章 71: The Quartet
As the train, accompanied by the ringing of the platform bell, slowly departed from the station, Xiao Mu Yu sat apathetically by the window, watching the pillars on the platform gradually recede from view, remaining silent and indifferent.
Little Annie, on the other hand, leaned contentedly against half of Xiao Mu Yu's body, her tiny hands clasping one of his as she sat on the seat, kicking her little feet and humming a sweet, unknown melody.
The gentle spring afternoon sun streamed through the train window, casting a bright and warm golden hue upon the passengers, creating a soothing, drowsy atmosphere without being blinding.
Inside the train carriage, the sounds of animated conversation mingled with the rhythmic clattering of the train's movement, producing a somewhat noisy ambiance.
Yet, the seat occupied by the little girl and the indifferent man felt as tranquil as if they were in another world entirely. The adorable little fox lay drowsily on Xiao Mu Yu's shoulder, blissfully enjoying the moment's serenity.
However, this rare tranquility was soon to be disrupted...
"Um... 46... 51... Wow! Riven, Riven, 55 and 56 have arrived; these are our seats!"
A familiar childlike voice suddenly rang out, followed by a chubby little figure appearing at the aisle, trailed by a beautiful woman carrying an enormous lake-green two-handed sword.
"Wow! A little kitty!" Upon hearing this voice, Annie turned her head in delight, waving her hand joyfully, "Hello, little kitty!"
Having unexpectedly reunited with the adorable little cat after just over an hour, Annie appeared both polite and thrilled. However, in stark contrast to the little girl's joy, the creature across from her was far from pleased.
"You! You!! It's... it's you?!"
Upon seeing the little girl's gaze, Teemo was instantly reminded of the terrifying human women he had encountered during his journey. He stumbled back several steps, only halting when he collided with the legs of the silver-haired woman behind him.
Regaining his composure, the valiant Captain Teemo felt a wave of humiliation wash over him. How could he, a proud Yordle from Bandle City, be frightened by a mere human girl?
How could such a thing happen? He was the most remarkable and courageous Yordle in Bandle City! How could he be intimidated by a simple human child? Even if her gaze was terrifying, could it be more fearsome than the Gloppy Monsters of Bandle City? He had defeated many of those!
Recalling the grotesque creatures from his homeland, which he had vanquished, Teemo suddenly felt a surge of courage.
He adjusted his slightly askew hat with his chubby little hand, striving to appear nonchalant.
The little creature feigned composure as it took small, deliberate steps toward its seat, waving its hand as if inspecting subordinates, and said casually, "Ah... human little girl, what a coincidence it is that we meet again."
Perfect!
In that moment, Captain Teemo felt that his demeanor was nothing short of magnificent. He believed that if his grand image were witnessed by the maidens back in his homeland, he would surely be met with an outpouring of affection.
However, his pretentious display did not elicit the anticipated response. Little Annie merely clung to Xiao Mu Yu's hand, completely ignoring his antics, "Hello, little kitty! My name is Annie; what is yours?"
"You! ... I've told you not to call me a kitty!" Faced with the persistent little girl, Teemo felt his intelligence was gravely insulted, his dignity severely undermined. "How do I resemble a kitty? I am the formidable and majestic Captain Teemo! Do you lack even the most basic discernment?"
"Um? Majestic and formidable?" The little girl tilted her head in confusion, pondering for a moment before turning to Xiao Mu Yu, "Big brother, is there a kitty named 'Majestic and Formidable'?"
"I... cough, cough..." Teemo felt darkness closing in on him, nearly fainting.
"Ha ha..." A light chuckle emerged as Riven, who had been observing from the sidelines, stepped forward, gently patting Teemo's head in a gesture of comfort. She smiled at the little girl and explained, "Little sister, Teemo is not a kitty; he is a Yordle."
"A Yordle?" Upon hearing Riven's explanation, the little girl's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Is he a Yordle from Bandle City?"
Riven nodded with a smile, taking a seat beside Teemo.
"Wow! So this is what a Yordle looks like! I've only read about them in books, which said Yordles are short, even shorter than me, but I never imagined they could be so adorable!" Little Annie exclaimed, "Little kitty, are all Yordles as cute as you?"
"I... fine, if you want to call me a kitty, so be it. I, Captain Teemo, shall be magnanimous and not stoop to the level of a child," Teemo consoled himself.
"Ha ha..." Observing Teemo's disgruntled expression, Riven couldn't help but laugh, covering her mouth.
"..." Xiao Mu Yu turned his gaze from the receding scenery outside the window and coldly glanced at the two seated across from him.
Noticing Xiao Mu Yu's gaze, Riven quickly composed herself, though the amusement in her eyes was impossible to conceal.
Politely extending her right hand to the indifferent man, Riven introduced herself, "Hello, sir. My name is Riven."
"..." After a two-second silence, Xiao Mu Yu coldly shook hands with the silver-haired woman, "Xiao Mu Yu."
His tone was frigid, devoid of warmth, yet the woman seemed unfazed by it.
After retracting her hand, she displayed a friendly smile, "Mr. Xiao Mu Yu, if I am not mistaken, you and little Annie are heading to the ancient ruins in the Shurima Desert, correct?"
"Wow! Big sister, you're amazing! How did you know?" Little Annie exclaimed, resting her chin on her small hands, indirectly affirming Riven's guess.
"Ah, just a guess," Riven said playfully, winking at the little girl. "Actually, Teemo and I are also going to the ancient ruins in the Shurima Desert, so I thought that a ninth-tier powerhouse accompanied by a seventh-tier young sorceress would likely be heading there as well. I was curious and asked, and it turns out I was right."
"Will there be many people going to the Shurima Desert this time?" Little Annie inquired with curiosity.
"Well... I estimate there won't be many," Riven pondered before explaining, "Although the map of the ancient ruins has been widely circulated among the nations, it remains somewhat of a secret among the general populace, with few aware of it. Additionally, due to the peculiarities of the orc tribes residing in the Shurima Desert, these nations are hesitant to deploy their armies, so I suspect only high-tier powerhouses sent by those nations will attend."
"Wow! It sounds like it will be quite lively; I think choosing to come to the Shurima Desert was indeed a wise decision," Little Annie said happily. "Not only did I meet a big brother, but I'll also get to see many formidable individuals. I can't wait to reach the ancient ruins and encounter those powerful experts!"
"Ha ha..." The little girl's innocent daydreaming brought a warm smile to Riven's face as she glanced at the silently brooding man, suggesting with a smile, "Mr. Xiao Mu Yu, I have a proposal that you might consider."
Casting a detached glance at Riven, Xiao Mu Yu coldly uttered a single word, "Speak."
"Ah... it's like this: our goals align perfectly, as we are all seeking the ancient ruins. I suspect that the ancient relics left from the age of ancient magic will contain numerous treasures, certainly sufficient to satisfy our collective needs. Since we have no conflicting interests, how about we form a small team together?" Riven suggested with a smile.
"We can search for treasures in the ancient ruins together, and should we encounter any dangers or adversaries, we can support one another, as the strength of a group surely surpasses that of an individual," Riven proposed cheerfully.
"Support... one another?" Xiao Mu Yu glanced at the duo across from him, considering the woman's friendly smile. After a moment of contemplation, he coldly stated, "I can forgo everything else, but if there is a Soul Locking Gem among the treasures, I must have it."
"Ah... the Soul Locking Gem?" Riven pondered for a moment and replied, "That's acceptable; if we do find a Soul Locking Gem among the treasures, I will ensure it goes to Mr. Xiao Mu Yu."
"Very well, then it's settled," Xiao Mu Yu extended his hand coldly, stating, "Pleasure doing business."
"Ha ha... Pleasure doing business," Riven replied with a light laugh, extending her hand as well.
As the two shook hands, Little Annie eagerly released Xiao Mu Yu's left hand and excitedly extended her small hand, "Me too! Me too!"
Casting a disdainful glance at the enthusiastic little girl, Captain Teemo scoffed, "Childish."
Extending his hand with an air of nonchalance, Teemo expressed his contempt for the excited little girl, embodying the demeanor of a composed adult.
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