Chapter 128: The Turkey Knight

In the back garden of the Qian estate—which had by now been reduced to ruins—Cheng Huang remained crouched amidst the debris, staring blankly at the spot where Jiang Lin had last stood.

Hu Shuang moved the still-slumbering Qian Zhenduo under a large tree before walking over. Standing beside You You, Hu Shuang wanted to say something, but each time she opened her mouth, she faltered.

The dog also trotted over to the clearing where its master—a man who was always so ridiculous—had met his end. It let out a low, mournful howl, then lifted a hind leg and relieved itself, as if paying a final tribute to its departed master.

"Hu Shuang, tell me, why did that human sacrifice himself to protect us?" You You stared at the spot that had been blasted into oblivion, as if the human's smiling face were right before her eyes.

Hu Shuang opened her mouth slightly, but closed it again and shook her head. In truth, she wanted to say, "Perhaps he wanted to ride Cheng Huang," but she felt that sounded too ambiguous.

"Xiao Lin!"
"Jiang Lin!"

Just as Cheng Huang and You You were hanging their heads in sorrow, two voices rang out from different directions. Two women were running toward them, calling out those names.

Before long, the two women spotted each other and simultaneously came to a halt.

Seeing Xiao Xueli, who wore a veil over her hat, Lin Qingwan bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, her elegant willow-leaf brows knitting together.
*Why did I run into this little girl? What is she doing in Donglin City? Could she be related to the Dugu Demon Sect? Or is she here for Xiao Lin, too? No! I must be on guard! Whether she is an enemy or not, I cannot let her get close to Xiao Lin! She is so beautiful—what if something happens?*

Across from her, Xiao Xueli, also wearing a veiled hat, silently gripped the hilt of her longsword, a tightness forming in her chest.
*Why is Lin Qingwan here? And she seems to be looking for Jiang Lin as well? She looks even more beautiful now, and she is Jiang Lin’s senior sister. Is this the kind of girl Jiang Lin likes?*

Watching the two women, Hu Shuang and the others felt a sudden, palpable scent of gunpowder.

However, this "standoff" did not last long. With a strange sense of tacit understanding, they both turned and walked toward Hu Shuang. At the same time, they both straightened their postures, as if trying to show off something to the other, locked in a silent competition.

Watching the two beautiful women approach, Hu Shuang was momentarily dazed. Although she had some confidence in her own appearance—having been pursued by fellow disciples at the Shebao Sect—she felt a tinge of inferiority in the presence of these two.

"Are you here to look for the human named Snake?" Cheng Huang You You spoke up, her tone heavy with dejection, sorrow, and a great deal of self-reproach.

"Snake?" Xiao Xueli was stunned for a moment. Why would anyone choose such a bizarre name?

"Yes. Master Snake's real name is Jiang Lin. He is my junior brother. He came to Donglin City with me. Along the way, we watched the scenery, wandered the streets, and ate meals together. He is the most important person to me." Seeing Xiao Xueli’s confused expression upon hearing the name, Lin Qingwan answered.

A small, inexplicable joy rose in Lin Qingwan's heart.
*As expected, I am the one who loves and understands Xiao Lin better...*

Hearing Lin Qingwan’s confident reply, the young girl lowered her head even further. Especially when the other woman mentioned "watching scenery and walking the streets together," the girl felt a dull ache in her heart—a sense of loss she couldn't name filled her small heart.

However, the tiny joy in Lin Qingwan's heart and the lingering disappointment in Xiao Xueli's did not last long, until You You spoke again.

"Snake... he..."

As Cheng Huang You You spoke slowly, the minds of both women went blank, as if the sky had collapsed. In their minds, something of supreme importance was slowly crumbling and finally shattering into dust.

"Little girl, what did you just say?" Lin Qingwan asked mechanically. The luster had completely vanished from her eyes.

It was as if... she had broken.

"I am sorry, elder sisters..." You You said, sobbing with her head bowed. "That beast, Snake, to protect us... he... he has perished, his body and soul extinguished..."

*Clatter.*

The longswords fell from Lin Qingwan’s and Xiao Xueli’s hands to the ground simultaneously.

You You’s words echoed endlessly in their minds. The sounds of fighting and explosions continued to rock Donglin City, but to them, it was as if they heard nothing at all. There was only a buzzing in their ears.

*Xiao Lin... is dead...*

***

"Explosive Fireball!"
"Adoben!!!"
"Firebird Wings!"
"Thunderous Half-Moon Slash!"

Outside the Chunfeng Pavilion, Jiang Lin and Tan Xiao were being chased by a horde of assassins, repeatedly repelling and killing them. Because it was night, even though Jiang Lin and Tan Xiao channeled their spiritual energy into their eyes like flashlights, the brightness was insufficient.

Moreover, these Dugu Demon Sect assassins were particularly skilled in nocturnal combat. Not only that, but their teamwork was incredibly seamless, and their attack angles were devious, causing great trouble for Jiang Lin and Tan Xiao.

Fighting as they retreated, Jiang Lin already had several gashes on his body, and he had even been stabbed in the rear by a dagger twice. Tan Xiao was in a poor state as well, forced to fight in his true form. This was the first time Jiang Lin had seen Senior Brother Tan’s true form. Though it was said to be a Firebird, Jiang Lin felt it looked more like a turkey. It was quite large—about the size of an ostrich—with fiery red feathers that were literally burning. Despite its appearance, the fact that Senior Brother Tan’s feathers burned with fire that scorched only people and not buildings made Jiang Lin feel it was quite formidable.

In the end, Jiang Lin mounted Tan Xiao, transforming into a Turkey Knight!

Tan Xiao, in his firebird (turkey) form, flapped his wings and spat fireballs, charging recklessly. Jiang Lin, mounted on Tan Xiao’s broad, sturdy back, engaged in "mounted combat"... No, "turkey-mounted combat"!

"Senior Brother! Let’s speed up and charge into that building!"
"Cluck! No problem! Junior Brother, cover me! Cluck!"

Tan Xiao flapped his wings and sprinted at full speed, while Jiang Lin threw the dozen eggs they had been carrying all at once!

"Oh~ Ji, you are too beautiful~~ Ji, you are truly too beautiful~~"

For a moment, the street was filled with smoke and dust. Within that haze, dozens of "Chicken Bros" appeared before their enemies, performing a highly hypnotic dance.

*Thump.*

Finally having temporarily shaken off the assassins, Jiang Lin and Tan Xiao slumped against the door.

"Ju... Junior Brother... ah, where... where are we..." Tan Xiao gasped for air after the long sprint.

Equally exhausted, Jiang Lin took a deep breath. "It... seems to be the... the... Huh? The Chunfeng Pavilion!"