Athena's Friendship

(This chapter is free.)

Chen Rui calmly spent quite a while explaining while enduring Pagliu's toxic corrosion.

When he mentioned splitting the treasure sixty-forty, he deliberately misspoke, saying, "Six for the human, four for the dragon." Pagliu immediately leaped up. "Dream on! You greedy bastard, it's clearly four for you and six for me!"

As expected, nothing etched itself into a dragon's memory more deeply than wealth. But the Symbiotic Contract could not be forged. Pagliu had most likely realized it earlier and had merely been amusing himself afterward.

After righteously criticizing his human ally's greed, Pagliu dragged him over to the diamond chess board and showed off his achievements from the past few days. Sure enough, ever since Chen Rui had left last time, the Poison Dragon had been completely absorbed in it.

Chen Rui looked at the four small stones left on the board without commenting. He rearranged them and began making moves. When only three stones remained on the board, Pagliu counted the number of moves Chen Rui had used and was finally deeply wounded. In truth, Chen Rui had an even simpler method that could attain the highest "genius" rank in only eighteen moves, leaving just one piece in the very center of the board. Of course, he had not invented that method himself; it was the crystallization of his predecessors' wisdom.

Whether it was Huarong Dao or Independent Diamond Chess, Chen Rui had made a clever choice. He had never used the most advanced solutions he knew, precisely to leave the players with greater interest and room for imagination.

Sure enough, when Pagliu heard there were even simpler moves than the ones Chen Rui had just used, his interest grew stronger. But this was not the time for games. The Poison Dragon glanced at Athena in the distance and shouted, "Woman! Lord Pagliu wants roasted meat. Go hunt some prey! Your man can stay here and play chess with Lord Pagliu!"

This bastard had quite a memory when it came to roasted meat! Chen Rui looked at Pagliu contemptuously. Athena knew that roasted meat had been one of the conditions in the Poison Dragon's previous "agreement," so she said nothing more. After a few leaps, she vanished from sight.

"That woman has a mutated bloodline and two forms. Even if her demon form in battle doesn't fit your tastes, her usual appearance should still count as beautiful, right?" Pagliu waggled his brows. "So? Have you gotten her into bed yet?"

"You bastard who only thinks with his lower half! How would I have that kind of ability?" Chen Rui replied irritably. "Athena is actually a good person, and she's very loyal. I don't want to deceive her, so being friends is enough. She should help when needed, too."

"Whatever you say, as long as you achieve your goal." Pagliu gave a strange laugh. "But we dragons have two sayings. There is no truly pure friendship between men and women. Friendship is the beginning of love. You've successfully taken the first step. As expected of a cunning fellow!"

Chen Rui knew there was no reasoning with the Poison Dragon. "Pagliu, stop talking about irrelevant things. While Athena is away, let's hurry up and begin studying Dragon Language Inscriptions."

At the mention of this, Pagliu became serious as well.

Inscriptions referred to carved writing and were divided into intaglio and relief scripts according to their concave or convex forms. Dragon Language Inscriptions were spell scripts carved using the special incantations of the ancient Dragon Race. Every individual inscription contained profound meaning and could unleash tremendous power. The stronger the user and the deeper their understanding of the inscriptions, the greater the power of the carvings. They were so profound that even among dragons themselves, few were truly proficient in them.

A string of inscriptions arranged according to certain rules could unleash several times the combined power of the individual inscriptions. Though Dragon Language Inscriptions were powerful, because of the origin of their creator's power, they were far less harmful to dragons themselves than to other creatures.

Pagliu first taught him several basic component glyphs. Chen Rui had an excellent memory and quickly memorized them, but he found them extremely difficult to comprehend. He could only force himself to memorize everything first and digest it gradually after returning. Seeing how good Chen Rui's memory was, Pagliu simply taught him several complete inscriptions as well.

Not long afterward, Athena returned with prey, and Chen Rui began work as the chef he was best at being. The last time, the Poison Dragon had only eaten ingredients left over from Alice and the others' grilling. This time, he truly feasted to his heart's content. After finishing the roasted meat, Pagliu leisurely picked his teeth with a twig and nodded. "All right, you can leave now. Remember to come back in seven days!"

"Wait." Athena abruptly rose to her feet and demanded sharply, "Where is the antidote?"

Pagliu asked in confusion, "What antidote?"

This glutton! He had even forgotten about the antidote! Chen Rui quickly spoke up to demand it, all while giving Pagliu frantic looks. Pagliu finally remembered, revealing a hesitant expression. He fumbled around in his clothes for a long while before producing three small emerald-green beads.

Chen Rui thought of the grime pills used to prank people in certain novels and felt a chill run through him.

That disgusted expression enraged Pagliu. He cast a soundproof barrier, grabbed Chen Rui by the collar, and roared, "You ignorant fool! These are Green Fluorescence Beads, special crystallizations of the Poison Dragon! Swallowing one not only quickly restores injuries, but also permanently enhances the body's poison resistance! It takes nearly two hundred years to produce one! Dissolve a single bead in water, and it is enough for ten people! Next time, deal with the antidote yourself!"

So they were miracle tonics. Chen Rui smiled awkwardly. Pagliu looked at Athena, who had already drawn her greatsword and was preparing to rescue him, then gave a meaningful smile and released his collar. Chen Rui gave Athena a reassuring look and swiftly left the lakeside with her.

Along the way, Athena kept her head lowered atop the Triangle Rhino. She did not speak to Chen Rui and appeared despondent.

Chen Rui thought Athena was still afraid of the poison in her body. He handed her a Green Fluorescence Bead and said, "Athena, why don't you take this antidote first? We'll come back in seven days, and it should be fine."

"It's all my fault!" Athena suddenly clenched her fists, and the emotions she had suppressed for days burst forth. "I've been regretting it all this time. If I had insisted on not bringing Alice to Blue Wave Lake, she wouldn't have been poisoned! I want to fight the Poison Dragon to the death. Members of the Wells Family would rather die in battle than accept threats!"

Chen Rui had not expected Athena to be so fierce. No wonder the Poison Dragon had said this was only a temporary measure. Seeing that she truly seemed ready to fight Pagliu to the death, he hurriedly said, "Wait! If you anger the Poison Dragon and he never gives us the antidote again, wouldn't that harm Alice?"

Athena had been struck at her weak point. She slumped down, and her voice even carried a rare sobbing tone. "Alice is my best friend. The Wells Family owes Emperor White Night an enormous debt of gratitude. My father specifically sent me to the Darkmoon Territory. Even if I had to risk my life, I was to protect Prince Green's line, yet I made such an unforgivable mistake! What should I do?"

Only then did Chen Rui realize that Athena was not worried about her own safety, but about her friend Alice. Guilt suddenly rose in his heart. "Athena! I swear on my life that the poison in you, Alice, and Jia will definitely be safely cured. If you trust me, take that antidote pill now!"

For the sake of the Poison Dragon's life and his own, this lie could not be exposed for the time being. He should at least give her some peace of mind first.

Athena raised her head. Her reddened eyes stared in surprise at the human whose attitude was so resolute. At last, she nodded, accepted the Green Fluorescence Bead, and swallowed it. Perhaps the tonic tasted unpleasant, for she tightly furrowed her brow. Only then did Chen Rui remember that one Green Fluorescence Bead was enough for ten people. This seemed rather wasteful.

After recovering, Athena said, "Chen Rui, you are the bravest human I have ever met, and a man who takes responsibility. Over these days, I have come to regard you as a friend. If you ever need help in the future, just say the word. I, Athena Wells, will never refuse!"

"Mm." Chen Rui nodded. He figured he was probably the first human she had ever met, so the bravest and least brave human were actually the same person. Still, Athena's words about friendship reminded him of the two dragon sayings the Poison Dragon had mentioned that day, making him feel awkward.

"This antidote pill tastes very spicy. It feels as if my throat is on fire. I'm afraid the little princess won't take it. She's very clever. We'll have to think of some way, or she'll notice."

Chen Rui thought for a moment and said, "I'll figure something out. Just make sure she doesn't see through you. Act as usual. We absolutely cannot let the matter of the Poison Dragon leak out."

Athena nodded. "Don't worry. And regarding your acceptance of the inheritance, I will never tell anyone. Her Highness Shea gave orders about that."

"Don't think about unhappy things anymore. I'll continue telling you Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This time, it's the classic battle of the Three Kingdoms' strongest warriors, Three Heroes Battle Lu Bu." Relieved, Chen Rui decided to make it up to Athena through the story. "Lu Bu was the strongest warrior. The divine weapon he used was a Painted Halberd, and his divine beast mount was called Red Hare..."

Athena's eyes lit up, and she began listening with rapt attention.

When the Triangle Rhino reached the gates of Darkmoon City, both Chen Rui and Athena were startled. The little loli Alice stood there with her hands on her hips, pouting furiously as she blocked the city gate. Behind her was a helpless-looking Jia, while several soldiers stood nearby. Leading them was a brawny, imposing Horned Demon.

Chen Rui recognized the Horned Demon as one of the minor commanders guarding the city gate. When the two of them had left the city that morning, he had been especially respectful toward Athena.

Athena and Chen Rui climbed down from the Triangle Rhino. Alice wore an expression that said, "The princess is unhappy, and the consequences are severe." Her first words were, "Athena, you're terrible! You secretly went to Blue Wave Lake to have fun without taking me! If Gangke hadn't reported it to me, I wouldn't even have known!"

Chen Rui hurriedly explained, "Little Princess, Athena was entrusted by Master Aldas to protect me while I went to Blue Wave Lake to gather medicinal herbs..."

"Shut up! You cunning human!" The Horned Demon named Gangke rudely interrupted Chen Rui's explanation. "I now suspect that you are colluding with the bandits outside the city. Men! Arrest him first!"

Clang! Athena's greatsword was already out of its sheath. An imposing aura burst forth, and icy killing intent appeared in her beautiful red eyes. "Chen Rui is my friend. Whoever dares touch him, I'll cut off their head!"

Athena's father was George, the First General of the Empire, renowned throughout the land. Her own swordsmanship was also famous across Dark Moon, so the soldiers did not dare step forward for the moment. Seeing Athena defend the human so fiercely, Gangke could not help being shocked. "Lady Athena, don't be deceived by this fellow!"

Athena swung her hand, turning the greatsword and smashing its flat side toward Gangke. Gangke hurriedly raised his iron hammer with both hands to block. With a clash of metal, the Horned Demon, famed for his strength, could not withstand Athena's one-handed strike. His entire body sank lower, both ankles already buried in the earth.