Chapter 47: The Unseen Passages

I vividly recalled the deep-seated blood feud between the guild Sword Sweeping the World and Yingning.

Yingning’s guild, Gunfire Rose, had been utterly annihilated, every last member killed until their levels were reset.

That day, the young woman had wept more bitterly than I had ever seen her.

“The members of Sword Sweeping the World are blocking this area, yet they’ve deliberately concealed their identities, falsely claiming to belong to Zhaoge,” Yingning analyzed, her face devoid of any expression. “They must be engaged in some clandestine, unspeakable scheme.”

A flicker of pain suddenly crossed the young woman’s face, as if she had been assailed by some unwelcome memory, but she quickly suppressed it, her features reverting to the stoic mask of a battle-hardened warrior. “We need to uncover precisely what these individuals are plotting,” she stated.

“Exactly!” I interjected abruptly. “Whatever their objective, it’s certainly correct to thwart them! I distinctly recall those who pursued us earlier claiming to be an auxiliary guild of Sword Sweeping the World. And now, this very guild dares to obstruct my advancement path! This is utterly intolerable! Master, let’s annihilate them!”

“No cursing… ah, never mind, it hardly matters now,” Yingning said, a sudden smile gracing her lips. She gently ruffled my head, and in her eyes, I caught a fleeting glimpse of an indulgent affection that, despite my desire to remain oblivious, I understood all too well.

‘I… I was just given a head pat by Yingning?’

‘I, who slays countless foes with blood as cold as ice, was actually… head-patted by a young woman?’

‘Wait a moment… what is this inexplicable sense of contentment blooming from within me? Oh, no, I’m displaying an expression of pure enjoyment, aren’t I?!’

‘System, you’re asking for trouble, aren’t you!’

Yet, no sooner had that thought crossed my mind than I felt my face flush crimson and burn with heat. My tail began to wag with joyful abandon, and a mysterious warmth suffused my entire being. As I gazed at Yingning, my entire field of vision inexplicably transformed into a soft, enchanting pink!

[Affection +2 Loyalty +2]

‘System, my dear father, I understand my transgression…’

A mighty dragon cannot subdue a local serpent, nor can a tiger fallen to the plains escape the taunts of dogs. Such was the indignity I felt, a profound sense of exasperation.

“When I look at you, it’s almost as if I’m seeing my brother again,” Yingning murmured, her touch still doting as she stroked my head. “The way you just spoke, it truly reminded me of him. If my brother were here, he would undoubtedly be clamoring loudly, demanding vengeance on my behalf, wouldn’t he? Even though he’s merely a weakling…”

‘A boisterous weakling… is that truly how I appear in Yingning’s eyes?’

“All right, let’s get down to business,” Yingning began. “There are only three entrances and exits here, and all of them are sealed off. The mountain itself is incredibly steep, composed entirely of smooth limestone, rendering any attempt to climb over it impossible. However, if we wish to uncover their true intentions, we absolutely must gain entry. My plan is for you to return to your pet space. I’ll head back to the city to hire some mercenaries and attempt a frontal assault on one of the entrances. You cannot accompany me on this perilous endeavor! Be a good girl~” Yingning stroked my head, her voice softening into a coaxing whisper, like one would use for a child.

The light rain continued its gentle descent, yet a faint, protective white glow emanated from both Yingning and me, deflecting the raindrops before they could even touch us.

To wrench myself free from the system’s insidious influence, I gritted my teeth, summoning every ounce of willpower I possessed, and painstakingly pulled my head away from Yingning’s hand.

I extended a hand, catching a few raindrops, then glanced toward the limestone mountain in the distance. “But this approach would not only alert our enemies (TL Note: ‘打草惊蛇’ – literally ‘beat the grass to scare the snake,’ meaning to inadvertently alert an opponent), it would also establish an irreconcilable enmity between you and Sword Sweeping the World…”

Yingning clenched her fist, her resolve unwavering. “It’s perfectly fine,” she declared. “I will withdraw from the guild. Even if it means forging an enmity, it will be solely between me and Sword Sweeping the World. I won’t implicate anyone else.”

I shook my head. “No,” I insisted. “The cost is simply too high.”

“We are merely a small guild, utterly devoid of power, and I am nothing more than an insignificant individual,” she explained, a wry smile playing on her lips. “How can I hope to achieve vengeance without making some sacrifice? If someone truly must descend into darkness, then I pray it is me.” She offered a carefree smile. “This sacrifice, when weighed against the suffering it will inflict upon a behemoth like Sword Sweeping the World, is more than worth it. I intend for them to learn that even the most insignificant person can inflict pain that will haunt them forever! Now, I must send you back…”

“Wait!” I quickly interjected, cutting her off.

“What is it?” she asked, a hint of urgency in her voice. “Time is of the essence. Unless it’s truly crucial, let’s discuss it after I’ve dealt with this matter.”

“Heh… of course it’s crucial,” I replied. “For instance…”

Yingning’s brow furrowed. “For instance, what?” she pressed.

I extended my hand to catch a few more raindrops, then slowly surveyed our surroundings, once again solidifying my suspicion.

With a slight flourish, I brushed aside my bangs, allowing my snow-white hair to dance elegantly in the wind. Then, raising a single finger, I dismissively wagged it. “For instance… the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, even dozens or hundreds of other passages!”