Firefly Journey

Chapter 304 The World's Attack on Chu (14)

Lin Yuanran's landing point was very strange, so strange that even he himself found it strange.

In the empty grove, he saw a pair of eyes as soon as he appeared.

Those eyes were blue, like the sky, like the sea, and like wind chimes.

That's her. How did she end up here?

Lin Yuanran had imagined seeing her again a thousand times in his mind, in scenes such as the library, the theater, the classroom of Class 29, the barren mountain outside Yicheng, and the vegetable garden in front of the small house in his hometown.

The only thing I didn't expect was that it would happen after the assassination attempt failed.

When he was setting up the spatial nodes, he made sure there was no one nearby.

The sudden appearance of a living, breathing girl greatly shocked him. But after a brief moment of surprise, he was filled with immense joy. He had missed this girl dearly for the past three years, and now that she was standing right before him, how could he not be overjoyed?

"You...I...that..."

Lin Yuanran, who is not usually introverted, was speechless for the first time in front of someone. His face turned a little red, and he was at a loss for what to do.

"Pfft".

The wind chimes laughed.

Fengling doesn't laugh easily, not because she doesn't like to laugh, but because there are very few jokes or happy things that can make her laugh from the bottom of her heart.

Throughout the years she has occupied this body, she has always considered herself a traveler who should not have any connection with this world.

But more than three years ago, after she visited a small town deep within the principality, it seemed that her connection with this world had to be strengthened.

That silver-haired boy who liked to wear braids was quite different from everyone else. Many times, he made her forget that he was from this world, and she enjoyed being around him.

True friendship is hard to find, like the harmony between mountains and flowing water. In his presence, the wind chimes can be their most authentic selves.

Whenever she met the eyes of the boy—no, now the old boy—she would deliberately remain indifferent. The reason was simple: since she was just a tourist, after seeing the scenery, she couldn't just steal a flower; that wouldn't be right for anyone.

Extinguish the spark before it even ignites, so that things don't get out of control.

"It's been three years, why are you still stuttering?"

Her voice was as beautiful as ever, like a kite flying far away in spring, or an iced cola brought over by her mother in summer—it's been years since I've had it, and I've almost forgotten what it tastes like.

It's a pity I don't know the recipe, otherwise I could brew it...

Not every time traveler is a science and engineering student with extensive knowledge. After arriving in a completely new world, they carry out industrial reforms, become kings and conquerors, reach the pinnacle of life, and leave behind an immortal legend.

Unfortunately, she was only a 16-year-old girl when she came into this world, not even finished her studies, so how could she know so much? Otherwise, she would have liked to emulate Catherine the Great or Queen Elizabeth—how prestigious that would have been!

Lin Yuanran's dazed mind cleared up a bit: "Reuniting with an old friend, I'm a little tongue-tied."

"You're curious why I'm here, aren't you?" Wind Chime began to explain, "You know, I certainly wouldn't stay quietly in the tent, that would be too boring."

I just happened to come out alone, just happened to come to this forest, and just happened to encounter the spatial node you left behind. Don't wonder why I could sense it; I'm very familiar with your magical energy fluctuations.

Lin Yuanran nodded. That made perfect sense.

"I lied to you."

The wind chime suddenly grinned and laughed even louder.

Lin Yuanran opened his mouth wide: "Huh?"

The wind chime raised its right hand, and when it opened, a small gray clay figure sat on it.

"It's true that I can sense your magical fluctuations, but only within a very small range. It was this that brought me here."

"Actually... next time you can tell me using the 'heavenly book', there's no need to be so surprised."

“You set up the spatial node here, and considering your previous statement about assassinating Mond Toby, I thought you must have been fully focused on the mission at the time. Activating the Ancestral Artifact would have distracted you, and what if he killed you because of it?”

"It's alright, it's already failed..." Lin Yuanran smiled awkwardly, "That old dog Mond is a master at escaping. Although I got close to him, he managed to get away with it."

“Once is never enough. Shall we do it again?” Fengling raised an eyebrow.

Lin Yuanran was taken aback and said, "You mean..."

"I'll help you."

"I'll help you," these simple words left Lin Yuanran completely puzzled.

You are indeed a saintess, but the master of the Dark Temple is the temple master, and above that are the gods in the Dark Goddess Kingdom. You, a mere saintess, probably don't have the authority to break the alliance with the Fighting Arena, do you?

Seemingly noticing Lin Yuanran's confusion, Fengling continued, "Hantina, oh, Temple Master, she said I am fully responsible for this alliance meeting. In other words, whether the Temple cooperates with the Fighting Arena depends entirely on what I do."

"This..." To be honest, Lin Yuanran was quite surprised. He didn't expect that Feng Ling had such a great deal of influence in the temple.

"Why...why are you helping me?" Lin Yuanran asked softly.

It's impossible for someone to help another person for no reason, especially something so important. Even though they are classmates and good friends, it shouldn't be this kind of thing.

Lin Yuanran boldly guessed, "She likes me?"

In an instant, the thought was suppressed. Impossible. She had never shown it before. There must be another reason.

really--

"Helping you is only part of the story. Don't forget, I'm also a member of Class 29, and a student of Cassius. He's working hard for peace on the continent, so shouldn't we do our part?"

Although Lü Jianming is unreliable and I've always found him annoying, we were classmates after all. I couldn't just stand by and watch his country fall apart.

Lin Yuanran was slightly disappointed.

"As long as you won't be punished by the Temple, then let's discuss the action plan?"

"Is there any need to discuss it?"

"what do you mean……"

"Presumably, the appearance of the Papacy's 'Dawn' cavalry outside Luotuo City wasn't simply to help attack the White Cloud Mountains, was it?"

Lin Yuanran would not hide anything: "Just like the Temple Master's feelings for you, His Holiness the Pope seems to have a special fondness for me. He has given me free command of the two cavalry units that came to the alliance meeting this time, and he does not question me."

There were some details Lin Yuanran didn't mention, namely the reason the Pope did this—it might be the instigation of a deity. That concerned his own secrets, and he didn't yet know whether it was good or bad, so he certainly couldn't involve Feng Ling.

Lin Yuanran extended his hand: "We're on the same path again."

Looking at his slightly rough hands, Fengling deduced a lot. She figured he must have wielded the "Darkness Ritual" quite a few times in the past three years.

Feng Ling casually placed her hand on it; the texture was rough, somewhat like old tree bark, just like the one in front of his old home.

"After my assassination attempt, Mondstadt is probably searching the world for assassins now and won't be attacking the White Cloud Mountains for the time being. In a few hours, the Dawn Cavalry will arrive, and Chu's predicament will begin to reverse from this moment on," Lin Yuanran said.

Their hands overlapped for a few seconds before separating, and the wind chime said:

"It's getting dark, a perfect time to kill. You probably don't need me to save you now."