Chapter 046: The Choice

She had no idea what kind of investigative team the Shen Family’s main city would send this time, but regardless, she could not afford to let her guard down.

“Lina, thank you for the warning,” Shen Duo said sincerely.

Lina waved her hand with a playful smile. “It was nothing. What’s important now is that you prepare yourself. Shen Ao Fan isn’t someone to be underestimated. He’s suffered losses at your hands several times and already suspects you’re involved in Shen Qing’s disappearance. Once the Shen Family’s investigators arrive and he has their backing, he’ll only become more aggressive!”

Although Shen Duo was of the Shen Family’s direct bloodline, she had long since been abandoned by her clan. Now, she had become a swordswoman. On the Sacred Radiance Continent, the four great families revered the ancient Phantasms and took great pride in their heritage as illusionists. Shen Duo had chosen a different path, and even though she was now a capable Sword Spirit, the Shen Family would only scorn her and denounce the degeneration of their direct descendants.

After bidding farewell to Lina, Shen Duo wandered the streets of Luo City, lost in thought.

Yu Sha’s voice came to her through their mental bond. “Xiao Duo, why are you so afraid of them? If worst comes to worst, I’ll just set everything on fire!” Yu Sha’s tone was indignant, tinged with childlike petulance.

Shen Duo stroked Yu Sha’s fluffy white tiger head and sighed. “Setting aside the strength of the investigators from the Shen Family’s main city, just their connection with the main branch is enough. If we kill them to silence them, the Shen Family would know immediately. They’re one of the four great families with a top-tier Phantasm Master at their disposal—we’re no match for them as we are now. It would be like striking an egg against a rock.”

Yu Sha’s head, so energetic just a moment before, drooped in disappointment after Shen Duo’s analysis. “So what should we do?”

Shen Duo looked up at the warm source of light overhead. The sky was filled with drifting white clouds that shifted shape—sometimes like a house, sometimes like an old man with a pipe. The vast, boundless blue stretched on without end. A faint smile curved her lips. “The Sacred Radiance Continent is so vast. Are we really going to stay in this little city of Luo forever?”

This marvelous world was still largely a mystery to her. Since fate had granted her a second chance at life, she would not squander such a gift. Some things could not be rushed. She was self-aware and not foolish—this was the perfect opportunity to temper herself, to grow stronger. One day, when she was powerful enough, she would avenge her parents’ blood-debt herself.

“Really? We’re leaving Luo City?” Yu Sha asked, a hint of excitement in his voice. He had lived in the Katra Forest for as long as he could remember. Although the legacy of magical beasts allowed him to inherit his parents’ memories, it was nothing like experiencing the world firsthand. He had long yearned for what lay beyond.

Shen Duo gazed into the distance and nodded resolutely.

Warm sunlight shone on the girl standing tall and straight, casting a long silhouette on the ground. A gentle breeze lifted the hem of her black illusionist’s robe. The scene of one girl and two beasts radiated an indescribable warmth and unspoken trust.

Since she was preparing to leave Luo City and begin a new journey, Shen Duo made the necessary preparations. She bought plenty of dried rations, jerked meat, fruit, spare clothes, and other daily necessities at the market, storing them all in her storage ring. With Yu Sha and Ben Yi in tow, Shen Duo made her way to the Buto Tavern.

Lido was greeting customers at the counter. The moment he saw Shen Duo, he welcomed her enthusiastically. “Miss Ninth, you’re here!” Lido was short and stout, with beady eyes and a bulbous nose. His smile was rather sly.

Shen Duo disliked being called “Miss Ninth” and frowned slightly before nodding at Lido.

Oblivious to her displeasure, Lido led her to a private room upstairs. “Thank you again for your help last time. That’s the only reason my tavern recovered so quickly. Miss Ninth, let me bring you our newest Golden Flower Brew.”

Shen Duo stopped him. “Boss Lido, I actually have a favor to ask.” As she spoke, she gestured for him to sit across from her.

“Miss Ninth, you’ve helped me a great deal. Whatever you need, as long as it’s within my power, I’ll do it without hesitation.” Though Lido was stingy and fond of small gains, he was a man who repaid kindness. Shen Duo’s money had helped him through a tough time, and he never forgot it—hence his personal welcome.

Shen Duo raised an eyebrow. “It’s nothing serious. I’ve heard that the Shen Family’s main city is sending an investigative team to look into the city lord’s disappearance. Could you keep an ear out for any news about this?”

The Buto Tavern was always bustling, favored by itinerant illusionists and mercenaries—a perfect place to gather information.

Lido smiled knowingly. The investigative team would be in direct contact with the Shen Family’s upper ranks, and since Shen Duo was a direct descendant, he assumed she was eager for news in hopes of finding a way back to the main family.

“I heard from some customers a few days ago—the Shen Family’s investigators have already set out from Kalbas and are on their way here by spirit eagle. They should arrive in the next day or two. Word is, there are four of them this time, and each one is a Sky Illusionist!” At the mention of Sky Illusionists, Lido’s eyes shone with longing. He was an illusionist himself, but after decades of cultivation, he had yet to break through the Great Illusionist’s bottleneck.

Four people from the Shen Family! Shen Duo instantly began to devise a plan.

After chatting with Lido for a while, Shen Duo ordered some drinks and buttered bread for a simple lunch and bought extra nectar and various beverages to store away before leaving the Buto Tavern. Lido promised to keep her updated with any new information.

She returned to her small house, gathered the few essentials, and packed them into her storage ring. In truth, her home was bare—just a bed, a cabinet, a table, and a chair. There was nothing else to take. She had come back only out of nostalgia. After all, this was the first place she had lived in this world.

A shadow flickered by the door. Shen Duo turned alertly, only to see Wang Feng peeking inside cautiously.

Once he confirmed it was her, Wang Feng’s entire face relaxed with relief and happiness. “Shen Duo, it really is you! You haven’t been back these past days. I was worried something had happened to you.”

Shen Duo invited him in. Wang Feng was still in his worn, patched clothes, his short brown hair dirty and tangled, with a few vegetable leaves stuck to it—clearly just back from some odd job.

Looking at the simple, honest boy smiling before her, Shen Duo’s pale face softened. Wang Feng had been the first warmth she had known in this world. She hadn’t expected him to still be thinking of her after she left.

She poured him a cup of nectar and sat opposite him. “I’m fine. I just took a simple mercenary job for a few days and only just got back.” Wang Feng was so pure-hearted that Shen Duo didn’t want him to worry, so she spun a kind lie.

Wang Feng was genuinely happy for her. “If it weren’t for my grandparents, I’d be a mercenary too, just like you.”

Shen Duo smiled at him; her delicate face lit up with warmth, bright as the sun, able to illuminate even the darkest corners of the heart. Wang Feng’s heartbeat quickened, and his face flushed as he lowered his head in embarrassment, overcome by both youthful excitement and shyness.

Shen Duo didn’t notice his awkwardness. Smiling, she said, “Wang Feng, I’m leaving Luo City.”