Chapter 9: The Saintess and the Savvy Protector

Nan Fenghua, cradled in Zhang Luan’s arms, stared blankly at the man. From the moment she was picked up until now, she had been in a complete daze.

She had never imagined her first touch from a man would be like this. His large, warm hand gripped her shoulder tightly, the heat seeming to scorch her very soul. Nan Fenghua felt her body on the verge of melting; it was a sensation entirely new to her.

Zhang Luan manipulated the Starflame to assault the black-robed figures. Their levels were not low, each appearing close to level twenty. Yet, under the might of the Starflame, these cultists became as weak as defenseless children. Only their leader, after drawing a scythe, managed to offer a faint semblance of resistance.

Witnessing Zhang Luan in action, Nan Fenghua’s heart fluttered with repeated tremors.

“He’s so handsome, so strong, so warm~ If only I could stay in his arms forever~”

Her eyes brimmed with yearning. Every gesture Zhang Luan made exuded captivating charm, and his image, without her realizing it, grew ever more imposing in her mind.

Zhang Luan, however, was oblivious to Nan Fenghua’s internal monologue. He only knew that the ‘great villain’ in his arms was trembling, pitifully like a startled rabbit.

“You’re safe here. No one can harm you.”

These words, once uttered, pierced her heart like an unstoppable arrow, leaving an indelible mark belonging solely to Zhang Luan. At that moment, it was as if a string within her had been stretched to its limit. With a soft *snap*, it broke.

****

Only after eliminating the last black-robed cultist did Zhang Luan notice that Nan Fenghua had, at some point, fainted.

“What? Did she get hit? That shouldn’t be possible, right?”

He extended a hand in confusion, intending to examine her thoroughly. Yet, the instant his fingers brushed her neck, Nan Fenghua’s eyes snapped open.

Zhang Luan awkwardly froze his hand mid-air. He didn’t know whether to retract it or keep it there. In the end, he couldn’t even explain his own actions as he inexplicably pinched Nan Fenghua’s cheek.

Not to mention, it was soft and quite adorable.

So, he pinched it again.

“Tha… that, can you let go of me now?”

Zhang Luan ‘realized’ with a jolt and released her, a hint of reluctance lingering. Despite Nan Fenghua’s petite frame, she already exuded a subtle allure.

“Thank you… that, my name is Nan Fenghua…”

Released from Zhang Luan’s embrace, the sense of dependence dissipated considerably. She looked at the fallen, mature woman, biting her lip to keep from crying.

Zhang Luan said nothing. He had seen the arrow shot by that black-robed figure earlier. Had he wished to, the woman wouldn’t have died. But at the time, he hadn’t considered interfering, nor did he feel any obligation to do so.

Had he not recognized Nan Fenghua’s identity, she would have met the same fate as the other woman, though Zhang Luan doubted she would truly die in such a place.

After a long while, Nan Fenghua finally managed to suppress her tears and addressed Zhang Luan:

“Thank you… that, you saved me. I should repay you, um, what’s your name…”

“Zhang Luan. My name is Zhang Luan. How do you intend to repay me? From the looks of it, you don’t seem to have anything valuable on you.”

Zhang Luan openly scrutinized Nan Fenghua’s body, his slightly intense gaze making her squirm with discomfort.

“I… I am the Saintess of Akamana City. As long as I can return, I can give you anything I possess…”

“Including yourself?”

He smiled deviously at Nan Fenghua, much like a big bad wolf eyeing a lamb.

“I… no, I can’t… a Saintess cannot be touched by men…”

She trembled, trying to retreat a few steps, only to bump against the stone wall.

Watching her pitiable expression, Zhang Luan chuckled with delight. To see the proud beauty from his previous life reduced to such a state by him was immensely satisfying.

He walked over to the girl, extended a hand, and pinched her rosy, adorable face.

“I hear the temple has always been in need of a Saint Son.”

Before she could fully process his words, Zhang Luan took her arm and placed the Spicy Hot Pot into her embrace.

“Hold this pot for me.”

Nan Fenghua blankly clutched the Spicy Hot Pot, her mind still reeling as she was led out of the cave. Outside, the heavy rain persisted, and the armored warriors lay motionless on the ground, long since silent.

Zhang Luan observed Nan Fenghua’s sorrowful expression, then pursed his lips. He manipulated the Starflame to toss the bodies into the mountain cave. Then, forming a sphere of fire, he hurled it with force, and a raging inferno instantly consumed the entire cavern. The stone walls melted continuously within the flames, gradually sealing the entrance and forming a makeshift tomb.

“Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. To have a resting place after death, in this world, is not so bad.”

Nan Fenghua nodded, her expression somber. Regardless, these people had died for her.

Zhang Luan didn’t wait for her to wallow in sadness. He grabbed the Spicy Hot Pot and promptly placed it on Nan Fenghua’s head. Under her bewildered gaze, he stated:

“Just make do with this if you don’t have an umbrella. The rain shouldn’t last much longer anyway.”

If anyone knew a legendary artifact was being used as a rain shield, they might be enraged to death. Even if it was a pot, it was still a legend coveted by countless people!

As they walked through the eerie forest, the sounds of people running occasionally echoed around them. Zhang Luan didn’t need to look to know they were members of the Demon Roar Church.

As sworn enemies of the Akamana Temple, their current mobilization to capture the Saintess was extensive. If she were to escape, the losses would be immeasurably high.

Their search efforts were a vast net, but Zhang Luan was no pushover. With his experience, he could easily evade these individuals. If he wished, he would have already led Nan Fenghua out of this cursed place.

With his strength, those cultists were no threat. The strongest among the cultists tasked with capturing Nan Fenghua was merely a level 25 Demon Roar Elite. Zhang Luan could kill him even more easily than he had dispatched the Goblin Warrior.

However, he did not act, for it was not yet time.

While their search seemed grand in scale, they found no trace of him. Instead, they were led astray by the simple traps he casually laid. He protected Nan Fenghua closely, as it would be unfortunate if she were harmed. If Nan Fenghua could awaken the power she possessed in her previous life, she wouldn’t even need his protection; these cultists would have long since been tormented to death.

Thinking this, Zhang Luan reached out and pinched the girl’s soft face, making her tremble slightly. Her character panel then appeared before his eyes.

Name: Nan Fenghua

Level: 5

Series: Magic

Race: Human

Luck: A

Class: Saintess

Talent: [Akamana’s Favor] Upon receiving fatal damage, Akamana’s divine power will descend. All magic receives an additional 500% bonus. Duration is determined by Intelligence.

[Self?] This talent activates upon experiencing extreme emotional shock, switching personality to [Aloof]. In this personality, all positive blessing effects are reversed into negative effects.

Skills: [Akamana Blessing Spells]: A total of 77 blessing spells, adaptable to various situations.

Items: [Life-Death Reversal Coin] ×1: Allows resurrection after death.