Chapter 124
Chapter 124: We haven’t even slept together!
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Phoebe drank another cup of translucent and clear red wine that sparkled with a wondrous light. She flicked a glance at Han Shuo as she said lowly.
“No… nothing much.” Han Shuo panicked and he stammered a bit.
“Then why are you drooling?” Phoebe pointed at the corner of Han Shuo’s mouth as she lightly laughed playfully.
He touched his chin and discovered that there really was some trace of water on his chin. Han Shuo said awkwardly, “Eh, that isn’t drool. It’s wine, it’s really wine.”
“Oh.” Phoebe smiled delightedly, “So it’s wine. How is it possible that you’d miss some even when drinking wine? How interesting.”
He kept feeling that the atmosphere was a bit odd. Han Shuo felt very comfortable at heart as he listened to Phoebe’s soft and gentle words. His mind kept making connections as his eyes once again involuntarily drifted to the crack in the artificial mountain.
“It’s only been a short time since we started eating, and you’ve already glanced to the left at the crack in the artificial mountain nine times. Just what is there that deserves your attention?” Phoebe’s beautiful eyes darted around and landed on Han Shuo’s body as she said lightly.
Panicking inwardly, Han Shuo blurted out, “How do you know that I kept glancing at that area, and that I’ve done so nine times?”
These words made Phoebe’s face even redder. She tsk’ed lightly and said lowly, “You’ve been looking around shiftily. Sitting in front of you, of course I saw everything. I know what bad thoughts you were harboring when you looked there.”
This was what Han Shuo didn’t want to see. He had no choice but to nod after Phoebe’s words and say, “Then alright, as long as you don’t think I’m embarrassing you then.”
“There we go, how could you allow someone else to take me to the banquet? What if they take advantage of me, wouldn’t you be worried?” A faint smile reapppeared on Phoebe’s face when she saw Han Shuo agree.
“Then aren’t you afraid that I’ll take advantage of you?” Han Shuo rolled his eyes at Phoebe and said bad temperedly.
When he said these words, Phoebe’s beautiful face flushed again, and she turned her head away, too shy to look at Han Shuo. She said lowly, “No, you’ve already taken all the advantage you can.”
Han Shuo’s heart lurched as he looked at the redness of Phoebe’s neck and ears, and in a curious coincidence, blurted out, “Not all. We haven’t even slept together!”
Han Shuo immediately reacted and swiftly walked towards the outside before Phoebe had a chance to speak. He hastily said, “I’ll be going now that I’m full. I’ll come by five days later.”
“You rubbish talking villain!” Phoebe hadn’t thought that Han Shuo would say such things and immediately flew into a rage. She cursed at Han Shuo’s fleeing back and only broke out into a low laugh when his body sped up and vanished. “Damnit, how dare he say that to me. Huh, he’s getting bolder and bolder.”
It was just past noon after leaving the Boozt Merchant Guild. Since the last time he’d reported into the Dark Mantle, it was almost a month. Thus, after seeing the time, Han Shuo hired a carriage and set off for the Dark Mantle’s stronghold.
When he was a street away, Han Shuo disembarked and released the three original demons to survey the surroundings, walking to the manor on foot.
“Boss, you’re finally here! I’ve been counting the days and knew that you would come and report soon. Therefore, I purposefully swapped shifts with others and have been waiting here to bring you into the organization’s interior.” The bandit Chester squirmed out from inside when Han Shuo arrived and said lowly with excitement.
“Eh, why are you calling me boss?” Han Shuo looked oddly at Chester and asked him with confusion.
“I’ll follow you in the future, and I hope that you’ll give me tips and pointers. Of course I need to express my respect towards you.” Chester said matter-of-factly towards Han Shuo.
“This title doesn’t sound very nice, let’s just go by our given names. Heh heh, but don’t you worry. If there are any good missions, I’ll ask to bring you along as well.” Han Shuo said.
After receiving Han Shuo’s promise, Chester appeared overjoyed and brought Han Shuo inside with passion and excitement. He chattered away non stop, asking where Han Shuo had been during this time, and if he’d gone out on any missions.
Han Shuo carelessly responded to Chester’s questions and walked slowly into the internals of the Dark Mantle organization. There was no surprise for him this time, and he walked with an air of familiarity directly towards Candide’s room.
“Ooh, you really are here. I thought Emily was lying to me.” Candide sat in a shadowy corner and was examining something in a magical flask. He didn’t raise his head when Han Shuo came in.
Han Shuo hadn’t anticipated that Emily would mention him, and was a bit surprised. He didn’t know what Emily had said to Candide, and thus stood there silently.
After a while, Candide put away the flask in his hands, finally speaking with his never-changing sinister face, “Emily said she happened to bump into you in the Dark Forest and rather admired your style and competency. I was quite surprised. I hadn’t thought that Emily, with her high standards, would speak so highly of you. It looks like there truly are some unique things about you.”
No shit, Emily’s my woman, of course she’d say good things about me. Han Shuo thought with pride, but maintained his usual expression on his face. He opened his mouth to say, “It’s been one month since my last mission. I’ve come to report in as per the rules and see if there are any other missions.”
The Dark Mantle usually didn’t interfere in personal matters, thus Han Shuo didn’t go into detail about how he and Emily had met. Since Emily had already spoken of it, she surely would’ve concealed all that had to be concealed. As long as Han Shuo didn’t give anything away, nothing would happen at all.
Nodding, Candide said, “Emily gave you a round of compliments and said that she wanted you to complete the mission in her hands with her. You’ll share the rewards and honor together then. What do you think? You’re one of mine. Emily won’t be able to make use of you without your agreement, but if you agree, then it’s another matter entirely.”
With Han Shuo and Emily’s relationship now, there was naturally no reason not to agree. Not to mention Emily needed to get the resources out of the forest trolls through Han Shuo for her mission. He had already become unwittingly embroiled in all this. If this became a mission that he could benefit from, then it’d be even better.
“No problem, I’m willing to complete the mission with her.” Han Shuo didn’t hesitate and nodded in agreement. He paused and said, “The bandit who brought me in, Chester, is quite smart. Can he join as well?”
“The mission is Emily’s, it’s up to her if she needs another person. You can ask her directly.” Candide said faintly, paused and then said, “Emily is Amyes’ sister by blood. Her status within the Dark Mantle isn’t low. It will be good for you to interact more with her. However, Emily’s identity within reality is a bit mysterious. Keep an eye out, don’t give others any gossip to talk about.”
Amyes was one of the three heavyweights of the Dark Mantle and was in charge of surveillance and investigation of all nobles and officials. He was a character within the Dark Mantle who was hugely active in the political scene, and one who held great power in his hands. To think that Emily was his sister by blood.
In addition, Candide seemed to be alluding to something else about Emily’s other identity. This made Han Shuo a bit surprised, unsure of the meaning within his words.
“Looks like you didn’t know all this, let this be a reminder to be careful. Mm. This will be all. She’s already pulled your information to peruse and will be able to find you easily. Come find me after you complete the mission with her.” Candide said as he looked at Han Shuo.