Chapter Ch211.1 - Extra: Afterwards (1)
Translated by Eve
Edited by Serefina
666 hadn’t been happy as of late. It had been a long time since he’d gone out in the system s.p.a.ce. Every day, he’d receive many messages from friends, but he never bothered to reply to them.
Today was the thirty-eighth day since he had woken up from his dormant state. 666 looked at his constantly flas.h.i.+ng mailbox with impatience. He opened it up and skipped to the one from 444. Every day, 444 would persist in sending him a message. He would send at least three a day….
Through the text, 666 could almost see that idiotic, concerned, crying face 444 must have had on as he had been writing…. Actually, he really wanted to see 444. It was just that he couldn’t put down his pride. Before, he had been a level twelve system that could protect 444. Now, he was a system that was even a level lower than the other.
The knowledge that he was ‘even worse than 444’ hurt 666’s pride, as he had gotten used to being a high levelled system.
Lu Ting could sense his system’s unhappiness. He felt guilty. 666 had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Although he had said that he wouldn’t care about Lu Ting anymore, he had still lost levels for the sake of protecting his host.
Lu Ting knew that words would be of no use. The best thing he could do in return was to get 666’s level back up as quickly as possible. Therefore, Lu Ting decided that he had to work hard to complete missions and earn experience points!
Luckily, this time, he had Xie He with him. He no longer felt lonely as he now had someone he could trust and rely on…. Lu Ting felt like he was filled with an endless supply of energy!
A portal opened up in the missions hall. Xie He and Lu Ting walked out, one after another.
They had just completed a mission in an A-ranked suspense-type world and received a large amount of experience points. 444 had finally become a level 6 system and 666 had also once again risen to level 5. The distance between them had closed greatly…. This made 666 feel a little bit gratified. Since 444 was still at a low level, the difference between their experience points wasn’t that big….
However, 666 was once again hurt. He thought that, with how deeply Lu Ting loved Xie He, he would definitely leave all the good stuff to the other. With this advantage, the difference between himself and 444 would only grow.
……………………
Xie He walked through the immense missions hall. After he was bound to a system for a second time and revived Lu Ting, he had only gotten to stay in his own world for a few days before he had been sent here.
This was Lord G.o.d’s s.p.a.ce. In the past, Xie He did not have the right to choose his missions. That’s why he had never come here before…. But now, he was a genuine host.
As soon as Lu Ting appeared, he caused a stir. He was honestly too well-known. Almost everyone here knew of him.
Many hosts revered him. Some of them wanted to get close to him, some of them had been taken care of by him before, and some of them had a grudge against him….
At this moment, a burly, unkempt, bearded man traversed the crowd and made his way over to them. That man slapped a hand onto Lu Ting’s shoulder and asked, “Where did you go?”
This man was another famous high levelled host. His name was Tao Zhen. He and Lu Ting’s relations.h.i.+p was quite good. Previously, while Lu Ting had been busy in another world, he had asked Tao Zhen to deal with Lin Ziming.
Lu Ting smiled slightly. Obviously, he wouldn’t tell others about his deal with Lord G.o.d. He also didn’t want Xie He to be coveted by these hosts. Therefore, he just said, “I went to do a mission.”
Tao Zhen didn’t push for more information, seeing that Lu Ting didn’t seem to want to talk about it. He cast a curious look at Xie He instead. He had noticed that Xie He had been walking in front of Lu Ting just now….
“Hi, may I ask what your name is?” Tao Zhen asked Xie He politely. He thought, this must be a really powerful high levelled host! Otherwise, Lu Ting wouldn’t show him such respect. He had never seen Lu Ting treat anyone so reverently before!
Xie He nodded and said plainly, “Xie He.”
Tao Zhen reached out to shake Xie He’s hand vigorously. He said with much enthusiasm, “I’m Tao Zhen. You can call me Lao Tao. Xie, my pal, you’re a new face. I haven’t seen you be—” Before he could finish, Lu Ting had pulled him backwards by the collar, interrupting him.
Lu Ting had a cold expression on. “There’s no need to grope him while speaking.”
Tao Zhen was baffled. Grope him? Weren’t they just shaking hands?
Lu Ting quickly realized that he had been a little too jealous just now. Tao Zhen didn’t like guys and his action just then hadn’t overstep any boundaries. The other had just been a little too enthusiastic…. Lu Ting coughed once to hide his embarra.s.sment. With a low voice, he said, “What I mean is, you should treat him with a bit more respect. He’s my master.”
Tao Zhen: “….”
Lu Ting’s voice wasn’t loud but it was like a clap of thunder to everyone’s ears. The entire missions hall fell silent. Soon after, whispers could be heard all around. In a short amount of time, that information had spread like a virus: Oh my gos.h.!.+ Lu Ting actually called someone else his master!
Who was that extremely high levelled expert who had suddenly appeared? Who was he to make Lu Ting acknowledge him as his master?
How come no one’s heard of this incredible person before?! He had hidden himself too deep!
Tao Zhen had indeed been startled. It took a long time before he collected himself. He trembled, casting a glance in Xie He’s direction before turning back to Lu Ting. In a tone of disbelief, he asked, “Seriously?”
Lu Ting nodded. He didn’t seem the least bit embarra.s.sed or ashamed. Rather, he smiled as if it was his honour to have Xie He as his master. “Yes. I’m his follower.”
Tao Zhen had ‘this is absurd’ written on his face. F*ck! He had thought Lu Ting had been an iron-clad man who would rather break than bend! He never expected that he was the type to submit for the sake of survival. He had been wrong about Lu Ting! But this meant that this Mr. Xie was no ordinary fellow…. He had actually been able to force Lu Ting into being his follower. It was inconceivable!
As a follower, their life was in another person’s hands. From then on, they would never be free again. No host would ever want this.
To make someone as strong as Lu Ting submit, Xie He must have at least made Lu Ting’s life worse than death, right? Just how incredible must Xie He be?
He had been too irreverent just now! Lu Ting had done that for his own good! The other had been afraid that he would accidentally offend Xie He with his boorish att.i.tude and end up dead….
Tao Zhen turned to look at Xie He. His smile instantly became much more deferential and timid, as if the other was a demonic G.o.d from a sinister world. He smiled flatteringly, “Ah…Mr. Xie…you can just call me Xiao Tao.”
Xie He forcibly suppressed his lips from curling up into a smile. He nearly laughed out loud. However, he managed to stop himself…. He cast a cool look in Tao Zhen’s direction. There was a cold light in his narrow, long eyes… as if he was looking down at an insect.
Tao Zhen felt even more afraid!
He gave Lu Ting a sympathetic look before slinking away. He decided that he would keep his distance from that terrifying Mr. Xie! His freedom and life were too precious!
But before Tao Zhen got very far, he noticed a blond-haired blue-eyed man walking over with a few followers. Tao Zhen’s eyebrows furrowed at once and he paused in his steps.
That man was also a really famous high level host. The surrounding hosts all made way for him. Some of them even surrept.i.tiously slipped away, disgust and fear flas.h.i.+ng throug their eyes.
Lu Ting’s gaze had also turned frigid.
That young man made a beeline for Xie He. There was a gentlemanly smile on his handsome face. He reached a hand out and said, “h.e.l.lo. My name’s Lester.”
Xie He narrowed his eyes slightly. He had noticed Tao Zhen and Lu Ting’s expressions. This Lester was obviously not easy to deal with. Furthermore, he wasn’t a good guy either…. However, his expression didn’t change. He pretended not to notice the abnormalities and reached out to shake Lester’s hand. He smiled. “Xie He.”
Lester spoke in a refined and courteous tone, “I’m enchanted to meet you. I’m about to take on a mission in a SS-ranked world. However, the mission is a bit difficult. I need a partner. Would you be willing to cooperate with me? Don’t worry, we can determine how we split the rewards now. I won’t treat you unfairly.”
Lu Ting’s expression changed. He went to stand in front of Xie He, voice low. “You can’t team up with him.”
Before Lester had become a high level host, he had teamed up with Lu Ting before. Lu Ting had taken care of him and Lester had seemed to be appreciative of it. However, at a crucial moment, Lester had secretly plotted against Lu Ting for the sake of obtaining the treasure. Not only had he stolen the treasure of that highly ranked world, he had nearly caused Lu Ting’s death!
Lu Ting hadn’t expected for Lester to be so good at concealing himself to the point of even being able to deceive him. Obviously, Lu Ting would never let off a despicable person who had betrayed him. It was just a pity that it was prohibited for hosts to kill others in the missions hall. Furthermore, after Lester had revealed his true face, he had avoided Lu Ting. He was cautious and prudent. The only reason he was still alive was because Lu Ting hadn’t been able to get his hands on him.
Now, Lester was also an impressive, high level host. He was ruthless and cruel…. The resentment between himself and Lu Ting was deep. With Lu Ting, he had always ran away with his tail between his legs because he had been afraid that the other would kill him. He had never expected that there would be a day where Lu Ting would fall to such low straits! He had specifically come to mock Lu Ting!
Lu Ting didn’t believe that Lester had come to ask Xie He to team up with him with good intentions at all.
Xie He, however, didn’t immediately agree. He raised a brow and asked, “Why?”
Lu Ting said, “He’s untrustworthy.”
Lester flashed a helpless expression when he heard this. He told Xie He, “There have been some misunderstandings between Lu Ting and I in the past. He’s never forgiven me. But I implore you to believe that I truly want to cooperate with you.”
Xie He looked pensive, as if he had been swayed.
Tao Zhen felt worried, seeing this. He was afraid that Xie He would agree to Lester’s request. If Xie He was fooled by Lester, things would become dangerous for Lu Ting. As Lu Ting’s friend, he couldn’t stand by and watch without doing anything. He gathered up his courage and said, “Don’t team up with him. He’s always been contemptible and shameless. He’s screwed Lu Ting over before.”
Xie He’s expression changed slightly. “Oh?”
Tao Zhen was afraid that Xie He wouldn’t believe him so he nodded emphatically.
Xie He gave him a cool glance. The corner of his lips quirked up. He turned to tell Lester, “Look, they’re all telling me not to team up with you.”
Lester gazed into Xie He’s eyes. There was a difficult-to-read teasing look in his eyes. He suddenly realized that Xie He wasn’t rejecting him right now. He was appraising him. Lester smiled. “As a show of faith, I’ll give you sixty percent of the experience points and I’ll take forty. What do you think?”
Xie He looked at Lester. A moment later, he nodded. “Sure.”
Lu Ting frowned. He had already tried to persuade Xie He but the other still agreed to team up with Lester. Had he not made himself clear enough? He grabbed Xie He’s hand and whispered, “We need to talk.”
Xie He looked down at Lu Ting’s hand on his. His expression turned cold. “You have no right to question my decisions.”
Lu Ting looked taken aback. Quickly after, a humiliated look of forbearance appeared on his face. He let go and took a step back, looking like he was furious and felt that this was unfair but didn’t dare speak back. He only glared at Lester with a murderous gaze.
When Lester saw this, a proud smile flitted through his eyes. His heart was filled with a warped kind of joy. He had hated Lu Ting for a really, really long time! As long as Lu Ting was alive, he had to avoid the other like a beaten dog…. But now, as long as he managed to fool Xie He, he would never have to fear Lu Ting again!
He could even find an opportunity to kill Lu Ting and forever get rid of any future trouble he could cause! He would absolutely not let go of such a rare chance.
Tao Zhen took in this scene. He saw Lu Ting swallowing his anger. The one who was once the strongest host in the transmigrating world now had to submit to the humiliation of being ordered about…. Sorrow and indignation appeared in Tao Zhen’s eyes.
He knew that he should leave since Xie He couldn’t be persuaded. However, if he left like this, what would happen to Lu Ting? The grudge between Lester and Lu Ting was deep. Lester would certainly seize this chance to do something terrible to Lu Ting. Lu Ting could only follow Xie He as a follower. He had no right to take on missions alone… If Tao Zhen didn’t get involved…then Lu Ting would be in danger.
Tao Zhen gritted his teeth. He spoke to Xie He in a fawning tone, “Mr. Xie, do you lack subordinates? How about me? I am pretty good at fighting and don’t require much. It’ll be fine if you just give me a little of whatever experience points are left.”
Xie He gave him an indifferent glance. “I don’t like disobedient subordinates.”
Tao Zhen raised both hands. “I swear to be on my best behaviour!”
Xie He didn’t bother with him anymore. He said to Lester in an insipid tone, “I hope you keep your word. Otherwise, I won’t hold back.”
Lester smiled. “You can absolutely trust me.”
His words were pleasant but his heart was full of disdain. It wasn’t like he’d never seen someone like Xie He before. The other didn’t take anyone seriously because he thought he was invincible. He was conceited and arrogant…. Lester only had to flatter him and let him get a bit of that sweet taste before he’d be able to screw him over….
The two of them quickly got the details settled. Lester then went to accept the mission as the team captain. Together, they walked through the portal.
…………………………
This was a SS-ranked magical world. Xie He’s side consisted of three people—himself, Lu Ting and Tao Zhen. Lester had brought five subordinates with him, two guys and three girls.
Lu Ting followed after Xie He the whole time, expressionless and silent. He had no presence.
【666：I told you that this was a rotten idea! Now that you’ve become Xie He’s follower, you have no right to take on missions yourself. You’re dependent on him. Your life is in his hands! If Xie He decides to not take you seriously, you’re done for! I’m so p.i.s.sed. I had thought that Xie He would treat you better…. In the end, things have already taken such a turn in such a short amount of time. If I had known that this would happen, I would have let you die. Wasted the ten levels I lost.】666 was so angry that he almost couldn’t speak. He felt sullen on Lu Ting’s behalf today!
【Lu Ting：Liu zi, shouldn’t you trust Xie He a bit more? My partner is specifically helping me vent my anger. I’m really happy, ah.】
【666：This is helping you?!】
【Lu Ting：Don’t worry. You’ll understand if you keep watching.】
Lu Ting spoke with 666 happily in his mind but there was no expression on his face. He respectfully helped Xie He set up his tent.
Lester also had his subordinates do things for him. He leisurely pulled out a table and delicious foods. In the beautiful wilderness, he laid out a beautiful candlelit dinner and invited Xie He to dine with him. Everything on the table was an expensive and rare delicacy. Lester had obviously not been stingy with this meal.
The two of them sat in front of each other. Lester was a complete gentleman. He acted refined and courteous as he calmly tried to get closer to Xie He.
However, someone like Xie He would obviously not let Lester get anything useful from him. On the contrary, he had actually managed to deduce quite a lot from Lester’s words instead.
After dinner, Xie He returned to his tent. He told Lu Ting coldly, “Come inside.”
Lu Ting stood in front of the tent, a furious and humiliated expression on his face. He gave everyone a good show before reluctantly entering the tent and pulling up the zipper. As soon as he entered, his expression changed and he wrapped his arms around Xie He intimately. He laughed, “What’s your plan?”
Xie He looked at him teasingly. “Your acting isn’t bad. Your reaction speed is quite fast.”
Lu Ting smiled at Xie He. “I know that you would never treat me like that. If you acted like that, you must have had a reason. Why did you con Lester into coming here?”
He wasn’t stupid. He would only act unprincipled in front of Xie He…. Furthermore, they had at least a tiny bit of tacit understanding between them.
Xie He’s lips curled up. “I wasn’t going to bother with him before. I could tell he had bad intentions in one glance. But seeing how much you and Tao Zhen hate him, I thought that maybe there was a grudge between the two of you…. He screwed you over before? Probably really badly too. Otherwise, with your personality, you wouldn’t have cared. However, he’s still alive. That means he’s quite cautious. Cautious enough that you had no way of dealing with him.”
Lu Ting nodded. “He’s a vile man. He’s talented in putting on an act. If you trust him, you’ll die a terrible death.”
Xie He said coolly, “The missions hall forbids hosts from killing each other. However, there’s no such restrictions in mission worlds. He’s going to think of a way to try and kill you. Therefore, we can try and kill him too…. A person like this would not put himself in danger. His judgement was greatly impaired upon finding out that you had become my follower. He thinks that you would never become someone’s follower willingly. Therefore, he wants to use this seldom-to-come-by chance to kill you. That was why he took the risk in teaming up with me.”
Lu Ting’s eyes lit up. Although he hadn’t said anything, Xie He had mostly guessed what had happened. Lu Ting didn’t have to add much more. “Yes. I’ve wanted to kill him for a long time now but he’s been avoiding me the whole time. He would never have chosen to go into a world with me.”
【Lu Ting laughed and said to 666：I told you to trust Xie He a bit more. He is indeed scheming against Lester for my sake.】
【666：Hehe.】This idiot was really easy to coax. Even if Xie He is doing it for your sake this time, what about next time, or the time after that…? What if one day, his feelings fade and he doesn’t care about you anymore? You have no way out now.
Whatever. He couldn’t be bothered to bicker with an idiot. He would just let Lu Ting be happy.
After talking with Xie He, Lu Ting was in a good mood. He pushed Xie He onto the bed lovingly and the two of them made love. Afterwards, he couldn’t help but warn Xie He again, “Lester is an extremely cunning fellow. He will do everything he can to curry favour with you and raise your goodwill towards him. But I trust that you won’t be confused by him. His personal life is also really messy. Did you see his subordinates? They’re all his s.e.x slaves.”
Xie He laughed. He bit down on Lu Ting’s lips and c.o.c.ked a brow. “Do you think it’s easy to win my favour?”
Lu Ting blanked before a gentle gaze appeared in his eyes. He pounced on Xie He again, his spirits rising.
【666：……】This idiot was really too easy to coax. Xie He tells him a few sweet words and he’s already rendered completely muddleheaded.
Lu Ting’s stamina was really, really good. If Xie He let him have another go, they wouldn’t be able to complete the mission tomorrow. Therefore, Xie He pushed Lu Ting away with a cold face.
Lu Ting didn’t dare insist. He smiled, embarra.s.sed. He pulled Xie He into his arms, heart at ease, and prepared to go to bed.
Xie He’s eyes were half-mast when he suddenly asked, “Is 666 still there?”
Lu Ting nodded.
Xie He’s thin lips parted and he said in a frosty tone, “Tell him to go see 444. I don’t want to hear 444 cry in my ears about how 666 isn’t willing to see him everyday. If he continues to avoid 444, I’m going to tell 444 that he’s your system. That would probably be even more embarra.s.sing. Make sure he carefully considers the pros and cons of my suggestion.”
666: F*ck, that would be too embarra.s.sing! He had already fallen several levels. If 444 found out that he was also the system of Xie He’s follower—and therefore beneath 444— he would never be able to raise his head in front of 444 again!
What was more important was that 444 would find out that he had been tricking him all this time….
Actually, 666 didn’t really value his pride over everything else. He was pretty open-minded…. It was just that he had this baffling desire to protect and dote on 444. He had always considered himself to be 444’s protector…. Now, not only could he not protect 444, he was weaker than 444. This made it hard for him to face the other…. He didn’t know why he was like this.
Why was he unable to let himself go in front of 444?
Lu Ting coughed. He felt guilty towards 666 so he sweetly said to Xie He, “How about you give him a little more time? I’ll persuade him.”
Xie He shut his eyes. “My patience is limited.”