Chapter 271: Enchantress versus Enchantress
Karl shouted at Hu Yangxuan, encouraging him to accept the challenge.
"I am already too late. Haven't you heard that there were already two who had risen to the challenge? Wang Ben and Jiang Long. It would be quite a show to watch. " Hu Yangxuan cracked a smile.
"Wang Ben?" A sense of pity rose inside of Karl. Among all the S Club members, he had admired Wang Tong and Wang Ben the most. He admired Wang Tong for his power and accountability, and respected Wang Ben for his iron will and steadfastness. However, after the tournament at Capth, Wang Ben had become much quieter, perhaps because he felt guilty that he couldn't fight alongside with his friends.
"Alright Karl, cheer up. Your sad face is going to upset your fans." Zhou Sisi jested.
Karl had an excellent performance while working on the fleet. His execution of Karl's Style was the most effective. With the improvement of his soul energy and micromanagement, he was making progress in his technique by the day. In addition, he had made up his mind about joining the fleet, since he had conceded that he was not that talented in METAL combat.
"Among the four troublemakers, there was one nicknamed the "lightning kicks". His name is Qin Kun, and his kicks are extremely powerful. The last one of the four is from the Sect of the Divine Master."
"Sect of the Divine Master? Why would they follow Lie Jian's order?"
"The two have a strong alliance on the Mars."
"What about these sect members? Are they...strong?" Karl asked curiously.
"Although the sect is not one of the Great Houses, they are similar to the Templar's court. Have you ever heard the saying that 'all tactics are from the court'? Well, the sect is the only exception to that rule. The sect has its own unique tactics and training methods." Hu Yangxuan announced as he was stuffing potato chips into his mouth.
Although the sect of the Divine Master was only active on the Mars, unlike their Templar counterpart, one should not mistake their obscurity for weakness.
"So...you mean a good show is about to start? Perfect!"
In a comfortable and spacious room, Ma Xiaoru lolled on the bed with a book in her hand. A breeze blew in and revealed the gorgeous scenes outside of the room. Ma Xiaoru stared into the distance, not minding the wind that had tousled her hair.
"Who are you thinking? Don't lose yourself, my princess." Li Rouer jested.
"Ruoer, could you please tell my dad to let me return to school? It's too boring here."
"I wish I could. I count myself lucky to be able to stay here with you thanks to our same tactics. They somehow think our similar soul energy would help you recuperate. Otherwise, I would have to be kicked out of here as well. I have never seen your dad so mad before."
"My body is recovered. It would just take some time to recharge my soul energy. I can't stay here forever, you know."
"Why are you so antsy to get out of here? Ah-Ha... you want to see my brother? Awww, how cute."
"Stop it. Can you look someone up for me?" Ma Xiaoru had been thinking about Wang Tong ever since she had awoken, and she had wagered that Wang Tong was still alive. Due to Ma Xiaoru's protest, the marriage between the two family had been put up on hold. Ma Xiaoru wished that her parents could accept her real love interest, but she knew it would be impossible for her mom to like Wang Tong, since she was convinced that Wang Tong was the culprit behind Ma Xiaoru's serious of unfortunate events.
"Already did! That prick is reveling in his new life right now. I suggest you worry about yourself first."
"Ruoer, I have another favor to ask. It might be difficult for you..."
"Spit it out. I don't like it when you are so cautious around me. I know you are not interested in becoming my sister in law, but I am still interested in becoming your friend."
"I feel bad for leaving Ayrlarng, and Wang Ben has also left. So, I was worried that Samantha might be having a difficult time. Could you please help her?" Ma Xiaoru pleaded. In addition to Wang Tong, she was also worried for Ayrlarng since they had recently lost two of their best students.
Li Ruoer's brow furrowed as she reflected on the question. The Li Family was the strongest supporter of Capth, and it was a well-known fact. Should she change her school to Ayrlarng, there would be consequences. However, Li Ruoer reasoned that if she could stay at Ayrlarng, she would be able to bring news about Wang Tong to Ma Xiaoru.
"Well, that was a tough one. But alright, I will help you." Li Ruoer answered hesitantly.
Ma Xiaoru hugged Li Ruoer out of sheer excitement, "Thank you so much! I don't know how I would be able to repay you for this."
Li Ruoer looked out of the window, trying to hide the faint smirk on her face.
"Don't you worry about it! But tell me, you want me to help Wang Tong or Samantha?" Li Ruoer asked.
Ma Xiaoru flushed and then said, "You know the answer to that one."
Ma Xiaoru's openness caught Li Ruoer off guard.
"You have no idea the feeling I had when I thought I was going to die. I have never felt so regretful, and I thought if I could live again, I should be with the someone who I truly love."
Watching as the longing for love burnt in Ma Xiaoru's eyes, Li Ruoer felt like Ma Xiaoru was a different person. She wondered what exactly had happened between Ma Xiaoru and Wang Tong that had changed her so drastically.
"Don't be melodramatic, please! That's infatuation; love is too big of a word. Anyhow, I will spy on your love interest for you." Li Ruoer replied. Her goal was to gain Ma Xiaoru's trust. Therefore, she never praised her brother nor would she slander Wang Tong behind his back.
Li Ruoer was convinced that what had attracted Ma Xiaoru in Wang Tong was his grassroot background. Some ladies of the great houses were particularly fascinated with that quality, thanks to the widespread media's re-rendering of love stories. Time, Li Ruoer reasoned, would eventually break the spell. But any external force that attempted to separate the two before time had worked its magic would only pull the two closer.
Ma Xiaoru smiled away Li Ruoer's hint that Wang Tong was fickle in his love affair.
"Don't smile at me like that. You know all men's brains are in between their crotch. Both of our dads had been playboys before they settled down."
"Fine. I didn't say you were wrong. That is why I need you there." Ma Xiaoru answered.
Looking at the gleeful expression on Ma Xiaoru's face, Li Ruoer was not convinced at all that Ma Xiaoru was worried about Wang Tong's fidelity.
"You are not worried that he might take an interest in me? I am, too, an Enchantress, you know." Li Ruoer narrowed her eyes as if uttering a threat.
"Haha. Well, you should try it. I want to see what's gonna happen." Ma Xiaoru laughed.
Li Ruoer gave up. Ma Xiaoru didn't seem to doubt Wang Tong at all, no matter how hard she tried to plant the seeds of doubt into her mind. Humans were such strange creatures; their determination could be as impenetrable as a formidable castle, but once the suspicions and paranoia ate away the pillars of the mighty structure like the scourge of termites, the castle would crumble in an instant.
The series of miraculous incidences that happened to Wang Tong made Li Ruoer fall into deep thought. How did he survive the Arctic Blizzard when both Ma Xiaoru and herself had given up hope? How did he survive the nuke blast? How did he manage to persuade Ma Dutian? One question bade another, and soon, Li Ruoer realized that there must be more than what met the eyes.
She then pulled her thoughts back to her family business. The top priority for her family right then was to settle the marriage agreement. Li Ruoer had tried to separate the two before they had officially declared their feelings for each other. However, her plan backfired on her. Without Li Ruoer's manipulation, Wang Tong would still be with Samantha, and none of these problems would have occurred.
She figured that her best option right then was to make Wang Tong fall in love with another girl, perhaps herself. She conceded that she would take much pleasure in dumping Wang Tong after Ma Xiaoru and her brother's marriage was set in stone. Ma Xiaoru's request right then had just given Li Ruoer a cause belli to put her plan into action.
Satisfied with the promise of revenge, Li Ruoer's face beamed from side to side. She left Ma Xiaoru's room after chatting with her for a bit longer. All the while, Li Ruoer had overlooked one detail: Ma Xiaoru was also a cultivator of the tactics of Enchantress.