บท 30: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [30]
He was about to use his silver tongue to convince her to stop, but it was clear that Shenhe had no intention of backing down. Her spear techniques were relentless, chaining one move into the next. Without using elemental power or his "Spirit Speech," Luo Qing found it surprisingly challenging to hold his ground.
"Lord Luo Qing, should we...?"
Ovilia hesitated, uncertain whether to aid Luo Qing or retreat.
"Just go. Don't worry about me."
Luo Qing barked his command while fending off Shenhe's assault.
"I understand, Lord Luo Qing!"
Ovilia needed no further urging. Relieved to see Luo Qing's self-sacrifice, he and his team turned and bolted for the cave's entrance.
"How dare you steal the Adepti's artifacts?! You won't get away!"
Seeing her master's inventions being carried away, Shenhe's rage flared. Ignoring Luo Qing, she pivoted and charged at Ovilia's retreating group.
Luo Qing moved to intercept, but Shenhe swiftly formed a hand seal.
"Divine Edict!"
A talisman burst apart, and a spectral figure resembling Shenhe herself appeared, blocking Luo Qing's path.
"Oh, come on..."
Seeing Shenhe poised to impale Ovilia with her spear, Luo Qing watched her graceful leap through the air and muttered to himself.
"Well, you can't blame me for this…"
He shut his eyes briefly. When they opened, they were glowing with a golden slit-pupil light.
Sprit Speech: Time Zero
Suddenly, the entire cavern seemed frozen. Everything—Shenhe, her specter, even the very air—moved as if in slow motion.
Within this domain of "Time Zero," only Luo Qing could move freely.
With a swift leap, he closed the distance to Shenhe mid-air.
Stretching out his hand, he scooped her up and slung her over his shoulder, sprinting toward the depths of the cave.
Meanwhile, Ovilia, who had been bracing for Shenhe's strike, was stunned to see both his superior, Luo Qing, and the attacking woman vanish in an instant. The Adepti specter dissolved into ice crystals.
"What just happened...?"
Confusion flickered across Ovilia's face, but his survival instincts kept him running. After all, this was the domain of an Adeptus, and neither he nor his fellow soldiers stood a chance against such beings.
Lord Luo Qing, at least, was a Harbinger-in-training.
He should be able to hold his own, right?
Deep Within the Cave
Shenhe felt the world spin around her. A pressure gripped her waist, and before she could react, she was standing face-to-face with the thief she'd been fighting moments earlier—in the deepest part of the cavern.
And she was still slung over his shoulder like some maiden captured by a mountain bandit...
"Scoundrel!"
A flush rose to Shenhe's cheeks as she drove her knee into Luo Qing's back, breaking free and leaping back. Holding her spear at the ready, she regarded him warily, replaying the events in her mind.
She'd been just a moment away from striking down the thieves stealing her master's creations. How had this man suddenly carried her to the back of the cave?
There hadn't been any signs of a teleportation formation...
She glanced at the cave entrance, knowing that if she wanted to pursue the fleeing intruders, she'd have to deal with this man first.
"Ghostly Soul, follow the decree!"
With another talisman, Shenhe summoned the spectral figure again, icy energy swirling around her. The specter and Shenhe both readied their spears, eyes fixed on Luo Qing.
The blue glow of her Vision flared as a massive surge of Cryo energy enveloped her weapon.
Shenhe and the specter darted in from opposite sides, their spears aimed straight at Luo Qing.
Yet, just as they closed in, Shenhe noticed something—Luo Qing's eyes had changed. The originally dark irises had shifted to a searing gold, like molten sunlight.
In the next instant, he vanished, reappearing behind her. Her attack had been effortlessly evaded.
Shenhe froze, cold fury flashing in her eyes. The red ropes binding her body seemed to tremble, barely holding back the raging bloodlust within her.
"She's really mad now..."
Luo Qing thought, feeling a pang of guilt. He hated when women got angry—it was always tricky to handle. One wrong word, and the situation would only escalate.
"Miss Shenhe, how about we stop fighting for a moment and let me explain?" he offered, trying to sound reasonable.
"Explain? Hmph! There's nothing to explain, you rogue!"
Shenhe's voice dripped with disdain as the Cryo energy around her surged even higher.
After exchanging blows twice, she understood that Luo Qing possessed some sort of high-speed movement ability—so fast that even her eyes couldn't track him.
If her spear couldn't hit him, she'd freeze the entire cave and see where he could hide.
She stepped forward, and a concentrated burst of Cryo energy erupted from her. In an instant, everything around Shenhe began to freeze, ice spreading rapidly in all directions.
"Oh no... she's really using her ultimate move now."
Luo Qing winced. This massive Cryo attack was going to be troublesome. If he got too close, he'd end up encased in ice. If he retreated, Shenhe might catch up with Ovilia's team.
"Guess it's time to try... this."
Still within the domain of "Time Zero," Luo Qing flicked his fingers. A tiny spike of Geo energy formed in the shape of a pebble, and he flicked it towards Shenhe's forehead.
The force was precisely measured—just enough to disrupt her concentration without causing any harm.
There was a faint thud.
Shenhe's head jerked back, a tiny red mark blooming on her forehead.
Her spell fizzled, the spreading ice abruptly halting.
"You... you scoundrel..."
Shenhe's eyes widened at the small rock on the ground before glaring at Luo Qing.
[+1 Frustration from Shenhe]
[+1 Frustration from Shenhe]
[+1 Frustration from Shenhe]...
This frustration meter was basically an anger gauge. Watching the numbers climb, Luo Qing's heart sank.
The way Shenhe was staring at him... it was as if she wanted to crush him into dust.
Luo Qing took a deep breath, then spoke in a calm tone.
"Miss Shenhe, I admit, grabbing your waist was out of line. Can we call it even and be friends now?"
Shenhe said nothing. Her response was to hurl her spear at him with all her might.
Luo Qing sidestepped effortlessly.
Missed.
Dodged.
Easy.
...
The spear clattered to the ground. Shenhe didn't make any move to retrieve it, instead standing still like a sulking child. The two of them just stood there, staring at each other, neither making the next move.
Although Shenhe was inherently hot-tempered, it didn't mean she was foolish. Through their brief exchanges, she'd come to realize the truth—this man's strength far exceeded her own.
If he truly wanted to, she'd be at his mercy.
They remained locked in a silent standoff for a while.
Finally, Luo Qing decided enough was enough. He cleared his throat and spoke.
"Miss Shenhe, I apologize for any offense today. The next time you visit Liyue Harbor, I, Li Feiyu, will make amends properly!"
With that, he activated "Time Zero" once more and vanished from the cavern.
Leaving Shenhe alone, standing in the cave's depths, lost in thought.
---
T/N: That dastardly Li Feiyu struck again!
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