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

Each paragraph of these words, like the sound of a heavy object being dragged across the floor, made Hans' heartbeat quicken and his nerves grow. The image of the mysterious hero grew more oppressive in his mind, a lingering thought.

"But, even if you don't have the courage to do that."

Bai Lin's words made him feel relieved instantly. Hans looked at Bai Lin and raised his hand to indicate,

"So what about us...? If you haven't figured out what's going on yet, it might be a little awkward to explain it here."

Chapter 1075 People Call Him the House of the Rising Sun

"That's a very euphemistic way of putting it."

Bai Lin replied immediately. She glanced at Katie, but before she could finish her words, she stood up and said to her,

"I'm stuffed."

So, what are you waiting for?

-

Walking through the densely packed streets, Bai Lin couldn't help but sigh. While this city wasn't as extravagant as the Platinum City, its overall quality and level of refinement were truly exceptional. It had all the necessary entertainment and industrial facilities, the streets were neatly planned, and there was no shortage of magnificent buildings.

Even if the day is hazy and shrouded in rain, it still seems to gleam with tiny glimmers of light, like the sun on earth, drawing people to stay. The bustling city, ablaze with lights, is not loud or glaring, but rather brimming with a subtle tranquility. The rain, then, no longer seems so gloomy, but rather a cleansing wash over the city.

Compared to the present world he had lived in, the civilization here might not have any cash, but the level of happiness it gave people was surely far greater.

After wandering around for a few weeks, the three of them arrived at a hotel room that looked rather simple and elegant.

"Although I'm a painter and have a decent income, I haven't been so financially secure lately for some reasons. Please forgive me for hosting you two in a place like this."

Hans said this as soon as he came up. Bai Lin glanced at it and thought it was much better than the place she lived in Camillan. She felt a little jealous of the rich. But she was obviously not in the mood now. She didn't dwell on it and said directly,

"Let's talk about it."

The content of the business was neither long nor short. Hans made tea for the two of them and quickly said:

Recently, he had been accused of a crime by someone he didn't know. Although the other party had no substantial evidence, the people above him were closely guarding each other. If the stalemate continued, it would be Hans himself who would be sent away sooner or later.

He claimed to be a painter, living a relatively free life. Although he had social contacts, most of them were shallow. In such a situation, it was a great favor for friends to lend him some money, and most of them would disappear without a trace after hearing the news.

He seemed to be in a hurry before because someone was secretly hunting him. Without substantial evidence, they couldn't arrest him directly, let alone embarrass him in public, so he chose to go into the restaurant.

"Your place is called Rain City, right? I think life here is quite peaceful, how could such an injustice happen?"

Bai Lin asked doubtfully. She leaned forward slightly, and her iron-clad body made Hans feel a cold pressure. But Hans quickly lowered his head and said gloomily,

"You must be joking, Lord Saint. Where is there absolute justice? It's true that most people here live well. As tourists like you two, you must have experienced a lot of preferential treatment."

"Indeed. Then who is having a hard time?"

Aren't people who are not doing well right in front of us? However, Hans mentioned a name truthfully.

"Yes. There's a neighboring town next to Rain City that's worlds apart. Because it doesn't rain year-round like here, people call it the House of the Rising Sun. But compared to such a hopeful name, life there... you'll have to see for yourself."

There seemed to be a slight gap in their conversation. But Bai Lin didn't seem to care about it at all. She folded her hands and remained silent. Looking at her, Hans could only think that she was thinking about something. Katie interrupted at the right time and said,

"Have you ever tried the legal channels yourself? Even if you can't win alone, there's always a chance to clear your name. Through a defense, or something like that?"

Hans was about to speak when the doorbell rang. He immediately smiled, pointed at the door and said,

"Ah, by chance, he's here. The lawyer I hired is an old friend of mine who I have a good relationship with. You two wait a moment, I'll go open the door for him."

Soon, the legendary lawyer was welcomed in by Hans. As soon as the door opened, the other party angrily threw a pile of documents into Hans' arms, and then slammed the door behind him.

"Look at this. Look at what I've gathered. There are so many people accusing you, I can't handle it all, and they haven't left me any defense. Tell me the truth, Hans. Are you hiding something?"

He looked thin and fussy, with beautiful blond hair topped with pony ears that looked uneven. The resentment accumulated during work was very real.

The lawyer grabbed Hans's shoulder, seemingly unaware of the two people inside. Hans quickly replied,

"Hey, don't panic. You're an excellent lawyer and my best friend. I'm entrusting you to help me because of your ability."

"I don't think anyone wants to defend you! Get a clear picture of reality, Hans. This is a matter of principle. If you keep trying to cover it up, you won't have that much time to waste."

The lawyer pointed at Hans' nose, looking very angry, and soon he saw the two of them.

"they are……"

"Helper, great helper."

Hans said hurriedly, while the lawyer looked up to the sky and covered his face.

"Oh my god, are you so desperate that you have to seek help from unknown people? Look at your shabby clothes. Hanging out with these people is the reason for your problems."

"I'm talking about you. If you say one more thing about me or her, I'll tear your mouth apart."

Bai Lin said calmly, not caring much about other people's comments. But Katie's comments were a bummer. Killing him here wouldn't be much different than crushing an ant.

Feeling Bai Lin's aura, no longer deliberately restraining himself, the lawyer took two steps back and almost fell to the ground. But he was obviously the kind of person who would avoid hard tactics but not soft tactics. He immediately came to his senses and said to Hans,

"More money. I know you don't have any right now, so bring it to me in a few days as usual. This isn't just for me, it's hush money for those guys! Hans, you're screwed. Take my advice and run away early, at least you can get away with it safely."

"Run? Where to run? Are you kidding?"

Seeing that the other party was asking for money again and the situation was getting worse, Hans's mentality was no longer calm. He glared at him and said so. But the lawyer didn't buy it at all and immediately walked out.

"That's not my concern, Hans. It's you who's running. I've done my share and my duty, and that's all I have to say."

Chapter 1076: A Bit Crazy

The lawyer slammed the door and left, looking unhappy. As for Hans, he leaned back in his chair, lowered his head and pondered for a while, then raised his hand.

"You've seen it, right? This is the official way. He's the only lawyer who can help me now..."

He was scratching his hair, looking unhappy. Bai Lin was leaning on the table next to Hans.

"Really? That's not bad. At least, I think he's a nice guy."

"He's good?! Oh, forget it. Even if he's a good person, what can he do? One person can't stand up to a group of people. I might be even more desperate than you think."

Hans spoke helplessly, his emotions fluctuating. Not only was his tone sometimes slow and sometimes rapid, but he even closed his eyes, as if unwilling to see the world. However, even with this action, the painful reality was lingering, still echoing in his ears and mind like tinnitus, a constant, piercing sound.

"it's not true."

Bai Lin replied. She still maintained her calm tone, not moving at all.

"Pain has a degree of difference, but it's subjective, not objective. I've experienced many things far more painful than you, but I also know that for you, this is a 100% disaster. I don't think you're being hypocritical in your grief."

"But if you can, trust yourself."

"What are you talking about? At this point, what's the point of believing in yourself? You shouldn't have asked me to believe in you——"

"It was your own choice to ask me for help, Hans. This is the result of your faith. Your understanding of me is just anecdotal evidence. Why do you think I will definitely help you if you ask me for help? It's just that you believe in your own choice. You have no other choice, so you just give it a try. Or maybe you heard that I have a certain reputation and held some hope."

Bai Lin stood up, her voice shifting, and suddenly, her arrogant figure was already standing in front of the other person. She looked down at the other person,

"Think about it carefully. Trust in others should come from trust in yourself. For example—given your understanding of the world and the values ​​you've cultivated so far, what do you think would allow me to sincerely help you?"

Bai Lin had built a trusting relationship countless times before. Perhaps she hadn't given it as much thought as she now expressed, but the reality was that she had to trust her own choices before trusting others. Otherwise, she would begin to question herself, wondering, "Why did I trust her in the first place?"

How to maintain a relationship also depends on one party's own cognition.

This question was a bit difficult for Hans. His breathing became a little more rapid. Bai Lin, who seemed to have a mysterious reputation in the rumors, but also seemed kind and helped others without seeking much in return, what could he give her that she needed? What could he give her in exchange for her help?

"I see."

Unexpectedly, it seemed that people could think faster in a high-pressure environment, and Bai Lin, who was standing in front of him, and this society, gave Hans enough pressure, and he quickly calmed down. Hans stood up, stared at Bai Lin and said,

"I...I'll draw a picture for you, a portrait."

His words were somewhat intermittent, but his will was extremely firm, because they were true words spoken from his heart.

"On the one hand, this is the only thing I'm good at and can do in my life, and it's also my passion. At the same time, I also want to record your appearance with my own hands, to remember my savior, so that I can see your footprints for the rest of my life."

Heartfelt, that was his answer. What could Bai Lin possibly lack? He didn't know. He could only offer his sincerity, the only thing he could offer.

However, the fact is——

Bai Lin leaned down, moved closer to Katie next to him, and asked in a slightly lower voice,

"You've read the materials more carefully than I have. How much can this guy's paintings sell for?"

"Probably a few hundred thousand. Although it's unlikely that anyone in this city would dare to take his advice right now, it would be a great market for you."

"Varied--"

Bai Lin swayed in shock, then stood back in front of Hans and coughed.

Although they lowered their voices, Hans could still hear what they said. For a moment, he was confused. Were they asking for money? But this was so contradictory to his impression that it directly triggered his brain's self-protection mechanism. In an instant, he regarded it as "I heard it wrong" and covered it up.

Even with all the changes, Bai Lin's wallet remained her most sensitive part. Besides daily necessities and food, she also needed to pay for replacement equipment, such as the maintenance costs of training weapons. Although her burden had gradually decreased, her early days as an adventurer, when she worked solely to raise money for her teammates and herself, left an indelible impression on her.

Therefore, she still has a PTSD for money, and almost always consciously seeks rewards for everything she does. Previously, the poet hired her, so her reputation hadn't leaked out at all. Now, the poet has given her enough to work for her whole life, so she probably won't ask for money too harshly.

But it was hundreds of thousands at once, and Bai Lin could only say that heroes also need to eat.

She shielded her hands and said to Hans,

"Is there a back room? Al and I need to change clothes. We're here now, and armor doesn't look good."

As she said this, she glanced at Katie.

"I don't care how I'm painted, but Al. This is your first time being recorded in a portrait, right? Dress nicely and look good. It's a big deal anyway, and I want to see you look better."

"Isn't it because you think you're wearing armor and your paintings won't sell well?"

Katie asked playfully, while Bai Lin laughed twice.

"You know, it's a bit of both."

As they talked, the two walked together and went to the inner room without waiting for Hans to come over. When he came to his senses, Hans shouted,

"Do you have any change of clothes here?"

"You two travelers are very kind. You gave me local clothes. It's just that I haven't had time to change since I arrived."

Bai Lin replied, closing the inner door. Suddenly, the world was quiet, and Hans was alone again. After all, he had ignored the previous conversation about money, so he had no idea Al would mention "selling." And if this line of thought continued, it would mean selling his paintings.

Chapter 1077 Show N Magic Love

Isn't the image of the Son of God, the one in armor, more representative of the collective impression? That way, he can leverage his popularity to sell more. Can the person beneath the armor truly live up to the appearance of the armor...?

When the two men emerged, Hans's doubts vanished instantly. His understanding was also overturned in an instant.

A paper yellow blouse and a dark ink-colored wide skirt. The perfectly fitted waistband on the skirt was like a restraint that kept beauty from being too conspicuous, like the broken arm of Venus, enveloping Katie's temperament to a perfect degree.

The upturned design of the skirt allows the youthful atmosphere to rise in the wind along her eyebrows that are facing the sun.

Soft golden hair cascaded down her neck, elegant and clean, evoking a gentle aura. Her bright black eyes captured all of this, keeping it from being overly alluring. Just like her subtle smile, it simply showcased her endearing elegance.

It's like a girl from a neighboring town who passes by you, making you sigh at her beauty, and all the beautiful fantasies of meeting her flow through your mind in an instant. But it just flows by, and you know that everything will be indifferent.

After all, her heart is not open to strangers.

If Katie's slightly reserved beauty had left Hans stunned, then the other person who had stormed out from the inner room had made him stagger two steps, nearly falling to the ground.

Her hair, lifted by the breeze, casually draped across Bai Lin's face. Her slightly unruly bangs, a touch disheveled and unruly, only added a touch of ferocity to her. The sunlight seemed to shatter upon her, its fragile radiance seemingly insignificant compared to her. Her steely figure, as always, stood firm in the morning breeze.

Her eyes slanted slightly, and those golden eyes that had already told countless poems were filled with the splendor of stained glass. But the will that permeated them all, a sharp aura, filled her eyes.

Beautiful and powerful, she is the one with destiny, a destiny written by herself.

The same shirt, however, seemed even more constricting on her figure. The leather vest and the leather pants that reached her thighs only enhanced her elegance. She rolled up her sleeves, making everything seem even more casual and clean, as if whatever she faced was nothing to her, just a normal part of life.

The half-finger gloves and the stripes on her shirt added a touch of life to her presence. And just as her details became more apparent, a melancholy expression emerged from her, as if she had endured a great deal. But that sadness also transformed into a fortitude, like a captain sailing on a stormy night, head held high, roaring louder than thunder, as if she were the storm about to crush the enemy.

But no matter what, this sadness was only noticeable for a moment, because it was only borne by her.

"Who... who are you?"

Even if he thought about it, there was only one possibility. Hans, who collapsed to the ground, asked this question. This naturally made Katie burst into laughter and also made Bai Lin stunned. But she could understand such a situation, but she felt that it was a bit too exaggerated. She tilted her head and said,

"As you can see, I am the Holy Son himself. Why, haven't you heard that I'm a beauty?"

Even though her true appearance was revealed, Bai Lin's tone was still so impolite. After all, she always expected efficiency in communication. Hans got the reply and got up. Facing the other party's tone, he couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat.

"Indeed, I have, but compared to other things, beauty is always a quality that is easily overlooked when others talk about it. After all, it was just talk, and no one expected it to stand out so clearly."

"But I didn't expect you to be an elf. Didn't you say you were the Son of Man?"

"It's just a more thorough disguise. Outside of human city-states, there aren't many places where humans can easily get around."

Bai Lin casually patted the back of his neck, and his pointed ears returned to normal. Hans also nodded.

"Indeed, I suppose it's because you're an elf. Rain City's already generous hostility will surely grant you even more preferential treatment. Furthermore, if you present yourself as the Son of God, many places will likely be overly wary of you."

"Don't worry about that, great painter. Let's get down to business. Where should we stand as your models?"

She preferred to get the job done quickly rather than discuss her reputation with a stranger, something she barely understood, leaving everything within the city to Sora's control, and seemingly entirely under the poet's control outside. Hans quickly realized he was asking too many questions, nodded, and took out his sketchpad and other tools, beginning to instruct the two.