Chapter 196 - A reunion with Anna
Chapter 196: A reunion with Anna
Edited by: VindiFan#1
Proofreader: Arya & Kiwi
In the face of that terrifying Murder Clown, many people chose to shut down their Holo-Brain and give up. Some others were still stunned, a few were pounding their chest, gritting their teeth, thinking of ways to join the game without being discovered by the Murder Clown.
Space.
The S.W. Divine Temple.
“This guy sure likes his theatricals” Zhang Ying Hao excitedly commented.
“That’s right, I can feel that he’s enjoying this” saying so, Liao Xing downed the entire glass of wine in his hand.
He happily declared: “A scientist’s job is to study the unknown, but I’ve never thought there would be a day where we can knock the unknown down on the ground and pummel it”
“Don’t let your guard down, it’s only a stalemate right now” Gu Qing Shan said.
“You’re just too careful, I think there’s probably no one else that’s willing to participate in that damn game” Liao Xing shook his head.
“I’m just worried that the game might change again” Zhang Ying Hao said.
“Hm? Where’s Ye Fei Li going?” Gu Qing Shan asked when he look at the screen.
Right now, Ye Fei Li had already taken off his armor, spreading his wings and flying through the clouds.
From the look of it, he’s hurrying somewhere.
[Mr. Ye Fei Li is following my calculated evolution plan and following a certain route to exterminate Man Killer Fiends] Impartial Goddess answered.
“Since the other guy was killed by Gu Qing Shan, our little Man Killer Fiend seems to have been terribly shocked” Liao Xing laughed and said.
“…That’s fine then, him becoming stronger is a good thing” Gu Qing Shan said.
[Sir, can you give the pair of shoes to me? I need to study the specimens] Impartial Goddess asked.
Gu Qing Shan looked at Zhang Ying Hao.
“Not useable for me” Zhang Ying Hao answered.
“Very well, then after Ye Fei Li returns, you can take it for research” Gu Qing Shan said.
“What a waste, a staff, a pair of gauntlets and a pair of shoes, all these champion rewards are being given to a machine” Liao Xing mumbled.
[Mr. Liao, my research is exceptionally important, please be assured of this] Impartial Goddess protested.
“Fine, fine, I can’t use them anyway, so do as you like” saying so, Liao Xing went to continue his research on the warp devices.
And then, Impartial Goddess reminded: [Sir, it’s time, your personal transport has been prepared for take-off]
“Good, then we’re leaving now” Gu Qing Shan stood up.
“Zhang Ying Hao, you’re coming with me” he said as he walked passed him.
“Where to?” Zhang Ying Hao was confused.
“Where do you think? This was your request to me, wasn’t it?” Gu Qing Shan replied.
“Ah, nice! Then I’ll need to go take a shower, shave and change into a nice suit” Zhang Ying Hao said.
“Do you really need to do so much?” Gu Qing Shan said, a bit uncertain.
“You’re joking! Of course I need to! At a time like this, the first impression is extremely important” Zhang Ying Hao’s voice suddenly raised.
He clearly looks nervous.
“What are you doing? Going to a sorority party without this old man?” Liao Xing cautiously asked.
“We’re not” Gu Qing Shan patiently explained, “we’re going to the United Nations conference, so personal appearance is indeed quite important”
“What conference is it?” Liao Xing asked.
“One regarding the Genetic Modification Serums” Gu Qing Shan explained, “if we’re able to convince other countries to make them available to the populace, our game System will have a class-system as well”
“Injecting a specific Genetic Modification Serum according to the selected class?” Liao Xing asked.
“That’s right” Gu Qing Shan answered.
Liao Xing gasped, then muttered: “Really, we’re looking more and more like a real game”
“The game is nothing but the outer appearance, the true meaning is to enable everyone to evolve and become stronger” Gu Qing Shan answered.
He continued: “I still have a lot of ideas, but we can’t bite off more than we can chew, let’s just take the first step with the Serums”
An hour later.
Gu Qing Shan and Zhang Ying Hao both wore suits, stepping out of the small-sized sport shuttle.
This is the capital.
The Freedom Confederate’s International Conference Center.
The Holy Empire, the Fuxi Empire, the Freedom Confederate, these three great countries as well as numerous smaller countries are gathered here to begin a discussion that’ll affect humanity as a whole.
“You two there”
A few elite black ops walked forward, about to stop them.
Suddenly, the large screen on the walls of the conference center lit up, showing Gu Qing Shan’s picture.
Lines of description showed up next to his profile.
[The Freedom Confederate’s Mobile Mech scientist]
[Creator of the Mobile Mech’s Life Algorithm]
[Patent owner of 37 pieces of Mobile Mech technology]
[The first person to discover and identify the Man Eater and Man Killer Fiend viruses]
[Setter of Man Eater and Man Killer Fiend defensive protocols]
[Capital’s Military Academy’s special professor]
A voice also narrated the information to the black ops’ earpieces.
Their attitude instantly changed, stepping to one side and welcomed him in.
“Please come in” the leader of the group spoke.
After they walked far enough, Zhang Ying Hao asked in a low voice: “Impartial Goddess?”
“Hm” Gu Qing Shan answered.
Zhang Ying Hao exclaimed: “With you, Impartial Goddess and the President’s support, I don’t think there’s anyone else in the entire Confederate that can stop us”
They continued to walk until they reached a small guess reception room.
A few minutes later, the President brought 4-5 secretaries with him and entered.
“This is?” the President asked.
“He’s my business partner, Zhang Ying Hao” Gu Qing Shan introduced him.
Zhang Ying Hao quickly stood up and shook the President’s hand.
“I know you, you’re the rebel kid of the Zhang family” the President looked at Zhang Ying Hao and said while laughing lightly.
“How embarrassing, it’s just the lack of sensibility of youth” Zhang Ying Hao answered.
“What were you thinking at the time?” the President asked, a bit interested.
“No one is born noble, what Aristocrats must pass on isn’t only the power and authority, but the spirit of the being the leaders of human society” Zhang Ying Hao spoke slowly and clearly.
“Well said, no wonder you’re able to become Qing Shan’s partner”
While still shaking his hand, the President also patted him on the back.
Zhang Ying Hao was honored.
After a bit of chatting, they sat down.
“Qing Shan, today we’re discussing the matter of the Genetic Modification Serums, but most are still a bit hesitant, I want you to come up there and see if you can persuade them” the President said.
“That’s fine, there won’t be any problems, but before that, there’s something I must talk to you about” Gu Qing Shan replied.
“Ah? Please do” the President said.
“About this, only you can know” Gu Qing Shan spoke.
The President then ordered his secretaries outside.
Gu Qing Shan then put the black suitcase he was bringing with him on the table and opened it.
He took out a silver bracelet from inside, giving it to the President.
“What is this?” the President asked.
“A personal battle assistance System, it can incorporate the Genetic Modification Serums as well as helping the user quickly master battle techniques”
“At the moment, it’s still a work in progress, but you can try it out first” Gu Qing Shan smiled.
About ten minutes later, the President left with his secretaries.
“Are you the President’s illegitimate child?” Zhang Ying Hao asked, a bit hesitant.
“You’re joking, of course not” Gu Qing Shan answered.
“But then why is he so friendly with you, not to mention so supportive only right after you showed it to him?” Zhang Ying Hao asked.
“He also has the Highest Leader authority, so everything I do he already knows about, including the matter regarding Ye Fei Li” Gu Qing Shan was also a bit unsure about this.
“Perhaps, with his vision, he’s able to recognize the benefit this will bring to humanity as a whole” he thought about it for a bit and said.
Aside from that, there’s no other explanation.
Zhang Ying Hao muttered: “Why do I feel like he’s even more excited about this than you are?”
It was now that the antique grandfather clock of the conference center started to chime.
“There’s still some time left, looks like we’re early” Gu Qing Shan checked the time and said.
Zhang Ying Hao retorted: “You’re the one that wanted to get here as soon as possible”
At this moment, there was a knock on the door.
“Please come in” Gu Qing Shan spoke.
A feminine figure walked in, then quickly closed the door behind her.
Long crimson red hair, a slender figure, as well as a delicate and beautiful face.
Anna.
Anna Medici.
“I want to talk to you alone” she looked at Gu Qing Shan and said.
“Very well” Gu Qing Shan answered.
Zhang Ying Hao left the room, then locked the door behind him.
“I need your help” Anna went straight to the point.
“What kind of help?” Gu Qing Shan asked.
“I know you’re the inventor and creator of the Blazing Angel. I also know that you seem to have a unique power, and Impartial Goddess especially favors you” Anna quickly listed.
Gu Qing Shan nodded.
“I also have to thank you for dealing with Holy Apostle Hill”
“No need, I’m very willing to kill him on my own”
Anna then went silent, as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t quite arrange her words.
As hot-headed as she was, she was still a bit hesitant.
Squinting her eyes, she was a bit annoyed with herself.
The hell, I already thought of everything I need to say, as well as how to negotiate this, why did I get so hesitant at such a point in time?
Gu Qing Shan only observed her silently.
She’s much more haggard now, although she’s keeping up her appearance, but the fatigue on her mental health isn’t something you can hide easily.
The girl’s eyes didn’t contain the same clearness and pureness she had before, instead it was filled with a sense of complication and exhaustion.
After waiting for a while, not hearing her say anything, Gu Qing Shan asked: “You came here with the King and Queen of Fuxi Empire, correct?”
“I did” seeing him actively asking her like that, Anna sighed in relief.
“How have you been in the Fuxi Empire?”
“I’ve been fine; my aunt looks after me so there hasn’t been any problems” Anna replied.
“Really?” Gu Qing Shan walked closer to her and asked.
Anna stayed silent for a bit, then laughed bitterly: “I have to say, there are a few things that didn’t quite go as I thought it would”
“Then what can I help you with?”
Gu Qing Shan actively asked her about it.
“I… want to reclaim my country” Anna looked down and said.
“Isn’t Fuxi Empire about to declare war on the Holy Church?” Gu Qing Shan asked.
Anna showed an expression of self-ridicule, answering him: “I want to reclaim my country, but unless there’s no other way, I’m not willing to become a puppet for Fuxi”
“Then what do you want me to do, seeking me out like this?” Gu Qing Shan asked further.
This time, Anna looked up, stared straight at Gu Qing Shan without dodging his eyes and spoke with all her courage.
“I need your Mech technology, and I want to request you to help me contact Impartial Goddess and have it arrange war strategies, according to the International Foreign Aid Law”
“The President is quite close to you, and you also seem to know the Confederate’s Martial Saint, so I want you to help me meet them, and better yet form a good relationship with them”
Gu Qing Shan only listened to her silently.
Anna continued: “If you’re willing to provide me with help, I promise you’ll receive corresponding returns”
Perhaps feeling like she wasn’t being sincere enough, she very serious added: “By the honor of our Medici clan, I solemnly swear that as long as I’m able to reclaim my country, I agree to do one thing you desire, no matter what it is. If needs be, I will use the power of my entire country to provide help for you”
“I know that we’re not close, and I’m in no position to ask for your help right now” Anna slowly spoke, “And ever since we’ve known each other, you’ve not owed me anything”
Saying so, she breathed in, seeming to have regained a bit of her sense.
“But I’m still here asking for your help. Any of these matters is a monumental task for me to do alone, but with your help, I may still have a sliver of hope”
“And I will definitely return this favor the same way you help me”
At this point, her voice was already carrying a tone of begging.
“If… you feel that it’s too hard…”
She wanted to stay brave and said something strong-willed, but her mouth already couldn’t help themselves and pursed.
Gu Qing Shan still didn’t say anything, only watched her silently.
No, I actually do owe you something, he silently muttered to himself.
I still owe you my life.
In that moment, he saw himself returned to the past life.
On a pile of demon corpses.
Gu Qing Shan used his sword to prop himself up, barely standing: 「Thank you for saving me」
「Why are you here? With your level of cultivation, being here is the same as suicide」 the red-haired girl asked.
「To pick some spirit herbs」 he answered.
「Spirit herbs?」 the girl was a bit shocked, finally noticing there was a few strands of spirit herbs on the ground.
Although they can be sold for a bit of money, the girl still found his suicidal actions a bit unexpected.
Looking at the man, he was wounded all over, and bleeding profusely.
The girl felt like she should do something.
「Fine, you’re such a brave guy. Since I’m about to return anyways, come with me」she said.
「…Thank you」
At a small campfire.
They were eating, chatting.
「I’m Gu Qing Shan, what’s your name?」
「Ah, such a normal way to start a conversation, how unexpected of a brave person like you, I’m Anna」
「Thank you for saving my life, I’ll remember your name and definitely repay you for this in the future」
「Repay me? What’s there to repay, this is just something I happened to do」
She waved her hand, dismissing it.
「For you it’s something you just happened to do, but to me it was the greatest danger of my life. I’ve never owed someone so much before」
「Ahaha, so you’re really serious about that? What a cute guy」 she laughed heartily.
「That’s not funny」 Gu Qing Shan looked down and complained.
She rolled her eyes, then suddenly said: 「Then, how about you do something for me?」
He looked up: 「Of course, as long as it’s within my abilities」
「Then find me the strongest, most delicious wine in the world」
She clicked her tongue then continued: 「If you’re able to find me something like that, then consider your favor paid off」
「My life is only worth a glass of wine to you huh?」he said deprecatingly.
「No, it has nothing to do with your life, it’s because wine is my life」 the beautiful girl shook her head.
「Why?」 he couldn’t help but ask.
「Because only when I am truly drunk, I’m able to feel that I’m still alive」 the girl’s tone dropped, in her eyes was endless pain and sorrow.
The scene stopped here.
A few years later.
The searing flame rose to light up the night sky.
Gu Qing Shan stood still on top of a giant tree, looking as if he had lost his very soul.
Looking at the rising flame, he knew that he was too late.
In his hand was a bottle of wine that was tightly wrapped.
The wine inside was a spirit wine that he personally brewed, something that numerous Spirit Master Chefs held nothing back while praising.
He used 5 years to complete her request.
Full of confidence, he went to find her.
But the spirit energy waves from afar was telling a very clear story. Her fire-like life force was being burned away to nothingness at this moment.
The searing flames stopped.
Everything went silent as the cold wind stole away the heat, turning into a breeze as it reached him.
The night sky had already returned to darkness.
The little warmth that he originally could’ve seeked out were no more, the signs of her life could no longer be found by any spells or techniques on this world.
「Why does a person like you, also have to die…」
He whispered, then let go.
The wine fell from atop the tree, breaking to pieces.