded a brief period of high-frequency response!"

The supervisor paused, then frowned. "What about the weather forecast? Is there a storm?"

"No," the worker replied, looking exasperated. "I checked the weather forecast and even confirmed by phone. That area should be calm, no storms."

"So... an earthquake? An undersea earthquake causing this water movement?" the supervisor speculated rapidly. "We also need to rule out equipment malfunction. Maybe... the buoy’s instruments are broken?"

"It’s not a malfunction! Six nearby buoys showed simultaneous reactions. Their varying distances from the energy disturbance’s center showed a clear diffusion pattern in the wave energy distribution! It’s impossible for all six buoys to be broken and for the energy responses to coincidentally spread so uniformly, right?"

"So, it’s an underwater earthquake?"

"I’ve called. No seismic activity reported."

"..." The supervisor was at a loss for words.

"I think you’d better report this. According to the readings, regardless of whether it’s an earthquake or something else... it’s like a massive underwater explosion occurred, causing the seawater to surge, resulting in a small tsunami. The first wave will reach the London coastline in twenty minutes."

"So?"

"So, make that damn call already!! Evacuate the boats and people from the Thames Estuary!"

---

Chen Nuo had been pushed to the brink!

At this moment, Lu Xixi is weaker than the Star Sky Empress of 2002 in terms of raw strength. But she’s still at the Controller level! And crucially, her combat skills are clearly superior to those of the 2002 Star Sky Empress. My wife excels in controlling lightning. And this woman before me... aside from controlling electric currents, can also control water, and her manipulation of spiritual power is incredibly precise. On top of that, damn it... she can teleport!! That’s a Spatial Ability!!

Of course, even so, it wasn’t that Chen Nuo couldn’t defeat her.

But the problem is... Do I dare deal a killing blow?

The Lu Xixi before him had clear murderous intent in her eyes; her attacks were merciless and left no room for retreat. It was as ruthless as it gets, as lethal as it could be!

Even if I could win, can I really bring myself to deal a fatal blow to Lu Xixi?!

When two individuals are at the same level, even if there’s a difference in strength, if one can strike without restraint while the other is holding back, unable to even bear inflicting serious injury... Then it was no surprise that Chen Nuo was at a disadvantage, repeatedly finding himself in peril within moments.

Chen Nuo had already taken three heavy hits from Lu Xixi. His left ribs had been broken once, though he forced his body to heal rapidly. Then he was struck by Lu Xixi’s Lightning Whip. Although Chen Nuo desperately dodged the vital spot—Lu Xixi had aimed for Chen Yanluo’s head—he was still hit on the shoulder. His entire shoulder blade was shattered, and half of his arm hung limp.

As a Controller, Chen Nuo pushed his ability to control his body and regenerate on a microscopic level to its limits.

But I know very well that if this goes on, I’ll only get weaker! Killing her is definitely not an option... but inflicting serious injury seems unavoidable now.

Chen Nuo took a deep breath. After rapidly retreating to create distance, he quickly summoned something from his Consciousness Space!

Instantly, Chen Nuo’s expression changed, his gaze filled with fierce killing intent!!

The surrounding seawater seemed to be repelled by a tangible force, rapidly pulling back, leaving Chen Nuo suspended in the water!

Seeing Lu Xixi rapidly closing in to attack, an explosive force burst forth from Chen Nuo’s body!

The tangible killing intent, almost solid, sliced through the surrounding seawater!

Qingyun Sect! Sword of Killing Intent!

---

On the seabed, the direct collision of their two forces quickly generated an impact with explosive potential!

Amidst the turbulent waters, Chen Nuo lost sight of Lu Xixi. The fierce currents and tremendous force swept him away...

A thought struck Chen Nuo, and he immediately realized the enormity of the problem! This massive tidal wave, this tsunami... how much devastation will it cause?!

Buffeted by the surging waves, Chen Nuo was enveloped by the water. He forcefully activated his Consciousness Space, scraping together every last shred of his spiritual power...

Spiritual Storm!!

Countless threads of spiritual power burst forth, rapidly forming a massive Mentality Cocoon! Expanding in the water, it spread like a huge net, attempting to contain the surging waves!

---

On the southwestern coastline of London, at the mouth of the Thames River, the seawalls already showed visible signs of tidal fluctuations. Along the coast, fishing boats and transport ships alike were taking urgent action. The piercing sound of alarms echoed through the air. Some passersby looked up in surprise, while shopkeepers and residents peeked out from their buildings.

However, police officers in hats had already rushed over, shouting sternly, urging the crowd to evacuate quickly. The crowd ran frantically backwards...

---

Fire trucks, ambulances, police cars...

In the southwest region of London, more and more emergency vehicles were gathering. People on the streets were fleeing north at top speed. Police officers shouted at intersections, blowing whistles and running, trying to maintain some semblance of order. Inside buildings along the road, televisions were still broadcasting emergency alerts.

In the Thames River channel, the water level had visibly risen significantly. The surging seawater made the buildings on both banks seem tiny by comparison. In this era, several iconic landmarks along the Thames, like the London Eye, had not yet been built.

When the first tidal wave finally struck from the southwest, the massive wave surged along the coastline. It then quickly spread inland, surging into the Thames River and soon flooding its banks...

---

The greatest stroke of luck was that the tsunami wasn’t particularly large. After the first wave breached the southwestern coastline and entered the city, it lost momentum within less than two kilometers, unable to advance further.

But that night, all of London City was destined for a sleepless night.

---

Chen Nuo struggled out of the water and managed to climb into a drainage channel. Then, he lay back, panting wildly. The fierce current of the Thames River rushed beside him.

The initial wave’s force had been reduced by at least sixty percent, thanks to the Spiritual Storm that had forcibly contained it. The subsequent waves gradually weakened.

Already seriously injured by Lu Xixi, Chen Nuo had exhausted his strength. He lay in the drainage channel like a beached fish, utterly unable to muster the energy to move even a muscle.

As the floodwaters on the shore began to recede, the surface water flowed back towards the river channel. Chen Nuo, huddled in the drainage channel, felt as if he were in a grotto behind a waterfall.

After lying there for half an hour and regaining some strength, Chen Nuo finally got up, climbed out of the drainage channel, and quickly scrambled ashore.

The water on the road surface was gradually receding, but the first floors of many houses along the street were still flooded. Chen Nuo waded through the water. Initially, it was above his knees, but as he walked on, the water level gradually became shallower. Occasionally, citizens sheltering on upper floors could be seen watching from their windows. Chen Nuo, walking alone on the waterlogged road, attracted quite a few gazes.

Chen Nuo, of course, ignored them. Passing a supermarket whose doors had been smashed in by the flood, he walked straight inside. In the store, still ankle-deep in water, he found two bags of bread. After a moment’s thought, he also grabbed some bottled water. He took off his outer shirt, using it as a makeshift bag, stuffed everything inside, and walked back out, his arms full.

After leaving that street, Chen Nuo found a somewhat dilapidated building and quickly headed towards it.

The warehouse was somewhat flooded, but being on higher ground, it hadn’t suffered severe damage. Chen Nuo forced the door open and went up the stairs on the left. The upper floor of the warehouse was divided into several rooms, but all were empty. The entire warehouse was vacant, clearly in a semi-abandoned state.

Chen Nuo searched the rooms and quickly found some useful items in one. After wrapping a blanket around himself, he found a stove and a pile of coal slag. He selected a few larger pieces of coal slag, put them in the stove, and lit them.

There was a small pot that looked quite clean. Chen Nuo poured some of his bottled water into it and placed it on the stove to boil.

I daren’t use tap water anymore. With the seawater backflow, heaven knows if the water treatment plant was flooded. Right now, one can’t just drink any water carelessly. Bottled water is especially important now.

Just as he set the water to boil, Chen Nuo’s expression suddenly changed! Upon entering the warehouse and going upstairs, Chen Nuo had already released his spiritual power, extending his senses to cover the entire building! And now, he suddenly detected a fluctuation within his sensory range!

---

Outside the warehouse, the cover of a drainage outlet on the ground had long since been washed away. It was probably forced open when seawater surged up from below. Now, as the floodwaters receded, water from the road surface was rapidly flowing towards this drainage outlet.

Chen Nuo stood beside the drainage outlet, hesitated for a second, then sighed. He took off the blanket he was wearing, hung it on a nearby wall, and jumped down!

London is an ancient city, and its Underground drainage system is actually quite outdated. It was only because this was a warehouse that the drainage system met industrial standards. If it were a residential area, the narrow drains would be impossible for a person to crawl into—rats, perhaps, but not people.

Inside the drainage channel, after about ten meters, Chen Nuo rounded a bend and found the source of the disturbance! It was an inverted L-shaped drainage channel, but a small alcove at the corner gave it a subtle T-shape. The space at the corner wasn’t large, perhaps the size of a typical household wardrobe.

When Chen Nuo reached the corner, he saw a small figure clinging there. A water-soaked jacket had been taken off and tied around one arm, the other end looped over a pipe in the drainage channel... By the time Chen Nuo arrived, the small figure was only semi-conscious, but with what little awareness remained, they were still doing one thing. That hand clutched a stone, faintly tapping it against the pipe, trying to make a sound.

---

A short while later, Chen Nuo emerged from the drainage outlet carrying the small figure and re-entered the room on the second floor of the warehouse. He placed the small figure next to the stove and covered it with the blanket.

Chen Nuo glanced at the now-boiling water, broke the bread into small pieces, and tossed them into the pot.

"If you’re awake, just speak up. There’s no need to be afraid; I’m not a bad guy," Chen Nuo said without turning around, gently stirring the pot with a spoon. "Besides, I just saved your life."

Next to the stove, the small figure wrapped in the blanket trembled slightly. Then, slowly sitting up, the small figure stared at Chen Nuo in the dim light, eyes filled with a trace of fear.

"Thank you for saving my life, sir." Her English was spoken with a very standard London accent.

Chen Nuo turned around and crouched beside the child.

A little girl, very young, appearing to be no more than five or six years old.

From her clothes... she clearly hasn’t had an easy life.

"Where are your parents? Um... Where is your home?" Chen Nuo asked, hesitating slightly.

The little girl seemed even more hesitant but answered nonetheless. "Right here, sir. This is my home. Um... and that pot you’re using, it’s mine."

Chen Nuo was taken aback.

"When the flood came, I was hiding upstairs. But I fell when I was trying to get something, and the water washed me into the drainpipe. Luckily, I grabbed a pipe. Then I took off my jacket and tied myself to it so I wouldn’t be swept away..."

The little girl recounted her experience in fits and starts. Chen Nuo listened with a furrowed brow. Then he studied the girl.

A very ordinary appearance. Typically British, brown hair, a few freckles on her cheeks. Very thin. The kind of thinness that spoke of malnourishment. Her gaze, as she looked at me, was like that of a frightened kitten.

Chen Nuo sighed. He lifted the pot of now-cooked bread soup. "Well... since this is your home, do you have any bowls?"

"I used to, sir. But when I was looking out the window at the water, my bowl fell. I fell down trying to get it—I was drinking water at the time."

Chen Nuo, feeling helpless, scooped up some of the bread soup with the spoon and offered it to her. "It’s hot. Eat slowly."

The girl hesitated for a moment, then took a sip. She drew a deep breath, blew on the spoonful a few times, and then slowly finished it, bit by bit.

After a few spoonfuls from the half-full pot of bread soup, the girl put down the spoon, shrank back a little, and looked at Chen Nuo cautiously. "Sir, I’m full now."

"No, you’re not," Chen Nuo smiled. "You’re just afraid of me, or maybe too shy. It’s okay. You can eat the whole pot. There’s still more bread and water; I can make another."

"But I don’t have any money to give you," the little girl said, looking conflicted. "The little bit I ate... let that be the fee for you using my pot."

Chen Nuo laughed and deliberately pursed his lips. "Then how should we count me saving your life?"

The girl’s eyes suddenly widened. She looked troubled as she thought for a moment, then said tentatively, "I only have this blanket, and... everything I own is here. This pot is the only valuable thing I have."

Chen Nuo looked at the child and sighed. He reached out, intending to stroke her hair, but this gesture made the girl shrink back immediately, watching Chen Nuo warily.

Chen Nuo paused, then smiled and withdrew his hand. "I mean no harm."

After a pause, Chen Nuo asked, "What’s your name?"

"...Louise."

Chen Nuo nodded. "Then, Louise, why are you living here alone?"

"..."

After the two—one big, one small—looked at each other for a moment, the child slowly answered.

"My mother... she left. Just a few days ago."

---

It took about an hour of chatting while eating for Chen Nuo to successfully get the little girl named Louise to lower her guard a little and share her story.

Her mother "left"... it didn’t mean she had died. She had literally just walked away.

According to Louise, her father might have been a sailor—a "might have been," because her mother wasn’t really sure either. Well, that certainly implies quite a story. Louise’s mother had apparently hoped the sailor would marry her, which was why she went through with the pregnancy and gave birth to Louise. The outcome was quite cliché. The sailor never returned. And her mother clearly wasn’t someone capable of working to support herself.

Louise had been living with her mother before this. Though not in this warehouse. The child was a bit vague about how her mother made a living—perhaps Louise herself didn’t understand.

"She worked in a tavern, dancing for people," Louise had said.

Chen Nuo guessed it was probably more than just dancing; perhaps she also kept men company for drinks, or... other things.

Previously, Louise hadn’t lived in the warehouse; she’d had a home. That home, while not great, was at least a proper house—an apartment, most likely very run-down, but still better than a warehouse. According to the child, her mother might have been heavily in debt. Perhaps she was always in debt. But she was just a five-year-old child, after all; her memories of the past weren’t very clear.

In any case, this mother had left a few days ago. She probably ran away to escape creditors. Or perhaps she had simply broken down under the strain of such a life. Maybe she never loved her daughter—Chen Nuo felt fairly certain of this, as Louise’s descriptions suggested her mother hadn’t treated her very well.

Then, one day, her mother left the house and never came back. Louise remembered that on the day her mother left, she had uncharacteristically hugged her and even kissed her. And told her there were two British Pounds in a cupboard drawer. Then, her mother left, carrying a bag.

As for why this child ended up here... After her mother left, several days passed without her return. At first, the child didn’t think much of it. Based on past experience, the woman often didn’t come home. But then one day, the landlord, creditors, and others came to the door. And just like that, her home was gone. A five-year-old child wouldn’t understand such matters; she naively assumed that everyone who came to the door was a bad person. Perhaps among them were people from social services, or even the police... The child didn’t know.

So, she ran away. She ran out on her own. She hid in this warehouse—a place she occasionally came to play.

And that was her whole story.

---

Chen Nuo looked at Louise sitting there. The five-year-old girl wrapped the blanket tightly around herself, looking at Chen Nuo nervously and fearfully.

"How do you manage to live?" Chen Nuo frowned.

"With the two British Pounds, I bought a pot—the one you’re using," the girl said after a moment’s thought. "As for the rest... I go to bakeries and ask if they’ll give me some of the bread they didn’t sell that day. I found the blanket. And..."

The girl hesitated for a moment but then whispered, "I made a friend... This friend sometimes brings me a little food."