“What… What do you mean? I have to bear the responsibility?”
Nikkawa Uchu’s face was drained of color.
“Heh, a mighty emperor such as yourself should not try to act dumb.” Phantom Rain said, “I may be a US S.H.I.E.L.D agent but I’m Tenshou God’s closest disciple as well! If you are unable to honor the deal between you and my Sifu, you will lose that chance forever!”
“I…”
Nikkawa Uchu’s face turned a sickly green.
Green Dragon was also aware of this deal. “Your highness, I don’t think you should tell the Americans about Chen Xiaobei’s death! If we keep quiet then no one will be none the wiser!”
“Yeah!” Phoenix Enigmatic Ninja said. “What’s more important now is for the crown prince to recover in time for the wedding.”
NIkkawa Uchu thought for a while and then said, “Alright! I will not divulge Chen Xiaobei’s death. But you must help me figure out a way to get the wedding going or I will bring you down with me!”
Ding ring ring!
Phantom Rain was about to reject the call when she saw the words ‘Grandfather’ on the screen.
They exchanged a few words after which Phantom Rain immediately took her leave.
“Something came up at home. I need to go back.”
“Wait!” Nikkawa Uchu quickly stopped her. “How could you possibly care about other things right now?”
“My grandfather raised me. I can abandon anything else but my grandfather!”
Phantom Rain picked up the Dragon’s Edge and left the hospital.
“It’s so late already. What could possibly be so urgent at this hour?” Phoenix Enigmatic Ninja wondered.
Nikkawa Uchu gave it a thought and reached a decision. “The both you, go after her! I will dispatch my troops!”
“What are you saying?” Green Dragon Enigmatic Ninja was not pleased to hear that. “What? Do you suspect Master Phantom Rain?”
“Green Dragon, calm down! Don’t you think it’s strange that she was insistent on going back?” Nikkawa Uchu explained. “This is a matter of urgency. We’ll have to be very careful. We can’t trust anyone but we’ll make sure it is carefully verified. If my suspicions are wrong, we’ll take it back. There’s no harm in that! Right?”
“Green Dragon, the emperor does have a point!” Phoenix said, “Don’t forget that Master Phantom Rain has quite a distinctive rank! We have to be cautious! Remember that if the God Emperor had not poisoned her.”, Phantom Rain would not have agreed to join our Tenshou!”
Green Dragon Enimatic Ninja frowned. “Only Uzuishi Akaihi knows this. He had been keeping his mouth shut for more than ten years already; there’s no way he’d spill the beans now!” Phoenix Enigmatic Ninja said. “This is a critical time! That old man knows that revealing this secret would put a stop to our plans! Who knows? He might have blurted it out!”
“That’s not good!” Green Dragon Enigmatic Ninja had a sudden change of mind. “Phoenix, let’s go! Your highness, go and get ready. Wait for our signal before you make a move!”
……
Back at Shallow Grass Temple.
Phantom Rain stepped through the temple door, set the Dragon’s Edge aside, and took off her shoes.
“Where’s grandfather? He asked me to come home but he disappeared…”
Phantom Rain circled the main hall and the front court then headed to the back garden.
Even though it was already in the wee hours of the morning, the old-fashioned old man would not allow his granddaughter to enter his bedroom.
The garden is the last place left.
The soft grass covered the ground like a carpet of feathers, velvety and spruced.
A 100-year-old Sakura tree was in full blossom, resembling a large pink umbrella under the pale moonlight, emitting a faint pink glow, filling the air with a romantic ambiance.
This was the perfect setting for couples to meet, and share the secrets of their hearts.
But Phantom Rain held her head in her hands, kneeling on the ground in agony.
“Argh… What is happening… Why is this golden Circlet still… ah… it hurts…”
The Circlet on her head glowed a bright gold and sent a shooting pain through her temple.
“Could… Could Chen Xiaobei still be alive? Argh… that’s impossible… How could he possibly have survived the Xiuhcoatl King? Shit… Arghh… God…”
The poor girl felt as if her head was going to explode.
As she hunched over the ground, hugging herself, a tangle of emotions coursed through her mind.
It was her job to bring Chen Xiaobei back alive. But when she thought about how he handed her the black sword, and fought the Xiuhcoatls off on his own, she felt a stab of pain in her heart. She understood that that young man recognized her as his friend!
Either way, she did not want Chen Xiaobei to die.
But the Xiuhcoatl King was too powerful.
If it had continued its attack for another half a minute, the five of them, Phantom Rain, Nikkawa Uchu, and the other Enigmatic Ninjas would have perished in that hellhole!
How could Chen Xiaobei have fended against the Xiuhcoatl on his own?
Even with the Golden Circlet tightening around her head, Phantom Rain dared not allow herself to believe that he was still alive!
But she would never be able to forget what she saw next!
“Chen Yasai! You didn’t think we’d meet again, did you?”
A familiar voice came from behind her and it did not sound friendly!
“Chen Xiaobei? Is that you? Ah…”
She had just turned around when two large, rough hands pushed her down and pinned her onto the grass.
“That’s right! It’s me!”
Chen Xiaobei had his hands around Phantom Rain’s snow-white neck, sitting on top of her, gazing down at her.
“You… You are alive…”
Phantom Rain gazed up at him, incredulous. Her heart was somersaulting, as it flooded with a plethora of emotions.
Her head was spinning and she seemed to have forgotten how close their bodies were.
“Heh! Of course, I’m alive! In fact, I’m very good, thank you!”
Chen Xiaobei leaned closer to her, his dark eyes frosty and said, “Do you how I’m going to repay you?”
“Repay me?” Phantom Rain flinched. “Where is my grandfather? What did you do to him?”
“Don’t worry! I am a person who understands the difference between kindness and hatred. Your grandfather is sleeping soundly in his room!” Chen Xiaobei used True Sound and spoke in Uzuishi Akaihi’s voice.
“How… How is this possible…” Phantom Rain stared up at him. “That was you on the phone?”
“Shut up! it’s time you get paid for betraying me!” Chen XIaobei’s tone was frigid.
“If I tell you that I didn’t sell you out, would you believe me?” Phantom Rain knitted her brows together. Even though Chen Xiaobei was the enemy, she still wanted to clear this misunderstanding between them.
“Why don’t you tell me?” Chen Xiaobei asked her back.
“You don’t!” Phantom Rain suddenly exerted a force and freed both her hands from his grip.
But she did not strike back or get up. She remained lying on the ground, and started pull open her clothes, revealing her soft, full mounds.
“What… What are you doing…” Chen Xiaobei started to sweat. He did not expect this,
Their lower bodies pressed against each other, her feminine scent tickled his nose, and the sight of her ripe melons… He felt a desperate hunger fill him.
“I’m returning what I owe you!” Phantom Rain said coldly.
