Chapter 96.2
"I Will Do the Things I've Promised" (2)
A comfortable, dark, unchanging sleeping life was what Shi An wanted.
Yes, just like he planned at the beginning: retrieve the treasure, grab the collection, and then find a way to return to the end of the abyss and find a cave to continue his slumber.
This was what he wanted.
Shi An took a deep breath and his expression became firm.
"You guys should hurry up and pack your things."
He leaned back and fell onto the bed again, yawning as a matter of course, and added lazily. "... I will make up for my sleep."
"Call me if you guys are done."
The demon insect squatted on the bedside table to the side.
It had been silent since earlier. At this moment, it finally could no longer hold back its doubts and slowly spoke. "That... my lord...."
Shi An said, "Huh?"
"Is it my illusion?" The demon insect said with utmost suspicion, "The scent on your body... is slightly strange."
It was the subordinate that had followed Shi An for the longest time and was the most sensitive to the changes in Shi An's body scent.
But from just now, when the other side came back, it seemed to catch a little unfamiliar scent from the other side's body, not the blazing smoke or the blood smell stained by killings, but rather like a shallow blend into Shi An's scent and his smell blended into one.
"Did you meet anyone when you went out?"
Shi An's spine stiffened. "No!'
"I-It must be your illusion!"
He coughed forcefully, then sprang up from the bed and walked quickly out the door, hurriedly dropping the following sentence.
"By the way, I will tell the butler about Luosi District's matter!"
"Hurry up and pack your things. I will return to inspect it!"
***
At night.
Sunset gradually stained the entire sky and darkness soon fell.
Shi An came downstairs and got into the car.
In addition to Mu Heng, this car had two other familiar faces: Zhuo Fu and Wen Yao.
As soon as Zhuo Fu saw Shi An, he excitedly waved at him. "It's hard to imagine! I've also come this time!"
Wen Yao coldly sneered. "Yes, it's indeed hard to imagine."
After hearing about the drama last time, Zhuo Fu had been very upset about missing that trip to the Aiwen District, so when he heard that they were going to the Luosi District this time, he begged and begged to come along.
Perhaps because he was helpful, Mu Heng finally gave his consent.
Only Mu Heng had a place beside him in the car.
Shi An: "..."
He hesitated for a moment but still carefully sat over.
Shi An pulled out a large bag of snacks from his pocket and held it in his arms, looking at Zhuo Fu. "Speaking of which, how long do we need to take the car?"
Zhuo Fu thought about it and said, "About two hours?"
Shi An froze and counted in his mind earnestly. "It can't be. So quick?"
Zhuo Fu squinted at him. "You'll know after arriving."
Wen Yao snorted disdainfully at his pretentious appearance but eventually did not expose him.
Shi An let out an "oh," buried his head, and began to fight with the bag of snacks in his arms.
However, it was unclear whether his fingers were too tense or the bag of snacks was too stubborn. Shi An tossed and turned for a long time but could not open it.
He was so angry that his eyes were glaring.
-How can even you bully me?
Shi An's fingertips moved slightly. The silver-white light refracted in the fingertips, looking unusually sharp.
However, a tactical gloved palm reached over in the next second and lightly fished the bag of snacks from his arms.
"Chuck—"
The bag of snacks was ripped open and then naturally placed back into Shi An's arms.
Shi An: "..."
He blinked, glanced at the man beside him, and whispered, "Thank you?"
Mu Heng lowered his silver-white eyelashes and his cold face remained expressionless, but his voice was gentle. "Mm."
Shi An waved the bag in front of Zhuo Fu. "Do you want to have some?"
Zhuo Fu: "..."
He sat expressionlessly in place and shook his head slowly.
Thank you. I'm already full from the dog food.
They had just set out for ten minutes, so why was he already beginning to regret coming along with them?
***
The two-hour drive passed in a flash.
Soon, the car stopped.
Shi An had just gotten out of the car and was blown in the face by the sea breeze into squinting.
The air was filled with a salty and humid smell, and the sea, submerged in the night, was not far away.
He slightly widened his eyes and turned his head toward Zhuo Fu. "... Eh?"
Zhuo Fu spoke excitedly. "We will take a boat next!"
A motorboat powered by magic and machinery was anchored by the pier and was waiting for them quietly, not far away.
The sea surrounded the Luosi District on three sides and mountains on the back.
Compared with the previous months, it had now entered the worst late winter climate and it was much more challenging to cross the Aiwen Snowfield. Even the specially designed planes could not cross over the snowfield.
And the sea outside the Luosi District was shrouded in mist all year round, so there was only one option left, except for entering from the Aiwen District.
That was the water route.
This was the first time Shi An would be traveling on a boat.
In the past, even when he encountered the sea, he tended to just use his wings to leap across it and had never bothered to ride a boat like this one.
He walked onto the deck and looked around with great interest.
Unknowingly, there were fewer and fewer people around.
By the time he reacted, only Mu Heng was left around, not far from the closed cabin door.
Shi An blinked.
"Speaking of which, how long will this boat ride take?"
"About thirty-six hours," Mu Heng said softly.
Shi An froze.
... Wait, thirty-six hours?
That meant it would be an overnight stay?
He seemed to realize a very critical issue only then, slightly widened his eyes and looked at the man in front of him.
"Then... tonight..."
Mu Heng looked over and his eyes appeared as a silhouette under cover of the twilight dusky sea behind him.
He raised his hand, a tiny key hanging at his fingertips, shining with a faint silver-white light in the darkness.
"You will stay with me."
Shi An: "..."
He took a step back in panic. "Actually, I can also stay alone...?"
Mu Heng raised his eyebrows and took a step forward slowly and deliberately.
"Alone?"
The man's voice was slightly low, penetrating clearly through the surrounding waves and reaching Shi An's ears.
"Sleeping together at night - wasn't this your request before?"
He lowered his eyelashes and stared intensely at the young man before him, fleeting darkness sweeping under his eyes. He had a calm face and his voice was obscure and low with a vague smile.
"... I will do the things I've promised."