Morning came, and Lumine, Paimon, Jeht, and Azariq had only just departed—but by evening, the four of them had already returned.
What drew even more attention was that Lumine seemed to have brought back a new contender to rival Paimon!
Upon a closer look, floating gently beside Lumine—other than Paimon—was a transparent bottle suspended in the air.
From within that bottle came a crisp and melodious feminine voice.
"Master, you must be careful of that eremite woman named Babel! There is an unmistakable slavishness and cruelty hidden between her brows. Someone like that absolutely cannot be trusted!"
Ever since their meeting with Babel earlier, Liloupar had been relentlessly warning Lumine.
At first, Lumine had patiently listened, but as Liloupar's nagging continued without end, she gradually grew weary of it.
So Lumine quickly changed the subject. "Ah… let's not talk about Matriarch Babel for now, Liloupar. I'm taking you to meet Shao Yun."
The moment the name "Shao Yun" reached Liloupar's ears, the previously chattering bottle suddenly fell silent.
Then, the fragment of the Jinn's essence within began to emit a faint pink glow.
"That's right! Compared to that eremite woman whose eyes practically drip with servility, I am far more interested in your beloved, Master."
When Lumine and Paimon led Liloupar toward the resting tent, Shao Yun was seated outside, idly passing the time.
The moment he spotted Lumine and Paimon approaching, he hurried over and asked with concern, "You're back earlier than I expected. Did everything go smoothly?"
But before Lumine or Paimon could answer, Liloupar eagerly floated forward, circling Shao Yun with light, graceful motions.
She examined him from head to toe before speaking. "So, you are my Master's beloved? Hm… your looks and bearing are indeed far better than those sand-eating servants."
Hearing Liloupar's blunt assessment, Shao Yun froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Amused, he stared at this magical bottle that not only floated but could also speak, and decided to tease her.
With an expectant, delighted expression, he asked, "So… are you the legendary bottle spirit who grants wishes? If so, could you fulfill three of mine?"
"Oh, wait—that's not right. The one who grants three wishes should be a lamp spirit. So as a bottle spirit, can you grant me just one?"
Finishing his act, Shao Yun closed his eyes as if making a solemn wish. "In that case, I wish you would grant me a lamp that can fulfill three wishes…"
Instead of being offended, Liloupar joyfully replied, "My Master told me you were good with jokes. I didn't expect you to fit that description so well."
Shao Yun politely introduced himself. "My name is Shao Yun. What's yours?"
Lowering herself slightly as though giving a deep bow, Liloupar replied in a reverent tone, "My name is Liloupar, noble Prince."
Hearing her call him "Prince," Shao Yun felt deeply uncomfortable—almost absurd.
With a puzzled expression he asked, "That sounds strange no matter how I hear it."
Seeing his surprise, Liloupar questioned him. "Hm? Does that title sound strange to you?"
"My Master is a beautiful princess forced into exile in a foreign land. Since you are the princess's beloved, is it not only natural for me to address you as Prince?"
Shao Yun glanced at Lumine standing nearby. She had changed into her white dress again, poised and radiant like a noble princess.
Her youthful figure and unique aura indeed gave off the presence of someone princely or regal.
Yet Shao Yun disliked being addressed as a prince. Even with his fragmented memories, he knew he possessed no noble blood.
"Don't call me that. Just use my name! 'Prince' sounds ridiculous—like something out of a fairy tale…"
Liloupar chuckled softly at his firm refusal. "Oh? It seems you're quite opposed to fairy tales."
Shao Yun simply shrugged helplessly, offering no further explanation.
At that moment, Lumine walked over and said, "Hey, Shao Yun. I ran into some trouble earlier."
Shao Yun didn't need to think hard; even with just a guess, he knew it probably meant danger. He answered calmly, "Let me guess—you ran into danger?"
Lumine nodded lightly. "Yeah. Do you still remember Aderfi?"
Shao Yun paused to recall, then the memory of their dealings that morning surfaced. "Of course. What about him?"
Lumine handed him a note. "Take a look first."
Shao Yun examined the sloppy handwriting. It explained that Aderfi had secretly ordered a desert tribe called Afiya to set up an ambush to seize the Fragment of Liloupar Lumine carried.
After reading it, Shao Yun muttered, "…That guy took off in a hurry this morning and hasn't shown up since. I'd bet he was off planning your ambush."
Paimon chimed in, "When we came back, we told Matriarch Babel about it. She promised she'd take care of everything!"
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Paimon scratched her head and asked, "But I still don't get it—why would Aderfi do all of this?"
Shao Yun thought for a moment, then answered simply, "It's easy. Whoever gets the Jinn gains the key to the Eternal Oasis."
"With that key, they have a chance to become the supreme leader of their tribe."
He paused, then added, "People take risks for power. Everyone wants to be the boss—especially in the desert, where ambition never runs dry."
Hearing this, Liloupar murmured, "…No wonder you dislike fairy tales filled with dreams."
Shao Yun only shrugged again.
He turned to Lumine. "So, what do you plan to do next?"
Lumine, deep in thought, paused before answering clearly, "The most important thing is helping Jeht enter the Eternal Oasis and bury her parents' belongings. The rest… should be handled by the Tanit Tribe."
Just as Lumine finished laying out the plan, Jeht arrived.
Approaching them, she greeted, "Lumine, Paimon, Lady Jinn, and Mr. Shao Yun—you're all here!"
Hearing Jeht call her "Lady Jinn," Liloupar couldn't help teasing her.
"Oh? Not getting angry this time because I called you a desert slave of my Master?"
Jeht immediately flushed, flustered and embarrassed. "I-I'm not angry! I just… I only…"
Her words trailed off. She glanced nervously at Lumine. Fortunately, her Eremite mask hid the complicated emotions flashing through her eyes.
As the Mother of Jinn, Liloupar easily sensed Jeht's turmoil.
Seeing Jeht at a loss for words, Liloupar softened her tone. "Alright, I won't tease you. You came here for something?"
Jeht nodded. "Yes, I did… but…"
She then looked seriously at Shao Yun. "Mr. Shao Yun, Mother Babel has something she wants to tell you personally. Could you come with me?"
Paimon blinked her big eyes in curiosity. "Huh? Why would Matriarch Babel want to see Shao Yun? Could it be because of that awful Aderfi trying to set us up and steal Liloupar?"
Jeht nodded, thinking the guess was quite accurate. "I think that's very likely! After all, the three of you are honored guests of our tribe, yet someone among us actually dared to collude with outsiders and plot against such important visitors."
"This behavior is truly disgraceful. I'm sure Matriarch Babel will handle the matter seriously and give all of you a proper explanation."
Shao Yun nodded thoughtfully, then decided to meet Babel immediately. "If that's the case, alright. I'll go take a look."
After dusting off his clothes, he left to find Babel.
…
The moment Shao Yun stepped out of the tent, Liloupar—having received Lumine's permission—floated after him.
She drifted up behind him and called, "Please wait."
Shao Yun stopped and turned back, puzzled. His gaze settled on the floating bottle. "What is it, Liloupar?"
Liloupar spoke gravely. "I must warn you: that eremite woman named Babel… her heart is far more venomous than the cruelest serpents that dwell in these sands."
"So, you must not believe a single word she says!"
Shao Yun nodded calmly. "I'm well aware. Honestly, from the moment I first saw her, I knew she wasn't someone harmless."
"It's just that she hasn't shown any direct hostility toward Lumine yet, so I couldn't be bothered."
Then he suddenly raised his right hand and drew his thumb slowly across his own neck. His eyes hardened, his voice chilling with unmistakable intent.
"But if she ever tries something against Lumine, I won't hesitate to drain her blood dry. Just because I've been killing time doesn't mean my will to fight has weakened."
Hearing this ruthless declaration, Liloupar could clearly feel the ferocity buried deep within him. Yet at the same time, she relaxed a little.
"Looks like I was overthinking it. I was worried you might get tricked by that cunning eremite woman."
Liloupar then let out a playful laugh.
Shao Yun lifted a hand and tapped lightly on her bottle, producing a crisp sound. "You were indeed overthinking it…"
…
Shao Yun entered Babel's quarters.
Babel sat quietly on the bedside as usual, the light in the room outlining her features with a faint halo.
Expressionless, Shao Yun looked at her and asked flatly, "Jeht said you wanted to see me?"
Babel gestured for him to sit. "That's right. Please, take a seat."
This time, she did not attempt any odd hints like she had that morning.
Shao Yun sat down at her dressing table and waited for her to speak.
Babel got straight to the point. "Esteemed guest, I assume you've already heard about Aderfi?"
Shao Yun nodded. "Lumine told me."
Hearing this, worry appeared subtly on Babel's face.
She placed her right hand over her chest and bowed her head apologetically. "I'm truly sorry. This very morning, I promised I would solve all your troubles… yet by afternoon, news came that Aderfi had colluded with outsiders to set a trap for Lumine."
She paused, taking a deep breath. "As the Matriarch, failing to notice such a conspiracy brewing within the tribe… this is a grave dereliction of duty."
Shao Yun crossed his arms, his tone cold and edged with impatience. "Alright, no more polite talk. Just say what you want to say."
Noticing his indifference, Babel stiffened a little, then forced a smile. "I wanted to tell you that once we capture Aderfi, I will hand him over to you for execution. I hope you won't stay angry."
She originally believed this would appease him.
But unexpectedly, Shao Yun asked, "And how, exactly, are you planning to catch Aderfi?"
Babel froze.
For the past two months, Shao Yun had done little but live leisurely, seemingly uninterested in anything. She assumed he wouldn't care enough to ask for details.
Clearly, she had underestimated him.
After a brief moment, her eyes shifted behind her Eremite mask as she thought quickly. "Mm… my initial plan is to send the tribe's 'Falcons' to capture him."
But before she could finish, Shao Yun fired off several sharp questions in rapid succession.
"And when do you plan to act? How many people will you send? How many does Aderfi have on his side?"
Hearing this, Babel's face tightened with embarrassment.
She laughed weakly to hide her guilt. "Ah, well… you certainly ask sharp questions…"
Then she added, "Please rest assured—I promise to give you a satisfactory answer."
But Shao Yun only shook his head. "You've said a lot, yet none of it is actually useful. In that case, I'll handle this personally. No need for you to worry about it."
He rose to his feet, rubbing his somewhat stiff neck as he headed for the door—clearly intending to take action himself.
After two months of peace, it was time to move again.
Babel hurriedly called after him, "There's really no need! You're our guest—it's not right to make a guest clean up internal affairs!"
In truth, she was trying to stop him for two reasons:
First, she wanted to maintain the appearance of a kind, caring leader.
Second—she was guilty. She feared that if Shao Yun investigated Aderfi, he might uncover the secret schemes she had once instructed him to carry out.
But Shao Yun remained utterly unconcerned. He shrugged casually. "It's no big deal. I just feel like stretching my muscles a bit… probably."
===BREAK===
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