Chapter 76: A Chance Encounter with Four Hundred Jin
Having met the boss together… Can this guy really be unblocked by eye contact and signals?
Ji Ma was startled and said, “You just disguised yourself as a male servant?”
“No… we really are fated to meet,” said the Shadow King Acanis. “I just hung the boss’s good brother in a little alley, and while I was taking a piss, I saw the two of you familiar faces. Hey, don’t be so cold; after all, we did poke the goblin’s den together. By the way, I was hiding in the shadows right next to you.”
Ji Ma asked, “Me?”
“I’ve always wanted to tell you, you have breadcrumbs on your lips.”
Ji Ma quickly wiped her mouth, and indeed there were breadcrumbs.
A chill ran up her spine. Just imagine, hiding in the shadow so close by is the Shadow King Acanis.
He’s watching you, walking alongside you, sitting in the boat together, walking together, watching you chat with your companions while you know nothing about him.
Wait, how did he get on board so quietly? Could it be he has learned some lightness skill to reduce his weight?
While Ji Ma was contemplating,
George tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.
“Divine Slash?” the Shadow King Acanis laughed and said, “I assure you, that brilliance could light up the entire Shalin City, scaring the Great Benefactor out of bed; everyone in Shalin City who wants to get rich will surround you within ten minutes.”
“What do you want?”
“How about we discuss this in a more private place?”
The Shadow King Acanis pointed to a nearby outdoor tavern, “You treat, how about that?”
George said, “I won’t dine with a perverted killer.”
“Then you can just stand there and watch me eat.”
Ji Ma had an impressive impression of Acanis’ brutal methods, but she was more curious about his intentions. Besides, the Shadow King Acanis shared a common enemy with her—the Great Benefactor Branshi.
Maybe I can use him.
George snorted, his eyes staring at Acanis, gripping Ji Ma’s hand, ready to leave.
Ji Ma quickly held onto George’s hand and said, “Then let’s listen.”
“The pretty and clever little girl always has good luck,” the Shadow King Acanis said.
They selected a relatively secluded spot on the second floor, while the noisy street lay below.
Before long, five oysters, fish, bean cake, and red wine were served.
The Shadow King Acanis buried himself in eating, while George stood across from him, ready to draw his sword at any moment and chop off his head.
Ji Ma hesitated for a moment, grabbed an oyster, and put it into her mouth.
Acanis remained silent, just eating there.
Ji Ma carefully examined the legendary Shadow King Acanis.
He looked to be under 1.6 meters tall, a shorty. He inherited the legendary elf’s beauty, with pale skin, and to put it simply, he looked effeminate. Around his neck was a red gemstone necklace.
This necklace was incredibly tacky. A large red gem surrounded by shining gold, all reflecting its owner’s nouveau riche taste.
The Shadow King Acanis kept eating, like a starving ghost. Food was stuffed directly into his mouth, as if someone was competing with him for it.
Ji Ma couldn’t help but break the silence and asked, “What’s your purpose?”
“To eat.”
“Are you tailing us just to mooch on food and drink?”
“If someone treats, that’s great.”
The Shadow King Acanis satisfactorily stuffed the last piece of bean cake into his mouth, wiping his shiny fingers.
George questioned, “What are you doing lurking around us?”
“I think, I can, so I did. Why so many reasons?” the Shadow King Acanis shrugged, “I just wanted to suddenly appear and see the surprised expressions on your two faces; it’s particularly funny.”
Who would believe that? Do you think I’m an idiot?
Ji Ma immediately began to think about Acanis’ true intentions.
But George frowned and said, “I believe you.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. You can discern lies,” the Shadow King Acanis sighed, “I particularly enjoy seeing smart people scratching their heads, pondering my true motives; it’s even more amusing. But I’ve lost this bit of fun. Alright, goodbye.”
Saying that, the Shadow King Acanis surprisingly stood up, intending to leave. He even waved to the tavern owner, saying, “Hey, this knight is treating.”
Ji Ma’s cheek twitched, feeling like she had been played. She immediately said:
“Were you raised in a fire zone?”
“Smart.”
George demanded, “Why did you kill Liz’s mother? And disguise yourself as her?”
“Since I need to floss my teeth, I’ll tell you.”
The Shadow King Acanis paused to use a toothpick while saying, “It was just a dog, no need to make a fuss; you see, butchers hang dogs like this, right?”
George remarked, “You really are a heartless killer.”
“You really are a weirdo,” the Shadow King Acanis mocked back, “How many eggs do you and your little succubus plan to lay?”
The atmosphere tensed up. This sentence undoubtedly indicated that the Shadow King Acanis knew their true identities.
But George’s expression didn’t change at all as he said, “That was just an accident. Why did you disguise yourself as Liz’s mother?”
“What’s it to you?”
Ji Ma didn’t want to watch the two argue any longer, so she raised her hand and said, “I need to use the restroom.”
George said, “Go ahead.”
Ji Ma lifted her skirt and left the table, leaving the argument behind.
Downstairs, a group of weapon-clad adventurers surrounded a table. They were eating while complaining about their misfortunes and the delayed payment from their employer.
One adventurer complained, “I don’t know where the opportunity to get rich is.”
“Do you want to make some money?” Ji Ma asked, “I know where Shadow King Acanis is.”
Before long.
Ji Ma led two greedy teams of adventurers up to the second floor. She pointed at the Shadow King Acanis, who was arguing with George and shouted:
“That short guy with white hair is the Shadow King Acanis!”
The Shadow King Acanis turned around, surprised to look at Ji Ma, revealing the characteristic of his silvery hair.
The leading adventurer’s eyes lit up and shouted, “Brothers! Three thousand gold coins!”
Before he finished shouting, the adventurers pulled out their weapons and rushed forward, knocking over tables of wine and food.
The Shadow King Acanis was startled and leaped up from his chair, gracefully landing on the second-floor railing. He turned around and gave Ji Ma the middle finger before jumping down.
George approached with his sword and said to Ji Ma, “What are you doing?”
“I can’t just let him eat for free, can I?” Ji Ma said, shaking the money pouch in her hand, “Two gold coins and seven silver coins.”
George pulled Ji Ma along and paid for the meal on the way.
He whispered to Ji Ma, “He’s a lunatic, he’ll definitely hold a grudge and find a chance to rip you open and hang you on a tree. You’re too careless about your safety.”
Ji Ma blinked her innocent big eyes and said, “But he was so cocky towards us; I didn’t like that. He also insulted you.”
George was taken aback, rubbing Ji Ma’s head, “Don’t stick up for me in the future, but thanks for this time.”
Thank me, but don’t touch my head, you damn virgin.
Ji Ma, however, wore a smile and said, “Okay, I won’t next time.”
“Don’t lie.”
George put on his bucket helmet and continued shopping. Ji Ma noticed the shadow of a sunshade on her right side, so she walked to the other side of George to avoid the shadow.
Instead of returning the same way, George found a paint shop and went in to buy paint.
Ji Ma asked, “What are you buying paint for?”
“My painting needs some color.”
Wow, now the black and white materials for casting spells can’t satisfy a damn virgin? Should I give him some private space?
Ji Ma casually asked, “So, what type of woman do you paint? A little girl, a big sister, or—”
George knocked Ji Ma on the head and said, “I already said, don’t look at my paintings.”
It must be something particularly risqué that’s embarrassing to speak of.
“Tsk.”
The paint was expensive, costing two gold coins. The shopkeeper even gave him a palette as a bonus.
George carried the paper bag and walked out with Ji Ma.
As soon as they stepped out, a shadow of a mountain covered Ji Ma.
Ji Ma looked up and saw Four Hundred Jin sitting on a carriage, her face just fitting in the window.
“What a coincidence, Jo! Running into you here must be the arrangement of the goddess of love.” After saying that, she turned to the driver and said, “Stop, stop, my Jo is here.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
George pulled Ji Ma along, trying to escape.
But the two horses pulling the carriage, with elegant strides, easily caught up with them.
Four Hundred Jin said, “Jo~ where are you going?”
That delicate voice almost made Ji Ma trip and fall.
George walked quickly while turning his head, saying, “Ma’am, I must clearly tell you, don’t harass me; I will never like you.”
“I understand, I understand, young men can be shy,” Four Hundred Jin said, showing the demeanor of someone with experience. “Age will not be a gap that blocks us.”
“I’m stating again, I do not like you!”
“Get on the carriage; I can give you a ride,” Four Hundred Jin intertwined her fingers on her face, gazing dreamily at George, “After getting to know each other, we will surely fall in love.”
“I do not like you!”
George repeated.
“We are destined to be together.”
“The end of the world won’t even make that happen!”
George declared firmly.
Four Hundred Jin’s smile finally froze. She noticed Ji Ma and her gaze fell on the hand Ji Ma was holding with George, her small eyes shooting flames as she said:
“Could it be that you, this shameless woman, charmed him and stole my prince? Release him!”
George raised his voice, “Get lost!”
This was the first time Ji Ma heard George so angry. Even in the argument with Acanis, he hadn’t been this severe.
Four Hundred Jin’s face showed an injured expression as she looked at George, bewildered, “Why… how?”
“Get lost!”
George repeated once more, quickening his pace to leave.
This time, the carriage did not follow.
A reluctant voice came from behind, “Is it just because I’m a bit round?”
“No!”
All the way, George didn’t speak. The two boarded a small boat, and Ji Ma glanced back, relieved that there were no troublesome maids or Four Hundred Jin this time.
“She didn’t follow.”
Ji Ma’s tone sounded a bit melancholy.
“I’m sorry, I scared you just now,” George took off his bucket helmet.
“No, I’m just a bit disappointed.”
Ji Ma leaned her hands on the boat’s edge, watching the boat leave two distinct ripples on the water surface.
George fell silent, feeling deeply guilty. He felt he had not set a good example for Ji Ma.
He reflected, “I lost my composure. It must not be easy for a woman of her… robust figure to muster up courage. I should’ve been gentler in my words.”
Four Hundred Jin gave up so quickly, without perseverance, which was truly disappointing.
Ji Ma’s heart was thinking along those lines at that moment.
Suddenly, a wave came and rocked the small boat.
Ji Ma hurriedly steadied herself, standing up, and saw another flower boat added behind their small boat.
Four Hundred Jin leaned against the railing, her eyes fixed intently on George’s face.
George’s face slowly darkened.
Ji Ma couldn’t help but secretly give Four Hundred Jin a thumbs up.
Now that’s a good tool!
