Chapter 672: 108. Despicable Blood Stealer_3
Chapter 672: 108. Despicable Blood Stealer_3
However, although she had escaped the calamity involving all Phoenixes within the Wutong Tree, she could not escape the greed of the Humans under the protection of her mother, the Moon Princess. The Turand Family seized the descendant of the Moon Princess, coveting the noble Phoenix Bloodline, but due to the gap in Reproduction Rank, they could never successfully bear offspring. Therefore, they made a pact with a Demon From the Abyss, inheriting the Phoenix Bloodline at a steep price and gaining the ability to peer into the future through the Ice.
And here, another question was answered: the events within the Wutong Tree were targeted at all Phoenixes, and the terrifying curse was born after the dissolution of the Phoenix Species and was stubbornly seeking the last Phoenix Bloodline that was scattered in the outside world and punishing the Six Clans. Now, most of the problems in the Northern Realm were clear, except for what exactly happened inside the Wutong Tree, which remained a mystery.
“Sorry, I was too harsh. I should not have doubted your loyalty to Valentina… It’s just that I’m curious. When those Nali people came over, it was your best opportunity. You could have easily helped them take me away from Valentina’s side back to Nali, never again to aid her.”
Ms. Heidlin had always been responsible for conveying orders and messages within Snowflake Fortress, caught in the middle. For the Turand Family, she had to ensure as smooth a progress as possible toward the Wutong Tree, at least on the surface; for Valentina, she had to hide secrets that could shatter the poor young lady’s worldview deep inside her heart, without letting her reach the Wutong Tree.
So, based on Fisher’s contributions on the Southern Ocean island where the Ice Scroll was kept, coupled with his delivering a Grey Bird Species scroll upon joining the team, Heidlin had gone to great lengths trying to remove Fisher from the team.
Upon hearing Fisher’s words, Heidlin, with tears streaming down her face, lifted her head to look at him resentfully and said,
“I should have done that… But I didn’t want to end your life. I could tell that the Nali people had ill intentions toward you, and going back to Nali would definitely not bode well for you. That’s why I didn’t say anything earlier. But don’t get me wrong, I wish you were tens of thousands of miles away from Valentina and never came back, even if… even if it means using my body as bait…”
Fisher sighed and rubbed his temples, completely unexpected that the Turand Family had such deep and murky waters behind them. Although Heidlin’s words were already concise, using one’s brain, it became clear that the Turand Family was even more cold-blooded and utilitarian than those Slimes… Not to mention more outrageous than any exploration company, making Fisher, a Nali, feel utterly ashamed.
“You, woman, although not the brightest, having someone like you by Valentina’s side is truly a stroke of luck amidst her misfortune… Stand up when you speak?”
He extended his hand to Heidlin, who, exposed of her true intentions, no longer wore the seductive expression of before. She glanced carefully at Fisher before her and only after a second did she gently grasp his warm hand, struggling to rise,
“Don’t expect me to thank you. If you dare tell Valentina any of this, I swear I’ll fight you to the death, that’s a promise.”
“With your constitution, so weak you can’t even cry without gasping for breath, a fight with me would be futile. You might as well bash your head here and frame me for murder; it would be more effective… You’ve probably been up worrying about Valentina and haven’t rested properly, right?”
“Mind your own business. Anyway, now that you know everything, surely you don’t have the gall to stick around. Even if you deliver Valentina into the Wutong Tree, the Turand Family won’t thank you. She will only meet a tragic end, and you will get your comeuppance!”
Heidlin’s eyes still red, tried to shake Fisher’s hand off upon hearing his words but failed miserably due to her lack of strength. Before she could attempt a second time, Fisher sighed and let go of her hand first, telling her,
“The current problem is, based on the deception by the Turand Family and those close to her, her own desire to find the Wutong Tree to cure her hereditary illness is much stronger than you might think. Now she’s only two Seals short. Do you think I will leave her side and that she will give up?”
“It’s all your fault. Without you, there wouldn’t suddenly be all these Seals. I was almost livid watching you and those three Slimes that night!”
Fisher’s expression turned odd, and as he looked at the angry Heidlin before him, he suddenly asked,
“So that night, your foul mood was because we found the Slime Species, not because Valentina and I had a secret night meeting?”
“What else? I knew that all the Slimes had left the Northern Realm, and the family was quite troubled by it. Who knew three idiot Slimes hadn’t left and that you would just happen to bump into them? What kind of luck do you have?”
Fisher couldn’t help but laugh wryly as he sat on the bed, speaking to Heidlin,
“Just hold on a moment, don’t interrupt me, but listen carefully to what I have to say next, even if it might sound similar to what Helldor or Valentina’s parents are thinking… You and I both know that the source of Valentina’s curse lies in the Wutong Tree, and even if she doesn’t go there, she won’t live past twenty. But if we can lift the curse within the Wutong Tree, there’s a chance she could live beyond twenty. I think, whether it’s Helldor or her parents, they’re gambling on this slim chance.”
“Resolve the curse, just by…”
“I did solve it once before, didn’t I? Can’t you trust me just once, when you trusted me so much to help Valentina reach the Wutong Tree before?”
Looking at Fisher, whose face bore a smile, Heidlin, for some reason, suddenly blushed a little. Perhaps it was just the flush from crying.
“Pah, how can I trust you… If you fail, not only will Valentina, you’ll also…”
“Ah, this, I know…”
Fisher’s smile remained unchanged, his tone actually quite relaxed as he turned his head to look out the window. The Mia snowstorm was still raging outside in the quiet sunlight, casting a bit of shadow over his upturned smile, giving it a bitter tinge.
Erwin wished to reach the Myth by using the curse within the Wutong Tree; I must go there to resolve both him and the curse, thereby solving the menace of Erwin and helping Valentina break the curse on her bloodline… If I back down a million steps, even for that foolish woman Renie, who has been missing for so long, if there’s even a sliver of a clue there, I must go.
As for my own life, perhaps it’s something to consider after taking ten million steps back.
“There’s no need to worry, just don’t cause me trouble afterward.”
Heidlin was taken aback for a moment, then snorted coldly and began to wipe away the makeup stained by tears on her face, then resolutely walked towards the door. Seeing that she didn’t reply, Fisher asked,
“Ms. Heidlin, if you don’t speak, shall I take it as your agreement?”
Heidlin’s footsteps out of the room paused for a second before her voice reached back,
“Neither you nor Valentina better die because of the Wutong Tree. If Valentina and someone like you die in the Northern Realm, I’ll feel guilty for making this decision for the rest of my life.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Drop dead.”
Heidlin turned back and glared at Fisher angrily, then spat at him before pushing the door open and leaving Fisher’s room.
Leaving Fisher alone in the room, pondering, with Emhardt perched hawk-eyed on his shoulder,
“Should I add her to the ex-girlfriend list?”
Emhardt asked such a question.
“…”