Zhang Heng had not expected that Bartender Lady had also been to that Red Island, and only recently at that.
The dirt stuck in her hair was the best proof. While soil in many other places was also red, only the soil on that island was such a dark red, as if it had been doused in paint. Zhang Heng had also noticed a clear change in the old man's attitude before and after.
It was from then on that Zhang Heng suspected someone had secretly gone ashore while he was fighting the black python. It also answered the biggest question in his mind: why Loki's latest move had made a great show but caused so little trouble.
Now it seemed that it was not because Loki had underestimated him or failed to take him seriously. Bartender Lady's sudden appearance had disrupted Loki's plans. Otherwise, after defeating that giant python, Zhang Heng would very likely have had to face Jörmungandr's true body.
But that raised a new question: why had Bartender Lady helped him?
Zhang Heng reviewed the year since he had met Bartender Lady. Almost all their interactions had remained within the scope of Game Point's existing services. He paid, and Bartender Lady provided the service. They did not seem to have any particularly deep friendship.
What was more, Bartender Lady's help this time had been entirely selfless. She had secretly slipped onto the island behind Zhang Heng's back, then quietly left after resolving the crisis. She had brushed off her sleeves and departed, hiding both her achievement and her name, without mentioning payment at all. It was completely unlike her usual style.
Yet her actions reminded Zhang Heng of someone else: Kronos, the one who had given him the watch. Kronos had always considered himself Zhang Heng's Guardian