NOVEL NEXT chapter 29
29
Looking in the direction of Tina’s escape, Kevin, unable to contain his anger, turned and slapped Good across the face.
“Worthless, truly damn worthless! You, a fourth-tier, let a third-tier escape. When I return, I will make sure to report you severely to my father.”
“Yes, young master.”
Struck by the slap, Good clenched his fists in secret. Normally, a second-tier brat wouldn’t dare slap a fourth-tier mage. Even the original master, Lance, didn’t have the guts. But this family was an exception. Good was like a mute who had swallowed bitter herbs, full of suffering he couldn’t express. Dissatisfied as he was, he couldn’t possibly vent his anger on this young master.
Although Kevin’s family was only a viscountcy, one rank lower than Gu Ming’s family, Kevin’s father was a freak who had nearly reached the sixth tier. Moreover, Good himself still carried the poison administered by Kevin’s father in his body. Therefore, before doing certain things, he had to consider his own life and sighed at the thought of the punishment that awaited him upon returning.
“Damn it, you b*tch! If I ever see you again, I’ll make sure you pay.”
Even now, Good could still hear that lord’s furious curses. Knowing Kevin well enough, Good understood that this time Kevin was genuinely frightened by Tina and wanted to mask his inner unease and weakness with rage.
…
Having escaped some distance away, Tina casually leaned against a tree at her feet and sat down on the muddy ground taking deep breaths. Looking at her right shoulder wounded by fire snakes she slowly pulled out a bottle of low-grade recovery potion from her space backpack and gulped it down directly. The potion gradually took effect but its impact was minimal indicating how severe her injuries were. Seeing no improvement in her condition Tina sighed deeply before drinking down Fairy Tears in one go. As Fairy Tears slowly flowed into her body she felt warmth all over; even the wound on her right shoulder finally began to heal visibly.
Minutes later not only did Tina’s wounds heal but also appeared smoother and more delicate; even the brown fur on her tail became sleeker as she unknowingly advanced to fourth tier. a testament to Fairy Tears’ powerful effects as a natural fourth-tier magical potion.
After healing from injuries Tina didn’t rush for revenge due to extensive mental exhaustion from days of fighting which required rest and adjustment of condition.
Surveying around briefly Tina walked towards a nearby mountain peak swiftly unsheathing her sword blade continuously striking Star Rain towards its base causing rocks to scatter quickly forming a cave entrance.
Once formed using what little wind magic she possessed left over debris were blown out making way for temporary residence inside which satisfied with this makeshift dwelling entered laying herself onto stone bed mumbling “Big brother where are you?”
…
On Gu Ming’s side after battle in Gelmud he redoubled efforts searching for both Mia and Tina though not overly concerned about their safety given an unexpected gift received shortly after arriving at academy. a lantern capable of checking their physical states.
Item: Destiny Lantern (Note: Only important game characters can use this item which can only roughly indicate direction not perfectly track location) This item is self-binding usage method: Important game characters can drop blood into center creating flame brighter
“You’ve picked a narrow path today, kid. Hand over everything valuable you’ve got, including your points. We don’t want to get our knives bloody today, so be smart and don’t make us resort to violence,” said the man on the right.
“Exactly, kid. Make it easy on yourself before you have to face my wrath,” added another burly man.
Gu Ming was momentarily speechless. A fourth-tier and two third-tiers trying to rob him? Did his fifth-tier aura not stand out enough? He hated this kind of low-skill robbery the most. Oh, it seemed his aura had automatically concealed itself; no matter then.
Gu Ming looked at the trio and asked curiously, “Hey there, what are your names? What gang are you with? Do tell.”
“It seems we’ve encountered a fellow professional,” whispered the man on the left to his companion in the middle.
“Let’s ask him first then,” agreed both men with nods after a brief discussion.
The middle strongman replied, “I am Mountain Cannon; here is my second brother Steel Cannon on my left and my third brother Iron Cannon on my right. We’re known as ‘The Dashing Trio,’ and I’m ‘Dashing.'”
Steel Cannon quickly added: “I’m ‘Trio.'”
Iron Cannon hesitated as all eyes turned to him; his face turned beet red as he awkwardly fumbled for words like someone trying to dig out a three-room apartment with their toes.
“I am… Pressuring… people.”
After Iron Cannon managed to spit it out, Mountain Cannon took a deep breath as if relieved he was still considered the leader.
“And may I know who you are?” asked Mountain Cannon cautiously.
Clearing his throat confidently Gu Ming declared: “I am Monkey D. Luffy from Straw Hat Pirates aspiring to become King of Pirates.”
“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you,”
At that moment, Tiepao tugged on Shanpao’s arm and whispered,
“Big brother, do you really know the Straw Hat Pirate Gang?”
“What Straw Hat Pirate Gang? Never heard of them. But if I didn’t say that, wouldn’t it seem like we’re not professional enough?”
“Oh, big brother is brilliant!”
“Keep it down, keep it down. This kid probably just joined some small-time group; nothing to worry about. Besides, your big brother is a fourth-tier; what’s there to fear?”
With this thought, the three of them suddenly regained their confidence and reverted back to their original arrogant demeanor.
“Kid, since you’re in the same line of work as us, we can leave something for you to take with you. Don’t be ungrateful.”
Gu Ming looked at them with a playful smile.
“You must be their leader; come with me and I’ll give you the item.”
“Mm-hmm, very sensible.”
Gu Ming smiled slightly and calmly walked into a nearby bush. Shanpao followed confidently behind him while giving his brothers an expression that seemed to say ‘watch this’.
Watching their leader follow Gu Ming into the bushes led Tiepao and Gangpao to start chatting.
“Gangpao,” said Tiepao disdainfully. “I tell you what. I hate pretty boys most of all. If that pretty boy wasn’t our colleague today I would have robbed him down to his underwear!”
Gangpao responded without hiding his feelings either: “Second brother let me tell ya. I feel exactly the same way! Those female students at school always go after pretty boys. what’s so good about them? They’re so frail they look like they could blow over in a breeze. not an ounce of manliness in them.”
“Yeah exactly! Oh look. they’re coming out now.”
Both turned towards where Gu Ming was walking ahead while Shan Pao followed behind singing ‘Happy Birthday’.
“Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday…”
Tie Pau looked puzzledly at his own elder brother before asking first,
“Big brother, what are you guys doing…”
But before Shanpao could respond, Gangpao pressed him urgently.
“Big brother, are you really my own brother? We’re robbing to celebrate his birthday? I’ve always thought there was something off with your brain. Has your epilepsy flared up again? Do you even know how to rob? Maybe I should take over as the big brother and show you what a real robber looks like.”
Gu Ming looked at Gangpao teasingly.
“Oh, so you think you’re brave?”
Gangpao replied disdainfully,
“Of course. My big brother is an easy fool to trick, but not me. I am a top-notch robber.”
Gu Ming nodded at his words without further comment and simply said,
“Follow me.”
Confidently, Gangpao followed Gu Ming into the bushes without giving them another glance as if to say watch my moves.
Shanpao was already displeased with his tone earlier and naturally did not remind him in secret; his eyes filled with disdain as he waited here to see this rebellious younger brother make a fool of himself.
After reaching the bushes with Gu Ming, Gangpao continued mockingly unaware of his impending fate.
“I’m telling you, I’m not the idiot my big brother is. I am a true elite robber. Even if heaven falls today, I will rob you.”
Gu Ming wasted no words and immediately unleashed his fifth-stage aura which frightened Gangpao into kneeling on the ground weakly.
“Elite? What damn elite! I beat elites!”
“Oh no! Big Brother, I was wrong! Please don’t kill me! My old mother and little brothers depend on me for their livelihoods… Please… Big Brother this isn’t right; I’m scared…”
The familiar cold weapon appeared again; Gu Ming held a brick in his right hand and swiftly made it clear what would happen next. within minutes Gangpao had indeed turned into a sorry figure as he wished for.
Following Gu Ming out while mumbling that birthday song under his breath,
“Happy Birthday… Happy Birthday…”
As the familiar tune played out Shan Piao and Tie Piao turned their heads only to burst out laughing at seeing him in such a state; Shan Piao mocked further saying “So this is your elite? Ha ha! Truly an ‘elite’ indeed.”
After the laughter subsided, even the simple-minded Tie Pao recognized the situation and willingly handed over his possessions and points.
“Big Brother, please accept this. It’s a token of my respect for you.”
Gu Ming pretended to be hesitant.
“This doesn’t seem right. It makes me feel like I’m extorting you. I’m a person of high standards who dislikes forcing others. I generally prefer to win people over with virtue.”
Seeing Gu Ming’s refusal, Tie Pao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
“No, no, no! Big Brother, how can this be compared to coercion? These are gifts in admiration of your charismatic personality. Please don’t reject them or else I’ll be heartbroken.”
“Alright then, I’ll reluctantly accept it.”
Gu Ming continued to feign difficulty in accepting until he pocketed the items and then patted Tie Pao on the shoulder as if imparting wisdom.
“You’re not bad at all. From early on, I thought you had great potential due to your broad perspective – and indeed you do!”
“Big Brother is right! All thanks to your wise guidance,”
Tie Pao revealed a row of white teeth in an honest smile.
“Brown-noser times two!”
Two bystanders muttered disapprovingly under their breaths until Gu Ming turned his gaze towards them causing their souls to shiver in fear.
“What are you two whispering about? Learn from him instead! You call yourselves big brothers but don’t even have as much vision as your younger brother – isn’t that embarrassing?”
The two dared not retort and nodded furiously; what they truly thought remained unknown.
“Big Brother is correct; we will learn well,”
“Mm… children can…”
Just when Gu Ming was about to continue speaking he suddenly felt that the flame within him related to Tina had dimmed considerably which made him panic; with a flash, he disappeared from the spot.