AZI Volume 7 Chapter 42

"…"

Savoring the taste of the wine in his mouth, Bai Wen swallows, and says—

"I'm impressed. He's making all those weapon spirits dance to his tune—whether they like it or not."

"Ugh…"

With the alcohol in her system cleared away, but still experiencing a minor headache, Zhen Qing Huai remarks—

"The fact that he can say so much nonsense without showing a single hint of disgust on his face… That's a talent."

"The mask probably helps, but it seems like Long-shao couldn't hold it in until the end."

Agreeing with Zhen Rong, Yun You adds—

"Well, just goes to show that a person can only handle so much of their own voice. In any case, we're all done here, right?"

"I suppose."

Getting out of her seat, Wu Xiao leaves through a rift first.

Momentarily, Yun You does the same.

...…

Moments after Long Hua had vanished from the eye of the masses—

"Ancestor Xu, what now?"

Towards Yang Hai's question, Xu Tian Kun heaves a sigh, and says—

"We leave this ruin. …It is indeed time for us to do so."

With an expression of concern, a villager asks—

"Where will we go from here?"

Heaving a sigh as well, Zhu Xu says—

"One step at a time. …From what Lao Teng had said, we'd be better off not joining the military, or any of those Guilds."

Addressing all the villagers, Xu Tian Kun says—

"Pack your belongings. We leave as soon as we're done with that."

"Understood."

"And what if those people ask us for compensation again?"

"…Ai, don't we all have some Spirit Extracts lying around? Just hand the entire batch over, and have those guys figure it out on their own."

...…

Closing the video recording camera in her hand, Zhui Yun turns to the agents of NPI, and says—

"We're leaving."

Although there were some injuries among their numbers, the majority had survived.

"Quite a bit of materials for IB-09s."

"I expect a raise…"

"Take that up with the lady herself."

As the NPI agents moved along, they came across—

"Oh?"

Hong Xuan leading the Moon Guards off in the same direction.

Staring back at Zhui Yun, Hong Xuan says—

"Everything's already over, shouldn't you have a more laxed look on your face?"

"…I suppose?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Zhui Yun continues to move.

And along the way out of the ruins, the two groups also encountered the associates of Dainsfield.

Undeniably, all factions have suffered some losses in this battle.

...…

Within the village's library, Jue Yun picks up a book made from bamboo slips, and asks—

"These, right?"

"Take all of them away."

As the soldiers begin to pack up the other books, Jue Yun turns to Liang Jin He, who had given the go-ahead, and asks—

"Is it fine to take them without asking the villagers?"

"Not like they need it—when they already know the written contents. Besides, they still owe us compensation, this is merely interest."

"Ai, I suppose?"

...…

"…"

"…Hey."

Leaning their backs against each other, Li Xue speaks first.

"Hm? What?"

"I'm thinking of… Maybe joining the hall."

"…"

Towards Li Xue's decision, Ye Chen blinks his eyes, and replies—

"What a coincidence, so am I."

"Why?"

"They clearly know more about this Ling Yuan family than anyone else in the outer domain. This hall master of theirs, they probably have all the answers to my questions as well."

Towards Ye Chen's words, Li Xue replies—

"I'm surprised. I thought you'd kowtow to that deity instead."

"To hell with that. That mask of theirs, it makes them seem incredibly shady."

It's unclear as to why, but Ye Chen feels extremely skeptical of the supposed deity.

"And what about the office?"

Towards Li Xue's question, Ye Chen chuckles, and replies—

"Not much of an office at this point, is it? …Ai, just my luck—to get a bunch of people with extra baggage. Well, maybe this is for the better?"

Hearing this, Li Xue chuckles as well, and replies—

"Well then, looking forward to working with you again, Colonel Ye."

"To you as well, Major Li. …Still, if we do join the hall, I think our military ranks are stripped, right?"

"Hmm, I suppose? But who cares?"

...…

Within a tent—

"…"

"…"

Seated down together—with a bit of distance between them, neither Zhou Chen nor Yang Ning said a word to the other.

Eventually, Yang Ning raises a sigh, and stands up from his stool.

Just as Yang Ning is about to leave the tent completely, Zhou Chen asks—

"What do I call you from now on? Lao Yang or Hengxing Zi?"

"…"

Pausing his footsteps, Yang Ning without turning around replies—

"I could ask the same of you. Do I continue to call you Lao Zhou or Yun Bi Xie?"

"Will you not kill me?"

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Yang Ning answers—

"What the hell is the point of that?! This accursed world—that was commissioned by you, it will just revive you again and again!"

Emotions of rage couldn't be clearer in Yang Ning's tone, as he storms out of the tent.

"…"

Left alone, Zhou Chen closes his eyes, and mutters—

"…Sinners, weapon spirits, the Everlasting Spirit Realm, the Leng Bing Realm, Ling Yuan Zi…"

Heaving a sigh, Zhou Chen shakes his head.

"The decision that I made all those years ago… Was it a mistake? In the end, were they the sinners, or was it actually me?"

...…

Within the forest—in an area devoid of people, Long Hua fixes the cuff of his dress shirt.

"Ai, finally over."

Raising his arms, Long Hua stretches in a lazy manner.

Behind his back, Tian Cheng stores all the combat bodies away, and asks—

"Do we leave now then?"

"Yeah. Actually, dammit, I didn't manage to acquire any treasures this time. Guess I'll owe the Owner a while longer…"

Thinking of this, Long Hua heaves a sigh, while Tian Cheng replies—

"There's still plenty of time—until departure from this world, master. Besides, there's another ruin to explore in two weeks' time."

"I suppose. I just don't like the feeling of owing someone money… Hmm, you know what? Help me fix up my hair first."

...…

Deeper within the forest—

"…"

Surrounded by the corpses of practitioners, a "Long Hua" with red eyes, black hair, and pale white skin—dressed in a white set of attire, raises his head towards the skies.

"Fight, kill, devour…"

Narrowing his eyes, "Long Hua" adds—

"Deity, kill, and replace…"

Turning around, "Long Hua" tears open a rift, and departs from the ruins through it.