Looking at how Yaoyao was now helping to smooth things over and giving both sides a way to step back, it was such a heartwarming and endearing gesture. The more Yi Jian Hanguang thought about it, the more he felt his decision was truly wise.
Just as Yi Jian Hanguang was smugly praising his own wise move, a message from Yaoyao popped up, followed closely by one from his friend.
[Friend][Yaoyao]: Hanguang, now seems like the perfect time for you, the most important and greatest figure in the guild, to step in!
[Friend][Gu Huo Zhongsheng]: Hanguang, it’s time for you to take action.
Though Yi Jian Hanguang was arrogant and looked down on everyone, since both his lover and friend had spoken up, he had no choice but to agree.
[Nearby][Yi Jian Hanguang]: Sifan, Jingxing Xingzhi, let’s end things here today. Both sides should take a step back—it’s for the best.
[Guild][Leader][Yi Jian Hanguang]: These two are quite skilled. If we fight, the lower-level members of our guild might suffer. Plus, there are only two of them, so they’re more mobile than our group.
[Guild][Leader][Yi Jian Hanguang]: The higher-ups should make some sacrifices for the lower-level members. Let’s drop it and not escalate things.
[Guild][Deputy Leader][Gu Huo Zhongsheng]: Exactly. Even the guild leader is swallowing his pride for the sake of our guild’s peace and harmony. Let’s not make things worse.
[Guild][Elder][Yaoyao]: That’s right, everyone should just take a step back. It’s not a big deal anyway.
The three of them worked together to calm the guild’s mood. The others thought it over and agreed—after all, in a game, who hasn’t died a few times? Those two were indeed skilled, and Sifan was already a well-known expert. If things escalated, they’d be fine, but what about the casual players in the guild?
Since they were all part of the same guild, they should help each other out. So, they all laughed it off and decided to let the matter rest.
Since [Han Mang] wasn’t planning to pursue it further, Shen Mufan and Xie Jinghong weren’t the type to push their advantage either. Besides, their original goal had been to complete their quest at the Matchmaker’s Temple. Now that they’d done what they came for, they had a sweet itinerary ahead and didn’t want to waste any more time here.
Shen Mufan wasn’t much of a talker, so Xie Jinghong stepped in to exchange a few polite words with the other side, engaging in some mutual flattery before they went their separate ways.
However, even though everyone else was willing to let the matter drop, there was always someone determined to stir up trouble.
[Nearby][Green Fairy]: How is this fair?! Those two killed me twice, and now they’re just walking away without even apologizing or compensating me?!
Green Fairy was practically losing her mind with rage. She hadn’t received any compensation for her deaths, and now the people who’d killed her were just leaving? No way! If she didn’t make them pay dearly today, there’d be no making up for her losses!
Green Fairy had always been like this—if someone killed her once, she’d hound them relentlessly, making their lives miserable even if she couldn’t defeat them in battle. As a result, her reputation had never been great. Now, with the backing of the top guild, she was even more brazen.
In Green Fairy’s mind, only others should suffer—she should never have to endure any losses. If you killed her, it was wrong; if she killed you, you should just stand there and take it!
Her tantrum thoroughly annoyed Xie Jinghong.
Xie Jinghong: I’m busy trying to have a sweet little date with my darling Fanfan—who has time to play games with an idiot like this?!
Han Mang’s side was also growing increasingly irritated with Green Fairy’s antics. They thought: Even the guild leader, his wife, and the deputy leader have stepped in to mediate. Who does this lowly guild member think she is, causing such a scene? Do we look like a guild with no rules?
[Guild][Elder][Yaoyao]: I’m really sorry, everyone. Fairy didn’t mean it like that. She’s just…
[Guild][Member][Green Fairy]: What are you talking about, Yaoyao? I don’t care about any of that! All I want is for those two shameless jerks to apologize and compensate me!
[Guild][Elder][Yaoyao]: Oh, Fairy!
But Green Fairy completely ignored Yaoyao’s attempts to explain and continued to stir up trouble. Xie Jinghong had no patience left for her. With a single skill, he sent the freshly revived Green Fairy back to the ground. After bidding farewell to [Han Mang]’s group, he and Shen Mufan set off on their romantic date.
Since both of them were top-tier players with deep pockets, they’d already completed most of their quests and lacked nothing in terms of materials. Not being part of any guild, they were free to do as they pleased.
They strolled through beautiful scenery, teamed up to tackle dungeons and bosses, chatted via voice call, and shared their dreams and thoughts—it was pure bliss.
Not to mention, *Heroes’ Journey* excelled in its scenic design, offering breathtaking and diverse landscapes. Many casual players, or even couples, had joined the game just for the views.
Listening to Shen Mufan’s voice through his headphones and sensing his improving mood, Xie Jinghong stroked his chin: Hmm… the scenery designers really did a great job. Maybe they deserve a raise?
As Xie Jinghong’s deep voice filled his ears, Shen Mufan’s cheeks gradually turned pink.
Xie Jinghong was slightly older, mature, steady, and incredibly patient and understanding with him. After being closed off for so long, Shen Mufan couldn’t help but be drawn to such warmth.
Then, after confirming Shen Mufan’s city, Xie Jinghong suddenly said: “Fanfan, how about we meet up offline? What do you think?”
As for why Xie Jinghong, who already knew Shen Mufan’s city and had even met him in real life after some investigation, was now asking Shen Mufan to repeat it… well, that was just part of their little game!
Shen Mufan was stunned by the invitation and didn’t know how to respond.
Meeting Xie Jinghong in real life would actually make him happy. After being alone for so long, he longed for a friend, and Xie Jinghong was one of the rare people who could get close to him without triggering his aversion, making him feel warm and at ease.
But the past still haunted him like a thorn in his heart, making it hard to let go. So, he hesitated over Xie Jinghong’s invitation.
“A-Jing, let me… think about it,” Shen Mufan replied softly, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Though disappointed by Fanfan’s lack of immediate agreement, Xie Jinghong chose to respect his decision: “Alright, Fanfan. I’ll wait for the day you’re ready to say yes.”
Even though Shen Mufan didn’t agree right away, Xie Jinghong had an inexplicable confidence that one day, he would. They’d be together forever, never parting. So, he wasn’t in a hurry.
“Then, Fanfan, shall we head to the next spot?”
“Okay.”
Meanwhile, a man with long bangs covering half his face, exuding a sinister aura, picked up his ringing phone. “What is it?” he answered coldly.
“Heh, you know exactly why I’m calling,” came a sweet, almost boyish voice from the other end. “How’s the plan progressing?”
“What’s the rush? Patience is a virtue.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m *so* impatient! I’m about to lose it—that idiot is testing my limits! If I have to put up with him any longer, I swear I’ll turn into a moron too!”
“Tch, you don’t get it. Precisely because he’s a fool, he’s easy to control.” That idiot never stopped to think—if he were smarter, their plan wouldn’t be going so smoothly.
“Whatever, I’m not arguing about this. Just hurry up. My tolerance for that idiot is at its breaking point! If you don’t act soon, I might just kill him myself!”
“Relax. Soon, we’ll use that fool to get rid of those in our way.”
“Ugh, still that long? So I have to keep dealing with him?!”
“Don’t be so impatient. If you can’t handle this, how will you manage the next phase? Remember, we need him to take the heat and charge into battle. You’ll be the one pulling his strings then. If you can’t stand him now, what’ll you do later?”
“Don’t lecture me! You know exactly how insufferable he is! I’ve put up with him this long—if it were that woman, if she knew the truth about him, she’d have flipped out long ago! I’m telling you—”
“Spare me the rant. Stay or quit—make up your mind. But if you quit, don’t expect a share of the rewards.”
“What did you say?! Say that again, you bastard! After all I’ve endured for this plan, this is how you treat me?!”
“I didn’t say anything. The choice is yours. So, partner, what’ll it be?”
After a long, teeth-gritting pause, the voice on the other end hissed: “…Fine. I’m in.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage