It's so painful! So hard! So difficult!

As a free man, wouldn't an adventurer be able to resolve this issue without any worries?

Of course, like Sakura, Bai Lin would still find support before setting off. She wasn't someone who was reckless. If her adventurer career was full of setbacks, it would be a waste of time. Even if she could disband the team and go it alone, it wouldn't be good if some enemies came after her.

However, judging from the information currently available, there doesn't seem to be an organization as outrageous as Sakura that even the official supports its sales.

Along the way, Bai Lin was absorbed in the content she had learned today, which resulted in her barely chatting with Fei'er. Rather, she had become less and less talkative with her teammates recently, while remaining as enthusiastic as ever with outsiders. In contrast, Fei'er was much more talkative than before.

What a subtle change...

"Bai Lin, be careful."

While Bai Lin was still lost in thought, the bright moonlight illuminated the street. The fleeting shadows beneath the dark night rippled across the world like the shimmering water. Receiving Fei'er's prompt, Bai Lin immediately raised her head. She took in the eerie atmosphere and immediately spotted the figure before her.

The crimson pupils contrasted sharply with the bright moonlight. Within this enchanting color, a hint of coldness emanated. It seemed to be captivating, yet also cold and distant. It was a beautiful color, a vibrant one, yet it was merely a pair of rubies set in the cheeks of a porcelain doll. It shimmered with beauty, devouring life.

The long, snow-white hair was a perfect match for the moonlit scene, and it was also to Bai Lin's liking, or perhaps the general taste of the Chinese people. Although there was no rain, the person was holding an inky black oil-paper umbrella, decorated with painted flowers.

The familiar black kimono blended into the night, yet it was more three-dimensional than the night. It caught people's attention, similar to the night but surpassing it. The woman slowly put away her umbrella and slowly raised her captivating eyes. She opened her lips and said,

"Long time no see, Holy Son."

The sound was not very loud, but it was loud enough to echo through the quiet streets at night. Bai Lin was confused for a moment, wondering what this person was doing here.

The person before him was none other than the leader of Sakura's group. Though she looked like a girl of sixteen or seventeen, she possessed a unique and strangely experienced aura. She was Yamashita Kanon, who had miraculously appeared on the streets of the lower city, right in front of Bai Lin.

If you have doubts, you should ask. Strictly speaking, Bai Lin and her definitely have a grudge, and it is hard not to think that the other party is looking for her with hostility. However, Bai Lin will naturally avoid fighting if she can, especially when the other party is stronger than her. She hopes to resolve the matter with words.

"What do you want with me, young leader of Sakura?"

Bai Lin's question was straightforward, but he didn't show any hostility or kindness, just a calm question. The other party slowly replied,

"I deliberately used an umbrella to cover my face and try not to attract attention when I came to see you. My main purpose is to see you. Holy Son Bai Lin, I have something to ask you."

Could holding an umbrella specifically help avoid drawing attention? Bai Lin was naturally even more confused after hearing this. Wearing such a traditional cherry blossom costume and holding such an umbrella, how could he still so calmly say "avoid drawing attention"?

This was what Bai Lin found odd. Often, he could sense a touch of "immaturity" in Yamashita Kanon. It wasn't just a common-sense thing; even for someone as strong and powerful as her, when she sat across from Bai Lin at the negotiation table, Bai Lin could still detect a subtle hint of immaturity.

It was as if it was just a skeleton and skin that was forcibly shaped, but the flesh inside was extremely empty.

Of course, this was just a vague feeling. Bai Lin didn't think the person before him would be easy to deal with. Whether it was her intelligence or her swordsmanship, neither of these factors made Bai Lin feel comfortable. The reason Bai Lin had been able to have such an easy time last time was simply because he was in the right, and the negotiation took place when the other party was a strong rival.

The situation is different, so the circumstances will naturally have to change.

"What on earth could it be that has you come all the way here to chat with me? This lower city is probably quite far from where you usually live, and the long journey must have been tiresome for you. How about we find a hotel to rest for a while and talk again another day?"

Bai Lin politely offered a suggestion to Yamashita Kanon. One was a girl with a seductive and elusive appearance, the other a knight with a sunny and righteous image. Was their verbal battle about to begin again?

Chapter 381: Establishing Yourself and Intervening

Yamashita Kanon curled her lips in a very rude manner, which was completely different from the gentlemanly look she showed during the cherry blossoms. Instead, she acted like a little girl who was upset. She replied,

"No need for politeness. Let me be frank. I've heard a bit about your behavior in recent days. What exactly is the reason that supports your dedication to eliminating the substance of Le Tianxiang?"

Bai Lin stood not far away, and she sensed genuine confusion in Yamashita Kanon's eyes. She seemed completely unable to comprehend the reason behind Bai Lin's series of actions, which were almost life-threatening. Of course, she didn't know that risking one's life was always Bai Lin's style.

"Money? Status? We at Sakura can definitely provide all of these. Even if Qianhong officials give you some help right now, if you provoke us, our suppression of you will definitely last much longer. You understand, right? Qianhong has already achieved their goal and is eager to send adventurers like you away. And those of us whose plans have been ruined will definitely bear a grudge against you for a while."

Compared to the fluctuations in her expression, Yamashita Kanon's words revealed a perfectly normal calmness. She was simply stating a perfectly normal fact, without the slightest hint of emotion.

Although Bai Lin could fully sense the emotional fluctuations in Yamashita Kanon, otherwise she wouldn't have come alone to the lower city to find Bai Lin. She was the leader of a region. But those so-called emotional fluctuations, like the hazy, illusory, and distorted moonlight, were like a layer of white gauze veiled on her shoulders, making it difficult to grasp. Even the reality was questionable.

Is this the temperament of a leader? Suppressing one's emotions at all times and in all situations. Although Bai Lin has made considerable progress in negotiation, she doesn't have the patience to deliberately conceal her emotions when they are excited. Bai Lin paused for a moment and replied,

"I should have answered you, Miss Yamashita Kanon. I'm deeply sorry that such a trivial matter has troubled you for so long. But now that it's over, you and I are both busy. If we have made our point clear, then please let me go. I have things to do tomorrow. If you are so angry that you want to cause trouble for me—then draw your sword."

Bai Lin's meaning was simple. The so-called "already said" naturally referred to the poem he had "composed" at the negotiation table that day. As a leader, Yamashita Kanon naturally had enough cultural background to understand.

Moreover, Bai Lin has always had a single answer for why she wants to eliminate "Rakutenxiang." For her, even if it's not for the greater good of humanity, she needs to save the world. And dealing with such a dangerous entity will obviously help her achieve her goal.

It was both a personal matter and a matter of righteousness. Even if there was no reward, Bai Lin had to take care of this matter out of both emotion and reason. However, Yamashita Kanon naturally couldn't understand it, after all...

Judging from the negotiations that day, she seemed to have little understanding of the so-called "great righteousness," or perhaps even a complete disdain for it. From the moment Bai Lin entered the room to shower and change clothes, she had already resorted to every possible means. She restricted the number of guests from various countries, used coercion and inducement at the negotiation table, and everything was done to align with Sakura's interests, using whatever means necessary to achieve victory.

The most terrifying thing was that the person who did this was just a seemingly young girl. If even a girl could do this, how cruel could that region be? Bai Lin didn't dare to think about it, nor did he need to.

Yamashita Kanon's face was gloomy, as if she was not very satisfied with Bai Lin's answer. She swayed slightly, like a dead branch blown by the wind, trembling and looking extremely fragile. At this moment, she did not look like a gorgeous blooming flower, but rather like she was covered with some dust, as if she had not been moistened by rain for many years.

"...Looks like I really have to resort to using a knife. Holy Son Bai Lin, I won't cut you this time. I'm going to stab you, piece by piece, and force you to reveal your true intentions!"

The umbrella fell to the ground casually. And on Yamashita Kanon's waist, there was naturally a more interesting object, that is, the katana. Bai Lin sighed secretly in his heart,

We still have to fight in the end, it's really troublesome.

At this moment, a cold light passed over Bai Lin's shoulder. Beside him, Fei'er also stood up, holding two swords. Bai Lin glanced at her, a slight smile first appearing at the corner of his mouth, and then he also took out his sword and shield.

Although Yamashita Kanon was indeed very strong, so strong that Bai Lin could barely hurt her at all, judging by Bai Lin's combat power, with Fei'er in tow, there was still a chance of victory. Furthermore...

Bai Lin stole a glance into the distance, gazing at a corner of the street. A few kilometers away lay the White Hair Magic Office. If they could reach it, Miss Kong would surely come to their aid. Although Bai Lin perceived both sides as "completely unbeatable," she inexplicably felt that Kong wouldn't lose to anyone.

I had the impression that Fei'er had some illusion-making spells. If I gave her a hint to retreat and use guerrilla tactics later, she would naturally provide cover.

Bai Lin is a person who never fears fighting. As long as Fei'er is safe, it's fine. Just in case, she still said,

"Fei'er, this guy's knife speed is probably beyond your imagination. Be careful."

"Ah."

The short answer is that this is Fei'er's usual style. She and Bai Lin are actually similar types, as Bai Lin has never seen Fei'er actively seek cooperation with her teammates just because the opponent is too strong. She either fights alone or follows Bai Lin's instructions, a true believer in her own strength.

The girl's clogs creaked beneath her feet, the black knight's armor was fully assembled, and the magician's cloak fluttered in the wind. The atmosphere of battle gradually settled as the night fell, dragging this ordinary street into an extraordinary world.

At that crucial moment, a shadow flashed by. Bai Lin and Yamashita Kanon simultaneously glanced behind the latter, but saw no sign of a figure. Then, a shadow suddenly descended from mid-air between the three of them. Fei'er's pupils constricted, and the knife in her hand tightened.

"Hey, while I was out looking for food, I seemed to see one of my servants in some trouble. What's going on? Do you need my help?"

A voice much younger, sweeter, and more evil than Yamashita Kanon's rang out.

Chapter 382 The Knife

Her dazzling golden hair shone with a cold glow under the moonlight. Blending into the moonlight were her delicate features and her modest stature. The figure gradually emerged from the shadows. It was the lolita vampire dressed in gothic attire—Flanderda.

"You are... this aura, could it be a demon?"

Although Yamashita Kanon panicked for a moment, she soon realized something was amiss. Compared to Yamashita Kanon, Flanders emanated pure "malice," rather than the invisible pressure she carried.

Just like her appearance, Flanders has the kind of aura that makes people think "she'll play a trick on you", but if you really think she's only good at playing pranks, that would be terrible.

"Oh? I was wondering who you are, my contractor who's been pestering me so much... Are you here to be my food?"

The voice had a sweetness to it, but it gave off a very cold feeling. Bai Lin suddenly felt the atmosphere chill down to her fingertips, and her entire body trembled uncontrollably. And the momentum of Flanders words was clearly not directed at her, but at Yamashita Kanon in front of her.

Could the aftermath of the shock alone be so powerful? Bai Lin had only seen Flanderda use her move once, when she casually restrained Fei'er. At that time, she had no idea of ​​Flander's strength, but the current situation undoubtedly gave her a deeper understanding of Flander's strength.

Facing a strong person like Yamashita Kanon, he immediately launched an unscrupulous intimidation. And judging from the panic on Yamashita Kanon's face, she seemed to have been hit by this trick.

Does this mean... Flanda is stronger than Yamashita Kanon? Bai Lin thought so. Flanda's arrival and the cold intimidation she immediately gave Yamashita Kanon, although it was a vampire extending a helping hand, made Bai Lin feel very reliable.

Great, it seems I can just watch the show for a while without doing anything and then go home to sleep.

However, Yamashita Kanon was not the type to retreat when frightened. Although Flanders' captivating eyes appeared even more intimidating under the moonlight, her enchanting gaze never left Flanders' body for a single moment, as if she refused to admit defeat.

Of course, if these two people knew what Bai Lin was thinking, they probably wouldn't be concentrating on colliding with each other with their momentum like they are now, pushing the atmosphere to such a tense point.

In comparison, Flanders seemed more composed. However, she seemed to treat Yamashita Kanon with a different kind of coldness and indifference than she did Bai Lin, which seemed to explain the contemptuous smile on her lips. Yamashita Kanon, on the other hand, was like a pool of water at night, silent and impenetrable, with a deep solemnity.

If one ignores the physical qualities of otherworldly beings, cold weapon combat usually ends in an instant, never dragging on. A single mistake can lead to further errors, resulting in defeat. Yamashita Kanon, however, employs the technique of Iai, which naturally prioritizes the moment of striking. Therefore, her silent observation of her opponent seemed to indicate she was already in combat mode.

"What's wrong, human? You're not talking anymore? It's so rare to see someone who looks good, it's boring if you're so silent. I've always been a picky eater, so I'd prefer you to tell me what you want first."

Across from her, Flanders didn't seem as dignified as Yamashita Kanon, simply scornfully flinging her proud words. The moment she finished speaking, a flash of red light, accompanied by a gust of wind, brushed past her cheek. Flanders' pupils constricted, and the next instant, she retreated over ten steps, retreating to where Bai Lin and the others were.

A strand of golden hair slowly fell from the sky. Yamashita Kanon, as if she had not done anything, just walked towards him slowly with a gloomy face, holding her scabbard in one hand and the other hand hanging casually, as usual.

"You seem to have made a mistake, youyi. This is human territory. It would be easy for me to kill you. Even if I'm not here, you can't act so arrogantly."

Yamashita Kanon raised her head and, with her height advantage, looked down at Flanders who had just regained her elegant posture and said,

"I just need you, so I won't kill you. But you seem a little unreasonable, so now I'm half tempted to chop off your head. Bai Lin, I never thought that a saint like you would be associated with such a monster. Could it be that she gave you some benefit, so you are so desperate?"

Yamashita Kanon looked at Bai Lin with a look of disappointment that made Bai Lin feel very confused. But compared to this, with Flanders personality, it seemed impossible for her to swallow her anger.

"You're mistaken, human! Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish and play a little trick on you, allowing you to maintain the vitality of your blood at the moment of death!"

A heavy atmosphere suddenly filled the entire space, the oppressive atmosphere making Bai Lin and Fei'er feel breathless. Even the full moon in the sky seemed to sink slightly. The stars' paths accelerated and spun, and the flickering light flashed through Bai Lin's eyes like an illusory scene.

An ominous blood mist, like dry ice on a stage, slowly rose from the ground and poured into the streets and alleys. What was about to come was probably disaster. And the source of this disaster was revealed from Flandana's slender fingertips. Clearly, she seemed to have been provoked by Kurayama Kanon and was about to take action.

"Look here, human, this is—"

Just when Flanders was about to say something, a glint of surprise flashed across Yamashita Kanon's eyes. Bai Lin moved, and she quickly squatted down and supported Flanders' body from behind.

"Hey, contractor, what are you doing? Why are you suddenly entangled with me at this time? Let go!"

Flanda was immediately displeased. She struggled violently like a child who couldn't get her toy. Even for Bai Lin, the force was a bit too much to bear. As a vampire, her physical strength naturally far exceeded that of an average human. Even in this extremely difficult situation, Bai Lin still felt a great deal of effort.

However, Bai Lin still held her body tightly, not allowing her to move rashly, and said,

Chapter 383 Accountability

"Why are you so angry? Aren't you a noble vampire? This is embarrassing. Moreover, as the person who accepted your commission, and as a human being, I will not allow you to kill everyone on this street. You can fight her if you want, but don't endanger others. If you keep acting like this, I can't continue to accept your commissions."

Bai Lin only had a partial understanding of Flanderda. After all, this was only their second meeting. So, based on the information he had, Bai Lin could only assume that Flanderda was someone who cared about her reputation. Furthermore, there was a specific reason why she had asked Bai Lin to take action, and it was also a way for Bai Lin to threaten her.

"You...!" Flanders turned around and glanced at Bai Lin with her teeth bared. However, that vicious expression did not frighten Bai Lin at all, as if it was just a momentary resentment revealed by a child. As expected, Flanders retracted that expression, puffed up her cheeks, stopped struggling and said,

"I understand, please let me go. There won't be a next time for this. Humans can't touch my body casually!"

Bai Lin quickly smiled and released her hands as if to comfort a child, then stood up. She took a breath, the feeling of trouble finally intruding into her mind along with the two people's somewhat problematic personalities.

I had thought that once Flanders showed up, I'd be able to do nothing... but I didn't expect to have to engage in verbal attacks. After all, with Yamashita Kanon's personality, if she pushed even a little further, Flanders would probably fight her right then and there. Bai Lin didn't want to see that happen.

"Ms. Yamashita Kanon, you may have misunderstood something. Although Flanda is indeed the demon you described, she hasn't done me any good. To be honest, she didn't even pay me the deposit for the commission."

Bai Lin's words revealed a sense of integrity. It would be better to say that when Bai Lin spoke seriously, he gave people the sense of integrity of a stereotypical RPG hero. Therefore, Yamashita Kanon seemed to believe what Bai Lin said. She slightly restrained her sharpness and asked Bai Lin,

"So what commission did your sister give you? Is it related to this incident with Le Tianxiang?"

"It's true... Flanders is a vampire, and some of their kind have infiltrated Camelan, secretly selling Rakuten incense. Flanders asked me to solve this matter."

A very sincere and honest answer, given Bai Lin's identity, her temperament, and the fact that she was telling the truth, naturally made it highly credible. Yamashita Kanon pondered for a moment, then, in a resounding voice, explained her conclusion.

"So that's how it is... Is there something mysterious behind this incident, so we're all being used? No, I haven't heard anything like that. Either there's something more hidden, or..."

Yamashita Kanon's words sounded like mumbling to herself, but Bai Lin heard it clearly. It was obvious that she had a certain misunderstanding of what Bai Lin said, but this misunderstanding might not be a bad thing for Bai Lin. Just as she was thinking about how to talk to Kanon next, Kanon had already raised her head, looked directly at Bai Lin, and replied,

"I understand, Holy Son Bai Lin. No matter what conspiracy this matter may have, the mere fact that there are demons involved is enough to support you in resisting it. But I can assure you that as the leader of Sakura, I have absolutely no connection with the demons of that generation. In other words, you don't have to interfere with our actions from now on..."

…Although the words just now sounded like Hanako's thinking was a little distorted. Her mind didn't seem as calm and rational as her tone. Bai Lin suddenly felt a little angry, but she suppressed her anger and clenched her fists, interrupting Yamashita Hanako's words heavily.

"Ms. Hanane, this is another misunderstanding. The very act of selling and distributing Rakutenka is an undeniable crime, perhaps even more serious than the so-called alien interference! I didn't decide to come to your Sakura envoy because of the alien unrest."

Bai Lin glanced at Yamashita Kanon, his eyes revealing a sense of indifference, and his tone was unexpectedly calm. For some reason, Yamashita Kanon's whole body shook, and her mind seemed to revisit the moment of her fight with Bai Lin.

A conflicting mentality lingered within Yamashita Kanon's heart. After sorting out some of her thoughts, she spoke in a trembling voice, her expression somewhat irritable, breaking the composure she had maintained all along.

"You call it guilt, but that's just putting people on trial who could become a nuisance themselves. Whether it's money or resources, they're always most valuable when they're in the hands of the top people, isn't it?"

Yamashita Kanon shouted these words almost with a roar, but there was something different about them. It was like hailstones falling from the sky at an accelerated rate. Although it was loud when it hit the ground, it left behind only a cold mist.

Her meaning was very simple. Whether it was her own people or they were sold to outsiders, squeezing money from them in this way, or saving more resources at the cost of their lives, this behavior was just a kind of screening and was correct.

In Bai Lin's eyes, this was undoubtedly an inhumane idea. But compared to Hanako's excitement, Bai Lin just shook his head calmly and replied,

"You're wrong. Every human life has value and shouldn't be judged arbitrarily by external factors. Those who have committed crimes should be judged, but those who have been seduced should only be persuaded to turn back. Instead of continuing to seduce them into falling into a bottomless abyss, draining their entire family's wealth and even harming more people."

Bai Lin's tone was as calm as her actions. She was simply stating a fact, but Yamashita Kanon seemed to be shaken by Bai Lin's words. It wasn't just the words; the reason for her hesitation was...

Bai Lin's eyes revealed an inexplicable pity. It seemed as if he was saying:

"Is someone who doesn't even understand this considered a human being?"

While Hanane's mind was in a mess and she was wondering what was going on, Bai Lin spoke again.

"Besides, after all, isn't it because of you that people are seduced? I said you are guilty, and I'm absolutely right."

Chapter 384 Let’s cheer together!

Yamashita Kanon's heart was trembling violently. Unlike before, a complex emotion was revealed directly on her face. This time, she answered without thinking,

"Even without Rakuten incense, there are still cigarettes and alcohol, and the same goes for entertainment. Are you really going to deny all entertainment..."

The cold light flashed again, and Yamashita Kanon felt as if a circuit had flowed through the back of her head. She stopped talking, breathing rapidly, and staring at the floor with blurred vision, wondering what she was thinking. But this time, the cold light seemed to be just Bai Lin's cold glance. She walked around Flanders and walked to Kanon's side and said,

"Miss Hanane, you're also a smart person. You should understand... this is already meaningless sophistry. If you put it this way, we have nothing more to talk about. Fei'er, let's go."

Just like that, Bai Lin walked straight past Hanane, oblivious to the surroundings. Hanane shuddered as if struck by electricity, frozen in place, speechless. A moment later, she turned back, her mouth slightly parted, as if about to say something. But Bai Lin and the others had already vanished. Yamashita Hanane clutched her scabbard with a hint of resentment, then took a long, long step in one direction.

"Since there is indeed a demon behind this, I should thoroughly investigate this matter!"