Although Lin Qingyan wanted to forget Lucas Reeve, she couldn't get him out of her mind. Sometimes, when she slept at night, she would even repeatedly dream of the scene where she first met Lucas in the wilderness.
She had to admit it.
That Divine Fragment...
Had a very comfortable feeling about him, especially those eyes.
Lin Qingyan had met many, many people. She was surrounded by children of noble families of similar age, but she had never met anyone whose eyes were as clear and deep as Lucas's.
Although, Lin Qingyan constantly reminded herself in her heart.
That's because he's a Divine Fragment!!
A god's lifespan is limitless.
He looked to be the same age as her, but in reality, who knew if he was an old monster thousands or even tens of thousands of years old. An old monster like that could easily be her ancestor.
However.
The more she resisted it in her heart, the more easily Lin Qingyan dreamed of Lucas.
Because of this, Lin Qingyan had even consulted her Senior Sister, with whom she had a deep relationship and who specialized in spiritual matters. The answer she received was...
Your friend... is in love.
Of course, Lin Qingyan blushed furiously and retorted. After all, the total time she had known Lucas added up to only a few days. How could she fall in love in just a few days?
Lin Qingyan was already in her twenties but had never been in a relationship.
In her eyes, love was sacred.
It was the process of a man and a woman who knew each other gradually evolving from friends to lovers, a long road that often took years, culminating in marriage and spending the rest of their lives together.
In Lin Qingyan's view, these were the steps of love.
However.
Faced with Lin Qingyan's doubts, her Senior Sister just giggled and then said.
"What are you thinking, Qingyan? Have you been reading too many female-oriented romance novels?"
"Real-life romance isn't as sweet and wonderful as it's written in novels. In fact, most real-life romance is just love at first sight. Basically, if two people meet a few times and still don't have any thoughts of falling in love, it means that no matter how hard they try later, it will be difficult for a passionate love to develop between them. At best... they're just partners living together."
"That friend of yours... it's not you, is it, Qingyan?"
At that, Lin Qingyan blushed and quickly denied it.
Love..
Love...
I'm in love?
How is that possible!!
However, it was a bit of a pity for Lin Qingyan. Even if she really was in love, so what? Lucas Reeve probably wouldn't come to Yan again in the future. It was basically impossible for them to meet again in this lifetime.
I'll just assume I've fallen for him.
Lin Qingyan sighed.
At least this fulfilled her small regret of never having liked anyone before. It's just that this one-sided love would certainly have no ending. Anyway, it was 100% certain they would never meet again... right.
Red Sleeve Court.
Lin Qingyan looked at Lucas Reeve standing in front of her, completely lost in shock. This handsome face, which she had dreamed of so many times, had appeared before her again, making her feel as if she were in a dream, especially that pair of deep, dark eyes...
It was still that same feeling...
They looked so comfortable...
No, no!!
Why is he in a pleasure house?!!
This feeling was... somewhat strange.
It was like you really liked a boy, but he was from another country and you'd basically never see him again. Then, after pining for him, you finally meet him again by chance... only it's during a vice raid. That was, more or less, a bit awkward.
"Lucas Reeve!!"
Lin Qingyan called out his name.
But Lucas just smiled and nodded.
Her Constable colleagues beside her looked quizzically at this young lady, a Celestial Master from the Dali Temple sent by the imperial court.
"Long time no see, Miss Qingyan."
Lucas took the initiative to greet Lin Qingyan, showing no awkwardness whatsoever. This was because Lucas had long guessed they would meet. After all, when he was able to peek at the causal threads, Lucas had also taken a look at his own.
The causal thread between him and Lin Qingyan had not disappeared, meaning they would meet again one day. So, when they arrived in Yan, Lucas felt that they might run into Lin Qingyan somewhere. He just didn't expect it to be so soon.
"Miss Lin Qingyan, we meet again! Here to eat too?"
Nian waved at Lin Qingyan.
Surtr also nodded at Lin Qingyan as a greeting.
Skadi was expressionless, looking a little dazed, while Laurentina showed a mischievous smile.
"I didn't expect Mr. Deity to have so many romantic prospects. He has quite a few in Columbia, and surprisingly, he has them in Yan too."
"You!! You!! What are you doing in Yan!!"
Lin Qingyan pointed at Lucas, completely forgetting why she was here.
"I... can't come to Yan?" Lucas asked, confused.
"No... no..." Lin Qingyan realized she had misspoken. It must be because seeing him again had thrown her usually methodical brain into chaos!!
Lin Qingyan took a deep breath, trying hard to calm herself.
With a quiet reminder from the Constable behind her, Lin Qingyan suddenly remembered her duty today—to close the net. She didn't ask Lucas why he was in a pleasure house. As a local of Yan and an official of the Dali Temple, Lin Qingyan knew very well what kind of place a pleasure house was. Although the current Prefect and the imperial court's laws explicitly prohibited any... *those* kinds of transactions...
But...
Secretly, these pleasure houses definitely still had them.
It was just that the original face-to-face, "one hand pays, the other delivers" transactions had gradually evolved into another form. Therefore, as an impartial Dali Temple official, Lin Qingyan naturally disliked places like pleasure houses. She never expected Lucas to actually come to one.
"Please don't try to be familiar!"
Lin Qingyan's face hardened. Her original surprise and joy were forcibly suppressed, and her expression returned to the meticulous coldness of a Dali Temple official.
"?"
Lucas was stunned for a moment.
Weren't you the one who spoke first?
"We received a public report that there is a demon beast and an evil spirit in this Red Sleeve Court. I am here to capture it. As for whether you have engaged in any dirty transactions that violate the court's laws, I will investigate after I capture the demon beast. If you have broken the law, don't blame me for disregarding our past acquaintance."
Everyone: "?"
Lin Qingyan looked at the top courtesan in the room. She took a spirit compass out of her pocket.
The compass, which had been still, suddenly began to spin wildly when pointed at the top courtesan.
"Ah!!"
The beautiful top courtesan shrieked in fright.
Her voice was incredibly shrill, completely different from her previous sweet tone. Seeing she was exposed, the top courtesan immediately threw the pipa in her hands and prepared to jump out the window.
"Bold demon!!"
Lin Qingyan shouted.
"I could tell you weren't human from the start!!!"
"Don't even think about escaping! I'll make you reveal your true form!!"
Lin Qingyan formed a hand seal with one hand, the Originium energy in her body surged, stirring up a whistling gale, and lightning flashed across her body.
"Righteous Art of the One Qi White Thunder! Spanning the Three Transformations! Seal!!"
Instantly. Lin Qingyan's lightning spread out, forming a barrier around the entire room. Just as the 'top courtesan' was about to jump out the window, she slammed into the lightning barrier and was electrocuted, her whole body convulsing. No matter how she attacked, she couldn't escape the lightning's range.
Constable A: "Celestial Master Lin is amazing!!"
Constable B: "As expected of someone specially sent from the court's Dali Temple!"
Behind Lin Qingyan, the ordinary Constables immediately started clapping and flattering. After all, they were just ordinary officers from the city's guard, while Lin Qingyan was from the special task force sent from above.
"Demon! Surrender and show your true form at once. Your cultivation was not easy; do not throw it all away."
However.
The top courtesan seemed to ignore Lin Qingyan.
Suddenly. She saw the man at the next table, the one who made her crave, still sitting there motionlessly, watching her. Was he scared silly?
It was normal. After all, how could a mere mortal remain calm after suddenly witnessing such a scene?
The top courtesan's mouth split into a wide grin. A very, very long tongue extended from her mouth, and her nails grew sharp. She suddenly accelerated, transforming into a demonic wind, and instantly appeared behind Lucas, her sharp fingernails pressed against his neck.
The others, who had been watching the show, consciously got up and moved aside, continuing to chat and laugh. As for Nian and Laurentina, they had already taken out their cameras to start recording.
Lucas Kidnapping Priceless Video.avi
"Don't come any closer! I'm going to die anyway. If you come any closer, he won't live either!!"
The top courtesan's voice was no longer so pleasant; it was even a bit hoarse, like an old crone. Her sharp nails were pressed against Lucas's neck, able to pierce it with a single thought.
Originally, the top courtesan thought her threat would make the woman from the Dali Temple panic.
Unexpectedly. She didn't panic at all. In fact... her expression looked as if she was looking at an idiot.
Top Courtesan: "???"
Doesn't this woman know this man? They seemed to have a deep relationship, so why wasn't she worried? Was she pretending? Or what?
Not only was the Dali Temple woman not panicking, but the few women who came with her man were also chatting and laughing. Two of them had even taken out their phones to take pictures, seemingly completely unconcerned about this man's life or death? Wasn't this man the weakest one? His blood smelled so good, it was intoxicating. His flesh also smelled delicious. He was powerless, very weak...
F***!
What a plastic friendship!!
Even she, a demon beast, could hardly watch this. Is human friendship this ridiculous?
"Let me go! Otherwise, this man will be buried with me!!"
The top courtesan threatened again.
Lin Qingyan remained cold-faced.
"Oh..."
Oh!!!
The top courtesan was deeply shaken, so much so that she was speechless. The five women on the other side were also completely unmoved, still chatting and laughing.
What is going on?
Lucas sighed.
"Stop laughing, you all. Come and save me. Can't you see I've been kidnapped?"
However, faced with Lucas's words, Laurentina and the others just laughed even harder.
Why is this happening!
The top courtesan was already too nervous to speak. For some reason, even though she clearly had the advantage, why was she inexplicably so scared, so nervous...
This shouldn't be, this shouldn't be happening.
Just then. Lucas said calmly, "Um... I suggest you surrender immediately. After all... there are no *humans* in this room."
No humans?
The top courtesan didn't know what Lucas was saying.
"Don't try to trick me! If you're not human, what are you? A demon? You don't have any demonic aura!"
"Is it possible... that we are... another kind of much, much scarier monster..."
Lucas said in a low voice.
However... beads of sweat now covered the top courtesan's forehead. In her fear and anxiety, she activated her unique demonic vision, a sight that could see things invisible to the mortal eye.
And then. The top courtesan saw the most unforgettable scene of her life.
She saw two giant dragons, one cyan and one red, a headless flame giant, two indescribable phantoms...
And...
In her own arms.
That... God... radiating golden light...
It seemed. The only normal person in the entire room was this woman from the Dali Temple. Oh, no... compared to these six, she herself seemed much more normal.
The other six!!
All of them are monsters!!
F***!!
Due to witnessing too much truth beyond her comprehension.
Suddenly! The top courtesan's eyes burst, and blood flowed continuously from her sockets. She lay on the ground, convulsing and trembling, her body gradually changing into a strange creature that resembled a monkey, yet wasn't a monkey.
Lin Qingyan didn't know what exactly had happened.
However... she felt a little bit of pity in her heart.
This demon beast was just too unlucky. It definitely didn't check the almanac today.