Chapter 60 Water Magic

This was a profoundly reasonable deduction.

Even with the Empire’s assistance, the remnants of the Sakura Kingdom were not enemies worthy of such serious attention from the Kingdom.

At the very least, Xie Hai Zhu did not believe Nangong Yan and Duanmu Yun would be so foolish as to recall the Seven Eastern Expedition Heroes for a mere descendant of a Heavenly King.

But for ‘her’ sake… even if they had to summon all border guards, they likely wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

Alas, ‘she’ was no longer among the living, and no matter how many acquaintances were sought to awaken or stimulate her memory, it all proved futile.

Naturally, concealing this futility and offering hope to everyone was precisely what Xie Hai Zhu intended to do next.

****

“Greetings, Lady Hai Zhu!”

Not long after, Xie Hai Zhu located Li Tianming loitering near her residence, whereupon he swiftly knelt on one knee, expressing his profound respect.

“There’s no need for such formality; surely, you are my friend?”

“This subordinate would not dare!” Li Tianming declared in a clear voice, simultaneously lowering his head even further.

The moment they met, Xie Hai Zhu activated soundproofing and concealment barriers, which Li Tianming also helped reinforce, ensuring that no third party would detect their conversation, no matter how loud.

Yet, even under such conditions, Li Tianming showed not a shred of laxity.

He continued to interact with her in a meticulously proper manner, as if addressing an unfamiliar superior officer.

‘Am I truly so untrustworthy now?’

Xie Hai Zhu sighed inwardly, though she swiftly suppressed the sorrowful emotion deep within her heart.

“I am aware that your true objective is to help me regain my memories; therefore, I wish for you to interact with me as you once did.”

“Please forgive this subordinate, Lady Hai Zhu… this subordinate has always conducted themselves in this manner!”

The conversation reached an impasse.

However, Xie Hai Zhu was not surprised by this outcome.

Li Tianming, despite appearing to hold her in immense esteem, was actually the one who maintained the greatest distance from her.

Yet, it was precisely thanks to Li Tianming that Xie Hai Zhu realized even articulating her intentions clearly would fail to earn the trust of those around her.

She needed to embody her former self more convincingly to truly open their hearts.

Nevertheless, her understanding of the former Hai Zhu was, in truth, scarcely different from that of the general populace.

Only the knowledge that ‘Xie Shenhong’ was Hai Zhu’s ordinary form, and that she possessed a sister, remained unknown to outsiders.

Considering that Shen’ai had been by her side when she first transmigrated, it was not difficult to deduce that the former Hai Zhu must have been someone who deeply cherished her sister.

Therefore—

“Since you are disinclined to speak, I shall not press you further… However, as you’ve transferred to the Royal Magic Academy, I must ask you to look after Shen’ai.”

Perhaps due to his unwavering deference to Xie Hai Zhu, Li Tianming hesitated for a moment before replying:

“This subordinate obeys your command!”

Observing Li Tianming’s persistently bowed head, unwilling even to glance at her, Xie Hai Zhu had no choice but to take her leave and ascend into the sky.

Xie Hai Zhu’s initial plan had been to cultivate a good relationship with Li Tianming, thereby gaining intelligence about the former Hai Zhu to enhance her acting… but confronted with Li Tianming’s unyielding, wall-like demeanor, there was no recourse but to wage a protracted battle to gradually dismantle his emotional defenses.

As for confessing to Duanmu Yun or her sister, such an option was entirely outside Xie Hai Zhu’s consideration.

For if she were to even hint at a desire to recall the past, those two would likely display expressions of profound distress… and that was a sight she wished to avoid at all costs.

Dongfang Qinglong, on the other hand… he was undoubtedly the one who most yearned for Xie Hai Zhu to regain her memories, yet conversely, he was also the most likely to discern her pretense.

Consequently, until she had gathered a sufficient amount of information, Xie Hai Zhu genuinely wished to avoid confronting Dongfang Qinglong.

Ultimately… only Nangong Yan remained.

If it were Nangong Yan, he would surely urge her to live life as she pleased.

However, this “trust” and “affirmation” undoubtedly stemmed from the original Hai Zhu… and she felt utterly undeserving of it.

Having exhausted all avenues of thought without finding a better solution, and with no one else around—no “audience” for whom she needed to maintain her persona—the negative emotions Xie Hai Zhu had suppressed deep within her heart suddenly surged forth.

She involuntarily descended to the ground and let out a long sigh, gazing up at the sky.

“Can I truly succeed?”

Although she had resolved to portray ‘Xie Hai Zhu’ and ‘Xie Shenhong’ as someone regaining their memories, as previously mentioned, she was no longer the unfeeling puppet she had been before her transmigration.

She was prone to acting on impulse, unable to resist behaviors that diverged from her role… and most critically, influenced by her emotions, her ability to interpret information had waned.

Had she been her former self, she would certainly not have taken so long to discern Lyte’s true nature.

Consequently, she felt profoundly insecure about the series of analyses she had just performed.

She feared repeating Lyte’s mistakes.

She dreaded that her missteps might trigger even graver repercussions.

Even if she achieved nothing… she found that prospect somewhat unbearable.

“No, I cannot dwell on these thoughts any longer.”

Xie Hai Zhu shook her head, attempting to cast off her despondent state of mind, but she instantly realized this, too, was a form of evasion, leaving her utterly at a loss for what to do.

Furthermore, a question arose in her mind: was it truly necessary for her to do all this?

Wouldn’t it suffice if she simply grew stronger and protected the Kingdom?

Even if she never regained her memories, even if everyone was disappointed, wouldn’t it be enough just to ‘live’?

“Yes, simply living would be enough…”

Xie Hai Zhu murmured thoughtfully, a look of profound bewilderment in her eyes, as if a small boat had strayed into a vast, fog-shrouded, night-darkened sea.

However, just as she was on the verge of complete disorientation, a brilliant light suddenly tore through the darkness of the fog-engulfed night sky.

“Lady Hai Zhu?”

Golden hair, shimmering brightly even in the pitch-black night.

Resolute and clear emerald eyes.

The young man, possessing all these striking features, walked directly before her and knelt on one knee.

Unlike a certain other individual, however, after uttering his initial respectful address, the golden-haired youth raised his head, fixing his gaze solely upon her, his eyes filled with concern.

“My knight, what brings you out so late?” Xie Hai Zhu offered a faint smile, mimicking her other self, and helped Lyte to his feet.

“I was searching for you, Lady Hai Zhu.”

“Searching for me?”

“Yes… I wished to request your assistance on behalf of Shenhong.”

Xie Hai Zhu had not anticipated such a turn of events… yet, in retrospect, it was entirely logical.

After all, among those who knew both her and Xie Shenhong, only Lyte remained unaware that they were one and the same person.

Her surprise, however, was fleeting; she quickly devised a strategy—Lyte would never delve into whether she had truly intervened, so a casual agreement would suffice.

Before she could even speak, Lyte knelt once more.

“But before that, Lady Hai Zhu… please give me your command.

Anything within my power, I shall strive to accomplish!”

“There is nothing I require of you,” Xie Hai Zhu stated flatly.

“I wish to offer my humble strength for Lady Hai Zhu!” Lyte lowered his head even further.

For some reason, despite Lyte performing actions quite similar to a certain other individual, Xie Hai Zhu felt not a trace of revulsion.

No, she understood the reason perfectly.

“Why do you think that?”

“Because Lady Hai Zhu appears to be troubled by something.”

Lyte’s respect did not elevate her to an unapproachable, god-like existence.

“If my concern were how to annihilate the Empire and lead the Kingdom to prosperity, how would you assist me?”

“My apologies, Lady Hai Zhu, but if it pertains to those two matters, I can only guarantee to fulfill the tasks within my capabilities.”

Lyte would not make idle boasts simply out of deference.

“What if my worry was simply not knowing what to eat tomorrow?”

“I, too, have been troubled by such concerns, Lady Hai Zhu.

Would you like me to recommend some establishments?

However, if you seek to savor the most exquisite delicacies in the world, I would still highly suggest consulting Shenhong…”

Lyte would treat her every word with earnestness, not because he sought to curry favor with her as a leader, but simply out of a genuine desire to alleviate her worries.

“What if my worries stemmed from not seeing you?” Xie Hai Zhu asked with a mischievous smile.

“Thank you for your generous affection, Lady Hai Zhu… but please allow me to ‘temporarily’ decline such importance,” Lyte replied, raising his head, his eyes shining with conviction.

Of course, the most crucial point remained.

Lyte never intended for the object of his respect to face solitude.