Sabrina simply couldn't fathom it.
Why!?
Why!?
Why!?
First Gold, Silver, Copper, and Iron had defected, but now even the branch Tactician had turned to the enemy!?
Was Fyren even human? What sorcery had he used to bring the Four Kings—Gold, Silver, Copper, and Iron—under his command in such a short span? The first three were merely subordinates of the Central Quadportal, but the Tactician…? This time, he'd managed to corrupt two key figures at once!
The Tactician was the very core of the branch's power, a high-ranking executive, the Helmsman's second-in-command, and a rising star destined for the branch Helmsmanship. Becoming a branch Helmsman was like a phoenix rising from ashes: one received generous rewards bestowed personally by the Central Lodge Helmsman, an annual salary in the millions plus countless perks, and ruled as a regional governor over one's own domain.
How could anyone abandon such a future? For Fyren?
Wait—had those two suffered severe injuries? Who had done this? Could it be Fyren? Impossible! Fyren didn't possess that kind of power. The situation was too bizarre, too perplexing to unravel.
Sabrina clenched her teeth and forced a faint smile at Hakan. "Hakan."
Hakan met Sabrina's gaze and was instantly entranced. "Sabrina…"
"Let's go take a closer look."
"Y-Yes, of course."
As they approached, a sudden gust of wind swept past. Sabrina dodged, but Hakan was blown into the grass. She whirled around to see Fyren and Herbert.
Herbert laughed heartily. "Not bad, not bad! My disciple is mastering it!"
"Haha, thank you, Master!"
It turned out Fyren had found Herbert, who'd begun instructing him in martial arts. Yet he'd only taught one move: Little Monkey Fist.
Fyren was astonished to find Little Monkey Fist bore a striking resemblance to The Great Sage's Tiger-Subduing Fist, but in some ways, it seemed more nuanced, deadlier… He couldn't find the words. He knew nothing of martial arts; the little he'd learned came from direct card draws in the system, never practiced. Many concepts remained obscure.
But now Fyren understood: though Little Monkey Fist had an unassuming name—nowhere near as imposing as Tiger-Subduing Fist—it was undeniably a martial arts masterpiece.
Yet Herbert's mind was muddled. After teaching for a while, he couldn't even recall the technique's name clearly.
At the sight of Herbert, Sabrina's stomach knotted. Oh no! How had this old man ended up here? Talk about rotten luck.
She tried to slip away, but Herbert spotted her. "Where do you think you're going?"
Sabrina squared her shoulders, turned, and forced a smile. "This junior, Sabrina, greets Senior Herbert."
"Hm?" Herbert frowned. "You know me?"
Sabrina thought: Even if you were reduced to ashes, I'd still recognize you.
But she said softly, "I am Sabrina, personal bodyguard to Otto. I had the honor of meeting you a few days ago and have held you in high esteem since."
"Hahaha!" Herbert boomed, leaning in toward Fyren. "What's that mean?"
Fyren cupped his hand to Herbert's ear. "She means it was an honor to meet you, and she admires you greatly."
"Oh?" Herbert beamed. "I've roasted some meat. Let me treat you!"
"No need for formalities, Senior. I'm coming!"
Herbert was a man of the wind—impulsive, acting on whim, for even a moment's hesitation was a disrespect to the wind.
Before Sabrina could get her bearings, she found herself seated in Herbert's cave. Her hair was tangled, strands sticking out wildly, her eyes vacant as if questioning her very existence.
Who am I? Where am I? How did I get here?
A slide show? A magic trick!?
Fyren glanced around and nodded. "Now we've got the mother lion."
Herbert grabbed a roasted leg and thrust it in Sabrina's face. "Girl, eat! After you finish, you two will consummate the marriage!"
Sabrina thought, If I could follow your train of thought, I'd be your grandmother! What's happening here? Why did you drag me here out of nowhere? I haven't sorted anything out, and now you're shoving a roasted leg in my face! And after eating, we're supposed to… consummate? We aren't even related! Good lord, is this man even human?
Fyren felt awkward.
Sabrina looked at Herbert and thought, Time to show some real skills. The moment she activated her Colorful Illusionary Flower Eyes, Herbert's eyes flared. "How dare you!"
Hum—!
This was a new experience for Sabrina. In the past, men would at least offer token resistance before being enchanted—dazed, then obedient to her commands. But this man reacted with startling speed! It wasn't that he was immune; his inner strength and combat prowess were simply overwhelming. In the face of such absolute power, her own inner energy couldn't penetrate at all.
Not only did he react swiftly, but he delivered the strongest backlash she'd ever endured. Sabrina spat blood, collapsed to the ground, and panted heavily.
Fyren cried out, "Master, careful! She's using illusions!"
"What illusions? That's méishù!"
Fyren was both shocked and eager. "Master, can you break her technique?"
"Hmph! Trivial tricks, nowhere near as skilled as her master."
Sabrina started—he recognized her master?
Fyren was equally surprised. "Master! You know her master?"
"Don't know him."
Both their expressions of surprise and excitement faded instantly.
"You don't know him… Then how do you know her skills are inferior to her master's?"
"I'm guessing. A disciple so young can't surpass her master."
Fyren stayed eager. "Master, but... how do I break her spell? Teach me!"
"Easy! Stay in the mountains and train with me for thirty years. Guarantee spells like that won't affect you at all!"
Fyren thought, Thirty years? I'm over fifty! Not even sure I'll live that long.
"Um... Master, is there a faster way? Something I can learn right away?"
"Simple!" Herbert pulled out a dagger. "Drop your pants! I'll slice you once, and you'll never be tempted by any woman again."
Fyren covered his crotch. "Master, the weather's nice today, isn't it?"
"Sure is. Take your pants off. Don't worry—my knife work's quick! Over in a flash, no pain!"
Fyren shook his head wildly. "Master, teach this technique to your senior disciple instead."
"He doesn't need it. Immune to this stuff."
"Immune!?"
"Mm." Herbert nodded. "That kid has Regal Majesty; this dark art can't touch him."
"Holy shit! That powerful?"
"Disciple, no need to be jealous. One slash, and you'll be immune too. Come on, drop your pants!"
"Master, after thinking... I'd rather not learn this."
"Worried my blade isn't fast enough?"
"No, I want you to save it for your disciples' descendants. You want the Bra Gang to spread, right?"
"Ah, right! Thanks for the reminder. Almost forgot!"
Fyren felt a chill.
[Master's getting crazier. If this keeps up, I might die by his hand without even knowing why.]
[Need to get out of here—now!]
Fyren made a quick excuse, saying family matters required his immediate leave. Herbert was blunt about such things and didn't press.
"Oh, fine, fine. Take your friend with you too."
Fyren stiffened. "She's not my friend."
"Not? Ah, pity. You two make a perfect pair!"
Fyren's mouth twitched.
[Me and her? This girl's toxic. I'd have to die to match her. She belongs with Otto. I don't have that kind of luck.]
Here we go again.
Sabrina clutched her chest, enduring the searing pain, but she heard Fyren's inner monologue clear as day.
"Hmm? Where'd my two stone lions go? Really—two males left, and a female shows up... Well, I'll catch another later and pair them up."
Sabrina was truly terrified.
This old man had no logic!
He was deranged, treating people like objects.
Worse, his martial arts were unimaginably powerful. Compared to him, her skills were child's play, and her méishù had no effect at all.
Falling into his clutches, she feared she'd never escape alive.
Sabrina's voice trembled. "Fyren… we've known each other for ages. You won't abandon me here, will you?"
"Hahaha!" Fyren guffawed. "My master's getting on in years—needs someone to keep him company. You're young and clearly a kind soul who cares for the elderly. Stay here and keep him company. Don't worry—my master's a good man. Try to escape, and he'll break your legs—repeatedly. He also knows the Fossilized Cotton Palm technique, which'll slowly turn you to stone. Oh, and if luck's on your side, when villains attack, he'll capture them and pair you up. What a bright future!"
Sabrina's fear spilled into sobs. "Fyren, stop joking! For the sake of our friendship… you can't leave me here alone."
Fyren chuckled. "I'd love to save you, but your beauty's too overwhelming. I can't even look at you. One slip, and I'd become your captive. Too dangerous. No can do. You're better off as my master's maid."
Genuine terror welled up, and Sabrina's tears flowed. She sank to her knees slowly. "Fyren, I promise I won't attack you again. I beg you—take me with you…"
Fyren hesitated.
[It's not that I don't want to; I daren't! Who knows what you're plotting, you venomous woman? Once we leave, it's your turf. One mistake, and I'm done for!]
[But leaving her here is cruel. The master's deranged and unpredictable—who knows how he'll torture her? Plus, she brought this on herself! The master doesn't harm innocents. What spell did she use on him? Acting without understanding—of course he'll crush her!]
[Saving her is risky! Most importantly, I might die trying. Hmm, this is tricky…]
Herbert eyed Fyren. "Kid, what's on your mind over there?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Think you can fool me?" Herbert grunted. "You like this dead girl 'cause she's pretty?"
Fyren forced a laugh. "I've learned nothing escapes your notice, Master. Truth is, she's my senior brother's subordinate. We should show mercy. Take her to my brother and return her."
"Really Otto's subordinate?"
"I guarantee it."
"Then take her back."
"No, Master… She knows martial arts—could kill me any moment. She's injured now, but once she recovers, she'll turn me into an idiot."
"Ah, easy fix!" Herbert declared. "I'll destroy her inner energy, make her useless—can't harm you then."
Sabrina's blood ran cold. Losing her inner energy would leave her defenseless! She snatched the dagger from the ground, pressed it to her neck, and glared through streaming tears: "Better to die than suffer humiliation and become a cripple! Young Lord, avenge me!"
Herbert and Fyren stroked their chins in unison.
"Is she really gonna kill herself?"
"For real?"
"Ten bucks says she won't dare."
Fyren shook his head. "I think she means it."
Sabrina bared her teeth. "Fyren! I'll remember this! Even as a ghost, I won't let you go! Young Lord, your servant is useless. Forgive me for failing to serve you. Farewell, Young Lord! Fyren—you'll regret this!"
With a furious scream, Sabrina drove the dagger into her neck artery.