Chapter 58 Chapter 59 Deception
Returning to the Sanctuary was simple. Ji Ma had previously used a dream-infiltration technique to investigate several individuals who liked to sleep during the day, planting “dream seeds” in them as gateways between reality and dreams.
There were no unexpected events on the way back to the Sanctuary.
Ji Ma emerged from one individual’s dream, and as soon as her feet touched the ground, a wave of weakness surged over her. She immediately utilized her “Chameleon” ability, blending her body into the air and becoming invisible.
The person on the bed behind her remained undisturbed.
Ji Ma quietly slipped out of the person’s house, but after running more than ten meters, she felt her magical energy almost depleted, as the “Chameleon” ability consumed energy particularly quickly while moving.
Ji Ma was not in a hurry to release her “Chameleon” ability. Instead, she stood still, glanced around, and, finding no one, released the ability.
At that moment, she heard the distant sound of bells ringing, fourteen times.
Ji Ma’s heart raced; this was the agreed-upon time with George, but it would take at least ten minutes to run back. She prayed for George to be slightly late or to wait for her while she hurriedly ran.
The feeling of depleted magical energy was quite unpleasant; she felt as if she had reverted to an ordinary mortal, unable to muster even a fraction of her extraordinary power without risking losing control.
After nearly ten minutes of ragged breathing, the familiar courtyard appeared before Ji Ma.
She stopped at the corner.
The more anxious she was, the more careful she had to be.
With her hands against the wall, she cautiously poked her head out and immediately saw a plague god in silver armor standing straight at her doorstep.
Ji Ma quickly withdrew her head, cursing, “Timely monster.”
There was still a chance to salvage the situation… Thankfully, I had prepared in advance…
Thinking this, Ji Ma sneaked to the back of her courtyard. The wall was a bit high for Ji Ma, but she had previously moved a wooden box there, on top of which lay a large stone. Standing on it, she was just tall enough to see over the low wall.
“I like Plan B.”
Ji Ma muttered to herself, rising onto her tiptoes, and reached up. As she brushed against a wound on her arm, she frowned slightly and exerted herself to climb over the wall. She slipped into the room through the back door, dusted herself off, picked up the prepared package, and rinsed her hair in the bathroom before walking out the front door and pushing open the courtyard gate.
George, not wearing a bucket helmet, looked at her with his pair of azure eyes. His focused gaze held a pressure that made Ji Ma’s heart race.
Ji Ma smiled and said, “Dear George, I just washed my hair and was a few minutes late. It should be fine, right?”
This was the truth, and washing her hair also helped to disguise the sweat on her forehead.
George did not respond but carefully scrutinized Ji Ma from head to toe, his gaze resembling that of an interrogator assessing a criminal.
“You weren’t at home a moment ago.” George said while looking at Ji Ma’s damp black hair, “Where were you ten minutes ago?”
“Ah, hahahaha.” Ji Ma’s plan was disrupted, and she awkwardly looked up at the sky, “It seems like something is flying up there!”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I was on the continent.”
“Be more specific.”
Ji Ma put her hands on her hips and replied, “It’s none of your business.”
“I’m quite curious about what you were secretly doing during that hour and a half of nap time.” George said, “I asked the guards earlier, and you didn’t leave the inner city.”
“Has anything been lost in the Sanctuary recently?”
“No.”
“Then why ask so much?” Ji Ma asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling possessive after we… engaged? Is it really that normal for me to have some secrets?”
George fell silent.
“Alright.” Ji Ma once again smiled, “Dear George, when will we set out?”
George replied, “It’s no wonder you’re so experienced; you’ve seen much.”
“What?”
“I remembered something Gregory told me earlier.” George said, “I don’t trust you; please tell me, were you plotting something evil just now?”
Seeing George’s impenetrable demeanor, Ji Ma increasingly felt that he resembled a pebble.
Once I become powerful, I must teach George a lesson for his possessiveness.
Ji Ma said, “That’s my secret.”
“But as your guardian, I have reason to doubt that your secret might affect your upcoming education.” George’s tone shifted, “The bishops plan to conduct another faction test on you soon.”
Damn, the rumor that “I’m kind” is fading… There have really been a lot of things happening recently.
“If you want me to reveal my secret, you must disclose yours too.” Ji Ma said, “George, please tell me your secret.”
“You already know?”
Ji Ma tossed her black hair back and said, “I’ve heard a little; you certainly don’t look like an ordinary human.”
“Sorry, I refuse to answer.”
“But I must answer.” Ji Ma said, “Seriously… you’re so distant right now, it’s hard to imagine why Jenna would like you.”
“Unless you commit a wicked evil act.” George said, “I will do my utmost to protect you.”
Alright, this stubborn possessive guy must think I’m planning some grand evil deed, like human sacrifices or village massacres.
Ji Ma displayed a sorrowful expression and revealed her fair arm from her sleeve, which bore fresh red scratches—scars left behind after she struggled out of a tree hollow.
“Your hand is injured? What happened?”
Ji Ma said:
“It’s a big deal; I just encountered a world-ending demon in an ant nest under a banyan tree. Its claws were itchy, and it told me that if I scratched its arm, it would grant me a wish. I asked, ‘Could you destroy the capital of the empire?’…”
“It said yes, then scratched my arm to avoid deceiving me. It then carried me and flew to the capital, and I witnessed it reach out, causing a flaming meteor to fall from the sky, boom, and Alldorf was blown into a large crater; the city with the largest human population saw no living souls in the blink of an eye.”
Ji Ma took a breath and continued, “That’s what I just did, the most wicked thing; I even happily picked my nose while witnessing Alldorf explode.”
“Ji Ma, I know you’re very angry.”
“I thought you were going to sternly throw out a ‘you’re lying.’”
“But I must take responsibility for you.” George said, “I have my own selfish motives, Ji Ma.”
“What selfish motives? The noble and unapproachable great hero?”
George’s azure eyes focused on Ji Ma as he said, “I hope that my future wife will be a kind person.”
Ji Ma’s heart suddenly became flustered.
Isn’t it good enough to just have a few careless encounters? Why must we complicate things with all this sincerity?
Ji Ma turned her face away awkwardly, her cheeks slightly flushed as her tail flicked about restlessly.
“How annoying.” Ji Ma occasionally complained, asking, “Alright, what do you want to ask?”
“What’s the story behind the injury on your hand?”
“Well, it all started with a little monster that made me late.” Ji Ma said, “It was looking to gnaw on some little kids’ flesh, so I killed it. Does that count as a good deed?”
George’s gaze softened, “That’s a good deed.”
“You should’ve just ignored it.” Ji Ma’s eyes glistened with tears, “I come back only to be treated like a criminal on trial.”
“Ji Ma, extend your hand.” George gently said, “I should encourage you to do good.”
“My hand is here.” Ji Ma rolled up her sleeves, revealing all her scratches.
A faint white light enveloped George’s right hand as he gently touched her wounds, which visibly healed before her eyes.
“Let’s set off.” George handed Ji Ma his greatsword, “You should have your own secrets.”
Ji Ma embraced his sword, her face breaking into a radiant smile as she left with George.
The higher the road, the greater the magic… Fortunately, the final plan came into play. Foolishness in deception, even if you give it a hundred years, you’ll never catch up to me.
Ji Ma breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.
Previously, one of the reasons she had been willing to risk solving the goblin issue was that this could be defined as an act of kindness.
Although, truthfully, Ji Ma was more motivated by the desire to eliminate witnesses.
