novelraw Chapter 260: An: Deepest Apologies
Chapter 260: An: Deepest Apologies
Boom!
In that instant, Chen Qi felt his consciousness blur; time around him seemed to freeze. All sounds vanished except for the howling spiritual energy in the air around his fist.
And in his eyes, only remained the figure standing atop the ship, towering above, beneath blood-stained white hair, those cold, icy blue eyes like a hunter sizing up its prey.
Boom!
Boom!
Chen Qi on the sea was like a skipping stone, repeatedly striking the dark gray waves ten times in succession.
Although he was hitting the sea’s surface, each impact felt as if crashing onto solid concrete, a pain that shattered bones.
Just watching it hurt... Melanie clicked her tongue, memories flooding like a tide.
An was her junior at the White Tower Federation’s White Tower Academy. Though usually serious and polite, once in battle, An became a ruthless lunatic.
During the academy’s grand tournament, as a senior, Melanie was struck mercilessly in the chest by the exact same move.Melanie, with strength capable of top eight impact, shamefully lost in the preliminaries—
And unlike ordinary battle maniacs, An fought like a cold, unfeeling battle machine executing commands.
Pain radiated through Melanie’s chest; she frowned and murmured:
“That An, she’s stronger than before. It seems her rise to legend, then to a fringe hunter, even surpassing saint level, is not impossible...”
The glasses-wearing hunter Aelor adjusted his glasses:
“Is she really a mage? Luckily, that sudden punch was enough to—”
“Viper Father...”
Wait!
At this moment, everyone realized the blind spot!
The one beaten into a stone on the sea wasn’t Viper Father, but their rescue target, the Lamp Keeper!
It was an ally! A captive!
And most critically—
Despite lacking defense, the opponent did not fall.
Huff!
Sea Walking—
Chen Qi gasped heavily, suddenly spitting out a mix of blood and seawater, forcing his body to rise from beneath the waves and stand.
In the battle with Viper Father, he had taken a full Cup Release hit, leaving his body in terrible condition.
His internal organs burned, but the burning gradually faded; the pain was disappearing—
*Cough cough cough—*
Chen Qi coughed up blood repeatedly, struggling to activate Sea Walking, raising his head to look toward the horizon, the Viper Father ship, where cold battle machine An stood.
At the far edge of his vision, An’s blood-stained white short hair fluttered lightly in the wind, like a machine testing his life or death.
Chen Qi vaguely remembered when he first saw An, he was just a gifted ordinary person, while An seemed like a terrifying great white tiger before him.
But now, after so long, upon seeing her again, that feeling of weakness had only slightly lessened.
An was still like an unreachable white tiger, looking down on him.
“An...”
Chen Qi bit his bloody teeth, stepping forward, but bone-piercing pain struck again, blurring his consciousness—
Blurred—
Smack!
Chen Qi collapsed into the sea, vaguely feeling two round water spirits swim through the current and rush to his side—
Meanwhile, above the Viper Father ship’s hole, An, dressed in a naval-style white hunter uniform, blinked, ears ringing with Chen Qi’s last word:
“An...”
Why? How did they know her name?
An blinked, her icy gaze flashing with confusion, slowly coming out of her battle state bit by bit.
That person just now, could it be—
Her expression instantly froze, her hand trembling slightly.
Her gifted but wayward student, who had chosen to become a chef, Qi!
One reason she ventured out to sea was to train herself; the other was to search for Qi.
But the once-popular Water Spirit Restaurant had suddenly vanished over the sea.
In the Witch Sea, disappearance often meant extinction.
Along the way, An passed Moonstone City, crossed the Rift Sea, reached Blackore City, inquired at the Hunter Association, arrived at the Seal No.3 mobile shipyard near the Sea of Calamities, and asked the apothecary—
She traveled and inquired about the Water Spirit Restaurant, but every inquiry yielded no news.
An never expected that the third-tier Transcendent she had just attacked was Chen Qi.
And when they met again, she almost killed him... A sharp pain struck her heart.
Meeting again! She had made such a serious mistake!
No surprise, Chen Qi had just ascended to third-tier Transcendent, and her sudden punch might have crippled him or even killed him permanently—
“No!”
An’s pupils trembled violently; she immediately jumped off the Viper Father ship, plunged into the sea, freezing the water’s surface as she rushed toward where Chen Qi fell—
...
...
“Huff, huff, huff...”
Chen Qi gasped heavily. He had a nightmare of being defeated by the Deep Sea Hunters on a stormy, gray sea, and the hunter’s face gradually morphed into An’s—
A crushing defeat, naked and raw.
“An...”
Chen Qi said, then slowly opened his blood-stained eyes.
As his eyes opened, in the blurry vision, he saw six people in white clothes.
One of them held a scalpel in hand.
They said:
“You’re awake?”
“I must still be dreaming...”
Chen Qi, weak, closed his eyes again until something soft gently pressed on his chest.
A wailing voice came again:
“Waaah waaah waaah (Master! Don’t die! Without you, how will I live!)”
Chen Qi reluctantly opened his blurry eyes. In front of him was a soft yet slightly dazzling light, like the gentle dawn at daybreak.
He lay on an operating table, surrounded by spotless white walls and ceiling.
The six figures around were five White Tower Hunters and his new mentor, An.
And on his chest, Water Spirit No.1 and No.3 were crying their hearts out.
“Pain—”
Chen Qi looked at the two water spirits bouncing on his chest.
“Don’t move the patient...” An reached out, picking up Water Spirit No.1 and No.3.
Then she placed her hands gently on Chen Qi’s chest and used Healing Technique:
“Don’t move, take a deep breath, stay calm, relax—”
An’s voice trembled slightly, extremely flustered, a stark change from her usual calm tone.
An pressed down lightly.
Green ripples slowly spread over Chen Qi’s chest, followed by warmth spreading throughout his body.
Melanie turned the scalpel in her hand and smiled:
“My junior, don’t worry, he’s not dead from your punch. I’ve examined him. This guy’s constitution is strong; among third-tier Lamp affinity Transcendents, he’s outstanding!”
This guy still has thick health! Melanie even thought Chen Qi could take five or ten more punches. He fainted mainly due to fatigue and also because he accepted the battle’s end.
An heard this and withdrew her hands from Chen Qi’s abdomen.
“Right! Little brother! Are you alright?”
Melanie lightly punched Chen Qi’s abdomen.
“Cough cough...”
Ouch!
This guy... Chen Qi sat up from the operating table, looking down at his heavily bandaged abdomen.
Wrapped around his abdomen was a special White Tower Hunter healing bandage.
Wait...
Chen Qi suddenly realized.
Where did my clothes go? Why is my upper body exposed?
Chen Qi blinked, startled. His hunter jacket and shirt had been removed, and greenish liquid stained the corner of his mouth.
Fortunately, his pants were still on, and the most important Backpack Card was in his pants pocket.
“Huff...”
Chen Qi recalled bit by bit; his memory gradually cleared.
After being knocked out by that punch, he seemed to have fainted; then the water spirits found him...
Finally, An ran over, held him in a princess carry, and brought him back to the White Tower ship’s infirmary.
How humiliating... Chen Qi shook his head recalling the scene.
An’s appearance in this battle completely exceeded his expectations.
The subsequent beating plunged him into danger, leaving no time to react.
If the attacker hadn’t been An, this battle could have been life-or-death.
“Anything else happen? No other accidents?” Chen Qi asked curiously.
Melanie explained:
“Viper Father was defeated by you; the other two third-tiers were defeated by us. Taking the Viper Father ship was easy!”
Melanie paused. The old monster Viper Father being defeated by Chen Qi was beyond her expectations!
Does Viper Father not care about physical maintenance?
In Melanie’s eyes, Chen Qi gained more mystery and strength.
At this moment, Aelor adjusted his glasses and explained for the captain:
“Currently, the Viper Father ship is under our complete control. For supplies and your treatment, we’re now at Seal No.3 mobile shipyard, a massive dock near the Sea of Calamities, established for adventurers.
Lamp Keeper, we’re safe.”
“Seal No.3...”
Chen Qi’s tension gradually eased. Fortunately, he was defeated by his mentor An, and the White Tower Hunters were his allies.
The defeat caused no major consequences.
A close call but safe.
Melanie put away the blood-stained scalpel:
“I performed the surgery, Aelor administered the medicine. We didn’t touch your belongings. Oh, and about the one who punched you—
Let me introduce, that’s my junior, new mentor An. Though her punches are heavy, she didn’t mean it.”
At this moment, An lowered her head, timidly asking:
“Deepest apologies, Qi. Your body didn’t suffer any strange aftereffects, right?”
“Teacher An, long time no see...” Chen Qi felt deeply moved. He never imagined their reunion would be like this.
“No.”
Chen Qi moved his limbs; after all, he had medium healing ability.
A mere burning feeling in his organs!
Minor wounds! Just minor wounds!
Then he teased:
“Teacher An, you don’t fight fair!”
If not for the sneak attack, even in his injured state, Chen Qi could have traded a few moves with An, a passionate physical clash.
But now, An’s strength far exceeded Chen Qi’s imagination.
Due to going out to sea early, An’s power had dramatically improved.
And her sneak attack completely concealed her spiritual energy aura, requiring extremely strong spiritual energy control.
An frowned:
“Sorry, Qi. I heard from Melanie that there were three third-tier Transcendents on the Viper Father ship, and I wanted to defeat them quickly...”
“No problem! I’m fine. A single punch is nothing. Teacher An, next time, I won’t give you the chance.”
Chen Qi said cheerfully, unconcerned.
Am I a bit stubborn... Chen Qi smiled wryly.
On the vast sea, life and death are decided in an instant.
In battle, failure has no excuses. If it were someone else, they’d already be tied up or sunk to the bottom.
If An wanted, she could have made him do anything without resistance.
Hmm? Teacher An? Calling her by name directly?
Melanie sensed something off and questioned:
“You two monsters... no, you two know each other?”
Melanie and the other White Tower Hunters looked puzzled.
Melanie thought upon waking, Chen Qi would either extort An or fear and submit to her strength.
Could it be Chen Qi is not from the White Pigeon Press?
“Yes, we know each other. Long time no see, An.”
Chen Qi answered. He was from Damarro Town and the Sawshark ship.
Melanie exclaimed:
“Hey!! Wait, you know her? Then Lamp Keeper, are you navy sent to Sea God Island?”
Chen Qi replied:
“No, I’m just an ordinary adventurer.”
An spoke with a hint of pride:
“Yes, he’s neither from the White Pigeon Press nor Sea God Island, and definitely not navy. He’s from Damarro Town! Before the Dimensional Tide, he wasn’t even a Transcendent.”
Not a Transcendent before the Dimensional Tide... Melanie’s eyes widened:
“How is that possible?! Even nobles can’t ascend so quickly!”
An smiled gently, proudly saying:
“Really! I saw him grow up with my own eyes!”
Seeing him grow up with her own eyes... Chen Qi adjusted his chin, feeling this sounded strange...
Why did An’s gaze feel like a mother seeing her child become stronger after going to sea, mixed with guilt?
An continued warmly:
“Not long ago, he was threatened by gangs in Moonstone City and suffered terribly from Sea Beast Disease...”
“...”
Melanie’s mind blanked. What kind of place was Damarro Town? A genius factory?
At this moment, An turned her head toward Chen Qi, hesitated a long while, and said apologetically:
“Sorry, Qi. I really didn’t expect it to be you. This was my failure, a failure of my duty! I’m willing to compensate you, whatever compensation you want—”
An’s heart filled with guilt. She wasn’t kind during the battle, but nearly crippled Chen Qi by mistake.
This caused her a knife-like guilt and indescribable feelings...
Saying this, to show sincerity, An took out her Backpack Card:
“Look inside the Backpack Card; if there’s anything you want, if not, you can entrust me with anything. I’m willing to help for free...”
Chen Qi was stunned.
Though cold in battle, An was an angel of order in other matters, especially towards allies.
Of course, An already helped him enough; he couldn’t ask for more. Even if there were good things in the Backpack Card, he’d have to buy them.
No more freeloading... Chen Qi glanced at An’s Backpack Card, which held nothing he wanted to spend money on.
“No need, Teacher An, I don’t require anything.”
Chen Qi answered.
“Is that so...”
An was silent a moment, then put the Backpack Card away.
Melanie crossed her arms:
“Alright, Lamp Keeper, our operation was a huge success. After we finish inventory, we’ll give you the Viper Father ship’s money!”
At this moment, An spoke to Melanie in a very cold tone:
“Melanie.”
Melanie raised an eyebrow:
“What’s up, An?”
An turned her head, eyes icy:
“Melanie, are you crazy? You actually attacked a Sea God Pirate transport ship without permission. If I hadn’t infiltrated and stopped them from sending information back to headquarters, your ship would likely have been completely surrounded by the Sea God Pirates.”
The Viper Father ship was a key vessel for the Sea God Pirates. A mere seven-person White Tower Hunter ship daring to rob it was sheer madness.
An’s gaze held a hint of reproach:
“Besides, you forced a newly ascended Lamp affinity Transcendent to join your team and do the most dangerous dirty work!”
An defended Chen Qi; she knew the White Tower Hunters’ style well.
Once they set their eyes on someone, they would try everything to tempt them, then force them to work once the temptation succeeded.
An could already imagine a dark, stormy night when Melanie and six subordinates broke into Chen Qi’s room, pinned him against the wall, and forced him to join their White Tower Hunter plan!
Chen Qi was forced aboard the Viper Father ship as bait.
And given Melanie’s personality, she probably did many terrifying things to Chen Qi.
An became angrier as she spoke, even flashing a trace of fury in her eyes.
“Do I look like someone who forces others?” Melanie’s mouth twitched as she said:
“First, we didn’t force him; it was his own will.”
“Own will...” An frowned slightly, hesitating.
Could Chen Qi really have accepted Melanie’s offer willingly?
Then Melanie puffed out her chest, her tone firm:
“Second, strictly speaking, Lamp Keeper is the mastermind! He’s our boss!”
Melanie crossed her arms, extremely displeased that An twisted right and wrong!
After all, the entire plan to rob the Viper Father ship was Chen Qi’s idea.
In a sense, the White Tower Hunters were the ones tempted and forced into the robbery.
“???”
Mastermind? Boss? An turned to look at the innocent-faced Chen Qi, her mind instantly crashing.