Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Scheming Youth’s Daily Deceptions

"Ding ding!"
The sound of clashing weapons echoed as the three engaged in battle.
Three figures intertwined, indistinguishable one from another.
"Boom!"
Lan Nuo’s battle axe slipped from his grasp, crashing heavily onto the ground.
"Arnold!"
Tang Ao’s expression changed. He had assumed his presence would prevent any mishap, but the fight was unpredictable—within a mere instant, Mu Rongxun boldly took a blow from Xiao Jun’s sword, deflected Lan Nuo’s battle axe, and with another stroke, slit his throat. The Tang blade circled his neck, and a fine head soared through the air.
Mu Rongxun had always believed that, once a fight began, beheading was the best solution.
For within the Tower of Magic Park, no matter how much life one possessed, decapitation rendered all vitality meaningless.
Unless one had measures against death or a resurrection skill.
Clearly, Tang Ao’s squad possessed neither.
Though he had dealt with Lan Nuo, Mu Rongxun’s back was slashed by Zhao Jun, the blow failing to pierce his defense but the force sending him staggering forward several steps before regaining his balance.
That was precisely why he dared to withstand Zhao Jun’s attacks.
When selecting three items, besides Claudia’s Blood Crystal, he had chosen the inner armor he now wore, and the third was an alchemical automaton.
But since it wasn’t a combat model, it was useless for the moment.
"You’re courting death!"
Tang Ao spoke furiously.
Invisible magical energy gathered behind him, forming a tangible shadow of an eight-trigram symbol.
Frost, arrows, fireballs, wind blades, earth spikes—an indiscriminate barrage surged towards Mu Rongxun.
"Same to you!"
Mu Rongxun made a throat-slitting gesture and sprinted, never lingering in one spot.
Where he had stood moments before was now riddled with holes from the relentless assault; had he remained, he would have been reduced to a honeycomb.
Seeing this, Mu Rongxun shuddered with dread.
So this was the power of magical offense?
Meanwhile, Ad was not idle.
He expertly tossed talismans, not at people, but into the void.
"Hmph!"
Mu Rongxun felt a weight press upon him, making each step laborious. He gripped his blade with both hands and struck forward with all his strength.
"Thud!"

In the midst of setting up his formation, Ad was suddenly struck by an unseen attack, opening a gap in the array and suffering the backlash.
"Not bad!"
Tang Ao’s face was grim.
He had been merely angry when Li Jing and the other fell, but Lan Nuo’s death truly pained him.
Lan Nuo was the heart of his team, second only to Xiao Jun in trustworthiness. Who would have thought he’d die here like this?
"Sizzle, sizzle!"
The air seemed to ignite, the surrounding temperature rising sharply, as if one stood within a furnace.
"Villains! Who permitted you to use supernatural power within the city?"
As Tang Ao was poised to attack, a harsh voice rang out from nearby.
Tang Ao paid it no heed; Mu Rongxun was too great a threat. If allowed to grow stronger, he would become a formidable adversary. Now that enmity had been forged, he must be eliminated once and for all.
"Unforgivable!"
Ignoring her warning and daring to act before her eyes, Noya felt her fury reach its limit.
Her slender sword gleamed with radiant light.
Whoosh!
A blazing sun hung high above, forcefully dispelling all fire magic that Tang Ao had gathered, leaving only the power of light nearby.
"This—"
Tang Ao was appalled; the newcomer was far too powerful, and he feared he had no means to resist.
Though he had some tricks, he was unwilling to use them here.
Noya’s sword sent a brilliant arc of energy, but it was blocked by a suddenly appearing eight-trigram diagram.
"Let’s go!"
Tang Ao called out, and after a cloud of smoke, the group vanished without a trace.
Seeing them retreat, Mu Rongxun breathed a sigh of relief.
Had the fight continued, he would have stood no chance; his earlier success was merely a lucky surprise attack.
"Hey, why are you just standing there?"
Noya glared at Mu Rongxun in displeasure.
"Come help me!"
She had fought her way from the far end of the street, and both her stamina and magic were at their limits. She had only managed to scare off Tang Ao and his crew using the last vestiges of her strength.
Otherwise, had she attacked with all her might as a first-rank combatant, Tang Ao would never have fended her off so easily.
Now, she could barely stand, holding herself up by sheer willpower.

"Oh!"
Mu Rongxun responded, then hurried over to support her into the shop.
Though the shop was somewhat disordered, the damage was not severe.
"Bring me all your potions for magic recovery, stamina, healing—and if you have any attack potions capable of mass destruction, even better."
Noya showed no restraint, stating her needs directly.
"The master isn’t here,"
Mu Rongxun replied honestly.
"I don’t care if your master is here or not! This is a war requisition; all these items are conscripted. Afterwards, you can report to the Night Watch for compensation!"
Noya gritted out her words.
"Requisition is compensated!"
"Understood!"
Mu Rongxun realized, then ran off and returned with an armful of bottles and jars.
"This one restores your magic, this one your stamina, this heals wounds, this boosts your strength for a short time, and this increases your defense..."
He introduced each item in turn, sounding much like a street vendor touting his wares.
He felt no embarrassment—survival was nothing to be ashamed of.
"Wrap them all up!"
Noya waved her small hand, imperiously claiming everything.
Mu Rongxun regretted not charging more.
Noya, meanwhile, did not care what he was thinking. She immediately used the magic and stamina potions to restore herself.
These were crafted by a master; while their effects matched other potions of the same grade, they worked much faster.
Mu Rongxun, meanwhile, went off to write the bill.
This way, he could report to Old Mordor, and not have to pay for the repairs himself.
If Noya had seen the bill, she might have killed the seemingly aloof youth beside her.
She would never have guessed just how black-hearted he was—he not only doubled the quantity, but also added several rare and valuable potions she had never even touched.
Mu Rongxun had coveted these potions for a long time; previously, he could only pick three, and had been pondering how to sneak more out. Unexpectedly, his wish had been granted.