Book 13: Chapter 63

No.

Instead of getting annoyed at my staunchness, Zero chuckled under her breath so softly that youd think she was raised to be a gentle woman. I know you despise me. Frankly, the feeling is mutual. Right now, though, I need your cooperation, and you need my help. The only way well survive is if we combine our strength. I a.s.sume you arent the type to seek death.

You despise me? I widened my eyes. Ha, haha, hahaha. Im too tough for your hands? Have I done anything wrong since that day? Youre the ones whove been heckling me and trying to kill me. Even though there were people around, you kicked me around as if I was your ball. Thats not despising me; thats manufacturing conflict. How can we cooperate if our grudge remains?

I concede that I chose my words poorly. I apologise first and foremost.

This isnt supposed to be how it goes? She has looked down twice since entering. What does it take for this la.s.s to be sensible?

I wronged you. Whatever it is that you want as compensation, I shall accede.

Does she owe Wu Ping money or something? This is not the Zero I know for sure.

I decided to shake my head after thinking it through and then replied, I will pa.s.s. We are on different levels. Its simple for you to kill me. I cant trust you when you can squash me whenever you choose.

It sounds like I have wronged you badly. Youre right. A team without trust is a team without a foundation. I shall show my sincerity. I hope this will make you feel somewhat better. Zero did the last thing I expected her to do remove her silver mask.

Nothing you said could convince me she was from the Central Plain once I saw her face. Her round eyes were a distinct feature of gentle maidens in Jiangnan. She shouldve been around Young s.h.i.+yis age, but there was no way she looked even twenty.

Um Who are you?

She lifted the corners of her lips to her ears and flashed her white pearls, giving a totally different vibe to her masked character. As everyone knows, Mr. Zero is the Western Regions Lord San Shens proxy, the highest ranked leader under Lord San Shens banner. A number of people have seen him. He is a man, not a woman Judging from your reaction, it seems you suspected Im not Zero.

I didnt suspect. I knew. I knew from the moment I was here.

Zero worked under me for several years. As if Zero would stoop down to working for Jiang Chen. Heck, if Zero heard I was held here, Id have been taken out on a palanquin with flags all around.

Back to my initiail question: who are you?

I am a member of Divine Moon Cult, indeed, and Im not some low-ranked member, either. My Skywind Nine Forms is a secret part of a secret discipline of Divine Moon Cult that isnt taught to outsiders. That is solid proof of my members.h.i.+p.

Yeah, even the cleaners of Divine Moon Cult know Lawless Twelve Forms, lady.

With that said, I couldve counted on two hands the number of people who mastered the second form, so being able to master up to the ninth form would make her on par with a Guardian.

Im an important member of Lord San Shens faction. Im posing as Zero to lure some people out, and it seems I failed after my initial success.

You talking about me? But you werent the one who lured me out? I used my true skills to make Jiang Chen capture me. Whered you learn your credit-stealing skills from?

And, I still dont know who you are.

She whispered to me how we fought side by side, counted chickens and stars whilst lying on the lawn, and a whole bunch of other stuff that sounded convincingly real. Still, I couldnt identify her to save my life.

Do you know who the dungeon escapee is?

Uh, a handsome guy?

Zero chortled. You may not believe me, but that was Divine Moon Cults Lord San Shen.

Ah, so Lord San Shen is a handsome guy.

Zero grumbled, You dont seem surprised.

How the h.e.l.l do I not seem surprised? My shock has surpa.s.sed my anger. Im just using silence to neutralise sorrow. More pertinently, why did you capture Lord San Shen? Arent you on the same team?

I didnt capture him. He fell for a trap. Jiang Chen doesnt know his ident.i.ty. Either way, none of this is important right now. Zero gave me a smirk. You know all the secrets now. Sorry, but were in the same boat now. Its too late for you to leave now even if you want to.

I blinked twice. Hmm?

Hmm?

Secrets? What secrets?

You know my secret and have seen Lord San Shens true appearance, so you get it, right?

Hmm?

So what secrets are we talking about?

You know Forget it.

Lets not forget it. What secrets do I know now? Its a secret that I am myself now?

Danger lurks around us as we speak. Unfortunately, I dont have many men at my disposal. If I have to choose among the strangers to seek help from, you are my only choice.

Why?

Lord San Shen has been rescued but is trapped here, so they will seek revenge on us. Thats why I chose you.

But why?

The first person they want to kill is me. Youre next.

And why is that?!

Why would I want to kill myself?

Simple: you saw them and are the loudest advocate of there being intruders.

And what happened to Yan Jiangnan? I grouched.

Given how dimwitted he is, hes unlikely to be a threat. You could send him away with his tail between his legs if you made up a story. Dead or alive, hes irrelevant.

I dont know who you are, but you have discerning eyes. Ill give you that. Howd you know I scared him off?

So why choose me?

Youre different. Youre the only doctor in the base right now, and you have a good head. You understand my arrangements and actions. Im not used to working with idiots. Speaking to smart people saves a lot of time. Considering you defeated Elder Lianhua, you will be a helpful ally once youve recovered. Furthermore, you didnt cower when I couldve killed you. I like your determined kind. Therefore, I removed my disguise and told you the truth.

Dont make it sound like I stripped you! Im a gentleman! You str-, removed your mask on your own accord!

With a corner of her lips tugged up, she stretched a hand out to me. If you agree, we will be ironclad allies. What say you?

I took her hand and asked, Uh, is food provided for allies?