Chapter 98: A Favorable Turn and a Gift
This was Lennon’s voice. Chen Rui also saw the guy’s face clearly. He really had a languid look. If he didn’t meet him last night, he wouldn’t have thought that this royal family was known as “Sloth” had a terrifying speed that was opposite of his name. Besides, the horrifying things weren’t just the speed.
Seeing Lennon slowly moved forward, Chen Rui couldn’t help but feel nervous: The most troublesome is this guy. The “Dark Will”’s <Transportation> function still requires more than 10 hours to recover. Deliberately falling into the hands of the bandits was just to delay them. Did they figure it out already?
Lennon examined Chen Rui slowly and a faint, strange glow flashed past his left eye. He curiously asked, “This... “sir”, we seem to have met somewhere?”
Chen Rui was secretly shocked: Currently, my <Hidden> ability is already activated. Does this Lennon have an extraordinary skill that can see through <Hidden>?
“Oh! Aren’t you that... who... from the Dark Moon City?” We seem to have drank wine together.” Chen Rui deliberately pretended to know Lennon. He was apparently trying to cotton up with him.
Lennon was stunned, and he actually laughed too, “Is it? No wonder you look so familiar. Did you bring that kind of alcohol this time?”
Culia at the side was a bit anxious: This human called Chen Rui is the key to redemption. When I was about to capture him back to interrogate or torture, Lennon come out to cotton up with him at this time. Isn’t this clearly messing up my plan?
Chen Rui went along the line. He acted close and asked, “You, aren’t you at the Dark Moon City? Why are you here?”
“Oh, this Sir Culia said that he’s here to capture someone. I heard that there’s a beauty here, so I come along to see...”, Lennon seemed to be explaining that today’s incident had nothing to do with him. When he mentioned beauty, he looked interested, “Can you tell me where the beauty is?”
Chen Rui certainly wouldn’t tell the truth, “She had some urgent matter, so she went back to the Dark Moon City early this morning. If you want to meet her, you can go to the Dark Moon to find her. By the way, since we are acquaintances, can we sort this out so that they won’t capture me?”
“It’s truly unfortunate. I really wanted to have a deep conversation with her.” Lennon shook his head regretfully; he clearly filtered Chen Rui’s last sentence.
Culia over there said impatiently, “That woman’s background wasn’t simple. Don’t get into trouble! Let’s go!”
“Her background isn’t simple?” Lennon’s eyes lit up and he asked very ignorantly, “Those more reputable the family she comes from, the more interested I am. If she’s married or is widowed, that’s the best. Can you tell me her name?”
Culia couldn’t bear it. As he was about to vent his anger, Lennon suddenly noticed something and looked up to the sky. He saw a small black shadow approaching and enlarging quickly.
It’s Kegu! Chen Rui’s heart suddenly sank; he finally couldn’t keep his calm anymore. It’s too unfortunate! Athena actually returns at this time!
Comparing both parties’ strengths, Chen Rui’s side was at an absolute disadvantage. Lennon alone had the ability to kill all of them. It seemed he could only risk his life. The only possible hope was to abduct Culia to see if there was a chance of living. However, Culia’s personal strength wasn’t weak at all. Moreover, Lennon wasn’t a member of the Red Devils. Would he care about Culia?
Lennon saw Chen Rui’s serious look and he grinned, “My friend, you seem to have lied to me.”
Soon, Culia also noticed Athena in the air. The wyvern flapped its wings and landed. All of the bandits looked anxious. The bows that were initially aiming at Chen Rui were now aiming at Kegu. Athena saw the tense situation, and she jumped off the wyvern’s back in the air with a greatsword appeared in her hands.
Athena disappeared in midair. In the blink of an eye, she appeared beside Chen Rui. Her greatsword was blocking before him, “Chen Rui, are you okay!?”
Strangely, Lennon who had been insisting to have a deep conversation with the beauty suddenly looked stunned after seeing Athena.
Athena also saw Lennon and blurted out, “It’s you!”
“Not me!” Lennon who had always looked languid, seemed a little nervous at this time. He turned and wanted to slip away, “Beauty, you recognize the wrong person! I still have something to do today. You guys can chat slowly...”
“Stand still!” Athena pointed at Lennon with her sword and shouted, “Roman! Asshole! I haven’t seen you for a few years, but I never thought you’d fall to be a bandit! If you have the guts, you can try to slip away again today.”
Roman? Is it the guy’s true name? Chen Rui was prepared to risk it all. He was greatly surprised by such a twist suddenly. Yet, he still gathered all his strength, preparing to launch an attack anytime.
“Lennon” who was exposed by Athena, paused, then he finally turned around and said with a smile, “Oh, look at my memory! It turned out to be Athena! I haven’t seen you for a few years and you’ve become more beautiful. I almost can’t recognize you! However, I have nothing to do with these bandits. I am just... just...”
“Athena, he really isn’t part of the bandits. He just wants to find a beauty to have a deep communication.” Chen Rui was really good at adding oil to fire.
“Hmph, you surely is still the same asshole...” Athena said coldly. “I must tell Delia.”
When Chen Rui heard Delia’s name, he felt a little familiar. Suddenly, he thought of the “back up plan” that Athena arranged for him in the black rainforest. He immediately understood a little. This Lennon or Roman and “Delia” were Athena’s acquaintance before she came to the Dark Moon.
“Are your farce over?” Culia interrupted the two’s “reminiscence” and looked at Lennon coldly... “Are you actually Lennon or Roman?”
“Should be... all of them. Generally, every time I change a place, I will change my name accordingly.” Lennon shrugged his shoulders and turned a blind eye to Culia’s cold gaze. Culia didn’t know Lennon’s true strength, so he said coldly, “No matter who you are, retreat now. Due to my respect for our leader, I won’t bicker with you on the matter just now! Human, follow me now if you’re tactful. Otherwise, I’ll kill half of the miners here!”
Before Lennon opened his mouth, Athena’s whole body was covered in flames; she instantly shifted into the battle form. She leaped high and slashed downward toward his head while yelling, “Shameless guy! Before you take Chen Rui, you have to ask the sword in my hands first!”
Culia knew Athena’s story, and he also knew that she was just promoted to Higher Demon, so he didn’t bother much. At most, he would use a little of his strength to kill or abduct this human without hurting the life of the empire’s First General’s daughter.
However, when Athena’s greatsword struck with a strong whistling sound, Culia’s face suddenly changed. He instantly activated his skill, and he had already appeared several meters away. Athena’s greatsword that was missed struck on the ground and made the ground suddenly tremble, causing a crack that was several meters long. The gravels were splashed around by the horrifying wind pressure. The centaur that stood the closest was scratched by the gravels. His rough face immediately bled.
That strike petrified the bandits; no one dared to move anymore. Culia was secretly scolding in his heart for the inaccurate information from the Dark Moon – Which dumbass said that Athena has recently promoted into middle-stage Higher Demon? With such a level of power, even if she’s classified as middle-stage Higher Demon, she’s still a significant existence!
Actually, after eating the devil fruit, Athena had reached the middle stage of Higher Demon. Then, she drank a full set of Eternal black potions. Even if the potion effects weren’t fully manifested, based on her power alone, no regular middle-stage Higher Demon could rival her.
Culia didn’t dare to neglect. A long-poled scythe appeared in his hand and his demonic fire was ignited instantly; he was ready for a battle now.
Athena easily pulled out the greatsword that was penetrated into the ground with one hand and slashed toward Culia again. Culia didn’t block directly, but he dodged. Athena’s swordsmanship was extremely high; she rotated her wrist along and swept like a lightning.
Although it was just the back of the sword, the force was overwhelming. If he was directly hit, he would probably end up with fractures.
Culia’s scythe was put forward and blocked that heavy hit. A low-pitched sound rang as the two bodies vibrated. They were actually equally matched.
That sound made the nearby bandits and miners groaned. They quickly covered their ears and stepped back to avoid being involved by the shockwave. Chen Rui also cooperatively covered his ears and moved backward. Yet, Lennon seemed to be very interested in him; he kept entangling on him.
Athena and Culia started a fierce battle. Sands and stones were flying around, and the sound of swords clashing constantly sounded. The surrounding was filled with exaggerated traces of destruction.
Lennon looked admired, and he nodded, “Athena’s strength improved so quickly! 3 years ago, she was only an Intermediate Demon. Now, she’s already at the middle stage of Higher Demon. However, she seems to have just acquired this strength; she is still unfamiliar in the control. Culia is also a middle-stage Higher Demon, and he seems to be still holding back. In your opinion, who do you think will win?”
Chen Rui knew that this guy must have some special ability. Lennon suspected that he was related to the cloaked man last night. He immediately shook his head and said, “They’re moving too fast. I can’t see clearly... However, I believe Athena will definitely win!”
“Your relationship with Athena seems to be not bad...” Lennon looked at the human with great interest. “Athena has a high standard; it isn’t easy to be her friend. For example, I or... you too? ”
Chen Rui nodded perfunctorily while paying attention to the battle between Athena and Culia.
Lennon glanced at Chen Rui’s hand that was hidden in his sleeve. Lennon took out a ring and said, “This is a magical equipment that I occasionally got in Town Leia. I’ll give it to you as a gift. Remember to say some good words for me in front of Athena later.”
Chen Ruil looked surprised and took the ring. He saw a purple jewel was embedded in it; it also had some odd engraving. He could clearly feel a faint energy movement.
“It’s just a simple thing; I hope you’ll take it.” Lennon watched as Chen Rui took the magic ring with his right hand. Lennon smiled, “You’re not going to wear it? My friend.”
Chen Rui moved his thought and extended his left hand. When Lennon’s gaze instantly focused on his ring finger, his eyes were flashing. Yet, his brow frowned. There was indeed a ring on the ring finger, but it wasn’t the secret treasure of a certain royal family. Instead, it was the most common lighting ring.
Chen Rui was long prepared. Knowing that Lennon had always been doubting him, so Chen Rui deliberately used the lighting ring to test him. Actually, Dark Will was kept in the storage. Now, he put the magic ring on his middle finger and smiled, “I truly appreciate your kindness. What special function does this magic ring have?” Lennon was puzzled in his heart, but as he heard that question, he suddenly smiled mysteriously and lowered his voice to say, “This is a good item that I got after a lot of effort. It’s called the infatuation ring. Not only can it improve the pleasure of both men and women during intercourse, the most important thing is that it can also enhance endurance. It is definitely a compulsory treasure to seduce the beauties!”
Chen Rui was stunned when he heard that: Lennon’s “gift of friendship” is actually such... “equipment”!