Suspicion Breeds Demons

When Li Lin returned to the cave, he quickly discovered that things had changed as he had expected. The previously harmonious atmosphere had become somewhat stiff. Although Li Lin's return had eased the tension between the two somewhat, Li Lin could still feel Geligao Li's gaze, which was filled with doubt and dissatisfaction. Clearly, he had guessed what must have happened last night, but the priestess obviously hadn't told him.

This is precisely the interesting aspect of human nature. Under normal circumstances, individuals would respect the privacy of others. However, in the current critical situation, personal privacy has clearly been relegated to a secondary position. As the pastor's closest confidant, Geligao Li naturally wanted to know what had happened. The pastor's silence on the matter greatly displeased him. From the pastor's perspective, it was precisely because of the occasion and timing that she was unwilling to discuss the issue. Geligao Li's attitude clearly intensified her resistance. However, regardless of their current dissatisfaction with each other, Li Lin's next words gave them a jolt of hope.

"I've discovered the necromancer's lair."

Are you sure?

Geligao Li turned around first and asked in a low voice.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's possible."

Li Lin didn't give a very definite answer. He shrugged and then reached for the longsword.

"What should we do? Should we give it a try?"

"..."

The female pastor and Geligao Li exchanged a glance and fell silent. Li Lin, meanwhile, leaned against the cave entrance, watching them with interest. Finally, the female pastor raised her head and spoke hesitantly.

"Mr. Geligao Li's injuries haven't fully healed yet. If that really is a necromancer's lair, then we must be fully prepared. I think perhaps we should wait until we've completely recovered before proceeding with our next plan."

Mr. Geligao Li.

Li Lin glanced meaningfully at Geligao Li. Clearly, before, the pastor had always addressed him by his first name, but now she added a title of respect. This subtly created a distance between them. Both possessed considerable self-control, and in fact, it was precisely this self-control that would become the beginning of their descent into the Abyss. Both prioritized the greater good, unwilling to reveal their true thoughts. So, what would happen next?

"So, Mr. Geligao Li, what's your opinion?"

Li Lin concealed the expectant and smug smile on his lips and asked, seemingly casually.

"..."

Upon hearing Li Lin's question, Geligao Li abruptly raised his head. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he lowered his head again.

"You didn't attract anything strange, did you?"

"I am quite confident in my abilities."

As Li Lin spoke, he pointed to the western hillside.

"There was a cave there, and as I looked around, I found many animal footprints coming from inside. Considering they were creatures that normally liked to bask in the sun, I didn't think these guys would venture into a cave like humans do. Besides, I had a feeling it was a bit eerie there, so just to be safe, I didn't get too close to investigate."

"This is indeed very suspicious."

After listening to Li Lin's description, the female pastor frowned and fell into thought.

"Mr. Li Lin, could you take me there to take a look? I think I might be able to confirm it."

"If it weren't so close, it wouldn't be a problem, but..."

As he spoke, Li Lin gestured again with his chin in Geligao Li's direction.

"It's probably not a good idea to leave Mr. Geligao Li here alone."

"I'm fine."

No sooner had Li Lin finished speaking than Geligao Li immediately answered, without even giving the female pastor a chance to think and respond.

"With my current strength, I can protect myself more than enough, so you don't need to worry."

"Geligao Li..."

The pastor's expression shifted slightly as she gazed at Geligao Li, then she turned away, her expression becoming serious and solemn once more. She walked to the cave entrance, and only after confirming that she was ready did she look at Li Lin.

"Then, Mr. Li Lin, I'm counting on you."

"No problem."

Li Lin nodded and casually stretched out his hands.

"Bring it on."

"What... does this mean?"

Looking at Li Lin in front of her, the female pastor frowned and asked in confusion.

"Can you do it without leaving any tracks in the snow? If you can, I won't have to do this. After all, I don't want to be followed by someone who finds my footprints."

"..."

The female pastor remained silent for a moment, then finally glanced into the cave with a complicated expression, nodded, and agreed to Li Lin's request.

Li Lin's actions were indeed beyond the pastor's expectations. Even while being held in his arms, she felt steady and comfortable. Looking back, she couldn't see any footprints on the pristine snow. She didn't understand how Li Lin had done it, but it was clear that this would reduce the chances of them being discovered.

However, the pastor quickly shifted her attention to Li Lin himself. Perhaps the lingering effects of last night's dream hadn't yet faded, for the feeling of his broad chest and slender fingers once again elicited a faint reaction from her. It was as if the pastor was being reeled back from the frenzied, chaotic dream of the previous night. She instinctively wanted to escape, but the dream, like a demon, relentlessly pursued her mind, its dark hand reaching out to grip her tightly, forcing her to immerse herself once more in the memory, as if...

"Miss Pastor?"

Li Lin's soft call startled the pastor, who looked up in alarm, but immediately lowered her head again upon seeing Li Lin.

"Yes, what is it?"

We've arrived.

These words finally allowed the female priest to break free from her reverie. She turned her head and gazed at the other side of the hillside, where a long, dark shadow was cast on the sunlit slope. Within it, she could barely make out a dark, gaping entrance. Even so, the female priest felt as if it were the entrance to a dark Abyss, a place that, even without any divine magic, exuded a chilling and irreversible danger.

"Please... put me down, Mr. Li Lin."

The female pastor struggled for a moment, then stammered out her words.

"I need to use divine magic to confirm... I can't just leave it like this..."

"I see."

Li Lin smiled slightly, then looked around before walking to a bare rock face in the snow and setting the female priest down. He then stood beside her, watching her.

After leaving the warm embrace, even with the protection of divine magic, the priestess still felt a chill as if it had entered her body on the cold wind. She had to take an awkward breath and then look around at the ground. It was a pristine white expanse, without any marks. Even where Li Lin was standing, there wasn't a single footprint in sight.

"A very peculiar technique."

The female pastor had to awkwardly change the subject, but Li Lin simply smiled and nodded at her.

"Just a little trick, it's nothing."

A humble and polite person.

Li Lin's demeanor easily won the female pastor's favor. Geligao Li had been the same way before—no, perhaps not as polite as this man, but his concern was equally genuine. But why, this time, just this once, couldn't he understand her predicament? Thinking this, the female pastor sighed deeply. She shook her head, no longer dwelling on these troubling thoughts, and instead focused her gaze on the dark cave. Then, gathering her strength, she began to chant a sacred prayer.

As divine power coalesced, the priestess slowly began to unleash her senses. She could feel the cold, malevolent aura within the cave, an aura so intense it was unbelievable. It contained death, anger, despair, and sorrow. Almost all negative emotions seemed to have become a broth simmered too thickly, almost suffocating her. The priestess cautiously approached—then immediately retreated, unable even to guarantee her safety upon encountering that evil. It wasn't until a broad, strong hand pressed down on her shoulder that the priestess realized she was nearly collapsing to the ground.

"This is bad?"

Li Lin, supporting the female pastor, carefully examined the cave entrance, his brow furrowed.

"This must be the place..."

The female pastor took several deep breaths before calming herself down and answering.

"Mr. Li Lin, please take me away from here immediately. I think things are getting very complicated... extremely complicated."

"Certainly."

Li Lin did not refuse the female pastor's request.

When the two returned to the cave, Geligao Li was still there, but this time he was leaning against the wall, warily watching his surroundings. It wasn't until Li Lin and the female priest entered that Geligao Li's tightly furrowed brows relaxed considerably.

"How's the situation?"

"It's obvious that it's a very evil place."

After the divine judgment, the female priest was quite certain of this.

"I don't even dare to probe too obviously... I think things might have gotten beyond our control... Perhaps we should go back and ask for help; that would be the best course of action."

But we don't have time.

Although he didn't quite understand the female pastor's behavior, Geligao Li still seriously pointed out the crux of the problem.

"We've already spent far too much time finding this place, and they've already noticed our arrival. If we leave now... even if we manage to get out safely, who knows if they'll still be in this godforsaken place when we come back."

"But with our current strength, I think it might be difficult for us to achieve our goal... We should go back and plan carefully, perhaps... perhaps we should ask Lady Catherine for help!"

"We have the capability to complete the mission."

Geligao Li seemed somewhat displeased by the female pastor's rebuttal.

"Besides, our mission here is only to investigate, not to eliminate those monsters. Don't forget our original purpose! As long as we find a way to obtain the information we need, we can leave this place."

"Are you suggesting we turn a blind eye to this evil?"

Upon hearing Geligao Li's words, the pastor's expression also turned sour.

"That's not what I meant, but as you said, that evil is extremely powerful, and we have no way to destroy it. But don't forget, when Catherine gave us this mission, she didn't say we had to destroy the evil. She just wanted us to find out what happened and gather as much intelligence as possible!"

"But I am a priest, and my duty is to eradicate evil and darkness! Right now, such immense evil is before me; are you asking me to do nothing?!"

"Didn't you say you couldn't possibly destroy that evil?!"

Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly heated, Li Lin had no choice but to cough and join the argument.

"Gentlemen, I think you should calm down... After all, we've come this far, haven't we?"

"By the way, Mr. Li Lin, I've always been curious..."

Upon hearing Li Lin's voice, Geligao Li immediately turned his attention to him.

"You're really lucky! You just went out for a short while and found the place we were looking for. Isn't that a bit strange?"

"That just means I'm lucky."

Li Lin shrugged, seemingly oblivious to Geligao Li's questioning.

Or do you have some questions about this?

"I think I have many questions that I need you to answer."

Geligao Li slowly stood up, gripping his greatsword, and walked step by step toward Li Lin.

"Why would Her Highness Catherine recommend you, a wandering swordsman, to join our operation? And what is your true purpose, Mr. Li Lin? I'm not a fool. In the entire mercenary world, I've never heard of you. With your strength, you shouldn't be so unknown, should you?"

"Perhaps it's because I prefer to keep a low profile. To be honest, I don't like being in the public eye; sometimes I'm more comfortable being alone."

As Geligao Li drew closer, Li Lin remained calm and composed as he answered his questions.

"Furthermore, my goals are the same as yours, although they may not be entirely aligned at the moment. However, I think you probably don't have much of a choice right now."

"You..."

Staring at Li Lin, Geligao Li spoke angrily, wanting to say something but unsure what to say. Just then, a fragrance wafting from beside Li Lin caused his expression to change slightly. After all, he was all too familiar with that scent; it was...

"Geligao Li!"

The female priest then stepped between the two, blocking Geligao Li.

"It's extremely rude of you to suspect your companion like that! Mr. Li Lin was recommended by Lady Catherine. Are you implying that Lady Catherine has ulterior motives?"

You're so naive!

Faced with the female pastor's rebuttal, Geligao Li felt a surge of inexplicable anger, and he didn't know why, but he was completely unable to control his emotions.

"Don't forget, we were originally here on behalf of the Temple to investigate Catherine. And now, Catherine has entrusted such an important task to two outsiders like us. Don't you have any doubts at all?"

"Geligao Li! Are you doubting Lady Catherine?!"

Upon hearing this, the pastor's expression finally changed.

"Lady Catherine is a true angel; she is our guardian and the spokesperson of God. Whatever she asks us to do is God's will!"

To hell with the gods! I don't care what the gods think; I care more about the person in front of me!

Geligao Li grabbed the priestess's shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Don't you understand what I'm thinking?!"

"..."

"..."

Silence fell over the cave. The priestess showed no particular reaction to Geligao Li's sudden words. No, perhaps she would have reacted yesterday. But after reading Catherine's letter, she had made her decision.

Facing Geligao Li's expectant gaze, the pastor slowly pulled her hand away from his.

"Mr. Geligao Li, your behavior is far too frivolous. Please have some self-respect. I am a messenger of the Temple, and naturally I must serve the gods. Do not forget that you are still an assistant invited by the Temple, and you have an obligation to help the Temple. If you are unwilling to do so, then please leave. Even if I go alone, even if I ultimately fall in the battle against evil, I will not turn away or run away."

"You..."

Geligao Li never expected to hear such an answer from her. He opened his mouth wide, but had no idea what to say.

What a fascinating show!

Leaning against the stone wall, Li Lin watched the performance unfold before him with a sense of pride.

However, we can't just stand by and watch. Since the flames have already started burning, it would be a shame not to add fuel to the fire, wouldn't it?

"Mr. Geligao Li."

Li Lin pulled the female pastor close to him. Then, he turned to Geligao Li and spoke with a serious and earnest expression.

"I must say, it is extremely rude of you to treat a lady like this, and I hope you can apologize."

Although the statement was very serious, there was a dangerous hint of mockery in Li Lin's eyes. He naturally understood how Geligao Li would react upon hearing it.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Geligao Li's eyes grew even angrier, turning bloodshot as he slowly turned to Li Lin, his teeth clenched. How could he possibly ignore the scent emanating from Li Lin just now—it was unmistakably the priestess's fragrance. What had they been doing outside?! What exactly did this man intend to do?! The anger he had been barely suppressing finally erupted completely. Geligao Li could no longer endure it; he raised his fist and glared at Li Lin.

"You bastard...!!"

The flames burned even more fiercely.