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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 18: A Scheme Within a Scheme
Lin Feng felt Tang Jiner's condition gradually weakening, as the Vital Energy within her was rapidly depleting.
"Goodbye," Lin Feng pleaded.
Tang Jiner continued to gaze at Lin Feng and said, "That person took her, crossed the Forest Sea, traversed the Snowfield, broke through the Demon Army, and headed west all the way."
Lin Feng muttered to himself, Am I really that heroic? It should be more like digging a dog hole, a messy escape to the west.
"In order to take her away, that person fell into the Cloud Sea, surviving against all odds."
In the end, Tang Jiner even coughed up blood.
Lin Feng couldn't help but rise and ask, "Are you okay?"
Tang Jiner took a few breaths and replied, "I won't die. Don't worry."
Lin Feng felt he had been too abrupt earlier. He sat back down but still looked at Tang Jiner with concern.
Tang Jiner stared at Lin Feng, wanting to say many things to him. Unfortunately, there were too many words that could not be spoken.
Regretting that they had not met sooner, now Lin Feng was accompanied by Lin Miaomiao. Even if she recalled those fragmented memories, what could she do?
Tang Jiner sighed softly and smiled faintly. Suddenly she stood up and asked, "Lin, can you hold me once more?"
Hearing the name 'Lin' and looking at Tang Jiner's extraordinary beauty, Lin Feng felt a moment of daze, as if he had returned to the Snowfield. Back to that battlefield.
At that time, Lin Feng had charged into the Tens of Thousands of Troops and finally laid eyes on Tang Jiner.
She was like a wilting flower, defeated in the Snowstorm—tragic yet breathtaking.
"Excessive."
A cold shout came from upstairs, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Lin Miaomiao descended with a face full of anger. When she saw Tang Jiner with her white hair, pale complexion, and blood at the corner of her mouth, she was taken aback.
"Jin'er, what happened to you?" Lin Miaomiao couldn't help but ask, temporarily setting aside her intention to scold.
Lin Feng frowned and said, "She originally lost some memories. Now, for some reason, she has forcibly recalled certain fragments at the cost of her cultivation, lifespan, and essence blood. Her body is severely damaged."
For a Walker, cultivation is crucial; it symbolizes strength. Lifespan and essence blood hold even greater significance, determining a Walker's future.
Upon hearing this, Lin Miaomiao didn't know what to say. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Sister Jin'er, was it worth it?"
"Can he hold me once more?" Tang Jiner looked at Lin Miaomiao with determination in her eyes. There was pride in her gaze.
Lin Miaomiao glanced at Lin Feng and then at Tang Jiner's white hair; her heart felt heavy. She forced a smile and said, "We're all friends. Encouraging hugs between friends are nothing to be concerned about."
"Thank you."
After Tang Jiner spoke, she turned her gaze back to Lin Feng.
That previous snowstorm had been too brief; this time, she would indulge herself in the memory. How to handle things afterward was a matter for another day.
Lin Feng had long been impulsive. Yet there was a voice inside him that held him back. He looked at Lin Miaomiao with a conflicted expression.
Miaomiao nodded slightly at Lin Feng as if granting permission.
Lin Feng's brow remained furrowed as he slowly stood up and walked toward Tang Jiner. He opened his arms and said, "My lady. I am here to shield you from the storm."
Since Lin Miaomiao had allowed it and since Tang Jiner wished to recover her memories, Lin Feng decided to let go of his reservations.
Tang Jiner tilted her head slightly and nestled into Lin Feng's embrace. She closed her eyes contentedly, feeling his warmth and imagining that snowstorm.
Time flowed quietly as Lin Miaomiao turned away with a furrowed brow. She felt uneasy inside—somewhat angry and somewhat restless.
Tang Jiner opened her eyes with a cough, leaving the warm embrace of Lin Feng. She looked at him gratefully and said, "Lin, thank you. You are wonderful."
Then she turned to Lin Miaomiao, who had her back to her, and said, "Miaomiao, I apologize for today."
Seeing that Lin Miaomiao did not respond or turn around, remaining still in place, Tang Jiner understood that she was upset.
"Farewell."
With a lonely smile, Tang Jiner turned and walked into the night.
"Lin, if you had met me first, would the person you care about in your heart always be me?"
The night was deepening, adding a chill to the air. The fine rain blurred her vision, making her feel even more melancholic.
Tang Jiner wandered aimlessly, feeling so lonely and desolate, like a homeless child.
She did not know where she was going or how long she had been walking. When she finally decided to return to the palace, two figures blocked her path.
Both were dressed in black—one tall and one short.
The young boy looked at Tang Jiner with a satisfied and strange smile and said, "If Lin Feng knew you died like this, he would regret it for life. No, it should be said that he would be devastated."
"Who are you?" Tang Jiner asked calmly as she gripped the jade slip given to her by Huo Zhenshan.
The other man, a middle-aged figure, said, "This time she is rarely apart from Huo Zhenshan. We should act quickly; after absorbing her, your cultivation will improve significantly."
"To avoid any mishaps, Master should take action and subdue her quickly," the boy said coldly.
"Understood."
As soon as the man's words fell, he immediately made his move.
Tang Jiner crushed the jade slip in her hand. At the same time, she summoned a golden Golden Scepter. The Golden Scepter emitted a blinding golden light, cascading down upon Tang Jiner like a tide. Eventually, it formed a cylindrical light barrier that enveloped her completely, concealing the aura of the shattered jade slip.
"The Golden Scepter, a Ninth-Grade Defensive Artifact. It's a pity it fell into the hands of a Fate Realization Walker; how much power can it truly unleash?"
The middle-aged man appeared indifferent as he waved his sleeve, gathering a vast amount of earthy Vital Energy into a fist the size of an ox. The force behind the fist was astonishing, whipping up fierce gusts of wind.
Tang Jiner knew she was no match for an Enlightenment Realm expert. She concentrated all her Vital Energy on defense, waiting for Uncle Huo to come to her aid.
The man's fist struck the golden light barrier with a resounding bang. Tang Jiner, along with the golden barrier, was sent flying.
The tremendous force from the impact was unbearable for Tang Jiner inside the golden barrier; she coughed up blood. Already in a weakened state from her earlier efforts, she now suffered severe injuries and could barely rise, lying on the ground and struggling to breathe.
The middle-aged man said, "I will tear open a gap in this barrier; you take the opportunity to absorb her Cultivation."
"Understood," replied the Black-Clad Youth.
The middle-aged man took a large step toward the golden barrier. He channeled his Vital Energy into his hands, causing dense earthy Vital Energy to surge and darken his hands against the faint golden glow.
He thrust his hands into the golden barrier. It felt exceptionally solid; even a Dao Seeking Realm expert would find it hard to break through.
However, the Fate Realization Walker could not unleash the full might of a Ninth-Grade Treasure.
Slowly, the man's fingers penetrated the golden barrier.
Lying on the ground, Tang Jiner watched as the man's hands gradually entered. A wave of fear washed over her. She couldn't understand why these people were attacking her.
Once his hands were inside the golden barrier, the middle-aged man let out a low growl and crouched down in a horse stance, straining to pull his hands apart.
A gap began to form in the cylindrical golden light barrier, slowly widening.
Azure Fish Street, Lanzhou Noodle House.
Magenta hesitated several times before finally asking, "Sister Miao, do you think we are friends?"
"Of course," Lin Miaomiao replied without hesitation.
Hearing this, Magenta smiled happily and said, "Then I want Lin Feng to give me a hug of encouragement between friends."
"No way," Lin Miaomiao flatly refused.
Magenta pouted in dissatisfaction. "Why? Why can Tang Jiner get one and I can't? The young master saved her life, and I saved the young master's life too."
"Are you trying to leave the noodle shop?" Lin Miaomiao countered with a question.
"That's not fair; I'm not satisfied," Magenta said, sulking as she took the dishes used by Tang Jiner to the back kitchen. Halfway through washing, she grew angrier and muttered, "I won't wash her dishes."
With that, she tossed the dishes into a corner and walked out of the kitchen.
Just as Tang Jiner left, the noodle shop welcomed its second unexpected guest.
Lin Feng looked across at Sima Shangshan. Noticing his serious expression, he couldn't help but ask, "Brother Sima, what's wrong?"
Sima Shangshan looked at Lin Feng and after a moment of silence said, "Just now, I saw you hugging Jin'er."
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng suddenly understood the gravity of Sima Shangshan's expression. He quickly explained, "Brother Sima, there's a misunderstanding. You might not know the whole story."
Sima Shangshan had been resting at Sima Mansion in Zhongzhou Gaojing when someone came to visit him—Lu Wushuang from Solitary Moon City. Lin Feng had summoned him for an important discussion at Lanzhou Noodle House located at No. 97 Azure Fish Alley.
Sima Shangshan was puzzled about why Lin Feng wanted to see him. When he arrived at the noodle shop, he happened to see Lin Feng tightly embracing Tang Jiner.
In that moment, Sima Shangshan was filled with rage and wanted to confront them immediately. However, he didn't want to put Tang Jiner in an awkward position. It wasn't until she left that he finally stepped out.
This entire scenario was deliberately orchestrated by Lin Qing. Lu Wushuang was merely a pawn in this game. This scheme was not just aimed at Lin Feng alone.
What does it mean that Princess Jian'an of the Tang Empire died in Gaojing of the Great Zhou Empire?
The Tang Emperor has few offspring, only one son and one daughter. He particularly dotes on Princess Jian'an. If something were to happen to her in Gaojing, it would not be impossible for the Tang Empire to go to war with the Great Zhou.
If the two great empires go to war, the ultimate beneficiaries would naturally be the demon race.
The noodle shop was quiet, with the sound of rain outside.
Sima Shangshan said, "In the entire Tang Empire, no one is unaware of my affection for the princess. For her, I disregarded my elders' opposition and resolutely joined the court. Later, when Tang Jiner was sent to the frontier by the Emperor, I joined the not-so-glorious Imperial Guard Headquarters just to be with her."
"As long as she says a word, I would risk my life without hesitation."
"I believe you already know all this?" Sima Shangshan looked at Lin Feng and asked. (To be continued...)
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