thefictionvixens Page 91
Page 91
"Your life or death," Liu Jiu finally spoke, his voice as steady as ever, devoid of any emotion, "is none of my concern."
The moment the words left her lips, the glimmer of hope in the alluring woman's eyes vanished completely, replaced by utter despair and resentment.
Before she could even utter the curse—
A beam of black and red light, like the gaze of death, burst forth from Angelica's fingertips and instantly pierced through the glamorous woman's brow.
Her expression froze on her face, her body went limp and she fell to the ground, lifeless.
At this point, all four of Derek's men were wiped out.
Silence returned to the dock.
Only the strong smell of blood and the burnt smell of residual energy filled the air.
Angelica slowly descended from the air, stepping onto the blood-stained wooden floor.
The brilliance of the deep red ruby at the center of her crown gradually diminished, and her dark, blood-red eyes slowly faded, returning to their deep amethyst color. However, the power and majesty contained within them were far greater than before.
She looked at Liu Jiu with a complicated expression.
There was a sense of relief at surviving a disaster, a sharp edge at regaining lost power, and a hint of... an indescribable curiosity about this man.
He saved her and sheltered her, yet he stood by coldly as she settled scores with the traitors.
Silence bordering on nothingness.
Who is he?
“You…” Angelica began, her voice slightly hoarse from the intense battle, but no longer the inhuman, overlapping tone, “Why didn’t you save her?”
Liu Jiu met her gaze and calmly replied:
Why should I save them?
Angelica was stunned.
Yes, why did he save her?
They were not related by blood, and were even enemies.
His logic is simple, direct, and cold.
But that left her speechless.
What about her before?
Severely injured and on the verge of death, she was also a complete stranger, and in a sense, her very existence could bring endless trouble.
Why did he... save her of all people?
Not only did she provide cover in the alleys and streets, but at the entrance to the dock, she single-handedly stopped Derek and his five men, buying her the most crucial time.
What lies behind these drastically different attitudes?
"You... saved me. More than once."
She was referring to the cover they took when they first met in the alley, the several kisses they exchanged along the way, and just now in this dock, when he stood in front of her and effortlessly defused that deadly attack.
Liu Jiu didn't speak, but just looked at her calmly, as if waiting for her to continue.
“I, Angelica Ishtar, never owe anyone a favor.”
She slightly raised her chin, and the pride of an "Empress" returned to her brow.
“State your request. Wealth? Power? Powerful weapons or Devil Fruits? You can ask for anything I can provide.”
Her tone carried a "speak up" kind of boldness, attempting to regain the initiative and define her recent experience of being forced to rely on someone, which was even somewhat embarrassing, as a transaction that could be exchanged for something of equal value.
However, Liu Jiu's reaction once again exceeded her expectations.
He shook his head.
The movements were light, yet firm.
"No need," he uttered, his voice calm and even.
Angelica was stunned again.
He doesn't want anything?
How can this be?
On this vast ocean, power, wealth, and authority—aren't they all things that people dream of?
How could anyone be indifferent to such easy rewards?
She stared into Liu Jiu's deep, ancient eyes, trying to find a trace of hypocrisy, feigned indifference, or any other emotion within them.
Nothing at all.
There was only a pure, heart-stopping tranquility.
It was as if his actions of saving her, escorting her, and blocking the enemy were all casual gestures, like brushing aside branches in his path. Once they were over, they were over, and there was no need to ask for any reward.
This detachment made her feel more... disoriented than any greed or condition.
She was used to trading, used to using and being used, and used to measuring everything by value and profit.
But in front of this man, her approach seemed to completely fail.
Silence spread between the two.
Only the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore could be heard in the distance.
Angelica pursed her lips. She realized that in front of this man, her pride, her charm, and even the power she had just acquired seemed to have lost their luster. He was like an absolutely calm lake, reflecting all her emotions and calculations, yet unfathomable and unmoved in himself.
A strange, subtle sense of frustration, mixed with an indescribable curiosity, began to grow in her heart.
She took a deep breath, as if she had made a decision.
She took a few steps forward and came to Liu Jiu.
The two were very close, close enough that she could clearly smell the clean, odorless scent emanating from the other person, a stark contrast to the bloody and burnt energy odor that permeated her.
She raised her head, her amethyst eyes meeting Liu Jiu's calm gaze.
"Since you don't want anything..."
Her voice suddenly lowered, carrying a strange magnetism that mixed solemnity and some indescribable emotion.
"Then... consider this my thank-you gift."
Before she finished speaking, she stood on tiptoe again.
This time, it was no longer for the purpose of disguise or emergency avoidance.
Her movements carried a clear and proactive meaning.
She stretched out her arms and gently wrapped them around Liu Jiu's neck, pressing her slightly pale but still soft and warm lips to his.
Unlike the previous haste and intensity, and unlike the numb repetition during the escape.
The kiss was moist and tender, yet it carried a solemn, almost branding force.
She closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.
This time, there were no enemies surrounding them, and no imminent danger.
Only the silence of the abandoned shipyard, the dim light, and the lingering smell of gunpowder and blood in the air.
This kiss lasted... for centuries?
In short, time seemed to be stretched out.
She could hear her own heartbeat quickening suddenly.
This man is very charming!
In the end, she let go, took a few steps back, and created some distance.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes still tried to maintain the composure and pride of an empress. However, the slight flicker in her eyes betrayed that her heart was not without turmoil.
“I hope…” she said, looking at Liu Jiu, word by word, “we will have a chance to meet again.”
After saying that, she didn't linger.
He turned around resolutely, picked up the large, dark cloak from the ground, and put it back on, covering his silver hair and crown.
She didn't look back at Liu Jiu again, and walked firmly toward the other exit of the dock. Her figure quickly blended into the deepening twilight outside and disappeared.
Chapter 108 Re-entering the Upside-Down Mountain
A brand-new medium-sized three-masted sailing ship is going upstream along the almost vertical uplift channel of Upside Down Mountain!
The ship's hull features sleek lines and is covered in a metallic black coating, giving it a robust and mysterious appearance. The mainsail bears no pirate symbols, only a simple whirlwind pattern, symbolizing speed and fearlessness.
This was the new ship that Sabo and his crew had spent several days in that supply town acquiring at a high price, which Sabo named "Whirlwind".
At this moment, the raging torrents of the Reverse Mountain, like an enraged dragon, swept the boats uphill at an astonishing speed.
On both sides were nearly vertical, crimson rock walls covered with impact marks, and in our ears was the deafening roar of the water. The entire ship was violently rocking and shaking, as if it would be torn to pieces by this power of heaven and earth at any moment.
"Wow! No matter how many times I experience this, it's way more thrilling than riding a roller coaster in Sabaody Archipelago!"
Sabo stood at the bow of the ship, his short golden hair dancing wildly in the gale. Far from being afraid, he excitedly spread his arms, enjoying the extreme speed and turbulence.
"Faster! Faster!"
Kuina gripped the hilt of her sword with one hand, her feet rooted to the deck, remaining perfectly still despite the ship's rocking. She stared intently at the approaching mountaintop, her gaze sharp and focused, as if sensing some kind of "momentum" contained within the flowing water.
Robin sat at the relatively stable cabin doorway, holding a thick book in his hands, seemingly completely undisturbed by the outside world.
Liu Jiu was still the quietest one. He leaned against the base of the mainmast, his eyes closed, as if he were dozing.
No matter how much the ship tilted and rocked, he seemed glued to the deck, his breathing as steady as if he were sunbathing in his own backyard, moving with the ship's natural sway.
With its outstanding performance and Saab's precise steering, the "Whirlwind" skillfully navigated the raging currents, avoiding hidden reefs and whirlpools, and resolutely charged towards the summit.
The closer you get to the summit, the louder the roar of the water becomes, and you can even hear the faint sounds of boats cutting through the waves and shouting from other waterways.
With a loud splash, the "Whirlwind" burst through the water and entered a relatively open area of water.
At the summit of Upside Down Mountain!
This place is like the roof of the world, with clouds and mist swirling at your feet and howling winds. Five enormous waterways converge here, four of which rush upwards from the four seas, colliding and merging with a waterway flowing down from the Grand Line, forming a chaotic yet magnificent expanse of water.