"The situation with the boss is difficult to resolve, so ours is easy to resolve?" Lucifer sneered. He didn't have Bai Cha's patience. "I didn't realize Mr. Meng still had such innocence."
Once the King of Demonic Dragons and the leader of rebellion, his temperament had always been absolute and filled with kingly aura. To stand in the position of a king, his words could not be clumsy. Now, transformed into a jade-like gentleman and a gentle attendant, it was only because it was Bai Cha. Facing others, Lucifer wouldn't have such good patience.
"Elder Lirong, you weren't here just now. But if you were, you should know that if it weren't for Lord Lucifer just now, the headquarters of Shadow might have been wiped out," Yun He frowned, also somewhat disagreeing. However, she and Cang Liu were considered disciples, and they couldn't be too confrontational with Lirong and Meng Qinghuan.
"Uh, wiped out is an exaggeration," Bai Cha's eye twitched, and she coughed twice to clarify, "At most, the protective shield would be damaged."
Regardless, this protective shield was personally supervised by her. Even if Bai Cha herself unleashed her full power, it would be difficult to shatter it in one go. This barrage of artillery fire was indeed not enough to breach the protective shield.
"They're attacking the headquarters, and there's still a misunderstanding," Xiang Nan also snorted. Although he was taciturn, he was proud at heart, just like Bai Cha. His expression was extremely displeased.
"No, no, but we can't let it escalate so much," Meng Qinghuan quickly tried to smooth things over. "These dragons, in the end, are also national forces. If we kill them all, it's also, well, not appropriate."
"Exactly, exactly. This time we were impulsive. We apologize, we apologize," Chao Mu quickly lowered his stance, bowing and scraping.
"That's right, that's right. We also received incorrect information and thought Shadow was hiding something..."
"Yes, yes, as long as the misunderstanding is cleared up, the misunderstanding is cleared up."
These people changed their tune quickly, as if willing to sacrifice their dignity to save their lives.
Bai Cha said nothing, merely glancing at Meng Qinghuan. She stood quietly in the center of the crowd, arms crossed, leaving these people in an extremely awkward position, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
"Miss, someone is coming," Yun He announced. Compared to the reverence of others, Yun He had less fear towards Bai Cha.
Rather than seeing Bai Cha as a young lady, she viewed her as an idol. After all, Bai Cha had saved her more than once, and her position in Yun He's heart was very high. Moreover, Bai Cha was always serious and had never been punished, so admiration outweighed fear.
Bai Cha looked up. She could indeed feel someone approaching in the distance. With a single glance, Bai Cha knew who they were and had already guessed how the situation would unfold. It was just that she couldn't be bothered to pay attention.
"Bai, Bai Cha, don't be rash!"
A group of people jumped off the helicopter and put on personal flight devices, with Gong Yuechen leading the charge.
These personal flight devices, designed for ordinary people's experience, had undergone infinite improvements by the authorities and were very advanced. These small machines, which allowed for free flight with a little practice when attached to the waist, were very popular.
"My little ancestor, don't always cause trouble for me, okay?" Gong Yuechen's face was flushed with anxiety. "Even I can't clean up your messes every time."
Da Lao and Mo Yuntian also moved swiftly. At this moment, the three major factions had gathered in full. The leaders of the three major factions stood steadily in the air, forming an equilateral triangle.
"Young General Gong, please open your eyes and see clearly," Lucifer was almost amused to the point of anger. His voice rose by eight octaves. "Our protective shield was damaged, our headquarters were invaded, and someone provoked us. I believe even those who come later can see the current situation clearly."
Killing a few provocateurs was considered a mess? Lucifer really wanted to say, are you all blind? But looking at Bai Cha's expressionless face, he ultimately didn't say anything too harsh.
"Lucifer," Bai Cha reminded him softly, interrupting Lucifer's rage.
Strictly speaking according to the rules, as long as the leaders of the factions were present, subordinates had no room to interrupt, unless specifically addressed.
"You all think it's a misunderstanding?" Bai Cha's expression was calm, but anyone could see the storm brewing in her pupils.
"After all, these forces are the backbone of the country. Since Miss Bai has vented her anger, why not..." Mo Yuntian swallowed. He was actually in a dilemma. He couldn't control all his subordinates. After all, they weren't like Bai Cha's Shadow faction. Bai Cha was king, and only she had the final say.
However, even with his own side's problems, Mo Yuntian actually still leaned towards his own people. After all, they were from the same faction. If he truly sided with Bai Cha, it would be rather strange.
"We will dispatch a special investigation team to look into this matter and will definitely give you an explanation," a secretary beside Da Lao quickly stepped forward. "These individuals who privately used force will be punished, and we will also provide you with corresponding and sufficient compensation."
It sounded like charity.
Bai Cha remained silent, her hands hanging by her sides, clenching and then releasing, releasing and then clenching, repeating this motion, still silent.
"Hmph, turning a major crisis into a minor one, and a minor one into nothing," Lucifer chuckled again, causing the neutral and light factions to change their expressions.
Freya, who had been observing from the side, also had an unpleasant expression. Just as she was about to speak, her shoulder was held.
This hand was soft, slender, yet surprisingly strong, immediately causing Freya to shut her mouth obediently.
"Let's go." Bai Cha's voice was unexpectedly calm, making the other two factions somewhat incredulous. Just as they were about to look up for a closer inspection, they found Bai Cha had already turned around. No one could see her true emotions.
Bai Cha didn't speak again on the way. Even Meng Qinghuan and the others beside her were unusually quiet, shrinking their necks. It wasn't until they returned that Bai Cha finally spoke.
"Lirong, Meng Qinghuan, come here."
Both of them lowered their heads, thinking they were about to be scolded. They hadn't firmly stood by Bai Cha's side just now. Unexpectedly, Bai Cha led them to the quiet room on the second floor and set up a chessboard.
"Lirong, you first."
The two were called in by Bai Cha for training. Freya sat outside the door, looking dejected. She had wanted to help Bai Cha, and if she and Bai Cha had attacked together, those people would have been annihilated long ago. Yet, Bai Cha had told her in advance not to act.
Watching Bai Cha suffer and be bullied, Freya was so angry that she lost her appetite for dinner. She sat in front of the quiet room's door, leaning against the doorframe, saying nothing.
Lucifer also stood to the side. Xiang Nan called Cang Liu and Yun He to move the drunkards sprawled on the floor in the living room, lest there be no space to walk.
Time ticked by, and the atmosphere in the entire villa seemed unusually somber. Several hours had passed, from dawn to dusk, and then to dawn. Freya, leaning on the doorframe, was dozing off. She vaguely felt the door behind her slowly open, and then she found herself in a familiar embrace.
"Master." Lucifer, sensing the door was about to open, had intended to support Freya. Unexpectedly, Bai Cha was one step ahead of him and hugged the sleeping pink elf from behind, lifting the slumbering little sprite in her arms.
Lucifer quickly retracted his movement. Looking up, he saw Lirong and Meng Qinghuan slumped on the floor, looking exhausted.
"Let's go." Bai Cha nodded at Lucifer.
The water cup in Lucifer's hand was likely intended for her when she came out, but now he couldn't free his hands. He simply called for Lucifer to go with him. "Tell Cang Liu later that when we go to resolve the Maple Forest mission, we'll also go to the Sea Kingdom and bring him back."
Frankly speaking, Zhi Yue was right. Cang Liu belonged to the Sea Kingdom and did not take sides. But now that he was with Shadow, Bai Cha felt she had to go back and inform his family.
"Yes, my Master," Lucifer replied.
Freya, nestled in Bai Cha's arms, slept in a daze. She seemed to like the feeling. Freya nuzzled closer to the source of the scent, tickling Bai Cha's neck.
"Chacha..." Freya mumbled hazily, "Come with me, okay..."
"Let's not bother with anything else... find a paradise..." Freya mumbled drowsily. The corridor lights were dim, and Freya could vaguely see Bai Cha's silhouette. In her sleepy haze, she murmured.
"Hmph." Bai Cha, holding Freya, walked steadily, chuckling softly. However, Lucifer clearly heard joy in Bai Cha's voice.
"Okay..." Bai Cha drew out the sound, with a hint of helplessness and even a touch of longing. Lucifer couldn't even tell if Bai Cha was answering seriously.
It wasn't until Bai Cha carried Freya into a room, Bai Cha's room.
Lucifer waited quietly outside. After a while, Bai Cha closed the door, tiptoed out, and then closed the door softly.
"Master, this time it's chilled mung bean tea," Lucifer handed over a teacup, which still had frost on it.
"You're not urging me to take care of my health this time?" Bai Cha asked with a smile.
The mung bean soup had a hint of sweetness. Although it was chilled, it seemed to have been left out for some time, and it didn't have the sharp, tooth-chilling sensation of being truly cold. From taste to temperature, it was impeccable.
In the past, Lucifer would likely have brought a bowl of hot mung bean soup, or at least goji berries steeped in chrysanthemum. After all, since Bai Cha got Lucifer, she had been "forced" to live a healthy lifestyle. Who knew that this time she wasn't drinking hot water?
However, it suited her perfectly.
"I hope it helps you calm your mood and fatigue," Lucifer said gently and humbly. Yet, in front of Bai Cha, he lost the distance and perfunctory attitude he had towards outsiders. He always seemed to strike the right balance.
Bai Cha hooked her lips and drank the chilled mung bean tea in her hand, her mood finally improving significantly. "You can tell?"
This time, Lucifer didn't reply.
Of course, he could tell. He saw Bai Cha's agitated mood, her forbearance and unwillingness, and... her final helplessness and disappointment.
"I have nothing more to teach them. What they lack is experience," Bai Cha leaned against the wall and returned the cup to Lucifer. "Warriors who haven't experienced desperation and trials can never stand at the pinnacle of the pyramid."
Only through desperate situations can potential be unleashed, allowing everything learned to be integrated and leading to the peak.
These words were quite pessimistic, causing Lucifer to frown.
It was true that warriors who hadn't experienced desperation and trials could never reach the pinnacle of the pyramid. However, for the people of Shadow to experience desperation and trials, unless Bai Cha met with an accident and was no longer there, it would be like children and parents at home. As long as the parents were still alive, it was rare for children to fall into desperate situations.
"You will be fine," Lucifer gently placed his hand on his chest, his eyes flickering with a complex and firm light. "I will protect you. No matter what, I will be by your side, just one command, my Master."
Hearing this, Bai Cha, who was about to stretch, was taken aback. She then reacted with a mix of amusement and exasperation, realizing that Lucifer had likely misunderstood her meaning.
"Lucifer, I didn't say I was going to die," Bai Cha said with some helplessness, arms crossed. "Is there a possibility that I could retire early?"
So, please don't look at me with that kind of gaze, as if I'm about to die at any moment.
Although her job and responsibility were to face death bravely, there were always other ways. How could she die so easily?