Chapter 115

Even after removing her armor, her physical abilities remained astonishing. Lappland tried everything she could but couldn't defeat her, and could only obediently accept her punishment.

Lappland glanced at Shi Lei across from her, wanting to tell him that there was a 1:1 life-size replica of him in the Clay Sculpture room. But she quickly noticed the warning look in Mudrock's eyes and hurriedly lowered her head to eat a couple of mouthfuls of rice.

Never mind.

Lappland wasn't afraid of her, she just didn't want to lower herself to her level. She'd probably have to stay here while recovering; she'd deal with it after she was fully healed.

Mudrock's mind wasn't on eating at all. She was silently watching Lappland, trying to prevent the Silver-haired Lupo from going crazy and revealing the statue's existence.

In fact, everyone in the stronghold knew that there was a life-size statue of Lord Shi Lei in the Clay Sculpture room on the third floor. But they all remained silent and revealed nothing.

This Lappland can be really crazy sometimes; she's not quite right in the head. Her subordinates have warned her countless times not to go into the Clay Sculpture room, but she insists on going anyway.

They went there, and then they knocked down the statue. When they finally arrived, they called it a pleasant surprise.

This is not funny at all.

Although the Mudrock could recreate the statue, she could not tolerate Lappland's disrespect for his master. So she personally subdued him and taught him a harsh lesson.

"Lord Shi Lei, I'd like to offer you a toast."

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the banquet atmosphere was in full swing.

Lappland was the only one ignored; it was as if all the excitement belonged to others, and she had nothing.

After finishing his meal and putting down his chopsticks, Texas looked up at his old friend:

When are you going back to Syracuse?

175 The Battle for the Stone

More than 40 years ago, Columbia gained independence. Large numbers of Syracuse were drawn there to start new businesses. Among the most prominent was Salvadore Texas, the first head of the Texas Family. He established the Texas Family in Columbia and made them one of the most successful families in the Columbia.

Although he achieved remarkable success in a foreign land, he never forgot the Syracuse blood flowing in his veins. He has repeatedly emphasized in public that he is a member of Syracuse.

More than 10 years ago, for some political reasons, Salvadore sent Chelinina Texas back to Syracuse. She stayed with a large family and thus met Lappland Saluzzo, the chief's daughter.

Three years ago, Salvadore was killed in a conflict with his son, Giuseppe Texas, over differing views. After assuming leadership, Giuseppe publicly declared the Texas Family's secession from Syracuse. This act of independence...

This angered Madame Sicily, the patriarch of the Madam Sicily Family, who dispatched elite assassins to exterminate the entire clan.

At the time, Chelinina was in Columbia, but she did not agree with Giuseppe's views. Upon learning that the assassins were planning to wipe out her family, she chose to stand by and do nothing.

Since it was a purge of her entire clan, Chelinina, who wanted to remain uninvolved, naturally couldn't escape easily. The person in charge of dealing with her was none other than her longtime friend, Lappland.

After that battle, Chelinina, with unwavering determination, defeated Lappland, whose strength had long been evenly matched with hers. She turned her back on the burning mansion and left the scene.

But she knew that the purge of the entire Texas Family would spare no one. So she made a deal with Wolf Lord Zaro, exchanging a favor for her life.

There is more than one Wolf Lord; they are ancient Beast Lord who surpass the Twelve Families. They are born in the wasteland and are immortal. Using their cultivated 'Fangs,' they compete against each other in Syracuse.

Afterwards, Zaro communicated with Madam Sicily, who withdrew the kill order against her. From then on, Chelinina became the only surviving member of the Texas Family.

That same year, she arrived in Lungmen. There, she partnered with Columbia rap superstar The Emperor to establish Penguin Logistics. Only then did she break free from her past and begin a new life.

When are you going back to Syracuse?

This isn't the first time Texas has asked Lappland when she'll be leaving.

Her attitude has always been clear: she wants the other person to leave Lungmen and leave her life.

Chelinina fled the past, fled Syracuse. She never wanted to go back unless absolutely necessary.

But her deal with Wolf Lord Zaro, is not yet over. At least until he comes knocking on her door, Texas doesn't want anything to do with the past.

Any word, including Lappland.

"Go back? Heh, Texas, I still have things I want to do, so I won't be leaving for now."

"So what do you want to do? If I can help you, I will try my best to help you. Once you've accomplished what you want to do, please leave Lungmen immediately!"

Lappland did not answer, but looked at the Sarkaz watching the scene around her, indicating that it was not convenient to talk here.

Texas didn't waste time arguing with her and got up to lead Lappland to the rooftop of the low building.

Seeing this, Shi Lei did not follow, but secretly cast Jade Shield on her so that she would not have to worry.

The main reason is that Texas is very secretive about her past, which is probably not a pleasant memory.

Now that Texas wants to sever ties, let her do it herself; it's best to interfere as little as possible.

Shi Lei will support any decisions she makes, rather than offering unsolicited advice as someone who has been through it all.

Upon reaching the rooftop of the low-rise building, Texas asked:

"Can you tell me now?"

With the weights binding her wrists gone, Lappland felt much more relaxed.

"Chelinina, don't you know what I'm really looking for in you?"

Texas paused for a moment upon hearing this, then looked up at the other person and replied:

"Sometimes I think I know, but sometimes I feel like I don't. But one thing I'm very clear about is that you're a stubborn and unyielding person."

"Hehe, sticking to your choices isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'll take that as a compliment."

Lappland hadn't lost her mind; she had simply fallen into a state of madness with a clear conscience. She was handling things in ways that seemed unconventional to outsiders.

Whether one is sober or insane, it may simply be a difference in perspective, stance, and viewpoint.

There is no true madness in the world, only the loneliness of being misunderstood and the values of not being accepted.

"Chelinina, if I were to use a poetic metaphor, I am the past you are unwilling to face. And you are my possible future."

My experiences from childhood have instilled in me a firm belief that no one can escape the quagmire of Syracuse. But you did it, Chelinina. You proved to everyone that you have the ability and the right to escape this putrid swamp.

I tried to emulate you and break free from my family, but I couldn't truly escape the quagmire. I'm lost; I don't know which way to go. Besides you, I have no other goal to seek answers from. They are all predictable and uninteresting creatures. Only you, Chelinina, you are different from them."

Texas frowned slightly, a hint of melancholy in her voice.

"Lappland, I'm not as great as you make me out to be. My dream, from the very beginning, has just been to live a simple life with a few close friends."

If anyone tries to disrupt my life, I will crush them without hesitation, it's that simple. Also, please don't change the subject or evade my question. What is it that you came to Lungmen this time to learn from me?

Having said all that, Lappland stopped hiding her true intentions and chose to lay her cards on the table:

"I happened to be there when you rescued the hostage in the Commercial Street a while ago. You must have acquired that ability in the last two or three years. As for me, I want to learn that skill of being invulnerable to blades and bullets."

Texas never expected that the other party would stay for such an absurd reason:

Why are you so fixated on this?

"Chelinina, aside from escaping Syracuse, everything you can do, I can do too. I've thought many times about whether I'm not strong enough. If I learn to be invulnerable, perhaps I can overthrow..."

The negotiating table even has the capital to walk away freely.

"Laugh."

Upon hearing this, Texas couldn't help but laugh:

"Although I would love to have that ability, you're probably going to be disappointed. The invulnerability you're talking about isn't my ability, it's Shi Lei's. He can not only cast an invisible shield on himself, but also cast shields on other targets, making them immune to all damage."

I'm telling you the truth so you can give up. But I'm also warning you: stay away from him!

Despite the stern warning, Lappland seemed unfazed, resting her chin on one hand as if deep in thought:

"Oh, I see..."

She paused slightly, then abruptly changed the subject:

"What if I want to take Shi Lei with me?"

Texas's face suddenly turned cold, and she said, word by word:

"Then I will kill you."

176 Po Zhen Zi (3K)

Lappland and Shi Lei's first meeting was in the ocean-themed lobby of the Hatton Hotel. The first few times were essentially her spying, not at all formal.

On the day they met, Lappland was strapped with a weight and taken to the Mudrock outpost to recover from her injuries. I visited her again yesterday and today.

She and Shi Lei only met three times in total, and each time there were outsiders present, so there was absolutely no spark between them.

Therefore, Lappland's desire to take Shi Lei away wasn't because she coveted his body. Rather, she coveted his abilities and wanted to take him to a secluded place to study them slowly.

Of course, this was just talk. She's no different from a prisoner now; she doesn't have the ability to take people away.

But regardless of whether her true thoughts have anything to do with gender, Texas would not agree:

"Then I will kill you."

Upon hearing this answer, Lappland shook her head regretfully, deeply saddened by the response.

"Chelinina, are you really that heartless?"

Texas glared at him coldly, her sharp gaze, like a sword blade, was no joke.

"It's not that you're heartless; it's that you knowingly did something wrong, which led to the situation we have today."

"Since neither of us can convince the other, perhaps the only way to decide whose side to listen is through a fight?"

In Syracuse, where the law of the jungle prevails, the subservience of the weak to the strong is a traditional local value.

"If you'd like, I'd be happy to oblige!"

Seeing the unwavering resolve in Lappland's eyes, Texas knew that a battle was inevitable today.

"Okay, you wait here, I'll go get the weapon."

Texas uttered a few words, then ran downstairs towards the gate outside the stronghold. From the trunk of her car, she retrieved the two oddly shaped longswords.

When she returned to the low building, she came to Shi Lei:

"Please remove the Jade Shield and remove all the restraints from Lappland. Don't worry, I will take responsibility for my choices."

Texas volunteered to do this in order to uphold the fairness of the duel. She did not want to gain any advantage, lest she be accused of an unfair victory afterward.

Shi Lei hesitated, wanting to offer some advice. But seeing the determination in her eyes, he ultimately did as she suggested.

"Yes, it has been withdrawn."

"Thanks."

Texas gave him a meaningful look and expressed her gratitude for the understanding.

Then, the Mudrock was cleared out, and the Redstone Golem was moved outside. This made room for the two to fight. This time, it was a fair and square duel, completely different from the playful match with Nian during the Spring Festival.

Shi Lei did not return to the low building, but continued to stand on the scene as referee. He would place Jade Shield on both sides at the moment the outcome was decided to prevent any deaths.

Texas called Lappland down, tossed her her weapon, and then drew her own Bronze Sword.

"I only brought this sword today, which feels a bit unfair. Considering your rib injury, I'll give you a handicap with your left hand."

Lappland, a woman of immense pride, would never accept such a condition, one that seemed to imply pity. She picked up her weapon, also placing her left hand behind her back:

"Really? Then I'll give you a handicap with one hand."

The two stood with their hands behind their backs, like highly skilled swordsmen engaged in a fair duel.

If I switch to my right hand, I won't be able to hit anything.

As Lappland spoke, she moved her hands and feet. The weighted stones had left her limbs stiff for days, and she hadn't fully recovered.

Fighting to the death in such a state is not only disadvantageous to oneself, but also disrespectful to the enemy.

"Chelinina, do you remember our match in Columbia three years ago? I was utterly defeated that day. I never imagined that we would meet again just a few years later. How ironic is fate."

Texas noticed Lappland warming up and, showing good sportsmanship, refrained from launching a preemptive attack. Regarding the flaws in her statement, she corrected them as follows:

"This has nothing to do with fate. It's just that you caused trouble and I was forced to retaliate. It's that simple."

While warming up, Texas asked Shi Lei not to interfere. After receiving his promise, she turned her attention back to the battlefield.

Five minutes later, Lappland finished warming up. She held up her oddly shaped, longsword-like weapon and proposed:

"Fight with both hands open, it'll be more satisfying that way, but neither of us should hold back."

"Good."