Chapter 61: Unreliable Reinforcements
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Tap, tap, tap.
The cabin was silent for a good while, with only the sound of Cui Zhiyun tapping away at the keyboard.
After a long pause, Cui Zhiyun suddenly spoke, “Do you want more sunflowers? Do you want the research data on sunflowers?” She could easily see how invested Li Changsheng was in the matter.
“Of course.”
Li Changsheng had intended to get to the bottom of the sunflower issue, but Cui Zhiyun knew little herself. The sunflowers she possessed had been handed to her by Zoe, a researcher at the Rex Institute. She was merely a courier.
Cui Zhiyun looked up slowly. “Then will you come with me to rescue someone?”
“I can.” As he spoke, Li Changsheng’s gaze fell on Cui Zhiyun’s wound for a moment. “But first, I need to clarify something. Are you really able to move? Don’t slow me down.”
“I’m sure and certain—I can.” With that, Cui Zhiyun took a syringe from the box and injected herself in the thigh. “Now it won’t hurt.”
This woman was truly…
Impossible to categorize…
Li Changsheng shook his head.
Snap!
Cui Zhiyun closed her laptop. “Reinforcements are already on their way. We can set off at two in the afternoon.”
Li Changsheng had no objections and nodded. “Alright.”
…
There was still some time before departure. Li Changsheng leaned back on the sofa and took out the magic book Li Xiaoxu had given him. Aside from the basics of magic power usage, there were two spells described within.
One was a summoning array, the other a portal.
The summoning array was akin to the spell used by warlocks in World of Warcraft to summon familiars—imps, succubi, and other otherworldly creatures.
The portal spell was similar to the mage’s ability in World of Warcraft, the one players often referred to as “Mage, open a portal.”
To complete the summoning array, two conditions must be met.
First, to guide magic power into forming a summoning pattern. The pattern was extremely complex and consumed vast amounts of magical energy. The bit of magic Li Changsheng possessed was far from enough. He estimated he’d need to reach G2.5 before he could successfully draw it.
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Second, a medium from another world, much like the holy relic used to summon servants in Type-Moon. If summoning a clone, Li Changsheng thought he’d just need something taken from the clone.
As for the portal spell, it could teleport oneself or directly connect two locations. Teleporting oneself required a teleportation rune; opening a portal required a portal rune.
The runes must be crafted from objects belonging to another world, with magical marks inscribed upon them.
Yet, both spells required Li Changsheng to at least reach G2.5.
Fortunately, he now had an idea for increasing his magical power—by consuming sunflowers.
By devouring a large number of sunflowers, he could strengthen himself.
At noon.
Li Changsheng’s ears twitched and he suddenly opened his eyes, fixing his gaze on Cui Zhiyun, who was resting nearby.
“Your teammates have arrived.”
Moments later, voices sounded outside.
“Mr. Park, the signal came from this yacht, but now it’s gone.”
“What are you waiting for? Go and find them!”
As they spoke, the boat shook; the yacht was connected to the speedboat outside by a wooden plank.
Li Changsheng wrapped an arm around Cui Zhiyun’s waist, supporting her. Both armed, they stepped out of the cabin.
Two small boats flanked the yacht, one ahead and one behind. Aside from a young man in a tailored suit, the other seven were dressed as bodyguards, wielding M16s and aiming at them.
The young man, seeing them appear, remained unfazed, walking across the plank with a sweep of his gaze that settled on Cui Zhiyun. A hint of amazement flashed across his face. “Zhiyun, we meet again. Do you remember me? I’m Park Pusang.”
Cui Zhiyun glanced around, finally fixing her gaze on Park Pusang, snorting coldly. “Why are you here? Where are the others?”
Park Pusang chuckled. “The others can’t make it for now—they’ve got other tasks. This time, I’ll be working with you.”
Cui Zhiyun knew that couldn’t be true; her expression shifted several times before returning to normal.
The scene grew tense.
Li Changsheng looked Park Pusang over. Though dressed in a bespoke suit and styled as a gentleman, his features were sharp and his gaze arrogant. There was a subtle contempt in his eyes, five parts disdain, five parts superiority.
Probably some kind of idiot…
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Li Changsheng thought so, but saw Cui Zhiyun lean in and whisper, “He once pursued me—I refused him. Later, he betrayed one of my teammates and was transferred to another department.”
In just a few words, she laid out the stakes between them.
Li Changsheng understood.
Park Pusang spoke eagerly, “Zhiyun, I’ve heard about your situation. Once we retrieve the research data, I’ll request the higher-ups to pardon you and clear up the misunderstanding with the Brotherhood.”
He expected to see her grateful, but Cui Zhiyun gave him a cool, indifferent look. “It seems we have no choice but to go,” she said, sweeping her eyes over the armed bodyguards.
Park Pusang gave an awkward smile. “Don’t mind them—they’re all on our side.”
Despite his words, he didn’t have them lower their guns; instead, he changed the subject, glancing at Li Changsheng. “And this is?”
Li Changsheng smiled lightly. “No need for introductions. We’re all just passing through.”
A flicker of anger flashed in Park Pusang’s eyes. Such lack of manners infuriated him, but he suppressed his temper, turning back to Cui Zhiyun with a forced laugh. “Zhiyun, you’re injured. Conditions here are so basic—why not come aboard my boat? I have proper medical equipment in the cabin.”
He ordered his men, “Go to my cabin and bring the medicine.”
One of his bodyguards obeyed, soon returning from the cabin with a box.
Park Pusang opened the box, revealing its contents: rolls of cigarettes. He boasted, “Zhiyun, these are good stuff. One puff and all your pain disappears. I pulled a lot of strings and spent a fortune to get these—they’re incredibly rare in today’s world.” He stepped forward, offering them to Cui Zhiyun.
Li Changsheng glanced at them and immediately realized it was the kind of thing foreigners often smoked.
Cui Zhiyun didn’t take them, replying coldly, “Since they’re so precious, you should keep them for yourself.”
Park Pusang laughed awkwardly. “Zhiyun, your injuries are serious and conditions so poor—you must be suffering. Don’t be shy, take as many as you need.”
Cui Zhiyun retorted, “Where do you see me suffering?”
Li Changsheng couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head.
A flicker of anger crossed Park Pusang’s face, his hand suspended awkwardly in midair—unable to advance or retreat, his expression shifting dramatically. After a long moment, he forced a smile. “I was being overly considerate. Since Captain Cui isn’t badly hurt, we’ll depart in ten minutes.”
With that, he walked straight to his own boat, and his men withdrew the plank.
Inside his cabin, Park Pusang sat down, his face dark as water. He grabbed a cup and smashed it to the floor with a loud crack.