Chapter 1163: Chapter 92: Inner Conflicts
Ah Dai gracefully landed beside the White Tiger, stroking its soft fur and smiling, "Don’t be scared, Sheng Xie is my friend and he won’t hurt you. Why have you come back?"
The White Tiger let out a soft roar, its brown eyes expressing gratitude. Ah Dai said, "Your teeth should be better now. Be careful in the future, and don’t eat random things."
Xuan Yue came up beside Ah Dai, looking surprised at the White Tiger without a hint of hostility, "Ah Dai, did it come to find you?"
Ah Dai smiled, "Yes! Earlier, I helped him pull out a bad tooth, so he might be here to thank me. Look how human-like this White Tiger is! Far superior to those from the Assassin’s Guild. People are sinister; I prefer the company of these animals more." A shadow of ice suddenly rose in his heart; whenever he thought of how Ice sacrificed her precious life to save him, his heart ached terribly. Xiao Qie was still alive, and while seeking revenge for his uncle, he must also look for the one who severely injured Ice.
Ah Dai took out a portrait of Ice from his pocket and murmured, "Ice, do you feel the same as I do? How wonderful it would be if you were still here! Although there are fierce beasts and poisons in the Illusive Forest, compared to the Empire of Sunset City, this place is a beautiful sanctuary. If you could have come here with me, we could have had a peaceful life, which I think is what you wanted the most. Ice, can you see? The scenery here is so beautiful, just like you."
Looking at the portrait in Ah Dai’s hand, Xuan Yue trembled, her face turning pale while her heart tumultuously stirred. She bit her lip and asked softly, "Ah Dai, who was this Ice to you? I’ve never heard my sister mention her."
Ah Dai showed a sorrowful smile, "Ice was one of the most important people in my life. I met her after Yue Yue and I separated. She did so much for me."
Xuan Yue staggered, dizzy, "He actually said that Ice was one of his most important people, so what am I then?" She asked somewhat agitatedly, "So to you, who is more important, she or my sister?"
Ah Dai, looking bewildered at Xuan Yue, shook his head and sighed, "I don’t know. They can’t be compared. Ice did too much for me. I’m sorry, Xuan Re, I don’t want to bring up the past anymore; please don’t ask anymore, okay?"
Looking at the sorrow in Ah Dai’s eyes, Xuan Yue felt her heart ache. This girl named Ice posed an immense threat, and she could clearly feel how important Ice was in Ah Dai’s heart, even possibly more than herself. Why won’t he speak? Could it be, after I left, did he fall in love with this woman? Xuan Yue lowered her head, complex emotions persistently entwining in her mind. She had decided that until she fully understood her place in Ah Dai’s heart, she would never reveal her identity; she needed time to learn what had happened to Ah Dai during the three years of her absence.
After a while, Ah Dai slowly emerged from his memories of Ice, carefully tucking her portrait into his chest and tightening his grip on two books. He urged Xuan Yue, "Xuan Re, didn’t you say you’d show me how to master the Divine Artifact first? I think we should improve our abilities first; otherwise, it would be very dangerous to encounter Assassins again. Come with me. I have a very hidden place, even if the Assassin’s Guild comes in full force, they won’t find it."
Xuan Yue tried to calm her voice, deeply looked at Ah Dai, and nodded, "Then let’s go. What about Sheng Xie and this White Tiger?"
Ah Dai patted the White Tiger’s head and said, "Friend, go back to the forest. I’m leaving now. If you encounter humans, you must keep your distance. The deceit and cruelty of humans are beyond your understanding. Even though you are strong among animals, the most ordinary person might still pose a threat to your life."
The White Tiger looked at Ah Dai deeply and cautiously glanced at Sheng Xie nearby before reluctantly leaving. Watching its retreating figure looking back every few steps, Ah Dai’s heart warmed and he softly said, "Go."
Only when the White Tiger’s figure had completely disappeared did Ah Dai turn around and join Xuan Yue beside Sheng Xie, "Xiao Qie, you barely woke up, so don’t go back to the Dragon’s Blood for now. Play outside for a few days, but remember, you can’t just attack other animals, or else, I’ll have to take you back."
The excitement glinted in Sheng Xie’s eyes, and it nodded vigorously, patting its belly with its front paws to signal to Ah Dai that it was hungry.
Ah Dai smiled, "You’re always either sleeping or eating. Alright, let’s go, I’ll find you some tasty fruits." He turned to Xuan Yue, "Let’s go. Only deep in the Illusive Forest will we be safe."
Thus, the two, along with a dragon, slowly proceeded deeper into the Illusive Forest.
Ah Dai, holding two church scriptures, never took his eyes off the covers, imagining them once in Xuan Yue’s hands, and thought to himself, "Yue Yue, you are so kind to me, how can I ever repay you? If I were a Noble, it would be wonderful. I would have the right to pursue you; but I can’t, I don’t deserve you."
