NOVEL NEXT Book 5: Chapter 239: Question
Realizing he couldn’t shake Tadashi off, Wang Defa rolled over, arching his body and using his weight to try to crush Tadashi. He hoped that the pressure and the friction between Tadashi’s body and the ground would force him to let go.
However, Tadashi gritted his teeth, refusing to let go. No matter what Wang Defa did, he stayed latched on.
Slowly, he moved his hand to Wang Defa’s neck, gripping it tightly and choking him with all his strength.
“Damn it…”
Wang Defa realized he had made a grave mistake by exposing his back to an enemy far weaker than himself. However, it was too late to regret it. This would be his end if he couldn’t throw Tadashi off his back.
“Da… mn… it… you’re… co…ming… to… hell… with… me…”
Wang Defa fumbled to grab the steel pipe beside him and thrust it into Tadashi’s abdomen, repeatedly.
Tadashi didn’t make a sound, even as the pain coursed through him. His body was drenched in sweat, and he clenched his teeth, locking all the pain and any cries of agony deep in his throat.
Gradually, strength left Wang Defa’s arm. His attacks grew weaker and weaker until his hand finally fell limp, and the steel pipe fell to the ground with a clatter.
But Tadashi, knowing Wang Defa’s cunning nature, didn’t dare let go. He feared the man was only pretending to be dead, hoping Tadashi would release him.
That was until… “That’s enough, he’s dead.” Luna’s voice cut through the air as she appeared beside Tadashi.
“Is he… truly dead?” Tadashi asked, still slightly bewildered.
“When I say he’s dead, I mean that not even a real god could revive him.” Luna squatted down and carefully pried Tadashi’s stiff fingers off Wang Defa’s neck, one by one.
“That’s enough… You’ve done great.”
“I did…?” Finally, the teenager let out a whimper and began to cry, his face streaked with blood, snot, and tears.
Luna found herself momentarily doubting her earlier speculations. The blonde girl she remembered would never have cried. But in this moment, Tadashi was reacting like a normal teenager.
“Can you stand?” Luna casually shoved Wang Defa’s lifeless body aside and extended a hand toward Tadashi.
“Uh-huh,” Tadashi replied softly and grasped her hand tightly.
“Master Luna.”
“Hmm?”
“Uhm… Uhmm…”
“If you’ve got something to say, then spit it out. I’m sure you’re not the type to hold back, are you?”
“T-That… thing I said before—can I still do it when I grow up?”
“That thing? What thing?”
“The thing about marrying you!”
Luna paused for a moment, then looked at him in disbelief.
“You’re still not over that? Didn’t I tell you, a disciple chasing after their master is against the rules. You’ll become a laughing stock.”
“I don’t care about that!” the teenager insisted.
The incident had turned him from a boy to a young man, and his words now carried more weight.
Luna looked at Tadashi’s face, and something suddenly clicked in her mind.
“Master, would you agree to it when the time comes?”
“No.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“You’re still young. You’ll meet better girls as you grow. Why limit yourself to one person?”
“Who said I was going to limit myself to one person?” Tadashi curled his lip. “But meeting those girls doesn’t mean I can no longer pursue you, right, Master?”
Luna raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh, so now you’re thinking of playing the field?”
“What do you mean by playing the field?” Tadashi tilted his head, looking puzzled. “As the lord of an empire, isn’t it normal to have a harem? Don’t worry, Master. You’ll be the future queen, so you’ll be taking care of my harem. You should take this time to cultivate your heart to prepare yourself as a motherly figure that will lead my concubines.”
“Get lost, brat.”
“OWWWWWW.”
Luna laughed in exasperation, shaking her head.
The healing magic radiating from her palm suddenly intensified, causing Tadashi’s face to twist in pain.
Soon, Tadashi’s injuries were fully healed. He cradled the “Basic Overview and Introduction to Warriors” as if it were the most precious treasure, then tucked it safely inside his clothes.
He then approached Wang Defa’s lifeless body.
Though the hatred still lingered in his heart, he respectfully bowed with his palms together.
“May the dead rest in peace,” he murmured.
“You bury him. I’ll bury the other one.”
Luna turned toward the abandoned factory.
“Master,” Tadashi suddenly called out to her.
Luna turned back. “What? Is there something else?”
“You’re… not going to disappear suddenly, right.”
“Disappear?” Luna let out a chuckle. “Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“Because…” Tadashi bit his lip, fidgeting nervously like a young lady as he said, “Well, you appeared in front of me out of nowhere. I’m afraid you’ll just disappear just as suddenly too, Master.”
“People eventually have to part ways, don’t they?”
“You’re really leaving?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to say goodbye to you properly before I leave.” Luna reached out and gently patted Tadashi’s head, assuring him again, “I promise you, I will never leave without a word.”
“You’re still leaving, huh…?” Tadashi muttered quietly.
Deep down, he had already expected this long ago.
After all, Master Luna is an immortal from the celestial realm. She must have secretly descended to the mortal world, just like those curious fairies in the tales who loved walking among humans.
Unfortunately, this isn’t their home. One day, Master will return to her true home.
Seeing the dejected look on Tadashi’s face, Luna didn’t know how to comfort him. This was the reality—she couldn’t stay here forever.
“But… I’ll visit you often.”
“Really?” Tadashi’s eyes lit up again. “You better not be lying, a liar has to swallow a hundred needles!”
“I haven’t fallen that low to lie to a child,” Luna replied seriously.
Anyway, the exit from this world must lead to the small world. Even if she left, she figured she’d be able to find her way back here. The small world was controlled by the imperial family, and as a princess, it shouldn’t be difficult for her to access this world any time she wanted.
“That’s great!” Tadashi cheered like a child receiving a gift.
But as she watched him bounce around, that familiar blonde figure once again flashed in Luna’s mind.
Luna frowned slightly.
How strange. She isn’t the type to get so excited over something as small as this. Yet, why does Tadashi make me think of her again? What’s going on? Is my mind playing a trick on me because I miss her too much, or is he…
Harboring that doubt, Luna couldn’t keep it to herself any longer.
“Umm… Tadashi.”
“Huh? What is it, Master?”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure! I’ll answer anything Master asks, as long as it’s something I know.” Tadashi beamed a smile at her.
“So…” Luna paused, suddenly feeling a strange nervousness over what was, in essence, a simple question.
“Do you know this person…?”
“Who?”
“A girl with blonde hair.”
“Blonde? Where do we even get blonde hair around here? Did she dye her hair?”
“No, her hair is naturally blonde. Her name is…”
Luna met Tadashi’s clear gaze, speaking each word carefully.
“Lilith.”