Chapter 931 - 712: Probing
"Who the hell has a death wish?!"
The Beastman bared his teeth in pain, but only after roaring did he realize the city’s Guard Team had arrived.
The brown-haired young man in the lead was handsome and young, with a sharp gaze—it was Baron, whom she had just met not long ago.
The moment they saw Baron, that gang of hooligans instantly wilted; all their earlier arrogance vanished, leaving only fear on their faces.
Even the Beastman leader whose hand had been chopped off turned pale in an instant. His rage was doused as if with cold water; he shrank back half a step, squeezing out an ingratiating smile. "C-Captain Baron, why is it you? We haven’t caused any trouble this year..."
Baron only said coldly, "No brawling in the city, and absolutely no harassing females! Next time I see it, anyone who breaks the rules will be executed on the spot!"
The Beastmen were so frightened their whole bodies trembled, yet they didn’t dare resist.
Their leader could only pick up the severed hand from the ground, swallow his anger, and lead his men away like a pack of stray dogs.
The other Beastmen around them didn’t want to get dragged in either. They cast a distant glance over here, then all hurriedly slipped away.
Shen Tang looked at the approaching Baron. To call this an accident wasn’t quite right; this was already within her expectations.
As expected, it was him again.
It was this Captain Balon again, rushing in to save her.
He always showed up at just the right time. If she called this a coincidence, she would never believe it.
Baron walked up to her and gave a respectful salute. "Miss, are you all right?"
Shen Tang came back to herself and shook her head. "I’m fine."
"Good, I’m glad you’re not hurt. Letting something like this happen means we failed at maintaining order. I truly apologize."
Baron’s tone carried a hint of apology; his gaze on her was still respectful as he asked gently, "May I ask what business brings you into the city, Miss? If you need any help, I can assist."
Shen Tang shook her head. "I just came to buy some things. I’ve already bought them, so I won’t trouble you."
"All right. If you need anything later, please let us know at any time. We’ll do our best."
The two of them chatted casually for a few more sentences.
When Baron was about to lead his team away, Shen Tang suddenly called out to him:
"Wait."
Baron turned back to look at her. "Does the Miss have anything else?"
A complicated look flashed through Shen Tang’s eyes, but she quickly hid her emotions and showed a warm, grateful smile. "Nothing much, I just wanted to properly thank Captain Balon. You saved me again—last time it was you too."
She said with feeling, "You’ve already helped me twice. I really don’t know how to repay you."
"Miss, there’s no need to be so polite. This is my duty; no need to thank me..." Baron replied with a smile, but then suddenly stopped, his expression changing slightly.
Meeting Shen Tang’s meaningful gaze, his heart gave a jolt. Realizing he’d slipped up, he hurried to cover it. "Uh, we still have a mission. We’ll be going now."
With that, he led his men away in a hurry.
Shen Tang watched them disappear around the corner of the street. The smile on her face gradually faded, replaced by an indescribably complex expression.
Baron had indeed helped her twice in the city, but both times she had been in disguise; her appearance and identity were completely different.
If Baron had really just happened to pass by, how could he possibly recognize her?
Unless he’d been watching from the shadows all along, only then could he see through her identity at a glance.
If she had only suspected it before, now Shen Tang was almost certain that someone had to be pulling Baron’s strings from behind.
And his way of doing things just didn’t fit with the reality of Sky City at all. Instead, it was extremely similar to... Lu Xiao.
But if it really was Lu Xiao, why hasn’t he come to see her?
Shen Tang’s throat tightened, her hands unconsciously clenching. Her heart felt heavy and a little stuffy, even her palms were slightly sweaty.
She couldn’t tell if it was anticipation, nervousness, or disappointment.
At this moment, a contradictory thought flashed through her mind—
She was afraid it wasn’t him, and even more afraid that it was him.
If it really was him, why wouldn’t he come find her? Why wouldn’t he send even a single word, and instead seem to be avoiding her?
Counting it up, the two of them had been apart for almost half a year.
That span wasn’t too long, but it wasn’t short either—enough time for many things to happen, and many people to change.
Would that Lu Xiao from back then, who was so loyal to her, so gentle and tolerant, have changed as well?
She suddenly felt at a loss, no longer sure whether insisting on coming to find him, wanting to see him, was right or wrong.
She was afraid something else had happened around him, afraid he’d lost his memory like Xue Yinzhou, or... that there was already someone else by his side.
Shen Tang realized she knew nothing about his current situation. Coming here so rashly, she suddenly felt a bit hesitant inside, not daring to move forward.
"Hiss hiss~ Sis, what’s wrong?"
Little Snake sensed her low mood and asked worriedly.