Chapter 77: Chapter 77
Through a long passage, they finally entered the adeptus's dwelling.
The entire abode maintained its appearance from a thousand years ago.
From walls to furniture, everything remained as Nathan remembered.
"Huff..."
The crane dozed at the stone table, undisturbed by their barrier-breaking.
"Nathan... what should we do?"
In this strange dwelling, Shenhe felt uneasy.
She sensed Nathan's emotions, filled with deep nostalgia.
"Cloud Retainer's napping, let's wait for her to wake!"
Living together so long, Nathan knew the adeptus's habits.
Sure enough, after waiting quietly, the crane awakened.
"Uwah!"
She made a cute yawn upon waking.
Spreading white wings, the adeptus stretched lazily.
But midway, Cloud Retainer noticed her relaxed pose had an audience.
"Little girl, who are you?"
She warily eyed Shenhe, or rather her crimson greatsword.
Its ominous aura gave Cloud Retainer the same feeling as Xiao.
"I'm Shenhe!"
Unlike her animated talks with Nathan, Shenhe responded coldly to others.
"How did you enter?"
Cloud Retainer thought Shenhe forced entry, but couldn't understand how without waking her.
"Opened the switch, walked in!!!"
Shenhe waved dismissively, accurately describing Nathan's method.
"Impossible, how could you solve this one's arts!"
Cloud Retainer fluttered down beside Shenhe.
"..."
Shenhe remained silent.
"I don't believe you, show me again!!!"
The crane created a glowing barrier mid-air.
She watched intently, doubting her careful work could be easily broken.
"Shenhe, do this... then that..."
But Cloud Retainer never imagined Nathan guiding Shenhe.
If she knew, she'd cry
Knowing the counters, Nathan just taught Shenhe.
Following his instructions, she solved Cloud Retainer's challenge.
"What???"
Cloud Retainer felt deeply shocked.
"Little one, let this one see who you are!"
Now interested in Shenhe, matching Nathan's plan.
Only capturing the tsundere adeptus's attention would ease apprenticeship.
"Hmm, excellent aptitude and insight, strong exorcist bloodline..."
A quick examination revealed Shenhe's qualities.
"But this crimson sword radiates ill omens!"
"No, it's my treasure!!!"
Hearing criticism of the sword felt like criticism of Nathan.
Shenhe hugged it, rolling her eyes at the adeptus.
"This aura, this description... you're the Mount Tianheng incident survivor?"
Cloud Retainer identified Shenhe's origin.
After the cave incident, like in-game, Jueyun Karst's adepti noticed the spirit-monster's aura.
But arriving too late, they only got villager's descriptions of Shenhe.
Cloud Retainer regretted missing her, now she appeared voluntarily.
"That's my past self, cut away by this sword!"
Shenhe raised the sword - with Nathan, past hardships meant nothing.
"Shenhe, avoid using such mind-affecting power!!!"
Cloud Retainer advised seriously.
Noticing Shenhe's emotional shifts when raising the sword, she blamed its influence.
"No... without him, I'd be in the monster's belly!"
Shenhe shook her head vigorously.
Without Nathan, Cloud Retainer wouldn't see current Shenhe.
Abandoning Nathan's power was impossible for her.
"You... suit yourself!!!"
Strongly rebutted, Cloud Retainer fell silent.
Both waited for the other to speak.
"Shenhe, don't rush, wait for Cloud Retainer!"
Knowing the tsundere adeptus, Nathan knew she'd break first.
He mentally advised Shenhe, wanting to see his former master cornered.
After silence, as Nathan predicted, the crane spoke first.
"This one sees your excellent aptitude, want to become this one's disciple!!!"
"I...."
Shenhe showed reluctance.
The premonition returned - accepting apprenticeship meant losing Nathan.
This feeling kept her silent.
"Despite appearances, this one is very capable..."
Cloud Retainer's tone grew urgent.
"....."
"If you doubt, let this one demonstrate... first, your lonely destructive fate, harming those close."
"Destructive fate?"
Similar to villager's "ill-starred child."
"To prevent your fate harming others, this one gifts you..."
Before securing apprenticeship, Cloud Retainer invested.
From her wing came a thin red string.
"Red string binds souls, controlling your killing intent..."
Shenhe took it, feeling her turbulent heart calm.
But examining it, she sensed another purpose.
[Red String of Fate, when worn binds the destiny between wearer and bearer.]
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