334 Good Cooperation (2/2)

Bang! The big lion's mouth closed but the scream was Baro's.

The lion vanished like dust and dissipated in mid-air. The beastly nature returned to Baro's mind; the conflict between the beastly nature and rationality made his vision go black. It felt as if his head was about to burst.

”The white lion is the representative phantom beast of the School of Dragon Rock, right?” Ye Qingxuan asked lightly. ”I can see that the beastly nature has other parts mixed within. You have an iron lion in your mind? Very creative, I like it. But what a pity.”

”You—” In the throbs of pain, Baro covered his face. Veins bulged on the back of his hand. The eye visible between his fingers had become red. It trembled as it focused on Ye Qingxuan's face. In his lethargy, Ye Qingxuan's face was as illusory as mist in his eyes. The youth seemed close to dissipating.

Dimness surrounded them, leaving only a solitary lamp for illumination. Behind the lonely lamp, Ye Qingxuan's smile was very secretive.

”Illusion!” Baro gritted his teeth. ”Your illusion...is Winterreise?”

”Yeah, I learned it on the road for self-defense.” Ye Qingxuan lowered his head. ”As you know, it comes from Winterreise. The movement is called Täuschung, which means deception. Its effect is to construct illusions while make the enemy's movement lose target, sending it back at the enemy. It is quite good against the School of Summoning.” The white-haired youth seemed defenseless. He told Baro every detail about his movements and secrets. Then he pushed the lonely lamp to Baro.

”I can tell you one thing: its 'fulcrum' is this lamp before you.” In the crackling sound of the burning light, the hum of the teenager came faintly. ”There was a fire, swinging lovingly before me. I followed it around and followed it close, watching it wander around, luring the vagabonds to come. Oh, how pitiful am I to be deceived so happily. I see a warm and bright house in this dreadful night. The one I love is inside-even if all I see are just illusions...”

”Do you think this illusion can trap me?” Baro gritted his teeth. ”Even the 'Voodoo Crypt' candidate, that b*tch Rebecca, doesn't dare to expose her fulcrum to me!”

”No, I just want a fair fight.” Ye Qingxuan shrugged. ”I got the geographical advantage while you don't need to worry that the destructive phantom beast will hurt the innocent. It's good for you, too. What do you say?”

”Just what I need.” Baro grinned, revealing sharp canine teeth. A shadow slowly surfaced behind him.

It was a huge and hideous black organ. The six-layered keyboard was engraved with countless beastly claw marks. The flowing notes transformed into different music theories, performing the war between a great beast and dragon. This was the wuthering sound, the trademark instrument of the School of Dragon Rock.

Baro's eyes were crimson. They had absorbed the beastly nature and seemed to burn. He had entered the phase of deep resonance. ”You'll regret it, Ye Qingxuan,” he uttered, emphasizing each word. ”I'll tear you to shreds.”

”Then you must hurry.” Ye Qingxuan smiled and closed his pocket watch. ”We still have the time to play a few rounds before the dinner. I hope I can convince you.”

-

Late at night, there was only the sounds of heavy breathing could be heard in the silent hall. Before the already cold dinner, the musicians were silent. Only Baro was staring at the lamp before him with a pale face drenched with sweat.

”Shall we eat first?” Sam sighed. ”The dinner's getting cold and we have to pay to heat it again. How much longer did Baro want to hold on for? He did not mind eating cold food, but he did mind spending money. It had cost a lot to get the best table here too. If this was in the past, he would not care about it, but he had just wasted a lot of money for the rain in Oz. Now his wallet was empty. If Ye Qingxuan had not said that he would treat them, Sam would have stolen food from Miller.

”It won't be long before Baro runs out of strength.” Miller stretched out his hand to hold Baro's wrist and shook his head with a sigh. ”I hope Ye Qingxuan can persuade him. Is the School of Summoning filled with stubborn guys like him? Researching beasts really messed with their heads.”

”At least the School of Dragon Rock is so. My teacher told me that if I met a psychopath from there, I should just beat them up. Otherwise, it's not possible to talk.”

”Your teacher tells you to beat them up no matter what school they're from!”

The two reached a stalemate for a long time. Finally, they decided to eat first. Ye Qingxuan reached out to pinch out the light on the table and the light dimmed.

Baro shook and almost slipped from his chair. He was sweating like a pig and panted heavily. He gasped as if he had broken free of asphyxiation under the sea. His lips faintly flushed with purple, his fingers trembled, and sweat fell from his hair to his collar.

Miller stretched out his hand to check but was refused by his waving.

”I surrender.” Gasping for breath, he looked up at Ye Qingxuan. He was not content but he still squeezed from his teeth, ”I'll listen to you in the relic.”

Ye Qingxuan laughed. ”Then, let's cooperate well.”