Stakes and Choices

"Today's haul was pretty good. I took out a whole troll scout squad by myself. They actually dared to snoop around near Windrunner Tower."

Alleria pushed open the door and strode in. She casually tossed her longbow onto the table, then collapsed into a cushioned chair.

"Mm-hmm... Not bad, not bad. This old man is greatly pleased..." Hu Feng replied dismissively without even turning around, still fiddling with the rune array before him.

"You're brushing me off again! Hey, what are you doing? You're being all mysterious and sneaky..."

The female ranger got up and leaned closer, curiously studying the unknown divine array before Hu Feng.

Golden divine power flowed through the array, driving purple Arcane energy to gather together in a steady pattern.

A magnificently ornate longbow floated above the array. Sharp purple crystals were embedded at both ends, its body was engraved with the distinctive patterns of a Windrunner Ranger, and lavishly enchanted feathers adorned it as well.

"This longbow looks beautiful, and the energy inside it feels immense. Why would a Titan like you suddenly decide to moonlight as a blacksmith?"

"I'm preparing it for a special friend."

"Oh..."

Hu Feng turned to look at the female ranger and smiled.

"All right, it's for you. Just look at that lousy bow you're using. Isn't it embarrassing? So I put in a little effort and made you a Titan creation."

The female elf immediately pinched Boss Hu hard several times.

"What's wrong with my longbow? It's an heirloom of the Windrunner family, you hateful Titan..."

At that moment, the energy within the array suddenly contracted and surged into the longbow at its center. Boss Hu then grabbed it and took it out.

"All right, all right. Here, take it. Use this from now on."

As he spoke, Hu Feng stuffed the divine longbow into Alleria's hands.

"This bow doesn't need arrows. As long as you draw the string, it'll automatically condense energy arrows. You can control the bow with your mind and choose the energy type—fire, frost, Arcane, or divine power... But divine power won't replenish without me, so use it sparingly. Treat it as a life-saving measure."

"Also, the longbow will enhance your stealth, sneaking, and running speed. I imagine those are the most important abilities for a ranger... Of course, there's one last thing. I added an array to it. If you ever face mortal danger, it'll activate automatically, create a divine shield to protect you, then teleport you straight to the Tower of Slumber... Oh, the Tower of Slumber is that underwater structure beside the World Tree on the Kalimdor Continent. It's my lair."

"As for its name... Thori'dal, Fury of the Stars."

Alleria carefully stroked the longbow in her hands, her eyes blazing.

"This is... a divine artifact?"

Hu Feng shrugged to show that she was right. Having received confirmation, the female ranger was so excited that she wanted to find a few unfortunate Troll bros immediately and try out her new weapon.

"I worked so hard, and you're not going to show any appreciation? If touching is off-limits, a few kisses would do."

The female elf's expression changed instantly, making Boss Hu sigh at the godlike speed with which female creatures could change their faces.

"In your dreams. Get lost. I'm going to find those Amani Trolls and get familiar with my new weapon."

Hu Feng merely smiled and did not mind. His interactions with the female ranger had never involved stiff formalities or cautious exchanges that only created distance between them.

"All right, go on. Once the war in Quel'Thalas ends, it'll be about time for me to return to the Kalimdor Continent. So consider this longbow an early parting gift."

Alleria, who had been heading outside, stopped in her tracks and brushed back her golden hair.

"I'd always been puzzled by Sun King's intentions, but recently I understood... If you wanted to take me back to Kalimdor with you, I think Dath'Remar would agree at once."

Hu Feng casually let out an "ah."

"Ah... I know that. Dath'Remar's little scheme isn't hard to see. Forget me—even the old cleaning ladies in Suramar could see through it... But I really dislike exchanges that treat people as political bargaining chips. Besides, power can make you lose yourself if you're not careful. I don't want to become some Titan Divine Lord whom everyone respects on the surface and secretly hates."

"Or, to put it more hypocritically, you belong to Quel'Thalas. You belong to Silvermoon Forest. So why bother? I don't want to hurt you either."

Alleria burst out laughing. She turned to look at the Titan behind her, busy putting on airs, and the awkward, heavy atmosphere vanished completely.

"What old cleaning ladies in Suramar City? I think you've spent too long in the human city of Stromgarde and gotten influenced by those humans... All right, I'm leaving."

Watching the female ranger's graceful figure disappear through the doorway, Boss Hu let out an annoyed sigh.

Did I lay it on too thick?

What nonsense about you belonging to Quel'Thalas and Silvermoon Forest... None of that matters! What could possibly be more important than breasts... Ahem.

But then again, although the High Elves had not received the World Tree's gift of immortality, their lives were still exceedingly long. Rather than forcibly taking Alleria away, it would be better to let her slowly come to accept it herself.

It seemed his grand harem undertaking still had a long road ahead...

He strolled out at an unhurried pace and wandered all the way to the Arathor Empire army encampment not far from Windrunner Tower.

The human main force had arrived a few days ago and was now making its final preparations before the great battle. The commanders, meanwhile, were using the army's rest period to discuss detailed attack plans with the elf leaders.

Boss Hu could not be bothered to participate. He knew nothing about commanding armies in battle, so he had merely come to look around and experience the feeling of a leader going into the countryside to give pointless directions.

He should have learned more about commanding troops during the War of the Ancients. Then he could play the part of a grand commander of the three armies now. He really was an embarrassing protagonist. Where could he quit this group?

"Mentor!"

A delighted shout came from behind him. Hu Feng turned around just as Meryl Winterwind blinked into existence before him.

Hu Feng smiled and punched Meryl lightly in the chest. "Not bad. It's only been a while, and you've improved a lot. Keep it up. You're getting pretty smooth with Blink."

Meryl chuckled. "Thank you for the praise, Mentor. I always remember the motto you taught me: power itself is neither good nor evil; it is merely a tool. One must control power, not be controlled by it."

"That's quite a good motto, young human."

Alleria had followed them over at some point. Rangers were best at moving silently, and Boss Hu had not been on guard, so he only realized she had arrived after hearing her voice.

Hearing the female elf's words, Hu Feng curled his lip and ignored her.

Talking like some old veteran. It's not like you're that much older than me.

"Did anything important happen during the march here?"

Meryl immediately shook his head. "Uh... Not really. We only encountered several small troll units, and our Mage group used them for practice."

"How are you doing with the notes and books I gave you?" Hu Feng continued, his expression unchanged.

"Not bad. This student has already mastered silent casting and multi-casting. My understanding of the three schools—Arcane, frost, and fire—has also reached the level you required before you left."

"Is that so? I also think you've learned well. A little too well, in fact. So well that the fel energy on you gave even me a small surprise. Isn't that right, my good student?"

Hu Feng's voice suddenly turned cold. He narrowed his eyes and raised his voice as he questioned him.

At his words, Meryl's body went limp, and he fell to his knees. His mentor's anger made him tremble violently.

Alleria, who had been watching from the side, was stunned as well. This was the first time she had seen Sarodar, this improper Titan, become serious. The pressure of that divine power made it hard to breathe.

"Speak. I'll give you one chance to explain."

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