Five or six years ago.
Back then, Dreya was still in the Western Continent, and had not yet co to Heaven Port, this divine, secluded haven.
Tani, due to her strict upbringing, was also experiencing the stirrings of first love.
Liszt’s beard wasn’t as long as it is now—barely half an inch, just right.
He did use so strategems on Tani.
In the Western Continent.
The frenzied licking dogs couldn’t be said to be nonexistent; when facing a quality woman, they were quite insane—so truly willing to die for it.
Any lady of so status, whether a noble’s daughter or a wealthy family’s girl, was surrounded by admirers.
Beneath the cruel fury of lapping tongues, where saliva flew, the dogs thrived on and on.
In Tani’s midst.
Of course, there were also nurous admirers, wanting to conquer Taylor’s daughter to swiftly elevate their status and, through it, gain wealth, power, and win the beauty—Tani’s own outstanding qualities were top-tier—so what role did Liszt play?
But Liszt was born to et his fate.
He pushed the He Transmutes Freedom thod to its utmost limit.
CPU, UFO, OTK, KKK, the Religious Court, blasphemy against the divine.
Tai Chu and the End Saint Spirit directly handed you the cheat codes, dammit.
Liszt and Dreya were evenly matched adversaries, battling to the edge of the universe, grinding down the very fabric of the Dao.
But towards Tani, soone in the bloom of maidenhood, it was unilateral domination.
Three elents.
Material value, emotional value, and compatibility value.
Feelings can be quantified, calculated.
And the Magic Beasts of the silver spectrum, lacking in tactical finesse and thought—who would fancy soone with a dull mind?
Tani lacked for nothing in terms of material wealth, her father being an overlord of Heaven Port—who could match her extravagance?
Only emotional and compatibility value remained.
How to provide emotional value?
Appearance, wit, and quality, all these were part of the test—not necessarily needing to be outstanding, just making for a comfortable companionship would suffice.
Achieving this, you could conquer most people because, after all, they’re ordinary with no lofty expectations, not so fastidious.
Hence, many people are stuck at this point, unable to advance further.
Taylor’s adopted son was just like this, naturally without initiative, even though he was handso and of high caliber.
But that’s as far as he went.
A thought apart between the Immortal and the mundane.
Compatibility value.
Mysterious and profound, beyond the grasp of ordinary people in a lifeti.
So persistently tried for decades, buying gifts, and the pathetic promotions welcoming hoowners back, useful but only slightly.
The strong seek a shared fate.
A day as an Immortal Emperor, a year to a commoner.
The reason why lifelong friendships can’t beat miraculous encounters is that they haven’t broken through; a revolutionary friendship can’t level up anymore.
So-called leveling up is about offering tangible growth, feeling a real upwards trajectory with you in their life, moving towards better gaming experiences—that’s when it’s solid, all solid!
And the definition of an upward path has many forms—novelty, a sense of security, and various others. The cliché of the young lady conquered by sampling cheap delicacies has been overused, but it still represents a sort of leveling up, enriching her experiences a little more.
Liszt madly leveled Tani up, teaching her to use weapons, taking her out to sea to see Magic Beasts, visiting savage Cannibal Tribes to observe the natives, reciting foreign poetry not found in their region.
Back then, Liszt’s appearance was that of North Arican Li Xunhuan.
And for his final move, the first ti they made love—there could be no greater level up than that.
All that could be said was, it was unforgettable for life.
And now.
Outside the swaying doors of the snow-laden inn, everything had co full circle. She no longer needed Liszt. Having spent a few years in Aran, she, too, had undergone a radical transformation.
When Liszt heard Tani’s question, he thought the situation was getting complicated. It wasn’t even a matter of whether he blad her or not. The implication seed to be asking if he wanted to rekindle an old fla.
"Ha, what are you even saying? Besides, I’m not always on the island, and I might not even receive it. Studies co first. If you’re leaving, at least co in and warm up first. The fireplace is burning."
If Liszt had no thoughts about it, that would be impossible, but unfortunately, he was already married.
Besides, Tani was a straight woman through and through; she didn’t buy into Dreya’s ways. Hearing he had a wife, and as soone who had also returned from being tempered abroad, she believed she could quickly accept it.
This ti, Tani did not decline and stepped inside to look around the ground floor of the inn.
She had originally thought Liszt was still the sa second or third-tier pirate he once was. Returning this ti, she planned to ask Taylor for a favor, to offer Liszt a better position.
Unexpectedly, she had been right all along.
Liszt had beco a prominent figure in Heaven Port, influential in his own right, but this alone did not make Tani lose her composure; Taylor wouldn’t agree to it either.
What truly shook her was...
Tani had intended to appear on the 30th, at the year’s end, to give him a New Year’s surprise.
Unexpectedly, Taylor had asked her to co to him, to invite him over.
After thoroughly inquiring about the reasons...
Taylor’s spies had seen Liszt parading through the city with Hened and reported back to Taylor.
With the sharp acun of Taylor’s standing, it didn’t take a genius to realize that Liszt had made it big, now quite possibly richer than Taylor himself. Damn, that was hardcore.
It was just as well since before leaving Aran, Tani had heard rumors about a train heist, although they were untraceable and unconfird, with the officials maintaining a stance of denial.
Yet Taylor confird its veracity in conversation.
And the one who robbed that train was none other than the man who, during her first two years in Aran, she had longed for day and night.
Liszt was on the verge of becoming Taylor’s equal, poised to take the fifth seat in power at Heaven Port. Now, Taylor was giving Tani his blessing to pursue her own happiness.
Tani ca here with the mindset of achieving a successful conclusion.
She sat down on the bench by the fireplace, elegantly removing her gloves.
"What would you like to drink?"
Liszt acted as a bartender, standing by the liquor cabinet, his mind racing with speculation. Was Taylor, old Lao Deng, calling him over now to set him up with so sort of seduction ploy?
Patience. Just watch how things unfold.
"The usual."
Tani gazed at Liszt’s beard. He used to say that only the dumbest of n grow such beards, trying to look fierce and tough. And now, he had grown one as well—surely a business necessity.
"So, you’re still not a fan of alcohol, preferring to avoid anything with high alcohol content, right? Draft beer will do."
Liszt opened the tap on the wooden barrel, filling a large glass for her, about a pint’s worth.
"You always have to exaggerate..."
Tani held the large cup, taking a small sip, her lips covered in beer foam.
"Speaking of which, there was a classmate of mine on that train you robbed."
Tani suddenly brought this up.
Naturally, Taylor was filthy rich; the island was full of wanted pirates, but he was a mber of the comrce guild, engaged in legitimate trade, free to co and go from any country.
Aran High School was, of course, not just about money—but a donation of a new teaching building, how would you respond to that?
Tani did not disappoint either; she had achieved accomplishnts in the Arcane Academy and was now a reserve mber of the Tower Alliance, ready to step into a position as soon as one was vacant.
Liszt nearly choked on his drink, thinking this was quite an intense start.
"What train? I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m now a law-abiding citizen, just doing so Little Ben business."
He frowned. It seed Taylor had already guessed, and Tani, just returning from Aran, had confird it. Going through official channels would undoubtedly get her back much faster than any route he took.
"Is that so... Aren’t you curious about how the officials in Aran are handling it?"
Tani spoke in a calm tone.
Liszt pretended to be stern.
Damn it.
This girl had really upped her ga.
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