Pei Guang had teleported them to Cloudford's Skiff Board Area. According to Dan Heng's latest intel, a significant force of Cloud Knights was there, clearing out Fragntum creatures and mara-struck individuals that had mysteriously reappeared.
Pei Guang checked his map while Banxia began to stir beside him.
Banxia: "Where am I…?"
March 7th, standing guard beside her, greeted her, "Awake already? We're at Cloudford."
Banxia's eyes widened in disbelief: "What? Already? I thought it'd take forever… wait, my body?"
As a mber of the Alchemy Commission, Banxia quickly noticed a change in her condition—she could feel her health improving.
Seeing her confusion, Bailu smiled and explained, "Your body is healing. Don't be surprised—this is a miraculous redy Pei Guang brought from another world~"
Banxia: "Can it… cure the mara-struck state?"
Bailu shook her head: "Not entirely, no. In current trials, it only works on those who beca mara-struck accidentally. For those who haven't turned, it does extend life, but natural causes… well, we can't say for sure. The treatnt thod is quite fascinating, though; it essentially disrupts the transformation process. Then, combined with specific herbs, it guides the cells back to their original state, all without side effects."
Banxia, astonished: "No side effects at all?"
Bailu nodded: "None whatsoever. You're perfectly healthy now."
Tears welled up in Banxia's eyes: "Thank you, Lady Bailu."
Bailu didn't respond, only sighing softly.
March 7th then asked curiously, "So, this is just a port. Why would you have your beloved hide out here?"
Banxia: "I had Liangmu hide here to keep him safe from the Disciples of Sanctus dicus. I had him take shelter in one of the containers at Cloudford."
March 7th beca even more curious: "Wait, why would the Disciples of Sanctus dicus even know about him?"
Banxia explained, "Because I'd promised him an elixir of eternal life, so that he could beco one of the Xianzhou people like ."
Bailu's eyes widened: "Don't you know that's one of the ten unpardonable sins in Xianzhou law?"
Banxia spoke with regret: "I know, but at the ti, I knew nothing of the Disciples of Sanctus dicus' true intentions—only that so in the Alchemy Commission were trying to recreate an ancient elixir. But I was wrong: it's no blessing of immortality—not even a pale imitation."
Bailu's expression grew serious: "It turns people… into monsters, right?"
Banxia looked haunted as she recalled, "Those maniacs saw mortals as nothing more than ingredients… expendable resources."
March 7th: "What a bunch of scum. Now I regret going so easy on that last guy!"
Disgusted by the practices of the Disciples of Sanctus dicus, March 7th grew angry.
Then, a thought crossed her mind, and she asked Banxia, "So, how did you fall for the person you love? Just curious~ maybe I can take so notes?"
Banxia, feeling rejuvenated, began to share, "It's hard to explain. Back then, I never had anything I really wanted in life. Every day was the sa—just the routine work of a healer. Sotis, I'd think, let's just skip to the next century. Life felt so dull and trivial; it wouldn't matter if I skipped straight to the end. I had no interest in knowing the hardships I'd endured over the years, no desire to rember the mundane things in my life."
"After eting him, I saw light and a future in his eyes. That day, I heard Liangmu share his dreams. In that mont, I felt a deep sadness, realizing that life should never be lived with such indifference, without even caring about the ti we have," Banxia recounted, her voice filled with emotion.
As she shared her experiences with Liangmu, she described him as a glimr of hope amidst the repetitive days and nights. Her words painted a picture of a woman longing for love and a future, and March 7th and Bailu could feel her sincerity and yearning.
A blissful smile appeared on Banxia's face as she rembered Liangmu's gentle nature and promises. She couldn't stop talking, reliving those mories, and Bailu, the captive audience, listened closely. anwhile, March 7th discreetly stepped away and turned to Pei Guang.
But sothing felt off.
"Hm, sothing doesn't feel quite right," March 7th muttered.
Pei Guang, who had been quietly listening, pulled March 7th aside and whispered in her ear, "If it feels off, you're probably onto sothing. Call it a hunch, but this girl might have been tricked by a player."
March 7th stifled a laugh. "Really? You think that's it?"
Pei Guang nodded. "Listen to what she's saying—she's seen hope in his eyes, heard him talk about the future. She's helped him escape and find a healer, but has he done anything for her in return?"
March 7th thought back. "Now that you ntion it… no, nothing."
"Exactly. Even in gas, raising favor is mutual. Players and NPCs exchange gifts, build rapport. But in her story, it's all one-sided. The scariest part isn't that she's invested so much—it's that he's probably using her. From getting her help to escape to finding soone to treat him, he's likely keeping secrets. The man sounds shady," Pei Guang said with a sigh.
March 7th looked a bit concerned. "Couldn't it just be that he's scared of dying? Maybe once he's better, he'll be different?"
Pei Guang considered it. "There's a chance, sure. But there's a simple way to tell if he's worth her trust."
"How?"
"Easy. She's sacrificed everything for him—betrayed her group, helped Bailu escape, nearly beca mara-struck. If we trick him into thinking she's in trouble or see if he'll shed a tear, we'll know his true feelings~"
March 7th imdiately grasped Pei Guang's plan: a small test, to see the man's true character and help Banxia realize the worth of her love.
Then, a thought struck her. "Pei Guang, how do you know so much about this? Fess up! How many hearts have you broken?"
Pei Guang chuckled, "If you an real people I've actually t and could normally communicate? Only you. I'm too busy gaming to chase girls—romance would only slow down!"
He had indeed pursued a girl once, but he quickly realized that the effort cut into his gaming ti, so he dropped it. Although the girl eventually picked up on this and dropped so hints, he decided he'd rather ga, watch ani, and joke around with friends. This had left him single ever since, though now, as a player, he had more chances to interact with people.
March 7th gave him a playful look. "You seed so experienced! But I guess not…"
Despite her teasing, March 7th felt a little pleased. She thought back on their journeys together, realizing that, for once, no one was holding her back. She felt a bit… different.
Watching Pei Guang made her feel a fluttery sort of nervousness, her heartbeat quickening. Was it love? She didn't know, but March 7th did know one thing: being with him made her happy.
March 7th wanted to cherish this mont, savoring the present and working to create as many wonderful mories as she could.
With these thoughts in mind, she took his hand. "Alright~ it's just the two of us this ti. Let's take a picture!"
Pulling Pei Guang closer, she held up the cara and pressed the shutter. Looking at their smiling faces on the screen, March 7th bead.
She was genuinely happy, yet at the sa ti, her heart felt heavy. She acted like it didn't matter, but deep down, she cared about these bonds, and her feelings were complicated.
Before she t Pei Guang and Stelle, she had put on a cheerful front, but a quiet fear had been growing inside her. Everyone else on the train had a destination—except her.
Even Stelle had the Stellaron Hunters to return to, but she... she could only stay on the train.
Now, however, she felt like she had found... a place to belong. It wasn't just depending on soone but... a mutual support.
Neither she nor Pei Guang had a ho to return to. She rembered him saying that the only way he could go back was by dying.
She didn't know if that made them kindred spirits, but by his side, she was truly happy.
Looking at the photo and at Pei Guang's smiling face, she tightened her grip on the cara and murmured, "Pei Guang… I'm scared…"
"?"
Her sudden admission took him by surprise, setting off his instincts. Was she... setting up a death flag? Drawing on his gaming experience, Pei Guang knew a potential flag when he saw one.
Covering her mouth, he reassured her, "Hold on! Just hear out. You won't be betrayed by those you trust, nor taken advantage of by those you despise. In this ga, I may still be leveling up, but I promise you this: if we ever face an unbeatable enemy, we'll go down together, side by side. Don't worry! We'll wrap up this quest quick and then go enjoy ourselves. Until that pink-haired kid summons us back, we're free! It's just a side quest, no need to get all dramatic about it!"
In his attempt to erase March 7th's flag, Pei Guang unwittingly set one of his own.
And here in Cloudford, it wasn't only Banxia's shady lover who awaited them. There were also mara-struck agents, new mbers of the Disciples of Sanctus dicus, and a young enforcer seeking an escaped fugitive.
Though they hadn't yet encountered Pei Guang, whether they would be able to stop his swift quest through Cloudford remained to be seen.
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