Chapter 73: Encounter
“So, Yuehai, what are your thoughts on being ranked first on the Half-Flower Ranking?” Mo Bei asked, setting down his pen. Yuehai furrowed her brow.
“I don’t have much to say about it. I’d just be thankful if it could be removed.”
“I see,” Mo Bei said, as if he had suddenly realized something, muttering to himself as he wrote: “The modesty of Goddess Yuehai is commendable. Despite achieving first place on the Half-Flower Ranking, she remains humble and indifferent to rankings. This fearless and free-spirited attitude is truly admirable, and we should all learn from her.”
Yuehai suddenly felt very unwilling to talk to this person. Why did her words seem to turn into something else once written down? Clearly unsatisfied, Mo Bei continued, “Yuehai, can you tell us who your favorite person is?”
“Who’s your favorite person? I don’t really have anyone I particularly like,” Yuehai went through her mind, realizing that indeed, there wasn’t anyone she liked in particular. At most, there were feelings of goodwill or dislike. This response seemed to catch Mo Bei off guard, but years of experience in the workplace allowed him to quickly change tack and ask, “Then, who do you most want to see?”
“I don’t have anyone in particular I want to see either.” If there were truly someone, it wouldn’t be a person but a monster named Pandora.
Mo Bei’s heart sank slightly. As expected of the first on the Half-Flower Ranking, she was indeed a tough nut to crack. In that case, he had to pull out all the stops.
“So, Yuehai, let me ask one last question. Of course, this is just the last question for today. If we happen to meet again, I’d be more than happy to interview you.”
“I’m willing? I’m far from willing,” Yuehai couldn’t help but inwardly criticize the other person. Since earlier, he had been twisting words and turning simple matters into lengthy discussions. He seemed to have a taste for pontificating.
Before Yuehai could even finish her thoughts, Mo Bei threw out the final topic: “So, Yuehai, if you had to choose between Tyr and Claude, who would you choose?”
Yuehai finally realized what was going on. This bastard of a journalist from the news department was actually asking which person she loved. But she’s a guy! How could she possibly like a guy? Whether it’s herself or Claude, she would definitely choose neither.
“Alright, tell me who you choose, Yuehai,” Mo Bei looked at Yuehai expectantly. However, she raised her hands, conjuring two fireballs. “I choose death.”
””Wait, wait, wait, Yuehai, don’t get too excited. I know this question is still too advanced for you, so we’re not in a hurry. You can take your time to think it over. Even if it’s next month, next semester, or even next year, we can wait. And be careful with your choices because the person chosen will undergo the initiation of the Yuehai Goddess Fan Club. Alright, alright, alright, I’ll leave right away, so stop chanting third-level spells.”
Intimidated by Yuehai’s terrifying aura, Mo Bei hastily fled and disappeared into the crowd in the blink of an eye.
Yuehai couldn’t help but sigh, “Who is this person? If Mo Bei keeps blabbering, Yuehai guarantees to throw a Level Three Fireball Spell at him.” Oh well, it’s all just fleeting. I should say, after being tossed around by Mo Bei like this, I don’t feel as heavy-hearted as just now. Let’s go back, Damiyala and the others are still waiting for me.
On the way back, Yuehai unexpectedly encountered several familiar figures. Not only them, it seemed that some conflict had occurred in this area, as everyone was gathered there.
Yuehai skillfully maneuvered through the crowd and made his way to the front, only to see a man wearing the distinctive attire of the Vermilion Bird people confronting a young man in a tailored suit.
“What’s going on?” Yuehai couldn’t help but wonder. It wasn’t because she enjoyed getting involved in others’ affairs, but rather because she knew this Vermilion Bird person. The key was that the person Yuehai saw was named Zhang Ling, a follower of Damiyala and also a master of ancient martial arts who could change appearance. This ability to change appearance was crucial, as Yuehai, being a Tyr, couldn’t always wear a mask. After what happened with the guild leader, Yuehai realized she couldn’t afford to be complacent anymore. Any hint of vulnerability would be magnified in the eyes of the wise, exposing her completely. Therefore, dealing with Tyr’s matter was urgent. Even if Yuehai hadn’t encountered Zhang Ling now, she would have sought him out soon.
Upon reaching Neruko’s follower, Zamasia, Yuehai couldn’t help but ask amidst the crowd, “What’s going on?”
Upon hearing this, Zamasia appeared puzzled and asked, “Miss, are you…?”
“I am Yuehai.”
“Lord Yuehai…” Zamasia’s voice was a bit loud. Yuehai was about to remind him to be quiet, but this clever servant had already lowered his voice and softly said, “Is the veil on Lord Yuehai’s head the Veil of Deception?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“This thing is quite popular among noblewomen. Many important figures wear it when they go out. Miss Neruko used it a few times, but she later found it too uncomfortable to wear and secretly threw it away,” Zamasia’s words made Yuehai suddenly realize. Then, she returned to the main topic and asked, “What’s going on? Is Zhang Ling having a confrontation with someone?”
“Well, it’s not really a big deal. It’s just that there was a verbal altercation in the tavern earlier, and when they came outside, the argument escalated, resulting in the current situation.”
“A quarrel?” Yuehai couldn’t help but become even more puzzled. Was Zhang Ling the type to enjoy arguing with others? Damiyala was very gentle, and it was unlikely that she would choose an attendant with a fiery temper. So Yuehai shifted her gaze to the burly figure of Karaoke, who was bare-chested like a small mountain. He noticed the gaze and slowly turned his head, then displayed a thoughtful expression. Zamasia said, “This is Lady Yuehai.”
Upon hearing this, Karaoke relaxed the ferocious muscles on his face and nodded slightly. “Karaoke, did Zhang Ling really start a fight because of an argument?” Karaoke nodded slightly. Although he couldn’t speak due to his throat, it didn’t hinder the communication between him and Yuehai. Yuehai received confirmation from him, contemplating the situation. “Could Zhang Ling really have been provoked into getting angry?” What kind of insults could have caused the usually peaceful Zhang Ling to engage in a brawl in the middle of the street?
Hey, Zhang Ling’s opponent quickly responded to Yuehai’s query, saying, “Hey, Ling, no offense, but someone as talented as you shouldn’t be following that Damiyara person just because she’s pretty. Looks aren’t everything these days. We rely on strength, skill, and intelligence. Ling, you’ve got it all. Why fear anything? Don’t become a lackey for someone like that. It’s much better to be the master yourself. Ah, I really feel sorry for you.”
