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After completing the transaction, ["What Can Be Sold"] flickered and vanished from their presence.
Kafka pursed her lips, her beautiful eyes somewhat solemn.
Su Jinyan's actions were not intended to psychologically pressure Kafka.
Rather, they aimed to intimidate the presence behind her—the Stellaron Hunter Elio.
"Kafka, your mansion is indeed impregnable, easy to defend and hard to breach."
"But you see, my friend here can come and go as he pleases, just like me."
"How does the strength of the Jepella Brotherhood compare to that of your Stellaron Hunters?"
Kafka's beautiful eyes remained expressionless. "Hardly worth mentioning."
Su Jinyan spoke gravely, "True enough. In front of you, the Jepella Brotherhood hardly matters, and even less so against me."
"Wherever the Jepella Brotherhood cannot enter, I can."
"When the Jepella Brotherhood seeks survival, I can still bring their demise."
"However, as you know, I have a kind heart and cannot bear to see others suffer."
"I'll do my best to leave intact corpses for the Jepella Brotherhood members; consider it a small gesture from me."
Stelle swallowed nervously. "How incredibly kind of you! Don't you care about risking your life?"
Feigning sincerity, Kafka replied, "Yes, I've long observed Diviner Su's compassionate nature..."
"So let's leave the cleanup work to us Stellaron Hunters," Su Jinyan continued slowly. "I never mistreat my allies."
"The Stellaron holds no significance for me; if you want it, feel free to take it."
"As for you..." Su Jinyan draped his arm around Stelle's fragrant shoulders, their gestures intimate. "Between the two of us, we have the best rapport here, and I won't shortchange you."
"You love rummaging through trash bins, don't you?"
"After this, I'll commission ten thousand trash bins just for you to sift through leisurely. You can forget about dividing any Credit points."
Stelle looked at Su Jinyan as though he were a fool.
"Su Jinyan, who do you think you're fooling? Don't assume I'm as gullible as March."
"I could sell March alone for more than ten thousand trash bins, understand?"
"Tsk, so how many trash bins do you want then?" asked Su Jinyan.
With an eager expression, Stelle replied, "I want... I want a share of the Credit points, Old Deng!"
Alright, this one is indeed harder to deceive—much trickier than March.
Kafka interjected, "Diviner Su..."
"Kafka, we're already friends," Su Jinyan said. "Do we need to be so distant?"
"You could call me something even more intimate."
"Just like this lovely young lady beside me, her way of addressing me is quite close."
Stelle responded, "A-Yan, if you truly enjoy it, should I start calling you 'Old Deng' every day?"
If uttering 'Old Deng' could burst forth gold coins, she was certain countless people would eagerly do so.
Kafka's beautiful eyes softened. "A-Yan—do you like being called that by me?"
Su Jinyan looked highly pleased. "Not bad at all. If you could also address me as 'dear,' I'd like it even more."
Kafka remarked, "Desire is akin to a stone rolling down from a mountaintop; once set in motion, it cannot be stopped."
"Don't you think it's better to cherish those before us?"
Su Jinyan sighed. "You're right, but every gift of fate comes with its hidden price tag."
"As someone favored by the Benevolent Medicine King..."
"Cough, or rather, the Plagues Author, naturally, there must be a corresponding cost to bear..."
Kafka looked at him, puzzled. "The price... Mara-Struck?"
Su Jinyan explained, "Kafka, you should already know this. As Immortal Boat people, we inevitably face Mara-Strike, a fate unescapable for eternal life beings.
"Unlike others, I was particularly favored by the Benevolent Medicine King, who bestowed upon me a potent blessing. However, the price is that my descent into Mara-Strike occurs much earlier than most.
"The only way to alleviate my Mara-Strike symptoms is by constantly seeking the pure love of maidens. Oh, how truly unfortunate the Benevolent Medicine King has made me."
Stelle couldn't help but applaud. "Well said, I believe you now. What about you, Kafka?"
Who would actually believe such a tale? Certainly not Kafka.
She had long known that Su Jinyan possessed a unique ability to suppress his Mara-Stricken state.
Inviting Su Jinyan to the banquet wasn't solely to ally against the Jepella Brotherhood. Another reason was to seek his assistance—helping her and Blade control their own Mara-Struck afflictions.
Kafka nodded affirmatively, "Yes, I believe so too. A-Yan would never deceive his wife and daughter, right?"
Feeling regret for her past actions, Stelle lamented, "Just how long will you keep taking advantage of me?"
"I wish I hadn't joked with you like that from the start."
"Not only did I gain nothing, but now I've even become your daughter."
"A-Yan, can I ask you for something?" Stelle pleaded.
Su Jinyan's gaze softened affectionately. "Go ahead."
Stelle tugged at his sleeve. "Please don't get romantically involved with March, okay? That girl is far too gullible."
"Mainly, I worry for March; she might end up counting money for you while unknowingly getting sold out."
Su Jinyan brushed away her delicate white hand, expressionless. "Tell me the truth."
Feeling guilty, Stelle averted her eyes. "I definitely don't want to be considered junior to March, even if it's just as a joke."
Su Jinyan nodded. "Alright, since this is your request, I assure you I will never pursue a romantic relationship with March."
"And no kissing her either," Stelle added.
Su Jinyan continued nodding. "Agreed, such a small matter is easily manageable."
Stelle continued, "And definitely no intimate relations with her."
Su Jinyan scratched his ear. "What was that? I didn't quite catch it."
"Oh right, I promised to play arcade games with Silver Wolf tonight," Stelle grumbled angrily. "So you were indeed thinking about little March!"
Taken aback, Su Jinyan protested, "No, I wasn't thinking about little March. Should I be thinking about Kafka instead?"
"You wouldn't seriously expect me to make a move on Kafka, would you?"
Stelle feigned indifference, coughing slightly. "Well, it's not entirely out of the question."
As long as her familial status remained intact, she couldn't care less whom Su Jinyan pursued; it wasn't her concern.
As for what little March might think or feel, Stelle had no interest. After all, little March herself had stated she didn't like Su Jinyan.
Kafka pondered before speaking, "...A-Yan, there is another matter where I'd like your assistance."
"Ever since arriving on Xianzhou, Bladie's Mara-Struck affliction has intensified severely."
"At times, even my Word of Power could not suppress it. In this condition, he cannot endure interstellar travel."
"Given your ability to control the Mara-Struck state, could you help me?"
Su Jinyan's eyes lit up. "Kafka, surely you don't want your companion to suffer from the Mara-Struck torment, do you?"
"As long as you cooperate obediently, I guarantee—"
Kafka interrupted, "Yes, naturally, I don't want that either. I understand what you're suggesting."
"How about this? Consider it a favor owed to you, alright?"
Su Jinyan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Although not quite what I had envisioned, it's no matter."
"After this is resolved, I'll need Blade to accompany me to meet someone."
Kafka seemed unsurprised. "Who?"
"Jingliu," Su Jinyan replied.
Kafka agreed readily. "Hmm, certainly. I imagine he would be delighted to see Jingliu too."
"However, if after this encounter, Blade falls back into Mara due to Jingliu, you'll have to come help me again."
Su Jinyan continued, "In principle, as a Diviner of the Divination Commission, I should not involve myself with your Stellaron Hunters."
"But for Stelle's sake, I will see this through completely. If you need my assistance in the future, just let me know."
Stelle scratched his head, feeling embarrassed. "So my influence has grown so significant, able to sway your decisions now? When did our relationship become such close friends?"
Puzzled, Su Jinyan responded, "What do you mean? You take polite gestures seriously? Are you kidding me?"
Inside Blade's room, Kafka had forcibly severed his connection to reality and sensory perceptions.
Now, he could only hear Kafka's voice and feel her touch; everything else remained completely unnoticed by him.
Su Jinyan's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Kafka, what if I were to make him pregnant right now? How would that be?"
Kafka gently placed a finger on his lips and softly said, "Be good, don't tease anymore."
"Silver Wolf is still waiting for you to play games together. Don't you want to finish this quickly? As compensation, no matter what sounds come from Silver Wolf's room tonight, I'll pretend not to hear them."
Su Jinyan firmly declined, sounding resolute. "I'm not that kind of person—unless you'd like to join us tonight?"
Kafka parted her lips slightly, murmuring incantations as she entered her focused state.
Behind Su Jinyan, a brilliant Treasured Radiance began to glow, its warm light illuminating Blade's face, making him appear unusually serene.
Just then, Fu Xuan called.
Without hesitation, Su Jinyan chose to answer the call.
He hadn't done anything wrong, and hanging up might make Fu Xuan suspect he had something to hide.
Fu Xuan's voice was gentle. "A-Yan, where are you?"
"This venerable one..."
Qingque whispered discreetly from the side, offering advice:
"Lady Fu Xuan, don't use 'this venerable one'; it would be better to say 'I'."
Pausing briefly, Fu Xuan continued, "I just finished overtime work; I'm quite tired and craving some of your milk tea."
Su Jinyan replied firmly, "Shizun, I'm visiting a friend's place tonight, so I may not be able to return home."
Immediately on guard, Fu Xuan asked, "Friend? Male or female?"
Qingque murmured softly, "Lady Fu Xuan, don't phrase it like that."
"They're out streaming with Little Gui'zi and Sushang."
"So you should ask if they're at Tingyun's or Xueyi's."
Su Jinyan cleared his throat, "Qingque, don't jump to conclusions—I'm not with them.
"I'm at a friend's house, there are both men and women here—all friends."
Fu Xuan couldn't help but ask, "Qingque, do you think A-Yan is speaking truth or falsehood?"
"Lady Fu Xuan," Qingque suggested, "why don't you perform a divination to see if any other women will fancy A-Yan tonight?"
"This venerable one has already done so," Fu Xuan replied. "The divination sigil showed stability; there should be no cause for concern."
Seizing the moment, Stelle leaned close to Su Jinyan, her captivating eyes hazy and breath soft against him. "Oh, that feels amazing, A-Yan."
"Let's do it again, stay here tonight instead of going back."
Su Jinyan blinked, puzzled.
Stelle fluttered her beautiful lashes innocently. Lying was wrong, but she aimed to correct Su Jinyan's habit of manipulating emotions through deceit.
Qingque chimed in sarcastically, "It seems your divinations aren't quite accurate, Grand Diviner."
Fu Xuan trembled with anger, her delicate body shaking. "Disrespectful disciple! Who's the woman with you? Her voice sounds familiar."
"You're being disloyal to this venerable one. How dare you betray me like this?"
Rushing to explain, Su Jinyan said, "Shizun, just now, it was a friend playing a prank."
"She had a Mara episode and was talking nonsense; I'm about to treat her immediately."
At the Divination Commission, Fu Xuan stared at the disconnected phone, her expression slightly darkened.
"Just who is that guy?"
"Never has anyone dared to provoke this venerable one like this."
"Never!"
Qingque continued offering suggestions, "Don't get angry, Lady Fu Xuan."
"You need to act, remember? Make A-Yan feel guilty..."
Confusion flickered in Fu Xuan's eyes. "How should I act?"
With unwavering confidence, Qingque replied, "Just start crying."
Fu Xuan narrowed her beautiful gaze menacingly. "Are you eager to witness this venerable one sobbing uncontrollably?"
"I wouldn't demean myself by doing so, even if A-Yan deceived me."
Feeling somewhat stumped, Qingque suggested, "Aiya, perhaps let me perform the act instead?"
After hanging up the call, Su Jinyan swiftly pulled Stelle onto her lap and delivered three forceful slaps.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
The crisp sounds echoed loudly within the room.
Stelle winced, rubbing her rounded bottom with furrowed brows, painfully closing her beautiful eyes.
"That day, I was defiled by that man right before my mother's eyes..."
Kafka remained speechless.
Stelle continued, "Despite my agonizing struggles and resistance."
"As a delicate and powerless beauty, I ultimately couldn't overcome his brutish instincts."
"And all my mother did was watch coldly from the side."
Kafka stayed silent, though desperately wanting to respond. However, interrupting the process of suppressing Mara through the Word of Power could not only render their efforts futile but also risk severe backlash upon herself.
Su Jinyan gently lifted Stelle's chin, "If you dare continue this mischief, I'll make your dream come true."
"After all, Kafka can't move now; she can only helplessly watch me discipline you."
Anxious as fire, Kafka chanted the Word of Power faster than ever before. If anyone else had said such words, she might dismiss it as a joke, but coming from Su Jinyan, it struck fear into her heart, fearing that action might truly follow.
If this were to happen right before her eyes, what kind of situation would it create?
Stelle obediently apologized, "I'm sorry, I was wrong, and it won't happen again."
"How about I help you win over little March?" Su Jinyan sighed. "March 7th is truly fortunate to have someone like you."
"Alright, no more noise from now on. I need to call back, so Shizun doesn't misunderstand."
"I originally planned to stay overnight, but thanks to your interference, that's out of the question now."
Before Su Jinyan could return the call, Qingque dialed him first.
"A-Yan, having fun at your friend's place?"
"Seeing as it's getting late, why don't you just stay there tonight instead of coming back?"
Su Jinyan's expression shifted with surprise. "Is that really okay? Thank you, Qingque."
However, he knew well that following little Que'er's pattern, there would inevitably be a twist next. Before Qingque could speak further, Su Jinyan decisively hung up the phone.
Qingque stared at the disconnected line, feeling puzzled.
"That can't be right? I haven't finished yet."
In Qingque's plan, her next words were meant to stir feelings of guilt within Su Jinyan. She hadn't anticipated that he would preemptively cut her off by hanging up.
To Qingque's surprise, Su Jinyan anticipated her move and hung up before she could continue.
Fu Xuan grew agitated. "No way! This venerable one cannot stand idly by while some vile woman devours him whole."
"I'm going to find him. Qingque, will you join me?"
Qingque yawned. "Grand Diviner, I'll pass this time; I need to head home."
"Once you find A-Yan, make sure not to appear too desperate," she advised softly. "Be gentle with him; I wouldn't want him to get hurt."
Fu Xuan responded unhappily, "What kind of person do you think I am? It's not like I'd beat him up."
"And even if I did, it would only be those wicked women who suffer."
Qingque slowly stepped back, her astute eyes gleaming mischievously. "I meant... Lady Fu Xuan, when spending the night together with A-Yan, please be tender with him, dear elder."
"Don't exhaust poor A-Yan; my heart would ache for him."
Fu Xuan stared, momentarily speechless. By the time his flustered realization dawned on him, Qingque had already made a hasty retreat.
A visit from Lady Fu Xuan herself is bound to cause chaos, and joining her won't bring any advantages for me. Instead, sending A-Yan a text to warn him about Lady Fu Xuan's impending arrival might actually strengthen our bond.
Slowly opening his crimson eyes, Blade finally emerged from the Mara-Struck state.
What greeted him was not Kafka's face but a familiar and detested one instead.
Su Jinyan looked visibly pleased. "Bladie, you're awake," he said. "The surgery was successful; now you're officially pregnant."
Blade's expression, usually as placid as an ancient well, suddenly shifted to panic. He hastily touched his abdomen.
Relief washed over him—it remained perfectly flat.
He had been tricked...
After deep contemplation, Blade chose not to lash out impulsively. Instead, he calmly asked, "Kafka, can I leave now?"
Kafka gently nodded. "Yes, the Mara-Struck condition is temporarily suppressed. As long as you avoid any major stressors, there shouldn't be any issues."
"Additionally, A-Yan assisted this time."
"The condition he set forth was for you both to meet Jingliu together."
Blade cast a profound glance at Su Jinyan. "Agreed," he replied. "However, it will have to wait until tomorrow."
"There's someone...someone to whom I owe much. I must see them first."
Su Jinyan smiled slightly. "Of course, I hope you'll keep your word," he said. "I promised Jingliu that I would bring you to her, and if you were to flee out of fear, things could become quite complicated."
A cold glint flickered in Blade's eyes as he slammed the door shut behind him, scoffing, "Even if I feared anyone, it certainly wouldn't be Jingliu."
Jingliu—a name he had never forgotten.
With every swing of his sword, waves of phantom pain surged through his body—each fatal strike and unbearable agony owed to Jingliu!
Su Jinyan pondered aloud, "Mention Jingliu and he becomes agitated; seems their enmity runs deep."
"Kafka, let me make this clear," Su Jinyan continued, "I'm only responsible for bringing him to face Jingliu."
"If they impulsively engage in combat, that's not my concern."
Kafka nodded gently, "Yes, as long as you don't side with Jingliu, we won't have any objections."
Buzz...
Su Jinyan's phone vibrated.
[Playing Cards with Death]: There's a mole among us, abort the deal.
[Lady Fu Xuan's Dog]: ?
[Playing Cards with Death]: Lady Fu Xuan is on her way.
[Lady Fu Xuan's Dog]: No rush, let's toy with them first.
Setting down his phone, Su Jinyan pushed open Silver Wolf's room door. "Sweetheart, I've got something urgent tonight, but I'll come back in a couple of days for our game—"
Before he could finish, Silver Wolf, expression slightly darkened, pulled him inside and swiftly locked the door from within.
"After waiting for you all this time, you think you can just leave?"
"You must stay and play games with me tonight; don't go anywhere."
"Or perhaps, are you afraid of Fu Xuan?"
Su Jinyan chuckled coldly, "Are you kidding? Why would I be afraid of her?"
"Don't let Shizun's imposing demeanor fool you around others; she's as gentle as a lamb when it comes to me."
"Lady Fu Xuan cuddles up to me daily, acting cute, only getting out of bed after demanding kisses."
Silver Wolf waved their phone. "I've already recorded it."
"And your conversation with Kafka at the restaurant too, captured on audio."
Su Jinyan laughed, "Oh, you're truly adorable in your naivety."
"Record away, there's nothing between Kafka and me; our discussions were strictly business-related."
The corners of Silver Wolf's lips curved slightly as they pressed the playback button:
[Su Jinyan: Hard enough? ]
[Stelle: Absolutely! ]
[Kafka: It's plenty hard! ]
[Su Jinyan: Let's save that discussion for later; right now, there's only one thing on my mind. ]
Silver Wolf leaned close to Su Jinyan's ear and whispered softly, "A-Yan, I swear by my reputation as a genius hacker."
"The recording you just heard shows no signs of editing or manipulation—it contains every word spoken by both parties."
"Then guess what Fu Xuan's reaction would be if I play this incriminating recording for her?"
Su Jinyan was drenched in sweat.
"Um, Silver Wolf sir, let's discuss things calmly."
"I'll endure whatever you demand tonight."
Silver Wolf stuffed a piece of bubble gum into Su Jinyan's mouth. "I know what you're worried about."
"Fu Xuan is tracking your location through the jade divination tablet, but I've already redirected it to March 7th's inn room."
"We have ample time before she realizes something's amiss."