Chapter 47: Happiness is just an illusion

  When I came out of the mountain and walked through that flame swamp, it was thanks to the wind system magic ring that was peeled off from the finger of a dead magician.

  This ring is inlaid with a small wind system magic, and from the level of goods, it's probably mid-level first-class - the result of Dororo's appraisal.

  According to the mainland's magic grading system, the upper, middle and lower three levels are divided into nine levels. The first level of the middle grade is not considered very powerful, but at least it can be considered as entering the ranks of mid-grade magic. The wind system magic blessing on this ring, although not enough to make people fly directly, gliding can barely be done...

  So if you ask them how they walked through the flames...

  Very simple.

  Xia Ya put a ring on Koro Mushi, then tied Koro Mushi and Dororo together, lifted them up from the swamp, and threw them with all his might towards the opposite side...

  Xia Ya's strange power, combined with the effect of wind magic, allowed Koro and Dororo to glide out directly, flying over the swamp, flying over the thicket, flying over a mountain...

  When Xia Ya ran to find them, the two guys were already under another hillside, hanging on a branch and waiting for half a day.

  "We head south, passing through the Red Wastes of the Earth Spirit's domain, and we can enter the forest area of Wildfire Prairie. It will take at most half a month, or at least ten days, and we should be able to return to Wildfire Town." Xia Ya rescued Kechouwu and Duoduo from the tree: "Unfortunately, that Ox guy is gone, heaven forbid it wasn't taken away by some jackal."

  As he spoke, Xia Ya glanced at the humming and hawing magician and muttered: "Akes is a pretty good servant, now this one... humph."

  Thanks to the miraculous effect of dragon blood, Poor Bug's legs have healed, although they haven't fully recovered in terms of strength, walking is no longer a problem, so naturally he doesn't need Xia Ya to carry him around like before.

  But that poor magician Dororo was even more pitiful than a worm - to be exact, a wounded worm!

  The body of a magician is generally relatively weak, but the body of this Dororo is weak to an unacceptable degree. If the strength of a magician is inversely proportional to the quality of their body, then Dororo's performance in this regard should be that of a super-large magic conductor.

  He had only walked less than ten miles, but his legs were so weak that he could hardly stand, his face was as pale as earth, and he was panting heavily, as if he would suffocate at any moment. His legs were so soft that they seemed to have no bones, and he was shaking all the way.

  Xia Ya was very helpless. This servant not only couldn't help himself carry things, but even when walking, he had to be supported by himself with both hands - if it weren't for the fact that he had once snatched a robe from him and felt slightly embarrassed in his heart, he would have long since abandoned this burden in the wilderness.

  Three people went south along the river, re-entering the red wilderness, walking along the river, and the poor worm couldn't help but feel emotional about the things he had experienced with this turtle on the way north, those earth spirits, those corpse-eating monsters, those knights who pursued him...

  "Hey, Xia Ya."

  At night when camping, looking at the turtle putting out the fire, the three of them huddled together, lying on the ground heated by the fire. The poor worm looked at Xia Ya beside him and called out softly. At this moment, the fire had gone out, and only a faint starlight was shining down. The poor worm only felt anxious in his heart, his face slightly burning, fortunately, this turtle couldn't see clearly now...

  What a pity...

  "Hey? Why is your face as red as a monkey's butt?" Xia Ya stared at Keliang Chong with wide eyes.

  The poor insect let out a cry of surprise and quickly turned its head away: "Wh-what's with the blushing! H-how did you see that?!"

  "I'm a natural-born night owl. I can see in the darkest of places. So, you could say... I'm a born hunter... err, demon hunter!" Xia Ya grinned, pointing at his own eyes: "I never told you this before? Haha, old man here has too many good points, it's normal to forget some himself."

  The poor worm cursed in her heart, but she knew that this country bumpkin was actually a night eye, and she didn't dare look at him again. She lowered her head and played with a dry twig in her hand, saying softly: "Hey, I'm asking you, Xia Ya, what are your plans after we get back?"

  "What's the plan?" The toad thought for a moment, and couldn't help but grin: "Of course there are many! With this trip being so rewarding, I can finally get some better equipment. With powerful weapons and gear, I'll become a top-notch demon hunter! Hehe, drink the best wine, live in a big house, wear comfortable clothes... Ah yes, I can buy a small house in Wildfire Town, one with a yard in the back. And oh yeah, I also want to buy a horse, my riding skills are a bit lacking, and it won't do for hunting demons on the Wildfire Plains..."

  He spoke with relish, thinking of the days to come, and his heart was filled with joy, feeling that he had traded in his bird gun for a cannon, and had a kind of "I'm rich now" feeling.

  But the more he spoke, the more excited he became. The poor worm listened and let out a soft sigh. She finally couldn't help but lift her head up to gaze at Xia Ya in the darkness - she couldn't see Xia Ya clearly, but she hoped that at this moment, Xia Ya could see her eyes.

  "You, don't you just want to stay in Ye Huo Town and spend your whole life as a demon hunter?"

  "What else can we do?" Xia Ya retorted.

  "You... have you ever thought of leaving Wildfire Plains, leaving here, and going to the Byzantine Empire? After all, where is the prosperous world, you can see many, many interesting places..."

  "Not interested." Xia Ya shook his head, responding briefly and calmly: "I've grown up here since I was a child, everything I'm familiar with is here. In the wilderness here, on the mountains here, I can find food, clothing, and drink, I know how to survive here. Although the people in Wildfire Town are cunning, but the people here are particularly law-abiding, we follow a jungle law here, where might makes right, everyone is fierce, but they all put rules first, these rules are simple and clear, as long as you follow them, everything will be fine. Overall, the people of Wildfire Town may be a bit ferocious, but they're still relatively simple."

  But I've heard old guys say that in the Byzantine Empire, people are complicated everywhere, especially those with money and nobles. They're all ruthless, smiling to your face while stabbing you in the back. Even the beasts on the Wildfire Prairie aren't as despicable as they are. Rather than going to such a place, I'd rather stay in Wildfire Town. Besides, I don't know how to do anything except hunt here, and I have no idea what else I can do."

  "You... you are a rare brave warrior, you can be a samurai, you can be a guard! With skills as fierce as yours, you must..." The poor insect said hastily.

  "Are you asking me to go and be someone's servant?"

  He shook his head vigorously: "I'd rather go be a mercenary, eat wind and sleep in the dew, live an adventurous life, and earn my meals with blood and sweat than become some sort of servant! Humph, being a bodyguard for those wealthy and noble people who are full of themselves - when they sit, I stand? When they eat, I watch? Even when they're with their mistresses, I still have to stand guard outside the door? No way! I won't do that kind of thing. I don't like kissing up to people."

  The poor worm immediately knew he had misspoken: "Ah, sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I know you're not a person who likes to be bound, but... you can join the army, with your skills, if you're willing..."

  As a poor insect, if Xia Ya wants to join the army, then he can naturally find a good job for him. Although it may not be glorious and wealthy, at least "rising to fame" is not much different.

  From the army?

  Xia Ya's eyes lit up for a moment, seemingly moved, but he immediately shook his head and said: "Forget it, I still prefer being a demon hunter, unrestricted and free to do as I please. If I were to join the army, someone like me would probably get beheaded for violating military orders within a few days."

  "It won't work, actually you can..." The poor worm was in a hurry and almost shouted it out, then suddenly realized her mistake, she quickly closed her mouth.

  She actually meant to say that Xia Ya could be arranged to live in her own residence, and among the several legions guarding the Imperial City of the Byzantine Empire, one army could be selected to put him in, with his own connections covering him, and no one would make things difficult for him. Moreover, it was possible that they might have opportunities to meet frequently in the future...

  Xia Ya smiled: "Why do you seem to hope that I become a soldier? Do you want to go? I think you should give up on this idea! Although you are very tall, but you're too thin and can't bear hardships."

  He paused for a moment before continuing: "So what about you? After returning to Ye Huo Town, where are you planning to go?"

  The poor worm suddenly felt bewildered in his heart.

  Where are you going? Going home?

  Going back, Uncle would definitely kill himself. And... after knowing that thing, where else would he dare to go? Then... going to Odin? But Father had already passed away, and if he went to Odin, he would be alone and helpless. Moreover, in the Odin Empire, bloodline was paramount, and with his Byzantine bloodline, he had always been looked down upon by those Odin guys. If he went there, he feared that from now on, he would live under the scorn and cold eyes of others.

  After some thought, I can only quietly go to my brother for help. Looking at the entire continent, only my brother is capable of resisting my uncle. If my brother wants to protect himself, my uncle will have no way to deal with him. Moreover, my brother has been very good to me since childhood, and although we are only cousins, our relationship is closer than that of biological siblings... Furthermore, I heard that my uncle's health is not good, as long as I hide in a secret place under my brother's arrangement for a few years, wait until my uncle gets old, and my brother takes over, then the situation will be completely different!

  But... after hiding for several years...

  "Alas, I don't know either." The poor worm sighed.

  "Ah, so... you can stay with me then." Xia Ya laughed happily.

  The poor insect's heart skipped a beat with excitement.

  Stay, stay here, and be with this tortoise?

  Stay in Ye Huo Town? And be dependent on him for life? Wearing coarse hemp clothes, eating those roasted flatbreads, listening to this bumpkin's hearty laughter and loud scolding every day... looking at this guy's arrogant appearance...

  It seems... it also seems quite tempting...

  Moreover, this guy, apart from being a bit rough, is actually a clever person with many thoughts in his mind, and he can also protect himself... Moreover, after spending more time with him, you will find that this guy is not as annoying as you thought, on the contrary, sometimes you will even think that his scolding expression is quite cute...

  The poor worm's mind was in a flurry, and its breathing became somewhat rapid.

  Thinking of returning to his brother's side, under his brother's protection, hiding in a secluded place, although his brother would not let him suffer, but he would have to rely on his brother's care and provision, just that from then on, he would lose his freedom, unable to move about freely, lest he be discovered by his uncle's people...

  But staying with this bumpkin would mean giving up her noble status, willingly becoming an ordinary person with him, wearing simple clothes, eating plain food, drinking coarse tea and plain rice, without luxurious clothes, exquisite jewelry, or admiring and respectful glances, without a grand mansion... But she could live a simple life every day, looking at the bumpkin's simple smile and scolding expression, and besides, as time went on, he would eventually know his own daughter's body, so in the future...

  Thinking of this, the poor worm's face turned red again, and she couldn't help but cover her cheeks, with a subtle aftertaste in her heart that was hard to express.

  "Hey, poor bug, you can read and write, so you can teach me later." Xia Ya's eyes rolled around, and she chuckled: "The old man teaching me to read and write is the least of it. Later, you can teach me more about these things, and also, that Magic language, you can tell me about it too. This time we got all this stuff from that dead ghost magician, they must be valuable goods. Who knows, maybe that magic book has even greater value..."

  The poor insect couldn't help but burst out laughing... As expected, this guy wanted to leave himself behind and had ulterior motives.

  But I already knew the nature of this turtle, and unfortunately, it won't get angry.

  "Come to think of it, we can form a performing troupe." Xia Ya's excitement grew: "Every winter, the magical beasts hibernate, and for three months, there's no way to hunt. We can form a performing troupe in Wildfire Town to make money! You're so ugly, you'd be perfect as a clown! And me, I... Ah, I can perform feats like breaking stones on my chest and rolling on nails! Haha, with the dragon blood applied to our bodies, we'll be invulnerable to knives and guns! These stunts will be a piece of cake! And... Ah, and you, you're a master of sleight of hand, you can also show off your skills!"

  Duoduo Luo, who had been quietly listening beside him, couldn't help but feel extremely angry upon hearing this.

  Are you kidding me? I, Doro-sama, am a genuine and authentic magician! A magician!!!!!

  But Xia Ya's words were clear, and as a subordinate, he understood the reasoning behind them. He quickly put on a smile: "Yes, yes, I'll do my best, I'll definitely try my best!"

  The poor insect was thrilled and yearned in his heart...

  Really be able to stay in Ye Huo Town, throw away all the heavy and pitiful things about her own life, from now on no longer a noble, just an ordinary girl, following this rustic man, having his strong shoulders to rely on, having his strong chest to protect herself, whether it's cooking for him at home or sewing clothes, or accompanying him to make trouble and play some kind of role as a clown.

  This simple and carefree life seems...

  It seems...

  Why does it seem like just thinking about it makes me feel so happy?

  ※※※

  Before he knew it, the poor worm's eyelids grew heavy and he gradually fell asleep. In his dream, he seemed to be in a daze as he followed Xia Ya to a small town called Wildfire Town. The two of them lived in a small house with a courtyard, a warm fireplace, and thick animal hides spread on the floor...

  Just before dawn, a faint smile still lingered on Qiu Tian's face. She turned over, but suddenly felt a sharp pain on her face.

  A hand patted her face twice, and in a daze, she heard Xia Ya's low voice: "Hey, wake up! Wake up!"

  Poor bug opened his eyes and found himself lying beside Xia Ya, whose face was gloomy!

  The sky is just slightly bright, how can this turtle wake himself up so early?

  The poor worm turned over and sat up, looked around, and suddenly felt a chill in its heart!!

  Just around them, in all directions, in the hazy morning light, more than 20 cavalrymen had completely surrounded their small camp of three people!

  Several knights dismounted and stood around with weapons in hand, while the knights below remained on horseback, holding bows and arrows, fully alert and vigilant.

  Those knights over there, just about ten steps away, have long swords in their hands that are sharp and gleaming with a cold light!

  The tortoise stood by his side, puffed out his chest, grasping a fire fork in his hand, with a gloomy face as cold as ice!

  Xia Ya had already recognized these guys, standing opposite one of them, was the leader of the knights who had a duel with himself last time.

  Last time I took advantage of the other side not being fully present to run away, but now it seems that repeating the old trick is not possible. The other side has already tightly besieged their own camp, and I no longer have any horses...

  "Put down your weapons." The knight leader who lost to himself last time had a gloomy face and a hoarse voice: "Then come over yourself! Alone!"

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  Just a heads up, I have something on tonight and can't update, so there will only be one chapter today. However, this chapter is actually longer than usual, so I haven't been slacking off!

  So, with confidence and dignity, I ask for your vote!

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