novelraw Chapter 443: Kidnapping the Sage of Books
Chapter 443: Kidnapping the Sage of Books
"……"
Chen Qi and Little Crow's faces darkened.
Without An's help, even knowing the Book Saint's weakness, he and Little Crow would likely find it extremely difficult to complete the operation to kidnap the Book Saint.
After all, neither Chen Qi nor Little Crow possessed any stealth abilities.
An really wasn't the type to act recklessly… Chen Qi crossed his arms.
An had been an obedient good girl since childhood. Making her kidnap her own teacher was simply too crazy!
"She is my teacher, so…"
An tightened her grip on the bedsheet, looking at Chen Qi with hopeful eyes:
"Qi, if the kidnapping succeeds, could you help me get some books from the Book Saint? I know about some of her secret treasure vaults."
Secret treasure vaults? Chen Qi was taken aback.An's meaning, in simple terms, was that the price needed to be increased!
And the loot needed to be divided!
Chen Qi smiled slightly, leaning closer to An:
"Of course, no problem, An. What belongs to the Book Saint is yours.
Naturally, I will also do my utmost to help you advance."
Help me advance… An tilted her head slightly, saying timidly:
"I've been unhappy with her for a long time."
The Book Saint treated her like a slave, using the water spirits as foot-wiping towels.
She worked for the Book Saint every day, but the Book Saint often scolded her, thinking she had no talent, calling her a clumsy, short-armed little white cat!
If she could actually beat her, An would have taken action long ago!
Chen Qi's idea had directly struck a chord in her heart.
An looked into Chen Qi's eyes, extending a small hand like that of a beckoning cat.
Chen Qi also extended his hand, forming an alliance with An.
Little Crow, watching from the side, asked:
"You two, so, how do you plan to kidnap the Book Saint?"
That's the Book Saint!
Even if Chen Qi could defeat the Book Saint, once the kidnapping was discovered,
they would face pursuit from the entire White Tower Federation!
How to kidnap the Book Saint? Chen Qi stroked his chin.
In fact, although the Book Saint was powerful, she had a huge weakness.
That was her mutation disease, the 'Knowledge Worms' syndrome from an A-rank rift.
This was a mutation disease that enhanced brain memory and Book affinity comprehension but caused extreme drowsiness.
Once the disease flared up, the Book Saint would be extremely difficult to wake.
Chen Qi asked An for more specific details about the mutation disease.
An said in a low voice:
"Because of the mutation disease, when Teacher is asleep, no one can wake her."
Chen Qi stroked his chin, looking at Little Crow:
"If we can give the Book Saint a sleeping potion while she's asleep, then tying her up and taking her away, is that feasible?"
An looked at Chen Qi, saying quietly:
"It should be no problem. Once, the Book Saint was sleeping while holding a water spirit, and the water spirit directly used a Water Explosive Bomb, exploding right next to her, and she didn't react at all.
Moreover, after Teacher is injured, her sleeping time increases significantly."
The plan is feasible!
Chen Qi and An discussed the specific details of the plan.
Step one was to use An's documents to ensure others didn't actively seek out the Book Saint.
This wasn't difficult, because the Book Saint herself often went into extended seclusion.
Step two was for An to infiltrate the Spiral Library and administer the sleeping potion to the Book Saint.
Step three was to stuff the Book Saint into a box, then pack her up and take her away!
As long as they brought the Book Saint before Big White Hair, they would gain a saint-level Hammer affinity builder and a saint-level Book affinity card maker!
Chen Qi pondered carefully.
Since the Book Saint had delegated all matters to An,
the entire plan was surprisingly simple!
Of course, if anything went wrong, the consequences were unimaginable.
They would completely sever ties with the White Tower Federation.
"Let's do it then."
Chen Qi said.
After hearing this, An revealed a sly smile:
"Good, Qi, let's pull off a big one!"
The two fist-bumped again.
Little Crow watched this scene quietly from the side, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Isn't the Book Saint your teacher?
She couldn't believe how quickly the two had reached a consensus.
A consensus that even the two most vicious pirates couldn't achieve!
After finalizing the plan, Chen Qi and An began their preparations, quietly waiting for the right moment.
……
Book Tower, Banquet Hall.
Under the crystal dome of the banquet hall, countless starlights floated, scattering onto the crystal long table.
To repay the Black Hunter's assistance, the Tower Master had specially arranged a dinner for him and Little Crow.
Due to post-disaster reconstruction, not many high-ranking members of the Book Tower were present, only the weathered-looking Tower Master and the Book Saint, Aslina.
Teacher still doesn't like to talk much… The Tower Master handed Chen Qi a cup of tea, saying in a hoarse voice:
"Black Hunter, thank you for your help. This is our White Tower's White Sea Tea. Since the Book Tower's construction, this tea has only been served to seven guests."
Chen Qi took a small sip of the tea.
[Consumed White Sea Tea, inspiration +2.]
Not bad… Chen Qi was slightly surprised. Now, ordinary items could no longer increase his attributes.
However, more important than these Transcendent trinkets was the Book Saint's promise.
Chen Qi looked at the Book Saint, asking again:
"Book Saint, can I ask you to come back with us and help us build the rift workshop?
Even across the entire sea, you are the strongest Hammer affinity engineer upon the ocean."
Although the Book Saint's personality was despicable, one had to admit she was a genius of this sea.
"Of course. After all, when I was sixteen, I completed my studies in rift workshop construction in the Imperial Capital.
Even a fifth-tier mecha engineer from the Imperial Capital might not surpass me in building a rift workshop!"
Aslina took a sip of tea with ice crystals, saying proudly.
Suddenly, her expression changed, stating firmly:
"But unfortunately.
To be frank, Black Hunter, currently, the Book Tower is experiencing a Dimensional Tide. For the future of the Book Tower, I cannot fulfill my promise."
The Tower Master also chimed in:
"Yes, the Book Saint has sacrificed too much for the Book Tower. Without her, I truly don't know how the Book Tower would operate…"
"But…"
Chen Qi continued:
"Enough! Newly advanced fifth-tier Transcendent."
Book Saint Aslina forcefully interrupted Chen Qi:
"I need to sleep. Don't worry, the Book Tower never breaks its promises. Before you die, I will absolutely help you complete the construction of the rift workshop!"
Book Saint Aslina silently placed this 'goal' as item number two thousand and one on her list of unfinished tasks.
After speaking, she placed her long legs on the table, stretching lazily:
"The damage inflicted by the Black Whale Poison on my body exceeded my expectations. Black Hunter, I heard from An that you are researching an antidote for the Black Blood Poison."
"Mhm."
Chen Qi nodded.
The Book Saint smiled slightly:
"I think my soldiers also need the antidote."
The Tower Master was startled.
The Book Saint was concerned about them!
Having been poisoned by the Black Whale Poison, he still felt his spiritual energy was obstructed.
In the Book Tower's infirmary, a full ten thousand White Tower Hunters were undergoing emergency treatment due to the Black Blood Poison.
This was also the core reason many couldn't attend the banquet.
The Tower Master said anxiously:
"Teacher, regarding the Black Whale Poison antidote, is there anything we can do?"
The Tower Master wanted to do something to stop the spread of the Black Whale blood.
However, with his knowledge, he couldn't provide a concrete solution.
"If we cannot find a solution soon, I'm afraid many will mutate…"
A flicker of hope appeared in the Tower Master's eyes.
Now, he could only rely on his teacher!
"I need to go recuperate. By the way, Black Hunter, tell your teacher that if she has any troubles, she can come to the top floor of the Book Tower to beg me. I won't refuse her."
"Don't bother me if it's not important."
Book Saint Aslina ignored the Tower Master, snapped her fingers lightly again, and swiftly left the banquet hall.
So fast!
Chen Qi and the Tower Master were both startled, staring blankly at the now-empty main seat.
"Sigh…"
The Tower Master let out a long sigh.
His teacher was still as willful as ever.
I hope An succeeds… Chen Qi thought silently, gazing at the Book Saint's former seat.
……
Book Tower, Spiral Library.
Thump! Thump!
"Teacher, I have something to report to you."
An knocked on the bronze door.
Hearing no response, she quietly pushed the door open.
As the Book Saint's chief student, An had the authority to freely enter and exit the Spiral Library.
"Teacher, I'm coming in~"
An looked up, closed the door, and gazed at the huge hammock hanging in the air.
Silver-white hair cascaded like a waterfall from both sides of the bed.
Just as she expected, Teacher had entered a sleep state.
"Huff, huff, huff…"
"Teacher!"
An was slightly startled.
She remembered that normally, Teacher's breathing during sleep was exceptionally steady.
But now, it was very rapid, like someone running.
Was it because of the injury?… An used a levitation spell, gently floating up to the hammock to check her teacher's condition.
Asleep…
Immediately after, An quickly took out the sleeping potion Little Crow had concocted from sea beast materials from her Backpack Card.
As long as she poured this potion into Teacher's mouth!
I wonder if Teacher set up any traps? An couldn't help but worry.
She had read in books that experts above the fourth tier would set up ingenious traps while sleeping to prevent attacks.
"Kneel down!"
Suddenly, a cold, haughty female voice sounded.
"!!!"
An was startled, her legs going weak, almost making her kneel and kowtow right there.
However, she quickly realized it was just her teacher turning over in her sleep, uttering a line of dream talk.
Don't be nervous, don't be nervous… An's chest rose and fell rapidly.
In reality, she was far from as calm as when she agreed to Chen Qi's plan!
Ultimately, she was only fourth-tier, while her teacher was fifth-tier!
Before her teacher, she only had the right to kneel.
An bit her lip. Although she felt somewhat unwilling and fearful inside,
Qi had begged her!
And it was a very sincere plea for her help!
As a Beginner Mentor, An had always wanted to help Chen Qi.
But unknowingly, Chen Qi had already surpassed her!
Now, it was she who needed Chen Qi's help.
An observed the Book Saint's restless sleeping posture.
This kind of sleeping posture probably meant no traps were set.
I'm probably overthinking… An extended her index finger, gently pried open the Book Saint's cherry-like small mouth, fiddled slightly, and then poured in the sleeping potion.
Operation begin!
Gulp, gulp—
The process was surprisingly smooth.
A drop of the potion gently dripped from the corner of the Book Saint's mouth onto her hammock.
"Whew…"
An wiped the sweat from her forehead.
So thrilling!
Then, she pulled out a suitcase from her Backpack Card that could block spiritual energy observation.
Next, as long as she stuffed her teacher into the suitcase, the mission would be accomplished.
An stepped onto the hammock, slowly picked up the Book Saint, and carefully carried her down to the ground.
However, the next moment, suddenly, the Book Saint used her thumb to press against An's pulsating carotid artery…
Carotid artery!
"Huff, huff, huff…"
"Teacher!"
An instantly broke out in cold sweat, pleading in a begging tone.
She had underestimated her teacher!
"Kneel."
The Book Saint picked An up as if tossing a ball, throwing her out like a shot put.
Boom!
Under the immense force, An's body was slammed hard into a bookshelf!
An was already seriously injured. This blow directly caused the wound on her chest to rupture, blood spilling onto the floor.
"No…"
An looked up at her teacher.
She saw her teacher's toes lightly stepping on the cold spiral-patterned floor, walking towards her step by step.
Her teacher's eyes were not open, but the ripples of spiritual energy had already swept over her entire body!
An swallowed hard.
Her teacher hadn't woken up, but seemed to have entered some kind of sleepwalking state and could detect her movements!
This was probably Teacher's automatic defense state!
An coughed up blood repeatedly. She hurriedly looked at the suitcase in her hand.
If she contacted Chen Qi now, their plan would definitely be exposed.
But at this moment, she had absolutely no way to deal with the teacher before her!
Even her teacher in a sleeping state could easily defeat her!
Not to mention, to avoid waking her teacher, she couldn't harm her.
A dead end… An, dragging her injured body, looked despairingly at the teacher before her.
Could it be that she could only wake her teacher up now, then kneel before her and admit her foolish and arrogant plan?
At that time, her teacher would definitely not let her off easily!
Confinement, whipping punishment, copying books as punishment, even execution…
Most importantly, Chen Qi's plan would also fail!
Thump! Thump!
The Book Saint instinctively raised her right hand, stepping forward step by step, step by step…
Soon, the Book Saint had backed An into a corner of the library.
"Kneel down…"
The Book Saint uttered dream talk, taking another step forward.
However, the next moment, black blood suddenly appeared on the Book Saint's throat—
Cough!
"Cough, cough, cough…"
She violently coughed up a mouthful of blood onto An's body.
Then, the Book Saint's body swayed slightly and collapsed onto An.
The side effects of the Black Blood Poison took effect… An, holding her teacher, was momentarily stunned.
She patted her teacher, but found her teacher showed no reaction.
The Black Blood Poison had worsened Teacher's mutation disease… An blinked.
"Teacher, Teacher…"
She leaned close to her teacher's ear, whispering and calling out repeatedly.
No problem!
"Teacher, you'll fetch a good price…"
"Didn't you always say you wanted to meet the Ice Witch?"
"We'll take you to see her right away."
An let out a long sigh of relief.
Then, without hesitation, she bundled up her teacher's long hair and stuffed her into the suitcase.