Chapter Forty-Three: Zhao Nan’s Intentions

Zuo Panglong was not alone. Accompanying him was a burly man whom Zhao Nan vaguely recognized—a berserker named Chen Kai.

Zhao Nan held a certain admiration for Chen Kai. Those who would risk their lives to protect others were, at their core, worthy of respect. Conversely, as for Zuo Panglong’s ability to inspire Chen Kai’s loyalty—was it his own personal charisma, or was there another reason?

Chief… As Zhao Nan recalled, that was how all his subordinates addressed Zuo Panglong.

Zhao Nan and Finina were lying in wait along the museum’s outer corridor, watching as Zuo Panglong and Chen Kai crept inside. To facilitate their operation, Zhao Nan had also cast a ‘Wind of Listening’ upon Finina.

At that moment, Zuo Panglong and his companion were conversing as they moved.

"Chief, as long as we seize the Divine Eye, that guy is bound to show up! Without the Divine Eye, the Dragon Emperor can't be resurrected, and the subsequent plot won't unfold. Plus, we’ll have the only Fountain of Youth in our grasp!" Chen Kai said in a low voice.

Zuo Panglong’s face lit up. "This world is not bad. Not only can we use skills, but we’ve also found some fine treasures..."

He shook the item in his hand—a compact pistol.

Chen Kai grinned wickedly. "Yeah, who’d have thought we’d get our hands on something like this here? Honestly, I’d much rather carry a rifle than lug around an axe!"

In his own hands, Chen Kai gripped a barbed spear.

As they were about to enter the museum’s main hall, Chen Kai suddenly reached out to block Zuo Panglong, his expression grave as he scanned the surroundings—though nothing seemed amiss.

Zuo Panglong was pleased rather than annoyed by Chen Kai’s caution, thinking to himself that this hulking brute, though rough in appearance, was meticulous and truly a rare talent.

"Chief, let’s move quickly!" Chen Kai finally urged.

Zuo Panglong nodded with a smile, but suddenly found his steps arrested. Instinctively, he glanced down—his legs had been silently ensnared by vines.

These vines! He remembered them all too well!

"It’s you!"

With a harsh shout, Zuo Panglong drew the knight’s sword from his waist, slashing swiftly at the vines entangling him. He managed to break free.

But it was already too late—a figure suddenly materialized before him, a terrifying blade’s light flashing!

Clang!

After the sword’s arc, both Zuo Panglong and Chen Kai’s weapons were wrenched from their grasp and sent flying. Even their firearms were sliced to pieces, the parts clattering to the floor.

Chen Kai’s wrist was severed at the base, his hand dropping, fingers twitching. With a wretched cry, Chen Kai made Zuo Panglong’s heart pound with dread.

"It seems fate keeps bringing us together..."

Stepping from behind a column, Zhao Nan emerged with his staff, a fireball roaring at its tip, which he immediately unleashed!

Finina struck at the same time!

"Chief, run!"

Despite his agony, Chen Kai pushed Zuo Panglong away, his body skewered through the chest by Finina’s sword as he simultaneously shielded against Zhao Nan’s fireball.

"Ah—!"

"I’ll take you all down with me!"

Gritting his teeth, Chen Kai turned, tearing open his clothes to reveal his waist wrapped with bundles of explosives!

"Finina, fall back!" Zhao Nan shouted.

A thunderous explosion shattered the museum’s main entrance, filling the air with smoke and debris. Chen Kai was blown to pieces—dead beyond hope of return. Zuo Panglong had vanished, most likely having escaped.

Finina brushed aside the thick smoke and found Zhao Nan, whose face was covered in dust and ash. She gently helped to wipe him clean.

The ‘Wind of Listening’ effect remained, but Zuo Panglong’s voice could no longer be heard—he had likely left the museum for good.

Gazing at the bloody remains on the floor, Zhao Nan sighed, "Ruthless!"

Yet, that very ruthlessness earned Zhao Nan’s heartfelt respect.

At that moment, deeper within the museum, gunshots rang out, followed by the neighing of horses. Zhao Nan’s brow furrowed, and he quickly pulled Finina back into hiding.

A clay warrior, clad in ochre armor, burst forth riding several ceramic horses. Moments later, several foreigners and Lin chased after them, soon vanishing from sight.

"If we’d known the Fountain of Youth was hidden within the Divine Eye needed to awaken the Dragon Emperor, we should have snatched it directly!" Finina lamented. "Now look, we’ll have to waste more time."

Zhao Nan chuckled softly and whispered in her ear, "Have you forgotten what happened in the last fantasy scenario?"

"How could I! I’ll never forget those memories as long as I live."

"I meant something else," Zhao Nan said seriously. "I realized that the six years we spent in that fantasy weren’t wasted. My physical strength improved—and remember our training at the end? That progress carried out of the scenario with us."

Finina was momentarily stunned, her brows furrowing before she exclaimed in surprise, "You mean… you want the Fountain of Youth?"

"Exactly. If we could drink it before leaving the scenario… I truly wonder what would happen once we return to reality."

Zhao Nan had long known the Divine Eye contained the Fountain of Youth. But the amount was insufficient for both of them. They needed to find the source. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to ensure the story followed its original course.

Understanding his intentions, Finina rewarded him with a sweet kiss. What woman is immune to beauty? The allure of eternal youth strikes as fiercely as a flurry of blows—even a saintess would be tempted to descend from her pedestal.

"Let’s catch up. We need to ensure the Dragon Emperor escapes safely, and then…"

Zhao Nan took Finina’s hand, and together they hurried into the bustling streets.

…

As expected, after a thrilling chase through the streets, the principal players of the ‘Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ and the emperor himself managed to escape. The motley crew responsible for the chaos slipped away without even a cursory investigation, returning unscathed to a nightclub owned by Alex’s uncle.

Celestial Music Hall.

Zhao Nan and Finina had already infiltrated ahead of time. They now listened as the anxious family of explorers quarreled over the Dragon Emperor.

"The Dragon Emperor is terrifying, simply beyond anything humans can handle… We should get as far away as possible, brother!" Alex’s uncle exclaimed.

"No! If no one stops the Dragon Emperor, the world will face disaster! His power grows by the day—if we delay, soon no one will be able to resist!" Lin cried anxiously.

"But we don’t have the means to destroy him, do we? Guns and bombs are useless. Even if we blow him apart, he just puts himself back together!" Alex’s father said wearily.

"But—" Lin protested.

Before she could finish, Alex’s expression shifted. He barked, "Who’s there!" in Lin’s direction.

A chorus of weapons were drawn; Lin spun, ready for anything.

"Everyone, calm down a little."

Zhao Nan stepped from the shadows, hands spread. "Lin, I mean you no harm. Have everyone stand down. And, by the way, please translate for me—I don’t speak the language."

Lin hesitated, then gestured for the others to lower their weapons. She had seen his power and dared not act rashly.

"Who… exactly are you?"

Zhao Nan extended a hand, conjuring a fireball in his palm. "Your mother must have told you about the ancient masters who once taught the Dragon Emperor the Five Elements, hasn’t she?"

"How do you know about that…?" Lin gasped in shock.

"There’s no wall in the world that cannot be breached," Zhao Nan replied with a chuckle. "You shouldn’t underestimate the power of the masters. Long story short, we are their descendants. So you see, we know at least as much about the Dragon Emperor as you do."

Lin’s eyes darted, cautious, as she asked, "Why have you come?"

Zhao Nan dismissed the fireball and said seriously, "Naturally, to deal with the Dragon Emperor. You may not know this, but after they taught him the Five Elements, my ancestors were betrayed and slain… This is a grudge I intend to settle."

"Lin, what’s going on?" Alex whispered, only half understanding the conversation.

"One moment," Lin replied, frowning as she led her family to a corner for a hushed discussion.

Zhao Nan and Finina took seats at the bar, waiting quietly. Soon, Lin returned, evidently as their spokesperson, and asked tentatively, "Then why did you attack me at the museum?"

Zhao Nan thought to himself that this ancient woman was certainly cautious. He answered gravely, "It was nothing personal. I simply wanted to learn the location of the Fountain of Youth. You’ve lived for thousands of years; perhaps you can’t understand how much ordinary mortals long for immortality."

"Immortality is not necessarily a blessing," Lin replied, shaking her head. "But if you help me defeat the Dragon Emperor, I will ask my mother to give you the Fountain of Youth."

"Deal!"

With negotiations complete, they immediately began searching for a way to reach the Himalayas at the explorers’ suggestion.

Their pilot was a retired ace known as Mad Dog.

Now, Zhao Nan and his companions soared at great altitude, the endless peaks of snow-capped mountains stretching before them. The fighter plane flew above the Himalayas, where many summits rose above 8,000 meters. An endless sea of snow, a thousand miles sealed in ice. Even with his enhanced physique as a player, Zhao Nan still felt a chill as they climbed higher.

At last, under Lin’s direction, Mad Dog brought the aircraft to a precarious halt on a glacier’s edge.

After steadying their nerves, the group began a treacherous ascent on foot—their destination, a temple within the snowy mountains that would reveal the location of "Shangri-La."

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ps: The official discussion group number for the work is now published. I hope friends who enjoy the book will join. Currently, there are only nine members…