Chapter 172: The Change of Heart (Part 2)
Indeed, it was the best way to get out of this place – excluding the possibility of the other two dug-holes. It was almost impossible to climb all the way to the top. But if one rested at the Stone Tree, one could regain his strength before continuing to the next Stone Tree.
But the opposite of his sound argument, his tone was a little sharp and filled with indifference, as if not caring for the two people who had their hands bandaged – their hands were rendered useless to climb.
But of course, the two people who got their hands bandaged, Liao Yun and Fu Tao didn't care about such thing as if Zheng Zhanglie's sound argument was nothing more than a drifting air – not even considered as a drifting air.
It was not weird as both Liao Yun and Fu Tao had no problem to jump on the Stone Tree. There was no need for them to use their hand at all. Such a thing was a mere child's play back in their settlement – the Wind Chasing Tribe's settlement.
Mingyue had her own mount, which was a mysterious pet, Xiao Wu. Don't mention Xiao Wu's stamina, even Xiao Wu's speed was even faster than he himself when he circulated Elemental in his legs. It was damaging his pride, but there was nothing he could do; everything around Mingyue was abnormal, full of mystery.
Thus, Fu Tao didn't think about Liao Yun and Mingyue.
In fact, Fu Tao was thinking on how to get the other people like Zheng Zhanglie, Zheng Yu, and Peng Zhen to jump on the Stone Tree.
He could bring them one by one, but he didn't want to worsen his already-battered condition even further. Moving up and down many times would expend his physical strength along adding the burden of Elemental inside his muscle, which was detrimental for his own recovery.
But even though he didn't care about Zheng Zhanglie's word, someone else was offended.
"Brother! Don't you see Big Sister is wounded? Look at her hands! How can you forget, or don't tell me that it is on purpose! You damn bastard!" Zheng Yi snarled while purring, as if her tail was stepped by someone.
Thinking that her idol, Liao Yun was wronged by her brother, Zheng Yi didn't hesitate to pick Liao Yun's side.
[Er, for your information, I am the same too. Look here, my hand is covered with bandage too. I am not lying, you know?] Fu Tao wanted to cry as his presence was neglected. Perhaps, Liao Yun's charisma overshadowed him. But how could a man's charisma was losing out from a woman?
Zheng Zhanglie didn't turn his head, but still staring at the Stone Tree around the wall. "I understand, of course. But, I am merely stating the fact, the direct and fast way to get out of this place. I never think about Miss Liao Yun's injury."
[No no no no, where is my name! Can't you see this kind-looking man here? Don't say that I am also invisible in the eyes of a man. . .] Fu Tao's shoulders were lowered as he lost his spirit.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't care about it. I don't care about your logic! Find another way for my Big Sister to leave this place!"
[Yeah. I am not some Big Sister. . .] Fu Tao sighed in his mind, thinking of his dwindling worth. [Will little ancestor one and little ancestor two forget about me? What should I do to increase my worth.]
With hardened expression, Fu Tao made a vow to be more active, especially in front of Liao Yun and Mingyue. Also, showing his true worth.
All for one purpose.
Not letting his presence diminished.
". . . You can piggyback her while you climb. Can't you think of such common sense?" Zheng Zhanglie rolled his eyes. But deep inside, his tone grew colder, unlike the usual him. Peng Zhen started to realize this point, but it was the opposite for Zheng Yi.
" Piggyback? Piggyback. . . Muehehe~~" Zheng Yi held her puffy cheeks as if fearing her cheeks would dall from her face. But not long after, she returned to her sense and snapped, "What! I am a woman full of common sense! Don't talk shit and slander me in front of my dearest Big Sister! Don't you see how smart I am back then in Wide Rock Town? Even Mom praised me for being smarter than you are! Don't think because you are only one year older than me, you can look down on me!"
"Nope, I am not looking down on you." Zheng Zhanglie moved closer toward the wall while rubbing the surface and taking a closer look. Even though the wall was of the similar material with the Stone Tree, there was still a chance that the wall couldn't hold human's weight. But unexpectedly, the wall was solid enough.
Without paying any attention toward anyone, Zheng Zhanglie began to climb. Raising his hand one by one, his body left the ground.
"Wait! Who told you to climb! We are going to find another way! Hey! Can't you hear me! Are you deaf???" No matter how loud Zheng Yi was, she didn't receive any answer. But she was also concerned with Zheng Zhanglie's safety, as if fearing that the latter would fall from the height and result in the latter's death – with 'splat' sound.
Peng Zhen was similar to Zheng Yi. But other than concern, her gaze was much more filled with wounded expression.
She felt as if her heart was stabbed many times when she realized of the Zheng Zhanglie's full change in one night. No, it was not even one night – only a few hours difference. But even so, Zheng Zhanglie turned into a different and foreign.
Not knowing what happened, not understanding what had happened at him, but Zheng Zhanglie had turned into someone else – different from the usual Zheng Zhanglie, the old him.
The brother of her best friend. . . the fellow teammate of her. . .
The little hope in her heart was shattered by this fact, the unshaken fact in front of her. The trust she had for the man who saw her barest form, the man who took a spot in her heart, all of it was betrayed.
No, it was not a betrayal. She arbitrarily made her decision without consulting with him, taking the hard stance. Perhaps, it would be a little hard for him. But at the same time, it was also hard for her.
It was only a trial for Zheng Zhanglie while Peng Zhen moved forward toward her dream. In any way, she would be together with him if his previous promise was true. The word saying that he would wait for her, the word saying that he encouraged her dream to soar in the wide world.
Deep down inside, she believed him, she wanted to believe him. She trusted him that making her made an exception in her vow that she would never be tied down. She believed him that he would take that step, staying together with her until both roamed around the world. She wanted to hold his various word and sweet promises.
But alas, she was doomed to taste her first broken heart – the neverending bitter inside her mouth.
Zheng Zhanglie's speed was considered slow. But counting on his real strength which was only around Battle Fighter, it was not weird for him to take his time.
Liao Yun didn't care about Zheng Zhanglie, while Fu Tao was prepared to catch Zheng Zhanglie in case of the worst case of scenario.
Minute by minute passed by, and after some time, Zheng Zhanglie arrived at the nearest Stone Tree. Bead after bead of sweat covered his forehead while his back was drenched in sweat. He had to catch a breather after making sure that he wouldn't fall. More than half of his strength was used to climb this far, which could be considered shallow.
[Looks like, I have to repeat this many times. . .] Zheng Zhanglie stared upward, counting the number of Stone Tree above him. [Five. . . Six. Maybe around six times more? And after that, I will be freed of this damned place.]
Remembering this place, there was only an unpleasant memory. Peeking downward, Zheng Zhanglie only shook his head. [Forget it. Everything is only a dream, a fleeting dream without clouds nor stars. It was all in the past. And now, it is the time for me to wake up.]
In the briefest moment, his gaze was no different from the wounded animal – full of grief and fear of everything. But his indifference returned as if his indifference was the way for him to protect his fragile heart. He had to be strong, not to be some stupid guy who danced under a woman's palm; he is not some toy.
Along with his indifference, a slight hatred grew inside his heart. His hatred of his weakness, of his useless, also of his incapability. Also, her. . .
"Hooooy~ are you okaaaaay~ . . ." Zheng Yi shouted from below, but Zheng Zhanglie didn't pay any attention while resting his body. "Hooooy~ . . . don't ignore meee. . . ."
But not long after, a long rope was thrown from the Stone Tree.
"One by one. But let me rest a little before any of you go up here." No one below could see Zheng Zhanglie's figure, but his waving hand was visible to all of them.
Zheng Yi replied while waving her hands as well, "Fiiiiiine~. . ."
"So, what now? Will we wait or we just go up there?" Fu Tao scratched his chin while looking upward.
"Un. That's the only thing we can do at present." Zheng Yi just casually answered while skipping at Liao Yun's direction. "Big Sister, Big Sister, no need to worry, we will leave this place soon!"
Without paying any attention toward Zheng Yu, Liao Yun only stared upward with the displeased expression. "No. I don't want to wait anymore."
"Eh? . . . EEEEEEEEEEEEHHHH. . . . . . . . . ."
…
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