Chapter 139 Baals Faction 6 (1/2)

A week passed in Half Moon village with still no news from Baal or the party escorting Zero to the abyss. Hua Tuo was getting slightly worried. Only Lovina was still in contact with the party. The witch was his only thread of connection and that made Hua Tuo regret not following them. The physician sighed and looked up at the sky. Nothing much had transpired in the time Zero had left. The fortification works were progressing smoothly but the sombre atmosphere hung in the air like stubborn old mould. Nobody wanted to talk about the elephant in the room, not even Zenobia.

He was slightly startled when he heard someone knocking at his door. Recently, Karris was experiencing contractions more frequently. It wouldn't be long before she was due and Hua Tuo really wanted his student present for the delivery. Unfortunately, this was something beyond his abilities. He only hoped that Baal would be able to do something about it like he claimed he would.

Setting his work materials to a side, Hua Tuo went to welcome his visitor. He wasn't quite expecting the oldest villager to pay him a visit but offered her tea anyway.

”Thank you,” Grandma Moppo smiled as Hua Tuo handed a steaming cup of green tea.

”I see that your health is getting better,” he noted.

The half fae grinned and laughed heartily. ”It's all thanks to young Zero.”

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

The silence in the room was suffocating and Hua Tuo didn't know how what he should be doing. He could definitely bring up his grievance with the old lady and the matter would be very quickly resolved. After all, even Zenobia had a certain level of respect for the pioneer of Half Moon village. Sometimes, Grandma Moppo's words were the law. Hua Tuo knew that very well. However, the physician understood that whatever good relationship he had with the village before this would be completely destroyed if he did so. Rebuilding destroyed trust was a lot harder than earning someone's trust.

”Say,” Grandma Moppo smiled. ”Wouldn't it be nice if this became young Zero's home too?”

Hua Tuo blinked and considered her question seriously. With a frown, he admitted that the thought had never crossed his mind. Zero was his apprentice, shoved into his arms after Buddha dropped the news on him. Hua Tuo grew to like his apprentice more than he thought was possible and as a teacher, he wanted what was best for the brunet. However, the physician was rather hopeless when it came to caring for Zero's mental well-being. He had been harsh and strict on the brunet, trying to discourage him from walking the painful path of becoming a doctor. Zero prevailed and showed Hua Tuo how brightly he shone in the desolate land. He paved the way for all doctors with the magic he possessed. Sicknesses that were previously impossible to cure and treatments that were unheard off came tumbling out of that small apprentice, how could Hua Tuo not be proud? Still, there was always something lacking. Hua Tuo knew it well. He saw it in his student's eyes sometimes. Zero would sometimes become very withdrawn and quiet, a very vast difference from how he usually was. Behind the curious and optimistic personality was a very wise and troubled soul. Hua Tuo didn't know how to help his student whenever he was in one of those moods.

”That's a very generous offer. However, I don't know if Zero wants to stay here permanently. He is still young and wishes to travel. I'm afraid I can't make this decision on his behalf,” Hua Tuo apologised.

Grandma Moppo waved it off casually. ”That's fine. We could work things out. I'm sure you know the reason for my visit today.”

The physician became grimmer. It wasn't very hard to guess. The village was split into two camps. Nobody truly hated Zero but the reactions they had were very contrasting. Hua Tuo didn't know which was better. There was a camp that supported Zero and wanted to support him by treating him the same as before. Lovina, Cleo and the small party that escorted him to the abyss were some. It was clear as day that Zenobia was in that camp but as the chieftess, she had to play it neutral. On the other hand, there was a camp that respected and feared Zero. Clowis and Leon, in particular, said very harsh things. They didn't want Zero in the village at all. Most of the lab members felt betrayed, Raj, in particular, felt depressed while Tambolt spent his most his time drinking ale, trying to forget the blow to his pride. Hyelin was torn. She liked Zero as a person but for someone who left magic for science, she simply couldn't accept how powerful Zero was. The pixie felt utterly betrayed even though it wasn't Zero's fault. Wiser stormed out on them after a heated argument when they took a vote to keep or remove Zero as a lab member. The pixie regretted saying such hurtful things but she couldn't bring herself to forgive Zero who had done no wrong.

Hua Tuo sighed. ”I understand. I'll talk to Zero when he comes back. If Half Moon needs any medical help at all, send Roovan over. I'll make a trip personally. I'll keep him away from the village in future, sorry for causing so much trouble.”

Grandma Moppo blinked and choked on her tea. ”It's not like this!” she quickly clarified. ”I'm here to apologise on the behalf of Half Moon village. Zero has done such wonderful things for us and yet we can only repay his kindness with ingratitude.”

Continuing quickly so as not to leave Hua Tuo in further suspense, the half fae explained how she had a talk with Zenobia. It took a while to understand everyone's feelings and for the fears to blow over. Leon and Clowis were the hardest to convince. Leon felt unworthy of becoming Zero's friend and acted out like how any child would after such a huge shock. Clowis was livid when he heard how Zero let the traitor go so easily. Nobody could tell him that his fears were unfounded. Douglas might be human now but who's to say he wouldn't come back with an army to attack the village? Not everybody was as kind as Zero and this kindness Zero showed Douglas might end up biting them in the back one day.

”The chieftess and I have decided that Zero should become the official owner of this village. It is the only way to put everyone at ease.”

Hua Tuo didn't speak for a while as the information sank in. For Zero to become the owner of Half Moon village would mean two things. One, the brunet now had to become its protector. Two, the brunet would have a platoon of the most skilful and talented professionals of every known field at his beck and call.

Half Moon village wasn't just a village for the outcasts. It was a village to hide one of the most wanted people on Earth for various reasons. Grandma Moppo took them in one by one despite knowing the risks and now, Zero would inherit this danger when he became the owner. If he could, the physician didn't want Zero to shoulder such a burden. Fighting a war against humans is one thing. Fighting multiple wars against different races was another thing. As an aspiring doctor, this wasn't a good thing for Zero. However, it wasn't something Hua Tuo could decide on behalf of his disciple.

”I understand,” he bowed. ”I will talk to Zero about this when he returns. However, I would let you know in advance not to get your hopes up.”

Grandma Moppo smiled gratefully. ”That is all I ask for. Even if Zero refuses, we shall always consider him as one of our own although our paths might be unlikely to cross again.”

Hua Tuo only watched as the healthy half fae left. He didn't have the heart to escort her out, feeling both tired and sad for Zero. Parting was never an easy thing and Zero had gotten rather attached to the villagers. He didn't know what the brunet wanted but he knew that he didn't want Zero to be burdened by the responsibilities of protecting the village.

***

Seated at one end of the thirty feet long table was Baal in his pyjamas as he yawned. Zero had finally shown signs of recovery. Although the brunet was still unconscious, the Demon King witnessed the completion of Zero's chakra and mana channels. He would be able to recover mana and qi on his own now even without the extra boost from the Spring of Vitality. Baal decided to bring Zero back to his castle to recuperate while he attended to official business.

On the other end of the ridiculously long table were Demon Queen Lilith and Demon King Mammon. The succubus queen wore a revealing leather outfit that exposed her cleavage and outlined her womanly shape. Black leathery wings on her back fluttered occasionally as she moaned obscenely at the taste of the dessert in her mouth. Her thin black tail swayed from side to side hypnotisingly, waving the heart-shaped barb end teasingly.