Chapter 1759 - 150: Animals 3
"..."
This time, Master Tao was silent for even longer, and after a while, she continued,
"Trivial, all in all, we’ve only been together a few months since you awoke. Although I’m bonded with you day and night, talking with you, you must understand that my teaching you skills and helping you solve problems has a purpose... I seek revenge against Chaos, I want to stop the destruction of this world, not for you, do you understand?
"I’ve already died once; I’m surviving because of this life-altering Chaos. If it lives, I live; if it perishes, I die. That’s why your Fisher can’t solve my problem the same way he solved the child’s issue. I’ve also read the Completion Manual and even relied on it to take sole charge of Elf affairs after Mother’s death. Do you think I wouldn’t understand this?
"Your Fisher might have already guessed the connection between you and me as the Chaos carrier, so he gave us time to talk, and that’s for you, not for me. But in the end, our ultimate aim is the same: to solve the Doomsday Prophecy. There’s always sacrifice for gain; I once gave everything and couldn’t save my people and homeland. If giving up this accidentally obtained life can bring victory to the plan, isn’t that something worth rejoicing?
Valentina hung her head without responding, but her silence itself was an attitude, which Master Tao could certainly read,
"Speak your mind, sometimes staying quiet only leaves regrets, Valentina."
"...I... I don’t know what to say, Master Tao. I just... feel very sad."
Valentina pressed her lips together, the words in her mind turning slowly like rusty cogs,
"Since waking up, I’ve still been that naive young girl; the Phoenix Bloodline cured my disability but couldn’t grant me wisdom. Without you, there are many things I wouldn’t see or understand. Wutong Tree would surely be utterly disappointed in me by now, thinking that the Phoenix in myth is nothing special. You’re not just my teacher, but a cherished friend as well.
"Many people have helped me throughout my life, but after many made their contributions, they left without giving me even a chance to repay them. Now you want to do the same... I know what you want to see, you want to make up for the regret of not protecting your homeland a thousand years ago. I want you to witness that moment yourself, not to die thinking your efforts need not include you... you know... I... I hope you can survive, Master Tao."
Master Tao smiled again, but the meaning of the smile was hard to comprehend,
"Child, ’Jade is polished to perfection,’ no effort is in vain."
"What does that mean?"
"It means... never mind, you’ll understand one day."
"...Is there really no other way, Master Tao?"
"No, at least I don’t have one, maybe your miracle husband has a way? But that’s a slim hope; you might as well wish for him to abandon other women and stay with you forever—the odds might be better?"
"..."
Valentina didn’t speak again. She simply adjusted her facial expression and turned back to look at Alicia behind her.
Unexpectedly, her current sorrowful mood created a terrifyingly low pressure, scaring Alicia into shivering while holding the urn in her arms.
Valentina was slightly stunned, quickly adjusted her expression, and kindly said to her,
"Little one, your name is Alicia, right?"
"Yes, big sister..."
"You’ve been with Fisher this whole time, haven’t you?"
"Yes, I’ve always been with big brother."
"...."
Valentina thought for a moment, then mischievously asked,
"So, what has big brother Fisher been doing all this time? Has he been cozying up with other women? What has he been up to?"
Alicia opened her mouth, thought for a while, and suddenly remembered something. After glancing at the tightly closed door of the hall to ensure no one else was there, she cautiously leaned closer as if sharing a big secret.
Valentina raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer to hear what she had to say.
The next second, Alicia’s childish voice said,
"Sister, I’ll tell you, but don’t tell anyone else, okay?"
"Hmm, I promise."
"Big brother... is in love with animals."
"?"
Valentina blinked and looked at Little Alicia who had such a serious expression.