Chapter 116

Han Fei overheard his teammates' conversation behind him, but he wasn't in the mood to speak.

He was now more concerned about something else—had it gone bad after all this time?!

Theoretically speaking, it should have rotted.

Based on the time it took for Zhou to fall, so much time has passed, he's been stinking for ages, let alone one round!

However, Terra and GTI special operations operators really can't be compared.

The latter's main symptom is muscle weakness; which special forces operator can't run for a minute?

The former, on the other hand, is a genuine Terra Superman. Not to mention characters like Blaze Saria, who specialize in bungee jumping without ropes, the distance they jump is enough to kill a GTI player eight times over. But Terra Superman is completely fine, landing alive and kicking, heading straight for the battlefield.

Furthermore, a game in the continent only lasts half an hour at most, while a game in him now takes almost a week.

Shouldn't the time it took for him to fall be extended?

That is precisely why.

It's hard to say whether Hedley smells bad right now; maybe he's already stinking, or maybe there's still a chance to save him.

After some time, the group emerged from the River Valley.

Han Fei looked around and spent some time before finding Hedley.

He jogged over, immediately jabbed the Hormone Gun, and heard a beeping sound.

Han Fei breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that Terra Superman was indeed different; it didn't even smell bad.

The loading time was indeed long, considering he was shot down in one shot by an AWM.

About half a minute passed amidst the beeping emergency calls.

Finally, the monotonous and rhythmic electronic sound stopped.

Hedley, who had been as lifeless as a stone statue, trembled very slightly.

The movement was so subtle as to be almost imperceptible, like the unconscious murmur of a sleeping person, yet it clearly indicated that the flame of life had been rekindled.

Han Fei put away the Hormone Gun, took a few steps back, and said, "You talk to him. Don't disappoint me."

After saying that, he walked away, looking like he didn't want to get involved.

Han Fei, of course, did not immediately trust Ines.

In fact, Han Fei knew very well that if he were there, these two would never discuss those important topics in front of him.

In that case, we might as well create an environment where they feel safe. That way, Texas might even hear some important intelligence.

Texas understood Han Fei's intention and listened intently to their conversation.

Apart from the slight breeze, there was no other sound. Thanks to Lupo's talent, Texas could hear the conversation on the other side clearly.

Lemuen was more decisive than Texas; she simply raised her hand, holding the AWM, and used the high-powered scope to observe the two men's every move.

Ines and Hedley didn't talk for long; after only a few minutes, they ended their conversation.

Han Fei saw Ines turn around and walk towards him, and asked, "Did you hear any important information?"

Texas shook her head and said, "No, she just talked to the man about the oath, explained why he was saved, and offered some words of persuasion, that's all."

Han Fei was somewhat surprised and said, "That's all?"

"Um."

Texas nodded slightly. "I'm pretty sure I heard the whole conversation."

Han Fei naturally trusted Texas, so he turned to Lemuen and said, "Remian, what about you? Did you see their little tricks?"

No.

Lemuen pulled her face away from the scope and said, "I didn't see any whispering or hand signals; they seemed pretty well-behaved."

"That's strange, is he really that honest?" Han Fei asked in surprise.

"It's normal for her to be honest, isn't it?" Lemuen asked, puzzled. "After all, she has the witchcraft of that royal court lord on her."

As she spoke, Ines returned to Han Fei, her expression calm, and said, "I've persuaded Hedley; he won't cause you any more trouble."

"Is it that simple?" Han Fei blurted out instinctively.

Ines sighed, "Because we don't want swords to be drawn against each other."

"If he truly intends to take revenge on you, then out of loyalty to you, I must protect you. In that case, we will have no choice but to kill each other."

"I don't want to see that happen, and neither does he."

"It's that simple."

After she finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the air. Ines looked at the silent Han Fei and seemed to guess the lingering doubt in his heart.

She took half a step forward, her voice carrying an almost cold calmness:

"Would you like to test the power of an oath?"

Han Fei was indeed somewhat curious about this oath, and without much thought, he immediately nodded and said, "Let's give it a try."

"Good."

The instant Ines responded, her body seemed to react even faster than her mind—her right hand flashed towards her waist.

It was an instinctive action to draw a weapon, even though her weapon had long been confiscated and had not been returned to her, she still instinctively reached for her waist.

This is a habit honed through countless battles.

The moment the hand was extended, a bloodcurdling scream, so shrill it was inhuman, ripped through the air.

An excruciating pain, as if emanating from the deepest recesses of the soul, pierced simultaneously by millions of red-hot steel needles, and torn apart madly by an invisible giant hand, erupted without warning.

The pain was so intense, so pure, that it instantly destroyed all of Ines's will and strength. It was as if all her bones had been removed; her legs could no longer support her, and her knees slammed heavily into the ground.

Ines's body curled up uncontrollably, convulsing and trembling violently, like a withered leaf on the verge of breaking in a storm.

Cold sweat instantly soaked her forehead, and she bit her lower lip tightly, but she still couldn't stop the painful sobs that came from the depths of her throat, as if her soul was being torn apart.

"Hiss."

Seeing Ines's miserable appearance, Han Fei subconsciously gasped.

The horrific scene before him demonstrated, more directly and terrifyingly than any words, the chillingly cruel and absolute binding force contained in that oath.

Han Fei quickly said, "Alright, alright, no need to try anymore."

Ines remained silent; she wanted to tell Han Fei that this punishment wasn't something she could simply stop at will.

However, the immense pain prevented her from uttering a single complete word; only whimpers like those of a young animal could be heard from her throat.

Just then, heavy footsteps approached.

Han Fei looked up and saw that it was Hedley who had returned.

The latter looked at Ines, who was curled up on the ground, and said solemnly, "She has already told me about that oath."

"Hmm, and then?"

Han Fei looked at Hedley without changing his expression. "What do you want to say?"

"I want to tell you, don't treat her like that."

Hedley looked up, meeting Han Fei's eyes. "Ms. Lamat Ducanfaris guaranteed her loyalty, so why treat a loyal subordinate like this?"

"Uh-huh?"

Han Fei met Hedley's gaze without flinching or avoiding it, and said, "First of all, I didn't bully her. She's trying to dispel my last concern, namely, whether Lady Lamat's witchcraft can really restrain her behavior."

"It now appears that this is effective."

"Secondly, this is not under my control, but rather bound by the oath."

"Finally, I have always been lenient and kind to my loyal subordinates, so you don't need to worry about that, nor do you need to tell me how to do it."

The barrage of responses silenced Hedley. After a long pause, he took a step back and suddenly adopted an unprecedentedly sincere tone, saying:

"Please, as a personal request, take good care of her."

After saying this, Hedley bowed deeply, then turned and left.

Looking at Hedley's departing figure, Lemuen sighed, "I have to say, boss, we've become a bit like the bad guys."

"What's wrong with it?"

Han Fei glanced at Lemuen, his expression unchanged, and said casually, "If I hadn't blocked that arrow that day, would you still have these thoughts after your sister was ambushed and hit by the arrow?"

"Uh, you're right."

Reminded by Han Fei, Lemuen immediately recalled the scene from that day, her expression instantly changed, and the trace of Mercy in her eyes vanished.

Her memory isn't that bad; she wouldn't be so bad as to forget what happened in the last two days.

Lemuen still remembers it all; they hadn't even seen Ines's face before being ambushed by one of her sentries with an arrow.

If Han Fei hadn't acted quickly, that arrow wouldn't have shattered Han Fei's Shut-in Helmet, but rather Lemuen's little head.

"That arrow was the cause, and the current situation is the effect; there's nothing more to say."

Han Fei turned his gaze away and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, let's go back to the River Valley first. After thanking Ms. Lamat, we should head to the Babel."

Kazdel is a rather large place, and it's unlikely that Han Fei would be able to visit the Mobile City of Kazdel.

--That place is only for dropping off packages and then disembarking.

The only option is to go to the Babel. There's a power-off evacuation point in front of the Babel, and it's also rich in supplies inside. It's much better than that Mobile City called Kazdel.

Only.

Han Fei looked down at Ines, frowning, and said, "Is this punishment not over yet?"

Judging from her current state, she probably can't even move.

Strictly speaking, Ines didn't even complete the action just now, since she didn't have any weapons on her; it was more like she had the idea.

As a result, it was just this one thought that led her to this state.

That's incredibly impressive. Lamat's witchcraft is truly befitting of a ruler of the royal court, one of the "Six Heroes."

"How about we take her back first?" Lemuen suggested.

"Feasible."

Han Fei reached out and once again hoisted Ines onto his shoulder as if carrying a sack of grain.

The pain was directed at the soul, not at the physical wound; touching her wouldn't necessarily worsen Ines's pain.

Before long, the team returned to the River Valley.

Han Fei put Ines down and asked, "Ms. Lamat, I would like to ask, how should this punishment be concluded?"

The shadows rippled like water, Lamat's figure silently appeared, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible surprise. "Oh? You've already crossed the line of your vow so quickly?"

"It wouldn't be considered a deliberate act of defiance,"

Han Fei scratched his head and explained, "She wanted me to see for myself how strong the binding force of an oath is, and that's how it turned out."

He pointed to Ines, who was still in pain on the ground. "So, how do we stop this punishment?"

Lamat's gaze seemed to pierce through the veil, landing on Ines. After a moment, she understood. "There is no other way but time to soothe this searing pain from the soul. The deeper her transgressions, the longer the punishment will last."

"All right."

Han Fei sighed, thinking to himself that now it was up to Ines to decide, and he hoped that she hadn't planned on doing something really outrageous.

He set that matter aside for the moment and brought up the important matter. "Well then, Ms. Lamat, we are preparing to set off for the Babel. Is there anything you need to convey? We can act as messengers for now."

"To the Babel...?" Lamat's voice was as gentle as the night breeze. "I do have some words I want to convey to Theresa, and also, to my child."

She paused slightly, as if choosing her words carefully. "If you don't mind, you might as well stay overnight in the River Valley. It's already dark, and danger lurks everywhere under the cover of night in Kazdel."

Her words carried a calming power. "I will order Banshee of the royal court to remain silent and still. You may all rest here in peace. We will meet again at dawn tomorrow, and then take my letter to the Babel. What do you say?"

Han Fei looked at his teammates behind him.

Han Fei did not answer immediately, but turned to look at his companions behind him.

Lemuen still acted like she was in charge, smiling as she linked arms with Lemuen.

Texas, sword in hand, calmly met Han Fei's gaze, her eyes silently conveying support—regardless of his decision.

After a brief moment of thought, Lemuen nodded gently and said softly, "I have no objection. You can make the decision."