bookbashuk Chapter 85: Should we travel first or fight the Flame of No Form? Traveling first leads to an encoun
Chapter 85: Should we travel first or fight the Flame of No Form? Traveling first leads to an encoun
Chapter 85: Should we travel first or fight the Flame of No Form? Traveling first leads to an encounter with thugs, and Inazuma's situation is in dire straits.
The outlying islands are considered the gateway to Inazuma, and now they are also an essential route for merchants to conduct business in Inazuma.
However, there was absolutely no need for Chen Bo and his two companions to stay on the outlying island.
The three floated above Inazuma, with rows of cherry blossom trees and scattered farmland beneath their feet. In the distance, the outline of the Shadow Mountain was faintly visible in the thin mist.
The sea breeze, carrying the salty scent and the faint fragrance of cherry blossoms, brushed against my cheeks.
"Alright, we now have two choices." Chen Bo stopped, turned to his companion, and said, "Do we go take care of business first and capture that 'Formless Flame,' or do we go on vacation?"
After Chen Bo finished speaking, Ke Lai subconsciously looked down at her new light green dress, with delicate rose and four-leaf clover patterns on the cuffs. It was a beautiful dress, of course she should go on vacation.
Moreover, I've been really busy in the rainforest these past few days.
She really wanted to help, to be an asset to Chen Bo and senior Farusan, but—but the scenery and cherry blossoms of Inazuma are so beautiful.
Kolei said somewhat awkwardly, "Um—Anil, Senior Falushan—can we—take a look around first? Let's rest for a bit before capturing the Flame of the Impermanence?"
Cole's voice was cautious, like a little rabbit wanting to peek out of its burrow but afraid of disturbing others.
Farussan wanted to say that they should go and complete the mission first, but as soon as Cole spoke, Farussan immediately shut up and let Cole finish speaking.
To be honest, everyone has been on edge lately.
Chen Bo, that guy, is either hanging out at the Order Institute or running off to the rainforest in the middle of the night, making a racket. He's always out early and back late, I don't know what he's up to.
Kolai has been helping Tinari clean up the dead zone for the past few days and hasn't had a break.
Even he himself stayed up for several nights to translate the novel.
To be honest, I really should take a break.
Yes, as a senior, it is only natural to care about the physical and mental health of juniors.
"Ahem! I was going to suggest we finish the capture mission first." Farusan cleared her throat. "However, considering that you two have been working too hard lately and your poor mental state might affect the success rate of the mission."
"As your senior, I also need to consider everyone's condition, so I've decided to take a vacation first."
One person, one vote; so, the two votes have already decided on the vacation.
Chen Bo chimed in, "Then let's go to Inazuma City first, and I'll pay for everything along the way."
Cole's eyes lit up: "Then let's go."
After a brief discussion, the group decided on their vacation itinerary.
"First, let's go to Inazuma Castle. I'll submit the novel manuscript to Yaedo, and Kora can also buy a few copies to read. Then, we can go to the Wooden Casket Tea House to try some local snacks, and then find a hot spring to relax. Finally, we'll go to Narukami Shrine to pray for blessings, and then go to fight the Flame of the Impermanence."
The basic route has been determined.
The three descended and removed their armor in a small grove of trees near Inazuma Castle.
The Eye of God has some storage space inside, but it's not large enough to hold three sets of armor and two hundred floating cannons.
Chen Bo disassembled his armor, dividing it into two parts, and handed them over to Farusan and Cole for safekeeping.
Most of the floating cannons are hidden in the woods.
The three then proceeded along a path leading to Inazuma Castle.
When Ke Lai first wore wooden clogs, she walked unsteadily and was extra careful, afraid that she would fall down, like a kitten that had just learned to walk.
Chen Bo wasn't used to it either.
Farusian naturally reached out and took Cole's hand.
"Follow my lead, these shoes need to be adapted to Inazuma's unique walking style."
Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. Farusan is so knowledgeable that she could be used as a portable treasure.
Chen Bo also learned from Farusan and quickly mastered the skills.
Just as we emerged from the woods and onto a wider dirt road, a rustling sound suddenly came from the grass on both sides.
"Whoosh—!"
Six ragged, emaciated men emerged from the bushes, carrying rusty iron knives and sharpened wooden sticks, and surrounded the three men's path.
The leader was a fairly robust-looking man, but his complexion wasn't very good.
His gaze swept greedily over the three women's glamorous attire, lingering particularly on Farussan and Cole for a moment before finally swallowing hard.
"Stop!" He pointed his rusty iron knife at Chen Bo and shouted fiercely, "This road is mine, and this tree is mine!"
"If you want to pass, leave some money behind!"
Ke Lai was startled by the scene and instinctively shrank back behind Chen Bo: "Is the security in Inazuma really that bad?"
We shouldn't be far from the main city now.
A scholarly scrutiny and displeasure flashed in Falusanne's eyes.
These are clearly residents. Was the lockdown order really that impactful on Inazuma?
Refugees who had become outlaws also appeared near the main city.
Chen Bo narrowed his eyes.
Chen Bo immediately saw through these people's background. It was uncertain whether these people had eaten yesterday; only a group of five or more would dare to come out and rob someone.
The lockdown edict had a more severe impact on ordinary people in Inazuma than the eye-hunting edict.
It's truly difficult for ordinary people to live like this, and there's no need to make their already difficult lives even worse.
Chen Bo did not intend to make a move. Instead, he pretended to be panicked, his body trembling slightly, and he shielded Farusan and Cole behind him, like a wealthy old man who was powerless to kill a chicken.
"No, no, don't do it! Heroes, let's talk this out!"
As he spoke, he reached into his robes, pulled out a heavy money bag, and carefully handed it over, his voice trembling with emotion: "Good sir, here is ten thousand moras, all our possessions. Consider it a token of our respect for you all while you drink tea."
.
"Please, please let my family of three go! We're just businessmen passing through. Please don't frighten my wife and child!"
The words "wife" and "children" exploded in Fiona and Cole's minds like two thunderbolts.
Farusian's cheeks flushed instantly.
Although we live together, we're not husband and wife yet.
You bastard, how dare you have such improper thoughts about your senior?
However, come to think of it, it seems like I was the one who invited him to move in.
However, now is not the time to refute, and Farusan can only acquiesce for the time being.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ke Lai was initially bewildered, then looked down at herself, then at her senior, Farusan, and Chen Bo in front of her.
Wife—children?
So, if Senior Falusan is the wife, then I am—that "child"?
Her cheeks began to burn, and in the end she could only bury her head low, staring at her toes, thus accepting the role of "daughter".
The gang leader snatched the money bag, weighed it in his hand, and the heavy weight made him overjoyed, his mouth agape.
"Hahaha! You're smart to know what's good for you!"
"With this money, we can finally buy rice."
But his gaze quickly returned to Farussan and Cole.
These two women are so beautiful! Their skin is so smooth and supple, you can't tell who is the mother and who is the daughter at all.
Moreover, the fabric of their clothes looked very expensive.
This family definitely has more than 10,000 Mora on them.
The greed in his eyes grew even stronger.
He leaned close to a skinny, monkey-like man next to him and whispered, "Third brother, haven't you been complaining about not having a wife for almost thirty years? Look at this older one, how about taking her home as your wife? This younger one, we can raise her for a couple of years and sell her for a good price! Kill this man, and we'll take the woman home!"
A flicker of struggle crossed the eyes of the skinny monkey known as the third brother.
However, the expressions of the others behind them changed.
One of the older men immediately stepped forward and said urgently, "No! We agreed that we only wanted money, not lives! They've already paid, let's let them go."
"Ten thousand moras is enough for us to eat for a month. Let's let them go."
"Yes, Brother Jingtian, let them go after you take the money!" the other two chimed in.
"Idiots!" the bandit leader cursed, spitting as he spoke. "What do you know! These three guys are obviously rich; they have way more than ten thousand moras on them. With Inazuma in this state, and rice prices changing daily, if we don't act ruthlessly, we'll all starve to death sooner or later!"
"Let's do it."
At the leader's command, only two people hesitated before stepping forward.
Greed overwhelmed the last shred of conscience.
The two men exchanged a glance, tightened their grip on their knives, and their eyes gradually turned fierce.
The three men, armed with knives, approached Chen Bo and his two companions step by step.
Three big ones.
However, the other side had two girls, and the robber leader believed he was certain of victory.
The three who objected retreated painfully to the side, unable to bear watching any longer.
"I'm leaving my wife to you, husband—but I'm just a scholar, not good at fighting!"
Chen Bo didn't have the Eye of God; he was just an "ordinary person," so he hid directly behind Farusan.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Because they were wearing new clothes, neither Farusan nor Cole's Eye of God was exposed, so they didn't see it.
The bandit leader, seeing this, laughed so hard he almost fell over. "What a coward! Little lady, don't follow such a wimp. Come with me instead, and I'll guarantee you'll live the high life!"
However, the laughter had not yet subsided.
The wind started to blow.
"What an impolite person."
Farusan didn't draw her weapon; she simply snorted and lightly traced a line in the air with her slender fingers.
call-!
A visible vortex of wind pressure appeared out of nowhere, like an invisible giant hand slamming down on the bandit leader at the front!
"Ugh!"
Before the three could even react, the immense force caused their knees to buckle and they were forced to the ground.
Kolai used grass elements to weave ropes and tied the three people up.
Dealing with three hungry residents wasn't that difficult.
The three realized they had met their match and immediately begged for mercy.
"Heroine, spare me! Grandma, spare me!"
"We were blind to your greatness! We'll never do it again!"
After some "friendly" questioning, the truth quickly came to light.
Just as Chen Bo had predicted, they were residents of nearby villages and some small vendors. Due to the lockdown, rice prices had skyrocketed, jobs were hard to find, and business was difficult. Unable to survive, they were forced to resort to robbery. A few men in the village discussed it and decided to go out and rob people.
It was originally agreed that they would only rob people of their money.
Chen Bo took out the money bag he had just given away from the tied-up leader's arms, and without even looking at it, threw it directly to the three men.
With a "clink," the money bag landed at their feet.
The three of them were stunned.
"I have a kind heart, but I don't pity the wicked." Chen Bo's voice was calm: "You three still have some bottom line. Take this 10,000 Mora, but don't rob me again."
The three men kowtowed repeatedly to Chen Bo and Farusan, expressing their gratitude profusely. Then they picked up the money bag and ran away without looking back.
Finally, Chen Bo's gaze fell back on the three bound robbers.
He walked up to the leader, who was filled with murderous and lustful thoughts, and kicked him hard in the stomach without hesitation.
"puff--!"
The leader let out a muffled groan, his whole body curling up like a shrimp in pain.
Chen Bo then delivered a heavy kick to each of the other two guys who had harbored wicked intentions.
"If the family standing here today were just an ordinary wealthy merchant family, they would probably be ruined and their wives and daughters would be humiliated."
"Therefore, I have no pity for you. I hope this lesson will teach you a lesson you won't forget."
After saying that, he stopped looking at the people groaning on the ground and turned to Farussan and Cole, saying, "Let's go."
Cole cautiously asked, "Shouldn't we...shouldn't we arrest them and send them to...to that place called the Heavenly Commander?"
Last night, Ke Lai learned about the trip to Inazuma and also looked up some information.
Chen Bo shook his head and said, "No need, we're here on vacation. A lesson for those few will suffice."
Enter Inazuma Castle.
Farusan crossed her arms and nudged Chen Bo: "Just now, someone called out quite smoothly."
"Wife"? Hmm?
Chen Bo paused for a moment, then casually replied, "Oh, I just made up an identity on the spot."
"Speaking of which, senior Farusan is really young. They seem to have no idea who is the wife and who is the daughter, hahaha."
Chen Bo said, and Ke Lai whispered, "Um—if it's just for disguise, I—I'd be fine with being her daughter—"
She touched her nose, her voice trailing off, "Although Anil is my junior, he takes good care of me, just like Master Tinari—"
No, I was just saying it offhand, you don't have to take it so seriously.
"Ahem! Sorry, sorry!" He could only laugh awkwardly as he explained, "I was just saying it offhand. We're not spies who came to Inazuma to infiltrate, just tourists. There's no need to pretend."
"Hmph." Farusan snorted and took a step forward, standing in front of Chen Bo, saying, "In Inazuma, a country that is closed off from the world, it is still necessary for us to maintain a facade."
"However, this family identity needs to be changed."
She held up a finger, pointed to herself, and then pointed to Chen Bo and Ke Lai.
"From now on, I am a mother."
"6
"You two are 'siblings'."
"After all," she said with a "kind" smile, emphasizing each word, "at my age, I'm old enough to be your great-grandmother! You, a disciple who disrespects your elders!"
Chen Bo: "————"
So this is what you're really focused on!
Because I am a senior, the identity I pretend to be must also be that of a senior.
Okay, let's show some respect for the elderly.