Winter Night, Hot Tea

The two ran along the shadows of the street to the church, where there were no search personnel yet. A teenager dressed as a clergyman opened a side door and waved for them to enter.

"Jonas, take us to the basement to hide for a while," Yise said.

"Alright!" The boy called Jonas led the two through the corridor into the church's central hall. "Your Excellency the Watcher, has Father Zephlin not returned?" he asked in a low voice as they walked.

"Zephlin went to investigate the trafficking route of the missing girl," Yise explained. "He'll be back when he's done."

As they passed the altar, Yise took the holy water bottle from it.

Behind the altar, Jonas lifted a section of the floor, revealing a downward entrance, at least four or five meters deep.

"Right here," Jonas said to Yise. "I will inform you as soon as it is time to leave."

"Good."

Su Ming took out his tablet to check and found that the signal strength had dropped to only three bars after entering the church. If he went underground, it would definitely be gone. He immediately sent a short text message to Zijin explaining the situation, and then manipulated the relay device on the drone to go into sleep mode.

The two entered the basement one after the other. Jonas moved the floorboards at the entrance back and gently covered everything up.

****

Yise snapped his fingers, and a floating sphere of light rose up. The basement was very small, no more than three meters in diameter, and contained many wooden crates.

After running all the way, Su Ming was a little tired, and his backpack, now filled with the spoils of war, felt quite heavy. He sat down on the wooden crate and let out a long sigh of relief.

Mainly because, after close contact, Yise didn't notice anything unusual. Su Ming's method of concealing the necromancer's fluctuations by exhausting his Magic Power and wearing a magic-banning cloak had withstood the test.

Su Ming raised his hand to rub his face to warm it, but then remembered that Zijin had disguised his appearance, so he stopped.

"The tax collectors are probably searching outside right now. Let's rest here for a while," Yise said to him. "They'll come into the city soon and search cellars from house to house. There won't be much force outside the city then—we'll leave when that time comes."

Su Ming nodded; he thought Yise's plan was quite good. She was either a very clever girl or a troublemaker.

Or perhaps both!

With the light sphere illuminating the scene, Su Ming noticed that the girl's face was very pale and her body was trembling, as if she were extremely cold. She was opening a wooden box, pulling out a thick cloak, and immediately putting it on herself.

Su Ming felt that she looked exactly like those girls on Earth who wear short skirts in the dead of winter, and couldn't help but smirk.

Yise had sharp eyes and noticed even the slightest movement. She clearly guessed what Su Ming was wondering about and explained, "My clothes have warming runes that can be activated by my own Magic Power."

When she escaped, she stopped the magic circle from operating to reduce the risk of being discovered. After being exposed to the -25 degree Celsius wind for so long, it's no wonder she was almost frozen stiff.

Yise suddenly added, "I dressed like this to train my Magic Power, not for—" She paused, not continuing.

Having killed Bennyfinn and successfully escaped, Su Ming relaxed. He chuckled, "Not for the sake of appearances?"

"It's not just for looks." Yise laughed too. She chose a slightly crooked spot on the box opposite Su Ming, tidied her hair, and straightened out its messiness.

The basement was cramped, and the two were standing quite close together; Su Ming almost got a stray strand of hair from being lifted up.

Su Ming stepped back slightly to the side. He looked up; he had only caught a glimpse of her outside the city, and now he had a chance to get a closer look. The girl had long, silky hair and bright, sparkling eyes. In contrast to her stern demeanor in the cold wind, her nose was red from the cold, and she was huddled in her cloak, wishing she could wrap herself up even more tightly.

"Thanks for your help!" Su Ming said to Yise. "My name is Graves."

"You're welcome, Mr. Graves. Those people deserved to be taught a lesson," Yise said. "My name is Yise Aosha, a Watcher of the Temple of Light in the Northern Lands." She scrutinized Su Ming. "I've never seen such a skilled gunslinger and alchemist as you?"

The shock bombs and white phosphorus bombs released by Su Ming were clearly considered by her to be powerful alchemical products, and such novel items could not be made by ordinary alchemists.

Following the girl's words, Su Ming admitted that this was his profession.

"Actually, I'm quite envious," Yise said frankly. "You did what I wanted to do, but couldn't."

Su Ming felt a sense of goodwill towards the commoner priests of Northern Stream who were here. Judging from their words and actions, Yise seemed to be on their side. Although he didn't understand why Iser, as an imperial princess, would get involved here.

"Your very existence here is the greatest contribution," he said to Yise. "Killing a few people like I do won't bring about change."

As a religion, the Cold Mountain Branch needs to expand its influence and seek wider dissemination of its faith. However, this is in fact undermining the foundation of the backward system in the Ice Plains, which is commendable.

It is understandable that clergy in the Northern Lands must abide by the rules here in order to maintain a legitimate space for their activities.

Hearing Su Ming's words, Yise was slightly surprised, "Your viewpoint is quite similar to my mother's."

Katharine? Could she have come to the Ice Plains too? Su Ming's eyelids twitched. He didn't want to put any effort into this trip to the Ice Plains. Fortunately, judging by the timing, she should be in her postpartum period.

****

After being busy for so long, Su Ming felt a little hungry. He had some food in his backpack, so he took it out. It was a piece of bread and a stick of malt candy. He noticed that Yise wasn't carrying any baggage, so he obviously didn't have any food with him.

He tore the bread in half, giving one half to the girl, and then folded most of the maltose candy and handed it to her as well. Yise accepted it without ceremony. She clasped her hands together, recited a prayer in the Divine Language, and then began to eat.

Divine Language is a complex language with a complex vocabulary and highly efficient expression. A few affixes can form a word that can express the meaning that would require a whole sentence in other languages.

This language looks difficult, and Su Ming never even considered learning it.

He joked, "Why should you thank the God of Light when I share food with you?"

"Because the God of Light led me to you," Yise replied earnestly.

Well, anyway, everything is a gift from God, Su Ming thought to himself.

****

There's no way to make maltose in this other world. Yise took a bite, her eyes lighting up, "It smells like rice, and it's sweet!"

"Thank you, God of Light, for bestowing upon us candy," Su Ming said.

Yise raised his head and looked at Su Ming with a strange expression. "Mr. Graves, you don't seem to like the god I revere?"

Am I just agreeing with her? Su Ming's mind raced, and he instinctively knew he had said the wrong thing. Just now, when the girl was praying...

He habitually imagined the familiar phrase, "Thank God for the food."

But that's clearly not the case!

Yise put down the malt candy and reconsidered the conversation. A hint of doubt crept into the watcher girl's mind; this adventurous scholar before her seemed completely ignorant of the teachings of the God of Light!

"My prayer just now was: 'Thank you for the light that guides us forward, and for all the good things in the world!'" She said solemnly to Su Ming, "God gives us spiritual guidance, not material things."

Su Ming was somewhat dumbfounded. He had completely misunderstood, so the girl's reply was that meeting him was such a wonderful thing, full of politeness and respect.

Su Ming's current identity is that of an "alchemist," so it's impossible for him to be completely ignorant of the religious doctrines that are prevalent throughout the continent. He must explain this matter immediately!

Su Ming apologized repeatedly. He covered his face with his hands, his mind racing, "Actually, I have a bit of a... language barrier."

Yise was even more puzzled. "You speak very fluently to me."

"No, it's that when I encounter something I find difficult to say, I unconsciously blurt it out," Su Ming cobbled together a reason.

Yise sat up straight, placed his hands folded on his lap, and said gently, "God listens to everyone equally. If you have anything to say, please speak up bravely."

She occasionally worked part-time as a confessional priest in the Northern Lands, listening to the elderly women and men talk about trivial matters. This was the first time she had received such a learned scholar.

During his resupply mission at sea, Su Ming used the opportunity to purchase intelligence on important figures from the otherworld from the intelligence guild, including information about Katharine and her daughter, Yise. After all, based on their encounter in the Battle of Agate Sea, Su Ming believed that his side had suffered a loss at their hands.

Yise, 18 years old, is the most outstanding student at the Central Academy of the Temple of Light and is recognized as the strongest of the younger generation.

The girl was strikingly beautiful and exceptionally capable. Intelligence reports indicated she had many suitors, which bothered her greatly. "If that's the case—" In the basement, the weathered-looking alchemist lowered his head, his disguised face turning a forced red, "Confessing—is that also—perfect?" Yise Su Ming stammered.

It wasn't that Su Ming was a good actor; it was simply that he didn't know what to say next.

[Miao Xin, phone, open DS!] He hurriedly contacted Miss Vengeful Spirit.

Okay!

"Huh?" Yise was slightly surprised by Su Ming's words, but disappointment followed. She was somewhat annoyed by this kind of scene. In school, girls were often courted by boys, and even after graduation, they were often bothered by them, including by all sorts of adventurers.

Following Su Ming's instructions, Miao Xin quickly entered the keywords. "Imagine you are an adventurer who wants to confess your love to a girl, how would you phrase it?"

[Confession?] Miao Xin was startled. [Are you planning to make a move on Sister Zijin?]

On the app interface, the blue whale was still muttering its deductions. Miao Xin suddenly realized something, "[Your search terms are wrong. Sister Zijin can't be considered a young girl, right? -- Hmm, according to the active age at birth, right?]"

[It's another one, don't make a fuss!]

[Scumbag!]

Finally, the answer was revealed. Su Ming peered through his fingers at Yise's expression, and forced a few words of emotion as he recited the lines given by DS, "Miss Watcher,"

These eyes, accustomed to exploring dark and mysterious realms and searching for lost treasures, found the most worthwhile scenery to linger in because of you.

"I'm sorry, my heart has already been given to the light." Yise interrupted Su Ming with practiced ease, and gave a formulaic apologetic expression.

Su Ming pretended to be embarrassed and turned her head away. The two fell silent, Yise lost interest in talking.

Passed! Su Ming secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, this was a girl who was used to being fawned over.

****

Yise picked up the holy water bottle he had taken earlier to get a drink, but found it was frozen inside. Su Ming didn't notice the freezing, and he was also thirsty, so he took out his thermos from his backpack.

This is a gradient stainless steel cup, half bright turquoise and half calm indigo, with a flowing beauty under candlelight.

When Yise saw the cup, he immediately declined, saying, "I can't accept such a valuable gift."

"Ah, this is for my own drinking water," Su Ming quickly explained, opening the lid and taking a drink.

Now it was Yise's turn to be embarrassed.

With its matte, delicate frosted finish and elegant design, Su Ming's water bottle possessed a style and texture she had never seen before. What was even more special was that the bottle was emitting steam, which was no easy feat in the icy wilderness at minus twenty-five degrees Celsius.

A renewed curiosity arose in the young girl's heart towards this alchemist with his weathered appearance. "Mr. Graves, you must be very knowledgeable in alchemy. May I ask you about your alchemical school?"

Alchemy? What's that? Su Ming began to regret his lack of common sense about this other world, which had repeatedly caused him trouble. Next time, in a similar situation, he'd simply adopt the persona of a taciturn man!

Suddenly, there was a knocking sound from above, followed by Jonas's hushed voice, "Lord Watcher, they've started searching this way and will be at the church soon."

"Let's go!" Yise stood up from the wooden crate.

Having been rescued, Su Ming quickly put the water bottle into his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. Yise led him out of the basement, and under Jonas's guidance, they crawled out of the church through the back door.

Most of the people conducting the house-to-house search were Low Rank combatants, and the two of them used their illusion magic to slip through the search lines by exploiting a weak point.

They then entered a house that had already been searched and hid in the attic.

By moving back and forth, Yise had truly grasped the essence of mobile warfare.

The attic was quite spacious. Avoiding the gaze of the Watcher girl, Su Ming took out his tablet, activated the drone, and used the camera to check the situation inside the city. Sure enough, the guards had all returned from the wilderness, and the town of Shafenger was in complete chaos.

With the relay communication established, Su Ming contacted her via text and learned that Qiluo had easily shaken off the magic soil and successfully reunited with Zijin. Of course, it was also possible that the other party was hesitant to pursue further and chose to withdraw.

A combatant who can reach this level would never lack caution, otherwise they would have died somewhere long ago.

This also means that the town has gained another powerful fighting force.

"And you?" Zijin sent a message asking.

"I'm with Yise," Su Ming briefly described the current situation.

"I'm still waiting here. If you're discovered, sell Yise to cover your retreat. If that doesn't work, bring the pursuers with you," Zijin continued to message.

"Good."