Chapter 576 - Mysterious Swordsmanship (1/2)

Chapter 576: Mysterious Swordsmanship

Rhode’s voice was as calm as the afternoon breeze, but the men felt an incomparable chill shooting up their spines. Their expressions turned ashen and they sucked in a deep, cold breath in unison. The middle-aged man gulped his saliva as Rhode’s razor-sharp blade dangled around his throat and the ice-cold murderous intent felt as though an invisible wild beast pressuring his body. He could even feel its claws pushing on his chest and just a little more force would puncture his chest without resistance.

“Scram,” said Rhode once more.

The middle-aged man crawled to his feet and held his throat with lingering fears. He gaped and glared fiercely at Rhode, but no words came out of his frightened self. In the end, he let out a snort and fled with the other men in red and white striped uniform hurriedly.

Rhode sheathed his sword and puckered his brows after the group of men disappeared around the corner. His concerns for Lapis had lessened all this while and he didn’t expect that this group of stubborn people would take action this quickly.

But Rhode wasn’t mindful about offending them.

“Anne,” Rhode turned around. “Inform Randolf and Joey to dispatch some trustworthy men to guard the alchemy workshop 24/7. Other than the Ocean Elves and mercenaries, no one is allowed into the workshop. If anyone dares to barge in, I allow them to take action on the intruders. Also, inform Joey to send his men and investigate the background of those people and the purpose of their arrival. Inform me immediately once he receives any information.”

“Yes, Leader,” Anne nodded and ran off quickly. Rhode shifted his gaze to Lapis and Christie standing by the alchemy workshop entrance. Christie revealed a delightful smile and waved back to Rhode while Lapis lowered her head worriedly. Although Lapis’s actions seemed nothing more than a reserved behavior of an Alchemy Elf, Rhode sharply detected that Lapis had turned pale and judging from her rubbing her robe anxiously, he could see that she was rather tense, or even frightened.

Rhode swept a meaningful glance at Lapis and said nothing. At this moment, two glaring rays shone from above and two familiar figures emerged beside him.

“Rhode, welcome back.”

“Leader, you’re finally back.”

The brilliance dispersed and Mini Bubble Gum and Canary appeared. Canary looked at Rhode with her signature gentle smile while Bubble pouted and glared. “Where have you been for so long, Leader? Big Sister and I were almost bored to death spending time with the bunch of NPCs. Leader, can you think of something challenging for Big Sister and I to accomplish? We won’t mind heading out for adventures with you because if this continues, we are really gonna be bored to death!”

“Bubble,” Canary warned.

Bubble had run up to Rhode and gesticulated while expressing her resentment. However, as soon as she picked up the pace, Canary’s interruption triggered Bubble’s reflex to shut her mouth and step back reluctantly. But even so, the little girl had no intentions of giving up just yet. She turned to Canary grumpily. “That’s the truth, isn’t it, Big Sister? Leader went to clear a dungeon by himself and left us with those boring NPCs. He also made Christie busy with designing the Stone Construct and I don’t even have a playmate. Leader, when will the bunch of idiots from the Country of Darkness slaughter their way here? Might as well we… uh… uh…!”

Canary cupped her hand over Bubble’s mouth swiftly and she presented her usual smile to Rhode. “Don’t worry, Rhode. Bubble is just feeling a little lonely. In fact, all these while she has been getting along well with the mercenaries and there weren’t any problems. I guess she was a little moody because she hasn’t seen you for a while.”

“I can understand that,” Rhode shook his head helplessly. Although Canary and Bubble were the reason why he could leave the Fortress and roam about for adventures freely, come to think of it, he was indeed rather cruel to both of them. Even though Rhode’s influential range had expanded to the entire Land of Atonement, the territories which Canary and Bubble were able to move about in were extremely limited. Due to the system restriction, they couldn’t possibly go shopping in the streets of Deep Stone City. Although Rhode had arranged several matters for them to handle, girls would still be girls and they would still have desires of their own.

“Don’t blame yourself, Rhode.”

Canary was surely ranked among the best for being able to read Rhode’s emotions. “We are all clear of our identities and Bubble was only grumbling a little. Fortunately, we know that we’re not humans and are only phantoms. But isn’t this a good thing? We’re still better than those robots in Hollywood movies where they don’t even know their true identities and treat themselves as humans… right? Bubble?”

“Uh… uh… uh!!”

“You see, Rhode. Bubble doesn’t object, right? Since we don’t mind, you shouldn’t be feeling guilty… Bring out that spirit which you used to charm your way with girls. Anyway, you didn’t feel any pressure no matter which girl you bedded with, isn’t it? So why are you feeling guilty now? Could it be that you’ve grown?”

“Uh…! Uh…! Uh…!”

“But… If you really feel sorry, I wouldn’t reject your advances, okay? By the way, you do remember the secret relaxation method that we used to have when we were together, right? As a reward for me helping you manage the Guild, I guess you wouldn’t reject this little request from me, right?”

“Uh…! Uh…! Uh…!”

“It’s up to you, Canary, but…” Rhode pointed forward. “… You are gonna kill Bubble if you continue to cover her mouth.”

“Eh?” Canary looked down curiously and smiled before releasing her hands. Bubble broke free from her struggles and no one knew what would happen to her if Canary let loose of her hands a few seconds later. “Big Sister, you’re too much! I almost died!”