"Lu Li, you don't want Leng Yulai to find out you're in Heaven Dou City, do you? Otherwise, I'm afraid she'll come tonight..."
"Are you coming with me willingly, or should I have her help me drag you away? Pick one."
The girl giggled. Her voice was so lovely, yet it sounded grating to Lu Li.
"Ah, good people get bullied."
Lu Li sighed and shook his head helplessly.
"No. Let's talk while we walk."
"..."
"Hehe, I knew you were the best, Lu Li. Here, you should eat too."
Under the threat of the person before him, Lu Li finally went with her to sit at a barbecue stall. Only then did a satisfied smile appear on her face.
She seemed not to mind eating at a roadside stall at all. As she dug in, she cheerfully picked up some skewers from a small plate and handed them to him, her eyes curving into crescents. She was in a very good mood.
"I'm not that great."
"By the way, how did you find me, Na Nali?"
Lu Li took the skewers she offered and watched her happily nibble away. He couldn't help asking.
A sweet, beautiful girl like her was bound to stand out in a crowd. Having a meal with her wouldn't be too awkward either, since the two of them were at least acquaintances.
But that was only if he ignored her identity.
Her name was Na Nali.
Beneath her lively, girlish exterior, she was actually over thirty. She was one of the Holy Spirit Cult's Four Heavenly Kings, the youngest of them: Dark Lingdang. She possessed Three-Word Battle Armor and had reached level 98.
Though she was the youngest of the Four Heavenly Kings, she was also the most talented. She was the one with the best chance of reaching the ultimate level. By all rights, she was a dangerous figure, but...
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that, of all the people he'd met so far, she was the most textbook case of a lovestruck fool and a hopeless crush. As long as he was willing, she'd be over the moon and carry him home in her arms.
"You never agreed to add me as a contact, so how was I supposed to know where you were?"
"It was just that we met in Heaven Dou City last time, and the mission I was in charge of was nearby, so I settled here. I got into the habit of going for a walk every day..."
"And today, I was lucky enough to run into you."
Na Nali shook her head, then lifted it and set the skewer in her hand on the small plate. She spoke earnestly.
Lu Li's mouth twitched. So she'd caught him while he was out for a late-night snack?
He'd have to do a better job of avoiding Na Nali from now on...
By not eating late-night snacks in Heaven Dou City.
"Do you still have an unfinished mission in Heaven Dou City?"
"Can you tell me about it?"
Lu Li picked out the key phrase in her words and asked casually. It was just small talk; he didn't really expect an answer.
"Do you really want to know?"
She tilted her head and looked at him.
"Yeah, I do."
"Assassinating Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua. In other words, your Uncle Zhen."
Na Nali blinked and sent the message to him telepathically, looking utterly harmless.
"You're pretty frank, just telling me like that?"
Lu Li's smile froze. Looking at the girl's earnest expression, he couldn't help smiling helplessly. An assassination attempt on Uncle Zhen...
Was that really something she could tell him?
At least she'd sent it telepathically. If anyone else had heard her say that, then...
They'd all have died right there.
"What would I have to hide from you? But don't worry. Because of you, I'll find all sorts of excuses to let this mission slide."
"Hmm?"
"Then thank you."
Lu Li smiled, amused by her words.
Well, well.
Uncle Zhen really hadn't faced any assassination attempts this past year. Lu Li had thought it was just good luck, and that Uncle Mu being around had helped. So it turned out...
It was this lovestruck fool pulling strings behind the scenes.
Having an undercover ally like her in the Holy Spirit Cult might be an unexpected boon.
"Why are you thanking me? You're important to me, even if I can never find you half the time..."
"And I won't hurt anyone you care about."
Na Nali spoke earnestly, as though he were being too formal. She wondered when she might become someone important to him, too. Surely she'd get her chance someday...
"Of course, I do have my own reasons for dragging my feet on the Divine Craftsman assassination mission."
"Hmm? Are you hoping to get a Four-Word Battle Armor set out of him?"
Lu Li looked at her suspiciously. That seemed like the only possibility, though it didn't quite add up. Even if the woman before him became his lover someday, Zhen Hua, the top target on the Holy Spirit Cult's assassination list, probably wouldn't agree to make even one Battle Armor component for her. Of course, when that day came, Lu Li making one for her would make more sense.
"Of course not. Who wants his Battle Armor?"
Na Nali shook her head. She knew perfectly well he'd never make Battle Armor for her.
"Whether the Divine Craftsman lives or dies doesn't really matter to me. I'm only making sure he stays alive because he matters to you."
"And given your relationship, I'm sure he'll make you a set of Four-Word Battle Armor."
"Until then, I'm even more worried about something happening to him than you are."
Na Nali's expression was composed and earnest. There was no need to explain how powerful Four-Word Battle Armor was. That old geezer Zhen Hua could die...
But not before coughing up a set of Battle Armor for Lu Li.
"I'm sure Uncle Zhen would be very touched if he knew what you were thinking..."
Lu Li looked at Na Nali in silence. She really was a genius with a wildly imaginative mind.
How would she react if she found out he already had Four-Word Battle Armor?
"Right? I think so too."
"But Lu Li, I can't believe you dared to have dinner with me, the Dark Heavenly King. Aren't you afraid I'll trick you into coming home with me and rip your heart out?"
Na Nali blinked and asked with a beaming smile.
Her reputation—or rather, the Holy Spirit Cult's reputation—was terrible. Otherwise, his first instinct upon seeing her wouldn't have been to leave.
But Lu Li hadn't left. She didn't believe he'd stayed just because he was afraid Leng Yulai might show up too. There could only be one reason he'd stayed—
It was because of her! He had feelings for her too, even if they weren't that strong. He had to...
"Would you rip my heart out?"
Lu Li smiled at her and asked in return.
He wasn't some naïve little white rabbit. He was probably as important to her as the Holy Spirit Cult was.
"I don't want to."
"But what if I did? Aren't you scared?"
Na Nali shook her head instinctively. Her beautiful eyes met his, and a faint blush soon crossed her face. Lu Li's eyes were so pretty, his face was so handsome, everything about him was so attractive...
She'd seen him countless times, yet she still couldn't help feeling her heart flutter whenever their eyes met. How could anyone be so captivating?
"No. You wouldn't."
Lu Li smiled easily. To be honest, he'd been a little wary the first time he'd met Na Nali. Back then, he'd only been a Soul Douluo.
Faced with a level-98 Super Douluo who had Three-Word Battle Armor, he hadn't thought he could gain much of an advantage. That was why he hadn't wanted to spend too much time with her.
But things were different now.
A Titled Douluo with Four-Word Battle Armor—and not just any Four-Word Battle Armor, but one that boosted his stats eightfold. Even if she was a level-98 Super Douluo, she was a spiritual-type Super Douluo with a physically weak body...
He could probably send her flying.
"Hehe, is it because you know I like you, and you know I'd never hurt you in my whole life? Is that why?"
Na Nali looked at Lu Li's firm expression and smiled sweetly, her voice tinged with shyness.
So...
Lu Li really did understand her!
"..."
Did I understand that?
Looking at the blushing Na Nali, Lu Li sighed inwardly. She really was a lovestruck fool, and she really did wear her heart on her sleeve.
He had to admit, he...
Just couldn't bring himself to dislike Na Nali.
"Na Nali, I've paid the bill. I still have to learn forging from Uncle Zhen tonight, so why don't I head back first?"
Lu Li came back to his senses and said this. If he didn't leave soon, who knew how long this mischievous girl would cling to him?
"Mhm, you're already a level-eight blacksmith, so forging is important too. Make sure that old geezer makes your Four-Word Battle Armor. You don't want him to die before you get one."
"There's one more important thing..."
"Can I add you as a contact this time?"
Na Nali's cheeks flushed as she replied with a smile. Then she pulled out her cute communicator and asked with hopeful anticipation.
"You said it. Next time we meet..."
"I'll give you my contact information."
"Sure. Add me. My number is 1074013784, and my name is Lu Li."
Lu Li smiled and nodded. He took out his communicator and approved her friend request. Then he saw that she'd named herself Chasing Husband Girl Lily.
The Lily part was easy to understand, since that was her name. But who was she chasing as her husband? That was the real question.
"Since you're leaving..."
"Could I have a hug before you go?"
Na Nali happily added a special note to Lu Li's contact, then looked at him again and asked softly.
She didn't think she'd have such an easy time seeing him next time. Since they'd finally met, she wanted to get close to him while she could.
"Hmm? You—"
Before Lu Li could even refuse, the girl took advantage of his momentary distraction and flung herself into his arms.
Her soft body pressed against him. Even Lu Li's expression stiffened at the sensation. Then her lovely voice rang out:
"Sorry, Lu Li. I lied."
"I'm hugging you even if you don't agree."
Na Nali nestled against him contentedly. Her hands, which had nowhere else to go, began to wander. Whether on purpose or by accident, one of them quietly gave Lu Li's abdomen a squeeze.
"Hehe, our Lu Li's muscles..."
"Are so firm!"
"..."
Lu Li said nothing. He silently glanced at the people passing by around them. Weren't they in the middle of a crowd?
"See you next time, Lu Li."
"Remember to miss me."
As Na Nali spoke, she pressed her soft lips to his cheek. In the next instant, she vanished without a trace.
Lu Li was left standing alone, frozen in place for a long time.
"..."
Na Nali: Guys, do you think I can win my handsome man's heart?
Lu Li: I don't think you can.
Na Nali: Oh. Then can you hold me?
Lu Li: !
Before you continue