Chapter 45 - Farewell Lando Welcome Fatty

“Phew!” After being cleansed by the Lion Heart bloodline, Lu Hong felt entirely revitalized, with all his scars healed, yet without erasing the marks of their existence.

“That’s a relief.” Lando finally felt at ease.

She had feared that the bloodline advancement would remove all traces of the scars, which would have instantly shattered the image of the rugged man she held in her heart.

“Thank you for just now, infatuated one.” Lu Hong got used to his new body and uttered his thanks to Lando, who was drooling at the corner of her mouth.

Indeed, had Lando not dealt with those demons just now, his advancement might have been interrupted.

Although he could attempt to advance again later, it certainly wouldn’t have been as smooth as succeeding on the first try.

“No need to thank me, no need to thank me, just let me touch it a bit.” Lando trotted over to Lu Hong, her hand trembling as she reached out to feel his muscles.

Dammit, still a fangirl!

Lu Hong glanced at Lando with annoyance.

This time, not only had his bloodline advanced, but his level had also increased to level twelve.

And his status as a First Transition Profession peak wasn’t just superficial; as Lando had thought before, the advancement of the Lion Heart bloodline granted him unparalleled defensive strength.

His resistance to physical damage was average, but his immunity to magic damage was practically to the point of ignoring anything below a Second Transition.

One must know that the Lion Heart royal family is the strongest race on this continent without peer; even dragons may not be their match, otherwise, how could the orcs have once ruled the entire continent?

Not only his defense, but thanks to the Lion Heart bloodline’s enhancement, Lu Hong’s recovery ability was also extremely formidable; frankly, it was as if he had gained a permanent, eighth-level healing skill buff.

“Possessing the physique of a beastman, yet still bearing the appearance of a human,” Lando murmured as she caressed Lu Hong’s upper body muscles.

“Oh, are you curious?”

“Yes, the Lion Heart royal family is already exceedingly rare; how could there be a half-blood between a human and the Lion King?

It’s extremely unusual.”

“Actually, I don’t know where my bloodline comes from either, but I believe you won’t spread the news of me bearing this bloodline, right?” Lu Hong’s eyes gradually turned cold as he fixed his gaze on Lando.

“Hehe~” Lando chuckled, “What would happen if I did tell?”

“Then I would have no choice but to kill you now!” Lu Hong grabbed Lando by the throat.

The matter of the Lion Heart bloodline was of grave importance; the old man had stressed it repeatedly to him in private.

Therefore, this secret must not be revealed.

“My man, are you really so heartless?” Lando’s face reddened, and she struggled to speak.

“Had it not been for our past intimacy, I would have killed you long ago, Miss Lando!” Seeing that Lando made no attempt to resist, Lu Hong couldn’t bring himself to do it and released her throat.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Feeling like reborn, Lando took deep breaths of fresh air and laughed loudly, “So you knew my identity all along, could it be you’re reluctant to kill me?”

“Your identity isn’t hard to guess, but I won’t act against you.” Lu Hong couldn’t tell her that he had challenged her to a duel in the game, could he?

The reason he didn’t expose her identity right from their first meeting was, after all, because of their past intimacy.

Lu Hong had recognized Lando’s identity from the first glance.

However, he also noticed that this woman seemed to have suffered considerable wounds, her magic power utterly depleted.

Had he immediately revealed her identity, he wouldn’t have known how to interact with her.

So, he pretended ignorance, hoping the meals he provided would help her recover some magic power, at least giving her a degree of self-preservation in this lower realm.

When he used to play Skyrim, Lu Hong had received a mission to assassinate the Sect Hierarch, only to be discovered and defeated by Lando.

He was killed in the fight, and after reviving, he had no intention of completing that quest again.

It wasn’t for any other reason than never having seen such an overpowered NPC before; always accompanied by a group of disgusting fused monsters.

One fight with her had been enough to ruin his appetite for an entire week.

“Why won’t you act against me?

Surely I’m evil enough in your eyes?” Lando asked with curiosity.

“Can you cut the crap!” Lu Hong certainly didn’t want to admit to the ambiguous feelings he harbored for Lando.

“You like me in your heart, don’t you?” Lando seemed to guess Lu Hong’s thoughts and continued to press.

“Stop annoying me!

After a day’s recovery, I believe you should be capable of self-protection now.

The empire will soon reopen the Hell’s Rift, so it’s best you think of a way to leave here soon.”

“I just want to know if you have any feelings for me?” Lando saw Lu Hong dodging her gaze and looked at him determinedly.

“Yes!

But we could never be, and I…”

“Who is that person?” Lando didn’t need to guess to know what Lu Hong would say next.

“Danni.” Lu Hong didn’t avoid the question, instead he wanted Lando to understand there could be nothing between them before, as Danni most hated the Hell Sect and he believed she had fought Lando numerous times.

“Danni?” Lando’s eyes widened in shock; she hadn’t realized this First Transition young man was actually involved with the ice queen Danni?

That was truly astonishing news.

Next time she encountered Danni, she’d use this to tease her thoroughly!

“So, she’s the main wife, can I be the concubine?”

“…” How was Lu Hong supposed to respond to that?

Seeing Lu Hong fall silent, Lando nodded understandingly: “I know your concerns.

Once our Hell Sect has fulfilled our mission, you’ll understand.

Tu-Ku-Lu, you are my first man, and a gift from the heavens at that.

Although we’ve only been together a short while, I really like you.”

“…” Lu Hong still didn’t know how to respond and continued to choose silence.

Their relationship was destined to be constrained by morals and allegiances.

Lu Hong couldn’t possibly turn a blind eye to the actions of the hell sect because of Lando, let alone where Danni was concerned.

And Lando also had her own thoughts; she wouldn’t leave the hell sect for Lu Hong and assume a new identity either.

Isn’t this the classic love story between a virtuous academy’s top student and a charming demoness from the evil path?

It must be a template.

“Fine, I won’t force you,” Lando said, her heart clear as she stepped back, a trace of sadness on her face.

“So, I’m leaving?

My little man?”

Lu Hong didn’t say anything, just quietly watched her.

Lando took a few more steps away, then turned back and said, “I’m really going.

Are you sure you won’t kill me?

This might be your last chance to kill me, Vili himself didn’t manage to do it.

If you return to the empire with my head, you’d definitely be hailed as a hero.”

“Scram!” Lu Hong barked in irritation.

Even now, this woman was still testing him.

“Hehe~ Hehe!” Lando didn’t get angry at all; instead, she happily walked away, and eventually disappeared from Lu Hong’s sight.

“Ah!” Lu Hong sighed, wondering how he got entangled in such an ill-fated relationship.

Why was marrying Danni and having a simple life so difficult?

Why did the heavens insist on making him a scoundrel?

Shouldering his greatsword, Lu Hong continued forward in the opposite direction of Lando.

Another day hurriedly passed by, and Lu Hong, freshly through a slaughter, was covered in blood.

He found a clear pond to wash himself, having learned his lesson – he resolutely didn’t enter the water.

What if another woman fell from the sky?

Splash!

Huh?

Did invoking it actually work?

Lu Hong saw a blur before his eyes as a dark figure plunged headfirst into the pool, appearing to be human.

“Good thing I didn’t get into the water, or I might have been struck squarely again,” Lu Hong was very glad about his decision, as the person emerged from the water.

“The Dean?” Lu Hong recognized the chubby man—who else could it be but the Dean of Kains Academy who had plunged into hell in front of the students?

Pfft~

Spitting out a bellyful of pond water, the Dean chuckled at Lu Hong, “Ah, what a coincidence, Tu Student, to run into you here.”

“You’re actually still in hell?” Lu Hong was quite astonished; the chubby man had apparently survived four days in hell.

He had thought that when they entered hell, the chubby man had already left quietly on his own.

“What’s wrong with being in hell?

It’s quite normal.

But how are you still alive?” The Dean curiously asked.

“Still alive?” Lu Hong bit down on the Dean’s words, furrowing his brows and staring intently at the chubby man.

“Why do you say that?”

“Ah,,,,,,Ahaha, the sun is quite fierce today, isn’t it?” The Dean realized he had misspoken and tried to change the subject.

“There’s no sun in hell, speak!

Why did you ask that!” Lu Hong shouted sternly.

“I just heard that a demon army attacked the academy’s encampment, so I was surprised that you’re still alive until now, nothing more,” the Dean hastily explained.

“Oh?

Then do you know that the students from Tulip Academy successfully escaped from hell?” Lu Hong probed.

“Of course, I know.

Ah, such a pity that our academy’s students didn’t make it!” The Dean feigned a sad look that almost had Lu Hong believing him.

The chubby man’s mouth didn’t seem to carry a single truth, and Lu Hong decided not to pursue it further; he figured it wouldn’t yield any results no matter how much more he asked.

“Actually, we still have some students alive.

They should be within a few thousand meters from me,” Lu Hong hinted at the general direction where Lock Fan and the others might be.

“Ah?

There are still people alive from Kains Academy?

That’s fantastic, I’ll take you to find them right away!” The Dean climbed out of the water and approached Lu Hong.

“I’m truly comforted to see you’re still alive!” The Dean looked at Lu Hong with a fondness, his demeanor kind and benevolent.

If it weren’t for the previous deception from this chubby man, Lu Hong might have actually failed to see how deep this man could hide his true nature.

“I say, Honorable Dean, you might want to take care of Lock Fan and the others.

I’ve still got some matters to take care of, so I should be going,” Lu Hong said, preparing to leave.

He felt insecure about staying close to the chubby man, fearing this smiling tiger might try to kill him the next moment.

“Don’t go, Tu Student.

Hell is still very dangerous, and since fate has brought us together, it’s safest to stay by my side,” the Dean genuinely rejoiced at Lu Hong’s survival, swearing to the heavens he had no intention of harming Lu Hong.

“No need, you should think about how to open the gateway out of hell.

Otherwise, none of us can get out.”

“That’s easy,” the Dean quipped.

“The other three Deans are here as well.

As long as we act together, we can open the gateway out of hell from inside in minutes.

My Tu Student, let me protect you!

I swear, if I have to die, I’ll die before you!”

There were three other Deans still in there?

Why didn’t anyone call for the Deans to help when the demon attacked the camp?

Did they not know they were in there or was there no way to ask for help?

Lu Hong’s heart was filled with doubts about this journey to hell, but he knew he didn’t possess the strength to unravel the secrets yet, so he could only hold his suspicions back.

“Alright then,” Lu Hong finally agreed to stay with the chubby man.

Since all four Deans were present, they were probably not far from escaping hell.