Chapter 417: 417: Untimely Reunion (Part 4)
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"I was fooled," Yang Nina started after a moment of mustering her courage back. "Some...classmates coerced me to "go out and have a fun night" with them while our teachers don't have their eyes on us."
"And where are these classmates of yours now?" Han Taiyi asked, eyes narrowing.
"We got separated even before the attack happened. I was left behind while they said to go grab more snacks." She said, ashamed.
Ashamed of what, exactly? Ashamed that she was fooled by the people she thought she could trust? Or that she didn't heed to the warning those two strangers at the alley gave her? The alarming buzzing sound at the back of her head when those three classmates woke her up from sleep just to invite her on a nightly excursion?
Lillie wanted to throttle someone. Specifically those particular classmates. Whoever they are, they better pray it won't be Lillie who'll personally see through their punishments. But knowing who Yang Nina's grandfather is, she'll let him have the honor.
Yang Nina, ah, Yang Nina. How could you be so trusting? Haven't you learned your lesson the first time in the final exam?
"So it's like that? Little girl, those classmates of yours left you alone in a den of wolves to die, ah!" Li Yifei said after she and Gabriel finished off the rest of the Demons who went after their elder siblings' friends..
They rejoined the group and heard enough for Li Yifei to piece the puzzle together with what her classmates did.
"Is that true?" Hearing that it was Yang Nina's classmates—teenagers, people her age—who deliberately put her in danger and probably wanted her dead, Han Taiyi held her shoulders and made the young girl face her. She fussed over her junior sister with wide, concerned eyes and knitted eyebrows.
How could they be so heartless? What did her sweet Xiao Nina ever do to invoke their ire and elicit a pernicious reaction? This was already the second time. Were there more similar cases? Before Yang Nina came to the academy, or while she and Chu Lizheng weren't with her?
Was the reason as shallow as because she's Grandmaster Yang's granddaughter and she hence receives subtle partiality from him?
Being subjected to their looks of concern and pity, Yang Nina's heart clenched. She couldn't hide her face with Han Taiyi grasping her shoulder to keep her in place. She could only cast her head down to avoid it while she felt her eyes sting and moisten.
Lillie noticed how Yang Nina struggles to fight her tears back and decided to distract her two fretting seniors.
"Seeing as you are struggling to leave, why don't you allow us to lead you to safety?" Saying this, she was successful in getting the Heaven students' attention, albeit not completely.
"Although it's a generous offer, I hope you forgive our discourtesy and understand why we can't readily accept to follow strangers, considering the situation." Chu Lizheng explained softly.
Regardless of whether this group helped them out with pest control, you can't blame them for being wary. As far as he'd observed, these four are anything but simple.
The actions may be discreet, but Chu Lizheng noted how none of the white-clad Demons are attacking them and how they seem to be fending off those who come too close to them ever since these four showed up.
He came to a conclusion that they're most likely White Bird Demons of high rank.
"I see why you're apprehensive. Your worries are perfectly reasonable." Lillie said amicably with a disarming smile.
"I'm glad this benefactor understands." Chu Lizheng nodded.
"But you have to admit, it's still better than staying here like livestock in a slaughterhouse waiting for imminent death. Furthermore, the longer you dawdle and waste the opportunity, the more your health falters. You three need treatment right away."
Yang Nina wasn't the only one who was injured and bleeding. And she didn't have it at worst. After all, it was the two Heaven students who were protecting her and diminishing the Demons she fights.
They can pretend to look unaffected all they want, but their actual state wouldn't escape sharp eyes.
It was a difficult decision to make. Would they take the risk of trusting this stranger, whose intention they know nothing whether it's true or not? Or stay here and wait for death to come knocking, as their benefactor oh-so-kindly juxtaposed that of livestock in a slaughterhouse?
"If we wanted you three dead, you would be by now." Ethan pointed out.
"We're made aware." Chu Lizheng replied evenly.
"Between the two choices, ours weighs heavier on the good side. Wouldn't you say so?" If his elder sister wanted them safe, then Gabriel would help out persuading them to follow. "We promise that we have no ulterior motive aside from getting you out of here to safety."
"Excuse my bluntness, but why are you insistent in helping us? Why do this much for us? As far as I'm aware, we don't know any of you, and you know we're Soaring Dragon students. Our relationship with the Underworld is…unflattering. Killing us would bring merit to your names.
"Hah! Killing you three would hardly benefit us. We don't need such tactics to elevate our fame when we're already well-known. If we're still novices, then I admit 'defeating' Soaring Dragon students is some sort of rite of passage. But we're not novices anymore. So, your luck." Li Yifei rubbed her nose with a mild air of arrogance.
"I don't think saying that helps ease their mind." Gabriel sighed.
"What is it that you truly want from us?" Chu Lizheng pressed.
"You really don't expect us to believe that you're helping us out for the sake of helping, do you?" Han Taiyi resisted the urge to grit her teeth, the pain from her injuries was becoming more and more unbearable as time wore on.
But they have to endure until they're certain these benefactors of theirs are to be trusted.
"Does everything have to come with a benefit? Couldn't the answer be indeed as simple as wanting to help?" Lillie noticed their increased agitation. Earning someone's trust is a difficult feat to achieve that needs a considerable amount of patience and empathy.
"Do you, of all people, really believe that?" Han Taiyi challenges.
"Heh, I admit it's wishful thinking. But I have my reasons for wanting to help without ulterior motives."
"Can't that reason be shared with us? Considering that we're the ones being subjected to it?"
Lillie sighed in her mind, tired of making excuses. "So stubborn. How about we settle with me saying we're doing a favor for some good friends?"
Han Taiyi frowned. "And those are?"
"Can't tell. It's a matter of life and death." Lillie said it so casually that the two Heaven students almost brushed it aside.
Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng's guarded expressions wavered faintly.
That wording was a coincidence, right? They can't be talking about them, right?
"Let's go." Without waiting for the onslaught of questions making a ruckus in their minds, Lillie took off with Yang Nina in her arms.
Not having a choice but to follow, the two Heaven students found themselves running through the sea of chaos. It was then they noticed the pathway being created for them by the White Bird Demons.
This action couldn't have solidified their suspicions any better.
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"I was fooled," Yang Nina started after a moment of mustering her courage back. "Some...classmates coerced me to "go out and have a fun night" with them while our teachers don't have their eyes on us."
"And where are these classmates of yours now?" Han Taiyi asked, eyes narrowing.
"We got separated even before the attack happened. I was left behind while they said to go grab more snacks." She said, ashamed.
Ashamed of what, exactly? Ashamed that she was fooled by the people she thought she could trust? Or that she didn't heed to the warning those two strangers at the alley gave her? The alarming buzzing sound at the back of her head when those three classmates woke her up from sleep just to invite her on a nightly excursion?
Lillie wanted to throttle someone. Specifically those particular classmates. Whoever they are, they better pray it won't be Lillie who'll personally see through their punishments. But knowing who Yang Nina's grandfather is, she'll let him have the honor.
Yang Nina, ah, Yang Nina. How could you be so trusting? Haven't you learned your lesson the first time in the final exam?
"So it's like that? Little girl, those classmates of yours left you alone in a den of wolves to die, ah!" Li Yifei said after she and Gabriel finished off the rest of the Demons who went after their elder siblings' friends..
They rejoined the group and heard enough for Li Yifei to piece the puzzle together with what her classmates did.
"Is that true?" Hearing that it was Yang Nina's classmates—teenagers, people her age—who deliberately put her in danger and probably wanted her dead, Han Taiyi held her shoulders and made the young girl face her. She fussed over her junior sister with wide, concerned eyes and knitted eyebrows.
How could they be so heartless? What did her sweet Xiao Nina ever do to invoke their ire and elicit a pernicious reaction? This was already the second time. Were there more similar cases? Before Yang Nina came to the academy, or while she and Chu Lizheng weren't with her?
Was the reason as shallow as because she's Grandmaster Yang's granddaughter and she hence receives subtle partiality from him?
Being subjected to their looks of concern and pity, Yang Nina's heart clenched. She couldn't hide her face with Han Taiyi grasping her shoulder to keep her in place. She could only cast her head down to avoid it while she felt her eyes sting and moisten.
Lillie noticed how Yang Nina struggles to fight her tears back and decided to distract her two fretting seniors.
"Seeing as you are struggling to leave, why don't you allow us to lead you to safety?" Saying this, she was successful in getting the Heaven students' attention, albeit not completely.
"Although it's a generous offer, I hope you forgive our discourtesy and understand why we can't readily accept to follow strangers, considering the situation." Chu Lizheng explained softly.
Regardless of whether this group helped them out with pest control, you can't blame them for being wary. As far as he'd observed, these four are anything but simple.
The actions may be discreet, but Chu Lizheng noted how none of the white-clad Demons are attacking them and how they seem to be fending off those who come too close to them ever since these four showed up.
He came to a conclusion that they're most likely White Bird Demons of high rank.
"I see why you're apprehensive. Your worries are perfectly reasonable." Lillie said amicably with a disarming smile.
"I'm glad this benefactor understands." Chu Lizheng nodded.
"But you have to admit, it's still better than staying here like livestock in a slaughterhouse waiting for imminent death. Furthermore, the longer you dawdle and waste the opportunity, the more your health falters. You three need treatment right away."
Yang Nina wasn't the only one who was injured and bleeding. And she didn't have it at worst. After all, it was the two Heaven students who were protecting her and diminishing the Demons she fights.
They can pretend to look unaffected all they want, but their actual state wouldn't escape sharp eyes.
It was a difficult decision to make. Would they take the risk of trusting this stranger, whose intention they know nothing whether it's true or not? Or stay here and wait for death to come knocking, as their benefactor oh-so-kindly juxtaposed that of livestock in a slaughterhouse?
"If we wanted you three dead, you would be by now." Ethan pointed out.
"We're made aware." Chu Lizheng replied evenly.
"Between the two choices, ours weighs heavier on the good side. Wouldn't you say so?" If his elder sister wanted them safe, then Gabriel would help out persuading them to follow. "We promise that we have no ulterior motive aside from getting you out of here to safety."
"Excuse my bluntness, but why are you insistent in helping us? Why do this much for us? As far as I'm aware, we don't know any of you, and you know we're Soaring Dragon students. Our relationship with the Underworld is…unflattering. Killing us would bring merit to your names.
"Hah! Killing you three would hardly benefit us. We don't need such tactics to elevate our fame when we're already well-known. If we're still novices, then I admit 'defeating' Soaring Dragon students is some sort of rite of passage. But we're not novices anymore. So, your luck." Li Yifei rubbed her nose with a mild air of arrogance.
"I don't think saying that helps ease their mind." Gabriel sighed.
"What is it that you truly want from us?" Chu Lizheng pressed.
"You really don't expect us to believe that you're helping us out for the sake of helping, do you?" Han Taiyi resisted the urge to grit her teeth, the pain from her injuries was becoming more and more unbearable as time wore on.
But they have to endure until they're certain these benefactors of theirs are to be trusted.
"Does everything have to come with a benefit? Couldn't the answer be indeed as simple as wanting to help?" Lillie noticed their increased agitation. Earning someone's trust is a difficult feat to achieve that needs a considerable amount of patience and empathy.
"Do you, of all people, really believe that?" Han Taiyi challenges.
"Heh, I admit it's wishful thinking. But I have my reasons for wanting to help without ulterior motives."
"Can't that reason be shared with us? Considering that we're the ones being subjected to it?"
Lillie sighed in her mind, tired of making excuses. "So stubborn. How about we settle with me saying we're doing a favor for some good friends?"
Han Taiyi frowned. "And those are?"
"Can't tell. It's a matter of life and death." Lillie said it so casually that the two Heaven students almost brushed it aside.
Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng's guarded expressions wavered faintly.
That wording was a coincidence, right? They can't be talking about them, right?
"Let's go." Without waiting for the onslaught of questions making a ruckus in their minds, Lillie took off with Yang Nina in her arms.
Not having a choice but to follow, the two Heaven students found themselves running through the sea of chaos. It was then they noticed the pathway being created for them by the White Bird Demons.
This action couldn't have solidified their suspicions any better.
"I was fooled," Yang Nina started after a moment of mustering her courage back. "Some...classmates coerced me to "go out and have a fun night" with them while our teachers don't have their eyes on us." "And where are these classmates of yours now?" Han Taiyi asked, eyes narrowing."We got separated even before the attack happened. I was left behind while they said to go grab more snacks." She said, ashamed. Ashamed of what, exactly? Ashamed that she was fooled by the people she thought she could trust? Or that she didn't heed to the warning those two strangers at the alley gave her? The alarming buzzing sound at the back of her head when those three classmates woke her up from sleep just to invite her on a nightly excursion?Lillie wanted to throttle someone. Specifically those particular classmates. Whoever they are, they better pray it won't be Lillie who'll personally see through their punishments. But knowing who Yang Nina's grandfather is, she'll let him have the honor.Yang Nina, ah, Yang Nina. How could you be so trusting? Haven't you learned your lesson the first time in the final exam?"So it's like that? Little girl, those classmates of yours left you alone in a den of wolves to die, ah!" Li Yifei said after she and Gabriel finished off the rest of the Demons who went after their elder siblings' friends.. They rejoined the group and heard enough for Li Yifei to piece the puzzle together with what her classmates did."Is that true?" Hearing that it was Yang Nina's classmatesteenagers, people her agewho deliberately put her in danger and probably wanted her dead, Han Taiyi held her shoulders and made the young girl face her. She fussed over her junior sister with wide, concerned eyes and knitted eyebrows.How could they be so heartless? What did her sweet Xiao Nina ever do to invoke their ire and elicit a pernicious reaction? This was already the second time. Were there more similar cases? Before Yang Nina came to the academy, or while she and Chu Lizheng weren't with her?Was the reason as shallow as because she's Grandmaster Yang's granddaughter and she hence receives subtle partiality from him?Being subjected to their looks of concern and pity, Yang Nina's heart clenched. She couldn't hide her face with Han Taiyi grasping her shoulder to keep her in place. She could only cast her head down to avoid it while she felt her eyes sting and moisten.Lillie noticed how Yang Nina struggles to fight her tears back and decided to distract her two fretting seniors."Seeing as you are struggling to leave, why don't you allow us to lead you to safety?" Saying this, she was successful in getting the Heaven students' attention, albeit not completely."Although it's a generous offer, I hope you forgive our discourtesy and understand why we can't readily accept to follow strangers, considering the situation." Chu Lizheng explained softly.Regardless of whether this group helped them out with pest control, you can't blame them for being wary. As far as he'd observed, these four are anything but simple.The actions may be discreet, but Chu Lizheng noted how none of the white-clad Demons are attacking them and how they seem to be fending off those who come too close to them ever since these four showed up.He came to a conclusion that they're most likely White Bird Demons of high rank."I see why you're apprehensive. Your worries are perfectly reasonable." Lillie said amicably with a disarming smile. "I'm glad this benefactor understands." Chu Lizheng nodded. "But you have to admit, it's still better than staying here like livestock in a slaughterhouse waiting for imminent death. Furthermore, the longer you dawdle and waste the opportunity, the more your health falters. You three need treatment right away."Yang Nina wasn't the only one who was injured and bleeding. And she didn't have it at worst. After all, it was the two Heaven students who were protecting her and diminishing the Demons she fights.They can pretend to look unaffected all they want, but their actual state wouldn't escape sharp eyes. It was a difficult decision to make. Would they take the risk of trusting this stranger, whose intention they know nothing whether it's true or not? Or stay here and wait for death to come knocking, as their benefactor oh-so-kindly juxtaposed that of livestock in a slaughterhouse? "If we wanted you three dead, you would be by now." Ethan pointed out. "We're made aware." Chu Lizheng replied evenly."Between the two choices, ours weighs heavier on the good side. Wouldn't you say so?" If his elder sister wanted them safe, then Gabriel would help out persuading them to follow. "We promise that we have no ulterior motive aside from getting you out of here to safety." "Excuse my bluntness, but why are you insistent in helping us? Why do this much for us? As far as I'm aware, we don't know any of you, and you know we're Soaring Dragon students. Our relationship with the Underworld isunflattering. Killing us would bring merit to your names."Hah! Killing you three would hardly benefit us. We don't need such tactics to elevate our fame when we're already well-known. If we're still novices, then I admit 'defeating' Soaring Dragon students is some sort of rite of passage. But we're not novices anymore. So, your luck." Li Yifei rubbed her nose with a mild air of arrogance. "I don't think saying that helps ease their mind." Gabriel sighed. "What is it that you truly want from us?" Chu Lizheng pressed. "You really don't expect us to believe that you're helping us out for the sake of helping, do you?" Han Taiyi resisted the urge to grit her teeth, the pain from her injuries was becoming more and more unbearable as time wore on. But they have to endure until they're certain these benefactors of theirs are to be trusted. "Does everything have to come with a benefit? Couldn't the answer be indeed as simple as wanting to help?" Lillie noticed their increased agitation. Earning someone's trust is a difficult feat to achieve that needs a considerable amount of patience and empathy. "Do you, of all people, really believe that?" Han Taiyi challenges. "Heh, I admit it's wishful thinking. But I have my reasons for wanting to help without ulterior motives.""Can't that reason be shared with us? Considering that we're the ones being subjected to it?" Lillie sighed in her mind, tired of making excuses. "So stubborn. How about we settle with me saying we're doing a favor for some good friends?"Han Taiyi frowned. "And those are?""Can't tell. It's a matter of life and death." Lillie said it so casually that the two Heaven students almost brushed it aside. Han Taiyi and Chu Lizheng's guarded expressions wavered faintly. That wording was a coincidence, right? They can't be talking about them, right? "Let's go." Without waiting for the onslaught of questions making a ruckus in their minds, Lillie took off with Yang Nina in her arms. Not having a choice but to follow, the two Heaven students found themselves running through the sea of chaos. It was then they noticed the pathway being created for them by the White Bird Demons. This action couldn't have solidified their suspicions any better.
